#our boys going through their divorce in the background

[s-misaki]

Randy tried his best

[pedroscurls]

Third Time’s A Charm (Part 13).

Character(s): Frankie “Catfish” Morales, Santiago “Pope” Garcia, Victoria, Reader (female, second person POV)  Summary: You and Frankie move forward together, while Victoria still looms in the background. Word Count: 2,568 Author's Note: I wanted to write just a fluffy chapter because our bby boy deserves to be happy lol (i mean look at that smile!!!)  Warning: None.

A week later and Frankie had slowly started to move more of his things into your apartment. It was easy how well you both slipped back into routine, almost like no time had passed at all. Every night and every morning, he would make sure to express his gratitude in ways that you couldn’t even imagine, and each time, he left you a complete mess of yourself, always panting, legs shaky, and unable to say anything else but “fuck”. 

Aside from the sex, though, you had missed everything about him. You had hoped that you and Frankie would get another chance to do this again, to be together again, but you had lost hope when he had gotten married. He was separated from Victoria, already in the process of speaking with a lawyer to settle on the divorce. At a time that might have seemed stressful, Frankie was the actual opposite. He seemed lighter, like the weight on his shoulders had finally been lifted. 

And after Frankie broke the news to Victoria, you still had your job, but every time you went to work, you felt like any day could have been your last. Part of you wanted to tell Frankie, to finally come clean as to why you had kept your distance for more than a year, but another part of you didn’t want to bring up something that would only anger him. 

“Hey,” he whispered, pulling you into his arms. “What are you thinking about?”

“Hm?” you answered, looking up at him and snuggling even further into him. “Nothing.”

“Liar.” Frankie chuckled. “Seriously, what’s going on?”

“Just thinking.” 

“You regretting this?” he asked honestly.

“What?” you shook your head and sat up on the couch, bringing your legs underneath you as you turned to face him. “I just– I still can’t believe it, that we’re here.”

Frankie nodded, moving an arm at the back of the couch as he looked over at you. “Me too,” he admitted. “Keep feeling like I’m gonna wake up and this is all gonna be a dream.”

You smiled to yourself. You knew exactly how he felt. You would be lying if you said that you weren’t waiting for the other shoe to drop, to have the universe throw a wrench in your relationship with Frankie (yet again), but for some reason, this time felt right. 

“I’ve missed this, missed you,” you said, reaching for his hand and placing it in your lap. You gently played with his fingers, dropping your eyes to your lap. “I thought– I didn’t think we’d get another chance at this after… After everything.”

“Funny how life works, huh?” Frankie said, pulling his hand from yours. He sighed contentedly and lied back, resting his head on your lap as he looked up at you. You smiled to yourself and ran your fingers gently through his curls, seeing his eyes fall shut. 

“I love you, Frankie.” you whispered. “I never stopped loving you.”

Frankie smiled, placing his hands on his chest. “Hearing those words coming from you… Oh, hermosa, I haven’t felt this good in so long.” 

You leaned down and pecked his lips. When you pulled back, he was staring at you with soft eyes, the same brown eyes that had lured you in the moment you met him. 

Frankie couldn’t look away. He was telling the truth; he hadn’t felt this good, not even on his wedding day with Victoria. While that entire situation was stressful to even think about, he just couldn’t wait until everything was officially over. It had taken him a complete week to realize that the things she had said were only said because she was hurt; Frankie had to take responsibility though. He shouldn’t have married her in the first place, shouldn’t have committed to her when his heart was elsewhere. 

It had always been you. For Frankie, it was always you. When you left for California, he thought you were better off, thought you were going to find someone better than him. California was always your dream and he couldn’t get in the way of that so it was a mutual decision to end a relationship before allowing distance to ruin it, but he wondered… Constantly, he wondered what life would have been like if you both decided to have just stayed together. 

And you both knew… You both knew it would have worked. 

But again, you were both too scared to make that commitment. Your relationship with Frankie had been the best you had ever experienced and neither of you wanted to ruin that, so ending it before it could even get to a point of no return led you both to today, back to each other. 

“We both always believed things would work out, didn’t we?” you said.

Frankie nodded. “I’ll admit I did lose hope there for a moment…”

“Me too,” you admitted. “I didn’t think we’d ever get another chance at this.”

Frankie then sat up and pulled you onto his lap, causing you to squeak in surprise. His hands immediately went to run along your thighs as he stared up at you. Your hands moved to wrap around his shoulders, playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. 

“You’re my dream come true, hermosa,” he whispered, leaning up to gently peck your lips. “Life with me–”

“Is an adventure,” you interrupted. “I know what I’m signing up for, Frankie. You don’t have to warn me.”

“I just–” he sighed. “Still have a lot of baggage that I have yet to deal with.”

“Then we deal with it together, one at a time.” 

Frankie’s eyes softened, biting his lower lip. “You still want this? Want me?”

“More than ever, Frankie.” you leaned in to rest your forehead against his, sighing quietly. “I know that it’s not gonna be easy, but I’m in this. All of it. No matter how hard it gets, I’m here.” 

“I love you,” he whispered. “More than you’ll ever know.” 

“Oh, I think I’ve got an idea,” you laughed quietly. “You got me, Frankie. You always have.” 

Frankie nodded and buried his face against the side of your neck, his hands moving to wrap around your waist as he pulled you flush against him. He held you like this as his mind raced of endless thoughts. His mind drifted often, but you kept him grounded. The urge to relapse, to forget and numb the painful thoughts were becoming less and less frequent when you were around, and even when his mind would drift, you were able to catch him just at the right moment before he fell even deeper. 

You had promised before that you would always help him out of a rut, always be there to pull him out of it, to remind him to keep going and even now, you hadn’t broken that promise. If he wasn’t thinking about Victoria and the things she had said a week ago, he thought about Tom, and if he wasn’t thinking about Tom, he thought about the handful of horrific things he had done while he was still in the service. 

Frankie really needed to talk to someone about this, about his thoughts, about what lingered in the shadows whenever he was alone. He was sure that Benny, Santiago, and Will experienced exactly what he was experiencing, but he wasn’t sure if talking to them about it would even help. If anyone knew how important it was to talk about it, it was Will. So, he made a mental note for himself to reach out to the other man once things settled down. 

“I’m so lucky I’ve got you,” he said, his voice muffled against the crook of your neck. 

“I’d say I’m lucky too.” You kissed his cheek and stood from his lap, taking his hand in yours as you motioned towards the hallway. “Let’s go to bed?” 

Frankie nodded, standing up from the couch and scooping you up into his arms. He smiled to himself as you buried your face against him, your arms immediately coming up around his neck. 

“Showing off those muscles, huh?” you teased.

“Only for you, baby.”

—

Victoria didn’t know what to do, or rather what she could do. She had always found you threatening, always felt so jealous of you and your bond with Frankie and the rest of the guys. She should have known, shouldn’t have pressured herself and Frankie to get married when she knew that he was still hung up on you (despite him reassuring her that there was nothing there). 

She should have known, should have seen all of the red flags before committing herself to Frankie. And now, here she was… Heartbroken and on the path to divorce. 

Victoria believed that you were the reason for all of this, for everything that had gone wrong in her marriage with Frankie. She thought she had gotten rid of you a year ago and it went well… for a while, until Frankie started spiraling. He had grown distant and he barely slept, always on constant edge and truthfully, Victoria didn’t want to deal with it. She had grown tired of him coming home late, falling asleep on the couch, leaving the house before she could even wake up. This past year with Frankie had been difficult and it certainly didn’t help when she found out that he was on probation from work because of cocaine. 

He had told her that he was struggling, that his mind just wouldn’t shut off, and that when he slept all he could see was the people he let down, the people he hurt, the people that died because of him. To Frankie, cocaine was a simple solution to his struggles and Victoria just couldn’t understand why. She didn’t think she would ever truly understand what Frankie had to deal with, the things he had to see or do, but all she wanted was for him to get better so that they can just be that happy, married couple like when they first got married. 

She yelled at him. A lot. Victoria knew where the root of her anger was stemming from, but Frankie was an easy target. After all, he was the reason why they had been having marital issues in the first place. Even now, Victoria didn’t think anything was her fault. She was used to getting her way and now, she felt hopeless. She didn’t have Frankie anymore; she wasn’t happy… 

Victoria was absolutely miserable and she was determined to make your life a living hell. So, the day Frankie left after telling her the bad news, she was quick to call her friend at the university. She spewed hateful lies about you, more than eager to talk badly about you. Her friend promised her that he would handle it, taking these matters seriously, which was one “positive” thing to come out of this. At least you would be without a job, more specifically, a job that you considered to be something you had always dreamt of. 

If you could take away the one thing Victoria loved, then so could she. 

It had been a week since Frankie let her know that he wanted a divorce and as she was walking into a grocery store while on the phone with her friend from the university, she spotted Santiago in the ice cream aisle. After letting her friend know that she had to go and that she was grateful that he was going to speak with you later that week, Victoria had begun walking towards Santiago. He had always been so friendly, so charming, and she was sure that he was aware of what was going on. 

Maybe… Maybe if she could turn the guys on you, then maybe she could have another chance to get Frankie back.

“Santiago,” she called out, smiling. “Having trouble with choosing ice cream?” Victoria teased.

Santiago tightened his jaw at the sound of her voice. All he could think about now when he looked at her was the words she had threatened you with over a year ago. It surprised him that the rest of the guys never noticed, but you could be convincing if you wanted to. 

“Vic,” he said quietly. “Yeah, there are just so many options.” Santiago tried to remain neutral, tried to be polite, but it was becoming increasingly difficult as the seconds passed. 

“Well, you can never go wrong with Rocky Road.” Victoria laughed, looking over at the other man. “Hey, I was… I was meaning to reach out to you, but I’m sure you heard.”

Santiago nodded. “I did.”

“I just miss him,” she sighed. “It’s not the same without him.”

“Right,” he replied. “I’m sure Frankie’s hurting too.”

“Is he?” Victoria spat, rolling her eyes. “I’m sure he’s warming up to her.”

“Excuse me?” Santiago turned to face her; he knew exactly who she was referring to and he didn’t like it. Was Victoria this oblivious? Surely, she should have known how close you were with him and the rest of the guys. 

“Oh come on, Santiago. We all know that she’s with Frankie. I mean, she’s always been all over him,” she lied. “Always wanting more with a married man.”

“Soon to be divorced,” Santiago replied, gritting his teeth. 

“Maybe, maybe not,” Victoria shrugged. “I’m just saying… She’s never had any boundaries and–”

“Alright,” Santiago interrupted, shaking his head. “We’re gonna stop that right now.”

“I’m sorry?” she asked, confused. 

Santiago said your name, noticing the way Victoria tightened her jaw and narrowed her eyes, almost out of instinct at the mention of your name. “She’s a good woman, a damn good person too.”

“You don’t know her like I do.”

“I don’t?” Santiago laughed. “I think I know her better than you and quite frankly, if Frankie’s with her right now… Then, good for him.” Santiago knew exactly where Frankie was; in fact, the rest of the guys already knew that you and Frankie were slowly rekindling your relationship and they all agreed that it had been such a long time since they had seen Frankie like this. 

Victoria gasped, taking a step back. “Y–You don’t mean that!” 

“I know what you did, Vic. I mean, she has always been by our side and then you have the nerve to threaten her just because you were afraid to lose Frankie?”

She feigned confusion, shaking her head. “I don’t know what she told you, but that’s not true.”

“No?” Santiago asked, tilting his head. “What kind of person threatens someone else to stay away from her group of friends? And you know, she kept that shit to herself for over a year because she didn’t want any of us to think differently of you.” He took a step back and looked at Victoria from top to bottom with clear disgust in his features. “If it were me, I’d have told us and Frankie the minute it happened. You don’t deserve her kindness, especially since you haven’t shown any ounce of it to her or to Frankie.”

“But–”

“We’re done here. Frankie’s a good man and she’s a good woman. You, on the other hand? I can’t say the same.” Santiago turned on his heel, starting to walk away from Victoria before he stopped and called over his shoulder. “I wish you the best, Vic, but you never deserved Frankie.”

---

Part 14.

Taglist: @harriedandharassed, @tanzthompson, @casa-boiardi. @bitchwitch1981. @painitemoondust, @pedritosdarling, @vanemando15, @kittenlittle24​, @gracie7209​, @your-voice-is-mellifluous​

[melrosing]

which are the books you loved this year? Need to start off 2024 right

these ones! I don't think any of them would make it into like my top 20 all-timers but i enjoyed all of them:

Sagittarius by Natalia Ginzburg: for some reason I cried for about fifteen minutes after finishing this one and it drove me to buy like everything else she's ever written. idk I think this was the year I realised my parents were also fallible humans and so this book specifically hurt a lot

The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante: Ferrante is another author where it's like I'll literally read whatever she puts out and I don't usually go in for divorce dramas but all the way through I was like damn this would make for a solid A24 movie

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee: v interesting generational epic on a part of history I knew very little about and also made me cry a bit :/

Penance by Eliza Clark: lol I posted a passage from this whilst I was reading, I think it's just a lot of fun, a solid satire of the true crime genre, and also the most convincing writing I've seen about growing up on tumblr era social media. I recced it to a friend who didn't grow up on tumblr but did grow up with me whilst I + our friends were and she was like this is bringing back VIVID memories. I liked Boy Parts as well (her debut novel) but it wasn't a fave this year

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides: what can i say bruh I like generational epics. also as someone else with a big ass greek surname i can really relate to the protag (and Eugenides I suppose) being dialled up by the teacher to read aloud/play a part every time greek stuff was being covered in class

honourable mentions to The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell (I liked it well but not as much as Hamnet), To the Friend Who Did Not Save My Life by Hervé Guibert (very moving but came at precisely the wrong time in my life LMAO), the other Natalia Ginzburg books I read, and obvs ASOIAF which i reread every year in the background of my usual pile lol.

[lithiag]

Drawn together - part 3 (Derek Morgan fanfiction)

Hello, it's been a while.

I'm trying to write a bit more, but it's been rough lately. I'm hoping to write more the the next few weeks, so hopefully I'll be able to upload more.

For now, here is part 3 of my Derek Fanfic.

Word count: 4.25K

CW: there is smut. Apart from that, regular CM murders. Let me know if i missed anything

Hope you enjoy

Melony read through the file one more time while the others got settled in their seats on the jet. This was going to be a rough one. They were called in to help on a case in Arizona, where an Unsub had abducted and murdered four boys between the ages of 3 and 5 years old in the span of a month. Always boys with dark brown hair, all Caucasian. Two boys were abducted on the same day, both from a playground they were at with their mother or babysitter, with about 30 minutes between the abductions.

“Let’s get started,” Hotch said once they were up in the air. Everyone gathered together and they set up a connection with Garcia through a laptop, “So, we have four little boys, ages 3-5 dead in Tucson, Arizona.” Hotch started.

“This unsub seems to have a type; they all have similar features and backgrounds.” JJ said, “Are we thinking paedophile?”

“Not very likely,” Spencer flicked through the file to the autopsy reports, “There was no sign of sexual assault. Though, it could be possible the UnSub uses these boys in a different way to satisfy his sexual urges and is still a paedophile. It would be unusual, but not impossible.”

“Either way, we need to stop this guy before he takes and kills more. The police are getting nervous, as it has been a week since the last abductions.” Gideon sighed.

“Why haven’t they called us sooner? Why did they wait a week before contacting us?” Melony asked, “Wouldn’t it have made more sense to call us right away?”

“It would have,” Hotch said, “But unfortunately, I know the person in charge of the investigation, and he is quite proud and arrogant. He probably thought he could solve this case on his own. He can become a nuisance to our investigation.”

They all nodded in understanding.

“Once we land, I want Morgan and Reid to check out the place the last two boys were found. JJ, Pearson, go talk to some of the families. Garcia, see if you can find anything about these families that would make them a target. The rest of us will set up at the station.” Hotch ordered and they got ready to go.

~*~

Melony rang the doorbell of the house Hotch had sent her to.

A young woman opened and let them in when they showed her their IDs.

“Is there anyone you can think of who would want to hurt your son?” JJ asked the young mother once they sat on the couch with a bit to drink. The mother wiped away a few tears and shook her head,

“No. We moved here only a few months ago. We needed a fresh start.”

“Can I ask why you decided to move?” JJ said carefully.

“My, ehm, my ex-husband. He was drinking a lot after Jaime was born. After almost two years of trying to help him, I had had enough. I moved back in with my parents for a while, then we saw this house, and my boss was willing to transfer me here. The divorce isn’t final yet, but close.” The mother explained. She kept moving her teacup around in her hands for warmth, even though the tea had long gotten cold.

“Could it be possible he came to find you?”

She shook her head, “No. He was so deep in his drinking problems that he barely realised we had even left. Last I heard his parents forced him into rehab after he drank himself into the hospital. He can’t leave the facility, let alone the state.”

“How about his family? How did they react to the divorce?” Melony asked.

“Most of them supported me. They weren’t thrilled of course, but they understood and tried to help me where they could. Only his brother told me I was abandoning him in a rough time, that I should have stayed and helped him, I shouldn’t have taken his child away, things like that.”

Melony nodded in understanding and gave JJ a little look. JJ returned in and excused herself before leaving the room to make some calls.

“Did your ex have custody? Or maybe a family member?”

The mom shook her head, “No. I filed for emergency custody and got it. Legally, I had sole custody. I did have an arrangement with his parents where they could visit Jaime and they had him over for a couple of days once every two months. They knew that was a privilege and they would never have allowed my ex or my brother-in-law near him, they knew they could be a threat.” She explained and frowned slightly, “What does this have to do with my son’s killer?”

“We have to look at all the options.” Melony explained, “The more we know about the background of the victims, the more we can establish a profile. If the other families have similar backgrounds, for example, it could tell us something about why the killer went after you, and it could help us find him.”

The mother nodded.

“Is there anything suspicious you noticed before your son was taken? Perhaps someone following you or watching you. Anything at all?” Melony asked. The mom thought about it for a bit, then she looked up at Melony,

“I did notice a man lurking around the playground. I told the police, but they dismissed it at the time. They said I was making things up to process my grief.” She said and looked down for a few seconds, “I know I really saw him. He gave me the creeps at the time, and when he tried to talk to Jaime, I picked him up and left.” She looked back at Melony, desperation in her eyes, “I’m not crazy.” She said, silently begging for Melony to believe her.

“Perhaps he had something to do with it. Can you describe him?” Melony asked and she pulled out her sketchbook and a pencil. The mother nodded, and Melony drew what she described; a tall man with gangly features. A slim, slightly fallen in face, brown eyes and dirty blond hair under a cap. He had some heavy stubble and a slightly crooked nose. Once the woman stopped describing him, Melony showed her the sketch she made, and the woman confirmed that was what he looked like.

Melony thanked her for her time, gave her her card in case she needed anything and wished her the best before she and JJ left the house and went to the next family. Each family had a similar story to tell, a mother had left her husband and moved to Tuscon for a fresh start. Some already lived in the area, some came from a different state. When asked about a man lurking around the playground, all mothers confirmed they also saw someone, and either gave descriptions that lead to the same sketch Melony already made, or straight up confirmed that was the man they saw as well.

~*~

After having visited all the families, they went to the station to tell the others what they found.

Reid had worked on a geographical profile based on where the victims were abducted and where the bodies were found.

“Any luck?” Derek asked Melony when they came in.

“Yes, we have a sketch that all the families recognized, so that is probably worth something. You?”

“There wasn’t much that was useful. There were some signs of remorse, the unsub had put them there gently. And based on the locations and how he must have gotten there, it is probably someone who’s a loner and lives somewhere outside of town.” Derek said and looked over at the board Spencer was working on, “Reid said he wanted to know quite precisely when the kids were abducted so he could establish a more detailed geographical profile. He is now working on possible routes he could have taken between two abductions.”

Melony nodded and walked over to Spencer, “Hey, did you find anything useful?”

Spencer turned to her, “I have. Based on where the kids were abducted and the amount of time between abductions, I have come up with a few possible routes he could have taken to go from one sight to the other,” He explained and pointed out where he drew out possible routes, “The abductions took place around busier times, and with the routes he could have taken it does seem like he was in a hurry, so it could be worth looking into speeding tickets in this area. We are most likely looking for a van or bigger car that wouldn’t stand out to the general public, think muted or dark colours.” He looked at the rest of the team and the cops who had also started listening in, and one of the cops said he would take a look before walking away.

Hotch came to the team and told JJ they would be holding a press conference soon, as the press was bombarding them with questions wherever they went. JJ went to prepare and also took one of Melony’s sketches to show the general public and warn them about.

~*~

Soon after the press conference, calls with tips were coming in by the dozen. A lot of calls were from concerned citizens who wanted to know more about the investigation, who the man in the drawing was and where they could find him. The officers taking the calls did their best to explain the situation to the callers and wade through the useless calls to get to people with actual useful information, but it took a long time.

After a few hours one of the officers went to Melony,

“Hey, are you sure about that sketch?” He asked with a slightly raised brow. Melony frowned,

“Quite sure, yes. Why?” She asked him, now getting a little insecure.

“I got like a dozen calls from people telling me they saw him somewhere, but a number of them said he had a scar.

"Oh? What type of scar?" Melony grabbed a copy of the sketch and a pencil, "did they describe it to you?"

“Yeah,” The officer said, “Most said it was like a claw mark on his right cheek.”

Melony flipped the page her sketch was on to the other side, so she had a blank piece of paper, “Did you write down the names and addresses of the people who gave these tips? I would like to talk to them.”

“A few wanted to remain anonymous, but I do have two who were willing to talk to the police if necessary.” The cop said and gave her the information.

~*~

After talking to the people who gave the tips, and making some new sketches, Melony revisited some of the families of the victims to talk to them a bit more about the man’s appearance, his behaviour and other things they might not have thought about at first.

After hours of talking, sketching, driving, talking, and more sketching she went to the hotel the team was staying at. After the second time she talked to everyone, something felt off. During dinner with the others, she couldn’t focus on the conversations or her food, and she decided to go to bed a bit earlier than usual. Maybe a good night’s sleep would help her take her mind off things and help her take a fresh look in the morning.

She took a hot shower and crawled in bed but couldn’t fall asleep. She kept going over everything in her head and she tried to find out what she was missing.

After hours of tossing and turning, she gave up on sleeping and got up, turned her light on and grabbed her notes and sketches. She looked over her sketches again and thought back to how the unsub was described to her. Something felt off. She wrote down all the things people told her about his appearance.

After she listed everything, she started putting them in different categories. Eyes, mouth, neck, skin. Per what family gave the descriptions, even per person, then one big list with all of them together. She looked it over a couple of times but couldn't figure out what was bugging her.

Then there was a knock on her door.

"Come in" Melony said. The door opened and Derek came in,

"Hey, i noticed your light was still on. Can't sleep?" He asked and closed the door behind him, then walked towards her.

"Not really. I don't know what, but something is bugging me about the description. I have looked it over a bunch of times, i have redrawn sketches, but it just doesn't feel right." Melony looked down at her list and her sketches.

“What’s wrong?” Derek asked and he sat down next to her on the bed. He looked down at all the papers Melony had laid out on the bed, trying to see where her mind was at.

“I don’t know for sure. Something just feels off. Things people have described to me don’t really match, but they aren’t really opposites either.” Melony said and held her face in her hands, “I want to take a fresh look in the morning, but I just can’t get myself to stop working on this.”

"Can i help with anything?" Derek asked. He took another look at the papers she had laid out but couldn't find anything useful to say. He noticed what she mentioned when he took a look at the lists, but like her, he couldn’t find the missing piece.

"I don't know. I know I should probably just sleep on it, have a look in the morning when I'm more rested, but I just can’t." Melony rubbed her face slightly before putting all the papers in her sketchbook and putting it on her nightstand.

"Perhaps. Do you need a distraction?" Derek asked with a little grin and rubbed her arm softly, “I think I can help you with that.” Melony smiled a little bit,

"So you came here with an ulterior motive?" She asked teasingly

"Maybe, sort of. I went for a walk to try and clear my head. It didn't help. I also feel like something's off, like we are missing something. When I walked back to my room, I noticed your lights were still on, so I thought maybe a different kind of distraction could work." Derek said and grinned at her.

"You are the worst" Melony teased him,

"Oh, I know." Derek said before pulling her into a kiss. Melony wrapped her arms him and held him close. Derek pulled her close, slightly picked her up and lay her down on the bed so he could lay on top of her. Melony grinned at him,

“I like it when you take control like that.” She said softly, and Derek grinned,

“Oh, do you want me to take controle?” He asked and he grabbed both her hands, then pinned them above her head, “Like this?” He said and kissed down her neck. Melony let out a soft pleasured sound alongside an ‘uh-huh’ before she wrapped her legs around his waist. Derek moved his lips back to hers and kissed her deeply before pulling back and looking at her face. He felt himself getting more turned on when she saw the lustful look in her eyes, and he leaned down to place a soft kiss just below her ear.

“I would love to draw this out,” He groaned, “But we should probably not risk getting caught.”

“I agree. I would rather have you take me quickly, than have you take your time only to get caught.”

Derek kissed her again and let go of her hands, which she wrapped around his neck almost instantly. Derek deepened the kiss and moved a hand down her sides to the hem of her shirt,

"Did you wear this for easy access?" He asked lowly, commenting on her only wearing a tank top and panties. Melony just gave him a grin and kissed him again. Derek pulled up her shirt slightly, then moved his hand back down her body to her panties, he moved the fabric to the side and started to rub her clit. Melony bit her lip to keep herself from moaning out. She moved a hand down his body to his pants. She pushed both his pyjama pants and his underwear down enough to pull out his cock and she started rubbing him up and down. Derek let out a pleasured sigh and softly groaned as she moved her hand. He moved his hand further between her legs and pushed two fingers inside her,

"You are already so wet for me, baby." He softly said in her ear, to which she only replied with a soft moan. He kissed her right below her ear and worked his way down her neck, but Melony stopped him,

"Don't bother. I want you. We don't have much time." She said. She was right, this wasn't the time to take things slow. Derek just got caught up in the moment and wanted to make her feel good.

Derek shortly pulled back so he could put on some protection, but he was back on her in moments. He moved in between her legs and rubbed her a little more as he positioned himself,

"Hhmm, I love feeling how wet you are for me, baby." Derek commented. He used some of her juices to coat his cock before he pushed the tip into her. They both let out a moan, but did their best to not make too much noise. The walls were fairly thin, and they didn't want anyone to hear them. Derek pushed in further and Melony wrapped her legs around him. As he started thrusting into her, both of them had trouble holding back their moans. Melony pulled him into a kiss, hoping that moaning against each other would help with staying as quiet as possible. Derek moved one hand under her shirt to her breast. He found her nipple and pinched it between his fingers. Melony bit her lip and let out a little high-pitched squeal in her attempt to stay quiet. Derek grinned and thrusted faster and a bit harder. Hearing her moans so close to his ears and feeling her moan against his lips got him closer to the edge fairly quickly. Melony roamed her hands across his body. She slightly pulled up his shirt to feel his abs tense and relax as he thrusted into her. She spread her legs as wide as she could to make it easier for him to push in deeper, and each time he did she let out another moan. She felt the knot inside her tighten with each movement, and she kissed him to silence her moans as she got close,

"Derek," she moaned softly against his lips

"Me too, baby" Derek groaned and with a few more thrusts he pushed into her as he climaxed. Melony pulled him closer by his waist as she climaxed at the same time. Derek thrusted a few more times to help her ride out her orgasm, and he grinned as he felt her move her hips with his to help him too. When he pulled out, they both let out a moan, missing each other already. Derek kissed her deeply, and Melony wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

~*~

"Mind cleared?" Melony asked as they cuddled in bed after cleaning up.

"Yeah, it helped a lot. Thanks, baby."

Melony smiled at him, "happy to help."

"How about you?"

"It did help to get distracted, but now that i have time to think again, it is coming back." Melony said with a little sigh.

"Can you show me what your’re struggling with? Maybe I can help enough so you can sleep." Derek said and he sat up. Melony followed his lead and she grabbed her book. She pulled out her lists and sketches and laid them out,

"Something doesn't make sense. I wrote down exactly what people described to me. I make one big list, i made lists per person we interviewed, i did it per feature. I made drawings based on everything these people told me. Some things just aren't adding up." Melony said, getting a little frustrated when she looked at the amount of paper she used and saw the amount of time that had gone into this.

Derek grabbed some of the lists and looked them over.

"It does sound like they didn't get a good look at him," he said when he read through a few lists, "a lot of the things they describe sound similar, but then there are some details that are off."

"Exactly. I guess they didn't get as good a look as they thought," Melony rubbed her face a bit, trying to stay awake.

"I mean, dirty blond of brown hair could be mixed up. But how could one guy both have a scar, and not have one. Some of them must be misremembering." Derek said with a little sigh.

"Wait.... what did you say?" Melony asked as she started piecing some things together,

"They must have misremembered things"

"No, before that."

"How can one guy have a scar and not have one?" Derek said. Melony looked at him and her eyes went big,

"There's two of them," She said softly. Derek thought it over,

"You're right," He said once it clicked for him too.

"Based on the timelines that we have, two kids are always picked up shortly after one another. With traffic and everything considered, we said it was possible for the unsub to do this. But he would have to be very quick." Melony said,

"Which wouldn't fit the profile,” Derek continued her thought process, “This guy hangs around playgrounds for hours. Why would he take his time with one kid, then rush to a different spot to quickly snatch another? It makes no sense," Derek continued, "Unless there is two of them. That would give them both time to hang around and pick a target."

"They probably planned it like this, leave some time in between so it would look like only one person did it. But how do they both use the same van?"

"They just have one person pick the other up, or even just the kid. That way one person takes the children-"

"And they have one person out and about where we can see him on cameras so he can give them an alibi." Melony smiled, "we need to tell Hotch."

"It's 3 am"

"I know, but this can't wait till morning." Melony said firmly, "People are off, they are going to bring their kids to playgrounds. If we get one unsub, we fall right into their trap if we let our guard down. They want us to think there is one. If one is caught, the other will just change his MO a bit and continue somewhere else. We need to catch both of them."

Derek sighed, "You're right. Let's go."

They got out of bed and quickly put on some more clothes. Melony grabbed her lists and sketches and they walked to Hotchner's room. Derek knocked on the door. There was no answer for a bit, so he knocked a little louder.

The door flung open, and a sleepy yet annoyed Hotch looked at them,

"This better be important."

"There's two UnSubs." Melony said. Hotch looked at her, quite confused and very sleepy,

"What?"

"The descriptions didn't make sense. Some described features others were adamant weren't there." Melony started to explain, "And the second kid was always abducted very soon after the first one. It is possible for one person to do so, but it doesn't fit the profile of someone who hangs around the playground for hours."

"But then," Hotch yawned, "then how do they do it with one car?"

"The first could pick the second up. Or they use two vans with the same plates." Derek said.

"So, you think they have similar enough features to trick people into thinking there is only one person doing this?"

"Yes. Some families said the UnSub has a scar. It is probably small enough for us to either dismiss those who have seen it as it being made up, or dismiss those who haven't seen it as not having seen enough of the face." Melony said.

"So they must be brothers"

"Yes, perhaps twins"

Hotch rubbed his face as he thought about what to do, slowly waking up a bit,

"Alright. That would make sense with the profile. We established he is a loner, but working with your brother or twin could still work with that. Ehm," Hotch yawned again, "send Garcia your findings and let her send us a list of brothers, preferably twins, that live around here to us first thing in the morning. I will notify the others then as well. We will discuss a further strategy in the morning. Get some sleep." He said. He closed the door, but then opened it up shortly and mumbled a sleepy "good work" towards them before closing the door again and going back to bed.

Melony smiled a bit at Derek,

"That went better than I expected." She said and they made their way down the hall towards their own rooms.

"Yeah. But Hotch is right, we need to get some sleep."

"Okay. I'll see you in the morning" Melony said, looked around to see if there was anyone around, then gave him a quick kiss,

"Good night" she said and went into her room.

[bengiyo]

La Pluie Ep 10 Stray Thoughts

Last week, we wrapped up our time on the mountain and showed Nara more grace than I've ever seen an ex receive in any drama ever. Lomfon lurked in the background, and had a conversation with Patts that is going to blow up this week. Tai and Patts realized that they were the pen pals from when Tai's parents divorced when they went to recover Duer from Saengnuea. Through the power of grandma, these two have been connected for longer than we even realized. I'm obsessed.

Tai asked to stay over and my man Patts had to stop the car!! Now he's rushing through the streets!!!

Love that they're being very clear about what's about to go down.

"I am ready."

It's his first time!!! I knew it!!

We got all three scenes! The bed! The shower! The tub!

What is going on with Lomfon's symptoms?

Tien dresses like an early 00s lesbian.

THE PINKY TOUCH STILL BELONGS TO THE GAYS!!!

Here Lomfon go being as messy as possible.

Tai is finally recognizing Lomfon's crush.

Title is so pretty like whoa

Oh, no.... Tai just lied about hanging out with Lomfon.

Goddammit. Did the weather predict rain and that's why Lomfon wanted Sunday?

Welp, the vets have spotted them. It's over now.

Oh, Patts. I get the anxiety you're feeling.

No, Tai! Not more lies!

Oh boy. Patts and Tien team up time.

Fuck, it's about to rain.

Tai saved Lomfon's big ass from getting run over by a car.

Okay, so Lomfon can speak to Tai. Were we correct about being connected to Patts too?

Bro, don't just kiss him!

Okay, but this ass whooping is deserved.

It seems like the rain connection just broke.

Oh man. I'm going to need Tai to speak up this time. Patts has a right to be uncertain after you leaving that man on read for two years and then lying to him.

Poor Tien. Lomfon completely ignored Tien's feelings.

So, it seems clear to me that Tai's parents may have somehow also severed their connection.

The whole squad in crisis!

I feel for Patts on Tai's silence. I don't think it's fair to expect him to understand when he's never given insights in the first place.

Oh mirroring the parents divorce scene with Patts on the other side of the door is devastating.

We're finally getting back to the parents next week!

Absolutely phenomenal episode. Patts was finally allowed to be frustrated about the leash Tai has kept him on for two years. Lomfon got decked. We got to finally see them release the sexual tension. Everyone's feelings are in the open. The rain connection has a component of choice in it as well. Incredible.

I think the breakup is necessary, because they're both screwing up.

[a-case-of-the-ace]

Another day, another wonderful australian tv show without a lick of fanfic to its name. So, in desperation, may I recommend:

Crazy Fun Park. A bunch of child ghosts haunt an abandoned theme park, the newest is our protagonist's best friend. Friendship angst and tragic creepy backstories abound, with a trans character and a grumpy lost-boys knockoff who only wants to help his sister.

Sweet, a bit corny but overall real good. I loved all the side characters backgrounds and overall growth. On ABC Iview (it's free!)

Irreverent. All I found (last I checked) on this were 3 shirtless gifs of the same scene. Worth it though, main character is HOT.

Basically, an american mafia diplomat pisses off his mafia, so he nicks a hundred grand and runs for the first flight he can catch. While making his escape, he meets a depressed reverend and tells him to ignore god and seize his own destiny. Said reverend therefore nicks all his stuff. Mafia man can do nothing but go to the reverend's posting in rural Queensland, and deal with both australians and improv-ing his way through religion. Plus a lot of sexual tension with the local police officer. (She's so cool!)

Incredibly funny, absolutely side-splitting, featuring angry routinely yelling at a man in sandals and hawaiian shirts. I also love how, when he gives his sermons/weddings/funeral services/etc he focuses on the message within the bible as opposed to "this exact line said this so you better do it." My favourite of the three, and I will be writing for it once my wips are defeated. On Netflix.

Ladies in Black (the 2024 show). Set in the sixties, focuses on the ladies and men of a fancy fashion store. Lots of characters of different races, and women trying to get ahead under the patriarchy, all chasing their dreams.

I yell at the tv a lot in this, because of dodgy men doing dodgy things. The main reason I long for more people to get into this is because I ship two of the main characters. Possibly the first w/w ship to truly overtake my brain. They both have good backstories, back each other up, and both try to help their families. And yes, they could be good friends but if you say "if [male-love-interest] doesn't kiss you, I will," followed by giggling, hand in hand, what am I supposed to do? I don't control the brain, it controls me. I haven't actually finished this yet, but I recommend it highly anyway.

The soundtrack is lovely, using period-typical music as well as non-diegetic modern songs. The look of the sets, the fashion, it's all so beautiful and stylish. And that's coming from someone who dresses like a divorced trucker. Also on ABC Iview.

If anyone knows of these, likes these, wants to discuss these, please talk to me. My brain will overheat for sure, otherwise.

[merrock]

CHARACTER INFORMATION

face claim: Ryan destiny

full name: Avery Marie Reeves

nickname(s): just Avery

pronouns & gender: she/her, cis woman

sexuality: pansexual

birth date: June 30, 1994

birth place: Spokane, Washington

time in town: two months

housing: Historical Downtown

occupation: owner of online Crystal Shop, Moonlight and Quartz

family: none living

personality: like a warm cup of coffee in the early morning quiet. sweet yet her history has made her more reserved over the years. she’s very weary of people, but can be friendly. just not as trusting as she used to be. she’s always been the type to wear her heart of her sleeve, but is still torn with how much her heart has been hurt holding it there. once she does trust you though her heart is open and welcoming. her love language is gifting and acts of service. so baking cookies or dinner as a thank you. baking holds the specialist of places in her heart and it means a lot to her to share that.

BACKGROUND / BIO

Trigger warnings: abusive/toxic relationship, death.

Brought into the world a dark night with a storm raging outside the hospital, a small girl emerged into the world named avery after her late Great Grandfather. Her dark eyes bright and as time passed she became more curious getting into whatever she could, mud, paint, makeup. Always into something, always curious and that light within her eyes as remained for through her child and teen years though it didn’t seem to remain.

Our story brings us to the tale of quiet girl and her infectious smile that drew in the popular boy in high school. The love flourished quickly and soon they had graduated school and were planning life together. Both had agreed to remain as close to home as possible. Deciding instead of living on campus to live together. avery was thrilled by all of this and while so many told her that maybe they were moving too fast, the couple had two years under their belt and she was sure this was the right decision.

If you tried to ask avery where things began to go wrong. She probably wouldn’t be able to tell you honestly. Its like that saying if cooking a frog and gradually increasing the heat so they aren’t alarmed and don’t jump out. It wasn’t until Parker was deciding her hair length and color at the salon one day despite her desires that she began to wonder if it wasn’t normal that he picked everything for her. She just thought she was being a good wife, listening to her husband. She didn’t have her parents by the time they got married. Which didn’t help anything. He proposed a year after their death and she was still lost in grief. Part of her thinks he took advantage of that time. That weakness that left a gaping hole in her life. She tried so hard to fill that time with her own happy memories. Ignoring the red flags that emerged when they tried to get pregnant. It wasn’t until the third failed test that Parker’s anger truly began to unravel…

While he never laid a hand on her. He spent the better of part of their relationship dictating all the things that made avery, avery. He even made her dye her hair to a dark brown so she wouldn’t be the center of attention with her red hair. He ate away at her self esteem, the spark that made her who she was. The candle almost went out. Almost. It took losing all her friends, her inner voice, her self to finally realize that he was not the Parker she fell inlove with any longer. He was toxic and cruel. Constantly trying to make her jealous despite how beautiful she has always been, he made her feel like she wasn’t. The subject of leaving and divorcing Parker is a hard one for avery, but she tries to hide with jokes and dark humor but that is about it. It takes a level of trust avery hasn’t found in anyone in long time. While the divorce has been finalized, avery is still looking over her shoulder to make sure he doesn’t return to her life..

Currently: A few months divorced from her toxic husband who spent the better part of her twenties controlling her and everything she did from the length of her hair to the color of her socks and how she spoke to people.

It has been a slow process of her being able to think and act for herself that she’s still adjusting to. Starting with moving to a new town and new apartment away from all the memories of her ex-husband and their sham of a life together.

Since leaving him she started her own business after a few failed attempts at other jobs and companies. Nothing seemed to make her happy. She couldn’t handle taking orders from anyone else any longer and just wanted to be able to do what she wanted. So she quit. She struggled and finally moved on and started her own business. While she still working out of her second bedroom and she’s her only employee she’s truly happy.

Her business hours aren’t the most typical, so avery may or may not be spending her time living out what she missed in her twenties or that’s what she’s telling herself. It’s kind of hard when she moved to a new city and doesn’t have any friends after what happened with her ex-husband. So she’s been trying to get out more, remind herself that she doesn’t need to be focused on work all the time. Turning 30 made her realize how much time she had wasted and while she had finished college and had a few decent references it still felt like it wasn’t enough. She hadn’t travelled or seen the world hell this was her first time out of her hometown.

Her parents passed in her early twenties and she has no siblings. She still doesn’t really like talking about it and has sore memories from their accident and the fact that she wasn’t there even if it wasn’t her fault.

[some-cold-and-some-violence]

Tagged by @mooseofthesea, thanks!

Last Song: Our Wedding Waltz by Slim Dusty and Joy McKean (RIP). Set up my turntable and found my box of records yesterday, most of which are ones my nan nicked from my grandad during the divorce. She took all his Dolly Parton lmao (and then she gave them to me, and then my brother stole them… he did eventually give me all his Jethro Tull so we're cool). With Joy McKean's recent passing it seemed fitting to listen to all the music I have of hers!

Currently Watching: I don't have a TV set up yet nor do I have internet nor enough data left to justify videos. In my mind I am perpetually replaying Aces High and the entire Hornblower series, though, if that counts.

Currently Reading: Most of my books are in boxes right now and I need to wait until I can get the good antihistamines before I start unpacking them, and I haven't had the time to make it to the library. So I'm limited to what's on my phone. I just started Young Nelson's: Boy Sailors During the Napoleonic Wars by D.A.B Ronald, and I'm part way through an old translation of The Robbers by Friedrich Schiller. In addition, I'm also reading The Sorrows of Young Werther AGAIN through an email subscription (I love getting letters from my dear friend Werther), and Moby Dick. I also have an audiobook of Biggles of the Camel Squadron which I've been trying to listen while I do housework but I'm slightly hard of hearing and I never retain much in non-music audio format anyway, so it's mostly background noise.

Current Obsession: Going through a bit of a WWI thing at the moment, as you've all probably guessed, on top of the perpetual age of sail thing. In particular, I'm interested in anything to do with the 26th, 12th, and 40th Battalions AIF. The impression I'm very, very slowly putting together is 12th Battalion C. 1916. I'm also diving into the topic of aviation of the era for the first time so I've been trying to find anything I can on that, especially the AFC. Not being able to go to the library is KILLING me!

Tagging (no obligation, of course), @cadmusfly @gohoubi @a-french-guardsman @werewiire

[dramionediscussion]

Beyond age, do you think maybe it's a cultural thing? I know that previously you have commented that you live in the Caribbean, I particularly live in a Caribbean country too (but I don't have American culture) do you consider that according to your knowledge in both cultures, maybe some themes in the fics are very Americanized? Based on my complete ignorance lol sometimes I feel that it is cultural thing.

Huh, I never thought of it.

I wouldn't say Americanized, but probably Westernized. Even though the Caribbean is in the west, we do not have the same lifestyle as the First World Countries.

Caribbean culture is still very conservative. People still marry young, still have children young, think divorce is failure, don't take domestic violence seriously, still make young girls learn to cook and clean while the boys are allowed to be kids. I think we all grow up faster and mature faster. Some of us are not given the opportunity to be who we want to be. We don't even have the resources to do so either. Reputation is a big thing here too. You cannot stray too far from the norm for fear of being shamed, even by your own family. We also are not ashamed to speak our mind and many Caribbean people lack tact. They say how it is and they don't care if they offend or hurt someone else.

Even though I am American, I moved to the Caribbean when I was still young, so I consider myself more Caribbean than American. I have the Caribbean way of thinking and some things Americans do is so foreign to me. But I think my parents took the best of both worlds and raised me. They knew America and how people parent there and they did so with me, but also heavily injected their upbringing. So I have a good mix of both cultures in me.

I think because of that (and age), reading stories where one simple miscommunication ends a relationship is silly. Seeing grown people not know how to speak is infuriating. Reading about people who rely on their friends opinions more than their families is weird. Reading about them saying I will do what I want, I don't need anyone's approval is mindboggling.

Personally, I think age is more of a factor for me. As we age, we learn about ourselves. We go through so many experiences. We understand the world more. We care less about people's thoughts and opinions. We get less patient with things that are not important.

I have been reading fanfiction since I was 19 years old. I have reread so many of the ones I liked back then, and I do question why I liked those stories. So many issues for me can be solved by talking and communicating. So many stories make Hermione super successful in her career right after the war. Like making her a head of department at 20! That is not realistic. Many stories have them just living life normally and moving on fine after the war. Again not realistic.

However, while I may roll my eyes at some fics, the author can be correct in portraying their characters this way. I expect young people to not communicate properly, and get jealous, and want/need their friends approval for everything.

But you give me a well adjusted 30-something Hermione who gets super jealous at Draco talking to Astoria, when he has no prior relationship with her, and her breaking up with him without explaining herself and Harry and Ron saying I told you so and making her feel bad, and Hermione goes back to her job as Deputy Minster of Magic and barely talks to her parents and considered Molly more of a mother and Molly also makes Hermione feel bad about being with Draco, and Hermione not talking to Draco to tell him what is wrong or allow him to explain anything....yeah no.

I think where my Caribbean background comes into play is the family aspect of a fic. Caribbean people are very close to their families. Our families are close and know everything about each other. So when fics have Hermione not seeing her parents, or her parents cutting her off, it blows my mind because I cannot fathom that. When you see Hermione needing her friends approval more than her parents, I cannot comprehend that. It is foreign to me. But funnily enough, Draco needing his mom and dad's approval and him not really having a super close relationship with his friends, I ran relate.

Anyway, personally I think age is more of a factor with me not vibing with fics heavy on relationship and friendship drama. Some small parts will be because of my culture, but mostly it has to do with age.

-Lisa

[educationalinstitutesindia]

Should Military Couples Listen to Civilian Relationship Advice?

Relationship advice is something that many people want to give but not many want to receive. Sometimes, the advice is terrible. Military marriages are no exception to this. The military brings unique challenges to marriages and can sometimes be the source of many couples' arguments.   We hate the distance. We hate our new duty station. We normally hate that or do not like that the military has that way of entering its way into our marriages.   I have seen many spouses say that those in civilian marriages, "Do not understand what I'm going through." If that is the case, should we ignore the advice of others just because their spouse isn't in the military?   No marriage is the same. What one person wants in a marriage is not always what another person wants. Our faith, upbringing, and personalities can play a vital role in how we think our marriage should be.   I like to think the military is a microcosm of the United States as a whole. We come from different backgrounds, have different passions, different jobs, and all end up in the same place.   It is one of the great things about the military but also one that shows that we are not all the same person no matter what our spouse's occupation is.   Civilian marriages and military marriages go through many similar issues. The issues range from lack of communication to infidelity. The root of the issue will stem from different things in every marriage.   But is the solution to these problems the same for military and civilian marriages? I say yes. Getting into the nitty gritty details of any marital issue can be painful no matter what your spouse's occupation is.   The most common issues I have seen and experienced in military marriages stem from time apart. Being separated for weeks, months and even years at a time can be excruciatingly difficult in a marriage.   Deployments add an extra amount of fear of the unknown and can leave you up at night wondering if your spouse is okay. You know that there are marriages which day by day become happier because of time apart, and some are destroyed.   Military marriages are not the only marriages that grapple with distance and fear of the unknown, and military relationships can feel isolating at times. But do we sometimes fall victim to isolating ourselves?   The specific situations could be different but are civilian marriages really that different? You could be the wife of a truck driver, doctor, or a police officer and I bet the pain of time apart feels the same.   What about the civilian versus military divorce rate? The divorce rate for male military persons was 2.6 percent and it was 6.6 percent for female military members. So ask questions to girls and boys before marriage to get to know each other very well.   The Marine Corps was the only branch that saw an increase in divorce in 2016. The Centers for Disease Control reports that the divorce rate in the United States was 3.2 percent in 2014.   Although that rate is measured differently than the military rate and doesn't take into account several states, including California, it's clear that the divorce rate difference between military and civilians is not as drastically different as widely thought.   The best advice is usually from professionals, both in the military and civilian world. Military Family Life Counselors provide non-medical counseling to military members and their families.   Marriage counseling is offered in addition to individual counseling. If you choose to seek advice and counseling I also highly recommend seeking a licensed therapist, psychologist, or counselor through Psychologytoday.com or Military One Source.   There are many fantastic resources available both in the military and civilian world that can benefit any relationship.   Sometimes this life is hard and makes us feel alone, but it does not have to be that way forever. Reaching out for advice or help does not mean you are weak or your marriage is doomed to fail. It means you place value on your relationship and yourself to make things better.   Read the full article

[hdglidewell]

Chapter 1 Teaser

Emily Harwood sat nervously on the plush neon green chair in Mr. Young’s office at 1834 W. Mill Street in Sunrise, Iowa. He was the CEO of Stardust Records, an up-and-coming recording studio in the middle of nowhere. Emily was a forty-one-year-old mother of two, recently divorced, wanting to restart her life with just her and her sons.                                              

“I believe we have everything in place. Your old job gave you an outstanding recommendation,” Mr. Young said as he glanced over the paperwork again.

“Thank you, sir,” Emily replied with a nervous sigh.

“I know it’s odd to hire someone with your experience to babysit a group of misfit rock stars, but I need to make sure I am making the proper investments,” Mr. Yong mentioned with a sympathetic nod. “What do you know about Vermilion?”

“The color?” Emily asked innocently, and an amused smile spread over Mr. Young’s face.

“No, Ms. Harwood, the band.” Mr. Young looked at a golden record on the wall. “They came onto the scene out of nowhere and dominated the charts. I’m surprised someone with your background does not know who the band is.”

Emily blushed and pushed a strand of blonde hair from her face. “My sons listen to them, but I never sat down to assess their talent.”

Mr. Young nodded. “I understand. You are not the talent agent, just the person making sure my money is well spent.” He reached into his desk, pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to Emily. “Here is a ticket to tonight’s show. I suggest you come and listen. Meet me backstage once the show has ended so you can meet the boys.”

“Thank you,” Emily stuttered as she took the paper from Mr. Young.

Looking at the sheet, she noticed it wasn’t an average ticket. It was a list of instructions of where she needed to go before the show, what she was to do to get in, and in bold letters at the bottom of the page, how she was to dress.

Arrive at Sunrise Theater at 7 o’clock.

Hand this paper to the gentlemen behind the glass. He will call for your escort, Nadia.

— Please arrive in jeans, tennis shoes, and a T-shirt. —

Be comfortable but do not try to stand out from the crowd.

Enjoy the show.

“Are the instructions easy to follow?” Mr. Young asked softly as he watched Emily’s blue eyes skim the page.

She nodded, agreeing. “I’m sure one of my boys has a t-shirt I can borrow for tonight.”

“Good, good. Because of what is required with this job, I will need you to dress the part. I suggest you speak with Nadia, our costume manager.” Mr. Young motioned to the pinstriped slacks and cream-colored silk blouse Emily was wearing for her entrance interview. “I’m not saying you don’t look nice, but we have a reputation to live up to, and even our roadies are put under a strict dress code.”

“Thank you, sir.” Emily stood from her chair and reached out her hand, hoping Mr. Young would be kind enough to seal their deal with a handshake. She heaved a heavy sigh as he stood and took her hand, firmly shaking it.

“Welcome to Stardust, kid,” Mr. Young said with a Cheshire grin.

Emily left Stardust Records with hurried steps, got behind the wheel of her rundown Ford Fiesta, and drove the three miles to the Manhattan Inn. The inn was only temporary housing. Two rooms with a kitchen and living space sounded ideal when she made the arrangements a week earlier. However, she quickly learned that the Manhattan Inn had two disturbing amenities upon arrival. One was the forest green shag carpeting, and the other was the stench of an open sewage system. However, it was all she could afford as money was thin, and she didn’t want to leave a trail.

“How did it go?” Todd, the oldest of her two teenage sons, asked as soon as she walked through the door and tossed her keys on the table next to the dirty window.

“Well, it’s all set. I will go on tour with Vermilion and assess the spending for the recording label.” Emily sighed as she took her shoes off and sat on the hard floor beside her son.

“Vermilion? Mom, you said it was for some new band, but you didn’t mention it was Vermilion. You will rub elbows with Chance Pennington and Justin Locke.” Todd’s eyes were the size of saucers, his hands clenching his gaming console.

“I have heard little from them, so I’m not as enamored as you are. However, I need to borrow one of your shirts. I have to go to the concert tonight.” Emily held up the letter with the instructions listed.

“Do we get to go?” Todd asked excitedly.

“Not this time, buddy, but I promise you will see them at least once on this tour.” Emily winked as she placed her arm over her son’s shoulder and pulled him in for a tight squeeze. “Where’s Andy?”

“Sleeping still,” Todd answered as he pulled away from his mother’s grasp.

“It’s noon. How can Andy still be sleeping?” Emily huffed as she pushed herself to her feet and walked the half-dozen steps across the living room to the boy’s room door.

She slowly opened the door and saw her son sprawled over the bed, his blonde hair sticking up in several places and a trail of drool running down the right side of his mouth. She let out an amused giggle and shut the door.

“He didn’t sleep well last night. I heard him whimpering again,” Todd said when Emily sat beside him.

“You think it was the nightmares?” Emily asked her son hesitantly. She didn’t want to mention the event that had led them to leave their home a week earlier.

“Mom, he saw what he said he saw. I know Andy. He doesn’t lie. Why didn’t we go to the police?” Todd narrowed his eyes at his mother, but his voice did not question her judgment.

“I know he doesn’t lie, but the police would have been no help. It was easier to leave,” Emily explained as logically as she could.

Leaving their home had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, and what her son had witnessed was a horrific accident, but she couldn’t make up for it. Andy had only told Todd about the full extent of the situation. Knowing the parties involved, Emily knew the only way to keep the three of them safe was to leave.

“You say that, but I don’t think you believe it.” Todd pressed his lips together and returned his attention to the small gaming console in his hand.

Emily watched him briefly before starting lunch for her and the boys. While cooking on the tiny stove was not ideal, she knew it brought some of the warmth of their home into their lives. Todd was a junior in high school, while Andy was fourteen and starting his first year. She had called their grandparents on a burner phone from the road, asking if they could take them in until everything blew over. They had graciously agreed, excited to spend an extended vacation with the boys. Emily would be on the move with the band keeping her location secret, and even if the parties found out about it, she would be gone before they could step foot near her. She had complete faith in their grandparents. Edward would assume she was traveling with Andy and Todd, and as long as she kept moving, he would not learn otherwise.

***

“Mom?” Emily heard her son speaking but was still locked inside her memory. She shook her head a few times and glanced to her right to find a disheveled Andy beside her.

“Hey, honey.” Emily smiled and put the stirring spoon down on the counter. She reached to hug Andy, but he took two steps backward and placed both hands in front of him. The smile vanished from Emily’s face, and she returned to the food she was preparing. “How did you sleep?”

“I’m still here, so that’s a plus.” Andy’s voice was hollow.

Emily closed her eyes to stop the tears from coming.

“Hey, Andy, let’s play a game or something. Mom’s cooking, and if you distract her, she will burn it.” Todd’s voice was Emily’s saving grace as she heard Andy exiting the small kitchen to join his brother.

Andy quickly grabbed a matching handheld from the coffee table. They would be immobile for at least an hour, giving her time to finish lunch and begin prepping for the concert. She hated how horrible her youngest appeared, with his pale skin and dead eyes. Each day he would answer her with the same daunting response as if he was shocked he made it another night. Emily was sure Edward wouldn’t harm Andy. That didn’t mean one of Edward’s men wouldn’t take on the job.

Emily finished preparing the boy’s lunch and retired to the bedroom. She was used to plush fabrics and earth-tone colors. The green shag carpeting and wood-paneled walls were far from luxurious. She grabbed a pair of faded jeans from the dresser and tossed them on the bed. As grateful as she was to have the job, she didn’t know what to think of Mr. Young telling her she had to look the part.

She dug through the boy’s bags and found a t-shirt before dancing off to jump in the shower.

Emily looked in the bathroom mirror and nearly broke out laughing. She had never looked so ridiculous in her life. The black Vermilion band t-shirt clung to her chest, distorting the lettering. Then there was the black eyeliner she knew would smear with the first drop of sweat. She had arranged her blonde hair into a ponytail and removed all her fashion jewelry before replacing it with cheap imitations.

She left the bathroom, hoping her sons wouldn’t notice her appearance. Instead, she was treated with applause and a few giggles.

“Thank you, I look stupid,” Emily said as Todd stood to help her find her shoes.

“No, it’s about time you embraced today’s culture. All those suits and slacks back home are gone.” Todd handed her a pair of tennis shoes and winked. “Get with the times.”

Andy smiled but said nothing. It warmed her heart to see him try, but she wasn’t sure if it was genuine or if he was trying to give her false hope. She looked at her watch and sighed, it was already six, and she had to be at the ticket counter before seven.

“All right, I guess I am off to the concert. I’m supposed to check in at the front desk and ask for Nadia.” Emily let her eyes scan the instructional letter.

“Just have fun,” Todd said with another smile before sitting next to his brother again. “If anything happens, I’ll call. I promise.”

Those words should have sat well with Emily. However, they made her blood grow cold. This would be her first time leaving the boys alone since fleeing. The idea of anything happening made her feel instantly sick, and she had to fight the urge to go back into her room, change into her pajamas, and claim she wasn’t going. They needed the money, though, and the instructions were clear. She was to see the show and meet the band after.

“I won’t be too late. Keep the door locked, and if you see anything, call me.” Emily grabbed her phone and keys.

“I will, Mom. Please go before you change your mind,” Todd said jokingly as Emily opened the door.

She hesitated a moment too long. The anxiety was going to get the best of her. “Maybe,” she said.

“Go!” Todd exclaimed, pointing out the door.

Emily laughed and then exited, closing the door behind her.

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS, CHECK OUT VERMILION IN THE REJECTED BY THE IMMORTAL ANTHOLOGY.��http://books2read.com/rejectedimmortal

[bergenleach]

Virtual Sketchbook 1

Hi, my name is Bergen Leach and an interesting fact about me is I’m a competitive swimmer.

Artwork #25 – Diane Arbus 1962 Child with Toy Hand Grenade. Gelatin silver print, 15 ½” x 15 1/16”.

The grenade the child is holding is a toy grenade

She took multiple pictures of the boy ‘hoping to find the right angle”.

The boy in the photo, Colin, was angry at Arbus about the picture in his teenage years

Depside his deranged look the boy in the photo was said to be normal and just showing off for the camera

Arbus would wander the streets of New York looking for interesting people/things to capture with her camera, such as the boy in “Child with Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park”

The art changed greatly from the first time I looked at it. At first glance the artwork seems like a demented and suicidal boy who is on the brink of insanity. After a longer and more detailed look the boy is actually an ordinary child who is posing for the camera. But the crazed look is not all made up as his parents were indeed going through a divorce at the time leaving him feeling sad and alone. One thing I see different in the artwork now is that it can represent the trials and tribulations of childhood and how it can be difficult growing up.

2.

Here is a painting by Paul Sanchez. My Mom bought this painting forever ago in New Mexico. It is an original and was created by painting on canvas. It currently resides in a room by the front door and serves as a great talking piece and something to brighten up the wall. I think the painting is beautiful as it depicts a colorful and lively Mexican village and it always brings me back to when I lived in Colorado as it was in our living room there and I always remember looking at it.

3.

My name is Bergen Leach and I’m 18 years old. I’m a male. I currently live in Florida but have also lived in El Paso Texas, Nebraska, and Colorado. I’m Caucasian. For fun, I like to go fishing and hang out with my friends. I’m a member of a completive swim club called The Sarasota Sharks. For work, I have two businesses, a lawn care company, and a fishing tackle company. I’m unique in that I tend not to just blindly follow what others people do and like to think for myself.

4.

This self-portrait does a great job of illustrating me and my life. It captures me at the pool with my friends, where I spend a lot of my time. It also includes some Florida palm trees in the background and me beach fishing with a “Snook” I caught and later released. In addition, it shows my upbeat character I have an ear-to-ear smile.

[adedots]

DCLM daily manna 14th April 2023 devotional -- EVEN RACHAB AND RUTH

DCLM daily manna 14th April 2023 devotional -- EVEN RACHAB AND RUTH DCLM DAILY MANNA 14th April 2023 DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY BY PASTOR W.F KUMUYI -- EVEN RACHAB AND RUTH DCLM DAILY LIFE 14th April 2023 DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY BY PASTOR W.F KUMUYI -- EVEN RACHAB AND RUTH DEEPER LIFE DAILY LIFE DCLM 14th April 2023 BY PASTOR W.F KUMUYI -- EVEN RACHAB AND RUTH More Of DCLM Daily Manna messages Here You May Also like: Dclm daily manna devotional - Needless Suffering You May Also like: Dclm daily manna devotional - No partisan spirit please You May Also like: knowledge is power by Pastor Kumuyi TOPIC: EVEN RACHAB AND RUTH DCLM Daily Manna for today 14th April 2023 Devotional | EVEN RACHAB AND RUTH You May Also like: DCLM Daily Manna by Pastor Kumuyi -- What is missing? DCLM Daily Manna for today 14th April 2023 Devotional | EVEN RACHAB AND RUTH DCLM Daily Manna April 2023 Devotional | EVEN RACHAB AND RUTH

DCLM DAILY MANNA 14 April 2023 DEVOTIONAL

DCLM Daily Manna Devotional for today By Pastor W.F Kumuyi - EVEN RACHAB AND RUTH You May Also like: Dclm daily manna devotional - Power in the name of Jesus Click here for more DCLM daily manna for today 2023 devotional It is advisable that you prayerfully and meditatively read the text first TEXT: Matthew 1:1-7 (KJV) 1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; You May Also like: DCLM Daily Manna by Pastor Kumuyi -- Divine command against divorce KEY VERSE: “And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse” – (Matthew 1:5) You May Also Read: From sinking to singing DCLM Daily Manna by Pastor Kumuyi here You May Also Read: past DCLM Daily Manna by Pastor Kumuyi here You May Also Read: Yesterday's DCLM Daily Manna by Pastor Kumuyi here (Deeper life daily manna dclm 2022)

DCLM DAILY MANNA 14th April 2023 DEVOTIONAL

MESSAGE: It is normal with God to use imperfect tools to sculpt desirable masterpieces. This is a stroke of His sovereignty. Take a look at some of the people He used to perform historic events and you will find among them many misfits, failures and oddities. For instance, Joseph was a pampered and inexperienced child; Moses was a fugitive and a stammerer; fearful Gideon was the least in his family; David was a mere shepherd boy; Esther was an obscure orphan. The list goes on. As you go through today’s text that shows the earthly genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ, you may observe that four women, apart from Mary, were deliberately mentioned ��� Thamar, Rachab, Ruth and “her that had been the wife of Urias” (Bathsheba). None of these had royal blood in their veins. They had features that ordinarily should make them “misfits” here. Thamar and Bathsheba were blemished by adulterous acts. Ruth was a foreigner with heathen background. Rachab was not only an alien but also a harlot. That such women became part of Christ’s earthly ancestry shows the depth of God’s grace and the mystery of His providence. This also plays out in our membership of the true Church, the Body of Christ. Apostle Paul succinctly captured it this way: “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise… That no flesh should glory in his presence” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). Such knowledge should gladden our hearts and brighten our hope. If God could engraft aliens like Rachab and Ruth to be part of our Saviour’s ancestral tread, He can use us to accomplish His purposes. We only need to observe the obedience and tenacity of faith that the duo had. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God is the Maker – He turns raw materials into finished products. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 13-14 DCLM DAILY MANNA 14 April 2023 DEVOTIONAL You May Also like: Dclm daily manna devotional - Envy is dangerous MEDITATION: You May Also like: Declare your triumph by Pastor Kumuyi DCLM DAILY MANNA 14 April 2023 DEVOTIONAL PRAYER POINTS: HYMN: You May Also like: Deeper life daily devotional - excess provision in famine by Pastor Kumuyi (daily manna for today 2022)

DEEPER LIFE DAILY MANNA DCLM 14 April 2023 DEVOTIONAL

Click here for more DCLM daily manna for today 2023 devotional The sweetest and biggest thing to ever happen to you is to make a decision to be saved through JESUS CHRIST. If you have not made that decision. Please make that decision now and say " Lord Jesus forgive me for my sins and have mercy on me, thank you for dying for me on the cross, take me as your son / daughter and be my father. THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME, in JESUS CHRIST NAME AMEN. If you just prayed this prayer of salvation now, please find a bible believing church where you can grow in the love and the Word of God and fellowship with them. God bless you Please don't forget to share with your friends and families on social media so they can be blessed and be blessings to others. God bless you Click here for more deeper life daily manna DCLM devotional DEEPER LIFE DAILY MANNA DCLM DEVOTIONAL WAS WRITTEN BY PASTOR W F KUMUYI who is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church.

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[elyonproject]

Part 3: Be Present

I was recently talking to this guy that I knew in high school, and he started telling stories about this person, and that person, and “remember when we did this?”, “remember when we went here?”, “remember when that happened?” and he’s getting more and more excited. Part way through our conversation I had this thought of ‘that was years ago!’... It seemed in some way as if he was still back there. Like he never really left. As though those were the best years of his life.

There’s this fascinating interaction in one of the accounts of Jesus’ life. It’s right after he’s been resurrected. This central event in the story of human history. It’s the event at the center of the Christian faith. Jesus has just risen from the dead, and the first person he sees is Mary Magdalene, and he says to her “Don’t hold on to me.” The first thing Jesus does after he’s been resurrected is he tells someone not to hold on to him?

Perhaps a little background would help. In the book of Luke it says that Jesus had this group of women that traveled with him and supported him, that they learned from him. They were actually the ones that paid his bills out of their own pockets.. And it’s written that one of these women, her name was Mary Magdalene, had seven demons but Jesus had delivered her from them. SEVEN demons?! This is one of those passages where you’re like “I could use a little more information here!” but whatever it is.. It’s safe to say that this woman…has a story. Her life has been drastically transformed because of this Jesus that she’s met. She owes him…everything.

Imagine spending that kind of time with someone, and then watching them killed on an execution stake. It’s no wonder she stays around after everyone else has deserted them. She’s the one who comes to the tomb a few days later and finds out it’s empty, and so she goes looking for the body, and she’s the one who’s in the garden looking for the body when she runs into this man who she thinks is the gardner and all of a sudden she realizes it’s JESUS and he’s alive…and HE’S BACK!

So she goes to embrace him and he says “Mary…don’t hold on to me”. Wait…this is Jesus…the divine embodiment of love and and compassion. Mary goes to hug him and he says… don’t… are we missing something here? Mary assumes that he’s back right? That he’s back and he’s alive and that things are going to go back to how they always were… back in the good ole days when they would all gather and eat these big meals as a group, when they would travel and tell stories, and laugh… but Jesus hasn’t returned to make things how they were. Things have changed. Mary… things aren’t going to be how they were.

My friend has a daughter in junior high. We were all at a birthday party awhile back and she starts talking about a boy in her school… and my friend is saying “I don’t want to know this..”, “Please don’t tell me this”, “You’re too young to like boys”... and she’s laughing, he’s laughing, we’re all laughing… but there was something else going on there. Because my friend’s little daughter isn’t a little girl anymore. She’s turning into a young woman right before his eyes… and for a Dad that just isn’t easy.

So he does the “Don’t tell me this, I don’t want to know that you’re noticing boys, or that boys are noticing you.” and it’s funny so we all laugh. But the truth is, it’s also painful… because life isn’t static is it? It ebbs and it flows, and people grow up, and move away, graduate, lose their jobs, and people that you love die, and some people get married, and others don’t, and some get divorced, some get cancer, and some things just aren’t how they were…

Now after Jesus talks with Mary Magdalene, he goes and appears to his other disciples, the ones who deserted him. He tells them that it’s time for them to take his message to the ends of the earth. He tells them it’s a whole new day, everything has changed, and God is going to give them everything that they need. He tells them that they’re going to receive a new spirit, one for today. And he promises them that they are going to have everything they need for their new life.

Think about the couple who have been married for years, and they speak with longing about the early days when they were just starting out… and you begin to wonder… “would they go back there if they could?!”

Or… the person who was the star athlete… 20 years ago… and they are still talking about it. And there’s this kind of far away look in their eyes, a longing in their voice… and you begin to wonder… “do they believe that their best years are truly behind them?”

Or… maybe you’ve been part of a group where there is this impulse to long for how it used to be… you know back when we were starting out, back when it was the first time, back when it was new… But it’s not… everything isn’t new… we aren’t who we were… and things aren’t how they were.

How much energy do people spend wishing things were how they once were?

If you need to celebrate how good something was… then celebrate.

If you need to remember how great it was when they were alive… then remember.

If you need to grieve… then grieve.

If you need to apologize or make amends, or you need to do something to make peace with how it was… then do it…

But then move on…

There’s a certain kind of despair that sets in when we believe that things were better back then… when we’re stuck back there… when we’re not fully present…

When we’re still holding on to how things were, our arms aren’t free to embrace today.

As it’s written in the book of James… you don’t even have a guarantee about tomorrow. We can’t change how it was, and we have no guarantees about tomorrow, all we have is today. If you live in the fantasy that you’ll get around to it tomorrow, you’ll get around to them tomorrow… you will wake up and it will not be tomorrow, it will be yesterday and you will have missed it, you will have missed them.

If you’re a parent, the answer isn’t to freeze your kids in time so that they don’t grow up. The answer is to be so fully present here and now that you don’t miss a single thing on THIS day. So one day you can let them go without any regrets because you were there the whole way…

When Jesus is talking with Mary Magdalene, after the “Do not hold on to me” part… You know what he tells her to do? He says “now go… tell everyone else what has happened.” He gives her a part to play. There’s a role for her, here and now.

Is Jesus saying to you right now, about anything, about anybody, about any time, “let go and receive a new spirit”?

And so my hope is that you may accept the past for what it is.

That you may celebrate what needs to be celebrated, and grieve what needs to be grieved…

And then may you receive from God a new spirit… One for… Here… Now… Today…

[dreamcubed]

afterglow | oliver wood x reader

song; afterglow [taylor swift] pairing; oliver wood x fem!ravenclaw!reader genre; fluff, angst, hurt comfort, ex2l word count; 1,8k timeline; prisoner of azkaban warnings; swearing, usual post-break up angst summary; during your relationship with oliver, your friend groups fused to form one - so, when you broke up over a deemed "petty reason" and refused to go anywhere near each other, your friends decided to do something to fix the "split custody" situation they had found themselves in

masterlist

"fighting with a true love is boxing with no gloves."

———————————————

"We're children of divorce."

"Tell me about it," Faye sighed, sinking down in her seat next to Percy in the library.

"We have to do something about it," Jideofor said from his position on the floor, "It's not like they broke up because one of them cheated or - I don't know - abused the other?"

"Literally," Faye replied, "It was the pettiest fucking reason."

Penelope, sat in an armchair, looked up from her book, "They're obviously still in love with each other, too."

"What was the reason?" Percy asked, "Nobody ever told me."

"They both forgot their anniversary," Jideofor sighed, "Like, they got mad at the other for forgetting when they literally forgot themselves."

"Fucking hypocrites," Faye scoffed.

"They're both too stubborn for their own good," Penelope closed her book and placed it neatly on her lap, "So I think we ought to step in."

"Is it really any of our business, though? I mean-"

"Percy," Faye interrupted, "They expect us to separate back to two separate friend groups like we never merged - this is absolutely our business."

Percy nodded with a dramatic sigh, "Okay, what's the plan?"

***

"Y/N," Penelope said as she sat down next to you, prolonging the last vowel in your name.

"Yes?" you said absently, not even looking up from your book.

"Will you come to Hogsmeade with us this weekend?"

"Depends who's attending."

"Me, Faye, Jid and Percy."

You finally looked up from the inked pages, casting a sceptical raised eyebrow in Penelope's direction. "And Wood isn't going?"

"No, it's your turn with us, or whatever," she rolled her eyes, "Oliver is busy with quidditch, as per usual."

You hummed, "Okay, I'll come."

"You have to talk to him again eventually, you know."

"Says who?"

"Says your children who are sick of split custody."

"You aren't our children."

Penelope rolled her eyes again, "We might as well be. Point is, it's traumatising for us to not have parents who are civil with each other."

"Then why don't you tell Wood to stop acting like everything was my fault."

"It's traumatising for us to be your messengers, too."

"Fuck off, Penny," you grumbled, sinking into the armchair and delving back into your book.

***

"I thought he wasn't supposed to be coming," you snapped, staring at Oliver Wood through the window of the Three Broomsticks.

"Yeah, uh, change of plans," Faye said hurriedly, pushing you through the door and into the pub.

"He was always gonna come, wasn't he?" you sighed, watching as the boy in question went through the similar stages of grief you just did.

Faye said nothing in response, and forced you into the seat next to Oliver before sandwiching you in place by sitting on your other side. His scent swarmed up your nostrils and you couldn't help the twinge of mixed comfort and regret that formed in your heart. For so long, that smell had been a relaxer for you, a source of tranquility at the end of a hard day - now, it filled you with a strange sense of mourning.

Oliver didn't look at you.

You sighed, swirling around the liquid of the butterbeer that had been pushed over to you, too pensive to even take a sip. The conversations of the people on the table around you were mere background static as you began to feel tears threatening to spill. It didn't help that normally you would go to Oliver when you were like this.

Of course, his ability to recognise your emotions hadn't disappeared. Breaking up didn't change the fact that he knew you better than anyone else.

"Lass-" fuck, not that nickname, "-do you need to step outside?" He said it so quietly no one else heard, and your heart dropped at his caring tone.

"Don't do this to me, Oliver," you choked out silently, "I can't." You lifted your butterbeer to your lips and gulped some down, swallowing your tears with it and straightening your back.

You heard him sigh beside you.

***

"Oh my Merlin!" Jideofor exclaimed, "Look at all the new sweets!" He was gazing at Honeyduke's new assortment through the shop window. "Can we go in?" he was looking in Oliver's direction.

The Gryffindor quidditch captain shrugged, "Ask your mother."

You had been taking the back of the group as you walked, and had only now caught up to them.

"Y/N, can we go in?"

"Ask your father," you said, irritably, as you needed to piss from the multiple butterbeers you downed. You wished they were actually alcoholic.

"I did. He told me to ask you."

You side-eyed Oliver. "You can go in for the time it takes me to go to the toilet. Then we're going back."

You watched as all the group except Oliver and Percy rushed into the sweet shop.

"Why do they act like such children?" the latter grumbled, before following them into Honeyduke's.

Oliver turned to you, observing as you watched your shared friends through the glass.

"We're not being fair to them," you said with a hint of melancholy to your tone.

He let out a half-forced laugh, "You actually sound like a woman talking to her ex-husband about their kids."

"Aren't I?" you said somewhat jokingly - though Oliver could sense the depressing undertone.

"You broke up with me," he reminded.

"I can't take all the blame."

He chewed on his lip, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for forgetting our anniversary. I've been so consumed with quidditch lately since it's my last chance to win the Quidditch Cup - I didn't mean to neglect you," he let out a breath, "But don't act like you didn't forget too."

"I've been so busy studying for my NEWTs," you lamented, "I'm a Ravenclaw - people expect so much from me! But... I- I'm sorry too. NEWTs weren't more important than you... they still aren't."

The last three words Oliver almost didn't hear, as you lowered your volume when you spoke them. He sighed, "Quidditch has never been more important to me than you."

You heard laughter echo from within the shop: your friends, clearly having made a stellar joke that got even Percy giggling.

"I still need the toilet," you said, walking away from Oliver slowly, finally letting your tears spill once your back was facing him.

***

"Hey," Oliver said softly, catching your attention in the hidden corner of the library you were sat in.

You put down the book on potions you had been reluctantly reading, and couldn't help but have flashbacks of your Hogsmeade conversation as you looked at his face. After going to the toilet that day, you hadn't had another moment alone with him, and (if you were honest) you had partly been responsible for ensuring that.

Oliver sat down opposite you on the table, letting his bag drop to the ground with a soft thud.

"Can I give something to you?" he asked.

With a cautious sigh, you nodded.

He fished around in his bag for a few moments, before pushing a small wrapped parcel in your direction. You glanced at him carefully, making him gesture for you to open it - slowly, you obliged.

The brown paper revealed a small box, which you carefully opened to see a little figurine buried in packaging paper for cushioning. Upon digging it out and examining it closely, you realised that it was of a miniature broom with two riders on it: the one on the front of the broom was a boy with brown hair, and the one behind him - with her arms wrapped around his - was a girl with hair matching yours. The boy was in red robes and the girl was in blue.

"I know it's a bit late, but I still wanted to get you something for our anniversary," he said, watching nervously as you stared at the gift.

A tear was rolling down your cheek before you could stop it.

"Ollie," your voice cracked as you spoke, "You really make this hard for me, don't you?"

"Why do we have to remain broken up?" he asked, his lower lip plump from chewing on it.

You began searching in your own bag as you processed the question he had just asked you, finally pulling out a book.

Quidditch: A Wizard's First Love.

"It's- it's nothing compared to your gift, but I- while we were in Hogsmeade, I saw this in the bookstore and it made me think of you - I couldn't help but buy it."

You pushed the leather-bound book across the table, and Oliver picked it up carefully, a smile itching on to his face.

"Not my greatest love, though," he said quietly, but in that section of the library you would have heard a pin drop.

You fiddled with your thumbs as he skimmed his eyes over the blurb.

"Thank you, lass, I'll read it as soon as possible."

Then his hands were wiping the tears off your cheeks, as he smiled down at you softly.

"Can I be your boyfriend again? Please?"

With a small sob, you nodded, allowing your foreheads to fall against each other's as you enjoyed his warmth and scent.

Fuck, you had missed him so much.

***

"Y/N!" Penelope exclaimed, making everyone's attention turn towards you.

You gave your friend group a warm smile as the Summer breeze tickled your cheeks. They were scattered around a tree by the Black Lake, some reading, some working, some chatting: you were the last member of the group to arrive.

"I was worried you wouldn't come," Faye said, glancing towards Oliver, who was sat against the large tree trunk with the book you gave him in his hands.

You gave her a light chuckle, "Of course I came." You then moved to sit beside your boyfriend, him greeting you with a peck to the lips.

The others watched the exchange in amazement.

"You made up?" Jideofor asked, his face stretched in a grin.

You felt heat rush to your ears as you nodded.

Cheers erupted from the people surrounding you, and you felt the vibrations of Oliver's laughter when he placed his arm around your shoulders.

"Thank fuck," Penelope sighed, "We no longer have the trauma of divorced parents."

"We aren't your parents," you retorted.

Everyone around you gave you a sceptical look, including Oliver.

"Hey, you're supposed to be on my side," you said to him somewhat bitterly.

"I can still admit when you're wrong, lass."

"I'm never wrong."

"You sure?" your faces were getting closer, and as your lips were about to touch you heard a groan from beside you.

It was Percy. "Didn't miss the PDA," he said with disgust lacing his face.

"Oh, fuck off," Oliver replied, kissing you anyway.

————————————————

masterlist

written; 10/09/2022 —> 07/10/2022 published; 08/10/2022 edited; —/—/——

taglist; @workinatdapyramid

[scuttling]

Stay at Home DILF

Fandom: Criminal Minds Pairings: Aaron Hotchner/Female Reader Word Count: 5,863 Tags: 18+, NSFW, Dad Bod Hotch, Insecure Hotch, Oral sex, Fingering, Unprotected sex, A little angsty by accident Summary: Aaron retires from the BAU when the new baby is born, but a year later the lack of structure, sleep, and time for himself means changes to his body he's not very proud of. When the thought of having another child is brought up, how will he and his wife work through his insecurities to make the perfectly imperfect, happy family? *Requested by anon Link to A03 or read below! “Honey, I have to get going—do you need me to drop Jack off at school, or are you good?” Professor Hotchner slides her foot into a flesh-toned pump, leaning against the kitchen table for support and stealing a grape from Jack’s fruit salad. He narrows his eyes, then sticks out his tongue, and she does the same. “Do you want me to starve, Jackrabbit?”

“You won’t starve. Get your own grapes.” So full of sass, that one. Seven is such a fun age. She decides to blame the mixture of Aaron’s genes and Haley’s, and she pulls out her phone to send Haley a quick text.

Your son is a menace in the morning.

Haley: Gets that from his dad.

Aaron enters the kitchen, holding their one year old daughter Mia, and he sticks her in her highchair, puts her breakfast in front of her, and leans toward his wife.

“I’m good, I’ll take him,” he says, and kisses her lips. “Mia and I will take big brother Jack to school, won’t we?” Mia is obsessed with Jack—her first word was Jack, or rather, Ack, which was super cute—so she giggles happily, and her mother can’t help but smile. Their little family is absolutely perfect.

She leans in for another kiss from Aaron, and then another, and then maybe one more...

“You’re getting distracted,” Jack says, and she looks over at him with a raised eyebrow, then back to Aaron. He shrugs.

“It was on one of his vocabulary sheets.” Figures.

“Well, maybe I find my boys distracting. Let me give you kisses and we’ll find out!” She launches herself at him, kissing his head and his cheeks, and he laughs, and she knows she’s going to be late for work, but she can’t pass up moments like these, she just can’t.

She gives him a hug and tells him to have a good day, then she kisses Mia, and then she puts her arms around Aaron’s neck and kisses him goodbye. Before she pulls away, something comes over her—the warmth of this perfect morning, the overwhelming love for both of their sassy, silly kids, or maybe the fact that they’ve been too busy for sex lately and she’s constantly horny for him—and she looks up at him and whispers, “we should have another baby.”

Aaron grins immediately.

“Yeah we should.” They kiss a few more times, quickly, smiling against each other's lips, and he pats her hip because he knows she has to go. “We’ll talk more later, but yes. I want to. I love you.” He takes her face in his hands and kisses her deeply, and she sighs, grabs her bags, and heads out the door. Work is work; as the youngest professor in the English department, her schedule is jam packed with classes, lectures, morning office hours, but despite all that, it seems that Aaron is having the more difficult day.

They both love that he was able to retire from the BAU early to be a stay at home dad when Mia was born—he does consult for them occasionally, but has no official title, doesn’t have to travel—and he’s amazing at it, but she knows her baby can be a handful even on a good day. The texts she’s been getting all morning only solidify that knowledge.

Aaron: FYI - Mia hates bananas this week.

Aaron: What do they put in this applesauce, crack? She’s tearing around here like a bat out of hell.

Aaron: Okay, she’s your child, I officially renounce her. I put on The White Album and she started crying.

Maybe she prefers Abbey Road?

Aaron: No. Unlike her mother, she has taste.

You wound me, Hotchner.

She works through lunch, grading papers on The Call of the Wild, but when Aaron’s name lights up the display on her phone, she puts her pen down and smiles, puts it on speaker.

She’s sorry she did, because Mia is wailing in the background, and it’s very clearly her, I’m exhausted, asshole, leave me alone, cry, which makes her wonder why she’s not taking a nap. She knows she resists Aaron sometimes, doesn’t want him to leave her alone in her room, which is so sweet and also so, so annoying.

“Hi, sweetheart. Are you having a little trouble over there?” He takes a deep breath and sighs.

“She won’t go down, baby, even if I sit in the rocking chair beside her. It’s been twenty minutes.” Wow. He put up with it longer than she would have.

“Put her in her crib with Stuffy Bear and just let her cry; I know you hate that, but she’ll give up eventually.” He groans softly.

“I can’t; I feel so bad.”

She smiles. Her warm-hearted man.

“She does this because she knows you’ll give in and do whatever she wants. I promise you, she’ll be happier for it; she sounds miserable.”

“I don’t know…” he says, and she can tell he’s not going to do it. She picks up her pen and skims the paper she abandoned.

“Are you tired?” She doesn't wait for an answer, because she knows he is: Jack had a bad dream last night and woke them both up, and Aaron went to lay with him until he fell asleep because he knew she had an early morning. It was almost time for her alarm when he made it back to bed. “If you want to try to nap, she’s going to have to nap. Do it for her, yourself, me, a combination of the three of us. She won’t be mad at you; she won’t even remember.”

“What if I give her abandonment issues?” he presses, and she closes her eyes for a moment.

“Aaron, I love you so much. You’re such a great dad, and our kids are lucky to have you. But you have to loosen the reins just a little, especially if… if we are going to have another baby.” The thought makes her smile, and she can tell he’s smiling down the line, too.

“Right. Loosen the reins. Just put her in her crib,” she can hear that he does that, “and give her Stuffy Bear, and let her cry.” He blows out a breath, and she can hear the door click shut behind him as he leaves her room. She’s proud of him, but she also knows he’s going to sit in front of the video monitor and watch to make sure she falls asleep, and that he’ll probably work on laundry after that and not actually take a nap of his own.

He insists he’s doing fine when she brings it up, but the way he sacks out like a corpse when they get into bed doesn’t exactly have her convinced.

“I love you, and miss you,” he says when it’s slightly quieter, though she can faintly hear the cries through the monitor. “It made me really happy this morning when you said we should have another baby. We make perfect babies, have you noticed?” She hides her grin behind her hand, because if anyone walked by her office they’d think she’s insane with how widely she’s smiling.

“I have noticed, but since we only have the one and I can’t take any credit for Jack, I figured we should probably make another. Maybe the same way we made Mia…” They’re both convinced it was a weekend when Jack was at Haley’s and the two of them went to town on each other, true marathon sex where they only stopped for food and water and she coaxed him to hardness so many times she felt like a damn sex goddess.

“Hmm. I remember that with fondness, and would love to do that again. You know Haley said she’d take Mia on one of Jack’s weekends if we ever needed her to.”

Her life is pretty damn perfect, with her gorgeous, caring husband, and her two awesome kiddos, and a job she loves, but the most unexpectedly sweet part is that Haley is so comfortable with her, and that she and Aaron were able to get past the ugliness of their divorce to eventually become friends again. It’s not something they take for granted.

“Maybe we should take her up on it this weekend,” she says, trying to sound a little sultry. “We’ve both been so busy; it’s been a while since you pet my kitty.” For some reason, this particular phrase makes Aaron blush and get insanely horny, and she’s hoping to tease him so much the rest of the week that their weekend is one neither of them ever forget, so she’s pulling out the big guns.

“It’s been far too long, and I’m sorry. I can’t wait, baby. I’ll call her here in a few; I know you have to get to your next lecture.” She looks down at her watch, and it is about time to clean up and head over. She sighs happily down the line.

“Okay, I love and miss you; try to take a power nap. I promise, she’ll be fine.”

“I will.” He won’t. “Talk to you soon.” When she gets home, Aaron has dinner ready; she told him to hold off, that she’d help when she got there, but he has always been an overachiever.

Mia is already in her high-chair, waiting patiently for once in her little life; she kisses her forehead, breathes in her sweet baby smell, and then makes her way to her husband.

“Looks good, honey,” she says as he sets the table, and she leans up for a kiss, but when she presses her hand to his stomach like she always does, he pulls back a little. “Is everything okay? Did you have a bad afternoon?”

“No, it wasn’t bad after the nap fiasco,” he responds, but he sounds distracted. Maybe he was asked to look at a case, or something, and that’s still on his mind? She leans against his shoulder, puts a hand on his back and attempts to push up his t-shirt, to skim her hand up along his spine, which always comforts him, but again, he shifts away from her touch. She sighs and steps back.

“You're going to give me a complex, Aaron. If I did something to upset you, please tell me so I can apologize and try to make it better.” He turns to look at her face, and his formerly tense jaw softens a little; he presses his lips to hers, just a peck.

“No, you didn’t do anything. I’m just a little tired, that’s all.” He smiles softly, and she’s sure he is tired, but this seems like something more.

“You’d tell me if something else was bothering you, right? You know I’m here for you.”

“Of course I would, and of course I do. I love you,” he breathes against her mouth, and then he goes in for a longer kiss and she gets, as Jack said earlier, a little distracted. When the kiss breaks, she sighs happily.

“I love you. Missed those lips,” she murmurs, and then she runs a hand over his hair. “If the kids wake up again tonight, I’ll get them. You need to rest.” He shakes his head.

“You have another full day tomorrow,” he counters, and it’s so sweet that he keeps up with the schedule she has posted on the fridge, but still. She puts her hand on her hip.

“And you don’t? It’s my turn. Let me help.” He looks like he wants to argue, but she gives him the glare he knows means she will talk about this all night if he doesn’t agree; she’s not the sponsor of the university’s debate team for nothing, and even his prosecutorial ways have nothing on her.

“Okay,” he sighs, and she smiles and kisses him and then goes to get Jack and make sure he’s cleaned up for dinner.

That night when the two of them are getting ready for bed, she’s surprised as hell when he stops her from pulling one of his t-shirts—her typical sleepwear—over her head. She sets it down, arches her brow, and he guides her back onto the bed with a grin and puts his hands on her hips.

“What’s happening right now?” she asks, because before Mia, sure, Aaron would treat her to all manner of orgasm-inducing behavior at random, and she would do the same, but since Mia—especially in the last six months or so—their sexual encounters have been few and far between. It’s no one’s fault, and they’re both very clearly still attracted to each other; it’s just one of those things that falls by the wayside when you have a new baby and a hectic life and you don’t get enough sleep.

Needless to say, she is a little confused by this turn of events.

“I’m attempting to worship my gorgeous fucking wife,” he murmurs, and he leans up and kisses her stomach, licks a long line up from her belly button. Her breath hitches. “Gonna put another little baby in here—but it’s always beautiful.” He slowly moves his lips higher, over her ribcage, and holds her there. “You’re perfect, you know?”

“Aaron.” Her fingers come up to sweep through his hair; her heart aches with love and tenderness. He moves up, presses open-mouthed kisses to each of her breasts, then covers them with his hands and squeezes. She’s a panting, dripping mess, and more than anything she wants to strip him naked, pull him closer, get him inside her.

“I love you just as you are; I want you just as you are. Always have, always will.” He smooths his hands up over her throat, and brings her mouth to his for a deep, soulful kiss. She hadn’t even realized she’s been feeling repressed, but his touch tonight makes her feel so beautiful and special… It's incredible how close she is from only that.

“Make love to me,” she whispers, and he kisses her again, but then he slides back down her body.

“Want to taste you,” he says instead, and he gets his hands on her hips again and his mouth on her pussy, looks up at her while he licks and sucks like he’s gone without for ages—which he has, she figures, but it’s blowing her mind, her fingers scratching at the sheets, her neck arched. He massages her hips as his tongue works, as he grinds against the bed, and she comes with a whimper, because her body is so overwhelmed by how good she feels that she can’t even properly vocalize it.

Aaron comes up, just a little, rests his head on her stomach, and she smooths her hands over his hair and his shoulders, since that’s all she can reach.

“Come up and let me touch you—or you can come inside me.” She will happily take either option, but he just kisses her belly and shakes his head.

“No, I’m good. Just really tired.” She frowns, can’t recall a time in her life when they didn’t both get off during sex; he catches her expression and runs his hands up her body. “Really, I’m okay. I just wanted to do that before I passed out.” He smiles, and she doesn’t like it, but he climbs off of her and goes to the bathroom, and she pulls on the t-shirt and crawls into bed. Two days later, she’s sitting in her office grading tests when she hears a knock at the door. She looks up, and it’s Aaron, of course, looking so gorgeous in a black polo and jeans.

“Hey, what are you doing here? Where’s Mia?” she asks with a smile. He leans against the doorframe with his arms crossed.

“She’s with her Aunt Penelope for a few hours.”

“Why? Is everything okay?” Penelope is at work, she knows, because she texted her earlier about something unrelated and she’d mentioned that she and Spencer were having coffee and that he said hello.

“Everything‘s fine,” he assures her, and he enters the room fully, closes the door behind him… and locks it. “Can’t your husband come visit you during your super secret not-really-office-hours?” She raises an eyebrow, both at his question and the fact that he locked the door. What exactly is he planning to do, she wonders?

“You can, but you don’t. I guess I’m just surprised.”

“Well today I decided to. I missed you so much.” He walks around her desk and leans over her for a couple of kisses. “Have you missed me?” She rolls her eyes, smiles.

“Of course I missed you. I miss you every second I’m away from you.” She reaches out, wants to hug him, pull him closer, but he takes a step back and crooks his finger, encouraging her to follow him.

He’s being really weird, but he’s also being really hot. She decides to play along.

She stands, walks over to him, and he carefully clears a spot on her desk, knows she has a system and doesn’t like a mess; when she’s within reach, he puts his hands on her waist and lifts her up onto it, her ass where a stack of tests had just been. Fuck.

“I want to get this dress off of you,” he says, voice low, and he takes her face in his hands and kisses her, rough and deep. “Can I take it off, baby? Can I make you come?”

Everything is happening so fast her head is spinning—it’s not like him to just show up at her office, to try to have sex with her there, especially when their dry spell has been, up until recently, like the damn Sahara.

He must sense her confusion, her apprehension, because he kisses slowly along the side of her throat, down the v-neck of her dress, making her eyelids flutter.

“The door’s locked, and no one even knows we’re in here. Can I take it off?” She pants, thinks about this for a second, but then he slides a hand over her thigh, pushing her skirt up, and she gets a little distracted. She nods, and he kisses her hard and unties the sash of her wrap dress, pushes it off her shoulders. She’s glad she wore a matching set of bra and panties, because this is like prime fantasy material and she wants to try to remember every detail.

He kisses her mouth, soft and sweet, then tugs the straps of her bra down her shoulders, pulls the cups down so her breasts fall out of them. She moans, a little startled, and he dips his head to mouth at her nipples, rests one hand on her lower back and one on her stomach—probably because she looks like she’s about to slide off the desk and onto the floor like a blob of jelly. She knows that’s how she feels.

When he’s gotten her thoroughly worked up, almost trembling with the need for more, he pushes her panties aside and presses a finger into her, and she whimpers, wraps her hand around his neck for support when he starts to pump it deeply inside.

“What has gotten into you?” she breathes, and her hips chase the pleasure he brings; the hand on her back moves to her ass, squeezes it.

“I love you and I want you. I want to make you happy, I want you to feel good.”

“Me—me too,” she gasps as he moves faster, staring right into his eyes. “I love you, want you. Want to make you happy, feel good.” She cards her fingers through his hair and stretches for a desperate, eager kiss. “I want you so badly, baby, please.”

“I’m right here. You have me,” he murmurs, but that’s not what she means and he has to know it. Just in case he doesn’t, though, she makes herself loud and clear; relationships are all about communication, after all.

“I want you to put your cock in my pussy, I want you to come in me. I want you to fucking ruin me, Aaron, I want you to shove your dick in me and keep shoving.” She sounds unhinged, but she can’t stop.

He adds a second finger—not what she wants—and roughly gropes her breast—it feels so good, but it’s not what she wants. Why won’t he give her what she wants?

“Shh, just come on my hand, it’s okay. I’ll fuck you later, in our bed, baby,” he promises. “Just come now, okay? Right here, right now for me.”

She does, because even if he’s being unnecessarily aggravating, it’s still Aaron. She’s desperate for him, always has been, always will be. She comes loud and high and she clutches him tightly and he kisses her and coos words of love and affection into her ear. She gets cleaned up, and they go for lunch, and they can’t take their eyes off each other.

Something’s very wrong, and she can’t quite put her finger on it.

That evening when she gets home, Aaron is feeling guilty. She’s not sure why, but he’s executing all of his patented guilty trademark behaviors: he offers her a glass of wine, runs her a bath, rubs her feet, even though he’s been the one home with the baby all day. She’s tempted to ask if he’s cheating on her, as a joke, but that’s never funny, especially when she knows he’s being shifty and weird about something.

When they’re laying in bed, he sets down his book and looks over at her.

“I meant to tell you, Haley isn’t able to take Mia tomorrow. Maybe the weekend after, we can have our special alone time.” She won’t say she’s not disappointed, but she doesn’t want to inconvenience Haley, when she’s already being so great. She smiles softly, covers his hand with hers.

“That’s okay. It was short notice, anyway. I’ll still enjoy my weekend, with you and Mia.” He smiles too, but it doesn’t quite touch his eyes.

The kids sleep through the night, but she doesn’t. On Friday, she picks Jack up from school and takes him to Haley’s, who sends him to wash up so she can make him a snack. When he’s gone, she smiles warmly and invites her into the kitchen for coffee; she takes a cup, and they make pleasant small talk like they always do.

“Are you sure you don’t want to bring Mia over?” Haley asks after a few minutes. It sounds like she’s double checking. “It’s really no trouble.” She frowns, sets her cup down.

“I thought you weren’t able to watch Mia this weekend. I thought… I thought that’s what Aaron said. I must have misunderstood him.” That’s the only logical conclusion, because Aaron wouldn’t lie to her. He wouldn’t.

“He was being a little weird on the phone the other day. He asked me if I would watch her, and I said yes. He told me about your plans,” she says with raised eyebrows, “and then I told him, you know. That he better treat you right, because you just had a baby not that long ago and you might be a little self-conscious about jumping back into the sack like that; not that you should be, because you look amazing.” She racks her brain for the first time he started acting strangely, pulling away from her, and it would have been after his conversation with Haley. She asks, just to confirm.

“Is that when he got weird?”

“Actually yeah. He changed his mind, said you might not need me to watch her after all, but I told him the offer stood. He was pretty quick to get off the phone after that.” She would sip her coffee, but she’s pretty sure her hands are shaking. Why would he lie about that?

“You know, I should go. I’m sure Aaron’s pulling his hair out with her, she’s been a devil today. Tell Jack I love him and I’ll talk to him tonight, will you?”

“Of course. If you change your mind about Mia, just let me know,” Haley says, and she gets into her car with tears stinging her eyes.

When she gets home, Aaron is playing with Mia on the living room floor. He looks up at her with a smile that abruptly falls when he takes in her facial expression.

“What’s wrong?” She composes herself, takes a deep breath. They vowed a long time ago not to argue in front of Jack or Mia. She tries to sound conversational.

“You lied to me. You said Haley couldn’t take Mia this weekend.” He swallows and looks properly guilty. She’s not sure how he was able to lie to her in the first place; he’s never been any good at it.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have. I just didn’t know how to say it.” She looks up, shakes her head, wills her eyes not to water while she’s trying to have this conversation.

“You didn’t know how to say what? What is it that’s made you distance yourself from me?” She recalls him physically pulling away, then doing a complete 180 and initiating sex, but never penetrative sex, never letting her touch him or return the favor in any way. “Haley told me about your conversation. So do you think I’m unhappy with my body, or are you unhappy with my body?” He has the nerve to look confused, gets Mia set up with some toys she can play with safely on her own and stands up, comes close to her. She’s not sure she even wants his touch right now, which is saying something; when she’s unhappy, that’s usually all she wants.

“Neither of those things. I swear to god. I love you and I love your body; you’re so beautiful. Too beautiful for me, you always have been.” He’s looking down at her so seriously, and she wants so badly to believe him, but how could she, when faced with the evidence?

“Okay. If it’s neither of those things…” Her voice is small when she says the one option that hurts her most. “Did you change your mind? Do you not want to have another baby with me?” He sighs, deflates, and she takes a deep, shuddering breath.

“No, listen to me. It’s not that I don’t want that; I want that more than anything, but it will… further complicate, things...” He trails off, and she tries to follow what he’s saying. “The problem isn’t you in any way. It’s me.” She huffs, squeezes her eyes briefly shut.

“You? How can it be you, when you’ve been the only man to catch my eye for years? From the moment you set foot on my campus looking for your bad guy, I’ve been attracted to you, aroused by you, wrapped around your finger. You’re so perfect for me: perfect husband, perfect dad, perfect lover. My best friend. Never a day has gone by where I haven’t wanted you.” He wets his lips, sighs.

“Surely you’ve noticed that since I quit my job and started staying home with Mia, I… I don’t look the same. I’ve… let myself go.” His brows are deeply furrowed, and he’s clearly struggling with this; she reaches for him, no longer angry—at least for the time being—puts a hand on his arm.

“I’ve noticed that you don’t quite look the same. Doesn’t mean you’ve ‘let yourself go,’ or that I’m not still attracted to you; you just have a dad bod now instead of an ‘FBI guy who punches people for a living’ bod.” Her other hand hovers, then comes to rest on his stomach, and she smiles. “I’m actually really into the way you look now. I’ve been fantasizing about it for ages. I wish I’d known you were feeling self-conscious.”

“I’m not used to feeling… self-conscious, vulnerable,” he breathes, but he presses into her touch, so she considers that a good thing. “I didn’t know how to handle it.”

“I get that baby, I do, but this is me. I would have done anything I could to make you feel better. You didn’t have to hide it from me. You didn’t have to lie. We could have talked about it.” She moves the hand on his arm to his face, guides him down for a loving kiss. “We’re equally to blame, because I know you haven’t been getting good sleep, and I know you barely have time for yourself, and I didn’t step in; but you never let me help. If roles were reversed, and it was me staying home with Mia, you would never expect me to do all the cooking and cleaning and homework and bath time without your help. So you need to let me help, Aaron, please.” She looks up at him, eyes warm and sincere, and he nods, bends to press a kiss to her lips.

“I’m sorry. I still don’t feel great about… myself, but maybe I could. If I let you help. If I took some time for me.” She nods and wraps her arms around him—finally—for a hug.

“I love you so much. Just like this. Big, cuddly papa bear, taking care of our babies, making our home a safe and happy place for them. How could I not love the body that brings me so much happiness? That makes me excited to get in my car and come home at the end of every day?”

They kiss some more, deep, healing kisses and soft, sweet kisses, but she doesn’t get distracted by them. She’s very focused, caresses him and brushes loving fingertips over his chest and arms and sides. But speaking of distractions…

“Were you doing all those sexy things to try to distract me from wanting you to get all up on me?” she asks, pulling back, and at least he has the decency to flush.

“Kind of? I figured if it was sex you wanted, you’d be happy to get off however it happened; it was great for me too, don’t get me wrong, I just didn’t really want to be touched, feeling the way I felt.” She frowns, rests her head against his chest and holds him tighter.

“That makes me sad. What I wanted was an intimate moment with my husband, and while yes, what you did for me was great, because you’re super hot and very capable,” she says, leaning back in his embrace with a soft smile, “it’s not what I’ve been wanting. I want you all naked and sweaty and heavy on top of me, going to pound town.” He presses his lips together and raises his eyebrows.

“Pound town? What are you, twelve?” She grins, shoves his chest, and he laughs.

“I’m surrounded by college kids all day, please forgive me. I think it got my message across though.” She touches his cheek, looks up into his eyes, and sighs. “Can we take Mia over to Haley’s and give it a shot? I’ll do anything to make you feel happy and comfortable, any position that makes you feel better—though what I’d really like most, if you’ll trust me, is to suck your dick, and then hop on your dick, and then later when we’re ready to go again, we do the pound town thing and make another goddamn baby.”

She’s so serious, and he looks so serious, and then he kisses her and says yes and they pack up their kid and take her to his ex-wife’s so they can get it on, which sounds so much crazier than it actually is. She gets him out of his clothes, doesn’t move slow or spend lots of time focusing on what he thinks are flaws; instead, she proves how desirable he is by practically tearing his pants off and pushing him against the bed and swallowing around his dick just so she can hear all those delicious moans she’s been missing.

After that, she rides him hard, kisses him harder, plants her hands on his chest and stomach and moans and groans against his mouth. “So fucking hot, seriously so fucking hot, Aaron—if I saw you across the room today I wouldn’t change a goddamn thing, I would still pursue you, I’d make you blush like I did back then. I’d be so forward because I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about how good this would feel.”

She’s rocking his world, no doubt about that; it’s written all over his face, in the hardness of his hands on her hips as she grinds down on his cock, in the way his chest is heaving despite not actually doing any of the work at all. He comes first, and then rubs her clit while she continues to fuck him until she finds her own orgasm; she scratches her nails down his stomach, and he leans up and grabs her face for a rough, perfect kiss.

They take a break, cuddling and kissing and enjoying the feel of bare skin, comfy bed, soft lips. Aaron touches her cheek, tells her how much he loves and appreciates her.

“I’m so sorry I’ve been keeping this inside, and not being truthful. It’s hard, when you’re as perfect as the day I met you, and I’m…” She presses a finger to his lips, shushes him, kisses him.

“You’re as perfect as the day I met you, too. More perfect, even, because every day since then you’ve chosen me, and our family. I could not ask for a better man. Simply could not, Aaron. And if you want me to come home early so you can go to the park to run, or to the gym, then that’s what I'll do, but if you look like you do right now, forever, I’ll be happy with that too. Whatever makes you happy.”

They snuggle and kiss and talk and laugh, and then laughing becomes sex in that way everything becomes sex when you’re genuinely obsessed with the person in your bed.

He gets her on her back, kisses all over, teases her—“mmm, rubbing your kitty, baby, how does it feel?”—and then puts her legs over his shoulders, plants his hands, and fucks, taking every ounce of his pent-up frustration out on her, and it’s incredible.

“Yes, Aaron, yes, baby, oh, god.” Her head is thrown back, and she’s torn between laughing, because she’s been wanting this for months and it’s exactly as awesome as she’d dreamed it would be, and crying, because she fucking loves him, so much it puts a lump in her throat.

“Fuck, baby,” he groans, speeds up, sweaty and gorgeous and smiling. “You’re going to come with me—not just for me, but with me, so my come gets deep inside, so it works and we get another perfect baby who never lets us fucking sleep.” She nods frantically, presses her hips against his, and it’s not simultaneous, but it’s a near damn thing, when they both come groaning each other’s names. A little less than a year later, they have Mason. Aaron is at home in his dad bod, Mia doesn’t cry at naptime, Jack is still a menace in the mornings, and their perfect little family got a little more perfect. Taglist ❤️: @arsonhotchner @mrsh0tchner @ssahotchie @sleepyreaderreads @mintphoenix @meghannnnnn @disgruntledchowchow @azenpal @g-l-pierce @my-rosegold-soul