#paul’s water bottle looks empty so i’m guessing after

[silverfoxstole]

Sophie, Sylvester and Paul with the TARDIS at Portsmouth Comic Con this afternoon.

[the-swedes-knees]

Time in A Bottle (Agent Mobius x Reader)

Summary: Everyone has a guilty pleasure. For Mobius, it's a slice of pie in a very specific slice of time.

Word Count: 1.8k

Located in the middle of Downtown, bordering on the corner of old-time druggies and newly gentrified condos was a moderate sized building with an exorbitant monthly rent. 

It was a theme restaurant, if the theme was 'we opened in 1953 and we'll be damned if we change the decor'- done up in chrome and frosted glass windows that clashed against the surrounding brick and mortar. The neon sign bearing the establishment's name had burnt out years ago, but it wasn't the type of place one would seek out.

Unless you were Mobius, that is.

[09:45:00]

Technically, he shouldn't be here.

His unit was nearly a mile out, or, more accurately, they would be within the hour. Dates like this, where a simple flap of a fat pigeon's wing could ripple into Nexus event after Nexus event had a name. A proper designation in their severity and frequency of necessary resets.

But he just always referred to them as 'a real pickle'.

You glance up at the front door as the brass bell affixed to the frame jingles loudly. The man that enters looks around the place before making eye contact with you and smiles. He points to the empty bar and you nod your head.

Once you finish refilling the other customer's drink, you see that he's made himself comfortable in the middle stool.

"Hey there." You greet from the opposite side of the counter. He offers a sheepish greeting in response as you set a water down in front of him, balancing a plastic straw on the rim of the glass. "Can I start you off with some coffee? Just made a fresh pot."

"That'd be great, thanks."

You place the mug and matching saucer in front of him and pour. For a moment you look up at him, and he's smiling a very genuine smile- something very rare these days.

As soon as it's full to the brim you're reaching under the counter and grabbing a clean glass sugar pourer, placing it right next to his cup.

"How'd you know?"

"Customer service intuition, I guess." He thanks you before unfurling the napkin containing his flatware. Like someone with real proper manners, he drapes the napkin over one of his legs before stirring an ample amount of sugar into his drink.

You can't help but notice just how much he fits in to the whole aesthetic with his well fitted brown suit and slim tie. New York offered a multiplicity of personalities, and you'd become quite numb to anything and everything that would walk through that door.

Yet, someone about this man was intriguing, familiar in a way. Like in the past life he was a PI that you hired to confirm your husband's affair.

Both a confidant, and a stranger.

"Feel free to take your time, but, do you know what you'd like?" You note his closed menu pushed to the side. He raises his eyebrows and nods while mid-sip, and you pull out a notepad and pen from your apron.

"Sure do, could I get two slices?" He points the vintage rotating pie cooler to your left and specifies his selection.

Easy enough. You put two generous slices onto separate plates, and he declines your offer of whipped cream or ice cream on top.

"Good choice, this one's my favorite."

"You don't say." The knowing twinkle in his eye wasn't noticed as you busied yourself with refilling his coffee. He holds his hands up in mock defeat and sighs. "Well, I guess you'll have to join me." The ceramic scraped against the quartz tabletop as he pushed one of the plates across the bar, directly opposite himself.

"I'm on the clock-"

"Don't worry, another customer doesn't come in for-" He pauses to flex his arm, riding his jacket sleeve up just enough to check his wristwatch. "12 minutes and 43 seconds."

[09:52:16]

"Am I supposed to trust you on that?" You raise an eyebrow, and his only response is a slight head tilt and pushing the second slice a nudge closer to you.

It wasn't every day courteous men offered you a break in the form of your favorite desert. Your face screwed up in contemplation as you looked at the only other two patrons in the diner before giving in and grabbing a second set of flatware. "Well, it is slow-"

"For a Friday?" He has another bite before setting down his fork and dabbing at his face with his napkin.

"Is it Friday already?" You sigh, bent over the counter to take a bite of the pie. Delicious as ever. "Hardly feels like it, all the days are melding together."

"I think this one will stand out."

"What is the date, anyway?"

"May 4th." You make a hum of acknowledgement and he gives you a lopsided grin. "2012, incase you forgot the year too."

"I'll mark it in my calendar," You laugh, using your hand to cover your mouth as you continue to chew. "'The Day I Met-'"

"Mobius." He introduces himself, extending his hand over the counter and you shake it. His grip is firm, authoritative. Before you can reply with your own name, he refers to you by it while maintaining perfect eye contact.

You can't explain why, but it feels so right when he says it. Like it was perfectly made to be pronounced in his charming Texan drawl with just the faintest hint of gravel.

While you're fixed in a stunned silence his eyes deliberately dart to the lapel of your uniform. You follow his gaze and laugh at yourself for neglecting that you were indeed wearing a nametag.

"So Mobius... like, from maths?"

"Yeah, like math." He eyes his untouched water and picks up the plastic straw. His fingers move carefully, removing the straw from the perorated paper. You watch with curiosity as the man twists the paper once and pinches the two ends together with his thumb and index finger.

Mobius holds his opposite hand out to you, confident, waiting. With a bemused smile you allow him to guide your hand. His skin is warm, presumably from the way he had cradled his coffee mug, but it's comforting in a way. His rough hand guides you, your finger tracing the geometry of the paper-straw shape.

"A path that twists and turns... but always ends back at the same spot."

"I wasn't very good at math." You admit, and gesture around as if working in a place like this was a testament to that fact. "Why does it matter that it always ends where it began?"

"Well, that all depends on perspective. Maybe it doesn't matter. But to the one who observes it, it makes all the difference." You quirk an eyebrow, silently pressing him to elaborate. "Maybe that point's... where you got your first kiss, the feeling when your favorite football team scores a winning touchdown, a perfect sunset-"

Mobius catches himself trailing off, and looks down at his plate. He puts another bite onto his fork and cheers it to you.

"Or having pie in good company."

You look around the mostly empty diner before bracing your arms against the counter, leaning in as if you were to whisper some great secret.

"Has anyone ever told you you're a bit odd?"

[09:59:06]

"No-" His eyes crinkle as he laughs. "No, that's a new one. But you find it charming." He winked, actually winked, and leaned back in his stool, smirking into his coffee.

Your fork was halfway to your mouth as your just stared at him, frozen. You feel your mouth open and close a few times as you try to think of a somewhat dignified response.

"How would you know that?"

"I just know things." He shrugged.

"Like what?" You challenged.

"How about, Paul- over there." You crane your head to follow his line of eye, your coworker currently bussing a table that had just left. "Worked in this place five years, loves Coke- from the glass bottle, nothing else. Has a girl on the Upper East Side and runs a decent sized internet radio station out of his apartment."

"You're one of his listeners." You narrowed your eyes at him, a perfectly reasonable explanation.

"Oh, no. Hyperpop... not my style."

"Alright, BBC Sherlock-" You countered. You give a subtle head tilt to a woman sitting in a far off booth, papers spread out on the table around her pancake combo. Whoever she was, she definitely wasn't a regular. "How about her?"

"Mrs. Braverman. Youngest of eight siblings, English teacher at the charter school up the avenue. Actually prefers imitation maple syrup to the real thing."

You know very well Mobius could be talking out of his ass. But he's confident, nonchalantly so- like this was a game to him and he was obviously winning.

"What about me?"

"Thought you'd never ask." Your anticipation is palpable as he swallows his final bite, taking the time to wipe his face of crumbs before smiling softly at you.

"You are... a poem of a person. Charming, capable, when you walk into a room people notice- even if you convince yourself that they don't." His gaze is steady, patient, and he's looking at you as if you're the only person in the universe. "You have big dreams, far beyond all... this... and you're gonna make it."

[10:04:59]

The sound of the door chime breaks you out of whatever hypnotic state you had found yourself in. Sucking in a breath and blinking away the very beginnings of tears in your eyes you tell the new customer to sit wherever they like.

Mobius took this chance to check his handheld, sighing at the time and the ever-growing slope of the branch variation.

The reset charge would be set soon, with or without him there.

"Look at that. Duty calls." He stands up and pulls a billfold from his jacket pocket, not even counting as he puts the cash down on the counter.

Mobius turns to leave, but hesitates. He turns back around to face you and places his hands on his hips. Allowing himself to play into the fleeting illusion just a tad longer.

"One more thing I know about you-" Mobius rubbed his chin in careful consideration. "You have a date tonight."

"Ah-" You wag your finger at him and shake your head side to side, "got one wrong."

"Did I? Ah- well... How about we change that?"

You pause. The plates you had been holding found their way back to the counter as you set them down slowly. Once again in a very short time span, he had left you speechless.

"That... was possibly the lamest pickup line I've ever heard." Though you mean it to be snarky, it sounds more like praise coming from your smiling lips. "I get off at 6:30."

"Alright." He looks perfectly pleased with himself as he lightly knocks on the counter with his fist. "It's a date."

Walking out the door, Mobius gave one last look at the diner before reporting to the event site.

He knew would see you again, always at 9:45.

[theyreonlynoodlesmike]

A Reading: Part 9 (Poly!Lost Boys x Fem!Witch Reader)

<- Previous Chapter Next Chapter ->

Warnings: cursing, mentions of death, implied past abusive parents,

Word Count: 2.7k

Trying to finish a spell when Paul was around was proving to be difficult. You and David had already gone over everything once with eachother, and then again with the others. What you'd told Mr. Emerson and Mrs. Johnson, what you were going to do, and a few ideas as to how to do it. Really, letting them have Max wasn't going to be difficult. They just didn't have to get in Mr. Emerson's way, and he needed to do it before Lucy could be turned. If anything, the ball was in his court.

The only thing that was an issue was whether or not they'd go back on their word. The boys could let the Emerson's do what they needed, but how could they trust they'd listen to your logic and not come stake them during the day? Plus, your deal with them had put them in a semi-undesireable situation. Sure, the boys didn't really want to leave, but now they were being forced to stay. If only for the sake of holding onto the territory. So, they didn't have the luxury of leaving town to put distance between them and the Emerson's, and it wasn't like they didn't know already where they lived. That's where you came in.

It's why you were warding the entire front room. You'd gone with David to get your trailer and driven it to the top of Hudson's Bluff. They'd assured you no one would touch it, and you'd emptied anything that you'd really wanted to keep. And anything you would need to protect the boys. You'd done most of the big spells already. Made it so no one would see the entrance, done some warding to make them confused and turn back, and you were even considering making a spell that only allowed those that were invited to enter. You'd grinned when you suggested it to David, but he didn't find the subtle joke nearly as entertaining. Or, at least, he didn't show it.

You were sitting on the floor, trying to put up some minor alarms, but Paul had wrapped his arms tightly around you waist as he sat behind you. He was nosing at your neck, his cold lips and stubble making you ticklish. When you tried to pull away, letting out a soft noise at the feeling, Paul only responded by rubbing his cheek against your skin and tickling you further. You squeaked, reaching around to swat at him and turning to look at him. Quickly, you said,

"Stop it. I'm trying to focus." But your words were hardly firm. He was smiling at you. A curl of his lips that lit up his face. He moved closer, resting his chin back on your shoulder.

"You've been focusing for hours." He said, a whine in his voice. You tried to suppress your smile, but it was hard. It hadn't been hours, but it hadn't just been a few minutes either. Paul was clearly the most needy out of the boys. He always needed something to do, someone to bother. And it seemed that the others had been taking turns for years, so they were more than eager to leave you stranded with him.

"Do you wanna be safe or not?" You asked, having finished tying up a knot. Paul huffed at that, pulling you closer to his chest. After a second of silence, he slowly began to rock the two of you from side to side. It seemed he could either stay still or stay quiet. Both wasn't an option. You turned around to give him a look, and he let out another huff.

"We'll be fine. We got a super hot witch to protect us." He said, and you could already hear that the smile had returned to his face. You rolled your eyes, turning so you could flick him in the forehead. He gave you a pout, quickly saying, "That wasn't nice. Kiss it better." And it earned a laugh from you. Though, the blonde didn't stop pouting until you did. 

"There." You said, half turned around in his arms. He gave you a grin afterwards, cupping your chin with one of his hands and drawing you in to meld his mouth over yours. You let out a giggle, humming and pressing closer to the slide of his lips against yours. Your hand came up to wrap around his shoulder, holding him close. It was just a short slide of your lips, and a peck to both sides of his mouth afterwards, but Paul was hesitant to let you escape. He kept drawing you back in, even if the kiss was chaste and left him only wanting more. You pressed kisses to his cheek, reaching up to hold his face so you could turn it. He'd let his eyes close, giggling softly as you kissed him all over before pressing another short, sweet kiss to his lips. "Now, you have to let me work, okay?" You told him, cupping both of his cheeks. He nodded, a smile still on his face and his eyes slowly opening. You turned back around, content to finish you work, and Paul cuddled as close to your back as he could. 

When you were officially done, Dwayne was forcing you to eat. Truthfully, you'd forgotten. So much had been on your mind, you hadn't even realized that you were hungry. You knew Marko was going out, vaguely remembered him asking you what type of food you liked, and you hadn't connected the dots before the brunette was pulling you up from your spot on the gravel, detaching you from Paul in the process, and insisting you eat some of the takeout they'd gotten. 

He sat besides you on the couch, if not to just make sure that Paul didn't distract you. Marko passed you a water bottle as well, kicking Paul's leg to make him scoot over so he could steal the spot on your other side. Paul was reluctant, but scooted nonetheless until he was sitting on the arm of the couch. He and Marko were bickering, throwing comments back and forth while Markos arm went around your shoulders. Dwayne placed a hand on your thigh, one that was too high to be suggestive. You looked over at him, giving him a shy smile. He gave a small one back. You and the boys had relaxed. While you weren't out of the woods yet, the small comfort of momentary safety was too good to deny. David was already sitting in his chair, and looked as though he was about to start talking. Whatever he was going to say died on his lips, and you watched as he reached for his chest.

Silence cut though the room, and you quickly looked around. Each of the boys had a strange look on their face, a mix of pain and realization, and they'd each fallen suddenly silent. It took them a moment to shake it off, with Paul being the first to do so. He quite literally shook his head, rubbing at a spot over his chest before he said,

"Huh." You gave him a quizzical look, seeing that the rest of the boys seemed to be slowly recovering as well. At first, your mind had gone to the worst. That Mrs. Johnson had decided to go back on her word and do something to hurt them. You still didn't know what happened, but, before you could ask, David said,

"I guess Max just dropped Lucy back to her house." And you didn't have to guess what had happened after that.

***

The boys were quiet, the feeling of peace and calm having left. You didn't know what had replaced it, or if it had been even replaced at all. The boys seemed to be going through the motions, trying to adjust. They weren't quite empty or hollow, but a piece of their lives was gone. They seemed shocked, like they'd expected more. You'd expected more. After everything over the past couple of days, you expected something dramatic. Maybe the boys would even be tasked in helping with their sires demise. From what you knew, they might not have minded. You'd expected to have to do more. But, it'd been taken care of. Fate had followed its predetermined path, with or without the boys. It was a little underwhelming to say the least.

Still, you had seen the looks on their faces when it happened. The feeling of their sire dying, of their sire suddenly being gone. You had gotten a little information about him out of David, and you imagined that it was like someone had suddenly cut the strings off of a puppet. At first, none of them knew what to do.

The first day, no one had come. You'd stayed up, kept your alarms wound tight, but not a soul had come even close to the entrance of their cave. And when they awoke for the night, the four of them were tugging you along. They drove to a house in the suburbs, one that was bigger and nicer than the other witch's. They undid the gate, and David led them up to the door. David, out of habit, went to toss his half finished cigarette. It took him a second, the second after he pulled it out of his mouth, for him to realize that Max wasn't there. He wasn't going to say anything if David smoked, especially if he smoked in the house. David put it back between his teeth, and reached for a key hidden under a plant. 

When they opened the door, you jumped when you heard the barking. You moved behind Marko, who was holding up the back of the line. He laughed and gave you a smile, putting an arm around your waist to keep you from running too far.

"It's just Thorn." He said, and he slithered through the rest of his brothers to get on one knee and greet the dog. But, as you stared at the white beast, you knew that wasn't just a dog. Hellhound. It screamed, especially when it seemed to only be growling at you. "Hey, bud." Marko said, scratching the dog behind its ears. "She's a friend of ours, don't worry about her. You were probably here alone all day, huh?" Marko said, and it almost as if he sounded a little bad for the beast. You were wary around the hellhound, but Paul was intertwining his hand in yours and tugging you forward. 

The house was nice. Really nice. It was a staple of 80s taste, with artwork hanging off the walls, a jukebox in one corner, and all different kinds of light fixtures over the walls. You looked around again, wondering just what kind of man, vampire, Max had been. Even though you were sure the boys had heard you, none of them seemed to care to answer. As you looked around more and more, you saw how odd it was to have the boys standing inside of it. Everything seemed purposely placed, if not a little empty in some spaces. The only thing that didn't seem to fit inside was the boys themselves.

Marko was leading Thorn to the kitchen, presumably to feed him. Paul let go of your hand to hop over the couch, landing on it with a huff. He laughed to himself, reaching for one of the perfectly arranged magazines and flipping through it. Dwayne stopped in the living room, looking around for a moment. His eyes and face were unreadable, but you watched as he reached into his own coat pocket. He pulled out a cigarette, and you watched as he lit it. Dwayne wasn't the chimney that David was, and seemed to only smoke occasionally. Suddenly, it became hard to look at him, realizing he must've been having a moment to himself. Quickly, you looked to David. He had paused just the same to look around, but, when he caught your eye, he flicked his hand to motion you to follow him.

You did, following the flutter of his black trenchcoat as he led you through the house. He went to what you assumed was Max's office, and went to one of his bookshelves. He grabbed one of the books, pulling it, and you watched as a fake line of books opened to reveal a safe. David didn't need to look to find a combination, as he seemed to have it memorized, and pulled out whatever documents you must've come for. You stood besides him, looking over his shoulder to see that Max had written a will. You arched a brow, and then looked up at David. He didn't say a word, just pulled the cigarette from his lips to let out an exhale of smoke. You tried not to think about whether it was intentional that he'd blown it right at the will.

David ripped it open and pulled the document out. You watched as he read, and David let out another long gust of smoke. He pulled the cigarette from his lips, and extinguished it on the document. Under his breath, he muttered,

"Dick." And passed the documents to you to hold as he passed by you. You opened your mouth, but David was already half-way back down the way you'd came. You looked down at the document, figuring David wouldn't have given it to you if he cared whether you read it or not. You looked down at the bottom, where it detailed who would get his possessions. You furrowed your brows, wondering why David's reaction had been so adverse. As far as you could tell, Max had left them everything.

You went downstairs with the document in hand, and only caught the tail-end of their conversation. To your surprise, Paul said,

"Fucking dick." As he sat up. He threw the magazine to the side, and you gave them each a confused glance. Marko was sitting on the couch, having dug into Max's pantry and taken a bag of chips, and you watched as Paul yanked it from him. You honestly didn't understand why they were upset, but you were almost too afraid to ask.

"It's 'cause," Marko paused to pick at his teeth. "He knew how we felt about all this shit. We told him time and time again that we didn't want it and now-" He stopped himself, gesturing to the room. He didn't have to fill in the blanks for you to know what he meant. Now, they had to take care of it.

"It's his last attempt to get us to do what he wanted." Dwayne said, and your eyes flicked to him. He ripped the cigarette from his lips, throwing it to the floor and crushing it under his shoe. "Take care of the store, live in his house, make something of ourselves. His capitalist dream." He continued, and you could see the frustration in his brow. From what you knew, Max seemed like a tyrant of a father figure. You approached him slowly, taking his hand in your own and giving it a squeeze. He glanced over at you for a moment, before he sighed and eased up on the cigarette he was trying to grind into the floor. David added,

"It's why he wanted Lucy. Figured he could make us listen if we had a mom." David said, and you could hear the resentment in his voice. You looked at all of them. They seemed to be simmering, half-way towards boiling and spilling over. So, with the will in one hand and Dwaynes hand in the other, you said,

"Fuck him." And the boys looked at you in surprise. Those words had definitely caught their attention. "He's dead, you're not. So what? Either you guys are loaded now or you can burn this will and forget about it." The second you suggested it, most of the boys seemed to prefer the latter. But, still, the life hadn't truly returned to them. You thought for a moment, trying to think of something that would truly lift their spirits. It only took a second before you said, "Either way, nothing's gonna change. Not unless you want it to." And that seemed to be the best thing you could say to the group of vampires.

[obx-adventures]

The Fall

Summary: Grace just moved from Figure Eight to the Cut. She never expected to run into her old friend, Kiara, and discover she lives next door to JJ Maybank.

Catch up here: Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3

——

Chapter 4

“Dude, what the hell just happened?” John B asks when he and Pope find JJ still rooted to the spot where Grace left him. JJ has been trying to decide whether or not to follow her. He knows she’ll be pissed but he also knows that she shouldn’t be walking home alone when she’s as drunk as she is.

“Fuck it. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” JJ runs in the direction that Grace left as Pope and John B call out for him.

JJ finds Grace sitting on a makeshift flower box about 10 minutes later. She had stopped walking before getting to their block, JJ’s voice echoing in her head. At the sound of his footsteps, she jumps and tries to gather her stuff to run.

“Whoa whoa whoa, it’s just me.” Grace sags in relief when she recognizes JJ’s voice. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I know you told me not to follow you but –”

He was cut off by Grace throwing herself into him and wrapping her arms around his torso. He follows her lead and holds her tightly as she starts to cry.

“I’m so sorry, JJ.” He shushes her as he rubs her back. “No, I was so horrible to you.”

“Don’t worry about it. I bring that out in people.” Grace chuckles a little into his chest and he closes his eyes in relief. “But you got to tell me what that was all about, sweetheart. I’ve been worried about you since I picked you up from work and then that thing you said about being no one’s responsibility. What happened?”

“JJ… can we talk about this tomorrow?” JJ pulls back a little to look at her face and can see how exhausted she looks. He’s seen the same look in the mirror after bad days with his dad. She’s holding on by a thread.

“Sure, sweetheart. Come on, I’ll walk you home.”

“No!” JJ’s stunned by her emphatic answer. “I can’t go home.”

“Your mom probably isn’t awake, you won’t get in trouble.” JJ forgot this is the first time that Grace has been drunk. But from what he saw yesterday, he doubts Amanda Porter will be aware enough to realize her daughter is just as drunk as her.

“It’s not that. I just… please. Please can we go somewhere else?” Now JJ understands this is a whole different issue. He’s pretty sure it has something to do with her dad but decides not to push it.

“Well we’re pretty far from the Chateau already, do you think you can walk for another 30 minutes?”

“No…” Grace chews on her lip and sways a little. JJ is positive he’s never seen someone so cute. He places his hands on her shoulders to steady her, trying to remember that she needs a friend right now, not a guy that can only think about how adorable she looks.

“Then your house it is.”

“What about yours?” JJ’s eyes widen in surprise at Grace’s suggestion.

“You would rather face my abusive, alcoholic father than your sleeping mom?”

“JJ…”

“What if I stayed with you and ran interference so you don’t see her?” Grace freezes up at the suggestion and can’t help thinking about how she fell asleep with his hand stroking her cheek. She giggles at the thought and her cheeks flush in embarrassment.

“Yea, I guess that would be ok.” She continues to giggle as she turns away from him to walk home.

“What’s so funny?” JJ caught the pink tinge in her cheeks before she turned around and is desperate to know what caused it.

Grace decided not to answer as she stumbled ahead of him. After almost tripping a few more times, JJ steps in front of her and crouches a bit so she can jump on his back. When she hesitates for a second, he looks back at her and winks. She giggles again and awkwardly jumps up for a piggy back ride.

When they get to her house, she tries to unlock her door but can’t steady herself enough to get the key in the lock. JJ takes over and leads her inside. Despite being drunk, her first instinct is to check on her mom.

Grace finds Amanda passed out with another empty bottle of alcohol next to her. JJ waits outside her mom’s room, watching her closely. As Grace’s knees buckle and a sob escapes her, JJ swoops in to pick her up and carry her to her room. He sits on her bed and holds her against his chest, rocking slowly and running his fingers through her hair.

“What happened, sweetheart?” he asks after she finally settles down.

“She lied to me for my whole life. They both did. He finally told me the truth today. But he doesn’t want me. And she’s a mess. And I feel so fucking alone.”

“What did they lie about?”

“He’s not... he’s... not... my...” Grace tries time to calm her sobs enough to talk but JJ understands. He soothes her and tells her she doesn’t need to say anything else.

“I’m so sorry, Grace.” He can’t imagine how much it hurt her to find out Paul isn’t her real father. For a moment, he isn’t sure what else to say but then he remembers their conversation in the kitchen the night before. “I know it feels like it but you aren’t alone. Remember? We can take care of each other. Ok?”

Grace gives him a watery smile and nods a little at him. She reaches her hand out and brushes his hair off his forehead. Instead of pulling her hand back, she leaves it on his cheek and is surprised when he leans into it. They stay like that for what feels like an eternity, just staring into each other’s eyes.

JJ’s phone beeps, causing them both to jump a little. Grace awkwardly moves off his lap and runs into the bathroom to clean herself up. After washing her face and brushing her teeth, she decides she can’t put off going back into her room. When she does, she finds him in the same spot as before.

“Hi...” Grace isn’t sure what else to say after whatever it was that just happened between them.

“Uh, Kie was just checking to make sure you’re ok...” Grace giggles at JJ’s awkwardness. At least she isn’t the only one thrown off kilter. “Uh, we should... umm, we should get some sleep.”

Grace nods at JJ but doesn’t move from her spot leaning against the door. She’s trying to decide what to do next. She’s never been a risk taker but she’s also never felt this way about someone. As if her body is acting on it’s own accord, she moves to stand in front of JJ. He looks perplexed and nervous, two words Grace never thought she would associate with him. She gently runs one hand through his hair and places the other on his opposite cheek.

“What are you doing?” JJ’s voice is barely a whisper.

“Something I’ve wanted to do for the past 3 weeks...”

JJ stares into Grace’s eyes as he reaches up to move her hands away from his face and hair.

“Grace, you’re drunk... I think we should just lay down and get some sleep.” He releases her hands and fights to ignore the pain and embarrassment written all over her face as he stands up to walk past her.

When he gets to the bathroom, he curses himself as he splashes cold water on his face. What the hell was that? If Kie hadn’t texted him, he’s sure he would have kissed Grace. And he wanted to now when she stood in front of him. But he was able to remind himself while she was in the bathroom that she’s drunk and reeling from finding out about her dad. He knows he’s an asshole but not a big enough asshole to take advantage of her while she’s in this state. JJ pulls himself together and goes back into Grace’s room.

He finds Grace curled up into a ball on the same side of the bed she was last night. He can see her body shaking and is sure she’s crying again. But he doesn’t know what to do now.

After getting into bed, he reaches over to touch her shoulder but she flinches away from him. Fuck, did he just totally screw everything up between them?

“Do you want me to go?”

Grace shakes her head no but refuses to turn around to face him. JJ understands this is the best he can hope for. He falls asleep thinking about how he will make things right between them tomorrow.

——

Grace wakes up with a horrendous headache. She rolls over to see JJ still asleep beside her. As she looks at his peaceful face, she cringes at the memory of his rejection last night. How could she be so stupid? Why would JJ Maybank be interested in her?

She slowly gets out of bed, trying desperately not to wake him up. As she stands under the hot water in the shower, she tries to piece together what happened last night. She’s a little impressed with herself for punching Rafe but can’t believe how she acted with JJ. He probably thinks she’s pathetic. Grace is jolted out of her self-pity when she hears the door open.

“Sorry, Grace, I just really need to pee.” Grace’s whole body stiffens in rage at the sound of her mom’s voice.

“Get out!”

“I’m sorry to burst in like this but you’ve been in here for 40 minutes and I couldn’t hold it anymore.”

Grace grinds her teeth in frustration. She needs to talk to her mom but she wants to be able to see her face when she asks her for the truth. Amanda leaves the bathroom and Grace quickly finishes her shower. When she gets back to her room, JJ is still snoring. She decides to deal with one emotionally painful situation at a time and leaves him asleep to go find her mom.

“Mom, we need to talk.” Amanda is making coffee in the kitchen so Grace sits at the table to wait for her.

“Ok, what’s up?” Amanda is certain that Grace wants to talk about her drinking. She knows it’s gotten bad and Grace has had to take care of her a lot lately.

“I saw dad yesterday.” Amanda can see how angry Grace is and is worried about where this conversation is going.

“Oh? How did that go?”

“Not great, mom. He told me he’s not my biological father.” Amanda flinches at Grace’s words and that’s enough confirmation for Grace. “Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“I didn’t want to hurt you, sweetie.” Amanda reaches over to take Grace’s hand and is hurt when Grace pulls her hands away. “Plus, it doesn’t really change anything. Paul knew I was pregnant before we got married. He knew he wasn’t your father but he still signed your birth certificate. Legally, that makes him your dad. My lawyer says-”

“Shut up!” Grace yells. “I don’t give a shit about the legal crap! And it changes everything! The man I consider my dad doesn’t want anything to do with me! And he never has. All these years, I thought I had done something wrong. That it was my fault that he never spent time with me. All my life, I’ve felt like I wasn’t good enough, that I didn’t deserve his or anyone else’s love.”

“Oh sweetie, no-”

“Stop, I don’t want to hear anything you have to say. You’re just as bad as he is. I knew I had to talk to you right away this morning because you won’t be sober much longer. You’ve been drunk by noon every day since we moved here. I had to get a job to pay our rent and buy groceries so we don’t starve. I’ve always been more of the adult in our relationship but now I can’t count on you at all. And... and I can’t trust you anymore.”

“Grace, that’s not fair.” Amanda knows that everything her daughter said is true but it doesn’t make it any less painful.

Grace storms into her room, too disgusted with her mother and too hurt to talk anymore. After slamming her door, she sinks to the ground and cries into her hands. She doesn’t hear JJ walk over to her over the sound of her own sobs. When he touches her shoulder, she jumps but quickly grabs onto him like a lifeline. He sits down with her and pulls her against his chest, thankful that she’s accepting his comfort.

Twenty minutes later, Grace’s tears have dried and her breathing has returned to normal. She looks up at JJ and is reminded of what happened between them last night. She sits up and releases him.

“Thank you, JJ. And... and I want to apologize... I was really drunk last night. I didn’t... I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I hope it doesn’t change... I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry. I should have explained-” Grace cuts him off before he can go on.

“You don’t need to explain. I get it.” Grace stands up and puts as much distance as she can between them, desperately trying to avoid hearing how someone else important to her doesn’t want her. “Kiara will be here any minute. I think my mom is back in her room so you should go now before she sees you.”

JJ stares at Grace but she stubbornly avoids looking at him. After a minute of awkward silence, JJ walks towards her and stops in the doorway, trying to get her to meet his gaze. Grace finally looks him in the eyes but before he can talk, he hears Kiara honk to let Grace know she’s there. As they walk outside, he stops her before she gets in the car.

“Can I walk you home after work?”

“Uh, no. I’ll ask Kiara for a ride.”

“Please, I want to talk about this.” Grace looks down at her hands and JJ can practically hear her thinking through excuses. He gently turns her face to look at him and holds eye contact. “Please.”

Grace nods and quickly gets into Kiara’s car before he can say anything else. Kiara is staring at JJ through the passenger window, clearly confused about their exchange. He walks away quickly before Kiara has a chance to say anything to make this more awkward.

“Shit...” Grace cringes at the tone in Kiara’s voice. “What the hell was that?”

Ch 5

Taglist: @agirlwholovescoffee @alexa-playafricabytoto @mendesmaybank @teamnick @laurenyee09 @prejudic3 @teaheeee @shy-1234 @rudyismymanperiod @teaparadiso @rudy-pankow

[nyotamalfoy]

"Unexpected." - Part 2 Cillian Murphy x fem!Reader

Requested by the wonderful @fifty-shadesof-tommyshelby 💖

Part 1 can be found here

“Hey, Neil! Is that her? Is that (Y/N)?” Helen slaps Neil’s arm and points out the window as they drive around the city, still looking for (Y/N).   

“Where?” Sophie calls out from the back as Neil snaps his head around to where Helen was pointing.   

“Oh my god,” Neil mutters in worry as he makes out the outline of his niece lying on a bench.   

They all run out as soon as he parks the car and gasp as they reach her side. Her foot was bloody, mostly dried blood, and her face was covered in dried tear tracks. 

“This is all my fault, I shouldn’t have left her alone,” Neil says as he kneels down and tucks a piece of hair behind (Y/N)’s ears. He looks like he is about to break down when Helen puts a hand on his shoulders and tries to comfort him.   

“It’s not your fault, Neil. Don’t beat yourself up over it,” Helen says, rubbing his back.  

“Yes, we’ve found her…near the beach side café…yes that’s the one…here, take a right, I can see you,” Sophie talks into her phone as she waves her hand over her head trying to catch the attention of the newly arrived car consisting of the rest of the search party, Paul, Finn, Joe and Tom.  

“Is she okay?” Tom called out as they all got out of Paul’s car.   

Neil tries to wake her up, shaking her shoulders, but she doesn’t budge. He asks if anyone has water and waits as Finn rushes to Paul’s car to get a bottle. He splashes a few drops on (Y/N)’s face and almost cries in relief as her eyes flutter open.   

“What happened?” (Y/N) asks in a groggy voice as she sits upright and holds a hand to her forehead. She looks positively exhausted and cold, very cold. She rubs her arms for warmth as she looks around her in surprise at the small crowd of very famous people asking if she was alright before she remembers what happened that morning.   

Neil immediately hugs her and whispers repeatedly in her ears how he is glad that she’s okay and he keeps saying sorry, much to (Y/N)’s confusion.    

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“Are you sure you’re okay?” Neil asks (Y/N) for the hundredth time as he tucks her in for bed.   

“I’m fine, Neil,” (Y/N) smiles and replies while feeling a little embarrassed at her outburst a few hours ago.   

“Okay, sleep well, kid.” Neil kisses her forehead before turning off the light and closing her door.   

As he was changing into his t-shirt to sleep, his phone rang from the beside his bed. The screen reading Cillian.   

‘Why is he calling at this time?’ Neil thought to himself, answering it anyway.  

“Hello?”   

“Hey, Neil, uh- I wanted to- uh-…is (Y/N) there?” Cillian stutters as Neil becomes a bit suspicious.  

“She’s asleep, why?”   

“Uh- It’s just that, um…oh, stuff it. I wanted to apologize to her for being a jerk and ruining her day. She didn’t deserve this and I know its my fault. I just want her to know that she wasn’t the problem there and I had a bad day and I took it out on her which I shouldn’t have-”   

“Okay! Cillian, calm down, I’ll ask her to call you tomorrow morning, alright?” Neil cut off Cillian’s rambling and knew at that moment that he did really feel bad for saying all those things.   

“Yeah, okay, thanks, Neil.” Cillian says, as if still in a daze, and hangs up.   

Neil puts down his phone and smiles in amazement. Cillian was such a put-together person; he never stuttered or rambled. Something really had Cillian on edge, and it wasn’t hard to notice that the something was probably his guilt for being rude to someone, him being the soft baby that he is.  

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“Good morning, (Y/N),” Neil greets her from the dining table, coffee mug and mobile phone in hand.   

“Morning,” (Y/N) mutters as she drags her feet to the fridge to get cereal, careful not to put too much pressure on the injured leg.  

“Cillian called last night,” Neil starts, still looking at his phone, reading something and sipping his coffee. “He says he’s really sorry about yesterday. He went on and on about how rude he was, and I told him that you’ll call him in the morning. Which is about now.” He checks the time and turns to her.  

“Wait, Cillian, as in Cillian Murphy?” (Y/N) asked, her eyes wide.   

“How many Cillians do you know (Y/N)?”  

“So, the Cillian Murphy, called you, to apologise to me?”   

“Yes, so are you going to call him or not?”  

“Should I? I mean, he was pretty rude to me yesterday.” (Y/N) hugged her arms around herself and looked down.   

“He isn’t like that normally, (Y/N). He is literally the nicest person you’ll ever meet but he just had a really bad morning yesterday and he took it out on the first person he saw.” Neil puts his finger up as (Y/N) opens her mouth to speak. “I know it doesn’t justify his words, but he really did sound guilty and sincere when he called last night.”  

(Y/N) contemplated the idea for some time before finally agreeing to talk to Cillian. She took his number from Neil and called from her phone. She waited with bated breath and tried to calm her nerves considering that she was calling the person who she’d had a crush on for years. Even though, he had been a bit rude to her, she was willing to give him a second chance knowing that yesterday might’ve just been a bad day. Something that she could relate to very well.  

“Hello, who’s this?” Cillian’s voice floated through her phone once he picked up after 3 or 4 rings.  

“Um, it’s (Y/N). You wanted to talk to me?” (Y/N) asked once the initial shock had worn off.  

“Yes! (Y/N), first of all, I’m glad you called me back because to be honest, I thought you’d hate me after yesterday. Secondly, I am honestly, truly, genuinely sorry for how I behaved with you. I was a total jerk and didn’t think before I said whatever I said. I just- (Y/N)? Are you there?”   

“I’m here,” (Y/N) said, mildly surprised, with her eyebrows raised and her mouth slightly parted.   

“Good, so my point was, can I make it up to you? I just feel so terrible knowing I ruined your special day.”   

“I- uhm, sure.”   

“So, can we meet somewhere today?” Cillian asks, sounding hopeful.   

“Yeah, I guess.” (Y/N) nods her head, even though he can’t see it.  

“I’ll text you the details soon, alright? I’m sorry again, (Y/N). I’ll see you later, then?”   

“Yeah, see ya.” (Y/N) hangs up the phone, still in a trance, and walks downstairs.   

“Neil, you’ll never guess what just happened,” (Y/N) calls out as she goes into the kitchen, expecting to see Neil sitting there, but finds it empty.   

She walks to the counter where she spots a post-it note with a Neil’s familiar scrawl on it.   

Sorry, kid. Had to leave for work. See you in the afternoon. <3    

She smiled and shook her head before going to get ready for the day.   

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“Hi, ma’am, do you have a reservation?” The waiter asked as he saw (Y/N) come in.   

“Uh- I’m supposed to meet someone here?” (Y/N) tells the waiter, nervously wringing her hands together.   

“Their name?” The waiter pulls out a tablet ready to type in the name.   

“Cillian Murphy?” She watches as the waiter looks up at her with recognition on his face and immediately puts down the tablet. 

“Of course, Miss (Y/N), follow me please.” The waiter guides a dumbstruck (Y/N) through the royal and very expensive looking furniture of the restaurant.   

“Here you are, enjoy your night,” The waiter says before leaving (Y/N) in front of a door leading to a private booth.   

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

“Hey! Cillian, are you coming to the bar?” Paul asks Cillian as they wrap up the set for the day.  

“Not today, Paul. I have to go somewhere.” Cillian smiles and leaves before anyone else could ask any more questions.   

He was beyond relieved when (Y/N) agreed to talk to him because he was about 100% certain that she hated him. He wanted to show her that she was appreciated and that he cared. So, he decided to take her to his favourite restaurant.   

As he sat in the booth he booked, waiting for (Y/N), he was getting more and more nervous. He didn’t know if it was because of his fear of rejection or if he liked her. Probably the former, right? I mean, I don’t even know her. He thought to himself.   

Cillian looked at his watch at the same moment the door handle turned making him snap his head towards it. He felt as if his brain wasn’t working in that moment as he saw (Y/N) peeking her head in and then walk forwards. She looked beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.   

“Um, hey.” (Y/N) sat in the chair opposite him and gave him a small smile.   

“What?” Cillian asked, broken out of his reverie by her sweet voice.  

“I said, hey.” She giggled and shook her head.  

“Oh yeah, hi.” The sight of her laughing brought a smile to his face.   

“So, this place is really nice.” (Y/N) gestured around to the restaurant.   

“Yeah, one of my favourites,” Cillian said, unable to take his eyes off her.   

As the night went on, Cillian and (Y/N) talked about anything and everything, getting to know each other better. One thing they both realised very early on in the conversation, was that they were both falling for each other.   

Falling very hard, indeed.

A/N: Should I make a part 3?

[96harmony96]

Chapter 5

I had a vicious hangover on Saturday morning and figured it was no less than I deserved. As much as I’d resented Lauren’s insistence on negotiating sex with as much passion as she would a merger, in the end I’d negotiated in kind. Because I wanted her enough to take a calculated risk and break my own rules.

I took comfort in knowing she was breaking some of her own, too.

After a long, hot shower, I made my way into the living room and found Cary on the couch with his netbook, looking fresh and alert. Smelling coffee in the kitchen, I headed there and filled the biggest mug I could find.

“Morning, sunshine,” Cary called out.

With my much-needed dose of caffeine wrapped between both palms, I joined him on the couch.

He pointed at a box on the end table. “That came for you while you were in the shower.”

I set my mug on the coffee table and picked up the box. It was wrapped with brown paper and twine, and had my name handwritten diagonally across the top with a decorative calligraphic flourish. Inside was an amber glass bottle with Hangover Cure painted on it in a white old-fashioned font and a note tied with raffia to the bottle’s neck that said, “Drink me.” Lauren’s business card was nestled in the cushioning tissue paper.

As I studied the gift, I found it very apt. Since meeting Lauren I’d felt like I’d fallen down the rabbit hole into a fascinating and seductive world where few of the known rules applied. I was in uncharted territory that was both exciting and scary.

I glanced at Cary, who eyed the bottle dubiously.

“Cheers.” I pried the cork out and drank the contents without thinking twice about it. It tasted like sickly sweet cough syrup. My stomach quivered in distaste for a moment, and then heated. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and shoved the cork back into the empty bottle.

“What was that?” Cary asked.

“From the burn, it’s hair of the dog.”

His nose wrinkled. “Effective but unpleasant.”

And it was working. I already felt a little steadier.

Cary picked up the box and dug out Lauren’s card. He flipped it over; then held it out to me. On the back Lauren had written, “Call me” in bold slashing penmanship and jotted down a number.

I took the card, curling my hand around it. Her gift was proof that she was thinking about me. Her tenacity and focus was seductive. And flattering.

There was no denying I was in trouble where Lauren was concerned. I craved the way I felt when she touched me, and I loved the way she responded when I touched her back. When I tried to think of what I wouldn’t agree to do to have her hands on me again, I couldn’t come up with much.

When Cary tried to hand me the phone, I shook my head. “Not yet. I need a clear head when dealing with her and I’m still fuzzy.”

“You two seemed cozy last night. She’s definitely into you.”

“I’m definitely into her.” Curling into the corner of the couch, I pressed my cheek into the cushion and hugged my legs to my chest. “We’re going to hang out, get to know each other, have casual-but-physically-intense sex, and be otherwise completely independent. No strings, no expectations, no responsibilities.”

Cary hit a button on his netbook and the printer on the other side of the room started spitting out pages. Then he snapped the computer closed, set it on the coffee table, and gave me all his attention. “Maybe it’ll turn into something serious.”

“Maybe not,” I scoffed.

“Cynic.”

“I’m not looking for happily-ever-after, Cary, especially not with a mega-mogul like Jauregui. I’ve seen what it’s like for my mom being connected to powerful men. It’s a full-time job with a part-time companion. Money keeps Mom happy, but it wouldn’t be enough for me.”

My dad had loved my mom. He’d asked her to marry him and share his life. She’d turned him down because he didn’t have the hefty portfolio and sizeable bank account she required in a husband. Love wasn’t a requisite for marriage in Sinuhe Stanton’s opinion and since her sultry-eyed, breathy-voiced beauty was irresistible to most men, she’d never had to settle for less than whatever she wanted. Unfortunately she hadn’t wanted my dad for the long haul.

Glancing at the clock, I saw it was ten thirty. “I guess I should get ready.”

“I love spa day with your mom.” Cary smiled and it chased the lingering shadows on my mood away. “I feel like a god when we’re done.”

“Me, too. Of the goddess persuasion.”

We were so eager to be off that we went downstairs to meet the car rather than wait for the front desk to call up.

The doorman smiled as we stepped outside—me in heeled sandals and a maxi dress, and Cary in hip-hugging jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt.

“Good morning, Miss Cabello. Mr. Taylor. Will you need a cab today?”

“No thanks, Paul. We’re expecting a car.” Cary grinned. “It’s spa day at Perrini’s!”

“Ah, Perrini’s Day Spa.” Paul gave a sage nod. “I bought my wife a gift certificate for our anniversary. She enjoyed it so much I plan to make it a tradition.”

“You did good, Paul,” I said. “Pampering a woman never goes out of style.”

A black town car pulled up with Clancy at the wheel. Paul opened the rear door for us and we climbed in, squealing when we found a box of Knipschildt’s Chocopologie on the seat. Waving at Paul, we settled back and dug in, taking tiny nibbles of the truffles that were worth savoring slowly.

Clancy drove us straight to Perrini’s, where the relaxation began from the moment one walked in the door. Crossing the entrance threshold was like taking a vacation on the far side of the world. Every arched doorway was framed by lushly vibrant striped silks, while jeweled pillows decorated elegant chaises and oversized armchairs.

Birds chirped from suspended gilded cages and potted plants filled every corner with lush fronds. Small decorative fountains added the sounds of running water, while stringed instrumental music was piped into the room via cleverly hidden speakers. The air was redolent with a mix of exotic spices and fragrances, making me feel like I’d stepped into Arabian Nights.

It was this-close to being too much, but it didn’t cross the line. Instead, Perrini’s was exotic and luxurious, an indulgent treat for those who could afford it. Like my mother, who’d just finished a milk-and-honey bath when we arrived.

I studied the menu of treatments available, deciding to skip my usual “warrior woman” in favor of the “passionate pampering.” I’d been waxed the week before, but the rest of the treatment—“designed to make you sexually irresistible”—sounded like exactly what I needed.

I’d finally managed to get my mind back into the safe zone of work when Cary spoke up from the pedicure chair beside mine.

“Mrs. Stanton, have you met Lauren Jauregui?”

I gaped at him. He knew damn well my mom went nuts over any news about my romantic—and not-so-romantic, as the case may be—relationships.

My mother, who sat in the chair on the other side of me, leaned forward with her usual girlish excitement over a rich, handsome man. “Of course. She’s one of the wealthiest women in the world. Number twenty-five or so on Forbes’s list, if I’m remembering correctly. A very driven young woman, obviously, and a generous benefactor to many of the children’s charities I champion. Extremely eligible, of course, but I don’t believe she's straight , Cary. She’s got a reputation as a ladies’ pleaser.”

“My loss.” Cary grinned and ignored my violent headshaking. “But it’d be a hopeless crush anyway, since she’s digging on Camila.”

“Camila! I can’t believe you didn’t say anything. How could you not tell me something like that?”

I looked at my mom, whose scrubbed face appeared young, unlined, and very much like mine. I was very clearly my mother’s daughter, right down to my surname. The one concession she’d made to my father had been to name me after his mother.

“There’s nothing to tell,” I insisted. “We’re just…friends.”

“We can do better than that,” Sinuhe said, with a look of calculation that struck fear in my heart. “I don’t know how it escaped me that you work in the same building she does. I’m certain she was smitten the moment she saw you. Although she’s known to prefer blondes…Hmm…Anyway. sHe’s also known for her excellent taste. Clearly the latter won out with you.”

“It’s not like that. Please don’t start meddling. You’ll embarrass me.”

“Nonsense. If anyone knows what to do with men, it’s me.”

I cringed, my shoulders creeping up to my ears. By the time my massage appointment came around, I was in desperate need of one. I stretched out on the table and closed my eyes, preparing to take a catnap to get through the long night ahead.

I loved dressing up and looking pretty as much as the next girl, but charity functions were a lot of work. Making small talk was exhausting, smiling nonstop was a pain, and conversations about businesses and people I didn’t know were boring. If it wasn’t for Cary benefitting from the exposure, I’d put up a bigger fight about going.

I sighed. Who was I fooling? I’d end up going anyway. My mom and Stanton supported abused children’s charities because they were significant to me. Going to the occasional stuffy event was a small price to pay for the return.

Taking a deep breath, I consciously relaxed. I made a mental note to call my dad when I got home and thought about how to send a thank-you note to Lauren for the hangover cure. I supposed I could e-mail her using the contact info on her business card, but that lacked class. Besides, I didn’t know who read her inbox.

I’d just call her when I got home. Why not? She’d asked—no, told—me to; she’d written the demand on her business card. And I’d get to hear her luscious voice again.

The door opened and the masseuse came in. “Hello, Camila. You ready?”

Not quite. But I was getting there.

___

After many lovely hours at the spa, my mom and Cary dropped me off at the apartment; then they headed out to hunt for new cuff links for Stanton. I used the time alone to call Lauren. Even with the much-needed privacy, I punched most of her phone number into the keypad a half-dozen times before I finally put the call through.

She answered on the first ring. “Camila.”

W that she’d known who was calling, my mind scrambled for a moment. How did she have my name and number in her contact list? “Uh…hi, Lauren.”

“I’m a block away. Let the front desk know I’m coming.”

“What?” I felt like I’d missed part of the conversation. “Coming where?”

“To your place. I’m rounding the corner now. Call the desk, Camila.”

she hung up and I stared at the phone, trying to absorb the fact that Lauren was moments away from being with me again. Somewhat dazed, I went to the intercom and talked to the front desk, letting them know I was expecting her and while I was talking, she walked into the lobby. A few moments after that, she was at my door.

It was then that I remembered I was dressed in only a thigh-length silk robe, and my face and hair were styled for the dinner. What kind of impression would she get from my appearance?

I tightened the belt of my robe before I let her in. It wasn’t like I’d invited her over for a seduction or anything.

Lauren stood in the hallway for a long moment, her gaze raking me from my head down to my French manicured toes. I was equally stunned by her appearance. The way she looked in worn jeans and a T-shirt made me want to undress her with my teeth.

“Worth the trip to find you like this, Camila.” sHe stepped inside and locked the door behind her. “How are you feeling?”

“Good. Thanks to you. Thank you.” My stomach quivered because she was here, with me, which made me feel almost…giddy. “That can’t be why you came over.”

“I’m here because it took you too long to call me.”

“I didn’t realize I had a deadline.”

“I have to ask you something time-sensitive, but more than that, I wanted to know if you were feeling all right after last night.” Her eyes were dark as they swept over me, her breathtaking face framed by that luxurious curtain of inky hair. “God. You look beautiful, Camila. I can’t remember ever wanting anything this much.”

With just those few simple words I became hot and needy. Way too vulnerable. “What’s so urgent?”

“Go with me to the advocacy center dinner tonight.”

I pulled back, surprised and excited by the request. “You’re going?”

“So are you. I checked, knowing your mother would be there. Let’s go together.”

My hand went to my throat, my mind torn between the weirdness of how much she knew about me and concern over what she was asking me to do. “That’s not what I meant when I said we should spend time together.”

“Why not?” The simple question was laced with challenge. “What’s the problem with going together to an event we’d already planned on attending separately?”

“It’s not very discreet. It’s a high-profile event.”

“So?” Lauren stepped closer and fingered a curl of my hair.

There was a dangerous purr to her voice that sent a shiver through me. I could feel the warmth of her big, hard body and smell the richly musky scent of her skin. I was falling under her spell, deeper with every minute that passed.

“People will make assumptions, my mother in particular. She’s already scenting your bachelor blood in the water.”

Lowering her head, Lauren pressed her lips into the crook of my neck. “I don’t care what people think. We know what we’re doing. And I’ll deal with your mother.”

“If you think you can,” I said breathlessly, “you don’t know her very well.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven.” Her tongue traced the wildly throbbing vein in my throat and I melted into her, my body going lax as she pulled me close.

Still, I managed to say, “I haven’t said yes.”

“But you won’t say no.” sHe caught my earlobe between her teeth. “I won’t let you.”

I opened my mouth to protest and she sealed her lips over mine, shutting me up with a lush wet kiss. Her tongue did that slow, savoring licking that made me long to feel her doing the same between my legs. My hands went to her hair, sliding through it, tugging. When she wrapped her arms around me, I arched, curving into her hands.

Just as she had in her office, she had me on my back on the couch before I realized she was moving me, her mouth swallowing my surprised gasp. The robe gave way to her dexterous fingers; then she was cupping my breasts, kneading them with soft, rhythmic squeezes.

“Lauren—”

“Shh.” sHe sucked on my lower lip, her fingers rolling and tugging my tender nipples. “It was driving me crazy knowing you were naked beneath your robe.”

“You came over without—Oh! Oh, God…”

Her mouth surrounded the tip of my breast, the wash of heat bringing a mist of perspiration to my skin.

My gaze darted frantically to the clock on the cable box. “Lauren, no.”

Her head lifted and she looked at me with stormy green eyes. “It’s insane, I know. I don’t—I can’t explain it, Camila, but I have to make you come. I’ve been thinking about it constantly for days now.”

One of her hands pushed between my legs. They fell open shamelessly, my body so aroused I was flushed and almost feverish. Her other hand continued to plump my breasts, making them heavy and unbearably sensitive.

“You’re wet for me,” she murmured, her gaze sliding down my body to where she was parting me with her fingers. “You’re beautiful here, too. Plush and pink. So soft. You didn’t wax today, did you?”

I shook my head.

“Thank God. I don’t think I would’ve made it ten minutes without touching you, let alone ten hours.” She slid one finger carefully into me.

My eyes closed against the unbearable vulnerability of being spread out naked and fingered by a woman whose familiarity with the rules of Brazilian waxing betrayed an intimate knowledge of women. A woman who was still fully clothed and kneeling on the floor beside me.

“You’re so snug.” Lauren pulled out and thrust gently back into me. My back bowed as I clenched eagerly around her. “And so greedy. How long has it been since the last time you were fucked?”

I swallowed hard. “I’ve been busy. My thesis, job-hunting, moving…”

“A while, then.” sHe pulled out and pushed back into me with two fingers. I couldn’t hold back a moan of delight. The woman had talented hands, confident and skilled, and she took what he wanted with them.

“Are you on birth control, Camila?”

“Yes.” My hands gripped the edges of the cushions. “Of course.”

“I’ll prove I’m clean and you’ll do the same, then you’re going to let me come in you.”

“Jesus, Lauren.” I was panting for her, my hips circling shamelessly onto her thrusting fingers. I felt like I’d spontaneously combust if she didn’t get me off.

I’d never been so turned on in my life. I was near mindless with the need for an orgasm. If Cary walked in right then and found me writhing in our living room while Lauren finger-fucked me, I didn’t think I’d care.

Lauren was breathing hard, too. Her face was flushed with lust. For me. When I’d done nothing more than respond helplessly to her.

Her hand at my breast moved to my cheek and brushed over it. “You’re blushing. I’ve scandalized you.”

“Yes.”

Her smile was both wicked and delighted, and it made my chest tight. “I want to feel my cum in you when I fuck you with my fingers. I want you to feel my cum in you, so you think about how I looked and the sounds I made when I pumped it into you. And while you’re thinking about that, you’re going to look forward to me doing it again and again.”

My sex rippled around her stroking fingers, the rawness of her words pushing me to the brink of orgasm.

“I’m going to tell you all the ways I want you to please me, Camila, and you’re going to do it all…take it all, and we’re going to have explosive, primal, no-holds-barred sex. You know that, don’t you? You can feel how it’ll be between us.”

“Yes,” I breathed, clutching my breasts to ease the deep ache of my hardened nipples. “Please, Lauren.”

“Shh…I’ve got you.” The pad of her thumb rubbed my clitoris in gentle circles. “Look into my eyes when you come for me.”

Everything tightened in my core, the tension building as she massaged my clit and pushed her fingers in and out in a steady, unhurried rhythm.

“Give it up to me, Camila,” she ordered. “Now.”

I climaxed with a thready cry, my grip white-knuckled on the sides of the cushions as my hips pumped onto her hand, my mind far beyond shame or shyness. My gaze was locked to her, unable to look away, riveted by the fierce masculine triumph that flared in her eyes. In that moment she owned me. I’d do anything she wanted. And she knew it.

Searing pleasure pulsed through me. Through the roaring of blood in my ears, I thought I heard her speak hoarsely, but I lost the words when she hooked one of my legs over the back of the couch and covered my cleft with her mouth.

“No—” I pushed at her head with my hands. “I can’t.”

I was too swollen, too sensitive. But when her tongue touched my clit, fluttering over it, the hunger built again. More intense than the first time. she rimmed my trembling slit, teasing me, taunting me with the promise of another orgasm when I knew I couldn’t have one again so quickly.

Then her tongue speared into me and I bit my lip to bite back a scream. I came a second time, my body quaking violently, tender muscles tightening desperately around her decadent licking. Her growl vibrated through me. I didn’t have the strength to push her away when she returned to my clit and sucked softly…tirelessly…until I climaxed again, gasping her name.

I was boneless as she straightened my leg and still breathless when she pressed kisses up my belly to my breasts. she licked each of my nipples, and then hauled me up with her arms banded around my back. I hung lax and pliable in her grip while she took my mouth with suppressed violence, bruising my lips and betraying how close to the edge she was.

she closed my robe; then stood, staring down at me.

“Lauren…?”

“Seven o’clock, Camila.” sHe reached down and touched my ankle, her fingertips caressing the diamond anklet I’d put on in preparation for the evening. “And keep this on. I want to fuck you while you’re wearing nothing else.”

[sheerbeautyreigns]

DESIRE

Part 28

"Where do we go from here?"

Joe had reluctantly agreed to stay while Paul tended to his wounds. He knew exactly what to use, which showed that he had experience in this kind of scenario. It didn’t feel comforting at all to Joe. He made him some food and let him settle on the sofa in the living room while he gave him some space and tended to some emails in his office. He was so pissed off with what he had done. He was pissed off at allowing Drew and Joe to get together. He didn’t realise that they would have that kind of connection and it scared him.

A while later, he heard the sound of running water in the kitchen. Quietly he walked in. “You OK?” Paul checked, hands in his pockets. “You know, you don’t have to keep checking on me. I’m a grown man.” He said drying his hands off by the sink. “I know. I’m just worried about you. I feel terrible.” Joe could see the anguish in his hazel eyes as he grew closer, yet keeping a safe distance. “I was so jealous of the connection that you had with Drew last night. It felt like it was something that I was missing with you.”

“You set this thing up. I didn’t know either but it just happened.” Joe shrugged. “Did you think I was going to run off with him or something?”

“I didn’t know. I know we don’t have a conventional relationship and you do struggle with that but things have been really good with us lately. Better than I hoped and it’s nice having you here…” Paul looked so tortured trying to find his words.

“I just wanted it to be the two of us in this relationship, no matter how fucked up it can be at times but when you start involving other people, it gets complicated. I was just doing what I thought you wanted to see last night.”

“You did and you were amazing. I’ve never been so turned on by you than I was last night and it frustrated the hell out of me.” Paul let out a long sigh, looking down on the floor. “I didn’t want it to end this way.” He said looking Joe in the eyes.

Joe swallowed as the words fell from Paul’s lips. He felt like he wanted to cry knowing that they were breaking up. He knew it was for the best. He could see the sadness in Paul’s eyes too. “Where do we go from here?” Joe finally asked while Paul leaned against the island nearby. “You’re not due to fly out until tomorrow afternoon but I’ll understand if you want to leave sooner. “

“It’s just a day.” Joe managed to say past the lump forming in his throat, now trying to avoid any eye contact. “OK, you can move your things into the front bedroom when you like.” Joe looked up to see Paul moving towards the door. He acknowledged with a nod. After Paul left, he felt suddenly alone. Tears started to well up in his eyes. He quickly wiped them away and went outside to the pool area. He needed some fresh air. It hadn’t been touched since yesterday. Their half empty beer bottles were still sat on top of the cooler. Crazy what a difference 24 hours would make.

After a while, Joe went upstairs to gather his belongings. He noticed that Paul had left the door open for the front room. He peered in briefly. It was just as nice as Paul’s but it felt cold. He had packed most of his things during their argument earlier so there wasn’t much left to do.

It was almost 5pm when Paul finished up his emails. He had done a lot more than he anticipated thanks, in part to him and Joe keeping their distance. He noticed for the first time in a few days how quiet the house was. He put his head in his hands, sighing aloud as he looked out to the pool area thinking about how chilled the day before was. Now there was nothing but cloudy grey skies with the threat of rain. This was not what he wanted. He spent the next while chilling out in front of the TV, somehow hoping that Joe would join him but he never did.

A loud rumble of thunder woke Joe from his slumber. Slowly he opened his eyes. The sound of pouring rain came into play. Lightening lit up the room. He rolled onto his back and looked at the alarm clock. It was 10:30pm. Tiredly, he got out of bed and opened the door. The hallway was dark, apart from the light coming from Paul’s room, which was ajar. He went down the hallway to use the bathroom. When he returned to his room, he paused outside. Cautiously, he looked through the crack to see Paul lying in bed, propped up with pillows watching TV. He waited a moment and turned on his heel.

“Joe?” came that familiar gravelly tone. Joe paused outside the door of his room. “Yeah?”

Before he could turn around, Paul opened his door fully. He stood in the frame wearing a pair of navy briefs. “You OK?”

Joe turned to face him “Just the thunder. It woke me up.

“You can…” Paul motioned back at his bed ���… if you want. I mean, might help.” Paul hated this new awkwardness between them. “You sure? I don’t wanna make it awkward.” He said running his hand through his hair. “Not at all.”

Paul’s face softened as Joe gingerly crawled into the right side of his bed. Obviously things were different now but it was better than being alone, plus this was their last night. “I wasn’t expecting this thunder.” Joe started “Hopefully my flight won’t be affected tomorrow.”

It felt so weird lying together in the same bed, not touching at all. “I’m sure it’ll pass in time.” Paul responded passing a glance at him before averting his eyes to the TV screen. They both lay in their respective positions watching the screen until Joe started nodding off, despite the rumbling thunder outside. Paul still wasn’t tired. It wasn’t long until Joe eventually turned into him, resting his head on Paul’s shoulder, his hand rested on his muscular chest, his right leg over Paul’s. Hesitantly, Paul placed his hand on Joe and muted the TV. He swallowed, knowing that this would probably be the last time they’d share a bed.

Paul lay in silence for the next while, listening to the continuous thunder and rain. “Are you awake?” Joe whispered after a while. He was still in the same position, clinging onto him. “Yeah, this thunder is crazy.”

“Thanks for letting me sleep here tonight. Feels better.” Joe told him. “S”ok.” Paul responded. “What a last night eh?” Joe commented. “Not what I had planned but…” Paul started. “What did you have planned out of curiosity?” Paul blushed at his question. Joe propped himself up on his side, loosening Paul’s grip on his hand, instead allowing their fingers to interlock. A flash of lightening briefly lit up Joe handsome, yet sleepy features. “I think you can already guess.” The look on Joe face changed as he sighed. He let go of Paul’s hand and got out of the bed. Paul sat forward and watched him walk over to the window. He stood with his arms folded looking down onto the pool area as the rain poured down heavily.

“You know, despite how fucked up your imagination is sometimes, I’m going to miss it.” Paul appeared behind him. “You don’t have to.” Joe turned around to face him. “The balls in your court. You know that.”

“Earlier it seemed like you were the one ending things.” Joe looked confused. “Because I assumed you were done with me. I royally fucked up and I wouldn’t blame you.” Paul said raising his hands with frustration. “It was fucked up, what you did and by rights, I should have left there and then but…I’m still here.” Joe let out a frustrated sigh “How fucked up does that make me?”

“I don’t deserve you.” Paul said lowering his head in shame. “Paul, I swear, if you ever lay your hands on me like that again…”

“Never! I swear. I love you…” Tears came to his eyes as he wrapped his arms around Joe, pulling him against his body. They both embraced “I love you too.” Joe told him, head rested on Paul’s shoulder. They became entangled in a kiss, the first kiss for hours. They were so hungry for each other, in a frenzy moving towards the bed. “I want you to fuck me.” Paul breathed. Joe pulled away, looking into his eyes. “You mean it?”

“Yes.” He nodded kissing him again before kneeling on the bed. Joe grabbed the bottle of lube, smearing it on his hands while he kneeled behind Paul. His heart was thumping. Paul had caught him off-guard. He could feel his hands shaking. Snap out of it for fuck sake!

He gently fingered him, massaging his prostate. “That’s it baby…” Paul encouraged looking back at him. Joe smiled at his words, reaching a little further. Paul spread his legs a little more as Joe withdrew his fingers. The younger man shifted his position kneeling on one leg, his other steading himself against Paul. Slowly, he started to penetrate Paul.

“Oh fuck,” Paul groaned as his muscles closed in around Joe’s cock. It felt so good. Joe placed his hands on Paul’s pelvis and began to fuck him, slowly and first but Paul’s moans and groans only encouraged him to start going harder. Paul fisted the pillows below, panting and writhing as Joe continuously slammed into him. This was the Joe that he remembered from the night before. The immediate visual of Joe fucking Drew the night before came to mind causing him to growl in anger. “Fuck!” He let out as Joe pummeled his body down into the mattress, as he came close to cumming. Joe slammed one last time, his balls crashing against Paul’s buttocks. He held Paul’s body in place against him as he unloaded into his ass. Their cries filled the room. Paul shuddered collapsing further into the mattress as Joe withdrew. “Jesus Christ-” Joe let out falling to the bed, sweeping his damp hair back from his face. “I can’t believe I was missing that all this time.” Paul was breathless, his chest heaving up and down. Joe lay on his side looking down on him, a sly grin across his face. “You don’t know how good that was for me. I’ve wanted that so long.” The older man raised his head and kissed him passionately. Joe lowered down into the nook of Paul’s right arm, resting his hand on his chest where they eventually drifted off to sleep.

[supposed2bfunny]

2doc Week Day 3- Firsts

The bar is mostly empty, which means it must be going on three or so. Some locals remain, as do a few drunks who are too tired to move. There’s a couple sat at one of the front tables: the girl is crying; the boy is spinning his dead cellphone nervously as he tries to talk her down. ABBA is playing on the speaker over the booth where 2D and Murdoc are sitting.

It’s perfectly surreal, and it suits the musicians just fine. They’re sat across from each other, 2D’s sneakered foot is rubbing against Murdoc’s ankle every so often, and more than once, Murdoc has grabbed 2D’s wrist in his drunken excitement, pulled it across the table, and kissed the back of his hand, or his palm.

It’s nice.

“This bartender,” Murdoc says, flicking the empty shells of some peanuts that sit between them on the table, which 2D had munched on hours ago, “he reminds me of someone from our last tour. Who is it?”

“Umm,” 2D spins his tongue along the rim of his beer bottle, turning to stare none-too-subtly at the bartender. “Bald? Dunno. Sure he wasn’t a backstage techie?”

“No, not his baldness, dumbass, his nose and goatee. Reminds me of…someone.”

“Sort of looks like Count Chocula to me.”

“What?” Murdoc snorts, nearly choking on a sip of ale. “Who?”

“The bloke from that cereal! From America! Russel introduced it to us. He had a goatee, I think.”

“But a vampire? Mate, this guy doesn’t look like a vampire.”

“Then who’s he remind you of?” he challenges, kicking the older man’s shin lightly beneath the table.

“Dunno, he reminds me of someone from one of our tours. We were touring Humanz, I think.”

“Oh that was ages, ago, Muds. Don’t think I’d remember the backup musicians we had with us.”

“Pity, we had some top notch players for that tour. Vienna? We were solid!”

“The four of us really had our mojo on then too,” 2D agrees. “Remember you and Noods just riffing, trading bars, sounding crazy. Like Titans clashing on Mount Vesuvius!”

“Mount Olympus, but I appreciate the simile,” he chuckles, reaching for the singer’s hand yet again, pressing his lips to his knuckles. “You didn’t sound so bad yourself then, if my admittedly liquor-spotted memory serves.”

“Muds, you always say that I sound good live,” he giggles.

Murdoc sets his drink down, taps the table in his excitement. “Well duh, Tweedle-Dee, you were born to perform! With your looks and your voice, on a stage is where you’re meant to be. It’s like  seeing a king assuming his gilded throne!”

“I get a few drinks into you and you become a world-class flatterer, don’t you?”

“You should see what I’ll do after a few dozen,” he says with a wink.

2D’s eyes flit away from the bartender, whose visage could be similar to anyone’s at this point; they’ve lost interest in that conversation, in him. The singer scans the shitty decor, the dead bug-flecked lights and the vinyl discs displayed above the bar. It’s a real dive, this place, and it’s perfect. The ultimate destination to get lost with Murdoc for hours reminiscing, drinking, taking in the way the dim lights soften Murdoc’s features, to savor the way he smiles more readily when they’re in a place people won’t recognize or bother them.

“D’you really think that I’m still, you know, up to par when I perform live?” he asks after a moment.

Murdoc’s flirty smile shifts; his own mismatched eyes shunt from 2D’s restless hands to his face, to his hands again, trying to gauge where the conversation is going. “I wouldn’t bother saying it if I didn’t think it was true,” he says slowly, and if they were outside, he would be plucking a cigarette from his pocket. “I don’t bullshit, Stu.”

“That’s bullshit,” he can’t help but smile at the absurdity of the statement. “You spend ninety percent of your waking hours talking out of your arse!”

“Yeah, but not to you,” Murdoc clarifies, and, despite the staggering amount of alcohol they’ve consumed over the course of the night, and how it’ll be dawn before they know it, and in spite of the way the world keeps spinning them along at a speed that 2D struggles to comprehend sometimes, the moment becomes somehow sharper then, the intensity of Murdoc’s gaze sober, the gravity of his words like a planetary re-alignment.

Oh, 2D thinks, of course. That makes sense.

“Okay, well then…I guess I just ask because…that was 2017. And I’m not getting any younger. I don’t have the vocal range I used to, from the cigarettes, probably. Sometimes performing stuff live, I think of how easy it used to be to slip up into high octaves. And I had more hair back then too. Don’t know if I could really pass for a ‘pretty boy’ these days, not like it’s something I need to do. Do you know what I mean, Muds? Like, I still like performing live, but d’you ever wonder how much longer I can carry our image? Not a spring chicken. I’m—”

“Right, just going to go ahead and cut you off there, pet. I know the beginning of a downwards spiral when I hear it,” Murdoc interjects, and he realizes it’s true. A niggling fear that’s been in the back of his mind for months now. Since he turned forty, if he’s being honest. He leans over the table, wanting to be closer to the bassist, and Murdoc meets his stare placidly. “Stu, I’ve had a bit to drink, but I’m going to give it to you as coherently as I can: you’re a rockstar. That makes you timeless, legendary. Think of Gene Simmons!”

“I’d rather not,” 2D admits. “Ew.”

“Okay, well, think Paul McCartney or Mick Jagger! Those blokes make us look like embryos, and they still sell out MSG whenever they go on tour! It’s because of their charisma, their talent, their mojo; the old bags are damn immortal!”

“And you think Gorillaz are immortal, Muds? You’re not just saying that as like, a Satanist or whatever?”

“No, I’m saying it because I’m abso-fucking-lutely confident that after being in the music industry for most of my life, I know talent when I see it. I’m not just patronizing you because you’re my boyfriend, Stu, I’m telling you: you’re a natural-born performer, and that shit doesn’t fade with age. You’re a blue-haired legend!”

2D leans back, drinks in the sight of Murdoc, drunk, laconic, confident in his words. “You’re really serious about me,” he murmurs after a long pause, punctuated by the Blondie that is now pouring out of the shitty speaker wedged above their booth.

“Duh,” Murdoc snaps. “Have been since I rammed into that pretty head with my Astra, but glad you’ve finally realized that I meant it when I said I knew you’d be the ultimate cash cow—”

“No, no. Not about my talent,” he answers, because really, who gives a damn whether he’ll be able to sell out MSG when he’s sixty years old? “You just called me your boyfriend.”

He sees the realization as it flickers into Murdoc’s dark eyes; like flash cotton, it’s a burst of bright, embarrassed understanding, almost instantly quelled by a more casual mask that 2D is intimately familiar with. “Did I?”

2D smiles, lifts his long, long legs up to rest his feet on the tops of Murdoc’s thighs, making the bassist squirm a little. Maybe they’ve spent enough time at this dive bar. 2D is suddenly feeling electric, and a great deal younger than he was at the onset of their evening together. He’s a bit restless, wants to walk with Murdoc, to walk and smoke and find a sidewalk that will lead them along the water so they can watch dawn break as they’ve done countless times together.

“Yeah, you did. You’ve never said that word before.”

“Well, you are, aren’t you?” Murdoc grumbles, playing at nonchalant.

“Oh yeah, only been dating since, what? 2017? 2018?”

“Only been a little bit in love since what, 1999?” Murdoc asks, voice gone all quiet.

Gracelessly, 2D stands, fumbling for his wallet so he can leave a tip at the table and hasten the bassist out the door. He’s known Murdoc loved him for years, decades even. Neither of them has had any reason to hide it. But he’s never heard Murdoc refer to him as his boyfriend before, and didn’t even know the word was in his vocabulary.

“Hey, Muds?” he asks when his sudden movement makes the bassist blanch. “Walk with me? I want to slip my hand in your back pocket, but that’s pretty hard to do when we’re slunk in a booth.”

“Oh, oh yeah, sure,” words tend to abandon Murdoc when he’s serious, and 2D smiles, revels in getting to see him when he’s this raw.

Nodding at the bartender that might look like someone they’ve worked with and who might just look like himself, both men step out into the cool night, Murdoc’s hands instantly going for his pack of cigarettes and 2D’s arm instantly snaking around his waist, pulling him close.

“Nice night for a romantic walk, eh?”

“It’s not night, idiot, it’s well into morning.”

“Well then, good morning, starlight,” Murdoc chuckles, inhales a breath of smoke and hands the cigarette to 2D.

“Good morning, handsome,” he replies, feeling giddy, like a girl on her first date. Like a first date he’s played out a million times before, that gets better and better each time.

[wlw-imagines-blog]

Abandonment, Enthroned. {Part 4} (Wanda Maximoff x Fem!Reader)

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x Fem!reader

Warnings: 

Tags: apocalypse au, enemies to friends to lovers, no powers au,

Word count: 

Summary: The domestic, fluffy montage, then going to town.

A/N: I have returned from the grave (momentarily)! Extra long because I disappeared for so long

Morning came so much faster than you expected. You closed your eyes, and opened them seconds later to dawn. Laying on your back, you watched the way the dust refracted in the sunlight. You tried not to think about the Winter Soldier, or how much danger Queens was, or about the stranger in the other room. 

Everything was upside down. You had moved West when the Militia and New Alliance started their civil war in the east, with New York as their battleground. 

Now the battle was moving through the West.

The farm was your little piece of heaven; it provided for you, and kept you safe for the better part of two years since you had stumbled upon it. 

You spoke out loud to no one. “If the soldiers move west, I’m going to Oregon.”

After brushing your teeth and washing your face, you changed into a fresh set of holey jeans and a fraying sweater. The mirror and vanity in the corner of the room was vacant of combs, and makeup, but instead was littered with old books. You peered into the dusty mirror. Your reflection was tired, with heavy bags under your eyes, and sleep lines on your cheeks.

A weak smile fluttered to your lips, as you tried to remember the girl you were before the fallout. 

With a shake of your head, you left your room, and went to Wanda’s. 

You hesitated before knocking.

“Hey, Wanda? Can I come in?”

You heard some rustling before a response. “Yeah, go ahead.”

Behind the door, Wanda was laying in bed, looking better rested than the day before. There was more colour in her cheeks and lips. 

“I’m going into town in a week,” you announced. “I’m running low on some supplies, hopefully I can find them there.”

Wanda nodded, sitting up gingerly. Her hand brushed against the bandages on her stomach.

Guilt flashed through you, vanishing as fast as it came. “Does that still hurt terribly?”

“No,” she said, standing up slowly. “Not as bad as it was yesterday.”

Her grip on the bed post was so tight, her knuckles were white. She took one shaky step before pitching forward. You crossed the room and wrapped a tentative arm around her waist.

“May I?” you asked quietly.

She paused, stubborn pride warring in her eyes. “Yes. Thank you.”

You hobbled with Wanda down the staircase to the living room. Her breathing was labored, and she was sweating profusely.

“Let me get you something to drink,” you said, going to the kitchen to retrieve water and a wash cloth.

When you returned, Wanda spoke through her deep breaths. 

“I want to go into town with you.”

You nearly dropped the glass of water. “What? Why?”

“I’ll need to know the land when I leave,” she responded. “I never got past your house. If there’s a way to get further west, I need to find it.”

You handed her the glass. “You can come if you can walk without my help. We need to get there as fast as possible, loot whatever we can carry, then get back before nightfall. I don’t want you slowing me down.”

Wanda scoffed, but did not dispute you.

The idea of Wanda leaving brought on mixed emotions. You were afraid for her; she couldn’t stand or walk by herself, let alone survive a day without help. But then again, you were relieved that the house would be empty. After a few months of isolation, you thought that you would welcome the company, but you were ready for peace and quiet. When Wanda left, hopefully the looming threat of the militia would disappear. That was dangerous wishful thinking.

One could hope, anyways.

“We still don’t know what to do the Winter Soldier,” Wanda whispered, legs folded. 

“He didn’t hurt us,” you reminded. “Even when he saw you in the window.”

“So, what does that mean for us?”

You shrugged. “No clue.”

“He must have wanted something.”

“Maybe he wanted room and board?”

A scoff. “Right. Of course.”

“Maybe he defected?”

Another scoff. “That’s totally impossible.”

“Well, it’s not our problem right now.”

Wanda shook her head incredulously. “How can you not care?”

“Like this,” you went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She did not see the tremor in your jaw.

The day was blissfully slow. You wandered around the farm, cleaning the orchard, chatting with Goat, who found the dropping temperature disagreeable. When you returned, you were shocked to see Wanda staggering around the living room with a wooden crutch. 

You grinned at the sight. “You can walk on your own.”

Wanda looked up and nodded. There was a little bit of pride in her eyes. “Kind of. I need the crutch.”

“Still, it’s better progress than yesterday.” you pointed out.

Your infectious grin seemed to pierce Wanda’s usual gloomy mood. “I guess so.”

“Good.” you dusted your hands. “You can help me with the chores.”

You ignored her groan and left to hang the clothes. “Come on, Wanda! Goat won’t feed himself!”

****

Over the next few days, Wanda got her strength back. You always helped from bed in the morning, acting as a crutch to bring her downstairs. After a simple breakfast, you put her to work; hanging laundry, feeding Goat, tidying the house, etc. It would have been merciful to let Wanda sleep in and stay in bed all day, but you weren’t merciful. She needed to keep moving to forget the remnants of the knife wound.

One evening, after a day of weeding the corn field, you made a proper, far more formal than usual dinner. Wanda sat at the kitchen table shucking corn while you stirred peas into stew. Dwarf carrots, potatoes, and chicken. You and Wanda were celebrating; Wanda didn’t need the crutch anymore. 

After dinner and a desert of baked cinnamon apples, you went to the attic to store the crutch away.

“Hey, Wanda,’ you called, trotting down the stairs, a large box in hand. “Look what I found.”

She was in the kitchen, finishing the dishes. “What?”

You opened the box and pulled out a large square file. Wanda craned her next to read the title of the vinyl

“Paul Anka?”

Grinning, you moved to the dusty record player in the corner of the room. “I found them up in the attic. I never knew they were here.”

Love songs from the 50′s filled the air, bringing another rare smile to Wanda’s face. You went to the basement and retrieved a large bottle of red wine. 

“Want a glass?” You asked while waggling the bottle. “Have you taken any pain killers?”

Wanda snickered and shook her head. “Nope. Pour me a glass.” Despite her grin, there was something that clouded her eyes.

While you attended to the drinks, Wanda stood tentatively in the living room. When you handed her the glass, she spoke up.

“Y/N, why didn’t you know the records were upstairs?”

You turned back to her. “What do you mean?”

“Well, when you say something like that, it implies that this isn’t your house.”

There was a pause in your momentary happiness. “Well. That’s because this isn’t my home. It wasn’t before the rebellion.”

Wanda didn’t seem too surprised. “Can I ask what happened?”

You looked away, eyes landing on the woven carpet. The blues and browns neatly stitched together. You sat next to Wanda on the couch.

“Wanda, I didn’t find this house empty. There was a m-man who lived here. The farmer and his wife. They had two kids; grown up boys who took care of the farm when the man couldn’t.” You swallowed harshly. If you knew things about Wanda, she should know some pieces of your life. “A few months ago, maybe six, when I was travelling west, I landed here. The farmer welcomed me in to stay for a day before I headed farther.”

When you paused, Wanda sat forward. “What happened?”

You met her eyes. “There was a raid. Not by the New Alliance, not by the Protectors. It was just... the townspeople. From the village a few miles from here.”

She was completely silent. Paul Anka crooned softly.

“Ever since the New Alliance cut back food rations, the town had been tense. People needed food for their children. They knew he had the orchard and crops, and they wanted a piece for themselves. It was like a riot. The farmer told me to hide since no one else knew I was here; he asked me to protect their newborn goat.” You did not mention the basement and it’s deadbolt-reinforced steel door. Your face grew pinched as tears welled in your eyes. “I hid while they faced them.”

When you remained quiet, Wanda reached out.

“Y/N?”

You sniffed, shaking yourself from the ache in your chest. “The mob killed them. Him, his wife, and his kids. They ravaged the farm. The orchard was nearly completely destroyed, the house was trashed when I came out. But... everyone was gone.”

“Gone? From the house?”

Shaking your head, you continued. “Completely gone. I visited the town and everyone was gone. Nothing was missing, though there were cars still running and lights still on. It was like everyone had just disappeared.”

Wanda’s eyes widened a fraction. “Y/N, I think they were-”

A crack of thunder made you and Wanda jump in your seats. Rain spattered against the house in sudden buckets, pouring down the windows. 

“Oh,” you stood up, looking from the window to Wanda. “The clothes!”

Before she could say anything, you ran out the back door to the yard.

You snatched the sheets and shirts from the clothes line, tossing them haphazardly into the basket. Wanda was by your side, ripping down socks and pants. In the unusually warm sunset, rain pelted down against your head. Thunder roared in the distance. 

“Come on!” you called out, grabbing the basket with one hand and Wanda’s hand with the other.

You pulled her back inside, chest heaving. Soaked to the bone, hair plastered to your scalp, you dropped the basket and leaned against the back door. 

Wanda rested next to you, pale and gasping at the sudden movement.

“Fuck,” you whispered, turning to her. “Are you hurt?”

Your fingers moved of their own accord, lifting the hem of Wanda’s shirt to examine the bandage. No blood seemed to seep through.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” Wanda’s voice was thick. He reached down hesitantly, grasping your hand.

You froze. Your heart pounded loudly in your ears. Her hand was warm, fingers tight against your knuckles. 

Wanda licked her lips. “I’m fine.”

In a moment of courage, you twisted your wrist to hold her hand. Your palm pressed to her’s. The fading sun glinted off of Wanda’s hair and eyes. She leaned forward to rest her head against your shoulder. The gesture shocked you.

“Thanks Y/N.”

You couldn’t help but frown. “For what?”

“I don’t know,” Wanda sighed contently. “For helping me. For sharing with me.”

You smiled. “Well then, you’re welcome.”

The music droned on, and you found Wanda swaying in front of you. You wrapped an arm around her waist, leading her to the living room.

Before you could deposit Wanda on the couch, her grip on your arm tightened. 

“Wait. Don’t go.”

“What? is something wrong?”

She held you at arms length. “Please. Dance with me.”

“Right,” you scoffed. “How much did you drink?”

“Almost none. Come on, they’re playing our song.”

You rolled your eyes, unable to stop the smile that pulled at the corners of your lips. Wanda’s eyes pleaded silently. Swallowing, you nodded, letting her pull you close. 

The music droned on, slow and sleepy as Wanda rested a hand on your waist. You breathed in a sharp breath, letting yourself press against her. You memorized the way Wanda’s thigh rested perfectly yours.

It wasn’t really dancing. It was more like swaying in a circle, arms wrapped around each other. Outside, the sunset glinted off the rain on the windows. Warm petrichor permeated through the living room.

Wanda’s hand slide from your waist to your hip, playing with the hem of your shirt. 

“I-” you stuttered. “I don’t know what we’re doing...”

“Should I stop?”

God, yes or no? You found yourself shaking your head. “I can’t. Please. I don’t I can.”

Wanda wanted to leave. She was going to go west, and you were going to stay on the farm. She tried to rob you. She’s a runaway. 

You forced yourself to remember who she was.

Wanda’s eyes were wide. She licked her lips and nodded, pulling away.

“Right. Fuck.” A weak laugh. “Sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking.”

You wanted to cry out. Her body was so warm, and you were still drenched from the downpour. Every touch from her fingers felt like electricity. This was what you missed.

“It’s okay, we’re both...” Lonely? Tired? Attracted? “Not thinking straight.”

“Well, that’s for sure.” Wanda let out another mirthless laugh, rubbing her face awkwardly. “I’m gonna go upstairs and rest.”

You nodded, wringing your hands as she left. 

“Fuck,” you said to no one, taking her glass of wine and drinking it all.

***

You came downstairs the next day, carrying a back pack. Wanda was sitting in the kitchen, already sipping a cup of coffee and reading a thick book. She really had made herself incredibly comfortable. 

“I’m going into town,” you announced, retrieving a walking stick from the mud room. In your bag was water, some food, a first aid kit, and a blanket. You wore your thickest jacket, and your sturdiest boots. “How are you feeling?”

Despite her improved mobility, Wanda’s endurance still left much to be desired.

Wanda stood up, resilient. “I’m good. I can go.”

You nodded, grabbing a flannel coat from the rack and tossing it to her. You could barely meet her eyes. Neither of you were willing to speak about yesterday.

“Fine. Suit up and come to the garage. There’s a bag with supplies for you on the counter.”

She caught it, and you turned on your heel, forcing down every question you had about last night. 

***

The car ride was quiet. Wanda sat in the passenger seat, eyes closed, head lolling back as she slept. The roads were so empty; they did nothing but remind you of how empty and lonely it was. There was no one else in the woods, and it scared you.

Sunlight poked between the evergreen trees, glinting off the hood of the red, rusted pickup. You glanced at the shotgun between you and Wanda. 

“Just a precaution,” you had told her.

At a four way stop, you turned left. Ten minutes later, you pulled into a little, decrepit town. Five years ago, it would have been picturesque; department stores, two-story apartments, and corner grocers decorated every street. Iron lamp posts and greenery were used to make the whole place seem more welcoming. It would have been beautiful. 

But now, dirt and rust covered everything. Broken windows, ajar doors, and overturned garbage cans haunted the town. Stray newspapers tumbled in the streets. 

“Jesus,” Wanda said softly when she stepped out of the truck. “This place is terrible.”

You hummed, slinging an empty bag onto your shoulder. “It’s my piece of heaven, Wanda. Don’t knock it ‘til you loot it.”

“Okay, where do we start?” She clapped her hands together. 

You pointed down the street to the nearest grocer. “Let’s start with grocers and move to convenience stores. We’re looking for canned and dried foods; they last the longest. Anything that’s perishable has already gone bad.”

You set to work. The pair of you went from store to store, filling bags with whatever canned, dried, and boxed foods you could find. After filling a bag, you tossed it into the back of the truck. Jars of pickles, cans of vegetable soup and spam, bottles of overdue honey, all went into the bags. The two of you worked harmoniously and silently.

You nearly cried when you found out that a whole shelf covered with bags of rolled oats; all stinking of mold. Wanda found huge jugs of canola oil that had gone rancid. The third grocer you two visited smelt so strongly of rotted vegetables, you hesitated to enter. 

Afternoon crept up on you and Wanda. Lunch was brief; just a simple meal of some dried fruits and cans of spam. Wanda blanched when you offered the tin.

“Hey, it’s this or moldy oats.” you shook the spam can in front of her face.

She snorted and begrudgingly took it.

Evening fell quickly, covering the town with darkness.

“Let’s head back,” you said, zipping up the last bag.

About ten minutes into driving, the sun dipped below the tree line, turning the sky black. Ten minutes after that, Wanda coughed awkwardly.

“Uh, Y/N, I have to pee.”

“Really?” you sighed. “Can’t you hold it?”

“Probably, but I might get a UTI.”

You held up your hand. “Alright. Fine.”

Pulling over quickly, you parked the truck and turned to her. “Don’t take too long, Wanda; we don’t want to be out when it’s dark.”

“I know,” she rolled her eyes and jumped out of the car. She disappeared between the evergreens. 

You sat in the truck, fiddling with the radio. After scanning over every station, hearing nothing but dead static, you checked again. It had been three days since Queens had sent out a transmission and you were getting nervous. 

“Y/N!” Wanda shouted. She sounded eerily calm. “I need your help!”

Your heart dropped. Scrambling from the car, you drew the long knife from your belt. 

A few strides into the forest and you found Wanda face to face with a Grizzly bear. It was slowly approaching her, nose sniffing at the ground.

Fuck. You picked up Wanda’s fallen walkie-talkie, and pressed the “on” button. You held it close to the receiver of your’s and it let out a horrible screech. The bear reared, and turned from Wanda towards the noise.

You threw the walkie off the path, deep into the woods. 

 led out a tremendous roar that rattled your bones. It limbered off, searching for the screeches. 

After a few shaking breaths you stood up and raced to Wanda.

“Are you okay?” you fumbled to pull her up. There no smell of coppery blood. “Did it bite you? Any scratches?”

“No, no,” she was trembling under your hands. “I’m okay.”

You panic immediately evaporated, replaced with anger. “Then what the fuck were you thinking! You could have died, dumbass!”

“Hey, I saved your sorry ass!” Wanda sputtered. “Without me, you would have been eaten alive! Show a little gratitude!”

“Gratitude!” You laughed incredulously. “What the hell would you know about gratitude? Wanda, you attacked me in my own house, tried to rob me, and I still took care of you!”

“After you stabbed me!”

“After you attacked me!”

“I was on the run and desperate!”

“So that gives you the right to rob some-”

The sound of a rattling engine cut you off. You paused, suddenly on alert. 

“What was that?” you whispered.

Wanda looked around the clearing, trying to find the source. “It has to be a car. Someone else is here.”

She grabbed your arm and pulled you around the back of the truck. Your heart beat violently, jumping uncomfortably in your throat. The white glare of headlights illuminated the line of trees as another car pulled into the clearing. The engine cut, and a door opened.

Footsteps crunched on the gravel, slowly approaching you and Wanda

“Wanda,” you murmured hoarsely, pulling out the machete from your belt. “The shotgun is in the passenger seat. ”

She nodded as you raised the blade, mouth pressed into a thin line. Creeping to the door, Wanda kept the knife raised. The passenger door opened easily, creaking ever so slightly. You prayed that the stranger didn’t hear her. The darkness disguised the pick up; if the intruder’s car was two metres to the left, the headlights would have revealed you and Wanda. 

Wanda was surprisingly graceful as she slipped her arm into the passenger side and pulled out the gun. 

The footsteps continued towards you. The stranger had seen your truck.

“Hurry,” you hissed.

She snatched the shot gun and shot up, pointing it at the stranger. “Don’t you take another fucking step.”

“Hey! Oh shit, okay, sorry. I don’t want any trouble, I’m just trying to find someone. I’ll be out of your way, please leave me alone.”

That voice. You stood up, moving to the stranger. It... couldn’t be.

“Queens?” You called out.

The stranger, shrouded by darkness, seized up. “North? Are you North?”

“Yeah, I am,” You let out a sigh of relief. “Jesus Christ, kid, I was so fucking worried about you!”

You hugged the kid. Within the embrace, you could feel the tension in his shoulders slowly seep out. It took you a moment to realize he was shaking with sobs. 

You comforted him. “Hey, it’s okay, man. You’re safe now.”

Glancing over to Wanda, you could see her smile in the headlights.

“Let’s get home.”

[iwillgodownwithbuddie]

He’s Never Been Like This

Prompt by @theworld-is-out-there: Drunk Carlos waxing poetic about TK to everyone Also on AO3. A/N: Sorry guys for being away so long.  It’s been a chaotic couple of months.  Hope everyone is staying safe out there.  Enjoy!

T.K. was sitting on the sofa flipping though Netflix for something he hadn’t watched yet while on medical leave.  He had finally been cleared to return to work and was getting extra rest before returning to his life of 24-hour shifts.  Carlos and Own both offered to stay in with T.K. that night instead of joining their friends.  However, T.K. convinced them otherwise, reassuring them that he would be just fine sitting on the couch watching television.

He finally settled on a baking show and picked up his phone to scroll through Instagram as the contestants on the screen were being introduced.  His feed on the app was flooded with images from his makeshift family seeming to have the time of their lives at the nearby bar.  Judd and Grace were laughing at a table.  Paul, Marjan, and Mateo were playing darts in the corner.  His dad was showing off his line dancing skills while surrounded by strangers.  Michelle and Carlos were talking at the bar.  T.K. sighed and glanced up at the television screen.  His plan of sitting around and watching Netflix was suddenly abandoned as he stood up.  He quickly flipped off the TV, slipped on his shoes, and headed out the door, grabbing his jacket and keys before pulling the door shut.

Upon entering the bar, T.K. immediately spotted Grace and Judd still sitting at the table, now munching on a basket of complimentary chips.  Grace saw him and waved him over, greeting him with a tight hug before letting him sit down.  

“What are you doing here?” Grace asked cheerfully as she reached out for a chip.  “Your dad said you wanted to rest up some more before heading back to work at the station.”  She looked at T.K. for an answer as she dipped her tortilla chip into the salsa.  

“I did,” T.K. admitted.  “But then I got online and saw how much fun it seemed like you were having.  Felt a little left out.”

“Just make sure you don’t over-do it,” Judd said, pushing the basket of chips in T.K.’s direction.  “The 126 isn’t the same without you.”

“No thanks,” T.K. said in response to Judd’s offer for chips.  “And trust me, I have no desire to do anything that would jeopardize going back to work.”

When T.K. began to look around the bar, Grace smiled knowingly.  “You looking for that handsome man of yours?”

T.K. blushed, having been caught.  “Maybe.”

Pointing towards the opposite side of the bar, Grace said, “He’s over there with Michelle probably going on and on about everything he adores about you.  He always gets pretty sentimental about you whenever he’s had a beer or two.”

T.K. raised his eyebrows, amused.  “Really?”

“Frankly,” Judd interrupted, “he doesn’t shut up about you.”

T.K. chuckled.  “He’s never had a drink when we’ve gone out.  This should be interesting.  Hop you don’t mind me leaving you guys.”

“Not at all,” Grace said.  “We’ll see you around.”

T.K. stood and made his way across the bar.  He waved at his teammates and dad as he walked towards the bar counter where Michelle and Carlos were having an animated discussion.

As T.K. approached the pair, a bright smile spread across his face.  “Hey there, Handsome,” he said, gaining his boyfriend’s attention.  “Having fun?”

At the sudden sound of T.K.’s voice, Carlos nearly dropped his beer.  Michelle stood next to him, shot glass in hand, laughing at her friend’s sudden clumsiness.

“That’s his third one,” the paramedic captain said, pointing to the bottle in Carlos’ hand.  “I’d say he’s having fun.  I’ll see you boys later.”  With that, Michelle rose from her stool and left to join Owen dancing.

Carlos set his beer down on the counter and moved to walk away from the bar.  “Had I known you were coming, I wouldn’t have ordered a drink, or three.”

T.K. put a hand on Carlos’ shoulder, directing him to sit back down on the barstool.  “Babe, I appreciate you not wanting to drink in front of me, but I'm never going to ask you to not drink when you go out.  If you have a drink or three, I’m not going to mind.”  T.K. sat in Michelle’s abandoned seat and motioned to order a mineral water.

“I won’t do it every time we go out.”

“I wouldn’t mind if you did.”

“I want to be supportive.  I also don’t want you to be the only one not drinking.  Anyway, I thought you were going to stay home and watch Netflix.”

“Changed my mind,” T.K. said softly as he reached for Carlos’ hand, linking their fingers together.  “I’d rather be here with you and the team.  You all looked like you were having fun.  Sorry I broke up your conversation with Michelle, though.”

Carlos smiled as he picked up his beer and took a sip.  “It’s fine.  She was getting bored with me anyway.”

“Really?  How could anyone get bored of you?”

“I’m not the most interesting person to talk to, especially right now.  Seems like everyone is following the rules, which is great, but it makes work boring to talk about.”

“I, personally, thought the call about someone dumpster diving only to find out it was a raccoon was hilarious!”

Carlos chuckled as he finished off his beer.  “Okay, that one was pretty funny, but I can only tell that story so many times before it gets old.”

“You want another one?” T.K. pointing to the empty bottle.  “I’ll drive you home if you do.  I don’t mind.”

“You just want to drive my car.”

“It’s a nice car!”

“It is.  But I think I’ve had enough.  I don’t drink much anymore.”

T.K. dropped his head guiltily.  A few seconds later, he felt a hand lift his chin.  He lifted his eyes to find Carlos looking back at him, eyes filled with care and compassion.

“Tyler,” Carlos said, voice barely above a whisper.  “I’m not going to lie to you.  Yes, I did originally cut back on drinking because of you.  However, because I did that, I found out how much I don’t like the way it feels or the way I act when I’m drunk.  Seriously, look over at Michelle and your dad.”

T.K. chuckled as he looked over to find his dad and Michelle stumbling through line dancing.

“They’re being fools,” Carlos continued.  “Did you know your dad assaulted Iris’ ex once when he was drunk?  And, one time Michelle had to call 9-1-1 because she was drunk off her ass and hit the pavement face first.  Guess which lucky cop got that call?  I don’t want to act like that.  God forbid I end up flat on my face and you end up getting called to that.”

“I would never let you live that one down.”

“See?  That’s exactly what I don’t want.  So please don’t feel guilty about me not drinking.”

“Okay,” T.K. conceded before changing the subject.  “So if work is so boring, what were you and Michelle talking about?”

Carlos ducked his head briefly as he blushed.  “Nothing much.”

“Oh really?” T.K. teased.  “Guess I’ll just go ask her.”

Before Carlos could reach out to stop him, T.K. stood and grinned as he crossed the room to where Michelle and Owen were attempting to line dance.  T.K. reached out and tapped Michelle on the shoulder causing Carlos to groan and set his head down on the counter.

“Oh, hey T.K.!” Michelle smiled as she faced the young firefighter.  

“Hey Michelle!” T.K. responded.  “So Carlos is apparently too embarrassed to tell me what you two were talking about when I interrupted.  I thought maybe you’d tell me.”

Michelle began laughing.  “That’s easy enough.  Anytime you aren’t around, he talks about you!  I’ve heard more about your pretty eyes, your hot and then awkward first hookup, and how head over heels with you my best friend is than I care to admit.  He doesn’t shut up about you.”

T.K. smiled softly as he turned to look back at Carlos whose head was still on the counter.  “He doesn’t?”

Placing a hand on the younger man’s shoulder, Michelle smiled softly.  “Nope.  I’ve never seen him like this with anyone.”

T.K. nodded a silent thanks to Michelle before making his way back to his boyfriend at the bar counter.  He gently placed his hand on Carlos’ back causing him to lift his head from his arms.  

“How bad did she embarrass me?” Carlos asked as T.K. reclaimed his seat.

“Not too bad,” T.K. answered as he chuckled.  “I love you.”

Carlos’ eyes widened.  “Are you sure?  I have no idea what she told you, but I never want you to ever feel pressured.”

“Carlos, calm down.  I don’t feel pressured at all!  You know, most people respond to that a little differently.”

Carlos reached over and laced his fingers together with T.K.’s. "I love you, too." He looked around and suddenly had no desire to sit in the bar any longer. "What do you say we get out of here?"

"Are you sure?" T.K. asked. "I don't want to ruin the night you had planned. That was not the plan when I showed up."

"You think I want to sit here and watch Michelle get drunk after you tell me you love me?"

T.K. shook his head. "No, I guess not."

Carlos smirked at T.K. "So let's get out of here?"

"Lead the way," T.K. said as he and Carlos headed out of the bar.

[suitofvibraniumarmor]

Boston Boys [Part Eleven]

Summary: John tells his brother about his relationship with Aurelie; Chris discusses Elsa’s shop visit with his sister.  Pairing: Chris Evans x OFC, John Krasinski x OFC Word Count: 1919 Chapter Warnings: Angst? Square Filled: The entire series (well, bits and pieces of it) will fill my Crossover square for @marvelfluffbingo​​. A/N: This story contains a character who lost her hearing as she got older. I do work closely and regularly with the D/deaf community (I’m a sign language interpreter), but my own hearing problems do not involve significant hearing loss. It is not my intention to offend anyone, only to bring in a character with a quality I don’t see often in other fics. If you have questions about her, feel free to ask :)

Boston Boys Masterlist

Glancing at his watch, John winced. If he didn’t leave soon, he was going to miss his appointment. The bar was starting to pick up, but a close friend was coming to cover for him, and he had his two best bartenders working the counter. Along with some seasoned waitresses, he was sure that everything was going to run smooth, even in his absence.

Jenna Fischer, a longtime friend he had known since grade school, knocked on the doorframe of the office before hurriedly shedding her jacket. “Hey, sorry I’m cutting it close! The babysitter was late.”

“No worries,” John assured, “I really appreciate you being here. Cash for the sitter is in an envelope in the desk, as promised. Ed and Rainn are at the bar, Kate and Mindy are waitressing. You should be covered with the five of you, but if you hit an emergency, let me know, I’ll come back.”

Jenna finished hanging up her coat and purse. “We’re gonna be fine, John. You’ve got important things to do.”

“Yeah, they are important,” John agreed. He kissed her cheek, then rushed out to meet his brother.

Paul was already waiting in front of the jewelry store. John yelled his name and waved, jogging to catch up to where his brother was standing.

“Sorry, Jenna was running behind.”

“Don’t worry about it, I got here only a couple seconds ago. You gonna tell me why we’re here?”

John nodded. “Yeah, over dinner. Let’s go inside here, first.”

Paul shrugged and followed his brother into the store. They browsed over necklaces and earrings, the usual diamond solitaire engagement rings.

“Is that what you’re looking for?” Paul asked, surprised that his brother hadn’t even told him much about this girl, let alone that he was thinking about getting married.

“Something like it,” John said, taking in a deep breath. “It’s complicated, but I want to make a lot of promises to this girl. Big promises.”

“Who is this girl, Johnny?”

John pursed his lips. “Her name is Aurelie. She’s a trauma doctor at MassGen. She’s amazing. She’s deaf, but we communicate fine -- her cochlear implant works well, I’m learning to sign. She has a little hearing in one ear. Most importantly, though, when I’m with her, none of the family shit matters.”

“She sounds like a winner,” Paul congratulated, clapping his brother on the back. “So, let’s find her something she really deserves.”

John smiled. He was going to enjoy his brother’s happiness for him while he could. It took another forty-five minutes, but he spotted exactly what he was looking for. After making his purchase, he and Paul headed to a restaurant for dinner.

“All right,” Paul prompted after they had their beers and were waiting on their food. “Tell me what’s so complicated with the doc.”

John licked his lips. “Her family doesn’t exactly approve of our relationship, I guess you could say.”

“Why not? There’s no reason not to like you, brother.”

“It’s not me, exactly,” John sighed, “but our whole family.”

“They’ve never met us.”

Running a hand through his hair, John leaned forward on the table. “Paul, you really gonna make me come out and say it?”

Paul raised his brow and shrugged.

“All right then.” John chugged down half his beer, then set the glass back down and leaned forward again. “Her mom was married to Robbie Evans.”

The information took several seconds for Paul to process. About the time the realization sunk in, their food came. Paul was silent while the waiter set the plates in front of them. He looked anywhere but at his brother. Once the waiter was out of earshot, Paul leaned forward, too.

“I know you’ve always wanted out, but this isn’t the way to do it, you know. Let the Evans family find out. Let Downey find out. You’re done for, Johnny.”

John shook his head. “It’s been going on for months and no one knows -- Jenna knows. That’s it. And it isn’t about getting out, P. I wanted her before I realized who her family is -- she knows who my family is, of course. It doesn’t matter, to either of us. I want as much of a life with her as I can have. She’s distanced from them pretty well, which makes it that much easier.”

“I’m glad you’re happy,” Paul ceded, “but you know Chris is gonna kill you when he finds out.”

John snorted. “Yeah, I’m aware of that.”

“Listen. You give her that ring, you better make sure you’re ready for the commitment you’re asking her to make, and for the risk you’re both taking. I’m happy for you. I am. You tell Kev when you’re ready, and Ma. Just make sure that you’re sure she’s worth it.”

Finally, John had a reason in the conversation to smile. “She’s worth it. She’s more than worth it.”

Paul smiled, too. The brothers dug into their meals and put the serious conversation behind them.

Her lunch break couldn’t come fast enough today. Aurelie could feel that summer virus sneaking up on her, and she was trying to work as many hours as possible before she had to start giving up shifts. Chris had messaged earlier that he wanted to talk, so when she got the chance, she headed to meet him in the cafeteria.

“Scarlett knows.”

Aurelie frowned and her heart stopped. “Knows what?”

“About Elsa.” A breath of relief. “She surprised me at the shop. None of the others remember her, but Scarlett of course remembers her. Warned me that Elsa’s gonna find out sooner or later.”

“She’s not wrong.”

Chris pursed his lips. “Thanks for the encouragement.”

“When have I ever sugar-coated things for you? I told you from the time I saw you two together in Attleboro that you’re taking a risk. I know that you love her, Chris, but you hurt her before you really met her.”

“I’m gonna tell her.”

“How? When?” Aurelie looked to the ceiling before looking back at her brother. “You’ve set yourself up in a bad situation. You’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t. I know this all sounds negative, but I don’t want you to be heartbroken in the middle of all of this, too.”

Chris frowned and reached out for his sister’s hand. “Hey, hey. Why’re you crying? You never cry. I don’t remember the last time I saw you cry.”

Aurelie swiped at the traitorous tears with her free hand. “You don’t understand how important you are to me. You’re putting yourself in the middle of one hell of a mess. You’re putting your entire life at risk.”

“I get that.” He let go of her hand. “After my birthday, I’m going to meet Elsa’s family in New York. She’s already there. After a few days with her family, we’re going to spend a week in Maine. Before we come home, I’m gonna tell her. I don’t know how yet, but I don’t want to hide this from her. I’m falling for her, and I can’t tell her I love her if it’s not clean.”

“Well, I’m proud of you for that, anyway.”

They talked for a while longer, while Aurelie finished her food. She had a feeling it wasn’t going to settle well, but she didn’t know if that was because of the virus, or the overwhelming guilt at telling Chris to be honest when she was still hiding secrets from him.

Happy birthday, big brother. Don’t have too much fun tonight.

Aurelie sent the text, then put her phone back in her bag. She was in the passenger seat of John’s car, heading toward the diner in Attleboro. They had gone out together several times in Boston, without incident, but the fear of someone from either of their families finding them together was too much to allow them to enjoy their time together. From then on, they had agreed to only go out together in Attleboro, and otherwise spend their time together at one house or the other.

Thanks, sis. I’ll be careful. Talk soon.

The text message reply from Chris pulled Aurelie back to the present. With a deep breath and a long exhale, she smiled at John.

“It’s Chris’s birthday. They’re having a big thing over at Stan’s Pub.”

John took her hand. “Do you wish you were there?”

Aurelie thought about that carefully before she answered. She squeezed his hand and assured, “Nah. I’m right where I wanna be.”

John smiled back at her and continued on the drive. By the time they arrived in Attleboro, Aurelie was quiet and her thoughts far away again. John helped her out of the car; Aurelie frowned.

“Are they open?”

“Yeah, they’re open.” He tossed his head in the direction of the diner. “C’mon.”

Lacing her fingers through his, Aurelie followed behind John into the place. It was mostly empty, and the lights were dimmed. The same table where they had sat for their first date here was set with candles and short-stem roses in the center. Aurelie’s thoughts came back down to earth, and she grinned.

“Is it just us?” she asked.

“It’s just us,” John confirmed.

He motioned for her to sit across from him in the booth, and the waitress brought them water glasses right away, followed by two glass flutes and a bottle of champagne. John popped the cork and poured some for both of them. The waitress took their orders, then left them to their private conversation.

“I’m sorry to ask so many questions,” Aurelie began, “but are we celebrating something I’m not aware of?”

John chuckled. “Just celebrating us. There’s a lot we still have to overcome if we want to move forward, but I want to do that with you. I want to move forward with you.”

Aurelie took another deep breath; it was all she could do in the moment to keep breathing. “I want to move forward with you, too.”

“That’s the best thing you could say,” he said, nodding. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a jewelry box; when he opened it, Aurelie was taken with the pretty ring seated inside. “I’m not -- this is not what you might think it is. I mean, it is, but not in the traditional sense. I’m not just proposing marriage, I’m proposing a future. Being together wherever we want. Moving in together. Getting married and having kids, eventually. I’m promising you, Aurelie, that I’m here for you, for the future. Whatever it may bring. I love you, kid.”

Aurelie wiped a tear from her eye. She was doing far too much crying lately, but her heart was hanging on every word John said -- and living by the parts that he had picked up enough vocabulary to sign. “I love you, too, Johnny.”

John’s smile was the stuff of pure happiness. He took her hand and pushed the ring onto the appropriate finger. Aurelie smiled down at the ring, staring at it for so long, she didn’t even notice the waitress delivering their food to the table. Her thoughts were reeling and by the time she could tear her eyes from the ring, she knew that she had to be honest with John.

“Are you happy?” John asked.

Aurelie nodded. “Indescribably happy. But, John, before we get too far into tonight, there’s something I have to tell you.”

His smile began to fade as he nodded and dragged his hand over his face. “Yeah. I’ve got something to tell you, too.”

AlloftheThings: @captain-s-rogers​​​​​​​ @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan​​​​​​​@letsgetfuckingsuperwholocked​​​​​​​ @hurricanerin​​​​​​​@horsesandbandsforlife​​​​​​​ @im-not-an-armrest-im-short​​​​​​​ @captain-rogers-beard​​​​​​​ @shynara51​​​​​​​ @sea040561​​​​​​​  @pinknerdpanda​​​​​​​ @xtina2191​​​​​​​ @jackryanplz​​​​​​​ @beakami​​​​​​​ @heartsaved​​​​​​​@fullprunerebelstatesman​​​​​​​ @blackwidowismyhomegirl​​​​​​​

Boston Boys:  @the-murder-strut-murdered-me​​​​​​​ @becs-bunker​​​​​​​ @shield-agent78​​​​​​​ @patzammit​​​​​​​ @crazyandanonymous4u​​​​​​​@ntlmundy​​​​​​​​ @jennmurawski13​​​​​​​​ @okay-maybe-i-like-marvel-too​​​​​​​

[rsbry-beret]

More Than Words

Insouciant

Tobin’s eyes hurt. He’d been staring at the code flying by on his screen for hours now, eyes flicking away to look at the clock every few minutes despite himself. He fiddled with the cuff of his jacket again, scratching at the hole hidden in the lining fabric, before reaching for his water bottle, bringing it to his mouth before remembering it had been empty for coming up two hours. He sighed, typed a line of code before deleting it again.

“Hey, man.” Leif leaned over Tobin’s shoulder, resting his elbows on his shoulders. “How you feeling?”

“Insouciant.” He glanced out at his coworkers, mostly busy with whatever they were working on, but Zoey glanced up at the sound. “I-N-S-O-U-C-I-A-N-T. That means indifferent, for all you boneheads.” He tilted his head back to grin at Leif, before realizing their faces were way too close together.

“Tobes, dude, have you eaten anything today?” Leifs eyebrows furrowed. Tobin was struck with the sudden desire to poke the lines that showed up in the corners of his eyes until he smiled again, which he promptly ignored. He was probably just dehydrated or something, which reminded him.

“I had breakfast. Passed on lunch though- had to catch this bug, you know. Then I guess I just forgot. It’s whatever.” He smiled, trying not to look as awkward as he suddenly felt. “Have to keep this hot bod looking tight anyway, am I right?”

Tobin kept frowning. “Dude, it’s 4:00. Have you at least had water?”

“I ran out.”

“Dude. Seriously, give me your water bottle, I’ll refill it.”

Tobin smiled at his monitor, happy knowing that Leif wouldn’t be able to see him do it. He grabbed his water bottle and passed it up, felt Leif pull away and ruffle Tobin’s hair as he went. “Thanks, bro,” he called out as he heard Leif’s footsteps walk away.

Soubrette

“Dude, it’s your birthday! We have to do something fun. Go to a strip club, meet some soubrettes, drink until we black out, whatever! We’re only young once, bro.”

Max glanced shrewdly at Tobin. “Okay, ignoring the fact that you just quoted Bunny Paul, what on earth is a soup bet?”

Tobin smirked. “A very flirtatious woman. But I guess you aren’t really familiar with that, are you, Max?”

Leif sighed once, then again, louder, as though he was worried he hadn’t gotten his point across. “A woman pretending to be flirtatious, actually. And we’re not going to a strip club for my birthday.”

“Dude. Literally why not?” Tobin stuck his bottom lip out, fluttered his eyelashes dramatically. Leif stared at his mouth for a long second before looking away suddenly.

“Because it’s my birthday, so I get to choose what we’re doing. And we’re having pizza at our place while we watch movies.”

Zoey laughed while Max glared at Leif. “By ‘movies’ you mean ‘pretentious French art house films that are in black and white even though they were filmed last year’, right?”

“Shut up, Max, Leif can do what he wants. It’s his birthday,” Tobin said.

Zoey squinted at him from across the room. “Okay, what?”

Syllepsis

“Man, my date last night was awesome.” Tobin grinned, smug and too big to fit on his face.

“Man, I didn't ask,” Max replies from his desk, not even bothering to look up. Max was a loser. Tobin ignored him.

“She blew my mind and then she blew something else, if you catch my drift.” He waggled his eyebrows, just in case he hadn’t.

Max pinched the bridge of his nose for a few seconds.

“Yeah?” Tobin kept grinning. “A little syllepsis there. That means a word that has two meanings in one sentence.” He sat heavily at his desk, booted up his computer. “Wow, it’s exhausting to have to dumb myself down for you guys.”

Max lay his head down on his desk.

“Not the only reason I’m exhausted, though.”

Tobin heard a tortured groan from

Max’s direction. He didn’t bother making the joke- might as well give the poor guy a break.

Man, he was such a good guy.

Deification

Tobin stirred his fruit loops around and around his bowl, watching the milk slowly turn blue-gray. He was hungry, and the cereal was definitly going to get soggy soon, but if he finished before Leif made his stupid avocado toast then he’d have no reason to eat breakfast with him.

“Okay, but real talk, Fusajiro Yamauchi is a God,” he finally said, breaking the peaceful silence.

Leif stared at Tobin for a few long seconds before nodding slowly. “You’re definitely not wrong, but why are we talking about this now?”

Tobin shrugged and tried not to stare at Leif’s shoulders. “I just thought it should be said. The man founded Nintendo. Everyone should be talking about him all the time.” God, Leif’s eyes were so blue. “And it’s not deification if the man is actually a God.”

“Deification,” Leif repeated, smiling in that half-smile sort of way he had.

“Treating someone like a God. You have really white teeth, bro.” Did he say that out loud? God, he said that out loud, didn’t he?

Leif quirked his head to the left, raising an eyebrow. “Thanks?”

Tobin quickly turned around before Leif could see his blush. “Yeah, bro. Man. Buddy.” Jesus Christ.

Pulchritudinous

It was raining on the way to work, and Tobin had never been happier about it. He always took the bus from his and Leif’s apartment, but Leif insisted on riding his bicycle, something about cardio-based workouts and don’t you want to have a long and healthy life, and honestly Tobin had stopped listening about six seconds in because the way Leif’s hair flopped over his eyes was unfairly distracting.

But it was raining this morning, and Leif had still rode his bike to work, so now he was soaking wet, standing at his desk in his probably ruined cardigan and looking for all the world like an angry chihuahua.

Tobin didn’t think he’d ever loved him more.

“Pulchritudinous,” he said, in what he thought was a whisper, but then Leif turned around, confused.

“Okay, man, you’ve got me stumped. What’s that one mean?”

Beautiful, Tobin thought, and then he panicked. “Messy.”

Leif looked at him for a moment longer, then smiled at him, awkward and sweet and just for Tobin, no one else. “Cool.”

Then he turned back to his desk, clacking away at his keyboard like he was trying to do something fast before he forgot, and Tobin turned back to his computer, trying to catch his breath.

(Eudaemonic)

It was after work, and the rain had just cleared up, leaving the sky full but bright and the wind sharp but refreshing after a long day of filtered air. Tobin took a deep breath in, and then another. He felt a hand fall on his shoulder and turned around.

“Hey,” Leif said, shuffling his feet a little, looking a little nervous. “Hey, can we talk before we head home?”

Tobin smiled and nodded, letting Leif guide him by his shoulder. Home. Before we go home. Suddenly Tobin felt very fragile, like if Leif clutched his hand a little tighter he might fall apart, starting at his shoulder and stretching all the way through to his heart, his wobbly knees, his toes. It wasn’t an awful feeling, actually.

“So…” Tobin finally started, after a long time of walking in silence, Leif’s hand still touching him, warm and present.

“So,” Leif started, then cleared his throat, stopping on the sidewalk in front of yet another random Starbucks. He pulled his hand away and Tobin wanted to grab it back immediately. He stuffed his fists in his jacket to stop himself.

“So,” Leif began again, turning to face Tobin, “I think you’re...eudaemonic.”

Tobin looked at Leif and Leif looked right back, like this was an important moment, like there was something invisible and heavy passing between them.

“I… don’t know what that means,” Tobin finally admitted, still not looking away. Honestly, he didn’t think he could if he wanted to. His eyes felt stuck. He didn’t want to anyway, though.

Leif didn’t blink, just lifted his hand back up again, slow and purposeful. He set it down on Tobin’s shoulder, then slid it back, touching his neck, then cupping his jaw. Tobin felt like he couldn’t breath. Tobin felt like he was breathing for the first time. Tobin didn’t know what he felt, just that it was good.

“It means that you make me happy,” Leif said carefully, quietly.

Tobin kissed him.

It was a very good kiss. So good that Tobin didn’t think he really wanted to do anything else, ever. Awkward in that way that all first kisses were, because first Leif was just touching him by his jaw, and Tobin’s hands were still in his pockets, but then something changed and they were clutching at each other. No, not clutching. They were holding each other.

Eventually Tobin pulled back for air.

“I googled your word,” Leif admitted immediately, before he could even say anything. Leif brushed Tobin’s hair from his eyes, and Tobin just laughed, quiet and happy.

“Then I guess you know I think you’re perfect?”

“I’m not,” Leif said, suddenly serious. He started to pull his hands back, and Tobin caught them, held them in his own. “I’m not perfect. I’m actually really messed up, man.”

Tobin just smiled, smiled. It felt like he couldn’t stop. He didn’t want to stop. “I love you.”

Leif froze. “Oh,” he breathed.

“Yeah.” Tobin kept smiling. “Oh.”

Leif smiled too, cartoonishly huge on his face, like he hadn’t ever smiled that big before and was still learning how. Then he let out a noise, almost like he was going to cry, and Tobin was scared for a second before he realized that Leif was giggling.

Tobin started giggling too. Sue him, it was infectious, and Leif was cute, and they had kissed, and he said he made him happy.

Leif rushed forward suddenly, yanking his hands from Tobin’s grip to wrap around his waist, pulling Tobin in for a hug.

And they stayed like that, intertwined on the sidewalk, giggling and smiling and happy, for a very long time.

And then they both went home.

Title is a song by The Extremes :) this is my first time writing for a fandom so go easy on me lol and thx to @opheli-bob ob for introducing me to ZEP

[charmed-asylum]

👨‍🍳# FOODIE👨‍🍳

#Foodie, Part 1 

Summary: Something happening in Easter Hills. Something that effecting everyone under the surface. Could this just be a phase a trick that no one can shack off? Is this something that will pass with another or can we all be heading for destruction

Declaimer: #Foodie has some curse words, use and mention of drugs, and roadkill. Also, I do have dyslexia so be easy with me!!! 

A/N:So who would think after doing a love story I go be switching it up to some sci-fi. Let me know what you think or want to be added to the taglist. Or simple to sit my butt down and stop with the dramatics xoxo Tia

Word Count: 6,336

MASTER LIST 

Tagged: @linkispink1995​ @weapinggwillowss​ @strangerfictions​

I wish I could remember what it was. Could it be the color of the sky, how tall the grass starts to grow in Mr. Jackson ranch-style house across the street, or maybe it was the air? The way the breeze would flow dance across the sky. I wish I can tell you. Even now even after so many months that have passed, I don't remember. One thing I do know is it started Columbus Day weekend. It was it at once and maybe that why no one realizes it till it was too late. I wish I was stronger maybe I could have done something. Then again who am I kidding?

The seasons have changed but I could still remember the rush I felt when I pelted my way down my street cracked concerted road. I did not have much control in my life but bike rides were all mine. Tomorrow was finally gonna be the day I been waiting for months for. He was finally coming back to me. As I turn into the parking lot of Easter Hills High it was already a full parking lot. The next song started to play when I saw a familiar face across the parking lot surrounded by a group of posters and zombies. Have you ever thought about your soul - can it be saved? 

Or perhaps you think that when you're dead you just stay in your grave. I was still playing when tossing over my beat-up backpack over a shoulder.

" What you barbie slut" voice that belongs to the center of the crowd's attention.

Janet was a type of girl that was born pretty and perfect. I always wonder how we became friends. She tells me it is because the sun always needs the moon and stars. I tell her I am nothing but a black hole. There was a time was little I thought maybe there was more to that but after a kiss under the stars, I was lost with the dyer fear of losing her. So we just became what we are now the infinite duo. Her red ginger hair dance with the cool Midwestern breeze as her Mona Lisa's lips playfully move with each word drew more and more people closer and closer. 

" Space cadet stuck in orbit again huh" Janet said with her hand on her hip. I smiled with crimson color coming across my cheeks as I close the gap between us too. 

"Sorry. Just nerves. Can we talk before homeroom J" I asked not paying anyone around us any attention. I already knew what the whispers were about the same thing it always is why. She crocks her pear shape face to the side and her hazel eyes stare into my brown ones. That was another thing we just got each other. She was the fun bi sexual goddesses I was just me the girl who happens to have gotten lucky. 

Without a word, she licks her lips then places two fingers in her mouth to make a V and whistle for her things which a freshman was holding her. After a simple wink and kiss on the cheek to that freshman, she walks off with us being hand and hand to our spot. 

I look around before sitting on the swing and watch as she pops a few of her mom Dextromethorphan like it was a mint. With a big smile, she jumps onto the swing and kick back her feet and smiled. I wish I was like her ability to be free able to kick back and not care but I never was given that ability given that chance. Her long hair moves with her back and forth as she sings Katy Perry off-key. 

" Thank I, huh I been thinking. I think I'm ready to you know with KP" I blur out with my hands cling to the chains for my life. My eyes close shut till I was seeing rainbow loading wheels across my eyes sight. SLAP " What the hill billy hell. That hurt" I said opening my eyes wide and rub my thigh. Janet shook her head and look like me I had 101 heads attach to my head.

" Issac. Are you shitting me right now" Janet said now standing in front of me. Her hazel eyes twinkle with the sun. 

I slowly roll my bottom lip thought my teeth a few times before I look up at her like a kid who had her hand in the cookie jar with chocolate all over my face. She got closer and stop me so I have to look at her. I hated how she gets me to talk when I was not ready to. I dazed out to pass her to the tall grass that sways with the wind. Right before that was a raccoon who has been a sacrifice to the roadkill gods. 

" Yes. We have been together for three half years and I'm gonna be 18 in a few months. I don't want to lose him. I mean he already talks about marriage and stuff. How we are meant to be with one another. Him in the war what if he does not make it. Next time. I am just thinking about it. I never do anything. Janet Florence Bates. Either I am too chicken scraps about it or I can die. I am so sick of living out in this world in a bubble" I said finally looking to those Friday afternoon hazel eyes.

She nods and took my hands. Rubbing her white french tip thumb against my skin she brought it up to her heart. " One thing I wish I did was to wait. Remember when we were in seventh grade and I dared to do seven minutes in heaven with Derek Miller. You told me that I was still worth the universe no matter what. Do-" She was cut off with the sound of the second bell. " Shit I need to see Popi before class. Tell them I am using the bathroom and oh it that time of the month" Janet said over her shoulder as she ran over to find her girlfriend. 

" I said that last week J" I shout out.

Walking backward Janet thought about it, " He doesn't know how a woman body works". I laugh as I made my way down the busy streets also know as the hallways.

I just made it with a second to spare. Taking a deep breath in I nod to the teacher went to my seat. Putting my backpack on the desk to make a pillow I lean my head on it and look out the window. The once busy parking lot was empty with no one. Corner of my eyes I saw some movement. For a second look like I saw a squirrel eating the dead raccoon. Its fur was cover in a bit blood on its paws and tail. Getting up from I walk over to the window. Still watching the squirrel. 

" MISS. SMITH. SIT DOWN FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS" the teacher said taking her out her trance. Giggles and fingers were pointing as I look around. mouth sorry and ease back into my seat look down at my hands. Moments later Janet rush in with a huge smile on her face, She stays upfront to flirt with the teacher taking his glasses and rolling it in her mouth as she explains the female privates. Buzz Buzz.

Mi Amor: Hav fun in school. I see you tomorrow bae. IYL

 I look up and suppressed a greedy smile.

 Me: Can not wait. xxx.

I smiled and glance outside. The squirrel was gone but so was most of the raccoon. My curl drop in front of my face. My eyes wide as I look around it was not even ten minutes how did that happen. It is only your mind. After trying to calm my nerves I settle and got ready for the day. The thing about going to school in a dead zone is not much happening each day is the same. The coolest thing we had to happen was when Sally Maxfield got fifth place in the nearby town beauty competition. We were the one place the devil probably send folks as a line of torture. Everyone knew each other and marries one another. Grow old have kids work the same jobs your parents or neighbor had. Just so happen my parents two of the coolest jobs. Mother was assistant to the mayor and my dad work as a scientist that was a station out here. They move here when they got married I still do not get that. Nose deep in my latest novel off my four pages list. I felt a few pokes on my back. 

" Guess what I heard from Paul in six periods of American History. Looks like the old hag bit the dusk and they just found her body this morning. Guess what with just her body and her 20 cats. God Issac if I end up anywhere close to that kill me" Janet said pulling out her lunch, sushi, and flavor water.

" Lunch looks smaller than last week. Another diet J. I do not know why you do that your perfect" I said pulling out my lunch with a sigh. Janet peak over at me and my silver can lunch box cover in bumper stickers. Janet rolls her eyes and sips her cool water. I took out my lunch: a bottle of filter water, steal tight thing of organic crackers, dried up fruits, and a mystery meal ( as my mom called it). She stops mid-chew and looks at me with doubt and wonder. 

" What that" Janet said looking over my lunch. Apart from I wanted to chuckle each day the same thing. Sipping my water I turn to look at her. My legs shielding hers

"It is my lunch crackers fruit. Want some" I said holding out the mystery meal packet 

" Wait for a second that fruit. I do not get you. I come with my lunch and you have that. Still, you cover your eyes during the sex parts" Janet asked. My smile got bigger as I nod. Her face still in disbelief.

" Yes. Because I will like to live till my 18 birthday. J. Do not forget the ice cream birthday cake, spaghetti, banana nut bread, or many other times I chance it" I said turning back to the table Janet always got me to throw reasoning away.

" Just be careful that it looks like it will attack you alright. Space cadet" Janet said poking at my lunch to see if it moved. I wish to chance it was a luxury for me but never is, I will never be normal and for that, I am the envy of everyone. The problem goes down to the simple fact of an allergy I have a very rare very troublesome allergy, Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorder. Long story short think of anything fun and add a 99% chance I can die of it. 

" God damn it. Did you hear me? The last two periods we going on some field trips to the Coast Forrest for science today" Janet said wiping her mouth. Nodding I look at my half-eaten lunch. "Popi gonna meet us there. She got these new drugs called Trippe that her hook up gave her. I talk her into allowing me to try it with her. Maybe get some others to buy some. It is organic you should try some" Janet said checking her makeup in her little compact mirror. I gentle took a deep breath out and move a few curls behind my ear as I tried to remind Janet again I can not do that. Then she must have seen my thoughts as she pointed to me with her lipstick and said, " It is organic. You eat all that weird shit. What to say that and Trippe are not made of the same shit" Janet said putting her stuff away.

I wanted to tell her no but instead, I said I think about it before she went off to get last night's homework from someone. I loved her with all my heart but sometimes she just did not get me. Crazy how you can love someone with all your heart. Not want anything from it just a simple notion that you will never be alone. Someone that will have your back and would never judge you. No one did but KP ever promises you that.

Mi Amor: I wish you are here. I feel so alone.

I waited a few more minutes for him to reply till I decide he probably was on the plane and could not reach me. Rubbing the back of my neck I close my eyes. God did I need sleep and a bubble bath. Noise rattle my nerves and the never-ending sound of people screaming made me flinched. Jumping up I look around before heading out to the bathroom to finish my lunch. Last year its been like this need want to escape want some time alone. Maybe its fact in a few months I will be graduating. I will be free to be me whatever that was. As my phone alarm ring, I slowly got up from my spot on the floor and got ready to head back before Janet realize I was gone. With my head hanging low I walk over to the sink to flush away any doubt of living any sadness I been feeling. water dripping from my face I look back at my reflection. Brown sugar eyes looking back with my hair full-blown curl thanks to the cold water. My button nose raw from the tears I just finished having. Taking another breath in I grab the end of my dress and rub my face.

The ride to Coast Forrest was roughly 15 minutes long. Janet was sitting next to Popi kissing like horny rabbits and I sat beside them by the window. Popi cool. She wears her hair short blonde with pink tips pixie cut with random drunken mistakes to remind her you only live once and a nose ring with a lip tattoo that said suck it. At first, she did like me worried I was trying to take Janet away till I reassure her what I and Janet have will always be a deep unbreakable friendship and I was happy with KP. Once I asked her if she can do a sharpie tattoo out of pure boredom she grew a flower crown on my wist. Which she now does every time she sees me. My arm the blanket canvas for her crazy thoughts. Colors change as I wave my hands up and down as if I was fish in the open water.

Coming out for air Janet smirk at me and whisper into Popi's ear. With a nod, Popi took out her bag and hand Janet something when no one but me was looking. 

" So I heard you might be adventuring out my young grasshopper. Finally going to get some action huh" Popi said sniffing her nose-wiping away the last bit of blow she did before getting on the bus. I peak over to Janet who just whistles and spoke to a random person behind us.

" Maybe. YOYO right" I said licking my bottom lip

" God Smith you something. So fucking cute. little puppet" Popi said pinching my arm. 

" Tell her about Trippe baby" Janet added.

" Thanks, angel. Huh, so what my guy told me this is some top-shelf shit. Like the best of the best only take. I am talking mob cartel you name it and its all made on some hippie compound. I am one of the first to have it" Popi pointed out proud of herself. She took one out and handed it to me.

" How do you take it. I never sniff anything before. Or put anything up my butt" I asked curiously.

Janet giggles at my response and hugs over to speak to me without anyone hearing us." From what Popi heard it pretty much either end type of drug but oral tends to work find. The away only thing we want poking you in the but is Kindred Phillip Richards thick long penis" Janet laugh.

It was small and look like something out a Candy land world. The packing was the neon pick with a smiley face with its tongue out and eyes cross out. As I play with it looking at it closer it had a strange symbol on it. Inside the little baggie was a pill shape drug with what looks to be a liquid power inside. While Popi was trying to talk a boy into a threesome with Janet and herself. I snatch a picture on my Polaroid camera and stuff it in my pocket. I look at it once more. It was inviting but apart of me was not sure. Kind of like it was a candy a treat. Last time I tried something Janet said it was alright. I end up in ICU for two months. Everything around her tone out as she kept playing with this drug in her hands. Very own mystery. What made this so special so welcoming. Bring it closer to my nose I let it linger see if I can figure what it was made off. I had a nose for such things. Lana Del Rey plays on my head as I play with it. It was organic maybe it was safe to do it. 

" We are here. I have to make a phone call. So just take a paper and start feeling it out" Mr. Lopez said. He was probably going to scream at his soon to be ex-wife who ran off with their younger babysitter last week.

Second, he left everything to reassure. Loud noises left and right. Booming. Popi look at me and took the drug out my hand and gave Janet the nod. Show Time. Janet gave both of use a wink before she swings herself up to stand on the seat Dead Poet Society style. Flipping her hair she screams HEY. Everyone's eyes shift to Janet quite waiting on her hand and foot. With a wolf grind, she grabs up the drug and tosses it up and down in the air.

" Alright shit brains and posers. I got here the upcoming stuff that every one that is hot now is doing. Actors athletes business people and even world leaders. This stuff here is told to make oxy look like a sugar-free candy. This stuff is fully organic and to give you a ride of your life. Once you have it once you never find anything to get you this fuck up ever again. Word around this Trippe would put you on a ride you will never forget So who wanna party" Janet said jumping down to the ground with her hands up above her head. I was the first to clap much sooner then I should of. Most look at me and I turn and look outside at Mr. Lopez on the verge of tears. Everyone was shouting not wanting to be left out wanting in on the mystery on the trend. As Popi passed it out Janet took the money stuffing it into her bra. Till everyone had one. All glee with excitement thrilled to do it.

" Hey, you ready" Janet asked. I look at her and went to grab some money taking out a twenty I slowly hand it to her. They all went to take it and as I am about to take it I stop and shoot up. My breathing got short and I clench to the seat trying to catch it. I felt tears as a minor panic attack was coming ahead. My sight got dizzy and I shock my head crying a silent cry. Janet stops before taking it and looks at me holding tight to my chest. 

" I can't I can not take it. I can not take the gamble. J I am so sorry. I wish I could" I said trying to stop the tears. People around me starting to go down on their trip. Some started to laugh like drunken hyenas, a few spaces out like a psychic patient drop on drugs, some were paranoid with a flinch and rest was a mixture of emotions. I slowly got my things together and try to head for the door. An arm stops me and pushes me back down.

" Where are you going. Come on. Amaryllis. It alright. Just do it" Janet said shoving it into my face. I shook my head no and push it away. I look around everything was spinning. 

" I can not do that. You know I can die Janet " I plead to her. She shook her head and rolled her eyes. Walking back to Popi she said something to her as I stood still rubbing my arm looking at the ground. 

"You are full of bullshit. Issac. Why is it one second your talking about fucking your boyfriend and next to your acting like a little kid? Is this thing you have any real or is it all fake just like you"Janet hissed. I knew she was already high from whatever she was doing but the words still hurt. It made everything hurt ten times more.

Without speaking I shook my head and left the bus. I had to get as far as I could before the tears came down. I tried KP once again but no answer. I don't know how far I was got before I finally stop. Green was cover everywhere like a sea of green. I slowly drop to my knees and allow my hands to become one with nature. I lean back and breathe. Rubbing my hands from the tip of my head across my neck down to my sides. My eyes fill with tears glitter flowing around. I calm myself with words of encouragement. I turn my head to see a few deer and bears running away passed me. Stopping I slowly got up to my feet and look around. I did not hear any birds no bugs. I stalked over where they were running from till I saw it. A dead deer laying in a bed of white flowers. That was not what scared me it was rabbits eating away the deer. It fills me with fear and dread. I slowly step back to I am far enough to run. I ran an ran till I hit a branch. As the visions slowly started to fade images of the dead animals came to mind on repeat.  I should have known that was only the beginning

Rain and the distant sounds of voices woke me up. The ground was wet and droplets kept falling into my face. Everything was fuzzy and for a second I forgot where and how I got where I am at. Taking a second in I slowly got to my feet thanks to a tree nearby. The voices got louder and I slow recognized it as Mr. Lopez. How long have I been out? 

Licking my lips I call out where I was. Till I saw a flashlight beaming into my face. Covering my eyes with my hand the footsteps grew closer and closer.

" God. Miss. Smith. Where have you been I been looking everywhere? For you. I am so sorry. I thought you were on the bus then when we got back I did not see you and your mom called the cops. We have been looking for you for a few hours" Mr. Lopez said smoothing the hair out my face. 

Holding onto him tight I cried into the crook of his neck not letting go of his green polo shirt that was too small and a bit skin would peak out. But I did not care I was scared. He slowly helps me stable myself and ushers me to the rest of them. There was a small crowd with flashlights. A woman with fair skin that complements her tall thin body with piercing blue eyes ran towards throw the crowd calling out my name with a man espresso skin and dark short black hair and fitted glasses.

" Amaryllis. My baby" Mom called out as the space between us got smaller. I left Mr. Lopez behind and ran into my mom's arms muffling my cries with her long black hair. I could hear her say thank you to Mr. Lopez but I did not move. I do not remember making it home.

I did not remember anything till I was laying in my twin size bed bundle under my warm blue glitter comforter in one of KP old football jersey. I did not hear from Janet and no one from the class was there looking. I would say I was hurt but the words she said still sting.

" Hey, Amaryllis. Its dad I am coming in" Dad said coming in.

I turn my head to see him walking in with an old antique tray with two small teacups. I slowly got up and look at him with a sad smile. Daddy always knew when it was tea time.

" Thanks, dad. Sorry for carrying you and mommy" I said bring my knees to my chest. He smiled and play with my hair in his hands.

" What happen kiddo. What made you run off like that " He asked. I wish I could tell the truth wish I can give him the full story. But to do that I will put more people in trouble and danger then I will want. So like every time before I lied. 

" The kids said something. I did not agree. I went off to take pictures when I trip and fell. I am so sorry" I said looking into the teacup.

" Promise you will never let anyone including Janet or Kindred to disrespect you. Make you feel little" Dad said drinking the tea. I nod and stay quiet as he started to talk about his newest discovery.

The next couple of days I stayed home after my blood work came back off from stress. I hide away from everyone only speaking to my mom, dad, and text and phone calls from KP. I planned not too obsessed but by day two of my week off, I look and look till my finger got numb of Janet and Popi social media. Folks in Easter Hills, New Mexico wasn’t smart. From what was a bus of 25/30 of my peers slowly becoming the whole school in a matter of days. Everyone praising about Trippe. If it was not about that stupid drug it was dead inside pictures of Janet smiling or as of Thursday at 4:36 pm food. I thought about speaking to her but each time by the second ring I hang up.

Mrs. Ethan was the town vet and all-around queen of gossip. We both have a love to talk about the endless amount of facts and news around the world. She had a job and a life I admire minus the gossip and heavy wine drinking. Today she was allowing me to take the lead of performing an emergency C section on a third-place local star Bichon Frise Mr.Fuzzy Bear.

“ Now Issac remembers gentle across right there till your right here” Mrs. Ethan said standing beside me as I slowly made the incision across the lower abdomen. After each step, I ask a few questions and checking everything I was doing was right. 

Inside Mr. Fuzzy Bear after the chew toy was this strange clear like glitter goo. I reach down and look at his pupils which were highly diluted for the meds with gave him to sleep. Mrs. Ethan was taking care of some paperwork in her office so I grab a few test tubes and draw a bit of blood. Nothing is more important than checking all your boxes. After I scoop out all the strange goo out of him I stitch him up and put him in a cage for later.

“ Yes thank you. Oh yes. I will be coming that way on the fifth of next month. Thank you let me know when you got the payment” Mrs. Ethan said. After the end of the call, she spins in her chair kicking and cheering out loud. 

“ Found some blurry treasure. Mrs. Ethan” I said leaning by the doorway with my legs cross one another.

“ Yes. A seller I know in New York came across a set of six large 1970s green glass Italian Chianti bottles. Only roughly 3,000. He gonna hold it for me for two weeks. Huh heaven, Issac heaven” She said full of glee.

“I thought you just like expensive wine ?” I asked. She once shows me her prize-winning collection of wine in her underground cellar with over 50,000 dollars worth. Even my parents were impressed which is a very hard thing to do.

 “ Yes. But honey a girl can never have too many toys and finer things in life. Like that boy toy of yours. Seeing him soon right” Mrs. Ethan said with a wink. Before I could tell her anything she ways already on the phone to give the good news to her husband. I would have told her after my dad ban any date night I have not seen KP yet well besides the two times he hike up the side of the house to my window to cuddle with me or how I cried into his arms one night about how rude Janet was to me. 

School felt different from the week I missed. Was it the scent in the air the vibe that was off. Something that did not fit right. Mr. Lopez was the 1st to check on me which I could not hear much of because people were talking about Trippe or what was for lunch. Even Mr. Lopez who acts like no one noticed had a neon pink little baggie poking out from his briefcase.

Me: Save me I feel I jump fell right into the Twilight Zone.

Mi Amor: Baby lmao. I am sure its nothing. 

Me: Ur right. Thnx xx I have lunch wish me good luck.

I pulled tight to my backpack and pull right through the double metal doors. I put a lot more effort today in what I look like out of my dresses and overalls with a pair of baby blue flared jeans with a thick black melt and a red long sleeve crop top that wasn’t one from it being two sizes too big. The lines on for food were three times longer than usual. And there wasn’t much talking like there usually is. I just did not feel like the Easter Hills High that I been going to for four years now. What made it more strange seeing Janet hunch over like she was a prisoner. Her hair wasn’t done like it usually is. Flat and lifeless and she has dark bags under her eyes. Worried was not the word for it. There wasn’t one.

  “Hey J. Long time no see huh pickle breathe” I said kicking a pretend rock with my black velvet Superga platform sneakers. Janet did recognize me at first no one did. So I got closer and poke her shoulder a few times. By the fifth poke she grips tight to finger so tight I was starting to feel some pain.

“ God Jesus saint Janet. Stop your hurting me” I shouted. Everyone stops and looks at us. She slowly let go of my finger when she saw the pain in my eyes. She grabs a bottle and ran out. I called and ran after her like the good little kitten I was.

“ JANET WAIT WAIT UP” I shouted running after her.

“ Sorry okay. I did not mean to hurt you. Issac” Janet said looking down at the ground. I shook my head and came up to her and lifted her chin up so she can look at me. At first look, her eyes look like how Mr. Fuzzy Bear’s eyes looked. Glazed over. 

“Hey no. I am worried about you. Is everything okay? Did you and Popi get into a fight?” I tried to say but halfway my voice started to crack. We had this way and something was telling me something was wrong. “ Janet. I am worried about you and what this magnesium. Janet, maybe we should ta-” I was cut off by Janet.

“ Look I was a 90s bitch to you. And I screwed up. I hated that I said those things. The week you were gone and we did not talk suck. But I and Popi are fine and if I don’t go now I won’t be able to take some Trippe before classes. And it is no big deal it is just a short cut. I call you later” Janet said then ran off. Something was not right and I knew no one but me was going to be able to figure it out.

[lullabieswrappedinlies]

Boston Boys [Part Eleven]

Summary: John tells his brother about his relationship with Aurelie; Chris discusses Elsa’s shop visit with his sister. Pairing: Chris Evans x OFC, John Krasinski x OFC Word Count: 1919 Chapter Warnings: Angst? Square Filled: The entire series (well, bits and pieces of it) will fill my Crossover square for @marvelfluffbingo​​. A/N: This story contains a character who lost her hearing as she got older. I do work closely and regularly with the D/deaf community (I’m a sign language interpreter), but my own hearing problems do not involve significant hearing loss. It is not my intention to offend anyone, only to bring in a character with a quality I don’t see often in other fics. If you have questions about her, feel free to ask :)

Boston Boys Masterlist

Glancing at his watch, John winced. If he didn’t leave soon, he was going to miss his appointment. The bar was starting to pick up, but a close friend was coming to cover for him, and he had his two best bartenders working the counter. Along with some seasoned waitresses, he was sure that everything was going to run smooth, even in his absence.

Jenna Fischer, a longtime friend he had known since grade school, knocked on the doorframe of the office before hurriedly shedding her jacket. “Hey, sorry I’m cutting it close! The babysitter was late.”

“No worries,” John assured, “I really appreciate you being here. Cash for the sitter is in an envelope in the desk, as promised. Ed and Rainn are at the bar, Kate and Mindy are waitressing. You should be covered with the five of you, but if you hit an emergency, let me know, I’ll come back.”

Jenna finished hanging up her coat and purse. “We’re gonna be fine, John. You’ve got important things to do.”

“Yeah, they are important,” John agreed. He kissed her cheek, then rushed out to meet his brother.

Paul was already waiting in front of the jewelry store. John yelled his name and waved, jogging to catch up to where his brother was standing.

“Sorry, Jenna was running behind.”

“Don’t worry about it, I got here only a couple seconds ago. You gonna tell me why we’re here?”

John nodded. “Yeah, over dinner. Let’s go inside here, first.”

Paul shrugged and followed his brother into the store. They browsed over necklaces and earrings, the usual diamond solitaire engagement rings.

“Is that what you’re looking for?” Paul asked, surprised that his brother hadn’t even told him much about this girl, let alone that he was thinking about getting married.

“Something like it,” John said, taking in a deep breath. “It’s complicated, but I want to make a lot of promises to this girl. Big promises.”

“Who is this girl, Johnny?”

John pursed his lips. “Her name is Aurelie. She’s a trauma doctor at MassGen. She’s amazing. She’s deaf, but we communicate fine -- her cochlear implant works well, I’m learning to sign. She has a little hearing in one ear. Most importantly, though, when I’m with her, none of the family shit matters.”

“She sounds like a winner,” Paul congratulated, clapping his brother on the back. “So, let’s find her something she really deserves.”

John smiled. He was going to enjoy his brother’s happiness for him while he could. It took another forty-five minutes, but he spotted exactly what he was looking for. After making his purchase, he and Paul headed to a restaurant for dinner.

“All right,” Paul prompted after they had their beers and were waiting on their food. “Tell me what’s so complicated with the doc.”

John licked his lips. “Her family doesn’t exactly approve of our relationship, I guess you could say.”

“Why not? There’s no reason not to like you, brother.”

“It’s not me, exactly,” John sighed, “but our whole family.”

“They’ve never met us.”

Running a hand through his hair, John leaned forward on the table. “Paul, you really gonna make me come out and say it?”

Paul raised his brow and shrugged.

“All right then.” John chugged down half his beer, then set the glass back down and leaned forward again. “Her mom was married to Robbie Evans.”

The information took several seconds for Paul to process. About the time the realization sunk in, their food came. Paul was silent while the waiter set the plates in front of them. He looked anywhere but at his brother. Once the waiter was out of earshot, Paul leaned forward, too.

“I know you’ve always wanted out, but this isn’t the way to do it, you know. Let the Evans family find out. Let Downey find out. You’re done for, Johnny.”

John shook his head. “It’s been going on for months and no one knows -- Jenna knows. That’s it. And it isn’t about getting out, P. I wanted her before I realized who her family is -- she knows who my family is, of course. It doesn’t matter, to either of us. I want as much of a life with her as I can have. She’s distanced from them pretty well, which makes it that much easier.”

“I’m glad you’re happy,” Paul ceded, “but you know Chris is gonna kill you when he finds out.”

John snorted. “Yeah, I’m aware of that.”

“Listen. You give her that ring, you better make sure you’re ready for the commitment you’re asking her to make, and for the risk you’re both taking. I’m happy for you. I am. You tell Kev when you’re ready, and Ma. Just make sure that you’re sure she’s worth it.”

Finally, John had a reason in the conversation to smile. “She’s worth it. She’s more than worth it.”

Paul smiled, too. The brothers dug into their meals and put the serious conversation behind them.

Her lunch break couldn’t come fast enough today. Aurelie could feel that summer virus sneaking up on her, and she was trying to work as many hours as possible before she had to start giving up shifts. Chris had messaged earlier that he wanted to talk, so when she got the chance, she headed to meet him in the cafeteria.

“Scarlett knows.”

Aurelie frowned and her heart stopped. “Knows what?”

“About Elsa.” A breath of relief. “She surprised me at the shop. None of the others remember her, but Scarlett of course remembers her. Warned me that Elsa’s gonna find out sooner or later.”

“She’s not wrong.”

Chris pursed his lips. “Thanks for the encouragement.”

“When have I ever sugar-coated things for you? I told you from the time I saw you two together in Attleboro that you’re taking a risk. I know that you love her, Chris, but you hurt her before you really met her.”

“I’m gonna tell her.”

“How? When?” Aurelie looked to the ceiling before looking back at her brother. “You’ve set yourself up in a bad situation. You’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t. I know this all sounds negative, but I don’t want you to be heartbroken in the middle of all of this, too.”

Chris frowned and reached out for his sister’s hand. “Hey, hey. Why’re you crying? You never cry. I don’t remember the last time I saw you cry.”

Aurelie swiped at the traitorous tears with her free hand. “You don’t understand how important you are to me. You’re putting yourself in the middle of one hell of a mess. You’re putting your entire life at risk.”

“I get that.” He let go of her hand. “After my birthday, I’m going to meet Elsa’s family in New York. She’s already there. After a few days with her family, we’re going to spend a week in Maine. Before we come home, I’m gonna tell her. I don’t know how yet, but I don’t want to hide this from her. I’m falling for her, and I can’t tell her I love her if it’s not clean.”

“Well, I’m proud of you for that, anyway.”

They talked for a while longer, while Aurelie finished her food. She had a feeling it wasn’t going to settle well, but she didn’t know if that was because of the virus, or the overwhelming guilt at telling Chris to be honest when she was still hiding secrets from him.

Happy birthday, big brother. Don’t have too much fun tonight.

Aurelie sent the text, then put her phone back in her bag. She was in the passenger seat of John’s car, heading toward the diner in Attleboro. They had gone out together several times in Boston, without incident, but the fear of someone from either of their families finding them together was too much to allow them to enjoy their time together. From then on, they had agreed to only go out together in Attleboro, and otherwise spend their time together at one house or the other.

Thanks, sis. I’ll be careful. Talk soon.

The text message reply from Chris pulled Aurelie back to the present. With a deep breath and a long exhale, she smiled at John.

“It’s Chris’s birthday. They’re having a big thing over at Stan’s Pub.”

John took her hand. “Do you wish you were there?”

Aurelie thought about that carefully before she answered. She squeezed his hand and assured, “Nah. I’m right where I wanna be.”

John smiled back at her and continued on the drive. By the time they arrived in Attleboro, Aurelie was quiet and her thoughts far away again. John helped her out of the car; Aurelie frowned.

“Are they open?”

“Yeah, they’re open.” He tossed his head in the direction of the diner. “C’mon.”

Lacing her fingers through his, Aurelie followed behind John into the place. It was mostly empty, and the lights were dimmed. The same table where they had sat for their first date here was set with candles and short-stem roses in the center. Aurelie’s thoughts came back down to earth, and she grinned.

“Is it just us?” she asked.

“It’s just us,” John confirmed.

He motioned for her to sit across from him in the booth, and the waitress brought them water glasses right away, followed by two glass flutes and a bottle of champagne. John popped the cork and poured some for both of them. The waitress took their orders, then left them to their private conversation.

“I’m sorry to ask so many questions,” Aurelie began, “but are we celebrating something I’m not aware of?”

John chuckled. “Just celebrating us. There’s a lot we still have to overcome if we want to move forward, but I want to do that with you. I want to move forward with you.”

Aurelie took another deep breath; it was all she could do in the moment to keep breathing. “I want to move forward with you, too.”

“That’s the best thing you could say,” he said, nodding. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a jewelry box; when he opened it, Aurelie was taken with the pretty ring seated inside. “I’m not -- this is not what you might think it is. I mean, it is, but not in the traditional sense. I’m not just proposing marriage, I’m proposing a future. Being together wherever we want. Moving in together. Getting married and having kids, eventually. I’m promising you, Aurelie, that I’m here for you, for the future. Whatever it may bring. I love you, kid.”

Aurelie wiped a tear from her eye. She was doing far too much crying lately, but her heart was hanging on every word John said -- and living by the parts that he had picked up enough vocabulary to sign. “I love you, too, Johnny.”

John’s smile was the stuff of pure happiness. He took her hand and pushed the ring onto the appropriate finger. Aurelie smiled down at the ring, staring at it for so long, she didn’t even notice the waitress delivering their food to the table. Her thoughts were reeling and by the time she could tear her eyes from the ring, she knew that she had to be honest with John.

“Are you happy?” John asked.

Aurelie nodded. “Indescribably happy. But, John, before we get too far into tonight, there’s something I have to tell you.”

His smile began to fade as he nodded and dragged his hand over his face. “Yeah. I’ve got something to tell you, too.”

Tags: @themtbmbgirl​​​ @keithseabrook27​​​​ @ulovemelightsout​​​​ @rosie2801​​​​ @professorkrasinski​​​​

[obx-adventures]

The Fall

Summary: Grace just moved from Figure Eight to the Cut. She never expected to run into her old friend, Kiara, and discover she lives next door to JJ Maybank.

Catch up on Ch 1

——

Chapter 2

“Mom, I’m home.” Grace sets down her keys and kicks off her shoes in relief. She’s been working almost every day at The Wreck since JJ asked Kiara if they were hiring.

It’s been 3 weeks and 2 days since she officially became a Pogue. Everyday has been spent with them either before or after her shifts and today is no different. JJ is supposed to pick her up in 30 minutes, giving her time to check on her mom and shower before having the rest of the day to herself.

“Mom? Are you here?” Grace walks into her mom’s room and discovers her passed out on her bed with a mostly empty bottle of vodka on her bedside table. Unfortunately, this has become a common occurrence since their move a month ago. Amanda Porter has begun searching for solace at the bottom of the bottle, leaving Grace to fend for both of them.

Grace takes the vodka bottle to the bathroom with her and empties it before climbing into the shower. As she rests her head against the tiled wall, she allows a few tears to stream down her face while she thinks about her new life. Grace has reveled in having real friends for the first time but can’t help the sorrow she feels over her mom’s depression and dad’s absence. Paul Porter has never been World’s Greatest Dad material but it doesn’t make Grace miss him any less or dull the ache in her heart over not speaking with him all this time. She has tried to call or text him every day since he kicked her and her mom out but he continues to ignore her.

Grace shakes her head to snap out of her downward spiral. While she washes her hair, she reminds herself of the positive changes in her life. First and foremost are Kiara and JJ. Kiara has welcomed her with open arms into her life - introducing her to the Pogues, getting her the waitressing job at The Wreck, and reminding her everyday that she has a new family. JJ is a horse of a different color. He constantly surprises her with his thoughtfulness and sense of humor but he doesn’t treat her differently because of her home situation. Grace catches herself watching him more often than she cares to admit and still feels tingly when he touches her. But what’s weird is how she’s pretty sure she feels him watching her too when she’s talking with someone else.

Grace towels off and gets dressed quickly when she notices that JJ will be there any minute. As if summoned by her thoughts, she hears the van pull up in front of her house. Before leaving, Grace leaves a note and glass of water for her mom but is almost certain that she’ll still be passed out when Grace gets home later.

“Hi, JJ. Thanks for picking me up.” Grace clambers into the van and smiles at JJ. He’s been watching her closely over the past couple weeks and knows this isn’t her real smile, which is bright enough to warm JJ’s heart from a mile away.

“What’s wrong?” He reaches over to clasp her hand and feels the familiar spark that he’s beginning to associate only with her.

“Just a long shift. I’m ok. What’s on the agenda for today?” JJ studies her face and decides that there is something more there but doesn’t push her. He’s growing accustomed to her reserved demeanor, which has been a bigger adjustment than he thought.

All the Pogues are really open with each other about their good, bad, and stupid thoughts and feelings. But Grace is different and JJ is trying his best to give her the space she needs to open up to him.

“Well if you want me to bring you home early tonight, just let me know. Or you can take a nap at JB’s. Or crash there tonight. Whatever you want.” JJ silently cursed himself for sounding so frazzled. What is it with this girl?!

“JJ, I told you that you don’t have to drive me home every night. I’ve gotten used to The Cut and can just walk like I do after my shifts.”

“You’re walking home after work?! Kie said she was driving you.”

“She usually does but there are days when we don’t work the same shifts. It’s not a big deal.”

“Yes it is. Let me know what days she can’t drive you home and I’ll pick you up.”

“That’s silly! I am perfectly capable of walking by myself.”

“Not the point. It’s not safe.”

“What are you talking about? You know this neighborhood better than I do and you know no one in The Cut would hurt me.” JJ finds himself backed into a corner. He doesn’t want Grace to end up running into his dad on her way home but he doesn’t want her to know that either.

“Grace, please... most of our neighbors are great and we all look out for each other but there are a couple people who I don’t want you to run into. Please trust me and let me protect you.”

Grace is taken aback by the desperation in JJ’s voice. This is the closest he’s come to explaining to her what he’s worried about and she can’t help thinking that this is personal to him. The pleading look in his cerulean eyes is enough to get her to nod in agreement.

“Thank you.” He notices that his hand is still holding hers and softly brushes his thumb over her delicate skin. She fidgets nervously and her cheeks flush pink. When he’s driving to the Chateau moments later, he can’t help thinking the pink tinge was the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.

——

Grace tumbles out of bed at 1:30am when she’s woken up by insistent knocking on her window. She immediately thinks back to JJ’s alarm earlier in the day upon discovering that she’s walked through The Cut without him and worried that he was right. She tentatively approaches her window and sighs in relief when she recognizes JJ’s blond locks. She opens the window quickly, confusion quickly replacing relief.

“JJ, what the hell are you doing here?” When he turns to look at her, she gasps at his bloodied face. “Oh my God! What happened?”

“Look, I’m really sorry to wake you up but can you please let me in? Fast?” Grace lifts up the window screen so JJ can climb through. Once he’s inside, she leads him to the bathroom to clean him up.

She begins to silently clean his wounds while JJ watches her anxiously. Grace jumps when she hears a man bellowing out in front of her house.

“You little son of a bitch! You can’t run from me for long! Get your ass back here and face me like a man!” She looks to JJ, hoping for an explanation for all of this, but is saddened to see his face drooping in defeat. Before she can second guess herself, she pulls him in for a hug and holds him close until he hugs her back. She feels tears dropping onto her exposed shoulder and holds him tighter.

“That bastard is my father...” Grace continues to hold JJ as he tries to explain. “I don’t even know what I did this time.” Grace turns her head to kiss his cheek and tries to think of how to respond.

“I’m so sorry... I’m glad you felt you could come here.”

“Please don’t tell the others. JB knows and I’m sure Pope and Kie suspect but I don’t want to get into the details and see their pity. I didn’t even want you to know... I usually go the Chateau when this happens... but I needed... it doesn’t matter.”

Grace pulls back to study his face, desperate to understand how she can help him. JJ reluctantly meets her eyes and is surprised to only find concern. They hold each other’s gazes for a minute and jump apart when Grace’s mother bursts into the bathroom.

“Who the hell are you?” Amanda slurs at JJ. The pungent smell of alcohol rolling off her.

“Uh, mom, this is my friend JJ. Remember, I told you about him. I met him through Kiara.” Grace refuses to look at JJ, despite feeling his eyes on her, while her mom tries to process the half-ass introduction.

“What is he doing here? It’s late.”

“He got hurt and didn’t have any first aid supplies at his house. We’ll get out of here so you can use the bathroom.” Grace walks out of the bathroom without even a glance at JJ. She hears him mumble hello to her mom and leads him into the kitchen to continue cleaning him up. She regrets this decision quickly when she sees the empty alcohol bottles next to the garbage can.

JJ is more than a little confused by the turn of events. He went from worry about what Grace would think of him to worry for Grace in a matter of minutes. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, he tries to talk with her.

“Grace, were you worried about your mom when I picked you up this afternoon?”

“Uh... yea... She was already passed out when I got home from work.” JJ has to inch closer to her to hear what she’s saying. He’s learned that she gets really quiet when she’s embarrassed or anxious so he tries to lighten the mood.

“And here I was planning on giving Kie’s dad a piece of my mind for working you so hard.” When Grace remains silent as she works on cleaning the last cut on his face, he catches her hand in his and lifts her chin with his other hand. “Listen, I’m here for you if you need to talk. You heard my dad, he wasn’t exactly sober. To be honest, he hasn’t been since my mom left us. But we can take care of each other, ok?”

JJ’s words cause Grace’s internal dam to break. She breaks down against his chest and, for the first time in her life, allows someone else to support her. He runs his hand up and down her back as she sobs and soon starts crying with her. When both of their tears run dry, they head back into Grace’s room, both feeling a little awkward.

“Do you want to stay here tonight? I don’t want you going home if you’ll be in danger.” Grace’s offer surprises both of them but JJ quickly accepts.

After getting settled in her bed, JJ turns to Grace and brushes her hair out of her face. He lets his hand rest tenderly on her cheek and gently slides his thumb back and forth until she falls asleep. He watches her sleep for a while and tries to figure out what is happening between them. JJ has had crushes before but this feels different and is a little disconcerting. But when Grace starts mumbling in her sleep, he can’t help but smile and feel thankful to have her in his life. Her slow, deep breaths soothe him and he eventually drifts off feeling at peace.

Ch 3

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[ladyshandioftheendless]

~KISS AU writings 34~

Well I haven’t updated this one in a while! But I suddenly got a wave of inspiration! Heh heh..wave.. I’ll just see myself out. XD

~Shandi

As requested @smokeandmirrorz is on the permanent tag list for every new update! If you’d like to be on the list let me know! <3

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~SIREN AU Part 3~

Featured Pairing: Ace Frehley/Paul Stanley

Special Guest: Peter Criss

Summary: After their last encounter Ace never expected the merman to return..but... (told from Ace’s POV)

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When I finally wake up again my head is pounding. I groan and sit up. The tub is empty. Where did he go?! He couldn’t have just gotten up and walked out of here..he’s got no legs! Guess he must’ve had some kind of magic..or somethin’. I dunno. I can’t be sure that wasn’t all just a hallucination. That does happen sometimes when I drink too much. But..it couldn’t have been. I remember finding him washed up on the beach. I remember picking him up and bringing him inside. He was real! Ah well..even of he was I’ll probably never see him again. He was scared out of his mind. I remember the frightened look on his face. And that scream. I groan again and hold my head. Definitely time for the extra strength aspirin.

When I go downstairs I hear someone banging on the door. Frantically. Fuck..I do not need to hear this. Not with the monster migraine I have. I go to the door and open it. It’s Petey. Who else would it be? “Geez why don’t you use a battering ram while you’re at it!” 

“Where the hell’ve you been?! I must’ve called ya about 50 times! I thought you might be dead!” 

“Can you stop yelling? My head already feels like it’s gonna split open..it doesn’t need your help.” 

“Oh, so you drank yourself into a coma again. I shoulda known.” 

I go ahead and let him think that. I’m not about to tell him I had a pretty fishman in my bathtub. He’ll probably wanna have me committed or somethin’. I just wave him off and go into the kitchen. Fortunately my trusty bottle of aspirin is still on the table. I fill a glass with water and swallow a couple pills. Now to wait for them to start working. “I worry about you a lot, man..” Petey says, going over to my coffee maker. “I wanna help but I can’t if you won’t talk to me.” I sigh. “I appreciate it..I really do..but there’s nothin’ you can do.” 

“How do you know?!” 

Actually..that’s a damn good question. I hate it when he’s right sometimes. “Yeah..I guess I don’t. I mean..if you wanna come over more often..that’d be nice.” He pats my shoulder. “All you had to do was ask. I can come over whenever I’m able to. I’ll be sure to call ahead first alright?”

“Yeah..that’s cool~” 

Petey stays for the rest of the day. We talk, we have coffee. It’s nice to have someone here to fill the emptiness of this big place, even if it is just temporary. When he leaves it all comes crashing back again. I think about maybe bringing a girl home but it’s not the same. So I go out to the beach for a walk. The colors in the sky are beautiful around sunset. The water and the sand feel nice against my feet. It’s perfect~ Off in the distance I see something..shiny. I think it’s just my eyes playing tricks on me at first, but when it happens again I wade into the water to try to get a closer look. Fortunately the tide is out so I don’t have to worry about getting swept away. I just..gotta know what that is. It feels like something’s compelling me. I hear a sound..an echoing, haunting sound..like someone singing. It draws me in. Relaxes me. There’s someone sitting on a boulder near the edge of the dock. I see long, dark curly hair. Scales shimmering it what’s left of the sunlight. A tail. It’s him. 

“You came back~” 

He turns and looks at me. His big, dark eyes are full of..regret..? Is he sorry for what he did? “Did you..come back to apologize..?” He nods. He can understand me after all~ I just shrug. “Don’t worry about it, Starfish..I get why you were scared. In a strange place with a strange human..I’d be freaked out too~” He leans forward and strokes my cheek, mouthing silent words. His hand is..very clammy, but it’s to be expected considering what he is. I climb up onto the boulder to sit next to him. I can’t leave him now..especially since he made the effort to come see me. He watches the sun set with his head on my shoulder. I watch him. He’s so fuckin’ pretty..and I think I’m falling for him~

To be Continued!!