#poor gabe was feeling shitty all day

[rosemariad]

Supernatural season 14

Oh boy!

So Alt-Michael has taken over Dean’s body and absconded to parts unknown - what an unprecedented plot twist who could’ve possibly seen this coming, certainly not Dean, the one guy who doesn’t trust angels and has a history of being short-sighted & making shitty deals.

Since this is season 14, and there’s only 1 more season after this, I presume Dean will never grow out of these bad qualities 🤦🏾‍♀️, so…moving on.

Check you out Sam, leading your new band of hunters, like some sort of Hunters Incorporated©️. I’m glad Sam gets to spend more time with his mom, but he won’t let her take care of him 😔😭

Was it me or did that Michael & Anael scene feel like Jensen x Danneel role play 🤣 - at least when he caressed her face. Like really bro? I don’t think the scene would’ve played out that way if the actors weren’t actual husband and wife 🤣

Shoutout to Supernatural for keeping Mark Pellegrino employed lol 😂😂 cuz I don’t see Why the fuck he’s still around if the devil is supposedly dead - wasn’t Mark P. also doing 13 reasons why around this time?? Anywho, Nick, luci’s longtime vessel, isn’t dead???? What does Nick have that jimmy novak didn’t (or literally any other angel vessel for that matter) — plot convenience? That must be it 🤣🤣🤣

Cas honey, why are you letting these demons beat you up? Cuz Dean is gone on your watch? cuz im sorry there’s no way im believing Cas was weaker than all them demons. That’s also plot convenience IDGAF!

After yet another demon-hunter showdown, Mary and Bobby are spotted sharing a beer & flirting…I wish John were around to see this AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Oh Jack, poor guy feels worthless for having no power. He should’ve been like ‘Castiel what’s it like being worthless?’ since that was Castiel’s arc for a minute too, which again fuck Supernatural for. Cas had like 1 badass moment last season when he fried Donatello’s brains but that’s it. Meanwhile Nick totally called Cas out, bringing up Jimmy again and driving that guilt straight into Castiel.

Alt-Michael is recruiting?? Brief Dean cameo in 14x02, you give him like 2 lines, wow 😒. Even Sam got more screen time in 5x22 swan song…but Dean suddenly comes back at the end of the episode???? Nah, bullshit!

Also lol karma for Dean in 14x02 when Jack is like, ‘Dean doesn’t matter’, Michael has to be stopped. Ahahahahahahaha. He was the so called pragmatist when it came to Jack, now it’s Jack’s turn. Castiel’s face when jack said it tho…

Dean got stabbed by AU Kaia? What?? Oh look yet another instance of Dean running away from his problems and pain and being a dick to Kaia (though she's technically a different person) again! Good for you tho AU Kaia for giving Dean a taste of his own medicine and telling him off.

Bobby leave Sam alone, I’m here for his captain my captain era. The lovable giant is doing his best!

So some necromancer gets away from Jack & Dean but we’re not gonna see her again, right??? There’s just a little over 30 episodes left in the show at this point. They probably didn’t know that at the time though.

Shoutout to the devil for basically condemning his child to die from a lack of grace :/ while Cas was able to survive (cuz plot convenience most likely) Jack as a nephilim was unable to do so. Gabe’s spare angel grace couldn’t help (I wonder if he were still alive in canon, if it would’ve made a difference. Oh well).

So this is where Cas made the deal with the empty (yes I know about it, how doesn’t everyone that shit went viral the very night it originally aired amidst the infamous nail-biting 2020 election week), tumblr is still serving the memes to this day.

Cas doesn’t want the Winchesters to know cuz Dean 😭 idc, if I was Jack I would NOT keep that secret. Dean would know IMMEDIATELY.

I think more angels died, but heaven hasn’t fallen yet…right? They keep coming back to that. Hm…

Nick’s arc is…bleh. Pretty sure in his desperation he just brought Luci back from the empty…welp. I guess when you’re an archangel who was predestined by God to fight in a fateful epic battle against your big bro, you just get certain perks in the afterlife 😒

Sam doesn’t want Alt-Charlie to go when its like bro! She. Is. Not. Charlie!!! For fuck sake guys SMH, let her live her fucking life! God forbid she want to run away to fucking safety and not die bloody like her counterpart 🤬

Bobby and Mary run off to a cabin for weeks on end 😏😂 to recuperate, sure Mary 🤣

Garth is back! Working as a spy for the Winchesters, oh dear Lord no. I know he makes it to season 15 but maaaan I don't like this….

The nerve of Dean to challenge Alt-Kaia to either hand over the weapon or kill her. What if she just killed him? Also, can't they just replicate the weapon for their own uses? All they would need to do is ensure they're using the same materials Kaia did when she forged the weapon in her own world.

How many hits to the head is Sam supposed to fuckin' take? I feel like it's happened more in this season alone than the entire show so far? He should probably be dead at this point 🤣

Jack got taken, oh no! why didn't Michael kill him? To take him as a ward? Seriously? Whatever.

And it turns out the past episode was a long con to get Dean right where Alt-Michael wanted him. I know there was a catch to him letting Dean go in 14x02.

So Alt-Michael chose to trap Dean in…contentment? With Pamela Barnes? And they weren't even a couple, just friends. She called him out on something.

Why not have him be with a real girlfriend of his, like Lisa or even Cassie? I’m supposed to believe Dean's dream is an unsuccessful bar living out his days with a platonic lady friend??? Really??? Bullshit!

John returns for the final time to go back to 2003? Okay. His hair is cut and grayish. Lol so I’m gonna see that as John gained some weight (from food/drink or muscle training idc) and dyes his hair black but the root are grey and come out every so often 🤣 but yay JDM I wish you had been in more episodes! Oh well.

So no one’s gonna talk about:

a) Adam’s existence

b) Bobby X Mary or how Bobby essentially replaced john as the father/husband by getting involved with Mary AND being a surrogate father to Sam & Dean (with a clear preference to Dean but whatever)

I’d care more about Sam & John’s convo if we had more time with them together on screen. But it was nice to see them squash their beef.

Dean & John’s convo was faaaar too brief. But insightful to their relationship. John wanted dean to have a family, echoing his wishes for his eldest in season 1 in his convo w/ Sam.

But Dean was like I have a family 🥺 my emotions!

Back to the Michael bullshit – a fight with a gorgon fucked up his containment so he literally broke out of Dean's body and killed all the hunters who were conveniently at the bunker when they brought an unconscious Dean back there. Even poor unfortunate Maggie. For a second I thought Mary would be there since Maggie mentioned she was on her way back but no, he ended up possessing Rowena.

Then they bring the old angel torture device of disabling our heroes' ability to breathe, like in the season 5 premiere, making them blind (that's new) and making them hurt.

Jack gets his chance to take Michael down, and takes his grace??????

Oh Sam bby, it's not your fault. Those people were doomed no matter what. TBH I'm surprised they lasted this long. But cuz he's a Winchester and he was raised by Dean & they've rubbed off each other too much at this point (nobromo), he decides to focus on yet another case even when Dean himself isn't willing since big bro has pointed out they have done 3 cases back to back. They're not the young men they used to be lol.

Cas goes with Sam to a milkshake town and given his legendary levels of awkwardness he's immediately seen and called out for his inherent queerness by the townsfolk (in all senses of the word).

Aw Sam wants to stay, ofc he does. This town is simple and peaceful. He could use some of that. Too bad this place is making people's heads explode.

This is why we can't have nice things.

Ah subtle there Supernatural, making Jack, a Nephilim who's the offspring of the devil himself choose between angel and devil food cake 🤣 Dean why would you put him in that position?

Cas why you gotta be snitching on Sam to your boy bestie like that 🤣 – typical boyfriend tomfoolery

Oftentimes since Jack started in this show, he's felt like an intern and 14x16 is one of those times. They don't wanna bring jack along so they think to leave him alone doing chores. Good Lord.

Oh honey Sam you didn't have to tell the sheriff you're not FBI, just stick to the monster stuff. He knows what's up.

And Jack sweetie pie you don't need to impress those kids. He should be hanging out with kids his own age. Just Jack with a bunch of babies 🤣. So cute! My headcanon is that he can actually talk to them. At least then it wouldn't have ended with a stabbing. Thankfully he cleaned up his mess, even though the local kids are terrified of him. It’s a shame he doesn’t have friends. If only he was allowed to have Claire in his life.

They finally resolved the Nick storyline (I hope) by killing him off via Jack but Mary is not happy. She’s concerned. She’s been concerned about him the whole frickin episode since he sassed her as they tried setting up a game night with Dean.

It’s like these people keep forgetting what Jack is capable of.

He didn’t have to relish the kill though. On the other hand, it felt like Mary’s concern was a bit much — if it were me I would’ve kept my mouth shut as to not upset a powerful fledging being into killing me by accident.

So Mary dies…again.

This is also why we can’t have nice things. I know Dean’s never gonna let this shit go. Sure Cas has fucked up a bunch, but killing a direct blood relative of Dean’s…nope. That’s unforgivable. I know they’re not gonna let Dean kill off a kid but I know he’s NEVER ever gonna forget Jack’s role in Mary’s (second) demise.

Why couldn’t you leave the boy alone Mary?!?!?!!?!

The boys show up, did they not circle back to pick up their mother? Seriously? Goodness Lord. So depressing watching the brothers just assuming their mommy’s coming back 😭

Cas (cuz of course this shit went tits up while Daddy was away) calls Dean to get caught up on what happened the last episode and is concerned that the Winchesters left their mom alone with Jack. Then why did you leave him Cas? You could’ve taken him with you. Like it would’ve been better if one of the brothers was alone with Jack? Badasses they may be, but they would’ve ended up just like Mary let’s be honest. The only difference would’ve been whichever brother got got would’ve come back. Mary will not be getting that special treatment…

Jack is tripping out since he murdered his foster G-maw - ends up flying all over the world (so his soul is definitely gone? But if it were gone, would he even care about killing Mary? everyone’s trying to track him down IDK why he doesn’t just destroy the phone he has. We get flashes of Mary & Jack’s time together and technically I believe she spent the most time with him (at least in season 13)

They’re still giving Mark P work on this show making him the manifestation of Jack’s subconscious cuz the kill is driving Jack insane 😭🥺 He’s reacting so much like a little boy who knows he fucked up it that makes this so much sadder 😭 Jack’s being driven mad with grief.

Oh fuck they’re going to where she died. Oh fuck.

WTF is wrong with these people! He’s a fucking boy! A super power nuke of a boy, but still a fucking boy! Like the Winchesters never made a mistake! What about the nurse who got killed in 4x22 by Sam? All the people Dean slaughtered under the MoC, as a demon! That’s just off the top of my head! No but cuz they’re the fucking protagonists 😡🤬

Samuel Winchester you know manipulating this child Is 5 different kinds of fucked up!

Jack why did you call it an accident! Did you not want to use the words murder? Destroyed? Obliterated?

Dean you piece of shit, why are you lying to this boy!!!!!! You know Jack’s desperate to make peace with you, and you lead him to a grave he’s never supposed to escape?! Poor thing Jack was sooo scared!

Sam, the regret is gonna eat you alive! Sam, for fucks sake, SPEAK THE FUCK UP! You clearly got shit you wanna say, fucking say it!

Dean you’re surprised Jack’s going along with it?! Of course he’s gonna go along with it, he wants to please you, you shady, manipulative BASTARD!

That’s right Castiel stand up for Jack since nobody else is willing to!

Oh boy, the celestial boy is freaking out. Claustrophobia was kicking in, this shit ain’t gonna end well. It’s a dark day when a psychological manifestation of Satan is making sense more than everyone else.

I’m not surprised Jack got out though. That box was made for an archangel and he isn’t that. He’s a nephilim, technically a different entity, right? now, the Winchesters have a pissed off mega-powerful creature on their hands. Great job team 🤣

that’s right Jack, give them a piece of your fucking mind! Fuck ‘em up queen.

Oh shit! I’ve watched this part a dozen times on YouTube, the part where jack makes the whole world tell the truth no matter what! Donald trump is canonically Crowley’s bitch! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

All hail the stapler queen! Iconic!

And God reveals Himself, what grand timing! He says He came for Cas’s prayer (but Cas prayed to Him in season 6 too, no?) but then He states the real reason for His arrival — Jack.

Meanwhile Jack went to see his real G-maw, not a good plan Jackie boy. She’s put 2+2 together that her daughter Kelly is NOT ok and now Jack has to confess the truth. (Where’s the dad? Was the actor unavailable or dead at this point?)

Sam was outed to love Celine Dion (I love her too Sammy it’s ok, her songs are AMAZING! My favorite is it’s all coming back to me now, I crush that shit in karaoke.) Dean follows a mommy blog 🤣 of course he does, probably cuz he identifies with her more & loves that her life is so full of shit (like I said, he identifies with her).

God don’t sanction lying, the real God would never do such a thing. Isn’t it like the 6th commandment, thou shall not lie? Like dude, the fuck?!

And no, writing means telling stories that are often made up but it’s not meant to deceive anybody. But Hollywood on the other hand…yeesh.

Dean breaking Chuck’s guitar 🤣

Chuck saying ‘DON’T!’ Having Dean shook 🤣

Why are you asking them how things are, like you don’t know?! You’re omnipotent!

They canonically made the British queen a lizard? Damn. These old Americans (the writers) are dicks!

Finally Sam is speaking up! Thank God!

Dean stop blaming people, Jesus, it was an accident (Jack you phrased it sooooo poorly though)! shout out to Sam for taking it this so well cuz he’s been through too much this season alone. He lost a whole fucking army, then his mom after he got to know her this time! And the concussions! So many concussions.

Angry Cas is sooooo fucking hot 🥵 when he slammed that truck with his fist 😏

Awww the first thing he does when he sees Jack is hugs him. Jack needed that so bad!

The biggest travesty is we never got to see the SquirrelVerse!

When Sam asks if God is watching them — Sam do you even know what omnipresent means?!

It’s just like I said in season 11. God doesn’t owe anyone anything. But everyone owes Him everything. He gave everyone the freedom to choose, for better or worse. But this iteration of who God is seems to watch what people and creatures decide to do with their lives. He made the weapon to see who among Sam, Dean or Cas would take it and strike Jack down.

So ultimately when Dean tracks Jack down and Jack throws Cas into a tombstone and Sam is running dramatically to stop it, Dean ultimately decides not to kill Jack. But why though? He kept talking shit about how Jack needed to be dealt with, but when the moment comes, he won’t do it?! I mean I’m glad but it doesn’t really make sense?!

Was it the puppy eyes? Did Sam teach Jack that trick? But Jack closed his eyes at the last second???

Oh Dean, you’re such a fucking softie. That’s on you God. You made him softer than Mr. Pillsberry.

If anything, Dean is the step daddy. Cas is Daddy. And then there’s Uncle Sam 🤣

Sam is many things, but stupid is never one of them. Naïve maybe, trusting, desperate. But not stupid. And not crazy, this time 🤣

I will say what makes this story compelling is the fact that the Winchesters find themselves locked in a cycle of violence at the hands of their Creator, and they’re refusing to commit further acts of violence in effort to stop it all and rebel against their cruel, dispassionate maker. But they have no means to back it up…today.

Not the Burger King catchphrase🤣🤣🤣

Not Jack being…smote?

Not Dean being yeeted into another tombstone?

Sam, why did you think that was gonna work on God? He made the weapon. You really think He’d make something that could kill Himself? Nah bruh.

So we’ve approached the ending of the penultimate season. 20 more episodes to go! Ah!!!! I’m excited but also not since the ending is what I know (mildly).

Side note - Sam & Dean still don’t know about Castiel’s bargain with the Empty (kinda seems pointless since God killed Jack anyway…Cas basically fucked himself for nothing 🤦🏾‍♀️ [I know how it ends but yeah still])

It’s not about the destination though, it’s the journey (I keep telling myself that).

God said fuck y’all. Shouldn’t’ve poked the bear…now these poor innocent people gonna die like sheep to the slaughter. Y’all got a lot of cleaning up to do and with so little people to help you.

So did God undo all the killings the Winchesters did? Cuz damn….that’s 10+ years of work undone. In 1 moment.

They’re not getting out of the cycle anytime soon.

[punprincess321]

*It's a plain day at the overwatch base, Jack is working in his office when Gabe comes in*

Gabe: Jack have you seen Jesse? I can't find him anywhere.

Jack: No I haven't, have you checked the gun range?

Gabe: I checked the gun range, his room, the beach, the kitchen, Genji's room, he's nowhere to be found. I'm getting really worried...

Jack: Let's go see Winston have him check the motion sensors and cameras. *gets up and walks with Gabe to Winston's office*

---

*Winston starts checking the cameras, Jack and Gabe scan each monitor for their cowboy*

Gabe: C'mon kid, where are you?...

Jack: There! *points to the gym locker room and sees a locker rattling*

Gabe: Shit! *runs to the locker room and to the locker, Jesse's hat is on the ground crushed by what looks like a boot* Mijo! Are you in there?!

Jesse: *Sobbing in fear* HELP!

Jack: *runs in with bolt cutters and cuts the lock* I gotcha kid! *opens the door and sees Jesse standing inside the locker shaking, his face and arms are bruised, tears are pouring down his face and he's even wet himself from his fear* Oh God...

Gabe: Mijo it's okay, we're here now. *gently pulls Jesse into his arms*

Jesse: Dad... *sobs uncontrollably and clings to Gabe, Jack joins in the hug as well*

----

*A few hours later, Jesse has cried himself to sleep after a bath and trip to Angela's office to treat the few cuts he had on his body*

Gabe: *sitting on the bed petting Jesse's head* Who would do this to him?...

Jack: We'll have to check the security tapes, Jesse's too emotional to talk about it and I'd rather not make him talk about something that scared him so bad he pissed his pants...

Gabe: You're right... *kisses Jesse's head and leaves the room with Jack* Let's go see Winston again...

---

*Back in Winston's office, Jack and Gabe are rewinding that day's footage from the locker room, they stop at when Jesse is finishing getting changed after training that day*

*on tape*

Jesse: *humming as he finishes putting on his boots*

*Two soldiers approach behind him*

Soldier 1: Hey McCree, why were you doing the light training regimine and not the rough one?

Jesse: Oh... I'm still recovering from all my shots and have been feeling really shitty because of them... Reyes said I could take it easy...

*Suddenly the two soldiers start beating on Jesse before shoving him into his open locker and closing the lock*

Soldier 2: Call for your daddy you spoiled little shit! *the two of them laugh and walk out after stomping on Jesse's hat*

Gabe: *shaking in anger* Find those bastards. Now.

---

*The next day, the two soldiers are brought to Jack's office where both commanders are waiting for them*

Soldier 1: You want to see us sirs?

Jack: Yes, we recently found agent McCree trapped in his locker and when we checked the cameras, you two were the ones responsible for both his injuries and him being locked inside.

Gabe: Also you two don't seem aware of this. McCree is 17. A minor. So on top of being dishonorably discharged you will be charged for abuse of a minor.

*the two soldiers turn pale as police officers enter and cuff them before escorting them out*

Jack: Well that's taken care of... Poor Jesse, I hope nobody else is bullying him...

Gabe: I'll make sure to ask him... But right now I'm gonna go make him dinner.

Jack: I'll come help.

[curiousconch]

Chase You/Chase Me (Pt. 7)

Part 7: Round and around we go

Catch up here: Series Masterlist

Chapter Summary: The attack in McGraw Byrne's offices reveals a deeper conspiracy that runs to the top of the law firm, which Alex pursued head on. But when the dust settles, she is forced to face the music of her own troubled mind.

Book/Pairing: Choices - Laws of Attraction / Gabe Ricci x MC (Alex Keating)

Words: 2.1k+

Rating/Warnings: Mature (16+) / themes of violence, and trauma, language. Reader discretion advised.

Disclaimer: Most of the characters as well as some dialogue belong to Pixelberry. I am merely borrowing them.

A week after, New York City

Shit. Shit. Shit.

The gunman panted as he ran through the dark and unfamiliar side streets of New York, the covering on his face not helping alleviate the sense of panic overtaking him.

His current state of mind paled in comparison with how calm he walked into the offices of that freakishly bright law firm.

The task was simple - get the phone and get out.

But when he found himself face to face with the woman who'd sent his life into a whirling clusterfuck, he didn't hesitate to pull the trigger.

He missed.

A brute of a man rammed into him right before he took a shot. Who knew corporate slaves can be combative? By then he knew he was fucked. He snatched the phone then ran.

An earlier scope of the building gave him an easy way out, but the shitty maze of the streets of the business district didn't give much of a reprieve.

I fucking hate this city.

He didn't know how long he'd been running, not until he had to stop by the dead end wall in front of him.

Blue and red flashing lights caught him in a daze, his breath heavy, realizing he was boxed in by police officers in an alley.

"Freeze!" one had shouted. "Raise your arms over your head!"

He didn't have a choice. He's not willing to die for his uncle, nor take another sentence in prison. That scumbag wasn't worth it, regardless of how many times that man tried drilling the thought into his head.

I'm tired of this shit anyway. Though I'll miss the perks.

He raised his hands, then felt his knees buckle when someone kicked him from behind, forcing him to the ground. Someone pulled the ski mask off his head, his face now exposed for everyone to see.

He was the younger, spitting image of Koenig's CEO. Except for those piercing blue eyes.

Now everyone will know, he thought. Poor uncle Peter will be burned to the stakes after he spill every single sordid detail of all the crimes Max was ordered to do.

From that pretty little celebrity in L.A., the poisoned man from Oklahoma, the researchers from Massachusetts, and all of those other victims in between.

Good thing he kept all those souvenirs. He will prove to them that he was just a pawn.

The pawn that was Maximilian Koenig Cornell.

**

A few days after, Rooftop of McGraw Byrne

Alex took another hit of nicotine from the cigarette between her fingers, standing by the edge of the fancy rooftop lounge. She exhaled a plume of smoke, the friction in her throat giving herself a temporary reprieve from her chaotic state of mind.

By the rest of the world's standards, it should have been a beautiful day. The skies above her was indigo, filled with streaks of orange from the setting sun. The peacefulness of it a far cry from the storm that was brewing inside her.

Success shouldn't feel this way. She was having a hard time basking in her recent victories.

Alex was just named junior partner this morning, after successfully taking Peter Koenig and Sadie McGraw down. Max Cornell, who turned out to be Koenig's nephew slash hitman, had confessed. He revealed who really was pulling the ropes, all in the form of well-kept call logs and text messages.

The backlash of it all reached McGraw Byrne's founding partner. The same form of proof exposed Sadie's hand on the Koenig class action suit, as well as her involvement in tipping off authorities to paint Marcus Sharpe as Aliana's murderer. The intent was to veer suspicion away from Koenig, making thousands of dollars along the way.

Alex had completely unraveled the conspiracy, with the help of Aislinn and Gigi. Beau, surprisingly, was more than participative. But it was obvious for everyone at the firm who led the crackdown, and it didn't take long for recognition to come to pass.

In everyone else's eyes, she emerged the winner.

And now, when all is said and done, there was nothing to escape to.

Alex can no longer disassociate herself from the sight of the gun barrel held by the ghost she tried to forget all these years.

The sound of applause, soured only by Martin Vanderweil's display of pain-in-the-ass arrogance, should have made her want to enjoy the fruits of her labor. Instead, here she was, wallowing with herself to be overcame by old bad habits.

What happened in the library was etched in her mind, clear as day. The memory of that close encounter with death, being brought up to life by the lack of distractions, made her shudder.

Every waking hour was consumed by the man with the haunting blue eyes that meant death. Those same eyes from the past that suffocated her for so long.

A decade spent running away from them, yet they still caught up with her.

She worked so hard not to remember, not to let it bring her down, for it not to be her end game. She's at the top of the fucking career ladder, yet why can't she still have a sense of freedom?

Everything just felt wrong. She felt out of place.

Lost in her frustrations, she didn't hear the whirring of the elevator and the approaching footsteps that followed.

"Thought I'd find you here," Gabe said, stopping inches away from her.

It took everything of her not to swivel and look at him, opting to curse at herself for how her body quickly relaxed by the softness of his voice.

The storm clouding her mind instantly dissipated, leaving her bare. Gabe's presence made the oceans within her stand still, as if awaiting to be stirred.

"Didn't want to be found," she mumbled, closing her lips on the still burning stick of nicotine. Alex struggled to keep her gaze steady at the slowly darkening skyline.

I know. Gabe wanted to say. He knew that finding her here, seeking out the comfort of isolation screamed her desire to be left alone. He had seen her internal turmoil, hiding behind the air of stoicism she projected for everyone else.

That's why he was never more determined to find her. He wanted, no, needed, to be there for her.

Gabe knew he'd been a dick to walk out from her that morning in L.A., right after he admitted what he felt for her.

But there was rarely an opportunity to make it right. Whenever there was, there was no getting through her. No matter how much he tried to reach out, to make her see that he regretted his actions that day, she wouldn't let him in.

He couldn't blame her.

Gabe told himself he'd give her time, to give her space. However, fate had other plans.

He almost lost her that night, and it was a wake up call. When he watched helplessly as Cornell aimed at her, something in him shifted. He's no longer stuck in a limbo questioning who Alex was for him, or why he constantly wanted to be near her, wanting to make everything right.

He was decided to run after her, to stay with her, no matter what. He was done chasing after dreams of the past.

Alex was his future.

"Can't get rid of me easily," he settled on that reply, leaning on the glass railing beside her.

"Really?" she quipped sardonically. "I honestly didn't take you to be the staying type."

That had to sting.

He knew he'd hurt her by leaving, so he deserved that. It wasn't enough to make his resolve waver.

"I am," he insisted. "It just takes me some time to find my footing."

She lifted a hand to him. "Don't go there, Gabe. Just don't - "

"I'm not walking away from you again, Alex," he professed.

She whirled to face him with a look of sullen resignation. "I know."

Deep down, she wanted him too. But not in the fucked-up state she was in. She needed to think, she needed to recover, she needed to get a grip on herself.

But she needed to do it alone.

"I can't deal with us now, it's just.." She sighed. "Everything else that's happened is too overwhelming."

Gabe deflated.

It was the first time he heard her admit defeat. He's gotten used to seeing her fighting every step of the way, that finding her in this state of hopelessness felt alien to him. His chest tightened, hating himself on taking part of what pushed her to breaking point.

"I need to take a step back from everything, Gabe," she said, almost begging. "That includes you."

"What do you mean?"

"Can I to take some time off?" she pleaded, wrapping herself in her own arms. "I have to hit pause for now."

"For how long, Alex?" Gabe's voice was strained. She just made it clear that he wasn't what she needed.

Still he hoped. So he held his breath.

Alex thought quietly for a few moments, before looking back at him in determination. He found a semblance of the Alex he knew.

"A couple of weeks," she answered with a tone of finality.

He didn't want to. But in his heart of hearts, he had to respect her decision. He understood that even the strongest needed to heal. Even the brave Alex Keating.

"I'll arrange it," he relented, closing his fists at his sides to stop himself from reaching out to her. "Anything else?"

She hesitated, biting her lower lip before she continued. "Actually, there is one more thing."

"What is it?" Gabe watched intently as she raised her head to look at him, her mouth curved into that familiar signature smirk that he'd grown to chase after.

"Will you wait for me?"

As per her usual modus operandi, Alex took his breath away by her unpredictability. Almost immediately, Gabe wrapped his arm around her to pull her close. He raised his free hand and let his knuckles brush against her cheek.

He smiled softly, a tad afraid that by holding her this close could break her. And yet, the effect she had on him couldn't be stopped from spilling out, as if it was what he wanted to say all along.

"I've waited my whole life for you, so what's a few more weeks?"

Alex beamed at him, relieved. "I knew you'll be up for the challenge."

"Because I care about you, Alex," he whispered.

"I care about you too."

Alex then dared to take it forward.

Before he had the chance to move away, she tiptoed and surprised him with a tender kiss on the cheek.

Gabe wasn't able to react as quickly, the contact catapulting his senses. Just as his mind plunged back to the ground, she was already walking away, the clicking of her black heels syncopating along with the beating drum inside his chest.

His sight followed her until she stood by herself in the employee elevator, her brown-eyed gaze melting him with earnest affection. As the doors shut closed, so did the heart of Gabriel Ricci.

It shut down in anticipation of her return.

**

Two months later

Mind hazy and craving for Chinese food, Gabe had asked the driver to take a quick detour.

He had just flown from Los Angeles, spending two weeks to assist on a big hotel chain M&A. He got out of LaGuardia at around 10pm, and now his jet lag and empty stomach were taking its toll on him.

The car stopped at the familiar block, and he got out of the vehicle, grabbing his suitcase. He walked the rest of the way, enjoying the craziness of New York City on a Friday night.

For a minute, it reminded him of her.

He heard rumors of her coming back, but HR had been heftily secretive on all things concerning her. With the firm fidgety over Vanderweil's recent harassment lawsuits, he erred on the safe side and didn't poke further.

It didn't take long for him to find Hoi On. Once inside, he greeted the servers in flawless Cantonese, striding straight to the counter.

As he gave his order, the kitchen crew brought out a bag of hunger-inducing takeout box. He was almost tempted to bargain for it instead of waiting for another 20 minutes. Until...

"Order complete for Alex!"

Gabe froze.

His senses were instantly filled by the familiar scent of coffee and vanilla and the echoing beat of heels hitting the floor.

There was no doubt about who was approaching the counter.

He found her standing beside him, the woman he'd missed every single day since he saw her last. The powerhouse junior partner with the easy smile and confident aura.

The woman whose return Gabe eagerly waited for.

"So," Alex began. "I take it tinsel town's fusion of cuisines can't match authentic Brooklyn takeout?" she teased, smiling at him in the same red dress she wore the first time she walked into his office.

He looked down over her - closely looking at the tiny changes in her features. Regardless, she looked more beautiful, taking note of the longer, loose tendrils of brunette hair framing her face.

"No," Gabe shook his head in amazement, his lips breaking into a lopsided grin. "Everything else couldn't compare."

She chuckled. The radiance of her laughter showed Gabe she was really back, and that she was finally ready.

"I bet they couldn't," she winked.

In an instant, Gabe's heart awoke from its slumber. It's as if it knew that this time, the wait was over.

The chase has come full circle.

Author's Notes: This may be the end of this series, but Alex & Gabe will return.

How did you find it? Let me see in your comments/reblogs! Thank you! 💖

Tag list: @adiehardfan @pixelnutrookie @starryjieun @latinagiraffe @sarcastic01lily  @spookycolorpeanut @ophrookie @suitfer @thegreentwin @mkatschoicesblog @made-of-roses @lillijill @kachrisberry @weaving-in-words @peonierose @wanderingamongthewildflowers

@choicesficwriterscreations @lawsofattractionfanfiction

[13tinysocks]

Mini Mart Massacre

Nine Jeff X Reader One shot (3206K words)

Content warning for graphic gore, murder, mentions of vomit.

You’re covering for your shitty coworker’s shift again. Late night, it’s slow. A mysterious man comes in and starts killing your friends left and right. Will you live to see the end of the night?

Nine Jeff belongs to @killersnarl / @carnalhaus

“God, I can’t believe him.” You grumbled to your co-worker, putting twenty-ounce cokes in their place. 

“I know right.” Ricky mindlessly agreed. Understandable after hearing this sort of frustrated dribble from you for the fifth time this week. But you just couldn’t let it go, Shaun was really starting to piss you off. Didn’t even have the courtesy to call out of work or even ask for you to cover his shift. He just didn’t show up. Hardly had been for the past two weeks but the past few days he’d nearly dropped off the face of the earth.

Gabe said he got a text from the deserter, with a smile he told you that Shaun was in love. Good for him but if he wanted to run off with some prince charming then he better quit first so your personal time wouldn’t continuously be uprooted. Money was cool and all, you needed it to live but having to constantly cover the guy’s ass was fucking awful. You’d always gotten a weird vibe from Shaun, quiet, reserved, always stared so creepily at other people. If you didn’t know any better then you’d think he knew something about you and everyone else. Something bad. 

“Dude,” Tara called from the aisle behind you, “He’s happy. Give it a rest.”

“Well, I’m not. It’s annoying. I was gonna watch trash TV tonight but no, I gotta close with y’all. No offense.” The shift really wasn’t as bad as you made it sound. All you had to do was stock up the frozen food section with Ricky, sweep, and go home in fifteen. Tara would take care of the shelving in the aisles as there were only three that were mostly full. The Mini Mart only got enough business to stay afloat after all. Out in front was Gabe, last you saw he was leaning on the register counter and smiling at his phone.

“Some taken.” She snickered, “Really though, can you just stop being such a player hater?” 

“Yea,” Gabe called from out front, “Makes you seem bitter.”

“I am not- Whatever.” You just wanted to get home already, didn’t wanna argue about stupid shit. You could foresee yourself being short with your friends for the next few days since they were so adamant about being on Shaun’s side.

Ding-dong!

The cheerful robotic bell alerted of an unwanted customer.  From your position in the back, you couldn’t see them. A hush fell over the store, the place was closed. Little red and white sign hanging from the front door's handle said so. Guess they didn’t read it.

You could have sworn the blue fluorescents overhead started to burn a little brighter, buzz a little louder. The familiar pale blue tint only grew more saturated, the air felt thick. Dust discordantly floating about in the blue otherworldly shine. Owners really had to buy themselves better lights because this shit happened like clockwork. Every hour on the hour for nine minutes. 

“Hey, sorry man,” Gabe started at the thing that cast a long shadow across the floor, “We’re closing up shop right now. You can come back tomorrow.” 

There was no booming footstep, no quiet approach. Just a normal everyday sound of someone walking. 

“Hey dude, seriously. We’re closed. Put that down.” Gabe’s voice started to waver, hints of apparent fear bleeding through his stern intonation. 

“Would you have if they could have pleaded?” Deep and raspy, there was something about the way that man spoke. Something that didn’t sound annoyed or defensive but paralyzing instead. You could feel it deep in your gut, on the hairs standing up the back of your neck, on the goosebumps that’d risen from your forearms; He meant harm. Bodily. Psychologically. 

“What?” Gabe scoffed, “Ya’know what? I don’t care. I’m calling the cops.”

“You like that they trusted you, that they never thought to fight back. You like to watch them die.”

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about!” Gabe bleated back. The footsteps didn’t stop. You and Ricky glanced confusedly worried at one another. 

He started to pull out his phone when the mystery intruder spoke once more, “Why are you backing away then? Is it because you don’t want to drink like a thirsty dog?” 

“I- WHAT!?” A screech ripped from the front of the store. Morbid curiosity pulled you to crawl toward the nearest aisle and peak around it. Tera was staring, frozen and shaking at the sight. 

“PUT THE ME THE FUCK DOWN! FUCKING SQUARE HEAD!”

That man, that thing, was huge. Tall, broad, imposing. Only his side profile was available for viewing. Mostly obscured by long black hair, most of which had been tied into a loose ponytail. Stern browed, nose downturned, teeth showing through a tight smile. One hand about Gabe’s neck was all it took to lift the fully grown man two feet off the floor. Thumb jammed in the soft flesh where his jaw and neck met, forcing his head back. Gabe wiggled about, holding onto the man’s thick forearm for some stability but he still looked like a fish on a hook.

“SOMEONE! HELP!” Bulging brown snapped to you and the woman. No way that you were going to play hero against that fucking behemoth. Still, there was a slew of emotions kicked up by seeing a friend in that position. 

The man held a fat bottle of Bleach. Mostly used to clean out the nasty bathroom, sometimes the floor. Uncapped, tilting toward Gabe’s face. Getting what was about to happen, he twisted his lips into his mouth.

“You don’t want it?” His attacker cooed, "Aren't you thirsty after a day of hard work?"

Gabe vigorously shook his head, whining and struggling. All the three of you could do was watch. Ricky was on the phone with an operator, hopefully, help would be arriving soon but none of you wanted to brave running out the front door he was only feet away from. 

A yellowish liquid dribbled over the bottle's opening, right onto Gabe’s wide open eyes. You don’t think you’d ever forget the shrill, animal-like way he screeched. Mouth open, the man took his opportunity to jam the opening between his teeth. Gabe’s body violently revolted against the product cleaning the mucus from his esophagus. Another fat hand slapped onto Gabe’s flesh, this one squeezing his lips around the neck of the bottle. Forcing him to keep in a reactionary stream of vomit. Not without thumb and pointer pinching his nostrils shut.

"Honestly," The man started evenly, "This is so much faster than diluting it with water." Gabe violently twitched, no longer holding onto his attacker's arm but instead trying to pry to bottle away from his mouth. Nothing he did had any effect. "Hurts worse too, huh?" 

You jolted, nearly letting out a shriek when someone tapped you on the shoulder. Ricky had crawled up behind you, phone pressed between his ear and shoulder. Head jerking in the direction of a gray door. Backroom, concrete floors, ceiling hight storage shelves, always smelled vaguely if cheese. 

You caught his drift easily enough but Tera wasn't looking at either of you. Completely entranced with the two in front. As much as you wanted to bolt, you had to get her attention and get her to leave. 

Calling her over would get unwanted attention. You held up a finger to Ricky, no minimum wage worker with no healthcare benefits left behind. 

Slow and steady you got yourself off the ground. Step by step, closer and closer. Hands raising to give her a little tap while your eyes didn't leave his face. With your approach, you only got to see more and more of his face. It was something of the likes you'd never seen. 

He looked like he didn't know what moisturizer was at first. Skin warped, texture looking uneven and off-color. But it wasn't a bad case of extreme and crust from not showering. His skin shone too little in the bright light. Flesh stretched and shifted when his lips curled back into a wider, toothy grin. With the movement the indent of irritated flesh running across either cheek shifted, top and bottom moving slightly different from the other as tectonic plates of scar tissue.

Beady eyes focused on Gabe, twinkling softly hateful. You couldn't tell if all he had was a pupil or if his irises were that pale.

Please, you internally begged, don't stop looking at that shuddering body.

One finger was all it took to place a gentle tap on Tera's shoulder. 

Gasp.

She jumped and turned, unfrozen and wide eyed. So did he.

The wicked wretch drawled, “Oh, hey you.” You didn’t think someone could smile that wide. “It’s nice to see you again.”

His dubiously friendly gaze locked Tera in place. You were pretty sure she was about to piss herself. All she had to say was, “Jeff.” Applying such a human title to that thing felt very, very wrong.

“I wanna say the one and only but ya’know, common name.” Jeff flatly joked.

“I- I- I haven’t done anything else. I swear. Please-”

Jeff wheezed, fully whipping around, Gabe’s body sickly swinging in his grip. “Come on now Tera. You don’t think I haven’t been checkin’ in you? You really do think you're clever.”

THUD.

Gabe’s body lay forgotten on the floor. Bottle finally rolling away from his open mouth but it was too late. Consciousness had already slipped and judging from how hollow the container sounded as it nonchalantly rolled away, he was gonna be dead soon.

“If it wasn’t for me he would have suffered for hours. Was it the guilt you felt with yourself? Was that why you didn’t kill that poor vagrant? Or are you that pathetic to the point where you try to kill an unmoving target and fail?”

You didn’t know what he was talking about. Either way, you wanted out of there. Since you didn’t want to be guilt ridden for the loss of another, you tightly gripped her and tugged. Her shoulder was like pulling on the start of a chainsaw, after you did so, things were set into violent motion. 

Jeff lurched forward, brandishing a hunting knife that'd been yanked from it's sheath. Survival instinct kicked in fully and you let go of Tera, bolting away from the ground-shaking behemoth. She just watched him come.

Nothing was like the sound she made when the knife buried itself in her soft belly. Her body crumpled in on itself. People compared a car crash to something they couldn't peel their eyes from but this was more like a burning, three lane pile up.

You’d completely forgotten about Ricky until he grabbed you by the forearm and screamed, “Come on!” 

Jeff’s head robotically snapped up to meet your eye as you were being dragged toward the storage room door. “Hey, wait up!”

“No!” You screeched, stumbling behind Rickey, “You sick fuck!”

He sighed, exasperated by your rejection, “Your friend and I are the same, you know. You'd be better off with me.” 

Romantic implications and the sound of someone groaning in agony were never the best combo. A taste sweet yet vile like milk a few days past it’s expiration settled over your tongue. You’d never felt so disgusted and you just wanted him to, “Go away!”

Whatever Jeff was doing to her sounded distinctly wet. Mac n’ cheese that squelched so loudly that it could be compared to good pussy. But when he came around the corner to give chase, you found that he’d rearranged her guts in the worst way possible.

Balled tight in his massive fists were slimy pink ribbons. Sticking out between his fingers, tightly pulled over his knuckles. All leading back to a fat slit in Tera’s belly. Screaming and sobbing, she clutched desperately onto her own small intestine to try to pull it back. Nothing worked and she continued to be dragged along the floor like a dog on a leash.

“No,” He wouldn’t stop smiling, “I don’t think I will.”

Ricky burst through the storage room door, you in tow. You’d been back here more than a few times but what you hadn’t done was load stock into the room. It wasn’t like you hadn’t seen the doors before you sort of forgot in your piss-pants state of mortal terror. 

The shelves towered far over your head, compensating for the tiny space area. No sign of the exit was in immediate view. Ricky better hurry up and pick one of three possible paths or you’re dead meat.

If this was a badly directed horror movie, Ricky wouldn’t have known where to go. He hurriedly dragged you down a narrow pathway lined with half unpacked boxes. 

Tera and the backroom door screeched with Jeff’s entrance. His footsteps heavy and floor shaking. “The door's not going to work.” 

Ricky went to shove the door open with his side, it opened only half an inch. Again he rammed his body into the thing only for it not to budge. “Oh, no, no, no, no.” He kept at it while you looked for an odd lock or something obvious jamming the door. 

Tera finally stopped screaming. Passed out from shock, poor thing.

 The giant of a man cast a long shadow over the thin passage, backlit by pale blue. Giant hand relaxing, letting Tera’s stretched guts wetly flop onto the floor.

“There’s a way out for you, butcher.” Jeff spat out the title between grinding teeth. He was smiling so tender but his eyes didn’t reflect the sentiment.

“There is?” 

Wider. More teeth. “Look at you, hopeful little thing. Of course there is.” One step, slow, barely closing the distance. “An easy, free way out for someone who takes, and takes, and takes.” Two, three, four, faster. Knife bloody but not satiated.

You knew Ricky to steal chips from time to time but that's really it. 

Ricky quaked against the door. “No I- I donate to charities,” His eyes landed on the rosary idly hanging out of the pocket of his pants. “To the church! Thou shalt forgive or something, right?”

“Thou shall not kill.” 

“Yeah, that-”

“You haven’t been a very good boy, Ricky. God wouldn’t be happy with the bodies buried underneath your basement.” Five, six, seven.

You desperately looked around for something to defend yourself with. A pack of pudding cups within your immediate reach was snatched and thrown at the beast. “Shut the fuck up!”

Caught. “Thank you.”

Eight. Closing in. You pressed yourself into a corner and looked for an escape. There was none. All you had to cut him with was fear filled shouts, “That was meant to hit you, fucking hypocrite!”

Hand over his heart he sincerely sneered, “I am a hypocrite and I deserve to rot in hell. What does that change (Y/n)?” Morals did nothing for corpses.

Dread. Stone cold and heavy in your stomach. “You know my name?”

Jeff smiled fakely docile, “I know that you steal candy from isle two. I know that you’ve been working more hours lately.” 

All things Shaun would’ve known. Wait a second. “Are you Shaun’s boyfriend!? Did he send you to fucking kill us? I didn’t think we sucked that much dick!" You sobbed.

Jeff scratched the back of his neck, “Boyfriend is a strong word.” Ouch, poor Shaun.

The giant snapped back into his imposing demeanor, “I came to cleanse.”

Ricky quaked, “Okay, uh, fine, I can do forty-five Hail Mary’s! I can atone!” 

You didn’t understand. 

Nine.

Hot, heavy, chest heaving breaths wracked Jeff’s giant body. Icily staring down his prey/ Body so wide you didn’t have a hope of slithering passed. 

You don’t know how long you all stood in that tense limbo of inaction. Eventually, Jeff moved, slow and steady he tucked away his knife. It’s over. 

Ricky was off the ground in the blink of an eye. One of Jeff’s hand’s on either side of his head, thumbs pressing into his open eyes. Ricky kicked, screamed, and begged for mercy but judgment had already been decided.

Crraaaaccck!

Ricky’s head molded into Jeff’s fingers like cracking clay.

Yank!

Hot blood splashed onto your face, your work uniform, everywhere. Ricky wasn’t begging anymore. His voice box was ripped messily in half along with his head and upper torso. Pink and red squishy bits of gore started to slide out of place. Jeff toothily smiled at you from between the two foot gap in Ricky’s front teeth. 

Yank!

Ricky’s body flopped apart. One side hogged all his vertebrae, while the other had most of the brains.

Pleased, Jeff ran his tongue over his reddened lips. Loudly slurping as he sucked in an unidentified piece of gore. 

You vomited in your mouth, pounded your fists fruitlessly against the back door and sobbed. 

The two halves of human dropped from his hands. Landing with a sound like an egg breaking on tile floor. 

Jeff stepped over the body. You pressed yourself harder into the wall, hysterically shaking your head. 

His body heat radiated powerfully from his chest, few inches away at most. “You.”

Instead of playing the useless sole survivor, you decided to attempt to go with a fight. “Fuck off!” 

Your totally kick ass, defiant attempt to punch him in the face actually worked. He just took it. Didn’t stagger back or even yelp. Stare unbreaking.

“Eat shit!” Another punch. “Die!” Another.

The beast jerked forward with a throat-tearing roar, bloody hands coming straight for your face. You screwed your eyes shut and waited for a horrible death.

It never came. 

You popped an eyelid open to find him still as a statue. Hunched over, face so close you could smell the blood on his breath. He pinched your chin between his pointer and his thumb, tilting your head back and luring your eyes to meet his. Baby blue, sparkling with mischievous delight. 

Vile. 

You gathered all the spit you could and pelted him in the cheek with a soft slap. Clear-ish ooze dribbled down his skin, picking up a red hue as it went. 

Sirens distantly wailed. 

Jeff beamed almost affectionately at you, patted the top of your head, then kissed your forehead as you uselessly gnashed your teeth at him. “Be good.” Hands dragged off of your stained body with a sense of lingering desire, almost as if he didn’t want to leave the poor, broken, thing behind. Alas, the police were closing in and he couldn’t have you screeching like a banshee as he tried to get away. 

Mercy.

The wannabe angel began to lumber away. You didn’t hold your breath, waiting for the fake-out to end. He stopped. Here it comes. 

“Oh and (Y/n)?” Tender and kind he sounded like an old friend.

You raised shaking fists, “What?”

With one last lovely look, Jeff sweetly told you to, “Have a good night.”

Mental auto-pilot had you reply with a, “Thanks, you too.”

Nine steps and he was out of view. Three more and he was out the backroom door.

Traumatized, confused, out of friends, and caked in their blood you made a promise to yourself. Next time your paths would cross you’d have a better weapon than pudding cups.

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

Dazed and Confused (Part 1)

Summary: Dean Winchester grew up wanting to be a cop. When he gets kicked out of the police academy on a fluke though, he turns to a life of crime. After breaking up with Dean and seeing him committing a crime in the act, the reader becomes an officer herself and eventually a detective. Four years after that day, the reader is sent undercover to figure out what Dean is up to. Only she has no idea how far Dean is willing to go to keep her from finding out the truth…

Pairing: AU!Dean x reader

Masterlist

Word Count: 1,600ish

Warnings: language, scary situations, violence, murder, etc.

A/N: This series has been on Ao3 only for awhile now and I am finally reposting here as well. It’s not new but it may be new to you. Please enjoy!...

_____

“Dean?” you asked, spotting him walk in the front door and cut through to the back of the apartment. “Dean what...you’re supposed to be at the academy, aren’t you? You got class until-”

“I flunked out,” said Dean, your scoff stopping him in his tracks. “You think I’m fucking joking about that?”

“Considering you’re top of your class, yeah, I think you’re playing some shitty prank or ditching class. Now what is-”

“I have a record apparently. I can’t be a police officer now,” said Dean, grabbing his gym bag from the floor and moving to the closet. “I was seventeen and in a car I didn’t know someone took form their dad without permission. They charged all of us for a stupid non-crime and if I ever see Gabe again, I’m gonna murder him.”

‘Dean...” you said, grabbing his arm, spinning him around. “Go back to the academy and explain-”

“I was forced to quit, Y/N. I got called out of class and into the dean’s office. If you have a record, you can’t be a cop. They thought I was hiding it but I didn’t even know I had one. No exceptions they said. My bag’s are in Baby” he said, shrugging you off. “I’m staying with Sam tonight.”

“Dean, baby, it’s gonna be okay. Maybe we can call your dad, he’s a detective. He knows-”

“Stop trying to make me feel better for once in my life!” he shouted, brushing past you and for the door. “Y/N, give me some space. I mean it.”

“We are talking about this once you cool off Dean. Until then you can have your space.”

Two Months Later

"What?” you asked quietly, too caught up at staring at the green eyes under the mask to think about the gun in his hands. His own were wide and he was quickly shoving you on the ground, standing over you.

“Say another word and I’ll kill you, understand?” he growled, not waiting for an answer before barking out other orders to people inside the bank.

You hadn’t seen or heard from Dean in almost two months. You gave him his day to vent and get it out that he wasn’t going to be a cop, that everything he’d worked for in school and college and the academy was all gone.

When he finally came back around with a couple of moving boxes, he went off on you. You knew Dean’s head and knew that he didn’t mean what he said during a fight. Normally it was his way of getting you to back off. Nearly four years together and two with living together gave you a pretty good idea of when he was being mean for no reason.

But when he, the one guy you ever willingly told about the awful day...when he said it was your fault, you knew it was done. If he was so angry and bitter about not being a cop that he would rip open wounds that only got shut because of him, he wasn’t the man you thought he was.

Two months later seeing green eyes that looked so much like his, hearing a voice that was just a bit deeper than you were used to...you were almost positive the man in the ski mask and holding a gun at some poor bank teller was Dean Winchester.

He wasn’t there more than a minute, gone in a flash and barely enough time for you to register the build under the baggy hoodie and coat.

“Hi, Sam,” you said, dialing him up as soon as you gave a statement to a cop. “You heard from your brother lately?”

“Uh no. He and I aren’t exactly talking right now,” said Sam, his voice hard. “I haven’t seen him in two months.”

“I think...” you said, walking away from the bank and climbing in your car. “I think your brother just robbed a fucking bank, Sam.”

“That’s not funny, Y/N,” said Sam.

“Neither was getting shoved around by a bank robber, Sam. I am 99% positive that it was Dean,” you said.

“Dean was pissed last time I saw him but he’s not a criminal, Y/N,” said Sam.

“I didn’t...I’m worried about the asshole, alright?” you said, Sam breathing heavy on the other end. “Oh, you think he’s an asshole too, Sammy.”

“What’d he say to you?” asked Sam.

“Shit I don’t want to talk about. I’m guessing he said crap about your mom?” you asked, Sam’s thick swallow coming through loud and clear. “He got kicked out of the academy and he lost his shit, which I get but Sam you know your mom was not your fault.”

“I know but he just had to...maybe he really did rob a bank,” said Sam, his floor creaking in the background. “I know, Kevin...I’ll run to study group in just a minute, okay?”

“Shit, it’s your finals week, isn’t it,” you said, running your hand over your face. “You don’t need this right now.”

“It’s alright, Y/N,” said Sam. “Swing by the house around eight. We can talk then.”

“No, you study, Sam. I’m sure I’m overreacting is all.”

Four Years Later

“Junior Detective Y/L/N,” said your partner, a hard ass with a nought soft center.

“Bobby,” you said with a smile up at him, his face in even more of a scowl than usual. “It’s not even nine in the morning. What’s shoved up-”

“You’ve been reassigned, kid,” said Bobby, your jaw dropping. “You think I want another snot nosed brat to train? Uh uh.”

“Where are they putting me?” you asked, getting up from your desk, following him down the hall to the conference room. “I didn’t put in for anything. I actually like being your partner. Bobby, I-”

“Special assignment is all chief would tell me,” said Bobby.

“Y/N,” said the chief, waving you inside, holding up a hand for Bobby to wait outside.

“John, what in the world could you be putting her on that I can’t know about it?” asked Bobby.

“It’s need to know and you know what you need to,” said John, closing the door in his face. He pointed you to a seat, pulling down the blinds in the room. “You’re fidgeting, Y/L/N.”

“What’s going on that the most senior detective in the department can’t know about it?” you asked.

“You’re the only person here who can do what I’m about to ask you,” said John, sliding over the lone file at the other end of the table. “I need you to keep this quiet. You’ll understand-”

“Dean,” you said, his face staring back when you opened the file. There was no arrest record apart from one when he was 17 but the things he was suspect in...

“Dean is...let’s just call it in deep shit and leave it at that,” said John, taking a seat beside you. “He’s dangerous. Never been convicted of anything. I’ve kept the rumors of what he does away from the department but...Dean’s made a name for himself elsewhere. Everything from petty theft to kidnapping, assualt...murder suspect.”

“John, why are you showing me this?” you asked, sliding the file away, not caring to see what happened to the man you once loved.

“I need you to go undercover,” said John, your head shaking. “You just had your secondary training a month ago and they said you’re one of the best they’ve seen. We both know you became a cop to figure out what the hell happened to him. This is our chance.”

“I became a cop so I wouldn’t feel scared again like in that bank,” you said, turning away. “In case you forget, your son broke up with me. He said things to me that I can’t forgive. He would never in a million years buy that I forgot all that.”

“I’m not asking you go undercover as his girlfriend, Y/N. He’s a criminal. He’s in Washington, a small town, working something. We just need intel on what it is, that’s it,” said John.

“He knows me. He probably knows I’m a cop. I can’t just go undercover,” you said.

“So what if he knows you’re a cop? Tell him you quit if he asks,” said John.

“John...” you said, leaning back in your seat. “I can’t do it.”

“We don’t have a choice, Y/N. The feds said you’re the one. You pack up tonight.”

A week later you were in your new town with a population of two thousand people. You were barely there thirty seconds before half the people were bringing over plates of food. It didn’t take long for word to spread a new girl was around or for you to spot Dean after that.

“Leave,” he said as he walked past you on the street, not bothering to stop.

“Dean,” you said, jogging back to catch up with him, catching his arm halfway down the block. “What-”

“If I see you again, you won’t like what happens next,” he said, shrugging you off.

About eight hours later, you realized you never really knew Dean Winchester at all.

_____

A/N: Read Part 2 here!

[vigncttcs]

┊ 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐎!  self-introductions are the bane of my existence, but please call me noa or she/her. i’m a 23 year old obsessed with hozier and i live in gmt+1. this is my boy, gabe - a photographer whose poor practical skills are only rivaled by his imaginative and passionate nature. i’m super excited and looking forward to playing with y’all. beyond the cut you’ll find some groundwork info on him (still under big time construction though ;;) and i’ll be posting his wanted connections soon, too. hmu anytime ♡

☕ . ˚ ◝ ( kim taehyung. cismale. he/him. ) gabriel "k" lee is a twenty-four year old sagittarius. the photographer’s go-to order is a mocha caramel latte. they like to listen to classical music by deceased composers while they wait for their order. the employees of the deja brew think they are spacey but swear they’re totally kind as well. maybe that’s why b&w photographs, half tucked button downs, messy hair, and holding hands when you're really excited about something remind me of them.

PERSONAL

┊ 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄: gabriel lee ┊ 𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄(𝐒): gabe, k (his professional pseudonym) ┊ 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 (𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐒): cis male (he/him) ┊ 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘: december 20 ┊ 𝐙𝐎𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐂: sagittarius ┊ 𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: photographer (interior/real estate & freelance) ┊ 𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍:  bfa in photography & media ┊ 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍: queens, nyc ┊ 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄: westwood, la.  ┊ 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘: american ┊ 𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘:  korean-ameriacan ┊ 𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: 180cm ┊ 𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐑: naturally black, but he dyes it often (currently blonde) ┊ 𝐄𝐘𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐑: dark brown ┊ 𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐒: none ┊ 𝐏𝐈𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: just his ears ┊ 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐒: a tiny scar on his cheek, barely visible unless you lean in close. ┊ 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌: kim taehyung

HEALTH

┊ 𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒: none. ┊ 𝐒𝐌𝐎𝐊𝐄?: no. ┊ 𝐃𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐒?: just weed. ┊ 𝐀𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐇𝐎𝐋?: sometimes.

RELATIONSHIPS

┊ 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒:  misun "missy" byun (mother) & kangmin lee (father) ┊ 𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: henry lee (older brother) ┊ 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋��𝐑𝐄𝐍: none. ┊ 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐒: none. ┊ 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒: single. ┊ 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒: girlfriends, boyfriends. no one too notable.

BIOGRAPHY

┊ 𝐒𝐍𝐀𝐏𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓. We never truly realize how much we love someone until we're at some place wonderful and beautiful and we wish they were there. Maybe that’s why we take pictures, so that we can keep a piece and give it to them. At least, that’s why Gabriel likes taking pictures.

┊ 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐑. Leaving the grime and bustle of New York to attend UCLA was an adventure. Gabriel moved with the mind to grow up a little bit, but most of all he wanted to go somewhere new, to start something new. Away from the clustering businesses in Queens. Away from his hawk-eyed parents.

┊ 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘. Hard-working people who migrated to America in search of a better life, Gabriel’s parents found themselves part of the Genesis of Asian culture in Queens. Like many immigrants, they worked shitty jobs in dangerous locations to make ends meet, guarding their entrepreneurial ambitions: by the time Gabriel was nine, they’d started their own business.

┊ 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃. Two traits invested in him were diligence and dedication, but he’s never been as selfless as his big brother; studying medicine to make their parents happy. Nonetheless they grew up together, their childhood defined by a small and crowded space filled with goods imported from Asia, where his mother always stood on her feet with Gabriel and his brother clinging to her sides. Time and memory might move in different directions, but the scent of tea, roots, snacks and cooking ingredients are vividly embedded in his mind.

┊ 𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍. Despite being raised by traditionally Korean parents, in a distinctly Asian part of New York, Gabriel’s connection to his heritage waned rapidly in his early teens. Matters only got worse in sophomore year when his brother left for college and Gabriel became the sole focus of his parents’ lofty expectations.

┊ 𝐑𝐄𝐁𝐄𝐋.  He was a good student, but never as great as his parents wanted him to be. He didn’t have the sort of friends they approved of, he wasn’t as brilliant and promising as his older brother, and certainly not as successful as other people’s children. Demands that seemed unreasonable, their inflexible rules—Gabriel hated them growing up, and unlike his older brother, he always had a way of making his feelings known

┊ 𝐑𝐄𝐁𝐄𝐋 𝟐.𝟎. Gabriel lied about attending study groups to hang out with friends. He brought his camera for good measure, snapping photos of neon-lit street corners and the sunset at Rockaway. They were just kids from school who loved to run the city’s traffic-choked streets, loitering around parks and beaches and taking the subway anywhere, really anywhere, riding New York’s frenetic pulse and only stopping for $1 pizza. Kids being kids, their carefree smiles captured by the camera’s eye.

┊ 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐔𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒. Screaming matches erupted whenever his parents caught him lying. He winces at them now, mortified at the memory of his own words: “Then why don’t you two just learn English already?” Yet the fights weren’t enough to stomp out his willful spirit. He would stage small rebellions: if his parents didn’t want him dating, and didn’t approve of his first girlfriend, they certainly weren’t going to know about the boys he kissed.

┊ 𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐄. Let’s face it, if you’re a New Yorker who hasn’t been robbed, you’re probably in Boston. Gabriel was photographing pigeons when they stole his camera, his phone and his wallet and left him with bruises on the corner of East 92nd Street and First Avenue. He filed a police report that same night. Nothing came of it, of course, besides a tiny but permanent scar on his cheek to serve as a reminder.  But worse than that is the memory of his parents bursting into the precinct with watery eyes and bone-white faces. He was 17 and he’d never seen his father cry before. 

┊ 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄. His dating history is nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe it was a little weird how he’d sneak around with his high school crushes (looking back, he realizes the thrill of getting away with something “forbidden” must have been part of the appeal; thanks mom and dad) but now that he’s older, Gabriel hates over-complicating things. He likes what he likes and pursues that. Quietly, but with heart. It starts with a spark of something—an undeniable curiosity—because people can be interesting and beautiful that way. He’s not sure if he’s ever been in love, though. Infatuated? Sure, but these days he’s much less likely to jump into relationships that he feels won’t last.

┊ 𝐓𝐋;𝐃𝐑: Sweet, relaxed yet persistent - that’s Gabriel. His parents have influenced him in every regard, for good and bad, but he had a pretty hard time relying on them for emotional support growing up. Instead, he talked to his friends, who were a source of comfort to him. Forward-thinking people with good progressive ideas appeal to his sense of idealism. Growing up, his parents tried to instill some traditional values in him, but everything that’s old-fashioned and out of date bothers him. He’d rather pursue an interesting idea, and he’s never able to completely suppress his love for excitement and adventure—the need to succumb to joyful impulses once in awhile. Granted, his inner “wild child” is more of a dork, pretty content finding interesting people to talk to and going on random trips. He’s not the type to indulge in dangerously reckless behavior… most of the time.   

WANTED CONNECTIONS

┊ 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: tba.

┊ 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: tba.

┊ 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: tba.

┊ 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: tba.

[0ldsold1ers]

coffee days and movie nights

Reaper76 week, MONDAY: we can be heroes / SEP

AO3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17840567

Gabe’s had his eye on Jack all week.

It’s been a long one, even by his standards. He’s seen fifteen active war zones at this point in his prior service and training for the SEP, met hundreds of different squad members and buried more than half of them. His muscles are getting stronger and he’s faster, taller, better than he’s ever been before – and it’s still not enough.

The crisis isn’t getting better, the Omnics are getting smarter, and the SEP as a whole really doesn’t seem to be working too well.

There had been thirty of them originally, the best of the best, hand-picked and nominated by at least three superior officers each. Between them, there must have been a hundred medals. Each soldier was assigned a number according to alphabetical order, and the clandestine experiments had begun.

The mutations had followed pretty soon after.

Haroldson was the first to leave training. Had woken yelling in the night after a particularly gruelling forty mile run and been taken to the hospital wing. He’d never come back. Then Jones had started vomiting in the middle of dinner, blood spattered on the table. Williams’ fingernails had started to flake off on a mission in Vietnam – that had only been the start for her, rest her soul.

The numbers dwindled as the programme continued, until the government decided to simply recruit more. It wasn’t ethical, but they were at war and they weren’t winning. (Gabriel had spent an afternoon scrubbing latrines after arguing back. Nothing had happened to him yet, but the waiting was almost worse. Why should some other poor bastard go through the same?)

Adjustments were made to the dosages, more safety measures were put in place, and the numbers went up to fifty. And then up to one hundred before the higher-ups finally decided they weren’t going to be able to create an army like this. Besides, for the recruits who hadn’t died or ended up in the terminal hospital ward, the effects were beyond what was expected.

(Never mind the fact that only twenty-four out of one hundred had lived.)

The only bonus of there being so few of them now, is that Gabriel can actually get to know some of this squad – his squad, actually. Like Jack, for example.

He was a couple of years Gabe’s junior, the baby of the group, but that didn’t mean much in practice. The man had been recommended after saving six of his squad in Egypt and received a couple of medals to boot. He had courage in buckets, and a damn good head on his shoulders according to all reports.

None of those reports had mentioned how fucking handsome he was, on top of all that.

Sunny, golden hair shining over the bluest blue Gabriel had seen since he’d left the skies of California. And Gabriel is pretty straight, he should put that down in writing now, but if he was ever going to get down and dirty with another guy, he knows who his pick would be.

He just feels this strange need to get to know him, and he knows he isn’t alone in feeling like this. He’s discussed this with others in the squad, men and women – Jack Morrison is magnetic. There’s just something so unassuming and wholesome about him, hidden under boyish grins and stupid jokes. Gabriel knows there must be more layers there. He really wants to uncover them.

(That sounds a lot dirtier than he’d intended it to.)

But the two of them get to be pretty good friends pretty damn fast, and his opportunity to really get to know the farm boy comes sooner than expected.

It’s been a long, shitty day. The latest batch of injections is playing complete havoc with his immune system – one minute he’s feeling like he’s on the world’s highest caffeine burst, the next his muscles are aching so badly he can barely stand as he vomits out what feels like his last six meals.

Every member of the squad has a slightly different schedule, and for the first time, his and Jack’s have coincided. The younger man is still earlier in the programme and experiencing some of the nastier effects – his anatomy is still shifting around a lot. And when Gabriel bumps into him leaving the sick bay, looking particularly pale, it’s a deadly mix of sympathy and intrigue that prompts him to say:

“Hey, Morrison. Movie night tonight?”

And Jack sort of looks at him without really seeing, but replies, “Sure thing, commander.”

And that’s the extent of the conversation. But Gabe’s got something to look forward to now, something to keep him going through the day, and he spends ammunitions training that afternoon debating over what film to pick before having to run to the bathroom again and being sent back to his quarters by his CO.

It’s seven by the time he hears the doorbell to his quarters ring and he almost trips over himself to get to the door.

Jack’s stood there looking a little peaky but a whole lot more alive than he had earlier, and Gabriel welcomes him in.

“Nice place you got here, commander.” He jokes, looking around at the non-existent décor. The only reason they got individual quarters here were the vulnerable immune systems as a result of the SEP process. The organisers had learnt the hard way after a cold virus had wiped out six of the applicants.

“Thanks, I made it myself,” he replies as he made his way to the kitchenette, “And please, Gabe. Drink?”

“You got any juice?” Jack asks, and Gabriel laughs.

“Don’t worry about the doctors finding out, man, how about a proper drink?”

There’s a wry smile on his face as he replies, “I don’t drink alcohol.” Gabriel looks at him curiously. There’s a story there, but Jack doesn’t seem willing to share right now.

“Tea or coffee then?” He’s already decided he won’t be drinking if Jack isn’t. It’s no fun on your own.

“Coffee, thanks.” He says, dropping heavily onto the couch. “What film are we watching, then?”

Gabriel brings over two mugs, hands one to Jack and loads up his laptop. “I couldn’t decide in the end, so figured I’d give you a choice. Star Wars, or La La Land?” He feels he’s covering his bases here; he has to like either musicals or action films.

Jack snorts out the first sip he’d taken of his drink. “Bit of a choice there.”

Gabriel puts his hands on his hips. “Don’t tell me you’re too much of a man to enjoy a beautifully-shot love story with glorious musical numbers.”

Jack smiles, something mischievous there. “Fine, La La Land it is.”

Gabriel realises his mistake about twenty minutes into the film. It’s not that Jack doesn’t like musicals – completely the opposite.

“See, this is my main problem. Everyone keeps banging on about this film as a musical, but the music is incidental. True musicals use the numbers as exposition and story-telling. This is a film about music, not a musical.”

And the complaining doesn’t stop. “Why is the one black speaking role in a film about jazz the villain?” when Keith arrived. “See, this would be an actual song if it was a musical, not some cruddy dance silhouette.” when they danced in the observatory. “And she actually agreed?” when Mia got back in the car with Sebastian.

“Are you able to actually enjoy films?” Gabriel finally asks, mildly exasperated (but amused).

Jack gives him a look. “It’s not my fault you can’t pick a good musical.”

“Fine, what is a good musical?” he says challengingly, because he loves a good film debate even if musicals aren’t his first choice when he’s on his own. And he’s maybe a little bit desperate to know more about the soldier as well.

“Chicago. Cabaret. Les Misérables, but only on stage. I’m a big fan of Hamilton as well.” He says, eyes sparkling a little bit as he lists them off.

“I’ve seen Hamilton.” Gabriel volunteers, getting up to make more drinks and retrieve a blanket from the bedroom.

Jack says something he doesn’t really hear as he pulls the blanket off his bed. “What was that?” he asks as he throws the blanket in Jack’s direction.

The younger man doesn’t reply for a second, blushing a little bit. “I went with my boyfriend.”

The words have a strange effect on Gabe. Finding out Jack is gay is… interesting. It doesn’t change much really. Nothing at all. It just wasn’t expected.

He isn’t really sure how he’s supposed to react, but Jack’s watching him, worry starting to turn to anxiety and resentment, so he forces himself to spit out a reply. “Sounds like he has good taste in musicals, even if his taste in men is debatable.”

Jack laughs, and Gabriel knows he got it right. This is fine. Friendly teasing. Nothing more.

“I keep telling him he’s too good for me.” Jack admits, eyes crinkling just a little at the corners.

“What’s his name?” Gabriel asks, smiling unconsciously in the face of such love.

“Vincent,” Jack says, pulling the blanket over his legs, “He’s a journalist.”

Gabriel hands him the refilled mug and starts Star Wars quietly in the background. He’s not really intending to watch it. “You sound like you love him a lot. Why’d you leave him for this hell?” It’s only half a joke.

Jack does that weird little eyebrow twitch he does sometimes – in the future, Gabriel will understand he only does it when he’s telling a half-truth. “I have to protect him. People like him. There’s a lot of people back home...” He trails off, and Gabriel fills in the blanks. Jack seems like a family guy. Probably tons of siblings, local town, saw his small life decimated by Omnics and reality came crashing in. He’s heard the story before. He lets it go for now.

*

They’re doing an endless circuit of laps of the field when Jack falls into step beside him. Neither of them are really out of breath – they’ve only been going for half an hour so far. It’ll be a while before any of the platoon are really winded.

There’s a comfortable silence between them for a moment, but Gabriel can sense it’s going somewhere.

“Why did you join the SEP anyway, Gabe?” He asks, never breaking his gaze from the field ahead.

The green grass is erased for a moment, and Gabriel is back in the broom cupboard in his mother’s disintegrating house. He’s holding his shaking little sister against his chest and praying she won’t open the door.

He shakes his head, and it’s gone again. Back in the memory banks. He thought he’d finally banished that one. “Same as you. I got people I want to protect, Morrison.”

Jack nods thoughtfully, and Gabriel knows it’s only a temporary acceptance. That’s fine – he’s got another thing coming if he thinks he can get to Gabriel Reyes’ secrets first.

*

Jack corners him as they’re coming out of the showers later. “Movie night at mine tonight.”

Gabriel looks at him, amused. “You going to show me what good film choice is?”

Jack stares back, his look calculated. “Maybe.”

Four hours later, Gabriel stares at him, unamused. “You’re a walking cliché, boy scout.”

The iconic shield of Captain America glares out from the screen. Of fucking course it does.

Jack, for his part, does go a little red. “It’s a great film!”

Gabriel just laughs. “You’re not allowed to pick anymore.”

*

There’s a bunch of them out drinking one night – a visiting special ops squad from Egypt is here to help resolve a conflict with some rebels in Sudan, and they’ve all suffered losses. Gabriel finds himself sat next to a sniper – her name’s Ana, and she’s supposedly the best in the world. It’s not even supposedly – he’d seen the enemy dropping like flies earlier and wouldn’t have been able to tell you where the hell she was situated if he’d had half an hour to stop time and observe the battlefield.

He tells her as much, and she sniffs, a smile poking at the corners of her mouth. “Americans really are wrapped up in their own little worlds.” She’s flattered though, and happy enough for him to notice as much. There’s a quiet confidence to her which Gabriel is immediately drawn to. She knows exactly how good she is. This is the sort of person Gabriel wants watching his back.

“What made you sign up?” He asks her later, a couple of bottles of beer already put away. They’re having very little effect but to make him more confident. Jack’s wrapped up in conversation with Torres from their squad, but he catches Gabe’s eye and smiles.

“I have a daughter. Fareeha.” She smiles and retrieves a picture from a fold in her armour. There’s a grinning little girl in a summer dress smiling out at him, and Gabriel feels himself smiling in response.

“She’s lovely.” He takes another swig from his drink.

“What about you, Gabriel?” She asks, sipping her own whiskey. Alcohol isn’t commonly drunk in Egypt, but they’re making an exception tonight. Tonight, is for feeling alive after so many have died.

“I… used to have a sister.” He doesn’t make eye contact with Ana. Jack is looking at him – he’s clearly heard, but doesn’t comment, turning back to his conversation. “She died when my town was attacked by Omnics.” He doesn’t mention that the only reason she was out was Gabriel had made her run away with him.

He risks a glance, and Ana looks sympathetic but not pitying. She’s probably heard a hundred stories like his, and he’s done feeling sorry for himself. There’s a whole other world of people he has to protect now. He’ll do better this time.

They leave the bar an hour later, Ana’s number in his phone, and Gabriel finds himself falling behind. He sort of wants the solitude, but Jack falls back to walk beside him. There’s quiet for a minute before:

“I only had my dad. My mum died when I was eight, and they never had more kids. I don’t think they really wanted me in the first place.” He laughs without humour. “He was never really… there. If you know what I mean.” And Gabriel does, he understands absent parents even when the space is filled. “The Omnics came and then even he was gone, and all I had to look after was Vincent. I couldn’t lose him as well.”

Gabriel nods. Jack Morrison is beginning to make a lot more sense. No wonder they click so well. “I made my sister leave home with me. She wasn’t safe staying there, and then she died. So now I have to make it up to her memory.”

“You know that wasn’t your fault, right?” Jack asks him.

Gabriel nods. “My brain does. But I guess the rest of me doesn’t?” He laughs a little self-consciously. “I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive myself.”

Jack throws an arm around his shoulder and pulls him into his side. Gabriel is still a little taller, hopefully always will be, but Jack’s warm and cosy against him. His skin feels like it’s on fire, and he can’t remember the last time he peeled away this many layers for another person. They part too soon and Gabriel feels more alone than ever when he stands in the middle of his empty quarters.

*

“Movie night?” He asks as he passes Jack in the corridor, and the blond nods once with a smile before they part ways once more.

He’s got something good lined up for this evening.

Jack’s face is unreadable in his quarters that night.

Gabriel is worried he won’t like the film – how can you not? “How are we feeling about Moulin Rouge?” He asks, making the coffee without really thinking anymore. Movie nights are becoming a welcome addition to his routine.

Jack looks at him. “Can’t remember seeing it. It was my mum’s favourite.”

Gabriel panics. “Do you want me to pick something else? There’s a really bad film I think you’d love, The Room, it’s-“ He gabbles, before Jack interrupts him with a wry smile.

“It’s fine, Gabe, honestly. I just haven’t seen it in a long time.” Jack smiles at him reassuringly before stealing his mug from Gabriel’s hands and dropping onto the sofa. He slings his legs into Gabriel’s lap the second he sits down. Neither of them says anything about it.

Gabriel keeps a close eye on Jack’s face throughout the film, but he seems to enjoy it. It ends up Gabriel who cries through the last ten minutes (as he always does), and Jack shifts his position, leaning his back on Gabriel with his legs hanging off the other end of the sofa. The warm weight of his friend is so comfortable and he’d be happy to sit here for days like this.

His eyes widen – that’s not a good thought. They can’t sit here for days like this, this isn’t the way their relationship works. They have banter, they mock each other relentlessly, and sure they have each other’s backs, but they aren’t the centre of each other’s worlds. Jack already has a centre and his name is Vincent, and Gabriel doesn’t even want to be a pillar for the other man.

Or maybe he does.

He realises this as the end credits roll, and Jack’s heavy breathing as he falls asleep against Gabe make him hyper aware of the blonde’s chest rising and falling.

Gabriel Reyes is possibly not as straight as he thought he was.

He’s also possibly a little bit in love with his best friend.

Shit.

*

[writebythenight]

The Silence

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summary: Rose(OC) is assigned the job of talking to Negan in his Cell.

"We deserve to live in peace. Negan and the saviours tried to take that away from us. Alexandria and the hilltop, The Kingdom and Oceanside came together to fight for a better future. We won. Not without painful loses and today we try to heal, to forgive... now the work really begins. The new worlds begins." -Rick Grimes.

Chapter Ten

"Im not dying for a fucking canoe!" Rose grumbled at Daryl who was stood across from her holding the other end. She received one of his very rare laughs as he shook his hair out of his face.

"I won't let ya die." He assured her. "C'mon."

"If this glass goes theres not a whole lot you could do." She shrugged gesturing to the glass floor they were stood on, too many walkers to count milling around on the floor below just waiting for dinner. Of course the museum they went on a run to had a glass floor, it just went with the rest of her awful day which had started with stubbing her toe. Sure in the grand scheme of things that seems rather minuscule but straight after that she had a very moody Negan telling her they were going on a "useless run" and then continuing to act like a child and tell the woman she "must have a god damned death wish" until she left. What annoyed her the most about that was the fact that he had a habit of being right about these things. More recently Rose had Maggie completely ignore her and give nothing but dirty looks since she found out what Rick had asked her to do. Then there had been the single worst walker she had ever seen, the decayed body of a man with spiders crawling out of his face. It had been a long time since she had run away from a walker but it was more the spider she ran away from, causing the surrounding people to laugh hysterically at her. Rose wasn't as amused and still felt like the bastards were crawling on her.

So by this point she was just in a shitty mood and after the glass had already started to crack... here they still were, asking for trouble. Walking as slow and steady as she could, keeping to the metal beams she held her breath until they were on solid ground. As she got to it she felt Rick's grip on her arm, pulling her back and helping to lift as he watched the glass part of the floor with panic.

"It's goin' down!" He shouted and Daryl dived into the solid ground beside Rose as they watched the floor fall from beneath Ezekiel.

Organised chaos began as it always did when one of the group was in danger. Rose getting behind Rick to help him hold the rope praying it wouldn't be cut by the sharp edges of the hole he had gone through.

Daryl stood as selfless as ever by the edge ready to shoot any walkers who might get too close as Carol put something down for Ezekiel to be able to grab on to. All Rose could concentrate on was the feel of the rope cutting at her palms and the anger that they couldn't have just left with the fucking seeds and not risked anybody's life. Rose used this to keep pulling until the man who named himself a King had pulled himself to safety and was wrapped in the arms of the woman he loved.

Watching them made her chest ache with the loneliness that she just kept buried, knowing it wasn't important these days. She missed someone needing her.

Rick had collapsed onto the floor from the strain of taking so much weight which Rose thought was very "Rick" of him.

"Hope your fuckin' seeds are worth it." Rose sighed earning quite a few annoyed looks.

"Don't forget about the canoe." Daryl added breathlessly making her snigger quietly to herself.

Rose loved riding. Something she couldn't say around Negan but none the less true. It was one of the many hobbies she tried out as a child and the only one she had enjoyed, it was one of the parts of this world she liked. One of the parts she didn't like though was how hard it was to get from one place to another, things happened like bridges collapsing. Yet another reason she should have stayed in bed that morning.

"Rose and Gabriel, y'all can head to Alexandria from here. The rest of us can go to the sanctuary or hilltop. Stay the night and head on from there." Rick decided.

"I can come with you guys." She told him, wanting to be there in case anything happened.

"We'll be okay, Rose." He smiled gently at her. "Take care. And get home safe."

☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️

"I noticed how Maggie was towards you." Gabriel told Rose as they approached Alexandria.

"Oh you mean downright ignoring me then giving me the dirtiest looks I've ever received. Yeah, I noticed too." Rose sighed, well and truly over people treating her that way because she was now a villain thanks to her connection to Negan.

"How does that make you feel?" Rose snorted.

"Isn't that my line?" She asked the man.

"I suppose but whoever asks you how you are?" He asked her still facing forward with that all-knowing look on his face.

"Honestly... it makes me feel like shit. I really care about her and I did about Glenn too. I'd have swapped places with Glenn in a heartbeat so he could have seen his baby born." Rose shook her head as she looked up at the sky getting teary. It was true, nobody would have really cared if she'd been killed that night instead of Glenn.

"That's quite a statement." Gabriel told her knowing exactly what she meant as he had felt the same way for so long. "You're just as valuable as everyone else."

"You have to say that." Rose laughed. "We both know nobody would have really missed me. It'd have been sad but I wouldn't have been a real loss to anyone."

"What about Negan?" Something he said so calmly set Rose' heart racing.

"What about him?"

"Well I'm sure you'd be a real loss to him. I really admire what you're doing for him, you've really made an impression on him. I go to talk to him every now and again to offer any... religious help he may need. He doesn't want to talk about Jesus or any god at all. Just you."

"What does he say?" She asked because she wanted to know how he acted towards other people but mostly she wanted to know for herself.

"That you're an angel." Her heart squeezed and she couldn't help the tight smile on her lips. "It's okay to not hate him you know." Rose just looked over at him. "You show a kindness not many can give over so easily. Its refreshing in this world, I've always told you that." And he had. He was the first person to point out her good natured countenance.

"Thanks, Gabe." She grinned over at him. "At least I know one person won't hate me for being his friend."

"I'm just glad he has one." He smiled back.

As they approached the gates the few Alexandrians who had come back with them dispersed as did Gabriel and so Rose found herself stood near the building she knew rather well. The one that she knew he was in, sat there all alone, it was only fair she let him know she was home safe.

As she walked down into the cell she heard voices and stopped halfway down the stairs.

"You're fuckin' pathetic." It was Negan's voice in a nasty tone Rose wasn't used to.

"You're a horrible man! I don't know why Rose bothers with you!" The voice she recognised as Nora's replied. She was one of the poor souls left in charge of Negan whenever Rose had somewhere else to be.

"Well thank fuck she does. I'd have caved my own head in by now if you fucktards were my only connection to the world."

"I don't enjoy coming in here you know." Nora's voice was quiet and Rose silently willed the woman to call him something just as horrible.

"Oh come on." He sneered. "Not like you have anywhere else to be right? I'm not having that you have a hot date. I know it's slim fuckin' pickings out there but the actual librarian look ain't screamin' fuck me to no man!"

"Negan!" Rose shouted, having heard enough she had marched into the room looking furious.

"Oh shit. Now I'm in trouble." He said chuckling.

"You say sorry to Nora!"

"Exfuckin'scuse me?" He asked her stalking towards the bars.

"You heard me." She said suddenly feeling a lot less confident and waiting for him to embarrass her.

"Why the fuck would I do that? I'm just messin', right Nora?"

Nora looked over to Rose uncomfortably. "It's fine, Rose. I appreciate it but I just want to leave now."

"Nora he said awful things to you, you deserve an apology!"

She just looked at Rose as if she was crazy. "It's Negan. It's not exactly a surprise, it's how he's always been. I'm used to it by now."

The statement hit Rose so hard she lost all arguments she thought she had. He had never been like that with her so why was he so awful to everyone else, sure she knew he wasn't exactly Mr sociable but she never thought he'd be so horrible to people just trying to help. Same as her.

"I'll see you later, Rose." Nora told her on her way past, quietening her voice to say, "thank god you're back."

She only dared look at Negan once she knew Nora had gone and saw him standing there grinning at her with a mischievous look in his eyes. "How was the run, angel?"

"Why were you being so horrible to her?!" She was still furious. "There was absolutely no need."

He just shrugged looking like a rebellious teenager and all she could think about was sending Negan to his bedroom... or hers.

"Are you like that with everyone who comes in here?"

"Except my angel." He smiled.

"Why do you treat people like that? No wonder everyone thinks I'm crazy saying you're actually kinda nice!"

"You been tellin' people I'm nice?! Fuckin' don't, you'll ruin my reputation." He laughed. "I'm nice to you. No one else fuckin' deserves me to be nice."

"Oh I'm so honoured." She said sarcastically.

"You're welcome."

"Oh shut up!" She spat.

"What is it? Is it cos you're bored? You just like messin' with people as you called it?" She asked grabbing her usual chair and sitting down with a groan.

"Maybe." He shrugged. "You okay?" He looked her over and she got the same shivers she always did.

"Yeah. Fine." She grumbled.

"Ya don't sound it. C'mere and sit on Daddy's knee... tell me all about it."

Rose felt herself soften just at the tone of his voice, the bad half of the day melted away. "You're sick."

"And you're in a fuckin' bad mood. Considering you didn't shit in a bucket this morning you're already having a better day than me."

She scrunched up her nose at him. "I know. I shouldn't be moody I'm sorry."

"Don't apologise, sweetheart. We all have them days."

She just nodded not wanting to tell him why she wasn't in a great mood seeing as her circumstances were always better than his.

"C'mon. Tell me... I don't get much entertainment."

"Fine..." she sighed, leaning forward onto her knees and deciding she would leave out the fact that she had stubbed her toe she began. "So this museum. First off I'm getting so much shit for coming here talking to you everyday... like people I thought were really good friends just cutting me out and I don't get it! I mean I get why they hate you... any way then there was the most fucking awful walker." She shivered. "Spiders! One the size of my actual hand crawled out of this bastards head!"

"Ya scared of spiders?" He laughed. "You'd think you'd have outgrown irrational fears once the dead started walking."

"Yeah... well, I haven't okay so I ran away!"

"Ya ran away!" He was really laughing now, while doing his customary lean backwards but his laughter didn't make her angry.

"Yeah... and everyone laughed just like you." They had made her angry though.

"Oh I miss runs." He lowered himself onto his stool. "Sure the worlds fuckin' awful but every now and then someone would do some stupid shit and it'd be funny as hell."

"I can imagine you being in your element." She laughed.

"Tell me some more." He said watching her.

"You know when you just know something's a stupid idea?"

"Yeah..."

"Well, we apparently needed this really heavy piece of equipment so badly that we risked dragging it across a glass floor."

"Are you shittin' me?!" He said with a raised voice.

"I wish I was."

"How the fuck your group has survived this long under Ricks leadership I'll never know."

"Shut up." She rolled her eyes. "So it cracked of course." The look on Negans face was one of anger and concern, his brow creased and his mouth turned tight as he watched her. "Somebody ended up hanging there like a piñata."

"Wasn't you?"

She just shook her head. "Nobody died by some miracle but I dunno... I kinda think it was stupid to risk someone like that even after the glass had cracked."

"I agree." He nodded. "Fuck, Rose." He rasped quietly. "Every time you go out it fuckin' kills me I ain't there to look after you."

All her breath left her in a shaky gasp as her chest clenched tightly and she swallowed the lump in her throat. "Negan." She whispered. That was all she had wanted for so long, somebody to care about her so much and for her to care about them the same way. The way Rick and Michonne had each other's backs no matter what.

"I can take care of myself." She told him the same thing she had always told herself whenever she craved that connection.

"I've no doubt about that." He laughed. "But I know I'd keep you safer than any of them."

She was sat clenching and unclenching her hands were the rope had grazed her palms. "I'm fine." Rose lied.

"I know." Negan pretended not to know she was lying.

Chapter Eleven

[railroadsystem-backontracks]

5, 9, 19, + 24?

5- Who would each of you like to impress, and why?Tim: Charlie because he's an amazing guy and I'm way too lucky to be with him Charlie: I look like a dick now if I don't say Tim... but yeah same ☺️If I'm guessing:Arrow would say our therapist who is always proud of arrow when they learn new things Liv and David would say our new teacher we're meeting next weekPoppy would say our parents probably Mortimer says "myself" which, ok radI have no idea who my mother would say, probably no one9- Would you kill your abuser(s) if you knew you wouldn’t get caught?I think all of us have different answers to that. I mean.. all abusers are different, id want some of them dead and some not... is that weird? Some I'd rather see just admit to being abusive and apologise/ do the time they deserve. Some I'm so scared of I just want them gone from the world because even in prison they'd be too close. I know Max is all about forgiveness so she'd say no. Tim makes a good point that killing your abuser would be seriously stressful and traumatic and why make yourself live with all that guilt and stress? Yeah I think on balance my answer is I don't want to kill them, I just want them to maybe die separately to me19- What are you currently focusing on to improve your mental or physical health? How does it feel?Uhh this week we've had to make a lot of changes and new medications to try to improve our physical health and it feels shitty. It's not doing any good so far because it's early days so we're in that phase of grumpy as fuck "this is pointless" but we just need to give it time.24- What was the last compliment you received?Gabe will say "good pooper" or "good Charlie bear" if I talk to him in his sleep does that count? Last night I couldn't sleep so I was chatting away to sleeping gabe about how annoying this was and he was mumbling "poor char, good pooper bear"

[huntsthemoon]

I was tagged by @beepbeep-richietozier, @darknightfrombeyond, @yourpalmoony, and @musiciatee

Here’s your answers Cat:

1.) What is your favorite movie and why?

Ooooo so many..... at the moment I’m going through another Undrafted phase.... @yourpalmoony knows what that’s all about ;) it’s one of my comfort movies lol.

2.) Which of your ocs would you get along with best in real life?

Umm... either Nora because she’s the most like me or Ben because he’s the most chill of them all lol. Maybe Myra if I was in the mood to just have quiet and read a book lol.

3.) If you could be a character in any fandom what would it be?

I don’t think I’d wanna be stuck in a fandom. But if I could just have one night with 3b Derek Hale I’d be happy ;)

4.) What is your favorite musical?

That’s a hard one. Probably Hairspray, I could sing those songs over and over. To be fair I’ve never seen a musical live though. So I’m going with movies here. 

5.) Which of your ocs would you put in another fandom?

That’s an interesting question.... I feel like Nora could be interesting in the MCU. Like get her and Bucky in a room and they have allot in common. And we all know she’d climb that like a tree.

6.) Who are you favorite ocs from other creators?

This is always tough. Fred Ackerman by @susiesamurai (I’ve gotten to sneak peak the re-write and dudes it’s amaze balls), Alex Jones by @yourpalmoony (she knows how trash I am) & Merikh Amor by @roan-kom-azgeda (there’s just something about him)

7.) Do you play video games? If so, what is your favorite?

I used to. I don’t have allot of time for it anymore. And I’m totally going to age myself here but I loved Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy X. I worked an entire summer bagging groceries for like $9/hr to save up for a playstation 2 and Kingdom Hearts lol.

8.) What helps you write?

Sometimes it’s music, but allot of times I put a movie on I like but can tune out. Something like Pitch Perfect or anything Tyler Hoechlin or DOB. My computer is right under the TV so I can listen and watch out of the corner of my eye if I need. If I get really stuck I take a break and knit for a bit.

9.) Is there a story you’ve been holding off from writing? If so, what is it?

I’ve been slacking on Lenny’s story. I fell behind on Arrow and didn’t watch the whole season I was going to put her in. But they added a character that also makes her a moot point so it probably won’t happen.

10.) What are some fcs that you would like to use?

Um... none I can think of. Usually I kind of come up with the character idea and then look for a FC. So none I can think of.

11.) What fandom would you like to read stories for but you haven’t yet?

There’s so many awesome supernatural OC’s out there but I’ve never really read any of their stories. Mostly because I keep meaning to catch up on the show. And don’t want spoilers. I’ve done my best to keep away from them but things happen. Just need to get my butt in gear and start watching again.

Here’s your answers Day:

1 - Write the last sentence of your current WIP.

“Came in to help Chris with a contract,” she stated simply.

It’s not very exciting lol.

2 - List your favorite line of dialogue/narration from someone else’s fanfiction. :D

Ooooo that’s hard.... my current one is from a re-write that isn’t released so I’ll probably leave this one.

3 - List your top 3 favorite OCs (your own or someone else’s)

I’ll list 3 different ones ;)

Ariana Petrakis by @fraysquake, Bianca Stilinski by @rhaenystargaryen411 & Dylan Larson by @bisexualpadmenaberrie

4 - Name a movie you can watch any time/place?

Captain America: Civil War.... all for the bucky, the bucky.....

5 - Music to write to?

I have a playlist of angsty, alt/indy rock.... it’s a sickness

6 - Has there ever been anything you’ve read (or written yourself) that stayed with you? What was it?

It all kind of stays with me, I find writing pretty therapeutic. I can’t think of a line or anything off the top of my head at the moment.

7 - Pick a Theme Song for your favorite OC!!! (your own)

Oooooooo Nora (duh lol) would be Lost Boy by Ruth B. teehee

8 - Pick a Theme Song for someone else’s OC!!!

This is actually hard for Nikita Grace by @yourpalmoony I’d say Unsteady by X-Ambassadors. 

9 - You’re lost in the woods. Running low on food and water … which of your OCs comes to find and rescue you??

NONE?! Seriously I write allot of selfish assholes lol. Actually probably Ben, he’s a teddy bear. If Gabe came to save me I’d probably run the other way lol.

10 - If you could only ever write for one character, one fic, from now until the day you die … and nothing else … which would it be?

Easy! Nora Argent and Virago. This story has taken over my life already lol.

11 - Orange Swirl Ice Cream or Cookie Dough? (totally random question)’

Cook Dough all the way!!!!!!!!

Here you go Moony:

1.) You’re stranded on a remote island, and have to survive for what could be months. Which three fictional characters would you want there? And why?

huh.... have to think on this a bit...

Poison Ivy because she could make anything grow we needed to eat, Oliver Queen because he’s already survived an island and Derek Hale (you know why)

2.) What is your go-to happy show?

Probably Diners, Drive-ins & Dives because I’m weird like that.

3.) What three songs are you obsessed with at the moment?

Too Good at Goodbyes by Sam Smith, Stripped by Shiny Toy Guns & She is Love by Parachute.

4.) Pick one of your ocs, now pick a band or artist who’s music and vibes really resonate with that oc

Gabriel... You’re So Vain by Carly Simon heeheeeheeheeheehee

5.) What is your guilty pleasure fandom?

Teen Wolf obviously lol or really anything Hoech, but I don’t really feel guilty about it

6.) Say something nice about someone else's writing (I know its not a question but lets spread some love, huh?)

So I’m going with Kam (@susiesamurai) because I’ve been reading her re-write for her. Kam I love how invested you are in Fred and Kevin. You know them so well and it shows. You’re dialogue is witty and amazing and makes me fall in love with them even more every time I read it.

And Moony, you my dear write with such detail that I can easily lose myself in the story. It’s why I have to wait until I have lots of free time. The world falls away when I get into the Gloaming. Great job my dear.

7.) Which of your edits are you most proud of? Put it in here!

Right now because I’m deep into Splintered as well as just figuring out how to use PSD’s it’s this one

8.) Which of your ocs deserve a damn vacation? Name four of them, and pick where they would go and why?

Nora Argent, Frankie Connelly, Ben Connelly... can only think of four lol. They all need to go to like Cuba and just enjoy some good rum and some sun. Although Frankie might not like what happens when Ben and Nora get drunk lol.

9.) Make an OC now! Face Claim: Michael Cera

Damn it Moony! Um... his name is Jack Kinkaid, he looks unassuming but really he’s mastermind hacker simply known as The Knight. He does allot of Robin Hood steal from the rich and give to the poor. Exposing those rich as the horrible people they are. Sending them to jail under the nose of the FBI as he works as an unassuming Best Buy employee.

10.) Think of your main oc, now make them a POC, who would play them? If you have a main poc then go with secondary! If this doesn’t pertain to you, then write a few sentences on why you love me.

So this made me fall down a pit in youtube and now have a new love in my life that is a show that I must watch immediately fyi.

But Nora --> Deborah Ann Woll --> Summer Bishil (Margo from the Magicians) form the little bit I’ve seen of the Magicians Margo reminds me allot of Nora

Here you go Ang:

1. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?

I actually own a spinning wheel. No idea how to use it but there’s a workshop like 8 hours from where I live for two weeks in the summer. It’s really super expensive and would love to do it some day.

2. Who’s your go to band or artist when you can’t decide on something to listen to?

Lately it’s been between Imagine Dragons and Sam Smith. I like me some sad tunes.

3. What TV show or movie do you refuse to watch?

I’m sorry I just can’t do Fifty Shades, even for Tyler Heochlin. Or Magic Mike. As much of a smut reader as I am. I prefer a decent story line in my movies.

4. What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?

Knitting/Crochet. It’s my passion. Or Chickens. This is the weird life I lead people hahahahaha.

5. What do you wish you knew more about?

I wish I knew more about my fellow writers. I’m horrible for sticking in my little bubble. Feel free to contact me peeps. I’m shy.

6. What would be your first question after waking up from being cryogenically frozen for 100 years?

About my family. I’d wanna know where they were. Hopefully with me.

7. What’s the best thing that happened to you last week?

Been a shitty week. But probably the ease my writing is coming, and the amazing things people have made me for Splintered. 

8. What’s the best way to start the day?

Giant cup of coffee with the perfect amount of cream, yarn and needles, cuddles with my kids and a good cheesy chick flick. Or if I can have anything and not be so cute, NAKED TYLER HOECHLIN that is all!

9. What would you rate 10 / 10?

How amazing you all are!

10. What single message would you send to an alien race?

That if there’s peace and love where they are stay there (sorry that shit got dark)

11. If someone narrated your life, who would you want to narrate?

Do you even need to ask? Have you heard Tyler Hoechlin speak???? That is all....

I’m not going to tag anyone because I’m sure we’ve all been tagged somewhere along the way hahahaha. Hope you like the answers this was a beast but I did it!

[junker-town]

Super Bowl commercials, ranked

Screenshot: Cheetos

You’ll cry, you’ll laugh, you’ll yawn.

The Super Bowl is here, which means we have the most-watched TV program of the year. With all those viewers comes an exorbitant advertising cost, up to a record $5.6 million for a 30-second ad.

Spending all that money brings with it a ton of eyeballs, and brands try to make it worth it with their most ambitious spots. This year’s Super Bowl commercials run the gamut, from tear-jerkingly sweet to face-punchingly infuriating. Here’s a look at the most memorable — good, bad, and in between.

The home runs, best of the best

Loretta (Google)

Several of the commercials on Super Bowl Sunday have an A-list cast, with our most recognized stars trying to get us to buy something. But sometimes, the most simple approach can be beautiful.

I first saw this commercial as a pre-roll ad before a different YouTube video. It was so beautifully haunting that I couldn’t bring myself to click “skip ad” once the obligatory five seconds lapsed. Each piano key strike was foreboding, but I couldn’t click away from this poor old man, simultaneously attempting to fend off memory loss and trying to remember his dead wife. A valiant fight against the ravages of time but one we are all destined to lose.

Because I use humor — or “humor” if you prefer — to cope while processing actual human emotion, the main thing going through my mind as tears streamed down my face was that Google should have titled this commercial “Get Back Loretta,” but probably didn’t want to pay exorbitant license fees for Beatles music.

The very Good Dog (WeatherTech)

This ad is tearjerking in a different, more uplifting way. This is a commercial for WeatherTech, but not really about their company at all. WeatherTech CEO David MacNeil used his 30-second spot to thank the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine for saving his dog Scout, who suffered from cancer of the blood cell walls. The commercial promotes a WeatherTech website for donations to help the school, and if that isn’t uplifting enough just look at this sweet, beautiful dog:

Photo: WeatherTech on YouTube

Groundhog Day (Jeep)

It just feels good to see Phil Connors and Ned Ryerson again, and both look 27 years older. There was no The Irishman-style CGI de-aging here. The added weight of all those years make the dread on Connors’ (Bill Murray’s) face that much more real, when he wakes up at the beginning of the commercial. But his day becomes less hellish once he spots a new Jeep, then proceeds to steal along with Punxsutawney Phil for a joy ride.

This is only the second Super Bowl to fall on February 2, so perfect timing to resurrect the classic film. The other Groundhog Day Super Bowl was in 2014, when a defense with Richard Sherman obliterated one of the most dynamic offenses the NFL has ever seen. Hmmm.

Getting the message across

Katie Sowers (Microsoft)

This is a longer version of an ad that has been running throughout the NFL playoffs, expanded for the Super Bowl — a national introduction to Katie Sowers, the offensive assistant coach for the 49ers, and her road to coaching. Sowers is the first female coach and the first openly gay coach in Super Bowl history.

“People tell me that people aren’t ready to have a woman lead, but these guys have been learning from women their whole lives. Moms, grandmas, teachers. We have all these assumptions about what women do, and what men do,” Sowers says. “I’m not trying to be the best female coach. I’m trying to be the best coach.”

The message is as clear as it is inspirational. Solid work all around.

The Secret Kicker

This features an anonymous placekicker nailing a field goal, but once the helmet comes off to reveal it was Carli Lloyd (joined in the commercial by her USWNT teammate Crystal Dunn), the crowd is at first shocked, then applauds her successful kick. The slogan “Let’s kick inequality” is strong, and it dawned on me — of all the commercials, this has maybe the best chance of coming true. Lloyd clearly has the leg, nailing a 55-yarder during an Eagles' practice in the 2019 preseason. It’s not that farfetched that a soccer star could eventually make it in the NFL. Or maybe once Lloyd is done with soccer she can shift to basketball instead.

Make Space for Women (Olay)

This has the best tagline from any of these commercials — “When we make space for women, we make space for everyone” — and the ad features a real astronaut (Nicole Stott) among the all-female cast. The empowering commercial also touts a #MakeSpaceForWomen hashtag, with Olay donating up to $500,000 to Girls Who Code.

Bizarre, but good

Rick & Morty (Pringles)

I love the manic energy here. Though this is an ad for Pringles, it might as well be a commercial for "Rick & Morty." If the show is anything close to this chaotic, I’m in.

An SNL skit, but funnier

Sam Elliott reciting "Old Town Road" (Doritos)

The regular commercial was fine, featuring a dance-off between Lil Nas X and Sam Elliott, plus haunting mustache CGI work. But for me, the better ad is the one above.

Hearing Sam Elliott read the phone book would be a treat, but hearing him act out lyrics to Old Town Road by Lil Nas X is a delight. The way the others in the bar react to Elliott’s character makes it clear he’s a man to be respected. I can’t help but wonder if this is simply world building, creating a backstory to the character of Wade Garrett so we can finally get that Road House prequel we’ve been clamoring for for decades.

Smaht Pahk (Hyundai)

In theory, this ad should not work as well as it does. The three lead actors — Chris Evans, Rachel Dratch, and John Krasinski — are all from the area, so it adds some authenticity to their exaggerated Boston accents. The commitment to the bit is very strong (I counted 15 times the word park — or rather “pahk” — was used), and that’s what sells it for me. The only better use for a Boston accent in a commercial would have been if Chipotle bought time to apologize for child labah violations.

Plus, this kind of car commercial is a welcome reprieve from the usual type we get during football season, with folks buying giant-bow-adorned cars for their spouse.

Can’t Touch This (Cheetos popcorn)

You had me at M.C. Hammer. That could have been the entire commercial — it basically was, with the main character getting out of various tasks because of the orange Cheetos dust on his fingers — and I would have been fine. But what sold it for me was after the trust fall, the poor guy who fell to the ground, not caught by the orange-fingered culprit, expertly delivers, “Why?” I don’t know why it made me laugh, but it did.

I can’t unsee this

The Shining remake (Mountain Dew Zero Sugar)

Had Bryan Cranston retired after Malcom in the Middle he still would have been revered for playing one of the most memorable and hilarious television dads in history. But Breaking Bad will lead his obituary, and for good reason. Cranston is a wonderfully gifted actor, and his channeling Jack Nicholson in a remake of The Shining for this commercial — the slogan is “as good as the original, maybe better?” — is quite good. But I will not be able to shake this image out of my head for some time:

Screenshot: Mountain Dew on YouTube

The Doppelgänger

This isn’t a commercial at all, but rather a tweeted tease from Honda before the game. I couldn’t help but notice the Helpful Honda guy looks a hell of a lot like Brutus.

Photo: Honda on Twitter

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Snoozefest

Typical Americans (Budweiser)

I appreciate the sarcastic irony of the ad, using footage of good deeds and various accomplishments, with bonus points for using USWNT Instagram stories from the post-World Cup celebration (but they should have found a way to work in “You’re welcome for this content, bitch!”). But still, this commercial falls flat. It’s probably the best of the boring subgroup here for at least having the decency to avoid jamming some shitty Lee Greenwood song into our ears.

Sonic the Hedgehog

This is a combination commercial and trailer for the upcoming "Sonic" movie, but is probably the most sports-relevant of the ads so far. Michael Thomas of the Saints, Christian McCaffrey of the Panthers, Olympic sprinter Allyson Felix, and NASCAR driver Kyle Busch are known for speed in their respective sports, but all sing the praises of the movie's main character, Sonic the Hedgehog. The inclusion of said athletes does nothing to save this commercial from being boring, however.

By the way, I hope there eventually is a sequel to this "Sonic" movie, just so it can have the tagline “The Sega Continues.”

Jimmy Works It Out (Michelob Ultra)

There are a ton of people who find Jimmy Fallon funny, so this is probably fine for them. This has everything a Super Bowl commercial is supposed to have: elaborate production, cameos from athletes and stars. But I can’t shake the fact that Jimmy Fallon tries too hard; the payoff just isn’t there for me. Maybe I still see him as the guy who laughed through every "SNL" sketch he was ever in.

Ostensibly this is an ad for Michelob Ultra, but it might as well be vanilla beer to match the bland Fallon.

Please, God, go away

Gabe Gabriel is my mortal enemy. He is unavoidable on Super Bowl Sunday, so stay safe out there everybody.

[blackwatchbastard]

Rapt

Rating: E Chapter(s): 1/1 Relationship(s): Gabriel Reyes/Jack Morrison Warnings: Sexual Content (PWP) Words: 4,104 Additional Tags: Fluffy Smut, (VERY) Light Dom/sub, Enthusiastic Consent, Praise Kink, Orgasm Delay, Teasing, Handjob, Blowjob, Biting, Hair Pulling, Dirty Talk, Softer Than It Looks, GOOD LORD I’M FEELING EMBARRASSED ALL OVER AGAIN BY THESE TAGS SAVE ME Summary: Time apart is awful but reunions are oh-so-good. A/N: OKAY. So this probably looks fairly familiar to anyone who found me on ao3 first but!! It’s been officially over 3 months since I posted this and it is both something I’m still super proud of and vaguely sentimental about and I’m having a rough week with making words so I thought I’d toss it here to remind myself I am capable of writing stuff I really love. I was So Nervous when I posted it initially but I’m so glad I did. (ao3)

“Jack, remember how it was in SEP? Wrestling you against the wall and fucking you like your life depended on it? Moaning into your fist because we couldn’t have anyone hearing Captain Morrison getting his rewards.” A breathy laugh. Jack bit his knuckle. “You want it like that again? Want me to pin you down and make it hard to walk? Boss around the mighty Strike-Commander? Make him beg for it, tell me how much he needs me?” Gabriel laughed again, this one fuller, and there was the sound of something moving across the desk. “I love you so damn much, you know that you kinky fucker?” Jack nodded, even if he couldn’t see. “I know. You'd be a mess if I could do worse than this.” Another unseen nod in reply. Gabriel laughed again, like he knew. “I’ll be home soon, babe. Get some sleep. I’ll do whatever you need.”

It was just a short message, just teasing, but he kept it. Somehow, it made time apart feel a little easier. Even if just for the moment.

His video screen binged, startling him, and Jack rapidly ripped out his ear buds before even registering the name on the call. Blackwatch Commander G. Reyes. Exhaling shakily, Jack accepted the call.

Gabriel’s face popped up on the screen, bags under his eyes and airport backdrop not even enough to stop the grin he broke into when he saw Jack’s face. Sappy and disgusting really. Jack loved it.

“Nice neck pillow, dork.”

Gabriel narrowed his eyes and poked at the hot pink monstrosity he was resting on. “It was Hello Kitty or that fucking frog. Obvious choice.”

“Japanese airports are fun.”

Gabriel laughed and rummaged for something out of view before holding up a coffee cup printed with cherry blossom branches. “You’re telling me. No other beverage back home is ever gonna compare, Jack. It tastes like heaven, chocolate, and flowers.”

“How long till your flight? Can probably sneak a few more in.”

Gabriel laughed. “3 hours. Not many. But my ass is fucking ready to be home and we still have to go through Hawaii.”

“Poor baby.”

Gabriel rolled his eyes. “Not like I have time to do anything there but hope there’s an L&L without a line and sprint to my next flight.”

“I know.” Jack offered up a sympathetic little frown.

Gabriel stifled a yawn. “You getting me from the airport or do I have to kick in your office door to see my husband?”

“I got three days off. I'm all yours.”

“Shit, really?” Jack beamed at him. “You must have really missed my ass.”

“Other parts of you too.”

Gabriel laughed and it was warm and homey. Jack slumped on his elbows against his desk, just watching him. Gabriel raised a brow.

“How much?”

“Hmm?”

“How much do you miss me?”

Jack laughed. Toyed with the ear buds on his desk. “Was just… listening to your message.”

“Again?”

Jack shrugged. “Hey, it’s just a recording my spouse sent me. Nothing questionable there.”

Gabriel laughed. “You’re horny as shit right now. I knew I saw that look somewhere.” Jack made a face. “It hasn't even been that long, babe. That’s weak.”

“Shut up, you’ve got shit to distract you. I’ve just got,” Jack motioned to his office behind him, “this crap.”

“Man, I’m just fucking with you. I spent the other night staring at that last picture you sent me like a lovesick teenager.”

“My goddamn coffee selfie?”

“Didn’t say I was doing anything, did I? Pervert.”

Jack laughed. “I could send you something better.” he offered. Gabriel waved him off rapidly.

“No, fuck off. I have like a day’s worth of plane rides and the last thing I need is an awkward boner.”

“Airports in hard mode.”

Gabriel poked a finger at the screen. “No.” Jack shot him a sulky look but relented, letting it drop.

“You should try to sleep some, Gabe. My lunch is almost over anyway.”

Gabriel nodded and settled back in his seat some, pink neck pillow puffing up around his head. “Yeah.” he said, “I’ll see you, uh, tomorrow.”

“Love you.”

Gabriel laughed and reached to turn off the feed. “Love you too, jackass.” He paused. “Oh, hey.”

“Hmm?”

“Be good and wait for me, alright? I've got plans.”

Jack let out a weak laugh as Gabriel grinned and ended the call. He stared at the blank screen for a moment before slowly burying his face in his hands.

“Fuck.”

He was going to have to extend his lunch to listen to that recording one more time… Maybe dig out one of the other files he had.

At the airport there was a tradition to keep so Jack made sure to park and go in to wait for Gabriel and Jesse to haul themselves out of baggage claim. As they rounded the corner Jack cut into a run and Gabriel, spotting him, shoved the coffee cup in his hand at Jesse and held his arms out.

Incidentally, the only thing really capable of catching a super soldier with ease is another super soldier. Jack dove into his arms, Gabriel spinning and staggering to keep balance, and they both laughed. Somewhere, someone was probably snapping pictures. Plain clothes made it harder for people to easily ID them as Strike-Commander Morrison and Commander Reyes but there was always the odd outlier. Not that it mattered anymore; getting hitched didn’t even end the rumors about either of them.

“There’s my lucky charm.” Gabriel laughed, beaming up at him. Jack grinned back and butted their foreheads together lightly.

Warm brown eyes. Like home–they felt just like home. Jack brought his hands up to cup Gabriel’s face.

“And there’s my sunshine.” he said, ducking in for a kiss. Gabriel let out a soft ‘mm’ and pressed in closer, fingers digging into Jack’s thighs.

Behind them, Jesse coughed awkwardly and took a draw off Gabriel’s latte. “Y'all wanna take me home or what? Should I get a cab..?”

They broke apart, both laughing, and Gabriel set Jack down on his feet again.

“Kid’s crabby because he didn’t believe me when I told him Hawaiian barbecue is better than Southern.” Gabriel explained. Jesse shot him a dirty look and drained the rest of his latte in protest.

“C'mon, L&L was the shit, wasn’t it?”

“It was okay.” Jesse punctuated his words by chucking the empty cup into a bin next to them.

Jack snorted. “Sacrilege.”

They headed for the car, Jack glued himself to Gabriel’s side the whole way. Not that he was getting any complaints in return. Instead Gabriel’s arm ended up around his waist, hand gripping his hip. They only parted when it came time to pack up luggage and climb into the car and as soon as Jack had his hand on the shifter Gabriel’s was over it, lacing their fingers together. From the back seat, Jesse scoffed.

“Problem back there?” Jack asked, peeking in the rear view mirror. Jesse grinned back at him.

“Man, you have no idea what kinda shitty mood he’s been in. Shoulda known it was cause he missed you.”

Gabriel cut his eyes toward Jesse. Jack laughed, squeezing at his hand.

“Hey, bet he did better than me. I can’t sleep for shit with all that space in bed.”

“Get a body pillow and wrap a hoodie around it. Prolly do the trick with how boss sleeps like a goddamn log.”

Jack laughed and Gabriel jerked his head around to glare at Jesse, who just grinned at him. “Little cuddlier than a log, if you get him in the right mood.” Jack replied. Jesse waved him off.

“Spare me. He lives for being the big spoon, I bet.”

“Fuck that, little spoon is the bomb.” Gabriel chimed in then, brow furrowed. “You feel all safe and shit.”

Jesse laughed and flopped over in the back seat, holding his hat to his head. Gabriel chuckled along with him, hand squeezing at Jack's, and settled back in his seat.

“Just goes to show, kiddo,” Gabriel hummed, “there's a lot you think you know about me.”

Jesse sat up, still fighting laughter, and shrugged. “Yeah,” he said, “and there's a lot I just don't wanna know.”

That got a chuckle out of Jack. “For the best.”

They dropped Jesse off and headed home, something spent largely in contented silence, and it was only once they started to near their stop that either spoke.

Gabriel broke the silence first. “So, pizza and romance movies tonight?” He was teasing. Jack squeezed at his fingers. “Wear those ugly ass sweatpants and fall asleep on the couch like an old couple?”

“No, no fuck that.” Jack shot him a glare. “I'm so goddamn horny, Gabe.” Gabriel laughed. “I know you're probably jet-lagged to hell but you don't get to tease me for the whole mission and then pizza and sweatpants me your first night back.”

Gabriel grinned at him, hint of a chuckle still on his voice. “Fine, fine. Don't get all prissy with me, princess.” he said, “Lucky for you I slept for about 95% of the plane ride. Just take it easy on me and I'll take care of you.”

Jack raised their hands off the center console and pressed Gabriel's knuckles to his lips. “Whatever you need.” he murmured.

“Fucking sap. Gross.” Gabriel swatted his arm but, when Jack stole a glance, he was grinning wider than ever.

The second they were in the apartment, door barely closed and locked, they were all over each other. Gabriel kissed him hard, pressing him into the entry way wall and putting the taste of copper in his mouth. He broke away slowly, biting Jack's lower lip and pulling it back with him. He released it and grinned at Jack's dazed expression.

“How do you wanna do this?”

Jack slumped against the wall. Thought a moment.

“You feel like being boss?”

Gabriel laughed and reached out, grabbing a handful of Jack's hair and dragging him closer. “You going to be good or bad?” he asked.

“Told you in the car; whatever you need.”

“Then you better be my Golden Boy.”

Gabriel laughed, low and soft, and kissed him again. This one slower, more heated. His free hand snaked around his waist, pulling him in flush to his body. He rutted up against Jack, pushing him into the wall and pressing his thigh between his legs. Jack whined as Gabriel broke the kiss, stepping back suddenly.

“Get undressed.”

He moved across the room then, yanking his belt off along the way and taking a seat in one of the living room chairs. Jack watched a moment, eyes trailing over his back and hips, before swiftly moving to yank his shirt over his head. He made it all the way out of his pants before Gabriel whistled for his attention and beckoned him closer.

Jack moved across the room and knelt at his feet, hands tentatively on Gabriel’s spread knees, and looked up at him awaiting direction. For a moment Gabriel seemed to simply be admiring the sight; he probably looked a disaster with a bitten lower lip and mussed hair. One of his feet shifted, toe of his boot nudging between Jack’s knees for a better look at the beginnings of the erection straining in his boxers. Gabriel laughed and rubbed a hand over his beard.

“You’re so easy.”

“For you.”

“That’s right. Because whose the boss of the great Strike-Commander Morrison?”

“My Gabriel.”

Wrong answer. But that was just part of the game. Gabriel let out a low chuckle and leaned forward, taking a hold of Jack’s chin.

“No,” he said, “you’re mine.”

Jack leaned forward reflexively, eyes on Gabriel’s lips, and felt himself get nudged back swiftly as Gabriel sat back in his chair again.

“Ah ah, not unless I say you can.”

“Please, Gabe.” Jack squeezed at Gabriel’s knees, risking the delicate balance that had him allowed to touch there even. “I need you.”

Gabriel tutted. “You’re impatient today.”

There was something in his tone that sounded only fond, not the acted disapproval, and somehow it was even more of a temptation. Tentatively, Jack slid his hands up to rest on Gabriel’s thighs. Blessedly, he still met no resistance to the gesture.

“I’ll do anything.” he said, kneading at the muscular flesh under his jeans. Groveling, his chin tucked against his chest. “Please. Just tell me what to do.”

When he looked back up he felt a small thrill of victory at the look on Gabriel’s face. He could barely hold the scene together, rolling his lower lip between his teeth and fingers digging into the arms of his chair. Jack made eye contact, best sullen look on, and fought the urge to smile when Gabriel’s breath hitched in his chest.

“Fuck me...”

“Was that a command or just a comment?”

“Come here.”

Gabriel reached down and took hold of Jack’s face, pulling him up into a rough kiss. They broke for air and instantly there were teeth digging into his shoulder, blunt nails trailing over his back. He whined and fought the urge to move his hands.

“Show me how much you missed me.” Gabriel breathed against his neck before releasing him.

Jack sank back down to his knees and his hands shot for Gabriel’s fly. Undid it and hooked his fingers through Gabriel’s belt loops, yanking them down just a bit with some more gracious aid from their wearer lifting up off his ass in his seat. Freed an already notable erection and cut his eyes up to look at Gabriel.

“I’m easy?”

“You having trouble getting into character, Jackass? Or are we playing something else?” Gabriel quipped. Jack laughed and shook his head. “Mmhm. Be a good boy, now.” He reached out and grabbed a handful of Jack’s hair, pulling him closer.

Jack settled in between his legs comfortably, taking hold of his cock and thumbing the tip. Given freedom, he let his other hand wander up from Gabriel’s thigh to slide under his shirt and dig his fingers into the firm skin there. Gabriel hummed in the back of this throat, contented, and slacked his hold on Jack’s hair without completely releasing it.

“You’re so perfect. What’d I do to deserve someone like you?” Jack asked. He glanced up at Gabriel, rolling his thumb over the pre-cum on the tip of his cock and was met with one of his favorite faces; that half-lidded attempt at focus, chewing the inside of his lip. He was doing good.

“Well,” Gabriel’s grip on his hair tightened again. “Certainly wasn’t running your damn mouth.”

Jack leaned down, hand sliding down the length of Gabriel’s cock, and took the tip in his mouth. Rolled his tongue over it, still daring to tease, and was met with a sharp yank on his hair. Too far, too long. He didn’t particularly intend to he disobedient, after all, just a little return favor for all that sweatpants thing. Moving, he gave a few solid strokes before lowering his head near the base and running his tongue up the underside. He shifted his other hand around to squeeze between the chair cushion and Gabriel’s ass, kneading at it. He had some praising remarks for it, if he remembered when he could use his mouth again.

Gabriel’s grip on his hair loosened, shifting to a gentle stroke, and Jack took the tip of his cock back into his mouth. He swirled his tongue over it a few times, fairing well enough to earn a pleased little grumble, before taking the whole length into his mouth. His other hand, now freed, grabbed greedily at Gabriel’s shirt and pushed it up as he raised up straighter and languished up and down his cock a few times, proved his mouth good for more than just talking shit.

“That’s my good Golden Boy.” he heard Gabriel mumble, feeling his fingers carding awkwardly through his hair. Oh there it was; he loved getting the nicknames out. That was always a good sign.

He sped his machinations, fumbling briefly before finding a reasonable pace, and felt Gabriel’s hand slide to cup the back of his neck. The hand on Gabriel’s chest slid up as far as he could do comfortably and found a firm pec to squeeze at, thumb grazing over the hard nipple and causing a soft popping noise to his left–-Gabriel’s fingers digging into the arm of the chair.

It didn’t take long in the daze before he felt Gabriel shudder, hand moving to grab his hair again and yanking to signal he was close. He pressed on gladly, until Gabriel’s hips bucked up towards him and his mouth filled with salt and warmth. He rode out the tremors, swallowing hard, and when he finally pulled back his lips were hot and wet-–a lewd sting of saliva and cum following them from Gabriel’s cock. Gabriel reached out and broke it, taking his chin and running his thumb over his slick lower lip.

“Good boy.”

Jack smiled and moved, laying his cheek against Gabriel's thigh and sliding his hands back down to rest on the backs of his calves. He felt Gabriel shift, momentarily jostling him, as he tucked himself back into his jeans and yanked his shirt back down.

“Got a little handsy, though.”

“You're just so perfect, I can't help myself.” Jack mumbled.

Gabriel scooped his hand under his cheek, lifting him up and sliding to hold his chin. He guided Jack up, smirking when his hands uselessly grabbed at his knees, and into a kiss. Long, slow, heated. Jack melted against it, fingers kneading at Gabriel's thighs.

“You want your prize?” he asked against Jack's mouth, voice low. Jack nodded. “I suppose you deserve a little something...” He pushed Jack backwards and down toward the floor, fingers planted on the center of his chest. Jack slumped, pliable.

There was a small pause, Gabriel poised over him. He raised a brow. Jack mimicked the expression, confused.

“Check in?”

“I'm good.” Rock hard, melting into the floor, lips raw. Good was the smallest way to put things.

“You sure?”

“Virgin-Mary-Jesus-Christ, Gabriel Reyes! Yes!”

Gabriel laughed. That ugly snort-started thing he did when something surprised him. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to Jack's forehead. “Okay, okay. So punishment? Input?”

“Whatever you're up to. Just touch me, goddamn.” Jack hummed.

Gabriel pulled back, looking thoughtful a moment, then grinned at him. “Done.”

He moved his hand then, flattening it onto Jack's chest before sliding it down the plane of his torso. Over hard muscle and wiry hair till it found the damp cotton of his boxers. Seamlessly, he hooked his fingertips under the band and pulled, dragging them down in one fluid motion.

“Since you were so good,” he drawled, “I think you earned some special treatment.”

He gathered Jack's hands over his head, one hand on his wrists, and wrapped his other around his cock. He picked up a rhythm easily, finding him already so needy. Jack pressed up against his hand, desperate for more friction, more attention, and chewed his sore lip. Eyes watching Gabriel's, fingers flexing in their hold.

“So easy...”

“Just for you.” Jack managed to hiss, voice hoarse. Gabriel laughed, squeezing just a little tighter in his strokes, and made him gasp for air at the end.

“You're so good for me.” he drawled, leaning in and pressing his forehead to Jack's shoulder. “You're so good.”

And already so close. Jack squirmed under him, bucking his hips, and felt Gabriel's pace slow. He whined as he felt his hand still then retreat entirely, leaving him teetering on the edge.

“Gabe--”

“But you have trouble listening sometimes.”

His tone sent a shiver down Jack's whole body, eyes widening. Gabriel gave a low, rumbling laugh and sank his teeth into the meatiest part of Jack's shoulder. Hard but not enough to bleed or bruise. Jack gasped, hands straining against the hold on his wrists, and leaned toward the sensation. Gabriel moved up his neck and bit down again, teeth scraping over his pulse, and Jack's breath caught in his chest.

Sometimes, even punishment felt like a reward.

Gabriel stilled for a moment, breath hot on his neck, and cupped a hand along his jawline. Traced over the cut angles with his fingers, trailing down to his chin and holding it lazily. He shifted, seating himself on Jack’s thighs, and leaned back some-–spine popping softly when he arched his back in.

“I could just leave you like this. Nothing you could do about it; not if you’re being good, anyway.” He set his hands on Jack’s stomach and rolled them up, over his chest, then back down to stop just before where he was most needed. Jack tried to fight through the haze to say something coherent but all that came out was a low groan. “You’d deserve that.”

Gabriel leaned down again, hands sliding up his chest and over his neck, cupping either side of his face. Kissed him in the softest way imaginable.

“I’m sorry.” Jack managed to grit out, hands still over his head where they’d been left, fingers flexing.

“Don’t let it happen again.”

Jack nodded, teeth clenched, and Gabriel took him in his hand. Eased him back into the same pace from before, free hand sliding over the plane of his stomach soothingly. It only took moments before Jack crashed, arching into the sensation even with Gabriel weighing down the bulk of his lower body.

Trembling, toe curling perfection. Gabriel guided him through, stopping as his body slacked back into the floor, and chuckled faintly as a breathy string of profanity left his mouth at the end.

“You kiss your mother with that mouth?”

“Kiss yours too.”

Gabriel laughed again and grabbed Jack’s shirt off the floor next to them, wiping the mess off his chest before rubbing his hands over his stomach again. The skin prickled, overly sensitive in the afterglow.

“How’d I do?”

Jack laughed weakly. “Want me to write up a review for you?” he put on a faux authority voice, “Meets expectations in dirty talk and power dynamics, exceeds in skillfulness with hands.”

That ugly snort-laugh again. Gabriel leaned in and butted his forehead against Jack’s. “I missed you, Jackass.”

“I missed you too.” Jack hummed, reaching out and affectionately scratching at Gabriel’s chin. “So, is it your turn to get bullied now?”

Gabriel groaned, slumping dramatically sideways onto the floor at that. “No, let me sleep, Jack.” He rolled onto his side, sulking pitifully, and Jack laughed as he squirmed back into his boxers. “Skip me to aftercare where you tell me I’m pretty and rub my scalp.”

Sitting up, Jack leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “You have to change before you can sleep.” he remarked.

Gabriel poked a finger at him. “I got. My belt off. And I got you off. You take my damn boots off for me.”

“Thought we weren’t in scene anymore.” Jack teased. Gabriel waved him off.

“Yeah, no. This is just your whiny husband telling you he’ll sleep on the floor if you don’t help.”

Jack rolled his eyes but smiled down at him affectionately, moving to yank Gabriel’s boots off. Gabriel shifted this way and that, only vaguely helpful as Jack pulled off his hoodie and shirt for him before moving to prying him out of his jeans. Job complete, he patted at Gabriel’s stomach.

“Crawl your ass into bed, you giant baby.“ Gabriel complied, making a show of getting to his feet and trailing toward the bedroom. Jack shook his head, watching after him. "You want big spoon or little spoon?”

Gabriel scoffed, then promptly had to stifle a yawn. “You kidding? Little spoon is my fucking jam. If you’re willing to give it up since you technically have dibs.”

Jack chuckled and hauled himself go his feet. “Eh, I told you before. Whatever you need, Gabe.”

“Gabe also needs a back rub and pancakes in the morning.”

“Gabe shouldn’t push his luck.”

He laughed and reached out, beckoning Jack closer. When he stepped into his space, Gabriel nuzzled a kiss into his cheek dramatically.

“Alright,” he hummed, lips muffled on Jack’s skin, “that’s fair.”

Jack grinned and slung his arm around Gabriel’s waist, towing him the rest of the way to bed. He went gladly, stumbling awkwardly in his growing drowsiness.

“Maybe we’ll revisit pancakes tomorrow.”

Gabriel laughed and pressed against his shoulder. “You’re too good to me.”

“Hey,” Jack shot him a grin, “just returning the favor.”

'cause i never believed there was a heaven 'til i found you and i never prayed like the church always told me to but now you can count on me to get on my knees for you (X)

[zenyattasperceptrons]

Reaper76: Who cooks? What does the other think of their cooking?

OK im back i had a good answer to this all thought up but i think i forgot it um

ok well, both of them kind of started the military stuff at a pretty young age so i don’t think either of them are really natural at cooking in terms of like…being used to cooking for themself, but Gabe definitely helped with the cooking more when he was a kid than Jack did because at Gabe’s house it was more of a family event where at Jack’s it was something his mom did (he grew up in a pretty traditional farmer household type thing imo, the poor kid) (the rich kid)

so gabe brings a little more of his family into it wrt the recipes he knows whereas Jack kind of has to start from scratch so he’s not as comfortable with it

BUT. both of them are really bad at remembering to eat much less actually cook meals so like, Gabe is just great at taking random ingredients that happen to be in the fridge and somehow making a pretty decent thing with it with the use of a frying pan and 10 minutes of your time, whereas Jack just

gabe: holy fuck what is that it smells so good

jack: its a shitty microwave burrito i brought you one because you haven’t eaten in like two days

gabe: that’s definitely an exaggeration but thank you i love you

THOUGH opens up this AU like a new toy, in this strange domestic life thing i have over here…. they definitely make a family event thing out of cooking because gabe is better at it but jack wants to learn and gabe isn’t going to do all the work himself if he doesn’t have to, so they both help out even if Jack is more of a kitchen assistant until he gets a feel for what’s going on and starts being like “oh what if we did this for dinner” and gabe is like “idk sounds good, feel free”

[merobot]

Like fuck man, this was the one thing I was looking forward to At this point I kinda feel like what the fuck ever I'm a whiny little bitch who they only keep around for photography shit at this point and I'm losing my passion for that and everything is falling apart anyway And my dad keeps telling me to study for myself but like I'm not studying for myself!!! I'm not doing this for me!!! I'm doing this for you!!! I know how embarrassed you are when you have to talk about me to your friends and our relatives. Like all I got is rachel but I don't wanna hang out with her shitty boyfriend who's not good enough for her anyway but like she's in the same spot all we have is each other and I'm just so tired and I want someone to read this and care but one of my best friends isn't talking to me and I don't know why and even if he was he doesn't really seem to get the I had a bad day could you please cheer me up thing Sorry this is so long I'm just doing bad today Poor Gabe though I hope he's feeling better being sick sucks

[flauntpage]

So is Gabe Kapler Good at his Job Now?

Let us rewind to April 5, the day of the Phillies’ home opener. The team impotently limped back to Philadelphia to open its home slate after a miserable 1-4 start to the season. By that time, Gabe Kapler:

Agitated his centerfielder by leaving him out of the Opening Day lineup.

Agitated his best starting pitcher by prematurely removing him on Opening Day. It was a disaster of a game that the Phillies went on to lose in mystifying, yet predictable, fashion.

Gassed his bullpen after utilizing his relievers at a historic rate, forcing him to use utility man Pedro Florimon as a mop-up reliever in only the third game of the season.

Failed to properly execute a routine pitching change because he didn’t allow ample time for his reliever to warm up, which, in turn, led to Major League Baseball issuing an embarrassing warning to the Phillies.

Watched as a report emerged just prior to that day’s game that an anonymous Phillies player believed the team would be fine if Kapler would “get out of the way.”

For those reasons, the soundtrack of Kapler’s first weekend in Philadelphia featured a merciless stream of boos from agitated fans assembled at Citizens Bank Park that began with the team introductions:

  Gabe Kapler heard some boos being introduced for #HomeOpener

I asked him how he can win back some #Phillies fans

“By being accountable. If there’s criticism, its a good indication I need to look in the mirror and see where I can improve”#BeBold pic.twitter.com/hzSGyN6rB4

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) April 5, 2018

  Those boos carried over into the game, even when his moves were sound in judgment:

The fans in Philly were NOT happy when Gabe Kapler came to take out Nick Pivetta after 97 pitches.

There's two down in the sixth after 5.2 innings of scoreless baseball. pic.twitter.com/yAsYHaJe2w

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 5, 2018

And they didn’t subside over the duration of the weekend:

Gabe Kapler hears boos on every single pitching change.

— Joe Giglio (@JoeGiglioSports) April 8, 2018

Fast-forward to today. The Phillies have won eight of their last nine games, including six-straight after sweeps of the Reds and Rays, to move to into second-place in the NL East. At 9-5, they are off to their best start since the 2011 season, and with a win on Monday night, can officially rip off their longest winning streak in almost six years.

How do you like Gabe Kapler now?

Like I asked a week ago, how can you boo this swag?

How can you boo this swag? pic.twitter.com/PNlOBE4Z1N

— BWanksCB (@BWCrossingBroad) April 8, 2018

In all seriousness, it’s still hard to know what to make of Kapler after his first five series as this team’s manager. Is he the matchup and data obsessed-tactician that revealed a startlingly absent feel of the game, feel of his clubhouse, and feel of common sense? Or, is he simply a guy who was too eager to prove his way was the right way, made some poor decisions, didn’t get much help from his players, and just ran into some plain old bad luck?

If you thought the early April condemnation of Kapler was an unfair rush to judgment, then to say this team is headed in the right direction after beating up on two shitty teams that will end the day with a combined 5-24 record is also probably a short-sighted rush to judgment. The Phillies’ rebound since April 5 has been both impressive and encouraging, but those who were/are still skeptical over the quirky but beautiful manager–his machismo is truly arresting–need not yet write their apology letters. It took me until after the Carolina game back in Week 5 for me to issue a heart-felt and sincere apology to Doug Pederson:

Personally, I was pretty hard on him. But now? I don’t even know how to adequately explain the way I feel. Let me put it to you this way. If he was standing directly across from me and exhaled into my face, I would breathe it in and let it be in me. Is that weird? Yeah, I guess it is, but whatever.

I’m just not at that level yet with Kapler, but if the Phillies reach 10 games over .500, then it’s going to get weird, and that proposition doesn’t feel like a long-shot.

The Phillies entered this season with promise and hype, and it’s my position that this recent surge could do wonders for the manager and his young team. Their collective ability to overcome some early missteps, only to rebound with such authority, has to instill confidence in this group that the hype is real. After a three-game set against the Braves in which the Phillies will return to scene of Kapler’s embarrassing Opening Day crimes, they return home for a ten-game homestand. They have, at the very least, put themselves in position to have a quality opening month to a season in which many fans hope and believe they can return to the postseason for the first time in seven years.

In truth, what do we know about Kapler at this point? Not much, but I’m willing to bet he isn’t the overmatched ass clown he appeared to be all of ten days ago. And I’m willing to bet that with a decent series in Atlanta, he may return home to a different tone from the crowd.

So is Gabe Kapler Good at his Job Now? published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/