#pov jesus 2 and jesus 1 just kicked your behind

[mrsnaildood]

Best you stay down. | We won't ask again.

Currently not really drawing Ninjago stuff, but I found this old wip of the Spinjitzu Brothers based on one of my favourite panels from the Garmadon comics that I thought was fine to just upload. Maybe I'll revamp it sometime but I still like how they look!

[queenie-ofthe-void]

The Babysitter Chronicles - Henderson

Steve POV 5+1 (immediately follows s2) || wc: 1.8k || full fic ao3

Henderson || Mayfield pt 1 / Mayfield pt 2 || Sinclair || Wheeler || Byers || +1 Hopper

~~~

This has been the worst week of Steve’s life.

Not only does Nancy think he’s bullshit, he found out she never actually loved him, she cheated on him, and she partially blames him for Barb’s death.

He was almost eaten alive by alternate dimension monster demodogs, almost died at the hands of Billy fucking Hargrove, almost died in the backseat of Billy’s car, and then almost died again in the tunnels. 

He’s pretty sure he has a serious concussion and a broken nose. The stitches on his forehead are starting to itch. He’s had a migraine every day since, and there’s ringing in his ears.

Steve honestly thought he could put all of this Upside-Down shit behind him. Pack it away in a tiny box and move on. Yet he was dragged into it once again, forced to protect kids he barely knows from both monsters and humans. 

He deserves to get paid for this shit, to be honest. 

He’s got no friends to sit with at lunch, no girlfriend to love him, and no parents at home to take care of him.

After spending the week at home alone, wallowing and recovering, he found himself thinking of the kids. It was the first time he felt anything other than misery and physical pain. But they were big, complicated emotions that he’s still untangling. He’s been able to pick out fear and anxiety, annoyance, exasperation, and– surprisingly– fondness. When he thinks of the kids, he’s hit with a surge of fierce protectiveness and devotion.

He’s got nothing to show for his life and no one to spend it with. Those kids, though, needed him in a way he’s never felt before. It was life or death, and they trusted him to keep them safe. Now that it’s over, even If he isn’t necessarily wanted, maybe he could at least continue being useful.

Which is how he finds himself pulling up to the same curb as he did a week ago. At least this time he’s not here about the Upside-Down; although, knowing Dustin, he wouldn’t be surprised.

“Steve!” Dustin’s running out the front door and down the driveway in just a t-shirt and sweatpants despite the chilly November morning. He plows into his chest at full speed and almost sends them both toppling over. “Steve, holy shit you’re here! Oh shit your face.”

“Hey man, language ok?” Jesus, the mouth on this kid. “Relax twerp, ease up on the hug, you're killing my ribs.”

Dustin immediately drops his arms and backs away, looking cowed. Steve’s going to have to work on his approach, apparently the kid’s sensitive. Or maybe Steve’s still a bit of a bully, another part of himself that needs to be fixed.

“It’s ok, Dustin, don’t worry about it. Just a little sore still.”

He perks back up again, bouncing up and down on his heels. The little gremlin’s toothless smile is so damn cute Steve wants to give him a noogie. 

“Ok then,” Dustin replies, “so why are you here?”

“Uhhh, actually I’m here to talk to your mom.” Feeling suddenly awkward, Steve runs a nervous hand through his hair. He hisses as it pulls on his stitches.

“My mom?” he asks, incredulously. “Why? What’s going on?”

Steve supposes he should’ve thought of this. It makes more sense to talk with Dustin before actually asking his mom for permission, but he hadn’t practiced this part. Now here he is, facing down an over-dramatic middle schooler and he’s actually nervous about it.

“Yeah, I kind of noticed you’re an only child, and you don’t really have a dad around.”

Dustin’s face falls, morphing into a scowl. Shit, Steve’s barely said one word and he’s already messing this up.

“Not all of us have rich parents who buy us whatever they want,” the kid huffs, crossing his arms and kicking non-existent rocks.

“No wait, ok look I’m sorry Dustin, that’s not what I meant. I’m not really great at talking about stuff like this. The important stuff anyways. Let me try again. Please?”

The kid’s still scowling, but his body relaxes a bit and he nods.

“Ok I’ll start over,” Steve continues. “Even though we were dealing with all of the Upside-Down shit and it was literally the worst week of my entire life, I enjoyed having you around. I’d sleep better at night if I knew you twerps are safe and I know you don’t really have anyone around other than your mom and the other gremlins–”

“The Party.”

Steve stares at him, mouth hanging open as he’s cut off mid-sentence. He’s in the middle of pouring his heart out to this mouthy ten year old and he’s got the audacity to interrupt him.

“The what now?”

“The Party, Steve.” The little shit’s tone is overflowing with condescension. “The group. We’re called the Party. You know, like in DnD?”

“What the hell is a dandy?”

“You, kind of,” Dustin mutters under his breath. Steve doesn’t really know what that means and coming from this kid he probably doesn’t want to. “D and D stands for Dungeons and Dragons, Steve. It’s a role playing game.”

“Whoa, alright I think you’re a little too young to be playing role playing games.”

“I’ve literally been playing for three years.”

“You’ve been roleplaying since you were seven?”

“I’m thirteen Steve!” He’s pretty sure Dustin’s screeching can be heard from the other side of town. “What are we even talking about right now? Why are you here, at my home, looking for my mom?”

“I want to be your goddamned babysitter!” Steve screams back. He takes a deep breath– in and out. This kid’s going to be the death of him, he just knows it.

He looks down to find Dustin’s eyes wide and mouth formed in a perfect oval. The kid’s shocked, either from what Steve said or that he literally shouted it in his face. Now it’s Steve’s turn to kick rocks. He shuffles back and forth, shoving his hands in his pockets to keep them from tugging his hair again.

“You guys almost died, man,” Steve says softly, avoiding eye contact. It makes this part easier. “You almost died, and if I hadn’t been there, I have no idea what would’ve happened. Maybe you all would’ve been fine, I don’t know. But it was my job to keep you safe, and you don’t have anyone else around except your mom and the grem– I mean the Party– to look out for you. I had to quit basketball thanks to Billy, and Nancy broke up with me. My parents are literally never home, so I’ve got a lot of free time on my hands. Figure I could use some of that time keeping you out of trouble.”

Dustin’s face hasn’t changed, still devoid of any emotion other than shock. God damnit, Steve really messed this up. He looks around and rubs the back of his neck. His skin’s prickling with nerves as he starts to sweat and he takes a step backwards towards the safety of his car. 

This was a stupid idea. Why would any of these kids want anything to do with him? He’s nothing like them: smart, nerdy, can save the world without taking a beating. Steve thought he could be useful, worthwhile to someone– to Dustin. He should know better by now.

“Look, I’m sorry. I’m just going to go,” Steve says. But as he turns to leave, Dustin slams into him once more. Steve’s breath whooshes from his lungs and a lightning strike of pain travels up his back. He thinks he’s shaking from the pain, except his crewneck is starting to feel damp against the kid’s face and he can see Dustin’s shoulders practically vibrating. “Hey, Dustin. Hey it’s ok, are you alright? What’s wrong man, talk to me.”

Dustin doesn’t look up, just keeps his face buried in Steve’s sweatshirt and grips him tighter. It hurts and it aches and it pulls at all of his injuries. He still lets Dustin hold on for as long as he needs to. 

There’s a slight movement out of the corner of his good eye, and he glances up towards the house to see a small, curvy woman smiling at them through the window. Not wanting to dislodge Dustin, he slightly lifts his hand to wave. He’s surprised when she honest to God clutches her heart and wipes what he assumes is a tear from her eye.

Steve’s already worried he screwed this whole thing up. He definitely didn’t think it would happen in front of a goddamned audience. 

The kid’s still holding on, but the shaking has subsided and he’s breathing easier. Steve smashes his hat to ruffle his hair, and Dustin backs off with a shriek. His face is covered in red blotches matching his bloodshot eyes. Steve looks down at his sweatshirt to find a tears-snot-spit wet patch stained into his chest.

“Dude, gross,” Steve huffs. At least he’s wearing an undershirt. Dustin just chuckles. 

“Like friends?” Dustin asks, still wiping at his face. “I wouldn’t mind, you know, hanging out. Whenever you’re not busy, I mean.”

It’s Steve’s turn to feel a burn behind his eyes. Relief fills him with warmth as his growing anxiety is washed away. Dustin wants him around. He wants to spend time with him and Steve never really thought he’d get this far. All he had was a half-baked idea to serve himself up for the one thing he knows he’s good for. And he was wanted.

He reaches out and pulls the kid back in for a hug, holding him tight despite the pain. Dustin starts trying to push off, so Steve flips him around under his armpit in a headlock, rubbing his knuckles roughly into the top of Dustin’s hat as he starts to screech again. He huffs, straightening out his hat, still sporting that iconic toothless smile. 

“Now,” Steve says, “all I have to do is ask your mom.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Dustin replies, turning around to lead Steve towards the house. He sees the curtains pulled roughly shut and the silhouette of the woman heading toward the front door. “She already knows all about you. I told her what happened. Well, the government version.”

“You told your mom about me?” Steve asks in awe.

“Duh, why wouldn’t I? Sure, you got your ass handed to you, but it was totally awesome!”

“Right,” Steve scoffs. He’ll let that one slide for now. “You’re sure she won’t mind?”

“Mom’s going to love you. She’s been asking about you all week.”

If she’s anything like her son, then hopefully Steve’s got nothing to worry about. And maybe if he can watch one kid, he can talk to the rest of their parents– look after the whole Party of gremlins. He can host after school hangouts and movie nights, sleepovers in the living room and pool parties in the summer. There’s the beginnings a plan forming in his head, which parents and kids he needs to talk to next. 

When he’s met with Mrs. Henderson’s warm smile, he thinks maybe the rest of this year will be alright.

[ladylaviniya]

The Spirit of Christmas Eve

Masterlist || Chapter 1 ll Chapter 2

Chapter Summary: After an unexpected visit from your younger, overly pregnant and concerned sister- you are yet again put into a terrible mood. You receive a night visit from the ghost of your predecessor and fall into an abyss of confusion.

Pairing: Chris Evans x f!reader

Chapter Warnings: 18+ Dead Dove Do Not Eat, Disrespect to Homeless People, R4pe Fantasies, Masturbation, Dark Joke about Abortion, Hinted Xenophobia, Humiliation, Ghosts, Swearing, Alcoholic Use, Drug Use, Classism.

Word Count: 5k

Author Notes: This is a parody of the classic "A Christmas Carol" story by Dickens, I hope you come to enjoy it even though the pov holds cruel, toxic and abusive traits.

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09:00am, 24th December 2023, New York City.

Oh how you hated the holidays. You hated the red and green colouring, you hated the carolling groups and bands singing every day in December leading up to the wretched twenty fifth. You hate the baby Jesus in a manager nativity set ups.

‘Jesus wasn’t even fucking born on Christmas. He was a January baby according to Jewish scholars. It was all a ploy to satisfy and celebrate Yule with pagans before encouraging indoctrination!!’

And the smell of peppermint, gingerbread and fatty sugary foods left you feeling sickly.

“Unnecessary calories to dissolve the enamel of my teeth when it comes back up in the  goddamn toilet.”

The cold air and the slippery frost brought you no delight. Along the way you would kick the snow men in your walking path. You despised the bratty children sitting on the Santa laps in the malls.

‘Their parents should know half of those fat ass Santa actors are just paedophiles getting their kicks once a year? Yea I’d love a little boy all prim and plump to sit on my lap if I was a sicko in a red suit too.’

You hated the fact they were bringing Christmas trees in the day after Halloween.

“Sure, it spins the wheel of capitalism but God, do they have to look so trashy? Christmas is once a year, not two months long.”

You rolled your eyes and scoffed as you strutted the street to your work place.

Your senior associate Marlene who you could’ve considered your friend had a heart attack early that year. She was a woman in her prime, at forty years old she had managed to build her business empire. No husband, no kids, no pets. She didn’t need those things, not when she raked in over four million dollars a year. She drank and smoked like a chimney, you wondered if it contributed to her death in the end. She was rumoured to be found naked, getting fucked by some no name sexy twenty-one year old playboy from South Korea. And among her blissful orgasm, her heart just couldn’t handle the pressure and faltered.

Imagine his horror. Balls deep and not knowing she had died. Little shit tried getting her money in the inheritance scheme. He tried pushing that he was her long committed boyfriend. One threat to the immigration department sent that kid running for the kills back to Seoul.

You were named successor in her Will. Now, it’s not like you needed her millions, you already had a full pocket. At twenty five you’d made your first million all because you picked the right pattern in your investments and put every cent into them. You worked instead of partied. And many had said behind your back that it made you a miserable sourpuss bitch with no friends. You didn’t need friends. Marlene was just a funny coincidence.

Some might have called you careless, impulsive, and greedy. But what that translates to you was the word ‘Wealth and Success’. You were wealthy and money made you happy. The more numbers, the more joy in your cold heart.

You entered the building that was now yours. Oh did I forget to remind you...you were the CEO of your tax collecting firm. I think that’s important for you to know.

Entering the sleek grey, white and black minimalist foyer you sighed in relief. No Christmas or holiday bullshit in here. You had banned all decorations and affiliations.

And you refused paid leave to anyone asking not to work on Christmas day. You remember scoffing last night at the amount of requests you had received about time off for the holidays.

‘I’m running a business, not a charity.’

Christmas was the best time of year for your job. So many stupid people take out stupid loans they can’t afford especially during the holidays period when gift giving is the centre cause of financial stress. You got a thrill out of denying loans and upping payment interest rates for those suckers who didn’t make their payments on time because they chose to spend the money meant to be going into your pocket on some disposable wrapping paper and a cheap pharmacy gift last minute.

As you stepped into the elevator you smiled cynically at the empty space. You could look at yourself in the mirror and pick apart all the things you loved and hated about your body. It was strangely therapeutic. Something about the critiques gave you a massive high.

But just as the elevator doors where closing a hand slammed hard through the gap.

“Wait!” came a familiar cry. Your face fell and you felt a tight discomfort seeing the face of your younger sister. Caroline.

Your eyes shot down to her belly. Big as a house in the ugliest knit Christmas sweater.

‘Pregnant again. Jesus Christ. What’s this? Number four now?’

You clenched your handbag tighter. You tried recalling some sort of baby shower invite from months ago, you totally forgot about it once you moved it to junk mail.

‘If she fucking asks me for money again, I swear to god she’s risking an abortion voucher in a Christmas card...are abortion vouchers even a thing?’

Caroline had married her highschool sweetheart, he was some sort of mechanic or something. A bum, like your Dad. You couldn’t believe she was dumb enough to breed with an imbecile like him. Mind you, her first son was clearly an teen pregnancy accident that sealed them together. And every year, she just seemed to pop out a new one. And every year that meant you gave her a fat cheque, usually six thousand dollars.

You ground your teeth as she forced herself inside and pressed the button of the doors shut immediately, not at all taking notice of you until mid way moving up in the building.

Her face lit up and she shrieked in delight at seeing you.  You strained a smile.

‘Yea, definitely looking for a handout.’

“Oh my god! I was about to fight security to come see you sissy!” she forced her arms around you. You bit your tongue. You hated hugs.

“Well…lovely seeing you too,” you muttered before awkwardly patting her back.

Her breath hitched at seeing the look on your face, “Sorry about not pre-warning, I did try calling you but your phone keeps going to voicemail.”

‘Oh good, she still hasn’t figured out I let them ring out.’

“And you didn’t reply to my emails.”

You fought a smirk, ‘because they go straight to junk mail’.

She smiled and babbled happily, “Anyway, I had to come here because I need to give you-“ she huffed and swiped a bead of sweat from her forehead before reaching into her nappy bag (that she treated like a handbag.) and retrieved a thick red envelope.

She handed it to you. Your manicured nails pinched the ugly stickers one of your nephews or nieces had chosen. Scribbled in absolute chicken scrap handwriting was your name, most likely also done by your nephew or nieces.

The elevator opened and you sighed, marching out to enter the offices with your solo office space down the hall with the largest window and finest view of the city below. You didn’t expect your sister to tail you. She waddled like a fast duck following you.

“I was thinking you should meet this guy that babysits-” She was talking to you about something but in all honesty, you weren’t listening until she mentioned the cursed words, “-Christmas Party.”

You deposited your handbag on your desk and spun on your heel. Your eyes wide, your smile straining into a sneer.

You snickered cruelly and laced your fingers together, “How many times have we discussed this? I. Don’t. Celebrate. Christmas. I don’t do presents, I don’t do carolling, I don’t do secret Santa’s and I sure as fucking hell don’t do Christmas Parties. I’m glad that you and Tim have fun with your kids and do all that meaningless stuff to shield them from the big bad world. I however am not in the mood for it. Work comes first. This is one of the busiest years of my life, the market is at an all time high in interests rates.”

She looked like she was growing smaller with every foul word that dripped like acid rain.

“It’s just one day, not even a full day. Just a few hours, not far from you,” she whispered and rubbed her belly comfortingly.

You shook your head and circled around your desk, “Might as well get this over with, you don’t need to ploy me with booze.”

You pulled out a cheque book from your drawer and slapped it down. You bent over and fished out a pen, pressing the ink to the slim piece of paper.

Your voice came out like a bark, “How much are you wanting this year?”

“Wh-what?” your sisters eyes grew wide.

You sighed and rolled your eyes, with a condescending tone, “How much money do you want to cover all the gifts? I hear Disneyland is great this time of year in Florida. I need a number. I have a busy day ahead of me so I’d just like to get this over and done with.”

Your sister didn’t answer. You glanced up. Her face was no longer smiling. She looked in pain. Her hand sat on top of her belly. She hissed and breathed out hard.

Her eyes were dimming down. She lost the joyful spark. She waddled to the guest chair in front of your desk and sat down.

She put the nappy bag on the floor.

 ‘great, thanks for the smell of cornflakes and breast milk on the carpet.’

Her breath turned husky and you started to reach for your desk phone ready to call a bloody ambulance to take her to the hospital. You couldn’t tell what the hell was wrong with her and prayed she wasn’t going into labour. You didn’t need to waste five thousand dollars on a carpet replacement because her waters might break.

Her eyes glared up at you as she tried to focus on pacing her breath. God, she looked like your mother with that look. It hurt. She got the best genes you had to admit. Even while pregnant she had this way about her that made men just want to beg for her number. You couldn’t tell if it was her ditsy personality or just good looks.

“Jim," Caroline corrected with strain, "-and I don’t need your money. We don’t want it. We have never have wanted it. This year, I just want you to put in the effort to spend Christmas with us as a family. You and I haven’t shared a Christmas since I was in middle school. My kids want their aunty to visit because I tell them you’re the coolest person alive...” her eyes narrowed, “Put the fucking cheque book away, and come to fucking Christmas dinner at least. It’s going to be at my house if you look at the invite that your nephew and nieces made special for you. They don’t want presents, they just want to see their aunty. Besides.... I told them you’d come if they put extra love into it.”

You chewed your inner cheek and stood up straight, crossing your arms and sat on the edge of your desk.

“You shouldn’t lie to your kids, Caroline,” you coolly said with icy impact.

You watched her eyes start to shine and water.

“Jesus,” you muttered, “Don’t fucking cry.”

She broke down immediately. You sighed with annoyance. ‘why did she have to come today of all days and act like this. It’s not a big deal. God.’

“You’re such a bitch and my kids have done nothing to you except love you unconditionally. The least you can do is show up,” Caroline struggled to stand out of the chair and when you reached out to help, she snapped like a firecracker and hissed, “Don’t fucking touch me.”

She groaned as she bent down, holding her belly and reached for her nappy bag, that she let you help her with. She suddenly looked so tired and deflated compared to when she had ducked into the elevator. You started to feel a tick of that itchy sympathy. Pregnancy always looked hard. Her first birth was so difficult, the second slipped right out but she didn’t have an epidural and the third time was an emergency c-section. In fact you weren’t even sure if she was meant to be having this fourth baby. It would be too risky. She could honestly kill herself. Now that was a bolt of fear that coursed through you.

“Is it a boy or a girl?” you sniffled, trying to distract your little sister from her anger.

She looked even more offended and scoffed, “You know, if you had even tried to come to my baby shower, you could’ve eaten one of the gender reveal cupcakes.”

‘Ouch.’

You looked down at your Valentino pumps. Seven years younger than you and she still managed to put you in your place with the snap of her fingers.

She rubbed her wet eyes with the tips of her fingers.

“I worry about you...” she mumbled, “You might have a lot of money Y/N, but money can’t buy you everything. Don’t you want to share memories?”

You tried hiding the laugh limbing your throat,, “Not this argument again...come on, I’ll walk you out and hire you a cab.”

You escorted her back to the elevator, all your employees watching and whispering about it. You knew your office needed thicker glass.

As you quietly pressed the button down, your sister finally said, “It’s twins. A boy and girl.”

You didn’t say anything for a while. Eventually you only nodded and whispered, “Congratulations. You and Tim must be excited.”

“Jim," she grounded, "-and I are flat out on our feet with the others but yea...I’m thinking about naming the girl after mom.”

Again you didn’t respond. You wanted this interaction to be finished. You wanted to go to work and drink away the days leading up to New Year’s. Maybe you should take a trip overseas. You might run into a handsome one night stand with an attractive accent.

Your sister turned and hugged you again, she rubbed her sweet face into your shoulder and sighed, “I’m sorry for snapping. Please don’t be mad. Please promise me you’ll come to the party, even for five minutes.”

Her pleading eyes finally cracked your ice wall.

“Fine. Five minutes.”

The squealing giggle of delight made you groan internationally instantly regretting your words. Nonetheless you took it upon yourself to at least hug her back. God help you, you didn’t know how you’d survive.

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10:00pm, 24th December 2023, New York City.

On your way home you discovered with aggravation all the cabs and ubers nearby had been booked up and the traffic in the city horrendous. Of course. On Christmas eve it would look like this.  You decided to march your way to the subway. It would be the quickest way back home.

You had to cross the park to get there though.

And among your walking you passed a man laying down on a bench. He wore a baseball cap that hid his face. He wore a blanket over his shoulders. A puff of cold air escaped his pink lips.

His shadowed face peered up at you and held up a piece of cardboard that read the following: Homeless, please donate a food and blankets.

And something inside you cracked again. You fought the urge to pull out your purse and give him the only hundred dollar bill you had. You looked him up and down. And froze. Next to him was a bottle of liquor. Something malicious dripped from your lips. Words filled with cruelty and hate. It was bold and dangerous. But you bet he was drunk.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t there any shelters taking in scum? Are all the prisons full? Maybe if you got off your ass and got a real fucking job, you would be too busy making money instead of swilling down booze!”

He did not react in the way you expected. He smiled at an ankle, winked and held a finger up to his lips.

Your face curdled in disgust and hacked back your throat, spitting on him.

“Booze bum,” you muttered, and marched on, away from him.

Your chin jerked high. It was a method of teaching you had learnt in your youth. Shame someone until they commit to a goal and out perform it. To this day you are still doing that very thing, why not share that gift of knowledge with others?

You scowled the entire train ride home and flicked through your emails.

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11:10pm, 24th December 2023, New York City.

Alone in your penthouse apartment, you padded your way to bed scrolling through your phone. In your hand you cradled a wine glass and set it on the bedside table.

Beneath the soft cotton covers you sighed happily and used your phone to command the fireplace to be lit up. A fake flame on a flat screen tv with heaters all around you, filling your place with warmth.  Laying back into your pillows you scrolled your phone and frowned at all the Christmas themed posts online, all the tutorials and recipes you’d never follow and all the Christmas stories you’d never read.

Tossing the phone beside your wine glass, your hands snuck down into a drawer and retrieved your absolute best friend in the world. She was thick, long and quiet, totally sky blue and had twenty different settings. You slid the vibrator under the covers and shimmied out of your underwear. Your fingers fumbled, touching your wet cunt.

The alcohol was finally hitting you, warming you up. You weakly reached for your vibrator. You knew it would be a comfort to take away the anger and stress away from your day at work.

You pressed the silicone to your clit and switched on the toy. A soft sigh came from you as you rubbed it along your lower lips. You fluttered your eyes shut and tried to imagine a person and you having sex.

‘A policeman? No. College professor? No. Loser doorman? No…’ and then your eyes flickered in a quick vision of the homeless man from the park… ‘Yes. He must be miserable, pissed off, angry, he smiled but that would have been a lie, his long finger he held to his mouth should stuff itself inside me.’

Your hand slid up and pulled down the front of your night down. You dug your nails into your breast before tugging your nipple hard. You whined as you bucked your hips into your toy that you playfully prodded and tore out of you. You imagined that same stranger ripping your dress from your body and dragging you into the snowy woods.

Rape fantasies weren’t uncommon for you. It was something about the power struggle that sent thrills up and down your spine. You liked the pain. You liked being forced to give up your control. You slid the plastic cock deep into your slick pussy and mewled.

The homeless man would hold a knife to your throat and bend you over a log, no, no, that bench, so out and open and public for anyone to catch him tearing you apart. His hand would lick your skin in stinging slaps. The alcohol on his breath would be putrid. He’d call you names, whore, slut, bitch, cunt, fuckpig. And you would be totally helpless…

You lazily rolled over onto your belly and forced your ass up, your bed sheets falling down your thighs.

You pushed the dildo back in deep and turned on the highest setting, biting the pillow under you. You fucked yourself hard until it hurt.

The homeless man fantasy went on and on, forcing you to cum and cry. You didn’t care if neighbours or tenants below you heard. You imagined this terrible man after fucking you raw making you sit in his filthy lap, fucking you with the empty liquor bottle neck and letting strangers walking past the chance to spit on you and slap you until you cummed.

The fantasy didn’t have a fanciful ending fleshed out. You could only imagine him dragging you back to some ghetto homeless tent village under one of the city bridges and whoring your cunt out to his homeless buddies. You wanted to submit, to be used like that…

But not in the real world. Fuck no. Your reputation mattered greatly. You were too stubborn to willingly date a man and ask him to do something taboo like consensual non-consent play.

You tore the blue cock out and pressed it to your clit, riding out an ultimate orgasm that left your body feeling like jelly. Slumping forward you groaned into the pillows, you knew you had to eventually get up and pee. The alcohol still in your system made the journey feel almost impossible. But when your bare ass hit the seat, you leant back and sighed. 'UTI prevented!'

Getting back to bed wasn’t as hard as getting to the bathroom. You breathed in the smell of your own sexual prowess. No shame. You put away your toy and before you could search for your discarded underwear, you heard your phone pinged. You grunted with annoyance.

You glanced at the screen; it was a text from Caroline.

*Told the kids you are coming tomorrow! They’re so excited to see their aunty! Xoxo*

‘oh right…her Christmas party…it’s tomorrow��' you still hadn’t even looked at the invitation. Anger started burning its way into your chest when you saw the emojis and gifs she attached. Santa and reindeers and snowmen. God you fucking hated Christmas!! She didn’t need to remind you. You didn’t plan to be there longer than the strick three hundred seconds. The miserable evil stabbed your heart again.

It out you so over the edge you began to type, *Tell them I changed my mind, I’m busy.*

Before your thumb could slam on the message send, something strange occurred. The penthouse apartment lights started to flicker on and off repeatedly.

‘A circuit must’ve snapped. I know I turned off all the lights.’

You slammed your phone down and ripped off your bed sheets. Marching over to the telecom beside you door you prepared the mental speech of anger and abuse you’d deliver on whatever poor soul was handling the front desk of the apartment complex tonight.

You pressed the button hard and when no welcoming comment came you decided to wait.

You waited and waited and still no one acknowledged you over the telecom. There was a noise coming from it though. It was a sound of ragged breathing. Squinting with absolute judgement you hissed into the microphone.

You sobered up your voice and rubbed your eyes. Your wine was knocking around your insides at that point, it had polluted your blood. You just needed to stay awake for a little longer.

“This is penthouse three. Your lights are dimming and flickering out. I want someone to change all that bulbs and check the power wires immediately. Do I make myself clear?”

The unusual panting was still there and getting louder. You shook your head. Someone should’ve been repeating back your request and discussing a mode of action.

“Hello?” you angrily huffed into the microphone when no answer came for a long time.

You hissed, “Now you listen here. I don’t give a fuck it’s Christmas eve. You’re job is on the line if you cant fix my fucking lights.”

And then the line went totally dead and your apartment was entirely darkened. You groaned with anguish. Using your phone flash light you returned to your room.

“Fine,” you grumbled as you pulled the covers Of your bed back again, “Probably too drunk on eggnog to give a damn. Say goodbye to those two dollar tips dickhead.”

You laid back and fished out your bonnet, carefully lipping your hair inside the protective layer. You rolled onto your side under the covers and shut your eyes.

❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆

12:00am, 25th December 2023, New York City.

For some reason at 12am you received a very obnoxiously loud phone call. Blindly you reached for it and accepted the call. You had a suspicion it was a prank call from overseas.

“Y/N,” said the caller. Your eyes cleared up fast at the sound of a voice you knew too well.

You almost dropped your phone. Surely it wasn’t her calling. You had seen her body at her funeral. She chuckled on the other side, her voice was just as rusted as you remembered. In the dream she had come over to your house and had a sleep over together.

Your eyes widened, “Wh-who is this?” you asked, “Do you fucking know what time it is?”

The identical voice of your passed companion echoed back, “In life you knew me as Marlene Jeong.”

You hung up the phone fast and sat up straight. Her hands trembled and the phone screamingly made another phone call from the same unknown number.

You answered it and heard her shriek, “Don’t you know hanging up like that is rude.”

You took a deep breath in. And shut your eyes. No. It couldn’t be.

“This prank isnt funny,” you barked into the receiver.

“Well I’d hope not. You know I wasn’t a fan of funny,” she grumbled back.

You picked up the phone and huffed, “If you’re really Marlene...tell me something only I would know...”

The phone went quiet and clicked off. You smirked, 'Yea, that's what I thought you sick fuck.'

The air around you grew colder. With the power out you accepted that the central heating was out too. Getting out of bed you stumbled down the hall to the linen cupboard and pulled out a few more thicker blankets. When you returned back to your room you screamed and jumped ten feet in the air, dropping the load of blankets.

Marlene was sitting on your bed, scrolling through your phone. She was not herself and yet was at the same time. She looked the same except for the fact her entire body was a light blue and translucent. She was naked. And you could see her translucent organs. In her hand was a false spiritual cigarette. Smoking rising from the tip and faded into the darkness. And don’t let me forget a important detail. She was floating and parts of her body wrapped in chains.

Hearing you, she turned her face away from your phone and winked. You slammed back into a wall, trying to get away from her as she floated closer to you. She took a mean drag of her cigarette and blew the smoke into your fear filled face. You could’ve fainted. The smoke didn’t smell like anything and was rather a cold breeze to your cheek.

You flinched and whimpered, “Marlene...what the fuck.”

She smirked and rolled mid air upside down,

“Long time no see. Or well...you can’t see me but I see you basically every day,” she cackled.

Your lips fell apart, “Wha-how- why...why are you hear? Should you be dead?”

She flicked the cigarette of ash that turned into blue light specs and disappeared before touching the floor.

“Oh trust dear, I’m dead, dead as a doornail. Little Kyong gave me a killer orgasm, literally,” she took another long drag, “I had no clue what was coming and poof! I’m on the floor choking and groaning and next thing I wake up to, is you moving your shit into my office and my penthouse. But I digress sweet snake...I’m not here on a social call...I’m here to send you a warning.”

Your head felt dizzy, “A warning? The fuck? Am I going to die soon or something?” you wrapped your arms around yourself.

She smiled and shook her head, “Oh no...no, no....something a tad more painful. See, I have been sent to play 'angel Gabriel' so to speak and inform you of a supernatural message.”

She floated around, chains at her wrist dragged behind her as she did. Marlene sharpened her gaze at you.

‘Woah did I take one too many Percocet with my wine...I must be high.’

“You are saveable unlike my dead cold self,” she said flying back to your bed and lewdly laying down, “My dead frozen heart could not thaw,” she sighed and tapped her chest.

You could see inside her at the organ most resembling heart was literally made of icy and was not beating. It was disturbing.  

“I’m destined to float while tethered to the world unseen, unheard, unloved…forgotten. But you? You still have a chance to atone. A spirit shall arrive and come to you in three shades…Christmas past, present and future. It shall greet you hourly between one and three o’clock.”

You timidly stepped closer.

“You need to open your mind and open your heart or else-“ she floated above you and groaned, “This will be your future fate.”

You rubbed your eyes and slapped your cheek. Marlene’s ghost was still there. She held up her wrist, showing off the manacle around it, “This is a fate no one wishes, trust me on that.”

Her face leant in closer to your face. Her hair floated around her like water tendrils.

She rattled the chains together, clinking them and explained, “The spirit will test you. And they will test you fairly. They will decide what to do with you after. They call themselves, Christmas past, present and future.”

When she had said these words, Marlenes ghost faded away, disappearing into the cold, quiet night. It took you a few minutes to catch your breath. You couldn’t believe or make sense of it and no matter how many times you pinched of slapped yourself, you found yourself still in the unexplainable dream. You tossed the blankets from the floor onto the bed. You had another drink of wine before you chose to return to bed. You tugged the warmest and softest blanket up to your chin. You were scared and confused. Your eyes grew heavier as you forced yourself to forget and ignore the apparition of Marlene chained nude and talking in riddles.

You laid your cheek into the pillow and fell into a deep slumber.

HELPINES:

If you are a victim of sexual abuse, assault or domestic violence or know someone who is please reach out to these links that share helpline services, phone numbers or emails. Consent and respect is important in every relationship whether between friends, family or even strangers.

Australian Helpline Services

UK Helpline Services

American Helpline services

India Helpline Services

[snapdragonling]

2, 12, 14 and 19 for ozy, cian and imbris?

u spoil me!! | oc creation questions

2. Did you design them with any other characters/OCs from their universe in mind?

ozy — once I'd decided to play a character involved with the Owl i definitely took them into consideration as I was developing Ozy! that's my weird ominous god 🧡 i took the King into account as well, given how deeply his autocratic rule dictated (and "justified") Ozy's priorities. i also thought about the existing party composition as i was choosing a class since i wanted to role fill (i obviously didn't know about Dai's multiclass at that point but THANK GOD tbh because can you imagine if we didn't have paladin on paladin violence? a sadder universe)

cian — i was heavily influenced by the Dreamer stuff and the Anders/Justice relationship in DA2, although funnily enough I wasn't actually thinking about Justice directly at the time, I was thinking about a Dragon Age AU i'd made for Middy years ago where she was carrying a Spirit of Hope around 😭 two degrees of separation.

imbris — nope, i'm pretty sure he was born entirely from wanting to play a genasi and a rogue!

12. What have you found to be most difficult about creating art for your OC (any form of art: writing, drawing, edits, etc.)?

ozy — his mindset/POV is so insane and i often struggle to nail it down in writing. it's a lot easier post-campaign now that his emotions aren't obscured by quite as many layers of repression, but he's still just a weird guy with a really complicated way of processing things. he's also fucking difficult to draw and i especially struggle with muscular people but that's the bed i made so i have to lie in it 😩

cian — i keep having really grand ideas for cian art that i just do not have the energy for right now!! there's a comic i want to draw but we KNOW how i feel about comics!! maybe eventually.....ough.

imbris — when i'm writing him i always struggle to find the right balance between "loud indignant English guy" and "not annoying to read". it's slightly easier now that i've aged him up, but i simply can't read a bunch of my older writing at this point, jesus christ.

14. If you had to narrow it down to 2 things that you MUST keep in mind while working with your OC, what would those things be?

ozy — 1.) when in doubt he's usually dry and self-deprecating. 2.) he's still unlearning his old way of seeing the world/himself, it's gonna take a long time, and he's not gonna be graceful about any of it.

cian — 1.) he will literally always try the gentle way first but he's a doctor so he knows that sometimes you need to be brusque. 2.) he's trying really really really hard to keep a meltdown at bay rn.

imbris — 1.) the confidence is sometimes completely real but often pure bluster. 2.) he's loud and squawky but sooooo squishy inside.

19. What is your favorite fact about your OC?

ozy — Kallux tucked Ozy's hair behind his ear in the Abyss and Ozy simply did not process it. surface thoughts were just [static sounds]. he was not in the right mental state to realise what the subtext was, or why it made his brain kick down several gears, or why his endorphins did??? something??? meanwhile his nervous system was rattling the bars of its cage and his subconscious was gearing up for Dramatic Acts of Devotion without consulting Ozy at all.

cian — the way everyone thought his mentor was gonna be a nice chill dude because Cian's such a nice chill dude 😊 Cian's relationship with Athras is so complicated and delicious to me it really is.

imbris — he does so much better in AUs where he has a creative outlet and i think it's so endearing. get this guy a microphone or dance classes so he can stop jumping off buildings and running from the cops. crazy what friends + one (1) hobby will do for you.

[flightsoffandom]

Loneliness

Pairs: Marc Spector x Fem!Reader, Steven Grant x Fem!Reader, Jake Lockley x Fem!Reader

Words: 8387

Summary: Even with your emotions still out of control, you find yourself feeling particularly lonely.

Warnings: Mentions of blood, death, angst? Trauma, dealing with trauma and descriptions of panic attacks (based on my experience with panic attacks), mentions of passed possible suicidal thoughts but nothing detailed, POV switches all over the place because I think it helps tell the story. Sexual references but no smut. Not an accurate representation of DID, basing it off the show’s depiction.

Notes: Female reader, as per Anon’s request, Spider-Woman!Reader. As per warnings, POV switches all over the place. Hopefully, they aren’t too confusing. I don’t speak Spanish, so if I got some of the translations wrong, let me know and I will fix them, but I tried to check them through multiple sources so fingers crossed. Things shown like this ‘Words. Word word.’ are meant to be the boys talking to each other internally. 

Thank you to @rosaren2498 for coming up with a name for Jake’s new MCU suit, MidKnight.

Continuation of Life As You Know It - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 * - Part 4 - Part 5

Dr. Strange had completely laid you out once again, "So why don't you try to connect with them? Jake is following you around, anyway." You growl and jump back up to your feet, "Because that's not MY Jake… They have their own lives." You spin and try to kick Strange in the chest. He uses his magic and pushes you away, "And? They are alive here. Isn't that enough? You could at least try." You grumble and slide across the floor, "Why don't you talk to Christine, then?" Strange glares at you, floating above you. You had pissed him off. You quickly summoned a magic shield, flickering and barely managing to stay there. Dr. Strange blasts you with fire, "Because I had my chance and now she is with someone else." Your shield barely blocks the flames from your body. You can already feel some burns forming. Strange backs his fire down, "But for you. You don't even know if they are seeing anyone." You stand up and jump up, grabbing Strange with an eldritch whip, "I would be inferring with their lives… These versions of them aren't mine." 

You tighten the whip and yank Strange across the room. He thuds into a wall and then summons energy into his palms and throws them at you, "Jake keeps leaving gifts at the door. What more do you need as a sign to just talk to him?" You used your magic shield to deflect each blast, ignoring the question. Strange notices this and starts shooting stronger blasts at you, "Just. Go. Talk. To. Him." Each word is punctuated with a blast until you are pushed against the wall with your flickering shield failing. Strange lifts another blast ready to strike you. You hunch behind the shield, "FINE." You yell loudly, more annoyed than anything else. Dr. Strange makes the energy disappear, and he floats back down to the ground. You brush yourself off, scorch marks clear on your clothes, "I'll talk to him, Jesus." Strange nods, "Good. I grow weary of him looming at our front step." You roll your eyes still messing with your burnt clothes, "Did you know sometimes you talk like you're a billion years old?" Strange ignores you and leaves the room.

You go change your clothes, putting some ointment on your burns even though they will heal in a few days. You walk into the foyer and peek out the window. Sure enough, Jake was there, sitting on the hood of his limo, waiting. Even your Jake was an odd combination of the world's most impatient and patient man. This Jake seems no different. Willing to wait outside for most of the day just to see if you would leave and if you did, then he would follow you around, at a respectable distance. You took a deep breath and walked outside.

 Jake noticed as soon as you opened the door. His head turned up to see your face. You had burns on you, nothing serious, but seeing them caused anger to bubble under his skin. He knew you could handle yourself despite that the idea of you hurt upset him. Jake waited for you to walk past him like you always did. Instead, you walked right up to him, "Come on. I'd like to go for a walk." Jake watched you. This was the first time you had ever really talked to him. Other than when you thought you hurt him. You were stiff and uneasy looking. You also wouldn't look at his face. Jake shrugs, "I am fine with just following you around if that makes you more comfortable." You shake your head, "I think I have been letting you do that too long." You start walking before adding, "Just come on." Jake decides to just listen and walk beside you.

 You kept glancing at Jake out of the corner of your eye. He was so handsome, and you had missed him so much. But if you were completely honest with yourself, if the sun hit his face just right, you started to see blood covering his face. You knew it was just your mind playing tricks on you. Your mind makes you relive your nightmares. The trauma of losing him resurfacing, but it still made your stomach turn when your brain flooded you with those images. It was quite awkward. You cleared your throat and looked down at the ground, "Why does the stupid chicken have you following me around for? And giving me stuff?" Jake glanced over at you, "Khonshu wanted your help protecting the travelers of the night or whatever bullshit he is having me do. The gifts were just because you seemed like you needed them." You almost chuckle. Almost. Your Jake was blunt too, never cared much for beating around the bush. You once joked that he would much rather beat the bush itself, back when you felt like making jokes. 

In the silence, you noticed something weird. You couldn't see Marc or Steven in Jake's reflections. Maybe it was because you had ignored your spider-sense for months that it was finally failing you. And sure, even your Moon boys weren't always co-conscious, but they were more often than not. You started checking the reflections and still nothing. Jake noticed your odd glances, "What are you doing?" You freeze for a moment, not sure how to explain. You quickly pick back up the pace to not cause problems with New York sidewalk traffic. You bite the inside of your lip before deciding to be honest, "Where are Marc and Steven?" 

This time Jake stops, causing someone to run into him. To which Jake curses at them in furious Spanish. And with that, you actually smile. Fast to anger and annoyance. You don't know why it made you happy, but it did. His brow furrowed in the same way, the same curses spilling from his lips, just like your Jake. Jake snatched you and pulled you aside, "How do you know about them?" Now you're not sure what to say. How to explain it to him. You couldn't tell him the truth. So you quickly came up with a convincing lie, "Bird man told me about them." Jake's eyes you suspiciously. He didn't seem to fully believe it but he didn't question further. Jake pushed you both back into walking, "Then he should have told you that Me and Marc work for Khonshu, but Marc doesn't know about me. Steven isn't involved with Khonshu at all and doesn't know about either of us."

You feel your heartbreak. Marc had told you about the issues they had before coming to an agreement. How it hurt to switch sometimes if they weren't all on the same page. The fugue states where one of them would wake up somewhere and not remember anything about how they got there. Your boys had worked that all out before they met you. But in this universe they were fractured apart, not working together as a team. They all must be in so much pain and so confused. You feel your eyes start to well up and you quickly speed up, "I think our walk is over." You feel Jake try to grab your arm and you quickly move away before glaring at him. Which was a mistake because you could tell by the look in his eyes that he saw you were starting to cry. So you ran off, twisting around the corner so you could portal away to safety and not have to look at him anymore.

 Jake rounded the corner after you, and of course, you were gone. Only a few sparkles gave away what had happened to you. Jake sighed and turned to make the walk back to his limo. You had smiled at him, for only a moment but it was there. It was when he had been pissed and aggressive about someone not paying attention to where they were going. He didn't understand you. You smiled at his temper but cried when he had mentioned his alters being in the dark about him. You didn't make sense to him. He grumbled and got back to his limo, deciding to leave the weird magician's house for the day, knowing you wouldn't be back out.

Jake went and slept at a crappy hotel down the way. He started having another dream about you. One that felt too real for his mind to be just making it up. 

You stood in front of him in a skintight suit, back to him. The range of purples complimented you so well. And the way the suit hugged your ass made him feral. You had a mask in your hands. He could only assume it was yours. You giggled happily, "Are you guys ready for the surprise?" Jake nodded eagerly and then slapped your ass. You jumped and laughed, "Hey that's not the surprise." Then Jake heard them. First Marc, 'Can she really blame us? Look at her.' Then Steven, 'Come on you two, keep it in our pants. [Y/N] has been excited about this all day.' In the dream, it wasn't a foreign feeling to hear the others altogether. It felt normal. Even though there was a part of his brain that knew in the waking world, none of them had ever been on that level of communication. Jake had also never gotten your name before. Khonshu never used it and you hadn't told him it, yet. But your name was perfect. You were still waiting for an answer. So Jake spoke back up, "We're ready." You smiled so widely and slowly turned around. Covering the collar of your suit for a moment before sliding your hands off of it. Revealing three crescent moons. 

Pearlescent like the fabric Jake had seen you cry over in the real world. You looked at Jake, bouncing with excitement, "I added them to my suit. I figured since we're all an actual couple now and we fight crime together. That my wardrobe needed a bit of an update." You watched Jake expectantly. Jake's hand came up and grazed the moons on your chest. Your voice became soft and sweet, "One for each of my Moon Boys." Jake could hear the love in your voice. Fuck, he could feel the love in your voice. It filled him up completely. Jake's hand slides to the back of your neck, pulling you close, "All three of us love them." Then his lips meet yours, soft but getting hungrier. And with that, his dream faded.

 Dr. Strange pushed you across the room, "How did it go?" You groan and slowly get up, "I don't want to talk about it." Strange laughed and threw an energy ball at you, "Too bad." You barely dodge but then charge at him, "They aren't co-conscious in this universe." He raises an eyebrow as he blocks you, "Isn't being co-conscious rather uncommon for D.I.D." You roll back on the ground before springing back up, "It depends. Varies from case to case. I didn't go to school for it or anything, just read up on it 

to understand my boyfriend's better." You summon your tao mandalas before continuing, "But my boys were already working together. Jake said here they don't even all know about each other." You hit Strange a few times, your mandalas staying strong. Strange nods as he blocks your hits, "Maybe you can help them." You slip away from him and frown, "I don't know… I'm not doing too hot myself. I cry for over fifty percent of the day… On a good day." You take a chance to grab onto a nearby bar and flip on top of it. Standing over Strange, "Even if I can help, what am I supposed to say?" You exaggeratedly move your hands, "Hey, I am from a different universe where we had a life together. So don't bother telling me about your deeply personal emotional childhood trauma. I know all about it already as a complete stranger to you. Let me help." Your voice drips with sarcasm. Strange nods, "Not exactly the best way to phrase it, but I get your point." You nod back before springing up and summoning your mandalas before slamming down on top of Strange. He had a shield up, but you managed to break it. You land on top of him before quickly rolling off so you don't hurt him, "You believe in soul mates, Doctor?" Strange brushes himself off and actually thinks about it, "As a man of science… No." You nod thinking that was all he had to say. But then Dr. Strange looks at you, "As a master of the mystic arts… Yes." You stop for a moment and think about it before just nodding again. Leaving the training room.

 Jake stood outside like always. It had been a week since he had walked with you. He hadn't seen you leave the wizard's house. Jake knew you could have been avoiding him and going out of the house without him noticing. But something told him you hadn't been out of the house at all.

Jake stopped by your favorite place to eat and grabbed you your favorite food, which he knew from following you around for months. He knocked on the wizard's door and waited. The wizard surprisingly answered, "I could report you for loitering." Jake glared at the man, "I'd like to see you try." After a few moments of silence, Jake holds out the bag of food, "For the flighty woman." The wizard went to grab the bag but before he could. The man's cape thing came and grabbed it from Jake's hand. The cape then floats off, up the stairs, and around the corner with the food. Jake watches this, a little shocked, "It some kind of pet or something?" The wizard looks at Jake rather annoyed, "It's not a pet. It's the cloak of levitation." Jake shrugged, "Alright then. Do you book parties? My niece has her quinceañera coming up." Jake chuckles as he makes fun of the man in front of him. The wizard rolls his eyes and slams the door in Jake's face, finally done with him. Jake still chuckling to himself as he goes and leans against the hood of his limo. He looks up and sees you peek out of the window for just a moment. Your face was puffy from crying but also showing signs you weren't taking care of yourself properly. Jake frowns a bit to himself, feeling even more worried about you.

 You slide back down to the floor, holding the food Jake got you in your hands. You hadn't eaten in a few days. You hadn't felt like doing anything. You were tired because nightmares of your universe were haunting you and you weren't eating because of how miserable you felt about everything. It was nice of him to bring you food and it smelled good so you took some small bites of it. Tears started flowing down your checks and you didn't know why.

You woke up in the corner of your room, tears dried on your face. You groaned and went to shower, hoping that the running water would help you feel cleansed. It didn't improve your overall mood, but it helped you feel clean, at least. You got dressed and went downstairs, going outside and walking up to Jake, "Thanks for the food yesterday." Jake shrugged, like it was no big deal, "Seemed like you needed it." You nod softly, "Well, I did and I appreciate it." You avoid looking at his face and he notices. Unable to hold his tongue, he asks, "If you gotta problem with me? You can let me know. I'll leave you alone. No questions asked." You tensed up, not sure what to say or how to explain it. You came up with a quick lie, "You remind me of my ex." It wasn't a lie. It was actually extremely close to the truth. Jake chuckles, "You must have poor taste in men." You shake your head quickly, "Not at all. They… I mean, he was perfect." You glance up at Jake's face just long enough to see him furrow his brow, "He must have done a real number on you then. Leaving you crying alone all the time." You hold your breath for a moment before speaking, "He didn't leave. He died." Jake tenses up this time, "Mierda. (Shit.) I didn't mean. Just ignore my big fucking mouth." You let out a small chuckle, "I… It's okay. He had a big mouth too. I liked it." Jake nods softly, "Well just feel free to hit me if I start saying too much, alright?" You shake your head, "I wouldn't ever hurt you on purpose." You feel Jake staring at you but you can't meet his gaze so you turn away, "Let's try another walk."

Jake follows alongside you. You clear your throat, "So what does Khonshu want my help with?" Jake sighs, "Something about some guy trying to bring back Ammit." You can't help but make a surprised noise, "That's new." Jake nods in agreement, "Real fucking wack-job if you ask me." You nod softly and sigh, "Khonshu rarely deals with overly ordinary criminals, to be honest." Jake chuckles at your comment. The sidewalks were overly crowded, and you were getting anxious about it. Normally you would have been fine with it but something about it today was pushing you over the edge. You pulled away into an alley and Jake quickly followed. He looked at you, "Everything alright?" You shake your head, "It's too much." Jake reaches out to comfort you and you jerk away. You see him retreat his hand from you. You wince, feeling bad, "It's not you." You try to reassure him. Digging into your pocket, you pull out your sling ring and open a portal. Jake takes a step back, ready for you to run off but you gently grab his shirt sleeve and pull him through the portal with you.

When you get Jake through the portal, you let go of his sleeve before closing the portal up. Jake pats his body down to make sure he is all in one piece. You chuckle, "You're fine with dealing with the magic of gods, but regular magic scares you?" Jake glares at you, "Not scared. I just don't get how it works." Jake finally looks around, seeing that you put both of you on your favorite rooftop. You take a deep breath and look out over the city. You stand close to the edge. Jake inches towards you, "You bring me up here so I have to watch you try to kill yourself again?" He sounds both worried and cynical about it. You stop and look over at him, finally looking at his face, "I… Is that what you thought I was doing? That's why you tackled me?" Jake nods, raising an eyebrow, "What else was I supposed to think?" You frown and turn back over the city, "If I was going to do that, I wouldn't leave such a mess for others to clean up." You heard the flatness of your voice. But it was true. 

It's not like you hadn't thought about it since you got dragged to this place. You sigh loudly, "I was just trying to relax." Jake sounds skeptical, "Jumping to your death is relaxing?" You groan and roll your eyes, "You think you're the only one who has special powers?" You step off the edge and Jake lunges to catch you. You stand on the wall of the building, back to the ground, facing the sky. Jake blinks at you, "What the fuck?" You flinch. That stung a bit. He almost sounded freaked out. Your Jake was never freaked out by your powers. But then again, you guessed your Jake met you while fighting crime so it was different. You stepped back up onto the roof and then sat on the edge, dangling your feet over the side. You didn't want to look at Jake, afraid he was going to look at you like you were a freak. A face that once used to adore you now only looking at you like you were abnormal would break you completely.

You sat there quietly, just looking down at the little plastic people going about their lives. Jake finally spoke up, "How do you do that?" You shrug, "Don't know." Jake stood on the edge of the roof next to you, "What else can you do?" You tilt your head up towards the sky and start looking at the stars slowly coming into few, "I'm stronger than normal, I heal faster, my senses are heightened, I have a special sense, shoot webs out of my hands, I stick to stuff when I want and I have amazing balance." You can feel Jake's eyes on you, "You can shoot what?" You frown. Of course, he would have gotten stuck on that. 

 Jake frowned. That had come out wrong. So did his previous statement of 'What the fuck?' He didn't mean it to come out like that. He notices you push yourself further away from him as you quietly reply, "Webs… Like spider webs." Jake was about to say something but you spoke up first, "Don't worry about it. I don't do it anymore." He was how you hid your hands between your thighs. Jake frowned. He heard your tone. You were hurt by what he said. You had finally admitted why you were so weird around him. He reminded you of your ex, who died. And here he was saying dumb shit that hurt you. Jake didn't know what else to say or do. So he stuck his hands in his pockets, "Maybe I should go." You just nod softly, "Yeah. You should." You don't even look at him, just waving your hand to the side to open a portal for him. He walked through. He was hoping you would stop him or come with him. But why would you? Jake wanted to ask you more questions. You seemed so interesting. He had seen you in his dreams and he was drawn to you but he went and said something stupid. You closed the portal without giving him another look. Jake hisses loudly at himself before kicking a nearby trash can.

 You stare down at the figurines. Minding their own business and going about their lives. Not a care in the world that you could see up here. You thought maybe you needed another friend. You felt rather alone. 

Jake reminded you so much of what you had lost that honestly, it hurt sometimes to be around him. Knowing that he was following you around, it made you want to run into his arms like you used to. Hear all those beautiful nicknames he called you and even the sillier ones when he was feeling playful. You wanted him to comfort you and be with him. But this wasn't your Jake and you couldn't force that on him. And you couldn't blame him for not being your Jake because, as similar, as they were, clearly their lives went in different directions and they were not the same. Even though your heart didn't understand that most of the time.

Wong had only talked to you a handful of times and he was busy being the Sorcerer Supreme. While he was decent, he definitely was an acquaintance, not a friend.

Dr. Strange was the closest thing you had to a friend. He wasn't the nicest person sometimes, but you didn't mind. You weren't as nice as you used to be, either. But you couldn't even bear to call him by his first name because your brain told you that while Stephen differed from Steven spelling-wise and even personality-wise, your heart told you their names sounded the same and that was close enough. Though honestly, you could see trying to date him in a different, different universe, one where you hadn't lost the loves of your life and where you were barely holding onto pieces of yourself.

So you sighed, thinking about how you didn't like feeling like a freak, and having someone to talk to who was like you would be nice. Then you remember. Strange had mentioned a spiderman… That could be it. Another person who understands the complexity of your situation at least power-wise. And maybe even emotionally. Who knows? Either way, it would still be nice.

 You almost spat out your drink, "What do you mean he is in high school?" Dr. Strange takes a sip of his coffee, "Yeah, Spiderman is a teenager from Queens." You let out a groan, "I was assuming he would be an adult." Strange nods, "That's probably the point." You let out a sigh, "Can you tell me his name and where to find him?"

You stood outside Midtown School of Science and Technology, waiting for the school to let out. Part of you felt weird waiting for a teenager outside their school but you would not stop him while he was patrolling the city. So here you stood, waiting.

The school bell rang, and teens flooded out of the building. You kept an eye out for Peter Parker. You spotted him with another kid, probably his friend. When he got closer, you walked up to him, "Hey Peter." Peter stops and looks at you with wide eyes. For a second, you worry that you've scared him. But then he speaks, "You're that lady that I- I mean that Spiderman found in that alley." You can't help but smile. One sentence in and he is radiating pure innocence and goodwill. You can already feel some of your old self coming back, "Ahh yes, Spiderman, who is totally not you, right?" His friend shares a knowing glance between himself and Peter. Peter gives him a nod and his friend runs off, for now, telling Peter to text him later. You offer another smile to the young man, and you're about to speak up, but Peter blurts out first, "I have so many questions for you." You nod, "Alright kiddo, how about we grab some food or something and go somewhere to talk about it?" Peter nods excitedly.

After getting food, you take Peter up to your favorite building using your sling ring. Peter looks super excited already, "You can do magic? Like Mr. Strange?" You nod slowly, "Yeah, he is teaching me." You sit down and open up a bag of snacks for yourself, "You had questions?" Peter nods and sits down across from you, "So when I found you, you were wearing a suit. Like a superhero suit. But it had webs on it kinda like mine does. Who are you?" You can't help but laugh at his excitement, "I was Spider-woman." Peter tilts his head, "Was? You're not anymore? Why have I never heard of you? Are we related somehow?" You keep up with his questions and chuckle, "Was. I stopped doing it after… That situation. Let's just say I worked in a different city. And not blood related that I am aware of, but I mean superpower related and I think that might be just as well." Peter nods and grabs a snack for himself, "What happened? You were in pretty awful shape when I found you." Every muscle in your body seizes up. Quickly starting to spiral. It was still so hard to talk about. You had barely told Dr. Strange about any of it but that was because you were distracted while training. Actually, sitting down and thinking about it was not something that ended up working out for you. You sniffed quietly, trying to hide the fact you were on the verge of tears, "Just had a close call." That's all you gave him but Peter didn't pry. You changed the topic, "Why don't you show off your powers and we can compare them?" Peter perked up, "Yeah? I have never met another spider person before. Well, there was Black Widow, but she wasn't like us." He jumps up and quickly starts doing tricks. Backflips, somersaults, the works. You chuckle and stand up, following his lead and copying what he does.

Peter was fun. He helped you remember some of your old self. You laughed as you both did one-armed handstands, seeing who could hold them the longest. Tying because you were both laughing so hard you fell over. You pulled yourself back up to sit down, "Show me your webs." Peter dug into his backpack and you were confused until he put it on his wrist and then fired a web out. You clapped happily, "That's so cool, you made those? Like scientifically made them?" Peter nods and looks over at you, "How do you get yours then?" You hold your hand out and shoot a web, "Naturally." Peter's eyes light up, "How? Like, how does that biologically work?" You shrug and laugh, "I'm not sure." Then something stops you mid-laugh. Remembering when your webs failed you. You feel your emotions overwhelm you but you speak up anyway, "It is affected by my health though. If I don't eat and drink, they don't work." You clear your throat, hoping your emotions aren't coming through. 

Peter doesn't seem to notice your emotional state, too wrapped up in the excitement of it, "Natural is so cool though. We should study our webs. I could totally bring samples to the science lab. It might even help me improve on my formula." You look over at Peter with a smile and nod, "Here, give me your hand." Without a second thought, Peter holds his hand out to you. You carefully shoot a web into the palm of his hand, "There you go, the first sample. Stickiness will last about five hours, overall web lasts about 24 to 48 hours." Peter's eyes go wide, "Five hours? Mine only last two?" He messes around with your web. It sticks a bit, but not nearly as bad as it does to other things and people. You hum, "Huh, you're immune to the sticking part. Good to know." Without even saying anything, Peter shoots a web at you. You laugh and easily pull it off of your shoulder. Peter laughs with you, "Seems like you're immune to mine too." You nod and ball it up before sticking it to the edge of the building.

Peter looks down at your web in his hand and gets nervous, "W… Would it be alright if we exchanged numbers?" You look over at him. Peter immediately starts babbling, "Not in a weird way or anything. Just like I know a bunch of superhero people, sure. But not another spider person. So it would be nice to be able to talk and maybe ask you questions. Since you have been doing this longer than I have." Peter's eyes are so big and innocent and even worried. You can't help but smile, "Of course, you can. Just think of me as your retired Spider-Sis, alright?" Peter's eyes light up, "Yeah?" He quickly digs his phone out of his bag after putting your web away for safekeeping. You fish your phone out of your pocket and you both exchange numbers. You both sit there and talk some more. Peter does most of the talking to be fair, catching you up about the Avengers and what his school is like now after the blip. You listened to him for hours, giving input when needed or asking questions when you had some. It was honestly nice to just sit here with someone like yourself. It made you feel less alone. It also made you feel like your old self, or at the very least, that your old self wasn't completely lost.

It got late enough and Peter got a call from his Aunt May asking if he would be home for dinner. You and Peter parted ways and not even two minutes after he left, he had sent you memes he thought you would like. They made you smile. You portaled down to the streets and walked home. You wanted some more time out and about so you didn't just portal to your room like you normally did. As you were walking, you heard a bit of a struggle coming from an alley. You may not have been a superhero anymore but you would step in if someone needed help. So you walked towards the noise, ready to call the police if need be. When you saw what the noise was coming from, you saw red.

Jake was in his superhero suit. Taking on four criminals, all of which had guns. One thug knocked him back, he stumbled back. Jake's fists were clenched, covered in bandages and blood. One of them points a gun right at Jake's head. You growl before running towards them. With one fluid movement, you leapfrog over Jake, launching yourself at the criminal with a gun to Jake's head. You wrap your legs around the criminal's neck and, with one quick motion, a sickening snap fills the alley. You quickly jump off the man as his corpse hits the pavement. The remaining three turn towards you, guns aimed at you. You hiss at them, a low and pissed-off sound. You manage a roundhouse kick that connects to two of them thugs, but the third fires a shot. You feel the sting. Then the warmth. Then finally, the horrible pain.

 Jake had been momentarily stunned by your appearance in this fight. Struck but how smoothly you moved. But the second he sees the bullet go through you, he is back on his feet in an instant. The dick-head who shot you is quickly pinned under Jake as he hits him over and over until the thug's face was nothing but a fine mist. Jake was sure he broke his hand, and he didn't care or even stop until he was sure the man who shot you was completely and utterly destroyed.

Finally pleased with the red paste Jake has created on the ground, he gets up, ready to handle the other two thugs. But when he looks up, they are dealt with. You are standing over their dead bodies, growling like a wild animal. You're holding your shoulder, which is just bleeding out from the bullet wound. Jake is covered in blood and so are you. You finally meet Jake's eyes and they are full of rage. And fuck, Jake has never been more turned on in his whole damn life. If he wasn't concerned about you bleeding out, he would pounce on you in the filthy alley surrounded by the corpses of your enemies. But he can't do that right now so Jake does the only thing he can think to do.

Jake starts yelling at you, "What the fuck do you think you were doing?" Then he sees you tense up and a new fire ignites in your eyes, "Saving your fucking ass." You step up to Jake, challenging him. And he has to correct himself from earlier because now he is the most turned-on he has ever been in his life. But all he can do is buckle down and lean into the anger, "I would have been fucking fine. I have the suit on. It would heal me." You let go of your shoulder, shoving him hard and smearing your blood onto Jake, "Don't tell me you're stupid enough to believe that piece of shit god?" You keep your stance firm and unyielding, "One of these days it will stop working." Jake sees you stumble back as you add, "I've seen it happen… Don't trust that stupid bird." Jake moves forward and catches you before you fall backward.

 You slump into Jake's arms. God, you missed how he holds you, so warm and comforting. His strong arms support you. Adrenaline and anger wearing off and you can't keep your eyes open. Eyelids fluttering closed. You hear Jake talking but it doesn't quite make it into your ears. Then you feel Jake slap you. Quite softly, to be fair. Hell, your Jake hit you harder than that when his cock was buried in you. You open your eyes and Jake's voice finally comes into focus, "You gotta stay awake." You look up at him and at some point, you ended up sitting on the ground. His mask was off now. Jake was so beautiful. Your eyes try to flutter closed again and you get another smack. You can't help but chuckle, "You can do better than that, Lockley." You open your eyes and see the look on Jake's face. He is so concerned about you, "Now isn't the time for me to be rough with you, mariposa (butterfly)." You lift your hand and cup his cheek, accidentally spreading your blood on his face in the process, "I missed you." Jake grumbles, brows furrowed, "And now you're delusional. How much blood have you lost?" Jake starts looking at your shoulder, "The bullet went all the way through but it hit an artery." 

 Jake scoops you up in his arms and starts carrying you. Jake feels you slumping in his arms, "Hey pequeña mariposa (little butterfly). I need you to stay awake, alright?" When you don't respond, he jolts you a little in his arms until he sees your eyes open. Jake lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, "Talk to me." You look so annoyed about being woken up that Jake almost feels bad. Your eyes blink tiredly at him, "About what?" Jake sighs and keeps moving, needing to get to his limo, "You remember when we first met?" You nod softly but say nothing, so Jake continues, "When I tackled you on the roof? What did you call me?" You shake your head very loosely, almost like your neck is barely attached to your shoulders. Jake frowns, pushing past people on the street, "You don't remember?" You shake your head again, "I remember… Thats just not your name anymore… Boss isn't for you anymore." Jake feels almost hurt by that and he isn't sure why. He mostly only heard you call him 'Boss' in dreams. But it was for him, wasn't it? His special nickname that somehow both you and his dream version of you knew.

Jake finally gets back to his limo and opens the back door, sitting you on the floor of it before moving to get into his glove box for medical supplies. Jake sits in front of you, "Legs, why can't I be called Boss anymore?" Jake wonders if now is the time to ask this. To bring it up when you clearly are suffering from blood loss. But he can't help himself so he asks. Your stunning eyes were droopy and unfocused but when Jake calls you 'Legs', you flinch. You look like you're in more pain from his words than the bullet itself. You look at him like you're about to cry and it breaks Jake's heart. Tears run down your face, "Don't use names you don't understand." Jake can only nod before he is tripping over his own words, "I'm sorry." Your tears don't stop and Jake would do anything to get you to stop crying, "Hey. I'm so sorry. Don't cry." You look at him with the world's most heartbroken look, "You're not him… You're not the same…" You curl in on yourself, crying harder now. 

Jake doesn't understand. He wants to understand why you're so damn sad and why you're now crying over a nickname. Why you couldn't care less about your useless shoulder? He has to chalk it up to the blood loss but part of him knows deep down that that's not it. That his use of that nickname really hurt you. So now he is scrambling to get everything together. You're bleeding all over his limo and his only concern is you. The only thoughts in his head are of you. He needs you better physically. Needs you all patched up. Needs to dry your eyes. Needs to make you feel better emotionally, too. So he grabs his supplies and, as gently as possible, uncurls your sobbing form. Needing to look at the wound. You're reluctant to unfurl your body but Jake keeps trying, otherwise your dead body will be in the back of his car. Out of all the dead bodies he has seen, all the people he has killed, fuck, out of all the dead bodies that he has had in the back of this limo alone. Seeing your body back here might break him, might be the death that would affect him and shatter his heart. And he still doesn't know why. Some imaginary life in his brain made up for him where you're in it and you love him? But it wasn't imaginary… Even if it was a dream, it was real. Somewhere it was real and Jake knew that. He knew in his soul that you were his somewhere, whether it was a past life or whatever magic cosmic bullshit was in play.

So Jake coos you and gently pulls you away from yourself. Runs a hand over your hair as you keep sobbing on the floor, "Come on, mi pequeña mariposa (my little butterfly). I need to patch you up." He manages to pull you out of your curled position. Your eyes are already puffy and Jake tries brushing away your tears, but he just ends up pushing some of the long-dead thugs' blood into your skin. Jake grumbles and quickly wishes his hands up with a bottle of water, ignoring the fact that his suit's bandages are soaked. He can't help but watch your face for a moment while doing so. Your eyes are closed and if it weren't for the tears streaming down your face, he would have thought you passed out again. Once he is satisfied with his hands, he moves back to you. He peels your ruined shirt off your body, having to fight you a bit when you won't lift your good shoulder for him. He takes care around your wounded shoulder though and makes sure he doesn't hurt you more. If Jake was a weaker man, he would have stopped here and stared at your chest now out in the open, just covered with a bra. But Jake is too worried about you so his eyes barely linger on your breasts before getting to his primary concern.

Jake looks at your shoulder and tries to see what he can do about it. If you both were normal people, he would take you to the hospital, but that isn't the case. So he grabs more water and pours it over your shoulder, trying to wash away a good amount of blood so he can see the state your shoulder is in. The bullet went clean through. It didn't appear to have hit any bones, but it nicked your subclavian artery. Jake disinfects his hands and your shoulder. He then grabs a needle and thread, "This is going to hurt." You're still sobbing and don't acknowledge his words. Jake uses his free hand to steady your shoulder, and he stitches your artery closed. You don't even flinch, and that surprises Jake. It's definitely not a painless procedure he is doing but you are so unfazed by it that he worries that you have lost feeling in your arm. He ties off the stitches and pulls back, "Can you move your fingers for me?" 

You give him a weak nod and twitch your fingers. Jake lets out a sigh of relief. He grabs gauze and packs it into the entrance wound, trying to get it taken care of. Once pleased with the entrance, he goes to look at the exit wound. Jake tries to move you, but you open your eyes again and just stare at him. Jake pets your hair, "I need to look at your back." Jake's voice is softer than he had ever heard it before. You nod, tears still dripping down your cheeks, mixing with blood and sweat on their way down. Jake had expected you to turn around but you lean forward, pressing your face into his chest while giving him access to the exit wound. Jake freezes for a moment, unsure of your movements. Unable to focus for a few seconds as he feels how close you are. On instinct, he wraps an arm tightly around your waist, keeping you close to him. You seem to melt into him and Jake has to refocus to get his free hand to start moving again. He packs your exit wound with gauze. Once it is taken care of, he grabs the medical tape and starts wrapping your shoulder to keep it in place. He is able to easily move you to get the angle he needs. You're so easily moved that Jake thinks you must have fallen asleep.

When Jake finishes taking care of you, he looks back down at your face. Where he is met with your reddened eyes that have finally stopped crying. You just keep looking at him, like you can see right through him. It makes Jake feel vulnerable, but he doesn't hate it, not when it's you. He grabs a towel and starts cleaning the blood off your face, "What is it, mariposa? (butterfly?)" You smile softly at him as he takes care of you, "You're different from mine, so you need a new name." Jake raises an eyebrow, not understanding what you mean. He feels your forehead for a fever. You gently take his hand and fiddle with the bloody bandages that wrap around his knuckles. You seem unfazed by the fact that his blood, your blood, and the blood of those random thugs are soaked into the material.

Jake can't take his eyes off your face. You're so beautiful and so close to him. He is half tempted to kiss you right, now but he would never force himself onto you in your exhausted and possibly delirious state. You let go of Jake's hand and run your fingers over the suit that Khonshu gave him, "You're not my Moon Boss anymore. Suit is all different now." Jake still isn't following what you mean, but he doesn't say anything. Your fingers trail down his tie, "How about MidKnight?" Jake can't help but smile, "Sure, whatever you want to call me." He grabbed one of his work jackets that happened to be sitting in the back of his limo, using it to wrap over your shoulders and cover you up. You nod softly, your cheek still pressed into his chest, "Thanks MidKnight." Your voice was so soft he barely heard it. Jake could see your eyes finally give out again, closing from exhaustion. Jake could feel your breath fanning over his chest and could feel your ribs expand against his arm so he wasn't worried about you at the moment. He waited until your breathing evened out before moving out of the limo. Slowly and steadily he made his way to the front seat and drove, even as you slept in his lap.

Jake was a good enough driver, so it wasn't an issue getting back to that weird wizard's place. Jake parked and got out of the car, with you still clinging to him. Getting to the door Jake knew better than to knock. It was late and without waking you up, this would be hard to explain to the guy you were staying with. So Jake picked the lock, quietly sliding into the building. The coast was clear until Jake saw that weird cape thing float over in front of him. It looked like it was about to fight him until it saw you sleeping. The cape inspected you and then floated up the stairs, waiting for a moment before waving for Jake to follow. Jake shook his head cause he could deal with gods and some magic but floating clothes. What was this, a Disney movie? 

Jake slowly followed, careful to not make any noise to wake you or the people who lived here. The animated piece of fabric leads Jake to a room that must have been yours. Jake opened the door and walked in. It looked rather empty other than a bed and dresser. Jake ever so carefully places you on the bed, tucking you in. Not bothering to take his jacket back from you. He goes to leave but as he is about to step out of your bedroom door, he hears you stir. Your voice is groggy and remnants of a dream can be heard on your tongue, "Jake?"

Jake halts, thinking maybe you will go back to sleep if he doesn't respond. But you call out for him again, "Come back to bed." Your voice is so full of sleep Jake can't truly believe you are talking to him. Then you speak again, "Mi luz de luna? (My moonlight?)" It's so soft and needy and Jake knows it's meant for him. Not just because it was in Spanish, but something inside him just knows. Knows that you need him. Jake closes the door. Wills away his MidKnight suit. And climbs into bed beside you. Jake is stiff. He doesn't know what to do. He may have fucked plenty of people before, but laying with them after the fact wasn't something he did. Your body gravitates to him, pushing into his chest and Jake doesn't fight it or stop you. He just wraps you up gently in his arms. Jake has to wonder if he ever felt this safe. His job was to make other people feel safe. Jake was always on the outside, keeping his distance from the other two men living inside him. All alone, and that was how he thought he liked it. Jake never gave it a thought about whether he had felt safe himself before. But here with you curled into him, he no longer felt lonely and you made him feel safe. He closes his eyes and allows himself to feel happy and safe as he drifts to sleep.

Continuation of Life As You Know It - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 * - Part 4 - Part 5

Tag List: @missdragon-1 @lazyloki @lazyotakujen @disredardedplant @brekkers-desigirl @cleverzonkwombatsludge @rmoonstoner @faefanatic @lo0nylexi @beebslebobs @rosaren2498 @fandoms-pizza-wifi-ym13 @dreag214 @milkiane @galacticstxrdust @bigdog310 @oh-wait-dont @urlocalgeek @simping-master-69

[lassieposting]

Hi i havent read the books post-resurrection so im kinda lost on why you dont like phase 2 val? She was easily one of my favourite characters ever, she was flawed (and the books took time to acknowledge them) and relatable and still really admirable (intelligent, brave, loyal) and i really liked her and really appreciated that she wasn’t perfect unlike every other young adult heroines. What went wrong😢😢😢😢

Okay I'm gonna put this under a cut because I very strongly dislike phase 2 val and I know it bugs people who don't feel the same, so. Dead dove dont eat

Okay so first off, phase 1 val and phase 2 val are completely different people. literally. phase 1 val was based on an ex-friend of lardo's who used to apparently be involved pretty heavily in like, editing the books and "she'd react like this" or "val wouldn't say that", and that val she was one of my favourite fictional characters from when book one came out to the release of resurrection. phase 2 val is based on his whiny little girlfriend who likes to start shit with 14yos on twitter, and you can absolutely tell she is no longer the same person. so the long story short of "what went wrong" is "the original irl val's friendship with dirty laundry ended for whatever reason and he decided to retcon her entire personality to suit his gf"

Phase 2 Val, in my opinion:

Weak, like won't even fight back when she gets jumped bc boo fucking hoo she's so awful, bitch get up already, nobody signed up for ur pity party

Whiny. So fucking whiny. All the time. And she's the POV character so it's inescapable.

"Pacifist" but in a really pathetic virtue-signalling kind of way like "Oh, I've done such terrible thiiiiiiiiiiings I'm so awfulllllllllllll look how good I'm trying to be nowwwwwwww pay attention to meeeeeeee" kind of way, it was both boring and a massive eye roll. It's a book about magic and asskicking. Kick some ass. We're here for escapism not "realistic" whining. Yes, irl she'd be a mess. As an author it's his job to strike a balance between the "realism" he wants to portray and making his readers so depressed and done with his heroine that they quit reading, and in my case, he absolutely failed.

Everything must be about her at all times. Skug is having personal problems? Fuck him, they're about her now. Everything is about how it affects her, and her feelings, and be damned to the person actually having the problem. Fucks phase 2 val cain gives about anyone except herself: 0

Bitter and jaded. Which yeah I get why but it's like jesus christ what do we get out of reading about this? It's not even good bitter and jaded where it makes you empathise or admire her strength in adversity or whatever, she's just become a really nasty person with no redeeming features that I could see. Which? Landy outright said she's based on his gf? If your boyfriend is gonna drag ur entire personality through the dirt like that and write "you" as just a collection of incredibly negative traits...yikes.

Really ungrateful about the awesome life she leads? Which bugs me bc I fucking hate mundanity and knowing that all there is to life is fucking working and bad mental health. I would kill to live her life. All she does is moan about it. Like? Quit then. Fuck off back to being a mortal if it's that bad and live the shitty life you wanted to get away from in the first place. That way we'd get no more books, and quite honestly, thank fuck for that. But anyway, she needs to pick one, stick with it, and stop complaining about whatever she chose.

The girl wallows in self pity. And if someone else isn't indulging her enough, she'll wallow harder and louder and more obviously. Yawn.

Her POV is now so depressing to read that Resurrection literally tanked my mental health. I'm not kidding. I fell off the self-harm wagon, the suicidal thoughts came back, reading her dissociating would make me dissociate, I just did not cope whatsoever. Being in her head was just like being in my head during my worst points, and I hate myself, so naturally, I hate her too. Like I get why some people like phase two val. I get that her depression is "realistic" and that trauma does just make some people completely dislikeable and self-pitying, and if people want to read about that, then...sure. you do you, my dudes. But I live that reality, I am that person whose trauma made her a dysfunctional, isolated bitch, and I hate, passionately, having it infest the media I consume to escape.

Essentially if I wanted to engage with a bitter, spiteful, depressed piece of shit in her 20s who pushes everyone away and sucks at everything, I'd live my gd life. Yall see me tryna engage with my real life? Hell nah I'm on tumblr dot com burying my head up the ass of whatever fandom will force my brain to produce some s e r o t o n i n and that is what I need this series for

Also? The dynamic she had with skug in phase one? "Until the end"? "You save me, I save you, that's how we work"? Forget that, it doesn't exist anymore. I stopped reading after Midnight, because she was written like he was a coworker she could barely tolerate. They went from "Lardo confirms on twitter that they talked on the phone a bunch while she was in america and he'd always ask her to come home" to "she comes home and proceeds to blank him for five months while she sits in her fuckin multimillionaire's mansion feeling sorry for herself". Their friendship completely disintegrated, they were totally separated for most of the book, she's written as not giving a single shit about him. She treated him like dirt, and their dynamic basically felt like it was becoming "Local Man With History Of Gravitating Towards Abusive Women Makes Same Terrible Choices For Fifth Time" and? that was the point of no return to me. he supports her unconditionally, no matter what he's going through at the time, he's walked on broken bones to try and get to her when she was in danger, she can tell him anything and he'd never use it against her. I did not, for one second in phase two, believe she felt the same about him. tbh it felt like she could - and wanted to - drop him at the first opportunity and not even feel bad about it, and that's not the dynamic that made me so emotionally attached to phase one. i signed up for "until the end", not whatever bullshit phase two has going on.

Apparently she's "less depressed" now and their relationship is "better" in the books published since midnight, which! might well be true. but I haven't read them and don't intend to, and she's gone from one of my favourite fictional characters ever (which! was impressive! because i almost never bond with the female lead - i normally get attached exclusively to the character i crush on, which would be skug here. val was the first female lead i actually cared about since xena! so im deeply salty about losing her!) to a character i? honestly prefer to pretend doesn't exist. i live in war era dead men/generals crackship land because that way, i don't have to acknowledge her or the fuckin character assassination phase 2 pulled on her.

so yeah, no hate towards phase one val at all. phase one val was awesome and flawed and gave me something to aspire to despite my shitty mental health and trauma, and if she'd kept her original personality she might still have been those things. but the original "real life" val is no longer involved (and doesn't talk to landy at all anymore, apparently), and the val based on landy's insufferable gf? i cannot get behind her at all ever, four for skug and none for phase two val cain bye

(tldr; you're not missing anything by quitting after spx)

[myblueeyedbuggers]

My Boys

Chapter 8

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7  Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14

Pairings: Reader x Steve Rogers (best friend) Reader x Bucky Barnes

Word Count: 2415

Warnings: Language, Fluff

Summary: After being abandoned by her parents in Brooklyn in 1929, y/n makes a living for herself by working for the Црни лабуд gang until she meets two boys in a back alley and her life slowing begins to change.

So there’ll be a slight change in the Uploading plans, originally I wanted to update daily, but with my college and work it might not be possible on some days, but there will be new ones the following day, As always enjoy ! :) 

Reader POV

Well this isn’t how I thought today was gonna go at all, I hadn’t planned on running and hiding from a pair of idiots with a younger girl all because someone might have said one of the boys laughs like a possessed school girl. Disapproving glances were sent our way by the nurses, not like I’d let somethin’ like that stop the fun, the sound of Becca’s laughing and the boys yelling after us only made me run faster.

“Y/N! GET BACK HERE AND APOLOGISE! MY LAUGH IS AS MANLY AS A LOIN WEARING A LEATHER JACKET AND YA KNOW IT!” Okay what kind of example is that?! “Never Barnes! There’s nothin’ wrong with sounding like a chipmunk on laughing gas! Some girls find it adorable when boys wheeze like an old man!” I felt Becca’s hand slip outta mine, glancing behind me to see her rolling on the floor laughing, Steve was in the exact same state a couple of feet behind her as Bucky looked at both in disbelief.

I couldn’t help myself, a few giggles escaped my mouth at the sight of Bucky’s face, which in turn signed my death sentence when he turned around a glared at me, his eyes narrowing as he started taking a couple of steps towards me. Okay now is not the time to laugh at the poor lad, MOVE YA ASS Y/N! THE BOY IS PISSED I REPEAT THE BOY IS PISSED! I think my natural instincts kicked in, one minute I was frozen on the spot and the next I was half way up the hallway runnin’ for my bloody life. Our footsteps thundered up the corridor, a small scream left my throat when I turned around and realised how close the bugger was, my heart was pumping from both the exercise and excitement as a small laugh left my body.

Out of habit my eyes started searching for the nearest exit, a mischievous smirk spreading across my face as an idea popped into my head, at the last second o turned and dove behind some chairs, leaving the idiot to full on crash into the wall in front of me. Bucky’s eyes widened as soon as he realised what I’d done, thankfully he managed to cover his face before hitting the wall and crashing to the ground. Groans filled the air as I fell to my ass, not being able to support myself from all the laughing going on.

“Okay…as far as I’m concerned no-one saw that, oh Jesus Christ my head is poundin, y/n give me a hand please?” now I felt a tiny bit guilty as I looked down on the poor lad, a slight bruise was formin’ on his forehead. “Yeah sure Buck, no-one except from the staff and people saw you completely each shit, come here ya big lug” his hand grasped mine in a firm grip as I hauled his ass of the floor, once he was completely up right I brushed the hair outta the way of the bruise.  Completely missing the shiver from him when my fingers made contact with his skin, gently I pressed my fingers on his forehead and tried to find the area that might have been hurting him the most. I must have found it, cause Buck let out a small hiss of pain, I quietly apologised giving the bruise one more check before pulling away, his intense gaze fell on my face and I quickly looked away attempting to hide my blush. Dude seriously? Why am I acting like an actual girl?! OH GOD I MUST BE DYING!

“Aren’t ya gonna kiss it better for me Doll?”. This cocky motherf**ker. I turned towards Satan himself with narrowed eyes, and of course he was stood there with a shit-eating grin plastered on him stupid face. “You’d need a miracle for that to happen Barnes” and que the swapping of expressions in 3,2, 1… I raised my eyebrows at him, a smirk on my face as I slowly walked away from him, my eyes trained on his as he began to follow me. Again. “Well if you ask me, it’s only fair considering ya lead me straight into that wall, plus my pride is still wounded from your earlier comment doll.” I rolled my eyes as I turned away from him, though I’m pretty sure he saw the small smile on my face, his arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me into his side, “Even if I wanted to Barnes, I’d need a bloody stepladder to reach your giant head” I swear down if I carry on smirking this much my mouths gonna get stuck like this and I’ll end up looking like a deranged pigeon.

Biting his lip to stop himself from laughin’, Buck started to shake his head as an amused smile spread across his face as he turned to me, somethin’ in his eyes screamed mischief as I cautiously started backing off from him. Well it was more like attempting to back away from him, but my stupid ass forgot he had his arm around me and Buck kindly reminded me by pulling me back to him, “I might be able to help in the height department doll face”. Quickly he wrapped his other arm around the other side of my waist and the next thing I knew I was flying…I’m kidding the bugger decided to pick me up! “Barnes, I swear to god if you don’t put me back on the ground in the next 5 seconds I will kill you! and quit man handling me goddamn it!” naturally the pillock laughs and moves me up higher whilst walking towards the exit.

“Not till ya give me a kiss doll, it takes a lot for a mans pride to recover and you sure did a number on mine, I think half of it’s still spattered on the wall back there” this boy is almost as impossible as me!  “What’s the chances of you not putting me down till I do ?” I think my eyebrows have reached my hairline at this point, “Hmm…Slim to nothin’ , you ain’t getting outta this doll”. For once I didn’t disagree with him, rolling my eyes at him I gently pushed the hair away from his forehead and placed a small but quick kiss on the bruise before pulling back, my gaze was met with a very unimpressed Bucky. “What? I did it didn’t I? why ya sulking Barney boy?” I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop a laugh coming out, Buck’s face contorted into one of horror at the nickname and a slight shiver passed through his body, in short, he looked like he was gonna throw up. “First off never call me that again! And secondly that wasn’t a proper kiss doll, that was a peck on the head at best.” I shot him an exasperated look, only to be greeted with a triumphant smile, shaking my head I leant in again and pressed my lips to the centre of his forehead, gently cradling his head with one hand as the other rested on his cheek.

3Rd person POV

The young couple were oblivious to the audience they’d gained, the rest of Bucky’s family looked on at the scene from the hospital doors, Mr and Mrs Barnes huddled together, a warm and gentle smile on their faces as they watched. Steve hurriedly grabbed Becca into his arms and covered her eyes from the sight, the little girl protested against this but gave up after a minute to stand in her silent confusion, the older boys face held a grin so wide people would have thought he’d just won the lottery.

The illusion was slowly coming to a close, slowly the older girl pulled away from the brown-haired boy, choosing to rest her forehead against his, both had small smiles on their faces as they gazed each other in the eyes, neither of them broke eye contact as the boy slowly lowered her to the ground again.

Readers POV

Almost reluctantly, Bucky removed his arms from around my waist, I’d already started to miss the feelin’ of his touch. Approaching footsteps broke our eye contact, Mr and Mrs Barnes were heading over to the two of us with Steve and Becca behind them, Steve must of done somethin’ to annoy her cause Becca was glaring at him from the side.

“Come on then Sweetheart, think it’s about time we got back home. Boys! What have I told you about messin’ around at the side of the road?!” well that was short conversation. The feeling of a small hand grabbin’ mine distracted me from the absolute bollocking Steve and Bucky were getting, Becca’s bright eyes met mine as she smiled at me, it’s honestly impossible not to smile at this girl. “Mama said that when we get home we can make cupcakes! Are you gonna help us as well y/n? I promise it’ll be fun!” I know I’ve mentioned that she’s adorable, but dear god she is so cute! I could feel my eyes crinkle as I smiled back at her “Of course I will Sweetie! Oh, how about we ask your mama if we can make them pink?!” Her already bright eyes lit up even more, I have no idea how that was possible, “Yeah! I’ll go ask her now!” with a sweet smile Becca ran over to Mrs Barnes as she jumped up and down excitedly, telling her our plan.

-Time Skip

Everything I owned was in one small box, despite me telling both the boys and Mr Barnes that I could go and get my stuff myself, the insisted that I stay at the house while they went and fetched it with the excuse of “It’s in a really bad area y/n , it’s way too dangerous for you at this time of night”. Don’t get me wrong I was very grateful, but they seemed to forget that I’d been livin’ there for a good couple of years and knew the best way to get around the neighbourhood, they were gone for a fair few hours and came back just as we started serving up dinner.

Afterwards Mrs Barnes sent us away for half an hour, so I took that time to go and unpack whatever I had left from my old life, I mean I knew for a fact it wasn’t much but most of the things I had left were things for self-defence and I didn’t wanna risk Becca seeing them. The only way to tell where’d I’d gone was the occasional creek of the floorboards underneath my feet as I closed to door to mine and Becca’s shared room, as soon as my body hit the bed the lid off the box was torn off.

Oh right, I forgot I had half of this crap… my hand reached for the small handgun carefully packed away in some tissue, the weight felt worryingly welcome in my palm as I turned it over, examining the fine details. Hang on a sec is someone coming upstairs…nope just my imagination, not the time to get distracted y/n! focus for god sake you’ve got half of the army’s Amory on your lap! My attention turned to the remaining items, each and everyone had been “gifted” to me by the gang for good work. A medium hunting knife engraved with my initials was next outta the box, followed by a swiss army knife and my brass knuckles, at some point I’d had to use all of them back at my old place, a shiver made it’s way down my spine as the memories came rushing back to me.

“Y/n? You in here?” oh flipping hell! “Yeah just give us a minute Steve! I’ll be out soon” I don’t know why I keep expecting these boys to listen to me anymore, clearly Steve didn’t listen to a bloody word I said and walked into the room, freezing when he saw all the weapons. “Y/n where did all these come from? And why do you need them?” his tone was deadly serious, wait what the hell? Didn’t he go with the rest to get my things?! , “Erm, Steve I thought you’d already seen them, didn’t you pack up some of my stuff?”. Both of us stared at each other for a few seconds, the pair of us confused by each other, “yeah I did, but Buck’s dad packed your stuff away while we looked around, that still doesn’t answer the question of what the hell you’re doing with all this stuff” ohh that makes sense.

He raised his eyebrows at my silence, moving from one foot to another as he waited for an answer, “ I’d use em for protection back at my old place, the people around there have no concept or wrong or right so it was the perfect place for me to lie low” you’d think that would be about as obvious as a punch in the face but apparently I was wrong. Immediately Steve’s posture changed, his eyes darkened as a frown appeared on his face, his eyes were clouded like he was lost in thought, “I’m sorry y/n, I hate that you had to go through that on your own for so long, I shouldn’t be making judgments on your actions, it’s just what you had to do to live right?” his eyes met mine, a sad understanding present in them as we held each other’s gaze.

“As much as I hate to admit it, that exactly what it was like Stevie, I should of told you and Bucky what you were fetching instead of leaving you in the dark” my feet dragged me over to the blonde boy, a sad smile was shared between us as we closed in for a hug, admittedly it was a tiny bit awkward considering I was a bit taller then the lad, but it was nice enough.

“Kids come back downstairs were about to make the cakes!” the sudden shout made us spring apart, causing us to bump heads with each other, “Bloody hell Rodgers what’s your head made out of?! Friggin’ rock ?!” leave it to me to ruin a moment… despite this, Steve shot me a playful glare followed by a quick shut up as he followed me out the room, the memories of my old life being forgotten and replaced with new ones.

As always, I’m open for requests and imagines, any feedback is welcome too :) Thanks for reading!

Rose xx

[unloveable-unreachable]

You’re the One My Heart Wants- Chapter 13

Word Count: 8,378

Warnings: Swearing

Author: Me

A/N: After a long, longggg wait... the next chapter to this story is finally here. Like I said guys, I’m really sorry that it’s taken so long for this chapter to be posted. I’m trying to get back in the groove of writing this story for y’all. I hope it doesn’t disappoint. 

Y/N POV

“OOSA on three!” JJ yelled over the thundering crowd as we all huddled together with our hands meeting in the center, “One, two, three!” “OOSA, OOSA, OOSA AH!” we all yelled together before the starters ran to their positions. Once I got to my spot, I stood there looking at the massive crowd in the stadium and finally let the nerves set in. “Hey, kid,” I hear Pinoe say as she walked up to me, “Don’t be nervous. We’ve got this. Just play your game and they’ll never know what hit them.” She gave me a smile and a wink as she pats my shoulder. “Thanks, Pinoe,” I say with a smile and a nod before she jogged over to her position on the opposite side of the pitch. I notice Lindsey looking around the stadium and at all of us as Thailand got into their positions. She saw me looking at her with a smirk, which caused her to give me a big grin. We did our little air-handshake, just like she and Sonny do except ours is a little different, before she turned to get ready. After what felt like forever, the whistle finally blew and the match started with the roar of the crowd and the disappearance of my nerves.

The first few minutes of play seems to drag on with a couple of scoring attempts made by Sammy and myself, but no goals yet. It’s the 5th minute when we actually see our chance. Kelley sends in a cross towards the box where Lindsey, Sammy, and Alex are. I watch from outside the box as the ball soars towards Lindsey, who nods it down and forward to Alex. Alex volleys the ball into the back of the net, causing the crowd to go absolutely crazy. I start running towards Alex and Lindsey celebrating in the box, then out of the corner of my eye I see the offsides flag being raised. Fucking hell. “It’s alright,” I say as I reach Alex after she realizes that she was caught offsides, “You’ll get another one. I just know it.” She gave me a soft smile as I patted her back while we jogged back to our positions. After a few more minutes of play, I have the ball on the right side of the pitch when I see Alex and Pinoe open in the box. As great as that chance would’ve been, I fucked up the cross and sent it over the crossbar. “It’s okay,” I hear JJ say from behind me as I got back in my position causing me to turn around to face her, “Just relax, we’ve got this. Don’t force anything.” I nod my head towards her and give her a thumbs-up before mouthing, “Thanks, JJ.” It’s the 12th minute before we see hope for another chance to score. Pinoe has the ball while Alex and I are trying to get open in the box. Pinoe weighs her options as she sees Kelley move towards the outside of the box. She passes it to Kelley, while Alex and I adjust our positions in the box as Kelley moves down the right side of the pitch. Kelley moves more and more towards the end line before finally chipping a cross towards the goal. It’s more in Alex’s range so I stop and watch her send a beautiful header into the back of the net.

“And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen! The first goal of the match goes to the USA after that beautiful cross O’Hara sent into the box towards Morgan. A beautiful header for the first goal for the USA! The USA leads 1-0 in the 12th minute of play!”

Holy fucking shit. Did that really just happen? I’m like in shock right now, it’s been so long since we’ve gotten to witness a Kellex goal. And yes, the whole team knows about all of the ships on Twitter and Tumblr of our team. Anyways, back to the match. I start running towards Kelley and Alex while the whole stadium shakes with excitement. When I reach them, along with the rest of my teammates, I’m stuck in the middle of a huge group hug while I held on to my best friend and my girlfriend. “HOLY SHIT!!” Kelley yells as she starts jumping up and down with the whole group, “I love your head, Janice!!” Alex laughed as Kelley kissed her forehead. I slung my arms around them as we walked back to our positions. “I’m so glad I got to finally witness a Kellex goal again,” I say with a smirk as Kelley and Alex groaned, “All jokes aside, I’m proud of you two. Let’s kick some ass.” Kelley cheered loudly in response as she ran to her spot, while Alex hung back with me for a few more minutes. “Next goal is yours,” Alex said as she patted my back with a smirk and a wink before she jogged to her position. I shook my head at her before giving her a bright smile as I turned my attention back to the match. After maybe three more minutes of play, Kelley gets an extremely clean tackle that makes our whole bench jump to their feet in excitement. She’s still got it, I think to myself. My best friend looked completely in her element, it’s been a while since I’ve seen her on her game this much. I missed this Kelley, a complete badass. Sammy had the ball during the 18th minute and saw an opening on goal, but managed to shoot it just to the left of the post. “Fuck,” I hear her say as she ran her hand over her face while she walked back to her position. “Sammy,” I say loud enough for her to look up at me with frustration clear on her face, “It’s okay. You’ll get a goal, just don’t overthink it or force anything. Tone down the ‘Tower of Power’ just a little.” She smiles at me with a laugh before getting back into position. 

In the 20th minute, Kelley has the ball on our side of the pitch for a few moments before sending a long ball towards Alex. Alex moves the ball up the left side of the pitch, while I watch Rose move through defenders in the middle of the pitch towards the box. I move up the right side and try to gain the attention of as many defenders as I can, in hopes that I can help Rose get open. Alex notices what I’ve managed to make happen as she passes the ball forward to Rose, who sends a low ball towards the left of the goalkeeper into the net.

“And they’ve done it again! With that precise pass from Morgan to Lavelle in Thailand territory, the ball sneaks under the goalkeeper to extend the lead for the USA to 2-0 in the 20th minute!”

I don't know what it is, but there's something about this match. The energy coming off of the team and coming from the crowd is indescribable. We came here to make a statement and honestly, I feel like there’s more to come. It would be amazing if we managed to pull off an unbelievable match, one that would stick in everyone’s minds forever. Anyways… After I watched Rose score from the right side of the pitch I ran over with Lindsey and hugged Rose, Alex, and Pinoe for a quick moment before we got back to business. During the 22nd minute, Crystal managed to get down the pitch just outside of Thailand’s goal to send a cross in for Sammy. I watched as Sammy moved on goal to head the ball into the back of the net, but the goalkeeper deflected it right to Alex’s feet. I held my breath, knowing I was about to see her get a brace in the first match of the tournament. But, instead, she somehow managed to send the ball over the crossbar. I couldn’t help but give her a little smirk as she turned around to get ready for the goal kick. She looked a little irritated, but it seems like my smirk pulled her out of that since she was smiling at me now. Not too long after Alex’s attempt, Sammy has the ball inside the box just to the left of the goal. When she looked like she managed to get an opening on goal, she’s pulled to the ground by the Thailand defender. The ref didn’t call anything dirty on the play, which just pissed me off. “Are you fucking kidding?!” I yelled as I walked towards the ref after checking on Sammy, “Are you blind? She was pulled down, that’s a penalty!” I’m pulled back by someone before I could get anywhere near the ref, as I tried to continue yelling. “Y/N,” I finally hear the person who’s pulling me away say, “Calm down. Don’t lose your head.” I turned around to see who was pulling me away— Kelley and Alex. Not too surprising, I know. “But, she just watched her pull Samm—” “We know,” Kelley says while interrupting me, “It was a shit call, but we don’t need you getting carded over this.” “Kelley’s right, baby,” Alex whispers to me while putting her hand on my shoulder, “The team just got you back out on the pitch, and we need you out here to help us pull out a win. So, please calm down before Jill subs you out.” She’s right. Actually, they’re both right. I can’t let things get to me so easily. After a moment, I let out a long sigh and nodded my head towards both of them, “I’m fine, it’s fine. Let’s just get back to the match.” 

We managed to get the ball back pretty quickly after the bullshit with Sammy happened, and a failed scoring attempt made by Thailand that went right into the hands of Uncle in the 28th minute. Crystal sent a long ball to me near the top of the box, where I weighed my options. I can see Pinoe and Alex moving on goal, but then again I can see an opening for me to get a shot in. While I try out a little fancy footwork, managing to almost slip past the Thailand player, I’m practically shoved to the ground right outside the box. I had the wind knocked out of me and it caused me to groan loudly, “Jesus…Fucking...Christ...” While I moved to get up, I could hear someone yelling at the ref. No surprise who it is either. “Kelley,” I say as I moved in between her and the ref, pushing her back, “Back up. It’s fine. We don’t need the master of yellow cards getting carded today.” She gave me a mischievous grin before glaring at the ref again. “Fucking bitch,” she whispered, “Missing all of these calls all match. You were in the box, it should be a penalty.” After a moment of me trying to get her to calm down, I managed to talk her down before going to set up for the free-kick. Looking at how everyone was setting up in the box, I knew that my next choice probably wasn’t the most conventional but it would catch Thailand’s team off guard. As the whistle’s blown, I approach the ball with no intention of sending it in the air. I sent a low ball right under the line of Thailand players towards Sammy in the box. The ball somehow bounces off of Sammy’s legs right to the feet of Lindsey. Lindsey shoots the ball into the top of the net and the stadium erupts with excitement.

“And with that surprising low free-kick sent in by Y/L/N, it goes off Mewis to the feet of Horan. Horan sent the ball into the back of the net with extreme power! That goal gives the USA a 3-0 lead in the 32nd minute of play! Horan just scored her first World Cup goal! What a match, ladies and gentlemen!”

I yelled with extreme excitement as I ran towards Lindsey and the rest of my teammates in a group hug. When Lindsey was finally able to get out of the arms of our teammates, she saw me beaming at her with pride a few feet away. She gave me a goofy-ass Lindsey Horan smile as she ran and jumped into my arms. “Look at my best friend,” I said as she laughed with me, “Scoring in a World Cup tournament for the first time. I’m so fucking proud of you!!” After I let her down, she gave me another hug while saying, “Thanks, Y/N. It means a lot coming from you. Also, thanks for always being there to catch me.” She was laughing after saying that last part as we walked back to our positions. I was laughing too because only Sammy and I will catch her when she’s jumping into our arms. “Anytime, Linds,” I say as I pat her back with a smile, “Let’s finish this.” She gave me a thumbs-up and a wink before jogging to her spot. I glanced over at our bench before play started back up again and I saw Sonny grinning from ear to ear, looking and pointing at Lindsey and I. Probably overly praising us, per usual. In the 38th minute, Alex had another chance to score again. Crystal passed her the ball and Alex does a small move that managed to get the defender that was covering her to overrun her just enough to give her the space she needed. But, that moment is short-lived whenever Alex shoots on goal just for it to be blocked by a defender. Even from where I was standing, I could hear Alex groan with frustration. Throughout the rest of the half, we had a few chances to score again but mostly the ball either didn’t get to where we needed it to be or the goalkeeper managed to get her hands on the ball. Just before the whistle is blown for halftime, Pinoe is pushed down and slides into a Thailand player. I rolled my eyes thinking that the ref was just going to let that one go too but to everyone’s surprise, she actually calls the foul. I walked over and helped Pinoe up just as the whistle was blown for halftime. “Fucking hell,” she mumbled loud enough for me to hear, causing me to laugh loudly, while we jogged towards the locker room.

“You’re doing really great, kiddo,” Ash says to me after Jill walked out of the room, “Really kicking some ass out there.” I nod my head towards her while saying, “Thanks, mom. I just really want a goal…” “You’ll get one,” Christen said as she walked up to us with Tobin, “I know you will.” “You’ll do some of your fancy footwork and score,” Tobin says with a shrug, “It’s inevitable.” I laughed at the sight of Tobin and said, “Oh, yeah? Coming from the Queen of Fancy Footwork, it must be true.” Tobin cracked one of her bright smiles while Christen laughed along with me. “Christen’s right though, Y/N,” I hear Ali say from the other side of Ash a moment later, “You always manage to pull out a goal whenever you really want one. ” I gave her a soft smile and glanced around the room while the four of them continued talking about the match. I was looking for Alex. Just as we were about to head back out to the pitch, her ocean eyes caught mine. She was giving me a soft smile after she left Allie and Kelley to come talk to me. “Hmmm,” I say as we walked towards the door of the locker room, “I thought you said the next goal was mine? Looks like you were wrong, for once.” She rolled her eyes and hit my shoulder before stopping us in the tunnel. “Okay, maybe I was a little off,” she said with a laugh, “But, I do think that you’ll score at least once in this match. I can just feel it.” I gave her a small grin before placing my hands on her shoulders. “Mhm...whatever you say, Alex,” I say with a small laugh before looking around us to make sure we were alone, “By the way, you’re doing fucking amazing. I’m ready to see you score another goal, babe.” That caused her to blush slightly and smile up at me. I glance around us one more time before leaning down and kissing her softly on the forehead. “Let’s go,” she said with a bright smile as she grabbed my wrist to pull me along with her towards the pitch.

The first few minutes of play in the second half consisted of mostly blocked shots and crosses that weren’t producing goals like we needed them to do. A little annoying and frustrating, to say the least. During the 50th minute, Pinoe has the ball in the middle of Thailand’s territory. I was watching her from the top of the box while she moved towards the left side of the pitch. I moved along with her just as she looked up to see me moving into an open area. She sent me a quick pass in the box, I turned with the ball and moved slightly to the left just before shooting my shot on goal. 

“And they’ve done it yet again, ladies and gentlemen! Rapinoe sent Y/N a pass in the box, where she turned and shot on goal. The ball is slightly deflected by a Thailand defender, causing the goalkeeper to make an error. Y/N scores the 4th goal for the USA, making the score now 4-0!”

For a moment, I just stand there in shock. Staring at the goal, the roar of the crowd is muted for just a few seconds before I’m pulled back into reality. “HOLY SHIT!” I yell as I run towards our bench with my teammates following close behind. When I get to the bench, there are only two people I’m thinking of celebrating this moment with-- my moms. Ash was jumping up and down yelling at the top of her lungs as Ali ran towards me with her arms open to catch me. “YOU DID IT!!” Ali yells as she spins me around, causing me to laugh loudly. Ash joins our hug with a giant smile plastered on her face just before the rest of the team joins in on a huge group hug. When I managed to break free from the hug, I’m pulled into one more that just included my best friends. “My best friends are goal-scoring badasses,” Sonny says with one of her goofy smiles as Lindsey and I make our way back towards the pitch. I looked around for my girlfriend quickly before we had to get back to the match. She was standing a little off to the side with Kelley, giving me one of her gorgeous smiles. Breathtaking, I swear. “I told you that you were gonna get a goal,” she says to me whenever I walk up to her and Kelley, which only causes me to shake my head at her with a sly grin. “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I respond while rolling my eyes, “You were right. Don’t rub it in, Al.” That caused her, Kelley, and I to laugh while Alex pulled us both in for a quick hug. “Don’t squish me, lovebirds,” Kelley whines quietly, “We’ve still got a match to finish.” When the three of us broke away from our hug, Kelley was giggling like she always does whenever she got her way. Alex and I exchanged a glance, rolling our eyes at our idiot best friend with a laugh. We all made our way back to our positions quickly, just before Thailand put the ball in play again. 

After three minutes of play, we are given a free-kick after a foul is called. Normally, Pinoe takes the free kicks whenever Christen isn’t in. That’s what we’re all expecting at least but instead, Jill points at me to take it. Weird. I guess the free-kick I had in the first half made a good impression? After giving Jill a confused look, I walked over and set up for the free-kick. I, once again, look at how everyone was set up and made a quick decision. Lindsey looked like she was in the perfect position to score again, so that’s what I was going with. As the whistle blows, I send the ball in the air towards Lindsey in the box. She gets her head on it and sends it just outside the goal, where Alex volleys it with her right foot into the back of the net.

“This is unbelievable! After the lofty free-kick was sent in by Y/N, Horan gets her head on it in hopes for a header. She falls just short, but Morgan manages to volley the ball in for another USA goal! Alex Morgan has a brace in the USA’s first match of the World Cup tournament! The USA now leads 5-0 in the 53rd minute of play!”

That...was...fucking...beautiful. Like, I’m just in constant shock throughout this whole match. I ran towards my teammates who were hugging my girlfriend, with the biggest smile on my face. After a moment, Alex and I were walking back towards the middle of the pitch. “I told you,” I said with a grin, as she gave me a questioning look, “I told you that you were going to score again. And that was a fucking beautiful goal, Alex.” Her look changed from questioning to a bright smile, almost childlike. “Hmm, I guess you were right for once,” she answers, causing me to give her a fake shocked expression, “This match is crazy. Like, unbelievable is an understatement.” I nod my head before saying, “And it’s not even close to being over yet. Score another one, I dare you.” I was giving her a daring look as she continued walking away from me to her position. She shook her head with a grin and a thumbs-up, “You’re on.” I laughed at her just as I was turning my attention back to the ball. Thailand’s possession is extremely short-lived as Crystal gets the ball back. Crystal moves down the left side of the pitch and sends the ball to Rose. Rose turns and attempts to score, but it’s deflected. To our luck, it’s deflected towards Sammy who sends the ball into the right side of the net.

“Unbelievable, ladies and gentlemen!! The USA took no time at all to get the ball back and score again. Mewis has scored the 6th goal for the USA, making the score 6-0 in the 54th minute!”

I’m gonna lose my voice by the end of this match, I swear. As I watched Sammy score, I yelled at the top of my lungs while sprinting towards my best friend. Lindsey and I get to her at the same time and pull her into a hug while congratulating her on her goal. “Is this really happening right now?!” Sammy says excitedly after we let her go. We both laugh at her and nod our heads while patting her on the back. The stadium hasn’t stopped cheering for what feels like forever. The crowd is literally making the stadium shake with excitement and chants. Fucking music to my ears, I tell you. Two minutes later, Crystal has the ball again and is moving down the left side of the pitch. Sammy was moving along the outside of the box, adjusting herself to where Crystal was. Alex and I were trying to make some space for one of us to be open in the box. As Sammy moved back towards the top of the box, Alex and I were both open in the box. Crystal passes the ball to Sammy, who turns around to see us both open. She sends the ball to the middle of the box, just out of Alex’s reach but definitely in mine. When I get my foot on the ball, it takes me less than a second to send a low shot into the center of the goal.

“Another brace for the USA! Y/N has just scored a brace in the 56th minute after Mewis sent her a pass in the middle of the box! The USA now leads 7-0! This match just keeps getting better and better for the reigning champions!”

Oh my fuck. A fucking brace in the World Cup. Jesus fucking Christ! This time, I didn’t stare at the goal. I didn’t drown out the noise coming from the crowd. I immediately turned around to see my girlfriend’s smiling face as she ran towards me. Just as she got to me, I jumped into her arms and nuzzled my face into the crook of her neck. “Oh my god,” is all I can say while she held me for a moment, laughing at what I said, “This is fucking amazing.” After she sets me down, we’re both pulled into another group hug with a few of our teammates. When the group hug is over, Alex hugs me one last time while whispering in my ear, “I’m so fucking proud of you, baby.” That causes me to blush a little and smile brightly at her. “Thank you, babe,” I say back with my hand covering my mouth from the cameras, causing her to wink at me before we both headed back to the middle of the pitch. As I was making my way back, I saw my number go up. I had a goofy grin on my face whenever I saw who was coming in for me-- Christen. About fucking time. I give her a quick hug and say, “Give ’em hell,” just before she took the field. Rose was also subbed off at the same time as me, to let Carli get some playing time. While I made my way to the bench, I’m stopped by Jill who gives me a hug and says something encouraging. Kinda weird but it’s Jill. When I reached the bench, Ash jumped up and gave me one of her bear hugs. “I’m soooooo proud of you, Y/N,” she says with pure joy in her tone, “A brace. Are you fucking kidding me?!” I laughed at her as I thanked her before taking the seat next to Ali to watch the rest of the half.

The next ten minutes or so of play is mostly just missed shots and missed passing opportunities. Christen had a few here and there, Carli had a lot if I’m being honest here. In the 62nd minute, we get a corner kick that is sent in towards JJ. JJ acts a little too quickly and ends up sending the ball wide and to the right. She just laughs loudly towards Jill as she went back to her position, typical JJ. Mal subbed in during the 67th minute for her and has been trying to make something happen since she stepped on the pitch. During the 72nd minute, Kelley is knocked to the ground by a Thailand player. That causes me to jump up from my seat in an angry rage. “You’ve got to be kidding me right now,” I say through gritted teeth. I’m not the only one who’s pissed off, our whole bench is up and yelling at the ref to card the player. Which, she thankfully does shortly afterwards. “You okay, Smalls?” I yell loud enough for Kelley to hear. She turned towards the bench and gave me a thumbs-up and a grin before turning back to watch the free-kick. After nothing comes from the free-kick, it’s two minutes later when we get the ball back in Thailand’s territory. I watch as Sammy moves from midfield with the ball at her feet and she quickly passes the ball to Christen at the top of the box. Christen watches as Alex and Carli run in a crisscross pattern to get open before passing it to Alex at the right side of the box. We all watched as Alex faked out her defender, causing them to go left, and sent a quick shot across the goal to the far left side of the net.

“Alex Morgan has a hat-trick! After a pass from Press at the top of the box, Morgan sent the ball to the left side of the goal! The USA extends its lead even more to 8-0 in the 74th minute!”

Our whole bench started going insane as we all watched our teammates hug Alex. I was just smiling at her, extremely proud of her in this moment. She looked over at our bench with a gigantic smile plastered on her face. Adorable, like I can’t even explain it fully. The minutes drag on after that goal. The minutes are filled with failed attempts of scoring made by Carli, and multiple stops made by Kelley and Crystal. It’s during the 79th minute whenever we see another chance at scoring. Christen passes the ball to Mal, who plays an early cross towards the goal. We all watch as the ball goes out of Alex’s reach, but manages to find Pinoe. She sends a low, powerful ball into the center of the net. 

“And Megan Rapinoe joins the scoring party the USA is throwing! After a cross sent in from Pugh manages to find Rapinoe in the box, she sends a powerful ball into the center of the goal. The USA’s commanding lead has grown to 9-0 in the 79th minute!”

After we saw the ball hit the back of the net, we all moved towards the sideline while we cheered for Pinoe. She was running towards our bench just before sliding on her knees just before she begins mimicking the way Ash stretches her legs as a celebration. This only makes the bench erupt with laughter, especially from Ash. After we all celebrated with her, she went back to her position on the field. “This match is fucking insane,” Ash says with wide eyes, “Like holy fuck!” Ali started laughing at her as she continued talking about how insane this match was. I agree with her. Like I said before, I felt like this match was going to be amazing but I never thought it would be this fucking amazing. Like, it’s mind-blowing watching the match go on and on with us scoring more and more. This is a match we will never forget and it’s still not over...Jesus fucking Christ. In the 81st minute, Crystal has the ball at midfield for a moment before passing the ball to Pinoe. Pinoe moves the ball into the box before stumbling a little. The Thailand defenders move to stop her, which is a mistake because that just leaves Alex wide open in the box. Pinoe sees this and she passes the ball to Alex. Alex quickly reacts by sending the ball into the left side of the net, catching the goalkeeper off guard. 

“This is Alex Morgan’s game today! After receiving a pass from Rapinoe at the top of the box Morgan sent in a ball into the left side of the goal. This makes it her 4th goal and the USA’s lead 10-0 in the 81st minute of play! What an amazing match for the whole USA team!”

“Oh...my...god…” is all I can say as I watch Alex count the number of goals she’s scored on her hand while she ran towards the bench. “Aren’t we lucky?” Sonny says with a sly grin as she wiggles her eyebrows at me, “You and your girlfriend are pretty impressive.” I look at her with a small glare as I say, “Thank you, Sonny. But, for fuck’s sake, keep your voice down.” She held her hands up in defense while she laughed at me, which only caused me to laugh with her. Alex hugged everyone quickly before getting to me. She gave me a goofy smile before giving me a quick hug and saying, “See, I told you I’d score another one.” I rolled my eyes at her before saying, “I dared you to score one not two, you goof. I’m so proud of you right now, Alex.” She smiled softly at me before heading back to midfield. “Like I said,” Sonny says a moment later while putting her arm on my shoulder, “You’re lucky. Which I’m sure you already know.” She was giving me a knowing look as she, once again, started wiggling her eyebrows at me. “First off,” I respond, “I do know that, but not in the way you’re suggesting. Mind your own business, Sonny.” She was laughing at this point, probably because she thinks I’m lying to her when I’m really not. Oh well, let her think what she wants.

Three minutes later we have the ball again near midfield in Thailand’s territory. Christen is sent the ball, where she heads it towards Alex. Alex turns with the ball and passes it into the box whenever she sees Mal open. Mal dribbles the ball through the box and around the goalkeeper, who came out way too early to even try to stop her, and scores in the open net.

“Welcome to the World Cup scoring party, Mallory Pugh! Pugh manages to dribble past the goalkeeper after Morgan sent her a pass in the box, to score her first World Cup goal! This commanding lead that the USA has made is only growing more as the score becomes 11-0 in the 84th minute!”

The stadium is absolutely electric right now, it’s unreal. Our celebrations on the bench haven’t stopped since I got subbed out. It’s wild, to say the very least. We watched as Mal was surrounded by our teammates, congratulating her on her first World Cup goal. She looked so happy, it’s heartwarming to know that she’s only just starting out in her career. She’s going to go so far. It’s really great to know that the team is going to be in good hands after the veterans retire and the players like me hang up our jerseys one last time. I’m being way too sentimental right now, let me stop and get back to the match. After a few minutes of back and forth play, Crystal has the ball just past midfield. She sees that Alex is open and chips her a pass. Alex sees a defender coming up to challenge her, so she pops the ball up and over said defender. As she comes around the defender, she stretches her leg out to get a touch on the ball. She gains control of the ball and sends a strong, driving ball into the upper left-hand corner of the goal.

“Alex Morgan has really put on a show for us today! Dunn sent her a pass and she worked a little magic to get past a defender just before sending a powerful ball into the net! Morgan has 5 goals tonight, tying the record for most goals scored in a single World Cup match by one player! The USA now leads 12-0 in the 87th minute!”

Five fucking goals. Wow. What a fucking beast. Alex ran towards the bench after she scored and celebrated with each and every one of us. When she got to me she was smiling from ear to ear. When she pulled me in for a hug she whispered, “That one was for you, baby.” My cheeks immediately turn bright red, which only makes her laugh whenever she pulls away. “You are so fucking attractive right now,” I say quickly and quietly, causing her to laugh more, “Like it’s unreal, babe. I’m so unbelievably proud of you right now.” She gave me a bright smile and a quick wink before Jill made her run back to her spot. “Holy fuck,” I say loud enough for Ali to hear, “Wow, I love her.” Ali started giggling before saying, “Tone it down a little, kiddo. People can hear you...unless you want your secret out in the news.” I looked at her and probably had fear in my eyes because she started giggling more before pulling me in for a hug. “I’m just messing with you,” she says, “Well, at least a little bit.” “Thanks, mom,” I say with a small groan and smile. She laughed even more as we stood there watching the end of the match. After the ref said that there would be extra time added, we all just hope that we can hold Thailand off long enough to keep the score as it is. That worry is short-lived though. After we managed to get the ball in Thailand’s territory one more time, Alex had the ball at the top of the box. She passed the ball to Carli, who took it into the heart of the box. The defenders started moving in on her while she manages to freeze up the goalkeeper long enough to send the ball right past her into the net.

“Carli Lloyd adds to the USA lead in added time! She froze up the goalkeeper and slipped the ball right past her into the back of the net! 13 goals for the USA, unbelievable!”

Thirteen fucking goals. Can you fucking believe it?! Because I’m still trying to process that. Like this match has been a fucking ride. This was the best outcome we could’ve ever asked for. When the final whistle is blown, our whole bench runs out onto the field and hugs our teammates tightly as we cheer loudly. During the hugging and cheering, we also went and talked to the Thailand players. Giving them encouragement and hugging them while telling them to keep their heads up. After I talked to a few of Thailand’s players, my idiot best friends called me over. “Y/N!” Sonny says with one of her giant smiles as I got closer to them, “We fucking did it!” I was laughing at her as she jumped on my back, hugging my neck tightly. Sammy and Lindsey looked around the stadium in awe. “Hey,” I say trying to gain their attention, “Are you two alright? You don’t look like you just won a match in the World Cup.” I set Sonny down while Sammy and Lindsey looked over at me. “It’s just overwhelming,” Lindsey says while rubbing the back of her neck, “Like a good overwhelming.” “Yeah, what she said,” Sammy says after Lindsey finished. I smiled at my best friends before giving them both a hug. “We’re being sappy, aren’t we?” I say to them, causing them to laugh, “Come on we have to get to the locker room before Carli gets on our asses.” That causes all three of them to bolt towards the tunnel while I laugh at them loudly while making my way to the tunnel, at a slower pace. A threat involving Carli always works.

After getting stopped and asked a couple of questions about the match, I finally made it into the locker room. I still haven’t seen Alex since the match ended, probably because she ended up getting Player of The Match. She scored five goals, there’s no way she wouldn’t have gotten that. A no brainer for sure. But, I wanted to celebrate with her. I guess I can wait a little longer. While I waited for her to come in I got changed out of my cleats, socks, and kit into my training shorts and jacket so I could go out with some of the team to sign autographs and talk to my family. “You coming, kiddo?” I hear Ash ask from the doorway with Ali standing next to her a few moments later, “You don’t want to keep Ol’ Debbers and Kyle waiting.” Ali was laughing at what Ash said as she hit her shoulder, “Yeah come on, Y/N. We don’t need mom searching the whole stadium for us.” I rolled my eyes and shook my head with a smile as I got up from my seat. “Yeah, moms,” I answer, “I’m coming, I’m coming.” I’ll just find Alex later, no big deal. As I walked down the tunnel with my moms, Ash slung her arm around my shoulders and said, “You know, I’m really proud of you, Y/N. You seriously kicked some ass today. Didn’t she, Ali?” Ali hummed in response before looking over at me with a bright smile, “You really did, kiddo. We’ve still got a long way to go, but I think we’re in good hands if Jill keeps playing you as much as she has.” I was smiling at both of them while trying to fight back tears. They’ve always been there for me, and they always will be. My moms are probably one of the best things that could’ve ever happened to me. Like I said, I’ll never be able to thank them enough for everything they do for me. “Thanks, moms,” I say as I wrap my arms around both of their waists, causing them to hug me back, “That means a lot to hear that from both of you. I love you both so much.” “We love you too, Y/N,” Ali says while Ash hums in agreement as she kissed the top of my head, “And we always will.” We continued walking out of the tunnel, their arms still around me and mine around them, as we heard the crowd cheer for our team with signs and jerseys filling the lower sections of the stadium.

Alex POV

After doing the post-match interview and getting the Player of the Match, I didn’t really have time to go back to the locker room to change or talk to any of my teammates. Especially my girlfriend. I didn’t see her out on the pitch after the match ended, mostly because I was pulled into interviews almost immediately after talking to a few of Thailand’s players and probably because she and her friends were off acting like children somewhere over our win. I wanted to find her and celebrate with her, since she did so great and because this match was fucking amazing. I wandered around the stadium, signing a few autographs and taking pictures with our fans, for a few minutes while I waited for her to show up. After taking one last picture, that’s when I finally see her. She was with Ali and Ash, signing jerseys and taking pictures. I’m a good distance from them, but I can still hear the echo of fans yelling for a ‘Krashlyn family picture’. I could hear Ash and Y/N beg Ali to take another one over and over as I walked in their direction. Ali would fake groan every time but she always managed to crack a smile before hugging the two of them. While I watched them pose and beg a few more times, all I could do was smile at how happy my girlfriend looked with her moms. When I get closer to them, Y/N notices me and I’m welcomed by one of her bright smiles. “Hey, there you are,” she says while giving me a quick hug, “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” I gave her a soft smile before hugging Ash and Ali. “Do you mind if I steal her away?” I ask them quietly, “My family has been bugging me about seeing her again.” Ash laughed while she nudged my girlfriend’s shoulder as Ali said, “Yeah, that’s okay with us. Don’t keep her too long though. Mom and Kyle will give us hell if they don’t see her before we head out to dinner.” I laugh while assuring her that she wouldn’t be gone long as Y/N followed me in the direction of my family.

“Y/N!” my mom yells as we reached the section they were waiting in, causing my girlfriend to smile bigger than I’ve seen in a while. “Hi, Mrs. Morgan,” she said as she gave my mom a hug, “It’s nice to see you guys again.” “None of that ‘Mrs. Morgan’ talk,” I hear my mom say with a laugh, “Anyone who makes my daughter smile as much as you do calls me Pamela.” I rolled my eyes with an embarrassed smile, as my family laughed. My mother, ladies and gentlemen. You gotta love her. After we all laughed for a few more moments, Jeni and Jeri came down to the railing. “You two did really great today,” Jeri said with a soft smile, “This is hands down one of my favorite matches I’ve ever seen. You two work really well together.” “I sure hope so,” I answer with a laugh, “Otherwise, that would be a deal-breaker.” That caused Y/N to give me a shocked look before saying, “Hey now. We’ve always played well together, you just never gave me the time of day till now.” She was grinning at me while my sisters let out a collective ‘ooooo’. I hit her arm while saying, “Okay, okay. Let’s not bring up the past. I barely knew anything about you till Kelley got us to actually hangout, for once, outside of the pitch. I definitely give you the time of day now, you goof.” Y/N was slightly blushing as she smiled at me. “Oh, yes,” my mom said a moment later, breaking me out of the trance caused by Y/N’s eyes, “That reminds me. I need to thank Kelley for getting you two together the next time I see her.” Oh god. I rolled my eyes at my mom while Y/N laughed as I said, “Yeah, okay. You do that, mom.” After my family laughed at my reaction to the ridiculousness coming from my mom, Y/N looked over at Jeni. “By the way, Jeni,” she said, “Where’s my favorite girl?” Jeni laughed as she looked over at her husband, who handed her Liv. “Here she is,” Jeni said as she handed Liv to Y/N, “She’s been waiting to see you all day.” I watched as Liv hugged on Y/N, making my heart melt on the spot. “Sorry, Al,” Y/N said with a sly grin, “You’re second when it comes to Liv. I mean, look at her. She’s adorable, and I’m her favorite soccer player. So fair is fair.” She was laughing after she finished which only caused Liv to laugh as well. She is adorable, so I can’t be too mad about being second to her. “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I say as I fake rolled my eyes while I kissed the top of Liv’s head, “I guess I’m okay with being second best. You’re also not just her favorite soccer player, you know?” That gained an ‘aww’ from my mom and sisters while Y/N gave me a soft smile. “Is it okay if I walk around the pitch with her for a few minutes, Jeni?” Y/N asked while rocking Liv back and forth in her arms. Jeni told her it was okay with her and Y/N gave her a quick thank you and reassured that they wouldn’t be gone for too long before she and Liv headed towards the middle of the pitch.

While we watched Y/N play with Liv on the pitch, I couldn’t help but think about the future I could have with her. I imagine us having our own family together sometime soon in the future, after we both put away our cleats for the last time. She’s so great with Liv and that only makes me think about how she would be with her own kids, our kids. This is hopeful thinking because I didn’t know if she wanted all of that with me. I think she does, but we’re still in the early stages of our relationship so it would be a little too much too soon to be talking about this kind of stuff. But it doesn’t hurt to think about it to myself. “Alex,” I hear Jeri say from behind me, “What’s got you thinking so hard?” I was still grasping on to the thought of a future with my girlfriend while I gave her, Jeni and my mom a soft smile, “It’s not important. Just thinking about stuff…” “Stuff being Y/N?” Jeni asked with a knowing look, “I see the way you look at her, Alex. The way you look at her when she’s playing with Liv… You love her, more than you loved Servando. We can all see how happy she makes you. Watching you two interact, it’s like you were made for each other. You want a future with her...you just don’t know it yet.” Damn. Went right for my feels, didn’t she? It’s like she was reading my mind, typical Jeni. As I stood there and looked at the three most important women in my life, all I can see is support and caring smiles. “You know, Jeni,” I say with a smirk and a crooked eyebrow, “It’s kind of creepy when you read my mind. Actually, I have been thinking about --” “Hey, Alex,” Y/N interrupts, causing me to turn around with a slightly panicked look on my face, “Ali just called, we gotta go. The team’s waiting for us to go to the hotel for dinner.”  I nodded towards her before turning back to my family and gave them each a hug. When I hugged Jeni she whispered, “We’re not done talking about this, Alexandra.” I looked at her and gave her a soft smile before I stepped back so Y/N could hand Liv back to her and tell my family goodbye for now. While we walked away, Y/N said, “I’ll meet you at the bus, babe. I have to go talk to Debbers and Kyle real quick. I won’t be too long, I promise.” When I told her that was okay and watched her jog over to the Krieger-Harris crowd, I was brought back to the thought of a future with her. 

That’s what I want, a future that has her in it…

Forever.

To Be Continued

[larenoz]

Fic Rec - Reflections on the “open up my eager eyes” series

by @haloud

This is going to be a mix between fic review but mainly personal reflections on the stories. I promise no coherence or consistency whatsoever. Think incoherent ravings of a mad woman. It’s basically going to be raving about how much I love this series of stories. There will be sort-of spoilers. As always, read the tags and notes on the fics people.

Part 1 - tuck my hair behind my ears and touch my soul - Alex/Kyle, Michael - Kyle POV

This story kicks off my favourite Roswell, New Mexico fic series. It hooked me from the opening line, which is one of the best ever in the fandom, setting the scene perfectly - "It starts at the Wild Pony, that breeding ground for bad ideas."

This story is told from Kyle's POV and introduces us to an Alex and Michael who have found their balance, with themselves and with each other in a relationship with some dom/sub dynamics. It's a relationship that they invite Kyle into, initially for the night. While there's play with power dynamics and some angsty bits, the overall feel of this fic is intense but light? 

It's about everyone getting what they need, and in Kyle's case finding out what that need actually is. The characters are so spot on, an easy to believe extension of the characters we've seen on screen and come to love. 

Even when things get sexy and filthy and intense, there is still an underlying tenderness between the three of them that I just love. It's the combination of filthy hotness, believable characters and emotional connection that is complete catnip to me in a fic. 

There is a wealth of little details that give so much depth (story, character, emotions) to what is essentially an extended sex scene. In fact, they barely touch, the intensity generated by the emotional and mental connections that all three characters make. 

Part 2 - what yields the need for those who lead us - Alex, Kyle/Michael - Kyle POV

Kyle is back for another night with Alex and Michael, but with the D/s and physical aspects of the relationship turned up to 11. This one sees all three of them getting into the sexy action. 

But while the fic is smutty, Kyle never treats the underlying relationship that he is invited into as anything other than significant, and about so much more than sex - "I can do casual, but nothing about this feels casual to me." 

Both of these stories give us a slightly different take on the characters we already know. Alex’s iron control is re-purposed to give chaotic, adrift Michael freedom - by giving him boundaries, and to give Kyle freedom - by letting him give up some of the responsibility he carries everyday. Everyone gets something they need.

Part 3 - i just ask you to be patient - Michael/Kyle/Alex - Kyle POV

This story is about what comes after the amazing, kinky, hot sex. What happens when sex is off the table and they need to rely on their words? What happens when you put three people who’ve had their worlds shattered in different but inter-connected ways - together, trying to build something new? What we get is two steps forward and one step back. But that makes sense with these characters. Mis-steps through self-sacrifice and doubt. Not feeling worthy of love. The fear that comes with opening up your heart to other people. 

“I didn’t want to....take up too much space.” I mean, jesus. These boys.

Part 4 - a bookend to the weirdest of weeks - Michael/Kyle, Alex - Kyle POV

This one is all about Kyle. Not many fics have explored the impact of the revelations about Jim and Rosa on Kyle. What we’ve seen in the show hints that he has a really good relationship with his parents, probably the best out of all of the humans and so he had the most to lose when he found out the truth about Jim and what he did at Caulfield. This fic looks at how he deals with that and its specific impact on his relationship with Michael. 

Basically Kyle is a big ball of inherited guilt in this one. 

How do you build a relationship on the ashes of your fathers’ actions? How does Kyle deal with having “...two Jim Valenti’s living side by side in his mind to grieve…” In some ways it’s the perennial story of the parent we knew as a child versus the parent we see when we are adults. But it’s also about how do you reconcile your love for a parent when they have done something that has destroyed another person you love?

“Caulfield shattered Michael.” 

How do you grieve and think about forgiveness in those circumstances? How do you build on the ashes?

Part 5 - it’s a postcard, i’m settled - Kyle/Alex/Michael 

Domestic bliss, Michael loves a challenge and filthy, filthy smut. I love it.

Part 6 - the stumbling phase of the midnight waltz - Michael/Alex, Kyle - Michael POV

Not gonna lie, this one sort of hurts. This one is Michael slowly falling apart when Alex and Kyle aren’t there to help hold him together. Where Michael’s fear of abandonment led to some poor decision making, “...he left his phone under the bed, so the weight of silence didn’t hit so heavy.” He can pretend that he’s missing the calls because his phone isn’t there, not because no one is calling (even when they are).

Michael in this fic is just so fragile. It’s not an uncharacteristic version of Michael, but rather a version that we only ever see in flashes, easy to miss or ignore. But here, with nowhere to run and no one to hide behind, we see that fragility in its many forms. We know from previous fics that this Michael has been shattered by the events of his life and in this story we see those fractures grow and become more obvious.

But of course Alex, he sees and asks so gently “May I touch you?”, followed by “Are you ready for me to tell you what you need?”. Ahh, I love these boys.

Part 7 - blink back to let me know - Alex/Kyle - Alex POV

This one takes place immediately after the stumbling phase of the midnight waltz (previous fic). Alex is reaching out to Kyle for support, feeling raw after taking care of Michael. And Kyle uses his superpowers - communication, calm and support - to help Alex get back where he needs to be. This is an exploration of some of Alex and Kyle’s insecurities of brokenness, weakness and not belonging. But also of pieces fitting together.

Part 8 - i’ll be your key - Alex/Michael/Kyle - Michael POV

This is a story of spikiness and sharp edges. Of the fear and anger and frustration that comes with physical danger and not being able to protect the people we love. I love Michael’s concern for Kyle, his need to touch him, to make sure he’s alright but also his uncertainty that he is allowed to. Of Alex’s fear and anger at Kyle getting hurt, that it is his fault, a failure to protect him. Of Kyle’s frustration at tough guy bullshit and professional compromise. They are in a place where they are still finding their way, but are certain enough to tell each other the truth, but still living with the weight of legacy, guilt and insecurity.

But also where once they are sure Kyle is safe, Michael can be his dickish but likable self. 

Part 9 - tender, frantic, life-affirming - Kyle/Alex/Michael

This is all about the “tender, frantic, life-affirming sex” that Michael was angling for in the previous fic, but with a slightly lighter tone than the description would indicate.

Like so many of the stories in this series, even when we’re getting top shelf smut (which this is), we also get these small glimpses of the characters that gives them another texture, more depth - be it Alex’s sweet-shark smile, Michael being completely out of it or Kyle’s being overwhelmed. 

And I’m not gonna lie, I’m totally here for the dynamics in this one, which are masterful. Alex at his bossy, dommy best, Michael melting at being able to let go and just be, and Kyle giving and taking as needed.

Part 10 - say what’s on your mind - Kyle/Michael - Kyle POV

Names can be weapons, names can be shields, names have power - names are important. 

This story always hits me hard because name fics involving these characters are my kryptonite. I love them. This one is about Kyle and Michael calling him Doc. Because Kyle knows how much Michael fears hospitals, he questions why Michael calls him Doc. Kyle feels guilty, Michael thinks he’s fucked up, Alex drops everything to help. They are back to sharp edges, guilt and fear. I want to give them all hugs and a good talking to. 

Kyle runs, and Michael, god, Michael, he needs another fucking hug. 

But then, such heartbreaking tenderness and care.

Part 11 - give me all you’e got - Alex/Michael/Kyle 

Michael is getting better at asking for what he needs, and what he needs is Alex calling the shots for him and Kyle. Alex is happy to oblige. Porny, porn with feels. 

Conclusion

While the series is definitely about the three of them, it’s one of the few that explores in depth what a relationship between Michael and Kyle could look like. What the dynamics and emotions of that would look like, how they would both deal with not only their personal histories, but with the weight of family legacy.   

I love this series because we get angst and pain and hurt but we also get love and tenderness and protectiveness. We get harsh words but also soft touches. In a story about how three people find their balance with each other, the writing is perfectly balanced.  

I love everything about this series. It’s hot, it’s complicated, the characters read true and have depth and flaws and tenderness. It’s believable. It has everything I want in a fic. It really is word perfect. Go read them!!

open up my eager eyes by @haloud​

https://archiveofourown.org/series/1353715

[jordanlahey]

“Wake Up.” (1)

Pairing: Billy Hargrove x Reader x Steve Harrington (Platonic!The Party x Reader)

Summary: Y/n woke up in the middle of the road, having no idea where she is. Once she finds out where or more importantly when she is she just wants to go home or at least she did. 

Warnings: language and alcohol 

Word Count: 2009

A/n: (W/Y/A/F - Where you are from)

Series Masterlist

*Your POV*

‘Come on, 10 minutes left please get a move on.’ I think to myself as I look between my work and the clock. It’s nearly summer vacation and i just want to get this shithole of a year finally over with, then I'll have one more year left before I can start thinking about colleges. I look back at my best friend and she is also thinking the same thing I am, I start tapping my pen against my desk waiting impatiently as I glance up at the clock. ‘3...2...1’ the bell rang and everyone sprung from their seats and threw their papers in the air. Classic. My friend grabbed me by my arm and we ran outside and started cheering. We walked passed all the students, some are crying others are excited. 

“You’re coming to the party tonight right?!” Chloe spoke as we left the school grounds, she loved a good party and its the first of summer vacation. 

“Of course but please don’t let Ryan dj, his music is utter shite.” You groan just thinking about it and Chloe laughs. 

“His music isn’t that bad, you just have different taste in music as him.” Chloe nudged you. “What are you going to wear?” 

“I was thinking a black t-shirt my red and black tennis skirt you know the one that’s kinda tartan like? And my black denim jacket that is a few sizes bigger than me.” I say and Chloe nods. Chloe and I have similar taste in outfits but we plan in advance so we don’t end up wearing the same things.

I get home and greet my mother and father then head up to my room to get ready. I showered and got my clothes on and the next thing was my hair, I decided to have it down and straight and my makeup. I will never understand why putting on makeup feels more like a chore than fun activity so I only do the basics, eyebrows, eyeshadow, liner,  lashes and i’m done pretty much. I have 2 hours to kill before I have to meet Chloe so I can binge watch my favourite series until then.  

*Different POV*

You felt your eyes start to get heavy and you still had an hour and a half till you had to leave and you were struggling to stay awake and by the time the next episode started you were out like a light.

You awoke feeling the cold nipping at your exposed skin and you instantly sat up realising you were outside. You look around at your surroundings and as far as you know you are outside on what looks like a back road in the pitch black it was a long ass road and had a lot of trees at each side it was kinda spooky. You started asking yourself how you got here cause you swore you went to sleep on your bed...Wait! you have a party to get to but you can’t get there when you have no fucking clue where you are. 

You stood up and flattened your skirt down and hugged your denim jacket to keep yourself warm then two bright lights were on you and a car was speeding towards you. You froze in fear then the car slammed on its breaks and honked at you then someone came out the car and stomped towards you. You stared at the car in front of you then someone had came out shouting. 

“What the fuck are you doing!? I could have ran you over!” they shouted, from what  you gathered it was a guy but he had long blonde hair and it was curly, he stomped towards you and his face came into focus. “Are you deaf or something!?” He yelled.

“Holy shit.”  You breathe as you at him, he was fucking gorgeous! His blue eyes were pretty to stare at and he had an amazing face. 

“Holy shit indeed. What the fuck were you doing on the fucking road!” Jesus does this guy ever stop shouting. 

“I would like to know that too. I was in my bed and I woke up lying on the ground.” You say looking around once again. “Can you tell me where the fuck I am.” 

“What are you? Stupid? Dunk? High?” He scoffed and he was starting to piss you off. 

“I’m not drunk yet, in fact I was supposed to be going to a party but I can't now can I? Now tell me where the fuck I am!” You yelled back at him and he smirked at you. HE FUCKING SMIRKED! Not going to lie it was damn sexy. 

“Hawkins, Indiana.” 

“Excuse me!? Is that even a real place?” You cross your arms glaring at him. 

“You tell me, cause that’s where we are.” He said in a calm tone now, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it. 

“That can’t be right ‘cause I wasn’t here  when I went to sleep.” The guy is looked at you like you were out of your mind “What am I supposed to do now? I’m far away from home and I don’t know anyone here.” 

“Weren’t you on your way to a party?” the guy asked And you nodded. “Then get in the car.” he threw his cigarette down and headed to his car. 

“Why?” 

“We’re going to a party.”

“I don’t go anywhere with strangers especially when they nearly run me over.” You spat and he sighed in annoyance. 

“Billy, Billy Hargrove and you were standing in the middle of the road Sweet cheeks.” Billy opens his car door. “Now get your ass in the car or I’ll leave you here.” You weighed your options, get in the car with Billy and possibly get murdered or be left on your own and...get murdered. You choose to go with billy and he smiles to himself and speeds off down the street.

You didn’t speak to each other, the only thing that broke the silence was the music and You were surprised that it wasn’t fucking rap music cause it’s shit. You quietly sang along to ‘You shook me all night long.’ By AC/DC. You could see Billy occasionally looking over at you then you stopped singing along out of pure embarrassment.

“What party are you taking me to?” You ask finally, You guaranteed that you won’t know anyone there anyway.

“A douchebag called Steve’s party.” He huffs, you can already tell that he doesn’t like this Steve guy. 

“Y/n.” You say, Billy looks at you puzzlingly. “My name is Y/n” 

“Sweet cheeks suits you better.” He says with a smirk. 

Billy pulled up at a house and got out the car and you followed suit and had a closer look at Billy he wore a red shirt that wasn’t buttoned up all the way, a black leather jacket and blue jeans. 

“You better stick by me cause no doubt you’ll get lost in here.” Billy looked you up and down smiling to himself. 

“What’s the ish?” You grumbled at him. 

“What you’re wearing. You’re bound to get everyone’s attention.” He lit another cigarette. “I’ve never seen a girl wear what you are wearing.” 

“Really? Everyone I know wears something similar.” And looked down at your clothes and followed Billy into the house and you looked at everyone. What the fuck are they wearing it was like you were in some 80’s movie. 

You stayed behind Billy as he maneuvered through the crowd of people, you did get a few daggers from the girls and Wolf whistles from the guys and you were confused as hell even more now. Then you and Billy were stopped by a guy with a lot of freckles and a girl with red hair. 

“Whatcha got here, Hargrove.” Freckles says looking you up and down and you look at him with a bored expression. 

“Yeah Billy where’d you find her.” Red added. 

“On the road.” Billy said and you rolled your eyes.

“Way to make me sound like a fucking prostitute, dick.” You glared at Billy. 

“Is she good at giving head? Or a good lay in general.” Freckles laughs. 

“You pervert and take that back or I’ll kick your ass.” You spat and you heard a bunch of ‘oohs’ fill the room.

“She’s got a foul mouth on her don’t she.” You scoffed and laughed to yourself. “What else does it do.” He looks down and you and you smirk.

“Talks shit about everyone and anyone.” You say in a bored manner. 

“I like this one-” you walked away from Freckles and Red they were getting boring. “Hey I was talking to you!” Freckles shouted. 

“Oh were you? Sorry you were boring me to death and my survival instincts kicked in.” You shrugged and went to find the kitchen. Billy looked at Tommy and Carol and laughed, he was starting to like you already. 

You finally found the kitchen and there were a few people in here you tapped a guy on the shoulder and he also looked pretty handsome. ‘Damn if guys here look like this I don’t wanna leave.’

“Hey where can I get a drink around here?” You asked.

“Here you go.” He handed you a bottle of beer and he looked for a bottle opener.

“Don’t worry I got it.” You used the ring on your finger as a makeshift bottle opener and it popped off without any problems and he looked amazed at you. 

“I haven’t seen you around, are you new?” He started to speak to you. 

“Something like that. I’m Y/n.” You held out your hand and he shook it.

“Steve Harrington. How did you get here?”

“Oh this is your party, uh billy took me.” You answer and he didn’t look impressed. 

“Your his latest fuck buddy aren’t you.” He wasn’t really asking a question. 

“Nope I’m not anybody’s hoe in fact I just met him legit not that long ago.” You sipped your drink calmly. Then an arm draped over your shoulder.

“Fuck off Harrington, she’s mine.” Speak of the devil here he is, You shrugged him off. 

“Oh am I? I didn’t realise excuse me while I got get your name tattooed on my forehead.” Looks like you were hiding behind sarcasm today. 

“Y/n where are you from?” Steve narrowed his eyes at Billy then softened them as he looked at you.

“I’m from (w/y/a/f)” You sip your drink and he nods. 

“What brings you to Hawkins?” 

“This was an accident. I don’t have a clue as to how I got here I fell asleep in my bed and then I woke up on the road and nearly died by this lunatic.” You point to Billy behind you and he looked offended.

“Your fault for being on the road.” 

“Well you shouldn’t be driving like a wanker then shouldn’t ya.” You raised your voice and soon the whole room was looking at you. “Sorry.” you went back to drinking your beer and everyone else went back to partying. 

“Y/n, this is Nancy and Johnathan, guys this is Y/n.” Steve greeted you to two more people and you waved at them awkwardly. 

“You really aren’t afraid to your mind are you, Y/n?” Nancy smiled at you, you kinda liked this girl she didn’t act like Red. 

“You know how everyone’s got that voice that keeps them from saying things they shouldn’t? Well I don’t have one of those so whatever comes out of my mouth will surprise me as much as it’ll surprise you.” I shrug. “Was this an 80’s themed party or something ‘cause y’all dressed like it.”  all four of them looked at each other then back at you. 

“Cause it is? It’s 1984.” Nancy spoke, furrowing her brows. You laughed and shook your head. 

“No, it’s 2019.” and they all shook their heads and pointed to the calendar on the kitchen wall and your jaw hit the floor. “How the fuck did I get here then.?” 

[lovehelpmewrite]

A Little Crush | All You Have To Do Is Fall In Love AU

Other parts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Author: Ella - @lovehelpmewrite Pairing: Gwilym Lee / OFC Rating: T Word Count: 1.8k POV: 3rd Person Warnings: nothing, literally nothing Summary: Gwil’s friend from work grills him about the girl he’s seeing, before walking her to class and spending the whole lecture ignoring the professor in favor of each other.

Masterlist found here! Series Summary: Best friends and college roommates Ben, Joe, and Gwil, find themselves tangled up with a group of girls who bring out the best (and worst) in them. Series Warnings: drinking, swearing Authors’ Note: Stories can stand alone, but it’s much better when read all together! Not everything is always in the same tense, or same point of view/perspective.

“So…”

Gwil sighed as he stood up from restocking the plastic cups behind the counter. His friend Matt, who he just so happened to work with, was continuously pestering him about the quote-unquote, “hot brunette with an ass to die for” that he’d brought in the day before.

“If you ask if I’m sure she’s not free for dinner one more time, I’m going to break your nose,” Gwil laughed, turning and leaning his back against the counter to face him.

Matt just put his hands up in surrender, leaning against the opposite counter and crossing his arms. “Are you gonna tell me her name or not?”

Gwil looked down for a second, smiling as the memory of them swapping names replayed in his head. “Her name is Ella.”

“Ella,” Matt repeated wistfully. “You’re taking her out again right?”

“Yeah! Yeah, I uh… I invited her to my play.”

“Your play?”

“My play,” Gwil repeated.

Matt laughed. “Man, I should really start taking those theater classes. If it means I can get ass like that…” Matt whistled, tossing one of the towels to hang over his shoulder, “damn, I really just gotta get in on that shit.”

Gwil shook his head and laughed, turning back around to busy his hands by reorganizing the stacked lids. “...she’s much more than just her bum.”

“Oh, sorry, what was that?” Matt teased, nudging Gwil’s side. “Mr. Lee has a little crush, does he? Huh? All excited to take her out again but just can’t bear waiting the 3 days. How can you possibly survive?!”

Gwil just took the towel off Matt’s shoulder and threw it back at his face, shaking his head again.

“No, but really, I’m happy for you man,” Matt said honestly, turning to face Gwil. “I’m happy she makes you happy and shit. And that she’s got such a nice ass too.”

Gwil shoved his shoulder again. “Oh shut it.”

“Seriously man, I was starting to think you might be into me,” Matt whispered in a mock-scandalized voice.

“Oh I am,” Gwil nodded, glad to be back and joking with his friend. “This is all a part of my long, convoluted fifty step plan to get you to fall in love with me.”

Matt laughed loudly, shaking his own head and heading back into the staff room.

Gwil stepped up to the front counter as another college kid came up, looking exhausted.

“What can I get you?” He greeted with a charming smile.

“A double espresso. Please.”

Gwil just nodded and turned to start brewing the espresso, trying not to balk at the caffeine in such a drink. Poor kid. 

Even as he made the drink his mind drifted back to Ella. He couldn’t stop thinking about her not liking coffee and how unusual it was but he couldn’t help but find it endearing. Imagining her on a cold, rainy day, curled up in her dorm with not a cup of coffee to keep warm, but a cup of hot cocoa. He really couldn’t wait for their date this Friday, even if he was at least three times as nervous about having to perform knowing she would be in the crowd.

"Here you are, have a nice day," he said kindly, handing the guy his drink.

Once the cafe was empty again he found himself daydreaming about how their second date would go. He would kiss her for sure this time, he was still kicking himself for not taking the chance the other night. At least he'd gotten to feel her hand in his. After having a crush on her for weeks and then watching her in her element at a frat party he knew she'd be interesting at the very least, and he was right.

Hot cocoa, he repeated in his head, eyes involuntarily turning over to the container of mix for the drink in mild interest. Without really thinking, he drifted over to it and began scooping it into a cup, pressing a button on the machine to heat water and waiting patiently. When it finally came into his head that he was making himself a cup of hot cocoa to try and relate back to Ella, he checked the time and grabbed a second cup and scooped the mix into it. 

It was almost time for him to get off work and walk her to philosophy, thank god. 

In a last-minute decision, he picked up a sharpie and started drawing out Ella's name across the cup in neat cursive.

"What are you doing?"

"Jesus!" Gwil nearly threw her cup into the air as Matt's voice came from right over his shoulder. "You almost gave me a fucking heart attack!"

Matt just laughed, poking his back. "Bringin' her a little coffee drink, huh? Gonna make her swoon with your barista-ing skills?"

"She doesn't like coffee actually," Gwil explained, sticking the cups under the spouts and watching as they filled with the steaming water, a soft smile on his face.

"Doesn't like coffee, who doesn't like coffee?" Matt balked.

"Apparently her. Just never got into it."

Matt paused, watching his friend stir each cup with care, taking in her cursive name purposely placed across one of the cups... "you really like this girl don't you?"

Gwil smiled and shrugged, pressing two lids onto the cups before turning. He took off his apron, putting it into his school bag and slinging the strap across his shoulder. "I think so." He picked up the cups and walked around the counter, opening the door with his back while he nodded to Matt, who just smiled and shook his head at his friend. 

Gwil walked a little faster than he usually did, trying to keep himself from grinning like an absolute fool with the excitement of seeing her again so soon. All of that faded however when he walked up to her apartment building, Chatham, and saw her leaning against the front wall, phone near inches from her face and a beanie almost falling off her head. He couldn’t control the wide grin that came over his face at seeing her again.

“Ella!”

Her head whipped up and she looked around for a few seconds before spotting the taller boy.

“Gwil!” She smiled back, walking down the short path down to the main sidewalk. “Two coffees? I mean damn, that’s quite the caffeine habit you have,” she joked easily, bumping her shoulder into his before they started walking.

“Well actually I brought a gift for this really pretty girl in my philosophy class,” he joked back in mock seriousness, nodding.

“Oh, she must be something special if she’s warranted such a coveted present from your favorite cafe.”

“Oh, she is. Gorgeous, funny, kind, but has the widest fashion sense of anyone I’ve ever seen,” Gwil said, breaking toward the end with a laugh.

She just shrugged and knocked into his shoulder again. “What can I say, I dress how I feel, whether that means a dress and heels or sweats remains to be seen.”

Gwil hummed thoughtfully for a second. “Who said I was talking about you?”

“Oh shut it you dork,��� She laughed back, easily accepting the cup when he handed it to her. She took a sip before turning to look at him. She had a look on her face somewhere between smiling and looking as if she might cry. “You got me hot cocoa,” she whispered.

Gwil just shrugged, this time knocking his own shoulder into hers lightly. “It was nothing, don’t worry about it.”

Even as they continued to walk to class and talk, Gwil kept looking over at her when she wasn’t looking, taking in the gentle smile she held while she kept the cup close to her chest just as she had on their first date. Something about it being the drink he’d surprised her with made his insides feel warm and comforted. The two continued their walk to philosophy and instead of sitting where they usually did, they decided to sit together. 

Of course for Ella, this meant no less staring at Gwil than usual, but for Gwilym, it meant that it was his first class not truly paying attention to the concepts being talked about.

His attention drifted back to the professor for a moment before the soft sound of paper being slid across the table interrupted his thoughts again.

What’s your favorite color?

He stifled his laugh with the back of his hand before carefully writing his answer underneath her even writing.

Green. 

He watched as she looked at his answer, nodding wisely before quickly scrawling out another question.

What kind of green though?

He looked up for a moment, thinking over how to word it before answering.

Emerald.

Ella looked at his response, nodding again before turning her gaze up to him and staring at him so a few seconds. Gwil felt his face getting warm despite himself, trying to keep calm with her looking at him like that. The rest of the class went much of the same way. She would write down a question or two and he would answer, or vice versa, sharing small smiles and glances in between hiding the paper from wandering eyes. 

Finally, when the class was over they were disappointed to find out their next classes would be on opposite ends of the campus.

“I guess I’ll see you Friday Gwilym,” Ella said sadly, looking down for a second before turning her eyes back up to his.

“I guess so,” Gwil sighed, shoving his hands into his front pockets. “I’ll, uh, I’ll text you with the details for the show, by the way, I realize I never really specified,” Gwil added, scratching the back of his neck anxiously. 

He felt his breath catch in his throat for a second when she suddenly opened her arms toward him, stepping forward and enjoying the feeling as she tentatively wrapped her arms around his waist in a hug. Her head came to rest just below his chin and he couldn’t help but grin at the height difference, his arms wrapping around her shoulders comfortably. They both pulled back reluctantly.

“Okay, see you Friday,” she said finally, a brighter smile on her face this time as she started walking backward from him. “I’ll text and remind you to send me the details!” she called, finally turning when she almost tripped over the flat ground.

“See you Friday,” Gwil murmured to himself, only turning away from Ella when she turned a corner and was out of sight. “Shit.” Well, it looks like he was going to be late to class again. Oh well.

Taglist: @a-night-at-the-0pera @crazylittlethingscalledobsession @lelifesaver @redspecialty @rrrogahtaylahhhh @bensrhapsody @iwasnothingbutacityboy @vzlan-girl @musicgirlyy

[loki-fanfic-whore]

They Call Me Medic ch.17

Warnings-TRIGGERS- blood, gorey descriptions, miscarriage, adult situations

@drakesfiance @tarithenurse @kimanne723

Chapter 17 Darkness

Alesana PoV

I found that I awoke to a painful haze. I was in someone's arms, they smelled good, like really good. The scent bringing back memories. I groaned out as I tried to open my eyes.

"Aye, lass, donya move. Itll hurt less darl." Came a familiar voice. I visibly relaxed at Stults voice and could hear what sounded like fireworks. No...that wasnt right. Gunfire. A searing hot pain hit me and I whimpered out.

"Ally. Ya gotta stop movin. You'll start bleedin again. Oh shit. Boss!" I tried to open my eyes but it was like I was paralyzed. I whimpered out again as I heard a thud near by. Stult began barking orders and the gunfire multiplied. I could hear smaller calibur weapons and automatic weapons popping off and for the first time in a long time, in my darkness. I prayed. I prayed for Loki. I prayed for Stult. I had no clue where we were, but I prayed for every person on our compound. I seized up when I heard Stult counting to thirty. CPR? Loki! No no no no.

I tried to focus and start with my fingers.

28-29-30

I moved them barely. Alright. Wrists.

2-3-4

Good Alesana, now elbows.

8-9-10

Now. Open your goddamn eyes.

22-23-24

Nothing. The blackness still consumed me. I focused hard and then used my hands to force my eyelids up. Nothing. Blackness consumed me.

Was I blind? Dear god, had the bullet strayed and hit a nerve? I forced myself up onto my feet disoriented as I groped in the dark. Everything was a blackish haze. I moved towards the counting. His cologne filling my nose, mixed with the all too familiar scent of blood. I groped until I felt Stult grab my hand and place it onto his chest. I began to pump.

1-2-3-4.

I went through two full rounds not caring about the gunfire or shouts. I breathed into his mouth, the first time my teeth clicked against his.

"Come on! Come on!" I yelled as I continued to push.

"Wait Darl stop!" Stul cried out as I breathed into his mouth. I groped his neck and found his artery.

Pulse. Pulse. He had a pulse! I fucking did it!

"Loki! Loki I need you to take deep breaths. Please. Just keep breathing" a cool hand came up and cupped my cheek.

"Alesana...I thought I'd never see you again." He spoke hoarsely. His voice deeper and dryer than normal. I closed my useless eyes and cuddled my face into his palm.

"We need to get you to the medical bay." I croaked out. I could feel the blood oozing from me and with the adrenaline wearing off I was fading fast.

"Stult. Can you lift him?" I asked casually looking in the direction of Stult.

"Aye. And you've lost a stone or two. I can definitely lift ya." I felt the hand move from my face and heard Loki hiss. Then hands take my waist and set me in a car.

I sat back and tried my hardest to blink away the darkness.

Loki PoV

Stult was trying to stop her bleeding when she groaned out. So relieved to hear anything come from her mouth, I made a mistake. I turned and smiled.

I felt it before a heard it. Two bullets went straight through my chest. I felt my body buckle and down I went.

"Shit Boss!" Was what I heard as the glass splintered concrete met my back.

I could feel cold darkness consuming me.

I was floating. And in the darkness was a single blue light, like an angler fish in the ocean. I moved towards it to see her, dressed in a thin white gown. She turned and smiled at me, my eyes bulged gently at the sight. She was incredibly swollen with a child.

"Is it--" I couldnt even bring myself to say it, but a calm washed over me when she smiled.

"Loki, it's our baby. It's our little one." She cooed and I moved to her. My hands on her belly as I felt good strong kicks. She rested her hands on my chest and gave me a satisfying kiss. Breathing air into my lungs. I felt her jolt my chest pushing me away. I moved back to her and she only smiled and whispered.

"Soon enough, but not now." She kissed me once again and I heard Stult yell

"Wait darl stop!"

I opened my eyes to see her above me. Blood dripped from her forehead and her shirt was splattered. She was grimey and dripping sweat and god knows what else, but she was there.

"Loki! Loki I need you to take deep breaths. Please. Just keep breathing"

I reached out and took her face in my hands.

"Alesana....I thought I'd never see you again." I spoke feeling the effects of everything.

She nuzzled into my hand and I felt my chest tighten. I was so cold. No doubt losing a lot of blood.

"We need to get you to the medical bay." She spoke softly then, I noticed she looked to the left at no one.

"Stult can you lift him?" She said to no one.

I brought my other hand up in front of her face and waved. No reaction. She was blind. My poor sweet angel had been raped, sodomized, impregnated, beaten and now lost her eyesight all because of me.

Stult picked me up and slumped me in the car rather ungracefully. He then gently picked her up as if she were made of glass and sat her next to me.

I watched in sadness as she tried to blink the darkness away, she didnt want to tell me, but I could see it. She was blind. My medic had become blind.

The SUV peeled out of the parking lot leaving my men to fight. I held my shoulder hissing. I was freezing fucking cold. Alesana held on to the seat until her knuckles were white.

"Alesana....can you see me?" I asked calmly waiting for the inevitable answer. She looked down then back up at where she thought I was, so much sadness registered in her eyes.

"No...I'm in darkness." She whispered. I slid my hand over and took hers, she welcomed my fingers between hers and held on tightly.

"Welcome to the darkness sweetheart, it isnt so bad." I spoke gently.

Stult PoV

We did it. Thor was fucking dead. I put the bullet in his head myself. And I did it with a smile for what he had done to my family. Ally and Boss should be back at the compound already. I called our cleaners to get this place cleaned up, but not before I took the family ring off of his finger. Boss would want that. I slid behind the wheel of the suv and drove in euphoria back to our compound.

The medical bay was full. Anthony had a broken wrist and was shot in the thigh. Boss sat with a bandaged chest and a blood transfusion hooked up. Everyone was accounted for except-

"Where is she boss?" I asked as I walked up to him, jesus he was pale.

"She had a miscarriage...Alice and the doctor I called have her in another room trying to help her pass the fetus." He looked grim

"Isnt it for the best? This baby was made in hatred and loathing. Forced on her body..." I spoke truthfully. Loki nodded then hissed as he repositioned.

"Is he dead?" I handed the ring over and he gave a weak smile before it dissapeared.

"Bastard deserved to be tortured. He deserved every bit of hell for what he did to her....She is blind...I hope its temporary." He spoke again looking straight into my eyes.

"I noticed but it isnt my place." I said shrugging.

"She cant be our medic blind though." I added and he nodded.

"I want her to train Alice...and I'd like to keep her around..." he said as he glanced around.

"You want her as your lover." I said as I stared at his glancing eyes.

It was silent for a few moments.

"Yes...I want her as my lover...when I died...I saw her, like an angel...she was happy and...mine." he chose his words carefully.

A scream filled the air.

(( What will happen now?!?!? Find out in the second series "He Calls Me Lover"!!))

[introverted-and-unhinged]

Mutual Pt. 2 - Sweet Pea x Reader

Part 1

Word Count: 2,775

Sweet Pea looked down at the ground with his hands in his pockets. He kicked some of the loose gravel in the parking lot as he shrugged. He ran his fingers through his hair, letting out a heavy sigh.

“I want this so bad, y/n,” he said as he looked up at you. He took a step toward you, reaching out for your hand. “I don’t really know how to do the whole relationship thing, y/n,” he said, taking your hand in his.

“Well, can you?” you asked, “Do I mean anything to you?”

“I- I don’t know if I can. I just know I don’t want you to go.”

“I don’t want to have to leave, Sweets-” you said, looking back toward the Wyrm, toward Stella.

“At least that’s mutual,” he said.

“But half of you isn’t enough for me, Sweets,” you said, letting go of his hand.

***

Sweet Pea’s POV

“Dude, this is agonizing,” Sweet Pea said, running his hands through his hair and sliding his elbows across the table until his chin was resting on its surface. “I’m dying over here.”

Fangs looked over at where you were sitting with Toni and Cheryl. You were wearing a tight, black backless dress than clung mid-thigh with black knee-high boots. Your delicate curls brushed against your bare shoulders as you tossed your head back laughing. It had been two months since you had called it off with Sweet Pea, since he had been unable to commit to a full-fledged relationship with you despite telling you that he wanted one more than anything. It took about three days for his fling with Stella to fizzle out, and he had never quite figured out how to approach you about making up afterward. That, and he wasn’t exactly sure that you wanted to make up with him. Afterall, you’d only known each other for about six months before everything went to shit, so it’s not like you had a sturdy friendship to fall back on.

“Stop dwelling,” Fangs said, pulling Sweet Pea back from his thoughts. “You have two choices here: get over it or do something about it.”

“But I don’t want to do either of those things.”

“Okay, I get why you don’t want to get over it, but why don’t you want to do something about it?”

Sweet Pea looked over at y/n again. This time, she leaned on the table as she looked over at some of the guys playing pool while sipping on her drink. A young-looking blonde, probably a new initiate, gave her a nod before making his shot, and she gave him a small wave and a smile, making Sweet Pea’s stomach turn.

“I’ve already fucked things up,” Sweet Pea said. “She’s over there flirting with that blonde guy.”

“Doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have a chance,” Fangs replied.

Sweet Pea sat and stared at his drink as he turned the glass with his fingertips. His friend made a good point, but in the two months since y/n had asked him what he wanted from her, it had seemed like she’d gotten over him, like she’d decided what he’d wanted on her own. By the time Sweet Pea looked back up, the blonde Serpent was next to y/n making her throw her head back with laughter like Toni and Cheryl had been only moments before. He decided it was best to let her be happy. He still wasn’t sure that he could pull off the whole boyfriend thing anyway.

Y/n’s POV

You looked over at Sweet Pea as you talked to Ryan, one of the new initiates, who had come over because he was intrigued by the situation of you, Toni, and Cheryl all sitting together.

“These two are obviously dating,” he said pointing at Toni and Cheryl, “but I can’t quite figure out what role you play here.”

“I’m just the third wheel,” you sighed, shooting Toni and Cheryl a ‘you can go now’ glance.

“That’s only because we’re both bad at sharing,” Toni added with a wink as she put her arm around Cheryl.

Ryan chuckled, tensing his shoulders. You could tell he wasn���t quite sure if what Toni said was a joke or not, and you were fine with that.

“Okay,” Ryan said drawing out the vowel sounds, “and how does this serpent asshole at the corner table whose been eyeing you all night play into all this?”

At the mention of Sweet Pea, you sat up a little straighter and turned your shoulders away from him and Fangs, hoping that neither of them could catch your eye dart momentarily over to where they were sitting.

“I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about,” you replied.

“You’re blushing.”

“Why do you want to know anyway? If you came over here to find out if I was single, all you had to do was ask.”

It was Ryan’s turn to blush. He briefly hung his head, playing with the rings on his fingers before returning his gaze to your rosy cheeks.

“Well, are you single?”

“Yes,” you replied with a small smile, leaning toward him, “yes, I am s-”

“But she just had a really nasty break up and isn’t looking to date right now,” Toni interjected, getting up out of her seat and placing her hand on Ryan’s shoulder.

The boy looked from you to Toni and back in confusion as Toni nudged him out of his seat and back toward the pool tables. You reached out to try and grab the leather of Ryan’s jacket and pull him back, but Toni slid between you and held your arms to your sides. She glared at you as you watched him walk away over her shoulder. He didn’t even bother to look back.

Sweet Pea’s POV

Across the bar, Fangs and Sweet Pea exchanged confused glances. When they looked back at Toni and y/n, it was clear to see that a fight was quickly brewing between the two girls. Y/n had gotten up out of her seat and was making full use of the three or four inches of height she had on Toni.

“Who the hell do you think you are, Topaz?” y/n shouted.

“I think I’m your best friend, y/n!” she shouted back.

“Oh, yeah? What kind of best friend butts into a conversation that’s none of her business with blatant lies?”

“It wasn’t really a lie, y/n. You did kind of just have a really nasty break up with Sweet Pea,” she said through gritted teeth.

At the mention of his name, Sweet Pea stood up from his seat and started making his way toward the screaming girls. He figured now was as good of a time as any to lay everything out on the table. Emotions were already running high. What more did he have to lose?

“You can’t break up with someone you were never in a real relationship with, Toni!”

Sweet Pea stopped dead in his tracks. She had a point. They were never officially in a relationship. She didn’t owe him anything, not a moment to explain, and especially not a second chance.

“You can still get your heart broken if you’re not official,” Toni shot back.

Sweet Pea felt his chest tighten. He’d never even thought of that. Had he been leading y/n on the whole time without actively realizing it? He thought he had no idea how to be in a relationship, how to act like a boyfriend when he’d been doing it the whole time. How could he have been such an idiot? How could he not see that rides to and from school, movie nights, and all the nights they’d spent together--even if they’d often been in secret--were all things you did with someone when you were in a relationship?

“I didn’t get my heart broken, Toni. I’m not some fragile little thing. Jesus christ! Why can’t you just stay out of my business?” Y/n said, her voice cracking as if she were about to cry.

At this point, Sweet Pea decided it was best just to turn around and wait it out some more. Clearly this fight was between y/n and Toni. He slowly started to back up, hoping that the girls had been so caught up with each other they hadn’t noticed him approaching.

“I would stay out of it if you weren’t off hooking up with a new guy every night, y/n! That’s not healthy. You need a break.”

A new guy every night? Sweet Pea thought. That wasn’t like y/n at all. He hated to admit it, but that sounded more like something he would do. Now that he was thinking about it, he was pretty sure the last person he had hooked up with was Stella. He’d been so hung up on y/n since then that he hadn’t even thought about anyone else. In his distraction, Sweet Pea tripped over a bar stool and sent one of the tables tumbling over, glass bottles scattering and shattering everywhere. He stilled and shut his eyes, hoping that by the grace of God no one had noticed. No such luck. The whole bar fell silent, and when he opened his eyes, everyone was looking at him, everyone except Fangs who hid his shaking head in his hands, trying to stifle his laughter. Sweet Pea shot him a glare before he turned toward Toni and Y/n, his face bright red and shrugged.

“Oops,” was all he could think to say.

Y/n clenched her fists at her side. It was hard to tell if she was still fuming from her argument with Toni or if this was a newly-fueled fire from Sweet Pea’s intrusion, but either way, she looked ready to kill. She yanked her jacket on and stormed out of the bar, slamming the door behind her. Toni and Sweet Pea stared at one another for a moment before Cheryl snapped her fingers in both of their faces.

“One of you needs to go after her,” she said.

“Go, Sweet Pea,” Toni said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Me?” he asked.

“Yes, you,” she replied, “Now!”

Sweet Pea came running out of the Wyrm at full force only to be surprised by the fact that y/n was waiting in the parking lot, leaning against his bike. His heart started racing in his chest as he took in y/n’s body language. She had relaxed significantly; her arms now hung at her sides, her shoulders down away from her ears and her palms loose against her thighs. Her legs were crossed at the ankles, and she was tapping the toes of her right foot against the dirt. Quickly, Sweet Pea looked over his bike to make sure she hadn’t slashed the tires or keyed it.

“Relax,” y/n said, catching his eyes scanning the bike, “I didn’t hurt her. I value my life too much for that.”

“Why are you still here?”

“I don’t really know,” she said, “I was going to leave, and then I just didn’t.”

“I’m sorry,” Sweet Pea said, situating himself next to y/n against his bike.

“Why are you apologizing to me when I’m the one who just made a big scene in there?”

“Because I was, probably still am, a complete ass.”

“Seems fair.”

“I told you I didn’t know how to do the whole relationship thing.”

“Yeah. I remember.”

“I was already doing it. Wasn’t I?”

Y/n pushed herself off the bike and took a couple steps forward, thrusting her hands in her jacket pockets. She turned to face Sweet Pea, nodding.

“Took you long enough,” she said.

“God, I’m an idiot,” he replied, running his fingers through his hair.

“I know,” y/n said with a smile.

“So why did you like me?”

“Shut up,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

“You already said that.”

“I’ll keep saying it.”

“Why? Do you want another chance?” y/n asked, kicking loose gravel toward the Wyrm.

Sweet Pea swiftly pushed himself up off his bike and closed the distance between himself and y/n placing his hands on her hips. He looked down at her. He’d forgotten just how much he towered over her, just how small and fragile she seemed in his grasp. Her smirk slowly faded as she looked up at him, locking eyes with him in the dimly lit parking lot.

“If I ever thought you would give it to me,” he said.

“Would it be different?”

“I can assure you that this time everything would be 100% mutual.”

“I like the sound of that.”

Sweet Pea let out a sigh, “I really thought I was gonna have to beg.”

Y/n reached up to put a hand on his cheek, brushing it softly. She pressed her lips to his.

“Get on your knees, tough guy. You haven’t completely won me over yet.”

Y/n’s POV

When Toni, Fangs, and Cheryl came out of the Wyrm 30 minutes later to start their search to find you and Sweets, they were more than a little surprised to find you leaned up against Sweets’ bike with him on his knees before you and his hands clasped together, literally begging you to give him another chance.

“Y/n, I promise to treat you like a literal queen. You won’t have to lift a finger. I will take care of anything and everything. I’ll carry your books, walk you to class, drive you to school or to Pop’s. Hell, I’ll even hand deliver Pop’s to you whenever you want it. You need someone’s ass kicked? I got that. You need your nails done? Shit, I’ll learn how to do that. Back Rubs? You got it. Foot rubs? Done! I wanna be with you so bad I’ll even be nice to Mantle if I have to.”

“Whoa, be nice to Mantle? Really?” Fangs cut in as the three of your friends approached.

Sweet Pea’s head turned around so fast you were worried he might’ve given himself whiplash. Even in the dull light of the parking lot, you could see the blush creeping up his neck to his ears and cheeks. You kicked your foot out to nudge him, signaling to him that he could get up. As he did, he brushed the dust of his black jeans and rubbed the back of his neck. You couldn’t help but let out a giggle as he refused to look his friends in the eyes.

“I never thought I’d see the day a girl broke Sweet Pea,” Toni said. “Nicely done, y/n.”

“We still have shit to talk about, Topaz,” you said, “but thanks.”

“So was he successful?” Cheryl asked. “Are you satisfied with his groveling? Does he get another chance?”

The four of them looked at you expectantly. Sweet Pea appeared to be visibly holding his breath awaiting your response.

“Yes,” you said, hearing Sweets sigh, “I’ve had my fun. He gets another chance.”

Sweet Pea smiled down at you, his eyes briefly cutting to the side to look at your friends who were all staring at you expectantly. Catching on, you looked over at them too. Sweets bit his lip, contemplating whether or not he cared that they were making no efforts to hide the fact that they were staring at the two of you just waiting for you to kiss. You looked up at him, noticing that this was, quite possibly, the first time you’d ever seen him shy or flustered in any way. It was actually kind of cute. You pulled him closer to you by tugging at the leather of his Serpent jacket; the cool metal of the zipper felt jagged against your fingers. His eyes snapped away from your friends and locked with yours before he glanced down at your lips. You noticed his breath catch in his throat. You slid your hand into his jacket pocket, bringing your lips as close to his as you possibly could without them actually touching, and tugged out his keys, jingling them in front of his face. You nodded toward his bike.

Sweets gave you a devilish smirk before grabbing them out of your hand, swinging his leg over the bike, and settling into the seat. He handed you the spare helmet as you did the same, and you both looked over at your friends, whose mouths were all hanging open in shock. For good measure, Sweets twisted around, giving you a peck on the cheek as he started his bike and drove off.

[hockeyandstuff91]

Fate And The Saint - Part 1

Word count: 2,735

Players: Brock Boeser, Bo Horvat, (mentioned canucks teammates)

Other people: Holly

Warnings: Cussing, mentions of cheating, I think thats it lol

Authors Note: OHHHHHHHHH BOY! Look who is back! hahaha <3 Sorry for it being such a long time since I have posted a story or series guys, the last couple months.. have been a lot lol. I’ve been trying to find the motivation to write, and it comes in randomly so I try to take advantage when I can, which was tonight lol. This series (yes I’m doing another fucking series shocker right? But hey guess what! It’s with new players!!! So I’m super excited for this) actually was inspired by a dream I had a couple weeks ago. It didn’t exactly happen like this, it was a little more dark in the dream, but I came up with this idea, and I love Brock so much he seems like such a sweet guy, so I wanted to write something with him, soooo here we are! lol I hope you guys enjoy this! Please leave me some feedback, it honestly is one of the biggest things that keep me motivated to write more <3 Love you all!!!!

Part 2

(Brock's POV)

I relaxed back in my chair, soaking up the sun, the sound of the ocean was soothing. I was glad for bye week, we all really needed this break and time to rest. I sighed as I heard my phone ring, leaning over to pick it up off the towel that was laying on the sand next to me.

I read the name on the screen, seeing that Bo was calling. That was weird, he was suppose to be meeting me down here any minute. I hit the answer button and held it up to my ear. "Hello?"

"Dude you gotta come back."

"What? I thought you guys were going to meet me at the beach?" I asked. I could hear a noise in the background that almost sounded like crying, but I figured maybe the TV was on.

"Brooke needs you right now dude. seriously please, I don't know what to do. Holly is trying to calm her but she only wants you dude."

"Is she okay?"

"Physically yes, other than that no," Bo sighed.

"I'll be right up," I said quickly, hanging up my phone and quickly packing everything back up.

I almost ran the whole way back up the beach and towards the resort we were staying at. Brooke and I had picked this place out months ago, sending a group text to all the guys to see what their thoughts were since we were all going to be there together. Brooke was my best friend, and had been for a few years now, so of course I invited her to go on the trip with us. Unfortunately her boyfriend wasn't exactly excited about that idea and said the only way she was going was if he was here too. I reluctantly invited him, hoping he wouldn't be a dick on the trip like he usually was back at home.

I rushed into the elevator, pressing the 5th floor button repeatedly. I had no idea what was going on, but I needed to get up there as fast as I could. Thankfully Bo told me that she wasn't physically hurt so that was good, but I was scared that her boyfriend had done something and she just wouldn't tell the guys. He had hit her one time when he was really drunk, but apparently that was the only time, and he had felt really guilty about it. At least that's what she claimed.

Finally the elevator doors opened and I made my way down the hall, using my key card to get into my room. I tossed everything onto the bed and walked into the living room area that was in between my room and Bo's.

Brooke was sitting on a chair on the balcony, Holly was out there with her, rubbing her back and trying to get her to drink some water.

"What happened?"

"I have no idea dude," Bo answered. "She knocked on our door looking for you and then she just burst into tears and shes been out there ever since."

"Brooke," I called out, letting her know that I was here.

She turned her head and got up from her chair, walking back inside. "Brock," she forced out, her voice rough from crying.

"Come here," I said, sitting on the couch.

(Brooke's POV)

I sniffled as I made my way over to Brock, wiping my eyes. I crawled into Brock's lap, facing him, and hid my face against his shoulder. I felt his arms wrap around me and I finally took my first even breath all morning.

"What happened?" He asked softly, his hand rubbing up and down my back trying to sooth me.

I shook my head, not wanting to talk just yet or I was going to start crying all over again.

Brock nodded, understanding without me having to say anything. "You two go enjoy the beach, we might join you a little later," Brock said to Bo and Holly.

I just held onto Brock tightly, burying my head deeper between his shoulder and neck. There was the sound of things moving around the room for a few minutes before the hotel door opened and closed, signalling that Bo and Holly had left. I felt bad for ruining everyone's morning and not being able to handle this on my own.

Brock's hand came to rest on the back of my head as I felt him kiss the side of my head. "You want to talk yet? It's just me here," he said softly.

I sighed and pulled back, looking down at him. His face was full of worry, which was understandable since he had no idea what was going on.

"Brad.. uh I saw him.. he-" I took a shaky breath trying to get out what had happened. "At the club last night, when he left to get a drink and I went to go find him-"

"Yeah I remember that," Brock nodded, reaching up to wiped a stray tear off my cheek.

"I saw him.. um.." I sighed and closed my eyes. "He was cheating on me," I finally forced it out, trying really hard not to start crying again.

"He what?!" Brock almost growled. "I'm going to kill him."

"Brock no," I sighed, opening my eyes and looking at him. "Please just. I don't want to think about him today," I sniffled.

Brock relaxed back against the couch, his face softening. "Okay. Do you want to go down to the beach with Bo and Holly?"

I nodded "Yeah maybe being in the sun would be good," I answered as I got off his lap.

"Just let me know if you want to come back okay?"

"Thanks Brock," I smiled a little.

"Anything for my best friend," he smiled back, making his way back into his room to grab his things.

We walked down the hall to where my room was and I opened the door, hoping that Brad wasn't in here. The lights were off, meaning he had left after I stormed out this morning to find Brock.

"Why don't we move your stuff to my room?" Brock said as he followed me in.

I looked over my shoulder as I was unzipping my suit case to grab my bathing suit. "Brock no-"

"Brooke yes. I am not going to let you stay in this room with that ass hole," he said crossing his arms.

I sighed, knowing that he was right. I couldn't be in this room with Brad, I would be upset for the rest of the trip if I was. I felt bad though, I didn't want to crowd around Brock and make him feel like he couldn't enjoy his trip because he had to watch out for me.

"You'll have to deal with sharing a bed though," Brock chuckled, now standing right next to me as he reached down, zipping my suitcase back up and grabbing it by the handle, walking back towards the door.

I rolled my eyes as I stood back up. "Yeah because we haven't ever shared a bed before, or gone camping in that tiny ass tent of yours," I laughed as I checked around the room to make sure I had everything, and then grabbing my backpack and following him back out of the room, stopping to toss down my key card on the TV stand.

"That was one time, and I swear it was a mix up. My dad told me the tent could fit 5 people in it and I grabbed the wrong one by accident."

"Uh huh.. keep telling yourself that Brock," I smiled and followed him back down the hallway towards his room.

Brock just smiled, usually one to argue back with me because that was just what we did, it was always in a teasing way. I could tell however that he was just happy to see me smiling and not crying, so he would deal with losing this fight.

We dropped my stuff off at his room, I quickly changed in the bathroom before we then headed down to the lobby to make our way out to the beach. It was a beautiful day out at least, nothing like back home. It had to be in the 80s here while back home it was in the 30s.

"Wow this is what the sun feels like?" I laughed.

Brock laughed "Yeah this is what the sun feels like," he said wrapping his arm around my shoulder as we walked down the path from the resort to the beach.

"I forgot, its so cold back home."

Brock nodded "I checked the weather back home and it said it was suppose to snow a bit."

"Ugh," I groaned. "Whatever I'm about to lay on the beach for the first time in like 6 months. I'm a happy girl at the moment," I smiled as I saw the ocean come into view.

"Good," Brock said, pulling me closer to him as we step onto the sand.

I kicked off my flip flops, picking them up, before hearing Bo and Holly call our names from down the beach a little ways.

"Even the sand is warm," I hummed softly as I wiggled my toes before we continued to make our way over to them.

"Hey," Holly smiled, grabbing the other end of my towel to set it on the sand. "Feel any better?" she asked softly.

I nodded "Yeah I just want to enjoy the sun today," I smiled, sitting down on my towel.

"Bo was just going to go get some drinks, you guys want any?"

"Its 10 in the morning!" Brock laughed.

"Yeah?" Bo asked, a serious look on his face.

I laughed and shook my head. "Just a water for me please?"

"Of course," Bo smiled.

"Same for me dude," Brock answered, setting his towel next to mine.

"Boring," Bo mumbled as he started to head up to the little hut on the edge of the beach.

Brock rolled his eyes and laid back, putting his arms behind his head. I leaned back on my elbows, talking to Holly who was to the right of me. An hour had gone by, and the guys had ended up going down to the ocean to jump in for a quick swim when I noticed something.

"Fuck," I groaned.

"Whats up?" Holly asked, sitting up and putting her sunglasses on the top of her head.

"He's here.. and with a fucking girl too," I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

"Are you fucking serious? Jesus Christ what a-" Holly stopped herself and sighed.

I looked up as Brock and Bo made their way back to us, Brock shaking water out of his hair and onto me.

I normally would of laughed and probably whined at him for getting water on me, but my mood was completely ruined by Brad, yet again.

"Whats the matter?" Brock asked as he sat next to me.

"He's here with some bitch," Holly said before I could even answer.

Brock looked around and then saw him. I saw his hand clench into a fist but I grabbed his hand, turning his attention back to me as he relaxed again.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I just-"

"I know Brock. Can we.. can we just go back to the room? I don't want him to see me here."

"Sure," Brock said, squeezing my hand gently before getting up and gathering our stuff. "We'll see you later for dinner," he said to Bo and Holly who gave me a sympathetic smile as we left.

Neither Brock or I said anything as we made our way back to the hotel, walking into the lobby. I started walking over to the elevators when I noticed that Brock wasn't beside me anymore. I stopped and turned around, seeing that Brock had started to make his way over to the front desk. I walked quickly to catch up with him, grabbing his hand to stop him.

"What are you doing?" I asked softly.

"I'm canceling his room."

"Brock no, you can't do that."

"Why not?" he asked.

"Because that's not nice."

"So what?!" Brock said a little louder than he meant to. "What he did to you was way worse than 'not nice.'"

"So what does that mean?"

"Me canceling his room?" Brock asked and I nodded in response. "It means his shit will be cleaned out and left behind the desk for him to pick up when he finds out his key card no longer works."

"So where is he going to stay then?"

"That's his problem not mine, and especially not yours. The only reason he is here is because that was the only way you were allowed to be here, Brooke. By me allowing him to keep his room I feel like I'm enabling his behavior. And when we get back to the room, his plane ticket will also be canceled. Good luck getting home Brad," Brock said as he turned and made his way to the desk this time.

I sighed, not wanting to cause any more drama then there already was, but Brock was right. He had agreed to let Brad come, only so that I was able to be here. He wanted me to finally be able to relax and have a fun vacation, and Brad had ruined that. I knew Brock long enough to know there was no stopping him from doing this, but honestly Brad deserved it. Not to mention Brock had every right to do this anyways, since it was his money that allowed Brad to come here in the first place, being that he had paid for everything.

"There," Brock smiled once he was done, walking with me back towards the elevators. "They are going to send someone to collect all of his things and hold them at the desk for him to pick up by tomorrow morning."

I nodded as I listened to him, but didn't say anything. We made our way to the room and I tossed my stuff onto the chair that was in the corner of the room. I sat on the edge of the bed and played with a stray string on the bottom of my bathing suit.

I heard Brock typing away on his phone for a moment before I heard him talking to what I imagined was someone with the airline we had our tickets through. He told them that he only wanted one of the tickets canceled and thanked them after a few minutes of waiting. Once he was done with that he jumped onto the bed behind me and poked my side.

"Hey," he said softly.

I didn't say anything I just continued to play with the string.

I heard him sigh as I felt the bed move, seeing him out of the corner of my eye as he made his way to sit on the edge of the bed next to me.

"Brookie I'm sorry. I know you don't want me to leave him stranded or anything but-"

"No Brock I understand. Honestly this is what he deserves. I just... I can imagine what kind of hell I'm going to be walking into when I get back home is all."

Brock shook his head, reaching out to grab my hand. "You won't have to deal with that I promise. You know that I have plenty of room at my place, we get home a couple days before the first game. I'll get Bo, and Jake, and Marky, and Troy, and Ben, and all the other guys to help you pack up your stuff and guard the house while you are there so we can move before he even gets back home. We wont let him anywhere near you okay? I promise I'm going to make everything okay again," Brock said as he pulled me into a hug.

I just nodded and clung onto him as I felt tears start to slide down my face again. They were a mixture of happy and sad tears. Sad because I had finally realized that everything with Brad had been wasted time and it was over, but happy because I knew that I had Brock, and a whole hockey team behind me in support for this. Everything would be okay, I just hoped that the rest of the trip we wouldn't have to deal with Brad again..

[crazy-little-cool-cat]

Hand In Glove - Chapter 3 | Ben Hardy x OFC

A/N: Hi, hello, so I guess that when I'm sick and my house is falling apart I'm at my most creative? I know I just posted the sneak peek but I mean, come on. If it's done, it's done, why wait? Right? Yeah? Cool. Italics are Ben's POV

Word Count: 3,205. Sorry, not sorry.

Warnings: TOOTH ROTTING FLUFF. Chaotic Joe. Swearing. Again, not even sorry.

Chapter 1 , Chapter 2

"Hey. Yo. You're in my seat." Joe towered over Annabelle, who occupied his favourite chair in Gwil's flat, looking very unamused.

"Am I?" Annabelle didn't even look at him. She just stared straight at the big TV screen and took a sip from her bottle of beer, "oops."

"Annie, move!"

"No."

"No?" Joe was incredulous, his brows shooting so high they almost merged with his hairline, "no?!"

"No. As in, no," Annabelle finally glanced up at him, "I'm not moving."

"Oh, you're cute," Joe shook his head and licked his upper lip, biting his tongue and letting it stick out while he thought of a proper reaction, "seriously, get your butt out of my chair."

"It's not your chair, it's Gwil's."

"You're so annoying!"

"Have we never met before?" Annabelle smirked, "Hi, My name is Annabelle Lee, I'm annoying!"

"Ben?" Joe looked at his best friend with hopeful eyes, "control your woman?"

"No can do, mate," Ben shrugged and winked at Annie, "and she's no man's woman. I learnt that the hard way."

"Lover's tiff?" Gwil's ears seemed to perk up at the new information revealed, "already?"

"Shut up, Gwil," Annie and Ben said at the same time.

"No, no!" Rami hopped on the bandwagon, "I want to know too!"

"Annabelle, I'm serious, get the fuck up." Joe ignored the change of subject.

"Make me."

"My mom taught me not to hit girls, now get up."

"Ben was just very vocally jealous of Jamie, no big deal," Annie leaned to the side and looked at Rami, "it's water under the bridge."

"Annie!" Ben hissed.

"What?" Annie shrugged, "they would have found out eventually."

"Guys, stay focused," Joe clapped to gather everyone's attention, "Annie is ruining movie night!"

"Is it okay to finally say you're in a relationship, then?" Lucy blatantly ignored Joe's pleas and cries.

"No!" Ben and Annie groaned.

"Oh, come on!" Lucy looked at Rami for help, "what is wrong with these two!?"

"You know what?" Joe raised his arms up in defeat, "fine. Don't get up."

"Finally!" Annie sighed when Joe turned around and yelped when he threw himself on her, landing right in her lap, "What the bloody hell?!"

"Ah, I love my chair!

"Get off me!"

"Kids, stop fighting!" Gwil came back with two huge bowls of popcorn, "I leave the room for five minutes and this is what happens?"

"Tell him to get off, Gwil!"

"Nope, you brought this on yourself," Gwil went back to the kitchen for another bowl of popcorn and more drinks, "Oh, Jesus fucking Christ."

He looked at the chair Joe and Annie were fighting over just seconds ago, but now they sat together in perfect harmony, with Annie perched on Joe's lap, happily munching on a shared bowl of popcorn.

"What, you're okay with this?" Gwil gestured with his hand at the two while looking at Ben pointedly.

"Better him than Jamie," Ben shrugged, "sorry, mate."

"Damn girl, you smell nice!" Joe praised as he tickled Annie's ribs, making her giggle.

"Huh," Ben grabbed Annie's hand and pulled her over to him, making her spill some of the popcorn on the rug and squeal with laughter as she practically flew onto him, her body stretched over his lap with her feet kicking in the air, "that's better."

"Hey, I wasn't done playing with that!" Joe pouted at Ben and earned himself a smack on the back of his head from the angelic looking blond, "hey!!!"

"Hel-" my greeting was interrupted by a very eager kiss, "-lo."

"Hi."

"I missed you, too," I pulled Annabelle inside and kicked the door closed, taking her backpack from her and placing it on the floor, "hungry?"

"I could eat," she shrugged and knelt down to pick Frankie up in her arms, "hi, baby!"

"Pasta okay?" with a hand on the small of her back, I led her into the kitchen, "we can order in if you want."

"Tomato sauce?" her eyes brightened up.

"Yeah."

"Then it's perfect!"

"I have to warn you," I said as I took a plate out of the cupboard and lifted the lid off the pot, "once you've had some of my pasta, you'll be hooked."

"I'm willing to risk that," she put Frankie back down on the floor and walked over, leaning on the counter next to me, "smells delicious."

Annabelle looked absolutely knackered. Her cheeks weren't as rosy as they normally are, her skin looked paler than usual, her eyes were heavy and her shoulders slumped as she stifled a yawn.

"Long day?"

"Long week, you mean," she closed her eyes, "We're going to have to re-shoot three episodes. Not one," she poked three fingers up in the air with one hand and shoveled pasta in her mouth with the other, "three!"

"Yikes."

"And the producers chose the three most draining episodes, too!" she continued her rant after swallowing her mouthful and stuffed her face full of pasta yet again, chewing angrily and swallowing hard, "because they're all a bunch of morons."

"I'm sorry," I stroked her hair as she ate and felt her relax into my touch, "well, it's over now, yeah?"

"Not really, no," she sighed, "and I fucking missed you and I hated it."

"Really? I don't think mentioning you did about ten times a day in angry tests carried the message," I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing at her exasperation, "but it's good that you did."

"No, it's not," she frowned, pushing her pasta around on her plate, "I just really wanted to see you, you know?"

"I wanted to see you, too," I massaged the back of her next with one hand, "and you're here, now."

"How was your day?" she turned to face me, "are the boys still teasing you?"

"Joe and Rami stopped, actually," she smiled at me and I could feel my heartbeat pick up, "Gwil is having a hard time accepting that this is happening."

"He'll get over it, eventually," she giggled.

"He told me some very, very interesting stories about you and some of his mates from way back," her eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed, "quite the handful, aren't you?"

"I regret nothing."

"Can you at least try to focus on me right now?" Jamie muttered as Annabelle and him ran their dance routine during one final rehearsal, in full costume, right before they had to shoot a scene, "I know you miss your new boyfriend -"

"He's not my boyfriend," Annabelle stopped moving, her turquoise eyes glaring into Jamie's baby blues as he towered over her, "and let me remind you, neither are you."

"Alright, I see you two have had just about enough of this," the choreographer snapped them out of their staring contest, "go get some touch-ups. I'll let everyone know you're ready."

Annabelle sighed and turned to her hair and make-up artists, the satin and silks on her dress rustling as they brushed the floor. As her make-up artist made small talk and her hairdresser fussed with the headdress that she had intricately woven into Annie's brown hair, the studio door opened, and Annie could hear her favourite boys' loud raucous flooding in.

"Well, that's a good-looking bunch!" Lilly, the hairdresser mumbled with a sly smile, "are they here for you?"

"Indeed, they are," Annie stuck out her chest proudly, "that's my cousin and his friends."

"That's the kid from East Enders!" Melissa, the make-up artist gushed as she finished her work, "Oh my gosh!"

"I'll introduce you if you want," Annie shrugged and chuckled when Melissa shook her head to fast, her glasses flew right off.

Annabelle turned to face Gwil, Joe and Ben, her face falling when she saw Rami and Lucy hadn't come along. She walked over to them, her smile lighting up the studio, smoothing down the front of her dress.

"Wow," Joe said, his eyes wide, "wow."

"You like it?" Annabelle smiled and twirled, looking over her shoulder to catch Ben's reaction.

"Understatement of the year," he smirked as his eyes raked her body from head to do, "you look amazing."

"Can you even breathe in that?" Gwil tilted his head, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "it looks tight."

"It is," Annabelle shrugged, making her already ample cleavage more prominent with the movement and eliciting a gulp from Joe, "and I can."

"Places!" the director's booming voice drew Annabelle's attention back towards the set, "we have a job to do here!"

"Well, enjoy," Annabelle curtsied awkwardly, flashed Ben her lopsided smile and turned, lifting her skirts from the floor and running carefully to take her place.

All the of tension between Jamie and Annabelle seemed to dissipate as they got into their characters, seemingly at the flip of a switch.

"Roll camera... Action!"

The soft renaissance era music started, and Jamie and Annabelle, who stood on opposite sides of the ballroom, locked eyes, making the music stop at once. As if pulled by an unnatural force, they slowly stepped towards one another.

"Mark," Jamie turned to the violinist, his voice commanding, "play a Volta."

Annabelle quirked an eyebrow and smiled seductively at Jamie, batting her eyelashes. As the tune started playing, Jamie bowed gracefully to Annie, who curtsied deeply. He extended a hand for Annabelle, who placed her dainty palm in his big hand with a flourish. He then pulled her towards him, his hands gliding down her arms as he stepped behind her, leaning down to smell her hair.

Releasing her hand, she twirled around him, her skirts billowing with the movement, and surrounded him, their eyes rarely breaking contact. With a quick step, she collided with him as he placed one hand on her hip and gently wrapped his fingers around her neck with the other, leading them in dance steps back and to the side, their eyes fixated on one another, Annie's mouth slightly open with desire.

His hands snaked lower on her hips and he picked her up, lifting her high, looking up at her as he spun around with her in his arms. Spinning, pulling, pushing, the two moved in perfect sync. Another turn, another pull, another step - and she was back in his arms, high up in the air, running her fingers through his hair as the music died down.

"Cut!" The director's voice woke everyone from the spell, "Again!"

As the royal court watched from the sidelines (and the boys from behind the monitor screens), Jamie and Annabelle did what they do best - they teased each other, and everyone else watching, mercilessly.

Ben stood with his arms crossed over his chest, clenching his jaw tighter and tighter as the director demanded more and more takes.

My mind was racing as we kissed. Her hands were everywhere. One second they were playing with my hair, gently tugging, the next they were tracing shapes up and down my back, or holding my face in between them, or grasping at my biceps. Her lips were so incredibly soft and warm, so sweet to taste. Her scent. My God, that smell.

"What're you smiling at?" she mumbled against my lips before taking my bottom lip between her teeth, nibbling and tugging on it gently.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I smirked.

"I'd love to know," Annabelle gently bit my cheek as I leaned down to attack her neck, making me grunt at the sensation, "tell me?"

"Can't," I shrugged and started kissing along the underside of her jawline, "that's extremely confidential information."

"I can keep a secret!" she squirmed as my lips tickled her neck.

"I know for a fact that what you've just said was a blatant lie."

"Fucking Gwilym."

"Sorry, love," I licked a line from her neck to her lips, "can't reveal my sources."

"Oh, sod off." She groaned and pushed me off of her, only to roll and climb on top of me, her legs on either side of me as she sat right on my groin.

We stared at each other, each daring the other to break and make the first move. Annabelle rolled her hips ever so slightly and raised an eyebrow, waiting for a reaction. I crossed my arms over my head, letting it rest in my hands, and flashed her the toothiest smile I possibly could. She only huffed in response.

"Problem?" I chuckled.

"I can do this all night, Ben."

"So can I."

"That was bloody incredible," Gwil hugged Annabelle so tight her arms flailed theatrically, as the cast and crew members filed out of the set for a much needed break, "I have no words!"

"Air, please!" Annabelle groaned and gasped for air when Gwil finally let her out of his grasp, "thank you!"

"It really was intense," Joe said, his eyes fixed on Annabelle's chest, "I mean, wow."

"Up here, mate," Annabelle snapped her fingers in front of her face, huffing impatiently, "you're acting like these are the first boobs you've ever seen."

"They are one of a kind," Joe retorted, "I'm not even sorry."

"Aw," Annabelle swayed from side to side with a sweet smile, "that's creepy but flattering!"

"Joe, that's my cousin."

"Yeah, I know."

"Stop gawking at her chest then!"

"Tell her chest to stop gawking at me!"

Annabelle only half-listened to their discussion, however. Her eyes searched Ben's face for a reaction, but he kept it even and cool as he looked up and around at the set, scratching the back of his neck.

"Ben?" Annabelle bit the inside of her cheek, "thoughts?"

"You were beautiful," he gave her a sideways glance.

"Right," Annabelle frowned, "but about the scene?"

"I can do it better," he shrugged.

"What?"

"You heard me," he glanced at her sideways again, "I said I can do it better."

An awkward silence engulfed the group at Ben's remark. Looking from Ben to Annabelle and back again, Joe poked his elbow at Gwil's side and gestured towards the door with his head.

"Well, uh," Joe rolled on his toes and back to his heels, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "we'll leave you two to it, then."

"What do you mean, you can do it better?" Annabelle's face was scrunched up in confusion.

"Teach me," He finally turned to face her, "I'll show you."

"The dance?" she barked out a laugh, "you meant the dance?"

"No," he said, rolling his eyes and licking his lips, his hands firmly placed on his hips, "I meant the craftsmanship of Renaissance dressmaking. Of course I meant the dance!"

"First of all, fuck off," Annabelle scoffed, "second - if you wanted to dance you could have just asked, you know."

"Just shut up and teach me the bloody dance, okay?"

"Fine," she sighed and took his hand to the middle of the floor, "bow."

"Excuse me?"

"Bow," she commanded him, tapping her foot impatiently, "bow down."

"At least buy me dinner before you boss me around..." he muttered but did as he was told.

"Good, that was one." Annabelle sank in a low curtsy, glancing up through her lashes to see Ben lick his lips, sneaking a peek at her, "two. Give me your hand," she said and as he extended his hand to her, she placed hers in his, "three. Now, pull me to you on," Ben tugged at her hand and she came flying to him, clinging to his chest, "four..."

As they went through the motions, Annabelle found that Ben wasn't only an excellent student, but a pretty decent dancer, as well. Other than a few corrections, he hit the nail on the head almost effortlessly.

"Ready to do the whole thing?" she panted, her hands on her hips, smiling at Ben encouragingly.

"Let's see what you've got, love," he teased her and took his place.

At the count of one, Ben took the lead as if it was second nature to him, guiding Annabelle through the steps easily. Ben's mouth was agape in awe as she moved so gracefully around him, his hands gentle but firm on her body as they moved.

"... Eight." He finished counting for them, looking up into her eyes. The light shone into his green eyes, making them sparkle.

Annabelle felt herself slipping down slowly in his arms, her skirts riding up uncomfortably. Just before the tips of her toes touched the floor, she wrapped her arms around Ben's neck, pressing her lips to his softly at first, before he leaned down into her kiss.

"See," he said as they broke apart, "told you, I can do it better."

I watched Annie as she picked up her belongings from around my flat. Every time she came over it's like her bag explodes and its' contents come flying out, landing everywhere. No room is safe. She spotted me following her around and smiled sadly.

"C'mere..." I held my arms out for her to step into and hugged her.

"It's getting late, Ben," she looked up at me, "I really should go."

"What if you didn't?" I asked and bit the inside of my cheek as I waited for her answer.

"What do you mean?"

"You're not as daft as you'd like people to think, Annie," I leaned away from our hug to look into her eyes, "what if you spent the night?"

"Well," she stammered, stumbling over her own words, "I'd love to..."

"But?"

"But not tonight."

"Annie, you're pooped," I reminded her, "you've been up since practically yesterday, you've had a long day... I mean, look at you!"

"Thanks," she sneered, "you always know just what to say to make a girl feel special."

"You can be as cheeky as you want," I retorted, "but you can't drive like this."

"You can't tell me -"

"For fuck's sake, Annabelle," I stepped back and pointed at her feet, "your bloody socks don't even match!"

She looked down and tilted her head, her lips puckered with curiosity.

"Hm," she nodded slowly, "but you said we were taking it slow."

"I know," I shrugged, "and I still stand behind what I said."

"I don't have a toothbrush."

"I'll give you one," I shrugged, "I have plenty."

"I don't have any clean clothes -"

"I'll let you borrow mine and I do own a washer and drier, you know."

"But I don't have any clean knickers!"

"Go commando. Problem solved." I chuckled, making her blush.

"Ben!"

"I'll wash your dirty knickers for you," I cupped her cheeks in my hands and bent my knees, catching her gaze with mine, "stay."

"Ben, believe me, I want to," she looked up at me, her big eyes changing colour from green to blue to a mixture of both like a mood ring, "but I just don't think it's a good idea if we're doing the whole 'taking-it-slow' shebang."

"I promise I'll keep my hands to myself."

"And if I don't want you to?" her breathy voice sent my head reeling with thoughts of the things I could do to her if she'd let me, "and if I can't keep my hands to myself?"

"Then don't."

Taglist: @xgoingdownx @clara-who @violetpond @sweeterthancheese @drummerqueenrmt @westansstuff @rogerinamainbitch @justgivemethekeys @BoRhapRogerina

[bellabottomtrousers]

Undercover (Bucky Barnes x Reader) [Part 4]

Fic details:

2.4k words

Summary: This takes place outside of the MCU, but Bucky is still Bucky. You are a secret agent who is put on a mission with The Winter Soldier, someone who you do not get along with. You have to go undercover as a couple on your honeymoon.

Contains: original characters, language, violence

Author’s note: This is part 4 of a 5 part series. Please leave feedback!

Catch up the story here: Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3

Y/n’s POV

The next morning when I wake up Bucky is facing the other way still asleep. I sit up in bed pulling my legs to my chest, my head resting on my knees. I thought about last night, how I felt in the moment and how I feel now. Does this change anything? It doesn’t make any sense at all from the way Bucky’s been treating me, so was lust all this was? Just a way to let off some steam? But then again Bucky said that he’d wanted this for so long, so what did that mean. I close my eyes and let out a breath before climbing out of bed to get in the shower. Was he even going to want to talk about this?

Bucky’s POV

I can hear her sit up behind me, I lie there in the bed wide awake facing away from her. I don’t know if I should turn around, or if I should pretend to be asleep. My mind is racing with what she may be thinking about. I curse myself for getting so carried away with my feelings, and I know that I need to take a step back before something terrible happens. I feel the bed shift and I close my eyes and I hear her enter the bathroom and turn the shower on. I sit up in bed and rub my face. My heart clenches at the thought of what it felt like to have her body so close to me like that. She’s more than amazing than I imagined she’d be. But there’s just so much that she doesn’t know about me. So much that she could run away from.

There’s a knock at the door while she is still in the bathroom and I get up to see what kind of weird shit Mary and John had planned for today. When I open the door they are standing there with cheery smiles.

“Hello James! John and I will be bringing the couples out for a trip to do Swan Boat racing today!” Mary exclaims. I internally groan and look back to the bathroom door an idea popping into my head.

“Unfortunately Mary, Y/n woke up this morning extremely ill. She’s actually in the bathroom right now just puking everywhere” I say, proud of myself for thinking up this excuse.

“Oh. That’s terrible” John says and Mary nods with him.

“Yes, you better stay here then. In good news maybe that means she’s pregnant!” Mary says cheerily nudging my arm. Jesus for nuclear scientists these people sure are fucking happy about everything. I smile and put up my hands crossing my fingers.

“We can only hope!” I say faking a smile. Mary claps her hands together and her and John leave the room. I close the door and lock it, sitting back on the bed letting out a sigh. I’m glad that worked. I hear the bathroom door unlock and Y/n comes out wrapped in her towel. I stand up, my breath hitching in my throat as I see all the marks scattering her neck and chest. I wince at myself and open my mouth to say something, but I don’t know what to say. She stares at me, waiting for something, anything about last night. And all I want is to kiss her again and tell her everything it meant to me. But I can’t.

“Uh… Mary and John just came by. They’re all going Swan boat….racing? So I told them you were really sick and we couldn’t go, so they’ve all left” I say. She’s silent for a second before a laugh bubbles out of her.

“Swan boating racing? They’ve got to be fucking joking” She chuckles moving to the dresser to grab clothes. I laugh a little too. “So I guess this means we can look for the bunker now? Get this whole thing over with?” She says.

“Yeah.” I say, realizing that this really was about to be over and everything will go back to the way it was. Y/n will go back to having Becca as a partner and I’ll go back to being alone. It’s probably for the best. “I’ll just go shower real quick and we can start looking”

After we were both ready, we hid our weapons under our clothing and headed out to the golf course. Y/n called the agency to let them know we have a lead and to send people over. While we were walking to the sand pit I found the metal door in, Y/n starts talking about last night.

“So, I wasn’t going to bring this up and clearly neither were you, but I just have to know what last night was about” She says. I can tell she’s nervous and I really don’t know how to explain myself.

“We had sex” I say like a dumbass. She pauses her walk and stares at me.

“Yeah no shit. But you said to me “You wanted this for so long” I want to know what that meant” She says sounding a little desperate. I just shake my head and keep walking.

“I can’t answer that.” I say.

“And why not?”

“There’s just things you don’t understand” I say getting frustrated and raising my voice a little.

“Well then make me understand! You haven’t even tried to talk to me about anything! There’s all these mixed messages. The first five months of knowing you was spent being hissed at and pushed away and now all of a sudden we’re having sex? Am I just something for you to use while we’re away?” She says raising her voice as well

“No! That’s not it. It’s just...more complicated than that. Do you really think now is a good time to dive into this?” I say as we approach the sand pit with the door hatch.

“No….it’s not a good time, but I just.” She pauses letting out a breath. “I just want to know you Bucky. If there’s something here, then I want to know that the feelings I’m starting to have aren’t completely useless.”

I look at her furrowing my eyebrows, and I stare at her, my heart squeezing in my chest. She’s starting to feel the same way. I smile at her, but it quickly falters as I once again remember why I keep pushing her away. I reach down for the latch and yank the lock off, opening the door. I hear her sigh next to me and we go down into the bunker.

When we reach the bottom there are sensor lights that come on, lighting the entire bunker up and revealing tons of huge machinery.

“Well look at that, the sweet old couple are a bunch of crazy bitches.” I say.

“I think it’s all a facade, but to keep up that sickly of a facade is beyond any strength I have” Y/n jokes while taking pictures of the weaponry and sending it to the Captain. “Okay, got the pics we need they should be here within the hour” She says and I nod. We climb out of the bunker and once we are on the golf course again we are met with Mary, John and the three other couples.

“For fucks sake” I hear Y/n whisper under her breath. Mary and John are staring at us with arms crossed.

“Now, James, I thought Y/n was too ill to go out?” Mary says cocking her head to the side. “But we find you out here, sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong!” She tsks.

“Alright cut the shit Mary we know your secret.” I say my fists clenching. John looks over at him with an evil smile.

“Yes, I suppose now you do. But we know your secret too, Winter Soldier” he says in what sounds like a russian accent.

“What the fuck?” Y/n says. Mary cackles.

“You stupid little Americans. Like we couldn’t tell there was something different right from the start?” Mary says also in a russian accent.

“Wait Mary and John are Russian?” Deborah asks dumbly in the background. Mary shoots her a dirty look before turning back to us.

“It’s actually Svetlana and Boris” She sneers, “Now hand over your weapons and maybe we’ll go easy on you” I let out a laugh at that which causes them to growl angrily at me.

“Bring it” Y/n says looking at me, nodding as if to say “Lets fucking go” and the fight begins. Mary..or Svetlana lunges towards Y/n who ducks away, running to another part of the golf course. I do the same with John punching him in the gut and sending him backwards. But then Judy, Carl, Steve, and Gina all whip out weapons as well and run after us.

“Phoenix the other couples are in on this too!” I shout to her, ducking down at a punch from Steve, throwing my own at his face, my metal arm immediately snapping his neck. Gina screams out for him, charging at me as well, shooting a gun. I deflect all the bullets and charge passed her flinging her away with a push of my arm. Carl and Judy went after Y/n who was fighting the both of them effortlessly.

She punches Carl and turns around while lifting her leg to kick Judy square in the jaw. Meanwhile Deborah and Mark are standing there with wide eyes as I make my way over to them.

“Please! Please James! We don’t know what’s happening we swear” Mark cries holding Deborah close to him as she cries. I realize that they were the only couple actually trying to go on their honeymoon.

“Jesus Christ” I mutter, looking behind me to see John and Mary getting back up, I turn back to the terrified couple. “Run. As fast as you can” I tell them and they do, taking off. I watch them run and before I go to face the two assholes who started this shit, Deborah and Mark are shot down. With wide eyes I whip my body around to John who’s holding the gun.

“They’ve seen too much” he sneers, I charge at him throwing punches and dodging all his bullets. Y/n is not too far away having killed or knocked unconscious the last couple and is fighting with Mary and winning.

“You won’t win this” I growl at John who laughs in my face missing my punch and grabbing something from his back pocket. He pulls out an all too familiar red book and my movements stop. I shake my head and step back from him.

“No….no” I mutter my worst fears coming true. I look to Y/n who is tirelessly fighting a woman who doesn’t seem to give up. I turn back to John as he begins to speak in Russian,  the words that chase me in my nightmares.

“Longing…..Rusted…...Furnace” He speaks and I clench my eyes shut trying everything to ignore what he’s saying.

“Stop” I shout at him. But he continues.

“Daybreak……..Seventeen…..Benign….. Nine” He looks over to Y/n and smiles deviously. I cringe because I know what he’s going to make me do. He’s going to make me kill her.

“Fuck…..you” I spit out falling to my knees.

“Homecoming…...One” he steps closer to me and I’m fighting so hard, so hard to refuse the urges these words are activating within my body. I’m filled with an entire rage that burns through my whole being.

“Did you really think I didn’t know who you were? Your arm is a work of beauty really. I understand why you keep it a secret. When I finish these words you will go to your girlfriend and you will kill her.” He says laughing maniacally and holding up the book once more.

“Freight car” he finishes. My mind tries to black out, but I keep my focus on her. I keep my focus on how she makes me feel, even though my feet are picking me up off the ground and moving me forward. With all of my power I try to stop my feet, reaching up to my metal arm and gripping it as tight as I can. I look to Y/n and see her looking over to me. A look of fear and confusion in her eyes as she watches me.

“Bucky?!” She calls to me and the sound of her voice gives me the extra strength that I need. I squeeze my eyes shut and scream out loudly as I rip the metal arm from my body. After it’s gone, I scream out at the extra pain that I feel after. Throwing the arm to the ground, I turn around and look at John who looks completely terrified. He puts his hands up as if to surrender, but my anger is seething and I grip his neck with my hand and squeeze as tight as I can, pushing him into the ground as he struggles to breathe. When he finally goes limp in my hand, I hear a shrilling scream. I look over to see Mary watching us and screaming out for him. I back away from him and I hear the sirens and helicopter sounds in the distance. The unit was coming. I turn to face Mary once more and she’s on her knees crying.

Y/n starts to walk towards me, thinking this is all over. But Mary pulls something out of her pocket and throws it. My eyes widen and I scream out to her, but in a split second whatever it was explodes and Y/n is thrown from the ground.

“FUCK!” I shout as I’m thrown back my self. My body hits the ground and my ears are ringing, but I quickly get back up. There’s smoke and fire everywhere and my eyes are burning, but I look around frantically for her.

“Y/n!” I scream desperately and I see her body lying not too far away.  “Phoenix! Shit!” I shout out running over to her. The sounds of sirens and helicopters are even closer now and I get down pulling her into my lap with my one arm. I brush the hair from her face, her eyes are closed and there’s blood coming from her forehead.

“Jesus don’t die on me, please don’t fucking die on me” I cry out, looking around for Mary or anyone else that was a threat. I couldn’t see them in the dust that continued to settle after the explosion. I place my fingers over her pulse and I can make out a faint beat. I wrap my arm around her pulling her into my chest, overwhelming sobs make their way out of my body as I bury my face into her neck.

“Please” I whimper out, “Please don’t die. I love you”

***

Taglist: @mr-stank-i-dont-feel-so-dank