#ready to give me a heart attack anytime he's on a broom

[kohanaaaaa]

I love you Ruggie but WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?! 😭

[eastofthemoon]

Ssoo, I ended up writing a follow up fic to my first Lego Monkie Kid fic. LOL

Title: The Aunt and the Monkey

Rating: G

Summary: On the one hand, MK is happy his aunt will be home for his birthday. On the other hand, he is not thrilled with having to explain to her about being Monkey King's successor. 

Archive of Our Own

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Pigsy hummed to himself as he finished filling up the pot with water.

“Now just need to get the noodles-”

“PIGSY! I GOT A PROBLEM!”

Pigsy yelped as he jumped and spilled the water from the pot onto the floor and himself.

His eyes twitched as he spun around. “MK! WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT SNEAKING UP ON ME?!”

“Sorry, sorry,” MK rambled as he shook Pigsy’s shoulders. “But I have a huge problem!”

Pigsy sighed as he held MK’s arm to calm the kid. “Alright, alright, what’s the issue.”

“Aunt Ling is coming home for my birthday!”

Pigsy blinked and scratched his head. “Um...correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that a good thing?”

MK sighed as he rubbed his neck. “Well, yeah, I’m happy she’ll be here, but that means I’m going to have to tell her.”

“Tell her what?” Pigsy then paused, raised an eyebrow and jabbed at MK’s chest. “Wait...do you mean-”

MK gave a sheepish grin. “About gaining Monkey King’s powers? Um..yeah.”

“It’s almost been a year! How could you not have told her about it yet?!” Pigsy yelled.

“Well, I didn’t think it something I explained in an email or on the phone,” MK hastily replied. “I mean...isn’t this the kind of thing you should do in person?!”

Pigsy raised, but then lowered his hand. The kid actually made a fair point. Ling was opened minded, but even she might have a hard time believing it if MK had just explained over the phone.

“So, now I got no choice, but to tell her,” MK continued as he began to pace. “I mean, I could just not tell her, but with my luck Red Son would come to attack right when we’re having dinner.”

Again, Pigsy couldn’t argue against that.

“Then just tell her kid,” Pigsy said.

“But what if she doesn’t want me to do it?!” MK waved his arms frantically. “You know how over protective she can be sometimes. Oh, no, what if the mere mention of it gives her a heart attack and-”

“Kid, breathe,” Pigsy said as he grabbed his shoulders. “Look, yeah, she might not like it, but you are old enough to make your own choices.”

MK sighed and chewed his bottom lip. “I know, but doing something that I know she hates just makes me feel, guilty, ya know?”

Pigsy sighed and patted his arm. “Yeah, I do, but let’s not jump to conclusions. You never know, she might be fine with it.”

“Y-yeah,” MK stammered. “But how do I tell her?”

Pigsy grabbed his chin. “When is she arriving?”

“Late tonight,” MK said.

Pigsy clapped his hands. “Alright, then in the morning you two can come in before we open. We butter her up with a couple bowls of noodles and you tell her.”

MK looked hopeful. “Do you honestly think that will work?”

“S-sure,” Pigsy said with a forced smile.

He had no sweet clue if it would work, but he did know people often took shocking news better on a full stomach. At the very least, Pigsy would be near by to back MK up.

“Okay,” MK said as he took a deep breath. “Thanks, Pigsy, I feel a lot better.”

“Anytime,” Pigsy said as he patted his back. “Happy Birthday by the way.”

MK gave a small laugh. “It’s not until tomorrow, but thanks.” He shoved his hands into his jacket. “I just hope Aunt Ling will be okay with the whole thing.”

Me too, Pigsy thought.

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

Everything happened just as they had planned.

MK and his aunt were at his front doors before he opened.

Ling gave Pigsy a huge hug.

“It’s great to see you, Pigsy,” she exclaimed and clapped her hands. “Thanks for letting us come in early.”

“No, problem,” Pigsy said as he rubbed his neck. “Birthday privileges you know?”

He glanced back to the kid. MK was smiling, while he had his hands tucked into his coat pockets and his eyes were twitchy.

 He’s a nervous wreck.

“How about the usual,” Pigsy said as he went behind the counter.

“That sounds great,” Ling said as she took a seat and MK next to her.

“Y-yeah, nothing beats Pigsy’s noodles bowls,” MK said.

It didn’t take long for them to finish their noodle bowls. MK quietly set down his chop sticks and looked up at her.

“Aunt Ling,” MK said with a sigh. “I have to tell you something.”

Ling frowned as she crossed her arms. “I had a feeling something was up.” She gave a laugh. “Alright, Sweetie, what did you do?”

MK rubbed his neck as he reached into his pocket. “You remember the Monkey King?”

Ling laughed. “Of course, that was always your favourite story growing up.”

“Well, he’s real,” MK said as he looked at her, “and he’s chosen me as his successful so I’ve inherited all of his powers.”

Ling blinked, tilted her head and laughed. “Okay, very funny, you almost had me there-”

“He’s serious, Ling,” Pigsy said as he leaned over the counter.

Ling froze. “W-what?”

MK stood up. “Here, might be better if I show you.”

He took up the tiny staff and had it instantly grow bigger.

Ling yelped. “What the-”

“And I can multiple myself, watch,” MK said as he tugged out a few strains of hair. He blew at them and suddenly two more Mks appeared in the room.

“Hi, Aunt Ling!” the clones greeted.

Ling yelped as she looked lost staring at the two nephews in front of her.

Just as fast as they appeared they vanished.

“I’ve been trying to shape shift, but I haven’t gotten there yet,” MK said as he rambled, “but I could show you-”

Pigsy cut him off as he touched his shoulder.

“I think she gets it, kid,” he said.

Ling looked like she was in shock as she hugged her purse to her chest.

“H-how did this even happen?” she asked.

MK rubbed his neck and gave a shaky laugh. “Well, it all started when I accidentally stumbled upon the Demon Bull King being released.”

“You what?”

“And I tried to get the staff to Monkey King, but they took it back, and then Monkey King told me I was his successor so I fought Demon Bull King and won.”

“YOU WHAT?!”

MK waved his hands. “I know it sounds dangerous, but I’m really getting the hand of fighting demons.”

Ling’s eyes twitched. “You..fight demons regularly?”

MK rubbed his neck. “Yeah, well, it is part of being a hero you know? But Monkey King has been training me.”

Pigsy watched Ling’s face carefully. She grew quiet like her brain was absorbing all of this information.

“I see,” she said. “And you’re happy about this?”

“It’s a dream come true! I feel like I found my true calling,” MK rambled with a nervous grin. “I know you’re probably worried, but don’t be! I’m doing great and Monkey King is a great mentor!” He hugged his staff to his chest. “So, um what do you think Aunt Ling? Are you okay that I do this?”

“Um...” Ling said as she glanced to Pigsy, took a breath and had a huge smile plastered on her face. “I-I think that’s wonderful, sweetheart!”

MK blinked as he tilted his head. “You do?”

“Of course!” Ling said as she hugged him, but Pigsy still couldn’t see her face. “This is clearly something you want and very important to you.” She let go of him and MK was beaming.

“Oh, wow, thanks, Aunt Ling,” MK he exclaimed and rubbed the back of his neck. “You know, I was super worried you were going to freak out or something.”

Ling chuckled, but Pigsy’s ears couldn’t help notice it sounded a bit forced.

“Well, you’re old enough to make your own choices and if you’re happy that’s all that matters to me,” she replied.

MK wiped the sweat off his forehead and suddenly his phone buzzed. He picked it up and showed it to Ling. “It’s Mei, she says she has her birthday present for me.”

“Then you should go and see her,” Ling said as she patted MK’s head. “Why not bring her along for dinner later to celebrate.”

“Yeah, okay,” MK said as he headed out the door. “Oh, hey, maybe I can introduced you to Monkey King later too?”

“.....Yes, that sounds..great,” Ling replied.

MK continued to smile as he waved and left.

The door shut and Ling still didn’t move for several minutes. Pigsy leaned over the counter and coughed.

“Uh, Ling,” he asked. “You okay there?”

Ling slowly turned around. She was smiling, but it was clearly a forced smile. Pigsy was suddenly reminded of a soda bottle ready to burst open being opened.

“Pigsy, do you have somewhere a person could scream without being heard?” she asked in a very tense voice.

Pigsy pointed to his left. “The broom closet should be safe.”

“Thank you,” Ling said as she promptly collected her purse, got inside the closet and shut the door.

Seconds later muffled screams could be heard and Pigsy was rather impressed. He never knew Ling had such strong lungs.

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

“Alright,” Sandy said as he patted Ling’s back. “Just breathe in and out, in and out.”

Ling did as she instructed as she held the cup of tea in her hands. “In and out, in and out,” she repeated.

Pigsy watched next to her as he crossed his arms. Sandy was the first person he called once Ling had finished her scream fest in the closet. The woman was still wounded up and Sandy was the best candidate in calming a person down.

Tang adjusted his glasses as he whispered into Pigsy’s ear. “So, she never screamed in front of MK?”

“Nope,” Pigsy said. “She was careful to keep it all in.”

Tang stroked his chin. “Wow, she took it better than I thought she would. I was certain she would faint.”

Pigsy glared at him as Ling sipped at the tea.

“Thank you, Sandy,” she said. “The tea does help.”

“Always does,” Sandy said as he held up the kettle.

Ling took in a deep breath as she set down the cup. “Alright, now can someone explain to me how my nephew ended up as heir to the Monkey King?”

“It’s like how the kid said,” Pigsy said as he sat up. “It kind of just happened.”

“And none of you thought that maybe he was too young to be put in such a position?” she asked.

“Ling, he’s old enough to make his own decisions,” Pigsy said as he raised a hand. “You told MK this yourself.”

Ling sighed as she massaged her forehead. “I know but..he’s far to young to have that kind of responsibility on him! I could barely get him to clean his room and now he’s expected to fight demons?!”

Tang cleared his throat. “To be fair, I believe MK is more interested in being a hero than cleaning his room.”

Ling shot him a glare and sighed as she got her purse. “You know when I came home to surprise MK the worst I expected that MK got a tattoo or something.” She slouched into her seat. “This whole Monkey King business is that last thing I ever pictured.”

Tang raised an eyebrow. “So what are you planning to do?”

“What can I do?!” Ling said as she bolted upright. “I hate the idea of MK putting himself in danger, but he clearly wants this! If I tell him how I feel it’ll break his heart.”

Pigsy couldn’t deny that. It was why the kid was so anxious about telling his aunt in the first place.

“So, you’re not going to tell MK to stop being a hero?” Sandy asked.

Ling sighed and shook her head. “I’m going to support him, even if it means giving me grey hairs in the process.” Suddenly a look of fury crossed over her face. “However, I am going to have certain words with an immortal monkey.”

“He’s on Flower Fruit Mountain,” Tang replied as he cleaned his glasses, “but you will probably have a hard time finding him.”

Ling narrowed her eyes. “Have any of you ever played against MK and Mei in a game of hide and seek?”

Pigsy blinked glanced to the other two and all shook their heads.

“Then trust me when I say I will have an easier time finding the Monkey King,” Ling said as she left the door. “I should be back by dinner time, I’ll call MK if I’m running late.”

“Uh, sure thing,” Pigsy said with a wave as she left.

Sandy drummed his fingers against his knees. “So..uh, do you think she’s going to find him?”

“I don’t think it’s a matter of ‘if’,” Pigsy said as he rose, “I think it’s a question of when and if the Monkey King is going to survive this.”

Tang gave a laugh. “You’re exaggerating a bit. This is the famous Sun Wukong we’re talking about.”

Pigsy thought back to his mother and grandmother when they were angry. He didn’t felt so certain.

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

The rest of the day went as normal. Pigsy gave MK the day off since it was the kid’s birthday. Even he wasn’t that heartless. They all made plans to get together later for dinner to celebrate it.

He didn’t hear anything about Ling until later in the afternoon. Tang was at the counting trying to convince Pigys to give him a free bowl since it was MK’s birthday. Pigsy was prepared to tell him off when he heard the door and Tang yelped.

Pigsy frowned, turned and blinked surprise.

It was Monkey King.

He crossed his arms and gave a shaky smile. “Um..mind if I hide out here until MK gets back?”

Tang adjusted his glasses in shock and Pigsy raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean ‘hide’?”

Monkey King paused and gave a shaky laugh. “Oh, uh, I just wanted to surprise the kid before I give him his birthday present and-”

“Ling found you didn’t she?” Pigsy finished.

Monkey King instantly growled as he buried his face into his hands. “Yes, that woman is relentless!” He waved his arms. “I kept changing animal forms so she wouldn’t find me, but she always did! I don’t know how she did it!”

He paced. “She keeps yelling at me about how ‘irresponsible’ I was for choosing someone so young, that I should think about my actions and make sure I’m not a bad influence.” Monkey King waved his arms in the arms. “Does she not realize what I was up to when I was MK’s age?!”

“I think that might be what she’s worried about,” Pigsy remarked.

“Um....” Tang said with a raised hand. “With all due respect, why are you ‘hiding’ from her? She isn’t a demon, just a mortal woman. She doesn’t have the strength to hurt you.”

Monkey King glared. “If she was a demon I’d have an easier time. I just beat them up and be done with it.” He placed his hands on his hips. “What kind of hero would I be for beating up a lady, especially that lady being the woman that raised MK.”

“Ah,” Tang said as he grasped his chin. “Fair point.”

“I wanted to see the kid to wish him happy birthday, but no way was I going to wait for him at Flower Fruit Mountain with Ling there,” Monkey King said. “So, I thought I wait for him here.”

“You do realize Ling is planning to come back here eventually?” Pigsy retorted.

Monkey King smirked. “Yeah, but she’s dead set on finding me first. I left bogus clues about where I was going, so that should keep her busy for-”

“THERE YOU ARE!”

Pigsy, Monkey King and Tang all yelped as Ling came storming in and slammed the door behind you.

She growled as she marched up to Monkey King and poked him in his chest. “How dare you run off! I wasn’t done talking to you!”

Monkey King tugged at his ears in frustration. “How did you know I would come here so fast?!”

“Woman’s intuition,” Ling said firmly and paused. “Also, you should know it’s very easy to bribe your monkeys with the right snacks.”

Monkey King blinked and groaned. “I’m going to have words with them when I get back!”

“That should be your last worry right now,” Ling hissed as she grabbed her shirt. “I’m not leaving you alone until you promise to keep my nephew safe.”

Monkey King sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Lady, I told you, I’ll do my best, but he does have to face some danger-”

“Then you should have picked an adult for your successor and not a teenager!”

“Okay, okay,” Pigsy said as he got out from behind the counter. “You two settle down before-”

“I WIN,” Mei cried as she barged in and did a victory dance. “Ha, once again I win the race here....”

She saw the sight before her, blinked and pointed. “Um...did I interrupt something?”

Ling tugged on Monkey King’s shirt harder. “I’m just having WORDS with the Monkey King.”

Mei shoved her hand into her pocket and pointed over her shoulder. “Well, you might want to wrap it up since Mk is going to be here any sec and probably won’t be happy to see you two fighting.”

Panic overtook both Monkey King and Ling as just as Mei predicted MK appeared.

“Okay, I am so winning the next race,” he said and then he looked delighted. “Monkey King?! You’re here!”

“Uh, sure am, Bud,” Monkey King said as he got out of Ling’s grip and moved over to ruffle Mk’s hair. “No way I wouldn’t miss your birthday.”

“That’s great, thanks,” MK said with a smile and frowned. “Although, why are you here and not at Flower Fruit Mountain?”

“Well,” Monkey King glanced at Ling and smirked. “That’s cause your aunt invited me to join you guys for dinner.”

MK’s eyes beamed. “You did, Aunt Ling?”

Ling’s eyes twitched, but she put on a smile. “Yes, we were just discussing that.”

“Oh wow,” MK said and laughed. “You know, I was actually worried that you two wouldn’t get along, but glad to see I was wrong.”

Ling and Monkey King looked at each other with their eyes narrowed.

“Yes, wrong,” Monkey King muttered.

“Very wrong,” Ling said.

Tang cleared his throat. “Why don’t we head over to Sandy’s boat? I know he got decorations put up he like to show you.”

“Oh, good idea,” MK said and looked over. “You coming too, Pigsy?”

“Sure, kid,” Pigsy said with a wave of his hand. “Just need to lock up first.”

“Okay, we’ll meet you there,” Mei said as she guided MK out and they were followed by Tang. Ling and Monkey King lingered in the back, but they continued to glare at each other.

“We are not done that conversation,” Ling hissed.

“Oh, I think we are,” Monkey King hissed back.

Pigsy watched the door shut and let loose the air he had been holding in.

“It’s going to be a long night,” he grumbled.

[chickensarentcheap]

Best Part of Me -Chapter 48

Warnings: none

Tagging: @innerpaperexpertcloud​, @c-a-v-a-l-r-y​, @alievans007​, @ocfairygodmother​

She sleeps on the car ride from Broome, not even waking when he stops at a grocery store to pick up much needed supplies. One of his hoodies folded and being used as a pillow as her head rests against the window; body turned sideways, both legs draped across his thighs. She’s worn out; mentally AND physically.  The worry and the stress -and the enormity of the current situation- has caused a host of issues. Sleep problems, migraines, nausea, dizziness. Part of him wishes it WERE possible -even remotely- for her to be pregnant; another baby so soon after Addie would be a relief compared to the other scenarios running through his mind. He hates that his mind goes there’ into the dark and fatalistic place. Losing your first born will do that to you; strip away your optimism while heightening your paranoia.  Austin’s illness had blindsided him. What was suspected to be simply a stubborn and lingering flu bug turning out to something so much worse. The ferocity of his cancer had taken everyone -even the specialists- by surprise- and they’re been little they could do to contain it; to slow down the damage it was causing.  Three months. That’s all that remained between diagnosis and death. And it’s left a lot of mental trauma in its wake, even ten years later. It’s Tyler’s worst nightmare; the thought of losing her to something completely beyond his control. A threat like Mahajan is one thing. He can fight back against that; his own actions being what dictates the outcome. But a serious and possibly life altering -or even threatening- illness? Where there’s nothing he can to stop it from taking hold and progressing? That’s a thought that’s almost too much to bear.

When they arrive at their destination he leaves her in the car, giving himself the opportunity to perform a ‘search and secure’. It’s both old habit AND necessity. Anytime he’s away from home due to the job he thoroughly investigates his surroundings, whether they’re familiar or not. In that line of work you can never be too careful. Always assume that someone is watching; looking for the weak spot in your defences so they can take advantage of them. It’s just part of the game; his many years spent in a dangerous and unpredictable lifestyle have left a permanent mark. And he hates that there’s an actual NEED for it now. Theirs targets on their backs and not even this -the place that was once home- is safe. It’s a very real possibility that there’s someone, or even a number of  people, keeping their eyes on them. With Mahajan’s money, he can afford to hire the best. He won’t use street thugs or rookies that will only make mistakes. He’d send people that know how to get the job done.

While the old homestead is wide open, it DOES offer some sense of security A surprise attack would be near impossible to carry out. His hearing is sharp; he’d hear tires on the gravel, the squeak of the rusted metal gate, the crunching of dirt and stone under heavy feet.  The tree line is sparse and would provide little to no cover, and the mountains are rough and unforgiving even to those who are familiar with them. And even if someone did manage to navigate the terrain, they’d have to be one hell of a good shot. Not even the best of marksmen would find it easy; guys like G with extensive sniper experience.  And it’s those thoughts that give at least some sort of comfort. He’s experienced; confident in his strength and his skills. He knows the land; able to navigate it and use it to his advantage.

Mahajan would know that; his guys wouldn’t last long in the unfamiliar terrain and he would hesitate on sending them there. But there’s still a chance he would, and that’s not a gamble Tyler is willing to take.  So he checks the house and all of the outbuildings; anywhere that someone could possibly hide. And as he slowly and methodically walks the perimeter, his eyes scan the treeline and the mountain range; looking for anything that looks even remotely suspicious. His hearing is sharp and keen; listening for any unusual or unfamiliar noise.  There’s nothing. Just the faint rumble of thunder in the distance and the sounds of rustling trees and bushes as the breeze passes through them.

Esme’s awake when he returns; still sitting in the car and watching him through her side mirror. It’s why they work so well together. Not just her knowledge of the job and all the danger and unpredictability that comes with it, but her knowledge of HIM. After almost seven years, she knows how his mind works and trusts him -and his instincts- implicitly. She would have known upon waking and finding herself alone exactly what he was up to. And her own time in the game - her experience with working side by side with mercs and seeing how they think and operate- would have her staying where she is until the ‘all clear was given’. They always seem to be in sync with one another; common experiences and their shared life always ensuring that they function as a team. It’s what makes them as strong as they are together, he supposes. They know the other’s next moves before they even begin to execute them;  often aware of what the other is thinking or getting ready to say.

She waits until he’s a foot from the car before she pops open her door and steps out. “Everything good?” she asks, and then stretches noisily; bottom of her tank top rising up as she brings her arms over her head and revealing a slice of pale, smooth skin.

She complains about it often. Fretting over her stomach being nowhere as trim and smooth as it used to be. Lamenting the stretch marks that carrying five babies have left behind. And it’s not he’s never noticed them; often  tracing them with his fingers or the tip of his tongue. It’s that he doesn’t see them the way she does. Those so called imperfects are reminders; badges of honor. That she’d sacrificed her body to give him children. She’s carried life inside of her. That they’d made together. And that realization only makes her more beautiful in his eyes. You never fully appreciate how strong and selfless the woman you love is until you’ve seen her pregnant. And you don’t think you could possibly love her more than you already do and then she becomes a mother and everything intensifies.

“Everything’s good,” he confirms, and then lays a palm against her stomach and leans down to kiss her. Frowning when she pushes his hand away and then yanks down the front of her shirt. “What?”  She’s been extra self conscious since having Addie. Often refusing to even take off her shirt when they make love.

“You know I don’t like my tummy.”

“Well  I do. So…”

“You’re weird,” she says, and then moves his hand to her side when he once again attempts to lay it  against her stomach.

“YOU’RE weird.”

“Yeah, but you knew that seven years ago and you still married me. So you only have yourself to blame.”

“I’m pretty happy with my decision,” Tyler says, and covers her mouth with his.

The kiss is  slow and deep as his hand slides around to the small of her back and then down onto her ass; squeezing tightly as his body leans into hers and presses her into the side of the car.  Tasting a mixture of strawberry flavored lip gloss and a hint of the white wine she’d had on the plane. And while she’s the only woman he’s been intimate with -in any way or form- in the past seven years, no two kisses ever feel the same. Her lips are soft and familiar. The kind of  familiarity that is never dull or boring but always makes you feel welcome and safe. Like a favorite  hiding place as a child or that one sweater that is well worn and loved, yet still makes you warm and comfortable when you wear it. Every kiss...every touch...even every smile she gives him...brings him back to that. It feels like...home. And even after the kiss ends he stays tightly pressed against her, eyes closed as his hands move up to the middle of her back. Enjoying the feel of her body move against his as she perches on her tiptoes, her arms wrapped around his neck.

“So there were no bad guys lying in wait?” Esme teases, when he finally breaks away and tosses open the back passenger door. “Or did you already find and beat the shit out of them?”

“Now I know where Millie gets that talk from,” Tyler grins, as he pulls duffels and grocery bags from the back seat.

“She knows you’re an expert on kicking asses, just like I do. She knows there’s nothing you wouldn’t do to protect her.”

“I WILL  break someone in half if they mess with her. Any guy that breaks her heart is going to regret the day he was born.”

“Now you’re actually admitting she’ll eventually meet boys. That’s progress for you. You’re so worried about her, what are you going to do when your sons start having girls calling at all hours of the day? Or if they get someone pregnant and make us grandparents way too young.”

“I’ll kick their asses is what I’ll do. Tanner says he wants two wives when he grows up.”

“Men can’t keep one woman happy, never mind two at once. Present company excluded. You’ve become very good at towing the line and keeping me happy.”

“It’s not that hard. All I have to do is either say ‘yes dear’ or ‘no dear’ or even just smile and nod. I just have to bring you tacos, gets the snakes and spiders out of the house, clean the toilets, and fuck you good. I’ve managed so far, haven’t I?”

“Might not now that I know your secret,” she teases. “Although the last part you’ve always been excellent at. Even when things were really bad, that was always really good. And we least we have SOME consistency.”

She’s right. Even when things went to shit and were at their very worst and they were fighting and a permanent end seemed like a very real possibly, sex had been the one thing they could rely on. When all the arguing and the harsh words and the animosity were temporarily put on hold and the bodies did all the communicating for them.  It wasn’t a healthy way of dealing with things, but it was THEIR way of dealing.  And coping.

“****

“It hasn’t changed THAT much,” she comments; eyes surveying the exterior of the shack as they work together to carry the bags inside. “Other than a new roof and a touch of paint, it’s pretty much what I remember. Kind of weird, don’t you think? Being back here together?”

“Never thought about it.”

“Do you ever miss it? Being here?”

“Why would I? My life’s a lot better now.”

“You’re not for sentiment, are you. You don’t feel anything? Doesn’t it bring back ANY memories?”

“Other than the day we met? Not many.”

There’s not much to fondly look back on. When he was actually home, most of his days were spent in a booze and pain med induced haze. Or he was passed out. There are weeks, even months, that he can’t remember, aside from taking any job Nik brought his way; devoting himself to one suicide mission after another.

“Everything was shit before you came along,” Tyler admits, as he presses his back against the door to hold it open. “I was shit. You wouldn’t have wanted to know me. I don’t think you realize just how big of a mess I actually was.”

Dhaka changed everything. Most just the moments on the bridge and getting shot by Farhad or the months of recovery forcing him to get clean and sober. Or finding out that he was having a kid.  But those five days in that dirty hotel room. When he actually started feeling alive again instead of simply just existing.

“I think you’re too hard on yourself,” Esme counters as she steps past him, intentionally too close so her  body slides against his and the back of her hand brushes over the front of his shorts. “I know you had your issues, but you weren’t a lost cause. Look how far you’ve come in seven years. If you’d really wanted to give up...if you'd really wanted to die...you would have found a way to do it long before I came along.”

“Maybe,” he says, as he drops the duffel bags in the bedroom area and then joins her in the kitchen where she begins putting the groceries away.

“There had to be some reason you didn’t do it,” she reasons. “If you were THAT  bad off and wanted to die, you would have done it. You had guns in the house; you could have used them and just been done with it.”

“Maybe I was just a coward and couldn’t get up the balls to do it myself.”

“I don’t believe that. You are not a coward. You’re the furthest thing from being a coward. A coward doesn’t do the things you do. A coward runs away from those things, or they’re the ones that cause them in the first place. Guys like Asif and Mahajan? They’re the cowards. Getting other people to do their dirty work; preying on the vulnerable, ruining lives. You get people away from guys like that. You try to stop these things. You aren’t  a coward.”

“I thought we weren’t going to talk about Mahajan? Or the job.”

“I’m trying to make a point. My husband is NOT a coward. You’re basing that off of one mistake you made. You were twenty five years old when Austin died. You made a bad decision. A horrible decision. But do you pay for it for the rest of your life? You’re a different person now. Say one of our kids get sick.”

“Esme…”

“I know it’s your worst fear, but hear me out. Hypothetically speaking, if one of them got sick, would you take off? Or if I got sick. Would you haul ass on out of here?”

“Of course not. I’m not who I was back then.”

“Exactly. Way back then. When you were thirty one and had a shitty wife that had seen more pricks than a pin cushion.”

He can’t help but chuckle at that. “That’s a pretty accurate description, actually.”

“You’re almost forty one now.” she continues. “You’re NOT the same guy. At all. And you’re not a coward. You never have been. You know how you always say I need to stop talking shit about myself and try to see myself through your eyes? Well you should do the same. Because the way you look at yourself? That is not the way I look at you. Or how your kids look at you. You’re not a bad person, Tyler.  Regardless of what you think.”

He steps behind her now, reaching over her to help put things on the shelves she can’t reach.

“Something inside of you told you to stay alive.” she says. “Maybe it was telling you that things were going to get better. Maybe it was saying there was something...someone...out there that was going to give you a reason to keep going. I don’t know. But I do know that if you had really wanted to die, you would have done it.”

“I think you think too much about stuff like this.”

“You knew what I was like. You had your chance to get away and you didn’t take it. Now look. Now look how deep you’re stuck in it.”

“Yeah…” he lays his hands on her shoulders, kneading and massaging the tight muscles. “...five kids is pretty deep in it.”

“You think?” she scoffs.

“You know what would put me even deeper in it? Six kids.”

Esme turns around to face him, leaning back against the cupboards, hands on the counter top. “We are NOT talking about that either. It’s way too soon after Addie. She’s only five weeks old.”

“Millie was only eight weeks old when you got pregnant with the boys,” he reminds her.

“Even if we wanted another one this soon, we can’t. That can’t happen because we decided no more babies after Addie and you went and got the old…” she holds up a hand and mimics scissors open and closing with her index and middle finger.

“I’ll call the doctor when we get back. See what has to be done.”

“This is not the time to be talking about this.”

“Seems like as good a time as any. It’s just me and you. No one to interrupt.”

“You know what I’m talking about. With everything that’s happening right now, with everything that IS going to happen, this is not the time to be talking about having another baby.”

She doesn’t need to say it; the implication hanging heavily in the air. Every job you take on is unpredictable. Each one comes with its own set of hazards and burdens. Not once has he gotten out of one without some kind of injury; whether it be as simple as stitches or a concussion or a busted nose or a broken bone. Sometimes things were worse; knife wounds, bullets you have to dig  out of various parts of your body. But what’s coming up...Mumbai...it’s as dangerous and risky as it gets. There’s no real game plan; just arm yourself to the teeth and hope for the best. But she’s right. It isn't the time to talk about adding to their family. Or even consider it. Because nothing would be worse than deciding to go for it and then him not making it back home.

“When you get back,” she says, as her hands slide across his shoulders and down his chest, a somewhat confident smile curving her lips. “Once you get things done and you’re home, then we’ll discuss it. Once everything is finished and calm and we don’t worry about this anymore.” Her hands reach his waist, slipping under the front of his t-shirt and resting on his belt. “I mean, there will ALWAYS be something to worry about now that you’re back in things and we have the business and…”

“But nothing like this. This? Everything that’s going on? This is…”

“Fucked?”

“That’s one way of putting it.”

“Things will be okay” her smile is brighter now; eyes sparkling up at him. “You’ll go there and you’ll do what you need to do, and then you’ll come home. And then things can go back to normal. Our version of normal.”

He nods in agreement, his bottom lip between his teeth as he combs his fingers through her hair and then tucks it behind her ears.

“Don’t look at me like that,” she says, as his hands come to rest on her shoulders and his thumbs brush along her jaw. “I know that look, Tyler. I’ve seen that look before. That’s the look you gave me before you sent me off with Ovi and Saju, That EXACT same look. And we both know how things almost ended that THAT time.”

He wants to tell her that everything is going to be okay. That it’s as simple as picking a name from a list and tracking their owners down. But the truth of the matter is that nothing is ever that easy. Every job comes with complications and its glitches no matter how boring and routine they’re supposed to be. He might manage to get to two or three of the guys before Mahajan catches on and realizes who is responsible. After that the bounty on his head will increase significantly and moving around the city without being recognized will be complicated. Every gun in Mumbai will be trained on him, and that’s a hell of a thing to escape.

“You promise me,” she orders. “You promise me you’re coming home.”

He shakes his head. “I can’t. I’m sorry, I just can’t.”

“Promise me,” she demands, both hands yanking at his belt, pulling him closer to her. “Promise me, Tyler.”

“I can’t,” he says, then presses a kiss to her forehead before drawing her into his arms.

****

They lay in a mess of tangled and rumbled sheets and sweat soaked limbs; stifling heat and the smell of sex hanging heavily in the air.  Both sated and spent and resting on their sides, her back tucked into his front, their tightly joined hands resting on next to her head. Bodies and hair damp from perspiration; one of his thicker and heavier legs draped over hers and the top of his nose pressed against the nape of her neck. He can’t remember a time where he’s felt THIS relaxed; every muscle, every tendon, every ligament feeling loose and at ease. The pain in his back, shoulder, and knee nothing more than a light throbbing; a far cry from the stiffness and the agony that often makes getting out of bed in the morning seen like an insurmountable chore. Yet his senses remain sharp. Hearing her soft, slow breathing and the fluttering and flapping of the curtains as the breeze flows through open windows. Smelling the mix of sweat and other bodily fluids and the remnants of shampoo that cling to her hair. Still tasting her on his lips and his tongue and feeling the softness of her skin with her back against his chest and his thumb repeatedly brushing against hers.

These moments...the stillness and the quiet that exist after they make love...are rare these days. Their lives busy and full; the demands of raising a family often stripping away any real alone time and any form of true intimacy. There’s no one to blame for that; it is what it is. They often forget that their roles in each other’s lives extend far past just making babies and taking care of them together. And he’s missed these times. When things aren’t so hectic and their lives don’t seem so chaotic and all they have to worry about is each other. It’s been almost six years since they’ve been child free. Almost seven since those five days in Dhaka.

Of all the shitty and horrible things that had happened there…all the lives taken...how close he’d come to his own demise…it’s still nice to think about those moments in that cramped and dirty hotel room. Where he’d felt the first of the walls he’d built up around slowly crumbling down around him. It was the first time in years that he’d felt THAT alive. Where someone didn’t look at him with disgust or pity. He’d always seen on Nik’s face; written as plain as day.   How disappointed she was in him; how big of a mess he’d made of himself and his life. Yet she’d never balked when it came to fucking him. Maybe she’d seen it as a form of charity; believing she was doing him a favor and lowering her standards by hooking up with the hired help.  Yet in Dhaka, with Esme, he’d been both surprised -and slightly terrified- at how well they connected. It had never been that smooth and easy, especially with a woman. He’d spent years avoiding forming bonds with who he slept with; leaving almost as soon as the deed was finished and never looking back.

It had been different. SHE had been different. And he found he smiled more when he was around her. Laughed easier. He didn’t feel judged for his choice of career or the mistakes he’d made; especially when his son was dying. He found he liked the sound of her voice and the feel of her body pressed against his in bed and the way she’d smile at him whenever he returned to the room. Dhaka had been the first time where he actually enjoyed the moments after sex. Those sleepy conversations and how easy it was to share even the deepest and darkest of secrets with her.  And on the fourth day he’d found himself actually hopeful about something; confident that once they were out of Bangladesh and away from the job, they could make something out of whatever the hell was happening between them. It SHOULD have been just another job. Get the information, get out, get home. But it had quickly turned into something so much more. Two broken and damaged people somehow finding comfort and solace during such a crazy, unpredictable time.

“Tyler?” she asks now, and his eyes snap open and he presses a kiss to the back of her head.

“Yeah?”

“Are you awake?”

“Would I have answered if I wasn’t?”

“Don’t be such a smart ass,” she grumbles.

He chuckles into her hair. “I’m awake..”

“I think we should agree right now that we never…ever…tell Koen we christened his kitchen table.”

He laughs. “I agree.”

It had been intense. A brief but heated argument over his refusal to promise he was coming home turning into a quick hard fuck; her bent over the table and her hair clutched tightly in his first. The second time -after carrying her to bed still buried inside of her- had been slow and lazy; wandering hands and long, deep kisses and two rounds of foreplay followed languid, attentive love making.

“You finally got your kitchen table fantasy fulfilled,” she says. “Only took you seven years. Was it what you imagined it would be?”

He smiles against the back of her neck. “It was even better.”

“It’s weird being here with you.”

“Yeah?” He places a kiss to her shoulder, then her temple. “Why?”

“Not weird in a bad way. Just weird. This is where we met. Almost seven years ago. And we’re here and we’re totally different than we were back then. In so many ways.”

He nods in agreement. “If anyone had have told me that my fake wife would end up my real wife, I would have told them they were fucking crazy. That was the last thing I ever thought I’d do again. Get married.”

“I told myself I never WOULD  do it again. That there wasn’t any man on the planet that could convince me   to try it a second time. And...well...look where we are now.”

“Guess I should be lucky that Gaspar was out of the game. That’s who Nik went to first.”

“Oh god,” Esme groans. “I would have had to have been fake married to HIM?”

“Afraid so.”

“Well my Dhaka experience would have gone entirely differently  if that had happened. Because there was no way he would have gotten the same treatment you did.”

Tyler grins and nuzzles the tip of his  nose against her ear, then kisses it. “He wasn’t your type?”

“Eww! No! What is wrong with you? I do have standards, you know. Thank God he said no. I’m going to have nightmares now. Thanks, Tyler.”

“I’ll help you sleep better.”

“I’m sure you will. You know, to be fair, I didn’t want to be fake married to anyone. I thought the entire thing sounded ridiculous.”

“See. We DO agree on things.”

“I’m just glad you turned out better than I thought you would.”

“How you mean?”

“You know how you hear stories and rumours about someone and you create a picture in your mind? Of what they’re going to look like?”

Tyler nods.

“Well you totally did NOT look like what I pictured.”

“What did you picture?”

“I thought you’d be older. Much older. Rough looking. Weathered. Mean, even. I was not expecting you to look like you do. I was pleasantly surprised, to say the least. I changed my mind very quick about Nik’s idea.”

“You at least knew beforehand. I had it dropped on me. And she was fucking sneaky about it, too. Had me agreeing to get the kid before telling me about everything else. I didn’t have a choice after that. I was in whether I liked it or not. I couldn’t exactly back out.”

“Yeah, I saw the look on your face. When Nik talked about what she wanted us to do. You were NOT happy.”

“I’d already been real married,” he says. “Why would I want to be fake married?”

“Well for one, it doesn’t cost money to get a fake divorce.”

He grins. “Good point.”

“Was it THAT awful? The thought of being fake married to me? To be THAT pissed about it? Geez. Thanks.”

“That’s not what I was pissed about. It was the whole thing. The whole idea. It seemed fucked up. It still seems fucked up when I think about it. But it wasn’t about you. It was NEVER about you.”

“It scared you. Knowing you’d have to be THAT close to someone. You didn’t like that idea, did you? That I’d be that close. You were worried about what I’d think about you. If I saw you drinking and taking the meds. You didn’t want me seeing all of that. Seeing YOU.”

“That’s pretty much it,” Tyler agrees.

“But you still went along with it. You could have changed your mind.”

“I could have. But I didn’t. What guy is going to turn down five days in a hotel room with you?”

She snorts. “Bold of you to just assume that I’d sleep with you.”

“I didn’t assume anything. I was a little hopeful. I’ll admit that.”

“Just a little?”

“I was there to do a job. Not get laid. But someone couldn’t keep their hands to themselves.”

“I am not accepting blame for any of it,” Esme laughs. “You made the first move. You’re the one that had me pressed up against a wall. With your hand around my throat.”

“That wasn't a sexual ploy. I was pissed.”

“You were so hot. IT was so hot.”

He chuckles.

“And you kissed me first, so…”

“You kissed me back. You could have punched me in the face or kneed me in the dick. But you didn’t. You went along with it. So you’re just as much to blame as I am.”

“Bullshit!” she argues. “You seduced me and you know it, Tyler.”

“You and I remember that day very differently.”

“You seduced me with your stupidly handsome face and your stupidly ripped body and stupidly beautiful blue eyes.”

He grins and presses a kiss to her shoulder. “Sorry.”

“They were the first thing I noticed about you,” she says. “Your eyes.  I was on the porch with the dog, and when I looked up you were watching me. At first you were so intense and then you actually smiled at me. It was a little smile, but it was still a smile.”

“I liked what I saw.”

“I remember thinking ‘god he has beautiful eyes’. And then you turned around to say something to Nik and I got to see that you had a really nice ass too. I was sold right there and then. Beautiful eyes and an ass that looks like that? Sign me up. Maybe this fake husband thing won’t be so bad after all.  And then I noticed the hair and the arms and the hands.”

“The hands?”

“You have beautiful hands.”

Frowning, his fingers release the grip on hers and he holds his hand out with the fingers played. Palm down first, then up. “You call that beautiful?”   The calluses, the misshapen  knuckles; the scars from surgeries, various fights, knife wounds, and from when he’d repeatedly yanked out his IV in the hospital.

“Very beautiful,” she says, and places her palm flat against his; the size difference in their hands both surreal and humorous. “Because they’re your hands. They’re Tyler’s hands. I know what they’re capable of and I know how they feel.  I’ve seen them braid a little girl’s hair and rock babies to sleep and clean skinned knees. They’re very beautiful hands.”

Smiling, he lifts his head long and presses a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “You were so different,” he recalls. “Than anyone I’d ever met. Especially out here.”

“Different in a good way or…?”

“A very good way. I didn’t know who you were or what you were doing here, but all of sudden you were out there on my porch and  I was watching you and listening to you with my dog. It was almost like it wasn’t real. Mind you, I was pretty fucked up on booze and Oxy and it would have made sense if I’d been hallucinating.”

She gives a small, dry laugh.

“But you were. Different.  I saw the ink and the piercings and those huge dark eyes and I thought ‘fuck, she’s cute’.”

She groans.

“There is nothing wrong with being called cute. You WERE cute. You still are. You were cute and you were small and you had all those piercings and all those tats. Like part good girl, part bad girl. Certainly wasn’t expecting the likes of you to wander through my door that day. I’m glad you did though.”  He presses a kiss to her temple. “VERY glad you did. Sorry I was such a dick.”

“You were fine. You seemed more annoyed with Nik than with me. And you offered me a drink. Two drinks, actually.”

“I knew the second you downed the first one that I was in trouble.”

She laughs at that, then rolls over to face him.  “I have a confession to make.”

“Okay…”

“Promise me you won’t laugh?”

“Why would I laugh?”

“It’s a little...I don’t know...weird. Maybe even a little off putting.”

“Alright…”

“That night...when Nik and I got back to the hotel in Fitzroy Crossing...I was going to call you.”

“For what?”

She arches both eyebrows and stares at him pointedly.

“Oh…oh...THAT. You were going to call for THAT.”

“I was,” she admits, and then buries her face in his chest and giggles.

“Why didn’t you?”

“I have a huge fear of rejection. If I’d called and you said no…”

“I would NOT have said no.”

“...it would have made working together extremely awkward.”

He pushes a hand through her hair; those fine, soft, dark tresses slipping slowly through his fingers. “You should have called.”

“You would have showed up?”

“I definitely would have showed up.”

“Wouldn’t it have made things weird between us? If we’d hooked up that night, wouldn’t it have made working together...I don’t know...difficult?”

“Why would I? I still would have fucked you in Dhaka. That wouldn’t have changed.”

“Change one thing, everything changes. You always say that.”

“I don’t think THAT would have changed. Why wouldn’t I have wanted to in Dhaka? You think I would have been able to stop at one night? You’re underestimating your own skills.”

“What if you’d been disappointed? What if you showed up in Fitzroy Crossing and the sex sucked and you didn’t want more once we got to Dhaka?”

“That wouldn’t have happened.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I DO know that. I wasn’t disappointed the first time in Dhaka, right?”

“That’s a very good point. I’ll give you that. But…”

“There’s no buts. I would have showed up, I wouldn’t have disappointed, and things would have stayed the same in Dhaka. We wouldn’t have Millie if things DIDN’T happen Dhaka.”

“She’s the only good thing that came out of that place.”

“I don’t know about that. We’re pretty good.”

“Yes,” she smiles. “We ARE pretty good. I think we’re very good, actually.”

“We have our moments,” he agrees.

“We have more really good moments than we have bad moments. It’s just that we remember the bad before we remember the good.” She skims the knuckles of one hand along his jaw. “You’re letting it get longer. You’re unleashing your inner lumberjack again.”

“That’s how you like it best, right? You don’t like it like it when I trim it back.”

“I much prefer it like this. How it was when we met. Your hair’s growing in too. We’ll have to shave the back and the sides while we’re here.”

“I don’t ever want to hear you say I never do anything nice for you,” he chides.

“You shockingly do a lot of nice things for me. For a guy that’s such a bad ass that kills people with garden tools.”

Smirking, he wraps an around her waist and rolls onto his back, pulling her onto top of him. “You’re obsessed with that.”

“As psycho as it’s going to make me sound, it’s kind of a turn on. When I think about you kicking the shit out of people and getting all ragey and violent. I kind of like that side of you. Knowing what you’re capable of on the job.  Probably because I know what you’re like when you’re NOT on the job and how different the two sides are. They’re both sexy in their own way. Job Tyler and domestic Tyler.”

“I think you have issues.”

“I do,” she grins, and pecks his lips. “A  six foot three, two hundred and thirty pound issue.”

“I think I’m hovering at two forty. Maybe two forty five,”

“It’s your ginormous arms and shoulders and your big ass thighs. Sexy, big ass thighs, mind you. And your butt. It’s  a great butt.”

“You said that already.”

“Great butts need to be told they’re great butts,” she reasons.

“This…” he runs his hands down her back and grabs her ass, fingers digging into the soft flesh. “...is a great butt.”

“Not as great as it used to be,” she pouts. “ Having five kids will do that to you.”

“It’s still a great butt to me.”

“You’re very biased.”

“Maybe. But it doesn’t make it less true.”  

Smiling, she slides further up her body and kisses him. Soft and slow at first, then more demanding; tongue eagerly pushing its way into his mouth, fingers tightly gripping his hair as his own continue and squeeze and fondle the cheeks of her ass. And a low growl  rumbles deep in his chest when she grinds her pelvis against his and he feels the stirring of his erection.

“You’re demanding.” he grins, fingertips digging almost painfully into her ass as she kisses and nibbles her away along his jaw, slowly making her way upwards.

“I think you should make love to me again,” she whispers into his ear, then traces the outer edge with the tip of her tongue.

Groaning, he lifts his hips from the bed, pressing his rapidly hardening cock against her before gripping her hips and flipping her over onto her back.  A smirk on his face as both his hands and his mouth slowly descend her body, starting at the valley between her breasts.  

“I think so too.”

[the-horror-hoe-blog]

Snugs

Story by: the-horror-hoe

It was the last weekend before summer. The school year was looming on the horizon and I had to spend my last few days of summer doing physical labor. My parents had volunteered my services to help my grandparents clean up around their farm. Luckily, I was getting paid, so there wasn’t a whole lot of time being wasted. 

Since my parents were on a cruise, I had to take the bus to my grandparents’ farm. I fell asleep on the way up there, since I knew I wouldn’t be getting that great of sleep on the tiny bed they had in the spare room. I finally arrived in the mid-afternoon and was immediately greeted by my grandmother. I hadn’t seen her since Christmas, so she was pretty excited to see me, even if my main purpose for being there was to work. 

“Good to see you, Snugs.” she said as she brought me in to a tight embrace. “Snugs” was nickname my grandparents had given me when I was a toddler, and I never had the heart to tell them that I had outgrown it.

“Good to see you too, Grandma. Where is Pa?” I asked.

“Oh he’s out cleaning the horse stable. You know he has to be meticulous when it comes to all of that. Go on and help him, I’ll take your bag to the room.” she took my bag and went inside, as I made my way to the back of the house, where they kept their horse.

“Hey, Pa!” I yelled along with a knock, just so I wouldn’t give him a heart attack by quietly entering.

“Hey, Snug! There he is!” he dropped his cleaning broom and climbed over the piles of dirt he had accumulated, just so he could give me a hug. He always did give the best ones.

“So what can I help you with?” I asked, ready to get all of these chores over with. 

He then gave me some tools to patch a couple of holes that had been made in the barn by a recent hail storm. At the moment, it seemed like I had some easy work to do. It was summer, so the work around the farm was pretty basic. All the animals they had kind of roamed free since the weather was nice and sunny. I took the tools and started to patch some of the holes with some new pieces of wood. After about an hour of working I heard my grandmother call for me. 

“Snugs! I made some of my green tea lemonade, come take a break and get some. It’s hot!” she hollered to me. She did make the best homemade snacks and drinks whenever I came to visit and work. I made my way to the kitchen and pulled out my phone to answer some texts that had gone unanswered while I worked. I had a few missed calls from some number I didn’t recognize, but I was used to those spam calls on the daily.

“Now, Snugs, you know I don’t like phones at the table.” she said as she put the spread of snacks out for me. 

“Yeah, sorry, Grandma.” I said and put my phone back in my pocket. 

My Pa soon joined us and we spent a little bit of time catching up. I told them what my plans were after this school year, and what college I had my eye on. In return, they told me about their winter plans for the farm and how they were thinking of adding a couple more horses to the stable. 

“Think you could come back in a couple of months to help me expand the stable?” Pa asked.

“Sure, I can do that. Just tell me when, and I’ll make time.” I replied

Even though I hated working on the farm, I loved my grandparents more than anything, so anytime they needed help, I always tried my best to be there for them. After we finished eating, Pa and I went back out and finished our work. By the time we both finished, the evening had come and it was time to call it a day. Before dinner, I took a shower and changed into my comfortable clothes. Grandma had made her special homemade spaghetti with sauce and her delicious carrot cake for dessert. It was nice having a homemade meal, since my parents had been away for the last week, and all my meals consisted of was fast food and TV dinners. We finished dinner and I helped the two of them clean up. 

“Oh, Snugs, thank you so much for all of your help today.” Pa said as we dried the dishes. “Sometimes, I feel like I’m getting too old for all of this.” 

“Of course, Pa. Anything to help.”

After a couple of pieces of cake, we decided to retire into the living room. Pa and I watched the news as Grandma sat and did her word searches. It was a pretty quiet night, and the work of the day began to catch up to me. I was about to excuse myself to go to bed, when Pa said the two of them wanted to tell me something. 

“Grandma and I just want to say how much we love you. We are so blessed to have such a great grandson like you, and we want you to know that you always have a place here with us.” 

The sentiment was odd, but not unusual. I thought that they were just feeling a bit sad because they were up there in age, so I rolled along with it. 

“I lov-.” I was interrupted by my phone ringing. It was that strange number that I didn’t recognize. I figured it was my parents, calling from the ship, since my dad was too cheap to pay for the international data. 

“Hold on, I think it’s mom and dad.” I said as I excused myself to the kitchen and answered the call. 

“Hello?’

“Oh, Snugs, thank God! It’s Pa.” 

A rush of confusion hit my body like a freight train. Pa? Before I could respond, he continued on. 

“Grandma and I had terrible engine trouble on our way home from the grocery store today. My cellphone died and we finally flagged down a kind woman that let us call a tow truck. We’ve been trying to get a hold of you. We just now got to the shop and have been trying to get things sorted out since.” he explained to me, as I just stood in the kitchen, frozen like a statue.  “We’re so sorry that you arrived to an empty house. We’ll be home as soon as we can, and we’re so sorry for worrying you, Snugs. Love you.” 

He hung up. I could feel the anxiety take over my body now, and I began to shake. I slowly turned around to see that my grandparents, the ones I had spent the entire day with, were standing side by side, behind me. I was still trying to process the whole conversation that I just had, but there are some things that you simply can’t comprehend.

“Is everything alright, Snugs?” they both said, extending their arms, ready to give me a giant hug.

[celestialrants]

the order of the phoenix

Well, I knew what was going to happen to Sirius. I was sort of hoping that my copy of the order of the phoenix didn’t have those outcomes. But it did.

This book was quite long. I loved it. So much happened that I don’t even know where to start.

The Order! Oooh my my, has shit started. The war has started. Well, partially, because the Ministry is still acting stupid. I think that J.K. Rowling didn't have them be on board with Dumbledore at first, to show that adults can also be scared as much as kids. Adults also hide and try to pretend that something doesn’t exist, in order to cope. By doing that, she made stupidly clear how terrifying Voldemort actually is.

Harry is a really unlucky and lucky person. He gets in some sticky situations but he always turns out okay. So that’s good. Thank God he wasn’t expelled from Hogwarts. That would’ve been crazy. I felt sorry for Harry when he had to spend the summer after Cedric’s death all alone. Hermione and Ron were not allowed to correspond with him, so Harry basically had to deal with the aftermath of THE HORRIBLE EVENTS of goblet of fire alone. At least he was saved by the order and taken to Grimmauld Place, so that’s good.

FRED AND GEORGE APPARATING IN EVERY SINGLE ROOM OF GRIMMAULD PLACE IS HILARIOUS. The Extendable Ears are also genius. I just love how freakishly smart they are, I want them to always be happy. I’m not ready for Deathly Hallows. FRED AND GEORGE ARE ICONIC AND THAT’S THE TRUTH. They left Hogwarts when stupid Umbridge was made Headmistress, and those two alone made her life HELL in only a couple of minutes. They are iconic. Once again, I’m not ready for Deathly Hallows.

Umbridge was such a bitch, that it was funny. Carve sentences in her students hands? Great. Ban Fred, George and Harry from Quidditch? Sweet. Take away their brooms? Go ahead. But she was a superior asshole when she attacked Hagrid. Fucking bitch, can someone leave Hagrid alone for one goddamned book? That’s all I ask. HAH! You know what’s also funny? That all the teachers were absolutely done with Umbridge. All of the pranks that Fred and George did could easily be fixed by ANY teacher, but none of them could be bothered. McGonagall vs Umbridge was i-c-o-n-i-c. McGonagall is ready to slap a ho anytime.

The D.A. is the perfect example of what a good leader Harry is. He’s patient and kind. He didn’t make anyone feel pressured. The D.A. was great while it lasted. Marietta is a bitch. WHAT BAD LUCK that the paper with all of the members was left behind for Umbridge to find. I mean, when Cornelius Fudge read the title of the paper, I was like, these kids could not have been more stupid. Dumbledore’s Army. Christ.

ALSO. GINNY WEASLEY. I loved how she called Harry out for being stupid for thinking that he was being possessed by Voldemort. Ginny was like, you are so effing stupid, you literally know a person that has been possessed by Voldemort and you don’t care to ask them? That was such a strong point that it left me a little breathless. I live for a fiery Ginny. 

Hermione and Ron are no closer to being together then they were in the last book. I give up. Don’t be together then. Jesus. HARRY AND CHO WERE A TRAINWRECK. AN ABSOLUTE TRAINWRECK. But it’s a perfect example of how awkward and messy teenage-relationships can be. Luna is such a weirdo and I love her. Hermione better chill with her. Hermione is very close-minded, she needs to take an open-minded pill. Or potion. Whichever.

POTIONS. Snape. Snape’s worst memory. This is just a mess. I’m not ready to be empathic with Snape unless I get the whole story, so I’ll wait. But I’m ready. I also find it really sweet that James was head over heels with Lily. And Lily was having none of it. What a queen. If he’s being an asshole, call him out, girl. Yaass. I NEED A WHOLE ENTIRE SERIES ON JAMES, SIRIUS AND REMUS’S YEARS AT HOGWARTS (I could not care less for Peter).

So yeah, the elephant in the room. Sirius. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH. THAT IS ME SOBBING. GOD. I NEED MORE OF SIRIUS. IT CAN’T BE THAT HE’S DEAD ALREADY. GOD. When Harry found the mirror that Sirius gave him as a present, and tried to call for him, my heart broke. I really hoped that Sirius would answer. Obviously he didn't. THIS IS JUST SO SAD. But after goblet of fire, my heart got used to the tragedy, and I also knew that this was going to happen. That doesn’t make it fair, but that is my coping mechanism. I hope I still get more of Sirius in the next two books. He really is my favorite character.

I’m sad. Harry needs Sirius. When is he going to get a fatherly figure? It’s just too heartbreaking.

[bangtan-spells]

Seokjin Scenario: Winter’s Glow.

Request: A Jin x reader Hogwarts scenario where the reader is a Ravenclaw pureblood and Jin is from another house and they're both really competitive with each other and what not but everyone thinks they should get together and like it's around the yule ball and they make a competition out of who can get a date first but neither of them do and so they end up going together and he confesses to her at the all + Fariygodmothers~ An HP AU where y/n and Jin are classmates and forced partners in potions and divination class. They started at the wrong food and hated each other after an incident. Y/n and Jin tries to work things out for the class sake and their friends see an indeniable chemistry between them so they set them up for Christmas ball. Thanks a bunch^^ /poofsaway!

Genre: Fluff / Romance.

In the name of Merlin, this was unacceptable. You glared at the rest of the crowded classroom annoyed, usually you wouldn’t be all the way to the back seats, but for the first time in your life you had been late to class.

-Looks pretty empty to me- Seokjin said and you turned your eyes again to him, crossing your arms.

You didn’t want him out of all your classmates to sit next to you so of course, you had told him the seat was occupied but he was so insisting and annoying, weren’t Hufflepuffs supposed to be sweet and all? You despised the bright yellow scarf and how it didn’t make him look stupid or sick, it should, that was the least he deserved.

-I don’t care how it looks to you- you said being as petty as ever. -Don’t you have flowers to grow or something? Go somewhere else, why are you always around me I mean…-

He huffed, tensing his lips for a second.

-For a Ravenclaw is pretty clear you aren’t using your intelligence, that is if you have one- he said satisfied and you felt so offended.

-How dare you?-

Seokjin continued despite the anger in your eyes.

-We Hufflepuffs do more than just grow flowers around as you said and as unfortunate as it is, we are in the same year that means I’m forced to be near you-

You were standing up by then, fisting your hands. He was  infuriating, was what he was.

-Do us all a favor, find your way into the dark forest and get lost-

-Well I…-

Jin was so ready to retaliate when his text book was smashed against his head by professor Snape.

-You will shut up now, Mr. kim- Snape intervened and glared at you, fixing his robe. -Now both of you will be partners for the class, in silence, and I won't hear a single complain unless you want me to take points off both of your houses and believe me, it would be a pleasure to me-

Both of you shut your mouths after that and Snape walked to the front, Potions was one of your highest grades, you were on top of the class and most importantly, way ahead of Jin, for what now you would have to share your grade with him.

Losing house points because of a Hufflepuff? That would be such a shame for you, it would haunt you the entire year, and not only because of any Hufflepuff, but because of Seokjin. You glared at him while he fixed his abused text book on the desk.

-Thanks for nothing- he said in an annoyed whisper and you took a deep breath.

Your pride was the only thing stopping you from turning him into a badger right there and then since he was so proud of his house.

-Just do your part and I’ll do mine- you opened your Magical Drafts and Potions book still furious, that day you were finally going to make an intricate antidote against common potions. -Try not to ruin it-

You saw him roll his eyes and sigh. Why was it that you needed to be so bitter and rough with him? What he’d done had been a lot of time ago but he never apologized and you weren’t really one to forget.

If wasn’t particularly a secret that you weren’t each other’s cup of tea, most of your friends knew you liked to avoid each other and some other people at school also did since Jin was ridiculously popular and what he and his friends had done to the Ravenclaw dorm had been a huge prank.

You could feel different pairs of eyes on you through the class while you did the best to work together and not ruin the stupid potion you were creating. The couple at your right had already made theirs explode for how unstable it was and you didn’t want the same happening to you.

-That’s too much- you said, Jin was about to add the Unicorn Horns and he looked like he was ready to ignore what you said. -Trust me in this ok?- you emphasized, taking a bit out of his hands, your heart was beating too fast, perhaps because you were standing really close to him now and because you never thought you would tell him to trust you.

-Alright -Jin said softly, you almost talked back since you were so ready for him to retaliate so it surprised you. You looked at each other for a moment before resuming your tasks and do the best to work side by side without lunging at your throats.

-What is it between you and the Hufflepuff guy?- two of your friends asked while you were crouched down putting on your knee pads.

Today’s quidditch game was between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, which meant, you would have to frustrate Jin’s tries in scoring since he was one of the Hufflepuff’s chasers and you were your team’s keeper.

You sighed, why was everybody asking that?

-There’s nothing between the Hufflepuff guy and me, what do you mean?-

-We’ve seen you two, like in those classes together…-

-It’s not like I had any choice, and last time in divination I had actually partnered with my roommate but she got sick-

-Exactly, and then you went with him- you were about to object again but your friend interrupted you. -I know you will say it was forced but you two actually seemed to enjoy it Y/N, that’s kind of weird-

-You’re seeing things were they are not- you said unamused.

-Maybe, or maybe you are yet to see them yourself- your friend took her bat, you were about to step into the pitch.

-Try not to get distracted by him alright? We can’t lose against Hufflepuff today-

Ravenclaw’s name was announced and you straightened yourself, you knew some Ravenclaws were prideful but it wasn’t like Hufflepuff’s team was any bad,  they were pretty skilled actually, and somehow you felt defensive for the way she had said that but you shrugged off the feeling and took your broom to take position in front of the three goal posts you were in charge of protecting.

Your team was on full attack mode that day, you were fifty points ahead from Hufflepuff but both of your seekers were out of sight after the snitch, you wished it was yours the one who caught it but you couldn’t get distracted since the chaser from Hufflepuff had the Quaffle and they were coming your way. You saw them throwing it between each other until it remained on Jin’s arms, he was going for the points.

He threw the Quaffle to the ring on your left and you made a swift turn to stop it with the back of your broom. You smiled satisfied at him.

-Nice try, but you’re too easy to read!- you laughed when a chaser from your team stole the Quaffle and flew towards the Hufflepuffs rings.

-Don’t be so full of yourself- Jin said. -You never know what might happen-

-Oh I already know, we will win this match of course-

You saw him shake his head but smile lightly. A brief thought crossed your mind, he looked really good with that quirky smile, his hair disheveled, his quidditch uniform and the faint gleam of sweat on his skin. You backed yourself out of that thought immediately.

-You think you are right in everything?- you shrugged as answer to his question, smiling too, your team scored and you clapped.

The snitch wasn’t caught by any team but yours won for the score, at the end all of your teammates were celebrating in the middle of the pitch, the Ravenclaws in the public vitoring your win.

You saw Jin reuniting with his team and giving you a look, he noticed your eyes on him so he went to you.

-So, how does it feels like losing?- you said as a knee jerk reaction before he even had the chance to say anything. He smiled shaking his head.

-You really think you can win it all Y/N, don’t you?-

-The majority of the time, if I’m sure of the result- you crossed your arms.

-You’re impossible really- if it was supposed to be an insult, it didn’t feel like it because he laughed.

Someone by your side was cheering excitedly for the win and for the upcoming winter ball.

-Do you have a date already for the ball?-

His question took you off guard and he noticed the answer in your face. -I see that you don’t-

-And why is that important? I can find a date soon-

-Not before I do, I bet-

-Oh really? What kind of silly competition is that Seokjin, please, you are just salty that I won you today-

-So the almighty Y/N is backing off from a bet? Do I sense some fear here?- he motioned with his hand between your bodies for emphasis and smirked.

-Well if you insist so much, then, why not? I will find a date sooner than you so you can swallow your words, it’s a deal-

-Deal, good luck with that- he smiled sarcastically and for some reason it made you feel too agitated, so you turned around like a walking fury and left the pitch.

Seokjin was running out of time to get a date for the Christmas ball and the only thing that kept him at ease was that you didn’t have one yet either, but that could change anytime soon.

-C’mon bro, I’m trying to tell you something here- Hoseok complained, they were at their common room, sunshine dripping over them from the low windows and Jin noticed he’d been spacing out while his friend spoke.

-I’m sorry Hoseok…- he frowned down at the polished wooden table between them-Do you think Y/N found a date today?-

Hoseok sighed, shaking his head and stretching his hand to play with the small cacti at the corner that reacted to his proximity with a soft dance.

-Look, Jin- Hoseok started, with the tone of a father about to give a lecture which in fact, his best friend had been giving him one too many of those lately. -You barely talk about anything that is not Y/N anymore, I don’t get why you are so eager to compete with her and make her think you just want to play her and annoy her to death, it’s ridiculous really, when you are practically in love her-

-I’m n…- Hoseok lifted a hand to his face to stop him from talking.

-I’m not having nonsense right now, if you are not in love you are close to being it or obsessed my friend, and that you can’t deny it-

Seokjin fell silent, Hoseok was too painfully right. His eyes wandered to the windows again and saw a few feet coming and going from the other students.

-She hates me, I’m almost sure about it-

-Almost- Hoseok remarked with a smile Jin didn’t understand and Hoseok sighed dramatically, throwing his arms up in the air in desperation and scaring off the small cacti who backed against the wall before Hoseok hushed it with a soft happy whistle. -Look Jin, what I mean is that you are not a hundred percent sure Y/N hates you,maybe she does, or maybe she just follows your competition because you don’t give her anything else. Besides, have you stopped to think you always have her attention somehow? That’s gotta mean something-

Jin felt his heart rate increase, what if his friend was right and not only talking chatty nonsense as Hoseok usually did? He sighed, with half the drama Hoseok had done, too much time with his friend was rubbing off on him. Jin pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned back on his chair to think with his eyes closed while the feather like caress of the long leaves from the plant dangling from the low ceiling above him brushed through his hair.

You were once again sitting together at divination, Jin was rolling his lean hands over the crystal ball between you.

-There’s only three days until the ball- he said softly, you were supposed to be reading each other’s future.

You looked up and found his eyes on yours,it made you choke on air and you coughed.

-Certainly- none of you had a date yet. -We still have time- you said, your competition ended the day of the ball and only then.

Jin laughed under his breath.

-We actually don’t, don’t you see?-

He spoke too softly so you leaned forward to be able to hear what he was saying when a guy from hufflepuff that you always saw with Jin and one of your friends started to hit on their table and whisper kiss kiss kiss under their breaths. You backed off immediately, feeling your cheeks burning and ignoring the way Jin’s own face turned bright red.

Tonight was the ball, for a moment you had thought about not going because you didn’t want to be there while Seokjin walked inside with some other girl, but your friend told you she had found you a date and that you had to meet him at the entrance of the hall, by then it didn’t really matter to you who the guy was and had thanked her effusively the day prior to the ball before rushing to find yourself an outfit to fit the occasion.

You had decided on a flowy dress made with a special shade of bronze that when the light casted on it just right, shone blue, it was the best way to represent your house with your outfit. The rest you kept it simple, dark blue heels, an enchanted pair of feather earrings  that seemed to move with the wind and your hair in a braid.

You were waiting by the entrance, while your mind drifted to Seokjin even if you hadn’t seen him yet. You had been thinking perhaps to much of him as of lately and thought than when you saw him coming to you at the entrance, you were actually imagining it.

-Y/N?- he asked confused, you looked around and there was nobody else there, the gears started to turn inside your mind, your friend wouldn’t have done this, would she? -What are you doing outside here?-

-I guess the same as you- you sighed, fidgeting with your fingers.

-What do you mean? I’m waiting here for someone, Hoseok said…-

-Don’t you see?- you cut him off, not nearly as harsh as you would have done in any other occasion, maybe seeing him looking so fine with his suit was making things to your brain. -They have set us up, your friend and mine-

He reacted a heartbeat later than you, you saw a lot of emotions crossing his face.

-Are you for real? - he said with a tint of joke and it made you notice suddenly how in another situation you would have truly liked to meet Jin another way, maybe in a date like this, but not like you were his last resource.

Anyways why were you even thinking all this? Seokjin was getting into your head and your heart and you hadn’t allowed that to happen. You turned around to leave but he stopped you.

-Y/N wait... why are you always so defensive and evasive with me?- Jin said defeated and you closed your eyes strongly.

-Because…- you took a deep breath, fisting your hands. -Because you make me like this, because you just play around and don’t care for others feelings, I have feelings ok? You never said sorry to me Jin, and the only thing you have done since then is compete with me and you know is not my nature to give in and I don’t care to win this anymore, if that's the only thing you want so be it, you won, be happy about it-

You were breathless by the end of your outburst, you were infatuated with Jin since second year but then he had thought some day that it would be a nice joke to expose all the girls changing in the bathroom when actually there was only you and half the school had seen you in your underwear.

-I don’t really want to fight you Y/N, or have any of these stupid competitions but you never really talked back to me for anything else than that- he took a step closer to you and your heart was beating too hard.

-Look, I’m sorry, I truly am sorry for what happened but it wasn’t me doing that, I tried to tell you but you won’t let me anywhere near you, I just happened to be passing by when those guys did that, I’m not even friends with them anymore-

You didn’t say anything, you had no way to know if he was lying or not and you wanted to believe him because deep down, you knew you were still infatuated with Jin.

-You might think this is a all a lie, and you know what? I’ll just say this because you won’t believe it either, I like you, I actually think you are the prettiest even when you are just fuming around me, I think you look marvelous with that dress and I wish I had the guts to invite you myself to the stupid ball-

Now it was him the one gasping for air after the outburst and you blinked at him. That had been too fast but you had caught all. Jin turned around to leave when he could breathe properly but you called him.

-Is this another one of your games? Because if it is...- you asked softly.

-If it is, what?-

-I will not forgive you Jin-

-No need to- he said in a whisper, his eyes looking away from you longing. -Is not a game-

You looked at each other until the silence was broken by Hoseok peeking outside the doors with your friend.

-Will you stop arguing about who likes the other more and get inside? You won’t get any food-

They went back inside laughing and you and Jin entered the hall together, after all, you were already there.

It was funny almost how when you were bickering you had too many things to say to each other, and now you were in an almost comfortable silence.

You had been lounging around together for a bit, trying to lighten your moods with silly enchantments to the other students that made you laugh.

-This one matches you tonight- Seokjin handed you a gleaming blue flower from the table, it did match the blue reflect of your dress.

-Thank you…- your eyes met and both of you looked away flushed. The music had changed to something softer and a magical snowflakes were falling on the dance floor.

-Do you want to dance?- he asked suddenly, for the first time that night.

-I…- you were shy to admit it to him but you did it anyway. -I don’t really dance that much-

-I don’t either- Jin said laughing, standing up and offering you his hands. -It’ll be twice as fun then-

You went together to the dance floor, Jin helped you place the flower he’d gifted you behind your ear and you danced a bit awkwardly, laughing every two or three steps.

-You didn’t say anything back to me Y/N- Jin said softly, his hands were on your waist. -I told you how I felt and you didn’t-

-You didn’t ask- you said with a smirk.

-How do you feel about me then?-

-Is not that easy - you laughed and Jin shook his head, the snowflakes shone pretty on his hair. -But I’ll give you a clue-

You reached up for Jin’s lips and kissed him, it was short and sweet, but enough to make you feel exhilarated. You had wanted to do that since you met him, you had wanted to do that in the middle of your fights, at the end of a quidditch match, outside of his dorm. You had longed his lips for so long.

The response was pretty clear to Seokjin, this time he wasn’t slow to react because he smiled satisfied and then leaned down to kiss you for good while the snowflakes danced and fell around you.