#red chiefs mc

[insanethrottlebikernews]

Three biker club members have been jailed for killing a member of a rival group.

Three biker club members have been jailed for killing a member of a rival group.

GET YOUR COPY NOW AND SEE WHAT ALL THE BUZZ IS ABOUT Van driver Benjamin Parry, 42, ploughed into David Crawford, 59, who was on his motorbike on the A38 in Plymouth in May. Parry was jailed for 12 years at Exeter Crown Court for manslaughter. Chad Brading, 36, and Thomas Pawley, 32, were also convicted of manslaughter and jailed for four years each. All three denied murder but were convicted…

[ghost-of-kurdt-haunts-my-room]

Master Chief on Hug Duty

[kykyonthemoon]

Dream Of The Grassland

In the grassland full of breezes, you by chance become Sylus's bride-to-be. Yet you no longer remember anything that ever happened between the two of you and find yourself falling for him all over again.

── .✦ Sylus x Female Reader|MC

♡︎. Tags: R16, MDNI, suggestive themes, fake engagement, memory loss, light angst with a happy ending, a little hurt/comfort, fluff, pet name - kitten.

♡︎. Word count: 4k5

── .✦ Masterlist ♡ Request a fic - currently closed.

── .✦ Ky Ky’s notes: This story is based on his Grassland Romance card.

This is also my entry to Love and Deepspace - Wander In Wonder Fan Art Contest. I really appreciate all your support on my X <3

When you opened your eyes, you found yourself standing in the middle of a vast prairie. The green welcomed you, into the wind’s embrace. But the voice that just called your name from behind was not at all pleasant like the nature here.

You turned around. A completely unfamiliar face said to you:

"Let's go. Don't stand there anymore. It's late!”

You did not like her at all. 

Giving her a glance, you turned and spurred your horse forward, where the yurt roofs of the neighboring tribe created a brilliant red line on the horizon.

That was where your group of people were headed. That was where your betrothed was waiting.

Except that it was not truly your betrothed.

Tribes on this grassland often intermarry to strengthen harmony. And as the daughter of the chief of a small tribe, you were expected to marry the most powerful warrior in the neighboring region. The official wedding would be held in Tala, where every tribe on the grassland was gathering to attend the festival. 

The problem was, you were not the chief's daughter at all.

You did not remember who you were anymore. All previous memories were like a white mist engulfing you. You only remembered your name, since before being swallowed by the grassland, you had heard someone calling it so earnestly. You did not know where you came from. Narat, the girl who had just urged you to go faster, found you and brought you back to her tribe. As for you taking the place of the chief's daughter, that was another story.

The chief of the clan only had one daughter, and she already had a lover. Because he loved his daughter so much, he begged you to take her place. You had no history, no memories, no attachments. For you, life would be the same regardless of wherever you went. When you witnessed the young woman cry till she nearly collapsed because she wanted to be with her beloved, somehow you felt her pain as well.

But you did not want to marry someone you had never met. You only agreed with them since you had your own escape plan.

When your group arrived at the Kael tribe, the sky was a vibrant crimson. After a brief greeting ritual, you were escorted to a yurt and instructed to wait there alone. But you had no intention to follow their order. You hastily grabbed your luggage and sneaked away. Everyone was hurrying to another place to greet guests, so no one paid attention to you. You spotted your horse drinking from the trough and was able to take him away without causing any alarm.

But as you were ready to climb into the saddle, you heard multiple sets of distant horse hooves approaching. Afraid of being caught red-handed, you had to leave the horse there and hide behind the piles of straw. The men of the Kael tribe just led their horses into the stable, laughing and praising one of their warriors.

You had faintly heard the name Sylus. You were impressed by this name since you had heard Narat's group mention him, your betrothed. Aside from that, you felt an unusual feeling, as if you had some connection to that name. In any case, you had no plan to run into him, especially in the middle of a runaway.

You crept out from behind the mound of straw to investigate. The group of men began to depart. The last person leaving was the tallest, and he appeared to have heard you foot on a dry branch of wood nearby. He paused, his head turned to your hiding place.

You curled up, as if holding your breath. His slow, powerful footsteps grew closer and closer. That enormous dark shadow fell on you, and you gradually lifted your head.

Eyes as brilliant as two rubies stare at you. A look of astonishment crossed that person's face, but it was swiftly replaced by a joyous smile. 

"Were you here all this time, kitten?" 

He spoke up. You became a little bewildered and immediately stood up. In comparison to him, you suddenly felt quite small. You took a step back, and before you could say anything, he grabbed your wrist hard.

“Since I found you now, let us go home.” 

You attempted to get away from him, shouting: “Let me go! Do I even know you? I am... the bride of Kael's mightiest warrior - Sylus! If you dare to offend me…”

He released his grasp somewhat, but then drew you even closer to him. You lost equilibrium and leaned into his arms. He grinned and replied:

"Oh? Really? How convenient. I am Sylus.”

Having said that, he lifted you onto his shoulder and carried you back to his yurt like a bag of rice.

In the yurt, you confronted Sylus, the Kael warrior and your betrothed. You used your fist to start the conversation, but you immediately understood why that man was honored as Kael's strongest warrior. The only thing you could do was give him a few scratches on his face and body. He refused to fight back, instead constantly evading attacks until taking advantage of your weakness to pin you down on the bed with both hands bound and placed over your head.

"It's only been two weeks since we've last seen each other and you're already so aggressive?" Sylus said. His muscular body covered yours, obscuring the light in the yurt.

"I don't know you!" You yelled furiously. Danger was all you felt from this man, the one who compelled you to stay. “Let me go! I don't want to be here! I don't want to be with you!”

Disappointment was clearly visible on Sylus's face. He looked at you for a long time, as if his expectations were all in vain. When you felt his hand loosen somewhat, you took the opportunity to break away from him. Sylus grasped your waist fiercely and threw you back into the bed. But this time, you were able to seize the dagger he held at his side.

Red.

Drop by drop, each scarlet and burning drop seeped from Sylus's chest, where the tip of the dagger had just penetrated. Blood ran down your quivering palm and dripped across your pale face. Sylus's flaming pupils gazed down upon you. Pain. Disappointment. His lips opened slightly but no words came out. Instead, you stammered and said:

“I… I…”

Sylus removed your shaking hand from the hilt of the dagger. The corner of his mouth twisted slightly. A bitter smile. 

“I didn't expect you to do that, again…”

He gripped the dagger tightly and pulled it out. Blood splashed on your torso and the dagger was thrown to the ground.

Sylus had been looking for you for a long time.

He and you were not originally from this meadow. Both are from somewhere else. Another planet. And he was still seeking for you.

You sat on the bed, mindlessly dressed in spotless fresh apparel. You witnessed Sylus wipe blood from his exposed upper torso beneath the light. Your face turned crimson. You attempted to turn away, but your gaze remained fixed on the wound that was closing on his chest. Like a miracle.

"I won't die that easily." Sylus said. The towel in his hand was drenched with fresh blood. "I won't die without you remembering who I am."

Since encountering that gemstone, or the protocore fragment, you had lost all of your memories and been transported to the grassland. Sylus was also drawn here, with you. The person calling your name was him. The person searching for you everywhere was him. But the person who wounded him was you.

You felt a little guilty. Because Sylus's reaction when he met you again made you believe he had dreadful intentions for you. That made you fear and loathe him so much. Meanwhile, he had no idea that you had forgotten everything. He was quite miserable when he realized that you no longer remembered who he was.

"Sorry…" You murmured.

Sylus inhaled deeply. The wound you caused him was not life-threatening, but it was fairly torturous. He asked: 

"Now that you've heard my part of the story, what do you want to do next?"

You remained silent. There was a tint of confusion on your face. 

“Living a simple, free life in this grassland is not a bad idea.” Sylus said. “If you want, you can go anywhere. You can even leave the Kael tribe. But I'm determined to follow you no matter what. After all, you are my betrothed.”

"You do realize that I'm not your true betrothed, right?” You frowned. “Besides, don't you want to return to your real world?”

“Do you want to?”

A moment of silence passed between the two of you. You did not remember anything in that world to feel a single tint of nostalgia, but would choosing to stay here forever be the right thing?

“You don't have to answer right away.” Sylus saw your struggle. “I have a hunch that the gemstone in Tala is what we need to find. Perhaps if I manage to get it, your memories will return, and we'll be able to go back. Thus, you now have a better option than to traverse the grassland by yourself—which is to help me get the gem.”

You looked up at Sylus for a moment but still did not say a word. Everything he had told you was both strange and familiar at the same time. 

“There are still a few weeks left before the festival takes place. Perfect time for you to consider what you want to do next. Now, sleep."

Sylus said nothing more. He quietly spread a blanket on the ground, next to the bed where you were sitting, then lay down.

In your temporary role as Sylus's betrothed, you reside in the Kael tribe. Before their formal marriage ceremony, two engaged individuals might share a home freely. However, Sylus appeared more aloof following the evening of your initial encounter, during which you stabbed him in the chest. It appeared as though he was allowing you more time to truly recall your previous connection before traveling to the grassland. 

Every day, Sylus would practice fighting with other men in the tribe.  You went to herd sheep and embroider with Tarna, a new acquaintance you made in the tribe. She showed you how to sew a little pouch for the person you loved. In the grassland, every time a woman set her eyes on a man, they would give him a pouch as a token of her love. 

"A lot of girls have wanted to give their pouches to Sylus since he came here!" Tarna said. She had just demonstrated to you a sample of the pouch she intended to present to her lover in another tribe. 

"Is that so?" You made a random comment.

“But they dare not do so, because Sylus already has a betrothed—you! Actually, the strongest warrior in the Kael tribe was someone else. Sylus had taken that position from the moment he arrived. Upon hearing of your marriage, he became enraged and declared that he already had a lover. He intended to call off the wedding. But after you appeared, Sylus didn't mention it anymore."

Tarna's yurt's curtain billowed in the wind. Before your eyes, the black and crimson threads mingled together. You took them off while your heart was so confused still. Who else would be the girl Sylus was always looking for; the girl he claimed to be his lover? Even though he never mentioned it, was it conceivable that before coming here, the memory you had lost was the love story with him?

In the afternoon, you found Sylus at the stables. You said you wanted to ride with him, but the fact was that you wanted to get away from here for a while. While riding on horseback, you seemed to remember something. 

On a deserted highway, Sylus and you, on his motorbike. The wind remained as severe as it was here.

The two of you stopped by the stream to rest for a while. Drops of cold water slid down Sylus's face, neck, and chest. He wiped his face, noticed you were gazing at him, then grinned.

"Your hair is all messed up," he remarked. "Let me fix it."

You were silent and simply sat with your back to Sylus. He meticulously unraveled and brushed your wind-tangled hair. His rough hands were clumsy and at times hurt your scalp. You caught two reflections in the water. His eyes were always compassionate towards you. These past days, he was never far away for you. Even if you were unable to recall what had happened before, in the little time you had been together, you had most likely learnt to trust him, and even developed some complicated feelings for him. 

“Sylus…” You spoke up, then hesitated again. 

“What's wrong, kitten?”

You exhaled. You had intended to ask him some questions earlier but were unsure of where to begin. So you redirected it to something else.

"I wonder, how many girls have their hair braided by you?"

Sylus snorted. His facial expression became more relaxed. He replied:

“Do I look like someone who braids women's hair very well? But I can practice every day, if you allow me.”

Your cheeks heated. You hastily covered it with both hands, although in Sylus's position, he wouldn't have seen your blushing face. You added:

“Tarna said that many girls in the tribe wanted to give you their pouches.”

“They should know that I already have a betrothed. I will only accept her pouch.”

Sylus stared at your reflections in the water. You did the same, and suddenly, your gazes met. You hesitantly looked aside, yet lips unable to conceal a smile. Your hand wandered to find the pouch you had just finished embroidering, which was hanging by your side. You had no intention of giving it to Sylus so soon, though.

In the following days, Sylus frequently departed early and returned after the sun had completely set. He competed and practiced hard for the forthcoming festival. You were also used to living here. If you could not retrieve your memories, staying here as a girl of the grassland would not be a terrible choice. Especially when you had Sylus.

Evenings on the grassland were often the time when tribe members gathered together around a large campfire. You found Sylus sitting alone in a far corner, watching young men and women dancing to the music. You came closer and sat down next to him. 

“How is life in the grassland? Do you like it?” He asked.

You raised your head to look at the stars. “It feels free.” 

Sylus grinned quietly beside you. The two of you did not say anything for a long time. Then, you broke the silence:

“What was my life like before?”

“Let's see… You're a very busy Hunter. You don't have time to sit and look at the stars or hang out with the sheep like in here. You always go headfirst into danger, working until you're weary every day. You always try to do your duties well... But sometimes, you would be like any other normal girl, craving a walk in the park full of red leaves, or delicious roasted chestnuts."

Hearing it, you could immediately see the cozy scenario. You inquired again:

“So what about you, Sylus? Were you... also by my side like this?”

Sylus gazed at you for a minute. The smile on his face was melancholy.

“I was afraid this place would separate you and me. But now, it brings you closer to me than ever. I can see you every day. I can share a yurt with you. There's more. I can call you my betrothed.”

Sylus remarked the words “my betrothed" in the language of the Kael tribe, halting briefly to examine your expression. Your face went crimson in the light of the fire. You turned fast away. 

“If you ask me, at this moment, I will tell you that I don't want to return to that world anymore," said Sylus.

Because in that place, you and Sylus fought against each other. In that place, Sylus and you could not have such simple moments like these.

“But I…” You responded reluctantly. “I want to go back… I want to reclaim my lost memories… It's not fair that you're the only one who remembers everything that happened between us…”

You slowly turned towards Sylus. When you looked into his deep eyes, you knew just what to do.

“I want to remember Sylus and how special he is to me. I want to reciprocate what you have done for me with full memories of us, not with just patched stories.”

You believed that throughout your time in this grassland, a bond that was hard to put into words had formed between Sylus and you. You wanted to get to know him in a formal way; the Sylus in the grassland, the Sylus in N109 Zone, each and every of Sylus's identities.

It seemed that he was also considering the possibilities that could happen between the two of you. 

“Understood.” He replied briefly. “I shall win that gem. For you.”

You grinned and grabbed Sylus's hand to join the couples dancing blissfully together. Under the moon and stars, beside the fire and in the laughter of everyone, Sylus and you were like a genuine couple.

Sylus had become accustomed to sleeping on the floor since you arrived. As it was extremely cold at night, you might sometimes find him curled up in a corner. At this rate, he would undoubtedly become ill before reaching Tala. So you suggested:

“Sylus. Come here.” 

He widened his eyes as he watched you retreat deeper into the corner of the bed, leaving an empty spot for him.

"Unless you prefer to lie on the ground, of course." You shrugged, pretending to act like you did not care too much. 

Sylus's massive body quickly sank into the bed. He twisted his lips and responded, "And there I thought you would never ask."

You cracked a smile and cuddled yourself into the covers. That was your first time lying so close to Sylus. The warmth emanating from him offered you comfort and safety. He carried the aroma of grass, wind, and sunshine. You unintentionally drew closer to him. Your fingertips brushed his chest, where you had once stabbed him. That place was completely healed without a scar.

“I remember you said… ‘one more time’… Have I done the same thing before?” You lifted your eyes to gaze at Sylus. “Have I hurt you before?”

Sylus's half-closed eyes gradually opened wide. He looked at you. His breath warmed your cheeks. 

“You shot me. In the same spot.”

The fingers placed on Sylus's chest curled up. He grabbed them before you could withdraw your hand. He continued:

“If we go back there, there's a good chance you'll do the same thing and point your weapon against me. Do you truly want that to happen?”

"I…"

For a moment, the only sound was the wind flowing around the yurt. Sylus said:

“I really like the people in this grassland. They are always honest with each other. Love. Hatred. It would be great if we could be as straightforward as them.”

You closed your eyes tightly, then slowly opened them. You replied:

“Well then, from now on, let's be honest with each other.” 

“Huh? Do you have something to tell me?”

Sylus's eyes met yours, and that half-smile of his felt so much like a tease. You hesitated for a moment then decided to follow your heart:

“I… like having you by my side. Like these days. Even if we are no longer here and must face each other in the real world, I will still be me. You are still Sylus. The time spent here will not vanish, right? I guess I would still like to be close to you. Like this moment…”

You paused and gazed up at him for a long time. You could not recall the past, and the future was unknown. But you knew in that very moment, what you wanted was Sylus. That was all.

You slowly turned around and leaned against his dominant chest. You could hear your heart, Sylus's heart. They were beating at the same rhythm.

You started kissing him. And Sylus responded by dragging your entire body on top of him. Your kisses landed on his face, neck, and chest, particularly where you once injured him. Sylus's physique was sensitive to your every touch, yet he calmly observed what you desired to do to him, wearing his so distinctive alluring half-smile.

The endless night in the grassland suddenly became cold no longer.

All of the tribes came to Tala for the celebration, which was filled with excitement. After several skirmishes amongst the warriors, Sylus emerged victorious, as predicted. Amid the cheers of congratulations from the tribes, you rushed to his side and were lifted into his arms. 

“Are you running to me so quickly in fear that another girl will give me her pouch?” Sylus taunted you by making your cheeks sparkle in the sunset.

“What are you dreaming about? I'm just glad that… we won the gem!”

Sylus carried you with one arm, the other hand at some point reached into your garment and took out the pouch embroidered with the image of a crow that you had made for him. He held it up high where everyone could see it and said to you:

“So this pouch isn't yours?”

“How did you?… Give it back to me!” You tried to reach for the pouch, only to lose your balance and leaned entirely on Sylus. 

“Why do you want it back? To give it to someone else?”

You blushed. The pouch was originally made for Sylus. Only him. But it was your intention to give it to him later, when you were certain of how you should name the feelings you had for him. Yet he found the pouch so quickly. He held it tightly in his palm and said:

“Whoever takes it, keeps it. It's mine now. Don't even dream of giving it to anyone else."

Sylus carried you in his arm to receive the prize. Your cheeks became scarlet, and you failed to say anything more the entire time. Following that, the largest festival on the grasslands took place. Sylus brought you to a secluded spot, holding the prize in his palm.

The sparkling ruby ​​radiated charm as if calling your name, and you knew it was time for you to return. Yet you were still attached to this place. Somewhere inside you, you were trying to cling to every blade of grass, every wind here. Were you ready to leave this free life, leave Sylus?

Sylus's soft fingers delicately brushed your cheek. He gently caressed your face. 

“Are you ready, kitten?” 

You met his eyes. 

“I still have one more thing to do before we go back…”

“What is it?”

You stood on tiptoe, one hand tugging Sylus's neck down close. You sealed his lips with a kiss. So deep. Time seemed to stop. The stars halted revolving. You just broke away from him to catch your breath before erasing the silver thread that existed between the two of you with another kiss that was a little more eager.

Your other hand rested on the ruby he was holding. Your fingers and Sylus's were interlaced with the gem in the center. You started to resonate with it. The gem heated up and gleamed. Soon, Sylus's warmth slowly left you.

When you opened your eyes, you found yourself standing in Sylus's armory in N109 Zone. 

A tear rolled down your cheek. The memories that the protocore fragment had stolen from you were all restored. You searched around.

“Sylus?”

He was not there. Where had he gone? Did he let go of your hand? Was he still in the grassland, living a free life with no attachment? Without you? That thought clenched your heart. Yet you felt the protocore fragment was very close. You followed its energy source to the exit.

Standing by the entrance was Sylus. The red gem was in his palm. Almost immediately, you ran to his side. Without waiting for any words to be spoken, you flung yourself into Sylus, arms tightly wrapped around his neck and legs around his waist. He was taken aback, but then began spinning around with you in his arms. The cold armory suddenly became so cozy.

You did not dare to believe that that dream of the grassland was a real thing, until you buried your face in Sylus's neck and inhaled the scent of grass, wind and sunshine. He whispered into your ear:

“Good to see you again, kitten.”

“It's good to see you again, Sylus…” You whispered, before squeezing him again. 

After that, Sylus put you down. His palm opened and the ruby was revealed:

“Here you go. Spare me the trouble and don’t casually resonate with it anymore.”

You held it tightly in your hand. The vast grassland and the days with Sylus were just like a dream. Time in this world remained constant. Yet your heart had changed.

You looked up at him and said:

“Sylus… What would happen after we leave the grassland?…”

“Perhaps people of the tribes would spread the story about the Kael warrior and his betrothed. They would say that the couple used the ruby to travel to another place, and lived happily ever after.”

You were amazed that Sylus could come up with such an answer. Nevertheless, it brought you contentment. You prompted another question:

“Say… What if we don't meet up because of my missions, or because we need something from each other? Basically, we can meet up just because…”

“We want to see each other?”

Surprise after surprise, you stared at him for a moment. Then you nodded. Sylus grinned. He took out a pouch with a crow embroidered clumsily on it.

“Since I have your most prized possession, I should return the favor, right?” Sylus replied. “We did agree to be honest with each other back in the grassland. It's my turn now.”

His massive hand reached out in front of you. He said:

“Red autumn leaves and roasted chestnuts. I can already imagine a walk in the park on a beautiful day like this. What do you think, kitten?"

You smiled and sheepishly held his hand. At that moment, a bright crimson glow surrounded your and his wrists. Sylus scowled as he noticed the Evol Linkage between the two of you again at this point.

“Hmmm. Should we postpone our outing?”

You shook your head. Your fingers were intertwined with his even tighter.

“Actually I know a place that offers a buy-one-get-one free deal!”

Sylus smiled. “Let's go then.”

Without waiting for him to ask for more, you drew him forward. You were once worried about your connection with him being exposed, and you never dared to admit how much you desired to be with him. Yet, at that moment, you were ready to tell the world the story of you and Sylus.

[adalindofcabinsix]

that kind of love never dies (I)

summary: the one where barbara thinks about an act of rebellion.

pairing: jake x mc

word count: 1.3K

warnings: tkolnd takes place after the events of episode 10; cover images found on pinterest; english is not my first language.

author’s note: even though she lives in the usa, my main character, barbara, is brazilian. i added terms and expressions that we use in our country, as well as cultural elements, to this fanfic. the words that appear in portuguese are highlighted and you can contact me if you have any questions.

masterlist

Barbara was sprawled out on the dorm carpet, reading a Lucy Maud Montgomery novel she found by chance in the university library, when her cell phone began vibrating on the nightstand. Without wasting time, she closed the book and got up, waiting to hear from her roommate, Meera, but, when Barbara swiped her finger across the lock screen, she found some text messages from an unknown number.

i would like to invite you again to eat something at that chinese restaurant

if you want to meet me, just show up there tomorrow

i'll be waiting for you :)

Her head started to throb just at the possibility of it being who she was imagining, but she quickly pushed the thought away.

Jake wouldn't put himself in danger like that.

After everything that happened in Grimrock, Duskwood's chief of police, Alan Bloomgate, personally went after her to conduct the interrogation, and, more than once, made it very clear that it was best for her to stay away from her new friends for a while. He didn't go into detail when he told her about what happened at the Ironsplinter Mine, but he confirmed that Richy was alive — despite having some serious injuries — and that Jake had fled from the FBI agents during the confusion caused by the explosion.

All the messages she sent and received during that time became evidence. Barbara had what it took to close Hannah Donfort's case literally in the palm of her hand, including the kidnapper's confession.

Consequently, she also had the means that could lead the people who were after Jake straight to him.

She was interrogated by the FBI countless times for months, until Alan decided to intervene and convinced her to hand over her cell phone to them in exchange for her old life. Since then, Barbara has not been part of the joint investigation. Or at least that's what they say — she's too smart to really believe that.

For a few seconds, she considered the chance that it was someone trying to play a trick on her. The video Lilly Donfort posted accusing her of kidnapping had gone viral across the Columbia University campus. Even her grandmother, who lived in the interior of Brazil, found out about her involvement with a hacker wanted by the North American government. However, no one else knew about the brief conversation they had about the chinese restaurant.

Except, of course, the FBI.

Without a doubt, it was a trap. Barbara felt her face turn red. It seemed that solving an old international murder case, giving up her privacy, being forced to abandon her group of friends and possibly cheating on the guy she was in love with was not enough. She also needed to act as bait when it was convenient.

Barbara huffed, irritated. Little did they know that Jake had no contact. Their partnership in crime had ended almost a year ago.

Still, there was no reason to decline the invitation. She could very well take advantage of the opportunity to tell some truths to those nosy agents, and as a bonus she would have an excuse to go to Germany without Alan being able to question her too openly.

Her lips lifted into a smile as the plan emerged in her mind.

After going through customs at Zurich Airport, picking up luggage and going to an exchange office to exchange some notes, only an hour and fifteen minutes by car separated Barbara from Duskwood. Luckily, there were several yellow taxis forming a line next to the sidewalk, because it would be a nightmare to have to deal with someone trying to compete for the same vehicle as her.

She walked out of the lounge, pulling her hot pink rolling suitcase, and turned on her smartphone to announce on the family's group chat that she had arrived safely. But before she could check her contact list to see if her parents were online, she collided with a young man's broad chest.

She jumped away from him, apologizing — or at least trying to — in german. He laughed softly, grabbing her arm to stop her from tripping over herself, and for a moment, Barbara forgot to even breathe. The young man seemed to be a few years older than her, he was tall, had dark hair and prominent round eyes that resembled the curve of a teardrop, he was wearing a white sweatshirt with a hood and black jeans.

“I'm sorry, I didn't see you.” He spoke in english, with a slight accent.

“No problem, it was my fault.” Barbara quickly straightened up, realizing that she had somehow stared too long.

The young man analyzed her from head to toe with amusement before bending down and picking up the cell phone that had flown out of her hand during the impact.

“I believe this is yours.” He joked, handing the device to her.

“Thank you.”

He nodded curtly and turned, making his way through the travelers entering and exiting the airport, as silent as a wraith.

She was inexplicably disappointed to see him leave, however she had more important things to deal with. Then, she handed the luggage to the driver to put in the trunk and got into the taxi, giving the address of the Gates Hotel, on the outskirts of Duskwood.

Barbara ran across the room, feeling the cold floor beneath her feet. She was considerably late, but as far as she remembered, she had never arrived on time to participate in the interrogations, so whoever was waiting for her at the restaurant wouldn't mind too much. She put on a black strapless dress, put on her highest heels and curled her wet hair with her fingers, leaving a small trail of water on the floor.

Through an opening in the peach curtains, she noticed that the rain had picked up outside, beating violently against the window pane. She cursed under her breath, hoping someone at the front desk could lend her an umbrella, and before Barbara could procrastinate her meeting with the FBI Special Agent any further, she took one last look at the floor mirror near the entrance hall, realizing that she was dressed for revenge.

“Someone would definitely approve of that.”

Smiling to herself, she went down a small flight of stairs to the ground floor, where the girl at the reception was reading a magazine with Nicholas Galitzine's photo on the cover.

“How can I help you?” She asked in english, without taking her eyes off the celebrity gossip.

“Hey, how you doin'? Could you lend me an umbrella, please?”

“Of course.” She said, reaching for the object under the counter and handing it to her. “A fee of two euros will be added to your room bill.” Barbara sighed, surprised, as she mentally converted the currency. “What?” The receptionist looked up, frowning. “Did you think it would be free?”

“No, obviously not.” Barbara lied, smiling politely.

“Return it by midnight or I will have to charge the full value of the item.” The girl announced, turning her attention to the magazine. Then she added: “Nice dress.”

“Okay, I'll pay when I check out.” She assured, walking towards the glass doors while opening her rented umbrella. “And thank you.”

“Have fun, Cinderella!”

Barbara regretted walking out the door as soon as she set foot on the sidewalk. Not just because of the rain, but because of the wind blowing your hair back. In any case, she had come too far to give up, and despite the storm, she could see the lights of the chinese restaurant through the blue haze a few meters ahead, on the other side of the street.

Before she could take another step, someone grabbed her arm and turned her around.

“What?” She blinked in amazement at the handsome young man she had met at the airport.

“Come with me.” He said, pulling her away from the hotel entrance.

“You are crazy? I do not know you!” Barbara shouted, dropping the umbrella near her feet. The rain completely drenched them both in moments. “Me solta!”

“Barbara, please.” He asked, breathing short.

The sadness in his voice stopped her struggling.

“How do you…?” She gasped, eyes wide. “Jake?”

taglist: @daniiiworlds; @labemquarts; @deinily

[barracuda-shark-games]

Jocosa | she/her | 33 years old | bisexual

Notable traits: Intimidating, clever, diplomatic, merciful, reasonable, compassionate

Description

Despite her relatively young age compared to other advisors, Jocosa has served as Chief Royal Advisor to the Sunrise Throne since Wilmot ascended to power 13 years ago, when Jocosa was only 20. Her curly blonde hair frames piercing blue eyes, and she keeps it tied into two braids that cascade over her shoulders and reach just past her waist. Her curvy figure is usually adorned by a form-fitting crimson gown with silver and gold embroidery, and accessorized with matching gold and silver jewelry in the form of heavy bangles, thick chokers, and big earrings. She colors her full lips and round cheeks with rouge makeup that embellishes her rosy complexion. At a relatively average height of 5’7 (170cm) and with a deceptively youthful face, Jocosa still makes an imposing figure due to her competency, wisdom, and willpower. She carries herself with poised grace and determination. Some accuse her of having a bleeding heart; whether or not that’s the case, it’s still a heart she keeps closely guarded.

Trivia

On romance: While Jocosa will be available for romance regardless of the MC’s gender, she has never had a relationship nor feelings for another woman before and will, as a result, be a bit shyer with a female MC than with a male MC. That being said, she will fall equally in love with an MC of either gender when romanced.

Favorite food: Grilled salmon; she is a pescetarian

Song: 'Hold Me' by be steadwell

I am breathless weightless in her arms nothing felt so much like home yet I'm restless the parts that I can't trust, the reckless urge to stay alone. she said "Hold me. Hold me, when you start to lose control. When you feel like letting go, baby don't." No one ever could control me, least of all myself, tangled up in consequence. I remember when she told me she would be the one, spoken with all confidence. She said "Hold me, that's all I need you to do. Break the skin if you have to, I can take the pain for you."

Excerpt

Under the cut for chapter 1 spoilers! Keep in mind that this is a rough draft and, therefore, may be subject to change before chapter 1 releases.

Your automaton escort leads you to a set of heavy oak double doors before it turns around and appears to power down.

Okay… You suppose you are meant to take it from here, so you knock on one of the doors.

When you receive no answer, you try again. Once again, nothing.

With a sigh, you resign yourself to opening the door yourself – you were summoned here, after all. The door is as heavy as it appears, and it takes some effort for you to push it open.

You find yourself in a room significantly taller than it is wide, with a winding staircase along the wall that appears to lead to nowhere and functions simply to allow one to scale the bookshelves that line the rounded walls. It occurs to you that this room must be one of the spires you observed from outside of the palace. This room is as maximalist as it can get, with all sorts of trinkets, tools, and appliances you struggle to place the purpose of. The only decluttered space is the polished mahogany desk near the front, which has atop it a quill and inkpot, a clipboard with blank parchment, and a placard that reads “Chief Advisor Jocosa.”

Behind the desk is a high-backed chair in matching mahogany, with red velvet upholstery and a sun carved into the top of its back. A woman sits in the chair with an unreadable expression in her piercing blue eyes that seem to look right through you. Her hands are neatly folded on the desk before her, and even from where you stand you can make out their smoothness. Long, blonde braids frame each side of her soft face, cascading down over her shoulders and chest before disappearing from sight below the desk. Clad in an expensive-appearing crimson gown, the woman’s curvy frame almost appears to disappear into the red chair behind it.

You realize you’re staring, and so is she. You shift uncomfortably beneath her gaze and prepare to clear your throat when she suddenly speaks.

“Please, have a seat,” she says, gesturing to one of two low armchairs positioned in front of her desk. Her voice is smooth and melodic, as if she just wakes up and it’s ready to go.

You oblige and decide to make yourself comfortable, which comes easy given the high quality of the armchair within which you now sit. “You asked to see me?” you say.

“I did,” the woman says with a gracious nod. “We haven’t been properly introduced yet. My name is Jocosa, Chief Royal Advisor to the Sunrise Throne.”

You introduce yourself before turning down her offer for tea. “Suit yourself,” she says with a shrug and proceeds to pour herself a cup. “Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? As chief advisor to the throne, you and I will be seeing a lot of each other.” She brings her cup to her bright red lips and blows to cool off her tea. “I thought it only fair for you to know that I did not approve of this marriage arrangement.”

Wait, what? You’re not sure what you expected of this summons, but it certainly wasn’t this.

[ohmotherwhereartthou-if]

For each RO, which occupation would they like the most and which one they hate and would prob convince MC to leave?

Blue heart means they would love that one the most, red cross means they hate it so much they would try to convince MC to quit.

Cassandra:

Loves: Manual Labor, Hunter, Bounty Hunter (💙)

Hates: (secret path) (❌), Thief

Valeria:

Loves: Crafter, Manual Labor, Chief (💙)

Hates: (secret path) (❌), Thief (❌)

Tomás:

Loves: Chief, Crafter (💙)

Hates: Bounty Hunter, (secret path)

-

Ludovica:

Loves: Chief, Crafter (💙)

Hates: Bounty Hunter (❌) (Just out of worry, she thinks MC being a in a tough profession like that is attractive)

Aurelio:

Loves: Manual Labor, Thief, Chief (💙)

Hates: Bounty Hunter (also out of worry but he wouldn't ask you to quit)

Elio:

Loves: Chief, Manual Labor (💙)

Hates: None.

[starmocha]

Part 2 of me yapping about bird men is coming, it's in my drafts, but uhhhhh.....I also want to yap about the other two men in my heart (aka I clearly have a type and it's "I'm just a soft baby that wants to be taken care of instead for once in her goddamned life and these men are more than ready to take on that task") 👉👈

[if anyone wants to read part 1 of me yapping about Gavin and Sylus, here ya go]

Victor (Mr. Love Queen's Choice), aka Daddy

CEO of a large investment and financial company (Loveland Financial Group (LFG))

Birthday: January 13 (Capricorn)

183 cm

Evol: Time control

Flower motifs are red roses (love, passion, beauty; burgundy roses can also mean commitment)

Animal motifs are panda bears. During his childhood, for his birthday, his father even adopted a panda at a zoo in his name

Associated with winter because he was born in the winter lol

Tall, dark, and snarky af

Perceived as cold, stoic, serious...but he is a softie with you

Highly respected in his field

Grinded through school so he could begin his career early

Workaholic

Childhood friend of MC...but it's complicated...

Gourmet chef. Man even opened a secret restaurant he sometimes cook at whenever he fancies (key note: the restaurant is only opened whenever he's in the mood...and it's insanely popular too).

Will cook anything MC craves, and even knows ahead of time, so he has everything prepared in advance.

Calls you Dummy (affectionate). Sometimes adds in a "moron" or "fool" to shake things up a little bit ig 😀

Scolds MC a lot, but he loves taking care of her, too.

When he loves, he loves deeply 😩🫶

Believes in you, will guide you when you need his assistance or advice, but overall, he wants you to believe in yourself and trust your own judgment

Zayne (Love and Deepspace), aka Zaddy

Chief cardiac surgeon

Birthday: September 5 (Virgo)

186 cm

Evol: Ice

Flower motifs are jasmine (love, sensuality, beauty)

Not explicitly official, but Zayne is sometimes associated with seals due to a childhood incident with MC.

Associated with winter because of his Evol

Tall, dark, and snarky af

Perceived as cold and serious, but is a total softie with you

Highly respected in his field

Grinded through school to begin his career early

Workaholic

Childhood friend of MC....and I guess it was also lowkey complicated, too

Average home cook, but we love to see that 🫶

Tries to learn recipes MC shows interests in. Does his best to perfect the recipe so he can cook for her.

Doesn't really have a pet name for you (yet), but I make him call me Darling and it heals me immensely 💕

Chides MC frequently, but it's also because he loves taking care of her and looks out for her.

He will be vulnerable for you, he will tell you how much he loves you, what it does to him, how you are healing for him. He loves holding hands, the feel of your hand in his. Pls caress his face, let him feel you, it's all he wants, all he needs. ZAYNE'S VULNERABILITY IS HIS SEXIEST QUALITY I'LL DIE ON THIS FUCKING HILL i just love zayne so fucking much pls love him too ok is this also me realizing zayne is touch-starved like me asklsa;;;sk

Believes in you, but worries about you, too, even if he knows you are capable. He can't help it. He just wants you to be healthy and safe, and not having that 100% certainty kills him inside. 🥺

THEY LOVE CATS. BIG SOFTIES. Victor is also a cat dad to one named Pudding and it's adorable af. If Zayne's career isn't so demanding, I would also say give this man a cat, too, but we know he wouldn't want to take on responsibilities he couldn't give his 100% to. 🥺

This brand of spicy is top-notch. Absolute elite shit 🤌 god me and who fucking when???

Head empty. Just long-haired Victor and Zayne to heal my tired soul 😩🫶

I like them for their personalities. 10/10 would recommend. 😀

[vera-deville]

I told you I would send in a request, so here it is! This is an Obey Me one, if that's alright!

First off, have you ever seen Little Shop of Horrors? If not, please do! One, it's essential for this ask and it's also just a great movie! No pressure though!

Now, onto the real ask! So, if possible, I'd like to request a florist!MC. But a florist who's kind of like Seymour.

(Here's where the whole Little Shop of Horrors thing really comes in)

They come to the Devildom with Audrey II. It's got its roots wrapped around the MC's waist, and it's vines wrapped around their arms while snug. Of course, it's heavily off-putting because.. well. There's a humongous and terrifying plant just.. attached to this human.

But the brothers don't mind it, until months into the MC's stay as an exchange student when Audrey II starts talking. Then, they're all freaked out. They're even more freaked out when the MC is not only fine with it, but is willingly talking to it like it's normal!

(Bonus if they see the MC prick their finger and then just.. let Audrey II clean It off.)

(Yes, this came to me in a dream in the middle of a 20-minute-nap.)

So, what would the brothers think of this?

Feed Me Seymour!

05/17/2024 - 05/30/2024

Pairing: No pairing (you can think of the interactions as either platonic or romantic) Word Count: 3,351 Warnings: Reader pricks their finger, but they'll be alright; mentions of chapter 16 Gender: Gender Neutral (as it was not specified in the request) Tags: @g0dwat3r (if any of you would like to be added to my Obey Me taglist, please let me know)! Notes: Okay, I really love your brain Touya, because this is already a fantastic idea, but you know what I started thinking about? Morticia Addams. I don't know if you've seen the old Addams Family series, but Morticia has a carnivorous plant called Cleopatra, and I really wanted to include her in the story. I didn't, but I'm definitely thinking about writing it.

In which Y/N has a rather interesting plant friend(?)

"Congratulations!

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at the Royal Academy of Diavolo.

Please return this letter with your sign to confirm your participation.

We are looking forward to welcoming you as part of our new exchange program.

Yours sincerely,

Diavolo"

Huh? Royal Academy of Diavolo? Exchange Program? What was happening?

You tried to open your eyes, but there was nothing to see. Just pitch-blackness. It would have been more terrifying, but the soothing presence wrapped around your waist and arms helped. Quite a bit, at that. Clutching the stem of rice flowers close to your chest (although careful enough to not break the stem), you kept trying to see through the darkness for something, anything.

Soon enough, there was a voice. "We welcome you, human, to the demon student council."

The voice was stern, but pleasant, drawing your attention away from the darkness and to a room that was materializing in front of your eyes. It looked like a really goth courtroom, and you truly would have spent more time admiring the place if it wasn't for the ridiculously tall man who arose from the chief judge seat.

The man in question was handsome. Very much so. With burgundy hair, and a well-fitted suit, and skin so coppery sweet, it was no wonder that you couldn't help but stare.

And if you weren't so caught up in the man's appearance and the fact that you had no idea what on Earth was happening, perhaps you would have noticed that you weren't the only one staring.

You had to physically will yourself to pay attention not only to the man when he started speaking but the others in the room as well.

"Welcome to the Devildom, Y/N."

Astonishment enraptured your being for the simple reasons that this complete stranger somehow knew your name, and that every single person in the room was blessed with extremely good looks. The astonishment, unfortunately, did not go unnoticed.

"...Oh pardon me. Feeling a bit shocked, are we?" Asked the man with red hair. "Well that's understandable. You've only just arrived, after all." Arrived? Arrived where exactly? "As a human, it will probably take a little while for you to adjust to things here in the Devildom."

Okay yeah, this was some sort of really weird dream induced by your lack of sleep this past week. That's why there were really handsome dudes and that's why one was telling you weird stuff. Since it's a dream, there was no problem with going along with it, right?

"The Devildom?" You ask, feeling yourself relax a little more, now knowing that this is a dream.

"Yes, exactly, the Devildom. I see that you catch on quickly. Excellent." He replied.

Well, that didn't really answer anything.

You were about to ask for a better reply than that when he said, "I suppose I should start by introducing myself." Curious, you give him his moment. "My name is Diavolo. I am the ruler of of all demons, and all here know me." Cool. The dude's a demon king. Still not the weirdest thing you've ever dreamt. "And someday soon, I will be crowned king of the Devildom." Oh, he wasn't king yet. Then how's he a ruler already? You know what, it's probably best not to think too hard about it.

The so called ruler of the so called Devildom proceeded to explain about a school called R.A.D. and about a bunch of other stuff. The other demons (plus one that came in really late) introduced themselves as different demons of different avatars, and the more they spoke, the more you couldn't shake off a particular feeling.

It all felt too...real. You'd dreamt all sorts of things before, but a part of you somehow always knew that it was just a dream. But you didn't feel that this time. It felt far too real. The anxiety slowly crept back into your bones, a chilling effect settling over your being as your throat seemed to have something invisible lodged in it.

You tried telling them that you weren't meant to be here. That you were meant to be back home. You still had to finish your bouquet for Mrs. Harris, and you had a new shipment of peonies arriving in an hour. You hadn't finished watering all your plants. You hadn't cleaned up the shop. You still had so much left to do! You couldn't just be whisked away to some other world (that you still weren't entirely sure was a dream or not).

But alas.

You were told that there was no way they could send you back.

And if that wasn't bad enough, you had to go to school. You had assignments. You had tests. Oh and you were in what was basically hell.

Ain't that swell?

Throughout this whole ordeal, the plant around your waist remained dutifully wrapped around your figure, even nuzzling against your neck when she felt your discomfort.

Without much of a choice, you steeled yourself for the days in this foreign world that awaited you.

The latest human addition to R.A.D. was a little...odd. None of the brothers nor the demon prince in the room wished to point out the very large plant that had wrapped itself around the human like some manner of serpent, especially since the human was completely unbothered by it.

Most of the brothers found it odd, of course. Solomon never walked around with a giant plant stuck to him, but then again, Solomon wasn't necessarily normal himself. A few of the brothers didn't find it in themselves to keep their thoughts quiet. Mammon in particular straight up screeched when he saw the plant, and maintained his distance (both emotionally and physically) and still the human did not seem to mind the plant.

Asmo found the plant ugly.

That was really the only way he could describe it.

It was ugly.

Satan had read stories of plants like this. In one book he read, the plant ended up eating a whole bunch of people. He only hoped that this was not a case like that story.

Beelzebub didn't really have an opinion on the plant. He could eat it, but it didn't really look too appetizing.

Diavolo himself was worried at first, because he was sure that humans didn't simply walk around with giant plants attached to them. When he told Barbatos about this odd situation, the ever loyal butler offered to look into the matter discreetly.

He found nothing.

It had been many months since you had been whisked away to the Devildom (which you are now infinitely more familiar with). It was strange at first, and it took some getting used to, but you did it. Now, whenever you woke up to face the day ahead of you, you didn't do so in fear or anxiety or anything else.

You had grown accustomed to this new world.

In fact, you'd go so far as to say that you'd grown fond of the place.

Audrey II seemed to agree with this. Every morning, Audrey demanded a large meat dish to satisfy her hunger. The brothers assumed that you were a very hungry individual (Beel felt a deep hunger coming from you at all times), and didn't think much more of it. Every now and then, Audrey would crave a Backstabbing Sandwich (apparently it was particularly delicious), and you, having no other choice, entertained her food whims. What's the worst that could happen?

It was after the whole incident with Belphegor that you brought Audrey with you more often wherever you went. Though you and the brothers had slowly gotten past the incident, the trauma it left behind did not magically go away. Audrey II being the sweet thing she is, had no qualms to being carried around the Devildom (despite the lingering stares and questions that were thrown your way).

Today was a day that Audrey II would be coming with you. You were heading off to the flower shop you owned on Dogma Street. You originally were looking to open the shop at Silent Street, but Dogma Street caught your eye. The street itself was the biggest electronic district in the Devildom, and when you first proposed the idea to the brothers (and Diavolo and Barbatos) to open a flower shop there, they were quick to advice you not to. Why would you open a flower shop at a street primarily known for its electronics?

Still, you managed to push through, and you ended up becoming the quaint owner of a little shop next to an eatery on the street.

And wouldn't you know, it actually did pretty well.

Of course, since you were a student, you couldn't be at your shop full-time, and that's where two lesser demons come in - Terror and Dolor - a pair of siblings who often fought, but shared an interest in flora. They would take care of the shop in shifts, and seeing as you gave them the housing area right above the shop to stay in, you could make sure that they would be at your precious flower shop at (mostly) all times.

Today was planned to be their day off, which was fine by you, seeing as you hadn't been to the shop in a week and you desperately wanted to see your babies (plants) again.

You opened the door, causing a sweet bell to ring, signifying your arrival to your empoyees.

"Y/N!"

"You're back!"

Smiling, you greet your employees, Audrey still wrapped around you.

Terror and Dolor fawned over Audrey (they're really the only ones in the Devildom who do that apart from you) while you went inside to get your apron. Working at the flower shop had quite a few benefits. You could make your own money, go to work at your own time, and most importantly, you could be surrounded by the things that you love the most - flora (and Audrey).

Your flower shop was quaint (despite its large capacity). Many customers have complimented it, saying that it felt homely (which is exactly what you were going for, so mission accomplished successfully you supposed). Even Asmo loved the place, and oftentimes would post selfies from just about everywhere in your shop.

"Dolor, how's that order with the Bloody Acokanthera Oblongifolias going?" You asked the demon pruning Audrey II.

"Just finished it this morning! We shipped it along with the invoice for the flowers. The customer notified us that they would be making the payment by the end of today." Dolor replied.

Shooting a smile of satisfaction at him, you shooed the brothers out your shop, wishing for them to have a lovely day to do...well, whatever it was they did outside the shop. Right before they left, Terror told you that a certain demon butler had visited the shop earlier and left a letter for you, and how she placed it in your office.

With that in mind, you walked back into your shop, petting Audrey II as she sat on a table before walking into your office and grabbing the aforementioned letter.

Even without the knowledge from the siblings that Barbatos had delivered this letter to you, you would have been able to tell that it was he who wrote the letter. By this time in your adventures in the Devildom, you had come to recognize the handwriting of those you know. And while a few had impeccable writing (in cursive too), no one's writing was as elegant as Barbatos - not even Lucifer.

The letter read:

"Dearest Y/N, I am pleased to inform you that Lord Diavolo requires a fresh shipment of Dark Roses for an upcoming event at the castle. I sincerely apologize for the short notice, but please note that the master and I truly would have given you more time to prepare the notice had we been able to do so. We shall need enough roses to fill out the Crimson Room. I estimate that the number be around 50. We will need the roses delivered by tomorrow. Thank you, Barbatos"

You smiled, already having a good idea as to why the roses were needed. Some of the higher officials (not including the brothers you lived with) had been a little too finicky with their positions and though not a threat to the heir of the Devildom, they were starting to get on his nerves.

No matter.

Despite how sweet Diavolo seemed (and actually is), even the Crown Prince of the Devildom had his limits. Oh well. Those officials would get what was coming to them.

Your job was to simply provide the best roses for such an event.

With a newfound vigor, you made your way next door (you had originally bought two plots in the street and simply joined them together to create one shop. This area was where you kept some of your best grown flora (the rest were in an undisclosed location only you and a few others knew about). Typically, you the plants you grew in this area were popular - loads of customers would buy them. The rest of your plants were grown in the aforementioned undisclosed location. Despite this, there was one type of flower you grew in your shop which was by no means popular, but rather extremely rare.

Dark roses.

You fondly recall you and Barbatos planting a fresh batch of dark roses at the Demon Lord's Castle, and how he had given you some seeds to grow for yourself. What started off as a few roses quickly became much more, and now you were the exclusive propagator of dark roses in the Devildom. It was a monopoly you gladly encouraged (something Mammon also did).

The first step was to cut the roses. The roses had to be cut in a specific manner - a 45-degree angle and they had to be put in water immediately. This same method was used with roses back in the human realm (and gardeners would use the stems to grow new roses out of), but there was one key difference between the roses from back home and the dark roses in the Devildom. One of them could actually survive a little while without having to be immediately placed in water.

The other could not.

And that's part of the reason why dark roses were so rare in the Devildom. They were ridiculously hard to grow in the first place, but cutting them was an even bigger pain.

Luckily, you had loads of experience with these finicky things, so you had this in the bag.

After some time, you'd harvested almost 60 roses (some extras, just in case), and it was time to remove the thorns from their stems. Removing the thorns from the roses could be done using one of two different tools you had available in your shop. The first one were rose thorn cutters (made specifically for that purpose) that didn't look too different from a pair of nail cutters. The logic was that you'd slide the tool up to the top of the stem, press down on the handles gently, and then drag it down the stem, thus cutting off the thorns.

Though very efficient, the second tool was your favorite - a simply knife. Roses were woody in nature, so all you had to do was simply slice all around the stem of the flower. Admittedly, this took a lot more time than the thorn cutters, but in a way, it was stress relieving. You were sure that you'd end up using the thorn cutters, but you'd enjoy using the knife for as long as you could.

And so you got to work - de-thorning all 60 something roses by hand.

You'd gotten through more than half of the roses when you heard the bell of your shop jingle. Turning around, you saw none other than the brothers you shared a house with. But in doing so, you'd accidentally run the blade of the tool you were using right across your finger.

Woops.

Hissing, you pulled your gaze from the brothers and back to your finger. You could see the cut, but it took a moment for the blood to come out. It was painful, and you weren't too good with cuts (a little ironic, considering your profession), but before you could whisk your finger away to wash off the blood, Audrey II yelled, "Feed me! I'm starving" before she chomped down on your finger.

Of course, she didn't actually bite off your finger, but she sucked the blood out, and it made your finger more sore than it was already.

It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, of course. You'd gotten hurt loads of times when working (and even when you weren't working), and if there was blood (which there usually was), Audrey would just lick it off for your. Same old.

The brothers had seen you talk to Audrey II plenty of times before, hell (literally), you'd talk to just about every plant you came across, but never had they seen Audrey II talk to you.

If that wasn't shock enough, you just wiped your hands down on your apron before turning back to face the brothers and greet them with a smile as though you hadn't just nicked yourself and had your plant(?) lick your finger for you.

Of course, the greeting faltered on your tongue as soon as you saw the faces of the brothers.

Asmodeus spoke up first.

"Sweetie, your plant just talked!"

"Yeah?" You asked rhetorically. "What about it?" You watched as the brothers tried (and failed) to come up with words to say, although you didn't really understand why they were struggling so. Even Levi was stunned. In an attempt to make a joke (and to stifle the stifling atmosphere), you said, "It's not like you guys didn't know that Audrey could talk."

One look at their faces, and you knew that you were wrong.

"Wait, you guys actually didn't know that Audrey could talk!?" You asked, stunned at this new revelation.

At last, Lucifer gathered himself. "Ahem. We were not made...aware of the fact that your plant was sentient." He sure looked uncomfortable trying to explain his mind without offending you or Audrey.

"What do you think all that meat was being delivered for every morning Lucifer?" You asked sardonically.

"Wait, I thought that yer the one eatin all that meat!" Mammon exclaimed. Bewildered, you shot him a look conveying as such.

"How the hell would I eat 2 whole pounds of meat every single day genius?" You retorted.

"We just thought you were hungry." Beel offered.

"I'm a human. I'd literally die if I ate that much meat every. single. day." You enunciated the last words.

"I'm rather fascinated by Audrey II. How did you come to meet? Was she always this size? Did she always have a deep carnivorous craving?" Satan asked consecutively. Before you had a chance to answer any of them though, he continued, "Actually, now that I think about it, it makes sense! I've been an utter idiot! All the signs were there, and I've read about these kind of plants in A Complete Guide to Carnivorous Plants and How to Care for Them!"

You didn't even bother reminding him that you were the one who recommended the book to him.

Belphegor seemed to be the most chill (although you could still see some semblance of surprise on his sleepy visage).

Figuring that this was probably going to take a while, and you had a whole bunch of Dark Roses to prepare, you invited everyone to grab a chair and sit while you worked.

It turned out to be a good choice, because you ended up finishing a few hours after you'd originally thought you'd finish, and by the end of the day, Audrey had made (official) friends with each of the brothers. In fact, you would say that Audrey and Asmo got along particularly well.

And yes, the roses turned out spectacularly, and the House of Lords were reminded once again of who was truly in charge.

Author's Note: I took some liberty with the Reader's personality in this fic. Seymour's a very timid guy, and (spoiler alert), that's what ultimately lead to his demise (in my opinion). Being thrust into a world full of demons, I think you're gonna need a little more tenacity that Seymour, so I made the Reader timid, but not Seymour-level timid (if that makes sense). The second thing I took a decent amount of liberty with is making Audrey II not entirely evil. She is after all a villain in the original story, but I made Audrey a little bit like Cleopatra. (Sorry if that's not what you wanted)! Masterlist

[lookslikethatsallthetimewehave]

Previous Medallion Owners

Early Poptropica Island: The chief of Early Poptropica

Possible reason: Political

Shark Tooth Island: Professor Hammerhead

Possible reason: Science

Time Tangled Island: Your future self

Possible reason: Adventuring

24 Carrot Island: Mayor McTeague

Possible reason: Political

Super Power Island: Chief of Police/Ned Noodlehead

Possible reason: Public service

Spy Island: Top Secret Secretary

Possible reason: Agent work

Nabooti Island: Nabooti African Museum Curator

Possible reason: Public service

Big Nate Island: Mrs. Godfrey

Possible reason: Public service

Astro-Knights Island: King Richard

Possible reason: um... royalty

Counterfeit Island: The Curator

Possible reason: Public service

Reality TV Island: The helicopter pilot

Possible reason: Game show award

Mythology Island: Athena

Possible reason: Offering

Skullduggery Island: Governor Roland

Possible reason: Political

Steamworks Island: Mayor Crumb

Possible reason: Political

Great Pumpkin Island: Lucy van Pelt

Possible reason: Good student

Cryptids Island: Harold Mews

Possible reason: Public service

Wild West Island: Marshal Flint Taylor

Possible reason: Public service

Wimpy Wonderland Island: Greg Heffley

???

Red Dragon Island: Jack and Annie

Possible reason: Adventuring

Shrink Ray Island: C.J.

Possible reason: Good student/science

Mystery Train Island: Grover Cleveland

Possible reason: Political

Game Show Island: Dr. Harold Langley

Possible reason: Science

Ghost Story Island: Magistrate Henry Flatbottom

Possible reason: Political

S.O.S. Island: Captain Boomer

Possible reason: Public service

Vampire's Curse Island: Count Bram

Possible reason: Science

Twisted Thicket Island: Elf Queen

Possible reason: Peace offering

Poptropolis Games Island 2013: MC

Possible reason: Contest winner award

Wimpy Boardwalk: Greg Heffley

Possible reason: ???

Lunar Colony Island: Director McNabb

Possible reason: Public service/science

Super Villain Island: Security Guards

Possible reason: Public service

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory Island: Mr. Willy Wonka

Possible reason: Business

Zomberry Island: Samuel Brains

Possible reason: Business

Night Watch Island: Slugger's Storekeeper

Possible reason: Sports

Back Lot Island: Sofia May

Possible reason: Business/Hollywood related award

Virus Hunter Island: Dr. Lange

Possible reason: Science

Mocktropica Island: A woman working at Poptropica headquarters

Possible reason: She's written to give it to you

Monster Carnival Island: Edgar

Possible reason: ???

Survival Island: Max McGullicutty (supposedly)

Possible reason: Piloting

Mission Atlantis Island: Cam Jameson

Possible reason: Science

PoptropiCon Island: Tessa Turncoat

Possible reason: ComicCon related... award

Arabian Nights Island: Sultan

Possible reason: Trading

Galactic Hot Dogs Island: Cosmoe

Possible reason: Adventuring

Mystery of the Map Island: Mya

Possible reason: ???

Hub Island/Tutorial Island: The pilot

Possible reason: Piloting

Timmy Failure Island: Timmy Failure

Possible reason: Detective work

Escape from Pelican Rock Island: Marshal Tex Brannigan

Possible reason: Public service

Monkey Wrench Island: Race Officiate

Possible reason: Racing award

Reality TV: Wild Safari Island: Jim Probably

Possible reason: Game show award

Fairy Tale Island: Amelia

Possible reason: Adventuring

Goofball Island: Mayor Naise

Possible reason: Political

Jade Scarab Island: Claria

Possible reason: Public service

These are the only characters where I wonder how they got their medallions:

I guess Greg Heffley could've gotten his medals from winning a video game competition. That's the only thing he's good at.

Edgar... has zero talent. Except for eating. Maybe he won a pie eating competition or something.

Mya is not a native to Poptropica. Where did she get it?

[married-to-a-redhead]

The British 2nd Army, Commandos of the 1st Special Service Brigade, landed from an LCI(S) (Landing Craft Infantry Small) on ‘Queen Red’ Beach, the Sword Area, approximately 8.40 am on 6 June 1944. The brigade commander, Brigadier Lord Lovat DSO MC, can be seen striding through the water to the right of the column of men. The figure nearest the camera is the brigade’s bagpiper, Piper Bill Millin. Lord Lovat exercised his right as Chief of Clan Fraser to have a personal piper accompany him in the vanguard of the D-Day landings on Sword Beach

[jake-s-azaleea]

How I lost you (1/2)

2 parts story

Pairing: Jake X MC

Context: the aftermath of episode 10

Warnings: Blood, cursing;

part 2 here- how I found you

Your hands shook as you fumbled for the keys, tears blurring your vision. With a heart heavy with fear, you stumbled out of the house, with steps unsteady. Trembling, you got into your car, the engine starting with a loud roar that echoed her inner turmoil. As you drove through the darkened streets, the only destination in your mind was your friends' town, the one's name you couldn't even pronounce without your heart aching. The journey was a silent one, the only sound the rhythmic hum of the engine and the occasional sniffle as you tried to compose yourself.

"Welcome to Duskwood"

The phone call between you and the chief of police ended when the mine exploded as Hannah's reaction was burning in your mind.

Richy... As much as you were troubled and furious at him, nothing could have prepared you for what happened.

'Adios'

You shed a tear.

'And I care about you, MC'

Another one.

'MC removed Richy from the group'

You lost count.

Your eyes were now waterfalls, and your mind was drowning in this course of events. Were you really glad it's over? Did you felt accomplished by the fact that you now knew the truth?

The answer was obvious.

The sky darkened, heavy clouds looming ominously overhead. Suddenly, the first droplets of rain began to fall, tapping lightly on the windowpanes before intensifying into a steady downpour. The sound of rain hitting the ground grew louder, creating a soothing yet melancholic melody that matched your turbulent emotions.

You parked in front of the police station. And covering your head with your head you ran inside. There were 5 faces you could recognize anywhere, and next to them, a face that looked so familiar, but you knew you didn't met her before. So she is Hannah.

Jessy ran straight into your arms, burying her face into your neck, whispering thousands of "I'm sorry" as she sobbed.

"It's alright, Jessy. Everything it's going to be alright"

"No, no, no it's not!" she said as she lifted her head. "Richy is gone!" she whined. "And last time I checked, he isn't the only one who was in the mine when it explode. So stop trying to make me feel better when he and Jake could be dead"

You remained silent. It was your turn to mutter an "I am sorry", but as you did, you realised how right she was and how helpless you were in that moment.

Thomas was holding Hannah tight.

"MC, I have no words to express how grateful I am for your sacrifices you have done to help us, Thank you."

You look over to Dan, sitting in the wheelchair, who was for the first time since you met him, quiet. He looked troubled.

Cleo has made her way next to Jessy and whispered you a "Thank you" as she closed her droopy red eyes.

Lilly walked up to you and pulled you aside.

"What happened to him?" she gulped.

"I don't know, Lilly. I want to go there, but first I need to speak to Alan."

"And tell him what? 'Oh I know the FBI is there and some police officers but I need to find the hacker'. You can't do that. Plus, there are three possible options. One, he got caught, which we would've found out if it was true, two, the fire, which I don't even want to discuss, and three, he escaped in time."

"I am not willing to explore the first two options. I..." you started.

"It's okay, MC. Maybe something about your last conversation could hint about his next step."

The memories flooded your mind: 'I love you, MC'.

"I am going to be back tomorrow morning."

"What? Where in the world are you going?" Lilly asked, knowing already the answer.

"To do what I had to do from the begging. I shouldn't have let Jake go there alone. I have time to fix this."

Lilly just nodded to you. She was the kind of person who'd normally stop you before you could even finish that sentence. But the tiredness in her eyes reflected that she didn't want to lose her brother now.

You left the station in a heartbeat and headed into the forest not giving the idea a second thought.

You stepped cautiously into the dense forest, the trees towering overhead. The air was cool and filled with the earthy scent of moss and pine. Each step on the soft bed of fallen leaves echoed through the quiet woods, creating a sense of solitude and mystery. As you ventured deeper, the sounds of nature enveloped you—the rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the distant gurgle of a hidden stream. The forest seemed to hold its breath, as if waiting to reveal its secrets to the brave soul who dared to explore its depths.

As you went deeper into the forest, your foot suddenly caught on something, causing you to trip and stumble. Startled, you looked back to find a burnt black hoodie filled with holes, next to a mask.

'That just be Jake's...'

Your eyes welled up with tears once more, your heart pounding with fear and confusion. You ran deeper into the forest, each step echoing in the eerie silence that enveloped you. Suddenly, you stumbled and fell into a pool of blood, the metallic scent overwhelming your senses. Exhausted and overwhelmed, you just layed there, the crimson liquid seeping into the ground beneath you, as darkness slowly claimed your consciousness.

"MC!"

Trying to keep yourself awake, you raise your head watching a mysterious figure emerging from the shadows of forest.

"Richy..?"

"You made it here finally, glad to see you"

You look around yourself again to see if it was just a nightmare but the thick substance beneath you makes itself present.

"MC, you have to understand that I am sorry. Even if you did came to the Grimrock waterfall, I wouldn't have hurt you." he cried holding his gunshot wound that was bleeding without stopping.

"I wanted to make things again fine but I screwed up so bad, right? Like when the TT jerks opened up their..." he spoke half jokingly.

"But your little friend was there. I trapped Jake with me when I set the mine on fire so I had to make something, ah" he whimpers in pain.

"Richy your wound-"

"And I did. I escorted him out. He even wanted to take me with him but I refused, and I" he grunted. "I am sorry."

"No, there is still time, Richy. I-I can call for help, Alan will be there within minutes, I promise" you stated now with teary eyes.

"You've tried to handle all of this by yourself for too long, MC. It's time for you to" he winced. "To move on."

You started sobbing as he would make himself more comfortable on the ground. The metallic smell of blood enveloped you, as your friend was taking his lasts breaths.

Your eyes widened in surprise as you looked back and saw a group of men from the FBI emerging from the shadows of the forest. Their stern expressions and professional demeanor added an air of authority to the already tense situation. The presence of the FBI raised more questions than answers, leaving you to make a quick decision.

"Leave" Richy cried. "Find Jake before they do."

You nod to Richy and get up, now stained with blood and tears. As you start running deeper in the forest you heard a fainted 'Adios'.

With trembling lips you whispered to yourself you're going to make this worth it. It would be a matter of time until the FBI's dogs would track you down so you had to run without looking back. And you did.

After a few minutes that felt like hours, you collapsed on the ground but felt a hand on your back.

"MC, what the hell are you doing here?"

You look up to see a black haired man, who's face looked so familiar despite never meeting him before.

"Jake.."

[if-mirrormine]

i'll always be there

summary: alex comforts grayson after mc is brought to the hospital.

pairing: gralex x mc

word count: 1050

(mostly) based on the request: is it possible to have a continuation of the i will always save you drabble that you did for grayson? but this time is the reaction of alex at the hospital, where they see the mc getting wheeled in to the emergency room with grayson at the mc's side.

**unedited\\this is kinda rushed so i hope it as good as the first part**

request a drabble here!

alex is just leaving the paediatric ward when they're interrupted by their pager buzzing at their hip. glancing down at it, they see they're needed in the waiting room, and they arch up an eyebrow at the device as if it holds more answers.

they consider ignoring it for a moment; with their shift ending not ten minutes ago and a long, hot shower waiting for them at home, they're champing at the bit to leave. but then they sigh, hanging their head as they turn on their heels and let their sense of duty guide them back to the waiting room.

the first thing they notice is grayson and the incomprehensible look of sadness on his face, tears building in his blue eyes. the second thing they notice when he throws his arms around them, hugging them so tight it's almost impossible to breathe, is that he's... sopping wet?

“gray,” they squeak out, patting his back in hopes that it'll prompt him to let them go sooner. “what's wrong? tell me what happened.”

he doesn’t speak for a long moment, simply embracing them until his breathing returns to normal and then he slowly pulls away. with red eyes and a face streaked with tears, he utters the words that alex has always dread to hear.

“mc was in a car accident.”

forcing every fibre in their body to keep calm, they take a deep breath and settle their hands on his shoulders to keep him grounded. “how bad is it?”

“i don’t know,” he mumbles, a fresh batch of tears brewing in his eyes. “there were so many doctors and they just- they took them away somewhere and i don’t know what to do -”

“grayson,” they say, interrupting him before he can spiral further. “it’s okay; i'll go see what i can find out. have you called nora?”

at the mention of mc’s mother, his eyes widen and he buries his face in his hands as chastises himself. “merde... jestem taki głupi!”

though taken aback by his mix of languages, they don’t ask any questions, choosing instead to direct him towards a chair. “you call nora and I'll go find them, okay?”

he nods his head, staring vacantly at the smart phone in his hand and after a moment of hesitation, glancing over him in concern, they turn on their feet and rush towards the nurse's station.

it didn’t take long to find mc, especially not when jessie seeks them out. they keep their face as neutral as possible as they listen to the man describe their condition but, on the inside, a storm is raging.

near-drowning. blunt trauma. internal bleeding. pneumothorax. hypothermia.

jessie explains that he’d been able to put in a chest tube before they were whisked off into surgery by the chief general surgeon. as far as he knew, everything was going according to plan so now it was just a matter of waiting.

they find themself sitting next grayson in the waiting room, changed out of their scrubs and into the sweatpants and tank top they had in their locker. nora and callie have yet to arrive but according to the man next to them, they’re on their way.

they look over at him now. he sits slouched over, with his elbows on his knees and his face buried in his hands. he's still sopping wet and they wonder momentarily if they should’ve grabbed him a towel.

“they’ll be okay, gray,” they say softly, hoping that if they say it with enough conviction that it’ll make it true.

he glances at them with blood shot eyes and heart break written across his face. “you don’t know that,” he mumbles as he looks away from them and down at his hands, twisting his fingers like they remember him doing in school before a big exam. his anxiety is getting the better of him and they wish they knew how to put his mind at ease.

“of course i do,” they tell and they reach over to take his hand, intertwining their fingers, forcing him to look at them once more. “dr. dumont is the best general surgeon in the city; if anyone can save them, it’s her.”

“you’re the only doctor i trust to take care of them,” he grumbles in response, his thumb stroking the back of their hand and even though they think that he does it unconsciously, they can’t help the feeling of warmth that blooms in their chest.

“my, oh my... was that a genuine compliment from grayson donohue?”

he smiles despite himself, shaking his head softly as he glances down at their joined hands. “don’t get to used to it. we don’t like each other, remember?”

they hum and tilt their head to the side, watching him with an amused smile. “and remind me again; why is that?”

he leans back in his seat, seemingly more relaxed than he was moments ago, and rests his head against the wall before looking back at them. “simple,” he says. “you stole the love of my life.”

“excuse you, that’s the love of our life,” they reply. “this is a communist relationship, sir.”

laughing, he squeezes their hand. “right... how could i forget?” silence settles between them and alex can’t help but think, despite the circumstances that brought them here, it feels comfortable sitting next to him. it feels right, as if this what they were always meant to do. the only thing missing is mc.

“you know,” grayson says suddenly, breaking the silence and looking at them with a certain clarity in his eyes. “i don’t not like you.”

they blink in surprise before letting themself smile again. “as soon as mc wakes up, you need to say that again because they’ll never believe me otherwise.”

“głupi,” he mutters as he rolls his eyes playfully. “i’m trying to be real here, lex.”

“sorry, i’ll be nice. start over.”

“nope, the moment's gone. you ruined it; i hope you’re happy.”

“oh, i’m just ecstatic, gray.”

he smiles then, more to himself than them, before it wavers slightly. “and you’re sure they gonna be okay?”

they nod, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze as they shift closer to him to rest their head on his shoulder. “more sure than i’ve ever been .”

[shiny-jr]

To that one anon who wanted to shoot their shot with King!MC you’re so real BUT the real ones know that Chief!MC and Retainer!MC are what is up!!! They are just so 😍. So what if they committed murder, let people have hobbies 🙄. It’s not a red flag if I’m wearing rose tinted glasses 🥰. My beloved beautiful, intelligent , badass, fine af queens 🗣️🔥, do what your heart desires!! Savanaclaw and Pomfiere better back up, because I’m going to treat my gorgeous baby girls right!! 🗣️ now would you hear me out on Vassal!MC….I can fix them…. *I am shot and dragged off stage*

Y'all probably need therapy.

[andydrysdalerogers]

To The Limit ~ One

F1 Racer Johnny Storm x OFC Maya Levinson

Summary: He's been away from the sport for 2 years. He has 24 races to prove he belongs here. There are two things that could derail this: his family and her.

She's the one thing he is willing to push to the limit for.

This a sequel to my original story, "Following Team Orders" If you want to get caught up in my Formula One world, you can find it HERE

Future Warnings: references to a partner's death, cheating (but not by the MCs,) alcohol consumption, SMUT!, angst, racing incidents, language, grief, etc.

Moon Dividers by @firefly-graphics

Car divider and Banners by me!

Previous Chapter: Prologue

Story Master List // Main Master List

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS. Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated

Winter Testing ~ Bahrain ~ Two Years Later 

Surprising news coming from the FIA.  Newly crowned champion Olivia Williams-Rogers has been pulled as a driver for the season. The only statement made was that Mrs. Williams-Rogers had made the decision with Mercedes.  One can only hope that everything is ok.  Mrs. Williams-Rogers won her first championship last year at the helm of Mercedes following a second championship by her husband Steve Rogers and her former crew chief James Barnes. Mercedes has said that their reserved driver, Cole Riggin, will take her place this year.  

Devastating update from winter testing. After a hard collision with the barrier, Cole Riggin has been medically sidelined for the year due to injury. Mercedes is now scrambling to find a replacement for Riggin as they now only have George Russell in the car. Lots of names are being thrown around, including bring back disgraced racer Ransom Drysdale and semi-retired driver Johnny Storm. Only time will tell who will take the second seat with Mercedes.  

A Wonderful surprise coming from team Mercedes and team Red Bull! Congratulations are in order for former champion Steve Rogers and his wife, current champion Olivia Williams-Rogers. The Rogers family have announced that Mrs. Rogers is pregnant and that is the reason why she is not racing this year. Andy Barber was buzzing in joy as he made the announcement during the post testing press conference. Per Barber, “Olivia is doing well. When she was told by medical of her condition, Mercedes pulled her license immediately. Of course, she was happy to relinquish her license and Steve is overjoyed at the news.  We here at Red Bull are thrilled to have a future driver coming soon.  

No details on how far along Olivia is but here at Sky Sports are sending their congratulations and well wishes to the happy couple.  

With this announcement, there is still no news on the replacement driver. The first race of the season is set to be here in Bahrain in one month’s time and we can only hope that Mercedes announces a decision soon.  

Ari 

“Let’s get this meeting started.” I moved to the front of the room at Mercedes headquarters. My now pregnant driver, Olivia Rogers sat with my current George Russell, on one side. Maya, my public relations expert, Mike, head engineer for George and Lewis, retired driver and former head engineer for Oliva sat on the other of the table.  “Go around the room.”  

Lewis cleared his throat. “Riggin’s injury is significant. He has torn ligaments on both sides of his knee so there is no chance of a comeback this year.  He’s flying back home two weeks after his surgery. We have already arranged rehab for him.”  

“Fuck me,” I muttered.  “Ok then, who is the replacement?”  

“With the way the car is running,” Maya starts, “we need an experience driver. A rookie will have a hard time with the pull we see.  And until we get the updates from the factory, this will continue to be a problem.”  

“What about Drysdale?” Mike asked. The room went quiet. “ I know he made life difficult here but the chance to bring him back for another championship is something we must consider.”  

“No,” Olivia and I said at the same time. I continued, “Drysdale is a liability risk that will harm the team more than help. I am not going to give him a redemption story. Anyone else?”  

The team debated on several other drivers, Riccardo, Hulkenburg, Lawson, before Olivia sat up straighter. “What about Storm?” 

“Storm? Johnny Storm?” George asked.   

“Yeah, Storm was great at Ferrari. He only lost his seat because Nick Fowler is a jack ass who wouldn’t take responsibility of the fact the team fucked up the strategy.” Liv smiled. “He may have been gone for a couple of years but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t lost his touch.”  

I smile.  I love that I kept Olivia as a consultant while she is pregnant. My World Champion has a brilliant mind when it comes to drivers and strategy, and it would have been a shame to not use her. I also couldn’t let her use that brain on her husband’s team. “Ok, let’s see if we can bring him in.”  

Arriving in New York is a trip. After spending so much time in Europe I wasn’t used to the hustle and bustle of the city.  As I headed into Manhattan, I went over my notes for Johnny. 

John Storm  Age: 30  Status: Single  Experience: Formula 3 Champion, Formula 2 Champion, 2 Years – Mcclaren; 6 years – Ferrari; currently without a contract. 

I pulled up to the Baxter Building and looked up. I wondered how an unemployed driver could afford to live here but it wasn’t my place to judge.  I went up to the penthouse. There was a receptionist on the floor. What the hell? “Uh, hi. I have an appointment with Mr. Storm.”  

The lady smiled.  “And your name?” 

“Ari Levinson.” 

“Let me ring him.” She calls out and she smiles.  I take a seat in the waiting room, looking at the memorabilia on the walls.  Johnny has a wall with pictures from his racing days. Another woman, with his coloring, has some pictures as well, but with science stuff. “Mr. Levinson, he will be right out.”  

“Thanks.” I stood up and looked at a photo of Johnny and Charles LeClerc. “We took that in Vegas,” a new voice said.  I turned and looked at Johnny Storm. He looks a little bit older from the photo that was just two years old. I offered him my hand.  

“Johnny, it's good to see you.”  

“Good to see you too Mr. Levinson.”  

“Ari, please.”  

“Sure. Follow me.” He walked towards the living room.  “Can I get you anything?” 

“Coffee, if you have it.”  

“Sure do, one sec. How do you take it?” 

“Black.” He disappeared though a door with a nod and I took in the room.  It was simple yet comfortable. I wondered if Johnny had a girlfriend or wife. “Here you go,” he said with a mug.   

“Thanks.” I took a sip as he went to sit across from me.  “This is a nice place.”  

“It belongs to my brother-in-law. His grants pay for the lab upstairs and the living area.” He twiddles his thumbs and looks at my expectantly. I decide to stop with the small talk.  

“Well, I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m here.”  

“A little bit.” Johnny looked a little apprehensive and maybe a little tired. “I mean, I haven’t been in Formula One for a while, so I am not sure why you are here.”  

“I’m here to offer you a job.”  

“A job,” he repeated. “I don’t have the skills to be a mechanic or anything. That’s more Reed’s speed.”  

“Reed?” 

“My sister’s fiancé, my brother-in-law. He’s the brain around here. I’m just a pilot. Or, well, I was a pilot.”  He patted the back of his head.  He reached for his own cup.  

I smiled. “How would you like to be a pilot again?” 

Johnny stopped mid-sip on his own coffee. “Excuse me?” 

“I don’t know if you have been following F1 news lately, but Liv is out for the season and her replacement had a big bust up at testing.”  

“I heard about Bug. She called me when the new broke. I’m happy for her and Rogers.” He took another sip. “I thought Riggin was supposed to take her seat. So, would you need me as a reserve driver?” 

“No. Riggin’s crash was more brutal than reported.  He tore up his right knee and is out for the year. I want you to be our second driver next to George.”  

Johnny 

This is just a weird day. Like a fucking weird day. I haven’t had a day like this in over two years. That day turned my life upside down. Not that I regret it. I would never regret it. I’m in my thoughts, making some macaroni and cheese for dinner when my sister walks through the door. “Hey bro.”  

“Hey sis.”  She kisses me on the cheek. “How was the lab?” 

“Busy. I’m getting a headache just thinking about it.” She shakes her body. “I don’t want to talk about it.  Tell me how your day was.”  

“Took a walk, read a book and met with Ari Levinson.”  

Susie stopped drinking her water. “Ari Levinson? From Mercedes?” 

“That would be the one. He came into town on business, and he asked to meet.” I stirred the pasta, thinking back to the conversation we had.  

“What do you say Storm? Want to drive for Mercedes?” 

It's the dream, the dream I gave up two years ago. It's the chance of a lifetime to go back to the sport I love and race again.  I was good, fuck I was elite. But sacrifices had to be made when Ferrari let me go and while I miss racing, I wouldn’t change it for the world.  

“Yeah, and what did he say?” 

“He offered me a spot as second driver for this season.”  

“Johnny, that’s incredible. Did you take it?” 

“No, not yet. Told him I had to talk to my family first. I told him everything and that if I went, I would have to take my sister with me. Non-negotiable, you would have to be on my staff.”  

Susie frowned. “I already have a job, Johnny.”  

I plated the food and sat down. She followed me and waited for me to answer her. “You know, if I do this, I’ll only be home for a couple of days a week if not less. And it would kill me to be away. I need you, Susie. You hate your job and research anyways. Take a sabbatical and come with me. The contract that you’ll have will be awesome.”  

“What about your contract?” 

My mind flashes back to the conversation with Ari.  

This is unreal.  

It the chance of a lifetime.  To be able to come back and race after so long.  

“What’s the catch?” Because there is always one.  

Ari pulled a manila envelope from his bag.  “The contract right now is for one year, $2 Million with an option to pick up at the end of the season. Perform well and we’ll renegotiate. But this is a guaranteed one-year contract.”  

One year.  

This season has the most races. Twenty-Four races around the world. Ten months around the world. But life is different now and I have to remember that.  

“I need to explain a few things before I can accept.”  

I look back at Susie. “One year.” She blanches. “It’s probably my last chance.” I stare at the pictures on the wall. “My last chance to prove myself and set us up to be ok.  I mean, you made me smart, and we’ll be ok but then we’ll really be ok.” I look at Susie. “You know you’re the only one I can trust. Please?”  

I give her my best puppy eyes and she rolls her eyes but smiles. “I do need a break and Reed just mentioned needing to spend some time in Florida with NASA.” She sighs. “How good of a contract?” 

I pace my room, evening routine done and I’m alone. I had already spoken to Charles, Liv and Steve. They all said that its one more chance and with everything, this could be the start of a revival and that I should do it. Susie promised that she could handle being on the road, Reed said he could join her when he could. Now it was just me. As I gazed at the picture of Molly, I hit send on the phone.  

Johnny: I’m in

NEXT

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[drgmissioncontrol]

(just gonna carry on our story, pretending that mc's vacation never happened in-between. "ahem") . . .

Blue: "Ouuuugggghh... C-Control? ...C-Can ya read? Agh--... Wh-What in the bloody blazes WAS that? Th-Think I hit my head pretty hard from--

. . . What the...?" . . .

Death cratered into the room from above.

In a flash, the ceiling had been smashed through.

. . . In the blink of an eye.

50 Dread Barons had become 42.

8 Marines, crushed into bloody metal paste under a massive black-steel laser-core-infused drill built by the Rival Machines.

A drill that was as wide as 4 drop pods combined, carrying a black-steel box into the depths of this world that was the size of 5. Marked from top-to-bottom in Rival Glpyhs and Patterns…

Any barons that weren't crushed like tomatoes were thrown to the cave floor, dazed. Staring up at the enormous box.

Even the Power Scales and the Chief were floored by the crash-down of the box… rubbing at their visors to get the dust out of their vision.

Red: " . . . What. In. This galaxy?" Yellow: "What is that...? 'S massive!" Green: "The Barons! They were...!" Blue: "Red? Red, what-? What do we...?" Dread Baron Chief: " . . . B r o t h e r s . M Y . B R O T H E R S ! " Seeing the fate of his soldiers, the chief of the Barons began to shake with a believably unfathomable rage. Red: " . . . Control. What... what're your readin's sayin'?"

Management has been alerted. We’re awaiting orders. I’m scrambling another platoon of Marines as exfil, but the odds of them getting there before that… thing… reduces you to a fine red mist are low. I’d also recommend getting away from the Chief- you’ve heard the term seeing red? He personifies it.

Good luck, Miners. Rock and Stone.

[cariantha]

A Kiss on the Hand (Part 3️⃣)

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks) Rating: General Warning: None Category: Hurt/Comfort; Angsty Fluff Word count: 2.9K Series Summary: After realizing just how much they mean to each other, Ethan and Sawyer express their love through a sweet hand gesture. A/N: Artwork by the incredible @/artbyainna on Instagram. This is a three-part series. Part three inspired by 400 Trillion by Justin Jesso and Like I Need You by Culture Code & Elle Vee.

Part One: Soulmates / Part Two: Always Three Times

Part Three: I Know What You Mean

It felt like a scene from a movie, where the character stands still as the world around them moves in fast motion. Sawyer was that character. Frozen in place as the emergency room swirled around at light speed. 

Megan, the nurse who received the dispatch from EMTs, darted down the hall to inform Dr. Edwards, the Head of Trauma. Other nurses jumped into action preparing the available trauma room for the inbound patient. And remaining staff members turned their heads and gasped as Ethan's name traveled between the exam curtains. 

Dr. Edwards soon appeared leading a team of gowned and gloved residents to the ambulance bay. As he strode past, he instructed the desk supervisor to page the Chief of Medicine. Jackie was among the group. She noticed the look of shock on Sawyer’s face as she rushed by and pointed at her. 

“Hey, Brooks, you good?” she called.

At her friend’s voice, Sawyer snapped to attention and lied with a nod. She shook the haze from her head and followed Jackie to the ambulance bay, grabbing a paper gown and a pair of gloves on the way.

She stood behind the others who waited in suspense, poised to spring into action as soon as the ambulance arrived. Sawyer barely managed to unfold and glide her arms into the gown. Her hands trembled violently, making it impossible for her to hold them still long enough to put on her gloves.

The crash of a metal door slamming against the wall startled her. When she looked over her shoulder, she saw Naveen hurrying in their direction. He shook his head in disapproval when he spotted Sawyer.

Meeting her watery, pleading gaze, Naveen took the gloves from her shaking hands and pulled the paper cover down and off. After tossing them into a nearby receptacle, he took her hands and held them between his own.

“As hard as it might be, Sawyer, we are both going to sit this one out and let the others take care of him. Okay?” He patted her hands, then looped her arm through his and held on tight. Naveen, though wise and level-headed, seemingly needed her support as much as she needed his. 

After waiting for what felt like an eternity, the sound of a siren and flashing red lights announced the arrival of Aid Car 23. The trauma team dashed out into the rain, returning seconds later with a gurney and an EMT calling out vital signs. Sawyer only saw the blur of a bloodied face as Ethan was wheeled past. His jacket and shirt had been cut open, and someone was using an Ambu bag to ventilate him, squeezing it over his mouth every few seconds.

No longer needed, the EMT stepped back. Sawyer threw her arm out to stop her.

“Holly, do you know what happened? How he got hurt?”

“They were at the scene of a car accident on the bridge. A woman was trapped in her car, and Dr. R was trying to stabilize her until the fire department got there to extricate. Nick said a large truck sped toward them. When the driver finally decided to hit the brakes, he hydroplaned and slammed into them. One of the officers said the truck driver was on his goddamn phone and not paying attention.”

Sawyer’s hand covered her mouth as she tried to process the information. “Oh my god … is … is Nick okay?”  

“Yeah, he’s fine. He had gone back to the rig for supplies and wasn’t hit. He was able to call for back-up.”

“And the person trapped in the car?” Naveen inquired. “Are they on their way?”

Holly shook her head no. “Nick said she was already in critical condition before the second impact. She was pronounced on scene.”

Another dispatch came in on Holly’s radio and she excused herself. 

Sawyer turned to Naveen. Unable to keep her composure any longer, she collapsed into his open arms. “I begged him not to go,” she cried into her grand-mentor’s shoulder.

Naveen softly patted her on the back, then pulled away to look her in the eyes.

“Sawyer, you know better than anyone … Once Ethan sets his mind to something, it’s difficult to convince him otherwise. Especially if it means saving lives.”

Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he led them to just outside the trauma room, where they watched the team assess Ethan's injuries through a sliding glass door.

Inside the small room, there was organized chaos. 

“Hemopneumothorax,” Edwards called out. “Prep for a thoracostomy and get Dr. Emery down here for a neuro consult. Stat.”

A minute later, he inserted a tube into Ethan’s chest wall. The vitals on the patient monitor began to improve, but Ethan was not out of the woods yet.  

“Dr. Edwards, he’s awake!” one of the residents trumpeted a few moments later. 

Ethan had opened his eyes. Confused, he surveyed the room as Dr. Edwards informed him that he had been in an accident. 

The rest of his body immobile, Ethan’s eyes darted around the room, scanning every face. 

“Soe?” he mumbled underneath the oxygen mask. 

“Ethan, you’re at Edenbrook…” Dr. Edwards continued explaining. 

“Soe?” he managed, his trembling voice a bit louder this time.

“We're treating you for a hemopneumothorax, and it looks like you took a nasty blow to the head.”

“Soe?” he asked again and again, each time a little more agitated than before. 

The staff all looked at each other with concern before Ethan closed his eyes and drifted off again. 

“Dammit! Where’s neuro?” Dr. Edwards vented.

Harper arrived a couple minutes later with Bryce, who was on her service for the week. One of the other residents provided a quick rundown of the case so far, including the fact that Ethan had been alert but incoherent. The neurosurgeon carefully inspected the laceration at his hairline and ordered a CT scan. 

“Ethan, can you open your eyes for me?” she asked, getting her penlight ready.

Ethan slowly fluttered his eyes open.

“Good. Do you know who I am?” 

She shone a light into his eyes and checked the dilation of his pupils.

“H-Harper.”

“Hi there, friend. Do you know where you are?”

“Hospital.”

She asked him a couple other simple questions to which he gave correct, but slow one-word responses.

“You did good, Ethan,” she laid her hand on his shoulder. Turning to Bryce and Jackie, she spoke softly, “Get him to CT right away.” 

Ethan scratched at her hand, trying to get her attention. When she looked at him, he moved the mask away from his mouth.

“Where’s … Soe?” he tried again, hoping his friend would understand. 

“Soe?” Harper repeated. 

The others in the rooms shrugged their shoulders and shook their heads.

But not Bryce. On the other side of the glass door, he saw Sawyer nervously chewing on her thumb nail. He met her anxious gaze and smiled as he immediately understood.

Bryce was familiar with the moniker. He had heard it before when working out with his friends at the hospital gym. 

He stepped forward so that Ethan could see his face. “She’s here, buddy. She’s right outside in the hall with Naveen,” Bryce answered, putting the mask back in place. 

They saw relief wash over his features before he closed his eyes once again.

A short time later, the residents prepared to take Ethan up to surgery, and Dr. Edwards and Harper updated the chief.

“...X-rays confirmed he has several broken ribs, which caused the hemopneumothorax. We’re taking him up to surgery to repair the damaged tissue. Tanaka’s already scrubbing in,” Dr. Edwards reported.

“He also has a small brain bleed that requires decompression. I should be able to resolve it with a simple burr hole procedure,” the neurosurgeon added. 

Harper put her hand on Sawyer's arm and gave it a light squeeze. “He was alert and responding to my questions. He was asking for you,” she said with a polite smile. Looking back to Naveen, “He’s in good hands. Tanaka and I will page you after the procedures.”

As the attendings took their leave, Jackie and another resident wheeled Ethan toward the elevator. With a tilt of her head, Jackie gave her friend permission to walk with them. Sawyer caught up and took his hand in hers. 

“Ethan, it’s me. It’s Sawyer,” she said as his eyes cracked open. “Hi, I’m here. And I’ll be here when you get out of surgery. I’ll be here the whole time.” 

As they waited for the elevator to arrive, Sawyer bent down and kissed his hand three times.

“You know what I mean, right?” she searched his eyes for understanding. 

Ethan gave a slight nod and whispered, "Yes."

A lone tear escaped from the corner of his eye. Sawyer quickly swiped it away with her thumb and kissed his temple.

When the elevator chimed, Naveen pulled her back. “Come dear, let’s go back to my office and call his father. We can wait there for further updates.”

<><><><><><><><><><>

It was just past 8 a.m. when Ethan was finally transferred to the intensive care unit. Throughout the day, Alan, Naveen and Sawyer received updates from Harper and Dr. Tanaka. The surgeries had been successful, and so far there had been no complications, but the next twenty-four hours would be critical. 

As day turned to night, Naveen offered to drive Alan back to Ethan’s apartment. The older men insisted Sawyer go home and get some rest, but she refused, wanting to be there when he woke up. 

Finally alone with him, Sawyer stood at Ethan’s bedside, drawing lines up and down his arm with her finger. 

“Hey you … it’s time to wake up now … even if just for a few minutes."

"I know you’re probably exhausted, and that you need the rest, but I really need to hear your voice and know that you’re okay."

"So … I’m sorry not sorry for what I’m about to do … and that’s to be a colossal pain in your ass. I’m going to stand here, and talk your ear off, until you wake up and tell me to shut up,” she let herself smile.

Sawyer took a moment to look him over. He looked so out of place lying in a hospital bed. He was meant to be the one standing next to it.

“You know … I wasn’t just kissing your ass when I told you I was your biggest fan. I meant it. I own three copies of Diagnostic Principles. I have a Google drive full of research papers and journal articles that you’ve authored. I even have a playlist of conference talks and podcasts,” she shook her head in self-amusement.

“Your approach to patient care … your forward-thinking techniques … the unbelievable diagnoses … all of it inspired me to become a doctor.”

She cupped her hand over his as if to soften the blow she was about to deliver.

“Though I have to confess … During my first week at Edenbrook … the saying ‘never meet your heroes’ came to mind several times. Geez, you were such an asshole,” she revealed.

“I also thought you were the most attractive man alive, but an asshole nonetheless.”

“Then … you let me see another side of yourself … I still don’t know why … but I’m grateful because I got to know the real you. I got to see you as Dolores’ friend … and Tadpole’s godfather … and Naveen’s adopted son … and then as my friend. And what I learned was that you are actually quite softhearted under all that armor. You are also generous … and loyal … honest … passionate … and protective … Oh, and don’t even get me started on that snarky sense of humor. Nobody makes me laugh the way you do.”

She exhaled a deep breath, gently squeezing his hand before continuing. 

“Despite your best efforts to prevent it … I fell for you, Ethan. And not just head over heels … it was more like a ‘leapt from a steep cliff, rolled down the side of a mountain, bounced off every boulder, splashed into the ocean, and drowned in you’ kind of fall.” 

“Hey, I saw that! I saw you roll your eyes underneath your eyelids," she chuckled.

Sawyer moved to sit on the edge of the bed, trying not to jostle him. She leaned forward and stroked his cheek ever-so-slightly.

“Do you remember that TED Talk where they mentioned that we have a one-in-four-hundred-trillion chance of being born?” 

She took a quick peek out the window, looking up at the night sky. 

“I can’t help thinking about that … against those odds, we never really stood a chance of ever meeting. But somehow … I stumbled upon your book … and my application to Edenbrook landed on your desk … and we were in that lobby at the same time.”

She bowed her head and wrung her fingers. 

“Our … our fight yesterday … that’s basically the root of it. We’ve overcome these impossible odds and found each other. And … and I’m so scared of all the ways that I might lose you.”

“Then you add another, going out in that storm and getting hit by a truck!” she cried out, taking his hand again and holding it in her lap.

“You and I both know the past two years have been far from perfect … but that’s us. That’s our brand. And I wouldn’t change a thing. If it was all that we’ve been through, or nothing, I would want it all … because I need you,” Sawyer’s voice cracked as tears rained down her cheeks.

“I need you, Ethan,” she wept. “I know you would say that I don’t, but I do. I would have thrown in the towel so many times if it weren’t for you believing in me. Fighting for me. And I’m not just talking about my career … you were there on my darkest days. You wouldn’t let me give up, and you never gave up on me. I could never, ever express how much that has meant to me … how much you mean to me … but I want to try. So you really need to wake up soon.”

Carefully leaning over him, she placed a barely there kiss on his forehead. 

“Babe … please … come back to me,” she whispered.

<><><><><><><><><><>

Sawyer dozed off in the armchair with her knees tucked under her chin. Sometime during the night, a thoughtful ICU nurse draped a blanket over her.  

“Soe,” said a low raspy voice.

It sounded like her family nickname. Ethan learned of it when he met Sawyer’s siblings, following the attack. Lately, he had been using the pet name more and more often to call her when they were alone together. Thinking she either dreamt it or misheard one of the nurses talking outside, she shifted a little and tried to fall back asleep.

“Soe … Sawyer?” 

There was no mistaking it that time. She opened her eyes to find Ethan looking at her, his hand outstretched beckoning her to come close.

She threw off the blanket and sprung to her feet, grabbing his hand and giving it a tender squeeze.

“Hiiiii,” her eyes welled with tears once again.

“Hi,” he stared back.

Sawyer looked at his bruised and battered face, and the bandage wrapped around his head. "How are you feeling?" she asked. "Do you remember what happened?"

The corners of his mouth turned up in a slight smile, “I feel like I got hit by a truck,” he half-joked.

“Give me one sec … Harper will want to know you’re awake.” Sawyer poked her head outside to inform one of the nurses and then returned to his side. 

He tapped the bed, inviting Sawyer to join him. Perched on the edge, she could no longer hold back the tears of relief that streamed down her cheeks as they gazed into each other's eyes.

Ethan slowly lifted her hand to his mouth, kissing it three times. 

“I know what you mean when you do that.” 

“I surmised as much. When did you figure it out?” he wondered. 

“You let it slip the night you got drunk,” she smiled, recalling the sweet moment.

“I see.”

Sawyer looked down at their clasped hands, Ethan's eyes following suit. They each steeled themselves to speak. To say those three little words.

It was Sawyer that worked up the nerve first.

“God, Ethan, I was so scared,” her voice shook. “I was scared that I was going to lose you and never be able to tell you how I feel. I’ve felt this way for a while, but I didn’t want to scare you away, or pressure you.”

She carried on, barely taking a breath.

“Had I figured it out sooner … had I realized you felt the same … I would have reciprocated. I would have said it back … out loud … and told you every day. So I’m going to do it now, and I don’t care if you–”

She was taken aback when Ethan pulled his hand away and pinched her lips shut to silence her rambling.

“I love you, Sawyer,” he voiced with a grin.

With a hint of laughter, she cried in relief.

Swatting his leg, “You just had to steal my thunder and say it first, didn’t you?” she laughed through her tears. 

“Well, technically, I already had,” Ethan smugly shrugged his shoulders.

Sawyer shook her head and brought his hand to her lips.

“I love you, Ethan." One kiss.

"I love you too." Two kisses.

"I love you so much.” Three kisses.