#rem wouldn't have wanted any of this

[ellecdc]

Mother, i had a request but i forgot what it was 😭😭 i was sooo excited tooo 😫

But in trying to remember i had another brilliant idea!!

Reader x Reggie where theyre both stoic, slightly volatile 🐍 but theyre actually really soft and mushy. And then SURPRISE!! Theyre actually also dating Remus who takes care of them and is super protective. Maybe its revealed near the full moon and possessive Moony makes an appearance.

Siri is flabberghasted; Barty is horrified his darling sweethearts are be defiled; James is shook; and Lily is yhe ultimate bro and super proud of Rem.

Anyway, im sorry your computer was so mean to you. I hope you're looking after yourself 🩵🩵

......this is going to go down in history as my most controversial post........😈 may I present to you.....poly!MoonWater 😈😈😈😈😈

poly!moonwater x fem stoic!reader (i.e., Remus Lupin x Regulus Black x reader)

Sirius Black was admittedly currently going through a hard time.

Now, depending on who you asked, one (literally everyone and anyone) might say it was his own fault.

But if you asked Sirius Black? It was everyone else and their insufferable happiness that was to blame.

His insufferable best-friend-that-anyone-could-ever-ask-for finally landed the woman of his dreams and said woman of previously mentioned best friend was horribly in love with the sod.

Even his baby brother was happy! Which seemed like an oxymoron because in looking at Regulus Arcturus Black, one would assume that boy had never known a single moment of happiness in his life.

If one took into account their childhoods, they’d be right.

But Regulus Black, who was quiet in a way that made you feel like you were always being judged and ridiculed (you were) who very rarely had a kind thing to say about anyone had found happiness (read: a girl) who, for all intents and purposes, could be his personality doppelganger.

One difference, however, was that you were quiet in a way that always had one feeling like you knew too much, saw too much, and you were far too perceptive for anyone’s good. You always seemed to be analyzing the people around you and Sirius, sue him, found that incredibly disconcerting. 

He did not wish to be known, thank you very much. 

And even Moony! Moony, the bastard, was seeing someone! Fucked if Sirius knew who though because the sod wouldn't tell anyone who they were. He just kept popping back to the dorm room covered in hickies and looking far too pleased with himself whilst offering no details.

He was even spending entire nights away from the dorm, and always made sure he had the sodding map with him so they couldn’t even see where he was.

So yeah, Sirius was pissed.

And before you ask – no, it’s not because he was lonely – in fact, he had frequent visitors in his bed thank you very much.  And NO, he didn’t want to discuss the fact that perhaps if he didn’t run at the first sign of commitment or emotional intimacy, he too would have happiness. 

Perhaps he just wanted everyone else to be slightly less happy for his own sake.

Did no one ever think about Sirius Black?

Give right now for example. He and Regulus had been...hanging out (if that’s what you could call the two of them sitting together not speaking as they each did their own homework) since Sirius insisted it was important to do so, especially since Sirius no longer lived at home meaning that their usual means of brotherly bonding (read: trauma) no longer took place. 

And then James showed up (he was so lucky Sirius loved him) who was but of course accompanied by Lily Evans (she was so lucky she’s as lovely as she is) which turned into a small James Potter roast on account of Regulus and Lily both having years’ worth of material from hating him up until recently, and Sirius had loads of material on account of him being a certified hater. 

And then Moony showed up, and if Sirius didn’t know any better, he had definitely been fooling around mere moments ago.

But Sirius did know better.

“Moony, what broom closet did you just crawl out of and where’s the poor soul that was stuck in there with you?” He spat.

Remus merely chuckled and pulled a book out of his bag, making himself comfortable in one of the library’s grandfather chairs. “No one was stuck anywhere with me.”

“No, I’m sure they were a very willing participant.” Regulus drawled, looking particularly bored for all intents and purposes, never bothering to lift his gaze from his book.

“No need to be jealous, baby Black. You’re more than welcome to join me in such broom closets.” Remus joked with a wink.

“Oi!” Sirius swatted at Remus on behalf of his brother (he’s welcome). “That’s my baby brother you’re talking about, and he’s taken thank you very much.”

“Merlin knows how,” James muttered none too quietly, “it’s not like he’s very approachable.”

Regulus lifted a lazy eyebrow as he looked at James from above the pages of his book. “I’ll have you know I’m very approachable to those I wish to be approached by.”

“Hi Reggie!” 

“Get fucked.” Regulus called back to Barty Crouch Junior, hardly sparing his best friend a glance as he approached him from behind. 

“Wow, Reggie’s in a good mood today, huh?” Barty said as he sat on one arm of Regulus’ chair, causing James to laugh until he realized that Barty wasn’t joking.

Suddenly another body showed up and gently sat on the other arm of Regulus’ chair.

Sirius watched as Regulus’ impassive face completely cleared of all contempt and he looked up at you with pure and unadulterated adoration.

It made Sirius sick. 

“Bonjour, mon cheri.” He murmured softly, in complete contrast to the harsh, militarized way he had previously been spitting at everyone else. 

You smiled gently at the boy as you pulled a notebook out of your book bag and produced a small, pressed flower, handing it to Regulus between your thumb and forefinger.

Regulus looked at it like you had just presented him with a hundred-year-old bottle of fire-whiskey.

“Did you pick this for me?” He asked gently, plucking the flower from your fingers with matching delicacy.

You offered him a quiet ‘mhm’ and Sirius noticed a shy smile grace your lips. Regulus’ eyes moved from the flower to your face, and he gazed at you like you had hung the moon.

“Merci, mon amour.” He said reverently and pressed a kiss to your cheek.

Lily looked at the two of you with a smile one might see on the face of a proud mother, James looked at the two of you like he was seeing a bowtruckle for the first time, and Remus looked oddly taken with the show of affection. Barty was apparently the only other sane one amongst them – oh gods, maybe Sirius really was losing it.

“Where the fuck has this Regulus been the last six years?” Barty muttered incredulously. 

Without much effort on your part, you reached over Regulus’ shoulder and shoved Barty off the arm of the chair and onto the floor before sliding to sit directly in Regulus’ lap.

“You...alright, Crouch?” James called tentatively from his place on the other side of the couple. 

“Oh, I’m fine. That’s just how she shows her love.” Barty said as he bounced back up, completely unperturbed. 

“Is it now?” Sirius asked, tone dripping with sarcasm. Remus swatted Sirius’ leg with his book.

“What?” Sirius squawked.

“Be nice.” He chided.

“I am nice! And why do you care?” Sirius argued, though he never got an answer. 

“I think they’re cute.” Lily announced, sending a sly smirk towards Remus.

“See? Lily gets it.” Remus said with a shrug as he went back to his book.

Sirius hated every single one of them.

But if Sirius thought that had been rough, he had no idea what was in store for him today. 

Sirius, Remus, Peter, James and... Lily had all been sitting at the Gryffindor table during dinner when Sirius noticed you rushing into the Great Hall looking rather frazzled.

“Whoa, what’s going on with Y/N?” Peter asked, apparently having noticed you at the same time as Sirius.

The conversation stopped abruptly as Remus’ head snapped towards the entrance, seemingly on high alert upon hearing of your arrival.

Sirius watched as you scanned the Hall before your eyes fell on their group. Your face crumpled in misery, and you rushed over. You were usually so polished and poised, any and all emotions locked away behind a well-fitted mask, no wonder you and Regulus got along so well.

Regulus...something must have happened to Regulus. Sirius had a dreadful feeling settle in the pit of his stomach; what could have happened to make you rush up to him looking that alarmed?

Except...you breezed right past him.

“What’s wrong, lovebug?” Remus cooed quietly, causing Sirius to choke on his own spit.

“He was hurt during practice.” You cried quietly, voice no more than a whisper as you moved to step between Remus’ spread legs where he had rotated on the bench to face you. His hands landed on the back of your thighs were his thumbs rubbed soothing circles into your tight clad legs.

“Okay. How hurt?” Remus asked just as quietly, ignoring the sputtering happening from James, the chuckling from Lily, and the horrified expression painting Sirius’ face.

“Dislocated shoulder.” You cried miserably, as if you’d just been told Regulus was damned to spend the rest of his life in a vegetative state.

Remus’s mouth looked like it was fighting really hard to smile as his eyes pooled with equal parts fondness, worry (for you or Regulus, Sirius wasn’t sure at this moment), and no shortage of love.

What the fuck was going on right now!? 

“What the fuck is going on right now!?” Sirius demanded, his outside voice echoing the one inside of his head.

You startled a little at his exclamation, leaning closer into Remus who increased his embrace around you. 

“What’s happening dear padfoot, is it appears your brother has been injured during quidditch practice. Perhaps you ought to go see how he is?” Remus taunted as he continued running soothing hands over your body.

“Yeah, yeah; the sky is blue, and people get hurt in quidditch. Now what is this!?” He screeched gesturing wildly at the two of you. 

You looked equal parts embarrassed from the attention and equal parts wanting to tell Sirius off for downplaying what you clearly thought was some great upheaval in Regulus’ life when Lily spoke up.

“I’m surprised it took you this long to notice, Pads.”

His mouth dropped open as he turned to regard his best friend’s girlfriend with a look of pure betrayal.

“Et tu, Lily!?” Sirius cried as James sputtered, “you knew!?”

Remus just smiled as he shoved his nose into your collarbone. You brought up a hand to begin scratching at his scalp, and Sirius was certain the sods leg would be thumping in contentment if he were a dog.

“Let’s go, Sirius.” Remus finally muttered, interrupting an argument that was going nowhere between James, Lily, and Sirius. “You’ve got a brother in the hospital wing.”

You hurried on ahead of them, clearly not interested in the talk the two friends were about to have.

“So, are you fucking my brother too or just fucking him over by screwing his girl?” Sirius finally spat with his arms crossed petulantly over his chest. 

Remus groaned and looked up at the ceiling, as if praying for strength to get through this conversation with Sirius Drama Queen Black. “Sirius, can you ask me a question that’s less likely to get me punched in the face?”

“No.” Sirius muttered. 

“He’s happy, Sirius. I promise.” Remus pressed. “He...he really deserves all the love he’s getting.”

And Sirius would have been an absolute arse if he’d had anything to say in response to that...

Don’t get him wrong, Sirius was an arse and did have many things to say in response to that, but the words died on the tip of his tongue when they walked into the hospital wing to see you sitting on the end of Regulus’ hospital bed.

Regulus, save the sling holding his arm to his chest and the fact that he was sitting in a hospital bed, looked as casual as Sirius ever remembered seeing him, smiling at you with...

Love.

A lot of love. 

“I’m fine, amour, I promise.” They heard him plead with you as they approached.

“Still have all your limbs, I see.” Remus commented as he walked over and pressed a gentle kiss to Regulus’ hair, causing the youngest Black to blush something fierce as he looked over at Sirius. 

“I’m sure she told you I was comatose.” He commented quietly, turning and offering you a wink.

“Don’t tease me...” You moaned, looking very much like you still wanted to fold Regulus up and put him in your pocket for safe keeping.

“Yeah, don’t tease her, love. You’d be sitting in this hospital bed all on your lonesome with no one you dote on you otherwise.” Remus jokingly chided. 

“Love.” Sirius groaned with a dramatized gag. 

“Oh, grow up, Siri.” Regulus barked.

Sirius’ head snapped over to his brother at the sound of his childhood nickname. Regulus’ cheeks were still dusted pink, whether it be at the unplanned outing of his relationship, being hurt, or the gravity of this moment.

Regulus hadn’t called him that since they were children...like, real children before the trauma, the alienation, the disinheritance, the running away...

Perhaps because Regulus had spent all of that time living in unmeasurable pain. Just like Sirius had.

And maybe, now...Regulus had people who made him feel brave enough to be vulnerable like this, to reconnect in ways he long thought impossible. 

Fuck Moony and his good naturedness; Sirius hated that Remus was right about this. 

“Oh, fucking Godric.” Sirius muttered petulantly as he pulled Regulus into a bone crushing hug.

Literally.

“Sirius!” Regulus groaned before Sirius was ripped away from his brother. Sirius expected Remus to be the one throwing him to the floor for inadvertently hurting Regulus’ injury...but it was you. 

“You idiot.” You hissed as new tears formed in your eyes, immediately moving to grab the ice pack from the bedside table and gently placing it on Regulus’ shoulder.

Remus and Regulus looked at you with so much adoration, Sirius was certain hearts were going to start pouring out of their eyes and floating around their heads.

“I’m fine, thanks!” He called out as he hauled himself up off the floor. 

“Oh good.” You said sarcastically.

“I don’t like this.” Sirius grumbled, causing all three faces to turn to him.

“Pads...”

“Sirius, please.” Regulus implored.  

“What if you break his heart?” He asked no one in particular. “What if you hurt my baby brother? Who am I supposed to support then? Or you; what am I supposed to do if you hurt my best friend? And what if you tossers hurt Y/N!”

The three of you shared a look before his brother turned to him. “Sirius, if we breakup, I give you permission to side with Remus.”

“And if we break up, I promise you can side with Y/N.” Remus added.

“Nope.” You said quickly, “that’s fine, I don’t need to be included in this.”

Sirius groaned out a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank gods. Okay, okay. I guess I'll allow it then....”

“THE THREE OF YOU ARE WHAT!?” Barty screeched as he stood at the door of the infirmary, still in his quidditch kit.

“Do we actually have to have this conversation again?” You groaned quietly.

Remus shot Regulus and extremely guilty look as he slowly stood.

“Remus.” Regulus warned.

Remus grimaced and slowly made his way over to you.

“Remus John Lupin, I swear to Salazar...”

“Regulus, I love you; I do. But...he’s you’re friend an- NOW DOVE” He shouted, and the two of you took off in a sprint out of the infirmary. 

“Quite the catch you’ve got yourself there Regs.” Sirius taunted. 

“Sod off.” Regulus muttered as Barty made his way over to his bedside.

“Don’t mind if I do.” Sirius jeered as he, too, took off out of the infirmary, leaving Regulus Black to deal with the likes of Barty Crouch Junior on his own.  

don't hate me

[moonstruckme]

Hi omg could I request Remus comforting insecure reader who makes jokes about her looks all the time and stuff and kind of tries to avoid talking deeply about it because it actually really hurts deep down but Remus wants to address it and when he talks to her she’s like “you wouldn’t get what it’s like to be ugly you (as in Remus) have always been beautiful” ? I hope that makes sense 😭Totally understand if you don’t want to write this!

Of course you can lovely! Thank you :)

Remus Lupin x fem!reader ♡ 884 words

Remus’ self control starts to fray when you discard your third outfit. 

It’s not that he’s impatient to get to the restaurant—you’ve both got plenty of time, and watching you try on clothes for him is a far from unappealing way to pass it. The issue is that you don’t seem to get how fucking phenomenal you look in all of them. 

“Oh my god,” you laugh, making a face at yourself in the mirror before lifting the top over your head. It’s tossed onto the bed, where Remus picks it up to put it back on its hanger. “That color makes me look sickly.” 

“Dove,” he reprimands. “It does not.” 

“Rem,” you mimic his tone teasingly. The late afternoon light filters through the window, and he honestly isn’t sure if the glow he’s seeing is from that or from the smile you give him. “I already look like this, I don’t need to accentuate it.” 

You do that. Self-deprecate. Like it’s anticipatory, like you’re in on a joke that hasn’t been told yet. It makes Remus’ skin prickle. 

“Anyway, I’ll be with you, handsome.” You set one hand on the bed and lean over to peck him on the lips. You take the top with you as you go, hanging it back up in the closet with a nod of thanks to your boyfriend. “I’m not aiming for mind-blowingly gorgeous, but I’d like to look at least remotely in your league, if I can.” 

“You always look mind-blowingly gorgeous,” Remus says softly. His chest aches with earnestness. 

You select a different top, tossing a coy grin over your shoulder. “Thanks, honey.” 

“No, really.” He feels suddenly hot with desperation. Remus doesn’t usually get in your way like this. You make your jokes, he disagrees politely, and he lets you move on. But the need to make you hear him, to talk until you finally get it, see how obsessed he is with you, has been building. If there’s one hill he’s going to die on, he wants this to be it. “You looked lovely in that top, and in everything. You’re exquisite, dove. Do you get that?” 

Your smile falters, and you turn away. You speak into the closet, over the schwick of hangers sliding. “Exquisite.” Humor bends the syllables of the word. “You’re too sweet. Careful, or you’ll give me an ego to eclipse the sun.” 

Remus wishes, but he seriously doubts there’s any danger of that. Your perusal of the closet picks up its pace, criticism a shadowy gray cloud above your head. He stands from the bed and steps forward to wrap his arms around your waist. You still, relaxing into him automatically. 

“I don’t understand why you have to deflect like that,” he says, doing his best to sound kind even as a protective ire burns fiercely in his chest. “You’re always making these cruel jokes about yourself, and you won’t listen when I tell you how wrong you are. Why?” 

“Remus.” It’s hardly a murmur, and yet the plea is clear. “Can we drop this, please?” 

Just like that, the fire in his chest is smothered. A dull ache takes its place. “Not if you’re going to keep doing it,” he says, kissing the nape of your neck. “Just tell me why, please.” 

You clasp your hands over his, seeking comfort even as you stiffen in his arms. “You wouldn't get it.” There’s no venom in your tone, but Remus hears the slight edge. “You don’t know what it’s like to be ugly, Rem. You’ve always been beautiful.” 

A laugh barks out of him, sharper than he means it to be. “I wouldn’t get it?” 

You’re quiet. He takes you by the shoulders, turning you to face him. Your eyes drop to his chin. 

“Do you really think I wouldn’t know how it feels to be insecure?” he asks. “Dove, I grew up with giant tears and scars on my face. People stare at me.” Your eyes flit up to his, shame and apology clear within them. When they go back down, Remus follows, ducking so you can’t hide from his gaze. “I understand that when you feel like something about you is ugly, no one can convince you it’s not. You have to do that on your own, pretty girl.” A flicker of emotion—discomfort, aversion, something else—passes over your face at the endearment. Remus has to swallow against the upset that clogs his throat. “But do you think you could try talking about yourself more kindly? For me, if not for you. It hurts to hear you being so cruel to someone I care about,” he says softly. 

Every line of your face is tense with discomfort at the topic, but you finally meet his eyes. Remus’ smile is reflexive. He’s not sure how you can find things not to love in this face so full of sweetness. 

“Sorry,” you say, sheepish. 

“Don’t be sorry.” He rubs your upper arms affectionately. “I know you don’t do it to spite me, darling.”

You bring your hands up around his neck, hugging him loosely. “You really are beautiful,” you murmur into his sweater. “With the scars, too. I’m not just saying that.” 

“So are you.” Remus kisses the top of your head. Someday, he’ll get you to believe it.

[thesweetestofdreams]

a date at the pumpkin patch.

pairings: poly!marauders x reader (820 words)

warnings: should be none, just a fall date with the boys

a/n: I couldn't let the idea of walking through a fall fair with the marauders, so please enjoy a seasonal fall treat. P.S. If you so happen to have any requests or ideas I'd love the chance to write some for you

Fall leaves crinkled underfoot as you walked through the dirt path of the pumpkin patch. A local affair of corn mazes and caramel apples that you'd looked forward to all year. "I want to find the biggest one. I mean almost too big to carry," James said, arms spread wide to emphasize his declaration.

"You do realize you'd have to find a way to bring it home, Prongs." Sirius said, hand lazily intertwined with James's as it swung with his movement. 

"And all the way up the stairs" you added. 

"How about a regular pumpkin, one that won't swallow our entire flat?" Remus tried, ever the voice of wisdom, but James just waved away all of your comments. 

"Found it," James said, gesturing to the massive pumpkin sitting in front of the four of you as you turned. It was a part of the pumpkin growing contest and it most certainly wouldn't fit through the doorway to your home. 

"If you can pick it up then you can bring it home," Sirius joked. Remus sent him a half serious "no he can't" glare. 

"Do you think they'd let me?" James asked, looking around for the owner of the gigantic beast of a pumpkin. 

"Surely not," you mused. The mood of the evening had you walking an autumn high. Everything smelled like it was sprinkled with cinnamon through a fresh wind. It bit at your cheeks and chapped your lips, but you didn't care. You were with your boys in an orange wonderland, everything painted gold by the slowly sinking sun.

You slid into James's side, settling next to your living furnace. 

"Are you cold, dove?" Remus looked at you scanning you up and down like he was looking for the cold sticking onto you somewhere. 

James squeezed you into him. "We can go home if you want," he said, pumpkin forgotten and concern wrinkling his brow. 

"No no, the haunted corn maze starts at sundown. Sirius has been looking forward to it all day." 

"Don't worry about it doll," Sirius said ready to pack up the car in a moments notice. Your boyfriends with all their love could be a bit overconcerned. 

"I'm okay promise. Especially next to James," you said feeling warmer by the second. 

"Okay well if you do want to go just say the word," Remus said. 

"We won't let her freeze Moony," Sirius said patting a hand to Remus's chest. "I'll show you."

Part of you thought he might come kiss you. He always joked at the heat coming from your cheeks when he did. It stroked his ego too much but you couldn't help it. Instead he guided you all to a small booth. Paper cups full of amber cider sat in lines pouring tiny plooms of steam into the air. Sirius bought three ciders and one hot chocolate for Remus. 

"And here I thought you were going to kiss me," you said as he passed you the cup. He halted it in front of you not giving it up. 

"And who said this was free hmm." He cocked his head to one side, smug as you smiled. 

"Not a fair trade," you said even as you leant in for his waiting kiss. 

He pressed cold knuckles to your cheek. "She's fine." You took the cider feeling the hot cup make quick work on your numbing fingers. 

James downed his cider far too quickly and denied any accusations of burning his mouth. As you made your way towards the haunted maze he confided to you that he did indeed burn himself. If only there were someone that could kiss it better he whispered into your ear. 

The sun set and James and Sirius went into the haunted maze. 

You and Remus sat together on a bench nestled against the fiery gold treeline. "You would tell us if you wanted to go home right?" Remus asked, rolling his hot chocolate cup in his hands. 

"Of course Rem," you said. It was true. "But why would I want to go home? This feels like a dream." You rested your head on his shoulder, feeling like you were exactly where you needed to be. 

"A good dream." He nodded, you felt it ruffle your hair.

Sirius and James would soon come and join you insisting it was too cold to stay any longer. The two would deny it later, claiming the maze wasn't at all scary enough, but you swore you heard them scream a few times. 

The four of you went home with three small pumpkins and one James-approved larger pumpkin. The rest of the night was spent with warm blankets and old movies you'd all seen a hundred times over. You fell asleep lazily untangling the knots in Sirius's hair.

[roosterforme]

Covering the Classics Part 11 | Bob Floyd x OC

Summary: When Anna hits rock bottom, she knows she needs to figure out how to put herself back together. But she also knows that leaving Kevin behind once and for all will require her to give up the only thing she wants from him. Maybe a shot at happiness with Bob would have been worth it.

Warnings: Fluff, angst, adult language, 18+

Length: 4400 words

Pairing: Robert "Bob" Floyd x Female OC (this story is part of the Beer Boy/Sugar and Jake/Jessica universe)

Covering the Classics masterlist. Check my masterlist for more!

If this wasn't rock bottom, Anna didn't want to know what was. She spent Sunday night laying on the floor next to her bed alternating between crying and hyperventilating. Apparently she couldn't do both at the same time, because her body kept giving each activity its full attention before switching again. When she finally started to fall asleep around three o'clock, her ribs were aching so much, she didn't see how she would be able to teach in a few hours. But it didn't matter. She wouldn't be going to campus anyway.

When she woke up at six, she crawled to her computer and emailed everyone in her classes, informing them that she would not be in today and to work through the syllabus independently until their next class with her. All of the other professors pulled this kind of thing all the time, but she still felt guilty which triggered more tears. If Kevin somehow cost her a full time tenure position along with her happiness, she didn't know what else she had that he could possibly take from her.

When she thought about Bob, it hurt so badly she had to run to the toilet. And when she thought about Advanced Calculus and Advanced Physics, it hurt almost just as much. She was in love with so many things in San Diego, but she'd dragged her past here along with her even if she didn't want to acknowledge that fact. She'd brought this dark shadow along that tainted everything and left her wondering if she could fix any of it at this point. If she could even figure out how to start.

As she hiccupped alone in her bathroom, she knew she needed to mentally backtrack to New Jersey for the first time in a long time before she could focus on San Diego. When she crawled back toward her bed, she located her phone and found the contact information for her lawyer's office. It was late enough on the east coast that someone answered after one ring, and soon Anna had to use her scratchy, raw voice to try to communicate.

"When will my divorce be final?" she managed to ask as she propped herself against the wall. She left herself hungry every day, and she was living in this tiny room simply so she could pay these people to help her sort out her life, but the response she got was not ideal.

"Ms. Webber... your husband still has three days left to comply, but he has not done so yet."

Anna wanted to scream, but her throat felt like it was constricting. Why wouldn't he just let her have the one thing she wanted? She wasn't asking for anything extra, just the thing she worked so hard to make her own. She didn't even care about all of the money. But he wouldn't let her have it. Even though she didn't want to fight for anything else in the house, he still wouldn't comply. He was making hundreds of thousands of dollars now, and she wanted none of it back, but he knew that her manuscript was the one thing meant something to her. He would happily drag this out until she had nothing left.

She knew she needed to wait it out. It was her fault she hadn't filed sooner. She let Kevin's words destroy her even when she knew he was sleeping with Alyssa. She let him convince her that she needed him for way too long. "What happens in three days?" she finally asked.

"If he doesn't comply, then you can restructure your end of the divorce agreement, and we can try again."

Anna knew what that meant for her, but she didn't know if she could pull the trigger. Restructure it? There was only one thing she could remove. Kevin would come out clean as a whistle, and she would lose everything she hadn't already.

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

When Bob knocked on the door at seven in the morning after barely sleeping at all, Jessica looked concerned when she opened it, and Jake looked annoyed. "What's wrong?" she asked, reaching out and running her hand along his stubbled cheek. "Why haven't you shaved? Why do you look so upset?"

"Why are you even here?" Jake called from the kitchen where he was cooking breakfast in his uniform.

"I need to talk to you," Bob croaked, and Jessica pulled him inside and gently guided him toward the couch. She rubbed his back and didn't rush him as he sat there, and Jake even stopped turning to glare from in front of the waffle iron.

"Did you know Anna's married?"

Bob could tell by the sharp intake of breath and the way Jessica's hand came to a screeching halt on his back that she had no idea.

"She's what?"

"Married," he repeated without any feeling whatsoever. The handful of hours he'd spent around her were some of the best of his life, but he would have never let his friends try to push them together if he'd know. He should have let her keep him in the friend zone when she tried to let him know that's what she wanted. Mutual attraction be damned, she'd made marriage vows to someone else. He just wished he would have known.

"No," Jessica said adamantly. "How? She's got no rings, and she said she lives alone. She mentioned an ex before, but I'm virtually certain he's still in New Jersey. She... struggles with certain things, and if she was married, someone would be helping her make ends meet. I don't know where you came up with this, but no."

Bob took his glasses off and set them down on the arm of the couch while he ran his hands over his exhausted eyes. "Jessica. She told me she was."

"Well," his friend said as she wrapped her arm around his shoulders, "I'll ask her about it at lunchtime today. There must be some sort of miscommunication."

"I don't think so," he groaned softly. "We... slept together, and those were her parting words as she ran out of my house."

"You slept together?!" Jessica practically shrieked. 

"It's about damn time!" Jake called from the kitchen, clanging his spatulas together and whooping loudly.

But Bob was shaking his head and staring at the floor through his slightly fuzzy vision. He had his phone in his hand all night, trying to decide if he should call or text her, wondering if she went home to climb into bed with her husband. Scared that this was the reason why she squeezed herself into her apartment door before closing it abruptly when he drove her home.

"I should have backed off when she friend zoned me the first time. I should have never believed that I could be with a woman like her." A woman that inspired the best poetry he'd ever written in his life. A woman who made him want everything.

It finally dawned on Bob that there might be an irate husband in his future, and he would just have to take whatever came his way. Because there wasn't a chance that Anna didn't have her spouse wrapped around her fingers. Even if she had a lapse of judgement when it came to Bob, Anna's husband would know how good he had it and want to fight for her. Bob would just have to take it on the chin.

When Jessica kissed his cheek and whispered, "I'll try to sort this out," he just nodded with his shoulders slumped and his elbows digging into his thighs. But there was nothing to sort out. Anna would never be his, and now he would have to pay the price for the way she told him she was married about an hour too late to take it all back. Honestly, he never thought accidentally sleeping with a married woman was something he would ever have to deal with in his wildest dreams, and now that he was forced to do it, he was getting pretty mad.

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

Anna managed to give her Classics lecture on Tuesday morning with a sore throat after screaming into her pillow off and on for most of Monday afternoon. She hadn't eaten in days, and if anyone noticed her puffy, red eyes, they didn't mention it to her. She had quizzes to grade and reports to read, but when she went back to her office, the overwhelming scent of bread from the cafeteria made her gag.

There was a pack of peanuts in her desk along with a room temperature can of ginger ale, but she had no appetite yet. She was just in survival mode until she decided what to do when Kevin's time was up. Until she worked up the courage to talk to Bob and apologize.

He was the sweetest man she had ever known, and her lapse of judgement was going to cost her any chance with him in the future as well as her friendships. In fact, none of them were ever going to want to speak to her again, and that's what she deserved. If she would have just been honest with Bob, she wouldn't be in this mess. But San Diego was like a balm for her senses, making her feel normal where she knew she wasn't. Maybe Bob would have been willing to wait a few more months until she figured out her next steps. Maybe he would have accepted that she was legally separated from Kevin if her husband would just sign the fucking paperwork.

Tears were burning her eyes again just as someone knocked on her office door. She sat perfectly still, silently begging them to go away, praying that everyone would leave her alone until she could sneak out and go home later.

"Anna?"

She knew that voice so well, and she was shocked to find that it sounded more concerned than angry.

"It's just us," came the second voice, and without another thought, Anna was on her feet, wrenching the door open as she started to sob. "Oh, Anna," whispered Jessica as she collected her into her arms.

Anna stood in the middle of her tiny office and cried and cried in Jessica's arms while her other friend studiously locked the door and dimmed the lights before reaching for the box of tissues on the shelf. "Here," she whispered, and Anna accepted a wad of tissues from her.

She tried to mop at her face, but it was a lost cause. Jessica pushed the loose strands of her red hair back from her eyes as she said, "Anna, we're here for you, but I think we need to talk. For real."

"We have some... concerns."

Anna tried to take huge gulps of air into her burning lungs as she gasped, "I'm really not okay. I hurt Bob."

Her friends looked at each other before Jessica said, "I think it's time you backtracked a little bit. Maybe all the way back to New Jersey."

"I hated it there," she told them immediately, wiping at her eyes as she sat on the edge of her desk, bracing herself for the interrogation to come. 

Advanced Calculus eyed her sympathetically before a look of steel locked in her gaze. "Are you married?"

Anna nodded slightly, cringing as she pictured Kevin's face. "Technically, yes."

"Anna!" Jessica exclaimed. "You slept with Bob!"

They knew. They knew everything. Bob told them, and they knew what she'd done. She cradled her forehead in her hands and said, "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I hate Kevin. I don't think we were even married two years before he started cheating on me. I'm trying my best to divorce him, but he just won't fucking let me."

"What do you mean he won't let you?" Advanced Calculus asked, cutting off Jessica before she could screech again.

"He is ruining my life," Anna whispered, finally starting to feel more anger than anything else. "Like an idiot, I've let him ruin my life. I put him through medical school. I dropped out of Princeton to work two jobs to put my husband through medical school." Her voice faded into a soft yet harsh whisper. "Kevin promised he'd take care of me after that so I could finish my Ivy League PhD. But then he started cheating on me because I was always tired and boring and no fun. Because all I was doing was working to pay his tuition for four years straight while he fucked another medical student between classes. I caught them having sex in my car."

"No," both women gasped at the same time. But she just nodded as the memories she had tried so hard to keep at bay since she moved to California came roaring back.

"That's not a marriage," Jessica practically growled, reaching out for Anna's hand that she hadn't even been aware was shaking. "Not really."

"You're right," Anna agreed. "I'm a joke." She honestly felt like one. Images of Bob's face and the memory of his kind voice flooded her system. The way he looked at her and touched her felt like love. The things he wrote about her had her almost convinced he could love her back.

"You're not a joke, Anna," her friend told her. "You're a smart, capable woman who should have come to her friends months ago with all of this information."

"I hate Kevin!" Jessica shrieked before biting down on her own fingertips, and it was so comical, Anna might have laughed if she was in a better frame of mind.

"Yes," Advanced Calculus agreed. "Kevin sounds like an asshole. But you know who isn't an asshole? Bob. But right now, he kind of feels like one."

Anna closed her eyes as the tears started welling up faster. "I tried so hard. You have to believe me. But Bob is perfect. And he didn't think I was boring. But I wasn't planning on falling in love ever again."

"You love him?" Jessica snapped loudly. "You love him? Because Bob thinks you are in a loving marriage with your spouse!"

"Jessica, go sit in the desk chair and calm down," the other woman commanded, and Anna watched the petite, bespectacled blonde stomp around her desk. "Now, Anna, why didn't you explain this all to Bob before you rocked the man's whole world and then ran off into the night like Cinderella?"

"I freaked out," Anna whispered, swallowing hard. "He's the perfect man. He did everything exactly right, and he was exquisite." She looked down at the floor as she said, "I haven't been touched like that in years. Like I was worth something. I'm not even thirty yet, and my husband ditched me for someone else while actively bankrupting me." She was mortified by what she was telling them, but she couldn't stop herself now. "Kevin always said I should dye my hair, and he loved it when I wore makeup. But Bob... he likes my hair and my freckles. He likes the books I read. He thinks I'm smart." She felt her face warm up as she thought about his poems. "We had sex, and then he was looking at me, and he started talking about us. I can't be an us with someone when I can't shake Kevin."

Anna could practically feel Jessica freaking out in the chair behind her, but she kept her eyes on the floor. "If you need help with Kevin or money for a lawyer or something-" Jessica said, but Anna cut her off.

"No. I'm fine. But he's going to force me to decide if I'd rather have my freedom or my self worth. And right now, I can't decide what I want to let him get away with when he already took so much."

"Hey," her much calmer friend said softly, and Anna finally met her eyes. "We're here for you. Anything you need, okay? But I need you to promise you'll talk to Bob. The sooner the better." Then Anna watched her reach for her tie dye lunch box which she apparently brought in with her and pulled out one of her fancy containers. "Bradley made you some hummus, and I packed you crackers and veggies to go with it. Please make sure you're eating. And please talk to Bob. I need to go teach Differential Equations, but I'll text you later. Jess, you have Physics III in fifteen minutes."

Anna received two hugs that she barely returned, and when the two women were gone, she sank into her chair and managed to eat some of the hummus without gagging. Then she texted Bob, because if nothing else, she needed him to know how sorry she was for running out on him. How sorry she was for all of it.

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

Anna wanted to talk to him on Thursday evening. Bob had to fight the urge to offer to pick her up on campus and save her from having to take an Uber to his house, especially after the few details that Jessica told him about her finances. She confirmed that Anna was married. She also promised him that there was no angry spouse waiting to jump him in the In 'N Out parking lot. She also told him that he needed to give Anna a chance to clear the air. So he agreed. He was free on Thursday. It wasn't like he'd been doing anything except going to work and coming straight home all week, even avoiding Suzanne as much as he could. And he wasn't going to break his promise to Jessica, even though Nat told him to delete Anna's number.

Bob sat in his living room, staring at his new bookshelf in disgust. He'd let himself fall into a fantasy where he imagined someday Anna's books would get mixed up with his on the shelves. Where all of her dog eared novels would live alongside his pristine ones. He'd been subconsciously thinking about it since he met her.

His insides were churning with anxiety. Part of him wanted to scream at her that none of this was fair to him, but the other part knew that no matter what, he still didn't want to see tears in her brown eyes. He couldn't let her take all of the blame for this anyway. He'd even told Jessica that she pushed a little too hard and that she shouldn't do that again in the future.

When there was a knock on his door, it was hard for him to stand up. How was he supposed to do this? He dragged himself across his living room to his front door and carefully opened it to find Anna with the saddest expression imaginable on her face. She looked somehow smaller and paler than she should. She looked like she hadn't slept. And that's when Bob realized he must look the same way to her.

"Hi," she whispered, brown eyes darting around his face nervously. She held out a small bouquet of blue flowers and the books she had borrowed in his direction, and Bob noticed her hands were shaking. "Um, I got these for you. They look like the flowers on the cover of the Whitman poems, and I thought of you when I saw them at the store."

"Anna," Bob groaned as he took them from her along with the books. He moved out of the doorway so she could come inside, and somehow he still couldn't decide if he was angry at her or not.

"I'm sorry," she gasped, turning to look at him once she was halfway across the room. There were several feet of space between them, but he could smell her hair. She was wearing the jeans she wore last time she went to the Hard Deck. He knew what that shirt felt like between his fingers. He could tell she was trying not to cry as she said, "I'm just really sorry."

"Why didn't you tell me you're married?" he snapped, unable to hold back. He knew his tone was harsh as he added, "Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"Because I should have been divorced by now!" she practically shouted, and Bob was instantly more soothed by that sentence than he should have been. "You think I want to be married to the worst man I know?" He had so many questions already, but something told him to just let her keep going. "That's why I'm here. In San Diego. He was supposed to sign the papers so I could get on with my ridiculous life, but he won't!" She sucked in a deep breath before she said, "And it's eating me alive knowing what I kept settling for when you exist! Knowing that I could have been with a man like you."

Her lips were moving like she was shivering, and her eyes were wide and watery. Red blotches covered her freckled cheeks, and Bob just knew she was going to panic again. She made a helpless noise and rushed forward, ready to run, but this time he caught her in his arms, the books and flowers falling to the floor. He let her struggle for a few seconds as she cried, but he held on tight.

"Anna," he said softly. "You can't keep running."

Her body slumped against his. She looked up at him as he held her, and a few seconds later, she let her cheek come to rest against his chest. She nodded against him as she whispered, "I don't really have anywhere to go anyway."

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

Bob kept his distance while also somehow always being nearby. Anna knew he was probably expecting her to vanish again if he turned his back for too long, but she was too mentally and physically exhausted to move from his living room couch while he fixed some tea. It was getting dark outside, and it was nearly impossible to try to think about anything other than Sunday night when she felt truly free for the first time in years. 

Similar thoughts must have been on Bob's mind, because he was still occasionally looking at her like he used to. Then his cheeks would turn pink, and he'd duck his head before showing her a completely neutral expression. She took the mug of tea he handed her and whispered, "Thank you," as he sat down as far away from her as he could. She cleared her throat as she looked into her drink and said, "You're one of the kindest, most generous people I've ever met." She forced her gaze to his face. "I'm sorry I took that for granted. And I'm sorry I wasn't honest with you and the ladies."

Bob nodded but didn't speak for a minute. His voice was as gentle as always as he eventually said, "I'd like it if we could talk."

"Yeah," she agreed softly now that she felt like the fight inside her was gone and the tears had finally dried up.

"Where's your husband?"

She pictured Kevin standing in the perfect kitchen in the beautiful house on the cul-de-sac. "In New Jersey."

"Right," Bob replied in a reassuring tone. "You said you should have been divorced by now, so does that mean you don't want to be married to him?"

"I hate him," she whispered, back to staring into her mug. "And I'm sure he hates me, too. No, I don't want to be married to him any longer."

"You're separated?" he asked softly.

Anna shrugged, wishing more than anything that she could scoot a little closer to Bob and feel his hand on hers. "Not legally. He won't sign anything."

"Right," Bob repeated again. "Would it be too much for me to ask what happened? Because I really don't understand. I'm trying, but I'm still so confused, Anna."

Her brain was screaming at her to start crying again, begging her to fall apart or hyperventilate, but she didn't even have the energy for it. She took one long sip of her perfect cup of tea before setting it aside and turning to look at him. Even now, he had sympathy in his eyes. Whether that was because he now knew she and Kevin weren't really together or because he was always this sweet, she couldn't say. But he was everything she wanted and would never have again. 

"The short version is that I put him through medical school while he cheated on me. The long version is that he used up every bit of my money, let me work myself ragged, prevented me from finishing my PhD at Princeton, belittled me, and flaunted his extramarital relationship in my face. It was humiliating knowing he was cheating. It's humiliating eating sandwiches and peanuts for every meal now. But the worst thing is that he is holding my manuscript hostage, and no matter what I do, he won't let me have it back."

"Jesus, Anna," he gasped, making the slightest move like he wanted to reach for her before pulling back.

She slowly stood, and he looked up at her, trying to gauge what she was going to do, but she just looked down at him as she tucked her shaking hands behind her back. "You're perfect," she whispered. "You're Sky Writing. You're the handsome man from the bookstore who smells like tea and soap. You're Bob, the guy my friends knew I would fall in love with as soon as I met them." She took a step back, barely able to handle how he was looking at her like she still mattered. "But I don't know how to be an us with you. I know that's what you want, but I never wanted to fall like this again. I tried my best not to. I can't do this with Kevin's shadow behind me all the time. And I'm just really sorry I let it go as far as it did. Because now that I know so much about you...."

That's when the tears arrived, and that's also when Bob stood up. "Anna, I feel like-"

When he cut himself off, leaving the sentence hanging in the air for a few seconds, she took one long, last look at him and whispered, "I'm going to go." He didn't stop her from stepping over the flowers, walking out the door, and heading to the end of his street where she waited for a ride as the night air made her shiver, and her tear streaked cheeks finally started to dry again.

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

Oh, they both fell for each other. I'm not sure if Bob feels better or worse now. Kevin is an absolute dick, and we will hear from him in the next chapter. Keep fighting, Anna. Thanks @beyondthesefourwalls

PART 12

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[allllium]

The Perfect Gift

~ Today is my birthday and I immediately thought about Remus being the best boyfriend ever so here's something short and sweet about Remus being amazing for your birthday <3

~ Fluff, Remus being a little insecure, WC: 963

~ Remus gets you the perfect birthday gift

Remus was really nervous. He often is around you but this time it's worse. Today is your birthday and he got you what at the time seemed like a great gift, but now, after seeing the things you got from everything else, he doesn't feel like it's so great anymore.

All day he has seen you get these amazing, slightly expensive gifts, all of which now make his gift pale in comparison. He decided not to buy you anything this year, feeling like nothing was good enough for you, instead he made you something. More like he tries to make something and ending up needing his mum to help him.

He holds the bag tentatively in his hand. A simple black bag with a ribbon of your favorite color keeping it tied. He makes his way to the muggle restaurant you agreed to meet at for dinner. After spending all day at a birthday party with your friends and family, you went shopping with a couple close friends to get new clothes for a fancy dinner.

"Rem!" You light up when you see him. You'd just gotten there moments before and decided to wait outside until he showed up.

"Hi angel." He greets in a gently murmur, pulling you in for a quiet kiss.

"You got me a gift?" You smile and ask. Of course you expected it considering Remus gets you gifts more often than you can count.

"Obviously. I love any day where I can celebrate you." He begins to walk into the restaurant as if he didn't just make you swoon. You move quickly to catch up and grab his hand.

"What is it?" You question inpatiently. You've been waiting all day for this, not just for a gift but getting a gift from him specifically. You know whatever is in that bag will be much more thoughtful and meanful to you than anything else you've gotten today. Everything else were things that people spent a lot of money on to make up for the up they don't really know what you would want. Remus knows.

"You're gonna have to wait till after dinner."

"Awwww why?" You immediately whine.

"Cause I said so."

"Meanie." You whisper, walking up towards the hostess.

Dinner lasts well over an hour. Well dinner lasted about 20 minutes once you got your food, but you and Remus stayed far longer. You spent the time talking and laughing and on Remus's end clearly procrastinating giving you your gift.

You know he's doing this because he's been fiddling with the ribbon and steering the conversation away from it every time.

"So what's making you overthink this time?"

For a moment he gives you a strange look but he quickly smiles and asks what you mean.

"Well you won't give me the gift which wouldn't matter except you've been really excited about it for weeks. Obviously you're thinking about something and I guarantee you have no reason to." You swiftly explain.

"I'm sorry, angel. I didn't get you a gift. I made you one well my mother and I made you one. But I don't know if it'll match up to the other gifts you got today." He shyly says. His face turning a shade of red.

"You made me something?" You grin wildly at him and his overly sweet heart. "Gimme it. Please."

"I don't know maybe I should get you something else."

"Hell no. Hand it over before I come over this table and get it myself." The threat comes out of your mouth before you have the opportunity to stop it. Remus only smiles at you, both because he knows you'll actually do it and it makes him feel slightly better about his strange insecurity.

He finally sighs and hands over the bag. Knowing he really has no choice. He watches anxiously as you carefully pull off the ribbon and remove the tissue paper. Watching as your face drops and eyes slightly tear. For a moment he thinks he was right in being scared but you jump out of your seat and move to his side of the table. Your chair scraps loudly against the tile floor and he winces at the noise.

At his side of the table you hug him enough to push the air out of his lungs. You grab his face and give him many quick kisses, ignoring the strange looks from people at surrounding tables.

"I love it. I love it. I love you!" You exclaim.

"Are you sure?" He asks, confused by your out of ordinary outburst.

"Remus this is the best gift I've ever gotten. I love you so much." You immediately ask him to put it on you. Lighting up even more if possible when you look down at your wrist to see the gorgeous bracelet. The gorgeous bracelet that your amazing boyfriend, and his mum, hand made just for you. The gorgeous bracelet with carved, metal charms dangling from it. The gorgeous bracelet that somehow fits you perfectly.

"I thought that I could make you more charms as time goes on. Things that represent what we are together, y'know." You look at him for a split second, with tears in your eyes, before looking back down to closely admire the charms you already have. As of right now there's a wolf, a star, a flower, and a sun. The sun is special. You flip it over to see a small engraved heart with both your initials in it.

"You are the most perfect man to exist." You turn to him and say. "Seriously this is the best gift ever."

"I love you." He says. Standing from his chair and pulling you in by the waist.

Putting your head against his, you whisper, "I love you more."

[samandcolbyownme]

Summary: Anon request - "fluff estes method pregnancy with colby"

I did a smut version of this with Sam. If you haven't checked it out I suggest reading it! It's titled "Estes Surprise".

Warnings: pregnant!reader being touched, scratched, and talked to by the spirits, talk about death, murder, etc., dark entities, mentions of throwing up, some kissing, mostly fluff.

Word count: 6.7k | not edited

"What's up guys it's Sam and Colby, and today we have Y/n with us as well." Colby motions towards you and Sam moves the camera to you, "Hey guys."

"You excited?" Sam asks smirking at you from behind the camera. You raise your eyebrows and sighs, "I mean, I can't lie. I am pretty excited."

"Colby." Sam moves the camera back to him, "Wanna tell them why y/n is so excited to be here today?"

Colby smirks and presses his hands together, "Today.." he turns to look at you then back to the camera, "Y/n is going to be the one doing the Estes method."

Sam lets out a long and cheery, "Yeahhhhhhhh."

You laugh, "Yeah, yeah." You shake your head and Sam hands the camera to Colby and moves next to you, "Is there any reason as to why you chose to do it today, at this location?"

You nod, "I don't know, but when you told me about the history and the background about this place, you know filling me in, I got this feeling like I just had to do it here, you know?" You look from Sam to Colby, "Like I have to do it."

"That's spooky." Colby smirks, "But, as always. We'll be right there. If it gets to be too much, at any point during the investigation, just let us know."

"Such gentleman." You smirk and laugh.

"We try. We try." Sam shrugs and looks back at the old hotel, "Alright. Are we ready to go in?" You take a deep breath, "I guess so."

Colby lunges forward a few steps, his voice stained, "Let's do it."

He turns the camera off and hands it to Sam. He spins you so you're facing him, "I just wanted to say that I love having you on these things with us."

You smile and shrug, "I like being on these things with you."

He smiles and nods before leaning in to give you a quick peck on your lips. Sam groans, "Can you guys wait until we get inside, at least you'll have a hundred rooms to choose from."

You look over at Sam who can't contain his laughter and you give him the finger, "You're just jealous, Golbach."

"Jealous of what, y/l/n?" Sam rolls his eyes and you smirk as you walk up to him, "That I get to kiss Colby and you don't." You laugh as you walk by and Colby wraps an arm around Sam's shoulder, "Don't let her fool you, you can kiss me if you want."

You look back and see Sam pushing Colby away, laughing as Colby has his lips pushed out trying to kiss his cheek.

"Hey now." You point, "I don't want to have to kick your ass."

Sam laughs and Colby jogs up to you, "That would be incredibly hot on your part." You smirk and push on the door.

"Mm. I can't.." you push the door again, "I can't get this.. door to open.."

"That's because.." Sam walks up, camera rolling, "You have to pull it, dummy." Sam pulls the door open and you just stand there, "There should be a sign or something."

Colby lays a hand on your lower back, "S'okay, babe." He chuckles, "come on." He leads you inside and you stand there, surprised that the inside has power.

"The outside looks so abandoned, you wouldn't think the inside would be lit up like this." Colby turns to Sam and right as Sam is about to say something, there's a knock from down the hallway.

"Is there anyone else here?" Sam asks looks back at you guys from the hallway.

"No the owners left. They said no one but use would be here." You say whipping around to the other side, "there it was again, but on that side." You point and look back at Sam, "Mayne we should just start right here. Get the rem pod out, I'm sure we'll ge-"

Sam yells and jumps, "Whoa, hey. Something just grabbed my jacket."

"Seriously?" Colby asks moving around to look, "Like where? Here?" He moves his hand up, figuring out where Sam was grabbed.

You wait for him to calm down before making a comment, "I mean, I'd come after you to for wearing a jacket like that."

He glares at you, fighting back his laugh, "That's.. mean.. y/n. You're so mean lately." You shrug, "I'm just being honest, Sam."

Colby laughs and shakes his head, "you guys. It's insane how we literally just walked in and were already getting so much activity, like the owner said that it usually wouldn't happened until a little bit later on in the night."

Sam sighs, "I know, I know. I don't understand that." He hands Colby the camera and takes the REM pod from his backpack, "This is the REM pod, as some of you guys may know, the spirits come around, touch this little thing here and it lights up for us."

He walks over, setting it down by the one hallway.

"I can put the music box over by the other?" You ask and they nod, "Yeah so that way we know-"

Colby gets cut off by footsteps above you guys, and they're heavy. You freeze, staring up at the ceiling as your head moves slowly with the footsteps that slowly grow quiet the further away they go.

"Did you get that?" Sam asks looking over at Colby.

Colby nods, "I'll be surprised if I didn't. Those were loud."

The REM pod goes off, you haven't even gotten the music box out of Colby's bag yet, "Shit." Sam turns, "If that's the spirit of Adeline Nielsen, can you please make that go off ag-"

The light goes off and Sam looks back, wide eyed, "What the fuck."

"Adeline, touch that light if there's anyone else with you." Sam say and lays his fingers over his lips, waiting.

Nothing.

"Are you alone?" Colby asks and the light goes off, "Okay. Thank you."

You turn around, getting the intense feeling that you're being watched. You don't see anything, but you can certainly feel that something is there, "C-Colby."

You feel his hand on your shoulder, "Hey, what's up?"

You blink and look over at him, "I just got.." you take a deep breath and move closer to him. He hands the camera to Sam and wraps an arm around your waist, "what's going on?"

You feel like you could puke, like a massive wave of nausea just washed over you.

"I just got this.. feeling that something was watching me.. or us.. I don't know. I got this sudden feeling like I was gonna throw up." You look over at Sam and back to the hallway, "It was weird."

"Do you need to take a break?" Sam asks and you shake your head, "No. I'm good now." You sigh, "I'm good."

"You sure?" Colby looks down at you and you look up at him, "Yeah, Colbs. I'm good." You smile up at him and he nods, "Okay."

The REM pod goes off again, "Adeline, we know you're a good spirit, so please, feel free to follow us around the hotel if you'd like."

As sam walks over to grab the pod from the floor, it goes off and he stops and looks at you and Colby, "I'm not even close enough to make that go off."

"Maybe she wants to talk to us now." You suggest and it instantly goes off again. You raise your eyebrows, "do we have the spirit box?"

"Yeah, I can run out and grab it." Colby says giving your arm a squeeze. He leans in, whispering, "I don't know what it is, but I have this feeling you need to stay with either me or Sam this entire time."

You give him a weird look and he shrugs, "I don't know, y/n. Just please don't go wandering off."

You nod, "I won't. I won't. I promise."

He nods and goes out to the car to get the equipment. You walk over to Sam and he looks up at you, holding his hand out, "Wait.. do you hear that?"

You listen, and you hear distant footsteps, "Maybe it's Colby?" Sam moves over to the window, looking out and he shakes his head, "No Colby is standing at the trunk of the car."

You beat the footsteps again, this time they sound like they're walking right up to you.

"Sam.." you sniff the air and he turns to you, camera pointed at you, "I smell hairspray."

He gives you a funny look and sniffs, "I don't smell it."

You motion for him to come over to you, "Right here." You motion to right in front of you and he walks over, sniffing the area, "oh shit. You're right."

Colby walks back in, stopping as he sees you and Sam smelling the air, "Um.. what the hell are you doing?"

"Hairspray." You both say and Colby shakes his head, "No sorry I left mine at home."

You laugh, "No, Colby. It smells like hairspray but only like.." you motion, "Right here."

He walks over after closing the door and you guys are head to head, with the camera angled up at you guys as you move around sniffing.

"That's so weird, it's literally only right here." Sam leans back shaking his head. You lean in, "And now it's gone."

Colby leans in, eyes going slightly wide, "That's fucking crazy." He snaps, "You know, Martin did say that they also had quick whiffs of that too, apparently that was a big thing for all the women to have back then."

"No dude you're right." Sam nods, "That's crazy."

"We can definitely ask if it was Adeline." You take the spirit box from Colby's hands and walk over to the lobby area, setting it down on the small coffee table.

They follow, leaving the REM pod in its place.

"Whenever you're ready, y/n." Sam says giving you the go ahead to turn it on. You nod, sitting down in the chair and leaning forward.

Colby moves behind you, gripping the back the chair as he leans on it, "Hello, my name is Colby. These are my friends Sam and y/n. We would like to speak with whoever is willing to communicate with us."

"..speak.."

"Are we speaking to Adeline Nielsen?" Colby asks, pausing so you guys can listen. You exchange looks with Sam and Colby when nothing is said for a few minutes.

"Is this someone else?" Sam asks and you get a cool chill down your spine, causing you to sit up. Colby looks down at you, "What was that?"

"I just got a chill." You laugh nervously and Colby gently squeezes your shoulder.

"..it's me.."

Your head snaps towards the spirit box, "Who? Adeline?"

".. try again.."

You and Colby look at Sam, trying to remember if Martin said anything about any dark entities roaming the halls.

It's crazy how everything disappears from your mind when once the investigation actually starts.

"Um. Um." Sam taps the chair, "The maid. She was the one going around poisoning the women that Sebastian was bringing in, right."

Colby snaps, pointing to Sam, "Fuck, yes. Right right." He clears his throat, "Is this the maid that poisoned all of those women?"

".. so young.."

"All those women? They were mid twenties." Sam says moving over closer to you and Colby, "Why did you kill them?"

".. full of life.."

"Were you jealous?" Colby asked, "Were you jealous that he kept bringing those young women here?"

You tilt your head, "guys.." you shake your head,

".. not them.."

"I don't think she's talking about the girls.." you look up at Sam and he tilts his head slightly, "What do you mean?"

You couldn't describe it, but you just had this weird and very eerie feeling about what she was talking about, and the women who were murdered, weren't it.

"I just.." you shake your hands, "i can't shake this feelings that she not talking about the women she killed."

"Who else would she be talking about?" Colby moves to sit next to you.

"..secrets.."

"Did you kill other people?" You ask, waiting for a response but you sadly get nothing.

"Okay. I say we move to a new area." Sam leans forward, switching off the box, "Room 111, Sebastian's room."

"Maybe we can get more info there and try to piece this puzzle together." Colby nods, standing up, "You ready?" You look up at him, standing up as Sam doesn't grab the REM pod, "Yeah, I'm ready."

You make your way down the hall, stopping every so often because of knocking.

"That's following us." Colby points to the wall, "What if it's Adeline?"

Sam shrugs, "Could be."

"Why didn't she talk to us on the spirit box?" You ask and look at Colby before answering your own question, with a question, "What if she was scared of the maid?"

"Adeline was one of the victims, so it very well could be. The maid seems to be very intimidating from what I understood." Colby nods, looking from you to Sam.

Sam turns, "Adeline, if that is you, can you make that noise again for me please?"

You guys wait patiently and there a knock, a sigh of relief leaving their lips, but a part of you still didn't believe it.

"Okay. Let's just keep going. I think it's at the end of this hall up the steps." Colby points and takes the camera from Sam.

Sam walks ahead, "It was said that there was at least seventeen women killed by the maid here in this room, and I mean that's not even counting the implied others from whatever that was back there." He motions behind him as you walk up the steps.

You stop, looking from the bold numbers on the door to Sam and Colby, "We came, we saw, we can go." You laugh, which makes them laugh, "After you, Golbach."

He scoffs, "Oh yeah, use me as bait, like I don't have enough things attached to me." Sam smirks and shakes his head as Colby chuckles. Sam reaches for the knob, just as his hand wraps around it, there's a knock on the other side.

"Was that from in there?" Colby asks pointing, "That was oddly close."

Sam takes his hand from the knob and lifts it, knocking gently on the door. You bring your thumb up, chewing on your nail as you feel like you could puke again.

"You okay?" Colby asks and you look at him, "Mhm." You nod, "Yeah. That just kinda scared me." You laugh nervously and look back at the door.

Colby could tell there was something more going on. But he doesn't like to push you with questions. He knows that if you aren't okay, you'll come to him.

But that's the thing, you felt fine most of the time. It was only for a short, split second periods where you could feel like you could pass out or throw up.

You just thought it was the spirits because it's happened before, or at least, something like this, maybe not as intense.

"Okay, let's just announce ourselves as we go in." Sam looks at you and Colby and you both nod, "Okay."

Sam twists the knob, slowly opening the door, "Hello, I'm Sam. I mean no harm but coming in here." He walks in and you walk in behind him, instantly feeling off, but you shrug it off, "Hello. I'm y/n.. I come in peace, no harm at all."

Colby follow, announcing himself, "I'm Colby. I'm with these two, also meaning no harm." He steps in, panning the camera around the room slowly, "You know, it looks like a normal hotel room but-"

Sam cuts him off, "The vibe is way off. Something is here."

The door shuts, causing you all to jump.

"Oh fuck."

"What the hell."

"Jesus Christ." You lay a hand on your chest, heart racing under your own touch, "I guess they wanted the door closed." You laugh slightly, trying not to be as scared.

"I guess so." Sam sighs, "Okay. Um. So what do we want to do here?"

Him and Colby exchange glances and Colby shrugs, "Why don't get out the EMF?" Sam nods, "Okay, yeah. That way we can-"

A knock on the door silences Sam and his mouth drops open. You look from the door to Sam and he mouths, "What the fuck?"

You go behind Colby, getting out the EMF, "Where do you want it?"

Colby points, "the bed is probably the bed option." He looks at Sam and he nods, "Yeah, that's where a lot of them got sick and then died, so."

He sucks air through his teeth, "Lets get-" he stops and points, "There's that knocking."

You and Colby look at each other and listen, but nothing.

"I swear there was knocking." Sam says and you nod, "No sam we believe it." You walk over to the bed and as you're positioning the box and getting ready to turn it on, you feel something grab at your ankle.

You let out a slight scream and jump back into Sam. He lays a hand on your back to steady you as you grab your ankle, "Fuck, ow, what the fuck."

"What happened?" Colby moves over, handing Sam the camera so he can take a look, "Fuck, Sam look."

Sam leans around, eyes going wide as he sees the red line going over your ankle bone, "are you okay? Y/n." He looks up at you, "Are you good?"

You rub your fingers over the line, nodding, "It burned at first but now it's fine." You set your foot down on the ground and Colby backs you up away from the bed, "You're going to stay over here."

"Fine by me." You sit down in the chair, "Bringing your ankle up to rest on your knee, "let's just get started." You turn on your flashlight from your phone, examining the mark.

"Y/n just got scratched." Colby says to the camera. He turns to you, "Do you mind if I show the camera?" You look up at him and shake your head, "No go ahead." You extend your leg out and Colby holds your leg with his hand, moving your pant leg up a little.

Sam comes over with the camera, "They seem to be after her, but the question is.. why?"

"Do you think the maid could be jealous of her? I mean the maid did say young.. full of life? Y/n is still young and to what the elderly would consider full of life?" Colby rests your leg down on the floor and turns back to Sam.

"Let's ask. Seems like the only thing we can do right now." Sam walks over, looking down at his feet every so often as he stitches the EMF on.

"So this will give us yes or no answers basically. Green for yes, red for no. Pretty basic." He explains, "is there anyone here with us?"

Instant green light.

"Is it Sebastian's girls?" Sam follows up and it's a green light, followed by an instant red. He turns and looks back at you and Colby, "So it's them and someone else?"

Instant green light.

"Was it one of Sebastian's girls that scratched y/n?" Colby asks crossing his arms and it's an instant red light, "Was it the maid?"

Instant red light.

"If it wasn't-" Colby stops and looks from you to Sam, "Sebastian. Did you scratch y/n?"

Instant green light.

"You do not have permission to touch us. Understand? You cannot touch us. Hurt us. Follow us in any way." Colby's voice is deep, loud. Kind of a turn on, but it's ruined by the feeling of needing to puke.

"Y/n. Are you okay? You just got really, really pale." Sam asks glancing at Colby, "Maybe we should take a break."

You nod, standing up, "Y-yeah."

.·:*¨ ✘ ¨*:·.

After making your way outside, you beline off to the side, finally puking.

Colby rushes up behind you, his hands pulling your hair back from your face, "Hey. Hey." His hand that isn't holding your hair rubbing your back gently, "You're okay, baby."

He glances back at Sam who's standing by the door and back to you, "Was it the room?"

You slowly stand up, wiping your mouth on the sleeve of your sweatshirt, "I don't know, I don't feel like it was, but at the same time.." you shrug, "It's hard to say."

"What do you mean?" He tilts his head, "I'm not following."

You sigh and look around, "I didn't really feel good before coming here." You notice Colby frown and you quickly follow up, "Now I know I'm not supposed to do this blah blah, but at the same time, that's when we were at home. I felt fine on the car ride here and when we got here."

He sighs, "Are you okay?"

You nod, "Yeah, now that I threw up, I feel better than I did before we got here." You laugh slightly and he just pulls you in for a hug, "Y/n." He sighs, "If you don't feel good, you shouldn't be doing this." He whispers, kissing you on the head.

You nod, "I know, but I just.. really wanted to be with you today."

That wasn't a lie, something in you needed to be with Colby or you would have sat home and cried, which wasn't like you at all. Normally, you'd be fine with a call or a text here and there while they did an investigation, but lately, you couldn't go without him.

You didn't know what was happening.

He smiles and sighs, "you drive me nuts."

"You love me." You smirk and he nods, "That I do." He kisses your cheek, "very much."

You turn your head, "can I get some gum from the car before you kiss me, please?" He chuckles and nods, "I suppose so." He let you go and you walk over to the car, opening the door and grabbing your pack of Tropical Twist gum.

You take a piece out, unwrapping a piece before popping it into your mouth. You chew it a few times before gagging and spitting it back into the wrapper, "What the fuck."

You look around, opening the console and finding another pack. You grab a piece of the Spearmint and it works.

"Everything go okay?" Sam asks as you walk back up to him and Colby. You nod, "Yeah, but I just about threw up over my tropical gum. It was weird."

"This whole place is weird." Sam turns and looks towards the door, "Are you sure you want to go back inside?" He looks back to you and you nod, "Yeah. I'm good."

Colby looks at you and you smile at him, "I'm fine, Colbs. I promise."

"We aren't going back into Sebastian's room." Colby shakes his head, "No way in hell."

You and Sam look at each other and back to Colby. Colby looks between you both and shakes his head again, "No. absolutely not. No."

"Colby." You step towards him, "You guys need this. This is why you came here." He lays his hands on your shoulders, "You got scratched in that room, y/n. I'm not-"

"Then why don't we do it in the hallway." You suggest cutting him off, "We won't be in the room, we'll be outside of it. We can set the music box right outside of the door. Open it up. And that way if anything crosses the threshold, we'll know."

Sam raises his eyebrows and looks at Colby, "I knew you liked her for a reason." He smirks and Colby shakes his head, trying to hide his smile, "Shut up, Sam."

"See. You know it'll work that way too." You poke his chest, "We can do the Estes method."

His eyes move to you and he stares at you, "You still want to do that?"

"Of course I fucking do." You laugh, "That's why I'm here, right?"

You can tell that he has some hesitation at first, but eventually gives in, "Fine. But it starts getting any sort of fucked, I'm pulling you out of it." He nods towards you and raises his eyebrows and you nod, "deal."

Colby takes your hand, interlocking his fingers with yours and squeezing your hand as you walk back inside.

He doesn't say another word, mainly because he's thinking about you. Anxiously racking his brain as to why the spirits here would be targeting you.

You guys stop outside of room 111 and you squeeze his hand, pulling him to turn towards you, "Hey. You good?"

He smiles and nods, "I'm always good."

You tilt your head and Sam butts in, "Colby. You are not always good."

He looks over at Sam and rolls his eyes, "I'm fine, guys. Let's just.." he motions to the camera, "Before I do change my mind." He smirks slightly and brings your hand up, pressing his lips to the back before dropping it and letting go to swing his bag off his shoulder.

You take a deep breath as Sam starts rolling, "So we talked." He pauses and looks at you and Colby, "And we decided that we're going to do the Estes method with y/n, out here in the hallway."

"So I was thinking." You say, catching their attention. Colby stops unraveling the headphones and stares at you. You look at them, "Maybe I can start doing the session before you guys open the door. You know what I mean?"

A wave of relief washes over Colby as he was afraid you were going to ask to go into the room.

"That's actually a good idea." Sam nods and looks at Colby. He nods, "Yeah, no. That's actually a better idea."

You smile slightly and to sit in the center of the hallway, facing the closed door to room 111.

"Are you ready?" Sam asks and you look up at him, "Ready."

"Just repeat what you hear out loud, okay?" Colby says and you look up, nodding up at him. He's standing over you, looking down at you with a blindfold in his hands.

Definitely not a new sight to you.

He gently lays the fabric over your eyes, tying it in the back, "That tight enough?" You nod, "Mhm."

You couldn't lie, you were shitting your pants.

"Alright. Here we go."

Colby's words were the last words you heard before the loud sound of white noise filled your ears from the headphones.

"Adeline is here.." you say as soon as you hear the words.

"Adeline.. I'm glad that you're here." Sam says with a nod, "Can you tell us if anyone else is here?"

"Evil man.." you tilt your head, ".. hurt us.."

"Are you talking about Sebastian?" Colby looks from you to Sam and shakes his head, "He didn't hurt them did he? Only ever-"

"The maid .. hates us.."

"The maid was jealous of you wasn't she?" Sam asks, "Can you tell us if she killed anyone else?"

"Jealousy.. she is.."you straighten up, "..y/n.."

Colby clenches his jaw and tilts his head, "is she jealous of y/n?"  He looks to Sam and back down to you.

"Very much.."

"Why?" Sam asks, "is it because y/n is young? Just like you and the other girls were?"

There's a few moments to where it's just the noise and Sam and Colby just look at each other shrugging.

"Adeline.. can you tell us wh-"

You cut Colby off, "Full of life."

"That's what was said downstairs.. I don't.." Colby sighs, "I'm not following." He shrugs, "Can you tell us more please?"

"She wants it."

"Who? Who wants want, Adeline?" Sam asks, "The maid?"

"Yes.. her.. she wants her.." you pause, "Life.. in y/n.."

"Life.. in y/n.." Sam and Colby both repeat. Colby shrugs, shaking his head, "What does that mean exactly?"

"Maid.. wants the baby.." you can feel yourself growing sick again, "She wants it."

"No no no no." Colby starts tapping your shoulder and he takes the headphones off of your head.

"Colby? What?" Sam looks at Colby with a scared and confused look. You take the blindfold off and spins around slightly to look at him, "Colby?"

He looks pale, almost like he's the one who could throw up.

"We have to get out of here." He lifts you to your feet and shoves the equipment into the bag. You look at Sam and he shrugs, "Colby." You look back at him and he takes your hands in his, "Just.. come on."

He pulls you down the hall, Sam following behind the both of you, slightly frantic, "Colby.. yo Colby.."

You look back at Sam as Colby keeps a grasp on your hand. You make your way to the door and he pulls it open, leaving it for Sam to close.

"Colby. Hey. Talk to us. What's-"

Colby cuts you off, "Turn the camera off, Sam." Sam walks over, turning the camera off, "Okay. Now will you tell us what's going on?"

Colby licks his lips and pulls his lower lip between his teeth, "I think.." he pauses and you step towards him, "What, colby?"

"I think you're pregnant." The words roll off of his lips a slightly mumble and your eyes go wide.

"Huh!?" Sam yells leaning forward and you can't help but laugh at him, "Exactly what he said." You point to him and look back at Colby, "What do you mean exactly?"

Colby laughs nervously, "The way.. the way everything was going.. it just.. it just sounded like the maid wanted you because you were full of life, and it wasn't because you were young. Literally because you're-" he point to your stomach, "-Full of life."

You shake your head laughing, "No.. no. There's no way."

Sam sighs, "The walls are very thin. I can attest to that."

"Not helping, Golbach." You slap Sam's shoulder gently and turn towards Colby, "what do you want to do?"

"I want to go. Right now. Get some test. And I want you to pee on them. That's what I want you to do." Colby stares at you and Sam can't help but laugh.

"Sam." He looks at him and Sam holds his hands up, "I'm sorry. I just.. this is just so unreal right now."

You laugh slightly until you start thinking, "Maybe that why I got sick?"

Sam's face goes serious, "Oh fuck. That's right." He looks at Colby, "she has been extra mean lately too."

"Yeah, you've said that already today, Sam." You glare at him and he motions to you, "Point proven."

Colby smirks slightly, at the banter and thinking about the possibility of you being pregnant, "Let's just.. go and we'll figure it out."

.·:*¨ ✘ ¨*:·.

As you stood at the hotel bathroom sink, staring down at the five tests laid out, you felt nauseated.

You weren't sure how you felt.

You knew a lot could happen in the spirit world, I mean hell, Sam and Colby proved the afterlife while at the Conjuring, but this..

This felt surreal to you.

Maybe because it was actually involving you?

And Colby?

And a possible baby?

You sigh, shaking your head as you uncapped each one. One by one you dipped them into the little cup that contained your pee and you flipped them over, face down because right now, you don't think you could stomach the result.

You loved Colby, but you both were young. You guys have been together for a while, yes. But you haven't even talked about started a family.

It was all about the adventure of investigating the ghost world.

You capped the last one, setting it down to clean up before wrapping your arms around yourself. You slowly back up into the wall, staring at the tests as you think.

You felt your lips pulling into a slight smile as you pictured Colby holding your baby for the very first time. Imagining his little baby talk to whatever may be in your belly.

You weren't opposed to this at all.

"Colby." You call out, "Sam."

The door opens and Colby peaks his head in, "Yeah, babe?" You motion for him to come in, "Sam, too."

He glances back at Sam who follows Colby in, "What's up?"

You motion towards the test, "I took each one. I can't look. It's been two minutes or so. We need to read them now."

Sam lays a hand on his chest, "you.. you want me to look at them?"

You nod, "I can't."

Sam looks at Colby and he nods, wrapping an arm around you, his thumb rubbing your hip gently as Sam walks over to the counter.

He sets his phone up, pressing record, "Just in case. You never know." He laughs slightly and you roll your eyes with a slight smile.

You hang onto Colby, slightly nervous now that it's the moment of truth.

Sam flips the first one over, then is very quick to flip the next one over then so on until they're all flipped over, "Holy mother of god."

"What!? What Sam?" You step forward and he turns around, "I'm gonna be Uncle Sam."

Colby stares at Sam for a few seconds before laughing slightly, "That might be the most patriotic thing I've ever heard you say."

You laugh, tears welling in your eyes, "Oh my god.." your voice cracks, "He's Uncle Sam."

"Aw, baby." Colby pulls you into his chest and Sam walks over, hugging both you and Colby, "I'm Uncle Sam."

He leans back, looking from you to Colby, "And you're mom and dad."

"Oh my god." Colby looks down at you, a serious look taking over his face, "We're mom and dad."

You nod, smiling as a stray tear slips down your cheek, "a frickin ghost told us that."

You walk over, pulling your phone out to take pictures of the tests laying on the counter, "Oh my god.. this isn't.." you pick up the tests, examining how dark the lines are, "This isn't real."

Colby walks up behind you, laying his hand gently on your belly, "Believe it baby. It's happening." He gently presses a kiss to your cheek, "We got this." He looks up at you in the mirror, "We have Uncle Sam on our side."

You all burst out laughing as you both look at Sam in the mirror, "That's never going to get old."

.·:*¨ ✘ ¨*:·.

"You and baby are doing fantastic." The doctor says as she wipes off the gel from your small bump, "Would you like to know the gender?"

You bite your lip, looking at Colby immediately. He squeezes your hand, "can you write it down on a piece of paper? We want to surprise someone with it by writing their baby's name on it."

She smiles and nods, "Of course I can." She stands up, "Give me a few moments." She gets up and leaves the room and Colby pulls his phone from his pocket, smiling, "it's sam. Again."

"Yeah, brother?" He answers as he puts the phone on speaker and Sam sighs on the other end of the line, "About time. Did you find out yet?"

"Not yet. She's getting it for us now." You say as you wipe the rest of the gel off, "We have a surprise for you."

Sam goes quiet, "You do?"

"Uh huh. Now just sit there and be patient." Colby laughs as the doctor comes back in, "gotta go. We'll be back soon."

"Alright, bye." Sam hangs up and Colby lays his phone down. The doctor comes over, "You guys can take all the time you need, no rush to you at all. Congratulations." She winks as you take the envelope and you and Colby smile, "Thank you."

"See you in four weeks, y/n." She leaves the room and you press the envelope to your chest, "Oh my god.." you look at Colby and hold your hand out, "I'm so nervous."

Colby takes your shakey hand into his, kissing it, "Whenever you're ready, babe." He looks up at you, "I love you."

You smile, "I love you." You lean in, pressing a kiss to his lips, "I want to record this, you know so we can make that video for everyone."

He nods and smiles, "I totally forgot." He sets his phone up at the end of the bed, propping it up on a pillow, "Alright. Whenever you're ready."

You slowly open the envelope, pulling out the folded sonogram.

You take a deep breath as you turn it towards Colby and open it. He gasps and a hand slaps over your mouth, "Oh my go-" your voice cracks and you lay your  head on his shoulder as you start to cry.

"It's a girl." He says, "oh shit." He lays a hand on your head, kissing your forehead, "It's a girl, baby."

You sit up, wiping your face, "oh my god." You sigh, "I was right." Colby nods, "That you were." He lays his hand on your belly, his fingers gently scratching, "I'm so fucking happy right now."

You nod, "I couldn't agree more."

Once you guys got everything together and checked out, you headed home to where Sam was waiting patiently.

"It's about time." He says standing up from the couch as soon as you walk through the door. You laugh and motion back towards the couch, "You're going to want to sit back down for this."

He looks between you and Colby, "What is this?"

You smile and hold up the envelope, "This is top secret information, Golbach."

He sits right back down on the couch, "Gimme." You walk over as Colby gets his phone out to record Sam, and you hand him the envelope.

Sam opens it, slowly pulling the sonogram from it and unfolding it. His eyes scan over it, going wide as his eyes read over the word GIRL.

"Get out. Oh my god." His head snaps to Colby, "Colby's a girl dad!" Colby chuckles, "Colby's a girl dad."

"Ayyyyye!!" Sam cheers and goes to get up but you stop him, "Wait, Sam. There's more."

He turns towards you, "More?" He opens the envelope to see a smaller piece of paper in the bottom, "Ohh." He pulls it out, unfolding it and you can see the tears form as he reads, "Hi Uncle Sam.."

He sighs and shakes his head, "I can't wait to meet you, I thought you should be the first person, besides mom and dad to know my name, so i would like to introduce myself.."

"No." He pouts and wipes his eyes, "Sami Grace?" He leans over, pulling you in for an immediate hug and you can feel him crying , "Thank you."

You wrap your arms around him, whispering, "You've been there for Colby through everything. We love you tremendously."

He leans back, laughing as he wipes his face, "Fuck." He looks up at Colby, "You better not be filming this you asshole."

Colby laughs and walks over, pulling Sam into a hug after he hands you his phone to keep recording, "You know I have to. I love you brother."

"I love you, brother." Sam mumbles as he grips ahold of Colby's jacket, "I'm so exited to see you in fairy dresses." He leans back laughing and Colby sighs, "I guess that's my future, huh?"

You laugh and nod, setting down his phone, "Oh yeah. But don't worry. She'll have one just for Uncle Sam, too."

.·:*¨ ✘ ¨*:·.

INSTAGRAM

@/ColbyBrock: My girls ♥  @/yourusername Also, we'll be dropping the video from the hotel here soon, and that has a very surprise ending.

@/fanuser1: OHMYGOD oh my god no way no way @/fanuser2: GIRLS?? COLBY IS A GIRL DAD @/fanuser3: Colby is a DAD WHAT @/yourusername: We love you! Me and little babe are doing wonderful! @/samgolbach: A very surprising ending that even had me crying

.·:*¨ ✘ ¨*:·.

I know I normally only write smut, but I thought this was such a nice change and it was such a cute one shot. Let me know your thoughts!

Likes and reblogs are appreciated!

[buckyandgeraltsupremacy]

remus x shy!reader (part 4)

author: sj

warnings: fluff; angst for remus lol; reader is in hufflepuff; uses she/her pronouns; not edited

done with finals!! now battling the want to only read fics and not write, let me know if you want a confession from rem!!

masterlist

part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 5

---

it was the day of the date and remus had been up since 4 am. he couldn't stop thinking about your date. however bad he hoped it would go, he didn't want your first date experience to be horrible. he wanted you to be treated how you deserve and to have a lovely time while also never ever wanting to see the fool again. and that is why he had woken up at 4 in the morning and couldn't stop the fight in his mind.

it was 11:30am and he was laying on the couch in the common room, one foot on the ground tapping constantly. the boys had decided to stay in this morning because james was worried they'd run into you and that sirius would end up embarrassing you and ruin your date.

"moony, if you don't stop tapping your foot, i'm going to lose my mind." sirius grunted, head in his hands covering his ears from the tapping noise.

"she should be done with her date now, right? its been 2 hours. why isn't she back yet?" remus asked.

"relax you love sick dog. your precious wife will be returned soon." sirius replied dramatically, rolling his eyes at how abserd this whole situation was. "if you had only confessed your love for her when you had the chance, she wouldn't be snogging another fella while you fumed the whole time." he added. remus shot upright on the couch with a wide eyed expression and a look of dread covering his features.

"here she comes!" peter shouted, holding the marauder's map in his hands, walking into the common room where the other boys were. all of their heads turned towards the portrait hole where it swung open and you stepped through.

you were excited to tell the boys all about it, but you weren't quite expecting them to all be staring at you when you got back.

"well, hi." you said, cheeks flushing more than they already were, glancing towards the floor to not meet their eyes. you sat down on the couch next to remus like normal, not sensing the tension in his body, only feeling their eyes on you.

"WELL??? i need all the details. spill your guts flea!" sirius cried across from you.

"it was okay! it wasn't bad! but it also wasn't great. like it was pleasant but it wasn't anything to write home about. is that good? like are you supposed to know if you want to marry him already?" you rambled, entire face flushing and not meeting their eyes.

"aw, hoppers. i'm sorry it didn't go well." james consoled you.

"what do you mean?" you asked, confused why he sounded sad for you.

"well, it didn't sound like there was any chemistry, that's important if you're gonna date someone." james explained.

"flea, i know it's your first date ever, but even i thought you'd know that." sirius shrugged. at the mention of it being your first date, you tensed and shot a look a remus, hurt that he spilled a secret to the boys. remus met your gaze with a look of panic.

"that wasn't me! i swear it! i didn't tell them!" he yelled.

"oh he didn't tell us, but the way you were acting before was kind of obvious and the fact that remus would've known that you were dating someone before you were part of our group and you certainly haven't since we've been friends because of remus' behavior." sirius explained, you relaxed and reached to touch remus' leg.

"sorry for thinking that you told them when you didn't ." you apologized and remus nodded back.

"its fine bun, i'm not hurt." he said, covering your hand with his.

"so hoppers, did you snog him?" sirius asked crudely. your cheeks flushed bright red.

"that is none of your business sirius! and a lady never kisses and tells!" you exclaim, avoiding all their eyes. "i told him that it would be best if we were friends, and he agreed. i don't think dating is for me, i just got so anxious before! and the thought of having to go on another date, just makes me nauseous." you say, leaning onto remus' shoulder and resting your head.

"thats okay, bun. you don't have to date if you don't want to." remus patted your thigh, his heart soaring that he won't have to go through this again. he knew he'd have to tell you that he liked you soon, the thought of you with someone else almost killed him.

"thanks rem." you mumbled back, sinking deeper into his side.

sirius observes this going on, looking to james and mouthing, 'are they fucking idiots??'

james simply rolled his eyes in response.

[justpeaxchy]

A/n: this.

Beautiful, intricate, delicate, and stunning. So close, and yet so out of bounds for him. Perfect in every way, including the flaws. Desiring, so desperately, that even one hour would be given to him with you.

Your relationship with Hiccup would've been considered "normal" to most people. He obviously didn't want it like that. Even he wanted to prove himself wrong and try to build your friendship into something more. Was he doing it to try and make a point? To them, or for himself? Was it even for you? At first he didn't know, but the answer came swiftly.

You were a puzzle waiting to be solved by any willing hand and brain ready to be put to work; it seemed as though everyone passed by the unsolved pieces and wandered off into something more "interesting." Hiccup noticed, though. He noticed the pieces that still lay on the uneven ground, waiting for someone to come and at least direct you to where the delicate trinkets would go.

You were intriguing, yet so distant. Bold, and yet gentle. Strong, and yet so weak when you thought no one was looking. Hiccup looked, though.

He always seemed to be looking, which displeased you the most. You didn't need to have the flutter in your heart - you needed to situate yourself first and figure out what your role would be in Berk. You didn't need the desire to spend more time with the person who insisted on giving you his.

Perhaps it was more training you needed. Your dragon could learn a few more tricks anyway. The Edge was where it started and where it was supposed to finish. He wasn't supposed to keep on invading your time, even if you wanted him to. He wasn't supposed to walk you home, even if you wanted him to. He wasn't supposed to check on you before you went to bed, even if you wanted him to.

You figured, especially after Stoick's death, when Astrid had tried her best to comfort him, he wouldn't need you as much anymore. You knew that the shield maiden had a solid friendship with the future chief of Berk, even moreso on the Edge, but he couldn't find it in himself to feel the same way as he did when he was only 15. So, once again, he was looking for you in the midst of the crowd.

You had enough common sense not to push him away when he was still in a time of grieving his only father while trying to rebuild the island he grew up on, even when you hinted at the fact that he could always go to someone else for the type of 'help' you were bringing, which was only, most of the time, a few words shared in his presence. Perhaps with one or two hugs if you really felt the need to - or when his eyes practically screamed at you for one.

Hiccup had barely found his mother, was handling the new role as chief, still saving dragons, and yet somehow managed to find you when you tried your best to hide from him. It got even more difficult trying to hide the feelings that threatened to bubble up and show themselves to Hiccup, who seemed to have no problem in showing you his - even unknowingly.

You tried to play it all off, the fluttering in your chest, the gazes that lasted longer on him when he surprisingly wasn't looking, the desire to hug him more when he found you, the feeling of being in the air with him on Toothless, and just about everything he would bring to your table of the unsolved puzzle. You thought it was bothersome that he would bring extra pieces. He, however, viewed it necessary as he put the ones you were already struggling with together in a way that left you speechless.

Sooner or later, you couldn't ignore the statements of your heart towards him and found yourself willingly going to him more often. The giddiness Hiccup felt made him visualize himself as 15 again whenever you were the one to knock on his door. He would show you his map, ideas for inventions, ramble about the duties of being a chief, and listen to whatever you wanted to say. When your words came in short sentences his attention would still be drawn to you.

You no longer hated it. You even remember reaching out your hand to his for the pencil he had to correct a mistake on the map. In your eyes, that one pair of mountains could be drawn a little better. Hiccup hadn't noticed he was staring until you spoke up. It startled you both, but he didn't mind - of course. He had found the answer to his questions a short while after his father had passed, ironically. He knew that he had fallen in love with you.

You thought no one on Berk would be that much invested in you. Hiccup was, though.

This time, you didn't mind it.

[inkdrinkerworld]

Sorry I accidentally sent the ask before I finished😭 anyway I was saying Remus with a hyper-independent reader who’s very hesitant to let him help with anything because she’s not used to people offering to help her.

That's okay angel! I hope you enjoy <3

"No thank you, Rem." you say kindly, working around your boyfriend as you tidy up your apartment. You'd gotten a little sucked into work and then unpacking your groceries, and now your apartment is a little less tidy than you'd like.

"Dove," he doesn't take your rejection badly, but Remus would rather die than watch you do everything yourself. He's a tad dramatic sometimes, 'specially when it comes to you. "I can help you get everything done."

You feel your chest close up like a fist at his offer. It's not that you wouldn't love the help, it's just that you don't know how to accept it without feeling like something will go wrong.

You have this gnawing fear that the moment you let other people help or participate in things like this, you'll no longer be useful or things will crumble or they'll be done wrong- all the negative possibilities swim around in circles in your mind, your heart speeds up a little because of it. Plus, it's just tidying up, it's not rocket science.

"I know how you like everything put away, dove," Remus' hand rests on your shoulder now, effectively stopping you from moving for a bit. "Let me help? I can do this, and you can go take that bath you wanted to."

He can be wicked, your boyfriend, using his gentlest voice, and rubbing the curve of your shoulder with his thumb. He's a master at soothing you. At times you think he was made to do it.

You sigh, thinking about it for a good long moment before shaking your head. "I can do it myself."

Remus doesn't let you shake yourself from his hold, in fact, his hands trail to your wrist and tug you gently behind him as he makes for your steps.

He wants to guide you all the way to the bathroom, but that won't be too well received. So for now he's fine with staying in the tidiest part of the house.

"Remus, I have so much to do," you start but he just shakes his head.

"I know you do, and I know you can do it all by yourself," he turns to face you now, eyes soft and a kind of honey colour that makes him look so soft and comfortable that you have to actively stop yourself from leaning into him. "But I'm trying to tell you that it doesn't have to be just you doing it all alone. You can lean on me for a little bit."

Your eyes flit about his face, trying to syphon out any hint of the fact that he may not entirely mean what he's offering. When you find none, you nibble on your bottom lip, eyes still boring into his.

Remus stands up under the 'scrutiny,' letting you look him over as long as you like before he gives your fingers a squeeze. You know exactly what he means by it too.

"Okay, but if we do it, you can't be upset when I start being a bitch."

He only tuts, shaking his head. "You're not a bitch, you're particular." Remus kisses your cheek, smiling when he finds it a little hot under his lips. "And you don't need to show me, but if it'll help you feel better, start your teaching, baby dove."

[anachronistic-falsehood]

Vash and Femininity: Trigun Stampede and its Themes of Bodily Autonomy, Exploitation, and Vague Gender Fuckery

alright sit the fuck down. we're gonna talk about THEMES

I was on Twitter- terrible idea usually, but a couple people I follow made some tweets that got me thinking about Trigun's overall themes, and here we are. So let's talk about some themes in Tristamp! And I'll take a couple looks at Trimax as well, just for fun :3

Let's look at how the showrunners utilize gender roles and exploitation of feminine characters to show how unhealthy Knives' obsession with his ideal of Vash is, and how horrific his exploitation of Vash and the Plants is.

Vash, from the beginning of Tristamp, is someone who cares about people's choices. When people kill others in front of him, he reiterates that whether someone lives or dies is not another person's choice to make. This is something he learned from Rem (a prominent female figure in his life). He refuses to kill people because that is not his choice to make. To kill someone is the ultimate removal of their bodily autonomy. They can no longer make any choices at all; they're dead.

Vash is also someone who has almost no choice in what path his life takes. He's constantly dragged around by outside forces, namely situations that are caused by Knives (which we'll get into later). Vash doesn't make things happen, things happen to Vash. The majority of events that occur are not his fault. He's pushed and pulled in a thousand different directions. His entire life is completely out of his control.

This can be seen as early on in his life as the Fall, something he had no control over and had no idea he even had a part in. Even later, in the ship with Luida and Brad, after he's been rescued from the desert, he's kept in handcuffs right up until he's shown to be of use to them and the Plant on their ship. After that, he could theoretically say "no, I don't want to go to other ships and heal their plants," but he doesn't. He's Vash. He's helpful and nurturing at his core, and these people have done so much for him just by letting him stay, so he'll do whatever they ask, no question.

This carries over into his adulthood. At Jeneora Rock, he goes to look at their Plant at one simple request, doesn't protest when he's dragged into a duel-- he doesn't take initiative unless someone's life is immediately at stake. He lets people tell him what to do and lets himself get dragged around by the wrist. He doesn't even pretend to have control over his life like Trimax Vash does, which I mean. Fair. Why pretend to have a grip on your existence when it's impossible to do anything without a gun pointed at your head?

Vash is a very passive character. He's nurturing, kind, gentle- he's a guy that fits a lot of very typical feminine character stereotypes. If you wrote this same story but made him a woman, I wouldn't bat an eye (but I would definitely be looking at it a lot more critically, what with the amount of stereotypically nurturing/motherly female characters in media already.)

This contrasts directly with Knives. He makes a decision and carries through no matter what stands in his way. He takes initiative. If Vash is a passive character, Knives is an active character. Wherever he goes, he leaves a lasting imprint. He makes shit happen! If outside forces make things happen to him, he'll go out of his way to make sure that particular force doesn't affect him again.

These two tweets I saw are what got me thinking about this originally. I just feel like here's a good place to put them as a segue into talking about episode 11.

Episode 11 is where a lot of this feminine imagery really just. Explodes in your face. IT'S RIGHT THERE. You can't dance around it if you try. And it kind of reaches a peak when the connection reaches 100%, the gate opens, and. well. THIS happens to the Plants.

Plants, in both Trimax and Tristamp, are almost always typically feminine-looking. Knives and Vash are the only two who are male or even masculine at all. Knives, as the most masculine out of all of them, is the one trying to take charge, and mould the world as he sees fit, to a degree that is detrimental to both him and everyone else. And Vash-- passive, feminine, kind and nurturing, whose Angel Arm in the manga always sprouts decidedly feminine-looking Plant parts-- is the one being exploited for Knives' plans. It's no mistake that they made the giant plant formation at the end of ep 11 look like a giant woman that almost resembles Rem.

Vash wants people to make their own choices and keep their autonomy when it comes to their bodies and lives. Knives is the exact opposite. He wants all Plants to become independent and he uses Vash to achieve that goal, without asking what Vash wants or even knowing what the Plants themselves would prefer. He exploits Vash for the soul purpose of trying to make these Plants have Independent Plant babies. He's completely incapable of seeing that his choices are not for the greater good! He thinks he's saving them, but none of his actions are for the good of anyone but himself. He’s just violating them for his own gain.

They're really leaning into gender roles for these guys, but in a way that screams "HEY, LOOK AT THIS! ISN'T IT FUCKED UP? LOOK AT HOW FUCKED UP THAT IS. LOOK AT THIS, AND BE UNCOMFORTABLE, AND KNOW THAT IT IS FUCKED UP."

Because it is! It's so extremely fucked up. They're using this imagery and these roles, something that makes most of us intrinsically uncomfortable, to drive home how unhealthy Knives relationship with his ideal of Vash is. That's the point. We're supposed to be uncomfortable with this.

Now of course there's some nuance to it. Like, you could see Knives as somewhat of a feminine and/or queer-coded figure as well, ESPECIALLY if you look at some of his panels in the manga, which could in turn lead to themes about infighting and control within marginalized communities, but that might be something for another post. :3

And there's definitely different ways you could take this! Vash, with all this feminine imagery, could be either transfem or transmasc coded, depending on what way you'd rather see it, which could lead into themes of how people outside the norm constantly face a lack of bodily autonomy and are exploited for purposes outside their boundaries. We could also look at Wolfwood and his lack of choice over joining the Eye of Michael and becoming the Punisher, and how masculine men (particularly men of colour) are often forced into violent roles against their will. If we look at Trimax, the exact same could be said for Livio/Razlo and people with disorders such as DID/OSDD.

There are many different ways you could spin these themes, some of which I don't feel personally qualified to discuss. If anyone who is qualified to talk about Wolfwood or Livio/Razlo or even other characters related to these themes, then god PLEASE add onto this post or make a post and tag me or something. I would love to read it!

Anyway, in conclusion: Vash is a feminine figure constantly taken advantage of and exploited and and he's so incredibly trans/nonbinary-coded that it drives me insane. Thank you

[my-castles-crumbling]

The Art of Gift-Giving

@wolfstarbingo2024 - prompt: gift giving - word count: 592 - warnings: none - rating: g - link

It started out small. Little bars of chocolate and tokens of affection left on his pillow, handwritten notes in block letters explaining secretive feelings and intimate desires.

But then it got more elaborate.

Every time a gift was left it seemed to be hand-picked for him. If he ripped the elbow of his favorite jumper, it seemed a new one was left for him on his bed within the day. If he expressed a desire for a specific quill or a flavor of his favorite candy, whatever he asked for always appeared.

He began testing it. Trying to figure out who his secret admirer could possibly be. And he realized quite quickly that it had to be someone who lived in his dorm.

It was pretty obvious after a while. He didn't hang 'round a lot of people, and many times his expression of needs or wants was only in front of his three closest friends. So, he started trying to narrow it down.

"Ugh, I'm almost out of blue ink," he lamented in front of James one day as they studied alone in he library.

"Sucks, mate," James replied vaguely, staring over at Lily, who was chatting with Marlene McKinnon.

His present the next day was a scarf, made of the softest wool.

"The pudding tonight was awful," he complained to Peter as they played chess quietly another night, Peter solidly kicking his arse.

"It was!" Peter exclaimed. "Checkmate, by the way."

And his present, he found, was a new journal, bound in leather.

But the next night, when he said to Sirius, heart beating nervously, "My quill broke yesterday. My favorite one," he was half-hoping not to find the stunning, gold-plated quill he saw on his pillow the next day. Because he knew what that meant.

"Sirius!" he called to his friend in the hall, embarrassment and a bit of anger flooding through him, grabbing the shorter boy's hand and pulling him into an empty classroom. "We need to talk."

"What's up, Moons?" Sirius asked. And Merlin, he was pretty. Remus hated himself.

"You need to stop," he said softly, tears in his eyes. "It's not fair."

"S-stop what?" Sirius stammered, but they both knew what Remus was talking about.

"I don't know if you're teasing me, or you're doing this out of pity, or what," Remus said, trying to keep his voice level. "But it's got to stop. I don't want any of this. I-"

But Sirius interrupted him, looking shocked. "Rem, I'm not making fun of you, and I'm definitely not doing this out of pity. Fuck, I- I'm doing this because-"

"I don't want to hear this, Sirius," Remus cut him off. "I can't hear it." He wanted to cry. To run. It was impossible, to hear that Sirius didn't feel the same way. He knew it, of course, but to hear it aloud would forever change him. The dread was sitting in his stomach like a sludge and he just needed to scream.

"Remus, I like you!" Sirius nearly-yelled, throwing his hands out desperately.

And Remus stilled, hope blooming in his chest, a single tear escaping his eye and slowly moving down his cheek. "What?"

"Yes! Merlin, I wouldn't have done all of this otherwise," Sirius said, face a bit nervous, gaze at his feet as his confession sat in the air.

But, rather than taking too long to search for words that he wasn't sure he could find right now, Remus chose to reach for Sirius instead, drawing their lips together in a sweet kiss.

Leave comments and kudos here!

[dwindlinghaze]

breathin

(remus lupin x fem!reader)

summary: remus lupin is a sleepyhead

contents: small blurb, fluff, fluff, sleepy remus is just so :(

　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

somedays, things just take way to much energy. looked up; then the whole room's spinning.

that's what remus lupin is going through right now.

he was not able to sleep with james and sirius' loud voices last night. they were playing around until late at night.

remus wouldn't want to be the killjoy. he lets them have their fun just for tonight.

with that being said, the lack of sleep he had was torturing him.

he can feel his blood running and the sky's falling.

he almost fell in asleep in transfiguration this morning, earning a disappointed stare from professor mcgonagal.

he couldn't take it anymore; his lids were super heavy. even if he tried to open them, he still wouldn't be aware of his surroundings because his mind is slowly shutting off.

he wanted a comfortable place to sleep. someplace that he feels the best. then it came to his mind; your bed.

he once heard the spell sirius used to charm the stairs' to the girl's dormitory. though he never tried it, he's going to now.

he arrived in your bed and completely buried himself in your sheets. it smelled like you- which brings more comfort to him. he's one hundred percent sure that this will be the best sleep he's going to have in weeks.

you didn't see him after your third class, you wonder where he is. you had asked james about his whereabouts but james said he didn't know.

so after your last class, you head to your dorm to change to a more comfortable clothes and in hopes of finding your boyfriend in the way.

you creaked open the door to your dorm and made a bee line towards your part of the room.

you almost lost your breath when you heard shuffling from inside. you were sure nobody's in there.

"hello?" you croaked, eyebrows knitting.

"mhhm," was the only response. your heart slowed down its pace when you heard the voice. you knew who it belonged to.

you saw remus sleeping on your bed. one of your pillows under his head and the other he hugged. you almost melt at the sight. you knew from this morning that the poor boy didn't get enough sleep last night. you were glad he found his way up here.

"hi angel," remus mumbled, fluttering his eyes open. his hair was messy and his face was so adorable.

"hi rem, sorry i woke you up. go back to bed," you kissed his forehead.

remus tugged your hand, "stay with me?" he said- almost like a mumble.

"let me change to a more comfy clothes okay?"

"kay.."

you went back to him after changing and he instantly rest his head over your chest. sighing in contentment. "love you."

you chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck because you found that he loves it. "love you too. sweet dreams," you said it so softly, almost afraid if you got any tune louder, remus wouldn't be able to go and find his way back up into the clouds.

[distort-opia]

What kind of non lethal crimes do you think Joker would pivot to in a relationship with Bruce? I'm thinking about your REMS characterization. Also thinking about a line from Joker in the last chapter, about not throwing his career down the shitter and killing to defend himself. What would a career look like for him being with Bruce? Surely he would still be incredibly silly about them, with varying levels of violence that *just* teeters the edge. Love your work!

Glad you like my work, thank you! Hmm, what I had in mind when writing that in REMS (or for a sequel) was Joker's penchant for... well, breaking people and exposing hypocrisy, but minus the murder. With his love of drama and performance sprinkled on top, of course; as you say, he'd never stop being silly.

He usually kills indiscriminately, yes, because he considers himself as just playing into the cruel meaninglessness of the world. But the reason why Joker fixated on Batman, and why his M.O. includes using a gas that basically forces people to see the world like he does right before they die, is Joker's need to prove a point. He wants people to admit that there's no order to life and that tragedy can strike at any time; he wants Gotham to realize how arbitrary rules are, and Batman happens to be the perfect embodiment of that.

So I think that a Joker who won't murder anymore would basically create situations in which people's darkest sides are exposed, to various degrees of seriousness and violence. And not only that-- he would do things that would expose the ridiculousness and heinousness of the world people live in. Capitalism and its self-cannibalizing focus on profit, the skewed interests of the government, the suffering of the poor... Joker's already done this sort of thing, it's not much of a stretch. For example, seeing how many people we're being hurt as a result of superhero fights, one time Joker promised to pay the medical bills of each Gothamite that posted a video on the DC equivalent of Facebook... but only if they shouted the word "Balyushka" and then did something ridiculous to make him laugh:

Batman: Gotham Nights #6 ("Balyushka!")

And he keeps his word! But of course, this creates utter chaos, because people are doing fucking crazy shit to get that money. And the thing is, he doesn't do this just for funsies. He has a point, and Bruce can't help but admit it:

Batman: Gotham Nights #6 ("Balyushka!")

Joker exposed the problems that Batman could not tackle with fists, and then Bruce listened. He actually used his money and influence to help.

Ironically, again, it's not the first time Joker did something that made Bruce go "Hmm, maybe I should look into the systemic corruption":

Batman: Gotham Nights #4 ("The Dragnet")

I won't go into too much detail, but Joker paid Harleen Quinzell's tuition without much prompting, he went and helped (in his own way) a child who wrote to him and was clearly being abused... it's about the cases he can empathize with. And they're all connected to his own life-ruining trauma. Red Hood fell into the vat most of all because of poverty. Because he had no choice except to turn to crime-- otherwise him and his family would not have had food to put on the table. So of course he hates the society he lives in, one that had no safety nets or mercy for people like him who were drowning.

This is a very long-winded way to say that I imagine a non-lethal Joker being a mix of this and... stupid ass pranks on a massive scale, because let's be honest, he wouldn't give them up. He just wouldn't kill people at the end (because it'd make his boyfriend sad).

fanfic writer ask game - director's commentary

[fourmoony]

hi, I just wanted to let you know that reading your writing brings me so much comfort and joy. Today, I found out that the person I’ve liked for the longest time has a girlfriend, and it’s been hard to say the least. It also didn’t help that I read an unrequited love blurb featuring remus as soon as I got home 😭 I was just wondering if you’d be willing to write something where the reader assumes that remus doesn’t like her because he seems aloof, but is actually just nervous because he likes her so much. I am so appreciative of you and your beautiful work, as always 🤍

this made me tear up. your words are so kind, and are the push i needed this week to keep writing <3 never in a million years did i think anyone would think this about my writing. thank you.

i'm sorry to hear about your crush; unrequited love is a tricky and heavy feeling. i have no doubt you'll find your person, though. as someone who's had my fair share of heartache, i promise, it won't hurt forever. my friends think i'm crazy because my advice is always to just let it hurt. but one day you'll wake up and you'll have run out of hurt. and you won't even remember what you saw in them, anymore. sending love.

P.S. i suck at writing shy remus so this is more like silent, unreadable remus. idk i'm tired. hope this is okay!

---

remus lupin x f!reader - masterlist 1.2k words

cw - implied self esteem issues, smoking, drinking

Remus' thumping steps carry up the staircase only seconds after you call on him. You're facing the mirror when he arrives in the doorway, hair clasped to the side in one hand, and the other reaching aimlessly for the zip half way down the back of your dress. His eyes find yours over your shoulder in the reflection, a fond smile passing over his features when he steps through the threshold into your room.

"You look lovely." He comments, voice warm and smooth in the way that it always is.

Warm Remus, smooth Remus, so fond and kind, feels like home and everything familiar. His fingers are warm as he tugs gently at the zip, one hand placed on your shoulder for leverage. His touch is gentle, like he's afraid he might break you, and it lingers for only a moment when he's done. You swallow around the lump of want in your throat, the want for it to have lasted longer, the want for him to touch you and have it mean something. It doesn't do any good to want. Because you can't have, and you've had to deal with becoming okay with that fact.

"Thanks, Rem."

He nods, lips curled in on themselves like he wants to say something, a look in his eyes you've never been able to read. He says nothing, and he retreats with the promise to wait on you with the others in the living room. Remus does that a lot - refrains from the things he wants to say, stops himself short. You wish he wouldn't.

You're always wishing, wishing, wishing.

He keeps true to his word. Remus is waiting in the living room with Sirius, James, and a rather flustered looking Frank when you descend the staircase. It's only now you realise how lovely Remus looks in his suit. Partly because of how Sirius is wearing his - like he had a fight with it and lost. Remus stands when you appear, as if on instinct, and takes a step forwards. You smile, eyes catching on Frank who's looking at the clock like it's stealing time from before his very eyes. You suppose, in a way, it is.

"You okay?" You feel the need to ask, hint of a smile playing on your lips.

Frank looks alarmed by your question, a grimace on his face, "She's going to be there, isn't she? She's not going to, like, do a runner? Have you spoke to her today?"

James huffs a laugh, pats Frank on the shoulder rather heavily. The whiskey in his crystal tumbler splashes over the side and onto the rug. "Last I heard, Mary and Marlene had her pinned down in the make up chair, she tried, but they wouldn't let her."

Sirius barks a laugh. Frank scowls. He knows you're kidding. Alice Fortescue has been absolutely smitten for Frank Longbottom since she was thirteen. There's absolutely nothing that could stop her from walking down that aisle, today. Frank knows that as well as you do.

"Not helping." James decides, passes Frank a cigarette.

He mumbles something about not wanting to smoke inside and makes for the door. Remus gives James and Remus a pointed look, "Better make sure he doesn't do a runner, yeah?"

They're quick out the door like they actually believe Frank would ever do something like that. The only place he'd ever run to is Alice. And she'd have his balls for seeing her in her wedding dress before the ceremony. Remus gives you a familiar smile, a knowing smile, a smile he saves for you and you only. It feels like he's in on something you aren't when he smiles like that. Heat crawls up your neck, flowers wrap their way around you rib cage.

"You scrub up well, you know." Is all you manage to say, rather breathless.

Remus rolls his eyes, "I try."

A minute of amused silence, Remus passes you the glass of wine in his hand. The glass is warm from being in his clutch, but you drink from it anyway.

"I thought after the catering disaster this wedding wasn't going to happen." Remus admits, looking out of the living room window at where Frank paces the length of the front path, working his way through his second cigarette. Alice will have your head for allowing such a thing.

You hum a disagreement, eyes roaming Remus' face, it's so soft, so beautifully shaped. You've no idea why he hates his scars so much. They only outline his best qualities. The one over the bridge of his perfectly sloped nose, the one under his beautiful amber eyes, the one along his sharp cheekbones, and your favourite one: the one across his cupids bow, defining his soft, pink lips. It's a shame, really, that Remus Lupin thinks so little of himself. You'd give him the world should he only ask.

"I think nothing can stop a love like that," You murmur, soft and quiet, voice thick with something, "Not even a shoddy caterer."

Remus' eyes leave the front garden, meet with yours in a way that always makes heat explode in your chest. He's too much to look at, sometimes. It physically hurts.

"You always have such a positive outlook on life."

You laugh, shoulders shrugging, "Suppose it's habit."

"From?"

"Keeping you miserable lot from giving up all together?" You offer, smiling over the rim of your wine glass.

Remus laughs, genuine and unashamed. "Tell you what, at our wedding, I promise to be the one keeping everything together, how about that?"

He seems to flinch after that, like he's physically pained by the words coming out of his mouth. You flinch, too. The flowers around your rib cage wilt and pull tighter all in one go, a frown pulling at your lips.

"I wasn't aware we were getting married."

Remus smiles like he's in pain, "Yeah, well, step one would actually be asking you on a date, but I'm a right twat who's mucked all that up."

There's something self deprecating about him. You don't like it. Remus Lupin deserves the world. You'll give him the world. You didn't think he wanted that from you, though. But you smile, gentle and sweet in a way you hope he'll like. It feels like something shifts. Maybe the stars begin to write a story about you both. Maybe the sun stops it's rotation just for a second to watch you both.

The wedding car pulls up outside and Remus, seemingly eager to back away from the situation he's created, slams his own drink down on the table and makes for the door.

"Remus," You call after him, he turns, "I'd marry you."

You offer him a lopsided smile. His eyes search your face for any sign of a joke. He finds none. You hope he understands what you mean.

"How about a date first?" He asks.

You release a breath, a laugh, a smile. It feels like you're floating.

"Sure, yeah. That first."

The front door swings open and Sirius barges his way past Remus, panicked and disheveled, "I've lost the fucking rings!"

Remus sighs, hand in his pocket, hands Sirius the red velvet box, "Here."

You're laughing all the way down the path, shoulder brushing Remus', the start of something new.

[jjoongstar]

𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒆𝒈𝒈

ꕥpairing: chef!wooyoung x reader

ꕥgenre: angst, fluff

ꕥwc: 1.6k

ꕥrating: sfw, pg-13

ꕥa/n: no, there's no fried eggs in here, i just don't know what to name this. yes, i crave fried egg. tbh i was sad and hungry at the same time when i wrote this at like 2 am. thanks to @rems-writing and another friend of mine(she's not on tumblr) for beta reading this. 🍳

your partner left you mid dinner for an emergency meeting. well, this wasn't the first time it happened. you've been thorough this multiple time already and you've lost counted the times you've been stood up by your so called partner, the love of your life.

a tear rolled down your cheek as you cut the steak and stuffs in your mouth. munching while sniffling your sadness away.

even the waiters and staffs knew your situation very well as you've been to this restaurant for years. from the early beginning of your relationship and how it turned out like this. they've all seen how you were left alone, and always alone. they did felt pity for you and had offered more wine on the table as to ease yourself. but still, you'd always have that frown on your face. and tonight, it was your last straw. the waiters that walked passed you gave you a worried look and were too afraid to even approach you. they wouldn't want to break you even more.

"hey she's crying, do something!"

"what can we even do more?"

"that's the first time she shed a tear,"

"yea, i guess she couldn't bottle everything up anymore,"

"i pity her,"

even the cooks went out to seep through the door's lite and talk about you with the others.

you sniff up, wiping the corners of your mouth with the napkin and any tear strains on your face. as a waitress walks near your table, you called out for her nicely even with your croaky voice.

"excuse me, I'm sorry but can i borrow you or any of the waiters or staffs or anybody at all at this point, to just, sit here and…accompany me, please? i beg you for just this once." you pleaded with teary eyes. you knew you sounded so pathetic right now. but you felt so lonely, too lonely and you desperately need someone to just sit here with you. not caring even a stranger. just someone, anyone.

the waitress agreed to your request and assures you she'll be back soon. you exhaled deeply, feeling a little weight ease out of you. later on after around two minutes or so, a man in chef's white pulled the chair in front of you and sat his butt down. he fixes his hair before he smiles widely at you.

"enjoying the food? i made that. well, i always made that specially for you every time so it'll always suit your taste. so, how is it?"

a small bitter smile crept on your face, though it didn't suit your tired eyes, you made an effort to at least answer genuinely to the man's question. you nodded and praised the well cooked meal that's on your plate.

you raise the fork and knife weakly and tried cutting the steak. the man gently place his hands on top of yours to stop your movements and so you did as he lifts up the plate and place it in front of him. at first you thought he stole your dinner but the thought fades away when he started to cut out the meat into small bite sizes.

"i really love your dress. the colour suits your hair and it made your skin pop out more." he praise aloud with a smile on his face. actually, the smile on his face was still there ever since he sat down. you felt a loud thump in your heart. for once, someone said something bout your dress. not even your partner mention anything bout it.

"i noticed its your favourite too since you wore it multiple times already, but not like everyday, more like usually. and it always look so pretty on you. in fact, you look gorgeous everyday! and before you ask, no i'm not lying. i'm being real. legit if you will. you literally are so pretty. its not like i see you everyday but every single time. but its not that your other outfits aren't pretty, they're beautiful too, but this makes you more attractive. BUT not like I'm saying you're less attractive on other days but…ugh, i think you get me?"

you let out a small giggle at him. damn this man yaps a lot. you find him rather amusing and…cute.

"do that again," he place back your plate in front of you and hands you the fork.

"do what?" you asked curiously before picking up a small piece of meat and eats it.

"that! your giggle sounded so adorable, do that again!" he pointed his fingers at you while you savour on the meat in your mouth.

"no," you straight up said to his face while continuing to stuff more food into your mouth.

"please…"

"no,"

"pretty please,"

"no,"

"please just one more time,"

"no,"

"it truly sounded so-,"

"no,"

"please can you-"

"no,"

"do you want me to be here?"

"no…wait, YES uhh no? wait WAIT! no no that's not what i meant, i uhh huhh-"

you were cut off by the hysterical laugh emitted by the person in front of you. he laughed so hard he's hitting the table and threw his head back. you urge him to stop laughing at your mistake but obviously he didn't and instead made fun of you. and due to his addicting laugh, you somehow found yourself laughing along with him for no absolute reason.

"oh god please stop, my stomach hurts, i might puke on your pretty face," you held your hand over the sharp pain on your stomach and wipes away the lone tear at the corner of your eye with the tip of your forefinger.

"you should shed those kind of tears y'know," he said softly after he tones down his laughter.

"yea, i think i deserve better," you mutter out softly.

"you think? nuh uh girl, you DO deserve better. that guy is an asshole, a disgusting lice, he even looks like sid the sloth with that ugly ass haircut, and his posture? don't even get me started, even the hunchback looks better than him. what do you even see in him??!"

you couldn't help but burst out giggling over his insults of your partner. or maybe you should change that to ex-partner now, after knowing your worth.

"please I've told you to stop making me laugh or I'm really gonna vomit out all the food i just ate,"

"ok ok, I'll stop, for now. come, I'll drive you home," he stood up, walks over to you and offers you his hand, assisting you up from your seat.

"are you sure? don't you have work to do?" you asked him as he helped you slip your arms into your coat. you knew he's a chef and the restaurant is still gonna be open for the rest of the night, how could you let him get off work so easily.

"nah its fine, someone will cover up for me. everyone here cares for you and they're more than glad to have me take care of you tonight,"

you took in his words carefully and realised how much his effort did to make you happy tonight.

"are you really leaving work in that attire?" you pointed out to him and he yelped to himself, forgetting his own appearance.

"i'm gonna change real quick, don't run away, I'll be right back. allison, watch her for me, don't let her leave yet!" he exclaimed to the receptionist quickly before he ran back to behind doors and slips himself in. you couldn't help yourself but yet again, chuckles at his behaviour. cute.

he came back to you and your eyes widen at his figure. long loose black slacks with a belt that matches it, chic black shirt with a long dark coat that hung over his broad shoulders, his neck accessories with a long silver necklace with a small simple pendent. he looked so…handsome. even with the messy hair.

you fix his hair right after he stood in front of you and he's catching his breath after his speed run.

"you looked different," you said after fixing the last strand of his hair.

"i know i look hot, i get that a lot," he proudly says to you with a smug on his face. you scoffs at him while smacking his chest and rolling back your eyes.

his car was quite fancy but simple, and it kinda suits him, base on what you've seen of him so far. he opened the door for you but you turn to face him before stepping your foot in.

"wait, i never got to know your name,"

"seriously, only now you wanna know my name? I've been waiting for that question from you," he cocks an eyebrow at you and pulls on another smirk on his face.

"hey! i was too sad to even have the thought to ask of your name!" you pouted playfully at him and he finds your respond adorable, base on the smirk on his face.

"good to know you're not sad anymore now. wooyoung. jung wooyoung," he hands out his right hand to you.

"glad to meet you wooyoung, thank you so much for today, i really appreciate every second of it," you ignored the handshake he offered and instead, you wrap your arms around his body and pulls him into a tight hug.

"sure, i'm more than pleased to make your night wonderful. now in you go princess," he pulls away first and shove you gently into his car.

the whole car ride to your house was full of giggling and endearing voices. getting to know more of each other with silly fun facts and questions. you felt like not wanting to leave him upon arriving to your doorstep. he pulls you into a promising hug. promising to meet up sooner, or later, maybe tomorrow? who knows.

the next date you two are going, you're discussing it through text tonight. and most definitely you ended up falling asleep with a smile on your face, for once after a very long time, over just some silly jokes wooyoung said over text. for once, you felt your heart soaring high up again.

dividers

taglist: @engentiny @seonghw4ffles

networks: @othersideoutlawsnetwork @illusionnet

[clouduru-chan]

Well I decided to write something about some yanderes, well I'm kind of new to this, so sorry for any mistakes, well in the Brazilian yandere community, we usually write headcanons of some characters, as well as realizing that there were no headcanons for some characters here on Tumblr, I decided to write a little about them.

Yandere reacting to reader who cosplays

Monika

- Well, you have only been dating a short time, and she knew that you loved to watch anime, series and Doramas, read some manga and light novels or play some video games, and since you know her well, you call her to watch something that involves romance;

- But something caught you off guard, when you simply showed up at the meeting with the cosplay of a romance anime you like to watch with your girlfriend;

- You did it because it might please your beautiful girlfriend;

- you cosplayed Kaguya Shinomiya from Kaguya Sama wa kokurasetai;

- Well you just wanted to surprise her, and Monika rather liked that, and with that she pours sweet kisses all over your face, and you turn into a blushing mess;

- You get a little clumsy around your girlfriend, so you don't get into the role of Kaguya too much;

- Monika loves how Kaguya Sama's school uniform dress looks perfect on you;

- Well you have been doing character cosplays for quite a while now, so it would be nice if your girlfriend knew about it;

- Well Monika realized at first that this was not the first cosplay, as it was very well done;

- When you stopped being embarrassed by the situation, you decided to act like the character you had cosplayed;

- Monika laughed a lot at your performances, because you were able to get perfectly into the role of the character;

- She loved the work you did just for her, you had so much love and dedication to it, she feels sweet, she will one day repay that;

Ayano Aishi

- She was waiting for you outside your room, but out of nowhere she feels caught, she feels your hands on her thighs and back, you had picked her up;

- This yandere turned extremely red when you did this, and when she looked at you, you were in costume;

- You were cosplaying Yuji Itadori from Jujutsu kaisen;

- The two of you kind of decided to hang out together at the comic con, to tell you the truth, you were the one who urged her to go to the event;

- At the event, you were holding hands the whole time;

- Ayano wasn't in cosplay, since she didn't see much point in it, but so that people wouldn't look down on her for not wearing something from pop culture, you lent her your Attack on Titan freedom wings sweatshirt;

- Ayano was extremely happy and flushed with this gesture, it will be a little difficult for her to return the sweatshirt to you, as she will place it on her altar with other of her belongings;

- At the event, many people came up to you to compliment the cosplay, but until one person came up, making a reference to the anime:

" What is your type of woman"

Ayano grimaced at that, why ask such a personal and stupid question?

She hadn't understood the reference, so you got into character.

"My kind of woman? My kind of woman is tall and big-butt, just like my girlfriend Ayano Aishi! He then points to the dark-haired girl.

Congratulations you have made this yandere extremely clueless.

Alan Orion

- Alan had arranged for you to go out into the forest, since he had a surprise for you;

- But you had an appointment, so you told him you were going to be a little late, of course he was annoyed by this, what was more important than him?!;

- Well you had to go to an anime event that was going to be held at the gym, a lot of people who like pop culture went there, so obviously to show your work, so you went in cosplay;

- The cosplayer you did was Rem from Re: Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu;

- After the event, you were in a hurry to go see your boyfriend, because you knew he had been upset with you for changing the appointment time;

- By this time you hadn't even taken off the accessories you were wearing to make the cosplay, so you go straight into the forest to see that man;

- When you arrived, Alan was sitting with his back to you, and as soon as you approached him, your boyfriend's heterochromatic eyes sparkled with admiration; he thought you were late just to get ready like that just for him;

- Well, his intention when he called you was to fuck you hard in the forest, to get you addicted to his cock, but seeing you dressed like that made him hard right away;

- You kind of won't feel your legs for a week anymore;

Sunny day Jack

- Jack was wondering why you were taking so long in the room;

- He was intrigued in what you were doing, as this ghost was curious of what your Sunshine was doing, so he opened the door to your room;

- When he was going to ask how you were, he looked at you, you were wearing strange clothes, wearing a pink wig and contact lenses of the same color, as well as a well-made makeup over your face, making you look very effeminate;

- You jumped when he saw you cosplaying Astolfo from Fate: Apocrypha;

- Well, you decided to step into the role of the character, just to tease Jack for breaking into your room;

"Oh! So you are my master?! Then I will introduce myself! For it is very important to speak my real name! So, my name is Astolfo! One of the twelve paladins of Charles Magno! It's a pleasure" you played the role of getting all excited, quickly approaching the blue-haired man.

" What about yours?" You had a huge smile on your face, you had really gotten into character, Jack was impressed, even though he didn't understand the reference he quite liked it, especially the master part.

- Jack picks you up and puts you on the bed, he would give you lots of love, because as you said, he was your master;