#remember when he refused to let her be on meds?

[m4ndysk4nkovich]

y’all who act like monica ruined frank are so annoying for SEVERAL reasons (especially because there’s more proof frank ruined monica) but y’all will NEVER acknowledge queenie and sammi. sammi was around six years older than fiona, and frank was younger when she was born, but he still ditched her. he knew she existed but still chose to be an absent piece of shit. also, he was an addict since he was young! if i can find an exact moment where this is stated, i’ll tell you all, but i distinctly remember hearing it multiple times and i know others did, too. just because frank did coke for the first time with monica does not mean she ruined him; ultimately, his alcoholism, mother, and narcissism are what ruined him- not that.

[66stitches]

dating abby headcanons

Art by fjorgust on instagram

Daily click - Palestine masterpost - TLOU and israel

divider creds

꩜ She isn’t super big on pda, but does little stuff like grab your hand or give you occasional kisses on the forehead just to remind you of how she loves you (and to let everyone know you’re hers).

꩜ With that being said, she’s all over you once you’re home.

꩜ Absolutely loves lazy morning cuddles and kisses far more than she’d like to admit.

꩜ I just know she listens to dad music. Definitely a big fan of The Offspring.

꩜ Loves to spoil her girl, but even though she doesn’t admit it, she secretly loves being spoiled and coddled as well.

꩜ Has a pretty high pain tolerance, but would sometimes exaggerate her pain just so you’d coddle and baby her, especially when she’s on her period.

And you know she’s fibbing, but you knew that if you confronted her she would immediately deny it and get super defensive (which is how you know she’s lying).

But you love babying her, so you’re more than happy to play along.

꩜ She snores, but it’s pretty soft and light, so you don’t really mind at all. It’s actually pretty comforting.

꩜ Shares her coin collection with you. You don’t really get the fascination, but seeing her ramble on passionately about what new coins she found only makes you fall in love deeper.

꩜ Reads classics. A huge fan of Dostoevsky. But also she loves nonfictions.

꩜ Absolutely sucks at video games. If you play, she’ll ask if she can try, only to get your character killed like five seconds later then complain that “something’s up with your controller.”

꩜ Loves having her hair played with. She would have trouble sleeping sometimes, but once your fingers are on those golden strands of hers she’s out like a light, already softly snoring into the pillow.

꩜ Sleeps completely naked with you. Not for any sexual purpose, but just feeling her bare skin against yours as you’re sleeping makes her feel closer to you than ever. It’s an innocently intimate and loving moment she likes to share with you.

Honestly just imagine cuddling to sleep at night completely naked. Everything is quiet and you’re peppering sleepy kisses on each other’s face, neck, shoulders, and rubbing each other’s arms and back 'til you fall asleep oh god I’m SICK.

꩜ This woman is in love with sitcoms and I will not be elaborating any further.

꩜ Claims she doesn’t like cats, but once came home like an hour late because she got caught up playing with a stray cat. Refused to tell you the real reason why she was late.

꩜ Cracks the dumbest jokes you’ve ever heard that only put a smile on your face because of how stupid they are and how cute she is when she says them.

Remember that scene where she was trying to joke around with Lev but she’s just super bad at it and he didn’t even try to play along? “You know our dogs can play cards like that?” Yeah, she does that with you too.

꩜ Cries after arguments (canon) but can’t stand people seeing her cry. She’s a pretty emotional person methinks.

꩜ Loves festivities. Will go all out on christmas and halloween, decorating the entire place and buying gifts (pesters you with questions about what you got her).

꩜ Pesto. She loves it on everything.

꩜ Loves massages. Back, shoulders, feet, scalp. Loves them all and only wants them from you.

꩜ A caregiver. (If you’re on meds), she’ll always make sure you take them and take them at the right time. She ensures that you eat three meals a day and get enough sleep, and even doesn’t let you stay up for too long. She just wants her girl to stay healthy.

꩜ She’s a total book hoarder. She promises not to buy another book 'til she’s done reading the ones she has, only for you to find a paper bag with ten new books the next day.

꩜ Loves you endlessly and has your entire wedding planned out in her head. She knows exactly what songs she wants to play and how she wants your dresses to look.

[httpdwaekki]

skinship | s.c

summary: you thought changbin hated you, but that all changed one day when you showed on his doorstep, moments away from an anxiety attack.

wc: 1.8k

warnings: descriptions of an anxiety attack

a/n: happy binnie month! i'm so happy to be doing this not only for one of my favorite boy but with one of my favorite people @straykeedz ! please don't forget to check out bee and her half of binnie month! i hope you enjoy! remember to eat, drink water and take your meds, ily <3

(p.s. if u get the reference ily <3)

my library | bee's vers. | binnie month

please consider donating to this fundraiser!

(pictures are not mine! credit to owners!)

you didn’t think changbin hated you per say, however you did notice his hesitancy towards you, so that definitely didn’t make you think he liked you either.

you noticed he’d keep his distance when you would hang out with the boys and forget about skinship, he avoided you like the plague. you were a very touchy person, similar to felix, you tended to cling to your friends. so you’d be lying if you said it didn’t hurt your feelings even a little bit, especially because of how he clings to your other friends.

you brushed it off though, you know not everyone was going to like you but it stung a bit coming from changbin. truth be told you had a lil crush on him when you first met him but you had given up a while ago.

this changes one day however, you found yourself outside of the 3racha+hyune dorm, seconds away from an anxiety attack. you don’t remember how you made it to the building but you knock regardless hoping anyone but changbin would open the door.

luck was not on your side as the rapper opens the door, coming face to face with your panicked expression. “h-hi-“ quickly wiping your tears, attempting to plaster a small smile on your face. “sorry- is chan home?” you were fiddling with the hem of your shirt, attempting to calm yourself long enough to get to your best friend.

“no he’s at the studio- are you okay?” he asks, concern lacing his voice. “yeah! sorry to bother you, i’ll just go to the studio, sorry again!” you say quickly, turning around to make a quick exit.

“hey wait, are you okay?” he steps out, grabbing your wrist, stopping you.

you pause, attempting to collect yourself, “yeah, i just need to find chan.” you go to leave again, his grip tightens slightly. “please let me go.” you whisper, a lump forming in your throat, as you focus on the concrete below your shoes.

“y/n, what’s wrong?” he starts panicking, never had he seen you so distraught. you were usually a ray of sunshine, kind-hearted and smiley, but this- this sent a shock to his core and he knows he can’t let you leave.

he moves in front of you, going to grab your other arm when your head whips up as his hand makes contact with your skin. your eyes are wide and full of panic, unshed tears line them as the panic took over your body.

your reaction has him dropping your wrists immediately. “i’m sorry- i’m sorry, i just want to help.” his voice soft, as if he were speaking to a scared animal.

“can i help you? please, i don’t want you driving like this, it’s not safe.” he explains gently, holding out his hand, trying not to let his panic show. “no- it’s okay, i’m sorry to bother you.” you plaster a fake smile on your face as you stumble backwards, changbin catching you before you could fall. he wraps his arms around your middle before pulling your back to him.

“i’m sorry, i’m just gonna go.” you attempt to free yourself from his arms, feeling the anxiety building in your chest, weighing down on you with each passing second.

“y/n.” his voice stern as he tightens his hold, keeping you in your place. you freeze, locking eyes with the floor, refusing to look at him.

“please,” he begs softly, “let me help you.”

your facade breaks. your knees weaken as sobs wreck your body, changbin tightens his grip, pulling you closer to him. once you regain your footing, he circles around you pulling you into him once more.

you become inconsolable as your arms wrap tightly around him, shoving your face into his neck. “i’m sorry-” he cuts you off with a gentle shush. “don’t apologize. you’re okay.” he rubs soothing strokes on your back as you calm down. 

once your breathing was semi-normal he pulls away, almost missing the pain that flashes in your eyes. almost. “come on, let’s get you inside.” he grabs your hand, carefully pulling you into the home.

he leads you to the couch, “sit.” you didn’t know what came over you but as he pulled away your gripped on his hand, stopping him in his tracks.

your eyes wide, gasping softly, “i’m sorry!” quickly releasing his hand. “oh my god, i’m so sorry, i don’t know why i did that.” you suddenly realize the reality of the situation, it washes over you like a wave of cold water. you get up and make your way to the door. “i-i’m so sorry changbin-” you feel your chest tighten, the grips of your anxiety tighten with each passing second.

all you could focus on was getting out of here as quick as possible. but changbin wasn’t letting that happen.

he panics and all he can think about is calming you down, so he did the one thing he can think of. he grabs your wrist once again, turning you to him placing his lips on yours. you freeze before melting into him, placing your hand on his hip, him placing his free hand to your cheek.

once he felt you relax he pulls away, resting his forehead against yours. both of you taking a moment to catch your breath.

“why did you do that?” you whispered, still not moving. “uh, i read somewhere that if you hold your breath, you could stop a panic attack.” he pauses, taking a breath. “so when i kissed you, you held your breath.” you nod, pulling away slightly, still processing the fact that he just kissed you.

“oh, that’s really smart.” he nods with a shy smile. you quickly realize you’re still holding on to him, pulling away quickly, “oh!” you backed away slightly. “sorry-” you clear your throat, “thank you,” you make a circle motion between the two of you, “for that.” you smile shyly.

“uh yeah, anytime.” your cheeks warm as a light pink brushes his. you both stand there for a bit before you speak. “can i ask you something?” you ask suddenly, causing him to look to you.

“yeah anything.” he says, prompting you to continue. you hesitate, “do i make you uncomfortable?” you ask quietly, fiddling with your shirt once more. you glance towards him, catching the confusion on his face.

“no not at all,” he furrows his brows, “why would you think that?” he wants to move towards you but he hesitates. 

“i’ve just noticed, you just always seem,” you pause, trying to find the right words, “i guess, closed off? like you’re really open with everyone else but with me you always seem to avoid me a bit.” you can see him processing the information but the lack of response was making you panic a bit.

“well! i guess not avoid but like kinda closed off? which would make sense because you’ve known everyone a lot longer than me but you just always hug everyone and then kinda just avoid me, which is fine! totally okay! i just-” he cuts you off with a kiss.

while your rambling was super cute, he couldn’t watch the panic again. his hands on your cheeks once more, he waits for you to relax into him before he pulls away.

“i’m sorry,” he whispers out of breath, “you’re just so cute when you ramble.” you let out a breath as you smile. you place your hands on his wrists, keeping his hands on your skin, basking in the closeness of each other.

a few moments of silence pass before he moves to kiss your forehead, bringing you into him. he wraps his arms around you before he speaks, “you don’t make me uncomfortable, and i certainly wasn’t avoiding you on purpose.” he pauses as you wrap your arms around him.

“i’m so sorry i made you feel that way, i just didn’t know how to approach you.” you tighten your arms around him as he speaks. “i now see i had nothing to worry about huh?” you giggle, shaking your head before pulling away.

“i don’t know if you could tell but i like you, i have for a while but i thought i made you uncomfortable so i kept my distance.” you say looking into his eyes, his coming up to rest on your soft cheek once more.

“not at all, i’m sorry i made you feel this way.” he says, eyes sorrowful. you give him a shy smile, “it’s okay, i’m glad i know why now.” you place a quick peck to his lips, as if it was a seal of confirmation.

he gives you one in return but that quickly became many more… all over your face. you squeal as he continues his attacks, “bin! okay okay, mercy mercy!” he giggles stopping his targeted attacks before quickly picking you up, pulling a noise of surprise from you.

you quickly wrap your arms around him, “where are you taking me?” you giggle as he walks through the dorm, taking you along for the ride. “i’m taking my girlfriend to my room to cuddle because she was having a rough day.” he states proudly, planting a big kiss to your kiss as he enters his room.

“your girlfriend huh? not even gonna ask me?” you tease as he lays you on his bed. “i figured the two passionate kisses and the other kiss attack was enough to solidify that.” he shrugs, looking down at you.

you take a moment to ‘think’. “yeah that’s pretty fair.” you nod, giving him a cheeky smile. he gives you a big kiss before deciding to lay on top of you. “oof!” you giggle as he settles his weight on you.

you look down to find his boba eyes staring back at you, big grin plastered on his face. “move up more, what are you doing all the way down there?” you give him a teasing smile, as he realizes what you meant.

“yah! you’re not allowed to tease me any more.” he whines as he moves up, closer to you. “oh no?” you wrap your arms around him and he lays down once more. “says who?” he nuzzles his head into your neck before relaxing. “says me.” you can’t see his face but you know he’s pouting regardless.

“okay, i’m sorry bub.” you giggle placing a kiss to his hair. what you don’t see is the light blush that dusts his soft cheeks at the pet name. another moment of silence passes, “i’m glad you answered the door.” you say softly. 

he lifts his head to look at you, small smile on his face. “me too.” he places one more kiss to your lips before melting back into you where you both fell asleep, smile gracing both of your lips.

this doesn’t last long before hyunjin and han both wake you up with their surprised screams when they find you two.

[bokunokamijirou]

I recently had a tooth removed and my dentist advised me on many things but what I found funny was her saying "no kissing for a month" I found myself wondering how a couple would deal with this.

A scenario with LoV X Reader reacting and dealing with the news of no kiss for a month XD + them taking care of the reader

I love your work <3

oh i looove this one!! and thank you <3

NO KISSES FOR A MONTH!

ft. LoV

Shigaraki

He doesn't believe you at first, he thinks you're punishing him for something. Until he tries to kiss you and you wince in pain, then he's like o h, you're serious.

Then he subtly takes care of you. He comes home one day with ice packs and heating pads to help with the swelling. He makes the rest of the League deal with freezing and heating them up, but he always delivers them directly to you. He won't let you lift a finger unless you have to. He puts Kurogiri in charge of assisting you whenever you need it while he's gone, which barely happens bc he never wants to leave your side when you need him. He falls asleep on a couch next to your bed during the day, and always ends up spooning you at night <3

Dabi

He's PISSED about no kisses. He pouts about it literally all day. But when you start to complain about how in pain you are, he drops everything to help you. He'll hand feed you your meds and he'll tell Shigaraki he's off duty until you're better. He refuses to leave your side, such a needy guy. He makes you soup because that's easier to eat, and he'll blow on it to cool it down before feeding it to you - and yes, he indeed does feed it to you on a spoon. He'll keep you warm and safe, no matter what.

He's not great with the no kisses rule, so he kisses your forehead and nose and temples frequently. He just can't help himself. <3

Twice

He understands no kisses but he also DESPISES it!! He personally wants to talk to the dentist and tell them off!! But he also wants to shake their hand and thank them for taking care of you. In regards to that, he's somehow both the most gentle and the most distant. But he explains to you it's only because he can't stop himself from wanting to kiss you whenever he sees you! Still makes sure you know how loved you are, waits on you at every hour. He worries about you so much !! <33

Toga

Oh no kisses? No problem for our vampy girl! She gives you love in so many other ways. She cuddles and holds you, basically carrying you throughout the house starting when you came home from surgery. She's adamant that she can take care of you - almost to a fault. She starts to forget to take care of herself a little bit. You make sure to cover her in blankets when she passes out from exhaustion, and you end up taking care of her more than anything. <3

Spinner

He's a sweet guy, so of course he's not going to tell you how upset he is about not getting to kiss you. He looks disappointed at first, but then he realizes that means he has to show his affection through other ways. He taste tests all your food first so that they're soft and smooth enough for you to eat. He spends the days in bed with you playing video games while you rest, and he always ALWAYS makes sure that the room temperature is perfect for you. <3

Compress

Oh he's absolutely the most dramatic about it. While he understands you must heal, how can he NOT smooch those lips??? He spends the entire time trying to figure out a way to kiss your lips without it hurting you. Him and his silly magic - he actually attempts to hypnotize you just so that he could get away with it still - but he remembered how worth the wait it would be to be able to kiss you without you being in pain. He spends the rest of the time entertaining you with his whimsical stories <3

Kurogiri

Kissing isn't really a big part of your relationship, so he doesn't care entirely about that. What he DOES care about is how much pain you're in, and he wonders if he can transport the pain away from you. He hates seeing you sad, and does his best to take care of you. He brings you to the prettiest mountaintop to pass the time while you heal. He sets up a picnic for you both and you sit in silence together, happily. You're kinda glad you had surgery! <3

Magne

She's a bit mad about it, but she gets over it quickly when she realizes that the sooner you heal, the more kisses she'll get! She also waits on you hand and foot, she's sure to make sure to try and anticipate your needs before you even know what they are. If there's one thing she's gonna do, it's protect you from the stupid shit you usually do that causes you to get hurt (tripping is the number one thing). She will rush in to catch you everytime, and call you a ditz while kissing your cheek and carrying you to wherever you were headed! <3

[persevereforahappyending]

A Legacies Secret |4|

Pairing: Tara Carpenter x Reader

Summary: You just wanted a happy life with your girlfriend but then Ghostface attacks, revealing long thought to be buried family secrets.

Warnings: None

Word Count: 3.4k+

Main Masterlist | Series Masterlist

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15

“Hey,” Chad said softly, poking his head into the room, offering Tara a kind smile. He pushed open the door the rest of the way to reveal the others, Mindy, Amber, and Wes trailing in behind him.

You internally grimaced at the sight of them. You knew they were Tara’s friends and they cared about her. That was all that mattered at the end of the day, it was just, you knew they weren’t your biggest fan. You were only a few years older than them, but they all thought Tara could do better. Out of all her friends though you liked Chad the most. Chad might not have fully approved of your relationship with Tara, but he never seemed to complain about you or was bothered by your presence like some of the others.

Chad gave you a nod as he walked over to Tara. “Liv’s sorry she couldn’t make it,” he said, giving her hand a small squeeze. Tara gave him a grateful smile before moving away, allowing the others to say their hellos, throwing himself in one of the chairs in the other corner of the room.

Mindy rolled her eyes at her brother, she did the same, walking over to Tara and giving her shoulder a comforting rub. Amber ignored your presence as she made her way to the other side of Tara’s bed, reaching for her uninjured hand, holding it as she asked if Tara was okay.

“Is it true Ghostface attacked you?” Wes said, coming up behind Amber. You flicked Wes a glare, ready to toss him out of the room yourself but Amber smacked him upside the head. “Sorry,” he mumbled, rubbing the back of his head.

“I’m just glad you’re okay,” Wes whispered, smiling at Tara. You knew Wes had a crush on Tara, but you couldn’t be too mad, he was sweet, and you knew you had nothing to worry about.

“We all are,” Amber added.

“Thanks,” Tara whispered, smiling up at her friends. “And thanks for coming.”

The room got quiet after that, no one knew what to say. They all clearly cared about Tara and came as soon as she texted, but they clearly had questions. You had all grown up in Woodsboro, of course you all knew the story of Sidney Prescott and Ghostface. You were older than the others, so you remembered hearing about the 2011 attacks, you remembered parents being afraid to send their kids to school. The others probably wouldn’t remember it as much, they were only seven or eight. Tara might have some memory of it, she would have been almost nine and her sister was a freshman at the time, if you remembered correctly.

“Just ask,” Tara finally sighed.

Wes quickly opened his mouth, but nothing came out, his eyes remained on the floor. You glanced around seeing Chad and Mindy also had their eyes glued to the floor. The only one not looking at the floor was Amber; she was staring daggers right at you. You tilted her head, staring right back, you were ready for whenever she decided to open her mouth, point out how this was all your fault somehow.

“I heard my mom leave last night,” Wes spoke softly, being the first to break the silence. “She rushed out of the house so fast, all I caught was your address.” Wes finally looked up at Tara, tears in his eyes. “I waited up all night until she got home early this morning.”

“He kept messaging us,” Mindy said. “Saying something happened and wanting to know if we knew.”

“The incessant texting finally woke me up,” Chad said, letting out a humorless chuckle. “I didn’t wait before I was barging into Mindy’s room.”

“We refused to go to school until we got word you were okay,” Amber said, smiling softly when she focused her attention back on Tara. “How are you feeling?”

“The meds definitely help,” Tara chuckled, but you could see the pain in her eyes, and she kept having to shift positions to get comfortable.

“Was…” Wes opened and closed his mouth a few times, you could see him debating the right way to ask whatever it is he wanted to ask. “Was it really Ghostface?”

The entire room got quite, or more quiet, if that was even possible. You rested a hand on her shoulder when you noticed her eyes tremble slightly. She looked over at you, you could see the fear that now seemed to be ever-present in her eyes. You gave her a comforting smile; you were right there and weren’t going anywhere. If she wanted to tell her friends what happened you would support her, if she didn’t want to talk about it, you’d kick them all out yourself.

“Yes,” Tara said whispered.

It was almost like there was a temperature shift in the room, the way everything seemed to get so much colder. Wes straightened his back, taking a barely noticeable step back. Wes already knew it was Ghostface, that’s why he asked, he overheard Judy on the phone or something, getting confirmation from Tara that it was Ghostface was another thing entirely. Chad’s entire body went rigid, he looked like a statue sitting in the hospital chair, his hands folded as his head rested-on top of them. Mindy was in a similar position; her hands were folded together as she stared down at the floor. The only parts of her that moved were her eyes, darting back and forth as her mind most likely replayed everything, she knew about Ghostface, the Stab movies, and who knew what else.

Amber had the least reaction out of all of them, almost no reaction at all. You narrowed your eyes slightly. Amber kept her hand in Tara’s, her eyes cast down to the floor. She placed her other hand on Tara’s shoulder, giving it a comforting rub. Maybe it was your paranoia getting to you but to you it almost seemed like Amber wasn’t surprised by the fact that Ghostface was back and that he attacked Tara.

You still couldn’t wrap your head around that, you couldn’t figure out why he would attack Tara. Judy said there was no logic to these things but that wasn’t fully true. The reasons behind Ghostface killings were always debatable, sometimes no logic at all, but the attacks themselves always made sense, for the most part. Everything always went back to Sidney Prescott.

Over the years, there was always a group of kids that would think it would be funny to make a call to an unsuspecting classmate, using the Ghostface voice changer to scare them. The prank calls never ended in murder though, not in Woodsboro. You had seen a few reports on TV or pop up online talking about a Ghostface attack, but it was never real news, it never involved Sidney, it always ended up being some crazed fan trying to take over the mantle and kill a friend or some random person. Those instances always ended the same though, with the wannabe serial killer behind bars within a day. This was different though, you knew that. The attack on Tara was deliberate, you just didn’t know how or why.

You guessed, when you thought hard enough about it, Tara was sort of connected to those involved in previous attacks. A connection was a stretch though, you would barely call it a connection. Mindy and Chad’s uncle was Randy Meeks, who was involved in the first killings and then was killed in the second-round while at college. Wes was Judy’s son, and she was sort of involved in the 2011 killings, she was just a cop at the time, but she was part of the investigation. They were the most connected to anyone from previous killings, but Tara wasn’t at all, it didn’t make sense for her to be attacked first. It also didn’t make sense for her to be alive, you never heard of Ghostface allowing one of his victims, his first victim, to get away, you weren’t ready to go down that rabbit hole though.

“And where were you?” Amber asked, disrupting your thoughts. You glanced up to see her arms crossed, raising an eyebrow at you.

You could almost laugh at the fact that she suspected you, as if you’d ever hurt Tara. “Work,” you said.

Amber scoffed. That got you clenching your jaw, you didn’t like the fact that she didn’t seem to believe you or was trying to get the others to doubt your answer. “You got something to say?” you asked, glaring at Amber.

“No,” she said innocently, holding up her hands in surrender. “I just think it’s interesting that the one night you’re not with Tara, she gets attacked,” she shrugged her shoulder nonchalantly.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” You shot up from your seat, the chair scraping against the white tile from the force.

“You’re always at her place,” she stepped forward, raising an eyebrow as she continued to accuse you. “How would the attacker know she was alone? How did they even get into the house?”

You unclenched your jaw, shaking your head, as you let out a humorless chuckle. “Enough,” Tara interrupted before you could say anything. “Y/N didn’t do this.” She had that determined look in her eye as she looked up at Amber. “I talked to her while she was at work.”

“She could have left early,” Mindy mumbled.

Your head snapped to where Mindy sat, sending her a glare instead of Amber. You got it, they didn’t like you, but to think you would ever hurt Tara was ridiculous. “I trust her!” Tara snapped. Her hands shaking as she lightly gasped for breath.

“Hey,” you said softly, your tone doing a complete one-eighty from how it was just a second ago. “Easy.” You crouched down next to her and handed her her inhaler as you gently rubbed her shoulder.

Tara took a puff of her inhaler, letting out a shaky breath as she calmed back down. “Thank you,” she mumbled. You let out a sigh of relief at seeing her okay.

Before anyone else could say anything or start anymore fighting Tara’s phone started to ring. You looked around before finding the phone on the table beside her bed. You grabbed her phone with the intent to hand it to her when you paused at the sight of the name across the screen.

“Who is it?” Tara asked. You looked up to see her eyes unblinking as she stared at the phone, her hand began to lightly tremble. You handed it to her and silently sat beside her as she answered. “Mom?”

You couldn’t help but wonder if maybe a call from Ghostface would have been better. You watched Tara’s expression as she talked to her mother, ready to be right there if the conversation started to go in a direction you didn’t like. Amber rolled her eyes and moved across the room to lean against the wall furthest from Tara. She shook her head as Tara continued talking to her mom. The one thing you and Amber agreed on was that Christina Carpenter was not a good mother, she never did anything for Tara out of the kindness of her heart. You were actually surprised she managed to call her daughter, you figured she was off in some other country drinking all her problems away.

“Oh, okay,” Tara’s disappointed voice cut through your thoughts. “No, it’s fine. Y/N, Amber, and the others are here.” She nodded at whatever her mom was saying. “Yeah, lo-” the words died in her throat, her mouth still partly open.

You reached across her body, gently pulling the phone out of her hand. You clenched your jaw when you saw her blinking away the tears that had quickly begun to fill her eyes. The next time you saw Christina, you didn’t even care if it were a year from now, the next time you saw her, she would feel your wrath.

“She’s not coming?” Amber’s voice cut through the quiet. You held in a sigh as you glared at her, you might have shared her opinions on Christina, but you didn’t feel the need to force Tara to talk about it.

“She’s not in town anyway,” Tara said, shaking her head. “Her work is really important.” She smiled at all of you but only Chad was able to offer her a sad smile in return.

“More important than her daughter?”

“Do you ever shut the fuck up?” you snapped, crossing your arms as you glared at Amber.

“Enough!” Wes snapped just as Amber opened her mouth.

Everyone in the room jumped at Wes’s outburst. Wes was usually the calm one, the one that always tried to find a peaceful solution, even if he disagreed with the argument. You all dropped your heads and went back to your respective corners. You slumped back down in your seat by Tara’s bedside and Amber walked over, pushing Wes out of the way to take her place on the other side of Tara once again.

You scrolled through your phone as the others talked. Occasionally you would glance at each of Tara’s friends. All of them were acting normal, they were joking around, they were all clearly worried about Tara, but one of them could have been the one to attack her. You couldn’t imagine any of them as someone wanting to dress up like Ghostface and go around trying to kill people. That didn’t mean you could trust any of them though, Tara said someone turned off her alarm, maybe Ghostface hacked her system, or, the easier scenario, therefore more likely, was that whoever Ghostface was knew her alarm code, the only people outside of Tara and her mom who knew her alarm code was you and her friends.

You tensed, your eyes snapping to the door when you heard it begin to creak open. You sucked in a breath when you saw Sam, Tara’s sister, walk in, followed by some guy right behind her. Everyone else had a similar reaction, their conversation pausing mid-sentence as all their mouths dropped open, each of them standing up from their seats, Chad even folded his arms in front of him.

Sam froze for half a second, looking at all the eyes on her. She quickly got over whatever was going through her head and was at Tara’s side in a second, crouching down next to her. “How are you feeling?” Sam asked. It might have been five years, but you definitely didn’t miss the relief in Sam’s eyes and in her voice at seeing her sister alive.

“You came,” Tara said, sounding in disbelief. You couldn’t blame Tara for being shocked, to say the least.

Sam took off without so much as a goodbye five years ago and was never heard from again. You hadn’t met Tara yet when Sam left and you only sort of casually knew Sam from school, you had been a freshman when she was a senior, the two of you crossed paths, you both had been troublemakers. You recognized Tara’s last name when she had introduced herself when she happened to be in one of your classes a few years later. She had almost shut down when you asked if she was related to Sam, but you quickly changed the subject and just talked to her about the class. After a few months of being friends she had opened up about Sam and even five years later you still heard Tara mention her. Sam stopped responding to calls and texts, she even deleted all her social media, she was a ghost, but Tara still hoped one day her big sister would come back.

“Of course I came,” Sam said. She looked a little hurt that Tara would even ask that. “This is my boyfriend Richie,” she turned, introducing the guy who entered the room with her.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” Richie said, leaning down to greet Tara. “I’m sorry if I’m intruding.”

While Tara greeted Richie, Sam made the rounds, hugging Mindy, Chad, and Wes. “These are Chad and Mindy, the twins, and Wes, I used to babysit them,” Sam introduced them to Richie. “And Amber, hey,” Sam shifted nervously.

“Hey,” Amber greeted coldly, giving a tight-lipped smile.

“Hi-Hi, I’m Richie,” Richie introduced himself, mostly to Amber. You scrunched your eyebrows, maybe he was just awkward around so many new people, but you were going to keep an eye on him.

“And Y/N,” Sam said, trailing off as her eyes landed on you. It seemed this was the first time since entering that she truly noticed you. “I didn’t know you two knew each other,” she gestured between you and Tara.

“Oh, they more than know each other,” Amber mumbled but everyone in the room had heard it.

You could see Sam’s body physically tense at the implication from Amber, she gave an uncomfortable smile towards Tara but didn’t say anything. You were sure when she got you alone you were certainly going to be hearing judgement from Sam, she probably agreed with the rest of the friend group, you weren’t any good for Tara and she could do better.

“Hey,” Richie greeted, holding his hand up in an awkward wave, either he didn’t know how to read the room, or he was failing at breaking the tension.

“Hi,” you said, giving him a small nod. Your greeting might have been even colder than Ambers, not that you really cared about that.

“Where’s mom?” Sam asked. You held in your eyeroll, that truly was the question. Tara’s sister who has been gone, without a word for five years, could come back to town after she’s been attacked by a psycho, but their own mother could barely be bothered to call Tara.

“She’s stuck at a conference in London,” Tara answered. “She called.”

“Yeah, for all of ten minutes,” Amber mumbled. You held in a sigh; she really didn’t know when to shut up sometimes. “Look, Tara’s really tired, maybe we should just give her some space.” It wasn’t posed as a question as Amber glanced around the room at the others who quickly nodded in agreement.

“Not you Sam,” Tara said when Sam began to follow the others out the door. “I want you to stay.”

Sam quickly nodded, unable to keep the small smile off her face. You watched Sam carefully, you had nothing against Sam, but you knew what her leaving did to Tara, you just didn’t want Sam to give Tara false hope if she was just going to take off again.

“If it’s okay with you,” Sam said hesitantly. “I could sleep here tonight.”

“I’d really like that,” Tara smiled up at her sister.

“Are you going to be, okay?” Amber asked in a caring tone as she leaned closer to Tara.

“Yeah,” Tara nodded.

“Don’t worry,” you said. “I won’t leave her side,” you smirked at Amber.

Amber lifted her head, glaring at you. “Cause you did such a good job protecting her last time?” Amber snarked.

Your smirk fell, you ignored the way Sam’s eyes landed on you after Amber’s words. You stood up from your chair, stepping face to face with Amber across the hospital bed. “As long as I’m standing,” you said, your tone dangerous. “No one is laying a hand on her.”

You and Amber continued to glare at each other, each of you waiting for the other to break. “Seriously,” Tara said, interrupting the stare down. “I’m fine. I have,” she raised her good arm gesturing around the room, mostly at you and Sam. “Enough protection.” Amber didn’t seem thrilled with Tara’s answer, but she left the room anyway.

“Do you want me to give you two a minute?” you asked softly. You didn’t want to leave Tara’s side but if she wanted time with her sister then you’d happily step out into the hall.

Tara nodded. “Okay,” you whispered. You leaned down giving Tara a long kiss on her forehead, ignoring the way Sam’s eyes never left you.

“You’re not leaving, right?” Tara asked when you got to the door, her voice shaking.

“I’ll be right outside this door,” you pointed at the door. You gave her an encouraging smile as you slipped out the door. The last thing you saw was Sam sitting down at Tara’s bedside and the last thing you heard was Tara beginning to silently cry to Sam.

[unabashegirl]

entangled 2 | one shot

Y/N, punished by her gang leader for a failed mission, meets Harry, a rival gang member, at a club. Their encounter turns intense and passionate.

Author's note: Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Here is the second part of entangled as promised. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think!

warnings: violence, smut, cursing and more

check out my patreon and get full access to more ONE SHOTS and much more :) thank you beforehand!

if you would like to leave or summit your request for the next one shot. do it here :)

word count: 4K

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The men winced as Y/N stood in the middle of the room with Victor. She grunted as she was thrown to the floor.

“Get up!” he yelled, watching her clutch her abdomen in pain. They had just returned from the failed mission Victor had assigned them, and he had heard of her defeat. His fury was palpable.

Victor's eyes blazed with fury as he glared down at Y/N. "You think you can just fail me and walk away unscathed?" he snarled, his voice echoing through the room. The other gang members watched in tense silence, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Y/N gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stand despite the pain radiating through her body. She met Victor's gaze with a steely resolve, refusing to show any further weakness.

Victor advanced on her, his expression cold and unrelenting. "You made us look weak, Y/N. You have jeopardized everything we've built." He grabbed her by the collar, lifting her slightly off the ground. "You need to understand the consequences of failure."

With a swift motion, he threw her back to the floor. "Watch closely, all of you!" he shouted to the gathered men and women. "This is what happens when you fail me. When you fail us."

Y/N struggled to her feet once more, the taste of blood in her mouth. She knew Victor was making an example out of her, but she also knew she had to endure it. For her sister, for her people. She wouldn't let this break her.

Victor stepped back, his glare sweeping over the room. "Remember this moment," he warned. "Next time, it could be one of you."

He turned his attention back to Y/N, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "Prove to me that you still belong here, or you'll wish you hadn't survived tonight."

Y/N nodded, her resolve hardening. She wouldn't let Victor's brutal lesson go unheeded. She would prove herself again, no matter the cost. The fire of determination burned within her, stronger than ever.

“Let’s get you some help,” Xavier, Y/N’s close friend, said as he helped her to her feet. He had feared for her life; it wouldn’t have been the first time Victor had killed someone using these brutal humiliation tactics.

“That’s the last thing I need,” Y/N muttered, wincing in pain. “I need a drink and a smoke.”

Xavier laughed, despite his worry, and guided her to the medic at the warehouse. Her arm was drenched in blood, the wound gaping and worsening with every movement. “First, let’s get you stitched up,” he said firmly. “Then you can have all the drinks and smokes you want.”

As they reached the small, makeshift infirmary in the corner of the warehouse, the medic looked up from his supplies and quickly assessed Y/N's condition. "Get her on the table," he instructed, already reaching for his tools.

Xavier helped Y/N onto the metal table, his grip gentle but firm. "Just hang in there," he said quietly. "You’ll be patched up in no time."

Y/N gritted her teeth against the pain as the medic began to clean the wound. The sting of the antiseptic was sharp, but she welcomed it, letting the physical pain ground her against the emotional turmoil of the night. She glanced at Xavier, who hovered nearby, his concern evident.

"You worry too much," she said, trying to force a smile through the pain.

Xavier shook his head. "Someone has to. Victor’s gone too far this time. He needs to see that you're valuable, not disposable."

The medic worked quickly, his practiced hands stitching the gash with precision. "She’ll be fine," he said gruffly. "But she needs rest. And try to keep her out of fights for a few days, if that’s possible. She has quite a few broken ribs and that eye and eyebrow need desperate help. Another punch could do some serious damage to her optical nerve”.

Y/N snorted at that. “Not likely,” she muttered.

Xavier frowned but didn’t argue. He knew Y/N too well; once her mind was set, there was no changing it. "Just promise me you’ll be more careful," he said.

Y/N nodded, her expression hardening. “I’ll try my best”

The medic finished the last stitch and wrapped her arm in a clean bandage. "All done. Now get out of here and try not to tear any of those stitches.”

Xavier helped her off the table, his arm steadying her. "Come on, let’s get that drink and smoke you wanted."

Y/N wasn’t sure how they ended up at a club, but there they were.

The club was a sensory overload, a stark contrast to the grim reality of the warehouse. Neon lights pulsed in time with the throbbing bass of the music, casting vibrant hues of pink and blue across the packed room. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and perfume, mingling with the sharp tang of alcohol.

The dance floor was a sea of bodies moving in sync with the rhythm, a chaotic yet rhythmic ballet of movement and sound. People shouted to be heard over the pounding beats, their voices blending into a cacophony that filled every corner of the space. The flashing strobe lights cut through the darkness intermittently, illuminating faces twisted in ecstasy and exhaustion.

Y/N and Xavier navigated their way through the crowd, the press of bodies making it difficult to move. The noise was almost overwhelming, but it provided a welcome distraction from the pain and tension of the night. They finally reached the bar, where Xavier signaled for drinks. The bartender, a harried figure behind a cluttered counter, quickly poured their orders.

As Y/N took a deep breath, she allowed herself a moment of respite. The pulsating energy of the club was a stark contrast to the cold, calculating environment of Victor’s warehouse. Here, amid the flashing lights and relentless music, she could temporarily forget the pressures of the gang war.

Xavier handed her a drink, his expression a mix of relief and concern. “You’ve earned this,” he said, raising his glass in a half-hearted toast.

Y/N nodded, taking a long sip of her drink. The alcohol burned pleasantly as it slid down her throat, warming her from the inside. She looked around at the throngs of people, their carefree revelry a reminder of a world that seemed almost foreign to her now.

For a moment, Y/N allowed herself to be swept up in the rhythm of the night, embracing the fleeting sense of normalcy and freedom.

“Come on!” Xavier called to Y/N, snapping her out of her trance as he grabbed her arm. The sudden jolt brought her back to the present, the music and lights of the club crashing over her senses once more. “A few of my friends are upstairs,” he added, nodding toward the VIP area, which was clearly off-limits to most.

Y/N hesitated, her eyes widening in surprise. “Are you kidding? I don’t have that kind of money!” she shouted over the deafening music, dodging dancers who seemed oblivious to the world outside their own revelry.

Xavier laughed, his grip on her arm firm but reassuring. “Am I asking you for money?” he yelled back, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “I’m friends with the security!”

He led her through the throng of people, expertly weaving through the chaotic dance floor. The crowd parted briefly, giving Y/N a glimpse of the VIP area: plush seating, subdued lighting, and an air of exclusivity that seemed worlds away from the frenetic energy below. She could see well-dressed patrons lounging with an air of nonchalance, their laughter and conversation barely audible over the pulsating music.

As they approached the velvet rope, a burly security guard stepped forward, his expression stern. But as soon as he saw Xavier, his face broke into a friendly smile. “Hey, Xavier! Long time no see,” he said, unclipping the rope and waving them through.

Y/N followed Xavier up the narrow staircase to the VIP section, her curiosity piqued. The change in atmosphere was immediate. The pounding bass was still present, but it was muted, allowing for easier conversation. The decor was upscale, with sleek furniture and soft, ambient lighting creating an intimate setting.

Xavier led her to a secluded booth where a few of his friends were already gathered, chatting and laughing. They greeted Xavier warmly, their eyes flickering with curiosity as they took in Y/N.

“Guys, this is Y/N,” Xavier introduced her with a casual wave. “She’s with me.”

One of Xavier’s friends, a stylish woman with striking features, extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Y/N. I’m Emily.”

Y/N shook Emily’s hand, feeling a bit out of place but grateful for the warmth of the reception. “Nice to meet you too.”

“Make yourself comfortable,” Emily said, gesturing to the plush seats. “What can I get you to drink?”

As Y/N settled into the luxurious booth, she scanned the faces of Xavier's friends. Her breath caught in her throat when she recognized one of them: Harry. He lounged comfortably, his sharp eyes locking onto hers the moment she saw him. The air between them seemed to crackle with unresolved tension.

“Harry,” she breathed, her voice barely audible over the muted music.

Xavier, noticing her shock, chuckled. “Yeah, I probably should have mentioned that. Harry and I go way back. Long before all this gang nonsense.”

Y/N’s mind raced, struggling to reconcile this unexpected revelation. How could Xavier, her close friend and ally, be friends with her sworn enemy? The man who had nearly killed her not long ago?

Harry leaned forward, a smug smile playing on his lips. “Surprised to see me here, Y/N?”

Xavier, sensing the rising tension, quickly intervened. “Look, I know this is weird. But we try to keep the whole gang thing outside of here. We’re just here to unwind”.

Harry’s smile didn’t falter, but his eyes remained cold. “A temporary truce, if you will.”

Y/N’s mind was still reeling, but she knew she had to play along for now. She couldn’t afford to cause a scene, not in this setting, and certainly not with Xavier’s connections potentially at risk.

Y/N nodded, a gesture that caught Harry off guard. He had always seen her as a strict rule follower, someone who never defied orders or went against Victor's commands. This unexpected side of her piqued his interest and made him reassess his assumptions.

Emily, sensing the tension, tried to lighten the mood. “What’s your poison?”

Y/N tore her gaze away from Harry, focusing on Emily with a forced smile. “Whiskey, neat.”

As Emily signaled the waiter, Y/N couldn’t help but glance back at Harry. The look in his eyes was a mixture of amusement and challenge. She knew this night had just become far more complicated than she had anticipated.

As the drinks arrived, Xavier leaned in, his voice low. “Just try to relax. We are just people here, trying to forget all the shit we do outside for a few hours.”

The club's music thumped steadily in the background, creating a heavy rhythm that seemed to sync with Y/N's racing heartbeat. Neon lights flashed in sync with the beat, casting alternating shadows and bursts of color across the dance floor. Feeling the need to escape the intensity of her thoughts, Y/N made her way to the center of the crowd and began to dance. Her movements were fluid, confident, and for a moment, she allowed herself to get lost in the music, the energy of the club enveloping her.

From his vantage point, Harry watched her with a mixture of surprise and admiration. He had never seen this side of her before, and it intrigued him. As she moved, completely absorbed in the rhythm, Harry felt an irresistible pull. He made his way through the throng of people, closing the distance between them.

“You’re full of surprises tonight,” Harry murmured as he leaned in closer, his breath brushing against her ear.

Y/N smirked, not giving him the satisfaction of a straightforward answer. “You don’t know half of it,” she replied, her eyes glittering with challenge.

Harry raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Care to enlighten me?”

Y/N laughed softly, shaking her head. “And give you more ammunition? I don’t think so, Styles.”

He leaned in even closer, their faces just inches apart. “I don’t need ammunition, Y/N. I know what makes you tick.”

She felt a shiver run down her spine, a mix of annoyance and undeniable attraction. “Nice try,” she said, her voice steady despite the proximity. “But you’ll have to work harder than that.”

Harry’s lips curved into a sly smile. “I like a challenge.”

Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. “You’ve got your work cut out for you then.”

He chuckled, the sound low and intimate in her ear. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

They sipped their drinks, the moment stretching between them, charged with a tension that was as much about attraction as it was about rivalry. Y/N could feel the heat of Harry’s gaze on her, a weight that was hard to ignore.

“So, tell me,” she said, turning the tables. “What’s it like being the big bad boss now? Enjoying the power trip?”

Harry’s smile didn’t falter, but his eyes darkened slightly. “It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Too many people to keep in line, too many responsibilities.”

Y/N arched an eyebrow, leaning closer to him. “Having second thoughts?”

He shook his head. “Not a chance. Just stating the facts.”

Y/N leaned even closer, her breath warm against his ear. “Admit it, Styles. You love the control.”

Harry’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Oh. You have no idea” he smirked. “I bet you enjoy it too”

She laughed, the sound almost lost in the thumping music. “Oh, I don’t need power to make an impression. I can do that just fine without it.”

Harry’s smile widened, a hint of admiration in his gaze. “I don’t doubt that for a second.”

Y/N tilted her head, her eyes locked on his. “How are you keeping everyone in line?”

Harry shrugged, his expression nonchalant. “I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.”

“Care to share any of those tricks?” she teased, her fingers lightly brushing against his arm.

He chuckled, the sound low and intimate. “why would I give away my secrets to the enemy?”

“Maybe because the enemy is more fun than you expected,” she shot back, her eyes dancing with mischief.

Harry’s gaze softened, the intensity between them growing. “Then I’d rather show you than tell you”.

Harry grabbed Y/N’s hand. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through her, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she followed him as he navigated through the dense crowd, leading her toward the back of the club where the bathrooms were located.

The music grew slightly muffled as they moved away from the main floor. Harry glanced over his shoulder at her, his expression unreadable, but his grip on her hand was firm and urgent. They reached the bathroom, and without hesitation, he pushed the door open and dragged her inside.

The fluorescent lights flickered slightly, casting an unflattering glow over the white tiles. The hum of the club was still audible but muted, providing a strange, almost surreal backdrop. Before Y/N could react, he pushed her into one of the stalls and followed, locking the door behind them. The cramped space forced them into close proximity, their breaths mingling in the confined air.

“What the hell, Harry?” she demanded, trying to keep her voice steady despite the rapid beating of her heart.

Without a word, Harry cupped her face in his hands and kissed her, the motion filled with urgency and hunger. His lips moved against hers with a passion that took her breath away, the heat of the moment overwhelming her senses.

For a moment, Y/N was too stunned to respond, but then she gave in, kissing him back with equal fervor. Her hands gripped the front of his shirt, pulling him closer as if she couldn’t get enough. The kiss was a clash of dominance and desire, both of them battling for control even in this moment of vulnerability.

Harry’s hands moved to her waist, pulling her against him as the kiss deepened. The intensity of their connection was undeniable, a force that neither of them could resist. They broke apart only when the need for air became too great.

She pushed Harry back, catching him off guard. He stumbled slightly, and she guided him to sit on the toilet cover. The starkness of the environment made the moment even more intense.

Without giving herself a chance to reconsider, she straddled him, her knees pressing into the hard plastic seat on either side of his thighs. Their faces were inches apart, breaths mingling as the heat between them became almost unbearable.

Harry’s hands found her waist, gripping tightly as he looked up at her, a mixture of surprise and desire in his eyes. “Keep those eyes on me” His voice was low, almost a growl.

She didn’t answer with words. Instead, she leaned in, capturing his lips in a fierce, urgent kiss. Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as she moved against him, their bodies fitting together in a way that felt both foreign and inevitable.

Harry responded with equal intensity, his hands roaming over her back, pulling her even closer. The kiss was a clash of tongues and teeth, a battle for dominance that neither was willing to concede. The small confines of the stall faded away, leaving only the raw, unfiltered connection between them.

Y/N pulled away from the kiss, gasping for breath as Harry's hands moved with a newfound urgency. His fingers worked deftly to pull her t-shirt over her head and unclasp her bra. With the dim light from the flickering bathroom bulb now illuminating her body, Harry’s gaze fell upon the injuries she had tried so hard to hide.

Her torso was marred with bruises, deep and angry against her pale skin, and the fresh stitches were starkly visible against the bruised flesh. The sight of her injuries made Harry’s breath catch in his throat, his expression shifting from intense desire to concern and anger.

He gently placed his hands on her sides, his touch light but filled with an undeniable sense of worry.

“Are you in pain?” he asked, his voice softer now, almost a whisper. His eyes searched hers, hoping to see something that would reassure him, but all he found was a mix of defiance and vulnerability.

Y/N shook her head, a smirk playing at her lips. “You talk too much. How about we put that mouth of yours to better use?”

Harry’s eyes flared with renewed intensity, a spark of desire reigniting within him. He was acutely aware that he hadn't caused the severe injuries she bore—he’d wounded her, but never touched her face or broken any ribs. Despite the lingering concerns, he pushed them aside, driven by an urgent need. He had to have her, and nothing else mattered at that moment.

Harry's lips roamed over her jawline and neck, pressing rough, demanding kisses that left no room for gentleness. Y/N took Harry’s hand and guided it firmly to her throat, her eyes locking onto his with a mix of challenge and submission. She arched her neck slightly, giving him full access, her breath coming in shallow, anticipatory gasps.

Harry leaned in, his breath warm against her skin as he whispered, “You look even better with my hands around your neck.” He then shifted, pulling himself free and beginning to touch himself, preparing herself for her.

Harry slipped her underwear to the side, exposing her wet self to him that made his mouth water. He didn’t have the time to fulfill all his fantasies, but he vowed this wouldn’t be their first and last encounter. He was determined to have her again.

Harry slammed her down on him. His hand still gripping her throat whilst his right tightened on her hip, anchoring her in place. Y/N hand grabbed the top of the stall, helping her to lift herself off his cock. Harry grunted into her ear, the sensation was too intense.

“Y’are squeezin’ me. S’tight” Harry groaned, pushing her down on him harder. The stall creaked as the rhythm grew faster and more intense. Harry’s grip on her throat tightened, briefly cutting off her air supply.

“Don’t stop. Even if I beg you to” Y/N moaned as Harry’s hand came off her throat and tangled with her hair. Her cheeks were flushed, and sweat slicked her hair and back, making her even more irresistible in Harry’s eyes.

“Come on. Cum f’me” Harry grunted feeling himself nearing his orgasm He speed up, pounding into her. Y/N shut down her eyes as her back arched and her hips met with his. Her orgasm sent a wave of great pleasure through her. “Just a good girl” he said to her just as she felt him release himself inside of her.

Y/N allowed herself to rest her shaking body on his as they both recovered. As Harry’s hand caressed her back, he reflected on everything that had just transpired. Y/N sat up slowly, her movements deliberate as she began to dress herself again. Harry watched her intently, his gaze fixed on her every motion. The silence between them was heavy, filled with the weight of unspoken words and lingering tension.

Harry’s eyes followed Y/N as she dressed, his expression serious and unyielding. “Tell me again,” he said, his tone firm, “who hurt you?”

His gaze was intense, demanding an answer as he awaited her response.

Y/N paused, her fingers hesitating on the buttons of her shirt. The weight of Harry's question hung heavily in the air, mingling with the aftereffects of their encounter. She met his gaze, seeing the genuine concern in his eyes despite the hardened exterior.

“It’s not of your concern” She said quietly, her voice steady but edge with defiance. “I can handle it”.

Harry’s expression didn’t soften. “You are now my concern”.

She finished fastening her shirt, her movements deliberate, and then looked back at him. “You’re not going to get anything out of me,” she said, her tone resolute. “I deal with my own problems.”

Harry’s jaw clenched, frustration evident in his features. “You think I’m going to let this go?” Harry’s eyes narrowed as he watched Y/N silently prepare to leave. “Is it Victor?” he asked, his tone sharp and demanding.

Y/N’s silence was her answer, and Harry’s frustration flared. “If I can’t do anything else,” he said, his voice low and dangerous, “then tell him that the next time he touches you, I’ll cut his fucking arm off.”

Before she could respond, Harry pulled her into a bruising kiss, his lips fierce and possessive. The kiss was filled with a raw intensity, leaving no room for doubt about his feelings. He broke away abruptly, his gaze intense and unwavering. “We do terrible things for the people we love”. he said, his voice a harsh whisper.

With that, he turned on his heel and left, the door slamming behind him as Y/N stood there, her heart pounding and her mind reeling from the confrontation.

Part 1

[metis-iphigenia]

DAMIAN WAYNE SCHOOL HEADCANONS because school opened like 2-3 weeks ago and i need to cope

•since he is 15 years old, he is in 10th grade(not letting dc pull a tim drake and make him the same age forever)

•he used to love chemistry in the 9th grade because the first subject was alchemy if i remember correctly(dc can pry the "al ghuls are alchemists" hc(canon) from my cold dead hands)

but he lost interest in chemistry quickly after the subject passed.

•his all time favourite classes are math and art. im just sure damian's type of person that doesnt separate math and art from eachother

•why art is his favourite is a given but his favourite is math because math is a class based on problem solving(and also because he can do math easily)

but yeah ik his classmates are very very annoyed whenever he says "math is easy"

•I imagine him arguing with his english teacher the most for some reason. there is no reason other than damian is a very educated kid about the english literature(literature in general) so either he doesnt care or he correct his teacher on literally everything.

•i feel like he would either do a very detail research about the book he read and write a very long essay, or make a very short one and not enough detailed. no in between(because he misunderstood his teachers when they said to "keep it short")

•he begged his father to let him take an exam that lets him skil grades based on his level but his father refused so now he takes advanced math etc.

•him and duke see eachother in the morning regularly(insomniac duke, and damian who wakes up at 5.30 is real) and they sit down to talk about random shit till 7 am mostly(duke explained him the fnaf lore and damian talked about creepypastas real)

•he texts with maps both on their way to their separate schools and make plans to meetup after school to just hang out

•damian usually reads or draws in most of the classes since he already knows everything they are teaching but when asked a question, he does yap a lot(dc should bring back yapper damian ngl)

•bathroom breakdowns were very real for 9th grade damian(literally canon event for everyone with social anxiety or people who get overstimulated at school)

•still bullied just doesnt care about it and insults them/messes with them back to get back at the bullies(it stops after him also messing with them)

•he loves playing football and volleyball but not with his teammates(ik hes #3 frat boy hater i just feel it) so he only gets along with 2 of his teammates. i imagine their personality as scott and stiles from teen wolf so yeah

•has one(1) friend and two(2) teammates he doesnt hate in total(girlfailure and girlsuccess damian youre real to me🙌😼)

also he got multiple friends outside of school anyways lmao bro is anything BUT anti-social(to me hes also the type to join his schools projects etc or debate teams)

•he always calls his mother when he makes it to school and whenever hes leaving it because talia worries and he wants ease her worries(ultimate mother daughter duo)

•after school he has a yap session with nika and they talk about everything that happened to them that day(yapper4yapper gravebird my beloved)

•him and stephanie rant about school daily and talk about how much they hate it(but they both wont drop out since steph wants that med school degree and damian also wants it in the future(med student sisterisms real))

•jon may be going to a journalism school(i think??) but hes still a science nerd so their study sessions always turns into an argument about an equation or a science problem

>>> so i think thats it!! please tell me your headcanons too and help me cope with school also because i love reading about hcs(esp thosr about damian) <<<<

[the-kr8tor]

COMPLETELY FORGOT TO CHECK UP ON YOUR WELL-BEING I'M ASHAMED OF MYSELF

How are you Katy?

I have another twins request (surprise surprise)

The twins being sick (my poor babies 🥺)

And Reader being so tired after trying to look after them because they're so clingy for Mummy and they won't stop sniffling (nooooo my poor children)

And Hobie coming back from patrol as early as possible after sensing his girls' discomfort and taking care of the babies (my eyes are filling with tears)

Awwwww, they're already my kids in my head, that sounds so sad but I love them 😭🥺

Hello, ml! I'm fine, thank you for asking ❤️ I hope you like this one!

Pairing: Hobie Brown x fem! Reader/ Spider-Punk x fem! Reader

Word count: 1.4k

Tags: No use of Y/N, no specific physical description of the reader, description of illness, brief mention of vomit, Billie and Ramona AU, twin AU, Dad AU, Dad! Hobie, Mum! Reader. Fluff.

Dad AU Masterlist

ʕ⁠·⁠ᴥ⁠·⁠ʔ

Your shirt is covered in a combination of toddler snot and a hint of throw up. You would've changed by now but with the twins clinging onto you like you're their lifeline has you practically glued on their sides. Billie refuses to let you go with her tiny hands balled around the collar of your (Hobie's) old band shirt. She sniffs relentlessly, lashes wet with unshed tears. Meanwhile, her sister, Ramona has finally fallen asleep on your shared bed. She holds onto her baby blanket with the little guitars embroidered on it like it's the last cookie in the cookie jar. Still, even in her sleep she still refuses to let you go with her other fist enclosed around the hem of your shirt.

Sighing, your eyelids grow heavy and your stomach grumbles from hunger. You've only had sips of their chicken noodle soup you made a few hours ago. They wouldn't even have a little sip if you don't try it before them like a taste tester for a couple of princesses afraid of getting ‘poisoned.’ You have to start telling them the usual fairytales instead of actual history. You guess it was your fault when you accidentally left the telly open on the history channel instead of teletubbies like you were supposed to do. You kind of blame Hobie and his relentless kisses whenever he gets home, effectively distracting you from changing the channel to a more toddler appropriate one.

But thanks to the cooling weather, not even history lessons could calm them down from their fever and sniffles. This is the first time they've gotten this sick since you've brought them home from the hospital when they were just newborns. Everyone was right when they told you that when one kid gets sick, the other will surely follow. You can handle it, but with your growing hunger and fatigue, you really need Hobie to get home now.

You can't blame him for leaving while they're sick, the city needs him when he heard from his radio that goblin’s wreaking havoc downtown and the team couldn't handle it all on their own. He promised he'll be back quickly with meds and hot soup to quell their illness. It's been a few hours since then, now you're starting to worry. Add that with the girls' sickness acting up, your nerves are through the roof.

Mona gurgles in her sleep, her tiny fists unfurling around your shirt for only a brief second before clamping back down. Patting her back, you feel how clammy she is under her pastel pink pajamas.

“Mummy?” Billie lifts her curly head up from the crook of your neck, lips pouting, and snot dripping from her nostrils. She pats your cheek with her sweaty hand, an indication that her fever's going down so as her sister's, thank goodness.

“Yes, baby?” You whisper to her sweetly.

“‘m hungry.” Her frown deepens, eyes similar to Hobie's are staring back at you through wet lashes. “I want biscuits.”

You remember when she could barely keep the noodles down, moreso if it's cookies instead. But if cookies are what she wants, then cookies she shall get. Maybe it'll magically cure her. “Okay, but you have to let mummy go so I can get it for you—”

“No!” She immediately shoves her face back in the crook of your neck, then the sniffles follow. “Stay!”

You rub her back up and down to placate her. “Mac, your sister's sleeping.”

Billie kicks her tiny socked feet about, hands tugging relentlessly at your shirt. “Mummy, stay!” Cue the tears.

“Okay, okay, mummy will stay.” You coo at her, wincing when Ramona stirs from her slumber.

“I want biscuits.” She once again lifts her head up, sobs quieting down to a soft sniffle. “...Sorry.”

Your heart softens at her adorable apology, she definitely reminds you of her father. “It's alright, promise you'll be quiet for Mon-mon?” Billie nods, arms enveloping around your neck as you begin to sit up. Now for the daunting part, you have to escape from Mona's hold without waking her up.

Hand holding onto Billie, while the other gently unfurls Mona's fingers around your shirt, you take your time lest you have another grumpy and sick kid in your hands. With her pinky finally letting go after you tug at it, you smile victoriously while fixing your hold on Billie.

The bed squeaks as you stand up, wincing at the sound, you look back at the still sleeping Ramona curled around her baby blanket. Sighing, you stare at Billie, who has her index on her lips in a shushing motion. You tamp down a chuckle at her antics.

With one step at a time, you tiptoe around the messy room. The twins' clothes and towels are littered around the floors, same with tissues that have managed to miss the bin when you threw it haphazardly.

“Mummy, quiet?” Billie whispers or tries to when she still hasn't figured out how to actually whisper.

“Yes, baby, we need to be quiet.” As you get to to the door, the cold doorknob is stinging against your palm, the bedroom window squeaks open and before you could whirl around towards the sound— Hobie's heavy boots are already thumping loudly against the hardwood. “Hobie—”

“I got the meds and the soup—” Mona's sudden wailing stops him in his tracks. Tears roll down her chubby cheeks as she kicks her feet under the blankets, her rough coughs hurting your chest. “Ah shi—” you give Hobie a look. “— sorry.” He winces just as when Billie joins the cacophony of crying.

—

The sheets have been changed, the girls are showered and fed. Their temperatures are completely normal now, and their coughing and sniffing is down to a minimum. You're also fed thanks to Hobie's famous sandwich he made specially for you. And thanks to the shared effort and teamwork, both girls are sleeping and you've finally cleaned yourself up.

As you get out of the shower, you catch Hobie pressing gentle kisses atop Billie and Mona's heads. He pecks them both equally, adding one to Billie and Mona simultaneously before repeating it when he thinks that the kisses aren't equal to one another. Billie's cheek is squished on Hobie's side while Mona curls around his other side sweetly.

“They won't grumble if you don't give them the equal number of kisses.” You whisper to him, wet hair still clinging to your cheek as you put on a clean shirt. Fully dressed, you see him tilt his head with a playful smile tugging at his pierced lips. You smile back, admiring him in his soft clothes with your socks on his feet. You cross the small distance towards him whilst he tries to reach out towards you with his arms full of sleeping toddlers. “But I will.”

He makes grabby hands at you. “Kiss?”

Sitting down next to him, he scooches as much as he can while the girls are clinging to him in their sleep. “How could I say no?” With your soft lips on him, you kiss him back gently until he's satisfied that you got an even number of kisses. His eyes are still closed when you pull away. “You sure you're okay?” You reach over Billie to fix his windblown eyebrow, index laying it down carefully.

Hobie leans tiredly against your hand, and in turn you cradle his cheek, thumb running along his jaw. “‘m fine, nothin’ I couldn't handle. Are you?”

“Well, I don't smell like sick anymore.” You shrug, beaming down at him. He chuckles softly, neck craning to kiss the pads of your fingers. “And you're home safe and sound, I'm okay.”

He sighs, eyes completely soft for you. “I'll stay with you this time, and the next, I promise. ‘m sorry I left you alone.” The warm light of the lamp shines on his apologetic face.

You lean closer, careful not to wake either of the girls nestled in each of his arms. “I know, but you can't promise that. I knew what I was getting into when we had them. And I'm perfectly fine with that as long as you come home to us…” Your nose nudges his own, he hums slowly, like a cat purring in content. “...Preferably in one piece.”

Hobie chuckles, heart eyes blinking slowly at you, and pursed lips reaching towards the tip of your nose. “Thank you, love.”

Your palm rests on his warm chest, feeling his heartbeat through his (your) shirt. “Part of the job, Hobie.” With a smile, you feel him tug at your collar, pulling you down towards him further to meet with his lips. “Careful, we might wake them up—” A sneeze rises up your throat, suddenly releasing it on Hobie's shocked face. The girls barely stir. “Shi– sorry.” You sniff, throat feeling like it's full of spikes.

“Ah shit.”

[yinora-evergreen]

Wings? [Charles Rowland x fem! alive! supernatural! reader]

a/n: this is quite the long oneshot, longer than expected, but i really enjoyed writing this! i hope you guys enjoy, and feel free to request fics such as these whenever you'd like <3

word count: around 2k.

"Here, this will be your room, rent is weekly and that is your roommate [name]" Jenny says as she hands Crystal the keys to the room, and gestures a little vaguely at the girl standing infront of them both. "hey Jenny, i thought you said i'd get one roommate, not three?" you ask as you glance at the two boys standing behind who you now know as Crystal, one of them looking intrigued and the other mainly just confused, and Crystal tilts her head a little as if she just made a new discovery "did you forget to take your meds again [name]? there's just Crystal" Jenny rolls her eyes and turns around to leave, saying something about why she even lets you stay here as she walks back to the front of the shop. "so, uh, you can see us?" one of the boys asks, and you take a step back from the sudden startle "oh, sorry mate, didn't mean to startle you, i'm Charles, and this is Edwin" he gives you a charming smile, and you quickly look at Crystal, who, hopefully gently, jabs him in the ribs with her elbow. "Sorry about that, don't worry, i see them too, as you heard from Jenny, my name's Crystal" she holds out a hand to shake, which you slightly hesitantly take "i'm [name]..." "so, are you a psychic like Crystal or have you had a near-death experience?" the one who you heard was called Edwin asks as he takes out a notebook and a pen to write down your answer, and you notice Charles giving him a look that says 'really dude?'. "uh, well, i'm not really sure? strange things have been happening since i was a child, doctors gave me meds for it but they didn't exactly work" you answer. "hm, what kind of strange things? we're the dead boy detectives, me and Charles, i suppose Crystal here joined us recently, but we solve supernatural cases" "yeah, my demon ex-boyfriend stole my memories so, yeah, i'm trying to get them back" Crystal adds. "dead boy detectives? are you two ghosts?" you ask. "yeah, you got that right" Charles says with a bright smile, the type that you would instantly think about if you had to think about him. "right, okay, in that case..." you start to tell your story. "for as long as i can remember, i've been seeing things that others never seemed to notice, the earliest memory i have was that i went to a museum, i was quite young, and i saw someone staring at a wall, and when i got closer i saw that his entire face was cut up, like, something had mauled him, i ran away crying, but my mom said it was all in my head" you continue. "another time was a few years later, i was on the school playground, and since people said i was weird, other kids refused to play with me. i saw this dog, a real sweetheart, and started playing with it, it was only when a teacher came to ask me what i was doing that i was told there was nothing there, and when i looked back at the dog, it dissappeared". "any more recent things? something that doesn't include seeing ghosts? because that would indicate you probably just had a near death experience that you didn't realize, such as getting run over by a, what was it called Charles? a car?" Edwin asks, "jeez, when did you die?" you say with clear disbelief that he forgot what exactly a car was for a second. "he died in the edwardian era, then spent like, 70 years in hell before he got out, i died in the 80's, and stuck around with him" Charles says with a slight shrug. "oh shit, okay, so to answer your question, it was like, eight months ago, i woke up, and i had this" you take off your shirt, Edwin instantly averts his eyes to the floor, meanwhile Charles looks at Edwin instead. you turn around, and show them the tattoo of two bug-like wings going from your shoulderblades down your back. "damn, those are.... really cool"

Crystal says with a nod, and Edwin quickly writes it down. "and what's so strange about that? isn't it just a cool tattoo?" he inquires, not quite getting the strange thing about them yet. "well, i never got a tattoo before in my life, i never got these willingly, and sometimes, i have this nearly painful ache on my back, and when i do it's the worst where the tattoo begins, on my shoulder blades" you answer as you put your shirt back on, much to Edwin's relief as he really wasn't used to seeing stuff like that out of nowhere.

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

that first meeting? that was a few weeks ago, and you have become close friends with all of them.

Crystal has become like a sister to you, Niko has joined the team now too after you guys saved her, and even Edwin has been more kind to you, he has his charms sometimes.

and Charles? oh, where to begin.

you two are like two peas in a pod, and at first, Edwin did NOT like that, but he's been more than kind about it now.

at this point, he practically ALWAYS tells you two to go together for cases, and as close as you two are, you hate it.

why? you've fallen, and not even a little.

those smiles he gives you, the way his first concern was you when he got out of that loop in the haunted house, the way he always offers to put your stuff in his infinite bag, the accent, the looks he gives you sometimes, and it's terrible!

you swear its unnatural, to fall for a person who's been dead for decades, to have fallen for someone who probably doesn't love you that way.

nah, you're reading into things, atleast, thats what you tell yourself.

he however? he's the exact same.

the reason why Edwin keeps pairing you two up is because he figured out that Charles likes you, a lot, to the point where Charles had to make a deal with Niko for her to shut up about it too, before you found out.

no way you'd like a person who's already dead right?

when he thought of you, he thought about you making fun of his accent, your wing tattoos, the way you tried to keep his focus on solving the case and on you instead of the murderous scene when you guys were in that house, the way your grin was to die for as you asked about what the 80's were like, the way you hugged him and told him to never do that again as soon as he was out of that dreaded loop, he could swear he saw tears of relief in those gorgeous eyes of yours.

"hey Edwin, i saw 12 cats in total outside, just so you know" you say as you walk in with the groceries for the week, since you and Crystal did still have to eat. Edwin nods and quietly thanks you for helping him count all the cats, Charles walks through the wall into your bedroom before you can say anything, he wanted to tell you how he feels but, was it worth the risk? it would be rather awkward since you'd still have to talk to eachother nearly constantly.

you notice it, though, and you quickly take off your jacket before going into your room too.

"hey Charles, i need to talk to you about something" you say a little nervously, were you really going to do this? really?

"ofcourse mate, what's up?" he tries to sound relaxed, but you don't seem to notice as you quickly ramble on about something he only understands half of.

"yeahsoireallylikeyoulikemorethanafriendandicantreallyhandlehidingitanymoreandireallyloveyoursmileandialwaysendupthinkingaboutyouwhenevericantsleepandihadtopayNikooffusingmanga'stoconvincehertokeepquietbutyeahthatsallpleasedonthateme-" Charles looks at you with confusion, and you take a deep breath.

"okay, so, long story short, summery of that ramble, i really like you, i don't know how, since like, i'm alive and you're dead- wait was that rude? i didn't mean-" before you can finish, you feel his hands on your cheeks as he kisses you, and ofcourse you kiss back.

he pulls away, and look you in the eyes with a loving smile, one you have never seen before "i like you too, so don't even worry about it"

"we'll figure everything out together, yeah?" all you can do is nod as a grin finds its way on you face.

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

you woke up with a scream.

your back hurts like hell, and you can feel blood coming down onto the sheets.

in a panic, you quickly go to the bathroom, rushing right past a just woken up Crystal who looks worried.

once in the bathroom, you take off your shirt, though not without struggle as the pain on your back makes it extremely painful to lift your arms so high.

as you take off your shirt, your eyes widen in even more panic as you see the blood that seeped onto it, and you turn around infront of the mirror, seeing blood trickling down your back from your shoulder blades, and... two wings, covered in that same blood, they look exactly like the tattoo you had, but then real.

before you can do any more panicking you hear a knock on the door.

"[name]? you in there? what's wrong?" it's Crystal, though before you can say anything you hear more voices.

"Love? you alright? i'm coming in there if you don't answer, you sounded like you were in pain" Charles. oh no.

he can't see this?! what would he think? you look disgusting, with a bedhead and a bloody back.

"no! no, please just let Edwin in, i can't let you two see me like this.." you say as a few tears roll down your face, apparently your voice sounded like it too as Charles was ready to barge in through the wall anyway if Crystal didn't keep a hold on his arm.

less than a minute later, Edwin comes in, and his eyes widen as he sees the state you are in, and he quickly leaves again.

you stare at yourself in the bathroom mirror as he comes back with a book on... fairy's?

"it's not just about fairy's, it's also about fairy type blessings that they might give to people who went through a lot of negetivity in their life, and what type of blessings they give, clearly we need to figure out yours." he explains before you can question him.

"here it says it's a blessing of the ignored, given to someone who got ignored and waved away whenever they tried to say or convince someone of anything, and the wings were bound to sprout when you feel like you're ready for it, even though you aren't aware of what you're ready for" he explains, and he takes a good look at the 'instructions' of how to atleast clean them up.

"right, i'd say, take a hot shower, put on something like a... backless top or dress? i believe you have those? and we can show Charles, Crystal and Niko and we'll figure out what to do"

all you can do it nod as he leaves again, and you hear some light arguing between him and Charles before you hear Crystal interrupting them and convincing Charles to just sit down at the table and wait.

you took a good, warm shower, though you could instantly tell your wings were sensitive, but tough at the same time.

you put a towel around yourself, and luckily you have a door straight to your bedroom, which Crystal uses aswell, as then she doesn't have to walk past Charles and Edwin when she has showered.

you put on a backless top that you got a year back, but never got to wear as it's usually too cold for it, and some simple jeans and shoes.

you walk out, and see Charles instantly looking relieved as he gets up, though he can tell there's something going on as it's much too cold for that top, and Crystal walks past you in awe as she comes out of her room too, Niko also just walked in from the door with Edwin, and he nods to you to turn around.

and you do.

at first your'e nervous, but then you hear the gasps of awe and you feel Charles gently touch one of them, which makes it twitch a little.

"i did more research when you were showering, turns out the first times are most painful, but you can control wether or not they are as a tattoo or as usable wings, though obviously you must train to do anything with them at all, such as flying. i reccomend that you get more backless tops or tanktops that leave the shoulderblades free, so if we're on a case you could simply take off your shirt and free those wings incase it's needed"

you nod, and before you do anything else, you turn back around, and you spread them.

you look at the floor, but Charles lifts your head back up to meet his eyes, full of wonder. "those are awesome, yeah? we'll help you figure everything out, as always"

"i believe we've gotten a new case, huh?" Crystal says with a slight smile, and you smile back.

you let your wings relax, and without even thinking too much of it, they go back to their tattoo form.

"i suppose we do" Edwin replies.

[artists-ally]

{She Gets The Flowers, Right?} Reader x Lucien Vanssera {Pt.2}

Welp. Here we are. Didn't know this was gonna happen. I had ZERO INTENTIONS of writing a part two but I basically got cyber bullied into making another so here ya go fuckers. Someone literally threatened to stop taking their meds so to whoever that was I hope you get to keep your kidney! Enjoy! This part is inspired by this song.

Word Count: 6,111

Warnings: ANGST (yall thought you’re gonna get a happy ending? HAHAHAH) Some pretty negative self talk.

Tagging: @bubybubsters @cyrygher @thelov3lybookworm @bigcreatorwombatdreamer @anuttellaa @lookingforamissingpage @thehighlordishere @crazylokonugget

Summary: In the days and weeks that follow your downfall with Lucien, he has no fucking clue how to go about life without you. He can’t cope. And he desperately wants to fix everything with you.

~~~~~~~

LUCIEN’S POV

I have made the biggest mistake of my entire life. I thought that would be reserved for not being able to protect Jesminda. No. This… this is… I don’t even know.

I’m just standing on the sidewalk, staring at our- her home. At the rustic, auburn door we painted. At its brass knob, at the rusty, creaking hinges that would ring through the house when someone came in. At the little potted plant in the corner, the vines spilling out of it. 

I’ll never be back here again. 

I’ll never get to hear her laugh.

I’ll never get to taste her new recipes.

I will never be able to take all that I said back. That is the most haunting feeling of it all.

I’m an awful person. After all she’s done for me. After saving my life– on more than one occasion– I went and did nothing in return. I gave her nothing for her endless kindness. All I was capable of doing was destroying the one person in my life who has given me everything I’ve ever wanted. 

Unconditionally. She always loved me unconditionally. How could I have been so blind and naive to it? How did I never see it? 

Gods every single time she made me something to eat, a recipe to try… she was basically shoving the bond in my face, hoping I would see it. And I never ever considered it. I was so lost in Elain. Lost in the fact that I finally had feelings for someone after Jesminda… Not once did I think it could be Yn. 

I don’t deserve her. I never did. I was a bitter, rotten shell of a man when she met me. She dragged me by the arms to her house to fix me. She thought I was worthy of being saved when my own father thought the opposite. Yn put me back together. She made me who I am. And this is the thanks I give her?

Elain has said all of ten sentences to me in the past year. I haven’t been able to do anything but replay every single one of them in my head. A thousand times– a hundred thousand times. I wish I couldn’t. It’s exhausting. Constantly thinking of her. But I don’t have a choice. 

I like the feeling of being able to feel again. But at the cost of Yn? At the complete sacrifice of all I’ve known for the past century? My rock? My best friend? Nothing is worth more. 

But it is far too late to do anything about it. I’ve lost her.

I want her back. 

Yn did things to me that no one else could. She just seemed to know when things were wrong. She always knows what to say, when to say it, and how. She never tells you what you want to hear, it’s always what you need. She is the most well rounded person I’ve ever met. She’s never afraid to feel her emotions. 

I envy that skill.

I’ve always hid my feelings deep down. It took years to decipher them again. But it was Yn who made me do it. She always fought for me, fought me for me. Yn never let me do it alone. Refused to, actually. Was there every step of the way and never told me I was taking too long or wasting her time. 

I get it now.

And there is nothing I can do. I have nowhere to go. Tears scald my eyes as I trudge down the little path that we beat into the grass. Day in and day out. 

I remember when we picked this place. We had only been in Velaris for a week or two when we stumbled across it. It was run down and needed a new roof. As a thank you for keeping Feyre safe on our journey across the Courts, Rhysand gifted it to us. Complete with a new roof, new furniture, a new kitchen for Yn to cook in. And he let us be. Well, let her be. I still had my debts to pay off. 

And then I met Elain and… fuck. Everything went to shit after that. 

There is no way of processing all of these emotions at once. These very real feelings I still have for Elain. And these all-of-a-sudden very fucking real feelings I now have for Yn. It’s how I imagine imploding feels like. My body wants to cave into itself and never fold back out. 

I pray to the Cauldron that I do self destruct. This feeling, a mixture between irrational rage and betrayal… I don’t wish it upon another living soul. And Gods know I’d sell mine to change everything I’ve just done. 

I don’t even know how I ended up at the Town House. All of a sudden I was just standing in front of it. I normally resent coming here, but for some reason I was relieved to see the bricks and busted up cobblestone sidewalk. Maybe no one would be here; Rhys was more often than not at the River House with Feyre and Nyx, indulging in the life of parenthood. Nesta and Cassian were probably somewhere in the House of Wind with Elain, Mor at Rita’s, Amren with Varian, and who the hell knows where Azriel is.

I can’t wait to be alone to scream. 

Fuck, the door is locked. Of course the door is locked, no one’s here. It takes every bit of control in my shiver-ridden body to not rip the door off its hinges. And it takes even more control to not collapse against the door and break down for the whole street to see. 

The lock clicks and the door opens. 

I force myself to appear relaxed. I wipe my tears and brush away my loose strands of hair. No use. My face is probably as red as the burning self hatred inside my twisted heart. 

“What are you doing here Lucien?” The High Lord asks. 

I gulp. Of all the people, it had to be him? At least it’s not Azriel, I think. I might hate him more than I hate myself. For actually getting Elain’s attention. Yn was right, I am selfish. “Sorry, didn’t realize you were in.”

“Did you leave something?” I don’t move, and I stay deathly still. Rhys looks me head to toe, and I know he can scent me from a mile away. “Lucien, what the fuck did you do?”

“Stay the fuck out of my head,” I snarled, pointing a finger at his chest. 

“I don’t need to read your thoughts. Your face says it all.”  Rhys crosses his arms over his chest, “Look, we’ve all told you that Elain is hard to reach these days. She isn’t worth-”

“This… this doesn’t have anything to do with Elain.” I lied. He seemed to know it. “Can I just come in?”

Rhys just steps aside, shutting the door behind me. “I don’t really have time for-”

“I fucked up.”

“Clearly.”

“Rhysand,” I said. So full of disgust. He looked at me with a blank expression. One I have seen too many times to not know what comes next. I eased up my tone. “Is anyone else here?”

“No,” he answers, moving around me and heading into a study on the other side of the living room. 

I can’t help but think of how we all gathered in that living room a few months ago for Solstice. Exchanging gifts and drinks and smiles and stories. I vividly remember making Yn laugh so hard she tipped her head over the arm of the couch, sending her wine tumbling to the ground. The stain still on the small rug almost makes me smile, and it almost makes me burst into tears. 

“I ruined everything in my life. Yn’s gone.” I could feel the air freeze around me. “Not like, gone gone but she’s… I don’t think I’ll ever be seeing her again.”

“So this is because of Elain.”

I bit my tongue so hard I thought I’d bite it off completely. But I sighed, the tears coming with it. “Yes.” A really long pause. “She told me I’m-”

“You’re Yn’s mate?”

“Yes.”

“And you never knew because you were so focused on Elain.” “Is that supposed to be a question?”

“It was, but you just gave me your answer,” Rhys sat. “Do you want me to keep guessing or are you going to tell me what happened?”

I took the biggest breath I could, steading my words. “I missed the opening of her restaurant because I was with Elain.”

Rhysand looked at me with such revulsion that I thought he might put me through a wall. Those wicked, violet eyes could’ve boiled my bones. For a split second I wished he would. I could tell he wanted to say something, but I don’t think there were enough words in the world for how much of an awful person I was. 

“There are things in this world that we sacrifice in this world Lucien,” Rhys said.

Hesitantly, “I know.” 

“And Yn gave up the biggest of them all. She shut her mouth to let you be happy. She did what I did for Feyre until she realized what situation she was in. You are one spineless bastard for doing anything but giving your life to her.”

“I know.”

“Have you any idea what you’ve done to her? She gave you everything you could ever ask for. From the moment the two of you stepped in my Court I could tell she only had eyes for you. When you are in the room you’re the only one she looks at. How could you have not known?”

“I don’t know…” “Yes, you do.”

I plunged my nails into my palms. “For Cauldron's sake Rhysand of course I know.”

“Then why did you continue to ignore Yn?”

“Because I couldn’t ever let myself think a female like her would like such a broken, dismantled and lost soul like mine.” Rhysand stared at me. “When Yn pulled me from the border to fix me, she spent every waking moment of her life stringing my mind and body into one piece. If I let myself think for even a second that it was anything other than kindness, I would’ve gone mad.”

“Would it have been so terrible to love her?”

“I’ve always loved her. I just never thought I’d be allowed to love her the way she loves me.”

“Because of Elain?” “Because of Elain.”

Rhys blew out a breath, sitting down on the corner of his desk. “So, let me see if I have all of this correct. You wouldn’t let yourself fall for Yn because you thought you were unworthy. Instead, you sabotaged both of your happiness for Elain simply because she was your mate and you just wanted to feel something?”

“It sounds so much more fucked when you say it outloud.” I rubbed my hands over my tired, burning eyes. “And it’s not just because she’s my mate, Rhys. I genuinely like her. She’s… she has the potential to be so sweet. I’ve seen glimpses of it, heard stories from Feyre and Nesta. Why won’t she let me see?”

“You are still clueless, aren’t you?” He scoffed. “Here you are, a ruined man because you drove away your best friend, and you’re still worried about someone who doesn’t want you. Pathetic. You are a selfish son of a bitch.”

“I can’t just ignore Elain. It’s impossible to think of anything else but her and how I can help her.” “Lucien,” Rhysand stopped me from going on another tangent. “Maybe start considering that she doesn’t want you.”

“What?” My lip trembled. “N-No she… we have a bond. It’s there she just needs time. I’m her mate, she’ll want one eventually.”

“Just like Yn will want one?” His eyes were as viscous as the tone of his voice. “You are doing the same thing to Yn that Elain is doing to you. You understand how that feels. Now imagine that Elain was the one you found on the border of the Spring Court and you spent decades nursing her mind back into her body. Recreating her personality and passions. Wouldn’t you be a little fucking irate if she started showing interest in another male after all you did for her?”

I froze.

This was so much deeper than I ever thought it could be. But I could see it. Bringing Elain back to herself all for it to be thrown away by another male. Azriel filled that roll, and I was filled with raw fury at the mere thought of that happening. 

“So now you see what Yn has been dealing with. And Gods, Lucien, she has been dealing with it for a long while. What you did was wrong, unjust, and unfair. And for you to be with Elain on the day of her grand opening, where all of us just were, is… that may be unforgivable.”

“I don’t deserve to be forgiven for what I’ve just done…”

My shoulder hunch, and my chest cracks. I am a bleeding mess of tears. I can barely stand as I openly sob in front of Rhys. I’m surprised when he shoves a chair under me instead of letting me crumble to the floor in my self induced agony. And I’m even more surprised when he puts a hand on my shoulder. 

It’s Yn. It’s always been Yn. There is nothing in this world that can compare to her or her kindness or her love. What a fool I have been to not take the hand that was given me. What a selfish, self-serving waste of a man I have been to her. 

I can’t take it. I have to have her back. I have to fix this. I have to. I have to. I have to. 

I stand. “Woah, what are you doing?” Rhys tried to get me to sit down. 

“Yn- I have to fix this with Yn-”

“No,” Rhys slams me back into the chair. “You are not going to march back over there.”

“I have to,” I yelled. “I can’t let her kick me out without her knowing that I’m sorry. That I’ll do anything she wants me to to win her back. I can’t be without her, I need her.”

“She kicked you out?” I nodded. “You’re not going anywhere. She clearly doesn’t want to see you. Nothing you could say to her would suffice. Especially right now. She needs time. She needs space. If I find out that you go back to your- her house, I’ll drop you back in the Spring Court, do you understand me?”

I nod viciously. 

“Good,” Rhys let out a heavy breath. “You can have your old room back. Nothing in it but a few storage boxes. Everything is otherwise untouched.” Great. My old memories to haunt me. Just what I needed. For a very short week we stayed here. Yn’s room was right across from mine. Just another reminder of everything that’s happened between now and then. 

I slump in the seat, letting tears trickle down my nose and onto my knee. Watching them evaporate and dry, just for the material to be soaked again. “I’m so sorry Yn…”

I heard Rhys whirl around, and I could feel the tension across the room. He probably thinks I’m mad. I might as well be. 

More footsteps sounded than people in the house and Cassian walked in the room. Luckily I was facing away from him. “Don’t tell me he’s a part of our special detachment.”

I rolled my eyes. Cassian, ever the charming.

“No, he’s… well, he’ll be living here for a little while.”

“Do I wanna know?”

“It’s none of your business,” I snapped. No one spoke. I sighed for what felt like the billionth time today. “Sorry.”

“What happened?” Cassian asked, coming to stand next to me, his body reeking of sweat and dirt. All I had to do was lift my head and I think he understood enough. That or Rhys told him. “I won’t say anything cause I’ll probably just make it worse.”

“Probably,” Rhys nodded. 

“Probably.” My eyes burned, so did my skin. “I have to get all my stuff out tomorrow. She told me to.”

“Then you’ll do it tomorrow. Not tonight, tomorrow. Respect her wishes, or I will make you.”

“I heard you the first time.”

“We’ll be back,” Rhys grabbed a few things from his desk then ushered Cassian out the door. “Don’t do anything. Just stay here.”

It could’ve been twenty minutes or two hours until I finally moved upstairs. Forcing myself to not go to Yn’s room was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. All the conversations we had, all the plans we made. It’s where she first got the idea of her restaurant. She literally had a dream and made it a reality. 

I’d be lying if I said I told her how proud of her I was. I never have. Why have I never told her that? Could I really have been that caught up in Elain that… Wow. It’s funny how you only realize after the fact. 

My bed caught me as I collapsed into it, tucking my knees into my chest. I am such a loser. Pathetic. Just like Rhys said. My heart would burn up and die at this rate. It was a mystery how I hadn’t burst into flames yet. 

There are so many things I need, and Yn takes the top of the list. She had always been everything I needed. When I needed comfort, I went to Yn. When I needed solutions, I went to Yn. When I needed answers, to be heard, to be validated, to be loved… who was I supposed to go to now? Definitely not Rhys or Cassian, and certainly not Elain.

Maybe for the first time ever I wanted nothing to do with Elain. I didn’t want to see her. I couldn’t care less if I ever saw her again. Her presence in my life has done nothing but tear my other relationships apart. 

She’s the reason I’m here in this mess.

_____

At some ridiculous hour of the night– morning? Is that the sun?– I heard the door open. I shot up, then deflated down. I wasn’t in my bed. I wasn’t at home. And that wasn’t Yn walking in the door. 

Every thought and emotion rushed back into my head, creating an endless tangle of thoughts. The next more horrid and self destructive than the last. I deserve it. 

Missing the opening of her restaurant, Latibule–an ancient word for refuge or safe place–was the biggest mistake of my life. I will never be able to make that up to her. I turned her biggest accomplishment into a slimy, diseased memory. I ruined what was supposed to be the best night of her life.

I’ve let her down in a way I’ll never be able to repair. 

Even Rhys and Feyre were there last night. And I wasn’t. Nesta and Cassian. Azriel, Amren, Mor… they were all there, supporting her. And I was with Elain. She probably wanted to go, and I was there, holding her back. 

I need to get out of this room before it crushes me whole.

I could see the sun just barely peeking over the Sidra when I stepped outside, cloak wrapped tightly around my head and shoulders to keep out the early morning bite. 

There wasn’t a soul around, Velaris still blissfully asleep besides this one small corner store that sold hot tea and pastries all hours of the day. Rustling in my pocket was just enough for a peach turnover and a cherry blossom tea. 

The bell chimed above the door as I walked in, knocking my boots against the step to not track dirt in. 

“Early start to the day, Luc?” Ms. Immy smiled from behind the counter, polishing a few mugs before moving to come to the display case, packed full of delicious goods, savory and sweet. 

“Unfortunately,” I sighed. “Couldn’t really sleep.”

“Well I am glad to have you in, the usual?”

“That would be great, Ms. Immy.” 

The lovely owner of the bakery was Ms. Immy. One of the older members of the Night Court but as wise as they come. She’s the kindest, most gentle fae to roam Prythian. With her soft, sage green eyes and long, slender ears adorn with piercings, Ms. Immy was by far one of my favorites here. 

The kettles whistled behind her as she dipped a tea bag into my mug. Ms. Immy always had designated mugs for her regular customers. Mine was made of green clay, mostly green with a white oval on the front with two lines of flowers. In the center of it all was a simple fox. She once told me that I had the spirit of one of those extinct creatures in the human lands. That I was reserved, and at my core I fiercely protected those I cared about.

If only I had been able to protect Yn from myself.

Her mug had been one crafted of the moon and the stars. With all the constellations of the Gods being lifted into the air by the magic of the Cauldron. Ms. Immy had told her it was a visual representation that Yn was a great reminder of the past to the current world. That she was lost art that was to never be forgotten. 

There is nothing I want more than for the rest of the world to be loved as fiercely as she had loved me.

“Here is your tea, Lucien,” Ms. Immy set the mug on the counter, pushing up the glass case and plucking a peach turnover out. “And for you as well.”

“Thank you,” I tried to smile. I stared at the blackberry tart next to the peach turnovers. Yn’s go-to. It made my blood run cold. 

I put the coins in her hand before I could begin to cry again and scooted out the door as another person was coming in. 

The table and chairs outside were hard and covered in a light mist. It creaked as I sat, just as it always did. I should've sat anywhere else, but my body naturally drifted to this exact spot. It had a good view of the street so Yn and I could watch the people walk by. Pretending we know every bit of their personal lives and beyond. Make up extravagant stories and adventures for the most boring looking individuals in hopes they may one day get to go on them in another lifetime. 

Gods she is everywhere. She’s in the tavern across the street, in the stones on the ground that we used to kick on our walks. She’s in the sunrise, the same color of her heated cheeks filling the sky. There is no escaping what used to be my whole world. 

Silently, I let a few tears roll down my cheeks. I ought to be ashamed of showing so much emotion in public, but for some reason I can’t find the will to care. 

The door chimes and footsteps go back down the street. The door chimes again. 

“My fox boy,” Ms. Immy says so softly I almost don’t hear it over the roar in my ears. “What troubles you so badly you can’t sleep?”

I bite my lip to keep from making any embarrassing noises. “I don’t know how to fix something that I’ve done.”

“You missed the opening of Yn’s restaurant.” She says. 

I nod. “How did you know?”

“Because I did not see you there, fox boy.”

“She kicked me out, Ms. Immy. I deserved it, every bit of what she said was true.”

“I think that is true, Lucien,” Ms. Immy came and sat in Yn’s spot, folding her hands in her lap, letting out a breath of air as she extended her old, feeble legs. “Nobody is happy with what you’ve done but-”

“I didn’t mean to blow her off Ms. Immy I just-”

“But,” she cuts me off with a pointed look. “I think you are a very lost soul. For the first time in your life you are truly free. No High Lord to obey, no throne to fight for, no war to fight in. Just a High Lord to serve and to respect. You have everything you could ask for, and yet you have no idea what to do with it.”

She’s right. She’s always right. “I want to fix it. I have to.”

“I am afraid that may not be what the spirit of the Gods wants.” Why is it that I get called fox boy and Yn get’s called something as majestic as ‘spirit of the Gods’? “If those are her wishes, you are going to respect them. Eternally.”

“I will go mad. If I don’t have her by my side for the rest of my life I will go mad.” “So you share a bond with her as well?” She asks. 

“I don’t know. All I do is that I haven’t stopped crying and shaking at every reminder of her. No matter how small. Life without her in it is meaningless to me. Afterall, she is the one who gave it back to me.”

“And a good job she did, fox boy,” Ms. Immy smiled softly. “You are a good male who has been blinded by instincts. While it is not your fault, it has become your problem. And by the looks of you, it seems like it has become quite the ordeal.”

My shoulders dropped as I put my head in my palms. I breathed. “I don’t know how to function without her. She has been there, every day of my life, for nearly seventy years, Ms. Immy. We did everything together. Our mornings were spent as one, our evenings, all the restaurant planning and-and brunches here with you-”

“Breathe, Lucien-”

“How am I supposed to just pack up my things today and move on? H-How am I supposed to just carry on as if she never existed in my life? The thought of not being able to see her every day makes me want to peel the skin off my flesh.”

Ms. Immy looked at me, the hard lines in her face becoming more defined. “Listen to me very carefully, fox boy. What’s done is done. You cannot go back in time and take back what you said. The worst of it is over. Now comes the long process of trying to piece your life together. Whether Yn will be able to help you will depend on what you decide to do in the next several days. If you follow her wishes of moving out and staying clear, there could be a chance in the future. But, if you neglect her wishes, as you had neglected her to lead you to this moment, then there is no hope.”

If you neglect her wishes, as you had neglected her to lead you to this moment, then there is no hope… Words have never stunned me quite as forcefully as Ms. Immy’s had. The true gravity of the situation has set in, if it hadn’t already. One wrong move and she’s gone. For good.

“There is a reason why you are my little fox, Lucien,” Ms. Immy stood, taking my cold mug that I hadn’t touched. “They were intelligent, cunning creatures, just as you are. Do not let your instincts guide you to a decision. Let your heart and the facts do it for you.”

“The facts? What facts?” “The fact that you have screwed up. The fact that Yn has made a decision for you since you were incapable of doing it yourself. It is truth, and it hurts, but it has to for change to come.” And then she went inside. 

I sat with those final words for far longer than I anticipated. It was long enough for people to begin leaving their homes, the streets beginning to fill with people. 

Yn would be out of the house by now, opening for the restaurant’s breakfast hours. I could go now. Or I could stay here and try to blend into the hundreds of faces passing in and out. But I need to move. Yn might come in for her apple cider and blackberry tart. If I saw her right now I’d surely do something stupid. 

As I walked, the clouds blocked out the sun and it began to drizzle. The drizzle turned into a steady rain, then a downpour. I was soaked through my cloak and boots, water seeping in and out with every step. My hair stuck to the back of my neck. 

I kept my head down as I walked, afraid of being recognized. If Ms. Immy had been there to not see me at Latibule, who else? 

The cobblestone ended and mud replaced it. I knew where I was.

The old, beaten path dared me to go up to the house. It beckoned me. From here, at the bottom of the hill, I could see several boxes stacked up outside the door, the disposable brown material soaked through with the rain. She was serious…

Some part of me– the extremely selfish part– has been secretly hoping that she’ll tell me she made a mistake and that she wants me back. But I think those boxes are a not-so-gentle-shove in the opposite direction. 

The key in my pocket might as well have been the key to another universe, because when I opened the door it was like I entered a whole new world. One without me in it. All the pictures of us, all the paintings Feyre had done for us, were off the walls. All the plants and trinkets and decorations I gifter here were piled in the corner for me to collect.

How could so much damage have been done in just a few hours? 

One by one, I packed away the things into the soggy boxes. I moved from room to room. Silently. Hoping this was all a dream only to be launched back into reality with every memory that surfaced. Every possession I had given her in the last seventy years was piled here for me to take. 

She wanted no trace of me here. And I didn’t blame her. I don’t want any trace of me either. 

I must’ve stayed there for hours– crying, packing, reliving moments I had long forgotten only to cry again– because it was close to sunset now. Every trace of me was packed up; all those pictures, all those trinkets, all my clothes and bathing goods… everything I owned fit into these boxes. Everything except for the one person I didn’t want to do life without. 

But Rhys and Ms. Immy are right. If I try to do something now, to get her back, I’ll ruin any real chance. That is something I can’t afford. 

To an immortal, a few months or years equivalates to just a few minutes of human life. But if it takes years for Yn to accept me back in her life…

Besides the clothes and membranes from the Autumn and Spring Courts, I discard everything. I will tear myself to bits if I don’t get rid of them. Will I regret it down the road, probably, but I can’t have them. 

The two boxes and bag of clothes I carry from her house to the Town House are water logged and falling apart. It’s a miracle they didn’t unravel completely. Just add more humiliation to a High Lords son dragging boxes and bags through the street. I deserve all the stare’s and hushed questions. 

Nothing could’ve prepared me for the sights of Rhys and Cassian helping me carry them up the stairs. 

“I don’t know how you’re feeling but-”

“Don’t,” I pleaded. “Just… just don’t. I don’t want your pity, Cassian.”

“I am probably the last person besides Azriel who would pity you, Lucien. And I had no intentions to belittle you for what you did. I was going to offer you a spot in my training ring if you ever needed an escape.”

His kindness shocked me. I can’t say I know the Illyrian well, but this gesture spoke a lot to his character. So I sighed, of course I thought he was going to be hostile to me. Everyone should. “Oh.”

“Training starts at eight and goes to one. Come well fed and in something warm. The top of the House is colder.”

Neither of us said anything else as he left me to unpack.

______

Some weeks later I had taken Cassian up on his offer. Him and Nesta were great at kicking my ass and telling me about it. This side of both of them was far different than the ones I had seen. Here, Cassian wasn’t a prick. He was an instructor, teaching me how to defend my life and my honor. Nesta was… less Nesat. She channeled this otherworldly presence and became one with her weapon.

Me on the other hand… it was far more difficult. Fighting and battle wasn’t rooted in my blood like it was for Cassian. It was much harder for me to get it but I sorta did. Sorta. 

“Just keep working on that footwork and it’ll help with the sword placement. If you’re solid by the end of the week, I’ll put a real one in your hands,” Cassian grinned, chucking me my practice weapon. 

It brought a quick smile to my face. As fast as it was there it was gone. Like most these days. 

When I got home, I rifled through my closet. Brown and green and cream colored shirts after another. Where was that Night Court Blue one I had gotten a long time ago? I could’ve sworn I plucked it from the pile on the floor- no, that was a towel. I was planning on wearing it to dinner at the River House tonight for Mor’s birthday.

Oh, Yn has it. I had given it to her to wear for a meeting with a realtor when looking at properties. She had tucked it into this black leather skirt.

I’ll swing by on my way to the party to get it. Mor always liked the color on me, and said it brought out the fire in my hair. She’ll appreciate the gesture.

After a shower and some other outfit choices, I can’t help but want that blue shirt. I’ll just go get it.

Through the falling leaves, I make my way down the street, across it, and to the meadow. There are six or seven houses with smoke billowing out of their chimneys. But there, right in the distance, is her house. She’ll be at her restaurant tonight so I know I’m safe. 

I scurry up the path, still worried about being seen for some reason. 

Has it been easy these past couple weeks? No. I haven’t been able to think of anything but her. Or dream of anything but her. It’s awful. Not her, but the fact that somehow, someway, she is still everywhere I am. In those memories in the darkest part of the night. The darkest part of my mind reserved for her and her only. 

I hadn’t dared to go visit Elain. I don’t feel the need anymore. Which is relieving and frightening at the same time. It’s like there is a gaping hole in my heart that nothing will fill. Not even training. It proves a good secondary distraction, but nothing can suppress the primary guilt I feel every waking–

What is that smell? I stopped just shy of the door, key in hand. It wants to smell like the rest of the smoke and ash wafting into the air from the nearby cabins, but it’s… more alive? What if she left the stove on? Or a candle? There are hints of woods mixed into it, but not the type of woodsy scent from pine or maple logs. 

I jam the key in as fast as I can to unlock the door. What if she left the fireplace burning or had an electrical fire or-

In the span of five seconds, three things happened. One: Yn was here. And she looked so beautiful. Her eyes are bright and full of color. Two: she was being held by someone, his hands on her cheeks. Three: boiling rage shot through when I realized who it was.

Eris.

~~~~~~~~~

Part 3

[gryffinsorya]

for the kiss prompt thing: cadina + 48?

Thanks for sending a prompt!!

Cadina and a Kiss out of habit...okay!

It's not that Cady wants to come out. It's also not that she isn't out, to be fair. She just hasn't really made a big deal out of it.

Damian had once told her "I need a straight person's opinion."

Cady had simply shrugged and replied with "I can't help you there."

He had made a face she could only describe as fake scandalized and asked if she wanted to attend some of the GSA meetings. Cady said she couldn't, because they run at the same time as Mathletes, and Damian didn't press the issue any further.

Cady is pretty sure he hasn't told anyone, if only because Janis hasn't bombarded her with questions about it yet.

So Cady is entirely fine with people making their assumptions, and she's entirely fine correcting them when they come up.

They just don't come up that often.

Overall, Cady is entirely fine with Regina's need to hide their relationship. She knows coming out can be scary, especially given Regina's complicated history with the school's GSA vice president (A position Damian forced Janis to take.)

Besides, she remembers all the gossip that had surrounded Regina and Aaron. Cady did her time as the center of attention, she's perfectly alright with being on the sidelines for now.

Overall, it's fine, really. Times like this do get a little tough, though. Gretchen and Karen are over and they're all watching some old movie Cady's yet to have seen that they insist is a classic. Even though Gretchen is sitting in Karen's lap right now, Regina refuses to cuddle with Cady.

She's not trying to rush Regina into coming out or anything, she just wants to cuddle with her girlfriend and doesn't understand why they can't. Gretchen and Karen aren't even dating, and they cuddle all the time. Sure, Karen is a pretty cuddle-y person, and Regina likes to pretend she isn't, but still. Cady thinks they should be able to. It isn't that gay, right?

A sharp inhale to her right pulls Cady's attention away from her sulking. She's up in an instant and rounding the couch to stand behind Regina.

"Cady," Regina starts, and Cady knows that tone.

"Are you going to take your meds?" Cady responds in a way that leaves no room for argument. They have this fight at least once a week. More, if Regina's unlucky.

Regina doesn't want to take her pain medication unless it's absolutely necessary. Addiction issues run in her family and she doesn't want to risk anything. Cady understands and says that's fine, but insists on giving Regina a massage to help alleviate the pain. Regina feels bad for making her do that, and Cady argues that Regina isn't making her do anything, she offered.

They've had this discussion plenty of times, but Regina always puts up a fight. Cady isn't sure why. Regina always relents in the end, saying that Cady's fingers are magic.

"I don't want you to miss the movie."

"I can still see it from behind you," Cady argues.

Regina huffs out a displeased sigh, knowing there's no stopping Cady when she gets determined to do something.

Gretchen lets out a kind laugh at their antics, which causes Regina to fake bite at the air in her direction, a teasing smile on her face. This makes Karen start giggling as well, turning her body so she's between Regina and Gretchen to "protect" her from Regina. It's such a far cry from the plastics of last year that Cady can't help but smile to herself, overwhelmed with the simple joy of it all.

Their laughter dies down and Cady gets to work. A self satisfied smile finds its way to her face at Regina's immediate sigh of relief the second Cady touches her. She's pretty sure it's pavlovian, since she hasn't even started doing anything yet.

Cady begins to lose herself in the familiar rhythm of rubbing Regina's back, her attention firmly on the movie in front of them. They had picked a film about a girl with a penchant for pink going to law school to follow a boy, a premise that didn't sound at all appealing. As the movie went on Cady has come to understand the appeal.

She really should have known better than to underestimate a pretty blonde in pink, even if Elle is significantly nicer than the Regina of old.

After a while Cady, unable to find any more stiffness in Regina's back, decides to call it quits. She places a gentle kiss to the top of Regina's head, letting her know she's finished. She leans down to Regina's right as Regina turns to meet her. She kisses Cady back, this time meeting her mouth.

"Ummm..." Gretchen's voice pulls Cady back to the present, where she sees a concerned Gretchen and an overjoyed Karen staring at her and Regina.

Regina stares back, eyes wide as the realization of what just happened sinks in.

"Sooo," Karen has the brightest smile on her face, "How long have you two been dating?"

"We're not-" Regina starts only to stop when Karen shoots Regina her signature expectant look. She sighs. After everything that went down last year, she's been trying to be more open with her friends. "...Since last summer."

"About a week after I broke up with Aaron," Cady clarifies, "Sorry we didn't tell you."

Karen seems overjoyed at that answer, "See Gretchy, I told you!"

"Okay, okay. You win the bet."

Cady asks, "The bet?" at the same time as Regina, scandalized, exclaims, "You made a bet about us?"

"Yeah!" Karen was never quite as afraid of Regina as Gretchen was, but the complete lack of fear on her face as Regina glares her down really is something. "Gretchen didn't wanna tell you we started dating, cause she was sure you were still homophobic." Regina looks away at that, clearly embarrassed. "I told her you were toootally in love with Cady. Then once she broke up with Aaron, I told her it was only a matter of time before you started dating."

"You even got the time right..." Gretchen shakes her head fondly at her girlfriend.

"Wait, did you say you two were dating?" Cady asks suddenly excited.

"We are. Karen asked me at Spring Fling." Karen kisses Gretchen's rapidly reddening cheek, "And like. We weren't exactly on speaking terms at first, and then we were, but I was still worried, I guess."

"I don't really have any room to talk." Regina shoots Gretchen a soft smile.

Cady, happy this is finally all out in the open, comes back to the couch and finally cuddles into her girlfriend.

[hidden-behind-the-fourth-wall]

Chains of Destiny - Decision (Ch.2)

Summary:Eva needs to make a decision, whether she stays and tries for s new life or she gives up completely.

Content Warning: hurt, pain, angst a bit of fluff if you squint

Author's note: There's no Logan in this one, so please bear with me. I feel like the things are going a bit too fast, but let me know :)

Tags: @danicl25 @mxrtiaxv @ayamenimthiriel @jinndesu

Eva lay in the quiet stillness of the med bay, her body half-covered by the scratchy hospital blanket. The constant hum of machines monitoring her vitals droned in the background, but her mind raced, unable to settle. The last week had been a blur—rescue, confusion, pain. Now, a strange quiet surrounded her, the kind she hadn’t known in years.

The sterile smell of antiseptic lingered in the air, but it wasn’t the harsh scent of the lab. It was… clean. It felt safer. Safer than she ever thought she’d feel again. But safety felt foreign, unsettling.

Jean had been visiting her every day, checking in on her physical and mental health, her voice soft, patient. And Hank—Dr. McCoy, though he insisted she call him Hank—had been the one taking care of her wounds. The care they gave was strange, unearned, she thought. They looked at her like she was something worth helping, something worth saving. Eva couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen those kinds of eyes. She didn’t know how to respond to it.

As much as she wanted to believe she could trust them, there was always a voice in the back of her mind. *What if it’s just another trap? What if they’re just pretending?* Her thoughts would drift to the things Logan had said—the things he hadn't said but showed in every look of distrust he shot her way. His words had stung more than the countless needles she’d been subjected to in that lab.

"You're dangerous. A threat." 

She closed her eyes, the weight of those words heavy on her chest. Logan didn't want her here. Maybe he was right. 

Every time she thought about him, that cold, distant stare, her resolve faltered. It was hard not to believe him, especially when he didn’t even try to hide his contempt. His distrust sat like a stone in her stomach. Even when Jean would try to reassure her that things would get better, that she had a future here at the school, Logan’s words would echo, pulling her back into the dark place inside her.

But there were other moments. Moments when she felt a flicker of something different. Like when she saw the students outside the hospital window. Some of them had powers like hers—strange, impossible things that she would’ve never imagined. Yet here, they laughed, played, trained… like none of it was a curse. Like it was just part of them. They weren’t afraid. Or, if they were, they were trying to overcome it. 

It had been so long since she had seen people… living. Free. 

Part of her longed to be part of that. 

*Could that ever be me?* 

The question haunted her, gnawed at the edges of her thoughts as she watched the kids go about their day, training with the X-Men, studying with each other, and even bickering like they didn’t carry the same weight she did. Could she fit in here? Could she be more than what she had been made into?

But every time she felt that small spark of hope, Logan’s glare extinguished it. He was right, wasn't he? She was too dangerous, too broken. A ticking bomb. And even if she wanted to trust the others—Jean with her kindness, Charles with his calming presence, Hank with his warm humor—Logan would always be there, waiting to prove that she didn’t belong.

She sighed, shifting uncomfortably in the bed. Her body still ached, though the physical wounds were healing. It was the mental ones that refused to fade. She still felt trapped, like at any moment the walls would close in, the straps would tighten again, and she would be back in that lab. A puppet, a weapon, a monster.

And yet, Charles had said she was more than that. He had sat beside her just two days ago, his eyes kind and gentle as he spoke of the school, of the other students who had found their place here, despite their struggles.

“Eva, you don’t have to be alone anymore. You’re among people who understand you. People who want to help.”

She had wanted to believe him. God, she wanted to. But a life of torture and manipulation had taught her to be wary of hope. Hope was a trap. Still, there was something about Charles, about the way he spoke, that made her want to believe. 

She ran her hand along the handcuffs they had placed on her wrists, the ones that dulled her powers just enough to keep them in check. They weren't like the ones in the lab. They weren’t meant to hurt her, just to protect the others. Jean had explained that gently, as if she knew how much Eva hated anything that restrained her.

Even so, the cuffs were a constant reminder of why she couldn’t let herself believe she belonged here. A reminder that no matter how much Charles, Jean, and the others might try to make her feel welcome, she was still dangerous. She was still a threat.

The door to the room creaked open, and Jean stepped in, her red hair catching the low light. She gave Eva a small, reassuring smile.

“How are you feeling today?” Jean asked, pulling up a chair beside her bed.

Eva hesitated, unsure of what to say. “I don’t know… Better, I guess.”

Jean nodded, her eyes full of that same quiet understanding she always carried. “You don’t have to have all the answers right now.”

But that was just it. Eva wasn’t sure she’d ever have the answers. What if Logan was right? What if she didn’t belong here? What if she was just putting everyone in danger by staying?

“I don’t know if I should be here,” Eva whispered, voicing the fear that had been gnawing at her all week. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

Jean’s face softened, and she reached out, gently placing her hand on Eva’s wrist, just above the cuff. “We don’t want you to hurt anyone either, Eva. But we also believe that you deserve a chance to learn, to control your powers. That’s what we do here. We help each other.”

Eva looked away, her chest tightening. "Logan doesn’t think I can be helped. He thinks I should… leave.”

Jean sighed softly, her thumb brushing lightly over Eva’s skin. “Logan has his reasons, but he’s not always right. He doesn’t know what you’re capable of. And… he’s been hurt, too. In ways that make him put up walls. But I believe in you. Charles believes in you. We’re not giving up on you.”

Eva wanted to believe her. She wanted so badly to believe that maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to live without hurting the people around her. But Logan’s words still weighed her down, pulling her back into the darkness she had barely escaped.

“I just don’t know if I can do it,” she whispered.

Jean squeezed her hand gently. “You don’t have to do it alone.”

Eva stayed quiet, her thoughts swirling in confusion. She didn't know what her future held, but for the first time in a long time, there was a part of her—a small, fragile part—that wanted to try. Maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to belong here. Maybe she could learn to trust herself again. 

But Logan’s shadow still loomed large, and she didn’t know how to silence it.

***

“Can I ask you something?”

Hank raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. It was the first time Eva had initiated a conversation. She usually only answered his questions with short, guarded responses. But this—this was new.

“Of course,” he replied gently, tapping a few keys on the monitor. It had become a routine now. She’d been at the mansion for over a week, and her vitals had steadily improved. She was gaining weight, her cheeks less hollow, and her eyes not as sunken as before. Slowly, ever so slowly, she was beginning to look like the young woman she was, rather than the starved, haunted figure they’d first brought in.

“I actually have three questions,” she continued, her voice hesitant, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks when Hank chuckled softly at her tone. 

“Go on,” he encouraged, giving her his full attention.

She swallowed and shifted her gaze toward the window, her fingers fidgeting nervously. “I haven’t seen Logan lately. I know he... hates me, but I was wondering... did something happen?”

Hank smiled gently, sensing the weight of the question. “I don’t think Logan hates you,” he said, turning his chair to face her fully. “He’s... complicated. A tough guy with a past that haunts him. He can seem like a jerk, but in the end, Logan always does the right thing. He just... needs time. If that’s something you’re willing to give him.”

Eva frowned, her expression tightening in confusion. Hank could see the uncertainty in her eyes—the idea of being given a choice was still foreign to her. 

“And he’s away on a mission,” Hank added quickly. “Charles sends him out from time to time, so don’t worry—it has nothing to do with you.”

“So... it’s not my fault he’s not here?” she asked quietly.

“Not at all,” Hank assured her. He noticed the small shift in her posture, a slight easing of tension. It wasn’t much, but it was something. “What’s your second question?”

Eva hesitated again, her eyes darting back to the floor. “Is this really... a school?”

Hank laughed, a genuine, lighthearted sound that made her blush even more. “I’m sorry,” he said quickly, seeing her embarrassment. “It’s just that you’re not the first to ask that.”

She bit her lip, unsure. “It just... doesn’t feel like one.”

Hank smiled, trying to put her at ease. “It’s a school, just like any other. We have classes on math, science, history—boring, normal subjects. But we also have classes for mutants. Those help our students learn to control their abilities, to understand what makes them unique.”

Her curiosity piqued, Hank could see it in the way she sat up a little straighter, eyes more focused. “Mutant classes?”

“Exactly. As Charles mentioned, many kids come to us unable to control their powers. We’re here to help them adjust, to make those abilities second nature. And we’d like to help you do the same, if that’s something you’d want.”

There was a fleeting smile on her lips, small but noticeable. Hank knew it would take time for her to fully trust them—to believe that they truly wanted to help her. Her powers, though dangerous, could be an incredible asset. He was patient, willing to wait however long she needed.

“I...” She paused, her entire body tensing. Her fingers started to twist around each other nervously, and Hank remained quiet, letting her gather her courage. “It’s kind of embarrassing,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

He didn’t push, simply waited.

“I... never went to school,” she admitted, her gaze shifting to the window, as though she couldn’t bear to meet his eyes. “I don’t even know how old I am, not exactly. I’ve been with them... for over fifteen years, they said, So I must be in my 20s. But... I never learned to read. I don’t know... anything, really.”

The revelation hung in the air, and Hank felt a knot tighten in his chest. It wasn’t surprising, not after everything she’d been through, but hearing her say it—hearing her speak the truth of her stolen childhood—hit him harder than he expected.

“It’s really stupid but...” Her voice wavered, and she opened the small drawer next to her bed, pulling out a thin book with a worn cover. “Mrs. Ororo gave me this. She was so kind, and I... I felt bad telling her I can’t read it.”

Hank’s heart clenched as he saw a few silent tears land on the book’s cover. Despite everything—despite being trained and used as a weapon—Eva still had a gentleness about her, a kindness that hadn’t been destroyed by those who had hurt her.

“Ororo,” Hank began, noting how she always addressed them with such formality despite their efforts to get her to relax. “She also teaches some of the younger kids. I’m sure she’d be more than happy to help you learn the basics too.”

Eva’s eyes widened, a spark of hope flickering in their depths. “Isn’t it... embarrassing though? I mean... I’m an adult.”

Hank gently took her hand, careful to move slowly, watching for any signs of discomfort. But she didn’t flinch—not like she used to. That, in itself, was progress.

“Eva,” he said softly, “the ability to learn was stolen from you. You’ve lived through things no one should have to. But the fact that you still want to learn—that you want a chance at a normal life—well, that’s something to be proud of.”

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she smiled, just a little. “Professor Charles said I have a right to a normal life... but I don’t know if I believe that yet. I don’t know if I deserve it. But... that book does look interesting.”

Hank smiled back, warmth spreading through his chest. He promised himself to speak to Ororo and Charles, to make sure Eva would receive the education she deserved—not out of pity, but because it was her right. Like any human being, she had the right to learn, to grow, and to live.

And for the first time since she arrived, Hank believed she was starting to realize that too.

***

Charles Xavier sat in the stillness of his office, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. Outside the mansion, he could hear the faint sounds of students laughing and playing, the echoes of a life he had built to protect and nurture the young minds of mutants. But his thoughts were with one particular student, the one who had just arrived—the one who lingered in the hospital wing, far from the warmth and hope of those outside.

Eva.

He closed his eyes, resting his hands on the arms of his wheelchair, and let his mind drift back to when they first found her. It had been worse than anything he could have prepared for. The physical scars, the hollowness in her eyes, the way she had flinched at every movement—it was as though she had been broken down to nothing. Tortured, manipulated, turned into a weapon by those who saw her not as a human being, but as something to be used.

He had seen many broken souls come through these doors over the years, each with their own pain and trauma. But Eva was different. There was something about her—a weight she carried that went beyond the torment she had endured. Her powers were unlike anything he had encountered, and that alone made her a danger to herself and to those around her. It wasn't just the sheer force of her abilities, but the instability that came with them, the unpredictability.

Her mind was a labyrinth of pain and confusion, walls erected so high he could barely touch the edges. He had tried to reach her, to offer some form of comfort or understanding, but each time he felt her pull back, retreating into herself. It was as if she didn’t know who she was anymore, as if the very concept of herself had been stripped away, leaving behind a shell. 

And her powers... Charles had seen snippets of them, enough to know that they were both incredible and terrifying. She was capable of immense destruction, and yet, there was a delicate balance, an untapped potential that could shift either way. If they didn’t approach her with care, if they didn’t handle her powers with the right method, she could be lost to that destruction—or worse, others could.

But how do you teach someone to control something they barely understand? How do you guide someone whose life had been ruled by fear and cruelty into believing they deserve a place in the world? These were the questions that weighed on him, gnawing at his mind every time he thought about her.

He knew she needed time, patience. He knew they had to approach her gently, to make her believe in her worth before they could even begin to tackle the complexities of her powers. And yet, time was something they didn’t have the luxury of. The people who had taken her, who had done this to her—they were still out there. And there was always the chance they could come back for her. They had turned her into a weapon once, and Charles had no doubt they would try again.

And then there was Logan.

Charles sighed deeply, opening his eyes and staring out of the window at the expansive grounds of the mansion. The truth gnawed at him, but he had been avoiding it for days now. Logan was... volatile, a man who had his own share of demons to wrestle with. He had kept his distance from Eva since her arrival, and in many ways, Charles understood why. Logan was a man who preferred to keep others at arm's length, especially when it came to something—or someone—that touched his own vulnerabilities.

Yet, Logan was the only one who could truly help Eva. As much as Charles wanted to guide her, as much as Hank and Jean had been there for her, Logan was the one who understood the darkness that lived in the corners of her mind. He was the one who had fought tooth and nail against the forces trying to control him, the one who had found his own way back from the edge of the abyss.

It was a painful realization, but it was true. Logan, in all his rough edges, had a connection to her that no one else could mimic. He had survived being used, being turned into something against his will—and that was what Eva needed now. Not just someone who could show her how to control her powers, but someone who could teach her how to fight back against the pieces of herself that had been stolen. Logan knew that struggle better than anyone.

But Charles also knew what it would mean to ask Logan to step in. Their relationship, already fragile, had become strained over Eva. Logan had been one of the loudest voices against bringing her to the school. He had seen her as too dangerous, too far gone to be helped, and Charles feared that in his heart, Logan still believed that. It would take a lot for him to see past the fear and the pain that Eva reminded him of.

He didn’t want to force Logan into this role, but he also knew that if anyone could reach her—truly reach her—it would be him. The question was, how could he convince Logan of that without making him feel like he was being burdened with a task he hadn’t asked for?

Charles rubbed his temples, the weight of his thoughts exhausting him. He had faced many challenges in his life, many difficult decisions, but this one felt different. Eva wasn’t just another student. She was fragile, vulnerable, and one wrong step could send her spiraling further into the darkness. He couldn’t afford to make a mistake with her.

Eventually, with a sigh, he came to a decision. He had to speak to Logan. It wasn’t going to be easy, and he wasn’t sure how Logan would respond, but he knew it had to be done. For Eva’s sake, and perhaps for Logan’s too. Maybe, in helping her, Logan could find a way to heal some of his own wounds.

But convincing Logan—that was the challenge.

Charles leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling as his mind began to plan out the conversation, rehearsing words he knew would be hard to say, and even harder for Logan to hear.

***

When Charles first heard from Jean that Eva wanted to speak with him, it caught him off guard. He had heard from Hank about their conversation earlier that week, but he never imagined she’d reach out so soon, let alone initiate a conversation herself. She had only been here for two weeks. Both Jean and Hank had discussed moving her out of the infirmary, but given everything she had been through, Charles hadn’t expected her to progress this quickly. Still, he couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride for the quiet strides she was making.

He also had to reluctantly agree with Jean—her progress seemed to have coincided with Logan’s absence. Without Logan’s brooding presence, Eva had started to relax, just a little. She was still closed off, fearful of those around her, but she was no longer the hollowed-out shell of a person they had first rescued. Slowly, step by step, she was beginning to resemble the young woman she was meant to be.

When Charles wheeled into her room, he found her sitting by the window, staring out at the evening sky. Her eyes, though still guarded, were filled with a curiosity that gave him hope. Despite all the horrors she had endured, despite the darkness that had been forced upon her, Eva had not completely given up on the world. Not yet.

"Mind if I join you?" Charles asked softly.

She jumped slightly at the sound of his voice but quickly nodded, offering him a shy, almost apologetic smile. He rolled closer to her bedside and gave her a warm, reassuring look.

"I think you’ll be able to see those stars from outside soon enough," he began, noticing the way her body tensed at the mention of leaving her sanctuary. “Jean told me you’ve been making wonderful progress with your recovery.”

Eva fidgeted with her fingers, her eyes still cast downward. “I… I wanted to talk to you about that,” she murmured. "I’m still not sure I can become the person you think I can be."

Charles stayed silent, letting her find her words, knowing that initiating this conversation was a big step for her.

"But I…” She glanced nervously at the small book on the shelf nearby, her gaze landing on the book she’d been reading. “Mrs. Ororo… she’s been teaching me how to read,” she said awkwardly, swallowing hard. “It would be… mean to just leave now.” Her eyes darted around the room, as if searching for the right way to express herself. "You know what I mean?"

Charles couldn’t help but smile at her sincerity. Beneath all the fear, she was still a person trying to find her way. “Yes, I’ve heard Storm is taking your reading lessons quite seriously. It would be a shame to quit now, wouldn’t it?”

A small, relieved smile tugged at the corners of Eva’s lips. For the first time in the conversation, she seemed to relax. But Charles knew there was more on her mind.

“There’s something else you want to talk about, isn’t there?” he prompted gently.

Eva sighed, knowing she couldn’t hide her thoughts from him. She appreciated that he didn’t pry, that he kept his promise not to read her mind unless necessary, but his insight into people’s emotions was uncanny. 

"I can’t stay here," she said finally, her voice firmer this time.

Charles tilted his head slightly, waiting for her to continue.

"This school…" Eva hesitated, her eyes darting out the window again. "I’ve been watching the students, the staff… and I can’t be around them. I could never forgive myself if I hurt someone. You’ve all been so kind to me, and I don’t want to seem ungrateful, but I can’t… I can’t train here. I can’t learn here. Me being here, so close to everyone—it’s too dangerous."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with the burden she carried. Charles’ heart ached for her, for the way she was still trapped in a prison of fear and guilt, even after escaping the people who had turned her into a weapon.

“I know I’m dangerous,” she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve heard it enough—first from them, and then… from Logan.”

Charles opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off before he could.

“He’s right,” she said, shaking her head. “I am dangerous. What you’ve all seen of my powers… that’s not even the worst of it. There’s so much more. And if I let myself have a chance at life… I need to know I won’t take that chance away from someone else.”

Charles looked at her, the weight of her words sinking in. Despite everything she had been through, she was still thinking of others before herself. She still saw herself as a threat, but it was her selflessness that stood out to him.

“There’s a safe house, not far from here,” he said softly, his eyes shifting to the growing twilight outside. The first stars had begun to appear, tiny specks of light against the darkening sky. “It’s secluded, away from the main campus. We’ll move you there at the end of the week. You can stay there, away from the students, until you feel ready.”

Eva’s eyes widened at his words, a mixture of surprise and disbelief flickering across her face.

“You… you’ll still want me here? After I’ve learned to control my powers?” Her voice wavered, as though she had never even considered the possibility.

Charles frowned slightly, concerned by the depth of her surprise. He reached out, placing his hand gently over hers. "Eva, we’re a family here. You are part of that now, whether you believe it or not. We’re not going to cast you aside the moment you learn control. We want you here."

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she blinked rapidly, trying to hide the emotion that overwhelmed her. "I thought… I thought once I wasn’t a danger, you’d want me to leave."

Charles smiled softly, squeezing her hand gently. “We don’t give up on people, Eva. Not here.”

She looked at him through tear-filled eyes, a soft smile finally breaking through the sadness. For the first time in as long as she could remember, there was a sliver of hope, a glimmer of possibility that maybe—just maybe—she could have a future. A life.

"We’re all in this together," Charles added, his voice warm. "You’re not alone anymore."

Her smile grew, and even though through the tears, it was one of the most beautiful things Charles had seen in a long time.

[poppadom0912]

Together (V)

Mentions of violence, blood, injuries, abuse, kidnappings, shootings, and scary men.

Summary: Things all of a sudden turn around for the middle Halstead sibling.

A/N: It's a little late but this is in celebration of 800 followers. This and the next chapter were both written at school on my schools chromebooks so just ignore any mistakes. Enjoy!!

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Kelly had been taken off shift as soon as Boden was informed of your predicament. A replacement came in and Kelly left 51 with everyone on edge.

With Trudy's permission, Kelly joined Hailey along with all the other units as they scoured the streets, looking up and down and all around for any sign of any of the Halsteads.

Kelly could remember it as though it was yesterday. The Murray brothers first came into their lives on a call that both 51 and intelligence responded to, a mere coincidence honestly and Med was the nearest hospital, so it only made sense.

The ever intriguing and elusive Halstead siblings drew in the Murray's and low and behold, several days later, you never turned up to shift.

Your kidnapping several years ago, a moment in all your lives that had been buried deep had suddenly resurfaced and Kelly could only think and prepare himself for the worst.

Huffing in par anger and par disappointment, Kelly looked up to the darkening sky, the sunset slowly fading would usually be a beautiful sight but today, it had no significance to him. In fact, it only made him think of you more.

"Come one Severide." Hailey pressed her lips together tightly, her smile strained and eyes dim. She was just as exhausted and distraught as him, she knew exactly what he was going through. "Everyone's reconveing with Trudy."

Before Kelly could reply, a phone went off. Confused, both he and Hailey checked their individual phones, Kelly tucking his back into his pocket when it wasn't his.

Already on edge, Kelly stood nervously, watching Hailey's face closely for any sign as to what she was being told.

"We need to go to Med."

*****

"Listen, I'm fine! Back off and let me go!"

Hailey swallowed thickly, heart thundering out of her chest as she heard the voice she adored in secret. Picking up the pace, she pulled open the curtains and stood frozen in the trauma doorway.

"Jay." She said breathlessly, refusing to blink in fear that this was all a dream and she was going to wake up to the reality that he wasn't here at Med and alive.

"Thank goodness Hailey." Jay let himself deflate ever so slightly at the sight of his partner, but there was no time for pleasantries. "Get me out of here."

Hailey only now let herself blink, several times in fact due to her shock at her partners words. Jay was covered in blood and it was obvious to the naked eye that he was hurt. She heard the 911 audio, she knew he'd been shot but God knows how many injuries had been inflicted onto him.

Hailey hadn't been in Intelligence when the Murray brothers first came about, neither was she there for any of the Halstead siblings separate kidnappings so she was trekking in unknown territory.

"Listen Ethan, Will patched me up good." Jay began, turning to the Korean doctor who he knew was concerned about all of their well-beings'. "As soon as I get them back, I'll get seen."

Ethan wanted to argue but knew there was nothing stopping the middle sibling, rolling his eyes he turned to Maggie and asked for some painkillers before addressing him. "The second they're found, you're back in this treatment room."

"Scout's honour doc." Jay promised seriously, taking the tablets and chugging them back with some water he was given by Maggie. "I'll be fine."

And with that, Jay was walking out the room with Hailey trying to keep up with him.

"Jay? What the hell happened?" Hailey asked, picking up her pace so she could stay in step with him. She took note of the fire burning in his eyes and the determination he had in each step despite being injured.

"Where's Voight and everyone else?" Jay asked, ignoring her question as he caught sight of Severide leaning against Hailey's parked car outside the ER.

"They're on their way back." Hailey said, nodding at Kelly to get in the car, shaking her head at him so he wouldn't ask any questions despite how much he wanted to.

"Your hurt and you’re bleeding Jay, you need-“

“My brother and my sister are on the verge of death Hailey!” Jay shouted with a mix of fear, anger and hurt. “They’re bleeding somewhere and my baby sister is scared to death and I need to help them.”

His shouts echoed in the packed out parking lot, his chest heaving as he went on with no one stopping him.

“Will and Y/N are all I have left Hailey.” Jay said shakily, largely contrasting the sheer force he just spoke in. “I’m going to help, I don’t care if it’s the last thing I do.”

There was nothing stopping a man who was about to lose all that he had left to live for.

*****

Intelligence was finally whole again with the addition of Trudy and Kelly, all huddled together under a tent that was set up on middle ground.

When they arrived back in Chicago, the sheer amount of shock on everyone's face was evident.

Trudy had sworn everyone to secrecy but when she first saw Jay, her motherly instincts acted upon themselves as she squeezed the daylights out of him without causing any further injury.

"They dumped me." Jay said, revealing to the team how he'd gotten here. "They suddenly decided to move locations again and decided to dump me around the corner from Med which means they want me alive."

"What about Will and Y/N?" Antonio asked, being the first person to interject Jay since he started to unravel all the small necessary things.

Jay clenched and unclenched his jaw, his eye twitching in frustration as he folded his arms.

"They're still with Jackson and Ezra."

"No offense Jay but why would they get rid of you instead of Will?" Adam genuinely asked, confused as to why two criminals would release the ex-ranger and detective instead of the ER doctor.

All of a sudden, Jay looked like he was going to be sick. Like his new train of thought was going to make him throw up then and there.

"They want to keep Y/N alive for as long as possible, and only Will can do that."

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[kybercrystals94]

Left Handed

Read here on Ao3!

Febuwhump 2024 | Day 15 | Prompt 15: “Who did this to you?”

Rated: G | Words: 574 | Summary: Echo doesn't want to disclose his attacker after an altercation. [Character Focus: Omega, Echo, Tech, Hunter, Wrecker]

“Does it hurt?” Omega asks, leaning over the back of the copilot’s chair she is standing on.

Echo almost tells her that chairs are for sitting not standing. However, Tech chooses this exact moment to touch a swab of antiseptic against the cut split across his cheekbone. Echo hisses a curse before remembering his audience. “Maker! Warn a guy, Tech!”

“Apologies,” Tech responds automatically, not sounding remotely apologetic.

Omega drapes herself further over the back of the seat, arms dangling. “What happened? Were you in a fight?”

“Something like that,” Echo grumbles, avoiding eye contact.

“What was the cause of this altercation?” Tech asks, digging through the med kit for an appropriately sized bacta patch.

“Not important,” Echo says.

Tech hums, unconvinced. “Obviously your attacker is left handed.”

“Oh, because he was punched on the right side of his face?” Omega asks.

“Precisely,” Tech says. “That narrows down the suspect pool considerably.”

“There is no suspect pool!” Echo declares.

“Why don’t you want us to know who it is?” Omega asks. “Is it someone we know? Someone from Cid’s?”

“We don’t know anyone at Cid’s who is left handed.”

“True. But maybe they just used their left hand to throw us off.”

“As far as we know, this was not a premeditated attack,” Tech counters. “In the heat of a fight, I doubt the perpetrator would take that into consideration.”

Echo sighs. “I promise, this is nothing you need to worry about.”

“I disagree. If you have made an enemy, I think that we should know who in case they feel the need to retaliate,” Tech argues warmly.

Hunter and Wrecker come into the cockpit then, back from their supply run.

“Omega,” is the only warning Hunter has to give to make the girl sink into a sitting position, but spinning the chair around with a kick to face her brothers.

“What happened to you?” Wrecker asks, leaning forward to inspect Echo’s injury for himself before Tech can cover it with a bandage.

“Someone punched him in the face!” Omega supplies eagerly.

“What?” Hunter asks, sounding alarmed.

“It’s not–” Echo begins.

Wrecker cuts him off. “Who did it? We’ll go teach ‘em a lesson!”

“Echo refuses to disclose that information,” Tech says disapprovingly, applying the bacta patch to Echo’s face.

“But we know they were left handed,” Omega puts in.

“Wait, listen…” Echo tries again, but Hunter interrupts him this time.

“This isn’t something you should keep from the team, Echo. You of all people should know that,” Hunter says gravely.

Echo stands, throwing up his arms in frustration. “There was no attacker!”

A beat of silence.

Omega scrunches up her face. “Then how…?”

“I ran into a wall, okay? I wasn’t paying attention when I turned a corner, and this,” he indicates the wound with a dramatic splay of his hand, “happened.”

His brothers and sister stare at him. Then, Omega cracks a tiny grin and in a small voice asks, “Do you want us to beat up the wall for you, Echo?”

One of the brothers snorts a laugh. Echo isn’t sure which one. He just sighs and walks out of the cockpit, face burning.

“You just tell us which wall it was, and we’ll take care of it!” Wrecker calls after him. This officially sends the four siblings at Echo’s back into hysterics.

He rolls his eyes, but doesn’t turn around, hiding the fond smirk that creeps across his face.

END

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[lillardshusband]

FNAF movie character headcannons!!!!!!

William:

•was a heavy smoker for years. Quit when his doctor said he had a high chance of developing lung cancer

•never physically hit Vanessa, but yelled at her loud enough to give someone a headache

•most pictures of him (including wedding photos and Vanessa's graduation picture) he is wearing the Spring Bonnie head

•very high functioning autistic, but refuses to get checked for it despite many telling him to

•doesn't like pet names like 'bunny' or 'baby', likes to call his s/o things like 'my love' or 'sweetheart' and 'darling' old fashioned things u feel me

•if henry emily exists in this universe they definitely had a one night stand and never talked about it ever again

Mike:

•before being prescribed his sleep meds he for sure took too much benadryl once and saw the horrors

•if the movie took place in current day he would totally put on those baby sensory videos to go to sleep

• tried an edible once and never again (he took too much and deeply regretted it)

•tried to draw with Abby but is so bad at it that he rage quit

•is a fiend for little ceasars crazy bread

Vanessa:

•promised herself she would make her dad get the punishment he deserved

•hates being belittled so much that it is one of the reasons she became a police officer

•hates pizza because of how often she had it as a child. Gags if she even tries to eat it

•really likes hello kitty a not normal amount but is super secretive about it

•super against cigarettes and weed (anything smokeable really)

•so touch starved but refuses to ever ask for any sort of affection

•her fav animatronic is Chica because Susie was her best friend (Susie doesn't remember their friendship but still loves Vanessa anyway)

Abby:

• this kid is autism central. High functioning but has a real rough time making friends because she finds it very hard to understand social cues.

•grows up to be a professional artist and paints super beautiful portait commissions. She makes BANK.

•a boy at school tried to kiss her and she punched him in the face for it

•really loves spongebob. Mike hates it but lets her watch it anyway

•favorite crayola crayon is Dandelion

•likes the stereotypical green alien a lot

Freddy:

•just a tad bit stupid. Silly guy though

•lowkey annoyed by Foxy but doesn't say anything about it

•loves to take Mr Cupcake and throw him across the room to piss off Chica

Foxy:

•really likes when dad rock n roll is on. If he could he would sing along

•fav band is ACDC

•Chica is his bestie. They gossip about the nightgaurds

•used to have a bird named Cracker that was perched on his shoulder. It got destroyed by a child right before the pizzaria shut down for good

Chica:

•loves food. Big foodie. Doesn't really like it when it messes up her circuts and servos tho

•her cupcake is her baby actually they are inseparable

•has broken Freddy a couple times for throwing Mr Cupcake

•loves Britney Spears and No Doubt. unfortunately william does not so he doesnt play it often

•the least agressive. doesn't like killing gaurds but does it once in a while to feel something

Bonnie:

•has killed the most gaurds out of all of the animatronics

• has a little crush on Chica but doesn't wanna admit it because "girls have cooties" and "she has really bad cooties"

•feels kinda bad for Mr Cupcake when he gets lowkey abused by Freddy

•has broken quite a few pieces of furniture while chasing gaurds

Golden Freddy:

•kinda like the mom friend of the animatronics

•really wishes Abby couldve stayed with them, really enjoyed her company and energy

•very quiet compared to the others

•hates when the others fight, very annoying to him

Ness:

•wierdly knowledgeable on Freddys. Did a lot of research online about the case and is super invested in it

• loves his job even though the pay isnt the best

•whenever he gives a table the check he always gives them a little piece of chocolate before they leave

Aunt Jane:

•the living embodiment of Karen

•thinks that Abby is a little jerk (incorrect opinion btw)

•wine mommy

Max:

•she wanted Mike so bad bruh

•very cringe millennial coded

[mrs-barnes-rogers-writes]

The Fate Of A Fae - Part 7

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader x Steve Rogers

Soulmate Match: You know on sight. Friends also know when they meet you if you're a match for one of their friends.

Summary: Natasha Romanoff is a meddling, pain in the ass Sprite, who you wrongly thought would leave you alone once you introduced her to your best friend, Darcy. News flash, she doesn’t and she won’t. Not when she thinks you’re a perfect match for two of her best friends. Could she be right? Maybe. Just don’t tell her that.

“Never tell Natasha Romanoff she was right” - Clint Barton

Chapter Summary: Tony explains what he knows about your medication.

Chapter Warning: Mention of arsehole parents, past trauma and being medicated.

It’s an hour later when Bucky tucks you into bed. You’re exhausted and emotional drained so the fight you put up is minimal. He sits with you a moment, noticing how you’ve automatically laid in the middle of the bed. A spot he hopes you’ll soon take in his own bed. Steve one side and him the other. As you snuggle down into the sheets and let out a soft sigh, he fixes the sheets around you again and softly strokes your face, humming a Russian lullaby to you.

Natasha smiles when she hears it, remembering the sound of Winnie humming it to Bucky in the hospital after he’d been found. A tortured prisoner of war cannot be made comfortable by medication but by the soft hum and voice of his mother. She gravitated towards the screen that separated your bedroom from the rest of the studio apartment. A vintage store find that you and Clint had found when you could only leave the apartment with him, Nat or an appointed guard from Happy’s team. Peeking around it, she’s joined by Tony, who can’t help but feel his heart warm at the sight. He types on his phone that he needs to speak to Barnes and shows it Nat, she nods and knows this is probably about your medication and what it really is.

“Yasha.” She whispers. Bucky sighs and gets up from the bed, placing a kiss to your temple before meeting them at the screen.

“Can’t this wait?” He whispers back harshly. Tony walks back to the kitchen and flicks his head for Bucky to follow him. Natasha follows but positions herself so she can keep an eye on you through the gap between the screen and the wall.

Tony pushes your boxed medication towards him.

“Do you know what this is?” He asks him.

“No, she said it was a muscle relaxant.” Bucky replied.

“Well, it’s not. Do you remember the trouble at the shareholders meeting? A couple of them had ideas about a pharmaceutical company using our factories for production and I refused.”

“Well it didn’t make any sense. Plus you said the ethics didn’t line up so I backed you.”

Tony nodded.

“It’s because they make this. It’s not a muscle relaxant James. It’s a species suppressant. Those arseholes must have put her on them as a kid. Stop her wings and ears growing back.”

Bucky growled deep in his chest and clenched his fists.

You stirred in the bed and Natasha gestured at him to be quiet. He took some deep breaths and made his way to the screen to check on you.

“So what do we do?” He asked, eyes fixed on you.

“You get her off them as soon as possible before there’s any long term damage.”

“Long term? She said herself she’s been on them since she was a kid!!” He whispered harshly.

“But these are worse Yasha.” Natasha replied. “They’re highly addictive, she’s gonna have to detox.”

“You’ll need a plan from Banner and Cho. There on their way back from DC now. They’ll give her a full review tomorrow, results the following day. I’m going to warn you Barnes it won’t be pretty. The fact her ears look like they’re growing back could mean the her body is already fighting against them and the meds, well they’ll fight right back.”

“How are her ears growing back if she’s on them?”

“Wild guess?” Tony replied “And personally I’d even ask Shuri’s advice on this one, Cho’s too, it could be because of you.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“How’s your shoulder?”

“Excuse me?”

“How is it? Where the scales, skin and metal meet?”

Bucky huffed and moved away from the screen, dropping himself on a stool at the kitchen island in a huff.

“It’s better isn’t it?” Tony asked. Bucky nodded.

“There’s lots written about our kind, all of us, changing when we meet our soulmates. Wounds being healed, forced transfers switching back. It’s so we’re at our best for them. Your shoulders have gotten broader, your eyes are brighter gold when your dragon shows and your shoulder is improving. Her ears will likely be the first thing to right themselves. They’re smaller, less to grow back. Her wings will take longer and from what I remember her telling me, there’s a lot of scarring. This won’t be easy James.”

Bucky nodded.

“There was a lot written post war, as well as Shuri’s recent stuff, people recovering in their soulmates company. I’ll send you somethings over.”

Bucky nodded again.

“Romanoff walk me out?” Tony asked, Nat nodding and following him out to the hallway.

Bucky zoned out their whispering, as he thought of you and what your childhood could have been like. You were missing all the things that made you appear fae and for them to put you on those drugs? Why had nobody ever told you what they were? Were you willingly on them? He was brought back to himself as Natasha slid into the seat beside him.

“She didn’t know Yasha.”

Bucky shook his head.

“How’d you know that’s what I’m thinking?”

“Because I know you.”

“You’re sure?”

Natasha nodded.

“The first time I saw her scars we were in a dressing room, she refused to try on the dress I’d picked out for her, I pulled back the curtain as we were arguing and I saw them. She shutdown completely so I took her to a bar. Four drinks in she told me about her parents being arseholes. Six in and she’s telling me what they did. All she’s over wanted is to be a true fae again.”

“She is a fae!”

“That’s not how she sees it.”

Bucky leaned back on the stool and ran his hand over his face. Natasha moved from his side, returning with two shot glasses and a bottle of vodka, quickly pouring one for each of them. Bucky took the shot and without looking at Natasha asked a favour.

“Find out where her parents live.”

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