#robert gray x oc

[teddyreblogslotf]

“stop trying to keep us alive / you’re pointing at stars in the sky that already died / stop trying to keep us alive / you can’t force the stars to align when they’ve already died”

[roosterforme]

Covering the Classics Part 9 | Bob Floyd x OC

Summary: After Anna joins him for dinner, Bob knows he needs to accept that they really are just friends. Even though her kisses are perfection. Even though he's falling in love. But what's going to stop Anna when she realizes Bob's poems are very familiar to her?

Warnings: Fluff, angst, adult language, Bob in gray sweatpants, eventually 18+

Length: 5700 words

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

Covering the Classics masterlist. Check my masterlist for more!

Bob couldn't imagine a world in which he'd go to this much trouble to make the perfect dinner for a woman who he was falling in love with, only to hear her say the words just friends. But apparently it was the world he was living in, because he spent days comparing recipes from both Bradley and Jake, hoping to make something that Anna would find irresistible.

"You should make my lasagna," Jake said for the tenth time at work on Friday morning.

Bradley snorted. "Great idea, as long as you never want to see her again. Make my homemade pasta," he told Bob. "I already gave you the recipe."

Bob just kept nodding and agreeing with whatever they said, hoping they'd eventually be quiet. Anna was coming over tonight, and he still didn't have a solid plan in mind beyond trying to convince her he'd be worth her time. That it was okay to be more than friends.

While the guys argued, Bob got himself ready to get in the air with Phoenix. He must have looked flustered, because she rubbed her thumb gently across the back of his hand when he stood next to her in the hangar. "You seem nervous. Are you still trying to figure out what to make for dinner?"

"Yeah," he replied quietly.

"Oh, Bob. She's not going to care what you make. It could be a grilled cheese sandwich."

"I always burn those," he said with a small smile. "I just feel like this is pointless. I invited her over anyway even though I know she just wants to be friends, but I'm still standing here hoping for more. I shouldn't be doing this, even if we did makeout in her office."

Nat sighed and asked, "Do you want my grandma's recipe for bruschetta chicken? You liked it when you tried it at her house last summer, and it's not that hard to make."

His eyes lit up. "Please." 

He'd only have a little bit of time to himself to prepare the meal and cook it before Anna came over, and he listened as Nat called her grandma and asked her to send it over. Before they were even called out of the hangar to start the day, he had a photo of the handwritten recipe in his phone.

"Nat, you're a lifesaver."

"Just save me some of the leftovers."

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

Friday was going so well for Anna, she almost forgot to be nervous about dinner. She met with the dean to discuss how her classes were going, and he even brought up the word tenure which sent her into a giddy spiral where she treated herself to a candy bar from the vending machine which she couldn't really afford. She carried it out to eat lunch in the quad with her friends along with her regular, uninspired sandwich and ginger ale.

She hadn't mentioned a word about going to Bob's house for dinner, but she was absolutely certain both ladies knew about it. She almost found it comical the way they were trying to get her to say something about it, but Jessica was clearly ready to boil over.

"Hi," Anna greeted, biting into her Snickers bar as she settled on the bench between them. Advanced Calculus casually offered her some carrots and hummus while Jessica's cheeks started to grow a furious shade of pink. 

"When were you going to tell us Bob invited you over for dinner tonight?" she exclaimed. 

Anna shrugged and said, "I was probably just going to tell you about it on Monday since it's nothing because we are just friends. It's only as exciting as it would be if I went over to your place for dinner."

"That's exciting, too!" Jessica said. "You should absolutely come over for dinner! But you're wrong, because it's not as exciting as Bob cooking dinner for you!"

"Jess. Chill out," came the voice from Anna's other side. "She'll learn soon enough that dinner cooked by one of the Top Gun boys is essentially a marriage proposal on a plate. A very sexy and delicious marriage proposal. You and he will be sleeping together in no time."

Anna chewed up the last bite of her Snickers and shook her head. "You're both wrong. Bob and I are just friends. The dinner means nothing, and we're not going to sleep together."

"Oh, please!" Jessica was back to practically shouting now. "If you think he's actually okay with all the making out, then you've lost your mind. He doesn't want it to be meaningless. He likes you."

Anna looked at her feet. "I know he does. I like him too."

"Then stop stringing him along! I don't understand what the problem is here, Anna."

She sat quietly now, no longer feeling so great as she picked at her sandwich.

"Hey, I know Jess sounds like an excitable terrier, but maybe you need a little tough love," Advanced Calculus said as she dipped a carrot into the hummus. "You can talk to us, you know. You can tell us what's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong," Anna whispered as her mind flooded with thoughts of Kevin and what he might be up to at the moment. 

Jess took a deep calming breath before she said, "There's just no good reason to put your dream man in the friend zone. And don't even try to lie and say Bob Floyd isn't perfection."

"He is," Anna whispered. Other than her infatuation with Sky Writing, Bob was the closest thing to a dream come true that she'd ever encountered before. But she did have her reasons, and she was too embarrassed to talk about it out loud. She was certain that Jess already knew her current financial state was in ruins, and it might be nice to have her friends understand where she was coming from, but she didn't want them to pity her. That was the last thing she needed right now. "You know what, I think I'm going to get ready for my next lecture."

She was on her feet and rushing away as her friends called after her, but she didn't stop walking until she reached her office. She was not going to cry over this, and she definitely didn't want to cancel on Bob. The only thing she could do to calm down was look at all of the books on her shelves, letting her gaze glide over the colorful spines. Then she read the note from Bob that was tucked in her copy of Papillon.

Freedom would feel like being so in love, you'd willingly let another person lock you to their side.

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

Bob had a fully stocked kitchen filled with a nice set of pots and pans and sharp knives and anything else he could possibly want, but right now, it was like he'd never cooked anything before in his life. Nat's grandmother actually had atrocious handwriting, and he could barely make out the measurements in the photo he had to work with.

"Basil," he muttered to himself, grabbing the leafy greens from the cutting board and wondering why it looked like he was supposed to use three cups of them. "I didn't even buy that much!"

He took a deep breath and walked around his kitchen, trying to clear his head. Anna was going to grab an Uber. She would be arriving in about an hour with wine and dessert. He wanted to feed her the most delicious meal he could muster, but right now he was just looking at the chicken breast on the plate in front of him like he'd never seen food before.

And he just knew Jake and Bradley never had to work this hard for a woman in their lives. Jake could rely mostly on his looks if he wanted to, and Bradley was the luckiest person he knew, reuniting with the love of his life after ten years and getting married approximately a day later. "No," he whispered, "that's not fair to them." He knew he was wrong. He knew both of them worked to get where they ended up, and he shouldn't be putting himself down so much. 

He glared at the chicken and picked up a knife. "This is fine. No problem." He had to fudge some of the measurements which made no sense, and he'd suggest to Nat that maybe her grandmother should take an eye exam, but the recipe really wasn't too terribly hard. Soon he had the browned chicken in the oven, and he set to work on the bruschetta topping and started boiling some water for the pasta. He was just adding another tablespoon of balsamic vinegar to the tomatoes and basil when he heard Anna's beautiful laughter.

Bob nearly knocked the bowl to the floor in his haste to get to her. After grabbing a dish towel for his hands, he rushed toward his front door and saw her on his porch. She was wearing a little sundress that he'd seen her in before with her worn out denim jacket over it, and he froze a few feet inside his screen door just so he could look at her. She was juggling a shopping bag and a bottle of wine, and that's when he realized she was talking to Suzanne.

"Oh, no, I'm not in the Navy," she was saying as she tossed her beautiful, red hair over her shoulder. "I'm a professor at San Diego State University. My name's Anna."

She stretched her hand out, and then Bob heard Suzanne's voice. "I'm Suzanne, and that's my cat, Sylvester. I must say, I had no idea Robert got himself a girlfriend. And such a pretty one!"

He desperately wanted to interrupt their conversation before he could hear what Anna's response was going to be, but he just couldn't. She was standing there in the last rays of the setting sun, blushing as she said, "Bob and I are actually just friends. Just good friends."

There was a beat of silence before Suzanne laughed. "Have you seen him? And he's even sweeter than he is handsome!"

Anna was laughing nervously, and Bob's heart was pounding, but he opened the screen door to bail her out anyway. "Hey," he greeted as naturally as he could, and then Anna's apprehensive gaze met his. God, all he wanted to do was drag her inside, push her up against his living room wall and kiss until she realized he wasn't going to hurt her.

"Bob," she whispered, taking a small step in his direction. Her eyes were wide and perceptive, like she could read his every thought on his face. She cleared her throat and said, "I brought wine and some cookies."

Helpless to do much of anything else, he smiled at her. "Dinner's almost ready." Then he leaned further out the door and said, "Hi, Suzanne."

His next door neighbor looked delighted as she glanced between him and Anna. "I was just talking to your charming friend here, Robert. Cooking dinner for someone certainly sounds romantic to me."

Bob was gripping the door frame as he watched Anna's face fill with panic. Then she blurted out, "Why doesn't Suzanne join us?"

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

The only thing Anna could think to do was sabotage the dinner she'd been looking forward to all week. She watched Bob's face fall slightly as he realized she invited his next door neighbor to join them for a very platonic dinner. And since Bob was the sweetest man Anna had ever met, he recovered immediately, turned to Suzanne and said, "You're more than welcome."

Ten minutes later, Bob was opening the bottle of cheap wine she'd brought while Anna watched the veins in his hands. He was graceful and lovely, and Suzanne was talking nonstop as he poured three glasses. She had nobody to blame but herself for inviting a third wheel along. The older woman was really more of a safety net. Someone to prevent Anna from kissing Bob. Someone to stop her from falling completely in love with him.

The whole house smelled amazing, and she knew this dinner was supposed to be just for her. She hadn't eaten a real meal like this, other than at the cookout, in months and months. The first bite of chicken, bruschetta and pasta was delicious enough that she moaned softly. Bob watched her take a second bite, and it was incredible. The third bite left her staring at him in wonder.

"You're the best cook in the world," Anna informed him, cutting across Suzanne talking about her cat. She didn't even care if she was being rude, the food was perfect. And it would have somehow been even better if the two of them were alone.

Bob blushed and took a sip of the wine that Anna wished was better than it was. "Thanks. Uh, it was a new recipe. I've never made it before tonight."

Suzanne took a bite and said, "Robert is an excellent cook and a real gentleman. He always makes sure I have groceries, and he picks up a little something for me if he gets dinner on his way home from work."

As Bob's cheeks grew redder, Anna's heart beat faster. "A real gentleman," she echoed, knowing he'd take care of anyone who needed something.

"Yes," Suzanne said. "You don't see many of them around. Never seen many myself."

Neither had Anna, and after she blew her life to bits, she'd probably never see one again. She listened to Bob and Suzanne talk about their favorite game shows, and she cleaned her plate before either of them had finished. All of the toast and sad sandwiches she'd been eating weren't really cutting it, and she knew that. She also didn't want to get another piece of chicken and seem like a mooch.

"Can I get you more?" Bob asked as he stood on the opposite side of the table in his worn jeans and snug white shirt. "There's plenty left."

Anna shook her head, but he reached for her plate anyway. While he was in the kitchen, Suzanne quickly finished eating and downed the rest of her wine. Softly, just for Anna to hear, she said, "He is a very nice man. I hope I see you around here in a less friendly capacity." Then she called out, "Robert? I need to go. I hear Sylvester outside bugging for food. Thanks for dinner, and enjoy your evening."

"Night, Suzanne," he replied, and the older woman bustled off without another word, leaving Anna alone with Bob when he returned with two plates refilled with food. "She's a character."

Anna laughed, but she could tell Bob was hesitant to say too much now. Probably because she'd dashed the mood in the first place. "I'm sorry I suggested she join us," she told him sincerely, shaking her head. "All week long, I'd been looking forward to talking about books with you." 

As she poked at her chicken, afraid of what he was going to say, he said, "Once you finish eating, I could show you my books. I don't have as many as you do, but maybe there's something you'd like to borrow in the mix. And then I'll drive you home."

"I can get an Uber," she insisted, taking another bite of the perfectly cooked dinner. 

"And I can just as easily drive you."

He was a gentleman. She wasn't going to leave here in an Uber no matter what she said. "Alright."

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

"You have books in every room!" Anna exclaimed as she walked around his house nibbling on a cookie. The wine she brought was kind of terrible, and so were the grocery store cookies, but Bob didn't mind. She ate two full plates of the dinner he cooked, and now that Suzanne was gone, she seemed more herself.

"I have a system," he insisted as she sat down on his living room floor to inspect a stack of paperbacks.

"I'm not buying it," she said, glancing at him over her shoulder.

"Try me. The living room is poetry. The extra bedroom is mysteries. The dining room is true crime."

"What's in your bedroom?" she asked, flipping through a collection by Robert Frost.

Bob wanted to tell her that his bedroom was where he wrote his own poetry. And that they had begun to turn into a collection all about her. "Romance," he said.

She laughed softly, such a pretty sound. "I'm assuming you don't have any Vonnegut? No soul massacring, unhappy endings?"

"None," he promised. "You won't find any of those around here."

She was skimming a page as she muttered, "Good. I've had enough of that anyway." Then she stood and carried the Frost poems to another small pile on his coffee table. She rooted around and pulled out a volume by Walt Whitman before asking, "Could I borrow these two?"

Bob was admiring how perfect she looked in his house when she met his eyes with her pretty brown ones. "Of course," he said, dropping down onto the couch as he finished his own cookie. "Anything you want."

She stood and carried the books over to her purse before sitting down a few feet away from him. "What I want is to help you organize your books for real. Have you ever heard of a bookshelf before?"

"Never," he replied innocently. "What's that?"

She laughed and scooted a little closer. "You know those big, wooden things that were holding all the books when we met at that store in North Park? Remember that day?"

He knew she was just joking around, but as he memorized the pattern of her freckles, he said, "I will never forget that day."

Once again, Anna initiated the kiss, and once again, Bob was helpless to pump the brakes. She leaned in close with her hand on his knee and brushed her lips against his. It was so sweet, he was almost able to ask her to stop. Even though it felt too good, he was nearly able to tell her he couldn't do this. But being tortured was worth it. That was the worst part.

He let her do what she wanted, and her soft hands found their way to his face, knocking his glasses askew on their way into his hair. He wanted to touch her, but he was afraid he'd lose himself in these kisses that meant so much more to him than they did to her. He counted to ten slowly in his mind, savoring every touch and taste, letting Anna settle against his thigh. Then he broke the kiss, leaving her hovering there, surprise on her face.

She pressed her lips together, and turned her face toward his front door. "I'll never forget that day either."

He nodded as her hands fell away from his hair and his face, and he whispered, "Grab the books you want to borrow, and I'll drive you home."

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

"He's a gentleman," Anna groaned in her bed on the floor of her tiny apartment the following morning. It was Saturday, and she didn't have much she needed to accomplish today which would leave her plenty of time to think about the drive home in Bob's truck and the way he walked her to her door. She didn't kiss him again, but he always seemed to be close enough that she could feel his body heat in the chilly night air. Even now, when she grabbed at some strands of her hair, she swore she could still smell his fresh scent there.

She needed to get out. She grabbed her phone and took the longest walk imaginable. Her legs were burning by the time she stopped in a corner store for something to eat for lunch, but the sandwich was almost as bad as the ones she had been making for herself. Nothing would be as good as what Bob cooked, and he served it up last night like it was no big deal at all.

As Anna started the long walk back to her apartment, she groaned while she blasted her music. She had invited his elderly neighbor to join them for dinner, and then she had kissed him again. She was so embarrassing. She'd never been like this when she was in New Jersey, never doing the most mortifying things over and over. 

She didn't go home for a long time. She walked through an enormous park and looked at a fountain while she daydreamed about all of her unfinished manuscripts. When that started to hurt too much, she watched the storm clouds that were rolling in from the coast and thought it might be nice to get soaking wet. Then a few fat raindrops started to hit her face as she realized that she wouldn't be able to replace her phone if it got destroyed. 

"Damn it," she muttered, starting to run through the park under the cover of the trees. The sky was quickly getting darker as she tried to stay under awnings and overhangs as much as possible until she reached her apartment building. Her clothing was soaked, but her phone was still in working order when she ran inside, dripping all over the welcome mat in the small entryway.

She desperately wanted to cry, but that wouldn't solve anything, so she took a long shower instead. She washed and braided her hair, and then she painted her nails. When she finally picked up her phone again, she had a new message from Bob.

Bob Floyd: Taking your advice and buying one of those bookshelves? Was that what they were called? Which one do you think is better?

He had attached two screenshots of nice looking shelves from Ikea that she'd never be able to afford at the moment. She smiled as she typed back to him while she heated up a can of soup for dinner.

Yes, they are called bookshelves. Are you sure you know how to use them? I like the navy blue one better.

The flavorless chicken noodle soup went well with Anna's mood as she sat on the floor and watched a show on her phone. Part of her wanted to know what her friends were up to, but she didn't want to have to tell them about last night. She knew Bob and Jess would be going out to play Dungeons & Dragons soon anyway, but she dropped her spoon in the bowl when Bob wrote back again.

Bob Floyd: I think I'll pick it up tomorrow and make it my rainy Sunday project. Feel like helping me build it?

"Oh, Anna. Don't."

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

Bob pulled up to Anna's building on Sunday afternoon after stopping to pick up the shelf. It had been pouring rain since last night, and he had to wrap his new furniture box in a tarp to protect it in the bed of his truck. But this would be a great way to spend the afternoon. He could make two cups of tea, and she could help him organize his books. They didn't need to kiss anymore. He would see to it that they didn't. He could handle this whole thing without issue.

He left his truck idling at the curb, and Anna came running outside like she'd been waiting for him. He grabbed his umbrella and met her halfway, shouting, "I was going to walk up and get you!" over the sound of the rain. She joined him under the umbrella, her denim jacket pretty wet as she shrugged.

"The rain's okay. It reminds me of New Jersey."

Once he opened the door and helped her scramble in, he ran around to the other side of the truck. He was barely able to find a dry spot on his shirt so he could wipe off his glasses, and when he yanked the hem up, he could feel Anna's eyes on his body. There was no sense in feeling self conscious about the way he looked now, because nothing else was going to happen. Last night had to be the end of that.

"You ready?" he asked, cranking the key in the ignition when she nodded. His wipers were going full speed as he drove her back to his house for the second visit in one weekend. "Thanks for helping with this. I kind of realized that having everything on one big shelf makes more sense. Especially if I keep borrowing books from you."

Her laugh was soft as she said, "If you don't borrow my books, then nobody will."

"Same goes for mine," he replied easily as he headed toward the beach. "But don't you dare dog ear my pages."

Now she laughed louder. "I read most of Whitman last night before I fell asleep, and there's nary a bent page in sight."

"That's what I like to hear." When he pulled up in front of his house, he handed her the umbrella and his keys. "Go ahead and let yourself in, and I'll unload the box."

She just gaped at him in response and asked, "Don't you need help carrying it?"

"Nah," he replied, popping his door open, "I can get it."

Bob struggled a little bit with the tarp before sliding the massive box closer to the edge of the truck tailgate. Every movement was made slower by the pounding rain in his face, but he managed to tip it into his arms. It was heavy, but not too bad, and his grip on the wet cardboard was good enough for him to get it inside the house. Anna was standing on the porch, holding open his screen door with the umbrella folded up at her feet, and he accidentally brushed against her with his arm as he maneuvered himself through the door.

"Sorry."

"It's okay," she said, her voice a little breathy as she let the screen door close and helped him prop the box against the wall. "This is massive."

"I guess now I can buy more books," he said with his hands on his hips while he dripped all over the place. "I'm going to get changed quickly, and then we can build the shelf and organize it, and then I'll make dinner."

Her eyes lit up. "You'll make dinner again?"

"Yeah. I was going to see if I can attempt a grilled cheese without burning it. I'll be right back." And then he headed upstairs to his bedroom where he had clean undershirts, some sweatpants and all of his favorite books.

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

Anna was halfway through unboxing and organizing the shelf pieces on the floor when Bob walked back downstairs. She'd removed her denim jacket, and her leggings and tank top were mostly dry, and she'd settled on the floor with the instruction book. "It looks like we'll need a screwdriver or a drill...." 

Her sentence tapered off when she looked up at Bob just casually standing there in one of his white shirts and a pair of gray sweatpants and neatly combed, damp hair. The ability to speak escaped her.

"I can grab my toolbox," he told her, adjusting the waistband of his sweatpants before disappearing toward the kitchen. She needed to lie down. She stretched out on the floor and stared at the ceiling as rain pelted the window next to her. 

"Oh my god," she whispered before biting down on her lip. She wanted him. She liked every damn thing about him, and then he had to look and smell and sound so good on top of it all. The Walt Whitman poems weren't the only thing she had read last night. Sky Writing's words from her favorite poems were also in her mind, and she couldn't shake them. Anna had just rolled into her side, staring at the instructions without actually seeing them, when he walked back in. 

"Are you okay?"

"Great," she said, voice raspy. She was in fact not great. She was the opposite of great. When Bob handed her the toolbox and said he was going to make two mugs of tea, she took the time to pull herself together. Sweaty palms glided along her leggings, and she read the instructions through. It seemed simple enough, and she had the hardware in order by the time Bob returned with two steaming mugs.

"Thanks," she whispered as he settled onto the floor next to her. She knew this was how good things would be if she could date Bob. Hot tea and homemade meals and someone around who loved books. "You're really sweet."

He didn't say anything as he sipped his tea, so Anna did the same. It was raining so hard, she couldn't tell if what she heard was thunder or not, but inside Bob's house, everything was warm and cozy. "Let's get started," he finally said, leaning in front of her to set his mug on the windowsill.

They spoke quietly, mostly about the shelf, while she handed him hardware and tools. Anna found herself distracted as she watched his hair dry and lighten in color as they worked together. Every bump of his muscular arm against hers felt intentional, but she couldn't tell for sure, and she was too afraid to ruin this friendship beyond repair. Especially after what her friends had told her at lunch on Friday.

"I need the screwdriver," he said, bumping her gently with his elbow as he held two perpendicular pieces of wood in place. 

"I can get it," she replied, finally refocused on the task before her. "I'll screw it in." She tried to reach in front of him, but he was too tall. When he moved his arms a little further apart, she popped up between them so she was standing between his body and the shelf. "I'll only take a second."

She could feel Bob's warm breath against her ear, and all he could think was that she would fit perfectly in his arms if he decided to just drop what he was holding and wrap them around her instead. "Take your time," he murmured, because of course his arms wouldn't get tired in this position. She fumbled the screw. His body was immaculate, and it was all she could think about as he exhaled and tickled her hair.

"I'm trying," she whispered, fumbling the screw again. Finally she had it in place, and Bob released the shelf, but he didn't move away from her.

"Think you can screw the last two in as well? Then we'll be done."

She nodded and decided to go slower, savor this tiny bit of intimacy and pretend he was hers. Then it was done.

"It looks good."

She barely had to turn to look at him over her shoulder. "It's a nice shelf. How do you want to arrange your books?"

He was still standing close as he said, "Poetry on the top? Since it's my favorite?"

"Yeah," she told him with a laugh. "Banish it to the top where nobody but you can reach it."

He cocked his head and leaned in closer. "Are you insulting the poetry or commenting on my height?"

"A bit of both," she replied right away. The living was darker now from the storm and from the time of day, but she could see his smile perfectly. 

"Come on, Anna. We both know you love the poetry. You borrowed two volumes the other day."

She only hummed in response before ducking away from him and reaching for a stack of his books. She handed them to him one at a time, commenting on them like she was giving each a bad review. "Oh, this one is too flowery. Too many words and no substance." She handed him another after he shelved the first one. "This author put all their best works at the beginning of the collection. The second half is terrible."

Bob chuckled as she picked up a book that she knew was a favorite of his. "Hey, you better watch what you say about that one."

She waved it in the air, unable to reach the top shelf, and he snatched it out of her hand. "I'm going to be brutally honest," she said softly, and Bob's hand rested on her back almost like a warning. "I loved it."

He smiled and let his fingers trail along her back as he nodded toward the stairs. "Want to help me tackle the mystery books in the extra bedroom?"

"Sure," she told him, leading the way to the steps. "But first, you have to tell me why you like poetry so much."

"What's not to like?" he replied as she started up. "All of the emotions are there. You're allowed to write about any combination of emotions that you're feeling at any given time. And I think that's pretty cool."

Anna's steps slowed a little as she considered his words. "Write?" she asked, turning to look back at him as he made his way up behind her. "Did you say write?"

"Uh. I did. Yeah."

Truly, she loved reading poetry, but she didn't have much of a knack for writing it. She didn't even think she was good enough for PoetsAmongUs. "What's something you've written?"

Bob laughed, and Anna stumbled on the top step as he said, "Just some amateur gibberish like, 'Devotion woven into every breath I take. Love that knows no boundaries, no end.' Nothing amazing."

She gripped the banister to keep herself upright, and then she spun and sat down hard on the top step. Suddenly she felt like she couldn't breathe. She knew those words intimately. She knew the whole fucking poem by heart. She knew everything else he had written as well, because she'd been reading his poetry for years.

"Bob," she croaked, and he rushed toward her, hands gentle on her ankle and leg.

"Are you okay? Did you twist it?"

"Bob," she gasped, reaching for the front of his undershirt and pulling him closer so he was focused on her face. "You're Sky Writing."

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

BOB IS SKY WRITING, ANNA. What the hell are you going to do now, babe? Please, make good choices. Thank you @beyondthesefourwalls

PART 10

@thedroneranger

@theamuz

@cherrycola27

@katiedid-3

@yuckosworld

@je-suis-prest-rachel

@callsign-magnolia

@avaleineandafryingpan

@t-nd-rfoot

@eddiemunsonreader

@wintercap89

@the-fever-of-mankind

@sio-ina-bottle

@lovingperfectionsblog

@daisydont-lie

@sappy-seresin

@birdy-bat-writes

@cutelittlefakejourneys

@cottagecori

@fandom-princess-forevermore

@sotalife

@novastories

@xoxabs88xox

@rileyanntoinette

@mannsachds

@midnightmagpiemama

@greatszu

@zetasaturno99

@lovingrobertfloyd

@taytaylala12

@captain-fandomwriter58

@grxcisxhy-wp

@hobireasns

@wolfquake23

@smileybouquet

@paintlavillered

@seitmai

@noonenuts

@amiets2

@imnotcreativeenoughforthisblog

@lonelysoul50

@sweetwhispersofchaos

[ereardon]

The Back Seater and the Baker || Chapter 3 [Bob Floyd x f!OC]

Overview: Bob hasn't seen Haley Nichols since he was fifteen. But when Haley shows up out of the blue with one sentence that throws Bob for a loop – "I'm turning thirty in two weeks, are we still on?" – all of the feelings from their childhood return. Bob never thought that Haley would remember the marriage pact the two made when they were just kids, even if he never forgot. So what happens when Bob falls all over again for his childhood crush? And what will Bob do when he discovers the real reason she came back to capitalize on the pact is to secure her inheritance and save her bakery from bankruptcy? Will he believe Haley when she confesses that she loves him, too?

Pairing: Robert "Bob" Floyd x OC [Bakery owner Haley Nichols]

Tropes: Marriage pact

Chapter summary: Bob defends Bradley and Haley in a bar fight at the Hard Deck and when Bob gets punched, it reminds Haley of a similar event from their childhood

Warnings: Cursing, alcohol, fighting, angst

Word count: 2.5K

Series masterlist here; previous chapter here

The first time you kissed Bob Floyd, you were fifteen. 

It was a chilly February day. Winter in low country was odd. Nothing like the blizzarding plains of the midwest or the arctic chills that run down the eastern coast. It was damp at times and gray but never overt. The cold slipped in, an unknown intruder, and dug its claws in until you didn’t realize that it had completely taken over. And by the time you realized, it was slithering away, already on its way out, only to be seen again in a few months. A welcome friend after the humid, long days of summer that turned popsicles into a sticky puddle in a matter of minutes and sleek hair into a frizzy mane without proper technique. 

The day you first kissed Bob Floyd, you were bundled under a sweater and his jacket, one he had slung around your shoulders as the two of you departed the old house your grandparents lived in, making your way through the thick grass. 

The two of you paused under the old willow tree, the sun slipping down below the fence line. It was Valentine’s Day. 

You smiled up at him. He smiled down at you. And without saying anything, the two of you leaned into each other, your lips grazing for the first time, your heart threatening to beat out of your chest. 

And even though you had never kissed another boy before and even though he was your best friend, there was something different about the moment you and Bob connected. 

It changed everything. And when you pulled away, he grinned down at you and you knew that forever with him wouldn’t be long enough. 

Six months later, you moved away and Bob Floyd faded into your past. 

Fifteen years later, you were in the same exact position. Bob’s lips brushing yours, your fingertips wrapped around his neck, one of his hands cupping your neck, holding you close. 

And this time, when you leaned back, your stomach dropped. Because it was just like the first time. And you knew that you could love him again if you let yourself. Maybe there was a reason the bakery was failing. Maybe there was a reason none of the other guys between now and then had ever worked out. 

Maybe, despite how insane and stupid it sounded, it was always meant to be Bob Floyd. 

Maybe you wouldn’t hurt him. 

“Peanut,” he whispered, his forehead pressed against yours. “Is this really happening?” 

You pulled back, Bob’s blue eyes searing into yours, and smiled. “Yeah, Bobby. It is.” 

He brushed a section of hair behind your ear. “I don’t even know what to say. Other than I’m so glad you decided to come find me.” 

“Bobby, I—” Just then, the doorbell rang. 

The two of you looked at each other. “Hold that thought,” Bob said, untangling himself from you, striding over to the front door. He returned a minute later with a pizza box which he slid onto the coffee table. “What were you saying?” 

You shook your head, your heart beating erratically. “I was just going to say that I’m starving.” 

His smile faltered. “Well, let’s eat, honey.” 

You settled onto the couch next to Bob, one of his strong arms stretched out over your shoulders. Instinctively, you leaned into his side as he turned on the TV. You held back the tears that threatened to spill down onto your pizza slice. 

He was perfect. He had been perfect back then. But you were kids. You had thought everything would have a rosy glow because of it. That time would have passed and you’d realize the only reason it was so good back then was because it was in the past. It was unattainable in the way that only memories can be. That time had softened any rough edges of your memory. 

But the truth was, it was just as good as it had been. Perhaps better. You looked up at Bob, the colorful lights of the TV illuminating his silhouette. He was beautiful. He was perfect. 

Your stomach cramped. It was your internal alarm system. 

You were in way over your head.  

***

“I can’t do this,” you said into the phone, tossing it on your bed as you searched for an outfit. “It’s not fair to him.” 

On the other end of the line, Calvin sighed. He was across the country and you could still picture his stance perfectly. Lips puckered up in a pout, probably leaning one hand on the stainless steel bartop where you two decorated your bakes. “I knew it,” he said and you frowned. “You like him.” 

You grabbed a black dress before throwing it back on the bed and picking up a strappy tank top instead. “He’s a good person,” you explained. “Like an actual good person. The kind that returns carts at the grocery store for old ladies and offers to watch your kid for free and would spend his entire day helping someone build a deck if they asked.”

“This isn’t new information, is it?” Cal asked. “You knew him before, right?”

“Yeah,” you whispered. “I did.” The Bob Floyd you had known as a kid was just as sweet. He would wait after the fourth period with a slice of pizza wrapped in paper napkins if he knew you wouldn’t have time to eat lunch. He would go miles out of his way to walk you home after school. He was the one who had tried to stay in touch after you left. He was the better one. “I just, I don’t know. Maybe a part of me hoped he wouldn’t be such a good person anymore. But he is. He’s great.” 

“It’s not too late to come home,” Cal said. “Maybe there’s another way to save the bakery.” 

“You and I both know there isn’t,” you said quietly. 

“Then do what you have to,” he replied. “And Haley?”

“Yeah?”

“Maybe he’ll forgive you.” 

***

It was a Friday. You remember because you had a sleepover planned with Amber Wilson and her parents had a house right on the beach on Sullivan’s Island. You were supposed to eat salt water taffy and dip your toes in the sand and spend the night giggling and dialing boy’s phone numbers. 

Instead, you found yourself holding an ice pack to Bob’s eye in the nurse’s office. 

It was after the final bell, and everyone was collecting their backpacks from their lockers. The halls were crowded. Dense with flailing limbs and open book bags and noisy with excitement for the weekend. 

So noisy that you didn’t hear it at first. That was, until a crowd started to gather near the Spanish classroom, and your ears perked up with interest. You pushed your way toward the action, jaw dropped when you saw what was happening. 

Billy Turner had Bob by the backpack straps, dangling him in the air. You shoved forward, actually grabbing and tossing a few kids in your effort to get to Bob, a loud yell exiting your mouth as Billy turned to see you shoving him. 

He set Bob down, turning to you with a slick grin. “Haley Nichols. Should have known Floyd would need a girl to defend him.” 

“Shut your fucking face, Billy,” you spat, eyes burning. “Pick on someone your own size you enormous fuck.” 

He laughed. “Hear that, Floyd? Little girl here wants me to leave you alone.” Billy eyed Bob who was busy rubbing the angry red stripes on his shoulders where the backpack straps had dug in as Billy knocked him around. “You’re a fucking baby, aren’t you? That’s what you are, a little fucking baby.” 

And then Billy was reaching out, one fist clipping Bob’s face, knocking his glasses to the ground, Bob crumpling shortly afterward. You instinctively shoved Billy as hard as you could and he careened into a group of people near the beige lockers. “Fuck off, Turner!” you screamed. 

You rushed forward, bending down, pulling Bob up gently. He held his glasses in his hands, looking up at you with the saddest eyes you had ever seen. You pulled him in close and he crumpled against you, your fingers on his cheeks, one arm wrapped around him. Bob leaned against you and you turned your gaze to where Billy stood off to the side. 

You glared at him. “Fuck you,” you mouthed silently. He turned and stomped away. 

The crowd dissipated once they realized the action was over. It was just you and Bob, standing in the hallway, his head pressed to your chest. Finally, he straightened up and you could see the start of a black eye. 

“Fuck,” you whispered, touching it softly. He grimaced. 

“I’m sorry,” he murmured quietly, voice breaking. 

You frowned. “For what?” 

“Being a nerd,” he admitted. “Getting beat up by a bully like Billy. You must think I’m a freak.” 

You shook your head. “No. Don’t say that.”

Bob looked up with watery eyes. “You deserve better.” 

“Stop it.” You pulled him in close, wrapping your arms around his waist, waiting until he dropped his chin down onto your shoulder. Until you heard his sniffles dissipate. “I’ll never find someone better than you, Bob Floyd,” you whispered. “Never.” 

***

You had come to realize that the bar they all went to wasn’t a special occasion place or a one in a while hangout. It was a daily occurrence for a lot of the team, minus Bob. 

So when the two of you pulled up in Bob’s truck hand in hand, it was no surprise that the entire team was waiting there with grins on their faces. 

“Well, well, look who it is.” Bradley stepped in, pressing a kiss to your cheek. He grinned. “Don’t forget, Floyd, we owe these girls some drinks after that flight.” 

Bob squeezed your hand, leaning in close. “Can I get you a drink, darlin’?” 

You nodded. “Gin and tonic?” 

“You got it, sweetheart.” 

That left you alone near the edge of the room with Phoenix, Hangman and Coyote. Jake slung his arm around your shoulders and you grimaced. “So you and Floyd, huh?” Jake asked. 

“Yup.” 

“That came out of nowhere,” he said and you recognized the way he said it. 

He was jealous. You smirked. “Did it?” you asked. “Or maybe we’ve spent the last fifteen years wondering if things would ever live up to how we made them in our heads about each other.” 

“She got you there,” Coyote said and you laughed. 

You grabbed Jake’s hand, slowly unwinding his arm from your shoulders and putting it back down against his side, patting his arm lightly. “Don’t worry, you’ll find someone. Hangman.” 

Phoenix laughed, taking a sip of her beer with a smirk. “Fuck, Hangman, Bob’s girl got you good.” 

Bob returned a minute later along with Bradley and a round of drinks. You nuzzled into his side, sipping on your G&T, nodding enthusiastically at the stories swirling above your head. Throughout the night, Bob kept his arm tight around your waist. Occasionally he would lean down, whisper into your ear. A secret only the two of you knew. A joke about Hangman’s lack of game. Telling you again how beautiful you were. 

After a few hours, Bob let you go reluctantly, following Bradley and Coyote to the far side of the bar, apparently to make good on a bet about darts. You turned to Phoenix, about to ask her what it was like to fly with Bob, when you heard the first shout. 

“You know what you did, Bradshaw!” 

“Oh, fuck,” Phoenix said, setting her beer down and grabbing your hand. “We gotta go.” 

“What’s happening?” you asked, craning your head, trying to find the source of the commotion. 

Jake put one hand on Phoenix’s back, slightly lower than you would have expected. “Nix, let me handle this.” 

“Whatever you say, Bagman,” she said, eyes narrowing. He looked down at her for a second too long before pulling his hand away, walking in front of her, leading the charge. 

“Leave it, Underwood.” You recognized Bradley’s voice but there was anxiety lacing the words. He was concerned.

“She’s my girlfriend, you asshole.” 

“Ex-girlfriend.” It was Bob correcting him. You grimaced, hand squeezing Phoenix’s, trying to push closer despite the crowd. 

“Stay out of this, Floyd.” The angry guy. “Go back to your slutty girlfriend.” 

“Don’t fucking talk about her like that.” His words could cut stone, they were so sharp. 

There was a laugh. Phoenix tugged you the remaining steps until the two of you were thrust out into the front of the crowd, just around the ring of air that had enveloped Bob, Bradley, Coyote and Underwood. Jake stood on the edge of the fray, eyes hard, assessing the situation. You could see how he would be good in combat. He had the ability to cut out all of the background noise and center in on the problem. You suddenly felt a little safer. 

That was, until Underwood opened his mouth again. 

He stepped in closer to Bob, eyes blazing. He was a large guy, blond buzzcut, thick build. The way they grow them in the midwest: tall and broad and simple. “I said, your girlfriend is a slut.” 

Bob’s fist came out faster than you could even see. All you saw was the aftermath. The way his clip to Underwood’s left cheek had him gasping, sputtering, before righting himself, reaching for Bob. Bradley stepped in, grabbing the larger man’s shoulders, twisting him, dodging a punch before landing one himself right in the guy’s stomach. Underwood grunted and Bob and Bradley made eye contact, but then he was back on his feet, punching Bob, leveling him to the floor. You let out a screech, rushing forward, dropping Phoenix’s hand as Jake stepped in alongside Coyote, all three of them trying to hold back the larger man. 

You dropped to your knees, reaching out, holding Bob’s head in your hands as Penny rang the bell at the bar. 

“All of you!” she shouted, one finger pointed toward the door. “Out.” 

“Come on, honey,” you murmured, helping Bob to stand, one hand gripping his arm, leading him outside. 

Bradley, Coyote and Jake tossed Underwood out onto the gravel of the parking lot. You watched as he stood up, blood dripping from his brow, before glaring and limping away toward a white truck. 

You helped Bob sit on a bench next to the bar, kneeling at his feet, touching his face gently. “Does that hurt?” you asked softly.

Bob looked up. “God, this is really like ninth grade all over again, isn’t it?” 

You laughed. “He did have a very Billy Turner vibe to him.” 

“I’m sorry, Peanut,” he whispered. 

You leaned in, pressing your lips against his softly. Bob grunted quietly and you pulled away with a sheepish smile. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he murmured. “Do it again.” 

You laughed, leaning in, kissing him again. “I’ll tell you now what I told you then,” you whispered. “I’m never going to find someone better than you, Bob Floyd. But don’t feel like you have to defend me. Let them make fun of me, I don’t care. I’m not worth it.” 

Bob reached out, running one finger down the side of your cheek. “When are you going to realize, Haley Nichols, that you’re the one thing that’s worth anything?” 

Tag list (if notifications aren't working for you please turn on notifications for my library page @ereardonlibrary instead)

@wkndwlff @bobfloydsbabe @teacupsandtopgun @blue-aconite @clancycucumber230 @yanna-banana @whisperofsong

@marvelshauntedhouse @that1nerd-20

@double-j @topguncultleader @momc95 @hangmandruigandmav

@minamisulemisa @shawnsblue

@seresinhangmanjake @brehonodea @babyminghao @crthurston

@angelbabyange @taytaylala12 @mizzzpink @mygyn @sadpetalsstuff @averyhotchner @oneelleandaneye @shanimallina87

@wittywhispers @wildlyobserving @eyesthatroll @localhockeygirl @xomrsalliej4787xo @rosiahills22 @xoxabs88xox

@sexytholland @djs8891 @rxmtoon @darkestbeforethedawn16

@cactajuice @purplevortexx @dempy @lemur46

@louie-bug @arson-tm @valkyrja-siren-blog @avengers-fixation

@fudge13 @phantomxoxo @a-court-of-roscoe-and-baby @not-two-shrimp @horseshoegirl @abaker74 @evans-dejong @storysimp @emma8895eb  @briseisgone @katiedid-3 @beacheybabes97 @mandylove100 @justabovewater20 @londonbeachgirl

[mischievouslittlecreature]

Part 12: Fashionably Late

Fandom: Inception

Pairing: Robert Fischer x OC

Summary: They need to get ready soon, unless they want to be late.

Word Count: 1,474  

Notes: Warnings for depictions of sexual content.

Previous Part • Series • Next Part

“Which one for tonight?” Robert emerged from the door of the walk in closet, a hanger dangling from each hand. He was quite a sight, standing there in just his boxers, hair all ruffled with two extremely expensive suits in each hand. Alice sat up from where she had been lounging in the bed, propping herself up on her elbows to get a better look at him. The collar of Robert’s t-shirt, an old, incredibly worn one that she was pretty sure was from back when he was in college, slipped precariously off one of her shoulders at her movement. She eyed the suits and oh, it was incredibly unfair of him to make her choose between those two in particular. 

The first was a lovely dark pinstripe. It made him look sleek and powerful. And the warm hued maroon or purple ties he often paired with it brought out the warm tones of his hair. She narrowed her eyes, head tilted to the side as she tried to remember the last time she had seen him wear it. Was it that trip they had taken to Japan a few months ago? Yes, that seemed right. He had worn it on the plane only to strip the jacket off halfway through the flight, smirking at her when he caught her practically drooling over the white button down, tie, and suspenders he had been sporting underneath.

The second suit was charcoal gray, double breasted, and did a lovely job of hugging the trim, lean lines of his body. Robert often wore it paired with the light blue tie that brought out the piercing color of his eyes. Alice had a pretty, lacy blue dress she could wear that would match it nicely. 

The last time she had seen that suit, it had been crumpled up in a heap on the floor of their hotel room in France, her head thrown back in pleasure while Robert thrusted frantically into her on the massive king sized bed. 

Whatever suit she picked, she was thoroughly doomed to spend the better part of the evening wanting to climb him like a tree.

“The charcoal one,” she said finally. Robert smirked, turning to hang the pinstripe suit back in the closet, setting the double breasted charcoal one down on the chair. “And wear the light blue tie with it?” she leaned back and stretched, not missing the way his eyes raked over the strip of bare abdomen that was revealed when his shirt rode up at her movements. 

“Of course.”

She kicked the blankets away, moving to get out of bed, but he had already moved to stand in front of her, hands sliding through her hair before he caressed her jaw and tilted her head up to kiss her. Alice sighed happily against his lips, allowing her hands to frame his hips and draw him in closer to her. His chest was warm when it pressed against her, the scent of his cologne all around her. Lips parted from each other only for him to earnestly pepper kisses over her jaw and neck before he stopped, allowing his head to rest with his face buried in her neck for a moment before he sighed.

“If we don’t get dressed now, we’ll be late,” it was already late afternoon, and they had to get ready and then drive all the way across town to where the gala venue was. 

“Mmhm,” but she made no move to get up or push him away, only stroking her fingers through his soft hair, leaning closer when his thumb began to rub circles into the bare skin of her hip. Robert’s breath was warm against her shoulder. Alice pecked a kiss to the side of his head and he whined, borrowing closer against her.

“I don’t want to go,” he leaned back and pouted at her. She laughed, tracing her thumb over his bottom lip. 

“I’ll fake a headache or something a few hours in, insist that you take me home,” it wouldn’t be the first time one of them had faked an illness to get out of a boring business gala. He nuzzled closer to her, those beautiful piercing eyes so soft and adoring that it made her heart ache.

“You’re my favorite,” he insisted, kissing her shoulder and peering up at her sweetly. “What?”

Alice shook her head and smiled. “Nothing. You’re pretty,” she leaned in to press a kiss to his nose. “And you’re my favorite too.” 

The little blush that spread over his cheeks was incredibly cute. Warm fingers toyed with the hem of her shirt. “I like you in my clothes.”

She didn’t have time to really process the slight growl in his voice before he was kissing her again, and then his mouth was pressed back to her neck, kissing there softly, and then more roughly, hands beginning to push up the t-shirt covering her body.

“Robbie,” she breathed out warningly, pleadingly, even as she arched her back and let him crawl over her, pressing her firmly into the mattress. “Sweetheart, we’re going to be late,” she giggled as his lips ticked the sensitive skin of her shoulder, his palms warm as they smoothed against her sides.

“Don’t care,” he mumbled back. Snorting, she wound her arms around him, his body slotting perfectly between her legs, warm. His mouth found hers again hungrily, shirt half pushed up her body, hands rubbing up and down before squeezing at her waist.

“Honey, we really should get ready…” she mumbled, even as her legs lifted to wrap around his hips and pull him closer, moaning as she felt the beginnings of an erection already growing in his boxers. “Okay. Okay, seriously,” she laughed as she pulled back. “Stop. We’ve got to get ready.”

He pulled back from her immediately, rolling off to lay on his side next to her on the bed, head half propped up with one hand.

“You’re right,” he said, fingertips reaching out to stroke her cheek. 

“What?” she asked, head cocking. It wasn’t like he was normally excited to go to galas, but he didn’t usually drag his feet or pout as intently as he was this time. 

“Nothing. I just…” he sighed, rolling over to lay on his back and stare at the ceiling. “Sometimes I wish that we didn’t have to worry about any of this.”

“What? The company?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he mumbled, forearm resting upon his head. “There are times where I wonder what it would be like if we just, I don’t know…” he trailed off, biting his lip. Alice rested her palm on the center of his chest.

“Ran away together?”

He laughed, softly. “Yeah. Something like that.”

“I don’t think that there’s anywhere we could go where Maurice wouldn’t be able to find us.”

“Yeah, probably not.”

“But…if you ever wanted to give running away a shot…” she smiled gently, “I’d go with you.”

The back of his hand stroked her cheek. “I love you.”

She kissed the center of his palm. “I love you too.”

His thumb petted her bottom lip, before he huffed and pulled away, standing and going over to the suit he’d had her pick out, resigning himself to preparing for the dreaded event. Alice stared at his pale back; the light freckles dusting across his skin, lean muscles moving in his shoulders as he started to fumble with the suit. Swinging her legs off the bed, she rose quietly and padded over to him, arms wrapping around his waist while she kissed one of his shoulder blades.

“Look at me,” she said, quietly, turning him around to face her. Robert’s baby blue eyes blinked at her owlishly as she stretched up on her toes and kissed him. “I know work’s been hard, lately,” she told him, feeling the knots in his shoulders as her fingers ran along his back. “It’ll be okay.”

“Mm,” he swallowed hard, nodding as his head dropped to nuzzle at her. “Thanks, Al.”

“Mhm,” she stroked his hair, pressing her lips to his cheek, then his jaw, down his neck.

“What’re you doing?” he asked with a small laugh as her hands ran over his naked chest. Alice just hummed against his pale throat.

“Nothing,” she purred innocently.

“Uh huh,” he chuckled, hands landing on her hips while she began to suck his neck. Using the tip of a finger, he tilted her chin up, kissing her deeply once her head was angled upwards. He moaned softly against her lips as she pressed closer, palms spread out over his chest. And then his hands were on her ass, gripping her tight and hoisting her up onto his hips, carrying her back towards the bed without even breaking the kiss.

In the end, they were very, very late getting to the gala. 

Previous Part • Series • Next Part

Thank you for reading! Please consider leaving a comment, reblog, or like. I always appreciate feedback and love getting the opportunity to interact with you and hear your thoughts!

[star0mania]

TWD OC U3U

"I am Eddie Delkins. The Theatre Kid and Carl's awesome boyfriend....NOW EAT THIS SUCKA!" 

Full Name: Edward "Eddie" Delkins

Preferred name: Eddie

Age: 10 (season 1) 12 (season 2-3) 13 (season 4-5) 14 (season 6-8) 15 (season 9)

Date  of Birth: Unknown

Place of Birth: Utah

Gender: Male

Birth gender: Female

Titles: -The Theatre Kid -The Class Clown

Nickname: Eddie (various people) Eds (close friends) Eddie Spaghetti (best friends) Stupid nutbrain (sister)

Sexuality: Panromantic, Demisexual

Weapon: A baseball bat with needles

Personality: Kind Honest Brave Bold Adventurous Funny Loyal Caring Independent Stubborn Impatient Sarcastic  Kind of innocent? Cocky "You hurt them, you die" Tries to make people feel better about the currant situation- 

Hobbies: Playing on piano Solving puzzles Playing with his pet fox Reading Playing on the drums Drawing  Magic tricks

Best Friends: Carl Grimes 

Friends: Judith Grimes Your OC Daryl Dixon  Hershal Greene Beth Greene Mikey Lori Grimes Maggie Rhee  Glenn Rhee e.t.c

Enemies: The bad guys pfff

Family: Cole Moncreo (adopted father), 31, deceased, got beaten by Negan's bat Actor: Pedro Pascal

Elle Delkins (twin sister) alive Actress: Bella Ramsey  Crush: Enid Rhee (soon becomes her girlfriend)

Terrence Delkins (brother) 15, deceased, got shot by Eddie after getting bitten by a walker in season 3 Actor: Tom Holland

Millie (mother) 41, deceased, eaten by walkers -Picture: Unknown-

Jacob (father) 41, deceased, got shot by Rick in season 5 because he was an enemy working for an enemy group, The Fireflies (yes I made it up).

Firestar (pet fox) deceased, suffered from starvation in season 9

Rofee (pet dog), deceased, got stabbed by Elle after getting bitten by a walker in season 9

Cottontail (sister's pet rabbit) alive

"Terry, why doesn't mommy and daddy love me?...."

Actors:

Kid:  Jackson Robert Scott

Teenager: Cameron Boyce   (RIP  our favorite Carlos De Vil  <//3)

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

"I'm so glad my awesome boyfriend is okay!"

Love Interest: Carl Grimes

Ship Name: Ceddie Edarl Carlddie

Music in Me- HSM Never Enough- The Greatest Showman A Million Dreams- The Greatest Showman Heather- Conan Gray Teenage Dream- Katy Perry Heat Waves- Glass Animals Rewrite the Stars- The Greatest Show(edit version) Cheerleader- OMI Love is Love- Trey Pearson  A Thousand Years- Christina Perri Bad Romance- Lady Gaga Dandelions- Ruth B.

Love languages: Physical affection Quality touch

Relationship tropes:  sun + moon Energetic x Tired Endgame Right person, wrong time

Relationship Status: Season 1-2: Friends Season 3-4: Crushes Season 5-8: Dating

Relationship Variants: Robin x Finney (TBP) Shinsou x Denki (MHA) Kai x Adam (The Hollow) Amity x Luz (TOH) Kirishima x Bakugou (MHA)

Character variants:  Sammy (JWCC) Hawks (MHA) Izuku (MHA) Squirrelflight (Warriors) Michael Afton (FNAF) Luz (TOH) Rodrick (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) Richie (IT) Boris (The Goldfinch) Hiccup (HTTYD) Jack Frost (ROTG)

Dead or Alive: Dead

Cause of Death: Influenza 

First Appearance:  1x2, Guts  First Line: "For a kid my age, you're kinda short, short-stack"--- to Carl Grimes when they meet Last Appearance:  8x2, The Bridge Last Line: "Meet ya'll on the other side..."---- to Elle and the group before succumbing to the illness

Theme songs: Mary on a Cross- Ghost Ghost- Justin Bieber  Lovely- Billie Ellish Its Been So Long- The Living Tombstone  Waiting on a Miricle- Encanto Requiem- Dear Evan Hanson Walking the Wire- Imagine Dragons Enemy- Imagine Dragons Believer- Imagine Dragons Changes- Hayd Daddy Issues- The Neighborhood  Home- Nick Jonas Family- Mother Mother See you Again- Wiz  Khalifa Poker Face- Lady Gaga Boys don't Cry- The Cure

For the Delkins family: Its been so long- The Living Tombstone Afton Family- KryFuze

"I should be dead...but I'm not...." "Hurt my friends and I will kill you..."

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

Backstory: Edward "Eddie" Delkins was born to a "happy" married couple named Millie and Jacob Delkins.  He had two siblings. An older brother named Terrance and a two-year younger sister named Elle. His parents always expected a lot from him but hey, he still loved them. He revealed he was trans when he was 6 but of course his parents didn't like that, but his siblings accepted him and helped him go through treatment. When the outbreak happened, he was in his room, reading until he heard his older brother yelling. When he went to check what was going on, he saw two zombies eating his mom. He   lets out a horrific scream as his brother practically threw him, his sister's bunny Fluffball, the family dog Rofee and his sister into the van and drove off. They soon find Pedro who raises them like his own children. In season 5, the Delkins siblings and their dad were reunited. Elle and Eddie had their suspicions and didn't trust him but Eddie pretended to so he could get the truth from him. Once Eddie and his dad were alone, Eddie's dad told him about his plan to wipe out the survivors and demanded him to join them, even guiltripping him but Eddie refused, causing his dad to go off the edge. He soon went  to the survivors and attacked them with the Fireflies. But the fight stopped when Eddie shot his dad. And the rest is history :D

𝐹𝒶𝓋𝑜𝓇𝒾𝓉𝑒𝓈;

Spicy Food:  Butter Chicken

Sweet: Candy

Book: Warriors

TV show: Stranger Things

Movie: IT

Anime: My Hero Academia

Manga: MHA and Assassination Classroom

Animal: Foxes and Wolves. Can't forget bunnies or dogs

Song: Running up that Hill by Kate Bush

[somethingeden]

Book help - Series + Characters and Love Tropes

[Firstly, here is post for the fandoms]

Hello, I am a writer on Wattpad and I am trying to think of a story. I do get writer's block so I have old books but I am to lazy to rewrite them. Okay so I have a few ideas but may you use about a minute to vote or even give me suggestions, it would be appreciated! I could also do a cross over.

Series and the characters that I am considering of doing is (I am also okay with character x character and oc x oc:

Narnia (Edmund Pevensie/Peter Pevensie/Caspian X/Lucy Pevensie/Susan Pevensie/Aslan/Eustace Scrubb)

MCU (Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers/Wanda Maximoff/Peter Parker/Harley Keener/Hope Lang/Scott Lang/Same Wilson/Natasha Romanoff/Pietro Maximoff/Tony Stark/Thor/Loki/Stephen Strange/Wade Wilson/Peter Quill)

Harry Potter (Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy/Ron Weasley/Hermione Granger/Luna Lovegood/Neville Longbottom/Blaise Zabini/Pansy Parkinson/Sirius Black/Remus Lupin/Bellatrix Lestrange/Ginny Weasley/Fred Weasley/George Weasley/Bill Weasley/Charlie Weasley/Cedric Diggory/Tom Riddle/Mattheo Riddle)

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Albus Potter/James Potter II/Rose Granger-Weasley/Scorpius Malfoy/Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter/Hermione Granger/Ted Lupin)

Marauders (James Potter/Sirius Black/Remus Lupin/Bellatrix Black/Marlene Mckinnon/Mary Mcdonald/Dorcas Meadows)

Doctor Who (9th Doctor/Jack Harkness/10th Doctor/Donna Noble/11th Doctor/Amy Pond/Clara Oswin Oswald/12th Doctor/13th Doctor/Yasmin Khan/Ryan Sinclair/14th Doctor/Donna Noble/Rose Noble)

Heartstopper (Ben Hope/Harry Greene/Imogen Heaney/David Nelson)

Grease (Danny Zuko/Sandy Olsson/Kenickie Murdock/Leo Balmudo)

Disney (Ariel/Maleficent/Briar Rose/Ursula/Prince Eric)

Greek Mythology (Medusa/Hades/Poseidon/Apollo/Ares/Hermes/Demeter)

The Mortal Instruments [I haven't read all the books] (Jace Wayland-Herondale.../Alec Lightwood/Raphael Santiago/Isabelle Lightwood/Magnus Bane/Jonathan Morgenstern/Maia Roberts/Jordan Kyle)

Percy Jackson [I sadly don't have the books but I am going to base it off the tv series that'll come out next month] (Percy Jackson/Annabeth Chase/Grover Underwood/Luke Castellan/Ares/Poseidon/Hades/Clarisse La Rue/Medusa/Hermes/Hephaestus)

Enola Holmes 1 and 2 (Enola Holmes/Tewksbury/Sherlock Holmes/Mycroft Holmes)

Jurassic Park (Ian Malcolm/Alan Grant)

Jurassic World (Own Grady/Zach Mitchell/Maisie Lockwood/Gray Mitchell/Ian Malcolm/Alan Grant)

Little Women (Theodore Laurence)

Lord of the Rings (Frodo Baggins/Legolas Greenleaf/Aragorn/Eomer/Faramir)

The Hobbit (Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield/Kili Oakenshield/Fili Oakenshield/Thranduil Greenleaf/Bard/Legolas Greenleaf)

Uncharted (Nathan Drake/Victor Sullivan/Chloe Frazer)

Supernatural (Dean Winchester/Sam Winchester/Jack Kline/Claire Novak)

Mamma Mia 1 and 2 (Sam Carmichael/Harry Bright/Bill Anderson/Sky)

Love tropes:

Enemies to Lovers

Friends to Lovers

Forbidden Love

Secret Identity/Billionaire/Royal

Best friend's Brother/Sister

Second Chance

Soulmates

Fake Relationships to Lovers

Wedding – Runaway Bride/Runaway Groom/Jilted/Arranged Marriage

Strangers to Lovers

Amnesia/Mistaken Identity

Holiday Romance/Flings (Can lead to a baby)

Already Together

Hero x Villain

Sworn off Relationships

Opposites Attract

Secret Baby

Two Person Love Triangle (Mistaken Identity)

Reunited

Fairy Tale Retelling

Bet

Blind Date

and more...

[zablife]

Fic authors self-rec! ✨ When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you’ve written, then pass on to at least five other writers 🖤

Hi babes, tysm for the ask! For you, I will reply with my 5 fave dark fics I've written 😈.

∙ Salvation-Luca Changretta x pregnant reader x Jack Nelson

Jack has tried for many years to get you to share his feelings, but always failed. When he discovers you’ve made a life with someone else, he vows to take revenge on the man who came between you and make you his once and for all. 

∙ The Dilemma - Tommy Shelby x female reader

Tommy gets Jack’s mistress arrested for smuggling opium into Boston to give Jack a dilemma. After Jack fails to come to her aid, Tommy visits with an indecent proposal. What happens when this sugar baby gets in over her head with the heartless Birmingham gangster?

∙ Welcome to the Family - Finn Shelby x Mary Roberts (OC)

Finn Shelby becomes infatuated with Mary Roberts, a simple governess he spots one evening. When he decides he wants to marry her, he stops at nothing to make her his. 

∙ Troubled Spirits - Polly Gray x female reader

After her release from prison, Polly isolates herself from the living to commune with the dead. You are a war widow who seeks her help to contact your deceased husband, but you have to offer her more than money for the privilege. 

∙ Playing a Game with Alfie - Alfie Solomons x reader

A short blurb written for my Corrupt a Wish event.

[that-one-weird-fangirl2020]

peace | S. Sallow | Chapter Four

Sebastian Sallow x F!OC

Warnings: cursing (if you squint), mentions of death, slightly sexual content by the end.

It must have still been the early hours of the morning when Ariadne woke again. It was the smell of cinders and sandalwood that brought her to reality. She quickly untangled herself from Sebastian and got off the sofa, making her way back to her dorm. Ariadne found Imelda, Grace Pinch-Smedley, Nerida Roberts, and Arista Deadshadow all milling about and getting ready for classes.

It was Imelda who noticed Ariadne walk in, "And where were you?"

The girl walked over to her trunk and opened it, pulling out a clean uniform. A white cotton blouse, a gray skirt, a green Slytherin blazer, and her house robe.

"It's none of your concern," Ariadne answered, shedding off her nightgown and changing into her school uniform.

"You were gone when all of us woke up," Nerida, who was fixing her hair into its normal bun, said.

"My business is my own, again, it's none of your concern." She applied a bit of perfume, undoing the braid she had in her hair, and ran a brush through it before re-braiding it, tossing it over her shoulder.

"Oh come on, Ariadne, I saw you fast asleep in Sebastian Sallow's arms this morning in the common room when I went to use the girl's lavatory," Grace teased earning a half-hearted glare from Ariadne.

"He just helped calm me down after a nightmare. That's all. Nothing else happened. We're just friends." She felt like she was repeating herself. It was getting quite frustrating.

"You fancy him, don't you?" Imelda this time, not much to Ariadne's surprise.

"Why is it any concern of yours if I fancy Sebastian or not?"

"Because it's obvious," Imelda sighed, "it doesn't take a Ravenclaw to figure out that you fancy him."

"How is it obvious?" Ariadne felt her face flush as she faced the wall away from the girls.

"Sleeping in the common room together for one," Arista Deadshadow finally piped up, running a brush through her dark chocolate locks.

She was courting Amit Thakkar. Not only did she have beautiful chocolate hair, but she had tan skin to compliment it and a set of beautiful blue eyes. Arista and Amit certainly had a beautiful courtship from what Ariadne observed.

"Secondly, you and Sallow spent most of fifth year together," Nerida pointed out, "honestly, it wouldn't be a surprise if the two of you started courting."

She rolled her eyes and was done with the conversation. Ariadne grabbed her school bag and left the room, giving all her roommates an obscene gesture. She found Ominis in the common room conversing with a disheveled-looking Sebastian, who was struggling to do his school tie.

"Good morning, boys," Ariadne greeted.

"Oh, good morning, Ariadne," Ominis smiled.

"Ari," Sebastian said, still struggling with his tie.

"Bash, let me fix that for you," The girl chuckled, walking over to the brunette boy and fixing his tie for him.

"Shall we be off to breakfast?" Ominis suggested, taking his wand out and letting it guide him to the Slytherin common room entrance.

"Took the words right out of my mouth, Ominis!" Sebastian exclaimed as he followed his best friend out.

Ariadne lagged behind a little, watching the boys interact as if nothing happened between the two of them. A smile formed on her lips. She watched as they cracked jokes and exchanged smiles themselves.

As she walked behind them, listening to their conversation, Ariadne couldn't help but let her mind wander to the nightmare she had the night before.

*

She was back. Back at the final repository. Ariadne stood victorious over Ranrok. Her breathing was heavy, having just absorbed Isadora's power. A new sense of power overcame her. A new sense of pride.

She reveled in it, feeling the magic course through her veins. An apparition of Professor Fig appeared.

"Professor, this power! It's incredible. Think of all the things I can to do to help people!" She exclaimed, "How much of this I can use."

Fig's face was grim.

"You have disappointed me, my dear child," He said.

Ariadne froze, "But professor-"

"This power should not be wielded by someone so easily swayed by the dark arts..."

That sentence hit Ariadne hard. How did Fig know she was drawn to the dark arts? He couldn't possibly know what transpired in the scriptorium or the catacombs. She swore to Sebastian, Ominis, and even Anne, that this was between them.

"How-" was all she could say and she sank to her knees. An impossible guilt consuming her.

Fig turned his back to her, "I'm sorry, my child, but I believe I have failed in teaching you. After all, the magic my wife Miriam and George Osric died for, now lies in the hands of someone I fear will be most likely to fall victim to the dark arts."

And with that, Fig was gone. Ariadne dropped her wand. She failed the man she looked to as a father.

*

"Ariadne?" Sebastian's voice came.

She snapped out of her thoughts to look at the boy next to her, "Hmm?"

"Are you okay?" Ominis asked, who was sitting in front of her, his clouded gaze filled with worry.

"Oh, yes," She lied, "I'm just lost in thought."

Somehow, as she was lost in thought; they ended up at the great hall, and sat at Slytherin's table. She couldn't recall the steps she took to get there, nonetheless grabbed herself a tea cup and made herself some Earl Gray. Ariadne reached for a platter of Raspberry tarts and plucked one from the pile, putting it on her plate.

Sebastian sat next to her, his brown eyes fixed on her. She looked back at him as she took a bite of her tart.

"What?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"I'm just worried about you," He answered, taking Ariadne's hand in his "Do you want to tell me about that nightmare you had last night?"

She shook her head, "Not at the moment. Later perhaps, where there aren't as many prying eyes and eavesdropping ears."

Sebastian nodded and returned to eating his breakfast. Ominis- who sat across from them- had a questioning look on his face but only shook his head and drank from his goblet of pumpkin juice.

The three Slytherins quietly ate their breakfast before heading off to classes. During fifth period in Defense Against The Dark Arts, Professor Hecat had brought out a Boggart cabinet.

"I know what you're all thinking,

Didn't we cover this in third year? Yes. But this does come up on your N.E.W.Ts." Hecat waved her wand and moved all the desks against the wall.

"Now, can anyone recall the spell used to get rid of Boggarts?" She turned to the class.

Ariadne was standing next to Natty and watched as both Sebastian and Coulter's hands went up. She chuckled and turned to her Gryffindor friend.

"This will be interesting," Ariadne whispered.

"Indeed," Natty agreed with a smile and amusement playing on her features.

"Mr. Sallow," Hecat waved to him to answer.

"Riddikulus," Sebastian answered confidently.

"That is correct. Now as you all know, Boggarts turn into the thing you fear the most. And as the spell implies you will turn the thing you fear very most into something funny!"

Ariadne's stomach dropped, and she felt the color drain from her face. They turn into the thing you fear the most?! She thought. Her thoughts ran wild as she started to fiddle with her fingers.

"Line up!" Hecat called.

One by one students lined up. And one by one students fears came to life before them. Natty's was her father, Coulter's was isolation, Amit's was disappointing his parents.

She watched as Sebastian went next. The Boggart shifted and moved before it finally transformed into a casket. An open casket. Ariadne saw Sebastian stiffen at the sight, his hands shaking slightly as he gripped his wand. Inside the casket lay Anne. She lay there pale and unmoving. His twin. Sebastian's worst fear was the death of his sister.

"Riddikulus!" Sebastian cast the spell and Anne's casket turned into a swarm of monarch butterflies.

He stepped back, taking a shaky breath before returning to the back of the class. Ariadne gave him a sympathetic look before returning her gaze to the cabinet that was now in front of her.

She pulled her wand out. It was beautiful, made of fir wood, eleven and three-quarter inches, reasonably supple, with a unicorn hair core. The wood was white and the handle was black with a silver botanical design spiraling around it.

As the boggart shifted and moved around, Ariadne's mind raced again. Her worst fear could be a number of things. Acromantulas to Godric knows what. A shiver went down her spine. And finally it takes form.

What Ariadne stares at is a mirror image of herself. Except this Ariadne wore black leather combat gear, her eyes were an ominous red glow, and a malicious smile graced her lips.

"Oh, Ariadne, dearest," Her doppelganger chuckled, stepping closer, "you're not scared of acromantulas. Despise them? sure. But you aren't afraid of them. You fear me."

Ariadne gulped, "What do you mean by me?"

The doppelganger smiled wickedly starting to circle her. The sound of the leather boots it wore rapped slowly against the floor.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," it continued, "you're afraid of yourself."

A dark laugh made its way to its lips, "Well, more specifically, you're afraid to become the person you so crave to be."

"Lies," Ariadne stated, raising her wand to cast the spell.

"Are they? So, you don't desire to wield the power that Isadora Morganach left in that final repository? The very power that you now hold?"

"You're afraid that it will consume you. You're afraid that you failed Professor Fig by taking the power for yourself. What a true Slytherin you are..."

Ariadne shook her head, feeling tears prick at her eyes, "No, that's not true!"

"Its not?" The doppelganger stopped in front of her, squinting its eyes at her, "or are you afraid that it is true?"

"Riddikulus!"

And the doppelganger- boggart- turned into a niffler. She watched it- shaking- as it rolled around with a gold galleon in it's paws. Ariadne turned on her heels and ran out of the class. She didn't care if it was cowardly of her to do so, she's not in Gryffindor like Natty or Gerrath.

"Ari, wait!"

Sebastian.

Ariadne ignored him as she made her way out the DADA tower and up the stairs to the seventh-floor corridor. She entered her room of requirement, trying not to cry. She saw Deek standing in the middle of the room, taking care of the plants she had growing there since fifth year.

The house elf noticed her and smiled, "Deek was wondering when you'd be back! Deek's been taking care of the room and beasts for you!"

"Thank you, Deek, I appreciate it," Ariadne smiled, wiping the tears from her eyes.

***

Sebastian had been looking for Ariadne for hours. He searched the library, the great hall, the quidditch pitch, the Undercroft, and Hogsmeade. No such luck. He wanted to make sure she was okay. Apparently, Ariadne had skipped sixth period and hasn't been seen since according to Imelda.

Where the hell is she? He thought to himself.

Sebastian decided to look in the Astronomy tower. She had to be somewhere. As he walked down the seven-floor corridor a door appeared. He furrowed his brows. He knew what the door led to, but only read about it in a few books on Hogwarts.

The Room of Requirement.

Sebastian stepped through the door, where he was met with a room that very much reminded him of the Slytherin common room, but with a purple aesthetic and not green. Several potion stands, herbology plants, and few vivariums. The ambiance of the room was like walking into the Forbidden Forrest in the dead of night.

And there she stood, Alchemy book in one hand and gaze fixated on a boiling cauldron. Ariadne wasn't wearing her house robe and her braided hair was now tossed into a messy bun on top of her head.

"So, this is where you come to hide," Sebastian said, making the girl jump.

She turned to face him, shock is written all over her face. "How did you get in here?"

"I was just looking for you. I've been searching for hours, it's nearly curfew. I was going to look in the Astronomy tower when this door appeared. Is this what I think it is? The room of requirement?"

Ariadne shook her head a sighed deeply, "Yes, and I come here to get away from prying eyes and to focus on my studies."

"That's brilliant actually," Sebastian said as he approached her, "Do you want to talk about what happened in Defense Against The Dark Arts during fifth period?"

He heard a forced laugh come from the girl. She turned to look at him, her green eyes full of something Sebastian could see said 'really you came to ask a dumb question?'

Ariadne sighed and set her Alchemy textbook down, putting the flames out under her cauldron. She motions for him to follow her into one of the vivariums she had, the enormous one in the middle. Sebastian walked inside with her and was met with a beautiful field and an eternal sunset. It was beautiful. He saw a herd of Mooncalves, puffskeins rolling about, jobberknolls flying in the air, and Nifflers running amuck.

He watched as Ariadne picked up a teel colored Niffler and nuzzled her face against it, before pulling it to her chest. She walked over to Sebastian and held it out to him.

"This is Perry," She said, "you want to hold him?"

Sebastian hesitated before taking the little guy in his hands, "Yeah, sure. Why not?"

The niffler started to climb his arm and shoulder, snuggling into Sebastian's neck. He chuckled and he took hold of the Niffler and brought it to his chest.

"Little rascal, ain't he?" He chuckled.

"What, him? Never!" Ariadne sarcastically rolled her eyes with a laugh and smile that reached her eyes.

She walked further into the vivarium and took a seat on a nearby boulder. She patted the space next to her and Sebastian obliged, sitting next to her with Perry in hand. Ariadne took a galleon out of her pocket and gave it to the Niffler, who took it without question and shoved the shiny item into his pouch. Sebastian chuckled and scratched Perry's head.

"About Defense Against The Dark Arts," Ariadne started, taking a breath, "it also had to do with the nightmare I had last night."

Sebastian looked at her, he could see uncertainty swimming in her green eyes as she looked ahead of her. His full attention was now on her.

"You already know how much the power I wield scares me. I'm scared it'll consume me." Her gaze shifted to him. "I'm also afraid of the person I'll become if I gave into the power. I know that person isn't someone I want anyone to meet. I don't even want to meet that person."

Sebastian could sense the hesitation in Ariadne's voice. There was something else she wasn't telling him.

"And finally... Something thats been eating away at me since the beginning of summer." She gulped and looked away. She started to play with her fingers.

Sebastian furrowed his brow, "Ariadne, what is it? You can tell me."

"I believe I failed him," She choked out.

"Failed who?"

"Fig. I believe I failed him. He was the closest thing I had to a father since my father died. I let him down when I took that power for myself, and he died disappointed in me. I failed him as not only his student, but as the daughter he never had. I'm afraid that if i use the power Isadora Morganach left in the repository, I will have not only failed him, but the Keepers, the school."

She had tears running down her face at this point. She sniffled and hid her face in her hands. Sebastian put the niffler down and watched it scurry off. He turned back to Ariadne as she quietly sobbed into her palms.

He scooped her up in his arms, bringing her into his lap. She was straddling his waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed into his shoulder for the second time.

"Ari, I didn't know Fig as well as you did, but I can tell you this. You did not fail him. You saved the school and defeated Ranrok in the process. I think he would be proud of the person you are. The Savior of Hogwarts." Sebastian explained, rubbing circles into Ariadne's back.

"I don't feel like the Savior of Hogwarts!" She pulled back to look at him. "I feel like a fucking train wreck. And it's only a matter of time before I go off the bloody rails."

The boy got an idea then, he cupped her face with one hand.

"What if I helped you learn to control this power? So you don't have to be afraid of it?"

"What? Sebastian, I could hurt you or worse... I-I, I'd have to think about it."

Sebastian used his thumb to wipe away her tears, "Don't worry, love, you don't have to give me a definite answer right now."

Ariadne nodded, "Merlin, look at me. I'm a disaster."

"If it helps, I think you still look gorgeous."

"Shut up, no I don't."

"Yes, you do."

"Bash..." Ariadne gave him a half-hearted glare.

"What? I'm not lying!" He chuckled, "you've always been gorgeous to me."

"Sebastian..." She looked at him with a serious look.

"Ariadne..." He returned the look, holding her close.

Sebastian watched as Ariadne's eyes flickered to his lips and back up. She bit her lip. He brought his other hand up to cup her face. The look she was giving him was making it very hard to control himself and the way she was straddling him. Godric, he hope she didn't notice his little.... friend.

She surged forward, pressing her lips to his. Sebastian easily returned the gesture like he had all those other times over the summer. Her lips felt soft against his rough ones. His eyes closed, letting out a low moan as Ariadne's fingers woven themselves into his hair, tugging slightly. He glided his tongue across her bottom lip, asking for permission. She obliged and Sebastian slipped his tongue into her mouth. She tasted of Earl Gray and honey.

He pulled away, looking into her eyes, "Shall we take this somewhere else?"

Ariadne nodded and got off his lap, taking Sebastian by the wrist and leading him out of the vivarium. She took him down a corridor in the room of requirement that opened up into another room.

This one also felt like the Slytherin common room with the purple aesthetic and not green. One side was a group of couches and chairs with coffee table in the middle. On the otherside was a small library of sorts and few tables with books and papers scatter on them. And back of the room was a four poster bed with lilac colored pillows and coverlet.

"I use this when I want to get away from people. Don't worry, Deek the house elf shouldn't bother us tonight." Ariadne quickly explained as she stopped a few feet from the bed.

"It's perfect," Sebastian said before capturing her lips with his in a heated kiss.

[endlessly-cursed]

Official OC Ships

FOUNDERS ERA

Brunhilda of Cologne x Mathilde Coventry [ @camillejeaneshphm ] x Lachlann Doherty [ @hphmmatthewluther ]

Henriette of Wessex x Frederick of Kent [ @that-scouse-wizard ]

Sancha Delgado x Betwixt, Monarch of the Changelings [ @hphmmatthewluther ]

Luxia Thorne x Evander Mountmorris [ @foundersofhogwartslegacy ]

next gen;

Dayana of Glasgow x Sam Doherty [ @camillejeaneshphm ]

Odalric the Red x Matilda of Essex

Akelda the Tragic x Edward the Valiant [ @cursedvaultss ]

THE RISING ERAS

Matteo Somerset x Sancia D'Este

Ipolytta Howard x Thomas Somerset x Drystan Gaunt [ @foundersofhogwartslegacy ]

HPHL

Primrose Gray x Malcolm Stolberg-Burke [ @gaygryffindorgal ] 

Cecilia Balinor x Lavinia Wakefield [ @gaygryffindorgal ] 

Jesse Seymour x Nadia Erbland [ @gcldensnitch ] 

Beatrice Brown x Orla Atkinson [ @nightmaresart ] 

Blanche Dubois x Lionel Astor [ @cursebreakerfarrier ] 

Ernest di Napoli x Abigail Bennett [ @mjs-oc-corner ] 

Adonis Demiurgos x Minerva Kennedy [ @unfortunate-arrow ] 

Marcellus Thorne x Victoria Montgomery [ @nightmaresart ] 

Nilufer Sultan x Simon Battersea [ @unfortunate-arrow ] 

Phineas Falcon x Hestia Herron [ @cursebreakerfarrier ] 

Emmeline Falcon x Abraham Alden [ @cursed-herbalist ] 

Sara Rosier x Carmine Elderberry [ @potionboy3 ] 

Lihuan Wei x Noelle Brenton [ @magicallymalted ] 

Lucie Cromwell x Thane Greenaway [ @potionboy3 ] 

Ambrose Cromwell x Melinda Ives [ @kathrynalicemc ] 

FBAWTFT 

Jude Dubois x Caspar Brokenshire [ @cursebreakerfarrier ] 

Vincent Somerset x Margaret Taylor [ @camillejeaneshphm ] 

Enya Thorne x Robert Astor 

Atticus Demiurgos-Kennedy x Iolanthe Arcano [ @kathrynalicemc ] 

Albert Rosier x Ruth Marchmont [ @potionboy3 ] 

RIDDLE ERA 

Elodie Dubois x Lyubomir Vulchanov [ @magicallymalted ] 

Lawrence Somerset x Millicent Abbott 

MARAUDER’S ERA 

Denise Shannon x Remus Lupin 

Delphine Vixen x Bessilyn Quinn [ @gaygryffindorgal ] 

Sybil Vixen x Valentina de Valerio [ @camillejeaneshphm ] 

Rue Selwyn x Regulus Black 

HPHM 

Isabelle Dubois x Penny Haywood 

Valentina Somerset x Caiden Solace [ @camillejeaneshphm ] 

Semele Thorne x Kaari Arcano [ @kathrynalicemc ] 

GOLDEN ERA 

Rocío Gallardo x Trinity Reynolds [ @hphmmatthewluther ] 

Almudena Gallardo x Neville Longbottom

Jimena Gallardo x Jebron Perphyra [ @nicos-oc-hell ] 

HPMA 

Mary Ann Von Deyne x Gabrielle Blanchet [ @nightmaresart ] 

Harry Seymour x Savannah Bradford [ @mjs-oc-corner ]

Lennox Arcano-Thorne x TBD [ @gcldensnitch ]

Diana Somerset x Tiberius Dormer

Shreya Battersea-Parsons x John Arthur [ @potionboy3 ] x Kevin Farrell

NON-HP OCS 

Lady Marie Beauchamp x Eloise Bridgerton 

Lisbeth Foy x Ada Thorne 

Esmeralda Yakovsdotter x Genya Safin 

[roosterforme]

Covering the Classics Part 13 | Bob Floyd x OC

Summary: Confronting Kevin in California should have made Anna feel like she had the advantage, but nothing with him ever went to plan. As soon as Bob encounters Anna's husband for himself, he knows something isn't quite right.

Warnings: Angst, Kevin is a dick, bruises on Anna's arm, adult language, 18+

Length: 4300 words

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

Covering the Classics masterlist. Check my masterlist for more!

"Did you delete her number yet?" Nat asked as she lifted her helmet and Bob's off of the shelf in the hangar where their gear was stored when they weren't flying. "Or are you trying to prolong the pain like some sort of sadistic artist?"

Bob flinched at her words, because she hit a little too close to home for his liking. It wasn't that he wanted to be missing Anna like this, but he had been writing a lot of poetry about her. He couldn't help himself. He hadn't posted any since the one about his bookshelf, but that didn't mean his computer wasn't full of it.

"I'm not trying to prolong the pain," he told his friend with a grimace. "I don't know what I'm doing."

She shoved his helmet down onto his head and told him, "I know she threw you for a loop, but either delete her number or give her another chance. Don't sit in this annoying gray area. I don't know why you guys insist on doing that shit. I tried for ten years to get Bradley to contact his wife, but he just flounced around in the gray area like an idiot instead. Don't be like him," she said firmly, pointing to where Bradley was looking down at his phone with a dopey smile on his face. He was almost definitely texting his wife if he looked like that.

Bob sighed. "Nat, I don't know if she wants me to give her another chance right now. She said she's going to deal with her husband, but I think she needs time."

Nat rolled her eyes and held her hands up in the air. "Why don't you," she said, waving her fingers like she was performing magic, "talk to her again?!"

Bob pulled his helmet off again, saying, "What would you suggest I say? She already knows I've had feelings for her for months. There's just a point where it becomes too much."

"You could tell her that even though it blew up in your face, she's the best lay of your life." Bob immediately wished he hadn't told her that. "Or that you'll still be around after she figures her shit out. I think the ball is in your court."

He was still blushing furiously and nowhere closer to knowing what he should be doing when they all got called to the tower, but he did smile when Nat snapped at Bradley to put his phone away. She probably needed to get laid more than Bob ever did.

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

The bus ride from San Diego to Carlsbad shouldn't take an hour and a half when it would take barely forty minutes to drive yourself. Not for the first time, Anna wished she had a car in California. That way she could get to Kevin faster. Kevin. Fucking Kevin. The man who was the reason she didn't have a car in California.

She needed to stay calm. If she could catch him while his guard was down and convince him to just sign the paperwork, she would be golden. But every time she thought about seeing his face, she started to panic. She had seen nothing except kind faces for months. The faces of her friends. The faces of her students. Bob's beautiful blue eyes always seemed to look at her with a smile behind them. Even now, after she met up with him for a little bit at the bookstore, his eyes were kind.

Her hands shook slightly. She needed to deal with Kevin so she could move on and never have to see him again. Then she could work on getting back to the people who didn't look at her like she was worthless. When the bus finally fought its way through traffic and made a stop near the hotel where the conference was being held, she sprinted down the steps and up the block. She had already memorized the map and knew she needed to find the grand ballroom, but when she got to the upscale hotel, she was sweaty and panting for breath, and even the doorman was looking at her skeptically as she slipped inside.

The lobby was crowded enough that she padded her way across the marble floor in her beat up sneakers, blending in well enough with the others. Signs for the National Neurological Physicians Association conference were plastered all over the place, and she had to keep from rolling her eyes. It was laughable that physicians from all over would come here to listen to Kevin blathering on and on about his specialty area of study. But when Anna paused to really think about it for a second, something close to cold fury started flowing through her veins, because she was the one who paid for that for him. She was the reason he was a speaker at this massive conference in the first place.

With renewed purpose, she picked up her pace and turned right past the elevator bank, following the signs that led her toward several people in monogrammed lab coats. The ballroom was in sight, and she was ready to push through the double doors when one of the men in a lab coat popped up in front of her. 

"Not so fast," he said, a forced smile plastered on his face. "You're late for the introductory speakers, and you haven't signed in yet."

"Oh," she said, scrambling to push her bag up on her shoulder. "Right." When he gestured toward a long table with some unclaimed name badges and information booklets, Anna's heart skipped a beat. She took a step closer, praying nobody would ask her for any sort of identification, and reached for the badge that said Dr. Angela Harmon, MD. She clipped it onto her shirt, realizing she was terribly under dressed to even try to pull this off, and then she picked up the booklet with Dr. Harmon's name on it as well. "Is this all I need?" she asked, tapping the name badge and praying this random woman didn't decide to show up right now.

With a nod, the man said, "Please try to find a seat at the back to keep disruption to a minimum. I believe Dr. Webber is still speaking, and you know how excited we all are to have him here."

Anna had to bite down on the inside of her cheek and take a deep breath before she could say, "So excited," through clenched teeth. "I wouldn't dream of being disruptive."

"Of course not," he agreed, finally smiling kindly. "Enjoy the conference, Dr. Harmon."

Carefully and as quietly as she could, Anna entered the ballroom to find hundreds of people sitting in rows of chairs listening to her worthless husband giving a presentation in a three piece suit. 

"But we already know recent attempts to update computational axial tomography are largely like someone trying to reinvent the wheel," he said with a charming smile, and the room hummed with amused laughter like everyone was in on some sort of inside joke. Anna's skin crawled as she carefully took a seat in the last row, praying Kevin hadn't seen her yet. If he was this well known and well regarded in his field, then he didn't need money from her manuscript. He was simply holding onto it to be an ass.

She had to listen to him for twenty more minutes after that. Nineteen too long in her book. His voice sounded light and carefree, and his smile was handsome and unassuming. Frankly he was putting on some sort of persona, and it was nothing like she was used to. But it wasn't until he started on a short presentation that Anna's attention was piqued, because it was then that she saw he was using the laptop that they used to share. The one she used to type up her book.

A soft sound escaped her as she stared longingly at it, wondering if her work was still there. He slammed the computer shut, and she was jolted back to reality as he said, "Once again, thank you all for being here for the next week. We have so many groundbreaking topics to learn about and some of the most renowned research physicians in the country sharing their expertise with us. Let's take a quick break and then dive right into new MRI techniques with Dr. Nunez."

There was an immediate round of applause, and Anna jumped to her feet, heart pounding so hard, it was making her nauseous. When she headed toward his cocky, smiling face, she realized Kevin was already surrounded by colleagues, shaking hands and laughing. And that was when he spotted her. They'd been on the phone just a handful of hours ago, but he looked shocked to see her here. She watched his sharp, gray eyes narrow in on her with a spiteful glare before he smoothed out his features into something neutral. And that's when she came to terms with the fact that he would know she was living in southern California. That's when she knew she needed to make this work.

"Anna," he said with absolutely no emotion as she cut in front of the person he was talking to. "What are you doing here?"

She swallowed hard, imagining Bob and her two friends were with her, urging her on, cheering for her to fix this. "I have something for you to sign," she told him as her voice shook. She took a step closer as she reached into her bag to pull out the folded paperwork and a pen.

"No," he practically growled under his breath, trying not to draw more attention to himself. "Why are you doing this here? I'm a little busy."

Anna wanted to laugh in his face. She was a little busy trying to get on with her stupid life, but that didn't stop him from disrupting her mission every day. "Just sign the divorce papers, Kevin," she demanded, but she sounded like a child even to her own ears. His eyes flashed with so much anger, she could barely breathe with him this close to her. He was built similarly to Bob, which was a frightening realization. Where Kevin always used his size as an intimidation tactic, Bob had never done that to her. She always felt safe around him. Right now she felt very unsafe around Kevin, even though they were literally in the midst of a crowd of people.

"Just sign it," she whispered, trying to push the document into his solid chest. It was unbelievable that at one time, she was in love with this man. It was crazy to think about how he used to tell her he loved her too. "Please, Kevin." He looked so angry right now, and Anna felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up in fear as the people behind her started whispering.

"Who is this woman? That's not Alyssa."

"Did she say divorce? Isn't he married to that other physician? The pregnant one?"

So Alyssa was pregnant. And nobody here even knew about Anna. It was like she didn't even exist. Like she had never existed to her husband. A mortifying little sob bubbled free from the back of her throat, and she looked up at Kevin as he said, "Let's take a little walk."

His hand closed around her bicep, and Anna wanted to yelp as he pulled her up onto the stage, past the podium, where nobody else would be able to hear them. The laptop was right there, and she considered trying to take it, but she'd never make it out of the hotel let alone back to her apartment with it. Instead she tripped along next to him until he had her where he wanted her.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?" he snarled. "Were you always this stupid? Or have you gotten worse?"

"Come on, Kevin," she pleaded, and he finally released her throbbing arm. "You don't need it. Look how well you're doing. You don't need my book."

He shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair as if he was trying his hardest to keep his composure. "You think you can come here and embarrass me in front of my peers? Mentioning our marriage like we still have one when you moved away?"

Her fist clenched at her side. "Our marriage didn't fall apart because I left," she hissed under her breath. "It fell apart because of you. And now your mistress is pregnant?"

Kevin sighed. "I understand that you're jealous, Anna. I really do, but I'm not signing anything for you."

She clenched and unclenched her fist. The desire to punch him in the face was so strong as her other hand shook with the papers grasped between her fingers. She was far from jealous, and he knew it. He wanted to get a rise out of her because he felt cornered. "I don't care what these people think about me," she whispered. "But you do. So just sign it."

He stood before her, tall and broad with his jaw set as he said, "There is no way in hell you have what it takes to intimidate me. Now get the fuck out of here, or I will have security remove you from the hotel for disrupting the conference."

She knew she didn't have any other choice. If she somehow got herself in trouble for being here, she didn't have the money to spend on more legal help. So she took a step backwards just as Kevin's hand flew up to pull the name badge from her shirt. "And you're obviously not Dr. Harmon. She has enormous tits, and I fucked her last year in Toronto. Now go." 

Twenty minutes later, Anna was back on the bus heading south toward San Diego, empty handed with tears in her eyes and a bruised arm.

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

"What happened to your pretty girlfriend?"

Bob looked up from his phone as he walked up his porch steps after a long run on Monday evening. He hadn't been sleeping well, debating reaching out to Anna again, and he was hoping the run would tire him out. But he should have known Suzanne would have her door open and her game shows blaring at this hour.

"Hi, Suzanne," he said, wishing he could just duck inside his own place without having to chat with her.

"I haven't seen her again in weeks."

Bob sighed and tipped his head back. "She's not my girlfriend. She never was."

"Not with that attitude," his neighbor mused under her breath.

"You have a good night, Suzanne." Bob swatted Sylvester away from his front door before heading inside and up to take a shower. He thought about Anna as he ran his soapy hands along his body. He tried not to, but she was on his mind a lot. When he climbed into bed, his skin felt too hot. He opened the window to let the late fall air in, but it did nothing to help him. He wanted to see her, even just to make sure she was still okay.

He reached for his phone, typed up a text, and then deleted it. "You sound so desperate for her," he groaned, trying again. But again he had to delete it rather than send it. Finally he settled on something simple.

Hey, I've been craving some peanuts from Chippy's. Feel like joining me for a bit tomorrow?

It sounded neutral enough. If she said no, he'd ask Jessica to make sure the ladies were checking in on her. If she said yes, then Bob could see with his own eyes if she was okay. He would also get to see with his own eyes how fucking beautiful she was, but that didn't matter as much, honestly.

He was just slipping into a daydream where Anna's husband divorced her tomorrow and never left the state of New Jersey again when his phone vibrated on his nightstand.

Anna Webber: Peanuts from Chippy's sound heavenly right now. I would love to join you for a little bit.

He exhaled as the cooler air finally met his skin, and he pulled his sheet over himself after he promised to meet her there.

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

Before she went down to the quad with her lunch bag, Anna adjusted her cardigan. She knew her sleeve was covering his bruised arm, but she felt naked all morning during her lectures anyway. She felt like her skin and the inside of her brain were on full display for everyone. She wondered when Alyssa was due. She wondered if Kevin slept with Dr. Harmon when he was in Toronto last June or last October. Perhaps both. She wondered how someone who was so full of shit could keep coming out ahead of her.

"Anna!"

At least her friends were still faithfully waiting for her at the weird looking tree. And at least Bob was making it a point to let her know she was welcome around him. She could hardly wait to go to Chippy's later. 

"Hi," she said, plopping down in between them on the bench, adjusting her sleeve one more time before pulling her sad sandwich out. "What's new in the world of science and mathematics?"

Almost immediately, she had a container of veggies and a homemade ranch dip in her hand while her friend told her about a fascinating math conference she wanted to go to next year in Philadelphia. Apparently the dates were just announced, and you had to be someone important to even get an invitation. Anna loved that her friend already knew she was going to go, but it made her dwell on Kevin and his conference which was still going on in Carlsbad.

"Oh!" Jessica said as she poured some potato chips on her already delectable looking sandwich. "Jake and I are going to Cabo next month! A much needed break after the term ends."

"I love that for you," Anna told her, feeling jealous in spite of herself. And that made her feel even sadder. She almost winced when her other friend wrapped her arm around her, inadvertently mashing her hand against the bruise from Kevin.

"Don't worry. Bradley and I aren't going anywhere for term break. I wanted to, but his favorite Grateful Dead cover band is playing right here in San Diego on New Year's Eve, and he absolutely can't miss it. That would be a crime." Her voice was dripping with sarcasm which made Anna laugh. "How's your week going?" she asked cautiously. 

Anna wanted to tell them all about going to the conference at the hotel. She wanted to tell them that she saw Kevin and left with less than nothing. She would tell them, but not right now when she only had a little bit of time before she had to give her Classics lecture. She didn't want to run the risk of arriving to the lecture hall with tears in her eyes. 

Instead she softly said, "I'm going to see Bob later. Just a quick visit to Chippy's for some peanuts."

Jessica was instantly vibrating with excitement. "That's great. I think you and he will have fun!"

"We will," Anna confirmed. Even though it was a little awkward, she'd had a nice time with him at the bookstore. She always did. Because he was kind and sweet and literally the opposite of everything that Kevin turned out to be. She just wished there was some reality in which she could feel his arms around her again. "We will."

The end of lunch came way more quickly than she wanted it to, and Anna found herself mentally regrouping to try to find another way to get her manuscript. She taught her last two lectures and graded a handful of essays, counting down the minutes until she could see Bob again. His blue eyes would be soft when he looked at her, and his words would be enough to make her feel better even if they only engaged in some small talk.

When she only had thirty minutes until she was supposed to meet him, she printed off sixty copies of the quiz she would need for tomorrow afternoon. Anna locked her office door behind her as she headed down to the teacher's lounge to retrieve the quizzes before someone moved them, never to be seen again. She learned her lesson after last time that if you didn't grab them right away, there was a good chance they'd end up in the trash. Then she would drop them off before going to meet Bob.

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

Since he was running early, Bob decided to just head to Anna's office and meet her there. He'd been so antsy to see her, he showered and dressed in his favorite jeans and tee shirt in record time after work. Even though he'd only been in this one academic building one time, he remembered exactly how to get to her office. Having an outstanding sense of direction just came with the territory for a WSO, but her hallway also smelled like fresh baked bread.

When he rounded the last corner, Bob skidded to a halt and ducked back behind the wall. There was a man about his age who was vigorously jiggling Anna's doorknob. "Anna. Open the door so we can talk," he said calmly even as he pushed his fingers through his hair in exasperation. Bob didn't know who he was, but he had a bad feeling, and that's when the man turned his head and spotted him.

Bob squared his shoulders to try to match the other man's height as he rounded the corner completely and asked, "Are you looking for Dr. Webber?"

The other man appraised him with cool gray eyes and smirked. "Let me guess. You're sleeping with her?"

Bob's heart lurched into his stomach as the color drained from his face. He knew this had to be Kevin. He knew it without confirmation, and now he didn't know how the hell he was supposed to respond. So he simply kept his mouth shut while the other man took a step in his direction.

"She really likes to act so high and mighty. Very hypocritical in this scenario," he muttered, making Bob's skin crawl. "I can't believe her."

Bob swallowed hard, trying to figure out why Anna agreed to go to Chippy's today if she knew Kevin was in San Diego. All he knew about was what she'd told him when she came to his house. Bob didn't think he should divulge too much to this man, so he simply asked, "What do you want from her?"

The answer was swift and felt like a punch to the gut. "She's my wife, and she's coming back to New Jersey with me where I can keep track of her. She doesn't belong here, and she needs to stop lying. So why don't you tell me what you want from her?"

His nostrils flared as his fingers curled into fists, and Bob had to take a few deep breaths before he said, "I just wanted to make sure she's okay."

Kevin crossed his arms over his chest and said, "She's nothing you need to be concerned about."

The uneasy feeling that started to fill him up spread through his whole body now, and Bob took a step backwards. Maybe Anna was already at Chippy's. Maybe she didn't know Kevin was here at all. He backtracked his way through the building as he started to panic. What if she did know he was here? What if she had played Bob and everyone else the whole time?

He would check for her at Chippy's. He made it all the way across the quad to a weird looking tree that was growing sideways when he froze again. It just didn't make sense. Anna said she hated Kevin and never wanted to go back to New Jersey, and Bob had no reason to believe someone else over her.

He started calling her phone, torn as to which direction he should head. Back up to her office? To Chippy's where they were supposed to meet up? She didn't answer. He started toward the bar, covering the few blocks at a brisk pace as he tried to call her again. He walked back and forth across that sticky floor through the clusters of students enjoying an after class drink before he was satisfied that she wasn't there. 

"Damn it, Anna. Answer your phone," he muttered as he ran back to her building and up to her office. The building was virtually empty at this hour, and now there was nobody in the hallway at all. He knocked on her door and called out her name, but he was met with silence. The kind of silence that just didn't feel right.

He felt like he was going crazy, running in circles both metaphorically and physically for this woman, and when he finally reached his truck, he had to wipe the sweat from his brow. Her apartment wasn't far from campus, and he didn't know where else to even look at this point. When he got there, he parked and tried to call her one more time before someone else who lived in the building simply held the door open for him.

"Thanks," he muttered, heading for the stairwell and taking the steps two at a time until he reached Anna's floor. And then her apartment. What he heard coming from inside made him want to rip the door from the hinges.

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

I hate Kevin. Hate. Him. I'm sorry, but he's still going to get worse. Just remember that Bob is a sweet cinnamon bun. Thanks @beyondthesefourwalls

PART 14

@thedroneranger

@theamuz

@cherrycola27

@katiedid-3

@yuckosworld

@je-suis-prest-rachel

@callsign-magnolia

@avaleineandafryingpan

@t-nd-rfoot

@eddiemunsonreader

@wintercap89

@the-fever-of-mankind

@sio-ina-bottle

@lovingperfectionsblog

@daisydont-lie

@sappy-seresin

@birdy-bat-writes

@cutelittlefakejourneys

@cottagecori

@fandom-princess-forevermore

@sotalife

@novastories

@xoxabs88xox

@rileyanntoinette

@mannsachds

@midnightmagpiemama

@greatszu

@zetasaturno99

@lovingrobertfloyd

@taytaylala12

@captain-fandomwriter58

@grxcisxhy-wp

@hobireasns

@wolfquake23

@paintlavillered

@seitmai

@noonenuts

@amiets2

@imnotcreativeenoughforthisblog

@lonelysoul50

@sweetwhispersofchaos

@cruelmissdior

@sagittarius-flowerchild

@angelbabyange

@eternallyvenus

@sgt-barnesveins

@kmc1989

@libbyaller

[ereardon]

Friends Don't || Chapter 2

Summary: Bob Floyd has been your best friend for almost a decade, ever since he quietly agreed to tutor you in college. The two of you have spent years chasing each other around the globe – Bob as a WSO, you as a travel blogger. You’ve always been the anywhere-but-here girl, and he’s been your rock. But when a surprise diagnosis threatens to crumble your picture-perfect life, you’re on the first flight back to San Diego, desperate to put down roots for the first time. Will Bob finally have it in him to admit that you could be the love of his life? What will he say when he finds out the secret you’ve been skillfully hiding from him? Or worse, what if he doesn’t find out until it’s too late? 

Pairing: Robert “Bob” Floyd x OC [Reid] 

Tropes: Friends to lovers

Warnings: Cursing, mention of doctors/illness/crashes, illusion to death, blood

WC: 2.1K

Series masterlist here; previous chapter here; next chapter here

“Got everything you need, Sunny?” 

You turned around. Bob was standing in the doorway to your room, wearing a pair of blue striped pajama pants and a white t-shirt that hung off his lean frame. You smiled and nodded. “Think I’m good for the night at least.” 

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, you crossed your bare legs and looked around the room. It was a mess. You were waiting on the rest of your stuff to get shipped from your Brooklyn apartment where you had been living for the last eight months, so all you had were the two suitcases that you’d taken on the plane, now spread out on the ground, their contents spilled across the hardwood floors. 

“Thanks for letting me stay,” you said quietly. 

Bob tipped his head. “Don’t have to thank me, darlin’. It’s your house now, too.” 

It was a sweet little two bedroom house, only a fifteen minute drive from the beach. But it was sparsely decorated. Your room had just a bed and a dresser, no art, no rugs, no lamps. “What are your thoughts on letting me redecorate, in that case?” 

He laughed. “What, you don’t like my style?”

“Bachelor chic? You’re about one step above a 20-something guy in Bushwick who has his mattress on the floor so that he’s closer to the Earth but the reality is that he has fifty dollars in his bank account so when he asks you on a date he takes you to his sweaty roof in July and plays shitty guitar music and tries to mansplain to you the difference between IPA and other beers.” 

Bob raised an eyebrow. “Tell me you haven’t actually met guys like that.” 

“Unfortunately, I’ve met every single kind of guy you could ever imagine.” 

“Well, if my options are Brooklyn douche or you redecorate, by all means Sunny, do whatever you’d like with the place. I’ll leave my credit card on the kitchen table.” 

You stood up and crossed the room. “No way. It’s on me. I want to do this for you. Make a nice house so one day you can have some lucky girl over and she won’t get the immediate ick when she sees that you still have gray sheets and brown towels.” 

“What’s wrong with gray sheets?” 

You shook your head. “Trust me, Bobby.” 

“Sure, honey,” he whispered. You took one step closer, wrapping your arms around him. Bob immediately folded you into an embrace, resting his chin on your shoulder. 

“I missed you so much,” you whispered. “Thank God you’re home safe.” 

“Were you worried about me, Sunny?” he asked quietly, his low voice rumbling.  

“I worry about you every fucking day,” you murmured into his chest. “When you’re flying and I don’t know where you are. When you’re on the ground somewhere far from wherever I am. All I can think about is the next time we’re going to talk. The next time I'll know for a fact that you’re safe. And then that call comes and I’m elated. But it has to end sometime, right? So when it ends, the second you hang up, I’m back to being worried about you.” 

Bob pulled away, his hands folded into yours. “You worry too much, Reid. I’m always gonna be here for you. Always have been.” 

How could he forget? There was a reason you were scared all the time. You had almost lost him to the skies once. 

You were living in San Francisco and Bob was stationed out of Lemoore. It was the closest the two of you had ever lived since you graduated, four years prior. 

That’s when you got the call. 

“Reid Coleman?” 

You sat up straight at your desk chair, looking out the window over Market Street. If you really craned your neck, you could see the Ferry Building. “This is.” 

“I regret to inform you that Lieutenant Robert Floyd has been in an accident. You were listed as his emergency contact.” 

“Oh my God,” you whispered, heart plummeting in your abdomen. “Is he OK?” 

“He’s sustained injuries, ma’am,” the person on the other end of the line said. 

You didn’t even register that the phone had fallen from your grasp until you heard it drop to the floor at your feet. You were out the door in a second, practically barreling down to the lobby of the building, fingers shaking as you tried to search for rental cars nearby. 

The three-and-a-half hour drive went by in an instant, and it was the longest car ride you had ever been on. Every single second all you could think of was the fact that Bob could have died out there. 

And that the last thing you might have said to him was that you hated him. 

By the time you arrived on base it was dark. You barreled through the hospital doors, panting as you made your way to the nurses station. “Robert Floyd?” you asked, panicked. 

“And you are?” 

“His emergency contact.” 

The nurse nodded. “Follow me.” 

You trailed after her down the hallway, the clacking of your high heels on the linoleum floor the only noise in the sterile hallway. 

She stopped in front of the door. “He’s intubated,” she warned you. “So he can’t speak.” 

You nodded and she opened the door. But you weren’t ready for what you saw. Bobby, lying there on the bed, with a thick clear tube sticking out of his throat and mouth, taped to his lips, the whirring sound of the machines as they kept him alive. The way he practically blended into the white linens of the bed he looked so pale and fragile. 

You collapsed onto a chair next to his bed, taking his hand, the one that didn’t have an IV in it, into yours, letting your salty tears fall onto his cold skin. 

“Bobby,” you whispered, voice thick with tears and pain. “Honey, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it. Please, Bobby, come back to me.” 

He stayed in a coma for three days. You spent nearly every waking moment at his bedside, watching him with bated breath, waiting for some semblance of life to overtake him because the boy lying there in that hospital bed was not your best friend. He was a stranger. He didn't look or feel at all like the boy you had come to love over the last seven years.

And then, on the third day, you heard a familiar voice. 

“Sunny?” 

It was dry and scratchy. That morning the doctors had taken out the intubation and said he was awake, and you had rushed over from the hotel. There were tears in your eyes as you bolted through the doorway to where Bob was sitting up in bed, his glasses settled on his nose, a slow pinkness coming back to his rounded cheeks. 

You bent in half over the edge of the bed, sobs wracking your body, silent tears streaming down your face. Bob reached out one hand, softly patting your hair. “Honey, don’t cry.” 

You pulled away, looking up into his familiar blue eyes. He had looked so small before, and that had terrified you. He looked like himself again. Like the Bobby who had picked you up and carried you halfway across campus when you accidentally stepped on a rusted nail and had to go to the ER. He looked like the Bobby who had dared you to go into the caves in Vietnam even though you were terrified of small spaces. He looked like the Bobby that you loved with every cell in your body. 

He looked like your Bobby again. 

“I thought I lost you,” you whispered. 

“Never going to lose me, darlin’,” he murmured back. 

You sniffled, gripping his hand. 

Bob’s eyes widened after a moment. Then, “Wait. Where’s Denver?” 

You raised your eyes to him, unable to say it but knowing that they could convey what had happened without words, and watched as your best friend fell apart right in front of you. 

***

“OK Floyd, spill.” 

“Spill what?” Bob asked, tossing down a hand of cards. Payback laid his cards down. Two pair. He grabbed the pile of chips in the middle of the table and slid them closer, stacking them up with his own poker chips. 

“About Reid, Floyd,” Phoenix said, exasperated. “These two boneheads,” she pointed at Hangman and Rooster, “want to know if she’s fair game.” 

“Hey!” Coyote pouted. “So do I.” 

Bob shook his head as Fanboy dealt a new round of cards. “She’s not my girlfriend, if that’s what you’re asking.” 

“So we can ask her out,” Hangman was practically salivating. “Cause she’s hot as fuck.” 

Bob raised his head and glared at the blond. Hangman put his hands up in a defensive maneuver. 

“Woah, chill Floyd.” 

“She already turned you down, Bagman,” Phoenix chimed in. 

“She didn’t turn down Rooster,” Payback pointed out. “Or should I call him Chicken Man.” 

All eyes turned to Bradley, who took a sip of his beer. Then, “Never said I was gonna ask her out.” 

Bob sighed, trading in three cards from the five card draw. “Sunny is an adult,” he said. “She can do whatever she wants. So Rooster, if you want to ask her out, you’re free to. It’s up to her if she says yes or not.” 

Bradley nodded, tossing out one card, waiting for Fanboy to deal him a replacement. “Maybe I will.” 

Bob pursed his lips, grabbing for his beer glass, taking a chug and then slamming it down. He didn’t realize how forceful he was until the glass shattered on impact in his hand, sending beer rushing over the table and down the sides. Everyone jumped up in a panic. 

“Shit, baby on board, what the fuck?” Hangman called as he rushed to grab a roll of paper towels. 

“I’m sorry,” Bob shook his head. “I didn’t mean to.” 

“Come here,” Phoenix said, grabbing his arm and tugging him into the kitchen. She held his hand over the sink, pulling out a small splinter of glass from his palm, running the bloody hand under water. She doused it in soap and he winced at the sting. 

“Thanks,” Bob said as Phoenix wrapped his hand in a clean dish towel in Hangman’s kitchen. 

She looked up at him, knowingly. “You can say no to them, you know.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

Phoenix sighed. “Yes you do. Reid. You don’t want those idiots to touch her.”

Bob grimaced. “She’s a big girl. If she wants to go out with them, she can.” 

“Just admit it,” Phoenix said. “She is more than just your best friend.” 

Bob’s blue eyes bore into hers. “Sunny is, and always will be, the love of my life. I’m just not hers.” 

***

You looked through the sliding glass door to where Bob was carefully peeling an orange at the kitchen table, his eyes glued on the TV hanging over the mantle. 

“Ms. Coleman, have you found a new physician in the San Diego area? If not, I can recommend one to you. But it’s imperative that you go in for new scans immediately.” 

You sighed. “I’m working on it.” 

“Ms. Coleman.” The voice on the other end of the line was hard. “This is no joking matter.” 

“Don’t you think I’m aware of that?” you hissed. 

“I’m going to email you a list of five physicians in the area.” 

“They’re going to say exactly what you said,” you whispered. 

“You need to get a second opinion. And either way, you need a local physician now that you’ve relocated.” 

“Fine,” you said. “Send me the names.” 

“Ms. Coleman?” 

“Yeah?” 

“Please make an appointment.” 

You clicked off the phone and slid open the door. Bob had moved to the couch, one arm slung over the low back. 

“Everything OK?” he asked. 

You nodded, walking around the edge of the couch and settling into the spot next to him. Without even thinking, you leaned into Bob’s side, letting his arm fall around your shoulders, tucking you into his side. 

“Sunny?” he asked softly. He read you like an open book. He could practically see the anxiety and tension radiating off of your skin. 

“I’m fine,” you whispered, looking up at him with a small smile before resting your head against his thigh, lifting your feet onto the other end of the couch, lying down so that Bob’s hand was now firmly pressed against the dip in your side where your ribcage ended. 

You closed your eyes, breathing in his familiar smell, letting yourself relax, feeling your heart rate slow. 

“Everything is going to be fine,” you murmured.

Tag list: (or turn on notifications for my library @ereardonlibrary)

@double-j @topguncultleader @momc95 @hangmandruigandmav

@minamisulemisa @shawnsblue @blue-aconite

@seresinhangmanjake @brehonodea @babyminghao @crthurston

@angelbabyange @taytaylala12 @mizzzpink @wkndwlff @mygyn @sadpetalsstuff @shanimallina87 @averyhotchner @oneelleandaneye

@wittywhispers @wildlyobserving @eyesthatroll @localhockeygirl @xomrsalliej4787xo @rosiahills22 @teacupsandtopgun

@sexytholland @djs8891 @rxmtoon @darkestbeforethedawn16

@cactajuice @purplevortexx @dempy @lemur46

@louie-bug @arson-tm @valkyrja-siren-blog @avengers-fixation

@fudge13 @phantomxoxo @a-court-of-roscoe-and-baby @not-two-shrimp @emorychase @horseshoegirl

@xoxabs88xox @abaker74 @evans-dejong @clancycucumber230 @horseshoegirl

@mygyn @storysimp @interstellarloneliness @bobfloydsbabe

[mischievouslittlecreature]

Part 8: Exes & Ohs

Fandom: Inception

Pairing: Robert Fischer x OC

Summary: Some things from the past come to light after an encounter with one of Robert's exes.

Word Count: 4,311

Notes: Warnings for depictions of classism and references to sexual content.

Previous Part • Series • Next Part

“This is ridiculous,” Alice complained to Robert under her breath, clutching tightly to his arm to keep her balance as the deck of the yacht swayed beneath their feet. 

“I know,” he said, squeezing her arm.

“Is there a reason that this ‘meeting’ had to be conducted on a yacht?” she asked, tugging on the neckline of her dress, eyes glancing up at the multi-level boat; more of a mini cruise ship than a yacht, really. There was a large pool in the middle of it, a buffet and bar inside, several bedrooms for guests to stay, and rooms for entertaining or whatever other sleazy activities Maurice Fischer’s business partner was involved in.

“Probably so none of us can escape,” Robert mumbled, looking unenthusiastically at the rather unnecessary amount of supermodels gathered in the level beneath them, most of them dressed in little more than string bikinis as they lounged by the pool.

“That’s…more than a little disconcerting.”  

He pressed a comforting kiss to her temple, pulling her gently along beside him down a flight of stairs, across the deck, past the pool, and towards the buffet. 

“Oh my goodness, Robert!?”

They both skidded to a stop at the sound of the voice, Alice’s shoes squeaking against the wet surface of the deck. She knew that voice. Where did she know that voice from…

Oh, no.

Why?

Beside her, Robert had gone rather stiff, muscles tensed and jaw locked. He looked a little like he was trying not to scream.

“Veronica,” he said with the enthusiasm of someone who had just been told they were about to be guillotined. “You’re here.”

The woman who approached them was beautiful, with shoulder length blonde hair and stormy gray eyes. Her smile seemed to glitter in the lights illuminating the pool. Alice tugged her black shawl a little tighter around herself at the all too familiar sight of one of Robert’s ex-girlfriends, eyes darting downwards to focus on the deck almost on instinct. 

“Oh, come on now, Robert. Surely we know each other well enough for you to call me Ronnie,” Veronica crooned, coiling her arms around him like a snake in a hug that seemed to leave him intensely uncomfortable, eyes wide as they darted to Alice, begging for help. Clearing her throat softly was enough to catch Veronica’s attention, loosening her grasp on Robert so that he was able to pull free.

“Oh, and you brought Alice with you. That is so sweet. Really, this all must be so exciting for you. Considering where you come from and all.”

Alice had to fight back the temptation to knock a few of Veronica’s pretty pearly white teeth from her skull.

“Veronica–” Robert started in, shoulders tensed in the way that they often did when he was preparing for a verbal spar.

“I know, I know, I’m sorry. My mouth sometimes gets away from me,” Veronica continued on before he could say any more. A few of the women in the group that she’d abandoned to run up to them began to call her name. Brows furrowing and huffing in mock annoyance, Veronica glanced over her shoulder at them. “I have to get back to my group,” her eyes darted over Robert, lashes fluttering. “But I would love to catch up later,” she was flouncing away across the deck before either of them could respond.

“Well, she doesn’t seem to have changed much,” Alice said, squeezing at Robert’s arm. He just sighed with heavy exhaustion, pinching at the bridge of his nose. 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know she would be here.”

“It’s okay,” she kissed his cheek to let him know that she meant it. “When was the last time you saw her?”

“I don’t know…we broke up a month after you left and I haven’t seen much of her since. Maybe at a gala about a year or so ago.”

“Was that the last time you broke up?” she asked. Robert and Veronica had been on and off during college. It was hard to keep track of how many times they’d split over the years.

“Yeah,” he cringed. “God, it’s embarrassing to think about now. We were so volatile together.”  

“I remember,” the pattern of them fighting one moment and then being all over each other in the next was one she’d grown familiar with. A laugh escaped her lips, elbowing him lightly. “At least she didn’t call you Bobby,” she remembered how much he’d hated the nickname, listening through the shared wall of their apartment as he complained about it without fail every time.

Robert came to a screeching halt, staring at her with huge eyes. Something she couldn’t quite place had entered his face. “What are you talking about?”

“Well that’s what she used to call you, right? You hated it.”

“Yeah, but…” he stammered, cheeks beginning to turn pink. Frowning, Alice grabbed more firmly onto his arm, pulling him into a secluded, quiet corner where no one would overhear them.

“What?”

“How do you know that?” his voice came out in a panicked jumble of words, suddenly grabbing at her frantically.

“What do you mean?”

“Veronica only ever called me that when…” he swallowed hard, cheekbones dusted with scarlet. “When we were…” looking down, his fingers tightened against her shoulders. Hands settling on his forearms, she stroked gently along the expensive material of his suit, her own eyes growing wide as she realized what he was trying to tell her.

She’d never really given it much thought whether or not he knew that she could hear him through the walls when he would bring women home at night. She’d been a little too busy nursing a wounded heart over what she assumed at the time to be unrequited love to really consider it. But a part of her had assumed that he must have known. After all, they shared a wall. Surely he must have realized–especially considering how loud Robert sometimes was–that she could hear him. But one look at the growing panic in his big blue eyes made it clear that he hadn’t. He hadn’t known that she could hear him. And the revelation that she had was clearly sending him into a tailspin.

“Robert,” she said as gently as she knew how. “We shared a wall.”

He stared at her in utter and absolute horror. “What else did you hear?”

Her hesitation was answer enough. He tried to pull back, but she grasped onto him tightly. “Robert, sweetheart, it’s okay–” she attempted to soothe. Really, it was. At the time, it had bothered her, but not anymore. They were together now, and outside of a few bouts of minor insecurities, that was enough for her. She knew that he loved her. 

“Mr. Fischer?”

They both jumped as one of the guests of the evening–someone who’s name Alice couldn’t remember–approached them.

“Yes?” Robert asked, smoothing down his hair and his tie, eyes still darting over to Alice every couple of moments even after she let him go.

“I just wanted to congratulate you on what a marvelous job you did with the Morrison deal.”

“O-oh, thank you,” he mumbled, bashful.

“I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time to talk about some of the logistics–”

“You know, I would love to,” she knew him well enough to know that tone indicated the exact opposite. “But I’m actually in the middle of something right now,” reaching into his inner suit pocket, he pulled out a business card and handed it to the guest. “Call my office and we can set something up.”

The guest took the card, nodding and smiling politely, even as his brow furrowed when Robert promptly turned away, hands bracing against the railing of the yacht.

“Seasickness,” Alice mouthed to the man and his expression instantly turned sympathetic, nodding and rushing away. Moving to stand beside Robert, she rested a hand between his shoulder blades. He was leaning over the railing, staring down at the black waters below, chest heaving. “Robert?”

“I think that I’m going to throw up,” he said.

“I think that I have a Dramamine in my bag, somewhere…”

He gave her a look. “Not from motion.”

“Oh,” shifting closer to him, she let her thumb rub circles into the center of his back. “Really, Robert, it’s fine.”

But he just shook his head, eyes so miserable and full of guilt that it broke her heart a little bit. “I didn’t know. I know that you could hear. If I had, I wouldn’t have…God…” he whimpered and buried his face in his hands. Alice wrapped an arm around his shoulders, squeezing him in a half-hug. Robert turned his head so that it was pressed into her collarbone. “I’m sorry, Alice. I’m so, so sorry.”

“Shh. It’s okay. I mean it. Really.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

Shrugging, she looked down. “I dunno,” one of her hands traced through his soft hair, biting her lip. When her eyes caught on the gleam of his watch, she frowned. “Robert, you’re supposed to be in the conference room in five minutes.”

Head raising slightly, his brows furrowed. “I am?”

“The meeting with your father, you, Peter, and Mr. Traeger, remember?”

“Shit,” he mumbled, glancing down at his watch. “Yeah. Yeah, I remember.”

She smoothed down his hair and the front of his suit for him, cupping his cheeks and pecking him on the lips. He was still looking at her all anxiously and full of guilt. “Don’t worry about me, okay? We’re fine, I promise. Come find me when you’re done.”

He still didn’t look fully convinced, but he nodded, taking a step back. “Where will you be?”

“I’ll head towards the back of the boat. It’s quieter there.”

“Okay.”

Watching him rush away, she tugged her shawl tighter around herself, head tilting fondly. He really was far too sweet for his own good. Walking briskly across the deck, she headed towards the back, where there would hopefully be fewer people gathered.

“Alice.”

Fighting the urge to cringe away from the arm suddenly draped across her shoulders, she tilted her head up to stare at Veronica.

“Yeah?”

“Where did Robert run off to?”

“He had a meeting.”

“I see. I have to say, I was surprised to see you here. I thought you’d disappeared off to Europe.”

“I did. Now I’m back.”

“He was so upset when you left,” Veronica’s eyes were suddenly hazy and far away. “Heartbroken, I would say.”

Looking down, a lump of guilt formed in her throat, arms hugging tighter around herself. “I know.”

Veronica loosened the arm around her. “You really think that you can just come swooping back in and take him?”

“I didn’t take anything, Veronica–”

“It doesn’t mean anything. I mean, look at you. We’re talking about a man who has slept with more than his share of supermodels and movie stars. Do you really think that you’ll hold his interest for long? You’re something new and different for him to try out. And then he’ll move along to the next girl who catches his eye. You won’t be able to hold onto him for long.”

“Why? Because you couldn’t?” the words fell from her mouth before she could stop them. Veronica froze, just gaping at her in silent fury. Then her eyes narrowed.

“You’re nothing but gutter trash. Picked up off the side of the road,” Veronica said finally. “You’ll never be one of us.”

Alice shrugged, finally pulling herself free. “Who said that I wanted to be?” her head tilted. “Good-night, Veronica.”

She turned away, walking hurriedly, before anyone could see the beginnings of tears shining in her eyes.

∗ ∗ ∗ 

His foot tapped rhythmically against the carpeted floor of the conference room.

“Somewhere you need to be?” Uncle Peter asked as he slid another paper across the table for Robert and his father to sign.

“I want to get some of the chocolate cake they were just wheeling out at the buffet before it’s gone,” he lied. Though, actually, that didn’t sound too bad after everything that was just thrown at him in the last half hour.

“Last one and then you’re free to go,” Uncle Peter said good naturedly, handing him one last paper that he scribbled his signature on. His father scowled, clearly perturbed by Robert’s hastiness to bring the meeting to an end. Whatever. If they wanted to stay in the conference room and chatter with boring old Mr. Traeger, they could. He had a girlfriend who he needed to profusely apologize to a thousand more times.   

The mental image of her in his head was near torturous. Of how she must have laid in her bed in their shared apartment all those years ago, curled in a ball while she was forced to listen to him fuck whatever person he’d had in his bed that night. Who’s name he probably didn’t even know. Had she cried as she laid there alone in the dark? Had she held a pillow over her ear to try to stifle the noises? Just the idea alone was enough to make him want to hide away in some dark place and wallow in his shame for all eternity.

He was down the stairs, halfway across the deck and almost to the buffet, when someone linked their arm with his.

“Hi, stranger.”

“Not now, Veronica.”

“You and Alice are so adorable together.”

“Um, thanks? Now if you don’t mind–”

“But be honest with me, Robert,” she was stronger than she looked, yanking him back towards her. “How long do you really think that’s gonna last?”

His head finally snapped around towards her, eyes narrowing. “What do you mean?”

“Robert,” she clicked her tongue. “We both know how you are.”

Wincing at the silent insult, he turned away. “This time it’s different.” 

“Pfft. I give you two a few months at most. You’ll get bored,” she patted him on the arm. “And she’s probably just with you for your money.”

“And you weren’t?”

The question had Veronica skidding to a sudden halt, lips parted in surprise. He needed to get out of here. Otherwise they were going to start screaming at each other. That was how it always was with her. Ripping his arm free, he started to stalk away.

“What about the rest of us?”

His brow raised at the term us. Like she was the elected spokesperson for all women who would ever want to sleep with him. Glancing over his shoulder, he shook his head, laughing with a coldness that reminded him alarmingly of his father. 

“Well, about half of you were pushed on me by my father…and the other half weren’t much more than a stupid attempt to get over her.”

“And now you’re with her,” she gave him a look. “Are you really going to tell me that none of us measure up?”   

He took a careful step forward, leaning close to ensure that she heard him. “None of you ever even came close.”

He left her standing there, open mouthed and incensed and probably about to spend the rest of the evening telling everyone what a cold-hearted jackass he was, but he didn’t care. Instead he swept past the buffet table, scooping up a slice of chocolate cake settled on a pristine white plate and two forks as he passed by.

Alice was where she said she’d be, arms curling over the railing, black shawl fluttering around her. Her black dress hugged close to her body before flaring out at the waist, the entire bodice and sleeves covered in silver, shimmering sequins. The neckline was plunging in a way that made his cheeks heat, and she’d let her hair hang loose, swaying fluidly around her waist.

“Hey,” he approached her slowly and cautiously. “I brought you cake.”

Alice turned and smiled when she saw that it was him, looking near ethereal. But there was something off, a subtle redness about her eyes that hadn’t quite subsided. His brow furrowed. Had she been crying?

“Thanks,” she took the plate from him with one hand, grabbing at his fingers with the other and leading him to a little bench sheltered by the wind. 

“Are you okay?” he asked, stroking a hand down her cheek, rubbing his thumb under her eyes and frowning at the slight puffiness there.

“Mhm.”

“Alice,” he could feel the beginnings of his previous panic returning to close up his throat and seize his muscles. “Sweetheart, I am so, so sorry about–”

“Oh, no. It’s not that,” she said, setting down her fork. “It’s…” she trailed off, eyes gazing at the ocean. “Look, I don’t want you to do anything about this.”

“About what?” it only took about five seconds for his mind to come up with a whole myriad of horrible things that could have happened in his absence. Rich people could be incredibly cruel. 

“While you were gone, Veronica came over to talk to me.”

He felt himself go stiff, eyes closing in quiet dread. “What did she say?”

“Oh, you know. What they all say. Nothing particularly original.”

“What did she say?”

Alice huffed. Wiped at her nose. Shrugged. “Just that you’ll get bored of me, basically,” her lips pulled into a frown, looking down at her hands. “And that I’m…”

“What?” he asked, setting the plate aside so he could more properly grasp her.

“I believe the exact words that she used were ‘gutter trash.’”

Cupping her face in his palm, he traced the shape of her lips with his thumb. The temptation to stalk downstairs, grab Veronica by the hair and hurl her over the side of the boat was a strong one. But not as strong as his need to comfort Alice. “And you believe that?”

“No. Well, I mean…” her hesitation broke his heart, reaching out desperately to pull her closer. “She’s not wrong,” Alice murmured into his chest. “You could have anyone you wanted.” 

He was already shaking his head before she’d even finished the sentence, pulling back and leaning forward so that their foreheads rested against each other and he could look into her eyes. “Why would I want anyone else when I can have you? I love you.”

She was close enough for him to count her eyelashes as she blinked. “I know. I know, I love you too. I don't know why it got to me so much…”

He kissed her tenderly, murmuring quiet, sweet nothings, arms going tight around her. For a long time they just leaned against each other in silence.

“I don’t…I don’t want this to cause any fights or anything like that with Veronica,” Alice said.

“Oh, she’s dead the next time I see her,” Robert said definitively. Alice just giggled quietly, despite her quiet, rather halfhearted attempts at dissuasion. “If it makes you feel any better, I did already kinda tell her off after she tried to corner me when I was on my way to find you.”

“Really?” Alice asked, eyes curious. “What did you say?”

“Oh, you know,” he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “How no one could ever compare to you.”

She ducked her head in a futile attempt to hide her blush. Smiling, he kissed her nose.

“Sort of called her a gold digger too.”

“Robert!” any attempt at sounding disapproving was greatly undercut by the way her chest vibrated with laughter.

“Well, it’s true!”

She tried to stifle her giggles by pressing her hand to her mouth, eyes shining up at him with cheerful fondness. Kissing her again, he let his arms tighten around her protectively, chin resting on the top of her head. Breathing deeply, he allowed his eyes to close, the feeling of her in his arms and the scent of her shampoo soothing him from the anxious, guilt-ridden wreck he’d been earlier. It was all okay. They were okay. He wasn’t going to lose her.

Her head craned around him, like she was looking for something.

“What?”

“Where’s my cake?”

Snorting out a laugh, he grabbed the plate where he’d set it down beside them. They ended up with their sides pressed together, her head resting on his shoulder with his arm around her.   

“How did you stand it?” he asked finally, once they’d finished the slice of cake and set the plate aside. As better as he may have felt in comparison to earlier, guilt still ate away at his chest. Not to mention the embarrassment of how stupid he’d been. His thumb circled over the back of her hand, unable to look her in the eye. Every time he thought about how he would have felt had he been in her position, he was tempted to curl into a little ball of shame right there in the middle of the deck.

“Stand what?”

“Hearing me through the walls.”

Alice cocked her head. “Honestly? I invested in a very expensive pair of noise canceling headphones.”   

Robert drew in on himself with a whine, guilt making his stomach feel queasy again, but Alice just smiled softly and kissed his cheek, wrapping an arm around him. 

“What are you thinking?” she asked.

“I’m trying to decide whether it would be worth it or not to try to swim back to shore.”

“Hm. Well, the water might be a bit cold this late at night.”

He snorted.

“And there might be sharks,” she shot him a playfully perturbed look. “And I'd be very annoyed at you for ditching me.”

That got a laugh out of him, but when she looked up at him her eyes were serious.

“It’s okay. It sucked, but it’s not like we were together at the time or anything.”

“I should’ve realized that the walls were so thin, or not brought them back to the apartment, or…” or not have slept with any of them at all.

“And I probably should’ve told you that I could hear you,” Alice shrugged. “Really, you should be the one who’s pissed at me for invading your privacy like that.”

“I’m not mad at you,” he said immediately.

“And I’m not mad at you either.”

He didn’t deserve her. Not even a little bit. “I love you,” he gripped her cheeks firmly. “I love you so much, I never wanted to hurt you…”

“I know, Robbie, I know.”

He practically melted at the nickname. “None of them ever meant anything.”

Her eyebrows rose almost skeptically. “Really? None of them?”

He shook his head furiously. “Not one,” looking away, he swallowed down his shame. “I never loved any of them,” he wasn’t sure if that made it better or worse, somehow.

Touching his face lightly, Alice tilted her head. “Does it make me terrible that hearing that makes me feel better?”

Turning his head, he kissed her fingertips. “I don’t think so.”

“Hm. That’s not a fair assessment, though. You’re biased.”

He chuckled, gathering her in closer, eyes sweeping over her body. “Damn right, I am.”

Giggling, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Do you really mean it when you say that we’re okay?”

“Yeah, I do. I know you love me. You just had a little bit of a hoe phase for a few years before we got together. That’s all,” she smirked at the tiny sound of indignation he made.

“I think I’d prefer to refer to it as my Casanova years.”

Alice cackled. “What, you don’t like ‘hoe phase?’ I think it’s quite fitting,” she kissed his cheek fondly. “My adorable little hoe.”

“I take it all back. You’re horrible and I hate you.”

She laughed again, kissing his forehead and snuggling closer. He was busy nuzzling at her shoulder when he felt her shiver a little, tugging her shawl tighter around her and he was out of his suit jacket before she could even blink, wrapping it around her shoulders.

“Thanks,” despite the jacket she still snuggled into his side. He just hummed, stroking her face, enjoying having her so close.

“I’m going to make it up to you.”

Her brows rose. “You don’t have to–”

“I want to,” he insisted, slanting his mouth over hers, kissing languidly before pulling back. She was so beautiful. Warm and soft where she was pressed up against him. “Starting right now.”

Her eyes widened as he dipped his head to begin placing open mouthed kisses along her skin. “W-what do you mean?” 

“I mean, that there are at least five bedrooms on this boat. One’s got Mr. Traeger staying in it. The rest are free.”

Her eyes grew round as dinner plates. “We can’t do that!” but when she cast him a tentative look, he knew that he had her. “...Can we?”

“We’re going to be stuck out here for at least a few more hours. We might as well enjoy ourselves,” smirking, he scraped his teeth over the spot that made her shiver, hands spread openly on her ribs. Head tilting back, her fingers tangled in his hair, a pleased sigh falling from her lips. “And I want you to scream my name so loud everyone on this damn boat can hear it.”

He felt more than heard her breath catch, the beginnings of a truly wicked smile blooming across her lips. “Even Veronica?”

“Oh, especially Veronica.”

She laughed, letting him grab her by the hand, practically racing down the steps and inside, shoving open the door leading to where the bedrooms were. The first room he tried was, ah, occupied, but the second was open. Alice’s laughs as they fell in a tangled mess of limbs onto the bed went straight to his heart, warming and filling it with joy. He loved her. He loved her more than anyone or anything in the goddamn world.

And he’d spend every day reminding her of that if he had to.

Previous Part • Series • Next Part

Thank you for reading! Please consider leaving a comment, reblog, or like. I always appreciate feedback and love getting the opportunity to interact with you and hear your thoughts!

[polyamships]

December 2022 Polyam Shipping Day roundup

Happy Holidays, everyone.

This month we had 8 entries across 8 fandoms. They’re posted in the list below – if we’ve missed any please feel free to send us a message.

Bleach: Untitled (meta) by @rolaplayor101 (Ichigo Kurosaki x Orihime Inoue x Renji Abarai x Uryuu Ishida)

Delicious Party Pretty Cure: Gift Shopping Snapshot (graphics) by  @merryfortune   (Amane Kasai x Kokone Fuwa x Ran Hanamichi x Yui Nagomi)

Final Fantasy VII: Presents by Marlene (art) by @theoreticalconstruct (Barret Wallace x Cloud Strife x Tifa Lockhart)

Final Fantasy XIV: Heartfelt (fanfic) by @theoreticalconstruct (Edmont de Fortemps x Nashmeira x F’lhaminn Qesh)

Infernal Devices / Shadowhunters: Engagement Gift (fanfic) by @xnicowritesx ( Jem Carstairs x Tessa Gray x Will Herondale)

L.S. Dunes (Band RPF): Know When (fanfic) by Kasya (Anthony Green/Frank Iero/Tucker Rule)

Red Dead Redemption: Platinum (fanfic) by @anautisticwriter (Abigail Roberts Marston x John Marston x Charles Smith)

Yu-Gi-Oh: The Only Gift I Need (fanfic) by @fang-and-feather (OC x Malik x Yugi, v-relationship)

[earth-18104]

Earth-18104 - List of Characters

Characters that were born in 1970 and 1980, basically the first generation of heroes. Not all of these characters have birthdays, and not all of these dates are Canon, some I chose myself based on their first apparitions and such.

This list also includes my marvel OCs. Main list!

1970 –

• Frankie Raye, daughter of inventor Phineas Horton, the heroine Photon. 

• Kevin Brashear, Adam Brashear's first son. 

1971 -

• Vanisher.

• February 11 - Wade Winston Wilson, the mercenary Deadpool.

1972 –

• April 21 – Shiro Yoshida, Sunfire.

• August 6 - Jonathan Storm, member of The Fantastic Four, the Human Torch.

1973 -

• Max Brashear, second son of Blue Marvel.

1974 –

• July 2 - Dr. Henry Philip McCoy, the X-Men Beast. 

• September 17 - Birdy, Sabretooth's assistant.

1975 -

• April 25 - Lorna Dane, Polaris.

• Dr. Adrienne Brashear, daughter of Adam Brashear.

• September 3 - Jean Gray, Marvel Girl, host of the Phoenix. 

• Calvin Rankin, known as Mimic. 

• November 5 - Warren Worthington III, descendant of Clan Akkaba, the Archangel. 

1976 -

• Julia Grey, Jean Grey's younger sister. 

• March 3 - Scott Summers, known as Cyclops, leader of the X-Men.

• August 31st - Monica Rambeu, the superhero Spectrum. 

• Jefferson Davis. 

1977 -. 

• Theresa Cassidy, daughter of Banshee, known as Siryn. 

• May 5 - Robert "Bobby" Drake, the superhero Iceman.

1978 -

• January 9 - Alexander “Alex” Summers, Havok. 

• Aaron Davis, the criminal called Prowler. 

• Eugene "Flash" Thompson, Anti-Venom.

1979 -

• James Arthur Madrox, student of Moira MacTaggert, known as Multiple Man.

• Gwendolyne Stacy, daughter of NYPD Captain George Stacy.

• Catarina Oliveira, teacher and X-Men called Coral OC. 

• August 12 - David Haller, son of Charles Xavier and Gabrielle Haller.

1980 –

• Harold "Harry" Osborn, son of Norman Osborn. 

• Mary Jane Watson. 

• June 05 - Peter Parker, the first Spider-Man 

• Valeria Toomes, Vulture’s daughter.

1982 -

• August 07 - Gabriel Summers, the mutant known as Vulcan.

1984 -

• June 12 - Kyle Gibney, Wild Child. 

[spellbcok]

@mcrcki asked: what other muses did you wish to add to your roster but never did?

i won’t say that they’ll never make an appearance, but there are so, so many muses i’ve been wanting to bring in but have somehow shown immense restraint not to. the list is so disgustingly long…. and i’m going to be annoying and post them all (+some rambling).

muses i have written in the past but have not (yet) brought to dc: giselle (enchanted), emma woodhouse (emma), annie edison (community), tessa gray (the infernal devices), jackie burkhart (that 70s show), cindy moon (silk/marvel), annie jenks (carrie), helen shivers & julie james (i know what you did last summer), summer roberts (the oc), cassandra cillian (the librarians), alice hamilton (syfy’s alice), lemon breeland (hart of dixie), ruby (supernatural).

most recent additions to my list: hong haein (queen of tears), evelyn carnahan (the mummy), shen li (the legend of shen li), lee mihyun (moving), jang heesoo (moving), elena michaels (women of the otherworld/bitten), chu yue (a journey to love), jung gahee (flex x cop), lee ganghyun (flex x cop).

extremely actor specific, but every single park boyoung and shin hyesun character. i’ve chosen already for the former, so i can’t bring in na bongsun, do bongsoon, joo jin, or jung daeun lest i change fcs or drop dongkyung (neither option i really see happening atm).

&& with shin hyesun, there are so many i want to bring but can’t find it in me to decide on one. it’s just so hard to choose between ban jieum, lee yeonseo, woo seori, and cho samdal, that i refuse to do so.

kdrama muses i've written before & are always on my mind: yang hyesun (my roommate is a gumiho), song yikyung (49 days), shin jihyun (49 days), choi aera (fight my way), han jiyeon (work later, drink now), do hana (the uncanny counter), han jaeyi/gil nakwon (come and hug me), yoon hyejin (hometown cha cha cha), kang haram (black), jo jiah (i'm not a robot).

these ones i hesitate purely because how many law enforcement muses does a person really need? but a few of my favorite procedural muses to write are erin lindsay (chicago pd), juliet o’hara (psych), emily prentiss (criminal minds), lucy tara (ncis: hawaii), kensi blye (ncis: los angeles), & carrie wells (unforgettable).

[wr1t3w1tm3]

First Line Analysis

I got this idea from the prompt below:

Rules: Share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns! (from most recent to least recent, starting from the top)

But I decided to try and do all of my past works and see what I could find. I'll color code by fandom and link them all if any pique your interest, but this is mostly just for fun.

Top Gun/Top Gun Maverick

SEAWOLF (OC (Rooster's kid), Iceman lives, werewolves).

A couple of nights later, Rooster learns why they got certified.

2. Taco Shop (Hangman & Everyone).

Along the way he runs towards into Hangman, returning from the mess with a snarl on his face.

3. For the Love of a Daughter (dark!TopGun, Murder fic).

It’s been a hell of a year for Bradley Bradshaw.

4. Seven Rings (And Other Things) (Carol/Goose & Rooster)

They were Carol’s mothers.

5. Like Washin' on the Line (Jake "Hangman" Seresin, Origin).

Texas has some wolves.

6. A Snowballs Chance in Space (TGM x Star Wars The Clone Wars).

The looming gray airbase is a welcome reprieve from the terrain they’ve trekked for hours.

7. Crashin' and Burnin' (In) (Bob & Phoenix)

Bob stumbles into his briefing the next morning with hair disheveled, glass dirty, and his flight suit crumpled.

8. Welcome Home (Harvard & Sarah Kazansky)

Sarah Kazansky is the closest thing he’s had to a mom in years, and Brigham is entirely unsure how to handle it. 

9. What to Say to You? (Rooster & Daughter OC).

Put in for Theresa’s graduation - Check. 

10. Ivy Leaguers (Harvard & Yale, Origin)

Ensign Brigham Lennox is an escapee from one of the most notorious cults in the contiguous United States. 

11. The Office (OC & Hondo Coleman)

Hondo’s office is in some god forsaken corner of the NAS Coronado compound.

12. 5 Times Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky was Worried More than He let on + 1 Time He Wasn't (Iceman lives, 5 + 1).

He had prayed for years that after Bosnia, that would be it.

13. You Had Me at Heads Carolina (Penny/Maverick)

Legally, last call in California is 2 am, but Penny’s has always been 1:30, though she never kicks anyone out until 2. 

14. It Smells Like Victory (Jake Hangman Seresin & OC)

He’s really starting to wonder if Theresa picked out the doormat, because If I like you, Check the Garage is something Maverick or Rooster might think, but he’s pretty sure they’re not going to actively put it on a doormat. 

15. ...What I Call this One? (Jake Hangman Seresin & Cyclone)

Fuck Mondays, Cyclone groans, rubbing his head.

16. Don't You Wish You Knew... (Hangman & Omaha)

It’s odd not getting the customary gruff good morning from Admiral Simpson as he passes his office on his way to the briefing room.

17. My Pilot, My Responsibility (Halo & Omaha)

The real saying is “My wizzo, my responsibility.” 

18. Take me Home, Country Roads (Slider & Mav & Rooster)

It’s weird, seeing an animal dead that you know was alive merely an hour ago. 

19. Drunk Dials (On Friday Nights) (Maverick & Phoenix)

3 am Wyoming time.

20. Baby Goose (Carol & Goose & Rooster & OC)

It’s a term of endearment, welded to Rooster by association since he was just a baby.

21. Shooting from the Hip (Maverick & Rooster & OC)

Rooster hasn’t touched a gun since basic.

22. I Heard from the Heavens (Major Character Death, Rooster)

“Beautiful day for a flight, huh Mav?” Roosters muses.

23. Mistakes were made, but You're not one of Them (Rooster & OC)

Rooster’s phone buzzes something fierce on that quiet afternoon.

Hocus Pocus

24. Abracadabra An Unofficial Hocus Pocus Sequel (Dennison Children OC's, Sanderson Sisters, written pre-HP2, fusion fic)

It was a late summer night in Salem; silent, cool, and very, very dark.

25. Hocus Pocus: Magic's Return (Sanderson Sisters, written pre-HP2)

"Poor Thackery Binx. Neither his father, his mother, nor anyone else... ever knew what became of him... those 300 years ago."

Beauty and the Beast

26. Beauty and a Beast (2017, AU, Gaston/Belle, Pere Robert)

“What do you mean you won’t marry us?” Gaston bellowed. 

27. Can Anybody be Happy if They aren't Free? (2017, Belle/Beast)

“Is it true that he held you captive?” 

Ninjago (All Media)

28. Ninjago Season 16: Succession (AU, departed!Cole, Script Fic)

[We open above a cloud line about mid-day and facing forward.]

29. The Master of Earth (AU, departed!Cole, RIP Kirby Morrow)

There is a place in the center of Ninjago City, and there, a statue stands.

30. The Nya Interlude (AU, missing!Nya, grief, remembrance)

The day broke sunny and cheerful, though not one shared the sentiment. 

31. "It Seems All of our Stories Start this Way" (AU, departed!Cole)

There is a place in the center of Ninjago City, and there, a statue stands.

Hamilton

32. the gods three (AU, Hamilton x Star Wars elements)

Light.

33. Hamilfam Death Days (Post Canon, Afterlife)

John Laurence is the first of the Hamilfam to go. 

Miscellaneous

34. Power Rangers Star Force (Star Wars x Power Rangers)

It’s not easy to hide the disappearance of a junior senator.

35. Christos (Supernatural (2005), AU, priest!Sam, priest!Dean)

“Hurry up Sam, I don't know how much longer I can hold him."

36. Susan Pevensie's Later Years (Narnia, Post-Last Battle, OC)

Melody Glasgow is 8 when her mother is diagnosed with cancer.

37. The Newbie: An Avengers Story (Avengers Assemble (tv show), MCU elements, X-Men elements, OC)

My name is Shiloh, Shiloh Miller.

38. "Chin Up King" (Technoblade Tribute, Technoblade never dies)

As the King watches the sun set over his enemies' camp, he realizes that this will test his very being. 

Notes:

A Snowballs Chance in Space and the gods three are both Star Wars crossovers; however, the Star Wars elements only exist as inspiration or background components, so I choose to include them with their primary fandom.

The Master of Earth and "It Seems All of our Stories Start this Way" begin with the same line as one is a rewrite of the other (I can't remember which is which at this point as they are some of my earliest fics).

Although both Beauty and the Beast fics are listed as being for the 2017 live action remake, with the exception of Pere Robert they can be set after the events of the original animated movie.

Abracadabra is a reworking of Magic's Return, but both have their own canons, different sets of characters, etc. Only Magic's Return is truely written pre-HP2, because I was publishing parts of Abra before, during, and after the release of HP2.

Analysis:

I consistently include characters in my first lines.

When I don't, I'm setting up the location or time period.

I tend to use short, sweet first lines.

When I don't use short first lines, I use hella long ones bro.

Of the works I've published on Archive, only a couple of them are from other sights (The Newbie and maybe Magic's Return were up on quotev, and both were either posted and completed or begun while I was in middle school.)

The most works I've written for a fandom is Top Gun Maverick (23). Of those, 22 are one shots, and one is a long fic (177K words).

My longest fic is SEAWOLF (177K words) and my shortest is Beauty and a Beast (259 words, a literal ficlet).

The shortest first line belongs to the gods three (one word) and the longest belongs too It Smells like Victory (41 words).

7 titles (all for Top Gun) are references to songs/they're lyrics.

9 titles are references to the media they are inspired by (a couple flat references, but mostly direct and indirect quotes).

24 first lines include direct references to other characters.

I personally can tell how my writing has evolved based on the first lines, and I'm pretty sure you can tell which of these is my first line based on the first line alone.

It's been like two months since I started working on this post, but now it's done. I will occasionally reblog with updates to the list as I post new writing.