#she has a whole folder in her phone full of these messages too C;

[astra11]

🗑️ a text that wasn’t sent.

Text Meme | Selectively Accepting

[ SMS TO: Bae 💩  ] How is it that someone like you could be so perfect in any way I can imagine ? You’re asleep in the other room and I just can’t believe how wonderful you have been to me, how you’ve stood by me and never left my side, even though were were kept apart for so long. You mean so much to me and I just don’t know how I would have gotten through all of this without your help. You’re the best bae someone could ask for. 

[MESSAGE SAVED TO MEMOS] 

[marvinswriting]

Northshore's couples, written by anonymous, about anonymous.

a crack idea bear and I had that I took seriously

g/t mean girls

November, 12th

Ifykyk.

Hey, Northshore! Welcome to a new section of the school newspaper. I've been fighting for a gossip blog for a hot minute now, and since the paper is dying down, Northshore is finally allowing it. 

But this isn't just any gossip blog.

This is the place where I'm gonna -try- to answer your most burning questions about Northshore couples in question.

All through anonymity and observation.

To start, let's meet the students. All names have been changed so identities can stay hidden. In the tinies we've got: J, A, and R. Then in the giants there is: D, C, G, K, and S.

Who's with who? Who hates who? Who's got some secrets under the surface? Come back next week.

"Full offense to Northshore, this sounds stupid as fuck." Janis huffed, tossing down the newspaper, letting it fall to the table. 

Karen looked at the small girl of Damian's shoulder.

"Why do you think?"

"Gossip blogs are unoriginal and boring. The school newspaper is grasping at straws."

"They can be fun when done right." Regina points out. "I say we check in next week and find out more about the students it's about."

"Whats-" Cady frowned. "What's a gossip blog?"

"Aww, baby's first gossip blog! We have to keep up with this one. Just for Cady." Damian said.

Karen watched with amusement as her friends discussed gossip blogs and if they were any good.

This will be fun. 

November 19th

Love the feedback from last week guys! You're all as hyped as I am. And no. I won't confirm who your suspicions are. Stop slipping notes under the computer lab door.

This week J and D were seen together. (It's not uncommon.) 

A was seen kissing C when they thought nobody was looking. But don't be fooled, somebody is always looking.

Not to be creepy or anything.

Just- we saw that, A. 

You won't spot R without K or G anywhere near them, don't know if any of them are dating though.

Development into J and D's relationship as D is seen defending J from S. Sources couldn't hear what they were saying but it sounded pretty hostile. Is it just caring friends or something a little more? 

This blog is focused around uncovering Northshore's couples once and for all. Have any tips? There's been a box placed by the computer lab door. Got any other people you want to see covered? Let me know!

Until next week, the anon who writes about anons. Xx!

"So," Cady looked down at her newspaper. "A gossip blog, is just talking about people?"

"Hence, the gossip part." Janis folder her own tiny newspaper, tossing it onto the cafeteria table from Damian's pocket. "And it's stupid."

"I wonder who it's about?" Gretchen said. "I know everything about everybody. But all this info? This is news to me."

"It's obviously about-" Karen paused. Was she the only one to figure it out?

Wasn't she the dumb one?

"Never mind. I dunno who it's about either."

"I don't understand why you care so much." Janis huffed.

"Because its fun to be nosey about lives that aren't ours. Duh." Regina said.

November, 26th

Happy Friday, Northshore!

Wow, lots of you sent in info about J and D. Whether you've cracked the code on who they are or maybe you're just observant of two fellow students- there is no denying they're pretty affectionate.

Since we're on the topic, let's start with J and D.

Kisses. Lots of them.

Romantic, or just friends? The duo themselves give pretty mixed answers so we must take matters into our own hands and draw our own conclusions. J was seen skipping class on multiple occasions and hiding with D. I hope J has a good tutor. I could never miss that much info.

R and G are seen together. K seems like they're third-wheeling. Somebody get them out of there. K, if you need a sos, slip a note in the box bby. We've got you.

If you want to talk about PDA, look no further than A and C. Wow! A hello kiss, a kiss kiss, a GOODBYE KISS? They may not say it themselves but those two are definitely a fairytale couple.

No updates to S. #singleforlife.

Sorry, S. If you're reading this.

"Well, A and C just sound gross." Janis frowns.

"Don't be negative, Jan." Damian shakes his head at the girl on the table. "They sound cute."

"Overly cute." Cady says.

"I'm glad somebody agrees." Janis huffed.

"Poor K. Thridwheeling a couple is awful." Gretchen sympathizes.

"We don't know if R and G are dating." Aaron points out. "We don't know if any of these people are dating. I'm kinda hooked."

"Well, third-wheeling best friends is even worse." Cady sighs, glancing at Damian and Janis. 

Karen looked at the newspaper in her hands with a soft smile. She had a note to drop off.

December 3rd

Happppppy Friday! I have a big announcement right off the bat!

It is I, the writer, formally known as Anon. But now there's two of us! Me, the writer, and another student- the spy. Between the two of us (and your help from the box!) we're gonna crack these relationships open in no time!

This week's rundown!

R was with G the whole week. There was not one time they were separated. 

A, J, and R were seen in the tiny halls together where  A was overheard talking fondly about C.

Is there a fight for J?

D and S seem to never want to leave J alone.

Although, if you asked the writer, I'm totally team JD. Message for S? This isn't middle school anymore. Being mean to somebody isn't a good way to show your emotions. Message for D? You're doing fabulous, I'm rooting for you. Message for J? Pick fucking wisely. 

I'm a bit biased but my info is not. 

Don't you worry.

Until next week, you know where the box is! Xx.

"Aw, J and D sound like a cute couple." Regina cooes.

"A and C don't." Janis shook her head. "To sappy."

"Is Jan warming up to the gossip blog? And forming opinions?" Damian teased.

Karen shook her head in disbelief. The fact that her friends were yet to catch on-

-they were dense. Not idiots, just dense.

"S sounds like an asshole." Gretchen shook her head. "Bet its a boy. Yknow when a boy would pull your hair in elementary school and you'd get told, oh boys will be boys. He just likes you! Yeah. S is a dude for sure."

"Not every boy was like that. I wasn't." Damian said.

"You're gay." Janis rolled her eyes. 

December 10th

Heyo Northshore! It's the writer. Might I say, you look wonderful today? 

I don't see you but I'm sure you're just stunning.

A must be p r e t t y stupid because they were seen all this week studying with C. A kiss for every problem right? Hey, it's not a bad deal.

R was seen primarily with K this week, throwing off all previous theories.

Must have been a rough week for J. I'd imagine you've got to be stressed as hell to just break down randomly but guess what- they did. Lack of sleep? Hunger? S? Who knows what the culprit was.

But don't you worry, D was quick to whisk them off to someplace quiet.

Love to see it, I want a significant other like that.

The day they confirm their relationship is the day I expect a wedding invite.

See you next week! Xx.

"Wow! Looks like Jan isn't the only one in Northshore who needs to learn when to take a break before the break takes them." Damian deadpanned, lowing his newspaper.

Karen blinked. Are you kidding me?

"I was just tired." Janis huffed. "I needed a nap."

"I dunno man. A and C sound cheesy as fuck." Gretchen shook her head.

"They do. Now J and D though? That couple goals." Janis said.

Karen's hand shot to her mouth as she covered a laugh with a forced cough. "Couple? You think they're together?"

"For sure. They sound made to be!"

Oh dear.

December 17th

Winter break next week! Who's excited? We get full two weeks off this year and I'm so ready for a break.

I'll miss our resident couples in question though.

Not to throw everyone off but-

J spent the week with G. R spent the week with C. And A was with D?

Now granted by the time you're reading this print, this is two-week-old information- but why?

Did you get bored and just s w a p?

Anyway, I guess S wanted into the mix too? Because they took advantage of no D to try and get to J. It didn't work. G was there to protect our favorite JD ship. I'm not saying they're a cockblocker bc I don't wanna imply anything, but S is d e f i n it l y trying to get something out of J. Motive unclear but hey, we can assume :/

Gross.

Anyway, there were multiple fights that broke out that day so idk what yall were on but jesus christ calm down. Not relationship-related but be fucking nice to tineis.

Ugh.

K had no part in this swap of s/o but hey, they weren't third-wheeling anymore. 

Xx!

"Be fucking nice to tinies!" Regina cheers.

"J and G?" Janis frowned at the tiny newspaper in her hands. "Sorry, only know about J and D."

"Janis went from, ew gossip, to I'd die to have JD confirmed, real fast." Aaron pointed out.

"As she should." Gretchen pointed out. "They sound cute as fuck.

"Hands down they're lesbians." Regina said.

Karen shook her head, totally dumbfounded.

January, 7th

Did you miss me! I missed you. Mwah.

Right off the bat-

Uh. The box has been filled with messages from S saying, they do not like J. 

So I guess they're just an asshole.

Hey, just means team JD is gonna win.

Speaking of-

When J was asked directly they said that, I quote "D is the love of my life." But when asking D, I was told: "[J is] just a good friend". Sort your story idiots. The school wants to know!

While S may be out of the running, many sources say JC is a rising ship? Between A and C and J and C, I can't help but wonder, is there a behind the scenes JCA?

Fellow tiny students report A and J not being very close in the tiny hallways though. Now J and R tho-

J is just one lucky mate.

Who's your favorite? Let me know in the box! Xx.

"J and D." Janis says from her perch on Damian's shoulder. 

Karen just looked at her phone.

"You think there's a threesome going on in school?" Gretchen asked.

"Unlikely. I don't even this A and C sound cute. Why add another." Aaron rolled his eyes.

You don't think-

Karen sighed.

She really should tell them but- it was so much funnier this was.

Janis stood up on Damian's shoulder, pressing a quick kiss to his jaw without motive. 

Karen turned back to her phone, unsurprised if that would pop up in next week's article. 

January 14th

I love you- signed the writer.

Glad we got that out of the way.

NOW.

This was quite the week for our "couples".

First off, D and J? PDA through the roof.

Idk, maybe it's a special week, or maybe we're paying more attention and they've always been like that.

Those tiny kisses aren't lost on me, J. I see all.

Ugh, so cute.

A and C are-

"Skip this passage," Janis whined. "Nobody cares about them."

Everyone around the lunch table nodded as Karen began to read out loud again.

G kissed R?! R might have given a scowl but bystanders didn't miss the blush. Platonic or something more? That's the big question of this article but hey- this is a big step for all you GR shippers. Sorry to whoever wrote that long letter in the box passionately explaining how JR was peak friends to enemies to lovers. 

Shame.

#JD, anyway, you know where the box is! Xx.

"Fuck A and C. All my homies hate A and C." Janis grinned.

Cady nodded. "They're too cliche. It's annoying and I don't even know who they are."

Karen placed her head on the table with a groan.

She may not be smart, but these people were flat out idiots.

She felt a tug on her hair and looked up, resting her chin on the table.

"You okay, Karen?" Janis stood in front of her, Newspaper held at her side.

"Yeah, just dying on the inside a bit. Yknow, leaf emoji."

Janis made a face. "I don't but uh-" She leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to Karen's nose. "Don't leaf emoji. We like you here, alive on the inside."

Karen smiles. "Thanks, Janis." 

January 21st

Just when you think it's all figured out- J kisses K. 

In front of D.

At this point- they're all together. One big happy family. 

I'm still clinging onto my JD dream. 

Speaking off-

S is back. Did you miss them? Me neither.

They just grabbed J like nothing? Anyway, D was there to save the day obviously.

Our great big hero got a pretty precious nose kiss from J.  

I could make their own newspaper section about how cute they are. There is no way you can be that cute and n o t already engaged.

On another J note, if JD doesn't happen, I'd be pretty content with some CJ. C was seen giving J "a nice-sized smooch" (somebody from the box).

No development in the R and G category, just their usual cuteness.

Leave any tips in the box! You know where it is. Xx.

"Uh uh. JD over CJ." Janis shook her head.

Karen just placed the newspaper in her bag. Janis and Damian were quick to become J and D's biggest shippers. They were so good at confusing the school about their relationship status that they had themselves fooled.

Cady and Aaron, who were dating and just won't confirm it, hated C and A's relationship. Calling it cheesy and artificially sweet.

And Regina though R sounded like a bitch and G deserved somebody better.

The whole thing was just crazy. 

"I gotta go talk to a teacher this period. It was fun reading the paper together though." Karen said getting up.

There was a chorus of 'bye Karen's as she walked away.

The newspaper holder in the hallways was empty. Northshore's 'couples' was quick to catch on and save the newspaper program. 

Karen pushed the door open to the computer lab, making her way over to the tiny end.

"Hey, Glen."

Glen Coco looked up at her with a grin. "Got anything for me, spy?"

@realmisspolarbear @smallsoysauce @musicallygt

[chickensarentcheap]

Best Part of Me -Chapter 33

Warnings: none

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

It’s six thirty in the morning when he steps out onto the front porch; barefoot and blurry eyed, still clad in just a pair of boxer briefs, cup of coffee in one hand and phone in the other.  After Nik’s call he’d fallen into a restless sleep; dreaming of Dhaka and the night at Gaspar’s house when he’d been given the five million dollar deal. This time he’d made a different decision; willingly giving both Ovi and Esme up in exchange for money and his freedom. Asif had been there, sitting in a darkened corner; watching and listening. A pleased, victorious smile on his lips as his right hand man brought over his two new favourite playthings. They’d been drugged; minds and eyes hazy, their movements sluggish and uncoordinated.  He’d had a change of heart at the last moment; offering his life in exchange for hers. Begging and pleading with Asif to ‘take me instead of the girl’.  Asif had just laughed, then grabbed her by the hair and forced her to look at Tyler. Mocking her, telling her to look at the big, strong man now; crying like a baby and bargaining to save her. How did that make her feel? Knowing he could be so weak? That she was the one capable of making him that way? Is that really what she wanted? Someone so pathetic? Or did she want a real man like him. Then he’d his hand had moved to her throat; fingers digging into the soft flesh with enough power and pressure to steal her breath. And he’d kissed her. Savagely. Brutally.

And she’d kissed him back.

Tyler woke up breathless; near sobbing. Tears spilling down his cheeks,  his heart thundering, and chest aching. Initially panicking at the unfamiliar surroundings and bolting upright, wide -almost terrified- eyes taking in everything around him; the furnishings, the color of the walls, his old friend sleeping soundly across the room, the cattle dog sitting beside the couch, curiously watching him.  And it hadn’t been until he’d glanced out the window and caught sight of the mountain range, tree line, and brush that reality had finally settled in.  He was no longer in Dhaka. Not at Gaspar’s outside the city limits.  It was seven years ago. Not now. He’d turned down the offer and Asif hadn’t been there; he’d never laid a hand on her and he’d never kissed her. None of that had ever happened. Just his mind -broken and in tatters- playing tricks on him. They’d made it out of Bangladesh. She was saife. At home. In bed. THEIR bed.

He’d been tempted to call; just to hear her voice; needing that extra bit of reassurance that everything was fine. SHE was fine. But he knew what the mornings could be like; up before the sunrise with the baby, then tending to Declan and getting breakfast made and three kids up and ready for school. Ovi would be there; promising to keep an eye on things and lending a hand whenever it was needed. Kyle couldn’t be relied on; too busy getting his rocks off with Salena. Or whatever the hell her real name is. And Tyler had briefly wondered if getting into Kyle’s life had been part of whatever the new neighbor was up to; a way of weaseling her way into their lives for some fucked. The uncertainty eats at him; knowing that something isn’t quite right yet not being able to prove it or get the information that he needs. Way too many things pointing towards trouble; the Jeep with the stolen plates and the driver with the earpiece that had been watching him and the kids. Salena getting out of the passenger seat with a stack of folders under her arm and no record of her actually existing. All the ingredients, everything needed, to create a huge goddamn mess.

His head throbs. A mixture of lack of sleep and not eating properly. The cravings are intense. When he’d gone into the kitchen to make himself a coffee, he’d been greeted by all the whisky and scotch bottles that littered the counters and shelves; some empty, others half full, a handful still sealed.  And his hands had been shaking as he’d considered it; one on a glass and the other around a bottle of scotch. His brain exhausted from dealing with the nightmare,   trying to piece together the bullshit with the neighbor, and the call from Nik and the threats she’d made.  A single wouldn’t hurt. That’s what the demon on his shoulder had been telling him. That he could stop at just one and walk away; get enough to satisfy the craving, get the taste of it on his lips and tongue.  And he’d been close. So close. Seconds away from pouring the scotch into a glass.  And then as quick as the desperation and the need had come, it had disappeared. Leaving him feeling  weak and shamed and completely disgusted with himself.

Now he sits on the edge of the porch, feeling ground with his feet pressed against the damp earth. It had rained considerably last night; puddles of mud, lower temperatures, and a fresh and familiar earthy smell in its wake. Sadie hasn’t left his side since he’d arrived yesterday; now pressed tightly to him, chin resting on his thigh as he sips his coffee and checks his text messages and emails. Skipping over the angry rants left by Nik and the irritated ‘clearly out of fucks’- one that Yaz had contributed. Tyler hasn’t heard from him since New Zealand; the one other man taking it as a personal slight that he’d given it all up and walked away without even a glance back.

There’s dozens of emails from the contacts he’d reached out to; mercs wanting to work for him and offering their services, retired guys wanting to get back into the game, people who can supply him with weapons and ammo and every other accessory and piece of technology he can imagine.  Even mail from former clients; guys he’d done jobs for and had been so impressed with his efficient -and successful- work. They’re pleased  that he’s not only   back in action, but that he’s actually still alive. They have resources for him; supplies, money, names and numbers of other high profile people that may need some work done.  And he sees the emails that his wife has returned, smiling as he reads her replies; concise, confident, intelligent. As if she’s never spent a single moment away from the job; smoothly and effortlessly transitioning back into her old life.

It won’t be easy; balancing the job and running a business while trying to keep a marriage afloat and raise five kids. But there’s no doubt in his mind that they can do it. They’re stronger together than they are apart; they always have been. And if they can survive the past seven years -especially his addiction issues and a six month separation that should have broken them-, they can survive anything.

He sends a text message. Telling her how much he loves her. Misses her. How he can’t wait to see her. That he’s proud of her. Not just the way that she’s handling the business side of things, but EVERYTHING.  The way she’s always fought for them. For HIM. How she raises his kids. Pouring his heart out with every letter that appears on the screen. He’d not normally that ‘type’, grand displays of affection and sincere, romantic words not his strong suit.  But the nightmare -especially the way Asif had kissed her and she’d reciprocated- has left him feeling unsettled; needing to get things off his chest. The things he feels but always struggles to say.

She quickly sends a text in response. I LOVE YOU. SO MUCH. WE MISS YOU.  Accompanied by a selfie of herself and Millie lying in the middle of their bed, both with sleepy smiles and messy hair and hands down the two most beautiful girls in the world. And he thinks of what Koen had said; about how lucky he is and that any woman who would stuck his side -through everything- was a woman worth holding onto him. She could have easily left that day on the bridge; he wouldn’t have blamed her if she did. But she’d ignored Nik and stuck around and put her own ass on line in an attempt to save his. And that’s nothing you easily thank someone for.

“You really are out of your damn mind,” Koen grumbles, as he wanders out onto the porch, his own cup of coffee in his hand; hair messy from sleep and eyes stilly glassy from all the booze he’d consumed. “Up at these hours of the morning.”

“This is pretty normal for me. Has been since I got clean.”

“Probably used to getting up with the rugrats,” Koen reasons, and takes a seat beside him. “Everything okay?” he nods down at the phone still clutched in Tyler’s hand. “At home?”

“Yeah. Everything’s good. Just checking in on everyone. Making sure they haven’t driven their mom crazy yet.”

“She must already be crazy. Having that many kids with the likes of you. How the hell she puts up with you is beyond me. I’d only be able to stand looking at that ugly mug for so long.”

“You must not look in the mirror very often.”

Koen smirks. “Smart ass. You always were quick with the shit head comments. Thought maybe all that oxygen you were deprived of might have slowed you down a bit. But here I am, dealing with your crap.”

“Admit it. You missed me.”

“About as much as I miss my two ex wives,” Koen scoffs, and then digs a playful elbow in Tyler’s ribs. “You miss it? Living out here?”

“Not really. I have a better life now. A nice place right on the beach. Tons of property. Perfect for raising kids. Wouldn’t have been able to do that out here. We probably would have tried, bt…” he sips his coffee and shrugs. “...we’re happy where we are.”

“Smartest thing you ever did; coming home. No better place to bring up a handful of kids, if you ask me. It’s weird as hell though,” he chuckles. “You doing the whole daddy thing all over again. Never thought I’d see the day, to be honest.”

“Neither did I,” Tyler admits, and he thinks about the picture he’d received just minutes before. Millie with her messy, unruly hair and those huge blue eyes that crinkle at the edges when she smiles. How’d he cried when she’d been born and a nurse had placed her in his arms; tears of both relief that she’d made it safely and immense gratitude that he’d been given that chance again.

After Austin had passed away and his marriage disintegrated, he’d thought that it was it for him. His life had been a mess...HE’D been a mess...and he couldn’t imagine meeting someone that he’d be able to have that kind of experience with. That he’d trust enough to let his guard down around and that could tolerate him and his bullshit long enough to actually fall in with him. That he’d ever find someone to fall in love WITH.

“She’s going to be a heart breaker that one,” Koen says. “The oldest. Those eyes of hers? All the boys are going to be tripping over themselves to get to her.”

Tyler frowns. “They’re going to have to get through me first.”

“Poor bastards. They’re going to be scared shitless when they walk up the house and you’re the first one out to greet them. I feel for them; trying to date a girl that has you as their father. They’d have no clue that you’re capable of tearing them in half.”

“Anyone touches either of my girls, no one will ever find their bodies. No boyfriends. No dates. No dances. None of that. No one is getting close to them. Ever.”

“Yeah, good luck with that,” Koen chuckles, and takes a swallow of coffee. And for several minutes they sit in silence;   enjoying the feel of the breeze and the smell of fresh, damp earth.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” his friend says. “With the whole merc business. I thought one brush with death would be enough. Apparently not.”

“Things will be different this time. I won’t have to go out in the field as much. Only if things really go to shit.”

“Don’t they always go to shit?”

“Sometimes. Dhaka was the worst, but it wasn’t the first time things went wrong and it won’t be the last. Hopefully we can avoid that level of shit show. I know what I’m doing. I’m not some rookie going into this blind. It was my life for years.”

“But why do you need it to be your life now? Look what you’ve got going for you. You’ve got a wife and little ones. Stability. Why put all that on the line for who you used to be?”

“You having second thoughts?”

“Nope. I said I’m in, I’m in. I’m just worried about you. I don’t you throwing your life away. I don’t want you losing your kids and that pretty little wife of yours. You got a thing going. A damn good thing. You don’t need to fucking that up.”

“It’s something I need to do,” Tyler says. “I need to get back out there. Get back that piece of who I was. I need to feel like I’m doing something worthwhile with my life.”

Koen frowns. “You don’t think you are? Doing something worthwhile?”

“What am I doing? I don’t have a nine to five job. No skills outside of what I learned in the military and on the job. I pick up odd shit here and there. Nothing steady. I spend more of my time in the gym or out in the water or spending time with my wife.”

“And you’re complaining about that last part? Spending time with the likes of her? What the fuck is wrong with you? Give her to someone who’d appreciate her then.”

“I’m not complaining. Far from it. I’m just saying there needs to be something more to this life. I feel like I need to be doing something more. I need to feel useful again. Like I’m not just washed up, broken down ex soldier with a drinking problem.”

“You’re a husband. And a dad. You help raise little human beings. There’s nothing useless about that. You should be sitting back enjoying your life. Appreciating what you have right in front of you. How you gonna feel if all this blows up in your face? If things go to hell and you lose everything? What the hell you gonna do then?”

“I don’t know. Put a gun in my mouth?”

Koen scowls. “I’m being serious, mate.”

“So am I.”

“All I’m hoping is that you got your shit together and you know what you’re doing. Because this is some serious stuff here. Getting back into being a merc. And you’ve got a lot to lose now. You’ve got everything to lose. That’s all I’m saying.”

Tyler smirks. “When did you become so sensitive and sentimental?”

“Don’t be a dick about this. I’m just worried about you. I don’t want you going back into this and losing what you have. Because you finally got your shit together and got a life that’s worth living.”

“I appreciate you worrying about me and all that, mate. I do. But I’ve got it under control. I know what I’m doing. This isn’t going to be like last time. I won’t let it be.”

Koen sighs. “You always have been a stubborn sonofabitch.”

“I know what I’m doing,” Tyler insists. “And I wouldn’t be doing it if I couldn’t handle it. Things will be alright. Esme and I are in this together. We’re on the same page. We’re not going to let this break us.”

“I hope not,”  Koen says. “Because I don’t think you’d survive that.”

***

His flight arrives on time, touching down shortly before noon hour at Cooktown airport. She parks the truck on the tarmac and waits; a pair of aviator style sunglasses covering her eyes, fingernails drumming against the steering wheel. She gives the pilot a small wave and a pleasant smile when he nods in her direction; they’d met briefly two days before, when he’d come to the house after Tyler had sought out his help.  Short and broad shouldered; brown hair cropped tightly to his head and kind green eyes that sparkle when he smiles. The quintessential ‘boy next door’ with his youthful wholesome good looks and his khaki pants and crisp white golf shirt.  Quite the juxtaposition compared to Tyler; all power and muscle and the tattoos and scars that tell of a hard life spent living on the edge.  

This is the furthest she’s ever gotten into the job; not only helping organize and run things, but the acquiring of weapons and ammo and other supplies, and the handling of money -big money-  aside from her own payouts. It makes her anxious; knowing that she’s one of two people that others will come to now. Instead of being approached with work and offered jobs,  now she’s in charge of finding and assigning them. Gathering intel had been one thing; she’d spent years honing those skills. Being boss is an entirely different animal all in itself.

So much for not getting ‘too involved’.

Four large and heavy locked trunks are placed in the bed of the truck, followed by several smaller duffle bags that are loaded into the back seat. All containing a shockingly generous amount of automatic and semi automatic rifles and handguns, various types of grenades and their launches, knives, and utility vests. Whatever immediate gear that a merc would meet. All would be placed in a storage facility on the outskirts of town, save for a handful that would be kept in the two locked and secure  gun lockers  that already exist at home; one in their garage and the other in the attic.

Once things are safely loaded, an envelope of money is exchanged. Everything being handled off the books; no paper trail that can connect the pilot to the or the very illegal transport of weapons. You never know who is watching. Now that word has gotten out and spread like wildfire, support and interest are pouring in. But it isn’t just the good-intentioned that are paying attention; a man like Tyler Rake burns a lot of bridges and makes a lot of enemies. Evil, dangerous people who feel as if he wronged them and have been holding onto grudges and fantasizing about revenge.

“Hey,” she cheerfully greets, as he slides into the passenger seat. “How was the flight? How…?”

His mouth is on hers before she gets the rest of the words out; a hand tangling in her hair as he aggressively pulls her into him.  The kiss is long and soft and sweet at first; his lips bearing a hint of coffee and a touch of mint. But then things quickly take a more intense turn; his tongue pushing its way way into her mouth, the miss much more ravenous and needy. Desperate.

“Wow…” she breathes, when he pulls away, forehead briefly resting against hers before his lips brush against the bridge of her nose. “...what was that for?”

“I wanted to kiss my wife. That’s not allowed?”

“Of course it’s allowed. And encouraged. But that was...intense. That wasn’t your usual ‘back after only twenty four hours’ kiss. That was your ‘I’ve been gone for two or three weeks’ kind of kiss.”

“Guess I just missed you.” he reasons, and then presses his lips to her temple before settling back into his seat and reaching for the belt.

“Okay, something is going on. You kissed me like THAT and you’re letting me drive your truck?”

“You had to drive it here, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, but you’re here now and it’s your baby and usually…”

“It’s just a truck,” he says with a shrug, and buckles his seat belt.

“Something is definitely going on with you.”

Tyler chuckles. “There’s nothing. I didn’t sleep well last night and I have a killer headache and it’s probably just better if you drive. That’s all.”

“Do you have a killer headache because…?”

“I wasn’t drinking iof that’s what you’re going to ask. I stayed sober. I told you I wasn’t going to be like that again and I meant it.”

“What was the dream about?”

“Can’t remember. I just know it was fucked and I don’t want to have it again.”

Her eyes narrow as she watches him, noticing the way he grimaces when he stretches his legs out in front of him and the frown on his face as he rubs at his troublesome knee. The scar is long and jagged; starting three inches above and stopping four inches below. There’d been complications; the surgeon discovering more damage, bone fragments and scar tissue than he’d initially expected and having to not only replace the knee, but repair ligaments and tendons that were nearly severed.

“What’s this about?” She reaches over to tussle his hair. The length on the top is the same as when he’d left, but the sides and back now shaved as close to the skin as possible.  High and tight; a Marine cut.  

“Just something I thought I’d try.”

“You’re going back to the old hair aren’t you,” a slow smile spreads across his face. “You’re going to let the top grow out.”

“It’s the look you liked the most, yeah? Now you can’t say I never do anything nice for you.”

“Baby…” she leans across the space between their seats and presses a kiss to his cheek; his beard still full yet trimmed and tidier. “...you’re the best. You know how to keep your girl happy.”

He grins. “Sometimes.”

“All the time,” she says, and places a kiss to the corner of his mouth before settling back into her seat and starting the ignition.  A companionable silence falling between them as they pull out of the hanger and head for home.

****

“ARE you okay?” Esme asks several minutes later.

“Fine,” Tyler replies, his head tilted back against his seat, eyes closed; one hand on his stomach, the other on her thigh, thumb continuously brushing against her skin.  “Just tired. It was a long night. Couldn’t fall asleep and when I did, I had that fucked up dream.” “And you don’t remember what it was about?”

“Nope. It wasn’t one of the usual ones, though. Never had this one before. But it was messed up. I remember that much.”

How do you explain a dream like THAT? That you’d been  willing to sacrifice someone’s life for five million dollars; knowing that a drug lord would have used and abused them  in horrific and degrading ways before killing them? She doesn’t even know about the whole truth about what happened at Gaspar’s. For nearly seven years she’d assumed that the deal had been for Ovi; that Gaspar had been hell bent on killing him and Tyler refused to give the kid up and all hell broke loose.

“Hmmm…” she turns her full attention to the road, chewing absentmindedly on her bottom lip. She’s used to this; his constant need to keep everything inside and shoulder every single burden on his own. It’s his protective nature; not wanting to add any extra stress or worry to her already overflowing plate. “...and things went okay?”

“Everything went fine. Got Koen on board, got everything we need to get started. Things went good. Place doesn’t even look the same anymore. Not inside, anyway.”

“And he’s still okay with letting us stay there?”

“Yup. Just said to make sure we change the sheets. Said he doesn’t want to be lying in our ‘business’.”

She laughs at that.

“Did Nik call you?” he casually and calmly asks, hand sliding onto the inside of her thigh; fingertips against the bare skin just below the hem of her shorts.

“Nik? Why should she call me? I’m probably the last person she wants to hear from after that night at the restaurant. I’m sure she blames me for Kyle calling things off.”

“Well in all fairness, you did kind of instigate the whole thing. Hooking him with the neighbor. Even after I told you to stay out of it and mind your business.”

“Hey, it’s not my fault it was instant lust between them. We know all about that, don’t we.”

He grins.

“But no. She didn’t call. That’s kind of a weird thing to ask, About Nik.”

“She called me,” Tyler admits, and he notices the way both of her brows arch. “Last night. I only answered because I thought it was you and that maybe something was wrong at home.”

“Why would she call you? Was she having a lonely night? Wanted to have phone sex?”

“I didn’t have the energy. I’d already had phone sex with you, so…”

“Boy that must have broken her heart; the fact you keep shooting her down. Maybe she feels if she keeps bugging you enough she’ll wear you down and you’ll give in.”

“Not gonna happen. I already told you; I’m not a cheater. I don’t want anyone else but you. And she actually called to give me shit. I guess word travels faster than we thought it would.”

“Well it was going to happen sooner or later.”

“Later would have been nice.”

“I take it she wasn’t happy.”

Tyler smirks. “That’s one way of putting it. She lost her shit. She’s taking it personally; thinks I did it to purposefully fuck her over and put her out of business.”

“Mercs are jumping ship left, right, and center. I can’t keep up with all the messages and the emails. She’s not going to have anyone left.”

He shrugs. “Guess she shouldn’t have let things go to shit.”

“They went to shit seven years ago when she made the decisions she did. That should have been the end of it; when she was so willing to leave you on the bridge to die. She totally fucked you. And not in a good way. Like whose dick is she sucking that she keeps her job?”

A grin tugs at the corner of Tyler’s mouth. “You’re feisty today.”

“I hope you do put her out of business. I hope she loses everything. Because she fucking deserves it. She’s done a lot of shitty things and I’m glad karma is finally biting her in the ass.”

“She’s not going to go down without a fight. She’s pretty pissed. And pretty determined to make my life hell.”

Esme frowns. “She said that? That she’s going to make your life hell?”

“Not in so many words.”

“Well what did she say? Did she threaten to show up and kick your ass? I’d love to see her try.”

“She just said some shit. About us. When I said something about how my wife and my kids will always be around, she made a comment about how she’ll ‘see about that’.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t know. But I told her I wasn’t fucking around. Don’t threaten my family. It didn’t end well for the last person who tried it and it won’t end well for her.” “Nk hardly seems the type that would hurt kids. There’s no doubt in my mind she’d come for me. She’s been wanting me out of the picture for a long time. But to do something to hurt the kids? I can’t see her stooping that low.”

“I don’t think it was a physical threat. Nik’s all about screwing with peoples’ heads. Look what she did to me. She knew I was messed up and she knew exactly what buttons to push to get me to do what she wanted.”

“You think that’s what it is? Psychological warfare? Because she’s never gone up against me and that's a  battle I will not lose. I’ve gone up against bigger and better than her and I’m still here to tell about it. Besides, what could she possibly say that would bother me that much? After everything I’ve been through in the past seven years? Nothing could unnerve me that badly that it would screw things up between us. Look at everything we’ve been through. That shit we’ve survived.  She doesn’t even know HALF of it. Trust me, there’s nothing she could say that could hurt us.”

“It’s Nik. She’ll make shit up if she has to.”

“She can save her breath. I know all your deepest and darkest secrets. So if she thinks she has something to surprise me, she’s got another thing coming. I do, right?” she casts him a sidelong glance. “Know everything I need to know?”

“There’s nothing I haven’t told you. I told you most of it in the first couple of days. Everything else you’ve lived through with me.”

“Then let her make shit up,” Esme shrugs. “I think I trust you word over hers. After everything she’s pulled,  I wouldn’t believe a goddamn word she says. And the fact she’d even threaten you? Like, she knows who she’s talking to, right? Someone who killed two people with one garden rake. That’s really who she wants to go up against?”

“She probably thinks I won’t retaliate. I don’t give a shit what history we have. You don’t threaten my family. Ever.”

“Normally I’d tell you you’re being paranoid and you’re way too overprotective, but this side of you is kind of hot.”

He grins. “Kind of?”

“Totally hot,” she admits, then giggles and shoves his hand away when he slides it towards her crotch. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“What’s gotten into you the last few days? You’re a little...I don’t know...assertive...when it comes to the whole sex thing.”

“I’m not allowed to want to have sex with my life? First I can’t kiss you a certain way, now I can’t have sex with you either?”

“It’s not that you can’t. You’re just a little more...demanding...than usual. Needy.  Needy is a good word for it. And we’ve always had a lot of sex but lately, you’ve just been...extra...about it.”

He gives in an amused smirk. “I’m extra?”

“In a good way,” she assures him.

“Look, I love you. You’re beautiful. You’re sexy. And I want to fuck you. So…”  his hand once again slides along her thigh, slipping under the leg opening of her shorts. Fingertips grazing against the edge of her simple cotton pants. “...when we get home, that’s what we’re going to do. Fuck.”

“Addie and Declan are there. Ovi’s watching them.”

“Send them to his place. Tell him we need half an hour kid free. He’ll know what that means.”

“A half an hour?” she playfully inquires. “When has it only taken half an hour?”

“I’m in a mood,” he replies, and slides a finger under her panties, and she swallows noisily and her entire body tenses when it pushes through her folds and grazes over her clit.

“Obviously. And you’re going to put me in a mood!” She squeezes  her thighs shut, trapping his hand between them. “Stop! I’m trying to drive!”

“Just relax. Let me do this.”

“You’re crazy!”

“Come on…” he grins. “...do it. I know you want to. It’s something we’ve never done before. You can’t tell me you don’t want to try. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Oh I don’t know, Tyler. I could crash and kill us both and our kids would be orphans. That’s pretty much the worst.”

“Do it…” he encourages. “...open your legs...let me do this for you...let me make you feel good.”

She glances at him out of the corner of her eyes.

“Our little secret,” his grin widens. “I promise.”

“You're insane. You really are.”

“Maybe. But I can feel how wet you are. “I know you want it just as much as I do. Just do it. Just this once. Let me to this for you.”

She sighs heavily, thighs releasing the grip on his hand.

“That’s my girl,” he praises, swallowing noisily when he slips another finger between her folds, watching her face as the tips press against her clit. Noticing the flush that creeps into her cheeks and the tips of her ears, the way her teeth dig painfully into her bottom lip.

“You really are a bad influence,” she half-heartedly complains.

“Yeah,” he agrees, as his fingers continue their ministrations.  “But you love me though.”

She doesn’t even attempt to deny it.

[mysticthot]

RFA x Jumins Sister!MC

idk why i have such a thirst for jumin as a big brother but here we are

also this is hella long my b 

Yoosung Kim

knows who you are thru magazines and what not, but he’s never met you in person

that is until the first rfa party that Rika holds

he sees you from across the room, standing next to Jumin looking like a model and he’s shook

wow shes even prettier in person, i didnt know she was gonna be here tonight i should go talk to her, wait no she’ll think i’m a loser- OH GOD SHES LOOKING SHE PROBABLY THINKS IM A CREEP DOES MY HAIR LOOK GOOD oh shes smiling at me

thoughts running wild he doesn't know what to do so he straight up turns around and walks away

it isn't until later in the night that he actually gets to talk to you

“Hi, I’m MC. Your Yoosung right? Part of the RFA?”

he’s shook when u said hi first

you have a good conversations and he’s surprised at how easy you are to talk to and how different you are from your brother

at the end of the night you catch him before he leaves and give him your number

definitely spends the rest of the night trying to think of something cool to txt you

definitely asks Zen for help

manages to start talking to you, and suddenly your messaging each other constantly

its Yoosung were talking about, his crush on you is immediately all he can think about

but he goes out of his way to not say anything in the chatrooms cause Jumin hasn't mentioned anything so he’s not sure if Jumin knows 

lowkey terrified of Jumin finding out and sending a hitman after him

he’s too shy to ask you on a date

literally everything about you screams out of his league

so imagine his surprise when you ask him to a movie

boi straight up falls out of his chair in the middle of class

ya’ll go see a movie and his soul nearly leaves his body when you lean in and give his a short peck on his lips afterwards

“I really like you Yoosung, I’ve never had a guy treat me so well.”

“I-I like you too MC.”

his soul does leave his body when Jumin enters the chatroom the next day saying nothing but his full name in all caps

poor boi is immediately apologizing and ranting about how much he likes you and how he promises to be good to you

After everything Jumin simply responds with, “I’ll hold you to that.”

Now with Jumins approval, he officially asks you to be his girlfriend which you happily say yes to

This boi loves you so much, and he is in awe everyday that you chose him

Likes to show you off, especially to his friends

Loves when you pick him up from school lookin all cute and pulling him into a tight hug

gets very jealous and protective knowing all these rich dudes are competing for your attention, but he as Jumins support and your love, so he’s happy

Zen

Vaguely aware that you exist

Has heard Jumin or Jaehee mention you a few times, but he doesn't think much of it, and he actively goes out of his way to not watch or read anything with the name ‘Han’ in it

He’s in the lobby of the C&R building waiting for Jaehee so they could go get coffee, when he sees a cute girl struggling by the closed elevator doors with arms full of papers and folders

ever the gentleman, he goes over and offers to hold some of it for you

“Excuse me miss, would you like some help with that?”

You look up at him and his breath is all but knocked out of him when he gets a full glance at your beauty

“Oh, wow thank you.”

You smile breathlessly up at him, both of you seem to be in the same trance

He snaps out of it to grab the papers from your arms, and introduces himself

Your both looking at each other with that same wide eyed look when the elevator doors open

There stands Jaehee in the middle of the love fest.

“Uh...Zen, I see you’ve met MC. Jumins sister.”

SHHOOOK

He’s so dramatic like he full on backs up hand over the heart gasping

You almost laugh at the look on his face

“Oh, so your that Zen? I’ve heard all about you.

Jaehee takes your papers from Zen and gets into the elevator with you mumbling about how she’ll be right back.

Zen almost dies when you wink and blow him a kiss as the doors close

Jaehee is interrogated by Zen through out their whole lunch

You were so cute and nice looking?? How were you related to the trust fund kid???

Gasps when he realizes that makes you a trust fund kid as well

Yet, he cant stop thinking about you and the moment you shared in the lobby

He’s such a romantic, he becomes convinced this is a Romeo and Juliet love at first sight thing

Hung around in the lobby for a bit one day hoping to meet you again, but he starting looking suspicious so he had to leave

Ends up pestering Jaehee for hours until she gives in and gives him your phone number

Very quick to send you a selfie asking if you remember him

You reply even faster

“Of course I remember you, how could I forget such a beautiful face? Oh and also Jaehee has kept me updated on how much u ask about me ;)”

He’s never been out charmed by someone before, but you have him so flustered

Quick to ask you on a date

Basically does turn into Romeo and Juliet ft. Jeahee as the Nurse (omg just realized how thats a pretty good fic idea i might right that lol)

She helps cover your tracks while your sneaking around with Zen

But Jumin is getting ever more suspicious and after many useless reports from him sending Jaehee to follow you, he sends one of his guards instead

This is all very inconvenient for him, he doesn’t like the thought of you not being able to tell him something, you’ve told each other everything always

not to mention zen has been getting on his nerves lately being strange and sappy in the chat rooms

He could never imagine the shock that filled his entire being when his guard told him he had seen you going into Zens house

Boi’s over there in an instant banging on the door

A shirtless zen opens the door, his hair messed up and a hickey growing redder by the second on his neck

Jumins pushing him up against a wall before he can even react

The slam startles you out of the bed in nothing but a sheet, only to freeze when you see the scene before you

guess you’ll die ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It takes a long time to get them off each others necks

“Guys, why dont we all calm down and talk about this rationally?’

“MC, the only thing keeping me from knocking this trust fund kid out is the fact that he is your brother.”

“Zen not helping!”

Jumin all but drags you back to the car and you’re lectured the whole ride home

Then lectured some more in the pent house

Then some more before you announced you were going to bed

He was angrily pouring himself some wine when he heard your phone go off

It was Zen

He justifies his actions by saying you had betrayed his trust, and opens the message

“I’m sorry MC, I hope you’re ok. I know he wont approve, but I hope you can find away to stay with me. I will never find someone like you and even if he doesn’t understand or believe it, I love you. Call me when you can.”

Now he feels kinda bad

Then he remembers Zen’s hickey and he’s mad again

It takes him a while but he eventually allows for you and Zen to see each other freely

Feels betrayed by Jaehee

Jaehee (Speaking of betrayal lol)

She knows of you, but has never met you, as you are studying abroad

When Jumin first mentions the fact that he is going to pick you up from the airport, shes initially worried that she will have to deal with a second Jumin

And in her experience, the high class women aren’t the easiest to get along with

So imagine her surprise the next day when she is going to the penthouse to introduce herself and finds...what looks like a completely normal girl lounging in her pajamas

You smile kindly at her as Jumin, dressed in his normal suit, comes to stand beside you and she cant believe the differences

Shes pretty sure you’re showing more emotion on you face in this exact moment than Jumin has in his entire life rip lol

She introduces herself, and it shocked when you immediately pull her into a hug

“Its so nice to meet you, I’m MC.”

The way you say your name and the way your holding her hands in yours while you smile at her she just-

gay panic

Your spending the summer with Jumin, so she sees you around a lot and every time you are just as sweet to her

As time passes she begins to feel strange when she sees you

Heart racing, cheeks blushing, you know the drill

But its been so long since Jaehee has had a crush on someone, and she wasn't even sure if this was a crush

poor babe is confused af

Cause your so nice to her

And you make Jumin be nice to her

And you get her off work to hang out 

But she doesn’t know if your being friendly...

One day she is going over last minute talking points with Jumin as he prepares for a gala event when you come walking out

Your dress makes you look like an angel, your hair is flowing and framing your beautiful face and- oh, there was that smile again

She nearly chocked when she saw you

gay panic intensifies 

you make her feel the way zens videos do

Suddenly she’s not so confused anymore

She walked you and Jumin down to the car waiting outside and you turn to her before following your brother in

“You’re not coming with us are you?” you asked with a slight frown.

“No, it would be inappropriate for an assistant to attend such an event.” she sighed, smoothing out her work skirt, suddenly realizing how different you two really were.

You paused, looking like you might say something, but stopped yourself, telling her to have a good night before getting into the car

She watched you drive away, and wasn’t expecting to hear from you any more that night

Then her phones ringing and its you and she’s answering in a flash

You voice is shaky, asking her if she could pick you up if it wouldn't be too much trouble cause you didn't want to inconvenience her

She was in the car before you had finished the call

When she pulled around the back of the event, where you had asked to meet, she saw you standing in the dark, a look so sad it made her heart hurt

You climbed into the passenger seat, but the ride back to the penthouse was silent

It wasn't until she pulled up to the curb that you invited her upstairs

As soon as you passed the door way to the house, it was like your fake composure, one that she knew you had been raised to perfect, melted away

You sighed before dropping face first onto a couch cushion and screaming into it

Jaehee didn't know exactly what to do, so she gave your back a somewhat comforting pat until you sat up ready to tell her what was wrong

Turns out you had met a man at the gala

(her heart dropped when you said that)

But the man was an absolute dick

(So your sayin she has a chance?)

The man had been grabbing you and touching you all night, asking for dances and pressuring you to drink

The final straw was while he had dragged you into a dance, his hand lowed down before he full on groped your ass in front of everyone

You had slapped him

The gotten promptly lectured from your father

“He was acting like I was in the wrong for standing up for myself. Saying I was making a fool of the family reacting in such a way! Why aren’t the men held in such a standard that so I don’t have to act like that in the first place?!”

“I’m so sorry MC, that is truly disgusting that you had to go through that.” She pulled you into a hug, and side by side you sat on the couch, enjoying each others comfort

“Next time...I think I’d like to take you as my date...” You mumbled into her shoulder.

She froze

Didn’t know was to say

Were you friends? Were you something more???

Her questions were answered as you pulled back from the hug and placed a timid kiss on her lips

It was short, almost testing the waters for both of you

But when your eyes met, the kiss that followed was anything but timid or short

Jumin was not pleased with that he saw when he got home

His assistant and sister making out in his living room

what was his life coming to??

Not nearly as mad as you thought he would be however

He had heard what your father had said to you and rushed home to make sure you were ok

Claims he knew this whole time you weren't into guys, or at least not straight, but you think hes just trying to redeem himself from the fact that his assistant seduced his sister right under his nose

Jaehee and you go as a couple to the next gala and rock that shit

707/ Saeyoung

Obvi, this boi knows everything

As soon as he was introduced to Jumin, he did a background check, and thats how he was led to you

From then on, he is not subtle or quiet with his ‘celebrity’ crush

Basically acts towards you the way he does towards Elizabeth the 3rd

Uses you as a way to tease Jumin and get him all riled up

“omg Jumin, I saw MC’s photo in a magazine today and I swear I fell in love all over again.

“If you come near her, I will get a restraining order.”

Jumin is in no way amused

The rest of the RFA is tho

Like Yoosung, you meet Seven at the first party. 

He is quick to spot you, and Jumin is even quicker to separate you from him

You, however, have no idea why your brother is being even more over protective than usual, and take the first opportunity to sneak off to the bar

Seven sees you alone for the first time and quickly turns to Yoosung, asking him how he looks before running off to you

You’re shook when in the middle of taking a drink a random redhead all bed falls into the chair next to you

“HIMYNAMESSEVENITSAPLEASURETOMEETYOU!”

“...What?”

He takes a comically large breath, lets it out, then holds his hand out for you to shake

You laugh when he bows and kissed your knuckles before introducing himself slower this time

“Sorry, I just felt like I needed to rush, your brothers gonna kill me when he sees me talking to you.”

You laugh and roll your eyes and he thinks you have the best sounding laugh he has ever heard

Good thing his only talent is getting people to laugh at him

You proceed to spend the next five minutes laughing so hard your stomach hurts and your eyes water before a large group of not only your brother, but several body guards come to interrupt

“Oh no, my sweet MC, it seems our time has been cut short, I’ll never forget the moments we spent together, no matter how brief!” he calls to you while being escorted to the other side of the room by two large men

Jumin lectures you on the dangers of talking to strange men and you remind him that the whole point of this party was to talk to people you don’t know

He forbids you from talking to Seven 

“MC, he’s a sadist!”

“That just makes me want him more...”

Later that night you get a strange text, or dare I say, a mysterious message, saying your phone was being hacked

Your shook and don’t know what to do watching as the so called hacker typed before the second message popped up

Is your name wifi? Cause I really felt a connection~

Ok now your more shook

Then a third message pops up and its the cute guy from the party, and you laugh before responding

You spend the rest of the night picking up where you left off at the party

And Seven it once again, not quiet about his crush

Jumin wakes up the next morning to chatroom after chatroom all about you

Half of them are him talking mindlessly about your wedding, the other half is the rest of the members telling him to shut up

Jumin is t r i g g e r e d 

His first instinct is to take your phone, since you obviously cant make good choices for yourself

But then he remembers you are an adult, and he cant take away your phone

So he goes to plan B which is threaten Seven with a restraining order, once again

Halfway through typing out a long, angry message, you skip out into the kitchen, and suddenly his anger it focused on you

“MC WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT TALKING TO SEVEN HES NOT GOOD FOR YOU YOU NEED TO BLOCK HIM AND GET A RESTRAINING ORDER HES CRAZY WHAT ARE YOU THINKING”

“He’s so cute and sweet tho.” you pout

“Awe, thanks MC.”

Both of you look up to find Seven standing in the doorway with a bouquet of flowers

Seven is forcefully removed from the building

Jumin gives you the whole, “he’s a hacker he’s dangerous” speech, but you are stubborn

You tell him you are an adult who can make her own choices

He does the things parents do where they think they can guilt you into making the right choice

Thinks he’s won when he doesn't hear anything about you from Seven for a while

Imagine his shock when he logs into the chatroom to see a picture from the cctv of you and Seven kissing, clearly in the middle of a date along with a picture of a plastic cat ring on your ring finger 

“She said yes!”

“I am going to physically hurt you.”

On the more serious side, Seven would be a little harder because of his job, so everything you guys did would have to be in secret

He would get in his moods where he thought you deserved a boyfriend who could treat you better and be seen in public with you

Don’t even get him started on how dangerous he was

But you could use your connections to help him get his life on track, and eventually get him a job at C&R

Jumin isn't happy with it, but when he accepts that Seven actually cares for you and this isn’t just some joke, he will come to terms with it

V/ JIhyun

V has known you since you were born, as him and Jumin were already friends then

Infact, he has a picture somewhere of him as a child holding you the day you got home from the hospital

Growing up with V and Jumin, was almost like having two brother

Both very protective over you

Being kids, you went through the normal phases

“Boys have cooties dont touch me!” 

‘C-cooties...but MC...”

There were times when you would tease each other simply because that’s what kids do when they have crushes

His little cheeks would get all red when you and him would play games together

He liked to be the knight that saved you from the evil dragon (Jumin) and one time you very lightly pecked a kiss onto his cheek before running off and his face was red for the rest of the day

In fact you were each others first kiss

It was during a sleep over he was having with Jumin

Jumin had fallen asleep during a movie leaving you and V alone, sitting together in a blanket fort

You were playing truth or dare, but they were mostly truths to keep the game quiet and not wake anyone

“Truth or dare MC.”

“Truth.”

“...Have you ever kissed anyone?”

Your whole face went red, as did his, he had barely even worked up the courage to ask the question

“...No.” You whispered, “Have you?

“No.”

The game stopped for a moment, V was looking at while you did you best to look anywhere but at him

“Truth or dare MC?”

“...Truth.”

“Can I kiss you?”

The kiss was short and stiff and a little awkward, but it was something you both would remember for ever

And a secret you would keep from Jumin until way into your adult years

Jumin was annoyed by the whole thing

He loved his sister and all, but he didn't exactly like his best friend and sister always flirting

As you got older, the childhood crushes died down into fond memories and the occasional flirt or butterfly in the stomach

You dated a few people, he dated a few people

But there was always those times when it was just you and him alone where it seemed like something was so close to happening

But he graduated with Jumin before you did, and left to start his own life

That when he met Rika

You were happy for him truly, you were dating someone at the time as well and you wanted to see you friend be happy, he deserved it

But tragedy struck, and he was never really the same after that

You remembered her funeral, and the way he cried into your shoulder that night

You had to go through the pain of watching your dear friend loose himself, along with his eyesight

Supporting him in his time of need became your number one priority, but somewhere along the way, old feelings began to resurface

You pushed them down, deep down so you wouldn't make a fool of yourself or ruin your friendship

It took years until V would begin to see again what was right in front of him, he had been blinded by Rika for so long that he couldn’t see you

(im sorry those puns were just too good not to put in lol get it cause hes blind)

He felt guilty for his feelings, like he was betraying Rika, yet he couldn't stop himself from feeling like he did when he was a kid

Jumin, once again, was stuck between his best friend and his sister being love sick idiots, too stupid and scared to see the other one felt the same way

He’s so over it like just get married already

He decides to invite V over, fully determined to give him a talk and tell him to ask you out 

Then he will invite you over so you’ll be in the same place as V

Then, Jumin will politely excuse himself for a ‘phone call’ and give them some time alone

He begins his plan in the morning, making sure you would both be coming over for dinner, then he leaves for work

Unfortunately, a meeting he had at the end of the day ended up running super late, leaving you and V alone 

Plan was ruined he’s triggered

But, what he didn’t know, was that things were going along just fine between the two

You guys were sipping some wine and catching up and laughing and smiling like old times

V wanted to take a picture to capture the moment

You looked truly beautiful, framed by the night sky, cheeks flushed from the laughing and the alcohol, a smile on your face and a look in your eyes he hadn't seen, or at least hadn't recognized, since you were kids

He acted before he had the chance to stop himself, leaning forward and pressing a kiss that held in it the passion of years and years of love 

You melted into it, wrapping your arms around him and he felt like he couldn’t have brought you close enough 

He wanted all of you, everything he had missed out on in his lifetime of not making you his

Pulling apart, leaving you both breathless, forehead to forehead, he smiled down at you

“I’m sorry, I should have asked truth or dare first.”

jumins triggered lol

sorry if theres any mistakes im hella tired so i may have missed some in the proof read 

hope u liked it

[moshymosh]

Drunken Shenanigans: The Nitty Gritty

A/N: This is part two of the interview, now after writing this I’m kinda having writer's block for the next part, send me some suggestions on how to continue it. This is a very weird part but its silly. Sebastian's porn talk its taken from an actual podcast so the credit goes to its owner you can listen to it here. What Richards and the Reader sing is taken from one of the most hilarious people I know on youtube, who plays six seige this is the video check it out it’s in the first couple seconds of the video but the whole video is comedy gold.

Warnings: Talk of porn, language. some slight fluff if you squint hard enough.

Parings: Sebastian Stan x Podcaster!Reader

Soulmate AU: Throughout a person’s life they get glimpses of what their soulmate looks and sounds like. You get the full picture when you kiss the person. When you kiss them you also get a flash of your future together with them.

"Sebastian, since you are our guest, please do us the honor and spin the wheel?" Y/N giggled, putting on her best Vana White impression as she could from her seat. Sebastian laughed and got up from his seat, placing his headphones down the table.

"So, I just spin it?" He asked, once he received a confirmation, that is all he had to do. Sebastian took a deep breath and spun it. Moving back to his seat, he got settled, taking a drink of his beer, before almost spitting it out at the sight of the topic it landed on; ' What do you think your soulmate looks like.'

Y/N grinned and spun in her wheelie chair to the mic. "We want all the details." She said, looking at Sebastian. "Richards is exempt from this because he married his soulmate."

"Oh. Uhh... god, this is going to be weird. From the glimpses, I've- Uh... Had, she has Y/H/C hair, Y/E/C eyes, and a beautiful voice." Sebastian stuttered out. "I mean, I could take up the rest of this Interview just talkin' about her."

"Lovesick already?" Richards teases, causing Y/N to snort.

"Hush up, Rich. You were the same way about your husband before you met him." Y/N says before taking a drink. "I, on the other hand, kinda know what my soulmate looks like, but I don't really care."

"Why's that Y/N?" Sebastian askes, his cheeks tinged pink from the alcohol and Richards' teasing.

"I don't know, I mean his voice sounds amazing. But I don't know if I fully believe in the soulmate thing. My subconscious could be putting those images and sounds into my head." Y/N explained before getting up to take a turn spinning the wheel. Spinning it Y/N went back to her seat, stumbling slightly.

"Oh shit. 'First time discovering porn.'." Y/N read the topic out, clapping her hands as she laughed. She was gesturing to Sebastian, asking if he would like another beer. She went and got refills as Richards began telling his story.

Once both Y/N and Richards finished their stories of discovering porn, they were all giggling messes. Sebastian cleared his throat and began to tell his story.

"Let's see I was- Uh... I was 13 or 14 there was no porn online, there was none of that stuff, right? I would get like naked girl pictures." Sebastian started smiling when Y/N mumbled 'Oh My God.' into her mic as she shook her head. Sebastian was too drunk to realize that when she said this, she sounded just like his soulmate.

"And- And so I started this file that I hid like 15 files deep." Sebastian stopped as Richards laughed.

"What- What was the file folder called?" Richards asked, trying to settle his giggling.

"Probably something like 'Structure work.'." Everyone who sat around the table laughed. Y/N dropped her head on the table with a thud as she laughed.

"Then one day, my step-dad was in his office with the computer, and he was like 'Will you come in here Sebastian?' and I remember he had like all the pictures of like boobs and vaginas spread and the whole deal. They were everywhere, right?" Sebastian had to stop to compose himself and took a drink.

"And he was like 'We need to talk about this.' I was like he was like going to fucking kill me." Sebastian starts to crack up as he continues his story. "He was like 'This-This ones pretty good.'." Everyone in the casting room starts to laugh at this.

"And I was like, 'Oh... Yeah.' he was literally looked at me and was like ' I'm so happy, son because..." Sebastian begins to crack up again. "'Because your mom and I, we thought you were gay.'." Everyone is laughing with him, far past the point of being called tipsy.

As they all progressed the wheel game, they were all getting distracted at random things. Richards was trying to drunk booty call his husband, who was laughing at him from behind the observation glass. Y/N was mumbling songs, and Sebastian was watching her with a dreamy look.

Y/N giggled before she began to sing, Richards joining with parts of the song.

"Skrt, miss me with that bullshit." Y/N began Richards jumped in with a 'Yeah, you're not a gang member you're a tourist.'

"I be blackin' out, I be blackin' out. Bought an '83 cutlass for the weekend." Y/N mumbled, bouncing in her seat as she sang the words. 'For de weekend.' Richards sang back in a weird voice.

"I got a hundred thousand than I freaked it." Y/N and Richards sang the 'Then I freaked it.' Part together. "I make five hundred thousand. Then I freaked it." The same thing happened again. Sebastian was laughing at the pair.

"I got big dog status, ain't no secret." Y/N sang, getting more confident, slightly giggling as Richards sang back, "Ain't no secret."

"La di da di da, Slob on me knob. Pass me some syrup. Fuck me in the car." Both Y/N and Richards dissolved into giggles.

"Y/N/N. You just peaked, you peaked so hard." Richards laughed out, shaking his head. "I should just put you down."

Y/N got up from her chair, her arms outstretched "Lord strike me down!"

Sebastian laughed a drunkenly took a picture of the girl's antics.

"And on that note." Richards slurred into the mic "Goodbye, everyone, see you in two weeks."

Once Y/N's employees cut the cast and began to set it up to post, Richards' husband came in to collect him, to bring him home. Y/N was slumped in her seat, groaning as she fumbled with her phone. Once she figured out what she wanted to do, she slid it to Sebastian across the table.

"Dude, can I have your-" Y/N hiccuped and shook her head with a smile. "Can I have your number, so I can check on you in the morning, cause I know I'll get a lie from your publicist."

Sebastian nodded while he grabbed her phone. He began typing it in, when he was finished, he checked the number four times to make sure it was right before he drunkenly texted his phone. Sebastian's assistant came in to lead the drunken man to the car that would take him back to his hotel.

Y/N sighed after sitting alone for ten minutes before Y/B/F/N came in to take her home. All three of the trio fell asleep instantly as soon as their bodies hit their beds. Once Y/N awoke the next morning, with a semi-head-splitting headache, she sent a text to Richards' husband asking how Richards was. Getting no response, she texted Sebastian.

Y/N: Yo, hows your head? Seb: I hate you -.- Y/N: Haha, if so, you have to admit you had fun. Seb: Yeah, Yeah. That's true, but at what cost?

Y/N laughed at her phone before receiving a message from Sasha, stating that she sent Stan the finished podcast.

Y/N: Sasha, my assistant, just said that she sent you the podcast. Enjoy :)

Sebastian listened to it as he began his morning workout. Getting to the point when Y/N said, 'Oh My God.' he stumbled on the treadmill, causing it to use its emergency stop feature. Sebastian listened to that section three times before it dawned on him. Y/N was his soulmate.

Y/N just stepped out of the shower after coming back from her morning run, and almost slipped on the wet tile floor beneath her as she read Sebastian's text.

Seb: I think that you're my soulmate.

[thetheatregang]

Insomnia - Chapter Four!

Happy Valentine’s Day y’all! Chapter Four is my favorite chapter yet so I hope you all love it! Chapter’s 1-3 are now available to read both in my fanfiction tag on my blog, and on my new AO3 page!

Chapter Five is coming sooner rather than later! I’m actually getting more and more excited about this fic as I go! I hope you all like it! PLEASE SEND FEEDBACK! I really woul love to her what you guys think! I’m single this Valentine’s Day so you are all my Valentines this year! <3

Ricky’s POV

“Soooooo, are you excited to see your giiiiirrrrrrllllllfriend?” Lizzie teases at the breakfast table.

“She’s not my girlfriend, and yes. I’m excited to see all my friends, Elizabeth. Now let’s get you to school. Your dad’s gonna be picking you up today. He put a note in your blue folder so don’t forget to give it to Mrs. Davidson, okay?” I remind her, as I check all of my bags to make sure I packed everything. 

Today’s the day, I’m heading to Salt Lake for Opening night. Today I get to see all of my friends for the first time in over three months. God I’m nervous. 

I drop Lizzie off and head to the airport. My school has the day off for a professional day, so I caught an early flight. That way I can get home and take a nap while Big Red’s at school. 

My phone buzzes. I look down hoping it’s Nini. It’s not.

MOM: Have a safe flight! C u Sunday night. I love u, xx Mom.

ME: Love you too mom! I’ll text when I land.

I haven’t heard from Nini in days. Not since my last message. Maybe this is a stupid idea. Maybe she doesn’t actually want to see me. Was she just being nice? God I’m so stupid. Maybe I shouldn’t even go. 

Just as I turn around to head back and get an Uber, my phone buzzes again, this time an incoming call from Chloe Garcia. 

“Hey Chlo, what’s up?” I ask, answering nervously.

“I was just making sure that you’re actually gonna get on that plane, mister!” She chuckles. I’ve only known Chloe for three months yet she knows me enough to know I’m second guessing my whole entire plan. 

“I don’t know, Chloe. What if she doesn’t actually want to see me? What if she just said ‘can’t wait to see you’ to be nice?” I complain. 

“Like how people say ‘nice to meet you’ to total strangers even though you don’t really know if it’s nice to meet that person?” She snorts. She’s referring to the day we met. 

“Chloe Garcia, this is Richard Bowen! You and him have similar schedules so you’re gonna be his peer mentor for the semester. Be nice.” Principal Stewart tells the lemon haired girl as he walks back to his office. 

“Chloe!” She sticks out her hand. I shake it.

“It’s actually not Richard, it's Ricky. Ricky Bowen,” I introduce myself. 

“It’s nice to meet you,” She starts, then sighs. “Well, it seems nice. I don’t really know you yet, you could be a serial killer. Are you a serial killer, Richard Bowen?” She ponders aloud. 

“Um… no? I’m just a skateboarder from Utah… And again, call me Ricky” I chuckle. 

“Okay. So Utah eh? So what are you doing in the Windy City then?” She questions. 

“My parents got divorced, and my mom got a job out here. Plus my gi- ex girlfriend was supposed to move- It’s a long story.” I stop talking, realizing that I’m totally rambling. 

“Well I can’t wait to hear it, Not Richard Bowen…” She says as we walk to our first period class. 

“Just go, Ricky, you’ll be fine!” She says before hanging up on me. 

Just then, my flight number is called. I guess there’s no turning back. Not now.

I sit on the plane, thank god I get a window seat. I pull out my phone, putting it in airplane mode.

On the plane, I decide it would probably be a worthwhile idea to actually watch the movie Grease, given that I barely know anything about the show, and i’m supposed to sit through a whole performance of it tomorrow. 

It’s nearly noon when my flight lands. Thank God I took a nap on the plane or I’d be a Zombie right now. 

“Hey bud!” My dad says, greeting me as I arrive at baggage claim. 

“Hey Dad!” I reply, hugging him. I pick up my east high duffel bag and head out to his car. 

“How’s your mom?” He asks, on the drive home. He always asks about her. I can tell he misses having people around the house. 

“Mom’s good. She wishes she could’ve come with, but work is crazy right now, plus she volunteered to watch Lizzie this weekend so Todd can go out on business...” I tell him. My dad has really grown to like Todd. Ever since they became Facebook friends, they realized that they actually have a lot in common. 

“That’s good. I bet Lynne loves having a little girl around. She always wanted a daughter,” He sighs. “How’s Lizzie doing? You guys getting along?” 

“Yeah, were super tight, actually, I drive her to school some mornings and we listen to the radio while she bugs me about my love life!” I laugh, checking the time on my phone: 12:15.

“You wanna grab a bite and then you can get some rest before you go see your friends?” He asks. 

“Sounds like a plan!” I tell him.

After we eat, I crash for a couple hours. It's not until I hear a couple dings from my phone that I realize just how long I’ve slept.

I look at my phone: 

Incoming Call: BIG RED 

“Hello?” I answer, sounding a little tired.

“Hey bud! We’re having final dress rehearsal tonight, so I might be home kinda late. What time does your flight get in?” Big Red asks excitedly. 

I can tell that he’s hype for the show. This will be his first time running lights for a show in the actual auditorium, he hasn’t stopped thinking about it. 

“Um, around 9ish?” I lie. I told Big Red that I wouldn’t be getting in till late, so that I can surprise him when he gets home from rehearsal.

Since I did get in a little earlier than expected, I may head over to the school now and surprise everyone. 

“Cool. Can’t wait to see you!” He says happily. 

“Me too, gotta go finish packing, see you later bud!” I reply, hanging up. 

I grab my skateboard and head to the school. The secretary hands me a visitors badge, it’s weird being called a “visitor” to the school. 

“Guess mine is not the first heart broken, my eyes are not the first to cry, I'm not the first to know there's, just no getting over you…” I can hear Nini’s beautiful voice from down the hall. 

I sneak into the auditorium. I see her singing on that stage. She looks so beautiful. She’s the epitome of Sandy and her combination of innocence and beauty. That’s when the flashbacks start. 

Here goes… "I don't get it, Troy. What kinda spell has this elevated IQ temptress girl cast that suddenly makes you wanna be in a musical?" 

I don't know. Maybe it's the way Gabriella always had your back. And maybe you can't stop beating yourself up for totally blowing it with her.

And look, Troy, even if you never said the L-word to Gabriella, 'cause that's, like, not even a word your parents say to each other… anymore… That doesn't mean that you don't… Maybe it just means you were waiting for the right time to say it… So that everyone could hear it… 

So that she could.

“Ricky?” A voice pulls me out of my flashback. “What are you doing here?”

I look to see Gina Porter standing in the doorway next to me, in full Rizzo costuming. 

“Gina! Hey!” I smile and pull her in for a familiar hug. “I caught an earlier flight and thought I’d sneak in and get myself a sneak peek at what I’m in for tomorrow night!” I tell her. 

“That’s amazing! So why do you look like you’re hiding?” She smirks. And she’s right. I was kinda hiding. 

But why? I want to see my friends. I want to see Big Red, and Gina, and… Nini.

The music slows down. 

“But now there's no way to hide, since you pushed my love aside, I'm outta my head hopelessly devoted to you… hopelessly devoted to you… Hopelessly devoted to y- Ricky?” 

The music stops.

[luminoustico]

For End of the Year Writing Meme: All the questions sound super interesting so just use this as an opportunity to answer whatever questions interest you most

So funny story I put this in my drafts to complete in the quiet time of New Year’s Day, but then I forgot about it completely. BRACE YOURSELF.

A. If you could rec a piece of music to accompany one of your fics, what would you pick? Why?

Lies by Marina and the Diamonds, to accompany the latter half of Valse Melancolique. It’s a really good song to show Irene’s POV at that point, especially her reluctance to accept that the webs she’s spun are basically collapsing around her.

“I just want it to be perfect / To believe it’s all been worth the fight,” is the most relevant set of lyrics, IMO.

B. Who’s your favourite side-character from something you wrote?

I really enjoyed writing side characters like Rose and Finn, though Rose just edges it because I’ve been enjoying writing her in Don’t Complicate It. Finn runs a very close second.

C. Get any good comments on your stuff this year?

Sure! All comments are good comments, let’s be real. Unless they’re an obvious troll comment or those “update now!!!” kind of comments. Those aren’t so good.

D. Any drawings or pictures that had a big influence on your writing?

The artwork of the late 18th century and Roberto Ferri definitely influenced the tone of Valse Melancolique. Many scenes from certain stories were driven by a single image I had in my head as well.

E.  Who’s your favourite main character you’ve written?

Though I do enjoy delving into Ben/Kylo’s psyche, I enjoy writing Rey more – she’s more enclosed, and I love chipping away at characters to get to their truths.

G. Where do you think you grew the most this year?

Towards the end of the year, I began to realise that writing can actually be fun like it used to be. I’ve been so aware of the way the world is currently that I’ve been convincing myself that my writing must have a message, or it’s not ‘worthy’. I need to understand that I started writing not to pass on any morals or messages, but as a release and a way to find enjoyment in the constant buzz.

H.  How do you write? Paper, pen, computer? Music, no music?

All of those. I write on my phone, on my computer, on pen and paper. Music and no music, it depends. Most often I’m listening to a playlist/album which then stops and I cease writing an hour or so later realising I’ve been writing in silence.

I.  What’s your favourite work you did this year? Why?

I’m always tempted to answer this kind of question with my most recent story. But I’m going to be really honest and say that star among the stars is a personal favourite. And it’s not just because of the pegging.

J.  What are the best jokes you told this year? Any jokes you thought were funny that people didn’t catch? Vice-versa?

I’m completely blanking on this one.

K. Who have you killed this year? Why did they have to die?

Qui-Gon Jinn (to match with canon), Molly and Sherlock (hey it was a story based on Dangerous Liaisons, and I was reading classical Russian literature at the time of plotting) and Kylo Ren a bunch of times (metaphorically).  

L.  Which character did you most write about this year, and why do you like ‘em?

I wrote more about Rey. As mentioned before, it’s because I like chipping away at a character’s surface but also it’s because I really relate to her, especially in regards to her feelings of loneliness and her tendency to put on ‘a brave face’. Plus I really admire her compassion and her strength. I envy it.

M. Meta! Have any meta about a story you’re dying to throw out there?

Not particularly -- just headcanons and reasons behind why I write what I write. (I’ve never been very good with meta anyway.) I really like it when other people meta my fic, or pick up on something I didn’t! That is an AMAZING feeling. 

O. Do you believe in outlines? Show us one!

I do indeed! I love my outlines. For some projects, I’ve got whole folders with docs labelled Initial Ideas, Plot Summary, Chapter Outline, etc. etc. I’ve got my notes app on my phone stuffed up to the gills with mini-outlines. I frequently use my story structure template, which is technically more for screenplays, but the breaking down into acts thing helps my brain figure things out. 

P. What are your pet peeves in other people’s work?

When an author relies too much on UST and ruins the pacing. Like, an author drags out the first getting together because they believe that the anticipation is the only thing generating comments. If it’s right to have them bang, have them bang! The awkward morning after is a delicious opportunity for UST -- just a different kind. 9 times out of 10, your readers are there not for the smut because they’re invested in the story and like your writing.

Q. Quote three bits of writing you read this year. Can be your writing, or not.

Let’s mix it up.

“ “Why did you do that?” he demanded as they ducked into a side alley. “What part of ‘keep a low profile’ is difficult for you to understand?”

“I’m a good haggler,” Rey said through a full mouth. She didn’t have any idea what she was eating, and she didn’t care. It took so much effort to chew each bite instead of gulping it down whole. “He was trying to cheat us.”

“You didn’t haggle. You pushed.”

“I did not. Why would I knock him over in the middle of his stand?”

Kylo just stared. “You need a teacher,” he muttered. He watched her eat for a moment, his expression somewhere between thoughtful and disgusted, before taking a bite from one of his own skewers. Disgust won out. ” -- Symmetry and Black Tar by audreyii_fic. (Grumpy smuggler Kylo Ren, spunky scavenger Rey, canon divergence. Excellent.)

“ "Ben," Rey breathes once Kylo's mere inches away. It's the name Luke introduced him with, the only name she knows him by, and he's never bothered to correct her. Why hasn't he corrected her? The question flees from his mind as she closes her eyes and he leans down into the space between them, kissing her full on the lips. It's not gentle, he doesn't know how to be, but she opens for him the way the flowers she loves so much bloom in the sunlight. ” -- the surface of last scattering by diasterisms. (It’s the apocalypse, it’s exactly the right time to meet the love of your life, right? Read for utter devastation.) 

“ Rey could spend hours in the Falcon’s inner workings. She’d spent so much time in the belly of hollowed-out Star Destroyers, which were horrific remnants of old worlds, cold and grey. The Falcon is alive, speaking a strange language she’s just about half-deciphered. Sometimes, on days where she misses the connection most and dreams of a boy reaching across the stars to find her, it feels like the Falcon doesn’t want to speak to her. It shuts down. Sparks spit at her, and mechanisms develop odd faults.Today, a jet of steam blows directly in her face, not harmful, but almost like a snarl of 'go away'.

Rey climbs out of the hatch, fetching tools. She works with that fault first.

“I’m not thinking about him,” she promises to no-one but the ship she’s looking after. ” -- If I was born as a blackthorn tree, by me!

R. If you had to rewrite one of your stories from scratch, which one would it be? What would you do to it?

Going to cheat here and head back to 2017. I’d rewrite Two Stars Aligned. What I’d probably do is make it a post-TLJ fic, where Rey and Ben decide to run away after getting involved in a secret relationship, but get shot down by the First Order -- after landing in Giaca, they become embroiled in Game of Thrones style politics and the ruling families, while the Resistance and the First Order conduct searches for them. I’d cut out the weird Force shit and make the redemption arc thing more organic by giving the whole story room to bloody breathe. Two Stars Aligned is actually the reason why I now try to stick to oneshots for exchanges and any anthologies I get involved in.

S. What’s the sexiest thing you wrote this year?

Sexiest thing written in 2018... It’ll have to be the pegging in star among the stars.

T. Themes, motherfucker, do you have them? What are they?

Feminism. Females being allowed to be as fucked-up and broody as the men they love, and perhaps, even broodier. Make women afraid of commitment, 2k19.

U. Any stories that took an abrupt U-turn from where you thought they were going?

If I were a blackthorn tree took a pleasing turn away from the initial outline. The initial idea was lots of secret trysts and stuff like that, but I much prefer the quiet romance with a note of hope at the end that it turned out to be.

V. Which story was the most viscerally pleasing to write? Tell us your narrative kinks.

Huh. Hm. Don’t Complicate It is turning out to be kind of fun to write; when I’m not allowing myself to be crippled by the brain goblins that is (they’re strong lately). It’s a combo of writing a trope/kink I’ve been wanting to write for ages -- A/B/O -- and remembering that it’s okay to have fun with it.

W.  Who are your favourite writers?

@kylo-wouldnt-like-those-chips - @conchepcion (every time I think I’m out, she pulls me back in *shakes fist*) - @introspectivenavelgazer - @audreyii-fic - @kylorenvevo - ambiguously - @fettuccine-alfreylo and SO MANY MORE (this post is long enough already!!)

X.  What’s your least favourite work of this year?

My least favourite has to be In Cars. It was an ambitious idea, which I didn’t really fulfil, I feel. Curse of being a perfectionist. I want something to be amazing. World-changing! Tear-jerking! I want Vestal virgins to weep golden tears over my words, already delicately transcribed onto ancient parchment by monks. Obviously, that’s an impossible standard, but I can’t help being cross when I don’t reach it.

Y. Why did you write? For fun, for a friend, for acclaim?

During 2018? Mostly for acclaim. It made 2018 a very difficult year for writing, and just a difficult year in general. I’m trying to make sure I have fun during 2019 with this stuff. Striving for perfection is a punishing task that no-one can ever accomplish because perfection doesn’t exist. Contentment does, though. As does happiness. And those should be more important.

Z. If you could choose one work and immediately finish it, what would it be? How would you end it?

I’d finish Sanctum, my priest Kylo fic. I’m split between continuing or rewriting anyway (the rewrite would include relocating the action to the medieval era, around the time Luther wrote that damned essay and pinned it to the church door). But I do know the exact image I want to finish on, which will remain whether I end up rewriting or not. It involves a name, a scrap of material and a rather fetching colour scheme. 

Ooh. Cryptic.

[barnesthesarge]

I Found (Part 3): Sugar Sugar

Bucky X enhanced!Reader

Warnings: Just some slight angst, not really any flashbacks in this one! Lemme know if I need to add something!!

Summary: Summary: as someone trying to get their life together, Bucky understands why you’re not coming around right away. He’s helpful in every way possible but there’s something more to his actions, when you get taken away from him you start to notice that.

The bright lights in the café made Bucky’s eyes appear even more blue, Y/N couldn’t help but think he looked handsome. She had never seen him that way, she tended to avoid thinking of anyone as attractive, it would only make her nervous.

Needless to say, she was nervous. “Do you know what you want?” He asked.

“I think maybe just the cinnamon coffee, it sounds pretty good.” She could barely hear Bucky over the sound of her heart.

“Go pick out a table for us, I’ll order.” She nodded and found a table in the very back, she set her phone down on the table and checked her father’s Facebook page again.

He had shared a video of her, well somewhat her. It was a news source that had a video clip of her using her powers during a mission. The title of the video was “New Avenger?”

He didn’t say anything about the video but Y/N was sure he knew it was her. She was so absorbed in the video she didn’t even notice Bucky sit down with their drinks.

“You alright?” He asked, sliding hers in front of her.

“Yes.” She said without hesitation, “Thank you.” She tucked her phone away.

“Did you look again?” He sounded disappointed, Y/N wanted nothing more than to get rid of the sad sound in his voice.

“My dad, he knows who I am.” Y/N’s fingers were trembling.

“And how do you know that? What’s wrong with him knowing who you are? You do great things for the planet.” She looked down.

“He shared a video on Facebook of me, he didn’t say anything but there’s no way he didn’t realize it was me.” Y/N took a sip of her drink and smiled, “this is really good. Thank you.”

He smiled in return, “So um, would it be weird for me to try and get to know you while we’re here? I don’t want to say something wrong.”

“Why do you want to get to know me so bad?” Y/N inspected Bucky, his hair was back in a bun, a loose strand pulled back behind his ear.

“It’s been stupid of me to not try and help you. You’ve been here for so long and none of us has tried enough. I figured being around you would make you notice me and talk to me first but after so long it was stupid of me. Everyone was so distant to me when I first got here and at first I liked it. It sucks isolating yourself and I don’t want you to do the same.” He drank his coffee black.

“I guess I understand. Being alone sucks. The day I..disappeared, I was with my friends. There was five of us and we were at the mall, I remember that we were getting clothes for school and my one friend Lindsey drove us all. We got jumped by these huge men, my friends couldn’t fight back well and neither could I, one girl was left there unconscious because she was too small. They knocked us all out with this disgusting gas that I swear I can still smell.” She grimaced, Bucky reached across the table and put his flesh hand on her wrist, cautiously.

“You don’t have to tell me this.” He spoke warmly, he gave her a soft squeeze on her wrist and she felt her cheeks turn bright red.

“What do you want to know?” She asked softly.

“Let’s start with your favorite things? We don’t have to talk about what happened to you doll, it doesn’t define you.” She nodded softly.

“I’ve always loved music. I had a stupid dream to be a musician someday, like singing my own songs to a crowd. I never really mastered them, but I played a couple instruments. My family was supportive and liked to hear me. I don’t know, when things get bad I listen to music from when I was younger.” He grinned, his white teeth on full display.

“What instruments did you play? Can you sing?” She rolled her eyes in response.

“I’m not bad, but don’t you dare think of this as an invitation to hear me. I could play guitar, piano, and ukulele. Not very good of course but I could. Don’t tell anyone or I’ll destroy you with my bare hands.” Bucky smirked and drank the rest of his coffee.

“What’s wrong with people knowing about who you are?”

“Familiarity is not only terrifying but dangerous.”

—————

“Ms Y/L/N, Mr. Stark has requested your presence in his office.” She groaned, she had enough social interaction to last her a lifetime.

“Alright thank you FRIDAY. Call me Y/N from now on. Congrats your on firstname basis with me.” She said sarcastically.

“Yes ma’am, Y/N it’s my job. He wants you to hurry up.” Y/N sighed and put her shoes back on, rushing to the elevator.

Once on the floor, she noticed his door was already open so she walked inside, noticing Bucky standing by Tony’s desk.

“Am I in trouble?” She chuckled and both men shared her gaze in return.

“Close the door and lose your attitude. I have a mission for you two.” Y/N rolled her eyes and shut the door.

“What’s the mission.” Y/N decided to keep her attitude just to throw Tony off.

“Stakeout, I got a tip from an anonymous watcher I have that this man, Everett Gilbert,” he pushed forward a picture of a middle aged man, “is selling alien tech he’s been stealing. And I want you two to pose as buyers to see what he’s doing. My tip also told me how to get in.”

“Tony, I hardly see how I’m needed for this mission. This is a one man job. Barnes is perfectly capable to do this on his own.” She tapped her fingers impatiently, waiting to be dismissed.

“Actually, maybe you should let me finish and you’ll see your roll, Y/N.” He snapped, “I want you two to pose as a couple, go in there all grossly to distract them from your identity’s, buy something small and let me analyze it, and if it’s what we’re looking for we’ll go right ahead and infiltrate and take everyone down.” She felt her stomach drop.

“I’m not comfortable with acting grossly with anyone. Natasha would be better.” Her Y/E/C eyes stared at Tony desperately.

“Y/N, the sooner you get to doing your job the easier. Barnes, are you rusty at holding hands with people?” He raised his eyebrows at Bucky, who hadn’t said a word.

“I don’t think you should push her on this.” Bucky mumbled, it sounded threatening.

“I want you two on this mission for a reason. I think it would be healthy for her to try and come around to people. That and both of you avoid the public eye so he might not recognize you.”

“Stop talking about me like this, I’m literally right here. I’ll do the mission, but you’ll owe me Tony. This is a lot for me. If I fuck it up, it’s on you.” He cracked a smile.

“Works for me, Barnes?” He looked at Bucky with an eyebrow raised.

“Alright. I’ll look over our instructions.” He took a folder from Tony and left the room without another word.

“How was your coffee hangout, I remember you calling it that and insisting it wasn’t a date.” Y/N huffed.

“Refreshing I guess.”

“You guess about a lot of things.” She chuckled.

“It was nice to talk to someone and not have it be solely about my messed up head. Is that better?” Tony nodded, he handed her a folder.

“Do you want to look over this together? Otherwise I can give it to FRIDAY and she can discuss it with you.”

“We can look over it together sure. It’s not too demeaning, is it? I can barely stand hugging you.” Tony laughed warmly.

“You said I stink. As far as I know James is quite groomed. I don’t think you’ll be hugging him. You just need to play the part I’ve given you.” They sat down on the couch and opened the folder.

“You want me to play as his sugar baby!? Tony what the fuck. I cannot stand you. This is crossing so many lines.” She buried her head in her hands.

“It’s a good thing you’re sitting down then. I think you’ll like it actually, it’s a fun role to play. You just get to mess with him, get to act ditsy, you just gotta cling to his arm and be all affectionate towards him. Look at my notes for you.”

“I fucking hate you.”

—————

Bucky read the notes carefully, his mouth agape and horrified. There was no way he wanted to do this, pretending to be in a relationship with Y/N was bad enough, but from what he was reading, this would strain their relationship.

Sam thought the situation was hilarious, “You get to be a sugar daddy! Hey this might be good, maybe she’ll realize she likes you after this. Play the part well Bucky, you never know!”

“Sam, have I ever told you I fucking hate birds?” Bucky looked at him evilly.

“What’re you gonna do? Kill me for laughing at you?” He smirked and left Bucky to go tell Steve about it.

Bucky left his room to talk to Y/N in her room. He knocked on the door and she opened it, she was sitting on her bed reading their instructions.

“Hey Y/N. You mind if I come in?” She looked up at him with a smirk.

“You just can’t seem to stay away from me, huh?” She teased, “come on in.”

“Are you uncomfortable with-with our mission?” She chuckled.

“Bucky, of course I’m nervous. I trust you and all, which is difficult for me to say. It’s weird. I guess I understand though, Tony is right, the whole PDA thing is distracting and makes people uncomfortable. I can play the part if you can play yours.” He sat down on her bed beside her.

“You don’t have to do this.”

“I know.” She replied. “We leave in the morning, don’t be late.”

Bucky nodded and left her room, going to his to pack up.

—————

A/N: hecc

(Message me if you wanna be added) TAGLIST: @animegirlgeeky @yafriendlyfangirl

[robronsecretsanta]

Fanfic: Winter Days

to @imsugdone, love from your secret santa

a s   c h i l d r e n

The village was aglow for Christmas, fairy lights in the trees, tinsel on the doors. Robert had jumped out of his dads car ready to run up to the bus stop, aged nine and adamant that he can definitely get the bus to and from school now he’s so grown up. Aaron, his new friend, had only moved into the area a few months ago, but the both of them had been thick as thieves from the get go. It was rare that one was seen without the other these days.

Jack had dropped Robert off in the village, just as Aaron had walked out of his front door with Chas, hat, scarf and gloves covering his small frame. “Robert!” He had shouted, face visibly lighting up when he sees his friend. “School’s shut!”

Robert jumped up and down, trying to not slip over in the snow that had already started to seep into his school shoes.

“Is it really that bad?” Jack asked Chas, trusting her say so more than her young son.

Chas nodded, folding her arms to keep her hands warm. “The road up to the school is completely blocked off apparently. Headmistress is ringing around the parents now just to let everyone know.”

Jack groaned, rubbing his face. “I can’t afford to take the day off to watch him. A barn roof has caved in and I need to get it fixed by the end of today.”

“You get on up to the farm, I’ll watch these two today.” Chas said, quickly telling Aaron to take Robert into the house so she can make them both a brew. “Honestly it’s no problem. Better to have them both in the same place then running around everywhere.”

And with that, Jack nodded, shouted after Robert telling him to behave, and got back in his car.

“Mum, are we allowed to have a snowball fight?” Aaron asked, his fingers wrapped around his hot chocolate.

Robert was sat next to him on the sofa, whipped cream on his nose and hat falling over his eye slightly. Aaron pushed it back up on top of his head for him, smiling innocently.

Chas nodded, flicking the radio on to hear it playing Band Aid, humming along to it absentmindedly. “Only on the front though. I’ll be looking out.”

Half an hour later, the boys were drenched from head to toe in melted snow, droplets of it curling Aaron’s hair, falling off the ends and onto his eyelashes as Robert threw a massive snowball at his back, watching as it crumbled away and fell onto the floor in a lump.

“I can’t believe you just did that!” Aaron squealed, scrambling about to get another snowball ready to hit Robert, who had now run away, further into the front porch and hiding behind the old birdcage.

“No!” Robert shouted, “Please don’t!” with a smile on his face and a giddy laugh in his voice.

Aaron laughed, running around in a circle, chasing Robert. He threw it when Robert attempted to run into the house, the snow barely catching Robert and more catching the door frame.

By the time Jack had finished fixing the roof, Robert had been fed, and he was tired out, led on the settee watching The Simpsons with Aaron.

a s  t e e n a g e r s

Aaron knew two people in the entire world who would decorate their bedrooms for Christmas. Robert being one, Victoria being the other. Somehow, here he was, aged sixteen and lying on Robert’s bed, phone in his hands stretched above his head, on Christmas Eve.

It was Robert’s favourite time of year, had been since they were kids. It was only ever made better when it snowed, but they hadn’t been so lucky on that front these past couple of years. It had become a tradition for them to open their presents from each other on Christmas Eve, just so they could see each other. The 25th was a day for family only, and no matter how much they both tried, they were never actually able to see each other on Christmas Day.

Robert had tried to defend the idea this year, by saying that they technically were family now, with them being boyfriends, but to no avail.

“We opening these presents then?” Robert asked, pushing back from his desk, rolling over on his desk chair.

Aaron’s hands lowered, phone going in his pocket and lifting his head up weakly. “Yeah.”

Robert had bought his own mini tree from Hotten, the two of them going in one day on their lunchbreak. It wasn’t needed, but Robert wanted to make their own Christmas traditions and decided that it would be put up in his room, and their presents would be put under it, ready to be opened.

Being students, they couldn’t exactly push the boat out and get expensive gifts, but all they needed was to spend some alone time together, away from other friends and family.

“You can open yours first.” Aaron said, walking over and getting them for Robert. “Seen as you love Christmas so much.”

Robert rolled his eyes, knowing that Aaron didn’t have the same excitement for this time of year as Robert did. “One year I’ll make you love it. Promise you.”

They didn’t often talk about their future, at least not their future together because of the whole relationship being so new. Anything could happen in the future, but Robert was certain of one thing, and that was that Aaron would be in his life somehow. They couldn’t go from being best friends, to boyfriends to nothing, Robert wouldn’t let it happen.

Aaron chuckled, sitting back down on Robert’s bed, leaning over quickly to kiss him, before giving him the smallest present first.

“What is it?” Robert asked, not even making a move to open it.

Aaron looked at him deadpan. “We’re not doing that again, not this year.”

Robert smirked, knowing exactly what Aaron meant, because Victoria spent the whole of last Christmas asking what her presents were before she even opened them. The wrapping paper fell to his lap, Aaron picking it up, scrunching it up more, before shoving it in the plastic bag.

He held the frame in his hands, lips curving up into a smile at the photo, one that Chas had taken for them last summer, Robert’s sunglasses on Aaron’s head, Aaron with a cheeky grin on his face. He remembered it being taken, at the cricket pavilion during a fun fair. Their relationship was very new at that point, literally only days old, and it shows.

“Turn it over.” Aaron commanded, albeit softly

Robert’s eyes scanned the back of the frame, reading Aaron’s neatest handwriting, the golden liquid pen loops spelling out a message.

Merry Christmas Rob, here’s a photo from the beginning of our relationship. I hope to add to the collection for the rest of our lives. All my love, Aaron x

i n   t h e i r  t w e n t i e s

They’d both finished work for the weekend, Robert only having to pass some folders over to Nicola on the Saturday morning before they drove down to Manchester. Robert had booked them into a hotel, nothing special, on account of it being late notice, all because he had suggested they go to the Christmas markets. Aaron had agreed, somewhat surprisingly. He wanted alone time with Robert, probably the last bit of it they got until the new year. The only catch was that it had to be Manchester rather than Leeds. They’d been to Leeds markets too many times, and Manchester made for a refreshing change.

Robert drove, setting off at half ten, not wanting to get there too early, but early enough to check into the hotel without any problems. The minute Aaron sat in the passenger seat, his hand went straight to the radio, flicking it on, skipping to the one he could actually tolerate. Robert rested his hand on Aaron’s thigh, stroking it softly, before pulling out of the driveway.

“It’s cold at the markets, apparently.” Aaron commented once they’d gotten onto the motorway.

Robert stole a look at him, smiling. “Think it’s cold everywhere, what with it being December.” He joked.

Aaron rolled his eyes, giving Robert a disapproving look, which Aaron knew himself only made Robert laugh louder. “You know what I mean.”

“I do.” Robert nodded. “That’s what happens when you’ve been together for a decade.”

Aaron deadpanned, focusing on Band Aid that had just come on. “Still not put a ring on my finger though, have ya?”

It was Robert’s turn to roll his eyes now, looking back at the road and indicating to switch lanes.

The rain had stopped coming down when they got to the main part of the markets, the sky still a dark shade of grey, threatening to pour down again. Aaron kept his hood up, both on his hoodie and coat, while Robert carried a dripping wet umbrella, covering his head with a hat.

“Want a hot chocolate first?” Aaron asked, seeing people walking around with mugs drinking them.

“Please.” Robert said, smiling at Aaron.

Robert followed Aaron on, careful not to lose him in the crowds, his black puffer coat already blending with everyone else.

It definitely was cold, Aaron was right. Robert could see that Aaron’s nose was already turning red from the wind when he turned around to hand the mug overflowing with cream back to him.

“Not had it like this since we were kids.” Robert pointed out, taking a sip and wiping the cream clear from around his mouth.

Aaron smirked, knowing full well that the cream wasn’t entirely gone. “I’ll get my mum to make it again, shall I?”

Robert knocked shoulders with him, huffing out a laugh before walking up to a crepe stall.

Luckily for them, an hour later it seemed as though the rain had passed, the sky clearing up to a blue colour. The cold weather didn’t get any better though, and Robert had forced Aaron into carrying the bags for them, just so he could put his hands in his pockets.

“Are we done for presents?” Aaron whined, hands red raw and ears ringing from the sound of kids screaming.

“Yeah, everything else has been ordered.” Robert confirmed, rubbing his hands before grabbing the bags off of Aaron.

Aaron gladly shoved them back into his boyfriend’s hands, fingers starting to go numb with the bitter wind. “What’ve we ordered?”

“We haven’t. I have.” Robert said, emphasising certain words has he attempts to break away from the crowd, Aaron jogging up to him and linking their arms together, shoving his hand back into his pocket almost instantly.

They rarely ever did this. Not even at home. Aaron supposed it was easier where nobody knew them, even after so long of being ‘out and proud’ so to speak. It was unlike them to be this close in public, this touchy-feely, but at the same time it felt perfect and right. It was like they were younger, when they’d spend their frees in college together, finding a common room to sit in, or walking into town for lunch, Aaron in his hand me down overalls and Robert in his business attire. Back when they’d cling onto each other, protective of whatever the world threw in their faces.

“It’s for me?” Aaron asked breathily, not really focusing on the conversation.

“Yes. It’s for you.” Robert confirmed, pressing his cold lips to Aaron’s temple, breathing him in.

a s f i a n c é s

Robert’s breath was shaky as he watch Aaron opening his presents. Both families had come together, with a few stragglers that somehow belonged there, despite not being a relation.  

“What’ve you got him?” Chas asked under her breath, seeing her son unwrapping gifts at the bar.

Robert gulped back his wine, squeezing his eyes shut tightly before speaking. “I’m asking him.”

Chas’ eyes went wide, knowing exactly what Robert was talking about. Aaron had been dropping hints for months, if not years. He’d said that he didn’t want to do it himself, but if Robert didn’t get a move on then he’d be forced to take matters in his own hands and propose himself.

He knew that Aaron was getting to the end of his presents, deliberately leaving the main one to the end.

“This one’s from Rob.” Noah said, holding it out for Aaron to take hold of.

Robert stalked over, putting his wine glass on the bar and giving Aaron a quick kiss.

Aaron unwrapped the present, a copper frame with a photo of him and Robert wearing suits, one that he recognised from a family wedding a few months ago. His eyes narrowed at the writing in the metal, ‘FIANCÉS’ in bold, engraved across the bottom.

“What?” Aaron breathed out, disbelieving.

By this point, everyone in the room had gone quiet, but Robert’s eyes remained firmly on Aaron’s as he began to speak. “About twelve years ago, you came into my life. We were just kids, but inseparable. We spent every waking minute we possibly could together, and yes, we fell out, and yes, we hated each other from time to time. But I realised something from a very young age, and that was that I wanted you in my life for as long as you would allow it. When we were seventeen and sixteen, I finally plucked up the courage to ask you to be my boyfriend, at first you didn’t believe that I wanted it-“ Robert paused, seeing tears already welling up in Aaron’s eyes, everyone focused on them now. He lifted his hand, stroking Aaron’s face gently. “You thought I was joking so you ran. But you don’t have to run off now, Dingle, because I love you and I want you to be mine for the rest of our lives. Turn it over.”

And sure enough, written on the back in the same style that Aaron did for Robert all those years ago, was “Will you marry me?”

Aaron just nodded, not able to speak with the grin on face, tears well and truly falling down his face now.

“Yeah?” Robert asked again, letting Aaron’s body attach to his own.

“Yeah.” Aaron confirmed, leaning in to kiss his fiancé.

Later on, Robert smirked, kissing Aaron again, for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. Aaron had been sat there, stuffed from the spread Marlon had put on, and the beer on tap that he kept helping himself to, staring at his ring nonstop.

“Did I make you love Christmas then?” He asked innocently, twiddling with his own ring now.

Aaron looked up, the smile still not ceasing. “Oh so that’s why you decided to wait until now then?”

Robert grinned, nodding without a care in the world. “Told you I’d make you love it.”

Sighing, Aaron leaned his head onto Robert’s shoulder, taking a deep breath and letting his fingers intertwine with Robert’s. “But yeah. I loved it. Thank you.”

Robert tilted his head, letting his lips press to the top of Aaron’s own, and then not making an attempt to move.

It was these winter days, the ones with the snow and the love and the happiness and cheer that they loved the most. The ones surrounded by family and friends, the ones that ended with them definitely a bit too merry on the beer and wine, but nobody seemed to care because it was Christmas, and it was the best time of year.