#so when i get my rose bouquet- I'm probably going to be bouncing around and doing laps around the room-

[sapphire-heart-tippy]

This is a very mundane thing to be excited about, but that's just who I am (heck I'm the type of person to bounce up and down with excitement from getting a glitter pen /serious)

BUT ANYWAY

My boyfriend said she's going to get me a bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates this Saturday!! We're gonna celebrate Valentine's Day early and order some food and watch movies and stuff

I've never actually gotten a bouquet before (unless it was from myself), I recently told him that (I don't really like asking for things, especially if it's gift related) and he said that she'll be the first one to get me a bouquet!!

(partner is also genderqueer, he uses he/she pronouns only!)

[the-trickster-joker]

A blue butterfly lands on a girl's nose. On the girl's body were other blue butterflies. She giggled at the feeling of the insects tickling her skin.

"Come along now! We don't want to worry them too much."

"Aw," she pouts, "I wanna stay with my friends!"

"I wouldn't worry too much about that," the formally dressed elder walked over to the girl, "these butterflies are special. They'll always find you and look after you."

"So I'm not going to make them sad?"

"Of course not," with the elderly man by her side the butterflies took the the sky, "they feel the same way as you are to them."

~

A gentle tug on a wire made Rose shoot up, "Chi chi what are you doing?!"

"Why do you have to wear this machine," Chi chi popped her head out from the top, "you just collapsed like the others times before."

"They just want to be sure it's not a heart issue," Rose huffed, "I don't like it either. What else could I do, other than deal with this for a day."

"You could take it off now, if you're allowed to."

"I want to but if I have to keep it on," Rose grew little buds of frustration in her tone, "I don't like it either. Can't go into Mementos or Nebulous without risking the device getting messed up or rising suspicion."

"You could invite somebody over when they're available," Chi chi whined, "damnit! They're all doing their own things in those worlds," Chi chi looked at a clock, "probably."

"Be careful with the cords."

"I will," Chi chi yonked herself out from Rose's shirt, "see? I was careful."

Chi chi's ears flopped down with Rose's hand patting the Shiba's head.

"I have an idea," Rose spoke, "you want to go out and see where the day takes us?"

"Really," a curled tail bounced around in excitement, "you mean it?"

"Of course. I got some extra money to spend on some extras."

"You think we'll run into anyone?"

"Maybe," Rose got up from her seat, "we'll have to see."

Chi chi ran to the door, "come on, slow poke!"

~

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"What's with the feeder? I know you like seeing the birds and all. It's not one that birds use."

"It's a butterfly feeder. Surprised they had some in the shop."

"I didn't know you liked butterflies. The ones I always see are either in the parks or out of place in the city."

"Doesn't hurt to see some up close."

"Yeah yeah," chi chi huffed, "where to next?"

"I was thinking about getting something for everyone. I just haven't figured out what to get for each of them yet."

"They might like what you cook. You're pretty good at it and Goto has helped with improving your abilities."

"I want something that can last years. Not minutes."

Chi chi giggled, "I think they'll like whatever you give them," an idea sprouted, "oh! You're getting into making jewelry right? You could make a simple, personalized necklace, bracelet, or earrings for them!"

"I can't make earrings yet," Rose sighs then perked up, "I can make a bracelets for each of them. Just need to figure out what I need."

"Let's go," chi chi ran off.

"Chi chi!"

'Ugh, I swear she hasn't learned from the Nebulous,' Rose thought within.

( I hope this doesn't bother you :p)

@a-bouquet-of-shadows

Rei was out and about and texted Rose.

_Rei: Hey there. Are you open today?_

[fluffychubbyrose]

Bucky x Insecure/Self Conscious Wife Reader.

Requested.

One Shot.

Warnings- Bucky may be O.C., Language, and slight slight NSFW blink and it's gone.

Sorry it isn't exactly what you requested and that it took so long but here you go hope you like it!!!

(I don't own these pictures.)

Tonight is my 1st anniversary of being married to Bucky Barnes. I managed to get out of work early today so I could pick up a new red with black lace baby doll with a matching bra and pantie set to hopefully boost my confidence up a little for tonight. I made sure that it wasn't to form fitting so that it didn't accent the new rolls, stretch marks, and bigger belly pooch I've seemed to gain since I've been eating so much fast food and junk food because of how busy I've been, and Bucky has been even busier than I am. Neither of us have had any time to sit down and eat a proper home cooked meal in forever. Let alone spend much time together.

That's the real reason why I wanted off early today so I could cook us a nice homemade meal something not sopping in grease or out of a package and I know Bucky is still uncomfortable out in public. Plus this is supposed to be our special night to spend some time together finally in what feels like forever there's no need to go out and be uncomfortable when we could have a nice night in, relax, and enjoy ourselves.

Hell I've probably seen him only a few times this week which didn't last more than 10 minutes at a time because one of us would have to rush off to our jobs or we are so exhausted from work that we just shower and go straight to bed.

That's why I gave my boss a 2 week notice that I needed to be let off early today and have a week off for vacation. I asked Bucky to do the same if he could but he didn't seem to concerned about it which hurt because this is our first anniversary but maybe he just forgot that it's this week he probably has a reminder set or something already planned.

It doesn't stop a little voice in my head saying 'He wasn't concerned because he doesn't care. He has nothing planned. He's tired of you already. Why would he want someone as big as you?' I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head knowing that it isn't true. Bucky loves me and I love him. Though as the hours tick by and it's already 9 p.m. and he still isn't home yet, so that voice continues to whisper more and more hurtful things. So much so, that I'm losing confidence in what it says isn't true.

I double check my outfit it's a knee high black keyhole dress to show off some of my cleavage without revealing the new baby doll and undergarment set I have on underneath. I smooth my hands down my dress with nerves from waiting so long for Bucky to come home. I text him when I was preparing dinner and he said he would be home in an hour or two.

That was three hours ago so instead of focusing and fussing on why he's late I double check the table I set earlier with a navy blue table cloth, clear vase with red roses in it, and two silver candle holders with white candles in them waiting to be lit so we can have a nice dinner by candle light. I smooth out the table cloth and mess with the positions of the roses out of nerves. I pace a little worrying my bottom lip while doing so and I'm glad I went with a lip stain rather than lip stick or I would have it all over my teeth by now. I glance at the stove, the dinner I made had been placed in the oven on low so it will stay warm until he gets home since he still wasn't here by the time I finished cooking it.

I sigh losing hope that he would be home anytime soon when the clock read 10 p.m. already and he hasn't text me to let me know he's running late. So I let my hair out of the up do I had it in and sit down at the table.

I'm about to take off my heels because all the pacing I did is making my feet feel like they were going to fall off when a disgruntled and ashamed looking Bucky rushed through the front door slamming it behind him with a box of chocolates in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. I jump and put my leg back down on the floor and I'm about to stand up when Bucky rushes to me saying "I'm so sorry baby girl I completely forgot." my heart lurches at that, and before I can stand up all the way he sets the gifts on the table and kisses me.

Hard. Weaving his arm around my waist while his other hand starts running through my hair. He turns leaning me against the table his body flushed with mine as I wrap my arms around his neck and tug on his hair. We break apart a few moments after with him holding me in a dipped position.

My face is burning and I'm left gasping the momentary hurt forgotten. I look up at him a bit shocked as I bring my arms down and push on him gently. He stands us back up, his arms still around me and my hands on his shoulders. "You look fucking gorgeous doll!" He says breathlessly looking me up and down.

I turn my head to the side with a small embarrassed smile on my face and his hand comes up and turns my gaze back towards his. "I mean it! Your beautiful and I love you so much doll!" His hold on me tightens and he moves so he's even closer to me like he's trying to make sure that there's absolutely no space between us.

"I know we haven't seen each other much and haven't been spending much time together but I'm going to make it up to you, I swear! I told Fury I need the week off so we can spend some much needed time together, and I'm so sorry sweetheart it's our first anniversary and I already messed it up. Steve is the one who told me it was our anniversary when he saw I was still at the tower planning for an upcoming mission. I just got caught up in it all." He says with sigh leaning his forehead on mine. He pecks my lips and give me an apologetic smile. "I rushed home but not before getting your favorite chocolates and flowers as an apology!" He says scratching the back of his neck a clear sign that he's embarrassed for forgetting our anniversary. I pull back from his embrace and look up at him holding his hands.

"You haven't messed it up, your here now that's all that matters and I love you too. Also as good as that chocolate sounds it'll have to wait and be our dessert because I made us dinner." I say bouncing a little, excited to show off the dinner I made. "I can smell it and I'm starving! Thank you for cooking for me baby girl, I swear I don't know what I ever did to deserve you. Hell I still think I don't deserve you most days. You've helped me so much to become a better man, like I used to be before all of this." He gestures to his metal arm.

"You've helped, no loved me through it all. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I can never thank you enough Y/n. I'm sorry I've been so busy and that's no excuse, it wasn't fair of me and I should have been making more time for you, to love you, and appreciate everything you do for me and that starts tonight after dinner. I'm going to make it up to you. Because there's something I want for dessert and it isn't that chocolate." He says giving me a predatory gaze making my heart beat rapidly in my chest.

My mouth goes dry and there's a lump in my throat. My face is burning and I try to subtly squeeze my thighs shut but the smirk he gives me as I move to place the flowers into the vase with the roses let's me know that he saw. Once I finished I grab the chocolates and then walk quickly into the kitchen and set them onto the counter for later, then I put my oven mitts on, just in case the plates got hot and take dinner out of the oven.

I turn around and use my foot to close the ovens door, the whole time his gaze never wandered from me. Not even when I walked over and set the plates down. "Fuck doll you made my favorite!" He groans out looking at me like he just won the lottery before sitting down. I light the candles and quickly sit down as well with a happy smile on my face.

I think we both ate much more quickly than anticipated from it being so late, and the fact that I don't think either of us can recall the last time we had an actual home cooked meal. I lean back in my chair with a happy sigh and place a hand on my over stuffed belly. Before any negative thoughts can pop up about how big or plush my belly has gotten, Bucky suddenly stands up and picks up both of our plates to go put them in the sink. He leans down towards me pecking my check and says "I'll be right back." I smile at him and he smirks in return. My nerves and insecurities are coming back full force but it's now or never as I head to our bedroom and strip out of my dress. I only get a moment to look at myself in the mirror before Bucky is in the doorway staring me down like I'm a feast laid out for a starving man. My face is burning again and I gulp nervously we haven't done anything like this in a long time, our schedules haven't allowed for it. We've been too tired or had to rush off to work.

"I love you so much." He says in a breathy moan with a dreamy look on his face, looking right into my eyes with such an intensity of both love and lust that I can't help the warm feeling spreading through my chest or how I get teary eyed and upset for doubting him or his love for me in the first place. I've been letting my insecurities get the better of me lately.

When he married me I was already a bit on the heavier side, so I should have known better that a few extra pounds or rolls wouldn't phase Bucky or even make him bat an eye on how he see's or feels about me. He proved just how much he loves me and just how beautiful he thinks my body is for the rest of the night.

@whyamihere-bro

[go--ask--alice]

Ephemeris

One

Alice Napier.

To say I am merely happy is an insult to the english language and to the emotion in itself. I feel as though I am in a state of euphoric bliss!! Yesterday may be the single most incredible day of my life. The runner up being the first time he said 'I love you' and a close third that night on the rooftop in London.

Being that this is the first entry into my new journal, let me get out as many details as I can, for posterity sake!

This had to be the most traditional non-traditional wedding that has ever taken place in Gotham City. It pains me to even write this but I fear that the man officiating lastnight is probably dead in a ditch somewhere! Otherwise only myself, J, and the ever loyal Frost were in attendance but it was still a lavish affair. Unlike most bride-to-be's I was left in the dark for most of the planning of this wedding. He kept mumbling something about "project: royal wedding.." and "must be perfect!" then scooting off to meet with Johnny. This went on for a good month or so after we got back from overseas, and while I knew it would be a very short engagement I did not expect that by year's end we would be married.

We had returned to Gotham just in time to see the leaves change color. No sooner had the first snow fallen was I informed that we needed to pick a date. After much consideration and bickering it was decided that we would be married on the first day of winter. The snow would be blanketing the earth and there was the perfect little space on the far edge of the property. A small alcove of trees obscured it from any prying eyes that may be keeping tabs on my elusive Joker and it allowed us the privacy that J so desperately strived for.

The one thing I was given control over was my dress. The only soul to see it besides me was the seamstress that created it. J had relinquished this tiny bit of power to me so it could remain a surprise for him until yesterday, you can never say this man isn't a traditionalist! The woman who made the dress has worked for him for years and is responsible for many of his most iconic looks. If anyone has ever come across The Joker when he purposely places himself on display in one of his clubs has seen her exquisite work. My needs for the dress were few; I insisted on pure white in the finest silk available, a (faux) fur capelet, and Chantilly lace imported from England. Beyond that I let her have fun, I trusted the final product would rival anything J was planning to wear. An apprentice of hers was tasked to tailor J's suit for the ceremony as well as both of our shoes which were custom made and imported from Italy.

I woke up yesterday morning at the literal crack of dawn with as much excitement as a kid on Christmas morning. To the best of my knowledge J didn't sleep at all which isn't a surprise but I didn't even hear him come upstairs, he was supposed to be sleeping in the room across the hall for the night while I stayed in our bedroom. I'm sure he was holed up in his office til all hours of the night, my beautiful brooding man.

There was a note slid under the bedroom door from my love. That note will be between these pages forever.

Knowing that I wouldn't be seeing him until the afternoon I had to calm my nerves on my own and resorted to taking an incredibly long bubble bath followed by some tea and lunch in my room. I began the arduous task of getting ready a few hours before I was due to head downstairs. Frost had my dress delivered to the room sometime in the late morning and refused to give me any clues as to what J had in store for us, though he did seem genuinely excited and I even caught a grin on his stoic face.

I am no professional but I think I did a pretty wonderful job with my hair and make up. Dark and classic. My hair left long and flowing just how I know my J likes it. I had it re-dyed not long after we came back state side so the sapphire blue was as vibrant as possible. My make up was a bit harder to pin down, I've learned in our time together that smudge proof is my best friend! A dark smokey eye and deep crimson lips, the lipstick imparticular needed to stay in place as the our night began.

I managed to be ready and downstairs mere minutes before 3:30 and as I descended the stairs I was met with quite the sight. Johnny Frost in the most dapper suit I've ever seen him in was anxiously tapping his foot and checking his watch while peaking out the large stained glass doors. No doubt unsure what to do if I was late coming downstairs. After a few moments I had to put him out of his misery and make my presence know, the look on his face was pure relief. I can only imagine the stress J had put him under to get everything ready, perfectionist is an understatement when discussing The Joker.

Wordlessly I linked my arm through his waiting elbow as he opened the door to the garden. I can only hope to transcribe the magnificence that awaited me on the other side! The sun was low in the afternoon sky, this being the shortest day of the year, and it illuminated the pine trees that bordered the back of the property. On the ground was a path of small blue lights like will-o'-wisps just starting to glow leading through the trees to the small clearing where I knew my love was waiting for me. As we began to walk I was hit with a wave of emotions so strong that I stumbled for a moment and Frost had to steady me. He leaned down and in his gruff voice whispered, "I've never seen Mr. J so excited, he really does loves you Miss Alice." This of course only spurred on my emotional roller coaster and I squeezed his arm as confirmation that I was okay to continue.

Inside I was an absolute wreck. I was literal moments away from marrying the man I had dreamt about for years, obsessed over in the media and in print, the man I isolated myself from the world for. He could have killed me the moment we met yet somehow here I was about to vow my life to him again this time officially. I will never say that I am the woman who fixed The Joker, there is no fixing his tortured soul, but I genuinely believe I have opened his heart and proved that all creatures are deserving of love. That we all have someone that sees we are worthy of that love.

I was so lost in my own thoughts that I almost didn't realize we were only a few steps away from the tree line, I could see his silhouette against a sea of blue roses, the light bouncing off the stone wall making the flowers appear to glow around him. He was speaking very low to a nervous man who was nodding profusely at him with terrified wide eyes. It took only the briefest of moments for him to see me. Frost had silently let go of my arm and was walking around the perimeter of the small clearing til he was at J's side. Our eyes met for the first time all day and time ceased to exist.

There he stood, my Joker, my love, my forever, his shocking green hair slicked back perfectly from his face, his lips a bright cherry red were spread into a toothy smile I had rarely seen. It was hard to pull myself away from his magnetic blue eyes to take in the rest of him. Faintly I could hear music playing and I slowly began to walk towards him. My beautiful Joker had spared no expense on his suit, perfectly tailored to his slim muscular body. The jacket was inky black with a faint brocade pattern in silk thread, the pants were the same luxurious fabric as the jacket only solid. A black silk shirt pulled tight over his slightly heaving chest, I could see the rise and fall as I walked closer to his side. This was one of the few occasions where I have seen J with a proper tie done up correctly, I believe it was a trinity knot, and a gorgeous new tie pin made of black cobalt with onyx stones. The shoes were a favorite of mine, I actually pick them out in a shop in London and they were custom made by a cordwainer based in Italy. And of course in proper Joker style his powerful hands were adorned with all of my favorite rings, the only flashes of gold in his entire outfit, I was giddy with the anticipation of adding a new one to his left hand.

I had chosen to not carry a bouquet down the aisle, instead I wore a single perfect blue rose in my hair. This particular bloom was laying atop my new journal when I found it yesterday morning so it was only fitting to wear it to meet my Joker at the alter.

When I was finally only a few steps away he reached his pale hand out to take mine and pull me close. I could see the restraint plain as day on his face as he let go and took a step back, he gave himself a long moment to look me over and I could see the lust growing in his eyes when they met mine again. The anticipation we both felt in that moment was beyond our imaginations. Later in the night J told me it took all his control not to shoot the officiant between the eyes and send Frost away so he could have me right there on the spot! Dramatic? Yes, but I believed him completely.

The ceremony itself was brief, the man brought in was obviously terrified but did a fine job. I only found out after the fact that preforming this act was in exchange for a large debt that was owed to The Joker. In doing this favor it would clear the debt but also thanks to the man's connections within the local government it legitimized our union and would secretly have the necessary documents sealed and notorized. I swear I heard a muted gun shot not long after we exchanged vows but I am not going to question it.

Our vows were succinct but incredibly powerful. They are the one small piece that I will forever keep to myself. Suffice to say, the love that lives in our hearts is something that will never be broken, not by time, space, or anything the world throws at us. He is my King and I now proudly stand at his side, his Queen and his partner.

As I write this we are currently on a very brief Honeymoon, one of business and pleasure, J had some pressing business to attend to so I am here patiently waiting for him to return to the rarely used penthouse we have been staying in. I still want to record the events that transpired after the actual wedding, hopefully I'll have some time soon to write them down. For now I want to be prepared to greet my husband when he returns, I have not yet had my fill of his devilishly powerful body.

-Alice

[lovemecharlie]

Secret Admirer

Hennessy × Erik. Happy Valentine's Day.

"Someoneee has a secretttt admirerrrr," Raven sang grinning mischievously as she carried a handful of flowers into the greenhouse where Hennessy sat at her desk, jotting down notes. Hennessy looked up noticing her assistant and her eyes dropped to the colorful bunch. She sat up in her seat as Raven sat the bouquet of yellow, purple, and pink flowers mixed with baby's breath onto the desk.

"Whose are these, are they mine?" She stared at the flowers confused. They were nice, but Erik had done way better in the past. Raven's fingers began to drum curiously on Hennessy's desk, edging toward the small card attached. As Hennessy's assistant, she was naturally nosey and interested in anything involving Dr. Chiron.

"To the The Beautiful Hennessy.. Happy Valentine's Day," she read aloud, "There's no other name attached, only the words 'From a nigga who be watching.' Oooh," she grinned, "I wonder who it is that's been watching and do they know you're a married doctor? I smell drama."

"Oh there's no drama. Anyone who knows me knows I'm married and my man is crazy about me and in general. It's probably why they chose to keep their identity a secret," Hennessy flipped her hair before feeling the petals of a pink flower. Her eyes cut at Raven, dismissing her. In Hennessy's mind, they weren't that close for the young woman to be in her business like that. Besides, didn't she have work to do? Taking the hint, Raven sighed and returned to the store front.

Alone, Hennessy's radiant smile couldn't be tamed as she took pictures of her Valentine's Day flowers, making sure to get every single detail including the card. She was pressed and all kinds of gassed, rereading the card over and over and looking at the sloppy handwriting. Erik's handwriting was nice for the most part, so this definitely wasn't his work. Who was bold enough to attempt to woo her, knowing Erik was not the one to play? She had no clue. Trigga Trey was dead, who else was there?! Excited energy bubbled through her and she giggled, her feet dancing. She could imagine Erik's response to the flowers. If he were to find out she really had a secret admirer.. One this bold.. She shivered. It made her feel sneaky.

With her tongue out, she decided to be messy. She put the pictures up on her Instagram and even posed holding the flowers with a peace sign and a sweet grin. She had butterflies, feeling giddy.. Erik would be perturbed! All there was to do now was wait.

And wait.

And wait.

She was bored, her feet on her desk as she smoked a joint with no side effects, one of her favorite and most lucrative creations. Why wasn't Erik blowing her up right now?! Did he not see it? She checked the post again. She'd posted four pictures that she swiped through. 132 likes and not one of them Erik. Comments from Charlie, Bastion, Aly'Sha, and Angel highlighted, but none from Erik. His was the only response she cared about at the moment. She was so annoyed. She'd even posted a short live in her impatience, dancing with the flowers in her grasp and blowing kisses to her secret admirer, whoever it was. When the footage ended, she sat the phone down, returning to her pouting, her arms crossed over her chest. Checking her phone again, he'd clicked on it! No DM. No text. No nothing!

"Ughhhh!" She kicked at the air under her chair before dropping her head on her desk with an irritated whine.

"Dr. Chiron?" Raven spoke and Hennessy straightened herself immediately, smoothing her clothes and putting her professional shield back up. "You have another delivery.. this one's pretty big. Should I let them bring it in here?"

Hennessy stared, confused and interested, nodding her head. Raven waved to someone unseen and when they appeared, there was a large arrangement of white long stem roses. It looked like four dozen combined. Hennessy's jaw dropped as she rose from her seat reaching out to take them from the delivery man. "Toss them weak ass flowers," she read aloud, her chest contracting with a silent laugh. This one was from her husband, there was no question. As her face split in a grin, another three men appeared with equally large displays. One all red, one all pink. "These are almost bigger than mee," Hennessy squealed, bouncing with glee, her cheeks heating and turning rosy. She had the bouquets set up on her desk and they swallowed the flowers from her secret admirer. Those pathetic flowers were no longer visible, an afterthought. Three more mega bouquets came and she thought she'd drown in roses. They smelled fragrant and fresh and they were everywhere!

"Last bunch," Raven waved the men in and the last one stood in place, not moving to lay down the roses. Hennessy waited, wondering if he needed a minute before saying fuck his minute. She wanted her damn flowers! Walking to him, she pulled them from his hand with attitude.

"UM. THANK YOU, SIR- AHHHH!!!" She dropped the roses jumping into his arms excitedly, her lips pressing into his over and over as her legs wrapped around his waist.

"Yeahhh," his eyebrow raised smugly, "You was.. in here.. going crazy.. wasn't you.. I know," Erik mused between kisses as Hennessy attacked his mouth. "Nigga had to make a trip. Don't nobody outdo daddy." Hennessy snickered between her barrage of kisses and Erik gripped her ass tighter, squeezing it. "Why is your assistant in our faces right now," he whispered loudly, his eyes darting to Raven. "Get," he whispered and she flinched as if electrocuted, taking off. Hennessy and Erik were finally alone. "Who's this secret admirer," he murmured facing her, eyes low. Her lips were still attacking him.

"I don't know, they're secret," she replied not letting up. She sucked his neck as he carried her to her desk that was so full of roses, he couldn't sit her down. That was fine by her.

"What you do with that weak excuse for flowers?" He looked around. They weren't in the trashcan.

"Y'all buried them under all of my roses," she chuckled watching him burrow under hundreds of roses for the frail, in comparison, flowers.

"Hold onto me," he said letting go briefly to aggressively rip the multicolored flowers apart. Her snicker stuttered on his neck as he dropped the peices into the trash can before gripping her again to steady her. He picked up her phone handing it to her. "Put THAT on ya Instagram," he pointed to the trash and she did, also photographing the ridiculous amount of roses crowding her desk. Another quick live on IG showed her grinning, still flushed with joy in Erik's arms. "Send my wife flowers again and that's gone be ya ass," he grinned threateningly to the camera, his platinum fangs glinting beautifully. Hennessy kissed him on his cheek ending the video. "I don't like niggas sending you shit," he pouted.

"Awww, fathead," she pinched his cheek and he leaned into her hand, throwing her over the roses. "Geez," she wheezed, giggling as he kissed down her neck, pushing up her dress and pulling her panties to the side. She was in heaven, his tongue rolling and licking, doing tricks. His locks were braided back neatly so she gripped his shoulders and then the back of his head in ecstasy. "That feels good daddy, don't stop," she moaned watching his head move, the sounds of his tongue flicking loud in the air. She spread her legs further and Erik settled in between, diving with his tongue before sucking on her inner thighs and returning to suck her clit. He wanted her to cum and she gave him what he wanted.

By the time he left, she was on cloud nine. She sighed, her face still flushed with the dopiest grin that she could not control. It was totally worth sending herself those tacky cheap flowers.

@poosypoosy @bastioncarterstevens-udaku @hennessystevens-udaku @itsangeludaku @alyshastevens-udaku @itskimorafireudaku @allhailnjadaka @bidibidibombaclaat @blackpinup22 @destinio1 @hold-me-like-a-heart-beat @leahnicole1219 @vikkidc @thehomierobbstark @trevantesbrat

Based on this post:

*I didn't use a fruit arrangement so someone else can write it with one!

[ghostbustermelanieking]

voyage to norfolk

set about a year and a half after msiv.

They drive to Norfolk in the late days of September, Mulder and Scully and their infant daughter and their grown son. Jackson is eighteen, a legal adult. He's staying in the spare room that they've slowly began converting to his. He restarted his junior year of high school a few weeks ago. Lily is nine months, expected to start walking any day now. She giggles and kicks her legs like a swimmer in her car seat, chews on one of her toys joyfully. She loves being in the car. (“Just like her dad,” Scully has said on occasion. It makes Jackson uncomfortable and he can't explain why. Maybe he doesn't want them to start listing traits he's inherited from them, even though he could make that list, easily.)

Jackson, Mulder, and Scully rotate between the driver's seat even though it's only a three hour drive. Jackson drives with a carefulness that surprises them, he can tell. (Mulder says it's because he inherited his driving skills instead of Scully. Scully privately thinks that it's because of Lily, and she would be right. He is overly careful when he spends time with his sister because he can't bear the thought of hurting anyone else. He's damaged too many people to do anything to this kid.) Mostly, Jackson just likes to drive. There's a peacefulness to being behind the wheel that he enjoys. Mulder usually sits up front with him, bickering companionably with him or offering unasked-for stories about cryptids he's encountered in the area that Jackson secretly loves. Scully sits in the backseat most of the time, quiet, playing with the baby, but he knows she is listening, enjoys listening. She bickers companionably with Mulder, too, as Jackson suspects they will someday bicker with the kid. They seem to be a companionable bickering type. (Mulder loves to bicker with him, but Scully treads carefully, an unshed habit except for when it's things like school or eating healthy or leaving for days and not calling. She seems to feel guilty about more.)

When they drive past the coast, Jackson is filled with a certain nostalgia. He misses the beach, he misses home, he misses his parents. He drives past the ocean with a lump building in his throat. Let me give you the tour, he thinks bitingly, flipping on his turn signal. Here's where my grandfather tried to kill me and here's where he sent the men to kill my parents. Here's where I caused a car crash just because to see if I could. And here is where my girlfriends almost killed each other because of me. He doesn't know why he wanted to come back here.

They go to the cemetery first. Jackson parks at the edge of the bright green lawn, pauses for a moment in the front seat with his hands clenched around the wheel. He can't do this. He hasn't seen his parents since last Christmas, freezing and shivering in the graveyard as rain pounded the ground and tears dripped down his face. He hadn't worn a coat and he tried to hear his mother's scolding in the back of his head. When Sarah had broken up with him and Bri hadn't ever texted back, he hadn't been able to ask anyone to come and check on their graves. He could've asked his old friends, he supposes, and some of them probably would've come, but it was somehow harder to face them than Bri or Sarah. (Not that it would've been any easier to face them. He was a fucking idiot, here in Norfolk, and now he guesses it's time to be a fucking idiot in Farrs Corner. But a different kind. The normal kind. One that doesn't leave anyone dead.)

“Want us to go with you?” Mulder asks gently from beside him, and it's only then that Jackson realizes that he hasn't moved in several long minutes. Hands gripping the wheel too hard.

Scully is watching from the back, Lily fussing against her shoulder. “We'd be glad to,” she offers.

Jackson shakes his head, his jaw tight. “No,” he says. Bringing them there would be like a betrayal, he thinks. Like spitting on their graves.

He climbs out of the car, pausing only to retrieve the bouquets of flowers from the trunk. He's halfway towards the plot where his parents are buried when he turns around, coming back to the car. He doesn't know why he wants to do this, but for whatever reason, he does. He doesn't want to go alone and if he can't ask Mulder and Scully to go with him, maybe he can ask something else. He opens the backseat and asks Scully in a low voice, “Can I take her?” Some part of him inside, some younger part who used to be excited for his parents to meet his friends, to see the two worlds meet, wants them to meet his sister. He can't explain it, but he does. And taking the kid, even if she'll have no idea what's going on, is better than going alone.

Scully hesitates for only a minute, brief surprise flickering over her face, before nodding and lifting Lily out of the seat. Jackson takes her in the crook of one arm, juggling her between the bouquets. Lily giggles, tugging on Jackson's overlong hair in a soggy fist. He grimaces affectionately at the kid; time for a haircut, probably. He bounces Lily once on his hip. And then he sets off again, the roses (his dad's favorite, what he always gave his mom on their anniversary) tickling his nose and the kid yanking alternately on his hair or earlobe like she's on an amusement park ride and feels she needs to hold on.

At their graves (the words loom large in his mind, like they're bolded and capitalized; he can't get away from them), he mutters in the baby's ear, “These are my parents, Lils. I'm visiting my other mom and dad.” Only, a part of his mind insists; it feels traitorous to acknowledge Mulder and Scully as the other. They gave him up, gave up their rights to that. But. They love him, and Lils, and he is the kid's brother. Unquestionably. He has been the kid's brother since he held her for the first time, since he sensed her presence in the back of his mind, the most trusting that anyone has ever been around him, and he'd thought, I need to make sure that what happened to me never happens to her. He can't be her brother and not be Mulder and Scully's son, even if he will never be the son they want him to be. And Mulder and Scully love Lils and him both. They've given him a bedroom, food, clothes, a life. Despite everything that's happened, all the lying and the seizures and the faked deaths and the manipulations. So. They are the other parents. He has no choice.

He feels the need to crouch on the ground before his parents’ graves and beg forgiveness.

He sets Lily on the ground and kneels by his parents gravestones, lying the roses on the ground. Presses his palm against one of them, traces his mother's name with his thumb. “I'm sorry, Mom,” he whispers. “Dad. I'm so, so sorry.” He's said that every time he's come here, and it still isn't enough. Maybe he'll still be saying it twenty years from now.

Lily gurgles cheerfully, yanking up grass in her fists. Jackson wipes tears from his face. He wants to curl up between their graves, the way he used to lie between them in bed when he was little. He wants to be small again, if only because they'd still be alive.  

He sits down on the grass, cross-legged, and stays with his parents for a few minutes. He doesn't talk because he doesn't know what to say, but he thinks that might be okay. They'd always been okay with sitting in silence. He hopes they understand.

When he is ready to leave, he scoops up Lily and whispers to his parents, “I'm safe. I'm okay. I miss you so much. I'm sorry.” The most vulnerable he'll let himself be. He wipes his face again.

“Gaaaaah,” says Lily, very seriously, like a little mini Scully. She's got that stern look in her face, the icy blue eyes that manage to be warm and steely all at the same time; it's kind of creepy. But the kid's Mini Scully Impression still seems sincere, somehow, like she's trying to express her care. Jackson waves goodbye to his parents before walking back to the car, letting the kid grip his t-shirt and smear it with grass stains all the way there.

Mulder and Scully are waiting outside, watching him carefully. They've knocked down most of the awkward walls and bounds between them (they even ground him now, go fucking figure, isn't he supposed to be an adult at this age?), but this is an area they all tread carefully around. The subject of his Other Parents. The only ones he's ever known.

When he suggested this trip, they'd both agreed without question. Don't want to cross that line, or maybe they wanted a real family vacation, no matter how fucked up. Whatever the reason, they're here now.

Mulder lifts Lily out of Jackson's arms instinctively, watching him carefully. Lily presses her tiny hands to his face and says, “Ahhh-guh-guh.”

“Yes,” Jackson replies, deadpan. He's remembering when he was five and he begged and pleaded for a little brother or sister. They'd tried to adopt a little girl but it'd fallen through. He wonders if it would've been like this. “Ahhh-guh-guh, Lils. Very observant.”

“You okay, Jackson?” Scully asks, a hand going to his back. “I know this has to be hard for you.”

“Yeah, I'm…” He clears his throat, rubbing the back of his neck. “I'm fine,” he says, but his voice cracks. He looks down at the ground, tears blurring his eyes. They buried his grandmother in this graveyard. He never thought they'd…

Scully steps forward like she can hear his thoughts—and that's right, she can—and wraps her arms around him. He doesn't wriggle away like he might have a year ago. He lets her hug him. He might hug her back. Mulder reaches out with his Lily-free hand and squeezes his shoulder.

As of yesterday, it's been two years since his parents died. Two years since Scully stood over his not-dead body and tearfully apologized to him again and again. They've come a long way since then.

---

He wonders sometimes if his parents would disapprove of what he's doing now. Living with his birth parents after everything that happened, everything he did. He would've gone somewhere else but there was nowhere else to go. He didn't have other relatives, anyone else to live with. He likes to think they'd want him to be safe, no matter who it's with, but his birth parents were the subject of several arguments, several tension-filled moments between the three of them. He wonders if they'd be upset, him living almost constantly with his birth parents and a new baby sister. His chest stings at the thought of it. He never wants to disappoint them again. They died because of him, it was his fault.

But that night in the hotel, lying in the room that he has to himself (that's Mulder and Scully catering to him, or maybe one grumpy kid is enough) and listening to Lily wail through the wall, he dimly remembers a conversation he had with his mom once. At six, he'd been angry and sullen, demanding to know why his birth parents had given them up, storming around his room and kicking toes over in a prepubescent rage. “Well, maybe they couldn't take care of you,” his mom had said gently. “And they knew that you would've had a much better life with us than with them.”

He'd pouted, flopping down on the couch with his arms crossed. “Then they must be pretty bad people then,” he said angrily. “If they couldn't have taken care of me.”

His mom went quiet, uncertain. She sat down beside him and pulled him onto her lap. “Baby, they must’ve been pretty good people if they could make you.”

Jackson swallows, rolling onto his side. He doesn't know what to say, how to apologize. But he has to believe that they'd be okay with it. He has to. His parents would want him to be safe and secure and happy, wouldn't they. And he doesn't know if he is that. Happy. But he likes to think he will be, someday. When he gets some space. When he starts over. And it's not as if it's a fleeting emotion—there are times when he's been sort of happy, with his new friends he's made in Farrs Corner at the job he'd insisted on getting or prowling the woods with the dog or at the dinner table with Mulder and Scully and the kid, when he finds himself reflexively laughing and realizes that he isn't trying to care about these people. (He doesn't have to try. It's hard, sometimes, but it isn't forced. Not anymore.)

In the morning, he goes down for breakfast and finds Mulder and Scully at a table, Scully with a plate of fruit and a bowl of oatmeal, Mulder eating a sticky hotel lobby waffle. Lily is dozing fitfully on his shoulder with a pacifier drooping from her mouth. “Hi, Jackson,” says Scully. “How'd you sleep?”

“Fine,” he says, sitting down across from them and resisting the urge to add, Better than you; he may not have actively heard Lily crying half the night, but he can sense the exhaustion emnating from all three of them. “Hi, Mulder,” he adds. “Hi, kiddo.”

Lily blinks sleepily at him, as grouchy as he's seen Scully on any given morning after a late night at the hospital. “Lils is a little grouchy this morning,” Mulder says affectionately, cupping the back of her head. (Surprisingly chipper for a guy who barely slept. “Insomniacs fare better with a new baby,” Scully had said tensely over a cup of coffee about six months ago. “Too bad Mulder wasn't around when you were a baby.”) ���Meanwhile, your mother's headed that way. Those new kids Skinner assigned to the X-Files are stuck on a case, and they want our expertise.”

Scully's already rolling her eyes, taking a sip of her coffee; Headed? Jackson hears against his skull, prickly and annoyed, but more good-natured than six months ago. She reaches up to where Lily is and lets the baby curl her hand around her finger. “What case, Mulder?” she says in the soft voice she reserves for when The Baby Is Sleeping. “There is no case. They're stuck because there is nothing to find.”

Jackson raises his eyebrows, settling into his chair. He's heard this argument before and knows how to chime in. “Okay, fine,” he says. “What is it? I'll give my input and help you out.”

Mulder—usually the receiver of Jackson's inevitable support—grins. Scully mutters something about not knowing how much actual help he provides. So more or less a normal breakfast.

---

Jackson takes Mulder, Scully, and Lils to a restaurant that he describes fondly, remembers fondly. He'd spent half of his afternoons here, the night after he went to prom with Bri and her friends, dinner after dinner with his parents. He tells them a story of having his seventh birthday party here, laughing so hard that soda spills all over his shirt as he describes one of his friends trying to start a food fight with handfuls of his birthday cake. Mulder and Scully listen, Scully bouncing Lils on her knee. Jackson can tell that this is a little hard for them to hear, but they pretend well, listen attentively. They do care; they've asked him about the missing years a lot, want to know about him. He's been the same way, asking more and more questions as the months stretched on. He wanted to know her better, he'd told her two years ago. And now he does.

Across the restaurant, Mulder nudges Scully and points out someone that looks like Brianna. (They're probably trying to be subtle, but it doesn't work; Jackson doesn't know how Mulder managed to hide out for six years without getting caught.) Bri is watching them with a strange look on her face, like she might want to come over and talk to Jackson. Jackson pretends not to see her. It's been two years and he likes to think he's matured a little (even if not much). Lily smears Scully's food all over her face when she's not looking, and Jackson laughs as hard as anyone.

He takes them to the old playground he remembers from his childhood and pushes Lils on the baby swings. He goes to his old schools and looks around, tries to remember being a kid again. Mulder and Scully go with them, their eyes starry like they are trying to imagine themselves in this life. They go to his house, where someone else is living now, and he is unable to go to the door and knock. He wonders how many people in this town still think he is a murderer.

Mulder tousles his hair before wrapping his arm around Jackson's skinny shoulders. Scully holds Lily with one arm, but her other hand is on his wrist. They stand together for a moment and look at the house. The lights are off, no car in the driveway, but Jackson won't break in. He wants to, but he won't.

They go to the beach, a private spot that he loves. Mulder has inflatable water wings on Lily even though Scully won't let him take her any further than the shoreline. Jackson wades in up to his ankles, lets the saltwater lap over his feet. Behind him, he can hear Lily's laughter, can feel her happiness in the back of his mind. He smiles thinly. He hopes Lils will have a happy life, a good childhood. Better than him. And he thinks Mulder and Scully will be able to give her that. After all, there's no

Scully steps up beside him, her face turned towards the horizon. “You know we grew up on the coast too, right?” she says, her hand raised up to her eyes to shield it from the sun. Her hair is whipped wildly around her face in the wind. “Mulder in Martha's Vineyard. Me in San Diego.”

“Yeah, I think you mentioned that,” Jackson says. The wind is mussing his hair too, blowing it tangly. He really needs a haircut. He'll mention it sometime next week.

Scully smiles dimly, wiping her hands on her shirt. “I enjoyed seeing where you grew up,” she says, and means it; he knows she wants to know the kind of life he had without her. “It's a beautiful town.”

He swallows. He knows this trip couldn't have been easy, especially considering everything they'd gone through in Norfolk. “It is, yeah,” he says. He swallows again, his mouth dry. “I kind of… miss this place sometimes,” he says, and means something else. His parents’ graves on the bright green lawn. Maybe he'll come back at Christmas again. Maybe he'll call his friends tonight and see if they want to go out tonight. (But not to his old hangouts, the Chimera or the sugar factory; those are forever ruined.)

Scully rubs his back, the two of them looking to the horizon. “I know,” she says softly. And she does. The three of them, Mulder and Scully and him, understand loss better than anything. It's a shared language, one that he hopes Lils will not have to learn for a long, long time.

They don't turn until they hear Mulder's panicked, “Lily!” and the kid's delighted squeals. Jackson whirls, stumbling on the sand, in time to see Lily stumbling away from the water where she'd been balancing holding onto Mulder's hand. She takes a few wobbly steps before landing on the sand on her hands and knees. Mulder swoops in and scoops her up as if to comfort her, but the kid is laughing with delight. Scully is at their side in a second, kissing the top of Lily's head, an arm wrapped around Mulder's waist.

Jackson smirks; that kid knows exactly how to get everyone's attention. She's already spotted him over her (their) mother's shoulder. She waves her arms wildly as if motioning him over, giving him an insistent look. The feeling she's transmitting has no actual words, but if it did, it'd probably be something like, Get the hell over here, asshole, this is my moment.

Jackson goes, the waves crashing over his feet as he joins his sister and his other parents on the beach.

[pinkfan-gurl]

A Little Bird Told Me

chapter ten of an 1oo au 

"I know I've asked like, a billion times, but when are you coming to visit?" Clarke fell backward onto her bed, awaiting the vague response she knew that she was going to receive.

"As soon as I settle into the new house more," her father's voice answered over the phone.

"That's what you always say. It's already been close to four months since I last saw you."

Ever since the move, Clarke and her dad had made it a habit to have at least an hour long phone call once a week to catch each other up on what's been happening on either end of the country. They used to talk everyday, but ever since the dreaded Quiz Bowl had been dumped into her lap, Clarke had been finding it harder to find time to dedicate to her dad.

The only reason she was able to make the call now was because she was all ready for her date with Finn, but he texted her saying he was running about fifteen minutes late so she had decided to give her dad a buzz. She was relieved when he had picked up after the second ring.

"I know kiddo, but the house isn't even situated yet. I still have boxes piled higher than the Hoover Dam."

Clarke chuckled. "Mom always was the more organized one, huh?"

This time she heard him laugh on the other end, giving Clarke satisfaction that she was able to bring a smile to his face. "That she is. She'd of had this place looking like a palace by now."

"You should still come out, even if it is a mess out there."

"I think you should come out here. California sun and warm weather—we could go surfing or something."

"It does sound tempting," she lied, rolling over onto her stomach. For as much as she enjoyed the warm weather, the thought of prancing around in California was less than appealing. Maybe it was because she was still angry about the move, but even if it was, she didn't care. She wanted her dad back in New Jersey, living in the house on the corner that she grew up in. "Maybe during Christmas—if you're able to get your house finalized by that time."

She was clearly kidding about having his house put together by that time, which was what made it funny. Her dad laughed again while Clarke bit back a smile. "So how's Jasper and your mom been?" he changed the subject.

Clarke rolled her eyes; he knew they would dwell on the topic of visitation for hours unless he dodged the bullet. "Mom's good. She's been working a couple of double shifts in attempt to to get that promotion. And Jasper signed up for a robotics thing with Monty."

"Very cool. I'm proud of your mom. And Jasper and Monty working on a robot together? Is that really the best idea when something could easily explode with those two together?" he sounded genuinely concerned which was funny enough that Clarke had to stifle a laugh.

"Well, neither of them have blown anything up yet so far this year, so that's good," she replied, still grinning.

"If you say so." Clarke could hear the smile in his tone even if they were three-thousand miles apart. "How's Wells?"

The question made Clarke stop and suddenly her blood boiled. Why was he even asking about Wells? He knew that she had dumped him; besides, Wells was the reason that her dad was in California looking for a job! She might have forgiven Wells for being her ex boyfriend, but she hadn't forgiven him for what he had done.

She wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to.

"Uh, yeah, he's okay. Straight A's and whatnot probably," she said. Her tone came off as more icy than she intended. "But we don't really talk anymore except for student council."

"You're going to have to forgive him sooner or later, kiddo," he responded.

"Maybe, but I'm—"

"Clarke!" Jasper's voice called on the other side of her door followed by a fierce pounding. "Finn's waiting for you downstairs!"

In a rush, Clarke jumped up from her bed and slid into her flip-flops. "Hey, dad? My friend just got here and we're going out for dinner so can I call you back later?"

"You're not just strategically copping out of this conversation because you don't want to talk about Wells are you?"

The accusation was ridiculous because even though she despised talking about Wells, she wouldn't have made-up an excuse to not talk about him. She'd just lay it out like it was and get it over with. "No, Dad, I promise that my friend is here. Jasper is the one who came in and told me."

"I was just teasing you, squirt. Have fun and be safe. Love you."

"Love you too, Dad." She hung up and then hurried down the stairs two at a time. She expected Finn to be chilling in the living room, but instead found Jasper and Octavia playing Wii on the TV. "Where's Finn?"

"Is he in the kitchen? Does he have a pumpkin?" Jasper recited in a sing-song tone that Clarke recognized from an old cartoon he used to watch.

"Knock it off. Where is he?"

Octavia broke her gaze away from the TV. "I'm pretty sure he was waiting out on the porch for you." She turned back to the TV.

Clarke turned to the door, but paused with her hand on the doorknob. "Jasper, where's Monty?"

Jasper shrugged, keeping his eyes trained on his character. "I invited him over but he said he was busy."

Busy working on the robot that you should be helping him with, Clarke thought. She would have called him out on it right then and there, but Octavia was over and Finn was waiting and something told Clarke that the conversation with Jasper would be longer than a few minutes. She'd just reprimand him when she got home.

"I'll be back later." She stepped out on the porch. Finn was sitting on the top step, so she sat next to him. "Hey."

Suddenly he was holding a bouquet of pink roses and a shy smile adorned his face. "I was hoping you'd come out soon. I was afraid they would be all wilted by the time you finally showed."

Clarke shouldered into him softly but accepted the flowers with a smile. Her cheeks probably matched the shade of the flowers and that was a little unsettling in her opinion. "What're these for?"

Finn shrugged. "Attempt at being romantic. Did it work?"

Clarke grinned. "Maybe. I'm interested to see what else you have up your sleeve."

"I hope the night ends up being to your standards." He helped her to her feet.

Before she knew it, they were in his truck heading into town. They drove past their school and after a few other turns, Clarke recognized the route they were on as the same one they used when they had gone into the woods behind Trikru Union.

There was another few minutes full of jokes and music blaring and then Finn pulled into a decent sized pizza place. "Pizza?" Clarke asked incredulously. She tried not to sound disappointed.

"Not just any pizza place," Finn wagged his finger in her face teasingly. She was tempted to bite his hand, just to see the reaction she'd get out of him. "Give it a chance, Clarke. It's a pretty cool place."

The inside wasn't at all what she expected. The restaurant seemed to be split up into three sections; the largest region was on the far left and housed a large collection of tables and booths around the perimeter. The far right was set up with a bar, a pool table, and several flat screen TVs showcasing a variety of sports. The smallest section was in the far back and had an arcade and a play area like they have at McDonalds. The entire restaurant seemed to accomodate for every type of person, from families with small kids to teenagers on dates to the lonely men in their thirties having their midlife crisis at the bar.

"Impressed?" Finn asked with a smile so she could only figure that he had noticed her wide eyes and mouth slightly agape.

"Impressed would definitely be one way to phrase it."

"Come on," Finn grabbed her hand and led her toward the arcade. As they walked, Clarke kept an eye out for anyone she might recognize from school. She didn't expect too; most of the kids that looked around her age were completely unfamiliar and a few of them even had on Trikru or Mount Weather sweatshirts.

"Looks pretty crowded." Finn careened to the left as a kid as young as seven bolted past him quickly followed by an older girl yelling for him to come back. "Wow, that kid can run."

Clarke grinned. "You really know how to treat a girl."

Finn started toward an empty basketball game with Clarke on his heels. "Care for a game of basketball?"

"I hate basketball," she admitted.

"Well, that makes two of us. But it's the only thing that isn't occupied by a bunch of kiddos so I figured it's better than nothing." Finn fed the machine a dollar and three basketballs rolled down the chute. The time on the clock read two minutes. He sunk a basket and the timer started counting down immediately after the ball hit the rim. He picked up a second and tossed it to Clarke. "Come on, Clarke!"

"What?" she exclaimed, tossing the ball back, "no way."

Finn tossed it back, and she caught it reflexively. "Better make a shot, Clarke, we've got less than two minutes on the clock now."

"I hate you." Clarke balanced the ball in her palms, hoping to aim it at the right angle. If she was able to get enough height, then maybe she'd sink it. With a minute and ten seconds on the clock, she tossed the ball. It bounced off the rim and rolled back down the chute. "I told you I sucked."

"You hit the rim so that's at least something. I've seen guys who miss completely."

"Thanks for trying to make me feel better."

Finn smiled. "Anytime, Princess."

Clarke gave an uptight smile, but Finn didn't seem to notice as he sunk another basket. The nickname didn't sound right coming from him; it wasn't that Clarke liked it when Bellamy called her princess but he had been doing it for so long that she had simply grown accustomed to it. Finn didn't have the seniority to use the nickname, no matter how much she liked him. "Just Clarke, Finn. You know I hate it when you call me princess."

Finn sobered up as the buzzer on the timer hit. "You're right. I'm sorry." He reached for her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Let me make it up to you by getting you something to drink."

She gave him a skeptical look because there was a bar in the place afterall, and she wasn't sure if they were the loose kind of establishment that gave alcohol to underage teens as long as they behaved. Finn must have picked up on her hesitation. "Not from the bar. I meant along the lines of fountain drinks."

Clarke nodded, allowing herself to relax again. She wasn't sure why she had gotten so worried for a second there; Finn wasn't that type of guy. Then again, she had only been friends with him for about two weeks and had only really been on two dates with him. If you counted making out in a radioactive-glowing forest a first date.

"Yeah, that sounds great actually," she thanked him. "Did you want me to come with you?"

Finn glanced around the arcade, probably trying to decide whether there were any guys hanging around that could be threats. Most of the people in the arcade were fourteen or younger except for the occasional parent following their kid around. "Nah, it's okay. This place is busy right now so it might take a few minutes so you might as well find a game you like and I'll join you in a few minutes. Is Coke good or…?"

"Could you get me a Dr. Pepper?"

"Of course." He kissed her on the temple. "I'll be right back." He disappeared into the restaurant.

Clarke whirled around in an arc, trying to figure out what might be appealing to her in a place like this. Arcades never really were her speed—that was always more of a Jasper and Monty thing. Clarke prefered taking walks or reading.

"Did your boyfriend drag you down here on date?" Clarke whirled around to face a tall, tan brunette with dark eyes who had come up from behind to stand next to her. She had on black skinny jeans, a red jacket, and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

Clarke managed a small smile while simultaneously scrunching her eyebrows. Was Finn her boyfriend at this point? They never did make it official. "My friend thought it'd be fun for a change," she decided to say.

"Not really your thing though, huh?" The girl had a knowing smile on her face.

Clarke's smile widened slightly, more genuine than before. "How'd you guess?"

The girl slipped her hands into her back pockets casually. She glanced around the arcade before settling back on Clarke. "Just the look on your face," she grinned good naturedly, "You didn't seem to know what you were doing."

"I've never been here before. Anything worth checking out?"

"They have a pretty decent first person shooter selection, which is where I normally spend my time when I'm here."

"You come here often, then?"

The girl shrugged. "My boyfriend and I would hang out here a lot. I moved last year though, so we haven't gotten to hang out for a few months. I'm actually surprising him because my dad got a house in the area so I moved in with him so I could go to the same school as my boyfriend."

"He must be a great guy to go through all that for."

"He really is. He's really my only true family since my parents have always tended to gloss over me." The brunette suddenly stuck out her hand and Clarke shook it. "I'm Raven by the way."

"Clarke." She dropped Raven's hand. "So you just moved back, huh? Which school do you go to then?"

Raven sidestepped as an elementary aged child ran past. "I was going to Trikru but I'm starting at West Arke in a few days."

Clarke's eyes widened. "West Arke? I go there!"

Raven grinned. "Nice! Now I'll have at least two people to help me out for the first week."

Clarke settled with her back against the side of the basketball game. Raven did likewise. "I'm sure you'll like it. And if push comes to shove, I don't mind adopting you into my group of friends."

Raven chuckled gently, looking at the floor. "Thanks, Clarke."

"Clarke!" She heard Finn's voice over the boisterous crowd. A moment later she saw his long, dark hair. Another second and he was right in front of her, a look of surprised horror on his face.

Raven didn't seem to notice since her smile became the widest and brightest Clarke had seen yet. Surging forward, she wrapped her arms around Finn's neck and hugged him tight. "Finn!"

"Raven?" He uncertainly wrapped his arms around her waist, hands still carrying two tall glasses of soft drink. Instead of burying his head into her shoulder, he kept his gaze firmly set on Clarke.

It was clear that he was begging for her to wait, to hear his side of the story. But the smile was wiped from Clarke's face and suddenly she felt like the biggest idiot on the planet. He had a girlfriend! Of course with her luck the first nice guy she meets after getting over Wells would have a girlfriend.

"Oh my gosh, Finn, I've missed you so much." Raven pulled away from the hug and placed a kiss on his lips like she hadn't seen him in forever. Which she probably hadn't. Clarke felt sick to her stomach.

"I've missed you too," Finn broke the kiss, trying to focus on Raven's eyes but they kept darting back up to Clarke. She watched on with cold eyes. He finally managed to keep his eyes on Raven for more than five seconds. "Wh-what are you doing here?"

"It was supposed to be a surprise," she gushed, "but I moved in with my dad. He has a house down here, so I'm going to school with you again!"

Finn tried to maintain an excited facade, but mostly he had this look of panic. "You're going to West Arke with me?"

"Yeah! Isn't it great?"

"Yeah. Great."

Raven's smile dimmed slightly, seeming to pick up on Finn's lack of enthusiasm for the first time. "So," she turned, suddenly realizing that Clarke was present still, "you guys know each other?"

Finn looked at a loss for words. "We're history partners," Clarke supplied. She technically wasn't lying either. "We've been working on a project and Finn thought it would be good to get out for a while."

Raven visibly relaxed, but she still didn't look overly convinced. "Well, it works out that we all got to meet then."

Clarke picked up on how the friendliness that Raven had shown her previously was replaced by distrusting caution. It seemed like a pretty clear red flag in her mind that it was time for her to go home. "Yeah. But it's about time I head home anyway. My brother is expecting me," she lied.

"Did you need a ride?" The color was finally returning to Finn's face.

Clarke shook her head stiffly. "No, it's fine. I have a ride." She turned to Raven. "It was really nice meeting you."

"Back at you," Raven responded a tad dull, an annoyed glint in her brown eyes.

Clarke exited the arcade. She was almost to the door when footsteps alighted beside her and then Finn was cutting off her retreat to the door. "Hey," he grabbed her elbow, "can we talk?"

"There's nothing to talk about, Finn," she replied calmly. Even though she wanted nothing more than to yell at him and tell him off, she couldn't bring herself to do so. He had been such a good friend to her, she wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to completely erase him from her person. "You have a girlfriend. That's that."

"I didn't know that she was coming back." He looked broken and his eyes were pleading with her again. It almost made her want to forgive him.

"She's your girlfriend, Finn. How did you let that slip your mind?"

"She moved to Maine with her mom. We never officially broke up but I didn't think that I would ever see her again." He cupped her face in his hand. "Don't you think we deserve a shot to see if what we have is something worth saving?"

Clarke pulled away from the embrace, trying harder than ever to keep her tears back. He didn't deserve her tears. "Raven is in there waiting for you. I suggest you go in there; I'm not waiting for you and neither will she if you keep her waiting."

She shimmied around him and left him standing in the restaurant. Out in the parking lot, she spotted his truck right away and was tempted to toss a rock through the windshield. It was hard to think that it was just this morning that she had been kissing Finn at the base of the staircase at school.

It was dark out now and the temperature had dropped significantly since she left her house earlier in the afternoon. She was regretting her decision of cut-off shorts. At least she had her flannel.

The only problem at hand now was how she was going to get home.

…

Bellamy's character jumped over a crack in the floor.

At one point, it had been rare for Octavia to be out of the house long enough for Bellamy to get through a half hour of designated video game time without getting interrupted. Now that she was spending more time with Jasper at his house, Bellamy was able to actually improve his skills at Ps4. Not that he liked the idea of his sister being romanced by any guy, but at least he knew that Jasper knew the boundaries. And if push came to shove, Bellamy was confident with Clarke being their appointed babysitter whenever Octavia was at their house.

"Where are you?" Miller asked. His character was crouching behind a crumbling building about fifty yards from where Bellamy had his own guy camped out.

"Fifth floor of that building opposite of you. We have a pretty good vantage point too."

"Cover me."

Bellamy changed his point of few to watch for any threats that might sneak up as Miller crossed the clearing but none came. "Clear," he announced when Miller reached the base of the building.

Bellamy was about to launch their attack when his phone started ringing. Miller groaned as he paused the game. "Shut up. It might be Octavia." He slipped his phone out of his pocket. It was an unknown number. He debated to let it go to voicemail, but for some reason he felt like he recognized the digits. "Hello?"

There was a second of silence. He thought it may have been some kids pulling a prank when a familiar voice asked, "Bellamy?"

"Clarke?" he asked incredulously. Miller's eyes widened in surprise, then leaned in closer to eavesdrop. "How'd you even get my number?"

"I called Jasper who's with Octavia—Octavia gave it to me."

"Oh. What's up?"

"'What's up?'" Miller scoffed. "That's the best you could come up with?"

Bellamy shoved him away. "Clarke, what's wrong? I know you wouldn't call me unless you absolutely had to."

"I was on a date. I need to be picked up and my parents are at work and my brother doesn't have a car."

"Why don't you have Finn do it?" She was startlingly quiet on the other end. Even an idiot could pick up that something bad had went down between them. "Where are you?" She told him the address. "Okay. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Hey, Bellamy?" The softness of her tone surprised him. "I really appreciate it."

"No problem. Sit tight." He slipped his phone into his back pocket and grabbed his keys off of the table. "If my mom or Octavia get home before I'm back, tell them I had to take Clarke home."

Miller threw his hands in the air. "You're not taking me with you?"

Bellamy shrugged with his signature smug half-grin. "She asked for me, Miller. I think if she wanted you there, she would have asked for 'Bellamy and Miller.'"

"She didn't even know I was here."

"Tough luck, buddy." Bellamy closed the door before Miller could make any further protests.

It took some time, but Bellamy finally found the address Clarke had given him. He was surprised that she was on the other side of the township. This was Mount Weather and Trikru turf. Even Reaper turf, come to think of it. Not a place for a Delinquent. What was Clarke doing all the way out here? If she wanted pizza, she should have gone to the place right up in town.

He spotted her right away when he pulled into the parking lot. She was sitting with her legs pulled up to her chest on a big boulder in front of the restaurant. "Clarke?" he called out the window.

Clarke peaked over her shoulder at his car. When she recognized it was him, she slid off of the rock and made a mad dash for the passenger's side. "Thank you," she said as she slipped into the seat.

Bellamy revved up the engine and pulled out on the road. It was funny, because if someone had told him he'd be giving Clarke Griffin a ride, he would have laughed in their faces until tears started overflowing. But now both Clarke and her brother had been in his car in less than a month.

Clarke was unusually quiet. It unnerved him because even when she was mad, Clarke would be going off about it. But now she was still and she was quiet. "There's a blanket in the back if you need it."

Clarke shifted slightly. "What?" she asked.

Bellamy could see her watching him from his peripherals, but he kept his eyes on the faintly lit road. "You look cold." With his free hand, he reached into the backseat and pulled out a blanket. He shoved it into her lap. "Here."

Clarke fidgeted with the blanket, trying to get comfortable. "Is this the One Direction one?" He picked up on the slight smile to her words.

"Yeah," Bellamy half-grinned, "I told you I keep it in my car."

She chuckled to herself. "I guess you did."

They traveled in silence for a few more miles. "Hey," he broke the silence. Clarke gave him a sidelong glance. "I wanted to say sorry that things didn't work out with Wells." She huffed. "Did you want to talk about what happened tonight? I'm willing to listen."

"No offense," she said, "but not really. Maybe some other time."

"I get it."

Bellamy tried not to feel offended, but he still did to a certain extent. He knew he probably wasn't the first person Clarke would go to to talk about stuff like feelings, but he had offered. And she spurned him. Then again, he wouldn't like it if she started poking her nose into his business regarding Roma.

The remains of the ride was silent up until he needed Clarke to clarify the directions to her house once they entered the subdivision. "Home sweet home," he mumbled as he pulled the car to a stop in front of her house. He noticed that Octavia's car wasn't in the driveway.

Clarke tossed the blanket into the backseat. "Thanks again, Bellamy," she eased out of the car. She was halfway across the lawn when she turned around and quietly shouted, "It's nice to know I can at least count on you." Then she was in the house.

Bellamy put his car back into gear and pulled out onto the street. He wasn't sure why, but Clarke's compliment meant a lot more to him than it probably should have.

chapter 11