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blurredcolour · 1 year ago

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You Left Your Name On My Lips

“It's Not The Prompt. It's The Creator." Challenge

Prompt: "Last summer was one no one could ever forget. Now, a year later, character(s) still feel(s) the effects of that time.”

Summary: A rare professional opportunity reignites painful memories of what seems was never meant to be.

Pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Gender Neutral Reader

Warnings: Angst, Major Character Death in Retrospect, Discussion of Loss and Grief, Discussion of Graves, Military Inaccuracies, Political Inaccuracies, Several References to January 6 Capitol Riots, Minor Reader Injury, Blood, Hospital Setting, Brief Discussion of Prosthetics, References to Sad Maverick, Medal Ceremony, Surprise Ending. Rating - T.

Credit: Paramount Pictures

Author's Note: Reader has no gender or physical descriptions. Pronouns are used a few times as they/them. All images contain image descriptions for accessibility. Thank you very much for reading and happy one year anniversary to Top Gun Maverick!

Word Count: 7505

“You left your name on my lips, everyone I meet knows I loved you…” – Katherine Perez (@s.h.e.ispoetry)

The late afternoon thunderstorm broke over West Executive Avenue just as you left the safety of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, hastening your steps into a run while you darted across the street toward the West Wing. As a member of the speech writing staff, you found yourself traversing this route often throughout the workday, but rarely at the direct request of the Deputy Communications Director.

Pressing the notebook in your hand into service as a make-shift umbrella, you hitched your laptop bag higher onto your shoulder and dashed into the building. You took a moment to ensure you looked presentable before signing in with security and heading towards the Communications bullpen. You paused at the corner of Ben Simkin’s desk, waiting for the Assistant to the Deputy Communications Director to finish his phone call so he could tell you how many minutes late your meeting would be.

“Looks like you just beat the rain.” Ben said as the phone rattled home into its cradle. “She’s only five minutes late so you can come right in.” He stood and led you through the open office door.

“Thanks, Ben. Definitely got in here at the right time…” You muttered, watching the deluge cascade against the windowpane.

“I saw you’re on holidays next week, going anywhere exciting?” He asked, leaning against the doorframe to indulge in a moment of friendly conversation.

You had always enjoyed Ben’s personable warmth. Particularly in contrast to the brusque efficiency of Faith Watson, the woman who shared administrative duties for the Communications team. It was always a good day when you got a reply from Ben rather than her.

“Just back to visit the family, they are constantly complaining they don’t see enough of me. I don’t see enough of me…” The pair of you shared a laugh before his line began to ring again and he hurried out to answer it quickly.

A flash of lightning flickered through the dimly lit office, thunder cracking and rumbling promptly in its wake as you settled into one of the chairs across the empty desk. Your thoughts turned back to the possible reasons why you had been summoned here when your eyes skidded to a halt on the file folder resting on the cluttered yet orderly desktop. The three letters scrawled in a black marker sorely in need of an ink refill sucked the moisture from your mouth, making you squirm in your chair uneasily.

MOH

“So sorry to keep you waiting.” Your boss suddenly burst into the room, and you stood quickly as she turned on a few more lights to fight off the gloom of the storm.

“N, not at all. How can I help?” You asked quickly, sitting as she assumed her seat behind the desk and gestured for you to sit as well.

You watched with trepidation as her hand stretched out to land on the very same folder that had evoked such a physical reaction within you just moments before. Shit.

“As you’re well aware, we have a Medal of Honor ceremony coming up this Friday. I’ve just gone through the latest draft of the speech and Michael has done a wonderful job, but it is missing…. something. Some sense of who the Lieutenant Commander was.”

Your tongue darted out to wet your lips nervously as you tried to take steady breaths, nodding to show that you were listening as you held your notebook on your lap in a ruthless grip.

“It’s my understanding that you knew him?” She tilted her head, eyeing you thoughtfully as you slowly nodded, wondering from exactly where this information had reached her.

“Yes, I did.” You somehow managed to voice.

“I know this is perhaps an impossible ask, but given your talent with words as well as your personal insight, I was hoping you might agree to take a pass at it?” She tented her fingers in front of her lips, assessing your reaction thoughtfully.

There was a reason she was sitting behind that desk. She had just made an incredibly difficult request wrapped within a compliment and tied with the bow of a professional opportunity. And while your initial, visceral reaction was to refuse, the rational and professional part of your brain interceded.

“I would be honored, ma’am.” You nodded, wishing your voice sounded more confident, but still thrilled that you had been able to speak.

“Thank you. I consider this a personal favor and will not forget it.” She glanced back at the rain pelting against the windowpane behind her and frowned. “Why don’t you get Ben to find you somewhere in the West Wing to work on this. A lot of people will have left for the day, and we need to get this finalized as quickly as possible.”

“Thank you, I will get started right away…” You gulped and reached out for the folder, tucking it close against your body as you tried to leave her office at a reasonable pace instead of the headlong flee that was burning to be released from the muscles of your legs. “Ben?” You cleared your throat as your voice came out slightly brittle and shaky. “Do you think you can find me a hole in the wall somewhere in this building?”

He raised an eyebrow before turning to his computer, clicking around. You raised your own eyes to the ceiling above you, calling upon whatever higher beings you could think of to grant you strength and patience.

“Follow me.” He said at last, though in truth it had been a sum total of forty-five seconds, before he led you through a maze of corridors and down a set of stairs into a plain office. “Usually held in reserve for the Deputy Chief of Staff’s Office…they are clearly not using it right now…You ok?” He eyed you skeptically and you swallowed tightly, offering a nod and a tight smile.

“Just in for a late night is all.” You clarified.

“Well, the kitchen is open for another two hours so maybe get some food now.” He advised. “Or you’ll be eating a hot dog on the corner, and you’ll never find this room again.”

The laugh that his comment pulled from you brought with it faint relief from the tension you had been carrying since your meeting and you nodded, setting your things on the dated wooden desk.

“Thank you, Ben. Have a good night.”

The door shut behind him with a careful click as you went about setting up your laptop, connecting to the network, and settling into the questionably supportive chair before at last you had no choice but to turn your attention to the file folder you had been dutifully ignoring. As you loaded the word processing file of the speech from your email, you tugged the packet closer. Opening it slowly revealed a copy of the medal citation and other documents pertaining to the ceremony on the left side, while the redacted Naval personnel file of Lieutenant Commander Bradley Nicholas Bradshaw lay on the right.

With unsteady fingers, you moved to lift the personnel file before suddenly losing your nerve, curling your fingers back into a fist and turning instead to read over the medal citation.

The words blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors behind the tears that flooded your eyes, refusing to be blinked away any longer. Everything had changed that day, just over a year ago, when Bradley Bradshaw had sacrificed his life to save everyone on board the aircraft carrier upon which he had been serving. You had found out a week later, along with the rest of the world, when the news broke on CNN. Truthfully, as his ex, you had not been entitled to anything more.

The cold hard truth that your relationship, ended by mutual decision in the late fall of 2020, was well over, had not made his death any easier to bear. It had, rather, clarified a fact you had been desperately trying to deny – you were still very much in love with the man and ending your relationship based on your diverging career paths and the 2,500 miles between you had been the worst mistake of your life. And now he was never going to come home.

Slumping over the back of the chair, you sealed your palm over your mouth as the sobs rose in your throat, unbidden yet unstoppable. Hot tears spilled from your eyes, scorching their way up along your temples as each exhale wracked your body with grief that remained as raw and unresolved one year on. His absence from this earth had created a jagged chasm in the pit of your stomach – one that refused to be filled or covered over no matter how hard you worked or what failed relationships you had pursued.

Grounding yourself by digging your heels into aggregate flooring and sinking the nails of your free hand into the distressed wood on the underside of the desktop, you managed to slow your breaths. To cram the agony of your grief back into its cage beneath your breastbone, leaving you an exhausted wreck in the gathering dark of your borrowed, subterranean office. You searched through your laptop bag, hoping you might have saved some napkins from that last time you’d eaten out, but you were disappointed to find nothing more than a few pens.

Seriously considering wiping your face on your shirtsleeves, you looked up startled at the knock on the door before Ben’s face appeared through the small gap as he opened it. He tutted gently as he took in your barely recovered composure.

“I thought as much.” He murmured gently before sliding into the room with a box of tissues, a tray of drinks, and two takeout containers.

“Ben…you are a saint…” You croaked and paused, not sure which of the items he set on the desk you wanted the most before ultimately settling on the tissues.

Turning slightly in your chair, you made quick work of mopping your face and blowing your nose as discreetly as possible in the small space afforded in the office. After discarding the used tissues, your next priority was a cold beverage, sighing deeply after you took your first sip.

“You even got my favourite.”

He grinned proudly, snacking on French fry from his meal, having settled into the only other chair in the room.

“I could just tell…”

“A saint, Ben.” You reaffirmed before carefully tucking into the meal he had procured for you.

A few bites in you remembered yourself and quickly fished out your phone, sending him a funds transfer for the food.

“Oh, that wasn’t…” He muttered after he checked the resulting notification on his phone. “I just wanted to make sure you were alright.”

You sniffed thoughtfully, swallowing your bite as you shook your head.

“I’m not, but I still really appreciate this, Ben.”

“So, you didn’t…just know him did you…” He asked hesitantly and you paused with a bite of food raised to your lips before taking the food into your mouth and shaking your head again.

“No Ben,” You clarified after swallowed. “I was very much in love with Bradley Bradshaw. Still am I suppose, even though he’s…gone…” The final word of your sentence seemed to catch in your throat reluctantly, and you coughed a little to force it out.

Ben frowned deeply and looked over the folder laying open on the desk.

“I’ll talk to her, there’s no way she can ask this of you…”

“No! No, I…I agreed to do it, it’s an opportunity to touch a Presidential speech directly and independently. I don’t get those very often Ben. And I. It’s something I can do for him, one last time.” Your throat constricted again ominously so you nodded, hoping that sufficiently rounded out the thought you were trying to communicate.

Ben inhaled deeply, holding his breath in inflated cheeks, before exhaling it through pursed lips as he nodded.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” He tilted his head.

“This,” you gestured at your nearly completed meal, “has already helped more than I can say. Thank you.”

His soft smile was a balm to your aching heart – by no means a cure, but it had a soothing effect.

“Did you want to talk about him?”

“I don’t think. I don’t think that I can quite yet, Ben. Maybe someday? I’d like to…someday….”

“When you’re ready then.” He stood to collect the remnants of your meal, moving toward the door. “Are you alright if I head home?”

“Please do! You really didn’t have to stay for me. But thank you.” You nodded and he smiled warmly before stepping out, leaving you to the quiet of the office.

Taking a few deep breaths, you put some background music on your phone to help you focus on the task at hand before pulling up the speech to review what had been written thus far. The Deputy Director had not been wrong, there was a dimension missing. Typically, interviews were conducted with the honoree’s family, but Bradley had no close family left to speak for him. You knew that one of the main reasons he had chosen to stay out in California, rather than returning to Virginia, had been to reconnect with Maverick – Captain Mitchell, but he did not seem to be a man of many words.

At least he had not been that night when he showed up at your apartment door bearing a handwritten letter from Bradley. It had taken him several weeks to track you down; your personal details including phone number and address were unlisted for your safety and security. Working in politics had taken on an entirely different level of risk after January 6, 2021, but even before that you had made the choice to be as difficult to find as possible.

He had not had much to say as he stood there in his dress blues, other than to confirm your name and give you his condolences. He had delivered some prescribed line about Bradley’s bravery before disappearing down the stairs of your building, leaving you with the worn envelope, your name scrawled on the front in Bradley’s handwriting.

Shaking your head to physically clear the thoughts from your mind, you turned your focus back to the cursor in your word document, blinking at you expectantly, before beginning to type out an additional paragraph.

Words fall utterly short when we try to describe who someone was. We must look to their deeds. The words “Reckless disregard for personal safety” in his citation are striking. Lieutenant Commander Bradshaw had a history of fearless determination. He was unafraid of pursuing his goals despite any obstacles in his path, and twenty-two-months prior to the events of July 2022 was fully prepared to lay down his life for his superior officer.

“He even risked disciplinary action to call his ex from work during the Capitol Riots of January 6…” You sniffled aloud, shaking your head fondly.

You had been working for a prominent Senator during that time, doing some paperwork when the crowd infiltrated the Capitol building. Alone in the office, the rest of your colleagues in the chamber staffing the Senator, you had been frozen by panic and uncertainty. The unexpected vibration of your cellphone on your desk had been jarring, particularly when Bradley’s name accompanied it on the screen.

You had taken the call, whispering beneath the Senator’s desk, and he had talked you through barricading the door, through making the office appear unoccupied. You had heard someone begin to reprimand him on his end of the line, but he had continued to speak to you calmly, reassuringly.

“You’re going to be alright, just keep low, keep quiet, and keep that umbrella in your hands, ok?”

“O…k…ok Bradley.” You had whispered, not sounding nearly as sure as he had.

“I have to go now…” He had apologized gently.

“You’re damn right you do, Lieutenant Commander!” You had heard the sharp bark of his superior much closer this time.

“Thank you!” You had risked a little more volume to give him your emphatic gratitude before ending the call, feeling somewhat more prepared to deal with whatever might come down the hall.

It was the last time you had spoken to him.

You realized now that you should have called him back, but at that the time life had been moving so fast. As soon as the building was made safe, the voting had resumed. And then the transition team had called offering a position on the speech writing staff in the White House. The whirlwind of activity had been shifted into a higher gear of intensity at that point until the next time you looked up was to watch the report of his death on CNN.

Filled with a sudden curiosity, you turned to his personnel file, gnawing on your lower lip as you leafed through the papers contained within. You let out a gasp when you came across the notation that a nonpunitive letter of caution was delivered to him on January 7, 2021. While the contents of these letters were typically private, it was not hard to guess just what message Bradley’s superior officer had delivered to him.

“Oh Bradley…” You sighed fondly, shaking your head before turning back to your keyboard with renewed inspiration.

After two hours of writing, shaping, and polishing, you felt confident enough to submit your version of the speech to the Deputy Director. Sending the email, you carefully packed up your laptop before tucking the contents of the Bradley’s personnel file and citation back into the ceremony folder with a quiet reverence.

Stopping by her office, you were not surprised to see her still there working away. You dropped off the folder and wished her a good night. The rain had let up during your time working underground, leaving a blissfully cool evening, free of the usual summer humidity. Due to the late hour, public transit was quieter on your commute home, and your street almost tranquil. Dropping your keys and bills from your mailbox on the kitchen counter, you found your steps leading you to your bedside table of their own volition, filled with a desire to reread Bradley’s last words to you.

You sat on the edge of you bed, turning on the lamp there, and fished the worn envelope out from the bottom of the drawer. Carefully unfolding the familiar creases, you traced your eyes along his slanting penmanship.

Tilting your head back to prevent any stray tears from soiling the paper, the idea to laminate the pages to preserve them flitted through your mind once again. And yet the idea of putting a barrier between you and his words remained so off-putting that you shook you head. You carefully tucked it away for next time, dragging your tired mind and body to the shower.

The final draft of the speech was presented at the Communications team meeting the next afternoon, accompanied by your heart hammering beneath your ribs and a knowing grin from the Deputy Director. It was your version, untouched from the night before. There was no formal announcement, no by-line, but the people who needed to know, knew the authors of that speech. And you were indisputably one of them. As you were making your way out of the room, your boss stopped you, extending an invitation to the ceremony on Friday.

“I recognize it might be difficult…” She stated, giving you an out, but you took a breath to steel your resolve and shook your head.

“I’d be honored to attend, thank you.”

“Wonderful, I’ll have Ben set it up in your calendar.” She smiled before excusing herself to answer a call on her cell.

The building was a flurry of activity the day of the ceremony. The sheer extent of it – uniformed personnel and staff rushing through the lobby, the buzz of conversation – set your teeth on edge as you stepped into the West Wing that morning. Rather than making your way directly to your meeting, you decided to stop by Ben’s desk as he had an innate talent for picking up on the root cause of chaos as this seemed far beyond the usual for this type of occasion.

As you entered the Communications bullpen, his eyes widened when they met yours and he hardly seemed aware of the phone receiver pressed to his ear, belatedly uttering an apology before ending the call. He glanced around before lurching to his feet and grasping your elbow, pulling you into the notably empty Deputy Director’s office.

“You should sit.” He said with no preamble.

“Good morning, Ben, it’s lovely to see you too. I had a good sleep thank you for asking.” You greeted him with plenty of sass and a raised eyebrow.

You were already feeling snappish this morning, nerves frayed by excess emotion, and whatever sudden onslaught of chivalry he was experiencing was unwelcome.

“I’m sorry. The ceremony today has been postponed indefinitely.” He frowned, gesturing at one of the empty chairs hopefully but you shook your head as your stomach sank.

“Indefinitely? I don’t understand. These things don’t get postponed, they are thoroughly researched and perfected and…what on earth happened?!” You realized your volume had gradually increased to reach something akin to a shout as he winced, and you frowned. “Sorry…”

“You’re not going to sit, are you…” He sighed and you shook your head impatiently.

“Ben…” You said warningly.

“Lieutenant Commander Bradley Nicholas Bradshaw has been located alive in Kuwait and was air lifted to hospital in Germany during the night.”

You realized that Ben’s lips continued moving after the word ‘alive’, but your ears were filled with a dull buzzing. All of the blood in your body felt as though it seeped out of the soles of your feet into the plush office carpet, and you crumpled to the floor.

The bright glare of the fluorescent lights on the ceiling and Ben’s frantic face greeted your return to consciousness and you hissed at the pain in your right cheek, reaching a hand up to find a tender spot. Your fingers came away smeared faintly with blood.

“You clipped the corner of the desk on the way down…are you ok?!” He looked you over quickly, finding a tissue to press against your cut.

“I think…I think so. Ben. Repeat what you said…” You looked to him, terrified to be optimistic.

“He’s alive.” He could barely contain his grin, squeezing your shoulders as he punctuated the statement with your name. “He’s alive, after all this time, he was hiding somewhere and…I don’t have all the details yet, but…they obviously want to put the medal around his neck once they get him home.” He looked around suddenly. “But you! You should call in sick right now and buy a ticket to Germany. Go. Go to him.”

Your eyes whirled around the room, trying to find something to focus on to help you process the fact that man you had just help eulogize in a Presidential speech had in fact survived his act of reckless disregard for personal safety. Ben pulled the tissue away from your cheek and your eyes were drawn to the bright red contrasting sharply against the white between his fingers. Everything seemed to crystalize in your mind, and you looked to him quickly.

“I have to go.”

“Yeah, you do.” He grinned wider. “I’ll start texting you flights, get out of here.” He quickly slapped a bandage onto your cheek from the nearby first aid kit before shooing you out of the office.

You darted back to your desk, leaving your sick message on the Deputy Director’s voicemail and texting Ben that you had done so. He replied that it was duly entered into the attendance log and then spammed your phone with flight deals. You got home, throwing together a suitcase and grabbing your passport within an hour, flight booked to leave in three hours. Turning around quickly, you changed out of your suit into something more appropriate for a long-haul flight, before heading to the airport.

Six hours later, you found yourself pushing long-cooled airplane food around its sectioned tray as your eyes stared unseeing at the movie on the screen in the back of the headrest in front of you. Your mind was too busy mulling over the improbability, the impossibility, of it all to focus on the film you had chosen to distract yourself, the meal you had chosen from the options on the flight attendant’s cart.

How, in this era of hyper-interconnectedness, had a Bradley gone unfound for over a year? You knew from his citation that his was the only American plane in the air at the time, from the investigation records that they only had radar and radio communications to rely upon to detail the events before his plane crashed. Courtesy of those same records, you knew a covert operation had been undertaken to examine the crash site in enemy territory. That some form of remains had been recovered, identified, and buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.

Yet the postponement of a Medal of Honor ceremony was unprecedented. It would not have occurred on the basis of mere speculation or rumor. Ben’s report that Bradley was alive must be true, but how it was possible was entirely beyond your comprehension.

Landing in Frankfurt at five thirty in the morning local time, you were then faced with nearly three hours of public transportation before you finally arrived at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. You had barely slept or eaten, but Ben’s bandage was still securely in place on your cheek. At least that was something in your favour.

After all you had overcome to arrive at the nursing station in Germany, you had not expected to be thwarted by a dour-faced Army sergeant.

“Are you family?”

“Well, no, not exactly but I…”

“Authorized personnel and family only.” He replied firmly, looking down his hawkish nose at you and you frowned down at the flecked pattern on the worn laminate countertop.

“Add them to the list, they are family.” A voice interceded from the other side of the l-shaped desk, and you lifted your eyes quickly to see Captain Mitchell standing there. “Lieutenant Commander Bradshaw will want to see them.”

He looked younger than the last time you had seen him. As though the weight of the entire Navy had been lifted off his shoulders. There was, perhaps, even the trace of a smile in his eyes as he nodded for you to hand over your passport so the long-suffering sergeant could add you to the list of approved visitors.

“His room is this way, come on.” He tilted his head toward the wide, sterile hallway and you found your feet rooted to the spot, unable to take another step after flying thousands of miles on the word of your colleague. “Truly. He will want to see you.” Captain Mitchell assured you and, swallowing roughly, you found the will to propel your body into motion once more.

Captain Mitchell stepped into the room first and you carefully set your luggage in one of the chairs by the door, inhaling sharply as you heard a voice you thought had been silenced forever.

“Heya Mav, thought you were going for coffee…” Bradley rasped.

“Found something better on the way…” He turned to the side to reveal you, standing there like a deer in headlights, staring at a very alive Bradley Nicholas Bradshaw.

He was thinner than the last time you had seen him, having endured who knows what hardships in the name of survival over the past twelve months. His normally tan skin had lost its glow too, most likely from the necessity of hiding, and his customarily trimmed moustache had expanded down his cheeks and jaw into a full beard. Lack of sunlight had kept his chestnut hair dark as well, grown long in luscious waves. Yet he was still unmistakably the man that kept a firm hold over your heart, long frame barely fitting on the bed, propped up in a sitting position beneath a white and blue flannel hospital sheet.

Your name fell from his lips in a whisper, and he looked quickly between you and Captain Mitchell.

“You sure I’m not dead?”

Blinking rapidly as tears threatened to flood your vision, you and Captain Mitchell shook your heads at the same time.

“No Rooster, you’re definitely alive, they’re definitely here, and I’m definitely going for that coffee now.” Captain Mitchell excused himself and you walked over to the hospital bed slowly, trying to remember how to breathe. In and then out.

You did not need to faint again, especially not in front of Bradley.

“Hi…” You said quietly, feeling suddenly shy. Even draped over a hospital bed after a year of being declared dead Bradley was still the most attractive man you had ever laid eyes upon. Even with a full beard. Perhaps especially…

He held out his hand to you and you quickly took it between both of yours, sighing softly at the reassuring warmth of his skin as he guided you even closer to his bedside. With his free hand, he reached up to run his fingers along the bandage across your cheek.

“What happened?” He frowned.

You huffed a self-deprecating laugh and shook your head.

“Close encounter with a desk while fainting.” You muttered. “Are you ok?”

“You fainted? When?” He looked you over, concern knitting his brows tighter.

Typical Bradley, ignoring any concern you might have for him. Unchanged in the least.

“About…fourteen hours ago, I suppose?” You grimaced.

“Because of me.” He said flatly and you conceded with a nod. “I’m sorry…”

“Please…Don’t apologize, it was the best news. I…I just happened to fold like a deck chair.”

His lips twitched into a grin which you echoed happily.

“Such a softie.” He teased.

“I’ll have you know I fought off the QAnon Shaman with that umbrella, thank you.” You boasted playfully.

He squinted at you quizzically and you registered that perhaps he was not quite well enough for that level of humor.

“Not really, I was removed to a safe room shortly after our call. Thank you again Bradley. Thank you for taking the time to write me that letter, as well. For asking Captain Mitchell to bring it to me. It meant a lot.” Your voice trembled, betraying your heightened emotions.

He shook his head. “I’m sorry I was such a moron and never said any of those things to you until I thought I was going to die.”

Shaking your head quickly you lifted his hand, still clasped between yours, and kissed the tips of his fingers.

“I’m just as guilty…I mean I technically haven’t even apologized to you in return. I wrote you a letter in reply, but I left it in San Diego...at…” You trailed off not wanting to discuss the gravesite you had visited. “I love you. I never stopped and I’m sorry I was also so stupid…” Your voice wavered with emotion as you forced yourself to meet his gaze.

“I love you, too.” He murmured and shifted his hand between yours to lace your fingers together tightly. “There was never a pair of idiots better suited for each other.”

You laughed tearfully, wiping at your eyes with the cuff of your sleeve and shaking your head.

“Never.” You agreed. “Are you comfortable? Can I get you anything?” You asked, looking around the anonymous, off-white room filled with the typical hospital equipment. It could have been located anywhere in the world, for how similar it looked to every hospital room you had ever had the misfortune to see.

“Yeah…come here…” He crooked the index and middle fingers of his free hand, gesturing you closer.

You immediately leaned over the railing of his bed, shifting closer.

“What is it?” You asked, wanting to be of assistance.

“A kiss.” He grinned, slipping his fingers around the back of your neck as soon as you were within his reach.

“Oh.” You murmured, eyes flicking up to meet his warm, whisky-colored gaze, before assisting him in closing the distance.

It was tentative at first, a gentle brush of mouths that sent a familiar rush of warmth through your veins and had your breath shuddering against his damp lips. His breath caught audibly in his throat before he tugged you closer, pulling your lips to his firmly as you pressed your still-entwined hands into the mattress beside his head to brace yourself. The fingers of your other hand delved greedily into his longer-than-usual curls, relishing in their silky feel as he rumbled happily against your lips.

Finding your synchronized rhythm after all these years, both of your lips parted to deepen the kiss. You sighed deeply at the familiar taste that was unmistakably his, mixed with the salty tang of tears as one or both of you were crying. A deliberate knock and polite cough had you tensing before pulling back quickly, untangling your fingers from his hair carefully before stepping back to allow what looked like a team of doctors to enter the room.

You slipped out into the hall when they initiated their exam, wanting to give him his full privacy, and sank into one of the chairs near the desk where the unpleasant sergeant offered you a glare before turning back to his work. The output of energy, and ebb of adrenaline, caught up to you then and you found your eyelids sinking heavily as you rested your chin on your palm, elbow balanced on the arm rest, dozing until one of the medical team gently shook you awake.

“Sorry. Lieutenant Commander Bradshaw is asking for you…” She apologized as you blinked up at her sleepily, but you smiled quickly and shook your head, heading back into the room again, noting that Bradley’s countenance was more serious than when you had parted.

An empty food tray sat on the bedside table – you had apparently slept through meal delivery.

“Everything ok?” You asked quietly, carrying one of the empty chairs over to sit beside his bed as he looked you over, sighing softly. You noticed the team had dropped the side rail on his bed and left it lowered, making him more easily accessible to you.

“I suppose I owe you an explanation of where I’ve been. Of what happened.”

“Bradley, you owe me absolutely nothing. You can share with me whatever you wish whenever you are ready but there is no obligation involved.” You frowned, reaching for his hand, which he squeezed softly as he stroked his beard thoughtfully with the other.

“Let me start with the fact that I am not unscathed? I…You went to my grave, you all but said as much.” You nodded guiltily in reply, and he squeezed your hand against reassuringly. “I left a piece of myself behind in that plane, after the missile hit, before I could eject.”

You furrowed your brows in confusion, looking him over as he looked pretty whole to you, until your eyes trailed lower, and you noticed only one peak at the end of the bed when there ought to be two. Your eyes widened as your heart rate picked up, but you did your best to take a steady breath and assume a neutral expression before turning back to him.

“Your leg?” You asked gently.

“My left foot.” He confirmed with a nod, voice tight. “I assume that’s what they found and used as confirmation of my death. There’s not an awful lot left usually when we burn in. That’s what is probably buried in San Diego.”

“I’m so sorry, Bradley…” You shifted to stand, sliding your arms around him in a careful hug, pressing your cheek against the top of his hair as he buried his face in your neck.

You held him reassuringly, hands pressing into his back soothingly as his arms wrapped around your waist, clinging to you until his heavy breaths evened out and he leaned back to look up at you.

“They have to do more surgery, to properly fit a prosthetic. A sympathetic family found me, cauterized it, kept me alive, moved me around to other like-minded people until they could smuggle me to Kuwait…It’s never stopped hurting…” He whispered and you frowned softly, kissing his forehead.

“Oh Bradley…” You whispered in reply, arms tightening around him protectively, wishing you could bear just a little of his burden, ease even a fraction of his pain.

He lay his head against your chest, and you lifted a hand to stroke his hair soothingly.

“They want me to get stronger and then they’ll send me state side for surgery and rehab…they’re thinking Walter Reed…”

You hummed thoughtfully, trying not to take too much pleasure in the thought of him being in Maryland.

“It’s a good hospital.”

“Close to you.”

“I’d come as much as possible. You’d be welcome to come stay with me if you need a place.” You murmured, noting how his torso was growing heavier against you. “Why don’t we lay you down, hmmm?” You suggested softly and he nodded, complying sleepily.

You rearranged his blankets carefully to tuck him in, settling into the chair at his bedside and taking his hand, watching as he fought with his heavy eyelids.

“Shhh rest, Bradley, it’s ok.”

“Stay…?” He asked, eyes flashing open one last time to lock onto yours pleadingly.

“Of course I’ll stay.” You nodded and squeezed his hand, smiling as he nodded back, surrendering to his exhaustion and falling asleep.

You were not far behind, laying your head on the bed beside your clasped hands, letting sleep overtake you as well.

You awoke to the feel of warm, calloused fingertips stroking down your jaw, your lips curling up at the corners at the pleasant sensation before you forced your eyes open in the low light of the hospital room. Any sense of time had abandoned you somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, but it was still dark outside the windows and a glance around the room revealed a sleeping Captain Mitchell, slumped back in the other chair near the door.

Looking back to Bradley, who’s touch had roused you, he mouthed a soft sorry, to which you shook your head in reply.

“You ok?” You whispered.

“Hungry.” He confessed and you smirked a little.

“I’ll find something ok?”

He nodded gratefully and you pressed a soft kiss to his lips before easing your stiff body from its less-than-ergonomic position in your chair. You both shared a wide-eyed look at the crack your neck emitted, glancing over at Maverick, who thankfully slept through it all. You stopped by the nursing station, grateful to find a friendly lieutenant on duty who directed you to a vending machine with sandwiches at the end of the hall.

Suddenly inspired to hunger of your own, you procured a few from the machine that thankfully accepted American currency before returning to the room to partake in your feast with Bradley. Once you’d cleared away the wrappers and the crumbs, he leaned in to whisper in your ear.

“You said you wrote me a reply…did you save a copy?”

You swallowed and eyed him for a moment, wondering how it was possible for someone to know you so very well. While you had written the letter to him on compostable paper, hoping to leave as little an environmental footprint as possible, a part of you had needed to keep of a record of your words to him. Thus, you had taken a photo of your handwritten letter and saved it on your phone.

You pulled the device out of your pocket, ignoring the knowing grin on his features as you pulled it up, squinting a little at the intrusive brightness before holding it out for him to read in the dimly lit silence.

He raised his eyes as he came to the end, the glow of the screen causing the unshed tears in his eyes to shimmer. You leaned up to kiss his temple before whispering.

“I’d like to amend the ending…. You’re home now, thanks to every power in the universe, and whatever comes next, we get to figure it out together.”

He licked his lips slowly, setting your phone down on the worn flannel, before cupping your face to guide your mouth to meet his warmly.

When at last, nearly a year later, the President delivered his rewritten speech and secured the blue ribbon of the Medal of Honor around Lieutenant Commander Bradley Nicholas Bradshaw’s neck, you watched from the front row with a raised mark on your cheek. Bradley fondly referred to it as your ‘rescue mission battle scar’ and pressed his lips to it with delightful frequency, letting the whiskers of his once again neatly trimmed moustache tickle your cheek.

The seat you occupied was that of his beloved partner, rather than standing in the corner as an anonymous White House staffer. It was the seat that you had always been meant to occupy and one that would never willingly vacate again.

Top Gun Masterlist

@tgm-all4one

#tgm all4one #bradley bradshaw x reader #rooster x reader #bradley rooster bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw fic #bradley bradshaw angst #rooster x you #bradley bradshaw imagine #rooster imagine #rooster fanfic #top gun fanfiction #bradley rooster bradshaw #tw angst #tw death

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teamjacobthot · 4 months ago

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(Ik we’re not at this point in your story, but in regards to canon world) what do you think sam’s mom thinks about the whole Leah/Sam/Emily situation? I feel like she would probably think he kinda turned out like his dad in a way(womanizing/abandoning). Also how do you feel about Emily still asking Leah to be the MOH 😐😐. Like obviously she accepted knowing the truth, but when I interpret it from canon it just feels like a big part of the reason is Leah feels like she has something to prove (tough enough). (Canon) Leah’s better than me, I wouldn’t even knowing the truth. too much pain and not a good way to try to move on imo.

first of all, I am so sorry I took this long to respond to your ask. I've been going through it lately. but second of all, thank you sending this!! I love getting asks abt Leah! and Sam! and Emily!! and any combination of the three!!!!

I def think Sam's mom was initially disgusted to see the similarities between her son and his deadbeat father. I'm not gonna lie, I have not done the best w writing Allison Uley in Nyctophobia so far. like I only know how to confidently write one type of mom, and that's Sue lol. but I do have plans for Leah and her to potentially have a little chat w Allison when Sam disappears. but also Sam's whole point to living lowkey, in my fic, is to be the opposite of his dad (a mild Lip Gallagher tea, if you will), so I think it'd make sense for Leah to defend him. but yeah no I def think Allison was shaking her head when it all went down.

regarding Emily, I maintain, to this DAY, that she was out of her goddamn mind to ask Leah to be the maid of honor in her wedding to SAM. smeyer threw that lil detail in to be cutesy-bootsy and dramatic, but like, in real life, I can't see how that would fly. like ever. especially without a world-class ass beating ensuing. in canon, iirc, Leah and Sam were broken up for a lil while before Em asked her. but that really doesn't matter to me, especially when the wound is CLEARLY still fresh in Leah's mind (word to the pack mind for Sam knowing exactly how Lee-Lee feels abt it everytime she looks at him) and Leah has. not. moved. on. it's cruel for Emily to even entertain that idea imo, esp while Leah very clearly hates her life and is still so upset over what happened. like that's just rude. Em could have gotten with Sam and then waited a couple years to ask Leah to be her maid of honor, and that would still be wildly out of pocket to me, given the circumstances.

I could imagine Em having a crumb of decorum asking Lee to be MOH at least 5-7 years after the whole imprinting thing, once Leah is definitely moved on and has a new partner and blah blah blah, but like....... Em was still nuts for that shit. getting with your best friend's ex under any circumstances is grounds for a terminated relationship. and Leah is better than me as well bc wtf do you mean you want me to be the maid of honor when you're on my ex's dick? honor these hands bitch!

#anon #mail #leah #sam #emily #smeyer you will pay for your crimes #nyctophobia

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sevi007 · 5 months ago

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Tales of the Abyss part 46

Where we are on the run again, while I almost forgot WHY we are on the run

(The war. It's the war. I kind of forgot that in this whole mess)

Mohs comes to mind immediately, but I think Van's whole "destroy the outer lands" shtick is close behind

Mans is very straightforward, which is rare in this game!

I'm 99 percent sure we are a bit late for that. Looking at Natalia here

Awwww. Don't worry Natalia I'm still on the regicide route if he does reject you! (I'm half serious here)

UGH Mohs

Hey! At least part of us are royality or high ranking people! "Rabble" he says

Woah what. Sacrifical lamb or what

Dangabit, we should take Noelle with us from now on. Or hide her somewhere safe.

Kinda gay Dist! (Sorry I like teasing him)

Grow up, both of you lmao. Every time you get them on screen together, I feel like I'm back in school XD

Noice Luke's the sacrifical lamb

Theoretically, shouldn't they kill Asch - ah wait, I guess they do not know about the replica situation yet. Or. Let's say they DID know and did kill Asch. Would that then fulfill the score, or not, because he is now going by a different name? Sheesh, future prediciting is ROUGH Yulia has my sympathy

Yeah, what the fuck?!

Omfg - Okay I interrupt this dialogue here to rant. While I UNDERSTAND where Luke is coming from (hello Survivor's guilt mixed with existential crisis and a hint of depression) I was so heartbroken to hear this that I nearly yelled in anger. Of course he is going to twist everything in a way that he is the culprit here!

But let's look at this more rationally - the Score is shit. (Very rational right? lol). What I mean to say is, in the Score there is everything depicting in ONE LINEAR FUTURE. I personally always saw the future as something that is endless ocean of possibilities, of different routes that can be "taken" by making different decisions. The Score only covers the "main route" of this, the most likely one. And since people for thousands of years have been following the Score so faithfully, they have til now never deviated to a different future. Self-fulfilling prophecy and all that.

So say the Score is the main route - then not even that one is a great one! That one is only great for Kimlasca and its prosperity! Malkuth is described to be covered in war, Akzeriuth would have fallen anyway, and Asch would be dead. Who knows what would have become of our party members, or Engreve, or St. Binah, or who knows what else! Is that good? No.

And so far, we only know that Luke is not covered in the main future Yulia had seen. That could mean it's a good thing! We could steer toward a new future! Or at least he does not have to sit around and just take whatever the Score throws at him

Now, let me smack that boy for being an idiot. Or let Tear do it.

YES THAT

apply that brain-to-mouth-filter sometimes, Luke. It helps.

I like how everyone else just lets Tear rip into him XD

(I love this boy but sometimes he is painfully stupid - read as "extremely unknowing, young, and traumatized")

@magicmetslogic

@ahsokaisawesome

#sevi plays tales of the abyss #tales of the abyss #tales of the abyss spoilers

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wicca-wicca-whack · 8 months ago

Text

The Maid of Honor and the Best Man

Modern!Au Gordon Malloy x Reader

Word count: 3035

//I'm back on my bs

You could feel your irritation with your best friend bubbling the longer she spoke.

“I don't know, I don't really need anything elaborate!”

“Kel, this is your bachelorette party! After that you're spewing out vows and tying your life to this dude,” you gesture haphazardly towards Ed, who just chuckles.

“I mean I'd rather just do something easy. You know, we were talking about doing a joint party,” she offers.

“A joint party!” You try really hard to sound excited, but it sounds kind of lame, at least to you.

“I mean, I don't really feel like I need any of those things you would even do separate parties for, like strippers or anything, and it'll be way cheaper for you and Gordon if you're just pooling resources.” She reaches her hand out for your phone, and knowing her, you can easily assume she wants to give you his number.

You bite your tongue, handing your phone over. “Yeah, for sure.”

“I'm sure you guys will get along great.”

You know from experience she's wrong, but you just smile and nod.

You and the best man have butt heads at every event, and he's made it pretty clear he doesn't like Kelly much, and by extension you. After all, she's marrying his best friend and you're, apparently, a stick in the mud, partially because you won't talk trash about her. You haven’t even seen him in over a month, which makes you question his dedication to helping out with this wedding.

Hours go by before you even open your phone to text the ginger. You settle for something simple.

It's the MOH. Let me know when you're ready to talk about the joint party.

Shockingly, you've only just set your phone down when he texts back.

Whz ths nd whtz a MOH?

He must be drunk, you figure, to be texting like that.

The maid of honor?

O. U.

You decide not to respond, between the drunk texting and the response to him knowing it's you on the other end, settling down to watch your trash TV.

It’s maybe four hours later your phone rings, and you glance at the caller ID of Dickhead before picking up.

“We didn’t need to, like, have a conversation about like, tonight,” you try, the only thing coming from the receiver being the sound of cars and and the wind.

“Nah, I wasn’t doing anything. Can we just make it, like, not lame?” You can hear Gordon sigh, and the scuff of his shoes as he walks.

“What do you mean not lame?” You try not to sound amused.

“I mean, a joint party is already super lame. No strippers, nothing, like, fun.”

“You don’t know how to have fun without strippers?”

“I mean I do,” he insists quickly, “but, like, when I imagined throwing my best friend's bachelor party…”

“Well, they decided they wanted a joint party.” You pull a notepad on your table close. “So, their wedding colors are blues and greens, I’m thinking for the decor we should stick to that.”

You can hear him sigh again.

“What?”

“They’re just, like, such, uh… kinda lame colors together.”

You bite your tongue for a moment, annoyed. “Let’s just do this another time, it's late.”

“No! No,” you can hear him jostling something around. “Uh, why don’t we meet up?”

Your eyes drift to your clock. “It’s two am.”

You hear muffled cursing. “Right, yeah. Uh, night.” The receiver clicks before you can respond, and you can’t help but roll your eyes. If he’s lost his grip on time, this was gonna be a whole other kind of difficult.

When you wake up the next morning, you have two missed calls from Kelly. You can't help but sigh, looking at the time to see it's barely even 10 AM.

You roll from your bed, working your way through your morning ritual before returning her call.

“Kels, you basically blew my phone up,” you half-whine.

“Sorry! Sorry, I didn't realize how early it was the first time I called.” You can hear her rustling around.

“What on earth are you doing?”

“Ed and I are making party favors.” The audio changes, and you assume she must've put you on speaker.

“Hey. Morning,” Ed's voice rings through, and you sigh.

“Morning. Did you guys need help?”

“Could use a hand. Gordon's coming too.”

You almost groan. Or maybe you do, because Ed laughs.

“I'll see you in an hour!” Kelly calls cheerfully.

“Yeah, okay. In an hour,” you agree, calling your goodbyes and moving to get ready.

You get there more like an hour and a half later, and Kelly looks like she might be upset, until you press a fresh coffee into her hand and bring one to her fiance, and she seems to calm down.

“Sorry, sorry! I come bearing caffeine,” you soothe, moving to plop next to Gordon, who gives you a weird look. “What are you making?”

She motions to the table, grinning. “Snack and drink boxes.”

“...What?” You can’t help but give her a look.

“Little boxes of snacks and, like, shooters and edible glitter,” Ed supplies, and Kelly claps her hands, clearly excited.

“I thought it was a good idea!”

“It is, babe,” Ed assures, and Gordon groans loudly.

“Do you have to be all gross in front of other people?” He complains.

“Dude-”

“It's a word,” you interrupt Ed, turning to look at the scruffy ginger man. “He said the word babe.”

“Yeah, and it was gross, obviously,” he scoffs, reaching to grab one of the little decorative boxes Kelly put out.

“What are you, twelve? Babe is one of the tamest things he could call her right now.”

“How? Any of those weird PDA names is gross to use in front of your friends.”

You give Kelly an exasperated look, but both she and Ed just look on, amused. “Please be so fucking for real right now, man.”

“I’m not in this argument,” she tries.

“You’re kind of in it,” you shoot back.

“Let’s just get back to these favors,” Ed offers, taking a box, “they’re super easy but we have a ton to make.”

You’re annoyed, but you move to get to work anyway, taking a long drink of your coffee.

A couple of hours go by in relative silence, though Gordon can’t resist shooting jabs and jokes around, before Kelly and Ed step away to take a wedding call, and you turn to Gordon.

“So for their party, I was just thinking the wedding party all meet at mine, and I’ll decorate, and then we can do, like, a bar crawl. Something easy but still fun.”

He stares at you for a long time. “...What?”

“Dude. Their joint bachelor/bachelorette party. Obviously.”

“Oh. Right. Sounds cool.” A beat of silence. “We should make one of those stops a strip clu-”

You whack him in the arm, and he yelps. “No.”

“I thought we were planning this together!”

“We are. Make a list of bars. I will vet them.”

He opens his mouth to protest, but the couple returns. “Did I hear Gordon yell?” Ed looks between you, both suspicious and amused.

“No,” you answer casually, tying a ribbon over the last snack box. “And we’re done! I need to head out, but text me that list,” you remind Gordon, grabbing your purse and standing. “Kels, I love you, I will see you Friday for your bachelorette. Two days. And in three you will be hitched. Text me or call me if you need me.”

You don’t give her a chance to answer before you’re out the front door.

When Gordon sends you a list of bars that night, you skim the list before calling him.

“Yello?”

“Gordon, half of those are strip clubs. Not bars. Good strip clubs don't even serve alcohol!”

“How do you know that?”

“Gordon.” You don’t dignify that with an answer. “Be real. There are so many bars down this strip, why those? Hell, I will pay for a limo or something to take us further from this stip you started on.”

“When I pictured throwing Ed’s bachelor-”

“You pictured strippers, I get it. This is what they wanna do. Save the strippers for your wedding.”

He snorts, but he’s quiet for a minute. “Fine. I’ll fix it.”

“Are you pouting?”

“Do I sound like I’m pouting?”

“Yes, you do.”

“Are you gonna need help getting your place set up?” You can hear the clink of a glass and someone shouting something in the background.

“I can handle it,” you sigh, confused at the rapid subject change.

“I’m offering.” His voice is almost soft, at least compared to the rest of the conversation. “I can come over and help you put up all that ugly blue and green crap. That’s what you’re doing, right?”

You can’t help but snort a little. “Yeah, I am. But you can show up with everyone else an-”

“I’ll be there at six.” He hangs up before you can even protest more, and you can’t help giving your phone a weird look.

In the morning, to your shock, you do wake up to a new list of bars, ones that are actually all bars, and you almost smile.

When Friday comes around, you feel like you’re insanely busy, between work and making sure you have everything, and when you open your door to see Gordon, promptly at six, you pause, staring at him in shock.

“You’re here.”

“Uh, yeah. I said I’d be.” He gives you a confused look.

“At six.”

“That’s what I told you.”

“You’re not late.”

“I’m not always late.”

“You’ve been late to, like, every event since the wedding planning started.”

He huffs, carefully pushing past you to grab some streamers, looking up at your ceiling. “Are we just going to town or what?”

It pivots from there, Gordon seemingly content to decorate however you instruct, though more than once he argues when you correct him, its… almost fun. Almost.

You’re done just in time for the rest of the wedding party to start showing up, and then, finally, the couple of the night, accompanied by shouting and whooping as you and Gordon pour a round of shots for the large party as a sort of pre-game.

You give each of them an obnoxious crown and sash, and both Kelly and Ed laugh as they’re ushered back down towards the limo you had, in fact, ended up renting for the party, the whole of you piling into the seats, a couple of the others squishing you into Gordon.

“Sorry,” he mumbles, leaning towards you a little.

“It’s cool,” you assure softly, jostling a bit as the ride starts. There’s a lot of shouting, and you think someone else is trying to pour more shots in the bumpy ride, but thankfully, the first bar is a quick drive, and before anyone can crack a bottle open, Kelly is ushering people out with Ed’s help, and into the western-themed bar.

Looking left to right, you can spot a line dance happening on the floor and at least eight cowboy hats.

“Yeah, this is a good one to start a night,” Gordon sighs, moving towards the bar and taking orders from people. The bartender looks familiar with Gordon as he orders the drinks, both laughing it up, and you can’t help but soften a little.

You turn your eyes from him as quickly as you can when Kels elbow connects with your arm. “Ow! What?”

“You’re staring.”

“I wasn’t staring.”

“You were damn near making eyes,” Ed adds in.

“No one asked you.”

“Our opinion is joint now,” Kelly tries, giving a smile to a stranger handing her a drink and congratulating them.

“I didn’t ask you either.”

“Technically, you did.”

You’re cut off by a cold glass hitting your hand, and you carefully take it from Gordon, who just looks between the three of you before setting another drink down and heading to collect more, giving you all a weird look.

You groan, moving to knock your drink back as Kelly laughs. “It isn’t like that.”

“Right, yeah. For sure.”

You huff, annoyed. Sure, Gordon was cute. And while prepping for this party, he’d even been… nice. But you had no intention of throwing yourself all over a guy who never really seemed interested in you.

But God help you, part of you wants to.

You quickly learn, after another drink or two, it's incredibly hard to keep such a large party on track. When you finally round everyone into the limo, you were supposed to head to the next bar an hour ago, and everyone is considerably more trashed than you expected them to be. Someone calls for shots, and your protests go unheard as a bottle gets opened and shots get passed around. You’re once again smushed into Gordon’s side, and everything is fine until something warm splashes your chest.

“Damnit!”

“Shit! I’m sorry,” Gordon calls quickly, sounding a little surprised, and one of his hands comes down like he’s going to wipe the vodka from you before his senses catch up, and he pulls his hand back.

“It's fine,” you huff, glad for the dim lighting and green shirt.

You can sort of see him shuffling for something, and you hear a muffled ‘aha!’ as he presses a cloth to your chest.

It takes him all of two seconds to snatch his hand away, and, thankfully, no one seems to have seen the interaction.

You let out an awkward chuckle, dabbing at the wet spot with the cloth. “Thanks… I, uh… think I’ll head home maybe. Do you think you can handle them?”

“Y-yeah, for sure,” he agrees, nodding, and you swear he’s never looked quite so nervous. “Honestly, they’re probably not gonna make it past this bar,” he agrees as the limo stops and the doors open.

You nod, moving to hug your friend goodbye with a hurried explanation. She gives you a pout, but presses taxi money into your hand, despite your protesting, and you can’t get Ed to take it from you either.

The minute you make it home, you make sure your alarm is set, and you crash.

Six A.M. comes way too quickly, but you’re up, and heading to pick up Kelly, coffee in hand. Somehow, she’s full of energy when she gets into your passenger seat, taking her drink from you. You start the trek to the venue, listening to her ramble about the night before.

Thankfully, the actual getting-ready part of the wedding, and the wedding itself, goes pretty smoothly. You, for one, are relieved, not wanting to deal with disasters. You can’t help but tear up, watching your best friend pledge her life away to a man, but you almost laugh when she ushers people towards the reception while the wedding party gets ready for pictures.

For most of them, you’re opposite Gordon, who hasn’t made eye contact with you once, including your walk down the aisle. You don’t even really hear him speak until you’re taking a picture where Kelly wants everyone paired up like when they walked down the aisle.

His hand hovers over your waist as he mumbles, “I’m sorry. Again. For last night.”

You wait for the photographer to take the picture. “It’s fine, really. Water under the bridge. It’s not like alcohol’s never been spilled on me.”

“I just don’t want you to think I was, like, using it to cop a feel or something.”

“What? No, of course not.”

“Not that you aren’t, like, pretty, but that would be, like-”

“-Really weird of you, yeah.” You hesitate, bringing your hand to pat his arm. “It’s cool.”

“Right, yeah. Cool.”

You’re being ushered towards the reception before either of you can break the tension, and you’re at opposite sides of the table once everyone’s sat, and the interaction barely crosses your mind until after the first few dances, when Kelly is insisting the bridal party go dance, and as everyone more or less pairs up with the person they walked with, you look at Gordon, who looks halfway terrified.

��Well? Come on,” you motion him towards the floor, holding a hand out.

One, two, three seconds pass before he takes your hand, heading towards the floor for an awkward sort of slow dance.

“I don’t dance,” he admits awkwardly.

“Yeah, I can tell.” You’re content to sway, though, his hands barely resting on your waist, yours resting on his shoulders.

“You, uh, look nice,” he offers.

“With how much Kel paid to get our hair and makeup done, I hope so,” you snort.

“You, uh, look nice the rest of the time too.”

You look at him slowly, a little amused and pretty confused. “Thanks?”

“I mean,” you can’t tell if he’s blushing or his face is always that red, “you’re pretty. A pretty person.”

You’re pretty sure he’s blushing.

“You’re not too bad yourself,” you offer.

“You, uh, seem like a lot of fun.”

“So do you. When you’re not being an ass,” you nudge him gently, but he chuckles.

“It’s kind of my default. Total douche.” He waves one of his hands before he returns it to your waist, more pressure than before, and looks over your shoulder, making a face.

You turn just in time to see Kelly pushing Ed’s thumb down, and you turn back to Gordon, who looks embarrassed. “What’s that about?”

“Did you wanna, I don’t know, maybe… go out sometime?” He braces, like he’s waiting anxiously for your answer, and you can even feel his shoulders tense.

“That sounds like fun.”

There’s one, two, three seconds of silence before his eyes return to yours. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Cool,” he sighs, relieved, a muffled sort of ‘oomph’ coming from him as you lean up to press a soft kiss to his lips.

“We can count this as a first date,” you joke, and he chuckles a little, pulling you closer.

“Yeah, sure. Fits for me. Total douche thing to do, having your first date at your best friend's wedding.”

You chuckle, reaching to punch at his arm.

Maybe he wasn’t as bad as he pretended to be.

#wiccawrites #gordon malloy x reader #gordon x reader #modern au #kelly grayson #ed mercer #gordon malloy #ed mercer x kelly grayson #weddings #mentions of strippers

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somacruising · 2 years ago

Text

A White Future, Volume 2 Episode: Ion, Sync, & Florian Translation Part 6

Prev | Next

Last episode on Dragon Ball Z Shiro no Ashita, we got to watch as Sync had a breakdown in a little shed that Van was keeping him in. Now, we get to see Ion’s response to hearing that his original has passed away, as well as how Anise first met him.

Fair warning, Ion’s thoughts are surprisingly dark.

* * *

Ion opened his eyes, forcibly pulled out of a shallow sleep.

This was not a pleasant awakening. But this was always how he woke up after being tuned by a fon machine.

Ahmed had explained to Ion that this would be the last time they did this. The original Ion was barely ever conscious anymore and he would soon be replacing him.

“You can get up now.” Ahmed's assistant helped Ion to his feet.

“Thank you,” Ion replied. Ion then heard footsteps rushing into the facility. Most likely, it was one of the Oracle Knight soldiers. Ion heard them speak from the other side of the door.

“I am here on an errand for Grand Maestro Mohs.”

“Ah, please wait there.” Ahmed slipped out the door so the soldier would not be able to see what was going on in the room. When he returned, he had a letter in his hand.

“How could he tell me this way? I suppose it must be Yulia’s will,” Ahmed muttered to himself as he walked back over to Ion.

“Fon Master Ion, I have just received news that the original Fon Master Ion has passed away,” Ahmed informed him.

“Is that true…? I’m so sorry for your loss.” Ion gently lowered his eyes.

“From this moment on, you truly are Fon Master Ion. It feels strange to congratulate you, but…” Ahmed hesitated before bowing his head and continuing, “I must leave you now. We will never see each other again after this.”

“Why won’t we ever meet again?” Ion sat on his bed, looking dazed. “I wanted you to keep teaching me things.”

“This was Mohs’ idea. I’m probably going to be sent to live in a remote monastery somewhere. Not just me, but everyone who knew the late Fon Master will be replaced in the next few days. This is how things are supposed to happen. So, please, don’t worry about anything,” Ahmed explained, his expression falling at how they would have to act like none of their time together had ever happened.

“I am very thankful that you were able to endure the short amount of time we were crammed in here without a single look of disgust on your face. With all due respect, I've never seen a replica like you…” Ahmed choked on his words. “If I could, I would serve you as you are.”

“Thank you, Ahmed. I’m glad to hear you say that. If I live long enough, I will call you back when the time is right.” Although Ion smiled, he didn’t really feel attached to Ahmed, he simply wanted to express his gratitude. If everything was planned out, not only for Ahmed, but also for the everyday people, for time, and for his duties as a Fon Master, then there was nothing that he could do about it.

He would serve the moment to the best of his ability, and when the appointed time came, he would simply end his life. There is no room for any particular feelings.

Ion doubted that he could live up to the expectations of those who created him, nor did he think that one day he would get used to being a Fon Master and forget that he was a replica. For a replacement lives as a replacement and never feels inferior or superior.

Ion got up to return to his private room. ‘Here we go. I am Ion, the Fon Master who recovered from his illness.’

The smaller the knot between the two strands, the better.

Ion wondered if there would be a third string, but then quickly concluded that it had nothing to do with him.

* * *

“N-Nice to meet you. I’m Ionion sergeant Anise Tatlin!” said the girl, leaning forward in salute, perhaps because of her obvious nervousness. She’d just entered Ion’s office.

“This is Anise, she’s going to be your new Fon Master Guardian, replacing Arietta,” Rayold said. He, too, was a young man who had been recently assigned to the new Fon Master by Mohs.

“I look forward to working with you, Sergeant Tatlin.” Ion smiled and the girl's expression softened in response.

“Please, just call me Anise, Fon Master!” Anise chirped, burying the tips of her index fingers in her cheeks. Mohs, who was standing at her side, clears his throat.

“I'll do my best.” Anise instantly bowed her head and decided that was all the greeting that was needed.

‘I'm not doing so well with Mohs breathing down my neck...’ Anise sighed as quietly as she could so no one would notice it. ‘I'm glad that I'm going to get a little pay raise by replacing Arrietta as Ion’s Fon Master Guardian, but I'll still have to…keep an eye on Ion, and that means I'll be under constant surveillance, too, right?’

More than a decade ago, when Anise’s good-natured parents were struggling with a huge amount of debt, Mohs took over for them. Since then, the Tatlin family has been just another one of Mohs’ assets.

‘My mama and papa are working for free, and now I'm Mohs’ contact, too...’ Anise thought as she stole a glance at Ion’s face.

‘This is my first time seeing him up close...but he doesn't seem like a bad person.’

“What are you grinning about?” Mohs interrupted Anise’s thoughts.

Seeing Mohs’ sour expression, Anise returned to her senses and shrugged her shoulders.

Once she’d left Ion and walked through the fonic circle into the hallway, Anise let out a sigh of relief. But at that moment, her name was called in a sharp tone.

"Anise!"

Anise nearly jumped. It was Arietta.

“What is it, Arietta…what do you want?” she replied curtly.

Arietta gripped Anise's arm and started shaking it.

“Give back my Ion! Come on, give me back my Ion!”

“Are you stupid? I didn't steal him!”

“Then why am I not his Fon Master Guardian anymore!?”

“I...”

Anise lost her temper at this point.

“I've told you already, I don't know! It's our job. It's not something I can decide. You know that, too!”

Arietta's big eyes filled with tears in an instant.

“Uuh... They wouldn't let me into his room because he was sick. And now that he's better again, I can't be with him anymore... That's mean!”

‘It's so that Mohs can keep him under surveillance,’ Anise almost said, but she restrained herself.

“Ion doesn't like you, Anise. Ion is my Ion!”

Anise let out a wordless shout of frustration. “You’re such a pain, are you sure your name isn’t ‘Gloomietta’?”

Arietta blanched when Anise teased her.

“Anise, that's mean! I'm not gloomy! I'll never forgive you!”

“Let me go, that hurts!”

Anise tried to rip Arietta’s small hand off, but the other girl was stubborn and held on. As they were struggling, a lone Oracle Knight appeared.

“Hey, you’re making a scene. You’re being too loud,” Anise said, assuming the Oracle Knight had come to mediate between the two of them.

Instead of that, the soldier turned to Arietta and said, “Third Division Commander, I have a message from Chief Director Van. It is past your scheduled time and you are to come immediately.”

“Oh, that’s right.” Arietta practically threw Anise’s arm and ran off.

“What’s with her?” Anise rubbed her tingling arm, cheeks puffing out. “Ouch.”

‘Why was she called by Commandant Van? Did Mohs toss her out and make her his problem?’

“…I have to go back soon,” Anise muttered to herself.

She wondered just what kind of person Ion was, that Arietta was so enthralled with him. “Arietta likes monsters, so even if Ion doesn’t look it, maybe he has a wild side to him…no, that can’t be true.”

Anise thought about the calm face of the Fon Master, who didn’t seem to have an ounce of malice in him, and stepped back onto the fonic circle.

#tales of the abyss #tales of #tales #tota #anise tatlin #fon master ion #ion #arietta the wild #ahmed #shiro no ashita #tw: suicidal ideation

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historixally-accurate · 13 days ago

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hee hoo its late at night but im still awake so im repsonding teehee. youre probably gonna see this during breakfast, so. good morning! ohaiyo早安 selamat pagi <3

YOURE A NATURAL ENGLISH A1er?!?!?!? god damn but also lowkey me too LOL. i dont remember much from when i was still wriitng narrative/discursive essays, but i found it easier than others for the most part. holy yap. ill gladly listen to you yap too its only an equivalent exchange...we're both a bit insane for men halfway across the world who love to go fast in a video game.

your primary school sounds like a nightmare. goddamn. i guess my prisch was also pretty pressurising, but from the sounds of yours, suddenyl i think it wasnt that bad after all... psle huh, crazy times. seems so long ago help now i feel old. i hope youre gonna be okay in your current school :,) the sg school system really doesnt let up, but its really, really important to know that youre never alone!

thanks for the compliment about marker mediums, though i dont think its actually that bad unless you have markers that are seriously in need of rescucitation. like on their last legs. unfortunately i cant send a picture of that kazuha because going anon removes the image sending feature, so maybe someday in the future. once i work up the courage to actually talk to you under my handle >_>

OH WOW you really have a hbg themed phone thats so cool u_u i agree with your family, thats swag as hell. the slingshot feinberg quote sent me for absolutely no reason, im shaking w laughter rn and frantically trying to suppress it so i dont wake my family. send help😭😭 and youre so real for the daily usage of the word "mongey". its only NOT invaded my daily speech because im purposely avoiding thinking about it...if i bury myself in doing sports surely the bigbigmongey brainrot wont get me smile (no this isnt copium wdym) this is ignoring the fact that without thinking i keep saying "what the sigma" and "what the skibidi" unironically btw. both my friends and i know im cooked as fuck

i actually did NOT know there was an upcoming BAC stream. im like a fake ahh fan... ill do my best to be there but uh. my duties arent over, despite it being the hols. this sucks :^(

mad respect to you, actually playing the game you watch. my lazy ass would NOT get off my ass enough to do this ever smh. im sure getting knocked off by a piglin is a pain every speedrunner can relate to . same goes from hitting the cope. except for me, if that shit ever happens im skipping the cope and striaght up hitting the bong. for SG legal reasons this is a JOKE! MOH please dont find me

hey you take lit too ? aura level just went up dawg. youve just caught a fat lit lover right here. im a guilty guilty poetry lover. sorry i just love both poetry and prose it makes me go WidePeepoHappy

lowkey though if you ever decide to take a HBG members legs may i suggest mr lewis fulham ive heard him being desrcibed as a birch tree so that means hes tall right. ill even aid and abet! im sure he wouldnt miss a few cm

bro did NOT just do the clash royale laugh at me😒😒my friends keep telling me im firmly chaotic evil. like damn where is the democracy bros didnt even give me a chance to squeak out a fart before straight up attacking my reputation😟 they my opps frfr

i get it when you say you get pressed cause whenever things dont go as theyre supposed to i inwardly get more and more tilted LMAOOO dw ur not the only one.

i would loooove to watch hbg do more sports related content because i find it hilarious that the one time at twitchcon (?) during poundy's football match there were SO MANY INJURIES... tf you mean couri broke his mf elbow in a sport supposedly restricted to legs. as a sportsperson i really do love playing sports wahaha <3

i cant tell if youre serious about liking amath but damn if you like amath thats really good smile :) much more formula based but overall more predictable.

question for today... what made you decide talkingmime was your favourite hbg member? kinda curious and wanted to give you a reason to yap more about him . feel free to type out a response the lnegth of the mekong river, i promise ill read it i love to read (maybe that why im such a good lurker LMAO). personally im still undecided on who my favouirte member is, but since ive talked so much about mr condiment cringe man 21custard i guess ill just say i like him cause of his goofy ahh humour and memes. im just a sucker for people with good vibes/dryass humour/an entire arsenal of your mom jokes. dont ask about tgat last one. im currently trying to know tekniik better and im falling victim to more deez nuts and your mom jokes than ive ever experienced before. i love it btw

holy yap i think ive talked too much.....never trust anything you say after 9pm....i think they were right the demons got to me. namely my unhealthy terminal obession with fart jokes. same to you, hope you have a beautiful mongey pyun pyun morning <3 always happy to give you an essay response. arigato for readin ;)

-sgmcsr anon

hi anon!!! sorry for the late response, I just got sick and I WAS SLEEPING FOR HALF THE DAY TODAY. let's get cracking

about my amazing spectacular skibidi English, yes! natural English a1-er ^_^ well actually it was only up till like eoys where I got my first DEVASTATING B3, but apart from that, I've been doin good for English. call me. idk Shakespeare. idk. ALSO SHARING OF YAP.. whenever you gain the courage to ask on main, I'll gladly yap with you... I'm online literally 24/7 now that I've got nothing to do with my life, so it'll be nice to speak with someone in the same timezone and who has the same interests that I do.

about my primary school, yeah it was a little bit of a nightmare academically. coming to think of it, because of all I experienced, it doesn't seem that bad because I experienced it. but on paper it's terrible. wow. anyway, not to be trauma dumpy or unskibidi ^_^ struggling to make friends in my current school, and MOE's school system is unrelentless as always, but ball it we fuck, I am okay.

about marker mediums.. I see... that's really cool.. yeah, all my markers are like. dried up and I haven't bothered to go buy new ones or ask for new ones </3 I'd love to see the weed smoking kazuha one day... very excited

about my skibidi HBG wallpaper. I feel like my layout is hella cramped, but its what I have to work with because. I don't know how to organise my phone. maybe I'll sit down one day and figure out how to make it cooler </3 also, very mongeyful, very beautiful. I am filled with mongey joy. ome

not sure if it's obvious, but fein has also cultivated my usage of the word 'skibidi' specifically?? it's very obvious because I say it every 5 seconds :') and because of one specific mime clip, fulham has influenced me to say the word 'peculiar' very very often 😭😭😭 like instead of calling someone weird, I'll say 'dude! you're soooo peculiar.' yeah, I'm a little normal!

bout the upcoming BAC stream, yeahhh I don't blame you... mime released that fact like. a couple streams ago, and even then nobody knew he was live except for like. 20 people? so i dont think it's just you who doesn't know, dw! I'm just caught in the loop :3 besides, it's on either November 22nd or 23rd, and it'll take at least 24 hours, so don't worry about not catching it for at least a little ^_^

about my. haha. very terrible learning of how to speedrun. despite getting all the help I could ever want to speedrun, I'm still absolutely terrible at it, and I can never find the motivation to do so </3 I'd love to be better and gain more confidence or motivation.. I just don't know how to do that. also, fuck hoglins, suck it pigs >:(

ALSO. FUCKING FART JOKES?? I'm drawing the line...anon... you are behind bars now........ STAY AWAY!!!!! (/j please stay they're funny) as someone who's purely true neutral, I have no comment and will nod my head, saying 'normal ass Tuesday in singapore'

about which HBG members people.. fuck it you get the point I'm tired of this format. yeah! Singaporeans and their short fuses, it is so normal and I am no exception </3 it's awesome tho, I can keep boundaries as someone who says yes too much 😎 hell eyah

HBG FOOTBALL. couriway breaking his arm, silver r runs spraining his ankle and tapl harvey also. straining his ankle iirc??? that shit was so chaotic. IF YOU WANT HBG PLAYING LIKE. FOOTBALL. THE MINECRAFT KIND. here's a feinbergfunny/feinberg rocks video. enjoy.

I haven't done too much amath, but. ohhh it's so. clear cut?? it's very inchresting. I think it's not terrible so far... but I can't say for myself </3 must keep grinding forward and see

GOLDS DAILY DOUBLE.. why is mime my favourite HBG member.. and how did I come to that conclusion... man, it's been like 2 months.. I think it's cuz i watched the silverrrunsfunny video about HoN? and it's a lot of mime n silverr clips... the 5 minutes that they were trapped doing parkour in a cubby hole tryna get the last easter egg made me extremely intrigued like.. who is this MIME GUY... he's so peculiar... and then I finish the video, and see talkingmimefunny recommended!! I watched all his videos. and I got hooked. SO FAST. ended up finding people who also like him, and found out he did BAC, and. the rest is history. or historix. haha. Hahaha. I like mime because of how smart and organised he is, I also like how he take initiative in a lot of events that he's participating in together with friends. I also like people who are snarky and have a very interesting voice but you didn't hear this from me. at all. aaanyway, apart from mime, I also really like nEmerald and fein? I like emerald because he reminds me of lifesteal cc mapic, which drew my attention to him. he's also really silly. and I'm a sucker for people who have green as their colour pallete. feinberg.. he's just. silly. and he's feinberg man I don't know what else to say bout that 🤷

Holy yap. happy 11pm! NEVER UTTER THE WORDS 'HAVE A BEAUTIFUL MONGEY PYUN PYUN MORNING' EVER AGAIN. I CRIED. SO HARD. it's fucking hilarious. I'll start using that with my friends. anyway, as always, have a skibidi-tastic, mega ultra kawaii, animefied morning if you see this, and an alpha, rizz master night if you're seeing this at night and you stay up.

here's your daily mime doodle :)

#histostories #sg anon you're very cool #yipee!#I yapped. a lot for the mime bit.#he's so peculiar to me.#anyway #hope my yappery was enjoyed

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bugbeverage666 · 2 months ago

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fundraisers from the inbox

howdy and hello everyone! there are a lot of palestinian families in my inbox asking for me to share their campaigns, so i'm making a small list of them with their users and campaign links. all of the amounts raised is as of the time of writing on sept 17, 2024

@omaraahedfamily // campaign link here €2,506 raised of €40,000 goal

@falestine-yousef // campaign link here $22,354 raised of $40,000 goal

@yasermohammad // campaign link here €22,668 raised of €35,000 goal

@basel1995s // campaign link here CHF8,193 raised of CHF60,000 goal

@esraayyad14 and @asmaayyad // campaign link here €20,589 raised of €45,000 goal

@amalgheelan99 // campaign link here $2,235 raised of $5,000 goal

@lamahourani7 // campaign link here $2,558 raised of $10,000 goal

@anasalshrofa // campaign link here €8,470 raised of €50,000 goal

@mohiy-gaza2 // campaign link here $37,821 raised of $63,000 goal

@save-amal-family // campaign link here €29,850 raised of €40,000 goal

@mohammedswierh2 // campaign link here $15,475 raised of $40,000 goal

@wafaaresh6 // campaign link here $19,087 raised of $50,000 goal

@nohabed // campaign link here £1,185 raised of £30,000 goal

@moh-shamia // campaign link here $63,890 raised of $70,000 goal

@yousefjehad3 // campaign link here $8,457 raised of $15,000 goal

@ahmad1988 // campaign link here kr3,040NOK raised of kr500,000 goal

@lobnaalser // campaign link here €6,919 raised of €50,000 goal

@husseinshamia // campaign link here $36,506 raised of $40,000 goal

@eman-kha // campaign link here $2,507 raised of $40,000 goal

@ayoosh-gaza // campaign link here $5,651 raised of $35,000 goal

That's all for now! I am sorry to those who sent me a message and didn't hear from me for a while, my tumblr was being weird. Also my wifi has been iffy lately

#palestine #free palestine

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smileyerim · 2 years ago

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hi! warning: pretty long sorry <3 I was the anon about the financial stuff and I'm not exactly out of all my expenses since I am the only one paying for my school but since its a local college, it is significantly less so it doesn't put too much of a burden, but im also not working right now because it was just such a toxic environment (my manager literally tried forcing me to become a store manager after I told her I couldn't due to school AND she would call in an hour before her shift and have a manager from a different store cover her instead : / ) like very bad place overall imo. also like I relate so much with the whole going out situation because when my friends would invite me out I would just always say no even if I really wanted to because even if it is like just to see a movie for $5 or whatever, it still felt like a lot to me ? I grew up low income so anything that seems "unnecessary" to me automatically makes me feel bad for enjoying it even if I shouldn't if that makes sense. we should be able to enjoy doing things without worry but for some people it's really hard. I've even been called cheap before because sometimes I just refuse to even buy like ice cream or fast food because to me that money can go to something more important but then again it's a natural instinct to want to indulge a bit but it's just hard. ,, sorry for the rant !! : )

Thank you sm for being patient w my response time :) I was MOH in a wedding this weekend and I wasn’t able to actually sit down w my thoughts on this ask until now.

I’m sorry your current situation sucks. Bad school or work environments literally can ruin your entire perspective and outlook on life if they’re that bad. I’m dealing w a situation at work rn where someone I work with is so flippant with their responsibilities and it screws everyone over. I really do admire you for not continuing to subject yourself to the toxic environment! It’s so easy to feel stuck in a shitty job when you’re low income. I think you should be proud of yourself for prioritizing your emotional well-being!

I totally get the discomfort w leisure spending. There’s some habits that never seem to go away, like the anxiety that comes with spending money on something nonessential even though the spend is fine. I remember once I was sitting in the food court at the mall (lol) mulling over whether or not to buy this one discounted pair of earrings from H&M for $3.

Please please please do not apologize for sharing! I really value authenticity and community. Like I’ve said before, most of us are in our late teens and twenties. These are hard ages to live through and most people don’t have a community to share those growing pains with. If I can offer a safe space for young adults to be heard and related to, I want to do that! Belonging to a healthy community where I was validated and heard is the biggest credit for my growth.

You’re always welcome here! Always always!

#anon <3 #asks

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zuura · 3 years ago

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I did warn you that you were in for a world of pain | happy belated birthday moh, @luffys ♡

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kouyous · 4 years ago

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Do you know when it's alright to chicken out and go home? There is no such time.

#bsdedit #bsdgraphics #fybungoustraydogs #chuuya nakahara #bungou stray dogs #dailybungou #usermoh #userroh #*#bsd #MOH I AM SO SORRY THIS IS LATE #I LOVE U SOOOO MUCH HAPPY BELATED BDAY

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caspianx · 7 years ago

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☁︎ + I always recommend The Book Thief by Markus Zusak to everyone!! It's seriously so good and one of my all time favourites:D I'm currently reading House of Leaves if you'd like to check that out too (it's a darker read though)! Once again, congratulations!! Also ★ + Lucy Pevensie or Jill Pole?

i loved the book thief!! (also my best friend @pocketteen LOVES it) and i’ll be sure to check out house of leaves, since i do love darker books!!

your make me choose edit is Coming Soon (To A Theater Near You) (shut up nina you’re not funny) watch out because you will be tagged in it!

celebrate 100 followers with me!

#sorry this is so late moh!!#also ty for requesting an edit literally nobody else did and i was so psyched to do them #ninadoes100 #hauntedthief #asked and answered

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nickywhoisi · 2 years ago

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TIME TO UPLOAD MORE THINGS~~~~~~~~ because I’ve been on a roll with posting my drawings lately

I was practicing with the Tender Trio during my long break, and it was real good. For a long while before I even went on that break, I was enamoured by a user’s art for a TTTE/Land of the Lustrous crossover and thought it was a really good idea! In fact, it’s been so good at getting my creative juices flowing that I kinda want to keep going with it. I’ve fallen in love with this concept hard, and there’s just no stopping now. So while I go through my likes, I’m going to upload what I have been making so far for my new Thomas au, to empty out everything before I pack off for a different social media thing. Apologies, but for as much as things have picked up, other things from here have hurt me one too many times and I’m not forgetting what kind of damage that wrought to my overall health, so...it’s safer for me to head somewhere else. I have a couple of places in mind that shouldn’t be too hard for you guys to visit though. Will keep posted for the links. (UPDATE: Deviantart the good ol boi, and possibly Gaiaonline and a general free image hosting site buT WITH COMMENTS :D I might also consider FF.net or AO3 too!)

But for now, I am SUPER HAPPY with how my boys turned out! So fine. I said I’d get James’ nose right, didn’t I? And Rosie too, I’m so happy to draw one of the girls! BUT OH NO...I didn’t colour in her other glove. Ugh well I might edit this post later for the fix, but I just want to get the commentary out of the way. Some parts of the poses on the main four I wish turned out better, but the basic form is there and I got the mood I wanted in it. AND THE HAIR. I AM SO GLAD THE HAIR TURNED OUT RIGHT. IT WAS TOUGH BUT IT TURNED OUT THE RIGHT WAY. I REALLY LOVE DOING HAIR LIKE THIS AAHHHHHHH

it can go so wrong sometimes with ink, it’s very hard to do without the right control. so the fact that the gloss turned out even a little in the direction I wanted is a total victory for me! Maybe I might try to make Henry’s hair a little deeper green, as there’s a plot reason for that.

And I am really sorry if anyone was expecting me to go further with my canon renditions, but I think I just got too ambitious with the costume designs! They got elaborate and I’ve always enjoyed being meticulous with details and accuracy, which I liked...but then it got hard to manage and recreate for other pieces, so it was kind of like I shot myself in the foot but was too happy about it to notice the wound. Whoops. Drawin trains is harddddd

I will finish up those pieces so they’re not going to be left incomplete, and I did get Duck and Diesel underway(!), so those pieces will be made sometime soon too. Moving forward, there’s just gonna be a lot of train gems in black suits, but I’ve still planned unique designs for them all anyway. It won’t look too samey. It is going to be really fun! I have writing too! It almost feels like I’m making railway series stories, but with HnK it is wild

Gordon and James are just...*chef’s kiss* I have so many ideas for these two and they are looking so hawtie rn, they definitely came out as the best gem renditions so far. I’m so proud of myself for designing the leg pattern on James, that’s another plot related thing but it’s so on brand for him! In this au, their names (from left to right in the front) are BlueDiamond - mohs 10, Red Zircon - mohs 9.5 (and if you notice, the black I added for his hair is supposed to be Painite, which is why he’s not at a 10), Verdelite - mohs 7.5 (but he’s going to be fixed up with another type that bumps his mohs up BUT I CAN’T SAY YET rhrhhhh), PinkTourmaline - mohs 7. Now who’s in the back? There’s a couple you might be able to guess, but the other one won’t be familiar. Who’s who?

well I just want to save the surprises for later. Expect more to come soon!

#oh boy another long post #and some fancy new art #or at least only a few months old art #I wish I could remember the name of the person who first made Thomas and friends as gems that would be more helpful #ttte #houseki no kuni #zomg my art!#get ready for very beautiful humanized trains everyone

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arlecchno · 2 years ago

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chap 14 will be out tonight maybe— if i have enough time to go over it and edit the draft. i'm currently so busy with some personal stuff (my sister is getting married soon lmao and as the MOH, naturally i'd be busier than ever) so it's hard for me to focus on writing without going on errands every second. i'll try to update twice like usual but if fate is not with me, i'd only be able to update once a week for the time being. i'm very sorry for such a late notice 😔💔 also i'm very grateful for all of the notes and reblogs i've been getting these past few weeks— i truly appreciate each and every one of your support! thank you so much for hanging with my series lol let's hope it has a happy ending

#h shenanigans #IM SO BUSY RIGHT NOW IM SORRY GUYS #sobs my sister is getting married #im gonna be lonely now that shes not gonna live with me anymore #what a life i have #stay tuned guys hehe #and by soon i mean like next week lmao #ma updates #scaramouche x reader

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janicho88 · 4 years ago

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Falling For You -Part 6

January

Pairing- Dean xJo, Eventual Dean x Female!Reader, Past Reader x OMC Justin, mentioned.

Word count-6777

Warnings- REMEMBER SLOW BURN! We'll be interrupting the fluff you have had to bring you angst this chapter, along with unrequited feelings, heartbreak, and two morons who need to learn to talk to each other. Possible language, there is a dash of fluff. Seriously thought a lot of angst in this one. Sorry!

A/N- I had an idea for a one shot, and giving a backstory to Dean and the Reader meeting took on a life of its own. This story is AU Thank you to @waywardbeanie and @whatareyousearchingfordean for helping me keep these 2 characters in line, letting me bounce ideas off of you, and send you random messages when something pops in my head.

I debated about posting today with everything with the finale last night. If you aren’t up to reading right now that’s perfectly fine.

Summary- After being burned before you had sworn off finding love for now. Coming home from work one night there is a strange man pounding on your door. Neither of you knew what this meeting would lead to.

The New Year’s Party and its ramifications. Remember how we left the last chapter? Sorry!! I am going to try and have the next one out on Monday. Until then I think I’m going to go hide.

Series Masterlist

Nine days, since you have seen Dean. He sent a text this morning about getting together tonight, you have an appointment with Meg, but should be able to meet up with Dean first. You can’t wait to see him again. Just after your lunch break your phone beeps with a text. ‘Sorry Sweetheart, I’m going to have to stay late tonight. Tomorrow maybe?’

Of course he’s been away for a week Jo must be there today and he wants to spend time with her. Texting him back ‘Sorry I can’t tomorrow’ you return to your work. Charlie notices the change in your demeanor and comments on it.

“What happened to you? You were an unbearable rainbow of cheerfulness this morning, now it looks like someone stole your pot of gold?”

“Nothing, I’m fine.”

“Yeah and I’m dating the fairy queen. Spill.”

“I had dinner plans with Dean, he just canceled. It’s nothing.”

“Okay, but I don’t think you really believe that.”

That night at Meg’s dress fitting she wasn’t in the best of moods because her dress was a bit tight.

“Meg,” you tried to reason with her, “you scheduled this for days after Christmas, too many sweets over the weekend. You will be fine.”

“Nope time for bridal bootcamp. Diets and exercise in the New Year, no more random baking. We are going to look killer in April.”

“Am I to assume I’m doing this with you?” She just stared at you, Meg wasn’t the type of friend to beg. “Fine, at least I work out already. You are the one who’s going to have to get used to the gym again.”

Wednesday you got out of work at three and headed home to finish your deserts, get yourself ready and head out by 6 to help Meg set up. Knocking on the door Cas lets you in taking the orange cranberry cake from you. Following him to the kitchen Meg looks over when you enter.

“Are those deserts?” She raises her brows giving you a hard look as you set them out on the table.

Taking your time in replying, you turn back to her, “Yes, Bridezilla they are the two you asked me to make a few weeks ago. You have the round orange cranberry cake for good luck and the raspberry parfaits in wine glasses, they just need whip cream on top along with a cherry.

You said bootcamp starts in the new year, that’s tomorrow enjoy tonight. ”

“Who’s going to bootcamp?” Dean asked as he, Sam and Jess just joined you in the kitchen.

Jess walks over to check out what you brought and to give you a hug while Meg explains to Dean about her bootcamp.

“You are the best man Winchester, maybe you should join us.”

“I don’t think so, Meg. I just got a coupon book for Christmas and I fully intend to use it.” He looks at you with a big smile on his face, you send him back a small one. Okay maybe you were a tiny bit upset about him staying at work with Jo Monday.

Cas calls the guys into the other room while you and Jess help Meg, before he leaves Dean walks over to you. “I’m sorry about Monday. I was looking forward to seeing you. Can we talk later?”

“Sure Dean.”

When they leave Jess digs into her bag and hands you and Meg both a box. “Sam and I were talking today and I realized I had completely forgotten to give these to you guys when I did them last month. In my head we were already past this.” You and Meg looked at each other then Jess, not sure what she was getting at with the boxes. “Come on, open them!”

Carefully unwrapping and opening the box you just stared at its contents not sure what to say yet.

“Oh look,” exclaimed Meg, “the wino gave us wine!”

“You really want me to be your Maid of Honor?” You whispered. Meg’s request to be hers wasn’t a shock to you, Jess’ was.

“Yes I really do.” We’ve gotten to be great friends this last year, and I want you up there with me. We both know Meg won’t do it.”

“Nope, we have already had this discussion planning your wedding, I’m no one's bitch.”

You both shook your head at Meg and Jess started speaking again. “I have a cousin who will be in the wedding and a friend from work, but I’m not as close with them. I don’t have a sister yet, but I have a feeling one day soon I will. So yes, I want you. Please, don’t make me get Sam in here with the puppy dog eyes.”

“I would be honored Jess, I’ve had plenty of practice with Megzilla over there.” Meg stuck her tongue out at you before heading to pour you all a shot to toast with. “This is super cute by the way.”

“Thanks, how did Meg ask?”

Well, when Meg asked me she handed me an envelope with cardstock inside that said something about I was the only person she likes, will you be my Maid of Honor?”

“It’s true. According to my mother I had to have my two cousins in the wedding, but no way was I dealing with one of them as my MOH.”

“How did you ask them? You never did tell me.”

“Hey sluts you’re going to be in my wedding right?”

Looking at her a moment before you said anything, “I’d ask if you were joking, but I’m pretty sure you’re serious.”

“I am. Your ask was as fancy as I was getting. Okay enough wedding talk for the night, time to get the party started!”

It wasn’t too big of a party, besides the six of you a few of Cas’ friends from work were there, his brother Gabe, sister Anna both of whom had come up to visit Cas, and Charlie.

Later that night the guys are watching some competition in the living room while the ladies are hanging out in the kitchen. Charlie who was one of the last to arrive, looks over at you and asks “So is this infamous Dean here tonight, do I get to actually meet him?”

The punch you had just taken a drink of flying right back out. Meg grins looking over at you before turning to Charlie. “Has she been talking about one green eyed mechanic at work?”

“Practically every day, you should have seen how down she got Monday when he canceled dinner with her.”

Jess joins the conversation next, “Is she as in denial with you as she is with us?”

Finally finding your voice, “I’m not in denial.”

“You mean about how they are just friends, and she wasn’t moping at all last week when he was out of town. Or how she was fine when she wasn’t going to see him on Monday.”

“I wasn’t moping and I WAS fine on Monday.”

“Oh” Meg starts talking, no one is paying attention to you. “Have you seen the way her face lights up when she gets a call or text from him?”

“It does not.”

“Yes,” answered Charlie, “and you don’t even have to ask who it is, the face says it all.”

All three turn to look at you, “Oh are you actually going to acknowledge I’m here now? For the millionth time, we are just friends.” They all start laughing, rolling your eyes you turn away.

Jess comes over and puts her arm around your shoulders, “Come on Y/N, we are starting a new year shortly let’s start it honestly. How do you really feel about Dean?”

“Guys, I don’t know how to be any clearer. Dean and I are friends, simply friends. There will never be anything more. We are never going to date, or get married, please just drop it.”

Dean’s point of view

Checking my watch it’s after 11, I haven’t had a chance to talk to Y/N alone yet. If I’m going to sort everything out before midnight I need to go find her. Cas had come back into the room a few minutes ago so I asked him where the girls are and he directs me to the kitchen. Grabbing my beer I head that way. Standing in the hall near the door I can hear them laughing, but I don’t hear Y/N’s laugh. She has the cutest one. Then I hear Jess start talking and she asks Y/N about me. This could be perfect timing to what I want to talk to her about.

“Guys, I don’t know how to be any clearer. Dean and I are friends, simply friends. There will never be anything more. We are never going to date, or get married, please drop it.”

Her words were a knife through my heart. I guess it was the perfect time to realize I would be damaging our friendship if I told her how I felt. So much for mom’s intuition. Turning back around quickly, I head outside for some time alone.

Standing out in the cold with the snow blowing around so many thoughts running through my head. I was really hoping my mom was right about Y/N, I didn’t realize how much I had imagined she was and what was going to happen next with us. Then my thoughts unfortunately go to everything Lisa has thrown at me. Maybe she’s right and no one is going to really want me for me. Y/N knows so much about me, she’s really the first person I let in in a long time. I thought I could be myself around her but she saw who that was and she doesn’t want to be with me. She just made that perfectly clear. Hearing a car horn in the distance I think about work and what Benny had said this week. Jo doesn’t really know me, maybe it’s not too late to change for her to stay interested.

Back in the kitchen

Everyone was looking at you and you continued to pretend the floor was extremely interesting.

“If that were the truth and you really felt that way, you would be looking at us and saying it, not explaining it to the floor.” Meg tells you.

“Why do you keep insisting there is nothing there? We’ve seen the two of you together, and you were totally pouting at the party when he was late because of Jo. Your eyes were greener than Dean’s that night. What’s really going on, it's time to be honest with us.”

“You want the truth? Yeah, Dean is an amazing guy, probably the best one I’ve met. I’m not the girl for him. He deserves someone so much better than me. He likes to go out and do things, he likes horror movies and haunted woods. He needs someone who doesn’t get scared easily. Someone who isn’t going to hold him back and ruin his good time. Someone he can be proud to be seen out with. We all know that’s not me.” You turn away as you finish to hide the tears threatening to fall.

Meg and Jess exchange looks before Meg walks over and gives you a hug. “See this is where we don’t let Justin win. It’s time to move on and be happy.”

Jess appears on your other side, “Dean is nothing like Justin. If something scares you he’ll be there for you just like at the Halloween party. He won’t belittle you for it. He would be very proud to be seen with you. I’ve known Dean a long time Y/N, I haven’t ever seen him as happy as he is when he’s spending time with you. We aren’t kidding when we say we see the two of you together.”

“Thanks ladies, will you give me a minute.” Heading to the restroom to regroup you clean up smudged makeup and try and calm yourself down. Jess and Meg were right, it was time to move on. You also needed to stop wrestling your feelings for Dean down. You weren’t going to find a better guy than him anywhere.

Walking back down the hallway you saw Dean coming in the front door, his face looked a bit red must have been cold out there. Giving him a smile you walked his way, “Hey Dean you said you wanted to talk.”

“Oh yeah, it wasn’t important. I was just going to see how your week is going. I really want to see if this guy makes the jump I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay,” You watched him head back to the living room. A feeling in your gut told you something in that short conversation wasn’t right.

11:50 you helped Meg and Jess carry in glasses of champagne to the living room getting ready for the countdown. Meg made Cas turn on ‘Rockin New Year’s Eve Countdown’ that you all had been watching in the other room.

10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1.Happy New Year!! As you watched the couples around you kiss their significant other you turned to look at Dean who had walked away when you stood next to him before the countdown. His eyes briefly met yours before quickly turning away. You wished Charlie a Happy New Year before moving on to Meg and Jess, Dean had left the room before you reached him. Finally finding him in the kitchen with a beer.

“Happy New Year, Dean. I hope you have a much better one than last year.”

“Yeah well it’s off to one hell of a start,” he snarled out.

“I’m sorry you feel that way.” You weren’t exactly sure what was going on with him. You were only minutes into the new year.

“Well I guess there is a lot I shouldn’t be feeling. See ya Y/N.” With that he grabbed his coat from the back of the chair quickly exiting the room, leaving a stunned you behind.

Starting the clean up in the kitchen you didn’t feel much like going back out and joining the rest of them. Meg found you a little while later most of the food cleaned up and put away.

“What are you doing in here?”

“Just picking up, I didn’t want you to worry about it.”

“You and Dean both disappeared; we thought you’d be making out somewhere.”

“Nope, just me, He grabbed his coat. I don’t know where he went.”

Over the next week you tried to make plans to meet up with Dean, but he either ignored your calls and texts or sent one word replies. It seemed he was too busy to get together with you right now. That Saturday you were heading back to your apartment with Charlie when you ran into Sam and Jess in the elevator.

“Hey Y/N, where’s Dean?” Sam asked you looking around.

“I haven’t seen him since the New Year’s party. He’s been acting a little weird. He's not with me, I don’t know. Why do you think I’d know where he is?”

Sam looked over at Jess before continuing, seeing her frown and shrug he reluctantly answered you. “He said he had a date tonight. We both thought it was with you.”

“No, not with me.” You are fighting to keep a neutral face and not break down when you answer. “Guess this goes to show we were only friends. I got to go, talk to you guys later.” Quickly exiting the elevator when it opened you rushed to your door with Charlie following behind.

Sam watched you go, he saw the hurt you were trying to hide and he felt so bad when he saw your face fall. My brother’s an idiot he thought to himself.

Once inside the safety of your apartment you paced from the living room to the kitchen and back again trying to calm down. Charlie was standing by the door watching, waiting to see what you were going to do next. Ten minutes later you were still pacing and Charlie answered the knock at your door. Meg entered not noticing what you were doing yet.

“Okay, I’m ready to talk about the groom's cake, Castiel is extremely excited you agreed to make that one. I want you to know, I am fully expecting you to go home with the best man after my wedding.”

At that you lost the little composure you were holding onto throwing yourself down on the couch grabbing a throw pillow and screaming into it, before those screams turned to tears.

“Okay, I thought we were past denying our feelings for Dean.”

She couldn’t understand your blubbering through the tears so Charlie translated. “She just found out from Sam that Dean’s on a date tonight.”

Meg picked up her phone dialing someone, “Are you home? Then get over here now. Y/N’s.” Turning to Charlie still standing by the door, “Will you open that?”

Confused, Charlie did as she was asked pulling it open, just as Jess came rushing in. Seeing you crying on the couch she rushed over to give you a hug. “I’m so sorry, Sam and I were sure it was you.”

You cried into her shoulder trying to once again push down the emotions you had finally admitted for Dean. Meg walked over to sit on the other side of you. “When did this happen, and who’s the chick? I texted Cas and he doesn’t know anything about it.”

“Sam asked Dean if he wanted to come over tonight and Dean said he had a big date tonight and couldn’t. He didn’t mention a name so we both thought…” She trailed off but looked down at you before looking back at Meg.

“What is he thinking? He’s..”

“It’s fine,” Your shaky voice cut Meg off before she could keep going. “I’m just over reacting anyway. I told you guys he didn’t see me as more than a friend. He told me he didn’t want to get back out there and date. I guess he just meant he didn’t want to date me.”

Taking a deep breath you continued, “Justin was right I’m not worth it. I would have just ruined things between us anyways. I ruin everything, that’s probably why Dean is dating someone else. He’s tired of me ruining things for him.”

“What do you think you ruined?” Meg wants to know.

“I don’t know but obviously something.”

“Oh honey, that’s not true at all, Dean couldn’t do any better than you.” Jess said, giving you another hug.

“It’s okay. This will be for the best.”

“Do you really believe that?” Jess asked you.

“Eventually I will.” Giving her one more hug you get up to get yourself a drink of water. You glance at the picture frame sitting on your end table, laying it flat as you go by, willing the tears to stay away. Blowing your nose before heading back you try to act like you have it put together. Fake it till you make it right?

“You came over to talk wedding Meg, let’s talk about something happy.”

“It’s okay it can wait for another day.”

“No, I can wallow in my own self pity when I’m alone, it’s fine.”

The girls try their best to distract you for the evening and you let them think they are. They don’t need to know that every other thought is Dean on a date with someone else. You know this means things are going to have to change for you.

Over the next week Jess and Meg both tried to get you out of your apartment in the evenings, but you kept finding excuses to avoid them. One night you even had to leave your apartment so Jess would believe you actually were going out. Granted you sat in your car for an hour in the parking lot, but at least she left you alone the rest of the night. You just didn’t feel right hanging out with them right now. Yes, they were your friends, but you had gotten used to spending time with them along with Dean. That wasn’t an option any more. Dean was Sam’s brother and Cas’ best friend. He wasn’t going to stay away from them. You couldn’t handle seeing him with his new girlfriend right now so you stayed away. Not to mention you would be the odd one out now, everyone else being in a relationship.

Speaking of the man, you never heard from him this week. Nothing since Friday when you asked him if he wanted to come over or go out and grab dinner. All you got was a text back with ‘Can’t.’ This was the longest you've gone without talking since you met. You really missed your friend, but it looked like you would have to get used to that.

The weekend after you found out about Dean’s new girl you were sitting on your couch watching Hallmark movies. Why couldn’t things in your life work out like that. Meet a great guy, he actually likes you, maybe there was a smidge of drama then happy ever after. But your life wasn’t a romantic comedy. You didn’t think you would ever get that happy ever after. A knock interrupted your pity party for one.

Meg, Jess, and Charlie were on the other side, great they were teaming up now. This meant you couldn’t use one of them as an excuse to the others. Before you could even say anything Meg pushed the door open.

“Hi, we’re coming in. Apparently you have been using the three of us to tell the others you have plans with the other. So if we are all together, you can’t avoid us.”

“I just wasn’t up for anything this week.”

“Well at least you got out of the here Thursday with Charlie,” Jess remarked smiling at you.

“No she didn’t,” cut in Charlie.

Jess turned to look at you with raised brows and you looked at the floor. “I may have gone and sat in my car so you would think I left.”

“Y/N!”

You just shrugged and walked back to the couch. Jess and Charlie sat on either side of you while Meg stood in front of you. “You need to get out of here and get your mind off of Dean.”

“I do get out of here, I go to work. I’ve even been to the grocery store and the gym.”

“Doesn’t count. We are dragging you out of here tonight, nothing drastic, just dinner and friends. Go change.”

“Do I have a say?”

“You can pick the restaurant.”

“Fine, give me a minute.”

As much as you didn’t want to admit it the girls were right. You enjoyed the time out with them, and they successfully got your mind off of what’s his name. Then Meg started talking about Jess’s birthday. You completely forgot that it was coming up, and that she shared a birthday with Dean.

“We are having a get together at his house since it’s bigger. Mary and John are coming up for the weekend, too. We both have friends from work coming. You three will all be there right?”

The other two readily agreed, you took a moment to think about it. Besides Meg, Jess was your best friend, and at one point Dean was too. It was actually his thirtieth birhday. You really should go. “Yes, I will be there. Is there anything you want me to bring?”

“I’d love anything you wanted to bring.”

“Okay, I’ll come up with something.”

With the promise of attending the party the girls let up on you over the next week, letting you do your thing. Going through your recipes you found the perfect dessert to take for Jess. You knew the girl loved blueberries. Deciding to play nice you even made something for the birthday boy.

Arriving at the party you knocked on the door and luckily Sam was the one who greeted you. Giving you a genuine smile he hugged you before ushering you in. Taking one of the desserts and gifts from you he led the way to the kitchen. Jess and Meg inside finishing up the food when you entered. The Birthday girl rushing over to hug you.

“I’m so happy you came!”

“Happy Birthday Lady! I told you I would.”

“Yeah, but we weren’t so sure you would actually make it.” Sticking your tongue out at her you went to set the deserts up.

A few minutes later you heard Dean walk in followed by Mary. She came over giving you a great big hug.

“So good to see you again, hunny.”

“It’s good to see you also Mary. How have you been?”

“Good, good. How about you? Anything new, anything to share?”

“Not really, things are okay, just been working lately.” She gave you a strange look before smiling at you.

Seeing Dean watching you from behind her you said hello.

“Y/N, hey.” Walking closer, he looks at the table, “Did you bring pie?”

“Yeah, a cherry and a blueberry.”

“Oh awesome! Thank you.”

“No problem, Happy Birthday.”

Others started to arrive shortly and Jess and Dean both went into the living room to greet people. As the party was underway you noticed a blonde attached to Dean’s side. That must be the girlfriend, you thought. Meg came up beside you, “I heard her name is Jo. I guess he met her at the shop.”

“He’s mentioned her before. He was with her the night of the Christmas party, but he told me they were just friends. Guess that was a lie.”

Doing your best to keep your distance you tried to enjoy your night. Sam introduced you to Dean’s coworker Benny. He seemed like a nice guy. The two of you talked for a bit before he moved on. Not realizing how close you were to Dean you hear Mary ask him who the girl was. Turning you saw Jo walk back over then.

“I’m Jo, Dean’s girlfriend.” If you had been facing them you would have seen Dean’s eye go wide.

Quickly walking off to find Jess you miss the rest of the conversation. Finding your friend you wish her a happy birthday again, but claimed a bad headache and told her you will be heading out. Grabbing your coat from the office you make a hasty exit before anyone can stop you.

Dean’s Point of View

I was surprised to see Y/N in the kitchen, but if I’m being honest it was really good to see her. It hurt to know how she really felt about me. Because of that, yes, I have been trying to distance myself, but I missed my friend. I had not talked to her in two weeks. Walking over to see what she brought I’m betting it something for Jess. I wasn’t expecting to see the pies, oh my mouth started watering. Missed that girl's baking so much, along with well pretty much everything else about her. The doorbell started ringing so I headed out to answer it, not sure what else to say to Y/N.

Jo shows up shortly after the party starts. She immediately attaches to my side. I wish she would give me a little space. She has been like this since I asked her out. I was supposed to have a boys night with Sam, Cas, and Benny last week. We were at the sports bar downtown watching the game, had just ordered food. Probably only been there twenty minutes. The next thing I know Jo is standing beside me. When I asked her what she was doing here, she said she was just passing by and wanted to check in with me. Honestly a simple text would have worked if that’s what she wanted, not that it was needed. I thought she would leave after I introduced her to Sam and Cas, but she ended up sitting down on my lap and sticking around. Probably why they both left at half time. Benny stayed a little longer, even he made a comment to Jo about finding her own seat.

When I tried to make plans with Sam one night when she was closing the bar she insisted that I come in with her instead. Apparently there is some creepy guy who comes around. Hangs around outside some nights by her car. Makes her really nervous. I asked if she has called the cops, but she says he’s never around when they show up. Every night she has worked I’ve ended up going in with her. She told me how happy Bobby and Ellen were that I was around so nothing would happen. I guess that’s what you do when you are dating someone right. I don’t want her to think I’m useless.

I watch Y/N as the night goes on, it seems like she is trying to avoid me. I’m not really sure why she would be upset with me. Every once in a while I will see her glancing over, but she quickly looks away. I wonder what’s going on with her. Heading into the kitchen for another drink, Jo follows close behind.

“Here do you want a cookie?”

She tries to hand me some store bought thing, “No, thank you. Y/N, made me pie. I’m going to wait till we cut into those before I have dessert.”

“You aren’t dating her, why would she be making you something? I’m sure these cookies are better than some pie anyway.”

“She’s a good friend, she was being nice. Actually nothing tops…. that cookie, I’m sure.” If she wants me to eat that stupid cookie for some reason, I guess I will. I assume I never mentioned my love of pie to her.

When I’m alone mom comes over and asks about who the girl with me is. Before I can say anything Jo is right back here calling herself my girlfriend. When I finally get over that shock I manage to respond. “We have just gone out a few times.”

“A few times? Dean, honey we spend most nights together.” I didn’t realize we were counting all the nights I had to sit at the bar to keep the guy away as dates.

We have been together for two weeks, I didn’t realize it was going to be this much work. Looking around I don’t see Y/N anywhere. When Jess ushers everyone to the kitchen for cake, pie, ice cream and singing I still don’t see her. I ask Meg as soon as I get the chance, I guess she told Jess she wasn’t feeling well and went home.

I went to grab a slice of pie as mom was cutting everything and Jo pulled me away. “You don’t need that, I got us a piece of cake to share.”

“Cake, yea!” I’ll just grab some after she leaves.

Presents followed shortly. Most of mine were over the hill, prank gifts.

Jo gave me a ‘I have the best girlfriend’ shirt, and a picture of her, just awesome. Do I really have to wear this? The last gift I opened was from Y/N. I was again surprised after how I was avoiding her that she got me anything. That’s just the kind of person she is, always thinking about others. Opening it I found the blue ray box set of All Saint’s Day, The DVD set I had was ruined by Lisa one night when she got mad at me. I knew Y/N wasn’t a fan of the movies, but had offered to try and watch one of them with me when I came back from Kansas at Christmas. We never got to do that.

“My gift was your favorite right?” Jo asks, wrapping herself around my arm.

“Ah, yeah, yeah it was.” Giving her a smile I nodded my head not trusting to say anything else.

As the party wound down and everyone except for my parents, Sam and Jess, had left I couldn’t be happier to have everyone out of the house. Cas and Meg were some of the last to leave, usually they’d stick around but Cas said they needed to get going. I think Meg is mad at me for some reason. I don’t know if I’m frustrated or happy that Jo didn’t stick around to help clean up. Deciding on happy for a bit of peace, I go to grab me some pie. Looking at the table and in the refrigerator I can’t find it. “Hey, where is the rest of the pie?”

“Gone, it was very popular. I have Y/N’s dishes in the dishwasher. There is cake, the cookies your girlfriend bought and a little of the blueberry fluff Y/N made left.” Mom answers, I swear her tone changed when she said girlfriend. Nah, I must have been imagining it.

“Seriously, none left? I’ll take the blueberry, you can toss those cookies.”

Sam and Jess left shortly after and dad went up to bed, leaving me in the living room with mom. She sits across from me on the couch in silence. Something's coming I can just tell, ten bucks says it has to do with Jo.

“Well that was a surprise.”

“What’s that mom?”

“That girl being here, connected to your side.”

Ten bucks to me! “I asked her out a couple weeks ago. Her stepdad owns the shop I work at.”

“When you told me you had a date last week, I was expecting Y/N.”

“Yeah that’s not going to be happening.” She starts to say something else. “Just drop it mom. Please. You were wrong about her.” With that I went up to bed.

Your apartment that night

You came home from Dean’s house grabbing the container of ice cream from the freezer and turning on the television. You had no idea what you were even watching, you weren’t focused on that at all. How could you be so stupid to fall for a guy that you were never going to be good enough for. He only saw you as a friend, and that was just until he found a girlfriend. Now with the way he had been acting, you weren’t sure if he even needed you as a friend anymore. Putting the ice cream back in the freezer you were headed back to the couch when your eyes landed on Scooby. The plush was sitting on the table next to the couch. He was a big reminder of what you couldn’t have. Talking him into the office you set him in the closest with spare bedding.

“Sorry buddy I just can’t look at you right now.” Leaving the room you went back and curled up on the couch with your blanket, ending up crying yourself to sleep there.

A knock woke you the next morning, you were slightly disoriented from sleeping on the couch. Without thinking you headed for the door first, extremely surprised to see Mary Winchester on the other side.

“Morning, oh honey are you alright?”

“Hi Mary, yeah I’m okay. Are you here for me, or Sam and Jess?”

“I was bringing your dishes from yesterday back, and wanted to chat. We didn’t get much of a chance yesterday. Are you sure you’re alright? You look upset.”

Oh yeah, how could you forget all the crying you did last night. No wonder she’s worried about you. “Yeah, I’m sure. Come on in.”

Mary walked in ahead of you noticing the blankets on the couch like you had most likely slept there. Pushing them to one side you gestured for her to sit down. “Thank you for bringing those back, that was really nice of you. I don't have any coffee, but can I get you juice, milk, or water?”

“No, I’m fine but thank you.”

“Okay, I’m going to go brush my teeth real quick I’ll be back.” She chuckled as you rushed into your room. Quickly brushing your teeth and splashing water on your face you grabbed a different sweatshirt to throw over your tshirt and headed back out to the living room.

“Sorry to stop over unannounced, I didn’t mean to wake you up. John and I are leaving today and I wanted to talk to you first.”

“I was a little surprised to see but you’re fine, don’t worry about it.”

“I was surprised last night also, I had heard Dean was dating someone. Honestly I thought it was going to be you.”

Picking up a blanket to fold you used that as an excuse not to look at Mary. “Dean doesn’t see me like that. I was just a friend. Trust me Dean deserves a much better girl than me. I hope Jo can be that for him and make him happy.”

Mary wasn’t sure what to do with you, you were as negative about yourself as Dean. But she was pleased to hear that you worried about Dean’s happiness. “Wait what do you mean was a friend?”

“Things have been strained between us since New Year’s Eve for some reason. Then yesterday was the first I saw or talked to him since he started dating Jo. I don’t think he wants me as a friend anymore. Maybe that’s for the best right now. It really hurts to see him with Jo, or anyone else,” you finished your sentence in a whisper.

“Y/N, do you have feelings for Dean?”

Out of blankets to fold you looked for something else, finding nothing you sat down on the couch. “Yes, but I’m not going to do anything to mess up his relationship. I know I’m the only one with them.”

Coming over and giving you a hug Mary whispers, “I’m not sure what’s going on with Dean right now. I don’t ever want to hear you say you aren’t good enough again. My son would be very lucky to have you. Don’t write him off just yet.”

“Thank you Mary.” A short while later she left having to get back to Dean’s. You had a quiet rest of your Sunday at home, getting ready to start your work week. The week seemed to drag on a bit. You were really missing the random texts Dean used to send you. They always made your day a bit brighter.

Meg came over Friday with magazines notes, and a list of websites to go through. Apparently as maid of honor your duty tonight was to try and help her find the best wedding favors. Or at least narrow it down for her to show Cas. Jess joined you a short time later. You ordered a pizza and put in a movie while coming up with ideas for Meg. You might not get married or find Mr. Right, but you could live vicariously through Meg and Jess these next few months.

The wedding things put away you three were on the couch when Meg spoke up. “Cas said he barely talks to Dean anymore. Sees him even less.”

“Sam is so mad at him. They have made plans to get together or hang out and Dean either has to cancel because Jo needs him, or she ends up tagging along. When Dean asked him to come out tonight Sam told him he was too busy. He didn’t want to have to put up with her. I only met her at the party, but Sam’s not very fond of her. Apparently she has some stalker-like guy who hangs around the bar, and she needs Dean to be there whenever she’s working so the guy won't try anything.”

“Why not call the cops or get a restraining order? Cas is hoping it ends soon too. He says Dean has been acting really weird since he started seeing Jo.” Both turn to you for your opinion.

“Dean and I don’t talk anymore so I wouldn’t know.”

“Wait,” Jess sits up to look at you. “I knew things were a little strained between you. But you don’t even text anymore? You guys were always going back and forth.”

“Other than briefly on your birthday, we haven’t talked since he started dating her. It hasn’t been like it used to be between since New Year’s.” Getting up to head into the kitchen you pause to get your emotions back in check. It doesn’t matter one way or another to you if Dean keeps seeing her or not. When you can believe that lie you will be all good.

Thank you for reading!

Part 7

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