#sorry to my poor cousin who had to hear this

[treasureguardingdragon]

i go so feral at even the most nonexistent mention of alex rider

‘oh i had an ear infection—‘ YEAH SO DID ALEX AS A BABY SO HE DIDNT DIE IN THE PLANE EXPLOSION WITH HIS PARENTS

‘my friends at a school in wimbledon are always the ball girls for tennis—’ ALEX AND SABINA CODED AAAAAA

these were actual irl conversations.

[bywons]

✧ YOU BELONG WITH ME ENHYPEN—

╰—— 𝗈𝗋 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗒 𝗐𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝖻𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖼𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗋𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖺𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇

( ✶🪽 𝓢. ) 𝖾𝗇𝗁𝗒𝗉𝖾𝗇 x 𝖿! 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋 g. 𝗁𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗇𝗈𝗇𝗌, 𝖿𝗅𝗎𝖿𝖿 1796 𝒘𝗈𝗋𝖽𝗌 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗂𝗇𝗌 !𝗃𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗈𝗎𝗌𝗒, 𝗄𝗂𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝗌𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗉, 𝖼𝗎𝗋𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 ✦ ◞ 𝒞ATALOGUE?!

๑´ ³`) ﾉ pls leave feedbacks if u liked it ♡ REBLOG !!

LEE HEESEUNG tightens the grip around your waist and pulls you in until you bump by his side. you could easily figure out the fake smile plastered on his face, holding you tight by his side in front of his friends. 

“so, is he more handsome than me?”, he whispers as soon as his friends are gone. it took you a couple of minutes to realise why he had a death grip on you, “you seem to like him a lot.” a single conversation with him has heeseung going tomato red now.

“what do you think?”, you scoff, looking him dead in the eye. 

“he's got the old fashioned looks, a proper gentleman with a perfect sense of timing. your kinda guy,” his eyes twitched while defining the guy, oh how bad he wanted to punch him.

“you know, you sound like one of my friends with terrible taste trying to set me up on a blind date”, you laugh, wrapping your hand around his suited biceps. “yep,” heeseung scoffs, “he will go blind soon.” 

“what do you think of me—?” 

“i love you a lot”, you roll your eyes and chuckle, now walking side by side with heeseung, his grip still present on you, “nobody can replace my bambi boy.” 

“your bambi boy huh?”, heeseung realises he can never be angry with his pretty girl when he melts the second he hears his nickname by you, pressing a small kiss on your cheeks and pulling you in. 

“you want it to be somebody else?”, you smirk.

“hey!” 

PARK JONGSEONG keeps a steady frown on his face, watching you finish up your pastry. he's not the type to sulk over things, if there's any problem the first thing he does is talk it out with you, and maybe have a small ice cream date later. but it's been 4 days now, that stupid frown won't leave his face, accompanied with his cold replies, even on this café date!

“is something bothering you these days?”, the fork softly clings against the plate, you try to hold in a giggle, “babe you know can tell me anything,” his sulky face is kinda cute.

“nope, i'm all good,” jay forces a smile. red flag, he's not calling you ‘love’.

“jay, you haven't even touched your pudding,” you sigh.

jay puts on a good serious thinking face, slowly withdrawing his hands from the table and releasing a deep sigh. this thing looks really serious. oh poor jay, what's wrong?

“well”, jay clears his throat before he goes off, “i really didn't think you were like this y/n i didn't expect this from you, if i did something wrong you could've just said that you know how much i love you i would do everything!”

“jay, what are you—”

“and the fuck kinda name's benjamin anyways? like hell we're not in the 19th century, y/n you could do better.”

oh. so that's what it's about. he thinks you're cheating on him, because you left your shared apartment for some benjamin guy for 3 days straight. you don't blame him though, you owe him an explanation.

“babe,” you sigh, “it's not what you think, remember benjamin? my cousin sister's child? i visit her to babysit him.”

“.....the one who called me uncle?”, jay's expression softens, instead he's shocked now.

“yeah!”, you giggle, putting your hand over his for comfort, shooting him a sorry look. “i hate that kid”, jay scoffs, you sigh.

SIM JAEYUN lets out a groan while he stares at the anime plushie in your arms. you're basically burying your face in it snuggling it, and if that wasn't enough the plushie is a man!

no way jake has to compete with a fictional man now.

“why do you need that ugly plushie when im here…”, jake whines, plopping down right beside you and scooting even closer, “am i not good enough?”

“did you just call toji fushiguro ugly?”, a frown casts upon your face as you whip your head around to shoot a glare at your boyfriend. poor him, he's too confused and jealous for this, he really wants to replace the plushie in your arms. “you're out of your mind jake.”

“i am in fact very willing to be out of my mind and be crazy for you,” jake rolls his eyes, shifting closer to you until there's only a pillow between you and him, which he soon throws away. the fresh smell of laundry and cologne floats from his sweatshirt and hits your nose, it always puts you at ease, and you miss the warm afternoons with him, just snuggling and all over each other, giggling over random past memories. “but i know for sure that plushie will…not do that for you,” jake breaks you from your trance.

“how about you show me that?”, you wink at him. heck, have you been staring at him too long?

“now you're talking”, jake smirks, snatching away the plushie from you as he sets it aside, practically throwing himself on top of you, engulfing you within his strong arms to press a series of kisses on your face, “fuck that ugly plushie.”

PARK SUNGHOON sighs, entering your shared bedroom with a bored face and arms folded. some obvious yet subtle signs he's disappointed by you, but the last disappointing thing you remember you did was eat his tiramisu. what crime have you committed now?

the bored expression quickly turns into a playful one as he clears his throat, tilting his head to one side, “are you resisting the urge to kiss and make up with me right now?”

“no not really”, you answer instantly, typing away on your laptop. but then you realised what he actually just said. with squinted eyes and a smile, you turn your head towards him, “kiss and make up? what exactly happened for us to do that?”

“i think it's about time you stop texting your best friend”, sunghoon sits down beside you giving you the meanest eye roll ever. he scoffs, “i don't get why she hates me and you don't do anything about it. it's like you two backbitch about me.”

“you won't believe it but i actually rant about you all the time to her”, you giggle, sunghoon's cheeks blooms from underneath, “she's sick of my extreme love for you.”

you let out a gasp as sunghoon pulls you in his lap, a coy smirk playing around his lips, “she should be. everyone should know i'm the best boyfriend in the world.”

you hook your arms around his neck and pull him closer, “so was the kiss and make up part just an excuse to kiss me.”

“maybe”, sunghoon chuckles, pulling you in for a chaste kiss, “who knows.”

KIM SUNOO stares straight into your phone screen, while listening to you ramble about your day and how it was. and when it glows to reveal the lock screen, sunoo feels infuriated.

“seriously now y/n, i can't believe this!”, sunoo's sudden shift in position causes your head, which was lying on his shoulders, to hit the bed frame, “like this is too much”, he seethes.

you utter a small ‘ouch’ and rub the hurt spot, a confused “what?” leaving your mouth, “wh-what do you mean?”

“you know what i mean, love”, he rolls his eyes, taking your phone and holding up the lockscreen in front of your face. it's not him. it's a random tv show character that he doesn't even know about. it should be him, it must be him, not a guy he doesn't know. “am i really being robbed of my wallpaper privileges?”, he sighs.

you let out a heavier sigh, putting up one of those smiles sunoo can't help but blush to. “don't you worry, love. maybe i don't want other girls to perceive my man. but if you're begging for it, i'll change it”, you giggle.

sunoo let's a sigh of relief and scoffs, “i'm not begging—”

“on one condition though, my head hurts!”

“aww come here, let me kiss it better”, he smiles, pulling you in again.

YANG JUNGWON literally just spawns right behind you as soon as the guy you're talking to at your friend's birthday party decides to make a move on you.

“go find someone who's not taken dude”, jungwon's eyes are green as he spits his words out, your waist already accompanied by his hand. the poor guy leaves in a hurry, not wanting to mess with the intimidating yang jungwon.

jungwon then turns to you, a shadow over his face, he's obviously upset about this, jealous even. “if you were that bored you could've called me”, jungwon mumbles.

“you were in the restroom, ‘won”, you sigh, placing a hand on his broad chest you pout, “are you…jealous—?”

“of course i'm jealous, i leave my pretty girl alone for one minute and some hipster comes and thinks he can have my girl?”, jungwon pauses for a moment to look into your cresent eyes looking up at him, you're smiling, “no. fucking. way.”

“well, it's good for you that i'm yours and only yours”, you reassure him, planting a soft kiss on his cheek and you have his breathtaking smile back. he grins at you before kissing you back, “now let's go home, i hate this party.”

NISHIMURA RIKI follows you around like a lost puppy after the dance class with his heart in shatters. just an hour ago, your dance teacher assigned partners for the upcoming festival. and it just looks like the universe is definitely not on riki's side cause you two were not paired.

“listen i'm gonna tell mrs. lee to make you my partner and i'm very sure she will listen, trust me! because you can't just—”

“riki, it's okay! it's just a project it'll be over till next week!”, you comfort your boyfriend ‘cause you know mrs. lee is a tough case, she won't crack at all. “besides, we'll be practising in the same hall.”

“exactly! that way that asshole can tease me how he got you”, riki sighs, plopping down on the benches, “i want to dance with you.”

“and i want to dance with you”, you sigh, sitting down beside him, “but you know mrs. lee would never rearrange.”

riki pulls you in a tight hug. he breathes in the vanilla scent of your hoodie before pulling back, gazing into your eyes, “if that dumbass holds you by your waist, i will go insane.”

“i won't let him do that”, you laugh, hitting his chest.

“can't we just drop out of this already? we can be the audience instead”, riki whines.

“i agree, kissing in the audience and booing them would be way better”, you nod your head. niki laughs, “you're the best girlfriend.”

© bywons, 2024. do not copy, translate or upload any of my works without my permission.

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[bubbles-for-all-of-us]

✨️Bodhi durran ✨️ that's it.

BUT ALSO

Imagine him being the most amazing boyfriend. I don't know if you have seen lockwood and co on Netflix but that scene where lockwood dresses Lucy's wounds and is looking dead ass deep in her soul smiling, my god bodhi material.

To get to my point if you could write a one shot of bodhi finding out you're injured and going ballistic to anyone that let her out of their sight and got hurt and then finding you trying to wrap your wounds and instantly going all soft and helping I would be forever in your debt

Ps. If you haven't watched lockwod and co it's absolutely worth it.

I haven't watched the show so if this isn't exactly how you pictured this, I apologize✨🤍

Worries

"Where is she?", Bodhi yanked onto one of the recruits, who was in the same formation as you, shirt up. The poor lad looked like he was about to shit himself at best as he stumbled over words. The thing was... Bodhi was fun and games until he wasn't. And that wasn't part come a lot sooner than expected. Considering that the past weeks of him being a section leader had been rather calm. But that sorry fuck just had to show off. Had to break formation. Had to try to prove his piss poor ego and get you hurt.

"You're speechless all of a sudden?", Bodhi shook the guy in his grip, "Answer the goddamn question before you end up like a roasted chicken on the solstice table". You could hear a pin dropping in the background that's how silent the squad had gotten. "I think I saw her entering the building", some other recruit cut in. Bodhi narrowed his eyes, "You think or you saw?", shoving the quivering male he stepped aside sizing everyone up.

"You weak shits better listen and better listen well", he practically growled through gritted teeth. His first instinct was to run after you. He saw the blood gushing from your hand after the coalition. But he also knew his title. Causing a bigger scene than necessary would only turn heads your way. And neither of you needed that. Neither of you wanted to become a target leading to one another. "If any of you will ever do anything similar to what Marco did today", Bodhi grunted. Gods, he felt like Xaden. "I will skin you myself and believe me your dragons will smoke you alive. Dismissed", he practically roared as the recruits hurried away. Bodhi ran a slightly shaky hand through his hair.

"She is up in your room", the voice made Bodhi jolt slightly. Garrick was leaning against one of the pillars. "I passed her, she's fine, man", Garrick continued to speak since Bodhi just stood there, "You did well here too. More and more like our beloved Xaden every day". He knew it was a dig. The two cousins had been compared ever since their interactions were brought to the daylight. "Why don't you go fuck yourself", Bodhi grunted as he walked past his friend. "Gets boring after a while", Garrick chirped in return. Bodhi simply snarled but that of course earned a satisfied chuckle from Garrick.

"Show it to me", the sudden bag of the door practically hitting the wall and the raised voice made you drop the blood-soaked rag. You knew Bodhi was gonna find you eventually. Your dragon was practically counting the minutes for you ever since you had flown back first and dismounted. "Bodhi, it's okay", you tried to keep your voice calm. The wound wasn't all that bad it was the angle and the damaged tissue of the skin that caused it to bleed so much. "Don't you it's okay, me", he grunted, "Show me", his voice was lethal low. He never used that tone with you. It was his section leader's voice. The voice he gave a report in. But it never was showcased around the people he trusted and cared for.

"There's nothing to look at it's...", "I didn't ask, I gave you an order", he cut in, grabbing your upper arm gently so he could look at the damage himself. Bodhi's eyebrows knitted together for a moment, his jaw flexed. "Sit", he muttered motioning towards the bed. "Bodhi", you breathed out. "Baby, I swear to everything holy to me", he exhaled a shaky breath, "you either sit or I am carrying to the healer's wing and will put you on bed rest for a week". You huffed at his threat but you knew that he wasn't bluffing so you followed his orders.

Bodhi was so gentle as he carefully wiped away some of the blood before pressing a clean bandage on your cut, securing it in place. Make sure it's tight for a couple of hours before the bleeding slows down. He would redo it in a couple of hours. Wash it off with a salve he would go ask for. Then another bandage. Then... "Bodhi, I can hear you making plans in your head", you muttered. It was cute watching him fuss at times. It was his way of showing love but you also knew that his head was a wild space and it only took one bad thought to have it all spiraling out of control. "Does it hurt a lot? Do you need something for the pain?", he asked, his concerned eyes searching yours. "Start by giving me a hug and then sit down with me", you said softly, "I promise, I'm fine". You reached out for him, taking his hand into yours, squeezing it.

"I just hate seeing you hurt", Bodhi breathed out, his shoulders drooping. "The feeling is mutual but there are times we can't do anything about it", you reached to run your fingers through his messy curls. That now was completely out of control since he no doubt had been pulling at them. "Do we have a murder scene in the backyard?", you nudged your boyfriend's shoulder, making him snort. "Not yet but we might...", Bodhi exhaled, turning to face you.

"You promise you're okay?", you met his worried gaze but this time instead of answering him you just leaned in and kissed him. Slowly and tenderly. Letting him feel your love. "Good enough proof?", you asked when you two finally broke apart. "Not sure... maybe a couple more kisses", Bodhi thoughtfully nodded his head. You giggled slightly before cupping his face once more.

[peakyswritings]

Heart, Body and Soul || Tommy Shelby x OC

PART XI

Summary: the situation complicates further as Tommy’s stay in Sicily nears its end. It’s time for conversations, and things that have been buried for too long are brought to the light.

Warnings: mentions of arranged marriage, slow-burn, small age-gap (Tommy’s 30, Nina is in her early 20s), time-typical misogyny, references to past attempted assault, harassment, violence, angst, English is not my first language. This chapter is 18+, smut (I’m still not used to writing it but here we go). This is set between season 1 and 2.

Like in some previous chapters, some conversations are supposed to be in Italian but for obvious reasons I kept them in English.

A/N: sorry this is really long. I hope it makes up for the wait!

PREVIOUS CHAPTER

SERIES MASTERLIST

Dividers credits

Tommy’s proposal to Agnese had brought quite the hustle in the Ferrante’s property. A stream of relatives and friends had been coming to congratulate the new couple in the past few days, and people continuously came and went to make the arrangements for the wedding - or simply pry in the family business. And with the engagement party being held that night, it was impossible for Nina to step out of the house without bumping into some caterer or seamstress or, if she was particularly unlucky, some cantankerous old aunt who would stray away from her as if she were the Devil incarnated.

Her mood, which was already dark to begin with, had considerably worsened, forcing her to withdraw into isolation to avoid all possible conflict. She was easily irritated, she couldn’t stand her mother’s complaints, her father’s deceitfulness, her brothers’ haughtiness, and she couldn’t help herself from talking back or snapping when something bothered her. She could tell they were fed up with her insolence, that she was treading on thin ice, but she drew a twisted satisfaction from getting on their nerves. It was the only way she had to get back at them for the hell they were putting her through. Her role in the family, the impossibility of being something more than she was expected to be, the threat of a forced marriage with Stefano that was becoming less of a prospect and more of a certainty with each day that passed. And now that. Having to watch as the marriage between Tommy and Agnese took form, pretending with her cousin she was genuinely happy for her.

It was tearing her apart from the inside. At this point, Nina couldn’t wait for them to get married, so that Tommy would leave her house, her country, and set her free from the deep ache she felt every time he was near. It would be difficult, at first, but in time she’d forget about him, about the way he made her heart race, about how safe she felt in his arms.

“I’m going over to aunt Rita,” her mother hastily walked into the kitchen, holding a sewing box in her hands. “I’m helping her embroider the bedsheets for the trousseau.”

“Mhm.” Nina merely raised her eyes from the book she was pretending to read. Hearing about bedsheets and trousseaus was the last thing she needed in that moment, especially if it had to become yet another excuse to reproach her for not having the intention to get married anytime soon.

All of a sudden the book was soon snatched from her hands. When she raised her gaze, her mother was looking at her with a stern look on her face.

“Your friend has been invited to the party,” she said bitterly, as though the matter was somehow her daughter’s fault.

Nina’s heart fell to the pit of her stomach. It didn’t take a genius to understand who said friend was.

“The whole Spinietta family has been invited,” Maria went on, slamming the book on the table.

She swallowed harshly, the implications of that gesture rapidly sinking in. “Are you serious?”

“I warned you,” her mother pointed a finger at her. “If you had listened to me, maybe it would’ve been Angelo, not him.”

Nina rolled her eyes. Again with her friend’s son. What did she want, to put a death sentence on the poor man? She grabbed the cup of tea that had grown cold in front of her, and got up to pour its content in the sink.

“Did I tell you he’s a teacher?” Maria started again. “I bet he acts all intellectual just like you.”

“If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll intellectualise away from me. Unless he wants to get on the Spiniettas’ bad side, that is. Or dad’s.” She started to aggressively scrub the cup, taking out her anger on the fragile item. “And who says he’d be interested in me anyway?”

Her mother looked at her as if a second nose had grown on her face. Despite her unusual behaviour, Nina carried herself well, looked nice, had an education that most girls could only dream of. Her Italian was outstandingly clean, almost devoid of dialectal influences, and clear. Her brain worked incessantly, she had complex thoughts, and it was often difficult to keep up with her. Not to mention how she managed to give even men twice her age a hard time with the sole power of her words.

“Why wouldn’t he?”

“Maybe he’d find me ugly,” Nina shrugged, “or stupid.”

“You’re my daughter, you can’t be ugly or stupid.”

Nina let out a sigh, drying her hands on a towel. There was no point in arguing. In those situations, it was better to let her mum vent until she got tired of talking with a stone wall and gave up.

Maria dropped the sewing box on the table with a thud. Once she had her daughter’s attention back in her, she started speaking again, a grave expression on her face. “I don’t think you understand the situation you’re in. If your father says yes to Stefano, then he won’t be able to say no anymore,” she said lowly. “You need to act before he says yes.”

“He can’t force me.”

If her father really decided to go through with it, she’d drop the bomb on him that she wasn’t a virgin anymore. Maybe she could do it in front of Stefano, for the pleasure of watching his smug grin disappear from his face. Would she be irremediably deemed as a whore? Yes. Would she bring shame upon her whole family? Absolutely. It would still be better than being Spinietta’s wife.

“You can’t change my mind on this, mum,” she concluded in a tone that didn’t leave any room for discussion.

Her didn’t mother didn’t reply, but the disapproval was clear on her face.

“You know what?” Maria picked up the box from the table again and put it under her arm with a nervous gesture. “I don’t care. Do what you want,” she said sharply, leaving the kitchen.

As soon as she heard the front door closing, Nina exhaled deeply. That was another issue she’d have to deal with, apparently. She wasn’t sure her mother would give up so easily, and she was scared she’d try to act behind her back like her father was.

Her father. Her blood boiled in her veins as her mind went back to the reason why the argument she had just gotten out of had started in the first place. It was time to talk to him, to make it clear that she would never accept to marry that bastard, that she didn’t need time to decide cause she had already made up her mind. The sooner they had that conversation, the sooner all that would end. Hopefully.

Animated by a fiery resolution, Nina strode through the house with large, quick steps. She didn’t pay attention to her brothers, who were heading to the kitchen to have breakfast, nor to Tommy, who was waiting in the large hallway for her father to let him in, and was now looking at her with a puzzled look on his face.

She stormed in her father office, slamming the door behind her. He raised his head from the papers he was signing, looking at her questioningly, but not without a hint of reproach for bursting into his private room without even knocking.

“What does this mean?” Her voice came out more high-pitched than she intended. She stopped in front of the dark wooden desk, forcing him to pay attention to her.

“What are you talking about?”

“You know what I’m talking about.”

Her father leaned back in his chair, rolling his cigar between his fingers, keeping his oblivious facade. A new wave of rage ran through Nina, but she was careful to contain it. “You invited the Spinietta family to the engagement party,” she explained through gritted teeth.

Unimpressed by her accusations, he stubbed out his cigar, then folded is hands on his lap. “The Spiniettas are close friends of ours,” he said calmly.

“Right,” she let out a humourless laugh. “You became pretty close over the last month.”

“Business is growing.”

“Ah,” she nodded, raising her eyebrows. “Business.”

Her father clenched his jaw, and from the way his shoulders had stiffened she could tell he knew exactly where the conversation was going. And that he didn’t like her mocking tone.

“Is there a problem, Nina?”

“You tell me. Is there something going on that could be a problem for me?”

She wanted to hear it from him. She wanted him to admit it out loud. She was tired of being treated like she was crazy, like she was imagining things. She wanted honesty.

Vincenzo pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes as if hit by a sudden headache. “I need to talk to Mr Shelby, can we-”

“You’re talking to me,” Nina said firmly, raising her voice.

Her father straightened his back, leaning with his elbows on the wooden surface in front of him. He fixed his gaze on her, his features hardening with austerity. “Mind how you speak to me, I’m your father,” he warned her.

“So I should stay quiet while you make decisions about my life,” she spat out. The way he was trying to impose his authority on her just because he had no arguments to defend himself made her stomach churn.

“I’m not making decisions.”

“You are,” she slammed a hand on the the desk. “Do you really think I don’t know what you’re doing?”

Her father reached his hand out, keeping his voice still low. “Calm down.”

“I will not calm down!”

Ferrante took a deep breath, raising from his chair to properly speak to his daughter. If there was one thing he didn’t tolerate, it was disrespect, but getting angry wouldn’t work, not now, at least. It would only make Nina more stubborn. If he wanted her to listen to him, he needed to get his point across nicely.

“What do you want to do with your life?” he asked her, apparently changing the subject.

Nina furrowed her brows, taken aback by his question. She could sense he was trying to direct the conversation somewhere, and she was quick to pull herself together.

“I want to study,” she said steadily.

“You’ve finished school,” he countered.

“There’s university.”

“Women don’t go to university.”

Nina squinted her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. “Then I want to work.”

“Poor women need to work. Do you want to ruin your hands in a factory?”

A glimpse of irony flashed across his face. Once again, his purpose seemed to be to make her feel stupid, or naive, like she had no idea how the world worked. The thing was, he was right, to some extent. Nina had little experience, she didn’t know everything. But there were things she knew, things she didn’t like, and she wasn’t going to accept them just because that was how life was.

Vincenzo walked around his desk to approach her. He placed his hands on her shoulders, his expression softening. “I’m only worried about you,” he said. “About what your life will be like if you go on like this.”

“It’s my life, dad,” she whispered, feeling the tears well up in her eyes against her will. “Maybe you’re right, and I’m ruining myself with my own hands. But the choice is mine to make.”

Despite everything, she thought she could make him understand. There had to be a way to get through him, to make him see, she didn’t want to ruin the bond they had always had. Because she would make her own decisions either way, and she wished for him to support her. She needed him to support her.

“You’re my daughter. I can’t stand back and watch you do that to yourself,” he shook her slightly. “Let go of these fantasies, Nina. Real life is something else.”

Of course. How stupid of her to imagine that he could even try to understand. She shrugged his hands off, forcing back her tears. “You’re wrong.”

Her father nodded to himself, taking a step back. “We’ll see,” he simply said. “As for Stefano, I told you already. The choice is up to you, I’m not forcing you to do anything,” he reassured her, but his condescending tone had the opposite effect.

“You’re not forcing me to do anything, but that son of a bitch is always around.”

“Language.”

Nina scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. He didn’t see the point. He didn’t want to see the point. He only cared about business, about power. Why was she wasting her time?

She made her way towards the door, but she stopped in her tracks when her hand grabbed the handle. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke again, but she didn’t around to look at him.

“You’re making a mistake.”

Tommy watched as Nina strode out of Ferrante’s study with a face like thunder. He had heard the screams, but he hadn’t been able to make out what the fuss was about, the long sequence of Italian sentences unfamiliar to him.

Those kinds of arguments had happened frequently, over the last three days. Nina had become unmanageable - not that she had ever been the manageable type. But she had gotten worse. If someone so much as glanced at her the wrong way or said one word too many, she’d turn it into an excuse to fight. She was sensitive, and snappish, and she seemed to have lost the ability to put on her mask of coolness and indifference. As a way to heal his wounded ego, which still burned from the things she had said to him, he told himself it was a good thing she had rejected him. If she had the gall to talk back to her father like that, there was no doubt she’d act even worse with her husband, and he had enough headaches already. And for sure, he would’ve never wanted to be at the receiving hand of her temper.

Nina stopped in front of him, recollecting herself, and Tommy couldn’t not notice she radiated the same frigidity as when they had met for the first time. “My father wants to see you, Mr Shelby,” she said coldly.

Ah, now she called him Mr Shelby. As if she hadn’t been whimpering his name in his ear a few nights before.

“I think we’re way past the formalities, sweetheart.”

His remark was enough to make her falter. She blinked up at him, shocked by his bluntness.

“Way past,” he repeated, raising his eyebrows.

“Will you lower your voice?” she hissed, taking a look around to make sure no one was near.

Tommy held back a smirk at her flustered state. Her usual frown had deepened, and a tinge of red had crept up her cheeks. Had the situation between them been different, he would’ve gladly went on. He had to remind himself he wasn’t in the position to tease her anymore. Nina had said it very clearly, she didn’t care about him. What had happened between them had been a mistake, she regretted it. She regretted him.

Then why were her eyes telling a different story?

Nina huffed, tucking a rebel strand of hair behind her ear. “He’s waiting for you,” she murmured.

Her arm brushed against his as she walked past him, sending a spark of electricity through his whole body. Leaving him wondering when he had gotten to the point where the slightest contact threatened to make his self-control crumble.

Nina examined her figure in the mirror, a niggling uneasiness taking over her. She wasn’t used to doll herself up like that. She had put on a beautiful dress for the occasion, done her makeup, managed to tame her long hair, and she had half-hoped she would be happy with the result once she was done. However, in her silk dress, in her makeup, with her hair away from her face, Nina felt like a fraud. Ridiculous, even.

She had always been the ugly duckling of the brood. When her cousins had started to bloom into beautiful women, she was still all elbows and knees, drawing the petty comments of her aunts, poorly hidden behind harmless jokes. She remembered all too well the embarrassment she felt every time they pointed out her flat chest, joking about how if she cut her hair she could be mistaken for a boy. She was ashamed to admit that even though she wasn’t that gawky kid anymore, those words had stuck with her. She tried to convince herself she didn’t care about being pretty, that her mind was her primary concern, but the truth was, sometimes she wanted to feel pretty.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself and just pretend, she told herself, straightening her back. It was a little exercise she had trained herself to do over the years. Head high, impassive face, don’t let them get to you, act like you know exactly what you want, walk like you know exactly where you’re going. It worked, most of the times. Maybe if she pretended long enough one day she’d be able to convince herself as well.

Once ready, she crossed the upstairs floor of the house, reaching the separate corridor in which her parents’ bedroom was located. Her mother was standing in front of a full-length mirror, fixing some pins in her hair. Nina leaned against the doorframe, and allowed herself to stay in her company for a while.

Out of the comfortable clothes she used to wear, out of the kitchen, out of the restraints of her role as a wife and a mother doomed to annihilate herself, she looked years younger. The dress she was wearing was modest, elegant, and the dark blue shade perfectly complimented her complexion. The shadow of a rare genuine smile grew on her face as she put on her pearl earrings, mixed with an emotion Nina couldn’t quite recognise. She could almost swear there were tears in her eyes. Nina realised she didn’t even remember the last time she had seen her mother taking care of her appearance like that, and that finally having the chance to do it must be a source of melancholy as well as joy. Was that what a life dedicated to the care of a whole family had done to her? Had she forgotten herself to that degree?

“What are you looking at?” Maria asked gruffly, glancing at her daughter through the mirror.

How sweet. Nina pursed her lips to hide a sly grin, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “Nothing.”

Her mother frowned, smoothing down her dress, then she turned around to face her. She looked at the ground for a moment, then back at Nina, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. “How do I look?”

A pang of sorrow spread in Nina’s chest at the thought that her mother might feel anything else but beautiful. “Stunning, mum,” she said truthfully.

“Is this too much?”

“No,” she shook her head. “It’s perfect.”

The older woman turned to the mirror again, her features softening. “Go downstairs, tell your father I’m almost ready.”

Reluctantly, Nina mustered up the courage to get out of her hiding, mechanical step after mechanical step, like a man facing the gallows. She didn’t want to go. She didn’t want to feel her relatives’ judgmental stares on her. She didn’t want to see Stefano. She didn’t want to watch Tommy and Agnese be officially presented as a couple. Husband and wife. It made her feel sick. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Tommy standing on top of the staircase, checking the time on his pocket watch, handsome in his formal attire.

His head shot up upon hearing the sound of her footsteps, and for a while it felt like the whole world had stopped turning just for him to have that moment. That moment to look at her, to take in the sight of her in her long, light blue dress that enhanced her tanned skin; with her ebony hair pinned up, exposing her delicate neck and cleavage, instead of hiding her as usual.

“You…” Tommy’s breath hitched in his throat, his mouth dry. You’re beautiful.

He didn’t dare say it.

“Hi,” Nina murmured, fidgeting with her own fingers. She had no idea of what to do or say. Standing there and staring at him like an idiot was clearly not an option, so she decided to approach the stairs. But one look at the long series of steps was enough for her to understand that there was no way she could descend it in her heels without making a fool of herself. Had she been alone, she would’ve gripped the railing like her life depended on it and ungracefully stomped her way down.

As if he had read her mind, Tommy offered her his arm without uttering a single word. He limited himself to peering at her, his gaze indecipherable, intense. Nina accepted his help, trying not to think about how natural it felt to have her hand in the crook of his elbow as they climbed down the stairs. Her legs were shaking, probably not because of the shoes, and she just hoped she wouldn’t trip over her feet and ruinously fall on her face. When she walked down the last step, she realised she had been holding her breath the whole time.

“Thank you,” she whispered, letting go of his arm.

Tommy nodded, taking a step back.

He needed a drink - or possibly two or three - to give him the strength to get through the night. Now more than ever he felt like he was putting handcuffs around his wrists rather than a ring on his finger. He had been telling himself that everything was going reasonably well, that following the plan which had been made over a month before was the best thing to do. He was going to marry the woman they had chosen for him, a beautiful woman, who would make him look good. Agnese was sweet, and gentle. She would take care of the house, of him, give him children. He would have a good life with her. She would bring him peace, turn his house into a safe place away from the wickedness of his business.

Nina would’ve brought him the storm. With her, a life of confrontation, of compromise, maybe even conflict would’ve awaited him. He would’ve had to answer to her, to accept her sharp edges and the sides of her that weren’t easy to deal with.

No, he was lying to himself. Confrontation, compromise, conflict had been his daily bread since he was a kid. His restless nature had never cared for peace. His skin was thick enough not to get cut on her edges. And pain had never scared him anyway. But that didn’t matter. The wedding would be in two weeks, then he would leave that place behind. Leave Nina behind. He’d forget about her like he had forgotten about Grace. He had done it once, he could do it again. Even if he’d prefer to rip his heart out of his chest.

For the engagement party, Agnese’s family had chosen to celebrate in the garden that surrounded the two houses. Everything had been planned with the outmost care: there were tables, flowers, candles, waiters balancing trays of champagne, musicians playing mesmerising tunes. A whole team of chefs had been hired for the delicious dinner. Nina had been pleased to find out that she wouldn’t have to share the table with Stefano, this time, who had sat with his family and other guests far away from her. Nevertheless, she had barely touched her food. Her stomach was still twisted from the events of the day. Now she was standing aside, watching as some couples gathered to dance. Including Tommy and Agnese.

They were both beautiful. Exceptionally so. Agnese was radiant in her ivory dress, she glowed with the happiness of a girl who was about to see all her dreams come true. Tommy held her in his arms with great gentleness as they swayed to the rhythm, and despite the vicious bites of jealousy, Nina was unable to look away. He’d fall in love with Agnese, of that she was sure. Her cousin was stunning, and sweet, and caring, all things Nina was not. Tommy would fall in love with Agnese and realise how blind he had been for ever setting his eyes on someone like her.

A tall figure came to stand by her side, and she was engulfed by the smell of a strong cologne mixed with cigar smoke. The man exuded an aura of power, dominance, along with a calm that was nothing more than a cover for something far more dangerous, unpredictable. Vito Spinietta. Her body tensed, and she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest. Sending him a sideways glance, she was met with his calculating gaze. He was inspecting her, assessing her, searching for any weak point as though he could read into her.

“Good evening,” he said, not taking his eyes off her.

“Good evening.”

A heavy silence followed. Nina wasn’t a fool, she was aware that if Stefano’s brother had taken the trouble to go speak to her it wasn’t to make small talk. The heir to the Spinietta empire was too practical a man to waste his time on pleasantries, and certainly wasn’t there for the pleasure of her company.

“I know there’s no point beating around the bush with you,” he said, confirming her suspicions. “So I’ll be direct. I’m here on behalf of my brother.”

Nina tilted her head in amusement. Had it really become a family matter? Had a no on her part caused such commotion?

“Stefano’s a good guy,” he announced solemnly. “It’s just that sometimes he acts the wrong way.”

Nina had to hold back a dismissive laugh at his statement. A good guy. It was almost as pathetic as the excuse he had made up for his behaviour.

“What am I supposed to do with this information?”

“He cares about you.”

“So you’ve taken it upon yourself to play Cupid,” she said bitterly, with a little edge of sarcasm, earning herself a stern look. “It doesn’t suit you,” she shook her head, mocking him behind an expression that was meant to feign innocent honesty.

Vito raised his chin, reacting with silence to her insolent replies. “It would be good to unite the families, considering the circumstances,” he said instead. “And a rejection could be seen as…” he paused, searching her face. “An offence.”

His words had Nina knitting her eyebrows in a frown. He had pronounced them in an ambiguous, vague way, but she hadn’t missed the gloomy undertone. “Is this a threat?”

“What do you take me for?” he asked, clearly just pretending to be offended. “I’d never threaten a woman.”

He was playing the card of the man of honour. As if he and his brother hadn’t done even worse to the girls of the town. She had to say something now. Too long had she let Stefano scare her, she wouldn’t make the same mistake with Vito. The Spiniettas weren’t the only ones who got power, she came from a tough family as well, and she would no longer forget who she was.

“Listen,” she started, turning to properly look at him. “I’m not scared of you, or your brother, or your threats.”

Vito clenched his jaw, his mouth twisting into a grimace.

Nina took a step towards him, further decreasing the already short distance between them. “You two think you can do as you please because I am a woman?” she narrowed her eyes. “Think again. Cause one word from me and you’ll see your whole organisation fall around your ears.”

“Is this a threat?”

“It’s a promise.”

Nina wanted to see his mask slip. She wanted him to reveal himself, like Stefano had revealed himself not so long ago, when he had put his hands on her in her own house. She wanted him to give her a reason to draw her knife on him, there, in front of everyone. But Vito wasn’t Stefano. It would take a lot more to make him lose his composure.

Vito took a step back, observing her. He could see why his brother was so adamant on having her. Stefano had always loved a good challenge. He didn’t want someone obedient by nature, someone who would listen to his every command. He wanted someone difficult, someone he could take his time to bend. Or break. It would’ve taken way more than a few slaps to break that one.

Their conversation came to an end when Stefano walked up to Nina, holding out his hand to her. “Wanna dance?”

Nina took a look around. Her situation hadn’t gone unnoticed: most of the guests had been peering at her and Vito, trying to figure out what was going on, and now that Stefano had entered the picture, they were sending them subtle glances, waiting to see if Nina would’ve accepted his invitation. Her first instinct was to say no, but leaving him there in front of everyone would cause quite the stir, and surely take the attention away from the new couple. That was Agnese’s night, and she didn’t have the right to ruin it for her. Not after what she had already done. So she placed her hand in his, and unwillingly let him lead her to the dance floor.

His hand was light on her waist as he lead the dance, yet that contact felt heavy, violent. It made her skin crawl. She focused on the ground behind his shoulders, trying to ignore the weight of people’s stares on them. She was afraid to raise her head and find out Tommy was watching too.

It didn’t take her long to detach herself from her surroundings. She didn’t hear the music, she didn’t see the couples dancing around them, she was only uncomfortably aware of Stefano’s proximity, of the heat of his body, of the burning marks his hands seemed to leave into her flesh. He had the predatory eyes of a raptor as he scrutinised the uncovered parts of her body, taking on the appearance of a beast waiting for the right moment to bite.

“I love you, Nina,” he whispered in her ear, his tone pleading. “I want to make you happy. I want to give you everything.”

Nina could read it on his face. He did think he loved her, he was truly convinced that his sick obsession was love. It’s wasn’t merely a matter of wounded ego, he was sincerely hurt in his own, twisted way. And that was something that could potentially make him even more dangerous. A shiver ran down her spine, but she forced herself not to shy away, and she let him speak without interrupting him.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes with you, and I want to fix them. Let me make it right.” His arm tightened around her as he brought her even closer. “I can be good to you.” There was desperation now in his voice. Nina tried to put some distance between them, but he didn’t let her. “I can be good to you, and you can be good to me. I’ll teach you how to be good to me.” His fingers curled around her hand in a painful grip. “Think about what we could be together. Say yes.”

Nina squeezed her eyes, overwhelmed by his insistent touch, his urgent words; disgusted by the image of them living in the same house that had forced itself into her mind; repulsed by his eagerness to mould her.

The music ended, bringing them back to reality. Nina was relieved to be able to pull away from Stefano, whose grip had finally loosened. He was out of his mind if he thought she could ever forget what he had done to her. A wave of rage ran through her, but she was careful not to let it show. Straightening her back, she looked him dead in the eyes, and just one word left her mouth.

“No.”

Stefano’s face fell, disappointment and anger battling in his irises, and his fist clenched by his side. However, Nina didn’t stay there to wait for a reaction. She turned on her heels and walked away from him, from the dance floor, from the crowd of nosy guests. Her inner turmoil grew with every step, and her state of panic was such that she didn’t even realise she had entered her house. With an irritated huff, she hastily fumbled with her impractical shoes and left them at the entrance, then sought refuge in her bedroom.

She took some deep breaths, rubbing her face. It felt like the more she tried to fix things, the more she made them worse, and there was no way out of that endless cycle. What was she supposed to do? How was she supposed to act? Who was she supposed to beg to drag her out of that situation? Because it was becoming clearer and clearer that she wouldn’t be able to make it by herself. When had things taken that turn? Had there been a mistake, a single, fateful mistake she had made that had caused all of that? Or was it someone else’s fault? Or was it no one’s fault?

Too many questions, not enough answers. Racking her brains to find a pattern, to put order to the events was useless. They were too tangled, too intricate. It hadn’t started when she had made love with Tommy, nor when he had kissed her, nor when he had appeared in her life. It hadn’t even started when she had pointed a knife at Stefano’s throat, nor when she had let him get close to her all those years ago at school. Had it started, perhaps, when she had insisted on studying? Was it her punishment for wanting more than she could have? More questions, still no answers. The worst thing was, she couldn’t see a way out.

There was a soft knocking on the open door, and when Nina turned around Tommy was there. He looked exhausted, as if the evening had drained him of all his energy. It was unusual to see him like that, he wasn’t the kind of man who let his distress show. For the first time, she realised how much the whole marriage situation had taken a toll on him.

If the reasonable part of her wanted him to leave, the other - the one she seemingly had no control over - needed him close to her. It was absurd how reassuring his presence felt. Maybe that was what had drawn her to him in the first place. When everything around her was swirling, when there was nothing certain or reliable, Tommy was stable, solid. Something to hold on to.

Nina forced those thoughts away. She was losing her mind. Tommy was the least stable thing in her life. He wasn’t there to stay, he would leave in two weeks time and she would never see him again, except for a few occasions, like Christmas or maybe weddings. Indulging in that kind of fantasy would only make things harder.

“Is this your plan?” Tommy suddenly asked, a hint of accusation leaking out of his neutral tone. “Say yes to Spinietta?”

Nina felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over her, and her musings disappeared to give way to pure surprise. “What?” she asked in disbelief, widening her eyes.

“You heard me.”

“That’s ridiculous, I’d never do that.”

“Is that why you were dancing with him?” he raised his eyebrows, pointing at the door with his finger, as if Stefano were outside the room.

Nina shook her head, still not believing they were actually having that conversation. “You shouldn’t mix whiskey with champagne,” she said dryly, her voice coming out harsher than she had intended. But Tommy didn’t seem fazed by it.

“You looked rather intimate,” he noted with a touch of contempt, too upset to realise how preposterous his assumptions sounded.

Nina’s mouth fell agape. She hadn’t missed the inflection in his voice. Was he… jealous? She squinted her eyes, taking a step towards him. “What’s this?” she inquired.

Her question seemed to catch him off guard. He wavered, and an emotion difficult to define flashed across his features. It was more than simply pain. It was like all the resentment Tommy had harboured since that fateful afternoon was flowing out, inexorable, making him unable to think with a clear mind. Biting back was the only way he had to protect the feelings he had foolishly let show. Guilt ate at her stomach at the sight, and she had to remind herself she had done what she had done for him, before anyone else.

As if finally coming back to himself, Tommy clenched his jaw, and took on his usual, impassive expression. “I can’t believe you,” he murmured. “After everything he’s done to you.”

Nina nervously fidgeted with her fingers, not knowing how to make him see that he couldn’t be more wrong. Did he think so little of her? “I’m not..” she trailed off, torn between her sense of guilt and her pride. The latter took the upper hand. She frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. “You have no right to lecture me.”

“True,” he nodded. “I have no right. Cause what happened between us was a mistake and you don’t care about me.”

That was the point. That had always been the point. Tommy thought she had cruelly played him, maybe even used him, just to discard him when she didn’t want him anymore. She exhaled deeply, not meeting his eyes. “It’s not like that.”

“It’s not like that,” he let out a humourless chuckle. “You said it, you’re taking it back now?”

“Stop it.”

“Eh?” Tommy’s voice raised, overlapping hers. “Are you taking it back?”

“I said stop.”

“You said-”

“I lied!” she snapped.

A tense silence fell in the room. Tommy blinked, and all the bitterness faded from his features. “Wha… what?” he stuttered, a confused frown forming on his face.

Nina didn’t regret her admission. She was so tired of pretending, of lying, of hurting him, and saying it out loud lifted a weight off her shoulders.

“I lied,” she repeated, more softly. “I never meant to hurt you. I…” her voice cracked. “I did it to protect you. To protect both of us.” There was no going back now. Her walls had been breached, and the words she had fought hard to keep to herself were leaving her lips before she had the chance to measure them. “Do you have any idea how much we’re risking? I’m risking? We talked about it, I told you how these things work.”

Tentatively, Tommy broke the distance between them, taking her chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting her head up. “Is this what you’re scared of?” he asked incredulous, searching her face frantically, his frown deepening. “I’d never let anything bad happen to you. I’d never let anyone lay a fucking finger on you. You hear me?”

Nina believed him. He would stand between her and harm’s way without a second thought. But that was the problem. She took his hand in hers, rubbing her thumb over it before pulling it away from her face. “And what about you?”

“What?”

“Do you really think you could’ve changed your mind? That they would let you, at that point? You made your decision when you started courting Agnese.”

“Maybe they would’ve understood-”

“No. Her father would’ve wanted your head for humiliating his daughter. The deal would’ve been off and you would’ve been six feet underground in a matter of hours.”

And I’d never be able to forgive myself if something happened to you because of me, she wanted to add.

Tommy didn’t reply, but the pain in his eyes spoke for him. He knew she was right.

Nina gently stroked his cheek. “We never had a chance,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “And I’m not worth starting a war over.”

Tommy squeezed his eyelids, shaking his head as if to chase that unbearable thought away. Then, impetuously, he kicked the door shut and crushed his lips against hers. The force of the kiss knocked Nina’s breath out of her lungs, but she was quick to wrap her arms around his neck, pressing their bodies together.

Tommy backed her towards the dresser behind her, then he hoisted her up in his strong arms and sat her on it. A groan left his lips when Nina hooked a leg around him, bringing him even closer. His hands roamed down to her hips, gripping, squeezing, his tongue exploring her sweet mouth. He relished her warmth, her scent, her soft hands caressing his face, trying to imprint every little feeling into his memory. He wanted her, in the most raw, primal way. Because it was the only way he had to have her. Or at least, to delude himself he did. She was like water in his hands, she slipped through his fingers again and again, never letting him hold her, never letting him keep her. But with his fingers digging in her skin, she almost seemed real.

Pulling away to catch his breath, Tommy dropped his forehead into her neck, grabbing her waist. “You’re killing me,” he said, his voice hoarse. “You’re fucking killing me.”

Tears began to stream down Nina’s cheeks. She felt like the worst person alive. She was causing so much pain, to him, to herself. She gently stroked the back of his head, sniffling. “You should go,” she compelled herself to say, although in that moment she wanted nothing more than for him to stay. “They’ll notice your absence.”

“They’re all drunk, they won’t,” he contradicted her.

“Agnese will.”

“She’s with her sisters.”

“But-”

Tommy’s head shot up to look at her, silencing her with his icy glare. “Fuck them,” he husked, wiping away her tears.

Fuck them.

Their mouths collided again. Blood rushed through Nina’s veins as Tommy kissed her hungrily. She could feel him everywhere, she was completely enveloped by him, by his smell of soap, whiskey and cigarettes, by the feeling of his rough hands, and yet she wanted more. She wanted to crumble and be brought into a new existence, to melt in his arms and become one heart, one body, one soul.

They only parted so she could help Tommy get free of his jacket. He was back on her right away, leaving a trail of kisses from her neck down to her chest, his teeth grazing the soft skin from time to time, making goosebumps ripple down her skin. He impatiently lifted her dress, fingers brushing against her smooth legs. More free to move, Nina allowed him more space, and her insides clenched with desire when she felt the bulge in his trousers against her.

Tommy’s hand ghosted over her clothed sex, making her squirm in anticipation. “Tommy,” she moaned, urging him to touch her where she needed the most. Pushing her underwear to the side, he slid two digits into her wet entrance, coaxing a sinful, beautiful sound out of her lips. Nina held onto his shoulders as he started to move his fingers, squeezing her eyes shut.

“Look at me,” Tommy commanded, cupping her chin with his free hand. Her eyelids fluttered open, showing him her glossy eyes filled with pleasure, causing his cock to painfully twitch.

He pumped his fingers in and out of her, working her open, eliciting small gasps from her that threatened to make him lose his mind. His thumb went to stroke her clit, the unexpected motion making her yelp.

Fuck, she was so beautiful.

“Tommy, please…” she whispered, clutching the soft material of his shirt. “I need you.”

She didn’t need to say it twice. Wasting no time, Tommy slid his fingers out of her to get rid of her knickers, discarding them somewhere on the floor, then fumbled with his trousers, finally freeing himself from all restraints. He grabbed Nina’s thighs, pulling her closer to the edge of the dresser so he could position himself between her folds, then he entered her with one swift thrust, burying himself inside of her. Nina hid her face in his shoulder, one hand coming to cup the nape of his neck, the other clutching the fabric of his shirt. Tommy began to rock his hips, firmly yet slowly, giving her the time to adjust to the feeling of him stretching her walls.

Nina clung onto him as if he could shield her from the unknown, as if he were a shelter, a place where she could forget, even for a moment, the uncertain future that awaited her. A future she tried to escape from, but the more she ran, the more she found it on her heels, ready to catch her, to drag her into the darkness that had been threatening her for years.

Tommy’s pace quickened, becoming more desperate, almost brutal, arms wrapped around her waist, bringing every inch of their bodies together. Nina was surprised to find that was exactly what she needed in that moment. It kept her anchored to him and only him.

“You feel so good,” Tommy growled, digging his fingers in her flesh, and her cheeks burned at his words.

He set a merciless rhythm, pounding into her with sharp thrusts. Nina barely recognised the sounds that were coming out of her, but she was too lost in her pleasure to be worried about them. Breath hitched in her throat when he reached a particular spot that made her see stars, and he hit it again and again, drawing shaky whimpers out of her. With each minute that passed she felt closer and closer to her release, and Tommy must’ve been aware of that too. She let out a strangled noise when he brought a finger to her swollen clit, the fire in her abdomen too much to bear.

“C’mon, love,” he rasped. “Cum for me.”

He drew small circles on her sensitive bud, pushing her over the edge. Her walls fluttered around his cock, shockwaves gripping her body as she came undone. Tommy kept on thrusting into her, hips ruthlessly snapping as he chased his climax, until with a last, powerful thrust, he emptied himself inside of her, grunting in her ear.

For a while, neither of them moved. They stayed in each other’s embrace, panting, savouring that ephemeral semblance of peace. Nina nuzzled her cheek against his, the comforting scent of his aftershave filling her nostrils. Neither of them seemed to intend to let go first.

God, she didn’t want to let him go. Before she could control them, tears filled Nina’s eyes again, and she tried her best to prevent them from falling. Why did it have to be so hard? Why did she have to fall for the one man she could never have? Why did her happiness have to cause so much damage? The most irrational part of it was that despite all of that, being in his arms felt like the rightest thing in the world. They perfectly moulded together like they had been created just fit into each other’s arms, to fill each other’s voids. Nothing she had ever felt could compare to it.

Eventually, they moved apart. They fixed their clothes in silence, pulling themselves together as best they could. Not that Nina cared at all. There was no way she was going back to the party. No one would notice anyway.

“Go,” she whispered, brushing away a strand of hair that had fallen on his forehead. “They must be looking for you.”

Tommy gently cradled the back of her head, pressing a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll come to you later,” he promised.

Nina nodded, forcing herself to smile. But tears started flowing as soon as she watched him walk out the door.

NEXT CHAPTER

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@50svibes @bellabarnes1378

[phoward89]

Banner by me, dividers by @saradika-graphics

Based on this ask

I'm sorry in advance for murdering your feels with this sad, angsty, heartbreaking story.

Anyways....have fun reading

Heartless

Pt 1

You loved your boyfriend, Coriolanus. Maybe you even loved him too much. So when you discovered the truth about him…

Well…it devastated you.

It broke your heart into a million pieces.

On the day that you made a life changing discovery, one that was supposed to be happy, you got a reality check that gave you whiplash so hard that you didn't know what was what anymore.

After your doctor's appointment you went home to the penthouse that you shared with Coriolanus and his grandmother, Grandma’am. His cousin, Tigris, had moved out a little while back; she lives in a condo above her boutique now.

When you entered the penthouse, you saw that Ma Plinth was sitting, waiting for you, with a little platter of ginger cookies on the glass coffee table. “How was your appointment? I hope you're feeling better.” The mother of your late friend, Sejanus, warmly remarked.

“My appointment went well; I'm feeling better now too.” You kindly smiled at the middle-aged woman who reminded you so much of her son with her kind smile. “Thank you for watching Grandma’am. Coriolanus doesn't like her to be alone too much and I just had to get to my appointment.” You gratefully told her while making your way over to the coffee table to grab a cookie.

Ma Plinth stood up, only to gesture to a brown paper wrapped package on the table. “A package arrived while you were gone.”

You grabbed a cookie.l, taking a small nibble off it. “Oh, thank you for bringing it in. I'll put it in Coryo's study for him.”

“Oh, Y/N, it's not for him. It's addressed to you.” The dark-haired woman informed you before waving goodbye and showing herself out.

You had a package?That's odd. You never get packages or mail in general.

Everything gets sent to Coriolanus since he has all the bills and the house registered under his name.

You were curious about the package, so you put your cookie down on the tray and picked up the brown parcel.

You read your name and address on the package, but the space for a return address was left blank. You thought that was odd, but shrugged it off.

Curiosity got the better of you; you opened the parcel only to find a letter and a tape. An audio tape.

You unfolded the letter and read it.

Miss Halvir,

I'm writing you this letter because your dear Mr. Snow is not the man you believe him to be.

He is not a man that takes his…say…oaths and promises seriously. He is a heartless man incapable of feelings.

Most of all love. I know you believe him to love you, but listen to me when I say, my dear, that he does not in fact love you.

Coriolanus Snow is cut from the same cloth as his father. A cold, callous man that sees order as a way to balance the wildness of the world.

He sees all the world as an arena with two types of people in it.

Victors and the unfortunate souls that are not strong enough to survive and become a victor.

You, girl, are no victor, but he is.

Coriolanus Snow is.

And he will do anything to get ahead in this world. Including selling out his only friend. His best friend. One Sejanus Plinth.

In this package I have placed a copy of the recording that was played during Private Plinth’s date with the noose. Please listen to it in private.

It will shed some light on the man you falsely believe to love you.

I would hate for something to happen to you, like it did poor Sejanus Plinth, because of misplaced trust in one Coriolanus Snow.

Your hands shook as you put the letter down.

I'mYou couldn't believe what you just read.

It couldn't be true. It just couldn't be.

You worried your bottom lip, turning the small audio tape over and over in your hand. You were scared to hear what was on it.

But you knew that you had to listen to it. So, you went over to the stereo, but it in, and pressed play.

What you heard on that tape made your heart stop. Every word exchanged between Sejanus and Coryo made you sick. The dead boy trusted the blonde, only to be secretly recorded and betrayed by him.

It was too much to handle.

If Coriolanus could do that to sweet Sejanus then what could he do to you?

You knew what you had to do. You couldn't stay with him; you had to pack your bags and go back to your mother's apartment. At least you'd be safe back home with your mother; safety's all that matters right now.

You can ignore that shattering pain of your heart breaking as long as your safe.

“Darling, I made reservations for dinner tonight at the Capitol Grille for 7.” You heard Coriolanus call out to you from the foyer as you finished packing the last of your things in your bags.

Well, the Capitol Grille was a very high end steak house where the menus didn't have price tags printed on them. It was also a place that you needed to put in a reservation ahead of time; somebody just couldn't walk in or call same day to get a table.

People waited weeks, sometimes even months for a table. Hmph, and knowing that Coryo's using Strabo Plinth’s money to snag a table and eat a 3 course meal that cost more then most people's pay in the districts disgusted you.

Oh god. The way he got the Plinths family fortune made you want to run away from him and never look back.

Main reason why you were zipping up your bag whenever Coriolanus entered you- no his bedroom.

“Darling why don't you wear-” He began to say, only to stop mid sentence and ask, “Going somewhere?”

“Yea.” You nodded. “I'm moving back in with my mother.” You looked up from your bag, only to see the platinum blonde arching a puzzled brow at you.

“Why're you going down to the 8th floor? Is she sick” Coriolanus couldn't help, but think that all your mother's chain smoking had finally gotten to her.

Yes, Coriolanus smokes socially; even has cigars with the high power playing politicians during certain events and dinners, but it wasn't anything that's damaging to his health.

Hell, he thinks breathing in all the chemicals in Dr. Gual’s lab’ll destroy his lungs first.

“I can't be with you anymore, Coriolanus. I'm breaking up with you; moving back home.”

“WHAT?!” The platinum blondr shouted so loud that you thought your eardrums busted.

Slinging you duffel over your shoulder and grabbing the handle to your rolling suitcase, you simply told him, “You heard me. I’m leaving you.”

His icy blue eyes flashed with anger and a hint of something else as he stormed over to you. “You're not going anywhere, Y/N.” He ordered, grabbing your suitcase out of your hand.

You yanked your suitcase, trying to snatch it away from him. “Give it back, Coriolanus. I need it “

“You don't need it because you're not leaving.” The cold hearted man that you once believed was capable of loving you said while slinging your suitcase across the room. “Now behave and get dressed. I got reservations for us at-” began pulling the strap of your duffel off of your shoulder l, only for you to snatch the bag back and interrupt him with, “I'm not going to dinner with you tonight or any other night. Not anymore, Coriolanus.” Feeling yourself ready to cry, you started walking away from him.

As long as you didn't look at him you'd be fine.

“We're done. Just go find something else you can pretend to love.” You remarked, walking out of the bedroom.

You made it roughly 3 feet down the hall, only to hear the heavy footfalls of your ex’s black floor shines echoing against the marble floor. Coriolanus stopped you dead in your tracks when he grabbed your upper arm. Spinning you around to look at him, he made to sell you the charming lie of, “Y/N, after being together since our Academy day, I'm not pretending to love you. I do love you.”

Shaking your head, you let out a tiny cackle of, “You're so full of shit. You know that?” You snapped your arm, causing his hold on it to break. Your fingers tightly clutched the strap of your duffel bag as you revealed, ‘I know what you did to sweet Sejanus and how you're exhorting his wall meaning parents.”

His baby blues turned into saucers. For once, the stoic and well masked man looked like he was frazzled.

Looks like you caught him off guard; you confronted him with truths he didn't want to share with you.

Coriolanus reached out for you, but you took two large steps back. Running a hand thru his hair, the platinum blonde looked at you as if you chucked his car out of the penthouse window. “I don't know what you think I did, darling, but let me explain everything.” His tone was dripping with a fake promise.

You knew that he wouldn't tell you the truth. He'd just tell you another one of his lies.

Heartless bastard.

And to think that you wasted nearly 5 years with his ass. You've been by his side since you were 16 years old, only to find out now that everything was a lie.

He never loved you. He never cared.

Hell, the only reason Coriolanus is with you is because the songbird went missing.

Yea…

Now you're thinking that the friendly act he was putting on with his tribute, Lucy Gray, wasn't an act at all. Now you realize he was cheating on you with her and you were too damn stupid to see it.

And to think that you faithfully wrote him and called him when he was a peacekeeper stationed in 12.

You should've listened to your mother and gone out with Sejanus instead. Maybe if you would've accepted his advance he'd still be alive..your friend wouldn't have followed the devil out to District 12 only to be betrayed and sent to the noose.

Too late now. What's done’s done.

But you do wish that you didn't fall in love with somebody who can never love you. Someone so evil.

So heartless.

“Nothing you say to me’s going to make me stay with you, Coriolanus.”

“Can you stop calling me Coriolanus and call me Coryo, like you always do?” Coriolanus asked with a pitiful look in his eyes. You're positive it's fake since he's incapable of feeling anything, other than hate and greed.

“I got a package in the mail today addressed to me; inside was the tape that you recorded of Sejanus. The one that got him hanged.”

Coriolanus' breath caught in his throat and his palms began to sweat. How did somebody send you the copy? He thought that only Dr. Gual has access to that.

She wouldn't send it to you. In fact, she keeps her records well under lock and key; would never part with them.

Looks like one of the interns he replaced in Dr. Gaul's lab is out to make his life hell because he took their coveted internship.

Coriolanus know that he had to calm you down; get you to put your bag down and get changed into a nice dress so he could take you out for dinner.

Damnit, he had something special planned, even got permission from Dr. Gaul to leave the lab early, so you needed to stop looking at him like a monster. He needed you to look at him with love again and quick, otherwise his dinner plans are going to go up in smoke.

“Y/N, I know you think that I betrayed Sejanus, but I didn't. I meant for the tape to reach Strabo, so that he could buy Sejanus an honorable discharge, but it didn't happen that way. The tape was never given to Strabo, it was used as evidence against our friend instead.” Coriolanus told you, foolishly thinking that you'd believe his twisted half truth. Well, they say the best lies are half truths.

Your nostrils flared angrily at hearing the snake in front of you call Sejanus his friend. Sejanus was your friend, not his. Coriolanus wasn't able to have real friends because he couldn't love anything.

Well the only things he loved were money and power, but that didn't count because those aren't people. Those are objects; possessions.

Before you could blink, you slapped Coriolanus across his smooth shaven cheek. “You don't get to call him your friend. Not after you got him killed.”

“You think I'm not haunted by that? That I don't have nightmares of Sejanus screaming out for his Ma; the mockingjays perched on the hanging tree repeating his frightened last cries before flying away?” Coriolanus rhetorically asked, only to give the false confession of, “I broke down crying at my bunk after helplessly watching my brother die, so don't stand here and tell me that I'm not sorry or that I killed my best friend on purpose because I didn't.”

“Oh, Coriolanus l, don't go there. I know for a fact you sleep like a baby every night.” You scoffed.

Shaking your head, you spun round and stormed down the hall.

Coriolanus was hot on your heels. His velvety words of, “Please, darling, don't be rash. Don't throw away 5 years over a tape you received in the mail.”

“I'm not throwing anything away, Coriolanus. As it turns out, those 5 years were all an act for you.” You stormed right into the main room and over to the foyer. Looking at him from over your shoulder as you reached the door, you gave him the famous last words of, “I’m glad I found out you’re heartless; will never love me before when there's still time to get away from you.”

Coriolanus just stared at the door after you slammed it shut. His anger was festering in his chest; he wanted to kill whoever sent you that tape.

Damnit!

There goes his plans for tonight.

He better call the restaurant and cancel the reservation; call up Tigris and let her know that he doesn't need her to stay with Grandma’am tonight because he's not taking Y/N out for dinner anymore.

Looks like he's stuck ordering something in for him and Grandma'am. He wonders if he should give her back that heirloom ring of hers or if he should just keep it; shove it to the back of his sock drawer.

Grandma’am is old and her memory’s started to fade; if he tries to give her the ring back it might put her into one of her nonsense ramblings.

No, he'll keep the ring.

He'll give you some time to cool off; then he'll shower you with jewelry and roses to soften you up.

Once you were softened up, he'd talk some sense into you. Get you to come home.

If you thought that breaking up with Coriolanus Snow would be easy, well, you were wrong. It was the hardest thing you did in your entire life.

And you know why?

Because he wouldn't leave you alone.

Well, he left you alone for the first couple of days, but after that he started sending flowers and gifts. No, not flowers and gifts. Roses and jewelry.

You never accepted them. You always tossed the roses in the trash and gave the packages of jewelry to the desk clerk with the instructions to give them to Coriolanus Snow.

You'd think he'd get the hint and stop.

Well, he didn't.

Instead, the floral arranged for larger and the jewelry kept coming back. Hell, he even went so far as giving you a copy of an ancient Pre-Panem book. A book from an ancient author that you loved.

Jane Austen.

You mother told you to burn the book, but you couldn't do that. It's be a sin to destroy such a work of art.

So, that was the only gift you kept.

But in doing so, you opened the Pandora’s box that was Coriolanus Snow's delusions. He thought that you were ready to see him again because you accepted a book, so he would come by your mother's every night looking to see you.

You always hid in your old child bedroom while your mother showed him away.

After 4 weeks of this insane behavior, your mother told you that she was concerned for your safety. That she felt you never to leave the Capitol for a while. Stay with your brother Rein, who was a peacekeeper that just received an officer’s commission in District 12.

Honestly, you didn't want to leave the Capitol. The Capitol was your home, but you knew that if you stayed then things would get ugly for you. Especially when it concerns Coriolanus.

You knew that Coriolanus would never look for you in District 12. He'd just write you off as a girl he lost control of and just find himself another Capitol bimbo to manipulate and control with false words of love.

So, that's why you were currently stepping off of the train in District 12.

Your brother was standing on the platform, eager awaiting your arrival in his officer’s uniform. When he spotted you, he quickly made his way over to your side and greeted you with a hug.

Reaching for your suitcase, he chuckled, “Let me take that for you, sis.”

“I see becoming an officer's turned you into a gentleman.” You teased Rein as he room your suitcase from you; leading you away from the platform.

“Mother told me your ex is stalking you with roses and jewelry.” Of course she did. Looking between you and a Jeep in the distance, your brother asked, “Does he know about the baby?”

“No.” And you're glad you received that tape after you came home from your doctor's appointment, confirming your suspicions. If not then you'd be trapped with that heartless monster.

“He’s just been sending me that stuff in an attempt to manipulate me back into his arms.

“I'm sorry things didn't work out, but you're more then welcome to stay with me in my apartment on base for as long as you need to.”

Your brother's words meant a lot to you. At least you had somebody to protect you from your ex.

Protect the both of you since you were going to become a mother in nearly 7 months.

Coriolanus walked into Dr. Gaul’s lab with a dead look in his icy blue eyes. It made Dr. Gaul gleeful. It was better then the cold look he had when he returned from his summer vacation as a peacekeeper.

Oh, this time the look in his eyes held so much hate that she doubts anything could ever soften his irises. It was marvelous, really, how the mad scientist molded her protege into a hateful man. Into, well, her best experiment.

But Dr. Gaul knew that there was a chance all of her hard work turning Snow as cold as his namesake could be ruined by you. Well, not you per say, but the creature you were incubating.

Coriolanus Snow wasn't old enough, cold enough, and calloused enough yet to enter fatherhood. He was too young and might grow soft at becoming a father.

A year under her tutelage wasn't long enough to ensure that he wouldn't slip back into a weaker mindset once a crying, shriveling, pink creature that was half him and half you popped into the world.

Dr. Gaul knew that she had to break every part of Coriolanus in order to piece him together into the war mongrel leader she wanted to run the country. You were that small shred of good that latched onto him, kept him from fully drowning in the darkness. A child, your child, might make Coriolanus see the world through a different lense.

Now, she couldn't have that. That would ruin everything.

So, when her contacts at the OBGYN office told her about your appointment and your condition, she sent you a little care package.

Her star student never figured out.that she sent it, instead he blamed the intern who lost his spot to him. The mad scientist even helped Coriolanus test a deadly mutt of the innocent soul who he thought did him wrong. All because Coriolanus’ proposal plans where ruined.

Oops…

Dr. Gaul grinned evilly as she read the latest report from her spies. You were now in District 12 living with your brother on the Peacekeeper base.

Well, looks like it's time for a new game change when it comes to the Hunger Games.

Dr. Gaul decided that even children born on peacekeeper bases would be considered district citizens and would be legally obligated to enter their names into the game's lotto style drawing.

Unless a child between the ages of 12 and 18 is a Capitol citizen living in the Capitol, they will be registered for the games. Living on a Peacekeeper’s.base will not over safety to any child I'm the districts.

Not anymore.

Hopefully your child, fathered by Coriolanus, will never have their name picked for the games.

But as long as Dr. Gaul's alive, shaping Coriolanus like a potter shapes clay, anything's possible.

Tags: @kuroosbby001, @purriteen, @poppyflower-22, @meetmeatyourworst, @whipwhoops, @bxtchopolis, @readingthingsonhere,@savagenctzen, @ryswritingrecord, @erikasurfer, @tulips2715, @universal-s1ut, @thesmutconnoisseur, @squidscottjeans, @sudek4l, @wearemadeofstardust0, @mashiromochi, @gracieroxzy, @belcalis9503, @shari-berri, @aoi-targaryen, @whiteoakoak, @spear-bearing-bi-witch, @gisellesprettylies @loverandqueenofdragons , @qoopeeya , @mfnqueen1

[anisespice]

“ headshot ” || tokyo rev. 

synopsis: how the bonten execs. would react to a gun being pointed at you/your head. 

pairing: bonten x fem!reader

warnings: mature language, gun violence, reader cries in some, mentions of bodily harm (only on the antags), and i think that’s it

notes: thought of this while on a car ride, staring at trees…not sure what that says about me, but here she is lol i’m a little iffy on mikey’s since i think his was the shortest, but i liked keeping some of these open-ended. hope you enjoy!

manjiro ッ 

Wouldn’t react much on the outside, but on the inside that man could probably melt a building with his rage alone. It occurred during a small gathering amongst investors, corrupt and all. You had been by his side throughout the whole night until you left to go to the bathroom…that was several minutes ago. He’s already a paranoid man, so the moment the hairs on the back of his neck stood up, he gave Sanzu a pointed look—Find her.  

However, that wouldn’t be necessary. 

Before the cotton candy-haired gangster even had time to get excited about the potential hunt, some bootlicker came barreling through the crowd with you in a headlock, and a gun pressed into your temple. Both of you looked disheveled, no doubt your doing from putting up a good fight, he proudly noted. The fucker probably ambushed you in the bathroom, taking his opportunity when you left Mikey’s side—Pussy-ass bitch. He didn’t know if the guy was bold or just plain stupid standing smack-dab in the lion’s den, threatening the only life Mikey found precious. 

“Nobody moves! Or I’ll blow her goddamn brains out!”  

Didn’t matter, though. He’d surely pay with his. 

sanzu ッ

Over a game of poker, some guy whose luck just wasn’t on his side decided he deserved retribution—And you were unfortunately the one to pay it forward. You were perched on Sanzu’s lap, sitting prettily as you laughed at the silly men crying after taking a heavy loss from your man. For him, it was like nails on a chalkboard hearing you mock the table alongside that crackhead, his inferiority complex spewing venomous thoughts in his head that you needed to be taken down a couple notches. 

A death wish. That dumbass had a death wish. 

He abruptly stood, knocked the table over and aimed his sorry excuse of a gun right at you, rendering everyone else speechless. Sanzu barely reacted but felt you startle, cooing softly in your ear as he lovingly tapped you on the thigh in reassurance. You relaxed instantly, eyeing down the barrel of the gun with mirth as the guy began to shake. Blame it on the alcohol, blame it on the heat of the moment, or even the bottomless debt he just put himself in, but one thing was for certain—He fucked up big time, no rush. 

You couldn’t see it, but Sanzu had murderous intent hidden behind his calm exterior. And everyone at that table knew it as they scattered from the scene. Probably wasn't the smartest choice to bet his luck against yours, though. For someone who was already absolute dogshit at poker, Sanzu figured he’d be doing this guy a favor anyways. 

“How ballsy of you. Guess I’d better cut ‘em off.”

ran ッ

Not gonna lie, whoever decided to test his gangsta like that would surely need to evaporate IMMEDIATELY after because there’s absolutely no SHOT of them, they mama, they second cousin, or even that one neighbor who used to live by them, surviving this man’s wrath.

Especially if they tried it in his own home.

The poor guy didn’t even get to make his demands, Ran was on him so quick he damn near broke the laws of physics. You’d never seen a grown man beg for mercy to the point of literally pissing himself before, but it definitely lightened your mood. You even pointed and laughed, despite the tears still falling down your face from the unpleasant experience. Ran merely grinned adoringly at you as he twisted the assailant’s arm in three different ways.

“There’s my favorite smile ♡. I’ll make sure this fucker suffers for almost taking it away from me, angel.”

rindou ッ

It’s always the younger siblings that are the more unhinged. He already don’t play that bullshit when it comes to you, your safety becoming one of his main priorities the moment you agreed to be with him. Anyone who dared to compromise that would fuck around and find out.

And eventually, someone did.

To be fair, the guy who pulled the gun on you didn’t know any better. As far as he was concerned, he was doing his job in making sure unauthorized civilians in the building were to be eradicated immediately. Especially those who claim to know anyone from Bonten without some sort of proof.

Because your relationship was hush-hush to most, if not all staff, it was no wonder homie didn’t believe you. But, it didn’t matter. As soon as Rindou found out the commotion going on in the lobby had to do with you, and some dumbass subordinate holding a gun to your head???

That walking mullet made that guy’s trigger finger into a necklace and forced him to wear it as a reminder.

kakucho ッ

A wild card, truly. He can’t afford to be anything but mr. calm and collected, especially in hostile situations. On one hand, he knows that getting worked up will do neither of you any good. And on the other hand…

When he got the video of you being held for ransom by some backstreet lowlife, gun pressed to your temple as you’re forced to read out their petty demands, Kakucho wanted to set the whole city on fire. His entire being vibrated, teeth clenched so hard you’d need a crowbar to unhinge it. Even Mikey eyed him sideways for a moment before reassuring him that you would be found, and that those amateurs would be handled. Kakucho growled lowly, dual-colored eyes piercing through the souls of every subordinate in the room.

“If she doesn’t make it out of this alive, none of you will.”

© 2022-2023 anisespice ッ all rights reserved. likes, comments & reblogs much appreciated!

[misguidedasgardian]

The Winter Sun (FINAL EPILOGUE)

FINAL

MASTERLIST

Summary: Your family in King’s Landing…

Pairing: Cregan Stark x Fem!Targaryen Reader 

Warnings: Cursing, medieval and asoiaf customs, AGE GAP, Cregan is 12 years OLDER than reader), arranged marriage, might miss some warnings

+18, MINORS DNI

Wordcount: Xk

Notes: ay ay ay, sorry for that, I swear Aemond is not coming back, it's just a scene I had in my head for forever, and I had to get it out of my chest, he can’t do anything and won’t do anything, he is fucked. 

Anyways, this is it, the END, for this amazing story, I thank all of you who read this and gave this story their love, its been an amazing ride, and i can’t believe the reach we accomplished, anyways I’m going to miss writing this fic, because I liked how it turned out, and it was my comfort.. Thanks to all of you! and see you in my next story!

I'm crying as I write this :(

The castle was roaring with life, the great families had arrived, and even though it was a bit tense because of the loyalties of the past wars, people were trying to heal, to leave everything behind them 

Even though you didn’t like the idea, all your children were to their own machinations, you knew the castle was the safest palace, but you still felt a bit uneasy to let your girls walk around alone, but you sent a King’s guard with them. 

Rhaenys found a beautiful spot in the gardens, she was enjoying the smells and the beautiful flowers in the gardens, and took her notebook with her to draw

She saw from the corner of her eye some people approaching, once she raised her head, she saw that it was two young men, probably her oldest brother’s age

“Well, hello my lady”, Rhaenys saw them approaching and gave them all her attention, smiling at them and waving gently, “How are you this day?”, she could not hear them, not answer them, so she just smiled and nodded, “well?”, the man insisted

It was a young man, heir to House Baratheon, the son of a cousin to the lata Borros, and his friend from House Trant.

She smiled apologetically, trying to communicate with him with her hands, but the guy wouldn’t understand her 

“She is an idiot, she might be dimwitted”, laughed the Trant boy

“Well, I don’t need her to be smart”, the other one laughed, “its enough that she is a Targaryen”, he said looking down at her

She could not speak, or hear, but she was really good at reading lips, so she could understand what those boys said about her. She whimpered, tears filling her eyes. She stood up from the bench and ran away from them, unknowingly, her Great Uncle Corlys had heard the whole thing, and pursed his lips in disgust 

“Get Rickon and Jonaerys”, he said to one of his faithful servants who walked with him at his old age, the boy nodded and ran to get the boys. 

Once the young Velaryon spotted the two Starks, he led them back to Corlys, and the old man told them what happened with Rhaenys and the Baratheon, to see their reaction, and it didn't disappoint. A hunt began for the baratheon cunt, as they call it

“Its him!”, pointed the Velaryon boy, and the Baratheon saw with horror how by the corner of the Hallway appeared two enraged Stark-Targaryen running towards him.

“Son of a bitch!”

“I will kill you!”, they used the fact that they were near a balcony… they grabbed him between the two of them and pushed him towards it

The Baratheon boy was screaming, so scared he almost peed his pants as Jonaerys and Rickon grabbed him by the arms and legs and swung him over the rail.

But they wouldn’t really kill him, they didn’t let go of him as he swang heads down and could look in terror five stories down

“You think you can insult our sister?”, growled Rickon as he shook him

“No! No! I’m sorry!”

“If you ever go near her again I will kill you!”, threatened Jonaerys

“You are not good enough for her!”, said Rickon then, and the Baratheon only promised and begged to be lifted up 

They finally relented and the poor boy scrambled to get to his feet and ran away, stumbling away through the corridor.

Corlys just looked at the scene, smiling and pleased, no one is to mess with little Rhaenys, she was not dim-witted, she was smart, only had a hearing impair

“Your sons are savages!”, said Baldric Baratheon, pointing at Cregan Stark, “they threatened the life of my son and heir Crispian”

“I’m sure they were just… boys being boys”, he explained, “you remember what that’s like”, he said

“Do you consider grabbing him and swinging him over a balcony just “boys being boys”?”, he asked, and Cregan turned to meet the eyes of his two sons

They both started talking at the same time

“That cunt called our sister dim-witted!”

“He bothered Rhaenys, and called her names!”, they explained at the same time

“What?”, growled Cregan, turning to the shivering boy hiding behind his father

“Those are just words, your pups almost killed my son!”, fighted the Baratheon. He was right, he was deserve to be pushed out of the balcony, but the Baratheon was enraged, Cregan looked at Jacaerys who was there to serve as an judge in this situation

“The boys should wait outside”, he suggested, and with a nod from Cregan’s head his boys left the room, the Baratheon soon followed

“Your grace”, called the Baratheon, “my son was almost killed”

“My daughter was dishonored”, said Cregan

“Reparations must be made”, continued the Baratheon, and Cregan looked at him in panic

“This is a new country, for all of us”, started Jacaerys, “we are enjoying a period of peace, and we must keep it so, two great families cannot by divided”, both men nodded, agreeing to his words

“So I propose a union”, said the Baratheon, Cregan just looked at him, “between your youngest, your silver-haired girl, and my son and heir”

“The silver-haired?”, said Cregan with disgust, “you don’t even know her name! you only care that she looks like a Targaryen don’t you?”, he asked, “over my dead fucking body my pup will marry that talking twig you have for a son!”

“Stark!”, growled Baldric

“Enough!”, called Jacaerys, both men stopped and looked at the Prince, “we will not leave this room until this animosity is behind us”, you finally dared to speak, as you had entered the room slowly and silently

“I’m sure this is all a misunderstanding”, you said softly, all three men turned to look at you, “from what I gather, Lord Crispian did not know of our daughter’s hearing impediment”

“He called her dim-witted”, you only shook your head

“And our sons threatened to throw him off a balcony, I think he learned his lesson”, you said softly. You wanted to kill the boy as much as your sons did, but you could not cause a war between houses because of it, you knew House Baratheon was just returning to the fold after their allegiances in the war 

“Very well”, said Jacaerys, and the Lord of the Stormlands nodded, not contented but he realized a marriage alliance wasn’t in the cards for this meeting, and the girl was still young, of twelve name days only

“Over my dead body any of my pups will marry a Baratheon!”, grunted Cregan as soon as you entered your chambers

“Maybe one day a Stark could be friends with a Baratheon”, you suggested, “only friends” 

“Never”, grunted Cregan, “not even after a hundred years”, you only giggled, but nodded, “and he believed that skimpy kid could be a good match for OUR DAUGHTER!”, he said, again outraged, “the audacity! the words of his house should be… “Ours is the audacity””, he mocked again, and you couldn’t help but giggle, “What?”, he was angry, but smiled nonetheless, to you, he would always smile

“You are cute when you get frustrated like that”, you suggested, and he smirked, “They won’t marry”, you said softly, to calm him, it worked

“I know I know, but still… the audacity of that man”, he growled, and you couldn’t help but giggle again. You watched the frame of your husband walk around the room like a wolf in a cage, and you loved the fact that several layers of clothes were missing, well, it was summer and they were in the south, he no longer wore his cape and his thick vest, only a light black doublet over a thin chemise 

He was so handsome

He stopped when he saw your eyes blown out like those of a kitten, he knew that look… He only smiled

Years had passed, his dark hair now had a bit of snow in it, he had lines in the corners of his eyes, and lines cutted his face, laugh lines you hoped. He never looked so handsome.

“Come here”, he whispered, and you obliged, “I love to see you all lady-like”, you, as did he, dressed differently in the capital, preferring colorful dresses made of silk, of tull, or other thinner fabrics. 

He was delighted when his hands could feel your skin even though the thin layer of clothing. 

“And I love to see you in your southern look too”, you teased

Oh and you loved each other right that evening

You and Cregan, besides attending tourneys and banquets, needed to held meetings with other Lords of the Kingdoms, specially from the Reach, to gather more supplies for the coming Winter 

Meanwhile your children would enjoy a life in the Keep.

Besides seeing on first row how knights would sung at eachtoher with long wooden spears, which they all enjoyed...

Corlys reached Rhaenys, intrigued by the little girl you had named after your dear aunt, he would gift her books and she would beam at him, until he had her teach him how to communicate with her, and they would spend whole afternoons communicating, telling each other stories, specially Corlys, since he had seen so much from his journeys, Orys would join them, interested more than anyone in the life Story of the Sea Snake

To those who were close to the sea snake, would say that his great niece and nephew brought light back into him, to the 76 year old man who thought he had lived it all 

Those same afternoons would find Rickon, Jonaerys and Baelor practicing their swordsmanship in the courtyard. 

Daemon would look from the battlements, with a critic eye, to be exasperated enough by the young men that he would get hands in with their training, dismissing the King’s guard 

Daemon was a practical man, and he took no time in naming Jonaerys as his favorite successor, he would also give incentive to the lordling to have some time with his darling daughter Visenya, who would also watch them train.

Baelor and Visenya were supposed to be betrothed to one another, but they loved each other as siblings and rejected the union, and Daemon would happily get his nephew betrothed to his daughter instead.

Baelor found himself also learning how to communicate with Rhaenys, because he believe her to be the most beautiful girl he had ever seen

You spend half a year in the Red Keep, and it was blissful, but Cregan wanted to return, with joust reason, and, with  bit of fear, you started to believe Jonaerys wanted to stay, he turned into a squire for Aegon the young, and he would practice everyday with Daemon and the King’s guard, you didn’t say anything, but you just started preparing mentally for your son to tell you he wanted to stay here, back up by Daemon no less.

So when you communicated the Queen, and her King consort, of your departure in the next two weeks, it was no surprised that Daemon would cling into your second eldest son, but what surprised you the most, was most certainly Baelor’s decision 

“I want to go with them”, said Baelor, and you looked amazed, surprised, the responsibility was huge

“Are you sure?”, asked Jace, Baelor only nodded

“I would love to squire for Lord Cregan, I believe is for the best, what of Princeling would I be if I don’t… fly off the nest? see the Kingdoms one day I will rule, learn how to be a Lord, a fighter, to care for other people?”, Cregan was pleased, as he placed his hand on his shoulder

“We will care for him”, your husband promised, and Jacaerys only nodded. The decision was made, so we had two weeks to prepare after Jonaerys told Cregan what you already knew, that he wanted to stay here, in the Red Keep, in King’s landing, with his seventeen name days already.

You had your dragons, he could return anytime he wished. 

So when the time came to say goodbye, and your last day in the capital, you hugged Jonaerys tightly against you

“You can always come back, you know? in your dragon”, you whispered, tears in your eyes

“Yes mom”, he whispered back, “But I want to do this, there is something that wants me to stay here, and I must follow my heart”, you only nodded, caressing his handsome face

“I love you”

“I love you too”, you then stepped aside for Cregan to come near his son and hugged him tightly against him

“Your mother is right, your home will always be in Winterfell”, he whispered, and Jonaerys hugged him tightly 

“Thank you father”, he whispered back.

You saw him take two steps back and stand right next to Visenya and Daemon, who had come to say goodbye to you in the docks. 

Corlys suggested taking you up to White Harbor himself on his ship, only because he wanted to spoil Rhaenys and Orys, unbeknownst to you. He believed Orys would have liked the sea as much as he did, and in the end, he was right. 

So he invited you all to stop by Driftmark.

Your children loved sailing, Torrhen would not stop drawing parts of the ship that impressed him the most, Rhaenys and Orys would stuck by Corly’s side as he barked around orders to his sailors, Cregan and you would gaze upon the horizon, and Robyn would be riding her dragon over your heads, as she used to do. Your darling daughter had an adventurous soul, she would spend more time in dragonback that she would on firm land, she had flied over to the wall, to bear island, everywhere, even without your permission, and you had no doubt that in this journey, all those times you couldn’t find he, she had been flying in every direction to see what was out there, you feared that when she was older she was going to fly away and never come back. You could see she wanted to see across the narrow sea and beyond… 

When you arrived in Driftmark you met Joffrey, who was acting as Lord of the tides, he inherited the title after Luke’s death all those years ago, and apparently, he was doing a great job, he had married a Velaryon girl, and had children of his own. You spend some days there, where Corlys would gift your daughter jewels that used to belong to his long lost wife, and you would gaze upon the treasures in his hall, treasures from all over the world, certainly capturing the attention of your five remaining children.

Soon after, you sailed to White Harbour, where you had to fight hard to take your daughter and son back from Corlys’, they wouldn’t want to part ways, so the Sea Snake ended up accompanying you back to Winterfell, since his late wife Rhaenys couldn’t fulfill that promise she once made to you, he was there to be the grandfather your children never had. But there, you were also accompanied back with the Mnderlys and their daughter, who was set to marry Rickon, their daughter was beautiful, and the same age as your son, she was a sweet girl and you knew they were going to be very happy, as your son started courting her on the road, gifting her things he found, like flowers and such. 

Winterfell looked as beautiful as it was when you first saw it, and you could finally breathe at ease. You looked back at your children and you found them happy they were back, but you knew some of them were going to grow bored after everything they lived in the capital. except for Baelor, who looked at the ancient castle like you probably did when you saw it for the first time.

When you gazed at the ancient building, you  truly believed it had been here for thousands of years, and it was going to stand for another thousand, after you and everyone you knew turned to dust. 

You were received with awaiting arms by the people of Winterfell, and the people of Winter’s Town that came out to receive you amongst cheers. 

Soon you were installing yourselves back into the castle after more than half a year away. But you wandered out of the castle, into the tallest battlements, so you could see the valley around the castle, the winds were getting colder by the day…

Winter is coming…

“I remember when you arrived here”, Cregan whispered as he hugged you from the back, you giggled, “it was autumn, just like right now, in a day just like this one, you appeared through the doors, your dragon behind you”

“I offered myself to you in marriage”, you remembered fondly

“I remember I said to Sara years before that the only way I was going to marry again was if a maiden came flying up here”, you chuckled, and he did too, kissing you in the side of the face

“Would you look at that”, you admired, and he chuckled again. You turned around to look at him

“it was always you”, he whispered. Looking down at you and caressing the apple of your cheek with his thumb, “my sweet wife, the one that gave up everything for an uncertain future in the wild North, alongside an old and grumpy wolf”

“It was never uncertain, it was always you”, you repeated his words. And you sealed your words of love with a long kiss. Expressing all your happiness with an intimate gesture. 

That first Winter you spent together was what brought you together, and the wilderness and cold of the North is what kept you together.

For Cregan you were the sun that shone even in the darkest of Winters. The dragon that with his flames light up the hearths of his home and his heart

You were his Winter sun

Jacaerys reigned the seven Kingdoms after his mother, it was a short but fruitful reign. He died after ten years of a heart condition

Rickon married Jayne Manderly, they had four children to continue the line of House Stark, and lived in Winterfell until his lasts days

Jonaerys stayed in King’s Landing, but always flied back to Winterfell to see his brother and his parents, he married Visenya, together they had a set of twins, a girl and a boy, and lived in Dragonstone happily

Torrhen became a builder, reinforcing buildings all across the North, he married a Mormont from Bear Island

Orys became Joffrey’s squire, and together they went into many adventures, into the sea and Driftmark, he later married a Velaryon girl and lived in Driftmark

Rhaenys married Jace’s son Baelor, many years after she will become Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, and gave the realm three children and heirs who continued the Targaryen Line

Robyn at first visited his brother Orys and accompanied him in his travels, she then adventured herself as an explorer in the back of her dragon, she traveled all over the world and seen things no other man of Westeros had, unknowingly continuing the legacy of Corlys and Rhaenys. In her journeys, she came across a Celtigar, and she married him, coming back to live in Westeros, much to her family’s delight. 

Sara had three children of her own, and alongside her stepdaughter, she lived happily in Torrhen’s square 

Reader and Cregan lived happily in Winterfell, fearing when their children left their home, but other than that, they lived happily, spoiling their grandchildren rotten. 

And everyone lived happily ever after 

FIN

taglist, one last time!

@severewobblerlightdragon @missusnora @stargaryenx @poppyreader @chainsawsangel @court-jester-stuff @batprincess1013 @eddiepicker 

@lyannesworld @arujee @kamisunshine @​​mss-nthng @partypoison00 @grimistangel @elleclairez @may-machin @prettykinkysoul @justagurlwithships @champomiel 

@laura-naruto-fan1998 @zoleea-exultant @devotedlythoughtfulanchor @zoleea-exultant @llleon666 @dark-night-sky-99 @bitchigoteverythingissues @harrypotteranna23-blog

@esposadomd @ajanauia @phantomtea19 @let-love-bleeds-red @kishie8 @dreamingofyourmoons @esposadomd @sandronebabyy @kemillyfreitas @​​trifoliumviridi @dreamingofyourmoons @darling-jace @biblichorr @ivvypg @mendes-bae @borikenlove @tssf-imagines @praline357 @alitaar @prettykinkysoul @aelora-a @a-mexican-waffle @ateliefloresdaprimavera @alexa4040 @lrboyd @anditsmywholeheart  @weaselyss  @scarlettqueen190 @deeeeexx @cloudroomblog @dreaming-of-the-reality @yentroucnagol @crazymusicgirl104 @toodlesxcuddles @thanyatargaryen @mxtokko @bellstwd  @elaena-aerrin @glaciuswduo @holb32

[hils79]

Hils Watches Meet You At The Blossom - Ep 6

When you drunkenly hit on somone and they respond by chopping your hand off. Oh Huai'en you need so much therapy

There is so much dubcon in this drama I bet the purity police hated it

Yes, you chopped off my friend's hand in a jealous rage and then rather forcefully had sex with me but it was good sex now let's snuggle

Wow the whiplash I got at it going from violence and aggression to sweet and tender

Definitely fine and normal behaviour. No causes for concern here at all.

Look, I'm sorry, those of you who were here for my Only Friends liveblog know that I enjoy watching fictional fucked up relationships. This is very much my jam I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

I love that demonic possession and poison are apparently both more likely to everyone than Xiaobao just having terrible taste in men

I love these three together. They'll all crying because Xiaobao has terrible taste in men

Ooh Huai'en is a royal sociopath

Yeah, good luck with that

Oh shiiiiiit I totally didn't make the connection that Xiaobao's parents had all of Huai'en's family killed. This is so messy I love it.

Uh...maybe don't agree to that?

Poor Xiaobao has spent most of this episode unconscious

Again???? Also, wait, doesn't this mean she's related to Huai'en? Sister? Cousin? Something.

It's always nice when randos in a tea house are talking about the exact info that the people at the next table need to hear

I love that they've put him in grubby prison robes but left all his pretty hair accessories in his hair

[thehomeofplatonicfics]

Hi there. I really like your fics, (specially the hogwarts legacy and the Encanto ones) so can I ask you for an Encanto fic in which M!reader (or GN!reader if you want more people to feel included) struggles to control their gift which is manipulating any forms of fire. Abuela gets mad for the chaos they have caused and the people are scared of them.

The reader is feeling really bad because they feel that their gift can only cause destruction but then Bruno appears and comforts them and tell them that all of the people are afraid of him too and that the gift they have is truly wonderfull.

If this doesn't bother you can you make this before the events of the movie? Maybe the reader can be still a child who got their gift not so long ago. And also that their mother is Pepa.

Thank you so much and sorry if my explanation was so long and impossible to understand. English isn't my first language. Have a nice day/ night!!

A/N: Thank you so much anon! So sorry for the delay, I ended up with chickenpox for the past few weeks and it is has taken me a while to recover. Hope you enjoy!

Destruction

child!Madrigal reader x Bruno Madrigal (platonic!)

The whole village was a flurry with anticipation. There was to be a celebration in the village square and the entire Madrigal family was helping with the decorations and preparations. Your cousin Isabela had created the most beautiful flower decorations, and you took one of the flowers in your hand to smell the sweetness of it. A little bit of pollen got into your nose and… “Achoo!” You sneezed, triggering your gift to set the poor, unsuspecting flower aflame.

“Ah! No, no, no!” You muttered, as you tried to stamp the flames out. In your panic, you only made the fire worse as you slowly set alight to ALL the decorations. Soon, half the village square was up in flames. Villagers started running around screaming, pushing and shoving as they tried to get away. Some of the village children ran up towards you before they spotted the flames coming from your hands. “Ah! Monster!” They screamed, running in the opposite direction to you.

Your mother, Pepa, saw the chaos happening. Her eyes narrowed as she saw that you were in the centre of it all. The sky darkened and rain began to pour from the sky, as lightning flashed dangerously and the loud rumble of thunder signified how terribly angry she was with you. “Oh no…” You whispered to yourself, as she came over to you, agonisingly slowly. Luckily, the intense rain was able to douse your flames, including the ones still hovering above your hands.

“Y/N!” A shriek of anger comes from the edge of the village square. You turn to see your Abuela coming towards you, her face in a vicious snarl. “How could you? You’ve destroyed everything your family has worked so hard on today!”

You sniff, tears threatening to fall. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to, I couldn’t… control it.” Your chin wobbles, as Abuela yanks your arm to drag you back to Casita. Your family follows behind you, glaring daggers into your back. “I don’t want to hear it, Y/N.” Abuela shakes her head. “You have created absolute chaos, frightened the villages and disappointed your family. You must control your gift, or you cannot go out of Casita into Encanto.”

You gasp in shock, blinking rapidly as the tears mix in with the rain coming from Pepa’s storm. “You’ll lock me away in Casita?” You begin to sob, hugging myself as we trudge up the steps to Casita. As soon as you all get inside, you run up the stairs and run into your room, slamming the door. You flop onto your bed, staring up at the ceiling. It feels like your heart will break.

The door slowly creaked open, and your eyes land on your Uncle Bruno as he slinks into the room. “Y/N, let’s… have a talk.” You sit up, wiping your tears, as you sit cross-legged on your bed. Bruno sits beside you, a hand resting on your shoulder. “I know what it is like. To have a gift that causes fear in other people.” He says, as you look up at him, listening intently.

“People have a tendency to be… afraid of what they don’t understand. Now, you and I… we both have powerful gifts. Capable of great things… but also capable of causing a lot of damage.” You look down, sniffling, as you hug your pillow. “They see that power, and they are afraid. They don’t take the time to understand it.” Bruno adds, sighing as he looks down at you. “I know it seems tough right now, that no one will be able to see who you are, past the big scary fire…”

“They are so frightened of me… but it isn’t my fault, I can’t control it!”

“You will, with time. And when you can, they will love you for your gift. I think it is pretty neat, honestly.” Your face lights up. “Really?”

“Well, for a start, you can create a bonfire any time you want, and then we can toast marshmallows. Or when it is super dark, and you can just flick your hand and light us a torch? Yeah… your gift is awesome.” His words make you smile for the first time, the candles in your room start to burn a bit brighter.

“You keep your chin up, kiddo. Don’t listen to the others… listen to your Uncle Bruno.” You smile, feeling the room become warmer from the heat of your flames again.

“Thanks, Tío.”

[spidermans-l-o-v-e-r]

Strawberries and cream Presents: ✨While you were away✨

Pairing: Eddie Diaz x Reader

Word count:

Notes: Okay so imma be honest lmao, things are going to start to slow down on my writing, as in like I just need a minute to lie in bed and contemplate my life. I mean not really lying in bed but I’m just you know ✨going through it✨ Rn and I just need to breathe. So updating might slow down but I’m definitely still working on everything and requests

The week before 

Eddie hadn’t been to a chapel in a while.

He sits in the back row, just… staring. He’d stopped praying a bit ago after tears had started to fall. He didn’t have time for that, he didn’t have time for his own sorrows, not with Maddie here right now. He wiped them away just as fast as they came 

“What did I do to deserve this one?” He asks quietly, slouching down in the pew and laying his head back. It had been four weeks since you’d slipped into that weird ass coma. And they kept telling him, that you’d wake up soon. And he watched your cousins come in, trying to be hopeful and cheer him up and get him to go home. But how could he go home? How could he leave you when this was his fault? 

Bobby always told him to control his temper

And he’d stupidly pulled Buck into it with him. Buck had already sworn up and down, left and right that had he seen that asshole doing that to any woman he’d have still done something about it. Not to mention you were his cousin, his sister. He’d have jumped that guy with or without Eddie, Eddie had just happened to get there first. 

And poor Maddie, getting that call at two in the morning. She’d cursed you and Eddie out in the ambulance as she woke up Chim, but you two were busy laughing about it because you were proud of Eddie. The paramedic had to keep pulling you two apart when you’d get too handsy because he kept getting in the way or you’d turn when you shouldn’t have 

You were weak, but you were awake. 

Would you still be proud of him, knowing he didn’t protect you from this? 

“Still torturing yourself?”

Eddie looks up as Dr. Din walks in, plopping on the seat next to him, his hands in his coat pockets 

“No…” 

“You gonna lie in the house of god?” He smirks a little and Eddie chuckles quietly 

“It’s fine. I’ve already had the worst happen to me. What else could he do?” 

“She’s not dead, Eddie” he shakes his head, biting his lip “She’s gonna wake up”

“I mean you keep saying that, but there’s no change. I can read her vitals, Joel, I’m not- I’m not stupid”

“I think you are. Who’s the Doctor here Eddie?” He gestures “She’s gonna wake up” 

“You promise?” Eddie asks quietly and Joel looks away

“Yeah” 

“You know you can’t do that right” Eddie chuckles and shrugs 

“Yeah I know” 

“I’ll never forgive you if she doesn’t”

“Good. Maybe you’ll be able to forgive yourself instead” 

They sit together for a while, and eventually, Eddie lays his head on Joel’s shoulder, crossing his arms over his chest. They hadn’t meant to become close, if anything Joel shouldn’t even be on your case anymore. 

You looked too much like her

You sounded too much like her 

You laughed too much like her

He hears a soft snore, Eddie’s finally fallen asleep, he’d hardly been sleeping lately, and sure as hell wasn’t eating. All he could do was watch him die slowly along with the love of his life. You weren’t going to die, Joel knew that. It was his job to know that! But things weren’t as promising as they used to be. He hadn’t brought up the possibility of pulling the plug, because that couldn’t legally be Eddie’s decision, it had to be Buck and Maddie’s, and he couldn’t do that to them, not yet. He’d bring it up in a week or two… he just wanted more time. 

Eddie wakes up to the sound of a pager going off, both men startle awake and Eddie sits up, scrubbing his hands over his face, Joel hadn’t even realized he’d fallen asleep 

“I’m sorry” he mumbles and Joel smiles, getting up and stretching 

“No that’s okay. I needed a break anyway” 

“You’re a horrible doctor” Eddie snorts and Joel kicks his leg 

“You’re a horrible boyfriend” 

Eddie flicks him off as he stares at his pager 

“What??” He whispers, grabbing the phone from the wall and dialing 

“You left your phone in your other coat again didn’t you?” Eddie asks sarcastically, getting up and stretching too 

“Her vitals are changing??” Joel says into the phone and Eddie perks up, looking over curiously 

“We’re on our way” 

He hangs up, waving Eddie along with him and Eddie’s heart drops into his stomach 

“What’s going on??” He asks as they jog through the hallways down to your room. Maddie is standing by your bed, stroking your arm as a nurse checks her over. Joel walks over to the computer, studying your vitals closer 

“I- I’ve been here so long” Maddie laughs a bit crazily “Maybe I was wrong” 

“No, no you weren’t wrong,” Joel says, covering his mouth, laughing a little 

“Can someone please tell me what’s happening??” Eddie sounds broken and Joel turns to him quickly 

“Her vitals, they’re just?? Different. She’s got a lot more activity going on now” he explains it as plainly as possible to him because even he can’t figure it out right now.  

He steps aside to show Eddie the computer and Maddie holds your hand tightly 

“It just started a bit ago I think, I’m not sure when. But her heart rate picked up for a bit and she started breathing easier, it took a while for me to think I wasn’t just seeing things” 

Huh, kind of around the time Eddie had been crying. 

“You weren’t, she’s… she’s waking up Eddie” Joel runs his hands through his hair, Eddie notices the way they shake but he’s not going to say anything about it 

Not when he’s staring at you, knowing your vitals are stronger now. He takes your hand, kissing it softly and folding it closed around his 

“Come on baby wake up for me,” he says softly “Wanna see those pretty eyes again… wanna hear you say my name. Please wake up for me Y/N. I need you” 

Joel and Maddie ignore his voice cracking. He’s not going to break in front of them, they know that, but Maddie is worried. He’s gotta break soon, he has to. 

Two nights before 

Eddie shouldn’t have yelled at Buck. 

He knows that. 

He feels miserable for it.

“What else was I supposed to do?” Eddie asks you as you lay there, peaceful as ever 

“I know okay, I know” he talks to you like you’re there “I know he’s just trying to help but I’ve had it! I’ve fucking had it. I’m fine! Why can’t anyone see that?!” 

He takes your empty water cup and throws it across the room. It doesn’t fly very well and really it’s unsatisfying but he can’t exactly go apeshit like he wants to

Buck hadn’t even done anything?? He legit just said “Hey I got that change of clothes for you but I left them in the car can you go get them”

“I should have just gone and got them.  I should have. Now he went to go get them…to give me space!” 

He looks at you, his hands on his hips “I know I’m a jackass”

He swears with every bone in his body, that he saw you crack a smile, he saw the littlest tiny smile on your lips. 

“Don’t you smirk at me” he points at you and you remain still, lifeless.

“Please smirk at me…” he whispers softly, running his hands through his already messy hair. He looks awful he knows he does. His hair is greasy, his clothes definitely need a wash, and he’s not even sure when he last changed them out with Buck

“When you wake up I’m going to introduce you to my Aunt. I should have already, honestly… but I just wasn’t ready. She um… she asked to come see you, but I know you’d want to be awake for that. I know you’d want to stress over it and be ready for it… probably make them something special for dinner” 

He rubs your thigh soothingly and smiles a little 

“I can’t wait to cook with you, I’m gonna mess with you too, I bet you’d love it if I was just wearing an apron” he chuckles to himself “Oh I know you’d love that, totally gonna do that for you” 

The next time he thinks he’s crazy is a few hours later when he comes out of the shower and your eyes are open. It’s such a fleeting second too, one minute he’s looking at you? Your eyes open and when he turns to go to the door, he’s convinced he’s seeing things because they’re closed again. He doesn’t tell anyone… he doesn’t want them to take him away, because the hospital could forcibly remove him 

“How would I sound?” He laughs humorlessly “I swear I saw her eyes open!” He climbs onto the bed next to you, laying his head on your shoulder and sighing 

“I had a dream about us… we were getting married. I’ve never seen you look so beautiful… I’ve never cried in front of that many people” he chuckles quietly “But I couldn’t help it… everything I’ve ever wanted, right there… walking down the aisle towards me on Bobby’s arm…. Promise me it’ll happen Sugar Cube. Promise me you’ll wake up… and we’ll get married” 

“Did you just propose to her?” Buck stands in the doorway and he turns back to face him 

“Not exactly…” 

“Do you want me to help you plan it?” Buck comes in, shutting the door and leaning against it 

Eddie gets out of bed and comes over to him, pulling him forward into his arms 

“Yes please” 

“I love you, Eddie, I really do. You gotta believe that”

“I love you too man, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry” Buck feels Eddie sag a bit in his arms and he holds him even tighter 

“It’s okay… brothers fight right?” 

“Right… right” Eddie sniffles a little and pats his back “Brothers fight” 

They sit together for a while, staring at you, deep in their own thoughts

“You wanna know something crazy?” Buck says quietly after a bit and leans his head on Eddie’s shoulder.

“Sure” Eddie puts his head on Buck’s and sighs 

“I was totally hallucinating the other day” he chuckles quietly “I haven’t been sleeping… haven’t been taking care of myself… depriving Tommy of me-“

Eddie snorts 

“And I was telling her about him… like I do you know. And I swear, I swear she smiled” 

Buck feels Eddie freeze up 

“You- y-you saw her do what??” He sits up and looks at Buck 

“I’m sorry Eddie I-“

“No so did I! Her eyes opened for a second too??” 

“They did?!” Buck sounds just as excited as he does and he hugs him again, they’re practically crushing each other at this point 

“They did, oh god they did I swear” 

“I believe you man, I believe you,” Buck says,  sniffling into his shoulder 

“She’s gonna wake up Eddie, she really is. We should tell Joel” 

“I don’t know… I don’t… I don’t want him to think we’re crazy” Eddie chuckles humorously 

“Who would think who was crazy?” Dr. Din comes in, looking at his tablet. He looks up to see Buck and Eddie, holding each other 

“Uhhh…should I come back later?” 

“Oh my god” Eddie pushes Buck away 

“Why does everyone keep saying that!!!” Buck slaps his hands over his face 

[keenzinemugstudent]

Superman x witch fem black reader x Superboy! Our future? Part 1!

You come back from a mission only to meet a boy who claims to be your son?!

After your mission with Flash which was an epic win! After going back in time to help stop an ancient Egyptian pharaoh from destroying world you just wanted to turn in your report go home and watch TV and rest but life had another plan for you today!

"When you use that spell on that other guy and had him hallucinating that he was fighting in his underwear was absolutely hilarious Y/H/N! (Your Hero Name)

"Right? Like he didn't see that coming! I do feel bad for the poor guy tho." We entered the Batcave as we got closer we could hear three people talking I saw Batman and Superman an unfamiliar face. It was a boy well more like a teenager he had blue jeans, black combat boots with a black shirt when he turned around I can see the Superman symbol and for some reason you had this pull towards him and he looked strangely familiar?

"Hey guy's! We're back it took a while you know with the whole space-time thing but we're fine, we made it got the job done so uh who's the new guy new face looks pretty young to join the Justice League don't you think?" Flash says. Superman looked at me I gave him a small wave to say hello but he just gave an awkward smile looking pass you. It was weird he usually doesn't do that, something must have happened you turned your attention back to the teenager who was looking at you with his eyes glossing over like he was close to crying?

"Since when do we allow fans into the batcave?" I asked hands on my hips I had got a good look at his face better and to your surprise he looked kind of like Clark? Before you could say anything the boy ran towards you with such speed nearly knocked you over he pulled you into a big bear hug almost like he was too scared to let you go everyone just stood watching the scene Bruce stood with a blank face, Superman stood there with an uneasy look while Flash was just as confused as you were with what was going on.

"Your here! I made it just in time!" The boy says into your shoulder you honestly didn't know what the heck was going on but something in you felt a connection to this unknown boy. You hug him back rubbing his back he pulled back flustered.

"Uh hi?" I say with a confused smile.

"H-hi! I mean I'm sorry for uh hugging you I just got really excited!" The boy said with a nervous smile geez even his smile is like Clark's!

"That's fine hon just uh be careful next time you wanna hug someone. You nearly knocked me off my feet!" You say hitting his shoulder. He smiled but was still flustered, you got a better look he was definitely a spitting image of Clark but only a tad bit kid had some muscle on him that's for sure but what really caught your attention was his eye's they were Y/E/C (your eye color)you put a hand on his cheek making him flinch a bit from your warm touch.

"That's funny your eyes..." Before you could finish Flash cut you off sliding over next to you and the kid.

"Can someone explain what and who this boy is please?" Flash says looking the kid up and down, Batman looked towards Superman who looked back shaking his head Batman looked towards the boy who looked back nodding than turned at you nervous.

"Um so first I'm really happy to meet you and second please don't freak out when I tell you this but I'm Kon-el."

"Oh so you are Kryptonian! Another cousin you failed to tell us about Superman?" I asked jokingly but he just looked at you awkwardly with a tiny blush, okay what the heck is wrong with him? You just turned your attention back to the young man.

"Well it's very nice to meet you Kon-el the minute I saw you I knew you were somehow related to Superman. You are just as handsome as the man of steel himself!" You say with a smile he blushed at your words while Superman also looked flustered by you calling him handsome.

"Thanks...mom."

I froze the smile on my face slowly dropping I heard Flash gasped while Bruce and Clark stared at your face waiting for reaction the boy looked at you with a bit of concern but the only thing you could do was just stand in shock looking between the boy and Superman who was still waiting for your reaction but you let out a simple small confused "Huh?" before everything went black.

Clark's POV

Before anyone else could react Y/n eyes rolled in the back of her head luckily I had caught her in time. Conner I mean Superboy started to panic kneeling to the ground along side me.

"I-i'm sorry it just slipped out!" I just gave him a small understandable look.

"It's fine Superboy she's okay just in shock."

Not that you blame her I nearly had the same reaction I was in metropolis when Bruce had gave me the call saying that it was urgent I rushed over only to find Batman holding a teenage boy at gun point (it was a kryptonite gun) at first I was confused and concerned until Batman told me that the boy claimed to be mine and Y/H/N son which of course was hard to believe because I was in a relationship with Lois even though we've been having issues and Y/n had no interest in dating (at least that's what I was told by Diana) and we were only close friends nothing more nothing less. At least that's what I thought until the boy in front of me claimed to be our child and he needed the Justice League's help. Of course me and Bruce had doubts but I could see that he did resembled me a bit only he didn't have my blue eyes but had Y/E/C (your eye color) that's when the boy who called himself Superboy told Bruce to look in his back jean pocket and that there was a picture to prove it of course Batman did in to our surprise it was a picture of me and Y/n who was laying in a hospital bed, a beautiful but tired smile on her face and was holding a newborn baby, at the bottom of the photo it read "Welcome to the world our little miracle child Connor Kent" I had to hold on to something because I felt faint, Bruce held my shoulder trying to help me stand on my feet.

I had a son? the son of Superman and Y/H/N...we had a son?!

it just it sounded so...right??? I shouldn't be saying or thinking such things because I'm in a relationship with Lois but recently we've been having issues especially about how she feels about Y/n which just make this whole situation worse!

Just as Connor was trying to explain how he got here that was when Barry and Y/n entered the cave back from their mission, which brings us back to the present with me holding Y/h/n in my arms and Connor looking very concerned for his future mother.

"She did say she was tired after using so much magic and the shock of meeting Superboy I guess was too much for her body." Barry says arms crossed, I picked Y/n up bridal style then turn to looked at Bruce.

"I'll take care of this you call the other's." I say before walking out with Conner not far behind. Today has been tiring for everyone.

To be continued this and AU where Conner isn't a Clone between Lex and Clark but you and Superman's son idea I had while working 🤷‍♀️

Here part 2!

[noellawrites]

“Blissful” Marriage - yandere!Billy Andrews x fem!reader

summary: your husband Billy has a surprise for your fifth wedding anniversary, but it’s not what you might think

warnings: arranged marriage mention, abusive relationship, Billy being an asshole obviously

As soon as you woke up next to your sleeping husband, you were hit with the brutal realization that today was somehow significant. As you took a deep breath, you tried to remember. It wasn't a holiday, nor was it either of your children's birthdays.

You pondered it as you prepared breakfast for your family in the quiet kitchen. The sun rose around you as you buttered toast and scrambled the eggs. Then all of a sudden, you dropped your knife with a clatter.

It was you and Billy's wedding anniversary.

It had been five years since your father handed you over to Billy Andrews, neither of you even eighteen years old when the wedding occurred.

You loved your children more than anything, but sometimes Billy felt like your third child. He had cooled down from his teenage years now with both of you in your early twenties, thankfully.

"Breakfast ready yet?" Billy asked from behind you. You hadn't even heard him come down the stairs.

You turned around, "almost, sorry."

"Hurry up, I'm hungry and the kids will be up soon," Billy sneered, grabbing the plate of bacon and taking it to the table.

Your husband sat and stared as you tried to set the table quickly. You could hear your son and daughter stirring in their rooms upstairs, and you'd have to carry your daughter with you as she was only two.

"Can you finish bringing the food over, Billy? I have to get Steph," you said hurriedly.

"Isn't that your job?" he groaned.

"Billy—“

"It's my wedding anniversary, I'm not doing any work," he stated, leaving no room for discussion.

You trudged up the stairs, each step feeling more difficult than the last. You were pregnant again, around four months in. You pitied the next poor child who would suffer at the hands of Billy Andrews being their father.

"Stephie, c'mere. Mama's got you," you cooed as you lifted your little girl out of her crib.

"Mama!" she giggled, her sweet little voice bringing a smile to your face.

You heard your son, William Junior, run down the stairs ahead of you, ready to greet his father. Billy was your son's favorite person, which scared you more than anything. You didn't want to raise a mini Billy, yet he'd insisted on naming his firstborn son after him anyway.

The four of you sat down at the table, Billy pulling you down onto the bench next to him and kissing you harshly on the mouth.

"Mommy, daddy, eww!" William laughed, with Stephanie's giggle following close behind.

"You kids are going over to Aunt Priscilla's today to play with your cousins," Billy stated, placing his hand on your thigh underneath the table.

"But dad, why?" William whined, slamming his fork on the table next to his plate.

"It's your mother and I's anniversary and I have something special planned," he said, fingers inching towards your undergarments.

You were scared, but slightly aroused. Billy, though not husband of the year, was pretty good in bed. He was always more concerned with his own pleasure, but you enjoyed being close to him, making him happy. It made you feel like a good wife.

—

Billy shut the door behind his sister as she left with your kids in tow, ready to spend a fun day with their cousins.

"So, what do you have planned?" you ask, turning and smiling to your husband. He dropped his arm from around your waist and looked at you with a hardened expression.

"Get on the ground."

"Billy, what—“

"YOU HEARD ME!" he yelled, pointing his finger directly at your face.

Wordlessly, you bent down onto the floor. Your husband threw a wet, vinegary sponge at you and crossed his hands across his chest.

"These floors are disgusting and you have no excuses. The bathrooms will be next. On my anniversary of suffering through marriage with you, I at least deserve to have a clean home," Billy growled.

You looked down. It hadn't even been a full week since you did the floors, and you felt nauseous after your descent to the floor, but you blinked back your tears and went to work anyway.

You crawled around like that for hours, dodging Billy's criticisms and suffering your way through your fifth wedding anniversary.

All of a sudden, you stood up and stomped over to where your husband sat in his study.

"Billy, what did I do wrong? I know our other anniversaries hadn't been much but... at least it seemed like you'd cared for me," you frown.

"I've been too nice to you lately and I need to put you back in your place. You are my wife and therefore my property," he declared.

"Billy, I raise your kids, take care of your home and do nothing but love you," you sniffle, almost pleading with him.

"I have grown tired of you. Get out of my sight," he stated simply.

You looked into his blue eyes and saw nothing, no traces of guilt or any feelings beyond anger.

Without another word, you turned around and headed outside, going straight to your garden. You at least wanted to bring some pretty flowers into your home on your anniversary, if nothing else.

You tried not to think of that dreadful day when your freedom and innocence was stolen away five years ago, but it lingered in your mind.

[shadow-sandiego-shipping]

F!Reader x Graham Calloway (Part 1)

Hero in skinny Jeans

Graham walked down the stairs from the opera house on his way home. It had been a long day and an even longer night at the opera house. But definitely a fun time. Although Graham was starting to get tired of having to sit through hours and hours of classical music through rehearsals and shows.

At least the weather was nice. There was a breeze in the air and the moon was out. It'd make for a pretty good walk back to his apartment.

He's just at the bottom of the last flight of stairs when he hears someone running in his direction. He barely has enough time to look at who it could be when the collision happens.

He loses his footing falling on his back, and whoever had ran into him fell on his legs. Papers fly across his vision, likely being carried by the stranger.

"Oh god! I'm so sorry!" His assailant, a girl steps back kneeling in front of him. Graham gets an eyeful and crikey was she pretty.

"Wow…" He can't stop the surprised gasp. Her skin looked smooth and fragrant like a ripped peach, her hair loose flowing with the wind, and her eyes, like diamonds reflecting the moonlight.

He composes himself enough to stop ogling at her. The papers that had been spread across were threatening to fly off further into the wild. Graham starts picking them up. "Let me help!" He says.

The girl realises the mess she had caused and starts picking them up too.

"I'm sorry, I should have looked where I was going!" She sounds panicked.

"It's alright, are you-"

"Are you alright?" Another voice speaks over him. A guy, leaning over them; he looked dirty and sweaty. The girl seemed to panic more.

"Y-yes! I uh.. I found my cousin, Ruben!" She puts a hand on Graham's shoulder.

"Cousin?" The guy asks. "You don't look anything alike." He sounds mad.

The poor girl looked close to tears. "You know this guy?" Graham asks her. She shakes her head so he stands up.

The sleezy guy puts his hands up in defence. Graham was very much taller than him. "Oh, you're really her cousin?" He sounds scared. Good. He should be.

"Yeah, Ruben. Care to tell me why you're following my cuz around, creep?"

"Wow, hey, hey, I'm not doing anything wrong! I was just making sure she got home, alright!" The idiot tries to justify himself. "If anything, she's the creep, keeping tabs on me. She hasn't stopped looking at me all night…"

Graham clenches his fists and steps closer to the guy. "I would piss off if I were you." He says darkly.

"Yeah, alright, I'm going, I don't want any trouble."

The guy walks away, albeit slowly and constantly looking back at Graham and the girl. Only when the sleezebag is out of sight does Graham turn back and help pick up the rest of the paper sheets.

"Sorry about that." He says, handing over the sheets he had been able to get. Music sheets he notices.

The girl takes them and gives him a relieved smile. "I'm the one who's sorry for dragging you into this…" She sighs. "That guy started following me ever since I left my lessons two blocks away. I really wasn't looking when I ran into you." Graham chuckles.

"Thanks for helping me out." Her voice was pretty too, melodious and sweet, like honey.

They stand up and the girl puts most of the papers away in her bag.

"No problem, gorgeous. Guys like that deserve a lot worse than anything I did." He frowns in the direction the creep had gone in.

She gives him a heartfelt smile. "My hero." Graham feels his heart beat pick up.

"A-although, knowing his kind, I'm kinda worried he hasn't given up…" He looks around to make sure the guy really was gone. Out of sight, but really, there was no telling if he left or if he was waiting. "There's a police station close by. Would you like me to walk you there?" He suggests.

"Really? I wouldn't want to bother you any further…" He couldn’t let a pretty girl like her down.

"It's no problem, it's on the way to my place, actually." He holds his hand out. "Name's Graham, by the way. Can I learn yours?"

The girl smiles, holding the papers that didn't fit in her bag close to her chest with one hand. And shaking his with the other.

"Y/N." What a cute name. It suited her…

//

After you reach the police station, Graham waits by the door as you submit a complaint on the creep who had stalked you.

You had the feeling someone had been following you both until you got to the station, but whoever it was probably ran off when they saw you enter instead of passing by.

The police officer who takes your complaint is very nice. She explains that, unfortunately, there isn't much they can do without evidence, but they would take into account the man's description in any case. She also asks if you know of someone who could take you home so you'd stay safe.

Immediately, your mind thinks of Graham. For some reason, you feel safe around him. Maybe it's the way he jumped to defend you before he even knew your name; or maybe it's the way he volunteered to keep you company until he knew you were safe. But you couldn't possibly bother him anymore than you already had tonight.

You decide to call your roommate instead, she let's you know she'll be there in ten and hangs up.

Feeling much better about everything, you step outside. Graham was still there, despite you practically being strangers to each other.

"Graham!" You call out, he smiles at you.

"How did go?" He asks.

You tell him it went fine and that you called your friend to pick you up. He sighs.

"That’s a relief. Is your friend driving?"

You nod. "Thank you again for helping me out…"

He laughs. He had the sort of laughter that could get you smiling with him despite any circumstance. "Well, I got to walk halfway home with you so." He winks.

You feel a light heat in your cheeks. "W-well, I still feel bad for putting you through so much trouble. Is there any way I could make it up to you?"

He seems surprised but grins at the offer. "Oh? If you'd like?" He reaches in his back pocket, taking out a small notebook and pencil. He rips a page and scribbles on it. Then he gives it to you. It's an address. "I always grab a coffee at eight before work. If you feel up for it, you could make me company tomorrow?"

He was inviting you? For coffee?

"L-like a date?" You find yourself thinking outloud. It brings a blush to his cheeks. He smiles wide, giving you an eyeful of his cute dimples.

"If you'd like? It doesn't have to be anything…"

It's been a while since you met someone so nice.

Gosh, and he was attractive too. Not the sort of attractive you'd see in movies or in fashion magazines. It was the sort of hot from a guy in his twenties with a wolf cut and white teeth and a pair of the cutest dimples in his cheeks. And his eyes, soft brown, reminded you of butter caramel cake.

And he was inviting you for coffee.

Your cheeks heat up when you reply. "It's a date!"

Made for @wisteria-cherry // Part 2 (coming out soon)

[wexhappyxfew]

I am braving the anxiety and sending in a prompt without anon 😊

How about wrapping arms around the others neck when standing behind for Annie and Brady? I am so down for angst and hurt/comfort so whatever point in their journey you feel would fit best!

And then maybe for Kennedy and Bucky a protective prompt for the camps? Either “I’ll never stop hugging you” or the “don’t leave my sight”. Literally every protective prompt was so good 😭

I love all the couples in Silver Bullets but Annie and Brady, and Kennedy and Bucky are so special to me right now. Let me know if I should’ve sent them in two different asks!! Sorry if I did this wrong. Can’t wait🫶🏼

HELLO FRIEND!!!! massive apology that it has taken me this long to get back to you with these two prompts!!! and sorry that it is JULYYYYY like WHAT. anyway!!! massive congrats and mega proud of you for braving the anxiety - sometimes all it takes is those baby steps so please know i am proud of you!!! <3 and it means so much that you did it to send THESE FANTASTIC PROMPTS TOO!!!! thank you thank you! THESE TWO WERE FANTASTIC LET ME TELL YOU (again)! SO -- i am putting the Kennedy x Bucky prompt here and will be posting the Annie x Brady one in the coming days. they were both too good to just only do one. so. YEP HERE WE ARE!!! can confirm i was losing my mind over these two when writing so please enjoy <3333 THANK YOU AGAIN!!!! :D

a little imagination

(a/n): kennedy and bucky (pre-kiss/confession mess they are) in a situation after kennedy's nightmare and well. this speaks for itself. let's just say -- pre-marital cuddling? OH THAT IS ABSOLUTELY ON THE DOCKET !!!!!! these two are just. totally adorable. soft. witty. funny. i-

When Kennedy had blinked her eyes open, she was face to face with the wall of the bunk room.

And everything was a bit hazy, her vision fuzzy like she wasn't fully awake yet.

And there was a quiet hum in the room, that vaguely reminded her of waking up in her aunt's shore house in the summer when her and her cousins would crash on the couches that overlooked the bay. A drip of nostalgia hit her insides in a way that made her rapidly blink her eyes to wake up and figure out where she was.

The blank, darkened wall of the bunk room though was enough to strip away any thought of home and remind her that she was right here.

In the Stalag.

Though for the first time in weeks, she was warm.

Considerably warm.

And there was an annoying huffing and snoring in her ear.

Kennedy narrowed her gaze, before slowly widening her eyes. Realization hit her like a slap in the face and suddenly she was aware of everything touching her body. The blanket tucked up under her chin as she curled the edge of her thin pillow against her cheek, the sudden weight around her chest and the warmth from that weight, certainly what she could consider a presence. She wasn't entirely even complaining though about the current position she was in - if anything, she was comfortable and well-rested and had never felt more protected and held in her life.

And she had been with multiple boys from the country club that her mother had sworn up and down were 'as sweet as blueberry pie'.

Blueberry pie sucked anyway if she was being honest.

As her senses came to her more, she could hear a few voices from somewhere behind her - behind her, repeat, there were voices past the person currently wrapping their arms around her form and pulling her into them.

A million thoughts raced through Kennedy's mind at what was about to occur - she was going to have to first off, wake up Bucky Egan of all people, who was laid curled around her like an unmoving excuse of a rock.

Second, once he does wake up, he would start talking and not stop and somewhere in that string of words, he would say her name.

Third, people would start looking their way, and Bucky would slide out of the bunk and she would follow, and have to explain herself in some poor fashion because she was never great with words like Annie or Bessie were. It wasn't that she was embarrassed, it was far from that if she were honest - the embarrassment would sneak in - but it was more of the fact that she let herself get so vulnerable and open and emotional. She didn't want to put that pressure on anyone, especially someone like Bucky.

Kennedy slowly shifted the slightest bit, hoping it would get Bucky to move himself awake. When she did so, she felt his grip tighten on her and a small sigh to escape his lips into her ear. Goosebumps raced over her skin and she couldn't help but feel the tops of her cheeks warm.

"You grip me any tighter and I'm going to burst a lung," Kennedy whispered quietly over her shoulder the best she could, feeling his grip loosen and a small chuckling huff escape his lips - oh, he was absolutely awake, "thanks." Bucky mumbled something unintelligible, before she felt the pressure of his head against the back of her neck again. She raised her brow.

"What?"

"I wouldn't allow that to happen." he mumbled, a bit louder this time, still sounding as if he was half-asleep, "I swear, Kenny."

"Well, it's about to and you'll be the reason." she muttered back and she heard a small laugh escape his lips as he cuddled closer to her and let out another sigh of evident comfort and content.

"You know, Kenny, one might say thank you for allowing someone else in their bunk for a night," he muttered out quietly, a light-hearted tone to his voice, "offering up this tiny little space for two people. Squished in like we're sardines. Really sticking my neck out, ya know?"

Kennedy shifted and glanced towards Bucky as she readjusted onto her back. She found him sat up a bit, one arm still lazily wrapped around her chest, as he pulled her close to him, his tired eyes looking down at her. In the morning, those walls came up, those terrors and fears that slipped from her lips were yet again buried - and she was determined to act like it had almost never happened.

Last night.

Her telling him her fears, why she couldn't sleep.

The plane.

"Thank you." she said quietly, hoping her voice was still low enough for only him to hear, "Seriously, Bucky, I mean it." Bucky grinned at her without so much so as a need for words.

"It's alright, I was just teasing, you silly goose," he said, a small laugh escaping his lips, before he caught her gaze and his eye softened, nodding to her, "how'd you sleep?"

Kennedy watched him for a moment. The window that was nearby was bright enough with enough sun to illuminate half his face, making it appear honey-gold, making his eyes seem more alive than they ever have before. His gaze was subdue, his eyes soft as they watched her, and the corner of his lip was perked upwards - and if she was being honest with herself it did make her heart race.

Something about this entire situation made her heart race, it made her entire being feel a little crazy. Something in the back of her head dumbed it down though - she was just here because she'd woken in the middle of the night and Bucky was looking out for her.

Looking out. For her. That was it. That's all it was. Sure - it didn't explain him cuddled against her or her enjoying it, but she shoved it out of her brain when she noticed him still looking at her with that quiet look. If this were another time, and somehow she was waking up beside Bucky Egan, she would wish that somehow she got to do this all the time. It beat waking up to a pillow.

"Hm?" she asked quietly, feeling Bucky shift beside her and grin.

"How'd you sleep?" Bucky asked quietly, "You look relaxed, you know." Kennedy grinned a bit, blushing suddenly knowing he'd seemed to notice exactly how she felt.

"Really well," Kennedy said, suddenly almost shy at the words that slipped from her lips, suddenly turning her eyes towards Bucky's shoulder instead of you know, his face, "better than the past few weeks, if I'm being honest."

"Good." Bucky said with a nod, a genuine one at that, before smiling at her, "Something we can finally agree on." Her eyes darted to his in mild surprise, but instead he was peeling away from her and pulling himself out of the bunk, his fingertips dragging over her jacketed stomach, his warmth following.

Kennedy watched as he stood to his feet, receiving nods from Brady, Buck and DeMarco who were stood and sat about, the likes of Annie in a chair beside Bessie who were most likely looking at a map spread out in front of them.

Kennedy reached up to rub at her eyes and then, with what will she had left in her body, turned to slide out of the bunk as well as was almost more grateful than anything when people barely seemed to bat an eye. Annie did glance upwards though - only to send a small smile her way, in a notion of a morning greeting, if anything - she was always doing that, checking in, nodding, grinning.

That was Annie Bradshaw for you.

"Coffee, Farley?" Benny asked her, standing by the mini stove, lifting up a tin cup, "It ain't much, but still tastes a bit like coffee."

"With some imagination." Brady muttered as he sipped at his own cup of 'coffee'. Kennedy stood still for a moment, vaguely feeling Bucky's eyes on her, much more incredibly aware of the fact that sometimes he'd watch her without her even noticing. He'd probably done that before and she didn't even take a second to put it in her mind. Now, she could feel his eyes right on her as she walked over to Benny with a nod.

"Sure," she said, watching as he poured the cup of coffee and handed it over.

"Imagine there's cream and sugar in there." he told her with a smile.

"Whole lotta imagination this morning, huh?" Kennedy asked him with a chuckle as she gratefully took the cup and sipped some of it down, cringing a bit at the watery bitterness but relishing it none the less. It was liquid, caffeine and something to put in her stomach. She wasn't complaining.

Turning, Kennedy picked her way towards a spot at the table and looked across at Annie and Bessie who had Buck and Bucky crowded behind them, pouring over that map again.

"What's all that about?" Kennedy asked quietly, catching Annie's gaze as she looked up from the map.

"Bessie's been taking 'walks' with Hambone." Annie offered with a slight smile, "Has the entire camp mapped out - down to the detail. Gates, entrances, barracks, washing halls, the works."

"If we ever need…." Bessie started before dropping her voice, "some sort of means of escape." Kennedy glanced over at Brady who had stood and was now standing behind the two women, sipping his watery coffee and looking down at the map.

"Where are we putting it?" Brady asked her with a low voice - ideally Kennedy's own question.

"In my shirt," Bessie said, looking back up at him with a grin, "I don't need them doing what they did to us when they found Buck's radio, alright?" Brady met Annie's eyes it seemed for a split second before nodding at Bessie.

"We could also trade off - keep it hidden, they wouldn't guess," Brady offered settling beside Annie with a smile, "better to play a bit back at them with their own game."

"Yeah, well, that's if we can even find a way outta this shit hole." Bucky said settling down beside Kennedy, which undoubtedly made her heart pound a bit as she noticed Annie's watchful eyes on her, and Bessie's rather profound staring. The boys didn't appear to care nor were that observant to mind, but it was evident that Annie and Bessie had clued in.

"You think we could even get past those guys - weapons and all? Barbed wire? Their watch dogs, huh?" Bucky said, "I don't know if there's a shot even a mile away. Plus, where the hell would we go?"

"Just start moving west - towards France then." Annie supplied, her calming voice usually one that helped them all the breath a bit easier - its steady presence and calm confidence, "We do what we can. Not saying this is happening anytime soon, but….if the opportunity were to appear….." Brady glanced at Annie before looking at the group.

"We'll keep a plan set in place." Brady said quietly and Bucky seemed to agree with that.

"We'll keep it on the low-low," Buck said softly from his bunk, "there's no telling who is hearing what or what others are saying or thinking, alright?" A few whispered agreements of 'yes' wrung about.

People seemed to dissolve into their own conversations again, a few people stepping out for air, a walk about the place. Bucky turned to Kennedy and leaned up against the table with a wide grin her way. She watched him, unflinching and raised a brow.

"What's that look for?" she asked, taking a sip again of the watery coffee, before dropping her voice, "You were cuddled up to me all night, Bucky, you could keep the staring like that to a minimum." Bucky looked flustered for a second, caught off guard by her words, before smirking.

"Correction: you were the one cuddled up to me."

"You had your arms wrapped around me like I'd run away." she countered back.

"You weren't complaining."

"Your snoring wasn't making up for it." He stared at her as she said that and smiled wider.

"I know that look, Kenny," he said quietly, reaching up a finger to lightly tap under her chin, "don't tell me you didn't feel better protected from those nightmares, huh?" Kennedy's cheeks warmed and she shrugged her shoulders. She was quiet. She wouldn't lie.

"Gotcha there." he said quietly beside her with a chuckle, "Thanks for not punching me by the way." Kennedy looked at him and then gently gave a punch to his shoulder.

"Don't start doing things then that make you ask for it, got it?" she said, holding his gaze for a second longer than she should've, but there was something about that morning sleepiness still in his eyes that made her want to stare at him. In that quiet moment, she found herself smiling a bit. "You're still tired, you should lay down."

"Nah, I'm good." he said quietly, watching her back, with a nod, "I'm good just right here. You and me." Kennedy let out a small chuckle and nodded her head.

"Really?" she asked him with a growing smirk, "Seriously, go hit the hay for a bit."

"You wanna join me?" Kennedy gave him a punch to the shoulder.

"Bucky, be serious for a minute." she said, but couldn't hold back her bit of laughter as he smiled at her again.

"I am." he said with a wide smile, before leaning forward again, "You think this could be us? Back at Thorpe Abbotts? Drinking coffee together? Maybe back in the States?"

"Are you asking me out?" she said, almost half-jokingly, sipping the watery coffee again with a confident look his way - where that boldness had come from, she blamed the will of standing up against her brothers. But Bucky stared at her, face drawn into a serious look, before clearing his throat and letting out a laugh with a smile.

"If you put it that way…." he started and she shoved his shoulder again with a sigh, ignoring the fluttering in her chest and that look in his eye.

"I'm kidding, silly," she said and sipped the coffee again, something mindless to get her distracted, "seriously, go lie down. If they make us stand out there for hours again, you'll be dead on two feet."

"I already am." Bucky murmured with a chuckle and Kennedy sent him a look. He shrugged her off as he stood.

"If you ever wanna join, you know where to find me-"

"Bucky." muttered Kennedy, shoving his arm as he stood and he only laughed, before moving a few feet to pull himself onto the bunk and look at her. She stared at him and he smirked, before flipping over and letting out a sigh. Only then, did she sit there for a few moments and backtrack that entire conversation.

God help her.

[inlovewithregencyera]

transcript under cut : )

July 8th, 1818

*Louisa humming waltz*

Louisa: *making voice deeper* Lady

Aurelia, will you dance with me?

Bridget: But I thought you had already asked m-

Louisa: *whispering* No Birdie, I asked you when I was Louisa, now I am Frederick and you are Aurelia.

Bridget: Oh! *making voice higher* Yes, Frederick I'd love to!

Louisa: *faintly* Lord Worthington..

Bridget: *squeakily* Yes Lord Worthington, I'd love to!

Aurelia: *chuckling* Bridget your voice is much higher than mine!

Bridget: Is it really?

*Aurelia nods*

Louisa: *loudly whispering* Birdie for the last time you are Lady Aurelia, you do not answer to Bridget or Birdie, and we pretend that impostor over on the bed isn't there, alright?

Bridget: whispering Sorry!

Aurelia: Oh you both look so silly!

Louisa: *voice cracking* My goodness. what fine brown eyes you have my lady..

Bridget: But my eyes are blue?

Louisa: *loudly whispering* BIRDIE, AURELIA HAS BROWN EYES!

Bridget: Oh, yes. Thank you Lord Worthington, you also have very fine...*whispering* Aurelia, what color are his eyes...?

Louisa: BIRDIE!

Aurelia: Louie, please don't yell at her, she doesn't like it. His eyes are hazel, Birdie.

Bridget: *whispering* Thank you..-What fine hazel eyes you have Lord Worthington!

*Louisa humming off key*

*Bridget steps on Louisa’s foot*

Bridget: My goodness Lady Aurelia, have you two left feet..?

Aurelia: Louisa, please.

Bridget: Sorry...

Louisa: *loudly whispering* Best you dance with no one but Papa tonight.

Aurelia: Stop being mean to her!

Bridget: I don't think I want to play anymore...

Louisa: You’re so sensitive sometimes!

Bridget: You’re rude sometimes!

Aurelia: *extending arms* Come here B, ignore her.

*Bridget plops on bed*

Louisa: *rolling eyes* You are both ridiculous, I was joking.

Aurelia: I know, but you forget she is still a child.

Louisa: So am I!

Aurelia: *rubbing Bridget's back* Yes, but she's three years your junior and she's not even out yet.

Louisa: *exasperated sigh* Whatever. *flops on bed*

Aurelia: Maybe a little apology wouldn't hurt?

Louisa: That might ACTUALLY kill me.

Aurelia: Louisa!

Bridget: *giggling* Your love for history already kills me I'm tired of hearing about philosophers!

Louisa: *rolling eyes* Oh, but if I critiqued one of your silly interests or better yet, any of your flaws I'm mean.

Bridget: But your interests are masculine!

Louisa: Turning into Aunt Amelia are we?

Bridget: STOP IT NO I’M NOT!

Aurelia: *trying not to laugh* Louie, please just apologize to the poor thing.

Louisa: Fine. Birdie, I'm sorry I've hurt your feelings, could you find it in your heart to forgive me?

Bridget: NO!

Aurelia: *giggling* Birdie!

Louisa: *giggling* So much for your peace making efforts.

Bridget: I forgive you for being mean while dancing but NOT for comparing me to Aunt Amelia!

Louisa: Fair enough.

Aurelia: I too would be upset if I was compared to her. I can't tell which one is worse, her or her husband!

Bridget: I think poor Papa just puts up with them for the sake of our cousins getting away once in a while...he hates them I'm sure.

Louisa: No, I don't think he hates his own sister. Just who she chose for a husband.

*Aurelia chuckles*

Bridget: Why anyone would choose that THING for a husband I do not know.

Louisa: He looks like a blister!

Aurelia: I don't like him either but that's not very nic-

Louisa: HE'S not very nice. He made you cry last Christmas!

Aurelia: Oh but I was already crying I believe.

Bridget: He made you cry more. I HATE him and I mean it.

Louisa: *snickering* Since Aunt Amelia gave up dancing, perhaps you may dance with him tonight, Birdie?

Bridget: I'd rather expose my pantaloons for all to see!

Louisa: Well someone has to dance with him. We shouldn't make poor Aurelia dance with him, so SOMEONE should...

Bridget: And it won't be me! As you said, I shouldn't dance with anyone but Papa tonight.

Aurelia: Well I think-

Louisa: I'll not speak to that fool after he called my hair wooly last October. After Papa put him in his place he tried to play it off as a joke.

Aurelia: What? You never told me he-

Louisa: Yes, well you weren't yourself that much then. I didn't want to burden you with more stuff that could upset you..

Aurelia: *frowning* Oh.

Louisa: Oh, please take no offense Aurelia, I would've told you, believe me.

Aurelia: I know. I just wish I wasn't like this. Or rather, how I was last year. *sniffling* I'm sorry I hurt you both, please forg-

Bridget: NO! No tears today Aurelia, it's your big day and you will be happy and smiley if it's the last thing we have to make you do! You're almost truly of age!

Louisa: Yes, you will be very happy tonight! Why shouldn't you be, you'll be dancing with your whispering secret, not so secret lover again!

Bridget: Yes! Then he will propose by next week and all is forgotten, and then you'll have plenty of babies and be happy and Louisa and I will be their governesses as no man shall have either of us for we are both silly and ridiculous!

Aurelia: *wiping eyes* Do you think so?

Bridget: YES! We KNOW so!

Louisa: Yes, we do!

*Bridget and Louisa start frantically kissing Aurelia*

Louisa: inmitating Frederick* My dearest Aurelia!

Bridget: *imitating* Frederick* My dear darling!

Aurelia: cackling* STOP!

Louisa: My sweetheart!

Bridget: My pretty lady!

[luverofralts]

Arkhelios Adventures

When Maura opened her eyes, she didn't recognize the room she was standing in. It wasn't in the cottage or the palace. She was somewhere completely unknown to her. Where had she just been? Her brain scrambled, trying to piece together the last thing she remembered. She had been at the cottage, wasn't she? She had been talking to Adrian about parenting his strange little girl and laughing at how frustrated he felt. If one of her children could predict the future, Maura would be ecstatic instead of worried. Still, Rien was an unsettling child, even Maura could admit it. Honestly, she blamed that on Roman being her father. The poor girl was a Bellamy and even the Siew family genetics couldn't change that. There were Siews whose behaviour belonged in a horror movie, but they were never the haunted little girl that Adrianne appeared to be.

Speaking of horror movies, the decor of wherever Maura was seemed to fit right in a creepy movie. Skeletal figures and cloaked, robed beings were scattered across the room, making Maura feel like she was in some kind of evil cult building. Strangetown's coven had once worshiped and attempted to murder Death. Was this their second try? Had Edana lost her mind and followed her brother's path or was this the work of someone new? Why would Strangetown even care about the queen of Twikkii Island? This had better not be Claudia's idea of a joke. It would be just like Claudia to try to teach her cousin some misguided lesson about security or covens or whatever else Claudia had on her mind.

"Claudia? This isn't funny. You're not going to creep me out with some Gothic Halloween decorations. How did you even get me here? We promised to never use our security teams against each other, remember? Come on."

"I'm glad to hear that you and your cousin are still close. Our lives are lonely, and we need to keep our family near."

Maura spun around to face the voice coming from the next room. It was impossible. It couldn't be. It would have to be either a miracle or a tragedy for the owner of that voice to be standing behind her.

"M-Mom? Is that you?"

Impossibly, Cherry Siew, former queen of Twikkii Island, was standing in the same room as Maura for the first time in years. This wouldn't ordinarily be impossible, except for the fact that Cherry had died, leaving the throne to her daughter.

"Maura, I'm so sorry to see you here," the dead queen began. "It's so good to see you, though. I've missed you."

"Mom?"

Maura launched herself at her mother, wrapping her arms around the woman she missed every single day. She hadn't realized how much her mother had meant to her until she had been taken from her.

"You look so grown up and mature," Cherry said, holding her daughter just as tightly. "The crown hasn't crushed your spirit as I feared it might. You are carrying our family legacy well and making us all so happy."

Maura froze at these words, once again concerned about her location.

"Is this a dream? It has to be. I'm dreaming. You can't say things like this outside of dreams, you're gone. This is just me trying to rationalize the stress I've been under and fantasizing about parental acceptance. This is a weird dream though. I don't think I've ever dreamt of this place before."

"Honey, you're not dreaming. I know you're stubborn and strong-willed, but you need to accept this. You're not dreaming. You're between realms. You're dying."

Maura pulled away from her mother in an instant, suddenly taking notice of her surroundings and trying to guess where she was really being held.

"This is a trick! Who put you up to this? How did you find someone who looks so much like my mom? Tell me where I am!"

"Honey, you need to calm down. This is real and you need to listen to me. I'm here on behalf of our family. When someone dies, their soul is brought here to the office of the Grim Reaper, where they are greeted by their loved ones and introduced to eternity. Your grandmother wanted to come as well, but I overruled her. I know how you two always struggled to get along, and perhaps selfishly, I wanted you all to myself. I wanted to see the woman you've become in my absence."

All of the well reasoned arguments Maura tried to raise died under the withering glare of her mother. There was no denying that this was the same woman who could silence Maura’s childish antics while fidgeting during a royal speech with a single look. Too much evidence was piling up and it all appeared to be confirming Maura’s worst fears. If this wasn't a dream, Maura should still have a baby bump. She should be at the cottage. She wouldn't be seeing the very real ghost of her mother.

"I-I don't want to be dead," Maura whimpered. "I have so much to do still. I have a family. This has to be a mistake."

"None of that matters when it's your time," Cherry said softly. "We all had plans for how our lives would be, and being queen doesn't mean much against eternity. But honey, your life is still being written. You're dying, yes, but there is hope. You're not bound to this place yet. I'm speaking with you as a courtesy of the Grim Reaper."

"I...I'm not dead?"

Cherry shook her head. Maura had always struggled to pay attention growing up; it seemed like it was something she still struggled with.

"No, not yet at least. Your name hasn't been written in the lists of the Grim Reaper, but your body is damaged enough for your spirit to drift here. I was asked to greet you because your spirit wasn't the only one to travel here. Maura, I know this will come as an unwelcome shock, but there were casualties at the event where you were attacked. Alysiara and Spencer came to me earlier. Unlike you, their names are on the list of the lost. They wanted to say their goodbyes before joining our family in eternity."

"What? No. No, that's impossible. Those are my children. Children aren't supposed to die! Tell the Grim Reaper to fix it!"

"Mommy!"

Two familiar voices rang through the hall, breaking Maura’s heart. Those were undeniably her children, here in the realm of the dead. Her children were dead. How was she supposed to process this? How were her other children? Was Ulyssa safe? Were they at war in the living realm? She had to get back there and save her people, but she couldn't leave her children here.

"Spencer! You look so big! I love you so much." Maura wrapped her arms around her son, hugging him tightly. Behind him, Alysiara waited to do the same.

"You can look however you want here!" Spencer exclaimed. "I can look like a grown-up, but Grandma said it might be too much for you to see right now. Grandma's really nice."

"I know," Maura said numbly. "She's my mommy. She took great care of me, just like I'm sure she'll do for you."

It was all too surreal to process. Her mother, standing in front of her and two of her children, waiting to return to Cherry's side in what was apparently the world between life and death. She still half believed that this was all some kind of nightmare.

"Alysiara!" Maura hugged her oldest daughter fiercely. Alysiara remained the same as Maura remembered, with no sudden growth spouts like her brother. "Oh, honey, I'm so sorry. I couldn't protect you and-and that's the very first thing I promised to do as soon as I held both of you for the first time. This can't be happening! I...I just can't."

"We'll be okay," Alysiara promised her distraught mother. "Grandma has a lot of things to show us while we wait for you and Mommy to join us. I have a million people to meet, and they do parties here too. I can have a ball every day if I want and I don't even have to make a dress for it. You just think about what you want really hard, and it shows up. Spencer’s eaten a tub of ice cream already because he could. I'm going to ride a horse when you leave. No, actually, I think I'll ride a unicorn. I'm going to have my own castle now, filled with anything I want. You and Mommy can visit when you join us."

Cherry looked apologetically at her daughter.

"When children die, they assume an ageless consciousness, just like the rest of us," she explained, wrapping an arm around her grandson to keep him from running off. "It doesn't always kick in automatically. They'll be more mature once they get settled, but until then, there's no harm in unicorn racing. I promise that I'll take good care of them for you. I'll make sure that they're happy."

Maura wept for what felt like an eternity. She couldn't leave her children or accept their deaths. She also couldn't leave her living children and Ulyssa. She was torn between two realms, even if she knew where she truly belonged. She needed to guide her nation, at least until Adrion was able to succeed her, and she couldn't face a life without her remaining family that needed her in the living world. From the sound of it, the Grim Reaper didn't seem to expect her to die any time soon, so Maura prepared herself to leave her two children and her mother behind. She didn't want to, but it didn't seem like she was being given many options.

Maura thought of all the good times that she had shared with her mother and how often she longed to just sit down and chat with her about all the difficult things about being a queen and a mother. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed having her mother to bounce ideas off of until it was too late.

But wait. While Maura thought about losing her mother, she couldn't help but remember the difficulty of losing another parent.

"Where's Dad?" Maura blurted out. "I mean, if you're here and Grandma's here, then Dad has to be here too. Why didn't you invite him here? I want to see him too, even if it's only for a minute."

Cherry's posture immediately changed at the mention of her husband. She went from apologetic and soft to closed off.

"Your father's not here, Maura," Cherry said coldly.

"What? Where is he then? Is there anywhere else he could be? Could he be the in Void like Adrian was?"

"I don't know, and every reaper I've asked has refused to tell me. Dead people they can track, but living people? That's not their jurisdiction."

"Living people?" Maura repeated, horrified. "No, Grandma killed him. She didn't think he was right for a consort."

"My mother didn't kill my husband!" Cherry snapped. Her raised voice caused her grandchildren to flinch. "Your father was presumed dead and then declared dead so that I could remarry."

"Yeah, 'declared' dead so that you could find a new husband that Grandma approved of," Maura scoffed. "Convenient."

A darkness passed over Cherry's face that Maura had only seen when she was about to be grounded for a month as a child.

"Maura, I will not get into this while your children are here and still getting settled in. I have always told you the truth, whether you choose to believe it or not. Your father was declared dead after he left for a conference in Pleasantview and never arrived. We searched for months with the joined forces of Pleasantview and Twikkii Island. You were too young to remember that, but you can check the records yourself. My mother declared him dead after a year of searching to smooth things over with Pleasantview, seeing as he was en route there when he disappeared and some people were becoming suspicious. The Red Queen was also psychotic, Maura. We would have done anything to avoid a war with her, and you would have done the same. And yes, I wanted it to be over after months of searching. I wanted to marry the love of my life, and that wasn't your father. Iris and I were in love, and your father and I were planning to divorce. I'm sorry that I never told you that, Maura, but it's true. I never wanted to hurt you because you always spoke of your father like he was your hero and was special to you. You deserved closure and not the unhealable open wound of having a father who was missing. I tried to protect you. We all honestly thought that he was dead. The Red Queen wasn't known for keeping prisoners."

"Dad is still alive," Maura mumbled, her mind trying its hardest to piece together this new information but failing. "All these years. He could have come to my wedding and held my children when they were born. He could have walked me down the aisle. He could have called me up last week just to talk. Is he being held captive? He didn't abandon me if he's been a prisoner this whole time. I need to talk to Claudia. Maybe she has access to the Red Queen's secret diary where she confesses to kidnapping my dad!"

"Maura, don't pursue it," Cherry ordered. "Nothing good can come of this. Guide your people out of danger. Raise your children. Live your life. You can always talk to your father when you're both dead. He could be anywhere."

"How can I not?" Maura demanded. "He could be withering away in a prison cell somewhere. He could need my help. I'm sure he didn't leave us on purpose, even if you were going to divorce him. He wouldn't abandon me."

In a distant room, a large clock tolled, snapping Cherry's focus back to the matter she came to discuss.

"That's the end of your time here," she explained sadly. "I wish I could stay longer, but the kids need to get settled and you cannot stay forever in between realms. I love you. Never forget that. Don't worry about Alysiara and Spencer. They'll be happy with the family waiting for you here. I love you."

Within a blink of an eye, Maura’s mother and children vanished from sight, leaving Maura alone in this strange waiting room. She sobbed harder than she ever had in her life. For her two lost children. For the reminder of the hole in her life where her mother had been. For the cruel knowledge that her father was alive and yet absent from her life. Maura felt like curling up on the floor in the fetal position and never getting up again. Her entire life had been ruined over the course of an afternoon family barbecue, and there was no saving it. All she could do was what she always did in tough times: keep fighting until the painful knot in her stomach went away.