#tell em deacon

[deacon-maccready]

If that isn't the truth I don't know what is.

[fluentmoviequoter]

As Oblivious as You Think

Requested Here!

Pairing: Deacon Kay x fem!SWAT!reader

Summary: Your team thinks you're oblivious about your feelings for Deacon, so they try to push you together. Their plans fail because you already have a boyfriend, and you're not as oblivious as they think.

Warnings: fluff, uninvited flirting, Rocker slander, quick joke about shooting r (Street)

Word Count: 2.2k+ words

Masterlist Directory | Deacon Kay Masterlist | Request Info/Fandom List

“Hey, do you want to spar?” you ask Deacon.

“Right now?” he responds.

“Why not?”

“Because I was kind of enjoying what we were doing before.”

You smile and lean forward to kiss Deacon again. He hums into the kiss as you raise your hands to cup his jaw. It’s been several months since you started dating Deacon, and moments like this, where you can express your love for him without worrying that one of your teammates will see, are your favorite.

You pull back slightly to inquire, “Then you’ll spar with me at work tomorrow?”

“Whatever you want,” Deacon mumbles before he places his hand on the back of your head and pulls you back in.

You smile against his lips and forget about your question when Deacon murmurs that he loves you.

“C’mon, Deac, you can do better than that,” you taunt from your side of the boxing ring.

“This is getting hard to watch,” Street grumbles. “Can’t you just make them kiss or something to put us out of our misery, team leader?”

Hondo rolls his eyes but doesn’t disagree. Your feelings for Deacon and his feelings for you are obvious to everyone in the station. Yet, you both seem just oblivious enough that you never do more than tease or engage in some harmless flirting. It’s getting tiring for everyone around you.

“Deacon, just hit her!” Street yells.

“Yeah, Deac!” you agree. “But note that he did not say hit on her. That’s for later.”

Deacon shakes his head as he steps forward and dodges a rear hook. Luca and Chris join Street and Hondo beside the ring as you spar with Deacon.

“Are we going to do anything about them?” Luca asks Hondo. “Or just let them figure it out the hard way?”

“They’re playing the long game,” Chris says.

“Then let’s hit the gas for them before this slow burn kills me,” Street suggests dramatically.

“Slow burn?” Chris repeats. “Time to take away your TikTok access.”

“Bookstagram.”

“Okay,” Hondo interrupts. “I actually agree with Street.”

“You have a bookstagram?” Street asks.

“No, playboy. I agree that we need to find a way to… nudge them closer.”

“Team ‘em up,” Luca says. “If they’re together on enough raids, eventually they’ll be ready to admit that they care as more than teammates.”

“You’re forgetting something,” Chris interrupts. “If they get together, they have to tell Hicks. He may not let them stay on 20-David together.”

The rest of your team turns to look at you and Deacon together. It’s easy to see your feelings, and Hondo decides it’s worth the risk. He cares about you as people, friends, first. So, if one of you has to transfer to be happy, he’s willing to replace one of you, though it won’t be easy.

“I vote we send Deacon to Rocker’s team,” Street whispers to Chris. “He’ll be running the show in ten minutes or less.”

“Street, you’re with me on A-side. Chris, Luca, you’re breaching the B-side with Black Betty,” Hondo announces. “Deacon.”

“C-side limited entry?” he guesses.

Hondo nods before he looks at you. “You’re with Deac.”

“Got it,” you reply.

“Alright, let’s do this.”

You follow Deacon to the C-side and adhere a small explosive device to the door. On Hondo’s cue, you’ll blow the door open and enter the residence to find your fugitive. You’ve been paired with Deacon before and have enough experience separating your professional life from your personal one to work side-by-side without endangering yourself or your team.

“Three, two, one, breach!” Hondo radios.

You detonate the explosive, then follow Deacon into the shotgun-style house with your gun positioned against your shoulder.

“LAPD, on the ground!” Deacon yells.

You move to his right to cover him as he tackles the man to the floor and keep your eye out for other hostiles in the small living space.

“Devon Patterson?” you ask the man as Deacon handcuffs him.

“Lawyer,” he mumbles against the floor.

“Is that your given name or did you change it?” you joke.

Deacon nods before he pulls the man to his feet.

“30-David, one in custody on the C-side,” Deacon alerts Hondo.

“Deacon,” you call, gesturing with your chin to an empty spot on the counter.

“What was there?” Deacon asks Devon.

“You tell me,” he replies. “Your girlfriend’s standing in it.”

You and Deacon look down at your boots at the same time. The soles are bright green and glowing, and you tilt your head as you squat to get a better look.

“20-David, we’re code 4,” Hondo calls.

“Not so fast, Hondo,” Deacon replies. “Be careful,” he tells you.

“Turn off the lights,” you request.

Deacon does as you asked, and your footprints become visible in the dark. There’s a large puddle of green fluid beside the kitchen cabinets, and you see where you stepped in it upon entering.

“So, Space Kook, is this phosphorous going to melt my boots or is it just reacting to the heat?” you ask Devon. “And before you answer, know that if these are melting, the DA will not be as nice to you.”

“It’s just the heat,” he mumbles. “It can’t get through the rubber.”

“Fantastic,” you reply with faux enthusiasm. “Hondo, we’re code 4.”

Deacon shakes his head as he leads Devon out of the house.

“Your girlfriend’s kind of hot,” Devon says as they exit. “And she watches-“

“Shut up,” Deacon interrupts. “You don’t have to talk to me, or anyone until your lawyer arrives.”

“Right.”

After Devon is placed in a transport van, you smile at Deacon.

“What?” he asks.

“He was right about one thing,” you explain, leaning toward Deacon.

“Being?”

“I do watch Scooby-Doo.”

Deacon releases a breath as you walk toward Black Betty. He’d wondered if you were about to admit to being his girlfriend with your team so close by, but you continue to surprise him despite knowing you so well.

“The criminal saw it, but they can’t?!” Street exclaims as he watches you walk away from Deacon.

“We have to step this up if we want them to realize quickly,” Luca says. “What if you sent them off alone?”

“They’d be too embarrassed or worried about repercussions to tell us if anything did happen,” Hondo answers. “Although…”

“Spit it out,” Street encourages.

“Deacon has to be in court on Monday. We could send her, call it presence for the jury, whatever. That way, they’re together, but there’s no field danger or anything.”

“Don’t push them too hard too fast,” Chris reminds Hondo as she joins them. “If they catch onto us before they realize they’re supposed to see each other, it won’t end well.”

“There is one other option that lets Deacon do most of the heavy lifting,” Luca points out.

“Don’t say shoot her and let him save her,” Street responds.

“We could-“ Luca stops to look at Street and asks, “Why would I suggest we shoot her?”

“You said heavy lifting, I don’t know.”

“Anyway, if we got one or two people to hit on her, maybe he’d realize that he didn’t like that. Push him to admit something that way.”

“It’s not a terrible idea,” Chris agrees. “But Deac could just get a little jealous and keep that trapped inside. He’s done it before.”

“Both,” Hondo says suddenly. “We’ll do both. Send them out together, but we wait for the flirting thing to happen naturally.”

“What if it doesn’t?” Luca asks.

“Look at her, man,” Street replies. “It’ll happen. It probably already does, and we just don’t see it.”

“If it doesn’t, we’ll recruit some guys from the station,” Hondo adds. “Let’s hope this works.”

“Hondo said you’re joining me in court?” Deacon asks as you accompany him to the locker room.

“Yeah, he said the jury might like to see two SWAT officers there, just a presence thing, no testifying,” you explain.

“Alright. What are you doing tonight?”

You look around quickly before you answer, “Being cooked for, I hope.”

“Yeah, I can do that. What do you want?”

“To eat or in general?” Deacon raises his brows, so you tell him what you want to eat, then drop your voice to add, “And affection.”

Deacon shakes his head, then pushes you away and toward your own locker as he begins to change. Spending the day with him sounds like more fun than waiting around HQ for a call that may never come.

“Rocker! We need to talk to your team,” Hondo calls.

“About what?” Rocker asks.

“Deacon.”

“You’re trying to get him to admit his feelings?”

“How’d you know?” Street asks.

“They’ve been together every time I see them. I didn’t think they’d do that willingly.”

“If Rocker can see the obliviousness, this might be easier than I thought,” Chris mumbles to Luca.

“What do you need?” Rocker inquires.

“We want some guys to hit on her, ask her out,” Hondo explains.

“So, he’ll get jealous and tell her the truth. Not bad. I’ll let my guys know she’s finally free game.”

“Finally?” Chris asks.

Rocker raises his brows as he drops his head toward his right shoulder. “50-Squad would’ve been flirting with her since she started, but I told them not to.”

“Why?” Street interjects.

“Deacon scares me a little bit,” Rocker admits. “We’re in, though. Let’s get those two on the same page.”

When you return from court, with no evidence that you held Deacon’s hand the whole time you were seated, you go straight toward the locker room to change.

“Hey, you’re 20-Squad, right?” one of Rocker’s guys asks.

“I am,” you answer. “What’s up?”

“I was just wondering if you’d like to get a drink some time. We could share SWAT stories or just hang out, whatever you want.”

“No, thanks.”

You nod as you continue past him. It’s the first time you’ve been asked out at work, but you know he’s not new, so you’re unsure about why he's asking now. You see Deacon’s locker and forget about the unwarranted date proposal.

By the end of the week, you’ve been asked out once more and flirted with several times. You’ve concluded it must be a dare or some strange betting pool. When you walk out of the locker room on Friday afternoon, preparing for a date with Deacon and a relaxing weekend, you’re surprised by Rocker’s call of your name.

“Hey,” he greets when you smile at him. “Do you have plans this weekend?”

“Not really,” you answer, suspicious about where this is going.

“Do you want to grab dinner tomorrow?”

You furrow your brows before you ask, “Aren’t you married?”

Unknown to you, Deacon is standing in a doorway just a few feet away and barely contains his laughter at your questioning look.

“Well, yeah, but I- I’ve got this buddy, you know. He’s single, and maybe we could double date or something. Or not! But I was asking for him, not for me,” Rocker rambles.

“No,” you answer as you step around Rocker. You see Deacon and ask, “What is going on?”

“You seem to be in high demand,” he jokes with a wink.

“Not anymore.” You climb into the boxing ring and call for everyone’s attention. 20 and 50 Squads are preparing to leave, and you’re glad they’re all gathered together. “I don’t know what is going on with any of you but stop flirting with me.”

“Why?!” Street yells.

You raise your hands in question at his response but can’t reply before Luca steps forward.

“You have to do something!” he calls. At his side, Street nods as he agrees.

“What are you talking about?” you ask.

“Girl, just go out with Deacon!” Hondo yells from the back. “You’re oblivious if you can’t see he has feelings for you!”

“Well, that’s embarrassing,” Deacon quips beside the ring.

“Why else would you have turned all of us down?” one of Rocker’s guys inquires.

“Listen!” you yell over the murmured agreements of the other men who have approached you this week. “I’m turning all of you down because I have a boyfriend.”

The room silences briefly after the word boyfriend until everyone begins yelling. Deacon is quiet beside you, a smile on his face when you look over at him. Street climbs into the ring with you and gestures for everyone to quiet before he turns toward you.

“Who?!” Street demands. “I’ll run a background check.”

“Hicks already has,” Deacon answers for you. “Hicks, I’m clear, right?” he calls toward Hicks, who is watching the show from his office door.

Hicks sends a thumbs up, and you look around at your fellow SWAT officers, most of which have slack jaws at the news that you’ve been dating Deacon, that you’re serious in that relationship.

Deacon extends his hand, and you take it happily as you leave your speechless friends behind. As you step out, the men inside begin talking about you and Deacon… loudly.

“That was fun,” you say sarcastically.

Deacon turns and uses his free hand to tilt your chin up so he can kiss you. He pulls back, brushes his thumb over your cheek, and asks, “How could they think I’d ever be oblivious of you?”

“You did shove me out of the way in the locker room,” you argue.

“Do you always have to bring up violence when we’re kissing?”

“Maybe I’m just oblivious to your feelin-“

You stop short when Deacon leans in to kiss you again, losing yourself in him until 20-Squad exits the building and speaks over one another to ask questions.

[danses-with-dogmeat]

Fallout Characters' Lover's Embrace Quotes -- Extras

(Original ask): Hello 😊 I absolutely adore everything you do for the characters you write for! You get the interactions and such perfect every time I read something new 💕 I have a personal headcanon, not full blown request if you don't want it to be, question for you. If you could romance the companions in New Vegas like in 4, what would some of their lovers embrace quotes be? I love how you think and can't wait to hear what ideas you have for any of the characters ❤ have a good day

So I didn't actually get any requests for these specific characters that I can remember, but I had this in my WIPs folder, and had a good time looking back on them, so here they are!

As always, if you would like me to add any characters to this, please let me know, and I'll be happy to 😊

Also, here's a link to my first Lover's Embrace Quotes post with the FO3 and FNV Companions.

Just a heads up, too, a bit of nsfw below the cut (nothing explicit, but definitely some implicit stuffs).

Fallout 4:

Codsworth: 

“Prepared to face the day, sir/madam?”

“Oh my, now that was exciting!” 

“Your hair, sir/miss. Allow me to fix it for you?” 

“Good morning, sir/madam!” 

“My, you are truly amazing, my sweet.” 

Deacon:

“Whoa, when did you get here?” 

“Up for one more round? No?... Yes?”

“Just another minute. Then we can kick some ass or whatever.”

“Gooood morning! And it is a beautiful day out in the Commonwealth, the weather is looking mighty fine in this– Oh, you’re up? Okay, just making sure.” 

“Up and at ‘em, right boss?” 

“Wow. That was fun.” 

Maxson:

“Sleep well?” 

“I’ll take that over morning drills any day. No, I don’t need you to tell Kells that.” 

“Head’s still swimming…” 

“Don’t make me get up, not yet.” 

“Damn… Incredible.” 

Nick:

“Can’t take my eyes off you….” 

“Ain’t I the luckiest synth there is?” 

“Say… where’d my cuffs get off to, doll? May need ‘em for later.” 

"Well, that's one way to get the coolant pumping." (I know this is already a line of his, but I mean come on. It's too good not to use)

“What do you say, about ready to go?” 

“That sure was somethin’, sweetheart.”

Sturges:

“Mornin’ gorgeous/handsome.” 

“Ain’t nothin’ better than wakin’ up like that.” 

“You really are incredible, you know that?” 

“What a perfect way to start my day… wakin’ up next to you.”

“*whistles* That was somethin,’ baby.”

X6-88:

“Good morning, ma’am/sir.” 

“Awake quite yet?” 

“Damn.” 

“Sleep well, ma’am/sir?”

“I… Didn’t know I could feel like that…” 

Fallout 3:

Mr. Burke: 

“I suppose there are worse ways to wake up.” 

“Care for some coffee?” 

“Just a moment more, sweet one.” 

“Ahh, you vixen/scoundrel.”

“Just turn over. It can’t be time yet.” 

Harkness: 

“Starting our day off right, I see.”

“It can’t really be time to get up, can it?” 

“Mm, good morning…”

“What’re you… Oh? Well, a few more minutes, then.” 

“Babe, have you seen my handcuffs?”

Sarah Lyons: 

“Up and at ‘em. Come on.” 

“Oh, good, you’re finally up.” 

“The others better not have heard us.” 

“Quit your groaning, it’s not that early.” 

“Best to have a shower after all that.” 

Fallout New Vegas:

Benny: 

“Ring-a-ding, baby. Time to rise.” 

“Easy there, squeeze. Save some for tonight.” 

“Can’t be time yet. Stay here awhile, lemme hold ya.” 

“Geeze baby, you wear me out.” 

“24-karate, pussy cat. Just platinum...” 

Colonel Hsu:  

"Right, then... Up we get."

“Well… that was an excellent performance. Top marks from me, private.”

“Rise and shine, love.” 

“Now that was worth waking for at this hour.” 

“Wish we had a few more moments…”

Joshua Graham:

“Just… divine.” 

“Care to pray with me this morning?” 

“Wake up, dear one.” 

“Praise be to Him who lights the sky…” 

“Ahh… still, your love heals me.” 

Ulysses: 

"Be slow, beloved. We can take our time."

“Another sunrise…”

“Time to wake.” 

“So… It wasn’t a dream. Hm.” 

*huffing* “Need another rest after that.” 

Victor: 

“Shoo, didn’t know you had that in ya.” 

“Where to today, pardner?”

“You look like I dug ya outta that grave again, hehe. Only teasin’.”

“Well, how-dy.” 

“Mornin,’ pardner. How’d you sleep?” 

Vulpes:

“Awake at last? Good.” 

“Mm. Expect the same from me tonight, courier.” 

“Ave, amica mea.” 

“Ah, to hear my name sound from your lips… A fine sound this morning.” 

“Expergiscimini. The sun has risen.” 

Yes Man: 

“Wow, Six, that was the best way to start the day!”

“I sure am glad to have you by my side.” 

“Rise and shine!” 

“What a great morning it is!”

“Boy, that sure was fun! Ready to make a difference today?” 

[moeblob]

So I didn't draw it today BUT I really need to focus on commissions so I'm counting that as my art of the day despite probably not finishing one day TO post. So you get this instead.

Deacon as stated before is basically paid to be intimidating but he truly can't help but light up for the lightning deity because "that's the friend of my boss!" so he properly greets her with a "Lady Fulj" as a formality and respect. While he does respect the deity he's sworn to, he just calls him boss. That's what he gets.

He doesn't have any magical powers but he's got a strong sense of energy regardless. He can pinpoint when Fulj arrives. He can sense in the room he guards to make sure Ymber is still there (though he doesn't teleport and that's the only exit. But when Fulj visits and he's still outside he senses both deities and it puts him at ease.

What impresses Ymber immensely is the split fire deities - he can personally sense that one is around but he doesn't know which. He simply recognizes their energy as "fire deity, be on high alert". Then one day as he's getting tense over it (the fire deities like to tease him), Deacon reassures him "hey it's the guy today! I noticed he is less brutal in his comments it will be fine C:" and Ymber is stunned that he can identify which one is there before seeing them.

Deacon can also sense spirits and in Ymber's temple can actually see and hear them. But he doesn't tell them or interact, he lets them be in peace. Until he laughs at something one says and the spirits realize he's heard them for the past multiple years which is ... embarrassing. In addition to that, he can usually sense a monster out of town. On his rare walks with Ymber he's able to guide them around the monsters easily so neither one has to fight (though he gladly would fight em and he knows Ymber could one shot any of them).

He wants to be well trusted by Ymber and figures it won't happen, Ymber is simply too closed off and reserved. That's fair. Deacon assumes it's his mortality at play and why entrust him with his past experiences when he's just going to die sooner than Ymber would bother with. Which then shocks him when Fulj gets upset about "he didn't even ask for consent" and gets angry at Ymber for not telling Deacon. So she guilts Ymber to tell Deacon "um, I apologize for not asking you but I have extended your life. By a few centuries. I'm sorry" expecting Deacon to get upset at having to leave behind any loved ones as he doesn't age or die anytime soon. But! Deacon as a dedicated follower aiming to only please his boss is delighted by the trust shown by wanting to keep him around longer and proceeds to take his job as guardian/bodyguard even more seriously (which is hard to do with how serious he was before).

Anyway I won't go into the details now since this is already an essay but I've been shoving suffering onto Ymber and Fulj and why they are both like they are - withdrawn (Ymber) and enamored by humans (Fulj). But not for happy reasons.

[just-a-girl-who-wrytes]

Part 1.

“You’re safe here, we’re going to take good care of you,” Nikki spoke softly into the SWAT officer’s ear. “There’s going to be a lot going on, but we’re going to put you to sleep and get you straightened out.”

The trauma room was full of ER staff - doctor’s, nurses, respiratory, and just as many law enforcement officers were standing outside of the room as there were healthcare personnel in the room. Nikki normally worked in the ICU as a nurse, but their census was low so she got floated to the ER today. Not that she minded, it was her first home once she transitioned into the hospital from EMS.

In fact, her old partner had been the one to bring her the 48 year old SWAT Sergeant. Serving warrants had gone horribly wrong and landed him with a shattered femur, humerus, and a collapsed lung all due to gun fire. The ballistic vests that SWAT wore were the best of the best, but that didn’t protect them from the areas left uncovered - like the arm pit.

This was where David Kay had been struck. The AR round tore through his upper arm, mutilating his humerus, before tearing through his chest wall twice, and lodging itself in the armored plate on the inside of his vest.

His femur wasn’t much better from what Nikki had seen on the x-rays, but it was a more survivable wound than that in his chest. She wondered if this sergeant, who’s colleagues referred to as “Deacon” would pull through, but she also knew the trauma team on today was the best of the best and if anyone had a chance of surviving, it was under their care.

Two days later, Nikki returned to work, back to her home in the ICU. She were getting report from the nightshift nurse when she looked at his computer screen and noticed her patient’s name - David Kay. She were glad to see he had survived surgery. She had encountered line of duty deaths during her days as paramedic but that didn’t make them any easier. Per the off-going nurses report, David had remained intubated, but stable and was periodically needing blood transfusions simply due to the extent of his injuries.

The surgeons had given him a titanium femur and humerus to replace his obliterated ones and he had a chest tube in place as well. He was blessed that his heart was spared in the shooting - literally. He was on minimal sedation but heavy pain control, which in turn helped keep him sedated. The plan was to wean him off as much sedation and narcotics as he could tolerate and then trial to see if he was ready to have the breathing tube removed.

“David, wake up for me.” He heard a familiar voice say.

As David began coming around, a sudden jolt of pain woke him. Then he realized he was hurting everywhere - legs, arms, chest.

He winced.

“No, babe, you can’t pull at that.” The voice spoke again.

He felt a hand on each of his wrists, preventing him from pulling at this god awful tube in his mouth. He was grimacing, he could tell. This was all torture - being held down, the tube in his throat, the pain he felt every time he breathed in or out, and what else did he feel? A tube in his penis? He fought harder to free his wrists.

“David… Deacon, stop fighting us, babe. You’re safe. You’re in the hospital, your surgery went well.” There was that voice again. “We’re trying to get you off of the medicine so that we can get you off of the breathing machine, but in order to do that, I need you to relax and listen to me.”

David was still confused, but he knew that voice sounded like home. He was having trouble recollecting all of the events that transpired and landed him here, but one thing remained clear: this voice was the one speaking softly next to his ear when he was brought into the emergency room terrified and alone.

He knew he wasn’t alone, but everyone seemed so busy doing everything to take care of his physical body that no one took the time to take care of him emotionally and emotionally, he was a train-wreck. He was hurting, he felt helpless, he was terrified…. Yet, in the middle of the chaos of healthcare saving his life, this voice was the calm in the middle of his storm.

He relaxed under her commands and opened his eyes. Everything was blurry at first, but as his vision came into focus, the first person he laid eyes on was a 5’4” nurse. she had brown hair, eyes that seemed to look straight into his soul, and the most beautiful smile that appeared when she said “Hey, Deacon.”

This was her - this was who the voice belonged to and her physical appearance matched it so beautifully.

“All of your SWAT team has told us you go by Deacon. Is that right?”

He nodded and winced at the discomfort of the tubes down his throat.

“Deacon, my name is Nikki, I’m your nurse today. We’ve stopped the medicine that makes you sleepy to make sure you’re still with us. If this goes well, the goal will be to get this breathing tube out tomorrow.”

Deacon continued to hold her gaze.

“Now you’ve got a tube in your chest. It’s under your armpit. You had a collapsed lung so the tube is in the side of your chest to help your lung re-inflate. It is probably uncomfortable to breathe with, but do the best you can, okay?”

Deacon slightly nodded again.

He continued to listen to her speak. He followed her commands and winced through the pain of breathing on his own once the ventilator settings were switched so that he was able to breathe. The breathing test went well, but exhausted him. He welcomed the rest that accompanied the restart of sedation.

The following day, he was woken up again, except this time, they took the breathing tube out. It was a miserable, but short lived feeling. Thankfully, Nikki was by his side through the whole process, talking him through it.

In the following days, he looked forward to seeing his beautiful nurse. He had talked to her about when he came in and was starting to recall some of the events leading up to his current ICU stay. Despite the tragedy, her presence had such a calming effect on David. Maybe it was the way she eased the nerves of his parents when they came to visit after he was awake. Or maybe it was how she answered any questions his teammates threw at her without skipping a beat. She was smart and she knew her stuff. But more than that, David was at ease with her. He was crippled by his newfound immobility, but Nikki encouraged him to do all that he could. And he did. But, he still needed help with things like brushing his teeth or washing himself. In any other situation, David would have been nauseated at having to be given a bed bath, but until he had this chest tube removed and his arm and leg healed up, this was his reality. Nikki made it tolerable. He didn’t feel ashamed, embarrassed, or exposed as she helped clean the most intimate parts of him. She had a gentle touch and the way she made sure he was on clean sheets and in a clean gown reminded David of the comfort he found in his mother’s care as a boy.

Nikki was amazing at her job and it was very apparent that she loved what she did and cared for her patients just like she would her own family. Or was David different? He didn’t know, but he was definitely disappointed on the day he got moved from the intensive care unit to a step down unit and lost Nikki and her care.

[lemoncrushh]

The Entertainer - Track 06 - No Concern of Yours

Summary: Set in the 70s, Sky Jones, a young woman from L.A., meets Harry Styles, an up-and-coming musician and frontman for the band Wildfire. Told in first person from Sky’s point of view, she shares her journey and what it’s like to fall for a rockstar.

STORY PAGE

Track 06 Word Count: 2.8k

The week of studio time for Harry and his band turned into two weeks, and then three. I didn’t get to see him as often as I’d hoped. He came over a couple times after a long session, but never stayed the night. As the end of the third week neared, I felt myself starting to get restless. I would lie awake at night wondering what it was I was feeling. Despite the fact that we’d slept together, Harry and I hadn’t declared what we were. We weren’t really a couple, I didn’t think. And the more I pondered over it, the more I started feeling like it was exactly what Halo said she and Mitch were. Just sex.

One evening, when both Harry and Mitch had announced they were finally finished with recording, and their debut album was now in the mixing stage, the entire band came over for a night of beer drinking and cards. I don’t even remember what game we were playing. Neither my heart nor mind were in it, and for some reason I started accusing Harry of cheating. He thought it was funny though, like I was just teasing him. He laughed and came up behind me to tickle my sides, but I quickly pushed him away with my elbows.

“Stop it. Leave me alone.”

“What’s with you?” he asked, his brows furrowed.

“Nothing!” I spat.

I heard him curse under his breath as he walked past me to the kitchen for another beer.

“Hell yeah, turn that up!” exclaimed Lee as Thin Lizzy started to play through the little radio I kept on the counter.

“Tonight there’s gonna be a jailbreak…”

Walking by, Harry turned the knob, nodding his head to the beat, his lips puckered. Then he began to mime the guitar chords as Mitch did the same. I watched him for most of the song, my stomach doing a little flip until I quickly looked away and rose from my chair to get myself a beer. Popping off the cap, I took a few swigs, leaning against the fridge. Harry’s eyes met mine and he gave me a smile.

“Searchlight on my trail Tonight’s the night all systems fail Hey you good lookin’ female Come 'ere!”

Harry beckoned me with his finger and his eyebrows raised, but I didn’t budge. Instead, I took another long drink from my beer and returned to my seat next to Halo.

“Something going on I should know about?” she whispered in my ear.

“Nope. Nothing at all.”

Harry continued to stare at me, an easy smirk on his lips. When Deacon announced he was dealing for the next game, Harry took his chair to my right, straddled it and crossed his arms.

“So when’s the tour?�� inquired Halo when all the cards were dealt.

“You guys are going on tour?” I widened my eyes.

“Damn right we are,” said Lee as he high-fived Deacon.

“We’re supposed to go on the road in a few weeks,” added Mitch. “Starting in San Francisco.”

“Ooh, can I come?” Halo ran her hand up Mitch’s chest, her face close to his, practically sitting in his lap. I caught Mitch’s grin just before Lee piped up again.

“No way.”

“What?” Halo looked offended.

“No girls on the road.”

“Who says?”

“We say.”

“Oh, you do?” Halo raised a brow at Lee, then looked back at Mitch for reassurance. He looked just as perplexed.

“Tell ‘em, Harry,” said Lee.

“Um…”

I sat back, folding my arms across my chest. I had to hear this.

“Why can’t we come, Harry?” asked Halo. “We love you guys. We know you guys. We’re your biggest supporters.”

Harry nodded, but said nothing. I had to hand it to Halo for saying “we.”

“Don’t you want me to come?” she pouted to Mitch.

“Yeah,” he grinned, pushing a strand of hair from her face.

“No,” Lee repeated. “Absolutely not!”

“C’mon, mate,” Harry finally spoke. “They’re not gonna get in the way. Let ‘em come.”

Not gonna get in the way? What was I, a toddler?

“Harry,” Deacon shook his head. “Remember the agreement?”

“There’s an agreement?” I asked.

“Yeah man, did you forget about Pippa?” added Lee.

“Pippa? Who’s Pippa?” My question was addressed to Harry, but no one seemed to hear me.

“I don’t think this is the same thing.” Harry shook his head.

“Isn’t it?” Lee looked from Harry to me, then back at him.

“You don’t know what you’re fucking talking about!”

“Yeah? You think we made the no girls on the road rule for the hell of it?”

“Look mate,” said Deacon. “I’m not saying these girls are like Pippa. It’s just…we decided on the agreement for a reason. That includes all girls.”

“Who the fuck is Pippa?!” I exclaimed.

Silence fell over the entire table, and everyone stared at me like I’d just walked into the room in the middle of a secret-telling. Lee and Deacon both blinked and turned to Harry who barely looked at me.

“Nobody,” he said softly. “It’s…it’s no concern of yours.”

“Gee, thanks.”

I took a long swig of my beer as Halo continued to argue that she was going on tour (or at least to as many shows as she could), and no one was going to stop her. Lee finally gave up, I suspected because he didn’t feel like listening to Halo anymore, and declared that we should finish the card game.

I felt Harry’s eyes on me a few times, but I didn’t dare look at him. I’d already felt some sort of frustration when the evening had started. Now I was full-on perturbed.

When the game was over (I think Deacon won), I got up to go to the bathroom. I spent a long time in there, not feeling like participating in the party in the living room. I could hear them all laughing, the prior conversation completely forgotten…to all but me.

Finally deciding to call it a day, I opened the door to find Harry standing next to it.

“Hey,” he said with a grin, his hands immediately grabbing my waist and pulling me to him. “You okay?”

I blinked, lowering my gaze to his chest where I pressed my own hands. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Don’t worry ‘bout what Lee and Deacon said. You can come if you want.”

“I can?” I doubted Harry detected the sarcasm in my tone.

“Yeah, you should.”

“I should?”

“Yeah. If you want to.”

I lifted my head, trying my best to read his face while also hoping to God he could read mine.

“Oi, mate, we’re headed out!” shouted Deacon from across the room. “You coming with?”

His arms still around me, Harry acknowledged his bandmate, then looked back at me.

“Am I coming with?”

I shrugged.

“Are you coming with?”

I shrugged again.

Sighing through his nose, Harry turned to Deacon. “Staying here, mate.”

“Right. So long.”

I watched Deacon and Lee leave, Mitch of course staying with Halo, the two of them remaining at the table in their own private lovers’ chat. When the door shut, I felt Harry’s hands run up and down my back as he lowered his head to my neck. I allowed him a moment as his lips touched my skin before I pulled back.

“Sky, you want some of this?” I heard Halo ask. I looked over to see her rolling a fresh joint.

“No, you guys go ahead. I’m gonna sit this one out.”

Loosening myself from Harry’s arms, I walked to the linen closet where I retrieved a set of clean sheets and a blanket and returned to the living room.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m about to go to bed,” I replied, not looking at him. “So I’m going ahead and getting the couch ready for you.”

I tucked the sheet into the cushions with determination, then I grabbed the pillow case, snapping it in the air to make sure there were no wrinkles (as though wrinkles on a pillow case even mattered), then slid it over the pillow.

“There you go,” I said, patting the pillow on one end of the sofa and pointing at the other. “Blanket’s right there.”

When I finally lifted my head, I saw Harry standing behind the couch, a look on his face that spoke volumes. He was confused, hurt and bewildered.

“Oh…um…thanks,” he muttered.

“Welcome. Goodnight,” I nodded, then walked to my bedroom and shut the door.

I could hear light chatter and music while I changed into my pajamas. I laid down on my bed and stared into the darkness as Nazareth serenaded me.

“Love is like a flame It burns you when it’s hot…”

Oh, shut up! I thought as I threw the covers over my head.

I tossed and turned for over an hour after the music had stopped. I knew Harry was in the other room wondering what the hell had happened. No doubt he’d intended on sleeping with me. That is, if I hadn’t been such a bitch to him.

I wasn’t sure what I was so upset about. Maybe I was hurt that Harry hadn’t defended Halo and me harder. Or maybe I was hurt that he wouldn’t tell me who Pippa was, and told me it was no concern of mine. Or maybe I was just upset that I hadn’t seen him hardly at all in three weeks and I’d missed him and it got the better of me.

I kicked the covers off and sat up, turning on my lamp and making my way slowly to my bedroom door before opening it. I stood just outside, stepping closer to the couch which Harry slept on, until finally stopping next to his feet. I could tell he was awake, just looking out the sliding glass door that led to the patio. He seemed to be in deep thought until I let out a long sigh which made him turn his head.

“Harry.”

“Yeah?”

I took another deep breath and let it out.

“Come to bed.”

I couldn’t quite make out his expression since it was dark, but I assumed it was a positive one since he sat up and dropped the blanket on the floor. Then he walked up to me and grazed his hand across my cheek.

“You sure?”

I nodded slowly, raising my hand to touch his wrist.

“Tell me what I did, love,” he said softly.

“You didn’t do anything. It’s all me.”

“I don’t understand.”

I rolled my eyes, though I was sure he couldn’t really tell in the dark.

“It’s stupid. Let’s just forget it, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I’m sorry I acted the way I did tonight.”

“You’re forgiven.”

I took his hand then and turned for the bedroom. As I shut the door, Harry started to unbutton his shirt, then stopped.

“Um…do you mind?”

I shook my head and gave a gentle smile. “Not at all.”

Harry stripped down to his underwear as I climbed under the covers. Joining me, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him.

“Hi,” he grinned, his hairy thigh thrown across my smooth, freshly shaved one.

“Hi.”

“I missed you.”

I paused, licking my lips. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmm.”

Harry cocked a brow. “Did you miss me?”

“I saw you a few days ago.”

“That was almost a week ago, Sky. Six days to be exact, and for maybe twenty minutes.”

“Oh, so you’re counting?”

Harry rolled his eyes. “Why are you being like this?”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re trying your best to be angry with me, but you don’t really know why.”

I sighed. “I’m sorry. You’re right.”

“I know.”

I scoffed, mostly to myself. I let my fingers travel up his arm to his shoulder, then down his chest.

“I missed you like crazy,” I whispered.

“What was that?”

“You heard me.”

Harry touched my cheek, making me lift my head. His eyes danced in the warm glow of the lamp light. He kissed me softly then and I melted.

“So how’s the album?” I asked when our lips separated. “You never told me.”

“Amazing. I’m in love with it.”

I beamed. “I can’t wait to hear it.”

“I can’t wait for you to hear it, either. I think you’ll like it. Actually, I know you will.”

“So exciting!”

Harry smiled at me, his eyes seeming to study my face.

“And I want you to come with me on the tour.”

“You do?”

Harry nodded. “Is that what you wanted to hear?”

I shifted my gaze to his necklace. “Only if you meant it,” I muttered.

“I mean it.”

“Okay,” I grinned hesitantly.

Harry’s lips met my forehead and he kissed me reassuringly.

“Oh!” he exclaimed suddenly, making me jump. “I meant to tell you…we’re signing with new management.”

“Really? What happened with Leon?”

“It’s funny, actually. We had a sit down with him because we were thinking of cutting the ties. But he surprised us by announcing he’s moving back to London with his family. So he gave us some recommendations that he’d been in touch with.”

“Well, that worked out. Who are you signing with?”

“A bloke named Irving Azoff. He-“

“Harry!”

“What?”

“Irving Azoff! He manages the Eagles!”

Harry gave me a glorious smile and a squeeze. “I love that you know that.”

“Are you kidding me? That’s…this is huge! You’ll be so…” I covered my mouth to stop myself from saying the last word. “Sorry.”

“’s okay. I’m excited, too.”

“I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks.”

“Um…Harry?” I asked after he kissed me again.

“Yes?”

“Who is Pippa?”

I saw his neck tighten as he swallowed hard.

“She um…she was…my best friend’s girlfriend.”

“Oh.” I figured he meant Simon, but I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to know about him. “Mitch’s?”

“No,” he shook his head. “When…when I first joined the band, my best mate Simon was lead guitarist.”

“Oh.”

“He…he died last year.”

Even though Halo had already told me, it hit me harder hearing it from Harry. I touched his chest with my hand, just above his heart.

“I’m so sorry.”

Harry nodded, looking at me, but not really looking at me. His jaw was clenched and I could tell he was uncomfortable.

“We don’t have to talk about it,” I whispered.

Harry blinked slowly, focusing on my face. Then he sighed and licked his lips.

“Thanks. Maybe…some other time, yeah?”

“Of course.”

I was still curious what Pippa had to do with their no girls rule, but I was most certainly willing to let it go for the evening. I gave him a peck on the nose which made him smile.

“I have a question for you now,” he said.

“Oh God.”

“It’s a good one, don’t worry. I was thinking of it a couple days ago when I fell asleep with the radio on. I started wondering what songs you like to sleep to, or that make you relaxed.”

I smiled gently, happy that he’d thought of me, not only while he was away, but while he was listening to music.

“Well…” I began, “I don’t usually like to sleep with music on. I can’t. It’s too much of a distraction for me. I want to sing along, so I’d never get to sleep.”

“I can relate,” Harry chuckled.

“But I do have some songs I relax to.”

“Which are?”

Sucking in my lips, I pushed back the sheet and rolled off my side of the bed. Then I walked over to my turntable, turned it on, and sifted through my records. When I found what I was looking for, I put it on and let the needle fall.

“I’m being followed by a moonshadow Moonshadow, moonshadow”

“Mmmm,” I heard Harry sigh.

“Good one, huh?”

“Very.”

“And if I ever lose my mouth All my teeth, north and south Yes if I ever lose my mouth Oh if… I won’t have to talk…”

“That line always gets to me,” Harry commented.

“Me too.”

“Did it take long to find me I ask the faithful light Did it take long to find me And are you gonna stay the night…”

I sang the bridge and final chorus along with Cat Stevens, and when the record was over, I shut off my stereo and walked back around the bed.

“I like hearing you sing,” said Harry as he rolled over.

“You do?”

“Yeah, not only is it a pretty voice coming out of a pretty person…I like the joy it brings you. And that makes me happy.”

I grinned, looking into his beautiful eyes. “That’s a lovely thing to say.”

I kissed him that time, letting my tongue fill his mouth. He moaned against me, tangling his fingers in my hair. I rolled him over onto his back, but quickly separated the kiss. I heard him protest with a tiny pout as I reached over to turn off the lamp.

Songs mentioned:

Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak

Nazareth - Love Hurts

Cat Stevens - Moonshadow

Though just a single-scene chapter, this kicks off the rest of the story as well as raises some questions. Who the fuck is Pippa?! lol

[luckyedie]

Soooooo I answered some Hancock prompts and did a doodle for @gloomytk.

LOVED writing these. Thanks gloomy! 🫶

How do you feel about glitter?

Why? Wh-….you ‘ain’t got any on ya, right? Tell me you don’t have glitter. Sister, you gotta burn that stuff when you see it, you gotta burn it! It-it-it gets in the skin, listen I’m a ghoul, it’ll stay there forever! I-I’m just gonna stand over here until I know you’re clean. Nuh-nononono! You stay over there, yeah. Just gonna, climb this…in case it gets on the floor.

What do you think of as you fall asleep?

I’m usually worryin’ Shaun is gonna sneak in and put a pillow over my face.

Hah, don't look at me like that! I'm just messin'.

That’s a tough question though…uh. The booze used to help out with that, but since I cut back I just try to think of blue skies, lighthouses. Y’know, peaceful shit.

Do you know the Brotherhood has a giant robot?

Christ, they have a giant robot?! Man I really needed to keep a better eye on those guys. Well that just spoiled my whole day.

What are your thoughts on Deacons pathological lying?

I 'aint tryin' to be rude, but if I was that guy I would wanna pretend to be anyone else.

Hm…I guess I was tryin' to be rude.

Do you believe in ghosts?

Sister, when you've hallucinated as much as I have, you become a really bad case study for paranormal activity.

If you could get a tattoo, what would it be?

I used to have a bunch but they all kinda fell off. If they can get the tattoo to stick I'd get somethin' original this time, like one of the kids' names, or a heart with barbed-wire around it or somethin’.

Why are you laughin’? You like the funny ghoul?

Would you ever quit smoking cigarettes?

I’d only quit if you wanted to kick the habit. Cancer is the least of my worries, but you gotta keep an eye on those free radicals sunshine, and I 'aint referring to me.

Have you ever thought about owning a Time-Share?

What? I don't got a watch.

Do you think Deathclaws are capable of being tamed?

I dunno, ask Baby, she's likes talkin’ to the wildlife. I think she’s gonna grow up vegantarian.

What's the best high you've ever experienced?

Uhhhhhhhh…..

He proceeds to disappear into his own mind for five solid minutes.

What's some of your pet peeves?

Bad catering at an orgy. Next question.

Do you have games on your phone?

Huh? What, like phone sex? Sugar, the phones don’t work anymore, but we can talk dirty over the radio if you wanna.

Star Wars or Star Trek?

Is that a book or somethin'? You been to the library? Hey, next time you go can you find out what a time share is?

What would you say to someone going through extreme trauma?

Uh, I'm pretty slow on the uptake with the emotional side of things. I'd usually offer chems I guess, but with a gal though, I'd just hold ‘em and be there, and try not to flap my mouth too much.

How do you feel about the totality of human existence?

People are funny. I like ‘em. There’s a few bad apples, but they stop being a problem after they stop being alive.

Do you consider yourself a monster (as in monstrous personality, not appearance)

Sometimes. Yeah... Sometimes I think I'm a hot commodity. Never got the balance right.

What’s with all the questions? Are we doing the pillow-talk first today?

How do you want people to remember you?

A decent guy who left the world a better place than how he found it.

Chocolate or Peanut Butter?

Chocolate survived the bombs better. Peanut butter went wrong. Dunno what it used to be like but now it’s…eugh… I know you told me it used to taste good but - Let's change the subject, I went out last night and I'm feelin' kinda nauseous as it is.

What makes you feel alive?

Nearly dying is a rush. Dying not so much, I wouldn’t recommend it. Yeah I know I didn’t, technically.

I am tryin’ not to get shot quite so much these days.

No, no no. See, that guy came outta nowhere. That doesn’t count!

What's your favorite smell?

Hm…you smell good in the morning. Maybe not the breath quite so much.

Ow, careful with the bullet wound.

How do I look?

Delightful, as usual. Oh, you want me to elaborate? I like watchin’ ya walk away in that vault getup sunshine, I could eat ya right up.

Will you please drink all of this purified water bottle?

Only if you order me around.

Forest or Beach?

Beach. The forests kinda give me the creeps. I get jumpy.

Will you drive me to the store so I can get some gluten-free ice cream?

Yeah. What flavor? Hey we can eat them on the docks and watch the dead dolphins float. It’ll be romantic.

Does the hat stay on during sex?

Hah! Until it falls off. We could give it a test drive later if you want, see how long I can keep it on my head.

Can I wear it?

Sure.

Well look atcha, cute as a button. You look about ready to instate a political system of some kind. Politicians are supposed to be cute, right? That’s the angle I was going for anyway.

What is your honest opinion of Kent Conolly?

Considerin’ you were one of the few things that got him outta the lounger, I’d say he's got a little crush on you. Don’t blame the guy either

Why have you never started a community garden in Goodneighbor?

Because Codsworth would come and micromanage the hell out of it. I heard about the fiasco in Sanctuary, with the gnomes.

What's your favorite swear?

Ah man I like ‘em all. Hm, blasphemy too….That shit’s got tenure. Goddamn rolls off the tongue quite nice, don't ya think?

I know, I'm so classy.

Can I hold your hand?

Sure, don't pull too hard though, it might fall off.

…Hey, wanna go make out behind that dumpster before the raiders get here?

What does your skin feel like?

Uh… dunno. Just feels lumpy to me, my fingers are all messed up. You tell me, hold up, I'll unbutton my shirt.

Lumpy. See? That’s what I said! Okay and warm. Mm. This is nice.

What's your opinion on Fisto?

Hah! What? Fisto? Is that like a punchin' bot?

Can I leave him here? Thanks.

Ohhh! Frank mentioned this guy! Haha! Put him right next to the drinkin' buddy and we got a party right there.

During really scary and stressful moments in life, what do you remind yourself of to stay strong and keep cool?

Usually when shit goes down, it’s instinctual. I’m in the moment and not really thinkin’ of much at all. After, I’d just walk it off with a cigarette or lock myself in a room with some Jet or something to get the heart-rate down. I guess If I died… it was my time, and that was it.

Since we’re doing the family thing though it’s fuckin’ different. I’ll tell ya that much. Soon as I get home, I go to pieces if I think I put you or the kids in danger. Yeah I do. You think I’d let you see that? See, now I said it, you’re gonna worry about me too, and now it’s a whole thing.

Socks on or off?

Off. Socks on if I wanna make ya laugh, but it’s kinda a mood killer.

Do you pay Ham, or is he just part of The Third Rail?

Haha he just came with the place. Nah, really, I paid him good money. He got extra if there was a lotta blood or some broken glass to deal with, to be honest he probably took home as much as Mags did.

You shoulda seen his apartment in Goodneighbor, he kept it all real neat and tidy, liked to keep stuff perpendicular.

Can you give Edward Deegan my number? I need someone to come fix my plumbing. Thanks, man.

Hah! He has been looking for work lately… what? You don’t trust in my DIY abilities? I can be a porn extra. That guy looks the part but he’s always so serious, he might even fix the pipes and not try to sleep with ya.

Why's the sky blue?

Because…is it sky uh, bacteria? Cloud…particles. Listen sugar, I can think of better and more naked ways to pass the time than tryin' to figure than out right now.

Will you hold me while I cry?

Hey, hey. Was I bein’ a jerk just now? What’s got you upset? No, you don’t gotta say a thing. C’mon let’s go sit down for a sec, over here. I gotcha. Yeah you get nice and comfortable on me. Just like that.

S’all gonna be okay, sunshine. I’ll always be here.

I'm sorry if I pass out on your shoulder; I'm just mentally wrecked…

Stay as long as you need. I live a long time, I mean I might need to go to the bathroom at some point…but - see? That’s the smile I fell in love with.

You go ahead and zone out.

What's your favorite kind of fight?

Gahh this is a tough question.

As a spectator I like the clumsy brawls with guys that don't usually throw hands, y’know? That just tickles me. As a participant though? Who doesn’t love a knife fight?

Let's blow up the Brotherhood balloon together.

Hell yeah! Let's go right now! Shaun has blueprints of the whole place, I got a bag packed and everything.

Fuck…I’m gettin’ all misty. Oh shit, don’t look at me right now, I didn’t expect to get emotional. Been wantin’ to do this for a long time…

Sunrise, or sunset?

Both. They're both romantic as hell, don’t ya think? Hey, wanna hang out on the beach this afternoon? I’ve been starin’ at that view for a while and I could use the company now I got it.

How do you get over your fear of the unknown?

Eh. It’s kinda like people. The unknown is only scary until you get to know it. You didn’t know me once and I ‘ain’t that scary now, am I?

But, other people still think so, right?

Good.

[yanderes-galore]

In fallout 4 I've gotten a few companions, was thinking about how frightening some would be as yanderes

Deacon is a spy for the railroad organization, he already follows you around in game before you in different disguses, and gathers Intel on you, this is before you even meet him, constantly lies and tells half truths

MacCready is a pretty good sniper and marksman, along with lock picking, and has killed people over as little as a drink

Strong is a giant super mutant

Keep in mind these are just the companions I've befriended so far, there's a lot of em, sorry for the ramble

-☢️🧨 anon

It's okay, I'll add your anon name to the list btw.

[theimperiumchronicles]

Happy STS! It's a rainy weekend for me, so tell me what rainy weekends are like for your characters? Who owns rainboots just to jump in puddles? Who looks like a drowned cat fighting with their umbrella? Who wouldn't be caught dead outside of their home when it's raining?

Hi Sweet Tori!

I hope you are doing well <3

I am going to cover these in no particular order or storyline.

Jumping in Puddles

Abriella, Adalicia (Grae standing by with an umbrella and blanket to warm her up when done), Calliope (Seamus is standing next to Grae w/the same setup), Amaya, Olly (got drug along w/Amaya), Melania (@behindthesemasks) , Miriana (@whileyouwait-dm) , Rua (@battlegroundofdreams)

Drowned Cat

Cruz, Dez, Arch, Dartan, Asher, Kellen, Leandre, Balor (@magical-mistakes-vm), Diyan (@princess-of-thieves-id), Lorcan (@tapperhet-em), Alexander and Cade (@behindthesemasks)

Not going out in that shit

Deacon, Yael (fear of water), Phaedra (always holds her sister's hand), Lucifer, Karlen, Gail, Persephone, Thinius, Anna, Vollrath (@magical-mistakes-vm), Adira & Caliban (@the-andromeda-effect), Alexander (@behindthesemasks), Yara (@devil-in-the-details-ay), Mahala, Baldur, & Elmar (@magical-mistakes-vm)

[ebony1442]

What the hell, I'll do a list. Tagged from @atomic-two-sheds.

shuffle your ON REPEAT playlist and list the first 10 songs that play, tag 10 people:

"Wild Card" - Lucasarts, Outlaws OST

"You Are My Love" - Jamiroquai, Traveling Without Moving

"I'm A Believer" - Smash Mouth, Schrek OST

"Rack 'Em Up" - Jonny Lang, Lie To Me,

"A.M. Radio" - Everclear, Songs From An American Movie, Vol. 1

"Tears On A Page" - kidneythieves, Trypt0fanatic

"Dirty Thirty" - The Crystal Method (with Peter Hook), Divided By Night

"Build The Robots" - Dr. Steel, Dr. Steel II: Eclectic Boogaloo

"Deacon Blues" - Steely Dan, A Decade of Steely Dan

"Old Joe" - Widespread Panic, Don't Tell The Band

Yeah, I have eclectic tastes.

Not going to tag 10 people, but @avon-vila, @tyranniclark, @ilovemesomevincentprice, @ad15124, do it or not.

[bells-crossovers]

Genshin Impact Idea

Crossover Character: Deacon St. John

Now that the Dendro element has been released for some time now… Deacon could be a potential Dendro unit instead of an Anemo one!

Reasoning:

Deacon’s story in Days Gone, consists of uncovering information from NERO that he’s not supposed to have in order to find his wife, Sarah. Despite everyone he knows telling him to, basically give up and move on.

The possible meaning behind a Dendro vision is either: “Given to those who have an obsession with completing a goal even if it’s impossible.” and/or “Granted to people who seek forbidden knowledge/wisdom.” (Credit: a few theories I found on TikTok)

Rarity:

Deacon is an exclusive 5 star.

Weapons and Artifacts:

He’s still going to be a claymore user, like Kaveh.

He scales off of Elemental Mastery, so his signature weapon, Farewell Club, will have a sub status of Elemental Mastery like Nahida and Alhaitham. A good replacement is the four star claymore, Makhaira Aquamarine

His best artifact set consists of 4pc Deepwood Memories to increase his Dendro DMG. Ideally: ATK Sands, Crit DMG Goblet, and EM Circlet.

Attacks and Talents:

Normal Attack: Deacon swings up to 5 consecutive times.

Charged Attack: Drains Deacon’s stamina by continually swinging large slashes. At the end of the sequence Deacon unleashes a powerful attack.

Plunging Attack: Deacon plunges down from mid-air to strike the ground below, damaging opponents on the way down and deals AoE DMG on impact.

Elemental Skill (Bombs Away): Like Collei and Aloy, Deacon can throw a Dendro bomb that spawns a mini AoE zone that lasts for 10 seconds.

Elemental Burst (Surround the Perimeter): Like the Traveler and Nahida, Deacon can spawn an AoE zone that lasts for 15 seconds and deals Dendro DMG even when he’s not on the field. Different things happen when Pryo, Electro, or Hydro are used inside the zone.

Pryo: The zone deals burgeons damage with each strike.

Electro: The zone increases in attack speed and deals aggravate damage

Hydro: The zone’s AoE expands and the duration gets extended by 5 seconds, dealing Bloom damage with each strike

Passive Skill 1: if another character triggers a burgeon, aggravate, or bloom reaction while Surround the Perimeter is active and the character is still inside the zone. Pryo/Electro/Hydro DMG is boosted by 15%

Passive Skill 2: Deacon’s Dendro DMG is increased by 20% of his Elemental Mastery

Passive Skill 3: When Deacon is in your party, every member, besides Deacon, gets their Elemental Skill cooldown time reduced by 15%.

Constellations:

(Rush Ahead) C1: Deacon’s Dendro RES is increased by 25%

(Raging Charge) C2: after activating Bombs Away, Deacon’s SPD and DMG is increased by 10%

(Explosive Measures) C3: Increases Bombs Away’s Level by 3, Max Level is 15

(Counter Strike) C4: Dendro Cores Rupture DMG will be increased by 50% if Deacon strikes them.

(Here Goes Nothin’) C5: Increases Surround the Perimeter’s Level by 3, Max Level is 15

(Calculated Attacks) C6: Surround the Perimeter’s DMG is increased by 15% of Deacon’s EM. Deacon also obtains an additional Mini AoE for Bombs Away.

[fluentmoviequoter]

Luck Be a Lady Tonight

Pairing: David 'Deacon' Kay x fem!SWAT!reader

Summary: During a weekend off with your team, you run into one of the FBI's most wanted criminals. With a little luck and Deacon on your arm, you catch the criminal in a trap that places him exactly where you need him.

Warnings: fluff, minor angst, depiction of gambling/casino setting, canon-typical danger and violence

Word Count: 2.3k+ words

Picture from Pinterest

Masterlist Directory | Deacon Kay Masterlist | Request Info/Fandom List

“You look ridiculous,” you say, leaning against the wall in the hotel hallway.

“This is classic,” Street argues.

“Classic rat pack, maybe,” Tan interjects. “Heavy on the rat.”

“Alright,” Hondo says, pushing off the wall. “Street, change, or we’re going now. We aren’t going to get another weekend like this for a while.”

“He makes it sound like a bad thing,” you whisper to Deacon.

“You could’ve turned down the invitation,” he says, smiling.

“And listen to Hondo’s attempt at making me feel guilty after? That is a terrible weekend.”

Hondo calls your name, then Deacon’s, and waves for you to join the rest of your team in the elevator.

“Think I can win big at the nickel slots?” you ask.

“About as likely as Street getting any female attention in that outfit,” Tan mutters as the doors close.

Sitting at a table on the small balcony overlooking the casino, you scan the large room and locate four of your five teammates. Chris had plans with her family this weekend, so you’re the solo woman on the tip. You don’t mind; you enjoy spending time with the rest of your team, but the decision to spend the long weekend off in Palm Springs at a casino spa wasn’t your first choice.

You raise your glass, then freeze before it reaches your lips. There’s a man playing roulette who looks incredibly familiar. Lowering your glass, you watch him, observing his body language and how he speaks to the dealer. You can’t place him, so you lift your phone, putting your elbow on the table to remain inconspicuous, then take a picture of the man when he turns to order a drink. You upload the photo to the limited-access LAPD site, which returns as flagged. Only one line is legible in the scanned file, but it increases your heart rate.

“Miguel Calvo,” you whisper. Your chair slides backward as you stand, and a warm hand hovers beside your waist.

“You alright?” Deacon asks, looking at you intently.

“See the guy at the roulette table? Red jacket?” you inquire softly. Deacon nods, and you say, “That’s Miguel Calvo.”

“From the FBI’s most wanted list?”

Nodding softly, you relax as Deacon’s hand finishes the journey to your waist. He looks at you rather than watching the criminal or looking for the rest of your team. You have feelings for Deacon, not understanding how or why they started, but you feel complete beside him. You haven’t exactly hidden your admiration of him, and, on many occasions, he’s shown you he feels the same, but you haven’t crossed that line. And it looks like your relaxing weekend just turned into a chase, so you won’t get a chance to inch closer to that line.

“I have an idea,” Deacon says. “We’re out of our jurisdiction, but since he’s got a federal warrant, we should be able to make it work.”

“Tell me how I can help,” you offer, drawing Deacon’s attention back to you.

“Are you open to going undercover on our own?”

“Anything. Where do we start?”

“Well… we’re going to need a little luck.”

Your cheeks begin to hurt after the first few minutes of smiling. Between the new outfit Deacon procured for you and the flirtatious looks you’ve been sending Miguel since your return, you feel like you’re working a con. Deacon’s plan seems good enough, but it relies on you being able to get close to a man suspected of numerous felonies, including murder. He had a woman on his arm when you first noticed him, but now he’s alone and has moved from roulette to Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em.

As you walk past the table, you hear him tell the dealer, “Lots of things worth holding here, eh?”

Dropping your smile, you look over your shoulder, hoping you convey the flirty look you’re going for. Miguel locks eyes with you before you toss your hair over your shoulder and continue walking. Exhaling slowly, you keep the deliberate sway in your hips as you exit the casino and return to the balcony. You place your hands on the railing and watch, allowing your gaze to linger on Miguel longer than anyone else in the room.

Miguel stands after winning against the dealer, buttons his jacket, and begins strolling leisurely around the slot machines. He walks past Street and Tan, none the wiser to their law enforcement ties or knowledge of who he is. When he reaches the stairs, he leaves the casino behind and walks with purpose to your side.

His hand slides around your waist, and you press your tongue against the back of your teeth to keep yourself from tensing at his touch. He tugs you once, and you laugh airily as you spread your hands over his chest, your body forced against his.

“Hi,” you say softly, tracing the edges of his jacket as you introduce yourself.

“MIggy,” he replies. “So, you’re more of an observer than a gambler?”

“I- I’m not very lucky,” you admit with a shrug. “But I like watching.”

“Well, señora suerte, let’s change that.”

He keeps his arm around you but turns you to walk with him. You feel like an accessory more than a person as you accompany him down the stairs. Street raises his hand from the machine he’s sitting at to show you he has your back. Your entire team is worthy of trust, but having Street around in this particular situation helps you breathe a little easier. Deacon is upstairs, but you’ll know when he arrives. You always do.

“What’s your favorite number?” Miguel asks, his fingers brushing dangerously low on your hip. You answer without hesitating, and he replies, “How about a little Blackjack? We’ll see how far your luck takes us.”

You stand behind Miguel, slightly to his right. The woman with him earlier stayed close to him, and when he reaches back and pulls your arm to tug you against his back, you realize it was because he wanted it. Watching over his shoulder, you raise your eyes often to locate your team.

“Room for one more?” Street asks as he approaches the table.

Miguel nods to the dealer, who steps back to deal Street in. You trace your fingers up Miguel’s back, then rest your hand against his shoulder. He leans back momentarily and kisses your jaw, making you swallow uncomfortably. Luckily, he doesn’t try anything more and returns his attention to the game.

“You said you’re unlucky,” Miguel says, spinning on his stool after another game. He holds your waist and looks up at you to ask, “What’d you have such bad luck on?”

Your eyes widen as you look over his head. He furrows his brows, and your lips part before you whisper, “Roulette. I think I got a little too comfortable betting on black.”

Miguel stands and follows your line of sight. Deacon descends the staircase, stealing the attention of men and women alike in the casino. Dressed in a black English-cut suit tailored to accentuate Deacon’s muscular build, he looks like he just walked out of a James Bond movie, and it seems you’re not the only one who thinks so. Several women walk to his side, attempting to drape themselves on his arm. He sends them the heart-stopping grin you crave to see and a polite declination.

“Roulette it is,” Miguel snaps, wrapping his hand around your wrist.

You stumble slightly, then catch yourself and hold his arm as you follow him. “Sorry,” you whisper. “Do you know him?”

Miguel shakes his head. When he reaches the roulette table, he looks at you to say, “It’s not black or red. But…” He glances at Deacon in his crisp black suit and decides, “I’m thinking that you and red might be the luck I need.”

You aren’t entirely sure if he said you in red or you and red, but you are not going to give him the luck he thinks either way. Deacon stops by the table to watch Miguel roll his dice, then drags his eyes up to your face. He’s a good actor, but there’s something in his eyes that you haven’t seen during cases before.

“Not bad,” Deacon applauds. “I’ve always been more of a bet on black guy myself.”

“Me too,” you agree, breathless without feigning it this time.

“It’s not that simple,” Miguel argues. He tightens his arm around your waist and adds, “Besides, I’ve got lady luck on my side tonight.”

Deacon smiles and says, “Ah, I see. And a beauty she is. Any chance you’re willing to spare her for one bet?”

Miguel’s jaw tenses as his hand presses against your side. “She should really stick with the guy she came in with, no?”

You pout and press your hand on Miguel’s chest again, looking through your lashes to ask, “You said I’m your señorita suerte. It won’t hurt, just once, right?”

He releases you with a stiff nod, and you loop one arm around Deacon’s elbow as you place your other hand on his bicep. Deacon smiles at you, and your grin grows into the genuine sign of joy Deacon has grown to expect when you see him.

“Wait,” you request after Deacon picks up the die. You lean over but hold eye contact with Deacon as you blow on them. “For luck,” you add lowly, returning to his side.

“May luck be a lady tonight,” he murmurs before rolling.

You watch as one of the dice goes directly onto the 20-black compartment. Deacon’s bicep flexes behind you as he cheers, and you lay your hand on his shoulders to kiss his cheek. As you step back, Deacon catches your waist.

“You are good luck,” he muses.

“Excuse me,” Miguel calls angrily. “I believe that was your one bet.”

“I’m going to walk around for a bit,” you say, stepping away from Deacon. “Nice job.”

Miguel’s jaw tenses as you begin wandering all over the room. He glares at Deacon, who raises his eyebrows with an easy smile.

“I’m the kind of man who makes my own luck,” Miguel says. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“No, I don’t,” Deacon replies, crossing his arms as his blazer stretches over his back. “Spell it out for me.”

Miguel presses his finger against Deacon’s chest and hisses, “I was behind the murders in the casino in Jackson, Mississippi. You don’t want to mess with me.”

Deacon blinks, then shrugs. “You should work on your intimidation tactics.”

“Poker room, me and you. Winner gets lady luck over there.”

“She’s a person, not a trophy.”

“Maybe to you.”

Deacon smiles again as he asks, “You want to play in the poker room? Let’s do it. But at least give me an idea of what I’m getting into if I were, hypothetically, to make sure I won. No cost too high.”

“The last time a dealer gave me the wrong cards, I caught him in the parking lot and put a Glock 17 in his ear. That enough hypotheticals for you?”

“It’s enough for me,” you say.

Miguel looks over his shoulder, and you wave as you hold your off-duty weapon at his back. Street and Hondo approach him from either side, but you nod to Deacon to do the honors.

“You’re under arrest. The FBI will be here in a few minutes to pick you up. Now, you can walk out with us peacefully, maintain the tiny reputation you have,” Deacon explains. He lowers his voice and leans closer to Miguel to finish, “Or I can drag you out of here and make you beg for a little more luck.”

“I vote option two,” Street mumbles, but you barely catch it as you watch Deacon.

“I’ll walk,” Miguel whispers. “And I’ll give up someone bigger than me, the man who helps me win.”

“That’s a discussion for you and the U.S. attorneys’ office,” Deacon says, wrapping his hand around Miguel’s arm. “Start walking.”

You knock on Deacon’s door, and when he opens it, he invites you in without a word.

“Thank you,” you tell him as you cross your legs beneath you in the chair beside his bed. “I couldn’t have done that without you, at least not that smoothly.”

“The feds seemed to think you could,” he says with a smile, reminding you of how many officers personally thanked you for bringing Miguel Calvo into custody.

“You called me lady luck,” you muse. “Do you think there’s room for doubt?”

Deacon walks to you, leans over, and places his hands on the arm of the chair you’re in. There are mere breaths between you, and Deacon gives you a moment to notice it as you struggle to control your breathing in the proximity, and then promises, “Not a bit.”

“Are you going to tell me where you got the dress now?” you inquire.

“Someone’s assistant was bringing it from the dry cleaners,” he answers. “But I don’t think that’s what you really want to talk about.”

You shake your head, and Deacon shifts to place one hand on the back of your head. You’ve showered and pulled your hair back simply after an afternoon with an over-the-top hairdo, and Deacon finally feels like he’s holding you again. He kisses you, lowering himself until he’s on his knee and level with you. You loop your arms over his shoulders and decide you are lucky. The man kissing you is all the proof you’ll ever need of that.

“Hey, Deac, I-“

You pull away from Deacon as Street stops talking. As you wipe your finger under your lips to fix your lip balm, Street looks between you and Deacon.

“Before you get mad, I just want to point out that you gave me a key,” Street begins.

[votava-records]

PART 1: Killer Mike - Don't Let The Devil ft. El-P, thankugoodsir

The jewels runners the product of many cruel summers / And the description was fitting they say its 2 gunners / Slap chic peas out your cheek until you drool Humas / Left the scene in hellcat scream Cuz we don’t do Hondas / But we do Benihana’s taking ur baby mama / She hostage me in the hummer she kiss it to pay me homage / She work it like I deserve it she move like the perfect pervert / They say Mississippi burning I’m sipping syrup eating sherbert / Watch the world go to hell while I’m laughing saying its perfect / Catch me after Sunday service disturbing the churches workers / Tell the deacon we ain’t speaking need money his prayers worthless / I can tell through my alertness he’s nervous about his purchase / In the name of Jesus the refer I serve a purpose I got high as the sky/ As I fly over earth surface/  Flying satellite height as I’m looking at earth’s circus / Keep your eyes on the prize and don’t let the devil

It’s so hard

Oh no don’t you let

It’s so hard

Oh no don’t you let

bad to meet me, A to K-er spraying the greedy, / you shoulda brought the uzi, oopsy, im a doozie, / how you movin, one of two in, super groupin, / gorrilla glued up, to the, cash couldnt lose it.

good gracious, motherfuckers really not dangerous, any pussy who hate em simply facing erasure, jaime for mayor, vote for the brain fileter, be a AR, spray the radar, down invaders, 

fame destined, the piggy disection connection, put necks in, grip and afflict tension, upper rope elbow to plexis, no mid smoke upper smoke only the low would make an exception 

brooklanta lord bless us, snipers, at the nexus, lifers, come and check us we next, still?, god damn the game it aint fair thoughts and prayers , shut the fuck up put your hands in the air, run the jewels !

[blogdemocratesjr]

Now I may have spoke too open, But ‘twas too hard to keep still, An’ I hope you ‘ll tell the singers ‘At I bear ‘em no ill–will. ‘At they all may git to glory Is my wish an’ my desire, But they ‘ll need some extry trainin’ ‘Fore they jine the heavenly choir.

—Paul Laurence Dunbar, "Deacon Jones' Grievance" in Lyrics of Lowly Life

[just-a-girl-who-wrytes]

Part 5 💕

Nikki kept her new beau to herself, mostly because she didn’t work with anyone she was close enough to tell her personal business to, but it wasn’t kept a secret much longer when she was again floating in the ER on a 16 hour shift that night and took a patient that EMS was bringing into her with the assistance of SWAT members.

The patient was yet another victim of a warrant bust, however, he was found violent and high on God only knows what stimulants. EMS had attempted to sedate him with no success. It was the first time Nikki got to see Deacon in uniform, at work when he walked in at the head of the stretcher with the EMS providers.

My god, she thought, THIS is the man that wants me! He looks so damn good.

Nikki took a moment to take the sight of him in - black tactical pants, black shirt, ballistic vest, holsters hooked around each thigh…

It appeared to Nikki as if Deacon had broken a sweat on this one, which made her chuckle. He was so fit that she didn’t think much made his skin glistening red like that. Her trail of thoughts was broken as EMS stepped into the room good with the restrained man on the stretcher. The patient was yelling obscenities at everyone in the room, attempting to free himself from his restraints. Nikki took caution not to stand too closely to the enraged man, but it only took a split second for him to free one foot and throw it towards Nikki’s face with all his strength. Hondo managed to catch it and slam the man’s leg down on the stretcher as Nikki stepped to the side just quickly enough. She didn’t speak, she only continued to watch the scene unfold in front of her when she heard the man yell her name that he had seen on her badge. She instantly knew whatever followed wouldn’t be good if he was aware enough to hone in on any single person in the room.

“You stupid bitch!”

“Watch your mouth, prick!” Deacon stepped closer to the man’s side and spoke loudly and firmly, his voice nearly an octave deeper than what he normally spoke in.

Deacon’s voice didn’t phase the man.

“You motherfucking, cunt, what are you looking at?! I ought to gut you like the animal you are!”

Nikki had dealt with enough psychiatric, drug addicted patients that the man’s statement didn’t phase her, but she knew it had struck a nerve with Deacon as she noticed his attention key into the man - more than it was. Deacon’s eyes became encompassed with immediate rage. When the man then spit in Nikki’s direction, Deacon took the palm of his hand and snapped the man’s face to the side, slamming his head down against the stretcher and holding it there. Nikki flinched when she heard the pop that came from the man’s jaw when Deacon’s hand made contact and pinned him down, but she immediately decided that he would roll through the door with that injury according to her chart.

The story of her past marriage must have really stuck with Deacon to elicit such a reaction from him.

The man welped in pain before yelling obscenities towards Deacon.

At that point, another nurse had returned with ketamine to sedate the patient. Once the man was sedated, Deacon and Hondo assisted security with restraining his extremities. Nikki started hooking him up to get his vital signs.

Deacon and Hondo stood outside of the ER room talking to hospital security about how they found the man as Nikki continued starting IVs and getting bloodwork, and starting the patient on more sedating medications when she noticed one the other nurses approach Deacon and Hondo. The nurse started smiling flirtatiously, frequently putting her hand on Deacon’s shoulder as she inquired about the job of SWAT and how brave it was.

A feeling of envy crept up Nikki’s neck as she paused to watch the moment. This nurse was pretty by most men’s standards, but not to Nikki. Her marriage was on the rocks and she made it no secret that she regularly saw another nurse outside of work. Rumor had it they had even been caught hooking up in the parking lot on break.

Nikki took note of the fact that Deacon never stopped to look her way to notice if she was watching her coworker flirt with him when he stepped out of the woman’s reach. He looked unamused and repeatedly ignored her not-so-subtle advances. When the girl turned her attention to Hondo, Hondo told the group to have a good day and let Deacon know that he was going to head outside to wait on the rest of the team to come pick them up. Deacon nodded and told Hondo he would be out momentarily.

The room was empty of everyone except for Nikki, who had returned to charting, and her unconscious patient.

“Have I told you just how beautiful you are today?” Deacon asked as he approached and leaned against the entryway to the room.

Nikki stopped typing and looked Deacon’s way as she smiled and blushed, knowing fully well she had only showered and brushed her hair before she left for work.

“I’ve never seen you in uniform, on duty before.” She said, her gaze giving Deacon all of the thanks that he needed. She made sure that he saw her eye him from head to boot.

“Looks good, don’t it?” Deacon chuckled and winked. He loved seeing her look at him with the same physical attraction to him as he had to her in her eyes. It made him feel good to know he still had it too - even as he neared 50. He knew she still felt cautious emotionally, but there was no denying she thought he was attractive as hell. “No, but really, it feels so good to be back with the guys. I really did miss this. And it’s all thanks to you that I’m standing here today, doing it again.”

“I didn’t do any of the hard work, Deac.”

“Nikki, your voice in my ear that day gave me the will to live. The will to keep going, the hope that everything would be okay again.” Deacon kept his tone low, but that didn’t suppress the passion and truth in his voice when he spoke to her. He stepped over to be by her side at the computer and gently squeezed her bicep. “And, sweetheart, I cannot wait to keep showing you just how much you and your soul mean to me.” This time his voice was sensual and Nikki couldn’t deny it.

Deacon took note of the chill bumps the tone in his voice gave this girl and he knew if he could see his own eyes, his pupils would have dilated at the shaky breath that hitched in her throat. There was a brief silence between them before she asked him about the details of how they found her patient before EMS arrived so she could appropriately chart. Once Deacon was finished, another nurse came to relieve Nikki for lunch and she walked her beau out to the SWAT truck that had just pulled into the ambulance bay to pick the two men up.

“Hey, everyone!” Nikki greeted as the back doors opened for Hondo and Deacon to step inside. “It’s good to see you guys.”

“Hey, girl. Still working on Deac, huh?” Luca asked.

“More like he’s working on me… or for me at least.” Nikki laugh, “I’ve got to figure out how to make it look like this guy rolled through the doors with the broken jaw Deacon just gave him in the room.”

“No shit, man.” Street chimed in.

Deacon shrugged, “He’ll keep his mouth shut, now.”

Nikki gave him a playful condescending look.

“I’ve gotta grab my food so I can get back to my patient. You guys be safe today.”

Deacon caught Nikki’s attention and he winked at her, “Have a good day. I’ll text you, later.”

Nikki went back inside and stopped in the bathroom on her way to the cafeteria. She held her phone at just the right angle for a selfie in her scrubs. She had seen Deacon looking at her in her scrubs the same way she had looked at him in his gear. Nearly as soon as she sent it with the kissing heart emoji, Deacon reacted with a “love.”

“How did I get to be so blessed to be the one you send selfies to?”

“💕 you’re too kind, Deacon Kay.”

Nikki returned her phone to her pocket as she made her way to get her food.

Deacon worked the day and was on call for the night. That meant that he would be staying at the station. Nikki wanted to take him supper, but ended up getting tied up at work and had to stay over and Deacon got called out to assist the sheriff’s department with a man barricaded in his house. She was exhausted when she got home, but wasn’t too tired to change into her favorite nightie - a comfortable, but sleek, sexy tank top. Nikki felt a little awkward preparing to take a picture that didn’t bare all but was sensual enough that she knew it would drive the older man crazy. She hadn’t done this in as long as she could remember and the rational part of her brain questioned whether it was too soon for a man that she had only seen seriously a handful of times, but her heart reminded her how secure she felt with David Kay, how beautiful he made her feel, how easily he seemed to dismiss her co-workers advances earlier in the day, and she knew she would be lying to herself if she said she didn’t like knowing how crazy she could drive him with her body. She didn’t plan on having sex with him in the immediate future, but she had always been a tease and she knew “pre-gaming” would make it that much better when she finally allowed him to have her for the first time.

She propped herself up on one arm on her bathroom counter, finding the right camera angle with the other. She took several and decided on one that she felt the most confident in - messy hair, good boobs, and the nightie at just the right length to tell she wasn’t wearing any pants, but revealing nothing more than her upper thigh.

She sent the photo and when it was left unread, she knew Deacon was still tied up.

“I hope you guys are safe. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow night. Have a wonderful night, handsome. 😘”

Nikki closed her applications, plugged in her phone and went to bed. She had the following few days off and she planned on using them to do nothing other than rest.

When Deacon returned to the station in the early morning hours, he was relieved to find his phone lying on his bed where he had forgotten it when he got dressed to run the call. He knew he had probably missed telling Nikki good night. She had had a long day and while still as beautiful as ever, Deacon could tell she was tired. He supposed health care could do that to you, the same as law enforcement. He picked his phone up, saw a message from Nikki and immediately opened it.

He was smitten when he saw the photo tease. Nikki was so damn beautiful. God. Her hair, her eyes, her arms, her legs, her - …. was that nipple piercings he could make out underneath the fabric of her shirt? He immediately felt his boxer briefs and tactical pants tighten around his groin as he started to become engorged.

“Oh my god…. Breathtaking doesn’t even do you justice. I don’t want to do anything you aren’t ready to do, but holy hell, baby, you’re not going to make it easy. Such a tease… i love it. I can’t wait to have you in my arms tomorrow.”

He sent his text and took another long look at the picture. He reacted to it with a heart and saved it to his phone. He went to the showers and took a cold one. As turned on as Nikki had definitely just made him, he wasn’t allowing himself any release that didn’t involve her immediate touch. However, that didn’t mean he couldn’t tease back.

Once clean and cooled off, Deacon wrapped a towel around his waist. He stood in front of the bathroom mirror in his station, flexing in such a way that defined his muscular torso even more and returned the favor for Nikki’s picture. As he sent it, the scar on his chest caught his eye. He had healed very well, but he couldn’t help remember all of the times he watched Nikki’s face as she concentrated on assessing the wound that was once there and putting clean bandages on it. He had been just as smitten with her beauty then as he was now.

[vitusxaydin]

They hover there for a few seconds, suspended in silence. Vitus can tell Deacon's studying him, too. Reading the lines on his face, just as Vitus is reading him back. This observation feels easier than the other times they've encountered each other, at least, now that they've addressed the elephant in the room.

'Cause I like that you like 'em. Vitus wonders how much Deacon means this. Wonders if this sentiment has anything to do with the way Deke choked on himself, admitting Vitus had seen him, healed something in him all those years ago.

Twelve years and countless tears and finally, finally, a bowl of blueberries and a breakfast sandwich. And through all of it, he's still never seen what Deacon looks like in the day. He saw him, that morning, in indirect light, as the sun tried to press into that room sideways just enough to allow them to form memory. But never full-on. Never the sun streaming clean through the East window of his own, personal space, the window in front of them now. Bringing the blue in Deacon's eyes to life, bouncing off that streak of gray in his hair. How tiresome it is, having these conversations with him in the dark. Fighting through the tug of sleep and a whole day's worth of agony, just to scrape free the splintered pieces of bone in his chest and hand Deacon a mess.

Quietly, he answers, "I'd like that. I usually like to eat fresh fruit like this for breakfast. Maybe you can swing by one morning with another batch. And I can whip up some pancakes for us?" An apologetic, sly smile as he added, "My life is still mostly at night, so... can't promise I'll be around much in the evenings. But I technically do have an open door policy. You're welcome here. Whenever you feel like dropping by."

𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐍 𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐍 whenever vitus opens himself up like this to him. he wants to know everything and nothing and maybe just enough would be okay, could survive him for another twelve years while he lets new, other things occur for vitus to tell him about again when they've both got a full head of grey hairs and two lifetimes' worth of stories to tell. so maybe he got a little greedy this time, jumping from one part of vitus' life to another, and back again, wanting to eat as much of it as vitus did with the blueberries.

"i'm sorry," deacon echoes vitus' apology, still with his eyes on his face, honing in on the finer details embedded on his skin, shaped by his skull the way his hands know best, still somehow in awe that they're still there, that this is, in fact, the same face, the same man. but he can't touch him now and so relies solely on memory to take inventory of all that he'd accounted for. "i should let you rest."

he wants to say more, to apologize for making him dig up some graves and exhume the bodies that must've taken everything in vitus to bury, only to have deacon show up and make him undo all of it, and do it all again, just because he came with fruits. he wants to make a promise that next time, you can ask me questions and make the rare exception of telling the truth for him. he wants to show him his family's farm, wants to ask if he'd come over for dinner one day, if he'd like to meet the rest of his family, if he'd like to accompany him to a real, actual grave and lay flowers over where his parents are laid to rest. but vitus sketching up the possibility of another day saves him the discomfort of acknowledging he wants anything at all.

his gaze drops to the bowl of blueberries, "i can bring you more, if you want," he says, agreeing, somewhat, to see him again. "'cause i like that you like 'em. tell you the truth, i've never seen anyone eat this much blueberries in so little time." a lighter note to end the night somehow.