#the shadow of his dad (the alpha) is trying to make him like him

[magpie-trove]

Convinced whereas Smallville’s deal is the wounds of fornication, Buffy and Teen Wolf are deeply about the wounds of divorce

[vivwritescrappythings]

set me on fire, i'll keep you warm

alpha!joel miller x omega!f!reader

You get stuck in a cabin during a snowstorm for longer than you anticipated.

an: this is my first a/b/o fic so it is probably weird and awkward, but i'm trying to push myself out of my comfort zone and write different styles of relationships!

tw: a/b/o/ dynamics, afab reader, fem reader, alpha joel, omega reader, marijuana use, joel is mean, angst, comfort, SMUT, this is an a/b/o fic so everything associated with that is included (knotting, mating cycles, heat, claiming bites, scenting), p in v sex, vaginal fingering, creampies, unprotected sex, masturbation, dubcon

word count: 12.5k

masterlist

MDNI!

--

The night outside the cabin was quiet, the snow drifting down in the dim light of the backlit clouds. It was too late to be sitting outside like this, letting the cool air wash over you in an attempt to rid yourself of your bad dreams. Dark circles were stamped under your eyes as you self medicated, the deep skunky scent of weed wafting from your lips and into the evening. 

Nightmares were a fairly common side effect of the apocalypse, so you didn’t bother with waking up Joel as you snuck past the couch he slept on. You’d be waking Joel up every night if you did that.

“What are you doing?” The groggy voice behind you made you jump. Apparently tonight you had.

Joel’s voice startled you, nearly making you drop the joint as you turned to look at him over your shoulder. Your face already felt warm from your embarrassment at getting caught, the incriminating joint still between your fingers. The smoke curled around the two of you, drifting into the open door of the cabin. 

“Couldn’t sleep,” you mumbled, looking up at the alpha as he stood in the doorway. You had the collar of his thick, canvas hunting jacket turned up high to cover your scent glands, his smell strong enough to cover yours. It wouldn’t be smart to broadcast to anyone nearby that you were an unbonded omega. 

Joel’s eyes darkened at the sight of you, illuminated by the crisp night. You knew the jacket swamped over you, the sleeves pushed up to expose your hands and the excess tucked beneath you as you sat. He leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, studying your exhausted expression with a touch of concern.

“Mhm, I can see that,” he drawled, his eyes flicking down to the joint in your hand. “You smokin' again?”

Your gaze subconsciously darted down to where his biceps bulged under his flannel. You swallowed thickly, looking back up at his shadowed eyes. “Just so I can fall asleep,” you mumbled, feeling like a teenager who’d just been caught by their dad. You took another greedy puff off the joint before he could say anything else, putting it out against the porch railing before tucking it into a rusty Altoids tin from which it came and into your pocket. 

You exhaled a thick cloud of smoke as you stood, crossing the porch in just your socks and ducking past Joel inside the house. “Made sure your jacket covered my scent and everything, didn’t want any passers by to smell me,” you murmured as you squeezed by him. You smelled like weed and like Joel, the sweet scent that lingered on your skin only detectable if you got close.

The sound of Joel inhaling as you walked past him was audible, as if he was testing your method and making sure he couldn’t pick up your scent. You glanced up at him to see his nostrils flare before he schooled his face into a neutral expression.

He followed you inside, closing and locking the door behind you. "You know that stuff ain't good for you," he said gruffly, his eyes following your every movement.

You were shrugging his jacket off, hanging it back up on the hook next to yours. Your sweater was threadbare, on its last leg before you’d have to look for a new one in an abandoned house or store. “I know, Joel,” you murmured softly, brushing a hand over your face. You crossed your arms over your chest, tucking your freezing hands into your armpits.

Your eyes were bloodshot and glassy, the buzz of being stoned making your movements more languid. “Only do it sometimes, just when I can’t sleep,” you said, trying to assure the alpha across from you.

Joel's expression softened at your words, but still, a hint of concern etched his features. The set of his jaw told you he knew what these sleepless nights did to you; the bags under your eyes and the fatigue in your movements didn't escape his notice. 

"Sometimes is too much," he rumbled, closing the distance between you. He reached out, his calloused fingers gently brushing an errant snowflake off your face, his touch tender despite the roughness of his hands. You closed your eyes at the contact, his skin rough against yours before he pulled away. 

"If you can't sleep, you should come to me. You know that, right?"

“Joel, s’okay, it doesn’t happen very often,” you murmured, stubborn as always. 

You knew Joel could help you sleep in an instant, all it would take is you crawling on the couch with him and pressing your nose against his scent gland. It was one of the easiest parts of being an omega with an alpha around. But, you were stubborn to a fault.

The corners of his mouth tightened, and he let out a low growl. "I don't care if it's once in a blue moon or every goddamn night," he snapped. "You need to start relying on me more. I don’t know why you gotta deny your nature and act like you’re so goddamn tough. Stop being so damn independent all the damn time."

You huffed, not letting Joel sway you. His frustration was obvious, you could smell it mixing with the musk of his scent. “You wouldn’t say that to me if I was an alpha or a beta,” you bite back, brow furrowing. It was rare that Joel got mad at you like this–especially over something as stupid as being hard-headed. You’d been that way the whole time he knew you: an omega fighting her designation.

The day you presented as an omega you cried yourself sick. It was like your life had ended, every opportunity seemingly disappearing in an already difficult world after the outbreak. You were hellbent on proving yourself to be worth more.

Joel's jaw tightened as his eyes flashed darkly at your words. He stepped closer, closing the distance between you until he was towering over you. "You don't get it, do you?" he asked softly, the sneer apparent in his voice. "It's different for you. You're an omega."

Your throat tightened, frustration cutting through the relaxed haze of your high. “If you don’t trust me to take care of myself, Joel, why did you take me on as your patrol partner?” you hissed, staring up into his gaze defiantly. You were starting to get emotional, tears stinging at the backs of your eyes as you tried to suppress them. Joel stood over a head taller than you, glaring down his aquiline nose at you as you argued.

His scent was strong in the small hallway, his chest puffing up as he cornered you near the wall. His arm shot out, palm pressing to the dilapidated wood paneling near your head.

"I brought you because I trust you to shoot straight," he retorted, his voice rough. "Not because I think you can handle yourself on your own!"

His words made you flinch, the hurt clear on your face. Your mind was reeling, struggling to process what he said as you balked at him. It dawned on you how stupid it was to think an alpha would trust you. To them, you’d never be more than just an omega even if you pushed yourself to the brink. 

You didn’t give him an answer, slipping under his arm and heading to the small bedroom you occupied at the back of the house. Everything in you was screaming to hide, to make yourself small. Distress scent was already pouring off of you in waves, leaving the air bitter as you tried to hold the tears threatening to spill until you got behind the bedroom door.

“Goodnight, Joel,” you hissed, slamming the door shut behind you and locking it.

—

You didn’t know what time it was when you woke up, just that there was light streaming in through the aged blinds covering the window. The fire in your room must have gone out when you slept, the air was frigid as you sat up in bed. Peeking out the frosted glass revealed there was more snow on the ground than when you fell asleep—meaning another day of holing up in the cabin until it passed.

You had half the mind to hide in your room all day, not wanting to face Joel after last night. You cried yourself to sleep, betrayal weighing heavy on your heart. You still felt the sting of it, part of you wondering if he even respected you as a teammate or just thought you were a pathetic, bumbling omega he got stuck with. 

If it wasn’t for your stomach growling, you probably would have stayed in hiding.

The door to the room creaked when you opened it, deciding to venture out to get water and something to settle your upset stomach. The light was dim out in the rest of the cabin, the dying embers of the fire casting an orange glow across everything. Joel was a lump on the couch, but you couldn’t tell if he was awake.

Joel hardly slept, guilt and worry gnawing at his gut. He had tossed and turned on the couch all night, listening to the sound of your sobs through the door until you finally fell asleep. If he could go back and take it all back, he would in a heartbeat.

It wasn't the creaking of the floorboards that woke Joel, but the faint scent of a distressed omega. He stirred, his eyes fluttering open to see you quietly entering the kitchen. He watched you in silence, guilt-stricken features as he studied your careful movements. As he slowly rose from the couch, moving towards the kitchen in a silent prowl, his eyes never left you.

“You're not gonna eat just jerky all day, are you?" he asked gruffly, leaning against the kitchen door frame. You were gnawing on a piece of it, staring out the bay window over the sink in the long-abandoned kitchen.

In your haze, Joel managed to surprise you. You yelped at the sound of his deep voice, spinning around and falling back against the kitchen counter. “Jesus Christ, Joel,” you said, finding your footing again. Your heart was pounding in your chest as you turned to look out the front window at the snowy landscape surrounding the cabin. “Just about gave me a heart attack.”

A hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of Joel's lips as he watched you jump, a low, raspy chuckle rumbling in his chest. "Sorry 'bout that," he drawled, running a hand through his disheveled hair. His eyes followed your gaze out to the window, the snow falling silently outside.

You didn’t know what to say to him, your chapped lips pursed as the two of you stared at one another. He looked worse for wear, his dark hair was sticking up in every direction, his under eyes so dark they almost looked bruised.

He cleared his throat, the silence between you two deafening. "Can we talk?" he asked. He cringed at his own question, knowing that of course he wanted to talk, he knew he had to talk. He just didn't know how to start. He reached out towards you, but stopped himself halfway, his hand dropping limply to his side 

You sniffled, running a hand over your face as you took a deep breath. “What if I said no?” you whispered, crossing your arms over your chest. The smell of your distress was all too clear, the acrid scent of it covering your normal honeyed-earth smell. 

"Please."

The word was out of his mouth before he could stop it. The pleading tone in his voice surprised him, and he knew it surprised you too. He was an alpha, a strong and powerful one at that, he didn't beg.

But as he looked at you, at your exhausted frame and red-rimmed eyes, he didn't care. He'd beg for your forgiveness a thousand times if he had to. Crawl to you on his knees. It pained him to see you like this. Especially when it was his fault.

The sound of Joel’s deep, twangy, Texas-accented voice begging made one of your eyebrows arch. He never begged, he never had to before. Not alphas like him. You sighed, hazel eyes darting to look out the window over the kitchen sink at the snow. “I’m listening,” you mumbled.

Joel let out a breath through his nose, his heart rate returning to normal. At least you were giving him the chance to explain.

The only sound in the room while Joel put his words together was the floor creaking beneath you as you turned to face him again, watching his coffee-colored eyes nervously flit up to yours. It was times like this that made it hard to believe Joel was the alpha and you were the omega, when he’d snap and then come running back to you with his tail between his legs like a kicked puppy.

You used your arms to boost yourself onto the counter, feet dangling off as you settled on the cool tile. You were nearly Joel’s height this way, leveling the playing field a bit by making him look straight at you. You pulled a knee up to your chest, the other leg still hanging down as you mashed your cheek against your kneecap.

He took a step closer, standing in front of your bent leg now as he looked at you. His rugged features softened as he spoke, his voice gruff. "Look...what I said last night," he began, "It was really shitty, and I didn’t mean it, and I'm sorry."

He reached out, calloused fingers gently wrapping around your ankle, giving it a squeeze. "I just... I worry about you, that's all." His thumb pressed the wonky stick and poke tattoo of the omega symbol on the inside of your ankle. You’d given it to yourself when you were seventeen, some rebellious act of reclaiming your identity. Now it was just a faded memory of growing up in a quarantine zone.

Joel always had a hard time with words, expressing himself more through actions than any alpha you’d ever seen. You rarely shied away from his touches, coming to expect them over the past year the two of you had been assigned together as patrol partners. 

You sighed, blowing air out through your nose as your head tilted. Joel stood close to you, your hanging calf pressed along his thigh as you met his gaze. “I know you worry, Joel,” you said softly, looking up at him through your lashes. “But you gotta treat me like a teammate, not like you’re my babysitter.”

He looked embarrassed, his eyes darting to the ground and then back up to you. "I never meant to make you feel like you were just some object, or incompetent. I just…” he sighs, struggling to find the right words. “You make me so damn frustrated sometimes."

You huffed, shaking your head. “You don’t get to try to justify it, Joel,” you said, an exasperated tone in your voice. Of course he’d qualify it, find it wasn’t entirely his fault. “You reduced me to an incompetent partner, useless. Just an object for breeding,” you whispered, your glare hard. “Felt like you had no respect for me unless I was bending over for you and letting you fuck me.”

Joel bristled at the words, the sting of them hurting almost as much as the pain on your face. He clenched his hands into fists, his whole body tensing with the effort to keep the need to comfort you under control.

He took a step forward, his eyes fixed on you. "I do respect you, dammit," he growled. "You don't think I don't admire how strong and independent you are? If I didn't respect you and trust you to have my back, I would have found a new partner a long time ago."

“You said all I was good for was shooting straight, Joel,” you said, your voice cracking as you spoke. You worried your lower lip with your teeth, fingers tapping nervously against your bent leg. It felt like you were going against your DNA, standing up to Joel like this.

Joel ran a hand over his face, the weight of his actions sinking in. He knew you were right. He knew he had crossed a line.

"You're right, it was unfair," he said, his eyes darting to the floor. "I was just frustrated, I was worried about you. This job, it's dangerous, and you've got such a damn stubborn, independent streak. You never ask for help, and I always worry I'm gonna wake up one day and find you not there, and it’ll be my fault for not being fast enough."

You huff, your expression softening slightly at Joel’s confession. You knew he was dealing with his own demons, his own reasons to wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. He was still standing between your legs, fingers looped around your ankle. “Joel,” you murmured, “I’m not running away or anything, I just was smoking a joint to help myself sleep.”

Joel looked up at you when you spoke, his gaze lifting from the faded tattoo. He hated how defeated he felt, and he hated how hurt you looked.

"Damnit, you don't need to do that. Why can't you just come to me when you can't sleep, and I can help you sleep the right way?" he sighed, moving in closer.

His frustration made you even more angry. “Fuck, Joel. Does the sleeping thing really bother you that much?” you huffed, moving further back from him on the counter and turning to look out the window. You felt queasy, chewing over the idea of telling him a bit of the truth. You decided to go for it. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’ve never scented an alpha before.”

The wind against the side of the cabin was the only thing filling the silence. Most omegas got scenting partners out of the way when they were teenagers, exploring their desires and learning what they liked in a mate. But you were in your late twenties and never tried any of it because you were too busy fighting your designation. You didn’t want any part of being an omega, even if that meant not experiencing things.

You didn’t even know what you were doing—didn’t even know where to start.

Joel's eyes widened when you confessed that you had never scented an alpha before. The revelation took him aback, making his breath hitch in his chest. His mind went through a whirlwind of thought, the realization that he would be your first alpha to scent you hitting him like a truck. He can hardly consider the fact that it was contingent on if you let him. 

His omega had never scented an alpha before. The possessive instincts within him roared to life, clawing at the edges of his mind. No, you’re not his. He needed to stop thinking that.

"You never-" he began, his voice rough and strained. "You never scented anyone?"

Your cheeks erupted with warmth, embarrassment rocking through you. You ended up covering your face with your palms, not wanting Joel to look at you. “I’ve scented other omegas… betas.” It felt too submissive, too docile. You didn’t want to be like other omegas you saw in the quarantine zone and Jackson—stuck bending to their alphas’ every whim, you wanted to be free.

“So don’t get so offended that I haven’t scented you, it’s not personal.”

Joel's jaw dropped at your confession, his mind spinning. He had known you were stubborn and independent, but this? He had never heard of an omega not scenting anyone by the time they were out of their teenage years.

The way you covered your face, the smell of your embarrassment and shyness filling the air, made something primal stir in his chest. The thought of no other alpha ever having the opportunity to even scent you was both thrilling and infuriating.

“I just wanted someone to treat me like their equal,” you whispered, crossing your arms over your chest. It was hard for you to let the silence exist between you, always filling it. You had to move from the weight of Joel’s surprised gaze, making you turn to the window and stare out of it. The snow was so heavy outside the cabin that you could hardly see the trees. “I would do it, I just don’t want to become someone’s property. Which I know scenting is really different and far from mating and being claimed but it feels like the first step.”

Joel's heart ached as you spoke. He knew you wanted equality and respect, something he always thought you deserved. But to know that you had never allowed yourself to feel comforts like being scented because of fear of being treated like property was something he hadn't realized.

He leaned towards you, trying to see your eyes. "You know I wouldn't treat you like that, right? I would never make you feel less than an equal just because you're an omega," he said, his voice low and gentle.

“You tried to last night,” you mumbled, still facing away from Joel. You leaned your forehead against the window, the glass cool against your skin. That was what made it so difficult, you couldn’t forget the tone Joel spoke to you with—it was the same tone that alphas used to force omegas to submit. It rattled you.

Joel clenched his jaw at your words, guilt bubbling up in his chest again. He knew you were right, that he had tried to reduce you to just your designation, that he had spoken to you in the way that made most omegas crumble.

He moved closer, close enough that he could smell the sour scent of your distress again. Everything at him was screaming to make it better, to fix it.

"You’re right,” he admitted. “I was a dick, and I hurt you. I won’t do it again. I swear on Ellie’s life."

You felt warmth radiating off him and onto your back. “You really scared me, Joel,” you whispered, your voice wavering as you spoke. That was the truth of it, he scared you last night. “I know you can overpower me in a second if you wanted to—I really have to trust you not to. My life is in your hands.”

As you spoke, Joel’s heart ached. He knew you were right. You were strong and fierce, but he was an alpha, and he could overpower you in a heartbeat if he wanted to. He gently squeezed your ankle, tugging on it. He could feel the heat radiating off you, and it took every ounce of restraint he had not to press himself against you.

“I know, I know I did. I’m sorry, baby,” he murmured, the nickname coming out before he could stop himself.

You sniffled, wiping tears from the corners of your eyes. You didn’t know what to do, anxiety binding your chest in knots. Joel stood close to you, nearly touching your back as his hand flattened against the porcelain countertop. “Alphas don’t have to think about that kind of stuff, ya know? You don’t have to constantly worry about it. You could be alone for your whole life and it wouldn’t be a problem, it’s not the same for omegas.” 

Your forehead was still pressed against the window pane, your body curling up to make you small. “Don’t gotta worry about an alpha forcing a claim on you, or killing you if you refuse. I’ve got to think about it all the time, even in Jackson. And then you wonder why I hate being an omega.”

Pain and sadness wrenched in Joel's chest as you spoke, his heart breaking at the vulnerability in your voice. He knew you were right—alphas didn't have the same worries and fears that you did.

He closed the distance between you, his chest pressing against your back as he leaned over the counter. He could feel the tremors in your body, and he desperately wanted to fix it, to make it better, to take your pain away.

"I know, baby," he murmured again, hooking his chin on your shoulder. The wiry strands of his beard curled against the collar of your sweater. "I know."

There was something in his solemn tone that made you break, a pathetic whimper rocking out of you before you could stifle it. He sounded so small, you never heard him sound like that before. It cracked a hole in your defenses just enough for the whole structure to come crumbling down.

You let out a sob, turning against Joel until you could bury your face in his chest. You cried into his flannel, fingers twisting in the well-worn material. He was still your person, your best friend in the whole world. You always turned to him.

Joel's heart ached as you buried your face into his chest. He could feel your tears soaking into his shirt, and his arms wrapped around you, pulling you as close as physically possible.

He held you tightly, one hand coming up to cup the back of your head, his fingers tangling in your hair. He gently guided your head to rest against his chest, his chin resting on top of your head.

"Shhh, baby, it's okay," he whispered, his voice rough and thick with emotion. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Wanted to take it all back the second I said it, I was such an asshole."

You didn’t know how long you cried for, clinging to Joel like a life preserver in a storm. He held you close, his calloused fingers tangling in your hair and his chin resting on the crown of your head. You inhaled his scent from him, the deep, musky smell of an alpha, mixed with a spicy scent that was entirely Joel’s. 

Joel held you through your tears, his fingers running through your hair in a soothing motion. He inhaled deeply, his nose buried in your hair, the scent of your distress beginning to fade and be replaced by a more familiar honeyed earth scent.

It took you a while to calm down, making you hiccup as your tears eventually ran dry. His shirt was soaked with them, but he didn't care. He just wanted you to feel better, he wanted to fix whatever he had broken.

"You all cried out, darlin'?” he murmured, his voice soft and gentle.

You nodded against Joel, sniffling still. “I know you’re sorry, Joel,” you mumbled, your voice soft and thick from crying. You still held onto him, face pressed into his sternum.

Joel's heart clenched at your mumbled words, his hold on you tightening slightly. "I'll say it as many times as you want to hear it, baby," he said, his own voice rough with emotion. He rubbed slow, soothing circles on your back. Your body was pressed against him, warm and soft.

Joel’s voice sounded thick, his Texan drawl heavier. You just held on, trying to catch your breath. The wind sounded louder outside, buffeting against the roof and filling the silence between you two.

Your distress scent faded, only leaving your cloyingly sweet smell behind. Joel took another breath, inhaling. It was intoxicating, the way you smelled. Almost honeyed earth after a heavy rain, it was addictive. He always had a hard time focusing when he was close to you like this.

He pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind, focusing on you and you only. He continued to hold you, his fingers still running through your hair. "Feeling better, darlin'?"

You nodded, pulling away slightly. You wiped your face off, your skin damp from your crying. “Yeah, I’m better,” you whispered. You looked up at Joel for a moment, your eyes bloodshot and watery. 

Joel's eyes roamed over your face, taking in your puffy eyes and running nose and swollen lips. You looked beautiful even when you had been crying, and it took all of his self-restraint not to pull you back against him again.

He nodded, his thumb coming up to lightly trace your wet cheeks, wiping away a few remaining tears. "I’m glad, darlin'," he murmured, his eyes not leaving yours.

Your lips were pursed thoughtfully, considering. “So you’ll start trusting me to handle myself?” you asked, trying to negotiate. “And I’ll rely on my instincts more,” you offered, still whispering. “Alright?”

Joel's heart was pounding in his chest as he held your ankle, his thumb rubbing over the faded tattoo there. He knew you were right, that he often let his protectiveness get the best of him when it came to you. He wanted to keep you safe at all costs, but sometimes in his efforts, he ended up stifling you.

He exhaled deeply, feeling the guilt and the weight of his actions settle heavily on his shoulders. He knew he would agree to anything you asked. "I will, but you have no idea how hard it is," he murmured, his gaze never leaving your face.

You nodded, tears still burning in your eyes. You needed him to agree, or this wouldn’t work. “Joel, should we change patrol partners?” you asked, tilting your head. You didn’t want to, but it also wasn’t safe for him to constantly put himself in harm’s way for you. “Someone easier for you to be around might be better. And I need someone who trusts me.”

Joel's stomach lurched at your question, the thought of being paired with someone other than you making his blood run cold. "No," he growled, his hand tightening around your ankle reflexively. "No. We're not changing partners."

He stepped even closer to you, his eyes filled with determination. "I don't want anyone else. I don't want you paired with anyone else. It's you and me," he insisted, his voice firm.

Joel crowded in close, pulling you toward the edge of the counter. Your knee pressed against his waist, his belt warm through the hole in the knee of your sweatpants. You clicked your tongue softly, your small hand smoothing along the back of his larger one. “S’okay, I’m not going anywhere,” you whispered, making sure he looked you in the eye. “You and me. Just gotta start trusting me.”

Joel's shoulders sagged with relief, the tension draining from his body as he heard your reassurance. The feel of your hand against his, the way your knee rested against his hip, it grounded him, reminded him of what was important.

“I trust ya.” He leaned in even closer, resting his forehead against yours. "You and me," he repeated, his voice a low rumble. "Always."

He took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet, honeyed scent of you. It filled his senses, calming his nerves.

You basked in the closeness for a moment, letting your eyes slip shut as you inhaled his deep, heady musk of him. It felt resolved for now. “Alright big guy, let’s make some food,” you said, lightly patting Joel’s stomach with a hand before you twisted around him off the counter in the kitchen.

Being outside of Jackson made you miss electricity. Thankfully you knew there was a chance that there would be a storm during the scouting run, packing the truck with extra food and firewood that had now come in handy. 

But, neither of you realized the storm would last for so long. It was three days that you two were stuck in the cabin, watching as the snow piled higher and higher. You weren’t waiting for it to melt, just to stop coming down so Joel could see your way out without crashing into a tree or a boulder.

You cracked two cans of Chef Boyardee that Joel found in one of the houses you picked through, setting them in the fireplace to warm as you sat cross-legged on the rug in front of it.

Joel was moving around behind you, the springs of the couch squealing as he sat on them. His gaze made the hair on the back of your neck prickle. But, he stayed silent—typical behavior for him. 

You looked at the grandfather clock on the wall, surprised to see that it was already nearing three in the afternoon. You must have slept in later than you expected, most of the day already having gone by. Honestly, it was better that way, you and Joel were starting to get a bit of cabin fever.

Silence permeated the room, brightly patterned oven mitts you found in a drawer covering your hands as you scarfed down the food. “So you used to buy this stuff at like, the store?” you asked, finally breaking the quiet as you turned to look at Joel.

You were little when the outbreak started, you didn’t remember much of what life was like before. It was normal for you to ask him things. Joel felt like a bridge to a different time.

It always caught him off guard when you asked about life before the outbreak—he couldn’t help but forget how young you were compared to him. He nodded as he chewed, glancing up to see you backlit by the fire. It made you look like you had a gold light surrounding you.

“Yeah, we used to buy everything at grocery stores,” he said, clearing his throat a bit as he talked. “There was more food than you could imagine, really, there was too much. A lot of it got thrown away.”

You listened with rapt attention, chewing the ravioli thoroughly. You really couldn’t imagine such abundance—even in Jackson everything was grown and made to satisfy the needs of a few seasons. Nothing ever went to waste, though. 

“That sounds like a dream,” you said softly, finishing your food. You stretched out on your back on the rug, the fire warming your side as you got comfortable. 

“These days it seems like one,” he mumbled, the sound of his spoon scraping the can filling the room. He couldn’t look at you directly, it felt like he was staring at the sun. It was hard not to go to you. His palms itched with the need to feel your fire-warmed skin beneath them. 

Joel got up sharply, running his fingers through his hair as he looked out the window. “M’gonna go hunting before it gets too dark out,” he said, scratching the back of his head as he walked away from you.

You hummed your acknowledgment, watching Joel pull on his gloves and his jacket and sling his rifle over his shoulder. He smelled the collar of the coat, your scent probably lingered from when you’d borrowed it last night.

“Be careful,” you murmured, watching Joel from where you lay. You wanted to get up, go adjust his jacket and the twisted strap of his rifle. But you stayed where you were.

“Always am,” he said, giving you a once-over before heading out the front door and into the snow. 

You busied yourself with melting snow to fill the big plastic bin Joel had dragged inside from the truck, cleaning the guns and mending some clothes with a needle and thread. Normally you’d go hunting with Joel, but you could tell he needed space for a bit. 

The cold woke him up, made him feel like he finally got his head out of water. Being stuck in that cabin with you—with your smell—was driving him crazy. The two of you spent a lot of time together, but it normally was outside. This was the first time you’d been smashed together in close quarters for more than a day. 

It was making him lose his mind.

He’d rather be shot than admit it, but he spent the first ten minutes of his hunting trip holding the collar of his jacket to his nose and fisting his cock. As soon as he realized he could smell you on the canvas, he’d been hard as a rock. 

Joel never met an omega whose scent got to him as much as yours.

He held the aging fabric in a fist to his face as he stroked up and down his shaft. His eyes were screwed shut, jaw clenched so hard it ached. It wasn’t hard for him to imagine that his spit-slicked hand was yours, the image of you stretched out on the rug stuck in his mind. The fire illuminated the contours of your body, highlighting the swell of your breasts and the indent of your waist.

It wasn’t the first time he fantasized about you. It started with a dream of you crawling into his sleeping bag while you were out on a scouting mission, pressing up close and nuzzling into him like you were his, whispering everything you wanted him to do to you in his ear. 

He woke up from that painfully hard, thankful that he was in the safety of his bedroom in Jackson rather than with you. But it spiraled viciously from there—even if he didn’t start off thinking of you, he would certainly get there eventually. Knotting you, biting you, fucking you. It all lived in his head. 

Joel groaned, biting down on his lower lip as his cum spilled onto the snow. The tree he was leaning against was rough on the back of his head as he slumped a bit, taking deep breaths. It took him a few moments for the ringing in his ears to stop, head finally clearing as he tucked himself back into his pants. 

With the edge taken off he readied himself, wiping the sweat off his forehead before grabbing his rifle off his shoulder. There was always some level of shame he felt after he jerked off to the thought of you, knowing he’d have to face you again and pretend nothing was amiss. 

The wind howled as he walked deeper into the forest, pushing his thoughts aside as he started to look for any semblance of tracks in the snow.

—

The rabbit Joel killed was a decent enough dinner with the dried soup you brought from Jackson, the meal rich enough to lull you both into silence as you thumbed through old paperback books you found in a closet. 

It was long dark when you told Joel you’d be going to bed, wishing him goodnight as you made your way to the bedroom. You were tired enough to fall asleep with little fuss, curling into the thick quilt and going unconscious almost as soon as your head hit the pillow.

But, of course, you didn’t stay that way. 

Screams filled the space around you. You were unseeing, choking on thick smoke. Opening your mouth to speak only resulted in a scream, the sound ragged and desperate. You could hear gunfire in the distance, but you didn’t know which way to look.

You were alone in this place, that much you could tell. The air was thick and warm—smelled like the omega shelter back in Vegas, you spent two years there. You reached out ahead of you into the darkness, hoping to find a wall or furniture or something. But it was empty, each step further into the black maw that seemed to have no ending. 

The sound of clicking made your hair stand on end. You were all-too familiar with that sound, the labored breathing of an infected following it. You didn’t know which way to move, the clicking was directionless. There were no weapons, no way to run. 

Clicking filled your ears, directly on top of you. Teeth tore into your flesh, ripping into your arm as—

You woke with a jolt, eyes wide in the darkness as you let out a choked gasp. Screaming still haunted the back of your mind as you sat up, trembling hands running over your face as you tried to enter the world of the living.

Your nightmares were relentless, memories of the fall of the Las Vegas QZ still fresh in your mind despite it happening a decade ago. The explosions that brought the walls down, the influx of raiders and infected alike. The smell of smoke and burning flesh and hair made you choke, forcing you out of bed as you fumbled for your Altoid’s tin on the nightstand.

Joel was asleep when you crept through the living room, good ear pressed into the cushion of the couch as you tiptoed past. The night was cold, Joel’s jacket back on your shoulders as you looked off the porch and pinched the joint between shivering fingers.

It stopped snowing, at least. The sky was cloudy, the moon peaking through sections of the clouds and making the snowy landscape glitter like diamonds. You and Joel would be able to leave in the morning.

A gust of wind made you shudder, the joint slipping from your fingers. It was a scramble to catch it, sending you to your knees. The wooden boards creaked as you tried to grab the remainder of your joint as it rolled. Your fingers just barely missed it, clutching the empty air as you watched it fall through a crack in the floorboards and disappear.

“Fuck!” you groaned, sitting back on your heels. You’d be awake the rest of the night, still feeling edgy and paranoid from your nightmare. You dragged your hands over your face, exasperated.

You headed inside, defeated. Joel’s jacket was returned to its hook as you looked at the way the fire lit up the room orange. The shadows flickered along the walls, sending shivers down your spine as you remembered waking up to the same glow in Las Vegas.

Then your gaze landed on Joel, still comfortably sleeping on the couch. One leg hung off, planted against the floor as his other foot was far over the edge—he was far too tall to be sleeping on the sofa.

You paused, chewing your lip as you stared at him. If you swallowed your pride, you’d be able to sleep tonight. 

It was a hard thing, letting go of your fears. You realized if there was ever an alpha you’d bend to, it would be Joel. Something about him made you trust him, even when he was harsh and rude and distant, you still knew him inside out. 

Part of you knew he was yours, even if you wouldn’t admit it. It was the talk of Jackson, Joel panting at the heels of some young omega like a lost puppy—you heard the whispers. 

You decided to give him a chance.

He didn’t stir as you approached, wondering if you should wake him up or just clamber onto him. The couch was already cramped enough with just him on it.

You tentatively reached out to shake his arm, Joel’s dark eyes opening almost as soon as you touched him. He sat up fast, looking ready to fight as his gaze took in every inch of the cabin. You yelped softly, moving back from him in surprise.

“What’s goin’ on?” he asked, voice thick and raspy from sleep as he started to get up. 

“I can’t sleep,” you admitted sheepishly, wringing your hands together in front of you. You felt silly asking him after everything that had happened between you two, but you promised him you’d follow your instincts more. His muscles tensed, you didn’t mean to cause such a commotion, your heart in your throat. “It’s stupid… I-I can figure it out.”

Joel relaxed, the tension in his shoulders leaving as he processed what you said. Your concern made him smile softly, a hand reaching out to curl around your shoulder. “Want me to help you sleep?” he asked, voice low. He treated you carefully, not wanting to scare you off. 

He was honored you were even willing to ask.

You huffed softly, brows furrowing as you nodded. His grin stretched, heart thumping with excitement as he obliged you. He was relieved you were asking, wanting to be a good alpha for you. Wanting to help you. “We can stay out here or go to the bed, up to you, baby,” he murmured, dark eyes focused on you as you considered. 

“The bed,” you mumbled, turning with little fanfare. Joel followed hot on your heels, warm at your back. You were anxious, breaths short and shallow as you tried to calm down. 

It was no big deal. It was just Joel. Your Joel.

You got in first, curling beneath the bedding as you turned to look up at Joel. He was toeing off his heavy boots and taking off his belt, shining orange and yellow in the dim firelight. He looked formidable from this angle, tall and broad like most alphas were.

“You alright?” Joel asked, noticing the trepidation in your gaze. He sat on the edge of the bed, one hand resting on the old quilt as he leaned a bit toward you. “I can go back to the couch. Don’t want you to feel pressured—I won’t do nothing you don’t want to do.”

You hummed, nodding. “It’s just sleeping, right?” you whispered softly. Your eyes were wide as you looked up at Joel, laying back on the pillow. 

He nodded. “As easy as closing your eyes,” he assured, his drawl thick. 

You couldn’t imagine the luxury of sleep coming so easy, but you nodded anyway. Joel clambered into bed with you, sliding beneath the covers with a sigh of relief. You were sure it felt better on his back than the couch, watching him stretch as he settled next to you.

“Just gotta come here,” he said, looking over at you. You looked so sweet in the dim light, eyes wide and lips parted. He wanted to reach out and pull you over himself, instead he dropped his hand, fingers tapping the top of the comforter in anticipation.

You acquiesced, scooting over to meld into his side. His arm curled around you, occupying the void between your neck and shoulder. Joel was so warm, it felt like you were cuddling with a space heater as you settled into him. His big hand pressed between your shoulder blades, rolling you toward him and tucking your face into his throat.

It was so easy to get comfortable, melting into him as you took in a deep breath. You always thought he smelled so comforting, warm and a little musky. You only ever caught his scent in passing, never concentrated like this.

Joel felt how you relaxed against him, a smile on his face as one of your arms stretched across his chest and your nose pressed into the hollow of his throat. It took you a few deep breaths to completely let go of your tension, the set of your shoulders sagging against him. “That’s it,” he murmured as he rubbed your back.

It only took a matter of minutes for you to feel your eyelids drooping, your breathing slowing as you meld into him. “M’tired,” you mumbled, sounding groggy. Your words were muffled against his neck, lips ghosting over the delicate skin of his throat. 

Joel chuckled softly, fingers lightly curling at the nape of your neck. “I know, baby,” he said. He glanced at you, dark eyes watching how your eyelids got heavier and heavier with every blink. He was surprised you were so willing to scent him, and how fast it worked.

He shifted slightly, bearded cheek pressing against the top of your head as he let his eyes shut. He felt so calm. The fitful sleep he normally experienced eluded him as you both finally drifted off.

—

Sleep became a sweltering, restless thing throughout the night. Dreams took on dark silhouettes, feverish shapes and flashes of light that seared and burned through your veins. You were weightless in the murky water surrounding you, fingers reaching for something. Someone to anchor yourself to.

Joel.

All your senses smashed into one, an explosion as life-altering as the Big Bang. You were a writhing mass of feeling that had you leaning into air heavy with tension and desire.

He was in it with you, just out of sight. You were so familiar with his presence, his smell, you always knew the weight of when he was nearby. Then, all at once he was with you in the dark place.

He was everywhere. The press and slide of heated skin where your bodies met and separated. You called for him, voice catching and dying in your throat before you had the chance.

You were burning from the inside, your spine an inferno as you reached for him in the dark. You knew he would fix it, knew he was what you needed. He would get you through the blaze and onto the other side.

He was a weighted shadow around you. Completely surrounding you, pulling you tight and grounding you to the anchor of his body. He kept you from drifting off into the fathoms of the abyss.

“Joel,” you whispered. You heard him respond to you in turn, the sound of your name like honey on his lips. The press of his mouth to your neck was like napalm and jolted you—

— and you woke with a rattling gasp, lurching where you lay in bed next to him. Sweat was beaded under your arms and around your temples, heat radiating from where Joel’s arms held you to his side.

You were panting into the cool air of the cabin, blinking until the unfamiliar shapes found themselves into focus once more. It was daylight, far past sunrise from the way sunlight was filtering through the blinds.

Your skin felt a size too small. Everything was uncomfortable and itchy as you stirred in Joel’s embrace, lifting your head out of his neck to take in deep breaths of clean air. It still carried his scent, permeating the room throughout the night. The area between your legs ached like a wound, your thighs squeezing together to relieve the throbbing. 

Something made him wake, the air shifted and thickened around him as he slowly blinked into the morning air. Part of him almost surged out of bed, ready to defend and protect. But he understood on first inhale.

The smell of you was everywhere. It was all-encompassing and alluring, filling his senses all at once. Saliva was rushing to his mouth, your scent was an intoxicating thing that had his nerves alight. Desire took hold of him, real and rooted in a way he hadn’t felt in a long time.

You knew when he woke, you didn’t even have to look at his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” you gasped, turning away from him as your hand snaked between your legs to feel the mess of your sex. The predicament you put the two of you into was less than ideal. “I thought we had more time—I didn’t mean to.”

He was relieved. You were still in there, in your own mind enough to talk. His mind was slow to the uptake, blood rushing elsewhere as his thoughts turned over themselves. He was trying to remember from before, trying to figure out what it meant.

A soft heat. A distant memory from a junior high health class sprung into his mind. Not a hard heat brought on by a cycle. A soft one could be brought on by stress or exposure to an alpha, but they are shorter than a hard heat. Temporary. Sometimes a single knotting is enough to pull an omega from a soft heat unlike hard heats that last a week.

Joel cursed. It was too loud in the quiet of the room. His head was swimming from the force of the blood rushing to his cock, painful and aching as you moved away from his side.

“Gotta tell me right now, do you want me to go?” Joel asked, already rolling toward you. He followed the way your arm disappeared beneath the waistband of your sweatpants, your face twisted with both pain and pleasure.

It was a sight he only thought he would see in his wildest fantasies.

You were rigid and panting, squeezing your eyes shut for a moment as you tried to order your thoughts. You would be lying if you said you hadn’t thought of Joel helping you through a heat before. His rough and attentive hands guiding you through it.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered, voice cutting into a whine. “You don’t have to—I just, I can do it on my own if I have to.”

The air between you was aflame before Joel kicked the quilt off and turned toward you. The need to give someone, you, what you needed was burning in him. It was a reminder that even after all this time he was still an alpha, he could still do this for you. 

A wet stamp of his lips on your throat made you keen, tilting your head back against the pillow to give him more space. His hand curled around your jaw and pulled you to him, lips smashing together in a fervent kiss. It all felt like it was building for far longer than the last evening, the urgency as you opened your mouth against his was the culmination of nearly a year of pining.    

The kiss deepened, his body tipping into yours and setting his skin on fire. Joel grabbed you with a wide hand, shifting you fully beneath him as his mouth dropped to your throat. He bit down hard enough to make you jolt, hands grabbing onto his biceps.

You were still mumbling into the air, shaking from holding back. Joel took your jaw in his hand and pressed his forehead to yours, his dark salt-and-pepper curls already damp from sweat. “Stop, baby,” he murmured softly, pressing a chaste kiss to your lips. “I know what you need, I’ve got ya.”

It was easy to give in then, nodding as you both moved together quickly. Joel stripped you of your clothes, tossing them into the room as your fingers fumbled with the buttons on his flannel. You wanted to feel his skin under your hands, trace the contours of his muscles and the shapes of his scars. He was deliciously broad, all realistic working-man muscles–he had never been the flamboyant type.

He couldn’t help but press his cock into the crease of your hip as his nose traced to the curve of your throat, taking in the sweet scent there. His knot ached with the friction, a groan pulled from his throat as he devoured your mouth.

A big hand gripped at your belly and then your hip, positioning you so he could settle between your bent knees. He blindly found his rightful place between them, wide quads pressing against your own. The breath rushed out of him as he reached down and felt your soaked cunt against his fingertips.

“Fuck, you’re so wet,” Joel breathed against your jaw. You were in a haze, hardly processing what Joel was saying as you whined, lifting your hips to the press of his hand. 

The air was punched out of your lungs as he dipped his fingers lower to collect the slick pouring from you, smoothing the rough pads of his fingers over your clit in swirling motions. His other hand flattened over your belly, holding you down to the mattress as he strummed his fingers over you as carefully as he would a guitar.

“Ohh,” you gasped, letting your eyes fall shut at the feeling as your hips stuttered in his hand. “Joel.” 

It was all you could manage to say, all you could manage to think. His expression made your heart trip, your hands reaching for him without hesitation. Your fingers were still slick from when you’d touched yourself upon waking, petting them over his beard as your hips rolled against his hand.

Joel caught the smell of you on your fingers, his dark eyes flashing. His lips dropped open as he sought your hand, pulling your index and middle finger into the hot, wet confines of his mouth. You whined, brows drawing together as warmth covered your face and neck. Needy, wet licks of his tongue took the flavor right off your fingers. 

He couldn’t help but jolt his hips forward, pressing the hard line of his cock against the back of your thigh. A deep sound rumbled from his chest as he let your fingers drop from his mouth, rocking you with his hips again.

The hand between your legs dipped lower, two thick fingers pressing into you. An urge he couldn’t articulate spurred him on, a sympathetic moan escaping him as he watched your back break on a whine. His eyes nearly rolled back in his skull as he felt the tight press of you around every curve and bend of his fingers.

You were painfully sensitive, already feeling yourself tightening around his digits as your thighs clamped around his forearm. It felt wonderful, transcendental, but it wasn’t enough, not right now. “Joel,” you gasped, hips tilting fervently against his hand, “I need–”

He nodded before you could even finish your sentence. He knew, of course he knew.

There was an ache of emptiness as he pulled his fingers from you, taking his cock in his hand and smearing your arousal over it. His weight pressed down above you as he hitched your thighs over his, nudging his hips against yours. You keened at the blunt press of the head of his cock through the seam of your sex, the wet sound of your lips parting for him loud in your ears. 

He teased you for a few moments, pressing the tip of his cock against your clit to make you whine sweetly. The grin on his face was diabolical, he knew it was mean to keep you on edge like this right now–but he couldn’t resist.

“Joel, fuck,” you groaned, digging your nails into his arms. He got the message, rocking forward to find purchase against you and filling you with a hard slot of his hips. You were wet enough to take him in one go.

You both stilled against one another, panting and holding on as you adjusted to the new sensation. Joel never thought in a million years that he would be so lucky. To have you pressed into the mattress beneath him was a dream come true, making him let out a strangled noise as he dropped his weight to his forearms to press his nose back against your neck.

Your cunt pulsing wetly around him brought the dying man back to life, pulling him in as your pants grew more desperate. He let instinct take over, pupils expanding like ink dropped in water as he set his teeth against the soft skin of your shoulder.

It wasn’t gentle. You didn’t want it to be. Joel grabbed you hard and fucked you senseless, driving you deeper and deeper into the mattress. The repetition of him filling you over and over was merciless, reducing you to mush beneath him as you forgot everything aside from his name. He nipped at your collarbones and anywhere else he could reach, each sharp feeling of his teeth drawing a ragged sound from you as your head pressed back into the mattress.

Joel was completely running on instinct, focused on filling you. To pin you down and knot you deep where you were begging for it. 

The walls of your weeping cunt were starting to flutter around him, spine arching like a bow pulled too tight. He grabbed your hip with a wide hand, forcing you to take him deeper. You were whining, mumbling pleas Joel couldn’t quite understand as your hands spasmed on his arms. He pressed his lips against your neck, stamping wet kisses up and down your throat, licking at your heated skin.

He rutted his hips hard against yours, making shivers run up your spine as you tried to catch your breath. You felt frantic, euphoria clouding the edges of your vision as he worked you higher and higher. Everything in you became painfully tight, a strangled whine coming from your throat as your legs shook and squeezed around his hips.

The pleasure was overwhelming, white-hot and practically making you pass out as Joel hitched your leg up, pressing into you as he grunted like an animal. Your whole body spasmed, cunt clamping down around him like a vise as you desperately tried to stay conscious. 

Joel’s hips bunched against yours, his teeth setting into the junction of your neck. The tease of a claiming bite, just enough to make you whimper. He jerked back away from your neck at the last moment, lifting his weight off of you as his dark eyes squeezed shut. Pleasure was licking at the base of his spine, muscles of his abdomen knitting together.

He groaned, spilling inside you and grinding your hips together. Too caught up in his instincts, his head whipped to the side to bite the calf that rested on his shoulder, teeth digging into the meat of it. You keened, pleasure and pain mixing as he pressed in close as his knot began to swell inside you.

The soft sheets embraced his body as Joel collapsed, his weight pressing you into the mattress as you shared each other’s breaths. Your pussy was still pulsing around him, making him tremble as he panted into your throat. The ache of his knot inside you was satiating, drinking a cool glass of water after a long summer’s day.

You brought his mouth to yours, the two of you shifting so Joel was on his back and you sprawled over his chest. He was greedy, thick fingers snaking between your bodies to feel where you two were joined. A broken sound came from his mouth as he felt how you were stretched around his knot.

You traded breaths and open-mouthed kisses, breeching whatever semblance of a chance at a professional relationship after this. Joel’s big hand pressed against your spine, pulling your belly to his as he nuzzled at your cheek, the curve of the bridge of his nose mashing into your heated skin. His beard tickled your face, making you scrunch your nose on occasion as you stamped your lips to his.

He softened enough to slip out of you, making you whine as he dragged his fingers through the mess between your legs and pressed it back inside your cunt. 

It was his intention to pull away, to go to the living room and give you some space now that you no longer needed him. But you wrapped your arms around his shoulders, pressing your face into his chest. Your knees hooked around his thighs, moulding your bodies together as the sun casted stripes across you.

You fell asleep that way, hopelessly tangled as your heart rates slowed and breaths grew heavy.

–

You needed him twice more, waking him up at sunset and in the middle of the night as the moon rose high in the sky. Each time was feverish, you woke him desperately by teething at his throat and pressing your bare pussy against the hard muscle of his quad. It was too easy to press his knot inside you both times, the two of you whispering nonsense to one another as you bedded down, Joel sucking lazily at your breasts before you licked and nuzzled the scoop of his throat.

He felt something terrifying as the moonlight illuminated you after taking his knot for a third time, spend and slick leaking from your puffy, abused cunt as you drifted off. The need to keep you wrapped around his heart like a cage, delirium making him want to hide you away in this cabin with him and never go back to Jackson. 

He blearily reminded himself as sleep closed in that you just were in a difficult situation, he was the only alpha you could have turned to. It was nothing personal.

–

Waking up was a luxurious thing, rest seeped into the marrow of his bones as he stretched in the body-warmed sheets. He was lucky you were feverish enough to keep them both warm through the night, the fire in the hearth long burned out. Sun painted his eyelids orange, a hand scrubbing his salt and pepper beard as he finally opened them.

You were curled at his side, eyes open as you looked out the window. Upon his waking you turned to him, pensive and thoughtful as you took in his expression. You were returned to yourself again, calm without the storm threatening to swallow you whole.

“Thank you,” you murmured, voice thick with sleep as you used his arm as a pillow. The smell of sex and sweat was starting to fade, the evidence only in the marks Joel had sucked onto your throat… and your chest… and your stomach… and your inner thighs. He blushed at how carried away he’d gotten, over a year of hidden-away need manifesting as him greedily taking all you were willing to give yesterday.

“You didn’t have to take care of me,” you whispered, the silence from Joel making you panic. He was just looking at you, his curls sticking up every which way as the back of his skull remained pressed into the pillow. 

“‘Course I did, baby,” he murmured, his Texas drawl even thicker first thing in the morning. He reached out to you, gently squeezing your shoulder beneath the grasp of his fingers. “Wasn’t gonna let you suffer.”

You both stared at one another, neither of you daring to move first as though the dream would fall apart. Joel studied you just as you did him, taking in every twitch of your features as his brown eyes turned molten in the morning sun.

It was impossible to say who moved first. Your hand was on Joel’s jaw as his fingers pressed into your waist, lips smashing together in a fervent clash of teeth and tongues. 

You straddled him this time, giving his aching back a break as you leaned over him and kissed his jaw. For some reason you felt more desperate now than in your soft heat, cupping his cheeks with your hands as you curled your fingers into his beard.

There were no excuses this time, truth revealed in the morning light. No biological need driving either of you together aside from your lust.

Joel’s big palm smacked the curve of your ass, making you squeak against his throat before a giggle poured from you. He grinned, squeezing the plush flesh in his hands as he pressed his lips anywhere they could reach.

“Can I?” you whispered, eyes wide as you pulled back to meet his gaze. You looked vulnerable, as though you thought he would reject your advances despite the fact that his cock was already swelling with arousal. He couldn’t even imagine a world where he could reject you.

“Anything you want, baby,” he breathed, ready to burn the world for you if you asked.

You smiled, relief flooding through you. You didn’t think Joel would push you away, but you weren’t sure. Thank god you guessed right.

You spat in the palm of your hand, lifting yourself up just enough to reach between the two of you and take Joel into your hand. Without the haze of your heat blinding you, you were shocked by the size of him. It was hard to believe you were able to take his knot at all given the swell of him beneath your fingers.

Your eyes widened as you bent your head to look down at your hand. “Jesus Christ, Joel,” you murmured, the awe in your voice making his chest puff with pride. You glanced back up at his face, lips parted as you experimentally stroked him along the entirety of his length.

Joel’s nostrils flared as his eyes closed, pride warming your belly as you repeated the motion. The skin of his cock was overheated and velvet-soft, a quiet moan falling from your lips as you watched his expression twist. Precome leaked down to mix with your spit, the head of his cock flushed–part of you was tempted to ignore the aching between your legs to get your mouth on him.

You weren’t that generous, though.

It took a bit of contortion to line Joel up with you before you were pressing down on him, the two of you gasping in unison at the stretch. There was a twinge of pain, but you were too impatient to let him open you up on his fingers. His hands were iron around your hips, the force of his hold almost bruising.

He could see all of you in the morning light, his eyes tracing up as though he was seeing God for the first time. Joel was mesmerized, watching the bounce of your breasts as you rode him, the slight jiggle of the soft flesh of your thighs and lower belly. Your eyes rolled back in a way that made his heart twist, the roll of your hips making him root deep. 

Your hands pressed against his chest, feeling the long-healed scars by knives as you moaned. Joel’s hands smoothed into the creases of your hips, gripping you tight as he brought you down on his cock, hips fucking up into you.

It took all your focus to stay on top of him, thighs trembling as you dug your knees into the soft mattress. Your breath hitched every time he hit the deepest parts of you, eyes rolling back and mouth lolling open. The pleasure was so overwhelming it was almost painful, making you want to sob above him.

Despite your desperate coupling over the past day, this felt entirely different. This was something new and unknown, your bodies moving together as hot flashes of euphoria drip through your veins. 

Joel was in awe, the feeling of your soaked cunt gripping at him was almost too much to handle as the bed creaked beneath his back. He didn’t even realize how loud the springs were last night, too delirious to care. Each rock of his hips made your body pitch up before he shoved you back down in a dizzying loop that had you both groaning. 

Everything in you tightened as he railed into you, nails digging into his chest as the feeling hooked into you and dragged you toward the undertow. You were at the edge of a cliff, balanced dangerously at the edge of it as you whimpered.

“God, can feel you squeezin’ around me,” he breathed, his voice strangled. He railed into you in a frantic rhythm, brows drawn together as he held you so tight you knew you would be sore.

It only took another one, two, three snaps of Joel’s hips against yours before you fell. You barely were able to catch yourself in time, your orgasm spreading through you like a lighting strike as your muscles convulsed and your cunt spasmed around his cock. He cursed, an arm curling around your back and making your spine arch as he held you against him.

Joel couldn’t get enough of you, the wet squeeze of your cunt felt like a heaven he shouldn’t have been allowed in. He was vaguely aware of his mouth running, your name spilling from his lips as he fucked into you, treating you like a toy for his pleasure as he manipulated your hips.

You took everything he gave you, leaning over him to press your mouth against his. You were moaning against one another, begging in whispers. It didn’t take him long to bring you down onto him and keep you there, teeth gritting and breath stuttering as he pumped you full of him. Joel let out a groan through clenched teeth, sounding like a wounded animal as he forced you into stillness for a few moments before letting go.

The rest was easy, you collapsed onto him as Joel kissed and nosed at your hairline. He scented you where he could, feeling possessive in the aftermath. 

You didn’t talk for some time, communicating through touch as you let bliss keep your bodies bound to bed for a little while longer. But the sun was shining in the sky, the truck bed full of supplies for Jackson occupied the back of your mind as you looked down at Joel, soft and sweet.

“Let’s get going?” you asked, sounding more like a demand than a question. You didn’t know what else to do, lifting your chest from his as the air began to cool your sweat. Your legs were shaking like a colt’s against the floorboards, spend dripping down your legs before you wiped it away with your sweatpants. You would change into jeans for the drive home anyways.

Joel watched you with curious eyes, seeing the way you distanced yourself as you dug through your pack for fresh clothes. He stood, groaning a bit with the effort after spending so long in bed. It was only a few strides to get to you, pressing his body along your back.

“I want to do this your way,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around you and pressing his lips against the crown of your head. “I’ll do whatever you want, just wanna be yours.”

You felt giddy, a smirk quirked the edges of your lips that you tamped down, hands still clutching the sweatshirt and jeans like life preservers. “You mean that?” you asked, leaning back against him. “What if I never let you bite me?”

“Then I won’t bite you,” he said, no hesitation in his voice. He squeezed you once, letting you go and allowing the cold air rush against you once more. “Just think about it, you don’t gotta know now.” 

Joel stamped a kiss along your hairline before leaving the bedroom.

Packing up went quickly, the two of you working in tandem to make sure everything was still bound down and tarped in the back of the truck before clambering in. You watched the cabin disappear in the rearview mirror, already feeling nostalgic as it vanished behind snow-covered pines.

It wasn’t a long drive, maybe five hours if Joel went slow. He was going to go slow, milking every moment he got you all to himself before returning to Jackson. It only took you ten minutes into the drive to slide across the bench seat, lifting his arm to curl beneath it.

“So my way, huh?” you asked, pressing your nose against the canvas jacket he wore. 

Joel chuckled, a victorious grin stretching on his face. “Yeah, your way, baby. You’re in charge.” It felt odd to say, a bit unnatural to give himself to you like that. An alpha bowing to an omega.

You grinned, an arm wrapping around his thick torso and pressing close as he followed the snow-covered road. The landscape sparkled like diamonds, the two of you silent as you didn’t want to break whatever that moment was. 

Unsure of what lay ahead, but excited to find out–knowing it just may be something special.

[fallenneziah]

Omggg I NEED a part 5 of omega!reader and alpha!ghost!!! You left me on a cliff hanger, like is it a boy or a girl!!?!?!?!?

Eh heh, @jax-simp I did that on purpose 🤪 gonna give you two a tiny cute little Riley 😭 literally I thank you guys for coming to support my writing and taking such an interest in this. And hey, if you want, I might try and commit to an entire proper fic for you guys?? This is just about to be super wholesome.

Alpha!Ghost and Omega!Reader pt 5

Pt 1, 2, 3, 4

Omega!Reader who purrs loudly to themself in the car to try and calm down. Feeling like you're going to pop any minute. Ghost beside you who takes your hand, purring alongside you.

Alpha!Ghost who tries to talk you through with affirmation the whole time until you get to the hospital. Bringing you to the emergency room for your pregnancy.

Alpha!Ghost whose protective of you still that he growls and snaps at any of the nurses that try to touch you, especially if their male or another alpha.

Usually when an Omega is giving birth, only Omega nurses and hospital staff will be present so that calmed his fiery nerves a bit.

Alpha!Ghost who stays by your side, making sure that you're ok as they set you up.

Omega!Reader who's in pain and whimpering, grabbing onto Ghost for stability, twisting their hand in his shirt and digging their nails into his scarred hands.

Omega!Reader whose seemingly only calmed a little by Ghost's scent filling the room to cloud your senses and try to soothe you gently.

Omega!Reader who grips the medical bed and snarls at the next nurse that tries to usher Ghost away.

Scents mingling as you moan and whine, breathing heavy in desperation.

Alpha!Ghost who leans in your ear, whispering to you how good you're doing and you'll be a wonderful parent.

"It's ok baby... It's gonna be worth it. Easy, deep breaths... Amazing, you're doing amazing love."

Omega!Reader whose so thrilled, hanging on as they go through the procedures. Barely remembering any of it. It's all a blur. Hanging on to Ghost's hand, purring loudly to try and calm yourself.

Ghost is there, trying to make sure you're ok through the whole procedure. His heart racing to meet his newborn baby.

And then you hear it.

The baby's first cries.

Omega!reader whose completely at ease, purring and coming back into full awareness.

Alpha!Ghost who bristles up in protectiveness when the child is swaddled in blankets and brought to your chest. Soft, fresh clean skin or a wailing baby who is calmed when brought to their carrier.

Omega!Reader whose so gentle, cradling the baby as it feeds, feeling so much love and fulfillment from this new life that they've helped bring to the world.

Alpha!Ghost who watches you hold the child, being pronounced as a boy. His heart settling, watching all the people around the room, shoulders arching back to protect you. His entire weight leaning toward the medical bed to be a shadow for his little boy and his mate.

Omega!Reader who leans toward him, Ghost kissing your forehead, telling you how amazing you did.

"He's beautiful love... You did so good."

Alpha!Ghost who eventually gets skin to skin contact, and he's never felt so amazing. Holding this small child in his arms, feeling him lean and sink into the warm skin of his father.

Alpha!Ghost who gently holds your child, staring up through his eyebrows at anyone who even makes a move or breathes the wrong way. This child means so much to him.

Gently feeling his fuzzy head. Cooing and hicking softly against his chest.

Alpha!Ghost who purrs from deep in his chest to his little one, knowing he'll wait to scent him till his skin is less sensitive.

Omega!Reader who feels tired, but feels so loved and happy watching Ghost accept his child and get so protective over him. And seeing the baby curl right up to him as it's the safest place he could be.

Warm in dad's arms.

Omega!Reader who stays at the hospital with the baby, Ghost wanting to stay as well. That natural draw to protect you and his newborn so strong he fights the hospital workers. But after kissing you goodbye and giving his child a gentle kiss, he departs.

Alpha!Ghost who worries sick for you and his little one every moment he's not around you. Who goes back to the hospital as soon as he can every day to hold the newborn and kiss you.

Alpha!Ghost who is a father now. Protecting you and this kiddo. Whose more protective than ever. Who insists on carrying the carrier when you leave the hospital, you on his other arm.

Your baby needs a lot from both of you.

Omega!Reader having that instinct for the more domestic tasks, feeding him, spending the long nights up, their routine shifting almost naturally into caretaker mode.

Alpha!Ghost who is there to play and help strengthen your little one. But who also steps into the caretaker role with almost as much fluidity as you.

Alpha!Ghost who when your son starts to wail in the middle of the night, kissing your temple, whispering, "I've got it, love. You rest."

Alpha!Ghost who will pick up your son, holding him in his arms and gently rocking him. Who will purr to him, taking care of whatever need has him startled awake.

"Shh, shh, you're ok..." He whispers, finding some milk in the fridge and heating it up just enough, feeding the bottle to your son. "Easy, easy now..." He smiles softly when your son latches on.

"There we go... See? Dad's here, dad is here it's ok."

Alpha!Ghost who doesn't mind losing the sleep so his omega can rest. Sitting up most of the night with your son, even rubbing his scent glands against his small cheek gently, the scent of his father calming him in a soft slumber.

Omega!Reader who misses their alpha in post childbirth and heads down to the living room to see him snuggled up with your son.

Omega!Reader who curls up under Ghost's arm, leaning into his side, smelling his scent and the warmth of his body. Wrapping an arm around the two, getting comfortable.

Alpha!Ghost who even in his sleep pulls you closer, feeling the body's of two very, very special people in his life.

The two of you getting time off so you can be with your child.

Omega!Reader setting up a proper, much, much better nest for the three of you to get cozy in.

Alpha!Ghost who crawls in, your son curled up in his one arm, letting you snuggle up, head buried in his neck. Blankets wrapped around you, making sure you're both comfy.

Alpha!Ghost who stalks behind you when you go grocery shopping. Your son giggling or napping in his seat in the cart.

Omega!Reader happily going about shopping while Ghost eyes up everyone in the store. A woman attempt to come over before swerving away from the look he's giving.

Alpha!Ghost who doesn't care who or where, but he protects you with everything he has.

Alpha!Ghost who wears that baby holder thing with your son on his chest napping or looking around the world. His scent close and his body warm.

Alpha!Ghost who is at ease with his son so close like this. He knows you will and do take amazing care of his son. But the protective aspect of him isn't easy when it also brings him a sense of worry.

Alpha!Ghost whose worries are only calmed by you two, wrapping his arms around you after a nightmare, smelling your scent. Waking up in a cold sweat hearing your baby wailing. Rushing across the hall only to see you already rocking him.

"He's ok love, I've got him." You reply softly with a little smile.

Ghost who exhales softly, coming over and hugging you from behind, wrapping his arms around you and cupping the back of his son's head as he settles.

"Wasn't worried..." He mutters into your hair.

"I know you were." You chuckle softly.

Alpha!Ghost who doesn't know what he'd do without his little family. But when he has to leave again, he gets a bunch of new things for his son. Toys that hopefully he'll be able to understand and start to play with as he grows. Scenting every single one so each one smells safe like dad.

Omega!Reader who wanted to have this family with Ghost knowing that they will stay home when Ghost goes off to serve.

Omega!Reader who finds it really hard to drive through without Ghost. The stress getting to them a lot. And yet they keep going.

Omega!Reader who lays down to bed at night, snuggling up to Ghost's side to smell his pillow, the lingering scent helping to sleep.

Alpha!Ghost who keeps a photo of you and his son in his jacket to look at whenever he misses you. And calls you whenever he can.

Omega!Reader who gives your son one of Ghost's shirts to sleep with in his crib, afraid without it he'll forget his father's scent.

Omega!reader who calls Ghost when your son begins to walk, crying about how happy you are, Ghost feeling his own tears as he tells you how he wished he saw it.

"I'll be home soon love. I promise, I will."

Omega!Reader who hears he's coming back and waits by the door all day.

When the door opens you nearly burst into tears then and there, wrapping your arms around him. Nuzzling up to him, smelling him, feeling him. Missing him so much.

Alpha!Ghost who rubs his cheek all over you first thing, re-scenting you as soon as he's home because he misses you so much.

Alpha!Ghost who kisses away your tears and holds you close to him.

Omega!Reader who was worried your son wouldn't remember him, until he's crawling over from where he was on his playmate. Cooing and trying to wiggle up to his feet.

Omega!Reader who rushes to help, but your son is smiling his big gummy smile, already waddling over to him.

Alpha!Ghost who bursts into tears, picking up his little one and kissing him all over, scenting him and hugging him. Oh how he missed him. Hugging both of you in his arms tightly.

"I missed you both so much." He whispers, kissing your heads. "I missed you."

"We missed you too." You respond, buried in his side. His son centered on his chest, little hands clinging to him like iron.

Alpha!Ghost who holds your child for the rest of the afternoon because he doesn't want to be put down. Although tired he holds him and rocks him until his eyes are heavy toward the evening and he sleeps.

Alpha!Ghost who lays him down for bed, kissing you tiredly and inviting you for a shower so he can hold you. Tired and feeling your skin pressed against his under the warm water. Kissing your neck and shoulders.

"I missed you." He whispers again.

You wrap your arms around him. "I missed you too, Simon."

Alpha!Ghost who is so proud of you for being strong without him. Taking care of your son and raising him while he wasn't there for a bit.

Alpha!Ghost who carries you off to bed, snuggling back up in his nest, missing it. Smelling more of you. He brings you close, holding you tightly, and relaxes. Finally home, with his family. Where he knows he belongs...

[simplyofthestars]

I'm yapping about some sonic shit i came up with (maybe a fangame if i actually knew how to game develop but im learning)

Okay so everybody knows and loves shadow right? and then there's Shadows shadow who every one knows is Mephiles and Mephiles doesn't get shit from Sega.

Yeah he might be in some games but that's just as playable skins and makes cameos every now and then (correct me if im wrong). His main role as an antagonist went to one of the worst Sonic games in history and I personally believe that he deserves something better than that.

HE'S SUPER COOL

He was a big bad who was a sun god split in half like how cool is that? And his design was fucking awesome, like look at this:

Even just by looking at him you're like "This guy is up to no good" cause he's so evil and icy looking which is the opposite of Iblis (still evil looking but fire related instead)

Now I don't give a flying FUCK that this guy is canonically dead, it's Sonic 06 so nothing is canon (aside from the managing to actually kill sonic part, i wanna keep that in)

You rn: "Okay pump the brakes yapfest, the tags promised me sonadow and rouge the bat. What do they have to with Mii-files."

Me: "SsssshHHshHSHsHHHHHHHhhhh. I getting to that."

Now imagine this with me Rouge stans,

✨Evil counterpart that is like the Rouge version of Mephiles✨

"Oh but that can't happen cause Mephiles wasn't originally a copy of shadow he just took that form"

"Mephiles didn't even meet Rouge"

"Mephiles is dead"

SHUT UP, SHUT THE FUCK UP, LET ME DREAM

EVIL ROUGE

Rouge is a boss bitch who's such an under-used concept in Sonic games and she deserves a game when she's the STAR and not on the sidelines.

Like you can't be serving this much cunt and just be a side character

So Mephiles was named after Mephistopheles who's a german demon guy (either that or Mephitis which is poison gas from swamps and volcanos and stuff) So why not give evil Rouge a name that'll make half the christian population angry? (And to the chill christians who're fine with that, you guys are cool i like you guys)

So I was thinkin: "Hmmmmmmmmmm. Rouge wants the chaos emeralds for her own gain and cause they look pretty. I mean that would sit her somewhere under Envy (cause she WANTS that shit, also im not calling her mammon(greed) or belphegor (sloth)) so that's Leviathan. I would have to re-name her into something that still lets you know 'yeah that's rouge' but also lets you know 'that's not our rouge' so I guess I'll make it Levia (Leh-vee-ah) or Levia (Leh-v-eye-ah)" (ya'll choose which pronounciation ya'll like)

THE STORY OR SOMETHING

So Levia and Mephiles are like "Okay, brother we ain't having that shit, time to kill everyone" for no reason (my excuse is cause I haven't figured it out yet)

Sonadow fans: "LIAR"

Me: "FINE I'LL EXPLAIN THE SONADOW PART"

SONADOW SEGMENT

Everybody knows how fruity they were in Prime and the fact that Sonic (sort of) HUGGED Shadow and he was just like "yep this is happening" and didn't force Sonic to take his hand away like in the past was a dead giveaway

Now obviously they're still arch enemies (what's he arching? his back? okay I'm done I'll get back to explaining) but they would obviously be closer after the past 23 YEARS that they've been fighting. And everyone knows that when it comes to fighting each other they don't hesitate (I mean maybe Sonic does) but then an even bigger evil shows up (Mephiles for example) and they work together.

EXAMPLES:

Nines in Prime (Working together to get their univese back)

Black Doom (Stopping Shadows evil dad from killing all of humanity)

Mephiles and Iblis (Trying to stop them from forming Solaris)

Eggman in fucking everything

Okay I'm out of examples since I know Sonic stuff but im not THAT much of a nerd

So yap yap yap, yada yada yada, they gay

BACK TO THE STORY OR SOMETHING

Levia and Mephiles build a giant evil omega (no i'm not calling him Alpha or Beta, im tired of those jokes) who is basically as big as eggmans death egg in the 2nd movie (but like half the size since he still needs to go everywhere with Levia and Mephiles)

He doesn't actually fight or that would be unfair so he just puts his arms around the battlefield, smacks them down every now and then to shake the ground and keep you on your toes and just sits there.

Now for obvious reasons, Mephiles changes his form a little since he can't look like Shadow forever and learns how to sustain himself without Iblis and fights like a champ but Levia is like "Dude, we can't do nothing without the chaos emeralds if we want to destroy this world and it's meaningless purpose" and Mephiles is like "Ight" and that's as far as I've gotten

I'm going to draw them maybe and ya'll sit tight 🫡

[apomaro-mellow]

Taking Care of Business (And My Business is You) 14

Part 13

It was a frosty morning, deep into autumn, inside a cozy cafe, when Steve told Eddie what he intended to do. Robin was there as well, practically Steve’s shadow anytime she wasn’t his eyes on the street.

“I’ve already begun the investigation of my father and I have a few leads.” As Steve said this, he laid out a manila folder onto the table. Eddie started to flip through it, finding some photos and files.

“The guy responsible for doing the deed has already been snuffed out”, Robin said when Eddie got to a mug shot.

“We’re still trying to find out exactly how he’s connected to my father”, Steve said.

“If you can confirm your dad contacted him then he’s in hot water”, Eddie nodded. “But what about the family business?”

Steve played with the stirrer in his cup. “That’s something I need to work on while searching for clues. People are either in my father’s pocket or my mother’s camp.”

Eddie raised a brow. “You don’t have any direct support?”

“He’s an omega with zero accomplishments under his name”, Robin pointed out. “Not a lot for people to uplift there.”

“Hey, I’ve got some accomplishments under my belt.”

“Being a high school athlete doesn’t count”, she said. “Nor does being a very skilled flirt”, she added very quickly.

Steve kicked her under the table but she moved her legs in time to make him hit the table’s leg instead, jostling their drinks a little. Eddie was still looking through the file, trying to commit the names and faces to memory. A few of them he’d seen or heard of. Steve reminded him that if all went well, his induction would be soon and he’d officially be family.

Eddie followed Steve on the usual tasks he was given, which was often just collecting on those who had mafia protection. Apparently Robin did most of the investigating. It was easy for a beta like her to go unnoticed unless she made her presence known.

During Eddie’s escorting, he always stayed a step behind Steve, speaking only when spoken to, which was never. Fortunately, most knew how to act with decorum and if they had a problem with shaking an omega’s hand they knew not to show it.

They were in the middle of downtown, collecting from some of the vendors, when a downpour began. They hid under an awning, already drenched to the bone. Steve’s hair flopped over his forehead so adorably, Eddie almost couldn’t resist. He knew he looked like a wet rat in comparison.

“The car’s just a couple blocks down the street”, Eddie said. He pushed some of his hair from his face.

“We are not getting my car all wet”, Steve said.

Eddie bit his lip, trying very hard not to remind him that other, much more scandalous fluids had been present. Instead, he thought of some other options. Steve probably wasn’t opposed to going back out in the rain if it meant getting to dry off somewhere and wait out the weather.

“Well, you know…my place is just down the street. In the other direction.”

-------------------

They had held their jackets over their heads like that would do anything to keep them dry. But they made it to Eddie’s apartment and hung them on the coat rack. Steve took in everything when he walked in, first noticing how small it was. But then how homey it was. It just looked so…so lived in.

Steve perused the pictures on the wall, seeing a younger Eddie, probably twelve, holding up a fish next to his uncle.

“Don’t look too hard, the eyes will start to follow you”, Eddie teased.

Steve turned in time to see Eddie start to unbutton his shirt. It was already bordering on transparent and when Eddie took it off, droplets ran down his skin. Steve bit his lip while the alpha pulled it off.

“Wet…”, he whispered.

“What?”

Steve cleared his throat. “We’re both-we’re both really wet um, do you have a dryer in here?”

“As a matter of fact, we do. Lemme get us a change of clothes first. Unless…”, Eddie turned his body this way and that. “My uncle is currently out. So we coooould….”

“What? Walk around in the nude?”

Eddie waggled his brows which made Steve actually guffaw. If he thought he could keep his hands off the man, he might actually entertain it. But it had been much too long since he laid his scent on Eddie and he knew he couldn’t resist.

“We better not. Knowing you, you’d have my knotted right on your couch”, he said, flipping it back onto him. He spied what must be Eddie’s room and went inside, shutting the door. 

“Um…?” Eddie stood outside of it, confused for a moment as he knocked on his own bedroom door. 

There was a shuffling noise and Steve cracked it open just enough to hold out his wet clothing to Eddie. He accepted them, brain melting a little at the idea that Steve was naked just on the other side. But then Steve shut the door and he was left outside again. He waited, just to see if it would open again. But when it did, Steve was dressed in a pair of Eddie’s shorts and one of his cropped band tees. It was the sort of thing he’d wear in the dead heat of summer. Not when winter was on their heels.

“You might want to get the dryer going”, Steve said, walking past him.

Eddie went inside his room and got undressed in a hurry, piling his wet clothes on top of Steve’s. He put on a sweater and some boxers and went to get the dryer started. By the time he met back up with Steve, the omega was in the middle of cooking…something in his kitchen.

Steve’s back was turned so he got a prime view of his ass in those shorts. His legs too. Steve’s thighs were thicker than his and they filled out the shorts much better than Eddie’s ever did.

“I bet you’re gonna tell me you’re making some authentic Italian meal you learned from your mom that translates to something like ‘Venetian Orgasm’.”

Steve snorted. “I don’t know how authentic it is. And it doesn’t have a name exactly. But I learned it from my mother.” His face softened whenever he talked about her. “We didn’t got down to the kitchen a lot. But she taught me how to take simple things and turn it delicious. And how to make pre-made stuff better.”

“Doesn’t really seem in the skillset of a mafia princess”, Eddie said, leaning against the fridge.

“Whatever she knew, she learned from my nonna, God rest her soul. And she hated canned food.”

“Ahh, she would’ve been my arch enemy”, Eddie said when he noticed Steve had taken one of the many cans of Chef Boyardee from the cabinet. He picked it up. “This must be blasphemous to your people.”

“It has its place. And I know I can’t expect a five course meal from you, so…let’s just say it’s a good thing you have parsley. And real parmigiano reggiano.”

They talked while Steve cooked and Eddie carried his weight by setting the table. It was a scene so unexpectedly domestic that it caught Steve off guard and he briefly wondered if his parents ever had moments like this. 

When they finished eating and started to clean up, Steve asked, “How long until the clothes are done?”

“At least another thirty minutes”, Eddie answered.

“And how long will your uncle be away?”

“He’s playing cards at a buddy’s, it’ll be a couple more hours.” Especially if the rain kept him away. Coast cleared, Steve’s eyes began to darken and Eddie could scent the sweetness in the air. 

“Well then, why don’t you give me a tour of your bedroom?”

-----------------------

Even if Eddie was completely privy to all the leads Steve had, he could tell when he was getting close and when something turned up dry. He was rather open with his emotions. Or perhaps it was just because Eddie could read him well now.

He could also read others well, but he chalked that up to them being too free with their facial expressions. Such as one Tommy Hagan, who had been a sourpuss the more Eddie showed up to the estate. He probably figured he’d be chosen to be sponsored by Steve.

“Something like that”, Robin replied when Eddie brought it up.

They were lounging on couches while Steve did pull-ups. Eddie definitely enjoyed the show. He could fight, but he wasn’t much for exercise in general.

“Tommy has been gunning for Steve for a while. He’s pretty open about marrying him. But he hasn’t officially asked permission to court.”

“Why not?”, Eddie asked.

“Because he can’t”, Steve said as he dropped down from the bar. “My old man has control over a lot of things, but courtship and my eventual marriage are not in his hands.”

“How is that even possible? Isn’t he the boss? Why are people trying to impress him then?”, Eddie questioned.

“They’ll do anything to get in good graces”, Robin said. 

Steve wiped the sweat off of him with a towel. “When I presented, my dad basically handed over all of my upbringing to my mom. I don’t know how much she foresaw, but she even got it in writing that only she or my nonno were to take care of my courtship.”

Eddie whistled. “Sure she wasn’t a psychic?”

Steve shrugged. “Whatever the case, Tommy can’t court me unless he has my grandfather’s permission.”

“And the old boss hates the Hagans”, Robin said.

“Lemme guess, they’re all brown nosers?”

“God, it’s like they think we shit roses”, Steve said.

Eddie watched out for Tommy more and sure enough, the guy had a permanent scowl on his face whenever Eddie was present. Eddie tried to keep to Steve’s side, it was his place after all. But more than once, he saw Hagan walk off with Steve’s dad. A mob boss meeting with an underling of no actual rank was odd. 

But two sleazeballs conspiring wasn’t out of the ordinary at all.

Part 15

[rnp5324]

❖-Corps | Head full of thoughts

Actual story stuff -Magneto governs over the island nation of Genosha, a safe haven for all Mutants, even the ❖-Corps members are welcome here. Currently, he is opposing the rising Fellowship of Humanity organization in the United States, a branch group of the Friends of Humanity with more of a theocratic agenda—based off the Moral Majority in a sense. His focus rests on the politicians like Allison’s father, who wish to push extreme legislation against Mutants in Montana, threatening to take action with his acolytes to put a stop to the impending oppression. -That and, due to Allison being a spokesperson for her dad’s campaign, gets a big stink eye from Magneto after she disappeared; When she manifested her X-Gene. -The Fellowship works in the interests of a broader organization known as Armageddon. They are a terrorist group with the desires of ‘purifying’ humanity on a global scale, but of course, they intend to do this by making imperial forces work in their favor. -Magneto is seeking Allison to make a bargain with Richard Natus: Her safe return in exchange for eliminating his Anti-Mutant legislation, or to be met with forced resistance and Allison kept as a political prisoner. -Yeah, the US/UN ain’t too happy about it. They step up to say they’ll fire on Genosha if Magneto even tries to lay a finger on Richard. -Charles Xavier is in a race against time to reach Allison before Magneto does. He is able to locate her through Cerebro in order to warn her and guide the youth, and Logan is not too happy about being found by Charles after requesting the team leaves him alone in the fallout of his major incident. Ya know, to create more tension. -Logan and Allison had taken refuge in the Canadian wilderness since that’s where Logan was staying inside of his RV. The two butt heads due to their clashing ideologies, but eventually have to suck it up and work together to help her control her new powers, without being disgusted. -Kikyo Mikage works under Magneto as one of his acolytes, but only kills if there is honor in the task he’s assigned. Kikyo is willing to use violence to deliver justice and that’s something he really values in Magneto. Kikyo can finally live as himself in Genosha instead of living in the shadows of Japan’s society. Though he finds it incredibly dishonorable that Magneto would weaponize the wellbeing of a child to achieve his objectives, which ultimately leads him to join Logan. -Oh yeah should mention that Armageddon is running science experiments to artificially create an Omega Class Mutant as a weapon to take down the world’s strongest Mutants, basically what they were trying to do with Deadpool in X-Men Origins Wolverine, but actually cool. The Mutant is called Magnum Opus. I’m a fan of puns, you see.

Side notes -If Wanda and Pietro get involved in this, they are both going to be Mutants and brown skinned. I MAKE THE RULES!!! -Anyway uh still working on who else I want as Magneto’s acolytes lol -Sometimes I refer to Allison as “Allen”. It’s her self-imposed disguise name which Logan makes a joke about it being a boy’s name. -Genosha is definitely stockpiling on weapons, no doubt. -Allison borrows one of Logan’s shrunken down suits to help with her Mutation! It’s blue in contrast to his red. Logan gets his own category -He refers to large sections of Canada as Sectors. It’s likely this stems from his time working under Alpha Flight, and the Canadian Government before joining the ❖-Corps. -He’s managed to keep a majority of his old suits with him, as he believes that it’s the only solid part of his history he can look back on. Perhaps not as himself, but as Wolverine. -Anyway the reason Logan is at a low point in his career is bc the last mission he was on involved him unwillingly going on a Berserker Rage that resulted in a destructive rampage and the stabbing of his teammate and Girlfriend, Storm. During his rage, she took charge of the situation to lure Logan away from civilians and attempt to subdue him with the other ❖-Corps on duty. It worked at a cost. -The best way to protect those he cares about is at a distance, though that doesn’t mean he’s not going through an extreme heartache with likely losing Ororo. -Maybe she shouldn’t have told Logan that if he’s going to use his claws on anyone to them on her. Bad oversight. /HJHJ -I didn’t want her to just be Logan’s love interest in this, she’s a hero too ya know! She was doing her damn best to save whoever she could in the onslaught and even put her own life on the line. -Logan has nightmares about killing the rest of the team, and hates that they don’t put up much of a fight to stop him. -As you can imagine, he’s not too happy to be stuck with some teenager off the side of the road. Worse is that Logan knows exactly who she is as a political figure, and how dangerous he is. The initial thought was to find her somewhere safe and tell her to scram, but outside intervention damns him. -So funny thing, turns out he and Allen have a lot more in common with their struggles than they thought; Runaways who’ve done awful things they can’t take back, while struggling to understand their true nature.

Uh yeah well that ended up being a lot lolol Feel free to leave suggestions, I’d love some outside feedback!!

[starlitangels]

My Angel (Sent To Save Me)

More proposal fluff because... well. It’s rotting the brain 1.3k words

—

David jerked the truck’s gear shift into Park and stared across the front yard at the front door. It was not an unusual front door. He’d knocked on that front door dozens of times in the last... God, it’d been nearly four years now. Dinners, birthdays, pretty much every single holiday besides the MoonBound solstice since David didn’t have family to swap holidays with... 

The familiar house seemed so foreboding now.

Nothing had changed about the house or the occupants inside.

The only thing that changed was within David.

He swallowed down his fear and got out of the truck. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself. He was an alpha werewolf. The head of the biggest, most influential and respected pack in the city. He’d done that.

So why the hell was he so damn scared?

A long exhale. Another deep inhale.

He started walking up the path to the front door. He released the breath as a sigh.

Standing just in front of the door, he swallowed one last time, hoping the lump in his throat would fill the pit in his stomach.

He rang the doorbell.

Shifter ears, he’d explained the first time he came to this doorstep with his now-mate and he’d said he could hear movement inside before they could.

It was the same this time. Almost immediately after the doorbell’s chime faded, there were footsteps inside. David popped his knuckles as if the movement would help ease his own tension.

It didn’t.

The door opened.

A familiar, warm face beamed at him. “David! How good to see you!” his mate’s mom greeted warmly. “Come in! What’s going on? You’re almost never here alone!”

He chuckled awkwardly, trying to be friendlier than his usual serious demeanor called for. “I, uh, I was hoping to talk to you both,” he said, nodding in the direction of his mate’s dad who was chopping vegetables in the kitchen with a dishtowel over his shoulder. He glanced back on hearing David and smiled, waving with the knife still in his hand.

His mate’s mom beckoned her partner over. They sat on the loveseat while David perched on the sofa and failed to wrangle his racing heart into behaving. He cleared his throat.

“I, uh...” he started. “I love your child. I know you know that. We’ve been together for nearly four years.”

“Has it been that long?” his mate’s mom asked quietly. Her partner looked equally baffled as he nodded.

David also nodded. “Yeah. And, I can promise you without even a shadow of a doubt that these have been the happiest four years of my life. I was still mourning the loss of my father when I met them and not processing my grief well at all. And in every way, they saved me. They healed me and taught me how to heal myself. I’m sure by now that you’ve heard me call them ‘angel’ as something of a pet name. To me, it’s not just that. I mean it. They are my angel sent to save me. From myself, mostly.

“I love them more than... more than I have words to describe. I’ve always been a person of few words. It’s just a lesson I was taught. The less you say, the more your words matter when you do speak. Which... I think has been to my detriment in certain situations. Including this one.

“But what I can say is that the love I feel for your child is honest and it’s deep. I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love them.

“And... I wanted to make sure I said that before...” He cleared his throat again. “Before I asked for your blessing. I plan on asking them to marry me.”

His mate’s mom was already looking a bit misty-eyed. “Oh David...” she whispered, reaching out and taking his hand. His mate’s dad set his hand on top of hers.

“Son, you have our blessing,” he said. “You’ve been part of this family since the day they brought you home to meet us the first time. We would be honored to have you as our son-in-law.”

“We love you, David,” his mate’s mom said. “And, more importantly, we know how much they love you. We see it in their eyes every time you two come over. Every time they look at you it’s like they’re staring at the most amazing thing they’ve ever seen. You make them happy. And you’re good to put up with their playfulness when it gets to be a lot.”

“Heaven knows some of their previous partners didn’t,” his mate’s dad put in quietly.

“But we don’t talk about Michael anymore,” his mate’s mom insisted, tone growing hard and cold for a moment as she shot a look of warning to her partner. He shrugged nonchalantly. She met David’s eyes again, smiling with that same warmth as before. “And previous partners don’t matter now. Because you’re here, and you love them and they love you. That’s all that matters now.”

David blinked to try and drain the tears building up in the ache behind his eyes. “Thank you, both of you. I... know I’ve mentioned before that I don’t have any siblings and I lost both my parents. And your child... has become the only family I have. Sure my friends feel like family but... it’s not quite the same. Having your blessing to ask them to marry me... means a lot to me.”

His mate’s mom gave him a melancholy smile. “Oh, David,” she said softly. “You more than have it. We’re so excited for you!”

“Thank you. Truly.” David nodded.

His mate’s mom smiled. “Send us pictures after you ask,” she said.

“Or just come over,” her partner suggested, a bit more dryly.

“That works too!” she said.

David found himself smiling. If they were going to be his legal in-laws, he decided he didn’t mind that so much. They’d been warm and mostly-accepting of him even before he’d started working on his bad attitude. And ever since he’d started loosening up, they’d really taken to treating him as though he was already their son.

He chuckled. “Well, we’ll see how late at night it is by the time I get up the courage to ask,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to wake you up.”

“You can always come over the next day,” his mate’s mom said. Her partner nodded agreement.

“That’s probably what will happen,” David remarked. “Thank you both, again. I’m honored that you’d bestow your blessing so easily.”

“We love you, son. And we see how much you love them.”

“I do. With all my heart.”

—

“So,” I remarked as David came in the door. “How were my parents?”

“How did you—?”

“Your location is still shared with me on Google Maps, remember?”

David nodded slowly. “Right,” he said. “Your parents are good. Your dad called while I was at work and asked if I could stop by and help fix a loose shelf. So I told him I’d drop by on my way home.”

I nodded. “Ahhh. Gotcha. You get it fixed?”

“Yep.”

“Fun. Ready for dinner?”

“Yeah. I’m starving.”

I smiled. “Good. I’m almost done.”

“Wait... you made dinner?”

“Don’t give my still-burgeoning cooking skills too much credit, Davey. I’m reheating that soup Mom gave us last week on the stove.”

“There’s my angel,” he teased softly, wrapping me into his arms and pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“C’mon. Let’s eat,” I said, tugging him toward the kitchen.

—

Tag list: @zozo-01 @thegoldenlittlerose @mainhoesstuff @darlin-collins 

[captain039]

The shadows have eyes

Alekander x reader

Darkling

Warnings: AOB, smut, angst, swearing, slight gore, kidnapping, age gap(I mean he’s like however hundreds years old xD), force, dark themes

Once the Darkling claimed Ravka, her people lived in darkness and fear. Nobody was safe from the shadows that loomed everywhere, nobody ever went into the shadows, when someone did they were shunned out, people grew scared off them. City’s soon became wide open spaces to prevent shadows, any form of shelter or walls were knocked down afraid to make shadows. They couldn’t be avoided though, no matter how hard everyone tried there would always be shadows in the day and the night. Once there was hope, once there was a sun summoner, promised to save the world and destroy the fold. She too succumbed to the shadows, whatever remained of her was ash or one of those shadow monsters by his side. When she was around people began to fight back, build walls and shelters, nobody seemed to fear the shadows as much with the rumour of the saint. It died though the moment she did, the word spread quickly and soon people once again began to hide and tear down their walls.

You awoke with a start, the fire crackling loudly spitting out some coal. You sighed looking to the night sky, the stars shined brightly as did the moon, though the many lights and fires around really made it seem like day time. Your parents lay asleep beside you, your dad holding your mum while she slept. You smiled softly admiring their love before you sat up. You figured you’d get tired again and fall back to sleep but didn’t. You huffed softly before standing up to go take a small stroll. You went outside the markers and looked up the full moon. You fiddled with the loose thread on your jumper before you heard a voice. It was eerie but smooth, a man’s voice. You couldn’t see anyone though, no figures stood out around you, just sleep ones. It called your name this time and you frowned heart beginning to quicken.

“Who’s there?!” You demanded slowly backing towards the village.

“You know who I am” he said, a face now in front of you as you screamed.

You awoke with a start, for real this time, a scream leaving your lips as your mother hushed you. You were sweaty and your heart was pounding. Your father awoke to apologising to those around you who gave worried and understanding eyes. You gripped your shirt tightly trying to focus on your mothers voice.

Your small group moved people gave you their apologies, many were plagued by nightmares, many claim to have seen him, felt his presence so thickly it sent them insane. You tried to ignore it, that feeling that it left, your body trembling, flinching at even the smallest shadow. When night fall came you feared it, made sure to force your eyes open. It didn’t work, your exhaustion made you sleep quickly and you feared for where it lead.

You mumbled softly feeling yourself wake up. You felt warmth pressed by you and sunk deeper into enjoying the feeling. You assumed it was the fire, or your parents making sure you slept well and safe. You found your bed overly comfortable though, the scent that lingered was not known to you either. Your eyes opened and you flinched glancing around. The bed was indeed a bed, a fancy well made bed with black curtains and sheets. The room was beautiful, almost beyond your imagination, the furniture was a dark red wood with beautiful engravings. A hand slid over your arm and you flinched again. You were on your side someone pressed behind you, breathing against your neck. Their hand was big and unknown but it felt warm and inviting. You could feel your body give into the sensations and a sigh left your mouth.

“Always so tense when you wake up” your whole body stood alert then at the deep rumble in your ear.

“Alpha” you muttered fearful and felt him purr against you.

“Yes omega?” He said as you shook with fear.

“You were so calm asleep” he sighed as you dared not to move. He moved though, leaving your body, his arm still under your hand though.

“Always such a sweet warm scent you give off, not this sour repulsive stench” he growled lowly and you whimpered.

“I guess I’ll just have to fuck you into bliss” he said.

You shot upright, awake and on edge, body overly hot. You didn’t scream this time thankfully, not sure how’d you explain that one to your parents. Gods it was hot, you shrugged off your blankets and coat and sat on the cold dirt. You sighed finding some comfort in being here and not there, wherever there was. He felt so right though, you couldn’t ignore the feeling that lingered, the warmth he gave off, the smooth feeling of skin against skin, the purr of an alpha making you shudder in delight.

Alexander's eyes opened quickly as he stared at the top of his bed. His clothes stuck to him, neck damp with sweat making him sit up quickly. He stood from his bed tugging off the clinging shirt and sighing. Whoever this woman was plagued his dreams, he could almost taste the sweetness she’d give off. A smile laced his lips you were warm nothing like the coldness he’d always felt, the coldness from supposed bed warmers, they lacked something, always lacked the warmth he’d wanted. Now though, now he could feel you through dreams and he would find you.

Next part ->

[ciciciron]

Random Gen 4 Character Hcs cuz I'm Too Sick to Write Anything Good

Ya boy's got strep, gonna do every Gym Leader and the E4, some characters will have more cuz I'm autism but I'll write something for everyone

Roark;

He's the second youngest Gym Leader, like, 18 - 22 at most

That doesn't mean he's inexperienced, no, it's honestly based upon the timeline of whatever I'm writing but I think he's been a Gym Leader for a good few years

I get the vibe that he's just like really nice, like just a good, reliable dude who needs a break and is fortunately likable enough to escape his father's shadow

Gardenia;

She's afraid of like everything, beyond just ghosts, my girl is a coward

She's pretty close with every other Gym Leader because of this, got em all on speed dial to come get the Spinarak out of her house and all that

Such a cringe fail lesbian

Honestly I see her as such a Kobeni (csm) type character, she knows what you are

Maylene;

Girl is 9 get her out of here

My reasoning for that age is because in pokespe it's mentioned that she's younger than Platinum, who is like 12

She's not weak but like someone help this poor girl she don't know what's going on

Crasher Wake;

Bros like, really good with kids, great at entertaining them, they just think he's cool af

He's not very helpful but he definitely tries, like if you cried he would recommend petting Quagsire, which would probably help tbh

He just gives the vibe like he's the type of guy you'd call uncle your whole life only to learn later on he's just a friend of your dads and not at all related to you

Fantina;

She isn't actually French- I know, who would willingly act French? She would, her real name is Heather because I came up with all of this when I was going through my musical theatre phase

She's Jupiter's older sister, naturally they don't talk much anymore

She isn't very lucky when it comes to love, swears after the end of every bad relationship that she's going to give up and become a nun, she is not religious nor does she ever stick to her word

Byron;

Sometimes he just forgets he's a dad, not like- forgets who Roark is, just that if he got called to come bail him out of jail he'd be confused why he was the one getting the call

Himbo energy, not a thought behind those eyes

Wildly irresponsible but on accident

Candice;

Girl's an influencer, she's the only one of them who knows how to properly work Tiktok, she will send you Tiktoks that remind her of you and you WILL receive those links through Instagram DMs because she forgot to save your phone number or just doesn't have it

Adding onto that- she will post fit checks regardless of what is happening in the background, she doesn't care that that man is drowning, this ain't about him

She is really good at remembering things about her coworkers though, she's in charge of every birthday party, if you forget your birthday don't worry she remembered and she is in your house don't ask how she got in

Volkner;

I don't care if he's canonically just some skinny twink he's big to ME. Like- 6'4", at least 200 pounds, guy is just huge and bulky and built like a brick wall, tons of practical strength because,,,

This is more about his Luxray but his name is Oscar and he's massive, think an Alpha Luxray in Legends Arceus, that cat is huge, Volkner is only even slightly strong just to be able to lift him off of his bed at night when he's trying to sleep

Wildly irresponsible but on purpose, he thinks it's funny to endanger himself, no he won't seek help he doesn't believe in therapy because he wasn't properly helped when he was younger

He does care about Sunyshore though, spent a week fixing that black out that stopped you from visiting the city at first in DPPT, he claims it's Team Galactic's fault but like no one believes him

Sorry to give Volkner 5 I mean what to expect from the guy who named himself Volkner but he's related to like every Electric Type Gym Leader and also whoever I see fit. It's a very large family. He makes frequent trips to Unova to visit his only respected similarly aged cousin Elesa so they can trash talk their not respected similarly aged cousin Colress (Long story). Also yes I do believe Palmer is his dad and Barry is his younger brother and I'm deciding today that they all have a good relationship. (Also I want to elaborate on this all so much like smh I didn't even bring up the Shinx based ceremony but that's gonna have to be a different post)

I don't have biases what are you talking about anyways E4 time.

Aaron;

He may or may not be distantly related to this fellow green hair and prong having man named Ghetsis but that's more lore to unpack on my end and I don't want to explain my real life friendships that make Ghetsis relevant here.

He can't be in the same room with Gardenia for too long because she gets freaked out just knowing Vespiquen is there, they have to be cycled out intermittently at every League meeting

He's been in the E4 the 3rd longest despite the fact he's only slightly older than Flint and Lucian, everyone who doubts Bug Types is amazed

Bertha;

She's been here before Cynthia was Champion and was actually the Champion before the guy who came before Cynthia, there's no getting rid of her

The hair makes it obvious but she's related to Agatha of the Kanto Elite Four, sometimes they meet for tea and to trash talk every challenger they've faced as well as their coworkers

She's excellent at comforting people without even realizing what she said half the time, you'll thank her for the advice and she'll accept that without knowing what she told you to do, she was completely out of it

Flint;

He was the Oreburgh Gym Leader before Roark, however many years before depends on the timeline, but he was second choice to join after Volkner declined for reasons I don't actually have outside of my main au

He acts exactly like one of those straight boys pretending to be gay to make fun of gay people expect it isn't acting and everyone can tell aside from him (i.e. jokingly being incredibly affectionate with Volkner)

He's probably the most reliable friend one could have and is like always ready to throw hands, he has too much energy and just wants to punch someone in the face, please ask him to punch someone in the face he will happily do it he's begging you

Lucian;

Guys a fucking ass, like, he's just very rude. That's not because I hate him he just seems kind of stuck up. (I'm mad that he tells me about how much he reads whenever I talk to him in Pokemas because I can't read large paragraphs without my vision blurring and it feels like he's bragging, and also a specific decision I made for my general lore)

He's genuinely psychic, like, telekinesis style, it comes in handy at sorting books and throwing things at people because that guy ain't got an arm on him to save his life

I think that psychic power could be totally nullified by putting a hat on him. Battle tactic.

Cynthia;

Her father was Champion before her, she's a nepobaby, she would get upset if you called her that though because she worked real hard for her position and is tired of people devaluing her

Her slug is named Sharon and she hates men, specifically blonde ones. If you are near that Gastrodon as a blonde man you are about to be hydropumped. You can't out run Sharon don't even think about it just accept your fate.

Meanwhile her Garchomp is named Joan and she's just a large scaley puppy.

She definitely needs glasses but she's very stubborn

She also can't drive. Don't let her do it. She is going to hit another mythical Pokemon.

Cynthia is also incredibly shocked whenever she learns someone doesn't care about history as much as her. She's just like- in awe, she forgot people could have other interests and it's throwing her for a loop, she'll just kind of stand there with her mouth agape until you speak again and even then she'll never look at you the same again

Okay that's...everyone for today, I would do Team Galactic but at that point I'd feel like I have to write something for every single character in the game and I'm neglecting my homework too hard for that.

[bee-barnes-author]

Dead Darlings Tag

Tagged by @tabswrites

Tagging: @coffeewritesfiction @vivrune @violeaes @tombstuck @ellierenae @milkhoney531 @amandacanwrite @leahkentwriter @pheita @following-the-drum @sirensatyr and an open tag for anyone else!

Rules: Share a part of your writing you love that got cut for the greater good. It doesn't matter if it's a line or a paragraph. It doesn't matter if you might work it back in. If it's not currently in a WIP and you want to share, please do.

Deleted excerpt from 'The Beast in the Glass House' (it's a long one!)

Elijah doesn’t take it well when I tell him I’ll be staying behind this moon cycle, leaving him in charge of the pack while I’m here. “Seriously? You won’t be there? Well, what the hell are you doing instead?”

“I’m attending a Halloween party with Freya and her friends.” I say, cool toned and firm in my phrasing. My little brother can’t talk me out of this one. I’m confident in my position. This is the right path for me.

Elijah gapes at me like I’ve spontaneously sprouted a second head on my shoulders. “How are you going to do that? It’s the first night.”

“I’ll be fine. We’ll leave the party before the moon is even an issue for me.” I wave his concerns off. “Haven’t I proven my control?”

His lips twitch like he has a thousand words to say, but after a moment he finally lands on, “Do you want me here as backup?”

I shake my head. “No, I need you to lead the pack run.”

He pushes back, not satisfied by my answer. “Klaus can do it. I think you need me here as backup.”

“Look, Elijah, I appreciate that you’re trying to protect me, but what you’re actually doing is undermining me. I said I’ll be fine without you.”

My final refusal seems to push his temper over the edge. “But what if you’re not fine?! What if you’re just getting sicker and sicker like dad did?!” He stomps his foot at me like a child and for a long, horrible second I think I’m going to slap him.

But I control myself. I won’t lash out like that. “ENOUGH! Elijah! I am your Alpha and you will obey me!”

“I’m worried about you, jackass!” Elijah roars back, not quite matching my volume. He makes the wise choice not to get in my face. We both know how a fist fight between us would end.

“Don’t you think I’m terrified, too?! You stupid fuck! That’s why I have to do this! If our bond can settle completely, and she knows the truth about us, then everything can go back to normal! But this is a very delicate process. So you need to back. Off.” I emphasize my final words, putting pressure on the pack bond we share. This is an order, and he knows it. 

He knows it, and he fucking hates that I’ve done it. Elijah purses his lips, clearly biting back more vicious anger. “Fine.” He snarls, snatching his coat and stomping to the front door. “Fine. Don’t fucking listen to me. Jesus, fuck.” He’s not gentle when shutting the door behind him. He slams it so hard that the door frame vibrates violently, and the pictures on the wall rattle, threatening to slip off their mounts.

Elijah thinks I’m nothing more than a beast, whose cage is actually a house made of glass. He treats me like I’ll explode at any second, goring everyone around me with crystalline shards in the process. Tonight, I will prove to him beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am in control. I won’t have him undermining me with the rest of the wolves. No pack can survive if the Alpha’s Second attempts mutiny.

On the counter, next to where Elijah stood moments ago, is a cluster of purple herbs tied together with twine. Every full moon cycle, Elijah makes tea with this and that helps to delay his transformation for as long as possible. He’s stoned out of his gourd by the time he finishes his second cup, and he says it tastes like eating a fruitarian's shit, but it’s worth it because it works. And, as furious as he is with my choice to stay behind this cycle, he still chose to leave behind a bundle of his precious herbs for me.

I pick the herbs up like they’re more fragile than eggshell china. Like they’ll crumble in my grip if I clutch it too tight. I don’t know the scientific name for them, but the long purple stems grow lush, purple petals, and even the pollen that dusts the feet of the bees is a rich purple. They’re fairly rare on this side of the world. Elijah has the only greenhouse that grows them on the west coast, as far as I know. Lucius had disagreed with using them, so out of respect, Elijah kept the plants on my property and transported small batches to the cabin each moon.

My brother is a good man. I need to remember that. He’s just scared for me, and while, as I said to his face, I’m scared as well, I can’t let that stop me from doing what I need to do. For the good of myself and for the good of the pack. He’ll see that once we’re on the other side of this mess.

For today, I push away the strife. It’s eight a.m, and I’m due to be at your front door in two hours. It’s your tradition to take Halloween day off of work and celebrate in as many ways as you can. You’ve invited me to spend the day leading up to the party with you. Of course, I accepted immediately. What sort of fool would I have to be to decline the opportunity to spend more time with you?

[january-summers]

But then what would Red Vs Blue look like as a Sword Art Online fusion?

Because, like, it's easy to just dump them in complete AU, but I mean actual story translation?

Cause obviously the Reds and Blues would be newbie player, or at least they'd be casuals who don't play very often or obsessed with a certain game/genre but not actually very good at it.

And Freelancers would be more pro-players, like Wash did e-sports but he's not really into it, he's good, but he'd rather be having fun with friends than games-as-work.

Carolina's still chasing her father's approval and her mother's shadow by being the top of the gamer world, (her mother Allison was an e-sports superstar, and a top ranker in twenty MMORPGs).

Meanwhile, Director Church has created one of the worlds first full dive Virtual Reality MMOs, and he did it all while trying to figure out a way to un-vegetable his wife, who suffered brain death years ago when trying out another company's first attempts at full dive technology.

Director is convinced if he can just learn enough about brains in simulations, he can use the data that was saved from his wife's dives and put her back to rights.

So he created the game, and it's supposed to be the best game ever, incorporating all Allison's favourite things.

But there's a catch, in order for Director to get the data he needs, the game has to be running non-stop for A While. Specifically, the players need to be playing non-stop for A While.

So he's trapped them in the game with the threat of death looming over them.

There's probably something hidden in the T&Cs of the user agreement so everyone who logs on legally agrees to this shit, but no one reads the T&Cs, so they have no idea. They all genuinely believe they'll die in real life if they die in the game, and the only way to get out is to clear it. Like, even Carolina doesn't know.

The AI overlord Operating System of the game is FILSS/Sheila.

I was thinking (alpha) Church as Carolina's IRL brother who followed their dad into computer programming, but then it (the Chex) would be weird when the Allison Data that Director puts into the game develops its own personality (Beta). So maybe he's just part of the operating systems, on of several AIs running around low key maintaining the game and adding/manifesting new missions and materials based on their interactions with the users to ensure the game is meeting everyone's skill level.

He just sort of joins the Blues and pretends to be a human player.

Man I hope Director is paying the players to be there. He'd probably only pay minimum wage. Has a hospital set up for long term monitoring of players, and Aiden is going to have a field day with the research into what this kind of shit does to people's minds.

Lopez as a Bot that gains sapience/sentience.

It takes Griff months to find out his sister is in the game. (she "just wanted to spend time with him, but holy shit bro have you seen-")

Tucker accidentally hatches some kind of demon creature and tames it, it thinks Tucker is its mother. He names it Junior.

The Freelancers are the Front Line players, making the push towards clearing the game (possibly all of them were beta players for the game?), but somehow the Reds and Blues are actually some of the most powerful players even though they mostly just stand around talking, and getting into side-quest shenanigans.

Sarge is actually Simmons and Griff's shop teacher who is determined to look out for his students in the most tsundere way possible. Donut doesn't take shop class, he does home ec, but he knows them from Simmons' brief attempts at being on the school baseball team.

The Reds and Blues (minus Sarge) are all teenagers now, probably seniors, who go to the same school. (Wash is supposed to be in collage getting ready to graduate but e-sports got in the way, Carolina is younger than him but older than the Reds and Blues.)

Butch Flowers is the home ec teacher, (or/alos a computer science teacher) he and Sarge have a one sided rivalry that got passed onto their teams.

Tucker used to be on the baseball team, but he's currently suspended for reasons that probably weren't actually his fault, but no one knows what it actually is because Tucker like encouraging the rumours, since they're hilarious.

Caboose just wanted to make friends and have fun, and now the cool kids are hanging out with him and he made a Best Friend called Church and he doesn't have to go home at all!

Doc is either a first year medical student who doesn't have time for this!!! or Donut's boyfriend the others have never met because he goes to a different school.

Is the game sci-fi guns blazing or high fantasy swords and sorcery?

I don't know, irrelevant.

The reason Church is still bad at shooting things though is because as an AI he can make himself as powerful as he wants to be, and no-selling his shots is FILSS's way of smacking him with a rolled up news paper.

[purrincesskittens]

What are your five most favorite scenes you've ever written in your fics?

Number one would be for a future scene in Golden Writing with baby Zuko meeting Hakoda for the first time and instantly wanting to be picked up and hugged by his soulmate while Bato runs away in the background with a little girl armed with knives chasing him. Hakoda is just cuddling his adorable baby soulmate while his other soulmate gets beaten up by a child.

Next has to be for my Dragon on the Main Mast with dragon Lu Ten becoming extremely bewildered by his baby dragon cousin and how he ended up on a Water Tribe ship as well as the water tribes reaction to Lu Ten. Badically Lu Ten is like What are you doing this far from home? What do you mean this is home now?! Lu Ten nearly died one time and his world as he knew it went to hell. He isn't leaving the water tribe to care for his baby cousin on their own. Guess they get a second fire nation dragon now.

Three has to be a wip I'm working on for my miraculous ladybug pieces. My oc character Lupine Alpha and her partner Corvus do a interview and proceed to turn the audiences opinions and believes regarding the heroes on their head by revealing that while they are friendly and flirty with each other Crovus announces he has a long term partner in his civilian life and Lupine announces she is engaged to be married. This makes the people of Paris who shipped them and who also ship Chat Noir and Ladybug together actually think that the heros have lives outside of being heroes and that just because they have complementary miraculous and are partners doesn't mean they will end up together.

Fourth is something for my original story and characters. My character Jen leader of her pack of hybrids is trying to rein herd on her two younger brothers who have the abilities to turn invisible and turn themselves into shadows. They got into mischief and are now in trouble. She proceeds to grab each one by an ear and drag them off while they are still shadows and invisible. She deposits them with the two pup sitters of the pack when she is done lecturing them. Cam and Terry the pup sitters already have the two cubs BB and Tobey who haven't come into their full powers yet with BB only having his cat and Tobey only having his magic. Cam just comments that next time the pups want to get into mischief don't get caught. He didn't wait for his pack leader to get out of ear shot before saying this though. He gets smacked upside the head by Terry who tells him to stop encouraging the pups.

Fifth is a tie between baby Sokka crowing with excitement over annoying his soulmate into responding to his badgering, Sokka crying to his mom worried about his soulmate who is being hurt by their father and Kya reassuring him that it will be okay that his dad will go rescue his soulmate as soon as he gets Uncle Bato on board with their kidnapping/rescue mission and Hakoda returning home from the successful mission to rescue his sons soulmate carrying his new son in his arms who is a perfect angel while Bato staggers in behind him arguing the whole time while carrying three demon children in the form of three little girls. Bato did not sign up to be a parent and yet somehow he ended up with three daughters of his own. Azula refused to let her brother be the only one who gets kidnapped and where she goes her friends go.

[highwaytothedangerzone502]

Chapter 17 - Foxtrot Alpha Alpha

Pairing: Hangman x Female OC

Word Count: 2292

Warnings: Mention of death

Summary: Hangman learned his lesson a long time ago to never show his true feelings when someone's words or actions hurt him. To do so showed weakness that could be exploited, and Seresin men couldn't show weakness. Of course, there was an exception to every rule, and Jake's always came in the form of women, three in particular: his mom, Juliette Kazansky, and the girl whose name he could no longer bring himself to speak. She was the girl that got away; she was his biggest 'what if' and his biggest regret; she would forever be the ghost that haunted his dreams. Jake believed that's where she'd stay, for he would surely never see her again after what he did.

Or so he thought.

Notes: This is the sequel to India Lima Yankee; I'm using the same callsign for the Female OC as in Ghost Story because I just really like it, but they are different characters; chapters in italics are flashbacks.

Chapter Songs: Eyes On You Bring The Family

****

Maverick

Penny flitted about behind the counter, filling in drink orders as they came. Maverick waited patiently for his turn, watching the Daggers play pool and chat cheerfully with each other. A newcomer had joined them, which he swiftly learned was Jackie Blackwood, Charlie's other daughter and Ghost's older sister. Jackie, unlike her sister, appeared more than at ease surrounded by all the pilots. She grinned and answered their jests with comebacks that nearly made Maverick spit out his drinks a few times. 

Ghost, on the other hand, blended into the shadows. She hung around her sister, Jules, and Rooster but never said much. Maverick noticed her gaze repeatedly flicking over to Hangman and Coyote as if she ached to be near them, but Ghost stayed rooted to the spot and mindlessly fiddled with her necklace. She reminded him of Charlie in a way- they had the same thick blonde hair even if Ghost's was darker, and they had the same nose- but she must've taken on more after her dad with her personality: reserved yet daring, outgoing yet introverted. 

"What can I get you, Pete?" Penny asked, taking away his empty beer bottle. He tore his gaze from Ghost and smiled at his girlfriend, ordering another beer. She slid it in front of him. "What's on your mind?"

"Nothing, just... trying to figure this pilot out," he admitted.

Penny raised an eyebrow. "What do you want to know about Ghost?"

"How did you-"

"Come on, I see everything going on in my bar. I've met her a few times, but from what I've learned, Ghost came in second at Top Gun. Had she not broken some rules and played jump rope with the boundaries line as much as she did, she probably would've come in first. Her WSO died a few years ago, but I never learned of the circumstances behind it except that it was an ejection gone wrong. Ghost was never the same after it."

"Hangman said he got her killed, but that's all I know."

Penny frowned. "That would explain why she doesn't like him, but it seems like they're slowly trying to make amends. I hope they do. Those longing looks in each other's direction can only go on for so long."

"Is that why she's quiet tonight?"

"No, Ghost is usually quiet in large crowds, but I know she's mulling over an opinion of her flight performance today. Things like that usually don't get to her, so this person must mean something to her."

Shit. "That might've been me."

Penny tilted her head in disapproval. "Pete, what did you say to her?"

"She played a dirty move on Hangman to win the tournament. If either of them made the smallest mistake, it could've gotten one or both of them killed. I got onto her about it when she landed."

"Ah, so you're the reason she's resorted to drinking her feelings?" Maverick opened his mouth to protest, but Penny chuckled and cut him off. "She's not drinking just because of that, but what you said did get to her."

"What's the other reason?"

"It's her WSO's birthday today. She, Hangman, and Coyote all did in an Irish shot. A tradition Ghoul started on her birthday."

Maverick could only nod in understanding. He had those days, too, for Goose; he used to celebrate by listening to 'Great Balls of Fire' on repeat on his RIO's birthday. Otherwise, he avoided the song whenever possible. It was impossible now with Rooster in his life since it was his son's favorite song, but he didn't mind. Seeing Rooster belt out to it with the same enthusiasm and energy as his father made Maverick feel closer to Goose than he had in a long time.

"Hey, Mav!" Rooster shouted over the cacophony of the crowd. He waved his dad over and, not wanting to miss out on any time that his son wanted him around, he obliged. When he joined the group, Rooster asked, "Why were you hiding at the bar? Unable to face me any longer after I took you out?"

"You mean the same time that Ghost got you?" Maverick countered, raising his beer bottle to the female pilot, whose eyes widened slightly at his mention of her name. "Told you she was the one you needed to worry about."

"Probably because I fight dirty. Not my finest moment, considering I could've killed someone in the process," Ghost said, leaning against the wall. Everyone missed the undertone of self-loathing. That is, everyone except Maverick and-

"Fighting dirty worked, didn't it?" Hangman chimed in, clasping his hands atop his pool stick. "Besides, you don't do anything you don't think you're fully capable of executing how you want it to go. If you wanted me dead when you pulled that stunt, I'd be dead."

Ghost shot him a small but gracious smile. "True, but I shouldn't do such things with y'all. I should save it for the enemy."

Hangman shrugged. "I disagree. Better to practice and perfect the technique with us."

"Are we going to shoot the shit, or are we going to play pool?" Harvard inquired, coming over with his sunglasses on and a tray of tequila shots.

"Now you're talking!" Jackie exclaimed, eagerly reaching for them. She grabbed two and handed one to her sister. "To the Daggers for an amazing show, and to my sister for winning it!"

Ghost cheeks reddened, visible even under her makeup, but she lifted her shot in the air nonetheless and echoed the sentiment. Maverick sat on a stool next to Jules and started chatting with her and Rooster, watching the game between Harvard and Yale, and Hangman and Coyote. His son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law acted in good spirits, but Mav noticed the dark circles under their eyes, mostly visible on the latter despite her impressive makeup skills to cover them up. When he brought it up, they confessed that sleep had been fleeting for them, with Jules having issues falling and remaining asleep and Rooster from staying up with her during those times. 

"You feeling okay otherwise? Have the preeclampsia under control?"

"Yeah, checkups say it's staying under control, so we're taking the win," Juliette said, placing her hands on her bulging stomach and sighing. "On a different note, I need the bathroom. The twins have decided it's time to push on my bladder. Again. I'll be back."

She hopped off the stool and shuffled away. Rooster watched her go with worry in his brown eyes, but Maverick refrained from talking about it here. He decided to ask Rooster about his concerns in private, not where everyone and the world could hear. Instead, he returned his attention to the pool game. Hangman and Coyote won the round, and the latter was trying to convince Phoenix and Bob to play them next. Jackie, Payback, and Fanboy were making bets with Omaha, Halo, and Fritz on whether Hangman and Coyote would succeed. Maverick furrowed his brow and counted everyone present. Thirteen. They were missing two people: Juliette, who had gone to the bathroom, and Ghost. Maverick subtly scanned the Hard Deck, searching for the stealthy pilot, but with no success.

Then, an idea struck him. Looking at Hangman, he observed the pilot's eyes watching something, or someone, across the room. Following his line of sight, Maverick learned his hunch had been correct. Hangman had been keeping an eye on Ghost. She stood at the bar, waiting impatiently to order a drink so she could escape the older guy standing next to her who kept trying to hit on her. Maverick kept an eye on her, too, ready to step in if the guy continued to bother Ghost. She seemed to be holding her own until the man reached out and trailed his hand down her arm. Ghost jerked away from him and, whether she meant to or not, momentarily locked gazes with Hangman, a desperate plea for help in her hazel eyes. From his peripheral, Maverick saw Hangman lean toward Coyote and whisper something in his ear. Without a word, Coyote weaved his way through the crowd and popped up next to Ghost's side. He slipped an arm around her waist, and even from where Maverick sat, he could see the ploy: Javy was pretending to be her boyfriend to help her out of the situation. Ghost took it in stride, leaning into him and allowing him to lead her back to the group without any resistance.

"Thanks for that. I owe you one," Ghost said when they returned to the Daggers. "That guy was not taking the cues of disinterest."

"You owe me nothing," Coyote responded sincerely. Squeezing her shoulder affectionately, he returned to the pool table next to Hangman. Ghost tried to return to her original spot on the other side of the pool table, but Bob had taken the place with Phoenix, and the only open position now was next to Maverick. Reluctantly, she stayed put and made conversation with Rooster. Mav tried to find an opportunity to talk to her because he strangely felt guilty for how hard Ghost took his criticism. He still believed her flying to be dangerous, but he didn't want her to avoid him. Quite the opposite, actually. Perhaps being Charlie's daughter, he felt obligated to watch out for her. Or maybe understanding all too well what she'd been through when she lost her backseater, he felt the need to watch out for her and ensure she avoided the dark path he'd found himself on for a while after Goose's death.

Finally, a lull in the conversation offered him his chance, but all that came out was, "Do you want to sit Ghost?"

"Oh, that's Jules's seat. I don't want to take it from her," Ghost answered, shifting on her feet.

"You can take mine." Maverick stood and motioned at the stool. 

"Oh, no, it's okay. I don't want to-" Ghost trailed off and frowned at something behind him. "Jules, you okay?"

Maverick turned around to find Juliette returning to the party, her complexion wan. She nodded and said, "Yeah, I'm okay. Just a bout of morning sickness. I don't know why they call it morning sickness when it hits at all hours of the damn day. I guess it's morning somewhere, though."

"Do you need to head home?" Rooster inquired, looking her up and down worriedly.

"No, I'll be fine. Besides, I'm your ride home. I can't leave yet."

"I can leave early. It's fine. You-"

"Bradley, I love you, but-" Juliette patted his chest- "you need to spend some time with your friends and blow off steam. You've been too anxious lately from worrying over me. I will change your callsign to Mother Hen if you keep it up."

Rooster sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Okay, okay, but I don't like the idea of you being home alone. God forbid if there was an emergency-"

"I'll go with her," Ghost offered immediately, finishing the last bit of her drink.

"I don't want to take you away from the party when you should be celebrating your victory today," Juliette said, shaking her head. "Really, I'm fine going home by myself."

"No, really, I'll be happy to escort you home. Let me tell Jackie I'm leaving." Ghost disappeared before Juliette could protest any further. Jules's shoulders sagged in defeat. "I don't want to ruin anyone's night."

"I'm pretty sure Ghost has been eager to leave," Maverick assured quietly, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I think you might be the one doing her a favor."

Jules cocked her head. "Why do you say that?"

"Story for another time," Maverick replied as Ghost reappeared, this time with Jackie on her heels.

The elder Blackwood enveloped Jules in a hug and said, "It was so good seeing you! You have to send me pictures when the babies arrive."

"I will. I'm sorry I'm having to leave so early."

"Don't be. Being pregnant is no picnic, from what I've heard. Next time I'm in town, I'll let you know so we can catch up more."

"Sounds like a plan. When do you leave?"

"Noon tomorrow."

Juliette grimaced. "I hate to take Ghost away from you when you only got into town yesterday."

"It was a quick trip, and we have breakfast planned for tomorrow," Jackie replied with a shrug. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

With that said, the rest of the Daggers bid the two women goodbye and hugged Jules. Only Coyote, Phoenix, and Bob did the same for Ghost. Hangman started forward as if he intended to as well but then thought better of it, instead choosing to longingly watch after her. Rooster and Maverick escorted the girls out of the bar, the latter ordering, "Text me when you get home safely. We'll see you in a bit when I drop Rooster off."

"Sounds good. Thanks, Mav." Juliette embraced her surrogate father and kissed her fiancée goodbye. 

Ghost hugged Rooster and extended her hand out to Maverick. He shook it firmly and said, "I know I was hard on you earlier today, but outside of the maneuver against Hangman, you did a great job today. Truly."

Surprise flickered in the aviator's eyes. "Thank you, sir. It was an honor to fly as your wingman."

Maverick opened her car door, and Ghost slid into the passenger seat. Rooster and Mav watched the blue Bronco disappear onto the horizon, both deep in thought about the girls' departure: Rooster most likely of his concern over Juliette's wellbeing, and Maverick's for the strange sensation about the peculiarity of Ghost's presence and how she reminded him so much of someone but he couldn't think of who, and it wasn't Charlie

****

Tags: @lgg5989 @shanimallina87 @polikszena @summ3rlotus @icemansgirl1999 @supernaturaldawning @thedarkinmansfield @lyannaforpresident @lapilark @getmyprettynameoutofyourmouth @simpofthecentury @shadeops21 @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy @double- @bradshawsandbridgetons @catsandgeekyandnerd @peachiicherries @multifandomcnova @fandomsstolemylife00 @bookloverhorses @mak-32 @midnightmagpiemama @luckyladycreator2 @ellamae021 @kmc1989

Chapters: Chp 1 Chp 2 Chp 3 Chp 4 Chp 5 Chp 6 Chp 7 Chp 8 Chp 9 Chp 10 Chp 11 Chp 12 Chp 13 Chp 14 Chp 15 Chp 16 Chp 17

If you're not on the tag list and want to be, just let me know :)

[sonicasura]

Ok we've talked alot about The Mothzilla family(Godzilla, Mothra, Hoppy, PJ, CatBee, and Mommy) but I have a few HCs regarding the other toys and their 'parents'

Rodan and Kickin have a sort of Eager Dad and Slightly shy kid, like Rodan will often greet other titans being all flamboyant and energetic while Kickin hides behind him but will say hi if the other titan gently introduces them to Kickin.

Behemoth, Bubba and Picky, pray for Behemoth because he is a single dad and both of his adopted kids have some issues. He tries his best but most of the time in his kind would have Matriarchs to help but as far as he knows besides his adopted kids he's the last one.

Tiamat and Boxy have a real odd vibe with each other, while Tiamat is haughty and uptight with other titans she does on her precious son. Despite the fact you will see Boxy just chewing on the most random stuff around base while Tiamat sings his accomplishments above the other kids, a very much 'This is my son, I found him in the trash but he's mine and I love him'

When Kong met Huggy and Kissy, it was a bit tense think like an ape sanctuary introducing a rescued ape to the troop and praying it goes well. Kissy and Huggy were scared of Kongs sheer size and strength, hiding from him for most time. Until Kong offered the two some food when they became hungry and let them eat in peace, it helped that Kong let them shadow him while he wandered Skull Island.

For Shimo and Crafty it's very much a grandma raising her granddaughter situation, she'll gladly let her play and try to make art with her new ice abilities but she won't be able to always join both due to old age and her time imprisoned by Skar King. Thankfully Kong has three children that can keep up with Crafty when she can't.

When it turns out King Caeser existed was more of a shock to Monarch than to Bobby and Dogday since they could 'sense' him. He was a fun but strict parent, he'll let them have their fun but he will set limits. Granted he's also very protective of the two even willing to come to blows with Godzilla when Hoppy and Dogday start dating when the two of them become teens.

These are honestly spot on. Lol

Boxy is a simple fellow when it comes to how he does things and his needs. His gnawing on random stuff is just a teeth test. Boxy has the best dental record as he's quick to point out a problem with his fangs.

Behemoth definitely took awhile to get used to Bubba and Picky's antics. The former has a habit of finding unauthorized humans near their habitat then wards them away with a proper response on their demeanor. Picky meanwhile often share her foods whenever they have problems scavenging. She has a unique mutation that lets her eat anything even if its inedible or toxic without any harm.

Kickin is definitely shy whenever Rodan introduces him to unknown monsters. Luckily he bounces back to a friendly playful demeanor if they're nice or have nice children he can play with. Rodan always avoids taking Kickin to meet any kaiju he's knows is bad news.

Crafty is definitely a very considerate granddaughter when it comes to Shimo. She knew what kind of pain the Skar King put the older Titan under and does her best to help ease the trauma. Crafty shared a few methods with Shimo such as deep breathes or claw drawings.

Kong definitely wasn't expecting Monarch to bring in Huggy and Kissy at all. Despite how much he wanted to interact with them, the larger ape could tell they were scared thus exercise patience. A good decision since the two rarely leave his side once it became clear he meant no harm. Kong feels a lot less lonely now and mellowed a bit to not scare his younger companions.

I can imagine a 'Why didn't you tell us' moment with Monarch once King Caeser is found. Godzilla remains civil despite there being another Alpha because of the kids. Doesn't mean the lizard isn't snarky and DogDay/Hoppy can take that. If not then good thing Bobby is a great peacemaker.

[maguro13-2]

The Dark Picture REPAINT ~ Origins of the Ink Demon : Operation Drawcia Finale (13/14)

*At the Black Comet*

Homura Akemi : At long last. I finally found the seventh and final Chaos Emerald. Now, brother...we can finally end this once and for all.

Black Doom : You stupid human brat! do you have any idea of what you've done?

Homura's Brother/Time Eater : Are you ready, dear sister?

Homura Akemi : Yes, brother.

Black Doom : Those are my emeralds! My emeralds! You aren't going to re-arrange everything would you? The whole planet is doomed, doomed by me, Black doom!

Homura Akemi : Let us combine our powers together.

Homura's Brother : Agree.

Homura Akemi : Now then...[to Seto and Grim] I just wanted to congratulate you on stopping the menace who scourged the entire planet with this useless invasion that he started.

Seto : No need to thank us. Our mission has been completed.

Black Doom : Blasted meddling kids. I've waited 50 years to have my revenge on these mobians, am I still a great father?

Seto : [Thinking] How do we put this? Hmmm...[determined] Aha...No cap, you're still the worst.

Homura's Brother : [To Black Doom] Hahahaha. You're such a major asshole, Black Doom. But it pains that I understand why Gerald wanted to make you dead.

Homura Akemi : Since Mr. Shadow could never be bothered by his troubled past because of your actions or Gerald's action, I'm keeping his promise to an oath the he decided that it's going to be a new leaf for shadow. If you want to resolve the problem with the robotniks, there's only solution. Kill yourself, that's an order.

Black Doom : With pleasure, but how about a swift strike! (attempts to the attack group, but they evade)

Homura's Brother : You sly dog! How dare you try to make a murderous attempt.

Grim : As Grim reaper of Planet Mobius, I will have your soul taken away! (tries to attack, but Black Doom teleports) Damn!

Homura Akemi : (has the Purple Chaos Emerald) Alright, I got the last one. Looks like he's worthless without the ritual, now all we have to do is to make the new era to be created! But first of all, where's that one sick son of a b*tch that just teleported out of the comet?

Egg Pawn via Radio : This is Alpha team! We have confirmed the location of Black Doom! It appears that he is outside the comet and is quite possible that he is about to transform into a giant...Oh my God! WHAT THE HELL IS HE!? All units! This Alien leader has turned into some kind of Devil!

[cues I Am...All of Me by Jun Senoue]

Homura Akemi : So...It's war that he wanted? Alright I'll go find him. Where is he?

(changes background)

Homura Akemi : Huh? Well...This is new?

Grim : Black Doom! Black Doom! Where in the world are you Black Doom!

Black Doom : Right behind you.

Grim : (turns and sees something in shock) What!?

(the group turns and sees his transformation; Devil Doom)

Grim : Black Doom...This is...

Seto : Egad! What happened to you!?

Homura Akemi : Just as I expected, that is Devil Doom. A form that Black Doom has kept hidden to make him look like the devil.

Homura's Brother : Looks like he waited 50 years to come out of that shell.

Seto : Nobody would tell me that Master Grim analyzed his body, but how in the world can he get away like this!? Aliens like him turn into this?

Black Doom/Devil Doom : I knew that the Robotnik Family wanted throw me away like garbage. It just had to happen when it comes to my full colors as father and son. But now 50 years later, Gerald is still the fool...And here I am, in my awesomeness form of a Devil! The destruction so that the Ancients and The End itself would never make their ends!

Seto : You are one dead giant sucker. I'm gonna come over and kick your butt!

Shadow in Super Form : Don't waste your time here, blondie.

Seto : Shadow! You're in super form again.

Shadow in Super Form : I had this like four years from now on, you go on and get everyone out of the comet, I'll deal with "dad" by myself.

Seto : Thanks, Shad. I won't forget.

*DBZ SFX : Teleport*

Eggman : Hey! We're free! And what happened to him!

Sonic : That's what Black Doom in that form looks like? He's huge!

Tails : It's all because of Daddy issues after four years of the Space Colony ARK incident.

Knuckles : And now I understand why Sonic took the blame of committing a crime against the country.

Amy : We did not how we thought Gerald was going to destroy us, but turns out the Space Colony ARK incident was diversion for them.

Sonic : Oh...That's right.

Rouge : Good thing that Omega brought us out of the comet! How in the world did that girl got us escape from that gas?

Eggman : I think I had a gas mask in pocket.

Tails : [To Eggman] Why would you even think about a Gas Mask?

(changes to Devil Doom)

Black Doom/Devil Doom : Since I...Black Doom of the Black Arms can't make the Robotnik Family pay for their transgressions, guess I'm gonna make them pay...with your own blood!

Shadow in Super Form : Quit your bitching, and get it on already! I really need to watch the super bowl.

Seto : Now or never, Master! Time to pay up for his sins!

Black Doom/Devil Doom : Then Burn in the Inferno! Along with him. (gets his attacked by the remains of Central City)

Sadistic Solva : Mr. Black Doom...You sir are a horrible father...and a major wiener! (flips Devil Doom off)

Black Doom/Devil Doom : YOU PESTS! I WILL DESTROY YOU WITH THE POWER THAT I UNLEASHED! AND HOW DO YOU EXPECT MY SON TO BEAT ME TO A SUPER SONIC THAT I HAVE NEVER BEEN BEFORE?

Super Shadow : By the power of the Chaos Emeralds sent by the Ancients to warn us about abusing their powers. Look over there, I see the Final Fortress zone covered in the red skies of madness!

Black Doom/Devil Doom : Nice try, Shadow. But that foolish trick won't make me fall for it! Now let me hurry up so that I can kill you and destroy this planet.

Homura Akemi : Trick r Treat!

Black Doom/Devil Doom : What!?

*DBZ SFX : Surprise*

Homura Akemi : It's now or never! Alright, brother. Time for us to combine the powers and rewrite to create the new era.

Homura's Brother/Time Eater : Indeed.

(summons the Chaos Emeralds to encircle them)

Homura Akemi : Let's create a new era together and fix all of this so that I can may rewrite the world and never let this happened.

Homura's Brother/Time Eater : With pleasures.

Homura Akemi : Time for Shadow's past to fade from existence.

Black Doom/Devil Doom : NOOOOOOO!!! YOU STUPID HUMAN GIRL! DO YOU REALIZE ON WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO? IF YOU REWRITE THE WORLD IN THE MULTIVERSE, THE INVASION WILL NEVER HAPPEN!

[Cues The Messiah by Yutaka Minobe]

Homura Akemi : Chaos...

Homura's Brother/Time Eater : Chaos...

Seto : They're going to rewrite the world...

Solva : Using Chaos Control?

Grim : That could only mean one thing...The world is gong to be...

Shadow : Rewritten.

Homura & Her Brother : [together] Chaos...CONTROL!

*DBZ SFX : Fuse+Explosiver Wave*

Black Doom/Devil Doom : NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

*Sonic SFX : Chaos Control*

"Somewhere in the Space Time Rift"

Homura Akemi : This is it. I've finally done it. This should be enough time for me to rewrite 2005. With all of that, I can finally create the new era.

*Solaris Howling*

Homura Akemi : Huh? What's that sound?

[cues "Solaris Theme 1" by Hideaki Kobayashi]

Homura Akemi : Brother? Brother where are you?

Homura Brother's voice : Sister!

Homura Akemi : Brother! Is that you? What is this place?

Homura Brother's Voice : This is the Space-Time Rift. You need to get out of there now!

Homura Akemi : Brother! The Rewrite should be complete.

Homura Brother's Voice : But there's something blocking in our way.

Homura Akemi : Huh? What's blocking in my way? (turns and sees a creature floating; it's Solaris from Sonic 06) What the? What is that creature, some kind of monstrosity who is this?

Homura Brother's Voice : That is Solaris, the creature worshiped by Shinra and his people. He is basically monstrous form of a flame that caused that incident in 2006 AD.

Homura Akemi : 2006 AD? Somehow, the Ohkuboverse is connected with that creature that handles the power of the emeralds. This is what the inhabitants of the Ohkuboverse worshiped a phony god like this one.

Solaris's Voice : So you and your brother are behind all of this. I knew the Ohkuboverse would be destroyed by the likes of you and "him", I never thought Shinra and Maka would be both destroyed and resurrected into life forms known as Chaos. They were such heroes capable to all the religion that I have been given them an offer.

Homura Akemi : [To Solaris] I was right about you all along! They praised you all of this to the Ohkuboverse!

Solaris's Voice : No not me, well perhaps I did favor them to keep all of this a secret in the multiverse. That is why I helped you and your brother destroy the Ohkuboverse's to make them like fools.

Solaris's Voice in Action : In any case, as your reward for destroying that pathetic shared universe of Shinra and Maka, I'll grant Chronos a quick death! Prepare to die, human from the future. 2006 Would've been one hell of a year for Sonic to suffer the same fate.

Homura Akemi : Damn! I have to get away from creature immediately! Why would this thing would be worshiped by the inhabitants of the Ohkuboverse? I can't believe that someone would want to worship a creature like this. This is why we scolded both the Ohkuboverse's heroes, it was this creature all along.

Homura Akemi : Mephiles...You crazy bastard. You've been pulling the string to manipulate the heroes' tales from your mind manipulations.

Solaris's Voice : I hardly understand that why Shinra banished Demon Vibe to a dimension located within in the multiverse. His influence has spread across the multiverse to inspire countless lives.

Solaris's Voice : Although the three eyes of Demon Vibe were used as symbols knowning as the Bai Ze's predecessor, from Demon Vibe to a blasphemous mad man named Asura.

Homura Akemi : I never seen a creature powerful like this before! Standard Attacks won't work on this guy. He eats dimensions for lunch? This creature or this flame manipulated everything for the Ohkuboverse, it understands why now. Chaos Spears!

(tries to attack Solaris with Chaos Spear, but the attack vanishes)

Solaris's Voice : Ah yes. I remember the powers of the Chaos Emeralds. This was truly a gift from the Ancients. They did warned everybody about abusing the Emeralds's power. Human and mobians have been nothing more than an arrogant species. This what happens when you and the Time Eater scolded Shinra for the responsibility of creating Soul World and even his man-made son.

Solaris's Voice : Run away as fast you can! With me making a mess on the multiverse, I can do whatever I want to do as a God and manipulator to Chronos himself. AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN SURPASS A GOD LIKE ME!

Homura Akemi : I hate it when they say stuff like that.

Homura Akemi : Time to give up or shut up!

Madoka's Voice : Homura, run!

Homura Akemi : (gasps in shock) Ah...M...Madoka?

MAdoka's Voice : Run, Homura! Run back before you are trapped inside the rift! Please! Run away now!

[cues Emperor Ing Phase 2 Theme]

Homua Akemi : (shakes head to respond) That's what I'm about to do. I know how to clearly to make the perfect technique to get away from this Godlike wannabe creature.

Homura Akemi : And I know just how to do it.

*Inhales*

Homura Akemi : NIGERUNDAYO!

*Sonic SFX : Spin Dash+Dash panel*

Homura Akemi : Brother, warp me out of here now! The creation of the new era is about to begin! Get ready! I'm heading back now.

*DBZ SFX : Instant Transmission*

Homura Akemi : (sees the time door) There it is!

Homura's Brother : Hurry now, sister! The door won't last this long!

Homura Akemi : I know brother! And this why we're going home! (Goes into the door before vanishes)

Solaris's Voice : Did you really think that you would rewrite the world, do you? I'll enjoy this for a long time before all worlds could meet their ends. If it's the last thing I do for myself.

*Solaris Howling+TV Buzzing*

"Back in the Future..."

~ STARFALL ISLANDS ~

(cues Starfall Islands Theme by Tomoya Ohtani)

Homura Akemi : Nii-san. Do you believe everything should work out now? Looks like we finally know what this place is.

(a view of Kronos Island is shown)

Homura Akemi : It looks beautiful, kinda mysterious with all of this technology. The true home of the Chaos Emeralds.

Homura's Brother : Yes, dear sister. We discovered where the Chaos Emeralds' true location is this.

Homura Akemi with glasses : So this is it. The Starfall Islands...This is where the Ancients colonized the entire region before they sealed The End itself. That's why all the villains in Sonic's world wanted to abuse the Emeralds' power for greed, corruption, and even destruction. No wonder the God of Destruction himself would keep all a secret to himself. Comic book writer Ian Flynn told us about this place.

Homura Akemi : It's a great start, that this could be a great picnic for us.

Homura's Brother : Shall we begin the mystery solving to this place?

Homura Akemi : Why absolutely.

(scene changes to show them having a picnic)

Homura Akemi : You know brother. I was thinking about Mobius being called Earth at a time like this. But do all monsters in Sonic's world wanted to destroy the planet that badly? Villains like them are always hunger for greed, corruption, and abuse of power. That's why the Ancients warned everyone about the Chaos Emeralds that we used to rewrite the Real World in the multiverse.

Homura's Brother : So all the monsters in Sonic's world weren't monsters at all, they were only eldritch beings or even machines that wanted to destroy the planet, just to get away with omnicide. Black Doom and his alien race knew about the discovery of the Emeralds' origins. Do you think that the mad leader of the evil alien race wanted to take advantage from The End itself?

Homura Akemi : You are absolutely right. It's all because of the Mobians have learned one fatal mistake, all thanks to one error in the Sonic Universe.

Homura Akemi : Black Doom or the other Sonic villains weren't stupid enough to put the planet in jepoard for any personal cover ups. In that case, I guess that we may never know why we had to make sacrifices to buy us some time. Glad that you're with me, brother.

Homura Akemi : (starts giggling)

Homura's Brother : Hmm? What's so funny?

Homura Akemi : Oh it's nothing, I guess all Sonic's Villain's were not always that bad, but they're nothing when it comes to abuse of the Emeralds' power. Guess the Ancients did warned everyone about the emeralds. Maybe Truth is there to seek answers with all this technology around the Starfall Islands, just to imagine if some random human girl wanted to control the machines via data and networking at the same time. Do you think that an A.I. named Sage is coming to see this place.

Homura's Brother : Let's wait until that...We got a New Era to control.

Homura Akemi : Hai...Nii-san.

[cues "Wakle Portrait" by Michiru Yamane]

Homura Akemi : I may not know what the future holds something for us. But it's a challenge that we must face everyday.

Homura's Brother : Hai.

Homura Akemi : Come, nii-san. Let's go meet someone that awaits us in the future. (looking up into the sky) Madoka...At long last, I'll be able reunite with you, one last time. (leaves with her brother)

(behind unknown to them is Sage with the Titan; Giganto)

Sage : So...Time Travelers. You've known about the past, present, future. That's really a classified fact that you rewriting a world won't be better in the multiverse. But did you really think that you wanted to outsmart an A.I. like me?

Sage turns blue : However, this will be important lesson for you than meets the eye. After all, you are related to the Time Eater, the one who destroyed one's universe, and make ways of creating the new era. I'd like it in that of favors.

(the other titans ; Wyvern, Knight, and Surpreme, are shown with Giganto and Sage)

Sage : However. I'll make sure that you make the same mistakes with father. [Referring to Eggman/Robotnik] But Let's pretend these Time Travelers didn't happened to our world, father of mine.

Sage turns Red again : [Referring to The End] Let's pretend that this never happened with you, Omnicider of Mobius.

"NEXT IN THE FUTURE IS BEYOND THE FRONTIERS"

~ Mission 43 : Rewrite the World ~

[casspurrjoybell-28]

The Alpha's Addiction - Chapter 32 - Part 1

*Warning Adult Content*

Aftermath - Kao

Cyrus doesn't need to be able to speak to get the message across.

He growls lowly, his icy stare directed at me that's basically saying

'I'm taking your ass back to safety. Now.'

I'm tempted to tell him I was handling the situation perfectly fine before he came but one look at his huge, intimidating wolf makes me think better of that.

He walks at my side, keeping close to me and almost curled around my body as we make our way back to the Pack House.

I see other warriors heading back too, which means the attack has been dealt with but how many losses?

And what was the exact motive?

I feel the hair on my neck rise suddenly and I whip my head to the side, spotting a shadowed figure upon the grassy hillside, eyes flashing in the moonlight.

I squint, trying to make out if it's someone I know or another warrior when I hear a woman's voice calling my name.

"Koa. Oh, dear Koa, are you hurt?"

I turn to see Juliet running towards us, concern etched across her face.

"I'm fine. I promise," I smile at her as she embraces me in a tight hug.

"How could you put yourself in danger like that, darling..."

"MOVE. FUCKING MOVE," Xavier's voice booms across the clearing, catching all of our attention.

What I see next makes my blood run cold.

Morgan. Bleeding. Limp in Xavier's arms.

The Alpha is running towards the Pack hospital in desperation, pushing people out of the way.

I put my hands over my mouth.

No. No. This cannot be happening.

Juliet wastes no time, making after them.

I feel faint, wanting to follow her but knowing I will be of no help.

She's the professional here but Morgan... how could someone do this?

It's evil. Pure evil.

"Mama," Oliver comes running across the clearing a few seconds later, bawling his eyes out as one of his teachers jogs behind him.

"Oh, baby."

I scoop him up into my arms, burying my face in his curls.

He's safe. Thank the Moon Goddess.

Relief doesn't come easy with Morgan still on my mind but I am grateful nonetheless.

Cyrus was right.

Oliver was kept safe and protected, just like he'd promised.

I hold him close as he cries into my chest, making sure he's real.

My baby is here.

********

The commotion has died down.

Guards are still on the lookout, ensuring that no attackers are hiding anywhere or watching the territory perimeter to make sure backup forces aren't coming.

Other than that, I don't know much.

Cyrus hasn't talked to me yet, having been ushered away by his father and other warriors to his office, so I have no one to clue me in as to what the fuck caused this.

I've tried to go see Morgan but the hospital isn't letting anyone in who isn't injured.

My bloody nose and bruised face don't exactly count.

I get that they are putting in all their focus into treating the wounded but it is agonizing, not being able to know what state Morgan is in or even see him.

I pray to the Moon Goddess that he will be okay.

He has to be.

Sweet, loving, beautiful-souled Morgan cannot be taken from us so soon.

It's not right.

After Oliver is tucked in for the night, I lock our door and decide to see if Cyrus is available yet.

I know that he's mad I disobeyed his orders and snuck out but I deserve some intel, at least.

I find myself in front of his father's office door, cursing that it's shut this time.

The last time I came here, I'd overheard Cyrus's dad's not-so-favorable opinion of me.

Maybe I didn't want to hear that but I do want to hear the conversation going on this door right now.

I push my ear up to the wood, eyes widening as the voice of my mate comes into semi clarity.

"The attack must be due to the alliance being severed."

"They attack us over that? Fucking bastards," his dad groans.

"The agreement stated we could pull out at anytime."

"Thornstone attacking us over this is proof enough they don't give a damn about the fine print," a female voice intrudes, one that I recognize as Lonnie.

I've barely seen her since she, Cyrus and Xavier first rescued me.

"Alaric, I told you..." Juliet starts but is cut off by her mate.

"Silence, woman," he scoffs.

"Let her speak," Cyrus growls and the room goes silent for a tense moment.

"I didn't think..." she begins.

"That allying ourselves with them was a good idea from the start but you insisted, Alaric or shall I call you man."

Moon Goddess, I love her.

"Get on with it," Alaric replies in annoyance.

"Now that we've seen their true colors, it's no wonder they've aligned themselves with that barbaric Blood Pack..."

My heart drops to my chest... no, to my feet... to the damn floor and through it because I cannot have just heard that Pack name coming out of Juliet's mouth.

Pure unease overcomes me, flashes of Alpha Zacan and the other horrible Alphas in his pack and how they treated me.

The days of hiding and tiptoeing around, hoping that by the grace of the Moon Goddess I wouldn't be spotted by a passing Alpha that needed something to beat around.

Wrapping my wounds while sitting on the cold tiles of the communal Omega bathroom floor, hands shaking as I poured salt water over the raw scrapes and bruises.

The constant, agonizing abuse.

The way the anyone lesser than the adult Alphas and Betas were treated.

The way Oliver would wake in the night, crying from hunger even thought I'd given him both our rations.

It's like a fucking nightmare, just thinking about it.

Being in this safe, beautiful place has completely destroyed my old view of life as a vast abyss of pain... transforming it into one of hope and love.

The very mention of that disgusting Pack is horrifying when I contrast it to where I am now.

I don't want to go back.

I don't want Nightshade having anything to do with Zacan and his goons.

It feels like everything is going so, so very wrong.

First Beau, then Morgan, this whole damn attack.

Nothing is working in our favor.

I wait there with my hands clenched together until the meeting is over. Soon, Juliet, Lonnie and Alaric are leaving the office, the Alpha male giving me a scrutinized glance.

He looks displeased at what he sees.

"Do you think Cyrus wants an Omega who recklessly endangers himself? You've got blood smeared over half of your face. It's not a good look for you, on top of everything else," he says in a low, threatening voice once Juliet and Lonnie are out of earshot.

Wow, the first time the man speaks to me and it's this shit and I wanna reply... 'Well, that pot belly's not a good look for you, either, douchebag but here we are' though I hold my tongue, considering the consequences of insulting the previous Pack Leader that everyone is still loyal to.

My wolf gives me a mental pat on the back for controlling my temper for once.

When I don't provide a rebuttal, he scoffs, walking off.

Good.. be disappointed that I didn't take the bait.

Taking my mind off the father, I decide it's time to face the son.