#the thing I've been stressing over for so long has finally fallen into place...

[nerdinsandals]

Hi I just need to vent a lil bit because I'm kinda frustrated with my health at the moment shdkfj

I'm not like, sick or anything, or at least I don't think I am. I'm just feeling physically and mentally exhausted to the point that I can barely keep my eyes open sometimes, or maybe I manage to do one (1) task and that's enough to knock me out for the day and maybe even the next day sometimes if I do more than one thing that requires the smallest amount of effort. It's not like I was full of energy before because my battery is always at like 60%, but I don't think I've felt this weak in a long time, and this has been going on for months already. Some days are better than others, but I never feel like I'm at my normal.

At first I thought it was just the result of all the accumulated exhaustion I wasn't allowing myself to feel while preparing for my librarian exam (which took place in late January), but like I said it's been months already and I feel like the exhaustion should've been gone by now? But then I remembered that I was sick with a high fever a couple weeks before said exam, because a relative thought it was a great idea to come to visit with clear flu-like symptoms and no mask (and they didn't cover their mouth when coughing, either), so of course I caught whatever they had. I rarely catch viruses, but I still get vaccinated and take as many precautions as I can because, when I do, I usually have to deal with the nastier side-effects, unlike other people who recover just fine.

Since I was isolating anyway because I was in full hermit mode studying for my exam, I didn't think about taking a COVID test, but now I'm starting to think that maybe what that relative had was in fact COVID and what I'm experiencing is post-viral fatigue? It's the only thing that makes sense with the information I have, since iirc it can last for months… I'm not sure if there's anything that can be done to make it better so idk if I should bother my doctor again (healthcare is currently very overworked and understaffed here, and especially in the summer), but if I keep feeling this way after the summer I guess an appointment won't hurt. 😅

My librarian exam fortunately went well despite already feeling the exhaustion (which at that point I chalked up to the stress of preparing for the exam for like a year), and I don't know the final results just yet because they're taking an embarrassingly long time to publish them, but I have to wonder if I would've done better had I not fallen sick. I needed to do exceptionally well to secure the position and unfortunately, while like I said, I did well (like an 80 out of 100), I didn't do "secure the position by getting in the top 10 out of thousands" well. ;; There's always next time I guess. But right now I just want to be able to draw and do things I enjoy without getting tired!

So yeah, I thought I'd be able to get at least a couple pieces done for Conway Day this year, but with only a bit over a couple weeks left I haven't been able to even finish *one* because I don't want to push myself and make it worse. I hope I can at least finish one of them, since I should be able to make a couple posts out of it! And of course I know this should be the least of my worries, but I just really like celebrating Conway Day and it frustrates me that I can't have my usual stash of new art to provide haha

Anyway, thanks for reading and take care of yourselves! And tell your relatives to wear a mask if they want to visit you and they know they're sick (or maybe don't visit at all?) 😑

[tartarusknight]

What you need to know :)

Hello darling readers <3 I'm TartarusKnight or Knight of Tartarus! (they switch depending on availably honestly)

I'm here to chat, read, and write. That being said~~~~ come and message me anytime <3 questions, requests, and kind words make my day

This is an overview of my work just in case anyone is bored and wants something to read <3 (My Stranger Things work, honestly. I've also got some Marvel, Criminal Minds, and Teen Wolf but ST is my hyper fixation now soooo)

We're Not Perfect

This is a 4 part series in which Steve and Eddie knew each other before Steve ever got with Nancy Wheeler and before he learned about the Upside Down. It's heavily inspired by music <3 (Total Words 300,395) With Playlists because I can't stop <3 This story is my baby

Part 1 - It's the Start of Our Journey?

Pre-season 1 Steve Harrington and Eddie Munson are paired together in class and they learn they work well together. (Words 22,869)

Part 2 - I just want to go home

Set during Seasons 1-3, changing canon but the overarching story doesn't change too much. (Words 85,678)

Part 3 - say you'll live for me

Set in season 4, diverting from canon almost completely but with all the same characters. (Words 63,885)

Part 4 - I'll follow the beat of your heart

And the end. The final battle with Vecna and the epilogue aka season 5 <3 (Words 127,963)

Fool

Based on the song Fool by Djo.

Steve and Nancy get annoyed at Robin and Eddie for ignoring them when they're with their band. They decide to prove that they know music better than either Eddie or Robin thought. (Words 1,488)

I know you've been hurtin'

Based on the song Better Days by Dermot Kennedy and fanart by @babysitterpng

Steve has a plan. It involves a skirt, confidence, Nancy Wheeler's ability to do make-up, the party's anxiety, his parents, and Jason Carver's temper.

And well, Steve's pretty sure he has it in the bag. He might not be smart but he knows people and there's no way he's read any of them wrong. But maybe he'll learn more about himself as the plan unfolds (Words 7,205)

This dream isn't feeling sweet, we're reeling through the midnight streets

7 things that changed about Steve and Robin after Starcourt and 1 time they explained why. (Words 11,837)

I'm just gonna swim until you love me

Five times Steve had to prove he was worth love and One time someone just loved him without needing him to. (Words 8,612)

But when I touch her I feel like I'm cheating on you

Eddie is getting overwhelmed by the party just barging into his life without any warning after Spring Break. So, he makes a plan with an old friend of his. It works... in a way. (Words 1,932)

you're losing your memory now

Robin Buckley wasn't prepared for Steve to crash, but he had been pushing his limits for too long. He had a plan, but he never thought to tell her. He didn't want to worry her. Too bad she'll always worry about him... Especially when he collapses at work. (Words 17,784)

But Now We're Stressed Out

Eddie Munson knew he wasn't the smartest person. He never planned on college but he never planned for the Party either.

Title based on Twenty One Pilots - Stressed Out (Words 2,021)

I don't know what you're hunting. It's not me, it's something else

Steve looks over her face, “I'm not having any of you at my place. Did you see the map, no way?” He states and it's one part of his reasoning but not the main reason. “Then come stay with one of us,” Robin says and it feels more like a plead than anything.

He shakes his head and she looks angry now. “Stop whatever the fuck this is! We care about you! Let us in! We're safer in groups.” The words don't hurt as much as he thinks they should. “Not that much safer.” He spits back out and she blinks. “Max is as good as dead. Eddie is dead. And guess what! We were in groups!” The shouting makes his throat burn but he can't calm down.

A Halloween Special!!! Happy Horror season <3 (Words 22,620)

WIP - The Fallen King and the King of the Freak

Steve has to deal with the fallout of Season 2.

New nightmares, losing Nancy, kids who he's willing to die for, and Billy's new hatred towards him. He went from the top to the bottom in the school and he doesn't know how bad it is until Eddie Munson is the one that steps in to help him. And maybe he wants the help and maybe even some friends. (Words 150k and climbing <3)

[purplesurveys]

1931

Do you have a laptop or desktop? Laptop. I never had a desktop.

Do you own any television series box sets? No. I always saw them at CD/DVD stores (when they still existed....) and because they cost so much they always were placed behind the cashier; nowhere near spots that would make them easily accessible. In any case, they were always too expensive and we weren't the most well-off family growing up, so I viewed it as a luxury thing that I didn't need more than anything.

When did you last receive a hug and who was it from? Tuesday, Angela. I had to come to her house so I can cry to her about work. And finally tell her what's been going on with me, since I've gone radio silence from everyone since her birthday last month.

Do you plan your outfits ahead of time? These days, not anymore. I don't have the luxury of time to.

Have you ever spent the night in jail? Never. I once stayed at a police station til midnight for a journalism assignment, but that's the closest I've gotten to being 'in jail.'

Do you have long hair or short hair? Long.

How much makeup do you wear on a daily basis? I just have the basics down so my face can look cleaner and whatever acne I have at the time won't look too prominent - BB cream, a bit of foundation, and blush.

Do you have weak upper body strength? Idk I'm generally just weak hahahaha. I don't work out, and I easily feel exhausted/dizzy from carrying heavy stuff.

Do you think hugs are awkward? They can, I guess, in situations like when you're going for a hug but then the only person only has their arm extended for a handshake or high-five...but that seldom happens. I've had far more good hugs than the awkward.

Do you think facial hair is gross? No.

Would you ever dye your hair an unnatural color? I've done it a couple of times.

What is your favorite band of all time? Paramore.

Are there any paintings on your wall? Nope.

What do you think is the best smell in the world? Seafood.

How old is your oldest sibling? I'm the eldest sibling; I'm 26. The second-eldest is my sister, at 24.

Do you enjoy dancing? I appreciate it as an art form, if anything. But I don't dance. I also can't, lol.

Can you handle scary movies? I can, but as a general rule I like watching them with at least one other person as it's just more fun that way.

Would you date someone 5 years older than you? Probably not. 31 sounds daunting.

Have you ever been to California? Did you like it? No.

Do you like deviled eggs? I've never tried them but I've always wanted to; they look delicious. It's virtually unheard of here though so it's never available anywhere.

What is your favorite horror movie? The Shining.

Has a little kid ever fallen asleep on your lap before? I can't remember if anyone has. I don't think so.

What foods can you absolutely not eat? Fruits.

Do you like hot, cold, or lukewarm showers? Hot. And usually, the more stressed I feel, the hotter I need the shower to be.

Have you ever taken part in a threesome? Nopes.

Have you ever been to Disneyland or Disney World? No.

Have you ever been the victim of a crime? I've had a handful of men catcall and lunge at me as a joke/prank/to make me scared on purpose. Idk if those are technical crimes but they definitely felt like one :)

What colour are your brother’s eyes? Dark brown, almost black.

Have you ever played a drinking game? Which ones? I'm sure I have but I can't name one off the top of my head.

How many friends do you have on Facebook? 669.

Do you regularly check anyone’s profile online? No.

Is there anything unusual about your house? Ours is the only balcony in the neighborhood that's been repurposed to be an additional bedroom. That's probably what's 'unusual' in our local context, but idk if there's anything generally unique to the house.

What is your favourite type of cookie? Chocolate chip.

Have you ever taken care of a newborn baby? I've watched over my newborn cousin to ensure nothing unsafe happens while the elders do errands/chores around the house. But if they needed to be fed or their diapers changed or whatnot, my grandma would take over.

Do you snore when you sleep? When I'm extremely tired, apparently.

Who do you (romantically) love? Nobody.

Do you wish you could go back and change anything about your childhood? I'd remove the bits I couldn't control, like the family's problem with alcohol. I feel like I wouldn't be so emotionally detached today if that didn't happen.

What would your mom do if you told her you were pregnant? As much as she would love a grandchild, if she found out I got pregnant outside of a marriage I think she would put her anger and disappointment and Jesus Child Is #1-ness first.

Do you think you have nice feet? They're okay. They just have like 1-2 scars from childhood falls but they're fine.

Where did you get your name? My parents just like my first and second names.

What’s the most unique or exotic food you’ve tried? List would be very long because Philippine street food in and of itself is already considered 'exotic.' But if anything, I guess crocodile sisig from Palawan? We don't have crocodile meat in Manila, so it definitely felt 'new' when I saw it as a menu option.

Who was your first online friend? I made a few Twitter friends during the EARRRLY Beyhive days. Like, 2008 – Beyhive wasn't even called Beyhive yet. I was very young, though, and in retrospect shouldn't have been anywhere near Twitter at the time; and I also don't remember anyone's names anymore.

What’s a condition you have that you haven’t been officially diagnosed with? There's definitely some sort of mental funk going on in there...maybe GAD? It manifests in my day-to-day life too much and affects the way I go about...everything for me not to think anything of it.

Do people tell you you have cold hands? This is not at all a common sentiment I receive.

When was the last time you held an umbrella? Last month.

Do you feel that the shape of the pasta alters the taste? Not for me. If anything, it just affects my overall experience of liking or disliking the meal – like how I veer away from penne because it feels like I'm just eating air; or how I enjoy fettuccine far more than spaghetti/linguine in terms of mouthfeel.

In games, do you like to roleplay as good or bad? Just good or like neutral.

Is there an instrument you don't like the sound of? Not in particular, no.

Would you rather be a kangaroo or a sea turtle? Sea turtle. So I can understand their experiences even better in terms of living in polluted and plastic-filled waters.

Do you like to get ready in the bathroom or the bedroom? Bedroom.

What's your favourite Coldplay song? Charlie Brown makes me feel so happy and light when I hear it.

Do you have a favourite insect? No.

What colour is your ceiling? White.

Do you own a scooter? I don't.

When did you last play a Mario game? Safe to say it's been within the last 12 months.

Are your bedroom curtains long or short? They're on the shorter side, which I've been meaning to replace precisely because I prefer them long.

Have you ever attempted to sculpt something from ice? No.

Have you ever had to wear an oxygen mask? I don't think so. No, I can't remember ever having to.

What’s your favorite thing you own that YOU made? The bracelets I made to give out to fans at Yoongi's concert were the cutest thing ever, I'm not even going to be demure about it HAHA. I spent like 3 weekends straight making them, and I must have made anywhere between 150-200 different kinds.

[TW: EATING DISORDERS/SIMILAR] Have you ever starved yourself? Mhm, in the aftermath of my breakup many years ago I fell into this path whether intentionally or otherwise.

Has anyone ever had to physically restrain you from doing something? I think so. Situations like this come very hazily to me precisely because I don't wat them to be part of my memories, being aggressively touched and such.

Do you like the pretzel M&Ms? I don't think I've tried them, actually.

Have you ever been accused of thinking you’re too good for something? No.

Have you ever stolen someone’s boyfriend? Nope.

Do you have a locket? What’s the picture inside of it? No, I don't have one. How nice would it be to receive a locket from someone? it feels a bit deflating that no one's ever given me one, now that I think of it. A locket isn't exactly something you 'ask' for as a gift, too, so it really depends on people and how much they tie you to their idea of sentimentality.

How do you react when you feel embarrassed about something? I just crack a joke to move past it.

Have you ever tried to "fix" someone? Yes.

When’s the last time you were carried by someone? No one does this to me.

Are you in possession of any currency that isn’t used in your country? Yeah, I have like 70k baht that I never got to convert back to PHP.

Did anyone witness your last kiss? No.

Do you have any younger siblings? I do.

Are you cool with them, or do they annoy you to no end? I am very close to my sister. There is no existing relationship with my brother.

Last person you flipped off? I can't remember haha but I know I did it very recently.

Anyone who’s way over-protective of you? Nope.

Have you ever been to a rave? A few.

[fiveloml]

five hargreeves x reader. “ 'have we met?' y/n, i've fallen for you in every timeline i've been in. “ [ gender neutral reader. ]

─ ✧ season 3 spoilers ! in the new timeline the hargreeves ended up in, five finds himself facing a familiar face.

─ ✧ WOOOH the first post did really well :)!! thank u everyone ♡♡ also cw for swearing! ( though im pretty sure its like one word lmao )

[ flashback. ]

“ five!- just go! “ you yelled as you ran, knowing he couldn't hold onto you while he had ben on his back. the kugelblitz was getting closer and you couldn't keep up to fives running speed. “ no!- i am not leaving you! “ he screamed back, looking at you for a moment as he could see the kugelblitz was just behind you. as five stopped you managed to finally catch up and tell him one last time;

“ i love you, take care of my brother ben, okay? “

pushing him away as you were taken by the bright light. five instinctively blinked away and gasps when he's safe from danger for just a moment. “ damn it all! “ he yells, slamming his fists onto the ground as ben groggily wakes up from passing out.

“ where are my siblings? “ ben asks with a groan, fully opening his eyes to see five with a defeated look. tears falling to the ground as you and fei were nowhere to be seen.

“ ben.. ben they're gone. “

[ flashback end. ]

its been a few days since the hargreeves went their seperate ways, five has been having his good and bad days and tonight was a bad one. “ those assholes really left without saying anything. “ five mutters, walking towards the coffee place he often visited whenever he felt stressed.

the bell by the door rang as five entered, automatically sitting on one of the seat by the counter. “ black coffee and french toast. “ he says monotonous, “ its you again. “ five looks up to one of the waitresses that handled the coffee place. he never told her his name, but they knew each other decently enough.

“ y'know.. we've got a new member, seems about your age. “ she smiles, handing over a paper with his order to someone who worked in the kitchen. “ that would matter to me.. why? “ five says with his head facing down at the counter, he wasn't interested in love anymore. not after what happened with you in the last timeline.

the waitress smiles, “ they seem like your type. “ she winked, going off to the back as another pair of footprints walked out right after her. “ 'for the kid who comes in here wearing a suit' thats a silly name. “ the voice infront of him chuckled, but five suddenly tensed up the second he heard it.

he looked up and his widened in disbelief, he was looking at you. “ y/n? “ he managed to choke out of his speechless daze, you looked at him and blinked. “ yes? have we met before? you don't seem very familiar.. “ you tell him but five bit his bottom lip to shut him up for what he wanted to say.

“ 'have we met?' y/n, i've fallen for you in every timeline i've been in. “

“ no no we haven't, your co worker mentioned your name “ five forced a smile, taking his cup of coffee into his hands as his reflection looked back at him ever so faintly. “ thank you. “ he murmurs, taking a sip as you give him a smile. one he's missed for so long.

“ you have a nice smile, did anyone tell you?" five blurted out, not even knowing what he was thinking at this point. you blinked slightly wide-eyed at him before letting out a laugh. “actually.. not often do people compliment my smile, so i appreciate it. “ you giggle, five knew this a long time ago, but he wanted to know if you had any similarities to the 'you' he used to know.

the sound of rain falling onto the roof caught the attention of both of you, you sigh at this and look at your watch. “ oh! seems like its about time i head back. “ you say, taking off your apron as five silently watched. “ how will you head home? its raining like the world is ending over there. “ five joked with a chuckle, though the joke was interesting due to the things hes gone through.

“ my... partner.. will be picking me up. “ you say with slight hesitation in your voice. five nodded nonchalantly though his heart shattered quietly. “ partner huh.. “ he looked at you waving goodbye and entered a mans car, driving off as five sat there speechless.

“ no matter what timeline.. i really can't have you, huh? “ he says tearfully, deciding to eat his emotions away as he took a bite of his french toast.

[threepointseven]

hi there i hope your having an awesome day! may i request a gorou x reader angst fic where the reader is kokomi’s sister and gorou and the reader liked each other for the longest time but once he met kokomi he fell in love with her and her the same? i’m kinda going through the situation rn soo yea lol, but if not that’s completely okay too! have a great day and remember to take care of yourself <3

🌺summary!🌺- gorou falls inlove with your sister kokomi, he’s been your crush for how many years now though..?

Type- fanfic 🌻

Flowers included!🌼= gorou x reader, gorou x kokomi

Note🍀= i tried my best! So tired rn but i love doing requests either way, makes me so happy to see people requesting <3

Genshin masterlist

💐Your bouquet has been delivered <3💐

You played with gorou’s bright locs as he laid his head on your shoulder, he was so pretty. His ears twitched turning red along with his cheeks as you both embraced the moment, the air was still yet filled with love.

Its one of those days where there’s no chaos, no vision hunt decree drama, no competitions, just love.

You have always been looked down upon by your family members, as your older sister, kokomi sangonomiya was assigned to become the young divine priestess of watatsumi island.

You've always had to compete with her, it seemed like she always wins no matter how hard you try. No matter how many more tears you have shed than her she has always been 10 steps ahead.

So you cherish the days where you and your lifelong crush gorou, get to sit in silence and bask in one another. It takes your mind off your sister, the people comparing you to her, the work, the stress.

You were initially supposed to take gorou to see your family today but somehow you got stuck cuddling with the adorable fox.

“Gorou, we should go now.”

“Mmhm.. we should”

He chuckles before standing up and walking with you to your estate, a shrine estate located in the most beautiful place in watatsumi island. You stepped onto the estate with gorou next to you, his eyes lit up and his ears straightened at the scenery. Your smiles were interrupted by your older sister, Kokomi sangonomiya walking out of the estate with a soft smile on her face.

“Y/n, and you must be gorou?”

Her beauty blended in with watatsumi’s scenery as her blue eyes put the fox in a trance. You somehow expected this. Who wouldnt get hypnotized by her beauty? Her smile never faltered as she led you two to the inside of the main house.

You followed her respectfully glancing at gorou once in a while, he on the other hand was caught in a haze as his eyes focused on the swing and sway of your sisters hair. He looked like a lost puppy who had finally found his owner, and the face that said “ive fallen in love at first sight” stung you to the core.

As you sat down talking to your family you notices gorou’s eyes glued to Kokomi

“You two seem to be getting along well!”

Your mother mentioned as gorou chuckles, blushing like a little kid.

“Ah, well gorou seems to be a great person after all”

The way that her voice harmonized with the air and her smile lightened the room made you glare down, jealousy overwhelmed you as you saw the two sitting close to each other.

The envy waltzed to and fro around your head,

Why? Why does she have to be so perfect? I've liked him for archons knows how long, why... why can't i just be the one he looks at?!

The anger tasted bitter on your tongue as he followed her like a little puppy on a leash, you held back the anger inside you as your parents showered kokomi in compliments in front of you,

“Ah yes kokomi the soon-to-be divine priestess!”

“Such a beautiful thing isnt she! Wouldnt be surprised if you are already head over heels young man!”

The fox chuckles blushing as he joked with your parents. It felt sickening,

I don't wanna be jealous of her. She’s my sister... Why am i so jealous. She deserves it more than me anyway.

But why cant you help the envy running through your veins?

You were like a silent ghost seated at the corner of the room while Kokomi wrapped gorou around her pretty little finger. It wouldnt go too far right? You’d have gorou back right?

“Well Y/N you have to understand that your sister needs more attention. After all she has all this divine priestess work piled up! Cmon Y/N dont be such an attention seeker.”

The words that came out of your mother's mouth made your heart drop as you joked about being invisible at the dinner table. Would you always have to compete with kokomi? Would it always have to be a competition of affection with her? Not only for gorou but for your own parents?

You hated the feeling, who even has the nerve to dislike kokomi. A fraction of your mind felt ashamed of being jealous and hating the sister that’s been by your side smiling at you since birth.

But it really was no more than crystal clear who was superior between the two, to the entire population of Watatsumi island and to your parents, even to gorou.

Week after week, the attempts at small romantic touches failed as Kokomi put him in a daydream with her blue eyes.

‘Why doesnt he look at me the way he used to?’

Dates skipped, hangouts ditched, all cause he suddenly had a role as the divine priestess’s adorable obedient little assistant

Its always been me and gorou. Why did she have to come into the picture.

“A disgusting feeling”

It kept you up at night as you stared at the ceiling,

youll get him back right? And you two will go back to being the shy sappy couple, right?

You reassured yourself, tears falling down your cheeks as you watch kokomi putting her tongue on gorou’s, the hearts in the fox’s eyes told you exactly what you needed to know.

Gorou is her’s now. He’s no longer yours.

Requests open <3 ily all

[egg-on-the-run]

Massage

The turtle's s/o is exhausted, they help make things better with a massage.

(she/her pronouns used)

Leonardo

She's already asleep in his bed when he comes home from patrol. Usually she waits for him on the couch, even when she was tired, but Splinter had specifically told him she was already asleep, warned him to do his best not to wake her up.

She must be exhausted.

He tiptoes in as quietly as he could after his shower, spots her lying flat on his bed: not tucked in, just lying atop his blankets on her stomach. She had been too tired to lift the sheets.

He can see how tense she is, can see the way how even in her sleep her shoulders still rise to her ears, how her finger twitches with an anxious need to keep moving. Her face scrunched up slightly, adorable, but he would rather it be relaxed and soft.

He's careful and slow moving her onto the bed properly, still not setting her under the covers just yet. He's even more careful when he straddles her legs, keeps his weight off them almost entirely. His hands start at her lower back, kneading into her very softly.

She jolts and eyes snap open, "What are you doing?"

"I uh, I was giving you a massage, you look tense, even in your sleep."

"Oh," She relaxes, "You're an angel, just scared me a little." Her head hits the pillow again, already drifting off.

He tries once more, hands softly pressing into her lower back. She lets out a breath of air, sinking further into the mattress. He continues, travelling further up her spine. Usually he hates the sound of bones cracking (all of his brothers teased him constantly about it), but tonight he was quite happy to hear little pops coming from her spine. He especially didn't mind when she gave a little moan afterwards.

His hands travel further up towards her shoulders, kneading and rolling his wrists into the dozens of knots in her back. Her shoulders were so tense that she whined whenever he was too rough. He had to be gentle, working them out slowly.

By the time he was finished, she was sleepily trying to reach his hand with her eyes closed.

"Cuddle me," She mumbled as she found his hand, "Pretty please? I've got tomorrow off."

"Of course," He replied, moving to help her under the sheets, "That was the plan anyway."

He pulled her tight against his chest, hearing her bones crack once more as she melted like putty in his hands. He kissed her forehead.

"Thank god you've got tomorrow off, I'll let you sleep in as long as you want." He sighed, relaxing himself, "I'll make sure the lair is quiet."

She didn't hear a word of what he said, she was already fast asleep.

Raphael

Raphael was the king of tension. He wasn't like Michelangelo where little bothered him, or like Donatello who had those random self care days, or even like Leonardo who learned to de-stress through meditation. Oh no, Raphael carried tension like a mother with a clingy child: pulling on his shoulders, weighing him down and making him irritated.

It came with the whole anger thing.

So there have been countless times where she has used her knuckles to work the knots out of his shoulders. It was no easy task, especially when she had to use most of her body weight to actually get through each and every knot.

But she'd do it a hundred times more if he needed her to, and Raphael knew that, knew it all to well.

So when he sees her already grumbling to herself at the latest email that just came through to her laptop, when he see her shoulders rising to her ears in frustration and hands balling into fists, he knew he had to do the same thing for her as she had done countless times for him.

She jumps when he first puts his hands on her shoulders, but recognises the warm touch shortly after.

"What are you doing?" She asked, one hand reaching up to rest on top of his, she kept her attention glued to her screen, "I have a lot of work to do, Raphie."

"I know," He said, beginning to knead into her shoulders, "Just a massage, you look stressed."

"Oh with that lovely email, I am more than stressed."

She's always had a sharp tongue, never directed it to him (never intentionally) but he knows her patience is wearing thin and work certainly wasn't helping. He thought about taking his hands away entirely, not wanting to pester her; but she ran her thumb across his hand, typed with only one set of fingers, and Raphael remembered how often she did this for him when his patience was thinner than a piece of paper.

He pressed his hands into her shoulders again, watched as her head leaned back and body moved with his hands. He knew the feeling, when the knots were so tight they just hurt. He continued to work his hands into her shoulders, and slowly it seemed to stop hurting and the tension started to melt away. She closed her eyes, pushed her laptop away from her and just let herself be for a moment.

"Those big ol' hands of yours," She said, voice more like a breath, "So gentle with me."

"Not like you, using your damn elbows to get the knots out."

"But does it work?" She laughed.

He chuckled, "Of course it works, you're the best at this."

"Oh I dunno, you might give me a run for my money, this feels like heaven right now." Her head rolled to the side, turning slightly to kiss his hand, "Take me to bed Raphie, please."

With one final squeeze he let go, moving his arms to wrap around her waist and carry her to bed. Work wasn't important, this was.

Donatello

The lair was far too noisy, Donatello's lab was far too bright. Everything was just too much, all at once. Even as she sat on his desk, the reflection of his computer in his glasses from behind her was glaring into her eyes. He sat between her legs, arms around her waist and rambling about — god, she didn't even know at this point. She'd spaced out long ago, too overwhelmed to even try and catch up.

He moved his head at he spoke, Donatello was always an expressive fellow, and the light bounced off his glasses right into her eyes. She squinted, scrunched her entire face up and groaned.

"You have a migraine," He said plainly, "I have some painkillers in my drawer—"

"I took some earlier, they just haven't kicked in yet." She frowned.

She looked in pain, Donatello hated to see her like this, hated when there wasn't anything he could do.

He reached up and cupped her face, "Have you had enough water today?"

"Yeah," She mumbled, "Been using that new water bottle I got."

"When did you last eat?"

"Went out for dinner with some coworkers."

Donnie hummed, not knowing what else could cause her such a migraine. They usually had a reason behind them, she didn't usually just get them randomly. He wondered if she'd be on her phone too much, not to sound like Splinter, but she's been talking to him for the past hour or so, her eyes should have rested by now.

She pushed her cheek into his hand, letting his hand squish the chub on her face. Donatello squeezed gently, rubbing her cheeks in a circular motion.

"What are you doing?" She asked, voice muffled by his hands.

"Massaging your face," He replied, moving to knead her cheekbones with his thumbs, "Maybe it's tension that's brought this on."

"Maybe..."

He moved his thumbs over the bridge of her nose and followed the shape of her eyebrows, he repeated the action a few times before gently rubbing her temples.

"You're really good at this..." She murmured, eyes closed and jaw slack. Her face was no long scrunched up, but instead so completely relaxed she looked as though she was already asleep. Donatello persisted, using his thumbs to move the tension away from her face. His hands moved to her hair, grasping tightly and then releasing, he tickled his fingers through her locks: slowly so as not to pull on any tangles.

By the time he'd moved back to her jaw, he was pretty sure she'd fallen asleep where she sat. He smiled softly at her, kissed her forehead, and carried her off to bed.

He needed an early night as well.

Michelangelo

She had been on her feet all day, running errands for a coworker who had recently hurt their leg. Said coworker was fine, and would be perfectly capable of putting of such errands until their leg was better (really, Mikey huffed, using his girlfriend like a servant). But she could never just say no, and even after she'd ran around the city collecting bits and bops, dropping off items and buying groceries, her coworker hadn't even offered her so much as a sit down before he not-so-subtly led her out of his apartment.

So she came stumbling to the lair, exhausted and drained beyond compare and ready to collapse but still so eager to see her darling Mikey. He was in the shower when she arrived, she knew because Raphael told her, and because she could hear his singing before she'd even arrived.

She dragged herself to his bed, kicking her shoes off and not even caring where she left them. She collapsed to her knees before she could crawl under the blankets, lying surprisingly comfortably on the floor.

"Hey, hey angel! What are you doing down here?" Mikey's cheerful voice woke her up, along with a little shake of her shoulder. "We snoozing on the floor now?"

"So tired..." She mumbled, eyes fluttering closed, "Carry me to bed."

"No problem, the whole five feet distance it is." Mikey chuckled. He picked her up, sliding her onto his bed, careful not to bump her head on Raphael's top bunk. "All those errands huh? Guy owes you a thanks at least."

"Jackass kicked me out before I could even sit down at his place," She glared at the mattress above her, "So rude."

"Uh, totes rude? My girl did all that for him and he doesn't even let you sit down? Jackass is a very nice way to describe him." Mikey smiled at her, "Your poor little feet must be sore after all that running around."

"I think my ankles are swollen."

"Just a little." He teased, moving to sit between her legs. He took one of her legs and squeezed firmly along her calves. His hands slid down to her ankles and he frowned: they were slightly swollen, he had only been joking but turns out he was right. He rolled her ankle for her, moved her foot so that it pointed and then helped stretch her heel. He squeezed her calf one more time before moving on to her other leg.

"You're so sweet," She babbled, "Thank you for taking care of me."

"No problem babe, somebody has to," He laughed, "And it's not hard work."

She smiled at him, eyes struggling to stay open. He smiled back at her, not that she could see him, and softly told her to go to sleep; he'd take care of her.

[bittybattybunny]

I hope your not feeling down on your writing skills because I haven't caught up and commented on your latest releases. It's not you it's that I pick too many fanfics to follow and they all update a lot and I've been so busy and I've fallen behind on so many fics from various authors and sometimes my depression just makes me want to lie in bed all day doing nothing and it doesn't help I have to spend my limited spoons helping family everyday. I know these aren't good excuses, but I do sympathize with the lack of energy feeling at least. But your work really does bring a lot of joy to my life. It's so fun keeping up with your various AUs, and your latest one that features Kaya as Spider King has me really hyped because I want to learn more about Kaya, she's so fun! And Ruclipse is such a good comfort ship that just hits all the things I like seeing in a ship. You're so amazing and creative and it's awful that anyone would try to make you feel otherwise! Like your newest OC, Justin Tyme seems like such a lovable dumbass bastard. I love his wild, curly hair and his dapper outfit. I can't wait to see what dumb shit he gets himself into! I know this is really long and rambly, but I hope you know you have fans who genuinely love your work. I don't know if you're still thinking about that one comment you mentioned that got you really down, but honestly, fuck that guy. I don't know what they said but it must have been pure BS to have you doubting your hard earned art skills. I wish I could do more to prove you're awesome and that your fans really admire you, I just hope you don't stop sharing what you love because some rando was nasty for no good reason. Because we love what you do!

It's not like anyone one person nonny so please don't blame yourself. This has been an ongoing thing for a few months actually...

it's just a general thing over all lately like. I mentioned this in dm's with a friend but overall past few months I've had lower engagement overall with my works and it really does a number on my confidence. More so because like your latter point.

yes, I am still very much thinking about that one negative comment. Because that person also has the need to comment on other things and I even had a thing asking why I took a few weeks to update (when reality I posted to another ongoing fic and my TLC chapters are long chapters) and just the fact they could tear into a character (yes it was a comment on a character specifically and not even a main character it's a side character who has an important role for Snatcher's growth as a person down the line) then go saying "why didn't you update" when I posted a double update that week---

Like it lives in my head rent free and I want to literally cry because like the character is a focal in an upcoming chapter and I can't deal with another "why are they back" type thing. because "everyone finds them annoying"

And I'll be honest. it was Kaya. Like I've been trying to have fun with my BCU stuff with her as Spiderking because it's engaging for me and me and @/doodleimprovement even came up with a b-plot involving Kaya and Hattie trying to hook Nell and Marcus together and it's one of the best things as well as Kaya and Nell having a really good relationship.

but because of that one comment it makes me hesitant to do anything with Kaya despite she's one of my oldest ocs, my most thought out ocs and I adore her beyond anything. Like yes she's over powered and such and in TLC rn she comes off as a know it all, but upcoming chapters will show she's just a spacey kid who's trying to fit into a role others decided for her and isn't really as all mighty as she seems. Snatcher even ends up thinking of her as a little sister more than anything. Like fuck I'm even hesitant to share anything on her actual story despite how much work is in it. Like she's my favorite Oc (that's why shes my discord icon, and I'm pretty sure she's my twitter icon as well)

And like the points in the comment just. IDK they didn't fit to her, if anything the points are more suited to be shot at Eclipse.

Which is another thing I just get iffy on. I love RuClipse and everything with it. I love writing and drawing the dorks. But I'm now so afraid if Kaya could be attacked for only showing in a handful of chapters that don't even touch on who she is, when is someone going to finally tell me off on my wolf? who's going to tear into a character I pour a lot of personal shit into to try and comfort myself?

I use Ruclipse to deal with my own romantic heart, they are what I wish I could have so I love to write them, I hurt them but i like to make them happy in the end. Someone who can deal with your highs and lows. No ones perfect but you can still figure it out and love even the negative parts (I am a heavy romantic OTL)

he is in fact a lovable bastard. i have fun plans and he gives me an excuse for why Cel is so tired and having to be the brain cell and how she even wound up working with the time kids when she's so much older than they are. Currently I'm trying to think of how to use him and honestly I think he's gonna wind up hella comic relief fun guy who's just making a mess and do his own side story while Hat and Bow are busy in subcon----

thank you, I don't mind the rambly it kinda gave me a chance to get this off my chest... like I've typed this kinda response up time and time again and I always delete. I feel like I'm whining because I get upset but it's just, I spend so much time making things, I use all my spoons on either working or creating, I just want to know if it means anything but then negativity lives in my head because what's a functioning meat cube??? I try to stay positive but it's hard. Like another thing is Moon Guardian; the reason I haven't updated? because I have had someone bothering me about it. weekly I get asked about how I'm doing on it but it's not from a place of "want to read it" it's because I told them they couldn't post a certain thing until the chapter is done so it feels pressuring to constantly get asked because I feel the only reason they want to post is to boost their thing and I'm just the machine to boost it with my characters and comic.... like it feels they've taken the comic from me and it sucks because I have so many fun things planned. Like I accidentally went off on Nina about a thing with Alpine skyline and Eclipse as well as a thing with a Time Rift and a Jelly ghost.

Sorry kinda went off, just I've sat on this thought train since like early april. I've done my best to ignore it and just keep going but it's gotten really hard with the fact my health hasn't been really great. I've spent a lot of time lately bed bound because I just hurt so badly. if I'm not resting, I'm at my day job which is incredibly stressful rn as I only really work mornings and I see things that are being missed so then i report it and it still gets missed and i can't get it fixed after a point cuz we're back to full service and need the people so I can't nitpick but just.... I'm bitter okay like if I left this shit when I worked I would have gotten yelled at but now we just let it slide??? and this stresses me out which then causes my body to freak out because I'm stressed which puts me in more pain. and then like at work have people acting shocked I have my cane or soemthing and just skfdslkfksdf

so my energy is so tanked. and then the negative comment in my head, no idea if people like things cuz I have no idea if I hear nothing, just has had me doubting why post. Like I should go back to just not posting my stories and sketches or w/e and slink back to my hole like I was before.

idk Its just. a bad night in the house of bun. I've had these thoughts festering and I guess today was the dam breaking. It's probs cuz I'm nervous posting Chimeras because it's a very dark au.

[somersetmummy]

(A/N) This chapter takes place right at the beginning of the story, prior to TNA Chapter 1. Some characters property of Pixelberry.

Original characters: Katie Hide (MC), Jenny Blake

New characters: Lucinda Hansen

Rating/Content Warning: Mild adult language

Word count: 2005

Summary: MC Katie Hide is an English rose, living in New York. She’s down on her luck and desperately needs a job before her visa expires and she’s sent back to London. A chance conversation with a friend leads to an unlikely opportunity. Little did she know that one little interview would change the course of her life forever.

- Bonus social edits at the end -

Just like any other Thursday morning of recent weeks, Katie and Jenny were killing time together in their favourite coffee shop just down the street from their shared apartment. It had become Katie's haven and her go-to place when she wanted to lose herself for a few hours people watching, letting the stories of their lives unfold around her.

She'd always had a knack for paying attention to the details, noticing things which passed by most others. It was a skill she'd relied on heavily in her work, always giving her the edge, at least it had until the time it led to her downfall at Panacea Labs.

Katie had recently walked out of her job after piecing together a scheme under the radar to roll out a costly new drug for treating MS, despite there being multiple warning signs that it was ultimately ineffective but instead just masked the symptoms. Anyone else would've just glossed over the signs, not even noticing, but to Katie, the anomalies jumped off the page unmistakably. It was when she tried to escalate her concerns that she was shut down and her life in the lab made a misery by the VP, Declan Nash.

It hadn't taken long for her to realise that the company was more concerned about profits than actually helping people and she knew that the battle to fall in line and keep her job wasn't worth it. After calmly and quietly sending a company wide report on her findings, she gathered her things and walked out before she could be accosted by security. Little did she know that Nash had already been keeping tabs on her communications, in his eyes she was a trouble maker, and the report never saw the light of day.

Unfortunately for Katie, the current opportunities for young women in the biotech and pharmaceutical world just weren't what they should have been and she spent the next few weeks furiously searching for something else to avoid her work visa being revoked. 

Having moved from London to attend the New York Institute of Technology and graduating with a Masters in Chemistry & Bio Engineering three years ago, she'd fallen in love with the city and the life she'd built. She didn't know exactly what the future held and couldn't put her finger on why, but she had a very strong feeling that she needed to stay in New York.  

Today, Katie had planned to work through all the job adverts remotely relating to her experience and qualifications, with Jenny on hand to offer moral support. Tiring quickly of hitting one brick wall after another, they'd long forgotten the laptop and instead had spent the last 30 minutes idly chatting about Jenny’s upcoming gallery event when Lucinda arrived, phone to her ear, her body tense and voice sharp as she wrapped up a call with her boss.

"Of course I've got someone Angela, I wouldn't put my name in the mix if I didn't. My candidate is going to blow the others out of the water, I just know Mr Dalton will be impressed....no not just impressed, he'll be awestruck..."

While waiting for her to wrap up her call, Katie heads to the counter to order Lucinda a much needed coffee and returns to place it down in front of her just as she hangs up. She tosses her phone onto the table and slumps back in her chair, defeated.

Jenny stares her down waiting for an explanation which she and Katie both know Lucinda desperately wants to give but is holding off for dramatic effect.

After a long sip of coffee and a moment of holding her head in her hands she finally exhales.

"I am so SO SCREWED."

Katie and Jenny share a look before returning their attention to Lucinda.

"I've just promised my boss that I have the perfect candidate for some billionaire business man's nanny position....." She glares at them both as if they should understand why that's a problem. "I never touch these sorts of jobs, I only ever look for candidates in finance, nannying isn't worth my time."

Katie chooses her words carefully, knowing how Lucinda can bite back pretty quickly when she's stressed. Speaking softly, cautious not to poke the bear, she looks Lucinda in the eye and internally braces herself for whatever might come next.

"So what made this one so different?"

Fortunately Lucinda seems to finally be relaxing, she replies more quietly.

"Filling this position will put me on the map, nobody in the firm has been able to secure someone for this guy, they only seem to last a few weeks before they quit so the sign on bonus never kicks in. If I could find the perfect person I wouldn't only get a great bonus, I'd be next in line for promotion to Senior Head-hunter."

Her demanding demeanour melts away and she's left looking almost vulnerable. Something Katie knows Lucinda doesn't find at all comfortable.

"Anyway, I'll figure it out, I always do."

She gives Katie and Jenny a soft smile, allowing herself to momentarily forget about her woes so she can refocus the attention back to them.

"So what were you guys talking about before I came in?"

As Katie opens her mouth to speak Jenny cuts in on her behalf.

"Oh Katie's just been trying to work out how to get a job before her visa renewal date comes up in a couple of weeks."

Katie lets out a sigh of her own, suddenly remembering how dire her employment prospects are and feeling equally as defeated as Lucinda.

"I can't believe I've worked so hard for my degree, I found the perfect job in the perfect city but now it's all gone down the drain and I'm going to have to go back home and never see you all again."

Jenny wraps her arm around Katie's shoulders, pulling her close. "Oh come on, like you'd be able to shake us off. Even if you are in another country!"

As suddenly as Lucinda dramatically entered the coffee shop she slams her hand onto the table making the others jump.

"THAT'S IT!" She cries, her idea almost exploding out of her. "This is just too perfect...."

Katie and Jenny share a confused look before turning back to Lucinda who is practically foaming at the mouth, clearly onto something, though they're not quite sure what.

"You need a job, I need a candidate." She says in her signature matter of fact style.

Katie still has no idea where Lucinda's going with this.

"It's win win. I'll put you forward for the nanny position, you'll get a great job which means you get to stay in New York, I'll get my bonus. Not to mention I'll look like a damn superhero at work!"

The cogs start to turn in Katie's brain as she begins to digest what Lucinda is proposing.

"But I'm not a nanny....and what about my visa, it's only valid for work in relation to my degree."

Lucinda waves her hand at her, dismissing her concerns. "No problem there then. This guy's family owns one of the biggest Biotech companies in the country, surely that's related to your degree? He's so desperate for a successful match I'll make sure the visa thing is part of the contract."

She cuts back in quickly just as Katie opens her mouth to object.

"And as for you not being a nanny, what about all those times in the lab when you had to pull rank and sort out the shit that went down between your useless colleagues? You've done more nannying of adults in the last two years than most actual nanny's do in their whole career with children."

Jenny suddenly chimes in "OH MY GOD, this is genius!"

Defeated, Katie turns to look at Jenny in disbelief. She may have had a chance saying no to just Lucinda but with Jenny on board with this idea as well she may as well give up now.

"This will solve both your problems, I mean come on, who wouldn't want to work for this guy..."

Jenny turns her phone to Katie, clearly having been searching while she and Lucinda were talking. On the screen Katie sees the most devastatingly handsome man she's ever come across. He's nothing like the guys she'd known before, this person, was a real man and the sight of him caused her stomach to flip.

While undeniably handsome, it's not just the physical attraction that she's drawn to. Her eyes move to the company bio underneath his headshot and in true Katie style, she scans all of the accolades and achievements the company has to boast about. Her mind races at the possibilities. There's no mistaking that working for this man could open the door to so many opportunities and experiences in the future.

With a sigh she resigns herself to the fact that Lucinda might actually be on to something, this could be the break Katie had been waiting for and would certainly solve her imminent visa problems if she could get it taken care of as part of the contract negotiations.

With a silent nod and slight shrug of the shoulders, she begrudgingly agrees, much to the delight of her friends who squeal at each other in delight. Lucinda immediately pushes her shoulders back, standing to attention, furiously beginning to type on her phone.

"You TA'd for your old professor right?"

"Yes, I did a year as their assistant after graduating. Mainly doing research and going to conferences with her."

Lucinda's eyes never leave her phone as she works her magic, spinning Katie's words into an impressive resume. After a moment she raises her eyebrows and flits her eyes over to Katie, a small gesture which Katie realises is an invitation to elaborate.

"Oh, yeah so that's actually how I got into Panacea Labs, I met a rep at one of those conferences."

Jenny rolls her eyes at the mention of Katie's old company, now affectionately known by them both as Pariah Labs. Despite what she felt about Katie's previous employer, she was immensely proud of Katie's achievements and wanted to make sure they were included.

"Weren't you the youngest lab boss thingy they'd ever had?"

"Senior lab technician." Katie corrects, knowing full well that Jenny hasn't got a clue about the finer details of her work. "Well, yeah eventually, after two years of working my butt off. But I hardly think they'd rave about that in any reference they give me. If they even give one to begin with..."

Lucinda waves a dismissive hand at her.

"With this resume, you won't need any reference from those bastards. Trust me."

Katie had no idea what Lucinda had written or how she'd managed to spin her experience to be more favourable for a nanny position but it must've worked because half an hour later Lucinda slammed her hand down on the table once again, causing everyone around them to jump out of their skin.

"YES! It worked...he wants to see you, you've got an interview tomorrow at the Dalton Enterprises headquarters".

She turns her phone to Jenny to show off the email and they fall into an animated conversation, no doubt planning how they're all going to celebrate once Katie inevitably gets offered the job. As they fall into a blur in the background, Katie looks back over the picture of Sam Dalton on Jenny's phone, not quite sure how she can be so hypnotised by someone through a photograph.

There's something about him which feels familiar, something drawing her in. It's almost as if they're viewing each other through a looking glass and she wonders whether in this exact moment he is feeling the same magnetic pull towards her, a stranger whom he hasn't even met yet. Tearing her eyes away from the phone, Katie's tries to steady the stream of unanswered questions flooding her mind and focus on how she's going to win this man over.

"Here goes nothing."

TAG List: @shewillreadyou @chemist-ana @txemrn @silma-words @thefrenchiemama @secretaryunpaid @sfb123

- Bonus - pre-interview pep talk with the girls -

[sillyrabbit81]

Her Heavy Cross

Summary: Three years after tragedy hits, Lana she decides to start dating again. She meets Will through a dating app and they begin an online romance. After months of constant requests, Lana relents and agrees to meet and go on an irl date with Will. But is Will who he says he is? Lana is quickly pulled into an intense relationship forcing her to confront her tragic past. Will Lana face it or will she close her heart forever?

Pairing: OMC x OFC

Word Count: approx 2.6k

Warnings: swearing, mention of death, angst

Authors Note: The story started as a Henry Cavill fanfiction but I changed it to be an original character, but shades of Henry are still there. Hope you enjoy the story and thanks for reading.

Part 12 Part 14

Part 13

Liam said we should drive to the restaurant. I wanted to get an Uber because I didn't think we would get a car park close to the restaurant. The shoes I was wearing were not made for walking.

"We don't have to worry about the car. They have a valet service," Liam said when I suggested an Uber would be better.

Of course, they do. I don't think I've ever used a valet service in my life, and Liam tells me like it's an everyday thing. I suppose it is for him. Earlier in the week, I was amazed to find out that he gets driven to work most days even though he only lives about 10 minutes away. No wonder movies and tv shows are so expensive to make if they have to pay for things like drivers on top of everything else.

I was excited about going in his car, though. I was itching to drive it. I wanted to ask him if I could, but I didn't. As stupid as it was, I was scared he'd say no. Every guy who had said no to letting me drive his car ended up being a prick. So I was floored when he said I could drive if I wanted.

"Really?" I asked. I was practically bouncing with excitement.

"Yeah, you seemed to like it. I was going to ask if you wanted to take it out before we got..." Liam paused, seemingly to look for the right word. "Distracted."

I clapped my hands and squealed like a child. I'm such a dag, but I was excited. I'd never driven a car that fast or expensive before.

The drive was exhilarating but too short. Its 5.0 litre, supercharged V8 engine was insanely powerful, and since it was AWD, its handling took me a bit to get used to. When we got to the restaurant, I couldn't stop smiling. "Thank you! That was heaps good!"

"You're hilarious."

"Why? What did I do?" I asked, getting out of the car and handing the keys to the valet and thanking him.

"Don't think I didn't notice that you deliberately went the long way and on the highway so you could drive faster."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I widened my eyes and tried to look innocent.

Liam just shook his head and placed his hand on my back, guiding me into the restaurant.

The food was modern Australian, Liam had a scotch fillet and salad, and I had barramundi. Liam wasn't drinking and said he would drive home. I had a couple of glasses of white wine and felt a bit sauced.

I had trouble staying awake on the way back to Liam's, and eventually, the rumble of the engine lulled me into sleep. The wine combined with the stressful week had caught up with me. I woke up when Liam pulled into the garage.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to doze off," I said as we got out of the car.

"Never mind," Liam said. "Come on, let's go to bed."

We walked across Liam's backyard holding hands. I looked around as the first time I was lead through here, I only had eyes for Liam. It was big for a house so close to the city. "You have a pool? I wish you would have told me. I would have brought my swimmers."

Liam opened his back door. "You don't need bathers," he said winking. I blushed then yawned. "Poor princess. Do you want a shower? Or straight to bed?"

I nodded, "yeah, a shower would be good. I've gotta wash this makeup off too." I kicked my heels off. The relief was euphoric, my calves were sore, and I rubbed them as I bent to pick up my shoes.

"Want a bath instead?" Liam asked, noticing my massage. It was sweet that he noticed little things like that. "The bathroom on the third floor has an enormous bath. I haven't had a chance to use it yet."

"Fuck, yes! That would be awesome. What other crazy shit do you have in this place? I think you'd better give me a tour tomorrow."

Liam laughed as we went up the lift. "Yeah, ok, there's a couple of things you might like that I've not shown you yet."

The bathroom was stunning, like a hotel or spa. The bath was the hero piece of the room, and it was huge. It sat in the middle of the bathroom on a raised platform and had tiled steps around it. The whole room was decorated to be a romantic space, a couples bathroom. Candles and body wash sat by the bath, and the room's lighting was warm. Robes hung on the wall near the tub. Although there were a shower and sinks, there was no toilet. The room was definitely built for romance, not practicality.

"I thought you said you hadn't used this bathroom."

"I haven't." I pointed out the candles, soaps, towels and robes. "A stylist got all that, fitted out each room with basics so I can move in, and it's all done." My jaw dropped.

"Your life..."

"Isn't normal." He interrupted with a half-smile. "I know." Liam started the bath. "Do you need anything? Your toiletry bag? Toothbrush?"

I nodded. Liam kissed me as he left to get my stuff. The bath would probably take 20 minutes to fill, so I thought I'd wash my make-up off and brush my teeth while it did. I got undressed and put one of the robes on. They were both huge, no his and hers, but it was warm and soft.

Liam returned, and I started to wash up. I put my hair in a bun with a scrunchy and washed my face. I brushed my teeth and saw that Liam was sitting on the edge of the bath, still fully clothed, watching the water fill up.

"You're not getting in?" I asked with a mouthful of toothbrush and toothpaste. Liam looked at me confused, so I finished brushing, rinsed and repeated my question.

Liam turned the water off, bath finally full and got up. "I thought maybe you'd like to soak by yourself for a while."

"No," I said. I wrapped my arms around Liam's waist, feeling short again as my head rested against his chest. "I want you to get in with me."

He lifted my chin and kissed me softly, almost lazily. "Alright, Sweetheart."

I lifted his jumper and raised it over his head. Liam had to help by ducking. He sat and took his shoes and socks off and then stood to remove his pants. I hung my robe back up, and we both got in the water. I sat between his legs and laid my back against his chest, my head resting on his shoulder. The water was bliss, almost too hot but soothing. Liam had put some fragrance in the water, and it smelled of lavender. Breathing it in relaxed me, and I closed my eyes.

Liam nuzzled into my neck and caressed my arm. I smiled as he kissed my neck and shoulders until I felt him stir against my back. He stopped kissing me, and he just held me close to his chest like he was trying not to get turned on. It didn't seem to be working as I could still feel him, but I admired his efforts.

"Lana, I want to ask you something," Liam said. His timbre was soft but echoed slightly through the room, making his words seem more ominous than he probably meant them to be.

My body tensed slightly, and hesitantly I said, "Okay."

He cleared his throat, and I realised he was nervous. I don't think I had heard him unsure like that before. I felt cold. "I uh, I have a premiere to attend on Thursday evening, one of Myra's. Tom, my agent, set it up." Oh fuck. He's not going to ask me to go with him, is he? "I would very much like it if you came with me." I sat up quickly, and water splashed everywhere. "Sarah said that since the cats out of the bag and I'm serious about you, you should come too." He added quickly.

I looked back at him, furious. "Why would you ask me that?"

"Because you're my fucking girlfriend." He was also mad now.

"I'm not your fucking girlfriend." I stood up and got out of the bath. I almost slipped on the tiles as I did. His hand shot out to steady me, but I pulled my arm out of his grasp. I stomped over to the robes and pulled one on. Then I grabbed my clothes from the floor.

"What are you doing?" Liam asked, getting out himself. He didn't put his robe on, and he just stood there. I don't know why, but that seemed to make me angrier.

"Getting my shit and going home."

"What the fuck, Lana? Why?"

I grabbed my bag and went to leave and found him blocking my way. "Because I want to, that's why. Get out of my way."

"What's wrong with you?"

"Just piss off."

"No, tell me what's wrong. Why don't you want to be seen with me? Why don't you want to be my girlfriend? I don't understand." He was shouting now, his voice full of anger and frustration. "You treat me like a fuck toy one minute, and the next, you're treating me like we've been married for ten years. What do you want from me? You say you aren't my girlfriend, but you sure act like you are. If you just want to fuck me, fine. Come over and fuck me, then leave. But don't lay with me and cuddle all day, cook me food, confide in me, talk to me at night until you fall asleep and make me fall in love with you. I can't take that."

For a moment, I softened. In so many ways, Liam was right. We had fallen into this relationship so easily. I felt like I knew him because we talked for months before meeting. I did enjoy hanging out with him talking. He's often felt like home to me, a safe place, a person I could trust. He was my boyfriend in everything but name. He saw the change in me and moved towards me.

I stiffened, "No, fuck you. Don't put this on me. I told you to go slow. I told you I don't want a relationship in the spotlight, and you won't listen to me." My frustration poured out. "You lured me in under false pretences with no thought about how I would feel. Like having the great Liam Cross interested in you would be enough. You're so fucking self-centred. I'm not impressed by all this," I waved my hand around the room, "Or that," I waved my hand at his naked body. "For fuck's sake, put some fucking clothes on. You're not that attractive."

Liam looked over at the robes and saw how far away they were. He shook his head. "I think we need to talk, Lana. You can't run away from this."

"You can't keep me here." He just raised an eyebrow. I gasped horrified. "You wouldn't?"

His body tensed, and he looked like he was going to try to stop me for a minute. But then his shoulders slumped, and he stepped aside.

"Thank you," I said through gritted teeth as I walked out.

I took the stairs down to his room and got dressed. He followed me, still naked and dripping water. I thought he would try to keep talking to me, but he went straight to his dressing room.

When he came out, he wore tracksuit pants, his chest was bare, and he still had beads of water clinging to his chest. My traitorous eyes looked him up and down, and I noticed it looked like he wasn't wearing underwear. Fuck me. He was magnificent. I tore my eyes away and back to packing my bag. I wasn't going to let his body distract me.

"Please, Lana, just talk to me."

"What's the point?"

"The point is so you'll let me in. You talk to me, you tell me things about you, and just as it cuts close to the bone, you clam up."

"I'm my own person, Liam. I'm allowed to have secrets." My bag was packed, and I stood up with it.

"Why didn't you tell me about Andy and your father's car accident? I had to read about it on the fucking internet."

I felt like I had been punched in the guts. I felt both hot and cold waves flow over me, and for a moment, I thought I was going to throw up.

"You're a fucking prick." I was raging.

"Alright, Lana, have it your way. Go back to being miserable and alone. Go put your wedding ring back on because obviously, you'd rather stay in love with a dead man than be seen with me." He was still shouting. Liam's body was taught, so much tension in his muscles. His lips almost looked cruel, twisted up into a sneer. His eyebrows were drawn low, making his eyes seem small.

"Yeah, you're right. I would. I shouldn't be here with you." I was near screaming now. I was irrational, tired, slightly drunk and drained. "I should be miserable and alone, and I should be thankful for that. It's my fucking fault he's dead. I fucking killed him. It should have been me. It's my fault..." I sobbed. The tears started, and I knew they couldn't be stopped. "Oh God, it's my fault." I couldn't breathe. I dropped my bag and clawed at my shirt, trying to get a breath. I was on my knees, now fighting the panic that threatened to overwhelm me.

Liam's arms came around me. I tried to push him away, fight him. He was too strong. "Shhhh shhh." He tried to soothe me. He rubbed my back. I wanted to scream at him to go away, to leave me alone. He wouldn't let go. He held me tighter until I couldn't fight anymore and just let myself go. He pulled me onto his lap, and I curled up into him as he whispered, "You're ok. It's ok." I kept sobbing until I clutched at his neck and cried into him.

I don't know how long we sat there. It felt like hours. "I'm sorry," I said when I had calmed. My throat was sore. I don't think I could have spoken any louder.

"Don't be. I shouldn't have pushed you. You were right. I was being selfish."

"I should have told you before you found out. It still hurts. I can deal with them being gone, but I can't get past the guilt. I should have been in the car with Dad. Andy was doing me a favour because I was too tired from Christmas. I wanted a day off, you know? A day where I didn't have to deal with people." My throat was feeling raw, and my mouth was dry.

"You don't have to tell me."

"No, I do. Just let me get through it, ok?" He nodded and pulled me into a more comfortable position on his lap. "I was supposed to take my Dad to Dave's house for a second Christmas. My parents had split up a couple of years ago. I fought with my mum the day before and didn't want to go through it all again the next day. My Dad couldn't drive anymore; his eyes were too bad. So Andy said he'd drop him off and I could stay in bed. He said he would tell them I had a migraine. So I laid in bed sleeping while my father and husband laid on the road, dying, trapped under a truck."

"I'm so sorry," Liam said. "I don't know how I would deal with that either. But it's not your fault. You know that, right?"

I didn't say anything. Liam was quiet after that. But he didn't let me go.

Part 14

[clean-bands-dirty-stories]

The Best Things ~ J.V. (part 8)

A/n: This part is super upsetting. Character death, graphic violence, I dare even say gore. Homophia, which I should have been warning a while back I am so sorry for that. Things are gonna get HEAVY- I am so sorry lol.

Word Count: 3800+

Playlist

Masterlist

"Nah, you're not crazy," Harleen giggled.

"Says you," Y/n teased, rolling his eyes. "You may have a doctorate, but you're also bias."

Her smile widened. "Okay that's fair." Y/n sighed, sitting back in his chair. He looked down at his hands, smile small as he got lost in thought. "What's on your mind?"

"Harleen is kind of a mouthful," Y/n told her. "Do you like the name?"

She tilted her head, as if considering. "I never did. When I was younger I had a friend who called me Lee, but with things happening-" Y/n's face scrunched up and Harleen snorted. "Exactly. Name's already taken- and it would be even weirder if I went by Dr. Lee, so I scratched it."

Y/n nodded. Then he sat forward, his elbows resting on the table. "So you've never had any other nicknames?" She shook her head and then shrugged when Y/n donned a surprise expression. "Well I have to give you one then. That's what friends do, right?" She grinned at Y/n's words and he watched the room get a little brighter. She was magic like that- as if she was made of sunshine. Her happiness was contagious, and she made the world a little better. She was accepting and also calm, making him feel safe as well as loved. She was his best friend and he was hers and they gave each other something they couldn't get with anyone else: unhindered fun with absolutely no expectations. It was an odd place to find real friendship in, but here they were anyway. "What about... Leena?" She immediately shook her head and he chuckled. "Uh... I mean, there's always Harley."

She considered that. "You know what, I like it." She crossed her arms. "Harley Quinzel." She nodded. "I'll allow it."

Y/n rolled his eyes. She was only like four years older than him, but had far too quickly fallen into a rhythm of acting like an adult talking to a child every once in a while, as a joke. Whether she was flaunting the years she had over him, or the schooling, Y/n wasn’t sure, but he refused to acknowledge it and it had become an unspoken inside joke between them. "What about you? I have to give you one now."

Y/n shrugged. "I don't like nicknames."

Harley tilted her head, the bottom of her blonde ponytail brushing her shoulder. "Why not? You like giving them."

"Well, yeah..." He bit his lip. "It's just, every bad guy has a code name, you know? Oswald Cobblepot goes by Penguin. Edward Nygma is going around as Riddler. Then there's Mr. Freeze. I just feel like if I take an alias, it'll be official you know? I'll be as crazy as the people I associate with and as evil as everyone says I am."

Harley hummed. "Okay, that's fair." She sighed, raising her hands to rest her chin in her palm. "Speaking of people you associate with. You and Jerome..."

Y/n's mood darkened. It had been a while now and Oswald was gone and Jerome still hadn't made an appearance. "I think he's mad at me." Harley tilted her head in confusion and Y/n shrugged. "I left with Alfred because Bruce needed me. Didn't give him a heads up, and then went missing for, like, months..." He shook his head. "Maybe he thinks I've gone back to my old life, or that I've left him behind. I just feel like he's avoiding me and one doesn't usually do that for no reason, so I figure-"

"What if he's just busy?" Harley proposed.

Y/n snorted. "With what? Reading a really good book series?"

Harley pursed her lips. "I guess you have a point."

"Why do you even care?" Y/n asked, raising his hands to knit his fingers behind his head.

Harley stared at him silently for a long time. She had the look on her face she always does when she'd trying to read Y/n's mind. When she's analyzing everything she learned in school and looking at the actions and words that he was currently giving as context, as well as past ones, and then somehow putting it all together to figure out the secrets sometimes even he didn't know. The same magic that made Arkham home also gave her the ability to read minds- Y/n had determined she was a proper superhero.

After she reached some kind of conclusion - she always nodded after she'd done the reading and then switched which leg was crossed over the other - a little smile teased her lips. She was trying to hide it. And failing. Y/n tried not to be curious. Usually when Harley didn't tell him something it was because he wasn't ready to hear it... but that smile. It was too late. He had to know. "What?"

Once he asked, the gate broke and she grinned. "You're in love with him."

Y/n snorted. "No. I'm not." The coy curl of Harley's lips added to her raised eyebrows to make Y/n doubt himself, even though he could feel his feelings and knew that it wasn't... he didn't... no way. "He's important to me," Y/n gave. "I care for him. But... love..." Y/n shook his head. "I don't know about that. There's been too much going on- I haven't had enough time with him."

She nodded, expression serious, as if this was a very important discovery. "I call Maid of Honor at the wedding though." They locked eyes as Y/n went to tell her off, but then a slow smile rose to her face as he realized she was joking. They both busted up into laughter.

"Whoever I marry, the position is yours." He winked at her and she flipped her hair, both of them giggling.

A timer went off. Harley stood, gathering her stuff and sighing. "That's my cue. Same time tomorrow?"Y/n nodded then stood.

He draped his arm around her shoulders. "You know, you make this place bearable. You're a real friend to me." He kissed her forehead. "What would I do without you, hm?"

She rested her head on his shoulder for a second before they began walking and it got too awkward to coordinate. "Probably the same thing I'd do without you. Be alone and miserable." She popped up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. He pretended to gag and she fell into a short fit of soft giggles. "You're an idiot."

"Ah and yet what I lack for a brain, I make up with a big-" He cut off and she groaned. "Heart," he enunciated. He smirked and she rolled her eyes. "I have quite a large heart, full of love for my favorite gal." He shook her slightly, making a point that said gal was her.

"Every lesbian deserves a best friend with as little brains and as big a heart as you," Harley joked.

"And every gay deserves a best friend with as much brain and just as much heart as you." He finally let her go as she moved to the door that would lead outside. This is where they parted- her, to home, as he was her last patient as per usual. Him, further into the Asylum where he would have dinner then return to his room to be alone and sleep. Goodbyes were the pair's least favorite part of the day. "Until we next meet, Madame," Y/n initiated, pulling away to bow deeply.

Harley grabbed her doctor's coat lightly, pulling it out as if it was a dress as she bowed back. "I shall count the seconds." They laughed one last time, waving before she turned and left. He watched her go until she disappeared. She turned back several times to wave yet again, until she couldn't see him either just by turning around.

The second she was out of sight, the world lost a little color. It was a little darker. His smile got smaller and Y/n's shoulders sagged. He shoved his hands in his pockets before turning back to the hallway that lead to his room, beginning the trek.

A hand on his shoulder stopped him. People rarely touched him. The only person that touched him like this was one that Y/n hated so much that his hands curled into fists in his pocket, his face suddenly cold and empty as he stared straight ahead, halfway through a step- his foot on the ground and extended, but not carrying him forward as it had been intended to. He took a deep breath through his nose. Unfortunately, in all the chaos and people getting booted from Arkham after beating on Y/n, the one person that meant the most hadn't been caught because everyone refused to rat him out.

The man who'd started it all.

"You and her..." The older guard mused, a nasty smirk on his ugly face. "I thought you were gay." He said it mockingly, like he'd caught a child who hadn't said they weren’t hungry sneaking food when everyone seemed to be asleep.

Y/n rolled his eyes, forcing his body to relax as he faced the man. The monster. "Not every girl in the world was born solely for men to shove a dick into them, Jameson." The older man glared and Y/n smiled, getting satisfaction. "As a matter of a fact, Harley and I are just friends."

"You're pretty affectionate for just friends," Jameson argued. Y/n still didn't know the man's first name. He didn't care enough too. He didn't want another name that tasted bitter in his mouth. He already had his fingers crossed he'd never meet a cute boy with the last name Jameson, because the name alone would ruin Y/n's chances before he'd even taken a shot. No reason to make it even harder for himself.

"We're comfortable around each other." He rolled his shoulder back once, slightly stiff from sitting so long. Jameson wouldn't attack, knowing that Y/n would report him instantly- especially in such an open space, with cameras and the chance of someone rounding the corner any second - but one could never be too safe, just in case. "She gets me like no one else does. But, as you so wonderfully pointed out, I'm GAY." Y/n enunciated the word, going the extra mile by taking a step closer to stress it even more. "Girls aren't my thing."

Jameson looked like he wanted to deck Y/n. The younger boy's lips curved into a mocking smile in response. Now the guard was the one who had to control himself. "You guys have a lot in common?"

Y/n shrugged, too caught up in his casual gloating that Jameson couldn't act out like he wanted to- like he used to be able to. "Enough. We talk a lot. She's cool." He relaxed thinking about Harley. "She doesn't think I'm crazy. It's nice." He cleared his throat, focusing back on the enemy in front of him... only to immediately be confused by the very odd expression on Jameson's face. "What?"

"Nothing," the man dismissed, moving to leave. "I've heard enough. You're both a waste." He shook his head as he left and Y/n glared at his back until he was gone. Then the boy turned back toward the cell and finally made his way.

Man, why did he have to be surrounded by such assholes? Why couldn't Harley be around all the time? Why couldn't he be free? They could get an apartment and talk all the time. Help each other get through life and protect each other from unwanted attention. Be themselves all the time. Make jokes and exchange irritated expressions when idiots like Jameson said stupid shit like he always tended to.

Tomorrow. He'd see her tomorrow. That wasn't too far away.

He could wait until then.

-

Y/n's knees gave out from under him and he fell, cracking them on the cement. He didn't even feel it. His attention was being completely held by the TV, which was turned onto the news. It was a small screen that had been installed in one of the Day Rooms recently. They were rarely ever allowed to watch the news, though. In places like Gotham, far too often the news held very upsetting content that set inmates off- either into panics, or into violent rages. Y/n had stood to turn it off when he'd realized what news was being shared. Someone had been murdered. Old news. This was Gotham. Then he'd heard the name.

"23-year-old Harleen Quinzel was found dead earlier today. Her body was badly beaten, with words carved into her stomach. It was the cuts on her wrist that were the cause of death, though it's been determined that none of this was self inflicted. We received a photo of the body recently. Beware: what you're about to see is not for the faint of heart."

Suddenly the screen was showing the broken body of Y/n's best friend. The sunshine girl with the bright smile and the contagious laugh. The girl who was going to be Y/n's Maid of Honor. Y/n's better half. She was limp and unmoving, her eyes wide and empty. Her skin was pale, nearly white, except for where dark, huge bruises and blood discolored it. Her hair had been cut off, the blonde locks left next to her head but clearly detached. Her shirt had been rolled up to letters on her stomach- carved as promised.

There was an L next to a G, in a circle and crossed through once. Underneath the symbol read: Sinner.

Someone was talking, but Y/n couldn't make out what they were saying. A hand in his shoulder and he looked over to see a concerned guard. A woman. She knelt next to Y/n, but she wasn't the one touching him. No, that hand belonged to Jameson, who had a sick expression on his face- a cross between smugness and victory, muted as if he was trying to hide it, badly masked by some version of concern that was so unconvincing that Y/n ripped his shoulder out of the older man's hand.

He was on his feet again and running. Out of the room and to his cell- despite all the people who kept asking him what was going on, and someone in the very back changing the channel as the news reporter announced, "If you have any information, please contact-" Y/n ignored the rules. He ignored the people yelling at him. He ignored the people trying to stop him. He just started running and he didn't stop until he was in his room, where he opened the door and closed it behind him. His heart was ramming against his chest and all he could hear was the rushing of his blood in his ears. He saw black spots and felt an emotion bubble up that he couldn't even begin to put name to. All he knew was that it was dark and twisting and it was very quickly consuming everything good.

Something in him broke. It snapped off. Something vital. Y/n was aching, but he didn't know what it was or where it had fallen to as he lost it. He just knew there was suddenly a gaping hole where something very important used to be, and he felt absolutely terrible with it gone.

On the upside, he could finally breathe. His chest loosened and his body relaxed and as the door opened behind him, he turned to see the person with complete calm.

"Jameson." The word was not a greeting, but more of an observation. No. It was an accusation. The older man smiled and Y/n's insides began to twist and boil- less like a tightening of anxiety and more like a snake, seconds from attacking. "Why?" He stepped forward. "She was innocent."

Jameson scoffed. "You think you two are subtle? You two act like you're together and then talk about how you're not- you just 'get' each other." Jameson shook his head, cracking his knuckles. "You're spreading your sickness, Y/n." The snake coiled tighter, hissing and spitting. Y/n felt his calmness very quickly drop, perfectly placed with rage. His body didn't move, he just suddenly had a bunch of energy and he was waiting for the perfect moment to use it. "You two aren't quiet either. Strutting around here acting so out of line, in front of me. Acting like you're not being evil." Jameson scoffed. "You're evil, Y/n. And if they wouldn't let me punish you here, I'd have to get more creative. Even if you don't see it, you're in love with her. What you think you are is unnatural, and I knew if you could see how you really feel-"

Y/n's hand was around the man's throat. Jameson tried to push the younger boy away or claw his hand off, but Y/n just rammed him into the wall behind him. Jameson's head cracked against the grey wall, his efforts suddenly becoming useless. "You think I'm dangerous as a disease? You're so desperate to cure me. You're about to find just how very dangerous I am, Jameson. All on my own, with just my two hands." And then he began to squeeze. Jameson writhed and fought and clawed but when he started to get strong, Y/n would smash his head again or ram his knee into the man's junk and the efforts died down once again.

It took longer than Y/n thought. Jameson started to change color, his eyes bulging and his lips moving desperately but nothing coming in or out. Just when the man seemed about ready to pass out, Y/n let him drop to the floor. He gasped, clawing to try and get away. Y/n smiled, toeing the door gently closed. Jameson squirmed away, features taken over completely with terror. Y/n felt amazing.

"You will never hurt another person, ever again." Y/n squatted down, taking the man's thin hair in his hands. "Me however?" Y/n giggled. "You've helped create a monster. Know that every person I kill in the future is on your hands. Every injury is your fault. I'm not a violent person, Jameson." He snorted. "Well, I wasn't. But it seems you fuckwads only answer to violence, so..." Y/n shrugged casually. Jameson shook his head, choking out pleads for his life. Y/n snapped the man's neck and he stopped begging. It was so easy... The silence was wonderful. Y/n felt a weight lift off of his shoulders. "I'm done sitting idly while assholes run Gotham." Y/n stood, not even bothering to do anything but leave the door wide open as he walked calmly away, grinning like an idiot.

Something had been broken and lost indeed. It was Y/n's self control. His moral compass that kept him grounded and toeing the line between good and bad. It was the thing that kept reminding him he was a Wayne. That he was a good person. That he had a family that depended on him, in some way or another. That he had Alfred and Bruce, who he did want to visit even if he also wanted a life outside of them. That he had Oswald, who most often found solace in Y/n's sanity and depended on his restraint to reel him in when people were trying to set him off; Oswald needed Y/n's sense to balance his emotions. And, overall, Y/n was driven by pure spite not to let those damn reporters be right. He would be good and successful and he would show all of them that he could be more than the black sheep of the Wayne family. The disappointment of Gotham. The failure, always in the shadow of the Golden Boy younger brother Bruce Wayne.

But those people who Y/n cared about so much had let people like Jameson walk around, unhindered and unchecked. They had let him get beat up for a very long time before he was nearly killed and their hand was forced. They had let evil people run around and control things while they locked up Y/n for being gay. For being attracted to a man even though he wasn't a woman. There were murderers running wild, with super powers and incredible genius, but the problem people were deciding to focus on was that Y/n was gay.

Well, he was done with the lot of them. He was going to get out and prove to all of them that he was more than a Wayne. More than a mistake. More than a shadow. More than evil or good. More than Bruce's older brother. More than the one dude who had feelings for Jerome Valeska. More than one more gay plague on the face of the planet.

They wanted a monster? They would get one. And Y/n wasn't going to stop until he was satisfied, even if it meant all of Gotham had to die.

-

"Knock knock."

The door opened and Y/n looked over, his face finally showing emotion as his surprise rose. "Jerome?"

The redhead smiled, striding toward Y/n as if he has a tasty treat to share. "My little lover boy." Jerome hooked his finger under Y/n's chin. Y/n yanked his face away. Jerome frowned. "Are you mad at me, pretty boy?" Y/n glared at him. "I'll take that as a yes." He leaned backward. "What have I done, My Darling?"

"You've been avoiding me. We haven't talked in, like, months Jerome. What the fuck?"

"A tad dramatic," Jerome hushed. "And not totally fault." Y/n opened his mouth to argue but Jerome gently grabbed Y/n's throat, pressing his fingers gently into the skin. Their faces were suddenly very close and despite himself, Y/n suddenly felt a thrill to finally feel their skin touch as cheek brushed cheek. "I've been busy planning our escape, if you hadn't noticed." Y/n's eyes drifted to see a nervous Jonathan Crane and Jervis Tetch. "Come with me, won't you? I think we've been apart long enough."

Y/n suddenly began to relax. He didn't manage to smile, but he did get excited. "Well... lead the way."

Jerome left an excited kiss on Y/n's cheek, letting his hand fall away from Y/n's throat in favor of shooting into the air in victory as he giggled, turning to his two partners. "And so we all escape! Come now, we don't have much time." Y/n stood as Jerome lead the way, all four of the men finding their way out of Arkham Asylum finally.

The fun was about to begin.

[elusive---ivory]

Under the sun - 1

Commodus x Oc, Commodus x Reader

I recently watched Gladiator, and I'm obsessed with Ancient Rome. I absolutely HAD to make a fanfiction about Commodus ❤❤❤

I feel stranded in a land that was once so dear to me. My father is not the man be used to be. Turned mad by grief and power. Taxing everyone, even those who are the poorest. Farmers and most traders and townsfolk said they are furious about my father's behavior. The war has been going on for years. I can't help myself, but pray to the gods that it will end. It can't end like this. This land is so foreign to me, I can't seem to find any peace. This nightmare seems never ending. May I hope to the gods that they are merciful on my father. For he is about to go into war, and I fear that he may not return.

Domitia Livius, the princess of Gaul, was writing in her journal, with her soft inked quill briefly touching the parchment.

She was in fear of her country, especially since her father, Emperor Juventius, had began a long dreadful war with Rome. Her brother, Raecius, didn't seem to mind that countless lives were at stake. The Romans were not kind to Juventius. Domitia's tyrannical father held an iron fist on the nation. Domitia dreaded seeing her people in such awful conditions. As the war went on, more people were without food and shelter. Even the slaves and servants below her, Domitia still felt empathetic towards those individuals.

But, Domitia couldn't change what was law. Her older brother, Raecius Livius Cloelius, was proper heir to the throne. She believed that her brother, though not as greedy and selfish as her father, was not fit to rule over the country. He believed in the war, and that they could win, and possibly take over Rome. However, weeks later, thousands of Roman soldiers appeared at the east gate, holding the head of Juventius Libertius Livius.

Domitia couldn't forget that day. It struck her deep. The memory of her country, now under rule over the Roman Empire, made her weep.

Domitia stayed in her palace, entering a very long state of depression.

Raecius gently knocked on her tower room door, before coming in.

"Sister," said Raecius, softly. "I just received word from the Senate. They requested that I sign the peace treaty, and form alliances with Rome."

Domitia looked over at her brother from the other side of the room. "Do as you must, Raecius. Now that Father's dead, you're in charge now. It is, now, your duty as Emperor to put an end to father's war." Domitia said, keeping a straight face at her brother.

Raecius is now Emperor of Gaul. Father was killed during the war. It appears that the war my father started has ended. The only thing left is the Peace Treaty. Emperor Marcus of Rome asked to speak with my brother about forming an alliance. I can't sleep at night. The stress that my father had caused me has vanished, but the anxiety of my fallen kingdom has hurt me so much that I can't bare to leave my tower. I see so many people hurt by it all, yet relieved to see that the tyrannical reign of my father has ended. People have been throwing stones that the palace, demanding for answers. I can't give them what they desire, and that's what keeps me awake at night. I can't help my people. I can't seem to do anything really.

Domitia's tears stained the parchment paper. She gripped tightly to her ink and quill, staining ink all over the page in the process.

It had been a few weeks since Raecius left to seek word from the Senate. When he returned, he had tearful eyes. Raecius entered her room with Roman guards by his side.

"Brother? What's this all about?" Domitia looked over cautiously at the two guards.

"Domitia, Emperor Marcus is dead." Rae bit his lip, struggling to get his words out. "His son refuses to sign the peace treaty. I did what was best for the kingdom. The Senate also demanded that this be put into place."

Domitia's eyes grew wide at Raecius. "What are you saying?" She said, shakily.

"You are to be wed to Emperor Commodus in Rome. This will be the last night you will stay in Gaul. Tomorrow at sunrise, you will ride in a carriage directed to Rome." Raecius said, looking away from his sister.

Domitia gasped, promptly slapping Raecius across the face. A tear rolled down her face as she ran past her brother and the guards.

In Rome, the peoples were distraught as well. Commodus was in power with his beloved sister at his side.

He wanted to tear down Gaul. This forming alliance thing was unnecessary and pointless. He was Emperor. He should be able to pick his wife. His beautiful sister, Lucilla, was the perfect choice for him. She is all he ever wanted. Now, he had to marry some random whore from another country. The thought of it disgusted him.

"Brother, there is no need to pout. I'm sure she'll make a lovely wife." Lucilla said, attempting to comfort her brother.

"No, this entire thing is absolutely pointless. I don't need a wife from a foreign country. What we should do is finish what we started." Commodus growled. However, the Senate got the upper hand in votes. The war had been effecting the economy of Rome for quite some time now. The war needed a draw so that Rome didn't lose all its traded goods.

"Commodus, you can't change the mind of the Senate." Commodus turned his head away from Lucilla.

"I couldn't love any woman more than I love you. Dear sister, can't I just marry you?" Commodus whined like a child.

Lucilla sighed, deeply. "Commodus, I am your sister. The love you have shown me is very kind, but can never escalate into something more. You are getting married to the princess from Gaul, and you can't change that."

"She'll be disgusting. The most repulsive woman I've ever seen. I will never love her, even if she is by my side. I will never love that woman as my wife." Commodus declared as he stomped off.

Lucilla sighed in relief. Her brother needed another woman in his life. Commodus obsession with his sister was out of hand.

As the wedding got closer and closer, Commodus dreaded seeing Domitia. His resentment grew stronger and stronger.

Domitia had finally arrived to Rome with her brother that her side.

"Emperor Commodus meet Domitia, daughter of Juventius, and sister to Emperor Raecius." A guard announced.

Commodus and Lucilla both stepped out of their palace to greet Raecius. Commodus stopped in his tracks as he saw Domitia. Her beauty stunned him as headed to greet her. Lucilla could see Commodus grow a new attraction to the foriegn girl.

"Lucius Aurelius Commodus. It's a pleasure to meet you, Domitia." Commodus said, taking a brief bow.

Domitia turned away, not facing him in his eyes. "Indeed, a pleasure."

Taglist:

@princessgeekface @memory-mortis @gloomyladyy @kat-o-combs

[writingpaperghost]

hello will u pls write more ultraman zero content? doesn't even have to be anything important man I just love him maybe he'll befriend the reader and go explore earth together at night or something thank u I've fallen down the zero hole lmfao

I think everyone has, in some capacity, fallen down the Zero hole. I wasn’t entirely sure what to do for this, and I lost half of it and had to rewrite it, so I hope it’s okay and not too random in what happens.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27678292

---

The day started pretty normally, as far as you were concerned. You were going about your daily activities, as usual, and were now grading homework. It was a tedious part of the day, but it had to be done. As you read through the answers on this current question, you had to wonder how your students came up with such responses.

Q: What topic will you write your essay on next week?

The answers came in many varieties, from how paper was made to the history of baseball. Then there was the one that you found the most interesting, “Why It’s Wrong to Attack Monsters Unprovoked”, You knew without looking who’s idea this was, one of your students, Koki, had very strong opinions about the treatment of monsters. Which was fine, it was good to have opinions. And flipping through the rest of his homework, you found that he already had a good foundation for his essay and a good plan for it. You rolled your eyes but smiled, you were pretty excited to see what he could come up with.

As you were heading home for the day, though, was when the odd things began to occur. The first wasn’t exactly surprising, another Kaiju seemed to have wandered into the city, which wasn’t really unusual. It happened a lot. It made you think about Koki, as you were speed walking to a less crowded area, farther from where those fleeing the monster was. Koki felt very strongly about monsters, to the point that he got into a lot of arguments with other students about it.

The next thing that happened was a little different. A giant appeared in front of the monster, the news was showing it. The giant looked mostly humanoid, barring the strange fins on his head and was blue, red, and silver. You frowned. You’d never really seen something like it before...

It began to fight the monster, using the fins on its head a weapons. You weren’t sure what to think of it. On one hand, it was stopping the monster, at the very least. On the other hand, who knew what it was, it had simply appeared from the sky in a flash of light. Although the whole “stopping the monster” thing was a bit debatable. While you didn’t know much about fighting, you were pretty sure the giant was only barely winning.

Then, once the monster was defeated, as soon as the giant had appeared, it disappeared in an equally bright flash as its appearance. You stretched, deciding the funny feeling that had just come over you was just something like a headache or something. The stress of whatever the hell that was fighting the monster. Maybe you were coming down with a cold. It didn’t really matter to you, the point was that you brushed it off.

At least, you brushed it off until you were getting off the train nearest to your home and finally you hear someone say. “I, uh, hope you don’t mind me hanging out here for a while.”

You look around, trying to figure who was talking, and if they were talking to you. The strange part was, you couldn’t really figure out who had said that. It didn’t really seem like anyone had spoken, let alone to you. Of course, you supposed that you weren’t the person the voice had been talking to, but it sure felt like it.

“No, no, I’m definitely talking to you.” You heard again - it was the same voice.

Feeling your forehead, you quietly mutter, “Do I have a fever? Is this a fever dream?”

There’s quiet for a moment before the voice responds again, “Uh, no, you don’t seem to be sick...” Then, as though he’d finally realized the source of your distress - namely himself - he adds, “Oh, uh sorry? You can’t really see me... I’m kinda just hanging out in your head, so to speak. I’m Zero, Ultraman Zero.”

Ultraman? You’d never head of that before. It sounded like a hero in a TV show or something. You continued walking, hoping that whatever this guy was, he’d go away.

“Well, I can’t, really. At least not right now.” What? How’d he known what you were thinking? And why couldn’t he leave? The voice continued after you thought that, “Since I’m in your mind, I can hear most of your thoughts. And the reason I can’t leave yet is ‘cause I’m still recovering from my fight with that monster.”

That was enough to stop your walking, brain turning over his last few words. Finally, you blurted, “You were that giant fighting the monster?” You hadn’t exactly meant to say it out loud, but quickly glancing at your surrounding showed that there was, thankfully, no one around to hear it. You had, though, gone off course on your way home.

“Oh yeah, I forgot, you guys probably haven’t seen an Ultra before,” The voice - Zero - mutters. You don’t think it’s directed specifically at you, but you hear it regardless.

“Right,” You grumble slightly, “So uh, how long are you gonna be sticking around?”

“Uh...” Zero takes a moment to think, which didn’t exactly inspire confidence in you. “No more than a week, probably?”

“Probably?”

There’s a moment of silence before Zero responds to your question. You can’t tell if it’s because he really wasn’t entirely sure of his answer or if he just really didn’t want to answer. Either way, he does respond, eventually, “Well, I’m not sure how long exactly it’ll take,” He says, “But there’s no reason it should take longer than a week, I’m not so hurt that it would.”

“So I just have to deal with you for a week?” You sighed, returning on your trek home. It would be a bit harder now, you weren’t familiar with this part of the city, but you thought you’d be able to manage. “I mean, I guess it could be worse.”

You’re pretty sure Zero is pouting when he responds, “Aw, come on. Don’t think of me so much as a nuisance as a...” He pauses to find a word to describe himself as, “As a cool new friend you get to have around for a week.”

“Yeah sure,” You roll your eyes and look around. You figure you could probably get home if you just turn around, but you’re not entirely sure that you walked in a straight line, either. With a frown, you note that the sun is starting to go down. You were a paranoid sort of person who didn’t like running around at night alone - even if Zero was here, he wasn’t exactly going to be able to do something - so you really wanted to get going. With a shake of your head, you turn around and begin walking back the way you came.

After walking for a minute or so, Zero speaks up again, “Ah, isn’t this the way you came from?”

Once again, you roll your eyes, “I was so distracted by you, that I took a wrong turn.”

“Whoops,” He chuckles, “I didn’t think I was that distracting.”

You laugh slightly at his response, “Yeah, well it’s not everyday that a voice just pops into your head.” Then you stop walking, “How do I know you’re not a figment of my imagination?”

“Do you really think yourself that creative?”

“Not really,” You say as you start walking again. “I don’t even think any of my students could be that creative.”

“Students?” Zero echoed, “I didn’t take you as the type to teach.”

“Well I do,” You say as you adjust your bag on your shoulder, “Now what about you?”

“Huh?”

“What’s your job? Or is fighting monsters considered a job for you?” You clarify your question.

“I mean, it is.” He responds, “I guess I do have a student myself. Kind of. Sort of.”

“I didn’t take you as the type to teach,” You echo with a laugh, “But in all honesty, how do you ‘kind of. sort of.’ have a student?”

Zero himself chuckles, then answers your question, “Well, I mean, he’s my student, yeah, but I’m not exactly a teacher. I don’t really know what I’m doing - not that I’m going to tell him that.” You’re pretty sure you’re close to being home now, thank goodness. It was getting a bit too dark for your taste. “I know he’ll do great things, I just hope my lackluster teaching skills don’t mess that up.”

With a hum you decide to respond with what you hope might be something he finds helpful, “I’m sure that so long as you do your best, that’s all that will matter.”

“Eh, I’m not so sure of that,” Zero really doesn’t sound all that convinced, “But I guess I’ll take your word for it.”

You finally got home, after having sped walked most if not the whole way back. Thankfully, nothing had happened, and you were now significantly more relaxed. It seemed that Zero had noticed your change in tension.

“What, do you not like the dark?”

Taking your bag off your shoulder, you groaned in response, then said, “I don’t like being out at night. And certainly not alone.”

“But you’re not alone,” Zero responded cheekily, “I’m here.”

“Alone.” You repeated, “You really don’t count.”

“Fine, fine.” You were pretty sure that Zero was pouting when he said that. If he could even pout, which you weren’t entirely sure about.

---

Six days have passed since Zero appeared, almost a week, and you’d found that he was actually pretty good company. The two of you seemed to get along pretty well, even if his constant prescience occasionally grated on your nerves.

So as you walked home that evening, Zero speaking up wasn’t that surprising, though what he said was out of the blue. “You should do something tonight.”

“What?” You asked, “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” Zero began, “You should go out tonight. See what this place is like at night.”

“No,” Was your flat response, “No way.”

After a few more minutes of back and forth about it, it became very clear that he wasn’t going to drop the subject. So finally, as you were almost home, you just sighed and gave up. “Fine,” You said, “Fine, I’ll go out tonight. I don’t know the point of it but fine.”

Which was how you spent the rest of the time after you got home before dark mentally preparing yourself. You really weren’t sure what Zero wanted, why he wanted you to go out. You didn’t even know what you would do. But at this point, you knew you weren’t getting out of it.

When you finally walked out during the night, you could already feel discomfort. You looked around, then asked Zero, “So what are we going to do.”

“I don’t know.” He responded, “Your the one who’s been here.”

“Yeah, but this was your idea and I don’t go out at night.”

Zero doesn’t really respond to that, he just starts talking with you about various things. While he does so, you just wander. The world seemed so different at night, you were trying to make sure that you didn’t get lost. After a while, you find yourself at an overlook in a park, looking out on the city. You blinked, taking in the lights of the city and the stars above it.

“Oh,” Zero intones, abruptly cutting off his previous sentence, “So that’s what they look like from here.”

“What?” You wonder aloud, “The stars? Or the lights?”

He takes a moment before he responds, “Both, really. Stars look different in space than down here. And so do the lights of cities.” His tone is thoughtful, perhaps a bit contemplative.

“Hm... Yeah, they do look very nice,” You say, “I guess it’s been a while since I really looked at them.”

“Too scared of the dark?” It wasn’t a mocking response, it was really meant to be more humorous, if anything. Or maybe it was just understanding.

“I guess so,” You chuckle, “Thanks for getting me to come out here. I wouldn’t look at this if it weren’t for you.”

Zero laughs, “Aw, come on, I just really wanted to see this place at night.”

“Oh really?” You smile, drumming your fingers against the railing. “Well I guess this is just a happy coincidence.”

“I guess so.”

---

The next day came far too quickly for your liking. Zero sticks around through most of the day, but his initial guess of only needing a week to recover turned out to be correct. You’re a bit sad that he has to leave, but you understand that he has other things to do. You stand in a park, now, the one that you were at the night before.

You lean against the railing as you and Zero say your farewells.

“Well, I guess it’s time for me to go,” He said after a few moments of silence.

“I guess so,” You echo quietly, “If you’re ever nearby, you should stop by and say hi.”

Zero gives a slightly awkward chuckle, “Yeah, I will.”

You’re not really sure what else to say. So you settle for a lame “Bye,”

“Yeah, see ya, I guess.”

Clearly goodbyes were neither of your strong suits. Still, you feel the odd feeling that you’d become somewhat accustomed to the past few days leave. There’s a bright light, Zero, and then he’s gone. You just wave, a small smile on your face.

Honestly, you hoped you’d see him again, at the very least because he was your friend. If he thought he’d avoid that, he chose the wrong human to hang out in the body of.

[go--ask--alice]

Ephemeris

One

Alice Napier.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-Alice

[daisyhwa-remade]

Grand Theft Autumn - Fin

A/N: thank you so much for reading! I enjoyed writing it! This was my first ever series and I hope you liked it!

Warnings: swearing, fingering, sexual intercourse

You awoke the next day with only a minor hangover. Seungkwan on the other hand was a mess. He was currently lying on your couch, head in your lap. You reminded him that he needed to take some more aspirin soon as you ran your fingers through his hair, trying to soothe him. He groaned and squeezed his eyes shut, snuggling into your stomach.

“You’re such a baby when you drink too much” you said teasingly, but quietly. You looked down at him when he didn't reply, seeing that he had fallen asleep. Ugh, he’s too cute you thought, before drifting to sleep yourself.

The next few days had been nothing but stress. Younghoon had barely spoken to you since the party and Seungkwan had been busy studying for an upcoming exam. Friday had finally come and you were hoping to plan a date with your boyfriend, but all of your texts had been left on read. You spent the afternoon cleaning up around the house, trying to keep yourself busy to avoid calling Younghoon. Maybe he's working? He'll text soon you told yourself, but hours passed and your phone never rang. It was getting late and you were sick of being alone so you texted Seungkwan.

Luckily, Seungkwan had gotten there pretty quick. He let himself in with your spare key and rushed over to where you were sitting on your couch, a stream of tears falling from your eyes. He pulled you close to him, drying your tears with his sweatshirt sleeve. "Shh love, it will be okay. I'm here, I got you" Seungkwan said, his voice and his embrace calming you. You gripped the front of his sweatshirt and sniffled, trying to get your breathing back to a normal pace. "I t-texted him and broke up with him" you hiccuped out, "w-why would he do this? What's wrong with me?"

Seungkwan pushed your hair out of your face, lightly placing his hand on your check. "Nothing y/n. It has nothing to do with you, this is all on him. You're literally the BEST person I have ever known and sucks for him if he thinks that another girl will be anywhere near as amazing as you." Seungkwan's words had you crying all over again because if he can say these things to you, how could he not want you? You pushed that thought away, appreciating that he was here and that you had someone like him in your life at all.

Seungkwan gave you a small smile before leaning down to kiss you on your forehead. "Can we just stay here and watch movies all night?" you asked him, to which he replied "of course. I'll stay right here."

A month had passed and you were surprised at how quickly you had gotten over Younghoon. You were happier, if you were honest. You had more time to spend with Seungkwan and your other friends, not having to worry that Younghoon would be on your back about it.

Today the sun was out, the weather warm, and you were going to the park with Seungkwan. You started getting ready, brushing your hair and teeth, and searching for an outfit to wear. You threw on a clean bra and pair of undies. As you pulled on your top, you looked outside out of the corner of your eye. Did I just see Seungkwan? Is he watching me through the window? You didn't want to directly check so you pretended to look for something, sneaking glances toward the window. He IS! you realized. You turned back towards the window, careful not to let Seungkwan know you caught him. You slowly pulled on your knee high socks, letting him see you in your cute panties for a little longer, before stepping into your skirt. Now completely dressed, you looked directly out of your window and into Seungkwan's, giving him a look that said I knew you were watching. His reaction was like a deer in headlights. Winking at him, an idea popped into your head. It was crazy, but you had to try. Checking your bedside drawer, you found a condom and put it in your bag, heading out of the house. Seungkwan never locked his van, no matter how many times you nagged him to. You got in the back, slid the door closed, and texted him telling him to meet you outside. A couple minutes later your phone beeped, a text notification from Seungkwan asking where you were popping up.

Seungkwan was surprised when you opened the door, about to ask you what you were doing, but was interrupted by you grabbing him, pulling him inside, and kissing him. He let out a small gasp, not sure if this was really happening. He had liked you for so long and if there had been signs that you had liked him back he had missed them. He softly kissed you back, still feeling unsure. Leaning past him, you closed the car door, then fell backwards, bringing Seungkwan with you. "Y/n I- what-?" he started to question, but stopped short when you kissed the spot below his ear, continuing to kiss down his neck. He propped himself up on one arm, holding your hip with his other hand. His breathing started to get heavy as you slid a hand under his shirt. Bringing your head back up to his, he kissed you with a passion you'd never felt before. You wanted to continue, but you had to ask. "Seungkwan? What does this mean?" He thought for a second, "It means I've been in love with you my whole goddamn life y/n and somehow I'm lucky enough that you finally maybe feel the same way." You scoffed and lightly hit him on the arm, "FINALLY?? You dumbass, I've been in love with you since middle school! I wanted you to ask me to prom, I had feelings for you but said yes to my ex because you didn't seem to return them. I've always wanted you Kwannie."

He shook his head, not believing he could have been so oblivious. "Well shit" he muttered before kissing you. His lips felt amazing on yours and kissing him felt so right. He slipped his tongue into your mouth and began kneading your breast over your clothes. You sat up enough to take off your shirt, motioning to Seungkwan to take his off as well. His lips crashed right back into yours, kissing you as he unhooked your bra, hand moving to your breast to play with your nipple. Sighing in pleasure, you pulled off Seungkwan's belt, letting him unbutton his pants and pull them off. You could see the outline of his semi hard cock in his boxers. He noticed you looking, a blush forming on his cheeks, but before he could get too embarrassed he kissed your lips, then your neck a few times. He took your left nipple into his mouth, sucking lightly, his hand playing with your right one. You reached out to palm him outside of his boxers, Seungkwan hissing when you put your hand inside them and around his now fully hard dick. Yanking your skirt off, he brought his thumb to rub light circles over your clothed clit. You got his boxers off and Seungkwan moaned out your name when you started working his dick with your hand. Gliding your thumb over the head of it, you could feel the precum that had leaked out of the tip. "Fuck y/n, I want you so bad" he panted, the feeling of your soft hand on him driving him crazy. You reached into your bag, pulling out the condom and showing him.

"You're sure? It's okay?" Seungkwan asked, wanting to make sure you were comfortable, happy, and that you really wanted to have sex with him in his car of all places. You nodded with a smile, sitting up to give him a reassuring kiss. Kissing you back, he lightly pushed you to lay down. Bringing his hand down again, he teased your entrance with a finger then slowly pushed it inside you. You gasped as he pulled his finger out, thrusting back inside, adding a second finger.

"Seungkwan, please" you whined, reaching to touch his length. He pulled his fingers out of you to open the condom and slide it on himself. He lined himself up with your entrance, pushing his cock inside of you with a groan. "Fuck Kwannie, you're so big" you told him, making him smirk as he started moving his hips. You gripped his arm, begging him go faster. Seungkwan thrusted into you hard, picking up his pace and swearing when he felt you clench around him. He looked so hot above you, sweat glistining on his forehead, his hair clinging to it and his lips parted. He moaned your name over and over, chasing his climax with fast, rough thrusts into you. You could feel yours approaching and wrapped your legs around Seungkwan. His cock began hitting the perfect spot deep inside your heat, causing you to dig your nails into his arm.

"Seungkwan, I'm close." At the sound of his name, he grabbed your hips hard, thrusting even faster than before. "Fuck! Seungkwan!" you screamed as you reached your high, breathing heavy as you came back down. With a few more strokes, Seungkwan whined out "ahh-ah-ahhh", cumming into the condom.

You smiled up at him, kissing him one more time. He grinned back at you, pulling out and taking off the condom. He helped you sit up, bringing you into his lap. He pressed his lips to your forehead and held you close. "I love you so so much y/n."

"I love you too." you replied. "Why don't we get dressed and take a quick shower? Then I can take you out on our first date" Seungkwan said, handing you your clothes, then helping you out of the car once you were both dressed. You nodded, reaching to hold Seungkwan's hand in yours.

"You know what?" he started. You hummed in response, giggling when he said "maybe I don't hate this mini van as much as I thought.

Where is your boy tonight? I hope he is a gentleman. Maybe he won't find out what I know. You were the last good thing about this part of town.

[spookysanta]

miss you. (g.d.)

part i of ii.

Summary: long distance relationships suck; but especially for (Y/N) and Grayson.

Pairing: Grayson Dolan x Reader

WARNINGS: mentions of sex (not yet), angst??????????????????????????, fluff, bad writing

UNEDITED

YUH look at me on a writing streak :) and let’s all reminisce on fetus baby boy by these precious “date” snaps:

(@trapezoidmouth on IG)

***THIS TAKES PLACE AROUND APRIL/MAY***

i only mention that bc it’s talking about graduation and it’s july so i didn’t want people to make a big deal about it

***

"So," she told him with a big sigh on the phone when she got home from class. "I did my presentation today."

"Oh, really?" he replied, while cooking himself an omelette. It was three o'clock her time and noon in Los Angeles, where he was; so it was brunch time. "How'd it go?"

"It..was awful." She tried to force herself not to cry, because when she cries, Grayson is quick to get up and go wherever she was to comfort her. Which might be good in the moment, but she doesn't want to do that to him (anymore--this would've been the fourth time he'd done that). "Gray, I did everything my teacher told me to! I added the information I needed to, took out some stuff, and I even memorized everything! But when I got up there...I couldn't do it."

"What was your topic again?"

She recited her research question as if it were read out of a book. "How listening to music during pregnancy helps a baby's development in the womb."

"Really? That doesn't sound hard at all."

"It wasn't that my topic was hard, it was that the questions I got asked were too hard for me to answer, and how I answered questions was a big portion of my grade." she was getting a little misty-eyed. She'd been working on this project for months; she thought she'd learned just about everything there is to know about music's effects on child development. "Gray, I really thought I had it until then."

"Listen, baby. Regardless of how you think it went, I'm sure you did better. Because I've heard your presentation and you sounded like you knew exactly what you were talking about. I think it's all in your head, angel." He sighed, flipping his omelette in the pan. He liked omelettes when she made them for him when she visited, because she knew exactly what he wanted, how much of each ingredient to add, and she makes sure they're always cheesy and delicious. But when he makes them, sometimes they're a little...underdone.

"I can't focus." she put him on speakerphone and took off her top, pants, and bra, opting to wear one of his t-shirts for comfort. She has a few of them, but her favorite one to wear is the black crew neck. It's plain and simple, and it fits him like a god. But she managed to take it when she left L.A. the last time; and honestly, she took a little vile of his cologne, too, to spray on the shirt after she washes it. "It's so close to graduation, baby, and I know you're gonna call me a loser for saying this, but I can't do this anymore. I want to drop out." she groaned.

"You're a loser either way, in my opinion." he heard her laugh on the other end of the phone. And that laugh was like air to his lungs, if he's being completely honest with himself. He hadn't heard that angelic laugh in months. The last time they'd been together was when she visited him the last few days of her Winter Break--and that was in January. "But you literally graduate in a month. Shut up."

"Okaaaaaaaaaaaay." she groaned again. What she wouldn't give for his bone-crushing cuddles right about now. That's all she wants. She'd been feeling weepy and anxious and a bit sad all day, but now that she's talking to her man, she's starting to feel the heavy weight of her stress lift. "I miss you." she confessed. "I know we agreed that we wouldn't get all sappy like this but I'm wearing your shirt right now and all I smell is you."

“I miss you, too.”

She heard noise on the other end and nearly vomited at the sound. "Move your mouth away from the receiver, Gray. I can hear you chewing."

He chewed louder, his mouth hovering over the phone's microphone. "Like this?"

She hung up the phone.

***

He called her again later, at around four o'clock his time. He and his brother were outside and he was about to grill some steaks for dinner. "Hello?" he greeted into the receiver. "Baby?"

"Hey." she groggily replied. She'd fallen asleep while talking to her best friend on FaceTime and she woke up about five minutes ago. "What's up, boo?"

"Just checkin' on you. I wanted to make sure you're in better spirits than earlier."

"Yeah, I'm fine." She sat up and stumbled down the stairs and into the kitchen , finding a box of Kraft mac and cheese in the pantry to cook. "I'm just glad everything’s over with."

"I understand. I just don't want you to be all sad and mopey."

"I'm not sad and mopey only because of my presentation, I'm sad and mopey because I miss my boyfriend." she sighed. "I really don't think I can wait until my birthday to see you."

"So what do you want me to do? You want me to come there, or fly you out here?"

"It doesn't matter, honestly. I just want to see you." she stirred some salt in the pot of boiling water, then poured the noodles into the pot, turning down the heat, and shutting the lid. "Doesn't even have to be long. I just want cuddles and kisses."

"I'd be glad to give you that, and you know I would come and see you right now if I could, but I can't right now. We're filming all week this week and both of us need to be here for it."

"I'm dying without my fuckin' cuddles, man." she drained the pasta, hissing to herself when a little bit of water got on her brown hand. She cursed quietly, already assuming that Grayson knew she'd injured herself somehow--as she usually does. She put the pasta back in the pot and added butter, almond milk, and the powdered cheese, stirring it and letting it cool a bit before pouring it in a bowl next to the stove. "I wanna see your pretty face." she spoke, holding the phone to her ear and with her bowl in one hand and a bottle of sparkling water in the other.

"Hold on a second." she heard shuffling on the other end of the phone. He was making a space on his desk for his phone to sit on, but she already knew that that'd been what he was up to, because his desk is constantly cluttered with papers, receipts, pens and pencils, etc. His desk was riddled with stuff. She heard the quiet his of "ah dammit", and then she finally saw it. That gorgeous grin that makes his hazel eyes crinkle in the outer corners. "Hi, honey."

And as happy as she'd typically be to see his face on FaceTime, all she did was sob. "Hey." She grabbed her food and her drink and with cloudy vision, she guided herself to the couch to eat.

His face fell. "What's wrong? Did I catch at a bad time?"

"No." She sniffled. God, she was so emotional today. "I just...I want you."

"Oh, babe. I wish there was something I could do about that but right now my hands are completely tied."

"I just want cuddles and kisses and hugs! And I want to wear that new shirt you just bought because it looks comfy and I bet it smells good."

"Baby I promise—hold out a little bit longer and you can have whatever it is you want." He paused. "Except for that shirt.”

"Why?" She whined.

"Because I bought that shirt last week. It's still new."

"So? I want it."

"You can have every other shirt except that one. At least not for a while."

"Ugh!" She groaned. "You're the worst."

"I've been told."

She looked away from her phone that was propped up on a pillow and turned on the television, turning to a DVR recording of Botched and settling into the couch, fully accepting the fact that she had to cuddle with the pillows next to her instead of her boo. She picked up her fork, sadly poking the orange-dyed macaroni noodles and putting them in her mouth. "I don't want this anymore." She muttered to herself, catching the attention of the boy on the other end of the phone, who'd only just found something to do on his laptop to distract himself from looking at her tear-stained face.

Because if he did, he'd be at her every beck and call and give her exactly what she wanted. And he was a busy guy; he didn't have time to fly across the country to snuggle her like he has the slight habit of doing.

As much as he craved her—her body, her mind, her laugh, her smell (God, the way she smells? Absolutely intoxicating. He finds himself thinking of the inticing scent on the days when he misses her the most, and it's almost as if she infiltrates his nostrils. Ergo, causing him to miss her 1000x more.)—he cannot leave Los Angeles for at least the next week. If he leaves, then that means Ethan would be left with editing their upcoming video's footage, and that's the last thing he needs right now.

"Why not? When we texted earlier, you said you were hungry."

"Yeah. I was. But now...I don't know." She shrugged. She stopped the recording on the TV, picking her bowl back up and setting it in the microwave for if she wanted it later. Then, she trudged her way back upstairs and got in her bed. She sighed, feeling the lump in her throat form again.

[annaphoenix1994]

Horseshoe Overlook - Americans at Rest

Minnie looked up from cleaning her rifle to the sound of hoofbeats, relieved that it was her father finally returning home after being to town all day. "Ya get lost?" She questioned with a grin, teasing him.

"I might have," Her father replied, stopping Trace at the hitching post outside the cabin. "I met a feller and we got to talkin' and I lost track of time." He explained.

"Did you talk the poor man's head off?" She chuckled.

"No, he actually liked talkin' to me. He didn't talk much of himself though. Just another ear to listen I suppose. Real nice feller. You'd like him!"

"Is that so?" She scoffed.

"Sure is! He looked a little older than you, but was real polite and charming. You would've fallen in love with his eyes," He explained, knowing his daughter was soft for blue eyes. Jameson was always a man who remembered another's face. In his time, it was crucial to remember a familiar face.

Minnie's heart fluttered as she immediately thought of the "man in blue" back on the Cornwall train. 'That's a one in a million chance it was him' she thought to herself, frowning in disappointment. "So, that's what you do: playing matchmaker for your daughter!" She laughed, shaking the memory of the man's blue eyes from her mind.

"Nah, I just met him while I was having a drink and we got to talking. He reminded me of you, so I immediately brought you up." He explained.

"You didn't tell him my name, did you?" She rose her brows.

"Of course not!"

"Good," She smiled. "I'll go make some dinner," She said as she stood to her feet before stretching by raising her arms above her head. "You still play your banjo? You said earlier that you missed playing."

"I haven't lately. Say, you wanna sing with me later?" He suggested.

"Of course, pa," Minnie smiled. "Give me an hour to make dinner." She assured as she walked into the cabin after getting the provisions from Trace's saddlebag. She caught a glimpse of her father staring off into the distance again like he had done earlier, worried about something happening. She sighed as she knew sooner or later, he would have to be under supervision twenty-four seven. She made her way to the chest at the foot of her bed, pulling out a dark blue skirt to compliment her cream-colored blouse. She tied her apron around her waist as she made haste in getting dinner prepared. Dusk was soon approaching as she lit a lantern to flatter the inside of the cabin while her father lit the lantern that hung from the porch.

"I'll be right back!" He announced from outside. "Goin' to go put Trace up!"

She nodded as she looked at him through the window, rapidly stirring the heated corn kernels, mixing cream and flour in them as it was heating up, making creamed corn as she waited for the camp bread to rise as they cooked on a cast-iron skillet.

"You comin' in for dinner?" She asked as the food was finally ready. It wasn't much, but it was definitely a bigger meal than what was typical: creamed corn, camp bread, celery sticks, salted beef, and potato slices.

"This looks great, dear!" He applauded as he sat across from her at the small table. She smiled as she set his prepared plate in front of him as well as the skillet of camp bread in the middle of the table just in case they wanted more.

"Thank you," She replied as she poured him a tin cup of water before pouring her own as she sat down to join him.

"How long you plan on stayin'?" He asked.

"What kind of question is that?" She furrowed her brows.

"You know exactly what I'm askin'. You know I hate talkin' about this, but I need to know." He replied, his mouth full of creamed corn.

She sighed, "I don't know. We have quite a bit of money for now, so I don't think I'd be goin' anywhere any time soon." She assured him, sighing a breath of relief as she saw him smile at her response. She could tell it made him happy to hear that as well as she, but she knew she would have to leave sometime soon.

Their conversations were brief as they ate, grateful that they were able to eat a meal this big compared to the simple diet of beans, camp bread, and dried fruit. During their meal, she couldn't help but notice how fidgety her father was, which wasn't normal for him unless he was eager to do something.

"What's eatin' at you, pa?" She asked.

"When I was talking to the feller I met, we got to talkin' about how we used to be in church. I miss playin' my banjo while you sing. It brings back so many memories. Wanna go play?" He asked, his grey eyes pleading for remembrance as he was desperate to ignore the awful gut feeling he had of things about to take a turn for the worst.

She smiled, "I haven't sang in years..."

"That don't matter. You know you'll feel better if you sing. Takes stress off ya!" He suggested.

"Alright, fair enough! You got me!" She chuckled. "Let me clean these plates up first. I'll meet you out on the porch." She said. He nodded as he slowly stood to his feet, grabbing his banjo as he walked to the front porch. She grew excited as she heard him tune up the instrument, knowing that he was eager to play as it was one of his many talents. Brief thoughts came back to her from when she would sing in the choir at church growing up, looking at her father for comfort to ease her nerves as he played the banjo while the church group sang. In a way, she needed this as much as he did.

She wiped her hands on her apron before removing it, grabbing a bottle of whiskey to take with her to soothe her nerves, even if she was just singing in front of herself and her father. "Alright, what song should we do?" She asked, sitting down in the rocking chair next to her father.

"Wayfaring Stranger" to start out. It's slow and I know I'm a bit rusty." He chuckled.

"I don't know if I remember the words!" She giggled.

"You will, dear," He assured. "You ready?"

She nodded as she gulped, closing her eyes, waiting to hear the soft strums of the banjo to get the rhythm of the old song.

I am a poor wayfaring stranger Traveling through this world alone There is no sickness, toil nor danger In that fair land to which I go

I'm goin' home to meet my mother I'm  goin' home, no more to roam I am just goin' over Jordan I am just goin' over home

I know dark clouds will hover o'er me I know my pathway's rough and steep But golden fields lie out before me Where weary eyes no more will weep

I'm goin' home to meet my father I'm  goin' home, no more to roam I am just goin' over Jordan I am just goin' over home

"I told ya!" He cheered her, chills erecting on his forearms. His daughter really had the voice of an angel. "What about "Cruel World?"

"I'll see if I can remember that one! That one's new!" She chuckled, feeling more confident as her natural talent came back to her.

Cruel, cruel world, must I go on? Cruel, cruel world, I'm moving on I've been living too fast And I've been living too long Cruel, cruel world, I'm gone

This big ol' world sure got me running 'round I heard a voice that said, "Just settle down" And with the moonlight as my guide And with this feeling deep inside I know now that I am homeward bound

"Should we do another?" She asked, taking another shot of whiskey to calm her rattling nerves. It felt as if every other problem in the world has faded away, even the gang lurking in the distance, waiting to make their move.

He smiled as he strummed his banjo once more, his mind searching for the next song to suggest, but his mind was boggled by the irritable gut pain he kept getting, feeling like he was being watched.

"What have we got here? A party?" A man said from horseback, holding his lantern up. Minnie's eyes widened as she stood to her feet, standing in a protective stance in front of her father.

"Mind your business," She snarled.

"Oh, I am, darlin'. You see, I have a reason to be here tonight,"

"Yeah? And I have a reason to shoot you if you don't leave right now!" She warned, raising her brows.

The stranger chuckled, "Ha! I don't see that happenin'," He said as a few more men appeared from the perimeter.

'Me and my big mouth,' She scolded herself.

"Dear, I believe your sins have come to get their due." She heard her father say.

That sentence stung her heart, but she knew he was right. "Get inside," She said.

"What're you gonna do?" He whispered.

"Don't worry about it. They look like bounty hunters. They just want me-"

"Oh, we don't just want you, but this house. Ya see, your buddy needs a place to stay-"

"Your buddy will have a hole in the ground to stay in. Not here, so get lost!" She hissed.

"Get lost, huh?" She heard a familiar voice say.

Colm O'Driscoll.

"Shit," She mumbled. "You heard me," She said, making her voice stern. She never wanted her father to be involved in her ways of being an outlaw, but she came to peace with the fact that he would eventually.

"You're right, I did. Loud and clear. Now you hear me: we're takin' your home. We need a hideout. Now if you want to live with your pa here, I suggest you move aside and let us in," Colm explained.

"Over my dead body!" She snarled.

Colm shrugged his shoulders, taking his pistol from his holster, pulling the hammer back, "If you say so," He said, pulling the trigger, except his aim wasn't on her, but her father.

With a grunt and thud, he landed on the porch. She immediately knelt down to him, holding his head in her hands, crying uncontrollably, apologizing to him, "I'm so sorry! I'll never be able to forgive myself for this!" She cried, her tears blurring her vision. He tightly gripped her hand, using his thumb to rub the top of her hand. "Never be sorry. It's how the ways things is," He panted. "I love you,"

"I love you too," She cried, bowing her head to where her forehead was resting on his. "Give momma a kiss for me,"

He chuckled quietly, "I know she's a-waitin' on me!"

"Get her outta my sight!" She heard Colm demand. She tried her best to fight the two men grabbing her, pulling her away from her father. "Dump him in the wagon right there!" He demanded, pointing to the unusable wagon sitting a few yards away from the cabin.

Both of the men gripped her harshly by her arms, dragging her away from her now-deceased father. Her body was numb and her brain felt stunned while her vision was blurred by her tears. Her heart was broken.

Both of Colm's men drug her into the cabin, using a stiff rope to tie her wrists around the thick cot post before tying her ankles together. "Where should we start?" Colm asked as he walked into the cabin, scavenging the food that had previously been prepared.

"Don't think there ain't shit here, boss." One of the men said.

Colm smirked, "Oh, there's somethin' here. Search every cabinet and chest," He directed. The men nodded as they followed orders. Minnie shut her eyes and turned her head as she felt Colm's presence tower over her, his rough hand gripping her jaw and turning her face towards him. "You got prettier," He whispered, evident of the bourbon he had been drinking. "You think you could get away with threatenin' me like that?" He mocked.

"I still can," She spat. "There ain't much you can do to me now. I got nothin' better to live for."

"Very cooperative, Miss Barlow. Congratulations, you'll be livin' your new life in prison after we have ya turned in. That's a mighty fine bounty you got on your head." He said.

"'Bout as big as the one on yours," She replied, pursing her lips. "I'd rather rot in prison than sit and hear your bullshit words," She opened her eyes to stare into his, taunting him. He clenched his fingers harder against her skin, wanting to make her wince, which she didn't. He didn't want to admit that she was as tough as nails as he was going to do everything in his power to make her crumble.

"What're you gonna do? Hit me? So big and bad." She mocked. Without a response, he did just that, smacking her clean across the face twice, slightly splitting her lip.

"You're gonna wish you didn't piss me off." He said, roughly pulling her closer to him, his lips centimeters from her cheek.

"Likewise."

───※ ·❆· ※───

A few days later...

Arthur took a long draw from his cigarette as he walked through the saloon in Valentine, scanning the area for Javier and Charles. He remembered that Hosea had said they had been going back and forth to Valentine since arriving at Horseshoe Overlook, haste to get a drink almost every night. He put out the cigarette with his boot, walking over to his fellow gang members, chuckling as they were trying to get in between the sheets with the local working girls.

"Hey! Alright, here we go!" Javier cheered as he had talked one of the working girls he had his eyes on to take back a shot of hard liquor he had paid for. Javier had always been one to try too hard to get women. "Oh, Arthur! Come here, come here!" He said, grabbing him by the shoulder. "Come over here, I want you to meet our friends,"

"Please to meet you," Arthur said, not interested in getting to know these women, although he couldn't keep his eyes off of the younger woman's oversized breasts. 'No wonder Javier wants a go at that,' He thought to himself.

"Well ain't you just the tough as teak mountain man," The large-breasted woman flirted, her eyes scanning him up and down, biting her lip at his strong build and broad shoulders.

"Oh, you be quiet, Anastasia, anyone can tell this one is a pussy cat!" The other woman teased.

"Exactly, yes he's a pussy...cat," Javier said, bringing back the attention of the women to himself. "Ain't that so, Arthur?"

"Whatever you say," Arthur replied, standing back to look at the women up and down like they did to him. "How much you cost, anyway?"

"Well ain't that a nice way to talk to a lady," Anastasia flirted, resting her elbows on the bar as she leaned back.

"Oh, I didn't know I was talkin' to a lady," Arthur sneered, thankful that they got offended.

"Excuse me," Anastasia said, embarrassed, gesturing for the other girl to follow her, Charles attempting to graze her arm as he was almost heartbroken that she was leaving.

"Well, I must say, you got a fine way with the women, amigo," Javier sighed.

"Yeah, a regular dandy and a charmer," Arthur chuckled, now leaning against the bar. "Where's Bill?" He asked before taking back a shot.

"Oh, man, I dread to think about it," Javier replied, taking a drink for his own. "Hey hey hey, there he is!" Javier pointed to his now-drunken friend, staggering through the saloon doors, accidentally bumping into a fellow customer.

"Hey! Watch where you're goin'!" Bill spat, pushing the man away from him.

"Take it easy!" The local replied.

"Is he about to kiss that guy or punch him?" Arthur questioned, taking another shot as he knew he was about to get his knuckles bloody.

"Oh, and we have our answer!" Javier said, taking the lead and attacking the man that punched Bill.

Arthur sighed as he prepared his fists by cracking his knuckles and rolling his shoulders as he made his way to an opponent, delivering a few good blows before being punched himself, making his anger peak.

"Let's just shoot these bastards!" He heard Bill yell as he was growing more agitated that he was receiving more punches than delivering.

"Don't think that's a good idea!" Arthur grunted as he used the pillar to slam his opponent's head, knocking him out cold.

"Ain't there no men in this saloon?" Bill teased as three men had him cornered, two holding each of his arms as the third was delivering blows to his abdomen and face. Arthur groaned as he grabbed the man by the shoulders, turning him around to hook him square in the jaw, sending him staggering until he fell backward, holding his face.

"What the hell is goin' on down here?" A gruff voice said from atop the staircase. Arthur's eyes widened at how big this man was, secretly hoping that he wasn't going to have to fight him. 'With my luck...' He thought.

"No, Tommy, stay outta this!" The bartender pleaded as he took shelter behind the bar.

"Come here, you little greaser!" Tommy mocked, his attention on Javier.

Javier shook his knuckles as he attempted to throw a punch at him, Arthur following closely behind before being struck from behind by a man with an old wooden chair, wrapping his arms around Arthur's neck, using his elbow to squeeze.

"Get the hell off me!" Arthur grunted as he used his elbow to deliver a few strikes to his abdomen. Once he was weakened, Arthur escaped from his grip, using everything he had to throw a solid punch to the man's temple, knocking him out cold.

"He ain't gettin' up from that!" Bill chuckled. "Javier needs some help, Morgan!" He said.

Arthur rushed to Javier, whose face was being implanted into the wooden table closest to the window.

"Hey, tough guy!" Arthur yelled, grabbing Tommy by the shoulders, pulling him off of Javier before punching him in the stomach. Tommy pursed his lips before grabbing Arthur's jacket collar, striking him in the cheek before effortlessly throwing him across the table. "You want some too, huh?" Tommy mocked as Arthur struggled to get up, trying to catch his breath. Tommy gripped his jacket, using his body to almost throw Arthur through the window, tumbling into the muddy street below.

"Come on, pretty boy," Tommy mocked, marching down the three steps that led out of the saloon.

"You're kiddin' me, pretty boy?" Arthur questioned as he staggered to his feet, mentally preparing himself for another brawl.

The men boxed for a good few minutes before Arthur finally had the final say, straddling Tommy as he repeatedly delivered multiple blows to the man's face, wondering why he wasn't out cold yet. If it were up to him, he would've shot him by now.

"Stop! Stop! Please!" A bystander intervened, putting himself between Arthur as he was sure he was close to splitting Tommy's skull. "Please, I beg you. Stop. Come, sir. You won the fight already, surely that's enough?" The man suggested.

"What business is it of yours?" Arthur growled.

"No business," The man replied, coughing as he spit bile from his mouth. "No business, sir, but please, I beg you-"

Arthur had enough, pushing past the man as he quickly tended to Tommy. Arthur grabbed his shoulder as it was aching more than any other limb, making his way to the general store to have a seat on the bench outside, not even noticing Dutch's presence.

"Making new friends again I see, Arthur," He heard a familiar foreign voice say.

"Look who we found sniffing about," Dutch said, introducing the gang's longtime friend, Josiah Trelawny, a former member of the Van der Linde gang and Englishman. By how Arthur noted how he was dressed, he wasn't the only one giving him the odd look of 'this man is a long way from civilization.'

"Josiah Trelawny," Arthur said.

"The very same!" Dutch chuckled as Josiah did a bow, introducing himself.

"Well, well," Arthur said as he took a seat on the bench. "I thought you'd gone to New York?"

"And miss all this glamour?" Josiah replied in his sing-song voice. "You must be joking!"

"How are you?" Arthur asked as he now stood up to walk off his aches as sitting only seemed to make it worse.

"Quite well indeed," Josiah replied. "I went to Blackwater looking for you gentlemen. You're not very popular down there it seems," He explained. "Ah Javier and Charles! I've missed you! And Bill looking as well as can be. Gentlemen, always a pleasure!"

"You're right, we ain't too popular in Blackwater," Dutch nodded as the men seemed to be gathered in a small circle to talk about future plans.

"We left a lot of money there," Arthur said to Josiah as he was now sitting on the steps to the general store, finding the steps more comfortable than the bench.

"And young Sean it seems," Josiah added, referring to the young, cocky Irishman who had been with the gang and captured by the lawmen in Blackwater.

"Sean? You found him?" Dutch asked.

"Yes, I have!" Josiah nodded. "He's being held by some bounty hunters trying to see how much money the government will pay them. I know he's in Blackwater, but there's talk of him moving," He explained.

"Well, if we step foot in Blackwater well, then we're dead men for sure," Arthur warned, groaning as a sharp pain entered his jaw as he almost struggled to stand up.

"They'll be Pinkertons all over the place, but if he's alive we gotta try," Dutch said.

"Yeah, of course,"

"It's you they want, Dutch," Josiah warned.

"Always is. Charles, go find out what you can, carefully. Josiah, take Javier. Arthur, go get yourself cleaned up. Join them when you're ready," Dutch commanded.

"Well, what about me?" Bill asked, walking with Dutch as he dismissed himself.

"Well exactly, what about you?"

"W-What does that mean?"Bill questioned.

"Ah, Bill. Come on,"

Arthur shook his head as he made his way to the barrel of water in the alleyway, quickly cleaning his face before heading to the hotel to pay happily for a piping hot bath and a warm bed to stay in.