#they did lay it on pretty thick in season 5

[autumndragon]

knowing johann was a traitor makes watching sins of the past so frustrating!! man was constantly falling and blundering everywhere and being all like "im so sooowy, I'm onwy a humbwe twadew pwease forgwive me" every time he messes up like randomly falling off windshear and luring heather into a trap and then batting the lens out of snotlout's hands, and everyone just keeps forgiving him and saying it's not his fault WHEN IT IS!!

[readychilledwine]

The First Hunt

Eris Week - Day 4 - Hounds And Traditions

Summary - Open season in Autumn always creates a fun game for you and your husband

Warnings - fingering, dirty talk, praise, signs of dumbification and pet play, signs of predator prey play, hunting.

A/n - Slowly reworking through @erisweekofficial things and getting them reformatted 🫠 Happy late day 4! Day 5 should be up this evening. 💕

🍂Eris Week Masterlist🍂Eris Masterlist🍂Master Masterlist🍂

Dividers by @tsunami-of-tears

You sighed as you walked through the fallen leaves and branches behind your husband's path. Autumn had fully fallen throughout Prythian. Leaves were changing in the solar courts, and coffee shops began to request goods from your home.

But none of that matter to Eris right now. What mattered to Eris is Prythian welcoming Autumn along all their borders meant one thing.

Open Hunting Season.

Every court had different laws regarding when hunting certain game was appropriate. With Mabon having past, Beron had opened deer and elk season. Your husband's favorite time of the year.

He spent weeks training the hounds for this, and they were as ready as their handler.

“Eris, this isn’t-”

“Now, now, my pretty bunny. Silence is the most important part of the hunt. The hounds can't find their prey if you sit here huffing.” Amber eyes stared at you, a pleased smirk on his face as you crossed your arms. “I warned you, little wife. I said this would bore you.”

“I wanted to come to the cabin, spend time with you,” you huffed again. The hounds were deep into searching. Their sensitive noses buried in the ground. They were stealthy, silent. It was as if they knew exactly what leaves and branches to avoid.

The smokehounds were one of your favorite things about Eris. It was a preview to how he'll treat your future children, a sign of the amount of love he truly had just waiting to emerge, and his patience. One of the hounds, Cyprus, came and brushed his hand before walking another direction, the others following him.

He wordlessly motioned for you to follow, bow strapped to wide shoulders again as he moved. Eris was such a graceful being. Even in his most lethal moments, Eris carried the signs of his love of dance.

You followed them, deeper into the woods, deeper into thick brush. There were no villages nearby. No fae for you to decide to leave and speak with.

You all finally stopped in a field, a cleared area in the woods with only a single ancient oak tree.

It would be the only witness to what he was about to do to you. Your back met soft ground before you could even respond and he stood above you, bent at the waist and smirking, “Little wife, on your back for me already?” His bow was carried away by Willow, weapons now long gone as the hounds began to surround the clearing, sitting in the grass to stay guard.

You pushed up to your elbows, “Huband, help me back up.” You held a hand out to him, only for him to remove his shirt. Inches of new skin was revealed before he ultimately got on top of you, caging you to the ground below, “This isn't hunting?”

“Oh but it is, sweet bunny. I ensnared you right where I wanted.”

“Did you now?”

A soft kiss found your lips, “I did.”

“What if it is I who ensnared you?”

Eris only chuckled in response, “Then maybe we are both getting what we want.” His lips found yours again, more heated and needy as he forced you to lay back again. Your own shirt was pulled of moments later before he moved to pull down the travel pants you had been allowed to wear.

His hands began to explore then, his eyes soft as he looked over your smooth skin. “This is is much better than sitting lonely and waiting for the hounds to find something,” he squeezed the plush skin of your thighs, groaning as he did.

Eris loved every inch of you. He loved the curves you carried. He loved the strong muscles of your legs. “You're already wet for me, I can smell it.”

“Eris, I'm always ready for you.”

He lifted his head at you words before glancing to where Oak had stood, “It appears we only have about 10 minutes. They've found something to chase.”

Your remaining clothing became heated, burning off to ash before a hand came to rest on the most sensitive part of you. Fingers danced through your folds, a sigh leaving your lips as you laid back. “That isn't long enough,” you whined as a nimble finger found your clit, circling it.

“Not for everything I'd like to do, no, but long enough for me to get you to finish on my hand, yes.” Eris slid a finger in while holding your eyes. “Did you really think I would not find the rabbit foot treats you hid?”

You could hardly respond as barely brushed your spot, teasing you, giving you a taste of what you craved without fulfilling the hunger.

“Did you think I wouldn't notice my hounds munching on their favorite snacks during their prehunt routine? Little wife, how silly of you to think I didn't know you were trying to get fucked against a tree.”

He began working his finger in and out, curling it just below where you needed him to touch. You continued to hold eye contact, soft moans coming from your lips as you slightly raised your hips for him.

“Gods, you're beautiful like this,” he murmured. “So responsive and soft. Who's my dumb little bunny?”

“Me,” your voice broke with pleasure. “I'm you're dumb bunny.” Eris smirked, adding a second finger and stretching you out more. His thumb grazed your clit with every movement of his hand.

Your mind shut off with every word whispered into your ear. Praising you, degrading you, the dirtiest things about how warm and wet you were, how greedy your pretty pussy was as it took his fingers so easily.

Eris began to focus on chasing your high as the hounds broke into a sprint, his fingers moving fast as the build of barking began to intimate their prey. His second hand grabbed yours, placing it on your bundle of nerves so he could focus on finding the exact angle he needed.

His free hand began to squeeze your breasts, pinching your nipples hardened from the chilly Autumn morning.

Your cries as you felt the wave approaching were drowned out to all but him. The barking now louder and insistent, indicating the hounds were closer to you and Eris, leading the prey straight to you both.

“Need you to come, bunny. Need you to a the best girl for me,” his voice had dropped, deeper as his own arousal began to grow. He kept working you, fingers pulling like a magnet and pushing you towards the sea of pleasure you wanted to bathe yourself in. “Come, bunny,” he commanded.

His spare hand forced you into a kiss, swallowing the scream of his name falling from your lips as your body found what he was working for. He kissed you through the high until he couldn't, grabbing a single bow and arrow and turning while you laid shaking on the ground to shoot whatever finally came into the clearing.

“Not bad,” he muttered as he looked between his trembling wife and the large stag. He handed you your clothing, helping you put it back on, before standing and offering all 12 hounds their individual praise.

You shook your head as Eris smiled at his first game for the season, “Good first hunt?”

“Absolutely.”

“Better than the game we played last year?”

Eris seemed to pause at that question, “Well, considering you picked the most obvious choice in distraction for the hounds this year, I would say the game of cat and mouse we played during the hunt last year was better.” Your mate, blunt and honest to a fault, looked you over. “Though, I do think you look incredibly sexy with leaves in your hair.”

Eris bent down, lifting the deer with ease, “Besides, you, my bunny, only made it 20 feet from the cabin.”

Your jaw dropped as your eyes grew wide, his laughter rang through the clearing, hounds turning in circles of excitement with him. “I swear I tried.”

He moved, kissing your forehead, “Try again later.” The invitation was soft as he whistled, rounding up 12 smokehounds. “Let's go take care of this and then I can fulfill your wishes.”

He turned and walked away, muttering to himself again, “Not bad at all.”

General Taglist:

@hnyclover @glitterypirateduck @slytherinindisguise @mischiefmanagers @bloodicka @starsinyourseyes @the-sweet-psycho @mariahoedt @rinalouu @sarawritestories @starryhiraeth @starswholistenanddreamsanswered @cumuluscranium @loneliestluvr @eternallyelvish @azrielsmate3 @daughterofthemoons-stuff @meritxellao @aria-chikage @hungryforbatboys @lilah-asteria @fandomrejects @sleepybesson @tayswhp @itsswritten @milswrites @littlest-w01f

[deadweightwritings]

WRECKING BALL. TWD S5. [snippet]

WRECKING BALL - MOTHER MOTHER

TWD + Dixon!Reader [SEASON 5 E12 SPOILERS]

It ain’t no secret that Kit Blythe Dixon did not like Alexandria. The shower was nice, but the people are too normal for her liking. Too…not traumatized by the fuckin’ apocalypse. These people were babied and sheltered from all of it. To not be bored by the cookie-cutter lifestyle, she agreed to join Glenn, Tara, and Noah on a trip beyond the fence.

Piece of cake.

Until one of the two guys, Aiden and Nicholas, started bragging about hanging a walker, after it got one of their people.

“What? Why?” Shot out of Glenn’s mouth as he questions why in the hell these two strung up a walker. You strung a fuckin’ rotting body on a chain n’ expected it to not go anywhere?

“Now we have a little pregame ritual.”

“It reminds us of what we’re up against.” Kit snorted, wiping her bottom lip:  

“Oh, so y’all need a reminder, huh? Tha’s cute.”  

“Son of a bitch!” The familiar smell of deteriorating guts were strewn from a chain tied to a tree branch, dripping with rotted blood onto the dirt ground.

“Help me find it.”

“Look at this shit.” Yeah, look at it, jackass. Ain’t so pretty, hm?

“Shit! The blood’s still wet.” Aiden muttered, frantically looking around, Glenn shared the same exasperated look with Kit. A sharp whistle met Kit’s good ear and she winced, immediately shushing him with the others.

“Hey, hey, hey, it’s gone.” Glenn stated sternly to him, trying to lay it into his thick skull the waste of time this was.  

“It killed our friend! We’re not letting it go—”

“You’re gonna fucking have to—Will you shut up?!” Kit barked, the next guy whistling and clapping again. Low and behold, the walker turned up behind Aiden and the two idiots tried to rein it in, clattering of the chain heard behind the dead flesh. Kit fashioned the trusty machete, raising it up, ready to strike at any sudden wrong movement of the walker.   “Hey, hey over here, come this way!” Taking a few steps forward, arm up in the air, she got screamed at.

“No, don’t touch it! The rest of you back off!” Ok, so when it comes to kill you, don’t call me. It was the stupidest thing Kit had seen in a while. Seems she was due. The two men danced around this walker like a couple of ballerinas, getting frustrated when the chain on the dead skin kept slipping through.

“What’n the fuck?” Whispered out of Kit’s mouth as she stared ahead, genuinely confused by their movements. The metal clanged again by missing the wrists of the walker, and turned around, clacking its teeth at Aiden next. Wow, didn’t see that comin’. Everyone’s guard went up again, knives and guns drawn to aim at the target. Aiden struggled for a minute, which made Kit smirk, in a sick way.

Then this motherfucker launched the walker at Tara, it reached and hung onto her frame, as she held it off at arm’s length, trying to get a grip on her knife. Kit wasted no time launching forward and slamming her machete into the skull, blood splattered on her face, though she was unfazed. The THUMP of the body made almost everyone relax, heavy breathing surrounding all of them.

“What the hell?!” “YEA, what the hell?” Tara shot back at the Aiden, eyes wide and furious.

“You almost got her killed!”

“I told you all to stay back! I told you to listen to every damn thing I say!”

“Well, jackass, ya ain’t our boss!” Reaching into her back pocket, Kit yanked out a merlot colored bandana, copy cat of her dad’s and wiped the blood off her weapon. Aiden and Glenn had a stand off before his gaze switched to Kit and oh boy, he glared. Scoffing, Kit grabbed Tara’s shoulder and lead her out of the woods. Reaching the entrance back into Alexandria, the tension grew and laid around them like a smog.

“You four need new gigs! You’re not ready for run yet.” Aiden called after them.

“Yeah, pretty sure you have that backwards” Glenn shot back, unfazed by his comment. Aiden caught up to Glenn, putting his hand on his shoulder, which is dodged out of the second he laid his hands on him.

“Look, we have a way of doing things around here—”

“You tied up a walker!”

“It killed out friend! Look I won’t have this conversation. You obey my orders out there.” Kit nearly choked on her spit, man, did he know who he was talking to?  

“Well then, we’re as screwed as your last run crew.” She grinned at Glenn’s remark, happy he wasn’t putting up with anyone’s shit anymore. Walker bait, my ass.

“Say it again.” Aiden squared up to Glenn, Kit tensed up, fists clenching. He started pushing on Glenn’s chest, trying to get him riled as other people tried diffusing the situation. Did Kit participate? Fuck no, she’s a Dixon.  

“You’re run crew lucked out, ‘cause they had you leadin’ ‘em, hm?” Aiden whipped his head to the woman behind him.

“Hey, woah, take a step back man.” Noah chimed in, placing a hand between the dumbass and the hothead. He knew first-hand how brutal Kit could be, in any type of fight.

“Aiden! What is going on here?” Deanna’s sharp voice rang out into the street,

“These two have a problem with the way we do things.” Jabbing his two fingers at Glenn and Kit, who appeared rather calm as he explained like a 7-year-old tattling.

“Why did you let these people in?”

“‘Cause we actually know what we’re doin’ out there, dipshit.” Aidan swung at Kit. His knuckles grazed under her eye.

“Aiden, no!” At that moment, she knew her uncle was practically standing there, watching and cussing at her:

“Shit, you gon’ let him talk to you that way, missy?!”

Kit had a second to respond in her head: Fuck no. Her fist flew at his face, making a THWAP contact sound, as Nicholas tried to cover for Aiden but ended up being fucking bulldozed by Daryl Dixon. She tried taking another punch, though Glenn stepped in, looping his arms around hers from behind and trapping her in.

“Glenn—”

“Kit, cool it.” Michonne then stood toe to toe with Aiden as he shook his head, trying to set his jaw back into place.

“You want to end up on your ass, again?” Came out of her lips and that made Kit calm down a little in Glenn’s grasp. She went limp in his hold, and he let her go, huffing, Kit ran a hand through her hair, taking notice that there’s dried blood in it. Fuck, I jus’ showered too.  

Kit looked through her bangs to see her dad stalking back and forth behind Rick, trying to get his hands on either of them. She took notice of the guy choking on the ground and connected the dots. Ah. Daryl made his way to Kit, standing next to her, not saying a word but his features were pissed beyond belief.

“I want everyone to hear me. Rick and his people are part of this community, as equals. Understood?” Deanna held a lot of power in her voice, everyone falling silent, practically twiddling their thumbs along the way.

“Everyone, turn in their weapons.” The dread on everyone face set in at those words, and Aiden bore his eyes into Kit’s skull.

“Might as well turn in the redneck, as well.” “Aiden!” A fire lit under Kit’s ass as she lurched forward, swinging her fist. Arms steadied themselves around her waist, effectively holding her back as her teeth barred.

“Lemme at ‘em, 'm gonna kick his fuckin’ teeth in.” Snarled out of her lips, eyes dialed in the Aiden on the ground in front of her. Kit wrestled in the grip of Rick behind her, Daryl holding her shoulders down. She kicked out one of her legs, trying to scrape Aiden with her steel-toed boots. Aiden and Nicholas backed up, a glint in their eyes at her attempts. Deanna snapped.   

“Enough. You two come talk with me, now.” That group walked away, as Kit still squirmed under their protective grips.

“Kit. Calm down, it’s over.” Rick muttered next to her ear, and she let out a huge sigh through her nose, Kit’s eye twitched. She planted her feet on the ground, holding her body still until they slowly let her go.

“You alright?” Glenn asked, hand on her shoulder. Kit nodded, her cheeks becoming dusted with a rose color, taking in her recent actions. She shook off his hand, and uncurled her fingers from her palm. He didn’t mean to, but Daryl roughly grabbed Kit’s upper arm. Meeting his eye, she felt like a kid in trouble again.

“Where’d he get ya?” Kit scoffed, spitting on the ground and tapped under her left eye, growing red. Daryl licked his thumb and swiped it in that spot on her face,

“Gross, what the hell dad—” Swatting away his hand, a hint of a smirk came over his face.

“He can’t throw a punch fer shit.”

“I know that much.”  The pair overheard the job offers for Michonne and Rick. Deanna eyes Kit and Glenn, thanking them and they return her gesture with confusion. Kit crossed her arms over her chest, quirking a brow at the woman.

“For knocking him on his ass.” She smirked, tapping the tip of her boot on the ground twice and swiped at the edge of her nose.

“Oh, I can do that anytime, darlin’.”     

[zuffer-weird-girl]

*sees that season 6 of bnha is coming*

Well, since dabi is the one who will probably shine the most this season why fucking not put here some hcs of him I thought of to cope with the depression that will be those episodes.

This guy is not addicted to nicotine. He is addicted to your lips for some reason.

Hell if I know, but can you complain? No. No you can't <3

There is just something about you kissing him that is just so addicting to him. Like a damn drug that leaves him on cloud nine but his expression doesn't show it one bit.

Tease him, dare to keep kissing his neck and every part of his body minus his lips. He will let you do it.

But only for 5 minutes at maximum.

He will torture you for it later and will tease the fuck out of you for being so desperate for his touch and cock

Anger issues? Totally.

Self hatred and low self-esteem? More than it shows.

But Dabi is the guy that learned to put his hatred and anger on other things. Like some sorta of motivation for him to do better...

So no. He isn't abusive. He doesn't even lay a finger on you when he is stressed cause the fucking fear of hurting you is possessing his mind like a damn poltergeist.

Has a sweet tooth, and I will die saying this still.

If not joking about him dying due to his quirk, will be of diabetes

And you smack the shit out of him because how dare he say that?

Listen, you are the main motive why he hasn't killed more people than he already did.

Consider yourself pretty damn special. Not everyone can get inside Dabi's thick skull.

Speaking of. Is actually kind of funny.

For a guy who doesn't fear death, heroes and Yada yada

He is fucking terrified of you when you are angry.

He can say whatever he wants, but the minute he sees, you with that kind of look he is trembling in fear inside cause you are kinda scary.

Pretty hilarious seeing the big bad Dabi being afraid of his partner only because someone stole their ice cream.

But don't fool yourself, if he sees you're the in the wrong he won't be afraid to call you out on your bullshit just as much as you do to him.

Loves you and will fucking torture whoever so much stares at you funny in your way.

Says he isn't jealous but gets pissed of when one time Twice kissed you on the cheek.

[sicksucculentz]

Moon boys head cannons WARNING: NSFW themes

Marc:

Very abusive to himself. He runs on very little sleep all time and eats very little.

He cannot ever sit still. He's always got to be moving around or fidgeting with something. If he doesn't get to run at lest once every other day he will start to go stir crazy.

The only one in the system that sleep walks. Thats right, man can't even fucking sit still in his sleep. He doesn't cause too much of a problem. He just mostly wanders around like a zombie

Adreline junky. He starts to feel bored and cooped up when he doesn't get his adrenaline up. He get's cranky sometimes.

He doesn't so much hide the fact they have DID but he isn’t as eger to try and explain it as Steven is. He doesn't really say anything about unless someone outright asks.

He doesn't actually dislike Steven's vegan diet, claims it doesn't taste bad and keeps them slim. He actually eats a lot of vegan dishes himself and rarely eats any meat. Their body now has trouble digesting meat sadly so going hard with the red meats or heavy meats causes issues. Fish and chicken is often what he will eat.

He only fronts to spend time with Layla or be a bad ass. He doesn't like to be domestic so he just lets Steven have that. Steven has the body far far far more often than Marc or Jake does.

He once slipped and fell in the shower. He fell just right and tweaked his back. He was stuck in the shower butt as naked for like 40 minutes while Layla came to help them. She spent another 5 minutes laughing at him before he actually helped him. He got her back by farting on her head that night.

He's pretty serious most of the time but he has a few moments when he gets a little goofy. It kind of has to be dragged out of him though. He never had much of a happy childhood so he compensates as an adult. He plays with kinetic sand, puzzles, coloring books, color by number, phone games, he even watches cartoons. He prefers to do these things in private and only Steven knows about it.

Steven:

He's scared of Layla but he thinks she just the perfect woman. She makes him weak in the knees

Steven has a bit of a hard time falling asleep before 12am

He talks in his sleep. Nothing he ever says makes any sense. Layla writes down what he says and the two of them laugh about it once he's woken up. He once woke her up because he yelled "GET IT OUT OF THE TOILET AND RUN" at the top of his lungs at 5am. The accent just makes it 100% more funny and she reads Steven back what he said in a mocking accent.

He spaces off a lot, just staring off into nothing. Sometimes it takes a little bit to get his attention.

Cuddly. Very very cuddly. He loves to burry his face into Layla's chest, curl up on his side, and just lay there with her petting his head

He can REALLY make that accent THICK. He can make it so he's completely not understandable

Layla keeps making him say stupid shit so she can laugh at his accent.

He gets....scary when it comes to sexy time. He has legit snarled a couple of times and they've had to stop so he can calm the hell down. Layla is always the one that initiates their seasons. Steven is shockingly ALWAYS up of these and extremely excited about it. He's very sweet but he is also still a grown man that enjoys time in the bedroom with women.

There's been a couple of times when Layla....didn't know if it was even Steven on top of her anymore.

He likes gently pulling on Layla's curls to watch them bounce.

He considers Marc to be his older brother.

He doesn't hide fact they have DID. Matter of fact he started researching it and studying it in his free time just as he did with the Egypt and French stuff. He’ll open tell someone what's going on with him if they so much as give him a funny look. He doesn't want them to think he’s crazy.

He eats so much fucking food. Seriously he eats so much, it's incredible. He's always hungry and even sometimes eats when he's bored.

Because of his disgusting sleeping habits it’s not out of the normal for Steven to become jumpy and paranoid. The less sleep he gets the more twitchy he becomes. He’s not aloud to have coffee anymore.

His eyes go manic crazy when he starts getting into a disscusion about something that excites him, It’s almost scary. A couple of Layla’s friends has seen ‘the eyes’ and theyve felt a little bit scared. Even when he starts looking like this he’s completely safe to be around. He’ll just talk your ear off and not take the hint when you need a break.

Touch deprived. He loves physical affection even if Layla is straight sitting on his chest for the hell of it he’s happy with that. He’s really weird like that. Yes Layla has sat on him. Mostly when he’s taking up all the room some where she’ll just have a seat right on him, he don’t care.

Jake:

Hes the baby! the youngest!. He was formed quite some time after Steven, this is why Marc and Steven don't detect him.

He likes to lay low, to not be addressed or spotted. He will even go as far as to mimic Marc and Marc only, he can't get Steven's accent right.

Layla kind of knows something is up but she's not so sure. She's nearly caught him a couple times.

He actually loves Steven and Marc very much in a brotherly way. He leaves them treats and such. Beer in the fridge, cupcake on the counter, fruit and sugar set aside for Steven, pizza for Marc. He writes them remainders a lot. Marc and Steven always assume it's the other being sweet.

He sleeps all the time. Always napping, sleeping in, cuddled up in the covers. Layla has tried to get him out of bed a few times without knowing there's even a 3rd. He batted at her like a cat then farted when she tried to roll him out of bed. Of course she assumed it was Marc being an ass but she couldn't help but laugh.

He's got a really weird sense of humor. He just does weird shit to do weird shit. When he kicked that wheel chair, yea he just wanted to do that and let his intrusive thoughts win. He once drew Marc as a lighter and Layla as a bat, no reason what so ever. He hides little drawings of weird shit around where they live.

He’s a lot like Marc in the worst way. He too needs to feel excitement and a rush but in his case people always end up getting hurt. It’s easy to think he’s evil what with all the lives he’s taken but all he’s really doing is jumping in when Marc needs a hand and just goes a little too hard with it.

He’s accidentally scary. He’a super playful, silly, and smart but often he just looks like a serial killer.

Genral system functions:

It's pretty rare but they do sometimes have issues with rapid switching. It can be brought to a halt by pinching the very backs of their ears ((please don't actually do this with real systems, you will piss them off. I'm making this shit up))

All three of them love scalp scratches. Who doesn't, really

They can't hurt each other from inside the head but they can yell loud enough to the point it hurts to hear.

All of there dreams are separate, they never see each other in their dreams.

They get upset stomachs a lot so they do have a heating pad that always makes their tummy feel better.

Yes Layla is shared between Marc and Steven. Jake has no interactions with Layla. Mostly because he doesn't want to slip up and blow his cover.

Layla is the sexually aggressive one in the relationship. Moving from normal relationship to a polyamorous relationship was no issue. Oh boy does Layla like to have fun. She innates all the sexual encounters and the boys are honestly ok with going with the flow. each boy is VERY particular in the ways they engage. Layla can throw Steven around and be rough with him but Marc is different. Layla needs to be seriously gentle with Marc or else he will ether switch or have a flash back.

Marc and Steven sleep on their back while Jake tends to sleep on his tummy. Marc wants the blanket up to hips, no higher no lower. Steven wants it up over his shoulders and tucked around his neck.

They found this out by accident but certain high pitched frequencies can cause a sudden switch. The frequency causes their brain to sort of freak out and short circuit a little, causing a switch.

Of course Layla can ask for Marc or ask for Steven, it’s just like a normal social situation where you go “hey go get your brother for me would you? I need to talk to him”.

Marc started talking to his father again. He forgave his father of course but he didn’t shy away from the discussion of the residual trauma. He introduced his father to Steven. His father really didn’t have a hard time understanding because Steven explained in depth. Steven is a stranger to him and he’s going to be a stranger to him for a while. It’s not that he hates Steven or doesn't believe the diagnosis he’s just never delt with something like this and isn’t sure weather to call Steven his son or not.

The boys actually did end up checking themselves in for regular therapy and counseling. They still live in Steven’s current flat they just head out for appointments a lot.

Layla now wears two wedding rings! she considers herself to be married to Steven as well. She loves both of them a lot. Marc has no issue whatsoever with this, he's learned to share.

[avaritia-apotheosis]

Phantom Children Ch. 6

Hi guys! I'm back <3 (also, I'm currently looking for alpha/beta readers for Phantom Children, so if you're interested, feel free to shoot me a message!)

In Which: Danny Attempts to get Answers, Bruce Learns, and Dick Finally Learns What's Inside the Door that Doesn't Exist

AO3 | Prologue | 5 | [ 6 ] | 7

DANNY IS KNOCKED DOWN three, four, eight times on the ice. Each time made his back ache, his bones bruised and tired, and his mind burning with embarrassment and a drive to lash out. But each time he gets back up. Each time he lasts a little bit longer against Talia.

The ice still shifts, cracks and rumbles with every wrong move. Danny learned to roll with it. Move on light feet but attack with a firm stance, gauge which parts of the ice are stable and which should be avoided. Multi-tasking has never been Danny’s strong suit, but he’s good at learning and learning quickly.

Talia corrected his form as much as she beat him down. Exploited every one of his openings until he learned to defend them and praised him whenever he managed to pull one over her. The League’s martial arts was the holy amalgamation between almost every single fighting style there is, mashed and refined to perfection to become almost unpredictable to the untrained. A vast improvement to Danny’s previous ‘fuck around and see what works’ brawling and had the added benefit of meshing together with his spontaneity.

“You are doing well, Daniel,” Talia said as she sheathed her sword, hand resting just above her hip. “You have improved greatly in such a short time, as I have expected.”

It takes every ounce of Danny’s superhuman energy to not collapse to his knees, his every breath a ragged shudder as he tries to get his breathing under control. “Still can’t beat you, though.”

“Very few can boast that feat.”

“I’m not exactly sure if that’s supposed to make me feel any better or not. Do I get my prize at least?”

Tahlia tossed her braid over one shoulder with a laugh. “Come, then, let us rest in the caves. The sun is to set soon and we must make camp before we freeze to death.”

“Hypothermia is so last season. I’m way too cool for that.”

He didn’t know whether to be disappointed that Tahlia didn’t react to his pun. It was pretty clever, in his opinion.

('Puns are the lowest form of comedy,' said mind-Jazz.

Says the one who named the Box Ghost the ‘Crate Creep.’

'That’s alliteration, not a pun.')

It was kind of pathetic that even his mind-version of Jazz was smarter than him.

“What would you like to know first?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Sarcasm dripped from Danny’s voice. He sheathed his sword and let it hang loose at his side. “Maybe how old this mysterious brother of mine is?” Ancients, his life was weird enough already, it wasn’t supposed to sound like the B-plot to a bad soap opera.

“Damian is younger than you by a little over four years. He will turn eleven this year.”

“Huh. Never been an older brother before.”

“Perhaps you might have been, if circumstances had been different.”

Cryptic. Great. Danny stepped over a particularly large crack in the ice and scampered over to solid ground. “You gotta give me more than that. What’s he like?”

“Prideful,” she said. “But skilled enough to warrant it. He was raised like a prince—as how you should have been.”

“And he lives with…our dad?”

“Yes. In America.” The cave was deep enough to shield them from the worst of the eventual mountain winds. Tahlia had already started building a campfire with equipment from her knapsack, embers eating away and growing into a steady flame. He sat down, legs crossed, beside the fire, hands tucked beneath his armpits.

He bit his lip, a question forming in his mind. “Do…do we have the same dad?”

Tahlia looked up at him. “Of course. Only your father has had the privilege of being called my beloved, and only he is worthy enough to have sired my children.”

Once night fell, it fell quickly. Blanketing as far as Danny could see from the mouth of the cave in a thick darkness. Snow fell from the skies in thick tufts and covered their footsteps.

“Does he—do they know about me?”

“No, they do not.”

“And you probably aren’t going to tell them anything about me, if you could help it.”

“That is very perceptive of you, habeebi.”

“You won’t tell me anything more about them, will you?”

“In due time, I will.”

Danny blew part of his fringe away from his face. Figures.

Despite the ever-present niggling at the back of his mind, Bruce had yet to see what was in the flash drive. The weeks since his strange meeting with Vlad Masters suddenly exploded with criminal activity with the recent breakout in Arkham and the brewings of another gang war in the shadows of Gotham’s paved streets. It was all hands-on deck. And Bruce, whether as Batman or Wayne, had always prioritized Gotham and its citizens over anything else.

The flash drive remained on his person despite the crisis, tucked away in one of the sturdier compartments of his utility belt to prevent the data inside from becoming damaged. Sometimes he found his hands gravitating towards it, fingers brushing against the button that would release the mystery from its confines before he realized what he was doing and steeled himself. Hands fisted to his side and attention forcibly directed elsewhere.

Eventually, the rogues were placed back into Arkham, and Gotham let out a shuddered breath of relief as it remained standing for another day.

Most of the family were out on a light patrol, cleaning up the remains of the breakout and helping where they can. Jason and Dick bickering over the comms whilst Barbara laughed in her clocktower.

(“It’s not that bad.”

"‘It’s not that bad’—shut the fuck up.” Jason spat. Bruce could hear him revving his bike. “You’re a fucking idiot, you know that? Certified Grade A idiot. B’s gonna kill you.”

He could hear Dick roll his eyes. “Sure, pile it all on, Jaybird. Blame the victim.”

"It was your fault.”

“It’s not my fault I didn’t see it there!”

"You tripped and got a concussion. From a stick. A. Stick.”

“Can we please just leave that out of the report?” Dick groaned. Barbara laughed. “Oh god.”

“Richard motherfucking John Grayson. I swear if you vomit on me then—”

“I’m not gonna vomit on you! You just turned the corner a little too fast. It’s nice to see you care though.”

"Fuck no, I just don’t wanna smell like regurgitated cereal.”)

Damian was benched from a patrol. Their last conflict with Poison Ivy ended with Damian sticking a bad landing and twisting his ankle. He dealt with it with as much grace as can be expected. Meaning that he spent the last few days sulking as he caught up on his missed schoolwork and shooting daggers at everyone else who came back from patrol.

Bruce flicked the flash drive open and plugged it into the computer. The flash drive contained only a single folder dated six months ago.

He clicked it, and a news headline popped up.

LOCAL TEEN DIES AFTER DRIVING OFF CLIFF

Beneath it, a picture. Blue eyes. Black hair. A familiar face.

Blood pounded in Bruce’s ears. He could hear nothing except a sharp gasp from Damian behind him.

When Dick and Jason arrived at the batcave, it was to an eerie silence. Not that it was usually loud, only that Bruce spent most of his free time down in the cave and Dick had come to expect hearing some signs of him around. Typing on keys, the clicking of a mouse, the heavy thuds of a fist meeting a punching bag or a training dummy, etcetera, etcetera. Or maybe even Alfred cleaning up around the cave, feeding the bats, or restocking their med bay.

(Dick, it turned out, didn’t have a concussion. Probably. Not a severe one anyway. What mattered most was that he managed to convince Jason to have dinner at the Manor. Alfred was making a tarte tatin for dessert tonight and those were absolutely to die for. )

One of Tim’s cases took him to the other side of Gotham. The only person in the cave was Damian, who was staring agape at the batcomputer.

“Why the hell is the demon spawn looking at old pictures of Bruce? We get it. They look alike.

“Uh, Dami? What’s up?”

Damian snapped his mouth shut. “I believe it might be best if you asked father that, Grayson.” Despite his clipped tone, there seemed to be little anger in his voice. His proud shoulders were hunched over on the chair, eyes trained on his lap.

He looked so small.

Damian clucked his tongue. “He’s upstairs, if you need him. So is Pennyworth.”

Dick shot a glance at Jason who raised his hands in mock surrender. “You’re up golden boy. Whatever the fuck the old man’s problem is this time, I’m not dealing with it.”

Dick sighed. “Fine.”

There was a door in Wayne Manor that didn’t exist.

When Dick was a child and recently adopted by Bruce Wayne, one of the first things he did was explore the manor. It’s the prerogative of every child that somehow found themselves in a large mansion—even more so given the castle-like exteriors of Wayne Manor. All castles have secret passages, and if the Batcave lay in the subterranean depths below, then surely the manor proper must have its own secrets.

Dick would tumble and cartwheel along the hallways, opening any and every single door he came across. A lot of them were just empty bedrooms or unused parlors and sitting rooms; the furniture covered by white sheets to keep the dust away. Alfred was probably magic, but even he can’t keep the entirety of the manor dust free.

The majority of the unused rooms were unlocked.

Except for one.

It was a room in the west wing, on the second floor. A couple doors down from where Bruce’s and Dick’s were. Why it was locked, Dick never found out. But he was curious since it was the only room on that floor that remained shut.

When he asked Alfred about it, the old butler only said that it was an unused storage room they preferred to keep locked just in case. When he asked Bruce about it, he’d be quick to change the subject. Usually something Batman related. Which, well, always worked, because it was Batman related. And Dick, young and spry and itching to fly under Batman’s wings, would quickly forget about that curious little mystery in favor of punching bad guys in the face and flipping over rooftops.

At some point that locked door quietly disappeared, leaving a blank expanse of wallpaper and a decorative vase where it once stood. It was never brought up again. And Dick slowly forgot that it was ever there in the first place.

Until now.

The wooden table and vase were shoved off to the side. Wallpaper sliced away to reveal the lines of a doorway. The door, covered in its faint damask wallpaper, was kicked open, the wood around the bolt splintered and cracked. He could hear voices—Alfred’s and Bruce’s—speaking softly on the other side.

He pressed his back against the wall and kept his breathing quiet.

“Three times, Alfred.” Bruce’s voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. “Three times she’s done this to me.”

“Master Bruce…”

“I don’t—I don’t understand why—” Bruce choked, swallowing a shuddered breath. “Damian, I can understand. Jason, I can too. But…This? I—” Bruce suddenly quieted. Dick knew the jig was up.

He unlatched himself from the wall and slowly slid through the once-hidden-door, a hand kept on the frame. “Um. Hi, Bruce? Alfred?” The words fell flat, stilted. Dick winced as he said them. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but, uh…” He trailed off the second he registered what was in the room.

It was large, as so many rooms in the manor were. The room was covered in peeling green wallpaper with faded pictures of baby deer and owls and other woodland creatures prancing about. There was a dresser on one wall. A shelf filled with little picture books and stuffed animals on the other. A brown teddy bear had fallen on its face on one of the shelves.

In the middle—where Bruce was hunched over—was a crib. The wood streaked and aged with time, the beddings within pristine and untouched, if not dusty. Hanging overhead was a mobile with little animals dangling on a string.

“Worry not Master Dick. It is good that you are here since it will inevitably involve the rest of the family at some point.”

Dick nodded absentmindedly, trying to lock eyes with his guardian. “B? What’s—what’s going on?” Dick took one step deeper into the room. “The pictures in the cave. I thought they were you since they were too old to be Damian—” Bruce’s hands on the crib’s railing flinched.

Dick’s breath hitched.

“They’re…not your photos, are they.”

Bruce took a deep breath in, the lines of his shoulders tense. “No. They’re not.”

In their line of work, the answer could have been anything. Clones, magical doppelgangers, alternate universe counterparts, hell, even just someone’s genetic code being coincidentally similar to another person. But…this room, this nursery, pointed towards only one conclusion.

“Who is he, Bruce?”

Bruce angled his head towards Dick, unshed tears glimmering in his eyes. “He’s my son, Dick.

“He’s my son.”

[beatricethecat2]

"No joy," Myka says, peeking into the static bag.

"That was the correct part, was it not?" Helena enlarges the photo on Myka's phone of a nineteenth-century elevator car housed at the Warehouse.

"I'm pretty sure. But that picture's not great." Myka slides the handle out and plops it back in to the tune of no sparks.

Helena noses around the storage space as The Dakota building's manager walks in.

"Maybe what you're looking for's in here," he says, plunking down a milk crate full of parts. "When they renovate, they save anything original."

"It's an elevator handle. From the original manual ones. Just not this one." Myka slips the part from the bag and holds it up.

"Might be in Ms. Shiva's apartment then. Parents took two cars and made them into a bar. Or could be from the one that went missing, the mysterious fourth car."

Myka and Helena share a concerned look, knowing the Warehouse took it without permission.

"Can we see the other two?" Myka asks.

"Look just like that one." The man points toward the ornately carved wooden car on the other side of the room. "Handle's that important to you, huh?"

"As architectural historians? Yes," Helena snips in a clipped, scholarly tone.

"Alright. Gimme a minute." He slips his phone out of its belt clip and walks out of the room.

Helena picks through dust-covered items in the crate. "This may be a lost cause."

"It must be upstairs. The walls are so thick, the ping could have come from anywhere."

"You said 'pickup,' not 'ping.'"

"Claudia called it a pickup yesterday! Today she called it a ping."

Helena huffs a disgruntled breath.

The manager waves a hand from the doorway. "She said it's ok to come up."

Myka follows the man, but Helena hangs back.

"Aren't you coming?" 

"I...should look through this crate."

"You know more about this stuff than me. You should come with."

"Myka, I...."

Myka steps closer and lowers her voice. "I know you're not happy about being here, but I really need your help."

Helena holds Myka's gaze but doesn't move.

"Please."

Helena nods an apprehensive yes.

"You'll tell me what's going on with you later, right?"

Helena nods again, with equal apprehension.

Myka grimaces. "Come on."

They follow the manager out of the room and into the elevator to the fourth floor.

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

The Adventures of Wells and Bering ("Warehouse 13" Season 5 replacement) Season 1: Episode 3 Title: New York City: I'm buggin' out!

Summary: After three blissful days holed up in their Philadelphia hotel room, Myka receives a call from the Warehouse asking for help. Helena proclaims New York "a cesspool" when told the pickup is in the city. Myka laughs when told Helena was last there in 1893. Told she can stay behind, Helena follows anyway, the pair taking the train to avoid driving. Helena tells tales of city adventures with her partner Wolcott as she and Myka make their way uptown. Helena tenses upon arrival at their destination, so much so, Myka can tell something is off.  Later that day, Helena reveals a long buried secret.

Previously: Episode 1, Episode 2

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

***BONUS SCENES***

After a less than jovial dinner (pictured above), Myka and Helena settle into their hotel room. Myka lounges in bed, already showered, wearing shorts and a t-shirt, nose buried in a book. Helena searches through her luggage after emerging from a shower swathed only in a robe.

"I know dinner wasn't great," Myka says, setting her book on the nightstand, "but something else's off. You've been weirdly touchy all day."

"I apologize for not being, as Claudia might say, 'all sunshine and rainbows.'" Helena yanks a t-shirt out of her suitcase. "Perhaps we should call the whole thing off." 

"What 'thing'?"

"This trip."

"Why?" Myka sits up.

"Because me being sullen is not an anomaly." 

"I know."

"Then why on earth would you subject yourself to that again?" Helena turns to face Myka and crosses her arms over her chest.

"Because you promised when you got like this you'd talk to me and I believed you."

"Fool," Helena says, the word filled with fondness rather than bite.

"Come here," Myka says, patting a spot next to her.

Helena stares at the bed but doesn't move.

"Come here..."

Helena's eyes lift to meet Myka's; the longer they stay locked, the less defiance they hold. She huffs a disgruntled breath but does as she's told. She sits stiffly, arms folded over her chest, back propped up against the headboard.

"Now, tell me what happened in that building," Myka says, laying back, turning to face Helena, head propped up by a hand. "Remember, I said I wouldn't judge you."

"You say that now..." Helena says, glancing at Myka.

"I won't," Myka says, slipping her hand over Helena's and squeezing, dragging it down to her lap, breaking her protective arm-fold.

"Where to begin," Helena grumbles, pressing her eyes closed, head falling back against the wall.

"How about..." Myka scoots up, aligning herself with Helena, all the while keeping hold of her hand. "The first time you were there, finding that artifact."

Helena rolls her head to the side and meets Myka's gaze.

Myka raises her brow and grins expectantly.

"Oh, alright," Helena grumps, sighing deeply, then lifting her head from the headboard.

"Wolly posed as an investor, and I, his wife. He and I were given guest accommodations, courtesy of Gustav Schirmer, a music publisher. We had a vague idea of what the curiosity was but needed time and access to suss out its location."

"I bet you and Wolly made a better couple than Pete and I ever did," Myka quips.

Helena huffs a short laugh. "People like us 'acted the part' on a daily basis. Anything beyond that was an extension of those fabricated selves. One had to switch 'on' any number of personas just to keep safe. It was difficult at times to remember our true selves."

"I'm sorry. That sucks."

"Easier for me than others. Though in that regard, I'm glad society seems to have changed for the better." Helena meets Myka's gaze, her eyes falling to her lips.

"Me too," Myka says as Helena cups her jaw, guiding their mouths together.

Their kiss lingers but as Helena's hand slides to the nape of Myka's neck, Myka pulls away.

"Story first," Myka says, slipping her hand over Helena's, lifting it away.

Helena pouts.

"After." Myka caresses Helena's cheek, then places a soft, brief kiss there. "I promise."

"I shall hold you to that."

"Oh, I know," Myka says, smiling. She settles back and waits as Helena collects her thoughts.

"The Dakota was unique,' Helena begins, "its design, the first of its kind in the world. A playground for 'new money,' miles away from 'civilization' further downtown. Few dared travel that far north, so their soirees were rather insular."

"That's good, right? Easier to find the artifact?" Myka says.

"Indeed. Gustav adored hosting events, along with the Steinways. Guests chased tunes all over the building as engagements spilled between apartments. Wolly and I snooped around gratuitously."

"Steinways...as in the grand-piano-maker Steinways?"

"The very same," Helena mumbles. Her eyes turn distant, a thumb rubbing idly over a knuckle, her hands linked primly on her lap. 

"Did you find the artifact?" Myka asks.

"Hmm? Oh...yes. But it took quite some time," Helena answers. "And along the way, I found something far more profound." She looks down at her lap, her hands pulling away from each other, tensing. 

"What was it?"

"I found my One."

"Y-You had a One?" Myka says, stiffening.

"All too briefly," Helena says, then glances at Myka. "To have found another is a kindness beyond anything I'd ever imagined. I'm sorry it took so long for me to believe it possible."

"You mean me?"

"I do." Helena brings Myka's hand up to her lips and kisses its palm.

"I, um, guess it's silly to be jealous of someone who lived over a hundred years ago. Especially since I know nothing about them." Myka scoots closer, cozying up to Helena. "Will you tell me?"

"Would you like to know?"

"I want to know everything about you."

"That may take some time."

"We have time, don't we?"

"Time has never been my ally. Especially with the ones I love."

"Let's change that." Myka tugs on Helena's sleeve, and the pair slip down to lie prone on the bed. She turns and snuggles up, head pillowed on Helena's shoulder, arm resting across her middle. Helena relaxes into Myka's hold and wraps an arm over Myka's.

"Tell me about your One," Myka says. "Or, your 'first' One."

"She...was an extraordinary woman," Helena answers. "Unlike any I'd ever known. We bonded instantly, which was unusual."

"How did you meet?"

"I caught her hiding from the merriment during a soiree, nose tucked in a book. One Mrs. Elizabeth Westcott." Helena smiles, obviously warmed by the memory.

"Mrs.?"

"A marriage for appearances; personal gain for two up-and-coming families. Residing at The Dakota allowed her husband to carry on extramarital affairs with less scrutiny. He cared little about her own."

"So you and she..."

"If those walls could talk," Helena says, her smile bordering on devilish. "We had several glorious years together before she..." Her smile fades in an instant.

"I'm afraid to ask."

"She died, as one does when one's husband's mistress plots to kill you."

"S-She was murdered?"

"Freak carriage accident. Never proven, but everyone knew. To ensure Elizabeth never gave him an heir, after Christina. The irony being we'd planned on running away to California soon enough--"

"Wait, Christina was Elizabeth's?" Myka lifts her head to look Helena in the eye.

"I loved her as if she were my own," Helena snaps, "spirited her away to England as soon as I could, with the housekeeper's help."

"You stole her?" Myka pushes away, falling back on her elbows, mouth agape.

"I rescued her," Helena barks, jerking upright. "That monstrous woman still had talons in her father. There was no doubt Christina wasn't safe. It's what Elizabeth would have wanted." 

Helena moves to leave, but Myka grabs her arm.

"Don't go," Myka pleads. "I'm sorry. I said I wouldn't judge you."

Helena freezes in place, her heart pounding wildly. A few moments later, she returns to Myka's side.

"Did anyone come looking for her?" Myka asks, pushing forward so as not to leave Helena stewing.

"I don't know. I doubt they could find me as only Elizabeth knew my true identity. And I never set foot in New York again."

"So literally 1893."

Helena nods, the sour look on her face softening. "I'd thought to visit her grave but haven't found the courage."

"You should go. We could go together. It'll give you closure."

"You sound so certain."

"I know it will help. I've loved and lost, too, you know."

"Indeed, you have, my love," Helena says, then sighs heavy-heartedly. "What a pair we make."

"I think we're a good match," Myka says, tugging Helena back to lie flat again. "We could take our minds off it. Make some new, pleasant memories." She slips a hand under the tie of Helena's robe.

"You did make a promise earlier," Helena replies.

"And I always make good on my promises," Myka says, drawing the tie free, brushing a fingertip over newly exposed skin. Helena quivers and relaxes back, offering no resistance as Myka fulfills her word.

End of Episode 3

-TBC-

NOTES: According to the internet, the term "buggin'" was coined in New York City. The fourth elevator really did go missing during The Dakota renovations in the 1960's (pre-landmarking). Thank you to the library for being open so I could borrow books and down some facts as this got way more involved than I meant it to become (but that's part of the fun).

This story format is...in my head, I'm calling it "TV POV." If we were watching the show, we'd see things but not hear the character's thoughts, so that's what I'm going for, I think? Broad strokes and quicker resolutions due to the 45 minute-ish run time (or would this show be a 25 minute one? Hmm.) Let me know if that's not working at all. I mean these are obviously pastiches of content - the images come first then the stories materialize afterwards. They are supposed to be short and clippy - plenty of room for the reader to fill in the blanks - but this one got away from me! Also Tumblr keeps making the second image blurry and I can't figure out why...

[jimlingss]

Moirai [5]

Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6

➜ Words: 5k

➜ Genres: 60% Fluff, 40% Angst, Isekai!AU

➜ Summary: Death is supposed to be the end. Or at least that's what you assumed when you're hit by a TRUCK. But the moment you open your eyes again, instead of being sent to the afterlife, you've become a baby. And not just any baby. You're the female villain of a video game.

“Thank you for inviting me, Lady Anastasia.”   Lucienne sits across the rounded table from you, oblivious to the blossom petals that have drifted down and tangled itself into her hair. The tea party invitation rests beside her teacup, neat and crisp like she held and opened it with the utmost care.    “Yes, thank you.” The other lady beside her pipes up. “It’s an absolute honour.”   “The Royal gardens are lovely this season,” another adds. “I’m glad I can enjoy it like this.”   “It’s not a problem, everyone.” A friendly smile stretches across your face. “It can get quite lonely being the only lady in the castle, so your company is welcome.”   More like Lady Devon and your other tutors was pretty damn insistent that you build a good reputation and inner circle, but whatever. What they don’t know, won’t hurt them.   But you do remember that in the original game, Anastasia used this opportunity to shame the heroine. She invited her to a tea party and made snide remarks about how she danced with the Prince. Of course it seems petty now but it’s understandable that Anastasia resented the heroine so much. Even if she didn’t intend it, she humiliated Anastasia by stealing her fiancé.   And the fact of the matter is that you’ll also become the laughingstock for what she’ll do.   “If I may ask, have you started the wedding arrangements yet, Lady Anastasia?”   You nearly choke on your tea, sputtering for a moment until you’re able to set the cup down on the saucer and cough into your napkin. The ladies around the table appear concerned, but you plaster on another smile. “Well, there’s been no discussion yet. The Royal family and the Devereux house are in no rush. There’s still quite a bit of time, so who knows what could happen.”   “What could happen?” One of them catches on quick and you cordially nod.   “The engagement was made when both Prince Jungkook and I were very young, but now that we are older, we can voice our own opinions on the matter.” You choose your words carefully and your smile widens. “I am not opposed if changes are made. If the leaders of the empire cannot exercise their own freedoms, then how can the people?”    They nod in agreeance, a few in awe at your deep thought process. “That is very mature of you, Lady Anastasia.”   You laugh stiffly and lift your tea cup for another sip.   “Oh, but the Crown Prince is so wonderful.”   You choke. Again. You wonder if you’re going to die at this tea party from the warm liquid constantly going down the wrong pipe.    “I am sure he wouldn’t change his mind with how lovely you are, Lady Anastasia.” The girl beside you smiles, laying it on thick to win your favour. “You two are a very fitting couple.”   “I agree.” Lucy smiles softly. “Prince Jungkook is very courteous.”   “And very majestic.”   You remember when you dueled with Jungkook, he lost within a minute. He threw a tantrum in the following days and gave you the silent treatment. Or that time you went horseback riding, you decided to race each other and he fell off his own horse into mud and started crying.   Uh-huh. Majestic indeed.   You chalk up your wheeze to nothing and dab the corner of your mouth with the tablecloth napkin. “Yes, well, Jungkook will make a fine King someday.”   “And you’ll make a fine Queen,” a soft-spoken voice pipes up and your eyes connect to Lucy’s. Unlike the others surrounding you, you know her words are genuinely spoken and you shift uncomfortably in your seat.   “I’m not so sure about that,” you honestly admit as you fidget with the edge of the porcelain saucer. “A queen must be kind and generous and know the suffering of the people. I’m afraid I have a lot left to learn.”   Your gaze meets Lucy’s again.   Her smile is all too gentle for high society and its naturally cunning, heartless nature. She’s awfully naive, but that aside, you know her benevolence will make her beloved in the empire.   //   Once the tea party is over, you’re able to breathe a sigh of relief. Christ, thank god that’s over.   You escort most of the ladies towards their carriages, bidding them goodbye with polite waves as the palace servants clear the dishes, chairs and table away from the garden. And you turn around to head back to your room to sneak in a break, but your name is frantically called—   “Lady Anastasia!”   You turn and a girl in her purple, simple gown comes barrelling down the open hall. Her chest rises and falls, completely out of breath even when she only ran two meters. It makes you laugh unabashedly. “Is everything okay? You don’t need to run.”   She hunches over, lungs probably burning, but she fixes her posture a moment later. “S-Sorry, my lady.”   “Anastasia is fine.”   Lucy nods. “I...just wanted to thank you again. I was very excited when I received your invitation. It’s an honour….Anastasia.”   “There’s no reason to thank me so much.” You walk alongside her. Your hat with pinned pink peonies, matching your gown, shields the sun away from your face.   “It’s just that I don’t get invited to these sort of events often considering….considering I’m just a baron’s daughter and adopted one at that.”   She doesn’t need to tell you — you know her backstory well. You’ve played through it from her perspective. Her father abandoned her mother who died of illness when she was five and she was picked up on the streets by the sympathetic baron. It seems like every character in this game has some tragic backstory. They are defining moments that make that person.   But you suppose life itself is like that.   “Can I give you some advice, Lucy?” you ask after a quiet moment and she nods. You stop walking and the girl halts beside you. “Your humility makes you likeable, but be careful not to self-deprecate yourself. Your worth is more than what you consider yourself to have.”   Her eyes widen and you add, “Plus, it’s not good to thank a host more than once like they’ve done you a big favour because they’ll start to think you owe them for it.”   Lucy nods and you smile, resuming your stroll. “I’ll be inviting you to more tea parties in the future.”   “Thank—” She catches herself. “Yes, I will be looking forward to that.”   A grin spreads into your cheeks. “On a different note, I never got to ask you how your dance was with Jungkook at the debutante ball.”   “Oh, yes, the Prince was very kind. But I’m sorry if it was inappropriate, I know he’s your fiancé—”   This time, your laugh is unrestrained. She looks up at you in surprise. “Do you think I’m getting jealous?” Lucy opens her mouth and then closes it, not sure what to say and you bat the air with your hand. “Jungkook is like a little brother to me.”   If she was surprised before, now she looks entirely off guard. “It thought the Prince and you were the same age.”   You laugh stiffly. “Yes, we are, but I guess that’s what childhood friends are like.”   “Oh, I’ve never had a childhood friend.”   “Have you ever had a friend?” Your eyes meet her’s and you smile. “Because I’d be happy to be your first.”   The conversation soon ends and as Lucy walks away, you breathe another sigh of relief and pat yourself on the back at the positive interaction. Even if she’s just a countryside girl, it’s nerve-racking when you’re supposed to be the villainess. You like her and you even offered your friendship, but with each interaction, your demise is always lingering at the back of your head.   “I didn’t take you for being such a mentor.”   You whirl around, nearly startled to death by the voice and you discover a tall, dark-haired man leaning against the marble pillar with a sly smile.   “How long have you been there?”   Taehyung grins. “Not long. I was just passing by. It was a coincidence.” He turns in the direction where Lucy went. “I heard you had a tea party, how did it go?”   “It was exhausting.” You stretch your arms over your head and walk over to lean against the stone ledge next to him. “I don’t think I’m quite fit for the palace life.”   Taehyung smiles and you look up at him. “Are you going to the garden again?”   He nods and there’s a strong urge to ask him if you can come along. Just for a small break before they find you and you’re swept up in another lesson. But you’re not sure if you should—   “Would you like to come?”    Taehyung asks the question for you and your eyes meet one another’s.   There’s no one around. Not a soul in sight who could stop you from going or leaving.   You know you should keep your distance from him. You know. But…   “Okay.”   You take him up on the offer, following after him, just for a moment of indulgence.

With the arrival of Spring also comes the Hunt. It’s a rather eventful time in the castle considering it's generally symbolic of the harvests of this year, thought to prevent famine if those attending can bring back large game. An irony that isn’t lost on you. But it’s an undoubtedly lively time and one that you don’t mind.   “You better bring back a whole moose,” you mumble as you tie the blue ribbon on the belt of Jungkook’s armour, making sure it’s tight and secure. The ribbon is a gift of good luck and one of affection. You’re obligated to tie one for Jungkook considering you’re his fiancée.    “I’ll bring back a dragon,” he declares brazingly and you lightly scoff.   This is his second time participating after winning last year, but you remember he was practically shaking back then out of fear and pressure.   “Okay then. Just make sure you don’t fall off your horse this time.”    “That was only once!”   You take a step back when you’re done tying the ribbon. “I should be the one going on the hunt instead of staying back for idle chit chat. I’m pretty sure I would be able to catch something bigger than you.”   “Probably.” Jungkook grins. “You’re good enough with your sword to be a knight.”   “They’d never let me.” You sigh. God knows your mother would be mortified and probably faint and die.    But while staying back and waiting for the men to return with their kill is boring as hell, at least you’re removed from the pressure of having to hunt large prey in the first place. It’s a competition after all and one that can get quite competitive from your knowledge.   You follow Jungkook to his prized white horse and watch him caress its muzzle.    “If you win, you should give the prize to Lucy.”   His brows furrow and he turns his head to you. “Lucienne? The girl I danced with at the ball? Why?”   You shrug half-heartedly. “Because she has no one and I feel bad for her. I already have a few knights who are going to dedicate their game to me.”   Jungkook hums, not thinking much about it. “Fine by me.”   He puts his foot on the stirrup and swings himself over, sitting on top of the majestic horse.   Preparations almost complete, you turn to the King who’s seated at the top of the stands in a throne-like chair. He looks across the field with an approving expression.   Your parents are beside the King and you spare them a mere glance before turning away. You haven’t spoken to them since the end of the debutante ball and you don’t plan to. It might be childish to give them the silent treatment, but you wonder to what end they’ll try to force you.   The attendant steps up. “Is everyone ready?”   At that exact same moment, as if he was called upon, a familiar dark-haired man with eyes the hue of deep honey enters your peripheral vision. Taehyung emerges onto the field filled with knights on horses and soldiers in armour. His navy cape draped over his left shoulder sways with each movement, twinkling in the sunlight as if there were stars sewn into the fabric. He’s grasping onto a steel pole, a magical staff and his presence garners whispers from all.   “Isn’t he the bastard son?” — “The first son of the King.” — “The one born from the maid.”   They’re all startled to see him — the nobles sitting in the stands, women murmuring underneath their breaths, men watching with their eyes wide, knights and guards. And most of all, you’re stuck at a standstill.   Heart thunderous in your ears — blood drained from your face — you can’t look away when all Taehyung is looking at is you.    He comes close and his expression melts into a tender smile, a softened gaze when he reads your eyes’ fixation on him.    Jungkook, on the other hand, grins and mounts off his horse. “Taehyung?!” The Prince welcomes his brother warmly — an action not unnoticed by the crowds watching. He hugs him and lets go a moment later. “What are you doing here?”   “What can I say? I’m here to steal your victory.”   The younger laughs and you can tell he’s genuinely excited. Jungkook’s cheeks are practically pink and bulging, and his eyes have brightened. “Do you want to put a bet on that?”   “How much are you willing to wager?” Taehyung quips back.   “My pride and dignity.”   He scoffs playfully. “How about your private library collection?”   “Deal. And if I win, I want you to come to the feast tonight.”   Taehyung grins. “Looks like this year’s going to be difficult for you, Your Highness.”   “I’ll keep up.” Jungkook laughs again and gets back on his horse.   A stable-boy comes rushing over with a horse for Taehyung and before the King can utter a single word or you have a chance to speak to him, the games have begun. Taehyung glances over his shoulder at you for a single beat and then he’s off into the woods with the rest.    In the original game, Taehyung never participated in the Hunt.   He looked on from the window of his tower and even sabotaged Jungkook.    In the original game, Jungkook became injured but still conscious enough that before he fated, he declared he would give his prize to the heroine since Anastasia was so overbearing. It sparked the girl’s jealousy and was the reason why she decided to conspire with Taehyung. It was the first domino in the chain — the beginning of the villains working hand in hand.   But none of that is happening.   You wonder how far your choices will continue to deviate from the story. How many more mistakes—   “Are you alright, Anastasia?”   You jolt, torn out of your deep trance by a worried gaze. Lucy has leaned in towards you, her brows knitted together and you smile. “I’m fine. I was just thinking about something.” You quickly change the subject. “Have you given your ribbon to anyone yet?”   The pair of you are walking down the castle hall, heading towards the dining hall where you know the noble women will be having tea and making small talk while waiting for their sons and husbands.   Lucy shakes her head and unties the blue ribbon she had around her wrist.    “Why not?”   She stares at the soft satin for a second and then looks up at you, mustering a small smile. “I wouldn’t know who to give it to.”   “Well, you still have time to decide. You can give it to someone when they get back.” You hum to yourself. “How about giving it the Crown Prince?”   Lucy’s eyes are as large as saucers and she blinks thrice.   You’re a bit endeared with how surprised she seems at your suggestion. “Don’t you admire Prince Jungkook?”   “I...I do,” she admits quietly and peeks at you again. “But I wouldn’t want to overstep—”    “Not at all!” You reassure her. “Prince Jungkook likes the admiration. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind whatsoever. He might actually appreciate it.”   The girl smiles to herself and nods.   Evening sets in after meaningless conversations, cordial expressions and polite responses. The only interruptions are the horns that ring as each participant in the Hunt slowly arrives back.   Jungkook returns sweaty and out of breath, but with a whole moose like he promised. There are cheers and applauses, but more importantly, silent gasps when he beelines straight to Lucy to give her the prize. She blushes, a stuttering mess full of ‘thank yous’ and ‘it’s an honour’, and you discover Jungkook’s bashful behaviour at her sincere gratitude.    He scratches the back of his neck, diverts his vision, mutters ‘it’s fine’. It’s fascinating to watch considering he’s always been arrogant and bratty to you since the day you met him.   But you don’t get to observe their moment for long.   Not when the horns ring again and a figure appears over the horizon.    This time, no one moves. Truly stunned. Breaths hitched. Holy shit. Taehyung arrives back with a bear and he doesn’t even look like he’s broken a sweat.   “Wow!” Jungkook is the first to react, moving out of the crowd to his brother. He’s genuinely amazed and impressed, jaw dropped and brows shot to his hairline. “You did this?!”   “Didn’t I say I would win?” Taehyung grins languidly.   “This...is incredible!” Jungkook’s admiration for his brother causes the unsettled crowd to finally calm. It starts off slow, a clap here or there and then it’s applause, cheering and murmurs of acknowledgment.   “Has anyone ever brought a bear back before?” — “Did he use magic?” — “Why didn’t the eldest son participate in the Hunt before?”   And you know that it’s the first time people have clapped for Taehyung.   The attendant rushes forward, sputtering on his words. “T-The winner for this year’s Hunt is His Highness, Prince Taehyung!”   Taehyung wins a chest of gold, worth more than fifty commoner’s lifetimes and you watch as he bows his head as he receives it. You watch as he holds it and strides towards you. You watch until his arms have extended and a smile draws upon his features.   “What are you doing?” you ask, a whisper that’s befallen off your lips, spilled past the astonishment.    His gaze and smile never wavers. “I’m giving my prize to you.”   The crowd’s stirred to silence, watching the two of you, and you receive the wooden chest.   The attendant quickly announces the feast in the hall and servants begin ushering the people inside. But you continue watching Taehyung, your eyes connected to his, both grounded in the private bubble.   No one notices the King sitting on top of the stands, his brows tightly knitted.    //   The dining hall has shifted.   No longer are there laced tablecloths, towers of pastries and teapots from the afternoon. It’s large plates that have stretched along the surface, meats and cheese, breads and butters that have begun the feast. There are grandiose chairs all around three different tables, arranged based on importance and connections, conversations that have filled the enormous room.   The darkness of the night is casted away by the chandeliers overhead, illuminating the room in a golden hue. Yet, while each is high on the atmosphere, drunk by the wine, you can’t swallow the food down.    The tapping of utensils on glass has you looking over. The room simmers down.    By the coaxing of Jungkook beside him, Taehyung rises from his chair and clears his throat. It’s customary for the victor of the Hunt to give a speech and you’re guessing this is it.   “Thank you all for coming.” Taehyung appears unfamiliar and awkward addressing the crowd, quickly rushing over his words as if to get it done and over with. “I have never participated in the Hunt before this year and it was only because of beginners luck that I won. That—”    Suddenly, Taehyung looks right at you. “—and the support of those most important to me.”    Then, as quick as he stole his glance, he turns away. “I hope the harvests of Ashea will prosper this year.”   There’s thunderous applause and the feast resumes.   You’re overwhelmed, dizzy, the celebrations of the room getting to your head — laughter, questions, comments louder by ten decibels until it feels earsplitting.   You look over at Jungkook, finding that he has two blue ribbons pinned on his left side. He’s smiling widely, oblivious. Then, your head whirls over to your parents sitting down the table. They might have friendly smiles plastered on their features, but you can tell through their eyes that there’s seething anger. They’re unhappy, most likely with you, most likely with what happened earlier.   “Anastasia.” Lady Devon, who sits beside you, calls you out of your thoughts, disapproving at how your listening skills could be so poor.   You blink, pretending you were in deep thought about her discussion of silver forks and the corner of your mouth tugs. “If you’ll excuse me…”   After a delayed moment, she nods and you push your chair back, blurring into the massive paintings on the wall as you slip out to the terrace.   The night is cold.    Each exhale of yours is visible and you tug the soft pink shawl around your shoulders closer to your body for some warmth as you lean against the railings. You look up at the star-filled sky, finally able to calm yourself from the noise inside. You’ve always been glad that no matter where you are, what universe it is, there’s always the same sun, stars and moon. A constant.   One thing you don’t have to worry about.   “Is there something wrong?”   You know who it is before you’ve even turned around.    It’s a relief. You’ve waited all day to be able to speak to him, to be away from prying eyes and in a private moment. It’s easing. Your nerves take comfort in the familiarity, somehow finding his very presence soothing. Yet it’s unsettling at the same time. You have too many questions, too many suspicions and you don’t know if you want to uncover the truth.   But you gather your strength and face Taehyung. “I’m just thinking.”   “About what?”   Taehyung approaches your side. The warm light from inside the palace spills out and your shadows cast onto the grass beneath the terrace. There is not a soul in the hall when they’re all inside the dining hall, celebrations and conversations muffled through the many walls.   You inhale a breath. “Why?”   Taehyung frowns.   You ask again, “Why did you give me your prize?”   “Should I not have?”   Half of his face is illuminated, the slope of his nose and dip of his cupid’s bow sharp against the glow of the chandeliers, reminiscent of the chiaroscuro of a painting.   “That’s not it. Just…..” Why does he treat you so kindly, why does he want to go out of his way to talk to you, why does he look at you like that— “Why?”   In the original game, Anastasia was Taehyung’s chess piece and nothing more.   “Does there need to be a reason?” The corner of his mouth tugs gingerly. “I wanted to, so I did.”   “But there’s so many eligible bachelorettes you could’ve them them to, like Lady Myoi or Lady Paxton—”   “None of them matter,” he injects without needing to blink or think twice. “Not like you do.”   Your head snaps up and your eyes meet. Taehyung gazes at you tenderly, searching your irises with a small smile and he swallows hard. His voice lowers when he asks, “Are you cold?”    Oddly enough, even with the chilly wind whisking through the branches and swaying the leaves, you aren’t cold if he’s here.    Yet suddenly, Taehyung snaps his fingers and you’re engulfed with the warmth of an embrace. It’s the heat of a winter fire crackling underneath the mantle, the Summer sun casting down on your cheeks, and it travels from your toes to your head, and you can’t help the giggle that spills from you.    “What did you just do?”   He grins and leans closer to you. “It’s a simple warmth spell.”   Your brow cocks. “How much magic do you exactly know?”    He even managed to get that bear without looking like he had to fight. Your efforts to get him not to tap into magic all those years ago were in vain, but you have to admit it’s pretty cool.   Taehyung looks away, smile easing. “It doesn’t matter how much magic I have. It’s not enough for what I really want.”    Your breath hitches in your throat. The implications of his words welcomes the tension back into the air that had snuck itself away for a simple moment. But it isn’t uncomfortable. It isn’t the kind of tension that comes when you’re speaking to the Duke and Duchess, not the stiffness that arrived when you were being scolded by Edith. No. It’s different. It’s….intimate.    Especially when he sneaks a glance at you and you hold it, eyes fixated into his.   None of you speak, breathe, bat a lash. Not when Taehyung starts to lean in close. Not when you begin to feel the heat of his cheeks on your skin, when you can hear the thunderous noise of his heartbeat bruising his rib cage. His lash tickles yours. But before your lips can brush—   You push him away.   Taehyung stumbles back, nearly falling over, but he grasps the railings.   Your breath heaves and you stare at him in shock, in horror with what was about to happen. And before anything can be said or done, you turn away.   “Wait! Anastasia!” Taehyung calls after you. “I’m sorry!”   “I….I need to leave.”   You can’t deviate from the story more than you already have. This is a mistake.   In the midst of your panic, you return to the dining hall and cut through the room. It’s the quickest way back to your chambers, so you don’t hesitate to move your steps, never once looking behind your shoulder. Luckily, Taehyung doesn’t follow after you. He can’t.    But while each is celebrating and distracted with their company, a certain girl notices your distraught and frantic form beelining to the massive doors.   Something doesn’t sit right in her, so she immediately stands and bows her head to the woman she was speaking to. “If you can excuse me, thank you, I’ll be right back.”   Lucy follows after you, eyes pinned on your backside.   The only people who pay any mind is your mother, the Duchess of Devereux. Her senses are sharp and she taps your father on the shoulder until he follows her line of sight to the girl.   The castle grounds are dark, the moon waxing but not yet full enough to provide a bright light. But enough is shed for you to see. It’s enough for shadows to cast along the stone walls. You would never walk outside at this time of night, but you need air. More of it. Something you can breathe in and hope will clear the cloudiness inside your mind, the noise that’s earsplitting.   A gentle tap on your shoulder has you screaming.   “It’s me!” Lucy puts her hands out, her eyes wide. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you.”   You catch your breath, steadying it and you swallow hard. “W-What are you doing outside? I thought you were still celebrating the feast.”   “I saw you walking by and I thought something was wrong and I got worried, I’m sorry.” She looks at you when the silence is ongoing. The concern is evident through her knitted brows. “Are you alright, Anastasia?”   It seems like everyone is asking you that question today.   A question you don’t know how to respond to yourself.   But you manage a nod and a smile. “I’m fine. I was just tired. I was thinking of retiring to my room early.”   “Oh, okay.”   You step towards her and grasp her hands within your own. “Can you do me a favour, Lucy, and keep Jungkook company tonight? He might be looking for me too and I don’t want him to be worried.”   “I will.” She nods. “But do you want me to escort you to your room? I could call someone—”   “No, it’s quite alright. I’ll be fine.” You smile and let go of her. “You should go back now before someone goes looking for you.”   Lucy nods for a second time and she bids you a goodnight as she walks back.   You’re left by yourself and you turn to tread your own way. The weight of so many decisions lie upon your shoulders and slow down your steps. You wonder why you have to bear the heavy burden of knowing your future, of knowing all of theirs while trying to escape your own fate.    It feels like you’re a pawn trying to control the whole chess board.   You exhale a breath, watching the cloud dissipate and unbeknownst to you, there’s a rustle in the garden’s bushes.   “That’s her, isn't it?”   Two shadows emerge from the darkness and before your ears can pick up on the noise, before you can turn around and meet the figures, a cloth is clamped over your mouth. Your shout is muffled and arms begin to drag you in the opposite direction of the castle.   What the fuc—    Immediately, your elbow juts out and the man behind you sputters, cowering over with a curse. You manage to slip out of his loosened grip, about to sprint and yell. Until another overtakes you and grabs hold of your wrists, yanking you back.   “Wench!” A cold blade sits at the juncture of your throat and you freeze, breaths tearing out of your throat frantically. You can fight him. Years of swordsmanship didn’t render you useless after all. But his threat delays you— “Shut your mouth if you don’t want Baron of Liza dead too.”   What?   Your mouth is stuffed with cloth and you’re roughly ripped into the darkness.   At the same time, Taehyung, still at the terrace and about to leave, turns around.

[brandywine-tomatoes]

Omega's Sixteenth

99 FOLLOWER SPECIAL!!

Masterlist

Characters: The Bad Batch + Omega, Rex, Hera

Prompt/Inspo: #2 from my list: Cross teaches an older Omega how to use a rifle.

TW: blaster shots (to the armour, everyone's fine), it's just a lot of banter and family shenanigans

Word count: 1857

QUICK NOTE: just a bunch of fluff. This'll be a two or three part deal, so Cross actually teaching Omega how to use his rifle will come.

NO BETA, WE DIE LIKE CLONES

--

“Hunter, where we going?” Omega shouted ahead of the running group. Her hands were tightly gripped around the gold energy bow with a purple bolt already in place.

“Keep going!” He yelled, farther back down the hallway with the rest of the Batch.

Omega didn’t think her sixtieth birthday would be spent raiding an Imperial base for information, but there she was, dodging blaster bolts from circular corridors and laying down cover fire for the Batch who were looking for a way out as they ran aimlessly around the sky compound.

The skull embroidered bandana around her forehead kept her brown hair from her face as the customized armour weighed her down. She backed against a wall, peering down a corridor and quickly sprung back from the sizzling bolts whisking by.

Omega jumped from her spot and rolled away from the laying shots, pulling back the bowstring rapidly to take down the KX-series security droid. She was still on her knees with her bow outstretched as her team rounded the corner.

She stood, rolling her shoulders and pointing to the window at the other end. “We could jump.”

“And get squished like pancakes?” Wrecker sounded uneasy through his helmet. “No thanks, I’ll take the stairs.”

“We have KXs inbound,” Crosshair interrupted.

Omega walked to Cross’s position, the sniper offering his fire puncher for her to see. The scope looked through the walls and picked up the movement of what looked like a whole platoon of droids. “Shit.”

“Language!” Hunter raised his voice.

“No, I agree. We’re in deep shit.” Cross took back his rifle.

“Omega’s right, the window is our only option if we value our lives,” Tech looked back at the group from the circuit breaker he was fiddling with on the wall.

A duo of security droids came around the corner, blasting away. The Batch dove for cover around both corners, Crosshair, Hunter, and Tech across from Omega and Wrecker.

Omega and Hunter counted down to sync their defence and Omega’s bow was shot into another corridor as soon as she tried to let lose an energy bolt. She jumped back in shock and shook out her hands.

“You okay, kid?” Wrecker shouted over the blaster fire.

“I’m fine, but I don’t have a weapon!”

“Catch,” Crosshair sounded from the commlink wedged in her armour.

Crosshair threw a spare blaster across the hall with expert precision, Omega catching it with one hand and flying out into the fire of the droids. After a couple missed shots, she sent them both to the ground in a sparking heap.

Hunter ran from his spot against the wall and checked Omega over.

“Did they hit you? Are you injured?” He asked frantically.

“What is it with you guys? I’m fine, only a shot in the armour,” she shrugged Hunter’s hands off her shoulders. A fleeting look of hurt passed over his face before relief.

“We don’t have time, they’re rounding the corner,” Crosshair’s voice flooded through the comms.

“You could do what you did on Skako,” Echo looked down the corridor to find Cross firing an offence.

“Not enough time.”

Omega started down the hall towards the window, picking up speed. “The window it is!”

“Omega wait! We have to wait for the ship!” Echo shouted.

“We’re going to be blasted to hell if we wait! Tell them to hurry up!”

She heard Echo’s frantic chatter on the comms and the group’s heavy footfalls bouncing off the round steel walls as they followed her lead.

As the security droids rounded the corner, Omega was pushed through the tinted glass by a bolt to the back, tumbling through the air before landing face-first on the wing of the Havoc Marauder. She flipped herself onto her back and groaned, watching the blaster fire shoot out the window before, one by one, the batch landed on the wing. Their pilots kept the ship steady and flew off in a hurry once everyone had a hold.

If Omega wasn’t shot twice in the armour, she would’ve laughed blissfully as they flew through the fluffy orange clouds, holding out her arms as the moisture-created little droplets running off the armour plates and slicking back her hair. Instead, she laid there on the wing, holding on for dear life and hoping the moisture wouldn’t loosen her grip.

“You okay?” Hunter yelled over the rushing wind to Omega.

“Stop it!” She growled back.

Echo put a hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “Kids are like this when they’re older, it’ll pass. Don’t get hung up on it.”

Hunter only nodded, putting on his stoic face and looked ahead into the clouds.

--

Once they were far enough away from the Imperial compound, the Havoc touched down on a hill in the middle of a rolling prairie. Blue skies with fluffy clouds surrounded them and the plain landscape.

The Bad Batch slid off the wing, Omega refusing Hunter’s help, and waited for their pilots to extend the steps.

Hera exited the ship first, shouting that she was going to kill Omega for her ridiculous plan and started chasing the brunette. Omega took off in a sprint, yelling that it wasn’t her fault while laughing her head off. The Batch started taking bets on whether Omega would outrun Hera or not and cheered the kids on.

Rex watched the madness ensue, leaning against the door frame with a smile. A fleeting and pained memory of Anakin and Ahsoka at the start of her padawan days passed through and his smile dropped, his light mood dampened. He couldn’t let go of family so easily, but it only made it more painful to go on each day without them.

“We should probably get out of here, Sargent. Imps will be crawling all over the planet,” Rex retreated inside to the co-pilot's seat.

“Alright, pack it in guys! Onto the ship!” Echo shouted to the girls far off in the distance.

Omega sprinted up the steps, gasping for air while Hera held a smile on her face, her breathing barely obstructed. She saw the confusion and the team’s heads turning from the ship to her.

“I was track star at my school, 100 meters in 5 seconds,” she said proudly and climbed into the ship.

“Who knew?” Hunter remarked.

“You would if you paid attention to your kids,” Crosshair smirked and boarded the ship with the rest following.

“I do pay attention! You got something you want to say, Cross?”

“Of course not, Sarg.”

--

“Thank you for your hard work, Sargent Hunter,” the rebel cell leader’s recorded message projected on the dash. “You will be fairly compensated and given your next mission in two weeks. Enjoy this time off, there won’t be much more.”

Tech shut down her hologram and looked to Hunter in the seat behind Rex. The rest of the crew waited for their leader’s next order. They hadn’t had two weeks off... ever. The most clones got was a weekend, Omega was constantly working with Nala and then going on missions, and Hera had been training as a pilot or busy with school and family. Even their droids were never shut down for more than a day.

Wrecker scratched the back of his neck. “What are we doing, Sarg?”

Silence.

“Hunter?” Omega piped up from the shared seat with Hera.

“I’m thinking,” he waved them off.

Crosshair scoffed playfully and went further back into the ship. “That’s a first.”

“It’s already pretty tight in here,” he started. “I say we touch down on a planet, enjoy the peace for once.”

Hunter saw Hera visibly deflate and Omega put an arm around her shoulder.

“You can fly the ship, Hera, but only with one of the adults around,” Hunter added in defeat. She bounced in her seat and started talking with Omega excitedly, pressing a button on the armrest and spinning the seat around back to the stars.

“Where are you thinking?” Rex asked, silently praying for no god damn desert planets.

“I don’t know. Tech, any ideas?”

Tech pulled up his trusty datapad and started furiously tapping at the screen.

Crosshair had returned from the poor excuse of a kitchen with two soda cans and strolled smugly through the aisle to Hera and Omega. He sat on the floor, his back resting against the console, and gave the soda over to the kids. They jumped excitedly, not knowing there was any more of the fizzy drinks left, and swiped them from his hands. They filled him in quietly on what they were conversing about as Crosshair gave the rest of the crew a shit-eating smirk.

“I didn’t know we had any soda left,” Wrecker whispered to Hunter across from him.

“We don't.”

“This is why he’s the favourite, isn’t it?” Rex leaned to the side towards the two.

“He did this all the time on Kamino when we were cadets. It got the others off our backs.”

“I just hid in the ceiling panels,” Rex snickered.

“You weren’t always ‘mister beloved of the GAR’?” Echo shoved the captain's shoulder from his place against the wall.

“Hell no. Pretty sure Cody was part of the ‘fuck Rex squad’ at some point.”

“I think we all have seasonal membership cards.”

“Hey!”

“So there’s Mantessa,” Tech interrupted with the list of planets. “A thick jungle planet with a fiercely predatorial native species called the panthacs. They kill quite efficiently in their home environments; I’d quite literally commit murder to get documentation of their-”

“Tech, we have kids on board,” Hunter stopped him. “Maybe something more... vacation-y?”

Tech glared at him. “Vacation-y isn’t even a word-”

“Tech.”

“Fine fine,” he dismissed the idea, a little saddened that Hunter shot it down so eagerly.

“Mimban is largely unexplored and has a very turbulent atmosphere as well as energy storms in the stratosphere. It would be quite the learning experience for Hera to-”

“We aren’t looking for learning experiences, we’re looking for a break,” Echo said.

“You all have ridiculous standards,” he mumbled, scrolling to the bottom of his list. “Numidian Prime. The syndicates have been known to use it from time to time, but with the Empire extending it’s rein, it shouldn’t house too much trouble for us. There’s a very interesting bird species-”

“Tech.”

“I swear it’s habitable and without predatory species that would rip us to shreds,” he dismissed Hunter’s insistence. He tossed the datapad carefully on top of his satchel in the corner. “I think I heard a friend having a camp there, a Calrissian. He’ll let us stay.”

“How do you know?” Rex asked.

“He’s never there.”

Hunter clapped his hands, getting everyone's attention. “It looks like we’re vacationing on Numidian Prime.”

Hera, Omega, and Rex went to work on plotting their course and getting them to lightspeed while the Batch strapped in for the ride.

“After you,” Rex gestured to the console.

“Why thank you, Captain,” Hera smiled and pulled the hyperspace levers back. The ship stopped for a second and shot forward into the stars, a tunnel of churning light making way for the Havoc.

Omega sighed blissfully, sitting back against the seat. “This never gets old.”

--

I haven't posted any fics in 11 days, I really just needed to get something out for y'all.

ALSO

I reached 99 followers yesterday!! Well, it's 101 now, but thank you all for giving me a chance at sharing my love for Star Wars. It's you that makes this possible! I know I have a lot of improving to do when it comes to writing, but I'm so incredibly happy that you're giving me a chance and following along on my journey!!

Part 2 will be up soon (I hope), stick around for that! I post basically every day and I'm constantly online!

More fics of mine!

A War Without a Winning Side (Ahsoka, Rex, Maul series)

One of the Bad Ones (female!oc and Crosshair [platonic])

Only the Beginning (Cap. Howzer Part 1 (part 2 linked))

Hope was a Dangerous Game (male!oc and Crosshair [romantic])

Lightsaber Trials (fluff)

And here's my masterlist for more!

[nothingunrealistic]

review roundup: billions 6x10 “johnny favorite”

what an infuriating episode of tv! did anyone hate it like we did?

New York Times: ‘Billions’ Season 6, Episode 10 Recap: The Dragon’s Heart

It is echoed in an all-hands meeting called by Mike Prince, held at his own home — a meeting that turns into a booze and molly-fueled dance party D.J.ed by Questlove.

you forgot the vaping! #EveryoneVapesInBillions

When it comes to clay pigeons, he easily outshoots the rest of his party, metaphorically displaying his still extant killer instinct. (Chuck with a gun: Now there’s an image.)

imagine i edited that thick book / thin book meme to say “billions seasons 1-5” and “billions seasons 1-5 if chuck had a gun.”

And it is indeed a wild night, from the perspective of a “Billions” fan at least. Making good on weeks of tension, Taylor Mason makes a pass at the witty and glamorous Rian; Rian rebuffs Taylor, saying she could never risk falling in love with a co-worker — only to wind up spending the night with Prince. In this relatively sexless season of the show, this is wild stuff.

“wild night” makes it sound much more fun than it was.

this use of “tension” is exactly why i had cause to speculate about the precise nature of taylor & philip’s relationship given the 6x11 summary. have things been tense between taylor & rian lately? yes! would i have read that as romantic or sexual tension if this episode hadn’t forced the point? no!

there are a lot of adjectives i would use to describe rian, mostly positive, but “witty” would not be at the top of the list, and “glamorous” wouldn’t be on there at all.

i am still so mad that sean was right about this and i was wrong.

(How this squares with sleeping with one of his employees is anyone’s guess; it certainly casts doubt on his repeated promise to his semi-estranged wife, Andy, to prioritize their relationship.)

we sure don’t have any guesses! i’m hoping someone invokes axe yet again to point out that unlike some people, he never cheated on his wife. (not until the divorce was in motion, at least.)

And oh, did you know that Wendy is writing a book, and has in fact finished it by the time this episode ends? It sure was news to me!

pretty sure it was news to all of us, unless you figured it out from that shot of wendy standing in front of a fire with a stack of pages in the sneak peek of season 6! (helpful of them to make her book the first major point of the 6x11 trailer.)

When you put all the pieces together, you’re left with one of the strangest and most unsettling, and unsettled, episodes of “Billions” in quite some time.

saying this for the first and likely last time: SO TRUE NYT.

Chuck, Prince, Taylor, Wendy — they all seem to be “at the precipice of a crossroads,” as “The Sopranos” would put it. For all its complexity, this episode is essentially a holding pattern, a brief reprieve before the masters of the universe at its heart select their next lines of attack.

unfortunately this reminds me of the 5x12 synopsis telling us that taylor “finds themself at a crossroads regarding their role as a leader,” which is painful to think about considering their relationship with rian in that episode and in this one.

In another relatively minor story line, Taylor meets with Mafee and is aghast to learn he hasn’t done anything to grow the small fortune in cryptocurrency gifted to him by Bobby Axelrod. Mafee insists that had he tried to parlay the gift into something bigger, the money would have owned him rather than the other way around. I’m not quite sure how this plays into Taylor’s later decision to make a pass at Rian, but it does seem connected in some ineffable way.

the point of that was to lay out taylor’s frame of mind — they’re out of sorts and cranky, they’re thinking they’d be better off if prince fired them, and when mafee asks if grinding as hard as possible to make as much money as possible is making them happy, they don’t have an answer — to explain why an art piece about the ephemeral nature of joy and embracing it while you have it would move them to act on their feelings for rian. (the real question is how they’re going to handle the rejection moving forward.)

It’s worth noting that Chuck very clearly chafes at Dave’s takeover of his office. He hired her to work for him, not to replace him. I wonder if he’ll ever get over it.

i think he’ll get over it soon, given the 6x11 promo photos of dave visiting chuck in his office and scooter in the 6x11 trailer saying that “we don’t have a chuck or dave problem, we have both.”

The episode takes its title, “Johnny Favorite,” from the name of a character in the director Alan Parker’s supernatural noir film “Angel Heart,” starring Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro and Lisa Bonet. It’s a movie Rian and her co-worker Winston have become obsessed with, growing less sure of their interpretations of the story with each new viewing. You’ve gotta love a movie that makes you more confused over time rather than less.

i love it when reviews are normal about winston.

Vulture: Billions Recap: Dance With the Devil

I’ll be the first to admit that I have a terrible track record when it comes to Billions’ storyline predictions — which is why the show is still excellent TV.

you had me in the first half.

In one of the episode’s final scenes, Wendy appears to be burning the midnight oil typing up session notes. But a brief phone call divulges her true intentions: She’s writing a book, and her session with Prince determined the content of the last chapter. We don’t know any more than that. Is it a Mike Prince tell-all? The proof Chuck needs to be reinstated as AG? We’ll have to wait and see.

well, again, if we consult the 6x11 trailer, we see that the book is titled “Rewards of the Ruthless: How I Make Wall Street Killers.” it’s some kind of memoir / tell-all about wendy’s performance coaching methods — and if ben, tuk, and bonnie are incensed enough to confront her about it, there must be some pretty personal material in there. (it sets off chaos at michael prince capital, after all!)

After trying all season to get someone at MPC to hire Hall (Terry Kinney, back from his Scriberia sabbatical) for their devious needs, Wags finally convinces Sacker to dial the fixer’s number.

i just love this framing.

Stung by Dave’s words and believing herself to be a hypocrite, Sacker informs Wags she’s putting her congressional run on hold. She says MPC is “where I’m meant to be.” I think she may be right. Wags’ disappointing reaction is the most telling. Is he worried she’s turned to the dark side?

what is it with wags and thinking some of his newest coworkers possess some kind of moral purity that they should be taking pains not to besmirch? it’s so strange.

Toward the end of the episode, Wags observes to Scooter that Prince finally succeeded in getting the MPC staff on his side. Scooter agrees, ambiguously noting that “They’re ready.” Wags is all of us when he asks, “For what?”

so true vulture!

By letting the MPC crew taste “freshly slaughtered power” in the form of a Wheels Up membership and, keeping with the Roman theme, drug-and-alcohol-fueled bacchanalia at Stately Prince Manor, Mike Prince officially has the absolute loyalty of every single one of his employees.

Well, the jury’s still out on Taylor.

these are the last two sentences of the main body of the article, and this is the first of only two mentions of taylor in the whole thing. calling on the billions twitter to post another team chuck / team prince loyalty / doubt chart!

Rian sleeping with Prince (after rebuffing Taylor) was a twist I didn’t see coming.

the last sentence of the “loose change” section of the article, and the second of two mentions of taylor in the whole thing. reflective of how that plotline played out in the episode, if not of how it colored our experience of the episode. we didn’t see it coming either, sarene!

Entertainment Weekly: Billions recap: Reset, Recharge, Revenge

[…]

take a shot! from an ice luge shaped like a dragon, if you like!

Simply put, the season started to stagnate. But this is maybe the best episode of the season because it feels like the show finding itself once again, giving us hope for the future.

“hope for the future” is the opposite of what this episode gave me.

Wendy is now by his side, invested in helping him get to new heights, and Prince is done with the "good billionaire" gimmick.

are you SURE wendy is on prince’s side right now? after she outright told him she was lying to him about her motives and went back to her office to finish up her tell-all manuscript about how she turns hedge fund employees into killers?

All of this is to say that the end of the season is shaping up nicely, which is a great change of pace after a few dull episodes.

go read sean’s recap and try again.

[swiss-cheeze]

Reminiscence || Aaron Hotchner x female!reader || SMUT

This was originally a Spencer fic but then I changed it as I wrote and it sounded better as a jealous Hotch fic

Requested: YES/NO

Gender: female, she/her

Warnings: spoilers for season 5, sex, fingering, jealousy, description of sex, mention of STI and STD (neither Hotch nor reader have it), workplace romance, talk of fears, talk of death, due to the reader and Hotch being together for awhile they are comfortable enough to go to the toilet in front of the other; if this makes you uncomfortable you can skip it, I wrote it because it is what happens during a comfortable relationship.

Description: when Spencer decides to mumble a few words to you, Hotch takes it into his own hands to remind you who you belong to.

———

After a long week of chasing a serial rapist with a tendency to leave a burnt victim that would die within 48 hours after the crime the team finally sat down at Rossi’s house for a warm meal and some alone time; this had concluded in the team finding any means to continue talking about anything. Garcia could not make it due to a date but wished you all well.

“Okay well, what about fears then? Mine is spiders” Emily asked after a lengthy talk about dreams from when they were younger, she shuddered at the thought of the 8-legged creature.

“You do know spiders aren’t-“ Spencer started but got cut off by Emily.

“Yes, I know Spencer, they aren’t afraid of me more than I am of it but still!” the girl exclaimed.

“Spencer’s afraid of the ‘absence of light’” you chimed in with a knowing grin towards Spencer who only gave you a side look.

“We all knew that,” Derek said with a grin.

“Yeah what about you?” Spencer added towards Derek, “afraid of dogs then?”

“No, in fact,” Derek said with a grin as he swirled his glass of wine, “I am afraid of dying with no purpose,” the man said with a grin, lengthy ‘ooos’ came from around the table, “J.J.?”

“The obvious,” J.J. said with a shrug, “losing my family, and that includes you guys,” J.J. said quickly as she made a face to everyone with a grin, “Hotch?”

“Jack,” Hotch dismissed, “like you, losing my family; including you guys,” the softness in Hotch’s eyes put a loving blanket over everyone, “Rossi’s afraid of having another wedding though,” the unit chief said with a grin as he grabbed his drink to take a knowing sip with a grin.

“Very close Aaron, very close,” everyone looked to Rossi with excitement, “how about you (Y/n)?” Rossi asked, you shrugged.

“Not really afraid of anything” you said with a dismissive look.

“Oh, what c’mon!” Derek exclaimed, “you gotta be afraid of something!”

“Well,” you shrugged again, “of course I’m scared of losing you guys, dying, spiders,” you looked to Emily, “but I don’t think I’m genuinely afraid of anything”

“You do know that there is a very slim chance you’re afraid of NOTHING,” Spencer said with a grin.

“Oh, alright twig, lay a fact on me,” you said with a grin as you took a sip from your wine, you could feel eyes bore into the side of your head from a certain someone but dismissed them to have a little fun.

“There are three more likely options for you,” Spencer said as he brought up 3 fingers, “one, you see and experience fear as a pleasant sensation rather than unpleasant however this option is a rather rare occurrence too as it indicates abnormal function in the pain and pleasure neurologic structure,” he put down one fingers, two left, “two, you’re addicted to the adrenaline of the fear, meaning that you feel worse when you aren’t dripping with adrenaline,” Spencer made use of the word ‘dripping’ before putting down his second finger; one left, “three, another emotion, like pride, has a bigger and more positive effect on you rather than fear would, you may be afraid but pride takes over you to make you cockier rather than scared,” and with that, Spencer put down his final fingers before taking a drink of his wine with a cocked eyebrow towards the table as everyone sat still and quiet, Hotch bore eyes into the genius but went unnoticed to everyone but you.

“Well, I think it’s the last one,” Emily said with a grin.

“You think I’m cocky when afraid?” you asked smiling.

“Did you not hear yourself on this past case! ‘Mr. Forher, I don’t want to shoot you but you and I both know I will!’” Emily laughed as Derek cut in.

“’I’ll look!’,” Derek said with a pointed look mentioning when the killer told you not to look at him or he would kill the person he had in his arms.

“’Don’t tell me what to do Hotch when I know damn well how to do my job’,” Hotch said with a cocked eyebrow, this brought red to your cheeks as he continued, “’when’s the last time you had a shower Spencer, I bet 10 to 1 the killer can smell you from his home filled with dead bodies’, and may I add, ‘I will shoot myself if you shoot that man, then you’d have more time in jail upon assist with a federal agent’s death’” with that you sunk down into your chair as everyone barked with laughter.

“Ohhhhh you’re red now (Y/n)!” Derek exclaimed.

“Alright, alright!” you said loudly, “maybe I get off on a little fear; but don’t we all?” you asked as you looked pleadingly to everyone; they all shook their heads.

“Never,” that was Derek.

“Not once,” Emily.

“Wouldn’t want to,” J.J., Hotch and Rossi just shook their heads, you looked to Spencer who looked at his wine with a guilty gaze.

“Oh, ho ho! Mr resident genius of 187 IQ gets off on being afraid!” you exclaimed as everyone looked to Spencer, the Doctor looked at everyone with a sly look; he knew what to say exactly.

“Well, no not exactly (Y/n), you see,” Spencer leaned over to get closer to you and seeing as he sat next to you already it wasn’t a long way as you leaned in with him, his breath ghosting over the shell of your ear, “I prefer to be the one inflicting the fear and maybe a little pain to the other, leads for a better orgasm,” Spencer whispered, he leant back and winked at you as you turned bright red with a flush; he had shut you up pretty quickly.

“What? What did he say!” Emily exclaimed as she leant forward wanting to hear every little detail.

“A magician never reveals his secrets,” Spencer said with a grin as he looked at you.

“What did he say (Y/n)? That is an order,” Hotch said with a grin playing to his higher up role above you.

“He-he said that uh-“ you gulped as you tried to find a lie to dig up.

“I told her it’s perfectly normal to feel pride instead of fear and to get off on it,” Spencer stepped in for you, you nodded along with him as you took a large mouthful of wine. Everyone gave you a knowing look but dropped the subject.

----

Walking through the door of your house you sighed softly as you toed off your shoes, the man behind you doing the same as well as his coat and hanging it on the rack next to the door.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t hear what Reid said to you?” the man behind you said, you gave a sly smile as the man bore holes into the back of your head before moving forward, wrapping his hand around your neck and squeezing the sides for authority, a whimper bubbled from within you and fell over your lips.

“Sir?” you asked, you knew exactly what he was going to say but knowing him he preferred when you asked, knowing you were safe with what was ahead.

“I want you naked, ass up and dripping when I get into the room” Hotch said, you smiled softly and nodded as Hotch gave you a sweet kiss before allowing you to bounce off into the bedroom, a giddy smile playing at both of your lips.

Yourself and Hotch had finally agreed to be together just over 3 years after Haley’s death, both of you had confessed liking each other but because Hotch was still grieving you said you would wait, and you would always wait until he felt it right, and even then he could say no.

---

“Hotch?” you asked with a knock to the man’s door, the unit chief looked up from his paperwork and nodded as he dropped his pen.

“Everything alright (L/n)?” Hotch asked, concern laced across his stone-cold face. You licked your lips and sighed softly as you walked into the room, closed the door and walked to close the blinds, your teammates giving you silent cheers in the bullpen before the blinds closed for good and they couldn’t see, leaving you and Hotch in all the privacy in the world, “(L/n)?” Hotch questioned again.

“I would like to talk to you about something sir,” you said as you stood in front of Hotch’s desk, his full attention was on you with crossed eyebrows, the still stone look placed on his face as half the day earlier.

“And what is that agent?” Hotch asked, you breathed in once, licked your lips nervously again and closed your eyes.

“I have been in love with you since 6 months into working with the BAU, I saw all of the little things that make you tick, things that make you happy and I try my best to uphold my job better than what is essential just to see you smile every once a month. I see the way you look at the team and I see the love you have for all of them, including myself, however I want this love to be something more than the team and friendship,” you now opened your eyes to see Hotch’s hard gaze on you, however a new found softness in his eyes can be seen evidently, “I know Haley only…” you paused, “I know she passed only recently in this past year and I know you need time to grieve, I respect that and if you feel the same or wish to continue in a romantic way I am happy and willing to wait until you are ready, I haven’t experienced what you have so I can’t imagine what you’re going through but I want you to be comfortable,” you looked to Hotch with pleading eyes as a pregnant silence came over the both of you and the room, the tension thick enough you felt your legs as a weight on the bottom of the black ocean, with no light and fish and animals never seen before. The silence continued for awhile as Hotch looked at you, watching for any sign of – what you suspected – lies.

“I see the way you look at me and watch me doing my job and I see the way you bite your lip when I do something essentially sexually relieving to you or something that you like seeing me do, I see the way you always uphold your job to the highest standard you can and doing more just to get something out of me and it makes me both proud and happy to see you doing this. I see the way you talk with the team and have for the past 7 years, I see the way you look at all of them and I see the way you’ve grown into the family since then-“ you cut Hotch off.

“All due respect sir you’re evading the main message of why I came in here for and if that’s all you are going to do I will take it as a rejection and continue my work duties as they should be and nothing will change between us-“ this time Hotch cut you off.

“Agent (L/n) are you asking to start a relationship with me?” Hotch asked with a cocked eyebrow, you flushed red as you looked down, embarrassed to hear your crush saying those words.

“Essentially yes…” you paused, “sir”

“I do feel the same way about you (L/n) however I am not in the place to start another relationship so soon, you said you are willing to wait?” Hotch said, his question lingering as you looked at him with bright eyes.

“Y-yes sir, absolutely, I’m willing to wait a week, a year, few years, I’ll wait my whole life-“ you started.

“You won’t have to wait your whole life for me (L/n), but I will tell you when I am ready for another relationship” Hotch said, you bit your lip with a grin and nodded.

“Thank you, sir” you said with a nod, Hotch gave you a dazzling smile, a proper smile, one you had never seen before on his face, you smiled too as you walked to the blinds and opened them again before walking out of the office with a goodbye wave. Immediately the rest of the team came bombarding towards you asking questions, of course you didn’t tell them anything, for a group of profilers they could be pretty thick.

---

After your confrontation things went back to normal between yourself and Hotch like nothing had happened, and for a moment you had forgotten it ever happened; until Hotch came to you for a date.

---

“(L/n),” Hotch said as the group started packing up, it had been a tough 2 days with an entire bus full of children being abducted by a community known child rapist but you had thankfully gotten all the children back safely to their families and the man had been put onto death row. The team turned to look at you with concern, “can you stay back a moment I want to talk to you about something,” Hotch said.

“Um, yes-yes sir,” you said with a nod as you put away the files you had in your hands into your bag as everyone started to try and get packed quicker. Everyone filed out of the room to go back to the hotel for the night before leaving back to Quantico and gave you a look of sympathy; Derek patting your back, J.J. and Emily giving you a hug and Spencer giving you a head nod. The room went silent as Hotch looked to you, waiting, a moment went by before he finally said something.

“Do you remember when you came into my office almost three years ago?” Hotch asked, you cocked your eyebrow as you tried to remember what he was talking about, then you went red as the memory floated back.

“Yes…yes I do sir,” you said, your face went warm as Hotch’s gaze dropped, as well as his poker face, when he looked back up to you a smile was placed onto his mouth, one that reminded you of all the good that is really in the world.

“And you remember how you said you would wait for me?” Hotch asked again as he pointed to the seat in front of him, you took the notion and sat down, fidgeting with your fingers slowly.

“Yes sir,” you answered.

“Do you not see where I am going with this?” Hotch asked as a nervous grin came over him, you gulped.

“Unfortunately, no I don’t sir,” you said, you never let your façade drop, of course you knew where he was going with this, but it was fun to watch him struggle for once.

“I’m asking you on a date (Y/n),” Hotch looked at you with expectance, you couldn’t help the grin that overcame your face as you bit your lip and nodded.

“Yes, yes sir I would love to go on a date with you,” Hotch couldn’t help but smile wider as he nodded.

“Good, well I’m glad,” he took a moment to think, “when we get back to Quantico I’ll pick you up tomorrow at 5, try and get your paperwork done by then but even if you don’t you can pick it back up the next day” you nodded as Hotch talked.

“Formal or casual sir?” you asked excitedly.

“What do you prefer for a first date?” Hotch asked you, he technically knew the answer to that question already, but it felt better to ask anyway.

“Casual, seeing you in suits I think should be reserved for work,” you said with a smile, Hotch nodded.

“And you don’t mind Jack?” he asked, concern laced in his voice and face, “he sees you as a best friend now almost,”

“Jack is my best friend too sir,” you said with a grin, Hotch nodded.

“Of course, and Aaron in privacy, please” Hotch said, you grinned as you got to first name basis, it was nice,

“Of course, Aaron,” you said testing the waters.

---

You gave a loud moan as Aarons hand landed on your ass, jolting you forward before delving quickly into your heat, immediately being able to insert 2 fingers without any hesitance.

“Wow, you’re so wet sweetheart,” Hotch said as his fingers moved inside you slowly, you whimpered softly and shook your ass to coax the man behind you, resulting in you getting another slap to your other ass cheek from his free hand, his fingers inside you speeding up with each other hit he gives. “colour?” Hotch asked, wanting you to be safe.

“G-green-oh-sir” you said as you bit your lip, Hotch grinned softly as he continued fingering you, occasionally hitting your ass. You bit your lip to hide your sounds as your orgasm approached quickly, “you’re tightening around my fingers babe,” Hotch said, a smile evident in his words, “you going to cum?” he asked rhetorically. You gave a moan as a response as Hotch rubbed his fingers against your g-spot, finding it easily with his long fingers, “go on baby, cum on my fingers for me sweetheart,” you gave a moan at Hotch’s words, needing only them to bring you to your final blow, tightening around his fingers as Hotch drew out your orgasm with every stroke, soft moans and whimpers cascading down your mouth before you could stop them, the obscene wet sounds coming from where Hotch was connected to you filled the room. Aaron stopped his menstruation in you slowly as you collapsed onto the bed, “already tired?” Aaron asked with a dark laugh, you bit your lip with a grin.

“Not yet,” you said through laboured breaths, “I want to see your face Sir,” you said, Aaron smiled softly as he helped you move so you where on your back, though this started almost like Aaron was jealous due to what Spencer had done it felt more intimate now that you’ve turned around. Hotch leant over you as he manoeuvred your legs onto his waist.

“Ready?” he asked, Aaron held himself up with his hands either side of your head as one went down to guide himself towards your entrance, you gave a nod as you wrapped your arms around your boyfriends neck and he guided himself inside of you, both of you letting a drawn out moan as he bottomed out. “so tight,” Aaron whispered hoarsely, you let out a whimper as he started thrusting at a slow pace, testing the waters before hearing your small ‘more’ and going harder and faster. A loud moan escaped you as Aaron leant his head down and wrapped his lips around your nipple, sucking it until it perked and then going to the other to do the same, all while continuing his thrusting inside you.

“I-I’m so close Aaron,” you said softly as you twirled your hands in Aarons hair and pulled to bring him back up to your lips, his thrusting got faster as he grunted.

“M-me too,” Aaron said, he kissed you feverishly as he held close onto you, it felt so intimate to be so close to someone who you would die for but also someone who was your boss, it made you laugh when you first got together.

---

You heaved a breath as Aaron flopped next to you, both of you sweaty after a passionate session, then, you laughed softly. Aaron turned to you with concern lacing his features, “is everything okay?”, you smiled as you turned to each other.

“Everything is okay baby, I was just laughing because,” you cut yourself off to laugh again, “I just, I just find it a little funny that…” you paused, unsure if this was something you should even say.

“Please tell me (Y/n),” Aaron said, he was concerned and you could tell, you smiled softly as you lifted your leg over his waist and twisted your body, straddling his hips. Aarons hands came to rest softly on your waist and rubbed circles onto the places his thumbs rested on.

“I laughed because we’re together, both romantically, sexually and work related,” you said with a smile and a giggle, “in a sense this should be illegal,” you said with a sly look as you bent down to look at Aaron up close, your finger nails trailing over his jaw and chin, “if anyone finds out they could think I’m sleeping with you to get closer to you, to get higher power without realising the inside workings of the relationship,” you said as you kissed Aarons chin, his hands came up and rubbed your sides.

“Well I’m sure if anyone did find out, depending on who they are they either wouldn’t say anything or, I would find my way around it,” Aaron said, “I am the unit chief,” Aaron looked at you with a sly grin, you giggled softly as you kissed his chin again, then his jaw and then peppered kisses over his face causing the man under you to laugh wholeheartedly.

---

“F-FUCK!” you gave a loud moan as your orgasm crashed, the coil breaking, the damn flooding over. Everything. You bit your lip as the feelings washed over you, Aaron thrusted into you more as he came as well, his warmth filled you as you let out a small ‘oh’ sound feeling it settle inside you. Aaron slowed down his thrusts before collapsing on top of you, both of you feeling him soften inside you, you giggled softly as did Aaron before he flopped onto his side next to you. You grinned softly as you felt your wetness on your thighs and higher.

“I’ll go start a bath,” Aaron said softly as he kissed your head before moving off to the bathroom joined in the bedroom, you heard the running bath water as well as the squirting of the bubble bath you kept in the shelf before hearing the sound of Aaron taking his time with a piss. You laughed.

“You’re peeing?!” you said with a bubbling laugh as you sat up on your elbows to see Aaron standing at the toilet.

“Peeing after sex reduces the chances of UTI and STD” Aaron said matter-of-factly. You smiled.

“I know love, I know” you said with a smile as Aaron finished, wiped himself off and walked to pick you up and let you move yourself onto the toilet so you could pee while Aaron mixed the warm water together. Turning the water off Aaron turned to you as you flushed the toilet, Aaron smiled at you softly as he stepped into the water, breaking the bubbles as he sat in the water with you following behind him; sitting between his legs, your back resting against his chest as you both relaxed. You sighed contently at the bliss in the air and the ache between your legs as you tried to think of ways to cover the new way you’ll be walking as well as the way you sit and-

“What did Spencer say to you?” Hotch asked cutting through your thoughts, you laughed.

“’I prefer to be the one inflicting the fear and maybe a little pain to the other, leads for a better orgasm’,” you repeated the resident genius, you felt Hotch stiffen behind you slightly, “it was all in jokes Aaron it’s okay, don’t hold a grudge you know it’ll give you wrinkles,” you said with a grin as you moved to look up to Aaron behind you, craning your neck backwards as Aaron looked down at you.

“I won’t,” Hotch said as he enveloped you in his arms, “maybe,” you laughed.

[osakaso5]

Gaku Yaotome Marie Mariage Rabbit Chat Part 5: Traditional Japanese

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Tsumugi: Hello, Yaotome-san! A sample of the wedding magazine was sent to me, so I took a look at TRIGGER's section. 

Gaku: Hey there, Takanashi-san.

Gaku: I'm reading it with Tenn and Ryu right now, too. It's been a while since we had our shoots, so we're all trying to refresh our memories by talking about it.

Tsumugi: I see..!

Tsumugi: All of the pictures are lovely, but I thought yours looked especially beautiful because of the way sunlight is flooding into the church.

Tsumugi: I wasn't expecting your bouquet to be so big, but naturally, your brilliance rivaled that of the flowers!

Gaku: Thanks. You sure like to lay it on thick when it comes to compliments (lol) I think my shots turned out just as good as I expected.

Gaku: Did your group read the magazine together?

Tsumugi: Apparently they did! And some of them brought the magazine back home to show their families.

Gaku: Come to think of it, my grandpa let me know that he bought the magazine, too.

Tsumugi: He's supporting your work! 

Gaku: I wouldn't go that far (lol) He said he'd rather I wear Japanese-style clothes. 

Gaku: He can be pretty old-fashioned, so maybe that's just his idea of how a wedding should look.

Gaku: He did have  a Japanese wedding, after all.

Tsumugi: I'm sure your grandparents must've looked amazing. 

Gaku: They showed me pictures, and yeah, he looked really elegant, and my grandma was a looker back then, too (lol)

Gaku: I had no idea, since I'd never really seen pictures from when they were young.

Gaku: And I can definitely agree that traditional Japanese weddings are cool.

Tsumugi: You look great in just about anything, so I'm sure a wedding kimono would be no different.

Gaku: You give me too much credit. But as a guy, I certainly hope I could pull it off. 

Gaku: By the way, didn't your folks have  a Japanese wedding, too? 

Tsumugi: Yes! My mother looked very beautiful in her white kimono! I've definitely aspired to look like that some day, too. 

Gaku: I bet a dress and a kimono would both suit you pretty well. 

Tsumugi: Thank you, you're too kind..! ><

Tsumugi: But right now, my biggest aspiration is to make IDOLiSH7 even more popular...

Gaku: I see. I think that's pretty cool of you.

Tsumugi: Thank you!

Tsumugi: 

Gaku: I'll need to put in more effort at work, too. 

Choices/outcomes:

1. What season would you like to shoot in, if you got to do this a second time?

Gaku: Winter might be nice. And I wouldn't mind something in a Japanese style. 

2. What other type of special feature would you like to do?

Gaku: Well... How about a church feature? Just looking at these pictures, it blows me away how many different kinds of designs churches can have. It makes me want to see even more new ones. 

3. How did it feel to do a wedding feature?

Gaku: Between getting to participate in a service and look around the church for all that time, I learned a lot. It made  me wanna hold a concert in  a church sometime. 

Gaku: We had our shoots separately, but it was at least nice to talk about what our locations were like with the others. 

Tsumugi: It was a big project, so it makes sense that so many people were a part of it! 

Gaku: Yeah. We'd run into each other and just be like, "Had yours yet?" (lol) It was fun talking to the guys from IDOLiSH7, too. 

Tsumugi: Thank you for sharing so much of your knowledge with them!

Gaku: Thank you guys, too. Let's both do our best, so we get to work on more big stuff like this together.

Tsumugi: Right! It's been a pleasure working with you!

Translator’s notes..? 

next up, Riku’s RabbiTube Rabbit TVs! 

[bisexualbuck]

My 911 Fic Writing Masterlist

(Last edited May 28th 2021)

I’ve finally decided to do a masterpost of all my writing for the show 911 which is the fandom I’ve written the most for. There are 33 fics in this post, holy crap.

(If anyone is interested, I’ve also written for Star Trek AOS, Leverage, the MCU, among many other fandoms.)

As a general note, I’ll say most of my fics have Buddie elements and I also try to have at least one Firefam moment. Also, please check each fic’s warnings.

This is going to be long so most of it will be under a read more.

Last thing, please! If you like any of these stories, please consider leaving a comment and reblogging this post.

Multi Chapter

Reaching In The Dark | 38.7k

It all started innocent enough but Buck can no longer deny it.

He has a stalker.

Someone so obsessed with him that they would spend hours and hours following him, unnoticed, taking pictures of him, taking notes of his habits.

But life has been so good lately, and Buck doesn’t want to worry anyone. So he tells no one about it, he can deal with it on his own.

Leave My Body | 23k

"Do you want to see how it could have been? You are so sure you've been a burden on everyone you've ever met, but I can show you the truth."

.

Buck dies but it's not the end.

(Inspired by the movie It's a Wonderful Life)

Encore | 20.1k

“I’m going insane.”

“Did something happen?”

A dark, bitter laugh bubbles out of Buck – a mockery of joy.

“Everything keeps happening, and it’s still the same fucking day. It’s always the same and every time it’s different and I can’t do anything.”

.

Or

Buck keeps reliving the same day, over and over again.

Hurt/Comfort

Death, Be Not Proud | 10.1k

There are moments barge loudly into your life and, even as you’re going through them, you know they will change everything.

There are other moments that happen quietly, unnoticed, and it’s only afterwards that you know, looking back, that they have changed your life.

When the 118 is called to a decrepit house, they don’t think much of it.

Yet this will change their lives forever.

Silent Storm | 4.4k

Buck wakes up in the hospital.

Except he can't move. He can't speak.

But he can hear everything.

Dying Of The Light | 4.1k

If Purgatory was a place on Earth, it would be a hospital waiting room.

Or

Buck is in a coma, brain-dead - or so that's what the doctors say anyway.

(Silent Storm told from the Firefam's POV)

No Kingdom To Come | 8k

Days pass, then weeks that soon turn into months. Buck doesn’t call, he doesn’t text.

They don’t even know if he is still alive.

Maddie files a missing person’s report. Athena checks for any mention of his name anywhere in the country.

Nothing pops up, no one calls.

Buck is gone.

The Courage To Heal | 1.4k

He remembers her perfume. Thick, flowery – it makes him retch.

Why does he remember her perfume? Every time he smells anything like it, he wants to throw up, he wants to rush in the shower and try to wash away the stink of it.

Why can’t he move on?

He’s had sex with countless people over the years, especially back in his Buck 1.0 days, so why does that encounter remain? Why does it make him sick?

Why does he feel so ashamed?

.

Buck opens up about Dr Wells, the therapist from season 1.

The Loneliness Never Left Me | 2k

“Buck is afraid he is gonna end up like Red, without friends, without family. He thinks the job is the only thing he’ll ever have and that he’ll always be alone.”

Silence falls around them, heavy and suffocating.

“We need to show him that he’s got us."

“Not show him,” Chim says. “Tell him.”

Forever Day | 2k

The man pulls a gun out.

He aims it at Buck’s head.

“If you take another step I will blast your brains on the ground."

Hollow | ~300

Bobby on the day of his late wife and kids’ deaths, with Athena by his side.

Those Days | ~600

A look into Eddie and Christopher having a bad day made better by having each other.

Little Hope | ~500

A moment of support between two friends, Karen and Eddie, as Hen lays unconscious in a hospital bed.

Firefam Feels

Alone Again | 1.2k

Post S04E04

After standing up for himself to his parents, Buck feels hollow.

He isn't sure how he finds himself at Athena and Bobby's home, but maybe that's exactly where he needs to be.

Make It Three | 3.2k

It takes him twenty full minutes to realize what he has said, and then it hits him like a goddamn freight train.

Oh no. Oh no.

Buck just hung up on the phone on Athena Grant telling her that he loved her like he’s been doing it every day of his life.

Oh no.

.

Or

Buck slips up and tells Athena he loves her. He has a bit of a freak out.

Words Unsaid | 2.2k

“What’s going on?” Bobby and Buck say in unison.

“You two,” Athena announces, “are going to talk things out.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Buck says, like a liar. “Everything is fine.”

.

Buck overhears Bobby say that he's not his kid. He doesn't take it very well.

Lay You Down | 2k

Buck is sick and can't be left alone in his feverish state, but everyone is working.

Everyone but Athena.

That Which We Carry | 2.1k

Bobby stops in his tracks.

Buck is sitting on the ground, next to his own car, his keys and phone forgotten next to him. His breathing is loud and short and he has his head in his hands so that his face is hidden.

He’s having a panic attack.

To Be Loved, To Belong | 3.1k

5 times Buck almost tells his family what they mean to him.

+1 time he does.

Buried | 2.3k

It’s supposed to be a simple call.

Of course, everything goes wrong.

Just As It Was | 2.3k

After the lawsuit, Buck overworks himself trying to prove his worth to the team.

One day, he pushes too far.

Sunlight | ~500

The Buckley siblings have a bet about what Maddie and Chim’s kid’s first word will be.

Family Matters | ~500

A look into the future at Bobby’s retirement party.

Humor & Fluff

Freedom In Love | 1.1k

“You can’t keep ignoring this,” Maddie says – again.

She says it a lot. His answer is pretty much always the same.

“Actually, I can. And I think I will. This is working great for me so far. It’s like Schrödinger’s confession, if I don’t say anything, Eddie can’t reject me.”

Green Heart | 3k

Buck starts seeing a man.

Eddie worries he is being a bigot, because the idea of Buck kissing another man makes him want to punch someone.

What else could it be?

The Most Perfect Moment | 1.7k

After Shannon, Eddie never thought that he would ever want to get married again.

Yet, a little red box lays in his pocket until the perfect moment to propose comes around.He has been carrying it for weeks now, waiting.

He wants his proposal to be perfect because he knows that this is the last time he will ever be asking this question. Buck is it for him. There will never be anyone else.

Blame It On Chimney | 1k

“So anyway, that’s how Chimney saw me full-on naked.”

Eddie chokes on his beer.

How It Looks | ~400

Someone is back to haunt Chim. Well, not exactly someone. Hen is tired.

The Rest Of Our Lives | ~500

One night, one conversation that changes everything between Buck and Eddie.

Tumblr Prompts

lover, be good to me | 7.1k

This is a collection of unrelated prompts first posted on my tumblr.

(Summary of each story in the first chapter's notes)

Eddie touching Buck’s birthmark | ~300

Eddie in a relationship is a clingy Eddie | ~200

Halloween at the station | ~500

Buck & Maddie being their cute selves |  ~400

Misc.

from the bottom i come running | 3.7k

Co-written with the endlessly talented ksmalltalk / @letitialewiss​

Crossover with Lone Star.

Just a soccer match for charity and two men cheering on their boyfriends.

Wait, no. Eddie and Buck are not dating, no matter what Chim and Hen can say.

Or

In the stands, Eddie befriends TK whose boyfriend is playing alongside Buck. Out on the pitch, Buck and Carlos are a force to be reckoned with.

Oh, and someone gets hurt.

safe inside | 5.6k

Co-written with the biggest-brained and most talented chasingobligion / @starlightbuck​

World-famous actor TK Strand and his bodyguard Carlos find themselves seeking shelter from fans and paparazzi in a bakery Carlos knows very well.

Or

Baking leads to a few life changes.

Breathe You In | 2k

Eddie can’t stop staring.

This selfie is going to be the death of him.Buck is shirtless, and giving the camera an intense look that leaves Eddie panting.

Or

Buck sends a picture that tips their relationship into something new.

[elise-jupiterstyle]

OK HI IM HERE.

i am SO MAD that i didn’t get to live blog for episode 5 but that doesn’t mean i’m not gonna do a phat brain dump because i need to clear my GODDAMN HEAD AFTER THAT. SWEET MOTHER OF FUCK.

anyway. please enjoy (or not, it’s barely cohesive) my belated, DVR version of a live blog for episode 5.

--

how many places have they robbed?

BEN IS SO OLD WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN

dean just got out of jail and he’s already useless

aw he’s still victimizing beth how cute

“it’s not him” maybe after another fifty times of repeating that it’ll get through his thick skull

Not the e-vite

I KNEW IT PHOEBE IS SO GAY

OOOH THE ECHO

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN??? HER THINKING ABOUT HIM???

woah i love this. i’m feeling like, she has so many eyes on her but also that she doesn’t know where her loyalties lie?? maybe?? my optimism tends to be misguided when it comes to rio but i’m holding out hope that part of her still doesn’t want to turn him in

SHES KNITTING! I KNIT! KNIT REPRESENTATION!

no better plot armor than being able to commit armed robbery while in cohorts with the secret service

SHE DOES LIKE BETH. IS THIS THE LOVE TRIANGLE???? i’ve felt so alone in the beth and phoebe boat, and don’t get me wrong i absolutely don’t wanna see them together in canon, but i just felt like there was something there since the start of the season?? i always thought it was kind of a reach so this is pretty dope thanks nbc

“just don’t forget what’s pretend and what’s real” CAUGHT US IN 4K

they better give me a damn good reason to care about dean’s newest useless pursuit

look at them with the equipment and timer! my ladies leveled up!

I LOVE THAT THEYRE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE, EVEN RUBY. THEYRE SO DEEP IN IT THEYVE JUST ACCEPTED IT. IS THIS HARMONY???

RUBY GETTING INTO IT! I LOVE HER! GIRL! BOSS!

so we got gang friend and what, pimp friend? i’m gonna say pimp friend

the writers have no concept of salaries if they think a teacher wouldn’t take a bribe like that

dean just won’t shut his big fat mouth like he doesn’t know the answer every single time beth’s up to something

i’m so fucking gay. like in general but also for christina specifically

annie has like four outfits and i want them all

josh is just so pathetic. like how did annie get more mature than her therapist

brb rereading the entirety of the center and the circumference series now that i have a visual for rio and beth eating as a family

whywhywhywhywhywhywhy that’s all that’s going through my head because why would he let her see this much of his life when he packed up his home the first time she saw him??? trying to sniff out the ulterior motive and i can’t pick up the SCENT

i’ve never been more confused about rio’s limits when it comes to beth and that’s SAYING something

why did he seem irritated when everyone was talking about her marriage, like he wanted to defend her? i would’ve thought he’d join in lmao, seems like his style

BROTHER? COUSIN? CONFUSED

“it’s just beth” ITS HAPPENING. SO MANY FANFICS ARE RUNNING THROUGH MY HEAD

HE TALKS ABOUT HER! GUYS

THE RETURN OF THE HEAD THROW LAUGH!

YES TAKE IT OFF, THROW IT AWAY, GET YOUR MANS

finally! she realizes he’s a real person! with a past and a family that she’s somehow detached her mental image of him from all this time! progress!

beth just going for all the fucking belts huh? that her thing now? i’m down for it

WHY DO THEY ALWAYS PUT DEAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BRIO SCENES WHAT THE FUCK MAKES YOU THINK I WANT TO SEE THAT

NO   NO WAY 

HER SMILE I’M BROKEN

WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE THE WEEK I WAS GONE. THEY ACTUALLY DID IT AGAIN AND THE LOVE TRIANGLE HASN’T EVEN BEEN INTRODUCED YOUO GUYS HELP

this poor fucking kid. her therapist gon put HIM in therapy

i love annie and ben so much it hurts

annie got closure with her shrink, stan’s making money moves, ruby’s finally getting more comfortable with their work, and, most importantly, BETH AND RIO DID WHATEVER THAT WAS. EVERYTHING’S COMING UP MILHOUSE 

i know she lowkey betrayed him again cause she put it in his room but i’m still taking this as a fat W cause us writers got so much more to work with now

--

i’m gonna go lay down. for several days.

[pinkja]

Sports, Crushes, College and All Other Things Stressful (Nora x Black Female Reader)

AU where Nora is a stressed out college student and you are a simple black girl who has no time management.

Nora felt like she was a simple person.

She grew up in a small town near Salt Lake City, made it through the akward teenage phase, and graduated high school with honors.

Does it matter that she was always so close to pulling her own hair out in frustration? She doesn’t think so.

She liked to think that her high school years went swell.

She was captain of the swim team, played in both tennis, chess, soccer, and volleyball. She was also co captain of the debate team, won the Reading Bowl in TOME for three years in a row (she didn’t join freshman year) and did a bunch of community service at the homeless shelter every other Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

Yeah, Nora was a simple person, she thinks.

Does it matter that she barely had time to sleep? She doesn’t think so.

She got into college with a full ride scholarship (which her family celebrated for two days straight. It practically turned into a block party.) She was on the Pre-Med track, wanting to become a pediatrician like her grandmother had been, and like her mother had been, and like her older sister had been as well.

Wait…who exactly was she doing this fo–

Doesn’t matter!

She got to get an apartment on the campus housing first year with her best friend, Abby, who’s a biology major of all things, when Nora was pretty sure she was gonna be an English major. Her room was pretty average, but Abby often made comments about how it really needed some personality.

“You don’t even have a poster!” Abby remarked one day while she was laying on Nora’s bed. She had an old copy of Lord of the Flies in her hands, read and re-read about eight times.

“Not everyone needs a poster, Abby.”

“Yeah, they do. Especially when you don’t have a book or a video game, or even something to play music on-”

“Isn’t it enough that I have a phone?” Nora placed her head on Abby’s lap. Abby rolled her eyes and sat up on the bed so Nora would be more comfortable.

“And you had to beg your mother for it. Now hush and let me finish this chapter.” She leaned against the headboard and made a comment about how she was going to buy her a poster for Dirty Dancing or something.

Now that freshman year was almost over, and tennis season for the school had started up again a month prior, Nora, being captain of that and many other teams, was starting to feel even more stressed. She has to aid the coach in training the less athletic recruits, plan their next meeting, and prepare for their next game which was in two weeks, which was a few days before a big biochemistry test.

She was out by the track, the slightly warm early April air hitting the side of her sweaty face after almost an hour of staying out in the sun. There was another hour of practice left, and with a clipboard, a pen, and a timer in her hand, she watched the baby-faced girls run laps around the field.

“Ok, the game is on a Saturday, it takes around 30 minutes to get there by bus, so 30 minutes to get back… but the game ends at 6:30 so I have to give at least another 30 minutes to an hour for traffic, not including the time it takes to shower and pack our stuff up so the latest I’d get home is around…” She looked up from her clipboard, tapping her feet on the floor. “Jackson! If you want to play in the next game you gotta beat your record! Pick up the speed!” She called out to a red haired girl.

God, I really hope I’m not sweating out my hair, she thought, brushing a few stray hairs back in her ponytail. Nora went back to muttering.

“Ok so that means I’ll be home by 8 at the latest, and if I lock myself in my room and pull an all nighter, I could probably get all my studying done by 6-ish? Maybe… I would have to stock up on coffee. I’ll stop by the store on the way ho–”

Nora’s quiet rambling was interrupted by a voice.

“Hey, Captain!” Nora didn’t turn around, already knowing who it was by the voice alone.

(Y/n) (L/n).

Ah, Nora’s feelings for you were…complicated, to say the least. But we’ll get to that later.

“Sorry I’m so late.” You rubbed the back of your neck with a sheepish smile.

“Fourth time this month, (Y/n).” Nora’s voice was stern, exasperated and a bit annoyed.

“I know. I know, but–”

“You know the drill. 10 extra laps and you have to beat your record or else you don’t play in the next game. Go.” Nora didn’t look up from her clipboard, but knew you were pouting anyways.

Your footsteps echoed in Nora’s ears as you ran to the field, smiling at your teammates as they passed you. She marked off your name on her clipboard and wrote “Late” next to it, again, with furrowed eyebrows and annoyance tickling the back of her brain.

When 4 o’clock came, the girls all filed out of the field and towards the locker room, feet tired and sore. You were still running, of course, doing the 10 (plus 10 extra) laps you were assigned. Although you weren’t, Nora felt like you were taking your time, acting as if you hadn’t a care in the world.

“God, I have to get home and study…” Nora whispered and rolled her eyes, even though only 5 minutes had passed. By 4:15, you were done, walking back to her while rubbing your left thigh.

“How’d I do, Captain?” You asked while wiping the sweat off of your forehead. You balanced yourself on the balls of your feet. Nora clicked the button on her timer once again and finally looked at you.

You had sweat stains on your blue shirt, and you picked at the edge of your shorts that rode up your thigh just a little bit.

“Two minutes under your last time. I guess you get to stay in this time around.” Nora said curtly, pursing her lips while doing so.

You smiled as if you already knew the answer. “Aw come on, Captain. Have a little faith in me, yeah? I’m not all bad.” Your nose scrunched you as you pouted.

God your lips were so cu–

“But I do stink though. Imma hit the showers real quick. You coming?” Nora gulped, mind going a little to the left as she snapped out of her thoughts.

“Yeah.” Was all Nora could say in response.

They walked into the locker rooms, all of the girls clean and gone. Nora placed her things on one of the benches, opening and looking into her locker for clean clothes. You did the same.

“Jeez, all that time I put into doing my hair only to sweat it out in less than 10 minutes. I don’t know how you do it, Captain.” You remarked, looking in the mirror of your locker. Nora hummed, but didn’t respond. She grabbed some fresh clothes from her gym bag and started stripping.

Nora peeked into the mirror in her locker at you. Yours was diagonal from hers. You were still looking at yourself, not at her. Part of her wanted you to be.

Once she was done, she wrapped a towel around herself and grabbed some soap and a rag. She showered in silence, only being interrupted by the pat pat of your footsteps on the floor as you hopped in the showers next to her. You tied your hair up and put a bandana around your head before starting the shower, and Nora looked away before she could see anything else.

She thanked whatever god there was that there was a wall between you two.

But what if there wasn’t?

Nora started to feel very self-conscious all of a sudden. She started to take note of the stretch marks and too thick hairs on her stomach and arms and legs.

Oh my god, is my hair presentable?

She went to smooth out her hair with a (thankfully) not soapy hand, but stopped herself. She wouldn’t want to ruin her hair now. She spent all morning getting it together.

Wait? Why am I worrying about my appearance? My body is fine.

After her little realization, Nora started scrubbing really hard at her arms and legs, preoccupying her mind with the upcoming test.

Nora finished before you did, wrapping a towel around herself and waiting until she was out of your sight to start drying herself. She put on some lotion and deodorant, got dressed in a pair of grey sweatpants and a green shirt and sneakers before grabbing her stuff and going to leave.

“Captain!” Your voice stopped her.

Dammit! She was almost free!

“Yeah?” Nora took a few steps back but didn’t look in your direction.

“Can you…um…stay?” Nora’s spit got caught in her throat. “I mean, until I’m done. I really don’t like being in the locker room by myself. My mom always told me don’t let myself be in a room alone.” You let out a laugh, albeit a bit nervous.

Nora nodded, spitting out a stuttered, “Sure.” She hopes she didn’t sound too excited. She leaned against the outside wall of the showers, facing away from you once more. Nora waited (im)patiently, suddenly remembering how she forgot her glasses at home and that’s why she hasn’t been able to see well all day. She also remembered the stain on the coffee table that she was too busy to clean up because she was rushing out of the house because she had slept through her–

The squeak of the shower faucet snapped Nora out of her thoughts as the rush of water stopped. Nora kept her eyes on her shoes as you passed her, suddenly very interested in the speck of dirt on the toe of her left shoe.

I should clean it later, Nora thought.

“Captain?” Nora’s head snapped up, looking towards you with large brown eyes. You brought a plump lip into your mouth before giving Nora a smile. You were done getting dressed, snatching the now-wet bandana off of your head.

God, is it hot in here? Nora feels like she’s been sweating oceans.

“Thank you for staying. I’m sorry if I bothered you.”

“No problem.” It’s not like she doesn’t have a test she has to study for or a meeting at 6 for a club that she really couldn’t remember the name of now which was really concerning, but Nora couldn’t bring herself to care because you were smiling at her and Nora’s heart was not working anymore.

Although part of her wanted to be mad at such a carefree attitude and your seemingly lack of schedule, she settled on scolding you instead.

“Practice is next Monday at 3. Try not to be late next time.” You nodded before grabbing your stuff from the bench behind you and walking out of the locker room in silence. Nora followed before you both split off in different directions.

Nora’s weekend was filled with nothing but meetings and studying and homework, with the constant repetition of “Game on a Saturday, test on a Monday” leaving her mouth. She started her mornings at 4 am, going for a 2 hour run around campus. At 6 she went back home and took a shower, answered a bunch of emails about things that Nora couldn’t bring herself to care about anymore, and then she spent a good 3 hours studying old material from her classes, read a book she was assigned for Lit, then she was back studying again.

Wait, did she eat anything?

She wouldn’t have if Abby hadn’t practically shoved a piece of turkey bacon down her throat because, “You literally haven’t eaten since yesterday afternoon” which she should be grateful for her friend’s willingness to remember the important things for her when she forgot them. She had meetings for Spanish and French Honor Society, Creative Writing, the school’s green club, and she also had to tutor a bunch of kids who were failing their math classes.

And to top it all off, you were late to practice, again! God, Nora wanted to be mad at you. You were being selfish at this point. Didn’t you know that if you were late she had to stay with you until practice was over?

Well, technically, she didn’t. She could leave practice whenever she wants to but honestly she didn’t want to leave you to practice alone. Plus, you might slack off!

Nora’s eyebrows twitched at the thought. It’s like you didn’t have a care in the world! You just walked around wasting her time, your time even!

You arrived 15 minutes late, better than last time, but still late.

You were already preparing your excuses, but Nora shushed you, telling you to go and practice on your serves. You did just that. Nora had already completed her drills, now just waiting for you to show up. She wrote your name down and the word “late” next to it once again before she went back to observing her team.

Once 4 o’clock rolled around, the girls rolled out and into the locker rooms, while you stayed behind. Your serve was good, Nora thought, you were just a heavy hitter and would forget to try and get the ball into the court first.

After watching the ball fly past the court for the 3rd time, Nora sighed and made her way over to you. You spotted her and gave her a smile.

“Hey, Captain! You need something?” You asked as you threw the ball in the air. You hit it across the net and watched as it flew straight into the wall. You grabbed another ball from the basket next to you and went to do it again until Nora gently grabbed your wrist and pulled it back down.

“You hit too hard, (Y/n). Try it again, but with a little less force.” Nora stated, backing out of the court to watch you once more.

You tried again, only for the ball to land just outside of the court.

“That’s ok, (Y/n), just try again.” Nora encouraged you. You tried again and again, only for you to keep hitting it out of the court.

You let out a huff, frustrated. “Captain…” You whined, turning to her with dragged feet. “This seems pointless. I just keep hitting out of bounds.” Nora raised a brow, not taking you for the type to give up so easily.

“You know we can’t leave until you get it right.” You pouted at her answer before going to try again. Nora stopped you, walking up to you and grabbing the hand you were holding your racket in. “Here. Make your hand face the net. That always helped me serve better.” Nora turned your wrist. “Now plant your feet so they’re in line with your shoulders.” You listened. “Now breathe in, slowly, and as you breathe in, toss the ball into the air and as soon as you exhale, swing. Don’t focus on the force. Focus on how your hand moves to hit the ball.” Nora realized how close she was to you, how weird this must’ve looked to others and what they might think.

She was starting to get self-conscious again.

Nora cleared her throat and backed out of the court again. Once she was far enough, you served again, the ball just making it into the court. You jumped up in excitement, coily hair bouncing with you. Your eyes darted towards her, a wide smile on your brown face.

“Captain! Captain I did it! Did you see?” You spoke with the giddiness of a child with a new toy, and, suddenly, Nora’s anger at you disappeared. Nora nodded with a smile.

“I saw. Good job, (Y/n).” You smiled wider at her praise, going to pick up all of the balls you managed to drop. Nora helped.

After cleaning up the mess you made, you both walked to the locker rooms. You repeated your routine from Friday, with Nora finishing earlier than you once again. Nora remembered how you had asked her to stay, and decided not to leave you behind. She walked to her locker in silence, getting dressed in some jeans, a graphic tee, and her same pair of sneakers she always wore before leaning against the walls of the showers like she did once before.

She was still facing away from you.

“(Y/n)?” Nora called, despite the lump in her throat about having to talk to you while you were naked.

“Yeah, Captain?” You answered, stopping the humming you were previously doing.

“May I ask, um, why are you always so…late?” Nora tapped her fingers on the wall and hoped she didn’t offend you with the question.

You were silent for a moment before answering. “I just lose track of time, y’know?” Nora’s eyebrow twitched again. You spoke as if you knew what she was thinking. “Yeah, yeah. I know that’s not a good excuse. However, I get so caught up in the little things that I just forget to remember the big things.” Another twitch of the eyebrow.

God, was it gonna get stuck like that?

You turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around yourself as Nora moved to sit on the bench. She preoccupied herself with her shoes again and waited for you to get dressed. The buzz of your phone interrupted the silence between you two. You grabbed it from out of your locker and looked at the bright screen before scowling and placing it back in your bag.

“I wanna know, Captain.” You started, as you put underwear on. Nora cursed the human evolutionary habit of looking at anyone and anything that made noise, as she had turned her gaze towards you as you were putting on a dress and oh my goodness you weren’t wearing a bra. Nora’s face burned as she quickly turned back around to look at her shoes. “Have you ever had Mr. Lance before?” It took a few seconds for Nora to register your question, and once she did, she shook her head no.

“U-Um… no. No I haven’t, um… Why do you ask?” Preoccupy yourself with the test, Nora. Focus on the test.

Game on a Saturday. Test on a Monday.

“I wanted to thank you for once again putting up with me and helping me in practice. Other captains would’ve just left me there.” Now she felt bad for thinking about leaving. “You wanna go?” You turned to her with another smile, not caring that Nora wasn’t even facing you.

“You don’t have to. It’s really no problem.”

Game on a Saturday. Test on a Monday.

“Come on, Captain. Please. I promise you it’ll be worth your time!” Nora finally gained the courage to look at you, and you were pouting. Good god you were pouting and it was so adorable and Nora really has to learn how to focus again.

Game on Saturday. Test on Monday.

Nora was in a trance. Your eyes had caught her in a trance and she couldn’t get out but she had to. So she agreed to your little adventure. You jumped up again in excitement and Nora was once again reminded of the fact that you don’t have on a bra. You both walked out of the locker room and you led Nora down the street to one of the coffee shops about 7 minutes away.

“Mr. Lance is just a few minutes from here.” You started as you put your phone in your bag after checking it again. “And I know the name seems kinda boring, however, they serve the best ice cream there is.” You gave Nora another beaming smile to reassure her, even though Nora didn’t need any reassurance.

Once you both arrived at the little parlor, you opened the door for Nora and she was immediately hit by the cool air and the smell of mint. Nora scrunched up her nose a little bit and sat at one of the red chaired booths. You sat opposite of her and folded your hands on top of each other.

“What do you usually get here?” Nora asked you, pushing her glasses up to her face.

“I either get the triple chocolate milkshake or the extra cookies and cream ice blizzard. But that’s my personal preference. Get whatever you want.” You said nonchalantly, not even looking at the menu.

Would it be too embarrassing for Nora to admit that she didn’t know how to choose? Nora thought that yes, it would be. However she couldn’t just not order something after you had brought her all the way here. That would be rude! But it would also be rude to sit there and order something she wouldn’t want and then sit there and pick at it because she had never really had time to–

“And what about you, miss?” Nora jumped at the voice. She looked up from her death match with the colorful menu and at the waiter who was standing there with a notepad in her pale hands.

“Uh…oh! Oh! I would like a…” What the hell was that first thing you said? “A triple chocolate milkshake, please.” Nora’s face burned at her awkwardness. Maybe she didn’t leave that weird teenage phase at all.

“Coming right up! I’ll just take these off your hands.” The waiter grabbed the menus and walked off to the kitchen.

Nora tried to act like she didn’t feel your gaze on her while you waited, and felt grateful when your phone buzzed for the third time that afternoon.

“Guess I’m popular today, huh Captain?” You let out a chuckle as you turned your phone off.

Nora smiled back and she hoped it wasn’t crooked.

You pulled at a curl on your head and frowned. “I’m so glad tomorrow is wash day. My hair’s been so uncooperative lately.” You pulled at the same curl again and watched as it bounced back into place. “Captain.” You called her. Nora answered. “What do you think I should do with my hair? Twists or plaits? Ooh maybe I can do box braids instead.” You shot out ideas to her, hoping she would choose and make your life a bit easier.

“Um… I think you’d look good in–in twists.” Frankly you would look good in anything.

Wait, what?

“Don’t you have to set out the whole day for that? You have classes tomorrow, don’t you?”

“I have one class in the afternoon but it shouldn’t be a problem. I can catch up easily.” You said nonchalantly.

She looked at the clock on the wall to check the time. 5:45 p.m. She cursed how fast this day was going.

Their treats came a few minutes later and you popped open your straw and dug in. Nora did the same, eyebrows raising at the onslaught of very, very sweet chocolate attacking her taste buds.

“See. I told you it was good!” You said, licking a little bit of chocolate off of your lips. You swirled your straw around your glass. “I’m glad you decided to come with me, though.” You said offhandedly.

“Why did you decide to bring me here?” Nora didn’t mean for her voice to sound all nervous. She would roll with the punches.

“Hmm. I already told you earlier that I wanted to thank you for putting up with me.” You took another sip and stuck your tongue out a bit. “But also, and forgive me if I seem rude but, I thought this would relax you.” Nora raised an eyebrow. “You always seem so…pent up. Like a stiff. I just noticed that you might need some sort of release or something, Captain. That’s all.” Nora realized that you were the only one to address her as Captain after practice, and in that moment she started to feel very…different.

Was she uncomfortable?

No, Nora wouldn’t exactly describe it as that.

It was just that the heat creeping up her neck and the sudden realization that you were right and the idea of getting some sort of release, as you put it, was making her feel very, very weird.

It didn’t help that Nora’s gaze went back to your lips and eyes and hands and chest and the realization that you weren’t wearing a bra hit her again and–

Why the hell was she so focused on that? Of all the damn things to focus on? It’s not like the concept of not wearing a bra was foreign to her, she did it from time to time herself but what the fuck was so different when you did it?

Focus on something else, Nora. Focus on something else.

Like the test!

She had a game on a Saturday, and a test on a Monday.

Game on a Saturday, and a test on a Monday.

Game on Saturday, and boy were your eyes cute.

Game on Saturday, test on a Monday.

It’s not like she had a problem with it.

Game on Saturday, test on Monday.

She was fine. Nora was so fine. Nothing to worry about here.

Maybe she did need a release. A time for herself to relax.

Game Saturday, test Monday.

Oh god was she staring at you?

Game, test. Saturday, Monday.

Were you smiling at her? You look so sweet.

Monday. Saturday. Monday. Game. Test. Relax. Release. Relax. Relax. Game. Test. Saturday. Monday. Relax. Release.

Her glass was empty and you were smiling at her and UGH.

Nora stood up, her knees knocking into the booth as she did so.

“Is everything alright, Captain?” You expressed concern over her. Your eyebrows furrowed as your smile went away.

“I gotta go.” Nora managed to choke out. She reached into her back pocket for her wallet as you stared at her with confusion.

“What? Are you sure?” Nora threw $20 on the table and grabbed her bag from the floor.

“Yeah. I gotta… I gotta go…” Nora turned and sped out of the shop, leaving you alone.

She made it back to her apartment and unlocked the door with shaky hands. Abby greeted her from the couch, hair in a low ponytail instead of its usual braid.

“Hey, Nora you–“ Abby stopped herself when she finally looked at her roommate. “What’s wrong?” She turned to her and grabbed her before Nora could sped past the couch. “Come on. Around the couch you go.” Abby pulled Nora by her belt loop around the couch and made her sit down. “What’s up with you. And don’t say you have another test to study for because you’ve already studied enough.” Nora scrunched up her nose and looked away from Abby.

“There’s no such thing as too much studying.”

“Nora…” Abby’s voice was stern.

“Fine, fine… There’s this… this girl and she… she said I was a stiff and treated me to ice cream today and I can’t focus around her and also I can’t stop thinking about her and also–” Nora plopped herself face first into Abby’s lap, groaning loud enough for her roommate to hear.

“Does my Nora have a crush?” Abby teased at her, poking the back of her head. Nora sprung up.

“What! No! Of course not!” Abby didn’t believe her. “I just can’t focus around her, that’s all. And it’s frustrating me.” Nora defended herself, slumping against the couch.

“Hmm. Sounds like a crush to me.” Abby retorted, leaning her head on her hand.

Nora couldn’t have a crush! I mean, when has Nora ever had time to think about crushes? Or dating? Hell, with boys or girls!

“I don’t have time for crushes, Abby.” Nora slumped some more until she sat on the floor.

“You don’t have time for anything, Nora! All you do is work, work, work. And I know we’re in college but that doesn’t mean you have to give yourself to the seeds of capitalism just yet.” Abby kicked Nora in the thigh as a way of telling her to get off the floor.

Nora got up with a pout.

“All I’m saying, Nora,” She started, propping her feet on the coffee table, “is that maybe this could do you some good. You got to enjoy life, and you can’t enjoy it if you’re stuck hunched over a book all day.” Nora rolled her eyes before retreating to her room to take a cold shower.

The next morning, after her 4am run and a long shower, Nora got dressed for the day and sat down at her desk to study. She didn’t have any classes today, her professor for the day sending out an email to cancel class the night before. She opened the giant biology textbook that never left her desk and tried to remember where she had left off last.

I was writing notecards, she remembered as she searched her desk to find them.

Her search was interrupted by the loud ping of her cellphone. Nora chose to ignore it, thinking that it was probably just Abby trying to remind her to eat something. Her phone vibrated again and Nora rolled her eyes with a loud sigh and got up to check it out.

She walked over to her bed and picked the phone off the pillow, squinting her eyes at the sudden light hitting her face as another notification came.

“Hi, Captain!” It was you. You texted her.

Oh my god you texted her!

“I know you said only to use your number in case of emergencies but I guess this would qualify as an emergency because you kinda left in a hurry so!!!”

“Are you ok, Captain? I wanted to check up on you afterwards but I didn’t know whether you’d want me to use this number or not so I didn’t text you but I didn’t know what happened and I was getting nervous so I texted you.” God did you ramble.

“Sorry for rambling.” You sent a few seconds later. You added a crying emoji for effect.

It was then, in that moment, that Nora realized she didn’t know how to respond to you.

Why weren’t her fingers moving?

Why was she just staring at her phone with a stupid face?

Move, dammit! Move!

With a deep breath, Nora let out a big, long groan of, “ABBY!” Said friend was at her door within seconds, hair in a frenzy and protein bottle in her hands, ready to attack someone.

“Nora! Nora what is it? Is someone dying?” With wide eyes, Nora handed Abby her phone, to which Abby lowered her guard and grabbed it out of Nora’s hands. “Nora are you fucking kidding me?” Abby deadpanned after reading the messages, seeing it was only someone expressing concern over her friend and not like…cyberstalking her or some shit.

“I don’t know what to do please help me.” If Abby wasn’t so mad at her she'd tease her for her inexperience and compare her to a lamb. Abby flopped on the bed with a groan and started typing away.

“Wait, wait, wait! What are you doing?” Nora asked frantically as she tried to snatch the phone out of her hands.

“I’m replying. Duh!” She said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“No, but Abby! What are you saying to her?” Nora whined, attempting to grab it again only to fall on Abby’s lap.

“You know, for someone who denies that this is a crush you aren’t really helping your case all that much.” She continued typing, and Nora thought that whatever she was typing would be long and embarrassing and stressful.

“Abby!” Nora dragged out her name as she tried to reach for the phone again. “Come on! I know you’re gonna put something embarrassing!” Nora gave Abby a pout and made no move to move off of her friend.

“I’m not! I swear!”

“Then read it to me!”

“What?”

“Read what you wrote to her!”

“Ugh, you’re so childish.” She said as if she wasn’t the one typing something to Nora’s…Nora’s…well…Nora’s whatever. “Hey, (y/n).” Abby paused. “Such a cute name by the way. Good choice.” She continued. “I’m fine. Thanks for checking up on me. I was wondering if we could meet up later and–” Nora started to protest, reaching up for the phone. Abby held it away from her. “And I could, hey quit that–” Abby smacked her hand away. “I could explain why I’ve been acting so weird lately, if that’s alright with you–Nooooooo.” Abby whined like a child when Nora snatched the phone away and deleted the text message. “All my hard work! Wasted! Oh the inhumanity!” Abby fell on the bed, fake fainting.

“I don’t wanna meet her.” Nora muttered as she stared at the phone with a glare.

“And why not? I told you, this is good!” Nora looked at her in disbelief. “This is good! You need a break, Nora. If you don’t slow down now next time you have time for yourself you’ll be a bag of bones!”

“Not a bag of bones…”

“Yes, a bag of bones! So you are going to take this phone, text this girl back, and you are going to talk to her or by god I will throw your planners away. And I know where you keep them. All of them.” Abby pushed the phone up to Nora’s face.

“Even the Scooby Doo one?”

“Especially the Scooby Doo one. That goes first. Now type.” With a cry and a wail about how hard Abby was making her life, Nora started texting you back, giving the phone to Abby for approval.

“Hey, (y/n).” She started typing. “Abby please don’t make me do this.” Abby didn’t budge. “I’m fine. Thank you for checking up on me. I promise I’m ok and you don’t need to worry about me–”

“Don’t put that. You're invalidating her feelings.” Abby interjected.

“…I’m happy you checked up on me. If you want I’d like to meet–”

“Abby I’m nervous! Please can’t I just go back to studying?” Abby told her no.

“…up with you again. Maybe sometime this afternoon. Or whenever you want to it doesn’t have to be today it could be tomorrow or next week or–”

“You’re stalling.” Abby warned her, already reaching for her Scooby Doo planner hidden under her mattress.

“…Is this afternoon good?” Nora closed her eyes and hit send.

You replied within a minute.

“Sure! How about around 5. I should be done with my hair around then.” You sent a bunch of emojis afterwards and Nora plopped down in the bed with a groan after she agreed.

“See? You see how good things go when you listen to me?” Abby put the almost destroyed planner back in its place and patted Nora on the head. Nora groaned even louder. “Now. I want to know what time you’re going so you can have time to look nice.” Abby added emphasis on that last part. “And I mean it. No sweatpants or oversized jackets. I want you looking nice.” Nora’s face dropped at Abby’s constrictions.

“You’re already making me suffer by going outside but now you’re making me dress nice? You’re killing me, Abby!”

“No, I’m helping you. Now hold on for a second. I need to text the group chat about this historical moment.” Nora's eyes widened as she watched Abby get up and run back to her room before she could stop her.

When 4:30 rolled around, Nora patted herself down nervously and stared at Abby with a confused face.

“Come on, Nora. You look fine.” Nora stared at herself once more, her black jeans, light blue t-shirt and black shoes seeming too…boring for this.

“I-I don’t know, Abby. Maybe I should just cancel and say I got sick. Is it too late to hit myself with something?” Nora held her purse in shaky hands.

“No! You’re doing this. Now come on.” Abby dragged her from out her room and to the living room, where their friends, Manny, Owen, and Mel were hanging out and watching tv.

“You guys! Abby’s forcing me to go outside! Help me!” Nora tried to plead as she dragged her feet on the floor.

“Hmm… I don’t see a problem with that.” Manny spoked, looking at her with amusement clear on his features.

“Yeah, Nora. Owen and I for sure thought you were going to turn into a vampire or something if you stayed inside any longer.” Mel agreed while Owen nodded his head.

“That’s not how vampirism works and you know it!” Nora planted her feet into the ground and groaned. “Owen! Hide me! Help me! Save me!” Nora pleaded as Abby pushed her along to the door.

“Sorry, Nora. My expertise is animals not humans.” He said with a shrug and put his head on Mel’s shoulder.

“Traitors! Traitors! All of you!” Abby finally got her to the door and pushed her out with a huff.

“You be back no earlier than 6. Got it?” Abby ordered. Before Nora, could protest, Abby interrupted her. “If you wanna save the Scooby Doo planner you better start walking.” Nora closed her mouth and glared at her before calling her a muscle head and walking away. She heard the chorus of bye’s and have fun’s as she walked down the hall. You both had agreed to meet up at the campus park, and as Nora walked up, she saw you sitting on the bench with a book in your hands. Nora recognized it as Pride and Prejudice, something Abby had read a thousand times.

You looked up and spotted her. With a smile, you said, “Hi, Captain!” You placed the book beside you and waved at her. You had twists in your hair, and it went down to just below your shoulders.

“Hey, (Y/n).” Nora sat down next to you and placed her hands in her lap.

“I’m glad you decided to meet up! I was really worried about you yesterday.” You tried to keep the smile on your face despite the concern present.

Nora’s face burned as she rubbed the back of her neck.

“Yeah, um, sorry about that I…um…” Nora couldn’t really explain herself in that moment.

“No need to explain yourself, Captain. I’m just glad you’re ok.” Your smile never faltered and Nora decided to smile back.

“But-But thank you! For, um, taking me to the ice cream place yesterday. I really appreciate it.” Nora didn’t know why she was stuttering so much. If the group were here they’d be laughing at her.

“No problem. I like going there a lot. Not just for the treats but…it’s calming. Gives me time to get away.” Your phone buzzed and you checked it with a frown.

“Is everything alright?” Nora felt kinda sad when your attention wasn’t on her.

“Yeah. It’s just my stupid ex.” EX? Ex as in ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend? Ex-partner? Oh my god what was Nora thinking? She didn’t have time for crushes! Let alone any time for exes or dating of feelings or–

“Hey, Captain.” Nora perked up.

“Y-Yeah?” She could run. Nora could run and hide and go back to the apartment Scooby Doo planner be DAMNED.

“You remember when I told you about getting caught up in the little things?” Nora remembered, yes. “This is one of those little things. Just relaxing in the park, or going to the ice cream parlor, or staying after practice with you.”

Wait, what? Nora must’ve misheard.

“I could never share those little things with anybody else. Not even a person I had thought I liked. But I can with you.” You turned to her with a smile, moving a stray twist from out of your face. “I’m glad I was able to show you the things that relax me. Hopefully, Captain, they can relax you too.”

“Nora.” She blurted out.

“Hmm?” You titled you head to the side.

“You can call me Nora. I-I don’t mind.” You smiled at her, and Nora started to feel her heart burst in her chest.

“Ok…Nora.” Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Nora liked you.

Holy shit. She liked you.

“I-I’m glad you thought about me so much.” Nora played with her fingers as she spoke.

“Well, Nora. How about we go see a movie? I hear there’s this new mystery movie that’s so intense that people lost their senses when they left the theater!”

Nora laughed at your giddiness.

“Sure. I’d like that.” You stood up and grabbed your book to place it in your bag. You held out your hand to Nora and she took it, although a bit hesitantly.

“Cool. Let’s go, then.”

Maybe, just maybe, Nora could learn how to handle a crush this time around.

[imnotwolverine]

The Monster’s Lair - A Belle Tune

Vampire!Henry x Belle - multi-chapter

Chapter 1 - A Belle Tune | Chap 2 >

Disclaimer: Dark adult fairytale - stalking, mild injury, angsty vibes

Author’s note: Here we go dear readers, a whole new series!! As I was setting out the plotline I kept saying to myself; “Let’s make this 3-5 chapters, a short series, okay, Wolfie?” ...Welp... Apparently I have many talents, but writing short series is not one of them. I’ve tried again and again to reshape the plot into a shorter, snappier version, but I just couldn’t. So, here goes; 12 chapters of broody vampire Henry and sweet Belle. I hope you are ready ❤️

Word count: 1.991

Reading music: Agnes Obel - Tokka 

(Link to my Masterlist)

-

It was the first day of Autumn, summer finally past, as a tale of old was sung anew.

The land was cracked open dry and dusty after months without rain, the crops starting to fail just before harvest season. It made the tensions run high amongst the town folk, their worried eyes aiming upwards. The air had been thick for days now, the clouds drifting heavy and grey on dreary skies, foreboding a long awaited storm that just wouldn’t break.

And yet, not all were worried. At this moment the morning air felt slightly cheery too, as a soft tune wove through the ancient pine tree forest that lay like a prickly blanket over the rolling hills. 

It was a familiar tune, sung by a familiar woman’s voice, her pale skin and dark braided hair a sight he saw often in these parts of the land. Before her, two mutts sniffled happily, their wet noses pushing through the fallen leaves and shrubs that covered the dry forest floor. 

From the shadows of that same thicket, he was watching her, watching her rosy lips curl up in that dreamy smile, her feet kicking her blue skirts with confident strides.

Belle, he knew her name by now, was one of the few who dared to wander so close to his grounds, his domain, her skirts rustling as she conjured a book from the depths of her pockets. Always reading. 

At first he had been somewhat surprised to see a woman of her position even owning a book, a proper book. Her father was but a poor horse handler and her family long deceased. 

But, indeed, she could read. 

With an elegant hand she brushed down her skirts before sitting down on that same fallen down tree that she used everyday; her hide-out whenever the weather allowed. Clicking her tongue she instructed her dogs to lay down, her hand flicking through the book, returning to the page where she had left off a day ago.

Away from the snarky remarks and jealous whispers of the town folk, here she could read as dawn cracked over the horizon, her presence welcomed by the listening embrace of the forest and its inhabitants. The birds quieted their song and the mice and squirrels halted their squabbling, just long enough to look and listen, bewitched beady eyes watching the pretty woman as she started to read aloud.

It was an old and leather bound rendering of Apuleius’ Cupid and Psyche, an ancient fairy tale, the book nearly falling apart as she brushed her fingertips over the yellowed, vulnerable pages. She had read it a dozen times now, and yet the monster couldn’t help but listen, his lips moving in a silent joined recital. He knew the words by heart at this point.

What exactly she did by the day time he couldn’t tell, his disposition making it impossible for him to visit town when the sun was out. And thus he would just imagine it. Perhaps she worked as one of the chambermaids for the Les Comtes. Perhaps she helped her father in the stables - he had seen the old man during the nights many a time, his rough hands being ever so gentle with the handsome beasts that belonged to the Les Comtes. In fact all was owned by the Les Comtes, the family so rich that almost all villagers worked for their estate and businesses.  

Far too soon Belle’s voice would silence again, her finger tracing the page she had ended on, memorising it before gently closing the book, her eyes looking up through the thicket of the tree branches, watching those looming clouds up above. He knew what she thought; it was going to rain and she probably couldn’t return to this spot for a long time.

After the rain would come hail, winds, winter. And as it goes with reading outside, her natural reading nook was simply not able to hide her from the elements, and, with her reading hobby sneered at by the town’s folk, this might very well be her last reading session for this year.

With a sigh she got up, calling for her dogs and making her way back to the village, long skirts kicking, her book hidden back in the depths of her pockets. Oh, how he was going to miss her. Even if it was just for a day. Here in the forest he was awaited by an eternal nothingness. No job, no destination, only empty days that wove into a long string of months, years, centuries.

Returning to the crumbling ruins of his castle, the grande structure long past its glory days, he wandered endlessly through its halls, dust collecting on items that shouldn’t ever run into such disuse. Plates, cups, the fireplace, the beds. For centuries now he could not feel the pleasure of the simplicity of life. The food ashen on his tongue. His eyes, though closed, never truly resting. His skin no longer feeling the comfort of a warm hearth. His still beating heart but a mousy whisper of its once roaring strength.

Watching those heavy clouds above the treetops, he knew that it would be long before he would get to hear her voice again. A storm was looming, the long dry spell finally coming to an end and taking with it the long awaited rains. He knew it was a necessity, the listening critters around him feeling desperate for food now winter was soon to arrive, but he couldn’t help but feel a deep disappointment all the same. Because with the dreary days would come even more dark hours for him, the last sparkle of joy ripped from his life until spring would probably come again.  

—

‘Another one dead.’ The hunter growled, heaving the dead dog’s body from his cart, the boneless heap of bled out sinew and fur unceremoniously dropping to the dusty ground. With the ongoing drought, food has become more and more scarce. Crops were failing, wild animals were roaming nearer to the village and despite their best efforts, the hunters had great difficulty to actually catch anything. Something strange was afoot in the forest and rumour was about; it was the beast!

‘So no luck then.’ Arthur said in a hushed tone, his old knees cracking as he squatted down to inspect the remains of the hound. And indeed. Neck cracked, jugular torn, the required strength for such an act belonging to no less than a bear..or beast..of sorts.

‘Twas a mad dog anyways. But still..’ The hunter squinted, looking out over the yellow grassed meadows, to the edge of the forest where that monstrous beast hid away. ‘..we must see to it. The darn thing must be done with once and ..for..’ He blinked, then looked at Arthur with mild confusion. ‘Is that Belle?’ He pointed at a figure that appeared from the tree-line, two dogs at either side of her light blue skirts.

Arthur pushed himself up with a groan and also squinted his eyes, his sight no longer what it had been. ‘If it’s a pretty thing with two mutts, a dress of blue and a smile for days, it must be Belle.’ He said, his vision too blurry to discern anything that resembled his daughter. The hunter gruntled his disapproval, though not denying that it was indeed Belle, his strong, broad shouldered frame turning back to his cart to bring out what few rabbits and pheasants he had managed to catch in his traps. ‘You ought to bring some sense in that girl, Arthur..’ He warned, bushy eyebrows frowning as he looked back at the girl, her skirts twirling as she threw a stick for the dogs to fetch.

‘She is just so very much like her mother.’ Arthur sighed, not fully agreeing with the hunter’s sentiments as his lips curled in an amused smile.

‘Tcould be the death of her, old man. The beast is out there, I know that much. In fact. There’s a meeting in the town hall by sundown, in case you wish to join.’

‘Good..good...’ Arthur nodded, only half-listening now, his eyes finally managing to focus on Belle as she kicked her legs over the wood log fence near the stables he worked, her face all smiles and skirts a muddy mess.

Oh..Belle!

--

The shutters of the barn-like town hall shuddered, the wind outside picking up and the torch flames dancing wildly in the draft. It was a busy night, the floorboards creaking as the town’s men got up from their benches to express their bewilderment and frustrations, loud “Aye’s” and “Nays” echoing in the air as the discussions roared.

Now the food reserves of the town were running low and people had to ration, the tension was near tangible. Winter was coming and the people felt as restless as the storm that was picking up outside. The pigs needed to be fed, the elderly were struggling, sickness was spreading and all fingers pointed angrily at the direction of that wicked forest. The Beast’s forest.

‘Dear people! My people!’ Old Master Le Comte stood up from the throne-like seat that was situated right at the head of the hall, his fatty fingers balancing a shiny cup of wine. He raised his hand to calm the uproar, old furrowy brows raising up to show two grey, beady eyes. ‘Say AYE and agree, that we must see to the end of this beast for once and for all. He threatens our livestock, steals our hunted bounty and his cursed evil talons bring us only disease and misfortune. This drought? I would not be surprised if it were by HIS design!’ He exclaimed.

The town roared up with enthusiasm, fists raised in the air as a loud ‘AYE’ resounded front to back. In fact only the old man Arthur sat quiet, far in the corner, thinking fingers pulling at his moustache. He had discussed the matter with Belle and all she had to say was; “It is indeed quite practical to make a simple minded animal responsible for all your sorrows. But is it right to kill it because you conjured an image of beastly proportion, fed by your own fears? From what I heard he only has killed those who came too close..far too close.” 

‘HELP HELP!! The church! A FIRE!’ The large doors of the hall swung open as a young man burst through, arms waving in despair, the discussions regarding the monster quickly forgotten as everyone made haste to stop the flames as they quickly swept around them, the simple wooden structures of the inner town feeding themselves like perfectly dried logs to the hellish bonfire.  

Arthur looked up from his daze and slowly followed the hastened crowd outside, his feet no longer so fast as he felt a sudden, surprising coolness in his neck. A wet coolness. With a question in his eyes he looked up at the darkened sky, feeling another drop on his wrinkly skin. Rain? Did the gods bless them just in time? Would all be well?

A conclusion made prematurely, as a new alarm was struck from the village’s heart.

‘THE BEAST! TIS THE BEAST!’ The loud screams came from the village square, Arthur’s attention immediately drawn back to the people that sped past him. Oh no..oh no...BELLE! She was alone, she was..

*FLUNK*

With a loud thud Arthur smacked to the ground, his eyes blinking in shock as he saw the person who had bumped into him rush passed, the silhouette of the person already fading from his vision as all he could do was claw into the dusty road, eyes seeing all black.

Oh no...he thought, his body now fading out of consciousness. Belle! She must be warned! She was all alone! The beast..Oh Belle..the beast..and...Belle...

With heavy blinking eyes he scratched and cried, trying to gain the attention of people rushing by, but failing. None could hear or see him as the storm drowned out his wails and the night hid him in unblinking dark, leaving him with little else but hope, hope that Belle’s joyful tunes would indeed not be ended at the slashing of beastly claws, like the hunter had warned him for this morning.

Oh Belle, dear Belle..

--

Chap 2 >

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