#this gif of michael makes me laugh he's SO EXTRA lol

[mjj-nostalgia]

I am simply on a roll here:

Chapter 14 and Chapter 15 of The Way The Wind Blows are live!

I had to kind of split it up into two chapters so they might start/end a bit abruptly but I did my best to fix that haha. These chapters have also been in the works for well over a year and I'm happy they are finally posted.

I sincerely hope you all enjoy them! And big thank you to all my supporters! 💜

-T

[blueberrypancakesworld]

My heart...don't cry I'm here - Saltburn 2023

Michael Gavey x fem!reader

warning : hurt/comfort, angst, implied non-con kissing(from Oliver), jealousy, kissing/cuddling, mentions of blood

Summary : A winter ball or a party is an invitation with consequences and love that blossoms. Michael and his sweetheart were together, everything was perfect until one thing changed and love had to be defended.

Info : So again something for Saltburn and our sweet Michael a little thought/more complex. Have fun reading ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everything had been perfect since she had been at university, her grades were good and she had made friends. It was the perfect environment in 2006 with the others.

And it was only going to get better since she showed up in his math class, the extra afternoon class with him for the students who wanted to review the subject.

Maybe it was because it was just the two of them in the afternoon class, maybe it was because Michael was the "teacher" for the time, or maybe it was because she started bringing him a crunchy bar every time. Whatever it was, it brought the two of them together.

Maybe it was his smile that appeared every time she got another task right which was so full of joy for her that she couldn't help but smile herself. His joy and devotion to the subject and to her was clear.

That it was bound to happen at some point that when she suddenly dropped a pen and they both bent down for it, it seemed like a scene from a bad romance novel. ,,Please, I insist," he said and his lips curled into that cute smile again, which almost seemed to make him excited.

He adjusted his glasses again and put the pen back in her hand, she greeted him with a ,,Thank you Michael... tell me, I'm very grateful for all this, would you mind coming for a cup of tea with me?" she dared to ask, already preparing to be laughed at by him, that his flight of fancy had caused him to drop her.

Instead, she was almost blown away when he practically ripped her arm out and shook her hand, smiling broadly at her.

,,Oh yes, I'd love to, my dear!" he had told her and this was the first date they had had in a small cafe near the university for tea and a few cupcakes but she had quickly realized that Michael preferred his Crunchy Bars to any other sweet things.

When he dug into the chocolate and drank the tea she smiled at him and she could always see his slight nervousness. He had changed a little, he was no longer as stern and serious as he was when he was studying.

She had often seen him in the library looking at the books and exercise books so intently. Always with a thoughtful look on his face. But now he was as cute as an excited golden retriever.

But it didn't bother anyone, it was even kind of cute when he told the cashier that he had miscalculated. How he insisted that they recalculate that his bill was correct and the machine was wrong.

Michael shouted out the answer and only calmed down when she put her hand on his and gave him an understanding look. ,,Excuse my... my boyfriend, please do the math again?" she asked, not seeing the look of confusion and then complete love behind his glasses.

She hadn't dismissed him, she hadn't laughed at him or shamed him, she had called him her boyfriend. They were a couple.

They were really together. They had been together for a few months, almost a year, and yet their love for each other had never changed, on the contrary, it had only grown stronger.

It was perfect until she found the little note under her notebook, she had met Michael in the library and they had studied together and she still seemed to feel the kiss on the back of his hand when he greeted her.

,,Romance, my dear romantic, is the best thing I can give you every day," he always said before he kissed her enruet gently and always with a little hint of nervousness. He hid his eyes, pushed up his glasses and disappeared, waving.

She looked after him for a moment before disappearing into the library shelves, not paying attention to her notebook, and only when she came back did she see the little note.

Dearest Blood, I would like you to show up at my party for the Winter Ball. With best regards O she left the handwritten message and looked around to see if she could find the person who had left it there. But no?

No one seemed to fit the bill, although she could knowingly assign the O as the sender. Oliver Quick. The mutual friend of the two of them, or the cheat if Michael was concerned.

Oliver and he used to be friends, but since the brown-haired man had been hanging out with the rich guys from Saltburn and such, neither of them recognized him anymore.

Giving the note her attention for a moment, she sat back down to study and decided to tell Michael in the afternoon when they met again, not knowing that two eyes were already watching her.

That his lips curled into a smile and the plan of plans went according to plan. After a while, she disappeared from the library and found her darling in the cafeteria, his plate full of food and almost always the same.

,,Michael, look what I've found from your... friend," she said as she came to him with her tray, also full of food, and sat down at her seat, handing him the paper.

She saw how at first he seemed a little unknowing and then he seemed to remember the deceiver who had once been his friend. Looking at the paper he let her know they knew Oliver had changed but now?

Was it a good idea to go to the party? ,,A party...my darling, only if you feel like it, of course I would accompany you, it would certainly...certainly be interesting to see how he has been," Michael said and handed her the note after reading it again.

She looked at the paper, she didn't know the word "blood" from Oliver, she never thought he would become like this. One of the rich ones.

But was it true and didn't everyone deserve a second chance? That's what they both thought when they turned up at the Winter Ball, or rather the big boozy party, and they were rather overdressed.

Michael had chosen his suit and the white rose on his breast pocket, she had picked it out, fluffed it through his hair and given him a motivating kiss.

In return, he had laced up her dress and showered her with compliments before the two of them had walked through the large double doors just a few minutes later and found themselves at the "Winter Ball".

She heard the horrified sound of Michael looking at the party with an uncertain look that resembled her own. She wondered how the hell so many people could fit in here - it shouldn't be possible, should it?

Everyone was close together, bumping into their neighbors. ,,Shall we go?" she asked, looking at Michael, who adjusted his glasses and looked at her, even though he seemed to want to leave, he shook his head.

,,Shall I get us some drinks and you Oliver?" he asked and looked at her, reaching for her hand to show her that it could be different, that he was looking for his friend and she was looking for the drinks. But when her gaze turned to the bar or whatever else was there, she almost felt dizzy.

Crowds upon crowds of people had taken over the area around it and finding her way back in there would be suicide. ,, Sure we can do that," she said hastily and gave him a grateful look before they parted and Michael set off to make his way through the dancing drug addicts and his favorite through the crowds on the way to Oliver.

After having to dodge several drinks, drugs and dancing people and a leap backwards to avoid being hit by a keg of beer, she was about to give up the search when she saw a brown mop of hair disappear into one of the many rooms. A room she had never seen before.

There were many brown-haired people here, but when she saw the brief smile on the lips of the stranger, there seemed to be no doubt. It was a knowing smile, an amused smile, a hungry smile. The smile of someone who knew exactly what was going on around him.

Following the stranger into the room and opening the door, it suddenly seemed quieter, as if the walls had been built in such a way as to keep the lowly folk at bay. ,,Oliver Quick?" she asked, annoyed that her voice sounded so uncertain even though she had no reason to be.

She knew him, she thought, and yet it also seemed to be due to the room that she felt like she was being swallowed up.

Her voice didn't have the confidence she wanted and she felt her heart beat faster as the man turned around. ,,My blood, you really came, I thought you and the nerd had gone off," he sneered and she could just see his eyes roaming over her body.

He had tried to hide his attraction for her back then, but she had already seen that he was always too tempted to hug her as his hands wandered over her body.

Until she got together with Michael and Oliver left for Saltburn. ,,No we didn't Oliver, we're here to see how you're doing," she replied, glancing over her shoulder, knowing the door was within reach.

But the wolf in front of her was watching her and seemed to want to wrap his jaws around her at any moment. He smiled, winked at her and came towards her, step by step he seemed to enjoy seeing her like this more and more.

,,Looking around then, dear? You were worried how flattering," he whispered and continued to walk towards her, his hand reaching for hers and she felt him kiss the back of her hand, not sure if she should pull away. It was disgusting only Michael ever kissed her like that.

He wasn't Michael he wasn't the romantic he was a creep. ,,Let go of me, we're done here!" she screamed, wanting to tear her arm free and run for the door, out of the room, away from him, away from everything, and yet the wolf seemed faster.

Grasping her wrist, he healed her in place and the grin of his fangs frightened her even more and she wanted to scream. She could already feel herself gathering air, she would scream for her friend until she fell silent.

Something almost medicinal tasted, medicinal, bitter. Alcohol. The alcohol and drug-filled kiss of Oliver on her lips that robbed her of any scream.

She felt his hands running over her body, reaching for everything he could get, wanting more and more. It was disgusting the pressure on her arms, legs and back as he tried to loosen the bow.

Before suddenly all her senses exploded fear and panic flooded through her and she tore him away from her. She ran out and saw the grin behind her as he licked his lips as if he wanted more of this forbidden treasure.

She no longer saw anything but fear as she hurried through the crowd, not paying attention to the people, and only cried out again, which was drowned out by the music when she felt hands on her shoulders.

,,Darling!" she heard the nickname and feared it was Oliver who had opened up to her and wanted to pull her back into the room and take her into the dark.

She was afraid of what would happen. ,,Honey, it's Michael! What's going on? What happened?" he asked, his hands on her cheeks trying to calm her down, seeing the fear screaming in her eyes.

Her eyes full of fear looked at him and slowly she began to understand that it wasn't Oliver, that it wasn't the one who had kissed her who wanted more of her. ,,Mi-Michael...I-I want to leave now!" she screamed at him and saw that he was looking over her, searching for something to explain what had happened.

But by then he had already grabbed her by the hand and taken her out of the building, walked her to the car and put her inside.

The cool night enveloped her, but the heat seemed slow to overcome her. ,,What happened?" he asked, his voice calm yet demanding, she didn't have to look to know that he was pulling himself together, that his hands were shaking, that his body was tense and that he would give anything to help her.

,,Oli-Oliver he...kissed me...I flew I had to get away," she stammered, still afraid of what might have happened if she hadn't escaped.

Instead, she felt a comforting warmth other than the heat of the party Oliver gently placed his hand on hers and gave her a soft sympathetic expression before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a Crunchy bar.

His kiss was as gentle and careful as Oliver could ever be and he said, ,,Wait here please I'll be back in a few minutes everything will be fine darling". It was almost absurd how gentle he could be in this situation and she gave him as grateful a look as she could.

Before he left, he pulled out a handkerchief, skillfully wiped away the tears and gave her one last gentle kiss on the head.

It was so different from Oliver when Michael disappeared into the dark back to the party while she was back in the car looking at the bar in her hand. But this time the beating of her heart was different, it wasn't full of fear, it was full of love.

Even then, when he returned a few minutes later, she was startled to see the blood on his white shirt, the splinter in his glasses and the blood on his fingers. He wanted to start the car without saying a word but hadn't sorted himself out.

This time she put her hand on his, put her head on his shoulder and said a simple, ,,Thank you Michael, I love you" as he gave her another kiss.

She knew the blood smelled of Oliver he knew Michael had hit him but she didn't care she had him with her. His kisses covered Oliver's and with each kiss she slowly forgot what had happened.

There was only her and Michael had only ever given it and would only ever give it.

~~~~~~~~~

@ateliefloresdaprimavera , @valeskafics , @ria-coolgirl , @wigglywoos59 , @sapphirespiders , @su-per-fi-cial-if-rep-us

[hanbinniesmango]

PU reaction to your baby photos

kyy note//: helloo guys, figured i wanted to finish this so hope you guys like it!! hope everyone who celebrates 4th of july had fun!!🤍🤎. p.s. PU means performance unit

hoshi: thinks your so cute and will 100% go on a rampage about how your children will look. maybe ask if he can make the baby’s room tiger themed and you’re like ?? still smiling at him. probably in his alone time would download one of those apps that merge faces and show how people’s children would look like and does it to you guys. he will definitely be thinking about this the rest of the day and maybe days to come!! probably has a breeding kink… (who said that🐯) but anyways best believe this is not the first time he’ll bring up your babies. would definitely be up for trying for some… (ok i’m done sorry😞) “you’re such a cute baby!! how do you think ours would look, hm?” he says while looking at the picture then to you. “they definitely would have your cute little face.” you says before tapping his nose with a smile, making his face scrunch up happily.

jun: obv be all soft about it, would get extra cuddly whilst your showing him the pictures. “you looked so adorable!” he would say with a big smile. “does that mean i’m not adorable now?” you say with a fake pout. “wait—no- i mean you are still adorable—stop twisting my words!” he yelps out, mildy upset. “haha, im just kidding junnie" you say giggling once more at him, him frowning at you. "is this how you acted when you were a kid?" he says with an eye roll. you nod your head with a smirk. "bless your parents, sheesh!" you dramatically scoff at him and laughs. "ok, rude!!" you say folding your arms. "im just babyyyy, right?" you giggle and roll your eyes the same as him. "im guessing you don't want to see the other pics?" then hes quick to shuffle over to you and squeeze you in his embrace, whining out a loud, "nooo! let me see 'em!!"

the8: he’d act so nonchalant about it, but under that shell, he’d be so bubbly and giddy, imagining how your kids would look, would be making all the scenarios in the world until you had to snap him out of his thought process. “don’t i look so adorable?” you look at him and see him zoned out. “hao?…hao you there?” you say after shaking him once making him look down at you on his side with a head tilt. “hm? yea you do look adorable.” he says with a smile. you smirk knowing what could possibly be on his mind. “what’s going on in that pretty head of yours hao?” you say with a giggle. he feels his face heat up the smallest bit, huffing out. “just thinking about how our children together would look sweetheart, just imagining the best.” he says with chuckle before ruffling your hair. “you were acting so calm about it, deep down you’re so giddy about me right?” he looks away with a grin then back at you then sighs, “i guess you could say that…” “hey! why do you sound so iffy!!” you say with a gasp and dramatic gasp. he shrugs his shoulders then laughs at your reaction. “remind me to never show you my baby pictures ever again!” you say with a eye roll. he hugs up to you and kisses your cheek in an attempt to apologize, smile still on his lips. you look down at him in faux frustration and then back up with a grin. “you’re lucky you’re mine and handsome.” leaving him chuckling.

dino: you guys would just be having fun swooning over both younger pictures of each other, making little jokes while cuddling. “i can see the little michael jackson in you in this picture! you must’ve gotten the spirit early on!” you say with a laugh while zooming in on the face. “do you still think my face looks the same?” he says with a head tilt. “definitely! only difference is you look cute in the picture and now you look hot!” he smirks at you hugging up to you tighter. “i can still be cute!” he says in denial. “hm…i don’t know about that…” you say with fake disgust. “wow!” he rolls his eyes at you with a laugh. “don’t you wanna see my pictures channie?” “no, i don’t wanna see how much of a dirt eater you were…” now it’s your turn to gasp dramatically. “just saying!” he says making you both laugh and continue showing the pictures.

[jungle-angel]

these farmcore prompts all look so good! but you’ve talked a lot about the floyd family and farmer’s markets, would you mind expanding on that with #1 and bob, please? ☀️

OOoooooh absolutely my dear, I'd be more than happy to do so (lol).

"You got her?" you asked, unbuckling yourself from the passenger seat of the truck.

"Yep, I've got Deidre if you've got the two little demons next to her," Bob chuckled.

You jumped out of the truck and into the crisp fall air, cool and almost biting as you unbuckled Auggie and Patrick from their carseats and helped them down to the ground in the dirt and gravel parking lot where you had parked. It was one of those days where it was peak season for the markets and for all the things that came with the fall.

Bob lifted four month old Deidre out of her own carseat, kissing her soft pink cheeks as he wrapped her loosely in her Irish knit blanket his grandmother had made for her.

"Do we need to get the stuff out of the back of the truck?" you asked.

"Nah, my brothers can get it," Bob said with a dismissive wave. "Besides, I think Hangman and Rooster are driving my mother and father crazy."

You laughed as Bob's brothers, Sean, Michael, Eugene and Liam, all went around to the back of the truck and began unloading the produce, crates and baskets for the stands.

You couldn't believe how huge the market was this year, nor had you seen so many people in one place. So many farm and ranching families had come to make an extra penny, some as a side hustle and others just to keep the farm or the ranch afloat. All around the bright reds, yellows, oranges and browns exploded from the tops of the trees while the smells of cinnamon, pumpkin, apples and hot autumn lunches reached your nostrils.

Sure enough, you found Rooster and Hangman both with Bob's mother, Irene, and his grandmother, Marty. The Nguyens had the stall across from the Floyds, both Philip and his wife conversing back and forth in rapid Vietnamese that was easily lost in the cacophony of chatter surrounding you and Bob.

"Dare you to eat one," Hangman told Rooster when Rooster was done filling a basket full of long, thin, wrinkly looking chili peppers from Irene's garden.

"No thanks Bagman," Rooster told him. "I don't wanna be parked on the can, shootin fire outta my ass all day long."

"Oh c'mon," Hangman insisted.

"Jake, we are not burning down the farmstand," Irene said, pretending to chide him. "This is the one thing that helps keep the ranch afloat and the last thing we want is the newspapers reporting that the market burned down from you two lighting your own farts on fire."

"Oh honey come off it," Marty chuckled as she filled the small wooden barrel buckets with apples and peaches from the orchards. "Navy boys used to do alot worse back in my day."

You and Bob caught the tail end of the conversation, greeting your friends and family as the first few customers came up to make their purchases. "You guys all doin ok?" Bob asked.

"Yeah save for the fact that ass-jack over here is trying to make me eat one of your Meemaw's chili peppers," Rooster pointed out.

"Hey!" Hangman cut it.

"Any idea where the other numbskulls are?" Bob asked.

"Mickey's helping your dad and grandfather and so isn't Natasha," Irene explained as she plated some of Marty's soft, cakey cinnamon cookies and stuck them on the counter with the rest of the baked goods. "Javy and Reuben? I have no idea where they went."

You and Bob glanced at each other curiously, but no matter, they were bound to turn up somewhere.

"Alright my lovely queen," Joe called out as he placed a crate full of glass bottles full of milk. "This is the last of the milk, straight from the cow herself."

Bob snorted and smothered a laugh. You carefully put Deidre in her little wicker basket while your two sons ran off with their grandfather to finish off the last of the unloading.

You and Bob were in absolute heaven as you helped people with their orders, handing out hot cups of cider, little bags full of apples, peaches, little teal colored containers full of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, chili peppers, potatoes, lettuces, cabbages, carrots, onions and so many other things that had grown easily on the Floyd land.

The baked goods of course had been the biggest hit with Marty's cinnamon cookies being the favorite of the kids who would come by, along with slices of Irene's coffee cake, chocolate and caramel turtles, carrot cake bites, cinnamon and pumpkin cake donuts and steaming hot cups of pumpkin and cinnamon flavored coffee. However, the antics that had ensued were a little less than expected.

"Hi, I'm cute, why don't you take a photo with me, it's just a dollar," Jake said, holding a giggling Baby Deidre up in front of his face, his voice as high pitched as it could possibly go.

"Jacob Glen Seresin! Put my baby down!" you demanded.

"Oh c'mon (y/n)," he pretended to whine. "She's cute, it'll help rake in extra money."

You rolled your eyes, handing off a carrot cake square to an elderly woman and her husband. "I wouldn't worry about it (y/n)," Bob assured you. "Ten to nothing, she'll spit-up on him later."

Bob had spoken a little too soon when a flabbergasted Jake looked at the two of you, the front of his shirt covered in a splatter of white goo. "Um.......um......I dunno what just happened," he stammered.

"C'mere princess," Bob said, taking your daughter from her uncle's arms gently putting her over his shoulder and patting her back.

You handed Jake the dish rag, feeling a little bad for him. "Thanks (y/n)," he said.

"No worries dumbass," you replied with a chuckle. "This is why we love you guys."

All day long you and Bob did what you could to help out at the farmstand, selling all the goods that had come from the farm. You and Bob lived for days like this, when you could be surrounded by friends, family and all that came from the land itself.

[joelswritingmistress]

Halloween: Chapter 2 (Joel Miller x OC)

It was the first time Nicole had woken up in Joel's home. Their typical hookups were at her apartment or occasionally in the back of his truck at some remote location. The fact that he had invited her to stay left her feeling both elated and uneasy.

Nicole glanced over at the empty space in the bed next to her and then felt an instant rush of relief when Joel exited the adjacent bathroom with a white towel wrapped around his waist. At the end of the bed, his beagle, Rudy, stretched his stocky body.

"Hey." He smiled wide and ran a hand through his semi-slicked hair. "Happy Halloween honey."

She snickered. "Yeah you too."

"What are you up to tonight?" Joel made his way toward a tall, black dresser that matched the rest of the bedroom furniture and removed a set of boxer shorts. He gave the dog’s head a pet as he did.

"Probably going back to my little apartment... I'll sit alone and eat the bucket of candy I got for the zero trick-or-treaters that come to my lame complex and sip in some boxed wine." Nicole sighed. "Maybe watch a scary movie."

"That's too bad." Joel dropped the towel and threw on his underwear. "I was kind of hoping I'd have the honor of spending the evening here with you."

She smiled. "Well I can change my plans."

"It's make my fuckin' day if you did."

"Okay." She smiled and tossed the covers to the side rising to her feet. Nicole snatched up the pants and shirt she had worn the night before from the floor.

Joel crossed the room and left a kiss on her lips. "Do you want to go to dinner tonight first?"

"Like a date?" Nicole hadnt craved a relationship with Joel that was more secure and less casual, so when he asked her out in that way, it made her face turn red.

Joel chuckled. "Sure, yeah… like a date.”

"Well then yes... I'd like that." Nicole accepted another kiss.

He playfully swatted her on the butt as they parted and winked. "I gotta go to work for a couple hours... over time. You have the extra key from watching Rudy. Shower, make yourself some cereal, feed the dog if you don't mind. Just lock up on the way out."

Nicole was happy to play house wife. She nodded. "I will."

"Meet you back here tonight at six?"

"Sounds good to me." Nicole kissed him another time.

"Don't rush getting out of here. Ellie Williams might be coming by to fix that light.”

Nicole smiled at him again and then strolled across the room toward the bathroom. As she passed a window that overlooked the neighbor's yard she stopped for a moment and did a double-take.

Staring up at the window from below amongst a collection of sheets blowing on a close line was a man in an all-black jumpsuit and a white mask. He didn't move and gave off the aura of an eerie statue more than a human.

"Joel..." she turned to him as he combed back his hair in the mirror above a bureau.

"Yeah." He made eye contact with her in the reflection at first and then turned when he saw the look on her face. "What's wrong?"

"There's a... someone's next door."

Joel joined her by the window and looked around, eyeing the now-empty backyard.

"He was... a man was back there in a mask." Nicole pointed, feeling frustrated by the abandoned backyard.

Joel smiled as he turned to her. "It's Halloween baby."

"He was just staring up here."

He toyed with the strap on her bra. "I would too."

Nicole laughed for a moment but then grew more serious. "He was wearing that white mask. The mask worn by-"

"Michael Myers." Joel finished her sentence with a grin. He toyed with her bra straps again, attempting to be playful.

"He died... right?"

Joel saw that Nicole was genuinely concerned and looked her in the eye. "Yeah."

"I just... I know what I just saw. He was right out there."

"I wouldn't doubt if it was some damn kids again," Joel told her. "Remember how freaked out you were last night? Look how that turned out."

Nicole nodded and ran a hand through her hair and then smiled. "Yeah... yeah I have to stop with the paranoid bullshit."

Joel winked and kissed her again. "You never have to worry when you're with me, honey."

"As you're about to leave." She swallowed hard.

"I can stay until-"

"No, no..." Nicole shook her head. "I'm being ridiculous. Go."

"All you have to do is take this off and I'll fuckin' stay,” he teased with a chuckle.

She laughed and shook her head. "I want to but... go to work. I'll be fine."

"You sure?" Joel glanced out the window again.

"I'm sure."

Nicole stood by the window for an extra second and stared at the blowing curtains. She shook her head and then headed into the bathroom to take a shower.

***

Joel hammered a nail into part of a broken set for a float in the Halloween parade. He stared up at a giant, blow up Dracula that sat on top of a wooden perch.

"Did Ellie come by?" Marlene approached where Joel worked outside on the town green.

"Shit!" He purposely over exaggerated a jump scare. "Don't sneak up on me with a hammer in my hand."

"Did he?" She didn't smile. Marlene was all business.

Joel leaned an arm on the platform. “Not while I was home but I have someone taking care of my dog so I said to keep an eye out."

"I'm sure you do." She practically rolled her eyes.

"I do." Joel continued with his work. "Your kid doesn't happen to have a Michael Myers mask does she?"

Marlene put her hands on his hips. "Do I look like I want her accidentally shot?"

"I'm just asking because there was someone lurking around my property this morning wearing one."

Before Marlene could answer an older gentleman approached them. "That wasn't kids." The two of them turned as the man approached before he went on. "A car was stolen two days ago from Smiths Grove mental hospital."

"Well I'm afraid that's out of this one’s jurisdiction," Joel told the stranger, beginning to hammer in another nail.

"Well it might be in your jurisdiction soon enough. I'm Dr. Sam Loomis... I was his doctor."

"Who's?" Marlene asked and then introduced herself with a handshake.

"Michael Myers."

Joel stopped what he was doing and turned to him. "You're the guy that shot him."

"Regretfully," Dr. Loomis responded.

"Well, we'll look for the vehicle," Marlene assured him. "I'm sorry it was stolen."

"It's not the vehicle that I'm worried about sheriff . It's what's coming for this town tonight."

"And what's that?" Marlene asked.

"The never found his body... you know that right?" Dr. Loomis saw the skepticism in Joel's subtle smirk. "There's nothing funny about it son.”

"I just don't believe in fuckin' ghosts... forgive me Doc."

"When did you see him?"

Joel stared more intently at Dr. Loomis. "What are you trying to convince us of right now?” He leaned an arm on the float again.

"Do you have other people there at your home? Because if you saw him they could be in immediate danger."

Joel stared at Dr. Loomis more intently and Marlene intervened. "Michael Myers died back in '78."

"One would think." The doctor replied. "I'm not here to start a panic. I just want you to keep an extra eye out... Tell the men on your force to keep their mouths shut and their eyes open." He glanced back at Joel.

"I'm going to take a quick break." He turned his back on the two of them and reached in the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt to retrieve a pack of cigarettes before wandering down the cobblestone walkway.

When he felt he was out of an ear shot of the two of them he reached for his cell phone and called Nicole. After a few rings, she picked up.

"Hello..." Nicole answered the phone and reached down to pet the beagle who brushed up against her leg.

"Nic... you haven't seen that asshole outside again have you? From this morning?"

"No." She swallowed hard having distracted herself enough to put it out of her mind. "Why?"

The dog began to bark and ran toward the front door, prompting Nicole to rise to her feet.

"Just... keep an eye out," he told her.

" Is something actually wrong? Should I be-"

"Some guy is down here talking about a stolen car and some shit."

"Was it a station wagon?" Nicole felt her cheeks grow hot and then headed toward the door where the dog began to claw as it continued to bark.

"I'll ask him," Joel told her. "Just... be careful. Call the cops if you see that guy again."

Nicole focused on the front door and tiptoed the rest of the way. She swallowed hard and went against her instincts, pulling the door open to let the dog go investigate whatever it was drawn to. When she pulled the door open she let out a loud scream.

"Nicole!" Joel shouted on the other end. "Nicole!"

She continued to alternate her screams with the person on the other side of the door until it registered in her mind that she was face-to-face with Ellie.

"Holy shit..." Nicole put a hand on her forehead as the young girl’s jaw dropped open in awe from the shock of the moment.

“Fuck,” Ellie breathed the word.

"Nicole..." Joel's voice continued to summon her desperately from the receiver.

"Joel, I'm sorry." She huffed a deep breath and then laughed. "Rudy was sniffing something out." Nicole looked Ellie in the eye and let out another decompressing breath. "I heard something on the porch and it's just Ellie."

"So I fuckin' tell you to be careful and you go out to investigate a strange noise on the porch after seeing a man wearing a mask in the neighbors yard... that's a special kind of stupid."

His tone was scared and angry. Nicole couldn't blame him. "I know... I just..."

"I'm sorry," he said right away. "This guy that's here has me spooked. I just want to make sure you're alright.”

"I'm okay," she assured him.

"Do me a favor. When the kid leaves come down to the center of town. I'm workin on shit for the parade down here."

"Okay." Nicole was more than happy to go see him but she knew he wouldn't have asked her to come by while he was working unless he was legitimately worried.

"Thanks. Text me when you leave."

"I will." Nicole hung up and turned her attention back to Ellie. "I'm sorry," she said to her with a laugh. "You scared me."

"Well, it's Halloween," Ellie said with a smile. "Everyone's entitled to one good scare."

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER

[serenefreakgeekao3]

Chocolate and Pining

Jim Halpert x GN!Reader

PART ONE

[TABLE OF CONTENTS]

Check Table of Contents for entire fic summary and Key!

Summary: The cameras arrive and begin their rotation through the office. What will their shiny lens and intrusive questions uncover?

Warnings: canon-compliant cheating (if you count Pam flirting while engaged)

Author's Note: First post of the new rewrite, and Im kinda glad I only post two chapters of this previously because I went through and changed the entire thing from third person pov to first, to match along with the rest of the xReaders i’ve been writing.

[ ֎” ]

"Alright," You begin, your legs crossed while you tap one hand on your thigh. "What do I even say?" You huff a little laugh, shaking your head. You sat on an uncomfortable grey plastic chair, blinds slightly drawn behind you to block the view of the rest of the office working. You turn around and glance back, looking through the small opening available and noting three different cameras roaming the office and zooming in on people.

"What do we do here?" You repeat the question you're given, turning back toward your own interview camera. "Well, this is Dunder Mifflin, Scranton branch. We're a paper-pushing company." You stop for a moment before the producer behind the camera does a sort of wave as if urging you on. "Uh- well, I'm the receptionist here. I took the job almost a year ago. I transfer calls to the department they need to go to, write notes during our meetings- I'm basically Michael's secretary." You awkwardly laugh, glancing at the wall of the conference room shared with Michael's office as if he could hear through it. You wouldn’t doubt it if someone told you he stood there with his ear pressed to the wall.

"What's the most interesting thing about this job?" You furrow your brows in concern, uncrossing your legs and sitting forward. "Look, I don't know what you guys were expecting when you came here with a whole film crew, but we're a paper company. There's literally nothing interesting about working here."

[ ֎” ]

"What's interesting about working here?" Oscar asks, glancing through the blinds before leaning closer to the camera, waving his hand as he speaks quieter, "Now I'm not one to gossip, but the big thing going around is the office romance right now. And I'm not talking about Kelly and Ryan getting back together for the fifth time." He laughs shortly at his own joke before continuing. "See, Pam is engaged to Roy, he works here in the shipping warehouse downstairs. They've been together for years and they finally have a wedding date set for about a month or so from now.

"However, Jim has the biggest crush on her, everyone can tell. Before Y/N got here, Pam was the receptionist and Jim was always jumping up and going over to her to flirt constantly. Now, some believe the flirting is still going on while their desks are right next to each other, but I think it's gotten tamped down a bit since Pam scheduled a date for the wedding.

"And then there's Y/N. They started here when Pam was finally transferred to sales, and the position opened. They actually became quite close to both Pam and Jim pretty quickly, which makes some sense considering Dwight and Michael basically attacked them their first day here." —

[ ֎” ]

"Attacked Y/N? Please," Dwight scoffed, shaking his head, "I was merely preparing the new employee. If you’re not ready for a surprise stab from a ninja on your first day on the job, then I really don’t think you’re ready for work at all.” Dwight huffs out a breath, crossing his arms. “Besides, Jim made me use the dull blade.” He looks away from the camera in a strop, shrugging his shoulders. “If he hadn’t taken my sharp one I wouldn’t have had to pull out the dull one. I had to put extra force behind the attack for it to do anything, so really it’s Jim’s fault for the bruises.

“Michael? He couldn’t hurt a fly.” Dwight scoffs, then scoffs again for emphasis. “The fact that he tripped and fell that day means nothing, he was merely catching himself from falling with the closest available thing to grab. Which happened to be Y/N’s body, which he then happened to pull down with him. An honest mistake, that.”

[ ֎” ]

— "Now," Oscar continued where he left off with a smirk, "You'd think Jim flirting with Pam, and her egging it on while engaged, should be drama enough for you. But, then you have to figure into the equation that Y/N also likes Jim. I have a pretty good view of the receptionist area when Y/N sits in a certain spot, and I can hear whenever they talk to each other... Sometimes.

"Now I don't know if Jim realized he's a little flirty," Oscar wiggles his fingers with this, "But certainly not as much with them as with Pam. But- man, it's almost painful how hopeful Y/N's voice gets when they talk with Jim. Almost, but mostly just entertaining. And of course, none of the three know about this. It's basically the office soap opera at this point, and no one wants to say anything to disrupt the saga."

Oscar leans back, chuckling to himself before glancing at the camera, "Oh, almost everyone. Don't tell Dwight or Michael either, they're sure to give it away." He pats his leg for a second before smirking, "I'm team Pam. Now don’t look at me that way! I would love for Y/N and Jim to get together, but he’s just too obsessed with Pam! And that woman really needs to get herself a new man, that Roy is a real piece. of. work."

[ ֎” ]

"Team Pam or Y/N?" Phyllis asks, her smile soft as she raises a hand to cover a giggle, "Now I don't like drama, but absolutely team Y/N. Pam is engaged, it's inappropriate."

[ ֎” ]

"Team Pam, all the way." Meredith nods, smirking to the camera. "She was here first. Gotta be loyal to the branch."

[ ֎” ]

"Oh! Team Y/N!" Kelly squeals, wiggling her body in excitement.

[ ֎” ]

Jim sits in the seat, smoothing his pant legs down and sighing. "So, uh, what exactly do I say?" He places his chin in his hand, his fingers tapping restlessly against his bottom lip.

"Anything interesting?" Jim repeats, glancing out the window in the general direction of Pam and Y/N before looking back. "I mean, there's nothing really interesting about this job. Toner prices, how much each piece of paper weighs or costs-" Jim sighs, shaking his head and dropping his hand, "Honestly, the only reason I'm still here at this point is probably my friends. Pam, my desk-mate over there, we've been here for a while together. And then there's Y/N, the relatively new hire. Or, are they new?" Jim tilts his head to think about it, squinting his eyes toward the ceiling. "Has it almost been a year already?"

Jim shrugs, smirking before tapping his leg, "Oh, and also pranking Dwight. Gotta make your own fun here."

"What the- Jim!" Dwight suddenly yells, drawing half the office's attention. The other half continued blandly on with their work, used to their antics it would seem. Jim glances wearily over toward Dwight as he lugs something up from his bottom drawer, placing a plate with yellow jello and a stapler floating inside onto his desk. "What did you do?"

Jim struggles to hold back a laugh, his hand curled in front of his face and chin resting on his palm. Instead, he shrugs, leans back and crosses his arms while trying to maintain a poker face. "Nothing, Dwight. By the way, what happened to your stapler there?"

"You should know, you did it!" He sits there for a moment, glaring at Jim before bounding up, running and calling out, "Michael!"

You were half standing behind your reception desk to get a good look, sniggering to yourself about this prank- it was a good one. You look over to Jim and see him give Pam a high-five, mumbling something to each other before Jim looks in your direction and shoots you a full smile instead of the smirk he had been wearing. You smile back, sitting back down in your chair and scooting up closer to your computer.

The camera swings around closer to Jim, listening more in on their conversation. "How did you even do it?" Pam asks and snickers quietly before straightening up suddenly, grabbing her phone to press to her ear in an attempt to look as if she was doing her work as their boss exits his office.

"Let me see, let me see-" Michael finally lays eyes on the prank, laughing loudly. "Wow, just- wow!" He laughs some more, patting Jim on the back. "This is a creative one, good job Jimbo!" Dwight scoffs, moving to be in Michael's line of sight. Michael jumps slightly as if remembering he's the boss before clearing his throat and looking at Jim. "Oh, but don't do it again."

"Do what again?" Jim asks, playing dumb still and raising his eyebrows at Michael. Michael barks a laugh in return and pats his back again before wandering back into his office, mumbling about jello under his breath. Jim turns toward Dwight with a victorious grin while you stand, carrying your lunch box toward the kitchen. You tap Jim's shoulder twice in passing as if to say good job, and Jim barely has enough time to lift a hand to yours as you gently pull away to continue to your destination.

"Get it out," Dwight demands, standing near Jim and glaring at him.

"Get what out?"

"My stapler!"

"Well, it is your stapler, Dwight." Jim turns back toward his computer, chuckling under his breath.

"Oh, and how am I supposed to get it out?"

"I don't know, eat the jello?" Jim suggests, causing Dwight to scoff loudly as he plops in his chair.

"I can't just eat the jello, Jim. I wrote my name in whiteout on the stapler so everyone would know it's mine." Dwight pauses for a moment before narrowing his eyes. "Unless you knew that, and you'd assume I'd eat this. You're trying to poison me!" Jim sighs loudly, widening his eyes toward the camera before shaking his head.

"Ok, and with that, I'm going to take my lunch." He stands, turning to make his way toward the kitchen.

"If you need something to eat, I have a whole plate of jello right here for you Jim!"

Jim enters the kitchen, watching you press a few buttons on the microwave to heat your lunch. He dons a small private smile before sneaking closer behind you, reaching out and grabbing your sides while calling out a quick, "Boo!"

You jump heavily and yelp, turning around quickly with a hand pressed to your chest, panting out your breaths. "Fuckin- Halpert!" You yell out, smacking his arm before slumping against the counter behind you. Taking a few more breaths as Jim bends over laughing, you call out, "Unfair!"

"Oh? Unfair?" Jim replies, grinning toward you, "This is just payback for that email!"

"Hey, I sent that yesterday!"

"And I just opened it today." Jim grinned, not at all sorry, as you remember the jumpscare chain email you had forwarded to him, hoping to see his reaction.

"Well, that's unfortunate. I wanted to see you jump, I must've missed it." You pouted slightly and Jim's face did a small change, becoming softer and crinkling slightly at the eyes. You don’t seem to notice as you turn toward your food once the microwave beeps.

"Yeah, you were being harried by Michael, something about new shoes?" At which you groan loudly, holding up a finger with an eye roll.

"Don't even get me started on that." You thought back to that same morning when Michael came in with muddy shoes, whining about how he had just bought them even though you could’ve sworn you had seen Michael wearing them for the last half a year. How exactly did time pass in Michael's world, you wondered? And how had they gotten muddied? It wasn’t even raining outside!

"If you need to talk about it, I'm here," Jim said, sounding oddly sincere, but then continued quickly, "Although if the opposite is true I'm also very willing to go into detail about the newest book I just finished of my series."

"Oh? You mean your nerdy novels about swords and dragons?" You reply, raising your eyebrows and smirking at Jim as you stirred your lunch. “Aren’t you supposed to be a jock or something?”

"Don't pretend like you don't love the series, you listen to me ramble about it every week," Jim replied, never losing his smile and never looking away from you. His focus felt like fire on you, and there was nothing you could do to put it out. You weren’t even sure you wanted to. “And it is possible for someone to like sports and reading at the same time.”

"Hmm." You hum, pretending to think about it. It really wasn't a hard choice- while the stories sounded interesting enough by themselves, it was Jim telling them to you that made the whole week worth it. Listening to Jim become so passionate about something he found interesting was almost infectious, you practically waited for these days just to gain inspiration for your own writing. And if you happen to write fanfiction about the stories you've never actually read- well, Jim didn't need to know about that. "Alright, fine, if you insist. So what's new with Salamander and Patterson?"

"It's Sally and Parker," Jim began in disbelief, rolling his eyes fondly as you pick up your lunch, the both of you moving to the break room. You had known that, of course, but watching Jim try to explain for the seventh time why Sally is absolutely not a salamander and is, in fact, more like a snake than anything else just brings a smile to your face and a warm feeling to fill your chest.

You sat down at a chair, thankful for the empty break room as Jim wandered over to the vending machines. He put in some money and roughly pushed a few buttons, complaining all the while about his book characters. He ends up chuckling and shaking his head as he states that he needed to 'start from the beginning.'

A packet of double chocolate chip cookies lands in front of you, and you grin brightly while reaching for the gift. "My favourite, how did you know?" You look up to see Jim looking quickly away, not noticing the red starting to stain his cheeks and the tops of his ears.

"You eat it every week," Jim replies quietly as if that explains it, fetching his own lunch. "Anyway so then Parker-"

It was later in the day, and you sat bored at your desk, a word document pulled up on your computer that was half written with a personal story. Though you weren't actively typing it, instead spinning a pen in your hand as you stare in the direction of the sales associates.

"I honestly don't know what I'm looking for here," Jim speaks lowly, chuckling as he held Pam's hand in both of his, her palm facing upward. He looks up into her eyes as she giggles, shaking her head.

"No, look closer, here," Pam takes one of his hands, taking a finger and tracing a line on her palm as if this would help him read it, "This is the life line. Or- wait, maybe it's the heart line?" Pam giggles again, though misses Jim's almost yearning gaze as he holds her hand a little tighter.

"I don't know what either of those mean, Beesly," Jim replied, his voice low, and Pam finally looked up. Their eyes met and you finally had to look away, the pain in your chest becoming almost too much to bear.

And, almost as if on cue, Roy pushes in the door to the office, walking forward with his hand holding a leather jacket over his shoulder. You glance up quickly, about to start your usual introduction before realizing who it is and clearing your throat loudly, throwing a worried glance toward Jim. He glances over in time, thankfully, yanking his hands back as if burned when spotting Roy turning the corner. It seemed as though Roy hadn't noticed, smiling at his fiance as he approached before leaning down and kissing her forehead.

You watched the pained expression cross Jim's face for just a moment before he managed to school his features into a poker face. You felt for him, honestly. You knew how it felt when the person you liked, well, liked someone else. You just wanted him to be happy above all else, and you knew pining after Pam was not it. If only Pam wouldn't egg it on constantly, maybe he'd have a chance to get over her.

"Ready to go?"

"Yeah, let me just pack my things and print out one more file, I'll meet you down there," Pam replied to her fiance, smiling blindingly bright at him before they kiss once more. Roy turned around, passing the reception desk before grabbing a few pieces of candy that you kept out on the top of the desk. He popped one in his mouth before choking dramatically, turning around and coughing a few times before looking directly at you.

"M&Ms? Really? I liked it better when it was Skittles."

"I've never put out Skittles, I like chocolate."

"It doesn't matter what you like, it's for the guests, isn't it? Pam used to put out Skittles and no one complained." He tossed the remaining few pieces onto the floor beside him before walking out of the office. Pam ran up quickly, a worried look on her face.

"I'm so sorry, he must've had a bad day-"

"It's fine, Pam, really." You paste on a smile, annoyed not just at Roy but at Pam for earlier. Pam nodded slowly, her smile regretful as if knowing how you felt before turning around and pressing the last few clicks on her computer to shut it down. She gathered her things in silence, sliding her newly printed paper into a file on her desk. Meanwhile, you stared at your computer screen, not really reading what was there.

"Bye Jim. Bye Y/N, see you tomorrow!" Pam called out, and you replied with a little wave before pressing save on your word document, downloading it to your flash drive. The door to the office hadn't even closed before a new presence was at your desk, leaning over to try and spy on their computer. You looked up to see Jim smirking, looking directly into your eyes.

"Did you close that document just 'cause I came over? Hiding something from me, Y/L/N?" His teasing tone had you smiling against your better judgement, leaning back and crossing your arms.

"Well, I wouldn't want you discovering my master plan. It's a secret for a reason, you know." Jim laughed at your joke, leaning back and taking a handful of M&Ms to pop into his mouth. Watching this, you felt their face deflate just slightly before you hear Jim’s whispers.

"You know, I think I prefer the M&Ms over Skittles any day." He winks, then dumps more from his handful into his mouth, walking back to his desk to finish up his day. You once again couldn't help the small smile that adorned your face in response.

[ ֎” ]

"I've always had a thing for chocolate," You said, shrugging, "I'm the one who sits there all day anyway." You bite your lip for a moment, trying to suppress a smile. "Besides, who cares what Roy thinks? Other people in the office like them, that's all that matters."

[ ֎” ]

"What kind of person do I like?" Jim makes a baffled face, blinking a few times before resituating in his seat. "I don't know why that's relevant, but if I had to choose..." He trails off, his eyes taking on a far-off look, "Someone sweet, smart- someone who laughs at my jokes while also making me laugh. Someone who will help me with my pranks and listen to my ramblings." He looks back up to the camera with a small smile, "Someone with a sweet tooth that I could spoil."

"You coming, Y/L/N?" Jim calls out, the office dark. You're the last two in the building now, it seems, and you glance up from your desk where you're standing to smile at him.

"Oh, I just have a few more papers to print, you go on ahead."

"Don't work too hard, Y/L/N. The effort isn't worth it." You laugh in response, waving him off. You both exchange a quiet goodbye before you wander over to the copier, which was printing multiple copies of what looked like Dwight's face on the 'Scranton Strangler' wanted poster. The camera swings between the pages and back to you, where you only shrug and smirk.

"It'll be funny," Is your only excuse as you take the pages and start hanging them on the pillars of the building around the office, sliding an extra copy into Jim's desk as a memento.

[worldswithoutendings]

Eye for an eye [Michael Langdon] Pt. 5

Pairing: Michael Langdon x female! reader

warning: finally kissing, bad omens concert (if that's not your vibe, you can pick whatever band you want)

words: 2858

summary: working at Kineros is so much fun, second date with Michael. actual flirting?

AN: I'm so so sorry it took so long, I'm in the midst of my finals and it's killing me. so I wrote an extra-long chapter. enjoy <3

“This is a joke, right? That’s not the Rosalie from Cooperative?” you can’t help but ask him after he has brushed his teeth for what feels like 10 minutes “No, not a joke, do you still smell her?” he asks as he wipes his mouth with a napkin and you come closer to his and cautiously smell “no, but I did order room perfume because it, unfortunately, stays in the hall” you lean against the doorpost of the bathroom and Michael sighs “I had to drag her to a hairdresser, makeup artist, stylist, cosmetologist, whatever you name it to make her look so.. decent at cooperative, I was so ashamed that night” he makes a sour face as if it was the worst night of his life “but I have to keep her around unfortunately. For a ritual. But she kept on believing we were getting married so I stuck with that to her. She won’t live long anyway” “How long till the ritual?” “It’s this Friday actually” Michael seemed relieved “I have to offer her to my father. It’s the last, final ritual to be.. free. My mouth hurts” “Yeah well, you did brush your teeth for 10 minutes so, no wonder your mouth hurts” you laugh and he glares playfully at you “thank god I don’t have to worry about you” “For what?” “I think I can kiss you easily for 10 minutes, I’d rather kiss you than that foul thing” “Okay, that foul thing has a name Michael, and you’re done with her on Friday. Just don’t.. think too much of it okay? Be happy you don’t have to fuck her in a ritual” “No thank hell, I have to offer a virgin so I had promised to marry her on Friday and then we could.. fu- I can’t say that when I think of her it makes my stomach churn” he becomes paler and you can’t help it but put a hand on his cheek “you’ll be fine, Michael” you smile at him and he takes a look at you “you do know you’re in the men’s bathroom, right?” he winks and you audibly gasp “oh no! what will become of me?!” you act out musically making Michael laugh as he pushes you closer against him “thank hell for you” he whispers against your lips making you turn to stone. Is he? Will he? No, right? Softly your lips brush against each other “Already so much softer” “Please don’t compare her to me” you blurt out and he shakes his head “She comes nowhere near you, on any level”

The week flew by like It was nothing. You enjoyed working at Kineros because it was easy. Rosalie also never came back again after she came on your first day. Michael had told you that he’d rather speak with her on the phone than in person, which is understandable. You also can’t help but glance over to his office once in a while, because his office is on your left, and most of the time he had his door open unless there was a business meeting. Most of the time he would lean against his desk, his sleeve rolled up as he was busy reading emails you had forwarded him. You couldn’t help but stare at the icy gaze he held on his computer, how sharp his jawline was, and how often he would bite the inside of his lip. Once you even almost fell back because you were leaning so much. Earning a concerned look from Michael when he heard you gasp “I’m fine!’ you say and he shakes his head with a smile.

Friday came along and Michael had to leave Kineros early for the ritual, thank hell you didn’t have to come with him because it would be too gore-y “We can meet up tonight? After the ritual, I can tell you in every colorful detail what happened” he says as he leans against your desk right next to you “we can meet up tonight, yes” you say as you push your chair from the desk to look at him, you were wearing a mini a-line black skirt with a black button up and black boots to mimic Michaels style. Michaels's eyes go from your boots to where your skirt begins and he scrapes his throat, loosening his tie “Are you wearing this tonight?” “not sure yet, why?” “Just, keep it on” he nods and stands up “I’ll see you tonight!” “good luck!” you wave at him as you continue with the emails “So, devil's little helper hm?” Mutt says behind you “So?” “That’s how you got the job, didn’t you? You must’ve sucked him off real good with that look on his face” You frown at his remark “What’s that supposed to mean?” “that.. girl, is not allowed one foot in this building. But with you, he flirts so easily like you fuck him every night. you probably do don’t you? Why don’t you try us for once?” Mutt says as he points at himself and Jeff “No thanks, I’m already concerned for the girls who are willing to get paid to get fucked by you two. When I look at you it feels like I’m looking at my grandmothers' wallpaper” you say as you finish the last two emails of the day. Mutt huffs and curses at you as you close your laptop.

Cleaning your desk to leave you see that Michael still had his light on in his office. You walk over to turn it off only to see that his laptop is also still on, this man. Walking towards his desk to shut his laptop off you can’t help but see that he has an entire schedule for you

Friday: meet y/n after work

Sunday: visit y/n

Wednesday: take y/n out to dinner after work

“silly man” you smirk to yourself as you close his laptop as well, better to take it home with me and give it to him tonight. He may need it. Turning off the light in his office as you make your way home.

Anxiety was creeping its way into your body about the ritual that was happening right now. Mostly hoped it wouldn’t hurt Michael too much, as you know that rituals for him could be painful from time to time, especially if his father wasn’t appreciative of the gift. Nervously you walked around your house, having done everything you could do already, put some clothes in the washing machine, fill the dishwasher, clean the kitchen

“What are you nervous about?” you hear Michael echo through your living room as he transmutes and you gasp happily “It worked!?” “yes” he smiles and you fling your arms around him, mostly because you’re happy that now Michael doesn’t have to think about Rosalie anymore. But also it meant you were a step closer to each other, if you have to believe Satan. Michael puts his arms around you as he inhales your scent “Oh I brought your laptop with me in case you needed it throughout the weekend” “You’re an angel” he mumbles against your hair. Only realizing now that you hugged Michael you try to let go of him only to feel his arms around your waist tighten “Just, just one minute longer please” he sounds desperate in your ear. After exactly one minute he loosens his arms around you “What sort of ritual was it exactly?” you can’t help but ask, “It’s ehm, the final offering, from me to him, I’m free from him, I can make my own decisions now” but the deal? “the deal still stands. Because that is between you and him” ´But you, you can decline, now, right?” you ask hesitantly and Michael nods shortly. You bite your lip as you try to withhold yourself from lashing out “doesn’t mean I will though” his voice becomes softer “we just, have to go through a lot more, and longer, offerings and rituals” “so I have to see it like you’re finally an adult? Because you’re free” “Yeah you can see it sorta like that” Michael says as he nods “I can live with that” You smile and Michael finally smiles back at you.

Uncertain of the way you felt, he understands that it’s a lot, especially since you’ve been begging for love since you were 15 years of age, and truthfully. Michael was scared, beyond scared. For the first time he also feels like someone has an actual interest in him, at least, you tried to get to know him, and didn’t directly fall on your knees because he is the antichrist. He had to fight for this and so would you. There are moments where Michael feels he could marry you directly, right then and there, but there are moments where he wishes he could walk away like the rituals and the deal never happened. But Michael also knows that his father has a very short temper and wanted him to already be married long before his last ritual, Michael was more surprised that because of you he took his time. He had tried once already, when you were 17, to meet you, but you were under such a big amount of stress because your mother had just passed away he couldn’t bring it to just. Jump in front of you and explain that he would be the love of your life. He sat there during the funeral, watching your form from the far back of the hall, seeing how everyone took pity on you, losing both your parents in such a short time. He wanted to be nothing but a support system, but you, you closed yourself off to the world.

“what are you thinking about?” Michaels's thoughts get broken by your soft voice “Nothing, just. The future. Ehm, yes, we should celebrate!” he holds tight onto your hands and you start to laugh at his excitement. You love how you sometimes can still see the kid deep within him, trying to break free, which also makes you sad when you realize that he never experienced a childhood, or puberty like you did “We can go to a concert? See which one isn’t sold out yet?” you blurt out and Michael furrows his brows “what’s that?” “Come,” you say as you grab your coat.

Looking at the agenda of the concert hall you bite your lip to guess what Michael would like when it comes to music “Definitely not Coldplay, at least, not right now, maybe Slipknot? Is that too.. metal for the devil?” you think out loud “what is this Bad Omens band” Michael points at the bands that will be playing tonight “oh they’re great! But they’re sold out so-“ “-so? We can just go inside” he shrugs “Michael we can’t there are no tickets an-“Of course he transmutes you mid-sentence “-ymore, Michael this is illegal” You hiss at him as you slap his shoulder, acting hurt he rolls his eyes “when will it start” you walk into the crowded hall, happy that he transmuted you to a deserted hall ‘in 10 minutes or so? See how busy it is” you giggle as you look back at Michael, who looks a bit frightened not knowing what to expect.

The closer you get to the band coming on stage the more crowded the room gets. You feel Michael’s body heat come closer to you and you feel more eyes falling on the both of you, hushed voices carry through the room like everybody knows who Michael is. But they’re probably all eye fucking him “As long as it stays at eye fucking I’m fine with it” you whisper to yourself while Michael wraps a protective arm over your middle “Is someone jealous?” he whispers in your ear and you can’t help but side-eye him making him laugh in your ear. The room becomes dark as the intro for the band starts to play.

Thankfully Michael enjoyed the concert just like you did. Holding each other's hand as you walked out of the concert hall “That was a really good band” he sighs and you nod “Yeah they’re really good!” you start to slowly shake because of how thin your coat is and the temperature change from a really hot concert hall to the cold evening wind. Michael sees a bench “Come” he says as he almost drags you to it. He sits down and as you want to sit down next to him he tusks “You’re getting cold come on” he lets go of your hand only to grab you by your middle to place you on his lap. You can’t help but blush by the sudden bold move from Michael and you get jealous when you feel his warm body heat consume you.

Fixing your hair as you try to avoid melting against him while he looks at you with endearing eyes “I liked that song they played, the one with the long title, what was it again?” you feel his hands almost burn on your middle as he tries to make small talk with you “oh, ehm, love is the death of peace and mind? I like that one as well” you blush, playing with his sleeve of his button up “where is the girl with the bold temper? Did she go on vacation?” Michael laughs as he notices how shy you have become all of a sudden “No! Nope, she is still here” you point at your brain “I just, never, experienced this, this whole thing, situation” you exclaim with your hands and Michael nods while he comes closer. You can’t help but stare at the freshly painted black nails you had done yesterday until you feel his soft lips on your forehead “Nope, no fever” he says playfully for someone who is the devil he has soft lips “Are you sure?” you ask him and he kisses you again “no” you shake your head while you sigh.

Michael, being the gentleman that he is, transmuted you back home, in front of your door with his laptop case in his hand “I enjoyed tonight, a lot” he winks and you nod “Yeah me too, we should do this more often” “oh we definitely will” he says as he closes the gap between you two and you smile your best smile at him making him melt “so I will see you Sunday?’ you ask him to break the comfortable silence “yes, you will see me Sunday” he says sultry as he comes closer to your lips. This time you’re the one to make the move to kiss him for the first time. His lips are incredibly soft against yours, knowing it’s just one, official kiss you lean back only to see Michael stand still in the same stance “Are you okay?” you whisper laughingly “Are you mocking me? Come here” he groans as he kisses you again, longer and deeper this time. You hold him by the collar of his coat as he pushes you against your door.

Michael had transmuted after saying goodbye and ending the kiss you both had for the first time. You open the door with shaking hands “Oh my god oh my god. I need to call Julie” you say after you close the door. While you take your shoes off you put her on speaker

“yes?” she groans “Oh did I wake you, sleeping beauty?” “no, you didn’t, I’m sick” “Ah do you have a bug?” “probably food poisoning, that idiot called my fiancé, cooked yesterday, why are you calling so late?” Julie says groggily and you let out a sigh “I thought you wouldn’t let him cook again, the last time he also gave you food poisoning remember?” “yeah well he said he practiced” She cuts you off and you smirk “Why I’m calling you is” you sing as you throw yourself on the couch “Oh no please don’t tell me you’re pregnant from that bot” you laugh out loud by her statement “we kissed.” “you kissed? I didn’t know robots had fe-“ “-Julie he is not a robot, okay, we went to the Bad Omens concert and afterwards he brought me home and ehm, we, we kissed” “That’s so cute! Wait, a bad omens concert?! Does he enjoy rock?” “yeah he does actually” “I would see him for some classical music type of shit” Julie sighs and you smile “No, he’s actually really growing on me Julie” “Yeah I can hear that you’re smiling through the phone it’s creepy” “hmm well I’m sorry you have food poisoning but if you keep this up I will not take care of you” you hear Julie trash through the phone about how badly she wants your vegetable porridge tomorrow and you always take care of her when she’s sick “I’m just joking Julie, I’ll see you tomorrow. Take some Tylenol and you’ll be off to Wonderland in no time okay? Sleep tight” “Hmm whatever,” Julie says playfully as she hangs up

Right when you want to go to bed you hear your phone buzz

- Sleep tight

You too Michael

[miyuhpapayuh]

four.

Over the past couple weeks, Zora and Leon have gone on many more dates.

He'd taken her back to the flower shop, and he actually got to pay for the pretty roses she'd picked out.

Picnics by the water, munching on fruit and watching the ducks swim in the pond, til the sun started to melt in the sky.

Drinks at Nicole’s, where Leon told her more about his past antics, and Zora shared a little bit more than she had, making him feel a little more at ease.

Now they're putting their own spin on a paint & sip, courtesy of her spacious living room and art supplies from Michaels.

“Thank god for low coffee tables, huh?” Leon says from the other side of the table, sitting with his long legs stretched out, painting a balloon flower.

He'd told her he was gonna plant some just to see if one could actually pop the petals.

“Right. Ma knew I would need it for something other than propping my feet on top,” she hums a laugh, while painting a bell flower.

Her legs are also stretched out, her bare feet just touching his sock-covered ones.

“Sorry, I'm not a wine person. A buzz ball is the only way I'll participate,” he raises his lime-rita to her strawberry-rita, a smirk on his lips.

“It's okay, like I told you, I only like white wine on occasion. This is perfect.” She replies, clinking the rounded cans together as they take a sip.

“What you paintin’ over there?”

“It's supposed to be a surprise, Leon.”

“Why?”

“Cause,” she chuckles, dipping her brush in the water mug, before dipping it back into her blue-purple mixture.

“Cause?”

“Cause I said so. That good enough?” She looks at him over her glasses, catching the goofy look on his face as he looks back at her.

“Mhm,” he nods, pursing his lips together. “Good enough.”

Carrying on painting and sipping, the pair nod along to the playlist, courtesy of Leon and his surprisingly good taste.

“I like this song.”

Blk oddysy’s funkentology bumps through the black, rectangular speaker that's sitting on the floor. Also courtesy of Leon.

“I'm glad. Sharing music can be nerve wracking.”

“Sharing can be nerve wracking.” She adds, fanning her canvas with her hand.

“Still painting over there?” She asks.

“Nah, I was waiting on you.”

“Oh, my bad. I tend to zone out a little.”

“No worries,” he shrugs. “I just hope it doesn't look like a child painted it.” He jokes.

She laughs, giving him the finger. “First and last time you'll be invited over.”

“Damn, that quick?”

“Childish, huh?” She squints, making him laugh this time.

“Touché.” He says, turning his canvas around to share his painting.

“Wow,” she admires the picture, “you've got skills!”

He chuckles, humbly thanking her with a low hanging head.

“I try, I try.”

“Let's see yours, now.” He motions toward it, catching how shaky her hand became as she lifted it from the table.

She was a little nervous to share, obviously.

Maybe a little more than usual, but she knew it was from all the words swirling around in her brain, telling her to be careful and have fun, not choose the latter just cause it's fun…

Cause fun ends.

Flipping the canvas around, she watches his eyes dart over her cluster of purple-blue bell flowers, like he's following the brushstrokes.

“Do you like it?” She asks, nervously chewing on her lip.

“Yeah, this is beautiful, Zora.” He responds, looking up at her to catch the small smile on her lips.

“Thank you. I take pride in ‘em.” She says, before sitting the canvas back on the table.

“I can tell. It shows in your work.”

“I hope so!,” she laughs, “I took an extra thirty seconds for that last flower!”

“And it was time well took! It's okay.” He joins in the laughter, making her feel better.

“Okay.” She nods, folding her hands in her lap.

“Can I ask you something?” He asks.

“You kinda already did,” she smirks, earning a playful sigh from his end.

“Alright, well my second question, smarty pants, is why are you closed off?”

“I… there hasn't been a reason for me to not be that way. Not in a while, so I'm kinda used to it… I guess.”

“Like a second nature, almost?”

“Exactly,” she replies, sighing to herself.

“You think.. I could be someone to open up to? Maybe one day?” He asks, staring right at her.

“Maybe one day,” she repeats, “if you earn it.”

“Yes ma'am.”

✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿

The music continued on as they felt compelled to slink together and sway, their buzzes reducing them to slurred words and giggles.

“Can I ask you a question?” Zora asks, her ear still pressed against his chest.

“You kinda already did,” he mocks, earning a harmless slap on his arm.

“Of course you can. Wassup?”

“Why are you so open?”

“I wasn't always open. I actually relate to you not telling too much, a lot. Nobody's hearing what you sayin’, so why say it, right?”

“Yeah, exactly. It's like ammo for people, and they become a story to tell the next person. I'm sick of stories.” She huffs, holding him a little tighter.

He looks down at her, smiling to himself.

“But people— the right people come along, and you wanna tell stories again.. cause maybe they'll be a good story, maybe a, close that book and open a new one kind of story, ya know?” He rambles, still looking down at the top of her head.

“Yeah,” she nods. “I wanna know what it's like— I'm trying.”

“I know. You're doing better than you think.” He assures, making her look up and meet his gaze.

“Really?” She asks, the usual depth in her voice was somehow a little deeper and sweeter.

“Again, I almost forgot how to speak.” He breathily says, catching himself before he leaned in too much, even though she was fighting to meet him halfway.

“But, yeah. Much better than you think.”

“Good,” she nods, feeling the heat rush over her brown cheeks, thankful they didn't give her away so easily.

“Can I kiss you, Zora?” He asks, unable to contain himself.

She answers with a tug at his collar, pulling him down to her level to close the space between them as their lips attach to each other.

Fireworks times a million are going off in their heads, as their lips mold together perfectly. He sighs into the kiss, making her swoon hard.

Pulling away first, she takes a moment to look at him.

Him and those dark brown pools for eyes of his, so soft and inviting. And those lips! Softer than that.

“Wow,” she says, pulling him back for another kiss. Her hands find the sides of his face, as he wraps his arms around her a little tighter.

Thankfully backing into the couch as their knees began to wobble, the pair fell into a fit of laughter as they hit the cushions.

Now they're staring at each other, slightly panting as their minds race.

“What are you thinking about?” He asks.

She softly shakes her head. “I don't know. You?”

“You.” He answers.

“Me. What about me?”

“Everything. What you'll show me. What you won't.”

“I can't promise to open up right away, cause it's been a while. But I'm trying.” She repeats.

“I know.”

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“Alright, girl. What's going on?” Nique asks, as they sit at their usual spot in Nicole’s.

“So, I've been hanging out with Leon for a couple weeks now and he's making it really hard for me. I be feelin’ compelled to say more than I think I should and I just… what do I do?” Zora asks.

“You go with the flow, girl. That's all you can do.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah!” She reiterates, making Zora chuckle a bit. “I know it's not always the easiest thing to do, but there's gotta be a point where you can be comfortable enough to share and know someone won't use it against you later, and from what you're telling me, you haven't given him anything past a phone number and brief rundown of your old boos.”

“Yeah, he's been super patient and I don't wanna run him off or anything, cause I uh…” She trails off.

“What? You like him? Duh!”

She playfully rolls her eyes at her best friend.

“No— well, yeah I do like him. But, we kissed the other night and—”

“What??” She whisper-yells.

“Nique,”

“Zora!”

“Stop it!” She giggles.

“No, you stop it! How was it??”

“It was beautiful.”

“Wow,”

“That's what I said.”

“Wow, how did that happen?”

“We did our own paint ‘n sip. Sipped a little too much and ended up real close.” She sighs.

“So, that changed something.”

“Yeah, it was the way he looked at me right before he asked if he could kiss me. It was like I was bare and he could see everything I wasn't saying.”

“He asked if he could kiss you? That's so cute!” Nique squeals, and Zora let's her have her little things moment, because they do matter.

“Yeah, he's adorable. I hate to say it,” she laughs.

“Well, what are you gonna do now?”

“I don't know. I thought about getting together again and do the talking, this time. I just love to listen, ya know?”

“Well he and I agree, you've listened to enough. It's time you be the one that's being listened to. That's what you're always saying.”

“Always?”

“See, you talk so much, you don't even know how many times you repeat shit.” She cracks, earning a smack to the arm.

That's why I told ma about what you said! She's comin’ to tan that hide!”

“No!”

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Back together in his apartment this time, the pair sit closer than usual on his couch, falling into another lovely conversation.

“Tell me there's an older version of you.”

“Oh, my sisters and I are very different people,” she laughs. “I've got two older sisters.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely! Neoma is a true middle child, just wild and aloof, and Lovita, the beloved spitfire, is the oldest.”

“You're not wild, flower child?” He pokes her knee, making her laugh.

“No, you retired hoodlum!” She pokes him back in the chest, and he dramatically covers the spot, followed by an “ouch!”, as if she'd really bruised him.

“Heavy handed ass.” He laughs.

“Oh please, that was nothing.” She waves him off.

“I'm sure. So this sarcasm gene you got is one of a kind, huh?”

“Don't you think so?” She bats her lashes, just to see if it had any effect. It did.

“Yeah, you sumn else.”

“I've heard. But you can ask ‘em, they'll use any excuse to tell somebody how annoying they find it. As if I don't got my lists ready and loaded for them.” She snorts, while he shakes his head.

“Sounds like quite the trio.”

“You literally have to be there,” she adds.

And he was planning on being there, one day.

“What about you? There different versions of you out there?” She asks.

“In girl form, yes. Talk about a thorn in your side? Eryn knows all about it.”

“She's the youngest?” She asks for clarification, to which he nods.

“Five years makes a world of a difference, let me tell you.” He stresses, making her laugh.

“Aw, let her live. Twenty-five can be a tough age.”

“Was it tough for you?”

“Yeah, I went through a couple hardships— one being the ratchet ass breakup I was telling you about.” She sighs, shaking her head. “But, I made it through. Twenty-eight is hopefully gonna be a better year.”

“How's it been so far? For real.” He asks.

“It's had its moments of glory and its moments of dread, but overall it's been a good year so far. A day at a time, ya know? Maybe even a couple days at a time.” She snorts, earning a small smile in return.

“Yeah, I can definitely relate to that. A couple days at a time, for real.” He stresses, making her giggle.

“Life is ridiculous, sometimes.”

“And sometimes, it does its thing.” He notes with a raise of his brow.

“You flirtin’ with me?” She asks, squinting at him.

“Every chance I get, shorty.”

Did that earn him another juicy kiss? Maybe.

Was he grinning from ear to ear? Absolutely.

“So, how come you don't have your art in a gallery somewhere? You're super talented.” He asks.

“I think about it often, but then I second guess myself into not wanting anybody to see my work,” she sighs.

“How come?”

“I'm a perfectionist, so any mistake that I can see, I think others can too and it just makes me anxious.” She explains.

“Understandable, even though the flaws are what make every piece beautiful.”

“What are you, a walking poem?” She jokes.

He chuckles. “I'm just being real with you, Zora. I think you should really consider putting your work out there, whether it's tomorrow or ten years from now. It's too good to not share it.”

“Thanks,” she smiles, “maybe one day.”

“There you go.”

“Well, what about you?”

“What?”

“Talents. Besides being fine and a cornball, what else you got up your sleeve?”

“A cornball? You said I was funny!” He exclaims with a laugh, causing her to join in.

“You are funny.. and a cornball,” she reiterates, bursting into another fit of giggles.

“Anyway,” he thumps her thigh, “I write sometimes, which is probably why you think I'm a walking poem.”

“Really?? Oh, that's so cool, and it makes so much sense.”

“Does it?”

“Yep, all the dots are connecting.” She grins.

“Keeps me grounded, ya know?”

“Yeah,” she nods, “so when are you gonna share a piece with me?”

“Soon.” He smirks.

Might be my favorite chapter 🤭💜 they're just so so!!

Ch 5

@thegifstories @sheabuttahwrites @nayaxwrites @soufcakmistress @ghostfacekill-monger @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @blackerthings @blowmymbackout @blackpinup22 @henneseyhoe @awerkofart @abeautifulmindexposed @twistedcharismaaa

[bratshaws]

through the hourglass 81. brb x oc

a/n: was kinda sad when i wrote the chapter but i hope you guys like it. thanks for supporting the fic.

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: eric. just eric.

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

1/

50/51/52/53/54/55/56/57/58/59/60/61/62/63/64/65/66/67/68/69/70/71/72/73/74/75/76/77/78/79/80

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-

Maybe they were a bit…rusty because they weren’t used to going to loud parties anymore, but this one was loud with a lot of people dressed up in the wildest ways. He saw at least three Mandalorians, two Gandalfs and one giant smiling turd. He had his hand around Beatrice’s the whole time, his wife interlacing their fingers together as they follow the others deep within the vicinity.

The music was pumping in such a way it made their bodies vibrate, it was a mix of modern songs and remixed Halloween music all at once. Now, he wasn’t an old man when it came to music, he knew what the ‘kids’ listened to nowadays and he could enjoy it. He kept Beatrice close to his side so no one would bump against her, kissing the top of her head and squeezing her hand when she pushed herself tighter against his side.

Their table was actually three tables joined together, plus some extra benches on the side for the others who wished to have something softer to sit down - or to lie down that is. He waits until Beatrice sits on the chair to sit down next to her, his eyes focusing on their surroundings before he turns to Beatrice, seeing she’s on her phone.

“Your parents?”

She nods with a smile,”They are letting us know that Nikki is having a great night and that she’s watching Halloween movies with Bianca and Éwoyn.” and she tilts the phone towards him so he could see the picture. Bianca had Nicole against her chest, the little blonde girl was no longer that little and she was keeping her youngest cousin up, while Éwoyn was sitting next to them, holding Nicole’s hand while eating what Rooster could only guess was chocolate brittle.

The three of them were wearing onesies: Bianca was a dinosaur,Éwoyn was a sheep and Nicole was a bunny. Their daughter, alongside her cousins,were so focused on the tv they hadn’t noticed their grandma taking the picture, in fact they barely noticed they were leaning against Pomodoro and Marinara either, the old pitbulls creating a ‘dog wall’ around them so they wouldn’t get hurt.

Rooster smiles, propping his chin on Beatrice’s shoulder,”They look like they are having fun.”

‘Don’t they?” she grins, typing back a response to her parents, “I told them we’ll get there by morning and that they shouldn’t wait for us. I don’t really know when this party is going to end either.” she places her phone inside her bag, going back to hold his hand now that her own was free, “But I’m glad Nikki is fine. I’m glad she can handle being away from us for a long time.”

“I mean it’s not that we want her to.” he adds, rubbing the back of her knuckles with his thumb, “But it’d be weird if we brought Nikki to a party.” Beatrice laughs at his joke, playfully swatting his shoulder only for him to chuckle and kiss her head again, “I’m right and you know it.”

“Yes,yes I know it.”

“You two are disgusting.”

Michael’s voice came from behind them, making the two look back and see the fourth Schiavoni holding three colorful drinks in his hands, all of them with metal straws and he was sipping all of them at once. “Hm,” he nods to the purple one, “This one is better,I gotta tell the guy that his choice was working.”

“Why do you have so many drinks?” his sister asks with her brows furrowed, “And why are you drinking all of them?”

“Well,it’s not often I go out and have fun like this.” he sips the electric blue one, smacking his lips and then tilting his head in a ‘eh alright’ expression, “So I gotta enjoy when I’m able, oh by the way, this one is mango jalapeño.” he nods to the bright orange one, “With smidges of pumpkin, like who would’ve thought right?”

“So you got a lot of drinks, because of that.”

“Yep.”

“Don’t you think it’s too much,Mike?”

He sips the purple drink loudly, ‘Nope.” and walks away from them, the white Michael Myers mask still on his forehead as he leaves, avoiding people along the way. Beatrice smiles until she can no longer see her brother, sighing softly and placing her temple on Rooster’s shoulder.

“Do you want me to get you something?” he asks as his lips touch her scalp, “I can get you a nice drink.”

“Hmmm…I dunno, you are so warm.” she chuckles, looking around them only to see that the rest of their friends was either on the dancefloor or getting drinks themselves, “And maybe I want to keep you with me for a little while longer.”

Rooster chuckles quietly, kissing her scalp one more time and squeezing her hand within his hold, “Alright.” he smiles, sighing as he sinks on his seat and crosses his legs to follow her gaze towards the immense amount of people within that place. He lets his eyes wander for a little while, moving to the left for him to do a double take towards a figure in the corner.

There was someone looking at them, someone wearing a Scream mask but no black robe, just a light colored polo…it was like this person wasn’t planning on showing up and grabbed the mask as a quick costume. He kept his eyes on the Scream guy, seeing he was still looking over at them until he finally moved away. 

He didn’t like this.

And now he didn’t want to leave Beatrice alone either.

He didn’t know if this was related to what he saw back at the Hard Deck, but it was weird that twice that night he had this weird feeling inside of him. It was like something was going on and he couldn’t control…and this something, somehow, reeked of Eric. The thought of her ex suddenly showing up - hell, even stalking her - wasn’t going well for him. In fact it made him so upset his frown was getting worse by the second.

He had murder in his eyes, if someone dared look his way it’d be obvious that they’d be absolutely burned alive by his gaze. He didn’t want to freak Beatrice out but he also didn’t want to leave her alone. There’s a soft touch on his hand, one that makes him turn his head towards her as she looked up at him, “What’s wrong?” she gently smoothes the crinkle between his brows “You okay?”

Bradley blinks down at her, then smiles, kissing the tip of her thumb, “I’m okay,gorgeous…just thought I saw something.” someone “No need to worry.”

“Mm, I can’t do that.” she says sweetly, “I always worry about you.”

“Oh you are going to make me blush like that.”

Beatrice’s cheeks turn red instead and she places her folded arms on his shoulders, propping her chin on top, “I do try my best.” she giggles, playing with the buttons on his vest for a little bit, “Do you want to get some drinks now? I can go with you.” 

As long as they stayed close he’d be more than fine with that.

“Sure,gorgeous.” he smirks, standing up with her following suit just in time for a sweaty Leonardo - dressed like Mario - and Cynthia - dressed like Peach - come back from the dance floor, “We’ll be right back, we’re going to get some drinks.”

“Okay!” Leonardo just flops on his seat, groaning in pain, “Have fun! I’ll stay here until I can feel my joints again.” Cynthia scoffs and gently slaps his arm but considering how Leonardo is pretty much melded into his seat it was easy to assume he didn’t feel anything.

Rooster keeps his hand on Beatrice’s, leading her forward and stepping partially in front of her as they walk through the crowd towards the colorful Halloween decorated bar. He allows Beatrice to stop against the counter, standing behind her like a large and powerful shadow, his arms wrapping around her waist as she speaks to the female bartender.

He looks around again, trying to convince himself that if this was someone they knew he’d see them looking again. He narrows his eyes, it was a bit hard to see with the colorful lights and decorations around them, plus the blur of people around made it difficult to find that specific guy within the crowd but he hasn’t looked away yet.

He had a feeling, and it was deep within his gut, that this Scream guy was no one else but Eric. He just knew.

He feels Beatrice turn around in his arms, holding a bright colorful drink towards him, “Look Roos!” she smiles, cupping the pumpkin shaped glass in her hands, “It’s a tiny pumpkin! Isn’t it absolutely adorable?”

Only that precious face could make his anger and worry disappear.

And she looked so enamored with the tiny pumpkin, like it was the cutest thing she had ever seen in her whole entire life, “It’s really cute,gorgeous.”

Beatrice smiles looking down at her tiny pumpkin, taking a few sips of the colorful drink before offering it to him. Rooster says he’s okay, all the while keeping his arms around her and his eyes surveying the room. Beatrice followed the way his eyes moved, trying to see what exactly he was seeing but all she could notice were the partygoers and nothing else. 

“Roos.” she tries again, the colorful straw leaving her lips, “What’s the matter? You are just…looking tense.”

Rooster flicks his gaze down at her, then back up, “Nothing,gorgeous. Just keeping an eye out, you never know about the people around you.” cue to a group of people dressed up as robbers - striped shirt and masks - walking past them in a conga line. Beatrice parts her lips but says nothing, instead she brings the straw back to her lips and just wonders what exactly was making him so uneasy.

Bradley was never like this, only when he knows something is off. Like when they first met Hannah, or with her cousins or with….Eric. A shudder ran up her spine at the thought of her ex…the chances of him showing up here are minimal,right? There was no way,no way at all he’d be here.

Right?

Beatrice tries to not show how her anxiety spiked, instead she grabbed her husband’s hand and took him back to their table where everyone else was…everyone plus one person, “Gui?” her brother’s massive frame - and lack of costume - were easy to spot in such a space like this, especially when he was sitting with his arms crossed in the middle and his eyes squinted because of the lights above.

Both her brothers offered her a sheepish smile and a shrug as they approached the table, and she had no time to ask him anything before Guillermo spoke, “You didn’t answer my message.”

She didn’t?

Oh.

She didn’t.

“I was busy.” she says, staying close to Rooster, “And…I-I forgot to reply,I’m sorry.”

“Hm.”

“It’s true.” she blinks at him, “What are you doing here exactly?”

Her brother stood, his stature towering over pretty much everyone - Rooster included - as he walked around the table to where they stood, “I wanted to talk to you.”

“Here? At this party?!”

“Yes.”

Beatrice groaned, leaning back against Rooster’s chest,knowing that either she deals with this now or she doesn’t. So she looks back at her husband, who smiles and kisses her temple, “Go on, I’ll be here waiting for you.” she gives him a thankful look, then another kiss to the lips as she waits for Guillermo to lead the way to the outside of the party. Rooster was holding her cute pumpkin drink, even taking a quick sip of it and making a face at how unbelievably strong it was - amazing how Beatrice showed no reaction when she drank it.

Their friends were all on the table and Rooster sat down between Michael and Leo, keeping the other seat vacant for Beatrice. He looks up again, trying to find that Scream mask guy but there’s nothing he can see. Maybe he should just stop worrying too much and focus on having fun that night with all of them, God knows they all needed it.

“Rooster, everything good?” Payback asks when the other pilot sits back down, looking to where his friend was staring by turning his torso, “Why you keep looking over there?”

“...I thought I saw someone.”

“Someone?” Phoenix asks, fixing her skull mask over her face, “Who?”

“I don’t know. It’s…just a feeling.’ he had no idea if telling that ‘hey maybe the person is Beatrice’s ex’ around her older brothers was a good idea…or maybe it was. Maybe he should say it. “Well…”

-

Meanwhile, Guillermo and Beatrice were outside,talking and letting out everything they had kept from the last time they actually spoke. Her oldest brother was amazingly listening this time, maybe he found out from the others what happened during that ‘meeting’ at the triplets’ house and just thought that maybe he was a bit wrong in his assumptions.

Beatrice was glad she didn’t cry, she was glad she kept her voice steady and eyes locked with Guillermo’s…something that she learned when she got together with Rooster. Rooster surely helped her with her confidence and lack thereof.

“I don’t like when we fight.” he says after a while, “Especially through the phone.”

“I mean…Gui, it’s…what happened, we had a fight. And you hurt my feelings.” again “So all I wanted was to let it all out with you,I couldn’t accept the old ‘they are family’ excuse when it came to the triplets anymore. Especially after their constant lying and humiliation, especially with me and their own mother.”

Guillermo makes a face, pursing his lips and then sighed, “I suppose so.” 

“You suppose so?” 

“Bea, this is hard for me.”

“Yeah, so was for me.” she says with a firm voice, then shakes her head, “Listen…I really want to have a good night with my friends and the guys and Cyn…I…I don’t want to be stressed,Gui. Please, let’s just…go with a final answer, okay? I accept your apology.” he looks up at her, “But don’t do that again, if you do that again it’ll be worse than it was.”

Guillermo stares at her in silence for a few seconds, then looks to the side as if to think, inhales and nods, “Okay.” he says, “I can do that.”

Thank God.

Beatrice feels a lot lighter than before, “Are you going to go back inside?” her brother looks to the doors with his brow raised, “They have non-alcoholic drinks too.” she had never seen her brother actually have fun at a party - besides her own wedding and even then he was still stiff as a board with only his wife moving his arms - so if he said yes it’d be a Halloween Miracle.

“Alright.” she probably appeared just as surprised as she felt because Guillermo just huffed out an unamused laugh, shaking his head, “I used to go to parties.”

“You did?”

“Yes, ask Sabrina.”

“Oh,I will.” She made a turn to walk back inside, looking over to the parking lot to find where the Bronco was parked - considering the amount of cars there were at this time after all - and she immediately stops because she sees it.

The electric blue corvette, parked between two black cars, under a flickering street light. There was no way that was Eric, there was no way that it was Eric and yet…yet something in her was sure of it. Oh God, was he following her? Was that what was going on? “Bea?” her brother calls and she has to fight back the way her head wants to snap at him and she knew she couldn’t tell Guillermo yet because…well…of all her brothers, Gui was the one who often voiced how he’d treat Eric if he saw him again.

“Sorry,I was checking where the car was.” she smiles, following him back inside “Oh, uh, can you tell the guys I’m going to the bathroom really quick?” her brother looks from her to where the bathrooms were just to check the distance, “I won’t be long.”

She needed to wash her face a bit.

He nods and Beatrice hurries through the crowd to the bathrooms, excusing herself so she wouldn’t hit anyone and immediately stepping inside with a deep sigh making its way out of her mouth. 

There was no way it was Eric and she tried to control her breathing the best she could, holding herself upright on the sink before she takes a look at her reflection. She looks fine, she is nervous but she looks fine. All she wanted was to have a good night with her friends and husband, nothing more than that and the fact that her ex’s car was right there was…worrisome.

So Beatrice takes in a deep breath, reminds herself that he’d never get close to her with everyone so close and makes her way out of the bathroom, “I’m fine.” she whispers to herself, Spooky Scary Skeletons pumping on the speakers, “Everything is fine.” she however bumps on someone’s chest since she’s busy looking at the ground “Oh,I’m so sorry-”

“Bea, hi.”

Oh no.

Eric was there, in front of her, with his Scream mask pulled up to his head and no other costume in sight. He looked…terrible,worse for wear and like he hadn’t slept in days. Beatrice could only look at him with wide eyes, then look past him in hopes to see their table but the crowd and the lights made it hard to see anyone, “There’s no hi,Eric. Excuse me.” she walks around him, only to feel his hand clasp her wrist, “What are you doing?”

“Bea, this whole game has been going on for too long.”

“What? What game?”

He laughs in disbelief, “Really? You and the mustached guy. You have been paying him so much to play as your boyfriend? How much? How much money? Is it just to make me upset because it’s working.”

What the fuck.

“Excuse me?”

“Bea,we are both adults, let’s talk like so.”

“No,” she tries to yank her hand away, “Let go off me!”

“I just need to talk-”

“I don’t want to!” she tries again, anger and frustration taking over, “Let me go,Eric!”

He was looking at her so strangely, like…like he couldn’t believe her, it was the first time he ever touched her like this and Beatrice didn’t know what to do! But when her ex opened his mouth to speak, he was cut off and right on time.

“Get your fuckin’ hands off my wife.”

[alexfromjersey]

CHAPTER II: the day after

warnings: mature language

a/n: 2.1K words

IT WAS THE NEXT DAY AFTER HURRICANE AGATHA hit Kildare Island. Agatha did a decent amount of damage to the island. Trees were knocked down, roads were flooded, power was out, and cell phone towers were out. Seven and Susan were up at the crack of dawn to assess the damage done to their home. Thankfully, the only damage is a couple of broken windows from branches smacking into the glass and a few leaks but nothing that they couldn't fix. After making sure Seven was good, Susan went into work for her long shift at the Sheriffs department.

Now she was bored, she fixed everything that needed fixing. There was no power so she couldn't even occupy herself by catching up on her movies and shows. She also didn't have her car. It was taken away and sold after she went to juvie. But she did still have her BMX bike. She went to garage to search for it and she found it in the deepest corner collecting dust. She pulled it out only to find out that both tires were beyond flat and the chain was snapped.

"Seriously?" Seven groaned.

Unfortunately, Seven would of taken the bike to Gaz's Auto Shop but couldn't due to her mandatory check in with her probation officer Michael Rhodes in twenty minutes. For the next six months Seven has to check in with Rhodes or she gets shipped back to the mainland but this time in adult jail for a long time. Seven didn't want to go to adult prison so she made a promise to her mother that she won't miss a check in or take a risk by violating the rules. So Seven grabbed her bookbag filled with extra clothes and snacks and walked to probation office.

It took fifteen minutes but she made it with a couple of minutes to spare. She walked into the office and it wasn't that busy, thank god, only three people in there.

"I'm here for my check in with Michael Rhodes" Seven stated to the receptionist.

"Okay, he's on a call right now but I'll grab you once he's finished" The receptionist answered. Seven nodded and took a seat by the door. She sat there looking around at the dumb motivational quotes on the walls. No one pays attention to them and it felt like she was sitting in a dentist office.

"Peterkin, your probation officer is ready for you" The receptionist called out.

Seven got up from the very uncomfortable waiting chair and walked to office in the back of the building. She took a seat in a chair in front a dark skinned male that looked stressed.

(Played by John David Washington)

"Seven Peterkin, daughter of Susan Peterkin and Bishop Westcott. Did ten months in a Juvenile Detention Center on the mainland for criminal trespass and second-degree assault. You got a pretty big reputation on this island kid, everywhere I turn somebody has something to say about Seven Peterkin, the Sheriff's daughter" Rhodes stated.

"I really don't care about what people say about me" Seven shrugged and sat back in the chair she was sitting in.

"Yeah I could tell by the way you look. You don't have a care in the world. I've met a lot of kids like you, putting on a facade to either please others or themselves. That tough girl act ain't gonna work with me" Rhodes spoke.

Seven let out a chuckle, "You just assumed that I'm putting on a tough girl act by the way I look? That's hilarious."

"Oh so you like to laugh huh? Okay, since you think everything is hilarious to you, here are my rules. You are prohibited from drinking and smoking, your curfew is at 10:00 not a minute later, you are to comply to any search and seizures I deem necessary, maintain good behavior and good grades once school reopens, participate in anger management counseling, and serve 520 hours of community service. Failure to adhere to these rules will result in a probation revoke and being shipped back to a much more stricter juvenile detention center." Rhodes informed the girl.

"Anger management? Are you serious? I don't need no anger management counseling" Seven scoffed.

"Mandatory anger management counseling starting tomorrow morning at 8am" Rhodes emphasized.

Seven let out another scoff but no more words were said from the teenager.

"Glad we're on the same page. Now take this cup, pee in it, and leave it on the outside table" Rhodes ordered and handed Seven a piss cup. She rolled her eyes before taking the cup. But before she left her eyes caught something on the man's file cabinet. It was a picture, a picture of Rhodes and Ezekiel smiling hard. It looked at least a few years old because Rhodes didn't have a full grown beard in the picture.

"Is there a problem Peterkin?" Rhodes questioned.

Seven turned toward him, "Nah, no problem at all."

She left the office and did her business in the bathroom and left the man's office. The teenager quickly left the building and walked towards the docks. She sat at the end of the dock feeling upset. No matter what, she could not escape her evil stepfather. Everywhere she turned someone knew him or was extremely loyal to him. It was frustrating because all she wanted was to at least go a day without seeing his face.

"Seven!"

She looked up at the yell of her name to see her friends pulling up in the HMS Pogue. She jumped into the boat as John B was pulling up and then he sped off down the ravine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The group of five were enjoying their time, laughing and giggling at each other. Pope was now driving the boat and Kiara, JJ, and John B were drinking beers. Seven was drinking orange juice from a crushed water bottle, the events from earlier long forgotten in her mind. She was having a good time with her friends so she focused on that.

"Let me show you a party trick" JJ said and walked to the front of the boat. "Hey Pope, can you go a little faster please?"

"Oh no" Seven muttered. The brown skinned girl sat on the front of the boat next to Kie.

"Oh god, here we go, I'm moving. It doesn't work, we've tried this like 6,000 times" John B groaned and moved the back of the boat.

"I got this, it's gonna work!" JJ yelled in reassurance. Seven watched JJ tilt his head back and hold his beer up to let the wind guide the beer into his mouth. He tried it all the time and he never succeeded but JJ was determined to succeed one day.

"Oh my god, you're getting beer in my hair" Kiara exclaimed. Seven put her hand up to shield her from the many droplets of the beer.

"All right! All right" Pope yelled and also shielded his eyes from the beer. All of his friends were yelling at JJ to stop with the beer but Seven stood up and grabbed JJ from behind. The two started to wrestle but suddenly the boat jerked violently and sent the two teens flying into the water.

"Jesus Pope" Kiara exclaimed.

After a moment, JJ and Seven resurfaced groaning, "Dude, you kneed me in my face" Seven groaned.

"I didn't mean too." JJ countered and floated on the surface. Seven can taste something metallic in her mouth.

"You guys okay?" Pope asked his friends in the water.

"I think my heels touched the back of my head" JJ moaned painfully. Seven just gave Pope a thumbs up in response.

"What the hell happened Pope?" Seven questioned and started swimming to the side of the boat.

"Sandbar. The channel changed" Pope answered the girl.

"No shit" JJ mocked the boy and swam to the boat. Seven pulled herself onto the boat. Once she's on the boat she pulled off of her soaking wet tank top, leaving her in a black sports bra and soaked gray shorts. Thankfully, she took her shoes off a while ago.

John B glanced around the marsh, "This is probably gonna mess this whole place up" He commented.

"Hey, I saved the beer though."

"Congrats JJ" John B said unenthusiastically.

Seven still tasted metal in her mouth. So she put her finger on her lip and felt a thick substance on it. She realized that JJ kneeing her in the face made her bite the inside of her lip hard. She grabbed a napkin and placed it on her lip.

"Guys...I think there's a boat down there" Seven heard Pope say. She looked up from her napkin to see Pope at the front of the boat looking over the edge.

"Shut up" John B dismissed.

"No way" Kiara waved the Heyward boy off.

Seven walked to the front of the boat where Pope is. Her eyes widen a bit when she saw a sunken boat. "Holy shit, there is a boat down there" Seven said. John B and Kiara joined the two at the tip of the boat and saw what Pope and Seven were seeing.

Seven tossed the napkin to the side before diving back into the water. John B and Kiara jumped in after her.

"Think there's a dead body down there?" Pope questioned as he struggled to take his shirt off. Eventually, he jumped in the water. The five friends all swam down to the boat but only got to look at it for half a second before they had to swim back to the surface for air.

"You guys saw that right?" JJ questioned the group.

"Hell yeah we did" Seven responded. The rest of the friends agreeing with the Peterkin girl. "It looked like a Grady-White" Seven said and swam to the boat.

"It is a grady-white, a new one of those is like 500 Gs, easy" JJ informed the group. The five teenagers all pulled themselves up onto the boat soaking wet, "That's a primo rig."

"Yeah, that's the boat I saw when I surfed the surge. Maybe it hit the jetty or something" John B questioned.

"You surfed the surge without me? The betrayal" Seven commented.

"I called you like four times" John B answered.

"You did? Whoops" Seven shrugged. The girl sat at the back of boat and shook her to get rid of the excess water in her hair.

"You surfed the surge?" Kiara questioned.

"That's my boy. Pogue style" JJ complimented and dapped John B.

"Wait, wait. Do we know whose boat that is?" Pope asked.

"No, but we're about to find out" John B replied.

"Dude, it's too deep" JJ commented.

"Oh, for the weak and feeable, JJ" John B remarked as he pulled out the anchor from the boat.

"Well, I'm not resuscitating you. I'm just making that clear up front" JJ added.

"I'm not either so don't ask" Seven commented.

"Betrayal Sev" John B joked. Seven just shrugged and put on a tank top. The Routledge boy made his way to the front of the boat with the anchor in his hands getting ready to dive down.

"John B..." Kie sighed.

John B just chuckled, "What?"

Seven glanced at the Carrera girl who had a look of disapproval on her face. It was pretty known that this group of friends love to do dangerous stuff, it was in their blood, especially the three Mustard-teers (JJ, John B, and Seven). Always finding or putting themselves in dangerous situations.

"Diver down, fool" Pope saluted.

"Diver down" John B saluted back.

Seven then pushed the tall boy into the water with a laugh. The four friends waited overlooking the side of the boat for their friend. It felt like eternity when suddenly John B popped up to the surface.

"Oh my god, that took forever" Kiara sighed.

"Any dead bodies?"

"Looting potential?"

Pope and JJ spit questions at John B which to replied no too. But he held up an familiar hotel key.

"I found an motel key though" John B stated. Pope and Seven helped him get back on the boat while JJ pulled the anchor up.

"I know where this is. I've been there before" Seven informed the group. The curly haired girl then got behind the wheel of the boat to drive to their destination.

"You've been to a motel before?" Pope questioned.

Seven smirked, "Yeah, it was either a motel or the back of a Kia Soul...Kia Soul's are very tight can't really do too much in there."

A disgusted expression appeared on Kiara's face while JJ and John B agreed with the girl. Pope didn't know how to respond to that so he decided to sit down.

"Guys, we should report the wreck to the coast guard, maybe we'll get a finder's fee" Kiara suggested.

"Yeah, and not work all summer. Thanks, Agatha, ya batch" JJ added.

[unluckyhoneybee]

The Handsome Artist. 26.(Daniel Ricciardo)

Weddings and celebrations. It feels like the right moment to take the next step.

MASTERLIST.

Previous part: Waiting .

Note: took me ages to write this and I don't even like it.

I put a foot out of the car and sighed happily.

"Abigail!" Chloe walked to me and hugged me tight. Well, as much as my bump let us. "Ohh, look at you"

I smiled.

"You look so beautiful"

"Thank you very much, Chloe"

Her hands moved in front of me, but she was cautious.

"You can do it" I answered with a smile.

She touched my bump then with a smile. "I'm really really happy for you. Both of you. I can't believe you are bringing the first baby to the group!"

"Look at that beauty!" Scott shouted.

"Thank you mate, got extra fresh for your weekend" Daniel answered behind me, making us laugh.

"Not you, dude. You look as if you had driven for 6 hours"

I chuckled.

"How was the trip?" Scott hugged me and kissed my cheek. "Looking fine, Abi. Baby Ric looks good on you"

"Well, thank you"

"Yeah, you're welcome" Danny said and I punched his shoulder.

"Come in, guys. The others are already here"

Daniel grabbed my hand.

"Ready?"

I nodded. He kissed my cheek and smiled over my skin.

We were welcomed with hugs and smiles, praises for me and some jokes for Danny.

"Fuck off, guys"

I kissed his cheek and sat. He gave me a look and caressed my hair. "Do you want some water?"

"Juice? I need sugar"

"Of course" And he head to the bar.

Corey turned to me and smiled. "He is... Different"

"Not different. Just really really happy" Michael said. I nodded at his words and touched my belly.

"I wouldn't have said it better"

"Isn't it great?" Scotty said. "Dan having a baby. After all"

Due to life, schedules and routine, we had barely seen each other during the pregnancy, so we haven't talked much about everything.

"When he told me..." Blake started. "I was happier than if that kid was mine"

I chuckled and Baby kicked in me. "Mini Ric is happy?" Michael asked.

I laughed and took his hand, pressing it on the side of my belly. He smiled and his eyes turned bright. All of them loved Dan so much, it was insane how happy this little human had made them.

"And you don't want to know the gender?"

I shook my head again and just then, Danny came back. He must had heard that last part.

"Charlotte says that it's a girl" Daniel happily said. "She said it was a girl the moment we told her."

"And you want a girl!" Chloe exclaimed making everyone laugh.

"I don't mind" He said and wrapped his arma round my shoulders. "I'm just happy to have a baby. I don't mind if it's a girl or a boy"

I looked at him with a smirk. "I caught him cheeking little dresses at the shop".

"You little shit..." He groaned with a smile. He was blushing deep. "Okay! Okay. I just... I think it would be really cute to have a girl first"

Everyone laughed and clasped, celebration the confession that made my heart beat like mad.

Danny POV.

The brunch was awesome, all the time Chloe and Scott spent organizing this celebration was paying. I had gotten up and walked away from Abi, who was with Blake talking about something they had seen on the news. Blake was a big comfort for Abi, always calm and collected, she found him a relief in our gatherings. So knowing she was in good hands, I went for a drink.

"Hey"

I turned to looked to the side. "Hey, man"

Mike patted my back.

"I've seen that bump in your trousers. I don't know how she hasn't notice yet"

I smirked and pushed him. "What are you implying, Italiano?"

He laughed. "Are you doing it tonight?"

I shook my head. I had waited for the perfect moment, but it simply didn't come and now Abi was getting tired and probably would want to go to sleep soon.

"Maybe tomorrow"

Michael sighed. "You are not doubting, aren't you?"

I shook my hair and looked down at my beer.

"You are"

"No. I'm sure I want to do it"

"Then?"

"I don't know if she wants"

Michael sighed. "We have talked about this"

We had, yes. For weeks, actually. After the 6th month ultrasound, the idea popped up in my mind.

"I'm just so happy. I can't believe we get so share something like this. So precious and perfect" She had said with her hands around her belly. I knew it. I wanted to marry her.

"She is having your baby. She is sharing her home with you. Abigail loves you so much, mate. I see it, Blake sees it, Molly, Scotty... Everyone can see it. This is just another step."

"I haven't talked about marriage with her"

"Well, you guys take things quick, don't you?"

I laughed. "Yeah, we do"

"She will say yes. Just tell her what you told me"

I nodded. "I don't want to marry just yet. I just need to do this. To take this step"

Michael patted my back. "It'll go well"

"Thank you, mate"

"Now, shut up. She is coming"

"Honey?"

I turned to look at her and sighed.

"What's wrong?"

She sniffed and leaned into me. "I'm tired"

"Okay, let's go. Tell the others we headed to the bedroom. We'll come back for the dinner"

Abi POV.

Danny stayed quiet as we walked to our bedroom, which I thanked a lot. After living together for this months, he had started to understand everything better. He just knew when things were right or wrong, he turned into the perfect boyfriend and the damn hormones made me want to cry for the whole day.

The door closed and I felt my body shaking slightly.

"What's wrong? For real" He softly said. He wasn't accusing me of anything, he just knew that I wouldn't spill everything in front of someone else. It was always easy to tell a litlle lie instead of making everyone worried.

Daniel sighed and walked closer.

"I'm a bit overwhelmed" I said drying my tears. "It's the hormones"

Daniel kissed my cheek and his hands came to my lower belly. The bump was already so big.

"It's okay. We can stay here for a bit"

I nodded.

Daniel took my hand and walked me to the bed. I sat and he knelt in front of me. As usual, his hands rested on the bump and his thumbs caressed my skin.

"Maybe you could wear something else tomorrow"

"Everyone else has heels and this perfect dresses"

Daniel took my hand and kissed my knuckles.

"Babe. You are pregnant. These shoes are not good for you. I don't want you to get hurt."

"But..."

"No buts, honey. Just wear your sandals, okay?"

I nodded slowly.

"Lay here with me for a bit" I whispered.

"Of course"

Daniel hold me for a while, his hands moving either up and down my back or on my belly.

"I don't know that people and they still come to touch my belly and make comments and..."

He pressed a kiss on my forehead.

"I don't want them to do that... I actually hate it. This is my belly, my baby... Why do they have to come and touch me?"

Daniel hugged me tighter and kissed my forehead.

"I'm sorry." He whispered. "I'll stay with you, okay?"

"No, Dan. I want you to have fun. It's Scotty's wedding"

He kissed my forehead.

"And my girlfriend is pregnant. Almost 8 months pregnant." Daniel pressed a kiss on my forehead.

.

.

.

The next day came and Daniel had to help me with the sandals. He obviously had to make a show of it.

"Oh wow. Just look at you" He said when I got up from the bed.

"I'm like a whale in nice clothes"

"The prettiest whale, Abi"

"What?"

We both started laughing like idiots.

"No, but hey. You look really pretty. For real. You are stunning, my love."

My cheeks warmed and I looked down at his chest. I fixed the shirt and then ran my fingers over the thin fabric. There was no tie, he said it didn't fit his vibe. And the blazer had tiny dots on it because he didn't want to go full on blue. But he looked so handsome.

"You look stunning too, Danny" I kissed his lips softly and he smiled, brushing our nose and trying to pull me closer. It made me giggle. "Baby is getting to big"

He looked down. "Yeah." There was this bright on the eyes, that look he had every time he looked at my bump. "I really can't wait to have them with us"

"Baby is already with us"

"I know. But I want to see how they look." He out both hands on my belly. "Asleep?"

"I think so"

He smiled softly. "You better stay like that and don't bother Muma today."

I ran my fingers over his hair and he kissed me again. "Ready?"

I nodded.

Hand in hand, we went to the garden where the wedding was taking place, and soon, we found the guys.

"Oh! You look so handsome guys"

Corey, as usual, was taking photos of everyone, so yeah, he took a thousand photos of us too.

Then, during the ceremony, I felt Daniel moving a lot. His foot was tapping on the floor and his hands were fidgeting with everything he could reach.

"Babe"

He looked at me.

"Are you okay?" I whispered.

He nodded and kissed my temple. "I'm perfect".

"I'm so thankful for the day my brother told me he had the perfect guy for me. I remember laughing at first, but then we met and everything has been perfect since then. Lance was right, you are perfect for me Scotty. And I love you like I haven't loved anyone. I can't wait to see what the future bring us and... " Chloe was almost pm tears as she spoke.

I dried a tear. Daniel noticed and hugged my shoulders. For the first time, I wondered if we would ever be like this. If we would ever have a nice celebration with out family and friends.

The rest was just as beautiful. Even Danny cried a bit. And then the dinner was amazing and the couple had their first dance and I couldn't stop crying because the baby had made me extremely sensitive. I wasn't really agile and I didn't like dancing anyway, so I stuck to my comfortable chair. But I grew thirsty at some point.

I felt a hand on my lower back and turned around. "Hey" The image made me smile. His cheeks were so pink from dancing. "You look cute"

He chuckled. "What are you gonna get?"

"Well, I was thinking about tequila shots" I said sarcastically. Daniel barked a laugh and pinched my ass. "Auch"

"Miss. Your water"

"Thanks"

I grabbed the bottle and looked at Daniel, who had a tiny smile and was breathing slow. "Wanna go out for a bit?"

I frowned. "Are you okay? Ten minutes ago you were on the top of that table"

"I'm perfect. Just want a moment with you"

I smiled and nodded. "Let's go"

We found a terrace with a perfect view of the garden. The chairs from the ceremony were still there. "This place is beautiful" I said in a whisper.

"It really is."

Daniel walked me to these arm chairs and sat on one, but before I tried to sit on the other, he grabbed my hips. "Sit here with me"

"I will crash you"

"You will not"

It was difficult to resist when he was looking at me with those brown eyes. I carefully sat on his lap and leaned on his chest. He put his hand on my belly and Baby moved.

"Hey cutie" He giggled. "Good evening to you too. Is Baby behaving well?"

I nodded. "I think they love the food."

"Muma has been eating a lot, hasn't she?"

I chuckled.

"Those mini pies..." I rolled my eyes.

"Same. And the salmon?"

I moaned and Daniel laughed. "But the cheese"

"No! Don't even dare to name it"

The cheese had been awful. Only the smell had made me want to puke.

Daniel kissed my cheek and brushed his nose to the side of my face. After our time together, I perfectly knew what it meant, so I turned my face and he captured my kiss with a deep kiss. It was slow and sensual, his hand leaving my belly and finding my neck. My cheeks heated up but beofe I could slide my hand under his shirt, he stopped me.

"I need to tell you something"

A shiver ran up and down my spine. He was so serious.

"Danny?"

He cleared his throat and I feared.

"Okay. Um... Charlotte told me to make it properly so..."

He maneuvered so I was now sitting. What did he do next? He got on one knee before me. My heartbeat grew erratic and I fisted my hands on my dress.

"I'm nervous as hell, baby. So excuse me." well, I couldn't even breathe, so it didn't worry me "I was talking to Scott one day and he was really excited about the wedding. He was excited because he would get all of us together, his family, friends... Everyone. He was excited because we all would celebrate with him how much he loves Chloe. And at first I didn't understand why doing it. You can love a person as much without marrying them. But... I love you so much, Abigail. You are the love of my life and the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm so happy Molly dragged you to the studio. And I'm so happy you wanted that Argelian ivy around your breast. It was so badass for a first tattoo. And I'm so happy for that dinner at Pierre and Yuki's. And for the breakfast the next day. And for Colorado. And for those weeks I'm Perth. I'm so thankful for of of it and I'm so glad I took all those steps. And now... You are growing a baby in you, my baby, and even when I though I couldn't love you more, I do. I have fallen in love with you a bit more since the first day. And... I want to celebrate that. I want to put a ring on your finger to remind you all of this, all the beautiful things you mean to me. I love you so much and I'm already the happiest man alive. But I wanted to do this, I wanted to at least ask you and I know that after this dramatic speech maybe... Well. Fuck. Sorry. Would you marry me, Abigail Hopper?"

I hugged him and sobbed. "Yes. Yes. Yes. I love you so much. I want to marry you. Of course I want you. I love you"

Daniel laughed on my neck and squeezed me harder.

"Thank you, thank you..." He whispered on my temple.

I pulled back and cupped his cheeks. "I love you. And... You make me the happiest woman. I love you. I love you"

Baby moved and I giggled. "Touch"

"Are you happy? Hey? Muma said yes, sweetheart."

Baby moved again and Daniel pressed his forehead on my belly. I tried to dry my tears but it was stupid, I couldn't stop crying. With my fingers on his hair and his hands on my belly, I heard him talking to the baby as he used to.

"Danny"

He looked at me.

"Thank you for loving me and taking so much care of me. I thought I would never get it and I had lost all the hope. And you came and... I love you so much and I'm so happy we are having this baby together and... I can't believe you asked me to marry you because I was thinking about how I would like to marry you during the ceremony. And... Wow. I love you"

He cupped my cheeks and kissed me.

"Wait" He broke the kiss. "Fuck. I'm an idiot." He giggled and reached for his pocket. He pulled a little box and I laughed.

"Oh no, there was no need"

"Of course." He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. "Charlotte came with me. So I'm sure you will like it"

"I can't stop crying"

He opened the box and I gasped. It was beautiful, small and blue, pretty similar to the one he gave me for my birthday.

"Danny..."

He gently took my hand and slid the ring on my finger.

"We are going to marry"

He nodded and pressed my forehead to his.

"We are going to marry"

He kissed my lips and made me move on the sofa. We sat on our previous position and he hugged me.

I laid my head on his shoulder and looked at the ring in my hand.

"It's really beautiful."

"Just like you"

He kissed my forehead.

"We should wait until baby can walk"

"Okay. I'll be waiting for those first steps" He chuckled.

"And... Let's wait to tell everyone because it's Scotty and Chloe's weekend and I already took a lot of attention with the baby"

"Your wish is my command"

I smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Can you believe it?"

"Not really. I've carried that ring with me for the whole weekend."

Horrible part. But.... The next one...

Next part: Little flower.

Taglist:@d0ntjudgemy50shades @controsnes   @thybulleric   @lcuppo  @priylodhasstuff     @scotlynaurora @chxrryrose  @f1-incorrect-s @yearsof-war @earfquak3 @amsofftrack @hannahholland1811

[twoidiotwriters1]

Daughter of Olympus (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: Halloween is coming how are we feeling? -Danny Words: 2,598 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter / Next Chapter Listen to: 'Take Care Of Yourself' -by Maisie Peters

XV. No I Don't Make Sense, Stop Asking

Lily knows it's crazy to blame my brother, and she agrees that trying to kill me was definitely not right, Nico isn't entirely innocent. 

However, she considers Percy isn't good enough if he can't keep a younger girl from dying, which of course I argue against, but she ignores it. She drops her crush on my brother and decides to focus on my training. 

"You won't fail," she says as she plans out our new schedule. "If Nico's set his mind on avenging Bianca, you can't stay as weak as you are now."

"Thanks," I scoff.

"He's a big three kid, you're not even the daughter of a war god," Lily raises a brow. "Ask Percy to train you during your free time in New York, visit as often as you can—"

"We don't even know where Nico is or what he plans to do!"

"If he comes for you," Lily presses. "I can't help you. Hades is my patron, I can't fight his son! I need you to be an excellent warrior. Please, can you do it for me?"

No one has ever worried for my well-being like this, except Percy. After Nico's vague threat, he gets a little paranoid and thinks Nico will hunt me down when no one's looking. 

I think everyone's overreacting. Nico and I are friends!

"Oh, no way," Leo exclaims as he enters the hunter's tent. "We've been sitting in a cave and you get the luxury tent? Somebody give me hypothermia. I want hot chocolate and a parka!"

Phoebe sneers at Leo. "Boys." 

"Easy, Pheebs," Ara walks in grinning. "I answer for these boys, they don't bite."

"General Jackson," Phoebe glances at Ara's bandaged hand. "It's good to see you're out in the field again."

"Feels good to be back."

"They'll need extra coats," Thalia lists as she enters. "And I think we can spare some chocolate."

While the boys change and drink, Ara makes sure her scratches, bruises, and burns are nothing to worry about. "Did you fight with your bare hands this whole time?" Thalia teases her. "It's lucky Artemis blessed you! What's with all the wounds?"

"Let's see..." Ara counts with her fingers. "We fought cyclops, sorceresses, a werewolf, the nemean lion..."

"But we killed that one!"

"They're coming back," she replies gravely. "And faster than before, too. I don't know what's happening, things don't stay dead now."

Thalia's alarmed by the news, but she tries to play it cool. "But you handled it like a champ, huh?" She points at the pelt next to Piper. "You did that?"

Ara makes a face. "I wasn't going to. I tamed him but then Medea—"

"Tamed it?" Phoebe raises a brow. "You tamed the Nemean lion?"

The girl shrugs. "I wanted to give it a try and it worked."

Thalia laughs and turns to Jason. "You can trust Ara to go above and beyond to keep anyone safe. I mean, look at her, should be enough proof, huh?"

"We can't thank her enough," Jason nods with lots of gratitude. "She's already brought me back from the dead once."

"In that case, I should thank her too," Thalia pats her shoulder roughly. "We're all pleasantly surprised to see how far you've come, Birdy."

Ara stares down at her feet, she's thinking of Michael again.

"We need to strengthen your... Everything. You're so small, Ara," Mike says disapprovingly. "Try to eat more, get those gummies that are vitamins—and Calcium, if your bones start to fracture and we don't realize until it's too late—"

"Can you teach me how to do that?" I interrupt him.

Michael looks up. "What?"

"Healing," I clarify. "So I don't have to come here every time I hurt myself."

"First of all, if you're hurt please come to me. You're no Apollo," he frowns. "Second... I guess I should... just in case..."

I squirm eagerly on my seat. That's one more lesson added to my training. "I'll be so such a good quester, carrying all sorts of stuff in the teddy bag Percy got me."

My friend snorts. "Sounds good, tiny."

"Don't call me that," I frown. "We're the same height."

"I'm a year older, so I have every right to—" 

I throw the unused bandages at his face, and he laughs.

"You guys are really good at this wilderness survival thing. I feel like I could run ten miles," Piper smiles.

"She's tough for a child of Aphrodite. I like this one," Thalia grins.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ara scowls. "I'm her sister!" She blushes. "I mean..."

Thalia laughs. "You got great instructors and lots of practice, so it's not that surprising you turned out great. Sorry, Birdy."

Then why is everyone at camp acting as if I'm going to fail?

"Hey, I could run ten miles too," Leo blurts out. Ara's not sure who he's trying to impress right now. "Tough Hephaestus kid here. Let's hit it."

Ara picks up her pelt, stares at it pensively, and then hands it to Thalia. "For Artemis. She answered my prayers. It was really good to see a friendly face."

Thalia grabs the pelt. "I know it's no use to ask but... Are you sure?"

"I don't want to be reminded of my failures, and I'm sure you'll find a good use for it..."

"You slay the Nemean lion and call it a failure. You've always been a weirdo," Thalia hands the pelt to Phoebe. "Thank you, it's a very special offering."

"For a special group of people," Ara wishes they didn't have to part ways, being around Thalia almost feels like having Percy back. But that's the key word, "almost" isn't enough.

When they leave the tent, Ara has no problem keeping up with the hunters, but the rest of her group does. 

"Come on, Valdez! Pick up the pace!" Hedge urges the boy. "Let's chant. I've got a girl in Kalamazoo—"

"Let's not," Thalia snaps.

Ara nudges the girl's shoulder and nods in Jason's direction. "You took the news well, I thought you'd make the sky go boom..."

"Part of me always knew he was somewhere out there..." Thalia sighs. "Even if I convinced myself that I would never see him again, it felt as if I'd been looking all this time..."

Ara thinks she understands the feeling. In the back of her mind, she's constantly trying to figure out a way to get to Percy.

"I just wish, you know... that I had searched for him harder..."

"I mean, not even he knows where he's been this whole time," Ara shrugs. "I don't think he resents you."

"Which reminds me..." Thalia raises a brow. "You got all weird when we started talking about the Romans..."

Ara opens her mouth to reply, but then Thalia stops and Leo crashes against her. Thalia has to steady him but she's looking forward, and when Leo follows her eyes he yelps. "That... is a really large rock."

"Is that..." Ara squints. "A bridge?"

"We're not seriously crossing that," Leo looks at her in alarm.

"I'm not a big fan of heights, I'll admit," Thalia makes a face. "But if you want to get to Aeolus's fortress, this is the only way."

"Is the fortress always hanging there?" Piper asks. "How can people not notice it sitting on top of Pikes Peak?"

"The Mist," Ara and Thalia reply.

"Still, mortals do notice it indirectly," Thalia continues. "Some days, Pikes Peak looks purple. People say it's a trick of the light, but actually it's the color of Aeolus's palace, reflecting off the mountain face."

"It's enormous," Jason says in awe.

"You should see Olympus, little brother."

"You're serious? You've been there too?"

"Always uninvited," Ara muses.

"We should go across in two different groups," Thalia suggests. "The bridge is fragile."

"That's reassuring. Jason, can't you just fly us up there?" Leo asks.

Thalia laughs, but when she notices no one else is, she stops smiling. "Wait... Jason, you can fly?"

"Well, sort of. More like I can control the winds. But the winds up here are so strong, I'm not sure I'd want to try. Thalia, you mean... you can't fly?"

She grimaces. "Truthfully, I've never tried. Might be better if we stuck to the bridge."

"I love bridges," Ara says sarcastically. "Definitely never had a bridge break when I most needed it. Never."

Thalia gives her a look that clearly means. "You're not helping."

"Easy!" Hedge dives right in. "I'll go first. Piper, come on, girl. I'll give you a hand."

"No, that's okay—" 

The satyr doesn't let her finish the sentence before dragging her up the steps. Everyone stands there keeping an eye on the two until they're halfway up. 

"Phoebe, I'll be back soon. Go find the others. Tell them I'm on my way," Thalia orders. 

"You sure?" Phoebe glances at the boys like they're criminals. She's not so far away from the truth, but Ara doesn't think now's the time to mention it. 

"It's fine."

Phoebe looks at Ara and salutes her. "General. Hopefully, we'll see each other again."

Ara nods. "Look after yourself, Pheebs."

"Jason, Leo, just be careful where you step," Thalia warns the boys as they start moving. "It hardly ever breaks."

They move in silence until Leo blurts out a question. 

"Why do they have a bridge?"

Ara looks over at the boy. Behind him, Thalia holds onto the railing tightly. "Leo, this isn't a good place to stop. What do you mean?"

"They're wind spirits. Can't they fly?"

"Yes, but sometimes they need a way to connect to the world below."

"So the bridge isn't always here?"

"The wind spirits don't like to anchor to the earth, but sometimes it's necessary. Like now. They know you're coming."

"Leo?" Jason glances up at his hair in alarm. "What are you thinking?"

"Oh, gods," Thalia gasps. "Keep moving. Look at your feet."

Leo's head is on fire. His feet are melting the steps.

"Leo, stop it—You're going to melt it," Jason insists worryingly.

"I'll try," his voice comes out as if he's not processing what's happening. "Listen, Jason, what did Hera call you in that dream? She called you a bridge."

"Leo, seriously, cool down. I don't what you're talking about, but the bridge is—"

"Just listen," he interrupts the hunter. "If Jason is a bridge, what's he connecting? Maybe two different places that normally don't get along—like the air palace and the ground. You had to be somewhere before this, right? And Hera said you were an exchange."

"An exchange," Thalia's eyes go back to Ara, who's frozen on the spot. "Oh, gods."

"What are you two talking about?" Jason scowls, looking at his sister.

Thalia's eyes are fixed on her. "I understand now why Artemis sent me here. Jason—she told me to hunt for Lycaon and I would find a clue about Percy. You are the clue. Artemis wanted us to meet so I could hear your story."

"I don't understand! I don't have a story. I don't remember anything."

"But Leo's right," Thalia frowns. "It's all connected. If we just knew where—"

Leo snaps his fingers, the flames in his hair rise. "Jason, what did you call that place in your dream? That ruined house. The Wolf House?" 

Thalia gasps. "The Wolf House? Jason, why didn't you tell me that! That's where they're keeping Hera?" 

"You know where it is?"

"Stop!" Ara's looking at the pool that's forming around Leo's feet. "Thalia, don't encourage him!"

Leo's feet melt the surface and he falls, Jason seizes him by the coat and tosses him at Ara, she drags him up while Jason runs right behind them. Thalia doesn't follow them, Ara guesses she got paralyzed with fear, and of course, if she had to choose, she would choose the hunters.

"Go!" Thalia shouts. "Find out where the giant is keeping Piper's dad. Save him! I'll take the Hunters to the Wolf House and hold it until you can get there. We can do both!"

"But where is the Wolf House?" Jason yells back.

"You know where it is, little brother! I'll see you there. I promise..." Thalia runs back into the woods and vanishes out of sight.

Ara drags Leo up all the way, Jason has to pick them up and fly from time to time because the bridge is crumbling. Once they reach the top, Piper and Hedge pull them in. Ara and Leo stumble to the ground.

"What happened?" Piper frowns, helping them untangle from each other. "Leo, why are your clothes smoking?"

"I got a little heated," he mumbles. "Sorry, guys. Honest. I didn't—"

"It's all right," Jason's unable to hide his distress. "We've got less than twenty-four hours to rescue a goddess and Piper's dad. Let's go see the king of the winds." 

As they walk uphill, Ara keeps glancing at the blond boy. He looks a lot like Percy when he came back from Calypso's island. Lost, and overwhelmed. Ara holds out her hand to him. Jason hesitates, but he grabs it in the end. 

Ara gets a mix of emotions: Disappointment, yearning, loneliness...  she squeezes his hand, starting to absorb some of it to help him carry the burden. "You know..." she says quietly. "When I got claimed, all I wanted was to find my mortal parent. I figured that they had to be amazing if they'd caught Aphrodite's eye."

"And were they?"

"I don't know," she shrugs, dismissing the question. "The only thing I knew about him was that he'd named me. I thought he cared about me but he couldn't afford to keep me... then one day, I stumbled upon its meaning."

"Your name's meaning?" Jason asks. "What does Ara mean?"

"My name's Arae, not Ara," she looks ahead, it's the first time she doesn't cry while telling the story. "Means the same whether you spell it with the additional vowel or not, but Ara sounds better..."

"He called you Curse?" Jason is insulted on her behalf.

"He didn't want a kid," she explains calmly. "And I mean, I could change my name, I kinda did, but it's the one thing that's always belonged to me. Keeping it also comes with a prize, some people think I'm a bad omen—"

"You've been a blessing to us."

"I know I'm not all bad, Jason. I'm a child of Olympus because I deserve it, and I believe it because... no one else does." She faces him and holds his hand with both of hers. "Whatever Jason Grace means to you, whatever feels right, that's what you have to focus on. You're no bridge unless you want to be. "

Jason smiles and pats her shoulder, he feels a lot lighter now. "I'll try... as long as you promise me the same."

"Too bad, you can't demand things from your General," she replies jokingly.

Jason shrugs. "Wasn't a demand... more like, a request?"

The boy offers his pinky to her. Ara looks down at it, and thousands of flashbacks race through her mind: Percy, Michael, Lily, Beckendorf, Silena, Nico—

"Come on, cupcakes!" Ara gives a start at the sound of the satyr's voice. "Only a few thousand more steps!"

Both Leo and Piper are staring at them, but Jason and Ara play it cool and continue climbing. They don't go back to the subject, instead, Jason brings up a new awkward topic to discuss. 

"So what's up with you and Leo?"

Ara avoids his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"C'mon. Even a blind cyclops would see it."

"I met Polyphemus," she raises a brow. "Could not see the difference between a spouse and breakfast."

"What?" Jason stops. "You mean the Polyphemus?"

"I know what you're implying, though," Ara ignores his question. "I don't want it to happen, but it's happening. If I can stall, I will. You follow me?"

Jason cocks his head to the side like a confused puppy. "No?"

Ara rolls her eyes and stops again. "Most of my old friends are dead and my brother's missing," she explains bluntly. "I'm not in the mood for romance."

"But you're feeling things anyway," the boy replies like she's not making sense.

"And I'll do my best to ignore it until it dies out. Or I die, whatever comes first."

Next Chapter ->

Taglist.

@siriuslysirius1107 @ask-giggles1303 @ash-the-hoarder @im-planning-something-look @bandshirts-andbooks @coolninjapaper @thewaterlily @whenisthefall @1randomcomic @you-bloody-shank @sunflowergraves @owlalex44 @taylordaughter @typicalsolangelolover @writingmia @espressopatronum454 @slytherinnqueen

[positivelybeastly]

*rolls into your inbox with some tea and makes herself comfortable*

I need more context about this pretty please.

So, I kinda generally hate Brian Michael Bendis' tenure on the X-Men, but I still find these two pages funny mostly because they went out of their way to draw Hank looking the most Dr. Eggman they possibly could, and because Maria Hill in the comics is just as much of a fascist asshole as Ben Percy's Beast (seriously, look up Pleasant Hill), so the idea that her words mean fucking jack just makes me laugh.

It's also just funny because Hank hasn't . . . even . . . really . . . done, that much, here. Yes, he brought the Original X-Men out of the timestream for an afternoon while he was in the midst of a protracted cardiac arrest, but he fully intended on putting them back ASAP, and the only reason they weren't was because Brian Michael Bendis looked out at all the X-Men in 2013, and decided that aside from Kitty Pryde, he wasn't really interested in writing most of them.

Just like how people in Bendis' run act like Cyclops milquetoast revolution is going to upend the social order (he's just doing run of the mill X-Men shit, really), people in Bendis' run act like Beast was running around poking his big blue fingers in the holes of the universe and trying to yank them wide open, when that's, not, really, his Modus Operandi.

Seriously, if you go back and read what Hank was actually doing prior to Bendis, he mostly just kinda stays in his lane and tries to fix shit that other people broke (looks over at the Decimation). Did he have moral slips? Yeah, a few. But none that many people knew about, and none that would affect the universe on such a scale that Maria Hill should be having paroxysms about it.

These pages are also extra funny because that's not Dazzler, that's Mystique pretending to be Dazzler, and she's just having to sit there and listen to Hill lose her fucking mind over Beast, probably thinking, damn, why don't I have that kind of reputation?

That being said.

Hank can be very dangerous.

When a multiversal envoy of death recognises you on sight and says, oh yeah, you're important and you play the Great Game of Worlds almost every time, that says something.

Oops. It's almost like Hank's smarter than you, Cap. Scary smarter.

Oops. Get played, boys.

"Hey, Hank, can you cook me up a doomsday weapon?"

"I'll need a box of Twinkies and maybe a day?"

Oddly enough, he was actually a lot scarier before he went supervillain. Go figure.

[ingravinoveritas]

My initial thoughts of David from the football clips Georgia just posted and from his recent last leg appearance = Geeze that 51 year old man is still such a twink isn’t he.

Anon #1: He really, really is such a twink. I know there’s a specific definition of twink that some may argue David doesn’t meet (heh...almost typed “meat” by accident. Paging Dr. Freud...), but spiritually, he is every inch the twink in my opinion. 

I honestly cannot stop watching the video of him prancing around in front of the goal, though:

There are two things in particular about this that kill me: One, the way he’s holding his wrists. I have never seen someone play football while holding their wrists like they’re about to do Jazz Hands, but I know that’s just because David has no fucking clue what to do with his hands here, and it’s both dorky and ridiculously adorable.

The second thing is the hips. I am by no means an expert or even remotely knowledgeable about football/soccer, but from what I’ve seen, most people play with their legs--it’s the legs that are in front and leading the rest of their body. But our darling David seems to be playing with his hips instead, with the hips leading the rest of his body. And I can’t help but think this must be instinctive for him, going by his disco dancing as Crowley and especially this forever infamous comment from Michael:

And slinky they are, fully on display in the video Georgia posted as David prances about trying his very hardest to look athletic and not at all like an extra from an Olivia Newton-John music video (and failing spectacularly, though we love him for it).

The other part of today’s videos that nearly ended me was the bit where David was lying on all fours, for reasons I still don’t understand (but I don’t really care, because...David lying on all fours...)

So I have no doubt--at all, whatsoever--that Michael would be more than game to teach David how to play rugby. In fact, let’s say this is their first lesson and call this (along with whatever the fuck he is doing with his feet) David showing Michael his “technique” while Michael gets thoroughly turned on and tries not to laugh at the same time. Yes.

But as you said, David is indeed a twig, so Michael would certainly have to exercise caution with the tackling portion of rugby. Here would be his opportunity to stand with his legs on either side of David and wrap his arms around him from behind, then bend his knees and press his soft yet muscled torso into David, hips and thicc thighs flush against his, ever so gently thrusting forward and back as David grips the grass in his fingers--all in the name of teaching David how to properly tackle, of course.

Oh, yes. That would be quite a sight to behold. We’ve seen Michael play football on TSAM, so here’s hoping David makes another appearance on the show in which there is a skit that involves Michael teaching him to play rugby. Fingers crossed...

[skylarmoon71]

Micheal (Lucifer)- Extra 2

Another tough case has been cleared after another long week. Just like that, another criminal appears. You and Michael have been working more cases together and clearing them just as quickly. You’re sort of unofficial partners now.

Your most recent case is a bit stressful. With very little evidence, it’s been a bit hard to gather leads, but you don’t give up. You grab another image of the listed employees in the business to add to your board. When you turn, you accidentally run into Michael.

“Sorry.” He says as he grabs your shoulders to steady you. When he does, he just looks at you. Those eyes hold a strange fondness that you aren’t used to. Your cheeks color against your will, and Micheal wears a soft smile.

“Are you okay?” He whispers.

You nod.

“Y-Yeah I’m fine.” You pull away, moving back to the board.

Those little interactions have become common as of late. You would catch him just gazing off, or staring at you longer than usual. You mean to point it out, but you’re not fully sure what the reason is. He’s been sticking a bit close since the incident when you took that bullet.

“Maybe he thinks he owes me?”

That’s the only thing that makes sense.

“Micheal, did you get results from forensics?” He nods, picking the document off from the desk.

“Right here.” He hands you it and you expect him to pull away, but his fingers linger against your own. You're a bit flustered.

“T-Thank you.”

Was he trying to make you mad?

“I can’t work under these conditions!!”

He’s gonna drive you crazy and he’s barely doing anything.

It’s going to be a tough week.

~~~

For the most part everything goes by pretty easily. Barry strutted through your office, and you sent him a little smile as you got back to work.

“So your personal consultant has been gazing off into space a lot lately. “ Barry remarks.

“Maybe he’s thinking about something.” You respond distractedly.

“Or someone.”

Your cheeks flush.

“Just give me the results.” You grumble. Barry laughs.

“Take it from someone who has managed to escape the friendzone, just tell him how you feel. It’ll all work out.”

“Mhmm.”

Barry looks as though he’s about to tease you further, but Micheal walks in.

“Detective I was wondering if you would- Oh, Mr. Allen. I’m sorry I didn’t know you had company.”

“I was just leaving.”

Barry says cheekily. You send him a glare when he winks. Micheal catches the exchange, looking a bit confused.

“Did I interrupt something?”

“No, Barry’s just being a nuisance. Did you need something?” You stand, placing your complete pile of papers on the desk to turn in. You’re moving around the room as you wait for Micheal to speak. When he doesn’t say anything, you turn to inquire. But he’s standing right in front of you and you back track almost crashing into him.

“W-Woah Michael!”

“Sorry Detective.” He apologizes, taking a step back.

Your brows furrow, now you feel like you have to ask.

“Okay, explain yourself. You’ve been acting weirdly nice and you’re sticking to me like glue.”

With your arms folded, you sat at the front of your desk, crossing your ankles as you waited for him to explain himself.

Micheal was about to play it off, but your face looked done with his antics. He deflated, looking to the side.

“I was just trying to repay a debt.”

That’s what you figured.

“Listen, you don’t owe me anything. You’re one of us. I would take a bullet for anyone in this precinct. Even you.” It was one of the few times you smiled at him, and he took a step closer.

“I want to be closer to you and it has nothing to do with that debt. Maybe it was because you took a bullet for me. Maybe I just became sentimental. What I know is there are very few people that still look at me the way you did that day when you thought that I was in danger.” Your arms lowered slowly, and you placed them on the desk to ground yourself.

“I liked the feeling of being wanted. Being needed.”

You take a breath, looking at your feet. You knew you should have been honest about it all. Micheal was the last person you thought would be spilling his guts. But here he was, telling you every inner thought. You bit your lip, gripping the edge of the desk.

“I was scared because I thought I would lose you and you would never know how I felt about you.” Your words are soft, and he’s just looking at you, waiting for an explanation.

“I’ve..I’ve had a crush on you since the first month that you got here. You’re a sarcastic smartass but you’re brutally honest. I got the feeling that you ended up here as some kind of internal punishment. Then you told me you’re an angel and I still think you’re a bit crazy. But even if this is your penalty, you still show up and do the job. If you really didn’t care you could have given up a long time ago. It takes a strong person to admit when they’re wrong. “

He can barely believe it.

Micheal means to say something, anything, but you hear a steady gust of wind and the pair of wings that sprout from his back make you jump. The papers on your desk are slightly blown off.

“W-WHAT THE HECK!!”

Micheal looks back in shock.

“M-My wings…”

He seems to be in awe, but you’re freaking out.

“YOU HAVE FREAKING WINGS!!!”

You’re a bit panicked, and he means to fully explain, but you race to the door, locking it. You shove him away from any windows.

“W-What are you doing! Put those things away!!” I can’t believe you were telling the truth, you're a freaking angel! Damn it, am I being judged!! Is this a test!!”

Micheal fights back his smile. His wings slip back with a roll of his shoulders and he can see you visibly calm down.

“They disappeared…” You circle him, checking his back.

“Oh my gosh does that hurt? Where did they go?”

He’ll have plenty of time to explain the intricacies of his wings. He turns slowly, taking your hands, and you finally seem to settle just a little.

“ I can’t believe a human of all things turned out to be the answer.” He’s just smiling at you.

You shift.

“Thank you (Y/N).”

That’s possibly the first time he’s called you by your first name.

His hand moves to your cheek, and you can feel yourself relax into the touch. Your heart is moving way too quickly. Micheal smiles.

“Would you arrest me if I were to steal a kiss Detective.”

You actually blush, and Micheal leans in, leaving a gentle kiss on your lips. He never imagined something as simple as a touch would feel so..

“Incredible..”

It’s all his mind can process.

He pulls you closer, and your hands instinctively wrap around him, laying gently on his back. You’re gripping at his suit, and his brows knit in pleasure. His lips part just a little, and your tongue slips in. He moans and your hold tightens on the material of his clothing. His mind is trying to process everything his body is feeling at that moment. It’s like a shockwave. Micheal only pulls away when he feels the strain in his groin. He gasps, and you look a bit stunned.

“S-Sorry I-I..W-was that too much?”

You look embarrassed, and he shakes his head.

“Y-You did nothing wrong. I just..I need a moment..”

“Shit.”

He couldn’t believe it.

All he’d done was kiss you and he was actually hard.

“Curse this human body.”

This has never happened before.

He kept his distance, and now you were really concerned.

“What’s wrong then?” You were utterly confused. When he moved behind your desk and took a seat, your curiosity just increased.

“C-Could you maybe just lend me your office for a few minutes. “

“W-What? Micheal just tell me whats-”

You finally looked down and the visible tent in his pants had you blushing. Micheal groaned, grabbing a file to cover up. He was mortified. How could something as simple as a kiss get him so aroused? He was a celestial for goodness sake.

“Y-You can have the room I-I’l just go and y-yeah!” You were hightailing it for the door, and you scrambled when you realized it was locked. You had locked it.

“Stupid lock!”

When you finally got it open you bolted out. Micheal just dropped his head on the desk.

Surely this was some kind of divine punishment.

How fitting.

[anyathefandom]

To Those Fortunate Enough chapter 38:

@burned-lariat

**Note** listen if you see me being extra thirsty about Wallace in this chapter mind your business!!!!😂

"Mr. Corinthos, you have a visitor."

Sonny blinked at the nurse as she stepped back, Wallace walking into her spot. A wicked smirk was on his face, and if Sonny could, he'd put a bullet between the man's eyebrows.

Me: This man hasn't even said anything yet and I'm already laughing. I just know he's about to be trouble.😂

"Sonny," Wallace greeted.

"I know what you did."

"I've done a lot of things. I murdered a bloodthirsty psychopath, I reunited my family-"

"You set my warehouse, my coffee stock, my livelihood, on fire."

"Oh yeah, I did that too," Wallace stepped closer, pulling up a stool, "not to mention what happened afterward. I hope Michael's doing well."

Me:

"You are one sick bastard."

"Everyone loves calling me that."

"There's a reason why."

"I know; I embrace it. I'm a criminal, I'm a scumbag, I'm not fit to walk the Earth, I've heard it all before. Doesn't bother me."

Me: And that's why I love him. He's so unapologetic about who he is.🤌

"You know," Sonny cleared his throat, "you've got a lot of nerve showing up to my room like this."

"So? What are you going to do, shoot me? You're going to have a goon shoot me? I'm pretty sure your head guy is out of commission thanks to me, of course."

Me: You know what Wallace must of had a glass of:

"Do you enjoy being a smug son of a bitch?"

"I do. In fact, when it comes to filth like you, I relish in it. It's always fun to knock grandstanding jackasses down a few pegs."

Me: He's such an ass....and I love it

"That doesn't make you better than me."

"Who said I'm better than you?" Wallace scoffed, "Sonny, we're mobsters. Morality and good nature isn't our thing."

"There can be some nobility in it."

"What?" Wallace's laugh was airy, "Nobility, morality, in a criminal job? Where is this coming from?"

Me: Oh Wallace you didn't know??? Sonny is the mobster with a heart of gold.💛🥴

"You don't know me, Heller. I've been through things that deeply, deeply change a man."

"So have I."

"How? You came from nothing; you have no past. All that you have to your name is a battered, broken child and a flimsy criminal enterprise. No support, no affection, no angel on your shoulder."

Me: Sonny. Sonny Michael corinthos. Sir you used to be a battered child as well my guy, so you would think you wouldn't throw that in his face.😬

"And what do you have?" Wallace tapped his chin, "Oh, right. You have no cover, a collapsing enterprise, and a divided family. Lest we forget how Michael was dumb enough to allow my son and I to infiltrate your business."

"And you have an amazing relationship with your son?"

Wallace bit the inside of his lip. Sonny raised his eyebrows in response.

"Oh," he grinned, "I see."

Me: Sonny y'all are in the same boat now with your sons so you can't be petty about that.😂

Sonny's glare intensified, "Well, you must be proud of how screwed up your son is. Gleefully working for the mob and getting swept up in Victor…I mean, his grandfather's schemes. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Me: Sonny your son's dick has probably killed more people than Dex has.🤷

"Dex is nothing like that man. Nothing."

"His mother is a Cassadine. He's as every bit demented as they are."

"You know nothing."

"And considering who his mother is related, I'm willing to bet she's just as bad."

"Shut your trap, you worthless swine," Wallace got in Sonny's face, "or so help me God, I will tear apart more than just your hamstring."

Sonny blinked in response, his mouth closed. Wallace pulled back, running a hand through his hair as he tried to compose himself.

Me: Oh we love to see sonny realizing that Wallace is willing to beat his ass over his family. Like Wallace Heller the man you are.😌

Sonny sent the man a death glare, "...You have no idea what you've done."

"No, I'm perfectly aware," Wallace got to his feet, "I torched all your coffee beans, trapped you, your goon, and your dumb son in the inferno, and shot to injure."

"My family's lives are at stake and it's all your fault!"

"And?" Wallace shrugged, "All's fair in a mob war. It's all about power and growth, and how do you take that for yourself? You steal it from someone else."

"My territory is not for you to take."

"Too late," Wallace started walking towards the door, "You're losing more ground as we speak, and you have Michael to thank for it. Congrats to him, I suppose. He got what he wanted in your downfall…even if it means he and the rest of your family suffers in the end."

"This isn't the end of me," Sonny snapped, "Once I'm healed, my wrath will come back at you tenfold."

"And whenever that day comes, I'll be ready," Wallace stood in the doorway, turning back one last time, "Watch your back, Corinthos. Things are just getting started between us."

Me:

The rage in his veins was hot.

"What are you doing here?" Michael snapped, glaring at the man in the doorway. Dex stuffed his hands in his front pockets before walking inside.

"I saw you in the window," he replied, "thought I'd pay you a visit."

The Mex shipper in me:

"I can't believe you'd do this to me."

Dex raised an eyebrow at the man. There was a strong frown on Michael's face, disappointment in his features.

"I trusted you," the man said, "You came to me as someone willing to take down a threat to innocent lives, someone who was eager to right a wrong."

"How else were you going to let me in? All you cared about was taking your dad down. Him being a mobster was the selling point."

"I can't believe you. You didn't care about justice o-or doing something good, you cared about making your dad happy

Me: And you cared about making your dad miserable like be fucking fr Michael.🥴

I did what he asked of me because I was working for him. It's what you do when you have a job."

"Get out," Michael pointed at the door, "You're done here."

"Oh, come on, Michael," Dex shook his head, stepping closer to the bed, "I know you well enough to know that you don't want me to go."

The Mex shipper in me:

Oh, come on, Michael," Dex shook his head, stepping closer to the bed, "I know you well enough to know that you don't want me to go."

"I do-"

"C'mon," Dex took a seat on a nearby stool, "tell me how you're really feeling. Don't hold back."

"You betrayed me," Michael began, venom in his tone, "I brought you in, I gave you an incredibly important task, I put my faith in you. You made me believe you could take my dad down-"

"Which I did."

"Yeah, you did, at the expense of my whole family. All my siblings and cousins, everyone tied to Sonny, is now open season for his enemies."

Me: So what did Michael think was going to happen when they lock sonny up?😂

"I'm sorry-"

"Shut up. You're not sorry."

"I'm sorry your family is going to suffer because of your actions."

Me:

The moments where I screamed:

"Do you hear yourself?" Dex raised both eyebrows, shooting Michael a look, "Truly, Michael. Are you listening to the words coming out of your mouth?"

"And how correct they are? Yeah, I am."

"No, not even close. Not even close! Michael, I didn't just randomly come around asking for a job. You openly searched for someone to do your dirty work and happened to choose me. You're the one who orchestrated all of this; it's not my fault you couldn't look past your own hubris and pettiness."

"Oh, come on, Michael," Dex rolled his eyes, "How hard are you going to push this? Take some responsibility here."

"Why? You're not."

"I did what you told me to do. You're the ringleader here; whatever happens to your family is because you wanted their one safety net to burn."

"That's not it-"

"That's exactly it. You're going to be the one with blood on your hands here. You couldn't accept that your parents split up, you cared more about your hurt feelings than the welfare of your family, this is all on you."

"No," Michael shook his head, "it's not-"

"It absolutely is," Dex's voice was cold and stern, "You were so caught up in this…revenge fantasy against your dad that it blinded you to everything else. You didn't think once about your family, you just thought about you. And now that your scheme has fallen apart, you need someone to blame because you don't want to admit this is all your fault."

"Sonny deserves to lose everything!"

"And so do you!".

I hate you," Michael growled, "All this trust and faith I had in you and you just…stomped on it. You're just as scummy and foul as your criminal father."

Dex got to his feet, his eyes sharp with a glare. Michael gulped at the sight.

"And you're as scummy and foul as yours," he said, "At least I can live with that comparison."

"Get. Out."

"Gladly."

Dex turned away, walking towards the door. Michael's nostrils flared for a moment before he felt himself slightly relax.

"Dex," he called out, "Wait."

"What?" he turned around.

Michael's voice was deep and clear: "You ruined my life."

Dex pursed his lips, shrugging, "You ruined your own life. Have fun sleeping at night."

Michael opened his mouth to respond, but Dex turned the corner before he got a chance. The man laid back in his bed, considering his next move. On impulse, he grabbed a nearby plastic cup and chucked it at the window. He did the same with a larger plastic tub, breaking down into tears. His emotions were scattered, a mix of anger and heartbreak and agony sitting on him. Part of him wanted to chase after Dex and escalate things, part of him wanted to scream, but in the moment, most of him felt dread of what was to come, a fear of the unknown that was expanding until it swallowed him whole.

Me: This whole scene legit read like a messy break up. The way they have way more angst (and passion if we're going to be real and messy 😂) than Jex has is astounding.

Sidenote: This has to be my 2nd favorite chapter. I was LIVING!!!!