#we do need to talk more about colton

[senditcolton]

don’t mind me dropping by in at four am (as i struggle to get back to bed) but i don’t feel like we discuss the variety that comes with being with a man like colton parayko enough. the guy is all big and muscular and can most definitely melt you into submission but rather than through roughness, it’s through his gentle touch and patience. by making you feel safe enough to just sink into that state where he can do whatever he wants to you — which is not to say he doesn’t enjoy using his size to his advantage. because after all, words out of his own mouth, he can do whatever he wants and you don’t stand a chance in stopping him when he’s a little impatient or the excitement is running high so you might as well just buckle up and prepare for the pleasure train you’re getting onto. not going to lie would much appreciate having him either way . — ☁️

y'all are after my own heart this sleepover/smut saturday! marty, casey, matty, tyson, and now COLTON PARAYKO!! MY BIGGEST BOY! love, love, love!! 💕❤💕

and you are so right, we do not talk about colton enough here. this MAN. 1000% correct, he would make you just sink into that sub-space with ease. and that is one of the best parts about being with him because he knows that you need/enjoy it as much as he does. like, the way he would make you feel so comforted, so relaxed, but at the same time be taking you apart in every delicious way. my god!!

i've also said it before, he gives me the vibes of "getting you off gets him off" like he enjoys giving you pleasure.

[juliussilver25]

The Sports Agent

Azizsa was a down-on-his-luck sports agent. Once considered a rising star, his career had hit rock bottom after a series of scandals involving his clients. Unable to find anyone willing to hire him, Azizsa was forced to take a job selling concessions at a rodeo.

One day, Colton a rising star in the racing world known for his incredible speed and fearless driving and the brother to two of the rodeo’s rising stars Clayton and Carson, stops for some snacks.

Inexplicitly Azizsa is drawn to Colton. He admires his strength, determination and his slick silver racing gear. There is something alluring about the silver gear that he can’t take his eyes off of. Sensing that Colton’s popularity seems to have plateaued, Azizsa takes a risk. He leans over the counter, his eyes filled with earnest determination.

"Colton, I've been in the sports industry for years, and I've seen talent like yours only a handful of times," he begins. "You have what it takes to be the best, but you need someone who believes in you as much as you believe in yourself. That's where I come in."

He pauses, letting his words sink in. "My job isn’t just to sign contracts and shake hands. It's to be your fiercest advocate, to open doors you didn’t even know existed. I'll work day and night to ensure you receive the opportunities you deserve."

Colton raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his boldness. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

Azizsa comes out from behind the concession stand and the two begin walking.

Azizsa steps closer, his eyes locked on Colton’s silver gear. "I see you as more than just a racer. I see a brand, a legend in the making. Together, we can secure sponsorships, media deals, and endorsements that will not only elevate your career but redefine it. I’m talking prime-time spots, cutting-edge equipment, and the freedom to race on your terms."

Colton feeling a spark of excitement: "Go on."

"I believe in you, Colton. Let me handle the business side of things so you can focus on what you do best — racing. Give me a chance, and I promise you won’t regret it. We can turn your passion into an empire."

Colton looked at Azizsa, seeing the fire in his eyes. His pitch wasn’t just about business; it was about belief and vision. He nodded slowly, a smile creeping onto his face. "Azizsa, I hear you. However, I have a proposition for you.”

“I see your potential," Colton began, his voice smooth and confident with a smirk on his face. "I know you've had a tough run, but I've got a better offer that will change everything for you."

Azizsa feeling a rejection coming or a trick: "Yeah, what's that and what’s the catch?"

Colton holds up a pristine silver jersey, the fabric shimmering under the lights. "Join the Silver Collective. Put on this jersey, and you’ll gain the skills and connections to become the best sports agent in the world."

Azizsa stares at the jersey, almost seeming to glow with promise. He feels the silver reaching out and his whole body wants to take it but his mind resists: "What’s the Silver Collective?"

"It's a brotherhood, a team, where united by silver we harness and amplify each other's strengths and the strength of silver. You help me, I help you, and together with the power of the silver we redefine what it means to be successful."

Azizsa, driven by a mix of desperation and the fiery excitement the jersey is arousing in him takes it. The silky football jersey glistening in his hands sends tingles throughout his body. He slides the fabric over his shoulders, and it effortlessly conforms to his body, feeling like a second skin. The cool, smooth texture sends a shiver down his spine, igniting a mix of anticipation and exhilaration.

As the jersey settles into place, it hugs his muscles which grow to fit snugly in the jersey, giving him a sense of power and readiness. The light catches the material, reflecting the silver color, and he feels a surge of pride. This isn’t just any piece of clothing—it's a symbol of belonging, of being part of something greater. Part of the Silver Collective.

Each breath he takes fills him with confidence and determination. The jersey, light yet strong, amplifies his senses, making him acutely aware of the silver field, the silver purpose, and the challenges ahead. His mind sharpens, filling with strategies and visions of success. The path ahead is clear and attainable. He feels ready, like a warrior donning silver armor, prepared to take on whatever comes his way to grow the silver team.

Colton grins, clapping Azizsa on the back. "Welcome to the team. Let’s make history."

A few days later Azizsa is flown to a team meeting to meet the members of the Silver Collective Football team.

At the meeting Azizsa learns something astonishing: most of the players on his team are not only football players but also excel in other sports—baseball, swimming, wrestling etc.

Realizing the opportunity, the silver team's management tasked Azizsa with a new challenge. Represent these multi-talented athletes in their various sports as well as in football. It is an overwhelming yet exciting prospect.

Azizsa sets about meeting with the players and learning their backgrounds.

Azizsa immerses himself in each sport, understanding the unique demands and opportunities. He works closely with each player, helping them navigate their dual careers. Whether negotiating contracts with baseball leagues, securing sponsorships for gymnastic events, or arranging appearances at tournaments, Azizsa has his hands full and is constantly on the move.

While he juggles these responsibilities, Azizsa's skills and confidence grow under the guidance of the silver collective.

Wanna feel the greatness? Join us! Reach out to us Cap @morphmastersilver, or Co-cap/Manager @kaho-kachun-silver

[randomfoggytiger]

"Mr. Mulder, I Know Something About You"

(Dedicated to @baronessblixen for her fascinating idea: Bill Scully giving Tom Colton and Ethan Minette binders bulging with dirt on one Fox Mulder. This took a slightly different path, though.)

*****

The first time Bill heard the name Fox Mulder was the day after his sister and her partner were sucked almost dry and hospitalized in Washington State for nearly two weeks. One fuzzy, panicked call from Tara and one fuzzier, harried call from his mom sketched in the slim details: Dana was on the mend, she’d been investigating a missing loggers’ case with her partner--

“What 'partner'? She’s in the field?” 

She had been, for months. He’d forgotten to ask at their father’s funeral, convinced that her height and lack of experience had kept her teaching at Quantico. 

“Dana's mentioned him once before, I think. You know how tight-lipped she is about her life.”  

“Mom, do I need to come home? Is she….”

“No, Bill-- but I’ll call you if she takes a turn for the worse.” 

So, Bill stayed on board; and Dana got better, and Tara celebrated over the phone, and Maggie remembered the name: Fox Mulder. 

*****

The second time Bill heard the name Fox Mulder were the days following his sister’s abduction. 

His mother talked of little else-- with Dana’s captor dead, any possible leads had died with him. There was nothing now but faith and hope.  

“But I believe Fox will call as soon as he finds her.” 

Fox. His sister, Tara had told him, still called him Mulder. Then again, Tara’s attention was currently wrapped up in calendars and planners and endless negatives. For that matter, his was, too; and what little time he had to think of family he thought of her, alone, counting the rising costs of their countless tries, alone, while he worked as often as he could to forget to cover those costs and forget his own loneliness. And his sister, somewhere, alone; and his mother back in Maryland, alone.

Dana and her former partner’s professional relationship wasn’t a top priority, or even a distant concern.  

**** 

The third time Bill heard the name Fox Mulder was after promising his eldest sister that Tara would try her fertility herbs. His wife was curled up on one side, quiet, and Melissa stuck her toes in his other side, slyly smiling.

“Now that that’s out of the way,” she concluded, setting aside the herb pouch and pinning him with her eyes, “why haven’t you given Dana a call? She hasn’t said it, but she’s been expecting one.” 

“Don’t start, Missy.” He’d have disengaged, too, but Tara’s head was pressing into his shoulder, a sure sign she was falling asleep. And sleep was precious these days, what with the hormone shots and regular appointments and never-ending stress. He’d promised to shoulder her stresses for nine more weeks; and whether this was a test or not, Bill Scully had and would never back down from his word. 

Melissa, opportunistic woman that she was, had banked on it, waiting for her sister-in-law’s “dozing” tea to kick in before launching the subject. “Billy, you know you want to talk to her. What’s the problem? I mean, she almost… we almost lost her. Why can’t you let whatever you’re holding onto--” 

“Miss--” he stopped, his voice startling them temporarily.

“You owe it to her, Bill. You two haven’t talked in months; and you both say it’s because of your work but really it’s because of your pride. You’re both so like Dad; but at least Dad was blind to what it did to us."

“And what about Dana? She's back on her feet and running right back to her autopsies and late nights. You can’t point a finger at me without three pointing right back at her. At least I try to be there for my family.” 

“You weren’t there when she was gone.” 

He swallowed, stung and angry. “And who was, Melissa? You?”

Her toes gripped his hip, guilty. “Fox.” 

*****

The fourth time Bill heard Fox Mulder’s name was during his sister’s not-so-secret battle with cancer. His mother called often to vent and cry, unable to share her worries and pain with her only living daughter and unwilling to burden Tara with more stress.  

Fox had become a footnote of late, so consumed was he and Dana in their work. 

“Mom, how can you let Dana run herself down like that? She should be resting or looking into treatments-- anything rather than chasing after rag magazine cases half across the country!” 

“Bill, you know perfectly well not everyone can run to sea to escape their problems. Not even you.” 

*****

The fifth time Bill heard Fox Mulder’s name was after he’d met the man, watched him fill Dana’s head with insane theories about chips and government conspiracies, and backed off, awed, when Dana’s cancer miraculously went into remission. 

He was roaming the halls, searching for coffee to wash down the remainder of his rage at Fox Mulder’s red eyes and dazed expression when he noticed another government type walk stiffly towards the nurse’s desk, brusquely flash a badge, straighten his stiff spine and stiffer tie, and promptly demand to see “Fox Mulder.” 

“I know where he is,” Bill cut in, saving the nurse the hassle but still getting a glare for his trouble. “Bill Scully. How can I help you?”

“Yes-- I was sent to bring him back for questioning; and we’re expected in,” he looked significantly at his watch, “forty minutes. If you would take me to him--”

“Take Mulder where?” Bill snapped around to see Walter Skinner, A.D., striding over, eyebrows drawn and face grim.  

“Yes, Sir. Agent Mulder is being called in for--”

“The committee’s been disbanded until further notice, Agent Colton; and until I have those further orders, my agents are not to be bothered or contacted while they are in this hospital. Is that understood?” 

Bill watched the other man’s jaw lock, grind, and shift as it worked its stubborn way around, “Understood, Sir.” Then Agent Colton turned tail and fled, heels thudding down the tile on their thunderous path to the elevator. 

A.D. Skinner wasn’t done yet. “My apologies, Mr. Scully. That agent was out of line; and I'll see to it that your family isn't bothered again.” 

It was best to nod and let the A.D. think he was frustrated with the intrusion.

Mulder could have been mid-conversation or on his way out by now. Instead, he would still be on that bench long after the family had left for the night. 

He seemed the type. 

*****

The sixth time Bill heard Fox Mulder’s name was over another phone call, mere months before the birth of his child. 

“Bill Scully? You might not remember me, but my name’s Ethan, Ethan Minette, and Dana and I used to date back when, well rather, right after she was recruited by the FBI. She ever mention me? Yes? No? Anyway, not important. Calling about information you might possibly have on, lemme check… Fox? Mulder, yep, Fox Mulder. Dana’s partner? There was a case she was involved in recently, really gruesome, real Frankenstein abomination stuff; and Colton, Tom Colton? You know him? Dana’s friend? Anyway, we keep in touch, we’re related somewhat, you know? And he named you as a hot tip and I was wondering if you…. Yeah, yeah, I can wait.” 

He and Tara fought afterward: Tara, as big as a house, was ready to cave the roof in.

“Dana’s coming for the holidays, Bill! And you two will spend the week in stony silence avoiding each other and, and Maggie and I will have to try to keep the peace instead of celebrating our first Christmas as a growing family, and-- and how could you do that, Bill? After all Fox Mulder did for our family?” 

Bill was lacking even to his ears; and, after cooler heads prevailed, he dialed Ethan back up and insisted his name be kept out of the article. Ethan talked doubly fast, banging a pen up and down every other word for emphasis as he cajoled and steamed about losing necessary credibility; but, inevitably, gave in. 

“I’ll only do this because you’re Dana’s brother and she was a real sweetheart. But if I need to call you in future…?” 

“I don’t have any more information.”

Dana skipped most of Christmas, anyway. 

*****

The seventh time Bill heard Fox Mulder’s name was when he flew in for Emily Sim’s hearing. 

“I need him as a witness if I’m to have any chance getting custody of Emily,” Dana had stated carefully, meticulously avoiding eye contact as much as possible. Bill still caught her bewilderment and fear… and joy. 

“When’ll he get here?” 

“Tonight, tomorrow… he didn’t say when, just that he’d be here.” He caught her smile, too. 

“Dana…” Her head snapped up, and he paused. “We’ll be there.” 

“Bill, you don’t have to--”

“We’ll be there, Dana.” 

And they were. 

And so was Fox Mulder. 

Bill left with Tara, tired and emotional, and Maggie, displaced and confused, after exchanging silent, cursory greetings with his sister’s partner. While he slowly walked away, both women in tow, he heard a curt “Dana Scully and Fox Mulder” echo behind him. 

And, in spite of everything, he sent up a prayer for both.

*****

Thanks for reading~

Enjoy!

Tagging @today-in-fic

[lovelytsunoda]

mess is mine // colton herta (instagram au)

summary: colton and his girlfriend have always kept their relationship lowkey. but when they both seem to disappear from the internet, fans begin to worry.

warnings: mentions of severe anxiety!

pairing: colton herta x female reader

listen to ‘mess is mine’ by vance joy for best experience!

liked by kyle_kirkwood, josefnewgarden and 380,457 others

coltonherta all the love songs in the world can’t hold a candle to the way that I love you ❤️

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yourusername 🥹🥹🥹

yourusername I love you. Thank you for sticking with me ❤️

user5839 can someone catch me up? who is y/n? who is this beautiful woman who only has 170 followers?

-> user291 she’s coltons girlfriend! they’ve been together for two years, and she likes to keep her life private from the fans. she’s been on some of his livestreams before and sometimes shares small parts of her life with us! she’s studying copyright law and plans to work in the publishing industry.

davidmalukas I thought you did write a song about her?

-> coltonherta not one I’m letting the rest of the world hear. that’s song is for y/n’s ears only 😊

coltonherta added to his story!

coltonherta added to his story!

indycargirlfriends

indycargirlfriends y/n y/l/n seen entering the indianopolis motor speedway this morning ahead of this weekend grand prix on the ims road course. the girlfriend of andretti driver colton herta has been noticeably absent this month during the open test for the upcoming Indy 500 race, and her strange behaviour over the past few race weekends has been the subject of much debate.

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magicmalukas she looks pale…like a lot paler than normal…and has she lost weight?

andretitty have you ever seen y/n wear sweatpants? every time she’s been at the track she’s either been in jeans or a sundress

user3619 as someone who’s in indianopolis rn I can confirm that she doesn’t look very good. coltons been fussing over her all morning, and he’s only left her side when he was contractually obligated. it’s almost like he’s scared to leave her alone

coltonherta

liked by davidmalukas, 12willpower and 20,561 others

coltonherta Everybody talks about the magic of love and how wonderful being in a relationship and finding your person is. But they don’t talk about is how unglamorous showing up for your partner can be, how sometimes, you want to tear your heart out of your chest when you see the pain that your loved one is in.

Y/N has struggled with severe anxiety and panic attacks since long before I knew her. Over the past few months, her condition had taken a nosedive for the worse. She found it increasingly difficult to get out of bed, and her intrusive thoughts made her scared to be left alone. When I came out to Indiana for the 500, many of you noticed that she wasn’t with me. She flew back home to the town where she grew up and spent time with her parents, time she was trying to use for recovery. Even though I told her that she didn’t need to come out for the two races in Indianapolis, she has always supported my career as I have supported hers.

The 500 weekend was the final straw for her. She felt on edge and overwhelmed, and struggled to enjoy a race weekend the way that she normally did. That night, I sat down with my dad and told him that I couldn’t do this any more. That I could not keep putting her through this. That I would not compete in another indycar race until I knew that she was okay.

We’ve spent the past three weeks in Maine, where we’ve focussed on reconnecting with each other. I am very pleased to announce that Y/N is faring much better. While she may never be fully ‘recovered’, I can now see the smart, funny, lovely girl that I fell in love with. Assuming things stay in this positive, upwards trajectory, we will both see you in Mid-Ohio

Peace out,

Colton and Y/N.

comments on this post have been limited.

kyle_kirkwood Send y/n my love. Rooting for you both.

12willpower This is what real love is like. I know better than most what you’re going through, and I know that Y/N couldn’t be in better hands. Keep your head up, and I’ll see you in Ohio.

yourusername Forever thankful to have you by my side 🫶🏻

andrettiautosport ❤️❤️

coltonherta added to his story

TAGS

@clemswrld @thatsdemko @love4lando @libraryofloveletters @lorarri @diorleclerc @oconso @scuderiamh @sidcrosbyspuck @silversainz @silverstonesainz @scuderiasundays @magnummagnussen @somanyflippingbooks

[cutemothman]

maybe you won't have to be mrs. spooky anymore

Squeeze is such an important episode for Scully. (And it's just a great episode in general! a truly classic motw) We've been talking a lot lately about Scully's autonomy and her decisions that led her down the path that she follows and I feel like Squeeze is a showcase of exactly that. Of how her decisions affect the narrative.

We start the episode with her listening to a colleague insult Mulder, completely unprovoked. They weren't even talking about Mulder. Colton asks her "How are you doing? Have you had any close encounters of the third kind?" He doesn't care how she's doing. He just wanted an excuse to bring up Mulder so that he could talk shit about him and then turn around to indirectly ask Scully to bring Mulder in to help on the case.

Scully wastes no time defending Mulder. I think it is very telling of someone's character when they stand up for people who aren't around to defend themselves. Scully certainly knows how it feels to be looked down on, especially as a woman in a male dominated field. Even though Colton asks for her help, it's obvious that he doesn't respect her the way that Mulder does. He even goes as far as to ask Scully to choose sides, to which she responds that she's on the victims side.

Ooooooh. That moment right there. It is a perfect example of why Scully chose to follow Mulder. They want the same thing. They want to catch bad guys. They want to help people. They want to find out the truth. She isn't throwing her life away, even though that's what her colleagues may see. She's choosing the path that she believes is right. This is the Dana Scully who chooses the side of the victim and stands up for her partner.

Another great moment is when Mulder says "you may not always agree with me but at least you respect the journey" This!!!! This boils down their relationship so perfectly. In the beginning, Scully disagrees with Mulder. A lot. But she's here for the exact same reason that he is. To find the truth. It reminds me of in season 6(?) when Mulder is defending Scully to Diana by saying the she makes him work for it. Yes yes yes. There's a great song by Tacocat called Dana Katherine Scully with the line "she wants to know what's out there, but she needs to know why". Scully doesn't take things at face value, but she doesn't belittle Mulder for what he believes. It's her scientific brain needing proof, and honestly, I think that's admirable. She wants to find proof not only for herself, but for the rest of the world. And for Mulder.

Mulder then tells Scully that if she wants to keep working with Colton, he won't hold it against her. He's not used to people sticking around. Scully was sent to spy on him. Of course he doesn't expect her to be in for the long haul. Her response is to follow him and say that she knows he has more evidence to back up his theory. She wants to find the truth! She's open to these possibilities even if they are kind of out there! She's following her orders to investigate(debunk) Mulder's claims of the paranormal with scientific evidence, and you bet your ass she's going to do it right! Scully and Mulder are on this journey for the same reason and by god she's gonna follow it to the end. She chooses to. It's her decision and no one else's. Maybe being Mrs. Spooky isn't such a bad thing.

[deathsbestgirl]

I’ve read a few fics where someone either in the fbi or local/state law enforcement tries to recruit scully to their team. I like the idea (though I’d never want her to actually leave, ofc), and I think it’s realistic that it would happen - if you agree, how seriously do you think she entertains such offers, at various points in the show?

oh i love this question!! i think there are three times scully considered to his. the first time being squeeze, and colton helped make sure scully would dedicate herself to the victims & mulder. and mulder is really the one who solidified it because he's so considerate. he cares about people so much and what he does really is what she wants to do. she wants to make a difference.

the second time would be around never again, right before her cancer. like i think about paper hearts, and even el mundo gira. she couldn't really help mulder, she let skinner down. they didn't find the immigrants spreading the ... mold? they were "invisible." and obviously never again, where she was contemplating her work & her life & her choices. right after na, she needs the x files. and she needs mulder, he gives her strength and she would have had a much harder time without him. and even though he wasn't ready to say what she means to him, he needs her too and i do think she's aware how he values her. he's a very show over tell kind of person, and they both have a habit of talking around important things lol

the third time...would be the end of s5, the end & ftf era where she was really doubting herself and her importance to the x files & mulder. and more than that, how she's a deterrent to him. i think she became very aware in gethsemane & reduxes how they use her against him (and all the other times she was victimized). her abduction, her cancer. and then emily happened. the red and the black? she was believing and he wasn't. she willingly did a regression which she ran from when melissa asked her to do it...regarding her abduction. scully almost died again. and while that may not have been as targeted against her & mulder, it's all connected. diana just exacerbated the problem and made her question their partnership more. but he said what she needed to hear and she was roped back in.

more than anything, i don't think scully could abandon him and leave him alone. and the x files really are hers too, whether her name is on the door or not. she has just as much blood in this as mulder does. she wants answers too. scully will always be reeled back in. we see a hint of it in iwtb and plenty in the revival. mulder & william are who she fights for. and as mulder fights for everyone else, she'll be there with him every step of the way.

[supernaturalkickparty]

Happy birthday week, day 3, bestie 💜

Here's a StellaCordi coda i started in July but haven't finished...

The setup:

​​Geri soft breaks up with Cordell in 2x20, telling him it was too soon. Telling him they should ​focus on Stella Blue because she’s about to graduate. He looks at Stella for a long time, heart ​aching; wanting. They all move back into the ranch, and he and Stella have their talk over the ​game. Stella’s “or pick up where we left off” shows that she’s not sure if she’s ready to go off to ​Sauber, and Cordell reassures her she can go. They hug, but Stella still isn’t sure she’s ready to ​leave. She feels like she just got her dad back—Twyla is gone and Geri let him loose, too, and ​Stella’s finally an adult who can make her own choices. He doesn’t need to be worrying that he’s ​taking advantage of a child (he still is but it’s stella lol).

They’re hugging in the middle of the ​ranch house, where everyone is helping unpack, but as Stella tucks her head under Cordell’s ​she wishes they were alone. She puts her hands over his arms as he holds her, hoping he’ll feel ​her need through her fingertips. She can feel his intake of breath—soft; startled; hopeful—and ​he squeezes her and kisses her head, letting her go. He clears his throat, and Stella blushes at ​how obvious it sounds. There’s no one in the living room, but most of the family is in the house ​around any corner.

​“Uh…I just remembered something I need to grab—uhh, from the boxes they took up to the ​farmhouse. Something I wanted to give you before your party.”

​“Oh, I’ll come help you look,” Stella says, equally not subtle but too distracted by the sudden ​heat in her body to care.

​Cordell takes her hand, and she follows him to his truck and they get in. They barely get out of ​sight of the ranch before Cordell grabs her hand again, and when she looks at him she can see ​his uncertainty. She moves their hands to her lap, at the top of her thigh, her heart races.

​Cordell squeezes her hand once and then loosens his grasp, and she feels his fingers tremble ​as they drag across the edge of her shorts. Her breath shakes, and her hand jerks a little as she ​tries to pull his hand subtly higher.

​Cordell laughs, but he’s looking at her with elation, and he grips her thigh, fingers just beneath ​her hemline. “Let’s just hold our horses, babygirl. We’ll be there soon.”

​They pull up to the farmhouse and it looks deserted. Inside, the furniture is in place and their ​boxes have been distributed, but everyone’s been focusing on unpacking up at the ranch so ​they can have Stella’s graduation party like they’d always planned. Daddy leads her inside and ​up to his room, and Stella’s heart pounds so hard she feels dizzy. Finally… finally.

​“What did you want to give me, daddy?” Stella says. It comes out more goofy than suggestive, ​and Stella suddenly feels nervous and embarrassed. It’s been months since they’ve been alone ​like this. There’s been so much going on to separate them—the Davidson stuff, getting kicked ​out of their home and losing their privacy, Dad’s work stuff, and everything with Colton and ​Todd—and she’d started to think Daddy really was done with her; that the guilt she knows he ​grapples with over her had won out.

​Cordell smiles at her—that little quirk of one side of his mouth that he does when he thinks she’s ​cute. His eyes seem to twinkle at her with mischief as he kisses her hand and lets it go. “Well, ​we’ll get to what I’d like to give you in a minute,” he flirts back, so cheesy Stella feels her face ​​heating up at how embarrassing they both are. “First I do have something else for you, Stella ​Blue.”

Bestie👁👄👁 oh my goddddddddddd

First of all I love cheesy cordell because he is so cheesy but its so adorable.

The uncertainty!!!! They're trying to regain what they once had and they both want this and want it to work out so bad.

Too bad someone's gonna get kidnapped and just when things are on the mend they're about to break again👀👀👀👀

[neverasfarawayasitmayseemxo]

Can't Be Friends - Part 2

let me know your thoughts :)

It has been three weeks since that night you were at Austin's house. You haven't heard or seen him since.

It was as if neither of you ever existed in each other's lives.

It is 11:45AM. Austin is out to brunch with his four friends. It's a sunny day out in Los Angeles. Everyone is outside enjoying the sunshine and making the most of a Saturday.

"So where are we going tonight?" Colton asks as he reads through the menu.

"I want to go to that new bar down the street. There's a rooftop" Drew replies.

"We should try that out, I heard good things" Austin says, putting down his menu.

He takes a look around. He watches as people walk their dogs, enter shops and talk with one another as they stroll.

His eyes gravitate across the street and he freezes. There you were, clad in just a sports bra and leggings. He watches as you check your watch.

"Yo dude"

Austin looks back over. Drew and Colton are looking at him a little confused.

"Yeah?" he asks, looking back over to see where you went. He notices you sit down on a bench across the coffee shop and tie your shoe.

"What are you doing man?" Drew asks trying to follow Austin's gaze.

"What's the matter with you?" Colton asks.

Austin looks back over at the boys and takes a sip of his coffee.

"Remember how I told you how I had a thing with that girl, [Y/N]?" Austin says.

Drew nods.

"Yeah, is that still going on?" he asks.

Austin shakes his head.

"No, I had to end things. She told me she was falling in love with me" Austin says.

He looks back over to where you were. You're not on the bench anymore. You're nowhere in sight.

Austin sighs.

"Oh shit" Colton says. "Damn"

"Well did you like her?" Drew asks. He was always the logical one in the group.

Austin shrugs. "Yeah, I liked her...but I don't want any of the love shit, man. I can't deal with it"

Drew rolls his eyes and takes a sip of his orange juice.

"Pathetic" he says under his breath.

"Excuse me?" Austin says a little taken aback at the comment.

Drew sighs and puts down his glass.

"Dude. It has been three years since you've had a girlfriend. I know that Vanessa broke your heart but it's time to move on. Stop using sex as a defensive tactic. You're guarding your heart by using physical pleasure" Drew explains.

Colton laughs.

"What he's trying to say is that you need to stop being such a pussy" Colton explains.

Austin shoots them a dirty look.

"I don't need love. I don't want it. I got fucked whenever I wanted. That's all I need right now, okay? Now that [Y/N] and I are done I can find someone new to sleep with" Austin says sternly.

Drew and Colton stay silent, unsure of what to say.

"Hi, what can I get you boys?" the waitress says as she opens her pad to a fresh new page.

Austin looks back over to the coffee shop to see if you walked out or if he could spot any sign of you.

Nope. It was empty.

Just like his heart.

~

"You look so hot" Callie says as you hop into the car with her.

You're wearing a black mesh dress. Your hair was done in a messy bun with pieces falling out, framing your face.

"You don't think it's too much? I feel exposed" you say.

Callie shakes her head.

"No way, this is the perfect outfit for a night out. We are going to have so much fun!" she exclaims.

Callie merges onto the highway. You were both on your way to the new rooftop bar in town. You heard the views of Los Angeles were breathtaking from there.

"I hope there are hot guys" Callie says.

You nod, watching the moon follow you.

"Me too" you say quietly.

Callie sighs. "I know you're still upset about Austin but this is the best night to get over him. You know what they say, 'in order to get over someone you need to get under someone else'...it's true, you know"

You nod, she was right. It had been three weeks since everything had happened between you boh.

It was difficult for you to stop thinking about him though. Yeah, you both were just having sex but it was more than that. There was a connection. You just knew it.

"We are here!" Callie says, pulling into the lot. You both get out of the car and head up the stairs to the rooftop.

You open the doors and are instantly hit with the most beautiful view of the city. It was picture perfect. The city lights were mesmerizing.

You look around and the bar was full of people. Some sitting at benches, many sitting along the bar. There were string lights hung above, making you feel cozy. There was a band playing music and bartenders shaking and mixing drinks.

"This is insane" Callie says, unable to close her mouth.

"I know, my god. This is gorgeous!" you say.

"Come on, let's go get a drink" she says.

She grabs your hand and leads you over to the bar. There were only men working behind the bar which kind of surprised you. Usually women bartenders were the thing.

"What can I get you ladies?" the bartender asks. He was hot. Like insanely hot. He had beautiful hazel eyes and brown hair. He's wearing a black button down shirt and black slacks.

"Wow, can I get YOU?" Callie asks, putting her chin in her hand. She bats her eyelashes and smiles.

The bartender laughs, "I'm flattered but sorry, I'm not on the menu"

Callie pouts and thinks for a moment.

"I'll get an apple martini" she says.

He looks towards you with a smile.

"What about you?"

You smile, "I'll have a cosmo, I guess"

He gives you a wink and walks off to make drinks.

"Fuck he's so hot" Callie says, watching as he makes the drinks.

You nod, looking over at him. "He really is"

"You should sleep with him" she says.

You look at her and laugh, "Didn't you hear him? He's not on the menu"

Callie shrugs. "So? He's probably just saying that because he can get in trouble or something. There's no harm in flirting, [Y/N]"

Callie pushes you forward a little so you're closer to the bar.

You look down at the granite countertop and then look up.

The hot bartender was walking over with both of your drinks.

He sets them down in front of you and says, "These are on me"

You look up at him and smile. Suddenly, your smile vanishes off your face.

You are now looking past his head, across the way at two people sitting at the bar.

It was a girl with long black hair and tan skin. She had brown eyes and a face as beautiful as a supermodel.

But that wasn't what caught your eye.

It was the person she was talking to.

It was the person she was smiling at.

It was the person who sat a little too close to her for comfort.

It was the person who you were falling in love with for seven months.

It was Austin.

[kimaratomoya]

*Casually Materialises*

No one asked for this but I don't care.

Characters that I fucking love from Fazbear Frights that I see barely anyone talking about because they didn't read past books 1-5 usually. Or they forget about them. Because that happens.

Spoilers if you haven't read the books ig??

1. Toby Billings

My beloved boy

He's so depressed lmao

Definitely got some shit going wrong

But we love him

And he deserves better that being tormented by a fucking shadow rabbit

Literally has no mother

She fucking left ✌️

But he has a brother (who is a dick)

And a dad (who supports the brother)

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Bestie I hope ur ok

2. Jeremiah (I don't he has a last name, if he does, I forgot it and I refuse to check the wiki out of spite)

Also depressed probably

Needs therapy

Parker was so mean to him what the heck.

He was just vibin

And trying to finish his fucking job

And this bitch put spicy shit in his chips

>:(

Also Glitchtrap kinda makes him have to find Hope and Parker's disembodied pieces

So that's rude

3. Hudson

Why are all of these people depressed

But yeah he has actual PTSD

Poor guy

Literally was trying to just leave his past behind him BC he couldn't deal with it

And just wanted to exist in peace

uNTIL SPRINGBITCH DECIDED HAHAHAHHA NO

I have a lot of hatred towards William.

4. Colton

Surprisingly, not depressed

Just a moron

I love his stupid little brain

He legit broke into a place to fix a game to get tickets for a game when he literally could've just stolen the game

You little dumb dumb

*headpat*

5. Sam

Bestie

Broski does film????

I do film!!!!!

Also I find him goofy

And Nole definitely spent way too long on the first 3 pages describing how he sits and stuff

I have no idea what his skin tone is because everyone keeps changing it and I am just gonna stick with like the original one I know for him lmao

He's so swag

(probably fruity ✨💅)

Does anyone want 5 (or more) characters I despise for dumb little reasons?

[walker-extended-universe]

Season 2 Deleted Scenes featuring Cassie Perez that really deserved to make the cut

2x11- Boundaries

Cassie drives a very drunk Dan Miller home from the Side Step. Laying down in the backseat, Dan rambles about how his life is crumbling to pieces. He claims that Denise and Gale were the first people that ever felt like family. Then they adopted Colton and it was all “set in stone”. But now, it was all falling apart.

Cassie asks what his plan is: to drink until it all goes away or drink until he forgets he exists. Dan says that she talks more than other rangers; they normally stay quiet, likely afraid that he’ll snitch on them to his wife. Cassie cheekily reminds him that Denise will soon be his ex-wife.

He sits up, saying that she’s not being very nice. She then says that he still has a chance if he cleans himself up. Dan thinks for a moment and says that she’s right. And he’s gonna figure out a way to show Denise what she means to him. He then thanks Cassie for her help. She says that’s what she’s here for and Dan lays back down in the seat.

2x13- One Good Thing

We see someone setting a Ranger hat down on a desk. The camera zooms out and we see that it’s Cassie. She sits down and looks around the office, apprehension, amazement, and disbelief on her face.

She reaches into the desk drawer and pulls out a sketch drawing of Cordell. This was Micki’s old desk. Looking at it makes her emotional; she may recognize it as the work of her predecessor.

In the background, Captain Larry James sees her and smiles before walking over. He’s happy to see that she’s moved into her own desk. He asks if she thinks she can live up to it. She shakes her head. “Not even a little bit, sir.”

James assures her that he thinks she can do it, especially after everything he’s already witnessed from her. Then he walks away, leaving her to process her new position.

2x19- A Matter of Miles

Cassie and James stand in his office. It’s dark outside the window.

James is asking Cassie for her opinion on Miles. She knows him better than everyone but he thinks that Miles is guilty of something. Cassie assures him that, whatever Miles is hiding, he has a good reason for it. James agrees that’s a possibility but they need Miles to come clean, now. Cassie says that she can handle that. James asks if she’s sure she’s up for it and says it’s alright if she needs to step back. Cassie declines his offer and asks him about Cole.

James thinks that Cole is at least as guilty as Miles in whatever is happening and says he’ll handle it. He then tells Cassie to do what she has to do to get Miles to talk but to stay within the lines. There’s a beat of silence, then Cassie says that she will. Then she leaves the office.

[maracujatangerine]

I posted 565 times in 2022

That's 134 more posts than 2021!

86 posts created (15%)

479 posts reblogged (85%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@whumpzone

@maracujatangerine

@squishablesunbeam

@peachy-panic

@just-horrible-things

I tagged 562 of my posts in 2022

Only 1% of my posts had no tags

#reblog - 353 posts

#others - 346 posts

#thank you - 89 posts

#lydia and coriander - 69 posts

#linden and colton - 49 posts

#this is good - 48 posts

#dracula daily - 48 posts

#lydia and linden - 44 posts

#pet whump - 41 posts

#thank you for the tag - 38 posts

Longest Tag: 136 characters

#we have suburbs too but there’s public transport and you can walk and ride a bike and definitely have a garden and there are often shops

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

9. Lost Property

CW: institutionalised slavery, dehumanisation, box boy universe, pet whump

Previous - Next

As soon as the plane touched the ground, even before the seatbelt sign was turned off, Lydia tried to start her phone. Nothing. It was a slab of blank, mute, unmoving metal in her hands. In a flash, she remembered plugging in her charger next to her side of the bed in the hotel room the night before and that the socket was yet another thing that didn’t work as expected in the room. Crucially, she didn’t remember taking the charger with her in the morning.

Lydia hadn’t been speaking much to Colton on the flight. Even reassurances seemed to stress the pet out. As they made their way through arrivals, though, it was necessary to make sure he knew what was going on. She told him where they were, and where to go. She asked him to help carry some of her luggage and he obeyed instantly. She told him to wait, and he waited. She told him to go somewhere, and he went. Coriander might have dared to ask a question or two, by now. He would have been so excited by the view from the airport and the new languages being spoken all around them. Colton was clearly interested, but every time he saw Lydia looking in his direction he dropped his eyes to the floor. He was stiff with tension, and stayed very close to her.

She spent an unproductive forty-five minutes at a help desk talking to airport staff who all were varying degrees of helpful to unhelpful and most just simply confused at how to tackle this unusual problem. Lydia struggled to first find out whether pets were allowed to fly unaccompanied or not. When the answer, as she had feared, was negative, she tried unsuccessfully to negotiate a way around it. Finally, with a deep sigh, she thanked the last staff member and turned away, resigned.

“I’m sorry, Colton.” She forced a smile, despite the hard, cold knot of worry in her stomach. “I’m afraid we are stuck with each other for the time being.” The pet nodded quickly, eyes downcast.

“Do you need anything, Colton? Any food, or water?”

Col looked at her in surprise. “I’m fine, Ma’am. Thank you,” he mumbled.

“You’re not hungry?” Then, after a few seconds of silence, she prompted, “Col?”

“I’m f-fine, I swear,” Col pleaded, not making eye contact. Every word he was forced to speak made his heart pound even harder. He wasn’t supposed to be talking, he wasn’t supposed to be asked questions. He was only going to make this woman angry. “Please don’t trouble yourself with me, Ma’am.”

Lydia’s eyes narrowed. The pet looked terribly uncomfortable. “Well, I need to buy a new phone charger and then I’ll see if we can find a cafe or something to stop in for a second. We can eat at the hotel, too. Is that all right with you?”

“Y-Yes, Ma’am.”

Clearly a lot of work had gone into making him so broken and pliable. Her stomach twisted with nerves when she thought about Cory, stuck in Linden’s house. At least, she assumed that was where he was. Surely Linden wouldn’t abandon him?

When he was sure Lydia wasn’t looking, Col glanced up at her. Her face was taut, her lips pressed together tightly; she was deep in thought. Was she worrying about her own pet, or wondering what to do with this one? Or was she constantly in a state of moderate stress, only needing the smallest push for her to snap and take it all out on the sorry slave by her side? Even if it hadn’t been Colton’s fault that he ended up here, that changed nothing. He could still be punished for it. That was how it worked.

He missed Master so much. Lydia was asking him so many questions, and he didn’t know the answer to any of them. He was going to make a mistake and then she’d realise that he was just a stupid, useless pet, so much worse than her pretty and graceful Coriander. Colton couldn’t live up to that, he just couldn’t! Lydia was used to owning a high standard of pet, and she was going to be so, so annoyed with Col. She was going to see that it wasn’t worth the hassle of keeping him. If he was at least allowed to stay silent, he might be able to obey well enough for just a little while longer.

Col couldn’t read any of the signs. The people walking by him, drowning him, they were all speaking in another language. If Lydia abandoned him now he would be truly lost. He had to try and keep her favour. But what did she want?

*

“Cory?” Linden called softly, just loud enough for the pet to hear. “It’s time for dinner.”

Linden had reached for a simple dahl, warm, filling comfort food. Nothing too spicy, just straightforward flavours of rice and lentils, tomatoes and onions, with some carrots and red peppers for a pop of colour.

He had set the table, just as he would for a dinner with Col. A spoon next to the pet’s plate, easy to grip and hold for trembling hands. A tumbler half-filled with water, the sturdy glass also easy for the pet to lift with both hands. Failing that, a stainless steel straw. A safe distance from both plates, Linden had lit a couple of tea lights in glass holders, casting a warm, gentle glow over the table - he had assumed Cory wouldn’t react badly to the fire.

Coriander had been coaxed into kneeling on the soft rug in the living room, and it was from there that it elegantly stood up. It made its way into the kitchen and promptly sank to its knees once more. It looked around, but couldn’t see a dog bowl, or anything like that. How did Colton get fed? Was it from his owner’s hand, or was it just dumped on the floor for him to lick up? Cory was surprised that it was being fed at all. It had mostly assumed that Linden would forget, or not bother.

Linden was turned away, and Cory watched him fill two bowls up with something colourful and gently steaming. “I don’t have much in the cupboards right now,” Linden said, even though it wasn’t any of the pet’s business. “So it’s dahl for tea.”

A pause. “Th...thank you, Sir. But this pet really doesn’t deserve any.”

That was what he wanted, right? Patheticness? But to its confusion, Linden just looked at it and shook his head.

“Nonsense, you have to eat. Do you wa- are you able to sit at the table?”

From his place on the floor, Cory shook its head vehemently. “If… if you please, Sir. Pets belong on the floor. T-this pet knows its place.”

Linden studied the pet for a moment. He guessed that Coriander was of a similar age to himself. What would his own life have been like, Linden thought suddenly, if he had ended up a pet? What sort of experiences was this man’s life filled with?

Those grey eyes watched him fearfully, reminding him that the pet probably expected a reply.

“It’s alright.” Linden tried. “You are welcome to eat at the table here.”

See the full post

161 notes - Posted February 26, 2022

#4

17. Lost Property

CW: institutionalised slavery, dehumanisation, box boy universe, pet whump

Previous - Next

Linden’s house was a bit smaller than Miss Lydia’s, particularly without a garden to walk around in. He had a balcony, but Cory wouldn’t dare cross Linden’s room to reach it. The pet settled for kneeling by any open windows, trying to enjoy the fresh air as best it could.

The other thing Cory couldn’t help but notice was the silence. It would have hardly said that Miss Lydia talked to herself, but she did always somehow manage to fill the quiet. She was often on the phone, or listening to the radio, or even engaging her pet in a conversation.

Linden must like silence, Cory concluded. So it had better not aggravate him by being noisy. All morning, it had endeavoured to only nod or shake its head, and never raise its voice when it did have to reply. If that was what it took to please the man, Cory would do it.

Did Col speak? He definitely wasn’t forthcoming with it in the hotel, was he? Perhaps speaking wasn’t a privilege he was often afforded. Cory’s thoughts were interrupted when Jaffa rolled into view, stretching across her back with her tufty belly fur on full display. Cats were quiet too- except when they were hungry. Cory could be like that.

The pet stretched a hand out and placed it on Jaffa’s chest, scratching up and down, to the end of her chin and down to her tummy. Getting no negative reaction, and hearing no movement from Linden, Cory lay down next to her, and continued to stroke her gently. She purred, slowly melting into a puddle of grey fur. Her purring filled the whole room, and it suddenly didn’t seem so crushingly quiet anymore. Cory thought it might understand Linden’s ways after all. There was something about the peace that it liked.

Even though it knew its opinion wasn’t relevant.

Upstairs, Linden was sat in his balcony chair, hands folded, eyes closed. This pet doesn’t want to speak to me either, he mused. Is it me? Do I have this effect on pets?

He missed Col. He missed him really badly.

Linden missed his presence. His home was different without Colton in it. It was quiet in a different way now- heavy, and thick with tension. The quietness that he and Col enjoyed was normal life, and even as he sat on the balcony Linden could feel the difference. Col’s footsteps were heavy, irregular, and he had got used to listening to him walk. Cory was so elegant and controlled that he was silent. Linden didn’t know where he was in the house, or what he was doing.

He thought, briefly, about how he still didn’t really know Col. And he knew that Col didn’t know him. But it didn’t mean he hadn’t grown hugely fond of him, and protective too. When he looked at Col, he saw all his potential, stored in those strong shoulders and his friendly, open face. He could tell when he wanted to speak, to give an opinion, and he was learning when Col needed some time to himself. He was learning what scared him and what made him feel safe. He was learning that he liked cereal over toast, and tea over coffee.

Looking at Cory was completely different. Linden saw a pet. He hated himself, but it was the truth. Cory was a damn good actor, and to top it off, he was on his best behaviour. He was unflinchingly polite, and quite clearly terrified that any misstep would bring Linden’s hand flying across his face.

And why wouldn’t he think that? Linden thought grimly. He’s seen Col. I could swear until I’m blue in the face that I’ve never touched him, but why would he believe me?

He shifted in his seat, turning his face away from the sun before it made his eyes sear.

. . .

Linden poured out the dregs of his tea and washed the cup. Glancing out the window, his attention was momentarily snagged by the monochrome fluttering of two magpies settling in a nearby aspen tree. After pouring hot water from the kettle to make another cup for himself and Coriander, he reached over to turn on the radio.

A familiar waterfall of brittle, clear violin notes poured out into the room, half cheerful, half sad. Each part of the piece perfect and shiny like a new coin. Linden smiled to himself on his way to the living room.

He halted just past the threshold. His guest was kneeling on Colton’s white carpet, just like Linden had expected. He hadn’t expected to see Coriander crying. Tears silently streaming down the blonde man’s face. He was swaying slightly to the music, pale, his hands clasped to his chest. His expression, like the music, was a strange mixture of being half elated, half devastated.

Linden watched him in silence, stunned at the seemingly candid moment he’d walked in on. He’d never seen Cory reach this level of emotional display before, at least not outside of blind fear. He looked more human than ever.

He realised that he shouldn’t be here, not right now. Cory was experiencing something that Linden had no business interfering with. But as he made to turn around and give him some space, Cory noticed him.

It was awful, the way the complexities of feeling written across his face were quickly replaced with guilty horror.

“S-S-Sir, this pet is sorry, it d-didn’t hear you come in…”

His gentle swaying had stopped, leaving him frozen in place, a deer waiting for the hunter’s next move. Linden held up his free hand. “That’s okay, I can give you some space, Cory. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

This only made him panic more. “No, n-no Sir it is sorry, please, it- it can explain, it didn’t mean to be so rude, it shouldn’t…. It shouldn’t… please-”

“It is okay. You don’t have to apologise.” Linden slowly sank down on his haunches, making sure to telegraph every move. “Can… would you like to tell me why you are crying?”

“It is so beautiful, Sir.” The pet took a shivering breath, grey eyes huge and shining with tears. “I-I had forgotten how beautiful it is…” Coriander stared out the window, into the distance, for a moment lost in his reverie. Then, his whole body started. He looked sideways at Linden, his mouth twisting in a grimace of sudden fear. “B-but t-this pet wouldn’t try to play, Sir. It wouldn’t. It would never…” He shook his head rapidly, blonde hair dancing around his face. “T-though it is all right to listen, isn’t it, Sir?” He swallowed dryly. “P-please, Sir. They said… They said it is all right to listen. They said you can’t have a pet that goes into bloody hysterics when you put on the TV, Sir.”

Cory shrunk in on himself, clutching his hands to his chest, shivering so hard that his teeth chattered. Linden had to stop himself recoiling at Cory’s recitations. Colton said things that were clearly not his own words from time to time, but there was something so much more unsettling about the way Cory had spoken. He sounded like he wasn’t fully present, like he was back there, reliving the lesson he’d been taught. Linden didn’t move, but made sure to keep his voice firm and clear. If he’d learned anything, he’d learned that pets latched onto that pretty well.

“Cory. It is absolutely okay to listen. If something isn’t okay, I’ll tell you, alright? I’m a fair person.”

See the full post

166 notes - Posted April 14, 2022

#3

7. Lost Property

CW: institutionalised slavery, dehumanisation, box boy universe, pet whump

Previous - Next

When the alarm rang out Lydia blearily fumbled for her phone. She tried to make it shut up before waking their unfamiliar roommates. As quietly as possible, she rolled out of bed. Lydia had slept fitfully and way too few hours. She could feel the tiredness lurking like a pressure behind her eyes.

Coriander, of course, already sat up in his bed. She went to sit down next to him and gave him a quick hug.

“Good Morning.” She smiled. “Remember what we talked about?”

He nodded, his eyes bright and awake. “T-the hotel staff will escort this pet to the check-in for human pets. We will meet on the plane.”

Lydia quickly got dressed and nodded affirmatively.

“Yes. You should get some more sleep. I will have to go now to leave the car at the rental firm, we’ll go through check-in separately, and be seated next to each other on the plane.” She put her hand on his cheek, feeling him lean into the touch. As always, she wondered if it was compulsion or volition that made him do it, but his grey eyes on her face were wide and trusting. “Are you sure you are okay with this? I tried to make them let us go through together, but they said that it is against security protocols.”

“This pet w-will be all right, Miss Lydia.” He smiled, bravely. “It will see you in a few hours.”

She gave him another hug and stood up to go. Glancing back when she closed the door, he had laid back down but was still watching her. She blew him a kiss, closed the door and walked away.

*

Coriander tried to take deep breaths and force its muscles to relax, but the deep shivering that had started as soon as the pet was led into the room was impossible to control.

This isn’t the clinic. The pet reminded itself. This isn’t the clinic. But the walls were white tiles, the overhead lights were hash and there was a drain in the floor.

The middle-aged, curly haired woman holding the pet’s leash led it over to a padded chair that, with the restraints, looked too much like something that could have belonged in the facility.

This pet has to be good, Cory thought to itself, like a mantra. This pet has to be good for Miss Lydia. It hadn’t expected the check-in process to start already at the hotel. It thought that it would be transferred to the airport first. But as far as it could remember, it had never flown anywhere before. Who knew what transporting a pet by air would entail?

It forced its unwilling body down into the chair and allowed the woman to lock the cuffs around its wrists and ankles and clip the short leash on the headrest to its collar, rendering it effectively immobile.

Coriander could feel its heart race with fear, but tried to distract itself by looking around. The scents were different, equally artificial, but more like perfume than antiseptics. The table held bottles, hair brushes, and a fan. A stand on the wall held gleaming metal scissors and combs.

Suddenly, the backrest of the chair fell away behind the pet, forcing it into a prone position. Its breath hitching, it couldn’t stop itself from struggling at the restraints, but it was pinned like a bug in place. ‘You are a bad pet’, Coriander scolded itself, ‘good pets do not try to resist. Behave!’ But it needed a couple of deep breaths before it could force its tense muscles to relax.

“Did I scare you?” The woman’s voice behind it. “Sorry, I am just going to wash your hair now.”

This was strange and unexpected. Did they want to deflea it before it got to travel?

The woman’s touch was professional. Not exactly kind, but gentle and painless. The water was warm and the scents of the shampoo and conditioner chemically floral, and reassuringly not antiseptic. Coriander could feel itself starting to relax under her hands.

The woman talked while she worked, but she didn’t seem to expect much in terms of replies. She mostly talked about the awful weather, things on the news, and a small trip she was planning for the weekend. It was soothing and Coriander found it easy to be still and obedient.

The process involved trimming and blow-drying its hair, cleaning and trimming its nails and giving the pet a shave. She was using a safety razor rather than a blade, but Cory could still feel every muscle tense at the sharp tool near its throat.

“That’s it.” The woman said. “You’re done. Liam here will take you to your owner.”

Following behind the young man holding its leash, still confused about the whole process, Cory could hear the commotion all the way down the corridor.

“I’m sorry, but I just returned to find my room empty. Where is my pet?” The man- Linden- sounded upset.

“Sir, as the night staff told you yesterday, pet grooming services were offered as compensation for the trouble with your room. The staff has just taken your pet to be groomed. It will be brought right back to your room as soon as they are finished. Oh, look!” The relief was palpable in the receptionist’s voice. “Here’s your pet now, safe and sound.”

The staff member leading Coriander stepped aside, revealing the complaining customer to be the man from last night, the owner with whom Miss Lydia and Coriander had shared a room. They just stared mutely at each other for a moment, dark brown eyes meeting grey.

The man shook his head quickly, his mane of dark hair flowing around his face.

See the full post

174 notes - Posted February 20, 2022

#2

19. Lost Property

CW: institutionalised slavery, dehumanisation, box boy universe, pet whump

Previous - Next

Lydia’s heart was racing, the palms of her hands sweaty where she gripped the leather knot of the leash, a million ‘what if’ scenarios crowding her mind. Meeting Colton’s green eyes, she could see him reeling with it, too.

That brought her back to the situation at hand. She could deal with her own shock later. Whatever had been done to turn Col into the pet he was now surely made him ill-equipped to handle… this.

He was breathing uncomfortably, seemingly fighting for each gulp of air. Fixing that was high up on a list of potential priorities.

“Hey Col,” she said, hearing the shake of fear and adrenaline in her own voice. “I’m just going to take your collar off for a bit, all right?” She dropped the leash and held up her hands in what she hoped was a calming gesture. “You are still good. You are not in any trouble and you can wear it again later, if you want to. Is that okay with you?” His green eyes focused slowly on her face, and he managed a tiny nod. “All right, then. That’s good. Thank you for communicating so clearly with me. It’s all good.” Lydia stopped paying attention to what she said, just focused on keeping her tone of voice calm and friendly as she reached up… and up, he was quite a bit taller than Coriander… and unbuckled the collar, letting it fall to the floor.

He took a deep breath, like a person on the verge of drowning. She could feel him swaying a bit on his feet. Slowly, and gently, she put a hand on his arm. The pet started, but did not pull away.

“Here, come on. Have a seat.” She led him towards his bed, and he obediently sank down on it. “That’s good, that’s good.”

She looked around the room, casting about for what to do. Her gaze fell on the little fridge in the corner and she took the few steps over to rummage around in it. The small freezer compartment held ice cubes wrapped in blue plastic. Perfect.

Lydia grabbed the ice and closed the freezer. Inside the fridge itself were tiny bottles of wine and spirits, rum, vodka, whiskey, tequila. Let’s not give strong liquor to unfamiliar pets in shock. That’s probably a good rule to live by. She laughed to herself, feeling the tinge of hysteria in her own mood. Colton turned his head to stare at her, she guessed he didn’t see much humour in the situation.

Instead of the alcohol, she chose a blue-green can of Sprite. The silver metal shine of the top of the can forcefully reminded her of the glint of a knife in the shadows. What if Col hadn’t been there? If she had been alone on that dark street? Would he just have made off with her purse, or… Just don’t think about it. She told herself sternly. You can worry about that later.

Lydia suddenly remembered something Carla had told her, while she was going to a dog training class with Cassie, ‘Dogs can’t eat and be afraid at the same time,’ she’d said. Perhaps that worked the same on people? She grabbed the chocolate bars, too, as well as the two upside-down glasses from the shelf next to the desk. Filling her arms with her looted treasure, she dumped it all unceremoniously on top of her own bed.

“Now, let’s see…” She grabbed one of Cory’s t-shirts and wrapped it around the bag of ice. “Here…” When she handed it to Col, he just blinked up at her, uncomprehending. “For your hand.” She clarified. When he didn’t move, she sat down next to him on the bed, making sure to still keep some distance between them. She reached out and took his large hand in hers. Even though she was prepared for Col to flinch, the sharp start he gave made her flinch too. He stared at her, mutely. She just realised that she hadn’t heard him utter a single word since the incident.

“You can speak, Col,” she said softly. “It’s okay.”

“Pets shouldn’t be on the furniture, Ma’am,” he said robotically, and she realised he wasn’t staring at her, he was staring just past her into nothingness. She was used to him averting his eyes, or making unsure eye contact. She’d never seen him look so… far away, before.

“Col?”

“I’m sorry,” he tried again, with just enough emotion for his voice to wobble. His hand was shaking in her own.

Lydia slowly moved a hand in front of Colton’s eyes, but nothing changed. He didn’t even flinch. Okay, she thought, this isn’t the time to have meaningless battles.

“Let’s go onto the floor, then,” she said, and the fact it was an order must have worked its way through Col’s haze, since he moved and obeyed. She continued holding his hand as they shifted down. It seemed like the right thing to do. Like Col was a ship that needed mooring.

Lydia had braced herself for begging, but once again she had to accept the fact that this wasn’t Coriander in front of her.

The tall man slumped clumsily down on the floor, his back against the metal frame of his bed. He wasn’t looking at her. With her free hand, she took the oddly shaped, blue lump that was made of ice wrapped in t-shirt and held it against Col’s red knuckles. Holding his battered hand steadily, she could feel slow tremors running through him, like a deep undercurrent of fear.

She decided she should keep talking to him, even if she knew she wouldn’t get much of a reply. She could be an anchor, right now. Composed and unchanging and certainly not angry.

“Were you… uh-” she faltered. What was a word for guard dog that wasn’t, well, that. “Were you trained to be defensive of your owner like that?”

“No,” Col whispered.

“Wow,” she said. “I suppose it was just- just instinct. In a good way,” she quickly clarified. Col flinched almost imperceptibly, and Lydia felt as if she’d just wedged him even further down his dark hole. He didn’t move, or speak.

She ran a finger a little further up Col’s hand, to his wrist, and felt his heartbeat hammering against her fingertip. He was eerily calm on the surface, but she could tell it was just cloaking the sheer terror he felt underneath. She tried to get into his mind. Obviously attacking a human would warrant a terrible punishment. How could she convince him that he didn’t deserve it?

“Thank you for saving me,” she said, and she meant it. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been there, Col. I’m so happy, and relieved. You were a really good boy. You didn’t hurt him any more than you had to.”

He just stared, but that was okay. She reached back up to the bed, twisting so as not to let go of Col’s hand, and picked up the chocolate bars. One for her and one for him.

She set it on the ground in front of him, explaining as she did so. “This is for you. You must be tired, after we ran all that way. I’m going to eat one too.”

See the full post

188 notes - Posted April 24, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

11. Lost Property

CW: non-con mention, institutionalised slavery, dehumanisation, box boy universe, pet whump

Previous - Next

It was getting harder and harder to breathe. Colton had knelt on the floor next to the door, like an obedient slave would. Coriander’s mistress, Lydia, was busy going through one of her two suitcases. She had unclipped the metal carabiner from his collar as soon as they entered the hotel room, but she had left his collar on. The leather band felt chokingly tight around his neck.

His Master would have removed it the minute they were in the room, Col knew. That’s enough of that, he would have said. Col could almost feel his Master’s hands touching his neck to remove the collar. Gentle, warm, comparatively safe. He realised tears were pricking in the corners of his eyes. He had almost cried when he heard his Master’s voice on the phone. It felt like home.

This hotel room was definitely not like home. It looked… shiny, and quite large. There was a small bed in the corner and a large double bed in the middle of the room. A vast expanse of pure white satin sheets. The bedposts looked sturdy. He tried not to look that way, every time he did, it felt like the collar shrunk even tighter around his neck. Colton could only all too well imagine what could happen there. What this owner could do to him. Naked, spread-eagled, exposed…

Lost in thought, he finally became aware that Lydia was watching him, a displeased wrinkle between her eyes.

He straightened up his kneeling posture, carefully washing all traces of emotion off his face. He had to be good. Not all owners were as kind as his.

“Please take off your t-shirt.”

Col froze, his stomach dropping. The words were like an extension of his nightmarish fears, to the point that he wasn’t sure he had heard them at all.

“I’m… I’m sorry Ma’am. This worthless pet didn’t understand, please…” He could feel his heart speed up, the pulse of it beating hard in his ears. He was trying to buy time, he knew it, and she surely knew it too. She would make it hurt even more as punishment. Oh, god. Oh god, please, no. In his panic, he wished more than ever to be back with Master. He was alone and frightened and vulnerable. It was only now, after he’d been separated from his owner, that he realised how much more secure he felt with him.

“Please take off your t-shirt, Colton.” There was no anger in her voice, but the order was clear. They both knew she shouldn't have to ask twice. “You don’t have to be afraid. I just want to have a look, all right?”

I will make this feel good for you. A voice from the past, suddenly loud in his ears. He wanted to cry, to plead, but that would only make things worse. She was going to inspect him- see what she was working with. With shaking hands, he pulled his t-shirt over his head, exposing his upper body. He held his breath as she came closer. Even if he didn’t see it, he could feel her eyes roaming over his scarred back as if her gaze was hot like sunlight.

He was shaking so badly and it hadn’t even started. Master had never- he’d never done it. Just like he’d promised. It had been so long. Col was out of practice, he’d be bad, and he’d get himself hurt even worse for it.

“Could you hold still like this for a moment?”

He forced himself to stop trembling, only to hear the click of the camera on her phone. She had taken a picture, what for? What would she possibly do with it?

She walked around him and hunched down in front of him. He looked down, of course. Then, she reached out and put her hand under his chin, forcing him to meet her eyes. She wanted to see his fear; he certainly wasn’t doing a good job of hiding it.

“Do you have any open wounds, or only scars?”

The question was unexpected. If she wasn’t satisfied, would she give him some new ones? It took him a moment to choke out the reply. “Only scars, Ma’am.”

“That is good, then.” She released her grip. “I’m sorry I scared you. You can put on your t-shirt now.”

Lydia closed the door to the bathroom and turned the lock. She felt that it was probably a good idea to give the young man some space. She had been watching him and his poor, burnt hand and it had forcefully reminded her of the first time she met Coriander. She could still vividly recall the shock of seeing his naked back crisscrossed with a mix of bloody and infected welts. Brutus had also had hidden wounds. It was a relief that Colton wasn’t in the same state, though his scars were even worse than those Coriander wore.

She wrote a quick text message to Indira, explaining what had happened. She enclosed the picture of Col’s scars. “What do you think of this?”

She knew she probably wouldn’t get a reply until later that night. Bracing herself, Lydia washed her hands. Making sure to make some noise to let the pet prepare himself before she came out of the bathroom.

“All right, Colton.” She said. “Let’s have a bite to eat.”

Tag List Part 1: @cupcakes-and-pain @whump-em @wh-wh-whu @neuro-whump @carnagecardinal @cowboy-anon @whump-me-all-night-long @redwingedwhump @myst-in-the-mirror @haro-whumps @eatyourdamnpears @bloodsweatandpotato @pinkraindropsfell @whumptywhumpdump @theydy-cringeworthy @whump-in-progress @whumpsy-daisy @nicolepascaline @whumpcreations @briars7 @shiningstarofwinter @whumppsychology @alex-ember @miss-kitty-whumptastic @whumpy-writings @in-patient-princess @youtube-fandoms-bands @goblinchildindabog @mazeish @distinctlywhumpthing @inpainandsuffering @canniboylism @incoherent-introspection @kim-poce @broken-typewriter @the-monarch-whumperfly @whumpers-inc @grizzlie70 @lil-whumper @writingbackwards @sunflower1000 @wingedwhump @thecitythatdoesntsleep @thingsthatgo-whump-inthenight @onlybadendings @rabass @wolfeyedwitch @melancholy-in-the-morning

206 notes - Posted March 7, 2022

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[manyfandomocs]

So many new ocs and plot bunnies just throwing it out there any thoughts on new crossovers? (Or not-new crossovers that we just really need to talk about about?)

Omg honestly we've both been having so many new ones so, under the cut because this is BIG (I did just romantic because it was even Bigger with platonic or ones that could be both but I still have the platonic saved so, lmk if you want) (I ended up cutting out some Glee ones as well so if you want the ones left out I can have another, but at least I bolded my faves??)

also. there are more fandoms we have but after like two days of going through these lists my brain hurts so. just lmk if there's any fandom you want in particular <3

Descendants

Honestly we just need to talk about any Gabe crossover that isn't Ace x Gabe and Ro & Gabe but especially Topher and Evander

Ace and Wrenley give me vibes for some reason, idk what but vibes

Anissa Radcliffe x Stephen

Atalia of Atlantica x Jackie

Atalia of Atlantica x Wrenley

Blossom x Stephen

Callista x Stephen

Chessy x Stephen

Chessy x Emmeline

Chiara x Cosette

Cian x Cosette idk why

Cian x Evelyn idk why

I literally wanna say Cian x Gabe but idk

Cian x Kirsti

Cian x Wrenley

Cosette x Evelyn

Cosette x Ginevra

Elise x Emmeline

Elise x Estelle

Elise x Stephen

Finley x Ginevra

Finley x Stephen

Fitz x/& Gabe I can't figure out the vibes

Fitz x/& Stephen (only x if he isn't with Finley)

Fitz x Ginevra

Gloria x Ruby

Gloria x Annalise

Hannah x Stephen

Hannah x Kirsti

Harley x Wrenley

Harley x Jackie

Honey x Stephen

Honey x Emmeline

(I said just doing romantic here but I do love the idea of Honey & Gabe just saying)

Princess Isabelle x Charlotte

Princess Isabelle x Stephen

Lawson x Cadence

Lawson x Cosette

Lawson x Wrenley

Lucette x Evelyn

Lucette x Cadence

Maria x Wrenley

Noelle x Stephen

Roslyn x Stephen

Roslyn x Wrenley

Roslyn x Emmeline

Roslyn x Cadence

Taryn x Jackie

Tristan x Stephen

Tristan x Gabe

Tristan x Kirsti

Violet x Stephen

Violet x Jackie

Gilmore Girls

Allie x Theo

Allie x Dahlia? Idk I'm getting vibes

Amanda x Thomas (Thomas is truly the Gavin of my Gilmore Girls ocs with all the girlfriends he gets)

Annabel x Caspian

Annabel x Serafina

Antoinette x Serafina

Avery x Caspian

Avery x Serafina

Brady x Caspian?

Cameron x Theo

Catie x Thomas

Charles x Theo

Charles x Jasmine (with Blythe and Kaito or not either way)

Chelsea x Theo

Chelsea x Thomas

Chelsea x Lydia

Cosette x Thomas

Dani x Caspian

Eleanor x Thomas

Eleanor x Theo

Eliya x Lydia

Elle x Caspian

Evan x Theo

Freya x Caspian

Gabi x Jasmine

I kinda want Harry and Troy and Vicki idk with who

Holland x Dahlia

Jane x Theo

Kaylee x Caspian

Kaylee x Theo

Lexi x Dorian

Lia x Theo

Lili x Theo

Lili x Thomas

Lili x Jasmine

Marley x Theo

Sage x Theo

Sage x Jasmine

Sage x Dahlia

Sienna x Caspian

Sophie x Serafina

Sophie x Caspian

Willow x Thomas

Willow x Theo

Willow x Jasmine

Glee (I might be already about to update my list with another but I kept it simple with who's already there lmao but I will come to you with ideas when I add)

Abbie x Christina

Abbie x Felix

Abbie x Steve

Abbie x Xavier

Barbie x Carrie

Barbie x Jupiter

Barbie x Steve

Betty x Felix

Betty x Jupiter

Betty x Steve

Betty x/& Zeke (x if he isn't with Claude???)

Sav/Bobby/Val can really be platonic or romantic with so many of my people I feel like they'd be a whole list on their own

I don't wanna break Camilo and Jo up so, also own list of who could be platonic and romantic

Cece x Christina

Cece x Giselle

Cece x Sophia

Christie x Carrie

Christie x Felicity

Christie x Giselle

Christie x Jupiter

Claude x Beatrice

Claude x Leonard

Claude x Zeke

Cole x Carrie

Cole x Jasper

Cole x Reagan

Cole x Steve

Cole x Xavier

Colton x Ashton (They have their friend verse but I'm definitely not opposed to romance)

Colton x Felix

Colton x Jasper

Colton x Steve

Colton x Xavier

Daphne x Carrie

Daphne x Jupiter

Daphne x Reagan

Daphne x Steve

Delilah x Carrie

Delilah x Giselle

Delilah x Xavier

Demi x Carrie

Demi x Reagan

Dolly x Carrie (if not with Barbie)

Dolly x Felix

Dolly x Jupiter (if not with Barbie)

Dolly x Reagan

Gil x Ashton

Gil x Felix

Gil x Jasper

Gil x Jupiter

Gil x Leonard

Hadley x Christina

Hadley x Giselle

Hadley x Steve

Hadley x Xavier

Hillary x Steve

Holden x Ashton

Holden x Felix

Holden x Jasper

Holden x Leonard

Jaci x Beatrice

Jaci x CJ

Jason x Ashton

Jason x Carrie

Jason x Jupiter

Jason x Sophia

Jeremy x Beatrice

Jeremy x Leonard

Jeremy x Zeke

Josie x Carrie

Josie x Felix

Josie x Steve

Joy x Carrie

Joy x Felix

Joy x Jupiter

Joy x Xavier

June x Carrie

June x Felix

June x Reagan

June x Steve

Kendall x Beatrice

Kendall x CJ

Lilibeth x Kaipo

Lilibeth x Zeke

Logan x Ashton

Logan x Carrie

Logan x Karina

Mac x Jupiter

Mac x Steve

Mac x/& Zeke (if he isn't with Claude??)

Marilyn x Carrie

Marilyn x Christina

Marilyn x Felicity

Marilyn x Giselle

Marilyn x Jupiter

Marilyn x Karina

Maureen x Carrie

Maureen x Reagan

Maureen x Steve

May x Giselle

May x Karina

May x Xavier

Any of the Natalie ones from the Natalie list I gave

Perrie x Christina

Perrie x Reagan

Perrie x Steve

Roxie x Carrie

Roxie x Felix

Roxie x Giselle

Roxie x Steve

Roxie x Xavier

Sadie x Beatrice

Sadie x CJ

Sadie x Leonard

Satine x Christina

Satine x Felix

Satine x Jupiter

Satine x Reagan

Tegan x Carrie

Tegan x Christina

Tegan x Giselle

Tegan x Steve

Tommy x Beatrice

Tommy x Leonard

And any from the Zoe list I gave

Harry Potter

Just this whole list

[bendingthelaws]

7

Colin's brother Colt Masterson has heard from him, now it's time to talk to the other two in his office...and it doesn't start well...

A headache was starting right behind his eyes as Colton Masterson looked out of his office window to the street below.  Maybe it was a tumor and would take him out quickly.  The coffee in his mug wasn’t going to help much to alleviate it, nor were the ibuprofen he’d almost chewed a few seconds earlier.  This day was going to be pure shit, there was no way around it.  All he could do now was pray that someone assassinated his client for one of the many sins he was guilty of, no matter whether he could be proven that way in court or not  As he waited for his partner and their paralegal to make it into the office, he considered hiring the assassin himself.  Fuck, who was he kidding?  He was considering doing it himself.

Colt had sent text messages to Dimitri Andromedev  and Abbigail Cresthaven an hour ago, as soon as he’d reached the office and gotten his temper under control, a small feat in intself.  He’d been on the phone with his brother, Colin, the entire way from his penthouse to the office; getting screamed at for ever having Constantin Rakeovich as a client and somehow blamed for the current situation that was transpiring with Colin’s intern.  Colt had never been one to back down from Colin, he actually enjoyed pissing his brother off and did it very effectively, but this wasn’t a situation where he wanted to further antagonize the other man.  There wasn’t much he could argue with what his brother was saying, and he hated that.  While they were not close, hell they barely could tolerate one another, they were still the only blood that either of them had left on the planet and there was something to that.  Not liking Colin was a whole lot different than tolerating someone threatening someone close to him or even his brother, himself.

As much as the Masterson brothers were vastly different, they were also very much alike.  The longer the time stretched on, the more anxious Colt became and he began to pace from one side of his office to another.  One hand ran over the stubble on his jaw, his elbow perched on his other forearm that was across his chest.  Anyone that knew him knew this was his pensive stance, and approaching him required announcing yourself first so he didn’t take your head off for breathing.  When deep in thought or ruminating on a point of a case, it was how you’d find him.  What was rolling through his head now was what the fuck his brother had done to have one of his interns being tortured, most likely to death?  And what was going to happen to Colin when they ran out of parts of the young woman?

This was the condition that Colt was found in when Dimitri made it into the office. Not one to be summoned, Dimitri wasn’t happy about it happening now.  What had crawled up Colt’s ass to have him demanding his presence as the ass crack of dawn at the office?  He had been doing surveillance work to dismantle a case against one of their clients for the entire night.  It had been after 2 AM when he’d gotten home so being up and at the office less than six hours later was not making him happy.  Not that the Russian was ever truly in a good mood, but this morning was especially foul.

“Trying to wear the carpet out so we have to replace it?” Dimitri stopped at the door watching Colt pace.  There was something wrong, the man in front of him’s whole demeanor just screamed it.  Arms crossed over his chest, until Colt shared what the fuck was going on, he was going no further.  As stubborn as the Masterson brothers could be, they paled in comparison to Dimitri.

“Yeah, because that is what I wanted you here for.” The sarcastic bite in Colt’s voice had Dimitri’s brows raising, but he said nothing.  “Sit down.  We need to wait for Abby.”  Colt’s demeanor was brusk.  He wasn’t in the mood for Dimitri’s sarcasm or bitter wit this morning.  Normally they had a rapport that flowed easily, but after the call from Colin, his mood and entire day, week, month, life was spiraling.  He might hate his brother, but he wouldn’t wish what Colin was going through on anyone.

“I’ll stand.  You pace.  Get whatever is up your ass out of it before she gets here.” It was not a request, it was a command, and one that now held the heavy Russian accent that he normally hid perfectly.  Dimitri’s jaw also had tensed.  Many would miss it, and that would be a mistake.  “Last thing she needs is your moody ass ruining her day any more than your demanding text first thing in the morning did.  I still don’t know why she puts up with you.”  Dimitri leaned up against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest.  Colt was as tight as a bow string and if he snapped, he’d prefer there be a buffer between him and the only sane one in the office.  He hadn’t been lying when he said he didn’t know why Abby put up with Colt, fuck why did she put up with him either?

Running late, Abby was the last one to the office.  She’d been half way there when she’d gotten Colt’s text and she knew she would be.  Normally punctual, it seemed like everything conspired against her and there seemed to be far more police on the streets than usual.  Not that it mattered too much, but it meant that traffic was more snarled than usual.  Add it to why she hated her commute, but loved where she lived and where she worked.

Rushing into the office, she was greeted by the sight of Dimitri’s back in Colton’s doorway.  She’d worked with them for five years, and in that time she’d learned to read both of their body language.  While to some Dimitri might have looked relaxed against the door frame, to her he looked like a predator who was calculating the best way to strike.  That was never a good situation. The last time she’d seen him like that, they’d had to have a bookshelf in Colt’s office replaced from a client’s ex-husband being put into it. “Oh geez!  I’m the last one here. Sorry guys, I can’t seem to be anywhere on time today.”  Abby hustled into her office and dropped her coat and purse in her chair before scurrying back towards where Dimitri was standing.  “You can dock my pay again if this is considered late.  I’m so sorry!”  She hurried over, this wasn’t how she wanted the day to start.

A droll stare was cast over at Colt who had finally stopped the fucking pacing.  “You dock her pay?  EVER?” There was a growl to his voice, Dimitri was NOT amused by that bit of information.  Good god, was the man daft?  “I hope you’re paying her a ton of overtime as well then.” The woman worked long hours and while Colt was the one responsible for her pay, Dimitri figured it was far less than what she was worth.  He had never considered the fact that Colt would actually dock her pay for anything, not after all this time and it just being the three of them.

A hand ran down his face as Colt looked at his partner. Great, now there would be a fight over what he paid their assistant.  “No, I don’t dock her pay.”  He’d told her he would, yes.  He never had.  He wasn’t stupid.  If she left, they’d be lucky to find anyone who would last a day with their combined temperaments anymore.  He knew they were damn lucky she’d stayed for the five years she had.  Once she passed the bar, he had a feeling they would have to make her a partner as well, or they’d lose her.  Not something he wanted to think about at the moment.  

“Yes, I pay her overtime.  I’m not looking to have to hire another one.”  Colt swore he could hear Dimitri’s teeth grind.  For someone who stood up before a judge or jury and made legal arguments for a living, that was probably the worst phrased way he could have put that.  He just sighed, the hits were not going to stop coming today.  He held up a hand. “Before you say a god damned word, asshole, it has NOT been a good morning, and you KNOW what I meant.”  Maybe instead of someone assassinating Constantin, he could have them take him out instead.

[quoria]

Chapter 1.12: I'm Having A Hard Time Coming Up With Chapter Titles That Aren't Spoilers But Trust Me It's Good

Colton needed to find Sasha. 

Thankfully, Sasha was not a hard man to find. Colton knew that Madeline was with Jude, but Sasha didn’t, which made his first stop Madeline's shop. He didn’t remember exactly when Sasha had made his next appointment, but he knew Sasha was sweet on Madeline. Being in love made people do silly things, like pretend to forget appointment times just for a chance to talk to their crush for a couple of minutes.

Sasha was right where Colton had expected him to be, but he looked uncharacteristically worried. One of his hands was covering his mouth, and he took a shaky step back, a stray piece of glass crunching beneath his shoe. He looked helplessly from Colton to the store front and back again.

The shop windows were broken, every single one of them, and the frames were on the ground floor were cordoned off with rope barricades. They were normal windows, not the type used for glass storefronts, but breaking all six of them couldn’t have been easy. Small bits of glass fell down from the second floor, and Colton shielded his eyes, taking a step back and waiting for the wind to die down before he dared to look up. 

At least two of the windows on the second floor had holes punched through them, and cracks were spread across the glass like a spiderweb. It looked to him like someone had thrown a brick through them, or perhaps a rock. Colton’s heart sank until he was sure it was somewhere near his feet. Glass was harder than it looked. Throwing a heavy object hard enough to break a distant window was no easy feat, and someone had done it twice. 

The telltale tinkle of glass drew Colton’s attention as someone dusted a little glass away from the edge of the windowsill from the inside. A member of the city watch, judging by the glimpse of a brown tunic Colton could see from down on the street. The watch tended to work fast. Mabre had more or less told him that she was the lead on this case, too, which meant she wouldn’t be happy to see him here. He’d promised to call if anything came up with Madeline - although to be fair, Mabre had presumably beaten him to the shop this time. A guilty part of Colton wondered if that would’ve still been the case if he hadn’t slept in or taken so long eating lunch with Reilley.

“Don’t worry, Ma-Miss Fortuna’s safe,” Colton said, quickly correcting himself when Sasha glanced back to him again, not wanting to let Madeline’s identity slip. The man looked like he was feeling every possible negative emotion simultaneously, and Colton was compelled to help put him at ease. To try, at least. He couldn’t exactly do a lot of good in the face of such a targeted attack on Madeline’s business. Sure, he had a good idea of who had done it, but the idea of trying to get a member of the royal family of Citarik arrested was laughable. 

“She is?” Sasha asked, relieved. “But where-”

“With a friend,” Colton said, cutting Sasha off. He quickly stepped forward to link his arm with Sasha’s and lead him away from the crime scene.  It was best to get going before the good members of the city watch noticed him. “I ran into her last night, and she mentioned it to me. I doubt she knows what happened to her shop.” He’d done more than run into Madeline, but he had a feeling that Sasha wouldn’t be pleased to learn that he’d gone out to a bar with her, what with his poorly concealed crush. 

“Then we should be telling her,” Sasha said, frowning. “Or the city watch.” 

“We can’t. Not yet.” Colton said. Sasha looked like he was about to object, so he quickly picked up where he’d left off. “I think I know who did it, but if word gets out, he might destroy the evidence.” 

Sasha frowned, and dug his heels in, forcing Colton to stop in the shadow of a nearby building. Madeline’s shop was still visible down the street, the rope barricades and broken glass making it more prominent than any other building. 

“Sasha-” Colton started, only for Sasha to cut him off instead.

“No. It is my turn to speak. What is going on here, Colton?” Sasha stared Colton down, refusing to budge so much as an inch as Colton pulled gently and fruitlessly at their linked arms. Colton wasn’t that strong, but he’d thought he was at least stronger than Sasha.

“Okay, okay, okay.” Colton said nervously, more aware than ever that he was speaking to someone directly related to the King of Citarik. He steeled himself for Sasha’s reaction, whatever it might be. “The necklace I told you I was looking for? It’s Miss Fortuna's. Someone stole it. Afterwards someone started breaking her windows, and now its escalated to this. She asked me not to tell anyone. She didn’t want to worry her clients.” That wasn’t the full story, but it was close enough, and Colton was sure it would be enough information to satisfy Sasha. He’d just gone and told one of her most influential clients exactly what he’d been told to keep a secret - the least he could do was only share what he absolutely had to.

“Someone is targeting her? Who? Tell me who dares!” Sasha demanded, stunned, then furious. Colton had never seen Sasha angry before, and he thought he could go without ever seeing it again. He was thankful he wasn’t the one who’d stolen that necklace, because the way Sasha was suddenly glowering made it clear that someone was going to pay dearly for it. His usually kind, blue eyes now looked more like he had two chips of ice in his skull, and his white, white teeth were more visible than ever.

“Shh! Calm down!” The look Sasha shot Colton was withering, and he quickly backpedaled. “I’m upset too, but we can’t go around looking like it. He’s gonna get away with this if we can’t act naturally.” 

Sasha appeared to accept Colton’s point, even though he didn’t like it. He took a few deep breaths, clenching and relaxing his hands as he forced himself to relax his expression. Colton was more relieved than he could put into words, and he didn’t try.

“It was Kaleb,” Colton said, bracing himself for the inevitable indignation and anger Sasha would undoubtedly feel. People didn’t like to hear that their close friends or relatives were responsible for their missing objects, or petty crimes. 

“Kaleb?” Sasha said, eyes wide. He looked like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It was a genuine sort of shock, the sort that was impossible to fake, and Colton felt bad for him. 

“I know it’s not easy to hear something like this, but I need your help to make it right. I think Kaleb took the necklace and broke all those windows to stop you from going there. He hates the occult, and we both know about his violent little club.” Colton talked fast because he was nervous, and because he wasn’t sure how much time he had until Sasha’s shock wore off. 

“I think he’s been doing all of this to stop you from visiting Miss Fortuna. I don’t know how things are back in Citarik, but maybe he thinks a member of the royal family visiting a fortune teller makes everyone look bad. Or maybe he just really, really hates the occult. But he’s got motive, means and opportunity.”

”Perhaps I should have taken my appearance into more consideration,” Sasha said almost guiltily. “I suppose it would not look so good from Kaleb’s point of view… But even so, that is no reason to torment Miss Fortuna.” 

Sasha seemed to be coming to terms with what Colton was saying, however slowly. “You said you need my help?” he asked hesitantly. Colton sympathized. This was a lot to take in. 

“I do. I need you to find the necklace. It’s made of wood, with a crystal embedded into it. That’s the evidence we need. I’d get it myself, but there’s no way I could get away with breaking into the house of a foreign dignitary, even if it was for a good cause.”

“So you want me to find and take this necklace while you…distract Kaleb?” Sasha asked. Colton had to give him credit, he caught on fast.

“That’s the plan. I find him and keep him busy, and you grab the necklace. Then we can meet back up and give it back to Miss Fortuna.” They’d have to decide on whether or not to loop in the city watch, too, given Kaleb’s position in Citarik. How had finding one necklace put him on the verge of starting a diplomatic incident? 

“But you have to find him, first...” Sasha pointed out. “And I think I might know where he is.”

Chapter 1.11 ↢ || ↣ Chapter 1.13

[cordelianewman]

Oh don't flatter me, babe, I know the names I would get called by the girls when I was being an absolute hardass while training. Plus as nice as I was, we all have a little mean girl in us, when we're cheerleaders, you should have known that before dating me and getting engaged to me. Don't put me in the same room with Kellan or you're in trouble if we get going... Death til us part, there's nothing in there about not teasing endlessly when there's an opening! Don't worry despite me wanting kids really badly, do you think I'm going to risk not being able to fit into the wedding dress of my dreams? Look I've changed a lot, I'm definitely not like I was in high school -- not that I was a monster, but I'm not about to give up when I finally get to marry the guy I planned to marry all these years ago. I'm not planning on doing it with a bump -- mainly because don't need the 'oh they got married for this reason' excuse. Not that it matters but still. I'm not looking to make a honeymoon baby either, babe. I just want to make sure that when the time is right, we don't have... issues. Everything will be together and we'll make decisions together, from the home to children, to animals we bring home, everything. Because it's all going to be ours. Good, when you do I'm expecting ugly tears and everything or we'll be rewinding and doing that again! I'm kidding by the way. You say that as if you don't have a ton on your plate, but as you said this is all going to be ours, our life together, and if you can't talk to me when you're stressed then there'll be cracks sooner or later and that's something I'd like to prevent from the jump. Well I've got the stuff from Rafael that I'm looking into, the courses recommended, and kind of what we might be interested. My question is are we looking for this to be more of a restore/flip and sell kind of business, rentals throughout Merrock for locals or new people moving to town or a mix of the two? Because at some point this would turn into a business between the two of us. I'm thinking a house is our best option and I don't mind if they share but I would prefer making sure Colton is fine with that because if he wants his own space I don't want to infringe upon that with a teenager. I'm thinking maybe there's a way to be close but like maybe right on the outskirts of the center of New Orleans? That way we're still close, could maybe walk into town... though unless you can find a gorgeous rental that is historical or something in town then I would say go for that so you can drool over everything.

Careful, baby. Being mean makes you live up to all of those captain of the cheer squad stereotypes that you worked really, really hard to overcome in high school. You better be on my side, we have that whole 'til death do us part thing going on, I don't want to suddenly find out that you're on someone else's team here. No, no, I've known it was a possibility from day one, but it hasn't exactly stopped me from being with you, either, you know. If it happened, it happened, but I think you would rather be able to do that whole finding the perfect wedding dress thing without having to worry about your body changing and fitting a bump into a dress, so it's good to play things smart right now. No, I agree, and I appreciate being included in any decisions that you make, you know that. It means a lot to me. I know, I'm not exactly expecting to make a honeymoon baby, either, so I get it. I just think -- you know, as it is, whenever we're making these financial decisions and trying to do things with the house, it's like everything's so… separate. My name, your name, and I know eventually it'll be our name, and everything will be together, but I want it to be like that when we add to the family, makes life that much easier. Yes. Both to the sweater and heels and also to crying when you come down the aisle, you know that I will. I cried when you said yes to marrying me, of course I'm going to cry when we actually do it. I'm not proud, I don't need a first look, the whole damn family can see me ugly crying when you turn the corner. It's definitely not, and I always struggle with the idea of not wanting to make you worry, because you have enough on your plate, but I know that I need to get over that, too, so it's a work in progress. Me too, and it's a big, gorgeous house. It's going to be a fun job, not a hard job -- lots of heading out to flea markets and antique stores to try to find matching fixtures, stripping down layers of old paint. Which, you know, might be fun for you to check out, too, if you want to learn some stuff. Oh, I know, babe. Which is part of the reason why I don't hesitate to say that you're worth the investment, because I know you're not going to go into it half-cocked and afraid to tackle it head on. You're going to go into it and do it all by the books and make sure it's done right, and I love that about you. Probably a house. I just think that it would be easier, you know? Doesn't have to be big, Colton and Rosalyn can share a room, even, but I just feel like a rental might be a smart option. What are your thoughts on location, then? I like the idea of being in the middle of everything, but … think with the kids, it might feel safer and more secure if we're back a bit, away from the craziness? It's a tough call.

[cljordan-imperium]

Now that I am no longer revisiting my food and drink, I will get back to answering this because...I got slightly delayed. Bad shellfish...the bane of all Coasters. @toribookworm22

And NOW we move on to @bendingthelaws cuz this one is fun...like I had so much fun writing this one and I'm not currently banging my head on my desk over changes that I made that are driving me up a wall. *COUGH HARD*Bombs*COUGH AGAIN*

Colin - Colin, the older brother, envies his brother Colton because he feels like Colt has more freedom in his life to do what he wants when he wants. Colin kind of feels like Batman, going after Chicago's bad guys when no one else will and working hard when the rest of the justice system throws up their hands. He's a work-a-holic with very little social life and romances are normally a very nice atomic explosion due to it.

Colton - Ironic, but Colton envies his brother. Colin tends to see things, or SAW things, in black and white. There is no morally grey area. The grey areas are where Colt gets himself in some trouble from time to time, which is where his partner Dimitri comes in. Oh lawd-a-mighty, does THAT man have secrets upon secrets. #2 - He's in love with Abby but refuses to acknowledge it. Dimitri is having a blast with this by the way.

Dimitri - I started to write this out and it would need its own thread. so BIO WRITTEN IN 2020 HERE. It's a 1400 word expose' on all of his secrets, and whoo boy does this man have A LOT...and there's even more not in there...yeah buddy! I love this man!!! <3

Abbigail - Abby - #1 - She is in love with Colt and bad at hiding it. Dimitri is fiercely protective (see his secrets) and makes sure she doesn't get ouched feelings. #2 - She has a crust on Colin, but he also figured out little brother's feelings and stepped back to keep from getting shot...literally...by his own kin. #3 - Honestly thinks Colt is going to fire her at any second. We all get to have fun with this for a few minutes.

Serena - Has covered for Dimitri more times than she'd like to count but after he threatened her, in her autopsy suite, alone, at night, to the point she had a scalpel covered in human viscera at his neck, not so much anymore. No one else knows what happened that caused it but that he is intimidated by her and doesn't cross her lightly.

Karsten - It will come out eventually but both he and Keegan slept with Colin's current girlfriend at the same time (not literally) before she hooked up with Colin. Only Serena knows this.

Keegan - See above. Also, asked Abby out, got shut down, they do not talk about it because - reasons. They get along great now though, but when things come to a head with Abby and Colt...if you've read Imperium, Keegan has a personality like Jasper or Dez...just imagine the fun... *can't help but laugh at my own baby blorbo)

Kal - JAG at Naval Station Great Lakes that went to school with both Colin and Colton, is between them squarely in age. There may have been a few negotiations to get sailors into his hands and out of civilian and vice versa. Such things are not discussed.

Andronica - Andi - Kal's girlfriend - Mysterious female from New Orleans (no she is NOT supernatural) who is running a PI firm with her brother and knew Kal from the past when they had mutual friends and she lived in Chicago (YES, she is based of of Abriella...but different...human). They've reconnected, had a date on NYE, and the kiss reignited old feelings. I'm looking for that writing... #1 - She is a CIA operative. #2 - She knows EXACTLY who Dimitri is. #3 - She's supposed to take him down. #4 - He keeps Kal safe, so...ooops...she's not finding what she's supposed to be looking for. Her handler is NOT impressed, but he's scared of her. #5 - eventually Dimitri is going to be scared of her...reread his bio and this will impress you.

Dominic - uh...well now..Nic...Dom...depending on who is talking to him...if you don't mind spoilers because I wrote his bio after I had revealed all this in my previous writing... BIO from 2020. If you don't want major spoilers #1 - his name is NOT Dominic. #2 - He is hiding everything about who he really is, and why is keeping one person very dear to him alive. #3 - He really would like nothing more than to kill Constantin. #4 - At the moment he hates, hates, hates, hates his real boss.

Sasha - Sasha is a hit man, the best in Chicago, Dimitri respects him. Dimitri is the only one who knows all of the hits Sasha has done, which is why he's still free. Evidence may have had a bad habit of disappearing before it ever made it to the precinct or Colin's office, but Dimitri knows nothing about that.

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