#we have reached that time of year once more fellas

[happypeachsludgeflower]

I love how the tv show is making the gods even BIGGER assholes then previously thought possible and that’s s a y i n g something

Athena quite literally said “you embarrassed me so I’m going to let you die horrifically in my own temple”

Anyway, dethrone Zues 2024 is once again upon us!! Now including dethrone Olympus 2024!! 💃💃✨

[woodle-isbae]

I need me one order of katsuki getting freaky with reader after a nice romantic date with extra smut on the side please 😌

The Answer

K.Bakugo x fem!reader

Warnings: takes place in the 3rd Year, Reader is just as snappy as Bakugou, mating press, oral( f receiving) , slight sub! Bakugo, virgin! Bakugo, swearing(obviously), black implied reader.

I mightve missed some stuff..idk

A/N: I think posting this will cure my writers block wtf.

"And where do you think your going dressed like that?"

You turned tour head to be met with your pink friend, her eye brow raised and head cocked to the side while her arms crossed, acting as if she were your mother. She basically fit the criteria, wearing her crocs and some shorts with a gown over.

"I'm going on a a date, I told you this already."

As the words left your mouth she let out a soft gasp, shuffling over to interrogate you about who what and where, preparing for her bombarding.

"Who is this lucky fella huh? Wait no let me guess, Shoto! No, he doesn't date...Iida!"

You internally scolded yourself for letting her see you like this, knowing that she would name every guy under the sun...but Him.

"Let me save you the time, it's Katsuki."

You gave her a soft smile, placing your hand on her shoulder as you spoke. But Mina only offered you a shocked face, as if she saw a ghost- her face went pale at the mention of the blonds name.

"What.?"

"Haha, yeah really unlikely that Katsuki would have a girlfriend- let alone me!"

You chuckled dryly, glancing to the clock on the wall and noticing that you would be late if you stayed any longer. You muttered a soft excuse me to Mina and left the Dorms, going to the UA gates, a soft scowl on your puffy haired boyfriends face.

"Your gonna make us late dumbass."

Not letting you even speak up, he placed a bouquet of (Fav/flowers) in your hands, his blushing highlighted by the moonlight. He glanced down to you and begun scowling at you.

"You got a fucking starin' problem or something!?"

"Jeez, can't a girl just enjoy looking at her boyfriend."

"I didn't say that! Your fucking Gawking at me!"

"Yeah! You look well dressed tonight...for once.."

"The fuck was that!?"

Your little squabble went on until you two reached a cute restaurant, bakugou trying to be a romantic fuck and open the door for you with a grumble, holding back on his words when you giggle and muttered a soft 'thank you'

He lead you to a small booth in the far corner of the little Cafe, setting down your gifts next to you as you sat across from him, looking through the menu for a moment until your sweet boyfriend snapped his fingers trying to call for a waiter.

"Katsuki! That's so rude."

"Tch, the fuck I look like caring huh?"

You begun squabbling again until someone(s) walked up to your table. You both looked up to order, abruptly stopping to stare at Katsuki's two friends in the Cafe uniform, grinning from eat to ear while wiggling their brows at you.

"What would you like t-"

"We want a different waiter..why the fuck are you two here, together."

"Part time, need more cash for our stuff."

Denki spoke out, a goofy grin on his face as his eyes craned over to you then back to Katsuki, his face dropping in an instant.

"Why are you..with him..?"

He muttered out, the whole table going silent- felt like the whole place went silent, you were absolutely dumbfounded. Do people not think your a good match?

"Argh! I didn't mean it like that! I just never expected Ka-Bakugo to be with you! Your exactly the same and that thing with opposites-"

He stammered out, waving his hands infront of him, trying to defend himself before any of you could speak. Ultimately Sero had hit him upside the head and dragged him away.

"...I ordered us some Curry."

You craned your head back to the man infront of you, his face in a deep blush- probably because he was caught on a date.

"The fuck are you blushing for, you don't want anyone to find out about us huh?"

Your words had fixed him right up, his face returning back into a scrunched up scowl.

"Ffffff-FUCK NO, I'd show you off! Stop being so difficult!"

He growled out, even if he's words sounded so rude to the person over- you knew he actually meant it, he wasn't able to express himself and any form of compliment was actually sincere.

"I know Tsuki, don't get so grumpy before the date even starts."

Just as he was about to scream more, Sero and Denki came back with your food in hand, placing them down along with your drinks. Sero was being sneaky and whispered something into Katsuki's ear, slipping something into his hand and shuffling away giggling with Denki.

"Weirdos."

You mumbled out, digging into your food and ignoring the blush on Katsuki's face, his eyes boring holes into your head. You glanced up at him and looked away, pretending to eat his food so you wouldn't question him.

The date went surprisingly well, besides the fact Denki and sero kept coming back to 'check' on you guys(whisper some stuff into Bakugou's ear), it was the best you've ever been on.

"What are they muttering into y'ear?"

"N-nothing! Focus on the date, ignore those damn extras."

He spoke out through a full mouth, obviously very out of character for him since he would give you a full lecture about talking with a full mouth, that turns into a lecture about table manners.

"Hm, whatever you say."

You smirked up at him, using your spoon to point at him teasingly before fucking up your plate.

You had finished up and Bakugou snached the bill away trying to be a gentleman. You weren't gonna pay anyway.

"Where are we going next?"

"Just follow me."

You rolled your eyes and walked next to him, glancing over to his full hands with the gifts he got you- saying that he's gonna hold them while you look pretty. It honestly made you giggle how he found a way to be sweet while being a total jackass.

The two of you shorty arrived at an empty hillside at a park, with some blankets, candles, chocolates and even more stuffed toys sat around. You squeeled and jumped up on him the moment he set down the gifts, showering him in glossy kisses and soft 'thank you!' And 'I love it!!'

"Well, I'm glad you like it.."

His words came out soft and hushed, a soft blush spread across his face while he released a breath of relief. He had lead you to the blanket and sat across from you, dipping some fruit in the chocolate and trying to feed you.

"Look at you! Trying to be all romantic!!"

"Shut up and eat."

He pouted at your teasing, not screaming or trying to fight, just accepting your weird teasing that made him blush. While you talked his ear off about different things and stuff you'd wanna do together, he stared at you- a soft gaze, drinking up every little detail on your face with the moonlight washing over you.

"Your really pretty.."

"Aw! Tha-"

"I'm not done. Your really pretty, I'm kinda jealous, like your so fucking perfect- I'm shocked you even wanna be with me."

He paused, taking in a deep breath and looking you in the eyes, placing his large warm hand over yours.

"It makes me super happy or whatever that I get to be your boyfriend, fuck- it makes me super happy that I can walk around and scream to the world that (Y/N)(L/N) is my lover- my girlfriend!"

You only sat staring at him, a slight pout forming on your face as the tears came right up, you jumped onto him with a big hug.

"I love you too Katsuki, I'll never stop loving you! Imagine how excited I feel getting to say that I'm dating the Pro Hero in training, Katsuki Bakugou!"

You both had layed there, the cool night air brushing over you while you soaked in the presence of eachother, the soft breaths catching your ears.

"What did Hanta slip into your pocket anyways?"

Your words sat in his head for a few seconds before he shot up, clearing his throat and muttering something about your curfew, trying to beat around the bush.

"C'mon Katsuki! You can tell me.!"

"Not in public.."

He walked fast paced, for someone who was carrying atleast 20kgs worth of gifts in that little blanket, he was moving really fast. You huffed out and followed him until you guys made it back to UA, opening the door so he could walking in and go to his room.

Unlucky for him, you still followed him- mainly because he would need help with the door, but also because your still curious.

"It's nothing, important- now shoo."

"I'll shut the door, and you can whisper it.!"

You did just that, locking the door and shuffling over to sit next to him on his bed, bringing your eat closer to him.

"For fucks sake, it's not anything we'll use now."

Use? It's obviously something with a one time use value.

"Breathmint? I mean your breath is amazing, why would he giv-"

"It's a condom dipshit."

What!

"Why the fuck we're you so embarrassed to say that! Obviously we could've used it now."

"Well I don't know how!"

He had a scowl on his face, a really stark contrast to the same soft loving face that gushed out all his feelings to you.

"We get a SexEd class every year, what do you mean you don't know how??"

"I know how! Fucking hell, I just- never did it before.."

"Can you repeat, i didn't he-"

"I'm a virgin."

You stared at him, he looked away with a red face- embarrassed that someone like him, an ego so big, was a virgin. You weren't really surprised, he shouts so much you would've guessed he's pent up.

"That why your always angry?"

"OHMYFUCKINGGODSHUTUP!"

He threw a pillow at you, growing embarrassed at how chill you were being since he just told one of his biggest secrets.

"Okay sorry! But...do you wanna change that?"

He looked over at you, dumbfounded at your choice of words.

"You hang out with dunceface too much."

"Ouch?"

You held your heart dramatically, earning a groan from your boyfriend. As you were about to complain he cut you off, pulling you in for a deep kiss.

His rough hand on your cheek, his tongue poking at your lips begging for entrance- which you allowed happily. Your own hands finding their way to his face, the little bickering you had a moment ago completely forgotten, drowning in your lust for eachother.

"Yes, you can change that."

He said softly against your lips, lifting you off the bed and onto his lap, trying to pull in as close as possible. A hushed whine leaving his lips when your pressed yourself on his tent, pulling back to look at him with a sly smirk.

"Shut up."

Once again, as you were about to speak he cut you off with a kiss, not interested to hear the dumb joke you wanted to say. You had decided to unbutton his shirt, slowly exposing his chest to the night air, causing him him to softly hiss.

"I should've closed my window- fuck."

He mumbled on your lips, trying to get your clothes off aswell, slightly fumbling out of nervousness. You giggled at his shyness, helping him get you out of your clothes.

"Relax, we're taking this slow..for you."

He blushed, insulted that you thought he needed to take things slow, he was gonna show you otherwise.

"Fuck that, I can take whatever you throw at me."

His rough voice booming through your ears, flipping you onto your back and trailing his hands down your sides, lips tracing down your neck to your collarbone.

"Don't be loud."

He said between your thighs, looking you dead in the eye as he slowly pulled your panties to the side, breathing onto your exposed cunt. Soft kisses placed near your slit.

"Stop being a tease Kats."

"I'll do whatever the fuck I want."

The last words that left his lips before he placed them softly on your clit, sucking softly on the swollen bud. A soft gasp slipping past your own, fingers sliding through his messy hair.

"Just like that, yeahh.."

You said breathlessly, lifting your hips to hump against his tongue. He ran it from your slit all the way to your clit, groaning from the sweet taste of your juices, his grip on your thighs near bruising.

"Fuck, you taste so good."

You knew he was addicted now, not stopping to come back up for air or when you shook under him, talking about 'wait..I don't wanna cum so fast..'. He could care less, drunken from the taste of your juices alone.

"Tsuki- I'm gonna cum! Fuck.!"

You shook underneath his hold, hips spasming from the non stop stimulation of his tongue from your clenching heat to the swell of your clit. He made sure to lick you clean before pulling back, finally taking in a full breath of air.

"If I knew you tasted this good, I would've done this so fucking long ago."

He was loving every second of it, the pupil in his red eyes so blown out they nearly washed away the color, lips pink and swollen. He hopped off the bed, shuffling to lock the door and throw his clothes off, making his way back to you with the condom pack placed between his teeth.

"You seem excited."

You chuckled, glancing between his legs that held the one thing you wanted more- and up to his flushed face, a small smile plastered on. His hands sliding the condom onto his fat cock, aligning himself to your cunt.

Pushing inside you with one swift thrust, hissing from the new found feeling of your warmth, Katsuki placed his arms around your waist and held your tightly against him. You'd taken a moment to catch your breath, getting used to the stretch his cock gave you.

"Tsuki...you can move.."

You whispered into his ear, keeping your arms locked around the back of his neck, fingers tracing softly on his nape. He had hummed at your words, thrusting into you slowly to get used to the feeling of being deep inside you.

"I could get addicted to this...fuck.."

Katsuki propped himself up on his left elbow, looking down between your bodies to see the way you connect at each thrust, his right hand pushing your leg up to your chest do he could get even deeper.

The new found position had you both in utter bliss, the blondes thrusts becoming more and more erratic and rough- while the sounds leaving your mouth had raised in volume at each *plap* of your hips.

"Fuuckk! Yes- right there, Katsuki!"

You clawed at his back, trying to surface yourself on anything to avoid being fucked dumb too late. He hissed out, drunken off the soft pulsing around his cock and the way his name sat comfortably in your mouth.

"I won't last long if you keep scratchin' up on me."

He growled into your ear, slowing his thrusts but making them deeper, trying get you to reach your orgasm before him. He moved his hand between you two to rub on your clit, moaning at the way you constricted around him.

You could feel your second orgasm of the night approach, his other hand leaving your hip and groping at your tit, rubbing faster against your clit. He bit down on your shoulder to conceal the pathetic whimpers and moans that slipped out his lips.

"Ah! Tsuki-im gonna cum.!"

"Go 'head baby- fuuuck, it's all yours."

He grunted into your neck, rolling his hips oh so pleasantly against yours. His pleads and whimpers clouded your mind, the way his cock rubbed against the spongy spot deep inside you. You could feel the knot inside you breaking- along with something else inside, you were too fucked out to protest and beg him to sloe down, head falling back against the pillow as your jaw hung slack.

"Oh- fuckfuckfuckkk, I'm- Shiiittt!"

You shook underneath him, your orgasm crashing down on you like a brick, juices spraying down your thighs and against his chiseled hip. This caused a reaction out of him, his thrusts turning sloppy before he locked in placed, cusses and pleads flying out of his mouth.

"Haa- you feel so fucking good..oh pleasepleaseplease- ha!"

You stayed there for a moment, catching your breaths and making your way back into your mushed brains. Once Katsuki had sat up to pull out, you were fast asleep and sprawled out comfortably on the bed.

"Eh? I did that."

He smuggly muttered to himself, slipping out of you and getting a damp cloth to clean you both with, bringing some spare clothes to change you into aswell. As soon as he snuggled up and was ready to sleep, your phone dinged and lit up, a new message from the group.

The blond only grumbled and tossed the phone to the night stand, turning over to spoon you, kissing over the bruises he left on your skin before sleeping.

[nicolesainz]

“Written mine on my upper thigh” LN4

Lando Norris x f!reader

Author’s note: My comeback story HAD to be about the winner of the Dutch Grand Prix (by 22 seconds) and @freedaxf1 ‘s husband!! I present to you, possessive Lando Norris

Summary: Lando and you have been having an on and off relationship since your teenage years. While he lives his life in England, you’re back home trying to move on but everything seems impossible. What happens when Lando finally tracks the continues cycle?

Warnings: inaccuracies about Lando’s job and birthday, sexual themes, minors dni, 18+, nicknames, oral sex!

His eyes had been glued to my body for the better part of the night. I must admit mine were doing the exact same, given with how good he was looking. In all the years we have known each other this was one of the times where I have caught myself thinking “I will never share him with anyone. He is mine.”

I had come to London for a play with my friend group and we all decide to collectively separate our schedules and explore the city. In my case, I had been desperate enough to let someone else explore me. I knew that if I spent another month without his touch, I would need to buy a third vibrator.

As I was walking into the fourth bookstore of the day, trying to find as many new romance novels as possible, thankful I decided to pack very lightly, and my luggage had some extra space. It was at the very moment when my fingers laid on Shakespeare’s “Othello” when a raspy British voice tingled my entire body, “No surprise finding you looking at England’s most profound litterateur work.”

I turned around to be met with the most crystal blue eyes I had ever encountered in my life. They also happened to be the eyes of the man that drove me insane for most of my teenage years and fell in love with. I also was not surprised when I caught him licking his lips as he was staring into mine. Usually what that meant in both our minds was “Yours or mine?”

“I am starting to believe you have put a tracker on me given I can’t hide from you.”

“You will never find it sweetheart. I am better at hiding than you will ever be.”

“Now that you mentioned it, a certain pair of panties has me feeling uneasy every time I wear them on dates, maybe that’s your hiding spot.”

“Probably shouldn’t have worn them whilst you were with me. Or even when you weren’t with me, since it’s a sign that I have marked them as mine.”

“A tracker was unnecessary. The universe has sided with you, knowing all my dates were major failures.”

“I won’t lie to you, so I can’t say I am sorry for you baby. After all, I hardly doubt you reached a point with those poor fellas where you screamed their name as loud as you did mine.”

This probably would be an ideal time for him but very unfortunate time for me to admit that I once misnamed one of my dates and used his name instead. And an even more annoying fact that he was right about was that I had never reached a point with any of those guys to moan their names, or even let them touch me.

The past 3 months I hadn’t allowed myself to get physical with anyone else but him. Everyone was slowly starting to wonder why my visits to London were becoming more and more regular. As the months were going by quite fast, the use of my vibrator was becoming an even more usual habit. The moment I die I know there’s a place for me in hell, with the amount of times I have surrendered myself to the captivating voice of this Englishman, making the most unholy thoughts about his tongue and fingers touching the most inappropriate parts of my body, as I slide in my vibrator, imagining his insanely powerful body thumping against mine, groaning and moaning his name louder than a holy prayer.

“What brings you around my place this time? Missed my cock so much couldn’t get enough of it?”

“Friend group getaway if you so badly want to know. And trust me if I wanted to fuck you so much with one single call, I could have made you travel back home and wreck me, like the good obedient boy you are.”

“I think you are mistaking me for you darling. I don’t remember being the one who came knocking on one’s door begging for a night of pleasure. Or the one who screamed the other’s name so loud they lost their voice the next day and wanted to be fucked in front of a mirror so they could see how well I fit inside of them.”

I absolutely hate it how he knows exactly which buttons to push in order to play with my brain. Well, you’re the one who lets him so, it’s more your fault, not his. Although I absolutely love it when he pushes those buttons during sex.

I will never admit to his face that he is the best sex I have ever had. He doesn’t need to know that his ego doesn’t need more boost. Ever since I last saw him, he has changed massively. His hair has turned into a darker shade, the fuzziness in his hair has been replaced by a regular curly cut and only a few strands can be seen from the excess of his beanie. He probably has grown a few inches as well, hopefully his cock has as well.

“Say, how did you find me? If you are stalking me, I should get restraining orders now.”

“Happy coincidence. I was looking for new law books about school. And also, a gift for your birthday.”

My heart stopped when he said he was looking a gift for my birthday. I sent him a month ago for his own birthday a scrap book from my last visit in London with pictures we took of each other of the different sights we visited, maybe a few sneaky ones in bed as well.

“You know you don’t have to buy me anything. A text or a call is more than enough.”

“I know, my love, but nonetheless I had to get you something. Thought it was better than anything else.”

“Surely not better than being with you or hearing your voice.”

After I managed to escape from his eyesight, I went back to my room to get changed for the night out me and the guys were about to have. We mutually agreed not to pull an all-nighter so we would be in time tomorrow for the play. With the chilly weather I was met today, I decided that along with my tight dark blue dress, a pair of see-through leggings would be more than ideal. I was on a call with the girls and as I was applying my red lipstick, a message popped up on my screen.

“Try not to catch a cold tonight babe.”

Such small messages declaring his love for me were everything I was asking for in a man and I am thankful they are parts of him. We weren’t in a proper relationship but to the people that didn’t know me very well like my friends, I was always saying “Oh I have a boyfriend, but he lives in the UK”, because he indeed was the closest things I had to one.

When I finally found the location of the club, I managed to easily spot my friends, and I was greeted with many drinks to pick from. Alcohol heaven for sure. I decided to refrain from drinking over 2 glasses so I could enjoy their company more sober than drunk and in case I needed to carry anyone back to their hotels.

After 2 hours all the girls found themselves dancing on the main floor to a remix of Jason Derulo and Lady Gaga, the dirtier the better. All the lights were flashing on our bodies and every man around us was raising their glasses to the way we were dancing. One certain man though wasn’t very pleased with the way I was dancing.

My vision was slightly blurry, but I could tell from the facial expression and the crossed arms that his blood was boiling and the more I was shaking my ass, the more he was ready to throw hands to the other men that were drooling over me and then grab me from the waist and drag me out of the club. I slowly stopped and was about to go sit down with the boys of my friend group, when I felt a sudden arm forcing me away from the couch.

“What the fuck were you thinking? Or were you not thinking at all?” his voice has risen an octave higher than the music and had shaken me to my core. He has never yelled at me.

“I was just dancing. There’s no need to yell at me.”

“Almost 50 men were one step away from getting on the dance floor and laying their hands on you. Do you call that ‘just dancing’?”

“I wasn’t dancing alone, and I wasn’t the only one dancing in that manner.”

“Do you think I care what the other girls do?”

“I still don’t get where all this possessiveness comes from? I get that we have a good time together, I love you and you love me, but we aren’t in a relationship. You don’t own me. I can do whatever I want.”

“You do whatever you want and yet you let me play with you whenever you’re near me. You never stop me. You haven’t slept with other men since we last met and you always talk about how much you are missing me. I only talk about you to my friends, and I refuse to go on dates knowing you’re in another country saving yourself. So, forgive me if I care about you even though I am not your boyfriend.”

As much as it pains me sometimes to admit, I would give anything for him to be my boyfriend. He is the only man I trust with my heart and body. I hadn’t fallen in love with another man ever since we first kissed back when I turned 18. So yes, I can complain as much as I want.

“Feeling better now? I have stopped dancing, and I will go home to wear my nun costume so no man in sight sees any possible skin from my body. Will this please you? Or should I cover my face as well?”

“What would please me is if I had you every day close to my body, wrapped inside my arms, kissing your every inch day and night, claim you as mine forever but god forbid, we are ever in the same place for at least 2 weeks.”

I do not hold back, and I grab his face into my palms and kiss him fiercely. Every time we kiss, I get more and more intoxicated. I am being drugged by the best possible addictive poison. My heart is filled to the very top and I do not desire anything else more in this world that having him kissing me until my breath is cut short.

His tongue dances with mine and the feeling of vodka mixed with gin burns my throat in a pleasing way. I can feel my lipstick being smudged all over his face and as my hands are wrapped around his neck, my leg finds its way around his waist to pull him closer to my body. Everything betrays his power on me as I can feel him growing against me and moaning softly.

“Not here. I need you all for myself. Where are you staying?”

In just a few minutes I find myself slammed against the shower wall, with the water covering both our bodies, extending the heat. His lips found their way on my neck and his fingers are playing with my hardened nipples. My mouth can’t possibly contain the ungodly moans that he is producing and fuck him nothing can ever top this.

“Say once more than you aren’t mine and I will stop being gentle with you.”

“I am so yours. No other man kisses me the way you do. No other man touches me the way you do.”

“No sweetheart, no other man is allowed to touch you. Get it?”

“Fuck, yes.”

Words barely are being phrased properly as I scream in pleasure when he softly bites my nipple after having bitted my collarbone. I have come to terms with the fact that I love it when he is biting me. It’s his way of showing that he loves me. I literally have no control of my body the moment he lays his kisses on me. Its absolutely beautiful.

“I love no one else but you. Oh, how I adore you.” I manage to mumble through the groans.

“What an angel you are. From the moment I met you I knew I was done. Oh, you are never leaving my grasp.”

“Then don’t make me leave. I can be yours, I am yours.”

He then proceeds to fall on his knees, so he can be met with my womanhood as he raised my leg over his shoulder for better view.

“Facetiming you will never compare to the real deal. Oh, my beauty.” And my hands instantly grab against his hair and pull then tightly as his tongue is toying with my wet core. Every inch of my body is trembling and I can’t physically stop moaning his name that by now even the neighbours are well aware of his existence.

“Be mine. Be mine forever. I will give you anything, all I want in return is you.”

“Don’t stop. Oh, I missed you. You take care of me better than anyone else.”

“I can’t go another 3 months without seeing you. Stay with me.”

“I love you but oh my, you know I can’t.”

“Be my girlfriend. Please let me be yours. Let me claim you as mine. Let me take care of you for the rest of your life.”

I look down on him as his lips detach from myself and the cold breeze of the shower hits me with an open mouth from the shock he just caused. I never in my life thought he would ask me to be his girlfriend. It made my heart shutter when I couldn’t have him years ago and now that I am given the chance, everything restored. All I could possibly ask for.

“You probably found the best timing in the world to ask me such question. At my most vulnerable.”

“Want me to ask you after I am finished eating you up darling?”

“I mean, no, my answer would be the very same.”

“Which is? Care to share with an impatient man?”

“A million times yes. Do you think I have spent all this money in visiting you for you to ask me that question and then say no? I would have been insane.”

“You kind of are insane.”

“Excuse me?”

“You go insane every time we kiss and then you drive me insane so we are even.”

“Insane boyfriend and girlfriend?”

“Surely the perfect match.”

[bullet-prooflove]

From the blast from the past prompt list #35 You and I won't part 'til we die with Ryan from Yellowstone

Tagging: @kmc1989 @yousigned-upforthis @queenslandlover-93 @xmjthewitchx @alisbackalleybbq

Companion piece to:

Romantic Shit - Ryan and you talk about Texas.

These pieces follow on after this fic:

Texas - Ryan and you see each other for the first time in three months.

Summer (NSFW) - Ryan enjoys a moment with you in the summer sun.

What Comes After The Dog - Ryan and you have a frank discussion about the future.

The Fun Parent - Ryan discovers there are downsides to being the fun parent.

Your wedding takes place the day before Ryan heads to Texas, on the ranch, underneath the oak tree with the rope swing he introduced you to when you were first started dating. The damn thing had snapped when he was doing his ‘safety check’ sending him hurtling into the stream that runs alongside it and you’d damn near killed yourself laughing before you stripped off your clothes to join him. It had been the first time you skinny dipped together but it hadn’t been the last.

It's a small affair, just the two of you and a couple of fellas from the bunk house. You don’t need more because the truth is Ryan has belonged to you the second he laid eyes on you, he just didn’t know it.

It’s Lloyd who conducts the ceremony, that man has known Ryan since he was 18 years old, fresh from the foster system and searching for a new home. Colby had helped him get ordained online, he’ll be the one to help you file the paperwork once Ryan disappears to the Lone Star State.

His hands reach for yours, clasping them tightly as he drinks you in. You’re wearing a white gauzy summer dress, he can’t wait to get under and cowboy boots you’ve had since you turned eighteen. They’re your something old, the wild flowers in your bouquet something blue.

It’s the ring that’s ‘borrowed’ or rather given. It came from the tiny black velvet pouch that Lloyd has always kept in the top pocket of his shirt. It was his mother’s once upon a time he had told you both when he’d tipped it out onto your palm.

“I ain’t never had a son, but this one is as close as it can get.” He’d said clasping Ryan’s shoulder tightly. “It seems fitting that it should go to the woman that’s decided she can put up with him.”

“I’ll take good care of it.” You had promised Lloyd, tucking it back into the velvet pouch before handing it back to him for the ceremony.

“Just take care of each other, that’s all I ask.” He had said returning it to his pocket.

It was later that night after Ryan had dropped you back off at the cottage that the two of them had sat down to share a couple of glasses of John Dutton’s good whiskey, sent over especially for the event.

“You’ll keep an eye out for her while I’m away?” Ryan had asked the other man as he stared into the campfire. “You know she has a habit-”

“- of getting herself into trouble, making waves. Yea I know.” Lloyd says with a grin. “You’ve got your hands full with that one. Never met someone so suited to you and your particular brand of wildness.”

Ryan laughs then because it’s true, they’re never was a truer match than him and you.

It’s Lloyd’s voice that brings him back to the present, back to the woman standing in front of him, the one that’s about to become his wife.

“You ready?” He asks and Ryan squeezed your hands lightly as he says.

“Get on with old man, the two of us , we’ve got some loving to do.”

bullet-prooflove Follow Pinned PostAsk List, Rules & Updates - PLEASE READ!GIF by colorfulday-dreamsPlease do not solicit me to read your work/look at your blog by tagging me or sending it to me.The Schedule - See what's coming up this month!Works In Progress - A visual up to date list of what I'm working on currently and their status.MasterList:Patreon:Prompt Lists:Why I Write Named Reader Characters:Wondering Why You Haven't Been Added To The Taglist? Did You Read These Rules?Character Tag List:I have updated my ask list below so please only pick from the characters below if you want to submit.The Rules:Only pick people off the character list below for each fandom.One prompt per ask - you can send as many asks as you want within reason Include the whole prompt in the ask, not just the number.I don’t write things like Voight’s daughter/Hondo’s friend/Adam’s sisterI also don't write specific asks on this blog eg: reader is a firefighter/doctor/cop who has this/does this. They meet and do this/and this and say this... I usually work from prompts.I don't write other people's stories so if you have a long detailed idea you want writing, this is not the blog for you. I am NOT your ghostwriter.Fandoms & Chars I write for:1923:Spencer Dutton911:Lou RansoneEddie DiazEvan 'Buck' BuckleyBobby NashBrad Torrance911 Lone Star:Judd RyderOwen StrandMateo ChavezAll Creatures Great and Small: Siegfried FarnonThe Bear:Carmen "Carmy" BerzattoMichael "Mikey" Berzatto Richie JerimovichBlue Bloods:Jamie ReaganJoe HillChicago Fire:Jeff ClarkeSam CarverDom PascalChicago MedConnor RhodesJames LanikCrockett MarcelSam AbramsMitch RipleyDean ArcherSean ArcherJohn FrostHannah AsherCobra Kai:Johnny LawrenceTerry SilverCSI Vegas:Trey CahillDoctor Odyssey:Max Bankman x Tristan Silver x ReaderEndeavour:Endeavour MorsePeter JakesFBI: Jubal ValentineO.A ZidanStuart ScolaFBI International:Scott ForresterWes MitchellFBI: Most Wanted:Remy ScottThe Good Wife:Kurt McVeighGrantchester:Sidney ChambersWill DavenportHaven: Dwight HendricksonDuke CrockerHudson & Rex:Charlie HudsonJAG:Mic BrumbyHarmon 'Harm' RabbJustified: Raylan GivensTim GuttersonLaw & Order:Nolan PriceNicholas BaxterJalen ShawVince RileyCyrus LupoMichael CutterEd GreenLaw & Order: Criminal Intent - Toronto:Henry GraffLaw & Order SVU:Joe VelascoMike DuarteTerry BrunoLeverage:Eliot SpencerMagnum PI:Rick WrightShammyMarvel:Logan HowlettClint BartonFrank CastleMayor of Kingstown:Mike McLuskyRobert SawyerThe Mentalist:Kimball ChoMarcus PikeMiss Fisher's Murder Mysteries:Jack RobinsonNCIS - Origins:Mike FranksLeroy Jethro GibbsNCIS:Alden ParkerNick TorresGage WinchesterJimmy PalmerJess KnightNCIS LA: Vostanik SabatinoArlo TurkHarmon 'Harm' RabbMarty DeeksNCIS: New OrleansDwayne PrideDouglas HamiltonChris LaSalleSebastian LundNCIS Sydney:JD DempseyDe Shawn JacksonMichelle MackeyNumb3rs:Ian EgertonDon EppesPsych:Carlton LassiterRivals:Declan O'HaraRupert Campbell-BlackThe Rookie:John NolanSEAL Team:Sonny QuinnBrock ReynoldsTrent SawyerEric BlackburnSilent Witness:Jack HodgsonSOA:Filip 'Chibs' TelfordDavid HaleSupernatural:Dean WinchesterJohn WinchesterTop Gun Maverick:Beau 'Cyclone' Simpson Jake 'Hangman' SeresinTracker:Colter ShawRussell ShawTulsa King:Mitch KellerDwight ManfrediBill Bevilaqua Armand TruisiCal ThresherBodhiGoodie CarangiTwisters:Tyler OwensWhat We Do In The Shadows:Nandor The RelentlessYellowstone:Jamie DuttonKayce DuttonLee DuttonRip WheelerTravis WheatleyRyanWalkerFeel free to send me prompts if you see anything you like with one of the characters.#joe velasco#connor rhodes#donovan rocker#mike duarte#terry bruno#nestor oceteva#jimmy lanik#filip telford#jubal valentine#oa zidan#Vostanik Sabatino#stuart scola#remy scott#nicholas baxter#duke crocker#tyler owensBlaze411 notes

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bullet-prooflove reblogged catchymemes Follow janesurlife THIS is so not true.... I'm gonna sound like a grandma but I swear to god the number of times I have had bad and absolutely unacceptable interactions with people just a few years younger than me is unbelievable. Young people are losing empathy at a very strong rate. bullet-prooflove Follow Esp when you ask them for I.D for cigarettes. When I worked retail it was drilled into me you could go to jail and get a personal fine as well as a store fine if you sold to minors. The abuse I used to get was insane.

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Out On That Ledge: Tim Gutterson x Reader

GIF by caribbean1989

Tagging: @kmc1989 @fallmoreinloveeveryday @elenavampire21 @floralfloyd @lamaudite

Companion piece to:

Lucky - Tim's assignment doesn't go to plan.

Stars - Tim's not like the other guys.

The people you work with think you have a four leaf clover shoved up your ass. It’s the only possible explanation as to why you’ve survived all the crazy shit you have, that or you have actually nine lives. They don’t understand that you don’t see the world like other people, that you think in chess moves, always three steps ahead of your opponent. Even your contingency plans have contingency plans because working in Intelligence has taught you that you can’t trust the people around you, you can never let your guard down.

That changes when you meet Tim Gutterson because he does the thing you don’t expect him to do, he surprises you and that makes him irresistible.

Everything from disobeying orders, to a conversation under the stars, to later that evening when he spends over an hour cleaning up the wounds on your back with a damp sponge because he can tell they’re bothering you underneath your t-shirt, that man is nothing you ever expected.

“You should have gone to the med tent.” He tuts as he uses gentle fingertips to smear antiseptic gel across the scratches on your back from the bushes you spent last night playing hide and seek in.

“I don’t like getting undressed for other people.” You tell him and he pauses, his hand pulling away from your bare skin.

“Is this uncomfortable for you?” He asks, studying the profile of your face as you turn it towards him.

“No.” You say, shaking your head. “Not with you. You’re too concerned with my wellbeing right now to give a damn about fucking me.”

It’s a fair assessment but it highlights a bigger problem because even now in the safety of your tiny quarters your mind is still working a mile a minute, assessing threats, circumstances and possibilities. It’s a survival trait, he understands, a form of hypervigilance.

“Do you ever turn that off?” He murmurs, resuming his gentle caretaking. “Or is the on switch stuck?”

“I…” You trail off as a flush creeps across your cheeks because this is the other thing about Tim Gutterson, he fucking sees you. You think that’s the reason he didn’t put a bullet in you in the first place. “I think it’s a little stuck. Even when I’m stateside, I just can’t seem to relax.”

“Well I know a thing or two about that.” He says, replacing the lid for the antiseptic cream before handing you your t-shirt. “And I have just the cure for it.”

You pull on your t-shirt before you turn around to see him pulling an iPod out of the top pocket of his military fatigues. He sits down on the edge of the single bed, his teeth worrying his lower lip as he focuses on untangling the white headphones.

“That’s the plan?” You ask him, sitting down beside him as he finally frees them. “We lie down together, listen to a little alt-rock and fall asleep holding hands?”

“It’s more bluegrass and country but the theories the same.” He says before he lies down on the bed, his back coming to rest against the wall so there’s ample space for you. “Now I usually prefer to be the little spoon. I love that snuggly shit. It makes me feel all warm inside. But I’m willing to make an exception on account of the fact you’ve had a really tough couple of days, hiding from the Taliban and shit. So if you wanna tuck yourself in here, I promise you that my hands won’t wander once you turn out the light.”

You can’t remember the last time you were held by someone, that you actually felt like someone cared about you beyond a casual fuck.

“Why are you doing this?” You ask him as you settle down alongside him, your back coming to rest against his chest.

“Because when you’re out on that ledge Lucky, sometimes you need someone to pull you back.” He says as tucks the blanket over you both before he takes one of the iPod headphones and places it carefully in your ear. “And tonight that’s me.”

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Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[chocolatechubby]

Maybe it was the glass of heavy cream and dozen gingerbread men I ate just before bedtime. Or maybe it was the fact that it was Christmas Eve, and the residue of waiting up for Santa Claus hadn’t diminished in the 23 years since I was six years old. Maybe it was the hard on that wouldn’t go away if I thought about growing fat and round. Whatever it was, I couldn’t sleep. I reluctantly pulled my bloated body from my warm bed to take a piss and a crap in the bathroom. On the way to the john, I passed the Christmas tree in the living room. The shiny packages underneath danced with the reflections of twinkling lights. I’d made quite a haul this year. I was pretty sure the small neatly wrapped package in the front was an Ipod from my mom. And I was pretty sure that the envelope from my ex-partner was a membership to a gym. My gaining sixty pounds had a lot to do with our break-up. It was nice that we were still friends. “Funny…” I thought. “The thing I REALLY want Santa to bring me won’t fit under a tree.”

When I had finished in the bathroom, I took a long look at myself in the mirror. The 160lb gym rat was gone. There in front of me was a 220lb jock-gone-soft. Since I had continued to go to the gym, I was thick and solid. The roundness of my face was beginning to cut away my cheek definition. The beginnings of a double chin made my cock jump. The definition in my arms was beginning to fade: I loved putting on sleeveless shirts and seeing the thick round guns that were once defined biceps and triceps stretching through. My legs were growing huge. The size 38 pants were straining to keep my thighs in. And I had a real belly. Not the beginning gut I was so proud of in college, but a thick waist protruding over my jeans and a noticeable round mound that jutted out from my plump tits and curved forward six inches. It had gotten a number of rubs and stares from my co-workers over the past few weeks. I thought my pecker was going to fall off from all the jerking off I did in the office restrooms after each “Woah! When’s the baby due?” or “You’d better lay off the holiday food Chris!” But it wasn’t enough. I wanted more. I wanted to look like all of those fellas that I admired online. I wanted people to move out of the way when I walked down the street. I wanted to look in the mirror and be awed by my girth. I reached down in my shorts and began massaging my cock. I imagined what it would be like to have to work pass mounds of belly fat just to touch it. I could feel my hard on growing, and my dick was responding to both my touch and my fantasy. It wouldn’t be long now—at least not for the explosion from my balls. The weight gain would take more time.

As I was going for climax, I heard a sound. Not from me but coming from the living room. At first faint, it grew louder—a slow and steady rise and fall. A snore? It sounded like someone snoring. Maybe somehow the air conditioner had turned itself on. I listened a little more intently. No, this was a HUMAN sound. Someone had broken into my apartment! I pulled up my shorts, looked around for a blunt object, grabbed the toilet brush, and headed towards the sound. As I rounded the corner, I was not prepared for what I saw. There in my leather armchair next to the Christmas tree, snoring to high heaven was Santa Claus.

Only it wasn’t Santa Claus. I mean he was dressed in a beautiful red suit—far superior to all those costumed Santas that you see in department stores. This suit looked like it had been tailored for him: luxurious and warm—trimmed in ermine and leather. It fit his big round frame to a “t.” He had to weigh 350, if a pound, and his thick beard was close-cropped, neatly trimmed, and a deep auburn like the wavy hair that curled from under his fur cap. This guy couldn’t have been more than thirty-five years old. And he was gorgeous. During my whole relationship with my ex, Zach, I had never cheated. But I will admit—especially towards the end when he started nagging more about the weight—I had serious fantasies about dudes like the one asleep in my easy chair, but they never included being robbed by them.

Next to him on the floor was a big, empty red velvet sack. I had to admit: this guy had class. I’d read stories in the newspaper about thieves breaking into houses dressed as Santa Claus and taking people’s presents. I never thought it would happen to me. Pictures of the Grinch stuffing Cindy Lou Who’s Christmas tree in his sack crowded my brain. Well this sucker wasn’t getting MY Ipod without a fight!

I tiptoed over to where the hot thief was snoring, and I kicked his engineer boot and stepped back—toilet bowl brush held high. “Hey you!” I shouted. The guy stirred. I gave him my best grimace and said: “What the hell do you think you’re doing in my place?!” He opened one eye and peered up at my brush and me. He grinned (and of course he had a killer smile) and said, “What are you going to do? Tidy Bowl me to death?”

I wasn’t quite ready for such a laid-back attitude. It took me aback for a moment. “No, smart ass…” I answered finally. “… I’m going to call the police and have you hauled off to spend Christmas in jail—that’s what I’m going to do!!!” I bellowed triumphantly. “Oh, and for future reference: Santa has a WHITE beard—not red! You are NO Kris Kringle.”

“Actually, his beard isn’t white. It’s silver. And you’re right…I’m not Kris Kringle. He’s my dad. I’m KARL Kringle—his youngest son.”

Of all the responses in all the scenarios that I could imagine, not one of them included that particular statement. I stood in shock with my mouth open. He fumbled around for a bit and spoke: “This is what I get for breaking the first rule of Christmas Delivery: Don’t Fall Asleep. It’s just that it’s been a long night and seeing as this is my Last Stop and all, I couldn’t help myself.” He yawned and started hauling his big belly out of my chair “Look, don’t set off your loaded brush—I’m just looking for my wallet.” He was even more appealing standing. He was a fireplug: about my height (which made him somewhat short), he reminded me of Sean Astin as Samwise Gamgee in “The Lord of the Rings”: much bigger, but as cute as he could be. He patted himself down, searching around his big gut and barrel chest for a bulge. “Ahh, here it is!” He pulled out a simple leather wallet and flipped it open. “See.” He said.

I slowly inched forward and took the wallet out of his chubby hand. There he was, smiling with rosy cheeks. NORTH POLE DMV: Driver’s Permit was printed in white at the top of a red and green card. “May operate cars, trucks, motorcycles, snow skis and High-Capacity Sleighs” was prominently placed in the lower right hand corner.

“Real cute” I smirked. “So you’re a clever bandit. I’m sure your cell mate will get a real kick out of your sense of humor.”

“Man, some things don’t change, do they?” He smiled. “You’re still a closet believer posing as a skeptic aren’t you? I remember when you were six years old and wanted ‘Dream Date Ken’. You said to yourself, ‘I’ll believe in Santa if he brings me Ken.’ When you didn’t see it under the tree that Christmas morning, you were really sad, but you said, ‘I knew he wasn’t real.’ Boy were you surprised when you found it…”

“Hidden in your stocking!”

“Hidden in my stocking!”

We said it at the exact same time. My mouth was agape. “How did you know that?” I uttered. “Because I asked Dad if I could put it there.” Karl said. “I was twelve. Dad had been training me to take a route of my own. I had been coming with him since you were a baby—watching you grow up. I wanted you to work harder to trust your beliefs.”

I stumbled to my couch and sat down. This was incredible! So it was true: Santa really DID exist. “Yup.” Karl said, as if he’d read my mind. “Only the doubters have got part of the story right: he DOESN’T circle the world and deliver toys in one night. He hasn’t done that in a few hundred years. He has help from his sons.”

“Sons” I gasped, with emphasis on the “s.” “You mean there’s more of you?”

“Oh yeah” said Karl. “It's the family business. There’s Kris Jr., Kevin, Kurt, Klaus, Kyle, Keith, and Kwame.”

“Kwame?” I asked.

“Yeah, a little incident with dad and an African Queen a few years back…we don’t talk about that.” He whispered.

“So we divide up the earth and each take a chunk. Dad spends most of his time these days with the kids that need him most. He took India and New Orleans this year.”

“I see…” I said. “And you got my area.”

“Well, not so much GOT, as CHOSE your area. I told you. I’ve been watching you for many years. I’ve been waiting for that jerk of a boyfriend of yours to exit the picture. I’ve been crushing on you for a while now. I happen to be gay.”

“Oh.” My dick was jumping at regular intervals now. “Are all of you uh…?”

“Gay?” He said. “I doubt it. Nobody’s talking so we don’t really know. I’m pretty sure Kwame is. He keeps picking San Francisco as one of his stops. Listen, do you mind if I make myself comfortable?” he asked. “Uh…no.” I stammered, still trying to make sense of the fact that I had a big, bearded Santa Claus in my living room that was hot for me. “Great” he said and proceeded to undo his belt and buttons. His velvet coat fell to the floor, revealing the magnificent fat physique bulging from his white undershirt. His big, gorgeous arms were covered with a layer of soft red fur, and I could see tendrils of the same curling from under the neckline of his t. He began playing with his nipples as he slowly moved his ball belly towards me. “Listen,” he said again. “…do you mind if I make YOU more comfortable?”

“Uh…no.” was my startled reply.

We stood face to face. The heat between us was more intense than anything I’d ever felt before. He smelled of smoldering fires and apples and cinnamon. He leaned in, and I felt his cock. “So THAT’S what’s meant by Christmas Sausage! “I thought. He pulled me into him and whispered, “I’ve been waiting 29 years for this” and moved his tongue over my lips and into my mouth. He tasted like warm cocoa. His belly met mine and I moaned at the solid thickness of his girth. Our tongues swirled together in a hot dance that left me weak and energized at the same time. I could have stayed like that forever.

Karl ran his thick hands over my nipples, slightly squeezing them between his fingers. He slowly traveled down to my belly and began massaging it with both hands. I was in heaven. “Such a beautiful starter belly. I was so hot for you when you started putting on weight that I had to stop working in the toyshop—couldn’t concentrate. Kept making Barbie dolls with penises!”

“Oh.” I mumbled—trying to get his tongue back in my mouth.

“And now I’m with you” he said, caressing my cheek. “And we’ve got all night. He leaned over and kissed my gut. “I’m going to give you that present that won’t fit under the tree.”

For a moment I was stirred from my reverie. Had he really the power to know what my deepest desires were? I tested him. “Oh yes? “I whispered in his ear. “What might that be.”

“Don’t be coy Chris” he smiled. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. By dawn, you will be fed, fucked, and fat as a house. Are you ready to get started?”

TO BE CONTINUED

[marie-swriting]

Just Live - Natasha "Phoenix" Trace

Top Gun Maverick Masterlist

Summary : You always feel like you have to work harder to be recognised as your own person, instead of just Natasha's sibling.

Warnings : Trace!sibling reader, reader is one year younger, use of they/them pronouns, set during the movie with some canon deviant elements, angst, mention of plane crash, happy ending, maybe some grammatical mistakes as English is not my first language, tell me if you see some or if I missed any warnings.

Word count : 2k

French version

Request : made by anonymous, here's the link to the request. To whoever requested it, I hope you'll like what I wrote and again, sorry for taking so long to write it 🫶🏻

You’re with Payback, Fanboy, and your sister Natasha when you’re arriving in the Hard Deck so you can find the other pilots you’re going to work with for a new mission. You almost have no information about it, you just know you’ve all been called back to TopGun.

The second you step foot in the bar, you hear Hangman's arrogant voice near the pool table where he’s with his friend and fellow pilot Coyote. As if he felt you coming, Jake looks up towards you and catches Javy’s attention.

“What do we have here? If it ain’t Phoenix! And here I thought we were special, Coyote.” he exclaims with a cocky smile. “Turns out the invite went to anyone. Oh, there’s even Phoenix Number Two,” Jake adds, seeing you, “So, you’ve finally reached your sister’s level?”

At the mention of the nickname ‘Phoenix Number Two’ - which is, obviously, not your callsign -, you can’t help but be annoyed. Hangman always knows how to get under your skin. You’re about to reply when Natasha beats you to it. 

“Fellas, this here’s Bagman.”

“Hangman.” the concerned person corrects.

“Whatever. You’re looking at the only naval aviator on active duty with a confirmed air-to-air kill.”

“Stop!” 

“Mind you,” you start, looking him up and down, “the other guy was in a museum piece from the Korean War.”

“Cold War.” Coyote rectifies.

“Different wars, same century.” Payback specifies.

“Not this one.” Fanboy adds.

“Who are your friends ?” Javy asks.

You decide to not participate in the conversation any longer and go to ask for a beer. The assignment hasn’t started yet and you’re already sick of it. Sure, for once, you didn’t get more than one comment comparing you and your sister but it’s still a sore subject.

You’re only a year younger than Natasha and yet, those twelve months are enough for the entire world to use your big sister as a comparison. Even before getting in the Navy, you received a lot of remarks explaining how you should be more like Natasha; and this happened only when people were noticing what you were doing. In general, when you were a kid, your achievements were whisked away.

By choosing to be a naval aviator, you thought you’d finally detached yourself from Natasha as you’d be doing a job that is out of the ordinary. At that time, your sister was already in the army, she just didn’t know what she wanted to be in particular. A year before you officially became a pilot, Phoenix proudly announced that she wanted to be one, too. Your parents were immediately proud of her; they didn’t show as much joy when you had told them - as for you, you were irritated. Being a pilot was your dream, it was supposed to be the thing that differenciate you from Natasha, it was supposed to help you show who you truly are and now, it’s just one more thing that you share with your sister.

Your callsign, Griffin, is also another common point with Natasha. People from your year racked their brains to find another mythological creature so you could have a link with your sister. They meant well, you know it, but the fact is that even in the Academy without your sister, you lived in her shadow, in spite of yourself. With years, it drew you and Phoenix apart. You still get along and you’d do anything for her, though you can’t help but be bitter. You know it’s ridiculous, you’re mad at yourself for being this resentful towards her; after all, it’s not her fault, Natasha has always made sure people would see you for who you are, though it doesn’t change the way you feel. With time, you’ve learned to be discreet about this pain that is eating you from the inside. However, from time to time, like tonight, the pain and the anger that comes with it find a way to the surface. So, during the evening, you stay on your own, your beer in hand, conversing with people just enough so they remember you’re here but not enough to be the main topic. 

The mission you’ve been assigned to is the most dangerous one you’ve ever had. You all agree to say it’s almost impossible to complete it. Even Hangman is not cocky enough to pretend he’s confident about it. You’ve always given yourself fully for your work, however this time, you work twice as hard. It’s not only about your own survival but also for the other ones, including your sister. You might train every single day, it still doesn’t seem enough. In training,  no one has succeeded to complete this mission, except Rooster if we forget the fact he arrived at the target too late. Besides Bradley, you’re the one who did best before ‘colliding’ in the mountain just when you were about to hit the spot where the uranium would be. You could have succeeded if you hadn’t been distracted by Natasha and Bob’s plane behind you.

“Why are you dead?” Maverick questions, tensed.

“I didn’t communicate correctly and I didn’t notice they needed help.” you reply with a neutral tone.

“Exactly so, stop playing solo and learn to pay attention to your wingmen. Besides that, you had good technique. Phoenix, as for you, you know how to communicate but you have to be a bit more careful when you fly.”

Reluctantly, you accept Maverick’s critic. He’s not wrong, communication has never been your strong suit. You’re a very lonely person and though sometimes, this might be a strength, when you’re a naval aviator, it is not. You have to do better, you have to do like Natasha. It is not easy for you to admit it but you can’t deny Maverick is correct so you take it upon yourself to learn from his critics so you can be a better pilot, hoping you’ll be able to make it if you’re chosen for the assignment. 

Once the day of the mission has come, anxiety is at its climax while you’re getting ready to fly. Maverick is the team leader and you’re his wingman, Rooster is with Payback and finally Phoenix is with Bob. You do not feel at ease at the thought of your sister flying with you; you are scared something might happen to her. You try not to think of the worst case scenario and instead focus on what you have to do. If you want to keep your squad safe, you have to stay focused on your mission, not on your fear of losing Natasha.

In the air, you all do everything perfectly, completing the two miracles necessary for this mission. Now, enemy missiles are coming from everywhere and you do everything to avoid them. The flares you used to avoid them fly left and right while you keep each other updated on every new threat. There is no end, every time a missile is destroyed, four new ones seem to appear in the sky.

Adrenaline is running through your veins while black smokes surround all of you. In spite of yourself, you look in Natasha’s direction in case she might need help. Though, a missile going right to Bradley and Payback’s plane catches your attention and you fly in their direction to help them, except your plane gets hit in the process and you can’t do anything but fall down as Natasha screams in fear in your ears. 

The second you come back to yourself, you find yourself laying on the snowy ground. Thanks to your third unplanned miracle, you’re not hurt or your adrenaline is still high enough so you can’t feel the pain in your body. You barely avoid an enemy aircraft coming your way thanks to Maverick’s intervention who came to your rescue while crashing his own plane. Together, you find a plane for two before leaving enemy territory and going home.

After a landing more or less wonky, people present on the carrier cheer for you and Maverick as they know you’re safe and sound. You just have time to catch your breath before someone grabs you from behind and makes you walk to a room. Once the door is closed, you find Natasha in front of you and she hugs you, sighing in relief before taking a step back and looking at you with a severe expression. 

“What got into you? It was reckless to pull a stunt like that!”

“Reckless? I saved Rooster and Payback’s life.” you retort, outraged she’s mad.

“And you could have lost yours in the process.”

“I didn’t. I knew what I was doing.”

“No, you didn’t. You were ready to sacrifice yourself and for what? To prove something? To prove you’re a damn good pilot?” Natasha asks, knowing you too well. “Breaking new, you already are! That’s why you were chosen for this mission.”

“This has nothing to do with that.”

“Really?” Natasha questions rhetorically. “Y/N, I don’t know what you need to realise you’ve got nothing to prove.”

“Easy for you to say.” you reply, avoiding her gaze for a second.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Everyone has always seen your talents. I have always had to fight to have a bit of recognition. No matter what I do, I’m only Natasha’s little sibling or ‘Phoenix Number Two’, I’m never just me. So, yeah, maybe I came to Rooster and Payback’s rescue to show I’m strong but what do you want me to say? Years of being invisible mess with your head.” you defend yourself, tearing up.

“That doesn’t mean you should sacrifice yourself at any given occasion. There are other ways to show your talent as a naval aviator. How would you think we’d react if you were to die after acting like you did? Sure, maybe people would recognize your achievements but we would be devastated, I would be devastated.” Natasha exclaims, her voice breaking. “And now you must think I’m insensitive because I’m making this situation about me and maybe I am, but if that’s what it takes for you to understand how dangerous and stupid what you did was then so be it.”

“I’m just tired of working harder just to not be seen.”

“Y/N, it’s not the case anymore.” she affirms, taking a step forward. “We’re not kids anymore. If people didn’t see you, you wouldn’t have been called back to TopGun and you wouldn’t have been Maverick’s wingman and yet, you were. It’s probably easier said than done, however you have to realise the child version of you who was never taken seriously has grown up and showed they had guts. I’m not saying people will stop comparing us but they don’t see you as an extension of me anymore, they see the real you now.”

“You’re probably right.” you end up saying, wiping a single tear on your cheek. “I’m sorry I scared you.”

“You better not do that ever again or this time, I’d be faster than Maverick and find you so I could kick your ass.”

You lightly chuckle before taking your sister in your arms again. Slowly, you feel the adrenaline leaving your body as you integrate the words you’ve exchanged with Natasha. She’s right, you have to realise things aren’t like they used to. Maybe one day you’ll finally be able to do it. Maybe you’ll finally let go of this idea you have to fight to be seen for you and you only, maybe one day, you’ll finally be able to just live.

Top Gun Maverick Masterlist

[edutainer2022]

Putting the story up anew for @lenle-g and her amazing Dad and baby!Scott art.

SHIELD OF PROOF

**Then**

"It isn't fair!"

His wife's huff is equal parts amusement and exasperation.

"How do you do that, Jeff? Seriously? I get stranded with a toddler shaped supersonic jet. You waltz in from the Moon and he's the sleepy kitty, napping at a drop of a hat!"

She throws her hands up in a dramatic flare, but her eyes are brimming with fondness. He hides a smile in the crown of fluffy brown hair and makes it a kiss for good measure. The sleeping child is breathing puffs of air into his chest, one tiny arm hugging Dad as best he can, another still holding a toy plane. Jeff could never imagine the idea of a heart swelling with love could feel so real.

"Well, at least Virgil gives you no trouble. That little guy could sleep through a rocket take off."

Which he promptly has. Baby Virgil made GDF private chat trends, having famously slept all through his Dad's launch to Alpha Shadow base.

The trick with Scott, a firm believer in going "run", "fast", "jump" and "vroom" ALL THE TIME, and a self-proclaimed nap-nihilist at a wise age of two and a half, was to remember the little fella was a Tracy. It would get you nowhere to talk him out or to deny what he's set his mind on. But it was possible to reason with the boy and suggest a more optimal solution to obtain the ultimete goal (running about with a toy plane, making engine noises) - say, the plane engines needed to cool down, so how about we wait for a moment right there, on the couch, and then it can fly even faster. Between officer training tips and the unbridled adoration and trust in the bright blue eyes - Jeff soon had a sound asleep toddler in his arms. Or maybe it was because the arms were strong, and big, and Dad, and Dad was THERE.

His wife is openly smiling now, reaching down to extract the toy from the small hand.

"Do you want me to take him? I'm going to check on Virgie anyway."

He adjusts his hold on the warm, small weight with one hand and pulls her closer for a quick kiss.

"Nah, we're good. I'll get Virgie once this little man is up and about again."

Which is bound to happen sooner than they'd both like. The house will be filled with invigorated pitpat of tiny running feet, and shrieks of delight, and little grumbly noises the roused baby would be making, as he would take Virgil to the back porch. But for now he settled to listen to his son's even breathing, enjoying the quiet while it lasted. He was home.

**Now**

"How did you do it, Dad?!"

Virgil's baritone barely passed for stage whisper. He played along, raising a quisical brow at his son's dramatic gesture, spanning the length of the Island infirmary bed. Or rather, the considerable length of Scott, tucked to his side, sound asleep. To his credit, Jeff tried for looking sheepish, but it came out more cheeky than anything. Virgil was having none of that - hands up in the air.

"Seriously? You've been back from space for what? Twenty minutes? And you already have him cooperate, have an arm in a sling AND asleep?! It would have taken me the better half of the night!"

Jeff promptly bit down a response that he also got Scott to take painkillers and agree to a deeper scan first thing in the morning. All under half an hour. It felt a little bit comforting to know eight years down the line and he still had what it takes to stare down an adult son who was "fine, Dad, it's nothing, you need to rest!" and had just incidentally led a mission to rescue his hide from the far corner of the galaxy (having tumbled down half an exploding planetoid in the process). What didn't sit comfortably was the offhand understanding his other son would consider himself on Scott wrangling duty 24/7 apparently. It truly had been a long while since he was their father. This would need to change. He shifted a light hold on Scott's slumbering frame, mindful of the shoulder, secured in a sling over his shirt and (now confirmed) bruised ribs - and smiled up at Virgil.

"I have my bag of tricks, son."

Virgil's soft gaze was quickly shiting gears back to a deeper shade of worry (something Jeff need to nip in the bud), as his hand reached for the medscanner. Which was obviously redundant as it was, likely, the scanner activation that sent his second eldest careening back to the infirmary. His mother barely managed to shoo everyone out to begin with, after Jeff had been settled and hooked up to monitors and IV lines. Alan was beat and half asleep on his feet. John was back up in orbit, to set up sorting data from their incredible trip with Eos (Jeff was a little fuzzy who that was, again - a student? some kind of child prodigy?). Kayo took off with the GDF and her uncle, having given Jeff a fierce hug. Gordon was bidding goodbye to Penelope (and Parker, of course) or whatever the kids called it these days (Jeff filed that one to bask in amusement later). Scott and Virgil were determined to keep round the clock vigil and to not leave his side (possibly ever). Between himself and Mom he managed to negotiate Scott taking the first shift, fully intending to set up camp by his bedside and start on the report of the Zero-XL mission. The GDF guys did eye them funny, but still. A report right away? Jeff hid a sigh in a fit of cough. He had a mission of his own, till eight years of fatigue drew him under. Back on the planetoid, crumbling beneath his feet, the lifelong instincts helped compute the flash of lanky blue, tumbling as a ragdoll into the void, into the alarm claxon, blaring "son" and "fall", translating the surge of adrenaline into a single focus - "catch!", a move well honed ever since baby Scott first swandived off a backrest of a couch. Between taking in his son dangling off the death grip of his hand over the abyss, blue eyes transfixed in a mixture of awe and shock, meeting the rest of the boys all grown up and surreally THERE, in his arms, exposing the Hood in a surge of fury so consuming he was sure he scared his kids, and hugging his mother upon landing, he did allocate a breathing moment to process the thought there was no way Scott hadn't hit anything through the collision with every boulder that had been Jeff's home for eight years, or hadn't pulled anything in their drop and grab maneuver.

TBC

[apocalypseornaw]

Don't Blame Me (Pt 5/5)

Dean Winchester x Reader

A rescue and a second chance

Warnings: cursing, mention of violence

It was a strange feeling, regaining consciousness. You hadn't been knocked out since you were a human and considering you had several years under your belt since then, re-adjusting to it was strange.

The ache in your shoulder told you that bullet you'd been clipped with was a devil's trap one. You strained your neck down to look at the straps holding you to the table and recognize the language,Enochian. Fuck you were screwed.

You heard footsteps getting closer and knew better than to attempt to pretend to still be out. Instead you decided on the false bravado act, you'd perfected it your first hundred years or so on the racks “Why is it you fella always feel the need to strip a gal down? While I do appreciate that you left the bra and panties that was a limited edition Led Zeppelin shirt. If you fucked it up I'm gonna be pissed” 

The laugh that hit your ears made the skin on the back of your neck crawl. How fucked do you have to be to make a demon get the ick? “I heard you had that mouth on you. I see why Winchester and Crowley like you”

The demon finally came into view. He was wearing a skin head as a meat suit. Dude even had a certain nazi symbol tattooed on his ball head. No wonder he set off your creep radar “Don't know if you got your signals crossed but hello? Demon. Dean doesn't exactly want me anymore as for Crowley I come in handy to have around but at the end of the day I'm just his pet hunter nothing more”

You saw the knife when he picked it up and nearly asked him if he had forgotten you were a demon too until you saw the holy water vial. You  struggled against the straps but that sent a jolt of pain through you so you were stuck watching as he first wet the knife with the holy water then dumped salt along the blade. He sent you a smile right before he slammed the knife into your leg closest to him.

You didn't give him the pleasure of a scream. You did however bite into your cheek hard enough you caught the taste of blood on your tongue. He didn't seem put off by your refusal to scream, no he seemed to enjoy it. 

“Tsk tsk tsk. Don't underestimate yourself Y/N. You've been Crowley's right hand woman for years. You fast tracked your way off the racks and even managed to get your original body back. Even the big guy was impressed with that” your breathing was a little haggard from the effort to keep your voice steady as you said “Oh poor Luci. Stuck in the cage and seeing a hunter get pulled out of hell. Must have sucked for him”

That seemed to strike a nerve because the next thing he did was retrieve the holy water vial. He kept his eyes on yours as he uncapped the vial then twisted the knife in your leg before pouring the holy water into the wound.

It felt like flames were gnawing through your bone and the scream that escaped your lips echoed off the walls. A grin split his face “Attagirl. Let's see if we can make ya scream like that some more” “I spent three hundred years on the racks. Bring it asshole” You spoke through gritted teeth. He shook his head and walked over to a table in the corner of the room “Careful what you ask for”

 

“What are we looking at here Crowley?” It was the first time Dean had spoken since they got to where you were being held. “Dozen or so demons. Lucifer's last two remaining hellhounds” 

“Hellhounds?” Sam asked about the time a puff of air alerted them to a presence at Crowley's side. He reached out and patted what looked like air to them but they knew it was a hellhound “Don't worry boys. If they're between this one and Y/N they don't stand a chance”

Dean hated hellhounds. Death by them would do that to you but this once he let his eyes linger on the empty space where Crowley's hand rested “You take care of the other hounds we'll get the rest” a low growl was the response he got and Crowley nodded “I think she agrees with the plan”

He looked back at Sam “No one gets to smoke out. They were dead the moment they touched her” Sam nodded, gripping an angel blade in his hand “Let's go get her”

You could feel tears drying on your face. Flashbacks of your first couple decades on the racks ran through your head. You had to hand it to Skinhead, he was creative. 

He placed one of the tools back down on the table, it was slick with your blood. “What's the point of taking me? The point of torturing me?” 

He grinned again “Crowley will come for you. The Winchesters will come for you. We kill them and get the big guy out with no one guarding hell” you shook your head “No they won't. I'm nothing to Crowley, just another flunkie and as for the Winchesters you fucking idiot I'M A DEMON. THEY KILL DEMONS!” 

You groaned with pain from the effort of yelling at this idiot. Lucifer sure knew how to pick em didn't he? 

Your head fell back against the bed with a heavy thud. Skinhead went to grab another toy but the sound of a howl echoed through the building, you knew that howl anywhere. Juliette.

He looked back at you “How the hell did you get a hound?” You grinned despite the blood you knew stained your mouth “Just lucky I guess” 

He grabbed an angel blade off the table and looked back at you “You'll be dead before she ever reaches you” your eyes widened looking at the blade but then another sound caught your ears, the sounds of fighting. You could hear a  shout about the Winchesters. He'd come for you, black eyes and all he'd come.

You cut your eyes up at skinhead “Doesn't matter cause Dean will rip you apart” he raised the blade and went to plunge it into your heart.

—-------

Lucifer's hounds were dead, along with most of the demons. Dean was fighting one when it went down to the floor, a spray of blood separating its head from its shoulders then he felt a large head nudging at him. It was eerie being that close to a hellhound but then a thought occurred to him. 

He looked towards the feeling of the head despite not seeing anything besides dark blood dripping to the floor. He wanted to ask if the hound was hurt considering you had a bond with her but he couldn't exactly see and Crowley was with Sam disposing of the rest of the demons. 

“Did you find her?” a low growl responded so he nodded “Lead the damn way” He felt teeth grab his jacket sleeve and despite it all let himself be led further into the warehouse before the teeth were gone from his sleeve and all he saw was large bloody footprints leading away. She was running to you.

—-------

You braced yourself for a blow that never came, instead the demon was knocked flat on his back with Juliette on top of him. “JULIETTE!” You screamed. She was covered in deep gashes and looked like she'd been through a literal war but she was doing her best to keep him from getting up.

You lost track of the fight considering they'd rolled further than your straps would let you see but you could hear her growls. You struggled against the straps, tears streaming down your face from the pain. 

The moment the door burst open and Dean was there you heard a low whine and the fighting stopped. “Kill him” You whispered and Dean snatched the demon to his feet and slammed the demon blade into his throat before turning back to where you were tied down.

“She's dead isn't she?” He nodded before covering the space between you. He quickly untied you and pulled his flannel off to wrap around your shoulders. “You came for me?” You asked a mixture of pain and emotion threatening to drown you. His eyes flicked across your face looking for permission and when you sagged against his chest he pulled you into his arms “Even in death sweetheart”

You finally broke, demon or not you sobbed into his chest as he held you. “I still love you” you admitted and he kissed the top of your head “I still love you too. Nothing could change that”

—--------

Crowley and Sam burst in the door and looked around. Crowley's eyes landed on Juliette’s body “That's unfortunate” you sniffled harder laying your head back over on Dean's chest “Get me out of here Dean”

You sat at one of the tables in the library of Sam and Dean's bunker. It was technically a men of letters bunker that their grandfather had given them the key to, with them you didn't question the fact that their grandfather had been dead as long as he had.

Crowley had given the ok for you to go with them after he lifted the warding the witches had put on you. You'd been sitting for the last half an hour listening as Sam explained the fact that they'd found a cure, you had a chance to be human again. The bad part? It had a chance of killing you. 

Dean's arm was around your shoulders, your head against his chest. He hadn't spoken but every time Sam mentioned the risks his muscles tensed. Once Sam was through you nodded “When can you get the blood?” 

Dean's arm slipped from around you and he walked out the room. Sam looked from his retreating back to you “Do you want to think it over a little more?” You shook your head “My life, my risk. Go get the blood. I'll talk to him” he nodded and started to walk out but stopped then walked over to pull you out of your chair and into a hug “It's good to have you back” 

You smiled up at him “After this works i'll be back fully then” he pressed a kiss to your forehead “I'll be back soon”

—---------

You walked softly down the hall towards the room where Dean had showed you was his. You started to knock on the door but just walked in instead. He was sitting on the edge of the bed and glanced up when you walked in “It could kill you” “It's my life to risk. Dean I love you but a Winchester with a demon? That'll never work. I need to be me again fully. I want your support but if we really want another chance these?” You let your eyes slip then added “They gotta go”

He nodded then held out his hand to pull you closer. You were standing between his legs and he had his hands resting on your thighs “I need to tell you something” you leaned down to press a gentle kiss to his lips “I think I know”

He looked up into your eyes and damn he had tears in his. “They didn't mean anything. I just missed you so damn much” you nodded, feeling your own eyes tear up before admitting “I wasn't exactly a nun Dean” he flinched slightly “As long as it wasn't Crowley I'm good sweetheart” You laughed and shook your head “No Crowley” 

He pulled you forward causing you to have to climb into his lap to keep from losing your balance. He moved back further in the bed then looked up at you “You don't know how amazing it is to have you in my arms. I don't mean to be an ass about this cure but I've lost you once and it nearly killed me” you rested your head over in the bend of his neck and placed a kiss on his pulse “Then be with me for the cure. Hold me. If it goes south at least we get a goodbye this time”

 

The armory of the bunker had been cleared out. There was a devil's trap painted on the floor and Sam had made a decent looking pallet of blankets. When you questioned it he'd shrugged “It takes hours and you've got to be in it the whole time” 

You nodded then smiled “Thanks Sam” you looked back at Dean who grabbed your hand “C'mon sweetheart..I'm with you”

—-------

Dean was scared. He had just gotten you back and now he was holding you in his arms while you were washed down in sweat, your entire body shivering with every breath you took.

You slowly opened your eyes and looked up at him from where you lay in his lap “I'm ok Dean. I'm ok” he smiled despite the thoughts in his head “I know sweetheart. I know”

—---------

“Last shot” Sam announced, injecting you with the final vial. You inhaled sharply, curling into Dean. “Fuck it hurts” you whined and he rubbed your back soothingly “Just breathe baby. Breathe”

You weren't sure if hours or minutes passed before the shivering and pain stopped. You slowly looked up at Dean who pushed your sweat soaked hair back from your face. “How are you feeling?” “Tired” you whispered and he nodded to Sam “Give me the vial”

Sam held out the holy water and Dean looked to you for permission. You held out your wrist, bracing for pain but this time there was no burning or pain. The holy water was just wet. 

“It worked” you breathed before laying heavily on Dean “Will you help me shower then take a nap with me?” He laughed lightly “I'll do anything you want me to”

You were laying in bed, curled up against Dean's chest. It'd taken you a day or two to convince him you were healed up from the cure but when you finally did it was like no time had passed. You'd stayed wrapped up in each other for hours, relearning every inch of every curve of each other's body. 

“How the hell did I get this lucky?” Dean asked and you smiled sleepily up at him “Someone somewhere must like you Winchester”

He caught your lips in a kiss before pulling away. “Come back” you whined but he laughed as he reached into the table next to his bed. When he turned back you saw he had something in his hand. He uncurled his fingers so you could see the silver ring sitting in the palm of his hand “Can this go back where it belongs?” 

“I can't believe you still have that” you whispered in shock before holding up your left hand “Please” he slipped it onto you then kissed your finger “I love you” “I love you”

He grabbed you by the hips and pulled you over on top of him. You straddled his hips and smiled at him “You don't know how much I've missed you” you leaned down to kiss him but before your lips could touch Sam knocked on the door and hollered “Can you two come to the library?” 

You looked back at the door then down at Dean “He still has shit timing doesn't he?” He laughed then flipped the two of you over so he was on top of you “Don't worry. We'll see what he wants then come back to bed”

You walked into the library with Dean's arm around your waist. Sam sat at the table with a large wooden crate right in front of him.

You raised an eyebrow “What ya got Sammy?” He motioned “It's yours” Dean walked closer to it with you and you saw an envelope with your name. You picked it up and it simply read “So it turns out you weren't the only one to get another shot. Figured she belongs with you” 

You looked at Dean who'd read the note with you. He shrugged then walked to the crate. He cautiously pried the top off then looked in and a laugh fell out of him “C'mere baby” you walked over and looked in. A German Shepard puppy sat inside and the moment you popped your head in she sat up and barked, you cut your eyes at Dean who shrugged before looking at the puppy “Juliette?”

She barked again and you couldn't help but laugh as he leaned over and picked her up then held her out to you “Looks like she found her way back to you” You took her in your arms then he slipped his arms around you both, scratching Juliette’s head.

“I found my way back to you so stranger has happened” Dean placed a kiss on your cheek “We're together that's what matters, even if we now have a puppy” Juliette barked again and he laughed “Yeah yeah yeah. I hear ya” 

@starkleila @lacilou @suckitands33 @lyarr24 @decadentstrangernacho @nix-rose @irgendwas122 @deans-baby-momma @deans-spinster-witch @tas898

[rtblack]

A Night is all I need, Ch4: A new enemy

<<Sometimes a friend will become an enemy and an enemy a friend>>

Dae, standing in the center, rose one hand and silence returned. 'Haha, I thought people had forgotten about me', he noted and looked over to the old man with a broad smile. 'Seems like it wasn't the case!' He turned towards a high boulder, walked towards it as he spoke: 'We have 15min! Prepare yourself! When the support arrives, you'll join me on the battle field. In the meantime, take a break. I will hold them back!' – 'Hold them back?', a soldier yelled. 'Alone?' – 'Young fella!', the old man intervened. 'You remember the Great War 10 years ago? It was him who put an end to it! Let him do it!' The old man rose to his one remaining leg. 'And when the time comes, we shall fight alongside him. Am I not right ,Wargod?' Dae. He gazed towards the north, a big army approaching, their war cry closer than ever. The only thing that separated them from the army was a wasteland. There were bones, skulls and remaining remnants of soldiers. 'They are near!', Dae stated as he bent over to pick up some weapons. 'They sent some scouts. Well, they should have sent more if they had planned to ambush us!' Dae fastened grenades at his waist, put the guns on his back and he tucked the fitting munitions into the bags of his military green pants. And lastly, he fastened two daggers around his legs. 'Guys!', he uttered. 'I'm off!' With the brightened eyes of his subordinated on his back, he strode forward, right into the wasteland. For his luck the ground was uneven and several boulders of different side protruded from the ground., perfect to use as cover. The man was out the reach of his men, inside enemy territory. Still, that could be considered his domain. 'I wonder what Dean is doing right now? Mom and dad? Well, after this night I will have my break!' He stared towards the sky and that's when he noticed it – the moon. A part of the moon had turned crimson. 'The fuck?', Dae cursed. However, there was no time anymore to muse about that phenomenon. The first yell arose. 'First survive, then see what is up with the moon!' And the soldier whose this yell belonged too also showed up. Dae and the enemy met, yet, before one could make the first move, the light of moon slightly turned crimson, as if it had sucked in blood itself. The scarlet light shone over the battle filed. Right away, Dae put his weapons away and rose his arms. The other solder seemed lost for a moment and demanded: 'What are you doing?' He pointed his gun at Dae but his eyes kept wandering back to the moon. Dae gazed towards the moon as he gave his answer: 'I can feel it, something is coming! Something dangerous! I think it would be better to put the fight on a halt and try to find out what happened to the moon!' The soldier was still pointing his gun at Dae, ready to pull the trigger. 'Put the fight on a halt? Does this seem like a game to you?' (Dae : Damn! People these days have no instincts anymore. I can't be the only one feeling weird!) 'Look soldier', Dae called out, hands still up. 'I'm sure you have heard of me once. People used to call me the Wargod!' This statement sent a shock to the soldier whose sweat wouldn't stop gushing down his pale face. His arms were shaking so much that he had difficulty pointing the gun at Dae or even holding it up. (Soldier: I am fucked! Why did I have to meet him? Why me?) Suddenly a hand came out of the ground right in the place between the two people And damn! That was not the arm of a human...

[theredengineapologist]

[Jameward Headcanon] I can pinpoint the exact moment these two fell in love

In my opinion, I would definitely say that this was a case of "fell first" vs "fell harder" (though both of them absolutely adore each other)

Let's start with Edward first, shall we?

Edward always thought James was attractive. Something about that engine's confidence just naturally drew Edward to him.

But that day Edward saw James in his red paint for the first time...

It was like something clicked. Like Edward KNEW, "This guy, this one right here. This one's the love of my life."

Seriously, watch that scene again and look at Edward's expressions! The way his jaw DROPPED, followed by the wide eyes and big smile. Old Iron was SWOONING. He's got HEART EYES.

But of course, Edward didn't want to say anything right away. He knew that HE was in love, but he didn't think James would feel the same way. Surely, someone like James would want an engine who was younger or bigger or stronger than he was. So Edward continued to love him silently, and supported James through his first days as he would have any other friend.

Now on James's end, he always appreciated Edward being there for him. I like to think he was probably more comfortable around Edward than any other engine at this time. Even in later years, I think James still finds Edward the most comfortable to be around, but we'll get to that another time.

The point is, James and Edward were pretty close, but James still didn't think of Edward as anyone other than "Old, Reliable Edward" yet. He was a close friend, and like any other friend, sometimes James gets annoyed with him.

"Edward is impossible! He clanks about like a lot of old iron! And he's so slow, he makes us wait!"

Little did James know he would be eating those words later that day.

Fast forward some time. James has become a runaway again. He has no driver. He's all alone and he's terrified. And who comes speeding down the line to come save him?

Why, it's Edward of course!

And as they're puffing along the line together, side by side, James realizes things all at once. It's not just that Edward is the most comfortable to be around, he feels safe with him! Secure with him! Edward's got him!

Before he even thinks about it, he just says how he feels in that moment.

"You were splendid Edward."

Splendid. That's a word James usually reserves for himself. But Edward can have it today. And tomorrow if he wanted. Edward deserved it.

Oh, and let's not leave this part out from the books.

James missed Edward more than his own driver!

I don't know about you fellas, but that sounds gay to me.

From "Old Iron" onwards, James knew he was in love with Edward. But that didn't mean he said anything about it. In fact, he was pretty in denial about it for some time. But by the time we reach "James the Second Best", I think that's when James finally accepts that he has feelings for Edward. And once we get to "All in Vain", James and Edward have already started dating.

Or alternatively, they've both reached a point where they both just acknowledge that their feelings for each other are mutual. Sometimes I like to think that steam engine courtship is less formalized than it is for us humans. A simple "we both love each other", and then being extra sweet whenever they happen to be in the same vicinity. It's hard to go on dates when you've got jobs to do everyday.

But the point is, by the time we reach the events of "All in Vain", James and Edward are basically already together. And everyone knows it. 💙❤

[itsawhumpsideblog]

Big Sky Country pt. 2

CW: for institutionalized slavery, mentions of abuse, treatment of people as things (for whole series)

When Levi got into the dining room, Cody had a seat saved and a beer already next to his plate. The delicious smell had turned out to be a beef stew and cornbread, with all the butter they wanted and even Cody was quiet as they ate their fill.

After everyone had gotten their seconds, the pace of consumption slowed somewhat and there was a round of introductions.

"Fellas," said the older man sitting at the end of the table. "The two new faces are Levi Hunter and Cody Douglas." He nodded at the boys as if to suggest they introduce themselves, but didn't say any more.

"Howdy," said Cody, who had no doubt already made friends with half the table. Levi added a shy grin and nodded his greeting.

"Where'd you come from?" one of the men asked, and Cody was off and away, explaining how they'd been on a drive in Texas the previous year and were looking for a cooler climate, mainly. As he talked, a man with an apron over his shoulder went to the kitchen and returned with a tray of cookies.

"Thought I'd do something to welcome you in," Cook said, giving the first ones to Cody and Levi.

"Thank you," Levi said and Cody nodded agreement. He said something, too, but his mouth was full and it was hard to hear what.

Once supper was done, they declined the offer of a hand of cards and headed to the bunkhouse, in dire need of sleep.

The next morning, Levi found that he couldn't forget the face that he'd seen in the barn. Without really thinking about it, he began to tell Cody the entire story. Cody asked the predictable questions.

"Are you sure it wasn't one of the other fellows at supper? You said young-looking, but some are. That don't rule them out."

"No, you're right, it doesn't. It wasn't a child- least, I don't think it was. But it wasn't any of them from supper."

"You sure you weren't just seeing things?" Cody's voice gentled, suddenly. "You have before, you know. Specially when you... get real tired."

"I know." Levi tried not to sound gruff. "But I never see things just to see 'em. It's only if I'm- you know."

"I know." Cody held Levi's shoulder comfortingly. Levi sighed and then smiled at Cody so he would know Levi wasn't upset. Things were what they were, that was all.

"Listen," Cody went on. "We finish our work, I'll go up with you to investigate. Think you can wait that long?"

"It's only fence posts this morning," Levi agreed. "Guess Mr. Martin's starting us off slow, make sure we can do the work before he reports back to Mr. Ashley if he should keep us or not."

"Fair enough," was Cody's opinion and they put aside thoughts of the strange face for the time being.

They hadn't forgotten at lunch, though, and when they tied the horses up in reach of some hay and water and went in for their own meal, Levi made time to sneak up to the hay loft, first.

"You just better hurry, that's all," Cody said doubtfully, but he scurried up the ladder too, as Levi had known he would.

At first, there was nothing to see. The hay just looked like bales of hay, nothing special about it. Cody would have gone back down, but Levi took a few steps forward and peered around. There had been a face up here. He was sure of it. He had seen it and he hadn't just been seeing things. He could just about feel Cody sighing behind him.

"Just a minute, now," Levi said, but he wasn't really paying attention to Cody's fidgeting. There was a spot in the middle that looked hollow, indented somehow. Levi tiptoed towards it, in case the person was there, craning his neck to see what it was.

It was, as he had thought, a space in the middle of the hay. It was person-sized- a bed, maybe. There was a red handkerchief there, and nothing else. Levi beckoned Cody over to look and Cody, suddenly intrigued now that there was something to see, followed him.

"I'll be," he mused. "There really was somebody up here."

"Told you. But they're not here now."

"Appears not."

Next

Master Post

Bit of a slow burn at the moment, but we'll get there!

Tag list: @taterswhump

[minweber]

Musings on Custodes: Hiding in Plain Sight

"How about them three-meter tall demigods retirees hiding among regular humans, amirite fellas?" - the good ol' reliable, never fails to get a chuckle out of the playgroup, even when told for the 50th time.

But how about them indeed? The Eyes of the Emperor are a colorful and very fitting part of Custodes' lore, helping to simultaneously emphasize nearly all the key aspects of their characterization. They strive for perfection in all things, and so willingly end their service once they can no longer achieve it for any reason. They are extremely valuable, and so they can't just retire. They are good at everything, and so can play spies as well as soldiers. It all fits quite nicely.

But how do they do it? Official sources seem to wave away the three-meters-tall thing with vague "oh they disguise themselves as ogryns or servitors". That seems neither sensible nor exciting, and like all such things in warhammer, is thus mercilessly mocked by all seven people who care about such things.

No, some other explanation is needed for this idea - so strong at the outset - to not stumble at the finish line. Some fancy trick that would allow these massive superhuman beings to walk among the common masses of mankind undetected, carrying out their monumental work in secrecy of plain sight... Wait, isn't there already a somewhat lore-prominent guy who used to do this?

So yeah, I think that Custodians should straight up be shapeshifters, like the Emperor himself. Apparently his way of doing it is psychic in nature, which isn't an option for his golden scions, but surely The Arcane Genetic Alchemy (tm) should be enough of a macguffin to allow for such things? And, while we are at it - shouldn't it actually prevent them from ever being in need of retirement in the first place? Aren't they supposed to be ageless and immortal?

Sure, there is always the space marine explanation - their immortality is a lie, a piece of propaganda that the Emperor never expected anyone to be able to test. But what if it isn't? One of my favorite tools of worldbuilding is the question "What if it is working as intended?". What if Custodes are truly immortal, and their bodies slowing down at some point in their lives is not part of aging, but rather of growing up? What if space demigod puberty takes many thousands of years to get to, and involves them trading some of their more basic abilities for something more... complicated? Shapeshifting can be just a first step on a long and fascinating journey for them.

(That would also probably be the funniest possible way to address the "Retcons!" outcry to the introduction of female Custodians. "Yeah, guys, you are right, there used to be no female Custodians before. But by the 42nd millennium a lot of them have reached the age where they become shapeshifters, and immediately Took The Opportunity".)

This would be an interesting way to build on the Eyes of the Emperor, I think. Not actually a retirement, but a next step in some yet-unknown life cycle of immortal beings. It could be used to further emphasize their detachment from humanity and differentiate them from space marines (which especially is a constant concern, as any Custodes player will tell you), to once again point out how they are not all about fighting, as well as add the "understanding of their own bodies" to the list of things they lost with the Emperor.

[bbs-backlog-challenge]

Fin or Bin: Super Puzzled Cat

Well, where on earth do we start with this one?

The developer is an old friend of many years. We have worked on projects together before, and he even flew me out to attend his wedding. So, no; this is not going to be an unbiased review. None of them are, but it's especially prudent to say so for this one.

I first discovered Touhou in late 2008 and by early 2009 had made it my life's mission to defeat the Extra stage of Perfect Cherry Blossom. Back in those days youtube was still useful as a social platform, and I became fast friends with a fella named Sadistic Penguin, whose own runs (uploaded in the magical new technology of 'high definition video') were instrumental in finally attaining that goal. We remained close and following the release of Touhou 12 in 2009, we decided to create our own Touhou fangame.

Day and night we discussed and planned and thought about and dreamt about 'Symmetry Of Black And White'. He would work his programmer magic and I would stitch together the narrative, and it would be glorious. Ultimately it never panned out- not for any specific reason; many projects will simply fail at some time or another. But the fervour and excitement for the project lives with me to this day- dreaming up some new idea or plot twist and hurrying over to Yaplet (RIP), IRC (RIP), or twitter (RIP) to spam them at him and (fail to) add them to the design doc.

It wasn't our only bite at the cherry; many other projects came and went, all of them falling short for one reason or another, and the dream eluded us once more. Over time, life happened, as it is wont to do, and as our host platforms fell apart so did we, not with intent but simply as a regrettable part of life's twists and turns. I've always made a specific effort to keep one thread of connection, however bare, and I like to hope he did the same- not out of naive ambition that the fervour could one day be rekindled, but to keep that distant dream alive, even if dormant.

And- would you look at that, he only went and bloody did it, didn't he? After many many years of work, Super Puzzled Cat is here, it's on Steam, you can buy it with your earth money right now (and wishlist it and follow it because the algorithm demands it). I am so, so proud of you, SP. You did it, man. You realised that long-held dream- and I know it was long-held, because you've held it for at least as long as I have. You have my genuine and heartfelt congratulations on bringing a project to a close and achieving a goal that was out of reach for so long. If I know you as well as I think I do, you'll be cracking away at the next dream before long, but take some time to bask in this first. You thoroughly deserve it.

Fin or Bin:

Sorry. I know this overly sentimental review probably isn't useful to you at all in terms of marketing. Here's your one-liner testimonial for the Accolades Trailer to make up for it: "Super Puzzled Cat is a slice of hot buttered toast on a cool Autumn morning." I can come up with that sort of guff all day if you need more.

What I hope is more valuable to you, is that you have inspired me to Finish reaching for my own dream- one of many as I am a perpetual dreamer- and see my novel finished by the close of 2025. You can have a free copy, even though I had to buy my own copy of SPC, y'cheap bastich! ...Just kidding. It was my sincere pleasure to add it to my cart. And if anyone else reading this wants to know that pleasure, click the link below!

(Steam)

[atgvnpoint]

erron liked what he heard. carrying this beautiful specimen of a man he'll never throw away that opportunity or else he'll regret it for the rest of his life. " hey my arms could use some attention but the invitation to carrying you in my arms will always be available for when you need someone to embrace you, i'm all for hugs. two left feet is hot what are you talking about. Think of it this way, you have someone to save you from your fall." he said softly just for Benji's ears only. he had to be honest with himself too, he'd do more than hug the other. Erron didn't want to think about anything near sexual or even stealing a kiss but could anyone blame him ? Benji is a hot guy, an angelic looking one. While the other explained a little, giving a small glimpse about his family and italian roots that fascinated him. for once someone worthy of a decent conversation, this erron found attractive too. "Good, none of my friends know how hard it is, my mother has always been so fucking strict. she forced me to learn russian i never cared to learn, traveled back and forth from the states to belarus during the summer. i hated going to those lame boarding schools, but the cool thing is i got to rule it given who my mother is, that's a conversation for another time. " he added. " russian culture varies i guess, we're very affectionate with friends and physical too, not like that. you know the touchy feely thing. We love to share, we're strict and you have to be polite but we're so bad in wanting to get to the nitty gritty of things. It's annoying, my first year in boarding school i had trouble understanding things because russian's never get to the point. can't forget about the food, we eat a lot too. but watch out for the old people they will get offended if you don't eat their food." he pointed at least his grandparents are that way. " what about your italian roots, how's the culture besides the st. peter's basilica, colosseum and tower of pisa. i've been only to Galleria Doria Pamphilj, school field trip." showing Benji yet another smile, ones that many have fallen for but something told him that it'll take more than just a flirty smile to win Benji over. and he was very much wiling to risk it all for this man.

"oh my tats, yeah someone always has something nice to say or flirt their way to me by using my tats as an excuse. i'm glad you find them appealing." looking down at his tatted hands, the veins protruding out as he opened and closed it. However, it seemed that Benji was fascinated by tattoos but wasn't into getting tatted himself. respect, not many wanted tattoos anyway. "i admire that, sometimes it's best to look and admire than get something on your skin that will stay forever on your skin. I mean, you got the body for a nice tat, but that means people will stop admiring your tanned skin." it felt nice to connect with someone, it's obvious they could talk about anything. "Ah, it's always the dumb parents with their dumb ideas about who they want you to marry or who is suitable for you. and none of those people are worth it in the end. So no spicy foods then, noted. You seem to not like spending time with your father, makes sense why you'd be in the club with those creepy fellas." looking at Benji but also checking him out at the same time.

He felt those eyes look his way whenever Erron looked elsewhere. "Nah, i'm not. I've helped a few of my friends get to their desired physique. I do it out of passion and it's become a great hobby for me, let's me get lost and far away from my parents, mostly my mother. lady is annoying." he said making a face while giving a shake of his head. "i've attended body building competitions only did it once, it was a goal of mine a few years back." meeting Benji's gaze finally, those beautiful eyes sparkled a bit yet looking deeper there was another twinkle that resembled sadness. He cut through the crowd ahead of them as they finally reached the cafe in question, heading inside, holding the door for Benji. "study, work and clubbing. rinse and repeat right. boxing and weight training, see, i knew i liked you." he pointed at benji with his index finger, a grin on his lips. Despite the small details of his life there was something about the other that caught on to Erron, those eyes said something else while his mouth spoke and spoke. He made with the other to the menu, the cafe had macro decent pastries, others were protein based. Laughing as he looked from the menu to Benji. "Mm, yeah jokes on you i love a little pain. i'm a lover not a fighter Benji, careful don't fall in love with me, it's contagious." while he debated on a the pastries, a banana strawberry smoothie that had high protein caught his interest. Until Benji compliment making Erron tear his eyes away from the menu. " too late, i think you've made me smile more than once. And if you trip, i'll catch your fall." leaning down to whisper against Benji's ear. "trust me, i will." leaning back, he finally picked a huge danish pastry with berry jam on top. "i'm ready to order, have you picked something or were you too distracted by me. hoping for the last part handsome."

What was this man even doing to him? Benji tried his best to think straight and concentrate on his movements, but the more Erron talked, the harder it will become. How could he talk about hugs and catching him so easily? Was this just another tactics to lure Benji into his bed? That wouldn't be a first. Why should a decent man even look his way? ❝I'm almost tempted to fall just to test your reaction.❞ And that wasn't even a lie. Benji couldn't help but wonder how it feels to be in those strong arms. No, he shouldn't even think about this any further. Hoping that he wasn't showing his thoughts on his face, Benji cleared his throat and concentrated on their conversation again. Listening to Erron's story was luckily distracting enough. The last thing Benji needed right now was to develop some dumb crush because this would never end well.

❝You went to boarding school? Wow, okay. I always thought that they are a great experience to be honest. Then I might have to thank my father for not sending me to a boarding school. Trust me, I begged him to send me to a boarding school in Italy but he didn't want that.❞ The reason as to why Richard didn't want him to go was something Benji kept to himself. But he liked how open Erron seemed to be. Those stories about Russian culture sparked Benji's interest quite a lot. There were definitely huge differences in the Italian culture from what Benji could tell. ❝Yeah, I know what you mean. Italians have this touchy-feely thing. It's fascinating how many things our cultures have in common but some things are just absolutely different. The strict thing, we don't have that. Not getting to the point, yes I know that very well. And respecting elders, definitely. Don't ever say no to the food of your grandmother or you are screwed. Once told my grandma that I had already eaten and felt full. Do you know her reaction?❞ Benji pinched the fingers on both hands, making the typical Italian pinched fingers. ❝Che stai dicendo, paratino? Sei troppo magro!!!❞ He imitated his grandmother and rolled his eyes. ❝That means: What do you mean, little potato? You are too thin!❞ He shrugged again. ❝Italians are very proud of their food culture, that's really important.❞ Damn this smile. Unfortunately, Benji looked at Erron the moment he gave Benji that dashing smile. Quickly, he lowered his head again, trying to focus on his feet while they walked inside the coffee shop. Now this man even held the door open for him. That was new and Benji's heart was reacting right away. This wasn't good. ❝I don't mind that the tat would stay on my skin forever. But do you really think it would suit me? Always heard the opposite.❞

He looked up to Erron again, chuckling again but also shaking his head. Erron was a fun person, and he managed so easily that Benji felt comfortable around him. Tearing his gaze away from the other man, Benji rather focused on the menu for now. Everything looked so good, it was hard to choose but Benji knew that he wouldn't go for the high-protein options. With his eyebrow raised, he looked over to Erron again. ❝Oh wow. Erron! What?! The?! You can't say stuff like that.❞ Playfully, Benji slapped the other man's arm. ❝A lover, not a fighter. Damn, I have never heard that one. You really don't lack confidence, don't you?❞ Benji smirked a little. ❝I'll have Latte Macchiato and the cinnamon roll over there,❞ he pointed at the huge cinnamon roll with some cream cheese frosting on top. Of course, he didn't care about the calories right now even though he should be careful. Eating too much will only result in more sports tomorrow. ❝Are you going to judge me now? Someone who is into fitness as you are probably counting calories a lot. Are you flirting like this with everyone? Or can I feel special? Because, you definitely are flirting. I can tell.❞ // @gctfukcd

[kylekozmikdeluxo]

Some scattered thoughts, fellas... Not looking to debate anything, just some raw thoughts born out of initial despair, anger, and determination...

To say the least, life looks to get harder for me now for the forseable future. As a queer autistic enby. For a multitude of reasons, in and around the election of Orange Nightmare and his brigade of evil. As the hours roll by, it all starts to make a little more sense to me at least. Now that the shock of Election Day night is over and the day after defeat has eased... In that, the Democratic Party as it is seems unfit at the moment against the massive misinformation apparatus of the right, and the utterly wide reach that it has across the country AND across several age groups... At least in this very moment... We could very well rebound in the next midterms and put some roadblocks up, and NO, I am not here for your "no more elections ever again". I'm not a "lay down and take it"-type person. I did that once many years ago when I had a severe mental health crisis as a teenager, and yeah... NEVER again. I try to be resilient.

And yeah, we have to do more than just vote in order to keep our rights and some sense of stability. I do know that there has to be more effort building communities and backup systems for all of us out there, and how we as a people can make things right when our leaders can't or refuse to. Hopefully this accelerates more of that, and hopefully I find IRL community I can feel safe with in case something were to go wrong for me.

We're right now hearing about how despite their "best" efforts, the Kamala Harris campaign just could not compete with that ecosystem of grievance, hate, and complete detached-ness. In addition to other issues with which the Harris campaign and incumbent Biden administration were failing on. The way I see it, the way they try to get people enthusiastic... it's old-fashioned and kinda hokey, while the right courts Gen Z with podcasts and Joe Rogan-type shit, and gets everyone else through the ever-reliable Fox News and Sinclair-owned media. Plus a legacy media collection that has shifted right for many years, publications and networks that coddle the right and take plenty of time to constantly fry the Dems over the littlest things. The New York Times a CHIEF offender among them. The late great Frank Zappa - one of my favorite musicians and often spot on in his indictment of the right - accurately pointed that out in an interview in 1988, that the media back then even was "turning right". That tells you a lot, doesn't it? And that's a base that's been mobilized since the '70s, told to diligently vote in every single election from presidential to midterms to local. And they did, and continue to do so, and it's why so many institutions are gummed up with these clowns and why they hold all this power. Any of us who aren't subscribing to that unified authoritarian ideology are still at the base of a massive mountain, it seems.

I also think that too many Americans of many stripes just "relate" to that guy.

A lot of my family is MAGA, and thus I know other MAGA/conservative-types as well, and the sentiment with Orange Turdgoblin is ALWAYS stuff like "he's NOT a politician!", "he's NOT like all those OTHER politicians!", "he came in and rocked the boat!", "he ran America like a BUSINESS"... It's vibes. That's mostly what it is amongst the population that isn't necessarily conservative or right-wing. A bumbling buffoon who you can have a beer with, I guess. He has that, Kamala doesn't, and certainly not our soon-to-be VP, and several other actual politicians. Yes, our politicians and leaders are deeply flawed, even on side blue. Biden's administration hasn't always been great for me, as I've often felt the effects of late-stage capitalism and the aftermath of COVID's first two years. But I'm also not stupid or uninformed enough to just throw everything to a guy who literally said he wanted generals not dissimilar to the ones Hitler had, in addition to all the other heinous stuff he has said and done over the course of... Well, forget his presidency for a second, his whole goddamn career stretching back to the '70s.

That there is a huge problem. That after his disastrous first term, he somehow got 12M MORE votes than he did in 2016. And that's WITH COVID-19's first months factored in... And only lost about 1M this election, despite everything he had done after losing in 2020. Americans just seem to have collective amnesia, don't they? Some hardships during the Biden administration? Yeah sure, let's bring that even worse guy back! It boggles me, and yet it doesn't. And the kids won't save us, again, the right got them. They know how to do this shit, and it's the rest of us who need to not only catch up, but best it.

These past couple of years have been pretty big for me. I came out as queer and non-binary by mid-2022, I conquered A LOT of my driving fears and I get around more, I started committing to a webcomic after years of trying to find a simpler idea to turn into something that would put me out there, and I finally moved out of my home at the age of 30 in early 2023. Massive developments for me, in addition to being more who I want to be and feeling generally happier than ever. Feeling like I can really do this adult thing on my own, and go on lots of adventures. There were hardships, financially, and I'm not fully out of the closet yet. I had big plans for later this year and into next year, but because of what has happened, that may have to be put aside for a bit as I reroute and figure out ways to protect myself should something go completely wrong for me.

And that first day, I was scrambling, frantic, like it was going to be over the minute he's inaugurated. I have little to fall back on, no safety net whatsoever... But I'm here and still functioning... And there's a lot at play between now and the midterms, and even at the end of his first year of his second term. This is not dissimilar to how COVID-19 knocked the wind out of the sails I was putting up by early 2020, and that this will just be another setback that I have to get around. After all this personal progress that I made. But because it happened once, I know what it feels like. I'm still not entirely sure about the situation, but there has to be a way. And it's helped by slowly abandoning what was once Twitter... Or at least, locking what used to be my main account. No longer participating in endless misery there, nor having to hear a barrage of shit.

On Bluesky, it's not as bad. I joined Bluesky a year or so ago, and while it's imperfect in many ways, the vibe is different and there's way less of twitter's usual "lay down and take it" bullshit. All these wild even-worse-future scenarios that get laid out in these multi-tweet essays, with NO solution or way to even stop it. I've had it with that. That was a thing on there since 2016, and it only got worse and worse with each election and cataclysmic world event. Algorithms love to shovel shit in your face, and it's nice to get away or slowly start disengaging. Tumblr's also deeply imperfect and has more or less become its own kinda shitty, but it's great for me to use as a diary for longer-form posts.

I don't know where the road goes from here, but I have to keep going. At least I have somewhat surveyed the situation, as have many others, and it doesn't seem like all is completely over... Like people on that other app often say it is.

[ao3-rex1223]

Chapter 31: Like Father, Like Daughter

Twelfth Floor Intern Masterlist

Pairing: Miles Edgeworth x fem!reader

Summary: Your parents arrive to help celebrate the completion of your internship, but, more importantly, your father and Miles finally meet. How will he take the fact that his precious daughter is in love with the great Miles Edgeworth?

Tags: Power Imbalance, Mentor/Intern, Miles wants you so bad but he's ethical AF now, No use of y/n, depictions of violence, Discussion of Rape, description of murder victims, adult murder victims, child murder victims, Eventual Smut, Happy Ending, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Vaginal Sex, Vaginal Fingering, Creampies, Loss of Virginity, Miles is the king of prosecutors but also the king of consent, Fluff and Smut, Romance, Blow Jobs, Nightmare about sexual assault, cross posted on AO3

“Surprise!” Your father, Joe, shouts happily. He pulls you in for a tight hug, temporarily letting go of your mother. She still leans on her cane while she recovers from her broken ankle. Joe pulls away, while still keeping his hands on your shoulders. The warmth of his smile manages to make it through the years of horror and tragedy that have worn on him, typically leaving his expression hardened and cold. His tired and weary eyes gaze lovingly on you, his one and only, precious daughter. He stands tall, only a bit shorter than Miles. His once brown hair is now almost all gray. His hands almost feel like sandpaper from decades of hard work as a detective. He wears a light blue button up with tan slacks, his nine millimeter resting on his hip like it has your whole life, almost like it’s an extension of his body.

When Joe finally releases you, your mother, Kathy, hobbles in and hugs you with her free hand. “We missed you so much, baby girl,” she coos softly, rubbing your back. Her beauty is timeless. She stands at around your height with soft brown hair that falls just past her shoulders. Her eyes match yours almost perfectly. She wears a sleeveless, navy, button up blouse, a pair of beige capris, a boot on her broken ankle, and a dressy sandal on her other foot. She looks at the man next to you. “And this must be the famous Miles Edgeworth,” she surmises with a genuine smile, extending her hand to shake his. Your heart races again, knowing you may only have minutes left before your father figures out the truth. Miles gently takes Kathy’s hand and bows his head to her. Kathy smiles approvingly. “Such a gentleman,” she comments. “This handsome fella standing next to me is my husband, Joe.”

Miles and Joe size each other up; their eyes and ears collecting every piece of data they can in order to assess the other man. A tense quiet fills the air; you and your mother pick up on the shift quickly. Finally, a respectful smile forms on Miles’ face and he reaches out to shake Joe’s hand. “It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard a great deal about you.”

As it turns out, Joe only needed a few minutes to put the pieces together. Spending forty years reading people's faces made it almost impossible to slip anything past him. Even Miles Edgeworth couldn't hide his little tells. Why, just the way he watched you like a hawk was enough to give him away. Add to that your awkward introduction of him and he had all the evidence he needed. He scowls as Miles reaches out his hand to shake his. Your father and the man you love are meeting for the first time and good old dad looks like he just put the last piece into place. He fires a harshly disapproving glance at you then turns back to Miles and grunts. "How long?" Joe asks through gritted teeth, his tone rough and demanding.

"I beg your pardon," Miles replies, eyebrow quirked. He slowly lowers his hand back to his side.

"How long have you been sleeping with my daughter?" He asks, venom dripping from his words. A ruthless chill surges through your body.

Miles narrows his eyes, insulted. "Rather forward question. Would you also like to know the frequency?" He retorts. You pale; this could end very badly. Scratch that; this is going to end very badly. You want to intervene, but you freeze. No man has ever stood up to your father before and Miles is most certainly not going to back down.

Joe crosses his arms in front of him, leaning back on his heels. He's closing himself off. "Bold response, Mr. Edgeworth. Taking advantage of an innocent young girl then mocking her father right in front of her," he fires back. His glare is icy and unyielding.

"Only because you insulted me," Miles replies without missing a beat. He fights to keep his tone neutral, but you can tell it's getting harder.

Joe furrows his brow further. He's turning red and his scowl deepens. "You're insulted!?" He shouts. "I don't even want to think about what you've done to my little girl!" His anger is boiling and you keep your eye on the gun in your dad’s holster, silently praying it stays there.

"Your comments can only mean one of two things: either you insinuate your daughter is promiscuous or that I am so depraved that I would really take advantage of and manipulate her for my own sexual pleasure instead of accepting the comprehensive and loving relationship we have actually cultivated. Yes, I'm insulted. Both for her and myself," Miles argues. You're still too stunned to speak.

"You've got a lot of nerve, Son," Joe growls.

"For defending both her honor and my own?" Miles asks sarcastically, unfazed by your father's attempted interrogation. Both men are equally good at this game.

"What do you know about honor? I trust you with my daughter and you take her to bed?" Joe accuses.

"Do you consider a loving relationship dishonorable? I planned to inform you of my intention to marry her. Do you find that dishonorable?" Miles asks with a smirk. "I find it very difficult to believe you do considering you've been married for an impressively long time." You could faint. It's like your worst nightmare, but no matter how many times you pinch yourself, you're not waking up!

"Oh, you're going to try and convince me you love my daughter?" Joe fires back, his voice heavy with sarcasm. His eyes are practically on fire, wanting to burn Miles where he stands. He completely ignores the comment about marrying you.

"No, I won't waste my time. If you won't even listen to her, I highly doubt my attempts to persuade you will be successful," Miles replies. He has kept his tone even and calm the entire time.

Joe turns to you. "When were you going to tell me?" He asks, still frustrated but much softer.

"Dad…I wanted to…I just…" you stammer. You're stumbling all over your words, desperate to explain yourself.

Your mother thankfully chimes in. "You don't exactly make it easy for her to talk about this kind of stuff, Joe," she sneers. She shifts her weight between her cane and her unaffected foot. She’s obviously getting tired, but not wanting to abandon you.

He ignores your mother's comment. "I'm really disappointed in you," Joe says to you coldly. He turns and heads for the exit.

"Dad, wait!" You call, reaching your hand in his direction. He doesn't reply and keeps walking away. He pushes the doors to the courthouse wide open and stomps outside. You find yourself suddenly filled with gumption and bravery. It can’t end this way! You have to make him see... You storm after him, running out of the building to block his escape. The two of you stand on the courthouse steps, halfway down to the sidewalk.

“Dad! Stop!” You command.

He stops and looks at you with a cold stare. It's a look you were used to when he got mad. He takes a deep breath. “You lied to me. You and that bastard.”

“Dad, I wanted to be honest with you! Miles pushed me to tell you all the time! He never wanted to keep it a secret; I made him!” Tears start forming in your eyes out of anger and frustration. You can feel a fire burning in the pit of your stomach.

“Why!?” Joe shouts. “Why keep something this significant from your own father!?”

“You're too overprotective, Dad! Even when I lived at home, you'd never even let any boys come over! You never let me go out and have any fun or try new things!”

“And you know why!” He reminds you, his voice rising. You do know why, but it doesn't mean it's right.

“Yes, but eventually you have to let me live my life! I love Miles!”

“You're making a mistake!” Joe barks back. “I'm just asking you to listen to me! How many boys came around that wound up being nowhere near good enough for my little-”

You cut him off, “Dad, this isn't the same! Miles is-”

Joe jumps back in just like you did. “Sweetheart, you'll learn when you get older that men like Miles Edgeworth only value power, money, and-”

“He's not like that at all!” You practically stomp your feet in protest.

Meanwhile, Kathy and Miles watch on from the doorway. “Should we intervene?” Miles asks your mother.

Kathy chuckles. “Oh, only if you want to get your head bit clean off your shoulders. Once they get going, there's no stopping them. The last time I saw them argue like this was when she got into UCLA.”

“How long did that last?”

“I got all my laundry done and the kitchen clean as a whistle before they stopped fighting. This…” Kathy pauses and gestures to you and your father in front of them, deep in the heat of battle. “...could go on for a week.”

“She did tell me he was rather stubborn,” Miles comments.

Kathy chuckles. “Where do you think she gets it?” She asks and turns to Miles with an approving smile. "You know, you have quite the head on your shoulders," she comments with a smirk. "I can see why she picked you," she adds. "Lord knows I saw so many boys coming around trying to get past my husband to our daughter, but none of them stood up to Joe like you did. I have to admit, it was the greatest thing I've seen all week.”

Miles chuckles. “Thank you.”

“Well now, Miles, is there a place where I can get a decent cup of coffee? I'm gonna need it to wrangle those two,” she asks while gesturing to you and Joe.

Miles offers her his arm which she gladly takes. He escorts her back inside to a room in the courthouse with coffee.

Back on the courthouse steps, you and Joe continue, both barely even listening to the other…

“I knew this would happen! From the moment you said you were staying with him for ‘safety’, I knew!”

“If you knew, Dad, why didn’t you just say something!?”

“I wanted to give my daughter a chance to come clean!”

“Why would I when every other time I talked about a boy I liked, you just shot me down!?”

“I might not have if those men were worth even half of what they thought they were! Case in point, that Jeremy or Jared or whatever kid that was!”

“Oh my God, Dad! Of course you'd bring up Jesse!”

“He’s working at a grocery store now! And not even as a manager or assistant manager!”

“Which is moot now, Dad! Miles is the chief prosecutor! You seem so fixated on me having a successful husband; well, it doesn’t get much better than that!”

“You think that makes me feel better?” Joe shouts back.

“I don’t see why it shouldn’t!”

“Do you know how many death threats he probably gets in a day? How many of those will be directed at you when the public finds out? I will not let you put yourself at risk!”

“He can protect me, Dad! Just like you did!” You argue; Joe was no stranger to threats either.

“I don't want you to have to live that life anymore! I don't want to see you make the wrong choice! Please listen to me!” Joe shouts.

You've reached your boiling point. You stare at him with an icy glare for a brief moment then in a soft, yet still firm voice you reply, “then don't make me choose, Dad…because I promise you won't like my choice!” With that, you storm away, desperately needing time to yourself.

You barely pay attention as you walk away, fuming. Your heart feels like it's on fire while simultaneously breaking in two. This meeting couldn't have gone worse, but then again, had you really expected it to be any better? You know your father and you know Miles; they're like oil and water. You chuckle to yourself, realizing that although they don't get along, they're so incredibly similar it's almost comical. They're both stubborn; they're both brilliant; they both work tirelessly to lock criminals away…and they both love you. You take in a deep breath and sigh. The sound of a gavel banging draws your attention and you realize there’s a legal showdown going on in the courtroom next to where you were just an hour ago.

You wander inside the courtroom and see Franziska squaring off with Darren Bones.

“Mr. Zucker,” Franziska begins, “what is your relationship to the defendant?”

Devin sits on the witness stand looking perfectly at ease with his casual smile and impeccable suit. He tilts his head at the seasoned prosecutor. “Well, Ms. Von Karma, Mr. Brinks worked for me for some time as an accountant; he’s very good with details, you see.” He takes a moment to flash a charming grin. “But when I found out he was stealing priceless works of art, I immediately fired him. I have no tolerance for illegal doings!”

Franziska looks as though she doesn't entirely believe him, but it's clear he's a witness for the prosecution. “I see…and how did you discover he was involved?”

“All of these vacations he'd take…I began to suspect something nefarious. They weren't your average vacation either, he'd be taking trips to Europe all the time!” Devin keeps his debonair smile consistently; he's clearly accustomed to being under the microscope. That shouldn't inherently bother you…yet it does.

Franziska smirks; none of this is a surprise to her. “Are you aware of how many works of art were stolen?” She asks.

“I haven't the faintest idea.” Devin keeps his cool like it runs in his blood.

“Do you know where the defendant was hiding the money he had made from this…venture?” Franziska asks.

“I don't know, Ms. Von Karma. Perhaps he's hiding it under his mattress,” Devin speculates with a sharp grin and a slight chuckle.

Franziska folds her arms. She has a similar look on her face to when Miles plays chess. She's planning ahead. Way ahead.

Your suspicions rise when Darren Bones gives Devin nothing but softball questions, making his cross examination easier than Franziska's initial one.

When you've calmed, you exit the courtroom and return to your father, already rejoined by Miles and your mother. She looks softly at you and says, “hey baby girl. We were just about to come look for you.” She hugs you gently and kisses your head. Finally, she continues. “Now, how about the four of us go get dinner and talk like adults?”

Joe scrunches his face into a scowl. “I am not sharing a meal with that snake!”

“Dad!” You interject angrily. Miles places a reassuring hand on your shoulder, leaning in slightly. His loving gaze watches you.

“Get your hand off my daughter!” Joe commands.

Miles forces himself to keep a calm voice but doesn't stop a derisive snort. “With all due respect, no.”

Kathy rubs the bridge of her nose. “Joe, Miles is going to be a part of her life whether you like it or not. Were you not paying attention when he said he's going to marry her?”

Joe grimaces at the memory. He turns back to Miles once more. “If you think I'll give you permission to marry my little girl, you're sorely mistaken.”

A few tears fall down your face, your father breaking your heart. “Dad, please!” You whimper.

Miles senses your distress and subtly rubs your shoulder with his thumb. “If you recall what I said, precisely, lieutenant, you'll know I wasn't asking permission. I was simply informing you of my intention. She'll be my wife whether you like it or not.”

Joe is seething. “What gives you the right!?”

“She did,” Miles replies without missing a beat.

Joe turns to you. “You can't be serious about this, sweetheart.”

“I am!” You confirm. You fight to hold back tears and try to swallow the lump in your throat. The two most important men in your life hate each other!

“Joe!” Kathy shouts. “Give the man a chance!”

Joe snorts and walks away. You start to chase after him but your mother gently grabs your arm. “Let him go, baby girl. He just needs a little time.” She sighs heavily. You can tell from her expression this is about what she expected, but it doesn't make it any easier. She drops her gaze to the ground, shaking her head before turning back up to meet your eyes. “Why don't you two pick a nice restaurant and I'll meet you there with my stubborn mule of a husband in a couple hours. Just let me know where it is and we'll get a cab over there.”

“That won't be necessary,” Miles chimes in. “Detective Gumshoe will drive you. He’ll be beyond thrilled to meet your husband, anyway.”

“That’s kind of you, Miles.” Kathy smiles appreciatively. She kisses your cheek softly and runs her fingers through your hair before heading off to find Joe. Despite the lingering discomfort in her leg, she walks elegantly. Your mother never did let anything slow her down before; why would a broken bone be any different?

Miles calls Gumshoe and tells him to meet your mother and father. Afterward, he turns to you. “Before we go to dinner, there's something I've been meaning to show you. Come with me,” he explains and guides you to his car. He's cryptic as he drives, but holds a calm smile.

He eventually pulls into the hospital. He places his hand on your back and guides you through the building. After many hallways and an elevator ride, you arrive on a pediatric ward. Based on the decorations around the unit and the personalizations to the staff members’ badges, it appears to be a specialty unit for organ transplants.

“What are we doing here?” You ask, searching your mind for any reason why he might have brought you here. Miles simply gives you a sweet smile and stops at the nurses’ station.

“Room 326,” he announces softly to the charge nurse. She checks both of you in and leads you to the appropriate room. The nurse opens the large sliding glass door with a young girl behind it. She looks like she's maybe twelve or thirteen. Her hair is short and blonde. She sits up in bed with a smile that could light up the world, writing in a journal. There's EKG leads hooked up to her with the monitor beeping consistently in the background. You can see a dressing on her chest peeking out from under her hospital gown. There's several intravenous lines hooked up to her as well with medications whose names you have no hope of being able to pronounce. Despite being attached to so many ostensibly life saving apparatuses, she appears quite energetic. She looks up at you and Miles when you enter. “Are you Mister Edgeworth?” She asks.

“Yes, I am,” Miles confirms with a polite smile.

“My mom said you were going to drop by,” the girl replies.

Miles introduces you by name. “She's my intern this summer.” He turns to you, finally ready to explain what's going on. “This is Teagan. She was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Her heart failed recently and she was placed on the transplant list.” He takes a deep breath. “Carley Holtz’s heart was a match for her. It was transplanted to her last week.”

His words take a moment to sink in, but when they do, your eyes fill with tears. “Really?” You whimper. He nods with a smile. “Does her husband know?” You ask, one tear gliding slowly down your face.

“He does,” Miles confirmed with a placid smile.

“I got to meet him the other day,” Teagan adds. “He's really nice. He showed me and my parents pictures of his wife.” She lets a look of sadness cross her face. “It sounds like she was really amazing. I'm really grateful she was a match for me.”

You wipe the tears from your eyes and sit down in the chair next to Teagan's hospital bed. “Carley was very brave,” you affirm. “And so are you.”

Teagan looks softly at you. “She was murdered, wasn't she?” The young girl asks. Her tone suggests she already knows the answer.

You nod slowly, solemnly. “Yes, she was.”

“Did you catch the guy who did it?”

“We did. He's going to be in prison for a long time, probably the rest of his life,” you reassure her. You take a deep breath and glance at her journal, deciding to change the subject to something lighter. “What are you writing?”

Teagan’s face lights up. “I’m writing a story. I want to be an author some day!” She clutches the leather bound journal to her chest like it means the world to her.

You smile back. “What are you writing about?”

“It’s about two scientists traveling back in time to observe the dinosaurs!” Teagan goes on to explain the intricacies of her story. The brightness in her affect is inspiring. Your heart warms at the realization that even though Mrs. Holtz died at the hands of a horrible murderer, she still saved someone else; a young girl will have a chance at life now. You glance at Miles and give him a sweet smile, your gratitude evident from the look in your eyes alone. After visiting with Teagan for a while, Miles reminds you that you still need to meet your parents for dinner. With a deep breath you sigh and bid Teagan farewell. She makes you promise to visit her again, to which you happily agree.

You hold Miles’ hand as you leave the hospital. “Thank you for taking me to meet her, Miles. That was…wonderful.”

“You're welcome. I thought it might bring you some peace after that case.”

You squeeze his hand. “It did…have I told you I love you today?”

“Hm…” he scratches his chin with feigned concentration. “I don't think so.”

You smirk and kiss his cheek. “I love you.”

“And I love you.”

You and Miles decide on a tranquil, quiet restaurant not far from the university campus. The hostess brings you to a booth while you wait for your parents. Miles gently squeezes your hand. “Relax,” he begins soothingly, “everything is fine.”

“How can I relax?” You ask. “My father hates you.” A lump forms in your throat.

Miles chuckles softly. He brings your hand to his lips and kisses your knuckles. “His reaction is as I suspected. I know it’s not easy, but I truly believe he will come around. It may not be right away, but he will. What’s important is that he knows the truth.” He brings his hand to your face, tenderly caressing your cheek. “And tomorrow your internship ends and we no longer need to hide from anyone.”

You smile weakly. “You're right.” All of the things you’ll be able to do together start to dance around in your head; you can go out together, tell all your friends, kiss in public, although you strongly suspect Miles is against public displays of affection. More importantly, you can get married and make your dream that's been steadily growing since you started this summer a reality.

Eventually, you notice your mother and father approaching, Joe looking slightly quelled. They take their seats across from you and Miles. Your father’s eyes meet yours; his expression is difficult to read. “H-hey, Dad,” you greet warmly, hoping there’s at least a sliver of a chance to have a nice dinner with him and Miles in the same room. The air is tense and you desperately search for something to discuss. “So…where are you guys staying?”

Kathy watches Joe, hoping he’ll at least answer your question. Instead his eyes keep shifting between you and Miles. He’s still angry, but he’s holding himself back. Kathy sighs and answers for him, “we rented one of the guest houses owned by the university next to your sorority.”

“Oh, right,” you reply. You had forgotten about those.

“Well, why don’t you tell us how you two got together?” Kathy prompts. She hopes that the story will melt your father’s frozen grimace.

You let a small smile form on your lips. Your eyes look longingly into Miles’, beautiful memories flooding back into the forefront of your mind. “Well, I started off with a different attorney,” you glance briefly at your mother and father, “Miles was never keen on taking interns.” You look back to your love. “But he saw potential in me.”

Miles adds to the story, his gentle gaze fixed on yours as he speaks to your parents. “I wanted to make sure she avoided the pitfalls I didn't…I noticed so many similarities between her and myself and I wanted to ensure she didn't make the same mistakes I did.” He looks over at Joe. “But there was no way I wasn't going to fall in love with her.”

Joe's expression softens just slightly, seeing the genuine affection Miles has for you. He quickly masks it with a scowl once again. “And you violated the rules of both her university and your office.”

“Dad!” You scold.

“Joe!” Kathy says in sync with you.

You try to diffuse your frustration. “Dad, Miles didn't make the first move…I did. If I never would have said anything…he never would have tried either…”

“Believe me, lieutenant,” Miles begins, addressing Joe respectfully. “I understood the gravity of the situation perfectly. I was all too aware of the power imbalance between us. I never wanted to take advantage of her. I only ever wanted to help her become the skilled attorney I know she can be.” Miles explains calmly. “But when she began to show an interest…I couldn't help but yearn to be with her.”

Kathy is enthralled by the story. She rests her head in her hand as she listens, smiling with delight. She turns to her grouchy husband. “Isn't that sweet, Joe?” She gently nudges him.

Joe grumbles but doesn't answer.

“I’d love to know how you and your wife met,” Miles says with a smile and takes a sip of his water. Despite his iron defense when Joe was slinging accusations at him only hours ago, he is genuinely trying to build a friendly rapport with him.

Joe stares at him for a moment, untrusting, judgmental. He can see what Miles is trying to do. You and Kathy bore your eyes into him, trying to break down his walls. If he would just give Miles a chance…he clears his throat and gives in under the fiery stares of his two favorite girls. “Kathy was working at a spa one day when it was robbed. I was a rookie cop at the time and the one assigned to the call when it came in to dispatch.” His eyes soften as he remembers the moment he met the love of his life; the mother of his precious child. He turns to face Kathy and smiles softly yet genuinely. Taking her hand in his, he laces their fingers together. She smiles back sweetly, their nearly four decades of marriage and love evident in their gaze. “I walked in and found her standing near the cash register with her arms folded in front of her. She was pissed,” Joe chuckles. “I could see blood on her fingers. Turns out it wasn’t even hers. She had attacked the robber, and scratched him up a few times before he ran off with the money.” He leans in, planting a gentle, loving kiss to her temple. Kathy smiles, her eyes full of love. Joe smiles back. “I knew then she was it for me.”

“Six weeks later, we were engaged,” Kathy adds, her warm eyes looking deeply into her husband's.

Joe takes a deep breath and turns back to Miles, his demeanor much softer than before. “What about your parents?” He asks.

“My father was a defense attorney, but he died when I was nine years old,” Miles reveals. “My mother abandoned us when I was very young…I don’t remember her much.”

A look of sadness crosses Joe and Kathy’s faces. Both express their condolences. Finally, your father appears to be warming up to Miles, even if it’s just a little. The rest of the night passes with small talk and while you still feel like you’re walking on eggshells, you actually feel hope that it will end one day.

After a surprisingly peaceful dinner, the four of you leave the restaurant. Gumshoe arrives to give Joe and Kathy a ride back to their guest house. You start to walk with Miles, intending to go home with him. Your father catches on immediately. “Why don’t you just ride with us, sweetie?” Joe says.

You freeze. You haven’t told them you’re living with him yet. “Dad…I…”

“Don’t tell me you’re living with him!” Joe replies sharply. He crosses his arms in front of him watching you disapprovingly.

You close your eyes and sigh, not wanting to ruin all the progress you’ve made tonight. “Dad…yeah I’m living with him, but if you just…”

“Sweetheart! You’re moving way too quickly!” Joe’s expression is, thankfully, less angry and more concerned. He reaches out to touch your face gently. “Will you please go back to your sorority for now? Just do this one thing for your old man? We'll go to breakfast in the morning and spend some quality time together. What’d’ya say?” He asks, desperate.

“Dad, I have my last day of my internship tomorrow.”

“Okay…well we'll go to breakfast on Saturday then. But please, just come back to campus with us…please?” Joe made progress with Miles today…but not as much as you hoped. He's still not quite ready to let you go.

You sigh again. “Fine, Dad,” you agree, deciding to indulge him. There’s only one day left in your internship…but after that, you’re not going back to the sorority again! You turn to Miles. “I’m sorry…”

He gently caresses your face. “Don’t be. I understand. I’ll see you at my office tomorrow.” He dips his head down and kisses you softly before letting you go with your parents.

Gumshoe is beaming with joy for getting to talk to your dad again. Turns out, you don't even have to worry about the drive home being awkward. Gumshoe fills the drive back to your sorority with questions for your father and gushing over how he's such a big fan. When you return to campus, you hug and kiss your parents good night before going inside. Nora is shocked to see you, but you explain what happened and she's not surprised your dad reacted the way he did.

“I'm sorry he was so hard on you,” she says softly, hugging you.

“Go ahead and say ‘I told you so’,” you reply, recalling how she told you to tell him the truth right away.

Nora lets out a light chuckle. “I'm not doing that to you. Your dad is going to learn to love Miles; don't worry. When that happens, then I'll tell you ‘I told you so’.”

“Thanks Nora.” You give her a weak smile. You catch up with her for a bit then both go to bed.

You sleep fitfully, between the chaos that was Miles and your father meeting and being alone in your sorority bed. It's a miracle you got any sleep at all! When the first rays of the morning sun slip through your window, you decide to head into the prosecutor's office and study. You park yourself in the library and begin reviewing practice bar exams. A smile forms on your face as you realize today is the final day of your internship. The wait is over and tomorrow, you and Miles can be together without hiding. It's going to be a wonderful day!

Across town in the Edgeworth household, Miles’ phone rings, waking him. He's groggy and cranky, since his arms were woefully empty all night. “What?” He answers curtly.

“Mr. Edgeworth, sir, this is officer Max Kent. I got a call from dispatch that an anonymous tip came in about someone planning to break into your intern’s sorority house.”

Miles’ head quickly clears and his blood runs cold. “Get to the property, now!” He barks.

“I'm already on my way, sir.”

Miles hangs up and dials your number immediately.

“Hey, you,” you say sweetly as you browse through the exam book in the quiet library. Your voice is calm and relaxed.

He says your name with relief. “Are you at the sorority house?”

“No, I'm at the office library,” you explain, concerned by the urgency in his voice. “What's going on?”

“There was an anonymous tip about a breakin planned-” Miles’ phone chimes, indicating another call. It's Max. “One second, darling. Don't hang up.” He switches calls. “Yes, Officer Kent?”

“Mr. Edgeworth, I got a call from the sheriff's office letting me know that Jason Michaels escaped an hour ago during his transfer from jail to the courthouse for his sentencing hearing. It sounds like he's had quite the vendetta against your intern.” Jason Michaels was the first defendant you went up against as Winston's intern. He was furious with you when he was handed his guilty verdict.

Miles’ heart begins to race. A striking realization hits him and he nearly loses his mind. “When did you get the anonymous tip?”

“Twenty minutes ago.”

He hopes with everything he has that he's wrong… “I'll call you back.” He switches calls again and speaks your name once more. “Are you still there?”

“Yeah.”

“Get to my office! Now! Lock the door and do not open it for anyone!” He commands. He can feel his heart pounding in his ears as he runs outside to his car. “Stay on the phone with me.”

“Miles, what's going-”

“I promise I'll explain everything but right now you need to get to my office!”

“...okay…” you stand and head out of the library, walking toward the staircase since it's only one flight and it's probably slower to wait for the elevator.

The last thing you remember is pushing the staircase’s heavy door open and feeling something sharp poke the side of your neck.