#we only did it because she was feeling sick and my parents weren’t home

[starryetoile]

went from crying at the idea of my girlfriend being high around me to having her bring me gummies in a flavor i like

[hellfirenacht]

Wing Man 11

Fic Summary: Steve ‘the Hair’ Harrington is your best friend, and is constantly striking out. Sick of this, you two make a deal; you’ll wing man for each other. Hooking Steve up with dates is easy, but he finds himself struggling to find you a date. At least, until Dustin starts talking about his new cool friend Eddie.

Chapter Summary: Steve talks shit. Paige and Eddie talk business.

5.2k words

(1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10)

Working for Family Video came with many upsides, especially when you worked with people who you also enjoyed seeing outside of the store. Rentals were already dirt cheap with your employee discount, and near expired candy and popcorn never quite made it into the dumpster out back and somehow magically appeared in your bag instead at the end of your shift. 

You always liked to think that Family Video was sponsoring your bi-monthly movie nights with Steve and Robin. The Harrington household was always the meeting spot, as he was the only one who had a tv and VCR in his room. Well, you did as well now after Keith had tossed out an old player, saying it was broken. You’d brought it home to tinker with and found that some kid had stuck gum in the tape slot. It had taken you a week to clean and another month to figure out how to hook everything back up, but it was yours. Steve still had the nicer home and tv though, and more importantly his parents bought brand name snacks. 

The three of you were in Steve’s living room, the movie playing on the screen long forgotten as the three of you caught up with each other. Robin was usually the barometer for if a movie was worth watching, she and Steve might have had very different tastes, but Steve would usually get sucked up into whatever movie she chose. 

“So is his band any good?” Robin asked, dumping a bag of m&ms into her bowl of popcorn. 

“I think so.” you shrugged, cracking open a drink. “If anything, they’re good enough to be scouted twice.”

“By the same person.” Steve pointed out. “You know, his ex.” 

You had brought the news of Eddie’s meet up with Paige to your friends with mixed results. Robin seemed indifferent, but that’s because most of the time she didn’t have the same interest in talking about boys. Steve, however, seemed less than thrilled about this idea. 

“Yes, Steve, his ex. As in, not together anymore.” you sighed, wishing you felt as confident as you sounded. “Whatever happened between them sounded like it blew up for both of them.”

“But she still wants to have lunch with him!” Steve said. 

“Yes, to talk about the band!” you shot back. “And it’s lunch. Didn’t you tell me that dinner is a date and lunch is just two people hanging out?” 

“Since when does my advice apply to you or Eddie?”

“Since Paige isn’t me or Eddie, so your dating advice might actually apply here.” you snapped and took a breath. “Sorry. This is all new to me. I’m really not sure how I’m supposed to feel right now. It’s like every time things start to go well with me and Eddie, something happens. Paige, Chris, you-”

“Hey-”

“I like him a lot.” You leaned back against the couch, grabbing the popcorn bowl from Robin. “When I’m with him, I get that same feeling that I do when I’m hanging out with you two or when I’m at the show every month. I don’t feel like I’m hiding myself when he’s around.”

“There are other weirdos and freaks around.” Steve pointed out. “If I had known there were that many of you around, I would have agreed to go to the show earlier to help you get phone numbers.” 

“Yeah, but have you seen the way she looks when she’s talking about Eddie?” Robin hopped into the conversation. “I don’t think anyone even existed to her that night.”

It was true, no one other than your friends and (unfortunately) Chris had truly registered to you at the show. Yeah, you’d noticed the few cast members but they weren’t the metal head with the long hair and crop top that had held your hand all night.

“Oh shit, did I tell you guys that we ran into Chris?!” You asked suddenly, changing the subject. 

“Wait, that guy you and Eddie kept talking shit about?” Steve turned to look at you, grabbing a handful of popcorn and getting crumbs on the couch.

“Yeah!” you said. “He actually works for the show now, I guess? He said he’s been there for a while and he’s seen me at the show before. It was so fucking weird.”

“Is that the guy who said you were too normal to play with Hellfire?” Robin asked. 

You nodded. “Yeah, and he ran Hellfire into the ground until Eddie took over. And now he’s doing tech for the show. Also, he was Rocky in the shadow cast.”

“The guy in the metallic shorts?!” Steve gawked. 

“Columbia did say that the cast changed for the night.” Robin said, and you gave her a quizzical look, remembering the lipstick mark you’d seen on her jaw that night. “She came by and talked to us before the show!” 

“She couldn’t resist my charm.” Steve gave you a smile that you were sure worked with someone like Nancy Wheeler, or Tammy Thompson. You just shook your head and laughed. 

“Right, anyway. Chris came and talked to us after the show and he told me auditions are gonna be open for the cast. He gave me his card, and told me that it was invite only.” you explained.

“You’ve been talking about wanting to be part of that since we started working together.” Steve said. 

“Yeah, I guess I get a shot to do something, too.” 

“Chris turned you down for Hellfire, and now is letting you audition?” Robin asked. 

“We aren’t in school anymore.” you pointed out. “I know how it sounds, but none of us are the same people we were back then. I’m not the same person I was two years ago, none of us are.”

“I hate it when you’re right, you know.” 

“I’m just saying that if I can give you the benefit of the doubt and make friends with you then maybe Chris isn’t as big of a prick as he was back then. I might not have even given Eddie a chance, either.” You picked out a few m&ms from the popcorn bucket, getting your fingers covered with butter and colored candy coating. “I mean, at the end of the day, isn't that what this whole deal was about? Shaking off old habits and trying to step outside of contentment?”

“I thought your deal was so that you can stop having Steve check you out every time you wanted to rent porn.” Robin snickered. 

“I thought we were just trying to get dates.” Steve looked confused and you gave him a pat on the head. It always amused you how his hair could spring back into place like that.

“That too.” you said. 

“So, you’re really okay with Eddie going to see his ex?” Steve said, forcing you back into that topic. 

”I’m not thrilled about it.” You finally admitted. “But we only went on one date and this might help his band. Besides, if we start... Whatever this is without some sort of trust then is it even worth starting?”

“So you trust him?” 

“I trust you and Dustin, who vouched for him. He was honest enough to tell me that it’s his ex who wants to talk about his band. What happens next is up to him.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Steve relented and his eyes wandered back to the tv. 

You didn’t, but you were tired of letting other people tell you what you should or shouldn’t do. 

Ever since Benny’s shut down, there wasn’t really any good place to meet up with someone for lunch in town. Every time he had seen Paige before, it had either been at the Hideout, or his van. Neither of which was really a good place to talk about Corroded Coffin. 

It was Paige’s idea to meet at the small hole-in-the-wall pub that was just out of Eddie’s comfort zone in terms of price. Eddie arrived on Saturday afternoon, earlier than he meant to with his nerves. He leaned against the wall outside of the pub, watched the cars go by as he waited for her. 

She didn’t leave him waiting for long, and ten minutes before their agreed upon time, Paige was standing in front of him for the first time in over two years. She hadn’t grown an inch, but her wavy dark hair had, and now barely brushed her shoulders. In the daylight, Eddie could see a faint tint of red that he never noticed before. Other than two or three times, he realized that he and Paige had never spent a lot of time together when the sun was out. Paige’s freckles were as prominent as ever. 

To Eddie’s surprise, she looked happy to see him. 

“Hi, Eddie.” she said, and to his relief she didn’t go in for a hug. 

“Hi, Paige.” He responded and reached over to open the door to the pub for her. 

The two didn’t say anything until they were sitting at a dimly lit booth in the corner, where Paige broke the ice. 

“Before we get into any business talk, I need you to be honest with me.” She started, sitting up straight and looking him in the eyes. “If you care about your future in music, and your band, you need to tell me what happened. Tell me how you ended up in jail two days before the most important moment in either of our careers.” 

Eddie had expected this, and the past week had been spent trying to find a way to spin the story so that he didn’t look like the biggest asshole on the planet. In the end, he decided that he should be honest with her. Paige wanted real, and he would give that to her, tarnish and all.

Someone came by and took their drink orders, giving Eddie a moment to collect his thoughts. 

“I did something stupid.” He started. 

“Obviously.” She gave him a wry smile. 

“Moving to California isn’t cheap.” He watched the tone of his voice, searching for that piece of him that made Hellfire and Corroded Coffin listen to him. Being a dungeon master for so long had given him a way of speaking that could draw someone in when he tried, and right now he knew he needed to try and convince Paige that Corroded Coffin deserved a second chance. “I needed a way to pay for everything that came with moving across country. My dad... he-” Eddie’s voice wavered for a brief moment. “He had an idea to make some quick cash for the two of us. It wasn’t smart, and it really wasn’t legal.”

“Jesus,” Paige sighed, looking at him with a deep frown. “I would have helped you, Eddie. I was already willing to let you live with me for free until we got you set up. I told you that you didn’t have to be alone in this.” 

Asking for and accepting help wasn’t something that Eddie was ever good at. He’d been hyper-independent since he was a child, when his dad would disappear for long stretches of time, even after his mom died. Asking for help after (or especially because) Paige had put in so much money and effort for him already, wasn’t something that he could bring himself to do. 

“I know.” Eddie said. “I had this stupid idea that if I didn’t make the effort on my own, then I didn’t deserve the change. So I did something stupid, really fucking stupid, and it cost me everything.”

“Mark told me that you shot a cop.” Paige said, and before Eddie could speak up, she continued. “I didn’t believe him. When I wired the money, I was able to get an idea of what happened. You saved that guys life.” 

“I couldn’t let him just bleed out on my yard.” Eddie said. “I couldn’t- it wouldn’t be right to run away like that.” 

“You really caused a lot of trouble, you know that?” 

“I know.” Eddie took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. “I’m sorry. I fucked up. I did a lot of stupid shit I shouldn’t have, and I paid the price. It cost me more than just the audition.”

There was a time between getting the news about his audition with WR Records and the heist that Eddie flew. He had everything he had ever wanted; he got the girl, had his dad back, he had a future, which was something he never thought he’d have. For a few beautiful weeks, he had spiraled up, up, and up. 

In the end though, what goes up must come down. Eddie had reached for something that would never be meant for someone with the last name ‘Munson’. He had crashed back down to earth, to the reality of who he was and it had cost him everything. His dad, his childhood house, his audition, Paige, and even Ronnie for a short time. 

For the next two years, Eddie swore to never even think about reaching for the sun again. 

“Thank you for being honest with me.” Paige said. “I still think you’re an asshole.”

“I was an asshole.” He didn’t even try to fight it. “The biggest one in Hawkins.”

Even with her declaration, Paige still had a look on her face that was the ghost of an expression she had in the passenger side of his van on the night that she had given him the news that WR Records had liked him. 

“Things went downhill for me when you bailed on the audition.” Paige said, and Eddie swallowed, his mouth feeling dry. He had never known what had happened with her after their fight over the phone. “I got in a lot of trouble because of you. Davey doesn’t like anyone, but he liked you. When I couldn’t get you out there, it really screwed up any trust I had with my job.”

She stopped talking for a moment as a waiter came by and dropped off their food. Eddie couldn’t bring himself to touch the overpriced sandwich in front of him yet. His mouth felt dry and he reached for his water instead. 

“I was stuck in a dead end job, where any talent I tried to bring to the label was shot down without being given a chance. I was being paid to do nothing, except babysit the studio and paperwork.  I got demoted, and I was already at the bottom of the totem pole.” Paige never looked away from Eddie, her gaze unflinching and sharp. “I stopped liking music.”

Guilt washed over Eddie, and there was something in him that screamed at him to run away to avoid this. Being the reason someone stopped liking music? He knew he’d fucked up but that... that was something deeper than just missing an audition. 

“They didn’t have the means to really fire me, I hadn’t done anything wrong.” she continued. “They moved me to a smaller label under the WR name. That label was where acts they had given up on went to die.”

“Which label?” Eddie managed to ask, despite how dry his mouth felt. Even the water wasn’t helping. 

“Left Turn Media.” Paige said. 

During those weeks when things had been good between the two of them, Paige had mentioned the label once or twice. It was considered a death sentence to be put on that label, and working for them was WR’s way to get people to quit without firing them. The two had listened to a few cassettes from the label. The bands weren’t bad, and that was what stuck out to Eddie. The music wasn’t bad, but it was clear that the production was lacking and half-assed. Paige said that the music would be sent out to small radio stations to be played in the middle of the night. 

“Shit.” Eddie said. 

“Yeah, shit.” Paige let out a laugh. “But if there’s one thing I am, it’s stubborn. I threw myself into my work. I’ve been spending the last two years breaking down and completely reassembling Left Turn, and now I’m in charge of it.”

“You.” His eyes went wide as he stared at her. “You’re in charge of Left Turn Media.”

“It’s amazing what you can do when you’re pissed and have something to prove.” Paige shrugged. “I had a lot of time to think about my relationship with music in the last few years. I realized if I wanted to bring something real to the music scene of L.A. I was going to have to do it myself.”

Her dark lips curled up into a smile. “I should almost thank you for fucking up. Because you bailed, I was put in charge of a sinking ship. I patched it up with my own time and money and now Left Turn has become the label for all misfit bands who don’t fit any shiny polished label. I proved to myself and everyone around me that I belong in this industry.”

“I-” Eddie wasn’t sure how he was supposed to respond to that. “You’re welcome...?”

“We’re expanding the label outside of California.” She continued. “I’m in charge so I’m trying to bring good music to my hometown. It’s still not the biggest label, and we can’t offer half of what the bigger labels would, but it’s something.”

“And what are you offering?” Eddie felt dizzy, the more she talked. His words were careful, as if asking the wrong question could end in another blow up between the two of them. 

“What I’m offering is another chance for Corroded Coffin to be signed.” Paige’s arms crossed over her chest. “Left Turn is still finding its footing outside of L.A., so we’re flexible. I’m here to work with local radio and college stations around Indiana to get them to play the few bands we’ve signed so far. Who we have are okay, but they aren’t...”

“Real?” 

“Eddie you have something, as much as I never wanted to admit it again after what happened between us. There’s something about the way that you play that I haven’t been able to find since. I could do this without you, but I think that this is the real sink or swim moment. WR Records goes on with or without you, but I think what you have is what could turn Left Turn around.” Page took a deep breath. “If Corroded Coffin wants another shot, this would be it. If you still have that do-or-die energy when you play, I could offer you a real deal to put together an album. I could get you on the radio.”

Eddie listened to her words, taking in what she was offering. Yes, it wouldn’t be the easy street that WR would have been able to offer, but it would be something. And this time, it wouldn’t just be him auditioning, but Corroded Coffin was wanted this time. 

“You’re serious.” Eddie said, his heart rate picking up. 

“As serious as shooting a cop.” 

“Jesus.” Eddie couldn’t stop himself from letting out a laugh. He ran his fingers through his hair, messing up his fringe as he replayed everything that Paige had just told him in his mind. She wanted him to audition again. This was a chance that he wasn’t sure could be passed up. 

“Some of the band is still in high school.” He said, feeling reality settle like a stone in his stomach. He didn’t mention that his name was on that roster. 

“Like I said, we’re flexible.” Paige said. “I still need you all to audition again, and even then it’s going to take me a few months to set anything up here for the band. I want you all to audition with me and a few others from the label before the end of the year. If everything goes according to plan, Left Turn might have the recording studio ready by next June.” 

“You’re setting up your own recording studio?” Eddie perked up, the anxiety and guilt that he had originally felt was now shifting into something new. He found himself relaxing enough to eat his overpriced sandwich. 

“Yes. We need something that’s a step above Live Mike Studios in Lafayette. We have the building picked out and are already gutting it for Left Turn.” 

“You’ve really thought of everything, haven’t you?” Eddie smiled at her. 

“I have.” Paige agreed. “But I learned not to put all my eggs into one basket. This industry has taught me to have a plan A, B C, and D.” She let out a long sigh. “I made it to plan L before and I would prefer not to do that again.” 

“What was plan L?” 

“If I go into the whole story, I’ll need a strong drink. It involved a guitar player with his head up his ass thinking he was going to be the next Gene Simmons.” Paige groaned. 

“Gene Simmons doesn’t play guitar.” Eddie pointed out. Paige gave him a thousand yard stare, which said everything he needed to know. “Ok. Gotcha.” 

“I’m hoping to get everything set up with minimal surprises.” She concluded. “Get with your band. I’m going to be in town for the rest of the year setting things up.”

Eddie nodded. “So... why Indiana?” he asked. “You were in California. Why come back here to set this up?”

“Like I said, I want to bring good music to my hometown. Once everything’s done, I’ll be able to move back and forth from California to here.”

“And Corroded Coffin?”

“Will stay in Indiana.” She said firmly. “I can’t turn you into the Rock Hero you could have been two years ago, but I can try and make you a Hometown Hero.”

Another story. Paige had always been good at spinning stories. Once upon a time, Eddie had been a barback turned frontman turned Rock Hero. Now he’d be barback turned frontman turned Hometown Hero. That part felt less believable than before. 

That’s how Paige saw him, but how did he see himself? Barback turned front man turned drug thief turned drug dealer turned uber senior? None of that was a story worth selling. And what about the rest of his band? Would Gareth, Jeff, or Zack want to be part of this? Ronnie hadn’t, she just wanted to play just to play. Jeff had been excited about this when the opportunity was first presented, but would he still want the chance? Gareth was the youngest and still had over a year of school left. 

One thing at a time. 

“I’ll talk to the guys next practice.” Eddie said. 

“Good. Are you still playing at the Hideout?” Paige asked. 

Eddie froze for a second, as he imagined Paige and you in the same space to watch him play. He imagined your excited face, and the way you would cheer for them after every song, the excitement that radiated off of you after every set. Even earlier this week, when you’d dropped by to watch them, knowing that Eddie was going to see Paige, you’d still shown the same enthusiasm as before. 

He’d thrown you another pick. You’d handed it back to him at the end of the night, telling him that he could toss it at you again next week. 

“You look like someone who loses your picks the second they are out of your sight.”

You’d been right. The only one he could consistently find was the one he’d turned into a necklace. His dad’s picks had been packed away, shoved under his bed where he wouldn’t see them. Eddie didn’t use those picks anymore. 

A few weeks ago, he couldn’t stop comparing you to Paige, but now he couldn’t stop thinking about how different you two were. 

“Yeah, we play on Tuesdays now.” Eddie said. “People stopped complaining enough that Bev decided to give us a steady slot.”

“Good to know.” Paige said. She wasn’t confirming or denying if she’d show up, but that look in her eyes said that he could expect to see her again soon. 

After all, The Hideout was the only place in twenty miles of Hawkins that offered any live music. 

For the rest of the meal, the two caught up with each other. It didn’t feel as weird as Eddie would have expected, but it was nice. He let Paige do most of the talking, letting her tell him about her work in the industry, he didn’t need her knowing more than she needed to if he wanted to have this shot. Would she want to sign a bunch of high schoolers? He hadn’t even told Paige the first time that he had dropped out when Higgins blackmailed him. 

That was alright for now though. Paige talking meant that he didn’t have to and he added to the conversation by asking plenty of questions about her work. Hearing about the music industry from her end was something that he had a genuine interest in, anyway. 

Paige told him about how she had been given a copy of Iron’s Maiden’s Live After Death by Davey. She was even willing to make Eddie a copy of it. It wasn’t the video, but he wasn’t about to turn down audio of one of his favorite bands that wasn’t even released in the US. 

When the check came, Paige didn’t even blink as she paid the tab and the two of them made their way outside again. It was still pretty early in the afternoon, and the chill of the late autumn air contrasted the bright blue sky.

Trying to still be somewhat of a gentleman, Eddie walked Paige to her car as she recounted the tale of how she had been on the flight from Indianapolis to Los Angeles where Izzy Stradlin had been arrested for pissing in front of everyone.

Paige stopped with her hand on the door to her car before turning around to face Eddie before getting in. 

“I don’t hate you, you know.” she said. “I was mad for a really long time at what you did. But I don’t think you’re a bad guy, Eddie.”

Eddie didn’t feel like he deserved the forgiveness she was offering him. Being told that he was anything other than some satanic cult leader or freak wasn’t something he’d ever get used to.  

“Paige I...” He wasn’t sure what to say. 

She had that look in her eyes, the same look she’d had after she’d given him the news about his original audition. What are you waiting for? Paige was moving closer, freckles like constellations on her skin and the moon in her eyes eclipsed by her eyelids. 

Eddie's hand fell on Paige’s shoulder before her lips could get any closer to his. “I can’t.” he said. 

Her face went through a few emotions. Surprise, disappointment, and settling on embarrassment. 

“Shit. Sorry.” Paige said, shaking her head. 

“No it’s.. It’s fine.” Eddie said, and he could have sworn that Paige looked just as confused as he did. “I don’t think it’s a great idea to do.... That.” 

Eddie hadn’t once entertained the idea of Paige and him together again. It didn’t feel right. He wouldn’t lie and say that he didn’t find her attractive, but it wasn’t the same feeling he got that first night in the Hideout. As a teen, he’d been thrilled that a pretty girl was paying any attention to him at all, and was willing to do anything and be anything she wanted. 

Any relationship with Paige was business, plain and simple. She wanted a Rock Hero to help her get up the ladder, Eddie wanted to make it with his band. Sex had just been a bonus in their past relationship. Paige knew her stuff with music and the industry, but she didn’t rant about Ozzy and his bats, or have a real interest in D&D or put herself out there the same way that you- 

“I’m seeing someone.” He blurted out before Paige could say anything else. 

Paige looked surprised for a moment and shook her head and laughed. “Right. That... I’m sorry. I don’t even know why I did that.” she admitted. “I guess I got swept up in this stupid fantasy about being a power couple. We’re a bad idea.” 

“I’m sorry.” Eddie said, not sure what else could be said in this situation. 

“Don’t be. You’re right, ‘us’ is a bad idea.” she ran her fingers through her hair. “It’s a good thing my offer isn’t dependent on if we’re sleeping together or not.”

“I know you bought me lunch, are giving my band a second chance, and forgave me for one of the biggest fuck ups of my life, but I don’t put out that easy.” Eddie smiled at her, trying to lighten the mood.

Paige offered her hand and Eddie took it. “Business only then.” she said. “Talk to your band and call me to set up the audition.” 

Eddie watched Paige’s car drive off, and suddenly felt a lot lighter. He blasted his music and drove home, nearly laughing like a maniac. Today had been a wild roller coaster of emotions, and he couldn’t wait until the next band practice to bring the news to his band. 

At home, he grabbed his guitar and immediately began sorting through Corroded Coffin’s small pile of original songs, and the covers that they were able to perform the best. Eddie was off, lost in his own world as he wrote, re-wrote, and re-worked the set list. 

What would you think? Would you be excited for him? If this worked, he was going to make sure to get you concert tickets. Okay, he was getting ahead of himself. Maybe you could at least come for the audition as moral support. His band liked you, so maybe they wouldn’t mind. 

Eddie didn’t come back down to Earth until the phone rang that evening after Wayne went to work. He almost missed the call because of how deep he was into perfecting the riff that had eluded him for the past few months, determined now more than ever to get it down. 

He reached the phone on the last possible ring. “Hello?”

“Hey... Eddie?” Your voice cracked over the phone, and that feeling of excitement came crashing down. “Sorry I... Can you come pick me up? I’m at home.” 

You were crying. He could hear it in the way your voice strained and cracked. He was already reaching for his keys. 

“I’ll be right there.”  

a/n: As I stated before, I do like to try and keep everything as time accurate as possible. However things happen, and sometimes things are too good not to use. The Izzy Stradlin incident did not happen until 1989, but the fact that it was on a flight from Indianapolis to LA was too good to pass up. I also would like to notate that I did make a mistake when it came to the Ozzy Bat Incident. It was not a 17 year old girl, it was a 17 year old boy and the bat was already dead. Chalk that inaccuracy up to the tabloids of the time, and the lack of Google. No, this will not be addressed in the future of the fic unless it’s funny. 

Dividers By: @strangergraphics

Tag List @k8loo @terrormonster55 @sp1dyb0y1008 @crocwork-clockodile @ali-r3n @mxcheese @josephquinnschesthair @gagasbee @peaches-roses-sins @witchwolflea @vintagehellfire @royale1803 @cumslutforaemond @prestinalove @browneyedgirly93 @perpetualmess @thebook-hobbit @cultish-corner @grishaversecaptivated @sortagaysortahigh @halialex1119 @siriuslysmoking @huffledor-able541 @pookiesnatcher @eddiesguitarskills @browneyes-8288 @sheneedsrocknroll92

[theidiotwhowritesthings]

A Fresh Start [12]

Din Djarin x F!Reader

Warnings: sick child, fear and panic, angst/comfort, canon violence, mentions of medical trauma, blackmailing

Word Count: 3,588

Summary: When you made plans for your future they never involved being hired by a Mandalorian to baby-sit his adorable, green gremlin of a child. However, after your life fell apart in the span of one disastrous night, you found it to be the only feasible option you had left. Nevarro was a far cry from Coruscant, but the thriving community turned out to be exactly what you needed. Every day you spend in Nevarro you fall more and more in love with your new life, but when your past rears its ugly head you find that perhaps peace wasn’t meant for everyone.

Ch. #12: GROGU, GROGU, BABY, IT’S OKAY

Chapter Summary: pirates, fraudulent doctors, & bacterial infections, oh my!

“Do not question her fire, she could startle the monsters that stop your heart.” -MvDarkLight

Din Djarin. His name was Din Djarin. Every time the name drifted through your thoughts a thrill ran down your spine. You mumbled the name under your breath and it brought a smile to your face. It suited him. Din. Would it be weird if you thought he looked like a Din? Considering you had no idea what he looked like? He felt like a Din. Maybe that was a more accurate thought.

You filled the spoon in your hand with porridge and held it out for Grogu to eat. Since waking, the kid seemed to feel much better in comparison to last night, but you could tell he wasn’t himself. He wasn’t as energetic. On any normal day he would’ve devoured the entire bowl of porridge then been chirping for more. Right now it seemed the only reason he was actually eating was because you were feeding him.

Grogu fussed at you when you scooped up another bite, and in response you set the cutlery back into the bowl. “You done, baby?” He didn’t speak, just whined. You wet a rag to clean his face, but he only let you wipe at him a few times before he squirmed and held his hands up to you. “Here we go. I got you.”

You picked him up and Grogu didn’t hesitate to curl into your chest. Poor baby. You had seen plenty of sick kids before. It was always sad, but you never felt any different than any other patient you had. You could separate yourself from it easily enough. Now, you had a new respect for the parents of those sick kids. This was hard. You knew the medicine behind it, knew this wasn’t life threatening, but hearing Grogu whimper with discomfort as a small cough left him terrified you. 

Mando⏤ No, Din. He said he’d have Daelar stop by for a home visit. The idea of it made you blanch in disgust, but it had to be done. You weren’t going to stroke his ego this time. Daelar was going to take you seriously and give you what you wanted. Your eyes darted to the blaster resting on the island counter beside you. Even if it meant holding the doctor at the dangerous end of your new gift. Could you do that? Could you pick up a blaster and threaten an actual person with it? Grogu coughed again and that was answer enough. Absolutely, you could. For the child in your arms, you’d do anything.

Including reaching out to your past.

You picked up the blaster, which felt dangerously comfortable in your hand, and walked over to sit on the couch with Grogu still resting against you. After setting the blaster down, where it’d still be in reach, you tapped on your arm communicator to call a number you had memorized. It rang three times before the other end picked up.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Lee.” You greeted with a tired sigh.

There was a beat of silence before your old friend seemed to gasp in surprise. “...Doc?”

“The one and only.”

“Maker, what⏤ I⏤ I have no idea what to say.” Lee said. “Hi?”

“I think we already did that part of having a conversation. How are you?”

“Me? I’m fine. I’m about to start a shift down in the⏤ nevermind. That’s not the question. How are you? Are you⏤ Are you okay?” The concern in Lee’s voice warmed your heart. This was part of the reason why you didn’t reach out to your past anymore. It hurt to be reminded that you didn’t just leave behind nightmares. You left behind friends too.

You were lightly patting Grogu’s back in a slow, repetitive rhythm. “I’m okay. Doing better than I have in a really long time actually.”

“I’m really happy to hear that.” Lee replied.

“Lee.” You sighed, “I am so sorry that I haven’t reached out to you in over a year,” He tried to interrupt you but you didn’t let him, “and now that I am calling it’s to ask for a favor, but…”

“Ask away, doc.” Lee replied with a second of hesitation.

“Really? Just like that?”

“If our roles were reversed, you’d do the same.” Lee said. “Now, what can I do for you?”

“I’m looking for information on a physician in my area. His name is Daelar.”

His son was sick, his talk with you was interrupted, and the pirates were hunkered down and had them pinned in the lava plains for the last hour and a half. Din was pissed, to say the least. Of all the days for Pirate King Gorian Shard’s men to show their ugly faces again, it had to be today? More blaster fire pelted the boulder he hid behind and Din locked his jaw⏤ teeth grinding together.

“You were supposed to fly in and end this in your usual flair of dramatics, Mando.” Mayfeld growled. “This is not that. This is, arguably, the opposite!”

“Will you shut up before I take a shot at you?” Cara snapped. “I can’t hear myself think over the blaster fire and your whining.”

Din resisted the urge to bang the back of his head against the boulder. When he had arrived, things had started off well until the pirates had a second wave fly in to help them. The good news was that Karga had scrambled some allies to take care of the ships hovering just outside the atmosphere of Nevarro, and that meant the city itself was safe as long as the three of them could hold the line.

The bad news?

The three of them had to hold the line.

“Do we have any pilots in the city right now?” Din asked.

“No.” Mayfeld shook his head. “They’re all in the atmosphere right now.”

“Not a single one can break free and give us a kriffing hand?” Cara asked.

“Those pilots up there weren’t trained. They’re basically volunteers.” Mayfeld argued. “It’s a miracle they’re standing a chance at all right now! We pull even one out⏤”

Cara and Mayfeld continued to argue from either side of him, and Din lifted his communicator. There was one pilot in the city he knew about. He knew she wasn’t already in the air because she technically only in training⏤ she was his literal last line of defense. 

“Marshal?” Nima answered.

Cara’s glare left Mayfeld and snapped to him. “Is that⏤”

“Nima, I need you to get the N-1 and give us some cover. Can you do that?”

“Uh, yeah! I, um, okay. Sure.” Nima replied and he didn’t miss the nervous tones in her voice. “Send me your coordinates.”

The line went dead and Cara grabbed him by the arm. “Call her back. She shouldn’t be out here.”

“We need someone to fly the N-1 out here.” Din argued. “She’s out best bet.”

“She’s still learning!” Cara snapped. Mayfeld continued to fire over the blaster any opportunity he was given in hopes to keep the pirates from coming closer. “It’s dangerous.”

“It’s necessary.” Din retaliated. 

“And that makes it okay?!” Cara yelled. She motioned to the area around them. “Would you let Soran throw herself into danger because someone deemed it ‘necessary’?!”

Din took in a breath through his nose. No. He wouldn’t. Din understood Cara’s concern, and he wasn’t denying that he’d react the exact same way if he were in her shoes. The problem was, in this moment right here, it was the only feasible option he had.

“As fun as this all is,” Mayfeld drew the attention to him, “It’d be great if I got a little help here!”

Din activated one of his bombs and hucked it over the boulder. The second it detonated, the three of them stood and began to fire into the fray of pirates half hidden in the smoke of the bomb. They managed to push the pirates back just a bit more before they were forced to duck again.

“Cara,” Din said, keeping his voice firm with determination, “Nima won’t be hurt. I swear to you. We’ll have her fire onto the pirates and leave. There’s nothing she can’t outrun in that ship.”

Cara continued to glare at him, but finally gave him a curt nod. Mayfeld threw his hands up. “Great! Glad to know we’re all made up before the pirates gut us.”

“What did I say about your whining?” Cara snapped at him.

Din let out a sigh. Today was going to be a long, long day.

It wasn’t until mid-afternoon that a knock came at the door. The hours spent alone had only made you wired and jittery. Grogu would have spurts, moments, when his energy seemed to return, but they were short lived. He still had a significantly lessened appetite compared to his baseline. Add to that the fact that Din was still MIA, and you were a borderline mess. 

You pulled the door open, Grogu still in your arms, and your eyes landed on Daelar. He looked as grumpy and bitter as the first day you met him, but now his annoyance had swapped to anger. He stepped into the house, with no preamble, and scoffed.

“It’s an abuse of power to pull me away from the clinic.” Daelar said. “I didn’t realize the Marshal was so selfish.”

“He’s not.” You already wanted to wring his neck. “He’s out doing his job right now.”

“Oh, preventing parking violations on the landing pad then?”

“Fighting pirates, you ass.” You defended Din. “Now, why don’t you shut up and do your job?” Daelar shifted uncomfortably and you led him deeper into the house. You sat down on the couch, beside your blaster, and Daelar sat down a few seats down from you. “Grogu is still coughing. It’s gotten worse. He was up almost all of last night.”

Daelar nodded. “I gave you⏤”

“The nebulizer didn’t help.” You said. “Steam did. Calmed it enough that he could get some sleep, but he’s still not acting right.”

“Sounds like he’s a little boy who has a little infection.” Daelar said passively. “It happens. They get better eventually with rest and supportive care.”

You shook your head. “This is different. I know a common cold. Something is wrong. It’s⏤” A gut feeling. Years of experience yelling at you⏤ screaming at you to act. You took in a low breath to try and relax yourself. “Instinct.”

“Instinct?” Daelar scoffed. “Are you comparing your ‘motherly instinct’ to my decades of training and experience?”

You knew this was the direction this would go in. You never considered yourself a pessimist, but you had little hope that a miracle would occur here. Daelar was a garbage person, and you didn’t think that was going to have changed suddenly. Apparently, you were only allowed respect if Din were in the same room as you. Luckily, you planned for this.

“Listen to me, you kriffing fraudulent ass.” You started. Daelar jumped up from where he sat, but you stayed seated. The picture of ease. “You’re going to give me your stethoscope so I can listen to my son’s lungs and then whatever medication I deem necessary you’ll bring to me.”

“You insolent little bug.” Daelar snapped. “Who do you think you are to boss me around? I’ll do what you want? Really? Or what?” He motioned to the couch cushion where your blaster sat. “You’ll shoot me?”

You stood up, setting one hand on Grogu’s sleeping back, and kept a steady glare on the man in front of you. “No. As fun as it would be to threaten you with bodily harm, I know you still won’t take me seriously.” Daelar smirked as if he had won, but you took a step toward him and that smug look faltered. “So, I called a friend who pulled some strings and got me some information.”

“Excuse me?” He scoffed.

“I know you won’t understand the concept of mingling with fellow medical staff. You seem like the kind of physician to sneer and look down on any nurse or tech you pass.” You said. “But there’s benefit in treating others with respect and making friends. For example, it offers all sorts of connections. The kind of connections that allow someone like me to find out why you’re working in a small, backwater city like Nevarro.” Daelar’s entire body stiffened and it made a smile creep onto your features. “Yeah. I know about Harris Twiala, the patient you killed because you came to work drunk. Jane Reem, the patient you paralyzed because you mis-dosed her bacta tank. Yelna Tip⏤”

Daelar lifted a hand as if he wanted to hit you, but instead he pointed a thick finger in your face threateningly. “You shut up.”

“You’re a shitty physician which is why I know you’re familiar with the concept of making deals and blackmail.” You said. “That’s how you’ve bounced around so many hospitals. You sign a deal and your sins get swept under the rug. Here’s your next opportunity, Daelar. You help me out here, and I don’t report you to the Inner Rim medical board. And you know what would happen if a single board member saw your file.”

He wouldn’t just be out of a job. He’d be a pariah. There wouldn’t be a single clinic in the galaxy that would take him. His face would be posted alongside all the other physicians and nurses who had harmed patients through negligence or malice. Daelar took a step back from you. He rooted around his inner coat pocket and pulled out a stethoscope to hand to you. You took it with a smile and sat back down. 

Peeling Grogu away from your chest, the boy weakly opened his eyes and began to fuss. “I know, I know. I’ll be quick, baby.” You cooed. Listening to his lungs, it sounded junky. Wheezing and congestion. You tossed the stethoscope back to the man and let Grogu cuddle back to your chest.

“You were a nurse then?” Daelar assumed.

“The biggest danger is a bacterial infection running wild. He could become septic.” You thought aloud. “I need fluids. IV gear. Antibiotics and antipyretics.” You shot him a look. “I want those last two in ingredient form. I can compound it myself. I don’t trust your math, Daelar.”

He chuckled, bitter, “Fine. Less work for me.” His glare deepened. “But that’s it. I bring it, and you keep your kriffing mouth shut.”

“Deal.” You spat. “Be quick about it.”

Daelar made his way to the front door and you followed him. He paused by the door to shoot you a smile. A chuckle left him. “You’re the kind of nurse I would’ve liked. You get shit done. I can respect that.”

“Bring me the meds, or next time I see you I’ll do this again but at blaster point.” You threatened.

He nodded once then stepped out of your house. You stood in the doorway, lightly rocking Grogu, until he was entirely out of sight. Right before you stepped back into the house, you heard the sound of a distant explosion. Too far for you to really gain any insight from the sound, but close enough to fill your blood with ice.

“Din.” You mumbled, heart clenching in fear.

Nima had done her job exactly right. She flew in, rained fire on the pirates, and sped away before anyone could even attempt to shoot her down. From there they were able to mow down some pirates and push the remainders to the edge of the lava plains. Din had been here once before, and as he stared at the base through his spyglass he grunted in annoyance.

“Didn’t I blow that up last time I was here?” He asked.

“Yeah. It’s been abandoned since. No Imps.” Cara sighed. “Apparently, the pirates are calling it home now.”

Mayfeld shook his head. “Well, since you blew it last time, how about we just blow it again. Easy peasy, then we call it a day.” He huffed. “I’m ready for a strong drink. Call Nima⏤”

“No.” Cara snapped. “She’s done her part.”

“Fine. So we storm an impenetrable ex-Imperial base, just the three of us, and hope for the best.” Mayfeld began to readjust the sights on his weapon. “Dream team.” He muttered the last bit under his breath. “I am asking Karga for a raise as soon as this is over⏤ if we survive.”

Din shrugged. “You’re already dead, Mayfeld, remember?”

Cara, despite looking exhausted, let out a soft chuckle and Mayfeld rolled his eyes. As ready as he was for this day to be over, Din was not going to half ass this just to be done early. He wanted to end this. Once and for all. Leave no foot hold on Nevarro for the pirates to even consider occupying. In fact, Din’s new mission in life was to wipe Gorian Shard’s existence from the galaxy.

“Let’s go.” Din stood and the others mirrored his action.

It didn’t take too long to get to the hollowed out Imperial base and they weren’t attacked by a single pirate during the journey. A major red flag in Din’s opinion. As they settled outside a blackened shell of a door, they rechecked their weapons. 

Mayfeld sighed. “Does this scream trap to anyone else?”

“Yes.” Cara agreed.

“But we’re still going in?”

Din was the one to answer this time. “Yes.”

“Perfect.” Mayfeld nodded. “Just double checking.”

After a count, they filed in with blasters raised, but were met with the empty, devastated halls. Walls and floors were scorched from an old blast. Din changed the sensor in his helmet and that was when the enemy was revealed to him. Up ahead, around a corner, a group of pirates crouched waiting for them. Din held up a hand to stop them then motioned for Cara and Mayfeld to circle around while he approached head on. His beskar would hold up against whatever they had much better than Cara and Mayfeld’s leather based armor. 

Din waited a beat for his deputies to get in place then he pulled a bomb from his bandolier, activated it, and threw it to the mouth of the hallway. The pirates scrambled seconds before it detonated and Din sprinted forward. His initial attack had only taken out the two closest, but the others were prepped for a fight. Din dodged a few swings from a vibroblade and fired his blaster into the chest of someone approaching him from the side. The sound of Cara and Mayfeld attacking from the other side filled the air. They met in the middle, things going well, when Din saw a pirate on the floor⏤ one they believed to be dead⏤ lift himself up and aim a blaster at Mayfeld.

He dove to the side to take the blast himself, but Din realized his mistake when the blaster fire turned out to be a taser rather than a bolt. It hit him in the center of the chest and the power behind the blow sent him flying back. Din’s entire body tensed as the current ran through him, but it faded after a second leaving him twitching on the ground with a groan.

Din mumbled a string of curses in Basic, Mando’a, and a few other languages he had tucked away in the back of his head. Maker, that hurt. A hand wrapped under his arm and lifted him up off the ground. The only person strong enough to lift his heavy form with such ease was Cara.

“Are you insane?” Cara scoffed.

“I’m fine.” Din grunted out. Mayfeld jogged over after finishing the last pirate and his question was only half out before Din waved it away. “Fine. I’m fine. Let’s keep going.”

Cara and Mayfeld shared a wary glance before they pressed onward. 

Dank farrik. Din needed this day to be over.

The sun was setting, only a sliver above the horizon, and you were pacing the floor. Grogu was hot to touch. Daelar had never come back with the medicine like he said he would, and any attempt you made to reach him was blocked.

You had considered going to the clinic, but the promise you made Din kept you frozen inside. That indecision had cost you though. Because now, Grogu was crying⏤ inconsolable⏤ and every exposed inch of his skin was radiating heat. You hugged him to his chest as reassurance, held an ice packet to his head for the fever, and rocked him while whispering that everything was going to be okay.

Even though nothing felt okay right now.

“Grogu, Grogu, baby, it’s okay. Shhh.” You couldn’t set him down because his cries would turn to screams, but you knew your own body heat wasn’t helping his rising temperature. You tried to balance the ice pack on his head while using your finger to call Din on your armband.

It rang and rang and rang and rang. For the fourth time, your call went to voicemail. You were near tears. Din said to call if you had an emergency and this was an emergency. There was no way he wouldn’t answer your call. Had something happened to him?

Maker⏤

“Din, please. I need you⏤ Grogu is still…” The child’s cries were interrupted by a round of coughs that kept going to the point you were worried he wasn’t getting air. Finally, he sucked in a deep breath only to go back to crying. That settled it. “I’m going to the clinic, Din.”

You were done waiting idle.

A/N: thanks to all the love and reads 🥰. I love seeing the comments and reblogs and all the thoughts on this story. Good to know I’m entertaining more than just myself.

[ryujnn]

► akuma ﾟ｡ ⋆ is there any room for me?

► chapter summary ﾟ｡ ⋆ the past few days of your life we’re unexpected, yet so much fun. people seem to come a lot in your life… and also leave.

► chapter warnings ﾟ｡ ⋆ nsfw. growing sexual tension. cunnilingus (oral — fem receiving). violence. use of weapons. mentions of blood and wounds. mention of murder.

► note ﾟ｡ ⋆ woah… i realized how much potential this story had and just whipped this up and rereading the whole thing. i missed akuma dearly,,

Dear Mom,

Checking out on the party before it had even started — you’d be shocked with the most recent news. You’re missing out on the fun, you know? All the plans we set out are now in motion. And you’re missing it.

But I’m missing you much more.

So much more.

I have so many questions for you. So many I wished I had asked, but I spent that time crying next to your cooling body. Now I’m left questioning myself.

Mommy, am I strong?

Am I still the strongest?

Even if I don’t feel it?

“R…” You opened your mouth, all of the saliva completely dispersing and leaving you stuck with cotton. The smallest step forward and your husband was grabbing your arm, stopping you. You on the other hand was just too shocked to even care. “Rika? Wh… How’d you know where I lived?”

“I followed you.”

Weird. “Um…” You’re trying to mentally piece together how you were gonna crack this one. “How are you alive? I— They captured you, right? That’s what they said.”

“They didn’t catch me.” Her voice is silky and posh. She’s holding herself with such good demeanor, you wouldn’t be able to tell she struggled half her life. “The woman they captured and killed was not me, yet another one of your father’s previous affairs. She threatened to tell the rest of your family members about his adultery and she was hunted down around the time I fled. They just covered my story up with the poor woman who lost her life.”

That’s absolutely heartbreaking. Not necessarily surprising, though. Your family is sick and twisted.

The metaphorical armor wrapped around you dissolved into the air, brushing past the skin on people’s faces. You felt empathetic towards her now.

“I’m not here to hurt you.” She continues, wary of her surroundings. And your husband. “I’m still alive because of my appearance change. They can’t remember what I look like, at least I pray not. I — I returned this morning. Heard your father’s big fight is soon… he had his beloved batch of boys, huh?”

You shook your head slowly, “Nope. Ryou and I will be fighting.”

It was then when you had actually noticed Rika. She was absolutely alluring. The silence was definitely inviting for you to look at her — to examine her. She had her hair cut to her shoulders, a few strands covering her forehead and bringing attention to her doe eyes. The longer she stood there, it was like watching a child. As if she was caught staying up too late when her parents came home.

She wasn’t threatening at all.

“Oh… congratulations,” Rika responds with a small smile, picking nervously at her fingers. She’s clearly spewing thoughts but there’s no way she could get them out of her mouth. “I’m sure you’ve learned a lot from Himari. You will win and change the trajectory of the clan — I know you can. It’s pretty bad, I don’t want another woman to experience what I… we did.”

All that time she’d been standing in front of you, you had forgotten who Rika actually was. What she had been through — and once it all clicked, you couldn’t stop your feet from moving.

You weren’t staring at a threat, you were staring at a survivor.

Escaping the Shio clan, just the hospital alone at that, with a new born baby and taking care of her all on her own with no experience. Starting fresh with no money, nowhere to live and not knowing anyone — yet managing to be alive and well, with a daughter who is in perfect shape.

The power of women.

“I’m sorry.” Are the only words that left your mouth, kicking your heels off in the midst of your walk before stopping in front of Rika, raising your arms to her shoulders and resting on your chin on her bone. “My mother thought you were a trooper. She loved telling me stories about you. You’re like a folklore.”

She returns the hug, giving you a small squeeze. “Am I?” There’s a slight shake in her voice, but she quickly covered it up with a laugh. “I’d rather the attention be on my princess. She’s what kept me going.” She hasn’t hugged anyone other than her daughter, nor has anyone felt sympathetic enough to acknowledge what she had been through. All of this hits Rika like a truck and she’s fighting back the urge to scream up the past twenty something years.

“Thank you.” Rika whispers.

She knows her daughter is good hands — protected by many people now. She knows she’s protected, too. She’s happy now.

The door clicks as it closes, resting backwards against the wood. You sighed softly, bending down to place your heels next to the door, hearing the bathroom door in front of you open.

“How’d it go?” Gojo asks from inside the bathroom, tossing his towel out and onto the floor.

The towel lands slightly ahead of you, rolling your eyes and walking forward to grab it. “Went okay. We had some wine and talked for a bit, she got tired and I let her sleep in my room.”

“I would be too if I were her,” His voice grows closer, alerting you that he’d be in front of you once you stood up. “I mean, it’s weird, right? I wonder why she came back.”

After folding the towel, you held it to your chest and looked ahead of you. All the breath in your lungs halted, stopping you from answering his questions or even responding.

There Gojo Satoru stood — in almost all of his glory. You’d never seen him like this… this close up. The black muscle shirts he wore around the house definitely didn’t give him this much justice; you can see every ripple, scar and crease on his body and it’s absolutely fantasizing. Natural contour and highlight on his skin — you’re almost folding at the sight.

“Uh…” Your voice is a little shaky, you’re so caught up in trying to pretend you’re not warming up from seeing his bare chest. “Yeah. Me too. It’s… weird.”

Gojo looks up from his hands, catching the stutter and sudden shift in your demeanor. He’s got an eyebrow cocked in confusion until it drops and he’s smirking right down at you. This is cute. He’s never seen you like this and now he’s addicted to it.

Speechless, timid and borderline submissive.

“Got somethin’ on your chin there,” His abrupt words cause you to blink hard, forcing your eyes back up go his face. You’re hot — you’re sure that you’re visibly burning up as well. Gojo takes a step forward, causing you to shuffle in spot and he’s enjoying it. “It’s not polite to stare, you know that.”

You’re trying your damn hardest to think of something witty, but your brain isn’t working. If anything, it’s clouded, and you’re not sure what to say without stuttering.

“I just… I noticed some of those scars on your chest and I wanted t-to, uh… just look at them.”

Verrrry convincing.

“You can touch ‘em, sweetheart.”

And so you obliged, reluctantly. Hesitant movements until your bare palm was against your husband’s skin, raising and lowering the stroke to feel every inch of him. There’s a soft shudder under his breath, specifically whenever your fingers brush against newer marks.

All in all, it’s intimate. He’s biting back the urge to grab you by the shoulders and you’re not too far off from begging for it.

Plus, you’ve only got a week. Right?

“Mark your calendars, request time off, set a reminder, and grab your popcorn — watch the Shio Clan’s Generational fight next week, here in this very room.”

Did you want to die being a virgin? Getting married and completing staying celibate, never being able to tell stories to the Shio women up in… whatever heaven was real. They’d talk your head off and call you a disgrace for not trying something so… sexy.

You can just see it now…

(“We saw you down there, married to that hunk of man. Gojo Satoru, right? How was the sex? Oh.. you didn’t have sex? Kiss him at all? No?! What—”)

The thought of going out without at least knowing if he’s a good kisser is making the hair on your arms stand. Maybe it was the wine? You felt like some horny teenager from the movies you watched.

“Would you touch me like this?” You transitioned to dragging a finger down his chest, digging your nail gently over his belly button and following his happy trail.

Right above his boxers.

Gojo pulls his eyebrows together. Is he dreaming? Is his ears playing tricks on him because he’s been wishing to touch you — praying for a moment like this with you? It’s gotta be a dream.

“You want me to touch you?”

Without thinking twice, your hands reached to the zipper behind you. The noise of it unzipping completely catches Gojo’s attention.

Now it’s Gojo’s turn to goggle. He’s gazing at every inch of your body being exposed as the dress fell further and further, and all of a sudden — it’s harder for him to breathe in. Until the fabric pooled at your feet, he’s blinking a lot slower, not wanting to miss a single second.

Normally you’d be extremely self conscious, bare as a stripper for a man you just previously despised. But something about your husband drinking you in like a bottle on the rocks is making your stomach do flips.

And it’s cartwheeling down to your core.

“It’s…” You began, taking a small step forward. “Not polite to stare, Satoru.”

Your husband chuckles, though his voice sounds a bit lower. Even once his eyes raised from your figure to your very own irises, they were way more hooded than before. He’s drinking you up and not missing a damn drop.

One deep breath, Gojo takes the advantage to close the gap between you both. He leans down just slightly, hovering over your height. He’s looking at you like you’re vulnerable, like he’s got the upmost control of you. And at this moment… you swear he does.

The tension is cutting the air with a butcher knife, absolutely murdering it to the point you both don’t know how to breathe anymore. Basic human actions have become tantalizing and you’d both rather drink each other up.

“I can have this thing off in seconds,” Gojo hooks his finger under your bra, tugging you forward by just the slightest. Watching you trip forward, following his moves, even the bounce of your breasts almost had him rolling his eyes back. “Just need to hear you say it, pretty.”

You don’t realize how pathetic or how fast you nodded your head, practically pleading with your eyes, but once Gojo heard those four words leave your tainted lips, he couldn’t help but oblige.

“Please, take it off,” You whisper, batting your mascara coated eyelashes up to the man before you. “Take it all off.”

And what man would Gojo Satoru be if he didn’t keep his word, especially when you asked so politely. Within those last few seconds, your husband closes the gap between you both by pressing his lips against yours. It wasn’t rough, wasn’t forced or rushed — nothing like the kiss you both shared at your wedding.

It wasn’t a goodbye kiss, it was a welcoming kiss. He wasn’t kissing you as if this was your last week on earth, he kissed you as if this was the first day of the rest of your life.

It was intoxicating and addictive, something you never wanted to end.

Once you wrapped your arms around the nape of Gojo’s neck, he reaches down to grab the back of your thighs, lifting you up to his height. Your legs wrapped around his abdomen, securing you around him.

He’s got one hand propped under your ass, holding you up while his other closes the bathroom door behind him, locking it right after.

Whaaaats goin on?

Times moving faster now that you’re having fun, that’s always been something you noticed as a child. Even in this moment, when your husband has you sat on the marble of his bathroom’s countertop, popping your bra off with just one hand, exposing your perky nipples to the brisk air around you, time is moving fast.

His soft, pink lips wrapped around your nipple, sucking and gently tugging at it with the sloppiest and nastiest ‘pop!’ you’ve ever heard — time is moving fast.

Gojo settling onto his knees, two skilled and slender fingers pulling your panties down your thighs, your calves, and then unhooking them from your feet. He’s pushing your legs apart, visibly and audibly falling apart at the sight alone of your glistening, pretty pussy. He swears he saw the light shine off of just how wet you were.

“Fuck..” He whispers, hooking one of your legs over his shoulder. “This okay? I’ll be gentle, I promise.”

You nod,. You’d be damn to admit it, but something about this approval for consent was… sexy. As if he wants you as bad as you want him. Gojo’s asking you for permission.

“Please do something.” Being so bare and vulnerable, all for the man you hated just months ago, had your back arching in attempts to feel something. Anything.

Now you’re begging? Anything else and he might as well bust in his fresh pair of underwear. Gojo promises he’d be gentle… but all he wants to do is shove his face right between your legs and eat you out like it’s the last thing he’d ever do.

Like it’s the last thing he’d ever taste.

He starts slow, licking from your entrance to that little bud that has you twitching, giving it special attention with extra kisses and tugs from his lips. You’re moaning softly, weary of the guest that had been on the other side of the house — nonetheless — you wanted to prevent waking her up and facing your trenched reality.

Your head tilts back, pooring your posture with the slightest buck of your hips. The way your lips press together, fighting back all the noise that threatened to spill from them, it told your husband everything he needed to know.

He was making you feel good.

His tongue flicked at your sensitive bud faster, and his two skillful fingers plunged in and out of your soaking sex, causing wet noises to echo in the halls of Gojo’s bathroom. It sounded absolutely pornogrophic, something straight off the web. This is every man’s dream.

“Taste amazing, baby.” Gojo mumbles under you, tongue out and flat on your pussy. He’s curling his tongue ever so often, catching your eyes and simply grinning at that expression you have.

The look and the smile was just too much for you. He’s clear of the affect he has on you, he’s bathing in it.

Gojo’s forgotten to control himself and now he’s slurping and sucking, licking and lapping up everything you have to offer. Like he’s a dog. The warm feeling between your legs began to grow out to your thighs and your lower stomach, and the better it felt, the more you wanted to push your husband from between your legs.

Gojo doesn’t seem to let up soon. He’s blowing bubbles with his spit on your clit and using his tongue to spread it around. How slutty would it be to cum for the first time … ever … on your husbands face?

“Mmmf — Satoru…” It was a warning call. Your significantly smaller hand reached forward to grab at his soft, milky white and wet hair. The smallest tug got a noise out of him, snapping him out of his completely pussy drunken state of mind and back up to you. “Think ‘m…,” You chuckle breathlessly. “think I’m about to...”

He chuckles between your legs, pulling away for the slightest second and smiling his pearlies right up at you — with a wet smile. “Give it t’me,” Dipping his head between your legs again, aiming straight for your clit. “Make a fucking mess, sweetheart.”

And like the perfect wife that you are, or tend to be, you give his roots one more tug before using your other to grip beside you, mumbling out a string of praises to the God’s above you, before you, and even the one between your legs. Spasming with Gojo’s head between your legs, that warm feeling snapping out of your stomach and crashing over you like a category four hurricane.

Satoru assists you, rubbing your clit with the fat of his tongue all the while fucking his fingers in and out of you, bettering your high. Slowing his movements once your body began to come down; making it all more pleasurable for you.

There’s no way that just happened.

“Fuck…”

“Damn right.” Gojo chuckles, blowing soft air against your swollen and sensitive pussy. He used his thumb to clean his mouth, popping it in and licking the etcetera from the pad of his finger.

He’s up on his feet, still watching you recover from the only yet best orgasm you’ve ever had in your life. Another quick laugh before he steps forward and cups your soft jaw into his hands.

“That feel good?” He asks, more out of curiosity rather than a boost to his ego.

It was nice seeing him like that. Domestic. Vulnerable. He’s always on his toes and doesn’t ever let anyone in — so this… this was nice.

All you do in return was nod and smile, tossing your arms over his shoulders once more and burying your head into his chest. “Mhm.”

“Let’s go shower then.”

“Up and atom!”

A bold voice, one that wasn’t your husbands, woke you up from your sleep. You stirred lightly, peeking one of your eyes open to not only see one person — but several people standing in your husband’s bedroom.

You remember falling asleep with Gojo resting on your back and your head under the pillow, and now that you’ve reached your arm to locate him; he’s not next to you anymore.

“Where…”

“Mornin’ angel.” There’s that familiar voice. That voice that’s given you comfort and a sense of safety.

Oddly enough, you were okay with it.

You huffed, pushing up from the bed to turn and identify whoever had been in this bedroom so early. It was half the damn school, you could say.

“Time to get up, Y/N!” Panda smiles, two fists sturdy on his hips. “We heard you have a week to experience some fun, so we’re gonna spend the next seven days together!”

Seven days?!

You jump up, completely facing the people in the room. Nanami and Gojo are in the corner, small smiles on their face — this is obviously something they planned… while the students were standing around your bed.

Megumi, Panda, Inumaki and Maki — even the two new students that’s working with Gojo; Itadori and Nobara.

You rub your eyes, brushing your hair behind your ears. “Thanks, guys, but you don’t have to waste a week on me.”

Maki gasp, Inumaki also adding a head shake at your response.

“We’re not wasting a week, Shio—sensei,” Megumi sits on the foot of the bed, sending you a soft look. “Everyone cares about you. We want to make sure you have a nice week.”

Nobara and Itadori share a look. They’ve never seen Megumi act so caring, even if he expressed it with a straight face.

You only had small interactions with Megumi, but considering he didn’t have much family left, everything you did within the span of knowing him meant a lot.

Even if it was bringing him lunch, scolding Gojo for him, helping him inside or outside of school. The small things built up and he can’t imagine seeing anything happen to you.

“Yeah,” Maki is trying to contain her excitement. She’s got her hands behind her back, fighting a smile. “Plus, we’re gonna incorporate fighting into the stuff we’re doing! Building muscles while creating memories.”

This is odd to you, foreign even. You’ve never had someone care about you, cared if you lived or died — and now these people want to give you a week to remember, encouraging you to spend your possibly last week alive wisely, with them, while having as much fun as possible.

You look over to Gojo, who’s got this smile on his face, one that hasn’t budged since he’s seen you wake up in his shirt; and then back to the kids. This is what it feels like to be wanted. Not just by your mother, but by everyone.

Now you’ve got to fight back tears. You haven’t cried since the death of your mother, and the overwhelming feeling of actively being appreciated by people is starting to jab at you.

No crying. Not yet.

You answered all the kids questions, settled all their anxiety and calmed their nerves with a smile. That bright, beaming smile that your mother loved and the one your husband is falling in love with. The smile everyone recognizes; the smile that pops into people’s head when your name is mentioned.

“Thank you guys,” You sit straight up on the bed. “I appreciate it. Let’s have the best week ever, okay?”

All the students smiled and nodded in unison.

“So, what’s on the agenda for today?”

Itadori smiles and throws a fist into the air, “Baseball!” He’s ecstatic, and you could make a wild guess that this was his idea. “That’s okay, right?”

You laugh, reinsuring Itadori once more. “I love baseball, and I’m kinda good at it,” You share a smile with the boy, hearing different reactions at the new information about the sport. “How about after, we come back and have a sleepover?”

That gets another rise. Everyone looks excited, partially for Megumi (he hates sleeping around Itadori) but aside from his little pout, the rest of the students agree to having a night over their teachers house.

Nanami pushes off the wall, clapping his hands together to gather the kids attention. “Okay, let’s give Shio some time to get ready. You all can help me load the bus back up.”

Following instructions, everyone except Gojo trotted out of the room, shutting the door behind them. Now it was silent and homey, resulting in your husband walking over to you with a small grin.

He crawls onto the end of the bed, sitting back on his legs in front of you. “Hi.” One word with his gentle smile and you’re grinning back.

“Hi.” You respond, reaching forward to grab his hands. You fiddled with them nervously, twirling his wedding ring around his finger. “Did you do all of this?”

“Not all. I told them your big fight was next week and they came up with all the ideas, I just found a way to make it all happen.”

You pushed your bottom lip out, climbing up from the duvet to his height, tossing your arms around his neck. This was a feeling Gojo could get used to, one he wanted to feel every moment and every second of his life. He wraps his arms around your waist and snuggles you back.

“Thank you, ‘Toru.”

He grins once more, giving your body a small squeeze. “Don’t thank me yet.”

A baseball game without your brother intervening? Sounds like a plan to you.

There were two separate teams; Your team and Gojo’s. A friendly fire between the couple who had an arranged marriage but is now starting to fall for one another — doesn’t sound scary at all.

You’d assume they’d take baseball seriously, like there was a grand prize at the end, but they weren’t. Everyone was having a good time, playing for experience and to grow, and thankfully there was no jujutsu power allowed.

The entirety of this game you’d been… laughing.

Smiling and laughing at the antics of the children you were working with. Giggling with the other teachers when Gojo grew red over the fact that his team was losing. Even moments like this where a fight needed to be broken up.

“Hold on!” Nobara shoves her hat onto the ground, pointing to the girl in front of her as she made her way over.

Nobara likes a fair game, what she didn’t like was Mai bringing a pitch machine to protect her fresh manicure. Itadori and Panda are the first to get up, walking over to catch Nobara before she gets to Mai. “Kugisaki’s snapped!” They warned. “It’s a free-for-all!”

Considering she was on your team, you followed behind the other students to calm the issue as the adult that you were.

“Alright,” You walk between both girls, facing Nobara to quickly calm her. “You’re a good batter. You can hit these even without machine, let’s just try it, okay?”

Nobara sends another threatening look to Mai before huffing and turning around to walk away. You chase after her, bending down to whisper one more thing into her ear.

“Bet she sucks anyway.” You cup your hands around your mouth so no one else hears what you said but Nobara.

And the game continued peacefully. The pitching machine was ditched after being beaten up by someone (Nobara ‘accidentally’ hit the ball into) and everything was now going fairly.

The energy overall felt like a highschool game, it was fun, quick and a bunch of dirty talk had been spit from one team to the other. Granted, it wasn’t anything harmful. Aside from another student getting swatted upside the head with a ball, the experience was great to you!

And once the sun began to set, everyone declared the game over.

All except one.

“Last bat,” Gojo walks up to you, flipping the bat so that the handle faced you. “I’ll pitch.”

You perused your lips, accepting the bat from him. You’ve never batted in front of anyone, only your mother, considering your brother would always swoop in and take the attention.

It was like you were a child again.

“Okay!” You smile, jumping up once before making your way over to the correct base.

“You got this, Shio-sensei!”

“Beat Gojo-sensei!”

You chuckled under your breath, spreading both legs and tapping the bat onto the home plate. Gojo sends you a look, asking if you’re ready, and you respond with a nod and the prettiest smile he’s ever seen.

The dim of the sky kissing your skin, the smile he’s seen all day is becoming a drug to him and as each second passed, he watched you grow more and more happy. More excited.

That’s until he raises his arm and leg, ready to pitch, and he see’s your face drop. A mix of fear, shock and confusion decorates your face and he no longer sees his happy wife, he doesn’t see a carefree woman bandaging her inner child anymore —

he sees twelve year old you.

He sees the child who’s spotlight got taken from her.

By her bastard of a brother.

Gojo drops the ball and quickly flips his infinity back on. He doesn’t turn around, he knows he’s safe, and he keeps his eyes on you and the students to assure your safety as well.

“Ryou.” Is all your husband says, crossing his arms over his chest. He won’t give him the satisfaction of a look, he’s got more important things on his mind right now.

Your brother laughs behind him, taking a small step beside him. He’s only got his eye on the prize; you. “Hey there, brother-in-law,” Ryou shoves his hands into his pockets. “Think I got her good, huh? Did’ya see her face? She went all…” He mimics your reaction, dramatically frowning and pretending to claw his eyes out.

“Who is that?” You hear one of the students whisper, and then you’re suddenly snapped back into reality.

You sniffle, wiping your sweaty palms on your jeans. You’d be stupid to turn your back, but your brother would be much more of an idiot to try to attack you when you’re not looking and your husband’s right beside him.

You turn to face the students, squatting down to catch their attention and block your brother from their view. “He’s not important, okay?” You ask, which they all nodded in return. “He’s a dangerous guy, so Gojo’s going to take you all back inside and then we can get home in time for the sleepover, right?”

You asked Rika to set up the sleepover and pick out some snacks for everyone. You even offered her to invite her daughter since she and the students were around the same age — that way if they decide to stay, she’d have a few friends.

Now, the only plan was to make it home.

Once you pushed up from your feet, you began to make way to your husband. What a fearful sight to see and an awful predicament to be in. You could be killed at any second if it was up to Ryou.

“Go.”

One word that held so much power. You stood just a few steps from your husband, you knew if you got too close that he’d be a superhero.

But this isn’t his battle to fight.

He doesn’t budge whatsoever, he looks at you like you’re playing a joke and even dazzles a smile at you, proving his point further.

He’s not going anywhere without you.

“I mean it, Satoru,” You couldn’t say too much, not without giving away too much information and endangering multiple lives. “Please… let me handle this.”

Now he’s reading you. Gojo frowns his eyebrows before beginning his path to the students. He stops besides you, making sure too keep his eyes on the kids in front of him while you kept track of your brother.

“You don’t die today.”

You couldn’t help but smile slowly, “Yes sir.”

The crucial next seconds of silence could’ve been your cause of death, but once the gate to the kids shut closed and you knew the people you loved and cared for were behind protection.

You didn’t hesitate.

You reached your arm back, looking over to the gate once more and starting a fire at it. It wasn’t too big that they couldn’t see, but it was big enough to risk a good third degree burn if they’d try to escape.

“Oo, where’d you learn that?”

Now your eyes are on your brothers, orbs battling for dominance. “Easy,” You’re stalling for the right moment, now starting to pace around your brother, keeping a large distance between you two. “But, I’m sure it comes naturally to you. You don’t even need to try, huh?”

Ryou chuckles. “You’ve gotten smarter too.” He’s starting to pick up on the pacing, and part of him is nervous. He’s never seen such a side from you, you’ve always been obedient, never one to pick a fight.

What was going on today?

Ryou meets you half way and bumps into you, ruining your pattern of a circle, grabbing your shirt to keep you still.

“What’s this?” He asks, practically snarling at you. That cocky, annoying smile never dropping from his lips. “Trying to show off for your husband and a few amateur sorcerers? You can do better.”

You’re way to nervous to physically harm this man, that could go left and you’d be injured before the big fight. Possibly killed. So you opt for your power, pushing a hand forward, manipulating the air around you to ball up and shove into his stomach, sending him tumbling.

You took a few steps back, enough space to look up and check the moon shining down at you. You’re not mentally ready to brawl with your brother. You’re not ready to die yet.

“Ryou…” You began. Instant regret.

He straightens himself back up before making his way over to you, a grin on his lips. “Shouldn’t have done that, cheeky.”

And before you know it, the same method is returned to you, except the pain is tripled and you’re being sent back flying, your back slamming against the gravel on the ground.

You could feel each piece of gravel, rock and grain of sand pierce your skin. The wind was knocked from your lungs to your head, blacking your vision for a second.

“Shio-Sensei!” You hear one of the students cry out.

Something about hearing someone call for you… strangely made you want to get back up. When your brothers around, no one roots for you. No one cares about you — or even notices you. Not when the Star of Africa is near.

But right now… at this moment… they’re rooting for you. Everyone behind that stray of fire, blocked by a gate, watching two siblings fight one another.

They’re calling for you. They’re supporting you.

“Shio-Sensei, please!”

The sound of cracking fire protecting those innocent kids — along with the calls for your name. You’re up. You’re on your feet. This adrenaline was perfect.

“That…” You began, brushing your hands on your clothes and cleaning yourself from the dust. “Was weak.”

Another boost: the face your brother makes when he’s bitched at for the first time. He realizes that no one’s on his side here… his daddy isn’t here to boost him either… he’s alone now.

He’s in your shoes.

“What did you say to me?” Ryou’s fuming, you can smell it. From the smoke coming out of his ears to the ground he’s shaking under him. Pure, firey, rage.

In return, all you can do is smile endearingly and stretch your arm out beside you, hands empty. “I said that was,” For a split second, you only had one chance to prove yourself. You ignored your consciousness and the energy around you. Within seconds, your mind flatlines and there’s a ringing in your ear for a millisecond.

For just a quick second, earth around you had disappeared.

Then reappeared.

After the quick moment of focus, you look over to your stretched out arm — and in your hand is a sword. Hah, take that Nanami. Manipulating space isn’t as hard as it sounds.

Not giving a moment for Ryou to blink, your swinging your armed hand towards your brother — tossing the sword over to catch in your other hand and switch positions before he could retaliate.

“Weak.” You finish, huffing a breath.

Your students are behind the cage jumping and clapping, watching their teacher in action — amazed at what they see. Your husband on the other hand is trembling in his shoes.

He could easily get past the fire, and his plan was to intervene when need be. He knows you can handle your own and defend yourself — but he also knows that you’re fighting off of rage right now, and your movements and thinking process is sloppy and clouded.

He doesn’t want to step in too late, but he also doesn’t want to jump to the rescue and portray you as weak.

Ryou on the other hand takes a small step back. His phone begins ringing in his basketball shorts, and he’s quick to grab the device and answer it.

And as he listens to the recipient speak, he looks down at his chest. He couldn’t ignore the oozing feeling in his chest. His skin grew hotter by the second, and the dust particles kissed his wounds as the wind blew them around.

One massive slash across his chest. The blade was so sharp that it cut past his clothes and skin, resulting in a pretty bad leak. He’s shocked with himself for missing such a lousy attack — more so, his sister was the one to do it.

No words were exchanged for the twelve second call. Ryou simply ends the call and returns his phone into his pocket. Raises his gaze from the gash to your eyes and lets out a chuckle. A bitter yet cocky laugh. As if he was still laughing at you.

“You know,” Your brother looks up to the sky, the waning gibbous shining above. “I think we’ll plan your funeral a little more organized than mom’s.”

Weak. It doesn’t really affect you, Ryou’s never been ‘momma’s boy’. More of a spoiled brat. The anger he wanted out of you wasn’t granted, it made you yawn. You just insulted your brother, twice, and gave him a remarkable wound on his chest… and he’s not fighting back.

He’s stalling.

“Not on your game today?” You’re focusing your energy into your arm, manipulating the air around you to forcefully stick your sword onto the ground. “It’s mediocre, everything you’re saying. How’s that gash, though?”

“I can barely feel it.” Ryou’s quick to respond, “Just thought you’d want to know. You’d have the best funeral out of the three, I’m sure of it.”

Three? You try your hardest not to visibly be confused, but your brother already see’s you doing the math in your head. One, your mother. Metaphorically, two would be you.

There wouldn’t be a third.

Maybe your brothers sick. He’s been talking out of the ass for the past few minuets and keeping up with him is slightly throwing you off your game. He’s absolutely stalling.

“Three? Can you even co—” Oh. “Count…” All of the green of envy and revenge on your face had melted, returning you back to your normal state. Afraid and scared.

“G—…” You’re stumbling backwards, still keeping an eye on your brother. “Gojo!!”

As soon as he saw your state change, he was itching to get across the gate. All he needed to hear was your voice. Your plea. In seconds he’s by your side, turning you to face him. You’re not afraid of Ryou sneaking up, you’re not afraid of anyone’s safety with your husband being here.

Except Rika.

“I need… we need to go home, now.” Your panicking, your hands have began trembling and the nerves in your body are shot.

Gojo’s looking at you, trying to read whatever you’re trying to get at, but he’s just as confused as you were earlier. Without even moving his head, your husband can just feel the devious smile on Ryou’s face. This is the reaction he wanted out of you, it’s what he wanted to see with his own eyes — live!

“What’s going on?” Gojo asks.

“…Rika.”

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[celestial-blade]

Reassurance

Pairing: Lloyd and Daisy

fic: Grass is Greener

wc: 1697

notes: cw for generic dysfunctional families, divorce mentions, it's their difficult conversation

It had been too long since they’d spent actual quality time together, and it was rapidly no longer becoming a case of being too busy with the team. Hockey was reaching the end of its outdoor season, and so the lull between the transition to indoors was in full effect. There were no external pressures stopping them seeing each other. So why hadn’t Daisy replied to anything properly in what felt like a little too long? How come they hadn’t made plans? He caught up to her after her training session that evening, the brightly lit hockey field behind them as they walked. He prompted her the longer way home, by the park.

“Daisy, we need to talk,” he started in slight desperation to start saying anything. Now they were hardly talking any time they were in each other’s company? Immediately he watched her close her shape a little, turning away from him, still without saying a word.

“I’m not doing this to manipulate you,” Daisy said, her voice wavering through tears. Lloyd had seen her cry before, and he recognised it now. He’d got things wrong this time.

“Hey, I never thought that,” he gently reassured her, looking around for somewhere to pause for a moment at least. “I never thought that.” A few paces away was a park bench. With one hand on her lower back, Lloyd guided her to sit with him. “This is kind of what I wanted to ask about.”

“I’m sorry,” Daisy whispered through sniffles, wiping away tears as fast as she could.

“It seems like since we talked about being together, you’ve been a little… not you,” Lloyd started, hoping in everything he had that his clumsy words would come across in the right ways, that it would sound like he cared about her, because he did. “I wanted to ask if something was wrong? I probably should’ve phrased that in a less scary way though. I’m sorry, I was wrong for that.”

“I really didn’t want any of this to be a thing in the first place, but I guess we’re here now so…” she started, held back by her own thoughts. If he didn’t understand, or didn’t take it well, this would likely be the end of everything. Considering it made her feel slightly sick. “I don’t like being vulnerable.”

“I’m ready for it,” Lloyd reassured her, meeting her eyes and sensing her hesitance. “Hit me with it.” He’d hoped to lighten things a little and at her tiny smile, it seemed to have worked.

“I’m really not used to things going well. I know it seems like it, that I probably have everything and I have no reason to not feel great all the time, but—”

“That’s not true for anyone,” Lloyd said. It was clear that it was a taught sentiment, something someone had said to her that had stuck, and that alone changed the way he saw her. Someone had said that to her, and it resonated so much that she carried it ever since. “Sorry, I interrupted you. Continue.”

“It sounds dramatic, but I never really got over my parents’ divorce. One minute they were in the happiest marriage ever, and then the next day they weren’t together anymore,” she explained, her chest tight from the anxiety of his silence as she listened to herself talk. “And I never understood how that could happen. How someone could go from being totally in love, to shit-talking each other to their kid all the time.” Daisy didn’t talk much about her parents usually. Lloyd knew they weren’t together, and he’d only ever met her dad, but other than the obvious assumptions she hadn’t said anything specific about where her mother was, or why.

“That doesn’t sound dramatic to me,” Lloyd said. “I sometimes wish my parents did get divorced.”

“Wait, they're still married?” Daisy blurted out. It was news to her. She and likely the rest of the city assumed Garmadon was as bitterly divorced as they come. A paperwork issue, probably. Becoming an evil warlord was probably a time-consuming process, and sending divorce papers to ‘The Volcano Off The Coast’ probably wasn’t an easy job for the mailman either. Lloyd just nodded, shrugging with the most I don’t know either expression she’d ever seen. Watching her smile at his response was relieving at least.

“Keep talking, I’ll try to stop interrupting,” he told her. He was serious about hearing her.

“I guess after that I just saw it everywhere. Celebrities that got married like it meant nothing. My friends’ parents were single. Then when my friends started getting in relationships, they’d say they loved each other and then treated each other like shit,” Daisy explained. “And then my first relationship.” Her words and pointed look carried enough weight that Lloyd didn’t need to ask, he’d always remember the pieces she’d already told him about her ex. “And I feel like a total idiot for justifying that, and even for staying, but I can’t explain how much safer it felt to be in it than to have the conversation about leaving. He had to leave me.”

“That’s not your fault,” Lloyd said, like he had many times before and was prepared to many times again. Each time he did, he saw Daisy believe it a little more.

“It took me a long time to even consider being that close to anyone. I have a lot of friends, but I’m not at all close to most of them. Emilia’s the closest and we hardly actually see each other,” she continued, pushing past every uncomfortable and downright painful feeling that had been brought up. “And then you came along, and I tried so hard to avoid everything but…” she couldn’t bring herself to say it. No matter how much she wanted this, how much she wanted him, it was so difficult to put her faith in their future when the patterns of her past seemed so much more reliable.

“If you want to call this over, I won’t be offended, I promise,” Lloyd said, an obvious waver to his voice that he’d tried to prevent. He didn’t want to lose her, it wasn’t an offer he wanted to make, but he’d forever prefer her to be happy without him than miserable with. “I’ll still be nice to you.”

“That’s… that’s not what I want, I know that much. I’m actually really scared of losing you, which maybe doesn’t make the most sense,” Daisy admitted. Having her innermost worries so easily heard made her far more relaxed. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Lloyd. I feel like I’m just scared of everything, and it feels so selfish to drag you through all of that with me.” It felt like she could breathe again after being trapped underwater for hours.

“Are you scared of me? Be honest.” Even saying it felt selfish on his part, but Lloyd had to ask, and this was perfectly in context. He couldn’t stay with someone who looked at him and felt even a hint of fear, and in his mind that felt like a tall order.

“Not at all.” Her reply was fast and easy and certain. A part of Lloyd still didn’t believe it, he was far too destructive. Far too like his father in too many ways.

“Can you name what you are scared of?” he gently asked, as if he was unsure of each word being the right one.

“Being in a relationship and the uncertainty of it all, I’m scared one day you’ll just decide you hate me,” she openly said. A lot of progress had been made from the start of their conversation. “I’m scared of saying the wrong things to you or in front of you. I’m scared that my dad will hate you, and you’ll hate me for that. I’m scared your parents will hate me, and then you’ll agree with them.” She took a breath, aware that it seemed like she was just offloading now, so she tried to get back to the point, the height of what she actually feared. “And most of all I’m scared that one day you’ll see me like I see myself on my worst days. You’ll see all of this wasn’t worth it, that I’m not worth it, and even though we’ve been together for years you’ll decide one day that you don’t love me anymore and we’ll just never see each other again.”

“Like your parents…” Lloyd realised aloud, gathering his own thoughts. It took a moment for him to say anything else of substance. “Okay, I can promise that you could never make me leave with the wrong words. Anything you do won’t be enough to make me hate you, you wouldn’t hurt me on purpose. I trust that.”

“Okay,” she breathed, taken aback with his certainty while supposing it made sense. She didn’t expect him to intentionally hurt her either.

“I need you to make a deal though?” he continued. “Talk to me about this. It’s okay to be scared, but I need to know. I don’t want you to make decisions without me too.”

“Okay, it does sound awful when you say it like that,” Daisy laughed.

“Not awful, it’s human. But if we’re together then we have to be together, okay?” Lloyd smiled. “You’ve already taken on so much with me. Let me do the same. Then it’s fair.” Lloyd reached his hand out for a formal handshake to confirm their deal.

“Deal,” Daisy agreed, taking his hand. In one swift movement, he brought her knuckles to his lips, planting a soft kiss on her fingers.

“Thank you for talking to me, and again, sorry I made it so stressful,” Lloyd said, his apology earnest. Even just the way he looked at her, a soft smile reaching into the depths of his eyes, made her feel safe. Adrenaline faded. “Do you have time to come over?” She nodded, standing up from the bench, ready to go immediately. Lloyd kept hold of her hand as they walked, slowly coaxing her into letting him carry her bag. The silence between them felt comfortable now. Things were okay.

[lone-pine-poetry]

would younger you be proud of who you are today?

i don’t know if proud is the right word for it. completely appalled is more like it. we were twelve wondering why we weren’t like the other kids. feeling too old, too far away from the others. like the fault line was beginning to form across my chest way back then before i even understood what an earthquake was. alarms being installed in my chest cavity before i ever really knew the brutality of pain, before abandonment etched its name into my ribs. it’s like i was already preparing for the violence while everyone else had a deeper understanding of what being a kid was like.

then we were thirteen with a deep knowing that from here on out, there would always be something separating me from everyone else, like i had a different language of the world no one could read. i became familiar with the taste of misunderstanding. and i found ways to self destruct in hopes i could crack open the barrier between me and the world, but it only made them take a few steps backwards when they saw blood dripping from the fault line.

fourteen, and we were losing people every time i stopped and looked around. so i became afraid to look anyone in the eyes in fear they would see some horrible rotting thing within me that wasn’t worth holding in their hands. by this point, i had lost everyone when my intention was to care. so i started to believe i was too much, too overbearing. did i love you too hard? everyone i tried to hold in my hands stumbled backwards, repulsed at my audacity. i never could figure out what turned people away from me. it’s something i’m still trying to figure out.

fifteen, and by the time i got to high school, i had only one friend left. which was a blessing and a curse, considering that the person was my best friend. a blessing, because this was very proof someone loved me enough to stay. a curse, because she would end up hurting me worse than any other friend i had, and then i would be completely alone. i was horribly alone even when she was around. and i couldn’t look my parents in the eyes anymore by this point. they set in time the agonizing battle i would constantly face to this day, wondering day in and day out if real unconditional love is a thing that could possibly fit in my forsaken hands. then i met a boy who said he could love me and i was silently begging for proof i wasn’t unloveable, but he had only validated that there really was something inside me that was incurably awful, that anyone who noticed me would take a few steps back and turn away.

sixteen, and my best friend loved the boy who took every last shred of innocence left inside me. i didn’t know how to be sixteen without this unbearable sinkhole in my chest. all i knew was i was slipping and i had no hands reaching for me, so i had to let go of the only person i had in order to keep myself sane and alive. i was so full of ache and despair that i suffered through every second of life. and the only person that noticed and made me hold on harder died a year later and i didn’t know how to believe i was meant to exist anymore.

seventeen, and i thought i would have let go of gravity by now. it was everything i wanted. and i don’t remember how i even put one foot in front of the other. i was utterly alone in the world.

eighteen, and i didn’t know how to exist because i didn’t plan on making it this far. dissociation would learn to take shelter in my head.

nineteen, and i escaped the chains of my childhood home but landed in the arms of a boy who loved to take more than he gave. giving was a foreign concept to him and i had to console my own self when he would take my heart and mould it into a being who believed it didn’t matter. the ache and the rot, how was i supposed to know how to save myself?

twenty, and i was sick to my stomach that i made it this far. i was full of smoldering anger that every breath i took got harder, and that every year i managed to make it to just kept getting worse. by now, i had a whole list of validations. i was not made to be loved.

twenty one, and i thought things were getting better, until i looked in the mirror and i saw nothing good looking back at me.

twenty two, and i have suffered through ten years of ache and rot and suffering, all alone. i don’t know who i am anymore. and the dissociation is so thick, i can’t feel anything or see without getting sick to my stomach from every blurred moment i try to hold onto but can’t fully grasp. i’ve lost more people than i can count on both hands. and the only ones that i care to hold onto are in the dirt. grief twists itself within my body like a tumor and its incurable. i want to forget everything. i have a hand to hold, but i am so utterly repulsed by the actuality of love that i cannot hold it any longer. i yearn to be alone so badly. i feel like i cave in on myself just to deal with it with my own two hands, a mirage of solitude.

i see my younger self sometimes when i look in the mirror, and i can say with certainty she is not proud. but a figure crying alone in a dark room asking me why i haven’t let go yet. i try not to notice her, but neither of us can deny the aching. and she begs for love but i have none to give, and no willingness to let anyone get a glimpse of my rotting heart ever again. she is not proud, but angry and repulsed by me, taking a few steps backwards. and i have nothing left to say to her as i try to pretend like i could love us both enough to replace the aching abandonment and the terrifying fear that i’m the only one i have to hold for the rest of my life.

lone-pine-poetry

[georgiapeach30513]

Stained Like Georgia Clay, Part 14

Summary: does he come back?

Pairings: Cole Turner X Reader

Rating: angst

Warnings:  angst, mild language, 18+ ONLY

Word Count: 5.2K

Previous

Series Masterlist

*dividers created by @firefly-graphics

“Honey, can you come here for a minute?” Biting at your lip, you leave your perch by the window. Writing and looking down the driveway, hoping that you would see that bright red Ford, but you never do. With your notebook in your hand, you walk into your parents’ bedroom where your mom was rubbing her hand on the bed. “I think we need to talk.”

You aren’t sure what this could be about, so you stand there flabbergasted as she pats on the bed again, “You wanna sit down?”

“Kinda working on my book.”

“What else did you do this summer?” You give her a shrug, because you weren’t telling them about Cole until he came back. “Honey, how were things with you and Hal?”

“Fine. What is this about?”

“When we came home, you weren’t here. You were somewhere, and you left your toys, lingerie, and pregnancy test for your daddy and me to find,” you take a second to grimace at her referring to your father as daddy, but also at everything she found. “Sex is…normal, and healthy.”

“Yeah, and I’ve had the sex talk. And if I didn’t and there’s a pregnancy test in my garbage can, you’re a bit late. It was negative by the way. I really don’t want to have this conversation with you,” and there were more tests where that came from. It was like this constant paranoia of needing to test now.

“Was he…your first?” You give her a head nod, looking out her window. You just couldn’t meet her eyes. What you had with Cole was so much more than just sex. He was everything. What you have was perfection. “Were you safe?”

“Uh…safe enough.”

“I’m not sure how to take that.”

“You saw the tests. Safe enough, but not safe enough to not test. I really don’t want to talk about my sex life with you.”

“Did…did he pressure you into sex?” If only she knew, sure he might have made your body feel things it never had before. Or even thought of. He made you feel them all. But he made them all fee

“No! My god, he made me wait. We didn’t use condoms, is that what you wanted to hear? He pulled out…most of the time. But he tracked my periods,” your mother groans, rolling her eyes. “What? You said sex is normal and healthy.”

“So…uh,” she had hoped this would eventually happen. This is what parents want for their children; to grow up and move on. But she feels she missed so much time with you. You were her little girl, and she comes back to know you were taking pregnancy tests, and had sex in her house. “So when do we get to meet this man?”

“He’s on a trip,” your mother stands up, and sits back down quickly. “He is. He’ll be back. He had to do something, and when he gets back, you can meet him.”

“Can you tell me who he is?” You shake your head no. Feeling a sense of sickness roll up your stomach. Belching makes your eyes burn, and you have to slowly close them. “Honey, I don’t know how to feel about this. Daddy and I went on a trip, and we trusted you.”

“Can you please quit calling him daddy? He’s my dad. My father. But…the house is still standing. The general store is still running and going great to the point where you’re having to hire someone to help out. You trusted me, and I didn’t fail you. Who I choose to have sex with is my business, and I don’t regret the decision. He was perfect, and he will be coming back soon, and you can meet him.”

“I don’t like this,” you didn't care. You were in love, and there was nothing that could change your mind. “I thought you said you were going to wait.”

“I did. I waited until I fell in love,” Tracy’s face finally softens as she stares at you. “I never said I wanted to wait on marriage. I wanted to wait on someone special. Wait on someone who I was in love with, and I did. I’m in love with him, and…when he gets back I’m moving in with him,” she shakes her head no, standing up from her bed as she walks out. “I am. I get to decide that. I am moving in with him.”

“Why? Why do you need to move in with someone that you don’t even know? I tell you living with a man is not all it’s cracked up to be.”

“I do know him. We spent everyday together. Every night together. I did love with him. I’m moving in with him because I basically already lived with him and it’s what I want to do. He stayed here a few times, but I lived with him. Loretta Lynn, too. We had things at his house. And you can’t stop me. This…this is…” you gulp, taking a deep breath to try and calm yourself. “This is…it’s — what I’m going to do.”

“You okay?” Taking a deep breath, you steady your sickening stomach. Anytime you thought of someone telling you what you wouldn’t do with Cole you got nauseous. Still feeling a bit off when you nod your head. “Honey, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” you assure her, and try to convince yourself. You were fine. It was fine. Everything was going to be fine.

Bee,

Baby I miss you so much. In all our time together, we never had the need for a phone, but I could really do with the sound of your voice. I think more about you than anything. You would hate this house. I hate it now. It’s so cold, and it doesn’t have any part of you in it. The smell of you no longer lingers on my clothes. I can’t taste you on my lips anymore, and still you reside in every part of my brain. I don’t know how you did it. You have ruined me. The selling of the house is going slower than I wanted. And I can’t wait to see you again. Bee, I’m not ashamed that I love you, and we will break the news to your parents. I’m sure I’ll have to calm your dad down. If you could call my number, so we have a daily way to speak, but I do like the idea of writing letters. You always write beautifully. I love you my sweet Bumblebee.

Your fingers rummage through the mail on the table, and still nothing from Cole. It was becoming harder and harder to believe that this summer ever even happened. But there were remnants of Cole all around you. You couldn’t deny what you had. Convinced yourself that something was wrong, because Cole never returned. There was zero contact.

You stomp your foot, before running back upstairs. Ignoring your mom calling you back down, before she covers her mouth, “She’s got a damn attitude.”

“Alan.”

“What? You expect me to be calm. Some secret comes into her life, changes everything, and you expect me to be calm? You want me to pretend that while we were gone…she’s our baby. And some bastard took advantage of her.”

“I don’t think that’s what it was,” you and your mom talked regularly. She wasn’t convinced that some man was that good of an actor, making you believe how much he loved you. She, too, believed that this mystery man was in love with you. “Don’t you go up there.”

“She…she needs to head to work. She’s got the store today. And don’t you say, ‘Oh Alan’. She’s not broken. And Hal…” your mom rolls her eyes, standing to walk in another room. “Hal said he can be there for her.”

“Oh, and she goes out with Hal, and everyone in town will talk.”

“Everyone in town is already talking, Trace. They’re talking. She could do worse than Hal,” hearing your parents argue about your life, you sink lower on the wall. Hal was not Cole. He was a good friend, but he was not Cole. “She’s going to work today.”

You wipe a single tear off your face, tracing a finger around your ring. He was real. He was going to be coming back. You just knew it. Felt it in every fiber of your body. He wouldn’t want to stay away. He would want to be with you. Smiling to mask the tears, you push yourself up off the floor. Needing to get ready for work. A sad day that was missing your favorite person. Cole would know what to do to make you feel better. Just him holding you would make you feel better.

Biting your nails had become a disgusting habit that you couldn’t stop. Nervously biting at your lip when your hands were busy. No one came in while you were here. No doubt someone had told your ‘secrets’ to the more judgemental people in town. Too much idle time made you think. You didn’t want to think. You knew Cole was coming back.

Hearing the bell ring, you straighten yourself up quickly. Before backing up behind the counter, moving yourself as far away from him as you could. “Got yourself into some trouble, huh?” The disgusting preacher says as he glides through the store. “You were warned what that man was going to do. Now look at you. Alone.”

“I know a few other girls that have been left alone. He hasn’t left me.”

Bill looks around the general store with a sneer, “That truck tends to stand out. You were blinded by money, huh, Bumblebee?” You hated him. You shouldn’t hate people, but you hated him. He chuckles under his breath, grabbing a bottle of Coke, and a packet of peanuts before walking to the front.

“Didn’t peg you for having daddy issues.”

“Three seventy five,” he hands you his card, but you knew he wasn’t finished. The best plan of action was to just ignore him all together. Cole was no longer here to enforce the preacher to stay away, and you were too ashamed to say anything to your father.

“Used goods.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Well, it’s a funny thing about men and women, and why you stupid girls should not fall for a handsome face. Men can have their little play toys, and no one is none the wiser. But you sweet little things, your appeal is gone after you spread your filthy little legs,” a cracking sound echoes throughout the general store, and you glare at him. He was a pig. He could say what he wanted to about Cole because they were all lies. Bill was a pig.

“You know, I always took you as a respectable woman. But you wear that badge of promiscuity proudly with honor. Your daddy can’t get you out of this anymore. Neither can your father,” he smirks at you. His rotund belly jiggling with laughter.

“Get out of here,” his mouth turns up into an evil grin. The perfectly pink mark of your hand stinging into his skin, and you hoped it left a mark until his next service. “Get your disgusting ass out of my store.”

“At least I didn’t fuck you and leave you. You were just the first girl stupid enough in this town to get with a man that was always going to leave. You were warned. If it wasn't you, it would have been some other silly little girl. Why do you think he chose you? Made you his little whore.”

“Do you want a mark on your other cheek so you have a matching pair? I asked you to get out of my fucking store. Now, get the fuck out of my store. I believe you were already told once to stay out.”

“And you need to remember I’m not the only one that has secrets.”

It’s your turn to smile as you turn to the side, reaching below the counter for a gun, “I’m not ashamed of my secrets Preacher Bill. How many of them are you afraid of? Cole will be back. Don’t you worry.”

Bee,

I’m going crazy here. I haven’t heard anything from you. I’m sorry if I did something. But this summer was everything to me. The lack of a response from you makes me want to believe you feel differently. But I know you don’t. I know you were feeling the same thing. I hope this isn’t about your parents. We will tell them. I will tell them. I can’t be in that town if I can’t be with you though. Sweetheart, please, just give me something. Tell me you hate me for leaving you. Tell me you never want to see me again. Don’t say nothing at all. Don’t do this. Don’t act like we never existed. I want to give you everything. Every part of me is yours. But don’t ghost me like this. I love you, and I need to hear something. Just please respond with something.

“Have you checked the mail?” You lean over into the kitchen, seeing both your parents whispering at the table makes you want to leave immediately. They were always whispering about you and your predicament, “Never mind.”

“Honey, sit down,” you shake your head no, refusing to look your father in the eyes. “Who was he?”

“Nobody. Nobody that…Dad, I love him,” your voice squeaks out, and you cover your face with your hands. “I love him, and he promised to write, and he hasn’t. What did I do wrong?” Alan stands up, wrapping his arms around you and holds you as tight as possible. “I don’t know what I did wrong. I haven’t heard anything from him. But I know how much he loves me.”

“Honey…”

“No! He loves me. He promised he would be back, and he will.”

“Then tell us who he was. Did…did he force himself on you?” Your crying gets louder as you shake your head no. “Then why won’t you tell me?”

“You’ll be mad. He’s coming back. I know he is. He wants to be the one that talks to you,” thankfully Hal walks in, still sweating from the day, “Did you check the mail?”

“Yeah,” he smiles, wiping a hand on his neck. “There wasn’t anything today. Could…can I have a minute alone?” He looks to your father, who nods his head as you walk with Hal out to the front porch swing. Your eyes across the road to that old barn, and your honey bees out in front. You knew he would be back. Cole never once lied to you.

“Maybe it’s time to let this go. Your dad is always asking about him, and — what if he doesn’t come back?”

“He is,” you inform him. Cole Turner would be back. You could feel it in your heart.

“I would like to be there for you. I quit going to the church. Bill was always preaching about a woman saving herself. Basically doing a sermon on how it’s okay to judge you,” you figured as much. You knew smacking him would have its consequences, and you didn’t even care. You were numb to anything that was about Bill. “I’m not Cole, but I’m here.”

“Hal, I never wanted you to be him. There’s only one him. I appreciate the offer, but I can’t think straight right now. I can’t sleep without a constant reminder of Cole being in my life. I can’t be the person you deserve, the person that you desire, because that part of me belongs to him.”

“Could you just think about it? You’re gonna need me,” he gives your thigh a tap. You didn’t need him. You wanted a friend for sure. But you were not looking for someone to take Cole’s place. “There’s only so much your father can do for you.”

“I don’t want sex.”

“I wasn’t offering. I was offering something more than that. Just…just think about it please? I don’t care what anyone says. They can say it about me. I don’t care,” you whisper out a thanks to him. Ready to go to your weekly night at Cole's little house, when Hal stands up and leaves, “No one has to know until you’re ready.”

You watch as his old truck heads down the driveway when you walk back inside, grabbing up your notebook, stuffed with an envelope, “I’m going on a walk,” you scream up at your parents, “Come on, Loretta, let's go walk.”

It was a bit of a trek to get to that little house, but you welcomed the silence. Spring was now turning into summer. Nearly the one year anniversary of when you first met Cole. First time seeing that bright smile and brilliant eyes. You were a goner from that first meeting. You couldn’t, and didn’t want to stay away from him, but the feeling was mutual.

There was no amount of thinking that could change your mind. Cole loves you. He loved you then, and he still loves you to this day. Maybe he needed a bit more time away. His lack of correspondence was what was confusing to you. You had so much you wanted to tell him, and you did. In unaddressed letters. Attaching photos and little notes, along with the letter.

Every week walking to his house, using your key to get yourself in. Making sure things are clean and dusted when you walk into the spare bedroom. Still empty except for that one bed, but underneath was a box of everything you wish you could say to Cole. A shoebox filled with the letters and pictures that were never sent to him. A date on the envelope, and you stare at all of them. He didn’t know. If he did he would be here.

“Cole, I think it’s time for you to come home.”

“I can’t,” he tells his mom. He had psyched himself out too many times to come home. Telling himself he just needed to see you in person, and let you tell him how you never wanted to see him again. “I can’t be there if I’m not with her.”

“Cole…I’m not doing well,” he freezes, this phone call eerily similar to the one two years ago. “You need to come home. She’s still here,” his lip trembles, looking at the island in his small apartment. He didn’t need the space. Didn’t need anything anymore. “I didn’t know, but I saw her. Son, please, just come home. You’re a grown man, and you need to act like one.”

“Fine. I’ll come home, but…don’t ask me to buy you anything at that store.”

“I wouldn’t think of sending you there at all.”

There was nothing for Cole here. But there was nothing for him, if you weren’t in his life. He rubs the bee pendant on his necklace in between two fingers, a constant reminder that you were real. He wished he hadn’t left. Maybe he would have gotten more time with you. Wished that he came back sooner, and let someone else deal with the selling of his house.

He wouldn’t make the same mistake again. Packing up everything he has, he is determined to see you. Even if you moved on, he was determined to talk to you. Try and figure out what had happened. Why you never returned none of his letters. You didn’t owe him anything, but he hoped you would give him answers. Something. Anything.

“You look fine,” Cole deadpans, staring at his mother. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m just saying it was time for you to man up. You know, it took me a while to come back to this house. But when I did, I saw every week there is a woman that either walks or drives an old truck right down to your house, walks in, stays for an hour or so, and leaves.”

Cole looks down to his house, noticing how it still looked as if someone lived there. But it didn’t make sense, you hadn’t contacted him. The windows looked clean. There were potted plants out on the porch. His chest heaves as he tries to catch his breath; a lump rising up in his chest. It wasn’t possible. You were going to his house and cleaning at least the outside.

“Every week that woman goes to your house. She still loves you. I don’t know what happened, and that’s not what matters. What matters is that she still loves you. She makes sure that yours and her home is taken care of. I would have told you sooner, but I wasn’t here, or I didn’t notice. You know, the county fair is in town. Anybody who is anybody will be there tonight. It’s family night. Or you can wait and see her at the general store. It’s up to you.”

Cole looks back at his house quickly; you had kept it up. Two years later and it still looked just as good, and even better as when he left it. “Go,” his mother whispers, and he walks directly out the door. Jumping in his truck to head to the house first. He hopes to find you at the fair. Any part of you there. Just to see your face. See if you were with anyone. Or if you were still waiting on him the way he was waiting on you.

He slowly turns the knob of his house, and it was like no time had passed. There wasn’t an ounce of dust on any surface. Walking into the spare bedroom, still only a bed remains, but on the top of that bed is a book. Picking it up he can’t help but smile, you had finally did it.

Flipping through the pages, he makes him miss you more. You had autographed it. ‘To the man who gave me the best summer of my life. To the man that stained my heart just like Georgia clay. To the man I don’t want to remove from my life, and to the man that changed my life forever. I love you. Your sweetest little Bumblebee.’

You still thought of him. And with a quick skim, he can see just how much. It was a retelling of your summer together. He needs to see you. Not hesitating to speed his way to the fairgrounds. There was too much unsaid, and you had stained his heart just like he yours.

He throws his truck into park; leaving it in a spot he is sure he’ll be towed from, but he needs to find you. Speed walking through the crowd as his eyes scan around every attraction. Walking around the fair three times, and ready to give up when he hears your laugh.

Spinning around he spots you at a kiddie ride. Your eyes bright and animated as you wave at the passing cars, and a man was standing right beside you. His hand nervously goes around your back before he leans on the gate. Cole is in a trance and can’t look away, and still too scared to walk up to you.

The ride stops and a little boy in overalls runs up to you with his arms reaching up high. You scoop the toddler up in your arms, kissing all over his face when he reaches for the man. Hal. It was always Hal. It was like he couldn’t wait to weasel back in. He couldn’t hear anything but laughter as much as he wanted to. Cole’s demeanor completely changes in an instant. From hope to heartbreak. You moved on.

You didn’t need him the way that he needed you, and this was proof of that. Had made you a family with Hal. It’s what Hal had wanted all along.

As much as he wants to talk to you right now, it wasn’t the time or place. He assumed that you still worked at the store, considering you were still here. Hal must not share your dreams of travel. Or even your need to write. Tomorrow. Tomorrow, he will talk to you. He owed that to himself. To finally be able to let you go.

It was like deja vu parking his truck at the store. Not much had changed. Your truck now replaced with what he could only assume was your mom car. Even the ding of the bell was just the same. The only difference was that little boy beside the counter having lunch at a small table. His hands are sticky with honey as he dips an apple in the sugary sweet syrup. Smiling up at Cole when he shoves the wedge in his mouth.

“Hi,” he says over his full mouth. “Mmm,” his hand rubs over his overall belly. Nothing more is on him. Even his dirty little feet stained with Georgia clay tapping to the rhythm of the music.

“Be with you in a minute!” You scream from the back. “Getting ready for fresh sweet tea.”

“Mama,” the boy points into the back. “My mama,” he picks up a wedge of Brie cheese, dipping that in the honey as well when he offers it to Cole. He was beautiful just like you. “Wayton Toe,” he smiles, tapping on his chest while chewing on the wedge. “Some? Good? Nee. Appies.”

“Waylon!”

“Mama!”

“Stop talking to strangers,” you walk around the corner with the pitcher of tea, freezing when you see Cole. It was like staring at a ghost. He looked just the same as that day two years ago. He just didn’t look as cheerful as he once did. “Cole.”

“Wayton Toe.”

“What…what are…what are you doing here?” You sit down the pitcher not even knowing what to do but stutter and stare, and he was motionless. “You came back, and you’re not going to say anything.”

“Mama. Wayton Toe.”

“What’s he saying?” Your happy little boy holds an apple wedge in both hands, doing a happy dance. Thick honey rolling down his chubby arms, before cramming both pieces in his mouth. “Bee, what’s he saying?”

“Bee. My mama,” he smiles over his chipmunk cheeks. The chub covered in smeared honey, and Cole wants to get closer to him and you.

“Cole, this…this is my son, Waylon Cole.”

“Wayton Toe.”

“Oh god,” Cole squats down beside the little boy to really look at him. So much of him reminded Cole of his father. “How old are you?” He holds up one finger, clapping.

“He’s eighteen months old. He was named after his dad,” Cole’s face scrunches up, and he wipes at the tears falling from his eyes, but your sweet boy reaches for Cole’s hand to hold. “Waylon was one of the names his dad had picked out, and Cole…”

“Wayton Toe.”

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“How?” It was one thing for Cole to turn up, and you knew he would eventually. But it was entirely another for him to question you. Nothing about your location had changed. You weren’t even sure where Cole was these past few years. “Tell me how I was supposed to tell you about your son?”

“I wrote you,” you shake your head no, needing to lean back on a counter as Cole sits completely on the floor to look at his son. “Bee, I wrote to you almost every single day.”

“I never got any letters. I promise. I checked every day. I wanted to tell you. I did. There’s…there's these letters in your house that I wrote you. They started as the usual love letters. To telling you how scared I was when I found out I was pregnant. How much I missed you, and how much my body was changing. And then when he was born…the letters were all about him. And how much our love made this perfect beautiful little boy. And every time I look at him all I see is his daddy. I couldn’t forget you if I wanted to.”

“Mama cy?” Waylon starts to stand, his dirty feet carrying him closer to you.

“Yes, mama is crying because she’s happy.”

“Why?”

“Waylon…”

“Wayton Toe.”

“Waylon Cole, this is Cole Turner.”

“Me! Me! Me Wayton Toe. Me…mama. Daddy?” Cole hides his face in his hands, his back bouncing as he cries. You had told Waylon about him. He knew that his dad’s name was Cole. “My daddy?”

“Yes, this is Cole Turner. The one that I told you about. He’s your daddy.”

Waylon takes a deep breath, those sticky hands try to remove Cole’s hands from his face. “Me Wayton Toe. Oo Toe Wiggle.”

“Wiggle?” Cole actually laughs, looking back at you his pretty blue eyes are rimmed in red. You couldn’t have dreamed this moment up. You had envisioned the day that Waylon would finally get to meet his dad, but you couldn’t have fathomed it would be this sweet. The way Waylon was tilting his head to the side to look at Cole. Even the way he smiles so big at his dad. Leaning down to pick up Cole’s hand and forcing him to hold his.

“He’s eighteen months old. He can’t say Riggan.”

“Toe Wiggle.”

“Oh lord, son,” Cole sniffles, moving his thumb over to Waylon’s face. Using the appendage to trace over his son’s features. “You…you called me Toe Wiggle.”

“Yep. Appies and nee?”

“He’s offering you some apples and honey,” Cole didn’t know who he wanted to look at more, his son or you. Waylon favored Cole’s father’s baby pictures so much. He is beautiful. “Apples and honey are his favorite.”

“Peachies.”

“He loves peaches, too. Big on peach ice cream. He’s never called anyone else daddy. Well…”

“Papaw daddy,” Waylon nods at you. His sticky finger pointing at Cole before booping his nose. “Papaw daddy and Hal and Etta.”

“Hal,” Cole says with complete irritation. He didn’t like that man. Did not like that he was still in your life, and your son’s. “How is Hal?”

“Don’t be like that. Hal has been good to us,” Cole rolls his eyes, going to stand up, but Waylon reaches for his hand, and Cole starts crying again. “Hal is a friend.”

“That’s all he is?”

“That’s all he ever was. Waylon, go wash your hands. You got to go back home and stay with nanny.”

“No, papaw daddy and Hal?”

“Nanny. Wash your hands,” he waddles off to the bathroom, and Cole walks right up to you. Grabbing at your hand, and you feel the honey residue that Waylon had given Cole. The times you had imagined the two of them getting alone. Knowing that Waylon would follow his dad around.

“Close the store,” Cole whispers when Waylon turns on the water. “Close the store, and…we need to talk. We lost so much time. He lost so much time. Close the store, and come to the,” Cole looks at the floor, words just couldn’t express everything that he was feeling. He had been feeling so many emotions for the past two years, but nothing prepared him for this. Prepared to see a part of his heart walking around on two legs, “Come home.”

“Cole,” you step up closer to him. Running your hand up and down his chest. He was finally back. He returned just like he promised, “I never moved on.”

"Neither did I."

Next

Masterlist

Taglist: @tis-thedamn-season @marveloustaylortott @pono-pura-vida @sstan-hoe @softsatnin @peaches1958 @seitmai @patzammit @openup-yourmind @elrw24 @bxdbxtxh15 @buckysteveloki-me @lilac-tea-time @smile1318 @andydrysdalerogers @feyfantome @cjand10 @lavender-annd-lilac @sunshine-midnight-rain

[starry-hughes]

What’s the story story star

I’m so sorry you are going through this

story about my pcos journey

i was 11 years old and it was december. i was in sixth grade and at the end of the day, i wasn’t feeling well and i clearly remember laying on the bench waiting for my bus and clutching my side. i called my mom but she was in a meeting so i sucked it up and rode the bus. it was like the beginning of december.

my parents were convinced i was trying to get out of homework and play hooky from school because i hated math class that much. i wasn’t feeling well and skipped dinner and fell asleep until around midnight. i woke up in pain and my mom was actually in the room checking on me and i wasn’t throwing up or had a fever so we waited until the morning. i went to urgent care. they ruled out my appendix bursting and then did an ultrasound.

i had one cyst on kidney and two on my ovaries. they referred me to a pediatrician for the kidney cyst. went there and pediatrician said the ovary ones were more concerning so went to the gynecologist. i was put on bed rest and only went to school for like two days a week up until christmas break.

by february i was back at school but excused from gym class and wasn’t allowed to do extreme exercise. the doctors cleared me to go on a trip for a long weekend and we drove to texas. on the drive home, i started getting sick. i was sobbing in pain and we went to the emergency room. i filled like four vomit bags it was bad.

ultrasound showed that my cyst was so big it caused my fallopian tube to twist and cut off circulation to my reproductive organs. i couldn’t walk, i was thrashing in the bed. i don’t really remember how or when i got home but then i had surgery a week later. they removed both ovarian cysts and i lost 8 pounds. now i have like a five inch scar. so this all happened when i was 11, i was told i was basically infertile and they were lucky my whole ovaries weren’t removed during the surgery.

ovarian cysts are pretty normal and harmless. my doctor basically described it to me as like other people’s body’s let them get rid of the cysts like normal and harmlessly, my body doesn’t know how to remove them. so every couple of years, i get really bad cysts. i get checked for them every time i am experiencing those pains again.

my sister has the same things that go on. and the other females on my mom’s side have pcos and endometriosis.

[elvendara]

AU-gust day 21

21 Aug 23 Coaches

“Hi, are you MC?” Yoosung asked. He wrung his hands nervously.

“Yoosung?” she asked.

He nodded his blond head and sat down. There was a cup of coffee in front of her and a plate with a slice of banana bread.

“So, what exactly are you looking for in a life coach? You’re still so young.” She said as she stirred sugar into her coffee.

“Looking at it from the outside my life seems great, on a rising trajectory, but, I feel like I’m falling and just grasping at straws that break as soon as I close around them. I don’t even know if what I’m striving for is what I want, and what I want I don’t know how to get.”

“Explain.”

Before saying anything, the waitress brought his order and set it in front of him. He thanked her and turned back towards the brunette.

“Well, I wanted to be a vet because of my cousin, but I realized I don’t really want to and I was just doing it for her. I feel guilty though. I’ve wasted my parent’s money and…”

“I see. Why would you go into something you weren’t interested in?”

“I really looked up to my cousin. She taught me a lot about self-sacrifice and empathy. Her dog became sick and the vet recommended he be put down as the only merciful thing to do. I hated him because he made her cry. She refused to listen and took the dog home where he lived in pain and suffering for another few months before he finally died. I realized the vet was right eventually. It would have been more merciful. But then, Rika always thought more about what she wanted than what was good for anyone else. I realized that too. I was wrong about her. Her kindness was nothing more than narcissistic attempts to have accolades heaped on her. Everything she did was for selfish reasons.

“Unfortunately, it took me too long to figure it out and now I feel stuck.”

“Sounds awful, I’m sorry you went through such a difficult realization. So, if you don’t really want to continue with your veterinary studies, what do you want?”

“That’s what I need you for! I have NO idea who I am really. I followed Rika around like a lovesick puppy and did what she told me to do. When I try to think about what it is that I want or like, there’s just…nothing.” He shook his head in dismay.

“I see, well, I guess I can work with that. But you also said that you wanted help in getting what you actually want?”

“Ah, yes…as to that…I’m talking about my love life…or more like…lack of it.”

“I can do a lot of things, but I’m not a matchmaker.” MC shook her head in regret. “Love isn’t something that can be manufactured or manipulated. You can manifest all you want, but it takes two…as they say.” She shrugged.

“Yes, yes, I understand. I just need…well…advice on how to talk to…someone…” his face was flushed.

“Oh, I see. Ok, tell me about her.” She leaned in, curious and ready to take notes.

“Him actually.” Yoosung said, his face lighting up. “He’s amazing! Smart and sweet, well, sweet when you get past his gruff and crusty exterior.” He laughed, MC joined, getting caught up in his giddiness.

“He has this gorgeous, thick red hair, beautiful mint green eyes, slim, athletic build. He loves to read, speaks I don’t know how many languages, gardens and can talk your ear off about flowers and plants. I literally have no idea what he’s saying most of the time, but I could listen to him all day.” He stopped when he realized he was gushing.

“He does sound amazing. So, what’s the problem?” MC sat back and watched the blond.

Yoosung ducked his head and sighed. “I…I don’t know if he likes me that way. I mean, sometimes it feels like he does, but…” he shrugged. “He could do so much better than me. I’m a mess and not that smart. I don’t care about plants, and I only know two languages. The only books I read are manga and fan fiction of LOLOL. I don’t think I’m a good match for him.” He shrugged and looked incredibly dejected.

MC leaned over the table again, “Listen, we can work on you. Figure out who you are before tackling your love life. But honestly Yoosung, people don’t ever stop growing, changing, but I think we can get you on your feet enough that you can continue the journey on your own. Let’s work together.”

“Really? I’d like that. I really feel silly getting a life coach for this, but I just don’t know where to start.”

“I just want to make it clear that I will not be telling you what to do or how to think. I will however, help you in figuring those things out for yourself. You will be the driving force, so don’t feel like you have to give me answers you think I want to hear. This journey is about you!” she held out her hand and he shook it, gratefully.

“Thank you. I’m excited to find out about me. The real me!” he said.

“Me too!”

[a-kitsune-in-camelot]

“It was nine years ago.

An instructor, or someone of some importance from the Magic Academy was passing through the city. My parents were struggling to find customers, the Inn had only been open for a couple of months.

The instructor found lodgings with us, as everywhere else was full for a festival.

I was eight. I barely remember what he looked like.

Anyway, he was impressed with father’s pastries so he invited us to the Graduation Ceremony that winter, so we could sell them at the festival following it.

We got there, set up our stall. I helped keep the food from getting knocked over on the way.

We got to watch the Ceremony with everyone else. Father found us a spot near the front. That was a mistake…”

Erica breathed an anxious sigh, running a hand through her ginger hair.

“The graduates were supposed to demonstrate something they learned, call it a talent show. They were all wonderful and I thought I might want to do that myself one day. The Academy accepts commoners.”

She paused.

“But then… one of them. It was like his wand exploded, and a shower of magic washed over me. I didn’t feel anything at first… but after the teachers rushed the student away, I started to feel really sick.”

She looked at her hands in her lap.

“Father took me back to our room in the town. I was feverish and nauseous… it was the worst I’ve ever felt. Father told me I wasn’t the only one afflicted. I wish I could have met them.”

She breathed in and out.

“After a couple of days, I felt well enough for the journey home. No medicine needed, though Father tried his best to sell enough pastries to buy some. He never did.”

She smiled sadly.

“I’m still a little disappointed that I didn’t get to enjoy the festival.”

“We’ll have to fix that sometime.”

Hiroshi said encouragingly, making Erica give him an appreciative look.

“Thanks. I’d like that. But back to the story. It wasn’t until after we got home that we found out I was telekinetic. I was manning the front desk for mother and I somehow managed to levitate her feather pen. She walked in on me doing that.”

She shrugged at Hiroshi’s amused look.

“What can I say? I was bored.”

“I can imagine. So you weren’t worried about your power?”

“Not at first. I thought it was great, until Mother and Father told me that only faemen could use magic without a wand. That frightened me, because I knew that if anyone else saw me, I’d be taken away from them.”

She glanced out the window of her room, spotting Kay and that cat faeman boy playing in the back alley.

“So… that’s the story of how I got my power. We’re fairly sure it was the magic backlash of that boy’s wand that did it, but… Father and Mother are still too reluctant to look into it further.”

Hiroshi nodded.

“I understand. So you never found out who else was affected? Or who the wand belonged to?”

“I know they announced his name, but for the life of me, I can’t remember it. Father can’t’ either, I’ve asked him. Besides, last I heard the backlash sent him into a coma.”

“I see… that’s terrible. I hope he recovers.”

“Yeah, me too. Now it’s your turn.”

“Eh? My turn for what?”

“You said you had something important to tell me, didn’t you? Now’s as good a time as any.”

Hiroshi looked reluctant, ears drooping.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I can handle it.”

Part of him suspected that she trying to distract herself. He wasn’t wrong, but Erica was also genuinely curious.

He took a breath to steel himself.

‘Here goes.’

“So… I know you and Xeri were close. You were friends, right?”

“I think so. He visited me at my stall often, and we talked together a lot.”

A dusting of pink formed on her cheeks, before it was replaced by a look of melancholy.

“Why do you ask?”

“Because… well, it’s a little complicated. You see, I’m not just a foreigner to this country. I’m actually not from this world.”

He paused to let that information sink in.

“That being said, this body is from here. It was transformed when I came into possession of it. In my old world… I died. A goddess of this world snatched my soul and gave me a mission, as well as a chance to have the life I always wanted.”

Erica looked confused.

“Wait… what? What do you mean you died? And… what does this have to do with Xeri?”

“Erica… Xeri died on the same day I was reincarnated into this world. He was hanged.”

She gasped, hands over her mouth in shock.

“No… so then- that day when…”

She looked down, shock and regret in her eyes.

“I… I used my power to save someone. Xeri took the blame for me. Faemen aren’t supposed to use magic in public.”

She sobbed, a tear falling down her face.

“It’s my fault he’s…”

Hiroshi placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, causing her to look up at him.

“It’s not your fault, Erica. You did a good thing. Someone else ordered the execution after he was jailed. But the point of what I’m trying to say is… it was Xeri’s body I inherited.”

“What…?”

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Erica looked the kitsune up and down. Her reddened eyes widened.

“I thought you looked familiar.”

She got up from her seat and leaned in closer, hands cupping his face.

“Is he… is he still…?”

Hiroshi shook his head.

“I can access some of his memories, but his soul is gone.”

“Oh…”

She looked disappointed, sitting back down in her seat.

It was silent for a moment, the young woman needing it to process his words.

“Does Kay know?”

“No, not yet. You’re the first person I’ve told about this.”

[ofastureheroics]

Conrad had always been a protector. Yes he had a common strain of a relationship with his father; but since Nic the last few years her death; the weight of being a single parent he’s showed up for me. For GiGi. In a sense my daughter had brought us closer to each other. But it was in my blood to jump in head first without thinking. Conrad tended to believe he was god. He sometimes forgot it wasn’t only him to think about. He was an idiot at times because the last thing he wanted was for his daughter to be placed in the same situation she was when she was a baby. Losing a mother; and he vowed to protect her. To be there but he knew the responsibilities of a doctor; of letting others into his life. And he made the choice to jump in the line of fire for Cade. Did he hold regrets? No he rather it be him, be damned the consequences. 

He couldn’t let anything happen to Cade; she had such a good heart. And yeah the developed feelings it happened over night. Or Conrad had been lying to himself. The way his eyes lingered on her; the way he found himself worrying about her each time she wasn’t in his line of view. And today; the second he heard the gunshot; he felt that fear in the pit of his stomach. It literally made himself sick to think of losing her. He’s been through the pain of death; of a life fallen someone he loved; and he knew it was dangerous to let someone in. To feel vulnerable again; but with Cade he rather bare his soul than to risk letting the redhead walk away. He cared about her deeply. And seeing her; having her here meant everything to him. 

The male knew he was holding on more than he could chew. Especially each time he moved. Each time he had moved his head he felt the joint of the pain in his chest, the sharp pain in his limbs each time he moved. Exhaling a breath too fast; he wanted to bite down on his lip to prevent any concern; worry on Cade’s end. But he felt it her hand on his back; the tender tone of her voice that filled his ears. Without looking at her; he knew she was smiling. He didn’t have to pretend it was okay to ask for help. A lazy kind of grin that pulled at the corners of his lips. “ Deal, only fuss when you have no choice. I tend to be a difficult patient; I hate asking for help. You may have your hands full.” A chuckle through bare lips. Conrad knew himself; and yes he was the one who wanted Cade to stay with him. He felt like she was safer with him; the mob was at large; and it was dangerous. Again his protective nature was popping out now. The male felt her lips on his head. He was about to be smart; to tease the redhead when his little buddle of joy came running into the room. 

Lies; it made him feel sick to lie to GiGi, but he also knew her curious mind. She would ask questions if she caught sight of the bandages, of the blood on his back; or the incision that Bell at to pierce into his skin. He didn’t want to worry her; which is why he lied; and he knew Cade would follow suit. For a second it was only us; my daughter and I. I asked “ How was daycare?” Knowing she adored the center downstairs; the why I ended up coming back to the hospital. A grin lingered as she told me the books; and how they looked about the stars; “ Did you know the sun is a star?” She asked with her eyes growing big. I had to sniffle a laugh for my own benefit but also hers. Hand reaching to hold her own. “ I did but maybe since I’ll be home a few days we can go star gazing.” And that’s when the little blonde was nearing bouncing up and down; her eyes than moved to Cade. “ You might have to help daddy with the microscope last thing he couldn’t set it up right..” I had to hold my wide grin from causing pain. “ I will have you know the instructions weren’t clear enough..” I added but this was good; Gigi was comfortable, and it was nice; feeling whole despite where we were. 

Injured and all.

Continued

@valiantcharisma

Relief; is what Conrad felt. He knew his body was weak. He knew that it was a miracle that he had woken up. Given the amount of pain he was in when he crashed. When he felt those bullets hit his skin. The flesh pierced with blood. He recalled seeing the droplets of blood strayed across the pavement; it was the hero in him. He had sacrificed himself for Cade, he wanted to take the burn for her. He wanted to protect her from the mob. And frankly he felt a bit of responsibility, he knew Cade had the urge to run when she was made to be involved in the FBI, when I had found out why my name was being tainted through the mud. She wanted to run; the only reason Cade had stayed at Chastin this long was because of me. 

Because I pushed her to stay. I was selfish to ask her to stick it out. I was selfish to ask her to stay on my behalf. Today she was on the move planning to leave town, to go into hiding; but yet again I wanted to have the last word. I wanted to have one last touch, one last conversation and look where it landed us? In a hospital room, me as the patient. I was scared of the repercussions of the mob, once they had word that the hit they intended was still alive. Once they found out both parties involved were okay. I was worried for the redhead sitting besides my bed, I was worried for Gigi she was my priority, she already lost one parent to death. I couldn’t bare the thought of her seeing me weak. Of her lift being put at risk. 

Yet the parent inside of me was willing to risk it all for Cade; I heard her; I saw the fear behind her eyes. The way she watched our connected hands with ease, the way she held herself up as strong, brave. Despite the fear that was screaming out of her chest. I didn’t want to live in fear; nor did I know what happens next. 

“ If I need anyone on my side, you were always my first pick. Kit on the other hand; she might put up quite the fight. She did manage to get me through my surgeon now didn’t she?” She was a badass; she also meant business, she cared for her staff, she cared for others in her hospital. The hospital had taken a turn around since she began her regin as CEO the changes have been implemented, and Conrad knew he was in the right hands. He had to think on the bright side, he didn’t want to feel the fear that if he was left alone long enough in this room someone, from the mob could sneak inside, he didn’t want to second guess himself. For just a second he wanted to embrace what he felt in his heart was real. He wanted to put the worry on hold. 

A light smile pulled at the corners of his lips. Fingers ran along the female’s knuckles reassuringly. “ I know we can’t pretend the shooting didn’t happen. I’m living proof that it did. But for just one second I just want to hold my daughter, I want to hold your hand and not feel like it’s the last time. For just a second can we just not think about what lays ahead.” A sense of plead written in his voice; for now it was only us. Gigi was on her way down, I trusted Billie had protected some aspects of my accident from her; the last thing I needed was to worry curious eyes; worry the one thing that felt safe. 

A tighten grasp; he would’ve tugged Cade closer if he could. But he hoped the words he spoke told her he was serious about this, figuring out what an us looked like. “ I don’t want you to run. I want you here, and I know this is scary, it feels scary. But I think it’s worth fighting the storm through.” Assuring Cade decided to stay; I was all in; we felt pain, we felt fear but we could also embrace the happiness if we allowed ourselves to.

[drewstarkeylover21]

It Just Never Ended (JJ Maybank)

Summary: JJ and Y/n attempt to recount to the Pogues how their relationship came to be. After all, it’s not called friends-with-benefits for nothing, right? 

A/N: OOPS wrote a one-shot for JJ because I couldn’t stop thinking about this topic...This has by far been my favorite work I have written so far so I hope you guys enjoy. ALSO it is a smidge lengthy but inspiration struck and the ideas were flowing too fast ;) please feel free to reblog, love u all !!!

Warnings: fluff, mentions of sex, cursing, a dabble of smut? 

JJ Maybank was not a relationship guy. Notorious around the Outer Banks for flirting with anything that had 2 legs and boobs, his charming smile made it extremely easy to find girls to entertain him. It wasn’t like he was trying to be a womanizing asshole 24/7, he just merely didn’t see what the point of romance was. What good was it to give your heart to somebody who could crush it just as easily as they took it? Hell, his parents didn’t even stay together. Weren’t moms and dads supposed to be a model of endearment? Passion? Through them, all JJ saw was the opposite. Afraid to be hurt by others, to turn into the man his father became after his mother left them, the boy swore off relationships. They were a waste of time. Love was a trap, a setup to be damaged beyond repair at the end of the line. And he wanted no part in it. JJ Maybank was not a relationship guy. Not until he met Y/n. 

Y/n L/n was not a relationship girl. Sure, once upon a time ago, she would have been considered one. With a personality so intriguing that you could spend hours listening to her talk, and a smile so easy that it made men swoon with one bat of an eye, she was the perfect girl to bring home and meet your parents. Not anymore. Maybe the fault lay in the boys she picked- ones who would lie to her, would blow her off at a moment’s notice to get shitfaced instead, would claim she was their one and only just to end up sleeping with a girl they had just met. Or maybe the fault lay in Y/n herself. Was she not pretty enough? Not interesting enough? Boring? Sick of being hurt repeatedly,  the girl swore off relationships. They were a waste of time. Love was a trap, a setup to be damaged beyond repair at the end of the line. And she wanted no part in it. Y/n L/n was not a relationship girl. Not until she met JJ. 

___

“You two are such simps for each other. It makes me physically nauseous sometimes,” Kiara quipped at the two of you, her face contorted with a half smile, half grimace, as she watched your figures perched on the tree stump across from her. 

You giggled, adjusting your body atop JJ’s lap to make yourself more comfortable, arms wrapped around the shoulders of the blonde, shaggy haired boy while your legs intertwined on the ground below you. 

“Sorry Kie, what can I say? I’m a catch. Y/n/n just can’t resist me,” JJ grinned, glancing down at you with earnest before sticking his tongue out in teasing. 

Pope let out a cackle at this, pointing at you and JJ. “You mean, she puts up with you! Y/n/n, remind me again how you’ve been dating this Iittle shit for almost 2 years? I’ve barely survived being his friend, I can’t imagine how you do it as his girlfriend.” 

You let out another giggle, turning to Pope in response. “You know, sometimes I ask myself the same question.”

“Hey!” JJ exclaimed, giving you a soft nudge. “If my memory serves correctly, you were all too ready to jump my bones the first time we met.” 

You opened your mouth to argue before John B spoke up. “Wait, yeah, how did you guys end up together for this long anyway? JJ’s never been interested in dating anybody until you came along Y/n.” 

Giving your boyfriend a sly glance out of the corner of your eye, you said, “Do you want to tell it or should I?” 

___

The Outer Banks. Your new home for the summer while you visited your Uncle Jim in the couple months preceding the start of a new chapter of your life at Kildare Academy. “A beautiful place to relax and spend some time before you start at a new school, Y/n. You can surf in the ocean, fish with me in the mornings, and mingle with some kids your age,” your uncle had told you. And you did just that. 

Your favorite past time occurred daily around 7 pm, where you would find solace in surfing along the coast while you watched the sun set behind you, painting the sky a beautiful array of pinks and oranges and purples. 

Finishing up one particular night, you grasped your board in between your arm and your side, walking up the sand when you spotted a figure standing next to your belongings, staring right at you. Making your way up the shore, you came face to face to the individual, a boy with a lopsided smirk, toothpick hanging out of the corner of his lips, and shaggy blonde hair tucked behind a red baseball cap. 

“Can I help you?” you asked suspiciously, your questioning tone hanging in the air. 

“Actually, yes you can. My name is JJ Maybank. Saw you hitting those last few waves, you’ve got some crazy moves,” the boy said, sticking his hand out for you to shake. 

Looking at him with slight skepticism, you grasped his hand in yours, giving your hands one shake before dropping your hand down by your side. 

“Hello JJ. I’m Y/n. And thank you,” you said with a small smile. This boy’s got some confidence, you thought. 

“Y/n,” JJ repeated with a smirk. “Beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Say, are you a seashell? Cause I’d like to take you home with me.”

Jaw dropped in disbelief, you let out a cackle. “Holy shit, you’re funny. Does that actually work on girls?”

Unfazed by your reaction, JJ grinned back at you. “I mean yeah, it usually does. Did you not like that one? I have a lot more, wait- how bout, Damn girl, those waves aren’t the only thing you could be riding tonight.” 

You threw your head back in another fit of laughter, your eyes crinkling with amusement. “You’re cute,” you answered. 

“Cute enough to get you to come home with me?” JJ asked hopefully. 

“Why don’t we start as friends buddy,” you laughed, patting JJ on the chest while moving to grab your things. 

“Friends sounds good. For now,” JJ settled, giving you a wink as he fell into step beside you, following you up the shore. 

___

“Woah, woah, woah. Am I hearing that correctly? JJ’s stupid, overused one-liners worked? That’s how you two started going out?” Sarah asked incredulously. 

“I mean, kind of but not really. The pick up lines were actually super dumb BUT once we started hanging out, I guess his company wasn’t all too awful,” you smiled in earnest. 

___

Throughout the next couple of weeks, JJ had adopted your sunset surf routine into his own, joining you every night to catch some waves. The two of you had become accustomed to each other’s company as you found yourself adopted into the Pogue family. Most, if not all, of your spare time was filled with mornings on the HMS Pogue, goofing off at The Wreck, and spending evenings surfing with JJ. You enjoyed spending time together as friends, albeit the mild sexual tension the two of you had developed. It wasn’t a rare occurrence to catch JJ’s eyes flit down to your breasts every time you removed your swimsuit coverup, and there were times when you would catch yourself zoning out on his muscular arms as he pulled in the fishing net. 

Plopping down onto his towel next to yours, JJ stretched out his arm, wrapping it tightly around you. You leaned into him comfortably, laying your head on his shoulder as if it were the most natural feeling in the world. The two of you stared off into the horizon in silence, basking in the sweet feeling of each others presence. 

“I’ll never get tired of this view. So beautiful,” you mumbled, eyes glowing as you watched the sun set below the clouds. 

“Took the words right out of my mouth,” JJ replied quietly. 

You turned your head to look at him, only to find his gaze fixated on you. Rolling your eyes, you shook your head, jokingly punching JJ’s arm. “Nice one. That’s a cliche if I’ve ever seen one.”

“Not if I mean it,” JJ breathed, looking into your eyes intently. 

JJ dipped his head down, nose brushing yours as his gaze dropped to your lips. Your breath hitched in your throat at the proximity as you registered the dark, clouded look in his eyes. 

“I really want to kiss you,” he whispered. 

Overcome with desire, you closed the gap between the two of you, humming the second you registered the soft feeling of his lips on yours. You melted into his soft touch, moaning softly as his hand found solace on the bare skin of your thigh. Leaning backwards, you fell onto your back, JJ’s lips leaving a trail of peppered kisses down your jaw and behind your ear. 

“Fuck, J,” you let out, eyes screwed shut with pleasure as his tongue darted across your skin. 

Goosebumps littered your figure as you felt his nimble fingers swiftly untie your bathing suit and creep up to your breasts. Your body jerked with pleasure as his lips found your left breast, tongue flicking your nipple as his hand massaged the other one. 

“So beautiful Y/n,” JJ mumbled against your body.

“JJ,” you gasped as you felt his hands travel down to the curve of your ass, squeezing firmly. 

Sliding his head back up to your lips, you kissed him passionately as you bucked your hips forward, grinning as you felt his hard bulge pressing against your thighs. 

“Fuck Y/n, you don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this moment,” JJ breathed, his gaze intense. 

“Well, let’s not keep you waiting anymore, shall we,” you smirked before grabbing his face and pulling it to your face once more. 

---

You had never moved faster in your life than the morning after fucking JJ. Rolling away from his arm strewn across your body, you gathered your board and tote bag swiftly, scurrying away from the scene and to your Uncle Jim’s shack. 

“Late night with those new friends of yours?” Uncle Jim asked from the patio chair, peering over at you from the top of his newspaper. 

“Something like that,” you mumbled, making your way through the doorway and up to your room, collapsing onto your bed. 

Running your hands over your face with frustration, you groaned, terrified that you had just put yourself into a position that you swore you’d never be in again. One with desire, with affection. 

“Y/n!” Uncle Jim called from the bottom of the stairs. “There’s a boy named JJ here to talk to you. Says it’s urgent.” 

“Fuck that was quick,” you mumbled, clambering off of your bed and down the stairs. Coming face to face with JJ, you dropped your eyes to avoid eye contact, grabbing his arm and dragging him out into the backyard.

“Well good morning to you too sunshine,” JJ grinned. “Was very sad to wake up on the beach by myself.”

“Last night was a mistake,” you sighed. “I don’t know what we were thinking.”

“C’mon Y/n, it was just a little fun. You can’t deny that you don’t feel some kind of way towards me. I’ve seen the way you look at me in my swim trunks,” he joked, waggling his eyebrows at you.

“You really do have the biggest head don’t you. And my feelings don’t matter JJ,” you sighed, pushing him away faintly. “I don’t do relationships. Whatever happened between us, I don’t want it. I don’t need it. We’re just friends and we should stay that way. Keeps things a lot less complicated at the end of the day.” Or keeps me from getting hurt at the end of the day, you thought. 

“Well isn’t it just extremely convenient that I don’t do relationships either?” JJ exclaimed, clapping his hands in delight. “This is just perfect. You’re attracted to me, I’m sure as hell attracted to you, you’re hot, I’m hot, let’s just have some fun for the summer!”

“I’m sorry, what?” you sputtered.

“You said it yourself, we’re friends! We can easily add ‘with-benefits’ to that, and problem solved! Live a little girl!” JJ declared as if it were the most obvious thing in the world to him. 

You burst into laughter. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Oh Y/n. You should know that I’m always serious when it comes to sex,” JJ winked. 

Tilting your head to the side, you contemplated the suggestion. You and JJ already spent enough time together during the week, and sleeping together on occasion didn’t sound like the worst thing in the whole world. 

Raising your eyebrow at him, you sighed, “Fine. Let’s fool around this summer. But this ends when summer does, you hear me? We’re going to different schools and it just wouldn’t be sustainable. And no feelings. That will only complicate things.”

“Meaningless sex with a set expiration date? That completely gets rid of the weird fizzling out phase. Shit, this has got to be my best proposition yet!” JJ whooped, flinging his arms around you with joy. 

You laughed, pulling away from the shaggy haired boy and placing your hands on both of his shoulders, shaking gently. “J, repeat after me. Just for the summer, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, just for the summer. Couldn’t have said it better myself.”

___

“Just for the summer my ass!” Sarah shrieked. “Look at you guys. Almost 2 years in the bag. What the hell happened?”

“Honestly, we have no idea,” JJ chortled. “I guess it just never really ended. We were having fun during break, and we were both set on breaking things off when school started, but neither of us really had that talk when the time came.”

“Yeah, I mean it wasn’t out of avoidance or anything bad as much as it was just comfortability. I had gotten so used to being around this idiot that I kind of forgot to ever bring it up.”

“Plus, the school thing didn’t end up being as big of a deal as we thought it would be. I thought I wouldn’t want to be tied down to one person when the semester began but I realized that the only person I wanted to keep fucking was Y/n,” JJ added. 

“Gee, thank you. So romantic,” you stated sarcastically. 

“Oh please, like you weren’t thinking the same thing. I’ve seen the guys at Kildare Academy. They might be kooks but you gotta admit, they all look like little carbon copies of Brad Pitt,” JJ retorted. 

John B spoke, interrupting your little side banter. “So you guys started out as strictly fucking, and now you’re here?” he deadpanned. 

“Pretty much,” JJ shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s not some grand love story or fairy-tale plot or whatever, but we’re both happy.”

“Oh god, emphasis on the ‘not-a-grand-love-story’ part,” you chuckled. “You should have seen the look on my face when JJ first told me he loved me.”

___

You honked the horn on your Jeep twice, idling in the parking lot of the Island Club as you waited for JJ to finish up his shift. Spotting his mop of messy hair, you waved, watching intently as he swung the door open and hopped into the passenger seat. 

“What’s up slime? Work alright today?” you greeted as you peeled out of the lot and onto the road. 

“Eh,” he shrugged. “I was this close to knocking Rafe and Topper on their asses today for some stupid comments they were making but I tried that calming breathing technique you taught me the other day. Walked away from their table without a single fist thrown. Saved me my job for sure, so thank you,” JJ finished.

“Seriously?! I’m so proud of you J,” you squealed, ruffling his hair with your free hand as you maneuvered through the roads. “I knew you could resist the urge to pummel their stupid faces in. They’re pieces of shit and don’t deserve your energy. Especially if it puts your job at stake. They have nothing better to do with their miserable lives than pick on other people. You’re a better man the two of them combined.”

Turning your gaze back in front of you, you cranked the wheel a couple of times, slotting your car into the empty parking space of the Wreck. “C’mon, dinner on me today. You deserve it after your day. And what do ya know, maybe we could head down to the beach afterwards for a little fun if you know what I-”

“I love you,” JJ blurted, his words overlapping your own. 

“Hahaha, you’re cute,” you replied, squishing his cheeks in between your hand. “I love you too, weirdo. Now let’s go! I’m starving.”

“No, Y/n,” JJ started, words leaving his lips slowly. “I love love you.”

You blinked at JJ, brows furrowed with confusion as you registered his confession. A grin broke out across your face as you began chuckling, chest heaving as you tried to speak between fits of laughter. 

“Nice one J, you got me,” you mustered through your snickering. 

“Y/n/n, I’m serious,” JJ returned sheepishly, looking up at you shyly through the throng of his blond locks. 

“What?” you breathed, gulping nervously. 

JJ cleared his throat, nervously itching the back of his head. “I mean it Y/n. I love you. I love you so much that I let you take me to hot yoga every week even though I absolutely hate the way it feels in there, I love the way you mess my hair up like I’m a little boy, I love how you think you could out swim me in a race, I love how much you care about me, I-I love you.”

“Oh,” you whispered. “You really mean all that?” you asked, finally meeting JJ’s eyes. 

“Do I have to say it again?” JJ groaned.

“Maybe,” you grinned. “I like hearing it. I love you too, J,” you answered.

“Thank God,” JJ sighed, leaning over the center console to kiss you on the forehead. “I was afraid I was gonna end up getting out of the car in defeat with no free dinner.”

___

“I’m so weak!” Kiara exclaimed, doubled over in laughter. “That is such a Y/n thing to do. JJ confesses his love for you and you laugh at him?”

“Jesus Kie, cut me some slack,” you giggled back. “I thought he was joking! I’ve never seen him look that serious.”

“She’s right, JJ’s not serious about much,” John B teased. “Don’t get me wrong, we all love the two of you together. Y/n’s made you the happiest I’ve ever seen you buddy. We were all just so surprised at how this even came to be, considering how we spent the better half of that first summer listening to the two of you talk about how you hated relationships and love.”

“I guess I just realized that love doesn’t have to be some complicated string of messy situations. Love is simply just finding somebody who understands you and supports you. Who you can’t really imagine your life without. The trust and the comfort just come along with it,” JJ responded, placing a gentle kiss on your lips. 

“I love you,” you spoke softly, heart swelling at his words. 

“Ew, get a room please. I’m trying to eat here,” groaned Pope. 

Laughter ensued around the bonfire as you tucked your head into the crook of JJ’s neck. Life couldn’t be sweeter. 

___

JJ Maybank was in love. Though he swore he never would be, he came to understand that all it took was connecting with the right person for the rest of the pieces to fall into place. Sure, you could crush his heart as easily as he had given it to you, you had him head-over-heels smitten with you. But he knew you wouldn’t. You were made for him. And so what if you broke his heart into a million little pieces? It’d be an honor to have his heart broken by you. JJ Maybank was a relationship guy. All because of you.

Y/n L/n was in love. Though she couldn’t believe she found herself back in the thralls of a committed relationship, she couldn’t help but notice how her newfound romance with JJ made her feel ten times more in love than the rest of her previous relationships combined. With JJ, she felt safe, cared for, like she was the most important thing in the world in his eyes. Sure, there was always the looming worry of being hurt again, but she knew he wouldn’t. He was made for you. And so what if he broke your heart into a million little pieces? It’d be an honor to have your heart broken by him. Y/n L/n was a relationship girl once again. All because of JJ Maybank. 

[halfmoondaze]

Can you write about reader and Jack being co-parents of their kids, and maybe the reason they divorced or spilt up was because Jack was being unfaithful. And they have a tradition to go on vacation with their kids together, but reader has a new boyfriend and his going with them and jack feels like he lost the best thing he ever had.

Without Me

Your cheeks started to heat up and your eyes became blurry as the tears started uncontrollably running down your face.

“Y/N, I’m so sorry” Y/B/F said as she hugged you.

Just a few seconds ago, she had come over to your shared apartment with Jack and told you some news you never thought you would have to hear.

At that moment, Jack came through the door.

“Y/N, baby I can explain”

Y/F/N was about to step in when you stopped her.

“Y/F/N I can handle this”

“You sure?”

“Yeah”

“Ok, but call me if you need anything. I mean it” she said giving you a kiss on the top of your head.

You nodded in response.

She gave Jack a look before walking out.

“So this is what you’ve been doing on the road all this time?”

“Y/N-”

“No please, enlighten me”

“I made a mistake”

“Bullshit” you rolled your eyes and got up from the couch and turned to him. “Tell me what happened right now and don’t you dare lie to me”

Jack ran his hands through his curls feeling his anxiety increase.

“We had just finished recording a song, and the guys brought these girls over and I got drunk and….we hooked up”

Tears started streaming out of your eyes as you sat there processing everything.

“But she meant nothing to me, I swear”

“You make me sick”

“I’m sorry, I swear. The day after I couldn’t stop thinking about you-”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?!”

“I never wanted to hurt you” he said attempting to put his hand on your shoulder but you tensed up and he pulled away.

“Do you realize you just threw us away like it was nothing?” you attempted to say choking on your words.

“Babe”

“You just replaced us like it was easy. 9 years fucking years of our marriage, just down the drain. Was she worth it? Destroying our family?”

“No”

“Did you sleep with her?”

“Babe”

“Don’t call me baby! Did you sleep with her yes or no?”

He looked down.

“I should have known. All those nights I stayed up waiting for you to come home with the kids who just wanted to see their father before going to bed, but always failed to make it home on time. But I never held it against you. Instead, I was making up excuses for you like an idiot, hoping that you could be more present. I gave up my career to stay home with the kids so you could do your music and this what you were doing?”

Jack was looking down.

“You disgust me”

“I’m sorry”

“You should be. We made a vow to each other on our wedding day. Did that mean nothing to you?”

“Of course. It meant everything to me”

“I can see that” you said looking at him up and down.

“Please, we can fix this. I can change”

“It’s too late Jack”

“Please. I’ll do anything. You can’t just give up on us-”

“Don’t you dare turn this on me! You destroyed this family the moment you decided that we weren’t enough for you”

Y/N took a deep breath.

“I’m going to pack my things and I’m taking the kids to my mom’s”

Jack knew there was no point in continuing to discuss this, he had messed up and he deserved this.

“Y/N” he took your hand.

“What?” you turned to him.

“I’m truly sorry. I was naïve and stupid enough to risk the only thing that truly mattered to me and I would spend the rest of my life regretting that decision. But please, don’t go” he said with bloodshot eyes.

You took his hand and looked at him.

“It’s over Jack”

And just like that, you left and never turned back.

The following years were the hardest you ever had to face. A year following your separation from Jack, the divorce was finalized. You were devastated and unsure if you could ever trust anyone ever again. Not to mention it made you question your worth.

As an attempt to pick up the pieces together and build yourself up, you started going back to therapy which is something you haven’t done since you were a teenager.

Staying off social media was a crucial part of the healing process as inevitably from being in a public relationship, you just couldn’t escape the headlines that would continuously remind you of the cheating scandals.

Once you started putting all of your focus on your children; Aitana and Julian; and yourself you started to become more open to the possibility of starting dating again, casually for the time being. And later on, you were able to transition into co-parenting your children together after starting to attend therapy sessions, as even though you and Jack knew the split was going to be hard on your children, it was your number one priority right now to focus on them.

One of the agreements that were made, was to go on a vacation together once a year to be able to spend time as a family to provide your children with comfort and security through this awkward transition and reduce any stress on them.

And for the past two years, it has been great being able to watch your children grow together and travel around the world with them, and share happy memories with them.

However, along the way, you met Vince. A real estate developer, who you were introduced to by Y/F/N at a mutual friend dinner party. You two hit it off instantly and struck a friendship that eventually turned romantic. But when you first started dating you two agreed to take things slow and see where you went from there. Now, almost two years later, you were going strong and after already being introduced to his family and meeting yours; it was now the time to do what you were dreading for a while; which was to introduce him to Jack.

Jack, on the other hand, has been dating around trying to find a way to forget you; even though another part of him also wanted you back but he was too prideful to make the first move. Instead, he was hoping you would find your way back to him.

Jack slowly opened his eyes as the naked sleeping figure wrapped his arms around him.

“Good morning lover”

“Hey”

“Had a goodnight sleep?” she said caressing his chest.

“Yeah” he said absent-mindedly.

“A penny for your thoughts?”

“Nothing you should be worried about” he smiled at her.

She leaned to him and kissed him.

“We should get married” she commented.

“What?”

“I’m serious”

Jack sighed and sat on the bed putting on his underwear.

“Can you blame me? You’re so hot” she said wrapping her arms around his neck from behind and kissing his neck.

“I guess I am”

“You know what I mean”

Jack put on the rest of his clothes and turned to her.

“I value our friendship. Why ruin it, getting into something serious?”

“Fine. But I want to see you again on Friday night”

“I can’t”

“Why not?” she whined.

“I have this thing with Y/N and the kids”

“Oh so now you play happy family?”

Jack gave her a look.

“I’m sorry, I just wished we could spend more time together”

Jack gave her a half smile.

“I have to go. I’ll call you later?” he said getting up.

“Yeah, call me”

And he left.

Jack pulled into Y/N’s driveway. The house they once used to live in together before divorcing.

Jack rang the doorbell and you answered the door.

“Hey” he said.

“Hi”

“Are the kids ready?”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I forgot to tell you, they are staying after school for the drama club but they should be done in an hour” you said with an apologetic look.

Jack smiled calmly.

“Don’t worry about it. It's ok. I can come over later”

“Wait, there’s something I wanted to talk to you”

“Sure, what is it?”

“Ok. I’ve been dating Vince for like almost two years now and being the father of our children, I really value and respect your opinion. And I was wondering if I could introduce you to him”

Jack was taken aback by your proposal but managed to keep his cool.

“Yeah, that sounds good”

“Really?”

“Yeah” he forced a smile.

“Great, can we do it over dinner tomorrow night?”

“Sure”

“Perfect”

And before he knew it, it was the night of the dinner. The moment he was dreading the most. They all met in Nobu. And for the most part, Jack was reserved and observant, which Y/N noticed as he was more quiet than usual. But he managed to make conversation with Vince to make Y/N feel at ease and the whole dinner went smoothly. However, Jack couldn’t but not feel threatened by Vince, as he thought to himself that this wasn’t going to last and in no time he would be with Y/N again.

Then the day they were going on vacation was here. This year’s destination was Oahu, and the kids were excited.

To Jack’s surprise when he arrived at the private Jet he had paid for to avoid the paparazzi and fans; he found Vince inside the plane playing with Aitana and Julian.

The moment Jack stepped on the plane Aitana and Julian turned to him and their faces lit up with happiness.

“Daddy!” they jumped into Jack’s arms and hugged him tightly.

“Hey, I missed you guys so much” he said kissing the top of their heads.

“They couldn’t stop asking about when you were coming” Vince said smiling.

Jack smiled.

At some point during the ride, everyone seemed to fall asleep except for Jack who was writing in his journal possible lyrics for songs, while wearing his headphones when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

He looked up to see Vince with an inviting smile.

Jack took off his headphones and shifted his attention to him.

“Hey man”

“Jack, hey. You got a minute?”

“Yeah”

He took a sit next to him.

“What’s up?” Jack said.

“I just wanted to say thank you for doing this”

“Don’t mention it’ he said with a half smile.

“I really love Y/N. These past two years of being with her and getting to know her have been bliss. I love the day she looks at life, her optimism, and her sense of humor, and…she’s just too good to be true. I want to spend the rest of my life with her and I wanted to get your blessing”

“You want to propose to Y/N?”

“Yeah” he said smiling from ear to ear. “I was kind of hoping if this all goes well, to propose to her tonight at the beach”

Then he pulled out a blue velvet box and opened it to show a 3-carat diamond ring.

That was the moment Jack realized he had lost the best thing he ever had.

“I want nothing but the best for her. You have my blessing”

Jack had lost Y/N but he wanted nothing more than to see her happy, even if that was without him.

[certifiedwhore4slashers]

Escape

pairing: yandere!peter ballard x fem!reader

summary: you attempt to escape, but get caught a few days later.

warnings: yandere themes, pregnancy, Manipulation, Implications of kidnapping.

a/n: i don’t really like the pregnancy trope but i still add it here and then so if you do not like that, click off. Also, Reader is 19 in this part! Peter is 20/21. I forgot to specify it so my bad.

Part 1

It had been a few months of hell for you. You are around five months pregnant. You were too young for this.

011 managed to run off but you knew she’d try to help you someday. Even though you told her she needed to get free, not you.

You missed her so much. And you hoped El missed you too. That nickname she loved a lot. “Y/n, good morning, Peter smiled.

You remained silent, you no longer trusted him. He sighed." You have to eventually talk to me.” You scoff. "You hold me here against my will, How could I ever?”

After that, you turned away. His patience was almost gone, he wouldn’t ever show it, yet. Peter knew you’d eventually fall in love with him.

Somehow.

You were stubborn, and he noticed that from the very beginning. “I killed Papa for you! What more do you want? He sighs.

“Nothing, Just my freedom.”

He laughed. "You never even had freedom to begin with, y/n. You think Papa would’ve given you that?”

“I’d rather be there than here… you murmur. He caressed your cheek.”I promise, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

You knew he meant his words. “Or our child, He adds, smiling. “Okay… You whisper. “I have to do something, Y/N, Stay here."

You nod. And let him go. However, That was your opportunity to escape. And technically you were bringing your baby too. Your child couldn't have him as a father, Peter was too terrifying.

Once You knew he was gone, you found an escape, you brought your items with you, And escaped. You sighed of relief. You found your long-lost father, D/N. So you were going to visit him. M/N you found as well.

You found their home. You knocked on the door, and M/n opened, immediately recognizing You. "y/n? I thought you died when you were born! She sobbed, hugging you as you enter. M/n noticed you were pregnant, too.

"I missed you, Mom, I will tell you everything, You assure her. She smiles.”They told me that… I lost you.”

“You didn’t Mom.”

You entered the house and put your stuff down. And you explained you were in the lab for most of your life until you escaped not so long ago.

She was shocked. “Dr. Brenner lied to me, M/n whispered. You hug her again then she shows you the room you were supposed to be in.

Still, It looked like a nursery and you smile. You wished you got to know your parents and grow up with them.

Papa though, was pure evil and wouldn’t let you go. You only escaped because of 001, who was pretty bad as well.

As you settled in, M/n asked,”Who is the father y/n?” “Oh, You sighed.”It’s sort of complicated but-“

“Y/n? Is that you?”

You saw your father and smile, hugging him and confirming it was you. Over the next few days, You were happy and positive. Your morning sickness and pain from pregnancy sucked.

But you had support from your parents so everything was going good. You felt free from Peter forever.

How stupid was he to leave you by yourself? Whatever, you were glad he was. You met your mother and father too.

They seemed happy about their unborn grandchild though. “I never thought I’d see you again, M/n said.”Well, I thought you weren’t alive. And so we never had another pregnancy.”

However, when you let your guard down after a few days that day changed. “I’m going to bed a bit early, You tell your mother.

“Okay, honey.”

Entering your bedroom, You gasp. There he was, Peter. He stood in your room, a strange smile on his face. "I will protect you, He told you. "why did you run?"

You whimper, stepping back into the wall, feeling pain in your arm as he stood next to you. then all of a sudden, everything went black.

[canirove]

Bluebell | Chapter 4

Previous chapter | Next chapter

Masterlist

“If I were you, I would not buy those apples. They may come with a surprise.”

“Dear God, Mason” I say, the apple that was on my hand falling to the floor.

“Sorry” he says with that smile that shows his dimple. “But this is nothing compared to what you would feel if you were eating it, and found meat inside.”

“Eww” I say, putting all the apples I had on my bag back on the stand. “Any other recommendations?”

“Do the fruit shopping on Sundays during the market. Everything is fresh and tastes ten times better.”

“Noted. Anything else?”

“Come to my pub tonight to have a drink. There is a Champions League game, and some friends are coming. It’ll be fun.”

“Mrs. Smart recommended me the opposite, to not set a foot on your pub.”

“Because she wants you to become her. You’ve been here for almost a week, and you’ve only met people who could be your parents.”

“I’ve also met the Mayor. And his girlfriend, who happens to be my cousin.”

“Boring people. It’s time you meet people who are your age, and actually look like it. So, what do you say? Are you coming tonight or not?”

“Will you invite me to my first drink?” I ask. I am flirting. Why am I flirting?

“You’ll be my guest of honour” he says with a wink.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━      

“I thought you weren’t coming” Mason says as I walk into the pub.

“Curiosity got the best of me” I say, looking around. “This looks very nice. Definitely not what Mrs. Smart described.”

“Told you. Beer?”

“Yes, please” I say. “What game are we watching tonight? Chelsea?”

“Yep. I’m a Chelsea boy, most people in this town are. You?”

“I got into football because of my ex, and he followed Liverpool. But now I can’t stand them.”

“Bad break up?”

“The worst” I say, taking a sip from my beer. “This is so nice, tho.”

“Only the best for my favourite client.”

“Mase, bro!” someone says, walking into the pub. “Already flirting?”

“Hello to you too, Dec. Where is Ben?”

“Outside, on the phone. I think his last conquest isn’t very happy with him.”

“Same as always then” Mason chuckles.

“Who is your friend?”

“Josh’s daughter.”

“Miss Daisy?”

“I beg your pardon?” I say to Mason’s friend.

“That’s how we call you” he shrugs. “I’m Declan, by the way. And that” he says, pointing at the door “is Ben. How did it go, bro?”

“I need a drink” he says, sitting next to me. “Who are you?”

“Miss Daisy, bro!” Declan says.

“Mase, you didn’t tell us she was this pretty! Do you want her just for yourself?” Ben says with a cheeky smile.

“Whatever” Mason replies, rolling his eyes and leaving to attend a group of people who just walked in.

“He wanted you all for himself” Ben whispers, still smiling.

When Mrs. Smart said that Mason’s friends were handsomely dangerous, she wasn’t wrong. Both Declan and Ben are very handsome, and they also look like trouble.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━      

“Mason, are you sure you don’t need a hand?”

“I can manage, don’t worry” he says, definitely struggling. His waitress called in sick, the pub is packed with people, and he’s been taking care of everything on his own. “These three pints were for table…”

“For the blonde guy over there” I say. “Let me take them to him.”

“You are my guest, you shouldn’t be working.”

“But I want to. And just so you know, I’ve worked as a waitress before. I have experience” I say, picking up the tray with all the beers.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━      

“Good night, Miss Daisy!” Ben screams.

“Good night, Benjamin.”

“Make sure he makes it home in one piece” Mason says to Declan.

“I will, I promise. C´mon, drunk ass.”

“Yes” Ben says. “I have a really nice ass. Don’t I, Daisy?”

“You do” I say. Which isn’t a lie.

“Mason’s is ok too. You’ll see tonight, because you two…” he says, pointing to me, then to Mason, and back at me “you two are shagging tonight, I can feel it.”

“What you can feel, is the hangover you’ll have tomorrow” Mason says.

“That too” Ben laughs. “Don’t forget to wear protection, and do that thing with your tongue, bro!”

“Dec, get him out of here, please” Mason says, his face starting to turn bright red.

“You look very cute when you blush” I say to him once Ben and Dec have left, the pub empty.

“Thank you” he says. “Floor or glasses?”

“Uh?”

“You are helping me clean up, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Then what do you prefer. Cleaning the floor and the tables, or the glasses and the counter?”

“Floor. It’s easier and you know better how everything else works over there.”

“Perfect. Do you fancy some music while we do it?”

“Sure.”

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━      

“Those are some really good moves.”

“Jesus Christ!” I say, the mop falling from my hands. “You seriously need to stop scaring me like that.”

“I’ll try” he shrugs. “And if you were looking for a dance partner, you should have asked me.”

“You were busy. Moppy wasn’t.”

“Moppy?” he laughs.

“Yes, Moppy. Have you seen his hair? Gorgeous.”

“Hair goals, yes. But come, let’s dace together” he says, offering me his hand.

“The floor is wet. What if we fall?”

“We won’t. C´mon.”

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━      

“You are the worst dancer, Mason” I laugh as he spins me for the tenth time. “And you are making me feel dizzy.”

“Lucky you, I’m here to catch you” he says, grabbing me by the waist with both hands and pulling me very close to him. Some random slow song starts playing, and I put my arms around his neck while we start moving, our gazes fixed on the other’s. It’s like on the movies.

“What are you thinking about?” Mason asks me.

“That this feels like a scene from a romantic movie” I chuckle.

“It does, doesn’t it? When the couple is dancing, getting very close to each other, the tension growing between them… And then…”

“And then?” I repeat, knowing very well what he is thinking, his nose very close to mine.

“And then they kiss” he says, doing exactly that. I said I was done with men for a very long time. Maybe for the rest of my life. Yet here I am, making out with the cute boy I met a week ago.

“Oh, God, not Taylor Swift” I say when one of her songs starts playing, totally ruining the mood.

“You don’t like her?” Mason asks, his face still very close to mine.

“I can’t stand her.”

“Should we go somewhere else, then? Somewhere where we can’t hear her?”

“Like for example?”

“My place. Upstairs” he says, grabbing his phone with one hand, turning off the music, and mine with the other, making me follow him upstairs.

[dreamescapeswriting]

Stray Kids Reaction || Didn’t Know That You Were Pregnant [Request]

CHAN:

It was supposed to be a relaxing day out with the rest of the boys, going for a walk around the Han River and taking photographs with Hyunjin but your stomach was beginning to cramp and you were having back pains. 

"Maybe you should sit down," Minho said as he noticed how slow you were walking behind them, panting out of breath you walked over to some of the benches beside a fence and sat down. 

"Here," Felix called out as he rushed to your side and gave you a bottle of water, Chan glanced over at you smiling weakly as he noticed how sick you looked. The fact that you'd been sick for most of the week was starting to worry him but you pushed it aside as nothing more than a sickness bug that would pass sooner or later.

"Maybe we should call it a day, you look worse than you did yesterday," Jisung said in a worried tone he didn't mean for it to sound mean but he was worried about you, as were the other boys. Jisung's eyes kept looking between you and Chan as he walked over to your side but you let out a yelp in pain, at first, you thought you'd dropped the bottle of water that Felix had handed to you but then you felt pain radiate up your back and around your abdomen,

"Gross, Y/n needs to control her bladder." Minho laughed as he saw the pool of fluid by your feet and assumed you had wet yourself but that was when Chan's face ran pale and he began to calculate in his head. 

"I-I think my water broke," You mumbled as you looked over at Chan, he was piecing everything together over the last nine months, you'd gained weight, you'd been suck more often not to mention the weird cravings you'd been getting. 

"Holy shit." You yelled out as you struggled to get up from the bench, holding onto your stomach where there was barely even a bump. 

"I'm going to be an uncle?!" Jeongin screamed out loudly enough that the lady that was working the hot chocolate stand looked up to see what the fuss was about. Chan took your hand in his, walking with you towards the car so they could get you to a hospital but all of the boys were freaking out more than the two of you, yelling about how they weren't prepared and nothing was ready since you had no idea you were pregnant. 

MINHO:

You always thought those who claimed not to know that they were pregnant were being dramatic but now you knew first hand that they weren't. Sitting on the maternity ward with your sleeping daughter in your arms while Minho sat beside you on the bed just watching her sleeping. You had been home when you felt a bad pain spreading over your body, you figured it was nothing until it got to the point you couldn't focus on anything but the pain and headed to the doctor. 

"I can't believe you created another human." Changbin muttered as he walked into the room with a look of surprise on his face,

"Neither can we," You laughed as you laid your head on Minho's shoulder still remembering the look of shock on his face he had when you told him that you were going to have a baby. It was as if someone had drained all the colour out of him and for a few moments you thought he was going to pass out but he took it well and spent hours shopping for everything you were going to need online and having it delivered to your apartment that you shared together.

CHANGBIN:

"Where have you been I've been calling all day?!" You yelled out as you stood in the doorway of one of the studios, Changbin was chilling with Jisung and Chan while he claimed he was working. 

"What's wrong? Is something wrong?" You groaned at his nagging questioning and looked down at your stomach, the bump was starting to bother you but you put that down to weight loss until about an hour ago when you felt something move inside of you followed by a gushing of water to your feet. 

"I'm in labour, so if you answered your phone I wouldn't have had to drive all the way here instead of a hospital," All three of the boys started to laugh with one another thinking it was some kind of prank but as soon as Changbin saw the seriousness on your face his smile fell to the floor. 

"You're really-"

"Yes."

"And I'm going to be dad-"

"Not if you don't get me to a fucking doctor!" You yelled out as another contraction hit you, bending over in pain as you tried not to fall to the floor in a puddle of tears from the pain that you were experiencing. 

HYUNJIN:

"Besides a little weight gain, there had been no other indication that you could have been pregnant?" A nurse asked as she looked at you at Hyunjin, the two of you had been surprised by home birth. You'd gotten up in the middle of the night to use the toilet only to realise you weren't in need of the toilet but a doctor. The two of you ended up delivering your daughter on the bathroom floor over the phone to nurses and an ambulance team that had been stuck on the roads. 

"No, I didn't even know I could. I was on the pill and we were using condoms." You mumbled as you glanced down at your sleeping daughter who was strong considering you hadn't been taking prenatal care or going for regular checkups, it was a miracle she was delivered as well as she was and as healthy as she was. 

"Well, the hospital will provide you with a crib and some emergency supplies but you will need to do some shopping soon." She began writing everything up that you would need, Hyunjin was already so taken with your daughter he could hardly take his eyes off her.

JISUNG:

As soon as the water hit the ground you knew you hadn't accidentally wet yourself and Chan knew from the look of it that it wasn't piss that had come out of you. 

"Y/n!?" Jisung yelled out as panic washed over his face, he was sweating as he rushed over to you, sitting you down on the sofa in the dorms as he began yelling out for someone to call an ambulance. 

"Relax, she's in labour," Chan said calmly as he watched the two of you but that did nothing to settle you, both you and Jisung turned to him with wide eyes, 

"I'M PREGNANT?!"

"SHE'S PREGNANT!?" You screamed out together as the boys around you began to laugh, Chan shook his head at you before looking around. 

"Felix call an ambulance, Seungmin get a blanket and Minho pack up some clothes for Y/n." The whole time Chan barked out orders Jisung was doing his best to coach you through the pain, giving you breathing techniques he'd seen in all of the movies and TV shows where people were giving birth.

"We're going to be parents." He whispered over and over again as if he was trying to convince himself that it was true and it wasn't some kind of dream that he seemed to be having. 

FELIX:

Felix brought you to the hospital as soon as you said that you were in so much pain you couldn't get out of bed, doctors were running tests on you while you sat in a hospital bed crying into a pillow. 

"Mr Lee, Miss Y/l/n?" You glanced over at the door to see a set of doctors all rushing around outside the door, getting something ready while another came to speak to you. 

"It appears that you're pregnant, in fact, you're currently in labour." You started laughing at the male doctor thinking it was some kind of joke but when you noticed he wasn't laughing you stopped and sat up in the bed. 

"I'm what?" Felix's hand wrapped around yours as he tightly squeezed your hand, come to think of it there was a high possibility that you were pregnant but the two of you had been careful and used protection all of the time. 

"I would assume this is a shock but we need to check to see how far along you are in your contractions," A female doctor came into the room and began introducing herself while you and Felix stared at one another dumbfounded about how this could have happened and when. 

"Would you like to stay in the room?" The mid-wife asked Felix who turned to leave but you gripped onto his shirt pulling him closer to the bed, 

"We're in this together, don't even think about walking out of that door." You warned him as the doctor began to see if you were ready to push or not, 

"Almost there, I would say another hour or two at the most," She smiled looking up at you both as you worriedly looked at one another how you were going to break the news to everyone since you had no idea you had been pregnant in the first place.

"I need to call my mum," Felix stuttered as he looked at you, you nodded your head looking around for your phone. 

"I need to tell my family." You bit down on your lip not knowing if you were excited, worried or scared or if it was a mixture of all of those emotions at once. 

"I would make some arrangements quickly," The doctor teased before leaving the room, you turned to Felix wondering where to start with the conversation.

SEUNGMIN:

"I'm telling you that there is nothing wrong with me, I just feel sick." You grumbled to Seungmin who was pacing around the room a nurse had placed you in, he'd insisting on taking you to see someone as soon as you started to feel sick and dizzy that morning and now you had been waiting around for hours. 

"The tests have all finally came back, we wanted to make sure it was 100% positive before we came in here," The same nurse that had admitted you explained as she held a clipboard to her chest with a worried expression on her face, 

"When you came in we asked if there was a chance of pregnancy and you said no-"

"Because there isn't, I'm on the pill and we use protection," You told her as she continued to give you a worried look, that was when she began showing you all of the tests that they had done to prove to you that you were eight months pregnant and in early labour which was why you were sick and in so much pain. 

"I-I'm pregnant?" You stuttered out staring from the charts to her face as Seungmin sat down on the chair beside your bed, 

"But we were careful," He mumbled as he looked at you, 

"Not all contraceptives are 100% effective, some are just 99.9% you're the lucky, 00.01% That gets pregnant," You knew she was trying to make you feel better but it only made it worse as you thought about how the baby had nothing waiting at home for them when you eventually got home. 

"I'll get the boys, they'll become builders for the day." Seungmin mumbled as he began to call Chan on his phone frantically. 

JEONGIN:

Jeongin laughed down the phone when you told him you were sitting on the maternity ward of a hospital delivering his baby but as soon as he didn't hear you laughing a chill ran through him.

"You're joking right?" You groaned at him through the phone, rolling your head back against the bed as another contraction hit you making you scream out louder than the rest before it.

"Why would I joke about pushing a watermelon out of something the size of a pea!?" You yelled out down the phone to him while the midwife flinched from beside you wondering how you had been clueless about the pregnancy in the first place. It wasn't as though you were trying to get pregnant you were only together for two years, he was still young and how was JYP going to react to him getting a son or a daughter. 

"Please come to the hospital innie, I'm scared," Your voice cracked as you began to cry but Jeongin was already on the way, getting Minho to drive him as fast as he could so he could be by your side by the time his son or daughter came into the world.

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