#we’ll cross that bridge when we get there I guess

[elizabeth-holland24]

Snow In at the Country Inn-Chapter 2

The snowstorm howled outside, a relentless wind battering against the hotel windows as Jake and the woman stood frozen in the doorway of their suite. It was a massive, luxurious room, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the white-blanketed wilderness. But their attention wasn’t on the grandeur. No, their focus was on the sheer romance of the setup: a king-sized bed dressed in plush white linens, rose petals scattered across it, and a bottle of champagne chilling on ice by the window.

“Uh…” Jake said, his lips twitching as he suppressed a smirk. “This is… something.”

She crossed her arms, trying to mask her discomfort. “This has to be a mistake. Maybe they gave us the wrong room.”

Jake leaned against the doorway, his frame casual but his green eyes alight with amusement. “Might wanna call and check. Although, I have to say, honeymoon vibes really suit us.”

She shot him a sharp glance but pulled out her phone and dialled the front desk. Ten minutes later, after a frustrating call and a resigned sigh, she hung up. “No mistake. And no other rooms. They’re fully booked because of the storm.”

Jake gestured to the bed with a dramatic sweep of his arm, a grin tugging at his lips. “So, what you’re saying is… we’re stuck with this. Romantic, huh?”

Ignoring him, she set her suitcase on the chaise lounge, muttering under her breath. "This is so ridiculous."

Jake gave her a look of mock sympathy, his smirk widening. “Guess we’ll have to make the best of it. You don’t snore, do you?”

She shot him a glare that could’ve melted ice. “You’re sleeping on the floor.”

“That’s… negotiable,” he replied, plopping his bag down near the bed.

Ignoring him, she set her suitcase on the chaise lounge and began unpacking. The suite truly was beautiful, with its elegant décor, a bottle of champagne chilling on ice, and even rose petals scattered across the bed. Romantic honeymoon vibes indeed. She cringed inwardly at how absurd the situation was.

“You know,” Jake started, his tone light but laced with mischief, “if we’re gonna share a room, maybe we should get to know each other. You know, break the ice. Make this less… awkward.”

She glanced over her shoulder, eyebrow raised. “And how do you propose we do that?”

He shrugged, his grin never faltering. “We play twenty questions. Or we share some fun facts. Or I can just guess everything about you because I’m exceptionally good at reading people.”

She rolled her eyes and continued organizing her things. “I’m fine with awkward silence.”

“See?” he quipped. “That right there. You’re uptight. You gotta loosen up. It’s the holidays, Snowflake. Enjoy yourself for once.”

Her hands froze, and she turned to glare at him. “‘Uptight’?”

Jake grinned, unrepentant. “I said what I said.”

Her lips twitched, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of a smile. Instead, she perched on the chaise, arms crossed. “Fine. One question. Make it good.”

Jake’s eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. He sprawled on the bed, propped up on one elbow. “Alright. What’s the most reckless thing you’ve ever done?”

She blinked, caught off guard. “That’s personal.”

“Exactly the point,” he countered, his gaze steady. “Come on, it’s just us here. Safe space and all that.”

She hesitated, then relented with a sigh. “When I was sixteen, I went bungee jumping off a bridge in Costa Rica. Didn’t tell my parents. They would’ve killed me.”

Jake’s grin widened. “See? That wasn’t so hard. Reckless and adventurous. I like it.”

“Your turn,” she said quickly, eager to shift the focus. “Same question.”

“Easy,” he replied, his tone suddenly more serious. “I joined the Navy at eighteen. No backup plan. Just jumped in, sink or swim.”

Her gaze softened for a moment. “And you swam.”

“Still swimming,” he said with a wink, though there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes. “Alright, your turn again.”

They went back and forth, the questions growing more personal until Jake asked softly, "What about your mom? Is she proud of all the places you've been?"

Her expression shifted, a shadow crossing her features as she stiffened. "She passed away when I was eighteen," she said, her tone clipped. The warmth that had been building between them evaporated instantly. "It’s late. We should rest."

Jake leaned back slightly, reading the sudden tension in her body language. "I didn’t mean to—"

"It’s fine," she cut him off, her voice tight. She turned away, busying herself with her suitcase. "Goodnight."

Jake exhaled slowly, guilt evident in his expression. "Goodnight," he murmured. The air between them was heavy, the earlier camaraderie frayed by the unintentional wound his question had reopened.

She stood abruptly. "I’m tired. I’m going to shower and change."

Jake watched her retreat to the bathroom, resisting the urge to call after her. She was a puzzle, and for the first time that evening, he wondered if she wanted to be pieced together at all.

Inside the bathroom, she cursed herself. Her pajamas were far from appropriate for this situation—a tank top and shorts that left little to the imagination. She grabbed them anyway, determined to make it work. When she stepped out, she held her bundle of clothes close to her chest. “Cover your eyes while I get to the bed.”

Jake’s laugh was low and teasing. “Seriously?”

“Yes. Seriously.”

He sighed dramatically but covered his eyes with one hand. “Scout’s honor.”

She darted to the bed, quick as a rabbit, but caught the glint of his green eyes peeking through his fingers. “Jake!”

“What?” he said, feigning innocence. “I’m just making sure you didn’t trip.”

Her glare was withering. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re adorable when you’re flustered,” he shot back, grabbing his own clothes. He changed quickly, stripping down to joggers. She couldn’t help the way her eyes lingered on his broad chest, the defined muscles stark against his tan skin.

“See something you like?” he teased, catching her stare.

She turned crimson. “I was looking at the floor.”

“Sure you were,” he said with a chuckle, moving toward the bed.

“Nope,” she said, holding up a hand. “You’re sleeping on the floor.”

He groaned but relented, grabbing a spare blanket and pillow. “This is cruel and unusual punishment.”

“Goodnight, Jake.”

The room fell silent, save for the storm outside. She lay in the bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing. She’d never liked storms, the howling wind and icy isolation unnerving her. She pulled the blankets tighter, trying to shake the unease.

Jake, lying on the floor, wasn’t oblivious. He’d spent years reading people, and he could feel her tension radiating in waves. “Hey,” he said softly, his voice cutting through the darkness. “You okay?”

She hesitated. “I’m fine.”

He didn’t buy it. “Listen, if you’re scared, you can just say so. I’ll come up there. For my sake, of course. Can’t have you being scared and keeping me up all night.”

She rolled her eyes but shifted over, making room. “Fine. Just… don’t hog the covers.”

Jake climbed into bed, lying on his back. “You’re welcome,” he said, his voice laced with amusement.

She didn’t respond, but the steady rhythm of his breathing soon lulled her into an uneasy sleep. When morning came, she woke to find herself curled against him, her head on his chest, his arm draped protectively around her. Mortified, she carefully untangled herself and slipped out of bed.

Jake’s lips twitched as he watched her tiptoe away, his eyes cracking open. He’d been awake for hours, but he didn’t mind. Letting her think she’d escaped unnoticed was all part of the fun.

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the snow-covered town below. She wrapped herself in a thick cardigan, the chill in the air still lingering from the storm the night before. After a restless night, she decided that breakfast might help clear her head and shake off the lingering awkwardness from the night spent in Jake's company.

The inn’s dining area smelled of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries. She scanned the room, spotting an open table near the fireplace. As she moved to claim it, a pair of voices caught her attention.

“You have got to be kidding me, Rooster. Who eats pancakes like that?”

“What’s wrong with syrup on the side?” the man—Rooster—shot back, a teasing grin on his face.

She hesitated, intrigued by their banter. Deciding she didn’t want to eat alone, she approached their table. “Mind if I join?” she asked, her tone friendly but tentative.

The woman, Natasha, looked up and smiled. “Of course not. You’ll be a welcome distraction from his terrible eating habits.”

Rooster scoffed, offering a hand as she sat down. “Bradley Bradshaw. Everyone calls me Rooster.”

“Natasha Trace,” the woman added. “And you are?”

She introduced herself, explaining she was stranded in town due to the snowstorm. Rooster nodded, launching into a story about how he and Natasha had detoured here during a cross-country trip. Their easy camaraderie made her feel instantly at ease.

As the conversation flowed, the dining area door creaked open, and Jake’s unmistakable presence filled the room. He sauntered in, looking infuriatingly relaxed, his hair slightly tousled from sleep. Spotting her, he grinned and made a beeline for their table.

“Morning, Snowflake,” he greeted, sliding into the seat beside her without waiting for an invitation.

Rooster raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Snowflake? That’s cute. You two married or just engaged?”

She choked on her coffee, her cheeks burning. “What? No! We’re not—”

Jake cut her off, a slow smirk spreading across his face. “Aw, Snowflake, don’t deny our love story. You’ll break my heart.”

Her glare could have melted the snow outside. “Jake.”

Natasha and Rooster exchanged amused looks, clearly enjoying the show. “Newlyweds, huh? Explains the chemistry,” Natasha teased.

“No!” she and Jake said in unison, though his tone carried more mock offence than denial. The laughter that followed set the tone for the rest of breakfast, with Rooster and Natasha’s playful teasing making her simultaneously flustered and amused.

After breakfast, she decided to explore the town. The storm had turned the streets into a picturesque winter wonderland, with snow-covered rooftops and icicles glinting in the sun. Her wanderings led her to a small café, where she spotted Penny and a man she instantly recognized as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. They were standing outside, deep in conversation, their expressions tense.

Curiosity got the better of her, and she approached. “Is everything alright?” she asked.

Penny looked up, a mix of surprise and relief on her face. “Oh, hi! Not exactly. The town’s big Christmas Eve festival is in trouble. The storm’s blocked all the roads, so no deliveries, no performers, no decorations. It’s a mess.”

Pete sighed, running a hand through his hair. “We’ve tried calling around, but it’s looking like we’ll have to cancel. Everyone’s pretty heartbroken.”

She frowned, thinking back to the events she’d planned in the past. “Cancelling isn’t the only option. Maybe we can work with what’s here. I have some experience planning events. I’d be happy to help.”

Penny’s eyes lit up. “Are you serious? You’d do that?”

“Of course. I’m stranded here anyway. Might as well put myself to use.”

Pete and Penny exchanged hopeful looks before Penny nodded. “Alright. Let’s do it.”

Jake found her later in the town square, where she was sketching out ideas with Penny and Pete. A small group of locals had already gathered, taking her directions as she began organizing tasks. He leaned against a lamppost, watching with an amused expression.

“Snowflake, you never cease to surprise me,” he called out.

She didn’t look up from her notes. “Jake, either help or stop standing there smirking.”

“Alright, boss,” he said, pushing off the post. “Put me to work.”

Despite his usual cheekiness, Jake proved to be a valuable asset. Whether it was lifting heavy decorations or charming the locals into donating supplies, he threw himself into the tasks with surprising enthusiasm. She couldn’t help but admire how he managed to bring levity to the chaotic planning process.

By evening, the square was a flurry of activity. Though far from finished, the progress was undeniable. Strings of fairy lights twinkled against the snow, and a few makeshift booths were already taking shape. The sense of community was palpable, with townsfolk pitching in wherever they could.

Jake found her standing near the centre of the square, surveying the scene with a mix of pride and exhaustion. “Not bad, Snowflake,” he said, handing her a cup of hot chocolate. “Think you’ll save Christmas?”

She took the cup, her fingers brushing his briefly. “One step at a time,” she replied. “There’s still a lot to do.”

“Good thing we’re stuck here together, then,” he said, his tone softer than usual.

For a moment, they stood in companionable silence, watching the townsfolk work together to transform the square. The snow continued to fall lightly, adding a touch of magic to the scene. Though they had a long way to go, she couldn’t help but feel hopeful—not just for the festival, but for the unexpected connections she’d found in this snowbound town. Maybe Santa was right after all, this place does feel magical. 

A/N: This is my gift to all of you for youre support and love to this idea of mine. It is a pretty long chapter but yeah, I love it so much. Did I stayed till 4 am writting this chapter as well as the other two chapters for The Beast Within, I pledge the fifth. It also funny to me how I have two completly diffrent vibes. In this one is all fun and love and the other one I left you hanging with Jake dying. I propably wont write anything till after new year so happy new year to all of you and thank you so much for youre support. Don't forget to comment, like and reblog, so I know if you are enjoying it. Please do tell me your thoughts on the story.  Love you guys and thanks for reading  <3

[lila-rae]

I am never more thankful that we didn’t have multiples than after being in a room with a gaggle of 8 year old girls. I could not handle even two 8️⃣s

[asexualjedi]

I don’t feel depressed anymore. I just feel a deep emptiness within me and a lack of purpose in my life. Not normally how my depression goes I don’t think. So. Idk. Either it’s legit or it’s a fun new depression or both. Hoping school will make me too busy to notice and it’ll go away

[rainswept]

guys aventurine’s banner is going to run through my birthday 😭

[duachai]

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT - BANG CHAN | STRAY KIDS

Loneliness is such a sad affair, and I can hardly wait to be with you again

♱ PAIRING : BANG CHAN X MALE READER

♱ SYNOPSIS : M/n, a university junior, secretly dates Bang Chan. When the group performs at his campus, their hidden relationship is exposed.

♱ CONTENT WARNING : This writing contains explicit sexual content and mature themes.

♱ AUTHOR'S NOTE : Merry Christmas my lovelies! I can't wait to show you what I have in store next year! I will see you in 2025.

LINKS : Wattpad | Kofi

The sun cast a warm glow over the university lawn, where M/n and his two best friends, Jiho and Minseo, sat cross-legged on the grass. Their lunchboxes laid open, and the air was filled with laughter and the scent of freshly baked bread from a nearby food cart. It was a Thursday afternoon, and the group of friends had just met up for the first time this week for lunch.

“Did you finish Professor Kim’s reading?” Minseo asked, biting into a rice ball.

“Nope, fuck that seriously,” M/n replied, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “He assigns way too much for one week.”

Minseo hummed. “True dat.”

Jiho, scrolling on his phone, suddenly let out a loud gasp, aggressively slapping M/n’s shoulder in excitement. “Oh my God! No way!”

Both M/n and Minseo turned toward him, startled.

“What, you psycho bitch?” Minseo asked, her curiosity piqued yet annoyed at how loud Jiho was shrieking like he had no home training.

Jiho shoved his phone in their faces, the screen displaying a social media post with bold letters: Surprise! Stray Kids will be performing at Hanseong University today at 3 PM.

M/n froze, his heart leaping into his throat. He quickly schooled his expression, pretending to be indifferent. “That’s cool, I guess,” he said with a shrug, taking a sip of his drink.

“Cool?” Jiho exclaimed, nearly spilling his coffee to slap the back of M/n’s head. “Bitch, are you sick? This is Stray Kids! Do you not understand the seriousness of this ordeal?”

Minseo chuckled. “Ain’t never used ‘ordeal’ in your life, scholar.” Jiho sucked his teeth at Minseo.

M/n forced a smile, his thoughts racing. Why didn’t he tell me? Chan, his boyfriend and the leader of Stray Kids, had conveniently left out this major detail during their last phone call.

“We have to go early!” Jiho said, already packing up his lunch. “I want to get a good spot.”

“I guess I’ll go too,” Minseo added. “M/n, you’re coming, right?”

M/n hesitated. “Uh, yeah, I gotta go to the bathroom first.”

Jiho and Minseo groaned in unison. “Go piss, girl,” Minseo teased.

“We’ll try and save you a seat, but I can’t promise if Seungmin wants it first. Or maybe he can sit in my lap…” Jiho pondered, biting his lip in a weird, horny kinda way.

M/n laughed nervously, fidgeting with the strap of his backpack. “I’ll catch up.”

Quickly, M/n rushed off. His mind was spinning. He wasn’t mad that Chan hadn’t told him, and he understood the need for secrecy, but being blindsided like this made his heart race with anxiety. What if his friends put two and two together? What if someone saw them?

Reaching the side door of the main building, M/n glanced over his shoulder. The campus was alive with energy as students gathered in clusters, buzzing with excitement for the upcoming performance.

Inside, the hallways were quieter, the faint hum of conversation drifting from nearby rooms. M/n spotted a staff member carrying a clipboard and quickly ducked behind a pillar, holding his breath until the coast was clear.

He made his way toward the room labeled Stray Kids in bold black letters on a laminated sign. His hand hesitated on the doorknob before he knocked softly.

“Come in,” came a familiar voice.

M/n stepped inside, shutting the door quickly behind him. The room was small and bustling with energy, racks of clothes lined one wall, and makeup cases were strewn across a long table. But in the middle of it all stood Chan, wearing a casual yet stylish outfit, his hair perfectly styled, and a look of surprise spreading across his face.

“M/n?” Chan crossed the room in two quick strides, his tone a mix of confusion and joy. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” M/n replied, his voice low but tinged with a little nervousness as he looked around at the people passing by. “You didn’t think to warn me you’d be performing at my fuckin’ university? What if we get caught here?”

Chan quickly whisked M/n away, placing his hands on his shoulders and guiding him to a smaller room in the back. This space was more private, with only a counter and a few chairs.

M/n leaned against the dressing room counter with his arms crossed in a pout.

Chan put his hands on both sides of M/n’s hips, his thumbs circling gently on the little bit of exposed skin between his shirt and jeans. “It was supposed to be a surprise. Management didn’t finalize it until yesterday, and I figured you’d find out anyway.”

“Well, surprise,” M/n said, his voice clearly more scared about getting caught than about blaming Chan for not saying anything. “Now I’m here freaking out, trying to make sure none of my friends figure out I’m dating you.”

Chan softened, his hand reaching out to gently touch M/n’s cheek. “Baby, don’t be like that. I didn’t mean to stress you out. I just… wanted to see you.”

M/n sighed, his irritation melting under Chan’s warm gaze. “You’re lucky I like you.”

Chan grinned. “I know.”

Chan’s grin softened as he leaned in closer, his forehead gently pressing against M/n’s. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.” M/n felt his heart flutter in his chest, the warmth of Chan’s breath fanning against his lips. Despite his nerves, he couldn’t stop the small smile that crept onto his face.

“You just saw me last week, drama queen.”

Chan chuckled, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “A week feels like forever when it comes to you.”

Before M/n could respond, Chan closed the distance, capturing his lips in a kiss that sent a rush of heat coursing through his body. It started gentle, as if Chan was savoring the moment, but the longing between them quickly took over.

Chan’s hands slid from M/n’s hips to wrap securely around his waist, pulling him closer until their bodies were flush against each other. M/n’s hands found their way to Chan’s chest, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as he kissed back with equal fervor.

The world outside the small dressing room seemed to melt away. The muffled voices and distant chatter from the hallway faded, leaving only the sound of their breaths and the soft hum of their hearts racing in tandem.

Chan tilted his head, deepening the kiss, his hands roaming up and down M/n’s back in soothing yet possessive strokes. M/n’s resolve crumbled, and he let out a quiet, involuntary whimper against Chan’s lips.

That sound seemed to ignite something in Chan. He pressed M/n back gently against the counter, his lips moving with a desperation that spoke of every moment they’d spent apart. His fingers tangled in M/n’s hair, tilting his head to gain better access, and M/n melted into him completely.

When they finally broke apart for air, their foreheads rested together, both of them breathing heavily. Chan’s gaze was intense, his eyes dark with affection and want.

“I love you,” he whispered, his voice hoarse but steady. “I don’t care where we are or who’s around. I’ll always want to kiss you like that.”

M/n felt his cheeks flush, his hands still clutching Chan’s shirt. “You’re so corny,” he mumbled, but the soft smile on his face betrayed the truth, he loved every second of it.

Chan grinned, his thumb brushing against M/n’s bottom lip. “And you love it.”

M/n didn’t deny it. Instead, he pulled Chan down for another kiss, this one slow and tender, a promise of all the stolen moments they’d share, no matter how complicated their situation might be.

M/n felt the heat rising between them as Chan leaned back into him, his lips finding their way to the corner of M/n’s mouth, then down along his jawline. Each touch sent a spark through M/n, his breath hitching as Chan’s lips traveled to his neck, leaving a trail of featherlight kisses that grew bolder with each press.

“Channie,” M/n whispered that nickname that always made Chan weak, his voice trembling with both urgency and affection.

Chan hummed against his skin, the vibration sending shivers down M/n’s spine. “Hmm?” he murmured, his lips brushing against the sensitive spot just below M/n’s ear.

“You’re going to leave a mark,” M/n warned, though his voice lacked any real conviction.

Chan chuckled softly, the sound low and sultry. “Would that be such a bad thing?” he teased, his hands tightening on M/n’s waist.

M/n pushed at his chest lightly, his cheeks flushed. “Yes, it would! My friends would definitely notice.”

Chan pulled back just enough to look at him, his eyes sparkling with mischief and affection. “Fine, no marks… not right now at least,” he conceded with a cheeky grin, leaning in for another kiss that was slower, deeper, and impossibly more intoxicating.

M/n sighed into the kiss, his hands sliding up to Chan’s shoulders, gripping them tightly as if to anchor himself. Chan tilted his head, his lips moving against M/n’s with a rhythm that felt natural, effortless, like they’d been made for this exact moment.

The kiss grew hungrier, more desperate, as if the limited time they had together only fueled the need to make every second count. Chan’s hands slid down M/n’s back, resting just above his hips as he pressed them even closer together, their bodies fitting like pieces of a puzzle.

M/n felt the counter digging into his back, but he didn’t care. All he could focus on was the way Chan’s lips moved against his, the way his hands explored his body with a careful yet insistent touch, the way his entire being seemed to drown in Chan’s presence.

Their kiss broke only when the need for air became too great, but even then, Chan stayed close, their noses brushing as their breaths mingled.

“I wish we didn’t have to hide,” Chan said softly, his voice tinged with a rare vulnerability.

M/n’s heart clenched at the admission. He reached up to cup Chan’s cheek, his thumb brushing gently against his skin. “Me too,” he admitted. “But as long as I have you, I can deal with the rest.”

Chan smiled, leaning into M/n’s touch. “You’re too good to me.”

“And don’t you forget it,” M/n replied with a teasing grin, though his tone was filled with affection.

Chan chuckled, stealing one last lingering kiss before finally pulling back, though his arms stayed wrapped securely around M/n’s waist. “I guess I should let you go before your friends send out a search party.”

M/n groaned, reluctant to step away. “Yeah, I guess… but this isn’t over.”

Chan smirked, his gaze full of promise. “Not even close.”

M/n reluctantly pulled away, smoothing his shirt and adjusting his glasses as he tried to compose himself. His heart was still racing, and his lips tingled from Chan’s kisses, but he needed to act normal—at least normal enough to fool Jiho and Minseo.

“You’ll be watching, right?” Chan asked, his voice softer now.

M/n hesitated, biting his lip. “I’ll try. Jiho and Minseo are expecting me to sit with them, so I can’t make it obvious.”

Chan nodded, understanding written all over his face. “Just… stay close if you can,” he said, reaching out to squeeze M/n’s hand briefly. “It’ll be nice knowing you’re there.”

M/n smiled despite his nerves. “I’ll be there. Just don’t get too distracted by my handsome face.”

Chan laughed quietly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “No promises.”

With one last lingering glance, M/n slipped out of the makeshift dressing room, carefully closing the door behind him. The hallway was still relatively empty, though the muffled sound of voices and footsteps indicated that students were already gathering for the performance.

M/n took a deep breath, his hand lingering on the doorknob for a moment before he stepped away. He couldn’t afford to look suspicious.

As he walked back toward the outdoor venue, the hum of excitement grew louder. Groups of students were chatting animatedly, and some were already seated near the stage, phones in hand, ready to record every moment.

Spotting Jiho and Minseo wasn’t hard as they were near the middle of the crowd, Jiho waving his arms wildly to flag M/n down.

“There you are!” Jiho exclaimed as M/n approached. “Took you long enough. What, did you fall in?”

“Something like that,” M/n replied with a shrug, slipping into the spot they’d saved for him.

Minseo handed him a bottle of water, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You okay? You look kind of flustered.”

“I’m fine,” M/n said quickly, taking a sip of water to cover his nerves. “It’s just hot out here.”

Jiho fanned himself dramatically with his hand. “Girl, same. But who cares? We’re about to see Stray Kids! Can you believe it? Like, right here! This is history in the making. Maybe our school isn’t so shit after all.”

M/n forced a laugh, his stomach flipping at the thought of seeing Chan on stage while sitting among his friends, who had no idea about their relationship.

As the minutes ticked by, the crowd grew larger, and the excitement became palpable. When the emcee finally took the stage to introduce Stray Kids, the cheers were deafening. M/n felt his pulse quicken as he prepared for what was about to happen.

The lights dimmed slightly, and the opening beats of a familiar song filled the air. Then, there they were… Stray Kids, stepping onto the stage with the kind of confidence and charisma that could command any crowd.

M/n’s eyes immediately found Chan, who stood at the center, his presence magnetic. Chan’s gaze briefly scanned the crowd, and though M/n knew it was impossible for him to pick him out among so many people, he still felt a jolt when their eyes seemed to meet for a split second.

Jiho was screaming next to him, clutching Minseo’s arm in excitement. “Oh my God, look at Bang Chan! He’s so fucking hot!”

M/n bit his lip to suppress a smile, his cheeks heating up. If only Jiho knew.

As the performance continued, M/n couldn’t help but admire Chan. He was in his element, his movements fluid and precise, his voice commanding and powerful. It was a side of him M/n didn’t often get to see up close, and it made him fall for him all over again.

But amidst the thrill of the performance, M/n couldn’t shake the anxiety bubbling under the surface. What if someone noticed the way Chan looked at him? What if someone figured out their connection?

He forced himself to focus on the music, clapping and cheering along with his friends. For now, he just had to get through the show without raising any suspicion.

The campus was still buzzing with excitement from Stray Kids’ performance. Students milled about in groups, their chatter echoing across the quad. M/n kept his head down, weaving through the crowd as casually as he could. His heart pounded in his chest, not from excitement but from nerves.

When he reached the side gate leading to the quiet garden behind the art building, he glanced over his shoulder to make sure no one was watching. The garden was one of the most secluded spots on campus, a hidden oasis with benches tucked under canopies of leafy trees.

Chan was already there, leaning against the trunk of a tree, his hoodie pulled low over his face. Even in the dim light, M/n could see the tension in his posture.

“Chan,” M/n called softly, stepping closer.

Chan’s head snapped up, and a relieved smile broke across his face. “M/n.”

Before M/n could say anything, Chan closed the distance between them, pulling him into a tight hug. The world seemed to fade away as Chan’s familiar warmth surrounded him, grounding him in the moment.

“That was the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my life,” Chan murmured against M/n’s hair. “I don’t like pretending I don’t know you.”

M/n pulled back just enough to look up at him, his brows furrowed. “It was just for a moment, we’re all good now”

Chan cupped M/n’s face in his hands, his thumbs brushing gently over his cheeks. “I know. I didn’t think it through, and I’m sorry. I just… wanted to see you. It’s been weeks, and when this opportunity came up, I couldn’t pass it up.”

M/n sighed, his irritation softening under Chan’s earnest gaze. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

Chan chuckled softly. “I’ve been told.”

For a moment, they stood there in the quiet garden, the distant hum of campus life fading into the background. Chan’s hands slid down to M/n’s shoulders, his touch light but grounding.

“I missed you,” Chan admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

M/n’s heart softened. He reached up, his hand resting over Chan’s on his shoulder. “I missed you too.”

Chan leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to M/n’s forehead, lingering there for a moment. “You’ve been on my mind every day,” he murmured. “I know this isn’t easy for you, but I’m grateful. For you, for us.”

M/n felt a lump rise in his throat. He tilted his head to meet Chan’s gaze, his lips twitching into a small smile. “Just… don’t surprise me like this again, okay?”

Chan grinned, his dimples showing even in the low light. “Promise. No more surprises.”

They shared a soft laugh, the tension melting away as the moment stretched between them. M/n felt a sense of calm wash over him, the chaos of the day fading into the background.

“Stay for a bit?” Chan asked, his voice hopeful.

M/n glanced toward the path leading back to the main campus, then back at Chan. “A little longer,” he said, his voice quiet but sure.

And for the first time that day, M/n allowed himself to relax, leaning into Chan’s embrace as the world outside the garden faded away. The peaceful silence of the garden was abruptly shattered by the sound of approaching voices. M/n froze, his heart skipping a beat as he recognized the unmistakable laughter of Minseo and Jiho.

“Didn’t you say you saw him come this way?” Jiho’s voice rang out, closer than M/n would have liked.

“I swear he’s hiding something,” Minseo replied. “He bolted like his ass was on fire.”

Chan tensed, his hands still on M/n’s shoulders. “Who is that?” he whispered.

“My friends,” M/n hissed, panic lacing his voice. He grabbed Chan’s arm, pulling him toward a thicker cluster of trees. “Hide!”

But before they could move far, Minseo’s sharp eyes caught them. “M/n? Is that you?”

M/n’s stomach dropped as both Minseo and Jiho rounded the corner of the garden path, their expressions shifting from confusion to wide-eyed shock.

“M/n,” Jiho started, his gaze flicking between M/n and the man standing too close to him. “Why does that guy look exactly like—”

“Bang Chan?!” Minseo practically shrieked, pointing an accusatory finger.

M/n’s brain short-circuited as he stood frozen, caught red-handed. Chan, to his credit, didn’t flinch. Instead, he straightened up and offered a sheepish smile.

“Uh, hi,” Chan said, scratching the back of his neck.

Jiho gawked at him, his jaw practically on the ground. “What the fuck is happening right now?!”

Minseo’s eyes narrowed, zeroing in on M/n. “You’ve been sneaking around with Bang Chan? THE Bang Chan?!”

“I—uh—” M/n stammered, his face burning.

“Wait, are you two like… dating?” Jiho asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and giddy excitement.

M/n opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He felt like a deer caught in headlights.

Chan stepped in, his voice calm and steady. “Yes. We are.”

Minseo’s jaw dropped. Jiho let out an audible gasp, covering his mouth like he’d just heard the juiciest gossip of the year.

“You mean to tell me,” Minseo started, her hands on her hips, “that you’ve been dating Bang Chan this whole time, and you didn’t say a damn word?”

“It’s complicated,” M/n mumbled, avoiding their gazes.

Jiho burst into laughter, startling everyone. “Complicated? That’s the understatement of the century! Dude, you’re dating a literal K-pop idol!”

Minseo, on the other hand, was still processing. “I’m just mad you didn’t tell us. We’re your best friends, M/n.”

“I couldn’t,” M/n said, his voice barely above a whisper. “It’s not just my secret to tell.”

Minseo softened slightly, her expression shifting from anger to understanding. “I get it. But you should’ve trusted us.”

Chan stepped closer to M/n, his hand brushing against his arm in silent reassurance. “I asked him to keep it private,” he explained. “We’re trying to protect what we have. It’s not easy with my career.”

Jiho looked at them both, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “You know what? I ship it. Power couple vibes. But you owe us details, M/n.”

Minseo rolled her eyes but smiled. “Fine. But don’t think you’re off the hook. We’re having a long talk about this later.”

M/n exhaled in relief, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Thanks, guys.”

Minseo nodded. “Just… be careful. And Chan? You better treat him right.”

Chan grinned, his dimples on full display. “Always.”

The tension eased as the group exchanged a few more words, and M/n realized that while his secret was out, maybe it wasn’t the worst thing after all.

As Minseo and Jiho walked off, their voices fading into the distance, M/n let out a long, exasperated sigh, leaning against the tree. He covered his face with his hands, his ears still burning from embarrassment.

“That was awkward,” M/n muttered.

Chan chuckled softly, stepping closer and nudging M/n’s shoulder. “Awkward, sure, but your friends are pretty great.”

M/n peeked at him through his fingers. “Great? Jiho almost fainted, and Minseo was ready to kill me.”

Chan grinned, his dimples making a playful appearance. “Yeah, but they care about you. That much is obvious. And I like that about them.”

M/n lowered his hands, a reluctant smile creeping onto his face. “You’re just saying that because they didn’t hate your guts.”

“Maybe.” Chan’s voice softened, his eyes locking onto M/n’s. His expression shifted, the playful glint replaced with something deeper, more tender. “But seriously, they’re good people. And they love you.”

M/n felt his heart flutter under Chan’s gaze, the intensity of it making his stomach flip. He looked away, biting his lip to suppress a shy grin.

Chan tilted his head, stepping even closer until their faces were mere inches apart. His hand reached out, brushing a strand of hair from M/n’s forehead. “Well, since we don’t have to hide anymore…”

M/n barely had time to process the words before Chan leaned in, capturing his lips in a slow, deliberate kiss. Unlike before, this wasn’t rushed or frantic. It was deep and consuming, filled with all the emotions they’d had to suppress for so long.

Chan’s hands found M/n’s waist, pulling him closer, while M/n’s fingers instinctively gripped the front of Chan’s hoodie. The world around them melted away—the garden, the university, the lingering nerves—all replaced by the warmth of each other.

M/n sighed into the kiss, his body relaxing as he leaned into Chan. He felt the gentle pressure of Chan’s hands sliding up his back, holding him securely as if he never wanted to let go.

When they finally broke apart, both were slightly breathless, their foreheads resting together. Chan smiled, his thumb gently stroking M/n’s side. “I’ve been wanting to do that without worrying who’s watching.”

M/n laughed softly, his voice shaky but filled with warmth. “That’s gonna take some getting used to.”

Chan’s grin widened. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”

M/n nodded, his cheeks flushed but his heart full. “Together.”

They stood there for a moment longer, lost in their own little world, before the sound of distant chatter reminded them of where they were.

Chan smirked, taking M/n’s hand in his. “Come on. Let’s get out of here before your friends come back for round two.”

M/n rolled his eyes but didn’t let go of Chan’s hand, following him out of the garden with a newfound sense of freedom.

[justmeinadaze]

Inescapable Part 4 (Steddie X You)

Warning with some notes: Warnings: Older (Early 30s) Prisoner Steddie & Young (Early 20s) Fem college student Y/N; Dom/Sub dynamics, SMUT, steddie get intimate, degrading (little boy, slut, etc), light choking and spanking, dirty talk, FLUFF, Y/N talks about Olivia.

ANGST *breathes it in like coffee*, Starts where the last chapter ended, father threatens all three, reader is smacked and threatened to never see them again, mentions of an arranged marriage, boys touch on their lives in prison and how they cope, some toxic behavior from the boys in regards to keeping the reader safe, guys are hurt and blood is mentioned, mentions of a rough birth but no real details are given (they're both fine <3), SLIGHT cliffhanger ending.

Word Count: 5474

Series here/Donate to me <3

“Here’s what’s going to happen.”, your father commands as he continues to glare their way. “You will stop speaking and all communications end today. If I catch even a single letter being sent her way, I will make you regret it. Am I being clear, boys?”

“We love her.”, Eddie answered causing your dad to roll his eyes as he rose to his feet.

“It seems what I’m saying isn’t sinking in.” Grabbing the metalhead’s hair, he roughly pressed his face down into the steel table making him grunt in pain as Steve pulled at his handcuffs to try and help to no avail. “All of that ends today. You will never see my daughter again or that baby. It’s my job to protect her and I’m not going to let you murder her like you did those other kids.”

“Dad, please.”, you beg. “I love them to.”

Your dad snickers slightly as he lets Eddie go before leaning against the wall and folding his arms. 

“Say your goodbyes now and just so you know she will be taken care of. Derek and I talked about it and after HIS baby is born, they will both get married and live happily ever after. Amen.”

Their eyes flick to you as the tears begin to flow again and you reach for their hands.

“I didn’t agree to that, I fucking swear. I love you both so much and I’ll always be here. I promise—” Tugging at your bicep, your father lifts you from your seat as you continue to try and cling to them. “NO! Dad, please! DON’T DO THIS!”

Guards come in to uncuff the boys as your dragged out of the room and into the hallway. Hearing your screams and pleading, awakes something primal in them both and all they can think about is getting to you. 

Steve elbows a guard in the face and shoves another out of the way as he runs down the hall but before he can reach you is tackled to the ground followed by Eddie who only got as far as outside the doorway. Feeling the same, you hit your dad’s chest hard enough for him to release you and you slide to the floor to be by their side. 

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry!”

Using all of his strength, one of Steve’s arms was freed and he reached out to pinch your cheeks, bringing your lips to his. 

“This isn’t over, honey. I promise. We’ll get to you.”

Eddie was able to wiggle out of the officers hold enough to wrap his arm around your neck and kiss your lips as well. 

“We love you, baby. Everything’s going to be ok.”

You began to sob harder when they were hit with something hard as you were lifted off the ground and carried out to your dad’s car. 

***

 As your father begins to drive away, you scream and kick at things in his truck until he pulls over to the side of the road. 

“Calm down right now and you listen to me, Y/N! I will not be the fucking embarrassment of this town. Do you fucking hear me?”

“You already crossed that bridge when you cheated on mom with the town slut in the back of your cruiser. I guess fucking criminals runs in the family.”, you spit. 

The sound of his palm hitting your cheek and your gasp that followed silenced you as you glared past him out the driver’s side window. 

“Listen to me and you listen good. You will stay away from those men or so help me God, Y/N, I will make sure they stay in there for the rest of their Goddamn lives. Do I make myself clear?” When you don’t answer he shouts, making you jump as he repeats his question. 

“Yes, sir.”, you grumble through gritted teeth. 

“You will marry Derek before the baby is born and then we will go back to all our normal routines like one big happy family.”

Folding your arms, you turn to lay your head against the glass as you continue to cry. 

####################

June 3rd, 1998

Steve’s nose scrunches in anger as he punches the boxing bag they keep in the gym of the prison. As he glances towards his friend, Eddie’s eyebrows raise in amusement. 

“Fuck off, Munson. Don’t give me that look.”

“I’m not looking at you in anyway, Harrington. I’m just…a little worried.”

“I know but what can we do trapped behind this fucking concrete wall.”, he grunts as he continues punching. 

“I meant I’m worried about you.”

Steve’s chest puffs out as he wipes the sweat from his forehead, ignoring his friend as he continues what he was doing. Abruptly, the metalhead takes hold of his arm and pulls him into the bathroom nearby. 

“You have to calm down.”, Eddie scolds.

“How the fuck can I be calm! It’s been a month with no word. No phone calls, letters, nothing. What if something happens to her or Olivia?!”

It was an automatic reaction, something both of them had done a few times over the years and more to calm the other. Taking ahold of Steve’s cheeks Eddie crashed his lips to his own, his fingers tangling in his hair before both men are panting as they rest their forehead against each other’s. 

“You think this doesn’t kill me to? But what can we do, Steve? We don’t have enough money to buy another night out.”

“We have enough to get to Canada.”

The metalhead’s eyes widen as he searches through his friends to see if he’s serious. 

“I thought we wanted to do this right? What life would she have?”, he whispers.

“What life would she have married to fucking Derek with her dad breathing down her neck?”

“Steve…I don’t know...”

“Munson! Harrington! Your lawyer is here to see you.”, a guard called sharply making them jump before quickly exiting the room. 

***

“Um, Bobby, where are we going?”, Eddie asks as they pass the interrogation rooms they usually meet with their lawyer in. 

The guard doesn’t say a word as he continues to lead them further down the hall and outside to a separate building they had never been to before. Both men brace, preparing for anything especially after the last few months they had before the man stops just outside of a cellblock door. 

It looked like every other one except this one had no window so people could peak in. 

“You have three hours to go over your case and anything else you may need.”, Bobby relays, looking around as he leans in to unhook their cuffs. “I told you guys I’m on your side. Three hours. Not one second longer.”

Their eyebrows furrowed as he opened the door but all confusion and worry evaporated when their eyes landed on you. 

Before you could say anything, you started to sob as you ran forward with Steve meeting you halfway as your arms wrapped around him. 

“I don’t…how…how are you here right now?”

“I had to come make sure you were ok.”, you hiccupped as you hugged Eddie next. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’ve been trying to figure out how to get to you but my dad’s been a tyrant.”

Tilting you head back, the metalhead cupped your face as his thumbs tried to dry your eyes.

“He threatened to hurt you or keep you both in here longer and I was so scared.”

“Hey, hey. Don’t worry about that now. As long as nobody’s hurting you.” Ignoring him, you took hold of his thumb to bend his hand so you can place tender kisses on his palm. “Nobody’s hurting you right?”

Again, you didn’t answer and this time Steve intervened as he lightly but firmly gripped your jaw making you sigh.

“After we left you, my dad got mad when I told him he couldn’t stop me from loving you. Since then, his friends have been keeping an eye on me. Following me to school or back to my house. When I do my homework, sometimes they’ll show up to dig through my work to make sure I’m not writing you.”, you explain as you wipe your eyes and back away towards the bed. 

“My mom came down and tried to intervene but that didn’t go well. They fought and she couldn’t take it anymore so she went home. She offered to take me with her but I told her I couldn’t leave you.”

“Have you lost your mind?”, Steve scolded in a firm tone that had you sitting up straighter. “Take her offer and get out of here. You’d be safer and happier with her!”

Your anger fueled eyes glare his way. 

“I would NOT be happier. I would be just as miserable if not more because you wouldn’t be there!”

“We still won’t be there, sweetheart.”, Eddie sighs as he sits beside you and rubs your back. “We still have another 13years here but at least with your mom you could call and write.”

“No…no. Everyone else has abandoned you but I won’t.”, you declare making them swoon as he leans over kiss your cheek and Steve kneels in front of you taking your hands. 

When he rests his head against your stomach, he feels a little push causing him to jerk back as you giggle. 

“Yeah, she moves quite a bit now.” Taking both their hands, you place them where you felt her move and on cue she kicks her little feet against them. 

“Wow…”, Eddie breathes as his thumb rubs your skin. “Probably has a lot to say about all this. Don’t you, princess?”

Reaching into your bag, you hand them your new ultrasound and a big grin spreads across their faces as they take her in. 

“You see she has her little nose and these cute tiny hands.”, you beam as you point to things on the image. “Your, um, your uncle gave me a cassette of your band playing songs and Olivia just loves it. She wiggles around.”

The metalhead softly smiles your way before you both watch him stand and face the wall away from you. 

“Eddie?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m, um, I’m ok. I just need a minute.”, he chokes out causing you to rise and wrap your arms around him as you lean your head on his back. “I hate all this bullshit. We shouldn’t even be here! We did nothing wrong!”

You squeezed him tighter wishing you could take away his pain. This was the first time you were seeing this type of break but for Steve it was nothing new. They could hold things in pretty well until they couldn’t and that animosity would spill out, sometimes aggressively. 

“How can I help?”, you whisper.

“You can’t, Y/N. Not in your condition.”

“I’m pregnant, Steve, not broken.”, you giggle making both him chuckle with you. 

“Naw, baby girl, we know but sometimes in here our outlet is a bit different than what we did with you out there.”

“Come on, sweetheart. You’re a smart girl. Do you really need it spelled out?!”, Eddie snapped startling you as you let him go.

His dark eyes locked with yours and you could feel the other man’s practically boring into your skull as they waited for you to get to the realization on your own. 

“Oh.”, you squeaked in a little voice that had their heads tilting. “Is it…do you like it? I mean is it consensual?”

“That’s a stupid fucking question.”

“Hey.”, Steve growled towards his friend who exhaled through his nose as he looked away. “Yes, it’s consensual. We would never do anything to genuinely hurt the other. Like with you we have safe words and everything.”

“Is it intimacy or survival?”, you murmur, your tone getting smaller and smaller; you were dropping. 

“Does it matter?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Why?! So you can decide if you still love us or not?!”

The other man rose to his feet and suddenly took hold of Eddie’s throat. 

“Don’t talk to her that way. She’s trying to understand. Right, honey?”

“Yes, Daddy. I love you either way. I just want to know more. You never made any indication that—”

“We didn’t know if we could trust you.”, Steve responded before Eddie could. “It started as survival…needing someone to hold in the middle of the night when the lights go out. Needing to feel safe in a place that’s anything but. You touch yourself needing that release but after a while you want…NEED more.”

“People would make it into something it’s not.”, Eddie added. “Something dirty like the only reason we do this is because we’re in prison. It may be the reason it started but… us being rough with each other… it’s hard to explain and to be honest I don’t want to.”

“You don’t have to.”, you coo as you press up to kiss his lips. “Do you want me to give you some alone time? If this is between you two I don’t want to intrude.”

The metalhead’s hair lightly swats at his face as he shakes his head. 

“What do you need from me, Sir?”

“I want you to watch.”

Nodding, you kiss him again before turning to do the same with Steve and waddling to a chair next to the bed. After smiling comfortingly your way, he turns his body to face his friend. 

“Soft, rough or rough, rough?” 

“Both, I think.”

“Ok, baby. Use me.”, the pretty boy smirks as he sarcastically takes a bow with his arms wide open. 

Gripping his cheeks, Eddie crashes their lips together and a little sigh leaves your own as you watch them mingle together. When Steve’s arms came back down, they wrapped around the other boy’s waist, lifting him off his feet to walk with him towards the bed. After pushing the metalhead onto the mattress, Steve yanks off the man’s sweats and underwear before taking his cock in his hand and taking him into his mouth. 

“Fuck, Steven.”, Eddie groaned as he moved the boy’s hair away from his face to watch him. “All the way down. I know you can fuckin’ take it.”

At the sound of his light gags, the metalhead tightened his grip in his soft locks and guided his head lower to take him deeper. 

“That’s it. Choke on it. Choke on my dick, dirty boy.” Chocolate eyes flick to you as he notices you squirm in your seat and place your hands between your legs hoping to ease the ache. “You like this, Y/N? Watching him struggle to take all of me down his tight little throat?”

“Y-Yes, Sir. Does he feel good?”

“Jesus, you’re asking a lot of stupid fucking questions today. You’ve felt his mouth, you know how amazing it is.”

“I…I didn’t.” Eddie blinks as he tugs on Steve’s head, allowing him to catch his breath. “I only felt your tongue that night.”

“We’re going to correct that right now. Come here, baby.” With his arm steadying you behind your back, you removed your pants and kicked them to the side. “Go ahead and rest your back against the pillows.”, he instructed and you followed as you watched him pull Steve to his feet to undress him. 

Falling onto the mattress, Steve slithered on his stomach between your legs and his palms gripped your thighs. 

“Fuck, you smell so good.”, the man whimpered breathily as he pressed his nose to the cloth against your core. “Tell us if you need stop at any point, ok?”

“Ok, Daddy.”

Moving your panties to the side, his tongue pressed against your clit and a cry caught in your throat as the width of it seemed to envelope you.

“Oh my g—“, you moan as he licked between your folds in long, slow strokes that had your eyes roll shut as your fingers run through his hair much softer than the other man’s. Steve hums against you and the vibration has your eyes searching for the cause, landing on Eddie pushing two of his digits inside of the boy in front of him. 

“I told you, sweetheart. His mouth is fucking heaven especially in this hell.” When Eddie grumbles his last sentence, his hand comes down hard on Steve’s ass making him grunt and flick his tongue faster against your nub.  “Come on, dirty boy. Make our girl cum. Make her cum so I can fuck you like the slut you are.”

His fingers dug into your skin as the obscene sound of slurping filled the room till you shuddered and came against his tongue. Eddie spanked him again as Steve pushed up onto one of his palms while his other rested above your mound as his thumb rubbed slow circles against your bundle of nerves.

Your eyes continuously took in the little features on his face as the metalhead spit directly into his hole and gradually slid his cock into his entrance. Steve licked his lips as his head fell but you quickly grabbed his chin to lift it back up. 

“You…you look so handsome like this, Daddy.”

“Fuck.”, he mewled as Eddie took hold of his waist and thrust his hips. 

He seemed almost lost in what he was doing as he roughly pounded into him with each grunt that fell from the pretty boy’s mouth bordering the line between pleasure and pain with your gentle caresses a stark contrast. 

In the middle of everything, Steve’s eyes abruptly snapped open and you saw that primal look you had seen in them both when your dad was pulling you away from them. Gripping your thighs again, he pushed them open flat against the bed and lobbed a huge glob of spit into your cunt before pumping two of his long, thick fingers inside of you. 

Your own eyes closed until you gasped at the feeling of a tongue against your clit immediately recognizing it wasn’t Steve but Eddie. Laying his chest onto the man’s back, he leaned his head against his shoulder as his mouth played with you.

“Fuck…I’ll never get over how…sweet she is. Don’t…Don’t stop fingering her, Steven! Or I swear to God.”, the metalhead growled through gritted teeth. “Make her cum again, little boy. That’s it…thrust those fingers so fucking deep. Shit—you’re just as tight as her.”

“More.”, you begged and Eddie obliged as he fell into you again to flick your nub with his tongue as he rolled his cock into the man beneath him. “I’m…”

As the ball dropped and they helped you through your orgasm, Steve offered his digits to his friend who eagerly licked them clean. Pushing back onto his knees, he chased their highs as you limply slid your body under the pretty boy and he rested his face in the nook of your neck. 

“How does he feel, Daddy?”

“Mmph—good.” Your lips delicately kissed his until you felt his face scrunch as his sweaty forehead fell against your skin. “Fuck, baby.”

At his shaky breath, one of his hands reached down to stroke his cock till you felt his release land on your thigh. Eddie’s palm took hold of the man’s throat as he pulled him closer to his chest and kissed him much softer than he had been. 

“Thank you. Thank you so much…for everything…sweetheart. Mmugh—fuck, I’m gonna cum.”

Steve nodded and as he clung his arms around him, the metalhead grunted as he pounded his release into the boy beneath him. 

Their heavy pants filled the room as they stayed like that and you waited patiently for them to collect their bearings. 

Steve was the one to move first, crawling forward, and collecting you in his arms as his head hit the pillow. Eddie silently went to work cleaning his friend and then you before laying down in front of you so he could take your hand in his. 

“Thank you for trusting me enough to show me that. If you ever want to be intimate in front of me or without me…I don’t mind.”

The metalhead’s palm gently pets your head as he leans forward to kiss your forehead. When your eyes meet his, you notice a deep pain within them that breaks your heart. 

“We don’t really think too much about it but I do know that when I hear him cry at night I feel so helpless. When I hold him and kiss him, it makes me feel safe to. Like I have some control, you know?”

“Have you considered thinking about it?”

The metalhead knew what you meant, nodding as his fingers caressed your cheek. 

“We can’t in here. People exploit that.”

“Do they exploit that when it comes to me?”

“No…probably because they know we would fucking kill anyone that came after you or hurt you.”

His beautiful eyes darkened and Steve pushes up on his elbow to glance over your face. 

“Anyone?”

“Anyone, sweetheart. Any convict. Any Ex. Any…tyrant.”

You should be afraid…but you’re not.

You should be disgusted that they would kill someone for you…but you weren’t. 

You should hate men like them…but you didn’t.

Shaking your head, you curl yourself closer into the Steve’s chest as your arms reached for Eddie who scooted as close to your body as he could. 

“We’d never hurt you, Y/N. I hope you know that.”, the pretty boy whispered as he kissed your shoulder. 

“Or anyone else, unless you felt unsafe or in danger.”

A light knock doesn’t stir any of you as you continue to stare into those chocolate eyes in front of you. 

“Do you feel unsafe?”

“15 more minutes, guys.”, the guard informed you without opening the door. 

“No, Sir.”

“Do you trust us to protect you if you were in danger?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

It takes a couple more moments but when their eyes do finally soften, they lean in to hug you tightly and kiss your lips. 

##########################

June 14th, 1998

“Munson! Harrington! Ya’ll have a visitor!”

Both men exchange a glance as they stand up from their beds and allow the guard to lead them towards the integration rooms. 

“She wouldn’t come this soon right?”, Steve whispered. 

“I don’t think so.”

The person leading them tugged their chain, signaling them to be quiet before heading outside to where they had yard time during the afternoons. Right now, it was pitch black as they had begun getting ready for bed for the evening but they didn’t think anything out of the ordinary until they were pulled into the weight room and were met with a couple of fists to their faces. 

“You know, you both are stubborn just like Y/N.”, your dad sasses as he stands up from the bench he had been waiting on. “I see why she likes you.”

A few of the guards pull both boys up to their knees and turn them to face him. 

“She’s not as crafty as she thinks she is. She did slip away for a while but one of my officers did catch her leaving this facility so—”

“If you hurt her—” Another fist interrupts, Eddie as he grunts and spits blood onto the floor. 

“Who let her in? Which guard is it?”

The fuck you that Steve answers with didn’t help the situation as he was kicked in the stomach hard and toppled over. 

“You know, she may hate me but one day she will thank me. She may think you’re innocent but I’ve seen what you did; the pain you inflicted on those people. I will not let my daughter die because of some stupid crush.”

“So you’d force her to be with someone she doesn’t like?”, the metalhead growled before being hit again. 

“If it keeps her alive and me respected than yes.”

A snarky, deep laugh left Steve’s lips as his head tilted back to stare at your father.

“That’s what it really is, isn’t it? You don’t give a fuck about her. All that matters is image and how you look. Oh, I know all about that being a Harrington.”

Your dad stepped forward and reached out to pull the man’s hair causing him to wince slightly as his jaw clenched. 

“There he is. I was wondering when I’d meet the serial killers and not the ‘poor me’ image you display for the world. Has Y/N seen this side of you yet?”

“Outside or in the bedroom?”

Steve was punched much harder than before making Eddie snicker hoping to distract them.

“She hasn’t and she never will until you give us a reason to.”

“Don’t you mean unless?”

“That’s up to you.”

A little hm noise left your dad’s mouth as he smiled and stepped away. 

“Y/N had her baby a couple of days ago.” Both their eyes snapped his way as his grin grew. “She named her Olivia Y/L/N. She wanted to give her your last names but I forbade it. I was going to put Derek’s last name but…I figured I’d give her this especially after the birth.”

“Are they ok—ugh!”

“Oh, Mr. Munson, what happened? Not so sarcastic now are we? Here’s what’s going to happen. Since my daughter disobeyed, you will be punished. I’m thinking for Mr. Munson here, Indianapolis. That’s where your father is right? And Mr. Harrington how about Washington? I think that’s far enough away.”

At the sound of both men’s shouts his way, your father smirked as he headed out the door. 

“Enjoy your last night together, gentlemen.”

***

Monitors continually to beep as your eyes fluttered open.  You were still incredibly exhausted after rushing to the hospital and being in labor for as long as you were before Olivia decided to grace the world with her presence.

Olivia.

“Hey, hey, no. Don’t move. What do you need?”, Derek asked as you began to sit up. He sighed when you ignored him to reach for the crib and touch your daughter’s cheek to make sure she was ok. “The doctor said you should rest and take these…”

As he reached his hand out to give you some pills, you swatted them away across the room. 

“Y/N, I’m trying to help.”

“Fuck you.”

Exhaling, he took a seat by the foot of your bed and you immediately curled into yourself so he wouldn’t touch you.

“I didn’t know what to do. Your dad said if I did this he could help my family. We are in so much debt and my mom is about to go bankrupt. I could get kicked out of school and my family could lose their house—”

“So you agreed to settle down and ruin my life, you selfish asshole.”

“I’M selfish!?”, he hissed. “You brought an innocent baby into this world who has no idea her father is fucking murderer. And what, you were just going to raise her by yourself till she was 13 in a town where she will be ostracized?! She deserves better.”

“Fuck you. You are NOT Olivia’s father.”, you growl.

Derek’s eyes darken in anger as he rises to his feet. 

“Whether you like it or not I am now and next week you’re going to be my wife so it’s time you start accepting that fact. You did…once.”

As soon as he leaves, you lay your head back and sob. A part of you knew he was right; that Olivia deserved better but she deserved Eddie and Steve. Two men who loved her and you and shouldn’t have been placed in the position they were in. 

The sound of the baby cooing grabbed your attention but as you shifted in bed a palm roughly covered your mouth. Your wide, fearful eyes locked with Eddie’s as he slowly placed his finger over his month and gestured towards the door where you saw Steve waiting.

Rapidly taking them in, they both had cuts and bruises on their face that looked fresh. The metalhead himself had a pool of blood on his shirt and when you reached out to touch it, it was wet and he didn’t flinch. 

It wasn’t his.

Olivia whined again as both your eyes fleeted in that direction. 

“Miss Y/N?”, one of the officer’s asked from down the hall. “Baby is making noise.”

“Shhhhhhh!”, a nurse loudly calls towards him making him huff. 

“How is girl going to be a mom when she sleeps through a baby crying—”

As the man stepped into the room, Steve wrapped his arm around his neck in chokehold till the man stopped struggling and slumped to the floor. 

“Are you both ok?”, Eddie whispers as he lifts his palm while you watch his friend begin to remove the cop’s uniform. “Y/N, look at me, baby.”

“Wha-Wha-What’s happening?”

“We don’t really have time to explain right now but we can after we start getting where we are going. Can you move?”

As Steve put on the jacket, he tucked the gun into his pants and continued to search for something but for what you weren’t sure. 

“Y/N!”, Eddie growls in a low rumble that makes you jump before he exhales trying to control his temper. “Sweetheart, we don’t have a lot of time for this. Do you want to come with us or not?”

“I-I-I can walk but—but not fast. I need medication.”

The other boy grabs your chart and flashes it towards his friend who nods. 

“Does Olivia need anything from the doctor?” 

When you shake your head, Steve abruptly kneels in front of you and slides some scrub pants along your legs. 

“What happened to your faces?”

“Ok, honey, I’m going to carry you and Ed’s going to get the baby. Ready?”

“Answer one of my—!”

This time the pretty boy’s palm silenced you when you raised your voice, his own angry irises glaring into yours. 

“You have to be quiet, Y/N.”, he grunts in annoyance before sighing and moving his hand to caress your cheek. “Your father caught you leaving the prison.”

That’s all you needed to hear as it suddenly felt like you couldn’t breathe and the machines around you began to beep. 

Leaning his forehead on yours, he began to inhale and exhale with you, guiding you as you felt Eddie kiss your temple. 

“Miss Y/L/N? Everything ok?”, the intercom cackled. 

“Um, yeah, yeah. I’m fine. I just had…had a nightmare.”

“Do you need something to help you go back to sleep?”

“No, ma’am. I’ll be alright. Thank you.”

The three of you wait and Steve hands his friend the scrubs he found as he gently lifts you off the bed to place you in a chair nearby. You watch as he grabs the officer and nervously takes off everything attached to you before hooking it to the unconscious man. When the monitors continue to beep steadily, he grins. 

“Oh, I know, princess, I know. Daddy’s got you.”, Eddie murmurs softly as he lifts the baby into his arms. 

As you try to stand, the world spins and you fall back down right as Steve catches your wrist.

“Are you ok?”

“Yeah, I just…just need to sleep…”

Nodding, Steve pushes the cap down on his head and blocks as much of his eyes as he can while Eddie puts a face mask over his mouth. Pointing towards the wheelchair, he hastily puts you into it and begins exiting the room. 

“Are there any other officers you’re aware of around here, Y/N?”, he whispers.

“I don’t know…but I’ve…only ever seen one.”

“Excuse me.”, the nurse calls. “Where are you taking her?”

“I, uh…”

“I wanted to get some…air. Is…that ok?! I know my father has me…fucking shackled here but I can still move around! I’m bringing this asshole…is that…ok?!”, you shouted as best you could. 

The lady eyes you up and down before standing to head to a cart next to her. 

“Take this before you go. The last thing we need is you getting an infection or something. And don’t be out there with that little one too long. She needs to rest to.”, she instructs as she hands you a cup of water to swallow your pill. 

“How much more rest does she need?”, Steve asks, absently gesturing your way while trying to hide his genuine concern. 

“She’ll be ready physically within the next couple of days and you guys hounding me constantly about that won’t heal her any faster! Jesus.”

Rolling his eyes, he continues forward to the elevator and all three of you exhale a sigh of relief as the doors close around you. 

“Do you think you can hold her, Y/N?”

“Where are you going?”, Eddie asks as he gently hands you Olivia. 

“I’m going to run to the third floor to grab her meds. Find us a car and I’ll meet you out front.”

###############

@lemme-slytherin-that-dick @micheledawn1975 @paleidiot @fireeyes-on-teller-dixon-grimes @noooah @baileebear @dashingdeb16 @nailbatanddungeon @rockmusiciscalming12 @mikeyswifie @poofyloofy @eddiexmunsonlover @dreamliners @munsonmoonshine86 @bexreadstoomuch @kitkat80 @myherometalhead @hardladyheart @sheisjoeschateau @chelebelletx

[kissitbttr]

Hi lovely! Your cake tasting fic was literally immaculate. I was just thinking about how r and miguel met, and how cute it would be to see a blurb where he gets all flustered when he sees her for the first time? You are amazing! Xoxo

sending u lots and lots of kisses MWAH MWAH thank u baby😚😚😚 anyHOWWWW i’m so glad someone asked for this! I’ve been waiting for it TEEHEE! now i did mention a little bit on the cake testing fic how they first met, sooo i might just have to expand from there yuhyuh!

this turned out a bit onger than i expected lol but I hope you'd enjoy it regardless!

miguel masterlist

—

miguel meeting his wife for the first time

-

“the laboratory is 80% damaged, miguel. we need to get it fixed or else we can no longer continue our work.”

miguel sighs deeply, pinching his eyebrows with his index finger and thumb. the ungodly amount of research papers stacked neatly in the corner of his working desk, along with bunch of scrunched papers on top.

“jessica, no ahora”

she rolls her eyes at his stubbornness, arms crossed over her chest. his eyes glued on the monitor, framed glasses perched on the bridge of his thick nose bone

“you need a break.”

“I don’t” he disagrees. if anything, he needs to put on more hours of work. “i can’t leave before everything is done. we’ll get it fixed next week.”

“that’s what you said last week, miguel” jessica points out, eyes scanning around the room. “look at this mess! the HQ haven’t got fixed in months! if you want this building to be safely secured and leave no casualties in the future, you have to do what i say.”

again, miguel disagrees. shaking his head without looking up. “and i said, no.”

but jessica refuses to be told like that, shrugging her shoulders like it’s nothing. “well too bad, because i already found someone who’s willing to work on it and you’re meeting them”

that seems to catch his attention, his pen dropping off between his finger as his head whips towards jessica’s direction.

“you—what?!”

“i’m not going to be responsible for many injured people in the future. not when we have too much enemies coming to bite our asses so i suggest you get down from there and come here”

miguel has a temper. a very short one, and it’s not easy to control it when he’s surrounded by people who’s trying to tell him what to do. it’s supposed to be the other way around.

but miguel has no energy to fight back, so instead of telling her to fuck off, he just nods his head.

“alright fine” an upset mutter falls from his lips before he makes his way down the stairs. hands on his hips. “where is he?”

jessica scoffs, “why do you always assume everyone is a he?” she chuckles lightly at miguel’s quirk eyebrow. “you can come in now, ms. y/l/n”

the sound of his office door clicks after that, and miguel seems to be less than impressed because he has no energy in him to talk to people other than himself,

yet, his jaw drops instantly soon as he sees the person who walks through it,

a woman—a very gorgeous one—who looks like to be in her mid twenties makes an entrance as her heels click against the marble floor, carrying what seems to be a tablet and folders. she’s dressed in a grey long tight fitting dress that falls down to her ankles with a cropped beige colored cardigan completing the whole look as an outer, leaving only the left shoulder exposed. a smile appears on her face as she fixes the frame of her black reading glasses.

miguel has never seen a more beautiful woman than the one he’s staring at right now,

“ms. y/l/n, this is miguel o’hara. the head of Alchemax and leader of Spider Society.” jessica smirks at the way miguel is gaping right now, as he makes no intention in hiding it away.

guess, her 70% of her plan is slowly working.

“ugh! come on, jessica you’ve known me long enough to stop saying my last name” she giggles, “mr. o’hara. my name is y/n. it is very nice to meet you. jessica had told me many things about you. i am so impressed with everything you had done”

‘fuck, even her voice is pretty’ he thinks

he regains his composure, clearing his throat before taking off his glasses. “thank you, y/n. you and jessica are close?”

with a nod, she responds, “we go way back. haven’t been off each other’s arms for a long time. hard to keep me away from this woman”

so jessica had been hiding her away from him? that’s rude.

“oh hush. always with the sweet talk” jessica waves her off with a smile. “miguel, y/n has plans on remodeling the hq for us. i’ve told her about what needs to be done and so forth. she has already inspected the lab, cafetería, training rooms. this smart woman right here came with conclusions in just five minutes.”

a blush creeping into y/n’s cheeks, shyly tucking a loose hair behind her ear which makes miguel’s heart warms at the sight,

“i’ve seen her work and i wouldn’t just bring anyone when it comes to our matter. she’s the perfect person for this. now since i have so many things to catch up on, i hope it’s okay for me to leave you two and have her explain it all—“

“yes” miguel replies a bit too quickly, causing the two women to raise their eyebrows. this makes him slightly bit embarrassed at how eager he might have come off. “i mean-yeah, of course. it’s not like i was doing anything. have a bit of a time off.”

“i though you said—“

“that’s enough jessica. thank you” he nods at her, shooting her a tight smile. “i would love to hear it.”

a giddiness blooms in his chest when y/n gives him a toothy grin. and it may become his favorite thing to look at,

“alright then. i’ll see you later. bye, sweetheart” jessica waves at her friend before walking out of miguel’s office and shutting the door behind her,

now it’s just them,

y/n’s gaze averts back to his tall figure. she had heard stories about miguel o’hara. jessica loves to spill teas about her partner and had showed pictures of him when y/n was curious on how he look like. he is indeed handsome.

but now, looking at him in person? fuck, even the greek gods are no match to him

beautiful bronze skinned, broad shoulders, high cheekbones with sharp jawlines. she glances a bit at his toned chest then down to his torso for a bit. abs rock hard enough to be seen through the working shirt he’s wearing. this man built like he contains zero body fat.

however, his mesmerizing red eyes are what got her hooked.

“it’s very nice of you to make the time for this, mr. o’hara. i know you are a very busy man and i hate to be the one who’s preventing you from your work.”

miguel’s head shakes, giving her a small genuine smile. “no apologies necessary. and please, call me miguel”

“okay then, miguel” she nods, returning his smile. “may i begin showing you what i’ve been working on?”

miguel’s arm extends towards a large wooden table, allowing her to walk first. “by all means” he folds his arms behind his back, following her from behind.

he’s very much struggling not to look at her ass while she moves,

“okay, so” she lays her things flat on the table, getting to work quickly. “i’ve planned a pre-design for your laboratory, given that the lab is one that needs extra precautions and highly detailed instructions, i’ve figured i should get that one done first. and here” she unlocks her tablet before tapping one app, showing the minimum design. “there are important keys that needs to be highlighted. i need exact measurements of how many people will be coming in and out of your lab, objects you’re thinking of storing, etc. because it will determine the amount of space i’ll be working on”

miguel doesn’t know jack shit about what she’s talking about but fuck, it sounds incredibly sexy to his ears,

“jessica had explained to me before that there will be less than fifteen people working in there. i would advise to create a fingerprint for entry. and it will require more space, more equipment and materials for me and my team to be able to carry on with our tasks. but i need you to not worry, miguel. i’ve done the trials and errors to limit the damage that might occur with the calculations.” she pushes her tablet for him to see clearly, colorful scribbles of geometry with shapes and patterns,

not only that, but she has a few mockups too. giving him a small vision on how the area would look like once it’s done.

miguel’s eyebrows raise, moving a bit closer to where she stands. “christ. this is amazing. you did that in…?”

“a week” she finishes with a smile, nails tapping against the table. watching how his eyes amazed at her small simple work “some would take more than that but, i take my work seriously, i don’t like postponing.”

his eyes move upwards to look at her, impressed by the details and efforts she had done with it. one thing about miguel, is that he is very much attracted to people who are putting their careers above anything,

and she has ticked that box,

“indeed” he lets out a breathe, nodding. “does that mean you don’t have a lot of free time?”

she thinks for a while. “not much definitely. but it’s not like i’m missing out on anything. what do people do nowadays? partying and gossiping? i rather not.”

he chuckles in amusement, “understandable. i thought that you might be into those kind of stuff.”

“and what gave you the assumption?”

he raises his shoulders. “you look young. young people like to have fun.”

“and how old do you think i am?” she asks with arms crossed,

he pinches his eyebrows. “28?”

she hums with a small laugh. “i’m 26”

miguel’a eyes widen slightly, “makes me older than you, then”

“how old are you?”

“32”

“really?” she asks in disbelief. “i thought older.”

“yeah?”

“yeah. around 40ish maybe.”

“that’s quite offensive, love” he fakes a gasp, shoving his hands into his pockets as he watches her scramble through more papers,

her heart skips a beat at the nickname, though she doesn’t think much of it. “it’s a compliment. the older the better, i’d say”

miguel smiles at that, walking around the table so now he stands across from her. “what did you and jessica talk about?”

“hm?”

“about me” he confirms. “you said that the two of you had talking about me.”

“oh, well” she begins, standing up straight to look into his eyes and miguel swears his knees almost give up. “she told me how much she admires you. your intelligence, bravery. your work ethic. told me all about the good things you had done for the people—“

“i don’t know about that”

“which” she cuts him off. “i am so, undeniably impressed by. keeping the universe intact while trying not to lose your fucking mind is hard, i could tell. I don’t know how you do it. makes me admire you too”

he stares at her as if he’s searching for a trace of doubt or a lie on her face. when he finds none, his heart softens. never in his life had someone come up to him and say how he’s doing a great job. let alone being impressed.

“thank you— i needed that actually” he laughs a bit. “wish people could say the same.”

“in my opinion, i don’t think you need to know about what other people think or say. you’re a grown man, correct?” she taps the eraser of her pencil on one of her sketchbook, eyeing any misguided lines she needs to work on. “if they don’t appreciate that, might as well kick their asses into a new universe”

a genuine chuckle escapes him, nodding in agreement. “i keep that in mind” he clears his throat, thinking about whether or not to make a small talk,

she notices the long pause between them before speaking up, “please, i hate awkward silence. you can talk to me, if you want to, miguel” her head shoots up at him with a playful tone,

“is architectural the only thing you’re doing?” he finds himself curious at her line of work,

“apart from this, i do a little bit of interior design. not too far off from architectural but not exactly the same either. i love anything that goes from there. putting ideas in my head before making it into a reality. also, it’s warming to see how i can help my clients dream come true” she responds simply, a small smile engraves on her pretty features.

“i also am studying in biochemistry at the moment. having a bit fun with molecular study.”

that perks his interest. “biochemistry?” he asks in a surprise tone. “i’m no expert in architectural but i don’t think it has anything to do with that.”

“it doesn’t” she confirms, picking a ruler before sketching out more details on the design. “i do it for fun.”

“for fun?” again, his question comes out in surprise, “why’s that?”

“i just think that learning shouldn’t be limited to one, you know? i like knowing about things. doing more things. the more knowledge, the more you have room to grow. plus, learning about molecules is interesting. might take it seriously on that one”

‘holy fuck, she’s perfect’

“that’s a— wow—“ he huffs out a heavy breath, can’t exactly tell if he’s impressed or intimidated. earning a soft giggle from her.

so, she’s gorgeous, brilliant and ambitious.

“how about you? jessica mentioned about you specializing in genetics. is that some sort of science thingy? because it sounds pretty fucking cool”

miguel scratches the back of his head. “something like that. i more focused on DNA’s, genetics pairings, human genome. all sorts of that. pretty boring if you ask me”

“doesn’t sound boring” she scoffs. “if anything, i find it very attractive when men are willing to learn about science. and i’m not just talking about the glasses, but the brains as well. you ticked every single quota, miguel”

she points at the working glasses he has on, causing his eyes to bug out at her boldness. y/n watches how he shyly takes it off, flustered at the compliment. she smirks as if she keeps trying to keep score on how many times she’s succeeded,

“okay, so” she continues, palms resting on the table before shifting the tablet. “let’s talk about your office. is there something you’re willing to change? because, not to be rude but your infrastructure is quite—shit. keep this up in two months then the apocalypse might have come early”

miguel bites back a laugh at her choice of words, scanning over his office walls, ceilings and monitors. “what do you suggest?”

she pauses, biting the end of her pencil before her eyes begin to do a 360 walkthrough. the sight is almost too perfect for miguel.

“we could do something about elevating the ceilings. make it a bit higher. and i see you have lesser—safety features? which could be quite concerning. we need to install biosafety cabinets, more detection systems and fire protection. I know you’re no ordinary man and could probably handle all the damage that might happen in the future but, it is my responsibility to ensure my client’s safety.”

miguel feels like a lovesick fool right now. and an asshole. he hadn't been listening a lot to what she had to say, merely focused on the way her pink glossed lips moving and how her fingers would occasionally fiddle against one another,

he imagines how her mouth would feel like, molding against his. there is no doubt in his mind that he would immediately be entranced with it.

"miguel? you listening?"

her sweet voice pulls him out of his train of thought, eyes blinking rapidly before meeting y/n's confused gaze,

"oh--y-yeah! yeah uhm.. that sounds great, would love that” his nervous chuckles makes her smile. “you’re really quick with it, aren’t you?”

“just doing my job, mr.o’hara” her tone is professional and prideful. “i’ll work quickly on the building designs, exploring more concepts for it and run a few test drives. however this might steal a bit of your time, from your job. weekly meetings are needed during this process. i’ll bring the mockups, sketches, models and everything. your inputs and feedbacks are required since this is your building after all. would that work?”

spending more time with her? oh, absolutely. he’d make it work,

he gives her a nod. “of course. i’ll clear my schedule off for it, just let me know when”

“excellent!” she exclaims with a bright smile, clapping her hands. “i will do my best to get it done as quickly as possible for you, miguel. i made a promise to jessica and i intend to keep that promise. it’s a long process but i need your full trust on me, okay? do you trust me?”

“yes” he answers without hesitation. “i trust you.”

“great! okay, that is all i have for you today. do you have any questions?”

miguel doesn’t like the idea of it ending here. not seeing her again until next week? that doesn’t feel right.

“you have a boyfriend?”

y/n halts at his question, looking at him with a confused yet amused expression. lip quirking in curiosity. “getting personal, aren’t we?”

“fuck, sorry, hermosa. you don’t have to answer that”

her heart skips a beat at the nickname. he just called her beautiful?

she eyes at how his gaze cast down the floor, head shaking. probably mentally kicking himself at the bold question he had thrown at her,

but she finds it adorable,

tilting her head to the side, she responds. “no. i don’t have a boyfriend. they are not quite up the standards i’m looking for.”

“yeah?” miguel takes a step forward, eyebrow raising. “and what are they?”

“my standards”

he finds it attractive at how she doesn’t like settling for less. she knows her worth without coming off too cocky nor bitchy about it,

“am i not allowed to know?”

“you can fuck around and find out” she smirks, pushing her tongue against the inside of her cheek. “i like to see them try.”

“you like seeing men on their knees begging for your time?”

she nods. “i live for it.”

he feels his cock growing hard at that,

“are you free, this friday?”

she bites down on her lower lip, watching how his biceps almost ripping his shirt off when he crossed his arms,

“i’m a busy woman, miguel”

“so am i” he responds quickly. “say dinner or a drink, anything. an hour or two tops, how about it?”

the way he’s looking at her should be illegal. he has this glint in his eyes. primal, confident. and it’s extremely charming in her own opinion,

she hates how it makes her heat rises,

with a hum, she slowly gather up her things, stacking the compiling files on the tablet. tucking them against her left breast.

“pick me up at 7. don’t be late. and i’m choosing where we should go. it was nice meeting you, mr. o’hara. i will see you then” with that she gives him a smile and a subtle wink before turning around to exit out of his office. leaving miguel completely speechless but enamored.

“fuck. i’m in love” he exhales a dreamy sigh

[msschemmenti]

girl next door 🏠 - 5

a/n: sorry bout the delay-- very busy week at work and had a bunch of singing engagements this weekend. but here's this!

“Can you stop thinking about fucking our neighbor so loudly? I can practically feel the wheels turning over here.” Emily groaned as she turned to face JJ. It had been days since their girls night and of course they’d been whisked away on a case. As morbid as their job was that wasn’t stopping either of their minds from lingering on the conversations they had in their living room.

“Oh don’t act like you haven’t been thinking about it too.” JJ poked, leaning back in the hotel room’s office chair. “And I already know we’re going to discuss it when we get home– I’m just getting a head start.” JJ shrugged.

“And how are you so sure we’re going to discuss this? It’s not as if this is a normal scenario for us.” Emily tried (and failed) for disinterest.

“Which is all the more reason to discuss it. She said it herself– we’re depriving the women-loving women population as is. We might as well indulge ourselves, at least once. Plus it’s not like it’s the first time we’ve invited a woman to bed before.”

“But it is the first time she’s been more than a passing acquaintance.” Emily reminded.

“Well yes, but doesn’t the longing of it all kind of appeal to you a bit? It’s not like we haven’t been consciously and unconsciously thinking about her since we met her. And like I said it only has to be the one time.”

“I hear you but I highly doubt either of us will be satiated after taking her to bed once.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. But even then, so what if she becomes a repeat guest? It’ll be pretty convenient at least. We’d be cutting a large part of the leg work, and still coming out pretty well in the end. No more fishing for good submissives across DC after a draining case. No more layers and layers of anonymity. We could even enjoy her company in the comfort of our own home. Sounds like a list of pros to me.” JJ listed.

“Logistically, yes it makes sense. But are we sure this is a step we want to take with someone we’ve already got a friendship with?”

JJ pondered briefly before leveling Emily with a shrug, “It’s not like were asking her to marry us. She’s obviously in the market for at the very least an orgasm and I think we can provide that. You heard her, she’s open to experiences– long or short. What’s the harm in giving her the option?”

“I guess you’re right.” Emily nodded.

“Of course I am. I don’t know why you’d ever doubt me.”

-

With classes started, there really wasn’t much time for Y/n to feel embarrassed about her drunken confessions on her neighbors’ couch. She’d always been a bit loose-lipped when alcohol was in the mix, but it was always things she 100% meant—just something she wouldn’t typically say aloud soberly.

“Diana– that was good. I can tell you’ve been working on this piece for a while. We’ll keep it in your repertoire this year but I think I’ve got a few other songs I’d like to add too.” Y/n smiled up at the sophomore from the piano bench. It was Friday afternoon and this was her last lesson before she could head home for the weekend. In week two of classes, she finally started to get into the groove of her schedule. Her students were all excitable and respectful. The work they’d turned in so far looked good. All the signs were pointing toward a very enjoyable first semester.

“Awesome, how do you feel about adding a little Anything Goes to the list? I’d really like to master the Patti Lupone belt and Professor Calkins wouldn’t let me even look at it last year.” Diana pleaded. It was only her second lesson (the first one she’d actually sung in) but Y/n could tell she would be fun to work with.

“Sure, why not? These are your lessons. Just let me know, and we’ll get the music.” Diana grinned and nodded before heading out of the office. With Diana gone, Y/n packed her things and headed home. As soon as she made it in the door, her phone was ringing as it typically did on Fridays. Grayson, a true creature of habit, called almost every Friday to debrief but they’d missed each other the last couple weeks and there was much to discuss.

“You’d be very proud of me.” Y/n smirked as she propped the phone against the toaster in her kitchen.

“I’m always proud of you, but your smirk is leading me to believe you got between your sexy neighbors.” Grayson beamed in anticipation.

“Not yet— but here’s to hoping!” Y/n laughed before continuing. “They invited me over for a girls night with their co-worker and you know how I get when I drink. I think I may have complained about them being together and leaving the rest of the lesbian population to date crazy people.”

“Oh, that sounds like you when you drink gin or tequila. You know gin makes you sin.” Grayson laughed.

“I know! I do think it was tequila though. I got a little silly towards the end. So silly I freaked when their friend said they have some sort of open relationship.”

“Open relationship? Shut up, no way.”

“I honestly think it’s a sexual thing. They look like the type to menage a trois.” Y/n explained.

“You say that like you, yourself would not also be the type to menage a trois for the right women.” Grayson teased down the phone. “Or should I remind you of that one time–”

“No! I don’t need you to remind me anything. I’m just saying, I feel like they’re the one and done type. With their job, they probably wouldn’t have the time for a consistent lover outside of each other.”

“Well you haven’t had a consistent lover in months, I don’t see the issue here. One orgasm is better than no-gasms.” Grayson urged.

“You’re such a bad influence.”

“Yes, but you love it. You know you want them, I know you want them. They even know you want them. I just think you should be open to anything that may come to your doorstep. At least once!”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear ya.”

[strong-with-the-sarcasm]

Part 18: i'm anything but tame

"Don't tell me it's not fair. Believe me, I've been there. Bittersweet my renegade and I'm anything but tame. Oh, I hate to tell you this way. VIllians aren't born, darlin' we're made."  -Villians Aren't Born (They're Made) by PEGGY

Regent masterlist Mundane Macabre Part 17 AO3

Council of Uncaged Birds group chat [User Pharaoh has changed group name to Summon the Fraid Council] Summon the Fraid Council group chat Pharaoh-Tech: Phantom giw left AP InfiniteStarPrince: but thats good??? Queen_Regent: Where did they go? 

Dame_Asphodel: Phar tracked them far as NJ but the green says they are close to you.  Pharaoh-Tech: did some digging the bomb = not giw InfiniteStarPrince: yeah no gross ecto Queen_Regent: too subtle, not the usual guns blazing style.  InfiniteStarPrince: Oh.  Dame_Asphodel: Why Regent then? Queen_Regent: Who knows Phantom and I outside our night lives? Pharaoh-Tech: will dig more oracle tried 2 hack me Queen_Regent: Did you make contact? Dame_Asphodel: isnt Oracle a bat ally? Pharaoh-Tech: probably back hacked some files theres a file on Regent InfiniteStarPrince: why would BBB not have 1 on her??? Dame_Asphodel: BBB? Queen_Regent: Big Bad Bat. Batman. InfiniteStarPrince: yeah why wouldnt he have 1 on a meta Queen_Regent: he thinks is one Pharaoh-Tech: it has UR REAL NAMEE Queen_Regent:  I told him. InfiniteStarPrince: yeah, R let me know Dame_Asphodel: why? Pharaoh-Tech: u kidding i worried for nothing?!?! Queen_Regent: I’m dating Red Hood Dame_Asphodel: What happened to Jason? InfiniteStarPrince: him too Pharaoh-Tech: wat???? InfiniteStarPrince: R met his family 2 Pharaoh-Tech: hol up !?!?!?! u tellin me RH = JT?? Queen_Regent: Can’t confirm or deny Pharaoh-Tech: imma lay down head hurts Dame_Asphodel: That does make me think R Queen_Regent: that one of RH’s enemies tried to kill two birds with one bomb InfiniteStarPrince: oh snap plot twist Dame_Asphodel: who though?  Queen_Regent: RH is a crime lord Dame_Asphodel: who took on black mask Queen_Regent: I don’t want to do anything without proof

InfiniteStarPrince: black mask? Dame_Asphodel: crime lord got ass kicked by RH literally has a black mask as a face InfiniteStarPrince: so looking for one (1) ugly bastard Queen_Regent: evidence first. can’t execute mortal with zero InfiniteStarPrince: realm laws suck Dame_Asphodel: yet you’re still gonna be king sucks to suck Queen_Regent: For now i’ll ask RH for info he’s mad about the bomb worried I couldve been hurt InfiniteStarPrince: gross Dame_Asphodel: and after? Queen_Regent: well we’ll cross that bridge when we get there Dame_Asphodel:  I think you mean burn it Queen_Regent: whatever comes first

GothicDame and JazzHands chat

GothicDame: does he treat you well? JazzHands: very 

GothicDame: good always need more fertilizer JazzHands: Never change

If she was anyone else, Ellie walking through Jason’s apartment door with a dirty shovel over her shoulder while whistling a jaunty tune would have raised some concerns for the older Nightingale. Jazz decided to settle for fond exasperation over annoyance at her little sister’s literal (albeit forewarned) shovel talk, even though the aforementioned shovel was suspiciously covered in bloody dirt. 

However, any annoyance died and went to the realms when Ellie stood face to chest with Jason, one hand on her hip, shovel still over her shoulder and gave him a once-over. A four-foot-six teen standing off against her six-foot even boyfriend should not be allowed to be so comedic. 

“So, you’re the-“

“Red Hood.” 

“I was gonna say undead weenie, but that works too I guess.” 

It was just so ridiculous that Jazz couldn’t help but laugh at the two. Jason and Ellie spared her confused looks at her laughter, but didn’t comment as Danny entered the apartment as well, only he had an ecto smoothie in one hand and a bucket of popcorn in the other. The future Ghost King didn’t seem all that concerned about the scene he walked into, only pausing long enough to ask-

“Did I miss anything?” 

[I'm so glad to post a new part to the Regent! If you weren't aware, this also now lives on AO3.]

[plaidpajamallama]

(You scared me) RHEA RIPLEY X JEY USO

Chapter 19 part 2

_________________________________________________

Come on, Rhea, come with us. Naomi begged, It’s my birthday!

I’m sorry, I can’t.

Fuck my brother; he’s an idiot anyway. Come for me, please.

Naomi I-

Please, big mama

She giggled. I can’t; it will be weird. Naomi

Ugh! What’s the point of having a sister if we can’t hang out?

We can—we are hanging out.

But you won’t come to my birthday party, she said, folding her arms.

I’ll make it up to you, I promise, okay?

Fine, okay, but you're coming next time.

Sure I’ll come next time.

Let me know if you change your mind.

I won’t. I’ll be sitting in my nice warm bed.

She chuckled. I’ll see you later.

Ok, see you later. She said, walking away with a smile on her face.

She went back to their hotel room, sitting down on the bed, kicking her shoes off.

Her phone buzzed; she picked it up. It was Naomi asking if she was sure she didn’t want to come.

And she was sure

She climbed up into bed, turning the TV on.

Jey had tried talking to her again before she left, but she wasn’t having it. He didn’t want to talk to her at work, then she wasn’t going to talk to him at work.

It might be a little petty, but she didn’t care; she wanted him to get it; she wanted him to understand what she felt.

How it hurt when he ignored her at work

Her phone buzzed again. A smile came across her face knowing it was Naomi.

Naomi was sitting in the passenger seat. Jimmy was driving while Jey was in the backseat.

So, what do you do? Jimmy said, turning his head towards him.

I didn’t do anything, Uce. What are you talking bout?

Pfff, you did something because you're here with us and not her.

Naomi turned around in her seat. Yeah, what did your dumbass do?

He sucked his teeth. Damn, why does it have to be my fault?

'Cause it’s always your fault, uce.

Tell us what you did, and we’ll decide if it’s your fault. Naomi chimed in.

He rolled his eyes. We're fighting because I had been ignoring her, I guess. I don’t know; he pinched the bridge of his nose.

You’re ignoring her! Naomi hit his knee. I would be mad too.

Ow! Just at work, I don’t need her in our bullshit, he said, gesturing between him and Jimmy.

Jimmy shook his head. You're scary, uce.

He scoffed, I’m not—

Yes, you are, and you always have been, and being with Roman isn't helping that.

He fell back in his seat with a huff.

Your scary uce is nothing wrong with that, but you let your paranoia get in the way of shit.

Paranoia? I’m not—

You have been worried about Roman since last week about what he said on the bus.

That’s not paranoia; that’s just

He couldn’t find the words for it properly because he was right. He crossed his arms, pouting.

Yeah, he’s not wrong. You are paranoid sometimes.

She put a hand on his knee. You can’t let it mess up your relationship; you can’t let Roman ruin things for you.

He ran a hand over his face. I know, I know.

So then don’t let him

He signed; I won't. I'm going to fix it.

I hope so. She loves you, and I don’t want to have to fight you if you break her heart. She chuckled.

He chuckled. Yeah, I won’t.

Okay, come on, you too. Let’s go celebrate something wins. Jimmy said, jumping out of the car

He laughed, hopping out as well.

_________________________________________________

Rhea was walking to her car, pulling her suitcase behind her. God, her eye hurt; she was going to make Raquel hurt even more.

As she walked up to her car, she saw someone standing on it.

She knew it was Jey; she didn’t even have to get closer to know it was him.

She had ignored him all day. He tried to talk to her, but she kept brushing him off, telling him, “We’re at work.”

She opened her trunk, getting his attention.

What do you want? She said putting her suitcase in the trunk

Oh, you're going to talk to me now?

Mmh, we’re not at work, so

He rolled his eyes. Rhea, can we be serious?

I am being serious, serious as you would be.

Okay, I get it. Will you talk to me?

About what?

About us: about our fight

She closed the trunk, crossing her arms and giving him her full attention.

I shouldn’t have walked out on you the other night; it wasn’t right. I got carried away. I’m sorry, he said, grabbing her hand.

I did too, but this doesn’t change what I said, Jey. I meant everything I said.

I know he ran a hand through his hair, and you’re right; I shouldn’t have ignored you. It was wrong. No matter what, you’re my girl; you deserve my attention wherever and whenever it doesn’t matter.

She sighed. Jey, it's not—

Yes, it is. I don’t care anymore. He gripped her hand tighter. Fuck all that; I don’t care.

She let go of his hand, bringing both of her own to her face. You say that now, but what about later down the road when Roman needs your help again?

Right now he doesn’t need me. you need me I... I need you, Rhea.

Her eyes widened. Jey, it’s not that simple, and you know it.

What do you want me to do tell him?

That’s not what I’m saying.

Then what are you saying?

She huffed. I don’t know; she brought her hands to her face, letting out a hiss as her hand touched her eye.

Are you okay? Jey said, reaching for her hand,

She took a step back for him. I’m fine.

He grabbed her hand off her face. I don’t give a fuck if we’re fighting; if you're hurt, you tell me! There was a look of worry on his face before he let go of her wrist.

I’m okay. The doctor said to ice it; he recommended I take it easy; you know I'm okay.

She reached her hand into his hair. Are you okay? I saw you took a nasty hit backstage.

I’m good, baby. Are we?

Jay-

He backed up from her, letting her hand fall. Rhea He ran his hands over his face. Tell me what I have to do, and I’ll do it.

Jay I’m not going to tell you what to do; that’s not what we’re doing, she said, gesturing to them.

That’s... not... it’s... he took a breath. That’s not what I meant. I want to fix this shit.

I do too, but as long as you're worried about Roman,

We can’t—

He shook his head, mumbling something under his breath, “Always fault ruined.” Those were the only words she could make out.

Jay

I got to go I’ll see you whenever I guess.

Jey, you're just

He walked off before she could finish her sentence, rubbing the back of his neck.

She got in her car, just sitting there for a moment.

Fuck! She let her head fall against the headrest.

She didn’t want to fuck this up. She cared about him; she didn’t want to lose him because of something so stupid.

She always did this when shit got hard; she got scared, and she was scared of so much stuff right now.

She wasn’t supposed to be scared. She was the eradicator, the nightmare in your dreams. She bought the brutality,

and she was messed up over a boy a boy who moved on pretty quickly from her and she was still messed up over him

and now it was bleeding into this one God she was gonna fuck this up just like she fucked up her last one

She blinked away the tears that were forming in her eyes she wasn’t gonna cry she told herself she wasn’t gonna cry

_________________________________________________

The New day breaking up broke me and Jey got hurt on the same night it’s so jover 😭 -🖤

[cosyvelvetorchid]

My thoughts on 8.05 and prediction for 8.06 below the break 🩶

Genuinely one of my favourite episodes of the entire show!

My favourite episodes are the largely farcical ones and this one (Denny almost dying not withstanding) definitely fed into that.

So, here are my reasons/favourite moments

Seeing silly/ridiculous Buck again. We’ve not seen him overthinking something ridiculous like a curse for a while and though he’s grown and matured massively over the 8 seasons, seeing his almost child like wonder of the supernatural is one of my favourite character traits of his.

Seeing Buck and Tommy behave as a couple in a settled relationship (yes I know there’s a hurdle in the next episode but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it in 2 weeks). But specifically I loved seeing A) Tommy so effortlessly and happily taking care of Buck—bringing him an ice pack, getting him pain killers, plumping his pillows, getting up before him to make him coffee and breakfast. And B) more importantly (for me at least) seeing Buck happily accept the care. It’s a fantastic example of how far Buck has grown to where he isn’t instinctively resisting the care for fear of being seen as needy or a burden.

On that note Lou nailed the boil discovering scene. His body language throughout the whole scene had me laughing so hard.

Tommy’s sass. No explanation needed.

Tommy and Eddie teaming up. I love their friendship. And actually I think Eddie needed someone like Tommy in his life. Yes he has Buck and I adore their friendship, but remember Buck isn’t into sports or cars etc so Tommy being into those things and having served in the army gives Eddie someone who can relate to him with the things that Buck can’t.

For all the sassy comments Tommy made to Buck about Billy Boils curse, the entire time he still took care of Buck and was there for him in every way he needed. Even going as far as to put on a suit to attend a funeral his boyfriend wanted to do for a 120 year old corpse. He stood at the sidelines and listened fondly to everything Buck said.

And let’s not forget he stayed at the hospital to make sure Denny was okay.

The last frame of Tommy looking into the camera telling Billy Boils to knock off the curse.

As for 8.06..

Here’s the thing. If you’ve been watching the show long enough (and actually paid attention) you’ll notice that they don’t often go down the obvious route for drama that all the other similar shows do. (It was obvious Tommy would fly the plane, it was obvious Tommy would have issues with Gerrard being back or Gerrard would make a thing about Buck and Tommy, as examples) but none of things happened.

I’m not saying they don’t do obvious or predictable things but for the most part we’re often proved wrong in our guesses (which personally is one of the reasons I love the show).

With that in mind, we know that Buck is going to find out about something from Tommys past (as per an interview with Oliver)

Everyone is predicting it’ll be something to do with his own time at the 118 and Buck finding out about his behaviour. I think this is highly unlikely. Purely because those who know about Tommy 1.0–Bobby Chim and Hen—would have likely told Buck already (maybe even Tommy himself—we know he’s ashamed of it given his comment about Gerrard not making him a better person) and if for a second they thought Tommy was bad for Buck they love him enough to have said something to warn him off.

My personal guess (for what it’s worth) is that it’ll be something totally random. Such as him being married (totally over his ex but for some reason hasn’t got round to divorcing him yet). Or maybe he doesn’t want to ever get married or have kids. Or even maybe an amazing job offer is potentially on the cards the other side of the country.

Im not saying these ideas are super likely or unlikely—I’m just guessing random things to use as part of my point that I think it’ll be something not as obvious as Tommy’s 118 past.

Only shit thing is we now have to wait 2 whole weeks to find out!

[depressedbagpipe]

A Heartrender's Fire: ch. V

Tolya Yul-Bataar x Lantsov!ofc

Words: 5258 Warnings: canon-typical violence, me forgetting how to write, jesper being dumb, zoya being zoya, Irina being a pain in the ass, kaz brekker (?) A/N: whoops, i got depressed! but I'm back! enjoy!

Series Masterlist Previous chapter <> Next chapter

V: Yuyeh Sesh (Despise Your Heart)

“I’m gonna kill her,” Irina grumbled under her breath. Tolya stifled a laugh. “If she says one more thing…”

“You’ll smile at her with your most diplomatic grin and nod. Just like you were taught.”

“Did Nikolai tell you to say that?”

Tolya took a few seconds to respond. “Maybe.”

“I’m gonna kill you both, too.”

He brought a giant hand to his chest. “Ouch. That’ll be a bloodbath.”

“Anything to sit in silence.”

“That’ll be difficult with the Volcra.”

Irina squinted her eyes. “They sound a lot more promising at this point.”

She looked back at her land, where the Fold was only a dark spot on the horizon as they sailed towards Ketterdam. She flinched a little at the memory of their recent passage, feeling the strain in her arms from summoning tirelessly until they made it to the other side. 

Tolya’s careful eyes watched her, feeling the pain the girl was trying to suppress. Irina wouldn’t mention it, but she didn’t want to leave her brother behind. As excited as she was to be with Tolya on their little adventure, the risks were high on the other side of the Fold. Their goodbye had left a bitter taste in her mouth, and the anxiety seemed to crush her lungs every time she breathed. She hadn’t been ready to face her kingdom again, and she definitely hadn’t been ready for what awaited her now. 

“She didn’t even let you finish your poetry,” Irina pointed out.

“That I agree,” Tolya sighed.

“It was an excellent poem.”

“I know! I guess not everybody has the same appreciation for life’s beauty.”

“I guess not,” Irina smiled as she looked at him. 

It wouldn’t be the last time the giant had almost squirmed under the princess’ gaze. But he couldn’t admit that his eyes had lingered on her before she even returned his look.

“She isn’t that bad,” Tolya tried to argue, discreetly shifting his eyes toward the raven-haired beauty. “She’s feisty. Knows what she wants. Has zero tolerance for stupidity. I kinda happen to know two other women just like her.”

Irina scoffed. “Tamar and I aren’t assholes, you dumbass.”

“Ouch.”

“You know what I mean.”

“I always do.”

Irina eyed him again, trying to keep the warmth in her chest at bay.

“You two done with the whispering?” Zoya interrupted them, standing right in front of the couple with an unimpressed look. 

Zero tolerance for stupidity, Irina recalled. Yet I live with Nikolai.

“Yeah,” Irina grumbled. 

“Good,” Zoya gave a curt nod. “We should be arriving soon, so I say we look over our plan.”

Irina frowned. “Who put you in charge?”

Tolya, ever so loyal, stood straighter, following Irina’s irritation towards Zoya. “I advise you to watch your tone. Don’t forget who you’re speaking to.”

Irina recognized the annoyance in Zoya’s eyes, but also the slight tremble in her hands. She hated it. Tolya seemed to be the only one out of the three to respect Irina’s birthright, while even the princess liked to forget who her parents were. 

Zoya cleared her throat. “I apologize, moi tsarevicha.”

Tolya seemed pleased, yet Irina wanted to drown in embarrassment. She noticed the sarcasm from a mile away. After all, she was Nikolai’s kin.  

“We get to Ketterdam, we find the Crows,” Irina spoke fast, ready to divert the attention to the situation at hand. “Then we’ll cross the bridge when we get there.”

Zoya still looked at her unimpressed, but she nodded. “Of course, moi tsarevicha.” 

She was about to turn when Irina called her back.

“Wait, just…” she took a step forward, feeling Tolya’s burning eyes on her back. “Stop with the titles. I’m not Irina here, I’m Ainthe, alright?”

Zoya rolled her eyes but didn’t leave.

“That’s a stupid name.”

“Blame my brother.”

“Gladly.”

“We’re gonna be seeing a lot of each other for the next few days and I need to know you got my back. Because as long as I’m alive, I’ll have yours,” Irina pleaded with her eyes, looking for a way to break the Squaller’s walls down. “I’m not asking as a royal, I’m asking as a friend. An ally, at the very least.”

“We’re not friends,” Zoya pointed out, and Irina had to control herself not to roll her eyes in return. “But I volunteered for this. I’m just as interested as you to not have my home blown up to bits.”

The princess knew that was all she was going to get from the Etherealki soldier. She nodded at her, turning back to Tolya, hoping Zoya would follow her if only to honor the weird truce they both had established within seconds.

Irina couldn’t figure Zoya out, but as long as Tolya was by her side, she knew she could bear anything the Saints threw at her, even if at times all she wanted to do was strangle the Squaller until she drew the last wind out of her. 

–·–

The Crows were looking at Nikolai’s handwriting with a bewildered face.

“The Neshyenyer? Sankta Neyar’s blade?” Nina Zenik asked. 

The Heartrender was even more beautiful in person. Irina knew all the gossip from the Little Palace, and how much of a household name the Corporalnik had become over the years. Her sudden disappearance remained a mystery, but shortly after that, the Darkling had taken all the limelight. 

“So, you haven’t completely forgotten what you were taught at the Little Palace. Just your loyalty to Ravka,” Zoya interjected. 

Irina felt somewhat relieved. Apparently, Zoya was disdainful to everybody, not just her.

“Ravka? Or Kirigan?” Nina’s tone was ice-cold. “It didn’t take him destroying a city for me to question my loyalty.”

Irina took a sip of her drink, looking elsewhere but at the two Grisha throwing daggers at each other. 

It was Jesper Fahey’s turn to break the ice. “So, now that we all know that you two have history, what’s the payment for this particular job?”

“Name your price,” Tolya answered, busy studying his food. 

“It matters that much,” Irina backed him up, eyeing the strange group of misfits before her. 

Wylan Van Eck spoke. “Is that the Lantsov family crest?”

Nina nodded. “You know it is because it’s hideous.”

Irina tensed, although she had to agree. 

Thankfully for her, Tolya knew how to remain diplomatic. “Prince Nikolai requests your services to retrieve and deliver the Neshyenyer to Alina Starkov in East Ravka.”  

“She’s returned?” Nina seemed surprised, which only accentuated Irina’s hope. 

“As has the Darkling. With an indestructible army of shadow monsters.” Zoya’s words were followed by silence. 

Everyone at the table stared at her in bewilderment. 

“I do not like the sound of that,” Jesper shook his head before taking a big gulp of his kvas.

Irina took the next turn. “She needs the blade to kill them. It’s the only thing that might work.”

“Retrieve the blade and the Prince will pay whatever you ask,” Tolya finished. 

“But I like the sound of that,” Jesper smiled, downing the rest of his glass.

Irina smirked, already finding a favorite in the group.

“I assume same goes for you?” Irina asked Kaz directly, knowing that, without their leader’s approval, their plan would be futile. 

The man had remained quiet since they showed up at their club, yet Irina knew that he was already creating a thousand different plans in his head. He resembled Nikolai that way, and thankfully for her, she knew what to do to get her brother on her side. Kaz wouldn’t need much convincing either.

“I’d welcome the chance to help your prince spend his country’s money.”

Tolya smiled at his approval.  

“I don’t need kruge. I need to get someone out of Hellgate,” Nina suddenly spoke, sounding a bit too desperate. “The Lantsovs, they must be able to pull strings with the Kerch government.”

Tolya looked at Irina, who was frowning at Nina’s words.  

“For a certain Fjerdan?” Zoya creeped. When she received no answer from the Heartrender, she grinned. “He must be quite the slab of fur.”

It was Irina’s turn to roll her eyes. 

“The offer is the offer,” Tolya interrupted, successfully diverting attention from the two Grisha women. “And Prince Nikolai is a man of his word.”

Irina continued. “But we need to go now.” 

Kaz, with one last look at the princess, agreed. “It’s settled.”  He kept Nikolai’s official plead in his coat, and it was rather comical the way the white envelope disappeared in his pool of darkness. “We’re in.”

–·–

“The Neshyenyer at Ahmart Jen is definitely a fake,” Kaz Brekker entered the club’s salon once again, limping yet deadly. 

Irina groaned. “How many times are we going to have the same conversation?”

“Which we told you. Perhaps now you tell us something we didn’t know?” Zoya added. 

The princess was almost glad the Squaller asked instead of her. Even though the bastard was on their side, the way he carried himself was poignant and calculated. Irina knew she couldn’t keep her guard down completely around him, as Nikolai had admitted to her that Kaz had immediately blown his cover away. Perhaps he even knew who the princess was already.

“According to my contacts, it’s been stolen by a thief known as The Disciple. He had a penchant for stealing Saint-related relics while on jobs of all kinds.” 

“So he’s a thief and a collector?” Wylan asked as they all looked at their new fake identities, courtesy of Mr. Brekker. 

“Sounds like someone we know,” Irina mumbled, making Tolya grin.

“And retired,” Kaz continued. “But he has since put a few pieces of his presumed collection on the black market.”

Tolya spoke. “So, to get to him, we go to his fence.”

“Ohval Saran. She has a tea shop in Bhez Ju,” Kaz interjected. “To speak with her, we have to order yellow chrysanthemum tea, off-menu.” 

Whatever Nina said in Shu, Tolya responded with a big smile. Irina watched, tense, as the two Heartrenders quickly left their little party by the bar of the club to talk among themselves, laughing. She suddenly regretted all the times the twins had tried to teach her Shu, for maybe she could be in Nina’s place right now, laughing with Tolya in a language no one else in Ravka knew. 

Although Irina was looking down at her new passport, unimpressed, she noticed Jesper followed by a girl, and Kaz’s shoulders tensing imperceptibly before he, too, left his position at the bar and walked away to talk to them.

“That’s the Wraith?” the princess asked.

Wylan nodded. “Yeah. Guess she’s coming after all.”

“She’s pretty.” 

Zoya interrupted. “And deadly.”

“Just how I like my women,” Irina winked at Zoya before taking one last big gulp of her kvas, making Wylan giggle at the disgusted expression Zoya wore on her face. “C’mon, let’s pack.”

The boy was the first to go, leaving the two women sitting on the stools. The silence between them was awkward. Irina looked at Zoya curiously, before the Squaller snapped at her.

“What?”

“Sorry about that. I make jokes when I’m uncomfortable.”

“You’re uncomfortable?”

“Well, it’s not every day that I travel with someone who hates me.”

Zoya rolled her eyes. “I don’t hate you.”

Irina blinked. “You said we’re not friends”

“They’re not mutually exclusive.”

“Yet your face says something different.”

“Are you always this bothersome?”

“Only on my best days.”

“Why didn’t you say you’re Grisha?”

Irina’s smile was one of victory, even though she tried to contain herself. She knew Zoya had been hiding something ever since their passage, growing more silent and bitter the farther they sailed from Ravka. Yet the princess, being the younger sibling, was used to getting what she wanted by annoying the Saints out of people. Zoya was just another victim on her rather long list. But her victory was short-lived, for the weight of the Squaller’s question finally dawned on her. 

“It’s complicated.”

“Complicated?” Zoya scoffed.  “Do you know how much would’ve changed if the princess of Ravka had shown her powers?” She lowered her voice after Irina shushed her. “Representation matters, Ainthe. Maybe the Little Palace could’ve been a simple school for us, not a military academy to train us to survive,” Zoya whispered, glaring at the princess. “Ravka could’ve been a much better place. For all of us.”

Irina took a few seconds to breathe. Distress was running through her fingertips, shaking them, and she suddenly felt empty without her usual companion slowing her heart rate. She hated herself momentarily for wanting to rely on Tolya to calm down, creating an even bigger hole by her side where the giant should be. 

“Are you being serious, Zoya?” Irina closed her eyes momentarily. “You know my family. You’ve seen them up close. You’ve experienced their disdain first-hand,” she shook her head. “Much like Alina, I would’ve become yet another pawn for Kirigan. My father would’ve gladly sold me to the highest bidder, no matter who they were, and think of how many Fjerdan bounties would’ve been on my head had they known Ravka’s little princess knew how to manipulate fire with her hands.”

Irina recalled her conversation with Nikolai, and she couldn’t help the goosebumps on her skin. “Trust me when I say this, I’m exhausted from having to hide. I could only train at night, away from everyone, just so my power wouldn’t go out of control randomly at breakfast. I barely slept for years, nobody besides Nikolai knows and that was only because of an accident, and the only time where I felt I had some control in my life was on the Volkvolny with Sturmhond. And even that is over,” Irina gulped, finally allowing some of her pain to leave her skin. “So, yeah, I’m sorry I never said anything. But just like you, I was trying to survive.”

Zoya remained silent, eyeing the girl with something different glistening in her eyes. She wasn’t looking at the princess with acid on her tongue and sour eyes anymore; instead, she found herself caught in a whirlwind of senses she wasn’t used to feeling: respect, pity, consideration. Understanding. The Squaller was seeing the Inferni for the first time.  

–·–

“Just so you know, it’s considered bad luck not to honor the dead during Suntsa Sar,” Tolya said, eating yet again some walnuts he bought from a neighboring stand. 

The two Grisha had just finished their offerings when they walked back to the bastard, whose eyes were fixed on Inej Ghafa. Irina still found it weird that the Wraith believed so firmly in their Saints, yet she too had sailed in uncharted waters before. Very few things shocked the infernal royal anymore. The girl hadn’t talked much to Inej, but she couldn’t help but wonder how such a pure soul had been trapped in the cruel Kerch world. 

“If I truly believed in luck, I’d be in a lot less debt,” Jesper grumbled. 

Kaz continued. “And I’m more concerned with the living than the dead.” 

Tolya shared a walnut with Irina. “Tend not to your ghosts and they will come back hungry.” 

“Are you a ghost, then?” She grinned at the giant before taking a bite of her treat, quickly appreciating the savory snack. “You’re always eating.”

Kaz rolled his eyes. “The tea shop should be open now.”

With that, he left the four horsemen behind without another glance. Irina wondered if she’d ever get used to his cold nature, so different from the extroversion she shared with her brother. Kaz Brekker was a man of few words, but when he chose to speak, his tone alone could kill. His permanent scowl and his dark robes drew all the attention wherever he went, despite thinking otherwise, and for once, Irina was glad she wasn’t the one with the preying eyes on her. After all, she had no power outside of Ravka; the leader of the Crows could do much damage anywhere he went. 

Wylan quickly filled the silence. “Tolya, uh, I was actually looking to buy some firing powders. Do you want to come?”

Tolya looked at Irina first, as he always did. The girl shrugged before nodding, careless and curious. Wylan quickly took leave, with Tolya trailing behind, and a reluctant Jesper moaning behind them.  

“Always been a fan of shopping.” 

“Huh. For explosives?” Wylan didn’t even look at him, but the disinterest in his voice was too harsh not to notice. 

Jesper breathed out, defeated. “Sure.” 

“What did you do to him?” Irina laughed, keeping her voice down as she approached the sharpshooter. 

Jesper had a personality Irina could handle. He resembled Nikolai in a way, always up for a joke, no matter how dire the situation. He would never fill the void her brother left every time the siblings were apart, but for the time being, Jesper could make an excellent substitute. 

“What do you mean?”

Irina rolled her eyes. “Wylan’s upset. You’re the last person he spoke with. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the rest.”

Jesper scoffed. “I didn’t do anything!” He avoided the girl’s look, finding her gaze oddly familiar. Something about her eyes told him he had seen them before. 

“Right.”

Jesper squinted, mumbling at last. “I may have hurt his feelings earlier. But not on purpose!”

“I hope not.”

The man looked close to tears, frustration radiating even from the top of his hat. “I made a joke about his fake passport name, alright?”

“And he didn’t take it lightly?” Irina offered, but Jesper shook his head.

“Let’s just say maybe he’s not the most… literate… person I’ve met…” Jesper whispered. Throwing caution out the window, he immediately decided he could trust the Grisha girl, despite not even knowing her real identity yet. 

Irina blinked, processing his words. He stared at the sharpshooter, confused. “I thought you were smart.”

If the insult hadn’t been directed at him, Jesper would’ve laughed. “Hey!” And still, he allowed a small grin to adorn his lips. “I didn’t know it before! And trust me, I feel bad enough already!” He looked back at Wylan, his eyes almost longing to shorten the distance. Irina recognized that look. She knew she always wore a similar one when the Heartrender was away.

“You better,” Irina grinned, enjoying the teasing.

“But anyway, there’s nothing to be ashamed of here! I can’t do math! I don’t understand why he’d still be mad at me.”

Irina huffed. “You men.”

“What does that even mean?”

“He’s probably embarrassed!” Irina exclaimed. “He doesn’t want you to think lowly of him, and if it is an insecurity of him and you just outed him…”

Jesper interrupted her. “Yeah. Point taken.”

The two of them stared at their respective counterparts, looking back at each other in silent understanding. Irina wanted to think an unlikely bond had just formed between them.

“What will you do about it?”

Jesper took a moment to answer. “Apologize?”

Irina nodded. “That’s the way to start.”

“Then what?”

“I can’t tell you what to do.”

“You just did, Ainthe.”

“Maybe that’s what I want you to think,” Irina grinned at him.

Jesper breathed out, yet some of the tension had been unknowingly lifted off his shoulders. He smiled back. “Thank you for this.”

She winked at him. “You’re welcome.”

“What about you?”

Irina frowned. “What about me?”

He glared at her. “Are you two even together?” He pointed at Tolya with his chin.

Irina felt the heat in her cheeks. “No, we’re not.”

“Then, when are you telling him how you feel?”

She scoffed. “I feel nothing!”

“Right.”

“I really don’t.”

“And I believe you.”

“Jesper!”

“Ainthe!”

It was Irina’s turn to glare at him. She too felt somewhat relieved. She never spoke to Nikolai about this, nor to Tamar. Her feelings were hers to keep and bury underground.

“It’s complicated.”

“Ah,” Jesper clapped. “There it is.”

“We can’t just… be together,” Irina chose her words carefully.

“Strict parents?” Jesper ventured.

Irina took the bait. “Sort of.”

He nodded in understanding. “I get it.”

“Besides,” Irina continued, desperate to shift the attention back to the sharpshooter. “He doesn’t like me.”

At that, Jesper laughed loudly. Both Wylan and Tolya looked back at them, surprised at the sudden noise, but Irina was quick to shush him as best as she could. 

“Now, I really needed that. Come again?”

“Jesper.”

“That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in a while,” he dried a stray tear from his eye, still recovering from his outburst. “Yeah, this job just got a lot more interesting thanks to you.”

Jesper left a very confused Irina behind, following after Wylan who was bolting from stand to stand like a little kid in a candy store, eyeing up all the powders at hand. Irina could only stare at his back, wondering what the Saints the sharpshooter meant by that. 

–·–

The unlikely band of allies were, once again, retracing their steps. Sheltered by the darkness of an empty shop, Kaz was trying to hide the slight tremble of his hands. He wasn’t gripping his cane like he always did when he sat down, and for that, Irina could only wonder what demons the bastard had encountered during the short while he was out having a cup of tea. 

“Ohval’s not just a fence. She’s The Disciple.”

“What tipped you off?” Wylan asked. 

“Her tea cup. When she set it down, she did so without a sound.” 

“And her heartbeat never fluctuated once,” Nina added. “It held at one beat a second like a clock.”

Even Jesper accepted one of Tolya’s walnuts after closing the door, taking in his comrade’s words.

“So, she can control her heart rate and her emotions,” Tolya concluded. 

“Those are useful skills for a thief,” Wylan added.

“Now’s the part where you tell us where the blade is.” Jesper wasn’t even sitting down, far too restless. His conversation with the Inferni was long forgotten, all trace of the tear-spilling laugh gone.

Kaz looked at him. “Ohval has it. Her signal to the waitress to spill tea on me told me as much.” 

“It’s as if I know you,” he joked. And just like that, he was back.

“And if she’s not going to sell it to us, we’ll just have to take it,” Kaz concluded. Irina didn’t like the way his lip almost curved at the end. “After Nina and I ordered the chrysanthemum tea, I had Inej follow the tea shop employee who was sent to notify Ohval.” 

“She lives just outside the city,” Inej continued, casually playing with her knife. “When she stopped at the tea shop, she placed an order at the apothecary that she’ll be picking up tonight. I watched her home for a while, no one came or went except her.” 

“So, while she’s out of the house, Nina will tail her to make sure she stays out of the house. The rest of us will go in and grab the blade,” Kaz’s words were followed by a scoff.

Zoya was looking at him completely unimpressed, holding her own teacup in her hands. “You don’t seriously expect me to break into this woman’s house.” 

“Uh, why do you think we’re here?” Jesper’s bewilderment was almost comical. Irina was already used to the Squaller’s constant confrontation, but she enjoyed the showdown nonetheless. For once, she wasn’t a participant in Zoya’s wrath.

Zoya turned to look at him. “I’m a soldier, not a thief. Why else would I need you criminals?” 

“Oh, there’s much less of a difference there than you think,” Tolya offered, and even Irina had to agree.

“You just keep eating your walnuts,” Zoya tried to mock Tolya, but that only humored the giant further. “I’ll go with Nina.”

The Heartrender almost choked on her walnut at that, making Irina giggle.

“Are you sure you don’t need me?” Nina was now pleading to Kaz, and with good reason. “I mean, Zoya can tail Ohval. Even Ainthe can go.”

Irina quickly shook her head. “Saints, no, I’m breaking into the house too. I won’t be the only one not having fun.”

That earned a grin from Jesper. That weird bond only strengthened with her words.  

“Ainthe’s with me, anyways. Wherever I go, she goes. Prince’s orders.”

Irina glared at Tolya. So much for being discreet. 

She was pretty sure the bastard knew who they were, but thankfully for her, Kaz ignored them all. “Nina and Zoya will wait for Ohval at the apothecary. Follow her. If she starts heading home, buy us some time. Distract her.”

–·–

Irina whistled as soon as she saw Ohval’s house. Even though her home at the Grand Palace had nothing to envy the Shu Han mansion before her, she still knew how to appreciate art when she saw it. 

“Nice crib.”

Her voice got lost somewhere in the wind. The house sat in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees that hid its real size. The only light came from the few lanterns hung over the entrance and the moon that shone brightly on the thieves. The silence almost made Irina shiver, but she toughened up, almost forgetting that she could be as deadly as the misfits around her.

“This house is traditional,” Tolya had said as they arrived at the front door, drawing the map with a stick on the ground below them. “It has a specific layout. We enter through the courtyard, antechamber, middle courtyard, main chamber.”

“We sweep the entirety,” Kaz concluded, stepping closer to the main door. He turned to Wylan. “How long will it take you to set up?” He didn’t even have to look at him as he picked the lock.

“I can have the door open in about five minutes. And if Ohval trips it, we have two minutes before the firecrackers go off to get out.” 

“Even if she returns prematurely, we cannot leave without the blade,” Irina noted, making Inej nod with her. 

“Yes, the future of Ravka and my payment depend on it,” Kaz nodded, almost bored, and looked at the Inferni. “I’m aware.”

Irina didn’t know whether his words meant one thing or the other, but she didn’t say anything else.

“It’s more than the future of Ravka at stake,” Tolya intervened, feeling the need to save his princess from Kaz’s double-edged words. “If we fail, Shu Han, Fjerda, Ketterdam, and beyond, they’ll all feel the weight of the Darkling bear down on them.” 

“Way to up the stakes,” Jesper joked, always sarcastic.

It only took Kaz another extra five seconds to open the door. It creaked as Kaz pushed it forward, his dark robes disappearing in the darkness of the threshold. The rest of the party followed silently after him, eyeing the environment carefully, looking for any threat. Irina frowned when she couldn’t find any. 

Tolya wouldn’t admit it either, but the lack of security in the courtyard alone also pricked the back of his mind. Yet he continued forward, keeping Irina behind him within range. 

“Tolya,” she called to him, and her voice was enough to pull him from his dark thoughts momentarily. “Where do you think she keeps the blade? You’re the expert here.”

Tolya tried not to smile at her question, if only because the situation was so dire he couldn’t afford to make mistakes. “Probably at the other end. The farthest away from civilization.” 

Irina didn’t reply. Instead, she took a big breath, hyping herself up. Something about the house felt wrong, and the fire in her veins going crazy was only another indicator of that. 

“Jesper, we’re going in,” Kaz called him. Whatever conversation Jesper and Wylan were having was cut short, and by the look on the sharpshooter’s face, he was glad it did. “Close the doors behind you.”

Jesper joined them at the doors of the antechamber, rubbing his face in an attempt to hide the red in his eyes. Irina patted his shoulder in a weak attempt at comfort, but they all were immediately sucked inside the room as soon as Kaz opened the doors.

Once again, nothing came out to attack them. The antechamber was empty, and the room was fairly small compared to the courtyard behind them. It was dark, silent, and cold, not at all inviting as Irina had first imagined when she first saw the house.  

“Spread out,” Kaz ordered.

Tolya stood straighter. “I sense a heartbeat.”

Irina looked at him with wide eyes. That was not on their plans.

“I thought the compound was empty,” Jesper noticed, still lagging. 

His eyes still screamed an untold story, but he too stepped inside the room.

Tolya frowned. “It’s faint. Further in the house.”

That seemed to seal their fate. Tolya stepped on a floor tile, which immediately sunk under his weight. Something mechanic creaked, and the doors closed behind them, trapping the thieves inside the antechamber. Tolya and Inej tried to open them with all their might, Tolya with sheer strength and Inej using one of her knives, but the blade barely grazed the colored paneling of the doors. 

“It’s impenetrable,” Inej concluded, as Kaz felt the material with his cane.

“The frames are made of metal.”

Jesper whispered. “They’re Durast-made.”

“Damn it,” Irina mumbled. She had been trying to burn a hole in the paneling, but the wood around her would only become a casket to all of them if she summoned it completely. 

Dropping her hands, she met Tolya’s gaze. She didn’t like what she saw. The Shu Han giant looked apologetic, almost pained, and Irina knew that Tolya was already blaming himself for leading Irina straight into trouble. Irina felt a pang in her chest as she realized that Tolya still didn’t understand. Irina would follow him to certain death if that meant she’d be with him until the end. 

As they both tried not to panic, another cranking filled the air, making everybody turn their heads upwards.

“That does not sound good.”

Irina noticed it first. “There’s something in the air.”

A mysterious orange cloud of mist was suddenly filling the entire room, filtering through one of the lights. It didn’t take them long to start coughing, gasping for fresh air that was quickly disappearing from their reach.

“No, no, no,” Irina mumbled as she coughed violently, trying to get away from the mist as much as she could, but there was nowhere to run anymore.

“This is how we die,” Jesper moaned.

Tolya, with his eyes fixed on the smoke, sat down on the ground, bringing a hand to his chest and the other toward Irina, trying to keep in his coughs as he slowed both their heartbeats at the same time. Irina, who couldn’t keep straight anymore, fell to her knees next to Tolya, feeling the way her heartbeat fought against the enemy air.

“I got you,” Tolya whispered. 

Irina, despite it all, smiled at her companion, even though they both could see through his lie.

Jesper collapsed first, and so did Inej. Irina could feel herself growing weaker by the second, her legs weighing a lot more than they usually did. 

“Tolya…” Irina tried to speak, but her last strength only allowed her to fall sideways into Tolya’s lap, finally giving in to whatever poison was consuming them.

Kaz too was gone by then, and with another push, Tolya threw his arm over Irina’s back, his last attempt at protecting her, and with a heavy heart, he closed his eyes, focusing all his strength on himself. Maybe Tolya couldn't prevent the poison from killing Irina, but he might as well die trying. 

Next chapter

[densi-mber]

Let’s Save That for Home

***

“Hey, I just got a call from the school. Caleb and Sophia’s teacher has requested we stop in for a meeting,” Deeks informed Kensi.

“Oh, not again,” Kensi groaned.

“I mean, at least it’s only the second time this year.”

“Which wouldn’t be that bad if the first time wasn’t because they told an entire table of six year olds ‘mommy and daddy don’t shoot people anymore’.” Pinching the bridge of her nose, Kensi exhaled extremely slowly.

“Yeah, that was not a fun meeting,” Deeks agreed. “I suppose it’s a relief they didn’t actually try to bring a weapon to show off.”

“That makes me feel so much better,” Kensi said.

“I guess we better find out what happened.”

With a reluctant sigh, she took his offered hand, and they walked to the twins’ room together. They found Caleb and Sophia laying on the floor, coloring a giant picture of Disney characters, the very picture of innocence.

“Caleb, Sophia.”

Caleb paused long enough to look up. “Hey.”

“Is it time for dinner?” Sophia asked, mouth slightly open as she worked at a small section of the picture.

“No, we have about half an hour,” Deeks said, getting down on his knees beside them. Kensi joined him, sitting cross-legged. “Did anything happen at school today?”

Sophia tilted her head, looking remarkably like Kensi. “We watched a video about penguins,” she answered.

“And Liam got sick in gym,” Caleb added.

“Well, that’s lovely.”

“That’s not quite what we meant. Mrs. Rosenbaum called us. Do you know why that might be?” Kensi asked, raising an eyebrow at the twins. Caleb just shrugged.

“I don’t know. Wait, we did have to go to the principal’s office.”

“I’d think something like that would stand out in my mind, but ok. Why were you in the principal’s office?” Deeks caught Kensi’s eyes, and saw the worried anticipation in her expression.

“I don’t know. We were just playing bad guys and good guys during recess and showed Elijah defensive stragegies and then Mrs. Clark said it was against the rules,” Sophia explained.

“And she took us to the principal,” Caleb finished.

Caught between grim amusement and consternation, Deeks cleared his throat, and asked,

“Exactly what defense strategies did you show him?”

“A roundhouse and flipping him on the ground. Just like Uncle Sam showed us.” Caleb nodded proudly.

“I’m the one who flipped him,” Sophia said, puffing out her chest.

“Oh, I’m sure you did,” Kensi groaned.

“Just like your mama,” Deeks muttered. When Kensi gave him a sharp look he shrugged. “Thanks so much, Sam.”

Drawing in another breath, Kensi took Caleb and Sophia’s hand. “Guys, remember how we talked about there being certain things that you don’t do or talk about at school?”

“I thought that was just for stuff with weapons and Uncle Arkady and Grandma Deeks’ stories.” Sophia looked to Deeks in obvious confusion.

“Oh it is,” Deeks assured her. “We just neglected to add that you shouldn’t show your friends and of the things your uncles show you. So that means no judo, tae kwon do, kickboxing, karate—”

Caleb raised a hand.

“—or wrestling,” Deeks finished, and Caleb lowered his hand, shoulders slumping.

“Sorry we messed up,” Sophia said softly. And didn’t that just break his heart.

Sighing, Deeks pulled her into his lap; Kensi hugged Caleb into her side. “We know you didn’t mean to, but you gotta be a little more careful, ok?”

“Yeah, please don’t beat up your friends anymore.”

They got two nods and Sophia hugged him tightly.

“Hey, why don’t you guys get ready for dinner? Then we’ll check any homework.” Deeks patted Sophia’s shoulder and reached over to ruffle Caleb’s hair.

“Ok! Then can you tell us about the bad man who tried to kidnap you on your wedding?” Caleb requested excitedly.

“No, I wanna hear about when Mommy and Daddy met!”

Getting up, Deeks held out a hand to help Kensi stand as the twins argued.

“Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be normal,” Kensi said.

“It would probably be a lot less interesting. And we’d probably never have met.”

“In that case, I wouldn’t change a thing.” Kensi kissed him quickly.

[j4c3r0s3]

Flu Shot (Bucky Barnes x GN! Reader)

Fluffy Fluff!

Word Count: 862

AN: longer than an actual drabble. sue me.

His piercing stare and clenched jaw didn’t faze you. “Bucky, I don’t care if you’re scared or pissed. You are still going to the doctor.”

“I said I’m not going.” Bucky practically whined.

“Yes. You. Are. You need to get a flu shot.”

“I’m not even that sick.” He continued to argue.

You inhale and then exhale trying to calm yourself. Opening your eyes just to narrow them at Bucky. “Do. Not. Make. Me. Tell. You. Again. You are getting that flu shot!” Your voice and demeanor try to stay adamant; while dealing with Bucky, the manchild.

He scoffs. “How’re you gonna make me?” He asks, his tone almost challenging.

You get frustrated, and ultimately pinch the bridge of your nose before trying to approach in a different direction. “Bucky, fine. You don’t have to get a flu shot. But… can you at least go with me when I get mine?”

“I’ll do that.” He agrees. His tone is still annoyed, despite having agreed. “Why’d you want to go together anyway?”

“We’re a couple.” You say nonchalantly.

He raises an eyebrow, trying and failing to hide a small smirk. “We are not.”

“Not officially, but everyone practically thinks we are.”

“I don’t know where they’re getting that idea.” He shrugs, still trying to resist smiling.

–

You're sitting next to Bucky in the medical room waiting for the doctor to walk in. Bucky’s arms are crossed, he looks annoyed and bored. He’s tapping his fingers on his leg with a blank look on his face.

“Calm down. I already said you aren’t getting a flu shot. This is for me.”

“I know. I’m just… like, bored.” He shrugs again, leaning back on the chair as he continues to wait. He sighs. “How long until the doctor shows up?”

“I don’t know. Can I have your jacket to wear? Doctor’s offices are always so cold.”

He sighs again, but holds his coat out for you. “Fine. But you have to give it back when we’re done here.”

“Okie.” You smile. As Bucky’s flesh arm was now exposed, your plan was falling into place. The doctor walks in a few moments later and you quickly give him the signal. Your next move is rapid. You pull Bucky in for a randomized passionate kiss. As you do the doctor quickly gives Bucky his flu shot.

“H-hey! What- oof!” He’s a little stunned by the sudden, unexpected move, but then he feels the sharp pinch of the shot. He groans, and grips your shoulder, clutching it with one hand as he glares at the doctor, then at you. “I-I thought… I wasn’t getting one.”

“Now you don’t have to worry anymore!” You smile cheekily. “Now it’s my turn.” You sit up straight and the doctor gives you your flu shot as well.

He’s a little mad at being duped by that, but looks at you as you sit up and get your shot. “... Was that really necessary?”

“The kiss? The shot? Or both?”

He’s still clutching his arm as if he were a kid. “Both.”

“The shot was necessary. The kiss was to distract you, and it worked. Now we can go back to the compound.”

“I… I guess that makes sense.” He finally loosens his grip, stretching his arm and rubbing the spot where the flu shot was given. “You’re lucky my arm hurts too much to argue right now.” He chuckles, though he doesn't look happy.

“It’s gonna be okay. Can’t wait for next year!”

He laughs for real this time, looking back at you. “Next year? You’re planning this again?”

“I might have to distract you in a different way…”

“And what idea have you got this time?” He smirks a little as he looks at you, trying to figure out your plan.

“I don’t know yet… hopefully we’ll be dating by then.” You look at Bucky expectedly. His face lights up slightly at the thought of that. He smiles and crosses his arms, turning his head away from you hiding a blush. “Here’s your jacket back, by the way.” You hand it to Bucky, but as he grabs onto it you pull him in for another kiss.

He blushes even harder,  and is too stunned to do anything other than hold onto the jacket with one hand as you pull him over to you. He doesn’t complain about it though, not moving away despite the surprise, and he tries to kiss you back. “N- what was that for?” He ask softly, his tone full of surprise.

“I like you.” Simply put.

He blinks, his eyes wide. “Y-you like m-me?” He seems surprised by that confession, though he still doesn’t resist the kiss at all. He looks into your eyes. “I… like you too.”

“So…”

He pauses, waiting to see what you’re going to say. “... Do… Do you maybe-?”

“If you are asking what I think you are asking, then yes.” You smile softly.

He smiles too, seeming happy. He slowly leans in closer to you, not wanting to break the moment. “Does that mean… we’re… together now?”

“I think it does.” You smile more.

Bucky grins at that, and softly kisses you again.

[gabriel-xander]

Don't Forget

[Sans x Female!Reader]

23: Dude, You Could've Predicted This Shit

A/N: Fifty Shades of Beige mentioned No, nothing explicit at ALL but just in case i don't need someone cheesing me for not addressing it first

♪────✿⁠(⁠✧◕⁠ᴗ⁠◕✧⁠)✿⁠────♪

You plop down on your bed (the couch) with a smile, looking over at Sans while handing him the bowl of popcorn. He gives you a small “thank” while taking it, using his magic to move the popcorn into his mouth like a true gamer. Honestly, if you had that ability, you’d pull shit like that, too.

It’s the same day and you three had planned for a movie marathon tonight, Papyrus wanted to watch this movie parody knock-off called “50 Shades of Beige” and “Twilight: Old Moon.” You’re so nervous about 50 Shades of Beige though, and you told Sans the lore behind the original movie, too.

He only shrugged at your worries, saying something along the lines of: “you forget paps is a grown man, he’ll be fine.”

…Yeah, okay, fair. You suppose internally you’re still seeing him as “fanon” Papyrus and have been babying him a bit. You really need to work on that because it’s not fair to him, and he’s earned more respect than to be treated like that.

Still though, you’re not so sure how to feel about watching a possible porno with two men–with Sans and Papyrus of all people.

it will be the experience of all time. Hey! Maybe you can even add it to your bucket list and immediately cross it off.

“Oh, by the way,” You speak quietly to the older brother, whispering close to him just in case, “I really gotta talk to you once Papyrus is asleep, preferably out of the house but not in Undyne’s killing range.”

He raises a bone-brow at you, “uh, okay? am i in trouble, or…?”

“No, no. Uh, well-”

“uh oh.”

“-I don’t know, honestly. Ah-ha, if anything, I’m scared I’ll be the one in trouble,” You admit with a forced, nervous smile, “But uh, we’ll burn that bridge when we get to it, I guess.”

Much to your surprise, he gives you a reassuring pat on the leg.

“i’m sure it’s gonna be fine, [y/n]. let’s just enjoy the movie for now, no use it stressin’ about it.”

“Yeah, you’re righ-”

“-SANS? RIGHT ABOUT SOMETHING? RIGHT ABOUT WHAT?”

As if he was waiting on cue, Papyrus jumps down the fucking stairs like a true gamer, already in his pajamas and a cute nightcap.

“[y/n] was just telling me she’s nervous workin’ for grillby soon. i told her she’s got it in the bag. don’t you think so, bro?”

“WHY, ABSO-POSITIVELY-UTELY! YOU’RE ONE THE OF THE MOST DILIGANT HUMANS I HAVE EVER MET.”

You pause and squint into nowhere in particular, “Aren’t I the only human you’ve met?”

“DETAILS, DETAILS.”

The tall, lanky skeleton jumps onto the couch to seat himself on the opposite side, causing Sans to bounce in the air from the sheer force alone. It wasn’t comically high, but it was enough to make him tumble into your personal space, nearly landing in your lap.

“Oh!”

“uh…”

With a hot face, you help the poor man off you, grinning because of his own visible flusterness. He moves off you but decides that maybe he’s too lazy to get completely out of your space. He sits close to you, flushed to your side and relaxing when you don’t seem to mind. Sans balances the bowl between you two, letting it lean against your leg more than his, and drapes his arm behind you on the couch.

And you don’t mind it, really. You’ve gotten used to his boney ass by now and the position you’re in now is pretty comfortable. You’ve been trying to keep a physical distance from the guy when you can help it because you thought he’d be touch adverse, but he keeps surprising you each day.

“You sure you don’t want any, Paps?” You lean over a bit to look at the skeleton.

Damn, you know you just accepted that you don’t mind Sans being in your dance space, but now Papyrus has all that couch to himself now.

“OH, I REALLY SHOULDN’T. I CAN’T STAY UP TOO LATE TONIGHT, YOU KNOW. I HAVE AN EARLY PATROL WITH UNDYNE TOMORROW. AND DON’T WORRY,” Papyrus holds up his hand as if to silence you (you weren’t going to say shit), “I WILL MAKE SURE TO NOT MENTION A WORD OF YOU. MORE SO, IF SHE SUDDENLY DECIDES TO MAKE A SURPRISE VISIT, I WILL BE SURE TO LET YOU BOTH KNOW VIA TEXT.”

“I know I keep repeating myself, but you are seriously the coolest,” You say with earnest, “Thanks, Papyrus. And good luck with patrol tomorrow!”

Sans winks at his brother, “see? what do i always tell you, bro?”

“Y-YES, WELL–THANK YOU! NOW, LET’S START WITH FIFTY SHADES OF BEIGE!”

“Nuh God.”

…So, 50 Shades of Beige was, indeed, a porno. A very terrible porno, but a porno nonetheless. The acting was terrible, and they had the “I’m not at a beach, this is a bathtub” scene, too. That shit made you cry legit tears, all three of you laughing hard throughout the entire movie.

It was a little awkward at first considering Sans is right there, but it quickly died out when the first scene made you realize it’s not that deep. At some point though, you swear you felt him messing with your hair, but it was gone when you all doubled over in laughter.

50 Shades of Beige, you will always be famous.

Now, as for Twilight: Old Moon… There is a special place in your heart for movies that really want to be good, but are so terrible because of the acting but that in itself makes it so good.

“Isn’t that guy just in a onesie?” You asked with a tilt of your head in Sans’ direction.

He mimicked the gesture so your temples bumped lightly, “yeah, but he’s so killing it.”

Papyrus scrunched his nose, “HE SEEMS TO LIKE IT A LITTLE TOO MUCH…”

Yeah, either that monster actor was clearly finding this scene hot, or he’s just very blessed by the universe. It reminds you of the Olympics for some reason, you don’t know why…

Funnily enough, at the end of the movie, the character that was supposed to parody Edward came out as gay and he ended up with Jacob. It was so wholesome actually and taught you the meaning of life, you think you’d rate it in your Top 10.

“I hope I find someone who looks at me the way Edwardo looks at Jacobin,” You sigh with whimsy, “I want that for me someday.”

“YOU ARE SUCH A CATCH, [Y/N]. I’M SURE THERE ARE MONSTERS OUT THERE WHO THINK YOU ARE THE BEES KNEES.” Papyrus reassures, turning down the TV volume.’

“yeah, like that pollux guy,” Sans teases you, tapping your head from behind, “he’d definitely give you all his attention if you just look at him.”

“OOHHHH?” Papyrus grins mischievously at that, “IS THERE SOMEONE WHO TICKLES YOUR FANCY ALREADY, [Y/N]?”

“Ehhh, I mean he’s alright,” You grimace, shrugging your shoulders, “Not my cup of tea, but I’m not very picky either, so.”

“TELL ME ALL ABOUT-”

“-ah, ah, ah, not so fast, paps,” Sans shakes his finger disapprovingly at the other, “you gotta get to bed now, don’tcha? you’re already staying up a little later than you should.”

“OH, YOU’RE SO RIGHT, SANS.”

The babiest of all boys gets up from the couch, doing a big stretch with a pop in his spine. He sighs in relief at the release, putting his hands on his sassy hips while looking at you and Sans.

“YOU MUST TELL ME ALL ABOUT THIS POLLUX CHARACTER TOMORROW, THEN. BUT FOR NOW, I MUST BID YOU A GOODNIGHT, MY DEAR FRIEND.”

Sans pats your head again before pushing himself off the couch, stretching as well.

“Yeah, totally. We’ll have a little Tea-Time™ during lunch tomorrow where I tell you what’s good,” You salute your friend, “Have a good night, Papyrus. See you tomorrow.”

“GOODNIGHT, [Y/N].”

“g’night, [y/n]. c’mon, papyrus. you’re never gonna believe what story i have for you for tonight.”

“…IS IT PEEK-A-BOO WITH FLUFFY BUNNY?-”

“-it’s peek-a-boo with fluffy bunny.”

“OH, I LOVE THAT ONE!!”

“yeah, i bet. let’s go.”

They’re very cute. Very mindful. Very demure.

You clean the place up while they’re doing their routine, putting away the popcorn bowl, tidying up the couch, and turning off the TV. You even had time to change out of your pajamas into something more casual and cozy; a light sweater and rain boots that Papyrus let you just the other day. They’re too big on you because the fucker is a huge monster, but they’re better than nothing and you know how to be grateful. You implied to Sans that you want to talk with no one around, but you’re not going to risk being seen looking homeless. You have some standards.

You’re on the couch while writing in your notebook, writing a few random things down when Sans finally emerges from Papyrus’s room. You put your book away and stand up, waiting for him with a patient smile.

“you ready, freddy?” He asks as he reaches you.

“Yeah, you know a spot, right?”

“yep, got just the place in mind.” Sans extends his pin-gloved hand.

You don’t think twice about taking it, closing your eyes in anticipation of a shortcut. You feel a strange sensation; you didn’t feel it last time but you do now. You hope it’s not related to anything you want to talk about today. You don’t open your eyes until you get the okay from the skeleton, gasping in awe when you do so.

You’re in the Waterfalls now, one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful, places in the underground. You don’t recognize this area specifically, you think it’s supposed to be another area of the map you couldn’t access.

“ha, i had a feeling you’d like this place,” Sans nudges your arm playfully, “come on, the place i wanna take you is just this way.”

“Okay!”

You don’t know why Sans didn’t teleport to the place he was talking about, but you’re certainly not complaining. Maybe he did it on purpose, actually. The stream that flowed down the same path you were walking on was very shallow, shallow enough that you could safely walk in without raising the water getting in your boots.

Gosh, the in-game visuals couldn’t replicate this shit. The water is so beautiful and there’s a slight sound of dripping water, occasionally falling on fallen crystals and making a pretty noise. The smell of wet grass was subtle and pleasant, making you feel like a fucking magical princess. The only thing that could possibly make this better is if you could hear the Waterfall OST.

But alas.

Such is life.

After about 10 or so minutes, you reached a deeper part of the cavern, fewer and fewer Echo Flowers appeared and quieter it became. It was a little nerve-wracking, but you guess Sans also doesn’t want to risk anyone listening in, or any Echo Flowers picking up your words.

It’s a dead-end, eventually. There’s a small stream of water that ends at a deep pool of water, with one or two water sausages, and lilies floating on its surface. The water looks deep, but it’s not so high on the edge that you and Sans feel okay enough to sit and dip your feet in the water. Sans removed his slippers before that, of course, he’s not a savage, and your boots are still tall enough that water won’t threaten your sanity.

“It’s really pretty here,” You say softly as you sit with him, “What is this place?”

“the waterfalls, pretty self-explanatory,” He replies just as softly, “i like comin’ here, i don’t think anyone knows about it since it’s so deep down. i just gave us a head start, otherwise, we would’ve wasted hours walking to this place.”

Oh, wow. This place is hella deserted then. Randomly, you think of Flowey. You doubt Sans would take you here if he thought Flowey could stalk either of you in this place. Ugh, now that you think about him, you’re a little more nervous about bringing it up.

But you can’t… No, you don’t want to keep this in and handle it alone anymore. You want to tell someone. You want to tell Sans.

Sans gives you your time, he doesn’t rush you, doesn’t press you to talk. He sits close next to you, his eyes trained on the waterlily floating close.

You take a deep breath after a while. It’s now or never, otherwise, you really will end up not telling him at all.

“So…” You start oh-so-casually, “This morning when I was out with Papyrus, he asked me about my life on the surface, and I told him a few things here and there. Pretty much told him what I told you for the most part. And then… I asked about you two, and, he said I should ask you if I want to know more. And also…”

You bring your hands on your lap, fiddling with your fingers, “He mentioned your dad?”

Oof, Sans immediately tensed up at that. Still, you keep going.

“He said he isn’t around anymore, and that he barely remembers him or his name. That if I had questions, that I should ask you,” You sulk your shoulders, “I understand if you don’t want to talk about him-”

“-good. ‘cause i don’t.”

You widen your eyes in surprise at his interruption, though you know you’re going to have to push it this time. You can’t let this opportunity go.

“But, I-I had this dream–the other night. It was, like, the second day I was here. I know this is a stretch, but it-it was this other skeleton monster talking to me in a… I don’t know. I couldn’t understand him at all, it sounded like gibberish. I just thought you’d know something cause you and Papyrus are the only other skeletons I know.”

You can feel Sans’ eyes on you now, his body tense and stressed from beside you.

“do you remember what he looked like? you said he was a skeleton, right? are you sure?” His words are quick and urgent.

Ahhh, to be honest, no. You don’t remember what he looked like in your dream because you didn’t actually see him. But you knew it had to be Gaster because of how he sounded, and because, just like with Sans and Papyrus, you just knew he was speaking in Wing Dings.

You make gestures with your hands as you talk, finally getting the courage to look at Sans.

“He had a crack in his skull here and here. This eye was droopy-ish,” You raise your hand and circle your palm, “And he had holes in both hands. I think he was wearing black. It gets kind of fuzzy from there, but that’s what stuck out to me the most.”

As you kept describing him, Sans got visibly more distraught. You feel kind of bad stressing him out, but now you two can suffer together, so yay!

Sans exhales heavy, his smile is struggling to stay but it’s hanging in there like a trooper.

“yeah…” Sans shakes his head, “yeah, that’s him. that’s… he’s called w.d. gaster.”

You have to ask: “W.D?”

“wing dings.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“he made papyrus and i a long time ago. i won’t get too into it, but he raised us for a little bit, but then he–just wasn’t here anymore.” Sans shrugs, “i don’t talk about him a lot not ‘cause i have bad memories of the guy, but it’s just really fuzzy thinking back on him, and it brings a major headache.”

You nod in understanding, “But, he was a decent guy?”

“yeah… pretty alright in my book.”

Fuck it, we ball.

“There is more, Sans.”

“oh, no. what else?”

You might get killed. You might not get killed. It’s a 50/50 but you’re already this far, you might as well go all in. Never back down never what?! NEVER GIVE UP!!

“I think I knew from the moment I got dragged into this place, that this isn’t normal. I don’t mean monsters and magic, by the way. I mean this,” You gesture vaguely to the area in front of you, “I think you know what I mean. I think we’re similar in that regard. I mean… remember when we first met?”

So Sans wasn’t making it up in his head! You know something about this place, but… It’s weird. If you’re secretly playing him, then there’s no fucking way you would’ve brought up Gaster just like that. He genuinely doesn’t get the vibe you’re secretly evil, either.

It’s a big risk, but maybe you are like him. Probably not to the same extent as Sans, but you’re clearly caught up in a mess you didn’t want to be in. You’re just not a fool to let yourself get caught in the rising tide.

The real question is… How much do you know, and how much can Sans get away with without fully exposing himself? Is he even willing to expose anything to you?

“I was scared to say anything at first. I mean… First day here and I almost got fucked up by a talking flower, and he get even more bitchy when he realized I wasn’t some confused damsel and a pushover.” You chuckle at remembrance, “Toriel likes to think I am, though. But I’m kind of thankful for it.”

That confirms it further for Sans. if Flowey was that desperate to kill you, more so than he was with Frisk for the first time, then there is something odd with you. Strangely, that thought kind of reassures Sans.

If you were stronger than Frisk in terms of Determination, then you’d have the ability to Reset, right? Flowey probably sees you as a threat because of that, and in that case, you could easily be swayed to Sans’ “side.”

There’s no way you’re faking your affection for the monsters since you’ve been here. He’s seen that in Frisk after how many Resets, he knows that isn’t in you.

There’s really only one way to know for sure, though. But… Sans doesn’t think asking to see your soul will go well.

“you know, that’s why i wanted you here in snowdin where i can keep an eye socket on you,” Sans admits as well, “i know this place isn’t all that normal, too. it’s why i was kinda unsure of you at first. but now i know that you’re like me, and you’re just trying to survive, too.”

You nod again in understanding, not knowing if you should say anything to that. It’s out there now, it’s up to Sans to do with that what he will. At least he doesn’t want to kill you, not now at least.

This went a lot better than you expected, but you really need to remind yourself: Sans isn’t a bad guy. He’s scary, and he has every right to treat you like a threat, but he’s not a bad person. He’s apathetic and nihilistic, but he’s not bad.

You’re not sure what you were expecting in terms of his reaction, but this is enough for you two for now.

“i gotta ask,” Sans speaks up after what seems like 10 minutes of silence, “you wouldn’t happen to remember what gaster said in your dream, wouldja?”

You scrunch up your nose, “Uh… no, sorry. It just sounded like… I don’t even know how to describe it. I just remember his face more than anything, anyway. Not that I think you have all the answers, and like I said, it was a stretch to see if you’d even know anything about it. But… I wanted to tell you anyway, just in case.”

He nods and pats your hand that was on the ground, “well, you did right by tellin’ me. you’re right, i don’t have all the answers, but i’ll do what i can to look into it. just… make sure to tell me if you ever get another dream like that, okay? or even if you just feel like something isn’t right in general. we’ll figure it out together.”

“You don’t–You’re taking this surprisingly well.”

“eh,” Sans shrugs, “that old man was always doing the weirdest crap, i wouldn’t be surprised if he’s actually messing with your dreams from wherever the hell he is.”

“Ah, just a bit of Monday afternoon trollin’ from the W.D. Gaster, huh?”

“it’s his favorite gooning time, actually.”

You laugh because never in your life did you need to hear Sans say “gooning” so casually. Sans’s grin becomes natural, leaning back on his hands while accidentally laying one of them on top of yours. You don’t make a move to move away, so neither does Sans.

“I… Uhm, thank you, Sans.” You smile, feeling the weight on your shoulders get easier to carry, “for believing me, and listening to me, and not just vaporizing me on the spot with your Divine Skeleton Death Blast.”

“…my what?”

“It’s a spell for Necromancers in Dungeons and Dragons. We should play it sometime, it’s such a good game for nerds.”

“nerds? count me in.”

You fall into a comfortable silence this time, letting yourself relax now that you’re not going at this alone anymore.

You can expect some things to pick up now, right? You know Sans is still a nerd, so surely he’ll be working on some things in his own time? Actually, he’s a lazy guy still, so you might have to wait just a little while longer.

“hey, [y/n].”

“Yes, Sans?”

“uhm… thank you…” He mumbles, his cheeks a soft pink, “for trusting me… i know how scary it is to… to admit this stuff. so… yeah, thanks.”

You feel yourself smiling involuntarily, heat picking up on your own cheeks as well. “Don’t mention it, bone boy.”

Taglist:

@lemonboy011

@adriixboo

@fluffyart5000

[crystalgastles]

Cain and able

So, I’ve been working on this for a week. This is part one of a sort of cross over between mine and @freezingmcxn ‘s versions of Jeff the killer. I’ll have part two out as soon as I’m able to get motivation ok bye

My father took to the pulpit, starting off with a prayer that I didn’t close my eyes for, I saw that Louis didn’t either when we made eye contact and both tried not to burst out laughing. Something about the silence in the room being so funny we couldn’t help but snort, interrupting the quiet of the congregation that I hoped no one noticed.

I looked back to Jane who was now sitting behind me, her hands on the back of my seat while she looked around, shifting her eyes to make sure no one was listening.

“There’s a show Tonight”

My ears perked up at the mention of music, the scene in Pensacola was better than here and for it only being an hour away it wasn’t hard to sneak out.

“Where? Is it the Glasgow one I know about that already”

“Durhur I didn’t know if you were able to go”

“Yeah yeah,

“say you’re going to block buster and then Randy’s house, he’ll say he’s going over to yours and we’ll meet you at seven eleven. I need you to pick up Mary, she said she’s going to mine and I said I’m going to hers”

“Ok I’ll meet you at three”

“Kay.”

The service was quick but still droned, the offering plate being passed to Louis and I to give out, the silver dish cold on my fingers.

I gripped the bowl tightly When I made it to the woods family. Two sons one mother, widowed. Me and the oldest shared the same name, but that’s where our similarities ended. He grinned at me, the look behind his eyes reminded me of my own fathers, someone he had gotten close to over the three years his own had been buried six feet deep.

“Good morning”

“You know the drill asshole”

“No need to be hostile”

I passed the bowl, it making its way down the pew agonizingly slow while he made shallow conversation with me.

“Will I see you at fire pit?”

“What’s it matter to you.”

“Didn’t know if you and your little girlfriend would be making it to Glasgow, they’re looking for a new lead you know.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. I knew the girlfriend comment was deliberate, he’s the one who snitched on Jane and I three years ago. Going through a loss isn’t an excuse to out a gay girl with a religious freak father but what do I know?

“Not my girlfriend. Yes I do know, Randy is their guitarist.”

“Guess that means I’ll see you there”

I grimaced before the bowl made its way back to me. He got information from me without even prying. The last pew finished, the bowl filled with checks and a slew of ones and fives, one 20 dollar bill peaking over the top. Someone who had to show off how much they cared for the church not so subtly.

I stood by my father at the door, his hand on my shoulder made me want to curl away. His touch was heavy and uncomfortable, making my teeth grit and my breath become shallow.

“The woods boy asked if you could take him along to Randy’s tonight”

“The quiet one or the one who’s always at our house.”

“Watch your tone with me boy”

I sighed, keeping my eyes ahead as Jane looked to me expectantly. I was held hostage by my fathers touch unable to go with her behind the dried up creek bridge to have a cigarette.

“You know he doesn’t have many friends”

“That’s not my fault!”

“Just take him, I’ll owe you one”

“Fine.”

I knew that meant nothing. Miron always said he’d owe me one when I did something I didn’t want to do, it used to be taking Louis with me to the video store or with me to school events. Now it was this kid who I felt nothing but contempt towards. I was bitter.

He let me go, my shoulders finally relaxing. Feeling like I could finally get a breath I practically bolted to jane who was wiggling her lighter at me.

“What was that about?”

She hopped underneath the bridge, her boots getting covered in mud along with the bottom of her dress, I walked around the hill and down. Looking cool is not worth a broken leg.

“There’s a chip in our plan captain”

“Oh god don’t tell me you can’t go”

“I can, there’s just a barnacle on our boat”

“I have no fucking clue what that means why are you speaking in riddles”

Truth be told I didn’t want to tell her. Afraid that if I did she would blow up at me. Even though I knew she wouldn’t, the fear was still there.

“I have to bring my dad’s favorite”

“Louis? He’s not that bad I like him-“

“Jeff woods”

“Oh. Oh oh no. Nohohono.”

Even though he was 12 when he snitched Jane still believed him to be one. I couldn’t blame her since we both took the fall for it. I still won’t go swimming. She just got more rebellious, I was only able to easily find her on Sundays, the rest of the time I have make guesses to her location. She was never in the same place twice.

She inhaled smoke, blowing it out her nose while looking at the dirt that went above both of our heads, seemingly deep in thought.

“You have room in your truck for Randy ,Mary ,and woods?”

“I should, I don’t know how keen Mary would be on sitting beside him.”

“Why don’t you make Randy do it, don’t torture my girlfriend”

“He’s talking about letting me replace their old lead in Glasgow I can’t chance that”

“You’re a dick“

I exhaled my own smoke, looking up out of the hole we were essentially in I panicked, black converse peaked underneath the wood of the bridge . It was as if saying his name three times summoned him, like a fifteen year old beetle juice.

“Hey guys”

He sat on the ground peaking his head underneath the wood, staring at Jane and I.

frantically trying to put my cigarettes in my pocket he started up, attempting to explain himself.

“I already knew you were smoking, jesus you can see the smoke coming up from the bridge.”

Jane spoke, attempting to pry and understand what he wanted out of this interaction

“What do you want, here to tell Miron what we are doing or do you still need a ride?”

“I still need a ride. Can you let it go? I was twelve.”

“Can you unsend me to Delilah’s?”

“Right.”

Delilah’s is what they called the camp for troubled teens that was essentially a be in the wilderness and try to survive for three months while a grown man yells Bible verses at you. Jane escaped three times until they gave up on trying to send her there. Or parent her at all.

I took a step back when he hopped underneath the bridge with us, holding his hands up and a lighter in a mock gesture of peace.

“I’m sorry.”

He didn’t seem genuine but to make this easier on everyone tonight. We accepted, taking the lighter and relighting our cigarettes, as well as his.

“You’re supposed to inhale”

He coughed up a lung while the smoke burned. I knew the feeling all too well, he tried to inhale again, finally choking it down.

“See not so hard”

“Why do you even do this shit”

“Don’t know actually”

He was finally able to choke down the smoke. I rolled my eyes. Invading my home life and now invading my only escape. He was only two years younger than me but had already sprung up to right below my nose. We were similar in build, our hair color was almost the same. His was so dark brown it was almost black . I dyed mine, a black slightly bluish color that contrasted with me, Which Despite the summer heat of Florida I was pale all year round.

We hopped out of the ditch. Dirt covered my knees and palms, woods dark brown slacks looking black at the knees, the color of Janes dress at the bottom mimicking the bottom of the dried up creek.

Jane looked at me, pointing to my watch before she spoke, to both me and woods.

“What time is it?”

“It’s uh, 1:30”

“I gotta get back and change. We meet at 3:30 at the 7/11, don’t be late or I’m leaving you all there, Jeff, my Jeff, Should know the way if you are late. Woods, don’t be a snitch.”

He held up his hand, saluting to her as she walked backwards to her family’s sedan,leaving me alone with him.

“Got anything I can wear?”

“Dude.”

My house was buzzing, my dad had some people from the church over and my mother was in the living room with my brother, arguing about what movie to put into the dvd player.

“Hey Louis”

My mother looked up from her place on the couch, holding what looked to be some drama dvd that my brother nor my dad would want to watch.

“No hello to me I guess, hi Jeffery” she waved at woods who was a little too close to me for my comfort.

“Hi Mrs. Abel”

“Hi to you too, mom”

“You two on your way to Randy’s?”

Woods answered for me, I was too slow to process everything happening around me to even understand what she said

“Yes ma’am”

We rode silently in my truck to Randy’s, a guy who lived on his own in an old shit apartment building that my dad thought was a dorm. Randy didn’t go to school, he didn’t have a solid job, he did music. Something I thought I could also do if I was even able to move out. I was enjoying the silence, Rammstein permeating through the speakers until he turned the volume down. My nine inch nails shirt fitting him like it was his own.

“You trying out for Glasgow?”

“I am”

“Who do you think is going to get it?”

“I know Randy and he said something about just talking to the band about me”

“Cheater”

I didn’t say anything as I turned the dial knob back up, speakers shaking as we drove the other five miles to Randy’s. Pulling into the parking lot, not bothering to say anything before I hopped out of my truck. An old rusty blue ford I bought myself with years of birthday money I had saved.

Randy’s was messy. He stood at the door shirtless while Mary was still in the bathroom, doing something to her hair. He smiled, throwing a cropped shirt with a bleached design over his head, something he made himself.

“Who’s the fuckin’ kid”

He held his guitar pick in his mouth while he laced up his boots, he stared at woods before picking up his guitar and amp to throw in my trunk.

“Jeff woods, Miron made me bring him”

Woods spoke up, keeping his hands in his pockets while he stared at Randy, long red hair going over his shoulder before he put it in two braids.

“I Love your music dude”

Randy was three years older than me, five years older than the boy who stood beside me. He calls everyone who isn’t older than him kid, a quirk I never quite figured out.

“Same name as old Jeffery huh? You two twins or something? I only knew about Louis, Jeff”

“No, he goes to the church”

“The one you talk bout burnin’?”

“Yeah man, to the ground”

He laughed, pushing my shoulder before he knocked on the door to the bathroom, yelling out to Mary

“Mary let’s go!”

She swung open the bathroom door, glaring at the redheaded man and then looking to me and Jeff, who stood awkwardly by the door. Her and Jane were like the sun and the moon, her hair was light brown with strips of blonde and pink, braided so tiny they seemed to look like strands of hair that fell down to her waist. She emitted a warmth that I couldn’t explain but I liked being around her. Her face was round with deer like features while Jane was angled and sharp, tough and extremely stubborn, she was sweet and gentle.

I smiled at her , her own expression changing when she saw my face. Waving to me she looked back at Randy.

“Ok ok I’m ready, hey Jeff and….?”

Woods looked at her, charm turned all the way up to try and make a good impression. He smiled too wide, coming off as artificial and weird.

“Also Jeff, nice to meet you”

She raised an eyebrow, looking to me for an answer so I just shrugged, jingling my keys as a signal for us to get going before Jane left us at the 7/11.

I ran my hand through my hair when I turned the key to my truck, Randy hopping in the front while Jeff and Mary sat in the back seat, Making awkward conversation. Mary knew about Delilah’s, she knew how Jane got told on but she didn’t know who told on her. She still wouldn’t be outright rude to anyone though, unlike Jane and I even if they sent her girlfriend to conversion therapy.

I spoke up, keeping my eyes on the road in front of me while I pulled out of the apartment complex.

“Rule is if you become intoxicated at any part of the night you tell someone. If I get drunk we are sleeping in my car until I feel like I can drive. Don’t trust any of you to drive Layla.”

“Jeff loves to drink and drive but he doesn’t trust us with his truck”

Randy joked as he lit a cigarette, without the courtesy to roll down the window, I had to hit his shoulder so we wouldn’t all choke on his second hand smoke

“Roll the god damn window down the air is gonna run out in here and we’ll all be breathing your shitty menthols” Randy tossed a braid over his shoulder before using the crank that slowly squeaked as a it cracked the window, the smoke slowly dissipating from the truck the farther we drove and the more pressure I put on the gas.

Our meeting place came into view. I saw Jane walking out of the glass doors with two paper bags, one plastic and a slushee in hand. Teased up hair and fishnets, how I was used to seeing her.

I rolled my window down as we passed her, yelling out something insulting that only we would find funny.

“Ma’am I’m afraid you can’t run your brothel out of the 7/11”

She put her bags into the car, retorting while rolling her eyes and slamming the door.

“Oh sorry I didn’t know the guys who wear too tight pants police department was over this part of town”

She held out a twizzler she had broken out of the package into my open window and hit me in the nose with it. To which I bit down and tore a piece off. She looked behind me to Mary and smiled.

“Hi love-bug” woods answered before Mary could, which made me laugh, one of the first times he was able to

“Jane I don’t think we know each other well enough for pet names”

“Oh suck my dick woods and what the fuck are you laughing at Jeff? ”

I stopped smiling almost immediately when she reprimanded me, side eyeing Randy.

“We should probably go” I said, looking down at my steering wheel while I felt her stare, burning holes through the side of my head.

“We should, Mary I have room in my car if you want to ride with me.” Mary quickly opened the car door, patting my shoulder before she walked to Janes old Honda civic that was plastered in bumper stickers.

“Bye Jeff bye Randy, bye woods nice meeting you” she halfway said over her shoulder while Jane, who was still staring me down said her peace on how to follow her to the venue.

“Don’t follow too close behind, watch my blinker and Jeff for the love of god use yours. Pensacola isn’t far from here and it’s mostly a straight shot except when we get into the city. It’s right left and then another left until you see fire pit. Don’t crash.”

When I rolled my window up it was all laughter. There was a joy I felt that hadn’t graced my mind in years. We couldn’t stop until we got onto the freeway when Randy turned the dial up on my cd player

“What is this shit Jeff”

“Rammstein, German industrial”

“It sucks”

“Do you have anything different?”

“I have bathory in my bag”

“Bullshit where’d you find a cd”

“A buddy of mine burned it off of the library computer”

Woods ears seemed to perk up at the mention of the band, he unbuckled himself and settled his elbows in between us, reaching up to pause the music while Randy dug in his bag, pulling out a cd with bathory that looked more like bothory written on it.

He ejected my rammstein cd, tossing it onto the dash before shoving in the other cd, looking behind him at woods who was nervously biting the side of his thumb.

“You’re doing emperor for your audition right? I saw it on the set list for tonight”

He looked up, putting his hands on his knees.

“Yeah um, wrath of the tyrant by emperor”

“Good one”

I helped the band set up while the rest of our group was outside, talking and mingling with the other show goers. Troy a large and serious guy who had long brown hair, usually had on an Iron Maiden t shirt but was the best smelling out of the entire band played drums. Keith was the bass player. He had Long black hair he usually wore in one braid that had loose strands hanging out of the front. He was the prettiest of the three, a girl hung off his arm today. One of many girlfriends he had over the years so I never bothered to learn her name, I should.

“You guys are really doing the auditions aren’t you” I spoke up after handing troy his bass pick, And sat on the Side of the stage, watching Randy fiddle with his guitar.

“If I’m being honest, we are really just doing it for show, we already discussed picking you but more people come if they genuinely want to try being in Glasgow ” Troy said while tapping his drumstick on a wooden board that was used to hold up the devils mouth, a giant wooden devil slack jawed where the stage stat. Art piece someone did for firepit. Keith spoke up next while raising the mic stand,

“yeah, I mean you know Randy and we already know you’re able to do vocals, so makes sense”

“ok well, I have a little surprise when it’s my turn, since I’m going last.” I made a beat on the floor where I was sitting before I hopped up. Pacing around the floor when the doors opened, max capacity hit around the second guy to try out, Jane and Mary stood beside me, making a joke every time someone came up on stage or got pushed into the concrete floor while moshing.

I got nervous around the fourth person, woods was up next. I wasn’t even sure he knew how to do dsbm vocals but I was scared all the same. What if they decided on him over me, what if he invades another part of my life and kicks me out of it.

Jane handed me a half drunk beer, she yelled over the music that was so loud I could barely hear her.

“You look like you need this!”

“Yeah! Thanks!”

I chugged it, keeping the bottle in my pocket for later while the music started back up, Jeff hopping on stage and taking a swig from a vodka bottle someone passed up before he started.

He was good, he was more whiny than I expected but good nonetheless. People were getting more violent in their moshing as the music picked up, throwing mary Jane and I around while I was essentially panicking. I need this. I need to prove I was better at him than something, anything. This was the one thing I could not let him have.

He looked at me, smiling something evil while sweat poured down his face, my nine inch nails shirt sticking to his skin. My face burned while I sat in a silent rage, beer bottle in hand.

It ended and it was my turn, I was the last to go. Shaking I stood on the stage, Yelling into the mic while raising it to my height eventually just pulling it off of the stand to hold.

“Bleed! This is Glasgow!”

The music started slowly. Randy walked closer while I shook my hair out, essentially vibrating with energy when the music got faster. The lyrics burned my throat, a sweet rumbling that echoed in the venue. People were pushing harder, faster.

I broke the beer bottle on the devils mouth, glass shattering onto my fingers before I used a shard to cut my own mouth into a Glasgow smile, blood dripping down my face and onto the audience, onto woods who was standing directly underneath me while people jeered, some standing around in shock and others backing up so it wouldn’t pour onto them.

“By night will strike me, I die”

I laughed into the microphone and dropped it, my cheeks stinging while the music continued to blare. I fell onto my knees, letting more of the blood that was still pouring out of my face drip onto the people in the crowd most of which dripped onto woods who was now, diving onto the stage, tackling me from my kneeled position.

“What the fuck man!”

He didn’t say anything as he hit me in the jaw, I kicked up, the live music in the background stopped randy Keith and Troy backing up off the stage. While the speakers overhead that played music in between bands started playing again. March of the pigs.

I still bled while he punched me in the ribs. I tried to knee him off of me, eventually getting up and grabbing a fistful of his hair.

People were cheering fight while Jane tried to get her way through the crowd. He threw a punch right into my fresh and open wound as I staggered back, letting go of his hair while he kicked me in the stomach.

I punched him in the nose, the crunch of bone of both his nose and my finger was loud. Grabbing a shard of the broken beer bottle that also cut my hand open, I tried to defend myself against his barrage of punches and kicks until I was on my back again. He shoved a finger into the smile I created. Shooting pain racked itself through my body when he twisted it.

“You fucking asshole, you have to have everything for yourself don’t you!”

“Get off me! You’re batshit dude!”

He took his finger out of my open wound, grabbing my shoulders and slamming my back into the ground while I stabbed the shard of beer bottle into his arm but he didn’t seem to care. The only thing that got him to quit was troy prying him off my body and the stage.

“Get the fuck out of here!” Troy pushed his shoulders before I sat up, cradling my broken finger that was now throbbing. Jane finally got up to the stage, looking at my face and other wounds among the chaos.

“You’re so fucking dead Jeff what were you thinking”

“I don’t need your bullshit right now just help me to the back room.”

“Fucking Christ.”

She helped me up, my shoulders and back throbbing while people patted my back, telling me how brutal my performance that I now regretted was. Blood filled my mouth, the salty metallic covered my tongue and I spit while Jane looked for anything to patch me up.

“Lean back”

“Fuck no you are not pouring vodka on my open wounds!”

“You don’t know where that little assholes hands have been. Lean back.”

I reluctantly leaned against the old sofa, the alcohol burning as it hit my skin and I hissed, digging my nails into my knees while she found an old Hanes tank top, ripping a piece off and wrapping my hand in the fabric. “I don’t know how I’m gonna bandage your face, what are you gonna tell your dad?”

“I don’t know. I was planning on running away tonight anyway”

“You were planning on running away. And you didn’t tell me”

“Don’t start getting on to me right now”

“Ok, ok. Hold still.”

She dug in her purse, finding the bandaid box she usually kept in there and digging. Pulling out a slew of large bandages. She did her best to try and cover the smile I gave myself, the blood eventually slowing and being absorbed into the gauze.

“You have everything in there”

“Yeah.”

“Where’s Mary?”

“In my car we are leaving after I patch you up.”

I huffed, the pain from my finger making me wince while she picked up her purse, giving me her entire bottle of Tylenol before she headed for the doors.

“I don’t need to be here when your dad shows up. Good luck”

“Have a good night Jane, I love you.”

“I love you too, I’ll see you later if you’re still alive.”

“Tell Mary I love her too”

“I will”

I sat back in the band area, waiting for Troy Randy and Keith to file in. Randy was first to sit beside me. He patted my knee before rubbing his face, pinching his temples before he spoke.

“That was brutal”

“Yeah?”

“You got the shit beat out of you but you did amazing up there”

He shook his head getting up and pacing the room while Troy and Keith filed in, looking anxious. My own nerves starting to spike when I remembered I’d more than likely have to face the wrath of my father tonight.

Troy spoke up first, keeping his eyes on the door.

“The kid called your dad, used the pay phone at the Texaco and he should be here in like 45 minutes.”

I expected this, I knew what was coming the second Jeff stormed out of the venue after being torn off me. He was kicking me out of the nest. I felt better that other people were with me and that Jane got out in time so she wouldn’t be thrown into the mix. Still didn’t stop me from being utterly terrified.

I drank. I drank the rest of the vodka Jane poured on my wounds and whatever else I could get my hands on. The fuzzy warm feeling of being intoxicated slightly numbed the pain of my injuries while I waited for my certain doom. There was no way I was coming home tonight so I might as well enjoy the freedom of living on my own.

I heard the doors to the venue open, my fathers booming voice echoed even into the back room and in my drunken state I still froze. My heart beat in my chest like a drum while I tried to keep my breath steady.

I got up from the couch, slowly opening the door to see my father, still in pajama pants and church fundraiser t shirt with my mother and brother standing by the outside door. He had his arms crossed, woods stood beside him the blood from his broken nose dried on his face. His mother had her hand on his shoulder and avoided my gaze while I quietly murmured something almost unintelligible.

“Fuckin’ Brady bunch”

“What’d you say!”

My father yelled now, a sound that would always make me flinch. It was the same voice he used when he was passionate about a sermon he was giving or if he was locking me in my room, or unfinished basement, beating me until I had nothing left to say.

I looked to woods, ignoring the fact my father was asking me why I had brought him here or why I was even here in the first place.

“Had to call daddy to come to your rescue? Sorry I forgot, yours is six feet under so you have to call mine”

“You shut the fuck up, you’re a selfish piece of shit”

“I’m selfish? I drive you to Pensacola and let you hang out with my friends, you attack me on stage and I’m selfish?”

“You know that’s not what happened”

I watched him fidget with his hands and look at the ground, my dad and anywhere else but me. He told them something. He told them a lie. I slurred my words but they were coherent enough.

“Oh I get it, you told them I started a fight with you because you don’t want to get in trouble for starting a fight”

I looked at my dad who had quit speaking once I had started talking to woods, now glaring at me.

“Are you drunk boy.”

“I may be.”

“I ask you to let him go with you, make some friends and have some good influence and you bring him to this, this hell house and beat him to a pulp? Get drunk and wave around a broken beer bottle as a knife while screaming about death and vileness? Who have I raised”

“He knew where we were going.”

“What’s this you’ve done? He told me you cut your own face open” he pushed both of my shoulders, grabbing my face and making me look to the side. He dug his fingers into my jaw painfully deep while I winced, the pain from my self inflicted injury stinging at his grip while he spoke through gritted teeth.

“What has possessed you? Where has my son gone”

“No where you’d wanna step foot”

A sharp smack across my face echoed on the concrete floors and wooden walls my throat closed while I tried to take shaky breaths. My brother walking over when he hit me across my open wound again. As if the fight didn’t do enough damage. Louis tried to diffuse the situation, unsuccessfully.

“Dad, stop just do something after we get him to the hospital”

He turned around, looking at the devils mouth posed over the stage and I could see he found himself grow more angry by the minute.

“He’s not going to the hospital. He can deal with it on his own when I take him home since he thinks he’s so grown.”

I raised my voice over his, backing up towards the room where my band mates were watching the whole thing unfold.

“I’m not going anywhere I’m never going back to that fucking church or that god damned house”

My mother looked at me with tears in her eyes while I tried not to cry as well. Belle Able had a way of getting me to accept my home situation. I loved my mother I didn’t want her to see this, I didn’t want her to know how I felt about being at home.

“Miron he is gonna need stitches.”

“Fuck the stitches belle he needs God, it’s clear he’s let him out of his life. “

She tried to get my father to calm down, ultimately settling on trying to get me to come home.

“Jeff ,please”

“No mom. No I can’t”

“ it’s only gonna make it worse if you don’t go home with us”

“It can’t be any worse if I don’t go home at all”

She let her tears fall, wiping it with one hand and holding on to Louis shirt with the other, I didn’t know what else to say. Woods just stared at me blankly, bloodied nose and bruised jaw. It made me angry the way he wasn’t even reacting, to anything no emotion was behind his eyes while he watched me essentially get kicked out because he can’t keep his mouth shut.

“You know how you said you owe me one dad?” I spit my words at him, and partly woods. Angry that my plan to run away had to be this dramatic.

“You obviously don’t get one now Jeff, pulling this shit-“

“Leave. Get out of my life I don’t need to be tormented by you anymore. The pissed off rages and the bruises I have to hide? I’m done”

Woods mother didn’t speak the entire time, essentially hiding behind her son until she ushered herself and him out of the room, whispering something to my dad.

“I’m going to see if there is any way I can get him into the emergency room, his arm needs stitches.”

My dad seemed to calm himself when he remembered there was someone he wasn’t related to in the room. Finally unclenching his fists and pinching the bridge of his nose while I felt like shrinking in on myself.

“You want to be on your own? Fine. When god calls you back home I’ll be waiting.”

“Don’t start with the holy gods gonna save me bullshit. Get out”

I watched him almost say something, sighing and deciding that saying nothing would be more painful. Louis looked at me, my mothers face buried in his chest while he just stared. His mouth was twisted in what I could only describe as pain.

“Don’t look at me like that”

“You shouldn’t be like dad”

“I’m nothing like him”

“But you are.“

“Just stop. Stop.”

“Fine. You do what you want to there’s no one to stop you. Drink until your liver fails, hurt your family. I don’t care.”

He didn’t say anything else before they walked out. My mom saying choked I love yous and please just come homes before I couldn’t hear them. I need to drink.