#what I do know is this is the only series where I am not just looking at TOM BURKE'S FACE all the time

[mourn-and-watch]

in all seriousness, dragon age being almost officially dead to me is, like, whatever. i'm used to hanging out in dead fandoms because i'm usually extremely late to the party so i think i'll manage. i was excited for veilguard but even if it was bad bad for me (which it wasn't. i have my problems with it but they didn't ruin the franchise for me) i would also manage because dragon age to me always was extremely flawed but had an enormous potential for fan content. at some point i started to treat it like my favourite fantasy playground where i can smash pre-existing barbie dolls with the ones i made myself. all my barbie dolls are in place and i still can do whatever i want (and i plan to continue to do so) and, i guess, i shouldn't be upset.

i am upset, however. for all the devs affected by laid-offs, but especially the writers. these people created dragon age as we know it, and it's been a messy series in every aspect, including the writing, it's been insensitive at times, at times dumb and undercooked, but there was always an immense amount of potential that's been inspiring fans for years, and also a feeling that all, or at least the most of it was created with genuine passion. and realizing that there is no one left from the team that made dragon age what it is, every installment of it, is just. genuinely sad. and it's not a theseus ship dilemma, because it's not like they were slowly replaced one by one. they were just fired. this ship is destined to sink, it's falling apart in front of our eyes because neither ea nor bioware cares about writing. not many companies do nowadays, to be honest. and it's kinda devastating. grifters will celebrate that like a "downfall of woke slop", but they'll get only more ai slop instead, lol, because good writing doesn't guarantee good sells. best selling games of 2024 are shooters and sports games. and elden ring which is a nice exception, but an exception nevertheless.

i don't think mass effect will save bioware at this point. even if it's an absolute banger it still has to meet ea's expectations. which are unrealistic, to say the least. also people who wrote characters like mordin, tali, legion, thane, garrus and liara are all gone. either they left themselves or were laid off. like, if you want "old bioware magic" to return, there is none. the same people who wrote your favourite characters and storylines in da/me were also working on veilguard. i may be wrong, but somehow i think they didn't all lose their ability to write here because they went woke or whatever. i think the inconsistent quality of datv writing that can only be described as 'we're so back/it's so over' pic is a consequence of multiple rewrites, constant director changes and shitty decisions, both internal and coming from bioware/ea higher-ups. i also may be wrong, but it wouldn't be such a big problem if writing wasn't at the bottom of priority list.

if i recall correctly, when gaider left willingly, he highlighted that bioware didn't treat its writers seriously at that point. and i'd say that tracks. like, from countless veilguard rewrites and scrapped ideas to lay-offs of every single studio veteran.

idk what else there is to say. i'll cheer for every studio that value its writers and i hope all ex-bioware devs will be able to do something new and exciting. i also doubt bioware is the last studio that will experience such a decline in the years to come. the narrative of this shitshow will also be twisted into 'go woke go broke' and it already slightly draws me insane. fuck ea fuck bioware fuck grifters. also i beg everyone to start appreciating writing as a craft because otherwise it's only going to get worse!

[baronfulmen]

Oh hey, Swedenborg mention! I was raised in the New Church, aka the Swedenborgians. (I was never all that into it, despite having ministers on both sides of my family, and am an atheist now.) It's not a bad religion overall, there's some good shit in there as compared to some other denominations.

There's also the thing with the aliens, we don't talk about that. It's a tricky issue because they don't believe the alien stuff, but they don't want to confront the credibility issues it causes with the rest of the teachings. Awkward.

A few of my favorite stories:

Swedenborg goes to heaven to get the tour (he could do that, it's kinda the core foundation of the religion that he could meditate and get divine knowledge by chatting with angels) and he runs into some people from China who have just died. He's talking to them about how great heaven is - check out the buffet, isn't the weather amazing, whatever. Then he says "and how about that Jesus" and they recoil and an angel pulls Swedenborg aside and says "whoa, sorry, should have warned you - we haven't broken the news to them yet that Christianity was right. They're good people, but the only Christians they met were missionaries and I mean... we all know how those guys can be. It's fine. We'll ease them into it. Some people show up having worshipped some random guy they thought was a god or something and we just, like... introduce them to him. Works like a charm."

This one if I recall wasn't meant as a literal story but more like a teaching thing. Three guys die, and the first one is all "heaven will be just church all the time, praising god for eternity" and the second is all "it's a series of rooms where you talk philosophy and learn from each other and just talk" and the third says "it's an amazing feast that never ends, of the best food ever" So they all get what they want, and after like a week they're miserable. The guy in church is bored stiff, the guy in the endless discussion place is hiding in a corner, and the feast dude never wants to eat again. This is all about how Swedenborg thought the afterlife was actually a lot like our regular lives, in that it had a mix of hobbies and worship and learning and time spent with family. Just, y'know, better.

I also always appreciated that it didn't treat hell as a place of eternal torment; you went to the best afterlife you could be happy in. If you plucked someone out of the lowest hell and put them in the highest heaven, they'd be miserable.

Like I said, I don't believe any of it and there's some... wacky... stuff in there, but overall I still have some fondness for some of the teachings.

heaven just lost another angel #confusingtheology

[crowsofdarkness]

Dorogaya: Chapter Five

-gif not mine. credit to owner-

Pairings: Bucky Barnes x Female Agent! Reader.

Content Warnings: language, 18 + implied smut, angst, fluff, kidnapping, violence.

Summary: It has been a few years since Bucky and Reader went into hiding. Just when they thought they were slowly building a life together, the past comes back with a vengeance.

Authors Note: This is the sequel to Soldat! You should read that series first. This takes place during Civil War. Tags are open if anyone is interested!

Tags: @globetrotter28 @sakuracyberhex @chinggay85-blog @bookofriverr @misatxox @that-blonde-girl @cats-chaotic-mind @wintrsoldrluvr @sebastians-love @pumpkin-babydoll @ordelixx @starfly-nicole

Soldat Masterlist | Dorogaya Masterlist

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” 

“It’s the only way, Sam. We’re the only ones that can help him.” 

The small talk went on for a few more moments, before a groggy voice interrupted them. 

“Steve?” 

My eyes fluttered open but I snapped them shut when I was hit with a rather large headache. 

“Which Bucky am I talking to?” 

“Your mom’s name was Sarah. You used to wear newspapers in your shoes.” A deep chuckle. 

“Can’t read that in a museum.” 

A loud scoff. “Just like that, we’re supposed to be cool?” 

“Where’s Y/N?” 

At the mention of my name, I fully opened my eyes with a large groan. “What brick wall did I get thrown into?” 

Slowly sitting up from the floor, I was met with three very worried gazes. Sam and Steve were standing a few feet in front of me and Bucky was sitting down, his metal arm trapped between some kind of machinery. 

“What’s going on?” I asked while trying to stand up. 

Sam gently grabbed my arm, helping me. “Take it easy. You’ve got a small wound on the back of your head.” 

“What?” My fingers brushed through my hair and felt a bandage. “What happened?” 

“What did I do?” Bucky questioned. 

“Enough,” Steve answered honestly. 

“Damnit,” I cursed while walking over to Bucky. “Are you okay?”

He reached for my hips with his free hand and pulled me into him. “I’m so sorry.” 

“It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault,” I hushed while placing a soft kiss on top of his head. 

“I knew this was going to happen. Everything Hydra put inside me is still there. He just had to say the damn words,” Bucky said. 

I ran my fingers through his hair, something I knew kept him calm when talking about his past. 

“Who was he?” I asked. 

Bucky shook his head with a slight shrug. “I don’t know.” 

“People are dead. The bombing, the setup. The doctor did all of that to get ten minutes with you. I need you to do better than I don’t know,” Steve demanded. 

My eyes sliced into Steve. “Back off, Steve. He said he didn’t know who he was.” 

Bucky pulled me closer to him, letting me know it was alright. “He wanted to know about Siberia. Where I was kept.” 

He felt my body go rigid with past memories of both of us being kept there and gave my hip a gentle squeeze. I hadn’t thought of those times for quite awhile, wanting to bury those memories deep within me, and the mere small conversation about it was enough to make my skin crawl. 

“He wanted to know exactly where I was kept.” Bucky admitted. 

“Why would he need to know that?” Steve wondered.

Bucky hesitated for a moment and I knew that whatever he was about to say was something that he didn’t want anyone to know, me included. 

“Because,” he sighed, “I’m not the only winter soldier.” 

I tuned them out as Bucky went into details about Siberia in 1991, long before I was held there. There were more of these super soldiers and if this doctor, whoever he was, woke them from their cryosleep it could be bad. Very, very bad. 

“Hydra had me train them to become what I was,” Bucky said. “But they became out of control so Hydra froze them, for all these years.”

A loud gasp left my lips, the sudden realization slamming into me, and I pulled away from Bucky’s grasp. 

“When I was held there, if you didn’t help me escape, would they have turned me into one of you? Them?” I stammered. 

Bucky nodded. 

“And you knew what they were going to do to me?” 

He nodded again, ashamed. “Why do you think I helped you escape? That night, they had everything set up to inject you with the serum. They wanted us to be this couple of mass destruction.” 

“If the doctor got a hold of them, could he control them?” Steve asked. 

“Enough.” Bucky nodded. 

“The doctor said he wanted to see an empire fall. With them, he could do it.” Steve admitted. 

Sam walked over to Bucky and freed his metal arm. I still stood away from the three of them, while Steve and Sam talked amongst themselves. 

Bucky knew there were more of him, dealdier versions, and he hid this from me for all of these years. He knew what Hydra was going to do to me the second they captured me. The sheer thought of being mind controlled and used as a weapon was enough to fill me with rage, fingertips spreading with warmth. 

“Y/N,” Bucky spoke softly. “Control it.” 

In an instant, the warmth was gone and I looked over to Bucky. He had a look of remorse on his face, feeling terrible for hiding this secret from me. Even though he technically forgot about it all these years due to his mind being wiped. 

“I didn’t want this life for you,” He admitted. 

I nodded while kneeling in front of him. “I know. But that didn’t mean you asked for this life either.”

His metal fingers played with the necklace that he had bought me. “Some birthday, huh?” 

A small giggle left my lips. “Eh, I’ve had worse.” 

The smile that spread across Bucky’s face warmed my heart. 

“I had another present I was going to give you,” Bucky said. 

My brows raised. “Really?” 

He sighed. “It was in my bag but I don’t know what happened to it.” 

“I can get it.” 

Looking over my shoulder, I smiled a thanks to Steve before looking back at Bucky. “I’ll be right back.” 

I stood and motioned to Steve to follow me and once we were out of the super soldier hearing of Bucky, I wrapped my arms around Steve in a thankful hug. 

“Thank you for believing me.” 

His strong arms wrapped around my back and I knew he had to fight with himself to not let go. “Of course.” 

“I know we haven’t had much time to talk with everything going on but I do want you to know that I was thinking about you,” I admitted. 

“You know,” He started while putting his hand in his pockets, “It took me a long time to be okay with the fact that you left with Bucky. It took a lot of talks with Sam and Nat to let you go. As much as I love you, I know I will never be what Bucky was and is to you.” 

I placed a gentle hand on his cheek. “You’ll find your someone, Steve. I’m sorry it wasn’t me.” 

We stood like that for a few moments and when I felt jealousy fill my veins, I looked over towards Bucky, who was watching our every move intently. I gave him a reassuring smile that everything was alright but I could tell that it did nothing. 

Sighing, I left Steve and walked over towards Bucky. 

“You do realize I can feel whatever you feel, right?” I reminded him. 

He stood and wrapped his arms around my hip and pulled me into him. His soft lips brushed against my forehead and I could physically feel his heart beating through his own chest. I sprawled my hands across his large back and took in his familiar scent; he always smelled like a campfire and I loved it. 

“What do you feel now?” Bucky wondered. 

Pressing my cheek into his chest, I allowed myself to feel exactly what he was feeling; love. 

“You don’t have to say it for me to know, Buck.” I looked up at him and placed a chaste kiss on his stubbled chin. 

“I know. I promise one day I’ll be able to," he vowed. 

“Whenever you’re ready.” I smiled. 

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I laughed. “Really, Sam? This was the only car you could get for us?” 

“Hey, this is the only one I could find with the time I had,” Sam defended with his hands up.

The old blue buggy stuck out like a sore thumb. “You expect all four of us to fit in this car? With two super soldiers?”

“We don’t have that far of a drive,” Steve defended as him and Sam allowed Bucky and I to climb into the backseat. 

As Steve drove to our first meeting spot, I went over the plan in my mind. We were going to Siberea, and a plane was waiting for us at the local airport. We were going to try to stop whoever this doctor was before he could wake up these other super soldiers. 

The long ride seemed to relax me and I felt myself slowly dozing off. Bucky, however, placed his hand on my knee and leaned towards my ear, his breath fanning over my neck.

“When this is all over, I promise you that we will be able to start our life; how we should have been able to.” 

I placed my finger underneath his chin and nodded. “We can go to our place in the mountains, just the two of us.” 

For the rest of the drive, Bucky wrapped his arm around me and I allowed myself to relax into his embrace. 

“Stay in the car,” Steve said as he put the car into park. 

We were in an underpass and a black car pulled up in front of us, Sharon hoping out. As they chatted, Bucky started to shift in the backseat and I noticed he was uncomfortable. 

“Can you move your seat up?” He asked Sam. 

“No,” Sam retorted back. 

Steve came back to the car, arm full of what we were here to pick up. After tossing them in the trunk, we were back on the road to our next meeting spot. 

“Did she bring it?” I questioned. 

Steve looked into my eyes through the rearview mirror. “Yeah, they still had it in lock up.” 

“They’re meeting us at the airport?” Sam asked. 

Steve nodded. “In the parking garage, we’re almost there.” 

Metally, I tried to prepare myself for what was about to happen. We were preparing for the fight of our lives and Tony Stark and his team would do whatever it took to stop us. Steve pulled up next to a white van and as we all climbed out, I was met with someone I hadn’t seen for years. 

“Clint!” I smiled while embracing him in a hug. “How’ve you been?” 

“Better, given the circumstances. Uh, this is Wanda.” He nodded towards the young girl next to him. 

I smiled while extending my hand. “I read a lot about you.”

“All good I hope,” she joked. 

“How about our other recruit?” Steve asked. 

Bucky stayed on the other side of the car and I sneaked over to him, wrapping my arms around his back. We watched as our newest recruit shook Steve’s hand, over and over again, dumbfounded that he was meeting Captain America. 

“What do they call you?” I asked. 

“Uh, Ant-Man but you can call me Scott Lang. I know you, you’re great.” He said while pointing towards me. “Is it true you can shoot fire from your hands?” 

With a quick snap, the fire engulfed my finger tips. 

Bucky clasped my hand with his metal one and let out a sigh, “We should get moving.” 

Suddenly, a loud voice in German sounded over the PA system. 

“What are they saying?” I looked at Bucky. 

“They’re evacuating the airport,” he informed us. 

Sam and Steve shared a look. “Stark.” 

“Suit up.” Steve directed towards all of us. 

My finger shook as I laced up my boots, something I hadn’t had to do in over two years. I reached over my shoulder trying to zip up my suit the rest of the way but groaned when my fingers were too short. Bucky came from behind, leaving a soft kiss to my back, and I felt his fingers pull the zipper up the rest of the way. His hand reached over my shoulder to hand me one of my lucky knives. 

“Thank you,” I smiled over to him. “I’m glad Steve was able to get it out of lock up.” 

I went to face Bucky but he gently turned me around so my back was to him again. His fingers brushed through my hair as he started braiding it back for me. I smiled fondly at him, the small gesture warming my heart. 

“My sister insisted I learn how to braid hair. ‘James, what if you have a daughter? You need to learn how to braid.’” Bucky indulged. 

I never heard about his past life before the war because he couldn’t remember. But now as some of his memories were slowly coming back, I found my soul soaring that he was choosing me to share these memories with. 

“She sounded lovely,” I said while finally turning to face him. 

He nodded. “She would have loved to meet you.” 

I fixed Bucky’s vest for him while nodding. “Ready?” 

It was his turn to nod. “Please be careful.” 

“You too.” 

Bucky placed a soft kiss on my cheek and gave him one final smile, I followed Steve getting ready to fight this fight. 

For our future.

[allwaswell16]

All the One Direction fics I read and enjoyed in Jan 2025. For more new fics, check out this month's fic roundup at @1dmonthlyficroundup ! You can find my other fic recs here.

- Louis / Harry -

✧ A Frail Farewell by Rearviewdreamer / @all-these-larrythings

(M, 44k, famous/not famous) Louis can’t believe his luck when he is offered one of the easiest jobs he has had as a long-term house-sitter for the wealthy. Most of all he likes that there are no surprises until he gets the shock of his life from ex-pop star Harry Styles who isn’t supposed to be home.

✧ hard times in elmsmere by stylinsoncity / @aliensingucci

(M, 37k, time travel) for louis, being a full-fledged vampire complicates everything, not just his relationship with harry but with harry’s entire coven who took Louis in as an orphan.

✧ Enough To Wish For More by galactic_larry / @galacticlarry

(M, 33k, The Bridges of Madison County au) Louis Tomlinson just wants a few days of peace and quiet while his family are out of state. But when he meets the lead singer of a band he’s never heard of, his life and everything he thought he knew about it changes forever.

✧ On a starlit night by @lunarheslwt

(M, 24k, omegaverse) omega and future Luna Louis is holding a mating ceremony to find his mate, but what he doesn’t expect to see amongst the alphas vying for his hand, is a familiar, yet unexpected face: Harry Styles.

✧ Treat You Like A Gentleman by @justanothershadeofblue

(E, 12k, neighbors) 5 times that Harry Styles was unsatisfied by his dates, and one time Louis Tomlinson helped him find what he had been missing.

✧ Roll Like Thunder by croisblue / @forwhatiam

(M, 9k, disabled Louis) When quadriplegic Louis Tomlinson's therapist recommends he see a surrogate partner, he panics, thinking this is yet another way he's being belittled for his disability. 

✧ When Everything’s Wrong (You Make it Right) by @silverstuff50

(E, 7k, omegaverse) There is something wrong with his nest. Harry’s rearranged it a thousand times tonight, even in his foggy state just on the edge of a drop.

✧ Just Two Stars Passing By by QuickedWeen / @becomeawendybird

(E, 5k, omegaverse) Harry blew up on TikTok and became a fashion commentator during the pandemic. Somehow he ends up covering arrival fashion for the 2024 Euros, and somehow Louis Tomlinson already knows his name.

✧ A Wrench and a Rodent by @haztobegood

(T, 5k, Danny Phantom au) Louis just wants to study astrophysics, do some research, and graduate from Casper University. Fate throws a wrench in his plans.

✧ a naughty little christmas miracle by larryftnoctrl / @the-larry-way

(M, 4k, flirting) Louis is a luxury lingerie store employee and he's so gay. Where are all the gay men who like lingerie? Maybe the festive season will bring him a miracle.

✧ All You Want's Under Your Nose by @wishingforloushair

(E, 3k, pwp) Louis decides to treat himself to a new sex toy, but is perplexed when he sees a man in the shop placing each vibrator against the tip of his nose and sneezing. 

✧ Port and Starbord by LadyLondonderry / @londonfoginacup

(T, 3k, pirates) “Zayn,” Harry gasps. “I am your captain.”

✧ for your eyes only (i’ll show you my heart) by moon_rose25

(G, 1k, omegaverse) omega Harry has touch depri and finds comfort in alpha Louis’ scent

- Rare Pairs -

✧ Quite Like You by @reminiscingintherain

(M, 11k, Zayn/Louis) Told in a series of flashbacks, the story of Zayn and Louis from children to parents.

✧ be still, my foolish heart by localopa / @voulezloux

(G, 3k, Zayn/Niall) "you really love me? this is not a prank, right? because then i would have to punch you and i actually really want to kiss you."

✧ Duck Crossing by @lululawrence

(NR, 2k, Louis/Diego Luna) My sister sent me to the discord without explaining what was so special about the town’s ducks, and when I went to ask about it, I somehow got roped into helping you here tonight instead, so…

[venusbyline]

Gwayne Hightower — Merciful Gods (2/3)

chapter two

(previous chapter)

— summary: Gwayne Hightower is back in King's Landing. Just as you are willing to try to avoid your uncle at all costs, he is more than eager to finally show you the price for his silence.

— pairing: Gwayne Hightower x niece!reader

— type: dark

— chapter's warnings: female!reader, dark!Gwayne, DEAD DOVE: DO NOT EAT, Hightower Incest (uncle/niece), dubcon, non-con touching, sexual tension, pre-smut, blood licking, blood and injury, finger sucking, violence, choking, asphyxiation, dacryphilia, degradation, sexism, religious conflict, religious guilt, corruption kink, age gap (older man/younger woman), referenced non-con voyeurism, referenced oral sex (male receiving), past underage dubcon, argument, face-slapping, hair-pulling, fingering, gaslighting, manipulation, curse words, referenced character death, prince regent!Aemond mentioned, dark content, abusive and toxic relationship, obsessive behaviour, minor Gwayne Hightower/random lady, sub!reader, dom!Gwayne, canon divergence. no use of y/n. english is not my first language.

— author's notes¹: Merciful Gods is a threeshot series. It involves dark content about religiosity (The Faith of the Seven), incest relationship and women's repressed carnal desires.

— author's notes²: Each chapter will have its own trigger warnings.

❥ about me • Gwayne masterlist • HOTD masterlist • main masterlist

You were sitting in an armchair in the chambers where your oldest brother Aegon was bedridden, the smell of burning flesh making the daily visit there almost unbearable. Your fingers tapped the cup of milk of the poppy that Larys Strong had demanded you deliver to the King when he woke up.

The sight of the liquid was quite disheartening to watch, the fate's irony aching your chest every time you thought about the whole situation. You had seen your mother handing it to your father to drink too, without any success. Viserys died anyway and now your brother seemed destined for the same tragic end. Or at least a part of it.

When Aegon began to blink his eyes slightly, you wiped away the single tear running down your cheek, moving yourself closer to the bed. You quickly approached him to carefully place the edge of the cup on his injured and swollen lips. "Here..."

Aegon drank the milk with a frown, the discomfort inside his throat persisting even after weeks since he was brutally attacked. His groan of pain resounded and made you immediately step back, setting the small container aside and placing it on top of the bed table.

"Why are not you at Sept again?" His voice was so hoarse and you almost jumped with surprise. After a few seconds trying to understand what your brother was asking about, you shifted uncomfortably on the free part of the mattress, right next to him.

"I am not going there as often anymore. Our Mother asked me to focus on your health during some weeks."

Aegon scoffed at the whispered words and the guilty look on your face. "Of course she ordered that..." He changed the words.

Alicent had asked you? Ordered? You did not know... She looked worried when she came to tell you to stop accompanying her and Helaena in their prayers. At first, you did not understand the reasons and tried to search her for answers, only receiving a quick and somewhat stuttered argument that you should focus on your King for a while. That made sense, you thought.

Helaena preferred not to even go near Aegon's chambers, going there twice at most, once when he arrived all burned and almost dead, and again a few days later. Alicent also did not usually visit her firstborn, claiming that she could not watch his deplorable state for too long without wanting to cry. Aemond had also only been there twice during all that time, but you doubted that the current Prince Regent's visits had been friendly.

There was only you left. Born in 112 AC, two years after Aemond's birth and two years before Daeron's. Being King Viserys's youngest daughter came with very few perks. Unlike Daeron, who liked to be forgotten by the family and live as just a knight in Oldtown, there was an incessant search in your heart for belonging. The desire to be seen. To be useful. It did not take long for you to accept the duty of taking care of Aegon for an indefinite period of time, even if it meant that you would be away from your religious responsibilities.

The Gods would not be so angry if you left them aside so you could take care of the remaining health of your older brother and your King... Right?

"Well... then you are not lighting candles for the sake of my life anymore. I suppose that is why I am not getting better."

The King's joke dried your throat with guilt and embarrassment, but you immediately shook your head, refusing to think something like that. "That is not true. The Seven know I am just not going to the Great Sept for now because I need to be useful to you."

Aegon raised an eyebrow, a frown deepening on his face due to the pain that hit him after trying to change his expression. "If the Gods understood your reasons, then why am I not cured yet?"

Aegon's words were bitter but true at the same time. Even though you are sitting, your body flinched and you sighed, staring at the empty part of the chambers, thinking about what would be better to say so you could refute what he was suggesting. The Seven knew what was happening. They should have known that you continued to beg for mercy every day in your thoughts, despite you were not present in the Sept.

Perhaps your prayers were no longer being answered because Aegon had never been a religious man and had committed countless sins throughout those twenty-two years of his life.

Or perhaps it was your own fault, sealing your family's fate two years ago, when you did not care about the Faith's value and had let your rebellious and dark desires take over your mind, fingerfucking yourself at the middle of the Great Sept, ignoring the knowledge about the Gods seeing your sinful act.

"The pleas of the sinners are not answered with the same speed as those of good and devout people."

Your point was not just about Aegon, and he probably knew this when he stared at your shrunken and pensive form with those big eyes that had once been full of energy and fun, and that were now nothing more than two dull irises even in the midst of the fire.

"And what are the sins of a little child?"

The King's rhetorical question froze his body. What had been Jaehaerys' sins, your little nephew? Just a innocent child brutally decapitated in front of his mother and his twin sister, suffering such a violent and tragic end due to the actions of his family's ambition and impulsiveness...

How could the Seven have no mercy and allow such suffering to a pure being like him? Why would they punish Jaehaerys instead of Aemond? How could they allow Daemon and Rhaenyra to remain alive out there, even after planning such a monstrosity?

During dinner, you found yourself lonely in the dining room, the table practically empty, just you and your mother occupying two opposite ends of the large, luxurious furniture. The only sounds the walls had the displeasure of witnessing were the servants passing back and forth with the dishes, even though neither you nor Alicent seemed interested in the meal.

As Alicent tore into a piece of steak with her knife and fork, you could not help but break the silence with a barely audible murmur. "Before the war, you never told me what your plans were for my future."

It was not a question, it was a statement. A statement that did not seem to catch Alicent off guard, even if that was a part of your true intention. Why has everything in your life always seemed so... monotonous?

Alicent and Otto decided the future of almost all of the Queen's children since their childhood, and all of your siblings were failing in crucial parts of the plans that had been laid out for them years before.

Aegon was supposed to be the King, but he had always been an irresponsible drunk, without expectation of a bright future and being content about anything as long as there was wine and beautiful women to satisfy his emptiness and lust. Now, he was nothing more than a broken person. A burned and bedridden king, following in his father's footsteps.

Helaena was supposed to be the Queen Consort and carry Aegon's heirs, ensuring the Hightower bloodline on the Iron Throne. Now, her fertile womb and also her submissive personality were of no use after her son's death. A ghost of a traumatized mother. A traumatized little girl, losing her firstborn just as Alicent feared losing hers.

Aemond was supposed to be a loyal brother, a dragonrider with great sword skills, ensuring protection for his family and using his intelligence for the prosperity of Aegon's reign. He had the potential to become the Hand of the King as the years passed. Now, the smart boy was nothing more than a callous tyrant who had led everyone to ruin by starting an entire war out of pure impulsivity and rage. Like an imitation of his grandfather, Otto, always blinded by the desire for power. Always wishing more than was within his reach.

Daeron was supposed to be the free knight, daring and focused on his responsibilities with the kingsguard and raised far from King's Landing, an attempt to keep him immune to the family chaos. Now, he was being summoned by Aemond to return to the place where he was born and fight for the Greens, thus ending his days as a carefree soul. Like your uncle Gwayne, being forced to sacrifice his peace and spill more blood around.

And then there was you. No great future waiting for you nor causing your end either. There was no heavy crown. There were no children inside your wombs. There were no bloody swords with the blood of your own family members and no horseback riding into battle too.

There was simply nothing.

Nothing like Viserys. Nothing like Alicent. Nothing like Otto and nothing like Gwayne...

An empty crumpled parchment and ignored in the corner of a room, longing for the day when somebody would pick up a fountain pen and write each step of your story until there was no more space left and they were forced to put a spot on the final page.

"Years ago, I considered sending you to Oldtown along with Daeron."

You were surprised by Alicent's confession, not because your mother had given up on that idea for some unknown reason, but because she had at least considered that. It was something curious. Otto and she could have tried to betroth you to Aemond before the Dance of the Dragons, as they had done with Helaena and Aegon, or they could have used you to form a political marriage with a lord from other powerful house even now, acquiring more allies. Unless...

"What would I do in Oldtown back then?" Alicent snorted when she listened to your whispered insistence, stopping chewing the meal and staring at you with a look that indicated that matter was not the most appropriate at the dinner time.

"I did not know. Becoming a Septa, I guess."

You felt sick to your stomach, your heart racing as thoughts about serving the female clergy of the Faith of the Seven left you somewhat stunned. You knew that in the end, your mother's previous plan had been set aside with the unfolding of the Dance of the Dragons.

The problem was not about your mother wishing such a simple fate for her second and youngest daughter. No... You understood her, despite everything. Faith had always been valuable to her, to most of the Hightowers' ancestors and also for Alicent's mother's side of the family.

The biggest problem was about your mother considering a religious life for you, and you disappointed both her and the Gods, the memory of you pleasuring yourself at the Sept remaining vivid inside your mind, tormenting you with guilt during the last few moons.

You mumbled and looked at the porcelain plate in front of you. "I do not think I would deserve to serve the Gods in this way."

Your words were met with Alicent humming an agreement, followed by a low scoff. "That is why I was forced to discard my initial idea." Eyes immediately widened, you watched your mother with confusion and curiosity, a chill running down your spine while Alicent returned your gaze, her face serious and her jaw clenched. "Two years ago, your grandfather was informed about your immoral and perverted act within the Great Sept."

By the time dinner was over and the tears were running down your face like a torrent, you headed to your uncle's chambers, not caring about the presence of the guards patrolling there. You ignored everyone's confused looks and opened the doors like a dragon about to breathe fire on all the walls.

"YOU LIED TO ME!"

Gwayne was not even worried about the sudden visit, unlike the random lady lying naked on his bed, covering her own breasts in a failed attempt to spare her dignity, unaware that you were not focused on her identity at all.

It did not matter if your uncle was fucking with court ladies in the midst of the few minutes of peace during the war. That was irrelevant at that moment, your mind was driven only by purest anger, the feeling of betrayal burning in your chest.

The girl, who looked almost as young as you, started to get dressed when Gwayne whispered something in her ear. However, you did not wait for her to finish, continuing to talk — or yell — with the red-haired man. "You are a fucking liar!"

Your uncle frowned at your accusation, and despite the heavy atmosphere, he did not even bother to deny it. He shrugged, gazing at his niece with an expression that indicated his only frustration was at being interrupted at the particular moment with the other lady. "May I know what is motivating your fury this time?"

You let out a low growl after his presumptuous tone, giving one last look at the girl who was leaving the chambers, turning to Gwayne again. "You promised me you would not tell anyone about what you saw two years ago!"

The shouting caused a chuckle from Gwayne, who got up from the bed without any sheets around his waist, his rosy and still mid-aroused cock catching your attention against your will. You felt your cheeks blushing with shame and frustration as you remembered those curly pubic red hairs so close to your mouth and almost making you choke.

Memories increasing your anger like a erupting volcano. "You... You bought my silence! You made me beg and cry for you mercy... You made me—" Words died in your mouth and you sobbed again, placing the palm of the hand on your face to stifle the panic that was setting in. How could he do something like that?

How could you done something like that?

The Seven would never forgive any of you.

"Is this why our family is suffering too much, uncle? Is this why the Gods no longer forgive us? Is everyone suffering because we sinned twice that night?"

Gwayne's amused look changed when the questions came, his eyes that were previously mocking your tantrum were now as dark as the last time you interacted alone with him, hands clenched into fists to try to control the whirlwind of emotions.

Weeks ago, your uncle had said that you would pay for slapping him after he insulted you in the Great Sept and reminded you about your own sins... You thought he might say something to Alicent, tell her about your old dirty little secret. Or even invent lies that would ruin your reputation.

Everything you imagined before was like a mere joke, like a child's prank compared to what Gwayne really done. The revelation that he ratted you out right after buying your silence with a sexual way made you feel sick. You had been deceived. You had been used. You had been eternally tainted in the eyes of the Seven.

And you could not put all the blame on your uncle shoulders. Yes, Gwayne sworn to keep your secret and deceived you then. But he would not have done that if you had not given in to immorality either way. Gwayne would not have needed to put you on your knees and force you to give him a head if you had not pleasured yourself at a sacred place. Gwayne would not treated you like a cheap whore if you had not acted like one.

You caused all of this, allowing yourself to be deceived, used and stained.

You angered the Gods, with no expectation of divine forgiveness.

"I am dirty." The whisper caught Gwayne off guard, one eyebrow raised and waiting for the next words. Your eyes glazing over the chambers floor as you followed saying. "When we met again at the Sept a few moons ago... You said I was dirty."

Gwayne nodded. "Yes, I did." He waited for you to continue, huffing as the silence progressed. "And now you are going to admit that I was right?"

You did not respond him at first, tears aching the violet irises and throat feeling raw, nothing but light sobs coming out. Realization hit you with such violence that you felt like you were going to pass out, your eyesight becoming blurred and the food you ate during the dinner rolling around in your stomach. The waves of the Narrow Sea during winter nights would be gentle compared to the thoughts that drowned your mind.

"Fuck, little niece. Do not be so dramatic..." The man growled, moving until he was in front of you, his two strong calloused hands grabbing your forearms and pulling you until you sat carelessly on his large bed. There was no resistance, your head aching so much that for a moment the brief pain he caused was an anchor keeping you sane to the real world, an anchor keeping you a sinner alive. "Look at me, girl." He ordered, noticing how the violet color of your irises became opaque every second you thought about those manners. When you did not obey him immediately, Gwayne grabbed your chin, refusing to let you stare into space like a complete insane.

"Did you know? Did you know that my mother wanted to make me a Septa?" It was the first thing you allowed yourself to question him — the first thing you had the courage to question to him.

Gwayne's silence lasted for seconds, staring at you and clenching his jaw, biting his lower lip for a few seconds. "Yes." You already knew what was coming. "I did. That is why I told my father about your sinful act."

You could not help but scoff. "So you wanted to take away my opportunity to have any future other than being a maiden in the middle of a war, unable to do anything to help my family? No use or—"

His free hand grabbed your neck and the other kept your chin turned towards him. "You think I am the villain here and you are my victim? You are acting like I forced you to suck my cock and then stabbed you in the back."

"It's because you actually did it!" You returned his growl. The fingers around your throat were nothing more than an extra grip, but you knew Gwayne could choke you at any second if he wanted to. "Two years ago I was crying with shame at being seen in my sinful moment, and you took advantage of that. You said that every silence requires a price, and you demanded that I give you pleasure. You used my throat like I was a whore and soon after went to tell my grandfather about my sin!"

Gwayne was silent for a while, his big brown eyes returning your gaze, finally letting go of your face and neck. Before you could think, Gwayne pulled you out of bed, pushing you against the floor, his hand on top of your head to prevent you from reaching up. "Stop fighting!" He shouted, his fingers now tangling in your hair, pulling at the silver strands and making you cry out due to ache in your scalp. "I saved your miserable life!"

Your nails dug into his bare thigh to fight against his dark side, pulling out blood drops that ran like honey. However, the sudden violence increased the intensity of the darkness inside Gwayne's soul, his palm hitting your face twice until you were seeing stars, your head now stretched out towards him, kneeling on the ground like a religious and devout girl. No longer for the Gods. Just for him.

There was blood on your lips, caused by the hard slap so close to your mouth. The tears flowed desperately, the sobs echoed low as if it were the cries of an innocent child, your nails were red-stained after hurting Gwayne and trying to feel less pathetic and fragile.

"I saved you." Your uncle said again, watching you crying as if it were a spectacle. "That is why I told my father about your secret. Because I know you better than anyone, sweet niece. I know the sins in your mind, your desires..."

Shaking the head, you sniveled. "You do not know me, uncle. You are insane, dirty... Wicked."

Such accusations had a bitter taste, like holy whispers and mockery. Oh... He was all of that. All of that and much more, he already knew that. You already knew that too.

"We are both the same, dear. The difference between me and you, is that I do not regret my sins. However, you forced yourself to be devoted to the Seven because you are afraid of their punishment." Your cheekbone was caressed by Gwayne's hand. He wiped away some of the tears that flowed there, and then ran his fingertips over his own injured thigh, spreading the blood onto the skin and pushing his digits into your half-open mouth. "You are fucking stupid, niece. Believing that the Gods are merciful..."

Gwayne rambled and fucked your throat with his fingers at the same time, thrusting them so deep that spit began to drip from your mouth, the churning sensation inside your stomach returning and almost causing you vomit in front of him, to make the humiliating sight worse. As much as you wanted to keep fighting or just run away from him, you remained still, crying and kneeling on the ground, feeling the taste of his blood on your tongue.

Your eyelids were tightened, not wanting to look at him, not wanting to think about what he was saying, even if it was impossible. "Do you think I messed up your reputation? Do you think I forced you to taste sin and then used it against you? I SAVED YOUR LIFE, YOU UNGRATEFUL SLUT!" His yelling was followed by your muffled cry as you felt like you were going to throw up, his fingers bruising the back of your throat until your uvula was too sore. Gwayne removed his hand from inside your lips, your dripping spit running down his skin and dripping onto the floor, as did the tears, your body lowered and shaking to collect yourself.

"I saved you..." Gwayne repeated, softer this time, letting go of your hair and placing a few inches of distance between the two of you, your pitiful form curled up on the floor. "You had such a potential. You did not deserve to spend years serving Gods who do not care about our suffering." He did not even order you to look at him, but you did anyway, reddish and swollen lips, stained with his blood along with yours. "Gods are not merciful, sweetheart. If they were, Jaehaerys would not be dead. Helaena would not be broken-minded..."

"This is my fault..." You managed to mutter, voice hoarse due to the wound on your throat and on the roof of your mouth. "If I had understood the importance of the Faith of the Seven sooner... If I had not pleasure myself ar the Great Sept, perhaps our family..."

"Do not be pathetic." Gwayne interrupted his niece roughly, despite his pious face. "Merciful Gods would not cause so much chaos and destruction in an entire family just because a little girl fingered her own cunt at a sacred place instead of being lighting candles and praying."

Suddenly, choking and almost throwing up on his fingers seemed like the least shameful thing during that entire night. "That... That was a blasphemy."

Gwayne smiled after your self-critical argument, a wistful smile. His imposing figure finally relaxed the tense shoulders, ignoring his own nakedness and carefully lifting you off the ground. He made a mental note to never forget how beautiful you looked there on the floor, as if he was your favorite God, or the only one, and you were begging for his mercy. As if he were your savior, the only one capable of freeing you from that torment and cruel fate that awaited you.

He wanted to be yours. He wanted you to be his. Gwayne wanted all of the Seven Gods to see him taking your maidenhead, fucking you until you were dripping with his seed. He wanted everyone to know that you were devoted to him, not to a stupid faith that condemned you to unnecessary purity.

All of the Hightowers already had their fates sealed. Gwayne knew that he could die fighting during the Dance of the Dragons, just as he knew that you could also die due to the wrong actions that your family and the other Targaryens had taken over all those years. Every manipulation, every fight, every cruel decision, every exaggerated and impulsive reaction...

Gwayne did not care if what he was doing was wrong before the Seven or not. He did not care if his sister found out about this or not. He understood what you wanted. He understood what you needed. He was already aware of the potential you had in favoring your own carnal desires instead of surrendering to divine forgiveness.

Gwayne would not let you surrender again. He would not let you be like his own mother or Alicent, always lighting candles and begging for the mercy and kindness of the Gods.

And when Gwayne's hand finally touched your throbbing neglected clit covered by the dress, both of you knew there was no going back. The Seven would never forgive those sins.

[acute-crashout-jeyuso]

Checkmate: Book 3 of 3 BTR Series: a Jhea fanfic.

Chapter 10: Cal..

Flashback: June 7th, 2025. 8:16 AM.

Jey was sprawled across the California king bed, his body heavy with exhaustion. After a grueling travel schedule, he’d finally landed in Stamford at 4 AM, too tired to do much more than drop his bags by the door, kick off his shoes, and collapse into bed beside Rhea. His deep, unshakable sleep was interrupted by the high-pitched beep-beep-beep of a construction truck backing up.

Jey groaned, instinctively grabbing a pillow and pressing it over his ears. The noise persisted, accompanied by the rumble of a machine digging into the earth. The muffled cacophony only grew louder, vibrating through the walls, and Jey sat up abruptly with a frustrated huff.

He rubbed his eyes, still half-asleep, as he swung his legs off the bed. The room was dim, the curtains drawn tightly shut, but even in the low light, the dogs, Barry and Bella, and the cat, Storm, were watching him curiously. They tilted their heads in unison, their expressions mirroring his annoyance.

“Y’all hearin’ this too?” Jey muttered, scratching the back of his head.

He shuffled downstairs, his bare feet padding softly against the hardwood floor. As he turned the corner into the kitchen, there was Rhea, her very pregnant form leaning casually against the counter. She was sipping a bottle of water, flipping through a magazine as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Her oversized Beats headphones were perched snugly over her ears, blasting music so loud he could faintly hear it from across the room.

Jey stared at her, incredulous. How was she so unbothered?

He snapped his fingers in front of her face, startling her. Rhea frowned, pulling her headphones down around her neck. “Ugh, rude much?” she muttered, giving him a pointed look.

Jey threw his hands up in exasperation. “Baby? The sounds?! Hello!” He gestured toward the window, where the construction noise was still going strong.

Rhea raised an eyebrow, her expression calm and unamused. “You knew the guys would be here today, building the foundation for the pool,” she said matter-of-factly, taking another sip of water.

Jey blinked, his tired brain struggling to catch up. “The pool? Baby, I just got in at four this morning! I barely got any sleep, and now there’s jackhammers and trucks and God-knows-what else out there!”

Rhea smirked, setting her magazine down and leaning toward him. “You’re the one who wanted a pool, baby,” she teased. “I told you it could wait, but nooo, you wanted it done before the baby comes.”

Jey ran a hand over his face, groaning. “Yeah, well, I didn’t think they’d start construction at the crack of dawn!”

Rhea chuckled softly, reaching out to place a hand on his arm. “C’mon, Uce. It’s not that bad.”

“Not that bad?” Jey echoed, his voice raising slightly. He pointed at the window again. “It sounds like they’re tearing the whole house down!”

Rhea rolled her eyes, pulling her Beats back over her ears. “You’ll survive. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going back to my music.”

Jey stared at her, completely dumbfounded, as she turned her attention back to her magazine. The noise outside continued unabated, and he could feel his blood pressure rising. But as he looked at Rhea—her calm, unbothered demeanor, her hand casually resting on her belly—his irritation began to ebb.

He sighed heavily, shaking his head. “You’re lucky I love you,” he muttered, turning toward the coffee machine.

Rhea smirked, her voice muffled slightly by the headphones. “I know,” she said, her tone smug.

As Jey brewed himself a cup of decaf coffee, the sounds of construction rumbled on. But somehow, with Rhea there, it didn’t seem quite as unbearable.

Jey leaned against the kitchen counter, sipping his decaf coffee with a scowl. “How long is this gonna take?” he asked, the weariness evident in his tone.

Rhea sighed and pulled her headphones down again. “About six weeks.”

Jey choked on his coffee. “Six weeks?! Baby, six weeks?”

Rhea placed a hand on her hip, looking at him calmly. “Babe, I wanted a Texas-type pool. You know, big, luxurious, deep—everything we talked about.”

Jey groaned, setting his mug down a little too hard. “Baby, this is gonna mess up my vacation for the Fourth!”

Rhea raised an eyebrow and tilted her head. “Babe… you forgot already?” she teased. “We’ve got the villa booked for the whole week of the Fourth of July. No construction, no noise, just you, me and our big family.”

Jey sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Baby, I gotta deal with this racket for six weeks?!”

Rhea couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. “Babe,” she said, walking closer to him, “me and the kids are dealing with this. You’re literally leaving Monday morning for work! This is my everyday, not yours.”

Jey’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “Baby, I just want some sleep.”

Rhea softened at his words, stepping closer and wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed him gently, her lips soft against his. “You’re such a big baby,” she murmured against his lips.

Jey groaned, pulling her closer. “Ugh, I missed your kisses,” he muttered before trailing his lips down her neck.

Rhea laughed, her fingers brushing through his hair. “How about this, baby?” she said, pulling back slightly. “Do you wanna use my noise-cancelling earplugs?”

Jey perked up immediately. “You have an extra pair?”

Rhea grinned, brushing a stray piece of hair from his face. “In my drawer upstairs. Go grab ’em.”

Jey kissed her one more time before stepping back, a bit of his irritation already melting away. “You’re the best, Mami,” he said with a wink before turning and making his way up the stairs.

Rhea stood there for a moment, shaking her head with a small smile. “He’s lucky he’s cute,” she murmured to herself before picking up her magazine again. The faint sounds of construction hummed in the background as she slipped her headphones back on.

—

Jey woke up slowly, blinking as he adjusted to the dim light filtering through the curtains. He checked the clock on his phone—3:51 PM. Stretching his arms above his head, he let out a contented sigh. Pulling out the noise-canceling earplugs, he grinned to himself, thankful for the uninterrupted sleep.

He got out of bed and walked to the bathroom. Stripping out of his clothes, he stepped into the shower, the hot water relaxing his muscles as he stood under the steady stream. After he finished, he dried off, brushed his teeth, and walked into the spacious walk-in closet he shared with Rhea.

His eyes scanned the neatly arranged clothes until they landed on a vintage Right Hand Man-era t-shirt. Smirking to himself at the nostalgic find, he threw it on. He paired it with black basketball shorts and matching Nike socks, completing his laid-back look.

As he descended the stairs, the scent of freshly baked bread and deli meats hit him. Jey rounded the corner into the kitchen and saw Rhea standing at the counter, focused on assembling a massive sub sandwich.

Without looking up, she said, “Would you like one, baby?”

Jey grinned, sliding onto one of the bar stools at the counter. “Yes, please, love.”

Rhea glanced at him and smiled, sliding the finished sandwich across the counter toward him. “Here, you can have mine.”

Jey’s grin widened as he accepted the plate. “You’re too good to me, baby.”

Rhea chuckled and wiped her hands on a dish towel. “I know,” she teased, leaning over to kiss the top of his head before grabbing another roll to make herself a new sandwich.

Jey took a big bite of the sandwich and hummed in satisfaction. “You put your foot in this one, baby. This is hittin’.”

Rhea laughed as she worked on her sandwich. “I always do.”

Jey nodded, still chewing. “You’re right. My bad for even doubting it.”

They shared a quiet moment of comfortable domesticity, the sounds of construction outside blending with their soft conversation.

By 5 PM sharp, the construction crew wrapped up for the day, leaving behind the faint hum of silence that Rhea and Jey had craved all morning. With the house blissfully quiet and the chaos of the day temporarily at bay, they decided to unwind in their cozy living room.

Jey’s sons, Jeyce and Jaciyah, were spending the weekend with their mom, Takecia, which meant for this growing family, the house was entirely theirs. Jey had just finished feeding Bartholomew, their guinea pig, carefully setting the little guy back in his cage before joining Rhea on the plush sectional couch.

He laid down next to her, draping an arm over her waist as his hand instinctively found her swollen belly. His fingers began to trace soft, lazy circles over her stretched skin. Rhea was engrossed in a copy of I Loved You In Another Life, her lips moving slightly as she read silently to herself.

Jey watched her for a moment before his deep voice broke the silence. “Read to me.”

Rhea’s eyes lifted from the book, a playful frown on her face. “Hmm?”

“Read to me. And to Jeyson.” He poked her belly with his finger, his grin widening when he felt a subtle kick in response. “See? He’s awake. He wants to hear it too.”

Rhea chuckled softly, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jey replied, shifting closer to her. “Go on, baby. Read.”

She smiled, rolling her eyes affectionately before flipping back a couple of pages to the beginning of the chapter. Clearing her throat dramatically, she began to read aloud, her Australian accent giving the prose a melodic cadence.

Jey closed his eyes, letting her voice wash over him as his hand continued to rub her belly. Every now and then, he’d murmur, “Keep goin’,” or offer a soft chuckle at a particularly witty line.

As Rhea read, Jey felt the weight of everything lift—work, travel, even the noise earlier in the day. It was just them, their growing family, and the calm rhythm of her voice filling the room.

—

Jey stirred awake to the faint sound of something squeaking rhythmically. He blinked a few times, letting his eyes adjust to the dimming light in the living room. The subtle noise persisted, soft and consistent.

Turning his head, he saw Rhea sitting on a large, bright blue pregnancy ball, bouncing gently up and down. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, and she was wearing one of his oversized shirts with a pair of black maternity leggings.

The dogs, Barry and Bella, sat a few feet away, their heads tilting in unison with every bounce. Their expressions were a mixture of curiosity and confusion, as if trying to figure out if this was some kind of new game. Storm sat perched on the coffee table, the cat’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, tail flicking every so often.

Jey propped himself up on his elbow, his voice groggy but amused. “Uh, babe… what exactly are you doin’ over there?”

Rhea looked over at him, her lips twitching into a small grin. “What does it look like? I’m bouncing.”

Jey rubbed his face and sat up fully, leaning back against the armrest of the couch. “At seven o’clock at night?”

Rhea shrugged, continuing to bounce. “It helps my hips. And it’s good for Jeyson to, you know, get into the right position.”

Jey raised an eyebrow, glancing at the dogs, who were now lying down but still staring at her with their heads resting on their paws. “Well, you’ve got an audience. Even the pets think you’re wildin’ right now.”

Rhea let out a laugh, reaching down to scratch behind Barry’s ear. “They’re just jealous they don’t have a ball like this. Isn’t that right, Barry?”

Jey chuckled, stretching his arms overhead. “Man, you’re somethin’ else, Mamba.” He stood up, walking over to her and placing his hands on her hips to stop her bouncing. “C’mon now, I know you’re tryin’ to be all productive and stuff, but you need to chill. You’ve been on your feet all day.”

Rhea tilted her head at him, her grin widening. “Says the guy who woke up from his second nap today.”

“Exactly,” Jey said with a smirk. “I’m setting an example. Relaxin’ is an art form, baby. You need to follow my lead.”

Rhea rolled her eyes playfully, but she let him help her off the ball. “Fine, fine. But only if you rub my back later.”

Jey leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Deal. Now, let’s get you off this thing before Barry decides he wants a turn.”

Barry wagged his tail at the mention of his name, and Rhea laughed as Jey guided her back toward the couch. Storm meowed, hopping off the table as if to reclaim his spot next to them.

“Guess we’re all chillin’ tonight,” Jey said, settling back onto the couch and pulling Rhea into his arms.

Rhea shook her head, smirking at Jey. “No chillin’. What about dinner?”

Jey leaned back, stretching his arms casually across the back of the couch. “Is Mama Bear hungry?”

Rhea raised her eyebrows, placing a hand on her belly. “Mama Bear has been hungry since you fell asleep.”

Jey laughed, sitting up and nudging her shoulder with his. “Alright, alright. What do you want?”

Rhea’s face lit up. “I want McDonald’s!”

Jey shook his head, grinning. “Okay, baby. Whatever you want.”

The two of them got up, and Jey grabbed the car keys from the kitchen counter. They made their way to the garage, where Rhea’s plum-colored Tahoe was parked. Jey opened the passenger door for her, helping her in before hopping into the driver’s seat.

The automatic garage door hummed as it opened, and Jey backed the Tahoe out of the driveway. Rhea reached over to press the button to close the gate behind them, securing their property as they drove off toward the nearest McDonald’s.

A few minutes later, Jey pulled into the drive-thru, slowing the car to a stop as they approached the menu board. Rhea reached over toward the speaker, her excitement evident. Jey rested his hand casually over her backside, chuckling to himself as she leaned forward.

Rhea spoke confidently into the speaker. “Hi, can I get two triple cheeseburgers plain and dry, two spicy McChickens with Big Mac sauce instead of mayo, a 20-piece chicken nugget, a large fry, and a large chocolate shake.”

There was a pause before the worker on the other end said, “Uh… our ice cream machine is down.”

Rhea groaned, her head falling back dramatically. “Fine. Then just sub it for a large Hi-C Orange.”

Jey smiled at her reaction, leaning over to kiss her cheek. “Patience, Mama Bear.”

Rhea turned to him, and the kiss quickly deepened. Jey cupped her face as they lost themselves in the moment, his other hand gently holding her belly so it won’t squish. Jey broke the kiss and he attacked her neck with kisses, the Tahoe idling in the drive-thru. Jey brought his lips up to Rhea’s again and connected once more, his tongue slipping into her mouth and battling hers, this was what he missed everyday on the road, her.

The speaker crackled to life again. “Ugh… anything else?”

Rhea pulled back, laughing as she slid back into her seat, her cheeks flushed. “Nope, that’s it for me.”

Jey smirked, turning back to the speaker. “Yeah, can I get a Big Mac meal? Large fries, large Coke.”

“That’ll be $36.42 at the first window,” the worker replied, her tone flat.

Jey reached into his wallet as they pulled forward. Rhea couldn’t stop laughing, leaning against him as he handed over his card. “We’re gonna get banned from the drive-thru one of these days,” she joked.

“Long as I’ve got you with me, I don’t care,” Jey replied, his voice warm as he placed a hand on her belly.

The cashier handed Jey and Rhea their food, and Jey offered a quick “thank you” as he drove off. The smell of fresh fries and nuggets filled the car, and Rhea, grinning mischievously, snatched a nugget from the bag. Jey shook his head with a chuckle.

They pulled up to their property, and Jey leaned out the window to punch in the gate code. As the gate slowly opened, Rhea glanced out, her lips pursed thoughtfully.

“I think we should get our wrestling logos on a new gate,” she said suddenly.

Jey glanced at her, amused. “That’d be cool, but babe… just ’cause you inherited $950 million doesn’t mean you gotta spend it all at once.”

Rhea rolled her eyes as Jey pulled the car into the garage and parked. “I know that, Mr. Frugal. That’s why I’ve done some big things this week.”

Jey raised an eyebrow as he turned off the engine. “Oh yeah? Like what?”

Rhea grinned, stepping out of the Tahoe and smoothing her shirt over her belly. “Well, I may have invested in TKO.”

Jey froze halfway through grabbing the food bags, staring at her. “Wait—what? You a board member now or something?”

Rhea leaned against the car door, smirking. “Same level as Dwayne.”

Jey let out a low whistle, impressed. “Damn, baby. Look at you making moves. What else?”

Rhea started walking toward the house with a bounce in her step, her hand resting on her belly. “I also signed the papers to get an office for my charity foundation.”

Jey followed behind her, locking the car. “You did all this in the week I was gone?”

Rhea shrugged, unlocking the door. “I wanted to keep myself busy, you know. It’s hard not having you around.”

Jey shut the door behind them, setting the food on the kitchen counter. “So, what’s the charity about? Who does it help? And how come I’m just now finding out about this?”

Rhea hesitated for a moment, her fingers idly tracing the edge of the countertop. “I’ve established a nonprofit for victims of sexual assault, displaced children, and victims of sex trafficking,” she said quietly. Her voice softened as she continued, “It’s called the Demi Fatu Foundation for Troubled Youth. I just barely got it up and running. I was waiting for permits to come in, babes.”

Jey’s expression softened, his gaze locked on her. “That’s… incredible, baby. I mean, wow. That’s huge.”

Rhea nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “I wanted it to be something I could do, you know? My own thing. Something that makes a real difference.”

Jey stepped closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “You’re doing something amazing, Demi. I’m proud of you. Really.”

Rhea leaned into his embrace, her hand resting on his chest. “Thanks, baby. It means a lot.”

Jey kissed the top of her head, holding her close. “So what’s the first step? How are you planning to get it out there?”

Rhea’s smile brightened. “I’ve already got a few events planned to start raising awareness. I want it to grow into something that actually changes lives, you know?”

Jey nodded, his hand gently rubbing her back. “You’re gonna do that, baby. I already know.”

Rhea smiled up at him, her eyes glistening with emotion. “You always know what to say.”

Jey grinned, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “And you always know how to make me proud.”

They stood there for a moment, holding each other, the smell of their McDonald’s dinner forgotten as they celebrated Rhea’s newest accomplishment.

Sometime after finishing their late-night dinner, the quiet hum of the TV filled the room as Rhea settled back onto the pregnancy ball, bouncing gently. She shifted her attention to the screen, her mind wandering between the show and the many thoughts racing through her head.

Jey, who had been lingering in the kitchen cleaning up their plates, glanced over at her, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. “You know what?”

Rhea looked up, raising an eyebrow. “What?”

Jey smirked as he leaned against the doorframe, watching her. “You never used to bounce like that in the bedroom.”

Rhea’s eyes widened in playful surprise, and she stopped bouncing for a moment, looking at him with a laugh. “Really, babe?”

Jey pushed off the doorframe, making his way over to her, his hands coming around her waist as he hugged her from behind. “I mean… I have something better for you to bounce on,” he teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

Rhea rolled her eyes, laughing as she shook her head. “You’re ridiculous.”

She tried to shift her focus back to the TV, but Jey wasn’t letting go of her just yet. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling her scent as he spoke softly. “I mean it, Rhea.”

She turned her head slightly, narrowing her eyes at him. “I’m, like, about to pop. And you still think I’m attractive?”

Jey smiled down at her, his fingers softly caressing her belly. “You are way more beautiful than you’ve ever been, Rhea. I love you, girl. You’re my wife.”

Rhea’s heart melted at his words. She had known Jey for so long, but his love for her, even now when she felt swollen and heavy with their son, always made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

She leaned back into him, resting her head on his chest. “I love you too, baby.”

Jey pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. “You don’t even know how lucky I am, Rhea. I’m so proud of you. Of everything you’ve done.”

She smiled softly, her hand resting on his as he caressed her belly. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”

Jey gently squeezed her waist, his lips brushing against her ear. “You’ve always had the strength inside you. I’m just here to remind you of it when you forget.”

Rhea let out a content sigh, closing her eyes for a moment as she enjoyed the warmth of his embrace. She knew that no matter what came next, they would face it together. And that thought alone was all she needed.

—

November 29th, 2025 – Phoenix, Arizona – 2:21 PM

Jey stepped out of the taxi, clutching the crumpled piece of paper in his hand. The heat of the Arizona sun pressed down on him, but it was nothing compared to the weight in his chest. His fingers tightened around the note—Ken’s words still echoing in his mind.

“I’ve personally tried going over there but nothing works… maybe you could try, his name is Cal. He lives on 6363 South Fresno Street.”

His gaze lifted to the house in front of him. It was beautiful, with a Mediterranean-style exterior, red-tiled roofing, and tall cypress trees lining the front yard. The large red doors stood out against the beige stucco, and for a moment, Jey hesitated.

Then, inhaling deeply, he walked up the stone pathway and knocked firmly.

A few moments passed before the door creaked open, revealing an older woman with silver-streaked dark hair and a knowing expression.

“Hello?” she greeted, her voice warm yet cautious.

Jey cleared his throat, suddenly aware of how exhausted he felt. “Sorry for my intrusion,” he began. “My name is Joshua Fatu. I’m looking for Cal… I’m a friend of Mamba.”

The moment the name left his lips, the woman’s face softened. Her eyes gleamed with recognition, and a slow smile spread across her lips.

“Mamba,” she repeated, almost like she was recalling a fond memory. She stepped aside and gestured for him to come in.

Jey hesitated only a second before stepping over the threshold. The house smelled like aged wood, something citrusy, and a hint of cigar smoke. The inside was just as beautiful as the exterior—rich wooden floors, deep-colored rugs, and shelves lined with books and old trinkets.

As he followed the woman through the hallway, his gaze caught on something that made him stop in his tracks.

A series of framed photographs lined the wall, but one, in particular, seized his attention.

Rhea.

She stood in the center of the frame, dressed in white overalls and a black t-shirt. Her hair was slightly longer than he was used to, messily tied back, with a grease stain smudged across her cheek. But what struck him most was her smile—it was wide, genuine, filled with something Jey hadn’t seen in a long time. Happiness.

She wasn’t alone. Two older men stood on either side of her, both sharing similar features. One had his arm slung over her shoulder, while the other stood with a proud, fatherly expression.

Judging by her hair and the way she carried herself, Jey realized this had to be from around 2022.

The woman, noticing his sudden stop, approached him with a soft look.

“That’s Charles,” she said, pointing to the man on the left. “And that’s Cal.”

Jey’s brows furrowed. “They’re—?”

“Twins.”

The woman gave Jey a reassuring glance before motioning for him to follow. “Come along now,” she said gently. “I’m sure my husband would love to see you.”

Jey forced himself to tear his gaze away from the photograph, his mind still racing with unanswered questions. He followed her down a dimly lit hallway, the faint scent of cigar smoke growing stronger with each step.

She stopped at a door, rapped her knuckles against the wood, and then pushed it open without waiting for a response.

The office was a different compared to the rest of the house—dark wooden paneling lined the walls, and the scent of aged books and leather mixed with the thick aroma of tobacco. Seated behind a large desk was Cal, an older man with silver at his temples, casually leaning back in his chair with a lit cigar between his fingers. His eyes, sharp and assessing, were focused on something across the room.

Jey followed his line of sight—and immediately wished he hadn’t.

His breath caught as he saw a large, glass-enclosed cage filled with snakes. But not just any snakes. His stomach twisted as he recognized the sleek, ominous form of a Black Mamba, its jet-black scales catching the dim light as it slithered through the enclosure.

Jey felt a cold sweat prick at the back of his neck. He didn’t do snakes.

Cal finally tore his gaze from the cage and met Jey’s eyes. He exhaled a slow stream of smoke before speaking.

“Brenda, give me a moment.”

Brenda smiled at her husband before turning to Jey with a nod. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything, dear.”

Jey barely acknowledged her as she shut the door behind her, leaving him alone with Cal—and the damn snake.

Cal studied Jey for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, in a voice rough with age and authority, he asked,

“What are you doing here?”

“I need to figure out who took my wife and why,” Jey repeated, his voice now quieter but still filled with urgency.

Cal didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he gestured toward the cage, his eyes watching the snake with a calmness that unnerved Jey.

“No one could truly take a Black Mamba,” Cal said cryptically, standing and walking toward the cage.

Jey clenched his jaw, frustration building as Cal continued. “Not even a cage can’t stop a Black Mamba.”

Jey had reached his breaking point. He was done with the cryptic words, the veiled statements. “I’m so sick and tired of everyone talking in code!” he snapped. “CAN’T YOU JUST FUCKING TELL ME WHY RHEA WAS KIDNAPPED?!”

The air grew tense as Cal turned to face him. There was a coldness in his eyes, but something else too—a strange sort of respect. Cal didn’t say anything at first. Instead, he opened the door to the cage with a steady hand, reaching in.

Without warning, Cal grabbed the Black Mamba and hurled it at Jey. The snake flew toward him with terrifying speed.

Jey’s instincts kicked in, and he caught the serpent midair, the weight of it landing in his hands with a heavy thud. His breath caught in his throat as the snake quickly wrapped around his arm, its sleek body tightening around his skin.

Jey froze, fear gripping him, but strangely, the snake didn’t attack. Instead, it lingered, its dark eyes studying him as it coiled around his arm. The tension was almost suffocating, the weight of the moment heavy with something Jey couldn’t quite name.

He accepted it. If this was his end, if the snake’s venom would end his life right now… he would be okay. He had nothing left to lose.

But then, something unexpected happened.

The Black Mamba, after what felt like an eternity, uncoiled itself. Slowly, deliberately, it slithered away from his arm, retreating back into its cage.

Jey’s pulse thudded in his ears as he watched the snake disappear into the shadows of the enclosure. He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, his body trembling with a mix of fear and awe.

“Well I’ll be damned…” Cal muttered, his voice almost impressed. “The true Snake Charmer.”

Jey swallowed hard, trying to ground himself. He was still shaken, but now he needed answers more than ever. “Can you please explain to me why the fuck you just did that?” he demanded, his voice hoarse.

Cal laughed softly, a sound that held both amusement and something darker. He took a step closer, his gaze intense.

“My brother… taught them how to fight,” Cal said. “I taught them how to use their minds.”

Jey felt the weight of Cal’s words, but it wasn’t enough. He knew more, and he needed to know everything. “I know about Demetri killing your brother,” Jey said, his voice steady but forceful.

Cal’s demeanor shifted in an instant. He moved so quickly that Jey didn’t have time to react before Cal was right in front of him. In a swift motion, Cal grabbed Jey by the collar, his fingers digging into the fabric with a vice-like grip.

“Don’t you ever mention that name in my house,” Cal snarled, his voice low and dangerous. The air crackled with tension as Jey met his stare, unwavering.

Jey’s pulse raced, but he held Cal’s gaze, his heart pounding against his chest. This wasn’t just about the kidnapping anymore. This was personal.

Jey’s chest tightened as he tried to catch his breath, the gravity of the situation pressing down on him. He nodded slowly, his anger and frustration still simmering beneath the surface. “I’m sorry,” Jey muttered, his voice low, as he met Cal’s eyes, trying to defuse the moment.

Cal’s expression softened just slightly, his grip loosening on Jey’s collar. He leaned back in his chair, exhaling a heavy sigh as if the tension had finally broken. “Sit,” Cal said, motioning toward the chair across from him. “We need to talk.”

Jey’s legs felt heavy as he lowered himself into the seat, his mind racing with a thousand questions, but still, he said nothing. He just wanted answers.

Cal’s voice was steady but tinged with something Jey couldn’t quite place. “She isn’t here.”

Jey’s heart sank. He had known this was a possibility, but hearing the words spoken aloud made it all too real. He looked down, the defeat heavy in his chest. Every step he’d taken, every lead he’d followed, had brought him here, but now, it felt like he was further from the truth than ever.

“The person who took her,” Cal continued, leaning forward, “had people working underneath him. They’re connected to the same person that killed my brother.”

Jey’s stomach dropped. His grip on his own thoughts was slipping as the pieces started to fit, but he needed to know more. His voice was almost a whisper, but it held the weight of desperation. “Do you know who it is?”

Cal leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing with the weight of the knowledge he was about to reveal. “I had a theory,” he said, his gaze darkening. “And I tested it… Come here.”

Jey’s instincts kicked in. He stood up, following Cal’s every move. The tension in the air thickened as Cal led him through a hidden entryway. Jey’s mind raced with possibilities, the scent of secrecy and danger hanging heavily around them as they walked down the narrow corridor.

They passed through a door, and Jey’s gaze shifted to the large, imposing figure sitting by the door. The man’s presence was enough to make Jey instinctively tense, but Cal’s calm demeanor reassured him to some extent. They continued deeper into the room.

Inside, two figures sat side by side, their hands bound. Cal motioned to them with a quiet nod. “This is Brent Villanueva, code name Ball Python.”

Jey’s eyes flicked over to the man sitting in front of him. His mind churned, trying to place the name. But nothing clicked. He shook his head. “I don’t… I don’t recognize him.”

“He is one of the men who raped Rhea.”

[moonlitcelestial]

Beyond the Lens - Logbook Videographer!Reader x OT8 Ateez

Chapter 1 W/C 1,848

🎥 Series Masterlist 🎥

☽ Masterlist ☾

Inspiration Pictures

Previous Chapter (Prologue)

Disclaimer: This story is purely a work of fiction. It is not meant to assume or mock anything about Ateez or Atiny. I will be attempting to keep it as gender neutral as possible. It will lean toward she/her pronouns. 

Here is the link to the inspiration pictures that I will be using. 

This will be updated as the story goes on. 

Warnings: slow burn, cussing, conflict, possible angst, fluff, and obliviousness. 

This list will be updated as the story goes on.

The next few weeks consisted of many phone calls, mostly ones asking about where you all went. The clientele seemed to be thrilled that it was just you guys and not the other company hovering over everyone. Thankfully the client that you lost the footage for was completely understanding and you got to refilm the project without much of a hassle. You barely made it into your office before your desk phone rang. You grabbed it and put it against your shoulder smacking it into your glasses in the process and said “Beyond the Lens Studios how can I help you?” you smiled still not quite believing that you had your own studio.

“Hello, is this Y/N?” the woman asked. 

“Yes this is Y/N, may I ask who I am speaking with?” you asked curiously as you got your computer booted up to take notes on the call. It was something you all did in a shared excel sheet so you would not lose track of who you had spoken with and what you spoke about. 

“Yes, my name is Ji-Yu, I am with KQ Entertainment.” you almost dropped the phone. Holy shit. What in the world would possess them to call you. You knew that they had a few groups but they all had extensive amounts of staff that did what you did. 

“Hello Ji-Yu, what is it I can help you with today?” you inquired, attempting and almost failing to keep your voice level. Your hands started to shake while you were typing out the notes. 

“We are looking for a new team to join our company, our most recent videographer team has left for a bigger opportunity and we were wondering if your company would be willing to work with one of our groups?”

Your thoughts raced. You knew about KQ and just so happened to love all of the groups under them, specifically Ateez. It had been Aurora’s fault you got into them in the first place. She was listening to them while you were in the car on a several hour drive to a filming location. Once you showed even a minute amount of interest she started spewing all of the information she could think of. She had been an Atiny since shortly after they debuted. After doing your own research and listening they became your solace. They have saved you on multiple accounts, yet they don't even know you. 

“You're looking to hire our company? Like, all four of us?” It was very rare for people wanting to hire everyone there seeing as everyone had their own clients. Generally at the most it was two of you.  

“Yes, we have seen a lot of your work and you have come highly recommended by several of our contacts. We would be interested in discussing starting a contract with you and your team if you would have us.“ 

Holy fuck you thought, you pinched yourself to make sure what was happening was real. That fucking hurt. It's real!

“Thank you, while I would love to set up something with you I have to speak to my team first to see if it would be something they would be interested in. Before I do so could I have more details so I can give them a rundown and call you back with an answer?”

“Yes, that would work. You would be working with our group Ateez as their Logbook videographers. You would be traveling with them all over the world and be filming in our offices as well. If that works out, we would love to have you not only as their Logbook videographers but as their full time photographers as well. We have seen all of your photography and it suits their style well.” 

Your jaw dropped. You had never expected such a large offer. This was most definitely a huge step to take. It offers opportunities to travel like you have always wanted. Not to mention, you knew these men and their temperament from the little pieces you have seen in their Logbooks. 

After just a moment's hesitation to absorb the information you sank back into professional mode. “Thank you for the information, I will speak with my team and see if it is something they would be interested in. I will give you a call by the end of the week with our answer.”

“Thank you Y/N I look forward to hearing from you, have a wonderful day.”

“Thank you, you do the same.” You hung up the phone and made sure the call had ended before letting out a squeal. You leapt up out of your chair and jumped around your office. You decided to take a lap around the top floor of the studio with your restless energy. You were leaping around in celebration all the way around the space, thankfully it was just a large loop. The ruckus must have caught the attention of your teammates because it wasn’t even 30 seconds later that they tapped on the glass of your door that was propped open slightly from your re-entrance. Their eyebrows were raised in suspicion thinking you had finally lost it from all of the energy drinks you had. 

“Get your asses in here. We have some important and exciting business to discuss.” You said after you stopped jumping and adjusted your glasses, going back to being serious but the wide smile gave you away. They all pushed into your office and sat on the small couch facing your desk. Once all of them were seated Aurora said “okay spill it, you don’t get that excited for just anything.”

You smiled wider at her but hesitated, putting together jumbled thoughts that had string theory to connect them was difficult. You finally came up with a real sentence. “I just got off the phone with a very large prospective client. They called stating they are wanting to hire all of us for a large project, if you can even call it that. It would be us contracted into their company until I assume something changes. It is a very big opportunity.” You started. 

They all looked at each other and back at you. You could see the curiousness in their gazes. You were never vague, always giving the smallest of details even if they did not ask for it. They could read you like a book and knew this was something that you were still trying to wrap your head around. You took a second to collect your thoughts further and started again, “It was KQ Entertainment.” You took a deep breath, “and they would like to hire us as Ateez’s Logbook videographers because the people that worked for them just left. They would like for us to travel with them and if that goes well we could also become their full time photographers and videographers.” 

Aurora’s eyes widened her jaw going slack. She leapt up from the middle of the other two, effectively startling them with the suddenness. She grabbed your shoulders, and started jumping around with you. You reached over and grabbed hers while you both squealed at the opportunity that was just presented to you. The other two sat there in shock at the offer, they had never expected anyone of KQ’s status to even notice their little company. They both got up shortly after and started jumping with you and Aurora. Your little company was just getting started and it had already been noticed by one of the top companies around. Once you tired yourselves out you flopped onto your chair, they flopped onto the couch in a heap. 

“So, after that reaction from all of us, I can assume I know the answer, but I would like to hear a definite answer from all of you,” You express to the three sitting in front of you. 

“Yes, 100% yes!” Aurora practically squeals. Forrest looks at her and rolls his eyes. 

“It's a great opportunity, I say yes.” Willow voices glancing at the two beside her. She was always the calm one out of the three of them. 

“I agree, I am here for you guys, the traveling, and the great opportunity.” Forrest claims. 

“Okay, while I would like to call them right now and give them their answer, I do not want to seem too eager. I also think we all need to sleep on it and come back to it. While I know how huge this is for us we still need to consider all of our avenues especially since we are going to be traveling for long periods of time. I know that you have your people you need to speak to to figure out smaller details. I personally will be speaking to my mother about taking care of the furry babies while we are gone.” you think to the three gentle giants at home, Mocha, Beans, and Toothless, your Maine Coons. They are your children. “We also need to go through storage to make sure we have enough things for all of us to be traveling. If we need to we can buy some more supplies for having all of us out on the field. I know we will need at least one other body vest and gimbal. In fact, let's make a checklist for everything that each of us will need.” You note. 

“I agree on all fronts, while I would love to jump into this opportunity, we need to prepare our family and ourselves for such a big task.” Willow replies. You knew she was going to have to discuss this with her husband, Rowan. He was an honorary member of Beyond the Lens, he came up to the office often enough you jokingly offered him an office. He knew the basics of what all of you did and was a great help when none of you had the hands to do the things you needed to. It might even be smart to see if he could tag along, he does remote work anyway. 

“You know you could see if Rowan could come with us, he would be a good help for when all of us have our hands full.” Aurora stated, you and Forrest nodded, she seemed to already be pondering that idea. That would be something you could iron out later. 

“Okay,” you clapped your hands and stood up, “let's get moving and we can get together later. That will give you guys time to get whatever you were doing finished” 

You got together later on in the morning and compiled a list of all of the things you would need for traveling. Once you were satisfied with the list Willow went to order the things you would need. These would be things that, even if you guys did not accept the offer, would be useful to have in the future. The rest of the day followed in a blur. You went home excited and did a lot of thinking. As soon as your head hit the pillow, exhaustion pulled you into fitful slumber. 

Next Chapter (Chapter 2 Coming Soon)

Taglist:

@breadedloafs

[saintsandsorcery]

A series of letters from Gale written throughout the game (based on this post right here)

(The first one is written on a ripped out book page, his mother’s address is written on the back of it between the texts original lines) My apologies for not writing sooner. I sould have, I know that, but only now that I find myself involved in a cults business does it come to mind. I can’t say much, but, for the first time in a while, I am not alone. Love, Gale

(The name written at the top of the letter has been crossed out. It was written in a haste, some of the ink is smudged and the letters are hard to make out) Tav, You can’t possibly feel this way, so I will just assume that I got it all wrong. I know that you are just being kind, I have told you of my affliction with the orb and you try to make it better in your own way. I understand. I would love to kiss you or to simply hold your hand, but you don’t have to give me anything, what you have done for me will suffice for more than one lifetime. Gale

(The third letter features a hand drawn map of the Sword Coast with several dots and circles highlighting the most important stops on their travels at the bottom of the page. He carefully tiptoes around the more gruesome events. It is once again addressed to Morena Dekarios) …and the Druids grove of course. I am very lucky to be in such good company, otherwise I’d have been lost long before all this started. Do you remember the markets? I was seven, I think, there were screams and you just took me by the hand and ran. You explained it to me later, in simpler terms of course.I wanted to thank you for that, I keep being reminded of how different my life would have been if it all went a little different that day another day, too, but no one could have prevented that. No one but myself. Love, Gale.

(Scribbled on corner torn from a recipe) Tav is smiling like that again.

(Written on a fresh sheet of paper, only a little crumpled) Tav, I love you. There is no better way to say it and I fear the perfect moment will never come. My time is short, but it would be an honour to dedicate what is left of it to you. Gale. (This letter isn’t hidden with the others. It remains neatly folded in Tavs pocket, they take it out every once in a while and he can’t help but feel a little proud when they do - not for long though, the guilt always follows)

(His own name, except that he uses Of Waterdeep instead of Dekarios, the date he signs with predates the current one by several months) Don’t do it. You think it will guarantee you Mystras affection, I know how much you want it. But don’t do it. Please. There is so much more now, so much…

(The letter is a mess of smudged ink and crossed out sentences) … keep the tower and all within its walls, you know where I hide the key. Let Tav look an around, If they wish to do so, I’m sure they’ll love the library. If things had been different I might have introduced them to you as my partner. We would have had tea together and I had been given the chance to explain everything. And maybe we will, maybe this letter will go unsent, just like the other. I am sorry. Gale

(Tav holds them in their hands, singed, water-soaked pieces of paper. It is a wonder that the letters remained mostly intact, the one Tav has kept for themselves these past few weeks looking worst of all - not that it matters, all that is important are the words they memorised by now. Words like love. And I love you, they whisper, I still do)

[auraisereigh]

"Conflicted"

chapter eleven

Brennan Sorrengail x Riorson reader Blurb: After her agreement with Brennan, she seeks her brother out to sort her own feelings out wc: 7.3 ☆ SPOILERS FOR THE EMPYREAN SERIES. Talk about conflicted feelings. Grief. Uses pronouns: she/her. i use Star as a nickname as y/n sounds weird, and i'm awful with names.

Masterlist ☆ Dragon guide ☆ Star's story ☆ Empyrean guide ☆ Support me

I find my brother in the mess hall during dinner, he's sitting with Liam, I know Liam from his mother but I've never actually had a conversation with him.

I sit down next to Xaden once I reach their table, he doesn't seem that tense anymore, I suppose the healers gave him some soothing cream or painkillers.

I shift a little closer and lean my head on his shoulder and then it hits me, he's back. He seems to notice the shift in my emotions as his head turns to me, away from his plate. "You okay, little sister?" He asks as he raises a brow. I roll my eyes at the nickname. "Yes, I am, matter of factly okay. Best I've ever been in two months." I say sarcastic and he lets out a small huff of a laugh at my answer.

I look over to where Liam sits and he smiles bittersweet. He has a little sister, of course he would want to see her. My heart aches for him.

I sit back up straight and look at Xaden. "We need to talk." I say quietly. He looks my way and he raises his brow again on question. I give him a pleading look and he gives him.

"Give us a minute." Xaden tells Liam. Liam all but smiles. "Totally fine." He says, his voice understanding.

Xaden grabs my arm and pulls me up from my chair to my feet, letting go once we start walking. We don't speak, I don't even look at him. All I'm doing is going over what I wanna say to him once we're behind closed doors.

We walk up the stair case to the second floor and he opens the door to the family quarters for me, waiting for me to go first as he holds the door open.

I walk through and he follows closely, closing the door behind him. I stop at the couch, not sitting down but leaning against it.

The first time I saw my brother earlier it didn't last long as my anger took over but now I feel calmer, more relieved that he's here.

"How did the healers go?" I ask softly. I don't wanna remember what I saw on his back. The cuts, some healing, some not. "Good, they just cleaned them up again. Told me to come back again tomorrow for a check up." He shrugs. I shouldn't have expected anything else.

He steps closer, his much taller from towering over me. "Are you okay?" He asks with a raised brow. "You stormed out of the assembly room like you were going to light something on fire." I look away. How am I supposed to explain to my brother that the son of the woman who cut in his back is here, living, and that after I stormed out I yelled at him?

"I'm.... Confused- more like conflicted." Even my voice comes out confused. "Why?" It's a simple question yet I stay quiet, searching for the right words to explain it.

"What would you do... If you're friends with someone who you don't know at all, only to find out that he is not the person you thought he is but the person you know think he is isn't him either?" That has got to be the worst explanation the lord has ever heard. His brow stays raised. "You're talking about the Sorrengail." He states. Wait, he knows? "You're aware of it." I state back.

"Yes, they wanted me to know in case I would find out the way you did. Which is, what I'm assuming, your conflict?" He asks but it's clear in his eyes that he already knows the answer.

I stay quiet, not knowing what to say. His mother cut into Xaden's back, yet he seems to have less conflicted feelings than I do.

I take a deep breath. "Naolin died..." I start, my voice instantly starts wavering, emotions building up. His eyes soften. "I'm sorry, Star."

I ignore his apology, it's not his fault anyway. It's dad's. "Brennan was dying and Naolin gave his life for Brennan's. Naolin was smart, he wouldn't just do that for anyone..." I sniff a few times before continuing. "Which let me to trust Brennan. Until I found out who his mother was and ever since i... I can't look at him the same anymore. All I see is the son of the woman who did so much harm to us, to our people..." I feel a few tears fall down my cheek but I wipe them away. "I want to trust him, to know him and his connection to... Naolin. But everytime I try something happens like you coming back and she cut into your back and all the effort I put in to look over who his mother is just crumbles. Shatters in a thousand pieces that I can't put together anymore." I finish. And by the end of that I'm hugging myself in an attempt to comfort myself. I let out a deep breath.

After a moment of silence he speaks up. Unlike him, usually I just vent to him, he comforts me and that's that. Not advice. "And you're judging him because of his mother? Or because your gut tells you something is wrong with him?" He ask patient. He knows there's no point in rushing me.

"His mother." I admit in a whisper. It sounds awful, judging someone based on their parents and their actions even when a child cannot control what their parents do and it doesn't mean that you're your parents child that you're like them. He doesn't even need to say anything, I know where my mistakes lie but how to fix them...

It's like he can read my mind, not so abnormal for siblings to know each other but still. "Talk to him." He says encouraging. "Ask him what you need to know, what you need to start figuring things out when it comes to him." He keeps his voice slightly encouraging and reassuring.

Well Brennan had scheduled a... Date? Meeting? Whatever it is. It's now Wednesday, and he said he'd come pick me up at Friday night. So that means that Friday night I can try again to put the pieces back together when it comes to him.

I nod at him, showing him that I understand what he's saying and that I will take the advice.

☆

Later that night xaden and I sit on the couch of the family quarters, quiet, while we're eating. It's handy that the family quarters has its own kitchen, downside, almost all the food was expired. I still managed to find some things in the kitchen of the mess hall and one of the employees told me she'd bring some food up tomorrow so we could cook here. Not that that's the best idea, I'm pretty sure I would burn down the kitchen if I tried.

I look Xaden's way again, he hasn't said a word. He's just quietly eating his food. I know it's selfish but I need to know. I build up my courage and speak. "Did you still see dad? You know, after... he got captured." My voice is a quiet whisper.

He stops with what he's doing. He doesn't look at me, he just stares at his plate and it's clear he won't say anything. "M' sorry." I mumble. I stare at my plate, my mind hollow. The ache in my heart still hurts and it feels as if the wound in my heart still bleeds.

"I got to say goodbye." Xaden mumbles from the other side of the couch. "It wasn't much, not long but enough." His voice stays a mumble. Tears prick in my eyes and the ache in my heart hurts more. "What did he say?" I ask and my voice wavers over the question.

Xaden sits up straight and places his plate on the table. "Not much, that he loved us, that we had to take care of each other. The stuff you would expect." His voice takes a hint of coldness and I know I'm pushing. I know I shouldn't push him, it's selfish but I need to know. "He told me he has two letters in his office for us." I blink at that, I spend the first week back cleaning almost everything out, just to make sure I wouldn't miss anything for a possible future rebellion. I never found letters. Maybe I put them in one of the sorted boxes? Maybe he moved them and forgot it? He had been interrogated and... Tortured... Xaden probably saw him after that happened.

I can't help but reach out with my hands to his head, like a memory reader would. The red veins of magic appear on my hands. "Don't." He bites and I automatically retreat. "I know what you're gonna do. You don't want to see it." He says, his tone as sharp. I stay frozen in my spot, I'm used to Xaden not being the most emotional person but he was never this cold with me. I pushed too far too soon and the guilt seeps in, my heart starts hurting for another reason, that I had pushed my little brother to talk about things he wasn't ready for, after everything he'd been through and every burden he had to carry because I wasn't there for him. "I'm sorry." It's not enough but it's the only thing I can offer right now.

"I know why you wanna see it, you want to be sure but this is not something you need to see." His voice is a little softer but there is still an audible hint of cold. I can't blame him.

I get up from the couch, putting my plate on the table as well. I walk past Xaden, giving him a small goodnight kiss on his forehead and walk away but not in the direction of my room, but not that far away either.

☆

My hand trembles when I reach for the door handle and open it, the strong scent that I always associated with my dad still hangs in the air and emotions, just like the last few weeks, threaten to overwhelm me. I walk in the room and close the door behind me. Everything about this room reminds me of him, it's why I've avoided this room like the black death.

I don't bother to look for the letter, I'm too tired for that. Finding those letters will be something I'll do another day.

I make my way to his bed, he probably has the largest bed of all of us, the silk, beige sheets are neatly placed on the bed, pillows puffed up. His night stand holds normal things for a nightstand, unlike mine. A few candles, a book, a picture from when we were little. I know he keeps more pictures in the drawer.

I lay down on his bed and my body relaxes immediately. The scent of sandalwood, mint and vanilla hit hard. I pull at the sheets to cover myself. The warmth providing a protective barrier. His window is closed but the moonlight shines through. I stare at it until I fall asleep.

And dream of memories with my dad.

☆

Taglist: @honethatty12 @smashee0789 @awkardnerd @randomperson1234sblog@bangtanxberm@hyperactive-bookworm-0 @littowl @thebreadisthetruevillian

[adventuringblind]

With Me Forever [Remastered]

Reader/Lando/Max/Charles/Oscar/Logan AND Reader/Eventual Ex!Original Female Character AND Sebastian/Lewis

Chapter Summary: Something about how a picture is worth a thousand words...

WARNING FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES: Underage Sex (both consensual and not consensual, NOT BETWEEN READER AND DRIVERS), Mentioned past abuse (sexual, child neglect, child abandonment, physicaly, mental, verbal), medical malpractice & medical inaccuracies, Violence and gore, stalking, cults and witches (Reader is a witch with super cool powers tho-), Kidnapping at some point, some pretty hefty age gaps

Author's Note: I didn't realize how varied in word count the chapters are until deciding to also post the fic here-

Series Masterlist

Chapter Four

Max sits across from her at the dinner table, recounting tales of his summer break that mostly included his new teammate, Daniel. The Australian seems like he would do insane things, like skydiving, and Max would follow him wherever. 

Seb had called it puppy love. Then promptly told her never to repeat that. 

Seb and Lewis are looking at them, but not with the fond eyes she is used to. No, Seb is staring her down like she’s just committed a heinous crime of some kind. “Alright-” he folds his hands on the table and Lewis rolls his eyes at it. “-You are going to tell us about this future seeing thing.” 

Panic seems to be the only emotion she can come up with at this moment. Her lip wobbles, stomach twisting in knots. She’d done so good to avoid anything having to do with the subject only to get cornered. 

She tries to look like it doesn’t matter, shrugging it off. Seb narrows his eyes, unconvinced. “The nosebleeds are worse and you are already predicting this season.” 

“Not much of a prediction given Lewis-” 

“Not the point!” 

She flinches. The tense air and anxiety creeping in threaten to overwhelm her. She looks at Max who is somewhere between angry at Seb and concerned for her. “It’s… it’s hard to explain.” 

Seb reaches his hand across the table, offering it up for her to take without pushing. “We are worried for you, schatz. You are tired and pale, your nose bleeds so much I’m running out of dish rags… Help me out here, please?” 

“I’m different.” Admitting it is scary, but what else is she going to do? The worst they can do is send her back to her father. She’d probably just kill herself if that was the case. “Mom was a witch, and so am I, I guess.” She’s not sure she can elaborate more, her head is pounding and hiding under her blankets sounds nice right now. 

Everyone blinks at her, almost unbelieving, if it weren't for the fact she has no reason to lie and there isn't any other explanation. 

Max looks at her and smiles wide. “Well, I think that's awesome! Is there, like, a way to control it?” his Dutch accent comes out thicker now, excitement bleeding through. “Will you be able to do other things? Can you bring people back from the dead-” 

That question has her zoning out. If only Max knew the half of it. Bringing someone back would've solved her problems back at her fathers warehouse. 

He's still asking even if she's not listening and part of her is endeared by it. 

~~~~~

There is a shift around the garage that she doesn't know how to react to yet. Nico retired, Max gets to start with Redbull this Season instead of halfway through it. She should feel Excited! 

Except for the part where she is being replaced–because Daniel is cooler and older and- 

Is it normal to feel this distraught over something so trivial? She went thirteen years with no friends for fucks sake, how is this any different?! 

She pokes at her dinner plate while Seb and Lewis gossip about paddock drama. Her doctor says she's not on the verge of collapse now, but that doesn't mean food isn't hard. It's the easiest way to punish herself.  

“Dove? Something on your mind?” Lewis has always been gentle with her, slowly teaching jeer things about the world that she didn't understand before. Like how his and Seb's relationship isn't public because it's frowned upon in most parts of the world and in places they travel to. 

She shakes her head no and goes back to pushing food around her plate. They don't try and get anything more from her, based on doctors instructions, and she can't help but feel grateful for it. 

~~~~~

Seb and Lewis go back and forth on the prospect of therapy for a couple of months before finally asking her. She says no, obviously, because the idea of speaking to a complete stranger terrifies her. 

It feels like an argument without the amount of yelling there normally is. Something about it feels inherently wrong, like she should have said yes even if she didn’t want to. Because apparently Kimi doesn’t count as a friend and Max is too busy with his own career and Daniel to pay any attention to her. 

It’s weird, having someone close only to lose them again. Even if he’s still right there, a five minute walk down the paddock and she could be sitting in his garage instead of trying to do math with Seb’s engineers. 

She prefers math over reading. Her father didn’t care much for teaching her that part, only the things that mattered to him, but she has a suspicion there was more purpose to it then that. She can do basic English sight words. Even German is easier than that since that’s the language Seb knows best. 

Kimi comes around the corner and spots her staring at Seb and Lewis, making a valiant attempt at reading their lips. “You know you can’t avoid them forever?” 

“Worried about me.” Her lips twitch downwards into a frown. She had been naive thinking leaving her fathers house would make everything better. Sometimes she wonders if all she did was make life worse for someone else. 

~~~~~

She wouldn’t say she’s lonely. She knows that feeling well and this isn’t it… but it also isn’t a happy feeling. Putting it into words is difficult; it’s almost as if she’s watching life happen around her and she has no part in it. 

Dove withdraws herself from any interaction possible. She leaves Kimi alone, tries her best to only bother Seb when it’s absolutely necessary and goes back to limiting her use of words. It’s not like they need to hear her talk. It’s probably annoying anyway, that’s what her dad used to say at least. 

She tries to wave hello to Max again, but that’s the extent of their interactions until Seb forces him over for dinner. His dad has been getting more violent and everyone can see it. Last time she tried to ask him about if he told her to fuck off about it. 

She didn’t cry about it. At least not until she was alone again. 

~~~~~

“Dove, why are you asleep on the couch?” Lewis comes around the corner rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He’s an early riser, likes to get a jump on his day where Seb likes to sleep in the extra hour. 

She just shrugs her shoulders, because telling him she wet the bed because of nightmares doesn’t sound appealing. Normally, she would strip everything right there so they would never know it happened. They’ve been under the impression that she’s getting better and she’d like to keep it that way. She just didn’t have the energy after whatever the hell her mind had subjected her to last night. 

It’s fine, she’ll fix it when they are gone-

Lewis comes to join her on the couch and hands her a glass of water. He opens his arms so she can put her head in his lap and then the exhaustion of everything seems to hit at once. 

It’s still weird, crying over trivial things. She used to never cry about anything because it’s not like it ever got her anywhere–merely a waste of time and energy. 

But she sobs until her throat goes dry, her eyes numb, the hitching of her breathe becomes suffocating, and even then it doesn’t stop. 

~~~~~

Okay, so she might have been more tired than expected, but Lewis makes for a comfortable pillow and she hadn't really slept in a week. She cannot be blamed for drooling all over him and making him miss his workout given the time on the nearest clock now reads that it's the afternoon. 

She yawns and tries to scramble off him when she hears him and Seb clear their throats. “Taube, we need to talk, please.” Seb hands over her notebook and pen and panic begins to register somewhere in the back of her mind. 

There is a letter on the table in a yellow envelope. She has a stack of those letters sitting under one of the loose floorboards in her room. She’s received one everyday since January first and has refused to talk about them. 

She makes sure that she is the one to get the mail everyday and has managed to convince everyone that she’s the same as a dog going to get the daily paper at the end of the driveway. It took a while, but she managed and nobody suspected a thing. 

The worst part is that the letter is opened. Probably because it’s addressed to her in scary looking handwriting and in a manilla envelope–all reasons a normal person should be concerned.

Leave it to summer break to ruin everything-

“This letter came for you today, do you know anything about it?” Seb is using his dumb gentle parenting voice that she knows all too well now. The same one he uses when he has to scold her. “Our delivery man says he’s been bringing the same letter to you for a while now-” 

Well, there is no avoiding it now she supposes. She was going to tell Max when the first ones started coming, but he was too busy really integrating himself with redBull and she didn’t want to bother him. 

She runs up to her room and can hear Seb and Lewis trailing behind her. She reaches the door and sees her bed made and the smell is of freshly done laundry and not of urine and–She’s going to cry, actually. 

“Darling, you don’t have to hide things from us. It’s okay, really-” She turns around and throws herself into Seb’s arms. 

“I can’t sleep… because he’s watching.” 

He strokes her hair and hugs her tight. It’s the same way she does when she has a meltdown because her senses are in overdrive. It lessened after she discovered noise cancelling headphones, but then it was all the little things to-

She pulls away to move the floorboards she’d so carefully loosened and pulls out the stacks of letters from the unknown sender. 

Seb and Lewis exchange glances as she pulls out a little over seven months of daily letters. All of them written in the same messy scrawl. 

They don’t talk about it much for the rest of the day. Instead they watch movies on the couch and Seb makes hot chocolate 

~~~~~

They move the following weekend to an apartment in Monaco with good security. It’s one of Lewis’ and also in the same building as Daniel… And also Max. 

She tells Seb that Max is too busy for her, but still ends up dragging her to go and knock on his door to see if he’s home. 

He doesn’t answer, as she expected–probably up a couple of floors spending time with Daniel. Whatever, she’s not jealous-

~~~~~

Lewis hands her a small box on her birthday, away from where Seb and Max can see. They are out grabbing something to eat. Probably not trainer approved for them, but approved for her since she’s stopped eating all together since the visions have gotten worse. The anxiety has been making her vomit recently and the insane amount of blood loss with each one isn’t helping. 

She opens it and finds a really nice camera inside, it makes her insides feel fuzzy, but she doesn’t really know why yet. “I want you to start documenting things, anything you want. Think of it like a diary, but you don’t have to write anything because it’s all pictures.”

The first picture she takes is of her and Lewis together, smiling. 

~~~~~

In the early months of 2018, Dove spends majority of her time with Seb in Maranello. She always has her camera around her neck and most of the team expect to end up in her pictures. 

Lewis says she has a good eye for catching the moments others might miss. He also prints them out for her and buys her journals and Seb takes her to go pick out things like colored pens and stickers. 

They say her stories don’t require words. It makes her feel seen.

She’s working on some online reading and writing lessons that Seb and Lewis have her doing to at least help the skill. Math comes easy and she’s fallen in love with statistics, but that doesn’t help her know what the hell anything says. It’s hard to determine how to interpret data if she doesn’t know what the data is for. 

The new social media admin and her daughter are also sitting in the cafeteria. She looks about Dove’s age, maybe a little older if anything, with blonde hair and brown eyes. She’s a bit pretty, actually- 

The girl makes her way to where Dove is sitting surrounded by Seb’s laptop, her camera, a journal and pens, and the whiteboard she’s been using to communicate because words are too damn hard. 

She sits down across from Dove and smiles. Her soft features have an elegance to them and Dove almost feels a bit intimidated by it–femininity is hard to achieve since she’s been surrounded by males her entire life. 

“Hello, I’m Cassandra but nobody calls me that. I prefer to go by Cassie!” She chirps, incredibly cheery for it being eight in the morning. 

She writes down ‘Dove’ and then flips it around for Cassie to see. “Dove, that’s a pretty name!” She points to a woman who looks similar to her, the new social media admin. “That over there is my mom. It’s just me and her, so I’ll be around alot. Maybe we can be friends? I’ve seen you around while we were getting introduced and stuff and Sebastian says you’re also American, technically. Kind of nice to know I’m not alone.” 

And while her instincts scream to run in the other direction, the allure of having a friend is too good of an opportunity to pass up. She’s getting kind of lonely now, admittedly, without Max. 

She nods her head yes and watches Cassie beam. 

~~~~~

She shouldn’t google her biological dad. She shouldn’t read the headline articles that pop up when she presses enter on the search bar. But she’s going to because she can make out some of the bigger words now. 

And Cassie had talked her into it–which doesn’t help because apparently she’s an impressionable young teen just like Seb said and fuck this is such a bad idea. 

She’s not here right now but she’s put the idea out there and now Dove can’t stop thinking about it. ‘Have you ever googled yourself?’ she’d asked, ‘It’s kind of fun to see who else shares your name and stuff!’

It was funny when Cassie did it, but now she’s googled her dad and the first words on her screen are: Major Cult Leader Arrested. Good to know that apparently she was religious without ever realizing it. 

Had that been what all those men were over for? Was she the thing they were worshipping? Is that why they wanted her blood all the time? Most importantly, is that the reason she has these weird healing abilities she doesn’t know how to use and can see the future?

Her head hurts. 

Seb rounds the corner and comes into his driver room to find her crying over his laptop. “Taube-” 

She turns the computer around to him, tears brimming her eyes, and waits for him to read them. “Love-” He crouches down onto the ground, closes the laptop and pulls her into a hug. “Whatever he was, isn’t what you are, if that’s what you’re worried about-” 

“No! Nothing makes sense!” She tugs on her hair to self-soothe while Seb settles them into a comfier position. “All the–the memories!” 

Seb rocks them and waits for her sobs to quiet down before he tries to talk to her again. Which, good on him, because it’s hard to hear over the sound of her own sobbing. “I had a feeling that whatever happened wasn’t good, and whatever you’re ready to talk about, remember that I’m always going to be here. I won’t hurt you, and neither will Lewis, okay? You can scream and cry and throw things if you want, if that’s what you need. Just know I will always be here for you, when you’re ready.” 

Maybe not yet, because sometimes crying is easier to do than talking, but soon.

[kirlicues]

Lot Previews and Build/Buy Mode Mods I use

Finally! Pretty much everything I had on my old Simblr has been reposted here! Thank you for your interest in these homes. I hope they continue to bring a smile to your face as you play with them. 😊

Here are some previews of the lots I've been polishing up recently. Fun fact: 90% of these lots started out as houses I built for my kids' sims families when they were young (ah how the years fly by!).

These will eventually get uploaded at least that's the plan as I have more time.

Here's where I could use your feedback though:

I love to build and landscape, but decorating the insides...not quite as much.😅

I'd be able to put these lots up faster if you're ok with furnishing and decorating them yourself. I'd add things like kitchens and bathrooms and place beds in the bedrooms.

What do you think? Scroll through and let me know!

I am using Reshade 4.91 for the images that you see. That link will take you to Reshade's official repository folder for Reshade 4.0 series downloads.

Other than cropping and resizing, this is how they look in my game. I'm blessed enough to have a machine that will let me play with this beautiful custom LUT I configured. It helps to see bright, happy colors, especially in winter. 😎

So now a few words about the mods or hacks I use to make building a whole lot more fun, considering I play with very little CC in my game.

I use a number of building cheats such as 'allow45degreeangleofrotation true', 'boolprop snapobjectstogrid false', "setquartertileplacement on", and of course, "moveobjects". If you notice an object blocking something feel free to move/remove it. Grab this mod to allow your sims to sit in chairs placed at 45 degree angles.

I use a lot of shiftable decor mods: shiftable wall lamps, ceiling deco made shiftable, shiftable wall decor. The other day I ran across this mod that allows you to shift just about anything up or down, so I may switch to this in the future.

I also use a few default replacements:

CuriousB's Lush Terrain

Peppermint & Ginger's Shrub defaults

TVickie's Phlox default replacement

PineappleForest's Spiderlily texture default (along with a number of other defaulted things).

Fway's Default Garden Plot

Less saturated BG flowers (I can use the poppies finally!)

Lunatech Lighten Up Ceiling Light Placement Fix

I do use a few other things but these are the primary ones.

And as far as CC goes, these are the only items you'll have to deal with (Use Sims 2 Pack Clean Installer to remove any of these things if you don't want them in your game):

Anything Maxis "Lost and Found", preorder "Bonus" items, or items that were offered on the Sims 2 website. I'll label this in the lot post.

Functional Washer/dryer

Maxis Match Wall Cabinets by CTNutmegger at ModtheSims 

Maxis Match Chimney Recolors: Brick, Stucco, Southwestern Style Stucco, Masonry

So there you have a short list of things I have in my game that you may already have in yours, but if not, you now know where to find them. :) I'm looking forward to hearing your feedback on what I should do with the lots (since my time is pretty limited by real life responsibilities). 🎉😄

[aftgficrec]

hi i finally caught this open! first of all thanks for doing this :)

can i get fics with neil and wymack? maybe even jean with wymack? like wymack taking care of them?

Wymack just can’t help himself, he has to take care of those kids!  There’s plenty of Wymack & Neil fics to choose from, there’s not so much content focussed on Jean and Wymack though (not yet anyway).  Maybe the rest of the trilogy will inspire writers to show more interactions between Jean and Coach Rhemann. - S

Previous recs:

Wymack & Neil fics in this parental Wymack post here

‘Wish you were here’, ‘See you again’ and ‘Watchful Eyes’ here

‘You Try Until You Can't’ here

‘Badass coach prompt’, ‘#1 Dad David Wymack protecting his foxes’ and ‘Wymack carrying Neil after Evermore’ here

‘Wymack and his kids pt.1’ and ‘pt.2’ here

‘Consequences of Coaching’ here

‘Taking That Step’ here

You might also like…

‘Yes, Coach’ here

Neil & Wymack

with gentle hands and a heavy heart by RainbowObsidian [Rated T, 1217 words, complete, 2024, locked]

Neil wakes up at the airport on New Year’s Eve and calls Wymack to come get him.

tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: injuries

hold on (you must be hurting) by ifitmeanslosingyou [Rated T, 1807 words, complete, 2024]

david was tired of his kids having to confess their darkest secrets for the entire world to judge and know and scrutinize first it was the twins during aaron's trial, now it was neil for nathan's it was fucking unfair to have his kids have to relieve their nightmares for the sake of proving they were only trying to save themselves day 15: childhood trauma | painful hug | “i did good right?”

tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced murder

though i am bruised, face of contusions (know I’ll keep movin') by ifitmeanslosingyou [Rated M, 1239 words, complete, 2024]

it was dark by the time neil stumbled to the familiar parking lot of wymack's apartment building he wasn't ready to face andrew yet, and he couldn't deal with his teammates concern right now back in may he hadn’t imagined he would be able to walk into a middle aged man's apartment willingly, a place he associated with safety today had been rough enough he needed safety day 22: bleeding through bandages | reopening wounds | “oh, that’s not good”

tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: injuries, tw: blood

Festivities by the Dozen by Mercey [Rated G, collection, complete, 2024]

Chapter 3: Scrooge - Neil & Wymack

Some Palmetto shenanigans hehe <3

How to help your mafia traumatized adopted son to heal : An incomplete guide by Lockedoor [Not Rated, 8817 words, incomplete, last updated Nov 2024, locked]

Neil is 16 years-old when his mother dies after being on the run with him for ten years. His father's men catch up to him not long after, and Neil turns to the FBI for help. He is placed on witness protection for the time needed to get the rest of his father's men off the streets. Neil is placed in an orphanage at Millport where he catches the attention of Abby, the orphanage's summer nurse. Proceeds to be adopted by Wymack and Abby. So, I'm writing this fic because my heart aches for Dadmack being the father figure that Neil needs.

tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: ptsd, tw: nightmares

You woke me up one night, Dripping crimson on the carpet by FoxgloveInSpace [Rated M, 547 words, complete, 2023]

This is a tiny one shot I wrote for @imperfectcourt over on tumblr for their post: Someone who is not depressed.... pls write about if Neil had been able to take that knife to his face..... what if Wymack was out of the room or apartment for some reason and could t stop him... And this is what I delivered. (Title from: Are you really ok? - Sleep Token)

tw: self harm, tw: injuries, tw: blood

for the hopes and the fears and the dreams by AmericanCanada [Rated T, 3199 words, 2023, locked]

Part 2 of (wit)jitp series

In the quiet before the others showed up, Andrew could hear their coach’s furious voice talking in his office. Though as the rest of the team filtered in, the noise eventually drowned him out.   Wymack discovers a Raven on his court before practice and isn't quite sure what to do about it.  - Set during chapter 8 of (why is there) joy in this poison, here is a look at what Wymack and Nathaniel talked about when he showed up at the Foxhole Court -

tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: injuries

say you will by mitigates [Rated T, 1145 words, complete, 2022]

Nathan gave him the color of his eyes and his name. While he had come to terms with the auburn hair and his blue eyes, those traits were just more things that Nathan gave him.  David Wymack, however, gave him a father. He stood as a father, he stayed as a father, he cared like a father would- like a father should.

Dog days are over by anonymua [Rated G, 836 words, complete, 2022]

When Neil returns from Evermore he’s in worse shape than canon. Good thing Wymack is experienced in patching his foxes up.

tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: injuries, tw: blood

Jean & Wymack:

please i've been on my knees, change the prophecy by perchancetosleep [Rated T, 23940 words, complete, 2024]

He can almost pretend, sitting in a warm house at the tiny kitchen table listening to Elodie talk about her dance lessons, that everything is normal. He can pretend that he can stay, that Elodie and him were never separated, and that everything is normal and he is good and he will get to keep this. But Jean had died in that fucking basement years ago, and he’s getting tired of forcing his body to keep going. Sure, Kevin had found a way out and made it to college and made a life, but he had a father waiting for him on the outside. All Jean has waiting for him at home is a set of guardians that are going to be pissed off that he’s failing chemistry and that he didn’t do his chores and that he’s alive.

tw: panic attacks, tw: ptsd, tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: implied/referenced abuse

i swear that i'm a good kid by perchancetosleep [Rated T, 11229 words, complete, 2024]

“Oh, and Jean?” The guidance counselor's voice has him pausing in the doorframe. “Kevin Day has restarted at this school while you were suspended. Both your guardian and his father have requested that you stay away from him. There will be consequences if you do not heed these wishes.” Jean can’t keep the shock off of his face as he stalks out of the office. The last time he had seen Kevin, he was depositing him on Wymack’s doorstep with a poorly bandaged hand, a note he had stolen from Tetsuji’s office, and enough benzos in him to stop him from fighting Jean the whole way there. For about a month after that, Jean held onto hope that Kevin would come back for him, or that he would tell someone about Evermore and they would all get out. That hope has long since died.

tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: panic attacks 

I wanna heal by Anonymous [Rated M, 1815 words, complete, 2024]

Jean is healing at Abby's house when an unexpected result of his abuse at Evermore comes to light…

tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: dissociation, tw: miscarriage, tw: blood

Jean & Coach Rhemann:

they all say that it gets better (but what if i don't) by perchancetosleep [Rated T, 8873 words, complete, 2024]

“Coach, what’s going on?” Jeremy asks, his voice shaking just a little. This is so out of character for Rhemann, who would never ask anyone to return to help the team. This is Rhemann acting like he has for Jeremy, and how he wants to act for Jean: like a parent that they don’t have. “Is Jean okay?” “He’s never going to ask for it, but I think he really could use a visit,” Coach admits. “He’s having a tough time this year.” Considering that Jean had showed up to USC with more stitches than intact skin, Jeremy fears learning what Rhemann means by “a tough time”. “I’m on the next flight out,” Jeremy says, and then he hangs up the phone.  (Or, Jean and the no good very bad fifth year).

tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: ptsd 

But Melt Your Headaches, Call It Home by FallOutFanfic101 [Rated M, 5179 words, incomplete, last updated June 2023]

Charlie Rhemann always figured having a one-child household was enough for him (especially in this California economy, thank you very much). Until one day, Jean Moreau stepped out of LAX Airport with a face as battered as his bag, and Charlie couldn’t help but take the kid under his wing. In which over his first year with the Trojans, Jean quickly becomes coach’s favorite.

tw: implied/referenced abuse

David Wymack, fierce protector by @wilhelminyard [tumblr, 2024]

david wymack is such a fierce protector. he loves so deeply and so unconditionally it makes me wanna cry.

Wymack is the one to call by @lesbiansfor-blackbeard [tumblr, 2024]

because wymack is the one you call when you're just lost and you don't know what else to do

Every damn day I wake up and wonder how Wymack must have felt by @inadvisablebutinevitable [tumblr, 2024]

Every day. Every damn day I wake up and wonder how Wymack must have felt hearing Jean say, “Kevin never once doubted you’d take him in …  I laughed at him. I’d never taken him for a dreamer.”

What if Wymack met the foxes before? by @sapphoherselz [tumblr, 2024]

hi do you ever wonder if wyamack EVER met the Foxes before their time? I'm talking any age, any time in their lives, especially the ones where they really needed a paternal figure to help them out or get them out of trouble?

Wymack easily lifts Jean by @hyperboleigh91 [tumblr, 2024]

Art

Dadmack with baby jean and baby kevin by @emerdoodls

for the dad who has everything… by @leroiestmortvivelareine

Imagine having to look for your bitch ass kid in an airport by @clementinecloudz

dadmack or smthn by @clementinecloudz

"help me." "let me." by @02511213942

what if they show up to practice in matching jorts art by @ziegenkind094

[numberonetacostan]

Just thinking about whatever continuation is coming out this year and a few things that might happen.

I do hope to have atleast some slice of life stuff, I would like to have a full season of the characters lives now that they aren't tied to the show anymore but I also feel like there's going to be some lore, might relate to whatever it is the Shimmers gave them, I've seen the idea that it's something to block outsiders from entering the island which would make sense with the Shimmers loosing their young to outsiders but at the same time I want to see the contestants (and also any other characters if they show up but mainly the contestants) interact with objects outside the island.

It's definitely non-contest though, none of them want to compete anymore, some of them would probably rather jump into a vat of acid and without the shimmer Mephone can't make anymore but honestly I doubt he would want to do it again Cobs is gone now too so he doesn't have to hide or rebel either.

On the topic of Mephone, I hope 4s shows up in some way, obviously he can't play the red line game since he isn't Mephone4's creation so at best it might end up forecibly taking control of the body and he wouldn't want that so the best he can do is make use of call feature.

Also, Taco's (and possibly Toilet's) grief over Mepad, I do see a lot of people have them stay by his corpse for a big chunk of the day, in Taco's case Mic being the only one who can actually convince her to do things like eat or sleep in an actual room (probably theirs since well I don't think she'd be willing to be roommate with anyone else and as bad as the terms they're on are OJ isn't someone who'd purposefully put her in a room with someone else)

As for Toilet, I do want them to be friends, even if it's bonding over the person who believed in them dying I think they could form an actually pretty good friendship and as much as I wanna see more Tacomic interactions, it'd be good for Taco to have other people, even if she will likely stay by Mic atleast for the majority of the time.

Hi there!!^^ Welcome, and thank you for sending in an ask!! :]

I'm also excited to get lore bits as well as slice of life stuff for the characters. I'm pretty confident we'll be getting at least some new lore with how the world has opened up so much for our contestants, yeah? And I am SO excited to get an answer on what she Shimmers gave them!! I do NOT want to interpret what it is, I want an answer!!!! :D It being made to block outsiders from coming in is an interesting thought, though whether or not anyone even knows where the island is anyways isn't something I'm sure of.

Yeah, there won't be another competition of that sort, not for them. As much as I love the 'tehehe the object species all love love competing in shows!!' little idea, it fits much better for series like bfdi with a usually lighter tone. The closest I can imagine things getting is Fan watching reality shows in his free time, since he was made to love that stuff, yeah? But he could also branch out!! Put that guy in front of an anime and he'll lose his little mind.

I hope for the call feature too!! It would be good for Mephone to get back someone he had lost, especially after losing Mepad so recently. His other brother coming back from beyond, or in this case MeLife, to check on him every so often would be really sweet, even if it's done in a 4s-y sort of way.

YUP yes yup uh-huh I like to imagine Taco & Toilet going about it in opposite ways!!! Taco can't take her eyes off the body and sits there for hours and hours just staring at it, and Toilet is shut in whatever room he has in Mepad Mansion and can't stand to look at his best friend's broken body. I definitely think, pending a solid talk or a few about what happened between them, Taco and Mic will definitely be staying close together. They've both never been closer to anyone else before.

DID SOMEONE BRING UP TOICO FRIENDSHIP?? TOICO FRIENDSHIP REAL!!!! Taco would be very reluctant to connect with Toilet at first, but his swaglessness and the fact that he was the other person closest to Mepad will win her over in the end. They'll spend a lot of time talk about him, yeah? AND! They can believe in each other in his absence. BOOM! i love them so much they're gonna get an episode in season 4 guys it's gonna happen it's gonna.

[mrsstruggle]

The Beast of War - Chapter 3 // Teen Wolf x Marvel AU

This is the second part of the Shadow Wolf Series. Read The Lost Child First if you haven't!

Series Summary: In the aftermath of discovering her true identity and reuniting with her long-lost family, Y/N Stilinski finds herself adjusting to a new chapter of her life in Beacon Hills. With her brother and his friends in their senior year at High School, the town faces a fresh new threat. Y/N must navigate the complexities of her new life while confronting the looming threat that threatens to hurt her and the people she loves.

Warnings: Language, Mentions of Death/Injury/Grief/Torture, Possible Grammar Mistakes (please let me know if there is anything else)

Series Pairings: Derek Hale x Reader, Stiles Stilinski x Malia Tate (for now), Steve Rodgers x Bucky Barnes, Bruce Banner x Natasha Romanoff, Vision x Wanda Maximoff

Words: 4.1k

Note: This is not my best work, but here it is! I hope all is well! I am always here to chat if you need to. Life sucks and is scary at the moment but we will persevere! My heart goes out to all of you!

Additional Note: While this is a Teen Wolf x Marvel AU, not everything is true to the shows/movies/comics. I had to change things for the story.

One Last Note: Y/N was adopted by Tony Stark and Pepper Potts. I did this so more people can see themselves in this story.

***I do not own Teen Wolf or Marvel or any related characters. This is a work of fanfiction and is meant for entertainment purposes only.***

Masterlist

The Beast of War Masterlist

The Lost Child Masterlist

Previous Chapter

---

“What do you want to watch while we eat?” Y/N calls out to Derek. She’s sitting on the couch in her pajama shorts and t-shirt, TV remote in hand, scrolling through movies on the various streaming services they pay for. She’s thought about asking Tony to buy them all out and create just one platform for everything because paying for multiple subscriptions to watch her favorite shows and movies is getting old—and expensive.

“You can pick,” Derek calls back from the kitchen where he’s plating up the dinner he made for them.

“Hm, what do I want to watch,” Y/N says to herself, continuing to scroll through the movies on Netflix. “Do I want something I want to pay attention to or background noise?”

“Don’t pick anything too long,” Derek says, walking toward the couch with their plates full of food. “You might not have work tomorrow, but I’ve got two interviews in the morning.”

“Thank you,” Y/N says, grabbing her plate from him and setting it down on the coffee table. “It’s not even 7:30 yet. Do you plan on going to bed after this?”

“Who said anything about going to bed?” Derek smirks at her before taking a bite out of his food.

“Well, in that case, I might just put on an episode of something so I have enough time to shower and maybe slip on something a little sexy for you.” Y/N smirks back.

“You know you don’t have to do any of that for me. You’re sexy to me no matter what.”

“Yes, but I’m all gross from helping Steve and Bucky today. Plus, I may or may not have bought a little something to surprise you in the other day. I haven’t had time to wear it since our schedules have been so hectic.” As Y/N finishes her sentence, her phone starts to ring on the coffee table in front of her. It’s face down, but she knows it’s Stiles by the ringtone. She debates sending him to voicemail but decides to pick up her phone and answer. “Didn’t we just see each other?”

“Donovan’s gone,” Stiles’ voice rings through the speaker.

“Gone? What do you mean gone?” Derek sets his plate down on the coffee table as he listens in on the conversation.

“I mean Lydia found the transport van with dead bodies inside, but no Donovan.”

Y/N glances over at Derek, who gets off the couch and moves toward the front door to grab his keys and put his shoes on, “Where are you?” Stiles rambles off the address as Y/N slips on her shoes and follows Derek out of the loft. “We’ll be there in a few minutes.”

---

Pulling up next to Stiles’ jeep, they take in the busy crime scene. Officers are scattered throughout the area around the blocked-off road. In the back, Y/N notices the transport van in the middle of the road with the back doors open. Whether they were like that when Lydia found it or the officers opened them, she doesn’t know. Y/N and Derek run up to where Stiles and the sheriff are talking.

“What happened?” Y/N asks, looking over to the van to see if she can notice anything that will tell her what’s going on. There’s a sense in the back of her mind telling her that someone is watching her.

“Scott is out looking for Donovan. His lawyer is dead, and he also possibly mortally wounded two officers.” Her dad replies. He’s still dressed up for his date, and Y/N wonders if he was even able to make it before getting called in.

“You think Donovan did this?”

“We don’t know,” Stiles says. “I think it was someone else.”

“What’s your theor-” Y/N cuts herself when she sees someone quickly duck out of view on the street above them.

“What?” The sheriff looks over to the place she’s staring at.

“There was someone there watching us. I’m not sure what they looked like since they ducked out real quick.” Y/N stares for a moment longer before focusing back on her dad and brother. Noah motions to an officer passing by to check where Y/N was staring at.

“Anyways, as I was say-,” She’s cut off by Officer Parrish’s radio sparking to life with Scott’s muffled voice.

“Scott, is that you?” Parrish asks into his radio. Y/N, Derek, Stiles, and the sheriff walk over to Parrish and the others. Y/N now notices that Lydia, Malia, and Kira are there as well.

“Yeah, I found Donovan. He seems completely freaked out. He keeps saying the name Tracy.” Scott replies.

The sheriff grabs Parrish’s radio off the officer’s shoulder, “Tracy who?”

“Stewart,” Lydia says, “Tracy Stewart.”

“Who’s that?” Y/N asks. Lydia said the name like it was obvious, but she’s never heard that name before.

“She’s a girl that goes to our school. She said she’s been having night terrors.”

“Parrish, go find Scott, pick up Donovan, and take him back to the station. And take another officer with you.” The officer nods at the sheriff in confirmation before leaving him with the others. “The rest of you should go home. Most of you have school in the morning, and I have a few phone calls to make to some families tonight. We don’t know what happened here, but I will let you know if we do.”

“Shouldn’t we be out looking for Tracy?” Stiles asks. Lydia, Malia, and Kira are already walking back to Lydia’s car, but Stiles isn’t ready to stop for the night.

“We will look for Tracy; you will look for your bed. Go home.”

“Fine,” Stiles huffs, rolling his eyes in frustration as he walks off toward his jeep.

“Both of you too,” Noah says, looking at Y/N and Derek.

“Derek has work tomorrow, but I don’t. Call me if you need help with anything. And I mean supernatural help, not paperwork help.” Y/N says before hugging her dad goodbye.

“Should we stop and pick up some dinner on the way home?” Derek asks as they walk back to the camaro. “We didn’t have time to eat much before Stiles called.”

“Please. I’m so hungry. I only had like one bite before we left.” Y/N smiles at him sweetly while wrapping her arms around him.

“Just tell me where to go.”

---

“Thanks for coming in. We’ll let you know what we decide in a day or two.” Derek shakes the interviewee’s hand before watching the guy leave.

Cora smirks as she watches the interaction. She can tell by Derek’s body language that he doesn’t like the guy. After the guy leaves, she turns to Derek, “So, I’m guessing I shouldn’t expect to see him again?”

“For someone with ten years of experience, Issac knows more than him,” Derek says frustratedly. He was the second person to come in today, and Derek wasn’t impressed with either. The first girl was experienced but said she could only work two days a week due to her other job, and Derek needs someone full-time. The second guy’s resume looked good, but it was obvious he wasn’t as experienced as he claimed to be.

Derek wishes he could be back home with Y/N already, and it’s not even noon yet. He got to the shop early to prepare for the first interview at 8 AM and open at 7AM, but that meant leaving his beautiful girlfriend in bed by herself this morning—something she was not pleased about. He also expects to be home later than usual since four cars were dropped off this morning after their catalytic converters were stolen the night before.

“Should I print out more resumes? There has to be someone in this town who lives up to your standards.” Cora says. Derek put her in charge of going through the online applications and printing out the resumes of the people who looked qualified.

“Print them out and put them on my desk. I’ll go through them at lunch, and then you can set up an interview with the ones I give back to you.” Derek huffs. Y/N frequently tells him that he needs to stop working through lunch and use that time to take a break, which is a bit hypocritical of her as she tends to do the same. “If you see one from Bucky Barnes, make sure to print it out too.”

“Isn’t that one of the Avengers guys?”

“He’s Y/N’s uncle, and I told her I would see if he’s qualified or not. He apparently needs a job, and I was told that he might be a good fit.” He’s glad no one else is in the room with them right now. If the wrong customer was here, it would be all over the internet the next day that Bucky Barnes might work at the garage. Derek doesn’t have social media, but he hears all of the idiotic things people say online about him and the others from Y/N and his pack.

“You’ve gone soft because of her.” Cora teases.

Derek rolls his eyes, “I said I’d see if he was a good fit, not that I would hire him. I doubt he applies anyway. He doesn’t like me.”

“Well, you don’t always make the best first impression with you being all growly and broody and stuff.”

“You’ve been hanging out with Stiles too much.” Derek huffs. He moves to head back to his office when the front door opens, the bells at the top ringing in notification. Looking at the front, Bucky Barnes walks into the Hale Garage front office.

“Hi, welcome to Hale Garage. How can I help you?” Cora smiles sweetly at Bucky before turning to smirk at Derek.

Bucky slowly walks up to the front desk. His eyes are looking at everything but Cora and Derek. Getting closer to the desk, he notices the picture of Y/N he previously took off the corkboard has been replaced with a new one. The old picture is now in a frame in his and Steve’s living room. Bucky clears his throat, “Y/N told me that you’re looking for a mechanic and that I should apply…”

“Did you apply online?”

“No,” Bucky says, digging into his jacket pocket to retrieve his folded resume, “I brought my resume because I thought you might have an application here I could fill out.” Bucky fiddles nervously with the resume while waiting for Cora or Derek to say something. He hates that Steve talked him into this.

Bucky wasn’t going to apply. The more he thought about working with (for) Derek, the more he hated the idea. He decided he would rather work for Hydra than work with Derek; then Steve got into his head. Steve kept telling him how much Y/N would appreciate it if he applied and how she probably visits the shop frequently. He also brought up how Y/N just did a lot for them with their new place.

“Um, I could print one out for you to fill out. You’ll just have to give me a moment.” Cora says, glancing at Derek before moving over to the computer next to her.

Derek watches Bucky for a moment. He’s hoping his face didn’t show his surprise when Bucky said he was here to apply. He assumed Bucky wouldn’t come within 100 feet of this place.

After a few moments of silence, Derek turns his attention to Cora and says, “After he fills it out, bring him back to my office.” He walks back to his office after Cora hums in acknowledgment.

Walking into his office, Derek leaves the door open for when Cora and Bucky are finished. He sits down in the chair behind his desk and pulls out his phone to text Y/N.

Barnes is here to apply.

Really? He didn’t seem interested when I brought it up.

He brought his resume and is filling out the application right now.

I told Cora to bring him to my office when he’s done.

You’re interviewing him now?

How did the interviews go this morning?

Yeah.

They were fine but not what I’m looking for.

Maybe I should apply;)

I think work production would go down if you worked here.

Are you saying I’m a bad worker or a distraction…?

We both know you’re a distraction.

A sexy distraction;)

Derek starts to type out his reply when Cora knocks on his open door, “Hey, you told me to bring him here after he was done.”

“Yes, thank you,” Derek holds out his hand to take Bucky’s resume and application from Cora’s hand while setting his phone face down on his desk. She walks into the office, and Bucky slowly trails behind her.

Derek and Cora whisper quietly to each other as Bucky’s eyes wander around the office. For an office in an auto shop, it was fairly clean. Other than a few messy stacks of papers on the desk, the rest of the office is tidy and organized. Behind Derek was a corkboard similar to the one up front. It has a few photos of his pack members and what appears to be old family photos.

The photos that stick out to Bucky the most is the photo booth strip in the bottom right corner. The top photo is Y/N smiling at the camera while Derek is staring at her with a small smile on his face. The photo below is Y/N and Derek looking at each other with big smiles on their faces. The next photo is them passionately kissing, and the last photo is Y/N laughing while Derek’s face is blocked by the disgusted face of Stiles.

Staring at the strip of photos, Bucky can’t help but think of how happy Y/N looks in them. Her smile is brighter than anything he’s seen since they’ve re-met each other. Even her laugh in the last photo is something he hasn’t witnessed. It looks loud and carefree. He can’t help but wonder if it’s because they aren’t as close as she is to Derek and Stiles or if it’s from her memories of Hydra coming back and the new ones she gained while kidnapped.

“Take a seat,” Derek’s voice breaks Bucky from his thoughts. As he sits down in the chair in front of Derek’s desk, he realizes Cora has left and shut the door behind her.

Derek quietly reads through Bucky’s resume and application. He can tell that Bucky tailored his resume to the job opening, and on his application, he left a note stating that he’s been fixing up the bikes and cars the Avengers use for the past few years.

Bucky clears his throat and breaks the silence, “Do you have any questions?” That’s what Steve told him to ask at interviews. He can’t say it’s helped him since he has yet to be hired anywhere. He also doesn’t care if Derek has any questions. This is already humiliating enough.

“What’s one of your strengths?” Derek asks, still looking over Bucky’s resume and application.

“Um…I work quickly and can do things myself.”

“Weaknesses?”

“I’m not a people person,” Bucky answers bluntly.

“What’s the last thing you worked on?”

“I changed the oil in Steve’s car yesterday.”

“Why do you want this job?”

Bucky pauses, “What?”

“Why do you want this job?” Derek asks again, setting Bucky’s paperwork down on his desk in front of him.

Bucky thinks for a moment. How is he supposed to answer that? He can think of several reasons why he doesn’t want the job like he doesn’t want to work with or for Derek, he knows that reporters and fans like to show up, and he doesn’t want to work with or for Derek.

“Y/N told me about the job.” Bucky answers.

“I know, but why do you want it? I don’t want to hire anyone who doesn’t want to be here.”

Bucky huffs in frustration. Why can’t Derek just accept that he’s here? “I know what to do.”

“That still doesn’t answer my question,” Derek says. He knows he’s pushing Bucky’s buttons, but he wants a real answer from him. Bucky is more than qualified, and his test project will only further prove that, but he doesn’t want to hire him if he doesn’t want to be here. While he knows most people want jobs because they need money to pay their bills and feed themselves, he needs to know that Bucky is here for the job and not here to try and find more reasons to hate him and report his findings back to the others.

Bucky rolls his eyes and grumbles under his breath as he quickly stands up and moves to the door. He grabs the handle to open the door and leave but stops himself before he can open it. He takes a deep breath and takes a moment to calm himself down. Derek is only asking a simple question.

Bucky curses under his breath before letting go of the door handle and sitting back down in the chair he was previously sitting in. Taking another deep breath, he decides to answer the question honestly and bluntly, “I think working here would make Y/N happy. Do I want to work with you? No, I’d rather cut both my arms off with a small dagger, but I’d do anything for her.”

Derek stares at him for a moment, listening to his heartbeat as it stays steady. He’s hoping he doesn’t regret what he’s about to do. “What are you doing for the next hour?”

“Nothing.”

“Great, follow me,” Derek says, standing from his chair and exiting his office.

Bucky quietly follows him into the garage. He can see Derek’s uncle Peter working on a large black SUV in the middle and another kid, Isaac, if he remembers correctly, working on a small blue MINI Cooper next to Peter. He remembers Y/N said something about him finishing school online early when he was living in Paris. Now, he works here and lives in an apartment in the building Derek owns—though Y/N said that Derek doesn’t charge him for rent.

Derek stops in front of a white Kia Forte at the end of the garage. The hood is propped open, and there’s a rolling cart full of tools and more sitting next to it. Derek grabs a notebook and pencil from the cart and hands them to Bucky. “Look over the car and write down everything that’s wrong with it and how’d you fix it. The keys are on the cart. If you drive it, drive it down the block then back. Bring your notes to my office when you’re done.”

Bucky nods in acknowledgment before getting to work. The quicker he works, the quicker he can get this over with. If he gets the job, he gets the job. If he doesn’t, he’s going to kill Steve for convincing him to come here.

Derek watches Bucky for a few moments before walking away. He checks on Isaac as he walks by before walking over to their table with the work orders.

“Y/N got you hiring one of her other family members? What’s next? Is Stiles going to start working here too?” Peter asks, walking over to Derek, who is looking over the work order that’s up next.

“Y/N’s not making me do anything. She told him about the opening, and he came here on his own.” Derek replies, rolling his eyes at his uncle.

“Yeah, but I bet she put in a good word for him. He is family, after all.” Peter loves bringing up the fact that the Avengers are Y/N’s family every chance he gets. He especially loves bringing it up around Stiles. He knows it bothers him, and he loves to get under his skin.

“She told me it was up to me and to not do anything if he’s not qualified or if someone else is a better fit. Right now, he’s the most qualified person that’s applied, and everyone who has interviewed hasn’t proven to me they deserve to work here.”

“I still can’t believe the guy this morning didn’t notice that an entire headlight is missing on that piece of junk.” Peter motions his head over to the car Bucky is inspecting. “Doesn’t he hate you? Why would you want him working here?”

“I hate you, and you work here,” Derek replies.

Peter starts to reply but is cut off by Cora interrupting them, “Derek, you’ve got a phone call.”

“From who?” Derek asks.

“It’s the guy who came in last week and dropped off some old bikes. He says he found some more when clearing out his dad’s barn if you’re interested.”

“Transfer him to my phone, and I’ll talk to him,” Derek says, walking toward his office to speak to the guy in private—though working with other werewolves means there is no such thing as private conversations.

After speaking with the guy on the phone for a few minutes and working through a work order, Derek is sitting in his office eating the lunch Y/N stayed up and prepped for him while filling out paperwork.

A knock on his door has him looking up from the form he’s filling out, “Come in.”

The door slowly opens, and Bucky walks into the office. He sets the notebook and pencil in his hands down on the desk in front of Derek. He doesn’t say anything and watches as Derek picks up the notebook and looks over what he’s written down.

Derek hums in approval after he finishes reading through Bucky’s notes, “You caught everything wrong with it, and your processes are all right.”

“I would’ve finished sooner, but the kid kept asking me questions,” Bucky says. He had to ask Isaac for help so he could check the brake lights, and he ended up being stared at and asked multiple questions about what Y/N was like as a baby. He wanted to tell the kid to fuck off but decided not to in case it got back to Y/N.

“He’s not usually very chatty,” Derek says before rummaging through his bottom desk drawer. He pulls out a few papers and sets them on the desk in front of Bucky, “Fill these out and bring them with you when you start on Monday. We open at seven, but be here at least 15 minutes early for your first day.”

“You’re giving me the job?” Bucky asks incredulously.

“Yes, and you start Monday,” Derek says, picking up and holding up the paperwork for Bucky to take.

Bucky takes the papers from Derek’s hand while trying to think of what to say. There’s a devil on his shoulder telling him to throw the papers at Derek and tell him he doesn’t need the job. Then, there’s a voice in the back of his head that’s telling him to feel excited.

“See you Monday,” Bucky says before walking out of Derek’s office and speed-walking out of the building.

“Should I expect to see him again?” Cora asks with a smirk as she leans against the open door frame to Derek’s office.

“He starts Monday,” Derek replies, refocusing his attention on the paperwork he was filling out before Bucky interrupted him. He hopes that if he ignores Cora she will just go away.

“You really have gone soft. The old you wouldn’t have even given him the interview.”

“I’m not soft. He was just qualified for the job.”

“You keep telling yourself that,” Cora laughs as she walks back to the front desk.

Derek rolls his eyes at her antics before pulling out his phone to text Y/N.

Barnes starts on Monday.

Was he that good or the others that bad?

Both.

He said he applied because of you.

I hope that’s not why he got the job.

No. He’s good and has enough experience. Nothing to do with you.

Though if you wanted to thank me tonight, I wouldn’t object…

Hm…I’m sure I can think of something…

Stiles texted me and said they found the Tracy girl. They are with her at Deaton’s right now.

Are you going over?

No, they can handle it. Unless they call me, I plan on staying on the couch until you get home. Then we can move somewhere else…;)

How about we go out for dinner tonight? Somewhere nice.

Are you trying to wine and dine me? ;)

Ricci’s at 7. After we can stop for dessert wherever you’d like.

I’ll be ready!

Let’s hope nothing ruins our plans like last night.

---

@xxemmarldxx @esposadomd @ladyjenjay @ts1mp0ne @misshale21

@n1ght5h4d3-24 @xoxoloverb @hizzielover @remuslittlesister @oscarissac2099

@captainfrisbee

[thekittyokat]

you ever just have a lot, a LOT of feelings all at once about a character and not even remotely enough words or brainpower to FORM the words to describe everything you're feeling. so it feels like you may explode. yeah

[todayisafridaynight]