#why couldn’t I have binge watched a little faster so I’d have more than five minutes to realise that the show I’m obsessed with is over

[theg00s3]

I’M SORRY WHAT DO YOU MEAN I BINGE WATCHED 911 SO PERFECTLY THAT I WATCHED THE SEASON FINALE THE DAY IT CAME OUT?!?!??!?!?! I’VE SEEN SEVEN SEASONS IN A MONTH AND A BIT AND NOW IT’S OVER???

I’m actually gonna CRY

what do you mean I’m not gonna see all of the characters I’ve attached to so strongly for many many months 😭 and buck was just getting comfortable being queer 😭😭😭

[gendafluid-goblin]

Silly Octopus

THIS IS A FIC ABOUT AZUL HAVING AN ED PLEASE DO NOT READ IF THIS WIL TRIGGER OR MAKE YOU RELAPSE!!

This is going to be split up into a few parts on here and I will update the tags with each part with was CW needs to be in each part. This is not canon at all and is somewhat of a vent/comfort fic for me and maybe other people with ED? Not everyone is the same so not everyone will feel better seeing fictional characters you kin going through things you did.

CW for part 1: Binge eating, (forced eating?? His mother made a lot of food and had him taste test), panic attack, light self harm (he accidently digs his nails into himself during a breakdown), depressive/ negative thoughts about himself

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

“Try this, Hunny!” Azul’s mother cooed as she held out a spoon of food. He opened his mouth and tasted the new food she was trying out for the restaurant. One spoon of taste testing soon turned into five, and then fifteen. Azul became full long ago but he couldn’t deny his mother. He knew the restaurant meant a lot to her and she wanted the menu to be unique and delicious. Chews became slower and longer the more food he tested.

“Is,” Azul’s mother paused watching her son chew and chew “Is it not good? Is there too much of something? Too little?” she started frantically looking over the dish as Azul shook his head ‘no’ finally swallowing the food. “Is it just a bad dish then? That’s fine I have plenty of others here you already liked. I have more prepared too!” she scooped up another mouthful of food onto the spoon.

“No mother I,” Azul paused looking for the right words.Words that wouldn’t hurt his mother. “It was a good dish, really. I just, I’m not hungry right now, I’ve filled up on the last few dishes.” He sighed and looked down at his waist, his waist looked bigger as he moved his tentacles around. He would have to work all of this off later for sure. “I can call over the Leech twins to finish testing if you'd like though.” Azul looked at all the meals he still hadn’t tasted. “I’d hate for you to waste these meals after all your hard work afterall.”

“Oh, no need Sweetie. I can store the rest and we’ll test them out later!” she smiled so, so brightly at him. She loved cooking, she cooked to show her love. Azul knew that,and he loved his mother, but he didn’t love her weekly taste testing.

Azul forced a smile and closed his eyes “Alright. Thank you,” giving his mother a kiss on the cheek he turned away, “I’m going to go now,” was all he said before he swam away.

Azul sat in his Octopot curled in a ball, grabbing at his waist. Pinching and squeezing where his tentacles met his stomach. He felt disgusted by what he saw, how much he was able to grab before feeling anything. “Silly fat octopus.” he quoted the kids his age with a shaky voice. “Why can’t I just be thinner. Then I’d be faster. I could keep up with everyone else. I could test my mother's food for her.” He gripped his waste tighter with each word as cries racked his body. Raising his hand to wipe his tears off his face he noticed blood surrounding him and on his fingers. Azul looked at his fingers on his left, then right hand, both were bloody. He then looked at his tentacles, two of them  had fingernail shaped cuts that were leaking blood into the water around him. 

Azul took several breaths to calm himself. “Oh.” he wiped his face of tears and ink. Three knocks hit his door as it flung open almost slamming into the wall.

“Hey Azzuulll!” Floyd moved away from the door and swam into the room quickly. Much faster than he could ever swim, Azul thought to himself. Jade gave a small smile and closed the door swimming over to his twin. “Azul, where are you. I know you’re in here.” Floyd snapped.

“Floyd,” Jade looked around the room and pointed to his nose. “Don’t you smell that?” Of course Jade and Floyd would be able to smell the blood from just moments ago. Azul didn’t want anyone to know about what happened. He was embarrassed to say something so silly as ‘I got upset about eating food and being so fat and useless that I accidently cut my tentacles.’; He would sound so much more pathetic than everyone already thinks he is.

“Aww someone got to eat big Azul before me. Not fair.” Floyd pouted.He didn’t have to see his face to hear the pout in his voice. Was he seriously upset that he didn’t get to eat him? Did he really call him big? Azul slowly crawled out of his Octopot and faced the twins.

“Oh good! You’re still alive!” Floyd cheered and swam over to Azul. “I couldn’t stand the idea of someone taking a bite outta you before I do.” Floyd threateningly whispered. Azul shivered and slowly backed away from Floyd giving a weary smile. Jade watched the interaction between his brother and peer when he noticed the blood smell was actually coming from Azul’s tentacles. Not knowing what to say or just not caring enough to ask, he let it drop. 

“What brought you over anyway?” Azul asked when he deemed himself a safe distance from Floyd. ‘Not like it would matter anyway, they’re both much faster than me and could easily catch and eat me.’ Azul’s darker thoughts about himself popped in again.

“We were just swimming around and I got tired of scaring lil fish so I thought we could visit you.” Floyd said swimming in small circles to keep himself entertained while talking.

Azul thought over his words with a pause, “So I’m just here for your entertainment and amusement then I see?” it came out a bit more harsh than he had meant it to. However, they did burst in unannounced and furthermore at a bad time for him. There was no doubt that at least one of the Leech twins had realized the blood was from him and yet he was seemingly fine. Why weren’t they asking about it? They had to know something was up. Then it clicked, they don’t care WHY he’s bleeding. Floyd laid it out that they’re here being they were bored and he’s here to amuse them. Neither of them care about him or his well being as long as he can entertain them. While Azul’s mind led him down that rabbit hole thinking Jade was staring at him as Floyd continued to swim around and mess with things in Azul’s room. Jade looked into Azul’s eyes and just gave a smile.

“If it’s a bad time we can leave.” was all he said looking from Azul’s eyes to his tentacles then back in his eyes. He knew. And now Azul KNEW that Jade knew. Azul felt like he was suffocating, his throat was closing and his head started to pound in his head. He was panicking, he was scared what would happen with this information. Azul’s vision started to blur. ‘Were his only friends going to leave him behind and tell everyone how weak and pathetic he is to all of the other kids? Of course they would. He was slow, and weak, and a crybaby. No one ever wanted to play with him because it was too easy and boring and now he lost the only people who were somewhat nice to him.’ Azul’s breathing picked up rapidly while he was stuck in his thoughts, head spinning and tears and ink back in his eyes as he tightened and loosened his hands in a fist.

Jade watched the scene unfold in front of him and tapped his brother on the shoulder and leaned over to him. “I think Azul isn’t feeling well, we should leave unless you want to get sick.”

“Eww I don’t wanna get all sick and gross.” is all Floyd said, sticking his tongue out before quickly swimming out of the room. Jade swam out shortly after his brother and closed the door leaving Azul alone once again. Not that he would notice that no one else was left or that he cared. Azul had faintly seen Jade whisper to Floyd and then both of them leaving and it left his mind to continue wondering to the negative thoughts again thinking he was going to be all alone again. Back to the lonely, silly little octopus that he was before the twins came along. Azul floated back to his Octopot where he curled up and continued his breakdown of crying. He didn't even know why he was crying anymore. Was it because he thought and feared that once again he was alone with no one else? Or was it a continuation of his thoughts over his weight and insecurities the other children planted in him? He wasn’t sure and honestly it didn't matter anyway, all thoughts blended together into his self hatred filled thoughts.

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

The Girl Next Door (Part 10) - Don’t Break

Summary: The reader takes Dean out on his surprise date and she feels herself growing closer to him. When she and Sam are late getting home one night that week though, Dean gets a bad feeling...

The Girl Next Door Masterlist

Pairing: Neighbor/Mechanic!Dean x baker!reader

Word Count: 5,000ish

Warnings: language, medical emergency

A/N: Parts of this series are told from two different POV’s. Dean’s POV are written from limited third person. Reader’s POV are second person (like a typical reader insert). Enjoy!…

Reader’s POV

“Jack,” you said the next day just after lunch. He was out on the front porch, writing down a few things on a list. “Whatcha doing?”

“I was working on copying over a few of those old recipes for you,” he said.

“Thanks,” you said, ruffling his head as you hopped down the step. “I’m busy with Dean for the day but you want hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner? Winchesters are making ‘em and apparently they come with bacon as if that’s surprising.”

“Sure,” he said. You stopped after a few feet, glancing down at the keys in your hands. “Go enjoy your date, sis.”

“Are you okay hanging by yourself today again?” you asked.

“Yeah. I’m good. I promise,” he said. “Maybe I’ll take another bike ride.”

“Alright. Be safe,” you said. “Make smart choices.”

“Go on your date, dork,” he said. You gave him a quick wave before you slid into your car, parking out front of Sam’s, Dean ducking outside and into the car with a baseball hat on his head.

“Ready?” you asked.

“For my surprise date? Been looking forward to this all weekend.”

“Y/N,” said Dean, laughing as you pulled him out of the passenger seat. “You did not.”

“Yes, I did,” you said, wrapping your arm around his. “I may have heard from a little birdie that Dean Winchester was quite the baseball player in high school and his favorite minor league team of all time is the Springfield Cardinals who just so happen to be playing a special game in Kansas City today which is like super close to Lawrence and guess who got us some tickets.”

“I haven’t been to a game since I was like, eight,” he said, smiling at you. “I...how-”

“Sammy comes over and hangs out when I bake sometimes while you’re at work. Eileen says social interaction and testing his memory is good for him. Apparently you also convinced Sam to jump off the roof of your shed when-”

“Forget that. This is awesome!” he said. “I’ve been wanting to see a game for years but never got around to it.”

“Well today’s your lucky day then, ain’t it Winchester?”

Dean was all smiles when you walked back to your car that evening, Dean tossing a ball up and down in his mitt you’d borrowed from Sam. He spun around and looked back at the stadium, smiling and giving you a hug as you moved to get in the car.

“This was great. I can’t believe I caught that foul ball and...and this was so awesome. Thank you. I never had someone take me out on a date before and you like blew it out of the water, sweetheart,” he said.

“Didn’t I tell you that you deserve nice things too, Dean?” you said. Dean leaned back, eyes flickering around your face.

“I don’t remember the last time I was this happy,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been this happy to be honest.”

“You got a lot more happy days ahead of you. I promise.”

Dean’s POV

“Hm,” hummed Dean, plopping down on his bed that night, closing his eyes as he faced the ceiling with a smile.

“Have a nice date earlier?” asked Sam. Dean didn’t bother to open his eyes but nodded, Sam slipping inside and sitting on the edge of the bed. “You couldn’t keep your eyes off her at dinner tonight.”

“She took me a on a date today and it was so thoughtful and simple and fun,” said Dean, throwing his arm over his face. “I sound like a teenager.”

“I remember you coming home and talking about girls when you were a teenager. Never quite saw this reaction though,” teased Sam. “You know, Jack and I talked tonight and if you two want to ever go out you know, not on the weekend, Jack doesn’t mind sticking around here, keeping an eye on me. Hopefully I get cleared on Friday to start staying home alone, watching TV again.”

“We’re like the misfits,” said Dean, smiling under his arm. “We got brain trauma, relationship issues, workaholic tendencies, mental institution stays...us four are like a soap opera. Not to mention you’re falling for your nurse.”

“I was thinking of going out on my own date soon, depending on what the doctor’s say,” said Sam.

“Good for you, Sammy. Jess would be proud of you,” said Dean, moving his arm away. Sam nodded, fiddling with his hands. “She would be proud of you, Sam. I am.”

“Work’s a long way away for me again but...I’m not going back to the way I was. I’m not burying myself in it again. I want to pick Avy up from school and play with her, cook her dinner every night. It’s not your job to do those things for her. I think...I think I want to get away from the big business stuff, help the little guy. It’s why I signed up in the first place. You know, help people starting their own business and what’s involved, help people like Jack who didn’t know they were…”

“Being abused?” said Dean. Sam nodded, Dean turning his head. “I’m pretty sure he knew Sammy, after a while. But how low do you think he felt to not say anything? He probably thought he deserved it.”

“I talked to Gary at the firm for a little bit this afternoon. Obviously don’t say anything to anyone but there was another person that popped up from Bryerwood. If Jack’s ever ready to talk about it, I think there’s a real case there for him,” said Sam.

“Give him a little time. Maybe bring it up in a few weeks, see if he’s ready to talk about it again,” said Dean.

“He’s more relaxed now than when we first met him,” said Sam. “I think Cas and Y/N are really helping him.”

“You know how mom and dad used to fight about money a lot? We didn’t have the greatest example of a healthy relationship growing up,” said Dean. Sam nodded and lay back against the bed, looking over to Dean. “But I never for a second doubted that mom and dad didn’t love us. They were not perfect parents and dad and I fought more than once, pretty bad too. But they hugged us, told us good job for doing good in school, they never told me it was wrong to want to be a mechanic, they never told you that it was wrong to want to be the first Winchester to go to college.”

“What’s your point?” asked Sam quietly.

“Can you imagine how fucked up the two of us would be if our own dad didn’t hug us? Dad’s not a warm and fuzzy guy but Y/N and Jack don’t even remember getting a hug from theirs. He’s their dad. I’m just saying...maybe we’re luckier than we knew,” said Dean.

“Boys,” they both heard from the door, their father stepping around the corner. “Mom and I are going to head home if that’s alright.”

“Yeah. Thanks for hanging out this weekend,” said Sam. He nodded, John giving them both a smile. “You’re free to stay the night though. It’s getting kind of late.”

“No no, that’s alright,” he said, turning to head out. “Boys.”

“Hm?” hummed Dean, sitting upright, Sam doing the same.

“I know...I wasn’t a perfect father. I wasn’t even a very good one most of the time. Mom and I know we fought too much, took too long to sort all that out. Dean you were already a man by that point. We screwed up that part,” he said, leaning against the doorframe. “But we have always loved you. Both of you.”

“We know that, dad,” said Sam. “We love you too.”

“Alright. Night boys,” he said. Dean waited a moment and followed after him, catching up with him on the front porch. “What is it, Dean?”

“I’m sorry I told you to stay away from him when Sammy was in high school,” said Dean, swallowing hard. John gave a quick smile, tilting his head. He cupped Dean’s cheek, running his thumb under his eye.

“Don’t ever apologize for that. It’s one of my worst memories and one of my proudest,” said John. “Sammy was better off without me for a while there. I’m sorry you had to be his father when I couldn’t.”

“I snapped at the hospital,” said Dean, pursing his lips. “A few weeks ago-”

“Dean. Don’t apologize for that either. Sam gave that authority to you to make decisions for him, not to us. He trusts you. He trusts you far more than he’ll ever trust me and that’s okay, Dean. You made all the right calls that night, all the hard calls. Sammy might not be alive if I were in charge. You knew how strong your brother was. You’ve always known. There’s no hard feelings, Dean,” he said.

“I…” said Dean, turning around, his father’s hand sliding to his shoulder when he heard a laugh in the air. Y/N and Jack were on her front porch, the pair of them cracking up at something.

“Parents mess up, Dean,” said John. “Even your friends parents I’m sure. But kids have a way of doing okay despite all that.”

“For all the times we fought and argued and said I hate you...” said Dean, still looking over. “Even when I thought you wanted me gone forever...I knew you didn’t. Way down but I knew. Those two over there...I’d take your parenting over what they had any day.”

“Call us if you need any help with Sammy, alright?” he said. “Any time.”

“I will,” said Dean, giving him a smile. “Drive safe.”

Five Days Later

“Uncle De?” asked Avy the next evening. Dean lifted his head up from watching the summer storm, Avy taking a seat on the front porch beside him. “Something wrong?”

“No,” said Dean, staring next door, turning his head. “So, you going to binge watch some movies with your daddy tonight? The doctor’s said his head is getting a better even faster than they were expecting.”

“We still can’t play outside,” she said with a frown.

“No but daddy can read you bedtime stories and play other games again the doctor said this morning,” said Dean, running a hand over her head. “And he can be home by himself so that’ll be good.”

“Are you gonna leave?” she asked.

“No, no. Your daddy and I talked and I’m going to stay here with you guys through the summer, maybe longer. He can’t drive a car for a long time so I’ll be around. Plus I like living here,” he said. “But you remember what I said about if Daddy acts funny when I’m not around?”

“I call you and go get Y/N or Jack next door,” she said.

“That’s right. Call me and we’ll make sure he’s okay,” said Dean, watching Y/N’s front door crack open. He frowned, Jack jogging over in his raincoat, dropping his hood when he hopped onto Sam’s porch.

“Hi Jack!” said Avy.

“Hey Avy. Can I talk to your Uncle alone for a minute?” he asked. Dean nodded and urged her inside, Jack smiling until Dean pulled the door shut, his face falling. “Y/N’s not home yet.”

“Yeah. I know. We had a date. She was running Sam to the store with her earlier. They’ve been gone a while,” said Dean. “A few hours now.”

“She’s not answering her phone,” said Jack. “Or Sam.”

“I know,” said Dean as he stood up. Jack glanced to the dark rainy night sky, pursing his lips. “Hey. Don’t freak. There’s a six year old on the other side of that door. She’s been through enough shit the past month. She doesn’t need more.”

“What do we do?” asked Jack. Dean stared at the front door and pulled out his phone.

“Hey Cas...can you do me a favor?...I’m fine, just Avy needs a last minute babysitter...Sam and Y/N went out earlier and they’re not home yet...I’m sure they’re fine...yeah...well I had this same feeling that night and...no, no, we’ll drop her off...it might be all night...it’s probably nothing...I owe you one...yeah, well, I still owe you one,” said Dean, hanging up the phone. “Alright. Go lock up your house and meet me back here. I’m dropping Avy off and we’ll go look, alright?”

Jack’s gaze went down to Dean’s phone when it lit up again with a different name, Dean following it. He’d spoken to them enough lately that he put the number in his phone.

County North Hospital.

Reader’s POV

One Hour Earlier

“So, you taking Eileen someplace fancy tonight?” you asked Sam on the way home from your shopping trip.

“Does Eileen strike you as the fancy place kind of girl?” laughed Sam. “But yes. Well, it’s casual-ish too. I was going to bring her to Winslow’s.”

“Oh, nice. I’ve never been but heard it’s yummy,” you said, pulling onto the highway. “I like that gray dress shirt you got. The one with the little charcoal specks. Wear that with some dark jeans, your black beanie, she’ll be all over you.”

“I just realized today was the first time in a month I went to the store, went anywhere besides our houses or the doctors really,” said Sam.

“Well no one said it’d be easy but you’re doing a lot better, Sam. We can all tell. You’re more alert, happier. Before you know it, you’ll be driving around on your own again,” you said.

“Thanks for taking me today...and helping with the clothes. Been awhile since I’ve been on a date,” said Sam, rubbing the back of his neck. “A work shirt is too formal.”

“I understand,” you said. “You got some casual but nice stuff. I shouldn’t have been surprised to see a Winchester boy pick out three flannel shirts though,” you laughed.

“We like our flannel,” said Sam, staring out the window at the dark edges of the road. “Dean really likes you, you know.”

“I really like him,” you said.

“I’ve never seen my brother this way with a girl. He trusts you. He doesn’t do that with girls. Not after the stuff his exes said,” said Sam.

“I’ve had this conversation with your brother before Sam. I don’t care what other people think of him. I care what I think and I think, he’s a really good guy,” you said, tapping your fingers against the wheel.

“I wish we could have been friends without me needing a whole horrible accident,” he said with a laugh.

“Life’s funny sometimes,” you said. “Jack’s gonna babysit tonight but I…” you trailed off, Sam suddenly jerking in his seat. For a second you thought he was having a seizure but he grabbed the wheel and turned it hard to the right as your brain registered what was going on in front of you. A tractor trailer on the other side of the highway was halfway through the median, jack knifed and heading straight for you.

It ended up hitting the back portion of the car thanks to the turn Sam did, not straight into the driver’s side which you didn’t really have time to be grateful for. One of your hands was out in front of Sam, the both of you jerking against the seatbelts as the car flipped violently. Your hand got hit between something hard and Sam’s head, most likely the dash if you had to guess. You shut your eyes and when you opened them, you were upside down, airbags deflating, glass and metal all over. Your body fucking hurt and you couldn’t see a thing.

“Sam,” you said, unbuckling your seatbelt, some piece of metal or console pushed in so you couldn’t quite see him. “Shit. Sam, say something.”

You groaned when you dropped to the roof of the car, climbing out the drivers window. The truck was stopped and on it’s side. Both sides of the highway were backing up now. You couldn’t see all that great in the rain and the dark but you dragged yourself around to the other side of the car, Sam grumbling as he pulled himself out the passenger window.

“Sammy?” you asked, kneeling down and pulling him over to the front of the car and into the light from the head beams. You ripped off his beanie and looked at his head, Sam shaking it as he gave you a thumbs up.

“I’m alright. Head feels in one piece. At least I feel alr-” he stopped. You moved to lay him down into a recovery position but he just put his hands on his shorts and started fumbling with his belt.

“Calm down, you’re-”

“Your leg,” he said, ripping the leather out of the loops. You stared down, seeing blood. You were expecting it to be honest. Your leg hurt a lot and you knew there must have been a cut.

It was gushing though, the pins and needles feeling hitting you fast. You stared for a second while Sam slipped the belt on under your leg and around you, cinching it tight.

“Probably femoral artery if I had to guess. Could be popliteal too,” you said, squeezing your eyes shut. “Ah. Okay, that hurts now. The adrenaline’s wearing off. Shit. Oh boy. I lost a lot of blood in the car I think.”

“Chicks got more blood right? You’re okay,” said Sam, pressing down on your leg.

“Yeah, chicks got more blood,” you said with a laugh. “Learn that one in school?”

“Biology. Jess took biology. She was going for nursing. I thought she was cute, figured I better try to impress her,” said Sam.

“I’m probably going to pass out but don’t let go of the pressure if you can help it Sammy. I ain’t ready to meet her just yet,” you said. Sam nodded, putting a hand on you when you started to lean back. “Remember to tell them you had brain trauma and what medi...the uh...the…”

“Okay,” he said as you lay back on the ground, struggling to keep your eyes open. “Okay. Just hold on, Y/N. It’ll be okay.”

Dean’s POV

Present

“Sammy,” said Dean, giving Sam a big hug from where he sat in his hospital bed a few hours later. “I thought I told you I never wanted to see you in here again.”

“Since when do I listen to you,” said Sam, pushing Dean back. “I’m okay. Bumps and bruises. They did a head scan and everything. Really. I’m okay thanks to Y/N.”

“Y/N?” asked Dean.

“She had like a super fast reaction, shot her hand out in front of me, stopped my head from hitting the dash. I don’t know if she broke her hand or not but the doctor’s said it probably stopped me from cracking my head open,” said Sam. “You go and see her yet?”

“No. They won’t talk to me. I’m not family. Jack’s trying to get answers but she was his power of attorney or something and not the other way around so no one’s telling us anything,” said Dean.

“Hey. Go find Doctor Franks. I saw him not long ago. Ask him if he can find out for us,” said Sam.

“I will. Uh, Avy’s with Cas for the night,” said Dean, moving to take a seat.

“Alright. You go find out what’s happening with Y/N. I’m okay until mom and dad get here. Seriously, go get answers,” said Sam.

“Did...do you know anything at all?” asked Dean.

“...She was bleeding a lot. They took us in separate ambulances. I don’t know what happened after, Dean. I’m sorry,” said Sam. Dean smiled though and ran a hand over his head gently.

“It’s okay. You’re okay. I’ll go find out what I can and let you know.”

Two Hours Later

“Here,” said Jack, handing a cup of coffee to Dean. He shook his head, Jack taking a seat on the bench beside him. “At least we know she’s still in surgery.”

“How are you so fucking calm about this?” said Dean, glaring at Jack. “She’s your sister.”

“I know she acts like she’s the older one a lot but she’s not. You’re not the only one that’s younger sibling was in an accident tonight,” said Jack. “And I’m freaking out. I’m just putting on a brave face.”

“Who for?” scoffed Dean.

“Same reason you’re sitting there bouncing your knee with that hard ass look on your own face. I deal with my shit on my own. I don’t cry in hospital hallways. I just don’t,” he said.

“Me either,” said Dean as he stood up. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Text me if the doctor swings by.”

Jack nodded and Dean headed down the hall and for the elevators. He was familiar enough with the place and was quickly out the back door and across the parking lot, stepping into the woods a ways, finding the log on the ground that’d been there a month ago.

It was raining more now but Dean didn’t care. He still sat down and got wet, resting his head in his hands. He felt a shudder run through him as he took a deep breath and gripped one of his legs.

“Please, please let her be okay. Please. I’ll do whatever you want. Just let her be okay. Please.”

Twenty minutes later Dean slipped back inside, wiping off his face as best he could, stopping in the bathroom, eyes a little red but he could pass it off as being tired. He stopped in the cafeteria before he headed upstairs with some hot chocolate for Sam and Jack.

Sam was sleeping in bed, their parents there with him now, Jack still on the bench outside his room, sipping on the coffee Dean had turned down. Dean nearly took a seat when he saw Doctor Franks appear around the corner, Jack up on his feet.

“She’s out of surgery. It went well. It was a clean cut on her leg so they were able to stitch her up. Muscle wasn’t damaged in her leg so she should be up and around fairly quickly,” said the doctor.

“What about her hand?” asked Jack.

“Bruised, swollen and wrist is sprained but not broken. She has a concussion but that was expected. A few bruised ribs too but the car took most of the damage for them both,” he said. “They want to observe her for the night but she can go home in the morning along with Sam. They both need rest and try to keep her off stairs and her feet for the next week or so.”

“She’s okay,” said Dean with a nod. “Okay.”

“Can we see her?” asked Jack.

“Once she’s moved out of post-op but I’ll come find you two when that happens,” he said. “This could have been much worse. Let’s be glad it’s not.”

“Thanks doc,” said Dean, taking a seat on the bench with a sigh.

“How does she not hate me,” said Jack, sitting next to him. Dean turned his head, Jack staring across the hall. “When I was overdosing, she must have been scared to death. And I did that to myself. This...this is terrifying, sitting here, knowing you can’t do anything.”

“Jack,” said Dean. “Let it go. You’re not that guy anymore. I know you’ll never scare her like that again.”

“No, never,” said Jack, staring at him. “I wish I could take it back.”

“You can’t, Jack. But you can move past it. I know you haven’t been home long but she’s going to need you to step up and be her big brother again. She’s going to need all of us to help,” said Dean.

“I can do it,” he said with a nod.

“I know,” said Dean, patting Jack’s shoulder. “We’ll figure it out.”

“You want something to eat?” asked Jack around three in the morning. Dean shook his head, sitting on the other side of the bed where Y/N was sleeping. “I’ll be back in a few.”

Dean gave her a smile when they were alone, running his hand over her head.

“Thanks for saving, Sammy, sweetheart. I owe you one,” he said. She stirred and sighed, nuzzling her head against his hand. “I’ll be quiet now. You sleep, Y/N.”

Reader’s POV

There was a slightly chemical smell in the air as you woke up, disinfectant that made your nose twitch. You blinked a few times, Jack snoring in a chair on one side of you, Dean laying his head on his arm, fast asleep, holding your hand in his. Facing forward you caught Sam with a few cuts on his cheeks, eating what looked like breakfast out of a styrofoam box in the chair at the end of the bed. He smiled and gave you a little wave.

“I’m guessing I didn’t die then,” you said, holding up your hand, seeing the bandages on it but no cast. You flipped up your blanket on the one side, spotting a bandage high up on your leg. “I’m also guessing your brain is still in functioning order?”

“Mhm. I live another day to eat crappy hospital food,” he said, wolfing down some eggs. “Always had good omelettes here though.”

“These two alright?” you asked, nodding to the both of them. Sam hummed around his mouthful of food.

“Yeah. I don’t think they finally crashed until like four or something. Our parents our passed out in my room. You want some water?” he asked. You nodded, Sam setting aside his food and grabbing the pitcher off the table. Dean shifted in his seat, rolling his head once the other way, turning back to you and briefly flashing open his eyes. They shut and flew open in the next second, your hand moving to run through his strands.

“Hey,” you said, giving him a smile. “Oh shoot, Sam. I bet your new clothes are ruined.”

“Told you she was fine,” said Sam, Dean’s eyes darting around your face.

“Hi sweetheart,” he said, gently running a finger over your cheek. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Just a scratch or two,” you said. “Sorry I missed our date.”

“We’ll go on one tonight. I promise,” he said. You smiled and saw Jack wake up, a sigh of relief escaping him.

“Hey. You weren’t worried or something, were you?” you teased. Jack scowled, pointing a finger in your face.

“Don’t do that again,” you said.

“My driving was impeccable. Ask Sam,” you said.

“We just got shitty luck,” he laughed, popping a piece of hash brown in his mouth.

“So when can I get out of here?” you asked.

“Soon. Let’s maybe talk to a doctor first before you go wandering off.”

“Thank you for our date tonight, Dean,” you said from your bed, a pizza box between the two of you, a movie playing on the TV.

“Eh, near death ain’t cancelling our plans,” he said. You giggled, nibbling on another slice, his head resting on your shoulder. “Thanks for not dying last night.”

“Thank Sam. He’s the one that got his belt on me,” you said.

“You saved each other,” he said. He was quiet for a few minutes as you finished your food, wiping off your hands when you were done eating and turning off the TV. He sat up and moved the box to the floor, you rolling over closer to Dean when he returned, careful of keeping your right leg away.

“You okay?” you said quietly. He shook his head, wrapping his arms around you. “I’m not going anywhere, Dean.”

“You better not,” he mumbled. “Mine.”

“You don’t go anywhere either,” you said snuggling down against him. You shut your eyes, his long fingers moving the hair away from your face, tucking it behind your ear. He traced around a small cut under your right eye, gently kissing your other bruised cheek.

“Don’t you get hurt like that again,” he said quietly. You nodded, Dean tucking your head under his chin with his arm around your back.

“I want you to stay,” you whispered. You didn’t open your eyes but felt another kiss on your forehead.

“You sleep,” he said. “Wake me up if you need something.”

“Sam?” you mumbled.

“Our parents are there and you got hit worse than he did. I was staying no matter what,” he said. “Do you want some medicine?”

“No. I’m fine. Just want to lay down with you,” you mumbled.

“Okay, sweetheart. We can do that.”

A/N: Read Part 11 here!

[singledarkshade]

Seduction

Summary: After speaking at a tech conference, Gideon Ryder's new friends are fun and smart, a couple in a loving relationship, so she's surprised by the invitation to join them.

But they're hiding a secret. Author’s Note: This came from a small idea I had but only became a story thanks to a thought by @incendiaglacies. Enjoy.                                ********************************************* Part One The bartender placed the cocktail Gideon had ordered in front of her and waited expectantly. She grimaced slightly as she hunted through her bag trying to find her room card so she could put it on her tab.

“Here,” the man sitting just to one side of her spoke up handing the bartender his room card, “Put it on my tab.”

Gideon turned to him and smiled, “Thank you but I don’t need you to get this for me.”

“I know but,” he said, his sharp green eyes crinkling in a smile, “I just thought you looked like you were having a bad day and wanted to do something to make it slightly better. This not a come on, my wife is in the ladies.”

With a sigh she nodded, “Thank you.”

He smiled again and offered his hand, “Rip Hunter. And you’re Gideon Ryder,” he continued before she could ask, “We were at your lecture this afternoon. So impressive the work you’re doing in artificial intelligence.”

“You mean once we managed to get everything working,” Gideon laughed.

Rip nodded, “It wouldn’t be a tech conference if something didn’t go wrong with the equipment.”

With an amused shrug, Gideon chuckled, “Very true. What about you, Mr Hunter? What do you do?”

“Freelance security and IT,” he told her, “And please, it’s Rip.”

Gideon smiled but before she could say anything else a woman’s voice came from behind them.

“Typical, I leave for five minutes and you find the most gorgeous woman in the place to buy a drink for.”

Rip laughed, wrapping his arm around the beautiful woman with dark hair and eyes who quickly kissed him, he smiled, “Gideon, this is my wife Miranda.”

“So nice to meet you,” Miranda grinned, “Loved your lecture earlier. You’ll have to excuse me for a few minutes though, I found a room card on the floor I should take to the reception.”

Gideon grimaced, “Does it say Room 654?”

Miranda nodded.

“I dropped it,” she sighed, smiling in relief when Miranda handed it to her, “Thank you.”

Rip handed Miranda the drink he’d got for her before asking, “Our reservations are in five minutes. Are we having dinner?”

“If you’re hungry,” his wife smiled, “Although, Gideon if you’re not busy why don’t you join us?”

Hesitantly she shrugged, “Are you sure you don’t want to eat alone?”

“Please, I have to talk to him all the time,” Miranda waved, “You are much more interesting, and prettier.”

Rip rolled his eyes, “Thanks darling.”

Miranda blew him a kiss before sliding her arm through Gideon’s and starting her towards the restaurant, “So, tell me more about your work.”

 Gideon laughed as Miranda finished the story she was telling, while Rip got them a final drink from the bar. The evening had gone faster than she realised and, despite not looking forward to this conference, Gideon had enjoyed herself.

The couple she’d had dinner with were both smart, understood her work and had such a good relationship bantering back and forth. About twenty minutes later it became clear they were no longer welcome in the bar as the staff started cleaning up around them.

“Come on, darling,” Miranda took her husband’s hand, “You can take advantage of me for the rest of the night.”

Leaning into her Rip smiled, “Tempting offer.”

Gideon smiled wistfully, she hoped one day to find someone who would look at her the way the couple looked at one another.

“Our room is on the same floor as yours,” Miranda said to Gideon, “I want to make sure you get to your room safely.”

Chuckling Gideon allowed the other woman to take a hold of her arm and they walked to the elevator together.

“How about we meet for breakfast?” Miranda suggested as they headed up to their floor.

Surprised Gideon nodded, “I’d like that.”

The bing announced they’d arrived at their floor and Gideon stepped out followed by the couple.

“You know,” Miranda said, “It’s not that late and I’m not tired. How about we have another drink?”

Gideon hesitated, but she wasn’t that tired either and not looking forward to watching the tv alone until she fell asleep so instead smiled, “That sounds nice.”

Miranda beamed, “Fantastic.”

“Let me drop my bag off in my room,” Gideon told her, “And change shoes.”

“Change into anything you want,” Miranda replied, “We are in room 662, just come along when you’re ready.”

With a smile they headed along the corridor leaving her alone. Watching the couple, Gideon admired them both for a moment before heading to her room.

Dropping her bag, she quickly changed into the pair of loose denims and her favourite red t-shirt. Sliding on the soft canvas shoes, thankful to be out of the heels she’d worn all day, Gideon quickly brushed out her hair and checked she looked presentable. Sliding her room key into her back pocket, Gideon grabbed the wine from the minibar in her room and headed out. Reaching the other room, she hesitated for a moment before knocking.

Rip opened the door and motioned her in, “Miranda has a glass of wine waiting for you.”

   Gideon was sitting cross-legged on the couch while Miranda and Rip were on the chair, Miranda on her husband’s lap.

“Did I tell you how we met?” Miranda asked, sipping her drink.

“No.”

Miranda smiled at her husband, “It was a game of truth or dare at university. I chose dare, and we ended up tied together trying to drink a bottle of beer. By the end of the night he was mine.”

“You make me sound so easy,” Rip laughed.

With a smirk, Miranda replied, “But you were, my darling.”

Before he could reply his phone began to buzz, “Sorry. It’s mother.”

Gideon frowned confused checking the time.

“She’s several hours ahead of us and a very early riser,” Miranda explained as Rip disappeared into the bathroom to have his conversation.

Sliding onto the couch beside Gideon, Miranda mused, “Can I ask you something?”

“If you like,” Gideon replied intrigued.

Miranda smiled, “What would you do if I kissed you?”

Stunned Gideon glanced to the door Rip had gone through.

“You don’t have to worry about, Rip,” Miranda told her, “We have a very open marriage. Besides, he’ll only be annoyed I asked you first.”

“I…ah…” Gideon stammered.

Miranda gently brushed her hair back, “You are attracted to both of us. I can tell.”

Gideon tried to reply but the other woman gently touched her lips to Gideon’s neck, breathing deeply Gideon’s eyes closed and her head dropped back against the couch as Miranda continued to slide kisses across her skin. A moan escaped Gideon as Miranda’s lips pressed against her own in a soft kiss that deepened quickly. When they parted, Gideon opened her eyes to find Miranda now kissing Rip.

Miranda pulled back from her husband and guided him to Gideon. Not sure why, she allowed him to kiss her too.

   Gideon had no idea how this had happened, she’d simply come here for a friendly drink and conversation. When Miranda kissed her Gideon was stunned but, she was attracted to the couple so decided to be spontaneous for once in her life. The kisses, while sweet at first, had become a lot more intense and soon they were undressing one another. Gideon had never been a part of a threesome before, although had fantasised about it a few times.

Miranda took control instantly, pushing her husband towards the bed before she drew Gideon along with her.

“You are so gorgeous,” Miranda murmured to Gideon, as she lay back on the bed beside Rip.

The couple began to kiss every part of Gideon and she lost herself in the sensations of Rip kissing her as Miranda’s lips slid down along her body. The couple continued to kiss and caress her. Gideon was used to being the one in charge during sex, but this time Miranda was the one in control. The couple barely interacted with one another instead both focussed solely on her pleasure.

   “Wow,” Gideon lay back trying to catch her breath, “I didn’t think this would happen.”

Miranda chuckled, “How about one more ride?” she kissed Gideon’s lobe, “Rip is still locked and loaded.”

“What about you?” Gideon asked softly.

Miranda shook her head, “I can ride him any night, this is all about you.”

Following Miranda’s instructions Gideon slowly slid onto Rip, moaning in pleasure. Slowly rolling her hips as Rip rested his hands on her waist, and Miranda pressed her body against Gideon’s back, her hands cupping Gideon’s breasts murmuring encouragement in Gideon’s ear. Rip pushed himself up and pulled the two women close, Gideon cried out as her climax hit her with Rip coming a few moments later.

Gideon lay stunned by the evening’s events. Rip leaned over and grabbed a bottle of water, opening it he took a drink before handing it to Miranda. She took a quick drink and passed it to Gideon. Taking a long drink of the cool water Gideon knew she should move and head back to her own room, but she couldn’t quite get up the energy.

Rip and Miranda wrapped their arms around her, and the warmth surrounding her lulled Gideon into a deep sleep.

   “Well?” Miranda asked.

Rip checked the woman asleep on the bed beside them, “She’s out. How much did you give her?”

Miranda slid off the bed and started to get dressed, “Enough so she won’t wake up until the morning.”

Pulling on his own clothes, Rip nodded, “We could have done this a lot easier if you’d stuck to the original plan.”

“And you’re telling me you did not enjoy our little tryst?” Miranda smirked, “Because I can rewind the tape.”

He rolled his eyes, “Just get dressed and let’s do what we actually came to do. Or do you not want to get paid?”

“Darling,” Miranda moved to him and rested her hands on his chest, “My way is always much more fun,” stretching up to kiss him quickly she smiled, “Let’s do this.”

Part Two

[strxberry-milk]

WIRES

1|2

genre:fluff, mafia au, angst, neighbour au

pairing:reader x gang member!changbin

warnings:n/a

word count:2.3k

four months passed after i witnessed a murder. changbin was very much my only support network at the that time, i couldn’t talk to my uni friends of work colleagues since they would go to the police. changbin tried his best not talk about his gang but i had questions i wanted answers too. so a tuesday night we sat down and he explained everything - he told me what his gang done, who the members were etc.

at first i was nervous, they had made a lot of enemies that were constantly out to get them but changbin made it very clear that he would make sure i was out of it at all times. we had spent many nights together sitting in each other’s apartments, binging tv shows together and stuffing our faces of fast food. when i worked the late shift at the restaurant changbin would always wait outside for me and we’d walk home together, it made me feel safer and changbin felt the same. he didn’t say anything but i knew he was worried about the yakuza finding out i seen the murder.

we had grown closer over the months, i had told him things that nobody knew other than me. i told him about my parents death and how i had to fend on my own for a year, it was still hard to talk about them even though it happened three years ago. changbin also shared things, he felt guilty for not talking to his parents after joining SKZ but he had his reasons. he didn’t want to put them in danger that’s why he was always so distant towards me when we seen each other in the hall of our floor.

—

i was half way through my saturday night shift. the restaurant was buzzing with loud chat and laughter while people tucked into their meals. i had three hours until i could leave to meet changbin which i made me excited but anxious at the same time. i walked round the restaurant, picking up empty plates and glasses, taking orders and giving customers the bill of their meal. we had booths in our restaurant that usually large numbers of people sat in but it was nearer the back.

“y/n table thirty are ready to order,” my manager said pointing to the second booth, “okay,” i sighed grabbing my notepad and pen before walking over, “hi my name is y/n and i’ll be your waitress for this evening,” i flashed a fake smile while spitting out my scripted line that i had lost count of saying. i didn’t notice at first due the dim lighting of the booth but as i worked my way round the table i suddenly had a sense of danger hit me. the last man to give me his order was familiar.

it was odd i couldn’t put my finger on it until he said one sentence. “i’ll go for my favourite. i liked that the last time,” as soon as the word like left his mouth the realisation clicked. he was the member of the yakuza. he killed the man in the alley. a sudden sick feeling came over me like a strong wave of the sea, quickly writing down what he wanted i left in a dash. anxiety filling my stomach. if he noticed that i was there that night he would have noticed that it was me who served him. “i’m taking my break,” i muttered to my colleague before rushing off to the locker room.

scrambling through my bag to find my phone which happened to be at the very bottom, i immediately called changbin. “please pick up,” i whispered desperately, panic rising in my chest. “who is this?” a unrecognisable voice spoke from the other side of the line, “uhm is changbin there?” i muttered and soon enough his voice came through after noises of shuffling and muffled voices in the background. “y/n what’s wrong?” he asked as if he already knew i was panicking.

“the man from the alley is here,” i breathed out heavily, sitting down from the overwhelming dizziness and my heart beating loud in my ears. “does he know it’s you?” he asked calmly but the discomfort was there. “i...i don’t know,” stuttering i let out a few deep breaths trying to calm myself. “y/n, avoid the table okay? i don’t want you getting in danger,” he stated strongly, i nodded to what he was saying forgetting that he couldn’t see me, “i’ll come get you at the usual time just be careful please,” changbin pleaded, i let out a little okay and hung up knowing i’d have to get back to the table.

the tables food was ready and i had to take it over not matter how hard i tried to get someone else to do it, we were all busy. sighing inwardly i picked up the plates of food and plastered a fake smile on my face. after placing the plates infront of the men i asked the usual question “anything else i can get you,” a choruses of no’s were heard and everyone apart of the yakuza member started to tuck into their meals. “do i know you?” he asked puzzled, anxiety filled my chest and my smile faltered slightly. “i don’t think so, enjoy your meal,” i smiled and walked away breathing heavily.

—

my shift was finally over but the table i dreaded serving was still in the booth. grabbing my bag and jacket, i waved a few goodbyes to my coworkers and left the now quiet restaurant. changbin texted me a few minutes ago saying he was going to be ten minutes and just to wait at the door like usual so i did. it was chiller at night, so i ended up pulling my jacket closer to my body trying to keep the small amount of heat i had.

changbin soon arrived a small smile on his face, “hey you ready?” he asked signalling for me to follow. when walking home i didn’t notice that the older yakuza member watching us leave together.

“do you want to get pizza?” i faced him finally acknowledging the hunger growing, “definitely,” he laughed and we started to walk faster so we could get our fast food. changbin and i entered my apartment and he went straight to phone to order our midnight snack while i went to change out of my jeans into something more comfortable. “i got cheese and pepperoni,” he announced when i walked back in with pillows and blankets in my arms.

the couch soon turned into a makeshift bed for us, i stuck on a movie for us to watch while we ate. this was what usually happened on a saturday night and i looked forward to it everytime. twenty minutes passed and finally the doorbell rang, i jumped out of the multiple duvets and raced to the door. “that’ll be twelve seventy three,” the young pizza delivery man said and handed over the pizza after i gave the money over, a small thanks and i was racing back to the living room.

we ate in almost complete silence, the only noises were from the tv and the occasional car driving past but it wasn’t many. the two boxes were soon empty and that remained was the grease stains and bits of crusts i didn’t eat. “i needed that,” i sighed in content laying back onto the pillows. “me too,” changbin hummed in agreement and slided the pizza boxes near the small dining table. “y/n did he talk to you tonight?” he suddenly questioned about the gang member.

i nodded and explained to him that he recognised me and that he must of seen me hiding in the alleyway that night. “if he comes back, please be careful,” changbin took my hand gently looking me straight in the eyes which was a little bit intimidating. i just nodded unable to form words, his face was so close to mine. my eyes wavered and ended up dropping to look at his lips. without realising what was happening we both leaned in. our lips brushed against eachothers and were soon attached.

he brought his hand up to my cheek cupping it lightly. my hands found their way to his hair, entangling my fingers in his locks, when we broke away our foreheads pressed against eachothers and my eyes shut. “i think you should stay,” i whispered smirking lightly, “i agree,” and he attacked my lips with more kisses.

the following morning i woke wrapped up in changbin’s strong grip. smiling softly i buried my head further into his chest, “morning,” his gruff voice spoke, vibrating in his chest. “morning,” i sighed happily, changbin’s fingers drew soft patterns on my bare shoulder lulling me back to sleep. “what time is it?” i groaned as the morning sun hit my eyes, “just after ten,” he answered and his grip tightened.

we lay in eachothers arms for the next two hours - chatting nosense and drifting in and out of sleep. “we need to get up now,” i giggled trying to finally sit up but changbin’s grip kept me down. “changbin, come on!” i cried out attempting to sit up another few times, “five more minutes,” he smirked closing his eyes. “five more minutes turns into two hours with you,” i sighed and his grip loosened so i could bow sit up. my bare shoulders were exposed to the chilly air making me chitter slightly, “five more minutes actually,” i wrapped myself in the duvets and cuddled into changbin trying to heat myself back up. he then erupted in giggles at my reaction to the cold air.

when we actually got up it was one o’clock in the afternoon which meant i had four hours before i had to go back to work at five. “i’ll make us some lunch,” changbin announced and made his way to my kitchen before i could protest. while he was in the kitchen, i started to tidy up from the night before; folding the extra blankets and putting them back in the hall cupboard, binning the empty pizza boxes and riding up my messy bed.

changbin came out with two plates of kimchi fried rice with a fried egg on top of each moutain of rice. “wow this looks great,” my stomach grumbled after looking at the plate of food, my hunger only setting in now. smiling widely i tucked into the food as soon as the plate hit the table, “thank you,” i hummed in content. “glad you like it,” he chuckled.

—

changbin let out a groan full of annoyance as we sat in his apartment, “what?” i asked looking up from the book in my hands. “i’m bored,” he moaned, poking my cheek with his finger. “how about we go out for dinner?” i offered and it was an immediate yes, chuckling i got up abandoning my book to go get changed into something more smart than sport leggings and a baggy jumper.

i had a few clothes items in changbin’s wardrobe after spending nearly three months here. after the night in my apartment, our relationship went from friends to lovers quite quickly. SKZ hadn’t been busy for the past few weeks, and the yakuza was staying low which was strange but i was happy that changbin was safe from danger.

changing into a denim skirt and t-shirt i looked a bit more put together than before. “where should we go?” i asked walking through the hall, mascara in one hand and concealer in the other. “what about the pizza place oro?” he called out from the living room. “sure,”. once i was ready i changbin emerged with our jackets in his arms, “it’ll be cold outside here,” he smiled and handed over my thicker jacket over. “thanks,” i gave him a quick peck on the lips and made my way to the front door remembering to pick the house keys up from the cabinet.

changbin took my hand as we walked down the stairs away from the comfort of the apartment. “at least it’s only ten minutes away,” i pointed out as the cold air hit my exposed face. november’s weather was coming in hard this year and i was not a fan - i hated the cold weather which usually came with rain and winds. i stuck closer to changbin’s side as we walked down the street hand in hand.

we were seated after a few minutes of waiting since it was a busy friday night. “y/n, i need to tell you something,” changbin sighed, putting down the paper menu. “what is it?” i asked confusion written across my face nerves suddenly filled my stomach, “the.... the yakuza sent us a warning yesterday,” he explained - “they said that they know you were there that night,” he grabbed my hand as i started to panic. “changbin... what do i do?” i whispered gripping his hand tighter. “nothing, you going to live your life normally, and i’m going to protect you,” he brought my hand to his mouth and placed a chaste kiss on my knuckles.

our dinner conversation was filled with our worried thoughts about the situation we were now faced with. i knew they had been too quiet, changbin sometimes came home with bruises and cuts littering his skin but recently nothing. “the guys are going to help obviously,” he assured, pasta wrapping around his fork. my appetite was gone and stress came in it’s place.

i cleared half of my plate before i started to feel sick from nerves, anxiety was slowly creeping up but changbin was there to keep me calm. “how about we go get ice cream and a movie?” he asked smiling sweetly. we payed the small bill and left the restaurant. “we’ll be fine,” he assured hugging my side tighter. 

[artificialqueens]

king of the world (Branjie) - ohhthereuare

AN: We thought the picture Vanessa posted (and then fastly deleted) was in a drunken, sad haze. But what if it wasn’t? A conspiracy theory based on the screenshot Brooke posted on Twitter proving they’re happily together and both in on the shadiness.

I– My dumb ass thought my laptop randomly didn’t save this fic after I wrote it exactly a day after their exchange on Twitter, turns out I just saved it in a different folder and found it today while looking for my resume. I hope it’s still not too late to share my conspiracy theory about this “drunken” picture posted by V. Let me know what your thoughts are!

AO3

The phone was pretty much already glued to Brooke’s hand for the past ten minutes, vibrating non-stop with the endless twitter and Instagram notifications, so when she got an incoming FaceTime call, she answered comically fast.

“Hiiiiii babyyyy! You busy or somethin’?” Vanessa’s blurry face appeared on the phone screen and Brooke’s heart automatically started beating a little faster. She must’ve just finished her gig, a bright yellow wig, and sparkly makeup still on. Brooke had already gotten rid of her stage persona and was already getting ready for bed. The not-so-harsh time difference made it possible for them to catch up.

“Hi, Papi. No, just winding down after the show. What’s up?”

“Just missed ya stupid face, that’s all.”

Vanessa was still in the club. The music was playing somewhere in the background, mixed with incoherent conversations and laughter. Her smile was so broad it was contentious. She was swaying a little bit and her words were slurring together from alcohol no doubt. There was a sheepish glim in her eyes.

“I’ve seen the picture that you posted of us. And the song.”

“Mmm” Vanessa looked away from the phone for a moment, trying to look like she was looking for something, distracted, not paying too much attention but Brooke caught how the corner of her lips quivered when she tried not to smile. It must have meant more to her than what she tried to let on. Sometimes words weren’t their strongest suit but they already knew each other to well to not know how to read the signs.

“I really liked it. Why did you delete it?” Henry settled by Brooke’s side, purring with his eyes contently closed while Apollo laid in a bread-like position by her feet. She was late-night snacking on some sweet potato chips, that she had found in the cupboard, and the crumbs were getting all over the bedsheets.

“The management was all up my ass the second that it went up, these hoes. Keeping tabs on us 24/7 and shit. They told me to take it down. So it don’t mess their whole theme of—”

“—keep watching the show. Yeah” they finished in unison. There was a slight bitterness to their tones, but there was not much they could do. They were already bending the rules and the money mentioned at the bottom of their NDA contract was good enough for them to make it through just a couple more months.

“I meant it, y’know. The song I mean. The lyrics and shit.”

Now it was Brooke’s time to look away to hide her face, afraid of revealing too much. It’s been over a year. A year of feelings so new and wonderful sometimes it felt like her body could not contain all of them with how her heart swelled in her chest and made it hard to breathe. A year of being so happy but having to keep all of that a secret when all she wanted to do was scream it at the top of her lungs for the world to hear. There was a reason why every single time someone as much as mentioned Vanjie during the interviews Brooke instantly turned into a grinning, blushing, lovesick puppy.

“Would you, um… Would you send me the picture though? The one of us that you used with the song? I don’t think I have it and I’d like… I mean I didn’t really get a chance to look at it before you had to take it down.” The whole two minutes that it was on Instagram she kept refreshing the Story time after time to stare at it just a bit longer. Beside the point though.

This time neither looked away. Despite the shaky connection and blurry vision, the two queens locked eyes and the moment felt strangely intense, as if that gaze conveyed everything that they didn’t know how to put in words. They were already past the point of having to prove something to one another.

“Yeah, I’ll do– do that when I get home. I gotta go now though. Other people want to get some of Miss Vaaaanjie.”

“Okay, just remember that that ass is already taken.”

“Not like I could forget. Taken and taken care of. Okayloveyabyeeee!”

“You, too.”

Almost two hours went by and Brooke kept tossing and turning in her bed, reaching for her phone every five minutes. When it finally binged with a new message she reached for it so hard she almost pulled a muscle. The top notification read “Jose” with an orange heart and a bunch of their favorite emojis that they loved to use and confuse the fans with. Maybe they’d explain it during the Reunion episode. Or maybe not.

Did u get it

Under the message, there was a blank, grey square indicating an incoming picture.

Still loading, Brooke typed back.

Fuckit

A second later it finally got delivered and Brooke had to close her eyes and hide her smiling face into the pillow before she could look at it again. She remembered the night that it was taken during their stay in Toronto. How comfortable, happy, at home she had felt. Vanessa’s back warmly pressed against her arm, her neck smelling like fresh hotel sheets, menthol cigarettes that Brooke had kept smoking, and cologne. Brooke’s hand placed at her waist, keeping her closer. Vanessa’s own palm resting on the Canadian queen’s thigh and their pinkie fingers linked together, a little detail cut off by the picture frame.

She reached for her AirPods and opened Spotify, looking through Natalie Grant’s discography until she found the right song. The melody filled her headphones and she took a last look at their picture before closing her eyes and smiling like an idiot. God, she couldn’t wait for when they’d be able to openly talk about all of it. For now though, you’d just have to keep watching the show.

[noahsfreckles]

The Skateboarder’s Heart (2/2)

NOAH'S POV :)

Another day of skateboarding home from school, boarding home isn't that hard but going is killing me, boarding to school after you just wake up is horrible. Do not recommend to anyone.

But there are a few bonuses about coming home via skateboard, I ride by her house everyday. I've only seen her a couple outside but I never have the nerve to go talk to her and she's always running by my house when her and her boyfriend go for a run.

And that's one of the negative things about her; she has a boyfriend. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for her and everything but I would love to be the one making her smile and laugh. I just wanna be her friend at this point.

I try to get home before four everyday just in case they go for a run. I sit by the window everyday and watch for them. And today is my lucky day, I see them, her in a pink tank top and black leggings with her headphones in her ears. I smile to myself when I see her. God she's beautiful.

I notice something on the street after they run by, I get off the couch and go outside to see what it is.

A keychain that says Jay. Maybe this is my shot to know her, even if it is her boyfriend's key chain it would be nice of me to return it.

I head back inside and head up to my room. I place the key chain on my bed and grab some fresh boxer briefs from the dresser. I grab my towel from the back of my bedroom door and head off to the bathroom.

Once I'm finished in the shower, I get dressed and listen to some music when I realize it's been more than an hour almost two. I grab the key chain and head downstairs, to grab a quick snack.

"Hi mom." I say when I see her in the kitchen.

"Hi baby, how was school?"

"It was okay. Did my homework already so I got nothing to do tonight. Maybe I'll binge something on Netflix."

"Sounds like a fun night."

"What's for dinner?"

"Burgers, potato salad, and chips, so don't eat too much junk before then."

"I won't mom," I open the fridge and grab a water and a mini bag of cool ranch Doritos from the bowl of chips. "I'm gonna go for a ride."

"Okay, dinner should be ready in about an hour."

"Okay mom." I turn and leave the kitchen. I grab my board from the closet and head outside. I sit on our porch and eat my Doritos. I grab my phone and look at the time; 6:30pm, I think that's enough time for her to be home already.

I toss my Doritos bag in the trash can at the end of my driveway, I start sucking my fingers to get the cool ranch off of them and start off towards her house.

I arrive at her house and I don't see her boyfriend's car, I hope she's home. I walk up her stairs and gently but firmly knock on the door. I wait and look down at my shoes.

"C can I help you?" I hear her say and I look up at her. She more beautiful than I thought.

"Um, I think you dropped this when you ran by my house," I say and hold up the keychain.

"Oh, um thanks," she says and reaches out to take it when our fingers brush, I feel an electric shock and she smiles. "Thanks again, um."

"Noah."

"Thanks Noah."

"It was my pleasure," I smile. "May I know your name?" I say and bite my lip.

"Cassie."

"Hi Cassie," I say and smile.

"Hi Noah," she says and blushes a little then she bites her bottom lip.

I turn around and notice his car pulling into her driveway and frown, "I'll see you around Cassie. It was nice meeting you."

"Bye Noah."

I turn and walk back down her stairs, I start boarding back towards my house, thinking about her. I get home and eat inside, I eat dinner with my parents then do the dishes before heading up to my room to watch Netflix all night. 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

A few weeks have gone by and I think I'm making some progress with her. I've actually gone over and talked to her a few times, I asked why her boyfriend hasn't been running with her as of late and she says he's been busy.

It's a Saturday and I'm heading home from my buddy Kyle's house when I turn on her street, I see her when she's walking down her stairs towards the street. I start going faster so I can catch her before she goes inside. I see she's checking the mail when I skate up by her.

"Hey Cassie." I say as I stop by her mailbox causing her to look up.

"Hey Noah. What's up?"

"Not much just bored. You?"

"Getting the mail for the parentals."

"Fun fun. Going for a run today?"

"Nope, it's my day off."

"Oh um," I start then bite my lip, "did you wanna hang out? I mean if you're not busy."

"What did you have in mind?"

"We could watch a movie, go for a walk or I could teach you how to skateboard."

"Sure," Cassie says and blushes then her phone starts ringing. She pulls it out and looks at it, "can you give me a minute?"

"Yeah sure."

"Hey Jay," She says and I frown a little.

I hope he doesn't wanna hang out with her and ruin my chances to get to know her more.

"Actually I'm gonna hang out with him," Cassie's says and I turn my attention towards her. Is she talking about me?

She whispers something in the phone I can't quite make out, she looks at me and I smile.

"Watch a movie, go for a walk, we're not sure yet," I hear her say in the phone, "Jayson!" She yells into the phone. "Sorry he's being crazy," she says to me and bites her lip.

"SHE WANTS TO HAVE YOUR CHILDREN!" I hear come from the phone and I try not to react, Cassie looks over at me and I smirk.

"And goodbye Jay," she says and hangs up the phone and looks at me, "Sorry best friends gone wild."

Wait what?

"Jay's your best friend and not your boyfriend?" I ask.

"No, best friend since birth. Our parents went to school together so once we were born it was only natural we became friends, our birthdays are one day apart. I'm older by thirteen hours."

"Oh. I just assumed since you two were always together."

"Everyone does," she says.

"So um what did you wanna do?"

"We could go for a walk around the neighborhood?" She asks.

"Sure, did you need to take in the mail?"

"No, it's just a magazine I can grab it later," she turns and put the magazine in the mailbox. "Did you need to do anything before our walk?"

"Nope, all free." 

"Let's go then," she smiles.

We start waking down the sideway when I say, "Did you wanna play a game so we're not just walking in silence?"

"Sure."

"When's your birthday?"

"April twentieth."

"Yours?"

"May ninth."

"So I'm older by nineteen days," she says.

I do like older girls.

"What's your favorite animal?"

"I'd say cats, they're cute and cuddly," she says and smiles at me.

"And evil. My sister's cat is evil. One minute he'll love you then two seconds later he's plotting your death."

She laugh and asks, "What's his name?"

"Vesuvius but we call him Suvi for short. Do you have any pets?"

"Does Jay count?"

"If you want him too."

"Sure," Cassie laugh. "What's the worst thing about skateboarding?"

"Um probably learning tricks and falling on your ass until you get them."

"Sounds painful."

"Very. What's the last movie you saw in theaters?"

"Captain Marvel."

"Me too. When did you go?"

"This past Tuesday with Jay, we went at like 3:45 at Celebration."

"Oh my god! That's when I went, I was like five minutes late coming in cause someone was taking forever in the concession line."

"I think that was probably Jay," she laughs.

"Damn Jay," I say and laughs.

"What was your favorite part or parts?" she ask.

"Oh for sure when Goose was on screen. You?"

"Oh my god yes, when Goose exposed himself to Fury. I died laughing, you probably heard me."

"That was you." I stop and look at her.

"Uh yeah. Sorry," Cassie bites her lip and looks at me.

"It's cool cause I was laughing too," I say laughing.

"What's your favorite song right now?"

Cassie asks and we start walking again.

"Just one?"

"Okay maybe five."

"I can do five for sure. 'Sweet Thing' by Ylti, 'Luvsick' by Kai Wachi and Ylti, 'Hesher' by Wallpaper, 'Mine' by Bazzi, 'Beautiful' also by Bazzi, and a bonus 'Hell of a Life' by Kayne, though I don't like him personally I just like the song."

"So no more drugs for you, just pussy and religion?" She look at me, I just stop and look at her and she smirks. "What?"

"Have you been stalking my insta?"

"No," she blushes a little.

"You have!"

"No, I haven't. I just know that song."

"Mmhmm then why do you know the exact line I posted on my insta story yesterday?"

"Coincidence," she says and bites her lip.

"Oh okay," I say and rolls my eyes.

We start walking again, when I ask another question, "Do you know any of the other songs?"

"I know Bazzi's, he's my new obsession."

"No one ever knows about the music I listen to, how'd you hear about him?"

"Um, I plead the fifth."

"How are you going to plead the fifth on that?"

"Because I'll incriminate myself."

"By answering where you heard about Bazzi?"

"Yeah."

I don't say anything for a minute thinking over why she would plead the fifth on how she knows Bazzi but we continue to walk, when I stop suddenly. "You have been stalking my insta!"

"What? No!" She blushes.

"Not fair! You get to stalk me when I can't you." I pout and look at Cassie.

"Cassie.marie."

"What?"

"My insta, duh."

"Oh," I pull out my phone, opens insta and types in her username. I follow her and start liking a few pictures when I notices she never shows her birthmark until this most recent picture from a couple weeks ago.

"If you're stalking me, you suck. You're not supposed to be known."

"Oh sorry, I couldn't help myself," I say and smirk.

She pulls out her phone, I get a notification that she followed me back and puts her phone back in her pocket.

"Can I ask you something kinda personal, Cassie?" I ask her as we turn the corner back to her street.

"Sure."

"Now you don't have to answer this if you don't want to, I won't get upset if you don't."

"Ask it, please."

"Why do you hide your birthmark?"

"I um," she starts, biting her lip and stops in front of her house and she looks at me, "I don't like it and everyone used to make fun of me for it. So I grew to hate it and I thought hiding it was better for everyone. Once someone sees it they either make a face towards it or they ask about it."

"So what made you post a picture showing it the other day?"

"I was tired of hiding it and I." She says and looks down at our shoes.

"You what?"

"I kinda freaked out when Jay realized I didn't hide it from you when you brought back my key chain the other week. I didn't even realized you saw it till after you left."

"Cassie?" I says and move closer to her. I place my hand on her chin gently and raise her head so she looks at me. "So I made you show it to the world?"

She nods a little and I moves my hand to her cheek, and softly outline her birthmark with my thumb. "How could anyone tease you for something so beautiful?"

Her cheeks heat up and I smile.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," I trace it once more then removes my hand from her face. "What did you wanna do now?" I ask.

"Can you show me the basics on your board?"

"You wanna learn to ride?"

"Yeah, no tricks, I don't wanna hurt my butt."

I laugh, "sure."

We walk to the street and I put the board on the street. "Okay now find the center of the board." I say as I hold the board with my foot as she gets on it.

She puts her foot in the middle of the board and looks at me.

"And with your other foot, kick off. And just keep kicking till your comfortable with the speed then you can stop kicking and put your other foot on the board."

"Will you hold my hands so I don't fall. That's my fear right now," she asks.

"Sure." I take her hands and move my foot, and she starts to kicks off and she gasps a little causing me to laugh. I lets go of one of her hands and run beside her.

"I'm doing it!" She says excitedly and goes to kick again and kicks the board instead, she starts to fall when I slow the board down and catches her in my arms.

"Slow down speedy," I tease and looks down at Cassie.

She bites her lip and looks at me. I really wanna kiss her. I look from her eyes to her lips then back to her eyes and lips. She softly nods her head in approval as I lean down to connect our lips when her phone starts ringing, scaring us both.

She groans and pulls out her phone, "Sorry," she says softly and I help her stand up right on the street. I move away from her so I'm not intruding on her call.

"What?" I hear her say into the phone annoyed. "Yes. And I hate you."

I start messing with my board trying not pay attention to her phone call. My phone buzzes in my pocket;

Kyle: I'm on my way over for Avengers and pizza.

"Hey Cassie, I gotta head home for dinner, see you later?"

"Oh okay, bye Noah," Cassie says sounding a little sad. "Yeah, see you around."

I put my board down and start boarding back to my house. I get back as soon as Kyle pulls him.

"Hey!" He says as he gets out of his car.

"Hey," I say trying not to sound too rejected.

"I ordered our regular on the way over," Kyle says and I nod.

We head inside, I put my board away in the closet and we head up to my room.

"You cool, bro?" Kyle asks as I fall face down into my pillows.

I just groan loudly.

"I'll take that as a no. Did you see Cassie and her boyfriend or something?"

I roll over on the bed and look at him, "he's not her boyfriend but best friend, I found out earlier."

"That a good thing. You have a chance with her now."

"He cockblocked me today."

"Oh bro, what happened?"

"I was coming home from your house and I saw Cassie outside so I went over and started talking to her. He called her and they were talking, he yelled something about having my kids and Cassie hung up after that. Then we took a walk around the neighborhood asking questions back and forth, getting to know each other."

"I'm not seeing any cockblocking yet, sounds like she likes you from what her friend was yelling," Kyle says.

"I haven't got there yet. Anyways so we end up back at her house and she wants me to show her how to board. So I give her the simple instructions on how to kick and whatnot. She asks me to hold her hands so she doesn't fall so I do. I'm running along side her so she doesn't fall and she accidentally kicks the board instead of the ground and she starts to fall. I quickly stop the board and catch her before she falls, and bro I wanted to kiss her so bad. So I kept looking between her eyes and her lips and she nods so I go for it."

"You kissed her?"

"No."

"What?"

"Her stupid phone rings interrupting us. And by the sound of it she was pissed when she answered the phone, and guess who it was."

"The best friend."

I groan and nod my head.

"Sorry bro, I know how much you like her."

"I was so freaking close. We had another moment too."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, you know how I told you she has a birthmark on her cheek?"

Kyle nods.

"Well I found out she stalked my insta and she told me hers after I found out, and I followed her and liked some of her pics. I noticed in a pic," I pull out my phone to show him. "She didn't hide her birthmark like she does in other pics and I asked her why."

Kyle takes my phone and looks at her profile.

"She said that I made her show it because I didn't say anything or make a face more or less when I saw it. She said people would tease her about it in school. She was looking at our shoes, and I took her chin in my hand and made her look at me. I traced it with my thumb and said, "How could anyone tease you for something so beautiful?" causing her to blush."

"Bro! You got game, who would have thought?"

"Shut up!"

"So what's going to happen now?"

"I haven't thought that far ahead yet."

The doorbell rings and Kyle goes down to answer it and comes back up with our food and drinks. We sit on my bed and start to pig out.

"Maybe you can arrange another boarding lesson and the moment could come up again?"

"I don't have her number though."

"Slide in her DMs, bro."

"I knew you were my friend for a reason," I say and Kyle's shakes his head at me.

"Netflix?"

I turn on my tv and we start watching Avengers: Infinity War and eating our pizza.

Kyle goes home around ten after we finish the movie and play a few rounds of Smash Brothers.

I grab my phone and look through my photo roll, picking the picture I've been meaning to post and it fits with what I wanna caption. 

Can't stop thinking about you.  ♥

I close the app and turn my attention back to the tv. Around an hour later, my phone dings and I grab it, smiling when I see the notification; Cassie.marie. liked your photo.

I open Instagram and direct message her.

Noah: hi

Cassie: hi

Noah: whatcha doing?

Cassie: watching a movie, you?

Noah: laying in my bed, bored.

Cassie: wanna continue our game?

Noah: sure.

Cassie: when did you start skateboarding?

Noah: around 12 y/o

Cassie: Nice

Noah: do you have any hidden talents?

Cassie: I can do the splits, does that count?

Noah: Yeah I guess, not everyone can do them

I head downstairs and grab a water from the fridge when I see the banner pop up, I read the message and go to the closet to grab my board and quietly head out the front door. I board over to Cassie's before I open her DM.

Cassie: can I have your number?

Noah: 213-555-0139

Cassie: I HAVE HIS NUMBER

I start laughing in the middle of the street.

Noah: was that supposed to be to Jay? 🤣🤣

Cassie: I plead the fifth again 😎

My phone buzzes and I smile, I quickly add her number to my contacts; Cassie♥️

Cassie♥️: hi

Noah: hi 🤓

Cassie♥️: where'd you go?

Noah: I plead the fifth. 😛

Cassie♥️: that's my line 😠

Noah: look out your window

I see her curtain move and I smile.

Cassie♥️: What are you doing?

Noah: midnight lesson?

Cassie♥️: be down in five

I walk up her stairs and sit down on the top stair waiting for her to come outside. I hear the door open and smile.

"Hi," Cassie says.

"Hi."

"Isn't a little late for a lesson?"

"Yeah, but I couldn't think of anything else to get you to come outside."

"You could have just asked," she giggles a little.

"I'll have to remember that next time."

"Next time?"

"Yeah. Cassie, I like talking to you. You're not like other girls our age. You say what you're thinking. And you're not afraid to show how you're feeling."

Cassie starts to blush and I bite my lip.

"So..." I say.

"So..." Cassie mocks back.

"Do you have plans tomorrow afternoon?"

"No, why?"

"You need another lesson," I say.

"Oh yeah."

"Let's say two, I meet you here and we have the lesson, and leave your phone inside."

"No phone. Gotcha."

"But I'm gonna go back home before I get grounded and we have no lesson."

"So you asked me outside to ask if I was busy? You could have done that on the phone."

"Well I wanted to see you again before I go to sleep," I say and smirk causing her to blush.

"Goodnight Noah."

"Goodnight Cassie."

I walk down her stairs and board back to my house, I quietly open the door and see my mom standing there.

Shit!

"And where were you at this time of night, Noah Gregory?"

"Um," I bite my lip and look at her innocently. "Asking a girl to hang out tomorrow."

"Oh. You couldn't do this over the phone?"

"No, well yes but I wanted to see her one more time."

"Wait, is it that girl that runs by here all the time?"

"Maybe."

"You finally talked to her?"

"How do you know about her?"

"You and Kyle aren't that quiet when you talk."

"Oh. Yeah I talked to her. We hung out earlier and I sorta taught her how to skateboard a little. And wanted to have another lesson with her."

"Okay. I won't ground you but no more sneaking out to see her."

"Yes ma'am."

I head up to my room and get ready for bed. I get in bed and grab my phone taking a pic and sending it to Cassie.

        Night

Cassie♥️: night dork 🤓

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

I get up the next morning and take a shower. I come back to my room and stand in front of my closet looking for what to wear.

I grab my black baseball hat tossing it in the bed. I grab a grey shirt and some black cut off jeans, I walk over to my dresser and grab some black socks and some fresh boxer briefs.

I quickly get dressed and grab my baseball hat, going into the bathroom and start blow drying my hair. I put on my hat and walk back to my room when my phone dings.

Cassie♥️: I'm ready for my lesson whenever you are 🤓

Noah: on my way over.

I head downstairs and say bye to my mom as I grab my board from the closet.

I head outside and start boarding over to her house. I see her sitting on the stairs where I was last night and smile.

I jog up the stairs, "hi."

"Hi. I got us waters," Cassie says.

"Thanks." I take one, opening it and taking a drink. "No speeding today," I jokes and smiles.

"No speeding, got it and my phone is inside."

"I brought mine just in case but I'm gonna leave it up here with the waters."

Cassie gets up and walks down the stairs, grabbing my board, she centers herself then starts kicking as I start walking down the stairs. I watch her for a little, "looks like you're doing good. Have you secretly been practicing since yesterday?"

"I plead the fifth."

"Cassie!"

"I'm joking Noah, calm down. I'm just taking slow like you said."

I go up beside her and start running and she kicks to go faster, faster than what I'm running.

"Noah!"

I start running faster and start laughing, "stop kicking before you crash."

She puts her foot on the board as I continue to run along side her. The board finally slows down and she looks at me, "you get the workout today."

"I should have dressed differently then," I say.

She laughs and hop off the board when it comes to a stop. "Can we both ride on it?"

"Maybe, if you stay still and not move."

"I'll try."

She gets on the back of the board and I get in the front, I put one foot on and start kicking when I feel her grab the back of my shirt.

We ride around for a few minutes, "I need a drink, Cassie." We ride back to her house and we both hop off the board, I jog up the stairs, grabbing our waters and my phone.

Cassie is sitting on my board rolling back and forth a little when I hand her her water.

"Thanks."

"No problem." I move to sit on the curb, "what made you wanna try boarding?"

"Looked like it was easy, well what I'm doing, not the tricks."

"Yeah, you're nowhere near tricks."

"Yeah I'll stick to kicking."

I take a deep breath and get up from the curb and stands in front of Cassie, I stand with her legs in between mine. I look down at her, "can I tell you a secret?"

She nods and looks up at me.

"I've been dying to kiss you since yesterday."

Cassie blushes and bites her bottom lip.

I look at her eyes then her lips and back to her eyes then lips again. I bend down a little and kiss her lips softly. She pulls my shirt down and pulls me closer when I smirk in the kiss. She lets go of my shirt and I pull away.

"Whoa," I say.

"Whoa," she says and looks up at me.

"Whoa," I say again and looks at Cassie, I hold my hand out and she intertwines hers into mine and I help her up off the skateboard. I wrap my arounds around her waist and smiles, "definitely worth the wait."

"Shut up and kiss me," she says causing me to smirk.

I lean down a little and connect our lips again. She moves her arms around my waist. I bring a hand up to her cheek and trace her birthmark. I pull away slightly and looks at Cassie, "Will you be my girlfriend?"

She bites her lip and whispers, "yes."

[cromulentbookreview]

Binge!

It makes sense why we use a term normally associated with food like “binge” to describe that day where you do nothing but watch every episode of that one TV show. You don’t really hear someone say that they’re going on a book binge, though. When referring to a media “binge,” it’s usually always TV, and, to some extent, movies (I once binged all three Extended Editions of Lord of the Rings - it took a day and a half and it was amazing). I think we need to have more book binges in our lives. In fact, there’s even a book review site way more organized and put together than mine will ever be that’s actually called Book Binge. 

Anyway, for me a book binge is when you pick out a series that already has several books out and you read them all, one after the other. I did this earlier this year with Naomi Novik’s amazing Temeraire series. I’m pretty sure it’s why I had to get new lenses for my glasses this year. I’ve been on a historical mystery kick lately - I think it has to do with the season changing from Summer to Fall where I immediately go “get me some 19th Century British Detectives!!” 

Which was how I ended up tearing through all 10 of Will Thomas’s Barker & Llewelyn books.

I’d never heard of the Barker & Llewelyn series until I was traipsing around Goodreads looking for some 19th century mystery fiction. Like my strange obsession with 19th century British dudes on boats, I loves me some 19th century British mystery stories. Initially, I didn’t start out to binge the entire series. 10 books is a lot. I had a hard time with Temeraire, which is also kind of 10 books (9 and a bunch of short stories). There were times with my Temeraire binge where my attention wavered, where I wanted to just put the books down and go read something else, but I pressed on. And I discovered one of the great joys of a true book binge: no agonizing wait for a sequel. No having your interest piqued by book one and then sitting and waiting for a year and a half for the next book. With a book binge, you can put down book two and immediately pick up book three because BOOK BINGE. 

There are a few 19th century British mystery series out there that I’m almost too afraid to start with because they consist of roughly ten thousand books and counting (looking at you, Anne Perry) and there’s no way I’d be able to focus on (or care about) a single series for that many books. So when I saw that the Barker & Llewelyn series consisted of nine books, like Temeraire, (plus a tenth book I’d gotten on Netgalley), and that all of them were under 350 pages, I was like “OK, I’ll give the first book a go, and see what happens.”

Yeah, I may have immediately gone from the first book to the second one. And then the third. And then the fourth and the fifth...I couldn’t stop.

The series is all about our audience surrogate, Thomas Llewelyn, and our substitute Sherlock Holmes, detective private enquiry agent Cyrus Barker. At the start of the series, Llewelyn is 22 and a widow who just spent eight months in Oxford Prison for theft. He’d been set to go places, having gotten a scholarship to Oxford, but the whole prison-sentence thing derailed all his plans. So he ends up in London (where else?) looking for work. After months of failed attempts to get a job (not a lot of job opportunities for ex-cons out there, even in the 1880s), Llewelyn decides to try for one last job before throwing himself into the Thames: an assistant position with a prominent private detective enquiry agent, Cyrus Barker. Barker, like all Great Detective Private Enquiry Agent types, is a Scottish eccentric with a mysterious past who knows everything about anything and anything under the sun. He’s got all sorts of weird scars and gang tattoos. He grew up in China and speaks like, eleventy-one languages. He wears sunglasses all the time. Like, all the time. Apparently he does so even when he sleeps. (Yes, they had sunglasses in the 19th century. No, they’re not called sunglasses in these books, but they’re referred to as his “dark spectacles”). Barker is, of course, filthy rich, and upon hiring the poor, unfortunate and 1000% broke Thomas Llewelyn, immediately provides him with room, board, and a whole new suit of fancy clothes. He also sets about correcting Llewelyn’s behavior and manners, a pretty tall order since Llewelyn is a super snarky Welshman. As far as Watsons go, Llewelyn is definitely one of the more amusing, which makes these books so goddamned fun to read. 

Also, Barker has a butler called Jacob Maccabee, who rivals Llewelyn in his deadpan snarkiness. I ship Llewelyn/Mac so hard - every time they’re in a scene together they just have so much chemistry. I don’t care if Word of God is they are both straight. I just want them to be together and snark at each other all day long..

Uh.

Ahem.

Anyway.

Yes, this series is very much your standard, buddy-detective private enquiry duo present in basically all movies, TV and books, but they’re fun. And you know what we all need right now? Fun. Pure, unadulterated fun where the good guys triumph over the bad guys, where the mystery is solved and you’ve got your Sherlock Holmes and your Dr. Watson. Because have you seen the news lately? Yeah, I need some stories where pure good triumphs over evil, where people freak out at the concept of rubber tires and the telephone, and where the story of the day isn’t doom and gloom and horror. Just, you know, murder. But fun, because it’s not real. And because it was the 19th century. In Britain. And not real. Well, except Jack the Ripper, those were real but...you know.

Here’s a summary of the first nine books in the sereies:

BOOK 1 - Some Danger Involved: Your average detective enquiry agent-duo origin story featuring brilliant detective and his new snarky Welsh sidekick!

BOOK 2 - To Kingdom Come: Barker & Llewelyn go undercover and build bombs for the Irish!

BOOK 3 - The Limehouse Text: Barker & Llewelyn face big trouble in London’s 19th Century Chinatown!

BOOK 4 - The Hellfire Conspiracy: Barker & Llewelyn fight human traffickers, secret societies and such!

BOOK 5 - The Black Hand: Barker & Llewelyn fight the Italian mafia!

BOOK 6 - Fatal Enquiry: Barker & Llewelyn fight Barker’s almost comically evil arch-nemesis!

BOOK 7 - Anatomy of Evil: Barker & Llewelyn fight Jack the Ripper!

BOOK 8 - Hell Bay: Barker & Llewelyn Present: Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None!

BOOK 8.5 - An Awkward Way to Die: Barker & Llewelyn solve a case in, like, 20 minutes!

BOOK 9 - Old Scores: Barker & Llewelyn Present: Japonism in Late-19th Century England!

BOOK 10 - Blood is Blood: Barker is put temporarily out of commission by an explosion! Llewelyn must solve the case himself! Who should show up to help but Barker’s long lost brother??

A little more about Blood is Blood: 

So Thomas Llewelyn is only a couple of weeks away from happily marrying his lady love, Rebecca Cowan née Moccatta. Everything is hunky-dory. And then someone tries to blow up his and Barker’s office. Barker is badly injured, leaving Thomas to investigate who tried to kill them by himself. Oh, and, same day the offices are blown up, Caleb Barker, Cyrus Barker’s long lost brother, first mentioned way back in Limehouse Text, I think, shows up. Caleb had been a major plot point in Fatal Enquiry, but then was never mentioned again until this book. He’s been living in the lawless American West, acting as a Pinkerton agent. But can he be trusted? Also, Rebecca’s family is super against her marrying a detective private enquiry agent who isn’t Jewish. Upon seeing just how dangerous the job can be, Rebecca starts having doubts. Will Thomas be unlucky in love yet again? Tune in November 13 for Blood is Blood, same bat-time, same bat channel. 

Yes, this series can, at times, be formulaic and tropey, but...fuck it, I love it. Sometimes there’s comfort to be had in a story where you know the good guys will solve the mystery, maybe picking up a few scrapes along the way. I tore through all of the books of the Barker & Llewelyn series in about two weeks, and finished Blood is Blood in about a day. I should’ve gone slower, because I need more. I need at least five more books, Will Thomas, and I needed them YESTERDAY. Aaaackgh. This is what I get for binging. How long until book 11? Will we be getting another novella soon? And when are we going to meet Thomas's family?! 10 books and we've never met his parents or any of his nine siblings! I want a whole book dedicated to Thomas reconciling with his family and he and Barker and Mac running all around Wales. I NEED IT. 

Write faster, Will Thomas. 

Predictably, after a book binge such as this, my eyes now hurt pretty badly. Time to invest in those fancy eye drops my optometrist keeps telling me to buy.

RECOMMENDED FOR: Anyone needing an escape from the awful world we live in now.

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR: People who think everything’s fine for some reason. You know. This guy:

OVERALL SERIES RATING: 4.5/5

TOTALLY UNBIASED VICTORIAN MYSTERY / MURDERINO FANGIRL RATING: 5/5

BLOOD IS BLOOD RATING: 4/5

RELEASE DATE: November 13, 2018

ANTICIPATION LEVEL FOR NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES: Olympus Mons

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

My Eyes - Part 2

Pairing: Bucky; Steve x Fem/Reader

Word Count: 4,549

Story Description: Steve is a good man, America’s golden boy, a hero. He’s Captain America for christ’s sake! So it’s normal to want what he has… right? Bucky knows he doesn’t deserve her. He doesn’t even deserve the second chance at life he’s been given. But Bucky can never let him know. Steve can never find out that his friend is in love with his best girl.

Story takes place post “CA: CW” and all tension has been resolved.

Part One

“You look so handsome.” Y/N smirked as she saw Steve straighten his tie in the mirror for what seemed like the 100th time.

His cheeks reddened and he grinned at her through the mirror’s reflection.

Then Y/N got up from her spot and wrapped her hands around his waist from behind him. “And you still can’t take a compliment without blushing.” She kissed the side of his neck.

Steve turned around without breaking contact with her. He looked down at her apparel that did not match his in the slightest. She was wearing cotton shorts, one of his t-shirts, and wool socks that were bunched at her ankles.

“Listen… about tonight-“ He started his usual speech.

“Steve, don’t. We go through this every time. I don’t need to go to these fancy parties anyway. I’m no hero. I’d just feel out of place.”

“I just feel like I constantly need to remind you that I’m not keeping you a secret because I’m ashamed of you. It’s to keep you safe.” He sighed and looked at the ground in shame.

“You need to remind me or you need to remind yourself?” Y/N challenged, raising an eyebrow. “Because I already know all that.” Before Steve could defend himself further, she kissed him lightly on the lips. “Trust me. I’m going to have way more fun than you. I’m gonna swim a few laps in the pool, steal some of Tony’s expensive alcohol, and then I’m going to head home and binge watch Netflix.”

Steve chuckled at that. “Can you drink the stolen alcohol after you drive home?”

“Ugh… Finnnneeee. I guess so, Mr. Responsible.” She teased.

They both laughed again.

Then Steve smiled sadly. “I just wish I could have you on my arm. Show you off to everyone…”

Y/N patted his chest. “Go, Steve. The others are probably waiting in the lobby for you.” But suddenly her eyes darkened. She started peppering kisses across his neck. Then she moved to his mouth and captured it into a passionate kiss. Steve’s body reacted on its own, gripping her waist tightly and pulling her closer to his body possessively.

Steve grumbled when she eventually pulled away. “What was that for?”

Y/N smirked mischievously. “Just wanted to leave my mark… hopefully it will keep all those rich, uppity women off of you.” Then she bit her lip. “And maybe it will make you come home faster.” She added a wink for good measure.

Steve shook his head at her endeavor to be seductive. Little did Y/N know that her innocence and sometimes awkwardness were exactly what he found so sexy about her “It’s cute that you think I’m not going to find you passed out on the couch with an empty bottle of wine.”

“That was one time!” Y/N wailed.

“Whatever you need to tell yourself.” Steve chuckled. Then he spotted Porthos, Y/N’s german shepherd, watching them as he lay on the bed. Y/N had wanted to name him Zeus when they first got him. But Steve turned down any god-like names, feeling it was sort of awkward since they knew an actual god. Y/N decided on one of the Three Musketeers. She’d always loved the book and told Steve that Porthos was the comic relief. But when it came to battle, he was perhaps the most loyal and always executed brute strength with his giant size. Steve liked the sound of it.  

Steve moved to the dog now, petting its head. “Look after our girl, okay?”

Porthos wagged his tail and licked his hand. Steve was the only other person he was pleasant toward. The other Avenger’s couldn’t get within five feet of the dog. Even Thor, an actual god, seemed wary of Porthos’ aggression.

Steve gave Y/N one last kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you at your place later tonight.” He confirmed.

Y/N looked at her dog now. “What do you say, Porthos? Should we go for a little swim in the pool?” He barked in agreement. “Don’t tell Tony. He gets mad when he finds all your fur clogging up the drains.”

---

Bucky was on his way to the gym when Porthos started barking joyfully and ran toward him.

He bent down to pet the dog. “Hey boy. What’re you doing here?”

Then Y/N walked around the corner, wrapped in a towel. She was only wearing a bathing suit underneath and her hair was still slightly dripping. Bucky does a double take, not expecting to see her. His smile disappears as he managed to find his unfriendly demeanor again.

“Oh, hello. I didn’t realize anyone else was home.” Y/N said awkwardly. She tightened the towel around her body. But Porthos attempting to lick Bucky’s face quickly interrupted her thoughts. She had a pleasantly surprised expression now. “I-I’ve never seen him so friendly. He pretty much hates everyone but Steve and me. Even Fury won’t get close to him.”

Bucky couldn’t help but smile at the dog. “He doesn’t seem so mean.”

“I guess it’s just the side effects of all Steve’s training.” Y/N sighed and laughed lightly. “When he forced me to get a dog, he made it clear that he was meant to be protective.”

Bucky was now standing up, despite Porthos whining for more petting. “Steve got him for you?”

Y/N tried to hide the shock from the two of them actually having a conversation. “Yeah, Steve is a little… umm… let’s say overprotective. When we first started dating, he bought Porthos for me. I think it gives Steve a little peace of mind when he’s away that I have a little bodyguard.”

Bucky nodded. In his mind, he told himself he’d do the exact same thing. It was no secret how much Steve loved Y/N. But Bucky also knew how much Steve worried about her safety.

“Why aren’t you at the party?” Y/N asked slowly. She tried to contain her excitement that they were beating the record time of conversation between them.

“Uhh…” Bucky rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not too fond of crowds and parties. Stark likes to show off all the Avengers at those things. No one really wants to see a Hydra assassin at a fancy charity event.” He saw Y/N quickly open her mouth to defend him. So Bucky quickly turned the attention on her to stop it. “So why aren’t you there?”

“Oh, I don’t go to any public events with Steve. People would figure out our relationship if they kept seeing the same girl at those parties, lovingly eyeing Captain America all night. Then our secret relationship wouldn’t be a…secret.”

Bucky couldn’t help but look at her with a little commiseration. It must be hard to be with Steve when she couldn’t be with the Captain America part of him. He understood why his friend did it, but that didn’t make it easy to see the disappointment on her face.

Before Bucky could accidentally be nice to Y/N, Porthos saved him by running to Y/N’s side. The dog looked up at her and whimpered as if he could sense her small distress.

Y/N smiled down at her dog. “It’s fine. I always have Porthos to keep me company.” Then she got a hopeful expression as she looked at Bucky. “Hey, I was going to steal one of Stark’s fancy bottles of wine and watch Netflix back at my place. But now that I know you’re here, we could watch a movie or something in the theatre. Steve mentioned you were trying to catch up on some classics.”

Bucky’s heart warmed at how thoughtful and kind Y/N continued to be toward him. Why couldn’t she just respond to his malice with hatred like he wanted?

“No thanks.” He replied curtly.

The quickness of his answer hurt Y/N more than the actual answer. She knew she got too hopeful. Y/N just nodded, trying to hide her disappointment. “Well, I’ll see you around Bucky.”

He noticed how her shoulders slumped lower as she walked away.

Bucky rubbed his face and turned back toward the gym’s entrance. Going out of his way to be mean to Y/N was terrible. He wished he could be friendly with her. But he knew better. That would become a dangerous game. Friendliness would turn to flirting and then Bucky wouldn’t be able to hide his feelings. He couldn’t do that to Steve. Bucky never believed Y/N would betray Steve and give anything in return. But Steve just discovering Bucky’s affections would be unforgiveable.

Working out seemed to be the only thing that could make Bucky feel even slightly better.

---

Steve tried to be as quiet as possible when he was unlocking Y/N’s front door. The lights were all turned off when he slid in.

He was greeted with a dangerous growl from a few feet away.

“It’s just me, Porthos.” Steve whispered.

The growling immediately stopped as the dog recognized Steve’s voice and promptly went back to sleep.

Steve was already trying to undress himself before he even got to Y/N’s bedroom. When he entered, he found that the TV in her room was left on. Netflix continued to play episode after episode of Parks & Rec. Its volume was low enough to set the perfect sleeping conditions with white noise. The TV was the only form of light in the room, enough for Steve to tiptoe around.

Steve smiled at Y/N who was sound asleep in bed. He quietly chuckled when he saw the almost empty glass of wine and an empty bottle next to it on the nightstand. He could only assume it once belonged to Tony.

Now only in his briefs, Steve slid under the covers. Y/N immediately responded to dip of the bed next to her. She rolled to face him, still half asleep and wrapped an arm across his bare chest.

“Ugh. You smell like rich people cologne and perfume.” She groaned. Steve just chuckled.

“Hmm… how was the party?” She mumbled.

“Extremely boring.” Steve answered quietly, loving the feeling of her warm body against his. All the tension from talking to strangers and forcing polite conversations was gone the instant she touched him.

Y/N giggled sleepily. Steve didn’t think a cuter sound existed. “Did you get hit on by a bunch of women?” Her eyes squinted open now.

“No. That kiss of yours must have worked.” Steve teased.

“Guess who I talked to tonight…”

“Who?”

“Bucky.” Y/N grinned proudly.

“Really?”

Y/N nodded eagerly. “Porthos loves him. Did you know that? He ran right up to Bucky and couldn’t stop licking his face. I was shocked.”

Steve brushed some hair behind her ear. “Dog’s got good judge of character.”

“Maybe this means we’ll be friends soon.” Y/N sighed optimistically. Then her eyelids were becoming heavy and her body was begging for sleep again.

Steve wanted to tell her not to get her hopes up. But he couldn’t do that to her. She seemed so happy that Bucky even acknowledged her.

---

Steve looked over at Y/N for the hundredth time during their short car ride from her house to the compound.

“Please stop looking at me like that.” Y/N sighed. But her eyes never stopped looking out her passenger window.

“I’m sorry. I just hate how quiet you get before I leave for missions.” Steve replied.

“I can’t help it.” Y/N mumbled. “Who’s going with you?” She looked at him now.

“Tony, Nat, and Bucky.”

Y/N nodded. “I’m glad Bucky’s gonna be there.”

Steve smirked and looked away from the road. “Why is that?”

“No one will ever protect you more than him.” She answered as if it were obvious. “You have Bucky and I have Porthos.” The dog’s ears perked up as he heard his name from the backseat. Y/N reached behind to pat him on the head.

Steve smiled at that. “I’ll make sure to tell Buck that you just compared him to our dog.”

“Oh god, don’t make him hate me more than he already does!” Y/N yelled out, but was still laughing as she said it.

They were at the compound now and Y/N walked onto the jet hangar with Steve. It became their little tradition: Y/N coming to see him off, no matter what. There were only a handful of times when missions were such a last minute emergency that Y/N didn’t get to do her little sendoff.  

Y/N waved goodbye to Nat, Tony, and Bucky as they walked past the two of them. “Be careful, you guys.” She said in a warning tone. Bucky barely even looked at her. Nat, however, sent her a little wink. Tony blew her a kiss. It made Y/N giggle.

Before she even had time to turn back to Steve, his lips were crashing onto hers. It was always like this. Before he left, he kissed her like it would be the last time. A part of Y/N felt like it was him being his overdramatic self. But another part of her, the part that she managed to keep quiet, knew that it wasn’t at all dramatic. Steve’s chances of dying were much higher than she allowed herself to consider.

He pulled away after a minute and rested his forehead against hers. “I love you.” She nodded and her lips inevitably turned into a frown. “Hey, none of that.” Steve begged. It was hard enough leaving her, but leaving while she looked unhappy made it even worse.

Steve then bent down to Porthos, who was sitting obediently next to Y/N. He pet his head, “You look after my best girl, you hear?” The dog barked in response. Steve grabbed his bag and started walking backwards, not wanting to look away from Y/N until he absolutely had to.

“I love you.” Y/N muttered.

Steve gave a little crooked smile. “I know.”

“Get your own lines, dork, and stop stealing Han Solo’s!” Y/N laughed. She knew he did it on purpose. He always tried to leave putting a smile on her face.

Her and Porthos watched as the jet lifted off the ground. The wind from it was tossing Y/N’s hair around. Porthos barked at the loud engine.

Steve took the seat next to Bucky’s, leaving Tony and Nat to pilot the jet.

“I feel like I’m watching ‘Gone with the Wind’ every time you guys kiss like that.” Tony teased from the pilot’s seat.

“Don’t be jealous, Stark.” Natasha smirked darkly.

Steve rolled his eyes at the mocking. “Maybe don’t watch next time...” He suggested.

“Yeah, nobody’s forcing you.” Nat added.

Everyone laughed. Even Bucky smiled a bit. It was always good to keep things light before missions. It kept the impeding doom to the back of their minds.

Steve glanced at his best friend. “You know, she really likes you.”

Bucky eyed him. “Who?”

Steve narrowed his eyes. “You know who, punk. Y/N!”

Bucky didn’t say anything, his jaw just clenched at the uncomfortable subject.

Steve didn’t bother pushing it. After all, he’d promised Y/N he’d never bring up the weird relationship between the two of them. Or better yet, the lack of relationship between the two of them.

---

Steve huffed after punching out what seemed to be the last of the agents from the Hydra base they’d infiltrated. He heard someone step behind him and he readied his shield to toss at them. He quickly stopped mid-swing when he realized it was Bucky.  

“You good?” Steve asked his friend, who barely looked like he was breathing heavily or had even been in any sort of altercation.

Bucky nodded.

“Hey, Rogers. I’m in the control room. You’re…ugh…you’re gonna need to see this.” Natasha said through their comms.

Bucky and Steve shared a concerned look. Clearly she wasn’t in trouble. Her tone and word choice made that clear.

They quickly made it to the control room. They found that Natasha and Tony had already hacked into the system to gather all the information on remaining Hydra bases. But what made Steve stop dead was the image on the giant screen.

Y/N’s face was plastered on the display. It looked like a photo that paparazzi had taken: candid and she was clearly completely oblivious to being followed. Her full name and date of birth were written on the file. It even stated her affiliation with Steve. But what made his heart stop was the address written in large font.

“We have to get back to base.” Steve ordered calmly. But they all knew he was in a panic.

They were flying on the jet as Steve cursed after Y/N didn’t pick up her phone once again. “Did you try the base again?” He asked Tony.

“Everyone that was left home got called out on another mission a few days after we left.” Tony said regretfully. “Do you want me to send Happy over?”

Steve shook his head. Happy wasn’t capable of engaging if there was an enemy there. He didn’t want to throw Tony’s best friend into danger.

Bucky gripped Steve’s shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. “She’s okay, Steve. We’ll be there soon.” But it felt like he was trying to convince himself too.

Tony didn’t bother landing at the compound, going straight to Y/N’s place instead. Her house sat on a large plot and Tony managed to land the jet in a small area where the trees hadn’t claimed it for their own.

The platform wasn’t even down all the way before Steve was sprinting off the jet. Bucky was right on his heels, gun at the ready. Steve shoved his shoulder into the front door, not bothering with the key.

The house looked untouched.

“Y/N!” Steve called out. No answer. “Y/N!” He tried again.

Bucky was checking all the rooms for possible intruders. His gun was held up, ready to kill.

To both their shock, Y/N came slowly walking out from her bedroom like a zombie. She clearly had just woken up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“Steve?” She mumbled. “What’s going on?”

“Oh, thank god.” Steve gasped, rushing forward and pulling her into his arms.

This woke her up, but further confused her. “Is everything okay? You weren’t supposed to get back for another couple of days.”

Steve put her down but refused to let go of her. His hands brushed her hair away and then he softly clutched her face. “Y/N, I’m gonna need you to pack whatever you need. You have to come to the compound with us. It’s not safe here anymore.”

“Steve, what the hell is going on?” Then she looked over his shoulder and realized that Bucky was standing behind him, gun at his side.

“Y/N, please just do it. I’ll explain on the way back.” Steve hurried.

She looked at Bucky again and somehow saw that he too seemed in a panic. So she just nodded slowly and turned back to her bedroom, Steve right behind her.

“The surrounding area is clear. My heat sensors aren’t picking up any signs of life in this creepy forest.” Tony reported through their comms.

“Roger that.” Bucky replied as he looked out the windows to double check.  Suddenly he felt someone bop the side of his thigh. He looked down to see Porthos looking up at him as if he were asking what was going on. Steve and Y/N’s anxiety must have made him a little spooked.

“Everything’s okay, boy. You did your job.” Bucky patted his head and then heard Steve and Y/N coming out of the bedroom. He met them at the front door.

Steve held Y/N’s hand and carried her bag over his shoulder. He was calmer now that he had Y/N.

“Where’s Porthos?” Y/N asked Steve quietly.

“I got him, doll. He’s right here.” Bucky grabbed her attention.

If Y/N weren’t so confused with the situation, she would’ve look at Bucky with disbelief from how nice he just sounded.

---

Bucky, Nat, and Tony sat silently in the kitchen as they listened to Y/N yelling.

“So what? I’m just going to be a prisoner here now? I have a job Steve! You can’t keep me locked away here forever! I’m a civilian, not a damn Avenger!”

She wasn’t mad; she was scared. Bucky could hear it in her voice.

“Exactly! You can’t protect yourself! I’m trying to keep you safe, Y/N!” Steve yelled back.

Suddenly Nat stood up from the stool.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Tony asked.

“I’m going to track down that file, find out where it came from and find every place that has it in their system.” She paused her exit. “Steve’s gonna want to go after it. We all know it.”

Bucky knew she was right. Hell, he’d go with him to kill anyone that knew Y/N existed. They had to tie all loose ends.

Tony eventually left. Bucky assumed he was going to find Pepper. If a scare like this did anything, it was to remind everyone else to hold their loved ones close.

Bucky was left alone in the kitchen. He’d never been so scared in his life. No one else caught on to it, thank god. But he was just as scared as Steve to find that Y/N had been taken, or worse… killed, before they could reach her.

Steve came walking back into the kitchen, making Bucky sit up straighter at his entrance.

“She okay?” Bucky asked quietly.

“She’s scared. But she won’t admit it.” Steve sighed. He looked exhausted. “She can be as mad at me as she wants. I’m just glad she’s here…safe.”

“What do you want to do?” Bucky asked.

“I need your help, Buck.”

“Of course. Just tell me what you need.”

---

“Steve, I should be going with you!” Bucky argued.

A few days after the scare with Y/N, Natasha had helped Steve compile a plan to assure the information didn’t travel any further. What no one seemed to speak about was the other part: killing every single person that already knew about it. Tony, Wanda, Vision, and Sam had already agreed to go along with them. Maria would be their eye in the sky, remaining at the compound to instruct needed information in real time.

Steve refused to ask for Clint’s help. It was too close to home for the man. Steve couldn’t ask him to protect the thing he loved when Clint had a family he’d successfully kept hidden…unlike Steve.

“Bucky, there’s no one else I trust more.” Steve stated evenly. He gripped Bucky’s shoulder and stared him down, leaving no room for reason.

“We’re always better together. Let me help you in the field, Steve.” Bucky knew there was no point in trying.

Steve’s face softened and looked down at the ground. “Please, Buck. I won’t be able to focus out there if I’m worried about Y/N. If she’s with you, I know she’ll be safe.” Then he looked up with those lovesick eyes from just thinking of Y/N. “I love her. I just need you do this for me, okay?”

Bucky couldn’t even find the words to respond. He just nodded slowly and patted Steve on the back.

But Bucky truly would have been more comfortable with Steve. He wanted to hunt down anyone that could pose a threat to Y/N just as much as Steve. But of course nobody knew that. Being her bodyguard instead felt like Bucky was being benched in a fight where Steve needed him most.

Bucky looked down at the files Natasha had spread out onto the conference room table earlier. “Does she know about all of this yet?”

Steve sighed and Bucky instantly knew it wasn’t a good sign. “Y/N struggles already with watching me leave. And now I’m endangering my life for her sake… let’s just say she’s struggling with that even more.”

Before either of them could say more, Y/N came rushing into the conference room. “I’m not done arguing with you.” She snapped at Steve.

Bucky took a step toward the door to give them privacy. But Y/N pointed her finger at him with such a glare that he felt frozen.

“You’re not going anywhere, Barnes! You need to hear this too.” She barked.

Bucky held up his hands in surrender. He’d never seen this side of her before. Glancing at Steve’s expression, he looked more prepared than Bucky.

“Steve, I refuse to let you go on this suicide mission. I am fine! Everyone is fine! I promise I’ll stay here. I’ll move into the compound! What safer place is there than here? I’ll sell my house. I’ll do anything… just…just please don’t do this. You’re not putting anyone at risk for me!”

“We all care about you, doll.” Bucky surprised everyone, even himself. “Steve didn’t ask any of us to do this. We all volunteered.”

Y/N looked at him in shock for a moment. But her emotions got the best of her and she managed to look past his unexpected statement. “You’re no better, Barnes! You’re encouraging him! Why aren’t you talking any sense into him?! Isn’t that your whole thing?”

Bucky’s face reddened at her verbal attack. He was trying to take her outburst seriously. But his warped mind was too busy finding it cute that she was calling him by his last name to express her anger.

Bucky looked at Steve for help.

“Bucky’s not coming with, Y/N.” Steve corrected her.

“What do you mean?” She whispered. If there was one thing worse than Steve going through with this crazy operation, it was him doing it without Bucky.

“I’m taking you to a secure location.” Bucky muttered, not having the courage to take his eyes off the ground.

“This is a secure location!” Y/N retorted.

Steve stepped forward and raised a hand to comfort her. But he knew better than to try to fool her anger with intimacy. “Tony has a lake house in Canada. It’s off the grid. The island isn’t even on the maps. It’s a safe house. You’ll be protected there.” Steve wasn’t submissive like Bucky. His shoulders were tense, jaw clenched, and eyes serious. He was using his Captain America mode on her.

She didn’t like that at all.

“Fuck that.” Y/N practically growled. “Fuck all of this.” She stepped closer. “Steve, what the hell are you doing?” Her voice was a whisper now. “Why don’t you take me? You and me, Steve. We go to this stupid safe house and nobody goes on this fucking suicide mission. Because I’ll never be safer than when I’m with you.”

Bucky’s heart dropped at that.

“I have to do this, Y/N.” Steve demanded, still in his captain voice.

“For me or for you?” Y/N whispered.

“For us, Y/N.”

“Bullshit.” Y/N spat before she left the room just as fast as she arrived.

Bucky shifted his weight awkwardly. “Your girl’s really got a mouth on her, huh?” He tried to lighten the tension, mostly because he didn’t know how else to help. But it was like Steve didn’t even hear him.

Bucky inhaled. “Steve?” His voice was so earnest that it got his friend’s attention. “I promise I’ll look after Y/N. I’d die before I let anything happen to that girl, you hear me?” It was a risky statement to make for Bucky. But Steve took it as a sacrifice for friendship rather than a confession of love for Y/N.

---

Part 3

Thanks to everyone who has contacted me so far. You are all such sweet and lovely humans. I am so lucky to have people reading my stories. 

[storyweaver2017]

Same Time Tomorrow

I spent most of my free afternoons running through the park. Still, the idea of a jog as a first date sounded a bit odd to me. When Will suggested it, I paused, baffled.

“Afraid you can’t keep up with me?” he teased with a glowing smile. He was leaning against the row of lockers at school, arms hanging loose at his sides with his head angled toward me. I noticed how the deep blue color of the lockers complimented his fair skin and pale blue eyes. My stomach did a little flip at his easy grin, but my temper flared at his challenge. I’d taken the bait, as he’d known I would. I was a bit of a hot head and he knew it. 

“You’re so on,” I said, closing my locker and grabbing my bag from the floor. We walked out through the royal blue double doors at the front of the school, and Will followed me across the nearly empty parking lot. Many of our classmates had high-tailed it out of there seconds after the final bell. Not surprising, considering it was a Friday and the weather was nice. Will’s big silver jeep was back inside, but he tailed me to the sidewalk. 

He paused by the wire fence.“So we’re on for this weekend?”

I adjusted the strap on my shoulder. “I normally run Saturday afternoons through the park. Does that work for you?” 

“Perfect.” He tweaked the end of my ponytail. “See you then, Jasmine.” As I watched him jog back towards his car, a smirk found its way to my face. Nice butt.

I started walking home. It was warm and slightly humid, and my bag weighed me down with all the work I had to do this weekend, but I was used to it. I wanted to study pre-med in school, so I was taking extra classes my senior year. It was partially why I loved running. It let me unleash all the pent up energy from having to cram all the time for exams. I was going to be busy this weekend, but I didn’t mind sparing an hour to meet Will. I always ran, and the trail through the park wasn’t long, less than two miles, and we were both avid runners. 

I got home and immediately started on my homework. I wanted to kick back and relax tonight before my shift in the morning. That was another stress pool altogether. I waitressed at a diner down the street, and morning rush was always killer, but the tips made up for it. That was another reason I needed my runs in the afternoon. Frustration. 

Surprisingly, my homework didn’t consume my entire night, so I changed into cozy pajamas, ordered a pizza for myself, and lounged in bed to binge-watch Grey’s Anatomy. Halfway through my third or fourth episode, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I begrudgingly paused the show and stretched to pick up my cell. My irritation melted away when I saw Will’s name. I swiped and opened the text: 

Meet me at the park entrance tomorrow around 4 p.m. Cool? 

I smiled and typed a response.

Cool:)

I went to sleep with a smile on my face. 

❈

The next morning was a nightmare. With two call outs, I had double the amount of tables than usual, and the chef on call wasn’t nearly as good as the one who normally worked on the weekends. Needless to say, I was ready to run.

I met Will at the park entrance. He was wearing his jogging shorts and a fitted, short-sleeved shirt that showed off his muscles. The sight definitely helped my mood.

“Hey,” he said, smiling as he handed me a water bottle. Despite the heat, there was an occasional breeze. His dark brown hair was ruffled and his cheeks were slightly wind kissed, making his dimples stand out even more. Was he always this cute? 

“How long have you been here?” I asked as I took the proffered bottle. Condensation had already started to collect on the plastic, coating my fingers. I swiped my hand along the back of my neck to cool my skin. It was humid and, even though I only wore workout leggings and a tank top, I was already sweating just from the walk. “It’s crazy hot out here,” I said, uncapping the bottle.

“It’s not too bad.” Will shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, but even he had started to sweat. He wiped the back of his hand across his forehead, then guzzled a few ounces of water. He gestured for me to follow him with a tilt of his head. “Come on, let’s stretch.” 

My eyebrows puckered as I sipped my water. I never stretched before a run this short. I never needed it. The brisk walk from the diner was all I needed to warm my muscles and I was so ready to run. I couldn’t wait to feel the wind against my face, especially because I was starting to get really hot.

Will glanced over his shoulder at me with a questioning look. I took a final sip of my water and followed as he led us to a small patch of grass where we set our stuff down. Runners didn’t carry too much, but I did have my watch, which tracked my speed and calories, my car keys, and the water bottle.

After we spent a good five minutes stretching, he took the water bottle from me and walked quickly to his jeep. I snapped my watch into place on my wrist, stuck my car key into my GoKey bracelet, and looked up to see him jogging over. 

“Ready?” he asked. 

I wanted to scream HELL YES, but I simply nodded, and we started off at an easy run. The trail was man-made, a sort of habitation project for the local environmentalists. Two years ago, this was mostly concrete and fencing, but they’d transformed it. You were mere feet away from the city, with its busy streets and loud cars, and still, it was like you were miles away. The trees formed a canopy overhead, making you feel like you were cocooned in their silky foliage. The soft dirt and debris beneath my feet cushioned each stride, minimizing the impact to my knees. The world faded around me and I just ran.

For longer runs, I usually began with a light jog, then worked my way up to about an eight-minute mile before easing back down. I ran everyday, and could run a six-minute mile but, as this was a date, I figured I’d go easy on him. To my content, he set a good pace, and for the first half mile, I kept up with him easily. Soon, I ran a little faster, overtaking him just an inch or so. Despite my exertion, I smiled. I loved the feel of my muscles flexing to carry me across the cement. I loved the slight burn I got from running up the hills and the stretch as I really started to pick up speed. Will was right behind me the whole time. His posture and lack of heavy breathing told me he could have easily overtaken me, so I decided it was time to make him work for it. I jacked up my pace, and he jacked up his. I started sprinting, and so did he. 

My breathing was becoming more labored, but I kept my pace just in front of Will. It was hotter than usual, so there were fewer people out, and I didn’t have to worry about barreling into someone. The wind blew past me and whistled in my ears. I felt it chafe against my cheeks and knew that if I could see them, they would be flushed. I felt his presence and knew he was right behind me, and before I knew it, he was beside me and quickly gaining the lead. I huffed at the exertion and pushed my legs faster than before. 

We reached the end, and he was still ahead of me by about a foot. I leaned over, bracing my palms on my knees, my chest heaving. Will was the same way, but he seemed to recover faster. I still had my head down when he spoke.

“You okay?” he asked sincerely. 

“Sure. Just let me catch my breath,” I huffed and started pacing to calm my heart rate. My hands on my hips, chest opened up, my breathing began to slow. Sweat trickled from my brow and down my neck, but I relished in it. I checked my watch to see my speed. Not my best, but not far from it either. I was focused on the numbers when Will spoke.

“Are you too tired, or can you go for a little hike?”

I threw him a puzzled look. “A hike where?”

“Just through the fence, up the hill.” He pointed towards the break of trees behind him. The path ended, but you could see a small outlet. I looked sidelong at him, but he just smiled. “It’ll be safe, I promise.”

I pursed my lips. It was getting late, how safe could a hike be in the dark?

Will stepped closer. “I want to show you something. Please?” He looked so hopeful that I couldn’t say no. We walked toward the outlet and shimmied through the twigs. The path was much more narrow than I thought, but it was manageable. Though some places, we had to crawl under low branches or fallen trees. Will took my hand to help me over a large trunk and kept it for the rest of the way. 

“Almost there,” he said. But I was too focused on his hand, warm around mine. Soon I heard the sound of running water, and when we emerged from the cover of the trees, my breath caught in my throat. Moss covered the ground on which we stood, climbing up the sides of the cliffs that surrounded us. A shimmering waterfall descended from the top, flowing into a gorgeous cobalt pool so dark it looked like melted obsidian. The setting sun shown just over the ridge behind us, shining over the waterfall and making it look like glittering diamonds falling into the water below. It was utterly breathtaking. 

“You like it?” Will squeezed my hand. I’d forgotten he was holding it.  

“It’s beautiful.” I turned to smile at him and he was staring at me. More like gazing. I felt a blush reddening my cheeks and hid it by looking at the waterfall. 

Will gave my hand a slight tug. “Come on. It’s getting late and we need the light to get back.” Reluctantly, I followed him back the way we came. I could have stayed there all night. 

“How did you find this place?” I asked.

Will still held my hand, but the path was only big enough for one body at a time, so he talked facing forward. “My dad and I used to hike all the time. We moved a lot when I was younger and that was what we did when he was home.”

“When he was home?” 

He paused before answering. “He was in the military. When he was on leave, we would hike every weekend.”

The tension in the air suddenly got very thick, and we walked the rest of the way in silence. Once we were walking through the park, Will broke the awkwardness. 

“I could go for some ice cream, how about you?” 

“Sure, sounds great.” 

Just outside the park was a quaint little ice cream shop, and we started heading toward it, stopping by his car for a quick drink of water. We walked in, basking in the AC, and approached the counter. I chose cake batter with rainbow sprinkles on a cone, and Will chose rocky road. We walked outside, our treats melting in the summer heat. I quickly licked the sides of my ice cream where it was running down the side. Will laughed and I elbowed him in the ribs. 

“How is it?” he asked, gesturing with his own cone.

“Delish!” I took a big bite of my ice cream and felt my mouth grow numb. “Oh,” I laughed, swiping my tongue over my lips. “It made my lip numb.”  

Will didn’t laugh. He just leaned forward and softly pressed his lips to mine. I let my eyes close and didn’t open them until Will stepped back. 

“Better?” he asked.

I met his gaze with a smile on my face. “Yea, better.” I felt the blush on my cheeks and looked down. We walked towards our cars, finishing our ice cream on the way. Will walked me to my Ford Explorer, opening my door and letting me climb in. He left the door open and leaned against the side. I turned in my seat, letting my legs dangle outside of the car.

“Thanks for meeting me today,” Will said.

“Thank you. I had a really nice time.” 

Will tweaked the end of my ponytail again. “I want to show you something else. Will you meet me here tomorrow?”

I hesitated. I wanted to say yes, but my studies were important to me, and I needed to focus on them. 

“Please?” Will angled his head toward me, his lower lip slightly pouting out.

I bit my lip, but I couldn’t keep from smiling at the look of hope on his face. “I’ll meet you tomorrow.”

He gave me a lopsided grin, and when he started to lean toward me, I hopped out of the car and pecked him on the lips, giggling at the look of surprise on his face. I jumped back in the car and he softly shut my door. “Same time tomorrow?” he asked. 

“Same time tomorrow.”

AN: Hey guys! So this is an idea I’ve had in my head for a long time now and it kept nagging at me to finish it. I finally did! It’s not quite where I want it to be, but for now, I’m happy with it. Do let me know what you think! Right now, I’m keeping it as a one shot, but if enough of you express interest, I’ll consider making it into a short story or something. Talk soon! Please read and review<3

-Nicole

[goldendream-s]

dare or drink

Request; Can you do an imagine where Shawn was in an interview and dared to prank you saying he cheated on and she started crying, hung up, and blocked him on everything so then Shawn asked his friends (Matt, Brian, and Geoff) to help him

p.s. i changed it a little bc i couldn’t see this happening in an interview

I WAS NOT PLANNING TO POST THIS TODay but yEET i’m really not happy with this but enjoy!1!!

MASTERLIST || REQUEST

SHAWN’S POV

It was like any other night during on the road and I had just finished my last show in the European leg of the tour. The crowds only seem to get bigger and better as the tour progresses, but with that comes the stress and pressure of performing better and better every night. Brian, Matt, Geoff, and I were currently in the biggest room of our tour bus, sitting down to play a game of ‘dare or drink’. I never understood what my friends liked about this game, but it was their own weird spin on the classic game of truth or dare. They suggested it to help lift some of the weight created by the tour, but all it ever does is leaving us hungover the morning after, a night full of regret the night before.

“Why do we always play this game, Geoff?” I spoke my thoughts aloud. “You know it’s not fun being hungover before the weekend, especially since we have a 12 hour flight tomorrow.”

“What doesn’t kill you makes your stronger, Shawn,” Geoff replied. “Besides, stop being so scared, loosen up a little,” he added.

I sighed as I took a seat in the mini circle we created for the night we planned. “Who has the bottle?” I questioned.

The ‘bottle’ I was referring to was a very strong vodka, and if the bottle landed on you, the person who spun the bottle gives you a dare. If you decide to pass the dare, you have to take a shot of the vodka. The game ends when the bottle is empty, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to hours. Quite frankly, I didn’t really feel like getting wasted the night before a long flight, so I’m crossing my fingers that I don’t get any outrageously stupid dares.

“Who’s starting?” Brian called. Everyone, as in Matt and Geoff, ran over to where I was sitting. 

Matt reached over to spin the bottle while muttering something inaudible. The bottle landed on Brian, merely missing me. Matt smirked and paused a little as if he was thinking of an impossible dare for poor Brian to do.

“I dare you to run around our bus three times,” Brian let out a sigh of relief before Matt put his hand out to signal that he wasn’t done telling Brian the full dare, “naked,” Matt laughed before reiterating the whole dare. “I dare you to run around the bus while naked.” 

“Oh my god, why am I even friends with you guys?” I half joked while face palming.

I felt embarrassed for Brian, but that didn’t stop my laughter from joining with Geoff and Matt’s hysterical giggling. Sometimes I forget how old we are by the way we act. I guess some things never change.

Brian hesitantly but silently stood up and yanked his pants down, which only increased our laughter.

“Maybe a warning would be useful next time,” I hollered to the now fully naked guy running towards the exit of our bus.

Brian might’ve been my best friend, but sometimes I questioned his integrity. Geoff promptly trailed behind Brian with his phone ready to record the dare. I stayed behind and waited silently for the next three minutes for the two to come back.

While Brian was putting back on his last article of clothing, he spun the bottle again, pulling us into the cycle of the game. A few rounds later, I had passed on most of my dares, leaving me right over the edge of being drunk. My mind was in a haze, but I was conscious enough to know that if I had another shot, I’d be vomiting and passed out by any minute. Brian was back at it as he sat down from what must’ve been his fifth dare, preparing to spin the bottle. I crossed my fingers that it would miss me like it did for the first couple of spins, but my luck seemed to run out.

I crashed my face into my palms as I waited for Brian to choose the dare. I opened one eye to peek at his whereabouts to find him whispering to Geoff and Matt. This was not going to end up good.

“Calm down Shawny-boy,” Geoff cooed. That only got me more nervous.

“Just cut to the chase, you losers,” I half joked.

“Ok,” Brian started, “I dare you to prank call your girl and tell her that you cheated on her.”

I suddenly didn’t want to play this game anymore, and I suddenly wanted to punch the crap out of the three friends in front of me. I tried to reason with them, but it didn’t look like they were buying it. ‘A dare is a dare’ they all said.

“I swear you’re so dumb, Brian. Do you not see why this is messed up? Dude, just give me another one. She's gonna hate me!” I tried one last time at persuading them.

“C’mon man,” Matt butted in, “Don’t be the party-pooper.”

I didn’t want to drink at all tonight, but I had already broken that vow I made to myself. All of the same time while my head was spinning, I knew that if I had anymore to drink, the flight tomorrow would be misery. I didn’t want to do this to her, especially when we were already juggling so much. The distance already put so much weight and pressure into the relationship that if I screwed up at all, it’d probably take me cancelling my whole tour to fix the problem. I contemplated the dare and the possible consequences. About to back out of the dare, something clicked in my mind, warning me not to. Before I could turn back, the alcohol spoke for me to reach into the pocket of my jeans to grab my phone.

I don’t know what kicked in when Matt said that, but my lips opened and replied with a ‘fine.’ There’s no doubt that I won’t regret this. 

Unlocking my phone, I searched for her name which wasn’t so hard considering how we just called less than two hours ago. I hovered my thumb over the call button and closed my eyes as my finger grazed the screen. There was no turning back now.

After three rings, she picked up as her soft and sweet voice filled my ears and the room. “Shawn? Are you there?” 

This dare was already taking much more time than we all anticipated, so I cut to the chase to save me from more dread.

I took a deep breath before starting, “Well, um, t-there’s no easy way to say this, but I-I um, I cheated on you. I’m so-sorry.”

I waited for her to reply so I could tell her that it was all a sick joke and that I’d never do that to her, but the other side of the line stayed quiet. My heart was beating out of my chest and I suddenly wished I had just taken that one shot of vodka. I also wanted to murder the three friends sitting in front of me, but I guess we can’t always get what we want.

“Hun? Are you still there?” I started biting my nails as I waited for something, anything.

I heard what sounded like a sniffle before she finally said something. “Shawn, are you drun- actually, never mind. Don’t ever talk to me again. Delete my number, too.”

My eyes widened, finally taking in her words. “No, wai-” I try to interject, but she hung up. My words might’ve been slurred and my mind blurry, but my heart knew that I had just lost her. It was like I was the only one in the room as I tried calling her in front of Matt, Geoff, and Brian. Obviously, it was no luck, and I was on the brim of tears.

“It was a joke,” I sigh as if she were still on the line. 

Your POV

It was Friday night, and I decided to stay home and relax by myself. I’ve spent the last few days around a lot of people, and now all I wanted to do was binge watch Netflix and hopefully get some phone calls with Shawn in. He was currently in the middle of a concert, so I made sure to follow all of the possible ‘Shawn Update’ accounts on Twitter to get pictures by the second. 

I was so proud of him, but of course sometimes the distance put a strain in our relationship. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust him, but it can occasionally be difficult to have the intimacy of a regular relationship with someone when they’re thousands and thousands of miles away from you. Nonetheless, I was happy for Shawn and his success.

About to take my seat on the couch perched in the living room, I heard the distinct ring tone to my phone. Of course, it was a custom ringtone that Shawn made before he left, which I have no shame in using. I quickly dug out the pillows to fetch my phone and clicked on the accept button of the call even faster when I read the name at the top of my screen.

Once the call connected, I could hear voices in the background and Shawn hushing them. He must’ve been with his friends. I waited for another five seconds, and he still hasn’t said anything.

“Shawn? Are you there?” I questioned.

I finally heard a deep breath from the other line before Shawn began stuttering, “Well, um, t-there’s no easy way to say this, but I-I um, I cheated on you. I’m so-sorry.”

I can’t even describe how I felt at this very moment, because there’s no way to describe how it feels to be back stabbed by someone who you put all of your love and trust into. He sounded way past drunk, barely able to pronounce his words without stuttering.

“Hun? Are you still there?” My mind quickly scrambled to find a response, but my mouth was as frozen as my mind.

My natural instinct was to get as far away from the problem as possible, which required me to hang up the phone. I thought of something to say, and it might’ve not been the most reasonable, but at this point, I wanted nothing to do with Shawn. “Don’t ever talk to me again. Delete my number, too.” I quickly hung up before he could say something and chucked my phone across the room. I didn’t really look to see where it landed because my vision was beginning to cloud up with tears.

The best way for me to explain how I felt was as if my heart was glass and someone swung a baseball bat through it and then ran me over with a bulldozer. My heart felt as if it literally broke and shattered into a million pieces. The amount of emotional pain I was feeling was equivalent to the hurt I felt when I lost my first dog. To have a bond with someone so close, and to have it destroyed in a matter of minutes, I was practically watching my world collapse right in front of me. Needless to say, I was devastated beyond words.

My phone would not stop ringing, but I didn’t even bother to check who it was. I was too busy trying to understand everything. I felt empty and sick to my bones. I felt like I was drowning and there was nothing I could do to save myself. I wanted to scream, but no noise came out. I felt as if I was suffocating while my lungs were being crushed by the weight of pure pain. It’s truly one of those feelings that you don’t comprehend until you actually experience it. 

Meanwhile, my phone was still buzzing. I so badly wanted to pick up and cross my fingers that this was all some sick joke, but I couldn’t will myself to move.

I was paralyzed in my own seat, but instead of Shawn being the one to save me, he was the one that left me stranded.

SHAWN’S POV

We had almost six hours before I’d be on a plane without any service and internet connection, which also means that I have about six hours to explain everything to her. I tried to call her so many times last night, but it’s as if she blocked me. A ‘ding’ sound popped up in my head when I thought about trying to DM her on Twitter and Instagram, but she blocked me on both of those sites. I clenched my fists as I called over Brian, Geoff, and Matt who hesitantly came over.

“You guys are the ones that got me into this, and you guys are the ones that will help me fix this,” I said before any of them could even open their mouths.

I wasn’t used to being so demanding and affirmative, but I only have so many chances of winning her back that it’s really my only choice. The three friends standing in front of me quietly nodded their heads along with me as we brainstormed everything that we could do while I was on the other side of the globe from her.

After two hours and zero ideas later, I crumpled the piece of papers placed in front of me and threw them across the room. I knew this was going to be hard, but I never imagined that I would be stumped for this long. Brian and Matt had left to grab lunch for the four of us, so it was just me and Geoff.

Seconds, minutes, hours passed and Geoff and I still couldn’t think of anything. I knew from the look on his face that he was on the brink of giving up, the only thing stopping him being the tears streaming down my face.

I watched as he got up from his seat. “Look man, our flight is in a few hours and we haven’t thought of anything. I’m lost. I’m sorry about the dare, but I think this is for you and you only to fix.” He left the room, leaving me to think to myself.

I lost my girlfriend because of a stupid dare, and now I was facing the consequences. My girl is gone while I’m on the other side of the world.

this is crappy lol oops

check out my other writings >> masterlist

p.s. it’d be really great if you could like and/or reblog this :))

[poeticandvaguelysweet]

Prompt #180 - Charlie and Daddy’s Tattoos

@mrsquill : When Owen's tucking Charlie into bed one night; she asks about his scars, and/or tattoos. (Bonus: he gets totally soppy about her mom, and: yeah, you guessed it. Claire's in the hallway, listening to the whole thing).

3.5 weeks until my thesis is due to be submitted. Get excited all. I can finally play video games and binge watch guilt free (which is never fun). Read: more ways to avoid all the fics I haven’t finished. 

This is an extremely early birthday present for Amelia. There should hopefully be heaps more to come!

AO3 - Charlie and Elliot index 

— The girls were in bed. Elliot asleep in her own room rather than snuggled between their sheets as Charlie finally slipped into dreamland after three books. Claire was in the ensuite dressed in a red lacy number Owen was sure he hadn’t seen since before they conceived Elliot. She had surprised him, albeit caught a little off guard when he returned from Charlie’s room faster than Claire anticipated, her husband's large hands sliding up her legs as he peppered kisses between her shoulder blades.

She was already purring at his touch, Owen growling against her neck the two of them ready for what their silent night was promising. He didn’t want to admit that the baby monitor was on, sitting next to their bed on the side table or that he promised Charlie — like he did every night — that he was only down the hall if he needed. They, as adult parents of two children under six, just hoped no one would interrupt them.

Claire was putty in his hands, sweet and gentle, innocently thinking they had hours to devour the other while their children slept. It was the lingerie that made his heart race and his hands move with a purpose. Owen loved it, the sight and feel of his wife in intricate little pieces reserved for his eyes only. But, he always felt a rush, a surge under his finger tips and in his loins to bury himself as deep as he could within her.

Claire grinned like the Cheshire cat in the bathroom mirror, her eyes meeting his in the glass as he bit down on her shoulder. Her hand was gentle in his hair, tender, sweet and comforting; the exact same move she used on their children as a soft reassurance. She was a minx, a tease, the love of his life.

‘Daddy?’ He felt his heart sink, Charlie’s voice reaching out to them beyond her body as she stood out of sight. He kissed his wife’s neck mournfully as he pulled away from her, tugging his shirt over his head as he tossed it in her direction. It was playful mood, a promise that he would be back. She caught it, winking as she turned back to the basin and whatever it was she had been doing before he walked in on her.

‘I thought you were supposed to be sleeping?’ He met his daughter in the open space of the master suite, doors wide open when he was sure he had only left one ajar. At six, Charlie knew she couldn’t just burst into their space — not that it stopped her — but she knew to stop a few steps beyond the doors and call out before letting herself in. She had done as much this night, playing with the large double doors that belonged to her parent's bedroom in her wait.

Charlie nodded, yes, she was supposed to be asleep. Long gone to the world of the living until the sun rose to tickle her cheeks. ‘I’m thirsty.’ She told him with wide green eyes, batting her lashes as Owen sighed. He scooped her up, two hands onto one arm as the girl laid her head upon his shoulder.

He didn’t put her down on the counter when they reached the kitchen. Instead, Owen kept Charlie on his hip, handing the girl a teal plastic cup from Claire’s rainbow collection of kid appropriate drink and dinner wear. She sipped her water slowly, almost slurping it right next to his ear until she was done. Charlie handed the cup back wordlessly, her eyes tired in the metallic light of the kitchen long after the sun had set.

‘All ready to sleep now?’ He asked, brushing the red hair out of Charlie’s face as the girl nodded. She was exhausted, her body heavy in his arms as her head barely moved from his shoulder. He didn’t know why she fought it so much, refusing to let her eyes close for the well-needed rest her body deserved. They tried to explain this to her, Owen and Claire, talking about the complexities of sleep helping the body rejuvenate itself. Charlie listened, the best she could, she took their words on board, but there were still nights she didn’t want to close her eyes. Owen could respect that. He didn’t want to sleep sometimes, be it nightmares or an admiration growing so strong in his chest he rather miss sleep than losing time watching his babies snooze.

Charlie was tucked easily between sky blue sheets and her navy gingham duvet, her hair falling to her pillow before her head as she wrapped her arms tightly around Owen’s neck. ‘C’mon, baby, time for bed.’ He eased her grip from him, breaking his heart as he did so. He knew she was only going to sleep, that he wasn’t leaving her, but the feeling was there regardless.

‘What’s that?’ Charlie asked, little fingers poking at the snake that ran up his arm and over his shoulder. She hadn’t tried this game before. He explained the tattoo to the girl easily, black and white swirling in scales as the creature twisted and turned against his muscles. It was ironic how much it resembled his Raptors. At the time, they were nowhere near a thought in his mind, the ink on his skin marking the first stint in a private squadron. Now, the reptile with it’s broad and flat head stood as a reminder of the creatures he lost. ‘What about that one?’ Her fingers poked at his ribs.

‘They’re called roman numerals.’ He explained, promising the girl he would teach her in the morning.

‘What’s it for?’ She asked, not letting him leave. Owen sighed heavily, dropping his weight back onto her bed as he gave her leg a squeeze.

‘Its for your birthday, the lines are very old numbers. 17.’ He pointed to the first four symbols, XVII, a finger sliding down to the identical one below it. ‘9. For September.’ His finger slid back up to the second lot; IX. ‘2016.’ The last five figures; MMXVI. It sat in thick lines, horizontally resting across his ribs. It was neat, standing a few inches high on each set, stark against his skin holding as a subtle reminder of the mark his daughters had on his life. He needed a memento only weeks after Charlie was born, something that promised her to him forever no matter what happened. Elliot followed on habit as would any child that came after. Charlie hummed quietly, the same sleepy sound she always made just before she gave in to her eyes closing.

‘This one?’ She asked, small hand squeezing his forearm right where his bicep met. The tattoo there was small, covered by her hand in the moonlight. It was an insignificant mark on his skin, nothing that held meaning beyond his military experience.

‘That’s my blood type.’ AB+ tattooed right below the inside of his left elbow. It was an identification marker, in case anything happened and the rest of him was unidentifiable. Claire had asked once if that been the point of the military issued dog tags Owen had in the bedside table. He had kept one tag around his neck in the Marines and a second on his boot laces until he was sent on a Special Operations mission that held potential capture risk. Owen’s superiors didn’t want his men to be identifiable to the enemy. Once home, Owen kept the tags in his sock drawer, never in need of them until Charlie found them while helping her Nana put the laundry away. He gave her the one he wore around his neck, the tag on a smaller chain remained in the bedside dresser for Claire whether she wanted to admit it was needed or not. When he rejoined a year ago, Owen clumsily admitted he lost the items he had been told to guard.

‘Why?’ She asked, eyes closed, head turned away from him.

Owen shrugged, he wasn’t going to tell her the truth. Not when she was fighting sleep. ‘It’s something grown-ups do.’

‘Mama doesn’t have one.’ She squeezed his arm again. She was right. She didn’t argue with him further. Instead, her little hand tapped his bare chest right over his heart. A compass. That had been there almost as long as Charlie’s birthdate. He couldn’t remember what came first. Charlie or Claire. The idea had indeed circumvented in his mind beforehand, but he was somewhat sure the tattoo came after Charlie’s.

‘That one’s a compass, it's for your mom.’ He told her quietly, hand brushing over her cheek, thumb stroking against the freckles on her nose. He heard her quiet ‘How?’ as he checked the time on his watch, knowing he’d been with the girl for thirty minutes and her bedtime had been two hours ago.

Slumping further against Charlie’s mattress, Owen made himself comfortable. ‘It’s for your Mom because she’s my waypoint. My way home. She’s North on every compass no matter where I am. Y’know, kiddo, when I first saw your mom I was fiddling with a compass. I had this real old one my dad gave me before I enlisted. I’d lost it for a bit and just gotten it back. It was broken, had been broken for a little while. I was trying to fix it when she walked past. The last piece went in place, the compass pointed north, and when I looked up your Mom was standing outside my office watching me. She smiled that day. Actually smiled, that same smile she does when you tell her you love her.’ Charlie nodded in understanding. Dozing against his broad hand. ‘You find North, Charlie, and you’ll always find home.’ Maybe he was incorporating a little Peter Pan into his sleepy daughter’s lessons, but there was no promising she would remember any of it in the morning. Confident she was losing her grip on wakefulness, Owen leant down to kiss his daughter’s cheek, whispering good night against her ear as he readied himself to part her bedroom.

Charlie surprised him like she learnt from her mother; keeping him on his toes. Her small hands grabbed his cheeks, fingers running over his stubble as her right hand fiddled with something on his cheek. ‘What happened to your face, Daddy?’ It was the smallest of physical flaws on his body, a collection of light scars on his left cheek. He was sure he had explained it to her before, a little before he left enough to let it be an issue of her concern. She liked feeling his rough skin, shrapnel cutting into his face and leaving chunky silver marks on his face, one cutting into the stubble on his jaw leaving a bare patch.

Owen shook his head, ‘You’ve had enough stories tonight, kiddo.’ He kissed her cheek again, pulling away as his large hands squeezed her wrists softly. Charlie didn’t fight him, sleep making her agreeable as she smacked her lips and settled deeper into the comfort of her bed.

He hesitated at her bedroom door, waiting for a beat to see if the girl would change her mind and call out for him. She didn’t. Her body still beneath her blankets as he slipped out of the room and closed her door over. It was still a habit Owen was developing, learning to stop a second time as he waited by the door of Elliot’s nursery listening for any cries in her sleep before he concluded that both girls were finally out for the night.

Returning to his bedroom, tired but eager to see his wife and her red number again, Owen found the space dimly lit. The bathroom light was still on, everything else off as Owen sought his wife out in the quiet room. She was as he expected; curled on her side in the middle of their bed, wearing the t-shirt he threw at her earlier. The fabric was bunched around her thigh, still giving him a sneak peek at the lingerie she wore and the perfect round curve of her ass. Clearly, Claire had been too tired to wait up. He couldn’t help the smile despite his sinking disappointment. He loved them. Life surprising Owen more than he realised in his daughters and his wife.

He brushed his teeth quickly, flicking off the bathroom light as he tucked his wife beneath the duvet and curled himself in next to her. There would always be another night, where Charlie would go down without a fight and Elliot wouldn’t insist on sleeping in their bed with her big green eyes of persuasion.

Charlie hadn’t reached every tattoo and scar on his body, but the ones she chose to question that night warmed his soul just as much as she did. Filling his life like the ink on his skin His family; his daughters, his wife. Owen had never been one to consider himself lucky. Curled around his wife, daughters peacefully sleeping in their own beds, he couldn’t help but think himself the luckiest man alive.

[jhopesjawline]

Stress Eating

Request:  an angsty scenario in which jungkook is feeling stressed bc of their busy schedule and starts stress eating and gains weight pretty fast and the fans start commenting mean stuff abt him which makes him feel like he has disappointed the fans?? thank u!!

A/n:  I saw your request last night and was super pumped to write it, although I hate the thought of a sad kookie, everybody has their times and I’m sure he does too :’( without further a do, here’s the angst jungkook scenario I’ve prepared for you! - Amelia

Genre: Angst Members: Jungkook Word Count: 2384

Masterlist

“Hyung, can you pass me another donut?” Jungkook whined. The palms of his hands were placed in front of Jin, with his fingers wiggling in anticipation.

Jin looked up from the box with a look of ‘Are you fucking kidding me?’ “Jungkook, you’ve had five.”

“I know but I’ll work them off tomorrow at practice.” He reasoned. Jin, believing whole heartily in the Maknae’s words (because Jungkook usually keeps his word), gave Jungkook another donut.

“If our manager knew I just gave that to you, he’d kill both of us.” Jimin chuckled from across the room. “He’d kill us all if he knew any of us had even one…”

“True…” Taehyung nodded after hearing Jimin’s statement. “…at least we’d be dying with our bellies full of white powdered goodness.” Laughter erupted from the group of boys as they talked through the night. They discussed the upcoming stage and new album, everything from incomplete lyrics to the hardest dance move. None of them seemed to notice Jungkook’s growing appetite… Because after all, he had just turned 20, he’s a growing boy?

The next day practice was cancelled, something came up and a few members had other things added to their schedules. Jungkook stayed in the dorm alone, his anime buddy (Taehyung) was busy with drama promotion. He binge watched another sports anime by his lonesome, while snacking on whatever was in the cupboard.

He wasn’t allowed to go to the gym. Although he loved working out, according to society, building any more muscle than he had was repulsive; thus he could not work out. His free time was very limited to begin with, sometimes going out was a hassle. He loved his fans but sometimes he wanted to go out without having to wear a mask. He loved his life and career but he hated the restrictions that were placed upon him. Most days he tried to look on the bright side of things, but these days his worries were increased.

With their rise in popularity, he had more people to please. There was more expected of him. Everything he had before had inflated. The feelings that swirled inside him were on a new high. Everything he felt, he felt it to the max. Everything he did, didn’t feel just right.

Every practice, he felt sluggish. He wasn’t doing as exceptionally well as he had before. He was still doing ok but he knew he could do better. When the day of their comeback stage arrived, he wasn’t satisfied with himself.

He picked up another soda cracker, and then another and another until Jimin looked down at the plate and gasped. “Jungkook-ah! You’ve eaten almost an entire sleeve of crackers! We just had lunch. Where is all that going?!” He jokingly patted the Maknae’s stomach then his expression changed from his chimchiminy smile to subtle look of shock. Jimin removed his hand from Jungkook’s shirt. A tender smile replaced his shock.

“Jungkook. When did your stomach get that big!?”

“What?” Jungkook acted confused, embarrassed by the change from his muscle tissue to soft squish.

“Aish, Jungkookie is so cute! Are you reversing in age?!”

Jungkook tried to laugh sincerely, but he was afraid of this… That someone would notice his sudden weight gain over the past month. The guys were with him all the time, so they wouldn’t pick up on his change in appearance that fast… But he didn’t know what the fans would think. His biggest concern with the performance was how his body moved with the new choreo. Dancing wasn’t the same for him, he was nervous that it would show.

He grabbed another cracker from the tray with elegance, holding it in his hand like it was a delicacy. He bit off one of the corners hoping that if he ate the cracker slow it would last him until the moment before they needed to appear on stage. That wasn’t the case though and he consumed 3 more crackers after that one (finishing off the sleeve) each with the same excruciatingly slow pace.

Just before the group finally hit the stage, Jungkook took a big swig of a fountain soda and rushed to his place. He hadn’t felt this nervous since their debut stage. Maybe he felt more nervous since he was extremely self-conscious in ways that he wasn’t before. He felt like throwing up, soda and soda crackers didn’t always agree with each other. Jungkook knew that subconsciously but didn’t give a damn about his stomach. All he cared about was completing the stage with a satisfied audience.

When the lights hit his figure, he visibly cringed. The darkness right before the music blasted was the most pleasant experience of the day. He had the time to collect himself. Once he heard the crowds cheers he lost his composure, displeasure was written all over his face and the fans definitely saw. He couldn’t help it, he felt sick. He wanted to throw up but of course if he did that there would be so many complications. He held the queasy feeling inside of him, a sweat broke out faster than usual and he looked like a mess.

When they were reviewing the stage on their phones Jungkook looked over Yoongi’s shoulder at the image of himself on Yoongi’s screen.

His close up came on and he looked worse than he thought. His hair was dishevelled and his skin was extremely shiny. Whenever a light hit him he illuminated from the sweat. His tight leather pants showed the size change in his thighs and his baggy shirt wasn’t giving off the illusion of toned abs. Yoongi scrolled through the comments after the video ended. His lips had been pursed. He didn’t bother to utter a word of advice or criticism throughout the whole video.

Hoseok, Jimin and Taehyung were still reviewing the performance on Jimin’s phone. Jin was off eating food in the corner, and Namjoon was probably somewhere doing something important.

“Good job today.” Was the only thing Yoongi said to Jungkook as he got up and walked away. He values his Hyungs’ opinion more than anything, and he could tell that Yoongi didn’t mean what he said.

Jungkook remained in the same place. Frozen. He has disappointed the Hyungs. He most likely disappointed the fans. Yoongi had scrolled too fast through the comments, and from his angle he couldn’t read any of them. But from Yoongi’s salty reaction, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to know what they said.

Jin called him over, snatching him away from his thoughts.

“Jungkook! Come here! I’ve got something I think you’ll like!” Jungkook spent the rest of the time eating with Jin and trying to keep an upbeat attitude which he failed at miserably. Jin tried to compliment Jungkook, he tried to joke with him and make him feel better but nothing worked. So that night Jin had a talk with the other members. Operation: resurrect Jeon Jungkook.

The next day the dorm was empty. All that was on Jungkook’s schedule was dance practice. They had to promote their first single this week but they also needed to practice for the next one that would be coming shortly. Namjoon texted him, saying that the dance practice for the next single was moved up an hour ahead of schedule. He spent the morning reviewing yesterday’s comeback stage and actually going through the comments. After such a ‘bright’ start to his day, he drug himself out of the dorm to the studio.

The dance studio was practically empty… Even though he was a few minutes late. Namjoon sat in the corner on a stool that he acquired from another room. Each step he took toward his senior was heavier than the last. What was going on? Usually when Jungkook got to the studio, Hoseok was waiting. Hobi always showed up first… Namjoon was one of the people he didn’t expect he’d be greeted with.

“Hey, how was your morning?” Namjoon asked, smiling at him once he put his phone back in his pocket.

“It was ok. …but Hyung, where is everybody else?”

“I told you to come early. I had something I wanted to talk to you about.” What does he want to talk about? A million little things ran through his head (mainly little things from yesterday), and Namjoon sensed this because next he said “It’s nothing bad.” Jungkook sighed in relief before taking a seat on the floor. Namjoon got off his stool and sat cross legged in front of him.

“You’ve seemed off for 2 months. I just want to make sure everything’s alright. I never said anything before because I wasn’t sure of the problem myself. But this has been going on long enough. I think it’s time we deal with this.”

“Deal with what? I don’t understand what you’re talking about.” He tried to act confused but he really felt trapped, caught.

“Jungkook. Almost every time I see you, you’re eating. And if you’re not eating, you have this horrible look on your face.”

“No I don’t. Since when have you been thinking that?”

“I told you, it’s been around 2 months.”

“Well, I don’t do that. I have no reason too.”

“Jungkook. I know it’s hard to admit but if you don’t talk about what’s going on we can’t help you.”

“We?”

“Yes, we. All of the members are extremely worried about you, but none of them know where to begin. So I thought I’d try talking to you today.” Namjoon leaned back on his arms, stretching himself out before continuing.

“It seems that my approach isn’t working either. Jungkook, I need you to think about why your appetite has increased. You can’t deny that fact. We all see it.”

“Fine Hyung. If you really want to know that I’ve noticed it too, then fine. I just eat unconsciously. If I’m not doing something, I go look for food.” He snapped. His face became red, and his eyes were fogging up. He placed his head in his hands and kept going. “…And I feel so sick and gross. I just.. I don’t know what to do…” Namjoon was silent, he nodded his head acknowledging the words the Maknae said.

“It’s like I can’t breathe anymore. Everything I see makes me uncomfortable. I’m always reminded of things that I don’t want to think about… They’re just too hard to think about.”

“What’s too hard to think about? I’ll think about them for you… I’ll help you, ok? All of us love you, we’ll help you through anything.” Jungkook didn’t answer; he couldn’t answer so he stared at the scuffed floor.

“If you don’t want to say them, that’s ok. Since you don’t want to think about them, I understand if you just want to become more comfortable with the idea of sharing.” Jungkook’s heart was racing a mile a minute. He thought about telling Namjoon for a moment. He thought about pouring his feeble concerns onto their leader and releasing all of his pent up emotions. But he couldn’t let them go yet.

His worries were deeply rooted inside himself; they’d become a part of him. He wasn’t sure how to disconnect the roots from the tree without killing the tree. Because isn’t that impossible? Is there a way to maintain them? Jungkook didn’t know. All he knew was that he’d never forget the feeling these fears instilled in him. He’d live with the memory of them forever.

“Hyung. I’m scared.” They weren’t just fears he could forget about. They could be applied to many situations, and he was sure he would experience some of them again. He didn’t look up. He couldn’t bear to see the concern on Namjoon’s face which was so apparent in his voice.

Am I to ugly? Am I the reason the others are having a hard time? Did I do something wrong? Will we split up? Am I no longer good enough? Have I lost my charm? Do the fans no longer like me? Am I bringing the group down? Will I be ok? How much longer will I feel this way?

Every single comment on their comeback stage was either, ‘wow nice choreo fatasses’ or ‘I like the song but… The performance wasn’t that great…’. There were a few straightforward ones like ‘what happened to Jungkook?’

It became harder and harder to break the silence in the room. He knew if he looked at Namjoon he would break apart. All of his worries would spill out; he would be too embarrassed to look at him after too. Could he ever look at his team again?

“I think you’ve graduated from the Golden Maknae.” He heard Jimin say. The sound of shoes scraping on the floor next, then door to the studio creaked shut.

“You’re like the Platinum Maknae now.” Hoseok tried to joke as he sat down beside Jungkook.

All the other members followed, sitting down on the floor beside Jungkook.

“Jungkook.” Yoongi was next to speak. “I meant what I said yesterday. You did a good job. Regardless of the pain you were in, you did the best performance you could.”

“Jungkookie, no matter who you become one day or who you’re becoming right now… Our armies will remember the Jungkook who did his best.” Jin chimed, trying to pick up the atmosphere.

“Jungkook. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me. I wish I had more time to spend with you, but as you know we can’t make up our own schedules. If we could, I’d have Jungkook time every day.” Taehyungs voice was solemn. His head hung low as he spoke, Jimin patted his shoulder and took over for him.

“We all want the best for you. So if you have worries you’re allowed to burden us with them.” Jungkook finally looked up, his eyes full of tears.

“I’m sorry for making you worry,” he sniffled before finishing, “You’re the best Hyungs I could ask for.”

Hoseok grabbed onto Jungkook enveloping him in a huge hug. He felt Hoseok’s tears stain his shirt sleeve and then he felt more weight added on top of him. Soon the whole group was in a pile on the floor, laughing and crying rolling around in a fit of giggles.

[faith-in-dean]

The Good Parent - Part Five

Summary: After taking a long break at work and finally returning, you were already working overtime on your very first day. You happened to be the kindergartener of the son of Dean Winchester, a busy hunter, who would turn out to be the reason for a lot of trouble for you.

Words: 1536

Pairing: Dean x Reader

Warnings: none

A/N: This is still a rewritten part. Including Part 7, everything will be rewritten forms of the old parts.

Masterpost

“Alright, so I’ll see you when my shift starts on Monday?” you asked as Dean brought you to your car.

“Yeah, I’ll talk to Karen and explain everything to her to make sure your job is safe again. And I’ll explain to her that you should interact more with Ben. I noticed how he’s not at his best in kindergarten and it seems like you’re able to pull him through whatever is holding him back. He talks to no one except for Sam and me and well, if he has to, Castiel,” Dean said.

“Thank you,” you smiled at him and opened your car door.

“So, see you on Monday then,” Dean smiled at you and you nodded before getting into your car. Dean waited for you to drive off until he headed back into the house.

You couldn’t help but smile to yourself as you drove off. It felt kind of weird how the situation between the two of you changed so quickly. But you liked it. Dean turned out to be a really nice guy and anything else than what you had expected. He did care for his son, but had a hard time because he has been hurt in the past and his job keeps him busy. You felt really sorry for him.

Still it was weird. Yesterday you entered his house with negative thoughts about him and now you finally understood him and left his house with a positive mindset.

As you arrived at your apartment you finally decided to call back Kate. Now that things were going back to normal and your anger was narrowed, it only felt like the right time.

She picked up after two rings and you weren’t even in your apartment, yet she started talking without taking a moment to breathe.

“OhmygodYNfinallyyou’recallingbackIwassoworriedandIwantedtosaysorryohgodwhydidn’tyoupickup?” she talked faster than ever.

“Kate, remember to breathe,” you giggled a little while unlocking your apartment door and heading inside while you heard her take in a deep breath.

“I’m so glad you’re calling me, I thought you were mad at me!” Kate sighed.

“I was, but not anymore. That’s why I’m calling you,” you answered as you headed to your bedroom to get some fresh clothes.

“What have you been doing? I mean I called you every day and you never picked up!” she said.

“Well I was at home, binge watched many TV-Shows and just ignored you. You were pretty annoying, to be honest,” you chuckled and Kate joined with a small laugh. She knew herself that she could be pretty annoying.

“But have you seriously been only doing that?” she then asked, being more serious than before.

“Well, yesterday I was at Dean’s house and watched over Ben and yeah, you shrugged even if she couldn’t see it. You held your phone between your shoulder and ear so you could take off your pants and panties and put on some new ones.

“Wait, Dean? The Dean? Dean Winchester?” you could practically hear her eyes shooting wide open.

“Yes, that Dean,” you answered and put your phone on speaker, throwing it onto your bed before you took off your sweater.

“Why were you there? I thought you hated that guy!” she stated.

“Well, actually turns out he is nice if you get to know him better. And he asked me to watch over Ben because he had an emergency at work and couldn’t ask his brother to watch out for him. Though I still wonder where he got my number from,” you said and put on a new shirt before picking up your phone and turning off speaker again before holding the phone to your ear again.

“Wow, never thought I’d hear you say something like that. But tell me… did something else happen?” her voice was suggestive and you could only roll your eyes.

“He explained everything and said sorry for almost getting me fired and he’ll talk to Karen about it. And god Kate! No!” you groaned. Of course, she would assume you two would hit the bed.

She chuckled a little before talking, “well, good luck with that. Alright, I need to go. I’ll be off for next week so I won’t see you then, but call me?” Kate asked.

“We’ll see,” you chuckled, “bye Kate.”

You hung up before she even replied. Now you found yourself in the same situation you had been in the last couple of days. Bored, slouched on your couch as you binge watched the rest of your shows.

Monday came by sooner than you expected though you didn’t mind. You were happy to work again and you were quite happy to see Dean again and to see if he really tried to make things better again. You waited for him outside of the kindergarten since you were about to talk to Karen. Your shift was just about to start so Dean and you decided he would pick up Ben earlier today so he and Karen could talk before you were starting. To your surprise, he was actually on time and you couldn’t help but smile a little.

“Hello beautiful,” he said as he walked over to you and you couldn’t help but feel yourself blushing. Did he just call you beautiful? After everything that had happened, you didn’t expect him to say anything like this.

“Hey,” you answered shyly and pushed a strand of your hair behind your ear.

“Let’s go in, shall we?” Dean asked and you nodded before the two of you made your way into the building. Nervousness started spreading through your body. What if Karen wouldn’t believe any of the things he said? What if it got you into even deeper trouble? You would only have to find out.

“Karen? I’d like to talk to you,” you said as you entered the room. She glanced up at you, obviously confused but yet she followed you outside.

“Oh, hell Mr. Winchester. Coming to pick up your son? I hope you didn’t have any trouble here,” Karen put on her overly happy face and voice and you knew with 'trouble' she was talking about you. You wanted nothing more than to throw up.

“Well, I also came for that and I didn’t have any trouble here, thanks. But mostly I came here to talk to you,” Dean said and adjusted his jacket a little.

“Oh? Well, I’m listening,” Karen quirked her brows but kept smiling.

“So there were some misunderstandings between Y/N and I and in our conversation. I never wanted her to be suspended for a week. She is a good kindergartener after all and just cares too much for people, especially for children. You should’ve noticed that it wasn’t the right thing to do and also does the directress know about this? I don’t think she would be amused if she found out about this. Also, it’s a shame for you to think about firing her just because we had some differences. I’d like for you to think about what you’ve done or my next step will be to go to the directress and tell her about what you are doing here,” Dean’s voice was low and his eyes never left Karen’s. She looked kind of pale and seemed to be taken aback by his words.

“I’m very sorry Mr. Winchester. It won’t happen again,” her voice was all but happy and cheerful now.

“It better not happen again,” Dean said before Karen nodded and walked back inside to get Ben.

“Thank you so much. Seriously. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you,” you smiled as you glanced up at him.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I really loved her face when I was done talking,” Dean laughed a little.

“It was amusing. But seriously, thank you so much,” you gave him a warm smile and Dean nodded.

“So um… I didn’t apologize appropriately and well… I… I wanted to ask you if would like to go out to dinner with me tonight?” Dean stammered a little. After showing how ‘hard’ he could be, he really was nervous to ask you out? But then again, you would most likely be nervous as well if it was you asking him. But in all honesty, you were thrown back by his question as well.

“Uhm… yeah… Dinner sounds great,” you then nodded and smiled at him.

“Great, I’ll pick you up at seven. Wear something nice,” Dean smiled widely at you before turning to Ben.

“Hey little hero!” he exclaimed and picked up Ben before spinning him around.

“Hey daddy,” Ben giggled as his father let him down again.

“Hello Y/N,” Ben then turned to you and waved.

“Hey Ben, enjoyed your day here?” you asked him and he shook his head which made you kind of sad.

“You weren’t here,” Ben said sadly and you could feel your heart break a little. Your eyes met Dean’s who looked just as surprised as you did.

“Don’t worry, tomorrow we can spend all day together,” you smiled at him.

“Come on Ben, Miss Y/N needs to work. We won’t keep you distracted any longer. I’ll see you later,” Dean pulled you into a hug before helping Ben getting dressed.

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