#why yes I do. always. in fact they never leave.

[witherby]

Hi, I was just wondering if we could get some more of Omega!Hal with Mouse..? If not, that's okay. I love your writing! 💓

Absolutely you can!! Have some more headcanons!

Omega!Hal who almost obsessively grooms the kids, but Mouse gets the worst of it. Toddlers are always mysteriously sticky and can't keep themselves clean for more than an hour, so several times a day he scoops them up, neatens them, and gives them a nuzzle before letting them go play again.

Omega!Hal loooooves putting Mouse to bed. Because he's the one doing it most of the time, the bed smells like him and Mouse, and when you haven't seen Hal in a while it's almost always because he crawled into bed to nap with them.

Omega!Hal who forces Bruce to invent special communicators so he can talk to his pack all the time when he's deployed for Lantern missions, because the long distance pulls at his bond and he gets irritable to his teammates.

Omega!Hal who fell for Bruce because he doesn't make being an Alpha a major facet of his personality. That's just what he is. He doesn't demand respect or submission from the other castes in a dick measuring contest; in fact, he almost doesn't care aside from using his bond to keep his kids safe.

Omega!Hal who didn't give in to his caste instincts for years because he didn't want to be seen as weaker or inferior to others, but now that he has Bruce and Bruce's kids to help look after, he's going a little overboard exploring this part of himself uninhibited for the first time.

Omega!Hal who can't figure out why being away from Mouse specifically pisses him off until Bruce explains that his instincts see Mouse as his biological child, especially because he met them when they were freshly abandoned and he bonded to them immediately.

Omega!Hal who continues making up stories about being the biological parent despite visible and tangible proof otherwise. "Yeah they're left-handed just like their mom. What do you mean they didn't inherit that from me? I'm the mom, are you fucking stupid. We talked about this, I gave birth to that kid. No I don't have stretch marks. No they didn't nurse from me directly. No a DNA test won't show me as a match. Yes I still gave birth to that kid, I'm so fucking SICK OF TELLING YOU—"

Omega!Hal who gets more use out of his ring playing games with Mouse than he does as a Lantern and has to keep charging it way more often. It's not his fault his kid wanted to ride an elephant. He had to make an elephant!

Omega!Hal who never promised to uphold Bruce's "no killing" rule and certainly doesn't hold back if a villain ever takes his children.

Omega!Hal who has such a bad case of baby fever when he first meets Mouse that the Corps put him on an extended paternity leave, because he could not stop fucking talking about his baby at work and his fellow Lanterns couldn't take it.

Omega!Hal who has to fly a couple laps around Gotham the first time one of the boys calls him Mom with full sincerity because he feels like his heart's about to burst.

Omega!Hal who forgot to tell anybody he wanted to do a "bring your kid to work day" with Mouse and triggered a Code Red with the bat family, and apologized profusely for hours after the fact.

Omega!Hal who, without fail, tells Bruce "one more baby isn't gonna hurt" every time he's in heat.

Omega!Hal who integrates ridiculously easily into life with the boys in the Manor, who won them all over slowly and steadily with the same unconditional love they get from Bruce, and who promised that even if for some reason he and Bruce don't work out, he'll still love them like they're his.

OMEGA HAL WHO'S FULL OF WILLPOWER AND LOVE!!!!!!!! OMEGA HAL YEAH

[strwberri-milk]

How would Xavier, Zayne and Rafayel react if we asked them to set us up with Jeremiah, Greyson and Thomas? In this scenario we're single and not into any of the LIs (but they don't know)

these kinda feel ooc but i kjinda like them anyway LMAOO let them be. mean and bitter bc thats how I feel whenever im rejected LMAOO

Xavier is pissed. He doesn't really show you the brunt of his anger but you can see he's...displeased with the way he just barely entertains the question. He'll ask if you really want him to get you with Jeremiah and if you really think that a guy like that is deserving of your attention. Somehow, despite how harsh the words themselves are his soft voice betrays their venom and you can delude yourself into thinking he's just being dramatic or making fun of his close friend.

You wouldn't be able to use Xavier to get to Jeremiah at all. He won't go out of his way to stop you from hanging out with him if you don't tell him you're going to see him but he makes his disapproval known at any given moment in time. You'd have to seek out the object of your affections independent of Xavier but when he sees the two of you together his gaze darkens and he observes from the sidelines.

Ultimately, he does want your happiness so he'll keep his thoughts to himself. However, you know he isn't happy about the fact you're seeing Jeremiah but you can't understand why. It's not because the man is treating you poorly - it's just because Xavier wants you. The fact that he can't have you vexes him but he's also not wanting to admit this to you. He grows distant with Jeremiah but if you ask him to spend time with you he finds it hard to say no. He'll always be longing for you, praying that you'll return his feelings but with every day that passes he knows the chance of it happening dies.

Zayne doesn't know how to respond. He asks you a little about your feelings for Greyson, trying to understand just how much you like the man. When it's clear that just the simple act of introducing him to you would make you happy he decides to do it despite every part of his body screaming no. He loves you and he wants you but he also knows he'd never forgive himself for getting in the way of your happiness.

It would take him a second honestly to muster up the mental energy to ask Greyson if he'd like to meet you. He mentions that a friend of his would like to meet him and internally, he's devastated when Greyson says yes, setting up a time and place for the two of you to meet.

As your relationship with him develops Zayne finds himself wishing he could retract. He loves you and he always will but seeing you so happy with someone that isn't makes his heart break. He doesn't go out of his way to avoid you two but he also doesn't really hang out with the two of you either. He tries to keep himself neutral as much as possible, not letting his personal feelings bleed into his professional life.

Honestly, it seems as though he doesn't have a personal life. He throws himself into work now that you don't have as much time to be with him. He doesn't really mind being too busy for other things but a part of him misses when he could spend all his free time with you. You'd start to see less and less of him, Greyson telling you that he's just busy all the time. You miss him too but you know he is a busy man, the two of you falling out of touch as time passes at an agonizingly slow pace for him.

Rafayel wouldn't introduce you to Thomas for similar reasons to Xavier. He doesn't think Thomas deserves you so you'd have to circumvent Rafayel which is fairly easy considering how often Thomas comes by his place for work and how often Rafayel insists you have to come over.

It's best to speak to Thomas whenever Rafayel is in the midst of an elaborate painting considering he'll leave you alone as all of his attention is taken up. That's when the two of you would bond and your relationship would grow, much to Rafayel's displeasure. He notices what's happening and would make subtle hints (read: complain loudly) about how you deserve someone better than Thomas. He tries to steal your attention but the more it fails the meaner he seems to get.

Thomas finds himself either fired or demoted but thanks to the fact that he's been able to work with Rafayel for so long he finds new work quickly. You want to scold Rafayel for being so petty but the man you find isn't the one you grew to know. This one is cold and almost cruel, never outwardly saying anything mean to you but you get the sense that he's keeping quiet for your sake.

He can't help but lash out, deciding he doesn't need this anymore. He'll decide that he doesn't need you (and he's fully lying to himself), resigning himself fully back to feeling that ever permeating pain that seeps itself into every part of his being. He was already used to the longing before - he'll do it again.

[sturniqloo]

° RULES WERE MEANT TO BE BROKEN °

( 1 )

pairing: Matt Sturniolo and fem!reader (best friends brother)

in which: Matt knows you very well,maybe even too much for your liking,but he should be off limits...

~warnings: nicknames,flirting,mentions of kissing..nothing much honestly,English is NOT my first language!~

The thoughts screaming through your head as you found yourself in Matt Sturniolo’s dimly lit bedroom. At this point you couldn't even remember why you came here at first place,your heart pounding so loudly you were sure he could hear it. The air was thick with tension, a charged silence hanging between you two as he leaned against his desk, arms crossed, that knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as his words snapped you out of your thoughts.

"You’re playing a dangerous game, love." Matt murmured, his voice low, teasing.

You swallowed hard, shifting on your feet. "I’m just—Nick wanted me to grab his charger."

Matt raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying your excuse. "And yet, here you are, standing in my room like you’re waiting for something."

You weren’t sure how you had gotten here, not really. One second, you were hanging out with Nick, your best friend since childhood, and the next, you had found yourself wandering into forbidden territory—Matt’s orbit. He had always been off-limits, an unspoken rule enforced by your friendship with his brother. But rules had never stopped the way your stomach twisted every time he looked at you like that.

Like he was looking at you now.

Matt pushed off the desk, closing the space between you in slow, deliberate steps. Your breath hitched as he reached out, his fingers grazing your arm, featherlight.

"You sure you don’t want something else?" he asked, voice laced with something dark and enticing.

Your throat went dry. You should leave. You should turn around and walk out of his room before you did something you couldn’t take back.

But then Matt reached up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear, his touch lingering just a little too long.

"You drive me crazy, you know that?" he admitted, his breath warm against your skin.

A shiver ran down your spine. "I do?"

He hummed, tilting his head. "You think I don’t notice the way you look at me? Like you’re trying so hard not to want this."

Your pulse roared in your ears. "Matt—"

He cut you off with a smirk, his fingers trailing down your arm until they reached your hand, his thumb brushing over your knuckles.

"Tell me to stop, and I will. But if you don’t…" His eyes searched yours, dark and full of promises.

You hesitated for only a moment before making the choice that had been lingering at the back of your mind for far too long.

You didn’t tell him to stop.

Instead, you closed the distance, your lips crashing into his in a kiss that was long overdue, full of the tension you had both been holding back for years.

His hands gripped your waist, pulling you flush against him as he deepened the kiss, his lips moving against yours with a desperation that matched your own.

And in that moment, nothing else mattered—not Nick, not the consequences, not the fact that this was a line you shouldn’t cross.

Because some rules were meant to be broken.

author's note: this is gonna be part one of this story,i was thinking of making it an au but not sure yet,we'll see,sorry guys if it's not the best and yes i know its short,i apologize if there's any grammar mistakes lmao,this is little special for celebrating 300 of you following me all this times and being with me! thank you alll sooso much i really love and appreciate every each of you.send me more requests if you have any and lmk what you think of this one,the next part is cooking for after. ♡

○ Lili's corner ○

no pressure tags: @chrislilcumslvt @adoreechxmpion @strnilolover @cockettechris @luvrbrii @hearts4werka @stellasturns @mattsmommy69 @evie-sturns @chrepsi @sturniqloo @sturnfannn @sturn10log1rl

[chezmad]

Opposites attract

Pairing: Pre-borderlands Suguru Niragi x Female reader

Summary: Ayumi and Niragi wordlessly agree to spend their study time together, developing a routine. During their time together, Niragi tries to pick Ayumi apart to discover what her intentions are.

Warnings: Again not much (we are getting there) mentions of bullying.

Part 2 Routine ✰

-

The next day, Niragi showed up early at the library. Not that it would change anything, but he knew what awaited him. He assumed Ayumi wouldn’t be there yet. And if she were, she'd probably be sitting in her usual seat, which was slightly further away from his. However, upon arrival, Ayumi sat with her work sprawled out next to his usual seat.

A smile grew on Niragi’s face. He was excited to see her, which wasn’t a feeling he usually got when he knew he’d have to interact with someone else. He hadn’t quite figured her out yet, but for now, he viewed her as a genuine person.

When Ayumi finally noticed him, she gestured for him to come sit.

“Hey,” Ayumi smiled.

“Hello, how are you?”

Ayumi picked up on the fact that he was stuttering less than yesterday—an indication that he felt more comfortable.

“I’m tired. Hopefully, you can keep me awake for the next three hours.”

He wondered how conversation slipped so easily off her tongue. She even made someone like him feel like he had something to say.

“How are you?” she asked sweetly.

“I’m good, thank you.” He said quietly, giving her a quick glance. He placed all his books onto the table before sitting.

Ayumi grabbed one of the books that had slightly slid her way.

“You study law?” she asked, shocked that he studied such an intense subject.

“Oh, sorry—” he said, while reorganizing his books on the table.

“Yes—um, it was my parents' choice.”

Niragi cringed at the unnecessary information he’d spilled out of awkwardness.

“Well, you must be smart; otherwise, they wouldn’t have put that weight on you.”Ayumi tried her best to stay positive.

“You know,” Ayumi started, “I major in linguistics, and my parents are very disappointed in me.” She moved one of her linguistic books in Niragi’s direction.

“Oh, why’s that?” Niragi asked, guessing it was because it wasn’t a parent favourite.

“They don’t think I’ll be able to find a job once I’m finished. But throughout my time in school, the subjects I was best at indicated that—” Ayumi pouted her lips as she thought. “I’d be best at linguistics.”

Niragi had concluded so far that Ayumi was a strong woman. She could speak for herself and clearly went against her parents' wishes—something he could never do.

“Well,” Niragi tried to think of what to say, “I think it’s an interesting subject. I’ve never met someone who studies linguistics.”

Ayumi smiled to herself, feeling acknowledged and appreciated.

“Thank you,” she put her hand on her heart.

“Anyways, stop distracting me, Suguru.” She turned back to her work, tucking her hair behind her ear.

As the pair smile to themselves as comfortable silence fell between them. This gave Ayumi time to think.

She noticed Niragi only spoke when spoken to. He didn’t ask questions or begin conversations—not because he was rude or didn’t care, but because of a lack of confidence.

Niragi was a victim of bullying, and he always had been. He’d dealt with it throughout his entire life—from peers to adults, to anyone who noticed that his weaknesses outweighed his strengths.

He didn’t want to be weak; he just never had anyone in his life to guide him. No one to tell him that he didn’t need to put up with the bullying. That’s why he listened to his parents and studied law. He admired Ayumi for her confidence to rebel against her parents’ wishes.

Only on the second day the pair had already began a routine.

Niragi packed his books away at 4:30 p.m. Ayumi stood waiting, leaving her books scattered on the table.

They silently walked to the café, ordered their coffees, and again, Niragi insisted on paying.

They took a silent walk back and began studying again.

6 p.m. rolled around, and the two packed their bags.

“Are you going to be here tomorrow?”

Ayumi asked, already knowing the answer.

Niragi looked down at her, her bright, puppy-dog eyes looking back up at him. His face flushed at the long eye contact he accidentally held.

“Uh—Yes, 3 p.m.”

Ayumi enjoyed the effect she had on him; she could tell her simple actions made him nervous.

She gave that little flirty wave before turning around without a word and leaving.

Niragi watched her delicate steps as she left the library. The atmosphere felt empty, the temperature feeling colder now that she was gone. The only indication she was ever there was the heavy, perfumed air.

He walked back to his dorm feeling the bite of the cold, he thought of all the responsibilities he had to complete when he arrived at his dorm. The laundry, making food, the dishes, organizing his revision notes. However, he could not construct a plan because his mind was occupied. He found his thoughts wandering back to Ayumi.

He couldn’t reason it; he could think of one possible explanation as to why she would want to bother with him.

She was confident, and from what he had witnessed of her on campus outside of the library, she was popular.

Maybe she thought he was a normal boy outside of the study sessions—that he had friends and a social life. Niragi died a little inside when he imagined what she’d think if she witnessed him getting bullied.

He hoped that would never be the case, because anyway, that’s partly the reason he stayed so late in the library.

He was hated by the boys at his university. In fact, they had a target of his body shape marked in an alleyway. And whenever they caught him while he was walking back to his dorm, they would line him up against the wall and hurt him in all types of ways.

Punching, hitting, pushing, spitting. Their favorite was to take turns trying to hit him in the face using a baseball bat and ball.

At the time, Niragi couldn’t explain to Ayumi why he packed his books away to only get a coffee, but it was for this very reason. He was tormented. Anything he could do to minimize his chances of being targeted, he would do.

He didn’t expect Ayumi to understand, nor did he want her to know. He liked how he had presented himself to her so far, but it would only be a matter of time before she found out.

All it would take was one of the boys finding out about his after-school study sessions or her walking past him on campus while he was actively bullied, unable to protect himself.

The endless worries kept him awake, his hands constantly brushing through his hair in stress.

It was new, he thought to himself. It had been two days, and he was already stressing about how yet another friendship was going to be ruined.

This stress was going to kill him.

In contrast, Ayumi lay in her pink bedroom, music playing at a low volume. She rolled onto her stomach, almost love-sick with the thought of the cute boy she’d somehow squished into her routine.

Tags: @so-dramatic1

Authors note: Second chapter complete! Niragi will come around guys trust me. Smut will be added in further chapters however i’m taking it slow to really show the contrast between pre-borderlands Niragi and Canon Niragi.

[witchygagirlwrites]

You for Me

Kevin Atwater x Ruzek Sister Reader (Nicknamed Wonderland)

Kevin starts thinking you have someone else due to you trying to keep your actual last name a secret

“Realistically, how long do you think you can keep this up, Wonderland?” Luna asked as she flopped down next to you on the giant overstuffed couch that took up half of her office. You sighed and looked at the text from Kevin again “I don’t know. I’ve been seeing him for a couple months and no one has figured anything out” 

She cut her eyes at you “And the fact that his girlfriend wont answer his calls when he’s at work?” you shrugged “I work during the day too” “So I’m just portrayed as the hardass that won’t let my girl answer her phone?” she demanded with a smirk. You rolled your eyes “Oh yeah, you’re the worst” and grinned when she shoved you playfully.

“Why not just tell him the truth?” she asked and you shook your head. Maybe that would’ve been an option weeks ago but now? How could you just spring that on him? Oh yeah baby by the way my last name isn’t Daleson, it’s Ruzek…yeah that Ruzek. At first you’d told him Daleson just because he was gorgeous and you wanted a fun time and knew he’d never give you the time of day if he knew you were Adam’s sister but now? If he found out you’d been lying to him you’d lose him.  

“Oh god” she breathed and you turned to look at her “What?” a grin slipped onto her face “You’re falling for him” you felt your face warm “If I tell him now it doesn’t just ruin his friendship with Adam, he’s going to leave me Luna and I can’t even blame him. I’ve never known a guy like Kevin, hell I never knew guys like Kevin existed. He’s sweet and protective and cares about people. He calls his aunt every sunday, he texts his little brother and sister daily. He helps buy anything they need. He volunteers at shelters. He doesn’t think I’m crazy Luna, even when he walks in and I’m doing the weirdest shit possible. He came over the other night and I had headphones in and was dancing to the music. Any of my exes would’ve made fun of me, not Kev. He started dancing with me even without the music. He’s an actual good man. I can’t face losing him but I can’t keep lying. I have no fucking idea what to do here”

“Oh my little Wonder” she cooed, pulling you over onto her shoulder. “Want a new tattoo?” she asked and you laughed “Yes” so she patted your thigh “Come on, we got a little while before either of us have another client”

Kevin knew he was falling for you. He’d known it on some level since you spun around in that bar, ready to fight him if need be. You were everything. A little weird, a little chaotic but very much everything he’d never known he wanted.

That first night, having you in his arms he knew then and there he had to keep you. There was no way he could see another man having you. The time he spent with you only made him crave more, rather it was watching you work out art for someone’s next piece, going to a movie or just staying in. He’d never felt this way before. The times you’d lay there just to let him look over your tattoos, laughing and telling him the stories behind each one or the lack of stories considering some were just results of you and your friends having spare time or a client not showing up.

You had one for your mom, another for your brother’s mom. You were a little vague when it came to talking about your family but hell a lot of people were. From what little you gave he knew your father was shit, his wife had stepped up for you and your mom. 

When he asked about your brother you smiled and traced your fingers over a tattoo of the cheshire cat “That one is for him” “Why that one?” you shrugged “He dubbed me with the name Wonderland because he said my head was always in the clouds like Alice but at the same time he always comes sliding in when I need him” “Sounds like you two have a pretty good relationship” he said and you nodded “We do”

________________________

He wanted to meet your brother when he found out your mom and your brother’s mom had already passed. You’d talked to his aunt on Facetime twice already. He’d wanted her to meet you. Every time he asked about your brother you came up with an excuse. That shit had hurt but he’d pushed it down, maybe it was just the big brother thing? He’d feel some type of way about boyfriends if it was V.

Then you started dodging his calls. He’d get a spare minute at work and want to hear your voice only to catch your voicemail If you have this number you know who this is and what to do he shook his head and left a message “Baby it’s me. Call me when you can, ok?” that was the first few times, eventually he stopped leaving messages when you didn’t answer.

Just the night before he’d wanted to come over to your place but you’d made up an excuse about Luna and some friends. He would’ve believed you had he not run into her at the corner store on the way home. That was the third time you’d used that excuse to not have him over or to not come over to his place. What was really going on?

Was that why you didn’t want him meeting your brother? Because your brother knew your other guy? That thought stopped him dead in his tracks. His Wonderland with someone else. He needed to see you, needed to talk to you.

As soon as Voight told them they could knock off to grab a bite to eat  he headed for the Enchanted Rose.

_________________________

“Um Wonderland?” you cut your eyes up at Fiona, the receptionist who’d just started “Yeah sweets?” “There’s a cop here asking for you” 

Your eyes widened, trying to remember if you’d done anything bad enough to have a warrant. Hell then again you did know a few cops on a personal level. Fuck if it was Adam…

“What’s the cop look like Fi?” you asked and she grinned “Oh he is the definition of tall, dark and handsome” A grin slipped onto your face “Easy Fi, that one is taken” she laughed “Damn” as you walked past her and saw Kevin standing just inside the door. His badge was hooked onto his belt still.

“Hello Detective” you greeted and he turned towards you with a smile “Can we talk?” Oh god, did he know? Did he not know and was still breaking up with you? He realized you were crazy and figured out he could do better.“Let me grab my jacket” you spoke and he nodded. 

You turned to head towards the staff room and the moment you walked in Henri’s eyes widened “Baby what is it?” you shook your head “I’ll be right back” he nodded “Are you sure you’re good?” “Yeah Hen” you replied, forcing a smile then walked back out to where Kevi was waiting. 

_______________________

He opened the door so you walked out behind him. The two of you slipped into the alley between the Enchanted Rose and the bookstore that was next to it. Better to cut off the wind. “What’s wrong Kev?” you asked, looking up at him. His hands went to your hips, eyes finally finding yours and you smiled “There’s my man” 

“Am I?” he asked and your smile fell “What?” he shrugged, fingers playing with the hem of your shirt “Wonderland, baby you mean a lot to me” “You mean a lot to me Kevin” you replied and he nodded, one hand coming up to cup your chin gently “Angel, do you got someone else?”

You felt tears spring to your eyes at the accusation “What?” he shrugged “Baby you don’t talk to me during the day. I don’t have any photos of you without filters or Gary having practiced his painting skills with you as the canvas.  You told me I couldn’t come over last night because you was with Luna then I saw her at the store. I can’t meet your brother. I want you girl, I’ve wanted you since I laid eyes on you but damn I ain’t built to be the other man here”

“You’re the only man Kevin. I promise you” you whispered and he smiled “Then why the hiding babygirl?” “There’s just…working through some shit but I swear to you Kevin Atwater you are the only man I want” he nodded “Ok” “Ok?” you asked and his smile slipped into a grin “Ok, damn. Give me a kiss since I didn’t even get dinner just so I could come see you while they work to get our warrant”

“Kevin!” you scolded and he grinned “It’s fine, Kim and Ruz will grab an extra burger anyways” then pulled you into a kiss. You leaned up to deepen the kiss, trying to get him as close as possible. When he had to pull away he left another quick kiss on your lips. “I’ll call you when it’s over. You gonna answer?” you grinned “Yes” He smiled “Good” and kissed you one more time before heading for his suv.

Kim cut her eyes at Kevin when he came walking back up the steps. He didn’t have any food bags so she sat the burger and drink she grabbed him down on his desk and he winked at her “Thanks Kim” she nodded “Gonna tell me about this mystery woman you’ve been going goofy over because I’m guessing you went to see her instead of getting food before the raid?”

He shrugged “Can I eat first?” she sat on his desk “It’s just a burger, talk while you eat” he shrugged and unwrapped the burger and took a bite “Met her breaking up a bar fight. She was defending her friends so no charges pressed on her, I arrested the other guy” she nodded “Knight in shining badge, I like it” 

He took another couple bites, finishing the burger and took a swig of the drink before she raised an eyebrow “What else? Where’s she work?” “The Enchanted Rose tattoo parlor” Kim’s heart stopped. No. He couldn’t mean Wonder, could he?” 

“The Enchanted Rose? The Goth beauty and the beast inspired one?” he nodded “Yeah that’s the one though her station is Alice in Wonderland” oh fuck he was talking about Wonderland. “Kevin are you seeing..” before she could get the question out Voight walked to his office door “GEAR UP. WE GOTTA MOVE NOW!”

@desimarie12

[k3nzgir1]

Purity {part: 1}

 w/c: 1.3k

summary: The every so perfect Agent has a history and not so secret side job. That all comes crashing down when a case in South Dakota reveals more than she’d like. 

You walk into the office angelic as always. You’d had a man you’ve never met at your side like a kicked puppy holding your bag. He’d seen you in the elevator putting on an effortless struggle against the weight of the bag. He’d offered to carry it and, well, who were you to say no? 

You had an aura about you that screamed, pure, and most men felt intense need to protect you. Though you made up for their lack of trust and took advantage of their naivety.  Men fell for you faster for you than you could say good boy. Yet most of the guys in the office already knew heal. 

But as you slide your bag off the man’s should flashing him a few of your pretty teeth you’re called into Erin Strauss’s office. 

“Have a seat, we have some.. things that I’d like to discuss with you,” she spoke with clarity and much stature as if she was above you. “I’ve received report you’ve been getting quite trigger happy with your new gun, am I going to regret fighting to get you a higher grade weapon when on the field?” you nod your head no. You’d tested out of your gun range the last time you’d done your assessment and Strauss had indeed fought to get you a better gun. You felt a bit guilty but to call it trigger happy was a different level. “There’s no need nor point in giving you a psyche evaluation, but if I find you in my office again there will be big consequences. Understood?” You nod yes quickly. Being pulled off the field would ruin everything. “Yes ma’am.” 

Derek Morgan was the first to stop you on your way out. “What was that about, are you finally getting moved up to Sniper level, little miss marksmen?” He say nudging your shoulder. Simultaneously almost knocking the files out of your grasp.

“Opposite, apparently I’m to “Trigger Happy” for Strauss’s liking, she hasn’t punished me yet but according to her I’m pushing the mark.” an unintentional sigh leaves your lips with out permission. “Well we have a briefing to get to, sweetheart. Hotch send me to find you. It’s a case in South Dakota. Son of a bitch it’s cutting the heart out of our victims.”

As you walk through the no where land that  the people around you seem to call South Dakota you find yourself at the disposal site. A young resident genius trailing aimlessly behind you. “It’s been 28 hours how is the body still here and why isn’t the park closed off to the public?” The words snap out and land in the ears of the current head detective. “I’m sorry ma’am we’re doing the best we can, unless you can fend off the general public all by yourself you’re gonna have to wait!” you look down at the body then back at the man before you can’t snap out the pettiest remark Spencer cuts in knowing in this very moment you have nothing nice to say. “Is there anyway we can get the body down to the morgue, our lack of knowledge is only setting us back in our discovery’s” he speaks politely directing a sharp glance your way. “Yeah almost like you have to do your job, colour me shocked.” it comes out of your mouth a muttered mumble, still audible, but a mutter at that. 

As the man walks away Spencer turns to do the thing you liked to cal Reidsplanning. Reidsplanning is when Spencer would lecture you on meaning less facts or give you unnecessary lessons on the field about “appropriate behaviour?”  You could see the look in his eyes and knew a string of words too fast to comprehend would fall out of his mouth, much like word vomit. “We’re supposed to be nice to the police departments. We actually want them to invite us back when bigger problems arise.” You try to walk away but Spencer keeps up your pace. “Look Reid, when people already doubt you being nice and jolly gets you nowhere. It only makes you look like a push-over. Now we’ll have to wait an hour before anyone’s even called to get the body because you went all “at your best convenience” to the Detective. No one takes a push-over seriously. Honestly, I say you should grow a pair and learn to stand on your own two feet.” You start to trail off but as your sentence tapers off you find a note shoved in the open crease of where a heart used to be. “Can I borrow your hand, thanks!” You pull over the nearest medics gloved hand to the area fishing to note out. Spencer look equal parts disgusted and intrigued. “What’s it say?” You use the man’s hand to unravel the note written on office stationery. “It says, “One of you is the mole-“ and a quote? “The Holy One, blessed be Thy, hates a person which says one thing with Thy mouth and another in his heart" (Talmud.) Does this mean anything, Spence?” Spencer’s eyes quickly graze over the words as if his brain were computing facts from memory “This quote from the Talmud essentially means that God despises someone who outwardly expresses one sentiment while harboring a different, contradictory feeling in their heart; it condemns hypocrisy and the act of saying one thing and meaning another. This saying is found in the Talmud, specifically in the tractate of Pesachim, {113b}” There’s no much information to take in so you jump to questions before comprehension. “So, who’s the mole, the unsub is talking about? And why tell us?” You speak trying to boost your purity to a maxima.

“I don’t know, do you think it has something to do with the BAU?” Spencer says now taking the grasps of the man’s hand plotting the note into an evidence bag. 

Body number two. Found in Ridgeway Park and Bike Route. A similar note is found but this time to says, “You’ve let her trick you for so long, her lies feel like a second nature.” and quote with a similar gist. “A man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point where he does not discern any truth either in himself or anywhere around him.” - Fyodor Dostoevsky a Russian novelist. and it essentially means that when someone repeatedly deceives themselves and believes their own lies, they eventually lose the ability to distinguish truth, both within themselves and in the world around them; effectively creating a distorted reality where they can no longer perceive the truth. Your lost in thought piecing together the notes when JJ bust through the door. There is a call coming through asking for the FBI, asking for you? You quickly run over to the group taking the phone offering a simple hello? A cold hasty voice answers “The trickster's function is to break taboos, create mischief, stir things up. In the end, the trickster gives people what they really want, some sort of freedom, audited by Tom Robbin’s, They will find you and when they do it’ll be too late. You’ve taken there freedom in hopes of your own, How does it feel y/n. How does it feel knowing you’ve won?” Just as fast as the call started the call ended leaving everyone in shock. Your job didn’t end here you must progress. “I- I don’t know what he’s talking about? I’ve never gone under any secret mission. I’m not a mole!” Spencer looks at you blind sided. “Why? Why did he call you y/n? And why did you respond like that’s your name? Answer me”

a/n: i’m trying but i’m terrible at cliffhangers…

[brummiereader]

@mischievouslittlecreature yes Lucy 👏🏼!

Ahhhh, I loved this chapter! I could scream with happiness how Lucy said everything i've wanted her to say to Lizzie for so long now! You have no idea how satisfying it was to see Lucy laying it all brutally out, for Lizzie to see 😈.

Ruby...what a little sweetie. I love her relationship with Lucy. I like to think that maybe Lucy's kindness has rubbed off on her 🥰.

This line though....Lily 😭! “Noooo! I’m never gonna get old!” Ruby laughed. Wow the foreshadowing has given me chills. Poor little darling doesn't know how true these words will be 😞.

It did not take long for her to hear the sounds of Lizzie and Charlie singing Happy Birthday to Ruby in the other room. This was such an upsetting little part. Lizzie making Lucy feel secluded enough she was worried to join in, will never help the situation. If anything it just pushes Tommy further away to see his girl not sharing in any of these family moments.

“I didn’t have a nicer time.” 👈🏼 see. Tommy's a pouty mess when he's not with her.

Lucy stared at him, eyes wide, mouth half agape. Lizzie thought that Tommy was going to die. She thought that he was on the precipice of death, that he was suicidal, and all she cared about was fucking money!? And she told him that!? This!! This is absolutely not what someone who's in love with someone would think! This is the polar opposite to Lucy's reaction everytime she thinks about Tommy dying. This always ALWAYS rubbed me the wrong way when Lizzie said this. And you could see the hurt in Tommy's face after. I knew it would take a moment like this for Lucy to finally fly of the handle when it comes to Lizzie. Tommys life always comes first to her. The mere thought of him dying is enough for Lucy to lose it.

And the next scene only further proves this. With Tommy trying to calm the situation between Aberama and Johnny, Lucy had eyes on Tommy. Even more so when Lizzie comes out guns blazing 🙄. Lizzie is really getting on my last nerve, and the next part was so epic I was kicking my feet cheering Lucy on!

“Enough of this. Alright? Enough.” She was so angry she was nearly shaking, but thankfully no tremor found its way into her voice. “Enough with the crying. And complaining. And the fucking temper tantrums every other bloody week.” She shook her head back and forth. “What are you doing? Do you really think that being hateful to me and using your daughter to hurt him is going to endear him towards you? Really? That’s your great master plan to make him fall in love with you?” I would quote this entire part, but this passage in particular sums up all our frustrations with Lizzie.

I didn't think Lizzie would intentionally stoop that low. But using Ruby against Tommy was a step way, way too far. We've seen glimpses of her subtly using Charlie against Tommy, but this was point blank obvious. Saying she's scared of her own dad, is frankly, awful.

Lizzie at least had the decency to look a little guilty. “I’m sorry–” - “Oh please. No you’re not!” Lucy laughed humorlessly. “You always fucking do this, Lizzie. You throw some big, grand temper tantrum and then you act all apologetic after the fact. Yep! We've seen her immaturity countless times at this point. Nobody's gonna fool for it anymore.

Lizzie looked down at her hands, ringing them together. “I love him, Lucy,” she finally said helplessly. This pissed me off as much as it pissed Lucy off. She loves her version of him she's created in her head. Not the real Tommy, else she wouldn't have made the remark about taking over if he died, or the amount of money that would be left to her 😤.

Woah, what an intense scene. But where does this leave them? Lizzie may be scared of Lucy and the threat of getting hurt if she dares to overstep the line again, BUT...why is it I see a possibility of Lizzie having another major tantrum again 😬?

Excellent chapter, Lily! All this build up makes me think something about to snap though 😬. I'm on the edge of my seat!

Part 26: Do You Love Me

Summary: Celebrations for Ruby's birthday are interrupted when Aberama arrives with claims of betrayal and a desire for vengeance.

Word Count: 5,478

Warnings: Violence, suicidal thoughts, and references to minor character death.

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Chapter 7: Endless Night

When they got home, Tommy touched her gently by the arm. Eyes lowering, his tongue darted out to wet his lips. 

“I need to go talk to Lizzie about her letter.”

She frowned, wondering if now, on his daughter’s birthday of all days, was a good time to pick a potential fight with her mother. But she supposed that there was no point really in trying to put it off. 

“Okay. I’ll make myself scarce.”

He frowned at the wording, entwining their fingers and raising her hand to press a kiss to the back of it. “I don’t expect we’ll be long.”

She gave him a peck on the lips. “Good luck.”

He gave her an agonized look that she was pretty sure was meant to be a smile, but came out as more of a grimace. Her fingers fiddled at her rings as she watched him head towards his office. Turning, she made her way towards the sitting room, hoping to seek out the kids or maybe one of the animals to keep her company. 

“Lucy!”

She started at the sound of Ruby’s voice, smiling when she spotted the little girl racing down the stairs towards her. 

“Hey, birthday girl!” She bent down to scoop her up, groaning overdramatically as she lifted her. “You’re getting so big, sweetheart! I won’t be able to carry you around for much longer.”

“Noooooo!” Ruby cried, but she was giggling toothily. Trailing behind her, Lizzie descended the stairs, heels clicking delicately against the floor.

“Tommy wants to see you in his office,” Lucy told her in a gentle voice. Lizzie just nodded, but her eyes darted to Ruby. “I got her.”

Lizzie reached out to stroke a lock of Ruby’s hair back. “You stay with Lucy, alright sweetheart? I’ll be just a few minutes.”

“And then we can have cake?”

Lizzie stifled a laugh. Lucy smiled. “Yes, sweet one.”

Ruby wriggled happily, watching with Lucy as her mother wandered away in the direction of Tommy’s office. Hitching her up higher on her hip, Lucy carried her from the stairway and into one of the nearby sitting rooms. Strategically far enough away from the office that, if any yelling started, Ruby hopefully wouldn’t be able to hear. With a huff, she collapsed back onto one of the couches, setting Ruby down on the cushion next to her.

“So. What did you get up to today, little miss? Hm?”

“Well…” Ruby giggled. “Mummy took me and Charlie to afternoon tea at the Midland.”

“Did she now? Did you have fun?”

Ruby nodded vigorously. 

“Did you get to open any of your presents yet?”

She pouted a little, dark doe eyes widening. “No. Mummy said not until after you and Daddy came home.”

“Ah. Well that was very thoughtful of her. I’m sure that your dad will want to see you open them.”

“Yeah,” Ruby shifted to snuggle into her side, picking at a loose thread on her dress. Lucy wrapped an arm around her, head cocking as she examined the little girl. Outwardly, she seemed her usual cheerful self. But there was something in the slight lowering of her eyes that made Lucy frown. 

“You okay, sweetie?”

“Uh huh. I just think that Mummy’s sad, is all.”

Your mummy is always sad, sweet one, Lucy thought, throat turning to sandpaper as she swallowed around the words. 

“It’s been…a bit of a difficult time at Daddy’s work lately, love. And it’s been affecting all of us. Including your mum.” She hoped that would be a good enough explanation about what was happening. Ruby frowned. “But hey,” she quickly moved to reassure the child, “your daddy will take care of it, eh? He always does.”

Ruby nodded. “Daddy takes care of everyone.”

“Yes, he does.”

A crease formed between her brows, those dark eyes darting to Lucy’s, wide with worry. “But who will take care of Daddy, Lucy?”

She felt her heart squeeze a little at the girl’s sweetness. Always a daddy’s girl. From the very moment she’d been born.

“I will, Ruby. That’s what I’m here for. You don’t need to worry.”

“You promise?” Ruby’s eyes were beseeching. Lucy smiled down at her. 

“Yes, honey, I promise.”

Seemingly satisfied, Ruby wrapped her little arms around her and nestled her head against her shoulder. Lucy stroked a hand over her hair.

“We can make it part of your birthday present, hm? What do you think?” she asked, hoping to lighten the mood. It seemed to work, Ruby grinning brightly. 

“Yeah! Okay!”

“Happy birthday, kiddo.” She kissed the top of her head. “Just you wait. Soon you’ll be old like me.”

“Noooo! I’m never gonna get old!” Ruby laughed. Lucy chuckled. “Can we play cards?” 

Lucy pressed her smiling lips together. Young as Ruby still may have been, it was her philosophy that you were never too young to start learning how to swindle at poker. She’d been teaching both the kids various card games since they were practically still in nappies. 

“Of course. I’m sure we can find a deck around here somewhere.”

It only took a little searching for them to find one, and they were just wrapping up their first game when Frances came in. 

“Miss. Winters, Mrs. Shelby asked that I take the children to the drawing room at seven for cake.”

At the mention of cake, Ruby bolted up from her seat and went racing for the door. Lucy smiled a little to herself, reaching across the table to gather up the cards and arrange them in a neat little stack. 

“Are you not coming, Miss?”

She looked up to find Frances still hovering in the doorway. She offered the housekeeper a weak smile. She had not been expressly invited to the celebrations going on in the next room. Nor did she feel bold enough to try to force her way into being included. Lizzie didn’t want her there, so she would respect her wishes. 

You are so fucking selfish.

The words had cut her deeper than she’d initially thought. Cycling in her head. Tormenting her. Leaving her to lie awake at night, staring up at the canopy, and wondering, for perhaps the thousandth time, if her presence truly was as massively damaging as Lizzie made it out to be. 

“They don’t want me there.”

“That’s not true, Miss.”

“Well, I’d rather not have to deal with Lizzie’s temper, today.” 

“Mrs. Shelby…she sometimes lets her jealousy get the best of her, but deep down, I don’t think she dislikes you nearly as much as you think.”

“Yeah,” Lucy whispered. She had thought that too, once. But as time went on it got harder and harder to believe. “Thank you, Frances.”

“Of course, Miss. I’ll leave you be.”

She nodded gratefully, curling her legs under her on the couch, plucking up a book sitting on the end table. The room was dimly lit, not the best for reading, but it fit the mood she was in. As she flipped through it idly, Trouble crept out from wherever it was she had been hiding, and curled into her lap. 

It did not take long for her to hear the sounds of Lizzie and Charlie singing Happy Birthday to Ruby in the other room. Her throat tightened, chest suddenly aching sharply with the feeling of exclusion and loneliness. Snapping the book shut, she stood, scooping Trouble up into her arms. With quick steps she headed for Tommy’s office, where she was unlikely to hear the sounds of the family singing and celebrating. 

Setting Trouble down on a nearby armchair, Lucy picked up a few stacks of papers on Tommy’s desk, sitting down and beginning to look them over. Trouble found her way into her lap again, meowing in complaint everytime Lucy ceased petting her even for a moment. She wondered if the cat could sense her distress. It would explain why she was suddenly insistent on remaining so close to her.  

The door opened perhaps fifteen or twenty minutes later. Tommy’s heavy footfalls approached her slowly, coming to a stop right beside her. 

“I was looking for you.”

Lucy swallowed harshly, the action burning a little. She cleared her throat. “Sorry.”

“Why didn’t you come for cake?”

“Didn’t want to spoil things.”

“You could never spoil things.”

“Lizzie would disagree. I’m sure that she had a much nicer time without me there to pop her happy little bubble.”

“I didn’t have a nicer time.”

She finally looked up from the papers she had been pointedly keeping her gaze fixed on. He was standing over her, a plate containing a slice of chocolate cake with a silver fork balanced on the edge clutched in one hand. His eyes were tired and hurt.

Another sharp pang of guilt twisted like a knife in her heart. “I’m sorry.”

He examined her for a moment more, then looked away. “It’s alright.” It clearly wasn’t, but she didn’t really want to discuss it further. At least not right then. He held out the plate to her. “I brought you this.”

Setting aside her papers, she took it. “Thank you.” Watching him walk around the desk to sit behind it, she frowned at the continued look of open distress on his features. Trouble hopped off of her lap to follow him, brushing her little body against his ankles. “Did Ruby have a good time?”

“She loves her presents.” He shot her a knowing look which Lucy shied away from. They both were well aware that most of the gifts with his name on them had actually been purchased by her. 

“Good. That’s good.” Taking up her fork, she gathered up a small bite of the cake. It was dense and rich. Sweet on her tongue, with just the right edge of bitterness to keep the sweetness from being too overpowering. As she chewed, she eyed Tommy, worry growing by the minute. “Are you alright?”

He cleared his throat, looking away from her to some far off, distant point. “I got a call.” He didn’t need to specify from whom. “I asked them some questions about Michael, but they didn’t have anything of much use for us.”

“Okay…” That wasn’t really all that surprising, all things considered. Disappointing, maybe. But it didn’t seem like reason enough for him to appear so upset. “How did your talk with Lizzie go?”

He didn’t respond, still staring at a nondescript place on the far wall. Setting her fork down, she put the plate on the desk in front of her and leaned forward to try to get in his line of sight. 

“Tommy?”

He came to with a jerk, eyes snapping to hers. “Hm?”

“What did Lizzie say?”

The way that his face fell told her that she’d found the source of his sullen mood. Lucy tensed, preparing herself for whatever new venom Lizzie had chosen to throw at him. Tommy drew in a deep, painful breath. 

“She said that she took Ruby to Arthur’s because she’s scared of me.”

Lucy’s brows drew in. Already that made no sense. Ruby adored Tommy. Not once had she shown fear towards him. If anything it was the opposite. He was always the one that she wanted whenever she had nightmares or was frightened of the monster under her bed. 

But Tommy wasn’t done yet. “Lizzie says that when she knows I’m not coming home that she’s…different.”

Rage, hot and trembling, began to course through her. Her fingers balled into fists, little crescents digging into her skin as she fought to leash her temper.

How fucking dare Lizzie try to use that sweet girl to hurt him. She knew how much Tommy loved Ruby; how important she was; how cherished the relationship that they had was to his heart. 

One look at Tommy’s face, and she realized that was not all. There was something more. “What else?” she asked, working hard to keep most of the anger coursing through her out of her voice. 

Tommy smacked his lips together. His thumb was moving back and forth anxiously, she could see, where it was resting on his thigh. 

“She’s concerned that if I get killed, or end up offing myself, that there won’t be anything left for her.” He choked out a humorless laugh. “She thinks that if I’m gone, she’d take my place in everything.”

Lucy stared at him, eyes wide, mouth half agape. Lizzie thought that Tommy was going to die. She thought that he was on the precipice of death, that he was suicidal, and all she cared about was fucking money!? And she told him that!?

She opened her mouth to speak. Or maybe to just let out a scream of rage before flying out of her chair to go find Lizzie and throttle her, when the growl of an engine quickly approaching the house sounded from outside. 

Her brows knit. Tommy frowned, standing and going to peek out the window. A bark sounded from near the front door. Shadow. 

“Tell Lizzie to get the kids upstairs,” Tommy said, springing into motion. Lucy nodded, rage momentarily forgotten as she hurried out of the office and to the drawing room. Lizzie was seated with Charlie and Ruby, playing with some of Ruby’s new toys. Lizzie looked up, saw her expression, heard the approaching engine, and shot out of her seat, taking both children by the hand and rushing them towards the stairs. Lucy gave her a quick nod in approval. At the very least, she could always depend on Lizzie to keep the kids safe.

Barreling from the drawing room, she met Tommy at the cupboard loaded with weapons. Her fingers flexed around the rifle he pressed into her hands, bringing the stock to rest against her shoulder. Together, they headed for the front entryway. 

Shadow was still barking and growling by the door. “Stay, boy,” Lucy ordered. He quieted and sat down on his haunches immediately, though his brown eyes followed them as they went outside. Tommy plastered himself against the wall of the archway that curled over the front door, a hand signaling for Lucy to take position behind him, her side also pressed to the cold wall that was serving as their cover.

They remained completely still, just listening with hands gripping tight to their weapons. The car engine jutted to a halt, then shut off entirely in the driveway. One of the car doors opened, followed by a thud, and sharp groans of pain. 

Lucy frowned when she recognized the voice that started calling out Tommy’s name. “Is that Johnny?”

With fluid movements that greatly resembled that of a big cat, Tommy sprang into motion. Lifting his gun to level with the car as he stepped out onto the drive, he began shouting orders to the person still inside behind the wheel. Lucy followed behind, rifle raised to cover him. Her eyes squinted at the driver’s seat, trying to make out in the shadows who was seated behind the wheel. Johnny Dogs had been dumped out onto the ground, writhing and clutching at his side. 

When Aberama stepped out of the car, Lucy felt her breathing hitch in horror. He was bloodied, tears shining in his eyes. There was something half mad in them that made her skin prickle with alarm. She kept her rifle raised, just in case. Despite Aberama not holding any weapons in his hands.  

Her blood chilled as Aberama started to speak in a voice laced with tears. Telling them of how Bonnie had been strung up on a cross and shot while they were camping out in the wilderness. At Tommy’s question as to who had attacked them, he reached into his pocket, and threw a crumpled ball of paper to them. Lucy kept her rifle trained on Aberama as Tommy stepped forward to pick it up and unfurled it. She glanced over Tommy’s shoulder at the words scrawled in black, the paper stained red with blood. 

BY ORDER OF THE BILLY BOYS.

Her eyes snapped back to Aberama as he explained that only Johnny Dogs had known where they were camped. Johnny immediately started to try to insist on his innocence. That sent Aberama into a rage, lunging at him where he was still curled on the ground.

 Tommy put down his weapon and jumped between them, trying to wrestle Aberama off of Johnny. Lucy kept a careful distance away from them, rifle still raised in case she needed to use it. She couldn’t fire as long as they were all tussling together like that, though. She wouldn’t risk hitting Tommy, and she didn’t want to outright kill Aberama or Johnny either. At least not before they had a clearer understanding of what had happened. She could always shoot Aberama in the leg to incapacitate him. She didn’t want to, but she would if she had to. 

Tommy managed to pull the two men apart, and Lucy took a cautious step closer to Johnny, lowering her rifle a little. Taking hold of Aberama, Tommy started to try to calm him down and talk sense into him. As Tommy continued to speak, Aberama suddenly went still, his gaze turning cold. 

“They crucified my son…for you,” his voice had lowered considerably into a malicious murmur. 

Lucy brought her finger to rest on the trigger of her rifle at the same moment that Aberama lunged for the gun Tommy had left lying on the ground. He had just coiled his fingers around it, half raising it to level with Tommy’s chest, when two gunshots rang out sharply. 

But the bullets came not from Lucy’s gun, nor from Aberama’s. 

They came from Lizzie’s.

They all jerked with surprise, the thundering echoes of the gunshots reverberating all around them. Lucy felt her muscles lock with the preparation for a fight before she realized what was happening. Aberama drew back, hunching over himself as if expecting to be shot. Johnny cringed. Tommy’s eyes snapped to where the shots had come from, wide with shock and fury.  

Lizzie came barreling down the steps leading to the front door. The gun she’d just fired into the sky waved wildly at all of them. Her eyes were bulging and she was screaming, demanding that they all get away. 

“This is my house! And I don’t want you back. I don’t want you back!” She looked half out of her mind, the gun aimed squarely at Tommy’s chest. Lucy stared at her in shock. Fear locked around her throat when for one terrible moment, she actually thought that Lizzie might pull the trigger. 

Tommy recovered first from the silence and stillness that the outburst had stunned them all into. With quick footsteps, he walked his way over to Lizzie. Lucy tensed, half rising her rifle towards Lizzie when she didn’t lower the gun, panicking that Tommy’s approach would trigger her to fire.

But she didn’t, and he ripped the gun from her hand with ease, opening the chamber and dumping all the remaining golden bullets out onto the drive. Lizzie smiled spitefully, rabidness still gleaming in her eyes. 

Tommy stuffed the emptied gun into the front of his trousers, then stalked over to Aberama to snatch away the rifle still held limply in his hand. It seemed that the shock of Lizzie’s intervention had drained all his remaining will and strength, leaving him swaying dangerously on his feet. His face was pale, left arm limp at his side.

“You wanna take on the Billy Boys? You need me alive,” Tommy said to him, then turned to fix his gaze pointedly at Lizzie, voice raising. “Everyone fucking needs me,” he said, no small amount of bitterness enveloping the words. Lizzie sneered at him, hate shining bright in her eyes. Lucy wondered if she actually would have had it in her to shoot him. If maybe she even had wanted to. 

But her interruption had allowed Tommy to seize back control over the situation. Aberama slumped against a nearby stone bench with a soft groan, while Tommy ordered Lizzie back inside to call an ambulance for him. She gave each of them individually a look of deep contempt, but did as she was told, turning to stalk back into the house. 

“Stay with him,” Tommy said to Lucy while he moved to haul Johnny inside. She nodded, shouldering her rifle and going to sit beside Aberama. They sat in silence, watching as Tommy helped a sobbing Johnny through the front door. Aberama’s breathing was wheezing and labored. 

It was quiet inside the house for a while, likely as Tommy got Johnny settled in one of the rooms. But then there was muffled shouting, both Tommy and Lizzie’s voices distinctive in their raised volumes. 

“Do they always argue like that?” Aberama asked softly after a few minutes passed and the yelling didn’t cease.

“Yes,” Lucy mumbled, staring down at her hands. Tommy finally came outside at the sound of the ambulance approaching, speaking to the driver in a low voice before helping them to load Aberama into the back. 

“What about Johnny?” she asked, standing beside Tommy and watching as the ambulance pulled away.

“Maisie, Clara, and Sandra are taking care of him.”

She nodded. Their maids were no stranger to setting bones and sewing up wounds.

“That letter the Billy Boys left that Aberama threw at me,” Tommy began, “it was written in the same style and handwriting as the one that was on the scarecrow in the field with the landmines.”

Lucy’s eyes widened. In her mind, she could see Bonnie, strung up on a cross not unlike the scarecrow out in the field. “Oh…” she swallowed, throat suddenly dry. “At least we know who left us them, then.”

Tommy hummed. She looked over at him worriedly and reached out to rub his shoulder. “Johnny’s not a traitor.” There was a list–albeit a very short one–of the few people whom she knew in her bones would never betray them. Johnny Dogs was on that list. 

“Agreed.”

“So how did the Billy Boys find them?”

“I don’t know,” he shook his head. Lucy looked out across the grounds, towards where the thick smattering of trees began on the property. Her lip caught between her teeth.

“Maybe it was just bad luck.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“No,” she sighed, reaching up a hand to run over her hair. “Not really.”

“Come on,” he brushed a hand across her shoulder. “Let’s get inside.”

She followed him back into the house. While he went to go check up on Johnny, she returned her rifle to the armory. Just as she was closing it up, she heard heels clicking against the floor. Protectiveness flared fiercely inside her at the memory of Lizzie brandishing the revolver in Tommy’s face.

She told him she doesn’t care if he dies.

The wrath that had briefly been extinguished by Aberama’s arrival returned in full force.

Slamming the cupboard closed, she turned sharply, walking with rapid steps towards where Lizzie was standing in the doorway. Grabbing her firmly by one wrist, she started to half drag her into one of the adjoining sitting rooms. 

“Lucy!? Ow! What the fuck!?” Lizzie cried, and Lucy yanked her through the door, closing it behind them hard enough to nearly rattle the frame. The moment that she let Lizzie go, Lizzie took a step back from her, rubbing at the wrist she’d been gripping. 

“You and I need to talk,” Lucy said, eyes blazing.

Lizzie’s throat worked, drawing herself up to her full, towering height. But there was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.

Lucy took a step forward, and when she spoke, her voice was icy calm. “You will never point a gun at him like that again. Ever. Do you understand me?”

Lizzie’s jaw worked, but she didn’t reply, instead just fixing Lucy with a defiant, stubborn expression. Lucy scoffed. 

“Enough of this. Alright? Enough.” She was so angry she was nearly shaking, but thankfully no tremor found its way into her voice. “Enough with the crying. And complaining. And the fucking temper tantrums every other bloody week.” She shook her head back and forth. “What are you doing? Do you really think that being hateful to me and using your daughter to hurt him is going to endear him towards you? Really? That’s your great master plan to make him fall in love with you?”

Lizzie let out a hiss and turned away, cheeks reddening.

“You fucking idiot.” Now that the words were pouring out, she couldn’t stop them. “If you’re going to leave, fine. Fucking leave. But don’t just sit around here, crying and complaining and dragging the rest of us down with you.”

“I do not–”

“Yes, you fucking do, Lizzie! God! It’s like living with a fucking see-saw! Do you understand? Do you realize how exhausting it is? And now on top of every other fucking thing I have to do, I have to worry about you pointing fucking guns at him, and telling him that your daughter’s scared of him.”

Lizzie shrank in on herself a little.  

“You know, I see two possibilities here: either you’re a terrible mother, who has willingly brought your child back into an environment where you know she’s uncomfortable and frightened. Or, you were just saying that because you wanted to hurt him as deeply as you know how.”

Lizzie’s eyes met hers sheepishly, and she had the answer that she already knew. 

“Despite everything, I know you’re not a terrible mother. You’d never have brought her back here if you genuinely thought she was scared of him.”

Lizzie still said nothing, eyes staring back into Lucy’s, defiance slowly ebbing from them at being caught in her lie. 

“You know how much he loves her,” Lucy shook her head. “You know that he would do anything for her. How could you do that to him?”

Lizzie at least had the decency to look a little guilty. “I’m sorry–”

“Oh please. No you’re not!” Lucy laughed humorlessly. “You always fucking do this, Lizzie. You throw some big, grand temper tantrum and then you act all apologetic after the fact. As if that immediately absolves you of everything. It doesn’t. My guilt can’t absolve me of the crime of fucking your husband, and your apologies cannot erase the hurt that you’ve caused. Especially when you keep doing it over and over again.”

She drew in a deep, harsh breath at the end of her rant, taking a step away from Lizzie. Stalking to the windows, she looked out at the dark grounds, fingers toying with each other. In the reflection in the glass, she could see Lizzie still standing motionless in the same spot she’d been in while Lucy yelled at her. Staring at the wall as she processed her words. Lucy wrapped her arms around herself, returning her gaze to outside. Even as she felt Lizzie finally look over at her. 

“You’re scaring me, Lucy,” she said finally in a quiet voice. 

Lucy took no pleasure in the statement, tongue darting out to wet her lips. Looking down, she nodded once to herself. 

“Good.” She turned to face Lizzie. “I think that you’ve forgotten who exactly it is you’re dealing with, here.”

Lizzie stared at her with wide, wounded eyes, and Lucy felt a stab of guilt for how harsh she’d been. But she shoved it away. Because when it came to protecting Tommy, nothing else mattered. 

“Pull yourself together,” she commanded, raising her chin. “Or I will put an end to the entire fucking thing. You know I can. All I have to do is ask him to leave you, and he will. Like that,” she snapped her fingers. The crack seemed to echo throughout the room. “I’m almost fucking there, Lizzie. Because you can hurt me and take jabs at me and say as much hateful shit about me behind my back as you want. But you’re hurting him now. And I won’t allow that.”

The look Lizzie fixed her with was wounded and angry, but also contemplating. Lucy wondered if, just maybe, she had gotten through to her a little.

“We’re friends, Lucy,” Lizzie said, after another moment of silence. For some reason, Lucy found the idea hilarious, bursting into a round of helpless, quiet giggles and shaking her head. 

“No. No; we’re not. That was just a pipe dream.”

Lizzie shuffled a step closer to her. “That’s not true.”

“You’re just saying that to manipulate me. Like you always have. You’ve never actually given a shit about me. It’s all just been about trying to get closer to him.”

“No…it hasn’t…”

“Do you really not see how I may have started to think that every time you’re nice to me, it’s only because you want something?”

Lizzie looked down at her hands, ringing them together. “I love him, Lucy,” she finally said helplessly. 

“No,” Lucy whispered, shaking her head furiously. “Tell me, how exactly did you phrase it, Lizzie? When you were talking about your concerns regarding his potential death? How did you say it?” Her voice had dropped so low it was a miracle Lizzie could hear her. When Lizzie didn’t immediately respond, she raised an eyebrow. “Tell me,” she coaxed. Lizzie shifted from foot to foot uncomfortably. 

“I said, I’ll need to know there will be something left.”

Lucy blinked slowly, letting the words sink in and digest. “I need to know there will be something left,” she repeated back at her. Lizzie let out a shaky breath. Lucy shook her head. Her voice remained soft. “No. I don’t know what the fuck this is, but it isn’t love. Someone who loves someone wouldn’t be so focused on making sure that there will be things left for them when faced with the idea of their love’s death.”

Lizzie looked down at her hands. Lucy examined her face, watching the way that her expression fell to one of confliction and exhaustion. She raised a hand to wipe at her eyes, breaths turning shaky.

Lucy inhaled sharply, pulling away before she could allow herself to feel too terrible for making her cry, heading for the door without another word. 

She found Tommy in one of the upstairs bedrooms with Johnny, standing by the window and smoking as the maids finished bandaging Johnny’s ribs. 

“You alright?” she asked Johnny, coming to stand by the bed. He gave her a weak smile. 

“Hurts like a bitch to breathe, but I’ll live.” He looked at the maids tending to him. “Especially with these lovely beauties to look after me, eh?”

Sandra blushed and looked down at her hands. Maisie and Clara–both more seasoned and familiar with Johnny’s antics–chuckled and fondly rolled their eyes. 

“Good,” Lucy gave him a light pat on the shoulder before going over to Tommy. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders with a heavy sigh, reaching over to stub his cigarette out in a nearby ashtray. 

“Right, Johnny. If you’re alright, we’re going to go to bed.”

Johnny nodded, waving them away. Tommy took her hand, and they began the walk to their room. 

“He have anything significant to say?” Lucy asked.

“Nothing useful.”

“Mm.” That wasn’t that surprising. “I don’t like the connection to the Billy Boys. Especially after that whole business between them and Michael. It reeks of…something.”

“Yes, it does.”

“I talked with Lizzie.”

“Oh?”

“Yelled at her, is probably the more appropriate description,” she paused as he opened the door to their room, holding it wide for her to duck inside first. Trouble was curled up on the bed, asleep, though she stirred and meowed at them after Lucy flicked on the lights. Tommy closed the door behind them. “I feel a little bad about it, now.” 

“Don’t be. She’s needed a good talking to for awhile, now.”

“You don’t even know what I said to her.” She moved to sit at her vanity to take off her earrings. They settled in the little dish she kept them in with a clink. 

Tommy kissed her on top of the head, undoing the buttons on his waistcoat. “I trust you.”

Lucy smiled, grabbing a cloth to start wiping away her makeup. The smile faded quickly. “Things between you and her are getting worse.”

“Now what gave you that idea?” He flashed her a humorless smile that came out as more of a grimace, then sighed. “I’ll deal with it.”

“She pointed a gun at you.”

“She did.” 

She parted her lips to speak, then paused, considering her words before finally deciding to utter them. “If she had shot you, I would have killed her.”

Tommy glanced over at her, and smiled sadly. He reached out, resting a hand at the base of her neck, drawing her close so he could press a kiss to her lips. “I know, love.”

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Thank you for reading! Please consider leaving a comment, reblog, or like. I always appreciate feedback and love getting the opportunity to interact with you and hear your thoughts!

[loganslowdown4]

Found this old tweet in a random search lol

Pocket-sized sides >>>>>>

Actually, now I remembered we have those little youtooz sides so we really do have pocket sized sides and the prophecy has fulfilled itself lolol

[wonder-worker]

people really do not know what they're talking about when it comes to Elizabeth Woodville's social status, huh?

[aureentuluva70]

.

[killuaisaprincess]

reminder GONKI IS MORE CANON 😤😏 so anytime some kg person tries to send hate at you remember it’s just cuz they’re big mad Gonki more canon eheheh 😘🤭

[autisticlee]

sometimes I think about how I was legitimately the most hated and bullied kid in my entire class, and probably entire school. I knew this as a fact. there was nothing I could do about it. not just by the kids either, but the teachers/staff as well. all because I was autistic and unable to speak and they didn't want to treat me decently. and I ask why. (rhetorically of course, because I know all the excuses given as answers)

being an autistic kid and knowing damn well this is true, that you're the most hated person in the entire building with not a single person on your side, knowing you're the main target for everyone's aggression every day, is....truly something. you know. like carrying the weight of everyone's hatred and negativity on your back alone, being their punching bag, internalizing their hatred for then. from ages 4 to 18. nonstop. never getting better. never knowing why. not being able to stop it. never getting any help. on your own and alone. blamed for it all.

yet i'm simply told to "get over it/stop caring" and get blamed for it fucking me up and having a lasting effect. lmao ok. let me just forget more than half my life existed at this point and magically get better! thanks!

[asiananeurysm]

I am an adult and that means I can cook an impromptu dinner at 1am on a Tuesday night if I want to

[bonestrouslingbones]

the day that people stop taking DNIs so seriously and acting like anyone who has one is trying to force control over the entire internet and everyone who so much as looks at their posts ever is the day i will finally know peace

[oceantornadoo]

inspired by a dramoine fic i read! simon riley x f!reader

it’s the third time today someone has handed you simon’s paperwork and you’re starting to get confused. in fact, there’s the distinct feeling that you’ve missed a memo.

first, it was the visiting captain, so you couldn’t blame him for confusing lieutenants. but then it was johnny turning in his mission report, muttering something about “cannae be late this time if ah give it ye, lass.” which was odd, considering you weren’t his direct report (you were gaz’s). but what really sent you over the edge was getting called into price’s office and being met with a load of folders addressed to one Lt. Ghost (Confidential).

“sir, i’m a bit confused as to why you can’t just give these to him yourself.” price looked up from his desk, eyes flickering from under his boonie hat. “hav’ you seen ‘im today, lieutenant?” you nodded immediately while trying to scoop all of this paperwork (that was not yours!) into your arms. “yessir, i saw him before breakfast and then during training and then…what?” price had silently quirked an eyebrow, his beard echoing the movement. “i haven’t seen ‘im all day, so i figure it’s faster for you to deliver since you’re more well-versed in his movements than i am.” huh. “i’m sure he’s just doing his ghost thing, y’know? slipping into shadows and…”, price patiently gave you an exasperated look, “but i’ll get these to him, sir. see you later!”

the problem was, you knew exactly where simon was. in your office.

his own had an unfortunate ground level window near the track, so he was always complaining about nosy recruits until you offered to share some office space. temporarily, of course. it’s not like you were using all the empty space anyways and it made it much easier to get the opinion of your fellow lieutenant on a report by walking over to his desk, rather than going up and down stairs. that was the second point he made, and who were you to say no?

after pushing open your office door, you beelined for simon’s desk, dumping the stacks of folders on his desk. “wot’s this?” his mask was off so you could see his eyes widen at the mess of papers. “everyone now thinks i’m a drop off box for your paperwork, so i got burdened with all of this when i was doing my rounds.” he nodded thoughtfully, taking a sip of his tea. “cheers, love.”

“what do you mean, cheers? don’t you think it’s odd for them to give me your paperwork? and why do we even have so much paperwork? i swear im drowning in it this week.” he snorted at your last sentence, opening the first folder in front of him while you rounded your desk, sitting in your comfy chair with a hmpf. “yer out an’ about more than me, tha’s all.” well, that was true. the infamous ghost was not known to be a sociable person on base. “i guess…” you turned to your old radio, passed down by a retired captain, and turned on simon’s favorite classical station.

“ya want mess or the pub tonight, love?” another great thing about being on base with simon - you never had to pay for dinner. “actually, that thai place we like is doing a special tonight.” he gave you a half-smirk, one cheek ticking up. “bloody raccoon. we had thai two nights ago.” you didn’t respond, instead blinking your best impression of puppy dog eyes at him. simon sighed, then shook his head at his desk. “olrigh’. the things i do.” you smiled and winked, dipping your head back down to your desk. “thanks, si.”

-

two weeks later, you were prepping for a duo mission with simon. price had been grilling the two of you for the past three hours, making sure you had everything memorized. satisfied, he leaned back in his office chair and rubbed his temples, the feeling of a headache coming on. “one more thing.” both of you snapped your head up at price, desperate to leave and eat. you’d already missed dinner and your stomach was complaining.

“the safe house is pretty small, basically a shack. one bed, no couch. i assumed ‘s fine since y’r datin-“ “‘s fine, captain.” simon cut him off, an out of character move that had you frowning. “it’s fine, cap. not like ive never slept on a floor before.” now price was frowning at what you said. he turned to simon, who shook his head imperceptibly before becoming still again. price’s brow furrowed but he didn’t push further. he got up from his chair, eyes flitting suspiciously between you two. “i’ll see you at 0600.”

“what was that about?” you whispered to simon after as you walked down the hall. “‘s nothin’.” you were missing something but it was so unclear what. “he thinks that we’re datin-“ “said it’s nothin’, sweetheart. he’s an old man. let’s get some food in you, yeah?” you nodded, letting him guide you to the kitchen. price wasn’t that old. and you were not dating simon riley.

-

the mission was beautiful, your best one in years. it was the first duo mission between you and simon, so the nerves of pulling your own weight had settled in hard. thankfully, your skills balanced each other out and you’d gotten the target in record time. now, all you had to do was wait in the safe house for exfil.

“you were so good.” you whispered once he’d locked the door. he only hummed a response, checking exit and entry points while you set up your packs, scrounging up MREs and testing the shack for electricity. price wasn’t kidding - it was practically a studio apartment. one bed, a bathroom and a decrepit stove. the soldier part of you was fine with it, but that small soft part of you ached for the warmth of your apartment. memories of yelling at simon for using all your shampoo even though he didn’t live there, of him running you a bath after a long day of training.

“you were good too, baby.” he snuck up from behind your spot on the floor and lifted you onto the mattress that had definitely seen better days. you hadn’t even checked it for bed bugs yet. “c’mere.” he pulled you into his lap, unbuckling your tac vest as you pulled off your bandana. you tugged off his mask - the hard shell since you were on a mission - and ran your nails through his short haircut. simon started kissing your neck, wet and sloppy like he couldn’t get enough. the unrestrained want he displayed sometimes scared you. the respective pulsing in both your chest and cunt scared you more.

“so are you sleeping on the floor or am i?” he flipped you over, your back flush with the mattress as simon loomed over you. there was still eyeblack around his eyes, caught on his blonde eyelashes as well, and you couldn’t help the hand that reached up to brush some of it away. “y’r funny, sweetheart.” you grinned at that - a real toothy smile. he bent down to kiss you, scarred lips caressing your own. simon bit your lip and you moaned, sliding your legs out from under him to wrap them around his torso. when you tugged him in he went willingly, grinding into your clothed cunt. his tac vest was still on, scraping against your shirt, hardening your nipples.

“keepin’ you in this bed all night.” cold fingers dipped past the waist of your pants. you were already wet, his fingers sliding easily up and down your slit as they warmed up. that’s when you realized he still had his glove on, his movements harsher than normal. wide eyes met his own, and simon stopped so you could make a decision.

it didn’t take much as you dug your heels into his back harder, meeting him in a sloppy kiss as his gloved thumb played with your clit. “fuckin’ made for me.” he whispered, and you chalked it up to dirty talk because obviously, you weren’t together. he just knew exactly what to do, giving your clit the right amount of pressure as his other fingers teased your hole, the stretch burning more than usual. it only took a few flicks and you were off, your orgasm settling through your bones like a warm cup of tea. “jesus, si.” he grinned, his scarred lips pulling up to show a beautiful smile. “know ya like th’ back of my hand, huh?” you shook your head, capturing the idiot in another kiss.

-

after the mission, after debrief and a hot shower, you made your way back to your base office. thankfully, paperwork had only slightly piled up. one envelope stood out though - a thick card-stock with glossy, swooping letters. an invite to london’s military gala, addressed to a Lieutenant & Lieutenant. simon’s name was next to yours, connected by a singular symbol. you turned to him in disbelief. simon had been going through his own backlog, but his head snapped up under the focus of your glare.

“simon, are we…dating?”

-

this was fun!!! check out the fic i linked it was so good and i couldn’t put it down.

[myheartxmyman]

And you saying things like 'yes I know it happened a lot, but other people don't act out the way you do', is such a horrible thing to say. If we would have been just friends at that time you wouldnt have said something like that, ever! And for the strange case that you would have had the audacity to say so you would have been 'my friend'. Really, I am again in shock off how rude I let you treat me. Sometimes I change perspectives, I am one of my girlfriends and you become her partner. Honestly I would tell her to leave him for good. And if she wouldn't I fear there would come a time when i would throw my fists at him. At least if I would see her unhappy again and again. If her boyfriend would say something like that around three times it would have been to often. Mistakes happen, but what repeats itself again and again is not a mistake; its a pattern.