#would need to get a better phone camera real quick first but....man am i sick of waiting and excuses

[galactic-empress]

I am THIS close to just leaving for Bhutan my passion before I get too depressed to want to do anything ever in life

[firefly-in-darkness]

Misconceptions - 1/12

Characters: Bucky Barnes, Y/N & Sam Wilson (briefly).

Summary: Bucky Barnes overhears a conversation that he shouldn’t have...

Word Count: 2k.

Warnings: Angst, heartbreak, jealousy...

Beta: The always lovely, Stacey - @princessmisery666 // all mistakes are my own.

A/N: This is one started as a dream and after bouncing ideas around with Stacey & Bee @negans-lucille-tblr​​, this was born and half way through writing I knew it would be more than a one shot.... Hope you enjoy - I love hearing your feedback too!

Series List

Firefly’s Library & Masterlist

Bucky glared at the mirror, he didn’t like wearing a suit or attending parties. He’d rather be out of sight, watching from a distance. Not chaperoning Y/N on a recon mission. He adjusted the bowtie, it still looked wonky. He gruffed at his reflection, put on the jacket and pulled through his shirt sleeves, letting the cufflinks glisten against the black velvet.

Once he placed the earpiece in, he left his room in the hotel suite and wandered over to knock on Y/N’s door. He faltered at the sound of her sweet voice floating through.

“I just wish you were here.” He heard her soft sigh, could see the way she’d twist the end of her hair in between her fingers.

Bucky strained to hear the other side of the conversation but even his super soldier hearing couldn’t work out who was at the other end of the phone call. His heart raced at the thought of Y/N wanting to be with someone else. Not with him, her supposed best friend.

“I’m worried about how he’ll react.” 

He scoffed, clamping his hand over his mouth and steadied his breathing in the hope she hadn’t heard him outside. 

He stepped away, knowing it wasn’t a good idea to listen in then he heard a giggle and muffled words, he leant his ear to the door.

“I can’t stop thinking about you and it’s driving me crazy.”

Bucky felt sick. She’s fallen for someone that isn’t him. His mind swirled with anger, or was it jealousy?. He pulled away from the door, fingers running through his now shorter strands of hair. He couldn’t hear anymore but his heart panged at her last three words.

“Love you too.”

Jealousy was similar to anger but what he felt now was definitely jealousy.

He bolted from the hotel suite without a second thought.

Ten minutes earlier….

Y/N spritzed the perfume across her collarbone, dabbing a bit behind her ear and her wrists. A quick glance to the mirror brought a smile to her lips; for once she was able to wear something glamorous. She checked her up-do was still in place, admiring how such an easy few pins could create an elegant look. The off-the-shoulder black dress sparkled in the light, she twisted and almost giggled as the floor length gown swirled around her legs, the split exposing her smooth, unarmed thigh. 

Finally, she was able to hang up her catsuit and its attached gadgets and weapons for the night. Well, she still had a pistol strapped to her other thigh, obscured by the skirt and of course the knives concealed in her heels. It might be a reconnaissance mission but things could always escalate.

Her smile faltered as she remembered the man in his own part of the suite, getting ready to support her in the mission; James Buchanan Barnes. 

Her phone ringing gripped her attention, a selfie of Sam and herself pulling silly faces was lighting up her phone. She pounced on it and held the device to her ear with her shoulder whilst she checked the blades were secure in her heels.

“Hi baby girl,” His smooth voice sent a grin to her face.

“Hey handsome.” She crooned back.

“How are you?” He tentatively asked.

She took the phone away from her shoulder, standing and smoothing the skirt. “I'm okay. This bed is huge.”

“You're changing the subject.” Sam scolded her.

Y/N knew that his eyebrow had quirked upwards and winced. Of course, he was checking up on her because of her mission partner.

“I don't know if I can handle this mission with him.” She sighed and sat back down in the chair, gliding the pendant of her necklace along its chain.

“Yes you can, it's only a recon mission. He's your back up.” Sam’s voice altered to that of her superior.

“I just wish you were here.” Y/N whined, and if she hadn’t refrained herself she might have stomped her foot.

Sam’s tone remained strong, not settling for her tantrum. “He's best qualified for this and you know it.”

“Yeah, you're right. it's one night.” She whispered.

“You still haven't told him have you?” Sam’s voice softened.

Y/N began pacing back and forth in front of the floor to ceiling window before heading back towards the door, “I don't know how to tell him. I’m worried about how he’ll react.”

He huffed, “Seriously! Go to his room right now and tell him how you feel.”

Y/N’s stomach lurched at his demand, “I can't. Not yet. He’s my friend and if I tell him this, it will make things awkward.”

“You know you need to tell him. Try it on me first. I can pretend to be the tin man, let me get into 

Character. Dark and brooding. Grumpy old man.”

She took a seat at the dressing table, a giggle falling from her lipsticked mouth, “Stop it. You’re being ridiculous.”

“Go on, hit me with your best line.”

Y/N rolled her eyes, and sighed, “I can't stop thinking about you and it's driving me crazy.”

“Yes, a little basic but whatever, now go tell him. If you don't then I will when you get back.” Sam chuckled.

She stood as apprehension filled her thoughts, alongside her fear of being rejected, “Don't you dare, this needs to come from me.”

“Okay sugar, good luck, text me. Love ya”

“Love you too” With her phone locked, she placed it into the clutch bag that complimented her outfit. 

Y/N’s head spun as she heard the suite door close, eyebrows furrowed as to why Bucky had left without her. She gathered her skirt and followed after him, in the hope to catch up with him before they entered the gala.

Y/N was not in luck, she entered the party alone. Even though her mind was reeling with uncertainty, she held her head high as she weaved amongst the guests and those carrying trays of canapes. Her eyes flickered around the room, trying to catch sight of Bucky but kept being distracted by others attempting to make conversation about their businesses, charity donations and anything that made them seem better people than they really were.

Their mark appeared and Bucky was beside him with his back to her, a blonde woman draped on his arm. Y/N’s heart dropped into your stomach, and it churned at the sight of his arm wrapping around the strange woman’s waist and hand gliding down her back to grip her bottom. Her eyes went back up to their faces, focusing on whether or not this was a distraction technique from Bucky.

“I’ll be back in ten minutes.” She whispered into the comms.

Y/N’s dress swished around her feet as she darted across the room, glancing back to see Bucky watching her; his lips on the rim of his whiskey glass, eyes dark and jaw set tightly before he turned back to the woman. She shook her head at his lack of response and carried on towards the double doors leading to the elevator. A bodyguard stood to the side and she tripped straight into him.

“Oh my, I am so sorry.” She fluttered her eyes and let out a soft giggle, “I think it’s time for me to go to bed.”

“No worries ma’am,” He lifted her upright, a grin on his lips as he drank in the sight of her exposed cleavage and doe eyes. 

She clutched his arm as he guided her to the door, her other hand unhooking the access card from his belt.

“Let me get the door for you, Miss, take it easy.”

Y/N sauntered through, nodding as she passed him. Entering the elevator and giving him a small wave. She pressed the door close button before she swiped the stolen card against the penthouse access pad.

As the elevator ascended, she sunk against the metal wall, flicking her skirt to the side and unhooking the glock from it’s holster on her thigh. She checked the magazine, clicking back in place with the palm of her hand. The doors opened with a chime and she entered, gun raised while her eyes took in her surroundings. Not much had changed since she visited two weeks ago, learning the layout and setting up the bugs to gain an insight on the criminal.

Without hesitation, she strode down the corridor to the study and rolled her eyes as she pushed the door open. Not even locked, this is too easy. She rounded the desk, opening the lid of the laptop and entered the password. A smug smirk accompanied the wink she sent to the camera hidden in the bookcase knowing Sam was watching back at base.

She pulled out the lipstick from her clutch, taking off the lid to reveal the hidden USB drive. Plugging it into the laptop and downloading it’s contents. Y/N crossed her arms and tapped her foot waiting for the green bar to fill but it was painfully slow. 

“Are you ready to get out of here?” Her eyes widened as she heard Bucky’s voice through the ear piece. The sultry tone made her freeze from removing the USB stick.

“Okay, one more dance and then I’ll show you a real good time.” His words sent pangs through her chest.

A giggle drifted around your mind, they must have been inches away from one another.

“Oh Doll, don’t tease me like that. We don’t want anyone to see.” The term of endearment and the image of what they could be doing brought tears to Y/N’s eyes. 

She ripped the ear piece out and threw it into her clutch. A quick glance to the camera, she shook her head, knowing Sam had also heard what was happening. She detached the drive, leaving the penthouse and striding back to their suite as quickly as possible.

Y/N marched into her room, kicking off her heels and began attempting to get out of her dress. The zip getting caught, a frustrated groan rumbled through her body. She clambered at the tag, and eventually was able to pull it down her back and let it drop, pooling at her feet. Stepping out of it as she pulled the pins from her hair, letting it cascade down her back.

Once Y/N had put on her pj top and shorts, she grabbed her wash bag and headed into the bathroom. She brushed through her hair and pulled it back into a ponytail, removed her makeup and moisturised her face, focusing on the repetitive motion of massaging her cheeks. But then the tears began to fall, they were hot on her cheeks and her breath dragged harshly through her lungs, almost choking on the sob. She wiped away the tears with the back of her hand.

As Y/N rinsed her mouth and put her toothbrush back in it’s case, she heard the sounds of laughter and stomping outside. Even though she felt sick at the sound of their happiness, she yanked the door open and walked out the bathroom. Y/N found them, bodies backed against the wall, in a state of undress; Bucky’s bowtie was hanging loose, the shirt open and his pants discarded down the hallway and her in a tiny lace set that didn’t leave anything to the imagination.

“Oh, who’s this?” The high pitch squeak from Bucky’s companion grated Y/N’s nerves.

Bucky spun around, “Oh that’s just a friend. Staying in the other room.”

Y/N stormed past him to her room. She heard the laughter pick up and the door shut to his bedroom. The giggles began to drift into moans and she knew she wouldn’t be able to handle it. She plugged in her earphones to her cell and blasted the music whilst she filled the cabin bag with her belongings as quickly as she could.

With a quickly scrawled note on a napkin, placed on the bed for Bucky to find in the morning, she left the hotel without a second thought.

Continue Here...

[doc-pickles]

i saw mommy kissin’ santa claus

Hello! And welcome to “Festive Fridays with Two Dumb Bitches So Dumb They Can’t Stick to the Schedule They Make for Themselves” featuring me and @odd-birds-and-booksellers We wanted to find a day of the week for December to post our Christmas fics on and decided on Thursdays (this was originally titled ‘Two Dumb Bitches Thursday’ but we are both terrible procrastinators so now we have that fancy new title up there)

Will you get posts on Thursdays? Fridays? Who knows! But we’ve both committed to posting once a week every week of December with a fun festive fic! (Please don’t come to our inboxes and hound us about them, we yell at each other enough as it is and Lay is mean.....)

Anyways this is my first fluffy fic entry of the month and it’s definitely not inspired by real life events. Hope you enjoy! :) 

(also this is not my best work because i’m sleep deprived and also my pregnancy brain is not letting me write how i normally do soooo cut me some slack please and thanks)

“Karev!”

Both Jo and Alex turned at the sound of Bailey’s voice behind them, the woman looking expectantly at Alex. Now that he wasn’t a young resident, Bailey rarely evoked a feeling of fear in him but today her stern voice had him racking his brain for anything he’d done wrong recently.

“What can I do for you, Chief?”

“Doctor Peterson retired earlier this year,” Bailey waited for either Jo or Alex to make a connection from her words, but both stared blankly at her instead. “Doctor Peterson used to dress up as Santa every year for the Peds Ward Christmas party. Since he’s no longer available, I need a replacement.” 

Jo’s eyes lit up in delight as she turned to Alex who wore an unamused expression, “Absolutely not, I am not putting on that ridiculous costume.”

“Oh c’mon! It’s for sick kids Alex,” Jo settled a hand onto her husband's arm as she batted her eyelashes at him. “It’ll be fun! You should do it!”

Alex looked between his wife and his boss, Jo smiling excitedly at him while Bailey fixed him with a glare. A groan left him as he realized he didn’t have a say in the matter, “Fine I'll do it. But I’m not happy about it.” 

Jo let out an excited squeal as Bailey thanked him, walking away with a satisfied smirk. Turning to his giddy wife, Alex wrapped his arm around her waist and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “You better make this worth my damn while.”

“What, do you want me to come and sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what I want for Christmas,” Jo rolled her eyes, but Alex kept his gaze fixed on her. “You’re serious? You really are a pervy old man sometimes I swear.” Alex swatted at Jo’s ass playfully as she walked away from him. If she hadn’t happened to be standing next to him when Bailey asked he wouldn’t have caved so easily. His eyes narrowed at the thought, knowing that at least one of the women had planned that out. 

“Stupid freakin’ Santa costume…” 

+

There was a reason that he’d avoided the Christmas party for the Peds ward all these years and he finally realized why. Alex was surrounded by dozens of sugar high children who hadn’t seen outside of the hospital walls in weeks. He loved his job and working with kids, but he rarely had to deal with them when they were running around and screaming at the top of their lungs.

“Well you look like you’re having a great time,” Meredith sidled up to Alex, chuckling as she pulled on his fake beard. “The white doesn’t look so bad on you, maybe by next Christmas you won’t even need the fake beard.” “Oh shut up, I’m only here because Jo made me come. And she hasn’t even bothered to show up and make things around here more enjoyable,” Alex grumbled as he swatted away Meredith’s hand. He’d been sitting with kids on his lap for almost an hour and a half now, asking them what they wanted for Christmas and listening to their lists. “I’ve got fifteen minutes left before I can go home and drink beer and I can’t wait.”

“I’ve gotta go find my kids in this madness, but it looks like you have another visitor,” Meredith gestured to the little girl patiently waiting to meet Santa, bright blue eyes staring up at Alex in awe. “Have fun Santa!”

As soon as she was gone, the little girl bounded up to Alex and settled herself onto his lap, a gap toothed grin appearing on her face. Alex recognized her as one of his own patients, five year old Lauren who had a gastrointestinal problem that kept her in the hospital for weeks at a time, “Hi Santa!”

“Hi Lauren,” Alex almost chuckled at Lauren’s wide eyed expression when she realized that ‘Santa’ knew her name. “What do you want for Christmas?”

“I want a Barbie dream house and a pink glitter ballerina Barbie too,” Lauren was full of giggles as she relayed her wish list to Alex. Her expression softened however and she leaned in close to him, whispering her next words. “And I want my tummy to feel all better so I can go home and have a real Christmas. Christmas in the hospital is no fun.” Alex’s heart broke at the little girls words, realizing just how much of a toll being here was taking on such a young girl, “You know what, I think your doctors will do their very best to get you home for Christmas so you can play with all your new Barbies. How does that sound?” Lauren’s face lit up at Alex’s words, her arms wrapping around his neck as she giggled in delight. A string of thank yous left her as she hopped off Alex’s lap and reunited with her mother, who sent an appreciative wave in his direction. 

“Well aren’t you the best Santa in the world,” Alex turned at the sound of Jo’s voice, holding back an eye roll as she lifted her camera to snap a photo of him. “See, I told you it wouldn’t be that bad! Your mom is going to love that photo, I hope she puts it on the mantle.” “Did you come here for any reason besides to mock me,” Alex grumbled. “I’m almost done with this and then I’m never doing it again no matter how much you beg.” Alex couldn’t help but smirk at Jo’s amused expression. She looked so happy that he was doing this, like it had made her whole year. If nothing else, Jo’s excitement made the stupid gig worth it.

“Well I came here to tell Santa what I want for Christmas but if he’s too grumpy…,” Alex reached for Jo’s hand, pulling her into his lap as she laughed at his antics. 

“Now what do you want for Christmas,” Alex pressed his face into Jo’s neck, more laughter coming from her at the feel of the fake beard against her skin. “I’m sure Santa would be more than happy to oblige.”

“You realize you’re trying to talk dirty to me at a children’s party right,” Alex pinched Jo’s leg at her remark, a squeal leaving her as she jumped. “Okay okay, what I want for Christmas is… a baby.”

“A baby?”

“Yes a baby,” Jo grinned widely, leaning in close to Alex with a twinkle in her eyes. “I want you to knock me up. Preferably not wearing the Santa costume.” 

Alex stared dumbly up at his wife for a moment, her grin never fading as she watched him process what she’d said. A baby… Jo wanted to have kids. Kids with him.

“You know there’s easier ways to say that you want to try for a baby,” Alex chuckled as he leaned up to kiss Jo, his fake beard getting in the way of his attempt. “C’mon let’s go home, I finished my duty for the day. Maybe if you’ve make it on the nice list I’ll put in a good word for you with Santa.” A string of giggles left Jo as she watched Alex try and sneak out of the room, instead getting ambushed by almost all of the kids that were running around. After a quick goodbye and a promise to work hard on their wishes, the pair finally made it out of the room, Alex turning to Jo with a grin, “You want one of those? You sure?”

“More than anything. Now kiss me,” Jo pointed upwards to the doorway where a sprig of mistletoe hung. “It’s tradition.”

+

“I can’t believe you volunteered to do this this year,” Meredith stared dumbfoundedly at Alex, who sat in his chair with a smirk peeking through his fake beard. “Seriously, are you feeling okay? You couldn’t stop complaining last year.” “Would you pipe down, it’s different this year,” Alex shrugged, waving at one of the kids that ran by. “I wanted to spread some Christmas cheer to sick kids, is that so wrong?” “Don’t listen to him, he didn’t want some ‘germy mall Santa’ to hold Peyton for photos,” Meredith turned at the sound of Jo’s voice, a grin lighting up her face as she took in the sight of the small baby cradled in the baby sling across Jo’s chest. “Although the peds ward of a hospital can’t be much better.”

“Stop whining and come over here,” Alex held his arms out, expecting Jo to hand the baby to him but instead having her sit across his lap. “Really? You’re gonna sit on my lap again?”

Jo shrugged, pressing a kiss against his cheek as Alex reached up to uncover the baby’s face, “I figured my Christmas wish came true last year, might as well go again.” “Listen I love you but this one barely sleeps through the night as it is,” Alex gestured to Meredith, who was smiling at the happy family with her phone in hand. “Now would you smile so we can have a semi decent first Christmas photo for our daughter.” Jo and Alex both wore bright smiles as they looked at Meredith, the two month old between them not even batting an eyelash as she slept soundly on her mom’s chest. The warm feeling in Jo’s chest almost made her tear up, thinking to just the year before when her husband had begrudgingly put on a Santa costume to please her. This year he had eagerly gone through the motions, excited to create memories with their daughter without a care about all of the patients that came with the deal.

“What’s on your mind? You have that blissed out look on your face,” Alex’s fingers on her cheek snapped Jo out of her daze, her lips coming down to press against his briefly.

“Nothing, just thinking about how lucky I am and how much I love you.” “I love you too, but you can’t just kiss me like that,” Jo’s brows furrowed as she took in Alex’s serious expression. “The kids are watching! What are they gonna think when they see you kissing Santa like that? I’ll get a bunch of angry letters.” “You’re the worst, Karev.”

[5289belle]

Captain America’s Legacy

Summary: When Katerina Rogers watches as the flags smashers cause further mayhem, she knows she needs to come out of hiding and go help Sam and Bucky take them down, all while dealing with the fact that the United States government replaced her dad with some idiot as Captain America.

Meet Katerina (Katy) Rogers, the daughter of Natasha and Steve. Will take place during the falcon and the winter solider with some flashbacks to black widow and civil war. Also Tony is alive in this timeline, Steve did that snap instead, Natasha still died getting the soul stone.

Chapter One Captain Americas Legacy 

Sitting on the bed in her hotel room in Paris, Katy looked up to the tv and watched as Sam Wilson gave away her dad’s legacy to some museum. How could he when her father had chosen him to replace him while he lay there dying, anger and grief swelled up in her as she angerly switched off the tv.

It had been six months since she lost both of her parents within hours of each other and it hadn’t gotten any easier, she was all alone with her grief. Wanda was off somewhere trying to get through her own trauma and grief, Clint was taking time to be with his family again, thinking of him getting to be with them again made it easier to handle her mama’s sacrifice. It hurt too much to be around her mama’s family, they all reminded her too much of her mama. Tossing and turning in bed she found it difficult to sleep when she knew what awaited once she did manage to go unconscious for a few tortured hours.

Sometime around six and five am she managed to fall into a semiconscious slumber, until her alarm went of at noon. Rolling over to turn it off and turn back into her pillow to get a little bit more rest. Soon she would have to get up and leave. Never stay in one place too long, that was her motto, the constant moving helped to keep her mind distracted.

About two weeks later she was strolling through the streets of London when she spotted the news paper stand. On the front cover it read “Cap is Back” below it described how John Walker was the new Captain America. Unable to read anymore she back away and ran back to her hotel room. Flipping on the tv to try and forget what she had just seen, she looked up to see the man in question having a interview on Good Morning America. She felt sick to her stomach, scoffing she sat down to see just who this Walker guy was.

“It’s the greatest honor of my life um, but I I’m just a little shocked how’d a guy like me end up here?”

Ugg, his obvious self-depreciation was revolting, as if. She could tell he was trying to hard to emulate that humble hero, trying to emulate her dad. After watching a few more minutes to get a better understanding she decided she had enough and flipped the channel. In its stead a news report about the flag smashers was playing.

Apparently they were escalating and even caused a panic and injuries at a robbery. Watching the news footage, she noticed that one of the masked smashers had apparent super strength. That was news to her, to her knowledge the only ones with the super soldier serum that was still alive was, her dedushka(grandpa), all the former black widows had a form of the serum including Yelena and her babushka(grandma), Bucky, and herself. Though her was from her parents passing on their enhanced genetic codes.

Letting out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding in, she looked down to her hands. This whole situation was getting out of hand and obviously the GNC couldn’t handle. She knew she couldn’t hide out anymore, not when people were getting hurt. It was time to go back home and follow in her parents’ footsteps.

Two hours later she was on a plane, heading back to the states.

Hopping out of her uber she thanked the driver and closed the door. Now she only had to find Sam and get to the bottom of the situation. According to his phone he shouldn’t be too far off. Not too far up ahead she spotted him with Bucky, having one of their usual banters no doubt. Though the closer she got to them she noticed Bucky a bit more. He had cut his hair, and hot damn if it did not suit him. “Fuck me” she muttered to herself before noticing and blushing.

You have got to be kidding me when did she find herself thirsting after him. Okay be cool she thought to herself, but damn he really was hot.

“Well I don’t trust redwing” Bucky said to Sam and he followed after him.

“You don’t have to trust redwing, but I’m gonna go see if he’s right. Because I have a feeling they might be part of the big three.” Sam replied back slightly annoyed by the other man.

Hold up, the big three? What the hell is that? Apparently Bucky didn’t know either because he asked Sam “What big three?”

Looking at him incredulously he replied “ the big three, androids, aliens, and wizards”

Shaking his head Bucky said “that’s not a thing’

“Since when has that been a thing?” Katy interrupted with genuine interest.

Both men looked over in shock, they hadn’t expected to see her. Not after she took after and disappeared.

Bucky did a double glance real quick, she seemed different somehow.

“Where have you been all this time? We looked everywhere for you.” Sam said with a worried expression. Giving them a tight-lipped smile, she looked away towards the skyline and then turned back to them. “Oh, you know, touring Europe.” Grimacing she continued “ I just, couldn’t face it. It was easier to disappear, but when I noticed all the trouble the flag smashers were causing and the GNC inability to do anything, I decided it was time to come back.”

“Are you doing any better?” Sam asked. “Of course, others wise I wouldn’t be here. Any way what the hell is the big three? I’ve never heard of that..”

Rolling his eyes Sam, looked to Bucky and then back to Katy. “ You know the big three, anytime we fight anyone it one of those three.”

“So who are you fighting now? Gandalf?” Bucky replied back sarcastically.

Taking a moment to register what he said Sam responded back incredulously “ uhh, how do you know about Gandalf?”

“ I read the hobbit, in 1937 when it first came out”

“So you see my point”

“oh, I love the hobbit. I read it back in fifth grade” Katy said to aloud, glancing at the both of them she was surprised to see they looked shocked at her admission. “What, it’s a good book.”

Looking back to Sam Bucky replied “No I don’t, there are no wizards”

“Doctor Strange” Sam said to which Bucky quickly replied “Is a sorcerer”

“ahh, ha ha. A sorcerer is a wizard without the pointy hat.” Sam said smiling in triumph.

“No, a wizard does magic with a wand or stick, a sorcerer used their hands” Katy interview with her commentary.

“Same difference” Sam looked over to her.

“Any ways’ he went on “they use brute strength, just like you guys and are incredibly annoying like the guy in front of me with a staring problem” With that he walked away to the plane with Katy and Bucky hot on his heels.

“I’m coming with you” Bucky and Katy said in unison to Sam.

“No you’re not”

“Uh, yeah we are. I’m not just going to sit back while I could be doing something to help people. Okay so I am going with you rather you like it or not. She said with a snarky tone, looking for Bucky to back her up. He merely nodded to her and followed Sam into the plane.

“Fine you and Cyborg can come with, just don’t annoy me” Rolling his eyes Sam couldn’t help but think how much she reminded him of Steve, always sure of what they were doing.

A few hours later sitting on the plane Bucky and Sam were having some kind of stare off. Looking between the two of them she couldn’t believe it. Seriously they were to grown ass men behaving like teenagers, her partners on this mission. Joy. Standing Bucky asked, “So what’s our plan?” Sam merely looked over to him and went back to putting in his earpiece and handing one over to her.

“Great, so no plan” Bucky said while sitting back down.

Torres interrupted with “Thirty seconds”

“Enjoy your ride Buck and Kat”

“Nah you can’t call me that”

“Why not, that’s what Steve called you”, shooting back Bucky said “Steve knew me longer, and Steve had a plan”

“Fifteen seconds to drop”

“I have a plan”

“Really? What is it?” he said while spreading his arms out walking toward Sam and Torres. Following after them Katy, stepped closer to Bucky.

Sam just jumped out the window, rather than replying back and dealing with those two.

Looking over to Torres Bucky asked “Great, where is the chute?”

“Were 200 hundred feet. It’s too low for a chute”

Huffing, Katy looked to Torres and asked, “Do you have some rope?”

“I don’t need it anyway” Bucky said while walking over to the open doorway and ripping off his sleeve with the metal arm.

“Yes we have some rope, why exactly” Torres questioned, looking over at Katy.

“Perfect, I can use that to jump out. Thank you”

Looking back to Bucky he replied, “You sure about that?”

“Yeah”, with that he jumped straight out.

Walking back over with the rope he handed it to her and watched as she wrapped it around herself and then to the plane, “have a nice flight” Without she dove right out of the plane and did a flip while holding out to the rope and scaling down to the ground. After fifteen seconds she let go and free fell another fifty feet before lading and doing her iconic superhero pose.

Looking over a few dozen feet, she noticed Bucky laying on the ground trying to catch his breath. Letting out a chuckle and smiling she walked over to him to make sure he was okay.

Standing over him she put her hands on her hips and looked down while asking “Are you okay? That looked like it hurt”

Suddenly Sam interrupted with mirth “I have all of that on camera, you know that right”

Then redwing flew over to them, Bucky merely looked over to her and said “Yeah, im fine. How are you?” and then looking over to redwing hovering above them he grunted “ Get out of my face, Sam or I’ll break it.”

In the comms he just simply said “okay, head north”

Sticking her hand out to him she offered to help him up. Reaching to take her hand with her flesh one she pulled him up, and then quickly took a step back flustered at his proximity, “come on lets go” with that she went north.

Walking into the abandoned building Bucky and Katy looked around, while walking around redwing swooped right by Bucky prompting him to swat at it while she chuckled, and Sam said “don’t hurt him”

While they walked up to Sam he called out “You’re doing that staring thing again”, looking down to his wrist he continued “They’re in there.”’

“Where’s they guy?” Bucky asked, “I don’t know, I think they’re smuggling weapons, though.”

“Well, I think you could be right”

“hmm,” was all Sam said.

“Well, I think we should do something about it rather than just standing here and bantering about it” Katy called out with a smirk and then walked closer to get a better look to see what the two guys were doing.

Looking over to her Bucky had a light smile reach his eyes at her quip, while Sam just laughed. “There’s only one way to find out, I see a clear path. I say we take it.”

“We’re not assassins”

Grimacing as his reply Katy looked over her shoulder and then looked back.

“I’ll see you inside or not.” Bucky replied in his deep baritone voice staring out Sam, then walking over to Katy.

“Hey, come on man. I’m just messing with you. Come back” smiling Sam trailed after them.

With Bucky leading they way she trailed behind him.

“Look at you. All stealthy.” Chuckling Sam continues through the comms “all stealthy. A little time in Wakanda and you come out White Panther”

“It’s actually White Wolf”

“Huh”

“All right, I’m inside therefore, way ahead of you.” Crouching down her looks over to Katy and then back to the scene in front of them. “It’s not great, but very doable with Katy and I”

Feeling a presence creeping up behind her she looks back to see Sam stealthy creeping up behind them.

“huh”, Bucky said in confusion”, then went on in a sarcastic tone “Hello. How are you?”

“Good. What did I miss?”

“Nothing”

Huffing out she replied between them “Boys, can we get back to the mission? Kind of important here..”

“Alright let’s go” Bucky replied

“No wait.” Sam said.

“I got a vibranium arm. I can take them”

Something felt off about this, it looked almost too easy, before she could say anything Sam quickly responded “And I can fly, Katy can take them down with hand-to-hand combat. Who gives a shit? Wait.” “I wanna see where they’re going”

“Now wait a minute, I can do more than that” she said offended.

“There’s two people”

“You only see two?, what about you Kat?”

“That’s what I saw. Bucky responded while looking over to her.

“I only see two, but I..” She stops to take a break and then looks at them unsteadily. “I can sense more, if that makes sense.”

Both men are surprised by this and look at her questioningly.

Sighing she looks to them and the says “About seven years ago I was taken by the red room, and they experimented on me, apparently they saw an opportunity with my already enhanced DNA. From that I’ve been able to sense things, kind of like a sixth sense. I don’t know if that makes any sense, but it’s all I got.” Unable to elaborate anymore she looks away and hopes they will be satisfied with that answer.

Noticing her apprehension, they let it go for now and focus back on the mission. Bucky has a straight face, yet there’s concern there and a bit of understanding.

“Let me see what redwing sees.” Looking down at his wrist Sam points of the multiple body heat signatures redwing is picking up.

Grateful they let it go, she looks over to see that there appears to be five people.

How many people you see now? One, two…. Oh, here it comes again. Four, five. Yeah five.” Sam continues while Bucky just snaps “fine”

“Yeah.”

“So they’re strong whatever. All right lets go.”

“No, no wait. Shit”

Watching as the people look up from the noise, the trio held still trying not to be noticed. Finally, they looked on and continued their tasks.

“Alright, lets move” A woman call out to the other people. Waiting for them to be out of sight the three follows after . Looking at his wrist Sam notices that one of the trucks has an eight person in it. “I think they have a hostage he remarks.”

With that Bucky and Katy run off towards the truck while Sam flies towards it.

Running up the truck Bucky jumps up onto the back and opens the door climbing in, with Katy hot on his wheels. Walking in further he begins to look around, trying to find the hostage. Looking around they notices the crate and the contents, “They’re stealing medicine. Vaccines”

Looking up she notices a young woman poke her head out from one the crates, she looks scared and slightly hopeful. Alarm bells are going off in Katy’s head, but before she can do anything Bucky is saying hi and getting himself jacked out of the truck.

“Oh shit” she remarks before kicking out the woman and then turning to Bucky to see him being pulled up onto the car truck by two guys. Jumping up onto the other truck she goes to help him out with the other woman right on her heels. Turing around she blocks a swing from the red head and take a step back raising her arms and falling into a defense position.

Thrusting her foot forward she kicks out at the woman and hit her gut before she can even react. Thanks to her mom she has the quicker reflexes and quickly continues on her attack, turning to check on Bucky.

In her distraction the other woman get a kicks in and sends her flying back before Bucky’s feet, redwing then comes soaring in taking shots. The woman jumps up and catches it and then uses her knee to break it in half.

While on her back Katy quickly jumps back up landing with her one foot tucked in a kneeling position and the other in front while her hands are touching the floor.

Bucky looks up and happily says “I always wanted to do that.”

Sam’s going to be pissed she thought with a smirk and then turned and lashed out at the guys holding onto Bucky, sending them stumbling away. Ordinary her kicks would have wiped them out, but with the serum the just took a few steps back. Annoyed by this she turned around to see Sam swooping down and kicking the woman.

Ha she thought, I knew it.

While Sam was engaging in combat with the woman Bucky yelled out “Good of you to join the fight Sam” Quickly Bucky and she took on the other two men. In the meantime, the fight was joined by the other truck rolling up and two other men joining.

Sam was kicked onto to other truck leaving Katy to run up to the other guys and quickly jump up towards them, using her body as leverage she wraps her thighs around one of the guys and uses the momentum to throw him down, quickly raising her wrist she shoots out one of her widow’s bites from her gauntlet. It was a gift from her mother for her eighteenth birthday.

To her dismay it didn’t take him down for long, “Damn super soldiers” She muttered to herself.

Suddenly one of the men fighting Sam was hit by her father’s shield, looking up she noticed a helicopter with that Walker idiot jumping out. Rolling her eyes, she went on fighting.

Before she knows it the shield is flying around nocking the flag smashers down, while another mans jumps down on a rope. Great another idiot to contend with, who the hell is he supposed to be?

“Sam. John Walker, Captain America.”

“Lemar Hoskins”

Walker continues “Looks like you guys can use some help”

The two men say, responding to the questioning looks.

Ugg she thinks he looks way to proud to be brandishing that shield around. Dark thoughts quickly take over her mind, the very sight of him enrages her. Using that anger she quickly takes out her opponent.

The woman quickly makes her way up the Walker and Hoskins, Walker goes to hit her with the shield and then throws it out the other guys, while it soars back Bucky catches it with ease, handing it over to Walker reluctantly.

Witnessing the whole thing, the only thing that comes to mind to Katy was “Damn, that was hot” While slightly panting, blushing and hoping no one notices she looks towards the other two.

The fighting continues for a few more minutes before Bucky is pushed off the truck, faltering at the sight she receives a swift hit to the gut, quickly focusing back on the task at hand she continues to fight. Worried over Bucky still she notices Sam swoop in and them him and Bucky tumble away onto the field. With her head turned away her opponent kicks her off the truck sending her over in the direction the other two went.

Tumbling onto the ground below her and then rolling onto the grass, she berates herself for allowing herself to get distracted enough to get her ass handed to her. She was better than this, trained by a former red room assassin and a freaking super soldier since she was her girl.

Standing up she notices Sam and Bucky walking towards her.

“Well, that went horrible. We got a asses handed to us back there. I mean we are professional’s right? Because after that it seems like were amateurs. It’s embarrassing”

“Yeah, we sure did. Although I might add they were all super soldiers” Sam tuned in while him and Bucky walked off onto the road following after her.

“Well, this should be a fun walk back” Bucky said aloud looking straight ahead. Are you okay doll?” He said looking towards her.

Stuttering in her steps at the name, she quickly collected herself and responded with a smile “Never better, always love it when I take a tumble off a moving semi-truck, in the middle of nowhere.”

“Only twenty more miles to go of this” Sam intoned.

[oliviastan17]

Stuck (3/?) Vegas Part 1

Length: 2.5k 

Warnings: Language, drinking, gambling, fluff, smut

A/n: Seb in this shirt inspired this smut. GIF not mine. DO NOT POST TO ANY OTHER WEBSITE. Reblog please! There will be a Vegas Part 2!

Liv was exhausted but her mind was keeping her from falling asleep. She just worked 4 12’s in a row and she should have been able to fall asleep quickly. She had been tossing and turning in bed for about an hour when she heard Sebastian unlocking her front door.

With her apartment dark he quietly walked in, put his bag down, and shoes off.

“I’m awake,” she said quietly.

“Sorry. Dinner ran late,” he said taking his clothes until he was only in his underwear. He lifted the blankets up and lay down on his side of the bed. They had been together for 3 months and hadn’t spent a night apart so sides of the bed had been determined a long time ago.

“Sorry I didn’t want to go,” she said scooting over to be closer to him.

“You’re tired, I get it,” he said lifting his arm up so she could snuggle up in the nook of his neck where she fit perfectly. He brought his hand up to cup her face and leaned his head down to kiss her.

“I can’t fall asleep. My mind is racing,” she said after taking a deep breath.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Do you have any regrets?”

“Where did that come from?”

“I’ve had this patient for 2 weeks and his response every time I ask him how he is doing is ‘I’ve got no regrets so I can’t complain.’ I’ve been thinking about regrets a lot today.”

“Do you have any?”

“Yeah, I think if I could go back and change anything I would have handled things with my dad better.” 

Liv had a complicated relationship with her dad. He wasn’t the kind of dad to say “I love you” or even hug or kiss his kids and she had always held that against him. A few years ago they had gotten into a fight where Liv let out a lifetime of frustration on him and said some things she knew really hurt him.

“But you and your dad are okay now.”

“I guess. I mean we aren’t close and probably never will be but I still regret what I said to him. What about you?”

“I don’t think I have any regrets. Everything I have done has led me to be right here so it’s hard to regret any of it, you know. I worry about regretting things in the future though.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like I worry about missing out on something because I made a wrong decision or not getting to do everything I want to do cause I ran out of time. Shit like that.”

“My patient is just always so happy. He’s really sick but always smiling. Maybe it’s the no regrets lifestyle and I should try it out.”

“Maybe we should.”

“Love you,” she said as she settled in his arms.

“Love you,” he said as he kissed her forehead.

Liv was finally able to drift off soon after. Maybe it was due to talking about what was bothering her or Sebastian’s calming presence. Whatever it was, she was thankful. Her question got Sebastian thinking about regrets and him not wanting to have them as he tried to fall asleep.  He came up with a plan he would share with Liv in the morning.

----------------------------

Sebastian wasn’t in her apartment when Liv woke up and she figured he had probably gone to the gym or something. She was a little confused 30 minutes later when he burst through her front door with his suitcase rolling in behind him.

 “I need you to pack a bag,” he said walking towards her and smiling big with excitement.

“Pack for what?”

“I’m calling it The No Regrets Tour and our flight leaves in 3 hours,” he said after checking his watch.

“No Regrets Tour? Where are we going?”

“You know last night I was thinking about regretting things because I didn’t have time to do it or go to that place and my first thought was we should go to Australia but since we only have a few days I went with our second travel destination.”

“You want to go to Vegas? Today?”

“You up for it? You think you can handle all this sexiness in Vegas?” he asked jokingly gesturing to his glorious body.

“Honey, I think you need to worry about handling all of me when I am in Vegas,” she told him with a wink. She could almost see the wheels turning in his head while he smiled big as he thought about her response.

“This is quickly turning into my best idea ever!” he said kissing her.

 -----------------------------------------------

“Traveling with you has its perks Seb,” Liv said as she looked around the suite he had booked and thinking about the first class tickets, the town car that was waiting for them at the airport, entering the hotel through the back entrance, and then the quick check in.

“You like it?”

“You did good,” she said and then wrapped her arms around him as they looked out the window at the Las Vegas strip.

“Oh, look. Thunder from Down Under,” he said pointing at the large billboard advertising the show. “That could count as a little bit of Australia.”

Liv laughed.

“I came here for my 21st birthday with my mom and we stayed here one night and then she transferred us to the Wynn because people shutting doors were waking her up. Well, that’s what she says anyway. I think she just really wanted to stay at the Wynn. Such a diva,” she said obviously joking.

Sebastian laughed while he snaked his hands around her waist to pull her closer and she brought her arms up to circle his shoulders as she kissed him.

Liv’s phone rang at the same exact time as there was a knock at the door.

“That’s our bags,” he grunted out as he unwrapped his arms from around her and then went to answer the door.

“Speak of the diva,” she said as she answered the FaceTime on her phone. “Hey Mom.”

“Hey, how's my favorite daughter?

"You say that to your other daughter, too. Don't act like we don't know."

"I just saw your Instagram. You didn’t tell me you were going out of town.”

“It was very last minute. When did you get Instagram?”

“Your Aunt Kathy let’s me use hers. So where’d you go?”

“Just took a quick trip,” Liv said flipping the camera to show the Las Vegas strip view.

“Oh now I’m jealous! Where are you staying?”

“At my favorite. The Bellagio,” Liv replied flipping the camera back around.

“Did you warn Sebastian how loud it is? Oh there he is!" she said seeing him walk in the background. "Sebastian, did she tell you how loud it is there?”

“Yes, she did,” he said stepping into full view of the camera. “I was actually thinking about switching to the Wynn,” he said and then took a playful elbow to his stomach from Liv.

“See Liv? I told you I thought he looked smart didn’t I?”

“That’s not the word you used Mom.”

“Well, anyways have a good time! You’re coming for dinner next weekend right? You too Sebastian?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” he assured her.

“Bye Mom,” Liv said and then hung up. “What?” was her follow up question when she saw the smile on his face.

“Your mom loves me.”

“You're the only boyfriend who would talk to her on the phone before actually meeting her.”

“Yeah, I don’t just look smart for nothing.”

“You don't want to know what she actually said. It was wildly inappropriate,” Liv laughed.

 “So what do you want to do first? Drink, shop, eat, gamble?”

“Yes.”

“Which one?”

“You can do all of them all at the same time here. Let me show you how to properly sin.”

 -------------------------------------------

Eight hours and copious amounts of alcohol later they were sitting at a blackjack table. Liv had busted already while Sebastian had the choice of staying at 20 or splitting the 2 10’s. Unsure of how to bet he shot a glance at Liv.

"No regrets tour," she answered shrugging her shoulders. He puckered his lips and nodded his head then added another $100 bet to split the cards. He hit blackjack on both hands with an ace dealt for each.

“No fucking way!” Liv laughed in disbelief.

“You ready to go?” he asked stacking up his chips.

“Yeah.”

He generously tipped the dealer $100 while Liv threw her chips in her bag and then he tossed his chips in with hers.

“How much are you up?” she asked while handing him her phone to hold because she couldn’t zip up her clutch as they walked away.

“Two grand maybe? Who is Poodle?” he asked looking at her ringing phone.

“Alex,” and she followed by answering her phone with, “Anastasia Beaverhausen.” The latter caused Sebastian to do a spit take.

“Hold on, I think I killed Seb,” she laughed.

You need help burying the body?

“Nah, false alarm. You and I can’t sneak away and get married now.”

Is that what you are doing in Vegas?

“What?”

I said what are you doing in Vegas?

“Pursuing my lifelong dream of being in a celebrity sex tape.”

I better get a copy because you sure as shit won’t describe his dick to me.

“We’re going up to the room. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Okay, fuck that Winter Soldier real good!

“Copy that,” she said rolling her eyes and hanging up.

“I’m really glad you brought up a sex tape cause I brought my camera and uh...” he teased raising his eyebrows as they waited for the elevator.

Liv playfully pushed him away.

As soon as the doors to the elevator closed Sebastian had her pinned against the wall, kissing her with his hands roaming all over her body. She thought about stopping him but then she decided “fuck it.” This is Las Vegas and they would not be the first couple to get a little handsy in the elevator. Neither one of them noticed the doors had opened on their floor until the people waiting for the elevator cleared their throats.

“Sorry, she just won’t stop attacking me in elevators,” he said grabbing Liv’s hand and leading the way out of the elevator.

“Oh my god. Lies!” Liv responded.

“Hey man, aren’t you Bucky?” the man asked as they passed him.

Sebastian stopped walking, turned around and said, “Who the hell is Bucky?”

“No way!” the man said with excitement. “Can I get a picture?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Sebastian took a picture with the man and his girlfriend who clearly had no idea who he was.

“Awesome! Thank you so much!”

“Yeah, no worries!  Have a good night!” he said as he put his arm around Liv and began walking down the hall to their suite.

“Who is Bucky?” Liv had to ask.

“That’s who I play in the Cap movies,” he said stopping at the door and putting the key card in.

“I thought you were the Winter Soldier?”

“I’m both. It’s the same person.”

“You have multiple personalities?”

“What? No! Why isn’t this working?” he said putting the key in for the 4th time and seeing the same red light appear.

Liv turned to look at the door and then saw the room number. “Shit! This is not our room number, “she laughed.

The door suddenly opened and the obviously annoyed occupant asked, “Can I help you?”

“Oh fuck! I’m so sorry! Wrong room.”

The only response they got was the door being shut.

Liv was in a ball of drunken laughter on the floor as she pointed to the room across the hall. He was laughing almost as hard as she was as he tried the key in that one and it worked on the first try.

“Come on,” he said holding his hand out to help Liv up and then pulled her inside. “God damn hotel. Why would they switch the rooms like that?” 

Something in Liv switched when she walked into the suite. She heard him say something as he shut the door but honestly could not have cared less what it was. She noted it was something that he must have amused himself with because he was smiling his goofy smile when she turned around.

She dropped her purse on the ground while kicking off her shoes, grabbed Sebastian by the collar of his shirt and pulled his lips down to hers with her hand on the back of his neck. His smile got wider against her lips as he wrapped his arms around her. She started gently pushing him in the opposite direction of the bedroom so he pulled away.

“Other wa-“ he said but was cut off by her shoving him up against the door. Oh! It’s going to be one of those nights. He smiled knowingly and excitedly.

She brought her lips back up to his hurriedly and he responded passionately while unzipping her dress and pushing the straps down so it fell to the floor. She slipped her hands up his burgundy shirt and he quickly removed it. Her hands briefly grazed the nape of his neck while she slipped her tongue past his lips. She let her hands feel all the way down his chest, to his abs and down to undo his pants. He moaned as she slid her hand into his boxer briefs and stroked his rapidly enlarging cock.

She broke the kiss to kiss down his body until she was down of her knees pulling his pants down and wasted no time before gently sucking the precum off his tip.

He sighed “Fuck” as she moved her mouth up and down his shaft stopping to swirl her tongue around the tip before resuming the motion. Alternating between fast and slow head bobbing following her mouth with her hand had him rapidly approaching his release.

He bent down placing his hands on her arms bringing her back up and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She brought one leg up knowing his next action and he held onto it so she could bring the other leg up to wrap around his waist.

With his pants still around his ankles and his lips finding hers again, he shuffled into the other room and collapsed on top of her on the bed. He stood back up to step out of his pants while taking her underwear off, then climbed back on top and positioned himself to thrust into her but was stopped when she flipped him over to be on top and guided him into her core. His hands gripped her hips tightly as she moved up and down until she grabbed his wrists and moved his arms up above his head, entwining her fingers with his and kissing him deeply. It was all tongue and nibbles on his lips until she was clenching around him and moaning his name.

He quickly grabbed her hips again and rolled her over, then wasted no time before pounding into her fast and deep until he felt her back arch and clench around him again. A few thrusts later he came.

He hovered above her and murmured, "God, I love you,” before bringing his lips back onto hers.

When he finally broke the kiss she replied, "Love you too.”

Vegas Part 2

Permanent tags

@sideeffectsofyou​ @thejemersoninferno​ @vania-marie​ @sophiesvalkyrie​

@swanlakemikey​ @hm-fck​ @beaubucky​ @allsortsofinterests​

Stuck tags

@essie1876​  @thummbelina​

[connordavidscamera]

Falling in Love | Connor Brashier

A/n: this is a repost from my Shawn account!! This is my piece and is not stolen.

Summary: you just can’t believe how in love you are with your fiancé.

Warnings: fluff

Word count: 1.8k

***

Staring at my fiancé from across the room, I still can’t help but think I’m dreaming. Never in a million years did I think I would be able to keep this man interested long enough for him to even want to marry me. But here we are a month into our engagement, at our party with all our friends and family, and I still think I should wake up any second now.

I knew I was a goner the first time he kissed me - when the whole world stopped existing until we pulled away for the much needed oxygen to find its way back to our lungs. It was almost too perfect, the way his lips curved against mine, the way his hands cradled my face like that was its rightful place - since that day, it has been. I’d never understood what people meant when they said sparks flew when they kissed someone. But I understood that day.

Our relationship was never rushed. We took everything slow and steady (even though people had their opinions about how long it took us to go public on his insta, or how long it took for us to say I love you. Except, hi, that’s no one’s goddamn business, but go off, I guess.) And I’ll admit, it did take longer than expected for either of us to say those three words to each other - eight months, actually. But you could feel the love in the relationship even without them. It was in the way he always picked up the phone when I called, no matter the timezone. It showed when he would come back from tour and he’d come to my apartment just to fall asleep on my chest because my heart beat lulled him to sleep. And how his hands always found their way to lock with mine whether we’re walking to the car, or dancing in a crowded club, or eating dinner and we’re sitting on opposite ends of the table, so he reaches over and it’s like that cutesy couple thing you see in all the movies. We didn’t need the words to feel them.

And just looking at him and his nonchalant attitude, no one would think that he had a romantic side. And they definitely wouldn’t guess that for our first six dates, before he finally asked me to be his girlfriend, he sent me flowers the next day. And then when we started actually dating, little love notes would just pop up everywhere. Like when he slept over and would wake up before me, I’d find a sticky note on my bathroom mirror that would say something like “Your smile is the best part of my day.” And there have been a few instances where I wasn’t feeling my greatest and he just showed up hours later - seeing as these moments only seemed to happen when he was off on tour - and he’d cuddle me on the couch while we watched shitty rom-coms until I felt better. And it may not be a big deal to anyone else, but when he talks to me, or listens to me talk, his eyes are always trained on me, and I think it’s kinda cute.

And he’s the most caring person. Not just with me, either. He looks after his own. His brother got in a fight one time and Connor was there instantly to patch up his wounds and give him a place to stay so he wouldn’t have to face their mom. Another time Alessia fell coming off the stage and he sprinted to get her ice for her swollen ankle. He made sure to check on her every thirty minutes or so, even though he was working and couldn’t do much for her then. And he is always, always there when I’m sick to my stomach, or sick of life. He’s there drawing hearts and smiley faces over the problem area with his finger, whether it be my stomach, or back, or my mind. He takes care of his own and that to me says everything about our future.

And this boy, Jesus Christ, he is so creative. I’ve never known anyone whose mind works like his. He can see a plain brick wall and immediately his brain clicks and it’s suddenly turned into an aesthetic Shawn’s next shoot. And he doesn’t just focus on faces, he goes and he gets the beads of sweat on Shawn’s hairline, and the rings on his fingers. And he edits his videos in such a way that you can’t possibly watch it only once and feel like you’ve seen everything. It’s fast paced and beautiful and I could watch him edit for hours on end and never get bored. The way he layers photos on top of videos and how he knows just  the right time to make the music swell in a scene. He’s talented and I hope he knows I think so.

He’s so random too. I never know what to expect with him. We can lay in bed while he’s stroking my hair, pulling me to sleep when he asks, “What if cows screamed when you milked them?” Or, “You know, Popeye ate a lot of spinach, but I don’t think that’s the real reason he was so strong. He had to be taking steroids.” One time he came into the room at 3 in the morning, woke me up and asked, “When you were a kid, did you have those suction cup ball things that you would throw at a wall or a window and they’d just stay there?”

“Connor, I’m trying to sleep.”

“I know, but this is important.”

“Why?”

“Because I just bought a dozen of those and a dozen of those sticky slappy hand things.”

And he’s spontaneous (not just in the things he buys off Amazon at 3 AM). There have been many occasions where he has called me up and told me to pack an overnight bag because he wanted to go to the beach or Disney or because he found this bookshop in Nevada that he thinks I’ll enjoy. And then of course there are the more “extravagant” trips he likes to take at random points in the year. We spent last Christmas in the Bahamas because he wanted to wear shorts on Christmas day and he couldn’t do that if we were going to a family Christmas party apparently. Another time we flew to New York because I said I was craving something from this one restaurant we went to last time we were there. He doesn’t wait a second. If I mention wanting something, we’re gone in hours, or it’s already ordered and on it’s way. There is no way to fully know what his next move is gonna be and that keeps the relationship exciting.

And he sees things so vividly, remembering them in soft light, sometimes though in overexposure. He tells stories- AMAZING stories - through the lens of his camera. He puts everything into perspective in such a way that you can’t picture it any other way. You can’t see Shawn on stage and not immediately think of the thousands of girls and women crying because they’re in the same room as him and he’s there and he’s beautiful. And you can’t see him running to hug his fans without seeing the pure elation from the ones he touches. Connor gives you the pieces to make one whole and leaves nothing out, not even once. He never strays from the real story he’s telling, although he might go into a few others while doing so,he always finds his way back.

And despite his resting scowl, he’s not a fighter. He puts off this “I dont give a fuck” type of vibe, but he’s a softy. Until someone says something they shouldn’t. It’s only happened twice. When we were out with friends and I was getting us a couple waters from the bar. This man, who was way too close to me, tried to buy me a drink, his hand playing with the straps of my dress. I was uncomfortable, but I couldn’t find Connor in the crowded space and I had nowhere to escape to when he started getting even more touchy. And then I heard it, the unmistakable sound of skin hitting skin. “Come on, we’re going home.” He said roughly into my ear and he pulled me away, out of the club. Only for him to be Connor again, my Connor. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you? God, I oughta kill him. Can I get you something?” I just shook my head and wrapped my arms around him. He let me. Of course he did.

The other time was early on in the relationship. We were hanging out with his brother and some of his friends from school. I don’t really know what happened, but one of Dylan’s friends said something about me. Connor told me later it had to do with him having me in his bed while he did awfully dirty things to me. Con went off on the younger boy, his face red with anger. He looked like he would blow steam out of his ears at any second. Dylan and I had to pull him out of the room, and let’s just say, he and I don’t go anywhere near that guy anymore.

“You’ve been staring at me for a while now, sweetheart.” Connor said, suddenly at my side, his voice low in my ear. “You’re giving me bedroom eyes. Can’t take care of you with all these people here.”

I hum, finding his fingers to lace mine through. “Hmm… that’s never stopped you before.”

“No,” he presses a gentle kiss to the side of my neck. “But we are kind of hosting this party. So it would be rude to just disappear for 20 minutes.”

“Who said it would take that long?” I giggle, connecting our lips in a quick peck.

He hums into my skin, “Later, kid. When I have you all to myself and we can be as loud as we need to be.”

I nod, biting my lip. “We could always kick them out early.”

“Patience, y/n. Want me to take care of you?”

I nod desperately. “Please.”

“Then you gotta be good for me. Because the guys are staring at us right now and neither of us will hear the end of it if I take you right now.”

I whine. “Okay… but I want everyone out in an hour.”

He kisses my lips one more time before pulling away from me. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“I love you,” I say just loud enough for him to hear. 

“I love you, sweetheart.” He throws me a wink before disappearing in the sea of people that fill our home.

***

I hope you enjoyed (again)! Please like, reblog, and leave feedback!!

[laketaj24]

The Arrangement Pt 9

A/N: It gets real. If you would like to be added or removed from the taglist please let me know. And also I love hearing what you think! Reblogs are Gold, as my friend @wilddrabble says! I hope you enjoy and brace yourselves. 

CATCH UP ON THE ARRANGEMENT HERE !!!

Warnings: DRAMA, HIGHLY ADULT CONTENT IN LANGUAGE and IMPLICATIONS. 

You’re floating. You can’t get that delightful sensation out of your head. Being weightless watching yourself descend to the earth and forgetting everything in your life for a minute to mesmerize at the ground below you. You thought it was going to be scary. Even screamed but after that first ten seconds it was exhilarating freeing. It’s opened new doors for you and Ubbe, you felt almost invincible next to him.

“Ivar is waiting for you.” He says from behind you. “It should be simple.” Ubbe slipped his arms around your waist as you finish applying the last of your bronzer. “You enter the hotel with Ivar. You’re supposed to be his woman. If you see anything suspicious with the Atlanta guys tell him.”

“Simple enough.” You place your brush down and face him. Ubbe was unsettled but it wasn’t the same reason that you felt unsettled. He didn’t like Marcus. Every time he said his name his face was slightly menacing. You rub your fingers down is face biting your lip, slightly smudging the red lipstick. “I can’t wait to get back to you.”

“You either. If you feel scared from any reason, tell Ivar, immediately.”

You say nothing fixing his shirt. “Yes.”

“You always get quiet when I ring him up. What’s up?”

“He scares me.” You admit.

“He’s harmless enough. He knows that I will kill him if anything happens to you. You have nothing to worry about, I swear it.”

“Okay.”

“I’ve been doing some thinking…”

“Tell me.”

“When this is done, I want out. I want to take you somewhere, get to know you better and marry you I’m sure. I want a normal life, like no guns under my bed and mowing the lawn on Sundays to avoid church with you. I want you in Gucci in pregnant because I don’t think it would be any other way. I’ve been thinking about this for a while. What do you say?”

“Uhmmm….”

“It’s either yes or I will fuck you into submission.”

“I’ll take the latter.” You tease. “I want it Ubbe. Where are we moving?”

“Out of country.” He whispers. “A small house with no dogs and maybe a basement where we can work some magic. Finish getting ready I’m gonna talk to Ivar about a few final things before you two leave and all.”

Your heart flutters. He wanted it with you. The change in him had come so suddenly you wanted to ask why but you didn’t. You were excited gratified that for once in this strange life, things might be going right, perfectly right. You finish up getting ready quickly fixing your lipstick and sliding on the gold dress and solid gold pumps. You step into back in the room listening to the conversation Ivar is having loudly while Ubbe is deep in his phone.

“Horik, I meant what I said. Yeah, I know what you’re saying but it will be fine. We will be down that way after the heist is up. Yeah, whatever, my father would be fucking proud. I’m outdoing your ass.” He banters a few more seconds turning his attention to you with wide eyes. The dress was too much but Ubbe liked for people to see how stunning beautiful you were and see that you were his. The gold upon your brown skin is a perfect balance. You know your breathtaking, your beauty is the one certainty you have ever granted yourself.

“The girl dresses up nicely.” Ivar says to Ubbe who has already seen you so he’s still in his phone. “Are you ready to make sure this goes right?”

“Yes.” It amazes you how you never have much to say to Ivar, just quick answers to his questions. The less you two said the better. He holds his hand out to you and waves at Ubbe. “We shall return hopefully richer than when we arrived.” He closes the door behind you two and heads to the elevator. Its quiet on the elevator for a moment. You slide to the other side of it looking at your reflection in the chrome walls.

He pushes the halt button clearing his throat. “You look good tonight Y/N.”

“Thanks.” You clutch your purse feeling that your cell phone Ubbe had given you was no longer there.

“You’re welcome you polite cunt. I wanted to set some ground rules and basically an ultimatum for you. Once you better hear me the fuck out because there is one thing that I don’t play with and that’s money. It’s how the world goes around. I still haven’t forgot about the deal you had with us. And I want you to fully understands that if this deal goes sideways in anyway, I will recover my money.”

“Okay. I promise I want it to go over well.” You plead. “I just want it to be over.”

“Great.” He hits the button returning to his side of the elevator. Hvitserk is working the craps table that we are to be on. The three Atlanta men are dressed as casino workers as well. They are pushing a cart out with over ten million dollars out. Once the cart is out of the hotel, we are clear.”

Great. Watch the tables, play the game.

Hvitserk is your favorite brother of the four. He smiles at every chance he gets, and he honestly looks at home on the tables handing out cards talking to the casino guests as if he worked there his whole life. You stand next to Ivar watching hi place his bet down on the number while the small wheel rolls around and the ball rolls until it falls down in the whole.

“They are on the move.” Ivar whispers. He nods his head towards Marcus and the other two. “They are almost out.: He grins. Ivar’s cell phone rings and he steps back. “Take the bet for me.” He says to you.

You place a card down and watch as Ivar wonders through the crowded casino. Marcus has disappeared from your view, but you pay it no mind watching the game winning ten thousand and scooping up the chip. You never liked gambling but winning was the best feeling. You celebrate for a moment. Then place another card down and you feel the metal pressing against your back.

Marcus leans into you and you keep a straight face but alert eyes at Hvitserk. He doesn’t break face, but he notices giving you a raised eyebrow. “Say one word and I will blow your brains out, we used to be friends.” He whispered. “You bet not rat me out to the white kid. Now fucking grab your money after this last drop and walk out the casino.”

You shake your head still smiling but the misted sweat on your forehead had turned into trickles as your nerves get the best of you. You win the next one collecting the chips and placing them in your purse. Marcus leads you through the crowd pressing the gun in your back and walking closely to you. “Make a left at this table and take the exit out.” You do as your directed trying not to fall over in the pumps as your sweat causes you to slide with each step.

Hvitserk nods at the other game man near the table. “Switch out time?” He smiles. “Sorry ladies and gents I have to get some food in this limber body of mine. But it has been a pleasure.” Hvitserk grabs his phone. “Ubbe, southwest exit. Where’s Ivar?”

Marcus pushes you against the wall shaking his head. “You think you I forgave you for scheming me? I’m not this fuck boy who forgets his principles over some ass.” He kisses your cheek. “Give me your earning and get in your knees facing the wall.”

You empty the chips and nod your head no. “Just fucking kill me. I don’t have time for the dramatics.”

“Dramat-,” He’s thrown to the wall as Ubbe collides into him trying not to hit you. “Baby, run.” He commands. “Hvitserk is downstairs next to a silver Lexus waiting for you. Don’t stop until your in and safe.” Ubbe wrestles with Marcus trying to subdue him but the fight was even basically. Both men had bloody faces and they were relentless.

You run heading down the stairs until you hear the gunshot followed by screams from the casino. You continue doing as he told you to, hoping that it wasn’t Ubbe. You get to the exit and there is no car just Ivar and his demonic grin and a gun. “Oh, you thought you were free?” He laughs. He snatches your arm and you fight back until you feel the small prick of the needle slipping under your skin and the familiar darkness settles as you fade from consciousness.

The bed is not the same bed that you have felt before. The sheets aren’t soft the lull of fresh linens isn’t in the air. You’re tied to the headboard and Ivar is in front of you. “Horik, I’m sure she’s worth at least half a million. No, I haven’t tried her myself, but I am telling you. Have I ever offered you a product that wasn’t as I valued it? Right then fucking believe me.” He pauses. “A fucking video? You want to see my ass don’t you, you sick freak.” He laughs. The demon laughs. “I can do that. I’ll send it to you in a few. Then you can come pick her up.” There is silence for another moment. “I want her sold out of the country. She’s exotic the French might like her or something, but she can’t be in the Americas. No Ubbe won’t stop with just me saying she is missing, Believe me.”

You pull at the restraints noticing the gag ball in your mouth. You kick your feet rolling about the bed until your arms are a tangled mess in the restraints that he’s tied. Ubbe must be okay, you think as you try to relax. He pulls you over twice unhinging you from the knot you were in and then sits next to you. “I guess we should talk.” He smiles. “I have an arrangement in order.” He moves his hair from his face and grips your thigh. “And I need you to do something for me, so it can go through. Half a million is more than enough to recoup what has been lost… don’t you think?”

You snatch your legs from him and your muted screams barely sound from behind the gag. He removes it. “Ivar!”

“No, I don’t want you talk. I want you to spread your legs and smile for this fucking camera or I will make sure you end up with the grimiest Ukraine bastard Horik can find.”

Taglist: @captstefanbrandt @wilddrabble @sparklemichele@imgoldielikehawn@earthsmightiestasses @siren-queen03 @titty-teetee@hvitserksgirl @amour-quinn@whenimaunicorn @sunnyfortomorrow@proudcoiler88 @perfectus-in-morte@g4u15 @lol-haha-joke@allinestarr-blog@doloreschanal@mads---world @xilyadax@leaderradiante @letsshamelessqueen-m@marvelsviking @equalstrashflavoredtrash @sassymcgonagal1651@kenzieam @igetcarriedawaywithyou @daughterofthenight117 @i-should-probably-be-asleep-rn@cris101071 @vikingsmania@valynsia @alicedopey @indecisiondecisions @byzantium-glytch @silkambition @mockinghijack @ivarsshieldmadien @pebblesz892 @romanchronicles @bang-kim-bap @samwinchxtr

[emeraldwaves]

Title:  #pinkwall Chapter 3 Pairing:  Promptis Rating: T Word Count:  2,502 Read on Ao3 Summary: As a last hurrah before graduating college, Prompto suggests he and Noctis take a road trip to L.A during their 2 week spring break. Prompto is desperate to snap pics in front of the infamous Pink Wall of Instagram and Noctis is hoping to finally confess his feelings for his best friend. Will either of them find what they’re looking for on their impromptu cross-country road trip?

Full fic under the cut!

Prompto sees Chicago before Noctis does, or, well, he thinks he does.

"Noct! It's Chicago! That's definitely the Sears Tower!"

They've been driving for a little over five hours thanks to traffic, Cleveland far behind them. Noctis is thankful Prompto has a giant list of things he wants to see in Chicago. It gives them far more to do, and hopefully there won't be anymore diner disasters.

Prompto rolls the window down and peers out, holding his camera up.

"Prom! What are you doing?" Noctis says. Prompto is fearless. All Noctis can imagine is Prompto dropping his camera against the roadway speeding beneath them, shattering the device into millions of tiny pieces. Only Prompto could lose the thing that brought them on this trip in the first place.

"Getting a picture! I'm fine!" he yells over the wind of the highway. He seems completely unbothered. His blond hair flips against the wind, the camera pressed tight to his face. He snaps a few pictures and falls back into his seat. "I'm so excited, Noct!"

Noctis is excited too, but mostly because he loves the way Prompto's face lights up with joy when he scrolls through the list on his phone.

"We gotta go to The Bean first. We can take lots of cool pictures there!"

As the city fully starts to come into view, Noctis focuses on the highway. Prompto has listed off quite a few places he wants to see and Noctis can't really keep track of them all. They’re probably about as touristy as you can get, but Noctis isn't going to deny Prompto the happiness he deserves.

Unlike his best friend, Noctis has been to Chicago a few times with his father for various business trips and what not. Of course, they didn't do much sightseeing then, or if they did, Noctis doesn't remember it.

"I think it'll be better at night, don't you, Noct?" Prompto says and Noctis almost jumps out of his skin while driving. He needs to stop spacing out, but Prompto's smile always brings a blush to his cheeks.

"Huh? What?" he says, trying to regain himself. "The Bean is better at night?"

"No," Prompto snorts and laughs. "Were you not listening?"

"Well Prom," Noctis teases. "I am supposed to be focusing on the road."

"Yeah, right. You're supposed to tell me if you're about to fall asleep," Prompto wags his finger at Noctis' face playfully.

"I'm fine," he concedes. "I-I just wanted to make sure I was going the right way." It has nothing to do with Noctis being distracted by how cute Prompto is, smiling next to him. No. Not at all.

"Sure, sure. I'll let it slide this time, but next time, I dunno," Prompto winks. "Anyway," he continues, glancing down at his phone. "I was saying we should go see the Navy Pier at night! It'll be all lit up. Totally romantic," he smirks.

Noctis' heart leaps right up into his throat. Romantic? Romantic for who? For them? But Prompto has no idea... right? Or well... Noctis thinks he has no idea...

"Who knows what kind of cute girls we might see there!" he cheers, thrusting his hands up towards the roof of the car.

Of course. Girls. Girls exist in the world, and Prompto would have his eye on them. But Noctis knew where his own eyes would be looking all night...

"Yeah," he swallows. "Whatever you wanna do. This is your trip. I've been to Chicago."

"Aw c'mon man!" Prompto groans, leaning against the window of the car. "It's our trip!"

Noctis finds it hard to believe when Prompto plans on looking at girls all evening long.

~~

"What did you say this thing was actually called?!" Prompto asks. He moves his face really close to the side of The Bean, his nose stretching, his freckles scattered over his distorted face."

"Uh, Cloud Gate," Noctis says.

"Cloud Gate?" Prompto says and sticks his tongue out. He runs his hand through his blond hair, flicking it up more. It curls over the angle of the reflection in the silver sculpture. "What the hell does that have to do with anything!"

"I dunno," Noctis shrugs. "I know the real name but I don't know why it’s called that."

"Maybe because when you stand under it, you can't see the clouds! Like a gate... blocking them!" Prompto says. He's now holding up the camera, taking zoomed in shots. In the reflection, the lens stretches across the shiny surface. Knowing Prompto, he's got the perfect angle for the best shot.

"I don't think that has anything to do with it," Noctis snorts.

"C'mon, let's go stand under the middle!"

His fingers wrap around Noctis' wrist and Prompto drags him forward. It seems he's forgotten all about the secret, hidden meaning of Cloud Gate, which is probably for the best because Noctis is certain he's never heard anyone call it that, it's just... 'The Bean'.

"This is such a cool angle!" Prompto laughs, and he slings his arm around Noctis neck. "Say cheese!" he teases.

Instead, Noctis holds his fingers in a peace sign, smirking at the angle Prompto has got of them from the underbelly. "Looks cool," Noctis says, peering over Prompto's shoulder as he glances back at the pictures he's taken.

Prompto dashes back to the outer side of The Bean and he places his hands on it, so it looks like he's doing a double high five with himself. "Quick, Noct! Snap a pic!" Prompto is smiling so wide, and he looks so perfect and excited. It's no wonder he's got so many Instagram followers; it's impossible to take your eyes off of him.

Noctis snaps a few pictures and hands the camera back to Prompto. "Tell me if you want me to redo it, we both know I'm not as good with a camera as you," he smirks.

"Oh, ho, ho!" Prompto says, scrolling through pictures. "Nah these look great! You know, Noct, you might have a bright future in photography!" he laughs.

"Doubtful," Noctis rolls his eyes. Prompto has such blind faith in him.

"Alright, I'm pretty hungry and I think we got our money shots," he smirks, giving Noctis a thumbs up. "I'd say it's time for deep-dish pizza-" He freezes in the middle of his sentence, and Noctis follows his gaze. He's staring at a group of teenage girls, all laying on the ground, their feet pressed against The Bean. It's actually a cool picture, and Noctis is far too aware of the glint shimmering in Prompto's eye.

"We gotta," he says, turning towards Noctis.

"Ugh," Noctis rolls his eyes. "I dunno if I wanna lay on the ground."

"Too bad! That is the true money shot!" Prompto laughs and immediately collapses to the ground, pressing his feet up against the metallic surface.

Noctis sighs and slowly lays down next to him. Caring about how dirty the ground is shouldn't matter all that much, especially when he and Prompto will have an amazing photo for the rest of their lives.

He places his feet on The Bean next to Prompto's and he wonders how nice it would be if they could lay like this together in other ways, more intimately. Maybe Noctis could wake up and Prompto's feet would be intertwined with his own...

Prompto's head leans on Noctis' shoulder, and it doesn't help his daydream. He can imagine watching Prompto's chest rise and fall with his soft breaths as they wake up together in the morning...

Prompto's laughter jolts Noctis from his thoughts. "See," he says, holding the camera to Noctis' face. "Money shot."

The two of them are sitting on the ground, but it looks like they're sitting up straight with their reflection in The Bean. Prompto is aiming the camera, but you can still see the wide smile pulled across his cheeks. And Noctis, his smile is tiny but it's filled with far more devotion than Prompto realizes.

"Money shot," Noctis agrees quietly.

~~

Prompto is right. The Navy Pier is lit up perfectly at night, and Noctis feels like he's been dropped right into the middle of a carnival. The smell of fried food is all around them, but Noctis is so stuffed from pizza, he never wants to look at anything else involving food again.

Of course, watching Prompto eat deep dish pizza was an adventure all on its own. Both of them had made a mess, unable to finish either of the large slices they chose to order.

Noctis wiped Prompto's mouth when he kept missing sauce stains all over his face, his face scrunching up all cute.

"Man I almost wish we hadn't had so much pizza! That ice cream looks good!" Prompto says, gesturing to a small cart near the Ferris wheel.

"I don't know how you can even say the name of any food," Noctis mumbles softly, tilting his head back. Secretly, he’s happy Prompto seems to be more focused on food than girls like he originally mentioned.

"I know..." Prompto groans. "I think that pizza attacked us. It's safe to say we can put the debate to rest."

"Debate?"

"Yeah dude! People always argue if New York pizza or Chicago pizza is better. Obviously it's New York, hands down."

"Oh. Yeah... New York pizza is way better." Noctis honestly can't imagine stomaching Chicago pizza more than once in his lifetime.

"Still... I'm disappointed about the ice cream," Prompto sighs dramatically.

Noctis gently pats his shoulder. "How about we take a ride on the Ferris wheel instead? You can get some pictures at the top, and it's slow enough neither of us will get sick."

Prompto immediately smiles. "Great idea Noct! We should be able to get an awesome picture up there!"

"Yeah," Noctis smiles, moving to get in the short line.

It occurs to him while they’re waiting this is really a date activity. Tons of couples love going on the Ferris wheel and making out once they get to the top, enjoying the view and backdrop of Chicago. Noctis wonders how Prompto would take it if he just kissed him out of the blue. He probably would be confused, since Noctis sucks at his feelings and has never once expressed romantic interest in his best friend.

When they finally climb into the small car, Noctis feels his heart begin to race. Soon their little cabin will move and they'll inch closer and closer to the top.

And inch they do. As they start to load the cars after them, it feels like it takes a painfully long time. Every time the ride moves, Noctis' heart throbs faster and faster, watching as the bars of the ride slowly start to angle more downward as they crawl to the top.

He's not sure what he's anticipating. It's not like they're a couple, so they won't be making out once they get to the top. Prompto will most likely take some pictures, get excited over the view, and then slowly the car will lower itself back down.

Everything will be completely normal.

And yet, Noctis feels so damn disappointed.

"Noct! We're almost to the top!" Prompto says, peering out his window. "Look! You can see the pizza place we ate at I think," he says, pointing out the window.

Noctis switches sides of the Ferris wheel to peer over Prompto's shoulder. "Oh yeah... though I don't know why I wanted to look at it so bad," he snorts. "I'm still stuffed."

"I dunno... I could probably eat that ice cream now."

"Ugh... Prom... please..."

The two laugh as the wheel moves yet again and Noctis doesn't switch back to his old spot. Prompto's hand is on the bench while he stares out the window, squinting his eyes as he tries to make out certain areas in the darkness.

It would be so easy for Noctis to reach out his hand and gently touch Prompto's... lace their fingers together and-

The car lurches, putting them back in motion. Finally, it stops them at the very top. The car swings in the minimal breeze and Prompto lets out a soft sigh. "Wow... you really can see so much from up here!"

"Yeah," Noctis agrees, but he's not looking at the view.

"You know, this is pretty romantic, Noct!" Prompto says, turning around to wink. Noctis is thankful Prompto immediately turns back to the view, as he feels his cheeks heat up, his heart throbbing in his ears.

"W-What can I say-" Noctis starts

"I know you probably wish you were up with a cute girl," Prompto says, not turning around. There’s a hint of sadness in his voice, one Noctis hasn’t heard for a while, and he wonders if Prompto is disappointed they’re not closer right now too…

Before Noctis can answer, Prompto takes out his camera. "Better get these before we start to move again!"

And just like that, the emotion laced through his tone is gone.

Prompto snaps a few pictures, adjusting his lens so the glare from the city lights doesn't ruin his shot. "Man you gotta see these!" Prompto laughs, and Noctis leans towards him.

"See-" Prompto turns around, coming face to face with Noctis, their noses practically touching.

"S-Sorry!" Noctis stammers and pulls away. "I was thinking I would... uh... lean over your shoulder!"

"N-No! It's okay, I got excited to show you and didn't realize..." he trails off. Laughs slowly, Prompto holds the camera up for Noctis to see. The skyline is beautiful, and Noctis is happy Prompto seems to be pleased with his shots.

"I, uh, I'm glad you're getting so many good shots for your Instagram..."

"Yeah dude," Prompto smiles, and awkwardly looks down at his camera brushing his thumb over the screen. "Gonna be uh... a solid... collection," he smiles, holding his camera up. "I'm pretty happy you're in a lot of these with me."

The car starts to move while Prompto smiles and his face glows brighter than the city lights illuminating him in the most perfect backdrop.

"You know, we should take a more selfies! Starting now!" he says and wraps his arm around Noctis' shoulder.

Noctis knows his face has to be bright red, but Prompto takes the picture anyway, he always does.

"It's a plan," Noctis shrugs, the car slowly sinking back down to the ground for them to move on. "We're making some good memories."

"The best plan!" Prompto cheers, enjoying the slow movement of the ride. He turns to stare out the window, his gaze focused on the people below.

Even when they're not at the top, Noctis can't stop watching Prompto, just wondering what it would be like to kiss his lips, kiss him all over.

No. They're making good memories, focusing on their friendship.

As the wheel begins to sink back down to the pier, Noctis can only hope the memories will stay good, amazing even, as they continue onward.

[jbankai89]

Never Let Me Go [13/37]

A/N: POV switch for this chapter. Enjoy! :)

Chapter Twelve – Lessons Learned

“How is he?”

Otabek's tense demand was met with an exasperated look from the doctor, and he turned back to the unmoving form of the omega in the hospital bed of the manor's small infirmary to look over his patient as he spoke.

“Broken forearm, severe bruising to his back, chest, throat, and calves, deep cuts from the tiger's claws...honestly, it's a miracle he's alive at all, sir,” he said while he focused his attention on Yuri. He lifted the omega's eyelids, checked his vitals, and looked over his cast and various bandages before he finally turned back to Otabek.

“But will he be all right?” Otabek demanded as he took a step closer, and felt his heart break a little at the sight of Yuri, bandaged up and bedridden. This is all my fault.

“Given enough time, he should make a full recovery,” the doctor replied as he reached out to offer Otabek's arm a reassuring squeeze. “I've given him a rabies shot, just to be safe, and some morphine for the pain.” Otabek ignored the physical show of reassurance, his full focus still trained on Yuri's sleeping form. His fair skin was a pasty white, dark circles ringed his eyes, and he was propped up to take the pressure off the wounds on his back, and his legs had been elevated on soft pillow, both of them thick with gauzy bandage and strong-smelling ointment.

Otabek reached forward and brushed a strand of hair from Yuri's cheek; he felt a fresh surge of anguish rise in his chest.

“Mr Altin,” the doctor said, drawing Otabek from his thoughts, and he turned away from Yuri and to the squat man. “Get out of here.”

“Excuse me?” he demanded, his tone dangerous, and the little man's eyes widened with fright.

“I mean get out of this room for a little while, sir,” he explained quickly, a note of panic in his voice. “Go get some air, a drink of water, just clear your head. There is nothing you can do right now, and your omega will be unconscious from the sedatives we gave him for quite a while, up until tomorrow, at least. Give yourself some time, then come see him again this evening if you wish.”

“He's not my omega,” Otabek replied roughly as he nodded, and took a reluctant step back. “He never was.”

If the doctor was confused by this reply he did not comment on it, but continued to smile placidly at Otabek as he turned and slipped from the room. When it shut, Otabek glanced back at it one last time, then strode down the hall and up to the bedrooms.

Otabek slowed his quick stride when he reached Yuri's room, and he offered the space a single cursory glance before he began to make the rounds.

Television, bookcase, the vent in the ceiling, the curtains, the closet door, and in the corner above his bed. He took down every single micro camera, no larger than the head of a pin, and was in the midst of removing the three microphones when Davies stepped inside, and his eyes widened.

“Mr Altin, what are you doing?” he demanded, a note of alarm in his voice as he gazed at his employer.

“Taking down the surveillance equipment,” Otabek answered simply while he ignored Davies's continued expression of shock at his statement. “This is enough; I can't do this to him anymore. I want the motion sensors around his door disabled as well—permanently.”

“Are you sure that's wise?” Davies asked uncertainly, “how will you know what he's doing when you're not keeping an eye on him?”

“I won't, and that's the point,” Otabek said in a firm tone that all but dared Davies to protest. “I've treated him like anything but what I want. I've treated him like a child, a prisoner...a toy. I am going to do right by him, like I should have from the start. If I had, this never would have happened, and he wouldn't be almost dead right now.”

“But sir, he is an omega,” Davies protested, “he needs a strong, guiding hand. To leave him on his own—”

“He is not a child,” Otabek growled, making his paid muscle jump. “He is an eighteen-year-old young man who knows his own mind, and I was stupid enough to forget that. I almost lost him. I don't care anymore, do you understand? I don't care what I have to lose, or gain, or anything. I want Yuri healthy, happy, and safe. That's all I want anymore.”

Otabek stormed from the room, the surveillance devices in hand, and he made his way down to the parlour. He dropped the devices to the ground, and dug his heel into them, the glass and plastic breaking with a number of soft, satisfying pops. He scooped the pieces off the floor, and dropped the broken glass and plastic into his pocket. He then moved to his mini bar to fetch his bottle of good scotch while he pulled his phone out, unlocked it, and began to type out a message.

It took Davies less than two minutes to respond to the summons, and when he appeared in the doorway, he was flushed, not as though he'd been running, but more in a shamefaced sort of way.

“Sir?” he prompted nervously, and Otabek let him stew in his panic for a few more moments, taking the time to sip his drink before he waved the man forward, and he stepped nervously into the room.

“I want you to run something of an errand for me,” Otabek said as he dug into his pocket and fished out a little slip of paper from his pocket. “I need you to track this man down, and bring him back here. Do whatever it takes. If he wants money, food, cars, houses, I don't care. It is imperative that you get him here. However, do not force his hand—do not hurt him or threaten him in any way. Understand?”

Davies nodded as Otabek pressed the paper into his hands, and he glanced down at the name. He blinked several times, and glanced back up to Otabek.

“Who is...Nikolai Plisetsky?” he asked, “why does that name sound familiar?”

“Yuri's grandfather,” Otabek replied, and ignored the look of genuine surprise on Davies's face following the statement. “It's time I stop trying to make Yuri happy for me, but for him instead.”

Davies grunted, but did not form a real answer before he slipped out of the room, and was gone.

Despite the doctor's order that Otabek take a breather for a few hours, he only managed to get through one extra-long film (the director's cut of Titanic) before he was burning to see Yuri again, and headed back down to the infirmary.

The doctor pursed his lips when he saw Otabek, but didn't comment, as though he was wholly unsurprised to see him there

“How is he?” Otabek asked, and nodded his thanks as the doctor pushed a chair over to Yuri's bedside, and the alpha sat down. He certainly looked no better, still pale, and wrapped up in bandages, but it seemed as though some colour had returned to his cheeks.

“Stable,” the doctor replied simply as he moved to stand next to Otabek's chair. “he just needs to rest and allow his body to heal.”

“That'll be more difficult once he wakes up,” Otabek muttered, and reached out compulsively to brush his fingers across Yuri's fair cheek. “His knee-jerk reaction is still to run from this place as fast as he possibly can...not that I blame him, after what I've done.”

“He won't be walking, much less running anywhere for the next few weeks, at least,” he said in a firm, matter-of-fact tone of voice. “I'll be surprised if he has any leg strength at all with those injuries. I'd suggest adding more protein to his meals for the next little while to avoid muscle atrophy, and chain him to the bed if you have to, any stress on those wounds won't do him any favours.”

“I'll speak to the cook,” Otabek replied, though he did not tear his gaze from Yuri as he spoke. Otabek longed to see him wake up, but at the same time he feared what might happen, too. The last thing he wanted was to worsen Yuri's injuries in any way, but at the same time, he found himself at a loss for how to convince Yuri to stay put—at least until his injuries healed.

Otabek smoothed the blanket needlessly over Yuri's still form, and his hands trembled minutely. He jerked back, and took several slow breaths, but it did not calm his frantic heart. He leant back in his seat, his eyes still trained on the omega, and he thought back to the pivotal conversation he'd had with Leo and Viktor not a full week earlier—the conversation that had changed everything.

~*~

It seemed like such a strange gathering, and yet so completely necessary that at the same time that it wasn't strange at all.

Otabek sat next to Viktor, and across from them sat Leo de la Iglasia. His bright and sunny smile seemed so out of place, considering what they had planned to discuss.

“Would anyone care for a drink?” Leo asked cheerfully as he regarded his two guests.

“Yes,” both Otabek and Viktor said at the same time with mirrored emphasis. The young American laughed, and got up to wander over to the mini-bar, and poured a measure of Canadian Club into three glasses. He carried it back to them, and pressed the whisky into each of their hands.

“So,” Leo said as he eased back in his seat and sipped his drink. “You two have had a change of heart, and wish to fix things with your omegas, is that right?” both Viktor and Otabek nodded. Leo smiled a little, his expression cautious, but approving as he sipped his drink once more before replying.“Okay, tell me everything.”

“I rushed things,” Viktor said first, his trademark cheeriness dimming as he stared down into the glass, and frowned. “I marked him and had sex with him during his first heat before we'd even gotten to know each other properly, and I was so stupid and selfish, I didn't really think about it. Father always said an omega was as good as his alpha, meaning an alpha who knew how to control them and things like that. I don't want to control Yuuri. I don't want to hurt him any more, but I'm worried that I can't fix things, that too much damage has been done. And I think back on things I said and did to him and with him and...I feel sick. He is a person, and it's something of a miracle that I didn't completely destroy him with my own selfishness.”

“And you, Otabek?” Leo asked kindly, nothing in his tone implying judgment, and he continued to smile at them both warmly.

“I thought I was being noble,” Otabek mumbled, “that I was being good to him. I didn't mark him—I still haven't—and I haven't touched him sexually. But I microchipped and collared him to keep him on the grounds of my home, and at first I insisted he share my bed, but when he continued to be resistent to me, I gave him his own room, with surveillance devices implanted in it. I approached him only when I wanted to discuss his heats, or things like that, even when it was obvious that he didn't want to talk about it. Then when he did go into heat I tried approaching him, hoping he might have had a change of heart, but when I tried to help him, he just lurched away from me, like I would hurt him—he was terrified. He has a microphone in his collar, and I could hear how miserable he was, but I still didn't do anything about it. I figured it would get better with time, but it hasn't. He still hates me.”

“You also punished him, didn't you?” Leo asked, and Otabek nodded.

“After his first escape attempt I beat him—I spanked him with a paddle, thirty times. I didn't even think about it, like he was a person I was hurting, I just...” Otabek broke off when his voice caught, and bowed his head. He took several slow breaths in an effort to calm himself down, but it didn't feel like it helped very much. “I didn't see him like a person. I saw him as an object. I didn't really realize that until recently, but I don't want to do that anymore. I'm tired of hurting someone I care about. I want to help him get better, I don't want him to feel like my possession.”

Leo did not speak at first. He set aside his glass, and took a small breath. He pressed his palms into his knees, and regarded both alphas with a critical eye.

“First off, let me tell you a thing or two about your omegas—you are lucky that they haven't tried to kill themselves yet, the way you two have been treating them.” Leo paused to let the words sink in. Otabek felt the bottom drop out of his stomach, and Viktor blanched at the implication. “Viktor, you are extremely lucky that Yuuri has not tried to induce an abortion. Some of the methods omegas back home used to use...drinking bleach, stabbing themselves in the stomach, starving themselves to the point of death...it was awful. It's in all our history books, but below university level, they rarely teach that stuff, because kids are too delicate to know the whole truth, you know?

“In my country, well, we are far from perfect, we got a lot of problems, but in terms of how our omegas are treated, it looks like a paradise compared to here. I came here for work, because my dad thought it was time I struck out on my own, as he put it, and put me in charge of our Russian office. Believe me when I say it's the most boring job in the universe, but it did give me a pretty comfortable life, so I'm not really complaining much.”

Leo paused his monologue to sip his drink, a frown twitching at the corners of his mouth. It was a long moment before he spoke again.

“I didn't really go to the Omega House looking for anything, if I'm being honest. I was more curious. My secretary told me about them, and they sort of sounded like whore houses to me. I just wanted to go and see it, but I had no plans to take an omega home. It just seemed so...wrong.”

“But you did,” Otabek filled in for him, “you selected Guang-Hong.”

At this, Leo chuckled, but it was not a jocular or bitter sound, but warm. His eyes softened, and he stared off into space.

“Yeah,” he said, “I did.”

“If you were so against it, why choose him?” Viktor asked, bent forward in his seat as he hung on to Leo's every word.

“I went on the pretense of looking for an omega, I figured they'd never let me in otherwise,” Leo explained, “I was just...curious, like I said. But then I saw him, and as stupid as it sounds, it was like love at first sight. It was like the lights dimmed everywhere else, and all I saw was him. He was beautiful, shy and sweet, and I just wanted to wrap him in a blanket and protect him from everything. The idea of anything ever hurting him made me so sad, and I just couldn't turn around and leave him in that place.

“I took him home, and I felt so bad because he was just so nervous,” Leo continued, a look of genuine heartbreak registering on his face as he spoke. “I hated that it was me scaring him so much, just by being there. I sat him down and explained that I wanted to get him out of there, and that I liked him, but that didn't mean anything. He was really confused by that, let me tell you.” Leo paused to laugh, but when neither Otabek nor Viktor reacted to it, he cleared his throat quickly and pressed on.

“I asked him out. Like a date-date. Because he wasn't marked yet there was only so much I could do without another alpha thinking they could just kidnap him for being out in public without that little bit of scar tissue, so I did what I could. We played video games together, and watched movies, and went swimming, and played one-a-side soccer...”

“—football,” Otabek and Viktor corrected simultaneously, and Leo snorted.

“Yeah, whatever,” he replied with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Anyway, at first Guang-Hong was really kind of hell bent on pleasing me. I'd be like, 'do you want to play Halo or Call of Duty?” and he'd just say, 'yes.'. When I would point out that that wasn't what I'd asked, he'd just panic. I felt so bad for him. I kept reminding him that this wasn't permanent, and that if he really wasn't happy here I could let him go, or send him somewhere safe, like to his family in Beijing, or whatever he wanted. But then he'd just freak out more. He was a bigger mess than I think even he realized.

“I googled some stuff on how to help him, like what sorts of things to ask him and stuff, and he was so stressed that he had no heat for the first two months at my house. He was just so confused and scared, I felt really bad for him. I just kept it up though. I didn't treat him like a servant, or a lover—I treated him like a friend. I told him things about me, and I asked him things about him. I always asked permission before I touched him, even if it was something as simple as touching the back of his hand. And slowly, he opened up to me. I could see that he started the like me how I liked him. He asked me to mark him when he went into heat, and then...well...when he did go into heat...” Leo trailed off with a bashful smile.

“So you just...acted like a friend, not an alpha?” Viktor asked uncertainly, and Leo smiled.

“That about sums it up, yeah.” Leo nodded. “I never went in looking for a partner, and I don't really care about having kids...not any time soon, anyway. What you two need to do I think is make sure that your partners know that they are more than what they can give you. Are they more to you than just a convenient lay, or a sentient baby-making machine? Omegas are people, they're not objects. They are not there for us to control. That said, here is what I think you should do: Viktor, you need to acknowledge your rape of Yuuri.”

“That's not—” Viktor began, but Leo cut in before he got very far.

“—yes it is,” Leo interrupted, his tone firm. “Yuuri was definitely not ready for kids, from what you've told me, and from what I've heard you say. But in his heat state, where it is difficult for an omega to think clearly, you took advantage of it, and used it as an opportunity to get what you wanted. He did not want this, and you've told me that he's petrified of being a mother. What mom goes: oh, yeah, I want to be a mom, but I'm absolutely terrified of everything that goes with it? He was not ready. You need to own up to that.”

Viktor's expression shifted to one of realization, then it crumbled as it was replaced by guilt. He bowed his head, and Otabek turned back to Leo, pretending he didn't see the Russian's tears of realization.

“Otabek, you need to acknowledge your abuse of Yuri,” Leo said firmly.

“It was only one time...” Otabek began, but trailed off when he saw Leo shaking his head.

“You put a collar on him and inserted a microchip in him to monitor his every move. You bugged the room you graciously gave to him. When he tried to run, you beat him. And every night, he was forced into your bed, and touched by someone who hurt him—brutally. You terrorized him, you touched him during his heat when he did not want you to—it doesn't matter if the touch was sexual or not, he still did not want you there,” Leo said, ticking the events off on his fingers as he went. “He's scared of you, and that's not something you fix easily. Yuri is more broken than he probably realizes, and that is all on you. You did this to him.”

“I didn't want this,” Otabek muttered, dropping his gaze from the judgmental eyes of the American. “I wanted a lover, not a...slave.”

“You were well on your way to totally destroying him,” Leo said seriously. “You should count yourself lucky that he's so stubborn, otherwise Yuri wouldn't be breaking, he'd be broken, and there may have been no way to reverse it.”

“What are we supposed to do now?” Viktor asked as he finally looked back up at Leo, his eyes still shining. “I don't want my—I don't want Yuuri to hurt, or be scared. He's precious to me, and I don't mean just as an omega to an alpha, I mean I care about him. If Yuuri were to be suddenly replaced with another omega, I feel like I would be distraught. I don't know if it's really love, but I know that I want him to be happy. I want him to smile, and for me to be the source of his happiness.”

“You can't decide that for him,” Leo said firmly, “only he can decide if you are to be the source of his happiness or not. You cannot force him to love you—either of you. Viktor, you need to give Yuuri space, and let him come to you. Treat him like a friend, not a husband. Let him decide whether you're worth loving or not. Otabek, you need to stop this obsessive-compulsive monitoring. He is eighteen, not eight. You need to treat him like a person, not a little kid who doesn't know to not shove a fork in a socket.”

“But my father always said that omegas—” Otabek began, and Leo frowned at him.

“—are you your father, or do you know better than him?” Leo asked, and Otabek blinked. “Yuri Plisetsky is an omega, but that is not all he is. I'd only spent about five minutes with him, and even I could see that. I saw a very strong young man who has had a hard life, someone passionate who does not let his social standing define him. What do you see, Otabek? Is he only an omega to you, a body to fuck and breed, or is he more than that?”

~*~

Rustling drew Otabek from sleep, and he blinked bemusedly, his mind caught in a cloud of memory. Talking to Leo had been hard, and he had not quite realized just how badly he had been treating Yuri until he'd spoken to him. It forced him to see things clearly, but even now, Otabek wasn't certain whether it was too late or not.

Perhaps it already was, given how Yuri bolted the first chance he got.

It took far too long for Otabek's mind to wake up, and register what he was witnessing—what the doctor was doing right in front of him. When it clicked, Otabek jumped into action.

“What the hell are you doing?!” Otabek demanded as he leapt up, and the doctor jumped back from the bed in alarm, dropping the cloth cuff he'd been holding.

“I'm sorry, sir, but you said he was a flight risk, so restraining him is for his own good—” the doctor began, but quailed with fright when Otabek turned his infuriated glare on him.

“Release him, now.”

“But sir—!”

“Now. This is how I almost lost him. Release him, or I swear, you will regret it.”

With trembling hands, the doctor stepped up to Yuri's bedside, and quickly unbuckled the wrist that had been bound, and collected the other cuff off the floor.

“M-my apologies, Mr Altin,” the doctor said shakily, “I was only acting in Yuri's best interest. If he wakes and panics, he will do more harm to himself.”

“If he wakes up restrained, that is what will make him panic,” Otabek said firmly. “The morphine in his system will keep him calm, as you should know, given that you are a doctor of medicine.”

“It was a precaution,” the doctor tried to explain, “it is common with patients who are liable to flee...”

“He is not a prisoner,” Otabek replied firmly. “I won't have him treated like one.”

“I'm sorry, sir,” the doctor repeated, and bowed his head. “Of course, you know him better than I do.”

Otabek grimaced, uncertain how much of that was true. He sat back down next to Yuri, and rested one hand over his.

“How long was I asleep?” Otabek asked the doctor, who was still hovering uncertainly, as though he did not know whether his presence would be welcomed or not.

“Not long,” the doctor replied, “maybe two hours, at most. It should be a while before he wakes yet. Shall I speak to one of your people about bringing in a more comfortable chair for you, sir?”

“This is fine,” Otabek replied without taking his eyes off Yuri, and closed his other hand over the omega's, sandwiching the limb between them. Yuri's skin felt hot, but not burning. The doctor muttered something, but Otabek did not turn to him, and assumed that it was a salutatory remark of some kind as he saw the man slink out of the room in his peripheral vision.

Otabek held onto Yuri's hand like one might cling to the side of a life boat. He blinked, and tears streaked his cheeks. He did not bother to wipe them away.

“Please wake up, Yuri,” Otabek whispered hoarsely, “please give me a chance to change for you, and give you a life that you deserve. Please.”

Otabek shifted his chair a little closer to the bed, his face lined with worry. Save for the hand closed between his, he did not touch the omega, and ignored the burning need he felt in his desire to do more—to caress his face, or kiss his forehead. Not again, Otabek reminded himself, remembering his conversation with Leo. He would never touch Yuri without his permission ever again.

Otabek dozed, and night had given way to day as he slept. When he next woke, there was an unread text message from Davies on his phone.

Found him. Nikolai Plisetsky lives in a tiny fishing village in the middle of nowhere. Will take at least a day to drive back if all goes well.

Smiling to himself, Otabek went back to his contacts, and selected the names of two of the housemaids.

Please have a second bed brought up to Yuri's room, and space made in his closet for a guest.

Otabek paused to listen to the soft scurrying of the house's servants hastening to do what he'd asked, then focused his full attention on the sleeping omega once more.

He smiled, and squeezed Yuri's hand gently. The strangest part was not the act of fetching Yuri's grandfather, but more in how he felt about it. Otabek was excited, but strangely, not for the reason he had expected.

Otabek was excited to see Yuri's reaction, and not for the possibility that Yuri's feelings towards him might change. Otabek was rather surprised that he really, truly did not care if Yuri thanked him or not, or even began to like him after he was reunited with the old man.

Whether Yuri liked him or hated him for this small act was inconsequential.

True, Otabek liked to think that Yuri would at least begin to see that he meant what he said, and no longer wished to treat Yuri as a child, or an object, but Otabek felt that he did not deserve such a gift—not yet.

Otabek Altin had a lot to make up for, and this was only the beginning.

A/N: Next chapter will be up on HALLOWEEN! :D

If you like my work, please consider throwing a few bucks into my Digital Tip Jar. I am a starving artist, and I like not actually starving to death :P

NLMG Masterpost

[jesbakescookies]

Too Hot To Handle: Chapter Fourteen

So I kinda wrote a different kind of fanfiction. It’s nothing as in depth as my other fics so I am going to post it here. ENJOY!!

 ***Actor, Real Person Fanfiction, Walking Dead RPF***

Featuring: Jeffrey Dean Morgan X Original Female Character, Norman Reedus and others.. (FYI this is total fiction, as in I know nothing about JDMs life or that of his real SO and son etc. Because of this, for this work of fiction, they don’t exist. Jeffrey’s been a typical actor playboy dating fellow stars etc. This is written for sick daydreaming pleasure.)

Aria St. James is a busy woman with a thriving restaurant. She thought she had everything she needed until a few famous faces visit her dining room. A tall, dark and handsome actor decides Aria’s just what he’s been looking for.

Rating: Mature : NSFW

Pulling into the parking lot of her restaurant,  Aria found a couple men lounging around the front door. Pursing her lips, she hesitated a moment wondering why anyone would be hanging out when they didn't open until afternoon. 

Keeping her phone in hand, she gathered her laptop bag and purse. Pushing her sunglass up to hold her bangs out of her face, she approached with narrowed eyes. As they saw her approaching, one pulled out a camera while the other grabbed a small notebook from his pocket. "Aria St. James?" The shorter of the two asked, his red face and rumpled clothes giving her the impression that he had just rolled out of bed after a bender. "Yes..." She replied flinching as the man's camera went. "Can I ask why you're taking my picture and standing on my doorstep?" "We're from Startimenews.com and we wanted to ask you a few questions about your relationship with Jeffrey Dean Morgan." Cocking an eyebrow Aria replied, "How exactly did you hear about this supposed relationship?" "We have a lot of sources ma'am." "Alright. Well that's kinda private don't you think?" "Mr. Morgan's a public figure." "So?" "So? the public deserves to know." "They deserve to know his private affairs? I doubt it. Look guys. I'm not sure what kind of story you want but I know Jeff, we're close. He's a wonderful man and I'm a busy woman. So unless you want to help set tables or peel potatoes I've got to be on my way." After a few pictures of Aria opening and locking the door, the two men walked away. Aria scowled at the big windows and pulled her phone out. Texting Jeffrey a quick message telling him their relationship was outed and she probably pissed the inter-webs by not giving them inner details of their sex life. Her phone rang instantly. 

"What happened?" He asked instantly with the sound of people shouting instructions on set in the background. "I had a couple paparazzi camped out in front of the restaurant. They wanted to know all about us. Apparently it's big news that everyone should know about." "What'd they say?" "They asked about us. I told them it wasn't really anyone's business. They said you're a public figure so they deserve to know. I said you and I are close, that you're a wonderful man and that I was a busy woman and if they didn't want to peel potatoes or set tables they could get off my doorstep." "That all?" He asked, his voice tight. "They took some very interesting pictures of me walking, unlocking the door and shutting it in their faces." The phone was quiet and Aria began to think she'd done something wrong. That maybe she shouldn't have talked at all or said more. Maybe she was rude and now the world would think Jeffrey was dating a total bitch. Maybe she made him look bad or maybe, worst of all, he didn't want anyone to know.

"Look, I'm sorry if I did the wrong thing or whatever but we kinda didn't even discuss what would happen when this came out. If I did something wrong-." "Stop." Jeffrey interrupted her verbal meltdown. Biting her lip, Aria fiddled with the buttons on her chef coat nervously as he stayed silent for another moment. "I didn't even think... Goddamnit." Jeffrey grumbled on the line, his voice strained and obviously irritated. "Jeff look if I wasn't supposed to talk to them or I said the wrong-." "No baby. You didn't do anything wrong. Look I'm going to talk to my publicist and figure out if we should announce it or something." "Jesus, really? Is that actually something we have to do?" "I know. Look, I gotta go but I'll handle this okay. I'm sorry you were harassed sweetheart." "It wasn't a big deal. I mean yeah I don't really want photographs of me half asleep on the Internet but what can you do when you're dating the sexiest man alive." Jeffrey bellowed over the phone, his gruff laugh making her chest loosen just a little. "I haven't made that title yet." "Well that's a shame. Probably better for me though because you'd ditch me for whoever the sexiest woman alive is." Jeffrey rasped low in the phone, "You're the sexiest woman alive to me, baby girl." "Okay player." she spoke with blushing cheeks, "Get back to work. I'll let you know if anymore of you're adoring stalkers show up. Is there something you want me to say?" "You did fine. I'd say, don't cuss anybody out or punch them and you'll be fine." "Well fuck Jeff, that's exactly what I was planning on doing." She deadpanned causing him to chuckle. Smirking at the empty dining room she murmured, "Will I see you tonight?" "Depends on the schedule. We're a bit behind." "Okay. Well let me know." "Will do sweetpea. Stay out of trouble." "Never."

Jeffrey hung up the phone and rubbed his face roughly while growling. He was furious at himself for not even thinking about or discussing what would happen when the vultures found out about Aria. He felt like a total asshole for not preparing her. He'd been half afraid she was going to throw in the towel when he told her about talking to his publicist. He'd been living in a fantasy world where they got to keep what they had together to themselves but it was out now, there'd be no going back once mainstream media found out. "Why the bitchface?" Norman asked, while lighting a cigarette. Jeffrey held his hand out for his own. After lighting it, he explained, "Aria got her first taste of cameras jammed in her face." Grimacing, Norman exhaled and asked, "Shit. She okay?" "Yeah man, I'm just.. I'm a fucking dumbass. I didn't even think about it or prepare her." "Yeah that's pretty dickish man." "Fuck off. I've been a little busy." "Busy getting your dick wet." Norman joked before chuckling. Jeffrey punched him in the shoulder and scolded, "This is serious fucko. What if she changes her mind?" "What, about you?" Norman rasped, his brow furrowed. "Uh yeah. Not everyone wants their lives painted all over magazines and the Internet." Jeffrey huffed, taking a vicious drag off his cigarette thinking about what he would do if Aria ended things because of who he was and what it meant for them. "Well I mean, she should've realized it would happen." Norman offered, rolling his broad shoulder. Jeffrey narrowed his eyes as he looked off at the set, flicking ash from his smoke and muttered, "Well realizing it and experiencing it is two different things." "Was she pissed?" "No." "Upset?" "Well, no." "Then what the fuck’s your problem?" Norman chuckled, tossing his cigarette butt aside. "What if she does get pissed or upset. This is just the beginning. I don’t..." Jeffrey swallowed thickly and confessed, "I don't want her to change her mind about us because some fucker camps outside her work and harasses her." "That where they got her?" "Yeah." "What’d she do?" "She told them if they didn't want to peel potatoes or set tables they could fuck off." Norman laughed gruffly and gripped Jeffrey's shoulder. "Man she'll be fine. If anything I feel bad for those poor fucks who try and strong arm information out of her. Unless that's what you're worried about, her losing her cool?" "No but I did tell her not to cuss out or punch them." Laughing Norman asked, "What'd she say?" "Told me that was exactly what she had planned on doing." "She'll be fine man. She ain't changing her mind." "Oh yeah and you know this how?" Jeffrey scoffed, crossing his arms as he watched Andrew speaking to Scott. "I know because I saw you two together. She fucking loves you man." Norman replied, a cocky grin on his face. "Fuck off. There's no way you could know that." "I fucking saw her asshole. She stuck to you like glue and looked at you like fucking... I don't know. Like you were all she could see. It was disgusting and completely fucking annoying." Laughing deeply, Jeffrey peered over at the man he considered a surrogate brother and asked, "Why?" "Because it's bullshit. I want a girl who looks at me like that. You're fucking lucky man." "Yeah until some assholes on the internet start talking shit about her or us or they invade her privacy even more and get photos of her in a damn bikini or something." "Well I for one would be very fucking upset if that happened." Norman drawled, brushing his lip with his fingers as he obviously pictured the image. Jeffrey glared at him and shoved him aside. "Stop picturing my girlfriend in a bathing suit." "Fine I'll stick to my regular fantasy… nothing but a chef hat." He replied with a shit eating grin. The sound of Norman's yelp echoed across the set catching Scott's attention. Cocking an eyebrow in question at the men, Jeffrey replied, "Believe me, he deserved it."

Aria sat her staff down to let them know of the occurrence with photographers that morning. She wanted them aware in case they were ever confronted with questions about her and her relationship with Jeffrey. It wasn’t something she wanted to do but she'd rather them be prepared. "Okay so that's the plan for the night. I have one more topic I need to discuss." She spoke, hesitantly. "I'm sure you are aware of my... relationship with Jeffrey." "Oh do you mean Mr Tall, Dark and Hot as Sin?" Cheryl quipped, her painted lips quirked to the side. Sighing, Aria continued, "Yes Cheryl, as I was saying. Most of you know I'm dating Jeff and unfortunately it seems that the people who invade others privacy for a living have found out also. There were two reporters waiting for me this morning outside. So I wanted to make you all aware, there may be questions thrown at you, there may be photographers outside waiting for super exciting pictures of me taking the trash out or I don't know eating a sandwich. I'm asking not only as your boss but I think as a fellow human who likes to have some kind of private life, if you all could keep what you know about our relationship to yourselves. I'm sure it'll be exciting having them around but I just want you to think before you speak and act. You've all met Jeff. He's a great guy, and has always been friendly and kind with all of you. Please respect both of us by not joining the media circus. I'll be forever grateful if we can keep things civil and without drama." The team broke up to finish their jobs before opening, Javier coming straight to her. "Are you alright?" "I'm fine." She huffed, wandering back in the kitchen. "I mean in the back of my head I knew this would happen but I guess maybe it was just wishful thinking that we could just.. I don't know, be a normal fucking couple for awhile first." "I'm sorry Ari." Javier spoke with a frown, his hand rubbing her back. "Look you don't need to worry about any of us speaking to the press. Even with you being a hard ass sometimes, you respect all of us and I know they will too. Plus if any of them squeals, I'll kick their asses." Snorting, Aria began setting up pots and pans to heat up. "I appreciate it Javie but I don't need a bodyguard." "I don't know. I've seen some of those fuckers get pushy on tv." "Well if anyone gets pushy with me, you'll be the first to know." "Good. So what did they say?" "Nothing important. They wanted to know about my relationship with Jeff. It was stupid. They took a couple photos of me looking half asleep and fully irritated." Javier chuckled, "so like any other day." "Exactly. I swear, he's gonna dump me once all the stupid tabloids start talking shit about his frumpy, no name girlfriend. Posting pictures of me with no makeup and stained chef coats." Rolling his eyes, Javier began to rattled off all the reasons she was wrong, "First fucking off, you are neither frumpy or no name. You're cute as a goddamn button and you have one of the top TEN restaurants in all of Georgia. That's a state with a million and one places to eat! Two, that sexy man would rather chop his arm off than let someone talk bad about you. He looks at you like you hung the fucking moon, girl. And three you're batshit crazy if you think he'd listen to those jealous twats online." Laughing a little, Aria stopped what she was doing and asked, "what do you mean about the way he looks at me?" "You're so blind. That man loves you. When you're not looking, hell even when you are but when you're not, those dark bedroom eyes... fuck, they just... watch you. I don't know how to explain it but if I could pay someone to look at me like that, I'd do it. It's like... you are the only person in the room to him. Everyone else could fall off the planet and he wouldn't fucking notice because you're there in front of him." Aria felt her eyes prickle and turned away slightly to keep them from spilling over but Javier was having none of it. Stepping forward, he dipped his head to catch her blurry gaze. "He loves you. Hold onto him. All this other shit... it'll be worth it because men like that... they don't come around often."

Find Chapter Fifteen Here:

http://jesbakescookies.tumblr.com/post/162779569116/too-hot-to-handle-chapter-fifteen

I started posting this fic over on AO3 also. I will probably post in both places since I’m still figuring out AO3 formatting etc.

Let me know if you’d like to be tagged for updates. I’ll try my best to remember!

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[pamiverson]

2017-03-20 Worst moments of my Peace Corps experience

It’s not all been a bed of roses.  Probably not the best comparison, because I don’t think I’ve seen a bed of roses anywhere in South Africa.  So it’s not all hillsides of protea…

13.  Lost, very lost luggage.  We went to Rwanda, but our luggage didn’t.  This was Tuesday.  Because both of our bags were missing, we didn’t think they had been stolen.  The tour company kept pestering the airlines about it, and said they would bring our bags to us as soon as they were found. So when we were getting ready to leave the country the following Monday, we checked again, and they said it was coming on the plane that would then take us back to South Africa.  We talked to someone who promised the bags would stay on the plane and leave with us.  Wrong… Poor Greg spent hours on the phone over several days trying to find out where it was (we had a print-out that showed the bags had gone back and forth between Johannesburg and Nairobi a couple of times.)  Finally someone assured us they had been in Kigali, but were being placed on a plane to Johannesburg and would arrive at midnight.  But at 6:00, well after the flight would have left, the tour company operator what’s apped us to say he had our bags.  So again the phone calls and the waiting game continued…  We finally decided we had to leave Pretoria on Saturday, so Friday was our last hope.  Someone from the airlines assured us our bags would be put on the next flight.  About 45 minutes later we got a call from Johannesburg airport baggage saying they had our luggage.  I will be forever grateful (because I had twisted my foot since I didn’t have my hiking boots) that Peace Corps authorized one of their drivers to take us to the airport.  He knew exactly where to go to get them – I guess we weren’t the first.  We were so happy to see them!!  They were wrapped in plastic, but we don’t think it was the same plastic they wrapped them in when we turned them over in Jo’burg the first time. Everything was there, a bit more wrinkled, perhaps, but so were we.  So much better than thinking about what we needed to replace, especially the valuable things like extra glasses, my night guard, and a spare set of house keys.

12. My first language test.  I don’t know why I got so anxious, maybe because I haven’t had to take a test for awhile.  At the practice test, I was literally shaking.  Not much better at the real test.  I passed it on the second try, three months later.  We got tested at our Close of Service Conference, and I was grateful to have remained at the same level.  It didn’t help that I needed to use my hands to explain the difference between izintaba (mountains) in KZN, my home in America, and Lesotho.  I might have tried harder to master the language if it was a language, such as Spanish, that I might have an opportunity to use later.

11. Cramped taxi/other vehicle rides.  In the interest of togetherness, I think, a taxi driver insisted Greg and I both sit in the front seat of his truck.  We were both pretty uncomfortable.  Sharing one seat in the org’s truck with a very large woman was even worse.  Worst of all was a long-distance taxi trip where I had practically no leg room and my pack on my lap.  I almost swore off traveling after that trip.  And Greg, being that much bigger, would put such trips much higher on his list of worst moments…

10.  Being at a Bible-based training where everyone was asked to share about when they were saved and how their relationship with God and Jesus enhances their lives.  Those are not words I use to describe my spiritual journey.  Such a sense of dread, how to talk about my faith, how to be respectful of our differences.  But I think my supervisor had talked to the facilitators already, because they smoothly passed by her and me.  I respect her for passing on an opportunity to witness her faith to accommodate me.  Thank you.

9.  The first time we hiked up the big mountain across from my org.  Churches were holding a prayer service at the top of the mountain, and I thought everyone was climbing up.  When we got up part-way, we could hear singing, and I thought we were late.  I was not in great shape, but was pushing myself to get there.  I ended up wheezing and needing to rest awhile.  I’ve never wheezed before or since.  It turned out that most people, including my supervisor and the minister who invited me, drove to the top.  And since then, I have made it to the top uneventfully.

8.  Losing my phone – twice.   Both times I was in a hurry to get out of a vehicle and then unfocused as I was getting out.  The most recent time, I was aware I didn’t have my phone just a few steps away from my supervisor’s car.  I may have been distracted by the men at the outdoor restaurant (just to say hi), but I can’t remember if anyone was closer to me who could have gotten it out of my pocket then.  I thought it was secure there – a safety pin closed the opening.    I have feelings of vulnerability and distrust, which I don’t like. Especially when I discovered they had gotten into my phone and changed my G-mail password.  Fortunately my supervisor was going to Pietermaritzburg a day later so we could get a ride to the mall.  And folks at the two Vodacom stores we had to go to were very helpful. And best of all – it looks like nothing further was done with my phone besides the G-mail.  I got a cheaper phone this time, though, and I am not as happy with its camera (as the man predicted, but seemed like too much to pay again.)  

7. Being sick while camping – twice.  There’s nothing much worse than having an intestinal bug when you are sleeping in a tent and the restrooms (or ablutions as they call them here) are a distance away. Enough said…  

6 The morning the alarm went off and Greg did not respond.  He usually jumps right out of bed, so when he didn’t, I immediately started shaking him, and he quickly responded.  It’s amazing, though, the thoughts that can quickly pass through one’s head in that second or two.  I wanted his hearing tested, but the Peace Corps doctor suspected one ear, the one on top as he slept that morning, had significant wax build-up.  The doctor was right.

5.  Thinking I had skin cancer.  With my genetics and history of burning and peeling repeatedly every summer of my Southern California childhood, skin cancer is probably inevitable.  I had a mole removed before I was 50 – it was benign.  But someday… One of my biggest concerns when I found an unusual spot on my face was the inconvenience of having to deal with this now – I don’t know Peace Corps protocols.  It would be easier if I was home, with a more settled life, ongoing, easily-accessible health care, flexible plans, friends close by.  But who gets to choose when a health concern happens?  It was a good reminder that I am not immortal, and that I could face that reality at any time.  I wish I could say that I stopped any superfluous activities, that I have only done meaningful things since then.  But I would be lying….  Oh, and the local doctor gave me antibiotics and creams for viruses and fungal infections. The Peace Corps doctor said it was a bug bite and scarring because I scratched it.  Whew!  

4.  Eggplant leaf poisoning.  We didn’t know what it was – being dizzy, totally unfocused, awkward, unbalanced, foggy-headed.  After the second time, we connected it to greens from our garden – Greg had used a variety of greens from our garden in a salad.  After that, I refused to eat greens unless they had been cooked.  We and others could not figure out how something poisonous could have been put on the garden.   It was only after we came back from our trip to the States that we saw one of the plants Greg had harvested was starting to produce eggplants. A quick check of Google confirmed that eggplant leaves are poisonous.   We do a better job of labeling plants now.  

3. Spider bite. This one almost put me in the hospital. Lessons learned:  when something on your body looks strange, don’t wait for it to get bad. Contact |Peace Corps – they can send you to a local doctor or even prescribe medications based on what you tell them.  A couple of months ago, I actually got another bite, under my wedding band, and it started to swell and get the dark circle in the middle characteristic of a spider or tick bite.  But a couple of days of putting antibiotic ointment on it (and not wearing my ring – sigh…) and it healed up.  For that I am very thankful.

2.  Seeing Baby N. for the first time.  He was a very small 13-month-old, with obvious delays, and I didn’t know the indicators at the time, also evidence of serious malnutrition.  He lived with his elderly grandmother and his mother, who was so spaced out then, due to her glue sniffing.  Baby N. stayed in his grandmother’s lap except when he crawled awkwardly to his mom to nurse.  She barely registered that he was there.  His grandmother wanted to help him, but was afraid of her daughter, who had beat her up to get Baby’s N.’s child support money, which she then used to buy drugs. Mom is HIV+.  When we (another staff member and I) reported back to my supervisor, she immediately went into action mode:  “We need to get him tested for HIV and connect him with the Nutritionist at the hospital…”  I came home and told Greg that I didn’t think I could do this work.  I felt so sad and overwhelmed – my supervisor’s reaction suggested to me that many children live in difficult situations like Baby N, no time for sadness, just do what’s needed.  I was relieved when at devotions the next morning, the man I went with was also feeling such sorrow for this little boy.  I was reassured that my reaction was appropriate.  And the good news:  Baby N. was not HIV+.  He stayed at our facility for several months, and with more nourishment and stimulation, he was progressing well.   An aunt stepped forward to take him into her home (that’s a wonderful thing about Zulu culture – the idea of family is broad, and people feel a sense of responsibility for children), and reported he is now running and laughing.  I am so grateful.    

1. Fearing I had some thyroid cancer.  A local doctor noted the lump on the side of my neck, which I was unaware of.  That was in November.  I have had full thyroid blood work, three ultrasounds, two sets of biopsies since then. And finally conclusive results last Friday.  Right now I can say the samples they took were good and they showed no cancer. (But it could be like the worm on the other side of the apple – you may not check the right place.)  I will need it monitored, and with the cyst that has formed, surgery is indicated.  How extensive the surgery will be needs to be decided by the next doctors in the States that I see.  We were able to continue with completion of service and travelling after close of service. As Greg said afterwards, “I thought maybe we would have to change our plans for our lives for the next year or two.” (His positivity and support are among the many qualities that I love about him.)

And in a class of its own:  Missing the grandkids.

[theforgottengn]

England’s Dreaming

Characters: Tango, Yankee, Bravo, Charlie, Whiskey, Theresa May, and Chris Grayling

Word Count: 2,185

Trigger Warning: Swearing. A lot of swearing. Lots of yelling too.

Summary: Instead of working on part two of Pain Without Love I decided to write some Tank stuff… Tango and Yankee are maintaining surveillance during a mission in England. They need to get a recording of PM Theresa May’s confession. And their ticket in is her right hand; Chris Grayling.

xxxxx

Tango sat at the small wooden table in the cheap, dirty, and sticky hotel room. His right leg was rapidly bouncing up and down underneath it with a restless impatience. He had everything set up perfectly, he triple checked the recorder just to make sure it worked, and kept a headphone in one ear. Tango did not leave his comm in his other ear but instead it lay on the table in between the equipment and his gun. His right hand was lying ready on the table, close enough to the gun for a quick grab, while his left was poised above the record button.

Problem was there was nothing to record.

“Bollocks,” he muttered angrily under his breath. This is what he hated most of all. This was the one thing he couldn’t stand above all else.

Waiting.

He could handle the loneliness that came with this part of the job. He wasn’t alone per se at the moment as Yankee was in the room too; sitting cross legged on the bed. But, then again, being stuck in a room with someone who doesn’t speak is pretty much the same as being alone.

What the bloody hell is taking Charlie so long?

He took the headphone out of his ear and angrily got up from the table. As he began to pace the aroma of stale cigarette smoke and week old urine rose from the carpet to meet his nostrils. It was disgusting but he barely registered it in his blind fury as he tapped out a rhythm on his thigh. It started off as nothing special but turned into an instantly recognizable punk staple.

The Sex Pistols’ Anarchy in the U.K.

“He was supposed to get the bleeding bugged phone to that tossing arsehole an hour ago!! What the fuck is he doing?” He yelled, as he paced the room, waving his hands about in meaningless gesticulation.

“Drinking a pint with the man? That’s fine. If he’s doing only that… Or is he getting bloody well pissed and becoming best mates with him? Maybe fucking around just for shites and giggles? I mean he knows that everything's depending that fucking mobile in his damned hands! Doesn’t he? He fucking has to, right? Right?!”

Yankee naturally looked up in response to Tango’s ranting. His expression wasn’t the slightest bit surprised. What is it now? mixed with a bit of a smirk, and maybe a twinge of annoyance; but definitely not a drop of surprise.

“Aaah!!!” Tango screamed in frustration as he stopped pacing and pulled his hair. He couldn’t handle this anymore. I’ll go mad if something doesn’t happen soon, he thought. Tango felt Yankee’s eyes on him and turned to face the man. “What!? … Oh,” he said with a shake of his head. “Don’t you dare give me that fucking look, Yank.”

Yankee's facial expression was undeniably What look?

Tango pointed an angry finger at the other man and muttered through clenched teeth: “You know bloody well what look you’re giving me.”

All Yankee did was smile innocently in response.

“Don’t fucking test me, mate,” Tango warned; voice dripping venom and hand twitching with fury. “I will punch you in your fucking goddamn perfect teeth.” Yankee smiled and stretched out his arms: the universal sign for come at me. Tango shook his head, trying to clear the anger out, and walked back to the table; back to his equipment.

He plopped down in the chair with a sigh.

Yankee’s job was pretty much done; all he had to do was get the rest of the boys the paperwork to place them where they were at the moment. It all worked perfectly but the reason Yank stayed behind was in case he needed to hack the traffic lights, or CCTV cameras, or something or other. That’s why he sat cross legged on the bed with his sleek, all black, laptop open in front on him.

Tango looked over his shoulder to see Yankee hunched over the laptop. He watching something with the type of intensity only a hacker could have and was rapidly typing away. Tango shrugged and turned back to his equipment. Putting one of the headphones in his ear Tango grit his teeth when there was absolutely nothing on the other end.

Not even static.

Tango’s job, on the other hand, was just beginning. He successfully bugged a decoy mobile that looked just like the one the target owned. Yank hacked the real mobile so the fake included everything that was on the real one. Contacts, pictures, apps; everything right down to the bleeding cheesy pop tune the wanker set as his ringtone. Yank got it all. Impressive.

He just had to wait for Charlie to get a little friendly with him and switch the phones. And then wait again for the guy to call the person they needed him to call. Or better yet have a real life meeting. Their target was Chris Grayling. And the person he needed to call was Theresa May; England’ s current Prime Minister. She was the second female PM after Thatcher but wouldn’t be for long if they played their cards right.

So much fucking waiting.

Picking up his ear comm off the table he tapped it, turning it on, and inserted it into his ear. “Tango!” immediately through the comm link came Bravo’s annoyed yell.

“Shout my ear off, why don’t you? What’s going on?”

“Charlie and Grayling are on the move. They just left the bar, The Goat, Whiskey saw them walk out.” Tango rubbed his hands together in excitement; “Now, we’re getting somewhere. Where they headed?”

“North on Kensington High Street. Do you guys have visual?”

“Charlie switch the phones, yet?”

“Do you have visual on them or not?”

He looked over at Yankee who had the biggest and proudest smile on his face that Tango had ever seen. Yank turned the laptop around so Tango could see the footage he was receiving from multiple CCTV and traffic cameras. Around ten or twelve different angles of Charlie and Grayling walking down Kensington High Street; visibly plastered.

“Yeah, we have visual. Quite a few of ‘em actually.”

From the footage it at least looked like Charlie was pissed out of his mind. His pace was slow, stumbling when he walked, laughing at nothing. Classic signs of a drunk man. But there was no telling with Charlie; he was far too good at his job. He could convincingly pretend to be anyone or anything. To top it off he pretty much has.

Tango grimaced as they watched multiple lovely shots of Grayling being sick all over the sidewalk.

Just what I fucking needed.

Grayling was a strong Conservative so he most likely did not drink. And how Charlie managed to get Grayling that plastered was beyond Tango’s comprehension. The man was a magician sometimes. A fucking wizard. He could get anybody to give him whatever he wanted. Or do whatever he wanted.

“Good.” Bravo’s voice flowed through the comms again; “Maintain that surveillance while Whisk and I…”

“Oh my god! Am I everybody’s fucking mum or something?!”

Yankee snickered loudly.

“Oi! Shut the fuck up, Yank, or I swear I will smack the shite out of you.” Yankee responded by throwing a pillow at Tango’s face but he expertly blocked it with a hand. The pillow silently hit the floor.

“Look here, I need to know, alright! Did. Charlie. Switch. The fucking phones or not?!”

Bravo sighed loudly and the staticky feedback that came through the comm link annoyed Tango. It reminded him of white noise and he hated white noise. “Tango, buddy, all I’m trying to say is you should be focusing on surveillance right now.”

Yankee nodded in agreement with a smug smile on his face; That's what I said.

Tango scoffed; “Oh! Look here, Yank, there’s the fuck I give about your opinion. Oh. Hang on, where’s it going? It’s flying away… aaaannnddd it’s gone. Well,” he said with a shrug, “that was my last fuck.” Then he gave Yankee the finger.

“Tango. Stop it,” Bravo warned.

Yankee shot him a look that could only mean: Stop being an asshat.

“Oh, am I being an arsehat? And you don't like it? Well, since I only aim to please... tell me, what kind of hat would you like me to be, Yank? A fucking trilby? Maybe a porkpie? Or how about a top hat?”

“I’m serious. Stop it!” Bravo yelled but Tango wasn’t listening at all. He was on a roll and he wasn’t going to stop until he accidentally said something he’d regret later.

Yankee shrugged and shook his head; Be whatever. I don’t care.

“That’s just bloody great, innit? Just great. Nothing but a shrug from you. Shrug and shaking your head. That’s it. Wonder what I was expecting from somebody who refuses to speak... You listening to me? I know you are cos you sure are bloody stupid but you’re not deaf. REFUSES TO SPEAK! We all know you can talk, Yank. SO FUCKING TALK YA WANKING MUTE!!”

The comm link went as dead as the hotel room. Yankee looked at Tango with a dead blank stare. Tango immediately regretted saying that. He couldn’t believe he let himself say it but, then again, he also completely believed it. He had said things that were far worse in the past.

Fucking dammit!! Good going you stupid bleeding arsehead!! You grade A cock up!

Tango wiped his hands down his face in shame and disbelief. “Sorry,” he muttered. “I didn’t mean it. I’m a fucking arse and I’m sorry.” The apology, though, he fully meant. Yankee sighed and nodded; accepting the apology. Then he apologized too, in his own way.

“You guys done yet?” Bravo asked in Tango’s ear. Tango shook his head and looked over at Yankee; “Yeah. Sorry. We argue like an old married couple sometimes.”

Yankee scratched the back of his neck and made a face: Awkward.

“Yeah, we know," replied an annoyed Whiskey. "Speaking with only your eyes and all that… You always being the first to know exactly what Yank’s saying. I have to admit you two do seem like quite the pair. Maybe you two should make it official.” Tango could hear the smirk in Whiskey’s voice over the comm link.

“Oh har bloody fucking har,” Tango said as he began to tap out another tune on the wood table. This time it was London Calling by The Clash. “Only if Bravo and Charlie shack up first.”

Silence on the other end.

“Exactly. Point made. But... speaking of that goddamn prick, and you know I say that with all the love in my heart, did he switch the phones?”

“I don’t know,” came Bravo’s reply; truth ringing through his voice. He really had no idea.

Tango clicked his ear comm again, turning it off, and ripped it out of his ear. He grabbed the headphones and jammed them in. Then stretched his left arm over the recording equipment. All in one swift silent moment and the angry tapping of his foot.

Then he interlaced left hand with his right. Clasped tightly together he laid his hands on the table in front of him. Then tapped them on the wood surface. Then he brought his intertwined hands to his forehead and angrily hit them against it.

“Fucking wanker!” he screamed as loudly as humanly possible.

The cheap bed squeaked as Yankee rose from it. He crossed the short distance to where Tango sat. But his presence didn’t register to Tango who sat there shaking angrily. Yank reached out a hand; rested it on Tango’s shoulder and the shaking immediately stopped. He patted Tango’s shoulder and slightly rubbed; a reassuring gesture that Tango immediately understood.

But it wasn’t true. At least not yet.

He shrugged Yankee off with an angry jerk; “It won’t bloody be okay until I get what we need.” Yankee shrugged and walked back to the bed where his laptop lay.

“You better piss off with all that touchy feely nonsense.”

You know you love me read Yankee's expression.

Suddenly he heard a click and Charlie’s voice through the headphones; the bugged phone was activated. Tango punched the record button as fast as humanly possible. He did not want anything important to be missed.

“Well, this has been fun but, I better be off. See you later, yeah?” Charlie said in a fake British accent.

“Really? You can’t be leaving so soon, Thomas, we barely got to catch up.” Tango could hear the frown in the man’s voice. Charlie had him right where he wanted him and they all knew it. Well, everyone except, Grayling of course. Instead of messing with the man or anything like that he did exactly what he was supposed to do.

“Yeah, mate, I’m really sorry. I got work in the morning.” Then he went in for a goodbye hug and when Grayling embraced him Charlie slipped his hand into the man’s pocket. Quickly and expertly grabbed his phone and swapped it for the bugged one.

“See you around then, yeah?” he said with a nod and then walked away.

Tango smiled; they had him.

[ecotone99]

[TH] The Shards of Our Souls

Note from publisher: Yes, I am fully aware of the similarities between my story and AMC's "The Walking Dead". I can assure you that my story is a story and a work of its own, and while I was inspired by The Walking Dead to write this story, it has no relation to the show or its content, whatsoever. Yes, this story is long, but if you enjoy reading (even if you don't), I am certain you will find yourself hooked to it. I hope you enjoy!

Extra: I wasn't able to fit the entire story in one post, so I will have two separate posts for this story.

​

The year was 2003, disease rates had dramatically increased, causing a wide range of death in people across the country. Many angry yet worried citizens started rioting against governments, to force action into more research in medicine and cure. This had gone on for several months until the government finally stepped up and pushed doctors and scientists to work nonstop until they could find anything that would slow the disease rates down. It took almost a year until researches finally found a scarce and unusual element, that kills every infectious pathogen at a rapid pace. It was tested on sick animals and other organisms and had proved its effectiveness. Unfortunately, the medicine only tested positive on blood types AB, B, and O, and tested negative on blood types A. But without delay, the medication was approved and distributed to every sick patient with the correct blood type. In fact, this medicine was so effective, it was distributed worldwide to as many ill patients as possible. Everyone had been cured within a day after the medication was taken. It was the most significant achievement in medical history. But, unfortunately, the researches were never able to identify that after a period of time, the medicine not only kills pathogens, it completely mutilates the human body on the inside; except for the brain. What came after, would change the world forever.

November 26th, 2004. One week before the outbreak. Brett Brax is a current police officer, who lives in Orlando, Florida, with his nine-year-old son Jett Brax. “What a great week it has been, don't you think, Dad?” Jett asked. “It has been, indeed. I still can’t comprehend how quickly everyone was healed. But I am mainly just glad that neither of us became sick.” “If we were sick, we would have no way of being cured since we both have blood type A.” Jett added. “That is why I am so relieved.” His dad replied. “Maybe now, this world can live in peace, without the worry of disease.” “That's a whole unit of science that can be removed from the books! That means less homework!” Jett said, happily. Brett chuckled. “Maybe so, but don't forget about that math of yours, buddy.” Jett rolled his eyes with a smile. “Goodnight, Jett.” “Goodnight, Dad, I’m looking forward to a better world.” “Me, too, bud, me, too.” Brett kissed his son goodnight, turned out the lights, and closed the door.

December 2nd, 2004. One day before the outbreak. Brett was up quick when he heard the horrible truth. A broadcast announced that every cured patient who took the medicine had died, mutilated on the inside. The vast population of the world had significantly dropped by almost sixty-five percent. The remainder of people on Earth only had blood types A, while everyone else was dead, never to return. Every convenient operation to the public was shut down and was said to not re-open. “Holy hell.” Brett whispered to himself. “Dad, this can’t be true.” Brett looked at his son's disheartened face. “I just got off the phone with Logan. Our friends are dead, Dad, they’re all dead!” Jett said in tears. Brett was speechless. He didn't know what to say to his son. There were no words. Brett pushed it away and thought to himself for a minute. “Jett, I need to go to the police station.” “No, Dad, please, I want to stay with you.” “Jett, stay here, I will be back, I need to see if anybody is there.” “I’ll… I’ll go with you.” Jett desperately replied. “No, I need to go alone.” Jett gave in. “Okay, but please hurry back, Dad. You know I hate being alone.” Brett laid a hand on his son's shoulder. “I’ll be back soon, I promise.” Brett started his car and drove down the deserted streets. As he arrived at the station, Brett noticed that the front door was barricaded. A note on the front door read: “How can we be a help anymore? Over half of the world is dead. What else could possibly go wrong?” Brett knew that most of his fellow police officers had gotten sick. He called one of the officers, who is also his brother, Charlie, to discuss the whole thing. “Charlie, you there, brother?” “Yeah, I’m here. What a damn mess this is. Where are you?” “I’m at the station. What’s the reason for barricading?” Charlie sighed. “After all of this happened, people began going crazy. So many families have been lost, Brett, leaving, whoever's left, alone and hopeless. They started demanding for something to be done about the people who created the medicine, like arresting them or some other kind of punishment. But is there a point to that? I don’t see what we can do about it. Imprison the people that tried to help stop the disease? Take away the few people that are left on this Earth? It just seems so unreasonable.” “Yeah, I hear you.” Brett replied. “So, what now?” “I mean, at this point, I know it’s a terrible thing to say, but we’ve just gotta move on, I mean, what else can we do? Life will continue to move forward. The clock will continue ticking.” Charlie replied. “I guess you’re right, I don’t see any other way around it, this is just our life, now.” “Yeah, unfortunately, it is.” They paused, both trying to, somehow, comprehend their conversation. “How’s Jett?” Charlie asked, to break the silence. “Not well, man. Poor kids’ lost his friends. I’m really all he has, right now. I don’t know how to explain this to him, I mean, he is only nine years old, how can he possibly process any of this?” “Yeah, look, man, this is definitely going be hard on him for a while, so you’re going to need to be there for him as much as possible. But, you know, the way he hits those target papers on weapon training, I can see he is a tough and strong kid. He’ll pull through on this, I know it.” Charlie concluded. “You’re right, he is a strong kid, and he will get through this. And I will always be there for him.” I know you will, Brett, you’re a great father.” I’ll see you soon, man.” Brett hung up with a sharp pain of sorrow in his chest. On his way home, Brett could see the faces of what used to be his happy neighbors, as they lay weeping and crying over their lost loved ones. Brett’s heart sank as he witnessed this. What a terrible time this had been for everyone. Brett returned home, still in shock of everything that happened since he opened his eyes in the morning. After putting his distressed boy to bed, he went to bed himself, his mind racing. Can this be a dream? Brett thought to himself. A nightmare? Is it real? Brett then felt a single tear rolling down his face just as he drifted off into a new world.

December 3rd, 2004. The day of the outbreak. The sound of the national emergency alarm frightened Brett off of his bed and onto his feet. Then, there was an automatic voice system, which had been reporting through all devices. “This is a national emergency. Multiple reports have indicated countless amounts of reanimation of the dead. These reports included dangerous actions and aggressive behavior that has been taken by the reanimated corpses of the recent death tragedy that happened on December 2nd, 2004. These actions are said to be murderous against humans. At this time, all military personnel has been requested to take a course of action on this case. All citizens of the world are required to stay inside their homes and are advised to barricade all entrances to their home’s. Keep radios on for further instruction after this case has been resolved. Conserve food and water supply, as the time to resolve this case, is unknown. All cities and districts have been qualified for military use and weapon fire. Do not go outside for any reason. Do not allow any human-like figure to enter your home…” Brett did not listen to the rest. He did not need to, to understand that they were in danger. The alarm continued to sound. “Dad, what’s going on?” “Jett, go back to your room and shut the door. Do not ask questions, just do as your told.” Jett nodded and did as he was told. Brett immediately went around and locked every entrance to his house and gathered enough wood to barricade them as well. After he did this, he attempted to call Charlie again, but there was no answer since all phone services had been disconnected. He tried again with the landline but still had the same issue. Brett continued on and grabbed a handgun and a shotgun he kept as a defense. He then put up a tablet screen of the security cameras he had on the outside perimeter of his house. But when he looked, he could make out, what seemed to be, a few figures that resembled people, but the way they walked was unlively, and the way they looked, blood all over their faces, ripped clothes, and those sick, menacing, bloodshot eyes that spoke of pure danger. Brett couldn’t believe his own. These were the people that died from the medicine, the people that the rest of the world lost, the ones they thought they would never see again. And here they were, dead, but alive, away from whom they used to be, just roaming the streets, looking for flesh. Brett did not hear gunfire or military action on the outside. But, all of a sudden, he could hear the screams of his neighbor. Brett quickly ripped down a plank of wood and looked out his window. He saw the zombie-like creatures ripping his neighbor apart, as he screamed in pain. Brett's first reaction was to jump out and help him, so he began ripping down the rest of the barricade on his window. But he paused. He knew he couldn’t risk allowing a possible entrance for those creatures into his home, and put Jett’s life in danger. Brett could only watch as his poor neighbor was eaten by those dead people, while he screamed in pain and agony. Brett turned away. “Jett, pack as much as you can, we can’t stay here.” “Dad, please tell me what is going on.” “Jett, something is happening that you would never understand if I explained.” “I could try.” Jett replied. Brett looked at his son. “Please, Dad.” “Okay.” Brett said. “The people that we thought were killed from that medicine are alive, but they aren’t themselves. They are dangerous, and they want to hurt us. Something brought them back to life, but not to their old human life. It makes them sick in the head. So we need to stay away from them. That’s all I can explain to you.” Jett’s response was unnatural. “Okay.” He said. Brett pulled out his handgun. “Here, Jett, take this and hold on to it, just in case.” Jett took the gun. “Dad, where are we going to go?” “I don’t know, right now, we just can’t be here.” Brett replied. Then, Brett heard his communication radio ring. “This is officer Charlie Brax, does anybody read me? Over.” Brett ran over to the radio. “Charlie, it’s me, where are you?” Charlie was talking through static. “I’m at th- stati-, I’m being surroun- by the...” “Charlie, come again, your cutting out.” There was only static and more static. “Charlie? Charlie!” Brett yelled. Then, the signal was lost. “Dammit!” Brett yelled. “Dad.” Jett said from behind. Brett turned to his son. “They’re coming.”

“Jett, this way, out the back door!” Brett began ripping off the wood he used to barricade the door. He could hear the moaning of the zombies as they scratched on the outside walls and windows. There were so many of them, far too many to count. Jett grabbed his bag, as Brett ripped off the last piece of wood. Brett pulled out his shotgun, as Jett pulled out his handgun. “Be ready to shoot these things if you must.” Brett demanded. Jett nodded. Jett had never shot anything, besides a target, in his life. Brett opened the door and they moved into their backyard, both holding their guns’ in a fire position. The fence was blocking the zombies from entering the backyard. “The only way out is through the gate, but it sounds like it’s blocked by them.” Jett said. “You’re right, we are going to have to clear it by shooting our way through. Then we will make a run for the car.” Brett had to come up with a plan. “Jett, I’ll need you to pull the gate open, and I’ll start shooting. Then you will get behind me and you will shoot as many as you can. You stay as close to me as you can, do you understand?” “Yes, but are we going to have enough ammo for this, Dad?” “Let’s hope so.” Brett replied. “Ready?” “Ready.” Jett grabbed the handle and pulled the gate open. Brett opened fire on the crowd. He shot each one right through the head, to end their lives for the second time. Jett, right behind him, shooting them the same way. It was the scariest moment of both of their lives. They fought and fought, and even after their path was clear, Brett continued firing at the ones on his street. He felt that he needed to avenge his neighbor for what they did to him. “Dad, come on, now!” Brett turned around, and they both ran to their car. They threw their weapons inside, Brett started the engine, and they sped off. Both of them were a bloody mess from shooting the zombies. “Dad, where are we going?” “We’re going to the police station, Charlie is trapped in there.” “I don’t think we have much ammo left, Dad.” There is an emergency hatchet in the back of the car. Give it to me.” Jett gave him the hatchet. “They seem to die faster if you get them in the head.” Jett said. “Then, always aim for the head.” Brett replied. He hated saying those kinds of words to his son, but he didn’t know how else to say it. Brett drove fast while going around the zombies that roamed the streets. Another car went by, being driven by a woman, maybe in her thirties. Brett ignored the worried glance she gave him and continued to drive. They drove down the side-lane of the freeway, full of empty cars, with a view of downtown Orlando. They could see multiple army helicopters hovering over the city, opening fire on the ground. “How many bullets do you have in your handgun, Jett?” Jett checked the magazine. “Only six.” He answered. “Take the shotgun, it has more.” “I’m not really familiar with that thing, but I’ll do my best.” “It’s the same thing, it just has a bit of a kick, so hold it steady.” Brett said. They arrived at the station. The place was surrounded by the zombies. “Charlie is in there, we’ve got to get him out.” Brett said. “All right, Jett, I need you to use what’s left in your pistol and shoot them in the head. When you run out of ammo, switch to the shotgun and do the same. You can stay in the car and shoot from the window. I will go and bash them in the head with the hatchet. We need to do this quickly before too many of them come for us. What’s left of them we will draw away from the station using the car and hopefully, Charlie can get out.” “Okay, will do, Dad.” “On go.” Brett said. “Three.” Jett aimed his gun. “Two.” Brett gripped the hatchet. “One.” They were ready. “Go!” Jett took his first shot and had a direct hit. The rest turned around and began to make their way toward Jett and Brett. Jett fired, again and again, hitting every shot. Brett raised that hatchet and planted it into the heads of the zombies. Fire, plant, repeat. Jett used the shotgun to hit them two at a time, while Brett swung the hatchet back and forth splitting their heads, and drawing blood all over himself. Fire, plant, repeat. This went on for five minutes until Jett said: “I’m out of ammo!” Brett kept going, though, faster and stronger for every hit, kicking back the ones that got too close, and punching them as hard as he could. Just as Brett and his son were almost overrun, a machine gun opened fire on the crowd of zombies, bringing them all to the floor, one after the other. Brett got to the ground and covered his head as Jett took cover inside the car. When it stopped, Brett got up and saw Charlie holding a heavy machine gun. “Brett? Is that you?” Brett was sweating and breathing heavily. “Charlie, are you all right?” “I’m fine, what the hell were you doing, Brett?” “Trying to save your ass.” Brett responded. Brett’s hands were on his knees as he spoke. “Thank you, I’m glad you came for me.” Charlie responded. “Charlie, what are you doing here?” Brett asked in a low voice. “I came here to grab weapons. Before I even knew what these things did, or even looked like, they had already gotten to me. They were banging on the door and walls, making these horrible sounds. I thought about shooting my way out, but there was just too many of them. So that’s when I rang out.” Brett looked at Charlie and nodded. “Where’s Jett?” Charlie asked. “I’m over here.” Jett answered, walking out of the car, shotgun still in hand. Charlie looked over to face him. “You all right, buddy?” Charlie asked. “I am.” Jett replied. “It’s your first time using that shotgun, huh?” “Yeah, it is.” Brett answered for Jett. “But for his first time, he did a damn pretty good job.” “Well, Jett, you might have to plan on using that thing more than just here.” Charlie said. “I’ll do what I have to do to make sure everything is all right.” Jett said. Charlie smiled and Brett nodded. “All right.” Charlie said. “What’s the plan?”

Charlie guarded the front door to the station, while Brett and Jett went to grab as many weapons as possible. After they had split up, Jett went into the dark room that had the target papers. He slowly walked and looked at all of the targets that were there and came upon his own target paper that had many holes right in the center. His name would forever be signed on it to honor his great shooting. Jett smiled. “You are a fine shot, Jett.” Brett said walking in. “Thanks, Dad. You are, too. After we take care of this mess, I hope to become an officer, someday, just like you.” Brett smiled and put a hand on his son's shoulder. “We will get through this, I don’t know how long it will take, but we will find a way to thrive. We will do whatever it takes.” “I know we will, Dad.” Brett patted his son on the back. “Come on, I got all we need to last us a while.” Brett said walking out. “Dad?” Jett said quietly. “Are we ever going to go home?” Brett stopped, looked back at his son and then looked at the ground. That was a question that he didn’t have the answer to. “I don’t know, Jett. We just… can’t right now.” Jett nodded. They walked out to the front entrance and saw Charlie a bloody mess. Brett and Jett looked at him with concerned faces. “Yeah a few of them came over, but I took care of them.” Charlie remarked. At least a dozen more of the zombies lay in front of them as Charlie held a bloody hatchet in his hand. “We need to start looking for other people, anyone who still has a mind.” Charlie said. “We haven’t seen very many people around, just a lady in a car.” Jett replied. “Come on, let’s get in the car and start searching for others who might still be out there.” Brett said. The group loaded the weapons and their things into the car, and they were off. “There is some military action going on in the city, a couple of tanks and helicopters.” Charlie said. “I know, we saw some helicopters hovering over downtown Orlando, on the way over here.” Brett replied. “Maybe we should head down there, maybe they can help us.” Jett said. “Maybe.” Brett replied. “But maybe we can help them, given our supply of weapons.” “You really think they will let two police officers and a child help them?” Charlie asked. “At this point, I don’t think they have much of a choice.” Brett answered. “They will need all of the help they can get.” Brett drove back down the deserted streets and drove toward downtown. As they were making their way down the side-lane on the abandoned car-crowded freeway, a few zombies had been walking around empty-minded and looking for human flesh. “Do you think any of these people got out?” Charlie asked. “I hope so.” Brett said. “Dad, stop!” Brett slammed the breaks. “What? What is it?” Brett asked. “Look.” Jett pointed to the other side of the freeway, where a lady was sitting against her car. She hugged her knees, and had her head down, crying, and also held a bloody knife in her hand. “That’s the same lady we saw before.” Jett said. “Yeah, I know it is.” Brett said as he parked the car and opened his door. Everyone got out of the car, each holding their weapons, as Brett walked over to the lady while Charlie and Jett stayed and guarded. “Miss?” Brett asked. “Miss, are you okay?” She didn’t respond, just kept crying. “My name is Brett Brax, I’m a police officer. I know we drove past you before, and, I’m sorry I didn’t stop for you, I just... I had to get to my brother.” Once again no response. Brett kneeled down next to her. “Can you tell me your name?” The lady took a deep breath. “It’s Avery.” She said, head still down. Brett nodded. “Okay, Avery. We are on our way to downtown Orlando, to get help. Come with us, we have food and weapons.” “No.” She said harshly. “I need to find my daughter.” Brett looked back at Charlie and Charlie nodded. “Then, we will help you look for her. How old is she?” “She’s only ten, she can’t be out here, alone.” “Where was she last?” Brett asked. “It was yesterday. I simply left her home alone for a bit, while I was out running errands.” “So, what happened?” Brett asked. Avery looked up at Brett, revealing her face for the first time. “If I had known that I wouldn’t have been able to get home for twelve hours, I would never have left.” She responded. Brett looked down. “The military was loading people who weren’t infected into trucks.” Avery paused. Her eyes filled with tears. “They executed people who were infected, right in front of everyone. People who seemed perfectly coherent. People who wanted to live. People who wanted to protect their families. And, like their lives were nothing, they were all shot in the head.” Brett covered his eyes, feeling the sorrow that invaded the earth. “I avoided being seen, so they wouldn’t try to take me.” I hid in a house nearby and waited until they cleared out. After some time had passed, I began hearing gurgling sounds from inside the house. I clutched a knife I found in my hand, and slowly went to where the sound was coming from. What I saw horrified me. A man was lying on his bed, blood flowed from his mouth all onto his clothes. His eyes were bloodshot red, and his face was discolored. He was dying. In his hand, he was holding a framed photo of his family. I desperately wanted to save him. But I knew I couldn’t.” Avery stopped. Brett looked at her knife. “I did what I had to do.” “I’m sorry you had to go through that, Avery.” Brett said quietly. Avery took a deep breath. “I finally drove down to my house this morning to find my daughter, which is when you and I crossed paths, and when I got there, the back door was open, and the house was empty.” “She couldn’t have gone far, maybe she’s close by.” Brett concluded. “I’ve looked everywhere in this area, and was going to go further until my car ran out of gas.” Avery said. “Do you have any friends or relatives that are around?” Brett asked. “The only person I have is my daughter, and now she’s gone.” “Don’t say that, she still could be around. Come on, we can help you look for her.” “Brett, we have to go, now!” Charlie yelled from behind. Brett turned around and saw many zombies closing in from either side. Brett grabbed Avery’s hand and they ran for the car, as Charlie and Jett shot at the zombies. They all gathered into the car, drove past downtown, and went back to the neighborhood. Nightfall had begun to set.

“We have to split up.” Avery said. “It’s the only way to find her faster.” “It’s too dark to split up right now.” Charlie responded. “We will have to wait till morning before we can do that.” “No!” Avery shouted. “She can’t be alone for another night, she just can’t.” “We’ll figure something out, Avery.” Brett said in a calming voice. “Does your daughter know how to defend herself, at all?” “I’ve only shown her how to get away from strangers, not how to get away from ravenous human eaters.” Avery shuttered at her own words. “Where do you think she could possibly go?” Charlie asked. “A friends house? A school, maybe?” “There is a park nearby, but it’s a long walk from my house, I don’t think she would be there.” “It can’t hurt to check, so that’s where we’re going.” Brett replied. They made their way to the park, Avery being desperate. “Okay, everyone, grab a flashlight and stay alert. All of our guns’ have silencers to avoid attracting attention from these things, so always keep your gun ready to shoot, if any get too close.” Brett said. “Avery, do you know how to shoot?” “Yeah, give me a gun.” She said impatiently. Brett handed her a pistol. “All right, since we don’t have a choice anymore, we will have to split up here.” Brett said. “Charlie, you take Jett, and I’ll go with Avery. If anyone needs help, you shout as loud as you can, and we will come to you. Everyone got it?” The rest of the group nodded, and they went off. The park had been pretty large for its size, including a playground, basketball courts, a field, and the whole place was surrounded by trees. “What does she look like?” Brett asked Avery. Avery smiled shortly. “She has blonde hair, like me, a light skin tone, and she is about five foot five in height.” “What’s her name?” Brett asked. “Elizabeth. But I call her Lizzy.” Brett nodded. As they were searching, crackling sounds came from behind them. They both turned around, with their flashlights in hand, and saw five zombies heading for them. Brett took aim, but there Avery was, shooting them all head, hitting every shot she took, dropping them all to the ground. Brett was stunned, as Avery walked passed Brett and turned around to face him. “What? Did you not believe me?” Avery asked. Just then, they heard Charlie yell Brett’s name from far across the field, with a slight echo. Brett and Avery took off running to Charlie and Jett’s direction. When they got there, Charlie pointed upwards. “I think there’s someone up in the tree, possibly a child. I tried to talk to whoever it is, but they’re not responding.” “Lizzy?” Avery said. “Are you up there?” “Mom?” Avery broke down into tears of joy. “Lizzy, oh, thank God, I’m here, come down!” “I can’t, Mom, I’m scared.” Lizzy responded in fear. “Brett, can you please get her down?” Avery asked frantically. “Okay.” Brett said. He began climbing the tree, but as he stepped on the branches, they broke, causing him to fall back down. “I’m too heavy to climb the branches.” Brett concluded. “Lizzy, you have to climb back down yourself.” Avery said. “No, please, I can’t. I don’t want to run anymore.” Lizzy said in tears. “Lizzy, you have to do this for Mommy, please, I know you can do it. You’ll be safe with me...” She paused. “With us.” “Mom, I can’t.” “Hey, Lizzy?” Jett suddenly said in a calm voice. Lizzy looked into Jett’s eyes. “You can do this. I know that you are brave, and I promise you that everything will be okay.” Lizzy then stopped crying. “All you have to do is climb down the same way you went up. If you’re scared, think about balloons. That always helps me when I’m scared.” Brett nodded at his son. Lizzy then began climbing down. All she did was think about balloons, just as Jett said, which did, in fact, help her calm down. Just as she was made towards the bottom, the branch she was on snapped. Lizzy let out a quick scream as she fell safely into Brett’s arms. “Are you okay?” Brett asked. “Yeah.” Lizzy said with a smile. Avery ran to Lizzy with open arms, hugging her tightly in tears, as Lizzy did the same. “Oh, my God, I’m so sorry, Lizzy, I will never let you out of my sight again, I promise you. Oh my, God, I’m sorry.” “I’m sorry for leaving the house, Mom, I was just scared.” “No, Lizzy, you did the right thing. You are such a strong and brave girl, and I’m proud of you. They hugged for a few more moments. Lizzy then ran to Jett and hugged him tightly. “Thank you for helping me face my fears. Now, I will always think about balloons when I’m scared.” Jett hugged her back. “You’re welcome, Lizzy.” Brett, Charlie, and Avery smiled. “My name is Jett, by the way.” “Nice to meet you, Jett. You already know who I am.” After that, the group began walking away from the park. It had been time to start a new life, in a new world.

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[junker-town]

What the hell is Ray Lewis talking about?

The Hall of Famer linebacker is America’s most confusing motivational speaker.

Ray Lewis deserves all the credit we can give him for his football career. Middle linebacker isn’t a position that lends itself well to sexy stats, but if you need a number to explain to the people at your fantasy draft about Lewis’ bona fides, use this one — the only player in NFL history with at least 30 interceptions and 40 sacks.

The doughy, old gatekeepers who decide which players get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame actually did something right when they decided Lewis was worthy of enshrinement on the first ballot.

The only downside to their decision is that it subjects us to another awkward public display of another thing Lewis is famous for — inspirational speaking.

Rousing locker room speech is really the practice of finding the right cadence and tone. The words don’t have to matter as long as there’s some mix of important terms like “our house, brotherhood, God, momentum,” etc. Lewis’ sideline speeches were apparently very powerful and complete nonsense, as pointed out by Joe Flacco. And yet, somehow Lewis has managed to make a career of speaking his mind.

Here, without further commentary, are my own picks for the most confusing, problematic and uncomfortable things Ray Lewis has ever said.

His Hall of Fame speech

It hasn’t even happened yet, but we got a sneak peek during Thursday’s Hall of Fame game.

Also, it’s going to last at least 45 minutes, AT LEAST.

Here’s what he said when NBC let him filibuster instead of showing Lamar Jackson play:

“This is why I never change, that moment always — and you’ll hear it a little bit tomorrow — but that moment always ends with the honor of God. It always does. So when I throw out my chances, it’s like ‘gah we did that ... we did that.’”

Huh?

Can’t wait ‘til Saturday!

On the subject of momentum

“People don’t really know how huge momentum is. Momentum is huge.”

It really is.

Ray Lewis prevents crime

Lewis has some zany sociological theories:

Ray Lewis said the contagious positive energy surrounding his induction reminds him of his playing days. "When I played, crime went lower in Baltimore," Lewis said. "It’s like, nobody needs to be mad now. It’s like everybody wants to be happy and celebrate."

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 3, 2018

The NFL also prevents crime

With a player lockout putting the 2011 season in jeopardy, Lewis laid bare the dire consequences, as he foresaw them.

“Do this research if we don’t have a season — watch how much evil, which we call crime, watch how much crime picks up, if you take away our game,” he told ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio.

“There’s nothing else to do Sal.”

Well, there’s baseball ... okay, nevermind.

So much for solidarity

I can’t imagine Lewis’ fellow union members loved the sound of Lewis stumping for owners with that whole crime warning. I’m sure they were absolutely thrilled with what else he had to say about players fighting for a new collective bargaining agreement.

“It’s simple, we really got to remove pride. Seriously. There’s no other reason the issue is going on. That’s why I don’t get into words and all that other stuff, because it takes away from life ... itself.

I know the main reason players didn’t hold out longer was not because of Lewis’ admonishment, but it certainly doesn’t help the cause of his fellow players, especially since most players who pass through the league never get the kind of contracts Lewis signed during his career.

Ray Lewis mashing words together is funny. Being shitty is not funny.

Lewis is confused about Kaepernick

Speaking of shitty, let’s not forget the low point of Lewis’ career as a television talking head (seriously, what a terrible idea that was), which came just last year when he once again went to bat for owners, specifically Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, criticizing Colin Kaepernick for speaking out against police brutality and racial inequality.

He actually started criticizing Kaepernick in 2016, with Lewis-isms like this:

“I understand what you’re trying to do, but take the flag out of it. [...] I think if Colin really just steps back, because to affect change, if you don’t have a real solution, if you ain’t seen as a true activist to go into these hoods and do these things on a daily basis and not just jump up and protest because you’re sick of this one thing …”

He failed to mention the “real solution” of Kaepernick pledging one million dollars of his own money, not to mention the effort to start a national dialogue over the issue.

He teed off on Kaepernick again last fall, following a nonsensical debate on Fox Sports’ Undisputed. He made Skip Bayless look reasonable! Then, posted an even weirder video on Twitter.

“If you do nothing else, young man, get back on the football field and let your play speak for itself. And what you do off the field, don’t let too many people know, because they gonna judge you anyway, no matter what you do, no matter if it’s good or bad.”

Lewis missed the part where Kaepernick WAS trying to play football again, but teams, including the Ravens, were blackballing him.

And that wasn’t even the end of it. Lewis made himself look like a fool over the whole affair, a grandstanding egotist.

Do not mention deer antlers, even with your hat!

That wasn’t the first time Lewis had beef with Kaepernick. He ago was apparently damaged because of a hat — yes, A Hat! — that Kaepernick wore after Super Bowl XLVII, when Lewis’ Ravens beat the 49ers.

Kaepernick wore a Milwaukee Bucks cap. Lewis reportedly took that to be a slap at him because of the whole flap over the whole deer antler spray Lewis allegedly used to help himself get over a torn triceps.

That incident has always been a touchy subject for Lewis. It’s also a good way to get him to stop talking.

Ray Lewis is here for Odell

Kaepernick wasn’t the only player Lewis counseled via the media. He had some words for Odell Beckham Jr. too.

“Where there’s no God, there’s chaos,” Lewis said on The Herd. “Odell has removed God from his life. This is a kid who grew up under the covenant of who God really is. And everything that he’s doing, he’s crying out for help.”

Uh huh. When asked about reaching out to Beckham, it got even weirder.

“It’s not what he said, it’s the commitment he started to make. So we started to make those phone calls, we started to have conversation. And then I started to see [that] he started to distance himself a little more, a little more, and a little more. And the moment — just listen to me, Colin, I don’t care about religion, I’m talking about a foundation. When your foundation is disturbed, when everything you’re doing is the opposite of what’s got you to this place, then you’re making your own bed hard.”

Okay then!

Conspiracy theories!

“I’m not gonna accuse nobody of nothing -- because I don’t know facts,” Lewis said, according to USA Today’s Nate Davis. “But you’re a zillion-dollar company, and your lights go out? No. No way.”

As with everything, Ray Lewis managed to bring it back to Ray Lewis.

“Now listen, if you grew up like I grew up -- and you grew up in a household like I grew up -- then sometimes your lights might go out, because times get hard. I understand that. But you cannot tell me somebody wasn’t sitting there and when they say, ‘The Ravens (are) about to blow them out. Man, we better do something.’ ... That’s a huge shift in any game, in all seriousness. And as you see how huge it was because it let them right back in the game.”

A Tom Brady hot take for the ages

Brady and the Tuck Rule

“The only reason we know — I’m just being honest — the only reason we know who Tom Brady is, is because of the tuck rule. There’s no such thing as a tuck rule,” said Lewis.

Water polo is apparently for weak fools who need hope.

“But we don’t need no hope. Y’all can keep your hope because we’ve got enough hope over here. We’re packing our bags, and we’re not packing our bags to come play water polo,” Lewis said when asked about playing the Jets in 2010.

Water polo is actually a very difficult sport to play.

“Pissed off for greatness”

“‘Cause if you ain’t pissed off for greatness then that means you’re OK with being mediocre.”

That’s what he told the Stanford men’s basketball team before an NIT tournament game.

That was just the main highlight. He opened up with what I can only assume to be one of his rejected Successories submissions.

“If tomorrow wasn’t promised, what would you give for today?”

Credit for quotes he didn’t even come up with

It says something about your reputation as a motivational speaker when long-standing clinches are wrongly attributed to you.

Lewis did not make up “stand for something, or else you’ll fall for anything” but the Ravens gave him credit for it anyway.

Ray Lewis was against Joe Flacco before he was for him

Lewis is either bad TV or unintentionally really good TV. Either way, questioning Joe Flacco’s passion for the game probably got him a quick phone call from Bisciotti. Lewis backtracked on it pretty fast.

Yes, he brought that back to himself too.

“It was just me being frustrated of watching something that I had control over for so many years, which was men and inspiring them to go on and do things.”

He also said this in a confusing direct appeal to Flacco:

“You’re a man, and you put your pants on one leg at a time just like everybody else. Listen, from a man, you’ll never hear it again. Sorry for ever even calling out your name in the context of making you try to be anything that I am or anything that you’re not.”

Weapons, God, you know, that kind of stuff

After beating the Broncos on their way to the Super Bowl in 2013, cameras got an excited Lewis riffing after the game.

“No weapon formed against me shall prosper, no weapon.” He hugged Peyton Manning, and then launched right back into it.

“No weapon, no weapon, God is amazing.”

I’m sure I’m missing more than a few, so if you have a favorite non-sensical Ray Lewis speechifying moment, drop it in the comments.

[totesmccoats]

Mister Miracle #1

Mister Miracle is a masterpiece.

Which, is to be expected from Tom King and Mitch Gerads at this point in their shared and separate careers. What’s really impressive is how they keep raising the bar, and this first issue already has deeper characterization and a more intriguing plot than some entire runs.

We open on Scott Free having just slashed his wrists open, and waking up in a hospital after being found on the bathroom floor by his wife, Big Barda. Even before he’s released, we see that Scott isn’t just a superhero, he’s a celebrity, and everyone from the press to Superman start asking him why he did it. But through all the noise – including a painful visit from his brother, Orion – Scott notices things have been off since his suicide attempt. For one thing, Barda’s eyes are brown now, instead of blue. For another, Barda tells him that his friend Oberon – who he was just talking to – has been dead for a month, and that they pulled the plug on him. But worse is that Darkseid has finally found the anti-life equation.

Starting with a suicide is a stunt, to be sure, but one that King doesn’t make light of; and while we’re not sure what pushed Scott over the edge just yet, the book does an amazing job of establishing that things aren’t right in the world that he’s waken back up in. Besides all the plot details, there are formal elements of the story that clue the reader in. Things become cyclical, with panel layouts and dialogue repeating themselves. And there’s the art. Gerard uses filter effects on his art to give the impression that we’re seeing the story played out through a camera lens, with different parts of any spread in focus at any given time; or color effects like what you’d get from a bad VHS recording. One character’s eyes appear to be taped onto the page rather than drawn on. And then there are things that I just appreciate, like how Barda towers over Orion, or how cartoony Scott looks with his mask on compared to the more realistic style Gerard uses for every other character.

But if there’s one thing that convinces me completely that King is the right writer for this book, it’s the two panels he writes of Barda putting Orion in his place, throwing his angst back in his face and telling him that he knows nothing of the pain that her and Scott share. Its two panels that show a greater understanding of Kirby’s 4th World mythos than, again, most other entire series. The entire scene it’s in is wonderful, but those two panels are key.

If you missed out on The Vision, don’t make the same mistake twice, pick up Mister Miracle.

  The Flash #28

Following his last fight with Thawn and the encounter with the Negative Speed Force, Barry has some new and destructive powers that he’s yet to get the hang of. He’s also more irritable than usual.

Barry’s got a black suit! This one’s not an alien symbiote, but it the Negative Speed Force looks to be having the same effect on Barry; increasing his powers at the cost of his emotional stability. He’s even doing the whole “if they knew what I really sacrificed for this city” shtick in his inner-monologue. I’m having fun! Also, the black and red lighting that accompany Flash’s new powers the perfect amount of edgelord for the story. Man, I am so glad that we’re past the point of edgy superheroes being cool and can have stories that acknowledge how bad those are while still establishing that such a sudden change in character actually is narratively engaging just on a character standpoint. Because, and what keeps this story from being a parody, is that the negative powers do seem to be acting as a metaphor for depression, exhausting Barry, making him anti-social, and visibly destroying things around him. It’s being played for pathos instead of cool, and it works way better because of it.

  Secret Empire #8

First thing I want to say about this issue, I love the cover art.

Second thing, it’s basically an issue-long deus ex machina, but it’s also one of the better issues of this event so far. Though events that I’m guessing happened mostly in the tie-in books I didn’t read, Sam Wilson is Captain America again, leading the Underground in their last ditch effort to use their fragment of the cosmic cube to rewrite just enough of reality to give them a fighting chance. And their plan to bring down the shield and the darkforce just so happens to coincide with the other heroes’ own plans to bring the fight to Hydra.

Basically, if this were an anime or a Sonic the Hedgehog game, this is right about where the main theme would kick in. It’s an issue that reminds me that when Nick Spencer doesn’t trip over the half-tied shoelaces of his political analogies, he can actually write a pretty good superhero story.

  Amazing Spider-Man #31

Because of the serial nature of comics, you could easily measure a writer’s worth by how exciting they make the inevitable slide back into the status quo. And if that’s what you’re going by, then Dan Slott has to be one of the best. And that’s not in small part because of how broadly he deviates from it. In this issue, Slott demolishes years’ worth of contributions he’s made to Spider-Man to bring him back to basics; literally even stripping him down at one point; and he manages to do this in a way that also reinforces the themes and core values of the character.

I’m not sure if the rumor that he’ll be stepping away from the book at issue #800 has been confirmed or debunked, but if it is true, he leaves behind one of the greatest (and the longest) runs of the character.

  Ms. Marvel #21

Ms. Marvel helps the captured inhumans and mutants escape the neighborhood militia, but only barely. They escape to the mosque, but Discord and his goons aren’t far behind, and Kamala is too exhausted to continue fighting much longer.

The shoe doesn’t drop until the last act of the issue, but when it does, it’s a doozy. Wilson is an expert in making weaving political commentary into her stories in ways that compliment both the message and the metaphor being used to tell it. In this case, how easy it is for allies to betray a cause when an opposing ideology appeals to their own bitterness. If you’ve been on left-wing twitter recently, you know it’s something that PoC’s, women, and LGBTQIA+ folks are constantly guarded about; and this comic manages to highlight the issue in a way that’s sympathetic without letting any actual villains off the hook for endangering people.

  Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #23

Squirrel Girl continues to be the best comic Marvel is putting out, using its recap page to skewer Secret Empire and event comics in general, and also Spider-Man, while affirming how much better a story it’s telling in its own little corner of the Marvel universe.

And that story is about how Doreen, Nancy, and the other contest winning programmers from Wakanda, K’un-L’un, and Latveria need to debug the programming in the 70 million year old alien computers that keep the Savage Land hospitable to dinosaurs before they all die out – again. But more importantly, Doreen wants to set Nancy up with the cute Latverian boy she’s crushing on, but all he can think about is Doom!

This issue squeezes a ridiculous amount of mileage from Latveria jokes, and every single one of them lands. Aside from some dinosaur puns, Latveria jokes are basically all this book is doing, but they are all so good. Who’da thunk a comic book dealing with characters living under an egomaniacal dictator could be so funny? Ryan North, that’s who.

  The Wicked + The Divine #30

Dionysus waits in the underground for Morrigan to release Baphomet, enduring all of her abuse. But he can’t stay down there forever, as he’s a key part of Woden and the Norns’ plan to activate Ananke’s machine. Meanwhile, Baal and Ammy are still on the lookout for Sakhmet.

This issue, and probably this arc, will be pregnant with anticipation. In the backmatter, Gillen describes this arc as the two minutes before a set, and that feeling definitely comes across in this issue. The tension between Dio waiting underground and him needed to be present for Woden’s plan is palpable as the issue’s bumper-pages become a countdown clock.

There’s also a great couple pages where each panel shows a shot of some of the Pantheon’s Instagram accounts. Seeing the reflection of the phone in Woden’s helmet is one of those neat little details; while a Baal fanpage snapping a pic resembling the cover of The Dark Knight Returns might have taken me out of the book a little much.

  Kill or Be Killed #11

Having discovered the demon in his father’s artwork, Dylan managed to convince himself that it was all in his head, renounced killing, got back on his meds, and started to catch up on his school work. He even reconnects with Kira, who invites him on a date to a Halloween party. Life’s looking up for him, and then he gets sick, like he did the first time after not killing for a while, and he finds out that the Russians are still on his trail.

This really is the “Spider-Man No More!” part of the story, down to a panel with him dramatically exiting an alley. He gives up the mask and things almost immediately improve. The cops stop looking for the vigilante, he catches up on the normal life he left behind, and even manages to pick things up with a newly interested Kira. But that makes for a boring story, so soon enough he gets pulled back in.

But as the beginning of the issue is quick to remind us, that was inevitable. Dylan still has to become the shotgun wielding badass we saw in medias res. The real genius of this brief period of happiness is to once more give Dylan something to lose when it all inevitably goes wrong again.

  Redlands #1

Redlands, Florida 1977. The tree outside the local police station burns, nooses still hanging from its branches. The police inside barricade themselves in to defend against an enemy they thought they had hanged this morning, but is now clear they have no recourse against. A young girl approaches their door, and letting her in also lets in the evil they fought so hard to keep out.

The first issue of this series is the third act of a really good horror movie. The last fight against an unstoppable power. And the atmosphere is laid on thick from the first page. The burning tree, the nooses, the scared cops, there’s no need for exposition, we already know everything we need to understand that this night will be far shorter than the police barricaded inside want to believe.

This is also the book’s greatest weakness, too, however, as we have no sympathy for the cops. This issue essentially has no stakes. We want the cops to die, and their powerless to do anything but. Meanwhile, our protagonists, who don’t show up for most of the book, have nothing to lose, and because they haven’t been properly introduced, it’s hard to root for them yet.

But, just as a first issue to a new series, this is explosive; and the atmosphere goes a long way to telling you what this series will eventually be about, I think. Largely an issue-long cold open, I can’t wait to get the story started in the next one.

Comic Reviews for 8/9/17 Mister Miracle #1 Mister Miracle is a masterpiece. Which, is to be expected from Tom King and Mitch Gerads at this point in their shared and separate careers.

[horror-movie-blog]

HMB: VHS: Viral

Original Publishing Date: October 16th, 2015 

I am so sick of this movie series. I am sick of lazy, unimaginative shaky cam found footage movies. I did enjoy them once, my favorite is Grave Encounters, which I'll talk about, and it's notorious brother, in another blog. But now, God dam it, not only is it overdone, it's an excuse for lazy film making. And this series, that needs to make quick short horror films, does not help that at all. VHS: Viral is a half ass attempt to be a social commentary of people's obsession with online media, even though I'm pretty sure these films are only known because of online streaming websites like Netflix, so if I were these film makers, I won't be bad mouthing the hands that feed them. But that's not the problem, go ahead and make a film about idiots on Youtube wanting to be super famous. But there's only two shorts in this movie that has that as a focus, and ironically they are both horrible. The ones that don't have that tacked on message are much better. The framing story and viral commentary number one is about a man trying to save his girlfriend after she gets abducted by an... Ice cream truck. Look, to make something not scary, scary, takes a lot of talent. This is not one of those rare movies that does this. The framing device is so confusing because the edits are all over the place. For a few seconds its footage of the girlfriend, then static and cuts to her and the boyfriend acting like a disgusting cute couple. Then there's shit like him living with his grandmother, a chase going on, images on everyone's cell phones, some guy getting stuck on the back tail of the ice cream truck, a gangster having a partying and killing everyone after his dog gets hit by a fork, and some woman getting revenge on an ugly dude for posting her nudes online. It's all over the place, it's sloppily edited, and the shaky cam is so bad it will give you a head ache. So the first real short is about a magician who has a magic cape. This is my favorite one, but unfortunately it was in VHS Viral, which means it had to be found footage and it needed to be short. This whole idea could have been a movie, it was so interesting. If this whole short was told in chronological order, using traditional filming, and shifted the narrative so it followed the magician's assistant, allowing us fresh eyes into the magician's secret, then this would have been great. But no. It had to be a documentary so it can be found footage, which didn't make any sense because it would cut in between the oblivious film makers and the magician trying out the magic cape. This leads to the biggest problem with the film, why is this shot with a video camera? I don't mean why the filmmakers chose this as their filming instrument, I mean why are the characters in the short filming everything that's going on? Because it's a documentary? Okay, but what about the scenes when the documentary crew aren't there? Um... The police have cameras at the end of their guns! That doesn't exist. Yeah... But... Look! This whole thing could have been filmed using normal filming techniques and it would have been a million times better! Look, I know cameras are expensive and even the affordable expensive cameras can be pretty crappy, but don't use found footage as an excuse for your budget. Don't turn a story into a found footage film to make up for your lack of better equipment. You'll look more amateur by doing that. The second short is about a man who invents a portal to another dimension in his basement (just go with it), and meets his other self, but learns the alternate dimension isn't as similar as his dimension then he was let on to believe. This movie did found footage right. Why is he filming? Because he's a scientist recording a major scientific discovery. And in a film making perspective, he needed a way to show two versions of himself without getting into super complicated split screen shit. Since its two of the same guy recording the other, it creates the allusion that there's really two versions of the same guy, when in reality it was probably another person filming the footage. This is an example of a story that's designed to be told with found footage. This would have been my favorite if the story didn't nose dive after we find out what makes the dimensions so different. And finally, we have the third short and viral commentary number two, when two kids pay someone to film them skateboard. They cross the border to Tijuana because there's a ditch where they can film themselves skateboarding. They see a witch when, I guess, looking for hookers, and the witch appears in the background of the next scene when they made it to the ditch. Suspense? One of the kids cuts himself, spilling blood on a drawing in the ditch, causing it to ignite with flames and summon the witch and skeletons creatures. The kids fight them off with their skateboards and flee. Then a large monster appears, but we don't see it. It eats the camera. This also pisses me off, when making a found footage movie, please give an explanation as to why there's editing/background music/and how we are watching the movie right now? I know no one watching this shit thinks its real, but isn't that the point of found footage? A monster eats the camera, well then how did the footage from that camera end up in the movie? And for that matter what the hell is the connection between all these shorts and the framing story? In the last two there's a reason, someone is watching the tapes, but in this movie nobody is watching them. It makes no sense. So as you can guess, this movie is terrible. VHS 1 was okay, VHS 2 was okay too, maybe better that 1, but that's not saying much. But there's nothing you can enjoy in the movie, even the good stuff in the film isn't worth watching this movie. I hope the film makers go on to do better things, but this was just a poor excuse for crapping found footage bullshit.