#wow your taste in chapter title names sucks

[fakemagicjaye]

chapter 39 is~ going to be late~ wow who would have guessed~

[bunbeeplays]

The Lemon Legacy: Generation 1, Chapter 31 - Extra Extra

This temporary version of the Let Them Eat Cake wedding band has one more rehearsal before the big day tomorrow! However, during a break, Moses gets a very interesting alert on his phone…

Moses: Uh, guys? Ty Harper just posted a feature about Penny and Miko’s wedding.

Drew: Tiff’s husband? I thought Penny said she didn’t want a feature on PlumBright.

Moses: Judging from the title, it looks like it’s not the kind of piece they would have run by her.

Moses: “Penny Pizzazz and Miko Ojo: The Disaster Before The I Do”

Ophelia: What?

Moses: “Self-obsessed blogger Penny Pizzazz recently proposed to mousy, irrelevant Social Justice Worker Miko Ojo. Why?”

Moses: "We all know Pizzazz's taste in clothing is horrendous, but who knew her taste in women was so dull? These two are a train wreck waiting to happen, but we love mess. We’ll bust out popcorn when Pizzazz inevitably leaves Ojo for someone way hotter and way more relevant.

"They’ve already started fighting, about something as silly as the guest list. A nobody like Miko bossing around Penny Pizzazz? Where does she get off?”

Drew: What? That was barely a fight! He’s one to talk, he’s married to the bossiest Sim in Tartosa!

Ophelia: I can’t believe this. What kind of person writes something like that?

Moses: Oh Watcher.

Ophelia: What? How could it possibly get worse?

Moses: Because it mentions what day the wedding is happening on… and that it’s happening here.

Ophelia: What? But we’ve kept it so under wraps! Penny and Miko had to make their own parents sign confidentiality agreements!

Moses: Ty claims he has an inside source.

Drew: Oh wow, whoever could it be?

Ophelia: There’s no way Tiff would go that low. Is there?

Moses: “Dumb bartender who couldn’t make a good wrench if you held a SimRay to his head?” Guess that’s Xander. He even insults the catering staff. But the lead violinist “overshadows” the other two “hacks” with her raw talent.

Drew: Gag me. Of course Tiff gets off scott-free

Moses continues to scan the article.

Moses: “Hector Laurent’s family has hosted weddings at La Coppia Serena for generations, and as owner has continued to keep the venue a success. Or, at least he tries, no thanks to interference from his nagging shrew of a wife.”

Ophelia: You’ve got to be kidding me! Tiff definitely told Ty to write that in.

Moses: “Our source states Mrs. Laurent is overbearing, argumentative, and takes every chance she gets to sabotage her husband’s legacy.”

Drew: The only person I’ve ever seen her argue with is Tiff!

Drew: Not that I wanted him to get dumped on too, but of course Hector doesn’t get any crap. Tiff’s such a suck-up, she’d never let Ty write anything negative about him.

Moses: Oh no. Hope you guys weren’t feeling left out. They mention us.

Moses: “Sources state that Pizzazz and Ojo, thanks to their lack of taste, have an inexperienced friend with a stupid name singing at the reception with the Laurents’ tone-deaf band instead of someone with an ounce of talent. Notable Newcomer? More like... Unknown Nobody."

Ophelia: I can’t believe this! Tiff used her husband as a mouthpiece to talk shit about every single one of us to the entire world! He wouldn't know half of this stuff if she hadn’t told him. We signed confidentiality contracts but of course Tiff’s mouth is too damn big to care!

Moses: Hey, I get that it must suck you were singled out but it could be worse. At least the article didn’t mention you by name.

Ophelia: Yeah, because Tiff’s so vain she can’t even let her son of a llama husband give me credit when he’s trashing my reputation!

Drew: Did you… want your name attached to this?

Ophelia: Of course not! But Penny’s going to post pictures and word’s going to get out the singer was me! Not to mention people will know you’re the band they called tone-deaf! That’s llamashit! How are you guys not mad?

Moses: I can’t speak for Drew, but trust me, I’m angry too. There’s nothing we can do about it now, though. It’s out there. Luckily, nobody takes PlumBright seriously.

Drew: Oh Drew is pissed. Tone-deaf?! Tiff’s gonna be completely deaf when I slap her upside the head!

Xander runs over from the bar, looking concerned.

Xander: Did you guys see the PlumBright post?

Drew: Unfortunately.

Xander: Dude, three people I went to high school with have texted me and asked if I could sneak them in so they could meet Penny. This is bad.

Ophelia: Penny’s fan base has some dedicated stans. You know people are going to try to come meet her!

Moses: We’ve got to tell Hilary and Hector the day and location got leaked. Maybe they can hire extra security or something.

Xander: Hey, hate to interrupt here-

Hilary: If you’re going to tell us about the PlumBright feature, we already know. Reporters and fans have been blowing up our phones for hours. Hector and I have been trying to do damage control.

Ophelia: Has anyone talked to Miko and Penny?

Hilary: I did, extensively. I assured them extra security would be hired and detain any trespassers within a 5 mile radius. I offered to move their date but they didn’t want to let the paps win. As of now, the wedding is still on.

Hilary: I still need to finalize everything. It’s going to be hard to get as much security as we need on such short notice, but we’ve done much more with much less. And hopefully we can get another violinist to take Tiff’s place.

Hector: Why would we need to replace Tiff?

Hilary: You can’t be serious, dear. Penny and Miko’s first demand when I called was to have Tiffany removed from the wedding plans. Of course they don’t want her anywhere near them anymore after what she and Ty did. I’m sure when the rest of the staff read it, neither will they.

Hilary: The only issue is Tiff isn’t picking up my calls.

Ophelia: I wonder why. Probably because she knows she’s going to get fired for breaching her confidentiality agreement.

Hilary: Trust me, once I’m done putting out fires, it’s the first thing I’m going to do.

Hector: Now now, let’s settle down. We don’t know for sure where Mr. Harper got that information.

Drew: Hector, with all due respect, are you woohoocking stupid?

Hector: Excuse me?!

Hilary: No, they’re right. You and Tiff are the only staff members in that feature that weren’t insulted. That’s far too convenient for my liking. And I highly doubt you would tell Mr. Harper I’m a ‘nagging shrew’, unless you want to sleep on the couch for the rest of your life.

Xander: Why are you still defending her? This thing says stuff that Tiff specifically said to our faces and behind our backs. She’s guilty. You’re going to stand by someone who said those horrible things about your staff, your own wife? Do you respect my sister that little?

Hector: Of course I respect my own wife!

Xander: Then start acting like it, you son of a-

Hilary: Enough! Fighting is getting us nowhere. We will deal with Tiff in the morning, since she’s not responding. Right now, we need to make sure everything goes smoothly tomorrow.

Hilary: I hate to ask this of any of you, but we're on a time crunch. If you can stay and help arrange more security for tomorrow, we'll pay you overtime.

Hector: Overtime? We'd be losing money on this if-

Hilary: I suppose that's your favorite employee's fault then, isn't it?

Ophelia: I don't need overtime. Penny and Miko are my friends. I'll do it so the best day of their lives isn't ruined by a mob.

Drew: I'll do it so I have more reason to rip Tiff to shreds the next time I see her.

The guys agree too.

Hilary: Thank you all. Let's get to work.

And so, that's what they spend most of the night doing. The four are able to research and find last-minute security guards that will keep the venue safe for the employees, Penny, Miko, and their guests. It'd be a real beautiful night if this wasn't how they were spending it.

[olivereactsaboutgarbage]

One Piece Chapters 238-246

ATE WHO??? Dewey

My condolences to DuckTales fans.

Chapter 238 - Heaven’s Gate

HEAVEN’S DOOR!!!

Nico Robin reveals that the reason the combatants lost wasn’t because they were weak, but because they were high. High in the sky, not high in the drugs. For clarity.

The knight guy asks for some bizarro currency in exchange for being the crew’s bodyguard. Hmm... more than one kind of currency... just like in Fallout: New Vegas... and if I know ANYTHING about Fallout: New Vegas, this knight is a SCAMMER! Okay, I’ve solved the plot. We can move on to the next mystery now.

The knight reveals that the Gravity Modifier is actually not the intended dev route, but a risky speedrun strat that can be used to bypass the mandatory party member death scenes. Neat!

Also the knight gives them one of the plushies from Hades. Except they’re not going to die, so they’re only going to be able to use it once. Because those plushies only refresh upon death. Get it? Get it? Get it?

and then usopp falls to his death because the properties of the devil fruit were the only thing keeping lufpy afloat

...Nah that’s not what happens but that’d be funny though

Wow, that is hilariously tacky in a way that’s impossible to convey through text summary. Very good.

An elderly fairy appears. Lufpy thinks that’s an angel. I suppose contextually that’s logical.

So anyway the fairy reveals her life philosophy: Breaking laws is completely allowed, it’s just that enforcing them is also allowed. So if people feel like breaking laws they can just do it.

Lufpy thinks this is a good idea and begins to break laws.

Chapter 239 - Angel Beach

This chapter title ALSO sounds like a Stand name.

Sanji says that happiness is lame and then does a cartwheel. Nami gets attacked by a bird and is now shirtless.

Uh Nico Robin you just described the blandest most generically accurate definition of the word “adventure” possible. What’s YOUR idea of adventure? Small self-contained puzzles? Anyone who defines “adventure” like that shouldn’t be allowed to be a college professor.

I guess Oda gave up on trying to make speech bubbles not near characters be subtly contextually assignable.

There’s all kinds of wacky and weird stuff in the sky, like a harp playing pet owner named Coins.

WHY IS EVERYONE CHANGING THE DEFINITION OF WORDS???

Coins’ dad is named Papaya.

Chapter 240 - Dial Power

As a Chainsaw Man fan, I would obviously love to do that. With my phone. Ha cha cha!

Lufpy sucks at using jetskis. Sanji shares saving-Lufpy-from-drowning duty with Zoro. Meanwhile, Tony Tony Chopper attempts suicide, I guess, but only Usopp cares.

Nami is good at using jetskis. I can’t wait for Nami to come in clutch during the jetski arc.

Lufpy hates Nami for her jetski behavior. Noooo... the best characters are fighting... I wonder if this is how people with bad taste felt during Luffy vs. Zoro. Which is still not the name that chapter should have had.

I thought better of you, Usopp.

So the crew meets an Echo Flower from Undertale. But button-operated. So I guess it’s more of a normal device. So never mind. There are also ones that can record things other than sound. I can’t wait for someone to inevitably record violence with one of these for combat purposes.

Sanji is eating rotten nasty food again.

Nami goes to the Forbidden Forest because no one told her that was bad. It turns out Coins and Papaya are morons!

Chapter 241 - Heaven’s Judgment

Lufpy has no respect for other people’s cultures.

The Forbidden Forest is full of people who love to hunt humans. That’s nice! Nami isn’t sure if helping the human prey is a good idea. It doesn’t end up mattering because there’s a huge laser beam.

Lufpy sees very far-away cops.

Chapter 242 - Class-2 Criminals

holy shit what a line of dialog

Anyway, cops are trying to make the crew pay almost as much money as there are chapters of One Piece, but they don’t really want to. Nami tells them not to resist authority, and starts assaulting cops.

Lufpy assaults cops too. Usopp says “it was all thanks to me”.

Chapter 243 - Trial

lmao

I can’t wait for Lufpy to recruit a carpenter and render Usopp useless

Anyway, Nami, Nico Robin, Tony Tony Chopper, and Zoro get kidnapped, presumably by cops. Stupid cops forgot to check for Lufpy, Usopp, and Sanji!

Well, all’s well that ends well. I should skip to the ending of this arc to make sure it ends well.

Oh wait, it turns out I don’t need to do that: The cops actually DO intend on causing Lufpy, Usopp and Sanji to suffer. Phew! Wait, that’s bad. Phew! It would have been bad if that were good.

Chapter 244 - SOS

Lufpy, Usopp, and Sanji are evil tourists now.

...What’s Wei Stuff? I truly don’t know...

Wow! Lufpy REALLY doesn’t respect other people’s cultures! COOL!!! <3

Coins turns out to be one of those white women whose special move is calling the police. Now it’s time for a laser beam to kill her! Except Lufpy uses the Hades plushie instead. Now she’s irrelevant instead of dead! Phew!

THE KNIGHT WAS A GOD???

Well, I guess that explains why he had access to Hades plushies.

Chapter 245 - Adventure on Kami's Island 

The Forbidden Forest is trying really hard to kill someone. Poor forest’s a failure! :(

Lufpy and his two friends reach a video game level select.

Meanwhile, Zoro is trying to kill a fish. Also, Zoro thinks starving to death is pretty great. No wonder Zoro and Sanji don’t get along.

Zoro makes a Tarzan reference. Hmm, this is technically a new joke from Zoro, but... if anything, I think his power level just got lower... strange...

Chapter 246 - Satori, Vassal of the Forest of no Return 

Lufpy, Usopp, and Sanji decide they like balls. Usopp’s face gets torn apart piece by piece. Everything turns out fine though, other than the fact that snakes are attacking and everyone is explosion.

An evil ball announces his presence. The evil ball is like a cool martial arts guy or something.

Oh hey, I finished Volume 26. Phew! Now I don’t have to worry about the volume number being 26 anymore! Check back in tomorrow, where I’ll be reading the entirety of Volume 27.

[watermelonlipstick]

Dreams, Chapter 19

If you haven’t read this series before, you might want to start on Chapter 1, or check out the Dreams Masterlist! Here’s the series description:

When Dean dies for good leaving Sam and his girlfriend (the reader) behind, they must figure out how to carry on without him. Alone, reeling, and unsure what to do next, trying to honor Dean’s memory and follow their hearts gets even more complicated when their nightmares become dreams that feel a little too real.

Title: Dreams, Chapter 19

Pairing: (past) Dean Winchester x Reader, (eventual) Sam Winchester x Reader

Word Count: 4274

Summary: Life settles into routine as summer comes in Wisconsin.

Warnings: FLUFF, swearing, some smut

           You’d never been so aware of the date after that, somehow feeling like you’d reset your circadian rhythm to know precisely how long two weeks was. Mercifully on the part of the universe, Dean had been right about the lack of reset function as long as you stayed within the same mind; once, just to try, you had entered Sam’s dream and found that Sam Barbie and Sam Mike hadn’t met Dean yet.

           At Dean’s request Sam put a huge amount of effort toward ‘being normal,’ integrating into the community in a more purposeful way. You became friendly with a couple cheerful hairdressers from the salon in the next town over when they started coming to the bar for after work drinks and Sam began getting invited to the poker games Steve hosted. One of your favorite of these new habits was going to the farmer’s market dutifully every week. It reminded you every time of how simple this new life was, where you had spare mental capacity to think about whether you wanted nectarines or peaches because there was no terror dangling just overhead. It also helped distract you from all-consuming thoughts of seeing Dean on alternate Sunday nights, the way your body felt like it vibrated with anticipation for the few days before.

           The two of you had been going for months by the first market in July, long enough to know all the first names of the regular vendors and greet them as you went. You were feeling somehow even more acutely anxious-excited at the upcoming Sunday, Dean having told you both last time that he had a surprise planned. It encouraged you to give more of a concerted effort to linger at every single booth, extend every single moment of killed time you could get from the outing. Sam let you lead the way, ring and pinky finger loosely linked into yours as you walked up and down the aisles of tents and tables in the overgrown gravel parking lot. He had a canvas bag half-filled with beets, green beans, some local honey, and a small carton of apricots. You paused to lean into his chest, waiting for Sam to bend down and kiss you in front of a table of essential oils decorated with macrame. The next one caught your eye, some hand-hewn jewelry, and you pulled him gently along.

           “What do you think?” you asked, holding up some earrings clearly too gaudy to match your style with an exaggeratedly fashionable face.

           “I think those really capture your essence, yeah,” Sam smiled.

           “Or maybe this?” You slipped your hand into a heavy bangle absolutely covered in turquoise that felt like wearing an ankle weight.

           He hitched the bag up on his shoulder and watched the show you put on for him, sweeping some hair back from your neck to let you see a set of earrings in the tiny mirror on the table. His gaze flicked over the wares and he gingerly picked up a small gold band from a tray. It was probably the most understated piece on the table, and definitely the one most likely to fit with the no-nonsense jewelry you tended to wear—the things you were drawn to being more sentimental reminders than ostentatious presentation, intended to be put on once and never taken off.

           “I think this one looks the most like you,” Sam hummed, offering it up for you to try on. The band was medium-thick with rounded comfort edges and when you slipped it on it fit perfectly, just barely tight enough to feel exactly secure on your finger. He was right; it looked good on your hand like you had re-found an old piece that you’d lost, and you considered it for a second before you realized Sam was talking to the woman behind the table as she finished a transaction with a trio of teenaged girls getting matching woven bracelets.

           “That one’s part of a set,” she cooed over to him, her hands resting in a homemade apron covered in embroidered flowers. “They should really go to the same home.”

           You were impressed at Sam’s ability to keep himself from rolling his eyes at that kind of faux sentimental bullshit, but she had already turned her back to you, rifling in another box under the plastic table. She turned around with a larger copy of the ring and darted out, grabbing Sam’s hand quickly enough that he almost stumbled forward as she started to slip it onto his finger.

           “Oh, I don’t really wear jewelr—” he started helplessly.

           “See? Meant to be, it fits perfectly.” She clasped her hands in front of her chin excitedly, beaming over the table at you and Sam. You had to bite your lip to keep from laughing at the expression on his face as he tried inconspicuously to get the ring off.

           “Um—wow, that’s really on there—how much for that one?” Sam asked, awkwardly pointing to the ring on your finger with his pinky as he kept working to try to get his off.

           “$50 for the both of them.”

           “Even the one has gotta be more than that,” he insisted, based on the displayed prices of the gaudy jewelry you’d played around with.

           “I’d feel better knowing they were being appreciated together than I would with the money.”

           You looked up at Sam with the kind of melting cotton candy look you felt like had been plastered to your face for weeks, soft and gooey and something you would’ve made fun of a stranger for. He abandoned trying to get the ring off and tongued a molar before pulling out his wallet and dropping 5 $20 bills on the table, pushing them across with the customer service smile he used at the bar. “Thank you, they’re, uh, they’re beautiful.”

           She only unclasped her hands to stuff the bills in the apron, mouthing a “thank you” at the extra money and winking at Sam as the two of you walked away from the booth.

           “Should we get you a big chain? Or I could pierce your ears with an ice cube and an apple back at the cabin,” you teased, getting used to the way the ring felt on your hand.

           Sam couldn’t keep from rolling his eyes over a smirk. “I really can’t get it off.”

           “I think maybe you just wanted to match me.”

           He stopped walking and you spun around to face him, gazing up into his hazel eyes. “Matching you isn’t so bad.”

           “Oh yeah?” You watched as a slow smirk spread across his face and he looked down at his feet between you. “Thank you, by the way. I really love it.”

           “Just think you, um, deserve nice things.” A little color rose in his cheeks, and there was something so unbelievably sweet about it, being shy with you of all people. You had to press up to your tiptoes and pull Sam’s neck down to kiss him, but it was perfect, the light northern chill that sometimes drifted through the air even in July reminding you of your first kiss on that sledding hill except now it was your hand on Sam’s neck, blood seeping warm and loose through every capillary rather than the cold throb of anxiety you’d had then. With his lips on yours, delicate metal on your finger, and the earthy smell of the fresh produce in the air, you tried to commit to memory how unequivocally good the moment was, how completely outside the realm of possibility this would’ve seemed a year ago. Sam’s hand slipped to your lower back and pressed you to him. “Wanna get out of here?” he murmured into your ear, and it was all you could do not to jump him right there as you wound your fingers in his and wove through the booths to get back to the Impala.

           “Baby—you’ve gotta—fuck, I’m driving,” Sam laugh-moaned, shifting his hips just a little up into the hand you danced along the fly of his jeans.

           You leaned across the bench seat and licked the faintest trail up his jugular vein. “Then pull over.”

           His eyes closed deeply for a beat and hard swallow as he took a deep breath and took a right turn into what was likely a private driveway. It was a calculated move; probably not visible from the rural highway but if the people living here—the place sure to be occupied on a July weekend even if it wasn’t year-round—decided to leave they’d catch an eyeful of graphic roadblock. Knowing he was willing to take the risk made your heart race even faster, and Sam had barely thrown the car into park before he was on top of you, hand in your hair and tugging back roughly to bite-suck at your neck so hard and delicious you gasped before even realizing.

           He grinned into your skin as he kissed you. “Gonna—tease me—like—that? After looking so good—being so sweet—all morning?” You slid your hands in his hair and pulled back, crashing into his mouth and tasting the honey he’d sampled with you at the farmer’s market. You hooked your leg around his hips and rolled up into him, almost salivating at the firm length of him against you and the friction of the denim. He pressed you flat to the bench seat and started working the buttons of your shirt, so lightning-fast he ripped one of the last ones clean off, sending it skittering across the dashboard as it flew. “Sorry,” he smiled as you bit his lip, not looking very sorry at all.

           When your top was finally open Sam tugged at your bra, bypassing the clasp altogether in favor of exposing your nipples above it, somehow grazing his teeth and breathing cool air over them at once to send goosebumps flushing all over your body. You tried to undo the buttons of his shirt somewhat unsuccessfully for a moment before Sam leaned back and yanked at the back of his collar, tossing it in the backseat without looking as you flicked open his belt buckle and jeans. You grabbed either side of the open belt and tugged, making Sam’s chest press against yours and giggling into his lips at his tiny “oof,” when he fell forward onto the seat, throwing his arm out to avoid landing on you with his full weight.  

           With his torso against yours, he kissed you like he was gorging himself on candy; hungry and playful as you pushed and pulled against each other until you guided his cock out of his boxers and circled the tip with your thumb. Sam whimpered softly, just once and softly enough you might’ve thought it was a sharp inhale, but the broken concentration was enough for you to catch him off guard and shove him back on the seat across from you. He stretched back against the leather and door, pleasantly surprised behind widened pupils as you quickly got out of your shirt/bra tangle and kicked off your boots. It could’ve been some kind of pseudo-pornographic ad, Sam with tousled hair and undone jeans up against the door of the Impala, taut skin and muscles of his abs on full display as his arms spanned an impossible amount of the windowsill and seatback. If you’d had the self-restraint, you might’ve taken an extra second to soak it in, but as it was you pounced on him the moment the fabric of your clothes left your hands, slipping your fingers under his waistband enough to expose his cock and immediately sliding it into your mouth, hands still working to get him further out of his jeans.

           Anyone else making the sound he did would never have had the same effect, but the gravelly moan your tongue forced out of him dissolved you into jello and you wanted nothing more than to hear it again. Rhythmically working the spit-slick between your mouth and hands, you dragged your head up to look Sam in the eyes, heavy tip of him weighing down your bottom lip as you spoke. “Hold my hair?”

           Sam’s eyes went fuzzy and dark as his eyebrows raised into a dazed smile, gathering your hair in a huge palm and making that amazing noise again as you slid all the way down him, nose grazing the dark hair on Sam’s abdomen. After a few minutes his hips bucked a little under you, Sam beginning to writhe on the leather. “Fuck, that feels so goo—hold on, wait,” Sam stammered with sex-frayed vocal cords, using your hair to tug you to his mouth and suck your tongue. The sensation stunned you for a moment but you could’ve stayed there forever, held up in his palm and flayed open for Sam to take.

           He trailed down your jaw and pulled firm when you tried to turn into his kiss. “Out of your jeans. Now.” You could feel the smirk against you and immediately started shimmying them off, loving this new edge to Sam, able to fully appreciate the grit knowing how soft he would be if you showed even the slightest hesitation. When you’d gotten the denim about halfway down your thighs he put a strong hand on your hip and flipped you over in the seat, your cheek flush against the glass of the window where he draped over your back like a predator. “Don’t. Move.”

           The shudder was involuntary but it was covered by Sam practically ripping the jeans the rest of the way off your legs and subsequent hoisting your hips into the air as he shifted your knees up to the leather, your chest pressed against the door of the Impala as you looked back at him. You didn’t have any warning when Sam slipped his tongue inside you, shooting your arm out to grab for anything to stabilize yourself and ending up with a handful of seatbelt. Your calf curled up as he worked those sensitive nerves, swirling a thumb into your clit as he went. Sam locked the freed ankle with an iron grip. “I said don’t move.”

           You whimpered and whispered dirty nothings you wouldn’t have been able to remember with a gun to your head until he smacked your ass hard enough you knew there’d be a red facsimile of his hand on you, and then you completely fell apart, shuddering and melting into the door. Sam crawled up behind you, chest flush to your back, and bit your earlobe. “I. Said. Don’t. Move.” You could hear the playful challenge in it and that made you even more crazy for him, wiggling under his weight a little involuntarily. He didn’t make you wait too long, pushing into you until his thighs pressed to yours, holding you in place so you couldn’t squirm forward.

           “Holy shit, Sam,” you breathed. You could feel your muscles flex and relax experimentally around him.

           His tongue flicked around your ear as he pounded into you. “You’re so fucking hot, baby—can’t believe you’re my girl. Are you my girl?”

           The sounds you made were vaguely affirmative but to be honest, Sam’s rocking into you was pretty effectively scrubbing your mind clean of coherent thought.

           “Tell me. Say my name,” Sam murmured, voice low with sin against your spine.  

           “I’m your girl, Sam—your girl, I’m your girl Sam, I—holy shit—” you moaned as he picked up the pace and circled a sucked-wet finger around your clit and then you hit that sweet, sticky spasm, hand splaying out wide on the window. Sam covered it with his, interlacing long fingers into yours and something about the way the metal of the two new rings clinked against each other was so tender even as you were being rammed into the door. A couple moments later he drew back with a tense groan, dressing your lower back with hot spurts of himself while his breath started to return with ragged shudders.

           “Jesus,” he sighed as he eased off of you, suddenly gentle again. “Oh—uh, here, sorry.” Sam extended a veined arm over the front seat to snatch his shirt from where it had landed and gently wiped off your back. You let the cool glass settle your racing heartbeat for a beat before sliding back to the seat and the small pile of clothes Sam had retrieved for you. It made you smirk a little to watch Sam’s internal struggle over what to do with the dirty shirt, deciding to toss it on the floor before refastening his belt shirtless like he was in some Country Hotties calendar—Mr. July indeed.

           You opted not to tie your boots as you’d only be walking from the car to the door and looked over at Sam once your feet were inside the loose laces. He opened and closed his mouth but couldn’t come up with any words, smoothing his hair nervously back into place and chuckling against a bitten lip.

           “Yeah, I agree,” you giggled, leaning over to kiss his cheek before lacing your fingers together. “Do you want anything specific for dinner? We have a bunch of chickpeas, I thought maybe we could try making our own falafel.”

           He gazed back at you for a reverent second before turning the key in the Impala’s ignition. “I love you,” he smiled, throwing an arm over the back of your seat to reverse out of the woods.

           Tracing the angles of his face in the sunlight as he drove, you picked your joined hands up to kiss his knuckles. “I love you too.”

           After a few minutes of endorphin-filled silence, Sam turned to you. “So do you know what this surprise is Dean has planned for tomorrow night? I figured he’d have to tell you what it was going to be if you’re the one whose head it’ll be in.”

           “No clue. I thought at first maybe it was like, the Grand Canyon or something but ran into the same issue. Unless Cas’s taught him some new trick, he’s only ever been able to pull up places or things I already know—pick my brain for it, or whatever.”

           “Yeah, me too.”

           The air in the car held the content pensiveness for a few minutes of sunny road. There was no real heat behind it, just like there was no real heat in choosing between different rattan baskets of produce at the farmer’s market, and that same appreciation of the serenity itself washed over you. A surprise was just a surprise, not a potential threat, a date with Dean was just a date with Dean, no longer a finite, losable resource that had to be clawed at and fought for. You didn’t miss the heat. There was more than enough warmth in the sun streaming through the windows and Sam’s palm in yours.

           As it did frequently, Dean’s face in your driveway flashed in your mind, the memory somehow simultaneously old-picture washed out yet vibrant—could dreams even be memories? aren’t all memories dreams, in a way?—collar of his jacket flicked up against the cold as he said “you have to get good with this,” the flit of tongue you could see as he shaped ‘th’ enough to shape a painting class around, send a dozen art students into psychosis for inability to capture it. It had been so hard to figure out how the fuck he expected you to, how cruel it felt for him to ask it, and the only way you’d gotten your head around it was that same Dean Winchester Denial & Self Sacrifice Special and accepted it at face value. When he’d died you hadn’t felt like so many movies and books about tragic loss, where the strong but sensitive woman you’re supposed to relate to spent a few months in poetic sadness growing waifish and crying picturesque tears in solitude until she realized she could carry on.

           You couldn’t carry on.

           You couldn’t carry anything—were dragging yourself along in the most generous of descriptions, some half-dead, half-smashed zombie version of yourself clinging to any will to live like a barnacle out of devotion and need for Sam. Getting Dean back felt like life raft thrown into the water. You really had wanted to spend the rest of your life asleep and were more than content to ingest as much dream root as it would take to decompose into the cabin’s mattress next to Sam, let your landlord find your skeletonized bodies after a few months of unpaid rent. Fuck him, kind as he’d been to two strangers who’d needed help, and fuck hunters’ funerals for you and Sam if it meant you didn’t have to keep drowning.  Fuck Dean’s wishes especially, let him bend to someone else’s will for once.

           At first, maybe the first month after the dream root, only logistical reasons kept you from following through. What you wanted—needed, would’ve ruined the world for—was Sam and Dean together, and you couldn’t find a way to get Sam to agree no matter how obliquely or obviously you asked. He was unbelievably patient with you during this period of near-psychosis, and you suspected that a lot of the new habits he constructed, maybe including your beloved farmer’s market, were designed to keep you away from the greenhouse for as many hours a day as possible. You knew what he was doing, but the bright glare of panic in his eyes whenever you ‘joked’ about growing bigger patches of those little white flowers slowed down your singular focus enough to humor him, telling yourself it was just stalling until you could make your move.

           But damn if it hadn’t worked. Not that it stopped that tick-tick-tick in your brain counting down to Dean, but it made the days bearable. Just bearable, at first, the newness of your surroundings and the newness of Sam, all the things you hadn’t known about him after years of sitting inches away from each other in the Impala. And then it stopped being so much about fuck you Dean fuck getting good with you being gone and a little more about getting good with the way Sam’s hair dried if he went to bed right after showering, floppy, glossy loops and easy curls at the base of his neck; getting good with racing him down the rickety pier on the cabin’s shoreline, knowing he was letting you win and squealing all the way down anyway, jumping into the lake at dusk on Memorial Day with all your clothes on together as Sam cannonballed in behind you. Getting good with Sam’s arms around you as you both shuddered in the water, shrieking with laughter and a smile on his face of genuine, unbridled joy. Getting good with waiting for every other Sunday, because sometimes waiting was Sam bringing you a root beer float in your favorite mug while you read, and sometimes it was feeling him fall asleep against you while you scratched his back.

            Then getting good with the way it became less taboo to talk about him, being able to casually repeat old jokes of Dean’s without feeling like you were being stabbed in the chest or being terrified of sending Sam into a spiral. Getting good with memories of your old life together, your old friends, truly able to appreciate them. Because Dean was right, you had been ‘upset because you wanted something that didn’t exist.’ You could stay upset about it, stay so fucking mad about the unfairness of it all, that after all Dean had done—for you, for the world—that he was fucking gone, didn’t get to live in a cabin or have a couple daughters to braid Uncle Sammy’s hair—God, Dean saying that had haunted you maybe more than anything—and let it necrotize you from the inside out. Or you could let the ways he had permeated your very being serve as more commemoration than most people ever dream of, appreciate that the Impala still felt like an extension of him, see glimmers of the way he and Sam were still connected every day.

           And, of course, visit him at night to take the edge off, love him and kiss him and scream until you laughed. Annoying as it was to admit it, all that getting good slowly let you see what he’d been trying to open your eyes to in that driveway. You had so much more than anyone in the world. How stupid, how greedy, to have all of that and cut yourself off from anything else because it wasn’t exactly the way you wanted it to be. Looking back at it felt like watching a home video of yourself as a kid throwing a tantrum, but for ages, and you almost couldn’t believe Sam had stuck right by your side through it all, guided you gently and patiently even through his own battle. Sweet, beautiful, loyal Sam.

           As if on cue, he looked over at you. The sun poured through the windshield and shone off his hair like a halo, sparkled like glitter in his eyes. Someone who’d had a normal life would’ve said he looked angelic. But you had so much more than that, got to see both that golden hour was giving you a bit of a heavy-handed metaphor and that Sam was not only more than angelic, he was the whole world. He was the life raft all along, Dean’s Herculean return to you the lighthouse that let you see what had been there from the start, what had never left. His fingers tightened around yours a fraction. “Thanks for coming with me today.”

           The smile splitting your face felt like the first delicious stretch after sleeping in on a rainy morning. “Wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without you.”

-

Continue to Dreams, Chapter 20

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[generaldisdainn]

Four of a Kind

AO3 link

Rating: MA

Pairing: Kristanna

Previous chapter

The wonderful @epbaker​ drew some GORGEOUS artwork that’s loosely inspired by this fic that you can find here!

The lovely @ahtohallan-calling doodled the title of the fic which you can find here!!

Chapter 10

Kristoff, Anna, Ryder, and Sven were all scrunched together in that order on the sofa, watching Ryder play Breath of the Wild on the TV.

“So let me get this right,” Kristoff said, “it’s called ‘The Legend of Zelda’ but you’re Link, the guy who has to save Zelda?”

“Yup,” Ryder responded, most of his attention devoted to the game.

“And you’ve never been able to play as Zelda?”

“Nope.”

“Wow, sucks for Link,” Kristoff said. “He does all the hard work and Zelda gets the glory.”

“Well, she’s still a major figure in the games.”

“Yeah, but isn’t she not in some? And Link is in every one?”

“Well, yeah, but—”

“So it should be ‘The Legend of Link,’ right?”

“Well, no, because Link is supposed to be a player avatar. You can name him other things, too, so it wouldn’t make sense if—”

“Wait, you can name him something else in this game but you decided to name him Link?”

“No, you can’t name him something else in this game, because this is the first game with voice actors in it, so—”

“These games have never had voice actors? ”

“ VETO!! ” Sven shouted and shot up from the couch.

“Aw, c’mon!” Anna complained. “I was having fun listening to them bicker!”

A few weeks ago, the four of them came up with the concept of a “veto”. It gave the person who declared it the power to force the other three to stop what they’re doing and do whatever that person wants.

“We are not spending another weekend like this,” Sven declared. “We are going to remind ourselves what real nature looks like. We’re going hiking, bitches!”

Sven was immediately met with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

“Ugh, fine,” Kristoff mumbled.

“Yeah, I’m okay with that,” Ryder said.

“Oh my god, that sounds so fun!” Anna squealed. “Are there good hikes around here?”

Sven seemed to begin to answer affirmatively, but the words caught in his throat. He pulled his phone from his pocket and rapidly typed something. A few seconds of silence passed.

“Yeah, of course there are!” Sven said. “Do you think I would use my veto power if I didn’t have a plan? We’re going to...um...” His words trailed off as he began scrolling furiously before suddenly stopping. “...Reinpikk Gorge! It’s got, uh...a big waterfall?”

“I’m sold,” Anna said, standing up. “Let’s go.”

“Alright, this might actually be fun,” Kristoff conceded. “Let’s be ready to go in fifteen minutes.”

* * *

Kristoff knew he was doing the thing he hates again; pretending to be excited about something for a girl. When he was seeing Samantha, he would always try to find time to go to wine tasting events with her, even though he couldn’t stand the people, the atmosphere, or the wine. She loved those things for reasons Kristoff could never really understand. Hiking was another one of those activities; he tried to feign excitement as much as he could for Anna’s sake.

But if he was being honest with himself, the moment they rolled into the parking lot of the park, he found himself drawn to its natural beauty. He’d done landscaping work on multiple occasions; he had to admit nothing compared to the real thing.

“I mean, just look at that, guys,” Sven said emphatically. “I hope everyone is now realizing just how brilliant of an idea this was, thank you, thank you, tips are not necessary but very much appreciated.”

“Give it a couple hours and a few dozen mosquito bites,” Kristoff said, half-sarcastically.

“You ever heard of bug spray, wise guy?” Sven said.

“I’m just excited to bother you guys about all the different plants,” Ryder chimed in.

Anna was silently giddy, eager to be in nature, happy to be past her problems with Kristoff, and glad to be such close friends with the three of them. As they all climbed out of Sven’s car and prepared for the hike, she could feel her excitement growing. She began to wander away from the car, Sven and Kristoff too caught up in their own argument to notice.

“Uh, Anna?” Ryder called after her. “Where are you going?”

“Oh, is nobody following me?” Anna said, spinning on her heels and noticing Sven and Kristoff still at the car. “Hey, guys! We get it, you’re an old married couple, now come on!”

Kristoff found himself once again getting wrapped up in Anna’s own excitement. He caught up to Anna while Sven did his best to stifle his urge to shout after him. After all, this was his idea, and if Kristoff was only going to be excited because of Anna, then Sven would happily take that.

* * *

“You have no idea where we are, do you?” Kristoff asked Sven.

“Hush, getting lost is half the fun!” Anna said, slapping Kristoff’s arm with the back of her hand.

“So I’ve been seeing a lot of perennial weeds, which means we’re near water,” Ryder said.

“Yeah, obviously we’re near water, Ryder,” Kristoff grumbled. “That’s one of the defining characteristics of a gorge.”

“No, I mean we’re closer to water than we were,” Ryder corrected. “There’s also a higher concentration of evergreens, which is important because--”

“Okay, we get it, Doctor Plant,” Sven teased. “Look, none of y’all had to follow me off the trail, I just wanted to channel my inner Lara Croft.”

Anna imagined Sven in a too-small blue tank top and tiny brown shorts. She was amused as much as she was repulsed by the image. She couldn’t deny that she wanted to be a little adventurous as well; she hadn’t been this immersed in nature since she and Elsa left her parents. She looked to her right and spotted a large boulder, covered in cracks and crags, perfect for climbing.

“Hey, Kristoff, can you come over here? I need a spotter,” Anna said, already walking off in the direction of the giant rock.

“Wait, Anna, we should--” Kristoff turned to see Sven striding confidently away, Ryder close behind studying the flora. He let out a sigh, but if he was being honest with himself, this was an ideal scenario. Just him and Anna, completely alone, separated from everyone by a veil of nature. Completely unafraid to be himself. He quickly caught up to Anna.

“God, I forgot how fun this is,” Anna remarked, searching for a handhold on the rock face. “Did you ever do anything like this?”

“No, not really,” Kristoff answered absentmindedly, his gaze affixed on Anna’s ponytail fluttering in the gentle breeze.

“I used to go rock climbing all the time,” Anna said as she began to scale the rock, making Kristoff nervous. “I used to…” Anna’s words trailed off as she strained to reach a new handhold, trying to plant her feet where her hands had just been. Kristoff moved under her, his hands upturned, prepared to catch her if she slipped.

“You used to…?” Kristoff said.

“Oh yeah, I used to have a dream of...of climbing Mount Everest, but...then I learned people...regularly die on the way--”

Suddenly, her hand slipped. She shrieked as she fell backwards off the rock. She hung in the air for a second that felt like an eternity. Her heart rose and her stomach dropped, her hands grasped fruitlessly at the air, and her breath caught in her throat. She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the impact with the ground.

The impact wasn’t harsh or abrupt, but rather warm and soft, like she collided with a giant teddy bear. She opened her eyes to see herself in an undignified position on Kristoff’s lap, who had collapsed onto his rear end when she fell into him. She looked up at his face just in time to hear him say “Jesus, Anna, are you okay?”

Typical, Anna thought. The two of them going to Ikea alone, her falling onto him after being separated from the other two—it’s like the universe was begging them to get together. She pressed her hand to her heart and found that it was racing, threatening to burst out of her chest. It was the combination of exertion, shock, and the sudden contact with Kristoff causing her heart rate to skyrocket.

“Yeah, I’m—I’m fine,” Anna stammered, readjusting herself, but not yet climbing out of Kristoff’s embrace. “I’m glad I asked you to follow me.” She laughed nervously.

“No kidding,” Kristoff said. “How about we just walk from now on?”

“Or you could carry me,” Anna responded, laying one arm around his neck.

Kristoff laughed. “No, no, we’re not doing that,” he said as he stood up, hoisting Anna onto her feet. “Come on, let’s see what’s on the other side of this.”

They started walking parallel to the wall Anna had just tumbled from. They didn’t say anything to each other for a little while, comfortable with just being alone with each other. Then, Kristoff remembered they had never finished their conversation from earlier.

“So, you wanted to climb Mount Everest?”

Anna snorted. “Yeah, but then I started doing research on what it would take to achieve that, and I decided it just wasn’t worth it.” Her eyes wandered, her words and her mind out of sync with each other. “And, y’know, I had other goals, more realistic ones, like starting my own animal shelter, officiating my sister’s wedding, making a perfect crème brûlée, stuff like that. And some of them I’ve already achieved, like making a group of friends on my own, being a better person than my parents are, finding someone I want to spend the rest of…” Her words trailed off. She snapped her head to look at Kristoff. “Am I talking too much? Is any of this TMI? I’m sorry if it is, I just--”

“Anna, you’re totally fine,” Kristoff chuckled. “Honestly it’s inspiring to hear about your goals, considering...well…” Kristoff shrugged, then hunched his shoulders. His eyes pointed at the ground. “...I’ve never really had goals like that.”

“Really?” Anna asked. “You’ve never wanted something so deep in your bones that you would, like, jump into a volcano to get it?”

“No, not really,” Kristoff admitted, almost embarrassed to say, knowing how driven and determined Anna was by contrast. “My parents...well, they settled in a big way. My dad had a promising career as an architect and my mom could have easily sung at the Met if she wanted to, but they both agreed to give up their potential to live much simpler lives.” Kristoff sighed, a sound dripping with regret. “Their decision must have rubbed off on me.”

“Wow, Kristoff,” Anna said, doing her best to sympathize. “I’m really sorry.”

“No need to be,” Kristoff said. “I’m fine.”

Anna knew he wasn’t fine. He looked at his face to see his normally boyish features locked in contemplation, making him appear older than he was.

“Well, you know what, Kristoff?” Anna began with an encouraging tone. “Now’s as good of a time as any. Let’s come up with some goals for you!”

Kristoff smiled a sad smile. “You don’t need to do that for me.”

“You say that like I don’t want to. I do,” she retorted. “Before my mom was a bitch, she was a guidance counselor, and I learned a few things from her.”

Kristoff’s sad smile turned cheerful, despite how he tried to oppress it; the tiny wrinkle on the bridge of his nose betrayed his true feelings. “Alright, why not?”

“Yay!” Anna clapped her hands a few times before gathering herself. “So before we come up with any giant goals, let’s start with small ones. Is there something you’ve wanted to do for a while, but never gotten around to it?”

Kristoff hummed and made a show of scratching his head. “Well...I guess...I’ve always wanted to read the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.”

“Okay, that’s a great start! Were you a big reader as a kid?”

“Yeah, but ‘Lord of the Rings’ always felt out of reach to me, and by the time I was old enough I--well, the friends I hung out with were way more into sports, so I just kinda stopped reading.”

“Well, I know it’s cliché at this point, but there’s no time like the present!” Anna’s words were bursting with optimism, their infectious energy broadening Kristoff’s smile.

“Yeah, it’s true. I guess that’s why it’s a cliché, right?” They smiled at each other, their eyes sparkling with each other’s light.

Anna blinked, coming out of her daze. “Okay, so what else?” She vaulted over a rock the size of a large dog while Kristoff walked around it. “Any places you want to see? Any skill you want to learn?”

“Oh my god, I used to want to play the accordion!” Kristoff said, his head craning back like the memory struck him in the forehead.

“Really!?” Anna exclaimed, a wave of giddy excitement rushing through her.

“Yeah, I used to be really into Weird Al when I was a little kid. But I ended up getting a guitar one Christmas instead.”

“Okay, so as your guidance counselor, I would tell you to get an accordion for yourself. As your roommate, well, not so much.”

“What about a guitar?”

“A guitar’s fine, a guitar’s nice and quiet.” Anna smiled broadly. “See? You already have two goals: read ‘Lord of the Rings’ and learn guitar! Who knows, you might start a ‘Lord of the Rings’ band in the future!”

“Yeah,” Kristoff said, something else piquing his interest. “Do you hear that?”

“Hear what?” Anna said, suddenly nervous. They stood in silence for a bit before Kristoff turned and walked in the direction of whatever he was hearing.

“Kristoff, wait!” She hurried after him. “We shouldn’t--” she started to say, but then she heard what Kristoff must have been hearing too: a massive volume of water, a sound that could only be coming from a waterfall. She rushed ahead of Kristoff, eager to see what had sold her on the hike in the first place.

First, she saw the enormous granite wall of the gorge that the water had carved out of the earth. There were shrubs and small trees dotting the surface, but for the most part the rock was bare, providing a stark contrast with the scenery of the rest of the hike. Then she saw the top of the waterfall, the river above it roiling and churning as it tumbled over the edge. Finally, once she reached the lip of the gorge, she looked down at the entirety of the waterfall as a joyful smile spread across her face.

The water leapt and danced over the rocks as it tumbled downward. Mist lifted from the torrent, forming a rainbow that arced from the top of the waterfall to the base of the gorge. At the bottom, the water gathered in a swirling mass and continued deeper into the dense forest, unimpeded and unshaken, just as it had been at the top of the waterfall.

Kristoff caught up with her and had a similar, albeit subdued, reaction. His eyes were fixed more on Anna than they were on the natural splendor. He loved seeing her this happy and excited. He loved it more than he cared to admit to himself. If this is what it took for her to be as happy as she was, he would take her hiking every day at a different gorge each time, and then cut new gorges directly into the earth once she had seen them all.

He decided at that moment that he wasn’t going to hide his feelings for her anymore. He wanted to be with her.

“Hey, Anna?” Kristoff asked.

“Look at this, Kristoff!” Anna shouted, her voice full of reverence. “It’s so, so beautiful! I can’t believe it!” She giggled and laid a hand on Kristoff’s arm. “I’m really glad we’re seeing this together. It’s just so...so…” She waved her hand in the air, like it would help her find the right word. “...I don’t know, I just like doing things with you! When we’re by ourselves, you and me, I just feel like I can be excited, and I am excited about this waterfall and this hike, and you, and…” Again, she let her words trail off before elaborating further. “Sorry. Was there something you wanted?”

Kristoff stifled his nerves. He knew he fucked up once with her, but he also knew he’d been forgiven; it was part of the reason why it was so easy to fall back in love with her.

“...Can I, um...can I kiss you?”

Anna’s eyes popped. She wasn’t expecting him to say anything like that any time soon. Her reaction made Kristoff even more nervous.

“I mean, uh…” Kristoff stammered. “I--well, I would like to. I may? I mean, ay mi? Uh...may I? You don’t have to, I just, um…” Kristoff decided to stop talking. Fully expecting a rejection at this point, he began to turn away.

Anna didn’t even expect herself to do what she did next. She turned his face back toward her gently with her hand, stood on her tiptoes, and delicately laid her lips on his. Kristoff returned the kiss, a less graceful one, but a kiss all his own. A vulnerable, tender gesture of love.

Anna lowered herself, smiling gently, her lower lip tucked between her teeth. But when she noticed Kristoff’s unsure expression, her own face twisted in concern.

“Was that okay?” she asked.

Kristoff’s eyes darted to the side. His lips were pursed and twisted to the side. Anna was beginning to fear she did something terribly wrong.

Kristoff inhaled through his mouth, preparing to speak, but then shut it again. He tilted his head, like a puppy trying to figure out where a sound was coming from. Anna was all but mortified at this point. She thought her potential relationship with Kristoff was ending before it began, right before her eyes.

Finally, Kristoff spoke.

“Do you want to go out with me?”

All of Anna’s tension dissipated in an instant.

“Jesus, Kristoff, that was terrifying!” she shouted, slapping him on the arm.

“Oh my--I’m sorry! Really, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for it to be!” Kristoff apologized.

“I thought you hated me! It looked like you were--oh, yes, by the way, I’d love to--but holy shit, don’t ever do that again.”

Kristoff smiled bigger than he had all day, embarrassed by his ambiguous reaction to the kiss, but also elated that she still had feelings for him. “Okay, okay, I promise. But also, yay!” he said.

Now it was Anna’s turn to look puzzled. “So, what changed? You were asking for space not too long ago.”

Kristoff responded without missing a beat. “I can’t afford to deny my feelings for you anymore.”

Anna blushed and gave Kristoff a quick peck on the cheek. “I won’t if you won’t.”

All of a sudden, Ryder and Sven emerged from the trees behind them.

“Are you guys done?” Sven asked.

Kristoff and Anna both turned to face them. “Have you guys been right behind us the whole time?” Anna asked.

“It was Sven’s idea!” Ryder accused.

“Not that bullshit again,” Sven said to Ryder. “Not the whole time,” he continued, turning back to Kristoff and Anna. He walked right up to the edge of the gorge. “Guys, can you make way for your king, please?” That, or a variation of it, is what Sven would say when he wanted a picture taken of him. Kristoff stepped down behind Ryder and Anna followed him.

“I need a pic of me in nature to balance out my Grindr profile,” Sven said to Kristoff. “That was kinda the whole motivation behind this trip for me.”

“Wait, your what?” Anna asked, like she had just heard a grand revelation.

Sven, Ryder, and Kristoff all slowly turned to look at her, each with the same expression on their face. Complete stunned silence.

Without warning, Ryder did something that was uncharacteristic of him as long as Anna had known him. He burst into hysterical laughter.

“Anna thought you were straight this whole time!” Ryder said to Sven between fits.

“Well, no one ever told me!” Anna shouted in an effort to defend herself.

“Wait, you actually never knew?” Kristoff asked.

“I don’t know, I just didn’t pick up on it!”

“Anna, don’t even worry about it,” Sven said, opting to be the voice of reason. “They’re just being stupid. But yeah, I’m like, really gay.”

Anna’s face was beet-red, but she smiled through her embarrassment.

“Actually, you know what?” Sven said with a new inflection. “I’m a package deal. Everyone get up here, we’re taking a group selfie!”

Hearing him say that made Anna’s heart lift. She knew she was an integral member of their crew now, but every time someone reiterated that fact, it made her so happy she could burst. She wrapped her arm around Kristoff and led him up to the edge, Ryder following shortly after. Sven pulled out his phone, opened the camera app, and held it at arm’s length, trying to fit everyone on the frame.

“Kristoff, crouch down, Anna, be taller, Ryder, you’re perfect. One, two, three, say bees!”

Kristoff and Anna didn’t have to say anything to smile. They couldn’t stop smiling.

[iamwhoiamtmblr]

Title: Remember Who You Are

Story Rating: Chapter 14  18+ ONLY!!

Warnings:  Oral Sex (Both partners), Intercourse swearing. 

Relationships:  Nomad Steve Rogers x Reader; Steve Rogers x Reader; Dark Steve Rogers x Reader

Master List - Link to Other Chapters

New Mood-board for the series. (Captain America photos property of Marvel)

Chapter Note: This chapter was originally 600 words. It’s now over 2200. I wanted to make sure I captured the moment properly. Feedback and Re-blogs are welcome. 😃

***My work is to not be posted on any other site without my permission. If you see it anywhere other than Tumblr please inform me*** 

Steve can’t stop thinking about you, one particular though crossed his mind. He remembers the one of the most special days of your relationship at the Cabin.  He smiles...

You and Steve have now been seeing each other for almost 3 months. You tried to hide your relationship from everyone but somehow they all knew; after all they worked for a spy agency. For the first time since you started working for SHIELD, you finally had a whole weekend off. Steve told you to prepare for a short trip but he wouldn’t tell you where you were going. As a surprise, Steve showed up in a SUV instead of his bike, picking you up at the door of your apartment building.

“Where are we going?” (You) “For a drive.” He smiles. He takes your luggage.

After about 5 hour trip, you enter what looks like a logging road. About a ½ hr drive on the dirt road, you end up at a cabin in the middle of nowhere. It looks rundown.

“Huh, who owns this cabin?” “I do. It’s my retreat, a place of solitude when I need to be alone and recharge.” Getting out of the SUV, you walk around outside. “Ha, solar panels.” You laugh. He snorts, “Yes, I do need to have electricity; I still have to be available if anything happens; you know emergencies, that sort of thing. I have cell service as there is a new tower about 40 km’s away and the ability to use my laptop.” Upon entering the cabin, it’s only 1 huge room. You were surprised at the inside. Mini fridge, sink, table, fireplace, comfy chair and a king size bed in the corner. “Wow, I love it.” You smile. “I’ll be back shortly; I need to get some firewood.” (Steve)

Smiling, you run and jump on the bed, nice and soft. “Ooommmpppfff!!” You look around the cabin, you feel at home here. Now you know why Steve likes this place. It feels cozy and comfy. You decide to go outside to help Steve. Steve continues to chop some wood and you help lugging it into the cabin. After lugging awhile, you need to go… number #1.

“Potty break! Where’s the bathroom?” “Behind the cabin.” he smirks. “Oh well… can’t have everything.” (You)

Steve laughs... 

Steve brings some more firewood into the cabin and then unloads the groceries and the luggage. He starts the fireplace, generating some heat in the cold cabin.

“It’s nice outside, do you want to go for a walk?” (You) “No, later.” (Steve, serious tone) “Awww….” (You pout)  “What do you want to do?”

He turns and intensely stares at you with no emotion on his face. He approaches you slowly, taking off his sweater and shirt throwing them on the chair. You see his broad, magnificent and sculpted chest. You see the scars from all of the missions and fights telling tales of battles. You lightly trace them with your fingers, resulting in Steve getting goose bumps from your touch.

“Wow….” You look at him with awe; handsome chiseled features, dark blonde hair and beard, broad shoulders and lots of muscles.

He wraps his arms around you and starts kissing you tenderly, then passionately. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.” (Steve) He kisses your tenderly on neck and face. “What are your intentions Captain America?” “Naughty ones.” he whispers. He takes off your sweater and starts to unbutton your blouse and jeans. Steve kisses your shoulder and the nape of your neck. You give a soft moan. “I want you (Y/N). I’ve wanted you for so long”.

His eyes have changed; they are filled with pure lust and raw hunger. You close your eyes as he removes your blouse and jeans. He gives a smile seeing your matching purple lacy bra and thong. His hands roam all over your back and bottom. He continues to kiss you passionately, angling your head to get deeper kisses. He holds his forehead against the top of yours  looking down at you. His breathing is ragged. He scoops you up and places you on the side of the bed. You sit up and unbutton his jeans. He smiles down at you. His erection springs from his underwear, already hard as a rock. Whoa, you think. You marvel at the size of it; will it fit?

Smiling at him, you take the initiative; you begin to lick the length of it. Steve moans. “Baby-girl.” (Baby-girl was his nickname he called you) He puts his hands on your head. “Put it in your mouth please.” “Well, since you said please.” You tease.

You lick the pre-cum off the top. You smile at him. You try to put as much it in your mouth as you can. You gently tease it with your tongue. Steve closes his eyes and groans loudly. You continue licking and sucking on it, using your hand to sheath it, moving your hand up and down. Steve continues to moan, his hands never leaving the back of your head.

“That feels so fucking awesome!”  After a few minutes - “STOP!!!” (Steve)

The volume of his voice startles you “What?” You jump and back off right away. “Did I do something wrong?” “No, you didn’t; you’re too good in fact. I don’t want to cum this way, not for our first time together. I’m too close, I need to come back down.” Steve is breathing very hard now.

Steve pushes you back on the bed, lying on your back. Moving you to the middle of the bed, he sits in front of your legs. He opens your thighs with his leg, making it very hard not to notice his erection is still there and for him, he can see the wetness in your thong. He place kisses down your body as he removes your underwear.  He takes a finger and touches your wetness between your legs, then licks your juices off his finger. “Sweet.”

He kisses your stomach down to your warm spot. He gently starts to lick your folds. You giggle. “What are you giggling for?” (Steve’s a little annoyed) “Your beard tickles”. You smile. “Tickles huh? Un huh, we’ll see about that.” Steve dives into your pussy and attacks your clit. “Aaahhh!”

His tongue starts to hit your clit hard, sucking on it. He plays with your vagina with his tongue as if it was his shaft . You moan, “Oh Steve”.

He inserts two fingers, looking for your g-spot. Your orgasm begins to swell. Three fingers… He continues his assault on your clit. You let go of his hair for fear of ripping his hair out of his head. You grasp the bed covers as it your life depended on it. You scream his name out loud. You experience your first orgasm with him and you’re already out of breath.

He moves up to you again, wiping your wetness from his beard, he begins to kiss you tenderly. You taste yourself off of his lips. You put your arms around him and lift yourself right up to his face so you can see eye to eye.

You have never wanted him badly as you do right now. You thought about having sex with him before and wondered what it would be like with a super soldier. He acted like a gentleman this entire time but little did you know he was holding back. He didn’t want to scare you off. He’s been patient, waiting for the right time. You didn’t know this animal side of Steve even existed. You want him…. you finally have the nerve to say it.

“Please Steve.” “Please what?” he looks into your eyes. “I want you inside me!” you whisper. “You want me?” You nod.

Your request was music to his ears. He was wishing/hoping you would say it; it meant to him that you want him, you need him. You lay back down and he covers you entire body with his; leaving very little room for you to move. He grasps your wrists and holds them beside your head. “Ready?” he whispers in your ear. You nod.

He lines himself up with your entrance. In one swift thrust he bottoms out. “Ooooohhhhh Steve!!” He pauses for a moment; he’s scared he hurt you. “You ok?” You nod. Your core is stretching to accommodate him. It hurt for a brief moment, buy now your body is overcome with pleasure; it’s like electricity running through your body.

He thrusts are slow and tender at first; teasing you. He smiles down at you watching the pleasure in your face. You’re eyes are closed. He’s never felt the emotions he feels right now. Watching you, he’s giving you the love and pleasure you desire, what you crave, your body craves, what you need from him and only him. Seeing your body react to him gives him the greatest joy. He knows you’re the one for him and he’s the one for you. He wants to hold onto you forever; never leaving his bed…..our bed.

You feel so full. He pulls almost all the way and back in again. But he begins thrusting in you faster and harder. You squeal. He found your sweet spot and he makes that his target. He let go of your wrists, he pulls you into him with one of his arms, lifting you from the bed. You immediately grab a hold of him. You started moving your hips to meet his, wrapping your legs around his hips. You try to pull him inside you as far as you can. Steve moans deeply. You want him, all of him. You open your eyes, looking up at Steve, he’s staring down at you, his face full of delight smiling. You can’t stop squirming and you can’t keep your eyes open. You cling to him tightly and feel lost in the moment; your head is swirling. You put your head in the crook of his neck moaning softly. He feels your hot breath on him.

He stops suddenly. In surprise, you drop you head and open your eyes. He eyes are filled with love this time. He begins to kiss your passionately.  You open your mouth and Steve probes your mouth with his tongue. He lays you back down on the bed. He begins to play with your breasts; nipping at them; teasing them, sucking on your nipples. He slips his hand between the two of you and plays with your tender clit. He begins to thrust again, this time faster. Closer and stronger, your orgasm begins to build again. You core is beginning to tighten. Steve is now  you like an animal, hard and relentless. He pulls you up to him again, holding you skin to skin. “Oh god, OMG” your 2nd orgasm hits you hard. You let go of Steve and collapse on the bed. You’re out of breath again and this time you almost pass out. The room is spinning. You’re filled with bliss. You look at Steve with love in your eyes. You think he’s all done but then you realize that he didn’t cum; OH NO….he’s not done with you yet! You gasp.

He flips you over so now you are on your hands and knees. Steve begins to take you from behind, softly and slowly. He knows you’re tender from all that he has done to you so far.

“Baby-girl! Love this so much!”  He’s panting into your ear. He starts to pound you with more vigor. “One more time…. Please Y/N.”

You feel like you can’t, your energy is spent and you’re overcome with tiredness. He continues the assault! Fingering your clit, massaging your breasts and nipping at your neck and shoulders to heighten your arousal. Harder and faster! More and more…. He wants to ensure you come again. You feel you orgasm building. Less than 1 minute later, you come again for the 3rd time. You moan softly as you have no more voice.

Steve screams your name! You walls grabs his shaft, squeezing him. His orgasm is just as powerful as yours. You feel his cum inside, warming you. He holds you for a minute as your body begins to relax.

He then lets go and you collapse on the bed. Steve falls on top of you but you don’t mind, you like his weight on you. It makes you feel safe, protected. After a few seconds, he lightly kisses your back, shoulders and your neck. He rolls over onto his back, gently pulling you towards him. “Come here baby-girl.” He covers you both with the comforter. “You ok?” “uh hmm.” “You want to go for that walk now?” “No. I want to stay right here.” You sigh, content as can be. 

You said the words he wants to hear. He feels the same way as you; he doesn’t want to leave the cabin either.  By now, you’re fast asleep in his arms.  He holds you tightly. He places soft kisses on the top of your head. You’re snuggled into him; your head on his chest and your arm draped across him. You fit in that spot exactly. He feels like you belong there, that you were meant to be there. It was for you and only you. Patience wasn’t his strong suit, but to him, everything you both experienced today was worth the wait.

“I love you” he whispers into your hair.

[an-actual-angel]

Pretty Baby: Chapter 8 & 9

Pairing: Connor (RK800) x Reader, Collin (RK800-60) x Reader, Richard (RK900) x Reader

Summary: The year was 2082. 44 Years after the android revolution. Things have turned south for humanity. Androids now rule the world, leaving humans to be considered as mere animals. While some Androids still have a general disdain for humanity some have taken to the idea of keeping them as “family pets.”

You, born in captivity, specifically bred to be the perfect pet happen to get adopted by the RK brothers.

Chapter Description:  Tension only furthers between the RK Brothers after Collin and Richard fail to inform Connor about the goings-on in Detroit.

Previous Chapter | AO3 | Next Chapter 

KOFI

Chapter 8 - The Fool

Your name: submit What is this?

 You eagerly watch the screen waiting and listening for more information. Nothing. They brush it off and moved on to the next story.

“Why didn’t either of you tell me about this?” Connor stands to his feet striding toward his brothers in fury. You had learned over your time staying with the brothers that they had high titles within the law enforcement in Detroit. Richard even earning the title of Commissioner.

Connor, however, had left the DPD once Hank had fallen ill. He couldn’t bring himself to work there again after that. Instead, he found himself a career working with youth and community. The youth being child android models as well as newly deviated androids. His brother’s usually kept him informed with the goings-on in the city. All of the brothers having a powerful influence and an important image in Detroit they needed to know this information.

“We barely see you anymore, Connor.” Collin retorted in his defence. “How are we supposed to tell you when you’re not around?”

Richard was absolutely lavishing in this moment, you noticed him attempting to hide his contentment. You found it strange, Richard never really smiled, he only ever smirked in a devilish manner.

Connor grabs a dark green military jacket that had been draped over the side of the couch to put it over his shoulders.

“Where are you going?” Collin sighed before moving towards Connor, in an attempt to perhaps stop him.

“I need to see Markus.” He avoided eye contact, fixing his jacket onto his body.

“I suppose we ought to come as well.” Richard slapped his hands down onto his knees before standing up to join his brother.

“No.” Connor shut him down. His gaze cutting into Richards.

Richard shrugged and sat back down. “As you wish, we can stop by later.” His hands stretching over the back of the dark sofa.

Connor snarls his upper lip at him, looking between his brothers in disgust before strutting out the door. He was absolutely livid. It would be hard to imagine that the three of them used to be close.

Collin worried that perhaps this lack of this important information could be the straw that broke the camel’s back, so to speak. Although Collin and Connor’s relationship didn’t exactly start on the best foot, they had truly grown inseparable over time. Once they had met Richard the three of them had created somewhat of a bond, feeling like they shared some special type of understanding. They helped each other when struggling with deviancy, they worked together, fought for android rights together, Eventually even adopting one another as brothers.

Collin usually always went along with Richard’s schemes, mostly because they wanted a similar outcome. He trusted Richard, however, he wasn’t so sure about all of this. Yes, Collin thought humans to be less than androids and that Connor needed to realise this but he couldn’t help shake the feeling that Richard’s plan was only pushing Connor further away from the two.

He would never admit it but he always looked up to Connor. He was there for him when no one else was, he forgave him after the Cyberlife tower incident and he never held it against him. They used to see themselves in each other but now, Connor looked a broken shell of his former self.

“Well, I hope you're happy now.” Collin turned his back to Richard, LED spinning red.

“I know what I’m doing.” Was Richard’s reply.

---

It was late and Connor still hadn’t come home.

Collin and Richard were moving around the apartment arguing with each other, you listened in at first but after a while, their voices faded from your mind. You just stared out the window into the city night. Wondering about the events earlier.

Why were humans running through the streets? Why where they attacking androids? They were foolish to think that they could overpower or even so much as hurt one.

Eventually, Richard and Collin came to an agreement that they were going to go speak with the Mayor, Markus at City Hall.

Would he still be there this late? Apparently so. You guessed androids technically didn’t need to sleep. Some still did, well they went into stasis mode while laying down. It was a good way for an android to run diagnostics and ‘recharge’ per-say, but it wasn’t needed too frequently.

Even after the brothers came to their agreement to see the Mayor, they moved on to their next argument. Whether or not they should take you, mainly arguing over it being appropriate or not. Richard did not seem too keen on leaving you alone again.

Eventually, Richard came up to you, hands settled behind his back.

“How would you like to go for a little walk?”

Your eyes glimmered at the question. The thought of being out in the real world again excited you. You hadn’t really been giving a chance to enjoy it on your first encounter as you had been lost, alone and on the run looking for Emily. At least this time you would be given the chance to marvel at the city you never got to explore.

“I’d really love to.”

“Go put something warm on.” Richard instructed you.

You rushed to your bedroom in a paced walk, trying to hide your eagerness. Even though whatever political situation that was going on seemed serious, at least it would give you a tiny taste of the world.

When you came out of your room you felt your heart drop as you noticed Richard now standing with something in his hands. A leash and a collar.

Seriously?

“Come here.” He commanded.

You slowly approached him, hoping it was just some kind of messed up joke. “Is that really necessary?” You asked meekly.

“Well, with the commotion caused by the humans recently, I would say so.” He spoke in a cold voice. “Plus you don’t have the best track record, little pet.” Opening the black leather collar up he stretched it out, waiting for you to subserviently move closer.

“Does it really have to go around my neck?” you subconsciously place your hand around your throat and began to rub it softly “Can’t you just put it on my wrist?”

“Just be glad he doesn’t make you walk on all fours.” Collin walks past the two of you, his eyes buried in his phone. Richard shooting him a glaring look before his cold eyes snapped back to you.

“Remember your place.” He pulls the collar tightly against your neck. You gasp a little at constriction around your throat.

“Whoops.” He replies in a sneer before he continues to buckle it around your neck, clasping the leash to the collar.

Why did he have to be so harsh all of a sudden?

He gives it a slight tug and leads you out the door.

After a quick car ride and a brief walk to your destination, your androids bring youinto the city hall. You were a little disappointed you didn’t get to see more of the city but honestly more relieved at the same time, having the collar on was humiliating.

Your owners, of course, didn’t want you in their actual meeting with Markus and the other androids, so you were kept in the waiting room with a member of staff to keep watch. There was an older man who was also sat in the waiting room, he must have also been human. You could tell because androids weren’t usually made to look his age, plus he had no LED.

While some androids chose to part with their LEDs, it was usually more common to keep it as it became a part of their culture and a symbol of pride.

Since your owners had left you (yet again), you took off your collar to rub your neck. Wondering what the point was of them bringing you here.

“I wouldn’t do that” the older man who was sitting across from you warned, hinting to the fact that you had taken off the collar. Your eyes travelled up to meet his tired ones.

“First time out, huh?” His voice was rough and he spoke through a thick accent but something about it seemed almost comforting. However so, you remained quiet, not really knowing what to say.

“Who’s your master then?” He asks.

You nudge your head in the direction of Collin and Richard who you both could see from a distance entering into a conference room.

“Wow, the RK brothers. huh, must be nice.” His eyes trailed the two of them.

Something about his statement bugged you. “You know them?”

“Know of them, Big players round these parts. Politics and all that.” He explained

“They’re politicians?” You questioned the man, confused.

“No, not exactly, but they definitely play their part in how things are run around here. Big following.”

You chew on your bottom lip. You guessed that made sense, you recalled how one of the girls back at the adoption centre spoke about how they played a factor in the android revolution.

“I hope your behaving, humans ain’t looking too good at the moment.” He jokes. You take it slightly more literal.

“They’re hard to read.” You fidget in your seat, looking nervous.

“You want my advice. Keep your nose clean and do as you’re told. You’re never going to outsmart a ‘droid. Maybe if you’re lucky they’ll treat you well.”

Your mouth weakly parts.

“Look, kid, with ‘droids like them, you probably got it better than most.” He shrugs in his attempt to ‘comfort’ you.

“Suck up to them, maybe they’ll become fond of yah like mine.”

“Yours?”

“Look at me, kid. I’m in my golden years and I'm still with my ‘droids, most throw yah away when you stop being cute.”

You had never really thought about it. Did androids just get rid of their humans once they reached a certain age?

“Throw them away? Where to?”

“Beats me kid. I’m not looking to find out neither.” He rests his weathered hand against the side of his face.

A silence falls again when you don’t know what else to say.

“What about that Connor though?” The man perked up. He seemed genuinely interested. “What’s he like?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know much about him at all.” You replied to him in an almost apologetic way.

“That’s a Shame.” His plump face falls flat.

Before you could open your mouth to say much else, androids begin to pour out of one of the conference rooms.

“Come on, Jake.” One of them calls out in your direction, in a similar way a man would call his dog.

“Oh, looks like that’s me. See you around, kid.” The man, Jake, tilts his head to you.

“Bye…” You say quietly.

It was another while before Collin and Richard came out to collect you. You had spent your time mulling over Jake's words. Maybe you should take heed of his advice?

He didn’t seem completely miserable. Maybe you were lucky to be with your owners.

You looked down at the collar in your hands, squeezing it and sighing. You took another deep breath before clasping it around your neck again.

When Richard and Collin came back, you stood to your feet and handed your leash over to Richard to hold. He almost looked shocked at this although he didn’t really say much. He just took it and began to walk.

Arriving back at the house, Richard unclasped your collar. You just went to the living room to sit down quietly and wait for further instruction. Avoiding them didn’t work. Maybe playing your role as their little pet might.

You wondered maybe if you could earn their trust and who knows, maybe things would be easier? Or maybe it will help you to learn the best way of metaphorically stabbing them in the back to escape.

The next few days you had been compliant. You did exactly everything they asked of you, which honestly wasn’t much.

Connor finally came home after three days of Collin non-stop calling him. You tried to eavesdrop on the conversation they had but you didn’t hear much. You didn’t want to move too close and get caught, ruining the perfect image you were trying to keep up.

You briefly heard Connor mentioning he felt that androids were falling into the mistakes of the past. Collin trying his best to comfort his brother but to no avail. It wasn’t really going to be much comfort anyway when Connor knew that Collins beliefs were so different from his own and yet he still tried his best to be understanding.

Collin did, however, promise to help Connor with an event he was planning for work. A fundraiser of sorts for his youth centre. Which left you home alone with Richard.

The both of you sat in the living room, TV blaring on some Political debate you didn’t really pay much attention to. You noticed that Richard kept looking over at you, needless to say, he was confused by your willingness to play along, maybe you were finally learning your place.

Your eyes caught his, so you responded with a small smile. He furrowed his brows getting up out of his seat and moving to stand over you.

He held your chin to look up at him and brushed his thumb along the side of your cheek. You continued to smile brightly up at him in spite.

“Have we broke your spirit, little one?” he tilted his head to the side.

“No, I’ve just decided I like it here.” Your smile dangled on the corner of your mouth.

“Is that so?” His brows lifted, hand still on your chin.

“I guess I didn’t realise how lucky, I was until now.”

His hand dropped from your chin. “Bullshit.” He knelt down to examine your face more carefully.

“I have everything I need.” You shrug.

“And what about your little friend?”

You didn’t reply, you just looked down to your hands. Richard still observing your every move.

“Yes, I still miss her. That won’t change.” You eventually responded. “But I’ve learnt my lesson. No running away.”

Richard's face was blank, it was hard to tell whether or not he was buying what you had been telling him. He moved his hand back to your face to tuck a stray bit of your hair behind your ear. You don’t know what came over you but something in your head told you to kiss the inside of his palm as he did so.

He froze, as did you. Surprised you actually did it, your idiotic brain thinking affection could be a way to win him over. At least you hoped that’s why you did it and not for any other reason, it's what you would tell yourself anyway.

His jaw clenched as he stared at you, neither of you moving for a couple of seconds, His LED flashing between colours.

His hands eventually fell to your bare legs, slowly stroking them. You maintained eye contact, the silence between you deafening.

You instinctively moved your head slightly towards him. His LED flashed red, immediately standing to his feet and stumbling backwards.

Your eyes widen in shock at this usually stoic android’s awkwardness.

Before you could say anything to him, he had already left the living room, making haste back to his bedroom.

What the hell just happened?

________________________________________________________________

Chapter 9 - Pacify Her

You sat in your confusion for another short while before snapping out of it. What was your next move going to be? You probably should just go to bed and act as if nothing happened the next day.

But still, a part of you itched. Something deep down bugged you. You wanted to talk to Richard.

But was it a good idea? Would he get pissed at you, pushing you back to square one of your ‘kissing up’ or would this perhaps be good, going to check on him. Showing some care?

You wanted to take time to ponder on what to do but your feet had other ideas, leading you right outside his bedroom door.

Curiosity pulling at you again, you let your ear press against one of the matte black double doors of his room, listening intently but there was not a sound.

While your face was pressed against the one of the doors you noticed the other was slightly agape. Biting down on your lip you pushed it ever so slightly to reveal Richard’s figure sitting on the edge of his bed. Head in hands, LED still Crimson.

You took a few steps backwards, wondering what the hell you were going to do. What was going through his mind, was this because of you or where you miss reading the situation? He could just be frustrated with all of what was going on with Connor and the humans.

While your head was also spinning around you hadn’t noticed yourself walking backwards straight into the door to Connor's room.

With a slam, you fell against the door which swung open. Ouch.

Whispering a silent swear you attempted to sit up off your now tender bottom. The noise you made hitting the ground then occurred to you. You were reminded that Richard’s door was slightly open. Trying your best to scramble to your feet, you made the plan in your head to dash back to your room, or the living room, anywhere but here.

Being too slow in your thoughts and actions meant you weren’t able to accomplish this in the right amount of time. While you were only picking yourself up from the ground, Richard was already standing in his doorway.

When you were on your feet you noticed him staring down at you, arms crossed. Your face burned in shame. He didn’t say anything, he just continued his intimidating stare.

“I… I’m sorry, I was just-” You stammered trying not to fall over your own words.

He put a hand up to silence you before calling you to come over to him. Your head sunk down below your shoulders, obliging to his demand. He stood to the side and gestured you to go into his room, as you did he closed the door behind you.

“Sit.” He pointed at his bed. You complied, nervously sitting on your hands, something that you did when you felt like you were going to be in trouble.

You watched as Richard paced up and down through his room, finger pointed upon his lips as his head was at a downward angle. LED flashing between colours, it seemed that was happening a lot tonight.

You bit at your lip again, desperately wanting to know what he was thinking. Was he mad, did he know you were spying on him, did he think you were sneaking into Connor's room? Maybe he thought you were just roughhousing? You didn’t know, it could be a number of things really.

He finally looked in your direction, you felt yourself instinctively gulp.

“What am I going to do with you?” He sighs. His usual flat voice sounded slightly aggravated.

“Richard, I-” You attempted to explain yourself, but before you could say another word one of Richard’s hand was around your neck, pinning you down on his bed.

“Don’t use my name like we are friends.” He growled. “Your nothing but an animal, do you hear me?” His face was inches from yours, your noses almost touching.

You exhale quietly. Your stare caught, mesmerized by his eyes. Eyes that oftentimes felt cold and bitter, usually giving you an alienating sense of distance now felt like the hottest of blazing blue flames which engulfed around you.

Your mouth fell slightly as you fully took in his face, his touch, his presence. Somehow less frightening than usual but twice as exciting.

He took note of your subtle movements and look of awe on your face. He bit his lip back as he stared at your own. His thumb brushing the side of your neck, He allowed himself to linger as well for a brief few moments before snapping himself back to reality. He rose back to his feet, cleared his throat and fixed his shirt from the slight crumples that had been made from leaning over you.

You sat up slightly, eyes not leaving him. Watching as he turned his back to you, asking you to leave.

Wait a minute… An idea sparked in your mind.

He got his shot to experiment on you before. Maybe it’s your turn.

You shyly moved behind him, letting one of your hands move up between his shoulder blades. As he turns to question you, your other hand was placed on his jawline, enticing him to move his head closer to yours. You gently allowed your lips to meet. You noticed how surprisingly soft and warm his lips were as they gingerly pressed against yours, it wasn’t a big kiss just a delicate touch for your ‘research.’

As your faces parted you noticed his eyes still closed. It could have almost made you blush before he swiftly smacked them open. He looked furious now.

Shit. Was your only thought. What is he going to do now?

Before you could think another thought, he had grabbed your face, pulling you into a deeper kiss this time.

Oh…

This definitely is not what you expected at all.

His hungry mouth nipped at sucked at your own. You gasping in pleasure as you felt his greedy tongue entering your mouth. You couldn’t help but wrap your hands around the back of his neck as you pulled him in closer. You knew you were going to regret this later but all you could think of was now was Richard and the things you wanted him to do with you.

You whined when his lips finally parted from your own. He had you pushed up against a wall, his hands back on your throat. His head fallen down to his feet, he exhaled deeply before looking back up at you with a dark scowl.

"Get out.” He demanded you as he pushed himself off the wall, off of you.

“Richard I-”

“I said leave.” He cut you off coldly.

Your body was still leaning against the wall mostly because your brain wasn’t functioning in its usual way, your head was still spinning in thoughts, your lips still buzzing from the kiss. You opened your mouth trying to find the words to say. Maybe to apologise, you hadn’t meant to overstep any boundaries.

“Don’t you ever do what you’re told?” He complained once more before grabbing your arm and escorting you out of his bedroom.

“I don’t want to find you lingering outside my door again.” He gave you a final warning before slamming the door in your face. Leaving you alone in the dark hallway.

Left speechless you rubbed the back of your neck and let out a small huff before allowing yourself to wander back to your bedroom.

___

The next day Richard continued on as if nothing happened, only this time he avoided touching you. You were used to his 'fake' cuddles and gentle caresses when Connor was present but it suddenly all stopped. You would be lying to say you didn’t miss it.

Over the next few days, he also seemed less insistent on bringing you along with them to places. Something he had been doing a lot more of, after your trip to city hall. You still attempted to impress him with your spotless behaviour but it didn’t really seem to get his attention much more.

Had you messed this whole thing up?

On the other hand, a good thing that came out of this was, the less touchy Richard was with you the more Connor seemed to hang around. Giving you the chance to talk with him for a bit.

He jumped, slightly shocked when you first spoke to him. He hadn’t really expected it. A part of him thought that at this point Richard had you brainwashed to be a quiet little pet, he was pleasantly surprised to find out otherwise. Over the next week or so, without Richard's prying eyes, the two of you had the chance to chat to one another.

You had asked him about his interests and watched his face light up while talking about how he loved photography and going on nature walks. Something about him seemed very sincere to you.

When he asked about you, you admitted that you hadn’t really had many chances to be able to have a hobby, but you did tell him how you loved reading and how you would love to go on an adventure of your own one day. Explaining again how you never really got to see much of the outside world apart from your brief walks with his brothers. You leaving out the detail of your running away that one time, of course. The corner of his mouth lifted up as he asked if you would like to go with him next time he had the chance to go on one of his walks.

You delightfully agreed, admitting that it sounded wonderful.

“Great! Sounds like a plan.” He smiled back at you. He explained it probably wouldn't be for another while though as work and things in the city had been a little hectic but you understood and said you appreciated it none the less.

It started to look like maybe you had a friend here after all.

________________________________________________________________

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[hailqiqi]

2019 Fic Round-Up

Writer buddies, let’s do this (as in, if you haven’t yet, do yours too!)

Stats:

(I’m going with a random quote from each one because I’m a fan of long summaries.)

Fics Posted (Gen): 3

A Little Taste of What Should Have Been

And that was how Pidge found herself kneeling sideways on the couch, face inches away from Lance’s shoulder as he disinfected first two sewing needles and then the earrings with a professional air.

Wriggle, Jiggle, Bake!

“Okay, so you’ve been magically de-aged — because apparently that’s a thing. Why is that a thing? Whatever. Of course it’s a thing out here."

Here

“Don’t make it weird, Lance,” she huffed, already tugging him into the room and closing the door behind them. “C’mon. I’ll help you wash all that off.”

Fics Posted (Plance Oneshots): 7

2 x 100 word drabbles

(Domestic Fantasy & Kabedon)

The Advantages of Being Small

“I couldn’t help it! It was just too tempting!”

Untangle to Wait, Unravel to See

Of course a fortune teller would appear as soon as he started talking about one. They were on a magical world with magical aliens and Lance was like, the hero of the story, so it made sense that events would be tied to his dialogue. Most importantly, it was not creepy at all, and anyone who said Lance was creeped out could go suck it.

the world is out there, my dear, but we're in here

Pidge froze. The reaction was so subtle that Lance would have missed it if he hadn't been watching for it -- she relaxed herself almost immediately, eyebrows raised in casual challenge -- but she'd reacted, all the same.

so it turns out I kinda missed you

Grumbling, Lance crossed his arms and sunk back into his seat. “I could’ve come to get her on my own, you know.” “Yeah, but then you wouldn’t be able to make out in the back seat on the way home.”

The Stars Aren't the Same for You and I

Dancing with Pidge was fun.

Fics Posted (Plance Chaptered): 2 (1.5?)

Skirting Katabasis

"So... Do you think you could put it back together?" Pidge tilted the tablet towards her and looked at him hard. His expression was hesitant, but his eyes were soft...almost pleading. She smirked. "Who do you think I am, Keith?”

The Future in Snippets (Chapters 3-5)

In truth, she had no idea what was fine. Her brain had switched off several heartbeats ago, but she couldn’t really find it in herself to care.

Fics Posted (Plance Collabs): 2

Smack, Kiss, Fall in Love (even chapters)

The prince doesn’t ignore the princess for the nerdy sidekick. Even if that sidekick was a badass fighter who’d saved his life countless times. Or a genius who constantly left his head spinning. Or totally into the same video games that defined Lance’s childhood, and the owner of a smile so blinding it made the stars look dim.

(shoutout to @sp4c3-0ddity​, my co-conspirator who made Pidge’s star so bright!)

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like A Christmas Carol  (Prologue & Chap 1)

“An intervention?” “Sure. Have you ever seen A Christmas Carol?” His mind freezes. “You mean the Dickens book?” “Uh…” Keith’s dad trails off, blinking. “No, the movie. With the little green man? I think they made a version with the grouchy duck, too.”

(shoutout to the awesome @rueitae​ and @sp4c3-0ddity​ who brought both the crack and the tears essential items for any Christmas party all we’re missing is the food fight and divorce)

Total Fics Posted: 14

Oooh wow. That’s more than one a month!

 Ship/Character Breakdown:

Ship Breakdown: Plance, with over 75%

[colleen image]

Character Breakdown: Pidge and Lance are in 100% of my fics. Hunk is next in 5 (with 1 POV!), then Keith and Allura both get 3 (both even get POV parts and Keith’s a major focus in Skirting Katabasis), then Shiro, Coran and Lance/Pidge’s families are more bit players.

I only just realized that the chapter in Smack, Kiss, Fall in Love is the only time I’ve really written Shiro. And now I’m horrified because Shiro was my first love.

Characters that had the Main Focus: 6 +1 Lance POV, 4+2 Pidge POV, 2 Switching POV fics and then the drabbles don’t count.  I actually started out the year tearing my hair out because I related to Pidge so much more, but now I really enjoy writing Lance. It’s actually a little tricky to get into Pidge’s headspace to work on my chaptereds sometimes.

Specifics

 Best/Worst Title?

Best Skirting Katabasis. C’mon. That’s like, literary (Katabasis being hell or destruction in Greek mythos). Worst Untangle to Wait, Unravel to See. I had help with it but this fic was just so hard to name.

Best/worst last line?

Best I tend to structure my chapters/one-shots around the last line so…this is hard.

"What took you so long? I've been waiting for you."

(Untangle to Wait, Unravel to See)

My personal favourite, though, is from so it turns out I kinda missed you:

Luis laughed. “Hi, Not-My-Girlfriend. I’m Not-His-Brother, Luis.”

Worst

Hunk just laughed. “You can’t fix that right now, so you might as well have some fun!”

(Wriggle, Jiggle, Bake!) So cheesey.

The last line that gives me personal arghs is from Here:

He buried his face in her sodden hair and cried.

...because a day after posting I realised that I should’ve written wept, dammit, and now it annoys me every time I see it.

Honourable mention to The Advantages of Being Small for winning the no-context award:

“Reckon I could fit three fingers up there?”

 General Questions

 Looking back, did you write more fics than you thought you would this year, less than you thought, or about what you predicted?

Way more than I thought!  I think I had planned out about 8? Of those I wrote two (zine fics), started but haven’t finished 2, and the other 4 are still pending.

What pairing/genre/fandom did you write that you would never have predicted last year?

None, my obsessions are long-lasting and constant.

What’s your favorite story this year? Not the most popular, but the one that makes you the happiest.

Skirting Katabasis or It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like A Christmas Carol. Though TBH I enjoy re-reading most of the stuff I posted in the last 6 months.

Okay, NOW your most popular story.

In every single metric on AO3 it’s The Future in Snippets. Y’all like your porn (even if there’s not much of it).

On tumblr it’s Wriggle, Jiggle, Bake! by like 100 notes.

Story most underappreciated by the universe?

If this is a roundabout way of saying ‘What’s your LEAST popular story?’ it’s The Advantages of Being Small, but TBH that’s a very short crack-ficlet so it doesn’t bother me (same with the drabbles).

If the question is “What fic do you think people should like MORE?” the answer is Skirting Katabasis. It’s fifth on the list for bookmarks and 9th for Kudos, and I’m not sure why?? Does it sound too gen? Do you not like Platonic Adventure Kidge? Honestly y’all are missing out it’s like the best thing I’ve ever written. Hands down.

Story that could have been better?

The Future in Snippets. Hands down. It was started on a whim, as a practice fic for another idea I’ve been nurturing for even longer, and back when I was newer at this writing thing. It wasn’t very tightly plotted – in fact the plot was expanded upon and changed multiple times before I settled on what I have now, several chapters in – and certain things that should have been seeded were left out of earlier chapters because I wasn’t experienced enough to figure out how to work them in and foolishly thought ‘oh, it won’t matter! Such a small detail!’, so now I’m scratching my head trying to figure out how to compensate.

I tend to work off very tight outlines, but Snippets was missing that for a large part of the process and I think it shows. I do think I’ve done a good job nailing the emotion in it, though, and that’s like 95% of the fic so as long as I keep that up it’ll all be fine.

Sexiest story?

The Future in Snippets is smut so… First place for SFW sexy goes to the world is out there, my dear, but we’re in here.

Saddest story?

I think The Stars Aren’t the Same for You and I wins because it’s a heartbreaking situation with no good resolution. There’s no comfort to be found there.

Most fun?

A Little Taste of What Should Have Been. It’s just…fun!

The most fun I had writing was Smack, Kiss, Fall in Love, because it was challenging, and I’d wake up every day excited to find out what had happened in the last chapter overnight.

Story with single sweetest moment?

The Future in Snippets (Chapter 4) 

“Um…” She turned the brush in her hands over again before holding it up sheepishly. “Do you remember how you said you’d braid my hair?”

Lance’s whole face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Really?!”

A giggle escaped her lips and she smiled, nodding. “Really.”

Hardest story to write?

The Future in Snippets. The emotions in this fic have become a convoluted mess and it is growing exponentially harder to write as I continue. I simply don’t have the level of skill required, but by God I will find it so that I can finish it properly.

Easiest/most fun story to write?

Skirting Katabasis!  The outline for this fic is tight, and I freaking love writing this fic. Like I just feel like smiling the whole process. I don’t know why. It feels like the wrong answer because it’s a fairly involved fic, but I just enjoy everything about it.

Did any stories shift your perceptions of the characters?

Smack, Kiss, Fall in Love actually gave me a much better understanding of Lance. Skirting Katabasis made me really look at Keith and realise that hey – the dude is actually very emotional, very chatty, and very soft (he’s so often typecast as the ‘moody loner’ because that’s what they call him in the show but he really doesn’t act like that).

Most overdue story?

Uh. The Future in Snippets was originally scheduled to be finished in January 2018, so… I also have a soulmate WIP which was meant to be for V-Day 2018.

Did you take any writing risks this year? What did you learn from them?

I started to play about with other POVs, and discovered that I can write other POVs? I also did two collabs!  The first one I discovered that Reem really is a sweetheart, and with the second I discovered that either I’m really bossy or really persuasive or both maybe I should go into politics.

I also did a couple of events and zines and exchanges. I discovered that piece-writing – like writing with a target/deadline/outside expectation – does not agree with me, and I will no longer sign up for events/zines/exchanges.

What are your fic writing goals for next year?

1.     Finish my WIPs.

2.     Write my Pidge Makes Bad Decisions fic!

3.     That’s about it really. Can you take over the world by writing fic? If so, that’s going on the list.

[leelee10898]

Back to you: Chapter 19- Take back home girl.

Summary: We pick up where 18 left off. Leo has invited Aria to his house where he is cooking her dinner and things get messy. Liam and Leo have a talk, and Aria attends Madeline’s bachlorette party. catch up HERE I blame @bobasheebaby for putting a certain messy part in my head.. and thank you @mind-reader1 for the dinner idea.

Rating: Fluff, NSFW.... Youngins avert your eyes! Chapter/title credit: Take back home girl - Chris Lane/Tori Kelly

Tag List: @bobasheebaby @scarlettedragon @annekebbphotography @speedyoperarascalparty @greyeyedsmile14 @stopforamoment @mind-reader1 @xxrainbowprincessxx @hopefulmoonobject @alicars @katurrade @indiacater @bella-ca @blznbaby @blackwidow2721 @liamxs-world @simsvetements @furiousherringoperatortoad @choicesfannatalie @crookedslimecreatorpasta @coldcollectornight08

As always if you want to be added to the tag list, let me know

Leo grins as he pulls ingredients out and places them on the counter space. “Hmmm.” Aria jumps down and inspects the contents. “Tomato’s, tomato paste, noodles, basil, oreganoooooo… are you making pasta?” “Yes, I had a nanny named Josephine growing up. She was an older italian woman, she was like a grandmother to me.” Leo spoke as he preped the tomato’s and started to assemble the sauce in the pan. “She used to make me this pasta, I loved it so much she insisted she teach me how to make it.” Aria couldn’t help but smile, watching him move about the kitchen he looked like he knew what he was doing, that was for sure. “Anyway she told me that I needed to learn how to make this pasta so one day I could make it for the woman I loved. So now here we are.” Leo flashed that Hollywood smile at her. “So you’ve never made this for anyone before? Not even your ex wife?” Nope shouldn’t have said that, stupid Aria stupid 

Leo chuckled “No, I never wanted to make this for Katie or anyone else. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you Aria.” Aria closed the distance between them and placing a soft kiss on his lips. “I love you too.” Leo poured her a glass of wine and directed her to relax while he finished dinner. She walked around the living room, admiring the different paintings that were hung on the wall. She made her way to the large patio and leaned against the railing taking in the sight of the busy city below, the city was beautiful to say the least. She could picture herself living here, watching Leo cook dinner through the glass doors, she pictured life with him. They would stay in New York, he would come home from one of his motocross races or practice. She would be cooking dinner, he would come up behind her kissing her on the neck and lips, placing his hands on her swollen belly.  They would always want to be with each other, and Leo not wanting to miss out on a minute of his children’s lives they would end up on the road together. She could see that life so vividly she felt like could reach out and touch it. But she couldn’t bear to hurt Liam, she did love him, but being with Leo, it just felt so right. Why couldn’t she bring herself to make the choice?

 “Hey beautiful, dinners ready.” Leo pulled her out of her thoughts. He pulls her chair out for her before sitting down across from her. “Wow, this smells amazing Leo."Aria picks up some pasta with her fork shoving it in her mouth. Her eyes go wide. It tasted amazing. Rich and hearty with the slightest sweet hint. The spices coming together in perfect harmony sending her taste buds into a frenzy. "Leo, this is possibly the most amazing pasta I have ever tasted, I am seriously impressed. ” Aria continued to devour the bowl in front of her. “I am so glad you like it, I had hoped you would.” Leo was pleased, he waited his whole life to make that for that special woman and he was so happy he got to make it for Aria. The more time he spent with her the more he knew if she chose Liam it would kill him. 

After dinner Aria jumped up to grab the plates to wash them. “What do you think you are doing.” Leo grabbed her arm gently. “Um clearing the table, so I can wash the dishes.” She insisted grabbing his plate. Leo stood up, taking the plates from her and placing them down on the table. “No I got them, you just relax.” He stood behind her kissing the back of her neck. Wow, cooks an amazing dinner and does the dishes, was she dreaming, that kind of stuff made her a little hot and bothered. 

After a few minutes of Leo cleaning the kitchen he steps out to the table with two bowls of ice cream. “So for desert I thought sundaes. is that ok with you?” A mischievous grin spread across Arias face, her thoughts in all the wrong places. “Perfect. ” she batted her eyes. Leo returned from the kitchen with a can of whipped cream, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, and caramel drizzle. Leo sat down next to her at the table and started creating his sundae. Aria picks up the can of whipped cream. “Hey Leo, you got a little something there.” She squirts a dollop on his neck making Leo gasp. “Here let me get that for you.” Aria leans over sucking the whipped cream slowly off his neck. A shiver ripples through his body.

 Ooooh she was good. the thought to himself as he turns to her a devilish smirk painted on his face. “Oh love why are you so clumsy? You have dripped caramel all over.” she teases as he drizzles caramel down her shirt onto her breast. “Let me to help you with that. ” he purrs as he pulls her shirt over her head, licking and sucking the caramel up. His lips and tongue sending jolts of electricity throughout her body.  He leans in kissing her softly, Her tongue slips across his lips savoring the sweet flavor of the caramel she sucks in his bottom lip. His hand plant firmly on her hips. Aria lifts his shirt, revealing his perfect chiseled abs. Fuck he’s sexy. She thought. She runs her hands across his chest, painting a mixture of caramel and chocolate along the lines of his muscles. She leans down running her tongue across his stomach lapping up the sweet goodness. He lets out a growl, she feels the electric tingles travel down to her wanting sex. 

Leo pulls off her leggings and un fastens her bra. He pours chocolate down her stomach and across her breast. Leo picks her up and lays her down on the table. He works his tongue and mouth across her chest, taking one of her pink buds in his mouth,cupping the other breast. he flicks it with his tongue before moving to the next. He makes his way down her torso nipping and sucking. He runs two fingers against the lace of her  thongs. “Mmmm, somebody’s already wet for me. ” he growls hooking his fingers into her panties pulling them down and off her body. He spreads her legs open, displaying her wet glistening pussy, all for him. He groaned in appreciation palming his hard member in his pants. He hastily sheds his remaining clothes. And climbs onto the table with her. Leo sprays a line of whipped cream from arias neck down to her pussy lips. He runs his tongue down the line before running it down her slit. Aria arched her back and the instant satisfaction.  

He used two fingers to part her folds unveiling her tiny bud. He flicks it a few times with his tongue teasing it, she pushes his head down farther onto her and bucks her hips up. Leos hand places firmly onto her pelvis. “Don’t move sweetheart.” He demanded softly. Aria whimpered as his tongue continued the assault on her sensitive clit. Her wanting center yearned to be filled by him. He slipped two digits into her wet heat. Her body arched up again, she threw her head back and let out a pleasure filled moan. Her hands found his hair as her fingers tangled themselves in his dark brown locks. She pushed his head closer to her. He pushed his fingers in and grazing that sweet spot with each pump. “fuck Leo, don’t stop, i’m close.” And just like that he pulled his fingers out and pulled his face back. Aria let out a disapointed wimper. She was so close and he just cut her lifeline like that?

 He snakes his body up her torso, his faces inches from hers. “Patience love, I plan on having you seeing stars tonight.” His lips come crashing down on hers. “Lets go wash this off.” he takes her hand, leading her up the stairs into the bathroom. He turned the water on, the entire ceiling pouring warm water onto their sticky bodies. Leo rubs soap all over her, lingering in the areas that drive her wild. She returns the favor wiping the suds all over him the water rinsing them off right away. Aria grabs a hold of his thick length stroking it a few times, before she drops down to her knees and taking his length into her mouth. She wraps her lips around him, slowly moving her head up and down. He throws his head back and moans “oh fuck baby, you look so fucking sexy with my big cock in your mouth. But I need to be inside you love.”

 He pulls Aria up spinning her around spreading her legs apart . He presses his body against hers she feels the tip knocking at her entrance. He peppers kisses along her neck before returning to her mouth while pushing his large length into her tight core. she squirms her ass at the painfully pleasurable intrusion. He thrust into her at a hard slow pace, building her up. She felt the coil tighten with each stroke. “Oh, oh Leo, oh fuck.” She panted out “that’s right baby girl, give in, cum on my dick.” His words give her the push she needs, the coil snaps and she gives into an intense orgasm. Leo holds her up as he legs turn to jelly underneath of her. “I got you love, ill give you a minute, but I’m not done with you yet.” Leo whispers in her ear.

 He turns off the water scooping her up in his arms. He walks over and places her softly on the bed. His hands roam her body, gently massaging her. He settles onto her clit rubbing it in lazy circles. “Are you ready for me love?” He breathes out kissing her neck “I need you Leo.” Aria moans out. Without a second thought he settles him self in between her thighs placing both legs on his shoulders pulling her up off the bed. His swollen tip piercing her hot center. She bucks her hips pulling him in more, he took the hint as he plowed his long thick member into her wanting center, filling her completely. Aria squirms her ass hard against him. “Tell me how you want it baby.” He purrs into her ear. A fire ignites within her. She stares back at him with dark hungry eyes. “I want it hard, fast and rough.” She pulls him down placing a searing kiss on his lips. Leo grabs a pillow from the top of the bed wedging it under the small of her back, allowing him to penetrate her deeper.

  He settles himself on his knees he thrust into her hard, and fast each stroke teasing her sweet spot making her scream out. “Harder.” She cries. Leo wraps his hands around her hips pulling her even closer. Each thrust lifting her off the mattress. The sounds of flesh slapping echo the room. His length pushing against her sweet spot. “You feel so fucking good baby, ooh so good, mmmm I love you Ari.” Leo grunted. “Oh fuck, I. Love. You. To. Le- ooooh fuck..” she screams out. “That’s right, cum with me baby.” Leo grunts as his own orgasm threatens to spill out. Her toes curl and her eyes roll back in her head. His name mixed with curses and screams she squirts her juices all over his length. The sensation sending Leo over the edge he buries his cock deep into her sex, shooting ribbons of his creamy thick seed into her. He collapses on her before rolling off. They lay panting and sweating next to each other. Aria reaches out and laces her fingers in his. Leo chuckles “You know I really did only invite you here for dinner love.” “Mmm that may be true, but I may have had other plans.” She giggles cuddling up against him falling fast asleep. 

***** The next morning Aria wakes up before Leo. Throwing her underwear and shirt on she walks out onto the balcony taking in the sight it. She wasn’t sure if she would get this view again. In a few days they would be heading back to Cordonia, but tomorrow they would meet with the private investigator. This was it, what they had been working for. Find Tariq  and clear her name so she could be with Liam, that’s what she wanted right? Then why did she not feel more excited. She loved Liam, he was kind and caring, any woman would be lucky to have him. But she Loved Leo too. He came back into her life like a force of nature, she never seen it coming but she was glad he did. Being in his arms felt right, he made her feel things no one ever could, and that did not include how he made her feel sexually. She was lost in thought until she felt hands sliding around her waist. “Good morning beautiful.” He whispered into her ear kissing her cheek. A giant smile formed on her face. “Good morning to you too.” She placee her hands over his. Today is Madeline’s bachelorette party.“ Arias voice dripping with sarcasm.

 She turns facing him, locking her hands behind his neck. She places a soft kiss on his lips. "We should get back, this is an important event. I don’t want to piss Bertrand off.” She sighs. “Yes, but first I have something for you.” Leo grins running inside. He returns with a blue satin small box. Aria looks up at him, wonder filling her eyes. “Leo you shouldn’t have got me anything.” She protested. “Just open it beautiful.” He chuckled. She opened the box. Her mouth agape. The beautiful stars and moon necklace she fell in love with at the jewelry store was right in front of her. “You like it?” Leo asked. She couldn’t form words so she shook her head yes. Leo chuckled as he took the necklace out “a loss of words is a good sign.” He fastened the necklace around her neck. Aria put her hand on her neck feeling the necklace. She wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him in for a hard kiss. “I love it, thank you.” “You are very welcome, now lets get you back.” 

Upon returning to the hotel she threw herself into bed. They had been on this engagement tour for two months now, and she was exhausted from all the constant events. She had a few hours before Madelines Bachlorette party so she took a nice nap.

Leo heads to his room, he kicks his shoes off and sprawls out on the bed. Just as he got comfortable a knock came at the door. He opens the door to find Liam standing on the other side. “May I come in?” Liam asks. Leo steps aside and lets him in. “We should talk.” Liam flops himself into the chair. “About what?” Leo wonders as he sits in the chair directly across from his brother “I know you love her, and I can see it in her eyes she is in love with you too.” Liam runs his hand down his face. “Do you have anything to drink?” He needed something to calm his nerves. Leo got up and grabbed a bottle of whiskey and handed it to Liam. “No glasses, sorry.” He apologized. “You know she loves you too Liam.” Leo took a swig of the bottle. “I’m sorry.” They both said in unison. “I’m sorry I went after you at the bachelor party, I let my jealousy get the best of me.” Liam apologised. “Yeah i’m sorry too, It was a dick move to rub things in your face. ” Leo took another swig of the bottle. “Look, we both love her. She’s going to have to make a choice soon. I say we just see how things go? No point in fighting with each other, I know she hates it. I’m willing if you are.” Leo proposed. Liam extends his hand “Agreed.” He shakes his brothers hand. “So Aria has made arrangements to take the ladies to a club verdant tonight, get walker were crashing. ” Leo grins. “Madeline is going to hate that.” Liam chuckles. “Exactly why she planned it.” Leo laughed. 

***** A few hours later Aria meets Penelope, Kiara and Madeline at an upscale boutique. Madeline had requested each lady wear a metallic dress. Aria finds a gold tight fitting metalic dress that hugged her curves. “Wow Aria, that dress is beautiful on you."Penelope complimented her. "I suppose it will do.” Madeline sneered. Now ladies, we have a photo shoot and interviews with Ana DeLuca be sure to sing praises of what a wonderful queen I will be.“ Madeline assessed herself in the mirror. After the interview the women set off in the Limo. "So Aria what have you planned for your portion of the night?” Kiara questioned. “I pulled a few strings and got us into the hottest club in New York.” Aria beamed. She used to be a shot girl for Gabriel, he was a hotshot club promoter and he was currently working for Verdant. He was elated to hook her up with Vip treatment when he heard Cordonian nobility was involved.“A club, you are taking us to a night club?” Madeline spit with disgust. “Oh, I’ve never been to a club.” Penelope muttered, “Oui, neither have I.” Kiara said. Both ladies looked excited. “Well, you are all in for a fun time. Looks like we are here.” Aria elated as the limo rolled to a stop.

 “Aria, how wonderful to see you again.” Gabriel greeted her, kissing her cheek. “You too Gabe, this is Countess Madeline of Fydelia, Lady Kiara, and Lady Penelope. ” she introduced the women. “Pleasure to meet you all. Now I have taken care of all of your arrangements for the evening. Please enjoy. ” Gabriel lead them to a booth roped off in the VIP area. A waitress brought four drinks out for them. “Cupids kiss, compliments of club verdant.” She told them as she walked away. “Wow this is amazing, I cant wait to dance.” Penelope beamed. “Do be mindful not to embarrass me Penelope.” Madeline scolded her, penelope hung her head in shame. "Jesus Madeline. You could remove the stick from your ass just once.” Aria joked. Kiara giggled but quickly stopped as Madeline gave her a warning glare. “Whats this about sticks and asses?” Olivia chuckled as she slid into the booth. “Oh Olivia, I did not think you would be joining us tonight?” Madeline said through gritted teeth. “Of course darling, I wouldn’t miss another one of your Bachelorette parties for the world.” Olivia’s words like daggers at Madeline. Olivia not giving Madeline a chance to say a word spoke up. “Now lets get this party started,with shots! How about a game of credit card roulette?” This was going to be a long night, if she was going to get through it she would need some extra back up. Aria pulled out her phone and rambled off a text to two people. There’s no turning back now.

[descentintobandom]

The Death of a Bachelor Chapter 6

Title: The Death of a Bachelor Chapter: 6/? Pairing: Jack/OC Rating: M Fic Summary: Everyone around Jack and Emily are settling down. Emily wants that more than anything in the world, but she’s convinced that she’s never going to get that…until Jack gets it in his head that the two should get married. The two set off on a road trip to Vegas. Will these two get married? Or will the road trip be for nothing?

Jack nervously stood on the porch of the Biscay house. He rang the doorbell and waited for someone to answer.

“Oh, hello Jack”, Emily’s mother said.

“Um…is Emily home?” he asked her.

“Emily! Jack is here!”

Emily came down the stairs. “Hey Jack! What are you doing here?”

He gave her a small smile, pulling keys out of his pocket.

Emily squealed and hugged Jack. “I’m so proud of you! Let me go get a jacket”.

“Em…”

“Don’t argue with me Barakat. We need to celebrate!” She disappeared back into the house and came back out with a jacket in her hand.

“Don’t stay out too late”, her mother told them.

“I’ll have her home soon, Mrs. Biscay”, Jack said as Emily dragged him to the car.

They got in and Jack started it up.

Emily made herself at home and put her feet up on the dashboard.

“So, where to princess?” Jack asked her.

“You know where Barakat”, she told him.

Jack smiled and started driving to their favorite burger place. “The usual?” he asked her.

She nodded and Jack got out of the car.

Jack went inside to order their food as Emily flipped through Jack’s many CD’s.

She pulled out a Blink 182 CD and put it in the player as Jack got back in the car. Emily set the food in the floorboards as they drove out to their favorite spot.

It was a hill on the outskirts of town that allowed them to see all of Baltimore.

The two got out and made themselves comfortable on the hood of Jack’s car. The car was technically his father’s, but he had given it to Jack after he got his license. The two talked about everything while they ate as Blink blasted from the radio.

“Hey Em…can I ask you something?” he asked her.

“Well you just did”.

“Have…have you ever had sex with someone? It’s just…well we’re juniors and most people have lost it by now. Alex and Lisa have been sleeping together since sophomore year”.

“If I hadn’t kissed a guy before you, what makes you think I’ve had sex with a guy?”

“You can have sex without kissing”.

“But isn’t kissing the best part?”

“Do you want to test that theory?”

Emily looked at Jack.

Jack placed a hand on Emily’s cheek and leaned in to kiss her.

Emily’s stomach fluttered, just like the first time they had kissed. Emily’s hand came up to tangle in Jack’s hair as Jack moved closer to her. Emily’s heart sped up when Jack’s hand slid down to her neck, his thumb stroking over her pulse point.

Jack pulled back, his lips still brushing Emily’s. “Your heart is beating so fast”, he told her.

“Nervous”, she breathed.

“Don’t be. I am too”.

Emily’s eyes snapped open and she sat up. “What?” she asked him.

“I’ve never done it either. People just like to think that I’m a man whore”.

“Jack, I don’t know if I can do this”.

Jack sat up too and wrapped an arm around her waist. “We don’t have to do anything. We can just fool around if you want. C’mon”. He slid off the hood and pulled Emily towards him. He kissed her lips and wrapped her legs around his waist, picking her up. He set her down on the trunk while he laid the seats down and covered them with their jackets. “I’m sorry it’s not more comfortable”, he told her.

Emily simply smiled at him before kissing him.

The two of them crawled into the back of the car, Jack hovering above Emily.

“I’ll be as gentle as possible, okay?” he told her.

Emily nodded and Jack leaned down to kiss her again as Blink 182 played softly.

After a few minutes of kissing, Jack swiped his tongue across Emily’s bottom lip.

She gasped, but it quickly turned into a moan as Jack’s tongue slipped into her mouth.

Jack’s tongue caressed hers gently.

Emily’s hands tangled in Jack’s hair as her breathing picked up.

Jack pulled back and trailed kisses from her jaw down her neck settling on the spot where her shoulder met her neck.

Emily’s body felt like it was on fire.

Jack’s hands slipped up under her shirt, rubbing her sides.

Emily whimpered as Jack started sucking on her neck, leaving huge bruises.

After properly marking her, Jack slid down her body placing kisses on her stomach and slowly moving up. He slid Emily’s shirt off.

Emily, unable to form words, tugged on Jack’s shirt.

Jack smirked and pulled his own shirt off, before leaning down and placing kisses all over Emily’s chest. He palmed her breasts through her bra feeling her nipples respond to his touch. “Is this okay? Do you wanna stop?” he asked her.

Emily shook her head and reached behind her to unhook her bra, setting it aside. She grabbed Jack’s hands, placing them on her breasts.

Jack gently ran his thumbs across her nipples, them standing at attention. He leaned down and took one in his mouth, his other hand squeezing and rolling the other one in his fingers.

Emily’s head fell back and all she could focus on was Jack’s mouth.

He gently sucked and ran his tongue across it.

“Jack”, she gasped.

Jack loved hearing his name on Emily’s lips. He couldn’t wait until she was screaming it. After thoroughly paying attention to her chest, Jack kissed down her body until he reached her hips. He slipped off her skinny jeans and gently kissed down her legs. Jack slid back up Emily’s body and looked into her eyes as he slipped his hand into her underwear.

Emily gasped when Jack’s hand touched her.

He gently ran his hand over her, before slipping his fingers between her lower lips.

The both of them gasped.

Emily at the feeling of pleasure coursing through her veins; Jack at the heat radiating from her.

Jack pulled his hand and brought his fingers up to his mouth, tasting her.

Emily moaned at the sight.

Jack slid back down her body and pulled her underwear off.

Emily was now completely naked in front of Jack and her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest.

Jack placed kisses on her clit as his fingers danced around her entrance. He finally slipped the tip of one of his fingers into her.

Emily’s hand gripped Jack’s hair as he gently slipped more of his finger into her, all the while placing gentle kisses on her thighs. Emily was panting by the time Jack’s finger was completely inside her.

“You okay?” he asked her.

She nodded.

He placed a kiss on her clit, moving his finger a little, causing Emily to whimper.

Jack smirked and latched onto her clit, sucking as he gently moved his finger in and out of her.

Emily started rocking her hips up, trying to get more friction.

Jack laid his arm across her hips, holding her down.

“Jack! Oh my god!” Emily gasped, feeling intense heat in her abdomen.

Jack moved his finger faster, sucking harder on her clit.

Her walls gripped his finger, but Jack kept going.

“Jack! I think I’m gonna…” Emily panted.

A couple of seconds later, Jack felt Emily come around his finger. Jack gently pulled his finger out of her, placed one last kiss on her clit, and slid back up her body. He kissed her sweaty forehead as Emily’s hands came to rest on his cheeks. He pecked her lips, before pulling away. “Do you wanna keep going?” he asked her.

She stared into his brown eyes before nodding.

Jack slipped his jeans and boxers off, leaving him exposed just like Emily. He quickly grabbed a condom from his wallet. “I’ll be gentle. I promise”, Jack told her. Jack positioned himself and slowly slipped inside of her.

Emily hissed as he got further in.

“Shh, shh”, Jack cooed. He pressed his lips to hers as he slipped further into her wet heat, trying to take her mind off of it. Jack stopped moving when his hips met Emily’s.

Emily’s nails were digging into his sides as she tried to adjust.

Jack took deep breaths. Emily felt amazing around him. He thought he had died and gone to heaven.

Jack gently rolled his hips.

The pain Emily was feeling slowly melted into pleasure. “Faster Jack”, Emily gasped.

Jack did as she said and started moving faster. The sounds coming out of Emily’s mouth sounded like music to Jack’s ears. He felt pride that he was the first one to be able to hear these sounds and that he was the one causing them.

“Jack. Jack, I need…”

Jack licked one of his fingers and reached down to rub her clit, sending Emily over the edge.

The feeling of her closing around him, caused Jack to whimper. “Oh god”, he gasped.

“C’mon Jack”, Emily said, pressing her mouth to his neck and biting down.

Jack yelled out Emily’s name as he came inside the condom at the mix of pleasure and pain. Jack’s head dropped onto Emily’s shoulder as he collapsed onto her.

The two of them were panting.

“Wow”, Jack managed to say.

“Yeah”, Emily said, “Thanks Jack”.

They got out of the car and dressed before getting back in.

Jack drove home with Emily’s head on his shoulder and his fingers entwined with hers. He pulled up to Emily’s house. Luckily he had her back before he promised. “So I guess I’ll see you later?” Jack asked her.

Emily leaned over and kissed Jack softly. “Yeah”, she said, “Bye Jack”. She got out of the car and Jack watched as she entered the house.

Jack smiled and started up the car.

[blaineandsamevanderson]

Title: Nailed It! Chapter 1

Author: @blaineandsamevanderson

Fandom: Teen Wolf

Ship: Thiam

Rating: PG-13

Summary: The Nailed It! AU no one asked for.  Liam is a contestant, Theo is a guest judge….

**

**

“Welcome to Nailed It! The baking show based on the internet phenomenon where ordinary people try to recreate masterpieces...but don’t always get there.  I’m Nicole Byer, along with chocolate boss Jacques Torres and today’s special guest, scrumptious treat Theo Raeken.  Today three home bakers will recreate epic, magical desserts over two rounds of competition.  One of them will walk away with $10,000!  Let’s meet our bakers!” Nicole announced, standing in the Nailed It kitchen with Jacques and Theo.

The scene shifted to show a young man running across a lacrosse field before transitioning to him in a kitchen.  “Hi, I’m Liam,” he introduces himself as a title card identifies him as Liam Dunbar - Student/Lacrosse player at UC Berkeley.  There are various hots of him baking (with varying degrees of success) and being teased by his friends about it.  “I started baking with my mom when I was in high school cuz it helps me relax...plus, there’s food at the end and I’ll eat anything, so...win win no matter what!  I wanna prove to my friends Mason and Corey that my cakes are edible...no one's broken a tooth in years!”

A beautiful redhead appears on screen next.  “Baking is simply science,” she notes as the scroll names her Lydia Martin- Noted Theoretical Physicist.  “Sometimes, after a long day of unlocking unknown secrets of the universe, it’s nice to come home and unwind in the kitchen.”  There’s a brief montage that shows he baking several nice looking cakes.

The final contestant stares at the camera with dark eyes and an annoyed expression.  “Derek,” he grumbles, unaware that the screen identifies him as Derek Hale - Grumpy Cat Doppelgänger?.  There are a bunch of shots of him glaring at half cooked or charred cookies.  “I lost a bet.”

The door at the far end of the studio kitchen slides open, admitting the three bakers.  “Hey guys!” Nicole greeted them enthusiastically.  “Welcome to Season 2 of Nailed It! You guys ready to bake?”

The three contestants nodded with varying levels of enthusiasm.  

“Today we’re celebrating all things sexy.  With me, as always, our head judge, as hot as chili pepper chocolate, Jacques Torres.”

The man in chefs whites smiled. “Nicole, I love you, I’m so glad to be back.  Hello, Bakers, bonjour.”

“Today’s guest judge might have abs that say he’s never eaten a cake, but rumor has it he’s got a sweet tooth.  You might know him from billboards, runway shows and television...Theo Raeken,” Nicole continued, indicating the handsome young man on her other side.  “Wow...I just want to stare at you for a bit.”

A bright smile crossed Theo’s face and he wrapped his arms around Nicole in a warm hug as he smiled at the bakers.  “Hey guys.  Can’t wait to taste what you come up with!”

Playfully fanning herself after the hug, Nicole faced the bakers. “There’s a special prize for the winner of this round: Baker’s Choice!  Behind door number 1, there are 3 sexy ass treats.  You get to choose which one you want to nail.  If you’re trying to impress someone on a first date or even get a little action, nothing gets the party started like these...Erotic baked goods!” The doors opened to reveal three small cakes.  “Three perfectly formed, nearly anatomically correct cakes are yours for the taking.  Each of you must choose one to recreate.  First we have a Bootiful Bottom...next Bountiful Bosoms...and finally a rather impressive example of baked manhood.  Grab your favorite!”

**

Of course he’d wind up with the dick, Liam thought with a sigh.  Lydia had darted in, surprisingly fast on her high heels, and grabbed the ass cake, leaving him and Derek to choose between the Boobs and dick.  Longer arms had won out and Derek retreated to his kitchen with the boobs.  Not that he had an issue with the cake, he just thought the other two looked like they’d be an easier bake.

He consulted the iPad mounted in his kitchen, reading the recipe and nodding.  It seemed like a fairly standard cake recipe, the shape of it coming from carving out the cake, so he’d have to make sure his bake was on point.  He could hear Lydia clicking around her kitchen, then the whir of a mixer from Derek’s and scrambled into action.

**

“Have you ever made erotic baked goods, Jacques?

The chef laughed.  “This is a first for me, Nicole!  It’s not often I get to say that after so many years in this business.”

She turned to Theo and teased, “Is there any tasty treat you’re especially eager to try.”

Theo’s eyes twinkled and he gave a nod toward Liam’s kitchen. “I have to say, I’m kinda interested to get my mouth on Liam’s cock...cake.”

**

It totally wasn’t Liam’s fault when he dropped a pan.  Thank god it was empty, but how could they expect him to focus when Theo Raeken was saying things like that?  Okay, so there was no way the show could know Theo had been Liam’s first celebrity crush that made him realize he wasn’t 100% straight, but still!

The man was clearly a menace!

Cakes safe in the oven, Liam went to make his buttercream, trying to ignore the sexy distraction at the judges table.

**

“Uh oh...Derek’s putting his butter in the microwave.”

“That’s a mistake.  The consistency will be too loose.  Oily.”

“I think Lydia’s skipping the buttercream all together in favor of a ganache.”

“I’m not a fan of ganache. If I’m eating a cake, I want frosting.”

**

Crap.  The cake was a little under done, Liam was pretty sure of that, but he had to get it frosted.  Not focusing on shape yet, he made a rough attempt at the shape of the cake before jamming it in the blast chiller.

The only reason he wasn’t panicking was that the others seemed to be at a similar stage.

Ripping it out of the chiller, Liam hurried back to his counter and began carving the shape of the cake.  

**

“This is a tight race. Everyone’s on the decorating stage with 5 minutes left.”

“I’ve seen some good skills and a few questionable choices.”

“Everyone seems to have some impressive skills...certainly better in the kitchen than me.  I especially appreciate Liam’s handling of his cake.  Impressive.”

**

When the first round came to a close, Liam found himself standing by Lydia and Derek, each of them covering their cakes before the reveal.

Nicole looked to Derek first.  “Okay, Derek, you were trying to nail a tremendous ta ta cake!  Let’s take a final look at the example.”  Everyone looked at the impressive cake before turning back to Derek.

With a sigh, he lifted the lid off of his cake.  There was a beat of silence before he grumped, “Nailed it.”

The cake kinda looked like boobs.  Sure, they were a little misshapen and different sizes, the fondant not really smooth but it was the nipples that were really odd.  Liam felt a small stab of hope that maybe his cake wouldn’t be the worst.

“Okay,” Nicole said, tilting her head to the side.  “Okay, they kinda look like boobs.  I can see it.”

Jacques nodded.  “If your buttercream had set right, it would have provided a smoother base for the fondant.  Next time, no microwave!”

“I mean, I’d eat it, but it looks like you airbrushed off the nipples and just left the areolas,” Theo said as they approached and sampled the cake.

They seemed to like the taste of the cake though and then moved on to Lydia.

Her cake actually looked like the example, not perfect, but really close.  Everyone was impressed and the only complaint anyone had was that it was slightly dry.

When Liam pulled the cover off his cake, he blurted, “Nailed it!”

Because why not?

The judges were quiet for a moment and then Nicole said, “It kinda looks like the example, cake, so, props for that.”

“Yes, your carving was quite well done,” Jacques added.  “Have you ever worked with fondant before?”

“No,” Liam admitted, eyes darting over to Theo who was approaching.

“The fondant’s cracked right at the tip and the buttercream is leaking out,” the man said with a smile, swiping a finger through the escaping frosting and then sucking it clean.  “Mmm, your cream is tasty.”

“This isn’t that kind of show, boys!” Nicole said and Liam barely heard their praise of the cake’s flavor.  He did have to admit that bits were undercooked.

Lydia won the Golden baking hat and Liam wasn’t entirely surprised to discover he was at the bottom of the pile.  He resolved himself to at least beat Derek in round 2.

TBC....

[thefaeriereview]

Title: Eye of the Beholder

Author: Thomas Grant Bruso

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: November 16, 2020

Heat Level: 2 - Fade to Black Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 41900

Genre: Paranormal, LGBTQIA+, established couple, evil spirits, businessman, law enforcement, mental illness, horror

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis

In the middle of a psychic session with Madame Petri, David hears a ghostly voice calling his name. But he is not sure if it’s the elderly fortuneteller exaggerating the reading or bizarre grumblings coming from a mysterious old man in a painting hanging in the psychic’s foyer.

When Madame Petri disappears in a ball of flames, David rushes home, terrified. From that moment on, David and his policeman boyfriend, Zane, find themselves trying to solve the series of murders and mayhem that begin to haunt David.

 Rating & Review

5 out of 5

Eye of the Beholder is chilling. Wow what an opening! My heart was racing, and I was on the edge of my seat right from the start. David and Zane are just perfect together, even if the circumstances they find themselves thrust into are less so. I positively had chills reading this, and if you're looking for a good thrill, read this on a dark, stormy night.

Excerpt

Eye of the Beholder Thomas Grant Bruso © 2020 All Rights Reserved

Chapter One “What do you see?” I asked.

I was sitting across from Madame Petri at the oval-shaped table in the dimly lit backroom of her business, Spiritual Crossings.

The devil-white glow in the medium’s iron-gray eyes pierced through me. “A dead body,” she said. Her bloodred nails were sharp and pointy like talons and wrapped around the cloudy white edges of the crystal ball.

I bit back the sour taste of Cote Rotie from an art exhibit event I had hosted earlier in the evening. All I wanted was a reading of my future, I had told myself after closing the gallery and walking three blocks to Madame Petri’s Spiritual Crossings. Now, I turned to the neighborhood medium and shuddered, my gut clutching.

Some of my art friends had recommended her to me.

“You’ll like her,” one of them had said. “She’s colorful and full of spirit.”

“Go in with an open mind,” somebody else had told me.

Maybe I need new friends.

Clenching the border of the velvet-soft tablecloth, I leaned forward to see if I could glimpse what she had seen in her crystal ball.

There was a bright light in her gaze when she noticed me rising off my seat a few inches to get a better look at the dead body in the cloudy glass ball. But I was drawn back to my chair with a hand clutching my shoulder from behind and pushing me back into my seat.

Blackness swallowed the light in her eyes as if a switch had been turned off inside her, and her gaze fell back to the crystal ball, which was dimming like the low lights in the room.

A steely silence engulfed us.

Balls of sleet smacked against the front glass window in the outer foyer, and the soft sound of thunder rumbled around us. Lights flickered overhead, and a cold draft snuffed out some of the burning incense candles in the dark alcove behind me. A murmur of fear climbed the back of my throat, and I let out a mousy squeal.

When I looked up at Madame Petri’s waxy face, her expression froze.

I clenched my teeth, biting down hard on the cloying taste of cigarettes in my mouth.

Over Madame Petri’s shoulders, I noticed shadowy movements in the other room, and beyond the half-open velvet curtains, the drifting clouds of smoky incense danced like ghosts in the pallid light.

A pale, narrow face stared back at me from the inky blackness: decrepit, deathly white.

I shouted and rose from my chair, breaking the medium’s stern concentration.

Madame Petri stared up at me, her firm grip on the white glass ball unmoving. Her eyes were wide and frightened.

I sucked in short, tight breaths, glancing behind Madame Petri to the outer room, to the far wall where an abstract painting of a haunted face of an old man glared back at me.

David.

I heard my name and froze. Looked around. Let out a deep, shaky breath.

Nothing there.

A trick of the light, that’s all it was, I thought. I adjusted my eyes to the dense grayness and took my seat across from Madame Petri.

“I’m sorry,” I said, wiping my clammy palms on my jeans. “I thought I saw something.”

“You saw it too,” Madame Petri said. The lights in the room dimmed and died and came back.

My mouth was cotton dry, and I shook my head, staring into the still deadness of the medium’s eighty-year-old eyes, thick and hazy with cataracts.

“Saw what?” I stared over her shoulder again at the dark slashes of color in the evocative painting hanging askew in the foyer. It looked like one of the paintings hanging on the walls of my art gallery.

“Death,” Madame Petri said, a crackle in her voice. She raised a jewel-encrusted finger and pointed at me. “Somebody is going to die.”

I rubbed my arms to ward off a chill and heard the harsh warnings of my partner in the corridors of my mind, ridiculing me for shelling out a day’s worth of work to talk to a psychic. How much did it cost you this time to have your future predicted by that phony would-be clairvoyant?

Then the sound of somebody whispering evoked a troubling memory of dead voices. Their small screams floated in the dark like distressed spirits.

“What was that?” I asked, clenching the arm of the chair.

Madame Petri looked around the room and then over at me, a web of wrinkles bracketing the edge of her small mouth. Her tangerine-orange lips stretched into a wide, clownish smile. “The spirits, dear. They’re coming.”

I rose to leave. As I pulled out two twenties from my wallet, Madame Petri reached across the table for my hand. Her fingers were dead cold, and I felt a tremor of electricity when she touched me. “Be careful,” she said, flipping over the Death card from the pile of her tarot cards and tapping it with a black, pointy fingernail. “He who opens the gate must shut it.”

I jerked my hand away and tucked my wallet back into my pants pocket.

The lights flickered again and went out.

Panicking, I stayed still in the dark, calling out for Madame Petri, and hearing movement ten feet from where I stood behind my chair.

“Madame Petri,” I said. “Are you there?”

The heightened smell of decay and burnt flesh and cigarettes aggravated my senses, and a spark of strong pain ignited in the back of my mind.

David.

I heard movement at the other end of the room, somebody bumping into something, and a vase falling and crashing to the floor. Glass shattered.

When I called out Madame Petri’s name again, there was no answer.

I navigated in the dark to the foyer, staying close to the edge of the room and reaching out for the wall to help guide me to the front door.

At the opening to the velvet curtains, lights flashed and turned on in the adjoining rooms. My heart was pounding, my breath short and raspy.

I went to the rain-smattered front door and pushed it open, turning around once at the sound of a door creaking open behind me down the hall, its hinges squawking in protest. I called out Madame Petri’s name, but there was no response. I couldn’t see her anywhere in the semidark hallway through the hazy tendrils of smoke from the blown-out incense candles, but my gaze drifted to the far wall where the painting of the decrepit face of an old man was mounted.

“Madame Petri,” I called out. I reached into my back pocket for my half-smoked pack of Salem’s and my Bic lighter. Flicked it a few times, my hand shaking hard, my heart pounding.

Nothing.

A cold, wet rain blasted me on the back of the neck, and I shivered from the early evening chill.

I lit the end of my cigarette, barely managing to work the lighter, and inhaled a lungful of smoke before shoving the pack of smokes and the cigarette lighter back in my pants pocket.

Then quickly, as if a bolt of lightning flashed through my jumbled thoughts and illuminated my worst nightmares, I glimpsed the haunted painting again to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. The man in the painting was gone, the canvas blank.

Animalistic, ghostly murmurings in throaty growls awakened down the hall.

I ran.

Purchase

NineStar Press | Books2Read Universal Link

Meet the Author

Thomas Grant Bruso knew at an early age he wanted to be a writer. He has been a voracious reader of genre fiction since he was a kid.

His literary inspirations are Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Ellen Hart, Jim Grimsley, Karin Fossum, Sam J. Miller, Joyce Carol Oates, and John Connolly.

Bruso loves animals, book-reading, writing fiction, prefers Sudoku to crossword puzzles.

In another life, he was a freelance writer and wrote for magazines and newspapers. In college, he was a winner for the Hermon H. Doh Sonnet Competition. Now, he writes book reviews for his hometown newspaper, The Press Republican.

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[were-cheetah-stiles]

The Recruit (Chapter 4) - Mitch Rapp

Author: @were-cheetah-stiles

Title: “Day 12″

Characters: Mitch Rapp, Stan Hurley, Rob Russells & Reader

Warnings: Slow burn, some more touchin’, cursing.. there will pretty much always be cursing.. I curse a lot, so now you as the reader will to. I’m. Not. Sorry.

Author’s Note: Another favorite chapter, this one was just fun to write..

Summary: Stan has the recruits create an undercover identity so that they can infiltrate a college reunion and convince the guests that they were also members of the graduating class. Mitch and Y/N have a moment. 

Additional Note: This is very, very, very loosely based on like an idea from an episode of Quantico. Loosely being the operative word.

Additional Additional Note: In the original story, this is not Mitch x Reader, it’s Mitch x OFC, and her name is Willa, so when Rob says “Will Petersen blah blah blah” that’s where that came from.

Chapter Three - Chapter Four - Chapter Five

Stan stood in the front of the charter bus, his hands gripping the seats next to him, as he spoke to the recruits. "We're going to be pulling up to the hotel ballroom in a few minutes. Just a reminder that going undercover is not going to be easy, and we will be stopping the people we see talking to you before they leave to see if they believed your cover story or not. Remember, College of William and Mary is a medium sized university. The graduating class of 2012 was about 2,100 people, so while it's enough for you to get by, these people will probably be able to tell when they don't recognize someone. If you don't know your new identity backwards and forwards, tonight, you get punished back at the Barn. If you don't know your undercover identity in the field, you get killed, so take this seriously. It’s not just a party with free booze. You’re all working."

"Are we allowed to use each other to play off of our identities? No one ever goes to these things alone." Rob asked, making a good point.

"That's true, Russells. Most people would not show up to a five year college reunion alone, but I don't advise this unless you know enough about someone else's identity to not expose them as a fraud, and in doing that, yourself as a fraud."

Mitch watched from behind, through the crack in between the seats as Rob turned to you and stuck out his hand for you to shake. "Nice to meet you, I'm Will, Will Peterson and I'm from New York City, and I speak three languages." Rob grinned and Mitch smirked, and snickered to himself.

You stared at Rob with a deadpan expression, and left his hand still floating in the air. "......you stole my identity and made me a man?" Rob nodded, vigorously grinning. You rolled your eyes, and huffed, finally flimsily shaking Rob's hand. "Fine. I'm Maggie Sheffield and I'm from Portland, Oregon. I swear, I think I once sat next to you at a football game at Zable Stadium." 

"This is going to be awesome." Rob was overly excited.

You walked in the hotel ballroom, dimly lit and full of people, and made a straight shot towards the bar. You immediately ordered a microbrew craft beer, then sat down on a bar stool in the middle. You were wearing black suede thigh-high boots with a tall, chunky heel, with a short cream colored dress that hugged your body and showed off your toned figure. You sipped the bitter, hoppy beverage and sucked at your teeth. You hated hoppy beer, but you were crafting a character, so you drank it anyway.

You glanced at the end of the bar and saw three guys huddled around eyeing you. You pressed your tongue between your lips, and leaned over the wooden bar. "Hey, can I ask you a quick favor?" You got the bartender's attention. He turned back around and grinned, happy that the beautiful girl had stuck around instead of leaving the bar to mingle with the other alumni. "Can you wait until those guys aren't paying attention and pour out half of my beer, then put it back here?"

The bartender glanced over at the guys and looked back at you. "You trying to get them to buy you a drink?"

"Kind of..."

"You know it's an open bar, right?"

"I know." You smirked.

The bartender stepped back and eyed you up and down. "Yea, I'd buy you a drink at a free bar because of that dress too.."

You playfully bit the tip of your thumb and smiled. You knew how to play up the flirtation and get a guy to notice you. The bartender sneakily did as you asked and you took another sip of your now almost empty drink, making eye contact with the one in the middle, as you licked your lips and placed your glass back down. You checked the delicate rose gold watch on your wrist, and fiddled with your hair, twirling it around your finger.

"Hey, can we get you another drink?" You smirked as you heard the voice of one of the men who had walked over with his buddies from the other end of the bar. You had succeeded in seducing them over to you.

You turned and gave your most devastating smile to the three men hovering next to your seat. "I would love that. Thank you. I can't seem to get his attention."

"I don't know how that's possible with you in those boots but I guess he didn't see you walk in like we did... YO, bartender! We'll have another round and some shots of tequila." One of the guys yelled obnoxiously. You faked flattery and a giggle, and looked for the bartender. You caught Mitch leaning against the bar directly behind you, waiting for the bartender to take care of his other customers before getting to him, and glancing at you out of the corner of his eye. "I'm Brian, and this is Zach and Andy." The guy in the middle made introductions, snapping your focus back to your marks, as you flirtatiously shook their hands. You all did your shots and continued talking.

"Wait, no way, what semester did you take European Lit. with Mr. Moore?" You asked Brian, leaning in to let him get an eyeful of your cleavage.

"Spring semester, Sophomore year. I know you were in that class. I remember you." Brian told you, buying the story that you had pawned off on them.

"Oh my god, I absolutely hated that class... what was that one book we read that was just awful? Ugh, I can't remember the name... it had that guy.."

"Beowulf!" Brian shouted drunkenly.

You paused for a half second, after being surprised that this idiot in front of you picked such a good classic book. You heard Mitch snicker behind you. "That was it! God, that was such a stupid book... Grendel was not even that scary.." You laughed and took a sip of your drink, watching the three men talking in front of you about their careers and other things that you couldn't care any less about. You heard Mitch's voice behind you.

"Steven Greene, nice to meet you." Mitch said in his low, husky tone.

"My friend and I were saying that you had to be someone's date because we definitely would have remembered someone as gorgeous as you at graduation." The woman speaking to Mitch giggled drunkenly.

"Ah yea... I've, uh, lost some weight since graduation, but uh what are both of your names?" The women fawned over him, divulging their life stories. "Oh wow, I'm from Bethlehem." Mitch told one of them, trying to feign excitement. You rolled your eyes at their conversation. 

"You're from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?! NO WAY. I grew up in Allentown. That's amazing. What high school did you go to?" The woman named Stacey pushed her hand against Mitch's shoulder causing Mitch to lean back against you. You kicked him lightly under the bar and Mitch grinned.

"I went to Freedom High School, all my friends went to Liberty though." Mitch explained. He had clearly done his research and you were impressed at how confidently he spoke about a person that didn’t exist.

"That's so funny, I knew a couple of kids at Freedom. Did you know Matthew Yeisman or Sarah Keller?" The woman drunkenly babbled.

Mitch shook his head. "The names sound familiar but it was so long ago now..." He shrugged.

The more sober woman interjected and asked Mitch what he did professionally since college. "Well, my freshman roommate and I, we moved up to New York together after graduation and both work on Wall Street now at Morgan Stanley." Mitch answered confidently, and listened to the woman’s next question. "Oh, we lived in Yates Hall." Mitch answered the woman who was trying to find common ground through his freshman dorm hall.

You were forced to cease eavesdropping on Mitch's conversation when you heard your cover's name. "Maggie.. Maggie, I asked if you want to dance?" Brian asked you, putting his hand on your knee. You thought about the ways in which you could break his fingers.

You smiled. "I'm sorry, I'd love to. But I have to use the ladies room really quick. I'll be right back. Order me another drink!" You shouted as you walked away, with zero intention of returning.

You walked through the room looking for Rob and Julian. You wondered how they were making out. You saw Rob standing next to a group of four women who all looked annoyed and bored. You grabbed an hor d'oeuvres off a moving tray and popped it in your mouth, then grabbed a champagne off another tray and downed it, trying to get the taste of the IPA off your tongue. 

You got close enough to hear what the girl in the blue jumpsuit was saying to Rob. "I seriously don't think you were in my women's studies class junior year. There were three guys in that class and I would've remembered one as gigantic as you." You watched as one of the other women whispered to her friend about Rob. "This guy clearly didn't go here, he is so clueless. I bet he’s just another one of those party crashers."

You decided to intervene on your friend's behalf. You ran up to Rob and grabbed him by the arm. "Will? Will Peterson? Oh my god, I haven't seen you since graduation! How are you?"

Rob looked stunned, and then snapped back into character. "Maggie! Maggie Sheffield, how are you?" You hugged the large man.

"I'm sorry, ladies. I didn't mean to interrupt. I just, I had to. I took a Women's Studies class with Will here in Senior year and for a guy, he was so insightful. He wrote a paper about misogyny that our professor literally read out loud to the class because it was so thoughtful." You were charming and disarming. The women all relaxed and began chatting to the two undercover trainees. 

"Ugh, I always wished I was in Yates Hall. My freshman dorm was so boring." One of the women asked you a question that you knew that you couldn't answer without getting caught, but you were quick on your feet. "Oh my god, wait.. wait.." You giggled and grabbed the arm of one of the women in front of you. "I LOVE this song... Do you guys want to dance?"

You knew that the women wanted to get away from Rob. He hadn't blown his cover but he was terrible with women, and generally came off as too strong due to his eagerness and intimidating size. The women all agreed and began skipping and stumbling to the dance floor. "See you later Will." You grinned back at your friend. You danced with you new group of girlfriends to Bruno Mars' "Uptown Funk".

Mitch had finally shaken the two women from earlier and was talking to a group of guys about finance and the economy. He had fully convinced them all that he was in their business fraternity with them and was networking with one of them about trying to get the guy a job that didn't actually exist at Morgan Stanley with Mitch. Mitch caught a glimpse of you shaking and gyrating on the dance floor and suddenly found himself unable to look away. He watched as you dropped to the floor, your legs looking long and sleek in your tall boots, and your body looking tight as you shimmied your way back up. He was mesmerized by the way your face lit up with a genuine smile as you danced to a song that you clearly, actually liked. He was taken aback at how sexy you were and how hard he was finding it to focus on his conversation. Mitch was snapped back to reality when one of the men patted Mitch on the shoulder and invited him to their pick-up football game on campus the following afternoon. Mitch agreed and exchanged fake information, then excused himself to get another drink, glancing back at the dance floor but no longer seeing you.

Mitch leaned against the bar, one leg on the stool and one foot touching the floor, and waited for the bartender to make his rounds. A woman leaned next to him and smiled. Mitch nodded politely and went back to waiting for the bartender.

"Hi, I'm Alicia." She stuck out her hand to shake Mitch's. "So who are you here with? I don't remember you from the class photo."

"Steven Greene." Mitch shook her hand. "I came alone tonight, just wanted to meet up with some old buddies from the business fraternity and get a free drink, you know?" Mitch put on his most charming and unassuming smile.

The woman blushed but persisted. "You were in the business school? I just... I don't know, I don't mean to be forward, but you are so handsome, I really feel like I would've remembered you. What dorm did you live in Freshman year?" She asked.

"Yates. What about you?"

"I lived in Yates too. I... I am stunned, I really don't remember y-"

"Hey babe, I was looking for you everywhere." You cut the woman off mid-sentence, hooked your arm around Mitch's and pressed your body against his. Mitch felt a surge of energy rush through his body as you leaned against him. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I sent him over here forever ago for our drinks." You leaned over the bar and Mitch's lap and caught your old bartender friend's attention. You felt Mitch’s hand slowly and hesitantly slide across your back, and suddenly you felt weak. You exhaled, trying to focus on your words. "Hi, can I get a champagne, a whiskey neat, and whatever she's having." You flashed your most dazzling smile at the woman.

"A Chardonnay please." Alicia told the bartender. "Thank you, I couldn't get a drink in to save my life." She nodded at you.

"I'm sorry, I'm being so rude. My name is Maggie Sheffield, I didn't catch yours."

"Alicia Hardwick." The woman shook your hand. "I was just talking to Steven here about how we both lived in the same dorm Freshman year, but I don't quite remember him." The woman sounded suspicious.

"Oh my god, you lived in Yates Hall too? Ugh, I really love that building. It's where Steven and I first met. Oh my god, it was the cutest story, wasn't it, S?" You looked up at him and Mitch nodded. The bartender brought your drinks over and Mitch handed them to you and Alicia. "Thanks, babe. So anyway, isn't this funny? I was literally just talking to my friend over there. Rosemary? She's dancing with Katie Myers, Lindsay Orly and Jen Smith?" You pointed to the group of women that you had been chatting and dancing with, and the suspicious Alicia craned her neck to see.

"Oh, I think I remember Rosemary, she lived on the second floor, right?" Alicia tested you.

"Actually, I think it was the third floor. Right, babe?" You looked up at Mitch, and he nodded. You leaned back against Mitch's chest, and he wrapped an arm around you, as you continued trying to convince this woman that Mitch had lived in her Freshman dorm. "Anyway, Rosemary and I were talking about the night when Steve and I met. I was in Rosemary's room borrowing notes for a class, and Steven and her were friendly and he popped his head in to borrow something from her."

"Toothpaste...." Mitch added, trying to help you out from doing all of the heavy lifting.

"Yea..." You smiled up at Mitch and snuggled hard against him. Mitch's breath hitched in the back of his throat, and his hand involuntarily squeezed at your hip harder. Your heart raced at the intimate touching. "Anyway, it was late and Rosemary introduced Steve and I, and Steve was like, 'it's not safe to walk back to your dorm alone this time of night.'" You made a mocking voice. "Even though I just lived over in the Green and Gold Village." You laughed. "But I thought he was cute, a little chubbier back then, but god we all had some baby fat still, am I right?" You laughed and lightly tapped Alicia on the shoulder. "So anyway, he walked me back to my dorm, and nine years later, we're still together." You smiled up at Mitch, then looked back at Alicia. "I'm so sorry, you didn't even remotely want to hear that story, it's just fun getting to tell it to people we went to school with who get how silly it was that Steve was trying to convince me that it was unsafe to walk from Yates to Green and Gold at 11 on a Tuesday night."

"No, no... I'm sorry. I was giving Steve the third degree before because I didn't remember him. We had some party crashers thrown out earlier and I thought he was a straggler because I didn't remember him, but I think I actually remember seeing you two hanging out together in the Yates common room now. I'm just being an alarmist. I feel awful. I'm so sorry, Steve." Alicia apologized profusely.

"It's totally fine. I get it. It's hard to remember everyone from our class. I mean, 2,000 doesn't seem that big in theory, but throw a few new beards, a few extra pounds and five years, and it’s hard to remember anyone." Mitch told her, taking a sip from his whiskey. He was in the clear because of you.

Mitch had knocked on your door, but no one answered. He couldn't get the image of you dancing in that tight cream colored dress out of his head, so he went down to the hotel lounge for a drink. He spotted you curled up on a couch in the corner of the lounge, light and dreamy piano music playing for the late night crowd in the background. 

You had a piece of chocolate cake on the arm of the sofa, a fork in hand, a half drunk glass of champagne on the table next to you, and Lord of the Flies folded up in front of your face. You were wearing a blue and red, oversized flannel shirt, black leggings and your moccasins sat on the floor, as your bare feet were tucked underneath you. Mitch ordered a whiskey neat and sat down on the loveseat next to you.

You grinned when you saw him sit. Mitch still had his well-fitted navy blue dress pants on with a crisp white shirt still perfectly tucked in, and unbuttoned neatly by the collar, his mahogany wingtips still perfectly polished and clean. "Well, hey there, Steven Greene. Fancy seeing you here." You said, placing your book and fork down and picking your drink up to your still perfectly done lips. Your hair still cascaded with natural looking curls and your eyeliner was still in place without a smudge.

“I think Y/N suits you better than Maggie.” Mitch said as he settled in next to you. 

“Just like Mitch suits you.” You took a sip of champagne and felt the bubbles lightly popping as they went down your throat.

You watched as Mitch pressed the clear glass tumbler to his lips and sipped his nightcap. "I can’t believe you didn’t laugh when that guy said Beowulf."

"Oh, I can’t believe I didn’t either. What an idiot."

"Yea, you definitely shouldn’t talk to anyone that doesn’t appreciate good literature." Mitch commented, the alcohol made him much looser than he normally was.

You smiled, and turned more of your body towards him.. your knee touching his leg, and neither of you moving away. "Then I think I’d only be able to talk to you.."

"That’s fine with me.." Mitch was cut off from the guy that hit on you earlier in the night.

"Maggie.. hey, I've been looking for you all night. It's Brian, from earlier. You know, I can ask the old guy to play something a little bit more upbeat since you still owe me that dance." The man slurred his speech as he ignored Mitch's presence. Brian's friends looked on from the bar, shaking their heads. A few of the other recruits who were also at the bar watched and waited to see what Mitch would do.

"Hey man, I'm Steve, and I think you should probably get some water... hit the hay." Mitch interjected.

"I'm not talking to you, bro. I'm talking to Maggie."

Mitch stood up. "I'd prefer if you didn't since Maggie is my fiancee." You quickly grabbed Mitch's arm with your left hand, obstructing the view of your bare ring finger.

"Steve, sit down, it's okay." You fake begged him.

"Nah, bro, why don't you come tell me to get lost to my face!" The man was belligerent, but Mitch leaned forward anyway. He was feeling suddenly very territorial. You could easily tell that Mitch was ripped through his tight, white shirt and his stature was looming in comparison. Brian's friends came to quickly collect their drunk friend, apologized and dragged him upstairs.

"Oh Steve, thank god for you. I would've hated having to sleep with that guy just to keep my cover in tact." Mitch narrowed his eyes at you, he could hear the sarcasm in your voice. He chuckled and shook his head, sitting back down next to you, and picking his drink back up to take another sip.

"You really saved my ass earlier."

"Actually, Maggie saved your ass." You joked.

Mitch frowned. "Don't undersell yourself. I was watching you all night. You even had me convinced at times that you actually did graduate with those people." Your heart skipped a beat when you heard Mitch say that he had been watching you all night. 

“All night?” You questioned, coyly. You had caught him watching you dance earlier that evening and while tipsy, decided to put on a bit of a show for him. You were pleased that he had noticed.

“All night... and you were good at this.” Mitch reminded you of what he was talking about.

"Thanks.. it's not a big deal though, honestly. It's really just getting your foot in the door and getting them talking. People love to spill their life stories to anyone who will really listen at these sorts of things."

"I'll remember that for next time." Mitch told you. "So where'd you come up with your alias?"

"Maggie was the name of my dog growing up, and the rest of the story is literally just my cousin Francine Sheffield, she's from Portland, we kind of look alike, she has an interesting enough backstory but is still far enough away that..." You shrugged your hands. Mitch understood. "Who's Steven Greene, millionaire financial genius?" You asked.

"My brother."

You looked surprised. "I didn't know you had a brother.. with a different last name then you?"

Mitch laughed, the whiskey really loosening him up. "Well my brother is Steven, and he is doing really well for himself on Wall Street, but the Greene part is just cause Steve loved Rachel Green from Friends growing up, and I don't know, it was just one of those things that I thought of when I was trying to find a good fake last name."

"Do you miss your family?" You asked, leaning closer to hear him over the piano music. You rested your head on the back of the couch, close enough to him that if he bent down, he could feel if your lips were as soft and pillowy as they looked. He had to fight the drunken impulse not to.

He thought about telling you a lie about his family, as not to ruin the mood, but decided he didn't want to lie to you. "I do miss my brother. He's a great guy, and I haven’t seen him in well over a year. But, umm..." Mitch pursed his lips. "My parents died in a car crash when I was fourteen. So I guess I miss them too." He chuckled once to himself, clearly uncomfortable with admitting the truth.

Your heart sunk. You pressed your hand against Mitch's knee and rubbed it. "I'm so sorry, that's devastating..." Mitch shrugged. He was distracted by your touch. "I guess that explains the boarding schools then."

A smile curled in the corner of his mouth. "You really do listen to people when they talk."

You decided to use the alcohol in your system as an excuse to be brazen. "Well, I listen to you at least.... I like talking to you. It's easy and you're interesting."

Mitch downed the rest of his drink, catching the bartender's attention and signaling for another round. He turned back to you, running his long fingers over the back of your hand. "I like talking to you."

His words sent shivers down your spine and you blushed. “Mitch, I..”

The bartender brought over your fresh drinks and interrupted your moment. Mitch looked up at the bartender and then at you, and snapped back to reality. This wasn't a vacation, it wasn't a chance to connect with someone else. This was training to get revenge for Katrina. Mitch downed his drink and stood up.

"I'm gonna turn in. Can I walk you up?" He asked, fidgeting with the watch on his wrist.

You nodded, downed your own drink, slipped your shoes on your feet, grabbed your book and followed him to the elevator bank in the lobby. You both turned as you heard a large group come in from the hotel ballroom, the reunion still raging on. One of the women that had flirted with Mitch earlier saw him as the group walked towards the elevators.

"Oh my god, Steve! Steve! I’m so happy you’re here. We're all heading up to the pool, you should come!" She drunkenly slurred as Mitch, you, the woman, and her group piled into the elevator.

"I'm good." Mitch told her, not looking up, but instead staring down in your Y/E/C eyes. You got pressed up against Mitch as the group shoved themselves into the elevator. He wrapped his arms protectively around you again, like he had earlier that night, but better because he could see your face this time. He stared at the small freckles on your nose and cheeks and your long eyelashes. "Excuse us." Mitch said as the elevator stopped on the recruit’s floor, and he guided you out, his hand resting against the small of your back. He walked down the hall with you, his hand still pressed against your body, until you both made it to your door.

He watched as you dipped the keycard into your door and the green light flashed indicating it was unlocked. You turned the handle and pushed it open slightly. You then turned and looked up at him. "Do you want to come in?" You whispered.

Mitch nodded, his heart racing fast as he accepted your invitation. The alcohol was dampening his guilt, and he couldn't deny how much he wanted you and wanted to not leave you. As he stepped into your room, he heard a latch click on the door next to yours and saw Rob and Julian walk out of their room. "Hey Mitch! Want to come down to the bar with Julian and I?" Rob bellowed.

"Dude..." Julian elbowed Rob. He understood that that wasn't Mitch's room and that it was late.

"What?" Rob was oblivious.

Mitch looked down at you. This wasn't right. Neither of you were sober. His face became pensive. He took his hand off of your waist and placed it in his pocket. "Goodnight, Y/N."

"Goodnight." You said, your face faltering from the rejection, as you closed your door.

"Nah, man. I was just walking Y/N back from down there. I'm gonna go head back to my room and go to bed." Mitch told the two men.

Mitch dipped his keycard into the lock on his door and heard it click. He turned the handle and paused. He thought about going back to your room and seeing you. He shook his head. "Just go to bed, Mitch." He muttered to himself as he closed the door behind him.

[lakesandquarries]

Great White Gravity - Chapter Three

Pairings: taako/kravitz, taako & angus mcdonald Characters: taako, kravitz, angus mcdonald Other Tags: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, sazed sucks, ango and his 2 dads, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, sad boys Warnings: sazed, ptsd Summary: In the aftermath of the goblet, Taako tries to deal. Other Notes: hella spoilery. title from “lifeline” by imogen heap it’s Gay Time y’all

AO3

Kravitz arrives a couple minutes later with his usual dramatics. A tear appears in the space in front of Taako, followed by a very handsome man with dark skin and darker hair stepping out. Taako gives an appreciative whistle.

“Hey there, handsome,” he says, holding up his head with his hand, conjuring the slightest of breezes so his hair looks absolutely perfect.

Kravitz looks taken aback as he holds up his hands and lets his scythe dissolve. Taako is loving the dramatics. “This looks fantastic, Taako,” he says.

“Made it myself,” Taako says with a wink.

“All of it?” Kravitz asks, his beautiful and slightly creepy eyes going wide.

“All of it. ‘Cept the wine, I bought that.” He leaves out the part where he bought it a month ago at Fantasy Costco.

“Wow,” Kravitz says.

“Take a seat, my dude, dig in,” Taako says, waving his hand over the food with a flourish.

Kravitz smiles at him, a little awkward, and sits down. It’s a good thing Magnus built all the chairs in the suite, as Kravitz is at least as tall as him. Plus, he’s got wide shoulders and muscular arms (or at least, the parts Taako can see are muscular), and the rest of him is probably just as bad, and Taako desperately wants to rip off this boy’s ridiculous tie and fancy shirt, because damn.

Patience, he reminds himself. “Good things come to those who wait,” or some shit. He gives Kravitz another flirty grin and wink, passing him the wine bottle. “Will you do the honour?” he asks, and Kravitz seems confused for a moment.

“Oh! Right,” he says. He picks up the corkscrew and uncorks the bottle in one smooth, graceful movement, then pours the wine into two cups. Taako picks his up, holding it out.

“A toast,” he says.

“To what?” Kravitz asks, holding his cup up.

“Fuck, I don’t know. To all this shit I cooked.”

Kravitz laughs, and fuck if that isn’t a sound Taako wants to hear again and again. His laughter isn’t like the rest of him. It’s not fancy and proper. It’s just….it’s genuine. Unfiltered and raw.

Taako realizes he’s staring, and quickly drains his cup. He gets up, grabs a plate, and starts piling spaghetti onto it, setting it back down on the table.

“Only one plate,” he says, with yet another wink. Kravitz frowns.

“You don’t have more plates?”

Taako waves his hand dismissively. “One’s plenty.” He’s not entirely sure his winking is still voluntary at this point. He probably looks like an idiot, one eye constantly winking at Kravitz and insisting there’s also one plate and fuck, has Kravitz even seen Lady and the Tramp?

Now’s not the time for panic, he reminds himself. Bottle that shit up.

He looks at Kravitz, who has begun eating with serious enthusiasm. Still trying to seem all fancy and proper, yes, but he keeps looking at Taako like he’s worried he’s gonna get caught doing something stupid.

Taako very deliberately grabs the opposite end of a noodle that Kravitz has in his fork and starts slurping it.

Kravitz bursts into laughter, dropping his fork. “Is that why you insisted on one plate?” he asks, putting his hand to his mouth to stifle his laugh. “Are you trying to re-enact Lady and the Tramp?”

“Uh, yeah,” Taako says. “What other reason is there to eat spaghetti on a date?”

“You may have a point,” Kravitz says, still chuckling. “You are a very…interesting person, Taako.”

“You’re not bad yourself,” Taako says.

“And you’re quite the chef. I haven’t eaten food in a fairly long time, I’ll admit, but this is exquisite.”

(“This is exquisite,” Sazed had said one night. They’d been travelling for half a year together, but Sazed was still just as complimentary as he’d been the night they met, always lavishing Taako with praise.

“You’re exquisite,” he’d continued, a slow smile spreading across his face, and Taako had smiled back. They had a room at an inn that night, a nice one, with only one bed, and Sazed had repeated himself once they were under the covers - “you’re exquisite, you’re beautiful, you’re amazing” - and Taako had soaked it up like it was genuine.

They’d had spaghetti that night. Sazed’s lips had tasted like marinara, and his cheeks had been red to match, and it’d seemed like nothing bad could ever happen.)

“Taako?” Kravitz asks, voice breaking through Taako’s thoughts. “Are you alright?”

No, he’s not. He’s never okay, but he nods anyways. Kravitz looks concerned, taking another bite of pasta.

Another bite of food Taako had made. He’d transmuted that tomato, he’d used magic on the noodles, what was he thinking? Kravitz loads up another forkful and this time Taako reaches out and snatches the fork away before he can eat it.

“Taako?” Kravitz says, looking concerned.

“I used magic to make this!” Taako nearly shouts. “It’s not - oh god, I’m such an idiot, why did I think this was a good idea? I might’ve fucked it up, I probably fucked it up!”

“Ta-”

“Are you feeling okay? Fuck, I knew this was a bad idea, I knew this was a mistake, I tried to act like this was some fuckin’ romantic garbage but actually I’m just an asshole and I thought I’d cook for you cause if I fuck up you’re already dead! God, what a fucking dick thing to do, right? Fuck.” He’s babbling, he can tell, but he can’t stop the words from pouring out. He shuts his eyes, half to keep from crying, half to keep from having to look at Kravitz.

“What are you-” Kravitz starts, but Taako interrupts.

“I used to be a professional chef, had a cooking show and everything, but then I fucked everything up and killed forty people, except it wasn’t actually my fault, except it was, and now I’m scared to cook anything but I’m so fucking tired of being scared! And -”

“Taako!” Kravitz says, loudly. “Taako, stop. I can barely understand what you’re saying.”

“I killed forty people,” Taako says.

“I know,” Kravitz says.

“I - Hold on. What?”

“Taako, I work for the goddess of death. We have files on everyone, and if someone was involved in the death of another, that goes into their file. I may have…..done some digging, before I actually met with you and your friends. And when I looked at your file, that specific incident was mentioned.”

“So it was my fault,” Taako murmurs.

“No, it wasn’t. It was that...other man’s. Your file merely labels you a witness and accidental accomplice.”

“Huh,” is all Taako says to that.

“None of those deaths were on you, Taako.”

“Okay,” Taako says, feeling very small and embarrassed.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” Taako says, and then Kravitz places his hand on Taako’s and he looks up.

“It’s alright if you aren’t,” he says, voice soft and smooth. “I understand. We can…take things slowly, yes?”

“Sure,” Taako says. “If that’s what you need, I mean. I’m fine. But if you want to take things slow, yeah, I can work with that.”

“Okay.” Kravitz moves his hand, leaning back in his chair. He keeps an eye on Taako as he takes his fork back. “Is it alright if I keep eating?”

“Yeah, yeah, go ahead.”

Kravitz returns to his food, looking up at Taako again after a moment. “How was your day?” he asks, and Taako rolls his eyes and tells him about waking up on the floor and falling asleep on Magnus, which reminds him of a different story when Magnus tripped over a napping Merle, and slowly things start to feel good again.

Talking to Kravitz is easy. Comfortable. He laughs at the right moments (and god his laugh is cute) and his face is so beautifully expressive as he listens.

“So, Merle fell off, and I knew the perfect spell, so I made a phantom steed appear, his name is Garyl and he’s beautiful, and -”

Kravitz’s Stone of Farspeech starts to make noise. A lot of noise. Kravitz goes red and takes it out of his pocket.

“Yes? But - Yes, I know, I know. I - Okay. I’ll be there in half an hour? Okay. Thank you.”

“Gotta go?” Taako asks.

“Unfortunately,” Kravitz sighs, standing up. “But before I go….” He walks to Taako’s chair, placing his hand on Taako’s jaw, and he melts. “Taako, can I kiss you?”

“Oh, hell yes,” Taako says, and Kravitz leans in.

His lips are freezing, almost icy, like kissing an ice cube. But not in an unpleasant way. He tastes like smoke and pasta and cold, and his mouth feels soft, and Taako doesn’t pull away until he absolutely has to.

Kravitz puts his hand on his lips, like being kissed might have changed their texture. He seems almost dazed, smiling absently.

“Krav?” Taako asks, and he shakes his head.

“Right, yes. I need to go. Can I see you again?”

“Yeah, but it might be a few days before I can think of another way to keep Magnus and Merle out.”

“You do realize I can tear holes in the fabric of space and bring you anywhere you want, right?”

“Uh, no? But that opens up a whole new world of possibilities, so nice.” He presses a kiss to Kravitz’s cheek. “I’ll come up with something good. Really good. And no, uh, emotional breakdowns. Just some sweet makeouts and all that good shit.”

Kravitz kisses Taako’s forehead. Taako dies, a little. “It’s alright to have emotions, Taako. I’ll be seeing you, then?”

“Definitely,” Taako says, and Kravitz nods, stepping away from him, his scythe materializing in his hands. He rips a tear in the air in front of him, and with a final glance back at Taako, disappears into it.

[supercalime]

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour Commentary pt. 2

Through Adversity to the Stars to Life Savers

- Bron just fairy godmothered Amy and I wish that was me

- Now I’m hungry for burgers

- I still don’t know how to pronounce Hadley’s name but I’m sure I’m doing it wrong

- I don’t care about all these white dude bros. Can we move on, please?

- I love when I get literary references! I can barely remember Son Quixote but I get it

- Can Roger stop saying “ready” every three lines? It’s getting on my nerves

- I can’t believe her mom did THAT!

- Charlie is such an underdeveloped little bitch. I wish he was likeable

- I love the playlist titles and the scrapbook pages! It really gives us an extra look to the main characters dynamic and it’s just lovely!

- I’m more than halfway in, I’m ready for some romance now! Can they start to fall in love?

- We know Amy is a fake musical fan because she’s not forcing a soundtrack in this entire trip! If it was a real theatre kid, they would have ran out of musicals to play!

- They are eating so much junk food that it’s making me hungry and sick at the same time

- It’s obviously Amelia Earhart

- I WAS RIGHT!

- Roger, baby, I hate to tell you that you are in an abusive relationship. Please continue your trip and take care of yourself

- I’m sorry, what’s the name of part 5? If I see an animal suffering I’ll smack a bitch up

- Leatherface cameo

- Another dude bro? No thanks

- This slow burn is way too slow for my taste

- Oh no, the jealousy is kicking in. I hate it

- Growth for my guy Roger

- Now that the girlfriend drama is resolved, can we develop the romance? Please?

- Spring Awakening. Yuck

- Also, no Defying Gravity? That’s sin worthy

- Let’s not stan Elvis so much, okay? He groomed a 14 year old to be his wife

- I swear, 70% of this book is just them eating food. Don’t read this if you’re hungry

- They are stealing now? Cool

- Charlie kinda sucks. I want to like him but it’s really hard when he’s got no redeeming qualities at all

- Survivors guilt is such a terrible thing. I feel terrible

- Into the woods!

- Wow. Abrupt, but I’m on board

- Of course it started to rain as they kissed. Can you be more trope-y?

- I bet a dollar they’re gonna bang next chapter

- I don’t think there will be any romantic conflict! If that happens, it will be a breath of fresh air, let’s see

- I should be a detective

- The goodbye was really cute

- They are adorable!

- I like the ending. It’s so hopeful

[salty-dracon]

ace hang plays noctis umbra part 3

SINS OF ANGELS | Noctis Umbra Part 3 | Ace Hang Plays Otome

(Yes, they do have semi-serious titles when shit hits the fan)

Last time on Ace Hang Plays Otome: 

Lily: Wow, he’s UGLY. How the FUCK is this guy a SUCCUBUS he’s UGLY

Brid: Well, technically he’d be an incubus. Because he’s a guy. 

Lily: That doesn’t change the fact that he’s UGLY

Brid: Maybe he radiates some kind of.... hot energy-

Lily: THE. ONLY ENERGY. THAT FUCKER RADIATES. IS CATCALLING YOU FROM HIS 2002 HONDA CIVIC WHILE WEARING A TWO YEAR OLD SWEAT-COVERED WIFE BEATER ENERGY. 

Brid: You don’t-

Lily: HE LOOKS LIKE A GIJINKA FOR THE WORD DOMESTIC ABUSE

---------

Lily: Hey, everyone! Ace Hang here! I’m Lily!

Brid: I’m Brid! 

(Val and Arthur pop in from the sides) 

Val: I’m Val!

Arthur: And I’m Arthur! 

All: And we’re playing Noctis Umbra Chapter Two! 

Brid: Yes, that’s right! The whole gang’s here and together for a nice round of otome! 

Val: It’s summer vacation, and our Minecraft 1.14 series will be up as soon as 1.14.2 is out, just so all of the bugs are ironed out. We’re planning to play multiplayer and do experiments to keep all of your spirits up. 

Lily: I’m super excited. 

Arthur: Yeah, same. We’ve got tons of plans! 

Brid: But for now, Noctis Umbra Chapter 2 is out, and when we last left off, we learned that Valerius was lying to us again. 

Lily: Also our dad is ugly and evil. 

Arthur: Rana is a queen. 

Val: Thor was there...?

Brid: .... Yeah, basically. Let’s get back to the action! 

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

Lily: A Kapre. A stalker.... Do you guys know anything about that? 

Val: Capre.... Caper... 

Brid: Oh, Capra demon. Remember that 4chan post? 

Val: Oh yeah! 

Arthur: ...? 

Lily: Super sexy demon or something. In the post he had a goat skull head. Wonder what this boi’s gonna look like. 

Arthur: He’ll either be adorable or ugly.  

(Efren appears) 

Lily: ffffFFWAHAHAHA WHAT IS THAT

Brid: That is not what I was expecting. 

Arthur: I was expecting like, James Bond, not a guy in a mohawk wearing a Minecraft shirt! 

Val: Wow. Holy shit. Oh my god. He looks like a cis guy decided to dress like a  fucking drag queen for Halloween without knowing what a drag queen was. He looks like someone who unironically enjoys Kingdom Hearts and somehow mixed in a shitty hacker aesthetic. He looks like a 30 year old virgin who also runs a gaming channel that relies on clickbait for income. He looks like a guy cosplaying as his own My Hero Academia OC. He looks like-

Brid: Okay, that’s enough. 

Lily: He looks like that one Invader Zim character watches anime all day in his basement-

Brid: Stop it. Anyway, looks like he’s with the enemy... and wants to recruit us... and give us cookies. 

Lily: Cookies. Om nom nom. 

-----------

Lily: WAHAHA they’re good cookies. 

Brid: I love the little package of cookies on her lap. 

Val: Seriously, I’d kill a guy who gave me too many cookies, though. At 3am. Every day. 

Lily: “You’re just grumpy because you’re hungry. You’re hangry.”

Arthur: “I am not hangry!”

Lily: “You sound hangry!”

Val: And Tae steals the cookies. And they’re good. 

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

Val: You know, I’m glad the main characters are warming up to Tora. Not treating her like a kid. 

Brid: She’s learning high school chemistry, so I don’t think it’s out of the question that she’s at least fifteen. 

Arthur: Yeah. And MyDude is treating her very nicely. 

Val: Yeah. I’m glad. Like seriously, edgy war stories just... hate kids. Like, fuck the kids. Adults are the only ones that survive here. 

Lily: Yeah, it’s nice change of pace. EY, RANA! Look, Arthur. That’s my favorite character. 

Arthur: I see.

Val: Honestly, the whole Noctis Umbra crew is great. Except for Valerius. Fuck that guy. 

Arthur: I think he might have a reason for keeping those secrets of his, though. 

Val: This is coming from the same guy who actually trusts the rich kid in the other one they were playing. Fuck, I forget his name. 

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

Val: “Ae-ri needs your help grocery shopping.”

Lily: I’m gonna be super surprised if it’s not like the South Asian market my parents visit for cheap spices. 

Brid: Seriously, what else do you expect from this game? 

.........

Brid: Yes, that’s the last place I expected to find a bunch of underworld denizens that are part demon or something. Going shopping at a grocery store. And not a South Asian market.

Lily: What, did you think they subsided on human energy alone? 

Val: I mean, Tae lives offa sweets. First he ate his sister’s cheesecake, then he ate those cookies, then he ate that pudding... he’s just got a big sweet tooth.

Lily: Oh, big mood, Tae. I like him. He and Keelan are so funny. Everyone’s just laying into him. 

Arthur: “That’s a lot of hot sauce...” 

Brid: I see we’ve got our own weird tastes... 

Val: Ha. Melons. Innuendos. 

Lily: Or Avatar reference. 

Arthur: ... 

Brid: What’s up?  

Arthur: Imagine- meanwhile in the aisle next door, Riley hits her teacher with a shopping cart!

Lily: That would be an amazing easter egg. Keelan’s looking for his paint, barely dodges a chaotic dumbass bisexual disaster, she immediately hits someone else who happens to be her teacher. 

Val: Said teacher was also hacking the grocery store’s WiFi with his phone, which proceeds to fall into the lobster tank. 

Lily: Not saying Riley wouldn’t do that. 

(Small animation with bad doodles)

Arthur: I imagine Keelan’s like... “Alright... broad paintbrush, purple acrylic paint... ” and he just hears screaming, and there’s Riley just narrowly missing him and slamming right into her teacher. 

Brid: You say that like she intentionally hit him. 

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

Val: OH GOD IT’S THE UGLY GUY!

Lily: Damn. That’s the first thing you fixate on?

Arthur: Oh boy. Something’s going down... 

Lily: Is Valerius here? Is that why she’s- Oh, hey Luca. 

Val: Oh my god, it’s Tall Evil Valerius. 

Brid: He’s so tall we can’t even see the top of his head. 

Lily: That’s funny, because I always imagined Valerius to be like, 5′4... 

Val: His name is “Aleron”. HOLY FUCK HE JUST KILLED LUCA

Arthur: OH MY GOD

Lily: WELL THAT’S NOT GOOD AT ALL IS IT

Brid: FUCKING DEAD. PRESS F. 

Lily: REMINDER TO HIT THAT F BUTTON IF YOU’RE ANGRY THAT LUCA JUST DIED

Brid: AND SHE JUST OMAE WA MOU SHINDEIRUS HIM

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

Lily: That feeling when you teleport the enemy leader right into your base. 

Val: Fucking seriously. The whole crew must be having aneurysms. 

Arthur: Ha. “I leave you alone for two seconds and you start a world war.”

Lily: Welcome back to another episode of “Man with half the facts in heated debate with man with zero facts”. 

(Meme appears on screen with the two men’s faces replaced with Leo and Valerius)

Brid: More like “Two men seriously think they know what’s right for the world as a whole based on flawed information”. 

Val: “Where’s her room?!” “She doesn’t have one.” “Where does she sleep?!” “The couch.” 

Brid: Get ready for Angry Father Rage. 

Val: “YOU LET MY DAUGHTER SLEEP ON A COUCH?!”.... DAMMIT why did the scene have to end there. 

Lily: So you wouldn’t have to yell at yourself?

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

Val: “Your mother loved heights too-” Sheesh, did she love jumping off them?!

Lily: Fucking hell. Wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what he meant, though. 

Brid: Yeah, this guy’s kind of an asshole, to be honest. 

Arthur: I guess with the whole unification thing, they need her. 

Lily: I love how she’s mad Aleron killed Luca because she wanted to punch him in the face. 

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

Val: Oh boy, things are heating up. So because of the prophecy, the demon kids are all uniting, and the angels wanna beat em back. And they took over a human organization to do it. 

Lily: Angels. It’s always angels. 

Brid: Do any of you like Valerius any more now? 

Val: NO. He’s kind of a dickhead. Still. 

Arthur: At least he’s telling us more. 

Brid: Yeah, very true. 

Val: Why does Valerius look at us and see everything right with Nocturnals? We’re an angry district attorney who sucks the life out of people with the power of Satan and anime. 

Lily: Angels. It’s always angels. 

Arthur: You said that. 

Brid: I did say I’d romance Valerius, so-

Val: WAIT I NEVER SAID I’D DO A KISS SCENE-

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

Lily: And with that, looks like we’ve reached the end of Chapter 3! What do you guys think? This is your first time playing with us, right?

Val: ... Why do I have to be rolled up in the politics of white men? 

Lily: Pretty sure Leo’s Latino. 

Val: Still. 

Brid: Politics, politics. I still do love the group dynamic between the Noctis Umbra crew, though. Not Valerius, just MyDude, Ae-ri... 

Arthur: Tae, Keelan, and Rana. Yeah. And whoever else I’m forgetting. They’re very cute together, and it kinda sucks that they’re dealing with the whole underground war thing, otherwise I feel like we’d get a lot of cute scenes with them. 

Lily: Very true. Any theories? 

Arthur: Remember when Valerius called MyDude Umbra? I think it’s because she’s the kid of both an angel and a demon. 

Brid: Oooooo. What do you have to back it up? 

Arthur: We don’t see much about her mother. Apparently she left her in an orphanage named after a saint. Also, Leo mentioned that the mom loved heights. Besides the jumping implication, it might mean that she’s an angel. Maybe one that couldn’t fly.

Lily: I think umbra does mean shadow, which evokes themes of both light and darkness, so it’s very possible. 

Brid: Interesting. Well, we’ve been recording for an hour, so I think that’s all the time we have for today. 

Lily: Sweet! 

Brid: Can’t wait to see where this story takes us next! And we’re planning our next playthrough to probably be either the next part of Oathbreaker, or Hatoful Boyfriend. 

Val: Make sure to like and subscribe for more content, and stay classy!