#you had to sit beside monty

[finnesse]

monty and his inherent need to not wear a shirt!!!! congrats on the gwg

[alexwilltellyouthings]

Ok I have so many thoughts about painland ending up canon or not and I. Just.

Listen I AGREE that their bond goes beyond being romantic or not. It's obvious, it's beautiful, I love it and I love them and their friendship and I truly do think it is important that media has this kind of relationship portrayed.

But.

But.

I would be lying if I said I wouldn't be disappointed if it doesn't turn romantic. It involves a lot of things.

1: I want Edwin to have that. He'll still be happy without it, yes, but god can't he have that? He's been through so much. He had a speedrun through his sexuality issues and confessed in hell. Like wtf. Can't he have that???

2. Bisexual Charles would actually be so important to me. And yeah he can be bi and not in love with Edwin but come on lol. The thing is, there's not many bi men in media. Even less bi men figuring out their bisexuality. Even less bi men figuring out their sexuality when they were raised in the 80s and knowing their best friend is in love. Do you see how many layers exist here? How amazing his story could be? Charles has so much we still don't know about him. And yes, I would like that one of those things could be something I relate to. Besides trauma. Call me selfish. And like he's so bisexual coded it would be offensive for him to be straight I'm sorry.

3. They exist in other universes. Let them be platonic there. Let them be romantic this one time.

4. I know falling in love with a straight person is a very common story and I don't think it's wrong for it to happen in a show, but honestly, it's not what I sign up for when I'm watching queer stuff. Think Our Flag Means Death. It probably changed my brain chemistry because anything less than that gets really hard to swallow. I know, we all have queerbaiting trauma, and I know this wouldn't be the case, and it never claimed to be something as queer as OFMD. But I got so attached that... Well, I wouldn't stop watching if this happens, but it wouldn't sit well with me. It's a bitter feeling, you know?

5. They didn't have anything be explicit, but come on, they did set us up. Charles got jealous at Monty, and only Monty, for that matter. I wouldn't say his thing with the Cat King is necessarily jealousy, more like protectiveness, but that can be disputable. And both George and Jayden said more than once that Charles' response to the confession let things open. So I mean if that door wasn't closed, then please don't close it now! The road until things happen can be long, dramatic, tortuous, whatever, there's many ways to tell a love story. But if I'm sitting for it, then I don't want to get shot in the face later on (unless it's for plot reasons which ok).

6. Have I mentioned that bisexual Charles

Anyway I feel kinda bad for wishing so much they get romantic because I see and agree with the whole platonic discourse. But yeah those are all the reasons why I can't stop myself. Have a good day everyone

[peachie-bumblebee]

THREESOME HEADCANONS WITH MONTGOMERY GATOR

NSFW MINORS DNI

for my partner whom i love more than anything and who requested more Monty content <3 come get your food babe

CW: JEALOUSY, MARKING, TOYS, FREE USE

SCENERIO- You (reader) and Montgomery Gator are in a relationship when he brings up the topic of a threesome with you. It’s dealers choice- he’ll share you with any of his fellow main stage animatronics.

IF YOU PICK:

FREDDY

Slow turn. Full stop.

“ w h a t . ”

he straight up doesn’t understand. not one bit. he’s also DEFINITELY not jealous (he 100% is) of Freddy. this totally doesn’t bring something out of him.

but seriously though. explain to him why you want Freddy Fazbitch inside of you.

what does Freddy have to bring to the table? he’s not gonna say no- you get to pick whoever, and that’s the deal

but WHY FREDDY?!?!?!?!

don’t count Freddy out though. he’d be taken aback by the request but after much thought and giving his answer, he’s ready to have a dick measuring (figuratively and literally) with Monty and he WILL prove to be competition.

If any returning people are reading this… Competition fic rewrite???

it’s happening in Monty’s room. not Freddy’s. you stay on his turf.

he will constantly try to outperform Freddy. he can’t help himself. he’s gotta prove why he’s the best out of the two of them.

they’re bickering the entire time they’re fucking you, but not in a way that isn’t hot. you’d be sandwiched between them as they say things to each other through gritted teeth, occasionally commenting on how the other should be treating you or touching you or anything.

they’ll only agree on one thing- how good you feel and how fucking hot you are.

Freddy’s NOT cumming inside. Oh no. don’t even think about it. he’d sooner maul him. and when his dick starts vibrating Monty almost goes “FOR FUCKS SAKE” right then and there and flips you over to fuck you into the ground. he doesn’t though. he shows restraint. be proud.

at the end of the day, Monty is gonna prove to Freddy why you’re his and only his. Freddy will leave after aftercare with Monty waving him goodbye with a cocky expression on his face.

but Freddy still knows it’s his claw marks on your hipbones underneath your clothes when you walk by.

CHICA

“Ohhhhkay?”

He wasn’t expecting that. he’s not mad about it but he’s not sure why exactly. out of everyone, he knows the least about Chica. he doesn’t know WHAT to expect.

but you know, at least it’s not Freddy.

when Chica gets the request she pretty much giggles and says “Sure! You’ve got a cute one, i’ve had my eye on them for a while!” which confuses him even more. eye??? on his partner??? wtf???? but now he’s kind of intrigued.

the day of, he’s CERTAINLY not expecting to show up with you to her room and for her to have a chest sitting on the floor. he’s straight up got whiplash when she starts talking about hard and soft limits and negotiations and whether or not you wanna use the sex swing.

she points up and he looks and sure enough- there’s the telltale two hooks bolted into her ceiling for her to string it up. he thinks he’s dreaming.

and THEN she opens the chest which has three unfolding layers and a bottom compartment and he thinks he’s hallucinating. she has 5 different flavors of lube. what the fuck.

the whole time he’s just hugely impressed by her. at one point he straight up starts laughing a little incredulously and goes “Yo Chica- where the fuck didja get all of this shit?” and she just winks at him.

kinda gets nervous when she pulls out the strap?? he starts competing a little bit with her until she looks up at him from under her eyelashes and tells him to cool it.

suddenly Chica is the only person to ever put him in his place besides you.

they both talk about how good you are with your mouth. Chica’s more of the praiser, but Monty’s fully agreeing with some meaner degradation thrown in there. Her degrading is said in the sweetest tone in the world, which gets a different reaction from you than his normally does.

so yes, she teaches him something.

after that, he and Chica are a lot closer than they used to be. they’re not exactly friends, but now they share passing knowing glances and there’s almost a sense of kinship between the two.

and maybe after a while, a note written in pink glitter gel pen that smells like cupcakes shows up on his desk with the question of “Round two?”

and who knows. maybe- just maybe- he feels like he wants to say yes.

ROXANNE

yep. that’s the answer he expected.

he’s cool and calm about this one. he and Roxy are close. they’re the two “new” ones. the original rockers. the ones with attitude. he’s seen the way Roxy’s eyes follow you every once in a while, and he’s not threatened by it.

when he brings it up, they’re both just casually hanging out during a moment of quiet at day. she laughs under her breath, looks at him, smiles, and tells him she’ll be ready whenever.

this is the pair that you’re most likely to get into a fun situation with. If any of y’all remember my fic Animalistic (also open to doing a rewrite) where they borrow Chica’s maze and hunt you down in the dark- it’s that type of shit.

she’ll come to y’all, or y’all will come to her. either way works. this is a meeting between friends.

he’s impressed that she can deliver the amount of intensity that he can. you’re certainly dealing with a lot, and they’re sure to make a comment on how well you handle it.

i think he’d make her watch for a little bit that first time. you’d feel her gaze on you from across the room- two natural predator animals watching you like you’re their next meal. she’ll enjoy the view and the lesson on what you like

they’ll help each other out with pleasing you. if Monty’s inside, Roxy might reach over and put pressure on your lower stomach for him. if Roxanne is putting pressure on your chest with her claws, Monty is behind you running his hands down your ass.

it’s a collaborative effort.

out of all these pairings this is the only one where i can see them doing things to each other. it’s in a very casual way- and no way is Roxanne gonna suck his cock. she especially refuses to get on her knees for him. but he might pinch at her nipple piercings, and she might reach over and give his dick a few strokes.

they might even toss you around a little between them. in the future he might offer you as some stress relief while they hang out. it wouldn’t be a big deal for her to tune her guitar in on the same couch as him while you give him head, or for him to be doing his hair while she fucks your mouth. you’ll get your reward for being good in the end.

it won’t be discussed between the two of them outside of the request and event itself. they’ll perform side by side the same way they always have- and Monty will go to Gator Golf and Roxanne will go racing, and they’ll catch a break in the same unused room every once in a while.

but every so often, he’ll let her know she can stop by.

and you bet your ass she will.

I HOPED YALL ENJOYED THE MONTY CONTENT! as always, reblog with comments, request, and let me know what you thought below <3

[fourmoony]

Hi!

Oh, I just saw your halloween thing and I think Pumpkin Patch Date #9 Would be adorable adorable with Remus!

I love your works, I'm going to go finish binging all of them ♡

thanks for requesting lovely!! ♡︎

484 words

"That is rancid!" Remus splutters, thrusting the offending coffee in your direction like it's personally offended him.

You take the coffee, unable to help the laugh that escapes you. Lucky for Remus, he hadn't been convinced enough by your love for pumpkin spiced lattes enough to buy one of your own. So, he washes the taste from his mouth with his own coffee. "How can you drink that?" Remus asks, visibly disgusted.

You follow him along as he starts to walk, the sound of leaves under his boots accompanying your laughter. Taking a drink of your drink, you shrug. "I dunno, it just tastes... festive." You tell him.

Remus scoffs, mutters a quiet festive under his breath.

Laughing, still, you bump your shoulder into his. It's as good of an excuse as any for Remus to pull you closer, tucked under his arm as you walk your way through the park. There's a mixture of browns, greens, and yellows all across the park, a chill in the air that makes you glad you stole one of Remus' knitted sweaters.

"So," Remus huffs, "The Potter's are having a masquerade party for halloween."

"I've always wanted to go to one of those. They always have such romantic vibes." You sigh wistfully.

Isn't it every little girls wish to have a prince chase after her, trying to find her, because he doesn't know what she looks like - only that she's the love of his life?

Remus smiles down at you. It pulls the tiny scar atop his lip taught. You can't help but reach up to peck it softly. Remus doesn't believe you love his scars as much as you say you do. But it's true. They make him even more handsome. Infinitely more interesting to look at. You could stare at him all day long if he'd let you.

"Okay, well, I doubt that'll be the vibes at this one. More like Monty and Euphemia net working whilst Sirius makes us get drunk in the parlour like we're still sixteen." Remus laughs. "But I'd still love for you to come. To meet James' parents."

Your boyfriend's own parents have always had a strained relationship with him. They're good people. They just don't see eye to eye with Remus sometimes. You know well that Remus thinks of the Potters as a second set of parents, a safe place. And you're honoured that he'd like for you to meet them.

"I'd love to, Rem." You tell him.

He smiles, eyes crinkling in the corners. He's so beautiful.

You reach a small bench, Remus pulls you to sit beside him. You drink your coffees in silence, commenting only when someone passes with a cute dog. The leaves fall around you and you feel utterly content.

And when Remus kisses you, soft and sweet, he doesn't even complain about the taste of pumpkin spice latte thats on your tongue.

[lowkeyrobin]

monty x reader where the reader is apart of the dead boy detectives (ghost from maybe the 50s or 60s?) and he flirts with them instead of edwin and it’s the whole “what do you mean he was flirting with me?? he was just really really nice???”

ooo yeah sure!! ; I also decided to make the ghost time period accurate as much as I could so 🙏🙏🙏 ; but omg thank you for requesting!! hope you enjoy

MONTY FINCH ; he's just really nice

summary ; youre completely oblivious to montys flirting

warnings ; language

disclaimers ; z/s = zodiac sign

word count ; 488

masterlist

"Oh, hey, Y/n!" Monty smiles, standing up from the bench he sat on. He'd spotted you with your friends, Crystal, Niko, Charles, and Edwin, as you were coming back from another detective-y mission.

"Hey!" You grin, picking up your pace to reach him quicker.

"I got you that reading." He hands you a book, inside is a paper, a circle in the middle, with lots of writing and colored lines. "Like the outfit"

"Oh, thank you!" You smile, looking down at your dark blue bell bottom jeans and orange sweater. "I keep it time accurate here." You joke, a hand over your chest, resting dramatically as you hold your head high.

Your friends stand behind Monty, waiting for you to come along at the end of the block.

"I don't even know where to start. There's a lot going on here, dude." You awkwardly chuckle, looking to him for an explanation to his diagram.

"Okay, uh, let me explain"

The four awkwardly wait for you, now realizing that you were clearly going to be here for a minute. They weren't going to leave you alone on the street, though, knowing a witch and that damn Cat King were running around wreaking havoc.

"This is kind of..."

"Adorable"

"Wasteful"

Crystal lightly slaps Edwin. "Shush."

Edwin rolls his eyes. "This is wasting our valuable time. May we leave now?"

"Nope" Charles replies, muttering, eyes stuck on you two. "Look"

The other three look over at you and Monty, listening in as they silence themselves.

"You're really attractive, I mean, that's obviously a/n z/s thing, clearly," He awkwardly smiles.

You feel your face warm up a bit as you cross your arms. "Thanks"

That look.

Jesus Christ, Edwin would die over and over again to have Charles look at him like that.

Monty looked at you with full adoration, like he'd never met anyone so beautiful, inside and out. He looked at you like angels sang on your shoulders, like you were an altar to God.

The girls turn back to the boys.

"They're so in love with each other," Niko grins.

Crystal nods beside her.

"We need to get them to just" Charles squeezes his hands. "Kiss already"

"We'll devise a plan, then" Edwin replies. "They're quiet oblivious already, I doubt they're actually thinking he's flirting with them"

"We could force them to be alone together?" Crystal suggests. "Lock them in a room, or make them sit down with each other and get the romantic tension flowing?"

"That's brills"

"Nothing cushy"

You catch up to your friends, having said goodbye to Monty, as he had places to be. "Sorry, I'm back! What're you talking about?"

"Oh, nothing," Crystal swiftly replies

"You realize he was flirting with you, yes?" Edwin asks

"Huh?"

"He was flirting with you. Monty"

"What do you mean he was flirting with me? He's just really nice" you shrug

Edwin sighs. "I told you"

[theres-a-body-here]

Unprotected hand holding

Monty x Male!reader

Happens before the events of this fic

It was rare for anyone to last more than three days as Monty's assigned caretaker, yet here you were, approaching two whole months without complaint or hesitation.

As time passed by, Monty found himself growing increasingly curious about you. Sure, he may not show it or admit it, but deep down, he secretly likes how calm you were whenever he wrecked his things.

It also helped that your phone had a gator themed wallpaper which caught his eye during one of those late work sessions. From then onwards, Monty couldn't help but feel drawn towards you somehow, even if his stubborn nature prevented him from expressing it openly.

During one of those late night work sessions, you sat on the couch working on paperwork while Monty tuned his bass guitar nearby. Every now and then, he'd sneak a glance at you when he thought you weren't paying attention, unable to resist the urge to observe you silently.

Watching you immerse yourself completely in your work, Monty couldn't help but find himself observing your habits. From the way you chewed on your pen when lost in thought to tapping your foot nervously against the floor, everything about you seemed to draw him in further. In fact, his internal fans began whirring faster as he fought against the rising warmth building within him.

Monty never thought he'd feel jealous of a pen.

Feeling bold, Monty decided to take matters into his own hands and approached the couch where you were sitting, nervousness coursing through his wires.

With a soft thud, Monty sat down beside you, careful not to disturb your concentration on the papers strewn across your lap. For several moments, neither of you spoke, merely sharing space together in comfortable silence.

Hearing the gentle humming of Monty's fans, you paused midway through signing a document and turned to face him with concern. "Is everything alright, Monty?" You asked softly, genuine worry etched into your features.

In typical Monty fashion, he replied with a gruff, "Ain't nuthin' wrong wit' me!"

The moment the words left his metal mouth he winced at how brash he sounded. He looked at you expecting to see hurt on your face, but to his surprise, you seem unphased by his demeanor.

Smiling understandingly, you returned to your work, leaving Monty alone with his thoughts once more.

After some time, Monty gathered the courage to strike. Casually yet awkwardly wrapping an arm around you, he tried his best to appear nonchalant about the whole situation. His sheer size dwarfed your frame, making it impossible for you not to notice his sudden closeness.

Feeling the movement, you glanced up at him questioningly before turning back to your paperwork nonchalantly. Embarrassment flooded Monty's core as he realized he hadn't thought this plan through very well; however, unwilling to back down now, he stammered out weakly, "Jus', uh…yeah, thought ya might be cold...."

Silence followed Monty's lame excuse, making him believe that perhaps he had crossed some sort of boundary. Just as he was about to apologize and withdraw his arm, you surprised him by scooting closer, nestling yourself comfortably against his side.

At this unexpected display of affection, Monty swore he felt his systems glitch momentarily as sparks flew throughout his wiring.

Monty took in every sensation – your softness, your warmth, and even the stark contrast between your sizes. So much input was flowing into his software that he failed to realize you had ceased working altogether, choosing instead to lay your head gently upon his chest.

His internal fans were the loudest they've ever been.

Glancing down at your delicate fingers, Monty suddenly became hyperaware of just how massive his own claws appeared next to yours. With shaking limbs, he mustered up every last bit of courage remaining within him and timidly whispered, "Hey…uh…cher? Think we could maybe…hold hands fer a sec?"

At first, there was no response save for the sound of whiring fans and breathing echoing throughout the quiet room. Then, after what felt like an eternity, you responded softly, "Oh…well, sure. If you really want," extending your hand towards him as you watched patiently.

Monty reached out slowly. His claws closed carefully around your smaller hand, holding it softly as if you were made of glass.

At this tender gesture, you snuggled even deeper into Monty's embrace, nuzzling your head against his shoulder as you relished in the closeness shared between the two of you.

Unable to resist any longer, Monty pulled you in closer still, lifting your legs so that you could rest comfortably on his lap. Wrapping your arms tightly around Monty's neck, you held on firmly as he encircled his own arms around your waist, effectively trapping you within his mechanical grasp.

As Monty's digits began tracing gentle patterns along your lower back, he leaned in close and whispered softly into your ear, "Cher…is dis alright wit'cha?"

He felt your nod, hiding your face in his neck. He held you tighter as his hands continued to grope your body.

As time passed with the two of you cuddling in the couch, Monty couldn't deny the truth any longer – he was beginning to fall for you, hard.

[lulublack90]

Prompt 18 - Sock

@jegulus-microfic April 18, Word count 971

Previous part First part

“Well, darling, he sounds lovely.” Effie beamed at her son as they tucked into their meal. Monty had his mouth full. So he nodded in agreement. 

“You’ll have to see if he wants to join us for dinner before we leave. Invite his brother as well. We don’t want to leave him out.” Monty told James between mouthfuls. James couldn’t keep the happy grin off his face. 

“Okay, I’ll invite them.” He said as he stabbed a roast potato and popped it into his mouth.

They sat quietly as they finished off their meals. Effie ordered coffee for everyone, and they chatted about their day. 

“Mum, Dad. Would it be alright if I went back up to see Regulus for a bit before bed?” James asked, hoping his parents wouldn’t be annoyed with him for not spending enough time with them. 

“James, dear. You’re a grown man. You don’t need to ask us permission. If you want to go see him, go.” Effie chuckled and leaned over to muss up his hair. He felt himself reddening. 

“I know that, Mum. I just wanted to check.”

“I’m sure your mother and I can entertain ourselves.” Monty winked at him. 

“Eww, gross, Dad.” James pulled a face, jumped up from his chair, and kissed his parents on their cheeks before darting out of the restaurant and heading towards the lifts. 

The lift doors pinged open, and James was shocked by what he saw. 

Sirius was sitting on a man, pinning his arms behind his back. The man screamed bloody murder at Sirius as he tried to buck him off.

“Ah, James, just the person I wanted to see. Could you help me with this sack of rubbish, please? He’s outstayed his welcome.” Sirius said nonchalantly as if what he was doing was perfectly normal.

“Er, yeah, sure. Who is he?” James asked, still trying to get his head around the situation. 

“This delightful cockroach is Bartemius Crouch Junior. Reggie’s ex.” Sirius clarified. James’s eyes widened as everything clicked together. 

James helped haul Barty to his feet and dragged him to the front desk. He watched as Sirius put on an extremely dazzling smile and charmed the front desk clerk. “This man got into mine and my brother’s room just now. We didn’t invite him.” The clerk gasped in horror and picked up her phone.

“I am incredibly sorry, Mr Black. Please accept my apologies on behalf of the hotel.” She paused to speak into the phone. “Yes, security to the front desk, please.” She turned her attention back to Sirius and James. “I will personally ensure this man never sets foot in our hotel again. Can I send a gift basket to your room as an apology?” 

“I’ve never said no to a gift basket,” Sirius leaned his elbow on the desk and rested his head in his hand, still grinning at the blushing clerk. 

Two identical burly red-haired men appeared out of a side door. 

“Ah, Fabian, Gideon. Please would you escort this young man off the premises and spread it around that he is banned and not to let him in. 

“Our pleasure, Molly.” One of the twins affirmed and grabbed James by the arm. “Come on, sunshine, time to go.”

“Gid, Gid! Not that one, that one!” She pointed at Barty. 

“Oops, sorry,” Gideon immediately let go of James’s arm and took ahold of Barty. He and his brother disappeared out of the lobby. 

“You coming up?” Sirius asked James, completely unaffected by everything that had just happened. 

“Yeah, sure.” James nodded. He waved goodbye to Molly and followed Sirius back to the lifts. 

When they got back to their room, Sirius clapped his hands together.

“Well, that’s that taken care of. He won’t be back.” He proclaimed. James noticed Dr Lupin sitting beside Regulus with a glass of whisky in his hand but thought nothing of it. It had been a weird day. 

“Sirius, come look at this on Reg’s phone,” Remus said, making room for Sirius to sit down. 

“That dirty, rotten little,” Sirius glared at the device. He took a few screenshots and started tapping the screen. 

“What is it?” James asked Regulus. Regulus jumped. He hadn’t realised James had come in with Sirius. 

“Erm, Barty was tracking my phone. That’s how he knew where we were.” Regulus explained, coming over to where James stood. 

“Shit,” James exclaimed and wrapped Regulus protectively into his arms. “I’m glad you’re safe.” 

“Thanks,” Regulus replied, his voice a bit thick. “James? Why are you only wearing one sock?” James pulled away from Regulus and looked down at his feet, confused. He’d slipped his shoes off when he walked through the door and had one bare foot. 

“I swear I put both on.” He checked his shoes, but there was no sock. 

“Check under the other sock,” Sirius called from the sofa, where he was still going through Regulus’s phone. He now had Remus’s arm around his shoulders. James blinked, bent down and pulled his sock away from his leg. Underneath it was another sock. 

“Oh my god!” He shook his head, pulled the extra sock off his foot and put it on the correct one. “How did you know it was there?” He asked Sirius. 

“Been there, done that,” Sirius snorted. “Nearly finished with your phone, Reggie. Then you two can go canoodle to your heart’s content.”

“Sirius, why?!” Regulus groaned at his brother’s words. 

“What? I like this one. He’s 100% better than the last one. There, I’m done. I’ve gone through everything I can think of, and he shouldn’t be able to get in again. You might want to change your password, though, just in case.” Sirius tossed the phone at Regulus. Regulus caught it and pulled James into his bedroom to the sounds of his brother’s guffaws.   

Next part

[heartstringsbloom]

“What’s the last thing your mother said to you?”

The microphone is shoved under his face and McQueen starts. That’s. . .not the question he had been expecting.

“I’m—sorry, what does—?“

“Do you regret not visiting more often?”

“Hold on—“

“Monty.” Mom is there now, hanging behind the reporter like a shadow. His own eyes stare back at him so lovingly he might be sick. “I want you to follow your dream.”

“Mom. . .”

He feels her hand on his face. She’s closer suddenly. Her voice echoes around him, drowning out the reporters, the cheering fans. His panicked breathing.

“It’s gonna be okay. Your sister and I are gonna be keeping an eye on you.”

Lightn—Monty forces himself to swallow. The cameras are blinding. He shuts his eyes against the flashing but he still sees her. “How can you? I’m so far away. Mom, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have—“

“Mr. McQueen! How selfish can you be to leave your family behind for the track? MR. MCQUEEN!“

“STOP!” He crashes to the ground, doesn’t feel the impact. He- he might throw up. “I don’t know! Stop asking me!”

He sobs, hard. His eyes are squeezed shut yet somehow he still sees her beside him. He can’t escape her—his—her eyes, or her voice. A soothing haunt to his ears.

“Baby, it’s okay. You’re okay.”

“No I’m not.” Monty hugs his knees to his chest. Everything keeps fading in and out but her presence is steady. Too real. Not real enough.

“Mom,” he sobs.

“I’m so proud of you,” she soothes in his hair. Her hugs are just as warm as he thinks he remembers. But he still can’t feel her.

“You—you shouldn’t be.”

“You oughtta call your sister, sundrop.”

“I can’t, mom.” Monty sniffles. He feels smaller than ever. Nothing exists beyond her feather-light embrace. “She probably hates me.”

He closes his eyes and, finally, everything fades with that. Mom rocks them both, humming something about needing to run to the store for glue to finish Maisie’s costume for the play.

“Into The Woods?” They had both performed in that one. They had performed in a lot of plays together. The last one was when they were 15.

“You know your songs, baby?”

He snuggles in just like he used to. “Yeah, mama.”

She kisses his temple. Monty’s too tired to open his eyes, as if they’re glued shut. Mama squeezes him tight, still rocking back and forth. The last time he let her hold him like that was when he was 12.

“Love you, sunshine,” she whispers. He wants to say ‘don’t go,’ but his body is heavy.

His eyes open to window of Doc’s guest room.

It’s a bit cold, and he can see the sky is barely awake. He pulls the blankets tighter around himself. It’s half a comfort.

The room is a low grey. It’s early-early. Doc’s gonna get him up for training in a couple of hours. Mont—Lightning can barely stomach the idea, but he pushes out of bed anyway. He can at least get a shower and food.

The dream sits untouched in the back of his mind. He can’t help but to. . .well, he doesn’t recall much of it at all, but he can’t shake it. He doesn’t really want to.

His hands feel loose as he reaches for the shower curtain. It rests there, unmoving, unwilling. He just doesn’t have it in him. Lightning pulls away and slides to the floor, lashes sticky on his cheeks.

People always told him he had his mother’s face. For some reason they never said it to Maisie, though it could have been for her brown eyes. It hurt to look at her sometimes, as if he were missing out on something he never knew, but at the same time they were incredible. A treasure only she held. Maisie never liked her eyes. Monty appreciated them, though he’d never admitted it (he should have told her).

Same lips. Same jaw. Same piercing eyes, different colors. Maisie got mistaken for him, and he got mistaken for mom, even though Maisie had mom’s honey-to-gold blonde hair. Monty’s was strawberry blonde, almost rosy (rosy like his and Maisie’s cheeks).

He jolts awake when someone knocks at the bathroom door.

“Lightning?” Doc calls. “You about ready?”

Light. . .ning blinks himself awake (“pay attention, McQueen.” His sister would say during rehearsals, snapping her fingers in his face. They shared the same last name). He pushes up from the floor, eyes thick with sleep he doesn’t know if he wants. His legs are weak. He slips down with a sigh.

“Monty?”

(“Monty,” mom says softly when he won’t get out of bed. “You’ll be late for school.”)

The door creaks open. He feels Doc press a hand to his forehead.

“What’s goin’ on, kid?” Doc sounds worried, actually.

“Jus’ tired,” Lightning slurs. His lips barely move. “Tried to get a shower, couldn’t keep myself up.”

Doc’s beside him now. He brushes some hair from Lightning’s eyes. “You feelin’ sick?”

“Nah.” Maybe?

It’s quiet for a moment. He can hear Doc thinking.

“I think we can skip practice today. Go back to bed.” Doc stands, helps Lightning up. “I’ll bring you some food in a bit. Should have some water, too.”

Yeah. His lips do feel dry.

(“You need some lip balm,” his sister tells him through the mirror one night as she does her makeup. He’s still trying to get the stupid wig to look right. “And water.”)

Shut up, Maisie.

“Hey, you don’t have to like it,” Doc hums, as if Light spoke aloud. Maybe he did. “It’s what’s best for now.”

“You always say that,” Lightning whines, feeling in quite the mood to just be difficult.

(“You always say that,” he mutters to their reflection. She clicks her tongue and decides to not with the usual ‘I’m always right.’)

Doc eases him into the once messy bed now tucked neatly because Doc sometimes goes behind his back like that, and folds the sheets around his waist. The comforter has been folded on the desk chair.

“Try to sleep, rookie.”

“Sleep is so off season, Doc.” Lightning scoffs and burrows into his pillow. “Let me behind the wheel and I’ll. . .”

Tires spinning. Dirt flying. Turn right to go—

(“One day,” Monty asserts, laying on his sister’s shoulder. The tv screen glows black and white in the darkness of their little living room. “Someday soon, that’ll be me.”

He feels feels her hum more than he hears her. “Your hair’s in my nose.”

“What was that? I couldn’t hear with your hair in my ear.”

“Chomp.”

“Chomp?”

“. . .”

“Did you bite—“)

“—my hair?” Monty mumbles in his pillow.

He hears a chuckle.

Gets everywhere, someone says.

He doesn’t know who. The door shuts quietly.

Lightning wakes up to a note on the bedside in Doc’s handwriting, saying he’ll be at the clinic til 5 or so. Then he checks his phone and there’s a text with the same message, because Doc figured he’d better appreciate that.

He sits up and stretches, letting out a lion’s yawn that tastes like a fresh start and all the sleep he could have asked for. His stomach draws wide circles in him and he glances about for that food Doc had promised.

Doc wouldn’t just leave food out for however long to go bad.

He finds some soup and a cup of strawberries in the fridge. Soup is never his first choice but the strawberries help it go down. He surprisingly doesn’t mind it as much as he usually does, especially when it’s hot and warms him right up. He’s all the more grateful that Doc didn’t leave it out to go bad (as opposed to Lightning, who hasn’t just once forgotten to put leftovers away before bed).

“He’s so cool,” Lightning sighs. The doorbell rings.

As he opens it, he’s met with the most beautiful sight.

“Howdy, doll.” Sally dips her sunglasses and smirks. “You got a date to the prom?”

He sips from his bowl and leans on the doorframe, fighting to hear himself over the speed of his heart. “She just showed up.”

Sally leans up to kiss him before he leaps back, hand over his mouth.

“Stickers?”

“I’m sick, Sal!”

Sally, angel she is, laughs and draws his hand down. She pecks him softly, like, wow. “S’not gonna stop me.”

“Hm?” He’s still reeling from how lovely it always is.

“Nothing, babe.” She walks through the living room and he bounds after, so happy to be together. “How’re you feeling?”

“Good.” He sits back down at the table and opens his arms, wraps the blanket he’s been wearing around them both. “Sleepy. Is that weird? I just woke up.”

“My poor, sick baby.” Sally’s kiss tastes like strawberries. Oh, the thief. “The soup should help.”

“Yeah, but I don’t like soup,” Light mumbles against her crown. “How’ve you been?”

She swirls one of the berries in the bowl, giving a noncommittal shrug. “Well it’s slow today, but most people aren’t rushing through our cute little town this time of year. Don’t get me wrong, I love the activity.” She sighs, takes a bite and Lightning plucks a piece of chicken from the bowl. “It’s just nice having it to ourselves every now and then, not having to deal with all the buzz Mr. Golden racer boy brings everywhere he goes.”

He snorts. “I wouldn’t say I’m that popular.”

“Sure. Sky’s not blue.”

“Maybe not to you.” And he means it, watching her nibble the soup-coated berry and gaze sleepily towards the window above the sink. Bluer than blue, everything she is. Beautiful and true.

“You wanna come by the Cone? I could keep you company.”

“Nah.” He moves the bowl towards her, stealing back his cup of fruit. “It was enough walking to the front door and back.”

“Don’t be a stranger, shortcake.” She moves off of his lap and he misses her already. “I’m calling every couple hours, hear me? If you don’t answer, I’ll peek through your window until you either shoo me off or I get tired of looking at you.”

He rolls his eyes. “In other words, I’d have to actually tell you to leave.” Impossible. He’d never want her to leave.

Her smirk is back. “I know how hard that is for you, so I’ll make the agonizing—“ Sally clutches her heart, lifts her knuckles to her brow “—sacrifice of leaving on my own. See what you’re doing to me, stickers? Do you see how much I go through for you?”

“Always.” He kisses the back of her hand, drops his forehead to it. “I love you.”

He feels her brush a curl behind his ear and knows that she’s the best he could have ever asked for. “I love you too, Lightning.”

They part soon after, with Sally reiterating her promise to check in regularly and Lightning promising to let her.

As he wraps himself in bed, belly comfortably full and face more relaxed, he wonders if he’s forgotten something. His eyes will fall closed and he’ll think he sees someone, he almost knows he does, but they’re gone as soon as he’s conscious of them. There’s a voice he hasn’t heard in years but could never forget. Someone’s hand in his, whispering reassurances behind a curtain. The murmur of an audience. Gone again, back to nothingness behind his eyes. And as it goes, each time.

He falls asleep on a stage, sharing a dream he’s left behind.

It’s loud this time of night, voices bleeding over each other as silverware and plates meet. The tv over the bar is low, far from the main diner and even farther from those just outside, but she catches things here and there all the same. She’s learned how to use her ears.

Racing season must be at its peak. The interviewer on air won’t stop babbling about that three-way tie. Maisie still can’t wrap her head around such a blunder. Least of all can she believe how reckless he was.

Monty never used to be so careless.

When the press shove their way to him (“McQueen! McQueen!”) he’s leaning on his car, smirk loose and proud, arms crossed as if he’s everything and more, the brat (he’s enough, always has been, but she never told him and that hits her harder and harder every night). He prides himself on this one-man show attitude. Maisie tries to get lost in anything else: her cider is bubbly and sweet, he’d like it, Monty’s so different now; the night is cool and deep and unlike the flashes on screen that capture his every move and perfect teeth (as if he ever knew when to stop eating candy. Did he break the habit?).

Ugh, this is her least favorite part of the night, having to sit and wonder. He’s not even thinking about her. Not with his flashy new lifestyle and adoring fans. She polishes off her cider, listening to someone on tv yell that they quit, but refusing to watch. She recalls the news articles detailing each crew Monty’s fired. Maisie leaves her glass at the bar, tips the bartender who smiles her way, asks if she’ll get along fine on her own. She hums noncommittally, adds a few more bills to his tip because he has been a real gentleman all night. She leaves before he can ask again.

In her car she melts against the steering wheel, exhaustion hitting her at once. She doesn’t have to be on set til 9-ish, so she can sleep until 7 or so and make the next town over on time. And right now it’s. . .

Well, if she’s back at the motel and in bed within the next forty-or-so minutes she’ll catch a few hours of sleep after accounting for the bug-watch she’ll be doing. As it goes.

(Why hadn’t he called?)

Why hasn’t she?

She pushes away the accusation, scoffs at it. She’s been busy, obviously. Busy getting background roles and sleeping with the lights on to avoid bugs, or keep them away, but either way she doesn’t sleep. Busy having to settle with a stale bagel each morning because of her allergies and the hotel staff never knowing what’s been used in their meals. Monty probably gets his food special-made. Maisie hopes he remembers to be mindful anyway. He seems fine so far, at least.

Fine enough without her. No reason to call.

Her thumb hovers over his contact in her phone, as it does at least twice a day. He’s on live tv. She could call and embarrass him, probably, if he bothers to pick up. In front of the camera? He’d be ridiculous to. It’s not out of his league, but he wouldn’t have his phone on him. Not just after a race. She couldn’t bring herself to do it anyway, to even taint his success, though it crawls under her skin to just. . .and maybe she’s different now, too.

Her hand shakes and her throat dries. She tosses the phone to the passenger side, breathes through the weight behind her eyes. She’s just tired. And very tempted to go back for a few more ciders, fooling herself into thinking she could afford it. But she’s a big girl. She can pull through without the sugary support.

Maisie drives through McDonald’s for a small coffee—it won’t do much for her, but it’ll make the night a little easier—and heads back to the motel.

It’s a quiet drive. She keeps the radio off, really in no mood for it, though she hasn’t been able to get that one song out of her head for a while.

“Life could be a dream. . .”

The city is its best at night. The lights always fill Maisie with nostalgia for those long, sleepy rides along the freeway, nodding off on her brother’s shoulder as mama drove home. She can’t feel the lights like she would her family, but they’re almost an embrace. They’re close enough.

In the back of her mind she sees those lights on the red carpet. Cameras flashing (“McQueen, McQueen!”) catching her every angle, every one her best. Capturing him, too, as they walk side by side in this dream they’d have built.

There they would be: on a stage doing their latest Broadway hit. Her makeup perfect and his wig finally right. Monty and Maisie, twin sensations.

She’s back at the hotel before she knows it. Her coffee is cold when she picks it up, and she’s no way to heat it. Maisie sighs and brings it in anyway.

She sets it on the small table under the mounted tv that doesn’t get any channels. She showers quickly, well past ready for bed. The stage comes and goes, but her thoughts keep Monty the rest of the night. Her thumb hovers over the contact.

Maisie falls asleep, phone in hand, missing a far-off dream and a far-away sibling.

[mastermindmiko]

Enigma

pairing: Sirius Black + fem!reader

word count: 2207

Summary: After sirius moves in, you find it harder to keep your feelings hidden, but when you go back to hogwarts, you start to realise that maybe you're not the only one who has those feelings

Warnings: none, I think maybe some spelling mistakes

Hey! If you think this didn't completely suck, feel free to check out my masterlist.

requests are open

an: In a few days, another Sirius + James' sister one shot will be posted. lmk which one you liked more.

He was what every girl and almost every boy wanted. He had the most beautiful hair and the most charming smile. He was charismatic and chaotic in every good way. He fulfilled some people's fantasies by spending a week with them, but he never stayed for longer than that.

To most people, Sirius Black was a complete enigma, but not to me. He is best friends with my brother, and he'd always come spend a few days with us during the summer, but last summer, he came to stay with us permanently.

I, like most of the Hogwarts' population was in love with Sirius Black. What differentiated me from the rest of them was that I actually knew him. Or at least as much as I could with my brother around constantly.

"Honey! Come down for breakfast!" I heard my dad shout, and I hop off my bed. It was Dad's turn to make breakfast today which made me excited. I loved my mom with every fiber of my being, but I could not ever love her cooking.

I open the door, and I stumble into Sirius. He was coming out of his room just like me. He's room is right across from mine, and the only thing separating them was a narrow hallway. James' room was right beside mine, but he mostly bunked over at Sirius'.

"Hi." I say when he's face to face with me. He gives me a smile, and I nearly faint. He really did have the most charming smile to have ever existed. He asked, "So, Monty's cooking today?"

"Yeah."

"Score!" He said, excitedly. Knowing Dad, what could be awaiting down stairs could range from bacon and eggs to his wonderful pancakes, I really hope he made the pancakes. Sirius steps closer to me and holds my hand. I also hope that he doesn't notice the way my cheeks turned red at the action. Sirius said, "Come on, let's go."

He started leading me down stairs, and I couldn't help but smile. this was the bright side of having Sirius over for the summer, getting to spend more time with him, and not having to worry about him every second while he's with his horrible family.

"Wait up!" James says from behind us, and I groan internally. James jogs up to us and puts his arm around my shoulder and around Sirius'. He separates us with his body, and I feel the need to smack him. I can't though because who knows what my brother will do if he finds out about how I feel about Sirius.

"Potters! How are you this fine day?" Dad says, and I grin. I look at the table that he has set, and I notices the pancakes. I celebrate my triumph and head to the table. I head to sit at my usual place, but Sirius beats me to it by pulling out my chair for me. I grin at him gratefully, though the behavior is odd. James sits opposite to me. Dad sits at the head of the table, and mom's seat is opposite to him.

I feel the chair next to me get pulled out from under the table, and I look up in surprise to find Sirius going to sit next to me. James notices to, so before Sirius can be fully seated James shouts, "Oi! What you doing over there?"

"I wanted a change for a bit. Besides now I can see you better without having to break my neck." Sirius teases James and gives him a flirty wink. James looks at Sirius suspiciously, but drops it when dad puts James' plate in front of him. I feel butterflies at the fact that Sirius decided to sit next to me.

James shoves a large piece of food in his mouth, and he moans at how delicious the food is. He gulps it down, and looks at dad to say, "I wish you could cook for us everyday."

"Why's that James?" Mom says, coming down the stairs. James pauses and looks at mom scared. She heads towards the table and Sirius greets, "Good morning, Mia."

"Good morning, Sirius." Mom greets back and pulls out her chair to sit. She sits down, straightens her clothes then looks back at James. She repeats, "Why's that, James?"

"Because uh because you work too hard everyday and deserve to rest." James stutters, and I hid my grin behind my hand. Sirius on my right is doing the same as me. Mom hums, satisfied by James' answer, but not believing it one bit. Mom turns to me to ask, "How are you feeling, Honey? This years a big year."

It is. I get to take my OWLs and that means studying all the time, except when there's Quidditch of course. OWLs are very very important, and if I want to be an Auror like mom and dad I need to ace them, which isn't an easy feat. I feel my stomach bubble in nervousness every time I think about the exams. I reply, "Fine."

"You don't have to worry dear, I'm sure you'll do great." Mom reassures me, but it quite frankly does very little. James says, "You're a huge nerd, you'll do well."

I'm not sure if what James said could be categorized as an insult or a compliment. Dad jumps on the supportive train and says, "Besides, if you ever need any help your two brothers can help you."

My face scrunches up at the idea that Sirius is my brother. It makes me feel icky, but I hide my displeasure by giving dad a thankful smile. I wondered if Sirius thought about me that way, too. He's known me ever since he's known James, and as James' younger sister, I wouldn't doubt that he feels some sort of sibling connection between us like the one he feels with James.

"We need to get going, the train will leave in thirty minutes." Sirius said, and I glance up at the clock to find out he was right. I quickly munch on my food and so does everyone else. I needed to check that I have everything I need before we get going.

It doesn't take us a long time before we're on the train. I say goodbye to my mom and dad, and they rush to get to work before they're late. We go to our usual compartment where Remus and Peter are already waiting. I squeak in excitement when I see Remus, and jump into his arms.

I laugh as he embraces me just as tightly. Remus was my closest friend out of all of the boys, and I would say my only friend. Being siblings with James meant that it was hard making friends because everyone wanted me to get to him.

I feel a pair of arms wrap around my middle and pull me away from Remus. I frown at the action, and turn around to tell James off, but instead I see Sirius. My frown depends. Remus sits back in his seat, and before I can sit next to him, Sirius beat me to it. Sirius seats me beside him, and James sits next to Peter, opposite to us.

They all chat about their summers before Remus has to go to the Prefect's compartment for a meeting. I try not to think about Sirius' odd behavior and I try not to think about the way his arm hasn't left my waist. My heart hasn't stopped racing ever since he put it there.

Remus leaves the compartment and leaves a few sad faces as he goes. I grin at my brother's childish antics, and Remus reassures them that he'll be back as soon as he can. Remus waves to me and gives me a smile. I do the same, and I once again, pretend that I don't notice the way Sirius' arm tightens around me. The action however brings James' attention to the situation.

"Um, Padfoot." James says, glaring at Sirius' hand that's around me. Sirius frowns and then notices his arm. He pulls it off me and I feel cold at the loss of contact. Sirius apologizes sheepishly, "Sorry Prongs."

"You better not be thinking about my sister like that." James says, half joking, half dead serious. Sirius chuckles, but there's a tinge of nervousness to it. He replies, "No way, you know that Glynnis is my only girl."

I couldn't believe that I felt jealous, especially jealous of a girl who's twenty years older than me and a famous seeker.

~~~

I may be an idiot and I wouldn't be surprised if I am because I'm thinking that maybe this year is the year that Sirius Black falls for me. He's been acting strange, but in a good way. It's only a few things that I've noticed, they're all subtle, but they mean the world to me.

My only problem with these new actions were that they would all be perceived as protective...in a brotherly way. The thought alone is enough to make me gag.

"Potter and Black."

I look up to see that Professor Slughorn has called out the names of the partners. I hate Professors and their need to force inter-house unity. I look to find Regulus not moving from his place but his previous partner packing up his things.

Regulus doesn't move an inch, and doesn't even look at me. I roll my eyes, and head over to his desk with my stuff. Merlin! I hope this is at least a bit bearable. I huff and place my stuff on his- our desk. He doesn't say anything when I sit. I purse my lips and let out a polite, "Hey."

He hums, but doesn't look at me. Professor Slughorn starts to talk about the lesson, and so he starts to jot down some notes. So this is how it's going to be for the rest of the semester? Great. I pull out my parchment paper and start writing down some notes myself, but much less vigorous than Regulus is.

Regulus takes the lead in the potions making, and I'm not complaining. Potters have always been great at potions, but the tradition ends with me and James. We're complete messes when it comes to potions. It broke our dad's heard, but our love for Quidditch mended it again.

"How is he?" Regulus randomly whispers, and I could barely hear it. I frown and look at him confused. I ask, "What?"

"Sirius, how is he?" Regulus says, and continues to chop up whatever ingredient he has and places it in the potion. He isn't looking at me and my heart breaks a little. He still cares about him. I reply, "He's good."

Regulus doesn't reply, but nods his head. Regulus is much like Sirius when he was younger. Up until third year, Sirius was quiet which seems impossible considering how he is now. Sirius lacked confidence due to the way his parents raised him. He always said that being sorted into Gryffindor saved him. I wonder if Regulus was the same, except he didn't have anyone to save him.

"If you um if you ever want to talk or something like that, I'm here." I whisper and for the first time. Regulus looks at me. He looks like a mix between surprised and confused. He clears his throat and looks away. He continues to do whatever he's been doing. He says, "We're going to talk anyway."

"We have to get the project done." Regulus says before I can inquire about his sentence. I notice that Slughorn's rambling on about some sort of project that each pair has to get done by a month. The bells ring and Regulus packs up his stuff quickly, leaving the cauldron for the professor to check. I say, "Bye?"

The Black brothers were definitely going to be making this year interesting.

~~~

"Where are you going?" Sirius asks me as I head out with several books huddled in my arms, heading to meet Regulus to get the project done. He's resting on the couch with his arms spread out just like his legs. I try not to stare.

"Since when are you interested in my whereabouts?" I tease him, and Sirius Black, Mr. Charmer, Sir flirting, blushes, and looks away. The action fuels my suspicions that my crush may not be unrequited anymore.

"Just in case James asks." Sirius answers, and I feel my heart plummet, but I still hold on to some hope. I nod and head out of the common room. I call out once I open the portrait, "If he really wants to know then he can check that map of his."

It's not that I don't want to tell sirius that I'm meeting Regulus. It's that I don't know where they stand. Regulus clearly still cares about his brother while Sirius hates his family, I don't know if that means Regulus included.

I'm already at the library, and I sit down next to Regulus, who already has some books open and writing something. I sit down, and Regulus quips, "Took you long enough."

"I'm two minutes late!" I chuckle, and Regulus wastes no time before saying, "I think we should recreate the polyjuice potion."

"But it's very complex." I say weary of the idea. Even the best potion masters have trouble making that one. Regulus says, "which will make it all that more impressive when we get it right."

"Alright, but you're the one who is trying it, not me." I say, raising both my hands as if I'm surrendering. Regulus smiles, a rare thing that I only get to see every so often. He says, "Only if I get to turn into you."

"I'll have a stack of hairs ready." I say with a grin. Regulus' smile falls, and I miss the presence of it. It made him look much less intimidating. His eyes fall to something behind me, and I look to see Sirius sitting between bookshelves, hiding behind a large book about women's problems in the wizarding world.

"We have a stalker." Regulus says, and I actually am surprised that we can so obviously see Sirius. He's always been the best hider out of all the boys, sans invisibility cloak, of course. I turn back to my work and huff, "He's protective."

"He's jealous." Regulus says, and I look at him bewildered. I scoff and chuckle in a weird way and say, "he's acting like that because he thinks I'm his little sister."

"Now, I know that incest runs in Black blood, but Sirius looks at you the way he looks at Glynnis Griffiths." Regulus says, growing more annoyed by Sirius' presence. I stand up. I sigh, "I'll get rid of him."

I walk towards him, and he fumbles on his book, dropping it to the ground. He picks it up quickly and steps deeper in between the bookshelves. I fold my arms in front of my chest and tap my foot against the ground. I purse my lips and then say, "I assume James put you up to this."

"Yes, definitely." Sirius replies in an instant, taking off the dark glasses that he's wearing. I narrow my eyes and him and fake ignorance, "Weird, considering that James has private practice with the beaters today."

Sirius turns viably nervous, very nervous. He looks down to the ground and fidgets. Does Sirius actually have feelings for me? All the signs are there. I take a chance, "Sirius, do you like me?"

"What?!! Why would you say that- I- what I...yes." Sirius sighs at the end and looks down at the ground. I don't say anything and watch him frown. He rubs his face, frustrated, "James is going to kill me."

"He'll just maim you a little." I say and take a step closer to him. I shrug my shoulders and suggest, "Besides, we don't have to tell him right away. We can just put the idea in his head and make him open up to it little by little."

"Wait? You like me?" Sirius says, eyes wide and shocked. I roll my eyes. Some boys are really just idiots. I don't answer him, instead, I pull his tie and kiss him.

I furthermore realise why so many people that were with Sirius never wanted to leave him. He was an amazing kisser. He pulls away and grins at me. He looks at me in a way that makes me feel like my insides are doing cartwheels. I ask, "What?"

"Nothing, you're just so much better than Glynnis."

[itsonlybaby]

𐙚ᣟ݂﹒𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 - 𝐣. 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐲﹒

◜♡﹒﹒𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭﹒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭﹒𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

playlist !

John Murphy - Modern AU

꒰ ୨୧ ꒱ ⸝⸝ in which you and your friends plan on throwing murphy a surprise birthday party, what will happen when the guest of honor is late to his own birthday? ﹒ 　 ⊹ 　⤷ cw: kiss scene, sfw

"What's the theme gonna be?" I ask, excitedly.

Octavia, Bellamy, Clarke, and Lincoln sat next to and across from me in the university lounge. Jasper and Monty were in their respective classes but we'd text them the details after the discussion.

The discussion in question is Murphy's birthday party. Well, it was a secret birthday party.

Murphy hadn't been fond of birthday parties, or secret ones, or anything happy in general. It took a while for him to even come out of his shell around us. His snarky comments always bring a smile to my face.

"I didn't know you needed one for a birthday party," Lincoln stated, Bellamy nodding in agreement while I rolled my eyes.

Lincoln and Bellamy only seemed to be here for Octavia and Clarke, the rest of the friend group besides me didn't really know him- it's not that they didn't care for him perse; it's just he's only with us when we're all together. Nobody really gets to sit down and talk with him one-on-one.

"He doesn't even like parties, let alone surprise parties," Clarke spoke up from beside Bellamy. "Let's just get him a present from all of us and leave it at that."

Clarke has always tried to get the group to do what 'benefits' us most, or at least that's what she says when she gets called out on occasion.

But nobody is perfect.

What she had said struck something in me, we'd always thrown parties for everyone in the group so what made Murphy so different? Just because he isn't as social with everyone? I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Bellamy agreeing with her.

"C'mon guys, were his friends, why do I have to constantly remind you all of that?" I stood up abruptly, catching everyone's attention and the eyes of passersby.

"She is right, it'll be fun Clarke," Octavia added, if I could count on anyone it'd be Octavia to have my back. I smiled when I saw Clarke's small smile, signaling she agreed. If Clarke was going then Bellamy was too. Same with Lincoln and Octavia. Jasper and Monty wouldn't pass up a good time with friends, Monty could even bring Harper!

"Alright! My place, tomorrow night at 6! Don't forget presents!" I say, a little to enthusiastic. I was already picturing the bright smile on Murphy's face, imagining how happy I'd be making him.

I grabbed my bag from the side of the beanbag and made a B-line to the parking lot after noticing the time. I hoped Murphy wasn't mad at me for being late. Murphy had a car, I didn't, he also had a license, I didn't. So he offered (I pleaded) to take me home after classes since we lived in the same apartment complex. It made things easier, I got to have small talks with him, and he... well he got a friend.

Opening the glass doors I saw Murphy's car, I was surprised he'd waited 40 minutes for me.

Opening the passenger door I tossed my bag behind me into the backseat, it landed on a pile of random clothes- thankfully only his. Murphy's car was decorated in my things, hair ties on the shift gear, lipgloss in the change holder, a car freshener I got him in the shape of a bow, he protested it made him look girly but he never tried to give the things I left back.

"You're lucky I waited." Murphy started the car up. "What were you even doing? I know your schedule so don't try and lie." He finished, pulling out of the parking space. He knows my schedule?

Looking over at him I examined his face, like I do every time I'm in the car with him. It's like I can never get enough like I want his face engraved into my brain. His not-so-slicked-back hair, his dark blue eyes, his prominent nose. The imperfections he saw I didn't. Even with his tough guy act I could tell, there were some things he wished he could change. Though I wouldn't change them for the world.

A cough from Murphy snapped me out of my trance, he must've noticed my staring. I shook my head and brushed a strand of hair out of my face.

"Just talking with the others at the lounge." I tried not to reveal too many details about the conversations prior.

Looking out the window, unable to see the frown on Murphy's face, "Of course, cause who wouldn't wanna spend 40 minutes in a university lounge." The stop light turned green and I felt the car pick up speed.

"You should really try talking to some of them more, and I mean like really talking. Like how we are now!" I say, turning back to look at him, realizing how... sad? he looked. I wished everyone could see what I saw in Murphy.

"Yeah, well, I only talk to them for you, so." His hand turned on the radio once he was finished speaking, the sound of Frank Ocean 'Ivy' filling the car shortly after, soon filling the silence. It was my favorite song that I had introduced him to, and ever since then, it's been his favorite too.

He only talks to them for me? As in he only talks to them for me? or for me? I had wanted to ask more questions but I decided to take the hint and leave the topic alone for now.

The song had started to get to me, "I feel a song coming on!" I say, turning up the radio. Murphy knew what this meant, as it wasn't his first rodeo.

"You better not! I will leave you on this highway!" Empty threats he was spewing.

"I thought that I was dreaming when you said you loved me!" I sang loudly, with no care in the world. Unbeknownst to me, Murphy was admiring me from the driver's seat, how I was so effortlessly beautiful to him. A smile found its way onto his lips, a rare occurrence to most, but a common one with you.

"The start of nothin'..." He grumbled through a smile.

"Had no chance to prepare, I couldn't see you comin'!" We both sang along, his smile growing bigger with every lyric.

It was amazing to see him like this, without his usual frown. His smile was beautiful, and I wish I had the guts to tell him.

Pulling into a parking space near our complex I leaned into the backseat to grab my bag. The sudden dread that the moment before would be cut short. Murphy seemed to feel it too as his smile returned to his normal scowl.

"Murphy?" I look at him before opening the door, catching his attention quickly.

"Yeah?"

"Come over tomorrow, at 6ish. And happy early birthday!" I hoped that didn't reveal too much about the party happening tomorrow. And with that I hopped out of the car and made my way into the complex, leaving Murphy with his thoughts, of me.

I had already gotten his present a week prior, it was a build-a-bear plushie. A big green frog, dressed in an outfit similar to what Murphy wears, but the best part is the voice message when you press his hand. It, well I, say, "yu laik ai raunon" meaning, you are my person, its trigdasleng. Few people know the made-up language, Murphy included. I just hope he likes it. It's also my way of saying, I like you.

It's been 30 minutes past six. Everyone was growing doubt Murphy would even come, but I had faith. I was staring out the window when I overheard Octavia and Lincoln talking.

"Why would you tell him? It's supposed to be a surprise Lincoln." Octavia whispered, crossing her arms in disapproval.

It was obvious now why he didn't show, but if he knew we were all coming why not just make an appearance?

Staring back out the window I saw Murphy's car pull up, joy flowed through me but was slowly dispercing the longer he sat there, unmoving. Why wasn't he getting out?

I made my way to the door with the plushie in hand.

"I'll be back guys," I state, not turning back to get their answers.

"Alright!" Jasper and Monty yell, too busy mixing together concoctions of drinks and making Bellamy taste them.

Coming up to his car I see his head resting on the steering wheel, I knock on the door and I see his eyes peek out to see me, he still made no motion to move.

I sigh and walk to the passenger side door and get in.

"Murphy?" I ask, putting a hand on his shoulder, making him sit up to face me.

"What." He blankly stated. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a little hurt over his tone, but I pushed on for him.

"What's wrong?"

"Why are you here, y/n?" It was a genuine question, a dumb one, but genuine.

"What do you m-" He cut me off.

"Why are you here, acting like you care." His words stung, but it's now or never.

"I'm here for you, I'm here because I love you, Johnathan." I hadn't meant to say the last part with full confidence, and the look on his face turned into one of shock, the previous emotions long forgotten with my newfound confession.

Moments of silence passed and I took that as a sign to leave, I began opening the door but was stopped by his hand, it sent a chill down my spine.

"Did you mean that?" Murphy questioned, staring into my eyes, looking for any signs of deception or regret.

"I meant every part.." My voice wavered, becoming fully aware of the situation and how vulnerable I felt under his strong gaze and grip.

Before I even knew it his lips were on mine, the kiss was passionate and loving, full of months pent up with love, like it's what our lifelong goal was, to be here, in this car, with each other. No other care in the world.

I pulled away for air and fully examined him, the dusty pink that lined his cheeks, if I could take a picture of this I would.

"I love you too, but what is that?" He asked, pointing to the frog in my lap. I had completely forgotten about his present!

"Its for you!" I excitedly say, shoving the frog practically into his face

Murphy took it into his big hands and examined it all over, with a goofy grin on his face. He discovered the button and pressed it, my voice filling the air for a few seconds. He took a minute to translate the sentence in his head, but when he did he had the biggest smile as he kissed me again, and again, and again...

"Shall we go to the party, birthday boy?" I say in between little kisses.

"We could stay here, in the backseat." He replied, suggestively, I giggled at this

"Don't tempt me."

◜♡﹒﹒𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭﹒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭﹒𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

[guinea-pig16]

Late Night || I'm Here

Please read Part 4 before reading this one!

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Word count: 3,700+

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Time slows as you start running towards Monty. From the corner of your eye, you see Freddy sprinting towards you, yelling at Gregory to run. Behind you, you can hear Gregory falling over, a hiccup escaping him as he begins to cry. You have no clue what on Earth you’re doing, your only thought is to protect Gregory, and to help Monty. So you do the only thing you can think of.

You run towards Monty and dive into his chest, arms wrapping around his waist. You expect to be dragged alongside him as he continues running to Gregory, but what you don’t expect is him to freeze in his tracks. You tighten your grip, face buried in his chest. Everything around comes to a halt. 

“Monty, please…” You mumble. You pull away enough to look at him, your heart pounding as he’s already staring at you. His eyes pierce into yours. You can hear his servos grinding and struggling, as if they’re attempting to force him to move. But he doesn’t, he remains as still as a statue. 

“Monts, it's okay… You’re okay… You don’t need to hurt anyone.” You say. His eyes never leave yours, not even as Freddy slowly approaches, not even as Gregory slips deeper into the shadows.. You lay your head back on his chest, and hug him harder.

“Let me help you, Monty… Please…” You shut your eyes and pray he’ll let you. After a moment of stillness, you feel his arms gently wrap around you. He holds you so softly, as if you’ll break from the slightest touch. 

“...Okay…” whispers Monty, his voice lined with static. You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding, and pull away enough to give him a soft smile. Gently holding his arms, you guide him into a kneeling position.

You stand, keeping your hands on his shoulders. Freddy moves to stand in front of Monty, watching for any sudden movements. You take your laptop out of your bag and set it on the ground next to you. He sits there patiently, watching your every movement.

“Okay, I’m going to remove the back of your head plate, alright? And then I’m going to plug in my laptop to your computer chip and we’ll get you fixed up, okay?” You hope explaining everything will make him feel better. Monty just nods, and you tense slightly when you see his hand twitch. You round Monty and stand behind him. You remove the back of his head plate and plug in your laptop. Monty twitches again, but does nothing. 

“Alright, I’m going to need to reboot you after this, okay? Don’t worry, you’ll wake up in a few hours and be right as rain.” You give him a smile, and he just nods once more. You pull up his code and search for the odd man out. You find it, and begin to delete it.

Monty suddenly lurches forward, and shudders violently. Freddy twitches forward, prepared to restrain him if need be. You quickly finish deleting the code, and Monty stills once more. 

“Alright… See you in a bit, Monts.” You say, and hit the reboot button. Monty slumps forward, but is caught by Freddy before he hits the ground. Freddy kneels and holds Monty against him. He then frantically looks you up and down for any possible injuries.

“Y/N, what you did was very dangerous! Monty could have seriously injured you in this state!” He chastises. You duck your head slightly.

“Freddy… I’m fine… Monty would never hurt me.” Freddy looks unconvinced. “Besides, it all worked out! We’re all fine, right Gregory?” You lean to the side and look to where Gregory had been hiding. He just stares at you, the remnants of his tears staining his cheeks. Freddy looks back at Gregory, then back to you with a raised eyebrow.

“Look… I know it was stupid but I just…” You rest one of your hands on Monty’s cheek. “I hated seeing him like that… I had to help him, even if it risked my life…” Freddy looks at you for a moment, before letting out a sigh. He places a hand on your face and rubs his thumb against your cheek fondly.

“...You have a good heart, Y/N… That is why I care for you so much.” You lean into his touch and smile at him. You both sit there for a moment, looking at each other fondly. Then, the moment is broken by Gregory coughing slightly. 

“Oh, right! Sorry, Gregory! Got a bit distracted there…” You say, face flushing. You hear Freddy’s internal fan whir a bit as well. You stand up and dust off your pants. You then jog slightly to where Gregory is and kneel to give him a once over.

“You alright, kiddo?” You ask. He nods and sniffles slightly, his face still stained with tears. You reach into your bag and bring out a rag. You hold it in front of him, silently asking him for permission. He gives you a small nod, and you gently begin to wipe away his tears. Once you're done, you rest a hand on his head. 

“You’ve been very brave today, Gregory.” You then glance to where Freddy’s standing, making sure he can’t over hear. “If it were any other kid in your position, they’d shit their pants.” You whisper, cracking a grin. Gregory’s face splits into a small smile, and he giggles quietly. You ruffle his hair, causing him to swat away your hand, and stand up right as Freddy comes over. He’s holding Monty bridal style, clutching him close to his chest. 

“Alrighty, let’s get Monty to his room!” You say, glad that this is finally over. Freddy nods, and him and Gregory follow you to Monty’s room. You then stop in your tracks. “...Oh… Right…” Monty’s room still hasn’t been fixed. You’d rather him not wake up in a trashed room.

“Let us take him to my room.” Freddy says, catching onto your train of thought. You do a double take at that.

“Are you sure? He can stay in Parts and Service while he reboots.” You question. Freddy nods.

“Of course! Monty is my friend, I would feel better if he were in a more comfortable place.” He says. You shrug.

“Alright then. Lead the way, Mr. Fazbear.” You dramatically gesture for him to take the lead. Freddy chuckles quietly and begins to lead the way back to his green room. You and Gregory trail behind him.

Arriving at Freddy’s room, you unlock the door and let Freddy enter first. He lays Monty gently on the couch. Gregory walks in and plops down on a bean bag chair in the corner, letting out a loud sigh. You smile, glad that Gregory can finally relax. It’s been quite the night. You sit yourself on an ottoman next to Monty. Freddy sits at Monty’s feet on the couch. The three of you sit there in silence. Gregory eventually falls asleep, and you got up and laid a blanket over him, Freddy placing a plush next to his head. 

You watch Monty, observing every inch of him, waiting, worrying. Freddy watches you in turn, noticing your tired eyes, the way they try to flutter close.

“Y/N.” Freddy’s voice causes you to jump slightly, having become accustomed to the silence. You turn to him, eyelids heavy.

“What’s up?” You ask, suppressing a yawn. Freddy looks at you, worriedly.

“You should get some rest. Monty will not wake for several more hours. And you’ve been awake for so long…” You wave a hand dismissively.

“I’m fine, just a little tired is all.” You rub your eyes with a hand. “Besides, I want to be awake when he wakes up.” Freddy doesn’t respond. You go back to watching over Monty, your eyes feeling heavier and heavier. You take Monty’s hand in yours. Man, you’ve got to stop pulling all nighters at work. Your head droops forward. What time is it even? You check your watch. It’s almost 5 in the morning. You’ve been up for almost 20 hours now.

Suddenly, you feel a soft, warm weight being draped across your shoulders. You sink into its comfort.

“Sleep. It is okay. I will wake you when Monty wakes up.” Freddy says gently, coaxing you to lay your head down on Monty’s chest. You let out a sigh, resigning to comply. You’re too tired to put up a fight anymore. Still holding Monty’s hand, you shift into a more comfortable position, and let your mind drift off into sleep.

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Monty’s POV

Monty opens his eyes, and looks around the dim room. Where was he? He registers a weight on his chest and sits up slightly, only to freeze in place.

Y/N was sleeping soundly, laying their head on his chest and holding his hand. If he had a heart, he swears it would melt at the sight alone. 

“Ah, you’re awake.” Whispers a voice. Monty’s head snaps to the direction of the voice, and sees Freddy watching him, a fond look in his eyes. His internal fan kicks up, and he looks away, observing the room he’s in. He cringes at seeing all the Freddy plushies, posters, and other paraphernalia. He must be in Freddy’s room, then. He begins to ask why he’s here and not in his room, when Freddy cuts him off.

“We didn’t want you to wake up in an… Uncomfortable environment. So, I offered my room for you to rest in.” He says with a soft smile. Monty doesn’t respond, and instead looks at Y/N sleeping soundly on his chest. 

“...What… What exactly happened?” Monty whispers, trying not to wake Y/N. He doesn’t remember much of anything, just the overwhelming feeling of anger, fear, and hurt. He tries to remember, and instead feels an intense pain behind his eyes, causing him to clutch his head with his spare hand. Freddy twitches, as if he was going to touch Monty.

“Well, you, Chica, and Roxanne were infected with some kind of… virus. It caused the three of you to become incredibly violent. You all were attempting to attack Gregory for an unknown reason.” Freddy looks behind him, Monty following his gaze. He sees a small boy curled up in a bean bag chair, clutching a Freddy plushie, snuggled in a blanket. He tried to attack him…? 

“But Y/N was able to figure out a solution, thankfully. So all three of you should be fine now.” Freddy smiles warmly. Monty looks down where Y/N lays, asleep, and gently rests his other hand on their face. He smiles at them. Man… they really are incredible… Freddy watches Monty in silence for a moment, the smile never leaving his face.

“...You care for Y/N, don’t you?” Monty’s head snaps up, internal fan whirring. Freddy has a knowing look in his gaze along with a smile. Monty is silent for a minute, then musters up the courage to give a curt nod. Freddy’s smile widens and he nods back. They sit there for a moment, unspoken words hovering in the air.

“You should tell them.” That catches Monty’s attention. He looks at Freddy, shocked.

“...But… Aren’t you two…?” He questions, hand gesturing between Y/N and Freddy.

Freddy gives him a smile. “It’s okay. You should tell them.” Monty goes to protest, when he feels Y/N begin to stir.

“Monty…?” Y/N mumbles, slowly sitting up, drowsy eyes looking up at him. 

“Hey short stack.” He whispers, using his hand to move stray hair from their face. Y/N leans into his touch, sighing.

“You scared the hell out of us, asshole…” Y/N mumbles, leaning forward and hugging Monty. He jumps slightly, not expecting the contact, before gently wrapping his arms around them.

“Yeah, I heard…” He says, making eye contact with Freddy. He gives Monty a nod of encouragement, still smiling softly. Monty releases air he didn’t know he was holding. Gently, he pulls Y/N away from him and looks them in the eye.

“Y/N… I need to tell you something…” Y/N cocks their head, looking at him confused. Monty looks once more to Freddy, who just smiles back. “Y/N… I’m… I love you.” Y/N’s eyes widen as he continues. 

“I’ve loved you since we met. I can’t get your damn smile out of my head, the way you laugh, the way your eyes look. I’d been avoiding you because I was… I was scared. I’ve never felt like this before and I didn’t know what to make of it. I was scared you’d reject me, and wouldn't wanna be around me anymore.” Monty looks down, avoiding eye contact. There’s silence, his confession hanging in the air. Just as he begins to regret opening his mouth, a hand gently lifts his face. Y/N looks at him, their eyes searching his face, their mouth pressed into a thin line.

“Monty… I… I care about you too. So much… But… Freddy and I… we’re…” Y/N trails off. Monty already knows the words they won’t say. We can’t. 

“...Perhaps we can share?” Freddy pipes up. Both Monty and Y/N whip their heads to look at Freddy. 

“Huh?” Both Monty and Y/N look at him, confused.

“Let me clarify, perhaps Monty and I could both be with Y/N. If Y/N is okay with that.” Says Freddy, still smiling, looking at Y/N. Monty looks to Y/N as well. There’s no way they’d agree to that… right?

Y/N sits there for a moment in thought. Monty can practically see the gears turning in their head as they think. They turn and make eye contact with Monty.

“...Would you be okay with that? If I were with both of you?” Monty thinks for a moment. He loves Y/N, but is he willing to share them? He glances at Freddy, who’s looking at him with an indecipherable emotion. He’s never been Freddy’s biggest fan… But… He looks back to Y/N, into their eyes full of care and patience. Maybe… Just maybe this could work out…

“I’m game if you are.” He relents, willing to give it a chance. Y/N and Freddy both break into grins. Y/N takes one of Freddy’s hands, and then one of Monty’s.

“We’ll make this work, together. Let’s promise each other to try and see this through, alright?” Y/N says excitedly. Monty and Freddy glance at each other. 

“You got it, Superstar!” Says Freddy, pressing a kiss on Y/N’s head. They both look at Monty now, with expectant eyes. He lets out a sigh.

“Yeah yeah, I promise short stack…” Y/N gives Monty a radiant smile that makes his chest swell in adoration.

Maybe this will work out…

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A couple months later…

Y/N’s pov

You stand in the parking lot, freezing your butt off in the December air. You scowl at the boy rummaging around in the trunk of your car.

“C’mon, Gregory! Hurry up, I’m freezing here!” You complain, wrapping your coat tighter around you. 

“I’m trying! Not my fault you have so much junk in here!” He quips back. You roll your eyes, and he finally lets out a ‘aha!’ and closes the trunk. He comes to your side, holding two canvases under his arm. You hold your hand out for him to take, and he slips his into yours. The two of you begin the trek to the Pizzaplex entrance.

“Do you think they’ll like them..?” Gregory mumbles, readjusting his grip on the canvases. You look down at him, a fond smile gracing your face. 

“They’ll love them. Don’t worry, they love everything you make for them.” You reassure Gregory. The two of you approach the Pizzaplex, and you almost stop to admire the decorations they had out for Christmas. They always went all out for the holidays, but you think they took it up a notch this year. You both enter and stand in the lobby for a moment, enjoying the warmth. 

Families bustle around you, either doing their holiday shopping or rushing to all the attractions the Pizzaplex has to offer. You scan the crowd, keeping Gregory close to you, looking for a particular bear or alligator. You lock eyes with bright blue ones and your face splits into a smile. You wave your arm and make your way to Freddy, slightly dragging Gregory behind you.

“Hello my Superstars! It’s so nice to see you both!” He exclaims, sweeping you into a short kiss, and ruffling Gregory's hair. You grin at him, his usual top hat has been retired for a Santa hat. You stand on your tip toes and lean to whisper in Freddy’s ear.

“Gregory has a surprise for you!” You whisper. Freddy’s eyes light up and looks to Gregory, who’s staring at his feet, clutching the canvases to his chest.

“Well now! May I see what you have for me, Superstar?” Freddy gently scoops Gregory into his arms. Gregory doesn’t say anything, and hides his face in his scarf before taking one of the canvases and shoving it into one of Freddy’s hands. Freddy supports Gregory with one arm and looks at the canvas, his eyes widening in glee. You lean against Freddy’s arm and look at the painting proudly. It was a painting of you, Freddy, Monty, and Gregory. He had stayed up late into the night for weeks in order to make two copies in time for Christmas. You can’t remember all the times you had to take him to bed after he’d fallen asleep on his easel.

“...My goodness! This is beautiful, Gregory! Thank you so much!” Freddy wraps his arms around Gregory and gives him a tight hug. Gregory complains loudly at the hug, but you and Freddy both see the smile on his face. 

“Hey, where’s Monty? Have you seen him by any chance?” You ask, looking around the crowd. Freddy puts down Gregory and looks around the crowd as well.

“Hm, he may be near his Green room. From what I’ve heard, I believe he’s doing a birthday party, he might be done now.” You nod and begin to maneuver through the crowd with Freddy and Gregory. 

You have to say, these past couple months have been pure bliss. After that night, Monty has been as sweet as can be, along with Freddy. Everyday when you came into work, either Freddy, Monty, or both would be there waiting for you, ready to give you a hug and a kiss. Freddy is his usual sweet, caring self. But Monty has shown you a completely different side of him. He’s still his joking, sarcastic, rough self, but he shows you his tender, soft, caring side now. His kisses are gentle, and he holds you as if you’re made of porcelain. And when things have gotten a little… ‘Steamy’ between the two of you, he always makes sure you feel loved and taken care of afterwards. 

And Gregory has been the perfect addition to your weird little family. He’s been living with you since that night, and you have to say, it’s been nice not waking up to an empty house anymore. He’s a little brat sometimes, sure, but he makes up for it with his little shows of appreciation. Whether that be him brewing coffee in the morning for you, or him drawing a picture for you to put in your office. His art skills have been improving every day, and almost half of your office walls and fridge have been dedicated to showcasing his art. 

You bring him to work with you when you have to work night shifts, and have been teaching him some mechanics and how to repair simple things. He’s become like a sort of assistant to you, helping you repair arcade machines and photo booths. Freddy and Monty sometimes come down and hangout in P&S with you and Gregory, and you end up staying later than you should talking and laughing with the three of them. 

The three of you finally make your way to Monty’s green room, having had to practically battle your way there through the massive crowd of people. You sigh in relief when you see Monty standing there, clad in reindeer antlers, taking a picture with a little girl. He waves goodbye to the small family, a soft smile on his face that grows larger when he sees you, Freddy, and Gregory approach. 

“Well, long time no see! How have you guys been?” He exclaims, arms open for a hug. You wrap your arms around Monty, and he gives you a small kiss on the head, and then gets down on one knee to ruffle Gregory’s hair. He swats away Monty’s hand, making him chuckle. He spots the canvas Gregory is holding.

“Well now, what’ve we got there? Mind showin’ me kiddo?” He asks. Gregory hesitates slightly, before handing over the painting. Monty takes it and looks at it, his eyes widening, a smile stretching across his face.

“You made this?” He looks to Gregory, who nods, cheeks tinged red with embarrassment. “Kid, this is incredible! Thank you!” He scoops Gregory into a big hug. 

“Put me down you big lizard!” Cries Gregory, pushing away from Monty half-heartedly. Monty chuckles and puts him down. 

“I don’t start my shift for another couple hours, so I was thinking maybe you guys would want to watch a movie?” You ask, looking between Monty, Freddy, and Gregory. Their faces light up.

“Sure thing! We can use my green room since we’re right here.” Monty gestures to the door of his room. 

The four of you go inside of Monty’s green room. Monty closes the curtains and clicks a button on the wall, a tv screen lowering from the ceiling. Freddy settles on the couch and Gregory hops into his lap. You sit next to Freddy, and Monty comes and sits on the other side of you, wrapping an arm around your waist. You lean on his shoulder and hold one of Freddy’s hands. Monty turns on a Christmas movie, and the four of you sit there, relaxed. You look between Monty, Freddy, and Gregory and smile.

Life’s good.

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IT'S FINALLY DONE !!! Months of work finally finished !!! I want to thank each and everyone of you for your love and support!! You're what keeps me writing and creating !!! I'll be posting and updating the chapters with chapter covers over the next coming days, so keep an eye out for that! I have a one shot idea using Late Night's story, but after that I'm going to explore a different fandom. I'm still open for drabble and writing ideas if ya'll have any!! Anyways, love y'all !!! Ciao !!

XOXOXOXOXO <3

[d3adgayw1zardwr1t3r]

A very Potter Christmas

Word count: 560 , Marauders, platonic prongsfoot, Christmas

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It's Sirius's first Christmas at the Potter's, and he's been nothing but welcomed and adored by Mr. And Mrs. Potter, so much so, that he tries to keep up, but what's an unloved child to do with so much sudden care?

He makes cookies, went sledding, and had a snow ball fight (you can throw things at people, not with the intent of harm? That was a new lesson.)

He was given hot chocolate, dry clothes, next to a warm fire, and this beautiful muggle creation called a movie!

He was so happy, but at the same time, it hurt so bad.

It hurt because he'd never been able to be loved back before. Not before James, then Peter and Remus.

It hurt because he'd never had a Christmas without screaming, curses, and beatings as a 'gift'; all that mixed with the annual family portrait he and Regulus hated oh so much. Regulus.

It hurt because, through this few days of receiving this love, he wondered if he and Reg wouldn't be so turned against each other of they new how to act with love.

It hurt because every new, happy thing made him realize how bad it had been before, and how much more he dreaded ever returning.

He was mad that it hurt. He wished he could just have some stupid fun without looking outside of the moment so much, just stop it, stop it!

But he couldn't stop it. He tried.

So one night, when he was in dry clothes, in his bed in the guest room, having casual pre-sleep conversation with the Potter's (James randomly burst in excited to tell him something, and then the Potter parents followed a bit later to tell the boys it was bedtime, they got wrapped in the conversation too)

Sirius feels his eyes tear up. Shit. This has never happened before, not in front of other people, never, no, no, no. He looks at the ceiling, willing the tears away, but James is excitedly sitting at the foot of his bed with a twinkle in his eyes, Monty has his arm around Euphemia as they stand in the doorway, listening, paying attention to their son. Sirius tries to pay attention to, but it happens before he can help it.

His lips curl, and one tear falls, then another, then another.

"...Mate?" James asks, looking over at him "Pads, what's wrong, was it something I've said"

Sirius shakes his head, and wills away the tears again, fuck, this is embarrassing.

Mrs. Potter starts walking towards Sirius, and he fucking flinches. Why? Why did he flinch? Stupid, stupid

"Sirius, you're okay love, you're safe, let it out" she says, gently, sitting beside the 13 year old, allowing him to come closer if he chooses.

He doesn't know why, but he rolls over, resting his face against Mrs. Potter's shoulder, and he balls his eyes out. He'd never done that before.

James was worried, he looked to his dad for some direction, I mean, his best friend was sobbing into his mother's shoulder, how could he help? Mr. Potter just shook his head, as if to say 'this one isn't on you, kid' and walked closer to sit between Sirius's feet, and James, who he put an arm around in comfort.

No one spoke for a while.

He was safe.

He was loved.

[discount-shades]

Sleepy Baby Part 12

a/n: This will make more sense if you have seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Pairing: Jake “Hangman” Seresin X reader

Warnings: None, back to fluff

Word Count: 1400 ish

Summary: Jake is Lancelot and Kisses is Guinevere

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When Jake had said he only had twenty six months left in San Diego you saw two options, either end it then and there or go all in. The prospect of living the rest of your life without Jake was unimaginable so it had been an easy decision to bet it all. Even though neither of you are behaving differently everything feels like it has shifted. 

Knowing that what you were feeling was real and had a future made everything seem easier. You had a goal. You and Jake were building a future together. While the relationship had started as a happy accident and a fun way to get back out there emotionally, it was now the foundation to your future. 

True to his word Jake had become one of Grace’s biggest supporters, always encouraging you to spend time with her and the small group of friends you began to develop. When you brought it up to him he admitted that your not quite hypothetical future marriage was one of his reasons. 

“When I’m deployed you need people in your life you can turn to.”  He explained. “Any of my Navy buddies like Javy will help if they can, but you’re right, they would be helping you for me and it won’t be the same support system.”

You still saw the Dagger Squad often and that is how you ended up back at the Hard Deck clustered around the pool table at the back. Jake was playing and easily beating everyone. He finally beats Phoenix and casually walks over to you. 

“You’re my good luck charm,” he throws his arm around you as you sit perched on a stool. You roll your eyes and grin up at him as he kisses you on your lips. 

“I don’t believe that for a second,” you tell him. “At the risk of overinflating your ego, I have it on good authority that it's a game of skill.”

“No, it’s my love for you that lets me win,” he says with a false sense of confidence. “And to prove my love to you I shall beat Rooster next.” You glance over at Bradley and see him racking up the balls for the next game.

“Jake, you would win even if I wasn’t here,” you tell him. “If you love me you’ll lose.” You gaze at Jake with a forced innocent expression that is hard to maintain at the look on his face. 

“No,” Jake's small response is confused and offended. 

“It’s Arthurian Jake,” you say dramatically, “Guinevere asked Sir Lancelot to lose at a tournament to prove his love. Your pool cue will be your lance.”

“You’re Lancelot-ing me?” he says in disbelief. “If I am Lancelot and you are Guinevere our love is doomed and I don’t like that ending.” He is standing between your spread legs and his hands slide to your hips pulling you closer. 

“We can rewrite that part.” you tell him with a kiss. “Now go out and lose for me, Sir Lancelot.”

He sighs in resignation, “is this what you really want my Queen Guinevere?”

“Sure is,” you grin mischievously. “But you can’t make it obvious you are losing on purpose.” 

“Hangman, leave your girl alone and get over here and play some pool.” You peek over Jake's shoulder at Bradley’s words before turning back to Jake with a grin and raise your eyebrows in challenge.

“The things I do for love,” Jake’s breath moves over your neck as he whispers in your ear and you burst out laughing. 

“No way,” Bradley calls out, pointing at you. “It’s like poker all over again. You are not allowed to talk to her while we are playing, and she is not allowed to talk to you.” 

“Can I at least cheer him on?” you say indignation in your voice.

“Fine,” Bradley agrees, “you can cheer him on and console him when I win.” Jake glares at Bradley but agrees with a huff and they begin to play.

Bob ends up sitting beside you watching. Jake is playing poorly. He is not missing really obvious shots but he is not playing to the same ability that he usually plays at, only sinking one or two balls per turn. “What did you say to him to throw him off?” Bob asks you in confusion. “He is usually way better than this.” 

“Uhhhhmmmm,” you tug on your hair. “I may or may not have told him to prove he loved me by losing.” you shoot a sheepish look at Bob. 

Bob snorts, “You ‘A Knight’s Tale-ed’ him? Come on, did you really need to do that to know he loves you?”

“No, I know he does, and I’m pretty sure it is originally Arthurian.” You pause your conversation with Bob to console Jake after a shot bounces off the edge of the pocket and rolls back across the table. 

“It’s OK, Babe, you nearly had it!” Jake glares at you with the tiniest hint of a grin on his face shaking his head and you smile back. 

“Then why did you ask him to lose?” Bob is looking back and forth between you and Jake. 

“I don’t know, I thought it would be funny,” you say with a grin at Bob. “Maybe it's a role play we like to do, you know, to spice things up in the bedroom.” 

“Ew,” Bob looks at you with a wrinkled nose. “I do not want to hear about yours and Hangman's sex life.”

You just laugh before looking at the table. The game is almost over. “Quick you have to go tell Jake to win!” You say shaking Bob’s arm. 

“Oh no,” he shakes his head, “I don’t want to be in the middle of whatever you two have going on!” 

“Please Bob,” you say desperately as Jake chalks the tip of his cue. He has four balls left and to win he would have to sink them all and then the 8 ball without missing any. “Bradley won’t let me talk to him. Please be my fair maid and tell my valiant knight that if he loves me he will win!”

Bob looks at you in disappointment before sighing and going over to Jake mumbling, “I’m going to regret this.”

You watch eagerly as Bob walks over to talk quietly to Jake with a pained expression on his face and grin impishly when Jake jerks his head up to glare at you at Bob's words. Bob slinks back to your side and hangs his head in defeat. “I can’t believe I did that for you.” He shudders, “I feel dirty.”

“Cheer up Bob,” you nudge him with your shoulder. “I was joking about it being a sex thing.”

“That does make me feel a little better.” You watch Jake sink his final 4 balls with an intense look on his face.

“It wasn’t about sex when I said it originally, but that could change,” you eye Jake’s hungry look with a grin as he stalks over to you after sinking the 8 ball and winning the game. 

“My Queen,” he says and pulls you to your feet before dipping you dramatically and kissing you. 

“My Valiant Knight you have proven your love,” you run your fingers through his hair smiling and pull his lips back to you yours. You can hear Bradley arguing with Bob in the background over what he said to Jake.

Jake hums happily into your kiss before standing both of you back up. “I am your King,” he corrects before giving you another kiss.

“Well I didn’t vote for you.” Your attempt at a British accent is terrible.

Jake looks at you frowning. “I was rewriting us a happier ending.”

“Oh,” you say in realization, laughing and continuing to talk in the terrible accent, “oh King eh, very nice.”

You yelp and jump closer as Jake smacks your ass, “you’re a brat.”

“If you are spanking me that makes you Galahad and you are in terrible peril.” 

Jake pulls you in close and you slide your hands up his chest and loop them around his neck so you are pressed against his hard body. “I’ll have to face my peril,” his words are spoken between heated kisses. 

“You’re sure it's not too perilous?” you ask, grinning into his lips.

Jake drags his lips down your neck placing soft kisses as he goes. “It’s my duty to sample the peril.” 

“Please go home.” Bob is still sitting in his chair next to your vacated one. Jake laughs and pulls you to the bar to pay the tab.

[nevermorgue]

Willspero in my modern au things

So the vibe I’m picturing is like a weird confusing Willtresor mess with Willspero crumbs. Willtrespero, mayhaps. Because I can do whatever the hell I want /lh

- So as I have established, Will sleeps on Prospero’s couch a lot. Because Monty kicks him out of his own apartment frequently.

- When it first started, Will just didn’t know who else to turn to. He doesn’t like Ada all that much and Annabel Lee is out of the question, so he ended up knocking on Prospero’s door.

- and of course Prospero was not happy about Will asking to sleep there. “You have your own apartment, do you not?”

- “Yeah— uh…Monty needed to borrow it for a little!”

- Prospero, now disgusted and irritated, just sighs and lets him in. Will gets to sleep on the couch with no other questions asked.

- as the routine becomes more frequent, Prospero leaves a spare blanket on the couch and stays up an extra thirty minutes just in case Will comes by.

- Will feels really bad for bothering him so much, but he can’t say no to Montresor. Literally- he’s shoved halfway out the door before he can say a word.

- Will is usually kicked out before he can grab anything. He now has a spare toothbrush and even a spare set of clothes at Prospero’s just in case.

- Prospero has an occasional internship duty for his medical degree that requires him to work a night shift. He’ll leave his flat at 10, shortly after Will arrives…and then come back at 8 am to Will STILL sleeping. Which gets him thinking…

- Will seems to sleep a lot, he thinks. Or perhaps, he spends a lot of his couch time on his phone or being awake in general. Maybe he’s just staying up late out of habit, a lot of people do it.

- Prospero learns his theory is incorrect when he wakes up to Will gasping and choking on air at 3 in the morning. He had a nightmare, and all he could do when he made eye contact with Prospero was apologize between sputters and whimpers. Will’s never had to deal with waking anyone with his nightmares besides Montresor, so his first instinct is to apologize profusely.

- Prospero goes into doctor in training mode. He just sits on the couch and starts taking deep breaths, loud ones. People tend to mimic what others are doing without thinking, like breathing or posture. And he knows damn well how good Will is at mimicking people.

- And just like he predicted, Will instinctively starts to copy his breathing, slowly calming down. He keeps trying to apologize, but Prospero’s glare shuts him up. “Go back to sleep,” is all he says. And he sits there, watching until Will drifts off again.

- And yes, Prospero starts buying peaches. He doesn’t mind them, but he keeps them in his fridge strictly for when Will is over.

[glambots]

Can I maybe get some HCs where Y/N got attacked by Burntrap/The Blob/Whatever and Freddy Monty and Foxy find them? Maybe just some fluffy yet angsty cuddles?

🎩Glamrock Freddy + "After the Ashes" HCs:🎩

⭐He knew the Pizzaplex was home to many secrets--but whatever that thing was...he was not expecting it. He has no idea what it is, but it doesn't really matter. What matters is that it is dangerous, and it hurt you, and his main priority is making sure you are safe.

⭐He's reluctant to let you out of his sight for even a moment, so you end up mostly confined to his green room for the night. It is easiest to keep an eye on your condition, this way. Besides...he was scared that he'd almost lost you there, Superstar. Having you close to him brings him...maybe even more comfort than it brings you.

⭐There's a lot he should be doing. Making preparations for the next concert, practicing his lines, answering fan mail--but all of that can wait. For now, he's happy enough to just keep you there with him, wrapped in his arms, as the two of you lay on his "not quite big enough" couch and just...hold each other.

🐊Montgomery Gator + "After the Ashes" HCs:🐊

⭐To be honest, he's more than a little shaken up over the whole thing. He knew there was something wrong with this place, he'd always felt like there was somethin' out there, watchin' him. And whaddya know--he just had to be right in the worst way possible. (Even worse--it almost cost him you.)

⭐There's no way he's letting you out of his sight after this, so you might as well just make yourself at home! His green room isn't much to look at, but it doesn't stop him from fussing over you the second the two of you make it over the threshold. Sit down, he'll get you a blanket. Pillows. You want a drink? Hungry? You need anything? Just say the word, and he'll take care of it.

⭐He wants to touch you, but he can't stop himself from hesitating. He doesn't know if you'd be scared of him after that...thing, attacked you. But he wouldn't blame you. Of course, if you want him to hold you, then how can he say no? (Truth be told, he might need to hold you...more than he's ready to admit. Out loud, anyway.)

☠️Glamrock Foxy + "After the Ashes" HCs:☠️

⭐What in all the seven seas is that thing? For a second, Foxy's fight-or-flight fails him--and it isn't until he hears yer scream that his body remembers how to move. Lead feet be damned, he grabs ye and runs as fast as his metal legs will carry him. (Thank Fazbear the design team decided not to go with the peg-leg...!)

⭐Foxy doesn't have a green room, per se, but the depths of his fake ship make for a decent hideaway. It's far enough away from prying eyes that the two of ye can have a moment to catch yer breath, anyway. Now...Cap'n Foxy has seen a lotta things. But that...has to be the ugliest beast he's ever seen. Next to Monty, o'course. (It's a bad joke, but it's enough to make ye laugh, which is all he wanted.)

⭐He knows ye don't like to be fussed over, but can ye blame him? And yeah, he knows he should be more concerned with making sure that thing isn't still around, looking fer the two of ye, but when ye cling to him like that...he can't turn ye down. (Nor does he want to. He thought he'd lost ye there, pearl...)

[puhpandas]

GGY Week Day 2: Comfort

Gregory has to deal with his injury from trapping the mimic and everything else that comes with the experience after dealing with GGY and the Pizzaplex. His injury also took away one of his only escapes. Hurray.

Gregory didnt even get to finish his long, drawn out miserable groan before Vanessa opens the door to his room and comes inside.

He's still doing it when she shuts the door behind her and makes her way to his bed. He doesn't look away from his phone, which he's holding in his lap, even when she approaches.

She wordlessly ducks her head to look at what's on his screen, and when she gets a look at it, that's finally when he finishes.

He frowns, miserably looking at his phone screen. "The Soccer team seems to be having a great time without me."

It had been an impulsive decision one day at school (after he managed to get enrolled again) to join the team after he'd seen a flyer. It had made so much sense at the time. Gregory loved running, (and was very fast for his age), was good at kicking, although for the wrong reasons, and was very tired of being stuck inside with plenty of opportunities to remember everything terrible that's ever happened to him with no breaks.

Ness had been proud of him, that he'd taken a leap like that. Gregory knows how much Vanessa struggles with social interaction after Vanny. Gregory... he was afraid to join the team at first, not because of social anxiety, but for a completely different reason. Rab kept entering his mind, because the last time he made friends...

He... he had been tired of sitting around being nothing but afraid, though. So he did it anyway, and ignored all anxiety digging a hole in his stomach about Rab to try and prove himself wrong.

And it worked. He loved soccer, was great for his team, at least his teammates thought so, and was great with the other kids.

Besides school itself, it's one of the only things he has that gets him out. Out of everything. The house, his head, his funk... Its something important to him. It's a hobby that doesn't have an ulterior motive, like robotics does. He does that because hes good at it, likes it just fine, but also because Freddy needs a guy good with robots to give him the scheduled maintenance he needs to stay functional, and Gregory would sooner jump off the catwalks in Monty Golf than leave Freddy without that.

But soccer... he doesnt have an adult reason to be there. Its fun. He has friends there after so long of having none out of fear and a way to put all of his skills he learned for the wrong reasons to good use. He feels normal there. Like everything with Rab and Tony and Ellis and his parents can be pushed to the back of his mind to just. Have fun. Be a kid.

And now, he's stuck in bed.

It's a little harder to see with how the sunlight from his open blinds glares on his screen, but he gets it clear as day. The team sent him a Snap just to update him on how they're doing while Gregory is away. It's a picture of them on the field, uniforms dirty and cheeks scraped and smiles on their faces. He can feel the adrenaline and good kind of exhaustion through the screen, having experienced it.

Vanessa doesnt respond for a second, just nodding grimly and patting him on the leg. "Sorry to hear that." She says, all formal like she does. Then, "Would some ice cream make you feel better?"

Normally, he'd light up, but he hasnt felt it like that in a while. He nods anyway, a small smile on his face. "Of course."

She goes to the kitchen to make them some. While shes gone, he keeps staring at the picture, feeling the will to get back on the field so strongly but unable to.

When she comes back, it's with two big bowls of ice cream, one scoop for her, and three for Gregory. She knows him well. He takes it from her, once again not looking away from his phone.

She sits next to him on his double bed (one that Vanessa for some reason already had on hand in his room that looked like it hadn't been touched in years) and makes herself comfortable. He leans his head against the wall, his hair brushing up against stray peeling corners of drawings he has hung up.

He sighs through his nose, taking a bite of ice cream and looking through his friends Snap stories. It's all different pictures and point of views of happy faces and the soccer game.

Vanessa hums, looking over his shoulder and working away at her own ice cream. She swallows, then, "Hows your leg?"

Gregory frowns, looking at it. "Fine." He says, but he knows he should give Vanessa a better answer. "Okay, its... its healing good. I try to keep still, but it's hard. Especially because its itching all the time."

"...It doesn't hurt?" Vanessa asks after a second. Gregory can hear the worry in her tone, even though shes trying to hide it. He doesnt blame her. They'd both had worries about its severity when it had still been fresh.

An image of the bloody mess the wound had first been when he got it flashes in his mind, and he shoves it down just as quick. "No." He tells her honestly. "I mean. Besides the sore part... it seems fine."

Vanessa deflates ever so slightly next to him. He knows its relief; Its been this way for the past multiple weeks. Probably months by now. She smiles, although her eyes still look tired, and reaches over to lightly ruffle his hair. "That's good." She says. "Means you'll be able to get back to the field pretty soon."

He nods, but his heart must've not been in it, because then Vanessa is scrutinizing him. He keeps looking at his phone, sighing again. His brows furrow, and every time he sees that picture of the whole team, any will he has to get back on the field with his friends is snuffed out as quick as it comes. It's like he has a flame he's desperately kindling to keep alive, and then someone comes over and dumps a bucket of water on it. Its upsetting.

"How are you doing?" She then asks, nudging him.

Gregory jolts slightly, finally putting his phone down. He stares into his bowl of melting ice cream. "Um..."

He trails off, and Vanessa picks it back up. "Would you want to get back on the field if you could right now?"

Gregory gets taken off guard, gaping at Vanessa for a moment. She hit the nail right on the head. He shouldn't be suprised, at this point. She knows him better than himself, and same with him to her.

He sighs. "...No."

Gregory isnt looking at Vanessa, but can hear her spoon scraping against her bowl. "Why not?"

Gregory doesn't respond right away, just thinking about everything. "It--" He cuts himself off. "I... I'm not feeling it."

Vanessa doesn't respond, so Gregory keeps going. "What happened... it was really bad." He says. "Even if I didn't have this stupid injury, I dont think I'd just be able to..."

"To keep going with life like nothing happened?" Vanessa finishes for him. "I get it, Gregory. Okay? It was just like that for me when I was first freed."

A small bit of pride swells inside Gregory at hearing Vanessa able to talk about it so easily. She doesnt even stutter anymore. It's still not as easy for him. He looks over at her. "It was?"

She nods. "You and Freddy had time to adjust and process. But I..." She trails off, looking like shes remembering every bit. "I just had to keep going so I could make us money. I had to go back to work pretty quickly, and I just... wasnt ready for a routine yet."

Gregory frowns, fidgeting with the strap of his watch. "That sucks."

Vanessa nods. "Yeah." She agrees. "What you went through, Gregory... it's not just something you can brush past."

Gregory sighs through his nose, resignation souring his insides. Against his will, he feels his eyes burn. He thought he was done with this whole getting traumatized and healing stuff. He just wants it to be over. "...I know."

"What I mean is that it's okay to take some time." Vanessa tells him, setting a hand on his arm. "You may not want to, but forcing yourself is even worse than taking time away." She says. "Processing something enough to move past it takes time."

Gregory nods wordlessly, remembering going through regaining his memories on top of dealing with the Pizzaplex. It was awful. He'd just managed to get himself to reconsider hobbies he'd barely remembered having before everything Rab came rushing back, and then he hadn't wanted to anymore, having a whole new can of worms to deal with. A worse one.

He furrows his brows, his shoulders drooping. He doesn't want to do that again. Everything was going so good. He thought they'd finally moved past it.

And then that thing had to rear its ugly head, and Gregory had to use himself as bait just to trap it in a dark hole in the basement.

His leg twitches involuntarily, and he winces at how bad it really is. He forgets it, sometimes. How even though its healing, there'd been worries of lasting damage. How Gregory had just made friends and used his talents of running and fighting to his advantage to join a sport (which eased his worried of falling out of practice as well) and that could have been fully ripped away if his leg decided to heal wrong. (He wouldnt be able to run away anymore.)

How it wasnt an easy wound to explain to the hospital. How it had been made by an eight foot tall monster with big claws and a grudge against him who'd managed to reach a bit too far into a vent a bit too long, too long for Gregory to make it out. How it'd been all his worst nightmares and the cause of everything horrible that's ever happened to him and his family in one big package with a pretty bow and it had bored into him with its red eyes and its limbs had been too long and it'd gotten ahold of his leg and dug its claws into his flesh and ripped and he was sure he was going to die--

He snaps out of it, just barely managing to realize he was spiraling before it happened. He breaths slowly, realizing it had started to get erratic. He fidgets with his watch strap, keeping his gaze away from Vanessa.

Vanessa saw. She clearly did, or she wouldn't be looking at him all worried like she is right now. She doesnt need to say anything. He knows that what just happened alone is proof that he needs to take time off to process. No matter how miserable it makes him that this is happening again when he'd just wanted to finally move on--

His body jerks, and to his horror, he can feel his throat close up and his eyes burn. He frowns deeply, trying to wipe at his face before any tears can fall. It's stupid. It's all stupid.

But before he can shove it completely down, Vanessa puts hers and his bowl onto his nightstand, and shifts her body. "None of that." She tells him, soft as silk. Before he can react, shes carefully gathering him in her arms in a hug.

Gregory tries really hard to not let that be the water that breaks the dam. He stubbornly, even though he doesnt move away from the hug, tries to keep the tears from spilling.

But eventually, it comes out.

He cries silently; that's always how it's been, but not motionlessly. His shoulders shake and jerk as tears slip past his eyelashes, and he hugs Vanessa back.

"I know it sucks." Vanessa tells him, not trying to baby him or shush him, because she knows he hates that. "That you have to keep going through this stuff over and over--" Her own voice gets choked up, and he can hear her swallow. "And I'm-- I'm sorry. But you cant let it get to you."

Gregory sniffs, nodding against her chest. He gets what she means. He cant let it get to him, as in he cant let that thing win. He cant let it ruin all that hes built for himself-- they've built for themselves because it's hard. It was hard before. It was really, really hard. Knowing that he killed all those people. That his parents are dead and his whole life was destroyed and his friend that he'd had to watch bond with not-him got killed thinking he was betrayed.

But he got past it. He got better and healed and was able to code without curling up into a ball and hyperventilating, and draw the nightmares he had to process them. It had taken time, but he was better.

He snakes an arm back to wipe at his eyes. This? Compared to Rab? This is nothing. That thing with its glowing eyes and its claws and its tunnel deep gashes in his leg that almost ruined something great in his life is nothing--

Okay, so maybe it isnt nothing. But its nothing he cant handle. Hes nothing if not stubborn, and he isnt going to let that thing take away something else. Scars or not.

"Thanks." Gregory mumbles into Vanessa's shirt. "I needed that."

"You'll get back onto the field someday." Vanessa tells him, a hand in his hair. "And your friends are gonna dogpile you when you return and you'll be able to run and score as many goals as you want."

Gregory nods, squeezing her tighter. "I'll just have to make tons of robots in robotics for now."

Vanessa chuckles, ruffling his hair. "Yeah, kid." She says. "Go on and pick up a fourth talent while you're at it, dont you."

The tears stop falling, and the tracks dry on his cheeks as he pushes against the hug, shoving at Vanessa playfully. "Its not my fault you're talentless. Don't be jealous."

She pushes back at him, careful of his healing lower half, a grin on her face. "Says the boy currently under the blanket I hand sewed for him."

Gregory laughs, shoving and pulling and pushing at Vanessa, and her back. He may not feel one hundred percent right now, but who knows how fast itll take him to heal. Theres nothing saying he wont be ready by the time his leg heals. Maybe he'll reach a new record.

Almost taking no effort, he shoves down the reminder of high scores and records being associated with Rab immediately. Even quicker, he moves past it.

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