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starlightsearches · 2 years ago

Note

Ok Eddie ask.

It’s ok if you don’t want to do it but yeah.

So I’m in my 20s but I’ve never been kissed. Like never even held hands with someone romantically. Can you do one with Eddie x reader who is embarrassed about her lack of experience and feels like it’s impossible for any guy to be attracted to her

Enough

AN: First of all, friend, I am so so so sorry that I've been holding on to this request since June. I was not ignoring you—I just wanted to make sure I did your request justice. We, and many others, are in the same boat, but you don't need Eddie to tell you that you're worthy of so much love 💖

Also, big thanks to Irma (@theold-ultraviolence) for helping me so much with this story!

Warnings: sexual content so 18+ only but no smut, lots of body-image/confidence issues from reader's POV, writing this did make me cry a little bit tbh, angst and then hurt/comfort and then a little fluff to make up for it, language, idiots to lovers, boners, swimming, Eddie is friends with Robin and Steve but no events from S4 are mentioned, and I think that's it.

You can tell Eddie's scowling behind the frames of the heart-shaped sunglasses he found on the floor of your car, his nose scrunched up with distaste at the scent of chlorine and the baked asphalt of the parking lot.

"It's too hot for this, babe."

You shift your bag from one arm to the other, trying to catch a breeze under your cover-up.

"That's the whole point of going to the pool, Eds."

You'd found Eddie in a puddle-like state, laying on the floor of the trailer with three different fans pointing at him, curls brushed up off his neck and spilling across the carpet. It hadn't taken much convincing to get him into your car, but a public pool would obviously be a harder sell.

He tugs at the waistband of his borrowed swim trunks—the ones Steve had thrown in his direction the second you walked through the door of his big-ass house. He'd said something about the Hawkins pool over the general racket before heaving a cooler into his arms and leaving with all his children in tow.

"We could still go to record store," Eddie pouts, pulling at your wrist, "or the movies. You know? Somewhere with air conditioning."

He bats his ridiculously long lashes, and you almost fold, fingers curling into fists with the effort it takes to resist his dumb, huge, baby-cow eyes.

"Come on," —you nudge him with your elbow — "it'll be fun."

Eddie doesn't look convinced.

The place is already packed, even though the day just started, filled with moms fanned out on lounge chairs and their screaming spawn. You pick through the crowd, all the way to the chairs Steve and Robin have saved for you in a shady corner at the back.

The kids are already in the pool—you can catch the sound of Mike yelling past a mouth full of water when Max dunks him under—and it looks like Robin and Steve are headed that way.

"Took you guys long enough," Robin scolds you, pushing her sunglasses into her hair while you set your bag down.

"Sorry, I had to go get my swimsuit."

Your hands tremble at the hem of your baggy t-shirt, but you play brave, lifting it up over your head and shaking your hair back into place.

Robin whistles jokingly as she smears some of your sunscreen over Steve's shoulders.

"Woah. Is that new?" Steve asks, looking at you with furrowed brows and trying to dodge Robin's slick fingers poking at his face.

"I've had it for forever, Steve."

You're lying through your teeth. Fucking three hours at some mall six towns over and about a hundred potential breakdowns in dressing rooms at five different stores—it had taken all your will power to find a swimsuit you actually, honest-to-god, liked. Now you're wondering if all that effort had been wasted.

You'd felt so good looking in the mirror back at your house. The colors looked nice on your skin, the cut was flattering—but Eddie's hardly glanced in your direction, already flopped down in one of the empty chairs with his nose tucked into the newest Stephen King.

Robin and Steve run off, taking quick little steps on the sizzling concrete before jumping into the pool—two splashes echoing in quick succession—as you sit on the chair beside Eddie, pulling one of the spare towels across your lap, feeling stupid and small.

It's your own fault. You'd put too much hope in a dumb piece of fabric.

Pining for your best friend is as painful as it is fruitless. You'd sworn him off before, swallowed your feelings like a chipped tooth. You'd park outside the trailer and promise you wouldn't go all gummy when he used all his fucking Munson charm on you. But you were shit at keeping those promises, and Eddie was too big of a flirt—and too clueless—to know you were dying inside.

Whatever. It wasn't just Eddie, anyways. There'd never been any guys who wanted to get to know you—not any more than they had to before asking if one of your other friends was single. And you could handle being alone, even if you hated being lonely. You'd had plenty of practice.

Eddie waves his hand in your face, blocking out the sun. The look he gives you says he'd been trying to get your attention for a while.

"You there, sweetheart? Our kid is calling."

You can hear Dustin shouting from the edge of the pool, waving his arms wildly. A couple sunbathers shoot you a glare, like you're the one who's screaming, and you return the dirty look.

Eddie sighs, dog-earing the page he just finished before offering you a hand.

"Shall we, m'lady?"

You take it, your palm cold and clammy despite the summer sun. He starts heading for the pool immediately, almost losing his balance when you drag him back in the shade.

"Eddie, you gotta sunscreen."

Maybe it's just the first sign of sun burn, but you swear Eddie's cheeks turn pinker. He grabs at the collar of his favorite Dio t-shirt. "I was just gonna wear this."

"In the pool? The chlorine will bleach it, Eds." He just stands there, chewing at his lip. And, thinking back, Eddie's always been pretty modest around you. When you'd spend nights at the trailer or when he was working on his van—even when he'd step back in the room after a shower—he'd always have a shirt on, the damp fabric sticking to his shoulder blades or stained with grease.

You're about to offer your own shirt when he drops your hand, pulling the at the collar and lifting the fabric over his head.

Fuck. Eddie bares his torso and you're lucky he can't see you past the shirt bunched up around his head, because you're staring, and it's obvious.

You hadn't thought much about Eddie shirtless—because any skin-to-skin contact in your daydreams was a good sign you needed to get the fuck back down to Earth—but you'd been missing out. He's not particularly toned or anything, but the patch of dark hair that grows just under his belly button has got your mouth-watering, and his skin looks warm and soft. He's just so fucking pretty. Shaking out his curls, Eddie tosses the t-shirt onto a chair, and you try to pretend it's his tattoos that you're so invested in, and not the other kinds of marks you'd like to leave on his skin.

"You got the sunscreen?" he asks, voice quiet.

Looking him in the eyes would be like lighting a match over a gasoline spill, and your throat is too tight to speak. You grab the little bottle from the top of your bag, squeezing a bit of the lotion into your hand.

Eddie scrapes his hair off his shoulders with one hand, fingers tangling in his own curls. It's stupid to be jealous over something like that. It's stupid, but your teeth still sink into your lip hard enough to sting.

"So should we start with my back, or . . ." Eddie tries a laugh but it doesn't quite land. There's something in his expression that you can't read.

"Uh, yeah."

If you thought the view from the front made it hard to be normal, the back is a hundred times worse.

"Oh my god."

The words slip out, and you can't bite them back. Eddie glances at you over his shoulder, fingers still caught in his hair.

"Are those- are these ones new?"

He knows what you're talking about; the tattoos take up the entire span of his back, stretching down past the sharp edge of his shoulder blade. You trace one thin line of the wing crossing just under Eddie's neck—skeletal and webbed like a bat.

He laughs hesitantly, and his skin jumps under your finger.

"Uh, kinda, yeah."

"Cool. That's really cool."

God—you're so hungry for him it's made you faint, and stupid, made you forget how to speak like a person.

You smear the lotion over his neck without any warning, and he shivers, shoulder blades pressing together, bat wings flexing as his skin grows taut.

"Sorry," you mumble. His skin's still warm, even after the lotion sinks in. You make another pass, this time over his shoulder and down his bicep. His arms are surprisingly toned; you feel the hard flex of muscle under your fingers.

You can't think about how it would feel to grip at those arms while he drove into you, fucking you hard and fast, tongue caught between his teeth and curls sticking to his cheeks.

You stab the sharp end of the sunscreen bottle into your thigh and grit your teeth against the pain. You've got to stop touching him before you do something you regret.

Eddie's uncharacteristically quiet as you move your hand down to his waist, massaging the lotion in as quickly as you can so there's no time to think about leaving scratch marks down his back.

Fuck, you need some kind of intervention. Maybe a divine one. It's actually a little pathetic to want someone this badly.

"All done?" Eddie asks, but he's already stepping away from you without waiting for an answer.

You chase after him, hopping over a couple stretched out over a towel just to keep up with him, the sunscreen still open in your hand.

"Eddie," you grab at him by the shoulder, but your hands are still slick and he slips away, almost to the edge of the pool before you catch him again, "we still gotta do your front—"

You don't mean to look down. You're just following the line of his gaze when you see it. And you may be inexperienced, but you're not stupid.

Eddie's dick is so hard it's about to split the seam of his trunks.

You're skin is burning when you look him in the eyes again, jaw flopping open and snapping shut without any words coming out. You've got the image of his dick imprint burned in your mind, but it feels like he's the one seeing you naked.

He's got the same look on his face he did the time he accidentally backed into your car trying to pull away from the trailer, too busy arguing with you about the tape you put on to look where he was going. Then he shoves you hard on the shoulder, and your feet give out underneath you.

You don't get a chance to take a breath before the water swallows you up.

The drive back home is quiet. Eddie doesn't even try to fiddle with your radio this time, even if you'd let him put on what he want without slapping away his hand.

The trailer appears in your windshield, and he still hasn't said a word to you. You throw the car in park, leaning your head back against the hot leather seat. Your shoulders sting from the sun and the chlorine has made your skin tight.

"So," Eddie asks, "should we talk about . . . it?"

It would be good to hear a name. If you knew who he wanted so badly you could nudge at all the gaps between who you are and who Eddie craves until they became craters and you could learn to finally get over him.

It would also hurt like a bitch.

"If you want to," you tell him. His hair's still a little wet and frizzy, and the sun's made his freckles stand out more.

"You mean, you're not . . . uh, mad?"

"Why would I be mad, Eds?"

He's got that guilty look on his face again, long fingers playing around with the mirror on the visor so he doesn't have to look at you, lips pressed together and silent.

"I mean," —you'll talk if he doesn't want to, rambling to get it over with— "we were at a pool, you know, and there was a lot of . . . skin. So what if you were watching somebody and-"

"Wait," Eddie's hand lands on the bare skin of your thigh, just above your knee, and you flinch at his touch, "what do you mean somebody?"

You want to push his hand away—put indifference on like an armor and shrug all of this off. But Eddie's always been your Achilles' heel, and you can't pretend around him. Your vision wavers when you meet his eyes.

"Do you really not know?"

Everything about him is soft, eyes turned down at the corners and his mouth a tender frown when the tears start to fall down your cheeks.

"Baby, baby, don't—" Eddie tries to wipe the tears from your cheeks but you do push his hand away this time, gripping the steering wheel just to steady yourself.

"I'm sorry," he tells you, and you can feel the hurt in his voice like knives between your ribs, "I won't bring it up ever again, I promise, just please—" Eddie's voice breaks, so quiet and small you hardly recognize it.

"Please don't stop being my friend."

Eddie's crying now too, little sobs that shake his shoulders. He looks so young when he wipes his nose on his arm, hurt plain on his face.

"It's not that, Eds," you tell him, taking his hand, and it doesn't hurt this time, "it's just- why me?"

"What?" He looks genuinely confused. You drop your eyes, watching the way he twines his fingers between yours, and your stomach drops.

"I'm not . . . pretty."

The words feel hollow, half of the story you're trying to tell. It's a part of it, but it's only a part, at the shallowest level. It's that you've never felt pretty enough, funny enough, nice enough.

You've never been enough for anyone.

"Seriously? Sweetheart, how can you even say that?"

You shrug, sniffling. Eddie cups your cheek with his free hand.

"Baby," he tells you, shifting close, "you're so fucking pretty to me.''

It's like he's removed a stake from your heart. You know Eddie well enough to know that he means it, and he means more.

"Really?"

"Yeah," Eddie laughs a little, seeing you smile. And that makes you laugh too.

"I think you're pretty too, Eds."

Eddie kisses you for the first time from the passenger's seat in your car. He tastes like sunscreen.

#eddie munson x you #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson #eddie munson stranger things #eddie munson headcanons #stranger things season 4 #eddie stranger things #eddie x you #munson #my writing #requests

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brynnhaunt · 1 year ago

Text

THE HAUNTING OF HASTINGS HOUSE

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FIRST FIVE CHAPTERS

Chapter 1

The sky was heavy with rain and, from the looks of it, would deliver at any moment. Emily hurried across the parking lot to the real estate office, and the bell above the glass door chimed above her as she entered the peaceful, air-conditioned interior of the office. Emily was thankful she arrived inside when she did because the sky opened with a torrential downpour just a few seconds after she had.

Emily stood there, watching the raindrops pelt against the glass windows. She could not believe how quickly the weather had turned. She turned to the receptionist, who was staring at her amusedly.

“Looks like you made it just in time,” the receptionist chuckled.

Emily smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Yeah, it’s coming down out there.”

The receptionist nodded. “It’s been like this all week. I’m ready for some sunshine.”

Emily laughed. “Me too. I am here to meet Amori Black about a property she wanted to discuss with me. Do you know if she is available?”

The receptionist nodded. “Amori’s in her office. I will let her know you are here. Just take a seat in the waiting area.”

Emily thanked her and made her way to the seating area. She could not help but feel nervous. Emily saw a mirror above a leather couch, smoothed down her wavy red hair, and pinched her ivory cheeks for some color. She heard a door open in the back of the office, and a high-pitched feminine laugh came from the hallway. She plastered a smile as her high school friend from years ago appeared around the corner.

Emily saw Amori approach her with open arms, ready to embrace her old friend. She forced a smile and hugged her back, trying to ignore the feelings of inadequacy that washed over her. They parted, and Amori looked at her with a delighted expression. “Why Emily Buchanan!” “If you aren’t a sight for sore eyes!” Amori exclaimed.

They both sat on the couch, and Emily felt Amori’s piercing blue eyes. She shifted uncomfortably under the gaze, feeling self-conscious.

“So, Emily, I have a proposition for you that I think would be perfect for you,” Amori said, handing her a folder. “It’s an old mansion on the outskirts of town.” The former caretakers returned to their state to be with the grandkids two weeks ago.”

Amori Black was the pretty local realtor who gushed sweetness and southern hospitality. She was tall and imposing with platinum blond hair in a high ponytail that showed off her gorgeous cheekbones, and her full lips were painted a Knock Em Dead Red that revealed that showstopper high-wattage smile. Emily cringed under her scrutiny of her. She visibly shrunk in posture at Amori’s perfection compared to her mousy, plain appearance.

Amori grabbed Emily softly around her shoulders and pulled her to her. One of her long red nails brushed hard against the side of her neck, and Emily winced, but she did not draw away. Emily accepted the hug. Amori smelled like Coach Floral. It was a fragrance that she had worn since Emily knew her in grade school. It smelled great. It was then that Emily felt it -- the bump. Amori was pregnant. She glowed in an intelligent cherry-red pantsuit that hugged her tightly.

“God…why did I come here?” Emily thought silently. It was a mistake to come here. Amori wore a white satin blouse unbuttoned halfway, showing smooth, tanned skin and cleavage. Her baby bump stuck out prettily. She was announcing its impending arrival in what Emily guessed to be maybe a few more months. She stilled and ended the hug. Amori’s smile faded for just a moment but then returned brilliantly as before. “I am sorry, Ems. I was not thinking. I am so sorry.” Amori apologized. Now, Emily felt very awkward, and she just wanted to leave. Amori touched her on the small of her back with her hand.

“Let’s go to my office.” Amori led Emily down the hallway. “You just have a seat here, and we will do some paperwork, ok?” Emily was led to a large and bright sunny room painted a cheery bright yellow with gray laminate floors that made Amori’s red high heels click on the surface with every step she took. “Have a seat here, and I will be right back.” Amori left the room, and a few short minutes later, she came back in with a manila folder and slapped it down on the desk in front of them. Emily breathed in deeply and exhaled. Amori sat down opposite her and perched a pair of sassy black reading glasses on the bridge of her nose.

She pulled out a few papers, smiled down, and folded her arms in front of her on the table. She took off her glasses and looked at Emily.

“So,” her voice was more empathetic at this point. “How have you been, Ems? I know this has been so hard for you.” she sympathized. Amor’s expression looked sad.

Emily sighed and shook her head.

“I have just been taking it daily and dealing with it as best as possible,” she said softly. Amori pulled a small glass bowl with a lid before her and took the top off with a flourish. Amori had filled the dish with green candies in yellow wrappers. “Jolly Ranchers!” Amori exclaimed. “I have been craving them like crazy since carrying this little lady.” Emily’s green eyes widened in her pale, heart-shaped face. She bowed her head. It was as if Amori had taken just a little bit of pleasure in revealing the sex of her baby was a girl. Emily knew that Amori had a side like that. She liked to rub salt in the wound. This wound was wide open and bleeding still. It always would be. Amori noticed the dark shadow pass over Emily’s face.

“Fuck Ems!” she exclaimed. “I just can’t keep my mouth shut, can I?”

Emily shook her head slowly. “It is ok. You cannot tiptoe around me forever. You have your life to live and a beautiful baby girl on the way. Congrats to you and Phillip. “

Amori had that glow about her again. “Thank you so much, Ems. It sure has been long enough!” I was beginning to wonder if IVF would ever work.

“Would you like one?” she held out an apple Jolly Rancher in her left hand.

Emily held up her hand.

“I’m fine, but thank you.” she discouraged.

Amori popped a candy in her mouth and sucked on it loudly.

“So…here is the contract. Amori gathered a stack of papers and handed them over to Emily. On top of the pile was an old, grainy black-and-white photo of an old mansion.

Emily took the stack of papers in hand, but her eyes remained fixed on the photograph. The mansion in the photo was a grand old thing with a sprawling lawn and ivy-covered walls. Despite the image’s graininess, Emily could almost feel the cool, damp air around the old place.

Emily picked up the photo and stared at it. She felt a chill crawl down her spine. Amori sighed and leafed through some papers as she spoke.

“Mama said that it was a beautiful house back in its day. It was grand and stately, like something out of a movie. The same family has owned it for generations since the 1860s. Sadly, no one has lived there since the last family matriarch died in the 2020. “Emily looked up from the photo and stared at Amori incredulously. “Really? Who was the last one to live in the house? Do you know?” Amori nodded and smiled as she placed the papers back in order. “The last person to live there was Majorie Hastings. You remember her daughter, I bet? Her name was Hillary Hastings. The mousy-looking genius of a girl with plain features and huge Coke bottle glasses always jumps at the slightest sound. I always thought that she was so weird. She could have been pretty if she wore some makeup!” Emily tried hard to remember. “So, why is Hastings House not being sold? The family could get some major money on the house, right?’ Emily questioned.

Emily felt a thrill of excitement run through her. She had always loved old houses and the stories they held, and this mansion looked like it had plenty of both.

Emily took the stack of papers and the photo with a curious expression. She had never seen anything like it before. The image was old and worn, the corners bent and the edges frayed, but it still held an undeniable elegance.

Amori sighed. “Well, Hillary called me last week….and get this! She is married to a doctor, has three kids, and lives in New Zealand. Good for her, right?” she gushed.

Emily nodded in agreement. “Yes.”

Amori grabbed another Jolly Rancher and took it out of the wrapper.

“Hillary told me that she was forbidden to sell the mansion on her mother’s deathbed, and she promised her mom that she would not. She is going to fix it up and keep it.” She finished and grabbed a pen out of a plastic cup on the corner of the desk with the name Dafford Real Estate printed on it.

“She desires to have someone there to take care of it, and she will hire contractors to bring it back to its former glory and maybe break it up into units down the road or something, but it will always stay in the family.” she volunteered.

Emily stared at the picture again and felt a sense of foreboding, which was strange because she usually did not sense things like that.

But there was something about the picture that drew her in. It was another black-and-white photograph of the old mansion, which seemed to her to have a dark past. Emily could not help but feel as if secrets were hiding behind the walls of the grand estate. She studied the picture, trying to decipher clues about the mansion’s history, but the image remained enigmatic.

“I appreciate you looking for me, Amori, and thinking of me when this house came open. It is enormous, and I cannot afford to spend money on anything. I am barely making it as it is financially. I have had it so hard since Luke and Isla passed, and it is a true struggle to make it. Are there some cheaper options available? Like a room for rent or something? I am only getting twenty hours at work right now. I just cannot afford the apartment anymore since our savings were used for the funeral expenses and bills. I need money for gas and food, and that is it.

She felt so low having to explain all of this to Amori. What must she think of her? She was at the bottom of the barrel, and there was no way out. Emily saw no light for her at the end of her tunnel.

“It is your only choice right now, I am afraid. Hastings House is vacant and needs care, and with the economy what it is, renting is not going to be easy for you right now. No one is leaving, and they are staying put. Hillary will let you stay for free if you agree to remain in the house and take care of it. Emily, I know that you have your reservations. But I think it could be a win-win situation—you get to live there for free, and Hillary was happy to hear you were willing to take care of their old mansion. She remembered you and heard about your tragedy of losing your husband and sweet Isla. She asked if you would keep the garden of roses and just do light housekeeping, and you are free to move about the house without any limitations. It is all open to you. Emily sighed and nodded her head. She did not have much choice: “I’ll do it.”

Amori smiled with relief and reached out to pat Emily’s hand. “Thank you, Em’s. You will not regret it, I promise. You can move in as soon as you want.”

Emily forced a smile. She could not shake the feeling that something was off about the mansion, but she could not put her finger on what it was. Nevertheless, she needed a place to stay, and if it meant taking care of an old, creepy house, so be it.

After Emily signed the contracts, she gathered her things; Amori hugged her goodbye and went out into the rain, clutching the old brass keys. She did not even open her umbrella. She did not care that she was getting drenched; Hastings House was her only choice. Emily got in her white Camaro and took a deep breath. Moving was a massive step for her, but she knew it was right. Emily could finally leave her depressing apartment behind and start a new chapter. She just hoped she could handle the responsibility of caring for such a grand old mansion.

As Emily looked at the photograph of Hastings House, she could not shake the feeling that something ominous was lurking behind those walls. She felt so very alone and so very hopeless as she drove away. “Fuck Luke. I do not know if I can do this.” There was no response, only silence.

Chapter 2

Emily left the real estate office, drove to the local Andy’s Hardware store, and bought a few large and small boxes, tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, scissors, and tools. Emily arrived back at her apartment and discovered that she was starving despite the stress that she felt in the pit of her stomach.

Emily tossed a frozen dinner of mac and cheese and fish sticks in the microwave and chased it down with a cold glass of sweet tea from the fridge. The rain had stopped, and she could hear the crickets singing a night symphony from her balcony. Emily opened the sliding door, and a gush of the cool breeze after the rain stirred the red tendrils of hair stuck to her face. It felt so good.

The night sky was velvet black and sprinkled with millions of sparkling stars. Emily grabbed her tea, went onto the balcony, and looked up into the sky. She continued looking up and saw a shooting star making a dazzling descent across the stars. She had no wish to make it at that point. Her desires had indeed come true, only to be cruelly ripped away. The worst part was that it was her fault. Emily was in her bubble of pain and misery.

Emily sipped her tea and leaned against the railing, staring into the darkness. The world seemed vast and infinite, yet she stood on the balcony, her eyes fixed on where the shooting star had disappeared, lost in thought. Emily knew she should not blame herself, but the guilt was overwhelming. Emily had made a costly mistake and was now paying the price.

As she stood there, lost in her thoughts, she heard a noise from inside her apartment. Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly turned around, her hand going to the pocket where she kept the small knife she always carried.

But it was just her cat, Mr. Nibbles, knocking over a vase on the coffee table. Emily sighed in relief and returned inside, closing the balcony door behind her.

Emily looked at the boxes she had bought earlier, and for a moment, Emily was tempted to start packing at once. But she knew she needed to eat something first. She opened the microwave and took out the now-hot meal of mac and cheese and fish sticks.

Tears filled her eyes at the memory of six months ago when life was so perfect and beautiful. She and Luke had been married for five years. Their daughter Isla was three, and Emily was due to deliver their son any day. Luke had started an IT company with his best friend from college, and it just looked like life could not get any better.

Emily woke up with an intense craving for ice cream around midnight all those months ago. She shuffled uncomfortably into the living room, where Luke worked on his laptop. Her wavy red hair was in a loose bun, and she wore one of Luke’s white T-shirts that was three sizes too big, even with her extended belly. Luke looked up when she walked in and smiled at that gorgeous, disarming smile of his that made her melt. He still had such an effect on her.

Emily sat on the couch next to Luke, snuggled up to him, and breathed in his scent. He smelled freshly brewed coffee and a hint of his favorite cologne, Paul Sebastian. She closed her eyes and sighed contentedly. “What are you working on?” she asked, trying to start a conversation.

“Just some last-minute client requests. Nothing too urgent,” Luke replied, stroking her hair gently. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m alright. Just a little restless,” Emily said, shifting her weight. “I can’t stop thinking about ice cream.”

Luke chuckled. “Well, we can’t have that now, can we? Let me see what I can do.” He got up from the couch and disappeared into the kitchen.

Emily smiled to herself. She loved how Luke always knew how to make her feel better. Luke returned quickly.

“No ice cream, my love, but I’ll make a run.” He said and leaned down to kiss her belly.

“You are keeping your mom up, son?” Emily giggled because the whiskers of Luke’s dark beard tickled her through the fabric. In response, their son kicked her against her stomach. They both laughed. Emily kissed the top of Luke’s head and then heard a small laugh coming from behind them. They turned and looked.

“Isla, you are supposed to be in bed, young lady,” Emily said in a low mock stern voice. She could not be mad at her. Emily held her arms to her, and Isla flew across the room into them. She grabbed Emily’s neck and tucked her little blond head into her shoulder. Luke’s brown eyes met Emily’s tenderly, and he rubbed Isla’s back slowly.

“Butter Pecan, huh?” he asked with a smirk. Emily smiled prettily. “Yes, please.”

Isla looked up and shouted. “Ice cream Daddy!” I want ice cream!” They all laughed that endearing family way, and Luke ruffled her curly blond hair. He picked up Isla and held her against his chest. Luke whispered something in her ear, and she nodded enthusiastically. He stood with her and looked down at his beautiful wife, glowing with their unborn child. “I will take this little one and get her some Chocolate Chip Nutty Buddy cones. We will go to the Neighborhood Wal-Mart down the road. Be right back, babe.” he said. Luke grabbed his wallet off the hallway table, helped Isla put on her jacket and Crocs, and they left the apartment.

Emily wandered back into the bedroom and collapsed on the king-sized bed. She let the ceiling fan above the mattress blow over her and lifted the T-shirt, exposing her bare, swollen belly. The soft whirring motion of the fan above her lulled her to sleep. She would sleep until they got back with the ice cream.

Emily thought only a few minutes had passed when she heard a loud knock on the front door. She was disoriented and stumbled down the hallway to the front entrance. Why was Luke knocking? Did he lose his keys? Emily did not bother to look through the peephole in the steel door. She unlocked it and opened it up. Her blue eyes widened in her heart-shaped face, and the blue lights from the squad car reflected against her white Camaro parked in the driveway.

“Mrs. Buchanan? “The female police officer questioned softly. Her partner, a young guy in his early twenties, stood beside her. Emily nodded her head as if in a dream state.

“I’m sorry to tell you this, but…… there was an accident about an hour and a half ago….,” She trailed off when she saw Emily’s eyes fill with tears.

Emily smiled softly.

“No… you are mistaken. Luke and Isla are fine. They went to get me some ice cream at the store.” She finished as she saw the officers shake their heads.

The man spoke up when he saw she was far along in her pregnancy. “Ma’am, maybe you would like to step inside where it is cooler?” he suggested kindly.

Emily braced her hands against his chest and pushed him away roughly. He stumbled back, almost falling off the side of the steps.

“No,” she whispered, shivering from the shock her body was entering.

She knew. They did not have to tell her. Luke and Isla were dead. She could feel it in every fiber of her being. They did not make it. She turned away from them and walked down the steps and onto the driveway. Emily was barefoot, and her heart pounded violently. She peered down the road…hoping at any moment that Luke’s black Chevy Silverado would come around the curve with its loud v-8 engine roaring. She would smile, walk to the truck’s passenger side, and open it. Emily would unbuckle Isla’s seat belt and pick her up, and they would walk into the house, have ice cream, and go to sleep afterward, and everything would be okay. But there was no truck.

Emily continued staring, and the female police officer touched her on the shoulder. Emily turned quickly and looked at her pleadingly, but the officer’s expression did not change. Emily let out the loudest, gut-wrenching sob that they had ever heard. The sky opened, and icy shards of the coldest hard rain began to pour down, drenching her and the officers. She sank to the pavement on her bare knees and collapsed on the stone pavers. The officers ran to her side, dispatching the paramedics, and she grabbed her stomach in a blinding pain that made her gasp for air. Emily screamed angrily into the night. She was going into early labor. She still had a few months to go. It was too early to have her son. Her belly seized her, and she cried out, clutching the young male officer’s hand. He held it as she opened her legs and began to push. She cried. She screamed. Neighbors looked on silently and sadly at the scene, knowing something terrible had happened to the young mother.

In the middle of the thunderstorm, Emily gave birth to her stillborn son. The paramedics took her to the hospital in the ambulance, and when she arrived, and they were taking her out of the back of the transport vehicle, she heard that it was a drunk driver in an 18-wheeler truck that had hit them head-on coming back from the store. Luke hit a guardrail and went over the embankment. Luke and Isla were killed instantly.

The stress of the accident had caused Emily’s body to go into early labor and brought on a premature delivery of her baby boy. Emily wept as she accepted this reality. There would be no Luke and no Isla and no baby boy. They were gone forever. Emily lost her family in the space of two hours. Emily wanted to die. It was all her fault.

Luke, Isla, and their son, whom she named Nathan Luke… were buried side by side in the family plot at Edward’s cemetery. Luke’s parents flew back from their trip to Paris and helped Emily with the funeral expenses and getting all of Luke’s documents in order. They were devastated as they stood by the graveside on a beautiful, clear, and warm day and watched their caskets lowered into the soft ground. Luke was well-loved, and many attended the services to pay their respects. After the funeral, Emily asked her-in-laws to take her home, and she hid in the bedroom as mourners brought boxes of food and reminisced about old times. She could hear laughter and crying at the same time, and she buried her head under several pillows and tried to drown the sounds out, but to no avail.

***

Emily pressed her head back against the chair she was sitting in and took another sip of her tea. Even though it had been six months, she could still feel the baby. She could feel its ghost movements against her belly, and she cradled her flat tummy and sighed. “I’m so sorry, Nate.” She told her phantom child that she only wanted her family back and she could not have it. There was no way to get those moments before, and Emily realized that even her wildest wishes could not make her family return.

Emily wiped her eyes with the tail of her yellow T-shirt and entered her bedroom. She grabbed a black suitcase tucked casually in the back of her closet. She unzipped it, retrieved a framed photograph of her family on the beach in Hilton Head last year, and placed it inside the bag. She zipped it up tight and tugged it close to her chest. She would take it to Hastings House, put it in a particular spot, and always keep it close.

***

The following day, Emily smiled through her sorrow as she looked around the apartment one last time. She lightly chuckled as she remembered she and Luke making love, christening every room when they first moved in. Emily remembered bringing Isla home from the hospital, a tiny bundle of joy in pink blankets and placing her in her crib, and she and Luke looking down in wonder at the perfect little life they had created together. She peered in the bathroom where she had taken a pregnancy test and left the positive stick on the counter for Luke to find—so many beautiful memories.

The streets were silent and empty that following day. Emily loaded up the boxes and started her car. She drove away from her old life, holding the keys to the new, and went towards Hastings House, where a new journey awaited her. Emily cried again over Luke and Isla.

The rain had started again, matching her mood as she drove through the dreary and cold storm.

Chapter 3

For Emily, it took about 30 minutes to arrive at Hastings. The mansion was in the Low Country of South Carolina. When she arrived at the massive gates, she looked up in awe. She slowly drove through them and up the curving driveway until the gray facade of the mansion came into view. She pulled up to the old mansion, surrounded by tall Weeping Willow trees that swayed slowly with the summer wind. “Oh my God!” she said in shock. She took a deep breath where she parked her car and turned off her engine. Emily sighed heavily and released her seatbelt. She stepped out of the vehicle and, standing in the light rain, she smiled up at the sizeable looming structure of Hastings House, and Emily felt that sense of dread again. She grabbed her bags and suitcase and slowly made her way up the pavers to the door. The house’s exterior walls were old and faded grey brick adorned in climbing green Ivy, and the windows were shrouded in thin spider webs. She took the large Brass key and clutched it tightly.

Emily had to brace herself as she opened the large double oak doors and stumbled into the darkened hall of Hastings House. The cold welcome chilled her to the bone, and she half expected a ghost or two to try and scare her off, but nothing happened. “You don’t believe in ghosts, Ems.” she reminded herself. The air was cold and damp, and the smell of age wafted. Emily felt uneasy as if someone were watching her. She took a deep breath and steeled herself as she stepped further into the massive foyer. Emily looked up in wonder at the crystal chandelier above her. She thought that if it were to fall, she would be dead. Emily stepped deeper inside the first floor and looked around the grand living room with large, draped windows and an intricate rug that looked like it belonged in a palace. The second floor was bright, with light from the large windows shining down on the marble floor. Emily could see a grand piano to her left and a hallway with doors lined up leading somewhere. As she ventured further into the dimly lit rooms, she got an overwhelming sense of presence, as if someone were walking with her. Emily dismissed it. She picked up her suitcase and took a few steps further into the room on the left. A gust of chilly wind blew through the open hallway, making her shiver. She quickly shut the door, and the breeze dissipated.

Emily laughed nervously. She gasped and looked around at the tall ceilings and the intricate moldings on the walls. Emily was surprised by the beauty and elegance of the room she was standing in. Although time had taken its toll, the room still had a sense of grandeur. This feeling of not being alone heightened as she stumbled into an extensive library and saw a figure standing in the far corner dressed in white, facing the wall. Emily screamed in fear and fright as she saw the figure move towards her, walking backward, and she scrambled back. Emily dropped her bag, and her heart pounded quickly. Emily placed her hand over her heart to slow it down. The figure spoke, and Emily felt relief when she heard a familiar voice.

Amori, the real estate agent, stepped out from the shadows. “I see you have arrived,” Amori said with a small smile. Emily cried out. “Amori! You scared the shit out of me!” she yelled, but her face was relieved. Amori chuckled. “I certainly was not going to let you come out here and walk through the house alone.” she drawled in her southern accent that could melt frozen butter. Emily breathed deeply, and together, she and Amori ventured through the mansion, amazed at its beauty even though it was so old. However, darkness still pervaded the place, and Emily felt a chill run down her spine as she and Amori climbed the wide Bifurcated Staircase.

The creaking of the stairs and reverberations of their footsteps echoed around them, and Emily could feel a strong presence increasing the further they climbed. The wood railing was smooth beneath her palms. Amori looked pretty in a long white flowing dress with her blond hair pulled back in a half up half down style with tendrils framing her face. She looked back at Emily and smiled.

“So, this mansion was built in the 1850s, and is it not just like stepping back in time?” she gushed excitedly. Emily saw the haunting family portraits that had been hung on the walls gracing both sides of the grand double staircase, and it seemed as if their eyes followed her. She shivered and hurried up the stairs to catch up to Amori. Emily agreed with a nod of her head. “Yes, it is for sure.” They arrived at the top of the second floor, then turned around and looked back down. They had climbed a lot of stairs. Emily placed her hand on the wooden rail in front of her and had a flash of something so horrific that she stumbled backward. She backed into a large potted plant and almost knocked it over. Amori knelt in front of her with great concern on her face. She grabbed her hand. “Are you ok?” Amori asked, concerned.

Emily closed her eyes to erase the image that she had seen. She never wanted to see that again. Not ever. A woman or girl stood where she stood and then placed her hands around the railing, hauling herself over the bar and falling. What in the hell? Why had she seen that? It was as if the person wanted to jump. The creepiest part of all? She was smiling as she was doing it.

Emily took a few deep breaths and tried to steady herself. She looked down at her hand, which was still trembling. “I don’t know what just happened,” she said, her voice shaking. “I had this sudden feeling, like something terrible happened here.”

Amori looked at her with a mix of curiosity and concern. “What kind of feeling?” she asked.

“It was like a flash,” Emily said, trying to find the right words to describe what she had experienced. “Like…like a memory, but not my own. It was like I was seeing through someone else’s eyes.”

Amori’s eyes widened. “That’s…unsettling Em’s,” she said.

Emily nodded, still feeling shaky. “Yeah. I do not know what it was, but I do not think I want to stay up here any longer.”

Amori stood up and brushed off her knees. “Alright. Let us head back downstairs.”

Emily could not block out the face with an unholy visage as they descended the staircase. It scared her.

“Are you ok?” she asked again.

Emily sighed. “Yes. I am just so tired and did not get enough sleep last night. The mind was playing tricks.” she said softly.

Amori smiled again and chuckled nervously.

“What did you see, Ems?” Emily questioned curiously.

Emily shook the image away. She did not want to resurrect it again.

“It does not matter. Let us continue the tour, shall we?” She dismissed the subject, and Amori said nothing else.

They continued to traverse the mansion inside and out, and for a moment, Emily had forgotten about the vision she had seen at the top of the stairs. She started to adjust to the atmosphere of the mysterious old mansion and was beginning to enjoy the thought of living in a beautiful place such as this. She certainly felt that the mystery of Hastings House was slowly beginning to intrigue her increasingly. Why would it not be sold to another family to enjoy it in the future? Why let it just sit empty? Why?

After hours of walking and talking, Emily and Amori finally returned to the house. She had enjoyed touring the grounds and the gardens. The flowers were well kept; someone still cared for them because the roses were stunning, and the beds had no weeds Emily could see. Amori said she would find out who the groundskeeper was and get back to her when she found out. They toured the large kitchen with marble counters, white cabinets, and a black and white checked floor. The kitchen was accented with touches of red and had a very French Country vibe. Red curtains hung from the smaller window above the sink, and longer drapes of the same color swept the floors gracefully in the eat-in area of the same space. Emily loved to cook and fell in love with the chef’s stove and massive stainless-steel refrigerator. She could make some great meals here. She could only imagine the beautiful meals the cooks made in this kitchen over the decades.

Amori sighed.

“Girl. I am pooped! This place is massive and just gorgeous!” Amori exclaimed. “I am going to head on out, but you are sure you don’t want one of the many suites upstairs?” she asked incredulously. “I mean. There are fourteen bedrooms up there, and the only one that appeals to you is the maid’s quarters off from the kitchen?” she questioned like Emily was strange.

Emily leaned against the massive island and folded her arms.

“I like it.” She spoke. “It has personality and color, and I felt very homey there, which suits me just fine.” She finished.

It was by accident that Emily found the room. She looked back toward the house from the garden, saw the room built off from the kitchen, and saw the cheery daffodil yellow curtains adorning the large bay window. Emily looked at it and returned to the house, leaving Amori in the garden. She walked through the kitchen door, wandered down a small, tiled hallway, and found a closed door with a delightful stained-glass pane in the middle of the wood door. Emily placed her hand on the brass knob and turned, but it would not budge. Amori had returned inside by that point and looked hard at Emily.

“What are you doing?” she asked loudly.

Emily looked behind her to see where Amori was standing.

“I saw this room from the garden, and I want to see what is in here,” she explained.

Amori shook her head.

“Have you tried the master key?”

Emily sighed. “Yeah…. but it will not open it,” she said, frustrated.

Amori returned to the kitchen, picked up the manila envelope with the contract, and reached down to the bottom, and her fingers closed around a set of keys. To what they went to? She did not know, but it was worth a try, right?

She walked back down the hallway and handed the keychain to Emily.

Emily took the keys and smiled. She tried the first one, but it did not fit. Emily pushed the second key in, but it was the same; then she tried the third key, and it opened with a satisfying click.

She opened the door and beamed as she stepped inside. The room was tiny compared to the others, but the colors were impressive. Vibrant yellow adorned the walls, while a laminate floor in a lively hue lit up the space. Someone had dressed the large white iron bed in cobalt, patterned pillows, and a fluffy white bedspread and comforter. Emily opened her arms and declared, “I think this is it!” Amori looked around in approval. “It’s certainly you, Ems.” Emily could agree; she admired the small gas fireplace in the right corner and the adjoining full-sized bathroom with an inviting soaking tub. She was also pleased to find a cozy area with a TV and entertainment center for relaxing.

“Em’s!” Amori exclaimed.

Emily followed her voice and then saw a separate smaller area off from the bathroom with a nice-sized armoire built in and shelves for things.

“I will sleep in here for sure.” She told Amori.

Amori looked at her watch, and her eyes widened.

“Oh goodness. I have been here for hours.”

Emily stepped out of her house and stood in the round driveway. As the sun set, so did its light; the green rolling hills slowly transitioned into a deep purplish hue.

Amori opened the door on the shiny black Lincoln Navigator and got in, shutting the door behind her. She looked ahead of Emily and saw the lights on in the house. They had located the breaker box, and the place flooded with light. She was worried about Emily, but she would not tell her that. She was worn out and exhausted, and her ankles had swollen slightly from all the standing and walking through the house and the grounds. This house would give her a lovely commission if only she could talk the owner into selling it, but that would not happen.

“Call me if you need me, ok?” Amori said.

Emily smiled and wrapped her arms around her to ward off the night chill. She was nervous about her first night, there was no doubt, but she was going to fix some food that she brought in her cooler, have a soda, and go to bed in her cozy little space. It felt like a cottage space to her.

“I will be fine, Amori. Thank you for spending the day with me.” She was grateful for it.

Emily watched Amori drive away and continued looking until the SUV disappeared around the bend in the road. She was alone. Emily felt a chill creep down her spine and turned to the house. You know when you sense someone watching you. You just feel it, and Emily thought it now. She slowly approached the house and walked up the front steps. Emily opened the door and walked inside the brightly lit foyer. She closed and locked the large doors behind her, and she walked faster as she made her way to the kitchen to make a sandwich. The past owners updated the kitchen. Recessed lighting was in the ceiling and over the counters. Emily grabbed her green cooler off the counter and opened it. She opened the bag of ham and rolled it up, eating a few pieces of it, and then popped open a can of coke and drank it in almost one gulp.

Nine o’clock had arrived, and Emily was finally ready to turn in for the night. Exhaustion had taken over her body, but she still needed to check that the house was secure before she could crash.

Emily left the open kitchen and went down the hall to the front of the house again. She turned off the light switch on the wall by the doors and turned on the alarm as Amori had instructed. The little green light popped on, and an automated voice said, “All areas secure.”

Emily drew a sense of security from the sound of the voice, even if its purpose was only to inform her. She glanced up at the curved staircase and spotted the large, eerie family portraits hanging on the wall, then settled her gaze on the railing, where she had seen a vision of the apparition earlier in the day. But nothing happened. Emily exhaled with relief and averted her eyes.

There was nothing wrong with this house, and she did not believe in that shit anyway. It was just her mind playing tricks on her. Pleased with her self-reassurance, Emily spotted the long hallway lit up on the second floor and sighed. It was time for her to retire to bed.

Emily returned to her room, glancing at the weather app on her phone as she walked. When she entered, Emily smiled at the cheerful colors in the room and the sweet smell of freshly laundered linens. She changed into her lavender nightgown and settled in bed, feeling safe and secure beneath the covers. Emily would never even consider sleeping upstairs in one of those large suites. As a sense of warmth overcame her, her exhaustion slowly made her relax, and her limbs grew heavy. But then, just as she closed her eyes, Emily heard a faint whisper – so soft that it could have been all in her head. Fearing she would open her eyes to find someone standing there, Emily curled up tighter under the comforter and eventually fell into a deep sleep.

The moonlit night flooded the room, giving Emily’s slumbering body a silvery glow. A girl with coal-black eyes and a mouth gaping open in a horrific smile glared at her from the shadows, hatred radiating from her being. In a split second, she was gone.

Chapter 4

Emily woke up early the following day to birds singing outside her window. She saw the first signs of dawn coming through the bay window, pulled the comforter closer to her chin, and closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the pain to surface again as it did every morning.

Each morning, I started the same for Emily. She awoke with a blank mind, but gradually, it all flooded back to her like a broken dam in her subconscious. Her memories and emotions hit her like a battering ram of sorrow, pain, and longing that was fresh and new every time, unrelenting in its attack on her psyche.

She threw back the covers from her body and exited the bed. Her feet landed on the floor, and she shivered. It was so cold in the room. She longed for nothing more than a hot shower. She went to the bathroom, looked at her reflection in the mirror above the sink, and noticed the prominent black shadows under her eyes and the weary look of sorrow on her face. She was only 25 but looked 35 with what life had delivered. She leaned over and turned on the shower and felt the stinging hot spray turn much more comfortable after some adjusting of the handle.

Emily stripped out of her clothes, got a towel out of her bag and some fresh clothes out of her suitcase, and piled her red hair on top of her head in a loose knot. She entered the large, spacious, tiled shower and let the water sluice down her slender body to the shower floor. She grabbed a bar of sweet-smelling soap from the tray in the shower, lathered her body, and then rinsed it off.

Once her morning ritual was complete, she dressed in fitted jeans and a white V-neck t-shirt that hugged her tiny waist and slipped into a pair of white canvas tennis shoes. It was time to start her first day.

Emily opened the door to her room and stepped out into the chilly hallway off from the kitchen. The morning sunlight lit up the kitchen, casting a soft glow on the copper fixtures and white marble counters, and she could see the gardens and hills beyond through the window above the large farmers’ copper sink. The southern sky was beautiful in muted shades of peach, yellow, and turquoise blue.

An intense need for coffee hit her, and Emily looked around for a coffee maker but did not find one. Damn, she thought to herself. I need that. She would have to make a trip to the store and pick up a few things to survive here, and a coffee pot would be at the very top of that list and some food, she thought as she scanned the inside of the massive stainless-steel fridge and many cabinets. They were both bare. Yep! A trip to the store was most definitely in order.

Emily made a concise list on her phone of things to pick up, and then she went to the front of the house and opened all the doors downstairs to air out the spaces and let some freshness in. She gazed at the large rooms, like the library, sitting room, and massive office, and could not help but be amazed by their immense beauty.

Emily walked out of the library and looked up the steps. Her eyes wandered to the railing again, but there was nothing there, only a stream of sunlight caressing the wood. Emily, you are so silly. She chuckled to herself and walked up the steps to the second floor. The landing was beautiful, with large oriental rugs covering the well-polished wood floors. The head of the household liked clocks in the past because they were everywhere, and as the clock struck 8 o’clock, they all began to chime. There had to have been at least 30 chiming clocks. Emily shook her head and turned to walk down the hallway to open the doors to the suites. The sun lit the hallway to the left from the large windows facing the front of the home from the east. She turned to the right hallway; it was dark, and not one ounce of sunlight lit up the dark corridor.

Emily decided to go ahead and let those rooms air out first. Get the creepy part out of the way. She turned the flashlight on her phone and pointed it down the hallway. She went to the first large door and opened it up. The inside of the room was bright and sunny, and the décor was a light spring green. It was lovely with a high canopied bed, green rugs, and touches of green and yellow everywhere her eyes landed—the bedding, the drapes, etc.

One room down, she whispered to herself.

Emily explored a pink room, a blue one, a yellow one, and a red one that was too much. Then, there was the white space before she reached the last chamber. It was only accessible through three steps of stairs. When she went to open it, however, the door would not budge - Someone had locked it from the inside.

How strange!

Emily dismissed it for a moment. She would have to get in there eventually, though. Emily turned to walk away and heard what sounded like a slight knock on the door from the inside. She turned back quickly, grabbed the knob, and turned, but it would not.

Emily stepped back and glanced over her shoulder. The sight of the door made her sick, as it had the previous day. She felt weak and on the verge of throwing up. Even though there was no lock on the door, it would not budge. It would have taken a lot of effort to open, more than Emily had to spare. As she moved away from the door, the nausea started to subside. It was completely gone when she reached the middle of the landing. The bedrooms had light streaming in from their windows but not from the door at the end of the hallway. All that came from there was an oppressive force that frightened Emily.

Emily toed it back downstairs quickly. Once in the foyer, she heard the clock strike 9 o’clock, and the chime of the bells echoed loudly throughout the house. Emily grabbed her wallet and keys and left the house. She got in her car and drove away. Emily needed some distance. She glanced through the rearview mirror, and the place looked so still and lifeless. The Weeping Willow trees surrounding the mansion even seemed to sag with sadness. The house was not still and quiet, though. Something was wrong, and Emily knew it all surfaced from that dark room at the end of the hallway. The door would not open. Someone did not want that door to open, and they fixed it so it would never open again.

Chapter 5

Driving away from Hasting’s House, Emily felt a sense of relief. She had only been there two days, and though she had hoped for an improvement in her mood, it had not happened yet. With more time, it would. As she drove along the winding country road, she noticed a pretty store at the side of the highway—Gordan’s Country Market—so Emily pulled into its overflowing parking lot and went inside. A tantalizing aroma of freshly cut flowers surrounded her as soon as she stepped through the open doors. There were buckets full of colorful blossoms resting on the windowsills. Taking a basket in hand, Emily chose some red carnations and white and yellow daisies to brighten up her room decor, even though Hastings House had its own garden that she had yet to explore. Flowers always cheered Emily up, and these would be no different.

Emily entered the bustling store that looked like it had been there since the 1930s or 1940s. The building was charming, covered in white aluminum siding and large windows with bright red shutters. A couple of older adults sitting on the benches outside sent her a warm smile when she passed them. She recognized their faces – they reminded her of her grandparents, whom she had not seen for an extended period. Soft country music played from the speakers at the front. Emily noticed a sign above the blue Formica counter reading, “Fresh fudge and cookies ready to devour!” she followed her nose toward the candy section. Sample cups of blond fudge and chocolate chip cookies, lined up in rows, were calling out her name. Emily could not resist taking a bite out of one. The sweet butter and cocoa melted in her mouth, making her eyes roll in pleasure.

“Pretty good, huh?” a female voice behind her said.

Emily turned and saw a pretty young woman with the reddest hair she had ever seen and tons of freckles all over her face and arms. She was lovely, and her green eyes flashed with warmth and kindness. She was Merida from the Disney Movie Brave brought to life!

Emily smiled back. “Yes, it is perfect!”

The young woman stepped out from behind a stack of boxes filled with chips and other snacks in the center of the store.

She had the most genuine smile and held a box cutter in one hand and a box cut down in the other.

“We are running a special buy one, get one for free deal!” she said enthusiastically.

Emily smiled.

“Well then, I will take advantage of that deal.”

Clarrisa walked over to her and patted her on the right shoulder.

“Hang right there.” She said in a sweet southern accent and put down the box and cutter.

She went behind the counter and grabbed two boxes. Clarrisa stood before a glass cabinet displaying the sweets and slid the door back to access the cookies and fudge.

“What is your poison? We have blond fudge, Maple walnut fudge, and my personal favorite, California Walnut fudge. For cookies, we have Chocolate chips, sugar, and.” She leaned back in the cabinet and pulled out a tray. “And my mom’s famous Peanut Butter cookies.”

It all sounded so good to Emily, but she chose a box of blond Fudge and Peanut Butter Cookies.

“I’ll wrap these up for you.” Clarrisa offered.

Emily stood and watched her work.

Clarrisa carefully placed the fudge and cookies in boxes and then sealed them with some tape.

She looked up and handed the boxes to Emily.

She wiped her hands on a red gingham apron tied around her slender waist, and Emily noticed her bright red tennis shoes. Red must be her favorite color, she ascertained.

She stepped back around the counter.

“Is there anything else that I can help you with?’

Emily felt her friendliness radiating from her, and so she responded with.

“I know this is probably impossible… but do you have a coffee pot?”

Clarrisa chuckled.

“Aren’t the ones in the hotels pathetic … so tiny, and they do not even have a good selection of coffee?” She finished.

Emily smiled.

“I am not staying at a hotel. I need one for the place I am currently staying at,” she said.

“No. I am staying at the Hastings House.” She volunteered.

Clarrisa’s eyes widened with shock.

“No way! Seriously?”

She could not have been more than nineteen or twenty.

She had not had a hard life. At least not yet.

“Stop it, Emily. Don’t think that about that young woman. Just because your life is crap, doesn’t mean that hers is.”

Emily responded.

“Yes. I moved in just yesterday.”

Clarrisa grabbed her softly around the elbow and linked her right arm with her left arm.

“You come with me.” She looked at Emily as if wanting to know her name, and Emily recognized that, so she told her name.

“Emily Buchanan.” She spoke.

Clarissa smiled brightly.

“Well, it is nice to meet you, Emily Buchanan. I think we can find something in the retail section. Mama has everything like the big box stores.”

She led her down aisles of canned goods, meats, produce fruits, and vegetables. And then they turned down another corridor and came to a set of double doors that opened electronically.

This part of the store had a boutique atmosphere. Down the aisles, an array of decorations, appliances, and jewelry was on display. Clothes hung attractively from racks. A worker had Toys, bedding, and colorful pillows piled up on a daybed in the corner to catch a customer’s attention.

“Right back here, Emily,” Clarrisa said, and Emily followed her.

The aisle was tight and confined, but Emily could see a coffee pot for sale at the end of the row—a Mr. Coffee machine.

Clarrisa lifted on her tiptoes and pulled the box down. She handed it to Emily, and Emily deposited it in her cart.

“Thank you, Clarrisa.”

She nodded.

“Of course!”

Clarrisa walked with her back down the aisle. They walked down the aisle single file because there was little room.

“So, how do you like that house?’ Clarrisa asked. Softly. Emily thought for a moment about how to answer that.

“It is huge. Creepy. But lovely, just creepy.” Clarrisa looked up as if she heard something that she was not supposed to.

“Creepy, how?” Emily thought about revealing the truth, but she discounted it. She did not want any pity. She just wanted to do her job and possibly make a new life.

“Oh, you know. It is old, empty, and big. It just makes me feel.” Emily paused. “Unnerved at times. I have been there for only two days, and already I feel uneasy with how large it is, like I could get lost and never find my way back.”

Clarrisa nodded. She seemed to understand. They rounded the corner to the checkout lane.”Be careful there.” For some strange reason, Clarrisa said that as if she knew something she was not telling.

Emily smiled. “Of course. I always am.”

“I bought some flowers to spruce up the mantles, and now that I have a coffee pot, I can make it.”

Clarrisa gasped.

“Oh…do you like blueberries?” She exclaimed.

Emily liked this woman.

“I do,” she stated.

“Well….do I have the coffee for you then!”

She led her to the coffee aisle, located a bag of Blueberry coffee, and threw it in the cart.

“Annie’s Blueberry coffee is cheaper than some other brands, but the flavor is incredible!” she gushed.

“I see the lines are getting longer, and Mama will be on the intercom calling me a few, and I hate that,” she said, rolling her green eyes dramatically.

Once they arrived back at the front of the store, Emily and Clarrisa went their separate ways, but first, Clarrisa grabbed her hand.

“Hastings has a fascinating history. You should read up on it.”

Emily tucked the information away in her brain and kept shopping, eventually deciding on a steak, a potato, two jugs of sweet tea, canned vegetables, red apples and navel oranges, bread, slices of ham and turkey, some mayonnaise, tomatoes, and coffee filters. Content with her haul, she made her way to the checkout line.

The lines were long, and Emily picked up a US Weekly magazine from the rack beside her and flipped through it while she waited. Finally, it was her turn.

“Well, Hello again!”

It was Clarrisa.

She started swiping the items as Emily loaded them onto the belt.

“So, you have heard that Hastings is haunted, right?” she asked as she keyed in the code on the apples.

Emily looked at her as she dug into the back pocket of her fitted jeans and pulled her small brown wallet out to get her debit card.

“I have heard that for years, but I don’t believe in all that,”

Clarrisa told her about the total amount for her groceries, and Emily paid.

“When I was in high school, we had to do a book report on our town, and I chose the Hastings House because we used to go out there and do-little rituals and rites of passage stuff as young teens on Halloween night.” Clarissa winked at her teasingly and stuck the tip of her tongue out. Emily was sure there was some mischief with that abundance of red hair.

Emily laughed and watched Clarrisa bag her groceries. “I just thought you should know. Many people swear that the house and grounds are haunted, and it was super creepy at night when I was there. That night was super-duper creepy because Mrs. Hastings had just passed.” Clarrisa winked as she handed Emily the two bags of groceries.

“It was nice to meet you, Clarrisa.”

Clarrisa waved as Emily walked past her.

“Same here! Have a wonderful day, and come again!” she yelled after her.

Emily smiled as she exited the store with her groceries and her little garden of flowers. Clarrisa had heard stories about the house, but Emily did not want to hear about it. She was going to investigate its history at some point. She just was not sure when. She had to live there for now, so she would blank out anything she heard from others.

After she had collected all her groceries, Emily loaded them into her Camaro and drove home. Then it hit her—she had forgotten the milk! Cookies without milk were no fun, so she pulled over in a mart and got a gallon of the stuff before continuing to the house. As she pulled up to the driveway at around eleven o’clock, something caught her eye—a foreign car she did not recognize parked under the weeping willow tree that lined the circular drive. Her heart raced as she noticed it was an old black Honda; why was someone here? She did not know anyone who drove a car like that.

With careful precision, Emily guided her car up the long driveway and parked it next to the other vehicle. She Stepped out of her car and lifted the two bags of groceries from the back seat. She placed them on the hood of her car and pulled out her purse and keys; then, she walked up the steps to the porch. Emily unlocked the front door and walked into the quiet mansion. She entered the kitchen and placed her bags of groceries on the counter. She walked over to the kitchen sink, looked out the large bay window framed with red curtains, and saw a young woman and a small girl walking in the flower garden. They did not appear to be causing any harm, so she went ahead and did a few things. Emily unpacked her groceries in the stately kitchen and set up her new coffee pot on the counter by the stove. She made a pot of Blueberry coffee that smelled fantastic and had a peanut butter cookie with it, and then she placed her flowers in some vases that she found under the kitchen cabinet beneath the sink and filled them with water. She would put them in her bedroom later.

She washed her hands and sighed. It was time to meet her visitors. Emily’s curiosity was piqued.

***

When Emily opened the back door that led outside, she was greeted by an abrupt rush of humid air. It was so oppressive and damp in the low country, making Emily feel like she needed to jump back inside for another shower. She shuffled across the thick grass to the garden.

The woman was texting on her phone, and the small girl was bending down, picking roses, and playing with a little golden puppy by swatting a bright red rose back and forth across the pup’s face and making it sneeze.

Their backs were to Emily. She unlatched a white wooden gate with a trestle of red and hot pink climbing roses above her head and softly approached them. Her footsteps were silent.

“Hello. “Emily said softly.

The woman jumped, as did the girl, and dropped her cell phone into the flower bed of daffodils.

“Oh Shit! the woman exclaimed. “You scared the hell out of me,” she said, laughing nervously and holding her hand to her stomach.

Emily held her hand up in a truce position.

“I’m sorry. I did not mean to scare you. I just wanted to come and introduce myself. I am Emily Buchanan. I’m the housekeeper here.”

The woman was pretty with short, deep brown hair cut in a pixie, warm brown eyes framed by long dark lashes, and she was close to six feet. She looked in her mid-thirties and had an olive complexion showing off her high model-like cheekbones. She was slender and wore lavender nurse scrubs with a baby elephant print in cheerful yellow. She wore white tennis shoes with canary yellow shoestrings, a lanyard around her neck, and a name badge that said Cypress General. Emily would guess that she worked in the Neonatal unit.

The woman held her hand to her forehead and had an embarrassed look on her face.

“Oh, I am so sorry. I heard someone had accepted the job, but I wasn’t clear on who or when the new caretaker would arrive!” She gushed in a low country accent.

She smiled apologetically.

“I am Lainie Griffin, and this is my niece, Bella.” She said, pointing to the pretty girl playing with the adorable puppy. We live just down the road, a piece to your left. We have the horse farm Griffin Farms.” She told Emily.

Emily gasped.

“Oh wait! I saw your farm on the way to the store this morning. It was a white fence with beautiful horses in the pasture?”

Lainie nodded enthusiastically.

“Yep! That is the one.”

Emily sighed.

“I love horses.”

“So does my brother Davis. He raises and breeds Arabians.”

Emily found that so fascinating. She smiled.

Lainie shook her head in apology.

“I would have never just shown up like this if I knew someone had been living here. It’s been vacant for so long. At least two years since Mrs. Hastings passed away. I feel like I am trespassing!” She laughed nervously.

Emily shook her head.

“No, you are fine.” She assured her.

Lainie visibly relaxed in her face and her body.

Emily looked around her at the garden and surrounding property.

“You are familiar with this place?” She questioned softly.

Lainie laughed dryly.

“I should say so.” She spoke. “We may not be Hastings, but we are close enough with all of the relatives that have worked here through the years for the family!” she chuckled. “We have been heavily invested.”

Lainie strolled to a spot away from the little girl who was still plucking flowers, and Emily trailed her. She could tell that Lainie had something to share, but she wanted to be sure they weren’t close enough for the child to hear them.

Once they had stepped away, but she could keep an eye on the girl, Lainie spoke.

“My family has worked for the Hastings family for many years. My grandmother, mother, and sister were all housekeepers here.”

Lainie smiled.

“I broke the chain and became a nurse.” She spoke. “Thus, the kid scrubs!” She pointed to the elephant fabric and then continued.

“She is my niece, as I said. I am her sole guardian since her mom passed away a few years ago.” Lainie shared it with Emily.

Emily looked over at the child.

Her hair was the lightest shade of cotton blond and rolled down her back in gentle waves. Her skin was porcelain-white, giving her a delicate, otherworldly air. She had thought the child was shy due to their quietness, but now she could sense something else.

“Bella has selective mutism. She used to talk as much as any child, but she stopped when my sister died.”

Emily’s heart went out to the little girl.

Lainie walked over to a stone bench in the middle of the garden path and sat down with a heavy sigh.

“I bring Bella here when she gets agitated, which calms her. She will only communicate by writing. She has not spoken one word. It helps her to be where Tristan is and makes her feel calm and close to her.”

Emily’s blue eyes widened.

“Close to her? “Here?” She questioned.

Lanie nodded in response.

“Yes, Tristan served as Mrs. Hastings’ housekeeper, her loyal companion, and whatever else you might call it. She had been with Marjorie for five years, and they had a good relationship. One morning, my sister was vacuuming the stairs to the second floor when she fell backward.

Emily felt pure horror run through her body.

Lainie looked at her and nodded to affirm what Emily was thinking.

“Bella saw it all.”

“Oh, my…. God!” Emily gasped.

Lainie’s eyes watered up.

“Yes. It has been tough on us. Bella was already giving her mom a tough time when she came to work with her that summer. She had such an attachment to this place, and Mrs. Hastings liked her being here, but Tristan got tired of the tantrums, and they moved back in with my brother and me shortly before she died. Bella threw an ungodly fit, and Tristan would not even let her come back to work with her for a while, but then she eventually did, with Mrs. Hastings urging. It was going a lot better until the fall happened.”

Emily had experienced heartache and loss, so she could relate to Lainie’s situation. Bella rose from her seat and searched for her aunt. As soon as she spotted her, the little girl ran over with the pup scampering behind her. Emily looked into the palest blue eyes, without any color at all, that seemed to peer right into her soul. Bella did not return a smile. She simply stared.

Lainie pulled Bella to her side, and her voice was light.

“Bella, this is Emily, the new housekeeper here. Isn’t that cool?”

No response. Just the continued stare made Emily extremely uncomfortable under her scrutiny.

Bella pulled hard on Lainie’s hand, and Emily saw her reach into the back pocket of her scrub pants and pull out a small notebook and pencil. She handed it to Bella.

Bella grabbed it and began to write on the pad. She showed Lainie what she had written and then looked back at Emily with a look of hope in her eyes.

Lainie looked at Emily and turned the pad around to show her what Bella had written.

In big, bold letters, it read.

Have you seen my mommy?

She looked intently at Emily, and Emily shook her head in the negative. She did not know what to say. She looked to Lainie, and then she looked back at Bella.

Emily knelt on the grass before her, and her voice was kind.

“I have not seen her yet, but I have only been here a few days,” she said. “I know her name now, though, and if I see your mom, I will tell her now that you miss her.”

Lainie nodded approvingly, and deep appreciation was in her eyes.

“It looks like it is time to go, sweety,” Lainie said, and she tousled Bella’s golden locks. “I need to get you and Goldie back home, and I have a shift coming up soon.” With that, the trio began making their way out of the garden and toward the mansion.

Emily strolled with her companions, the little pup galloping after her sneakered feet. She stopped and bent down, giving the pup’s downy fur a good rubdown as it wagged its tail.

“She is so adorable.” The little puppy squirmed like a wiggle worm, and Emily released her.

“Y’all can come through the house if you like and not have to walk around this huge house.” Emily offered.

Lainie looked at her and down at Bella beside her, who was looking up at her with hope in her big blue eyes.

“I would prefer to walk around if you don’t mind,” she said, tapping her watch face.

“Steps!” she declared.

Emily laughed.

“I hear that!” She agreed.

But there was a guarded and haunted expression on Lainie’s face that Emily could not miss.

“Well, Y’all take care and come back whenever you want.”

Emily watched the car pull out of the drive, and it hit her hard in her gut. Bella reminded her of Isla so much. For a child that young to witness a parent’s death. It was so unspeakably horrible and tragic. That child would never be the same, having seen that.

Emily was so desperate to hold her daughter in her arms again. Her cheeks were wet with fresh tears as she gazed at the bright blue sky. She imagined being reunited with Luke, Isla, and her unborn son. It felt so cruel that Emily had been left behind. The bitterness in her heart mounted, and she swiped away the tears from her face with a quick, angry motion.

She would never heal from this loss.

Emily stepped into the house, into the chilly atmosphere of the entryway, and glanced up at the stairs. She recalled her vision. She had seen a young woman or a girl on that first day perched atop the wood banister who had glared down at her with those obsidian eyes and smiled emotionless before sheaving herself over the railing and plummeting to her demise. Emily shivered at the thought and quickly moved away from the area. She wanted to be somewhere else as soon as possible.

Emily hurried to her bedroom and retrieved a medium-sized red box with a handle, which she brought over to the leather sofa in the sitting area. It was a vintage record player Luke had given her on their second anniversary, which she treasured. Emily rummaged through her collection of classic albums and grabbed an old Frank Sinatra record out of her closet. Then, she took it and the record player to the kitchen and put them on the center island. Plugging it into the wall outlet, she felt relieved as ‘Old Blue Eyes’ crooned through the halls and up the stairways and hallways of her grand home.

Emily got so busy putting things away that afternoon that she did not notice the sun beginning to set, the house growing dark, and the shadows creeping in.

It was dusk at the old Hastings mansion.

Emily cooked a steak and potatoes for her dinner. Finding two white plates in the cupboard above the sink, she placed her food on it before hastily consuming it while standing at the kitchen island. Emily was so greedy that she did not even sit down to eat. Two glasses of sweet tea quenched her thirst, but she longingly wished for a nice glass of wine or a few beers to go with her meal - only to find there would be no such indulgence tonight.

After Emily finished her meal, she tidied up and stepped outside to see the sunset that painted the sky orange, with royal purple and turquoise aqua as accents. The sultry night air blew a promise of rain or a thunderstorm later. She returned to the garden and sat on the bench Lainie had occupied earlier. Emily swapped her tennis shoes for some flip-flops, which she removed to let her feet rest in the cool grass. With her head reclined, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment.

Emily felt so much better out there than she did in the house. She dreaded shutting down the house again for the night, especially knowing that Bella’s mom had died in that house. Emily prayed that she did not reencounter her or have that vision again because it shook her to the core.

She turned back to gaze at the massive structure, and a breeze stirred her messy bun. Her eyes grazed over the windows on the second floor but did not linger on them long. A shiver ran down her spine, causing her to wrap her arms around herself to shake off the feeling of being watched. Emily stared at the gauzy white curtains on the middle window in front of the staircase. It felt like someone was looking through those curtains at her. But how could that be true? She knew no one else was in the house with her, and she did not believe in ghosts anyway. They were not real; they were fantasies told by people who wanted to scare others.

#thriller #dark romance #mystery #horror paranormal #horror #suspense #the haunting of hastings house #Youtube

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you-need-not-apply · 1 year ago

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Thoughts on this as a fic? I've written maybe 12K as of rn, and need to know if this is shit. I don't support jkr in anyway

Plot; James finds out about the horcruxs and works with Regulus to find them; cue slow burn Jegulus, thought death eater James Potter, thought dead Regulus and Pandora who needs more wine.

«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ «̶ ̶̶̶ 　　　　 ̶ ̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ »̶ ̶̶̶

“JAMES I swear to Merlin if you get any more snow on my book, I will confound you next quidditch match!”

Delighted laughter echoed around the courtyard as James sarcastically bowed towards Remus, whose scowl only grew as Sirius started to gather more snow into his gloved hands. It should have been too warm a day for this kind of snow, but luckily this part of the grounds had already been eclipsed by shade so the snow was still in pretty good condition. It wasn’t thickly spread on the ground like it had been this morning, but it wasn’t melted enough to just be ice. ‘Perfect for annoying Remus.’ James thought and quickly squashed it.

It was not the smartest thing to piss Remus off but Sirius- Ok look he claimed to be smart but he was dumb as a brick at times, mostly around Remus if James was being perfectly honest.

Sirius had formed a ball of snow, roughly twice the size of a tennis ball. He brushed it down to try and make it more circular as he slowly eased his way closer to Remus. James decided this was not his problem and took a few steps back to watch with Wormtail who snorted at him and went back to attempting to complete his transfiguration homework on one of the benches around the never-frozen fountain.

James had often wondered if the fountain was enchanted to never freeze or if the fast-moving water prevented it from freezing. He snapped back to the present with the sound of Remus being attacked by Sirius.

The sight of Remus having what looked to be a pile of snow on both his shoulders, his head and his book was something neither James nor Wormtail could contain their laughter at. The withering glare he shot them shut them up quickly enough though.

Remus brushed the snow off his shoulders and shook most of it off his head before turning his attention back to his book which was covered in snow. Scowl growing as he shook it in an attempt to save the poor thing.

“Sirius I was being-” Remus cut himself off before he could make the mistake that would cost him his remaining sanity. Unfortunately, Sirius had taken a break from laughing at Remus’s still snow-strewn clothing and hair (and book which Sirius would be replacing later if Remus had any say on the matter) and had heard his grave mistake. Ah yes, James had made a mistake in not stopping Padfoot the second he saw the look on his face.

“What, serious?” Padfoot needed to shut up before Moony skinned him, which wouldn’t take too long judging by the look Remus was currently giving him. Sirius’s dopy fools grin paired with far too few brain cells, allowed him to blatantly ignore Remus’s look and laugh. ‘The worst thing his parents ever did was name him Sirius’ passed through the other three marauders' heads. Remus sighed in defeat and turned to remove more snow from his book, which was now likely unsavable due to the melted ice now seeping through the pages.

“You being serious moony?” He asked, you could almost call it sweetly if not for the wide grin that stretched across his face and the slight shake of his shoulders.

Moony wasn’t taking this today, he had finished brushing his book off and had placed it in his bag, scowl still on his face. He spoke before Sirius could continue his awful joke. ‘Thank Merlin.’

“It’s getting dark, we should go in.” He said instead of cursing Sirius to have yellow hair like James had been hoping for.

James looked up in slight surprise, it had gotten quite dark very quickly, one of the cons of winter. ‘You could almost see the stars’ James wondered as he squinted up trying to spot any of the seemingly thousands of constellations that they had learned in Astrology.

His stargazing endeavours were interrupted by Peter calling out to the group while he packed his ill-copy-off-remus-later homework into his bag.

“When has it getting dark ever stopped us?”

Sirius shrugged, still grinning, and began heading towards the entrance hall, pausing only when he reached the threshold to answer Peter. “It’s cold out here, and we have food and fire inside, so..” “And chocolate,” Remus input as he stood a small way away from Sirius at the entrance, arms folded, a frown on his face, snow still mixed into his brown curls.

“Ah I see how it is,” Peter grinned as he walked with James over to the pair of them, carefully trying not to slip on the ice, “Chocolate is all it takes to keep the marauders in for the night.”

“I know,” Bemoaned Padfoot as the four trudged into the hallway, snow falling from their boots and clothes onto the ground, “Imagine what Minnie would say if she knew all she had to do was give us some chocolate.”

He corrected himself quickly, “Well give Moony some chocolate.”

The sound of Sirius choking on his breath when Remus’s elbow caught him full in his stomach felt like white noise to James as he searched through his pockets in an attempt to find his wand. He had misplaced it again, it was the third time this week. Stopping to double and triple-check his pockets, he allowed them to get a little further ahead before calling out. “Fuck I left my wand out there!”

Sirius turned around, giving him a very sirius look, which would have been more effective if his face wasn’t still red from his coughing fit a few moments ago.

“James you fucking idiot.”

“It’s not my fault!” James defended himself as Peter and Remus sniggered slightly at his misfortune. “Look I’ll go back and grab it, go ahead I'll catch up.” James half said, half shouted over his shoulder as he made his way back to the courtyard.

It had gotten even darker when James stepped out of the hallway and into the courtyard a few moments later. The sound of small insects and running water now the only sounds to be heard, along with the light crackling of the lanterns framing the entrance to the hall and the single trill of an owl somewhere above him. If it got much darker he would never find his wand. Breathing into his hands to warm them slightly as he made his way across the icy path to the fountain.

Moving his hands along the stone seats, he searches in the shadows his eyes can’t see in. Dragging his hands over the rough stone and ice, carefully trying to not knock off his wand if it was there.

The smooth feeling of his wand, intricately carved mahogany etched with details, made him sigh in relief.

‘Thank Merlin’

James quickly shoved his wand into his pocket and made his way towards the entrance once more. He quickened his step when his shoe hit the stone of the castle hall, making to reach the fat lady with the marauders instead of after. ‘Don't want Moony killing Padfoot now do we?’ James privately thought if he did, Sirius had it coming.

He turned the corner, left towards Gryffindor tower then up, when a black bur hit him.

‘Fuck what was that,’ was the initial thought, followed by, ‘Is that Regulus?’

Regulus Arcturus Black. Sirius Black's little brother. More than a foot shorter than James, dark unruly hair, that, unlike Sirius, was straightened and tied back neatly. He was still wearing his school uniform, though it looked distinctly ruffled and he had dropped something when he crashed into James.

“Damn baby Black,” James reached down to pick up the thing he had dropped, which turned out to be a book, “You ok?” He asked, examining the book without looking at Regulus, which he probably should have been as the question was directed at him and not the book.

The book was faded and torn, a page was clearly about to fall out, and there was something staining the cover. Quickly turning it over to get a better look, James caught a glimpse of the title before it was whisked away by a pale hand.

Startled and blinking rapidly, James looked down at Regulus.

Regulus looked disoriented, James noted, his eyes were slightly wild, glazing every way before setting on James. He tugged the book closer to himself as he stepped around James and began walking past into the courtyard. He looked unsteady on his feet, not quite in a drunken way but a more ‘I’ve just rolled out of bed’ way.

James watched him for a moment, before turning towards the Gryffindor tower, his mind still on why Regulus had a book titled; ‘Secrets of the Darkest Art’?

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thetaoofzoe · 4 years ago

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Fic: A Close Shave 1/1

Summary: Syverson has been looking like a woolly beast lately and You have it all planned out - a sexy shave astride his lap. But damn it, nothing goes according to plan. And thank goodness for that!

Pairing: Captain ‘Sy’ Syverson x YOU (and your glorious self)

Rating/Warnings: Cock-warming, vanilla and bourbon, attempting to conquer the beast, sex, fluff, silliness, and well... at least you tried :D

Notes: By now you all know how much I like writing fun, sexy times. This is no different.

Please consider reblogging, and commenting if you enjoyed it as much as I did. Reblogs and comments are life :)

Want to read more? Click for my Masterlist

‘Are you ready?’

You waited a moment and from the other side of the master bathroom door, you heard the squeak from the shower taps as he turned them off.

‘C’mon,’ he called and excited, you opened the door.

It was delightfully hot in that blue-green tiled room and the moist air smelt pleasantly of vanilla and bourbon. It was from that distinctive scented soap you’d bought for him, on a whim, years ago, and although you had been unsure if it was even to his taste, to your surprise, he became an ardent fan.

You pushed a low, square, cushion-topped bench against the wall in front of the sink, and quickly kicked shut the door. Grabbing a fresh towel from the wicker storage basket, you folded and neatly lay it atop the cushion to protect it from getting wet.

Then, across the wide sink lip, you unfurled the leather roll-up bag containing his beard grooming kit, which was a neat collection of shiny silver tools. Next to the tools you set a stiff brush, a wooden narrow toothed comb and a bottle of beard conditioning oil. Sy watched you and continued to briskly towel dry before loosely wrapping and knotting the towel about his trim waist.

Pleased with the presentation, you patted the soft seat.

‘Park it,’ you said.

Unsure of your barbering skills, Sy apprehensively rubbed a big hand over his out-of-control facial hair. Sure, it had grown out more than normal, and while he loved you, he didn’t want to be butchered by an eager, yet inexperienced hand.

Nevertheless, he grinned, and pointedly looked you over.

‘I’ve never been to a barber who wore my t-shirt…’

He paused, then leaned in and lifted the hem of the oversized shirt. He grunted as if he’d been expecting that you wore nothing but his t-shirt.

‘… panties,’ he observed with some disappointment.

You laughed, delighted and slapped his hand away.

‘Behave and sit down!’

He chewed his lower lip and chuckled in that low, husky way that always sent a thrill through you. Sy swaggered in close, crowded you against the wall, and attempted to slide his hands up beneath the t-shirt. Heat radiated from his skin and the scent of vanilla and bourbon and something deliciously and uniquely his, rose into your senses.

With him that close, that intoxicating, he threatened to thwart all of your plans. You put your hands flat to his hairy chest, in an effort to rein him in, but it didn’t stop him from curving down to mouth hungrily at the bend of your shoulder exposed by the wide shirt neck.

‘Ok, ok,’ he laughed and with a huff, sat where you directed him.

You took a moment to regain your composure and eyeing him carefully for a moment, you crept your gaze up his heavily muscled thigh to where the partially open towel promised to reveal him. Drinking in your open admiration, he shifted, and rolled his hips, a clear invitation that nearly brought you to your knees to eagerly swallow that divine mouthful that he offered so willingly.

‘Take off your panties and sit on my lap,’ he said, sliding off his towel and draping it across his lap.

Without protest, you stepped out of your knickers and tossed them aside.

And with a smile, you said, ‘Well, turnabout is fair play.’

You teased your fingers along the edge of the towel and easing it off his lap, watched his thick cock bob up against his upper thigh. You let out a long breath. He was a thing of beauty and he looked down at himself and then back up at you, with pride and desire shining in his blue eyes.

Sy reached out with both hands and pulled you forward and astride his lap. He was so hot between your legs that you were nearly robbed of coherent thought.

‘Let me,’ you whispered hoarsely and rising to your knees you took him in hand and guided him inside you.

Time went still and the sound of his quick breath mirrored yours. He moaned and gripped your bottom as you eased down the length of him until you could take in no more.

The muscle in his jaw bunched as he clamped down on a groan and you pushed him back against the steam warmed wall behind him. You fought through the need to ride him and squeezed your eyes shut.

‘Fuck, baby… you’re gonna kill me.’

‘Hush. Don’t move. Be a good boy and don’t move.’

He shuddered and took several moments of long breathing before he was able to speak.

‘Ok,’ he said slowly, still breathless and directing his glance at the sink. ‘Fill it up with some hot water and open the lather bar tin.’

The silver tin of hard shaving soap was heavy in your hand, and it opened easily with a twist of the top. You set it aside and filled the sink basin with hot water. You picked up the shaving brush and with a smile, flicked the soft bristles against the tip of his nose. Sy pulled you close.

‘Put some water on the soap and leave the brush in the sink to soak.’

You could feel him watching you as you did what you were told and it was singularly arousing.

‘Wet both your hands and work the water into my beard.’

‘The moment of truth,’ you purred and squeezed his cock with your tight walls.

Sy sucked in a quick breath and colour bloomed across his cheeks. You greedily consumed his expression of desperation to give into his baser instincts.

‘Baby… baby please,’ he begged.

You ignored his plea and instead rubbed your wet hands together, and massaged your fingers through his bristly facial hair. You took your time with it, looking into his eyes and drinking in his increasingly contented expression as you worked your fingers against his skin.

‘Does that feel good?’

You let your fingers drift from his face to his jaw and down the back of his neck.

‘Mmmm, yeah. I- I like it.’

Closing his eyes, Sy leaned his head against the wall and eagerly kneaded your bottom.

You smiled and reached for the comb and scissors. When you moved, he tensed and the hot pulse of his cock inside you made it harder to concentrate on the task at hand.

‘Don’t make any sudden moves, or you’re going to end up with a bald patch,’ you warned him and he made a quiet noise of acceptance.

You lifted the scissors to his cheek and then drew away.

Damn. Focus, girl.

You took in a breath and lifted the scissors again. Your hands were visibly trembling and your body had started spasming involuntarily much to Sy’s obvious delight. He curved his big hands about your bottom, dragging you in and rocking up into your heat.

He was at his limit.

‘You– you’re not being fair,’ you gasped resisting the urge to bounce.

‘Was I supposed to be fair?’ he teased. ‘Now put down the scissors before one of us gets hurt.’

You tossed them into the sink, wrapped your arms about Sy’s neck, and crashed your mouth down upon his. Syverson growled and stood, lifting you effortlessly to the edge of the sink, and spreading your thighs so that he could pound hard into you. You had teased him long enough and now he was going to make you pay.

You wrapped yourself around him, encouraging him to ruin your needy cunt and to make you take him so deep that you’ll be unable to walk. Your own orgasm hit hard, taking you by surprised and you howled his name.

Sy gripped your bottom and instantly came hard into your trembling body. He held you until you finally fell still and quiet and drew back to look down at you when you started giggling.

‘That… did not go the way I planned.’

‘S’ok,’ he smiled in response, picked you up from the sink and carried you into the bedroom. ‘Let’s do it planned.’

-the end, you naughty little things. I love you ;D

Tag list: @lightsidecalling @omgkatinka @igotkatiepowers @the-soot-sprite @harrysthiccthighss @little-green-love @foxyjwls007 @angreav @maizyistrash @liquorlaughslove @supernaturallymarvellous @whiskey-cokenstuff @laketaj24 @october505 @inlovewithhisblueeyes @foodieforthoughts @wolvesandhoundshowltogether @singeramg @sapphirescrolls @emyearns @brandycranby @zealoushound @eldarwen333 @beck07990 @lunedelorient @henrythickcavill @kalesrebellion @angrythingstarlight

#henry cavill smut #henry cavill #captain syverson #syverson #enola holmes #the witcher #syverson x you #syverson x reader

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moririki · 3 years ago

Text

⤷ AN EIGHT-LEGGED PROBLEM

OIKAWA TOORU & SAKUSA KIYOOMI & HAIBA LEV & MIYA ATSUMU X READER -> 1.8K you save your boyfriend from a massive problem which is currently in the corner of your bathroom )

REQUEST -> n/a CONTAINS -> spiders, bugs, you picking up said creepy crawlies, hq boys being no! help! at! all! (but that's ok bc we love them for it), fanon-ish sakusa cos i haven't read the manga and he had like 5 seconds of screen time so i'm just going off of what i've read + seen, clear favouritism despite the fact that i know basically nothing about sakusa, manga timeskip spoilers in sakusa's MORI'S THOUGHTS -> haven't seen one where the reader is the one in the relationship who takes care of bugs so since i'm a #girlboss who throws spiders out of my room whenever i see them without breaking a sweat i'm writing that into a fun lil thing with the haikyuu boys that i strongly believe are scared of bugs. also besides the point but look at the pretty colour palette that their banners make fjfjfjdj will go back to writing the requests after this! inspiration just struck

❍ OIKAWA TOORU

-> omg this fucking guy

-> don't let his pride fool you this man HATES bugs with a burning passion

-> he'll never admit it though

-> between you and the aoba johsai team he would never hear the end of how the great king oikawa would cower at the sight of a moth doing laps around a lightbulb

-> so when you pretended not to hear the shriek that left your boyfriend when he saw something flying around the bathroom light and he declined your offer to get rid of the moth for him, this left oikawa in a pretty difficult situation

-> it was just him alone in the bathroom, trying to brush his teeth while eyeing the bug warily

-> you came in a few minutes later, getting ready to go to bed as well

-> "you know, babe, that moth's been there for quite a while," you teased him

-> oikawa hummed in response, his eyes never leaving it as it continued its circumnavigation of the light fixture

-> "oh, you know. who am i to kick someone out of their home? i'm no monster"

-> you almost snorted at how poor of an excuse that was, but ruffled your boyfriend's hair anyway

-> "i'll take care of it, ru, you just finish getting ready"

-> "but y/n-chan, that moth has feelings! don't be mean to it!"

-> you gave tooru a very blank stare at that

-> "so do you want me to leave you alone with your new friend?"

-> "......no"

-> "that's what i thought"

-> you went up to the moth, managing to trap it in your hands before releasing it from a window

-> oikawa shuddered as you came back to the sink, giving your hands a quick rinse before resuming with brushing your teeth like nothing had happened

-> "you're so brave, my love"

-> "anything for you, babe"

❍ SAKUSA KIYOOMI

-> bless this poor boy

-> so it's no secret that sakusa isn't the fondest of germs

-> and that extends to bugs and spiders too

-> besides a normal amount of disgust that he held for them, the thought of where the insects had been or placed one of their many feet on never failed to make his skin crawl

-> that's where you, his wonderful significant other, comes in

-> as much as he loves you, he just can't understand how you always stared at bugs with wonder in your eyes

-> you'd even pick them up, cooing at the way they crawled up your arm while sakusa just stared at you in disbelief with a can of bug spray in hand

-> tonight was one of those swelteringly hot summer nights

-> you know, the ones where the air seems to be still no matter how many windows you open and every insect in a mile radius is actively trying to enter your home

-> you were spending the night at your boyfriend's apartment, ready to have a relaxing night in with him since your schedules had finally synced up and allowed you both to enjoy a day off at the same time

-> it took months of trust before sakusa finally admitted to you how much he enjoyed doing skincare

-> so whenever you two spent the night together, you decided to start the evening with some face masks and idle binging of a tv show

-> against his half-hearted protests, you had insisted that sakusa wore a headband while this happened (one that had a very cute duck face printed on it)

-> just to keep the curls out of his face, of course

-> whenever he caught you sneaking a candid of him with facemask and duck headband on, he just shot you a halfhearted glare and threatened you to never send that to atsumu or the rest of the msby team

-> (you set it as your home screen instead)

-> anyways, i digress

-> so tonight you decided to cool down from the heat with a few facemasks and cuddling in your boyfriend's heavily air conditioned living room

-> but he kept all his skincare stuff in the bathroom, so you went to go get them as he set up a show to watch along with some snacks

-> you flicked on the light, going to his cabinet when something in the corner of the room caught your eye

-> there was a fairly large spider, desperately trying to crawl up the smooth tile wall

-> you decided to take pity on it and release it

-> but when you had it cupped safely in your hands, you decided to terrorise your poor boyfriend just a little

-> "hey, omi, look what i found!"

-> your boyfriend perked up at your signature nickname for him, though his eyes narrowed as he saw your clasped hands held in front of you

-> "no"

-> "but baby, you haven't even seen-"

-> "no"

-> you giggled at how defensive he had become

-> "come on, don't you want to name it? it's very cute"

-> "i want you to throw it out, y/n"

-> "alright, alright"

-> you took the spider to a window, releasing it back outside before heading back to the bathroom and grabbing a few masks for real this time

-> sakusa gave you the cold shoulder as you sat down next to him, humming as you gave him a face mask and putting it on without a word

-> "aww, baby, i'm sorry"

-> "..."

-> "i'll give you a head massage if you stop ignoring me?"

-> sakusa turned to you, his eyes narrowed in thought as he stared you down

-> the act soon broke, though, and he smiled against the sheet mask that was on his face

-> "it better be a good one," he huffed as he tugged the duck headband off, already sighing at the sensation of your fingers against his scalp

-> "omi, come on, what do you take me for?"

❍ HAIBA LEV

-> ngl lev gives off equal amounts of being terrified of like the tiniest spider or just finding bugs insanely cool vibes

-> it's funnier to imagine this 6-foot-something guy scramble away from a fucking crane fly in terror though so this is how it's going to play out

-> when you invited your giant of a boyfriend to your flat, you didn't anticipate just how small he made everything appear

-> he even towered in your doorway, having to stoop to step through into your hall

-> "woahh, i love your place!"

-> it was his first time staying over for the night, and lev was making sure to drink in every aspect of your interior design

-> you found it sweet of him, and watched as he stared in wide-eyed wonder at the little trinkets you had collected over the years to make your small apartment seem more like a home

-> you didn't expect him to scream at the top of his lungs and practically run back to you, though

-> you jumped at the sound, watching as he scrambled away from your lamp and pointed back at it with a shaking finger

-> you squinted at it, making out the very menacing form of a crane fly as it bumped into the lampshade and continued on its path

-> "lev, you big baby," you giggled, heading to the kitchen to grab a glass and trap it

-> "y/n, don't leave me alone with it!" he yelped, and you rolled your eyes at his antics

-> you came back, smoothly capturing the insect and throwing it out of a nearby window

-> lev was sat on your couch the whole time, hands covering his eyes as he curled in a ball

-> "is it gone?" he asked, and you you giggled at how childlike he was acting at the moment

-> "it's all good, baby" you smoothed his hair and lev gratefully leaned into your touch, a sigh of relief leaving him

-> "thank you, y/n"

-> "i'll get rid of all the bugs in the world for you, lev"

❍ MIYA ATSUMU

-> gives off the vibes that he used to eat bugs as a child i'm sorry but

-> have mercy on his soul lmao

-> so twins are supposed to be identical right?

-> anyone who spends more than a few minutes around the miya twins know that that's a complete fucking lie

-> and you've had the misfortune of being friends with them for a very long time

-> like your mums were friends and you were all born around the same time

-> you've been pulled into their shit before you could walk or talk

-> so you're well aware of just how different these mfs are

-> even though they were both absolute bastards, osamu always had a slightly more mellowed out approach which would always end up with atsumu getting the blame for what they got up to

-> especially as a child, osamu loved to terrorise his twin with the unwilling help of you

-> one of the ways was through osamu exploiting one of his twins' fears

-> that being bugs and spiders

-> he always cackled at the sight of atsumu screaming and trying to run away from him due to the spider he was holding

-> as they both grew up, this became less of a frequent thing for osamu to do

-> you also somehow started dating atsumu, but nobody could exactly pinpoint a moment that signified a beginning to your relationship

-> but since you're dating the world's biggest manchild in disguise, and osamu gets annoyed with atsumu quite easily, you would have to swoop in to rescue him from time to time

-> recently the twins had been getting a little snappy with each other, and it had yet to sort itself out

-> from what you had heard your boyfriend was in the wrong this time, but you still listened to him whine and rant about it

-> you were going to the inarizaki school gym to say hi to your boyfriend and best friend before practice started, only to see absolute chaos unfolding

-> with kita yet to arrive, the twins were effectively unleashed and that much was clear with the way atsumu was practically screaming his head off as he ran around the gym

-> your eyes took in the rest of the players- aran had his head in his hands, suna was snickering with his phone out to record the newest miya twin fight, and osamu's deranged laugh could be heard above everything else as he chased his brother, hand held out in front of him

-> only one thing was capable of making atsumu scream like that, so you already knew what was happening

-> atsumu quickly spotted you hovering in the doorway, and made a beeline to where you were

-> his eyes were panicked, and you were quick to wrap him in a hug as you shot osamu a nasty glare over his shoulder

-> literally this lmfao

-> "that's enough, 'samu"

-> your best friend paused, before a smile spread across his face as he dangled the centipede in front of him

-> "you know it was rubber, right?"

-> you felt your boyfriend tense in your arms and you bit your lip to stifle a small giggle

-> but at least they would be back to normal by the end of today

back to the menu - ,, 🕷 ·˚ ༘ ꒱

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lowkeyerror · 3 years ago

Text

Just My Luck

Poison Ivy x Reader

Word Count: 1925

No Warnings

An: Ivy doesn't get nearly enough fan service. More Ivy fics plssss

Masterlist

Pt2

Everyone knows that Gotham is full of lowlifes and criminals. It's not a place to raise a family or settle down in. You're lucky if you make it through the day without someone trying to rob you at the least.

All of that aside, Gotham is the only home you've ever known. You were just a regular person trying to live your day to day without dying. Which was hard with your condition.

You called it a condition but no one else had seen it that way. You were terribly unlucky when it came to avoiding danger. So unlucky that you had cited yourself as a victim of Murphy's Law. Anything bad that could happen would happen.

You had so many close encounters with the villains of Gotham that they knew you by name. They actually really like you because you were around that meant they'd be getting away with whatever it was they were doing.

You'd met Scarecrow, Penguin, Riddler, Deathstroke, The Joker and all scared the living shit out of you. Seeing a fucking psychopath smile when they see you is always horrifying.

You had met some of Gotham's most illustrious women but it was different with them. Catwoman and Harley were always awfully flirty whenever they came across you.

You knew that they weren't necessarily good guys but it seemed like a stretch to say that they were just as bad as the guys.

Your thoughts always wander back to topics like these. Even at times like this, where all you were doing was sitting on the rooftop of your workplace for your break.

You had your legs dangling off the edge of the building, eating your turkey sandwich, minding your own business.

That was it until you heard thuds on the rooftop. With your sandwich in hand you turned around. You weren’t fazed when you saw Harley and Catwoman panting with their backs flat against the concrete.

They immediately put their guard up when they heard the footsteps approaching them but relaxed when they saw you.

" Thank God you're here I don't think I could run anymore'" Catwoman let her body fall back to the concrete.

" How ya doin princess?" Harley asked, causing you to blush.

" I'm ok, should I even ask what you guys are doing?"

" The usual taking something that doesn't belong to us," Harley answers for the both of them.

Your eyes dart to their bag of stolen goods. You see some clothes, some jewelry, and an odd looking plant.

" See something you like, Y/nn"

You let your eyes linger on the plant before answering," That just seems a little misplaced Catwoman"

" Does she not know your name kitty?" Harley ignores most of your comments.

" You can call me Selena, beautiful and the plant is for Ivy"

You weren’t dumb, you knew they were talking about Poison Ivy. The only villain that you hadn’t had an encounter with. Part of you was really curious as to how you hadn’t run into the woman. She was honestly hard to miss with her having green skin and all.

" Never met her"

Harley's eyes almost looked like they were going to pop out of her head," HOW HAVE YOU NEVER MET IVY? Oh my goodness, you'd love her. No chemicals needed of course."

You shook your head," You think so?"

" Ivy's more than a crazy plant lady; she's actually a certified chemist," Harley adds on.

" You know she could probably help you with your thing," Selena comments, making your eyebrows lift.

" You think she could help me with Murphy's law?"

Selena shrugs," She could at least tell you if its a chemical imbalance or something else"

All the doctors you'd previously been to were no help. They didn't take your disease seriously. They didn't believe that being unlucky was something that they could diagnose. Maybe you needed someone who was a little unhinged to check it out. Someone who would be interested enough to figure out what was wrong with you.

" I want to meet her"

Harley and Selena looked at each other for a minute as if they were having a secret conversation. Selena looked to be on the more hostile side of things whereas Harley was more relaxed.

After they'd come to a conclusion they turned their attention back to you," Well looks like you're coming with us today"

Selena led the way and Harley had dragged you along behind her. You didn't talk much during the walk, too immersed in thought.

This should've been a red flag for you. Why on Earth were you letting two fugitives take you to another fugitive on the basis that she might be able to help you? Maybe you had spent too much time around the criminals. Enough to be desensitized from their horrible deeds and be able to see them as just any other person.

Desensitized didn't feel like the right word though. A small part of your brain liked to convince you that Harley and Selena were kind of like your friends. Though you only learned Selena's name today it just felt organic with them.

" Not that I'm surprised but you're pretty quiet, beautiful. Thinking about going home?" Selena spared a glance back at you but kept her brisk walking pace.

" No, I just- it's dumb nevermind"

" Well now you've just gotta share with the class Y/nn," Harley swung your intertwined hands higher in the air causing you to laugh a little.

" Fine, it's just that I don't get out much, you know. Which means I don't have many friends and I don't know. Sometimes I like to think you guys are my friends"

Selena stopped in her tracks and turned around to make sure you could see her rolling her eyes at you," Well what a crazy thought that is. It's not like we're taking you to possibly find out a reason behind this… whatever the fuck you call it, that plagues your life"

" I-"

" Even though from a business standpoint it'd be better for us to just let you keep the chaos coming"

Harley smiles at you," What she's trying to say is of course we're friends princess. I mean trust me if we didn't like ya, you'd know by now"

You could feel the back of your neck warming with embarrassment," Well um that's good to know"

Selena scoffs a little before walking back towards you and Harley and grabbing your other hand," In all seriousness we are your friends, probably your only friends. We may be criminals but we've got your back okay?"

" Kitty's right, you can call us for anything; if ya get stuck on the toilet with no tissue, if ya need us to get rid of somebody, or if ya just wanna hang out."

" Don't call me for toilet paper Y/n," Selena says slightly disgusted, "The other stuff is fine. You could even just stop by our place." She nodded her head towards what looked to be a rundown apartment building.

" Thanks guys that means a lot"

Selena released your hand," Enough of that now, let's get you to Ivy"

When you entered their apartment it was surprisingly what you had expected. There were a couple of things scattered around that could only belong to Harley Quinn. There were a couple of claw marks on the wall that most likely came from Selena. There were also a couple of vines just laying around the floor which you assumed was Ivy's doing.

" Honey, we're home and we gotcha somethin special," Harley called out before plopping down on the couch.

You followed suit and sat right next to her. You hadn't really been nervous up until this point but when your eyes landed on Ivy your heart rate almost tripled.

You could see why she was so intoxicating. Unbeknownst to yourself, your eyes traveled the length of her body. From her toned long legs all the way up to her flowing red hair.

A panic shot through you when you realized she was strutting towards you. If your heart hadn’t wasn't beating fast before, now it was trying to escape your chest.

One of her hands reached out and brought your chin down so that you were forced to look into her eyes.

She took her time looking over you before her eyes snapped back to yours," If you two brought me this pretty little flower it must be my lucky day"

Your eyes went wide and you struggled to find the words you wanted to say.

" Absolutely not, we brought you a plant. That's Y/n"

Ivy hummed at what Selena said but didn't show any signs of moving away from you," Well Y/n, I'm Ivy. I've heard a lot about you but no one told me you were so easy on the eyes"

One of her fingers traced your jaw causing you to lose any thought that previously occupied your head.

" We were actually wondering if you could help her, Ives," Harley said, reminding you that you were right next to her.

Ivy didn't bother glancing at Harley," Are you always this reserved little flower?"

That statement was enough to slightly break you from your trance," God is a woman and her celestial beauty has made me speechless"

" Good going Ivy, you broke her even more," Harley pushed the other woman away from you before slapping you in the face.

" Y/n if you can hear speak normally. Not like you're in some cheesy romance novel. Who even uses the word celestial?"

" Ouch, what the fuck Harley?"

" Ivy's pheromones were getting all in your brain"

Selena was laughing in her seat, " Harley, I don't think those were Ivy's pheromones. I think Y/n here was good old fashioned flustered"

Your eyes shifted away in embarrassment, " So you mean to tell me you meant to say that celestial beauty line?"

" I mean, meant to say it is kind of a strong phrase. It just kind of slipped out," your eyes were focused on anything but any of the three women in the room.

" Don't worry about it Y/n, I thought it was very cute. And Harley if you ever push me again I'll leave you tied to a street lamp for a week," Ivy dusted herself off and sent a glare at Harley.

Harley rolled her eyes," Don't be so dramatic Ives."

Selena cleared her throat," I think we're getting off course. We brought Y/n here to see if you could help her with her bad luck thingy"

" Murphy's law," you corrected her.

Ivy's eyes lit up at the mention of it," Anything that can go wrong will go wrong."

You nodded, " That's the one."

She circled around you a few times making you stand up straighter," I can run a few tests but I don't want to do that until after I've… thoroughly studied you"

You could feel your mouth dry almost instantly," W-well how long will that take?"

You could feel the green woman leaning closer to you from behind," Let's just say we'll be spending a lot of time together."

You almost fainted when her lips grazed your ears," Dear God"

" Yes?" Ivy answered in a melodic tone.

This was the start of a new chapter in your life. You could already tell that meeting Poison Ivy was going to change your life. It only took one look in her eyes for you to become enthralled by her. Having her help you figure out this "bad luck thing" was definitely going to be an experience.

#poison ivy imagine #poison ivy x reader #Harley Quinn #Selina Kyle #Catwoman #Poison Ivy #lowkeyerror

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softholand · 3 years ago

Note

"Get locked in somewhere together." this prompt with Haz would be cute. The reader would have claustrophobia and Haz would calm her down. Please he's such a cutie

𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬

⤷ harrison osterfield x reader, strangers to lovers au

prompt: “get locked in somewhere together.”

words: 1.3k

Your heels scratched the tile floor as you rushed out of the room. You were so ashamed of how it turned out that you left as soon as the interviewer said you were free to go, catching the lift just as it was about to close, thanking the guy who held the door for you.

You had been so nervous about this job interview— that you had now clearly messed up— that you didn’t even realize it was still storming outside, so much that the sound of thunder made its way through the metal box, making the lights turn off before quickly coming back.

You looked to the guy beside you, who was not phased at all at the sudden malfunction, he simply kept his gaze on his phone, as like nothing had even happened. Shaking your head, you decided to ignore the situation, turning your attention to your own device, until another loud thunder roared through the sky, making the lights go completely off this time, effectively stopping the lift where it was.

“What the hell happened?” You asked, trying to keep yourself from panicking. “Uh, the power went out, probably by the storm.” The guy sharing the lift with you casually replied, his voice way too calm for your liking. “How long do you think until it comes back on?” You insisted, feeling your voice quiver. “I don’t know, maybe forty minutes to an hour?” His answer did not help your frazzled state at all.

You desperately tried to control your breathing, but you must have failed because you heard the guy next to you ask, “Hey, are you okay?”, to which you shook your head violently, even though he couldn’t see you in the darkness. “No, not okay! I’m claustrophobic.” You let it out while attempting to take a deep breath.

It was then that he seemed to understand the reality of the situation, “Oh shit!”, he let it out before slowly approaching you. “Hey, It’s ok, I need you to breathe with me, ok? I need you to focus on your breathing.” The guy said while suddenly taking your hands in his. “What are you doing?” You asked, prying your hands free. “I’m trying to help you.” He stated, before taking your hands back to his.

If it was any other situation you’d have put up a bigger fight, but you were currently in no condition to argue so you let the stranger help you. “C’mon, focus on my breathing, breathe in… breathe out…”, he said, and whilst a little invasive, he was actually helping you. “In… and out.” He kept repeating the words a few times until he could hear your breathing coming back to normal.

“Feeling any better?” He asked a couple of minutes later to which you nodded, “Yeah, thank you!” You thanked him, truly grateful for his help. "It 's alright!” He mumbled, finally letting your hands go but you’d be lying if you said you didn’t miss the warmth they transmitted.

You heard him shuffle through what you imagined were his pockets, until he found his phone, turning the flashlight on, unintentionally blinding you with the sudden brightness. “Oh, I’m sorry!” He quickly apologized, but you just shook your head. “It’s fine,” you mumbled, even though you couldn’t see properly.

It was only when your vision came completely back that you saw him. The first thing you noticed was his eyes, blue as the ocean, staring right back at you. His hair was a mixture of blonde and light brown that perfectly complemented his skin. The suit he wore also fit him like a glove, hugging his biceps just the right way. Fuck me, he's hot. You thought, shaking your head to get rid of the intrusive thoughts. “I’m Harrison, by the way!” The guy introduced himself, “Y/n!” You said, shaking his outstretched hand.

The lights flickered back on, making you panic again, unconstitutionally grabbing Harrison’s hands, “It’s ok, they’re probably already on it.” He assured you, to which you nodded, letting go when you realized you were still holding him. “Sorry!” You said, your cheeks burning from embarrassment. “Don’t worry!” The blonde smiled, and you couldn’t help but do the same.

Going back to his side of the lift, Harrison kept the light between you before asking, “You work here?” Shaking your head, you replied, “No! I was here for a job interview actually.” Nodding, Harrison continued, “Nice! How was it?” His question made you frown, “Not great! I think I blew it up.” You shrugged, “I’m sorry to hear that.” He muttered, to which you smiled. “It’s fine, I’ll find another one.” You said, getting a “That’s the spirit!”, back from him.

It was silent for a few minutes and you could start to feel your breath becoming uneven again, your fear of being stuck inside small spaces coming right back to the surface. Harrison must've noticed because he started to ask questions, trying his best to distract you.

A few minutes later, you discovered he was a designer, had a dog, a sister, enjoyed golf, and loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandpa, since he didn’t know how much time he had left with him. Now, you were both on the marbled floor, laughing at a joke Harrison had told you, making you completely forget that you were stuck in a metal box.

“That was a good one!” You laughed, drying some of the tears that had escaped your eyes. “I knew you’d like it.” He smiled, proud to be the one making you laugh. “God, my mascara is all over my face, I must look like a mess.” You mumbled, trying hard to fix yourself in the low light of yours and Harrison’s phone. “Don’t worry, y/n! You look beautiful!” He said, not being able to take his eyes off you. Feeling like a fifteen year old, you smiled, mumbling a small “Thanks!”, before averting his gaze.

Harrison was just about to say something when the lights came on, the lift suddenly moving, making you both get up from the floor. “Seems like our problem is solved.” He let it out, sounding disappointed, and to be honest, you’d be lying if you said you weren’t also feeling a little bit bitter about having to leave, which was crazy, seeing as you were terrified of being stuck inside the lift not even an hour ago.

You both gathered your stuff, making sure you didn’t forget anything inside. “Well, it was nice to meet you, y/n!” Harrison let it out, “It was nice to meet you too, Harrison! Thank you for helping, you really didn’t have to but yeah, I’m grateful you did.” You smiled, shaking his hand. “Of course, I couldn’t have you dying by my side, it wouldn’t look good when they opened the doors.” He smirked, “Oh, piss off!” You laughed, getting lost in his eyes.

You were just about to lean into him when you heard the familiar “ding!” of the lift, the doors opening, revealing a couple of workers carrying worried looks. “Is everyone okay?” One of them asked, to which you both nodded, assuring them you were fine.

As you got out of the metal box, you felt a wave of relief wash over your body, your phobia easing itself ever so slightly. Assuming Harrison was already back to minding his business, you took a couple of steps to the entrance, ready to go home, when you heard him call your name.

“Yes?” You turned around, being once again met with his sparkling blue eyes. “I— I was thinking we could, I don’t know, maybe… go out sometime?” Wait, was he really asking you out on a date? With your heart doing somersaults in your chest and a smile big enough to cover your whole face, you nodded, “I’d love to!”

— don’t forget to reblog and leave your feedback ♡

#requests are closed !!#harrison osterfield #harrison osterfield fanfiction #harrison osterfield fanfic #harrison osterfield fic #harrison osterfield blurb #harrison osterfield one shot #harrison osterfield imagine #harrison osterfield fluff #harrison osterfield x reader #harrison osterfield x fem!reader #harrison osterfield x you #harrison osterfield x y/n #my writing #gi’s 1k sleepover

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luimagines · 3 years ago

Text

You React to Him Getting Sick/Injured Part 2

Masterlist

Part 1

This one will included Wild, Legend and Warrior!

Content under the cut!

Wild

Wild came back to camp after hunting with questionable stains on his clothes. It was all over his wrists, all the way up to his elbows. It was all over his chest and it stained the entirety of his left leg.

Out of curiosity, you poke him as he passes you and quickly retract your hand by how slimey it felt. He pauses at your touch and raises an eyebrow at your actions. “Yes?”

“What on this sweet Earth is that?” You wipe our finger off onto your shirt and try to get the last of the residue off.

Wild blinks and looks down to where you’ve poked. “Oh. I didn’t realize it was that bad. I ran into some chu chu’s. They explode when you kill them. It’s fine.”

“Ok.” You hide your grimace at the information and nod. “Well, you might want to get that cleaned. ...Before it actually stains your clothes and all that.”

“Will do.” He grins and continues through the camp.

You bite your tongue at how the stains look from behind and continue on with your little hand held project.

The hours pass and Wild does eventually change out of his clothes and into some cleaner ones. You don’t know if he actually got around to washing them but you have faith in him to take care of himself.

Wild however, seems to be a little off as the day progresses. It wasn’t that bad in the beginning and was very subtle, but by the time it was time to go to bed, he checked out early and quietly got out of everyone’s way.

You had the second watch for the night and it all seemed normal. No monsters, not threats and all was quiet. Wild kept tossing and turning all night compared how silently he normally slept but it could have easily been a nightmare.

With your heart bleeding for him, you make your way over to him and shake him by his shoulder. “Wild. Wild. Wake up.”

Wild doesn’t open his eyes, his face contorted in discomfort but he does whine at your call. “Is it my watch yet? I was supposed to go after Twilight.”

“Are you ok?”

“I don’t feel good.” He groans and turns away from you, curling up into a fetal position.

You frown and place the back of your hand against his forehead.

It’s burning hot.

“You’re sick. You’re burning up.” You gulp and pull his blanket higher over him. “Don’t worry about your shift. I’ve got it covered.”

“You’re gonna go twice?” Wild is starting to fall asleep again even if he’s trying to keep a conversation with you.

“I’ll take an extra long watch.” You shrug. You go to move away to go get something to cool him down but you place your hand on his leg by accident.

It’s also burning up.

Now you’re even more concerned.

With Wild no longer being responsive, you move the blanket out of the way and check his leg. You realize he’s only changed out of his shirt and kept the stained pants from earlier. When you roll it up you see a long, shallow cut, right where the chu chu jelly was.

It’s obviously infected.

You bite back the scream of frustration that wants to build up within you and instead go to your pack. You try to find something to help fight the infection and also to help with his fever.

It’s a quiet endeavor as you tend to him. You take care of the leg first and wrap it up with your personal bandage roll. You go to place a wet towel on Wild’s forehead.

You also try to scrounger up a kettle or something similar to make him some tea to help. But at this point you’re a little louder than you’d like and you wake up Hyrule in the process.

Which is fine. Really.

His watch was up next anyway.

“What are you doing?” He rubs his eyes and sits next to you.

“Wild got himself sick because he let a cut get infected.” You sigh. “I’m making him some tea.”

“He’s sick?” Hyrule sits a little taller. “He’s hurt?”

“Not much we can do about it now. Just watch and wait it out.”

“Do you need help?”

You pause what you’re doing and look at him. Wild is actually being very mellow despite his condition, but he could also just be very exhausted from the day and his disease. You need someone to check up on the cut soon and someone to change the towel so he can keep cool. But you also need to keep an eye on the tea so that it doesn’t scorch and you’re pretty sure breakfast is going to fall on you since in the morning since the resident chef is out.

“Yes, I’d like that a lot actually. Thank you.”

Legend

There was nothing out of ordinary with the day but you couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding. Your stomach was up in knots and you had no idea why.

Something bad was going to happen.

You kept looking all around you, trying to spot anything in the distance that would be the cause for your discomfort. But you see nothing.

“Everything ok?” Legend tilts his head. “You’re spinning around like a concerned goffer.”

“I...Don’t feel good.” You admit.

“You can go vomit in the bush. I’ll watch over ya.”

“No, not like that.” You correct him, waving the idea away like a dog fart. “I feel like something bad is going to happen.”

“Why?” He glares at you momentarily. “Why would you tell me this? I was having a good day. Now I’m going to be paranoid with you.”

You snort. “Sorry man. That wasn’t my intention.”

“Well next time, think about it and we’ll have to- AUGGHHH!!” An arrow imbeds itself into Legend’s shoulder, knocking him onto the ground.

More fly after it, two more imbedding themselves into your friend before you’re able to lift up your shield and jump in front of him, blocking any more from injuring him. The shots rain down above you both and you’re forced to hunker down so the that the shield covers you as well.

You look down at Legend as he tries to get up his feet. There’s an arrow in his main shoulder, in his torso and in his thigh. You very quickly notice that he’s collecting a lot of blood on his clothes.

He’s in no condition to fight this.

He’s out before he can get in.

You groan and try to reach for your weapon. The others are quick to come over and help out. Wild retaliates with his own shots and Twilight and Time are quick to give the two of you cover.

“Get him out of here!” Time commands over his shoulder.

You nod and put your shield arm down, getting onto your knees and wrapping your arms around the Hero of Legend.

“I can stand on my own!” Legend snaps at you but he’s too locked with his own pain to do much to fight you off.

You growl at his rapidly growing blood stains and bite the bullet. In one swift move, you’re quick to pick him up bridal style and run away from the chaos.

“Forget about me! The others are going to need your help!”

You put him down behind a large enough tree and kneel next to him. “The others can handle themselves. You’ve lost your dominant arm and are bleeding profusely from three separate locations. I’d argue that you need the help right now.”

“I blame you.” He hisses, leaning back against the tree as you take out your spare health potion.

“Why?” You keep him talking, making quick work off the arrow in his leg and in his shoulder. “How is this any way my fault?”

“It’s- aaugghh - you’re fault because you- aaugghh- told me about your stupid accurate gut feeling of doom.” Legend pants and places his good hand by his shoulder. It’s not much but you can tell that he already feel marginally better about not having a piece of flint and a sharp stick stuck inside of him.

You uncork the potion and give it to him. He takes it although his grip is weak and there’s still one more arrow you have to go through before he can drink it.

“I’m not done. Just hold that, ok?” You move aside the folds of his tunic and can feel Legend tense up from underneath your hand.

“This is going to suck so bad.”

“It’ll be quick, then you drink the potion and you’ll be good as new again.” You take a breath and brace yourself against the arrow and his body, anchoring your weight onto the mossy ground. “On the count of three, ok?”

“I don’t trust you.”

“I don’t think you have a choice.”

“Ok.”

“One.”

Legend curses.

“Two.”

He takes a breath and you pull it you of him. Legend is quick to scream and fill the air with profanities even as you guide the potion to his lips. He drinks out of pure spite and rips himself away from you.

“What happened to three?!” He shouts, potion half gone and dribbling a little down his chin.

“I counted that in my head.” You shrug and begin to dig out a cloth and your water skin.

“I hate you. You suck. That was awful. I’m never speaking to you again.” Legend whines and keeps sipping the potion as you start to clean up the blood to the best of your ability.

“You don’t mean any of that. I know for a fact that you actually love me very much.” You try to grin and ignore how the sounds of battle are continuing on without you.

“I’ll never forgive you.”

“Let the potion do it’s job and then you can talk to me again.” You smirk and shift your weight to get onto your feet.

“Are you going to help the others finally?” He looks up at you, taking deep breath to calm his heart and blood pressure.

You bite your lip and think about it for a moment. “You’re not jumping into that fight.”

“Do you think I can?”

“After that potion, I don’t think I can trust to not do that. I’ll stay here. Someone has to make sure you don’t throw yourself head first into battle.” You take a step and move to sit by Legend’s side behind the tree. “I don’t know about you but Hyrule will have my head if we waste a potion on you, only for you to get hurt again.”

“He wouldn’t. He’s too nice.”

“Time will though. And I don’t think I’ll survive their collective disappointment.”

“I don’t need a babysitter.”

“All Links need a babysitter.” You counterargue. “It’s like herding cats. I’m staying.”

“Fine.”

“Good.”

A moment passes.

“...Thank you” Legend says it like you’re still fake arguing but you know he’s trying to be genuine.

You hold back a snort and only succeed by a hair thin margin. You copy the tone and grin to yourself. “You’re welcome.”

The others are fine.

Warrior

Warrior was a little more jumpy than you would have given him credit for. You had always considered him calm and collected- if only a little full of himself. But your consolation was that he could put his money where his mouth was. Whatever he claimed he could do- he proved it soon after.

So you let it slide most of the time.

Except for this.

“What is happening right now/” You ask him, eyebrow raised and full of judgement.

“Don’t question it!” He screeches and runs by your side in the opposite direction.

“Charming.” You deadpan. “The Hero of Courage, ladies and gents.”

You sigh and knock your arrow, aiming at the skulltula in front of you. You kill it in a single shot and wait for Warrior to make his reappearance.

“You killed it right?”

“Yes. I did.”

“Ok. Good. Cool. Thank you.” He takes a breath and comes back to your side, dusting the none existent debris from his tunic and scarf. “That’s great. Where do we go from here?”

“Are you actually afraid of spiders?” You frown and let him lead the way again. “Because this place is bound to be full of them. You shouldn’t be the one to take the lead this time.”

“Really?” He stops mid step to look at you. It’s the most panicked you think you’ve ever seen him.

“Yes.” You snort and move past him. “Just follow me Soldier Boy. It’s bound full of spooky scary scalies.”

“Don’t joke about that please...” Warrior grimaces and falls into step behind you. “Look I’m not afraid of spiders.”

“You’re terrified.”

“OK! No. I just... I just don’t like bugs... or things that can crawl on the wall.... Or just jump down on you with no reason or prior warning.”

“Spiders aren’t bugs actually.” You grin. “They’re arachnids. Only two body segments and eight legs negate anything they would have in the insect category.”

“Thank you for that unnecessary information.”

“It’s not that ba- LINK LOOK OUT!” You scream and are powerless to watch as a blue wizzrobe appears from the ground and fires directly at Warrior.

He’s quick to dodge out of the way but he’s misjudged the distance between him and the attack. While Warrior sends himself careening into the wall, head first, the magic shot goes straight to you and you’re quick to grab your weapon and parry it back in the direction it came from.

The wizzrobe makes the unfortunate decision to reappear right as it’s sent backwards and is stunned in place with its own magic. You jump over Warrior, who’s now slumped against the wall with a hand on his head, and slice at the magic creature before it shakes off the magical effect.

Your attack unstuns it but it disappears instantly and you’re left alone for the time being.

You don’t have a lot of experience with wizzrobes but you doubt they go down that easily so you stash away your weapon and make a mad dash toward your friend, aiming to make a quick getaway towards the end of the dungeon corridor. “Are you ok?”

“No.” He answer immediately and pulls his hands away. His gauntlets and fingertips are coated in blood and it’s beginning to slowly trickle down his face.

“Why on earth did you do that?” You scold and gently take his hands away, placing your own on his cheek to turn his head ever so slightly to the side to get a better look at it.

“And what would you rather have me do? Get hit by the magic bullet?”

“You didn’t have to ram yourself face first into the wall.”

“I wasn’t trying to.”

You snort and pull your sleeve up, holding it gently in your fist. You brush away his hair and dab at the wound. It’s mostly superficial and you doubt it would scar. But head wounds are always worrisome.

“Well at least you’ll get to keep your pretty looks. Legend would never let you hear the end of it. Your reputation is on the line.” You smile and poke his nose. “It’s nothing serious. Are you ok to keep going?”

“I think so.” He mutters and pushes himself off the wall and back onto his feet.

The wizzrobe comes back in tandem with Warrior’s movements and fires again. Warrior growls and blocks it with his shield. You attack again as it’s stunned and watch as it dissipates into the cloud of purple smoke they all do what they die.

“That was anti-climactic.” You mutter and kick the remaining cloths that it left behind.

“Please don’t temp anything else.” Your companion whines.

“Sorry.”

“I hate this.”

“I know.”

“Let’s go.”

“Ok.” You shrug and lead the way with Warrior quick on your heels and close by. But you don’t want him to go flying into another brick wall for any other reason so you grab his hand and together you walk further into the darkened dungeon.

He’s surprising a bit calmer after that.

Part 3

#linked universe #linkeduniverse #linked universe x reader #why does Legend's end up so long compared to everyone else?#I mean Warrior isn't exactly short either #hope this lives up to the other one #yell at me if it isn't

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ejzah · 3 years ago

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A/N: Finally returning with the very late final chapter of my Whumptober fic.

***

In the Depths, Part 3

“Deeks!” Kensi called softly, frantically searching along the backside of a crumbling apartment building.

Sam and Callen were a few yards away, similarly looking through the rubble for Deeks. The thought made her stomach clench and she breathed out shakily. The white cloud that lingered in the air afterwards was a stark reminder of the frigid air.

They’d been able to use Deeks’ cell phone to track his location. Kensi was starting to fear that he’d lost or somewhere along the way and they were on a wild goose chase. So far though, Kensi had only managed to disturb a family of rats.

The daylight was quickly fading and with every minutes, she swore the temp dropped another degree. There was no way Deeks could survive in these conditions without any kind of shelter.

“You guys are practically on top of him,” Eric replied, his voice tense.

“Keep going straight Kensi,” Nell instructed. “The tracker signal is about 200 feet from you.”

She swept her flashlight back and forth over the shadows and piles of refuse. As she approached a row of barrels, Kensi froze as she realized there were too slumped forms, one on the ground and another against the brick wall.

“Deeks,” she murmured, instantly recognizing his stained coat and the hair poking out from beneath his cap. Ignoring the second man, she fell to her knees in front of him. “Deeks,” she repeated more loudly, cupping his cheeks.

His head lolled to the side as she pulled his jacket and shirt to the side, the fabric stiff with frozen blood. Underneath, there was a long slashing cut starting at the bottom of his rib cage and ending just below his armpit.

“Eric, Nell, I found Deeks.” Her voice was strained and harsh. From the cold, she told herself. Not because of Deeks. Because he was going to be perfectly fine once they got him warm and medical treatment. “We need an ambulance. Possible hypothermia, frostbite, and a knife wound.”

“Got it.”

“Kensi, how is he?” Sam asked from behind her. She glanced back long enough to see Callen leaning over the body.

“He’s not responding,” she said, stripping off her gloves. His bare skin against hers was shockingly cold. She rubbed his cheeks and neck, willing him to open his eyes. “C’mon Deeks.”

He made a low, pained sound, flinching away from her touch.

“Open your eyes, Deeks,” Sam barked. Deeks winced again, eyes opening the tiniest crack.

“Kens?” he croaked. He blinked a couple times at Kensi, looking confused.

“Oh thank god,” she sighed.

“Wha’s going on?” Deeks pushed himself against the wall, but just ended up tilting dangerously to the side. Kensi caught him around the waist, her momentary relief evaporating.

“You nearly froze your ass off,” Sam replied bluntly. “Now come on. We need to get you somewhere warm and away from here before this guy’s friends decide to show up.”

“He’s only one,” Deeks slurred. He straightened suddenly, grabbing Kensi’s hand hard enough that it hurt. “Desiree. She got away. But I don’t know-”

“Relax Deeks,” Callen assured him. “Sam and I will find her.”

Deeks stayed tense for another moment, then a smile crossed face before his body went limp. Kensi watched his eyes slip closed in horror and cupped his chin again.

“Deeks!” She shook him roughly, but this time he didn’t give any sign that he heard or felt her.

***

“Ok, now you’re just being stubborn. Fine, you want to be like that, I’ll just eat all your jello when you finally wake up.”

Deeks frowned as Kensi continued to talk to him, her words only half-penetrating the remnants of his sleep. He turned his head, squinting across the room. Kensi was pacing back and forth, hair thrown up in a bun, and talking non-stop.

“You’d steal an unconscious man’s jello?” he asked in a hoarse voice. She turned mid-pace, relief filling her face.

“You’re awake,” she said, hurrying over.

“Unfortunately.” He grimaced, glancing around and spotted a pitcher. Before he could bother trying to reach for it, Kensi interceded, pouring some water into a cup.

“Here.” She watched him closely as he took a shaky sip. “Do you remember what happened?” He tilted his head back and breathed in deeply. He pressed his hand to his side when something pulled sharply.

“I had a run-in with a guy while trying to help a homeless girl,” he answered, glancing back at Kensi. “Did you find Desiree? I told her to run, but I really didn’t know of anyone else was waiting for her.”

“Yeah. Sam and Callen found her hiding in a nearby building. From the sound of it, she put up a fight until they showed their badges and mentioned you,” she explained.

“Oh, well, that’s good.” Shifting uncomfortably, he pulled the cannula out of his nose, tossing it to the side. He felt stiff in a way that couldn’t be solely explained by the fight. “How long was I out?”

“You’ve been here almost two days.” Kensi’s fingers twitched at that. The man who attacked you, cracked one of your ribs and gave you a nasty cut that bled a lot but amazingly didn’t need any stitches. Oh, and you almost froze to death.”

“Huh, well, I’ve always been an overachiever,” he joked.

“Deeks, you were succumbing to hypothermia and had the beginnings of frostbite when we found you,” Kensi informed him sharply. “There’s nothing funny about it.”

She crossed her arms, turning partially away. Deeks swore he saw her reach towards her cheek and brush at it. Her spine was almost painfully straight, like she was girding herself against something.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured softly. “I honestly did not intend to get hurt this time around.”

“I was terrified when I found you,” Kensi admitted, her posture relaxing a little. “You were so cold I thought you were actually dead.”

“Yeah, I didn’t exactly enjoy that part either. Or at least what I remember of it.” He reached out to Kensi, offering her his hand. Reluctantly, she came to him, allowing him to tug her closer to his bed. When she was close enough, he clasped both hands around hers. “Hey, I’m ok,” Deeks assured her softly.

“You better be.” She laughed softly, ducking her head. “I don’t have the strength to break in another partner.”

“Touching,” he teased, noticing that Kensi had somehow edged onto his bed. Nudging her knee with his leg, he added, “I promise to make a concerted effort to be more careful from now on.”

“And I guess I’ll just to be there to watch your back,” Kensi decided, making a exasperated sound. “Cause we both know you’ll do something to get yourself shot at or stabbed before long.”

“That is absolutely unfair and completely untrue,” Deeks protested loudly, grinning when Kensi began listing out the many ways he’d endangered himself in the past.

Neither of them mentioned when her hand somehow found it’s way next to his again. Or when she woke up a few hours later, curled up on the edge of the bed.

***

A/N: And of course we have to end with a little pre-Densi fluff and banter.

#ncis la fanfiction #marty deeks #kensi blye #pre-densi #late whumptober fic #fluff #whump #hurt comfort #ejzah fanfiction

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naralanis · 4 years ago

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little bumps in the road (pt. 8)

Previously on LBitR

“For the record, I still say Disney World would have been far safer than this insanity.”

Lena does her best to ignore Kara’s muttering. While this may be one of the more insane schemes she has ever concocted in her life, the truth of the matter is that she would have never, ever suggested it if she didn’t honestly think they could pull it off.

“Maybe,” she concedes, squinting at the drugstore compact sitting on the nightstand as she readjusts the wig. “But it certainly wouldn’t be as productive.”

She turns to Kara, who’s still frowning, and fluffs the strawberry blonde locks cascading from her own head. Maybe she should just bleach her hair and be done with it.

“So, what do you think?”

Kara’s frown deepens considerably. “You still look like you, Lena. I’m not sure about this.”

“Wait, hold on; I’m missing a crucial piece,” Lena retorts, reaching for a pair of thick, black-rimmed glasses sitting on the nightstand. “Ta-da,” she says flatly, pulling them on. “Unrecognizable, I’m basically a different person.”

Kara pulls a face, and Lena mentally kicks herself, rushing to pull the frames off.

“Kara, I didn’t mean...”

The blonde raises a hand, stopping her in her tracks. “I know,” she says, though she does so through clenched teeth. “I still think this is a monumentally bad idea. Explain to me why I can’t go with you.”

Lena sighs. “Because you’re supposed to be dead, Kara--it’s far less risky if I go in alone. Even if I get caught, you remain a secret. Plus-- I know the building. I used to own it, once upon a different Earth, remember?”

Kara crosses her arms over her chest, looking entirely unconvinced. “I still think we should wait for Alex. She’s going to respond soon, Lena, I know it.”

“Maybe she will, maybe she won’t. Call her again tomorrow,” she says, as evenly as she can. “But I’m doing this, Kara. I can’t just stand by while you go without powers for another day--who knows when Alex will actually be able to help? I need to do this.”

Kara stares, pensively and worriedly, not saying a word for a long time. She looks at the wig Lena’s wearing, at the outfit they bought a few towns over to make her look like some intern--button-down, dark jeans, oxfords, at the medical supplies they’ll use to take a sample of her blood and transport it to LuthorCorp tomorrow. Her gaze lingers on the glasses Lena’s still holding, and she releases a sigh, sounding more than defeated--she sounds afraid.

“You know you don’t have to do this, right?” she waves a hand over the considerable space between them, seemingly at a loss. “There’s nothing to... atone for, or whatever.”

Lena smiles, knowing it doesn’t reach her eyes.

“We’ll have to agree to disagree there.”

Kara looks anguished, seems to be grinding the gears in her head, like she knows that at this point she’s just grasping at straws.

“Is it too late to find a vet lab somewhere?” she tries, with no conviction behind her tone.

“No, but LuthorCorp will have the equipment for much faster, and more accurate results. I can do this, Kara. I promise.”

Kara visibly deflates, and Lena knows the matter will be dropped, just like that. “Fine. I concede. I’m never talking you out of this, am I?”

Lena feels her smile twitch a little, but she reaches over the gulf between them, putting the glasses back on the nightstand.

“No, darling, I’m afraid not.”

Kara’s responding sigh seems to echo in the motel room; it lingers in the air, heavy with a fear Lena knows she’ll try to brush off.

“Alright, fine. Now please take off that wig--you as a blonde is freaking me out.”

Breaking into LuthorCorp is quite simple, in a manner of speaking: all one needs to make it through the main doors is a swipe card. If she had the necessary materials, Lena could easily clone one with her eyes closed, but as it is, she needs to acquire one from an actual employee.

That is easily accomplished; Kara, decked out as tourist (complete with a neon-orange fanny-pack of her choosing), distracts a low-level minion having his lunch break on the public plaza right across the street from the main building, and Lena just walks right past them, disguise in place. His entry card and lab-coat are in her hands in less than a second, and in the other, she’s already crossing the street.

With any luck, Lena will be in and out of the building before the card is ever reported missing.

The problem, however, lies in getting into a laboratory. Any of the more equipped labs, those working on secretive (and likely illegal) projects, would lie behind layers and layers of security Lena has neither the time nor the tools at present to even try to break.

To their luck, Lena doesn’t actually need to try to sneak into any high-clearance labs--all she needs is a solid thirty minutes with a mass spectrometer of her own design; a handy not-so-little piece of machinery that had become standard in all L-Corp labs in their previous Earth, and, because Lex cannot resist stealing a good idea, LuthorCorp.

Still, even to access a simple, run-of-the-mill lab at LuthorCorp, Lena needs to go through biometric sensors--retina scanners, to be precise.

And maybe, just maybe, Lena had neglected to mention that little detail to Kara when they discussed the plan for the umpteenth time that morning while she methodically took a sample of Kara’s blood, but that’s neither here nor there.

Once she’s through the main doors-- Kryptonian blood sample packed into a Thermos full of ice in her purse (I am amazed and disturbed at how easily you were able to get medical supplies like these, Lena, seriously), it’s easy enough to make her way through the elevators, carrying a stack of papers to look the part of an intern--no one even bats an eye.

The cameras on the third floor are exactly where Lena had expected them to be, so she walks down the corridor to where she knows is a supply closet, and swipes in with no problem. The layout of the building really had not changed at all since she last worked there, even if that had happened on a literal other reality.

Once she’s in, Lena only has to wait. She counts the seconds in her head in French, both to keep track of time, but also to calm her racing heartbeat, because this--this is the biggest gamble of her plan.

Since she obviously does not have a way to bypass the biometric scanners, Lena’s only option is to get someone to do it for her.

She lies in wait in the supply closet for about two and a half minutes, and then she hears it: the sound of footsteps, two sets of them, and idle conversation, coming down the corridor directly her way. Lena takes a deep breath, counts the steps as they approach--she only has one chance to do this right.

When the steps are right in front of the closet, she swings open the door with force.

“Ow!”

The hit is a good one--whoever’s on the other side blocks her from opening the door all the way with dull impact, and her papers go scattering all over the place.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry! Are--are you OK, did the door hit you?”

Lena’s holding a hand over her right eye, moaning and doubled-over in mock pain as two young men--both looking to be interns-- look her over with concern. One of them is already on the floor, gathering her papers.

“Ow, no, it’s my fault, I shouldn’t have opened the door like that--oww” she cries, maybe a little too dramatically. One of the interns, tall and lanky, steadies her as she fake-wobbles on her feet.

“Ouch, did you hit your head? Let me take a look at your eye, take your hand---yikes!”

Lena removes her palm, previously dusted with the finest blush powder she could find at the drugstore yesterday, and makes a big show of blinking away her tears. The make-up gives her an instant shiner, and the fine powder has the added benefit of irritating the shit out of her eye--so the swelling and the tears are 100% real.

“I’m fine, really, thank you,” she says, waving them off and taking the sheets the other intern dutifully picked up. “I’m so sorry, I was in such a hurry--are you guys OK?”

“Better than you,” the first one, laughs, though he still looks concerned. “Are you sure you’re OK? Your eye looks pretty bad, do you want to go to the infirmary or something?”

“No, no, it’s fine -- I just got to run some stuff, then I’ll get some ice. I’m fine, really,” Lena waves them off politely, touching the skin around her supposedly injured eye.

The two men exchanged a worried glance, but the first shrugs his shoulders. “OK then, take care. Sorry again.”

“No worries,” she laughs, a little too high, but she’s so close, so so close... “I’m just a klutz--my fault, totally.”

She’s already walking away towards a lab, one she had checked during her walk from the elevator to the supply closet. The interns linger by the closet door for a moment, before slowly making their way to the elevator, still sending worried glances her way.

Lena swipes the stolen card, and immediately the panel by the side opens up, revealing the retina scanner and prompting her to scan her credentials. She leans towards the scanner, and the red light makes her blink; the machine buzzes and flashes red, and a robotic voice filters through the side-speakers.

Unable to scan. Please try again.

Lena huffs, audibly--she hears the interns’ steps pause someway down the corridor. She stomps her foot, and leans over the scanner again. It buzzes.

Unable to scan. Please try again.

“Shoot! You’ve gotta be kidding me right now!”

The steps grow closer, and for a moment Lena’s a bit worried she may be overselling her frustration, but before she can try scanning her retinas again, the tall and lanky intern is by her side.

“Did you try your left eye? Seems to be in better condition,” he jokes--his smile is genuine and friendly, but Lena puts on an impressive grimace of alarm.

“I never registered it,” she bemoans, feigning panic. “God, I meant to, but then it was just one of those things--oh my god, my boss is going to kill me--”

“Hey, relax,” he quips, raising a hand to stop what was going to be a rather dramatic tirade. He smiles, and swipes his card at the door, leaning over the panel and scanning his own eye.

Scan complete. The voice drones. Access granted; Montgomery, Jason.

The panel lights up in green, and the door unlocks with an audible hiss. Lena lets out a little squeak of delight that is barely faked--she can’t believe it worked.

“Oh my god, thank you, you’re a saint!”

She pushes the door open, but is barely a foot inside when an arm blocks her entry--she almost screams, body frozen in sheer terror as she turns to look at the intern the door panel just identified as Jason.

He’s smiling broadly. “Say, I’m sorry about your eye. Can I make it up to you over some coffee, later?”

Lena can barely contain her sigh of relief, but she puts on her sweetest smile and bats her eyelashes (though she’s not sure how good the effect is with the eye that is actually stinging quite painfully--what the hell was in that powder??). “I think you just did, Jason.”

His blush would have been cute, if Lena had not been on a very tight schedule. “Oh, I insist. When does your shift end...?”

It takes Lena a second to register he’s waiting for her name; she slowly maneuvers under his arm, dragging her fingers over the sleeve of his labcoat--she can practically feel the poor guy’s shiver as she leans in closer.

“Liz,” she whispers, close to his year. “And my shift ends at seven. The café across the street alright with you?”

He visibly swallows. “Yes, ma’am. See you there, Liz.”

Lena gives him a wink--with her good eye-- as he steps away. As soon as the door clicks shut again, she exhales with relief, leaning against it so she doesn’t just fall to the floor. Her knees are trembling.

She knew she could pull it off, but she also cannot believe she did.

With no time to waste, Lena practically bolts to the nearest spectrometer, quickly uncapping the Thermos with Kara’s blood sample and getting to work. It’s almost refreshing to be in a lab again, even under these circumstances, after weeks on the road. There is an innate sense of calm that falls over her when she’s working like this, like this is her element.

Like this is where she is meant to be.

The spectrometer whirs to life with Kara’s sample--Lena only needs twenty, maybe twenty-five minutes with it. She is tempted to stay for as long as she possibly can--there is so much equipment here that would be helpful... if only she brought a bigger purse, maybe she could have stolen some without detection, since there are no cameras in the labs.

The screen begins to break down the analysis, and Lena’s barely seeing it; she’s copying everything by hand onto a notebook--once the machine is done, she will make its history unrecoverable, and she doesn’t want to print anything through LuthorCorp printers.

Lena works quickly, annotating in her shorthand and trying to work as fast as the machine gives her results. She is barely processing what she sees; there will be time to read and figure everything out later, but now, she needs all the information she can cram into this little notebook.

She can feel her own eyes widening at some of the results, has to check them twice before writing them down--her pen furiously scratches across the paper, but her brain is already elsewhere, trying to reverse engineer the method of synthesizing what she’s seeing in Kara’s blood, trying to figure out ways to get it out of her system, trying to...

The spectrometer slows down and stops--the bar on the screen reads analysis complete. Lena releases a sigh of relief, hand cramping as she writes.

And then there’s the click of a gun right behind her.

“Fancy seeing you here, Lena.”

Lena shuts her eyes--the right one still throbbing, and raises her hands, still clutching the notebook as she slowly and deliberately turns around. She never even heard the door hissing open. She opens her eyes to meet a flinty, furious glare.

“Hello, Alex.”

Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

<< Previous || Next >>

#nara's word vomit #supercorp #supergirl #lena luthor #kara danvers #LBitR #BUCKLE UP KIDS #WE ARE DOING FAKE-ASS SCIENCE #I know some of y'all really wanted them to go to a vet's #but listen #they simply COULDN'T #kara would get distracted by all the puppies #and Lena would never get any work done #also I am pulling this out of my ass every morning #SO WHO KNOWS WHERE WE'RE HEADED #not me #definitely not me #never ever me

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leonameowzz · 4 years ago

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Happy Birthday OC!MC 🎉🎊🎂🎁

Since it’s my birthday, I had to do a HC of what the TW boys would give my OC as a birthday present & how they feel about them. FYI, some parts are more specific towards my OC as I wanted this to be more personalized to myself. This is gonna be a long one but please enjoy~

Crowley held a dorm leader meeting to discuss how to handle her birthday, even Malleus was present for once without having to be reminded.

The dorm leaders were surprisingly eager to participate: Riddle wanted a birthday party at Heartslabyul, Kalim wanted an entire parade at Scarabia and Azul was actually willing to close Mostro Lounge temporarily.

In the end, Crowley opted to have the celebration at Ramshackle Dorm so as not to pick favourites.

On the faithful day, the first-year squad was tasked with distracting her while their seniors would decorate the venue, even the Ramshackle ghosts chipped in to help.

Riddle gives her a bouquet of roses, freshly grown from the bushes in the dorm. He thanks them for always looking after his dorm members (aka the chaotic duo). He even allows them the first strike during the next croquet match.

Ace puts on a magic show during the party, he even learnt some new card tricks just for her! He even bought an extra card deck for them so they could practice together.

Deuce shyly hands her a plush chicken keychain since the whole chicken fiasco was a fond memory for him. He finds them to be a good influence on him if he is to be a future honor student.

Trey baked her favourite strawberry shortcake as well as the other desserts at their party. He also thanked them for taking care of his juniors but he’s grateful they were friends with Riddle too.

Cater takes lots and lots and lots of selfies with her, captioned #ramshackledormparty. He also slips her a rose gold liquid glitter smartphone cover as a gift. Don’t worry, it’s the latest, trendiest design to make up for that shopping date he promised.

Leona nonchalantly passes her a jewelry box which they open to reveal a fanged necklace similar to the one he wears. He pats their head, wishing them happy birthday before leaving to nap somewhere quiet.

Ruggie was not able to afford anything too fancy, but he did share some of his favourite donuts with her. He was glad that he could depend on them when handling Leona’s demands.

Jack gives her a mini cactus/succulent garden he grew and arranged himself since he knew they loved tending to the plants in the greenhouse. “It’s not like I made this specially for you! I just had some spare plants leftover and didn’t want them to go to waste!” He would quickly reason.

Azul offers her a deal a discount at Mostro Lounge. What, that’s it? Just kidding, he hands them several test notebooks to help with studies, though he instructs them not to share with anyone else. Only her gets them free-of-charge~

Floyd had planned to squeeze his Shrimpy as a birthday gift but was stopped by Azul & Jade. In the end, he managed to find an extremely rare rainbow seashell while exploring Coral Sea, so that’s what he’s giving her. Azul probably wanted to sell that for 💰💰 but too late now.

Jade presented her with some mushrooms & herbs he gathered during his daily mountain trek as well as some recipes to cook them. Floyd gives a disgusted look behind his back though his brother chooses to ignore it.

Kalim knows where to obtain all sorts of animals for his parades and actually procures a light brown eagle owl for her. He knew how much they adored said animal so here they go! Wait... Kalim, you can’t just give someone an actual pet so suddenly?!?!

Jamil got her a pair of sport shoes since they both love dancing. They’re the same brand he uses so they’re super comfortable. The two of them may have started off on the wrong foot, but turns out they share many interests. Plus, he’s glad she’s there to help him with Kalim’s antics.

Vil straight up hands her an entire box of cosmetics from his skincare line (it’s even in limited edition packaging), stating how important it is for his little potato to maintain healthy skin especially since they live in less-than-desirable conditions at Ramshackle.

Rook gifts her a bird whistle. Since her new pet owl is a bird of prey perhaps she could train it to hunt small critters? It would also be yet another thing of beauty for him to take pictures of.

Epel created an entire apple carving centerpiece for the dining table, even Vil was impressed. There were all sorts of shapes, ranging from swans to butterflies, it was definitely Magicam worthy.

Idia made a custom game controller with her initials engraved on them. She regularly joins them for gaming nights during the weekend after all. He had not intended to come to the birthday party but Ortho basically forced him to attend for his sake.

The young robot had also grown close to her and the other first years. He was very grateful to her for taking the initiative to befriend Idia despite his reclusive nature.

Malleus was glad to be included in something for once. He had a soft spot for this particular Child of Man who had approached him so bravely and eventually befriended him. His gift to her is a gargoyle paperweight, it’s functional and makes a great table decoration.

Lilia had planned to cook for the party but Silver immediately suggested giving MC a musical instrument instead since both of them were in the light music club. After rummaging around his room, Lilia settled on giving her an ocarina, which reminded him of a certain game protagonist clad in green clothes.

Silver enjoyed fencing and he had practiced with her several times to know she was capable of wielding a weapon, thus he presented her with a silver small sword. Besides, having the extra bit of protection in school wouldn’t hurt.

Sebek handed her a book shouting “NINGEN, YOU’RE OK I GUESS, SO TAKE THIS!” It was an extra copy of one of his favourite books about a powerful swordsman who bravely protected his master while travelling alongside him.

*Bonus*

Grim’s present is a striped hair bow that matches his collar. “The great Grim-sama is capable of showing gratitude even if I’m a monster”, he proudly declares.

Also Ace decided to throw a pie at her face which escalated into the other first years joining in, followed by Floyd, Lilia and Kalim.

Jade, Jamil and Silver attempted to stop them, Cater was filming the entire thing while Ruggie used the distraction to horde as much food as possible.

At the end of the day, the troublemakers were punished by having to clean up after the party.

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danniburgh · 4 years ago

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Rushingly Bittersweet, (Javier Peña x f!reader) part 1.

Pairing: Javier Peña x ofc//f!reader with name.

Summary: After the fall of Escobar everything starts happening way too fast for Javier; his raise, his new office, his new team, the Cali cartel's operation, the sudden arrival of a new agent that was transferred to his team for no apparent reason, the way he was falling in love with her almost unintentionally.

And he couldn't seem to stop any of that.

Word count: +2.1k

Series warnings: talks and mentions of misogyny and sexism, cursing, smoking, drinking, eventual sex, cartel shit, watch me make some shit up to fit reader inside the narrative, guns, dea shit, feels, javier actually being a little bit more introspective, just basically me inserting reader into the third season

Chapter warnings: depictions of misogyny and some cursing

A/N: This chapter is set in season three, episode one. // this has been simmering in the back of my head for way too long, i even made a post about it just trying to ease the weight of my thoughts but my mind keeps racing with more things about this exact story, so here goes nothing. THIS GOES ALONG THE CANON OF THE THIRD SEASON kinda (so yeah, spoilers if you haven’t watched it yet), i actually had to watch it to write this because in the end, you’re a fucking DEA agent baby (also please keep in mind that english is not my native language, im really trying for this to be GOOD)

Read on ao3 // fic index // Masterlist // fic playlist

comments and reblogs are eternally appreciated 💓 let me know if you wanna be tagged

// next→

You knew you chose a difficult job, hell, a difficult career, you knew you had to prove yourself, your worth and your abilities countless times, at this point it wasn’t even that much of a surprise anymore. Every time you encountered another man in the office or in the field, you had to spend an incredible amount of time first proving you were capable and you knew what you were doing before even getting to work.

Yet you got comfortable in your previous destination, you had a team, you had people to trust and trusted you back, they knew you were more than capable, you didn’t have to tell them to listen to you or your ideas, you didn’t have to ask for anyone’s approval. You were just another agent.

But now you had to do it all over again.

“Shit” you growled, trying to unwrinkle your blazer with one hand, the flight down to Colombia hadn’t been at all gentle to you and you were tired and cold. Your feet were sore, your back was killing you, you were fighting the desire to get rid of your suit skirt and run to put some pants on, everybody was lying when they said Colombia was a hot place, the air was chilly, and the dress suit you were wearing barely provided any meaningful heat, and the fact that nobody went to pick you up at the airport made you even more frustrated. You were still pulling around your suitcase because apparently the embassy is such a fucking mess that not even one person told you where you were going to live yet.

You showed your badge to the guards at the doors and they let you in without much of a look. You walked right through the lobby into the elevator, sighing in relief. Thanks America and its air conditioned buildings.

The elevator doors opened and you walked straight inside of the DEA offices, they were small, cramped and dark, great, just how you liked your work spaces.

“Hi” you said, approaching the small front desk, the receptionist looked up at you and smiled, it was the first smile you saw in a while and that made you feel a little less frustrated, you pulled out the badge again and showed it to her “can you please direct me to the office of Javier Peña?” you asked.

The girl tilted her head to the left in confusion.

“Are you agent Martin?” she said with her thick american accent, you put the badge again in the pocket of your dress pants and nodded to her.

“Yes, is he– is he expecting me?”

“Not really, but agent Feistl is,” she said, pointing to a cornered desk almost in the back where a blond man was sitting, he looked up at the sound of his name and you sighed again.

“Oh, yeah, I talked to him on the phone, thank you,” you said, smiling a bit back to her while you walked around the unoccupied desks in the front of the office “Feistl” you said his name once you reached his desk, stretching out your hand to shake his “agent Martín” you said “it’s nice to meet you” he looked at you, frowning, but took your hand nonetheless and shook it.

“Chris Feistl” he said, a little taken aback and another man approached both of you “this is my partner, Daniel Van Ness” the larger man gave you a single nod and you shook his hand again.

“You’re agent Martin?” Van Ness said.

Here we go again.

“My last name is Martín, first name Florencia” you said, accentuating the í in your last name, inhaling the tension around and making it your own, yet another time “I’m guessing you were expecting a man?” you dropped, they looked at each other “don’t worry, it happens everytime” you finished with a small grin.

They remained silent, looking at you, yet another time you let them, although for a single moment you actually wondered if there was something wrong with the way you looked; you gave a glance to yourself on the elevator walls on your way up and aside from your hair being close to look like a mess you were ok, you take another second to try to analyze the men in front of you, the way they were standing, the expression on their faces, they were shocked that was for sure, but also… relieved? and somehow… happy?.

“Is there anywhere I can put this?” you asked, glancing at the suitcase.

“You came here all the way from the airport?” Feistl asked, you nodded.

“Yeah, no one showed up so I just grabbed a cab” Van Ness snorted and you looked at him. He didn’t say anything, “where’s my desk?” you asked again, starting to feel more frustrated but also a bit amused when again they didn’t say a thing, “you did get the memo that you’d be getting a new person today, right?” you questioned in a huff, a bit louder, looking at them in utter disbelief. Fucking embassy, fucking DEA.

“Is agent Martin here?” you heard your name being called from behind you, the men in front of you just widened their eyes and looked at you.

“That would be me” you announced, turning around, seeing a tall, tanned skin, sweaty man approaching you, “and you must be Javier Peña” you said, allowing yourself to be more assured, stretching your hand again.

“You are agent Martin” he said, making it sound half like a question, half an assertion, looking at you up and down, he put his hands on his hips, not bothering to take your hand.

“Florencia Martín, yes sir” you dropped down your hand and pronounced your last name again, trying to get american people to pronounce your name was hard, and you hoped at least Javier Peña would understand it, yet he said it wrong. He just stood there and you glanced at him discreetly, he, differently from the men behind you, was a walking ball of frustration, you sympathized and tried to read his posture. He was trying to be cocky but his try died in his eyes, he was shocked, surprised and not at all entertained.

“No wonder why I couldn’t find you in the airport” he growled.

“You were also expecting a man” you affirmed, this time, a small hint of disappointment grew inside your stomach “don’t worry, it happens all the time” you repeated roughly. You turned around to your new partners, not caring and ignoring the look your new boss was giving you “my desk?”

Van Ness pointed a small cubicle behind his and Feislt’s big desks, you suppressed a sigh and walked towards the space, still pulling your fucking suitcase, feeling the looks of three men in your back. You were used to this, you had done it countless times, and you knew you weren’t the only woman that has gone through this. But after spending the time you spent in one single place, with the same people, doing the same thing, after having an amazing partner that had believed in you since the day you almost punched the shit out of him on the academy, after having your own office to work with him, after having faced many masculine faces disapproving you being in the same rooms as them while chasing bad guys, after receiving thousands of condescending looks when you said anything, and yet being capable of raise everybody’s expectations, starting it all over again not only sounded hard, it also sounded exhausting.

Javier couldn’t believe his fucking luck when he looked at you. He certainly was expecting a man, Washington only told him so much and he assumed what everyone did when they heard your last name, in the end it was a masculine name. For some reason he felt guilty when you told him you always get that reaction.

He tried to examine you, ever the analyzer, but he got nothing, not from the way you were still standing in front of the ridiculously small cubicle, tapping your foot against the carpeted floor, or the way you kept putting a thin strand of hair behind your ear and it kept falling in front of your right cheekbone, nothing from the way you reached for the manila folder that was waiting to be picked up or the way your fingers moved around the pages. You seemed unreadable to him and he didn’t like that. Not one bit.

You turned around when you felt his stare, he was still just standing there, looking at you.

“Is this really everything I have to be briefed on?” you questioned him lifting the folder in your left hand. He nodded and turned to the right to walk to his office “well fuck that” you murmured under your breath. You heard Van Ness snorting again and looked at him giving you a small smile, maybe you didn’t say that as quietly as you wanted, you gave him half a grin and he shook his head.

You took off your blazer and sat on the incredibly uncomfortable chair.

“Shit” you whispered again.

“Fuck” Javier said under his breath, loosening his tie and crashing into his chair. He rubbed his eyes with the ball of his hands and sighed. What the fuck did the people at Washington think. He was after a whole fucking cartel, he didn’t have his trusted partner this time, he was alone and he had to lead a team to do that, he had just lost two agents after they were stupid and reckless going around Cali and they dared to send down one random chick in some sort of replacement that for some reason seemed just so small and frail to him.

He was pretty sure you weren’t due to the fact that you were a DEA agent, but when he looked at you the only thing he could notice was the way your eyes were dimmed, maybe due to the fluorescent lights or the fact that you had flown who-knows how many hours to be there, or the way your hands seemed way too delicate to even handle a gun, or how your body looked breakable to the touch.

He didn’t like the way his mind was forming his thoughts about you, it wasn’t right to think that way of a woman- no, a person- no, an agent he had just met, he just knew it was the macho part in him that saw you that way. He knew that if Washington had sent you all the way down to a god forsaken country fighting an unfair war, you had to be capable to endure it.

Javier scratched his stubble and reached for the thinest folder he had on his desk, it was your file. He grinned when he opened it, unbelieving of the almost non existent amount of information it had about you. It did have your full name, though, so, mistaking you for a guy was indeed his fault, just because he didn’t read the file before.

He browsed through the last locations you had been sent to and raised his eyebrows when he saw the amount of time you’d spent in the last place. No wonder why you were being so reluctant about everything you saw and how you were being treated. He remembered how he felt when he was a newcomer and he remembered what he had to go through with Steve when he first came to the country, it was awful, and even without the language barrier, as your file said you did speak spanish, he assumed you must feel like an outcast. It was never easy, arriving at a place where everything seemed like it belonged there but you.

Javier closed the file and threw it back to the pile of manila folders in front of him. He did have his doubts about you, and surely he was wondering why he had only been sent that joke of a file and nothing else, and he didn’t want to make your stay in Colombia or at the embassy a living hell, but he did want to see what you were able to do, he couldn’t wait for you to show him what you had in you.

That last thought sent him for a bit through a deliciously nasty tangent, and he had to bring himself back to the initial train of thought: you.

You were now his. No– you were now in his team. He was now your boss. He couldn’t think of you in any other way even if sometimes it couldn’t be avoided.

Javier rubbed his lower lip with his thumb, wondering what were you working on before arriving, trying to think what was happening in México that made you stay that long.

And a question was forming in his head… What the hell did you do to be sent to Colombia?

// next→

#javier peña x reader #javier peña #javier peña fanfic #javier pena fanfic #narcos #narcos fanfic #javier peña fanfiction #pedro pascal #pedro pascal characters #pedro pascal fanfic #pedro pascal fanfiction #rushingly bittersweet tag

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babymetaldoll · 4 years ago

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What are you going to be for Halloween? (Matthew Gray Gubler/ Reader)

(Not my gif)

Requested: Yes

“Love your work, in Matthew x read “family probation period” it was mentioned that reader and Matthew took his nephew trick or treating. Do you plan on making a fic a about that anytime soon?”

Summary: Matthew Gray Gubler and his girlfriend spend Halloween with his family in Las Vegas, and take his nephews trick or treating. What could go wrong? Losing one of the kids, of course.

Category: A little fluff with some dirty talking= a lot of fun 😬

Pairing: MGG/ Reader

Warnings: Mentions of sex, cursing (as always)

Word count: 2,4K

Masterlist

- “Real question, is there anything in the world that you like more than Halloween?”- (Y/N) asked her boyfriend. She was in the bathroom, getting ready for trick-or-treating, and he was standing in front of the mirror in his old room in his parent's house, putting on his suit.

He gave his answer zero thinking because he really loved Halloween.

- “Compared to any other holiday, nop.”

- “And compared to any other thing in the world?”- Gubler stayed quiet and sighed. He took a look at himself in the mirror and nodded, pleased.

- “Considering most of my favorite things are Halloween related, I’d say no.”

- “That’s what I thought. Ok, I’m ready. What do you think?”

Gubler turned around and looked at his girlfriend standing by the bathroom door.

- “Wow.”

- “Too much?”- (Y/N) bit her lips, nervous, as his boyfriend walked over and took a good look at her.

- “Wow,”- he repeated

- “Really, honey… what do you think?”

- “I think you look so good; you should wear this every day.”

Matthew held her chin and placed a slow and sweet kiss on her lips. (Y/N) blushed and looked at their costumes. He was dressed as Beetlejuice, and she was Lydia in her red wedding gown.

She wouldn’t be as nervous as she was under normal conditions, but that was a special Halloween. It was their first Halloween together as a couple, and they were going to spend it with Matthew’s family in Las Vegas. The whole family. And she had just met them two hours ago. And not only that, but they were also going to take his nephews trick-or-treating.

No pressure.

- “So, ready?”- Matthew smiled and fixed his hair for the hundredth time- “How do I look?”

- “Is it wrong to say even with all that makeup and crazy hair, you are the hottest guy I have ever seen?”- (Y/N) stood in front of her boyfriend and smiled.

- “It’s wrong, very wrong… I might have to teach you a lesson later”- Gubler placed his hands in her waist and pulled her closer- “You are too hot in this dress too. That deserves a punishment.”

- “I’m so sorry, Matthew Gray”- she chuckled and shivered at the sensation of his lips on her neck, tracing kisses from her jaw to her collar bone.

- “You are sorry you are so hot?”

- “No, I’m sorry I can’t fuck with you in your parent’s house.”

(Y/N) thought her boyfriend would stop what he was doing, but it seemed it only encouraged him to continue. His hands moved carefully from her hips to her cheeks, passing painfully slowly upon her breast.

- “I think you can, and you will”- his voice was so low and velvety as he whispered those words, (Y/N) felt her knees weakening.

- “Really?”- even her voice was a little shaky.

- “Really.”

- “Why are you so sure?”- she sighed and stared at him. His eyes were darker and filled with lust. But, it all ended in a second.

- “Uncle Matthew!!! Let’s go!!”- his nephews ran into the room in their cute disguises, ready to go.

- “Kids! Hey! you look amazing!! I mean, you look so creepy!! Let’s terrorize the neighborhood!”

(Y/N) smiled and sighed, trying to calm herself down after feeling her boyfriend kissing her skin, teasing her. How could he step from being a teaser boyfriend to a cute uncle in a blink?

- “This ain’t over, by the way.”- he warned her as they walked downstairs and held her hand.

- “That’s what I thought.”

She smiled and felt her cheeks blushing again. Yes, she had been dating that man for eight months, and he could still make her blush. It happened awfully often, according to her, and it was embarrassing. But Matthew loved it. He thought it was adorable how she flushed each time he teased her. It made her look so innocent and naive.

It also made his pants get tighter, but (Y/N) still had no idea about that.

Walking around the neighborhood, holding Matthew’s hand while walking his sister’s kids asking candied was like a dream. She knew they weren’t there yet, but something about being like that made her feel so good and calm, she couldn’t stop smiling.

- “Trick or treat!!”- Gubler and his nephews said along, like a hyperventilated Halloween choir.

- “Well, hello!”- an old woman wearing a witch hat opened the door and smiled- “What a scary scarecrow! And a creepy…”- she furrowed her brows, staring at the child.

- “I’m sorry dear, who are you supposed to be?”

- “I’m Darth Vader!”- the kid announced proudly from underneath his black helmet.

- “Oh! Of course!”- the old lady smiled at the boys and gave them candies- “Your kids are adorable.”

- “Thank you.”- Matthew answered without hesitation and gave the woman a big smile. (Y/N) bit her lips and giggled.

- “Why did you tell her your nephews were our kids?”

- “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t bother. It wasn’t a big deal”- she nodded and continued walking.

- “Why? was it wrong?”- Matthew looked at her, and she started shaking her head immediately- “Because I just thought it was cute, and...”·

- “No, no, it wasn't wrong, it was...”- (Y/N) felt her cheeks turning pink as she looked around, avoiding his eyes- “You are right, it was very cute”.

The couple walked in silence for a moment. Matthew tried not to overthink what had just happened. He already knew he wanted (Y/N) to be the mother of his kids, but it was too soon to tell her that. After all, they had been together for only eight months.

- “Hey, kids! don’t go too far!”- Gubler yelled as his nephews ran to the next door, ignoring his words.

- “Have you ever lost one of them”- (Y/N) asked him, taking a look around. There were a lot of kids, and it was pretty easy to lose one.

- “Once in the mall. I freaked out. I got the guard to call him on the speakers.”

- “And what happened?”

- “I still can’t find him, so I replaced him with a clone. I still can’t believe my sister hasn’t noticed.��- Gubler answered, and (Y/N) burst out laughing.

- “Just don’t tell her yet. I’m still waiting for the right moment to break the news.”

- “Ok, ok. Your secret is safe with me”- (Y/N) held his hand tight and smiled- “Now, let’s get some candies.”

After an hour of trick-or-treating, the kids were fueled with sugar, and there was no way the couple could keep them in place. They were running and jumping and yelling all over the street, playing with some other kids from the neighborhood.

- “Ok, I think it’s time to cut the candies, don’t you think?”- (Y/N) asked her boyfriend as he ate another snicker bar

- “Sorry, what?”

- “Enough sugar for today.”- she said and grabbed the bag from his hands.

- “Oh, come on! just a little more.”

- “No, besides, you have to save some for tonight’s horror movies marathon.”

- “Right! But that’s why the kids are getting us more sweets. That’s their job.”- he moved closer and tried to take the bag from her hands, though all he was really doing was to hold her close and tickle her

- “I don’t think they will share.”- she answered, giggling

- “I’m their favorite uncle. Of course, they’ll share.”

- “Do you wanna bet?”- Matthew looked into her eyes and nodded.

- “Ok, let’s ask them.”

Matthew looked around, searching for them in the crowd.

- “I’ve got one!”- (Y/N) said and held a tiny, cute and cleared tired scarecrow, who wrapped his arms around her neck and sighed, almost ready to nap.

- “Ok, now we need our Darth Vader, and we will ready to go.”

The couple kept on searching, but nothing. No Darth Vader around.

- “Shit!”- Gubler whispered and started calling his nephew’s name. But nothing. (Y/N) wide opened her eyes, feeling her stomach tightening. Losing a kid was the worst way to be introduced to her boyfriend’s family. Of course, it was going to happen to her.

- “I’m gonna go look for him,”- Matthew said, and she nodded- “You should stay here in case he comes back.”

Matthew Gray had never lost one of his nephews. He was joking earlier. And because it had never happened, he was freaking out. What if they never found him? what if he had been kidnapped? He worked on a tv show with the sickest stories about serial killers. He had seen and read enough of that to think the worst.

He walked around, yelling his nephew’s name for about a block until he finally found him and hugged him immediately.

- “Shit! I was so worried. Never do this again, please.”

- “I want my mommy.”- the kid said from inside the helmet, and Gubler nodded.

- “Let’s get your mommy.”

- “I got him!!”- Matthew yelled proudly, walking to (Y/N) holding his nephew in his arms. (Y/N) frowned and looked at him, confused.

- “Who’s that?”

- “What are you talking about?”- Matthew asked- “I know you just met them today, but…”

- “Gubler, I’ve got the kids here.”

And she did. They were both sitting on the sidewalk, eating candies.

- “If they are here… who’s this?”- Matthew asked and took out the helmet of the kid he was holding.

- “I want my mommy”- the boy said and pouted.

- “Shit!!”- Matthew was in shock. He had taken someone’s kid by accident- “Let’s… let’s go look for your mommy, ok?”- he boy nodded, and (Y/N) bit her lips, trying not to laugh.

- “Where did you find him?”- she held Gubler’s little nephew’s hands as Matthew kept the kid in his arms, looking for his mother.

- “Over there… do you see your mommy?”- he asked the boy, who was still pouting and about to start crying.

- “Do you know where you live?”- (Y/N) asked him, and he shook his head- “Do you see any of your friends?”- but nothing.

- “What’s your name, baby?”- Matthew tried to soothe him and gave him a candy bar

- “Andy”

- “Ok, Andy. This is what we are going to do, we are going to call out for your mom, ok?”- (Y/N) looked at her boyfriend and felt her heart was going to explode inside his chest. That man was made to be a father.

- “Are you going to help me look for her?”- Gubler asked, and the little one nodded- “Ok, guys, are you going to help us find Andy’s mom?”- he asked his nephews.

- “Yeah!!!”

- “Ok, so help me out here”- Matthew cleared his throat and started shouting out- “Andy’s mom!! we are looking for Andy’s mom”- (Y/N) smiled and looked around, yelling as well, along with the boys, until a woman appeared running.

- “There you are!!”

- “Mommy!!”- Andy hugged her and held her tight immediately.

- “Thank you for finding him”- Matthew smiled and nodded

- “Not a problem”- (Y/N) looked at him chuckling, and he wrapped an arm around her waist, pinching her waist- “He was very scared”

- “Say thank you to the nice man, Andy”- it was getting harder for (Y/N) not to laugh, but she had to. Besides, Matthew pinched her waist again, nearly making her jump.

The boy thanked and waved, and soon he and his mother were gone. Gubler looked at his girlfriend and smiled, not saying a word. Then, he kneeled and looked at his nephews.

- “Are you ready to go home and watch a scary movie with us?”- the two of them nodded.

- “Can we watch the one with the witches that eat children’s souls?- one of them asked, and Matthew smiled immediately.

- “Hocus Pocus! of course! It’s my favorite! What do you say (Y/N)?”- he looked at her, and she nodded, smiling

- “It’s my favorite too! It has a cat! I love cats!

The boys walked a few meters ahead of them, and the couple held hands, not taking their eyes from them for even a second.

- “You are full of it, you know?”- (Y/N) whispered and giggled- “He was very scared”- she said, impersonating Matthew’s voice. And he laughed immediately.

- “You kidnapped a kid and then innocently pretended you had found him!”

- “In my defense, the kid was already lost when I kidnapped him!”- Matthew argued, laughing- “And I was worried he couldn’t find his mother.”

- “Of course”- (Y/N) laughed and looked at him- “Aren’t you nice?”

- “I am nice! I am a nice man”- she nodded and looked ahead. She couldn’t argue with that.

- “So you are gonna protect me from all the monsters that come out on Halloween?”- (Y/N) asked, and Matthew chuckled.

- “I don’t know… maybe”

- “Maybe?! really? are you going to leave me alone to die?”- she pretended to be mad but failed, ‘cos she couldn’t stop smiling. That would always happen when she was with her boyfriend. She was too happy and couldn’t stop smiling.

- “Yeah, maybe, because I could actually turn into a monster tonight and try to eat you.”

He put a hand in the small of her back, making her shiver, even when it was such a little touch.

- “Are you scared?”- he whispered in a lower voice.

- “No”- she answered and smiled at him- “Because we will be in a house full of people. If you turn into a zombie, I will scream until someone comes to rescue me”- (Y/N) turned and stuck out her tongue to him.

- “What if I kiss you so much, you wouldn't be able to scream? “- she bit her lips and blushed immediately.

- “You know I can’t hold myself. I always scream.”

- “I know, I love that”

- “And that’s why we won’t fuck in your parent’s house, Gubler.”

- “Oh, come on!! I will be quiet, I swear!!”- he begged, laughing

- “No! it’s weird!!”

- “It’s not weird!! It’s dirty, and you are dirty”- (Y/N) kept blushing and tried her best not to look at her boyfriend in the eyes.

- “You can’t deny it, Bunny. I’ve seen the things that you do.”

- “But I won’t do any of those things in your parent’s house!”- Gubler sighed and stayed in silence for a while.

- “And in my parent’s garage?”- (Y/N) laughed at her boyfriend’s proposal. He was acting like a horny teenager trying to convince his prom date to have sex.

- “It’s not my room, and technically it’s not my parent’s house.”

- “Hold it until we are back in L.A, Gubler.”

- “But I don’t want to”- he pouted

- “I’ll make it up for you, I promise.”

- “How?”- he stopped walking, holding her hand tight, and forced her to stop too- “This is important.”

- “Remember that thing we saw the other day in that movie?”

- “The thing you said you have never done?”- she nodded, and Matthew’s eyes turned darker in lust in a second- “Really? Can we do it?”

- “Only if you manage to be a good boy until we are not in your parent’s house, ok?”- Gubler nodded frenetically, and (Y/N) smiled, pleased

- “Good, now let’s go. I don’t wanna lose another kid again.”

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