#your best bet is to look on privately & not interfere unless you personally know the people involved

[emdotcom]

Sometimes I stumble upon something I have zero business commenting on, but I get the itch to get involved, anyhow. When this happens, the best move is to rubber duck it out of your system -- I personally open up a recording app & talk 'til I'm done, then delete it later. Barring that, I sometimes call up a friend & ask if I can complain about it.

It's kinda awesome to like. Not talk about things that aren't your beeswax/you have no business talking about/will make you look like a jackass no matter what you say publicly.

[tsukkisbean]

haikyuu nsfw alphabet series | oikawa tōru

please block #claras steamys if you don’t want to see this type of content!!

warnings: sexual themes (bondage, power play), mentions of sex, fem!reader

a/n: (1) based on post time-skip!! (2) not edited (3) i debated about this for a long time let me know what your opinions are bc obviously these are headcanons!!

return to nsfw alphabet series masterlist

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

despite his “mr cool popular guy” exterior i think he would be a very gentle lover and thus great at after care. after sex, he’ll lay down with you for a little, gently stroking your cheek while you catch your breath. after he’ll grab two wash cloths, one cold one to wipe your forehead to help you cool down, one warm to wipe down your legs and what not and ofc water so you can rehydrate. once you’re both clean, he’ll slip a new shirt on you and you’ll cuddle while he gives you little kisses all over your face

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

on him his hands!! they’re long and slender and surprisingly pretty soft. loves when you mindless play with them, or better yet when you suck on them

your hips/thighs/legs!!!!! doesn’t matter where you guys are he’ll wanna attach himself to you in any sort of way. standing? hand on your hip. sitting, you bet one of his hands is running up and down your thigh giving it a squeeze every one in awhile!!!!

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically)

since he’s all about aftercare he doesn’t mind getting messy so he likes to cum on your tummy and spread it around, making a mess out of you and telling you how pretty you look :-)

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

when you’re not looking, he steals one of your panties to take back to his apartment with him. it happens so often that he probably has a collection at this point and you’re confused bc you keep running out of underwear lmao

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

has probably had a few casual partners before you, but nothing that’s lasted too long. knows the basics of how to get a girl off (and where the clit is thank god)

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

missionary but likes to have your legs over his shoulders. that way he can grip your thighs and fuck into you nice and deep and see your fucked out expression

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)

definitely more serious. maaaaybe if something out of the ordinary happens he’ll try to make a joke out of it but that’s usually not the case

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

not bare, but not unkempt. probably trims it every once in awhile so it doesn’t get too wild

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)

romantic!! will kiss you along the jawline and tell you how pretty you look all fucked up just for him. whispers sweet nothings in your ear and just makes you feel super loved and appreciated. unless he’s super needy or in a rush then he’ll literally just fuck you without saying much

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

asked you if he could record the two of you having sex on multiple occasions so now he has an album full of photos and videos of you to use when you’re not available

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

oikawa has an inferiority complex and although i think he’s learned how to control how he compares himself to others, it’s still there just not as prominent. so basically he loves anything that gives him a good confidence boost but top 3 are probably:

praise (receiving). this one is kind of obvious given the above but anything that tells him you’re having a good time. telling him how good it feels, moaning, clenching around him, tugging on his hair

i could definitely even see some power play. he loves it when you’re all desperate for him to fuck you but he won’t give it to you bc he’s milking the fact that he’s in control and you can’t do anything about it

going hand in hand with power play, bondage. likes to watch you struggle while you’re tied up just begging him to fuck you. knowing that he’s in control is a MAJOR ego booster

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

i don’t think he has a particular favourite. as long as it’s private enough and the two of you are comfortable that’s good enough for him

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)

when you tell him that he’s the only person that can make you feel good. making the first move. confidence!! booster!! will take you right then and there

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

degradation (receiving). again with the whole inferiority thing i think he can’t let go of his pride and it’s just something he’d rather not bring into the bedroom.

threesomes. doesn’t wanna share you with anyone else or feel like someone else is making you feel better than he does

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

its probably 50/50 for him mainly because he has power in both positions. likes when you go down on him bc he can grab a fistful of your hair and control the pace. also thinks you look pretty when tears are streaming down your face while you’re basically choking on his dick

ask him to and he will go d o w n on you. wraps his arms around your thighs to lock you down and will just lap at your arousal until you cum but he won’t stop bc he enjoys your squirming and begging

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

will ask you what you want but is usually slow and sensual. like i said before he likes to make you feel loved, so he takes his time with you

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

doesn’t mind them but also not his favourite. he’ll go for a quickie if he has to but rather take his time with you

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)

Down for whatever you are, as long as you feel comfortable and you guys have a safe word in place

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

LOTS AND LOTS OF STAMINA. I think this goes for basically any haikyuu character just because they have to keep their fitness in check. Definitely can go for at least 3+ rounds if you can keep up. may need a small break in between but not long

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

probably something like handcuffs, and maybe a vibrator or two but prefers to use his own skills to get you off

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

lots!! will do shit like kiss your neck while you’re doing something simple like washing the dishes and pretend he didn’t when you look at him. or brush his fingers along your thighs when your shirt is a little too short and then tell you its YOUR fault for wearing that

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

not like freakishly loud, but not quiet either. probably close to speaking volume cause he wants you to know how good you feel. some grunting, and moaning, likes to say your name and swears a lot when he’s about to cum

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)

when you guys meet up after being apart for a particularly long time, he’ll set up a bubble bath for you guys complete with rose petals and candles. he’ll turn on the weekend or a similar artist and you guys will just relax in the tub, drinking wine and catching up, stealing kisses here and there.

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

definitely on the longer side, but girth wise is probably a little on the thinner side or average at best, definitely veiny

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

normal sex drive. with volleyball he’s learned to keep his emotions in check so it doesn’t interfere with his performance. but when you two are together he’s gonna wanna fuck at least once a day (with multiple rounds) before he has to leave you again

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

once after care is done, he’ll lay with you in his arms and cuddle you until you fall asleep. once he’s sure you’re asleep he’ll settle down before drifting off

[keelywolfe]

FIC: Snowdrifts ch.7 (spicyhoney)

Summary:   Uncle Red is always up for babysitting, but is pitting Red against baby Snow the wisest choice?

Tags:  Spicyhoney, Rescued Child, Babybones, First Time Parenthood, Idiots to Lovers

Read it on AO3

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Read it here!

~~*~~

No matter what the boss thought, Red couldn't actually read anybody's mind. Not that he minded keeping up the illusion, nah, that was pretty fucking useful and back in Underfell, his bro wasn't the only person mostly convinced that Red was able to look right into the dirtiest corners of their mind and see what dust bunnies were lying around.

It was a perk he was gonna miss, at least for a little while. Shouldn’t be hard to get reestablished around these parts, hell, prolly a lot easier. His bro might be having some regrets about abandoning the old place, but Red was more’n happy to set up as a cuckoo in their shiny new nest. The rubes in this ‘verse were ripe for a little mystery and already the gossip was flying about the kid, where she was from and who played incubator. Smart money was on his bro as mama; word around town was that Stretch’s slutty ways took a downward trend a few months back and everyone was real damn interested in seeing who the local bird went cold turkey for.

Red gave ‘em a week before the locals started showing up with casseroles and curiosity. Never underestimate boredom and a hearty rumor mill when making plans. Red never did and he would bet good money he’d have the folks in this Snowdin watching him with awe and suspicion in no time.

Well, more than they already were.

Except Muffet but that didn't surprise him none. Multiverse theory could go hang, he figured she was gonna be a sharp slice of cheddar no matter what world she was from. ‘Least if this one was gonna suck you dry it only meant your wallet. Gal had an eye for talent, he’d give her that, hired him on right away, and Red was looking forward to a long, mutually benefitting relationship.

Anyway, mind reading, eh, not so much. What Red had was a carefully cultivated skill in knowing when people were carrying around a steaming load of bullshit. He'd been learning that knack since he was in short pants even if his pants only got wider over the years, not longer, and right now, there was a week-old baby bones trying to convince him her little soul was gonna break if she didn’t have her daddy close by to lug her around.

Kid was putting on a hell of a show. Lying on her back in a pile of blankets on the living room floor that was also Red’s part-time bedroom, feet kicking up a storm and her little hands clenched in fists that she waved like a prizefighter. Fat tears were rolling down her chunker cheekbones as she howled, awful loud for someone without a set of lungs. Kid was pissed, sure, but pissed ain’t hurt and Red might’ve been kinda impressed by her tenacity if it weren’t for the simple fact that his bro needed some rest. Here they were in marshmallow world with two extra bods helping foot the bill and his bro was still exhausting himself trying to do everything. Difference was, here Red had Stretch running interference and between the two of them, they’d shake the ants out of his brother’s pants.

‘Course, Stretch had a different way of doing it and there was a thought Red wasn’t gonna examine too close. His baby bro’s pants and Stretch could do whatever they wanted out of his line of sight.

Only problem was, the two of them were only upstairs. Kid was getting pretty loud and Red scooped her up into his lap, giving her a gentle bounce. “gonna have to do better than that, snowmonster,” Red told her. “i survived my bro and he’s an expert pain in the ass.”

The wails paused as his voice caught the baby’s attention. Snow goggled at him her mouth still open, and after a moment the cries began again, this time with an uncertain waver.

“nope, try again.” He propped his chin in his hand. "you got my bro fooled, but i ain't the gullible type. might try a little sweettalking, sweetheart.”

A short, shrill cry only got her a chuckle. "sorry, honey, it ain't gonna work on me."

The tears dried up pretty damn fast without someone to break down the dam. Kid hadn’t quite given up yet, Underfell tenacity must be built-in from creation. She gurgled out a pleading cry, her tiny hands reaching for Red’s face. He let her pat his cheekbones, wincing at a particularly firm little slap.

He took the offending hand and gave it a loud kiss, earning a smile for his troubles. "nah, your daddy bears are tired, kiddo, they need a nap. you got 'em both dancing like popcorn on a hot plate, not bad for your first trick."

Hm, daddy? Paps hadn't been too clear on that yet, and fuck them all anyway for renaming his little brother Edge, keerist, might as well name him Gloomy Ass Kissy Pants. Already took himself too fucking serious as it was.

Eh, that probably wasn’t gonna change, Red didn’t need to be a mind reader to know that; he’d been that way since he was about the size of this one, and someday he was gonna show Stretch the pics that were saved on his phone of his lil bro back when he was little. Might have to wait until they were more settled in for that, though.

He’d give it a week.

Red looked down at the baby in his arms, her wide, pale eye lights gazing back up at him. Always watching, this one, learning, figuring things out. When she learned how to crawl, she was gonna be an ever-fucking nightmare for his bro, exactly how Paps had been ever since the very instant he got mobile. Kid hadn’t stopped since.

Red couldn’t wait. Payback really was a bitch and this bitch was gonna slap it right on his little brother’s ass.

“tell you what,” Red told her, “let’s get you a snack, kiddo, and see what other toys the mutts brought over for you, how about that?”

Kid was clearly disgruntled, but she accepted the bottle when Red handed it over, suckling noisily. Red dug into the bag that was still in the corner. Blocks were well and good, but he’d bet there was something in all this junk that made some real noise.

~~*~~

Despite his brother's innuendo when he’d shooed the two of them upstairs for a nap before another night of baby-watching began, there was nothing sexual going on in the bedroom and for that, Edge was guiltily grateful. He would admit to being exhausted, his first day as a caretaker left him as weary as if he’d spent a day running the traplines, and if Stretch had given any indication at all that he was interested in sex, Edge would have been torn over his response.

The answer was a difficult one. On one hand, Stretch had been utterly appalled even a hint of the idea that Edge might pay some of the debt he owed the Swap brothers in that fashion, but on the other, Edge did feel some sense of obligation to Stretch that made him reluctant to beg off. Best not to say that aloud, it wasn't a difficult guess that the very notion would upset Stretch a great deal.

There was also the fact that they'd been sleeping together for some months now, anything at this point would have a diminished value.

Not that it mattered in this situation. Stretch didn’t give any indication that he was hoping for anything past a solid eight hours of putting the mattress to its more traditional use and barring that, at least a couple hours of decent rest.

Still, Edge couldn’t help teasing, “Are you sure you want to use our time to sleep? My brother seemed to think we could make other use of it.”

There was a tiny sprinkle of bright freckles across Stretch’s nasal nodule and Edge could privately admit that the way they scrunched together when his face twisted was rather adorable.

"baby, you know i'm always up for it," Stretch grimaced. "but i don't think i can get it up right now. unless you want to drive…?"

Tempting as the idea of being inside Stretch was, whatever desire the image managed to rouse was closer to a wet firecracker than a spark. "To be honest, I think I'd rather nap," Edge confessed. If he even could, through the closed door he could hear Snow’s wails and it was only his brother’s firm edict that they were not to come back downstairs for at least two hours that was keeping him in this room at all. The penalty for disobeying a direct order from Red was not usually a subtle revenge and Edge didn’t care to see what sort of creativity his brother might come up with in new surroundings.

"nap it is then." Stretch scrambled into the bed, sprawling across the mattress. He turned back to Edge, both arms spread wide, "since we ain’t taking off, you may as well come on in for a landing!"

Edge rolled his eye lights but crawled in with him. Stretch squawked as Edge firmly rolled him over on his side and snugged up behind him. He murmured against the smooth, sensitive bone at the base of Stretch’s skull. "I believe it's my turn to be the big spoon."

The way Stretch shifted against him nearly made him rethink his urge for sleep. Stretch laughed, a touch unsteadily, "sweetheart, you can handle my silverware anytime you like. after a nap."

After a nap, yes. The crying from downstairs had petered out and Edge pulled the blankets over them both and settled in. Napping was still unfamiliar to him and he didn't sleep so much as drift, resting in the fog of exhaustion. That alone was an unaccustomed pleasure and there was no telling how long he drifted before he resurfaced to unexpected movement.

The faint shudder of Stretch in his arms didn't wake him so much as nudge him from that fog and the loss left him disoriented and surly. Edge pushed up on an elbow, frowning down at the other skeleton and his irritation faded as he caught his breath at what he saw.

Stretch was crying. He was curled up on the mattress, still sleeping while tears seeped from his closed sockets and left wet trails down his cheekbones. His breath was clotted with the quiet sobs racking him and without the pressure of Edge’s arm holding him down, he curled up tighter into a fetal ball, his long legs drawn up against his skinny ribcage as he wept at whatever his dreams were showing him.

No amount of rest was worth this kind of pain and Edge gave him a gentle shake, saying softly, "Stretch? Stretch, wake up."

He did not anticipate Stretch lurching up and scrambling away from him, his joints lit with magic and his eye lights flaring wildly as he flung both hands out as if to ward him away, brilliant orange engulfing his fingertips like candle flames.

Edge kept still, waiting for the dregs of sleep to clear away. Long experience with his brother’s occasional bad turns at night had taught him that while his HP could easily survive an attack, the guilt that followed was always so much worse.

Sure enough, recognition slowly filled Stretch’s gaze, followed almost immediately by horror. Stretch sank back against the wall with a heartfelt groan, the flames of his magic extinguishing as he buried his face into his hands. "fuck, i am so sorry."

"If I don't need to thank you for all you’ve done, then you don't owe me any apologies for this. Come here?" Edge held his arms open in gentle offering and after a moment, Stretch did, crawling back into his arms. His bones were chilled, clacking against Edge's as he shivered, and Edge tucked the blankets back around them both.

"There we are," Edge said, as softly as he would have to Snow. He set his chin on the top of Stretch’s skull, careful not to let it dig in painfully. "Was it a bad dream?"

"more like a memory." Stretch shifted against him, his cheekbone pressed to Edge's sternum. He did not look up as he asked softly. "do you remember anything about the lab?"

"Only from recently,” Edge admitted, “not as a child. My brother doesn't talk about it much, but I do know I wasn't there for more than a couple days before he fled with me in tow."

"yeah." Stretch said nothing else, no commiseration, and Edge did not ask it of him. He didn't need to press for an unneeded explanation, not when the answer was so obvious. Memory dredged up by those numbers on one of Snow's fragile ribs, engraved too deeply to easily heal. He only held Stretch close, petting from the back of his skull down his cervical vertebra with gentle fingertips as those bone-deep shudders slowly eased.

Petting shifted to a careful massage, rubbing at the delicate cartilage between the spinal joints until all the tension wound through Stretch faded, leaving him as boneless against Edge as a skeleton could manage. He sighed, his warm breath gusting humidly over Edge’s collarbone, and his long limbs wound around Edge in a bony sort of cage, loosely holding on.

Edge was drowsing himself, his stroking gone idle, when Stretch spoke again in a low, barely audible mumble that Edge nevertheless heard very clearly, snapping awake as his soul began to pound in his ribcage. Couched on an exhale, three words that were so complex in their very simplicity.

“hnnnn,” Stretch sighed out, “i love you.”

There in the darkness, Edge lay with wide sockets staring up at the ceiling as every thought of sleep fled to the corners of his mind, leaving it utterly empty. Obviously, such a declaration required a response, and yet his thoughts were a panicked blank, his hands still on Stretch and surely he was already regretting saying such a thing, surely he was rethinking his choice as Edge only lay here like a useless fool, unable to reply.

“Stretch,” Edge choked out, faltering, and before he could manage to unstick his tongue from the roof of his mouth came an unexpected reply. A faint snore that rumbled through them both as Stretch snuggled in closer, his sockets closed in sleep.

Edge almost sagged in relief, letting out a slow, shaky breath. But he knew the reprieve was a brief one. That declaration would come again, he should have already been expecting it, and he would need a ready reply.

He wasn’t fool enough not to know what reply Stretch wanted. He just wasn’t sure it was one he was able to give and what consequences would come if he couldn’t? Their place here was so precarious despite what the Swap brothers said, they couldn’t be expected to stay here if there was resentment between them. Snow needed a safe home, free of arguments and snide verbal attacks and Edge meant to see she had one. No matter what it cost him.

tbc

[escapingreality1992]

Satisfaction Needed

Loki X OC - Mina has always finished herself off after meeting up with her fuck buddy. Her secret is revealed to Natasha and Wanda while walking. To make matters worse, she is told she needs to bring a date to an Avengers party. With her options limited, she chooses to go with Loki. She meets up with Emmett, her fuck buddy, before the party and again he denies her another orgasm putting an end to their relationship. Left with no time to masturbate, she changes and goes down to the party horny as hell. Once she lands on Loki’s thigh wrong, it does nothing to help her arousal. Loki pulls her aside and helps her deal with the situation.

Warnings: use of the word ‘slut’. Thigh Riding. Explicit Sex.

           Wanda, Natasha and I were taking a walk around the block, talking about life. We were best friends, enjoying each other’s company whenever we could. Somehow the subject changed from details of a future girls’ night to our love life; a secret of my own coming to life.

           “I thought I heard you masturbating the other night, Mina. Is Mr. Irish Eyes not doing it for you?” Natasha said.

           “Wow. Cut to chase Natasha. Don’t ease into the subject,” I said, sarcasm dripping from my tone.

           “Oh, I’m sorry. I just thought I’d ask. I wanted make sure you’re being satisfied,” she countered. I rolled my eyes, avoiding the question.

           “Out with it. Does he keep you entertained? Or does he bore you?” Wanda demanded. I could always count on my friends to be bold with me. They didn’t care who was around or how private the subject might be. Both women nudged their elbows into my side, attempting to get me to talk.

           “Stop. Stop. Fine. If you must know, Emmett doesn’t exactly let me…you know,”

           “Hah! He has a name. He doesn’t let you what? Spill!” Natasha pressed.

           “Finish. He won’t finish me off. He gets off, sure. When it comes to my orgasm, though, he doesn’t care. Just pulls out, leaving me throbbing. By the way, he’s not Irish. He’s purely American like me. With emerald eyes,” I confessed. Heat flooded my cheeks, traveling down to my neck. Wanda and Natasha stopped walking and traded looks with each other. Shock was evident on their features and I almost regretted telling them. Almost.

           “I’m sorry. Did you say he won’t let you orgasm? Is this every time or on occasion?” Wanda asked. The heat intensified, only answering her question further. Another exchange of a look.

           “Why are you still with him? I mean, that’s downright awful. What kind of a man doesn’t let a woman finish? How can he call himself a great boyfriend?” Wanda continued.

           “Ah. Well, he’s not my boyfriend. Technically speaking. We’re only fuck buddies. I don’t mind, really. I manage to take care of my issue when I get back to the compound. Before anyone notices. Except for Natasha, apparently,” I replied. I linked my arms through theirs, pulling them along to finish our walk.

           “Don’t feel bad, Mina. Nothing tends to get past me anyway. You should remedy this problem. Get rid of Emmett and date a real man,” Natasha commented. I laughed, grateful to have her as friend. I truly admired her honesty.

           “No time. Hence the fuck buddy,” I commented.

           “You could always date one of the boys. I hear Steve and Bucky are single. So are Sam, Thor and Loki,” Wanda suggested.

           “Too complicated, I think,”

           “It’s not that complicated. We’re all in the same field of work and we all live together. I think it might be easier with one of them,” Wanda argued.

           “Unless we break up. Then it’s just awkward. And I wouldn’t dare be fuck buddies with one of them. Natasha would only spy on us,” I quipped. She burst out laughing, knowing I was right. “Seriously, though. I’m okay with it. I don’t need to be set up with anyone. I’m not ready right now,”

           “Not ready for what?” Tony asked as we entered the compound. He followed us to the kitchen while we got water, continuing the conversation.

           “A relationship. Not that it’s any of your business, Stark,” I said. I shot him a snarky grin, skirting past him to the fridge.

           “Okay, ouch, Mina. I only asked a simple question. I wasn’t trying to get all up in your business. Speaking of relationships or in this case a date, who are you bringing to the party next week?” he shot back. He feigned being injured in his chest, which set us off laughing again.

           “No one. I kind of wanted to go alone. No attachments,”

           “You might want to rethink your decision. Bringing a date is mandatory. We’re all supposed to be paired up with someone, regardless of being in a relationship with someone,” he informed me. I groaned in frustration, my nose scrunching up in disgust.

           “Why? I can bet you 10 dollars Strange isn’t bringing anyone. He never brings anyone anyway. Why do we have to?” I complained.

           “One, he’s too busy to meet anyone to bring a date and two, he’s not coming this time. He got called off to another universe, which interferes with the date of the party,” Tony stated.

           “I doubt it’s the real reason he’s not coming. He probably heard a date was mandatory and opted out of it because he can’t find one. I’d be willing to bet no one in their right mind wants to date a second-rate sorcerer like him,” a new person said, joining the conversation. We all turned our attention to the source of the voice; Loki, God of Mischief. He chose not to dress in his usual Asgardian garb. The leather suit with his signature green and gold were gone replaced by a black tailored shirt – two buttons opened to show off a portion of his chest – and black pants. His raven black hair curled around his shoulders, those green eyes sparkling with a sort of malice as he spoke.

           “Brother, I don’t know why you have an issue with the wizard, but you should be a little nicer when talking about him. Try to be a little more polite,” Thor’s booming voice chimed.

           “Do you ever wear a shirt? Or is that just for public outings and not in the compound?” Nat asked. She gestured to the half-dressed God of Thunder. He only beamed a smile of confidence, showing of his muscles more.

           “Enjoying the sight, Natasha?” he said. She rolled her eyes and I snickered at her.

           “What about Steve? Bucky? Sam? Are they bringing someone?” I asked, turning the conversation back to the original topic.

           “Steve is bringing Sharon Carter, I believe. Bucky is going with Natasha. Sam has a reporter friend he’s planning on bringing. You know Wanda is going with Vision,” Tony answered.

           “Bruce?”

           “Sitting this one out,”

           “Clint?”

           “He’s bringing his wife. I’ve got Pepper before you ask. Which now leaves you, Thor and…Loki without a date,” he replied. Loki, without a date, I thought, weighing my options.

           “Mina, you could accompany me to the party. No one could ignore the God of Thunder and his beautiful siren,” Thor offered. He still beamed with confidence, but my mind was still caught on taking Loki to the party.

           “It’s probably too late to ask some civilian right?” I asked, drumming my nails on the counter, deciding whether or not to commit to my decision.

           “What about Emmett?” Wanda suggested. I waved it away with the flick of my wrist.

           “No, he doesn’t like events like these,”

           “Who’s Emmett?” Tony and I spoke at the same time.

           “Someone who I like to call around to fuck. He’s not important,” I answered his question. Silence filled the room as Tony, Thor, and Loki stared at me. Tony’s mouth had dropped open, his eyes had widened while processing the information. Loki arched an eyebrow, a smirk stretching his lips. Thor looked like a deer caught in headlights.

           “You have fuck buddy?”

           “I think I’ll go with Loki,” Again, Tony and I said at the same time.

           “One more time, Tony and we’ll have to play jinx,” I warned. He gulped, putting his hands up in surrender.

           “Did you say you’re taking Loki? Why on Earth would you do that?” Wanda asked. Thor’s smile had dropped once I had picked Loki. I think he would have preferred for me to take him.

           “He looks good in a suit. Plus, no one ever invites him to formal events, and I’d hate to allow him to sit alone in his room,” I replied, deliberately walking up to Loki. I let my hand rest against his chest, stroking his skin with my thumb.

           “Oh, this is going to be fun,” he commented, flashing a mischievous grin. I think it meant to intimidate me, but I flashed one of my own at him.

           “Looking forward to it,” I retorted. I winked, squeezing his bicep as I passed by. A mistake. I’d be eating those words at the party when I found myself in a sticky situation during the party itself.

  1 Week Later

           “Keep going. Yes. Just like that. Oh, god,” Emmett grunted, riding his orgasm high. He pulled out of me, rolling over to dispose of the condom. What was I thinking hooking back up with him? He called a few hours ago, begging to have a little fun.

           I said, ‘Why not?’ I still had a few hours before the Avengers’ party. We were celebrating another anniversary of the team. Part of the reason why we needed dates for the evening. The other part was it was more of a formal event and those who were visiting preferred us paired up with someone. Thor had managed to call Jane Foster, a former flame of his, and invited her to join him; no romance required. We were also the highlight of the party, which made it very important to have a date.

           Emmett and I picked a time, a little close to the time of the party for my liking. I thought maybe he’d be able to finish before I had to return to the compound to get ready. Emmett, however, had other plans. A longer foreplay, a little tying up to lead up to us fucking our brains out. More aptly put, it was up to me to fuck his brain out. Like always, he didn’t allow me to finish, my pussy throbbing for more.

           “Thanks, sweetheart. I needed that,” Emmett said. I sighed and checked my phone. 5:50 p.m. Shit. I bolted up and dressed quickly to head back home.

           “Hey, hey, hey. Where are you headed off to? I thought we could have dinner. Do this again,” he complained.

           “I can’t. I’ve got a party to go to. I’m going to be late. It starts at 6:30,” I explained, pulling on my boots.

           “Party? Need a date? We could fool around in your beloved compound if you like,”

           “You wouldn’t like it. Too formal. Besides, I already asked someone else. Uh, I don’t think we should do this anymore,”

           “Wait, what? Why not?” Emmett asked, sitting up.

           “For starters, you won’t let me orgasm. Ever. Not since we started this relationship, which isn’t really a relationship. I’m sorry but you’re not doing it for me anymore,” I replied.

           “Is this because of your date? Who is he, Mina? Are you interested in him?”

           “It’s not any of your business. We’re not friends and we’re certainly not dating. I don’t need to tell you everything that goes on in my life,”

           “It’s one of your Avengers friends isn’t it? Which one? Thor? Captain America? Everyone says they’re both dreamy. It must be one of them,”

           “No. Not one of them. It’s not as if you care. For your information, it happens to be Loki,”

           “I’d like to know who else you’re fucking. I didn’t know you were such a slut. Is he good in bed? Is he the real reason you’re ending this?” Emmett snapped. My blood was boiling during this argument.

           “Oh, for heaven’s sake, get over yourself. And your tiny cock. I’m not sleeping with him. To be honest, I’d rather fuck him than be with you anyway. Goodbye, Emmett,” I growled. I left, slamming the apartment door behind me.

              Arriving back at the compound, I rushed to get ready. I had no time to masturbate, knowing I’d be extremely horny while at the party. I wiped down, getting rid of the sweat covering my body and changed into the dress planned for this evening. The dress in question was a floor length, dark green one, which had straps that crossed over each other to show off my back. It had an intricate gold design on it and would catch anyone’s attention.

           I chose it specifically to please Loki, a nod to his signature choice of colors. I matched my makeup to the dress but kept it subtle so as to not hoard the gazes of the guests. I had just finished strapping on my heels when a knock sounded at my door.

           “It’s unlocked. Come in,” I called out, standing up. Loki walked in, wearing an all-black suit, his hair slicked back from his face. It still curled slightly around his shoulders but in a nicer way, increasing my attraction to him. My body responded and I mentally cursed myself for not being able to satisfy my cravings.

           “Ready to go?” he asked, offering me his arm. I nodded, taking it and he led us downstairs to the party.

              It was a mistake meeting Emmett for sex, I thought. I was struggling to keep it together, I had to admit. The throbbing had intensified, and I had to fight showing any sign of my sexual frustration on my face. It had grown to the point where I was now fidgeting with my hands. Anywhere. Talking to people, waiting in line for dinner. Everywhere.

           “Everything alright, Mina?” Loki asked me, as we waited for tonight’s dessert; Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and chocolate shavings.

           “I’m fine,” I lied, hoping he wouldn’t see through it.

           “Stop fidgeting. You’re making people nervous,” he whispered. His breath was cold against my skin and I shoved down the urge to push him down on the table and taking him in front of everyone. He placed a hand on the small of my back, I guess as a form of comfort. It did nothing for my arousal. Fuck, this is not good, I thought. It was now my turn to get a slice of cake and I quickly found a place to sit down, preferably away from him.

           I found a spot next to Natasha, focusing on eating the cake in front of me. I clenched my legs together to stop the throbbing between my thighs.

           “Something wrong?” Nat whispered in my ear. Damn, nothing ever gets by her, I thought. I leaned in as if to hug her.

           “I met up with Emmett. As usual, he didn’t let me finish. I didn’t have a chance to rub one out,” I told her, low enough for her ears only.

           “Ah. Please tell me you ended things with him,”

           “I did. I’m trying to make it through the party,” Natasha squeezed me, releasing my body to throw away her plate. I did the same, wanting another drink to distract myself. Tossing it back, I went to sit back down; Loki had already stolen my seat.

           “Why don’t you sit on my lap, darling?” he asked, flashing a smile. I hesitated, looking around to find a different spot. All the other seats were filled, leaving me no choice but to accept.

           “Relax. I promise I won’t do anything inappropriate,” he told me. His arms coiled around my waist, pulling me down onto his lap. Instead of landing on my ass, I landed on his thigh; It hit me right between my thighs and I really regretted not dealing with my arousal sooner. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t have been a big deal. This wasn’t normal circumstances.

           As I landed on his thigh, I had to bite back a moan as the friction jolted through me. I hid my face against his neck, my breath fanning on his skin.

           “Darling? Is something the matter?” Loki asked.

           “N-Nothing. Landed on your lap wrong, I think. That’s all,” I managed. I shifted to sit better on his lap; another mistake. My nails dug into his shoulder and a hushed ‘fuck’ escaped my lips.

           “Mina look at me,” Loki demanded. He lifted my chin with a finger, examining me. I knew what he might have seen. Pupils blown with lust, shallow breathing as if I was panting, flushed cheeks.

           “Will you excuse us? I believe Mina needs some air,” Loki addressed the group. They nodded and he helped me up, leading me to the third-floor balcony.

           “Tell me what’s wrong. Is it me? Do I get you all hot and bothered?” Loki asked. He shut the sliding glass door, shutting out any eavesdroppers.

           “It’s not you. Not really,” I responded.

           “Then, who? Oh. Don’t tell me. It’s the one you’re sleeping with isn’t it? Did you two not finish?”

           “He did. I didn’t have time to finish myself off,”

           “Finish yourself off? He left you unsatisfied. Is this the first time he didn’t get you off?” he asked. He pressed closer, pinning my body against the concrete wall. I laughed, pressing my legs tight together.

           “He never let me. I always took care of my own orgasm. In the privacy of my room,” I confessed. Thank god, I was already burning up. My face was already flushed from my arousal.

           “He…why did you continue meeting if he denied you orgasms? You should always be allowed to cum my dear. Unless you’ve been super naughty. Honestly, you should have come to me. I would’ve let you cum over and over again,”

           “I ended it today. I can’t stop the throbbing. It’s only gotten more intense as the night went on,” I said.

           “Allow me to help you,” Loki suggested. I nodded and he pressed his lips against mine. They were cool to the touch, yet soft. I kissed him back, wanting more of him. My hands clung to his waist and he nipped my bottom lip, asking for entrance. I let him slip past my barriers, his tongue dominating mine. I groaned, arching into his body, losing control. Never breaking our kiss, Loki bunched up my dress, draping it over his pants. He nudged my thighs apart with his knee, pulling me forward; his thigh brushed up against my folds and I moaned at the feel of it.

           “Loki…”

           “Ride it, sweetheart. Get yourself off on my thigh. I know you want to,” he ordered. He pressed down on my hips, the pressure eliciting another moan out of me.

           “But…your pants...will get soaked,” I panted.

           “Nothing magic can’t fix. Don’t worry about anyone seeing. No one ever comes up here,” he said. He rubbed against my aching core, coaxing me more. Caving, I ground against his thigh, creating enough friction to increase my pleasure. I gripped his shoulders to keep steady, moaning as I rode his thigh.

           “That’s it, my love. Keep going. I love the sound you’re making,” I rocked against him faster and faster until my orgasm rushed over me. I rested my head on his shoulder, breathing hard, my fluids soaking his pants.

           “Feel better?” he asked. I hummed my approval and he dropped his thigh, lifting my chin to devour my mouth with his own.

           “Let me show you how it’s really done,” he growled. He unbuckled his belt, unzipping his pants. He shoved them down along with his underwear, an item I had decided not to wear this evening. Loki lifted me up on his hips, slamming his cock into me. He held me against the wall, pounding into me. He would switch paces, making sure to pleasure me as long as possible. He worked me to my climax until it flooded over me. Loki kept thrusting, reaching his a few minutes later, while I reached my third orgasm of the night. We were both breathing hard, staying in place until we came down from our high. He put me down on the ground, redressing while I fixed the angle of my dress; he brought forth a new pair of pants to cover the evidence we did anything.

           “Anytime you feel the need to fuck, come find me,” Loki told me, kissing my lips again.

           “I might take you up on that,” I said, taking his arm to rejoin the party downstairs.

[lonelypond]

AU YEAH AUGUST: Café Quarantine, Part IV

Love Live, NicoMaki, 4.4K, 4/5

Summary: Nico's feeling better and the quarantine is about to end, but will the Café continue?

Chapter IV

Maki paused in the door of the kitchen. A masked Nico was prepping what looked like lasagna. Maki grinned. Nico had started objecting to takeout, insisting she could make better, healthier food.

“How were the donuts?” Nico asked, aware of Maki even turned away.

“Perfect.”

Nico snorted.

“Hey Nico.” Maki had woken up with an idea.

“Mmmm hmmm.” Nico hummed as she spread another layer of sauce.

“Why don’t you have your Mom bring your siblings over?”

Nico spun, sauce spilling across the counter.

“I mean, you can use the media room. I’ve got controllers enough for everybody to play MarioKart or something. I bet they miss you a lot. You shouldn’t be contagious.”

“You want to be beat at MarioKart by more people?” Nico aimed the spoon at Maki and flicked her wrist.

“Ha! You beat me once.” Then Maki shrugged, “I’d stay out of the way. I might still be asymptomatic.”

“Maki will be fine.” Nico said fiercely, surprising Maki.

“Probably.” Maki agreed, “Anyway, ask your Mom. She doesn’t work on the weekends, right? It’ll give them something to be excited about.” Maki zoomed off, while Nico was still processing the offer.

###

“No!!!” Maki roared at her phone while Hanayo’s not in any way innocent suggestion blinked there. It was time to pick another theme after three days of “Dames.” And Hanayo, probably with Rin giggling in the background had just sent a group text with the word “Kiss.” Sure Maki might have thought it to herself, maybe imagined singing “Prelude to A Kiss” or “Give Me A Kiss To Build A Dream One” but her private conversations in her own head were private, never to be shared or discussed in the same house as Nico.

No, no, no...this had to be stopped before Nico agreed. She typed quickly.

M: I thought Nico’s friend was going to dance. So wouldn’t dance be good? “

M: Or weather, I’ve been wanting to play “A Foggy Day in Londontown.”

N: Dance is good.

H: ಠ╭╮ಠ

Maki got a non group text from Rin.

R: Chicken.

M: This isn’t helping me, Rin.

R: (*≧▽≦)ﾉｼ))

R: (っ˘зʕ•̫͡•ʔ

Maki stormed out of her own bedroom, hoping to avoid Nico, slamming the music room door, and settling down to play. Time to Beethoven the annoyance at nudge-y friends out of her system.

###

The Yaazawas were in the house. Maki had decided to stay upstairs, listening to music in her room, but the need for a snack and something to do drew her out. She was positive that the extra games she’d downloaded would keep them occupied all afternoon.

A quick cold slice of pizza for refueling and Maki decided to sneak past the media room to the music room. There were yells and laughter and Nico trash talking. She sounded happier than she had since the quarantine started. Soon, maybe tomorrow, she’d go back to her place. Maki moved away from the door quickly before anyone noticed her, but it wasn’t quickly enough.

“DR. MAKI!!!!!” A voice Maki didn’t recognize screamed and a small weight slammed into her before she reached the sanctuary of the music room. “You saved Nico. You’re the best doctor.”

Maki froze and looked down. She’d seen pictures of Nico’s siblings. This was the middle one, a girl, Cocoa. Nico said she was constantly in motion. Maki believed that because as light as Cocoa was, she’d started dragging Maki back down the hall, “C’mon, Nico says you love MarioKart. Play with me. Cocoro only wants to play dancing games.” Cocoa let go and looked up at Maki eagerly. Did Nico look like that when she was a preteen, she definitely still had that much energy now.

Maki stepped back, “I can’t. I still have a couple days before I can hang out with people.”

“Nico said you’re probably fine.” Cocoa kept bouncing.

“I don’t want to take any risks?”

Cocoa’s expression turned serious, “Are your parents making you? Nico said they were really serious about quarantining.”

Did Nico tell her siblings everything? What had she said about Maki? Maybe Maki should have lingered in the hall and eavesdropped.

“I have to go. Go have fun with Nico.”

Nico’s voice saved her, “C’mon Cocoa. Nico approves of Maki being extra careful. We’ll come back sometime when she’s not quarantining, right, Maki?”

“Sure. Any time.” Maki wondered what games Nico’s little brother was enjoying and if Nico was really into dance games and had never mentioned it. Rin and Hanayo could come over sometime and…

“Have fun.” Maki headed for the back door, thinking about too many things for music..

“Thanks, Dr. Maki!” Cocoa waved, Maki nodded.

###

No moon yet. Maybe Maki would stay out here until dark. Nico’s mom would be taking the littler ones home soon and then Nico would probably nap and then there was Café Quarantine. Dance. Hanayo had finally agreed to the dance theme and Maki had practiced “One Note Samba” late last night. Nico would be singing “I Won’t Dance” while Maki played. Maki was not in a duet mood. Not really in a music mood, but…

Nico’s voice again, “Are you all right?”

Maki shrugged.

“Nico made you masks with music notes. They’re in the laundry.”

“Thanks.” Maki closed her eyes, refusing to look at Nico, hands behind her head, “Can you get Cocoro and Cocoa to stop calling me Dr. Maki. I didn’t save you.”

“So it’s all right if Cotaro does?”

Maki ignored that. She heard Nico sit in the chair to her left, “Nico is really grateful. All the pizza delivery saved Nico cooking. And the acoustics here.” Nico whistled.

“It was the right thing to do.”

“Nico feels special.” A nip of sarcasm, Maki grinned.

“When are you leaving?”

“Nico is going to make sure Maki is well.”

“I’ll be fine. You don’t have to stay for me.”

“You’ll have to swing by Nico’s apartment. We can do a Café Quarantine from there, but Nico doesn’t have a piano. I could borrow a keyboard. We could set up a little corner, it won’t be as fancy as your house, but people will…”

“This isn’t my house.”

Silence.

Nico was great at reading a room, at sensing what her audience, whether a customer or a drinking, dancing crowd wanted to hear, wanted to share. But not this one single person. Not Maki. If her knowledge of Maki was a mansion, Nico had only spent time on the ground floor and Maki had fled to the roof or the yard, having conversations with the stars in long silences that Nico watched from a distance. Nico knew there was a key, a way to understand Maki, but right now, her only guess was more time and Maki relaxing enough to trust her. So Nico went back to practical. And the thing they’d had in common at the first.

“Nico will almost be glad to get back to the coffee shop. Nico hasn’t slept this many hours since she was a baby, a very cute baby, but it’ll be nice to have…”

“I’m glad for you.” Maki tried not to snap, then opened her eyes, Nico was watching, almost too near, her expression curious, worried. Questions Maki didn’t want to hear gathered. Maki stood, “The samba needs more work. I’m glad your family’s having fun.”

“Maki?” Nico sounded hurt at Maki’s rush to leave. Maki wondered how she’d feel when Maki stopped showing up at the coffee shop. Would it be a relief? An answer Maki didn’t want right now. Scowling as a puzzled Nico stared, Maki didn’t acknowledge the invitation to talk, instead she fled upstairs, crushed a pillow to her chest, and buried tears before anyone could hear them.

###

Maki had lost the argument. Nico was back in the music room, in a tight, tight so so short little black dress that was going to interfere with Maki’s ability to read music if she glanced Nico’s way at all. And Maki suspected Nico knew that, from the teasing, take no prisoners twinkle in the ruby cannons. Which led to their first disagreement, Nico finding Maki’s trousers and open lilac linen shirt not nearly dressy enough.

“How does it look when the pianist doesn’t meet the dress code?” Nico pouted.

“There are no customers, Nico. We’re not sticking people in ties when they show up at the door. It’s just us.”

“And the camera. And the principle. Nico runs a classy place.” Nico spun, she was still wearing her mask, “Didn’t you say you enjoyed Hanayo harassing you. Well, now that I’m feeling better, you get in person service.”

“I didn’t ask for” Maki sneered, “In person service.”

“Nico knows what people want.”

“I want comfort.” Maki rolled up her sleeves. “It’s been a long day.”

“And you weren’t chasing kids around, which is tiring, if you didn’t know, so give Nico a break. And a perq,”

“A perq?”

“Nico is eye candy.” Nico waved her hands, showcasing her very well put together aesthetic, Maki completely caught by the curve of a calf. “Where’s Nico’s treat?”

Maki sat at the piano and the opening notes of “I Won’t Dance” filled the room.

“All right, that is a treat. And Nico appreciates it. But why don’t you match the music.”

Maki set her jaw, pivoted so she was facing Nico, who was now taller than her, which was very weird when you’re used to towering over the tiny tempest and now this set of stellar, torn from distant galaxies gems was dangerously close for the molten lava temps they were throwing off, “So I have to pretty up to be appreciated?”

Nico’s mouth opened and closed, like chewing gum was happening instead of speaking, and then a flood of charm and apology rushed Maki as Nico’s hands seemingly tried to sculpt the gown she wanted Maki to wear in the air between them. “Nico didn’t mean that at all. Maki’s doing Nico so many favors and you’ve had so much fun dressing up, Nico can tell, Maki’s so classy, surely there’s a little black dress in your closet…

Maki raised a hand, “That is a lovely dress.” She fidgeted with her collar. “I may, just may, be slightly underdressed so I’ll see what I can find.”

“Ooohh, Nico can help.”

“No.”

Nico sat on the piano bench, wondering if Maki was going to go for a gown or a cocktail dress. Most of Maki’s gowns were off the shoulder, so that would definitely be...Nico sighed, pointless fantasies unless Nico spoke up. Obviously, Maki was losing interest in the audience she had here.

Maki came back with a tuxedo jacket and a fedora, her smirk daring Nico to say something. Nico pulled a rose out of the floral arrangement in the hallway and handed it to Maki, who blushed so adorably Nico wanted to kiss the tip of her nose.

And then without any more talk, the evening’s Café started.

This is just a little samba built upon a single note Other notes are bound to follow but the root is still that note Now this new one is the consequence of the one we've just been through As I'm bound to be the unavoidable consequence of you

Nico was singing, showing surprising verve and vigor in the quick steps of her dance as she swayed into "the unavoidable consequence of you” That summed up Nico nicely, Maki thought. The Brazilian songs seemed to suit her, maybe that was why Maki kept coming back to them. Lively, vibrant, 24/7, a bossa nova beauty of complex harmonies twisting through an irresistible rhythm that was beginning to be the constant, too rapid default beating of Maki’s heart. “Estou com saudades de você” the Brazilians said. “I miss you soon” Maki thought, an inexact translation, but one that carried the feeling of the ease with Nico that she’d barely had and the loss of proximity that would derail any chance their connection would grow.

Nico came up behind Maki, the sudden proximity a fever of its own, and Maki felt fingers stroke through her hair, stealing her fedora, and then quicksilver Nico was back at the camera, for her audience. It was growing every night, Nico’s recovery spiking viral likes and comments. Hanayo was about to start selling branded masks and fuzzy socks.

Nico said something, then the camera was off, and Nico’s complete attention was on Maki. So Maki ducked, taking cover in the samba again, singing

There's so many people who can talk And talk and talk and just say nothing Or nearly nothing I have used up all the scale I know And at the end I've come to nothing Or, nearly nothing

Nico laughed, “The unavoidable consequence of Nico, huh?”

Maki grinned, “I didn’t say it.”

“No.” Nico was behind Maki, her hands sliding down Maki’s jacket, playing a quick, almost right chord as she softly sang in Maki’s ear.

So, I come back to my first note as I must come back to you I will pour into that one note all the love I feel for you Any one who wants the whole Show-Re-Mi Fa-So-La-Ti-Do He will find himself with no show Better play the note you know

Maki in a daring move, slid her hands under Nico’s and played the finish.

Now was the time, “I’m quitting the coffee shop, Nico.”

Nico risked a quick, loose hug, “Yeah, your parents probably would not like you being that exposed. You’ll be in Princess in a Tower mode.”

“I’m an adult, Nico.” Maki could have cried for the wavery betrayal of her voice, “I’m going to turn 21.”

“Don’t drink your way through Chicago. Trust Nico.” Nico stepped back.

“Why? What did you do?” Maki spun to face Nico.

“You’re still too young for that story...when’s your birthday? Nico will bake you a cake.”

“Next week”

“What’s your favorite flavor. Besides pizza.”

Maki shrugged.

“What are you going to do when you’re not working? Coronavirus kinda closed colleges. Did you pick a major?” Nico had settled into the farthest corner of the couch. Maki took a quick look, but the legs were too distracting, and Nico’s exquisite profile looked even sharper with the weight of serious thought shadowing perfect angles. Maki thought she might swoon.

“I have a plan.”

“Tell Nico.”

Maki shook her head, turning back to the piano as she blushed.

“C’mon tell Nico."

Maki began to play. A random song. Maki had been listening to the NYC Jazz Quartet and Vocalist Naski Young Cho. “Paris Match” had been looping. Maki could hear the lyrics in her head so she started singing.

As I tread the boulevard floor Will I see once more; Because you've clouded my mind 'Till then I'm biding my time I'm only sad in a natural way And I enjoy sometimes feeling this way The gift you gave is desire The match that started my fire Empty nights with nothing to do I sit and think, every thought is for you; I get so restless and bored So I go out once more; I hate to feel so confined I feel like I'm wasting my time

Maybe not so random a choice. Maki pushed back from the piano, shaking her head. Too many fever/fire/heat analogies. Good thing she wasn’t a painter or there would be rubies and lava and flames licking every wall she could put paint to. Instead, she put that excess in every note she had the energy to play and then hoped to collapse into dreamless sleep.

“What was the name of that song?” Nico’s voice was quiet.

“Paris Match.”

“That’s on the playlist with that NYC Jazz quartet Korean singer you’ve been listening to, what was her name?”

“Naski Young Cho.”

“Her style works for you?”

Nico wasn’t going to ask about the lyrics. General music questions were safe. Maki yawned, starting to relax. “She’s all right. Had to get used to her voice a little.”

“Did you have to get used to Nico’s?”

“No.”

A hand was suddenly gentle on Maki’s shoulder and Nico’s voice was stripped of all affectation, caring, honest, “You’re not wasting your time with music, Maki.”

Maki’s shrug was the smallest of gestures, but Nico’s hand squeezed gently in response. Another yawn.

“C’mon, Chopin, let’s get you to bed.”

“Satie.”

“The weird French guy? Okay, Ms. Surreal, tell Nico your melting clock dreams over breakfast.”

Not if they were anything like the last ones she remembered, Nico in a costume stolen from Cabaret or Chicago. Should anyone think about fishnets that fondly? Maki let Nico push her toward the stairs. When had she last actually slept for longer than a couple of hours? Maybe, giving in to the weariness closing her eyes, would reset her mood. A mood reset, to one less incendiary, was essential.

###

Maki was eating cereal, watching SheRa, and not thinking about Nico or anything. Chewing. Just chewing. She’d been ignoring Rin and parent texts all morning. Nico would probably be leaving soon and then it would be time for Maki to take that step. But right now, this was a pocket of time when she was living in a space where Nico’s voice could be heard and she was going to treasure every minute of that. Netossa...Maki grinned as the character teased and challenged her wife.

“Hey Maki!” Nico fell over the back of the couch, a controlled trajectory, startling Maki and causing her cereal bowl to spill onto the table. Nico dropped her head on Maki’s shoulders, eyes mischievous, “This is too much fun.”

Maki stood up, but Nico pulled her back down, leaning forward with a dish towel, “Nico came prepared.”

“Um...we shouldn’t be…” Maki started.

“Nico is fine. And chock full of antibodies so Maki couldn’t give it to me if you tried.”

“No one knows how it works, Nico.” Maki slid further down the cushion.

“No, but that’s a pretty good guess. Nico did research, talked to her doctor.”

“Papa told you…”

“Well, I didn’t ask your father if it was okay if I made his daughter jump off the couch, squealing, no, but we went over the basics.”

“Oh.”

Silence and then Nico sounding nervous, “Nico’s going to go back to her apartment tomorrow. If you come over, Nico will cook dinner and we can duet.”

Maki didn’t know what to say. Nico was leaving. No more nights like last night. Maki alone again. Nico off with her friends, her family, doing all the thousand things, without Maki, that Nico had done before this quarantine.

“Maki? Did you hear me?” Nico poked Maki’s shoulder, her expression comic hurt.

Maki shook her head, forcing herself to look more thoughtful than morose. “I can’t just put the piano in my pocket.”

“Eli has a keyboard we can borrow. Since dancing didn’t work out last night, we’ll try it when we’re all in one location.”

Maki fidgeted. “I’m not comfortable with…”

“Eli’s been careful. Nico has windows.”

Maki shut off the screen. “There’s so many variables. And no way to know if anyone’s been exposed.” Maki rubbed her forehead. “This was the easiest part, wasn’t it.”

Turns out Nico had a not smiley tone. “Not for Nico.”

“Sorry. I guess it got pretty rough”

“It was. Don’t catch it.”

“You seem so much better. I’m glad. ” Maki smiled, reaching for her bowl, put the dish towel in it, “I’m going to make coffee. Want some?”

“Sounds good. And then we have to decide on tonight’s songs.”

“I’m tired of themes.” Maki announced as she left the room.

“Well, then talk to your cute, pushy friend who texts Nico 100 times a day about them.”

“I think I lost her number.”

Nico snorted and hurried Maki down the hall.

##

“Are we moving Café Quarantine to Brazil” Nico sounded exasperated. “If you really want to play this “Desafinado” tune, Nico’s choice doesn’t really go. What’s the title mean?”

“Out of tune.” Maki completely concentrated on her piano, hoping Nico’s questions would end there. She didn’t really want a discussion of lyrics.

“Nico is not out of tune.”

“That’s not what…” Maki played several chords, “Anyway, I’m going to play the instrumental, you don’t have to worry about it.”

“But Nico wants to keep the mood,” Nico was flopped on her stomach on the couch, staring at Maki, “It’s a good mood. Nico likes it, but Nico knows Brazilian coffee not this…why are you in this mood?”

“Samba smooth...it makes me smile.” Maki stopped playing, staring at Nico. ”Might work really well for you too, the melody’s playful, simple, I’d be doing most of the work…”

“The accompanist underestimates the amount of personality Nico adds.”

Trust me I don’t, Maki thought, but she rolled her eyes at Nico

“There’s a few more I’ve been practicing...I could print out lyrics for you…” Maki paused, “It would be a challenge to learn it before tonight.”

“Not for Nico.”

Maki chuckled, “Give me 5 minutes.”

Nico flipped, laying on her back, “Then you’ll have to keep up with Nico. You’re used to Not Well Nico. Full speed Nico is going to knock you out.”

Maki could only hope for a soft landing.

###

Maki had played “Desafinado”, with Nico fidgeting and gleaming like she was up to something. As soon as Maki was finished, Nico was in front of the camera, applauding madly.

“Maki’s just the best, right. Nico’s been so lucky to have in house music like this while she was healing. Nico’s been spoiled.”

Maki watched suspiciously as Nico continued to bounce. They were supposed to go right into the duet but Maki got the feeling improvisation was about to happen.

“Mak’s obviously been missing coffee and Nico so she’s been playing all these bossa nova songs for her beautiful boss”

Maki snorted.

“But Nico’s about to head home,” Nico paused, “Don’t worry Café Quarantine will continue, Nico would miss it too much, and Nico doesn’t want anyone coughing like…” Nico’s energy dipped for a moment, then Nico recovered, “But we’re all going to take care of each other and be fine, Nico insists.”

“Can I start playing?” Maki drawled.

Nico turned and GLARED, “Nico is giving a pep talk.”

Eye roll.

“Maki’s nicer than she pretends.” Nico announced to the camera, “but you’ve been watching her play, you know that.”

“Nico.”

“Since our piano genius has been in a Rio mood, Nico recorded Maki playing this song and will now add words.”

The intro to "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" began and Nico sang with a gentle longing that surprised Maki, who would have loudly disagreed that Nico knew anything about quiet anything.

Quiet nights of quiet stars Quiet chords from my guitar Floating on the silence that surrounds us

Quiet thoughts and quiet dreams Quiet walks by quiet streams…

### Maki wanted to just sit and inhale the mood in the room after the last note, the quiet, calm, the connection, but of course, it didn’t last for long. “And now we have one more song for tonight.” With a wink and her soon to be patented not quite devil horns gesture, Nico tossed the audience back to Maki, which caused Maki to fumble for a minute. She’d been sitting, caught up in this rare glimpse of reserved Nico.

But now she had to focus, roll her shoulders down, dash into the first verse Someone to hold me tight That would be very nice Someone to love me right That would be very nice Someone to understand Each little dream in me Someone to take my hand And be a team with me

And then Nico joined in. So nice, life would be so nice If one day I'd find Someone who would take my hand And samba through life with me

And Maki dropped out, the rhythm making her think that perhaps she should be dancing with Nico rather than the piano. This song seemed to cry out for more responsiveness than resonance. Someone to cling to me Stay with me right or wrong Someone to sing to me Some little samba song Someone to take my heart And give her heart to me Someone who's ready to Give love a start with me Oh yeah, that would be so nice I could see you and me, that would be nice

What the hell Maki thought, stood up and offered her hand to Nico. So nice, life would be so nice If one day I'd find Someone who would take my hand And samba through life with me

Nico was a sure, steady dancer, obviously hearing the song in her head as she and Maki stepped quickly around the music room, laughing. Nico slowed down when they passed in front of the camera.

“I think we’re sambaing down to Rio. Good night!”And Nico stopped recording without really interrupting the flow of their dance.

“It’s too bad you didn’t listen to Nico’s ‘wear a bikini for the full Brazilian effect’ suggestion.” Nico smirked.

Maki started to stiffen, but just kept moving to the music in her head. She didn’t really need to answer Nico, did she?

“So can we start the ‘Kiss’ theme week tomorrow?” Nico had pulled Maki closer. “Both your pushy friends keep telling me it’s the only thing to do next.”

“Are they?”

Nico nodded.

“They are pushy.”

“But cute. And Nico doesn’t really mind.” A hesitation, Nico was glowing, Maki suddenly wanted a room full of candles and a pianist sensitive to the mood ready to slide easily into the next song. It was so easy with music, to build the mood, to know the next note, the next step, the next song. “Do you?”

Had Maki dropped out of the conversation again. “Do I what?”

“Mind if it’s Kiss?”

“You don’t mean the band, right? Hanayo’s a little too fond of metal for me. But Rin just headbangs along.”

Nico stopped. “You’re terrible at mood. How do you play the piano so well?”

Maki shrugged.

Nico almost threw up her arms, but Maki caught them and pulled Nico closer, “I don’t mind.”

No candles, no music, no warning, but Maki suddenly knew what was next. And Nico was just close enough, just looking up enough, deep banked embers glowing in her eyes just inviting enough. Maki blanked, and then Nico was a blurry warmth, close enough that Maki could feel the smoothness of a cheek, and Maki was going in for a second kiss before she even noticed the first.

A/N: There will be a brief epilogue.

And @auyeahaugust is almost finished. Thanks again for the inspiration. And now to get back to my fics in progress. 

[yamisnuffles]

Cosmic Love

Not long after the Great Flood, Gabriel comes to lay down a few ground rules for Crowley and tries to set Aziraphale on a better path.

This is the fourth part in my Too Much of a Good Things series, where both Crowley and Aziraphale are angels. It won’t make sense if you haven’t read the other parts.

Read on Ao3

-

While of course no angel was exactly alike, there were a few things about the Seraphim generally considered rules amongst the other angels. For one, they burned with a fiery passion in all they did, both figuratively and quite literally. For another, they had very lovely voices. If they were to be found anywhere other than deep in the cosmos, it was at the Almighty’s side, singing Her praises. Finally, they were weird. This last point was generally considered a byproduct of the prior two.

Of course, because the Seraphim tended to work at a distance from many other angels, this opinion was likely little more than gossip. How many of the Host could say they spent enough time with even a single Seraph to sum them up? That was Aziraphale’s opinion on the matter. Or, at least, it had been until he had spent enough time with a certain Seraph to form a distinct impression.

Aziraphale had started to wonder if Crowley himself was the reason the Seraphim had developed such a reputation. He was certainly dramatic and what was that if not a sort of passion. Aziraphale hadn’t ever heard him sing but Crowley also had a lovely speaking voice. As to the last bit, well…

There were plenty of ways that Crowley was different from anyone else Aziraphale knew. Crowley went by Crowley instead of his God given name, for one. It was certainly his choice and one Aziraphale respected but he couldn’t say he understood the impulse. For another, Crowley was often using nonsensical turns of phrase, talking about lead balloons and zoos and the like. He said them in ways that implied what he was saying made perfect sense but always made Aziraphale feel an awful lot like something had gone wrong with his hearing. And then there was the way he was always calling Aziraphale “angel” as though they weren’t both angels. As though Aziraphale was something special, singular to Crowley. It made Aziraphale’s heart flutter in a way that definitely wasn’t normal, not for him.

Which was to say nothing of the way Crowley walked since he’d regained his legs. The way his hips and his legs seemed to have a rhythm all their own that defied logic and the laws of gravity while they were at it. It was peculiar. Outlandish. Altogether too much in a way that awakened parts of Aziraphale he’d rather forgotten he’d had and if that wasn’t strange, he didn’t know what was.

Crowley was doing it at that very moment, sauntering about like he wasn’t bound by any of the rules of his corporeal form. Aziraphale had been content to quietly watch him at it until the Seraph started to do something else odd. Crowley had been replanting the fertile but devastated landscape. Lush greenery sprang up in his wake was he walked, arms outstretched. It was a beautiful sort of dance with the way he moved. Or would have been, had Crowley not made frequent stops to grumble at whatever he’d just grown. 

“My dear, are you… talking to the plants?” Aziraphale asked. Talking seemed the kindest way to describe what Crowley was doing. Hissing was far more accurate but Crowley got a bit tetchy when his lingering serpentine features were pointed out. 

Crowley gave a low lying shrub a parting glare. When it raised its limbs further up toward the sun, he nodded and then looked at Aziraphale. “Just giving them a few reminders.”

“Of?”

“Of the flood. Of the fact that I am graciously giving them all a second chance.” Golden eyes became molten and turned on the plants once more. Their leaves quivered under his glare. “That this all could be taken away in a moment if they’re not careful and so they need to grow better.”

Aziraphale’s heart squeezed uncomfortably at the implications. He tried to think of a way to respond gently to that but a sudden flash of lightning brought his brain to a halt. Gabriel appeared before them in what had been a pristine new field of poppies.

“Greetings, Aziraphale,” Gabriel said in that booming voice of his. He fixed a bright, white smile on Aziraphale and then turned it on Crowley. “And just the angel I was looking for. Hello, Sala-”

“Nope,” Crowley interjected.

Gabriel kept his smile in place, though it tightened noticeably. “Excuse me?”

Crowley crossed his arms. “That’s not my name anymore. It’s Crowley.”

Though Crowley might not be phased in the slightest by the Archangel’s clear displeasure at being both interrupted and corrected, Aziraphale couldn’t help but squirm. “Yes I, ah, I mentioned it in my memo to you?” It wasn’t a question. He knew he had but his voice rose all the same. He twisted the ring on his pinky finger. “In the report about the ark and everything.”

“I thought that was a joke,” Gabriel replied. “We all had a good laugh about it. Well, whatever.” He shrugged and turned his violet eyes down at the flowers crushed beneath his sandaled feet. He either couldn’t see or didn’t care about the way Crowley was glaring at him. “What is this?” he asked, wrinkling his nose and peeling a petal from his sole. “There isn’t supposed to be anything growing here yet.”

“Yeah, well,” Crowley shrugged. Despite his feigned nonchalance, his fingers twitched in clear desire to heal the crushed flowers. Instead he swept his arm to his side and tall grass sprouted in a clump. “Now there is.”

Gabriel frowned. “I see that. Why?”

Crowley bared his teeth in a sharp smile. “Dunno if you noticed, but there was a really big flood recently. That big boat full of humans and animals need more than a whole mess of mud to get on with things. Soooo-” An aggressive arm sweep and more poppies grew up around Gabriel for every one he’d trod on. “I’m helping them out. S’what we’re supposed to do, isn’t it?”

“We aren’t supposed to interfere directly with the affairs of the humans unless ordered. And you aren’t supposed to interfere at all with them.” Gabriel’s frown was traded for his widest, most mirthless smile. “You’ve done more than enough of that, wouldn’t you say?”

Aziraphale nearly stumbled in his haste to get between the two angels. He rather felt like doing so might cause him to be ill. He’d rather not. He’d seen it happen to humans and it looked dreadfully unpleasant. However, he couldn’t let this escalate any further. His own smile fluttered about the edges.

“Gabriel, is there a reason you’re here?”

“To see this, of course,” Grabriel replied, gesturing to Crowley. As though the Seraph was a thing, a spectacle, and not a fellow member of the Host. Aziraphale knew the Archangel couldn’t possibly mean it in that way but it did make his stomach turn again. “When you said in your report that our errant angel, Crowley, had regained his original corporation, I just had to see it for myself. And what do you know, that wasn’t a joke either.”

Crowley’s only response was to bare his teeth further. Snakes weren’t capable of smiling, but Aziraphale had the distinct impression that it would look something like that if they could, a sickle sharp slice of venom. It made the too human hairs on the back of Aziraphale’s neck rise up. Danger, it said.

“No, not a joke,” he said. “Why- why would I lie in my report? I try my best not to embellish.”

Gabriel waved his hand. “Yes, yes. You were quite thorough, Aziraphale. But who would believe this? Not me. Not Michael. Sandalphon was taking bets on whether it would ever happen at all. No hard feelings or anything. You just gotta admit, this came as a surprise.”

Aziraphale couldn’t even think of what to say to that. His mouth worked around a response that wouldn’t come. Before he could find the words, Crowley stepped forward.

“Right, well, here I am. So if you’d just-” Crowley flapped his hand dismissively.

Annoyance flickered through Gabriel’s otherwise impassive features. “That’s not all I’m here for. 

You may have your original form back but, sorry to say, that’s not the end of it. It’s been decided that it would be best for everyone if you stay down here to live amongst the humans, as one of them. You’ll still have your miracles, of course. We’re not monsters. Though, in the future, do be less wasteful,” he said, gesturing at the lush greenery around them. “But that means no trips to Heaven.”

“Good riddance,” Crowley muttered.

“And no going off into the stars,” Gabriel continued brightly, as though he hadn’t heard Crowley’s aside.

Aziraphale gasped. He put a hand on Crowley as much to steady himself as to keep the Seraph back. But Crowley was no longer on the offensive. He was trembling. Aziraphale turned to look at him and saw his mouth was hanging wide.

“You can’t.”

Gabriel laughed. “I can’t? The Almighty may have decided in Her infinite goodness to let you stop crawling around but it’s up to Heaven to decide everything else. The humans are still suffering because of what you did, so it’s only fair, don’t you think?”

Crowley’s mouth thinned and a shadow passed over his golden eyes. It should have been easier for Aziraphale to read him now but he’d gotten so used to the body language of a snake. He needed to relearn everything about how Crowley expressed himself. All he knew at the moment was that his emotive friend was all too still and quiet for his liking.

Aziraphale cleared his throat. “Gabriel, could I perhaps speak to you for a moment? Er, privately.” Gabriel raised an eyebrow but didn’t protest when Aziraphale led him out of Crowley’s earshot. “You’ll have to excuse Crowley’s behavior. He’s been rather moody since the flood, what with the almost dying and being left out of plans. I don’t think he quite understands the… the ineffability of it.”

“Aziraphale, buddy, if it was up to me, I’d say getting his body back was the end of it. This is nothing personal. But you’ve got to consider appearances.” Gabriel wrapped one arm around Aziraphale’s shoulders and used the other to gesture at the sky. “Think about it. He already skipped out of his duty during the War and then there’s Eden. How do you think the other angels would feel if he got off so easy? Not to mention those mucking about in Hell. We let Salath- Crowley off after a mere thousand years and before you know it, we have demons demanding they be let back into heaven.”

Aziraphale squirmed uncomfortably. “Yes. Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

“Of course I am. As long he’s under Heaven’s care, we’re responsible for him. You wouldn’t rather he not be under our care, would you?”

Aziraphale’s throat went suddenly dry. He couldn’t help but look back at Crowley. The Seraph was barely visible crouching amongst the poppies, a shock of red hair amongst even redder blooms. Nearly everything Crowley had done since coming to Earth seemed designed to make Aziraphale fret on his behalf. He was always pushing at the bounds and asking too many questions instead of trusting in the Plan. Was Gabriel’s goodwill all that had kept Crowley from Falling? If so, what if he ever found out about the things that Aziraphale had left out of his reports, like why Crowley had nearly died during the flood?

Aziraphale shivered. “Crowley really does care for the humans. He sometimes shows it in an unusual way but he is trying. Perhaps if he had duties to keep him occupied?”

“I don’t think so, Aziraphale. It might seem nice to give him some busy work, but think about it from the other side. After what he did in the Garden, which souls are we supposed to trust to his care?” Gabriel shook his head. “I told you bud, gotta keep your eyes on the big picture. Good. Evil. We don’t need rogue agents messing things up.” He clapped Aziraphale on the back hard enough to wind him. “Big picture. Something you should keep in mind yourself when you consider what company you keep.”

As quickly as he’d arrived, Gabriel was gone, leaving only the tang of ozone and disapproval in his wake. Aziraphale let out a long, shaky breath. He knew what the Archangel was getting at- that he would be better off without Crowley around. It might be true but he wasn’t worried about himself. Well, not entirely. In truth, ever since he’d given away his sword he’d worried that he wasn’t doing the right thing. But he worried more about Crowley. If Gabriel was concerned about the influence Crowley might be on him, he was far more concerned about the effect he had on Crowley. Maybe they’d both be better off without each other.

With a heavy heart, Aziraphale turned to discuss the matter with his friend. However, Crowley was nowhere to be found. Aziraphale turned his head this way and that, hoping to catch a flash of copper hair or yellow eyes. Nothing. Wind rattled through the grass and dislodged a single white feather from its depths. Aziraphale sucked in a sharp breath. He could feel his heart pound and stopped himself before he got too worked up. There was no reason to believe Crowley was in danger. There had been those demons for a time but… No, no. It was fine. Crowley was hardly defenseless. He wasn’t human.

Nor was Aziraphale, for that matter. He extended all his senses. He wasn’t limited to anything so mundane as sight. Crowley had been difficult to find when he’d been a serpent, muted in a way. Since that day on the ark, though, he’d been like a beacon. He must have loved the world fiercely indeed for as bright as he burned. He was so full of love it was hard for Aziraphale to sense much else around him. 

“There you are,” Aziraphale sighed, letting out a breath he hadn’t been aware of holding.

With a snap, he appeared in the upper atmosphere. He had to yank his wings quickly into this dimension to keep from falling. Once he’d steadied himself, he examined his surroundings. Above the clouds and everything else, it was easy to find Crowley. With his wings extended and his long hair trailing behind him, Crowley looked like a comet that was defying gravity to shoot upward. He went high enough that he was just one more shining point amongst many when something violently rebuffed him and he went crashing earthward.

Aziraphale shot forward with a yelp. He needed to tuck his wings in and propel himself faster with a miracle to surpass the speed of Crowley’s disastrous descent. He swept the Seraph into his arms and unfurled his wings again in time to stop them from crashing. Crowley looked dazed. He stared owlishly at Aziraphale as the Principality did his best to settle them in for a comfortable landing. He tried to place Crowley back on his feet but the other angel seemed liable to topple over if Aziraphale loosened his embrace.

“Crowley, are you alright? What were you thinking?”

Pink colored pale skin and obscured the freckles that dusted over Crowley’s high cheekbones. He found his feet at last and staggered back a step. “Just wanted to test,” he mumbled. He threw his head back to look up. His eyes were intense as he stared up at the clouds that dotted the blue sky, as if he could see beyond all of that to the cosmos. His eyes were wet when he looked down at Aziraphale. “How did you find me?”

“Simple. You positively radiate love, my dear.”

“I… ngk… wuh?”

Crowley’s face was positively scarlet now, though Aziraphale couldn’t fathom what he had to be embarrassed about. Best to reassure him after all that he’d just been through.

Aziraphale smiled softly. “Yes, I don’t know why I didn’t notice it in Eden but I suppose you hadn’t had time yet to really appreciate creation. Now, well my dear boy, I’m really in awe of how fiercely you love this world. But I’ve always heard how passionate the Seraphim could be.”

He meant it as a slightly teasing compliment but it didn’t seem like he’d hit the right mark. Crowley was still sputtering and the red of his face had seeped up to his ears. “Course you can sense… don’t know why I didn’t think…” All that nervous energy spread and caused Crowley’s wings to flutter. “Yeah, the world’s great. Just love it. Never known anything like it.”

Aziraphale smiled wider over the way Crowley’s voice broke around the word love, as though it was too much to even say. He put a gentle hand on Crowley’s shoulder. “I know you want to go back to the stars but perhaps you can remember that until you’re able to return. It can’t be so unbearable to be trapped with something you love so much can it?”

A small, broken noise escaped Crowley’s throat. “No, s’fine, I guess. Nice. Great.”

Aziraphale thought of what Gabriel had said.  Aziraphale couldn’t imagine it was possibly that bad to be around any angel who knew how to love so wholly but he often felt there was a lot he didn’t understand about how to be a good angel. He certainly didn’t know what was best in this case- for him, for Crowley, for anything. Maybe he didn’t need to decide that just yet. It felt cruel to abandon Crowley when he was reacclimating to the world after a millennia as a serpent, especially when he no longer had the comfort of the stars.

“Shall we get back? I know Gabriel said you oughtn’t miracle the plants back but I do think the humans will be rather confused if they come across things unfinished like that.”

Crowley beamed. “Anywhere you want to go, you know I’ll follow. So lead the way.”

[ladynonsense]

A Royal Disgrace (TRR/PM Crossover) Part 4 (NSFW)

Catch up on my masterlist

Pairings: Liam x Riley, Drake x Riley, Damien x m!Kai, Damien x Liam

Rating: NSFW (violent themes and explicit sex, adults only please!)

Summary: While Riley spends the day showing Drake around the city, Liam asks Damien for help in tracking down Tariq’s killer.

Tag List: @hustacks @wannabemc2 @hopefulmoonobject @brightpinkpeppercorn @annekebbphotography @choiceslife @perriewinklenerdie @blackcoffee85 @pixieferry @nazariobae @zaffrenotes @sleepwalkingelite @ritachacha @h3llostrang3r 

Words: 3740

Paris, France

Liam laid awake in his private car on the train, unable to sleep. He glanced at the clock; it was nearly midnight. Everyone would be asleep, most likely, except possibly Drake.

He sat up in bed, turning on the lamp. Spending some time with Drake after a long day of endless meetings actually sounded nice.

After slipping on some jeans and a sweater, he stepped out into the night, heading for the hotel with the pool room that Drake had liked so well. It seemed a safe bet that he would be spending his last night in Paris enjoying it one last time. If not, Liam could always enjoy a game by himself. 

He noticed Bastien tailing him as soon as he started to walk away from the train, and slowed to walk beside him. “Sorry to disturb you,” he said, “I just needed to get out for some fresh air.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Bastien assured him. “I’m happy to keep an eye on you.”

They walked in comfortable silence to the hotel, where Bastien lingered in the lobby while Liam proceeded to the private pool room. The staff merely waved as he approached, letting him go where he pleased.

When he opened the door to the room, he stopped dead in his tracks.

Drake was there. Shirt off, leaning back against the pool table. Riley, dressed only in her underwear, was pressed against him, kissing him passionately as his hands wandered over her body and pulled her closer. Liam stifled a surprised gasp, instead pulling the door shut as silently as he could before walking briskly back to the train.

————————————

New York City, two weeks later

Liam crawled back onto his bed, gently kissing Riley’s sleeping face. She stirred slightly but did not wake.

“Wake up, my love,” he sang to her softly, running his fingers through her hair. She groaned and rolled over before finally opening her eyes and smiling up at him.

“Good morning, handsome.”

He stroked her cheek and leaned down to kiss her lips softly, lingering there for a long moment. “Good morning,” he whispered as he finally pulled away.

Riley sat up in the bed, stretching and yawning dramatically. Blushing, she smoothed her hair down with her hands. “I’m used to being a little more put-together for you.”

Liam chuckled softly. “I like you like this.” He captured her lips again, lying her back against the pillows as he crawled on top of her, sliding a hand under his own t-shirt that she wore to explore the soft skin beneath. She moaned against his mouth, her body arching up against him.

A sharp knock at the door startled them both out of the kiss. Liam glanced at his watch. “And that will be Bastien letting me know I have to run to another exciting all-day trade negotiation.”

Riley groaned, wrapping her legs around his waist to keep him close. “Don’t,” she pleaded.

He pried her legs off of him, reluctantly standing to leave. “I have to. But you can stay here as long as you need to.”

She grabbed her phone off the table, checking the time. “If you insist. Looks like I’ve got a few hours of free time before I’m meeting Drake.”

Liam tried to hide his wince. “You have plans with Drake today?”

She scrolled through her phone idly as she answered. “Yeah, he had some errands and I said I’d show him around my old neighborhood a bit. Should be fun.” She looked up at him, frowning. “Is that OK? Is it...you know...safe?”

He tapped his foot, considering. “You should be fine, but tell him what’s going on, OK? He can help keep an eye out for anything suspicious. And try to stick to areas with lots of people, where there would be too many witnesses for anyone to make a move against you.”

“That all sounds a little scary.”

He leaned down to her once more, kissing her gently. “It is, but I don’t want you to be cooped up here like a prisoner, either. Do what you think is best.”

She wrapped her fingers around the base of his neck, pulling him in closer as she kissed him deeper, her tongue gently grazing his before pulling apart to catch her breath.

“I really do have to go now,” he mumbled against her lips.

“Good-bye, then. Please be safe.”

He squeezed her hand before letting it go. “I will.”

————————————

Damien was just washing his dishes from dinner when Liam showed up at his door.

“Thank you for letting me stop by again,” he said bashfully. “I brought you something.”

Damien took the simple paper bag from his hands and opened it to find an elegant-looking bottle of amber-coloured rum. “This looks...very fancy.”

Liam grinned, leaning casually against the wall. “Well, Riley may have been right about you not having anything good. But I think you’ll enjoy this.”

They grabbed some glasses and gathered around the coffee table, sipping at their drinks. Damien swirled his glass a little before taking a small sip. “Oh, that’s...wow, that’s actually really good.”

Liam sampled it thoughtfully. “Mmm...vanilla and coconut and...pineapple? No, mango. Perfect level of sweetness and just a little rough around the edges...why are you looking at me like that?”

“No reason, Your Majesty. Please continue.”

Liam rolled his eyes. “Fine, what does it taste like to you?”

Damien took another sip, considering it for a moment. “It tastes like rum. Which I enjoy. So...thank you, again.”

 “You’re welcome. But...”

“...You didn’t just come here to give me a gift.”

He exhaled hard, setting down his glass. “No, I didn’t. I was hoping to hire you, actually.”

Damien set his glass down next to Liam’s and leaned in. “I’m yours. I already returned my client’s deposit and informed them I would be unable to complete the surveillance job. I want to help you and Riley.”

Liam couldn’t help but smile. “Well that was...much easier than I’d planned for. But should we talk about what the job actually entails?”

“Seems like a good course of action. One moment.” Damien retrieved a handheld audio recorder from a junk drawer before plunking back down into his chair. “If we’re going to keep drinking, it’ll probably be best to have a record I can refer to.”

“If we’re going to keep drinking, I might not want a record to refer to,” Liam quipped, but he didn’t object as Damien set up the recorder. “What do you want me to tell you?”

“Start with everything you uncovered about the initial plot to embarrass Riley and Tariq, please.”

Liam laid out everything they’d learned up to that point as Damien scribbled down names in a notebook: Constantine. Bastien. Penelope. In another column, Olivia. In another, Madeleine. Liam frowned at the growing list, mostly made up of people he trusted, but gave as much information as he could.

“OK, OK, this is helpful. I think I’m getting the picture. Now...who stood to benefit from Madeleine on the throne? Who would have wanted her there the most?”

He considered for a moment, tapping a finger idly against his freshly refilled glass. “Well, there’s Madeleine herself, obviously. Her family stood to benefit from the boost in status and influence, and to recover from the embarrassment of my brother’s broken engagement with her.”

“Hold up...Madeleine was engaged to your brother?”

Liam rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Is that important? They were betrothed for years, but he abdicated his title and broke off the engagement. That’s how I ended up the Crown Prince despite being the second son.”

“Hmmm.” Damien jotted down some more notes. “It’s probably not relevant but...that must have been quite a surprise for you.”

An awkward silence fell between them as Liam took a long drink of rum. “Yes, it was...a difficult time, but ultimately, I can’t complain about becoming king. I think I always knew the responsibility would fall largely to me, even if it were Leo on the throne. He never had much interest in ruling Cordonia.”

Damien nodded, focusing his attention back on Liam rather than his notes. “OK. So Madeleine’s family -- who are the players there?”

“There’s my step-mother, Regina, for starters. Madeleine’s mother is her first cousin, and made no secret of her preference. However, she also seemed perfectly ready to support Riley once she realized that was going to be my choice. She didn’t seem motivated to interfere.”

“OK -- that’s good to know. Who else?”

Liam sighed. “There are her parents. Duchess Adelaide is her mother. She’s a bit of a wild card but I don’t believe she’s a violent person, and she seems rather fond of Riley as well. Madeleine’s father is Duke Karlington. I don’t know him as well as Adelaide as he tends to avoid court. But he is a very serious and proud man.”

Damien scribbled furiously, frowning. “How serious? How proud?”

Liam frowned in return. “If you’re asking if he’s capable of murder, I just don’t know. I obviously would hope not, but I can’t personally vouch for the man. To be frank...” He glanced at the audio recorder, looking nervous. “He’s quite...unpleasant.”

Damien smiled softly and turned off the recorder. “You can tell me how you really feel, Liam. I won’t share this recording with anyone, but I understand your caution.”

With the recording stopped, Liam visibly relaxed. “OK. He’s an insufferable snob. But if he’s cruel or violent, I’m not aware of it. His image is very carefully maintained.

Damien nodded. “So...he must have hated having his daughter publicly embarrassed by your brother’s broken engagement.”

“Yes...I’m sure he did. All this is entirely irrelevant to Riley and Tariq, though.”

“Hmmm.” Damien relaxed into his chair, staring up at the ceiling. He was feeling buzzed and a little sleepy, but pieces were coming together. “Unless he had reason to believe that Tariq was going to release a statement that might cause you to cancel your engagement, embarrassing Madeleine a second time.”

Liam copied his posture, staring up at the ceiling, running his hands anxiously over his own face. “Well...shit.”

He couldn’t help it; Damien burst out in giggles, doubling over with laughs. “Oh my god,” he croaked, “I’m so sorry, we’re discussing a murder, I just...”

“...Drank way too much rum?” Liam offered, smiling.

“...I just have the king of Cordonia drinking and swearing in my apartment.”

Liam laughed, warm and deep, appreciating the absurdity. “Did you not think I knew any curse words?”

“You’re just...surprising, is all.” Damien immediately blushed at his own comment, caught off guard by his affection for this client that had intimidated the hell out of him an hour earlier. 

As his off-the-record questioning went on, they continued drinking and laughing together, Damien learning all the Cordonian courtly gossip that Liam had to offer in the hopes of narrowing down any possible suspects. Eventually Liam was simply pouring out his own heart, opening up as he’d never done before.

“Can I ask you something?” Damien blurted out in the middle of one story about Liam’s childhood.

“Of course,” Liam nodded. “Go ahead.”

“What happened to your mother? Everything I found was rather vague on the matter.”

Something dark crossed Liam’s face before he pulled together his usual careful composure. “She was assassinated by poison when I was a child.”

Damien swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. “Seriously?” 

Liam threw back the remainder of his drink. “Seriously.”

“Fuck. No wonder you’re worried about Riley’s safety. And your own.”

His face fell, all his usual confidence gone. Suddenly he looked alarmingly young, like a beautiful child with the weight of the world on his shoulders. “I never stop worrying about my family’s safety. And Riley...she’s supposed to be part of my family. Supposed to...” He trailed off, biting his lip.

“Shit, Liam, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have...”

“Can I tell you something, please? Without you judging Riley too harshly?” Damien nodded, his brow furrowed with concern. “I saw something...weeks ago, back in Paris.”

“What did you see?” Damien picked up his pen, but set it down again as Liam held up a hand in protest.

“I saw Riley rather...intimately involved with my best friend. It looked...they looked...” He couldn’t finish the sentence, his face screwed up to keep from crying.

“That’s...I’m sorry man, that’s awful. Are you two exclusive? I mean, you’re engaged to Madeleine...”

He shook his head, dabbing at the corners of his eyes with a handkerchief. “She knows I’ve never had any...romance with Madeleine. I suppose I just assumed she would be faithful to me. Especially after the Tariq incident...”

“Right...she wasn’t involved with Tariq, but those photos could just as easily have been with...”

“...Drake.” Liam’s voice shook as he said his name.

Damien studied the man in front of him silently. So perfectly put together in his bespoke black suit, his flawless glossy black hair. He was an imposing figure, despite only being a little broader and taller than Damien himself. That charismatic star power that Riley had always possessed was tenfold in Liam, his very presence dominating the room -- a kind of natural power, as if he’d truly been designated king by god himself, as his ancestors would have believed. Seeing him in tears, exhausted and heartbroken, was jarring. 

With a deep breath, he reached out and laid his hand over Liam’s. He looked up at him, clearly surprised by the affection, his expression shifting from pain to curiosity. “Hey,” Damien said softly, “we’re going to figure this out, OK?”

Liam nodded, flipping his palm to squeeze Damien’s hand. “Of course. I hope you’ll excuse...” he trailed off, biting his lip, fighting for composure. “Excuse this small...um...” words failed him, and he looked at Damien apologetically, with so, so much sadness in his eyes.

Something inside Damien snapped at that sweet, sad gaze. Without releasing his hand he moved to sit next to Liam on the couch, wrapping his other arm around his shoulders, leaning in close...

His lips were hardly an inch from Liam’s when he suddenly pulled back, snapping out of whatever influence he’d come under. “Jesus, I’m sorry, I can’t believe I...”

Liam silenced him by grabbing him by the shirt and pulling him into a fierce, desperate kiss. They broke away only when they were both out of breath, panting as their foreheads pressed together. “Please don’t apologize,” Liam breathed.

His cheeks were still streaked with hot tears. Damien gently wiped one away with his thumb, trailing it down across the corner of his mouth to the chiseled edge of his jaw. Liam’s eyes fluttered shut and he nuzzled against Damien’s hand, a moan escaping his lips at the soft touch. He looked so beautiful that Damien’s breath hitched and faltered. “We can stop...”

“I don’t want to.” And then Liam was pushing him backwards onto the couch, hovering over him, his hands tugging his shirt free of his pants and then running from his abdomen to his shoulders, leaving no square inch of skin unexplored as his mouth worked slowly over his, a tender and unhurried kiss that ignited a deep fire within his chest.

Damien gripped at Liam’s hips, pulling him down roughly against him. Some part of him knew this was madness, but Liam was irresistible. He couldn’t imagine why someone like him would be interested in him even for a one night stand, but he wasn’t about to argue when Liam’s hand was sneaking underneath his waistband, teasing...

“Bed,” Damien croaked. “Now.”

Liam grinned at him, the pain and vulnerability gone from his handsome face. “Yes, sir.” he responded with a wink, standing up and helping Damien to his feet. He followed Liam to bed, shaking his head in amusement. It was 50/50 odds; either he’d be the kind of man who was eager to relinquish his usual position of power in bed, or the kind of man who...

“Get on your knees,” Liam commanded once they were both in the bedroom.

That answers that, then.

Damien sunk to his knees obediently, heart pounding in his chest as he unfastened Liam’s belt and slacks, pulling them down to the ground so that he could step out of them. He watched in awe as he removed the rest of his clothes, standing before him in nothing but simple black briefs that couldn’t quite contain his straining erection. His body looked like something that should be carved of marble and displayed in a museum. Perfect...he’s perfect.

He leaned forward and kissed along the waistband of his underwear, his hands running up and down the backs of his toned thighs. Liam let out a small gasp, his hips instinctively pushing forward as his eyes rolled up to the ceiling. “Please,” he begged, his voice cracking his desire.

Nipping at the tender skin of his abdomen with his teeth, Damien slowly dragged Liam’s briefs down to the floor, adding them to the pile of discarded clothing. He hastily pulled off his own shirt before pulling himself back to standing, looking Liam in the eye.

“You’re used to getting what you want,” he stated plainly, staring him down.

Liam surprised him by laughing. “And I’m supposed to believe you go around looking like that,” he swept his hand from Damien’s waist up to his face, “and don’t get whatever you want?”

“Maybe what I want isn’t so easy to come by,” Damien growled, wrapping one arm around Liam’s waist to pull his body against his own. Their lips came together again, harder this time, Liam’s tongue exploring his mouth now, tasting of expensive rum that was delicious and exquisite with the perfect level of sweetness and only made better by being a little rough around the edges...

“Fuck me,” Damien pleaded, surprised by the shameless words coming out of his own mouth, unbidden.

“Yes,” Liam groaned, tackling him onto the bed. He kissed him once more -- desperate, possessive. He hastily finished undressing him before pausing and sitting back on his knees.

“Are you OK?” Damien asked, propping himself up on his elbows.

“Yes, I just...I’ve never...not with a man...”

“Oh.” Damien ran a hand over his face, trying to slow his breathing and his racing heart. “It’s not so different, just...here.” He grabbed a small tube of lube and a condom out of his bedside table, tossing it to Liam. “Just be gentle. Or...you know. Not.” He couldn’t stop himself from smiling as he rolled back onto the bed, burying his face in the pillows as he waited for Liam to make his move.

A long moment later he felt long, skilled fingers gently stroking at his entrance, barely easing inside. He closed his eyes and sighed, relaxing into the touch. Slowly a slippery finger slipped inside him and his mind wandered at the sensation...how long has it been? too long...as he willed himself to relax further.

Despite his inexperience, Liam needed no coaching. He was gentle and attentive, naturally reading Damien’s reactions and knowing exactly how far he could push him to make him squirm with pleasure without any pain. He pulled his hips up off the bed, leaning over to kiss his neck as he rolled on the condom and positioned himself at his warm, wet entrance. They moaned together as he pushed inside, agonizingly slow, stopping only when he was buried completely inside. “Oh god,” he groaned, “that feels...Damien...” 

Damien thrust his hips against Liam, taking pride in leaving him speechless, setting a firm and steady pace. He felt a strong hand tangle in his hair, gently but firmly pulling his head back before leaning down to kiss his neck again, harder this time, Liam’s teeth nipping at his throat and then his ear before he straightened himself back up, taking control of the pace and slamming harder into him.

All sense of control over the situation evaporated as Damien’s mouth started spilling loud cries and moans that seemed to come from some deep and hidden place within him. “You like that?” Liam asked, his voice breathy and sexy in a way that sent a shudder down Damien’s spine, but he couldn’t form the words to answer, his attention focused only on the feeling of Liam deep inside him, setting all his nerves on edge.

Abruptly he pulled out, and Damien let out a strangled cry at the loss of him. “Y-you didn’t...” he stammered.

“You first,” Liam asserted as he flipped him onto his back and sank down between his legs, his tongue tracing slow circles around his dripping cock.

“Oh, shit, it’s not going to take...” his words dissolved into moans once more as Liam took his whole length into his mouth, undeterred by his own clumsy gagging. Almost immediately his entire body quaked with his orgasm, gasping in surprise as Liam stayed put, unflinching, sucking back every drop. He met his gaze for a moment before squeezing his eyes shut, too overwhelmed to hold eye contact. He whimpered into the pillow as Liam slid back up his body, kissing along his jaw until he landed once more at his lips, leaving soft, lazy kisses there.

“Hey there,” Liam whispered with a smile as Damien finally managed to regain his senses and meet his eyes. “How did I do?”

“You’re incredible,” he answered, pulling his head down to his chest and hugging it there. “Sorry I...I just need a minute and then I can take care of you.”

“Take your time.” Liam kissed his still-heaving chest, circling a finger lazily against his firm stomach. “I’m in no hurry for this to end.”

————————————

Riley and Drake walked along the river at the spot she’d told him was the most romantic in the city, hand in hand.

“What does this mean for you and Liam?” Drake asked, his eyes downcast. Riley sighed.

“I don’t know. I don’t know if there’s any hope of us being together for real now.”

Drake stopped walking, taking both her hands in his. “Is that still what you want?”

“I don’t...” she trailed off, noticing a dark figure approaching them. “Hey, we should go.”

Drake glanced around, concerned. “Is everything OK?”

Her eyes were still glued to the mysterious figure, trying to make out his face, but he was still too far away and...was he wearing a mask? She was a glint of steel in the moonlight as he pulled something out of his coat.

“Run!”

[asynca]

Respect Your Leader - Mercy (POV) x the whole team - SFW

Mercy is sick of her team bickering, and decides to assume control of them. Crack humour, with implied F/F/F/F/F.

Speed prompt, written in 120 minutes.

[AO3] | [Fanfiction.net]

I’d hardly collected all my medical supplies and disembarked from the ship, and already I could hear that my ‘team’ were at it. Not this again, I thought, sighing at length. I’d just about had it with all their senseless bickering.

“Fancy seeing you here,” Tracer didn’t sound at all happy about discovering who else had been assigned to our mission. “I thought spiders preferred dark and damp environments. You know, like toilets.”

Widowmaker—who was actually keeping mostly to herself today, I thought—looked equally as unimpressed to be grouped up with Tracer. “I wouldn’t expect you to know anything about ‘damp’,” she fired right back, “You haven’t been near anything wet in your entire life.”

A third voice—Pharah, thankfully, she was mostly far less petty than those two—interrupted their little tiff. “Can we please focus?” she asked. “Save the childish bickering for after we’ve completed the objective.”

Widowmaker did not take well to that wording. “Sorry, ‘childish’?” Her voice was dry as a bone. “Me, or the person who spent the entire last objective throwing a tantrum and refusing to use comms because her mother politely suggested she should wait for the rest of the team before drawing fire?”

Pharah stiffened. “She wasn’t there, she didn’t know what I was planning. Her advice was just distracting me, that’s all.”

Widow was unmoved. “The highlight was when your voice cracked as you said, ‘You never trust me with anything, Mother,’ before switching off your headset.”

The vein in Pharah’s forehead popped out. “It was a strictly business decision. I was trying to concentrate.”

Widowmaker scoffed. “Will you make a business decision to throw a tantrum and switch off comms if someone tells you to stop running a one man team on this mission, too?” she asked. “Perhaps it’s too much of an adjustment to go back to taking orders when you were giving them for so long, Amari? Is that it?”

Pharah looked dangerously close to just flat out decking Widowmaker. “Well, it’s a moot point, Lacroix, because I’m leading this mission, so everyone will be following my orders. Including you.”

“Well, you’re not going to get very far if you don’t listen to the advice of your sniper this time,” Widowmaker told her, taking a casual, inflammatory step towards Pharah. “Just saying.”

“Actually,” that was Tracer’s primmest voice, and she took the opportunity to blink in between Widowmaker and Pharah and jab Widowmaker’s chest with the point of a finger, “I’m the scout, and we’ve run loads of successful missions before without a sniper. We don’t need one, and if you’re going to be such a twat about everything, you can just stay on the damn ship.”

Widowmaker acted as if Tracer hadn’t even spoken, her eyes still on Pharah. “Are you going to switch of comms in this mission, too, Amari?” She paused theatrically and feigned concern. “Wait a minute, should I not call you that? ‘Amari’? I don’t want people confused that I’m talking about the actual Captain Amari. You know, the Amari who won all the medals and saved so many lives…” Another pause. “Not the Amari who is essentially just an over-militarised mall security guard who actually thinks she can run a one-man strike team and bursts into tears when mummy says she can’t.”

Beside me on the bridge, Zarya made a gruff noise. “Some team,” she commented in her charming accent, and then looked down at me, jerking her thumb behind us with her eyes twinkling. “You know, it’s not too late to just get back on the ship and go home.”

I laughed. I’d forgotten how much I liked her. “I don’t really think that’s an option,” I admitted, “although it’s tempting, given this lot.” I looked down by the hanger door; the three of them were about a moment away from tearing each other to pieces.

Oh, dear. Well, I couldn’t just let them murder each other before the mission had even started, could I? My Caduceus staff was nearly at 0%. Someone needed to take charge of this lot. I sighed; I supposed that would have to be me. Why was it always me?

“I’m going to need your help,” I told Zarya over my shoulder as I left the bridge to approach my ‘team’.

She chuckled, hoisting her absolutely enormous gun over one shoulder like it weighed nothing at all. “Understood.”

I don’t know what the rest of them were bickering about, but whatever it was, I called cheerfully over it, “Alright, that’s quite enough of that!”

They all paused for a second, looked at each other, and then all at once began to try and tell me what was wrong with each other. I wasn’t going to have it, so I held up a hand. “No, I don’t care,” I told them as pleasantly as I could. “I don’t care who did what. We’re a team, we’re going to act like one. And, if none of the actual soldiers is able to get along for five seconds and actually lead the mission, I’m going to.” I looked back over my shoulder. “That’s alright with you, Zarya, isn’t it?”

Leaning casually on her upright gun, Zarya chuckled and saluted me.

That’s what I liked to see! “Excellent,” I told her with a smile, and then turned back to the others.

Widowmaker looked even more unimpressed than she had when she and Tracer were at it. “What make you think you have the skill or the knowledge to—”

I talked over her. “That’s quite enough.”

Looking disgusted, tried again anyway. “What does a doctor think she’s doing by—”

I wasn’t going to argue with her. I put one gloved finger firmly over those bee-stung lips of hers. “I said that’s enough, Amélie,” I told her, and left my hand there for just a moment. “We’re a team. I’m leading the team. You won’t talk over me.”

Pharah, proving that despite the best training she sometimes could be baited to be a little immature, said dryly beside me, “What’s the matter, Widowmaker? Having trouble taking orders from someone?”

Privately, I actually found Pharah turning Widowmaker’s words back on her to be rather well-placed and I’d probably laugh about it with her later; now, though, I couldn’t. Everyone on the team needed to get the same treatment from me; favouritism wouldn’t do at all. “You too, Pharah,” I said pleasantly. “Keep your mouth shut unless it’s to do with the mission.”

I don’t think she’d expected that—we were friends, after all. She looked at me with genuine surprise for a moment but then, understanding my methods, stood to attention, saluted, and looked straight past me with military-level discipline.

Huh. I always did like it when she was like this. Especially when she was wearing uniform; very appealing.

Tracer, looking between Widowmaker and Pharah, made a decision to copy Pharah and stood to attention too, her chest all puffed out. It was perhaps the most adorable thing I’d ever seen, and it was nice to be able to give orders to someone who’d immediately take them. “Good girl,” I told her. She beamed.

Widowmaker practically gagged at it. “’Good girl’?” she repeated, sounding ill. “’Good girl?’ What are you running her, Doctor, is it a strike team, or is a pre-school for wayward—?”

Beside me, there was a heavy thump. We all jumped. Zarya had let her weapon fall to the ground and was approaching Widowmaker with long, heavy strides and a glum expression. “That’s enough from you,” she told Widowmaker. “I don’t know about France, but in Russia, we don’t play games. We respect our leader.” She only stopped when she was toe-to-toe with Widowmaker, looming over her and peering down at her. “So, show her some respect.”

Well, this was certainly an interesting turn of events. I decided not to interfere.

Widowmaker looked straight back up at her. “Or what? You’ll ‘crush me like big Siberian bear’?” she asked, rather rudely imitating Zarya’s accent.

Zarya wasn’t baited at all. “Or I’ll do whatever Mercy tells me to do to you,” she said calmly. “Because she’s the leader. Now,” she said, putting two huge hands on either one of Widowmaker’s shoulders. “Kneel. Show some respect to your leader.”

Widowmaker’s arrogant veneer faded somewhat. “W-What?”

Beside them, Pharah and Tracer glanced at each other, wide-eyed and tittering, and then smothered their amusement and hopped back to attention when I gave them a chastising look.

Zarya’s booming voice made us all jump. “I said kneel!” she said, and then forced Widowmaker to her knees.

Honestly, I think Widowmaker was too surprised to retaliate, because I can’t imagine she’d ordinarily allow herself to be treated like that. It was so ridiculously over the top—were they really like that in Russia?

“That’s better,” Zarya said far more moderately once Widowmaker was actually on her knees, “and if you get up, I will be the one to tell Talon that you are why we failed our mission, because you were unable to swallow your pride and engage in proper, efficient teamwork.”

With that, she gave Widowmaker one more look of warning, and then turned to walk past me to where she’d left her gun.

“Are this really how you do it in Russia?” I whispered to her on the way past.

She chuckled; a low and rich sound. “No,” she said simply, and then flashed me a white-teethed grin. “At least, not on the battlefield.”

My eyebrows shot up; oh, my. I wasn’t able to stop myself from laughing at little.  

It didn’t take long for Widowmaker’s transparent surprise to morph into deep displeasure. “This is ridiculous,” she hissed. “Is humiliating your teammates on the Overwatch charter? No wonder it was decommissioned. Talon never forces its agents to submit to tactics like this.”

Tracer was busy scoffing behind her. “They wouldn’t need to force you, I bet you happily kneel in front of loads of random people all the time,” she said, and then began to giggle at her own joke.

She stopped immediately when we all looked at her, though, panicking. “Oh, um, ‘silence’. Got it, Doc! Sorry!” she said, and then immediately knelt, too.

Since they were both kneeling, and since this was all far more interesting that I’d thought it would be, I looked up at the last soldier standing, so to speak: Pharah.

She looked down at me, confused. There were beads of sweat on her forehead.

I cleared my throat, and then smiled pointedly at her.

She finally realised what I meant. “Oh! Oh.” She knelt, too.

And, just like that, I had three previously very troublesome teammates silent, compliant, and kneeling in front of me.

Well, this had all turned out rather nicely! I almost wanted to take a seat here, sip tea, and admire my handiwork. Perhaps I should try my hand at leading more often?

There weren’t any seats, however, so I just walked a slow, leisurely circle around the three of them, appreciating the peaceful (alright, extremely tense) silence. It was nice to be able to hear myself think for once, and—if I’ll admit it—it was rather nice having such attractive teammates all doing exactly as I told them, even if it would be very unprofessional of me to say it aloud.

Unfortunately for me and my private enjoyment, Athena started a count-down, which meant my fun was over.

“Well, let’s get ready then, shall we?” I asked, motioning for them to stand.

“Oh, I’m allowed to stand up now?” Widowmaker asked me, her voice dripping with sarcasm, but she dropped the snark immediately when Zarya casually slammed the base of her weapon on the ground next to her and made her jump.

I smiled at Zarya. “After you,” I offered her as the door opened.

“No, no,” she said easily, insisting I exit before her, “after you, Leader.”

I laughed. Wasn’t she obliging! “Very well!” I told her, accepting her invitation. “I suppose if I draw fire, that just helps things for you, doesn’t it?”

With that, I led possibly the most subdued and compliant team I’d ever been in out on the battlefield and to a rather easy victory, and—not that I’d say so aloud!—I took some rather pleasant mental images back to my quarters that night.

[asafeatherwould]

Can DUI Charges Be Dropped?

The penalties for drinking and driving known legally as driving under the influence. (DUI) in many jurisdictions can be steep. Especially if this is your first offense, you probably want to do what you can to fight the charges and get them dismissed. However, prosecutors are often reluctant to drop DUI charges due to the serious threat to public safety posed by drunk driving. If you want to get DUI charges dropped, your best bet is to hire an attorney to help you negotiate with the prosecutor.

Search for a criminal-defense attorney online: Even though you may be eligible to have a public defender appointed, hiring a private attorney may be better for you if you are looking to get DUI charges dropped.

• You may also want to ask friends or family for recommendations unless you don’t want them to know about your arrest.

• If you do look online, the website of your state or local bar association is a good place to start.

• Look for a free attorney referral program that will give you a list of area attorneys tailored to your answers to a few questions.

• Many attorneys who handle DUI cases engage in extensive advertising, which means you, might already know a few relevant names. Keep in mind, however, that the best or most affordable attorney for you won’t necessarily have a great ad.

Make a list of possibilities: Ideally you should be able to find at least four or five attorneys that handle DUI cases in your area. Take an in-depth look at each one’s background and experience to narrow your list.

• If the attorneys on your list have websites, read them in order to evaluate their backgrounds and experience.

• You want an attorney who practices in your area, someone who is familiar with the judges and prosecutors. You’re looking for an attorney who has been practicing in your area for several years.

• You may be able to find information about the types of cases an attorney takes by looking at their website. Look for extensive experience with DUI cases.

• Check an attorney’s reputation by searching for reviews from past clients. You may be able to find these on general review sites or on social media.

Schedule several initial consultations: Generally it’s a good idea to interview at least two or three attorneys so you can find one best suited to your case. Since most criminal defense attorneys offer a free initial consultation, this shouldn’t cost you anything but time.

• You should be able to schedule an initial consultation within a week. If an attorney doesn’t have time to meet with you in the next week (two at the most), they probably are too busy to give your case the attention it deserves.

• If the attorney has an information form for you to fill out, complete and return it as soon as possible. The more information the attorney has about you and your case, the better able they are to tailor the initial consultation to you and your needs.

Ask each attorney lots of questions: Particularly with a free consultation, you can’t always count on an attorney to cover all the information that’s important to you. Make a list of questions ahead of your first scheduled consultation so you can understand everything pertinent to your case.

• The types of questions you ask will depend on what is important to you in an attorney client relationship. If this is your first time hiring an attorney, think about things that would be important to you if you were hiring someone to work for you in any other capacity. The questions you ask here would be similar.

• For example, if you needed a plumber, you might want to know whether the plumber would do all the work herself or have an inexperienced apprentice doing most of the work.

• Similarly, if you’re hiring an attorney, you may want to ask them how much of the work on your case they’ll be doing themselves and how much will be done by a paralegal or new attorney who recently graduated from law school.

Compare the attorneys you interview: After you’ve completed your initial consultations, take some time to evaluate and compare the attorneys. This enables you to identify the one most qualified to represent you.

• Fees are an important consideration, especially if money is tight. Resist the temptation to select an attorney just because they charge the lowest fee. That person might not be your best choice.

• Most attorneys are willing to negotiate if you can’t immediately afford their fee. Some may be willing to create a payment plan or even lower the total cost.

• When choosing an attorney, don’t ignore your gut feeling. If you find one who’s passionate, interested in your case, and who inspires your confidence and trust, they may be your best choice – even if they’re less experienced than others you interviewed.

Sign a written retainer agreement: When you’ve made your decision, let the attorney you want to hire know as soon as possible. He or she typically will meet with you again to have you sign a written retainer agreement (a contract).

• Don’t let the attorney start working on your case until you’ve read and signed a written contract for their services.

• Have the attorney explain the agreement to you. Ask questions if there’s anything about it you don’t understand.

• There may be a part of the agreement with which you disagree or that’s different from what you understood from the initial consultation. Say something about it. Attorneys typically are willing to negotiate, but you have to bring the issue up yourself.

• For example, you might say “This agreement says I’m paying you by the hour, but you told me during the initial consultation that you would take my case for an $800 flat fee. I planned my budget based on that flat fee.”

Building Your Case

Evaluate the evidence against you: Your argument for dropping the DUI charges depends on the type of evidence the prosecution has against you. If the charges are based on field sobriety tests, for example, you may have a stronger case.

• The prosecuting attorney must provide to your attorney all evidence they plan to use against you at trial. Your attorney will discuss this evidence with you.

• DUI charges based on field sobriety tests can be the most difficult for the prosecution to prove, particularly if there is no other evidence of your intoxication.

• The tests are relatively subjective, based on the officer’s observations, and there are a number of conditions that can interfere with the results.

• Breathalyzer tests also have weaknesses but are generally more difficult to challenge than field sobriety tests.

• The specific results of a test make a difference. The prosecutor may be more willing to drop the charges if you were just barely over the legal limit than if tests showed you were significantly intoxicated. Look at the context of the stop: If the police officer who initially pulled you over did not have probable cause to stop you, that can be used as evidence to get the DUI charges dropped. If you went through a DUI checkpoint, this may not be as helpful to your case as if you were pulled over individually.

• For example, if you were obeying all the rules of the road and were pulled over anyway, you can argue that the officer did not have probable cause to stop you.

• If the officer pulled you over for a non-moving violation such as a broken tail light, you may be able to argue the officer had no probable cause to believe you were intoxicated.

• For that argument, you would need to look at the statements from the officer. Typically the officer will note in the police report that they administered a breathalyzer or field sobriety test because they smelled alcohol on your breath.

Consider any physical or medical conditions: Many physical and medical conditions can interfere with test results. This is so, particularly if the charges are based on the results of a field sobriety test or a breathalyzer test.

• For example, certain diets and medications can cause a false breathalyzer result. If you’re currently on a strict Atkins-style diet, for example, your body may produce alcohol that the breathalyzer reads incorrectly. This isn’t the type of alcohol that you can get drunk from, but the breathalyzer can’t tell the difference.

• You may also have registered falsely high blood-alcohol content on a breathalyzer if you have certain medical conditions such as diabetes or acid reflux.

• If your DUI charge is based on a field sobriety test, physical conditions may have caused you to appear drunk, even though your driving ability was not impaired. For example, you may have a recent knee or ankle injury.

Interview witnesses: If anyone was in the car with you, they can testify regarding whether you had been drinking before you were pulled over. If you’re arguing that a medical condition interfered with the test results, your attorney may want to produce expert witnesses.

• For example, if you believe that your acid reflux produced a false result on a breathalyzer test, you might ask a doctor to testify to the severity of your acid reflux disease and your use of medication in response.

• Eyewitnesses can be helpful, especially if they were with you before you were pulled over and can testify that you were not drinking any alcohol. Keep in mind, however, that it will be their word against the word of a police officer. Generally police officers do well in a trial. A prosecutor (or judge) may not be convinced by a friend of yours who is contradicting a member of law enforcement.

Start preparing for trial: Even if this is your first charge, getting a prosecutor to drop DUI charges can be challenging. Your best defense is to work with your attorney to prepare for a trial on the merits of your case.

• Even if you and your attorney are fairly confident that you can get your DUI charges dropped, it’s still important to be well-prepared for trial. If the prosecutor senses that you’re not well-prepared, they may become less willing to negotiate with you.

• On the other hand, the prosecutor will be more willing to strike a deal if you have a strong case and it appears likely that you could win at trial.

• Since both sides are required to exchange information and evidence, the prosecuting attorney generally will have a good idea of how strong your case looks and your odds of beating the charges.

Working with the Prosecutor

Complete any required driving classes: Many jurisdictions have a driving school that those convicted of DUI or other traffic violations are required to complete. If you do so promptly, it sends a signal to the prosecutor that you’re taking steps to be a more responsible driver.

• Your attorney can tell you what classes are required and where you can take them.

• Expect these classes to cost several hundred dollars. You’ll be expected to complete them in spite of the cost. Consider it part of the punishment.

• Taking a driver-responsibility class does not mean that you’re admitting guilt. On the contrary, the prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show that you’re being proactive.

Get evaluated by a substance-abuse professional: If you got behind the wheel after drinking, that could be a symptom of a larger problem you are having with alcohol. Speak to a professional and seek out help if you recognize a need to do so.

• As with taking driving classes, getting a professional evaluation does not mean that you are admitting guilt.

• The prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show a willingness to admit you have a problem and get help for it.

• Keep in mind, however, that once you start a treatment program, the prosecutor may condition the dropping of DUI charges on continued participation in treatment.

Negotiate with the prosecutor: Your attorney likely will discuss possible plea bargains before your trial begins. The weaker the case against you, the more likely the prosecutor will be to drop charges.

• the prosecutor’s opinion of the case, and what they’re willing to offer you, may change depending on the evidence revealed as part of the pretrial investigation.

• For example, the prosecutor may be unwilling to entertain any thought of dropping your DUI charges. However, upon learning that you have a medical condition that probably interfered with the breathalyzer results; the prosecutor may change their opinion of the case.

• Prosecutors are usually unwilling to drop DUI charges. You may have more of a challenge plea bargaining than you would with another type of case. That’s why having an attorney who understands the law and is familiar with the judge and prosecutor can be instrumental in getting your charges dropped.

Plead guilty to a lesser charge: Even if you’re able to convince the prosecutor to drop the DUI charges, you won’t be able to get away penalty-free. As noted above, a driver-responsibility class can be expensive. However, you may be able to keep from having a DUI on your record by pleading guilty to a lesser offense such as reckless driving.

• This is where it can be to your advantage to have already taken driver safety or responsibility classes. These classes typically would be required for lesser moving violations as well.

• Your attorney will explain to you the consequences of the lesser offense so you can decide whether it is in your best interests to take the deal.

• Keep in mind that while you still may incur negative consequences such as increased car-insurance rates, these consequences typically will be less than they would be if you were convicted of a DUI.

Reasons DUI Criminal Charges May Be Dismissed Before Trial

Driving under the influence (DUI) charges can be dismissed before the actual trial begins. Sometimes, the prosecution may dismiss the case on their own because of known defects in their case. Usually, DUI cases are dismissed because of persuasive criminal defense lawyer arguments and motions. Defendants should regularly plead not guilty to DUI charges because often the police failed to follow proper procedure, the district attorney doesn’t have the evidence needed to prove a conviction, or the prosecution knows there’s a reasonable likelihood of acquittal if the case does go to trial. The prosecutor is the main person who drops or dismisses the charge. Judges can authorize dismissals too. The end result for the client is that he/she is free to continue their life without worrying about a criminal record or a court case. Each criminal case is different. DUI cases generally depend on the police following proper procedures and on the results of any chemical tests.

DUI Lawyer Free Consultation

When you need legal help to fight a DUI in Utah, please call Ascent Law LLC for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you with your DUI case.

Ascent Law LLC 8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C <span itemprop=”addressLocality”>West Jordan, Utah 84088 United States Telephone: (801) 676-5506

Ascent Law LLC

4.9 stars – based on 67 reviews

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Source: https://www.ascentlawfirm.com/can-dui-charges-be-dropped/

[mayarosa47]

Can DUI Charges Be Dropped?

The penalties for drinking and driving known legally as driving under the influence. (DUI) in many jurisdictions can be steep. Especially if this is your first offense, you probably want to do what you can to fight the charges and get them dismissed. However, prosecutors are often reluctant to drop DUI charges due to the serious threat to public safety posed by drunk driving. If you want to get DUI charges dropped, your best bet is to hire an attorney to help you negotiate with the prosecutor.

Search for a criminal-defense attorney online: Even though you may be eligible to have a public defender appointed, hiring a private attorney may be better for you if you are looking to get DUI charges dropped.

• You may also want to ask friends or family for recommendations unless you don’t want them to know about your arrest.

• If you do look online, the website of your state or local bar association is a good place to start.

• Look for a free attorney referral program that will give you a list of area attorneys tailored to your answers to a few questions.

• Many attorneys who handle DUI cases engage in extensive advertising, which means you, might already know a few relevant names. Keep in mind, however, that the best or most affordable attorney for you won’t necessarily have a great ad.

Make a list of possibilities: Ideally you should be able to find at least four or five attorneys that handle DUI cases in your area. Take an in-depth look at each one’s background and experience to narrow your list.

• If the attorneys on your list have websites, read them in order to evaluate their backgrounds and experience.

• You want an attorney who practices in your area, someone who is familiar with the judges and prosecutors. You’re looking for an attorney who has been practicing in your area for several years.

• You may be able to find information about the types of cases an attorney takes by looking at their website. Look for extensive experience with DUI cases.

• Check an attorney’s reputation by searching for reviews from past clients. You may be able to find these on general review sites or on social media.

Schedule several initial consultations: Generally it’s a good idea to interview at least two or three attorneys so you can find one best suited to your case. Since most criminal defense attorneys offer a free initial consultation, this shouldn’t cost you anything but time.

• You should be able to schedule an initial consultation within a week. If an attorney doesn’t have time to meet with you in the next week (two at the most), they probably are too busy to give your case the attention it deserves.

• If the attorney has an information form for you to fill out, complete and return it as soon as possible. The more information the attorney has about you and your case, the better able they are to tailor the initial consultation to you and your needs.

Ask each attorney

lots of questions: Particularly with a free consultation, you can’t always count on an attorney to cover all the information that’s important to you. Make a list of questions ahead of your first scheduled consultation so you can understand everything pertinent to your case.

• The types of questions you ask will depend on what is important to you in an attorney client relationship. If this is your first time hiring an attorney, think about things that would be important to you if you were hiring someone to work for you in any other capacity. The questions you ask here would be similar.

• For example, if you needed a plumber, you might want to know whether the plumber would do all the work herself or have an inexperienced apprentice doing most of the work.

• Similarly, if you’re hiring an attorney, you may want to ask them how much of the work on your case they’ll be doing themselves and how much will be done by a paralegal or new attorney who recently graduated from law school.

Compare the attorneys you interview: After you’ve completed your initial consultations, take some time to evaluate and compare the attorneys. This enables you to identify the one most qualified to represent you.

• Fees are an important consideration, especially if money is tight. Resist the temptation to select an attorney just because they charge the lowest fee. That person might not be your best choice.

• Most attorneys are willing to negotiate if you can’t immediately afford their fee. Some may be willing to create a payment plan or even lower the total cost.

• When choosing an attorney, don’t ignore your gut feeling. If you find one who’s passionate, interested in your case, and who inspires your confidence and trust, they may be your best choice – even if they’re less experienced than others you interviewed.

Sign a written retainer agreement: When you’ve made your decision, let the attorney you want to hire know as soon as possible. He or she typically will meet with you again to have you sign a written retainer agreement (a contract).

• Don’t let the attorney start working on your case until you’ve read and signed a written contract for their services.

• Have the attorney explain the agreement to you. Ask questions if there’s anything about it you don’t understand.

• There may be a part of the agreement with which you disagree or that’s different from what you understood from the initial consultation. Say something about it. Attorneys typically are willing to negotiate, but you have to bring the issue up yourself.

• For example, you might say “This agreement says I’m paying you by the hour, but you told me during the initial consultation that you would take my case for an $800 flat fee. I planned my budget based on that flat fee.”

Building Your Case

Evaluate the evidence against you: Your argument for dropping the DUI charges depends on the type of evidence the prosecution has against you. If the charges are based on field sobriety tests, for example, you may have a stronger case.

• The prosecuting attorney must provide to your attorney all evidence they plan to use against you at trial. Your attorney will discuss this evidence with you.

• DUI charges based on field sobriety tests can be the most difficult for the prosecution to prove, particularly if there is no other evidence of your intoxication.

• The tests are relatively subjective, based on the officer’s observations, and there are a number of conditions that can interfere with the results.

• Breathalyzer tests also have weaknesses but are generally more difficult to challenge than field sobriety tests.

• The specific results of a test make a difference. The prosecutor may be more willing to drop the charges if you were just barely over the legal limit than if tests showed you were significantly intoxicated. Look at the context of the stop: If the police officer who initially pulled you over did not have probable cause to stop you, that can be used as evidence to get the DUI charges dropped. If you went through a DUI checkpoint, this may not be as helpful to your case as if you were pulled over individually.

• For example, if you were obeying all the rules of the road and were pulled over anyway, you can argue that the officer did not have probable cause to stop you.

• If the officer pulled you over for a non-moving violation such as a broken tail light, you may be able to argue the officer had no probable cause to believe you were intoxicated.

• For that argument, you would need to look at the statements from the officer. Typically the officer will note in the police report that they administered a breathalyzer or field sobriety test because they smelled alcohol on your breath.

Consider any physical or medical conditions: Many physical and medical conditions can interfere with test results. This is so, particularly if the charges are based on the results of a field sobriety test or a breathalyzer test.

• For example, certain diets and medications can cause a false breathalyzer result. If you’re currently on a strict Atkins-style diet, for example, your body may produce alcohol that the breathalyzer reads incorrectly. This isn’t the type of alcohol that you can get drunk from, but the breathalyzer can’t tell the difference.

• You may also have registered falsely high blood-alcohol content on a breathalyzer if you have certain medical conditions such as diabetes or acid reflux.

• If your DUI charge is based on a field sobriety test, physical conditions may have caused you to appear drunk, even though your driving ability was not impaired. For example, you may have a recent knee or ankle injury.

Interview witnesses: If anyone was in the car with you, they can testify regarding whether you had been drinking before you were pulled over. If you’re arguing that a medical condition interfered with the test results, your attorney may want to produce expert witnesses.

• For example, if you believe that your acid reflux produced a false result on a breathalyzer test, you might ask a doctor to testify to the severity of your acid reflux disease and your use of medication in response.

• Eyewitnesses can be helpful, especially if they were with you before you were pulled over and can testify that you were not drinking any alcohol. Keep in mind, however, that it will be their word against the word of a police officer. Generally police officers do well in a trial. A prosecutor (or judge) may not be convinced by a friend of yours who is contradicting a member of law enforcement.

Start preparing for trial: Even if this is your first charge, getting a prosecutor to drop DUI charges can be challenging. Your best defense is to work with your attorney to prepare for a trial on the merits of your case.

• Even if you and your attorney are fairly confident that you can get your DUI charges dropped, it’s still important to be well-prepared for trial. If the prosecutor senses that you’re not well-prepared, they may become less willing to negotiate with you.

• On the other hand, the prosecutor will be more willing to strike a deal if you have a strong case and it appears likely that you could win at trial.

• Since both sides are required to exchange information and evidence, the prosecuting attorney generally will have a good idea of how strong your case looks and your odds of beating the charges.

Working with the Prosecutor

Complete any required driving classes: Many jurisdictions have a driving school that those convicted of DUI or other traffic violations are required to complete. If you do so promptly, it sends a signal to the prosecutor that you’re taking steps to be a more responsible driver.

• Your attorney can tell you what classes are required and where you can take them.

• Expect these classes to cost several hundred dollars. You’ll be expected to complete them in spite of the cost. Consider it part of the punishment.

• Taking a driver-responsibility class does not mean that you’re admitting guilt. On the contrary, the prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show that you’re being proactive.

Get evaluated by a substance-abuse professional: If you got behind the wheel after drinking, that could be a symptom of a larger problem you are having with alcohol. Speak to a professional and seek out help if you recognize a need to do so.

• As with taking driving classes, getting a professional evaluation does not mean that you are admitting guilt.

• The prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show a willingness to admit you have a problem and get help for it.

• Keep in mind, however, that once you start a treatment program, the prosecutor may condition the dropping of DUI charges on continued participation in treatment.

Negotiate with the prosecutor: Your attorney likely will discuss possible plea bargains before your trial begins. The weaker the case against you, the more likely the prosecutor will be to drop charges.

• the prosecutor’s opinion of the case, and what they’re willing to offer you, may change depending on the evidence revealed as part of the pretrial investigation.

• For example, the prosecutor may be unwilling to entertain any thought of dropping your DUI charges. However, upon learning that you have a medical condition that probably interfered with the breathalyzer results; the prosecutor may change their opinion of the case.

• Prosecutors are usually unwilling to drop DUI charges. You may have more of a challenge plea bargaining than you would with another type of case. That’s why having an attorney who understands the law and is familiar with the judge and prosecutor can be instrumental in getting your charges dropped.

Plead guilty to a lesser charge: Even if you’re able to convince the prosecutor to drop the DUI charges, you won’t be able to get away penalty-free. As noted above, a driver-responsibility class can be expensive. However, you may be able to keep from having a DUI on your record by pleading guilty to a lesser offense such as reckless driving.

• This is where it can be to your advantage to have already taken driver safety or responsibility classes. These classes typically would be required for lesser moving violations as well.

• Your attorney will explain to you the consequences of the lesser offense so you can decide whether it is in your best interests to take the deal.

• Keep in mind that while you still may incur negative consequences such as increased car-insurance rates, these consequences typically will be less than they would be if you were convicted of a DUI.

Reasons DUI Criminal Charges May Be Dismissed Before Trial

Driving under the influence (DUI) charges can be dismissed before the actual trial begins. Sometimes, the prosecution may dismiss the case on their own because of known defects in their case. Usually, DUI cases are dismissed because of persuasive criminal defense lawyer arguments and motions. Defendants should regularly plead not guilty to DUI charges because often the police failed to follow proper procedure, the district attorney doesn’t have the evidence needed to prove a conviction, or the prosecution knows there’s a reasonable likelihood of acquittal if the case does go to trial. The prosecutor is the main person who drops or dismisses the charge. Judges can authorize dismissals too. The end result for the client is that he/she is free to continue their life without worrying about a criminal record or a court case. Each criminal case is different. DUI cases generally depend on the police following proper procedures and on the results of any chemical tests.

DUI Lawyer Free Consultation

When you need legal help to fight a DUI in Utah, please call Ascent Law LLC for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you with your DUI case.

Ascent Law LLC 8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C itemprop=”addressLocality”>West Jordan, Utah 84088 United States Telephone: (801) 676-5506

Ascent Law LLC

4.9 stars – based on 67 reviews

Recent Posts

Family Lawyer Sandy Utah

Weber County Utah

Real Estate Lawyer American Fork Utah

What Does It Mean To Serve Divorce Papers?

Can You Date During Legal Separation?

Real Estate Lawyer Tooele Utah

from https://www.ascentlawfirm.com/can-dui-charges-be-dropped/

from Criminal Defense Lawyer West Jordan Utah - Blog http://criminaldefenselawyerwestjordanutah.weebly.com/blog/can-dui-charges-be-dropped

[michaeljames1221]

Can DUI Charges Be Dropped?

The penalties for drinking and driving known legally as driving under the influence. (DUI) in many jurisdictions can be steep. Especially if this is your first offense, you probably want to do what you can to fight the charges and get them dismissed. However, prosecutors are often reluctant to drop DUI charges due to the serious threat to public safety posed by drunk driving. If you want to get DUI charges dropped, your best bet is to hire an attorney to help you negotiate with the prosecutor.

Search for a criminal-defense attorney online: Even though you may be eligible to have a public defender appointed, hiring a private attorney may be better for you if you are looking to get DUI charges dropped.

• You may also want to ask friends or family for recommendations unless you don’t want them to know about your arrest.

• If you do look online, the website of your state or local bar association is a good place to start.

• Look for a free attorney referral program that will give you a list of area attorneys tailored to your answers to a few questions.

• Many attorneys who handle DUI cases engage in extensive advertising, which means you, might already know a few relevant names. Keep in mind, however, that the best or most affordable attorney for you won’t necessarily have a great ad.

Make a list of possibilities: Ideally you should be able to find at least four or five attorneys that handle DUI cases in your area. Take an in-depth look at each one’s background and experience to narrow your list.

• If the attorneys on your list have websites, read them in order to evaluate their backgrounds and experience.

• You want an attorney who practices in your area, someone who is familiar with the judges and prosecutors. You’re looking for an attorney who has been practicing in your area for several years.

• You may be able to find information about the types of cases an attorney takes by looking at their website. Look for extensive experience with DUI cases.

• Check an attorney’s reputation by searching for reviews from past clients. You may be able to find these on general review sites or on social media.

Schedule several initial consultations: Generally it’s a good idea to interview at least two or three attorneys so you can find one best suited to your case. Since most criminal defense attorneys offer a free initial consultation, this shouldn’t cost you anything but time.

• You should be able to schedule an initial consultation within a week. If an attorney doesn’t have time to meet with you in the next week (two at the most), they probably are too busy to give your case the attention it deserves.

• If the attorney has an information form for you to fill out, complete and return it as soon as possible. The more information the attorney has about you and your case, the better able they are to tailor the initial consultation to you and your needs.

Ask each attorney lots of questions: Particularly with a free consultation, you can’t always count on an attorney to cover all the information that’s important to you. Make a list of questions ahead of your first scheduled consultation so you can understand everything pertinent to your case.

• The types of questions you ask will depend on what is important to you in an attorney client relationship. If this is your first time hiring an attorney, think about things that would be important to you if you were hiring someone to work for you in any other capacity. The questions you ask here would be similar.

• For example, if you needed a plumber, you might want to know whether the plumber would do all the work herself or have an inexperienced apprentice doing most of the work.

• Similarly, if you’re hiring an attorney, you may want to ask them how much of the work on your case they’ll be doing themselves and how much will be done by a paralegal or new attorney who recently graduated from law school.

Compare the attorneys you interview: After you’ve completed your initial consultations, take some time to evaluate and compare the attorneys. This enables you to identify the one most qualified to represent you.

• Fees are an important consideration, especially if money is tight. Resist the temptation to select an attorney just because they charge the lowest fee. That person might not be your best choice.

• Most attorneys are willing to negotiate if you can’t immediately afford their fee. Some may be willing to create a payment plan or even lower the total cost.

• When choosing an attorney, don’t ignore your gut feeling. If you find one who’s passionate, interested in your case, and who inspires your confidence and trust, they may be your best choice – even if they’re less experienced than others you interviewed.

Sign a written retainer agreement: When you’ve made your decision, let the attorney you want to hire know as soon as possible. He or she typically will meet with you again to have you sign a written retainer agreement (a contract).

• Don’t let the attorney start working on your case until you’ve read and signed a written contract for their services.

• Have the attorney explain the agreement to you. Ask questions if there’s anything about it you don’t understand.

• There may be a part of the agreement with which you disagree or that’s different from what you understood from the initial consultation. Say something about it. Attorneys typically are willing to negotiate, but you have to bring the issue up yourself.

• For example, you might say “This agreement says I’m paying you by the hour, but you told me during the initial consultation that you would take my case for an $800 flat fee. I planned my budget based on that flat fee.”

Building Your Case

Evaluate the evidence against you: Your argument for dropping the DUI charges depends on the type of evidence the prosecution has against you. If the charges are based on field sobriety tests, for example, you may have a stronger case.

• The prosecuting attorney must provide to your attorney all evidence they plan to use against you at trial. Your attorney will discuss this evidence with you.

• DUI charges based on field sobriety tests can be the most difficult for the prosecution to prove, particularly if there is no other evidence of your intoxication.

• The tests are relatively subjective, based on the officer’s observations, and there are a number of conditions that can interfere with the results.

• Breathalyzer tests also have weaknesses but are generally more difficult to challenge than field sobriety tests.

• The specific results of a test make a difference. The prosecutor may be more willing to drop the charges if you were just barely over the legal limit than if tests showed you were significantly intoxicated. Look at the context of the stop: If the police officer who initially pulled you over did not have probable cause to stop you, that can be used as evidence to get the DUI charges dropped. If you went through a DUI checkpoint, this may not be as helpful to your case as if you were pulled over individually.

• For example, if you were obeying all the rules of the road and were pulled over anyway, you can argue that the officer did not have probable cause to stop you.

• If the officer pulled you over for a non-moving violation such as a broken tail light, you may be able to argue the officer had no probable cause to believe you were intoxicated.

• For that argument, you would need to look at the statements from the officer. Typically the officer will note in the police report that they administered a breathalyzer or field sobriety test because they smelled alcohol on your breath.

Consider any physical or medical conditions: Many physical and medical conditions can interfere with test results. This is so, particularly if the charges are based on the results of a field sobriety test or a breathalyzer test.

• For example, certain diets and medications can cause a false breathalyzer result. If you’re currently on a strict Atkins-style diet, for example, your body may produce alcohol that the breathalyzer reads incorrectly. This isn’t the type of alcohol that you can get drunk from, but the breathalyzer can’t tell the difference.

• You may also have registered falsely high blood-alcohol content on a breathalyzer if you have certain medical conditions such as diabetes or acid reflux.

• If your DUI charge is based on a field sobriety test, physical conditions may have caused you to appear drunk, even though your driving ability was not impaired. For example, you may have a recent knee or ankle injury.

Interview witnesses: If anyone was in the car with you, they can testify regarding whether you had been drinking before you were pulled over. If you’re arguing that a medical condition interfered with the test results, your attorney may want to produce expert witnesses.

• For example, if you believe that your acid reflux produced a false result on a breathalyzer test, you might ask a doctor to testify to the severity of your acid reflux disease and your use of medication in response.

• Eyewitnesses can be helpful, especially if they were with you before you were pulled over and can testify that you were not drinking any alcohol. Keep in mind, however, that it will be their word against the word of a police officer. Generally police officers do well in a trial. A prosecutor (or judge) may not be convinced by a friend of yours who is contradicting a member of law enforcement.

Start preparing for trial: Even if this is your first charge, getting a prosecutor to drop DUI charges can be challenging. Your best defense is to work with your attorney to prepare for a trial on the merits of your case.

• Even if you and your attorney are fairly confident that you can get your DUI charges dropped, it’s still important to be well-prepared for trial. If the prosecutor senses that you’re not well-prepared, they may become less willing to negotiate with you.

• On the other hand, the prosecutor will be more willing to strike a deal if you have a strong case and it appears likely that you could win at trial.

• Since both sides are required to exchange information and evidence, the prosecuting attorney generally will have a good idea of how strong your case looks and your odds of beating the charges.

Working with the Prosecutor

Complete any required driving classes: Many jurisdictions have a driving school that those convicted of DUI or other traffic violations are required to complete. If you do so promptly, it sends a signal to the prosecutor that you’re taking steps to be a more responsible driver.

• Your attorney can tell you what classes are required and where you can take them.

• Expect these classes to cost several hundred dollars. You’ll be expected to complete them in spite of the cost. Consider it part of the punishment.

• Taking a driver-responsibility class does not mean that you’re admitting guilt. On the contrary, the prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show that you’re being proactive.

Get evaluated by a substance-abuse professional: If you got behind the wheel after drinking, that could be a symptom of a larger problem you are having with alcohol. Speak to a professional and seek out help if you recognize a need to do so.

• As with taking driving classes, getting a professional evaluation does not mean that you are admitting guilt.

• The prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show a willingness to admit you have a problem and get help for it.

• Keep in mind, however, that once you start a treatment program, the prosecutor may condition the dropping of DUI charges on continued participation in treatment.

Negotiate with the prosecutor: Your attorney likely will discuss possible plea bargains before your trial begins. The weaker the case against you, the more likely the prosecutor will be to drop charges.

• the prosecutor’s opinion of the case, and what they’re willing to offer you, may change depending on the evidence revealed as part of the pretrial investigation.

• For example, the prosecutor may be unwilling to entertain any thought of dropping your DUI charges. However, upon learning that you have a medical condition that probably interfered with the breathalyzer results; the prosecutor may change their opinion of the case.

• Prosecutors are usually unwilling to drop DUI charges. You may have more of a challenge plea bargaining than you would with another type of case. That’s why having an attorney who understands the law and is familiar with the judge and prosecutor can be instrumental in getting your charges dropped.

Plead guilty to a lesser charge: Even if you’re able to convince the prosecutor to drop the DUI charges, you won’t be able to get away penalty-free. As noted above, a driver-responsibility class can be expensive. However, you may be able to keep from having a DUI on your record by pleading guilty to a lesser offense such as reckless driving.

• This is where it can be to your advantage to have already taken driver safety or responsibility classes. These classes typically would be required for lesser moving violations as well.

• Your attorney will explain to you the consequences of the lesser offense so you can decide whether it is in your best interests to take the deal.

• Keep in mind that while you still may incur negative consequences such as increased car-insurance rates, these consequences typically will be less than they would be if you were convicted of a DUI.

Reasons DUI Criminal Charges May Be Dismissed Before Trial

Driving under the influence (DUI) charges can be dismissed before the actual trial begins. Sometimes, the prosecution may dismiss the case on their own because of known defects in their case. Usually, DUI cases are dismissed because of persuasive criminal defense lawyer arguments and motions. Defendants should regularly plead not guilty to DUI charges because often the police failed to follow proper procedure, the district attorney doesn’t have the evidence needed to prove a conviction, or the prosecution knows there’s a reasonable likelihood of acquittal if the case does go to trial. The prosecutor is the main person who drops or dismisses the charge. Judges can authorize dismissals too. The end result for the client is that he/she is free to continue their life without worrying about a criminal record or a court case. Each criminal case is different. DUI cases generally depend on the police following proper procedures and on the results of any chemical tests.

DUI Lawyer Free Consultation

When you need legal help to fight a DUI in Utah, please call Ascent Law LLC for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you with your DUI case.

Ascent Law LLC 8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C <span itemprop=”addressLocality”>West Jordan, Utah 84088 United States Telephone: (801) 676-5506

Ascent Law LLC

4.9 stars – based on 67 reviews

Recent Posts

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Weber County Utah

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What Does It Mean To Serve Divorce Papers?

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from Michael Anderson https://www.ascentlawfirm.com/can-dui-charges-be-dropped/

from Criminal Defense Lawyer West Jordan Utah https://criminaldefenselawyerwestjordanutah.wordpress.com/2020/02/07/can-dui-charges-be-dropped/

[gonnagoandrunwiththehorses]

Can DUI Charges Be Dropped?

The penalties for drinking and driving known legally as driving under the influence. (DUI) in many jurisdictions can be steep. Especially if this is your first offense, you probably want to do what you can to fight the charges and get them dismissed. However, prosecutors are often reluctant to drop DUI charges due to the serious threat to public safety posed by drunk driving. If you want to get DUI charges dropped, your best bet is to hire an attorney to help you negotiate with the prosecutor.

Search for a criminal-defense attorney online: Even though you may be eligible to have a public defender appointed, hiring a private attorney may be better for you if you are looking to get DUI charges dropped.

• You may also want to ask friends or family for recommendations unless you don’t want them to know about your arrest.

• If you do look online, the website of your state or local bar association is a good place to start.

• Look for a free attorney referral program that will give you a list of area attorneys tailored to your answers to a few questions.

• Many attorneys who handle DUI cases engage in extensive advertising, which means you, might already know a few relevant names. Keep in mind, however, that the best or most affordable attorney for you won’t necessarily have a great ad.

Make a list of possibilities: Ideally you should be able to find at least four or five attorneys that handle DUI cases in your area. Take an in-depth look at each one’s background and experience to narrow your list.

• If the attorneys on your list have websites, read them in order to evaluate their backgrounds and experience.

• You want an attorney who practices in your area, someone who is familiar with the judges and prosecutors. You’re looking for an attorney who has been practicing in your area for several years.

• You may be able to find information about the types of cases an attorney takes by looking at their website. Look for extensive experience with DUI cases.

• Check an attorney’s reputation by searching for reviews from past clients. You may be able to find these on general review sites or on social media.

Schedule several initial consultations: Generally it’s a good idea to interview at least two or three attorneys so you can find one best suited to your case. Since most criminal defense attorneys offer a free initial consultation, this shouldn’t cost you anything but time.

• You should be able to schedule an initial consultation within a week. If an attorney doesn’t have time to meet with you in the next week (two at the most), they probably are too busy to give your case the attention it deserves.

• If the attorney has an information form for you to fill out, complete and return it as soon as possible. The more information the attorney has about you and your case, the better able they are to tailor the initial consultation to you and your needs.

Ask each attorney

lots of questions: Particularly with a free consultation, you can’t always count on an attorney to cover all the information that’s important to you. Make a list of questions ahead of your first scheduled consultation so you can understand everything pertinent to your case.

• The types of questions you ask will depend on what is important to you in an attorney client relationship. If this is your first time hiring an attorney, think about things that would be important to you if you were hiring someone to work for you in any other capacity. The questions you ask here would be similar.

• For example, if you needed a plumber, you might want to know whether the plumber would do all the work herself or have an inexperienced apprentice doing most of the work.

• Similarly, if you’re hiring an attorney, you may want to ask them how much of the work on your case they’ll be doing themselves and how much will be done by a paralegal or new attorney who recently graduated from law school.

Compare the attorneys you interview: After you’ve completed your initial consultations, take some time to evaluate and compare the attorneys. This enables you to identify the one most qualified to represent you.

• Fees are an important consideration, especially if money is tight. Resist the temptation to select an attorney just because they charge the lowest fee. That person might not be your best choice.

• Most attorneys are willing to negotiate if you can’t immediately afford their fee. Some may be willing to create a payment plan or even lower the total cost.

• When choosing an attorney, don’t ignore your gut feeling. If you find one who’s passionate, interested in your case, and who inspires your confidence and trust, they may be your best choice – even if they’re less experienced than others you interviewed.

Sign a written retainer agreement: When you’ve made your decision, let the attorney you want to hire know as soon as possible. He or she typically will meet with you again to have you sign a written retainer agreement (a contract).

• Don’t let the attorney start working on your case until you’ve read and signed a written contract for their services.

• Have the attorney explain the agreement to you. Ask questions if there’s anything about it you don’t understand.

• There may be a part of the agreement with which you disagree or that’s different from what you understood from the initial consultation. Say something about it. Attorneys typically are willing to negotiate, but you have to bring the issue up yourself.

• For example, you might say “This agreement says I’m paying you by the hour, but you told me during the initial consultation that you would take my case for an $800 flat fee. I planned my budget based on that flat fee.”

Building Your Case

Evaluate the evidence against you: Your argument for dropping the DUI charges depends on the type of evidence the prosecution has against you. If the charges are based on field sobriety tests, for example, you may have a stronger case.

• The prosecuting attorney must provide to your attorney all evidence they plan to use against you at trial. Your attorney will discuss this evidence with you.

• DUI charges based on field sobriety tests can be the most difficult for the prosecution to prove, particularly if there is no other evidence of your intoxication.

• The tests are relatively subjective, based on the officer’s observations, and there are a number of conditions that can interfere with the results.

• Breathalyzer tests also have weaknesses but are generally more difficult to challenge than field sobriety tests.

• The specific results of a test make a difference. The prosecutor may be more willing to drop the charges if you were just barely over the legal limit than if tests showed you were significantly intoxicated. Look at the context of the stop: If the police officer who initially pulled you over did not have probable cause to stop you, that can be used as evidence to get the DUI charges dropped. If you went through a DUI checkpoint, this may not be as helpful to your case as if you were pulled over individually.

• For example, if you were obeying all the rules of the road and were pulled over anyway, you can argue that the officer did not have probable cause to stop you.

• If the officer pulled you over for a non-moving violation such as a broken tail light, you may be able to argue the officer had no probable cause to believe you were intoxicated.

• For that argument, you would need to look at the statements from the officer. Typically the officer will note in the police report that they administered a breathalyzer or field sobriety test because they smelled alcohol on your breath.

Consider any physical or medical conditions: Many physical and medical conditions can interfere with test results. This is so, particularly if the charges are based on the results of a field sobriety test or a breathalyzer test.

• For example, certain diets and medications can cause a false breathalyzer result. If you’re currently on a strict Atkins-style diet, for example, your body may produce alcohol that the breathalyzer reads incorrectly. This isn’t the type of alcohol that you can get drunk from, but the breathalyzer can’t tell the difference.

• You may also have registered falsely high blood-alcohol content on a breathalyzer if you have certain medical conditions such as diabetes or acid reflux.

• If your DUI charge is based on a field sobriety test, physical conditions may have caused you to appear drunk, even though your driving ability was not impaired. For example, you may have a recent knee or ankle injury.

Interview witnesses: If anyone was in the car with you, they can testify regarding whether you had been drinking before you were pulled over. If you’re arguing that a medical condition interfered with the test results, your attorney may want to produce expert witnesses.

• For example, if you believe that your acid reflux produced a false result on a breathalyzer test, you might ask a doctor to testify to the severity of your acid reflux disease and your use of medication in response.

• Eyewitnesses can be helpful, especially if they were with you before you were pulled over and can testify that you were not drinking any alcohol. Keep in mind, however, that it will be their word against the word of a police officer. Generally police officers do well in a trial. A prosecutor (or judge) may not be convinced by a friend of yours who is contradicting a member of law enforcement.

Start preparing for trial: Even if this is your first charge, getting a prosecutor to drop DUI charges can be challenging. Your best defense is to work with your attorney to prepare for a trial on the merits of your case.

• Even if you and your attorney are fairly confident that you can get your DUI charges dropped, it’s still important to be well-prepared for trial. If the prosecutor senses that you’re not well-prepared, they may become less willing to negotiate with you.

• On the other hand, the prosecutor will be more willing to strike a deal if you have a strong case and it appears likely that you could win at trial.

• Since both sides are required to exchange information and evidence, the prosecuting attorney generally will have a good idea of how strong your case looks and your odds of beating the charges.

Working with the Prosecutor

Complete any required driving classes: Many jurisdictions have a driving school that those convicted of DUI or other traffic violations are required to complete. If you do so promptly, it sends a signal to the prosecutor that you’re taking steps to be a more responsible driver.

• Your attorney can tell you what classes are required and where you can take them.

• Expect these classes to cost several hundred dollars. You’ll be expected to complete them in spite of the cost. Consider it part of the punishment.

• Taking a driver-responsibility class does not mean that you’re admitting guilt. On the contrary, the prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show that you’re being proactive.

Get evaluated by a substance-abuse professional: If you got behind the wheel after drinking, that could be a symptom of a larger problem you are having with alcohol. Speak to a professional and seek out help if you recognize a need to do so.

• As with taking driving classes, getting a professional evaluation does not mean that you are admitting guilt.

• The prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show a willingness to admit you have a problem and get help for it.

• Keep in mind, however, that once you start a treatment program, the prosecutor may condition the dropping of DUI charges on continued participation in treatment.

Negotiate with the prosecutor: Your attorney likely will discuss possible plea bargains before your trial begins. The weaker the case against you, the more likely the prosecutor will be to drop charges.

• the prosecutor’s opinion of the case, and what they’re willing to offer you, may change depending on the evidence revealed as part of the pretrial investigation.

• For example, the prosecutor may be unwilling to entertain any thought of dropping your DUI charges. However, upon learning that you have a medical condition that probably interfered with the breathalyzer results; the prosecutor may change their opinion of the case.

• Prosecutors are usually unwilling to drop DUI charges. You may have more of a challenge plea bargaining than you would with another type of case. That’s why having an attorney who understands the law and is familiar with the judge and prosecutor can be instrumental in getting your charges dropped.

Plead guilty to a lesser charge: Even if you’re able to convince the prosecutor to drop the DUI charges, you won’t be able to get away penalty-free. As noted above, a driver-responsibility class can be expensive. However, you may be able to keep from having a DUI on your record by pleading guilty to a lesser offense such as reckless driving.

• This is where it can be to your advantage to have already taken driver safety or responsibility classes. These classes typically would be required for lesser moving violations as well.

• Your attorney will explain to you the consequences of the lesser offense so you can decide whether it is in your best interests to take the deal.

• Keep in mind that while you still may incur negative consequences such as increased car-insurance rates, these consequences typically will be less than they would be if you were convicted of a DUI.

Reasons DUI Criminal Charges May Be Dismissed Before Trial

Driving under the influence (DUI) charges can be dismissed before the actual trial begins. Sometimes, the prosecution may dismiss the case on their own because of known defects in their case. Usually, DUI cases are dismissed because of persuasive criminal defense lawyer arguments and motions. Defendants should regularly plead not guilty to DUI charges because often the police failed to follow proper procedure, the district attorney doesn’t have the evidence needed to prove a conviction, or the prosecution knows there’s a reasonable likelihood of acquittal if the case does go to trial. The prosecutor is the main person who drops or dismisses the charge. Judges can authorize dismissals too. The end result for the client is that he/she is free to continue their life without worrying about a criminal record or a court case. Each criminal case is different. DUI cases generally depend on the police following proper procedures and on the results of any chemical tests.

DUI Lawyer Free Consultation

When you need legal help to fight a DUI in Utah, please call Ascent Law LLC for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you with your DUI case.

Ascent Law LLC 8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C itemprop=”addressLocality”>West Jordan, Utah 84088 United States Telephone: (801) 676-5506

Ascent Law LLC

4.9 stars – based on 67 reviews

Recent Posts

Family Lawyer Sandy Utah

Weber County Utah

Real Estate Lawyer American Fork Utah

What Does It Mean To Serve Divorce Papers?

Can You Date During Legal Separation?

Real Estate Lawyer Tooele Utah

Source: https://www.ascentlawfirm.com/can-dui-charges-be-dropped/

[advertphoto]

Can DUI Charges Be Dropped?

The penalties for drinking and driving known legally as driving under the influence. (DUI) in many jurisdictions can be steep. Especially if this is your first offense, you probably want to do what you can to fight the charges and get them dismissed. However, prosecutors are often reluctant to drop DUI charges due to the serious threat to public safety posed by drunk driving. If you want to get DUI charges dropped, your best bet is to hire an attorney to help you negotiate with the prosecutor.

Search for a criminal-defense attorney online: Even though you may be eligible to have a public defender appointed, hiring a private attorney may be better for you if you are looking to get DUI charges dropped.

• You may also want to ask friends or family for recommendations unless you don’t want them to know about your arrest.

• If you do look online, the website of your state or local bar association is a good place to start.

• Look for a free attorney referral program that will give you a list of area attorneys tailored to your answers to a few questions.

• Many attorneys who handle DUI cases engage in extensive advertising, which means you, might already know a few relevant names. Keep in mind, however, that the best or most affordable attorney for you won’t necessarily have a great ad.

Make a list of possibilities: Ideally you should be able to find at least four or five attorneys that handle DUI cases in your area. Take an in-depth look at each one’s background and experience to narrow your list.

• If the attorneys on your list have websites, read them in order to evaluate their backgrounds and experience.

• You want an attorney who practices in your area, someone who is familiar with the judges and prosecutors. You’re looking for an attorney who has been practicing in your area for several years.

• You may be able to find information about the types of cases an attorney takes by looking at their website. Look for extensive experience with DUI cases.

• Check an attorney’s reputation by searching for reviews from past clients. You may be able to find these on general review sites or on social media.

Schedule several initial consultations: Generally it’s a good idea to interview at least two or three attorneys so you can find one best suited to your case. Since most criminal defense attorneys offer a free initial consultation, this shouldn’t cost you anything but time.

• You should be able to schedule an initial consultation within a week. If an attorney doesn’t have time to meet with you in the next week (two at the most), they probably are too busy to give your case the attention it deserves.

• If the attorney has an information form for you to fill out, complete and return it as soon as possible. The more information the attorney has about you and your case, the better able they are to tailor the initial consultation to you and your needs.

Ask each attorney lots of questions: Particularly with a free consultation, you can’t always count on an attorney to cover all the information that’s important to you. Make a list of questions ahead of your first scheduled consultation so you can understand everything pertinent to your case.

• The types of questions you ask will depend on what is important to you in an attorney client relationship. If this is your first time hiring an attorney, think about things that would be important to you if you were hiring someone to work for you in any other capacity. The questions you ask here would be similar.

• For example, if you needed a plumber, you might want to know whether the plumber would do all the work herself or have an inexperienced apprentice doing most of the work.

• Similarly, if you’re hiring an attorney, you may want to ask them how much of the work on your case they’ll be doing themselves and how much will be done by a paralegal or new attorney who recently graduated from law school.

Compare the attorneys you interview: After you’ve completed your initial consultations, take some time to evaluate and compare the attorneys. This enables you to identify the one most qualified to represent you.

• Fees are an important consideration, especially if money is tight. Resist the temptation to select an attorney just because they charge the lowest fee. That person might not be your best choice.

• Most attorneys are willing to negotiate if you can’t immediately afford their fee. Some may be willing to create a payment plan or even lower the total cost.

• When choosing an attorney, don’t ignore your gut feeling. If you find one who’s passionate, interested in your case, and who inspires your confidence and trust, they may be your best choice – even if they’re less experienced than others you interviewed.

Sign a written retainer agreement: When you’ve made your decision, let the attorney you want to hire know as soon as possible. He or she typically will meet with you again to have you sign a written retainer agreement (a contract).

• Don’t let the attorney start working on your case until you’ve read and signed a written contract for their services.

• Have the attorney explain the agreement to you. Ask questions if there’s anything about it you don’t understand.

• There may be a part of the agreement with which you disagree or that’s different from what you understood from the initial consultation. Say something about it. Attorneys typically are willing to negotiate, but you have to bring the issue up yourself.

• For example, you might say “This agreement says I’m paying you by the hour, but you told me during the initial consultation that you would take my case for an $800 flat fee. I planned my budget based on that flat fee.”

Building Your Case

Evaluate the evidence against you: Your argument for dropping the DUI charges depends on the type of evidence the prosecution has against you. If the charges are based on field sobriety tests, for example, you may have a stronger case.

• The prosecuting attorney must provide to your attorney all evidence they plan to use against you at trial. Your attorney will discuss this evidence with you.

• DUI charges based on field sobriety tests can be the most difficult for the prosecution to prove, particularly if there is no other evidence of your intoxication.

• The tests are relatively subjective, based on the officer’s observations, and there are a number of conditions that can interfere with the results.

• Breathalyzer tests also have weaknesses but are generally more difficult to challenge than field sobriety tests.

• The specific results of a test make a difference. The prosecutor may be more willing to drop the charges if you were just barely over the legal limit than if tests showed you were significantly intoxicated. Look at the context of the stop: If the police officer who initially pulled you over did not have probable cause to stop you, that can be used as evidence to get the DUI charges dropped. If you went through a DUI checkpoint, this may not be as helpful to your case as if you were pulled over individually.

• For example, if you were obeying all the rules of the road and were pulled over anyway, you can argue that the officer did not have probable cause to stop you.

• If the officer pulled you over for a non-moving violation such as a broken tail light, you may be able to argue the officer had no probable cause to believe you were intoxicated.

• For that argument, you would need to look at the statements from the officer. Typically the officer will note in the police report that they administered a breathalyzer or field sobriety test because they smelled alcohol on your breath.

Consider any physical or medical conditions: Many physical and medical conditions can interfere with test results. This is so, particularly if the charges are based on the results of a field sobriety test or a breathalyzer test.

• For example, certain diets and medications can cause a false breathalyzer result. If you’re currently on a strict Atkins-style diet, for example, your body may produce alcohol that the breathalyzer reads incorrectly. This isn’t the type of alcohol that you can get drunk from, but the breathalyzer can’t tell the difference.

• You may also have registered falsely high blood-alcohol content on a breathalyzer if you have certain medical conditions such as diabetes or acid reflux.

• If your DUI charge is based on a field sobriety test, physical conditions may have caused you to appear drunk, even though your driving ability was not impaired. For example, you may have a recent knee or ankle injury.

Interview witnesses: If anyone was in the car with you, they can testify regarding whether you had been drinking before you were pulled over. If you’re arguing that a medical condition interfered with the test results, your attorney may want to produce expert witnesses.

• For example, if you believe that your acid reflux produced a false result on a breathalyzer test, you might ask a doctor to testify to the severity of your acid reflux disease and your use of medication in response.

• Eyewitnesses can be helpful, especially if they were with you before you were pulled over and can testify that you were not drinking any alcohol. Keep in mind, however, that it will be their word against the word of a police officer. Generally police officers do well in a trial. A prosecutor (or judge) may not be convinced by a friend of yours who is contradicting a member of law enforcement.

Start preparing for trial: Even if this is your first charge, getting a prosecutor to drop DUI charges can be challenging. Your best defense is to work with your attorney to prepare for a trial on the merits of your case.

• Even if you and your attorney are fairly confident that you can get your DUI charges dropped, it’s still important to be well-prepared for trial. If the prosecutor senses that you’re not well-prepared, they may become less willing to negotiate with you.

• On the other hand, the prosecutor will be more willing to strike a deal if you have a strong case and it appears likely that you could win at trial.

• Since both sides are required to exchange information and evidence, the prosecuting attorney generally will have a good idea of how strong your case looks and your odds of beating the charges.

Working with the Prosecutor

Complete any required driving classes: Many jurisdictions have a driving school that those convicted of DUI or other traffic violations are required to complete. If you do so promptly, it sends a signal to the prosecutor that you’re taking steps to be a more responsible driver.

• Your attorney can tell you what classes are required and where you can take them.

• Expect these classes to cost several hundred dollars. You’ll be expected to complete them in spite of the cost. Consider it part of the punishment.

• Taking a driver-responsibility class does not mean that you’re admitting guilt. On the contrary, the prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show that you’re being proactive.

Get evaluated by a substance-abuse professional: If you got behind the wheel after drinking, that could be a symptom of a larger problem you are having with alcohol. Speak to a professional and seek out help if you recognize a need to do so.

• As with taking driving classes, getting a professional evaluation does not mean that you are admitting guilt.

• The prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show a willingness to admit you have a problem and get help for it.

• Keep in mind, however, that once you start a treatment program, the prosecutor may condition the dropping of DUI charges on continued participation in treatment.

Negotiate with the prosecutor: Your attorney likely will discuss possible plea bargains before your trial begins. The weaker the case against you, the more likely the prosecutor will be to drop charges.

• the prosecutor’s opinion of the case, and what they’re willing to offer you, may change depending on the evidence revealed as part of the pretrial investigation.

• For example, the prosecutor may be unwilling to entertain any thought of dropping your DUI charges. However, upon learning that you have a medical condition that probably interfered with the breathalyzer results; the prosecutor may change their opinion of the case.

• Prosecutors are usually unwilling to drop DUI charges. You may have more of a challenge plea bargaining than you would with another type of case. That’s why having an attorney who understands the law and is familiar with the judge and prosecutor can be instrumental in getting your charges dropped.

Plead guilty to a lesser charge: Even if you’re able to convince the prosecutor to drop the DUI charges, you won’t be able to get away penalty-free. As noted above, a driver-responsibility class can be expensive. However, you may be able to keep from having a DUI on your record by pleading guilty to a lesser offense such as reckless driving.

• This is where it can be to your advantage to have already taken driver safety or responsibility classes. These classes typically would be required for lesser moving violations as well.

• Your attorney will explain to you the consequences of the lesser offense so you can decide whether it is in your best interests to take the deal.

• Keep in mind that while you still may incur negative consequences such as increased car-insurance rates, these consequences typically will be less than they would be if you were convicted of a DUI.

Reasons DUI Criminal Charges May Be Dismissed Before Trial

Driving under the influence (DUI) charges can be dismissed before the actual trial begins. Sometimes, the prosecution may dismiss the case on their own because of known defects in their case. Usually, DUI cases are dismissed because of persuasive criminal defense lawyer arguments and motions. Defendants should regularly plead not guilty to DUI charges because often the police failed to follow proper procedure, the district attorney doesn’t have the evidence needed to prove a conviction, or the prosecution knows there’s a reasonable likelihood of acquittal if the case does go to trial. The prosecutor is the main person who drops or dismisses the charge. Judges can authorize dismissals too. The end result for the client is that he/she is free to continue their life without worrying about a criminal record or a court case. Each criminal case is different. DUI cases generally depend on the police following proper procedures and on the results of any chemical tests.

DUI Lawyer Free Consultation

When you need legal help to fight a DUI in Utah, please call Ascent Law LLC for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you with your DUI case.

Ascent Law LLC 8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C <span itemprop=”addressLocality”>West Jordan, Utah 84088 United States Telephone: (801) 676-5506

Ascent Law LLC

4.9 stars – based on 67 reviews

Recent Posts

Family Lawyer Sandy Utah

Weber County Utah

Real Estate Lawyer American Fork Utah

What Does It Mean To Serve Divorce Papers?

Can You Date During Legal Separation?

Real Estate Lawyer Tooele Utah

Source: https://www.ascentlawfirm.com/can-dui-charges-be-dropped/

[aretia]

Can DUI Charges Be Dropped?

The penalties for drinking and driving known legally as driving under the influence. (DUI) in many jurisdictions can be steep. Especially if this is your first offense, you probably want to do what you can to fight the charges and get them dismissed. However, prosecutors are often reluctant to drop DUI charges due to the serious threat to public safety posed by drunk driving. If you want to get DUI charges dropped, your best bet is to hire an attorney to help you negotiate with the prosecutor.

Search for a criminal-defense attorney online: Even though you may be eligible to have a public defender appointed, hiring a private attorney may be better for you if you are looking to get DUI charges dropped.

• You may also want to ask friends or family for recommendations unless you don’t want them to know about your arrest.

• If you do look online, the website of your state or local bar association is a good place to start.

• Look for a free attorney referral program that will give you a list of area attorneys tailored to your answers to a few questions.

• Many attorneys who handle DUI cases engage in extensive advertising, which means you, might already know a few relevant names. Keep in mind, however, that the best or most affordable attorney for you won’t necessarily have a great ad.

Make a list of possibilities: Ideally you should be able to find at least four or five attorneys that handle DUI cases in your area. Take an in-depth look at each one’s background and experience to narrow your list.

• If the attorneys on your list have websites, read them in order to evaluate their backgrounds and experience.

• You want an attorney who practices in your area, someone who is familiar with the judges and prosecutors. You’re looking for an attorney who has been practicing in your area for several years.

• You may be able to find information about the types of cases an attorney takes by looking at their website. Look for extensive experience with DUI cases.

• Check an attorney’s reputation by searching for reviews from past clients. You may be able to find these on general review sites or on social media.

Schedule several initial consultations: Generally it’s a good idea to interview at least two or three attorneys so you can find one best suited to your case. Since most criminal defense attorneys offer a free initial consultation, this shouldn’t cost you anything but time.

• You should be able to schedule an initial consultation within a week. If an attorney doesn’t have time to meet with you in the next week (two at the most), they probably are too busy to give your case the attention it deserves.

• If the attorney has an information form for you to fill out, complete and return it as soon as possible. The more information the attorney has about you and your case, the better able they are to tailor the initial consultation to you and your needs.

Ask each attorney lots of questions: Particularly with a free consultation, you can’t always count on an attorney to cover all the information that’s important to you. Make a list of questions ahead of your first scheduled consultation so you can understand everything pertinent to your case.

• The types of questions you ask will depend on what is important to you in an attorney client relationship. If this is your first time hiring an attorney, think about things that would be important to you if you were hiring someone to work for you in any other capacity. The questions you ask here would be similar.

• For example, if you needed a plumber, you might want to know whether the plumber would do all the work herself or have an inexperienced apprentice doing most of the work.

• Similarly, if you’re hiring an attorney, you may want to ask them how much of the work on your case they’ll be doing themselves and how much will be done by a paralegal or new attorney who recently graduated from law school.

Compare the attorneys you interview: After you’ve completed your initial consultations, take some time to evaluate and compare the attorneys. This enables you to identify the one most qualified to represent you.

• Fees are an important consideration, especially if money is tight. Resist the temptation to select an attorney just because they charge the lowest fee. That person might not be your best choice.

• Most attorneys are willing to negotiate if you can’t immediately afford their fee. Some may be willing to create a payment plan or even lower the total cost.

• When choosing an attorney, don’t ignore your gut feeling. If you find one who’s passionate, interested in your case, and who inspires your confidence and trust, they may be your best choice – even if they’re less experienced than others you interviewed.

Sign a written retainer agreement: When you’ve made your decision, let the attorney you want to hire know as soon as possible. He or she typically will meet with you again to have you sign a written retainer agreement (a contract).

• Don’t let the attorney start working on your case until you’ve read and signed a written contract for their services.

• Have the attorney explain the agreement to you. Ask questions if there’s anything about it you don’t understand.

• There may be a part of the agreement with which you disagree or that’s different from what you understood from the initial consultation. Say something about it. Attorneys typically are willing to negotiate, but you have to bring the issue up yourself.

• For example, you might say “This agreement says I’m paying you by the hour, but you told me during the initial consultation that you would take my case for an $800 flat fee. I planned my budget based on that flat fee.”

Building Your Case

Evaluate the evidence against you: Your argument for dropping the DUI charges depends on the type of evidence the prosecution has against you. If the charges are based on field sobriety tests, for example, you may have a stronger case.

• The prosecuting attorney must provide to your attorney all evidence they plan to use against you at trial. Your attorney will discuss this evidence with you.

• DUI charges based on field sobriety tests can be the most difficult for the prosecution to prove, particularly if there is no other evidence of your intoxication.

• The tests are relatively subjective, based on the officer’s observations, and there are a number of conditions that can interfere with the results.

• Breathalyzer tests also have weaknesses but are generally more difficult to challenge than field sobriety tests.

• The specific results of a test make a difference. The prosecutor may be more willing to drop the charges if you were just barely over the legal limit than if tests showed you were significantly intoxicated. Look at the context of the stop: If the police officer who initially pulled you over did not have probable cause to stop you, that can be used as evidence to get the DUI charges dropped. If you went through a DUI checkpoint, this may not be as helpful to your case as if you were pulled over individually.

• For example, if you were obeying all the rules of the road and were pulled over anyway, you can argue that the officer did not have probable cause to stop you.

• If the officer pulled you over for a non-moving violation such as a broken tail light, you may be able to argue the officer had no probable cause to believe you were intoxicated.

• For that argument, you would need to look at the statements from the officer. Typically the officer will note in the police report that they administered a breathalyzer or field sobriety test because they smelled alcohol on your breath.

Consider any physical or medical conditions: Many physical and medical conditions can interfere with test results. This is so, particularly if the charges are based on the results of a field sobriety test or a breathalyzer test.

• For example, certain diets and medications can cause a false breathalyzer result. If you’re currently on a strict Atkins-style diet, for example, your body may produce alcohol that the breathalyzer reads incorrectly. This isn’t the type of alcohol that you can get drunk from, but the breathalyzer can’t tell the difference.

• You may also have registered falsely high blood-alcohol content on a breathalyzer if you have certain medical conditions such as diabetes or acid reflux.

• If your DUI charge is based on a field sobriety test, physical conditions may have caused you to appear drunk, even though your driving ability was not impaired. For example, you may have a recent knee or ankle injury.

Interview witnesses: If anyone was in the car with you, they can testify regarding whether you had been drinking before you were pulled over. If you’re arguing that a medical condition interfered with the test results, your attorney may want to produce expert witnesses.

• For example, if you believe that your acid reflux produced a false result on a breathalyzer test, you might ask a doctor to testify to the severity of your acid reflux disease and your use of medication in response.

• Eyewitnesses can be helpful, especially if they were with you before you were pulled over and can testify that you were not drinking any alcohol. Keep in mind, however, that it will be their word against the word of a police officer. Generally police officers do well in a trial. A prosecutor (or judge) may not be convinced by a friend of yours who is contradicting a member of law enforcement.

Start preparing for trial: Even if this is your first charge, getting a prosecutor to drop DUI charges can be challenging. Your best defense is to work with your attorney to prepare for a trial on the merits of your case.

• Even if you and your attorney are fairly confident that you can get your DUI charges dropped, it’s still important to be well-prepared for trial. If the prosecutor senses that you’re not well-prepared, they may become less willing to negotiate with you.

• On the other hand, the prosecutor will be more willing to strike a deal if you have a strong case and it appears likely that you could win at trial.

• Since both sides are required to exchange information and evidence, the prosecuting attorney generally will have a good idea of how strong your case looks and your odds of beating the charges.

Working with the Prosecutor

Complete any required driving classes: Many jurisdictions have a driving school that those convicted of DUI or other traffic violations are required to complete. If you do so promptly, it sends a signal to the prosecutor that you’re taking steps to be a more responsible driver.

• Your attorney can tell you what classes are required and where you can take them.

• Expect these classes to cost several hundred dollars. You’ll be expected to complete them in spite of the cost. Consider it part of the punishment.

• Taking a driver-responsibility class does not mean that you’re admitting guilt. On the contrary, the prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show that you’re being proactive.

Get evaluated by a substance-abuse professional: If you got behind the wheel after drinking, that could be a symptom of a larger problem you are having with alcohol. Speak to a professional and seek out help if you recognize a need to do so.

• As with taking driving classes, getting a professional evaluation does not mean that you are admitting guilt.

• The prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show a willingness to admit you have a problem and get help for it.

• Keep in mind, however, that once you start a treatment program, the prosecutor may condition the dropping of DUI charges on continued participation in treatment.

Negotiate with the prosecutor: Your attorney likely will discuss possible plea bargains before your trial begins. The weaker the case against you, the more likely the prosecutor will be to drop charges.

• the prosecutor’s opinion of the case, and what they’re willing to offer you, may change depending on the evidence revealed as part of the pretrial investigation.

• For example, the prosecutor may be unwilling to entertain any thought of dropping your DUI charges. However, upon learning that you have a medical condition that probably interfered with the breathalyzer results; the prosecutor may change their opinion of the case.

• Prosecutors are usually unwilling to drop DUI charges. You may have more of a challenge plea bargaining than you would with another type of case. That’s why having an attorney who understands the law and is familiar with the judge and prosecutor can be instrumental in getting your charges dropped.

Plead guilty to a lesser charge: Even if you’re able to convince the prosecutor to drop the DUI charges, you won’t be able to get away penalty-free. As noted above, a driver-responsibility class can be expensive. However, you may be able to keep from having a DUI on your record by pleading guilty to a lesser offense such as reckless driving.

• This is where it can be to your advantage to have already taken driver safety or responsibility classes. These classes typically would be required for lesser moving violations as well.

• Your attorney will explain to you the consequences of the lesser offense so you can decide whether it is in your best interests to take the deal.

• Keep in mind that while you still may incur negative consequences such as increased car-insurance rates, these consequences typically will be less than they would be if you were convicted of a DUI.

Reasons DUI Criminal Charges May Be Dismissed Before Trial

Driving under the influence (DUI) charges can be dismissed before the actual trial begins. Sometimes, the prosecution may dismiss the case on their own because of known defects in their case. Usually, DUI cases are dismissed because of persuasive criminal defense lawyer arguments and motions. Defendants should regularly plead not guilty to DUI charges because often the police failed to follow proper procedure, the district attorney doesn’t have the evidence needed to prove a conviction, or the prosecution knows there’s a reasonable likelihood of acquittal if the case does go to trial. The prosecutor is the main person who drops or dismisses the charge. Judges can authorize dismissals too. The end result for the client is that he/she is free to continue their life without worrying about a criminal record or a court case. Each criminal case is different. DUI cases generally depend on the police following proper procedures and on the results of any chemical tests.

DUI Lawyer Free Consultation

When you need legal help to fight a DUI in Utah, please call Ascent Law LLC for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you with your DUI case.

Ascent Law LLC 8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C <span itemprop=”addressLocality”>West Jordan, Utah 84088 United States Telephone: (801) 676-5506

Ascent Law LLC

4.9 stars – based on 67 reviews

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Source: https://www.ascentlawfirm.com/can-dui-charges-be-dropped/

[melissawalker01]

Can DUI Charges Be Dropped?

The penalties for drinking and driving known legally as driving under the influence. (DUI) in many jurisdictions can be steep. Especially if this is your first offense, you probably want to do what you can to fight the charges and get them dismissed. However, prosecutors are often reluctant to drop DUI charges due to the serious threat to public safety posed by drunk driving. If you want to get DUI charges dropped, your best bet is to hire an attorney to help you negotiate with the prosecutor.

Search for a criminal-defense attorney online: Even though you may be eligible to have a public defender appointed, hiring a private attorney may be better for you if you are looking to get DUI charges dropped.

• You may also want to ask friends or family for recommendations unless you don’t want them to know about your arrest.

• If you do look online, the website of your state or local bar association is a good place to start.

• Look for a free attorney referral program that will give you a list of area attorneys tailored to your answers to a few questions.

• Many attorneys who handle DUI cases engage in extensive advertising, which means you, might already know a few relevant names. Keep in mind, however, that the best or most affordable attorney for you won’t necessarily have a great ad.

Make a list of possibilities: Ideally you should be able to find at least four or five attorneys that handle DUI cases in your area. Take an in-depth look at each one’s background and experience to narrow your list.

• If the attorneys on your list have websites, read them in order to evaluate their backgrounds and experience.

• You want an attorney who practices in your area, someone who is familiar with the judges and prosecutors. You’re looking for an attorney who has been practicing in your area for several years.

• You may be able to find information about the types of cases an attorney takes by looking at their website. Look for extensive experience with DUI cases.

• Check an attorney’s reputation by searching for reviews from past clients. You may be able to find these on general review sites or on social media.

Schedule several initial consultations: Generally it’s a good idea to interview at least two or three attorneys so you can find one best suited to your case. Since most criminal defense attorneys offer a free initial consultation, this shouldn’t cost you anything but time.

• You should be able to schedule an initial consultation within a week. If an attorney doesn’t have time to meet with you in the next week (two at the most), they probably are too busy to give your case the attention it deserves.

• If the attorney has an information form for you to fill out, complete and return it as soon as possible. The more information the attorney has about you and your case, the better able they are to tailor the initial consultation to you and your needs.

Ask each attorney

lots of questions: Particularly with a free consultation, you can’t always count on an attorney to cover all the information that’s important to you. Make a list of questions ahead of your first scheduled consultation so you can understand everything pertinent to your case.

• The types of questions you ask will depend on what is important to you in an attorney client relationship. If this is your first time hiring an attorney, think about things that would be important to you if you were hiring someone to work for you in any other capacity. The questions you ask here would be similar.

• For example, if you needed a plumber, you might want to know whether the plumber would do all the work herself or have an inexperienced apprentice doing most of the work.

• Similarly, if you’re hiring an attorney, you may want to ask them how much of the work on your case they’ll be doing themselves and how much will be done by a paralegal or new attorney who recently graduated from law school.

Compare the attorneys you interview: After you’ve completed your initial consultations, take some time to evaluate and compare the attorneys. This enables you to identify the one most qualified to represent you.

• Fees are an important consideration, especially if money is tight. Resist the temptation to select an attorney just because they charge the lowest fee. That person might not be your best choice.

• Most attorneys are willing to negotiate if you can’t immediately afford their fee. Some may be willing to create a payment plan or even lower the total cost.

• When choosing an attorney, don’t ignore your gut feeling. If you find one who’s passionate, interested in your case, and who inspires your confidence and trust, they may be your best choice – even if they’re less experienced than others you interviewed.

Sign a written retainer agreement: When you’ve made your decision, let the attorney you want to hire know as soon as possible. He or she typically will meet with you again to have you sign a written retainer agreement (a contract).

• Don’t let the attorney start working on your case until you’ve read and signed a written contract for their services.

• Have the attorney explain the agreement to you. Ask questions if there’s anything about it you don’t understand.

• There may be a part of the agreement with which you disagree or that’s different from what you understood from the initial consultation. Say something about it. Attorneys typically are willing to negotiate, but you have to bring the issue up yourself.

• For example, you might say “This agreement says I’m paying you by the hour, but you told me during the initial consultation that you would take my case for an $800 flat fee. I planned my budget based on that flat fee.”

Building Your Case

Evaluate the evidence against you: Your argument for dropping the DUI charges depends on the type of evidence the prosecution has against you. If the charges are based on field sobriety tests, for example, you may have a stronger case.

• The prosecuting attorney must provide to your attorney all evidence they plan to use against you at trial. Your attorney will discuss this evidence with you.

• DUI charges based on field sobriety tests can be the most difficult for the prosecution to prove, particularly if there is no other evidence of your intoxication.

• The tests are relatively subjective, based on the officer’s observations, and there are a number of conditions that can interfere with the results.

• Breathalyzer tests also have weaknesses but are generally more difficult to challenge than field sobriety tests.

• The specific results of a test make a difference. The prosecutor may be more willing to drop the charges if you were just barely over the legal limit than if tests showed you were significantly intoxicated. Look at the context of the stop: If the police officer who initially pulled you over did not have probable cause to stop you, that can be used as evidence to get the DUI charges dropped. If you went through a DUI checkpoint, this may not be as helpful to your case as if you were pulled over individually.

• For example, if you were obeying all the rules of the road and were pulled over anyway, you can argue that the officer did not have probable cause to stop you.

• If the officer pulled you over for a non-moving violation such as a broken tail light, you may be able to argue the officer had no probable cause to believe you were intoxicated.

• For that argument, you would need to look at the statements from the officer. Typically the officer will note in the police report that they administered a breathalyzer or field sobriety test because they smelled alcohol on your breath.

Consider any physical or medical conditions: Many physical and medical conditions can interfere with test results. This is so, particularly if the charges are based on the results of a field sobriety test or a breathalyzer test.

• For example, certain diets and medications can cause a false breathalyzer result. If you’re currently on a strict Atkins-style diet, for example, your body may produce alcohol that the breathalyzer reads incorrectly. This isn’t the type of alcohol that you can get drunk from, but the breathalyzer can’t tell the difference.

• You may also have registered falsely high blood-alcohol content on a breathalyzer if you have certain medical conditions such as diabetes or acid reflux.

• If your DUI charge is based on a field sobriety test, physical conditions may have caused you to appear drunk, even though your driving ability was not impaired. For example, you may have a recent knee or ankle injury.

Interview witnesses: If anyone was in the car with you, they can testify regarding whether you had been drinking before you were pulled over. If you’re arguing that a medical condition interfered with the test results, your attorney may want to produce expert witnesses.

• For example, if you believe that your acid reflux produced a false result on a breathalyzer test, you might ask a doctor to testify to the severity of your acid reflux disease and your use of medication in response.

• Eyewitnesses can be helpful, especially if they were with you before you were pulled over and can testify that you were not drinking any alcohol. Keep in mind, however, that it will be their word against the word of a police officer. Generally police officers do well in a trial. A prosecutor (or judge) may not be convinced by a friend of yours who is contradicting a member of law enforcement.

Start preparing for trial: Even if this is your first charge, getting a prosecutor to drop DUI charges can be challenging. Your best defense is to work with your attorney to prepare for a trial on the merits of your case.

• Even if you and your attorney are fairly confident that you can get your DUI charges dropped, it’s still important to be well-prepared for trial. If the prosecutor senses that you’re not well-prepared, they may become less willing to negotiate with you.

• On the other hand, the prosecutor will be more willing to strike a deal if you have a strong case and it appears likely that you could win at trial.

• Since both sides are required to exchange information and evidence, the prosecuting attorney generally will have a good idea of how strong your case looks and your odds of beating the charges.

Working with the Prosecutor

Complete any required driving classes: Many jurisdictions have a driving school that those convicted of DUI or other traffic violations are required to complete. If you do so promptly, it sends a signal to the prosecutor that you’re taking steps to be a more responsible driver.

• Your attorney can tell you what classes are required and where you can take them.

• Expect these classes to cost several hundred dollars. You’ll be expected to complete them in spite of the cost. Consider it part of the punishment.

• Taking a driver-responsibility class does not mean that you’re admitting guilt. On the contrary, the prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show that you’re being proactive.

Get evaluated by a substance-abuse professional: If you got behind the wheel after drinking, that could be a symptom of a larger problem you are having with alcohol. Speak to a professional and seek out help if you recognize a need to do so.

• As with taking driving classes, getting a professional evaluation does not mean that you are admitting guilt.

• The prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show a willingness to admit you have a problem and get help for it.

• Keep in mind, however, that once you start a treatment program, the prosecutor may condition the dropping of DUI charges on continued participation in treatment.

Negotiate with the prosecutor: Your attorney likely will discuss possible plea bargains before your trial begins. The weaker the case against you, the more likely the prosecutor will be to drop charges.

• the prosecutor’s opinion of the case, and what they’re willing to offer you, may change depending on the evidence revealed as part of the pretrial investigation.

• For example, the prosecutor may be unwilling to entertain any thought of dropping your DUI charges. However, upon learning that you have a medical condition that probably interfered with the breathalyzer results; the prosecutor may change their opinion of the case.

• Prosecutors are usually unwilling to drop DUI charges. You may have more of a challenge plea bargaining than you would with another type of case. That’s why having an attorney who understands the law and is familiar with the judge and prosecutor can be instrumental in getting your charges dropped.

Plead guilty to a lesser charge: Even if you’re able to convince the prosecutor to drop the DUI charges, you won’t be able to get away penalty-free. As noted above, a driver-responsibility class can be expensive. However, you may be able to keep from having a DUI on your record by pleading guilty to a lesser offense such as reckless driving.

• This is where it can be to your advantage to have already taken driver safety or responsibility classes. These classes typically would be required for lesser moving violations as well.

• Your attorney will explain to you the consequences of the lesser offense so you can decide whether it is in your best interests to take the deal.

• Keep in mind that while you still may incur negative consequences such as increased car-insurance rates, these consequences typically will be less than they would be if you were convicted of a DUI.

Reasons DUI Criminal Charges May Be Dismissed Before Trial

Driving under the influence (DUI) charges can be dismissed before the actual trial begins. Sometimes, the prosecution may dismiss the case on their own because of known defects in their case. Usually, DUI cases are dismissed because of persuasive criminal defense lawyer arguments and motions. Defendants should regularly plead not guilty to DUI charges because often the police failed to follow proper procedure, the district attorney doesn’t have the evidence needed to prove a conviction, or the prosecution knows there’s a reasonable likelihood of acquittal if the case does go to trial. The prosecutor is the main person who drops or dismisses the charge. Judges can authorize dismissals too. The end result for the client is that he/she is free to continue their life without worrying about a criminal record or a court case. Each criminal case is different. DUI cases generally depend on the police following proper procedures and on the results of any chemical tests.

DUI Lawyer Free Consultation

When you need legal help to fight a DUI in Utah, please call Ascent Law LLC for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you with your DUI case.

Ascent Law LLC 8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C itemprop=”addressLocality”>West Jordan, Utah 84088 United States Telephone: (801) 676-5506

Ascent Law LLC

4.9 stars – based on 67 reviews

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Real Estate Lawyer American Fork Utah

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from Michael Anderson https://www.ascentlawfirm.com/can-dui-charges-be-dropped/ from Divorce Lawyer Nelson Farms Utah https://divorcelawyernelsonfarmsutah.tumblr.com/post/190690672980

[divorcelawyergunnisonutah]

Can DUI Charges Be Dropped?

The penalties for drinking and driving known legally as driving under the influence. (DUI) in many jurisdictions can be steep. Especially if this is your first offense, you probably want to do what you can to fight the charges and get them dismissed. However, prosecutors are often reluctant to drop DUI charges due to the serious threat to public safety posed by drunk driving. If you want to get DUI charges dropped, your best bet is to hire an attorney to help you negotiate with the prosecutor.

Search for a criminal-defense attorney online: Even though you may be eligible to have a public defender appointed, hiring a private attorney may be better for you if you are looking to get DUI charges dropped.

• You may also want to ask friends or family for recommendations unless you don’t want them to know about your arrest.

• If you do look online, the website of your state or local bar association is a good place to start.

• Look for a free attorney referral program that will give you a list of area attorneys tailored to your answers to a few questions.

• Many attorneys who handle DUI cases engage in extensive advertising, which means you, might already know a few relevant names. Keep in mind, however, that the best or most affordable attorney for you won’t necessarily have a great ad.

Make a list of possibilities: Ideally you should be able to find at least four or five attorneys that handle DUI cases in your area. Take an in-depth look at each one’s background and experience to narrow your list.

• If the attorneys on your list have websites, read them in order to evaluate their backgrounds and experience.

• You want an attorney who practices in your area, someone who is familiar with the judges and prosecutors. You’re looking for an attorney who has been practicing in your area for several years.

• You may be able to find information about the types of cases an attorney takes by looking at their website. Look for extensive experience with DUI cases.

• Check an attorney’s reputation by searching for reviews from past clients. You may be able to find these on general review sites or on social media.

Schedule several initial consultations: Generally it’s a good idea to interview at least two or three attorneys so you can find one best suited to your case. Since most criminal defense attorneys offer a free initial consultation, this shouldn’t cost you anything but time.

• You should be able to schedule an initial consultation within a week. If an attorney doesn’t have time to meet with you in the next week (two at the most), they probably are too busy to give your case the attention it deserves.

• If the attorney has an information form for you to fill out, complete and return it as soon as possible. The more information the attorney has about you and your case, the better able they are to tailor the initial consultation to you and your needs.

Ask each attorney

lots of questions: Particularly with a free consultation, you can’t always count on an attorney to cover all the information that’s important to you. Make a list of questions ahead of your first scheduled consultation so you can understand everything pertinent to your case.

• The types of questions you ask will depend on what is important to you in an attorney client relationship. If this is your first time hiring an attorney, think about things that would be important to you if you were hiring someone to work for you in any other capacity. The questions you ask here would be similar.

• For example, if you needed a plumber, you might want to know whether the plumber would do all the work herself or have an inexperienced apprentice doing most of the work.

• Similarly, if you’re hiring an attorney, you may want to ask them how much of the work on your case they’ll be doing themselves and how much will be done by a paralegal or new attorney who recently graduated from law school.

Compare the attorneys you interview: After you’ve completed your initial consultations, take some time to evaluate and compare the attorneys. This enables you to identify the one most qualified to represent you.

• Fees are an important consideration, especially if money is tight. Resist the temptation to select an attorney just because they charge the lowest fee. That person might not be your best choice.

• Most attorneys are willing to negotiate if you can’t immediately afford their fee. Some may be willing to create a payment plan or even lower the total cost.

• When choosing an attorney, don’t ignore your gut feeling. If you find one who’s passionate, interested in your case, and who inspires your confidence and trust, they may be your best choice – even if they’re less experienced than others you interviewed.

Sign a written retainer agreement: When you’ve made your decision, let the attorney you want to hire know as soon as possible. He or she typically will meet with you again to have you sign a written retainer agreement (a contract).

• Don’t let the attorney start working on your case until you’ve read and signed a written contract for their services.

• Have the attorney explain the agreement to you. Ask questions if there’s anything about it you don’t understand.

• There may be a part of the agreement with which you disagree or that’s different from what you understood from the initial consultation. Say something about it. Attorneys typically are willing to negotiate, but you have to bring the issue up yourself.

• For example, you might say “This agreement says I’m paying you by the hour, but you told me during the initial consultation that you would take my case for an $800 flat fee. I planned my budget based on that flat fee.”

Building Your Case

Evaluate the evidence against you: Your argument for dropping the DUI charges depends on the type of evidence the prosecution has against you. If the charges are based on field sobriety tests, for example, you may have a stronger case.

• The prosecuting attorney must provide to your attorney all evidence they plan to use against you at trial. Your attorney will discuss this evidence with you.

• DUI charges based on field sobriety tests can be the most difficult for the prosecution to prove, particularly if there is no other evidence of your intoxication.

• The tests are relatively subjective, based on the officer’s observations, and there are a number of conditions that can interfere with the results.

• Breathalyzer tests also have weaknesses but are generally more difficult to challenge than field sobriety tests.

• The specific results of a test make a difference. The prosecutor may be more willing to drop the charges if you were just barely over the legal limit than if tests showed you were significantly intoxicated. Look at the context of the stop: If the police officer who initially pulled you over did not have probable cause to stop you, that can be used as evidence to get the DUI charges dropped. If you went through a DUI checkpoint, this may not be as helpful to your case as if you were pulled over individually.

• For example, if you were obeying all the rules of the road and were pulled over anyway, you can argue that the officer did not have probable cause to stop you.

• If the officer pulled you over for a non-moving violation such as a broken tail light, you may be able to argue the officer had no probable cause to believe you were intoxicated.

• For that argument, you would need to look at the statements from the officer. Typically the officer will note in the police report that they administered a breathalyzer or field sobriety test because they smelled alcohol on your breath.

Consider any physical or medical conditions: Many physical and medical conditions can interfere with test results. This is so, particularly if the charges are based on the results of a field sobriety test or a breathalyzer test.

• For example, certain diets and medications can cause a false breathalyzer result. If you’re currently on a strict Atkins-style diet, for example, your body may produce alcohol that the breathalyzer reads incorrectly. This isn’t the type of alcohol that you can get drunk from, but the breathalyzer can’t tell the difference.

• You may also have registered falsely high blood-alcohol content on a breathalyzer if you have certain medical conditions such as diabetes or acid reflux.

• If your DUI charge is based on a field sobriety test, physical conditions may have caused you to appear drunk, even though your driving ability was not impaired. For example, you may have a recent knee or ankle injury.

Interview witnesses: If anyone was in the car with you, they can testify regarding whether you had been drinking before you were pulled over. If you’re arguing that a medical condition interfered with the test results, your attorney may want to produce expert witnesses.

• For example, if you believe that your acid reflux produced a false result on a breathalyzer test, you might ask a doctor to testify to the severity of your acid reflux disease and your use of medication in response.

• Eyewitnesses can be helpful, especially if they were with you before you were pulled over and can testify that you were not drinking any alcohol. Keep in mind, however, that it will be their word against the word of a police officer. Generally police officers do well in a trial. A prosecutor (or judge) may not be convinced by a friend of yours who is contradicting a member of law enforcement.

Start preparing for trial: Even if this is your first charge, getting a prosecutor to drop DUI charges can be challenging. Your best defense is to work with your attorney to prepare for a trial on the merits of your case.

• Even if you and your attorney are fairly confident that you can get your DUI charges dropped, it’s still important to be well-prepared for trial. If the prosecutor senses that you’re not well-prepared, they may become less willing to negotiate with you.

• On the other hand, the prosecutor will be more willing to strike a deal if you have a strong case and it appears likely that you could win at trial.

• Since both sides are required to exchange information and evidence, the prosecuting attorney generally will have a good idea of how strong your case looks and your odds of beating the charges.

Working with the Prosecutor

Complete any required driving classes: Many jurisdictions have a driving school that those convicted of DUI or other traffic violations are required to complete. If you do so promptly, it sends a signal to the prosecutor that you’re taking steps to be a more responsible driver.

• Your attorney can tell you what classes are required and where you can take them.

• Expect these classes to cost several hundred dollars. You’ll be expected to complete them in spite of the cost. Consider it part of the punishment.

• Taking a driver-responsibility class does not mean that you’re admitting guilt. On the contrary, the prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show that you’re being proactive.

Get evaluated by a substance-abuse professional: If you got behind the wheel after drinking, that could be a symptom of a larger problem you are having with alcohol. Speak to a professional and seek out help if you recognize a need to do so.

• As with taking driving classes, getting a professional evaluation does not mean that you are admitting guilt.

• The prosecutor may be more willing to work with you if you show a willingness to admit you have a problem and get help for it.

• Keep in mind, however, that once you start a treatment program, the prosecutor may condition the dropping of DUI charges on continued participation in treatment.

Negotiate with the prosecutor: Your attorney likely will discuss possible plea bargains before your trial begins. The weaker the case against you, the more likely the prosecutor will be to drop charges.

• the prosecutor’s opinion of the case, and what they’re willing to offer you, may change depending on the evidence revealed as part of the pretrial investigation.

• For example, the prosecutor may be unwilling to entertain any thought of dropping your DUI charges. However, upon learning that you have a medical condition that probably interfered with the breathalyzer results; the prosecutor may change their opinion of the case.

• Prosecutors are usually unwilling to drop DUI charges. You may have more of a challenge plea bargaining than you would with another type of case. That’s why having an attorney who understands the law and is familiar with the judge and prosecutor can be instrumental in getting your charges dropped.

Plead guilty to a lesser charge: Even if you’re able to convince the prosecutor to drop the DUI charges, you won’t be able to get away penalty-free. As noted above, a driver-responsibility class can be expensive. However, you may be able to keep from having a DUI on your record by pleading guilty to a lesser offense such as reckless driving.

• This is where it can be to your advantage to have already taken driver safety or responsibility classes. These classes typically would be required for lesser moving violations as well.

• Your attorney will explain to you the consequences of the lesser offense so you can decide whether it is in your best interests to take the deal.

• Keep in mind that while you still may incur negative consequences such as increased car-insurance rates, these consequences typically will be less than they would be if you were convicted of a DUI.

Reasons DUI Criminal Charges May Be Dismissed Before Trial

Driving under the influence (DUI) charges can be dismissed before the actual trial begins. Sometimes, the prosecution may dismiss the case on their own because of known defects in their case. Usually, DUI cases are dismissed because of persuasive criminal defense lawyer arguments and motions. Defendants should regularly plead not guilty to DUI charges because often the police failed to follow proper procedure, the district attorney doesn’t have the evidence needed to prove a conviction, or the prosecution knows there’s a reasonable likelihood of acquittal if the case does go to trial. The prosecutor is the main person who drops or dismisses the charge. Judges can authorize dismissals too. The end result for the client is that he/she is free to continue their life without worrying about a criminal record or a court case. Each criminal case is different. DUI cases generally depend on the police following proper procedures and on the results of any chemical tests.

DUI Lawyer Free Consultation

When you need legal help to fight a DUI in Utah, please call Ascent Law LLC for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you with your DUI case.

Ascent Law LLC 8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C itemprop=”addressLocality”>West Jordan, Utah 84088 United States Telephone: (801) 676-5506

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from Michael Anderson https://www.ascentlawfirm.com/can-dui-charges-be-dropped/