#Sure sure rub your ego but how about pizza huh

[rollingpenguin]

We messed up the seasons so bad that now we don't have spring, we glitch from winter to summer like a broken lamp

#Weather #Climatechange #Spring #Spring is dead #Bugs are so confused they roam around in crowds any moment they see the sky #Mosquitos eat like savages because they can't understand if people will be out the next day so better be prepared to fast #I saw a slug today #The kind that only appears when it's humid #It is not humid it has not rained #My dog's fur forgot to change until like last minute #Flowers are playing hide and seek from each other I sure wonder if pollination will go right #And let's not talk about the bees #All these climate change deniers #Do they realize pizza price will sky rocket the moment bees won't be able to pollinate enough tomatoes to get them tomato sauce? #Sure sure rub your ego but how about pizza huh #How about that #Gosh #I'm sorry I have catastrophic thoughts

[platypanthewriter]

Guess Again

Day Four of Harringrove AUgust, Profession AU!  Steve runs into a hot guy named Billy on his plane flight back to Indianapolis, and Billy lies about what he does for a living, then, laughing, admits he lied.  The prize for this guessing game: an exchange of phone numbers.

Steve found his seat, in coach, because that was the only seat available on the overbooked flight into Indianapolis a week before Thanksgiving.  He shoved his carry-on under the seat, and wedged himself in the limited leg room, opening his laptop to answer the emails that had been pinging his phone before the plane was ready to take off, and he—blessedly—had to go into airplane mode.  

He barely even noticed the guy wedging himself in to sit by the window, and trying to get the damn table to stay up.  Steve typed away as the busted table mechanism flapped onto the guy’s lap over and over.  Finally, Steve grimaced, glancing over.  “You can use my table,” he offered, registering only that the guy was tattooed, and kinda...hot.  “I’ll put this away as soon as we taxi to the runway.”

“It’s fine,” the dude said, smacking the floppy table with a sigh.  “Not like there’s a meal on this flight.”

“You can lean in and share my pretzels,” Steve told him, grinning over, and was met with big, long-lashed blue eyes, an annoying mustache, and curls that curved around an attractively firm jaw.  

The guy nodded, and put the broken table away.  “...kind of a workaholic?” he asked, probably because it was nearly ten o’clock at night, and Steve was glaring at his screen and typing emails like his survival depended on a high word count.  

He snorted a laugh.  “I left them all until now,” he said, grimacing.  “They really don’t need my input, but if I replied earlier, they’d just ask me something else.  Something they could google.”  He narrowed his eyes at an email from a coworker who’d actually emailed to ask for exact details of what was allowed under the sexual harassment policy.  Talk to HR, he sent back.  Creep, he thought.  He finished the last of the replies, hoping he wasn’t sending anything too weird in his distraction, and closed his laptop.  “Um.  Sorry.  What do you do?”

“I sell life insurance,” the guy said immediately, with a toothy grin.  “I’ll sell you so much insurance on this flight.”

“Uh,” Steve said, blinking at him.  “Umm...oh.”

“That’s a lie,” was the dude’s followup, and Steve stared at him, starting to regret his offer to share a table, or catch the flight at all.  “I don’t sell life insurance, I swear.  I promise,” the guy said, laughing.  “God, your face.  I just...my job is...I started telling people I sell life insurance, so they wouldn’t talk to me.”

“I can just sit over here,” Steve offered, pretending to zip his lips.

“No, no, it’s, uh.  Sorry I lied.  Talk to me, it’s a long flight.”

“Why do you have to lie?” Steve had to ask, and the guy grimaced.  

“My job’s kinda awkward,” he said, laughing.

“Are you a...porn star?” Steve asked, trying to figure out what kind of job would get the worst people to talk to you, and the dude cracked up.  

“Jesus, no, but thanks for the ego boost,” he said, and Steve snorted a laugh.  

“Um.  What about…” Steve thought, opened his mouth, and then closed it.  “Can I guess?” he asked, grinning, and the guy snickered.  

“Sure.  Give it your best shot.  Just don’t tell me any horror stories.”

“Do you embalm bodies?” Steve tried, already holding back a tide of questions, like did you ever drop one and have to fix a broken nose.

“Nope!” said the guy, turning to lean more against the window, to face Steve.  “How many tries do you want before I just tell you?”

“Oh, no, no, lemme guess,” Steve said, thinking as they came around asking for drink orders.  “Horror stories...um.  Are you a soldier?” he asked, wide-eyed, and the guy laughed again.  

“No!  No, nothing like that.”  He leaned to see Steve’s ID as Steve pulled it out to order a beer, and Steve grinned.  

“I’m Steve.”

“Billy,” said his mysteriously-employed seatmate, offering his hand, and Steve flipped it over investigatively.  

“You don’t have those, like, love/hate knuckle tattoos,” he said, feeling like a detective.  “So...maybe not a biker?”

“I’m not a biker,” Billy snickered.  His hand was warm in Steve’s.  “Is that even a job?”

“Oh!  Oh!” Steve leaned forward, sure he had it this time, and Billy moved the armrest between them out of the way.  “A writer?”

“What?!” Billy laughed, which probably meant Steve was wrong, but he argued his point.  

“People tell you horror stories,” he said, narrowing his eyes.  “So—so probably everybody tells you they have a great idea for your next novel—”

“No, uh.  One clue,” Billy said, grimacing.  “They’re true stories.”

“True stories,” Steve said, going to cross his arms in thought, and realizing Billy hadn’t taken his hand back.  “Uh, what do I get if I guess right?” he asked, squeezing Billy’s hand, and Billy snorted a laugh, grinning like he couldn’t quite believe what was happening.

“I dunno, I feel like Rumpelstilzkin, you want like my firstborn or—”

“No, nope,” Steve made a face.  “I got enough kids around, thanks.  Oh—” he blinked, realizing how that sounded as Billy started to pull his hand back, and lean away, “���not, like, I’m not a dad, I don’t have a wife and kids or anything.  I just have some little shitheads that come over all the time and eat all my popsicles and pizza.”

“Oh good,” Billy said dryly.  “I’d feel terrible if holding my hand ruined your marriage.”

“No other knuckles can fulfill me, now,” Steve said soulfully, and then when Billy burst out laughing, Steve couldn’t hold a straight face.  

“You know how fucking dirty that sounds, right,” Billy whispered, rubbing his face with the hand Steve wasn’t holding, and Steve snorted a laugh.

“Don’t worry, I’m not trying to get you to fist me on the plane,” he hissed back.

“Coward,” Billy shot back, and then they started giggling again, like they were ten.  

 “True horror stories,” Steve repeated, later, as they leaned together over the napkin on his tiny airplane table, where he was keeping track of the guesses he’d already made.  “True horror stories.  Are you a reporter?” 

“God no,” Billy said, making a face.  “Imagine this many tattoos in front of the news cameras?  We’ve got a ways to go before they allow that.”

“Oh, true,” Steve nodded.  “I mean, unless you worked for, like, a tabloid.  Circling everyone’s stomach in pictures and writing ‘BABY BUMP?!’ on it.”  

Billy jumped when Steve yelled ‘BABY BUMP’, and half the plane twitched and mumbled.  “Fuck no!” he hissed, laughing.  “Ssh!”

“Huh,” Steve said, studying the napkin.  “Oh!  Um,” he grimaced.  “Police officer?”

“No,” Billy growled, and Steve nodded, writing that down and crossing it out, and sipping his third beer.  “We never worked out what you got if you guessed,” Billy said, watching.  

“Oh, yeah,” Steve agreed, nodding.  “Uh, what about...dinner?”

“We’re gonna land at like six in the morning,” Billy pointed out, and Steve fingergunned him.

“Breakfast.”

Billy laughed.  “I dunno if I’m willing to put out on our first plane trip together.”

“Lemme get you, like, bacon and eggs,” Steve said, leaning in and waggling his eyebrows, “—and my phone number.”  He smirked as Billy cackled, leaning his head in the window.

“Yeah, okay.  Gimme some breakfast sausage, Steve,” he said softly, the overhead reading light making his curls glow a little, like a halo.  

“Now I haveta figure it out,” Steve said, frowning at his list, and Billy’s fingers twitched towards him.  Steve grabbed his hand, lacing their fingers together, and accepted another beer from the flight attendant.  “I wonder how many beers that is,” he said, prodding at the label with his thumbnail.  “I think they’re like ten bucks a pop.”

“I bet the alcohol will really help you think,” Billy said dryly, and Steve made a face at him.  

“Shut up, I got it.  I got it this time,” he said, tipping his head back for a long, satisfying drink of beer, and wiping his mouth.  Billy’s mouth hung a little open when he finished, and Steve licked his lips, grinning.  “You—you’re a doctor.  A—a doctor of butts.  A butt-doctor.”

Billy started laughing so hard, silently, that Steve was starting to wonder whether he could breathe.  

“I’m right, right?” Steve said, taking a triumphant swig, and Billy shook his head, wheezing for air.

“You mean a proctologist?!” he gasped.

“Yeah, and you understood fine,” Steve told him, annoyed.

“I’m not—I’m not a butt doctor,” Billy choked out, tears of laughter in his eyes.  “I don’t have a doctorate in ass—”

“Your loss,” Steve muttered, glaring at the napkin with the list.  “Man, my cousin is one, and he has some stories.  Dude, that’s everything, that’s every damn job.  Ever.  Do zookeepers get told horror stories?!  Oh!”  He pointed the beer bottle at Billy.  “Dentist!”

“No,” Billy giggled, his hair rising with static in the dry air of the plane, and sticking to the wall and window behind him.  He looked ruffled and fond, and Steve squeezed his hand again, trying to think of what he’d missed, before the plane landed, and he’d spent the entire flight guessing jobs, and Billy hadn’t even given him a last name.  

“Shit,” Steve said, then straightened again.  “No, okay, this time,” he said, the beer making his words a little soft around the edges, “This time I really have it.  You’re a Mickey Mouse person.”

“I’m a what now,” Billy said, still snickering.

“You know,” Steve said, his eyes narrowed.  “You crawl up the ass of one of those suits and let kids think you’re a Disney princess.”

“No, Harrington,” Billy said, breathlessly, as he shook with laughter.  “No, I do not.  Do people tell mascots horror stories?!  I don’t even want to know.  Which princess?  Just for scientific curiosity, Steve, which princess do I crawl up the ass of, in your brain?”

Steve tried to remember them all.  “Not Jasmine,” he said with certainty.  “Um.  Wait, Peter Pan?  Maybe?”

“Peter Pan’s not a princess,” Billy choked out, wiping his eyes as he tried to muffle his laughter.  

“Hrm,” Steve said, accepting another beer and huffing a sigh, but Billy leaned in suddenly and just kissed him.  His lips were warm and chapped, and Steve hummed happily against them.  Their teeth bumped, a little, because Billy was giggling so hard, and Steve was grinning so wide his cheek muscles ached.

“I’m a drug and alcohol counselor,” Billy said with a grimace, and Steve glared at his beer, betrayed, "—so, um, horror stories.  Yeah."

"I just have butt-doctor horror stories," Steve said quickly, trying to salvage the situation, and he shoved his beer behind him.

Billy laughed harder, shaking his head.  "I’ll still take that number,” he whispered, kissing Steve again—and snickering, his cheeks flushed.  “And breakfast?”

Here’s my other Harringrove stuff!  Or check out the Harringrove AUgust collection on Ao3!  Add something!  =D 

#Harringrove AUgust #Harringrove #Profession AU #Meet-cute #Fluff and banter

[thatonestarryhuman]

It’s time to give Sleepy (My Version Of Natemare) some love because Nates egos don’t seem as popular as the other ones! Have a one shot I wrote a week ago!

ᴛʏᴘᴇ : ғʟᴜғғ

ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ : ʏᴏᴜ sɴᴇᴀᴋ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʙᴀɴᴅᴏɴᴇᴅ ᴘɪᴢᴢᴇʀɪᴀ ᴀᴛ ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴅᴜᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴜʀɪᴏsɪᴛʏ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴅ ᴅᴏɴᴇ ʀᴇsᴇᴀʀᴄʜ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ɪᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴛ's ʀᴇᴀsᴏɴɪɴɢ ᴏғ ᴄʟᴏsɪɴɢ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ sᴇɴsᴇ. ᴜᴘᴏɴ sɴᴇᴀᴋɪɴɢ ᴀʀᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴛᴏ sᴇᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ᴡᴇɴᴛ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘɪᴢᴢᴇʀɪᴀ, ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴇᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀɴɪᴍᴀᴛʀᴏɴɪᴄs ᴀɴᴅ... ᴀ ᴍᴀɴ?

ʏ/ɴ's ɢᴇɴᴅᴇʀ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜɪs : ɢᴇɴᴅᴇʀ ɴᴇᴜᴛʀᴀʟ 'ᴛʜᴇʏ/ᴛʜᴇᴍ'

ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ : 1,954

You slowly close the laptop before rubbing your eyes as you let out a yawn. “Is it time yet?” You wonder out loud to yourself as you check the time, it’s 1:02 A.M. “it’s time to go.” You nod to yourself as you pick up a bag you had prepared, you had quite a few things you’d need for your little... journal. You open the bag and check to make sure you’ve packed everything “Flashlight? Check. Pepper Spray? Check. Some snacks? Check. Camera? Check. Power bank just incase? Check. [Energy drink/Tea/Coffee]?.... Not check.” You let out a soft sigh before heading to the kitchen and grabbing the drink of choice. “I need some sort of liquid if I’m gonna be there for quite the few hours, I don’t want dehydration.” You talk out loud to yourself as you go back to pack the said drink.

After packing the drink, you put on shoes that you’d be able to run in, but as well as a jacket because who knows how cold that place could be at night time, or early morning. You wrap the jacket around your waist as it was quite warm currently and you didn’t want to over heat yourself. You pick up the bag after closing the zipper “Let’s hope there’s something at least interesting there.” You hope quietly to yourself as you leave the house, you cross your fingers that no one would be at your destination, after all, why would someone guard an old abandon pizzeria? You wonder to yourself as you shake your head. You grab your house keys and exit the house, locking all the doors as you leave as you wouldn’t want burglars at your house when you come back.

You feel the cold wind hit your face as you breathe in the nice and cool night air, you haven’t done anything like this in a long time. You smile to yourself as you begin jogging to your destination, it wasn’t far from your house so you didn’t need to use a vehicle, it’s not like you have one anyways. It took you around 20 minutes to get there by jogging, you let out soft gasps as you get to the location, you felt really out of shape as you did this. “It’s been ages since I was out.” You smile to yourself “fresh air feels great.” You talk to yourself as you stretch, but take a minute to calm your breathing from the long jog. You look around the outside, it looked like it wasn’t visited or cleaned in many years.

You let out a soft sigh as you walk up to the main doors, you tug on them to try and open them but they were locked “Of course.” You mumble to yourself before walking around the building trying to find any other way of entry, spotting the backdoor you try opening it but it wouldn’t budge. “Well there’s only one thing left to do.” You whisper to yourself as you barge at the door with mainly your shoulder and back as to not hurt yourself badly. With a loud thunk, you managed to open it as the door flung open. You rub your shoulder as you walk inside, you take in a deep breath before wishing you didn’t, you were in the kitchen and it smelled like... rotten pizza you could say, it was clear that this place was abandoned very suddenly as they hadn’t even taken out the products before they left.

You pulled out the flashlight you brought with you from your bag and turn it on, looking around as you flashed the light upon the kitchen. It wasn’t a mess surprisingly, it was quite neat as if someone recently tried to clean up, key word, tried. It was mostly messy but there was an attempt at cleaning and it showed clearly. Upon realizing there was nothing in the kitchen that was worth of interest, you decide to head into the main room that lead from the kitchen. You noticed animatronics but.. they were very small, they were around 8 inches tall and they looked like puppets. You were confused at that “huh, I don’t remember these.” You wonder to yourself as you walk around the dining area, your shoes clicking on the marble checkerboard floor.

You walk past the stage where the animatronics were but you didn’t quite seem to notice the violet bunny animatronic tilt it’s head at you as you walked by. You headed towards the carousels as you had quite a few memories of those, you used to visit the pizzeria when it used to be open, which was around 6 years ago from now. You smiled as you placed a hand on the carousel, some memories coming back to you, but while you were being in your own little memory world, you haven’t noticed the sound of another pair of clicking shoes heading your way. The man’s shadow was still visible even if it was dark, his heavy shoes clicking as he walked slowly, he seemed to be in a defensive state as he slowly inched closer to you.

He stopped at the end of the hallway that lead to the main area, a deep yet smooth voice that had some... possible hesitance in it was heard. “Who are you?” The man asked, snapping you out of your daze. You immediately panicked as you hadn’t expected anyone to be here, let alone it be a human.. or so you thought he was human. You assumed he was a guard and quickly apologized, “Ah! I’m sorry! I didn’t think this place had any guards here anymore, I came to remember some of my old memories.” What you said wasn’t exactly a lie, but it wasn’t exactly the truth either. You couldn’t see the mans face, you didn’t dare shine your flash light on him “Leave no-“ He was cut off by the bunny animatronic jumping at your feet “New friend!” You two hadn’t noticed the animatronics walk over to you two.

“Bonnie! You blew it!” Chica, a yellow chicken animatronic had pouted as she complained, it seemed like them sneaking over was supposed to be a secret. You were freaked out by the animatronics as you hadn’t expected them to... still work or even talk! “Gah!” You yelp and take a few feet back making you stumble and tripping causing you to fall on your butt, dropping your flashlight to the ground while doing so. “Good job, Chica!” A brown bear animatronic, Freddy said a bit sarcastically “You scared our new friend!” The bear animatronic continued as the Chicken animatronic rubbed the back of her neck “Whoops... Sorry..” She apologized to both you and the bear, but seemingly more to you.

You could hear the sound of small feet hitting the ground very fast, almost as if a child was running. “Raaaa!” Soon enough a fox animatronic was by your side, looking the most excited out of all the animatronics. You could see the man let out a soft sigh “You guys weren’t supposed to do this, I told you to stay on the stage if anyone came.” The ending bit was more stern, the animatronics looked down “Sorry” “I’m sorry” “Sorries!” “raaa raaw....” All of them apologized and you can tell by his shadow, that his once tense form had became a bit more relaxed. “Now, Who are you?” He turned to you and you gulped. “I uhm... I’m [Y/N]” You said quietly at the towering shadowy figure, you had now realized he wasn’t a guard and became more and more nervous as to who this man was.

“Well you got your memories, you can go now.” He crossed his arms, it seemed he wasn’t a big fan of visitors. He grimaced as a bright light was shined in his face and he covered his eyes “Can they stay a while? Pleaaaseeeee!” The chicken animatronic said while holding the flash like she used to get his attention “Chica put that down, and I’m not so sure about a stranger staying.” You could see his face a bit better, honestly you could even see his silhouette. He seemed already quite tall, he looked quite.. muscular. Your eyes slowly met his face, you noticed it was.. quite different than normal, you noticed he had puppet like tear make up, or at least you thought it was make up. Other than the make up, he looked like an attractive young man, you wondered what brought him here. It seemed like he was here for quite some time as he could talk and get the animatronics to listen to him.

“Well they won’t be a stranger after we get to know them!” Bonnies voice snapped you out of staring at the man “Raaa!” Foxy almost cheered as he agreed with Bonnie, at least that’s what it seemed like. They seemed to all give him puppy dog eyes and he let out a soft sigh “Fine but only for a few hours and that’s it.” He said a but hesitantly and the animatronics cheered and ran up to you, you were still confused about everything going on. “Thank you!” “Thanks!” “Yay! Thanks, Sleepy!” “RAA!” They cheered, but you caught onto something, you noticed one of the animatronics call him ‘Sleepy’. You smiled upon noticing that, you found it a cute nickname.

The animatronics crawled up and cuddled to you, Chica was examining your hair, Freddy looked at your eyes, Bonnie fiddled with the flash light while sitting on your shoulder and foxy curled up in your lap. The man, who you now will call Sleepy, sighed “It’s way past your bed time guys.” He said to what seemed to be the animatronics “Hey! You allowed us to be up by letting them stay the few hours.” Chica pouted and Sleepy seemed to give up, knowing he would be trying to fight a losing battle. You looked down at the fox in your lap and pet the fox, smiling at him.

Eventually all animatronics curled up in your lap and fell asleep as it got later and later, the man had seemed to go back down the hallway where you remembered the security room was, you decided to stay the whole night, how could you leave these cuties which rested in your lap alone? You smiled, maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as you thought it was gonna be, you could make a bunch of friends, a few furry ones and one seemingly human. You soon enough fall asleep yourself as your body couldn’t handle staying up any longer. In the morning you realized, you and the animatronics were covered by a nice and warm blanket and the man was no where in sight.

You smiled quietly and would wait till the animatronics wake up to move, you wanted to get to know all of them for some reason, you just had a feeling in your heart that they just need someone, a friend, they seemed like family to each other and so maybe they just want a friend. Even if they didn’t want a friend, you were going to become one no matter what. You wanted to know more about the mysterious man, and the cute animatronics. The animatronics seemed to like you already.

#Natemare #Nates egos #natemare nwtb #nwtb egos #battlers #oneshot #egos #fnaf #fnaf musical #natewantstobattle #Story #short story

[nahimjustfeelingit-writes]

Imagine:

Readers long time crush, Erik Stevens, knocks on her door dressed as a pizza delivery stripper and he doesn’t realize he has the wrong address until it’s too late.

I’m telling y’all now this is funny 🤣🤣 I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing while writing this. Erik is Hoe Erik okurrr.

She popped her ass in her kitchen to the Jersey Club Mix playlist she had on loop all day. It was her off day too. Y/N decided to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies for her gifted cookie jar she received for her birthday. It had the words “Scorpio’s Winning” on it. A particular beat had her twirling her spatula in the air, throwing her ass in a circle with her tongue sticking out.

“Aye!!! This my shit! I miss my Jersey fam.”

Chuckling, Y/N adds the chocolate chunks. She was a traveling Chef who was born and raised in Jersey but moved to Annapolis, MD for her college education. Currently, she was living in Boston with a cozy bakery. She had dreams of opening Bakeries across the east coast.

Dreams her long time crush that she met way back in Annapolis, MD told her to pursue. The thought of him still made her shiver. He was so young at the time, around twenty one. She would always see him in her neighborhood running in the early mornings with his Navy sweatshirt on and matching sweat pants. From there it extended to them hanging out for drinks and getting to know eachother. He would talk about his early life in Oakland, CA, his accent swooning her. Flirtatious, full of life, an ego big enough to make everyone in a room feel small, and lets not for get all around fine as HELL.

She missed him a lot, and honestly, he was one of the reasons why she even moved to Boston. He always talked about becoming an Engineer once he furthered his career in the Navy turned Military man. He was so mature for his age, most of the young niggas chasing after her still acted like they were eighteen. Nah, Erik had an old soul. Women older than him couldn’t believe he was only twenty one.

“Erik Stevens,” she blushed while molding her cookies on a tray lined with parchment paper. Her belly growled, a tiny frown of frustration on her face. She didn’t cook a damn thing and cookies would not be the meal of the night today. There were a few cups of spicy noodles in her cabinet she could hook up a ramen dish with veggies and egg. Once the cookies were in the oven, Y/N washes her hands, heading to take a quick shower. Once there, she stripped out of her t-shirt, the only thing on anyway.

The shower water spilled over her back and hair, her eyes closed and a satisfied sigh escaping her mouth. Tonight’s agenda: eat a bowl of vanilla ice cream with some cookies, sit on the couch with a glass of wine and read her fan fiction favorites. Smut was a number one but she started up with some Angst and now she was even more hooked on that. She could read a nice scary one tonight. Fully clean and skin smooth from the oil she applied in the shower, Y/N leaves the bathroom completely naked, walking out to check her cookies.

They were just about finished, having her entire place smelling like a bakery in the early morning. She rubs her hands together, squealing like the fat girl she was. Y/N’s motto was: love what you have and fuck whatever others thought. She’s tall and thick. 5’10 with a lot of curves to match. A Stallion. Pulling out her good wine glass, Y/N pours a generous glass of white wine, taking a small sip with a soothing hum.

“I’m about to have a good ass night,” she talks to herself. In the middle of shaking her hips within her toasty kitchen, a knock comes to her door. She raises a single brow, smacking her lips from her wine.

“Not tonight, fuck that,” she rolls her eyes, walking out of her kitchen and to her bedroom, the knocks came again but harder. She walked to the door, staring through the peep hole at a man’s back with a pizza box in hand. Scrunching her face with confusion, Y/N talks loud enough for the pizza guy to hear.

“I didn’t order any pizza, sir,” she says politely.

“You sure? Address said apartment 3B.”

His voice. Why did it sound so familiar?

“Well, apartment 3A didn’t order anything. But since you’re so persistent you can leave the box and I’ll take it for free.” She laughs loudly, causing the man on the other side of the door to laugh. He sounded good and she didn’t even see his face. Y/N was looking through that hole again, trying to catch this man but his back was still turned. Was he hiding?

“Is this some kind of joke?” She spoke with an attitude.

“Why don’t you open the door and see,” he challenged.

“Now why would I be dumb enough to do that?”

“This pizza hot and ready like little Caesar’s open the door, Baby girl.”

Just like a trap, she see’s a box of pizza open and sizzling, two toned and veiny arms with fingers perfectly manicured and thick stretching out while holding open the pizza to her. Her mouth watered.

“Damn, that does look good.” It was a legit box of pizza and he looked official with the uniform and all.

“Mhm, had to hold back from stealing a piece myself,” he started making sounds of satisfaction, drawing her in each time his deep yet raspy voice let out a mmm and a so good.

“Fuck it.” She was ready to open the door, unlocking it but before she could unhook the chain she stopped quickly, forgetting about her nudity.

“You good?” He chuckles.

“You out here about to have me show you my birthday suit!!!” She could hear him get close to the door.

“Birthday suit, huh?” The fact that she could smell him from behind the door...damn. He smelled so fucking good.

“Birthday suits are better then pajamas.”

She blushes, biting her lip.

“Can you give me a second?” She softly closes the door, quickly rushing to her room to retrieve her robe. It was gonna be a grab and go. He was giving it away for free so oh well. Wrapped in silk, Y/N rushes back to the door, finally opening it and coming face to face with-

“Free Pizza.” He held his arms out wide, dazzling smile on his face. The smile she remembers. The same pouty lips, unruly eyebrows, long lashes, dark eyes, and deep dimples. Her stupefied expression made him blink twice rapidly, the same look shaping his face as well.

“Y/N?!!!!” He finally spoke.

It was Erik Stevens in the flesh.

“What the fuck?” She whispers.

Erik Stevens is a damn pizza delivery guy?!!! After all these years this nigga was selling pizzas? She expected him to be a Doctor in Engineering living in a bomb ass condo with a bad bitch that he fucked every day. A bad bitch she wished she was.

“What. The. Absolute. FUCK.” She spoke again but louder. The music blasting a floor above her couldn’t match how loud she just yelled. Erik almost drops the pizza box. He catches it in time with swift reflexes.

“Nice to see you too, Y/N,” he looks her over, nodding his head with a slight smirk, “You look the fuck good girl. Almost had me dropping this box of pizza. Had a nigga trumped.”

“Ha,” she was light headed. Erik Stevens the damn Pizza guy. She was so shocked. This was a real awkward moment.

“Erik,” she starts before shaking her head. She couldn’t even put into words what she wanted to say to him in that moment.

“Something burning?” He sniffs the air.

“MY COOKIES!!!!!” She rushes into her apartment, leaving the door open while Erik slips inside. He was just as confused and shocked as she was. Box still in hand, Erik walks through her living room, taking in anything he could about the Y/N he missed out on. Still the same after all these years. Back in her presence, Erik watches with humor as she curses about her burnt cookies.

“I CANT BELIEVE-“ she stops mid rant, looking over her shoulder at Erik.

“You left your door opened,” he points to the door. Y/N just stood there looking at him while the burnt tray of cookies and an oven mit were in her other hand.

“Y/N, stop staring at me like that.” Erik shakes his head away from her, tossing the pizza box on the counter, “You got pizza now so why not eat that instead?” His voice has a teasing edge to it.

“Are you aware that I am so speechless right now!” She placed the tray of cookies on the stove, “I mean...ERIK!!!!!”

He laughs, removing his uniform hat to reveal short dreads. She damn near fainted.

“I’m aware, I ain’t expect to come here and see you looking the way you do. Just as fine, just ass...thick.”

He really says that after all these years. He could have said that to her years ago back in Annapolis, MD.

“Oh my God,” Y/N dramatically clutches her chest, “Aint no way this is happening to me tonight.”

“Oh yeah, it’s happening,” Erik bit his lip at her, “you look...”

They both laugh. Damn, what a reunion.

“Can I get you anything? She started opening cabinets, talking so fast she barely breathed.

“Coffee? Water? Juice? Some wine? Something stronger? Oh shit! My bad I forgot you’re working- speaking of work I never saw you as the pizza delivery guy type, I mean, not tryna down play you or anything you just seemed like you had bigger plans, much bigger plans-“

She turns, eyes almost leaving her sockets, standing before her in a male thong with a black bow tie around his neck and a body that would knock you on your back, was Erik Stevens the pizza delivery guy turned stripper.

“WHAT THE HELL?!!!” She yells out. This man was oiled down and everything. He steps around the kitchen island, eyes low and dangerous, lips turned up into a sly smirk, body on POINT.

“You serious?” She laughs nervously. What was this? She had to be fucking dreaming. Right off the back he just strips down, ready to seduce her. This man was wild.

“Somebody come wake my ass up!!!” She yells while pinching her forearm.

“Ain’t no dream here, babygirl, you look like you hungry for something else and I got that shit for you.”

Trapped, Y/N was in between the counter and a whole man. She could feel his dick on her thigh. This was quick. He was about business with this male stripper mess.

“LAWD!” She yells, looking anywhere but at him.

So, this man is a male stripper?! She kept thinking on a loop.

“Don’t act like that now you know you want this Y/N. You’ve been wanting this for a while.”

“You knew about that?!!!” She couldn’t believe this man was in a damn thong. What in the hell.

“Erik you gotta cut me some slack this is not how I planned our reunion would be like!”

His hands were on her waist now, lips close to her ear.

“Let’s make it a good reunion then, let a nigga put his nuts in your face.” He laughs and you gasp in pure shock.

“Did you-“ you blink at him like he was an extra terrestrial.

Out of no where he starts grinding on you, no music playing just his hips moving. What kind of stripper shit is this?

“No music?!” You laugh out loud.

“Play something then, Y/N,” he steps away while she walks backward to her phone on the kitchen counter. He wanted to do this, okay. She could play along and have a little fun. Laugh about it with his ass later. Y/N thought to pull up her ass shaking playlist but she didn’t see Erik as the type of stripper to put on a show to twerk hip hop. Finally, Y/N pulls up her slow jam playlist, settling for some Ginuwine. So Anxious starts playing, a big ass smile on Y/N’s face. She was trying her hardest not to be goofy about this shit but clearly, Erik didn’t care that he was at the wrong house. He had to have known this wasn’t the place for him to be.

“Well,” she sits on her couch, “Give me a show then, Stevens.”

Erik walks towards her, eyes low and body making her bite her lip. Erik stands before her, his dick in her face and Y/N’s eyes zeroing in on the big target. The minute he started grinding in her face, muscles moving in conjunction with his seductive hip rolling, she was ready to pull out her money.

“Shit, I forgot my money.”

She felt like she was back at her sisters bachelorette party all over again. The stripper there had her in a damn fantasy world. She gave him all her damn money.

“Don’t worry about all that, Y/N. Think of it as a little gift from your long time crush.” His dazzling smile made her blush from her cheeks down to her neck.

“Well can I at least touch you?”

Erik props his leg up on the couch, dick almost smacking her in her face with his excessive grinding and moaning. Jesus.

“Girl if you don’t enjoy your damn self.” He laughs when Y/N reaches out to drag her shaking fingers down his abs.

“JESUS.” She says through clenched teeth.

A loud thud from above her followed up by cheering and laughter caught her attention. Y/N put two and two together, a small smile creeping up her face.

“Looks like your supposed to be in 4B not 3B.”

Erik raises a single brow, “At least you’re keeping me with a hard dick until I get up there.” His hands were on the back of the couch now, his chest and abs in Y/N’s face while her hands rubbed his ass all the way around to his thighs. The song switched out to Pretty Ricky- Grind with me.

Out of no where, Erik picks Y/N up from the couch, seating himself and placing her in his lap. Erik lifted his hips from the couch, rolling them up into her naked crotch, causing her to bounce. This was torture. This was going to end up being a fuck session not a strip session.

“Okay, Erik, I think I’ve had my fun,” she was flushed and horny.

“Nah, lets keep going, baby girl.” His eyes with those lashes...she couldn’t look at him anymore.

“What made you become a stripper-WHAT!”

Erik lifts her legs to his shoulders, grinding into her like he was fucking her. She knew at this point her entire pussy was out for him to see.

“Stop asking questions,” he grabs her ass, squeezing it firmly while his hard dick rolled from her ass to her pussy.

“Erik this is fucking wild!!!” Y/N would have a laugh and maybe a cum or two later from this moment. Who was answering her prayers? Who out there besides Erik knew of the big crush she had on this gorgeous man. Erik didn’t even know she lived in Boston. This was some fate type of shit. His lips on her neck brought her back to reality.

“Don’t kiss on my neck like that unless you plan on fucking me!!!!” Y/N had no filter at this point. Erik was like a celebrity crush. Imagine being brought on stage by your favorite male artist and he’s grinding on you and making you feel special, THATS what this felt like.

“You wanna fuck?” He looked at her genuinely serious.

“Uh-“ he cuts her off.

“I mean, for you I can make that happen.”

Now she was wondering if he was a male escort. This man here...

“Erik...I’m telling you now...I know my pussy is all out there and it’s whatever but can you PLEASE STOP TEASING ME!!!”

Y/N lifts from Erik’s lap, pausing her music. Erik throws his head back, a booming laughter escaping his mouth while his muscles bounced in tune with his fit of chuckling. Y/N had to bite the inside of her cheek to calm her laugh.

“Aight cut that shit out I wanna be serious for a second.”

Before she could speak, Erik’s phone goes off. Groaning, he lifts from the couch, tucking one of his nuts back in place in that damn thong. Y/N had to put a fist to her mouth to control herself.

That thang is hanging! She thought salaciously.

“Yeah, this Daddy Kill, babygirl.” He smiles into the phone, gold slugs gleaming, “apartment 4B?”

He looks over at Y/N, both of them silently laughing. Erik clutched his ribs from the pain of laughter.

“Sorry for the late timing, sweetheart, I’ll be there real soon. Nah, keep the drinks going and make sure y’all ready and horny cuz ima put on a real good show,” Erik laughs with a bite of his lip, “Y’all some freaky bitches, aight bye.”

Y/N’s mouth fell open from hearing a Erik reader to those women as bitches. Without a flicker of care, Erik hangs up.

“So wassup, Y/N?” Erik walks further into her kitchen, “you said you got some strong shit, how about Hennessy? I need some extra energy for the 15 women upstairs.”

Y/N makes his drink while a thong wearing Erik stands before her, glistening and chiseled.

“Here you go,” she hands him his drink, “now tell me what made you become a damn stripper? And what else do you do? Cus you talking about sex is extra.”

Erik smiles with a shake of his head, “I am indeed a male entertainer, still working on my Engineering doctorate but after doing some experimenting online with live cam and all that I got a lot of hits. So now I do my own thing on the side. I strip, do live cam, have regular submissives.”

“You must make a lot of damn money to do this shit,” Y/N makes a drink for herself.

“I do, it’s a business on the side, Y/N,” Erik was overly humored, “You knocking the way I make my money, ma?”

“No!! No I just... I would have never expected this,” she shakes her head, “Are you in a relationship?”

Erik kisses his teeth, “Nah, single and I wanna keep it that way for a while.”

“Damn, I’m tryna shoot my shot and you just blocking me,” Y/N laughed, half way joking and half way serious. If they were together he wouldn’t be doing this anymore for other women, just her.

“You ain’t shoot your shot before what’s so different now? Is it cus my dick in your face?”

“No, it’s cuz I thought I would never see you again.”

Erik walks over to her, picking her up and sitting her on the kitchen counter. He plays her music again, grabbing her arms to place around his neck, moving her from side to side. She pouted, giving in to his antics.

“You make me sick,” she looks him in the eye, “you should probably go-AHHH!”

Erik picks Y/N up, bouncing her on his still hard dick. She was dripping on this man, he played entirely too much.

“Alright cut it out!!” She swatted at him, Erik putting her down with a smile.”

“Y/N, I missed you,” he chuckles, “You right, let me get up out of here.”

Erik walks away, picking up his fake pizza uniform, putting it on. Y/N runs her hands over her hair and adjusts her robe, heart still fluttering and legs wobbly. She walks over to the pizza, hovering her hand over it and noticing it was cold.

“Don’t worry about that, it’s just a gimmick.”

“Too bad. You sure you don’t want any money for your excellent services?” Y/N joked.

“Ha, I told you I’m good girl.”

Fully dressed, Erik finished off his Henny, grabbing his hat to put on and the box of pizza from the counter. Erik walked over to Y/N, grabbing her chin and placing a soft and lingering kiss on her cheek.

“You gonna miss me, Y/N? I promise to come back and see you since you’re in Boston now. We got a lot of catching up to do girl.”

Her heart skipped about two beats.

“You better.” Y/N rolls her eyes.

“Sorry I gotta leave you like this, but I can’t miss out on my money.”

Fuck them bitches upstairs, she seethed to herself.

“It’s cool, you’re just gonna make it up to me when I see you next time.”

Erik pulls out his phone, “give me your number.” He was telling more so than asking. Y/N gives him her digits, Erik storing it in his phone and saving it.

Y/N walks Erik to the door, the further they went the more she dreaded it. Opening the door, Erik walks out, turning to give her a tight hug and that same lingering kiss but to her forehead this time. He was really driving her crazy. Erik wasn’t going to make this crush thing easy. A fun night turned into a boring one.

“Bye, stupid,” she shoved him.

“Bye, girl.” Erik walks away and up the steps, turning to look over his shoulder from time to time with a smile on his face.

“Pick that lip up,” he teases.

“They don’t deserve your body!!!” Y/N yells after him.

“YOU SO STINGY!!” He yells back, Y/N closing her door behind her with a huge grin on her face.

It only took a few seconds before she heard the door opening, Erik giving the ladies his intro.

“Pizza delivery for 4B, right?”

[uzumaki-rebellion]

“Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Vol. 2 Chp. 26″

Summary: N’Jobu and Califia try to reconcile. their famly as Erik suffers in silence...

"I do it cause he real with me I do cause he still with me I do cause I should I do cause your good for me, good for me I do it cause I trust (ya) I do it cause I must And I'm doin it for us I do it cause I'm grateful... willing and able I do it for you cause you do it for me…"

Algebra Blessett—"U Do It For Me"

N'Jobu peeked down from his window to watch Erik play ball on the court near his apartment. A handful of boys and girls his age ran around the court shouting and laughing. Erik made a mad dash and took it to the hoop, his lay-up smooth.

Two weeks.

For two weeks his son had been living with him on that side of town away from his mother. Erik spoke to Califia every night before bed on face chat, and N'Jobu took him to school like normal and picked him up afterward. He spent the last two Sundays with his grandfather and great-grandmother and N'Jobu turned a blind eye when Califia joined them to have dinner before he picked his boy back up after she had left.

"Could I have another cup?"

"Huh?"

N'Jobu turned away from the window.

His neighbor Sheila held out her coffee mug to him.

"Another espresso?" he asked.

"Yes, please."

Sheila's smile was warm and it made N'Jobu feel very hospitable. Her son had been a good friend for Erik while he stayed at the apartment, and Sheila herself had helped N'Jobu out a few times by watching Erik when he needed to make runs at night to meet with the twins or James.

N'Jobu fired up his new Keurig and made himself a cappuccino first. He found himself making it the way Califia liked it and he shook his head as Sheila's fresh espresso poured into her mug.

"Here you go," he said sitting adjacent to her on his side chair.

"The boys are fine?"

"Yeah, they'll play ball all night if we let them," he said sipping his drink.

Sheila glanced at her cell phone and her whole demeanor changed.

"What?" N'Jobu asked changing the channel on his new wall screen.

"My son's father. He's not going to be able to see him this weekend…typical…"

"I thought you two were close to reconciling normal visits."

"Not even. There are too many things he won't change about himself, and I can't force him to stop being so rigid with Dion. How are you and Erik's Mom? He's staying here a lot now."

Sheila was under the impression that N'Jobu was in a long-term separation. A lot of the apartment dwellers N'Jobu knew for a few years on his floor moved out once the rents were raised, so he was able to re-invent himself as a divorcee.

"Califia and I are…making due I guess. It's better than it was."

There was some truth to that. Some.

N'Jobu was still lowkey angry with her. He didn't know how much until he was on the plane with Erik heading back to Oakland. He tried pumping Erik for details about what went on between Califia and Cedric, but his son could only tell him about how he felt being around the man. N'Jobu had begun to suspect over the years that Erik might be a true empath…an enhanced human. Perhaps his genes mixed with Califia's had created a child that would need more protection the older he became. The boy just picked up facts about people just by watching and being near them with such frightening accuracy that he was surprised they hadn't made the connection much sooner. It was beyond being a sensitive person.

His son knew true human intention by just being near people.

N'Jobu didn't know if Erik himself was aware of what he could do, but he didn't want to pursue the matter unless his son began to have issues with it. Thus far, it only came up when he was stressed about them.

Sheila stood and went to his window pushing back the hanging blinders.

N'Jobu finished his drink and went to the kitchen to put his cup away. Sheila walked in after him and placed her cup in his sink.

"Think the boys could go for pizza tonight?" she asked.

"Are you kidding? Pizza sauce pumps through their veins instead of blood."

Sheila touched his arm.

"I'll order in and keep Erik with me for a few hours. You look like you could use a break and some rest. Wrestling is on tonight so the kids will be excited."

"Erik's at your house all the time—"

"Not a problem. We enjoy his company."

Sheila's eyes lingered on his.

"Are you okay, Joseph?"

"Yeah."

"Send Erik over when they come up, pizza should be here within the hour."

He walked her to the door and watched her saunter to her unit. The scent of her perfume lingered in his apartment. Such a feminine odor. He missed that. He missed the sweet aromas back at the townhouse when Califia stepped out of a shower after washing her hair or taking a long relaxing soak in the tub. She liked to mix aromatic oils and burn them throughout their home. Those smells opened him up. Made him feel warm and loved. He missed the touch of her hand on him. He had difficulty getting past the anger though. The hurt feelings. It was all ego. The thought that she had the audacity to keep his son away from him. His blood. His baby boy. The third heir to the throne of Wakanda. He could barely speak to her when she arrived back in the city begging him to come home with Erik. Even Erik had a hard time articulating the discomfort he felt with her, the sense of anxiety he had for telling on her. He was worried sick that she would hate him for snitching on her. Too many complex emotions went through him and N'Jobu thought it best that his son should stay with him until the boy was ready to be with her again. N'Jobu still needed to get past his own shit before he could confront Califia again. He wanted to put Erik's well-being first.

He stopped getting the desperate calls and texts from Califia once she knew for sure Erik was safely back in Oakland. The weekend visits helped, and Nana Jean along with Dante kept the connections tight.

His woman had hurt him to his core and his pride made him punish her by taking Erik away from Oak Bluffs without her.

In a week, he would see her and her family for Neveah's birthday at the roller rink they went to for years with family and friends. Skating was something the Stevens Clan did for fun and family celebrations. Erik was looking forward to being with his cousins, Aunts, and Uncles. N'Jobu was looking forward to letting go of the discomfort in his heart. Despite his residual anger, he wanted to see Califia, and it was best to see her in the open with family around. He had no idea how he would act around her, but he was ready to try working his way back to her. And telling her all of his plans. Plans that had been in motion since he returned back to her all those years ago.

###

Califia cartwheeled around her father as he eased into a relaxed swaying motion with his arms and legs. Working out with him every evening helped keep her clear and focused on healing her mind and spirit.

It had been a horrible time for her being back home. The arguments over the phone with N'Jobu. The misgivings Erik seemed to have about her by keeping him away from his father. The distrust she felt she had created in him toward her. She knew she had not been mentally well during that time. Dr. Davis suggested she see a new therapist that specialized in EMDR techniques and also massage touch therapy. It helped her out a lot and she also began to use meds for her anxiety, something she avoided for years.

Running away from the shock of N'Jobu's country, running away from the still lingering PTSD of Lia's death…Califia needed more help than she realized. She was scared. Taking meds and having to seek out different treatments made her concerned that N'Jobu and Erik would view her as unfit to be with them any time soon. She didn't want to be seen by anyone in her family as an incompetent parent or wife.

Physically, her body felt strong and powerful, and she maneuvered around her father easily, working up a heavy sweat once she went all out flipping around the studio and pushing her limbs to work harder and faster. Staying out of the empty townhouse all day allowed her not to dwell on who wasn't there with her. She felt lost and unable to find her way back to her family. She felt ashamed.

The bell over the studio door jangled and Califia was surprised to see Erik walk in alone.

He stood by the entranceway wearing his favorite pair of jeans and a yellow sweatshirt with his school backpack slung around his shoulders. It was one in the afternoon. His hands fidgeted with the straps on his pack, and he chewed on his bottom lip.

Califia was cautious.

"Hey, baby…why aren't you in school?"

She stayed standing by her father, her eyes holding Erik's cautious gaze.

"Don't be mad. I ditched."

"Why?"

"I wanted to see you."

Califia's stomach unclenched. She took a step forward. Ditched school. That meant N'Jobu didn't know he was there.

She felt nervous. Something she had never felt like before with her son. Her confidence was shot, but she held out her hands, and Erik dropped his backpack and ran to her. When his arms wrapped around her waist, she welcomed a sense of relief.

"Is everything okay? Is your father okay?"

"Baba's fine. I just miss you, Mom."

Califia pressed her chin on top of his head and rocked him in her arms.

"I missed you too."

Erik clung to her and held his head back to look up at her.

"Don't tell Baba I ditched. I won't do it again. I promise."

"You could've called me. I don't want you skipping classes. You have tests coming up, right?"

Califia glanced over at her father and he stood close to them, concern so clear in his eyes.

"I want us to come home," he said.

"Did something happen?"

He pressed his face back into her chest and shook his head vigorously, but she knew when he evaded eye contact, he was hiding something. She didn't push him. She was just so happy to see him.

Rubbing his back, she walked him over to the office alcove in the back of the studio. Dante followed them carrying a couple of drums to lock up in a storage closet.

"You eat lunch?" she asked.

He nodded and she sat at the desk chair staring at his face.

"You look good, baby. How is your Dad?"

"He's good."

Those eyes evading hers again. Califia tamped down the need to grab her cell and call N'Jobu right that second. Erik was coming to her out of a need that he wasn't ready to reveal to her yet. No sense pushing him until he was ready to talk.

"Want to work out a little bit?" Dante said playfully rubbing Erik's braids. They were freshly cornrowed, but not by her hand. Who did his hair?

Erik grinned at his grandfather and it made Califia feel good when he kicked off his sneakers and socks. Pulling off his sweatshirt, he followed Dante out into the middle of the studio. Her father reached to turn on the sound system letting the soothing sound of a lone berimbau fill the room.

Califia reached into her purse and pulled out her meds. Unscrewing the cap on her half-empty water bottle, she tapped her pills into her hand. Erik's eyes noticed her taking her meds and slipping the bottles back into her purse. He looked away and focused on Dante who dropped low to the ground to engage his grandson.

She watched them play, Erik's capoeira moves smooth against his Grandpop. Her cell vibrated.

N'Jobu.

She took her phone into the studio restroom.

"Yeah," she answered.

"Erik is with you?"

She didn't bother to ask how he knew.

"Yeah, he just walked in. He's playing with my father. He said he wanted to see me."

Silence.

Califia took a deep breath.

"He asked me not to tell you he was here. I can drop him off at your place when I take my father home later. I have two classes today—"

"He can stay with you."

"Is something wrong, N'Jobu? He seems distant and I feel like he wants to tell me something but he's scared to."

"I don't know what it could be. He hasn't said anything to me and things have been fine here."

"Are you sure? He just seemed unlike himself—"

"I will talk to him when you bring him back."

"He wouldn't ditch unless something was going on—"

"I'll talk to him, Califia."

N'Jobu's voice sounded calm. The slight tinge of concern when he asked about Erik, in the beginning, was gone.

"I'll feed him dinner before I bring him back, so it'll be about nine before we—"

"Don't worry about the time. Just call or text me when you are on your way, okay?"

"Okay. If he wants to leave earlier, I'll bring him sooner—"

"Califia…it's fine. I want him to see you. He wants to go back to you and I want him to. I just think he doesn't know how to tell me because he doesn't want to hurt my feelings."

Califia smiled.

"We should talk to him together," she suggested.

"I have a lot to talk to you about."

"This weekend then?"

"Okay. After Nevaeh's skate party?"

"Sure…yeah. That'll work."

She heard a noise in his background. A voice. Maybe his tv.

"Let me know when you are on your way."

He hung up.

Califia stood in the bathroom wondering so many things.

N'Jobu sounded pleasant. Open.

Erik sounded nervous. Closed off.

What was going on over there?

She walked back out into the studio as the space filled up with students for a class session.

Erik's eyes found hers and she caught a smile on his face as his grandfather tapped his forehead with his hands playfully.

She had her son with her. That's all that mattered for now.

###

Rolita and Califia's cousin Michelle linked arms as they rolled around on beat to the DJ mixing up the skating music. An old bop laid over a current track had everyone moving around the rink head bobbin'.

Califia let go of her family and shook her hips, curving her designer wheels with fancy footwork. Her father rocked ahead of her in his shades, a white handkerchief gripped in his fingers. He jumped out from a group of slow walkers on the floor doing a skate line dance just to join her around the rink.

"Do it babygirl!" Dante called out, smooth with his own stylish foot moves.

Aunties, old head uncles, and cousins rolled around and the birthday girl herself, Califia's Goddaughter Nevaeh grooved in front of her wearing a princess crown on her head.

"Get it Nevaeh!" Califia shouted, and Nevaeh flipped around to skate backward, her little narrow hips wiggling before she dropped down low on the ground to show off.

"Aye!" Junie said sweeping the girl up with his hands and twirling her around.

The Stevens family and extended family knew how to work a rink.

Califia pushed her cell phone deeper into the back pocket of her booty shorts. She reached down as she skated and adjusted the knee brace on her right leg. She had overexerted that leg during a class and needed support to be on the safe side.

Her Uncle Bernard snapped pictures as she flew past a divider, and she skated back around to pose. She pulled the black power pick from her 'fro and fuffed out her hair with one leg in the air. Her father grabbed her hips and snuck in some photo bomb shots with her. Another slow walk jam came on and Califia joined her father in the middle of the floor to line step.

"There he is!" Dante yelled.

Erik and Walter rolled over to them with a boy Califia didn't know well. Dion.

The wheels on Erik's custom skates were glowing green and red and his braids were gone replaced with a fluffy 'fro that rivaled her own. Her son jumped in front of her and showed off for all the girls and women already in step.

"Hey, get it! Get it! Get it!" Califia called out and her child flexed to put all the other skaters to shame. The boy was bad for real. Walter was just as good keeping up with Erik as the other boy tried to learn the steps with him.

Califia glanced over to the divider looking for N'Jobu. He had texted her to let her know they were caught in a little traffic picking up Walter.

She saw him watching them and she felt butterflies in her stomach seeing him again. His eyes were on her too and then he turned his head to talk to a woman who was next to him. He whispered something in her ear and she waved at the boy Dion. Rolita skated over to N'Jobu with Navaeh behind the divider giving him a hug. N'Jobu picked up Navaeh and kissed her cheek, introducing the woman with him to Rolita.

The slow walking broke up when the DJ dropped a banger and Erik grabbed her hand and pulled her out into the flow of skaters circling the rink. Rolita joined them along with Junie and soon it was a cadre of family and friends doing practiced steps all together. Erik kept popping his black jersey with pride, the words "Sk8t Town Ballers" on it. Their whole family wore the same jerseys.

Califia ignored N'Jobu and focused on having fun with her son as he lead the pack.

"Go. Mom!" he called out, and Califia showed out a bit. She turned backward twisting her legs with fancy footwork as Erik grabbed her back pocket to join her. He kept up with her and she reached back to hold his hands as he supported her weight. Walter zoomed around and Califia reached out and grabbed his long swinging ponytail.

"Do the rock steady, y'all," Califia yelled.

The boys maneuvered beside her and they all sidestepped together inline skating, linking arms as they spun around backward keeping the beat to the music. Dion rolled in front of them and Califia released them to their fun. Walter and Erik held on to Dion as they guided him around and Califia skated near them, enjoying her son having fun with his friends. His cousins joined in and all Califia heard were laughs, jokes, and giggles among the children. Her father joined her and Califia skated with Dante for a long time until he set his sights on Junie and some other relatives.

Erik rejoined her and they held arms and rolled around for two more songs until they broke off together and rolled over to N'Jobu.

"Hey," she said.

She felt shy in front of him. His eyes took in her hair and her face and there was a warmth there and she felt her heart swelling…until he introduced the woman next to him breaking the spell of her taking in his handsome face.

"This is Sheila, Dion's Mom. She rode over with us."

"Hi! It's been years since I've been to a roller rink. It's so much different now. Intense!"

Sheila was a little too perky for Califia's tastes.

"Grab some wheels," Califia suggested.

"No. I'll stay over here safe with Joseph."

Califia glanced at N'Jobu's face.

Erik stood there looking uncomfortable. Not even making eye contact with Sheila. He seemed anxious to get away from her.

"Do you take Dion skating often?"

"Not enough. I share custody with his father, so we don't get to have regular sessions like Erik."

Walter and Dion skated over tugging on Erik's jersey. Navaeh rolled around and bumped her hip into Erik's to get his attention. The music was banging and Califia rolled back to partake, but Erik nudged her back toward the divider. She looked at his face, but his eyes were on his father.

"Restroom?" Sheila asked.

Califia pointed to her left.

"In the back," she told the woman.

Sheila slunk away through the throngs of skaters watching others on the floor.

"You look good out there," N'Jobu said. His eyes took in her knee brace.

"What happened?"

"Nothing serious. Just sore. Getting older and can't take those hits as easily as I used to."

"Be careful."

"I am."

"You want a soda, JaJa?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Califia?"

"I'm good, get him one."

Erik stepped up off of the floor and followed his Dad. Califia watched N'Jobu throw his arm around his son's shoulder.

"How's it going?"

Rolita bumped her shoulder into Califia's breaking her from the spell of her family.

"Okay. Just said hello."

"What's up with Sheila?"

Califia stared at Rolita.

"You know what I'm asking-"

"I don't know. My first time seeing this woman. She's just Dion's Mom."

"How's he acting?"

"N'Jobu? We just said a few words, now he's getting Erik a soda—"

"Erik doesn't like her."

"I can tell. I think this is what he's worried about."

Califia exhaled with a loud gust of air.

"Why the fuck did he bring this woman?"

"Look alive…"

Rolita skated away from her as Sheila returned. Her eyes darted around for N'Jobu but only found Califia waiting in the same exact spot. Califia glared at her.

"My son really likes hanging out with Erik," Sheila said.

Califia nodded and let her hands rest on the divider wall.

The DJ stopped the music to make a birthday announcement for Nevaeh and the entire rink sang Happy Birthday to her as she skated in front of the DJ booth. When the crowd clapped, Califia turned back and Sheila was gone.

###

N'Jobu retrieved a carton of corndogs and sodas at the pick-up line of the concession stand. Erik grabbed paper napkins and some straws.

Sheila walked up to him and pressed her hand against his back.

"Let me help," she said trying to fix the lids on the sodas.

N'Jobu turned and saw Erik glaring at him, his eyes narrow, his lips tight. The boy then looked at Sheila and backed away from them on his skates.

"JaJa," N'Jobu said.

His son rolled away from them and N'Jobu walked over to the table that was reserved for Nevaeh's party. He placed the food and drinks on an open space near the big birthday cake on display.

"I'll get Walter and Dion," Sheila said.

"Okay. I'll find Erik."

"Is he okay?"

"I don't know."

N'Jobu moved through people and his eyes sought out his boy. He caught sight of him with Califia near another entrance to the floor.

"What's up?" N'Jobu asked when he caught the agitated body language from both of them. Califia's eyes looked hot.

"Go on, go skate," Califia said.

"Son—"

N'Jobu tried to touch Erik's shoulder but the boy shook his hand away.

"Why are you upset? Talk to me…Erik!"

N'Jobu pulled his son to him with a firm hand.

"She touched you."

Erik's words spit out like venom.

Califia stared at N'Jobu.

"I saw her touch you…it isn't the first time either."

"Hold on now. She touched me? How? When?"

"Just now, she had her hand on your back. She's trying to take Mom's place and you're letting her. I don't want her around!"

"That's Dion's Mom. He's your friend—"

"I don't want to be his friend anymore if she's around."

"You are full of confusion right now—"

"She doesn't want you to get back with Mom. I heard her say that today. She was talking to her friend and I heard her—"

"JaJa, let me talk to your Dad alone. Go skate with Navaeh."

She nudged him to go and he was reluctant.

"Let us talk. Grown folks time, now."

Erik nodded and skated away from them.

"Let's go outside," Califia said.

He followed her out of the rink and into the parking lot. She took off her skates and leaned against her car.

"Are you seeing, Sheila?"

"We hang out sometimes because of the boys and she watches him sometimes when I do errands."

"Fixing his hair too?"

"Once. I'm not seeing her."

"But you know Erik…how he is. And he wouldn't lie about something he overheard. This woman is making plans, and Erik knows it. You shouldn't have brought her. People are already assuming—"

"She just wanted to hang out with her son doing something fun. His Dad doesn't take an interest, and he's Erik's friend, and it's not a big deal to me—"

"But Erik knows differently. And I'm sure you picked up on this chick's intentions."

"I didn't come to argue or start trouble, Califia. I was just being a good neighbor and trying to help out. I came to see you and our son together. We carpooled over here. There was no sense taking two cars going to the same place-"

"You still shouldn't have brought her. Erik's really upset. He said she touched you at the concession stand."

"She put her hand on my back and then she helped fix some lids on the sodas. There wasn't anything inappropriate. Can we just go in and fix this?"

"He said she touches you all the time."

"She touches everyone like that."

"N'Jobu. The woman said she doesn't want you back with me. Are you hearing that? Our child said that."

"What do you want me to do? Take her home right now?"

"She can Uber her way out…I swear this is just like being in school again—"

"You're blaming me for this?"

"Did you know Erik doesn't like her?"

"No."

"Are the boys getting along?"

"Yeah. Dion likes me, and we all get along great. We do fun stuff together."

Califia shook her head.

"We better go back in there and have a united front or else my family will go off."

She picked up her skates and headed toward the entrance around the front. N'Jobu grabbed her hand.

"Califia. I promise you. I didn't intend to bring friction. I was trying to be nice."

She stared at his fingers clasped with her own. Things were so tenuous. He pulled her in close, his body craving hers next to his. It had been so long. She closed her eyes and he felt her give a small sigh when he nuzzled her cheek.

"I'm here for you and Erik."

"Then clear it up with her and make her leave."

"Can't we just enjoy the party and ignore her?"

"You need to make yourself clear with our son and cut this woman off."

"Did you do that with Cedric?"

Stupid. There was no reason to bring that man up. But Erik was able to pick up on that man's intent too. It's why he reached out to N'Jobu to find them. It's why he went to Califia inside the rink.

"If you are saying this is the same situation, it probably is. And yes, I spoke to Erik about that. No more contact. Done."

N'Jobu pressed his lips onto her mouth. She was hesitant with him, her body coiled up tight against his chest. He took both of his hands and cradled her face. She dropped her skates and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Bay-bee…"

"I'm here…"

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too."

"We can do better. Together."

"I know."

He felt himself melt in her arms.

###

He walked back into the roller rink holding Califia's hand, feeling a security he hadn't felt for a long time. He tried to think of a tactful way to handle Sheila when they both saw a scuffle near the birthday party table and people jumping back from the ruckus with their skates.

Dante rolled into the middle of the melee and they both saw him lift up Erik off of Dion, arms swinging.

"Erik!" N'Jobu shouted, dropping Califia's hand and running up to snatch his son up.

Wrenching his boy from his grandfather's arms, N'Jobu carried Erik far away from the group. Sheila ran up to Dion and coddled him while Califia picked up the knocked over corn dogs and soda. Thankfully the birthday cake was left unharmed.

"Calm down! Calm down!"

N'Jobu set the boy down.

"What happened?"

Erik's chest was still puffing out, his eyes darting back and forth. Fists still clenched and ready to rock Dion again, N'Jobu placed his hand on his son's chest.

"Breath. Talk to me, Son."

"I hate him!"

"Why?"

Walter skated over to them, his face still full of shock from the violence.

Erik wouldn't speak.

"Walter, what happened?"

"He just went off on him—"

"But why? Tell me exactly what happened."

"We were eating the corndogs and Dion just said they could do this a lot more if they became brothers and Erik just went off."

Erik's lips were still poked out.

Sheila walked near them holding a wad of napkins up to Dion's nose. The boy was crying.

"Why did you do this?" Sheila lamented.

"I already got a mom, hoe—"

"N'Jadaka!"

Erik's eyes grew wide and his lips untwisted when he heard his Wakandan name.

"Apologize."

Erik's eyes watered and he refused.

"Sheila—"

"I'm going to take Dion, home."

She stomped out dragging her son with his bloody nose behind her.

"You could've handled this another way, JaJa."

"You don't even care," Erik said.

"I do care. Listen to me. Dion is your friend. His mother has some misplaced and misguided feelings, and it might be my fault for being too nice, and maybe allowing her too much time with us. That was no disrespect to your Mom. I love your Mom and we are working to get back together—"

"For real, Baba?"

His eyes were hopeful.

"Yes, Son. But you were wrong for attacking Dion. He meant you no harm. He was probably excited to have you in his life more—"

"But his Mom was wrong for saying that stuff. How can she be nice all in my face, but she wants to take you away from my mother? I don't want her in my life. I don't want her in your life. She's aggy and I hate her."

"You don't hate her."

Erik wiped a tear from his eye.

"I do hate her. She wants to hurt, Mom. I won't let her. I'll beat Dion up again if she comes back."

"No, you won't."

"I will…"

Erik's eyes challenged N'Jobu.

"Are you willfully disobeying me?"

Erik's lips grew tight again and he evaded eye contact once more.

"Erik, man. Chill," Walter whispered.

Califia walked up to them. N'Jobu glanced over at her.

"This has become a shitshow," N'Jobu whispered noticing people still watching them.

"Did Sheila leave?"

"Yeah."

"Rolita is about to cut the cake. Let's just get back to the party and let things calm down—"

"He needs to apologize to them—"

"Later, N'Jobu. Right now, let's focus on our son. Eat some cake, celebrate Navaeh's day, calm down…work with me here."

Walter patted Erik's shoulder and persuaded his friend to follow him back over to the rest of the family.

"I can drop Walter off later, and we can go home and talk this all out. Let him calm down."

"We have to get this right. He needs us."

"I know."

Califia stroked his arm

Home.

Together.

At last.

Chapter 27 Here

###

Tag List:

@fd-writes​ @soufcakmistress  @cherrystainedlipsbaby @tclaybon  @thadelightfulone

@allhailqueennel @bartierbakarimobisson @cpwtwot @shookmcgookqueen @yoyolovesbucky

@raysunshine78 @the-illllest @terrablaze514  @l-auteuse @amirra88 @jimizwidow @janelledarling

@chaneajoyyy @sweetestdream92 @purple-apricots @blackpinup22 @hennessystevens-udaku

@scrumptiouslytenaciouscrusade @bugngiz @stariamrry  @honeytoffee @meilintheempressofdreams

@tyees @eye-raq @writerbee-ffs @chocolatedream30 @childishgambinaa @mygirlrenee @nahimjustfeelingit-writes​

#black boys bloom thorns first #n'jobu #prince n'jobu #baby killmonger #erik stevens #n'jadaka #black panther fan fiction #uzumaki rebellion

[multi-fandom-imagines8]

The Joke’s On You

Request: I saw that you're in a dean mood!! Would you be willing to write a fic where it's game night in the bunker and Dean loses to the reader? His ego takes a hit and he's kinda grumpy, but at the end they make up? Can be fluffy, angsty, smutty- pick your poison ;). Requested by Anon.

Word Count: 1514.

“Who’s winning?” Cass came back with some snacks.

“Till now, it seems like Y/n is” Sam informed him.

“Hey, I heard that. The game is not over yet” Dean said.

“Everyone is betting on her, though” Sam added.

“Come on, have a little faith in your brother Sammy”.

“Dean, you’re great in many things, but games aren’t your strong suit” Mary reminded.

“Mom? Not you too” Dean sighed.

“I believe in you, dean” Cass showed support.

“Thanks”.

“You don’t wanna go to war with me, angel” you warned.

“She’s right. You don’t. That was a stupid move” Sam agreed.

“Never ever challenge me, Winchester. You will lose” you smirked.

“We’ll see about that, Y/l/n”.

“Aand checkmate. I win, you lose!” you teased.

“Shut up! It’s not fair”.

“Life isn’t fair”.

“Thanks Dean. Now I have to give everyone 10 dollars” Cass whined.

“This is what happens when you stand against me” you shrugged.

“I’m going to bed” Dean defeatedly said.

“So soon? It’s not even 10 yet” Mary replied.

“Don’t you want pizza or beer?” Sam offered.

“Nah, I’m good. I’m just tired” he lied.

---

“Morning” Sam greeted as Dean entered the kitchen in his grey robe and grabbed a beer.

“Where’s everyone?” Dean asked.

“Mom and Jack are on a case in Wyoming and Cass is sorting out some problems in heaven” Sam informed him.

“And Y/n?”.

“She’s probably still sleeping”.

“Ugh, so she’s here?”.

“Yeah. why?”.

“Nothing. We should wake her up” Dean knew how much you loved sleep and wanted to get back at you.

“Why?”.

“You found us a case, haven’t you?” Dean saw that Sam was on his laptop and came up with this idea.

“Mhm.. not really. It was just a normal murder in St. Louis”.

“Says who?”.

“Dean, what are you getting at?”.

“Nothing. I just think there’s a case and we should check it out”.

“Dean I’m not going to sit in the car with you for eight hours because based on hunch there may or may not be a case”.

“But Y/n doesn’t know that. So, what we’re gonna do is wake her up and tell her there’s a case in Missouri” Dean planned.

“So that’s what it’s all about. You getting your revenge. I’m not gonna lie to her, but I won’t interfere with whatever you’re planning on doing. Just don’t tell me and I’m still not coming with you” Sam was like most times; neutral.

“But you’re gonna wake her up, right?” Dean knew it was best not to come near you when you’re sleeping.

“No, that’s on you too. I’m gonna go grocery shopping, so I won’t have to face her. Good luck!”.

Dean rubbed his hands before knocking on your door “hey, Y/n? You awake?”. There was no answer. He knocked again but this time louder. There was still no answer “alright, I’m coming in”.

He opened the door and you were sleeping in a weird, funny position. He had to contain his laughter in order to take a picture.

He came closer but was still afraid of you. He poked you and took a few steps back, but there was no reaction. He poked you a second time and nothing changed. He got tired of waiting and shook your shoulder “Y/n wake up!”. This time you did, but in turning to face him, you slapped him “oh, it’s you!” you rubbed your eyes to see better.

“Ouch! Get dressed! We have a case” he instructed.

“So, what kind of case do we have? And where’s everyone?” you came out of your room prepared with a bag full of guns and other weapons.

“I’m thinking probably ghosts. They’re not here. It’s just you and me” he lied.

“Okay, hand me the reports or articles”.

“You don’t believe me?” Dean looked offended.

“What? No. I just thoug-”.

“Great, we have no time to waste. Let’s go!”.

“Alright, so the case-” before you could ask any questions he put on some of his music and turned up the volume so he couldn’t hear you.

“Okay” you muttered to yourself.

---

“Can you turn down the music a bit?” you asked nicely, but he pretended not to hear you “Dean, turn down the music” you shouted.

“Sorry, can’t hear you” he lied.

You turned it off and turned to face him “you hear now?”.

“Did you really have to do this?” he groaned.

“What’s wrong, Dean?”.

“Nothing’s wrong, why would you think that?”.

“You’ve been awfully quiet. You never just listen to a song and not sing along”.

“I’m just not in the mood. Can we leave it at that, please!”.

“Dean Winchester is not is the mood, who would’ve thought! Fine”.

---

“Okay, I can’t take this anymore. Something is wrong and I can feel it. You haven’t sung to your favorite songs  or talked to me the entire way. So, are you gonna tell me or do I have to torture you to get it out of you?” you gave him a choice.

“I told you nothing is wrong!”.

“So, the latter it is. Where should I start?”.

“How about nowhere?”.

“Why are you grumpy?” you poked his right arm.

“Hey, stop that!” he ordered.

“Or what?”.

“Or we’re gonna die. I’m driving”.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Firstly, since when are you afraid of dying. Secondly, you never pay attention while you’re driving- not that much attention”.

“Well, I-... shut up!”.

“Talk to me!” you ordered.

“I’m not in the mood!”.

“Ooh, so it has something to do with me? Hmmm…. Is it because I accidentally slapped you this morning?”.

“We both know it wasn’t an accident and no!”.

“Come on, tell me. How else am I supposed to fix it if you don’t tell me?”.

“There’s no fixing it. What is done is done”.

“That bad, huh?”.

“Worse” now he was being dramatic.

“Wait… don’t tell me it’s because of what happened yesterday” you laughed.

“Nooo” he lied.

“It totally is. Oh my god, you need to grow up” you mocked.

“You’re not making things better, you know”.

“So, why did you take me with you if you’re mad at me?”.

“Because I wanted to annoy you. I know you hate waking up early. And there was no one else available. Sam didn't want to be involved in ‘our drama’ as he calls it”.

“I see. How do I make things right?”.

“You can’t. It’s too late. You should’ve thought about that before you beat me”.

“Apple pie?” you offered.

“Yeah, that’ll make me forgive you”.

“I thought so” you shook your head.

After you arrived at the crime scene, Dean made you ask all the questions and question the witnesses, which took more that a day.

“Don’t you have something better to do?” you were reviewing the evidence and what everyone said while Dean was lying on the bed watching some stupid cartoon and laughing.

“What?”.

“Maybe come help me or go to a bar or something. There’d be a lot of girls” you suggested.

“Nah, I’m good here with you”.

“You mean you're good with not helping me and annoying me”.

“Yeah, sure whatever you wanna call it”.

---

“I mean we’ve looked everywhere. There’s nothing. Maybe we’ve missed something. Maybe it’s not a ghost. I’m gonna call Sam, maybe he’ll see something that we can’t” after not finding anything the second day, you were frustrated after everything you’ve done.

“No, no, no. There’s no need to call Sam. He doesn’t know. We have all the information here”.

“We don’t have anything. And you are not even useful. So, I’m gonna call Sam”.

“Hey, how’s everything going? I’m gonna send you some stuff of a case we’re working on. See if you can find something that we’ve missed” you called Sam and Dean stood next to you waiting anxiously to find out what Sam is gonna tell you.

“So, I gather that he hasn’t told you yet, has he?” Sam asked.

“Tell me what?”.

“Y/n, you have to talk to Dean. See you soon!” he hung up on you.

“What did he say?” Dean questioned.

“We need to talk”.

“About what?”.

“Sam said you haven’t told me about something, so what is it?”.

“Dammit Sam. He can’t keep his mouth shut for once” he sighed.

“So?”.

“There’s no case” he admitted.

“What?”.

“I wanted to get revenge for the day before yesterday”.

“Seriously?”.

“Uh-hm” he nodded.

“So we drove her for nothing?”.

“Technically”.

“So let me get this straight, you punished yourself by driving all the way here and wasting two days just to get back at me for winning fair and square?” you crossed your arms.

“Yeah. wait, no I didn’t punish myself. You see, I knew there was no case but you didn’t. So, the joke's on you, HAH!”.

“Dean… do the math”.

He stopped for a minute and thought about everything he’s done “Son of a bitch!”.

“Yup! So, I got a pie but I guess there’ll be none for you after all” you shrugged.

“No, wait, please!”.

Tags: @thisismysecrethappyplace​ @berruneko09 @spnwinchestersd​ @simonsbluee​ @capsheadquaters

#supernatural #spn #dean winchester #dean winchester x reader #dean winchester one shot #dean winchester imagine #dean winchester x you #supernatural imagine #supernatural one shot #supernatural fanfiction #spn imagine #jensen ackles #spn one shot #spn fanfic #dean winchester fic #dean winchester fanfiction #dean winchester fluff #gif imagine #imagine #gif #fanfic #fanfiction #one shot #fluff #fluffy fic #fluffy dean winchester #grumpy dean #funny dean winchester #sam winchester #sam winchester imagine

[the-everlasting-dream]

Interrogation

Summary: Behati decides to get to know her mother’s neighbour better.

A/N: This has been in my head for the longest time and its finally coming to life. I would really appreciate if you left me a little comment of what you thought coz I’ve never written for MOTY before..

MC Faceclaim: Zoe Saldana

Kiddo FC: Yara Shahidi

Levi FC: Enrico Ravenna

Word Count: 1777

Warnings: None

‘Hey Rocket,’ Levi Schuler called out to his neighbour's daughter as he turned over two different bracelets in his hand. ‘Which do you think makes me look cooler?’ 

Ashanti was working late that night at the dress shop and she’d asked him to watch over her adorable daughter Behati and he was happy to oblige. Levi had always considered himself a big kid anyway so getting along with the nine year old was a breeze. She was so smart and witty, it caught him off guard sometimes. She was just like her mum. The thought of Ashanti momentarily brought a smile to his face before it morphed into a frown. Something wasn’t right. 

 ‘Rocket?’ He called out, suspicious of the silence enveloping the apartment. A worm of worry grew in his chest and he pocketed the bracelets before heading to the little girl's room. He knocked on the door but there was no answer. 

‘Behati?’

Levi tried to keep his voice even, as his mind ran through a list of the worst possibilities. If anything happened to the kiddo, he would never forgive himself. After a long terrifying moment, he heard her sweet clear voice call out. 

 ‘Come in.’ 

‘Oh Rocket you almost gave me a heart attack! If anything happened to you- Wait why are you dressed like that?’ Levi cut his relieved rambling short, confused. He took in the sight of the nine year old, perched on her bed, wearing her school lab coat and massive costume glasses with a clipboard and pen in her hands. 

 ‘Have a seat Mr Schuler,’ she instructed, nodding to a chair she’d strategically placed before her. 

 Levi obeyed, barely able to suppress a grin at how adorable Behati looked but sensing that she wanted this to be a serious affair, he decide to play along. ‘Am I in trouble ma’am?’ 

The girl shook her head solemnly. ‘I’m going to ask you some questions and get to know you better. We’ll start off easy. What's your favourite colour?’ 

He chuckled, graciously going along with her game. ‘Blue. What’s yours? Lemme guess..’ He gave a quick glance around the room then at her colourful t-shirt. ‘Purple..?’ 

‘Yes!’ Behati smiled widely before turning back to her clipboard. 'If you could be any animal the world what would you be?’ 

Levi puffed out his chest proudly. ‘Probably something cool. Like a falcon or a jaguar. Something thats awesome and badass like me.’ HIs eyes widened in shock, not sure what Ashanti’s policy on swearing was but not wanting to risk it either. 

Behati patted his knee sympathetically. ‘It will be our little secret.’ She even had the gall to wink at him. 

'What’s your third favourite ice cream flavour?' ‘I- Oh wow I don’t think I’ve thought about it before,’ he rubbed the back of his neck as he thought. ‘First would be chocolate for sure, then caramel…. then maybe…hmm. Gotta go with Ben & Jerry’s cookie dough. Love that stuff.’ 

'Speaking of food, do you like pineapple on pizza or not?’

‘Hell no!’ He exclaimed. ‘Why would you interrupt the rich awesome flavours of meat and cheese with something sickeningly sweet. Pineapple is the worst fruit. And fruit does not belong on pizza.’ He crossed his arms to make a point. 

 ‘Are you sure?’ ‘One hundred percent positive.’ Behati’s eyes sparkled. ‘What about tomato? Thats a fruit and that definitely goes on pizza.’ 

After a beat, Levi shook his head. ‘Huh… guess ya got me there. You’re one smart cookie Rocket.' 

 She returned his fist bump before going back to her list. 'Which is your favourite Barbie movie?’ 

‘Uhh I… I haven’t seen any of the Barbie movies actually.’ 

The nine year old gasped as if he’d said he’d never heard of Beyonce or something. ‘Oh my gosh you have to watch them. My favourite is Barbie the Princess and the Pauper. It was one of the first ones and its got all mu favourite songs I also like the one where…' 

Levi let her ramble on for a few minutes, taking in how adorable she looked when she got excited talked about her favourite things. She literally lit up like the sun itself. God she’s going to go far. And I hope I’m there to see it. 

 ‘…but that one really sucks. Thats what Mum thinks.’ Behati gasped as if she’d gotten an idea. 'We should do a Barbie movie marathon! we’ll have snacks and drinks and treats. Maybe next time you babysit me we can ask Mum if we can do that.' 

Levi ruffled her hair affectionately, grinning. ‘Sure thing Rocket. You tell me when and where and I’ll be there.’ 

They chatted on for a little bit, making their grand plans to talk Ashanti into letting them watch over 10 movies back to back before Behati went back to her list. 

 'If you had to be in a band would you chose One Direction or BTS? 

‘Eww...Are those the only choices?’ he protested, rubbing the back of his neck. ‘I was thinking more along the lines of Bon Jovi or Led Zeppelin.’ 

Behati’s nose scrunched up. ‘Led what?’ 

Levi raised his eyes to heaven. ‘Hasn’t your mother taught you anything? They’re only the greatest bands of all time! Woooaaah livin on a prayer!’ Singing a few bars, he mimed a guitar solo and head banging for a few seconds only to see Behati covering her mouth to conceal her laughter. 

 ‘Whatever,’ he mumbled, in mock annoyance. ‘You kids these days have no taste.’ 

Behati tapped her pen against her clipboard before continuing on. 'Are there more leaves in the world or blades of grass?'

'Er, blades of grass… I think..?''What about trees? Are there more trees than buildings?' 

‘Um trees.’The nine year old cocked her head to the side.. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Uh pretty sure.’She was fixing him with an analytical gaze that made Levi suddenly second guess himself. Where there more trees than buildings…  

‘Hmm.’ Behati took a moment to think. ‘I need to look into it.’

‘You do that. Any more questions?'

‘Did you make those yourself?’

Surprised, Levi glanced down at the two homemade bracelets he’d been clutching the whole time, sheepishly hiding them behind his back. ‘If you ever tell your mum, I’ll deny everything.’ 

 Behati let out a giggle, breaking her act and Levi joined in, glad to see her so happy amidst the tough custody case her parents were in. If only that sonofabitch Guy would let go of his goddamn ego… This lil girl deserves the whole damn world. The whole damn universe while we’re at it. 

 ‘Sorry to break up the party kiddo but if I don’t get you into bed soon, our chances of having that Barbie marathon are Poof!’ He mimed an explosion with his hands. 

 ‘Last one,’ Behati pleaded, her mood growing much more sober as she fixed him with her big brown eyes. ‘Are you in love with my mum?’ 

What? That caught Levi off guard. How was he gonna answer that? 

 ‘What makes you say that?’ He asked, nervously rubbing the bag of his neck, hoping for some stalling time. 

 Behati shrugged. 'Its obvious. You’re always hanging out here and you and Mum get really smiley around each other. I even heard Mum talk to Alma about it one night when I was supposed to be sleeping.’ 

‘Oh yeah? What did she say?’ Levi queried, filled with curiosity. Ashanti was talking about him..? 

 ‘Nothing much,’ Behati replied between yawns. ‘She just think you’re cute and really really nice. So are you gonna marry her? Are you gonna be my new dad?’ 

He held his arms out in a defensive gesture. 'Woah woah, slow down Rocket, come back to earth for a bit huh? I don’t think we’re at that stage yet. Particularly with stuff with your actual dad.’ 

Levi looked at her open, innocent face, hanging on to his every word. He couldn’t get her hopes up but he couldn’t lie to her either. He debated internally with himself for a long moment before answering. 

 ‘Look Rocket, you and your mum are amazing people and I’m so lucky to have you in my life. I’m not saying anything too crazy with this but… I’d really like to be apart of your lives for as long as you’ll have me. Whether that will be just as your neighbour… or something… else. I don’t know yet. I don’t know what the future holds but anything is possible. You and I will just have to wait and see.’ 

He watched Behati nod, taking it all in sagely. 

He gave her a couple more seconds before clapping his hands twice. ‘Alright bedtime. Even rockets need their rest!' 

Soon after, Levi was tucking Behati under her space themed quilt before she piped up again. 

 'One more question.' 

'All theses questions and questions but alright, I’ll take one more.’ he replied, crouching down next to her bed, tucking her under the covers. ‘Whatcha got for me?’ 

‘Can you play for me? Mum usually sings me a song to go to sleep.’ 

Levi felt his heart soften a little. ‘Of course Rocket.' 

And that was how Ashanti found them when she came back that night; Behati fast asleep and Levi steaming idly on the strings as his face formed a gentle smile. 

 'Hey maestro. How’d it go?' 

'It was great.’ 

She raised her eyebrows, watching him rise from the chair and make his way over to her. ‘What? No snappy response.’ 

Levi smiled softly at her. ’Nah not tonight.' She returned the smile albeit a bit confused at his sudden affection. ‘Everything okay there Guitar boy?' T

hat was what he loved about Ashanti. No matter how tired and run down she was, she always made time for others, to ask them how they were, if they needed anything or simply just to give them a little pep talk. Her pep talks were sometimes the highlight of his day, he’d miss having people hat would be in his corner to talk him up and hold him accountable. He loved how she… He loved.. 

He was falling in love with her. 

 He glanced at the sleeping child in bed and again at her mother in the door way, feeling strangely at home right here. I could get used to this. Ashanti stared up at him, puzzled and Levi could have kissed her in that moment right there but taking in her tired eyes and probably aching feet after a long shift, he decided against it. There would be other times. He opted for a kiss on the head.  

‘Everything is perfect.’ 

-

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#mother of the year #moty #choices moty #playchoices #levi schuler #moty levi #pixelberry #choices fandom #choices fanfiction

[sordidpassionsandlockedemotions]

Alec was in some meeting,honestly it had turned into some people’s ego contest. So he was messing around with his phone underneath the table mostly just texting his siblings. However then came a text from his boyfriend which immediately stole all focus from the Lightwood siblings group chat.

Eyes glancing up taking a second double check the arguing was still happening before opening up the text from Magnus. Which was simply asking him about if he’d be fine with a small spell accident. Keeping a normal face much he wanted to subconsciously raise a brow before texting a simple question mark. 

Taking small sips of his no longer warm coffee when the picture showed up. Coughing coffee onto the table everybody stared directly at him. Slipping his phone subtly aware swooped up the coffee cup. “I uh need to go drink some water.” 

Retreating out the room before slumping against the wall covering his mouth to stop from laughing. The picture probably didn’t do justice if was real because glowing hair would certainly be different in person. Recovering he headed to the kitchen finishing off the dregs of coffee.

Leaning against the sink while it cooled off,glass nearby for the water meanwhile pulled out his phone again. Texting Magnus joking that no way could it be real before heading back into the meeting. Which mostly became a whole lot more stares at him,and him ignoring his phone because Izzy and Jace had spammed him with texts.

Meeting over with figured could call it a night,head home to Magnus so quickly organized everything in the office for the next morning. Izzy appeared leaning in the doorway,”So big bro what’s gotten into you?” He glanced up setting down the reports he’d relocated. 

“Just inhaled wrong that’s all.” She looked unimpressed with the answer but he just resumed as he had been. Honestly highly doubted she would find the real answer all that amusing. “My reputation already is pretty bad so doubt it even dented it that much more.” Pocketing his stele and figured pack his laptop up take it with for some reports before bed.

Or maybe his tablet? “Alec I love you but clearly you’re not overthinking which is a blessing if not a curse.” Pausing he looked at her wondering just what she was trying to say. “It first off must have been something from Magnus,and secondly your reputation is everybody’s pretty much aware of that fact now I’m not saying I had the same lame train of thought as them but-.” 

Alec’s eyes widened,”Seriously?!” Sighing just shook his head,”People are weird but no that was not-ew real mature just was some probably photo shopped picture of his hair that’s all.” Her eyes sparkled stepping closer with curiosity. “Doesn’t matter did promise once the meeting was over I’d head home so that’s that.” 

His sister reached towards him before swapping some candy off his desk,”Alright cool as for your honor gladly fight for it,and I think the first victim is Jace any opposition to me finding a baby duck to leave in his room?”

“Izzy-.”

“No you’re right I should get two baby ducks,bury his ugly shirts and then enlist him to assist,thanks Alec.” With an added kiss to his cheek before she ran out of the room leaving him to sigh. She might not do it was all he could hope slinging the bag containing his chargers,tablet,laptop,and probably some pens onto his left shoulder. 

He texted Magnus saying he would be home shortly,and then made his way to the loft maybe just a bit curious if his hair was actually glowing neon blue. If so then there was all the teasing possible for messing up a spell to such an interesting outcome. Even if it was on purpose probably looked good regardless real or not. 

Finally reaching the top of the building slid the door open stepping inside,sliding his bag onto the floor,”Hey Magnus I’m back.” Calling out before dumping his holster,boots and jacket aside as well. Heading towards his boyfriend’s office poking his head in,”Maybe for good cause Izzy may wreak havoc on the Institute and put me out of a job.” 

Arms wrapped around him from behind and he smiled especially recognizing the rings along with his boyfriend’s hands. “So you decided to let her run rampant,to come home instead any concussions today?” Rolling his eyes he turned around but before he could reply blinked yeah okay the hair was real,and it was eye catching for sure. 

“Uh huh,your hair’s not as bright looking-.” 

“In person,noticed hours ago speaking of which do promise entirely accidental and temporary.” Alec just gave a nod hands resting on his boyfriend’s sides curled up thinking a moment before kissing him. “So how was the meeting anyways?” Coughing he pulled away collapsing onto the couch. 

Unsure entirely what to say,”Well two people got in a fight the whole meeting was them bickering,naturally everybody just let them go at it I mostly was just texting with my siblings or messing with my phone.” Magnus gave a look which spelled ‘don’t you run the Institute now’ to which he didn’t answer it was obvious. “Then you texted and shortly after it was called a night.”

When Magnus sat down curled up into his side,”So what about you Magnus,what exactly caused the hair?” Stealing his hands to play with while listening to the tale of some new spell going wrong,and it nearly making Church’s fur change color too. Laughing a bit at it before kissing him again then came the lazy choice of summoning dinner,pizza because it was easiest. 

They put on some low budget cheap film,so terrible and cliche but easy to laugh at. Giving each other the occasional kiss,if not spending a minute deprieving themselves of oxygen. Of course towards the end of the movie became some sort of actual conversation. 

“Okay but in reality think a ghost wouldn’t be on this plane of existence.” Magnus gave a look like ‘are you seriously overthinking ghosts’. “Ghosts should hold no effect on reality,let alone be able to pick up a knife and stab people especially if the ghost is hundreds of years old.” 

“Alexander you are aware there is stranger things like that they even went into the house in the first place?” 

“Horror cliche-but the knife thing’s absurd.” 

“Remind me to never let you pick the movie ever again.” 

“It was my turn,Magnus but yeah maybe revoke my movie choice privileges this one was not my best choice.” 

“Yeah I love you,but that power’s a bit much for you at least for the rest of the week.” 

“Now you’re just taking it so you can make us watch your shows all week.” 

Rolling over head facing upwards to look at Magnus’ which gave a sort of facial shrug in reply which caused him to put a hand gently near his boyfriend’s face. Then he propped up giving a fake pout instead of simply sitting up to kiss Magnus,or ask because what fun would that be. 

Especially when he felt their breath mix,and lips over his eyes closing slowly sitting up in his boyfriend’s lap. Dizzy,lack of oxygen thinking it was heading somewhere when a thud landed beside them. Lips pulled away from his and Alec was about to let out a huff when followed where the attention had gone. 

Some cat was sitting there staring at them must be one of Magnus’ wasn’t gray nor grumpy so must be Chairman. It meowed stretching out clawing at Alec’s leg some,”Ow.”  Moving the paws carefully sliding off his boyfriend’s lap only to watch the cat stretch across it. “Just realized never met your cat’s now kind of realize why.” 

Magnus shook his head giving the cat attention,namely petting it till purring happened. “Chair’s probably hungry that or hiding from Church as for the clawing purely accidental.” Alec gave a nod rubbing his eyes watching the cat a moment. 

“Right well I think while you feed Chairman I’m going to start getting ready for bed,or maybe just hog the bed seeing as you might be stuck on the couch via cat imprisonment all night.” Dodging the pillow thrown at him with a grin heading towards their bedroom. After glancing back at the still glowing hair still unsure how hadn’t made a joke about how it’d likely glow all night. 

Or how could probably act as a glowstick in the dark.. The ideas kept appearing while he brushed his teeth and used mouth wash really wasting time before he could curl up close under the covers with his boyfriend. 

#malec fic #malec fics #malec fanfic #malec fanfics #malec #my fanfics

[selenelavellan]

Clubs and Cookies

Concert AU

Part One Part Two (NSFW)

Dirthamen, Deceit, Fear and the Evanuris (mentioned) belong to @feynites

TW for Alcohol and Food and Polyamory

“So, I heard you think we aren't dating.” Deceit accuses through Selenes speakerphone.

She lets out a sigh, and continues chopping up the vegetables for her and Des's dinner. “Well, it is difficult to apply that term to our relationship given that there haven't yet been any actual dates.”

“Of course there have been dates. We've all gone to a few concerts together now.”

“Pretty sure that only counts as a date when we're all actually there together, rather than one of you sending Des a text with 'hey we're performing tonight, your names are on the list. Come watch us and then come over for sex.'”

“Dinner was involved too, as I recall.”

Silently shaking her head as she pours the carrots into the bowl, Selene continues. “The point of dates, you know, is to talk and get to know each other.  Not for one party to sit and watch the other at work, and then crawl into bed together. I'll give you the dinners, but I'm getting really sick of pizza.”

“So why'd you tell Fear, and not me? Or Dirthamen?”

“Fear asked,” Selene shrugs “I knew Des bought them the red pumps already, and I had a dress that paired well with them. When they asked what I wanted to borrow them for, I was honest.”

“Hm...” Deceit grumbles. “Did you have a good time?”

“Yes. She was lovely, and very sweet.” Selene admits.

“Did you sleep with her?”

“Not yet.”

“Are you planning to?”

Selene hums, contemplating the matter over as she washes off the chicken, letting them wait for her answer. They deserve it, really. They've all been seeing each other for a little over a month now, and this is the first time any of them have indicated that they might be interested in more than sex. Dirthamen still won't tell her his last name, for goodness sakes. “I haven't decided. We haven't actually made plans for a second date yet, so she may not even be interested.”

“So you're free tonight, then.”

“No, I'm cooking.”

“Great, I'll be there in an hour.”

“That wasn't an invi-” her phone beeps as Deceit hangs up. “-tation.”

A frustrated puff of air escapes her mouth as her fingers tap on the plastic counter top.

“Des!” She finally calls out as she pulls another chicken breast out of the fridge “We're having a guest over for dinner.”

---

“I didn't know you could cook like that,” Deceit compliments as he wipes his hands and Des takes the plates into the kitchen. “You've been holding out on us.”

“Well, if you kept any groceries in the house that didn't have Fears name labeled across them, maybe I could make something for you all once in a while.” Selene teases.

“Noted.” Deceit nods.

She stands, intending to help Des with the dishes in their kitchen.

“Going to change?” Deceit asks instead.

“Uh...” Selene blinks down at her t shirt and accidentally ripped up jeans. “...no?”

“I don't think they'll let you in like that.”

“Am I going somewhere?”

“I'm taking you on a date.”

Selene blinks, and raises one eyebrow, slowly. “Typically, you ask people out on dates.”

“I told him it was fine!” Des hollers from the kitchen.

Deceit grins, seemingly satisfied that he thinks he did this entirely correctly.

“I meant, you are supposed to ask the person going on the date if they want to go.”

“You said you wanted to go on dates with us before I came over,” Deceit points out. “So that we could be dating.”

“That's not exactly how I remember that conversation goin-”

“Wear the blue dress,” Des advises, head poking out from the kitchen, rubber gloves still wet and soapy over his hands “With the gold heels. The strappy ones.”

“That's...” Selene stammers “That's a lot of skin left open, Des.”

“That's the point.” He grins, waggling his eyebrows.

She glances between the two elves, and wonders for a moment how the universe hasn't collapsed around the sheer amount of ego they're exuding. Then she wanders off to her room to change, anyways.

She could use a night out, after all.

---

The club is loud, and the bouncer is familiar enough with Deceit that the two of them are waved inside without even having to stop at the ropes. Inside, the dance floor is crowded, bodies pressed against each other through latex and polyester and leather and flashing lights.

She's ready to leave, already.

Deceit guides her through the crowd, up the staircase and into a more secluded booth. Selene is grateful to be able to breathe through the haze of cologne and body sprays here, at least. She carefully pulls down on the hem of her dress, even as it continues trying to ride up her thighs with each step. Deceit orders some drink she doesn't catch the name of from one of the bussers walking around the second level, and then turn to face her, leaning across the table attentively.

“So. What would you like to talk about?”

Selene lets out a small bark of a laugh “You brought me to a nightclub to talk?”

“This is a good date location for people our age. I asked around.”

She laughs again, shaking her head before giving in and leaning forward on the table again, one of Des's long gold necklaces clinking lightly against the surface. “You asked me here. What do you want to talk about?”

Deceits eyes narrow as they carefully rub their chin in consideration. Two bright red drinks are placed on the table as the busser passes them again. After a minute, Deceit points a finger at Selene. “Tell me about your family.”

Selene imitates a buzzer sound “Hard pass. Try again.”

“Ok. What do you do for a living?”

“Currently, I'm unemployed. I do some odd jobs here and there when I really need the money, but mostly it's freelance writing these days.”

“Like stories?”

“No, textbooks mostly. A lot of math ones.”

“Don't you need a high level degree for that?”

“Yeah, that's why it's a good thing I have a few. Complex Analysis, Discrete Mathematics, and Teaching.”

Deceit lets out a low whistle. “Why aren't you using them then?”

“I was. I taught for a few years, before I...” she pauses, hesitant to tell the truth. “Left.” she finally lies.

“Bold career move.”

Selene nods, and shifts uncomfortably in the booth before taking another sip of her drink.

“So...parents, then. Dead?”

“Dunno,” She admits “I ran away with Des when I was a teenager and haven't checked in since. You were supposed to ask something else.”

Deceit takes a sip of his drink and continues on anyways. “Where'd you run away from?”

“Family.”

“Evasive.” he accuses.

“Still more than I should give you.” She shoots back.

“Ooh, mysterious. Why'd you leave, then?”

“I was unhappy. Not such a mystery, really.”

“How long have you known Des?”

“Since we were kids. We grew up together.”

“Would he answer these questions if I asked him?”

“Not truthfully. I've had to field a lot of questions from bed partners he's told some pretty extreme backstories too.”

“What sort of stories?”

“Hm,” Selene muses, taking a sip of her own drink as she tries to recall a few notable ones. “Well, he's told people he was a very tall dwarf, who disguised himself as an elf to avoid the Carta. Another time, he claimed to be a city elf from Kirkwall who slew a team of templars and was on the run from the Chantry. Oh, and he even claimed to be a long lost heir of the Evanuris family once.”

Deceit nearly chokes on his drink at the last one, and Selene reaches out to try to help before he waves her off. “The uh...The Evanuris family, huh?”

“Yeah, he just likes people to think he's got some dark, broody past. Says people like to try to 'fuck the sad away'. I'd say he's ridiculous, but I've seen it work, often, so...” She shrugs.

“That's...” Deceit chuckles, before muttering something under his breath about not telling someone else about it, and changes the subject back. “So, what do you tell people?”

“I usually back up his stories.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. There's no harm in it, and he doesn't bring them back for a second visit anyways.”

“He seems awfully persistent for a once-and-done sort of guy.”

“Well, he likes you guys,” Selene admits “He's actually not even seeing other people right now.”

“But you don't like us?”

“I didn't say that.” Selene frowns.

“You're seeing someone else.”

“Someone else asked me, and I said yes. You all want to sit down and actually hammer out whatever this is we're all doing together? Fine by me. But don't get mad at me for looking for something serious elsewhere when no one's even hinted at being exclusive. I'm not actually a fan of casual sex.”

Deceit nods, slowly. “Alright. I'm sorry. We...didn't know. We thought you two wanted something loose, and informal.”

“I'm not looking for a multi-year lets-all-sign-a-lease-together commitment or anything this early,” Selene assures him “But I do really like you. All of you. I can't keep doing the casual thing if it's not leading anywhere, is all. It'll hurt too much when it ends. I thought I saw an out, so...I took it.”

“Look for outs a lot?”

“What does that mean?” Selene disapproves, shoulders tightening in defense.

“Well, you said you ran away from your family, you ran away from your job, and now you're saying you were thinking of running from us, so it just seems like you have a habit of leaving when things get tough.”

Selenes fingers tighten around her glass, before she abruptly throws its remnants directly into Deceits face.

Stunned eyes blink back at her as she stands, and straightens her dress. “You don't know a damn thing about me,” she hisses, before storming angrily out of the club, tears pricking in the corners of her eyes.

He's right. Of course, he's right. She runs from all her problems, she knows. She ran from her father, from Haleir, from her clan. She's running from Deceit, now.

Guess I'm just a coward, she thinks bitterly, sniffling as she works her key into her front door, slamming it closed behind her once she's entered.

“Have a good time you...” Des stops dead in the hallway as he sees Selene, on the verge of tears in their entry way.

She sniffles again, and he races towards her, helping her onto their old, off color couch.

“Did he hurt you?” Des asks, softly.

Selene shakes her head “No. No, no, it wasn't anything like that. I just...” She takes a deep breath, and wipes at the corners of her eyes “He asked some questions I didn't want to answer, is all.”

Des nods understandingly “You told him about the clan?”

“No. No, I just told him we ran away when we were teenagers. Didn't tell him why, or from where.”

“Ok,” Des sighs, wrapping his arms around Selene consolingly as he strokes her bare shoulder “Alright. That's alright. You don't have to tell them anything you don't want to.”

Selene nods, sitting comfortably in his arms on their couch for several minutes in silence.

“...Do you think I'm a coward?” she finally murmurs.

“No. Absolutely not.”

Selene looks up at him disbelievingly.

“Scouts honor.”

“You were never a scout.”

“My honor as a mage then,” he shrugs. “Did Deceit call you a coward? I'll beat him up if you want.”

Selene snorts “He would kick your ass, and we both know it. And..no, not exactly. He just...pointed out that I tend to run away from things in my life. Right before I threw a drink in his face and...ran away from him.” She groans “Ohhhh, I'm an idiot.”

“You're not an idiot, and you're not a coward,” Des smiles. “Deceit doesn't know what happened, right? You were brave for leaving, Selene. There is nothing cowardly about leaving a toxic environment, it takes a lot of courage to do what you did with the clan.”

“And I still don't have a job...” She groans.

“Well, that's my fault, really.”

“It's my fault, too. I went along with it.”

“It's the systems fault then,” he concedes. “They shouldn't be able to take away your livelihood just because you had one bad night.”

Selene shrugs, tired and worn out, and feeling a little hurt. She shouldn't be, she thinks. She should text Deceit, and apologize for throwing the drink in his face. But he might be mad, and she doesn't think she could handle being cursed out and dumped right now.

Instead, Des turns the TV onto one of their favorite movies, and lets the background noise fill the room while they fall asleep together on the couch.

---

Selenes phone buzzes her awake around noon the next day.

Fear.

Can you come help me with something?

She pauses, and bites her lip. Des has already left for his own work, and she's alone in the apartment, still wearing last nights dress, although it looks as though Des has removed her heels.

Depends. Who's home? She sends back.

Just Me.

It's probably too much to hope that Deceit didn't tell anyone. Surely they all know what happened by now.

Just us for the day?

Sure.

Let me get dressed and I'll head over.

A thumbs up emoji pops up as confirmation, and she changes into a comfortable pale green shirt and dark pants, washing off the previous nights make up.

She snags her purse, and makes her way over to their apartment.

Fear greets her, wearing an apron, and waves her into the kitchen. “I'm making some peanut butter oatmeal cookies. Give me a hand?”

“I'll try, but I should probably warn you that my baking skills are awful.”

Fear gives a soft 'mm' as they hand her a spare apron. “I hear your cooking skills are pretty good, actually.”

“You spoke with Deceit then.”

“I asked why he came home soaked in cherry juice and wet eyeliner, yeah.”

Selene sighs.

“Are you leaving us?” They ask point blank.

“I don't know,” Selene admits as she ties it off behind her. “I'm just confused, I think? One step forward, two steps back and all that.”

“Deceit can be confusing.” Fear nods. “I often do not understand his ideas.”

“You and me both,” she mutters.

Selene helps fear to cream the butter and sugar, and the two of them are rolling the dough into balls before Fear speaks again.

“So why did you leave your family?”

Selene lets out a groan. “It doesn't matter.”

“It does. Dirthamen has us maxed out on family troubles. If we are going to all proceed together, we need to know what we are all taking on.”

“What are Dirthamens family troubles?”

Fear blinks. “He hasn't told you why he wears the mask?”

“Just that his family makes him. No other details.”

“Yes...well...” Fear frowns “He should be the one to tell you. Suffice to say we simply try to keep him away from them to the best of our abilities.”

Selene places another ball of dough onto the parchment paper. “Are they that bad?”

“When we met Dirthamen, he had been abandoned in the woods by his twin brother. He thought it a prank to 'toughen him up'. It was not funny. He was almost killed by the wildlife and dehydration, convinced that his brother would return to him.”

“How long was he-”

“A week,” Fear tells her bitterly. “They left him there for a week, and were unimpressed that we assisted him to the hospital after. As though their abandonment were due to some flaw of his, and not an utter failure on their part to care for him. We have stuck to his side ever since.”

Selenes pace has slowed to a halt as Fear finishes their tale, and she stares contemplatively down at their granite counter top. “That's...They did that on purpose?”

“They are not good people. But he tries to be loyal to them anyways. It has been a long road. He is still only living here on weekends, but it is something, at least.”

“Will I have to deal with them?”

“If we all agree to move forward into an official relationship, that seems likely.”

“Will I have to hold my tongue, if I do?”

Fear pauses as they close the oven door, head tilting to the side. “I punched his brother in the face when he showed up at the hospital, so I may not be the correct person to answer that inquiry.”

Selene laughs, and Fear nods.

“It was very gratifying.”

“I bet.”

“It is one of many reasons his family does not like us, though. A subtler approach may permit you more freedom in their eyes.”

Selene nods in understanding, and helps Fear move all of the mixing bowls into the dishwasher.

Once they and the kitchen have been cleaned up, Fear turns to her.

“It is your turn.”

She blinks. “My turn?”

“Why did you leave your family?” they ask again.

She sighs. “I...don't let Des know I told you, ok?”

Fear nods, never breaking eye contact.

“My dad was an ass, and wanted a life for me I wasn't interested in. My boyfriend at the time was a lying, cheating, non-consensual ass. Our Keeper wanted me to marry him anyways, and Des convinced me it was worth chasing after the life I wanted. So we ran away to the cities, I got a scholarship and went to school, and Des started working.”

“...You were Dalish?”

“Technically, my parents were Dalish. Des and I left before we gained our vallaslin, so it's sort of a blurry line depending on who you ask-”

“Des was Dalish?”

Selene grins “It's a weird picture, right?”

“I can not imagine him in that sort of environment.”

“Yeah, he fit in about as well as you're picturing. Clan life didn't agree with Des, and he'd kill me if he knew I told you.”

“I will be sure to save the knowledge for a special occasion.”

Selene laughs as the timer dings for the cookies. Fear pulls them out of the oven, placing them carefully onto the cooling racks.

“You are interested in pursuing an exclusive relationship with us, then?” Fear asks, hesitantly.

Selene hums. “Yeah. I should probably apologize to Deceit first, though.”

“He will forgive you,” Fear assures her. “He is out trying to discover an adequate way to apologize to you, already.”

Selene snorts as Fear hands her a finished cookie, and takes a bite. It is...terrible. Somehow raw in the center but burnt on the bottom. Too salty by far, and some of the oatmeal pieces still look pale.

Fear seems to have discovered this as well, judging by the look on their face.

“I have made this recipe dozens of times,” they muse “And I have never had any issue with it. Did you do something?”

“Only what you told me to.”

They frown. “I have literally designed this recipe to be as simplistic as possible, to ensure the optimal result, and to keep it from being able to be ruined,” they glance up at her. “Have you checked to see if you are cursed?”

“I have.”

“And?”

“Nothing.” she shrugs.

Fears frown deepens, before they turn and throw the rest of the batch into the garbage, retrieving another set of mixing bowls from the cabinets.

“Do you need any-”

“I do not require assistance,” they assure Selene. “I will make this next batch. Please, feel free to enjoy our entertainment system. Dirthamen has an extensive blu-ray and dvd collection for you to peruse.”

Selene pouts, and instead sits on a stool on the other side of the breakfast bar, watching as Fear blazes through the recipe.

She should really learn how to do that one day, she thinks.

#Concert AU #Selene lavellan #Des #Deceit #Fear #Dirthalene #sort of #eyyy character interactions #Dirthamens meeting with Deceit and Fear is supposed to be reminiscent of the actual story in DA canon #Not sure how well that translated but #yay backstory #some slightly cleaned up drabbles #for reasons

[highgaarden]

ok so bc I'm all like DON'T GIVE UP THE SUPERPOWERS wrt Caro rn I thought why not request a canon-compliant superhero non-AU for Caro where somewhere down the line she decides to ~use her powers for good~ and do the vigilante thing, mask and everything (no stupid impractical costume tho). Extra points if she and Bonnie form a whole Witch/Vampire superhero team. Klaus can read abt it in the paper and figure out it's Caro+Bonnie and be amused and be into it. ♥♥♥

i tried my best. also, i have no clue what’s going on in the originals, but from scraps i get an a very helpful explanation from my friend anne, i sort of got the gist of it, tried to work more of the plot into this, and then decided to just… not. much apologies, please be kind to my v. confused self should you decide to leave a review.

12:51;

or: a superheroes origin story in five parts. 

Klaus/Caroline, Bonnie/Damon | wc. 3705 | ch. 1/5

read on: AO3 / ff.net

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.

—

PartOne

InWhich Everybody’s Week Must Have Been Pretty Rough

—

 .

.

The weekend after Klaus escaped from his wall, he sat down in his studywith three bottles of liquor and double that amount of fresh blood, a steakcooked medium rare, and five years’ worth of newspapers to catch up with theworld.

Freya regarded him curiously. “You could have done away with the mess.We just ordered those new tablets.”

Rebekah was much ruder about the piles he left. She was probably stillmad she had had to miss four seasons of Supernaturalin order to save his skin.

Klaus didn’t answer them. He continued skimming the pages with aprevailing interest, rubbing ink and paper between his fingers. He soon foundthat he hadn’t missed much in his Marcel-imposed exile; that the mundanities oflife had persevered through the years.

His thoughts started to wonder when he was three-years deep into hiscatching up. Nothing caught his eye, and he was starting to feel the gratitudeof being able to sit in a comfortable armchair as opposed to being shackled toa floor dusted with rubble chip away.

Until he saw it.

He read the little opinion piece, then read it again, and a third timefor good measure.

And then he called Damon Salvatore.

—

At that point, not even Damon knew of their little hijinks despite havingmoved himself into their apartment. He used the pretence of “keeping an eye onthem” to make it past the front door. The living room became his sanctum santorum, and the couch he tookrefuge in constantly smelled like booze and Doritos.

Caroline was not happy with this arrangement, and made sure to be veryvocal about it every chance she got.

Sometimes it ranged from loud, to shrill, towake-your-neighbours-up-at-3am-because-Damon-you-fuck-you-left-your-underwear-in-my-laundry-basket piercing.

Tonight, Damon had the apartment to himself, and was glad for the peaceand quiet. Caroline was out on a date, and Bonnie was at the library borrowinga book. She was always at the library borrowing books, and he liked tellingpeople how bookish she was in a tone that was both patronizing and fond. It hadtaken some time, but he had finally perfected it.

In the middle of his Grey’sAnatomy rerun (“Denny? You chosea dying sack of meat over Alex? Really,Izzie?” he yelled at the tv), his phone rang.

It was Klaus. He hadn’t heard from the fucker in more than a decade, andwas immediately suspicious.

“City Morgue,” he answered cautiously.

“Just to be clear, you’re still second best,” came the familiar gout ofKlaus’s voice. “I only called you because Stefan’s number seems to not beworking, mate.”

“That’s ‘cause it’s not,” Damon said. “How do you still have mine?”

“If I wanted idle chit chat I would’ve resurrected Finn again.”

Damon muted the tv and got to his feet. “And yet here you are, makingidle chit chat.”

“I merely called to enquire about Caroline and Bonnie’s wellbeing.”

“They’re fine,” Damon said shortly.

“You best make sure they’re getting adequate rest for all thecrime-fighting they’re doing,” Klaus said, and killed the line.

Damon spat out his bourbon.

That’s how it all started, really.

—

Caroline was having a crummy night. The sole of her shoe had torn awayas she was chasing her assailant across the rooftops of Midtown, and it nowflapped with every step she took, and slowed her down considerably.

“I’m gonna get you, Raul!” she yelled, to make up for how she was losinghim, fast. “Your album sucked!”

Raul the Eurovision Vampire came to a screeching halt. He was screechingquite literally, because of all the insults Caroline had hurled at him in thepast week of stalking him, this one hurt the most.

“And your win last year?” Caroline continued as she hauled herself overa crumbling ledge. “Total pandering.”

Raul hissed and bared his fangs. “You know nothing of talent, sillygirl. If you did you wouldn’t be spending your nights in cowardice, hiding yourface with a gaudy mask. A poor man’s Catwoman.”

Caroline bristled, because it had taken her and Bonnie splurging on asewing course in Uptown to get their stitching just right.

“And you would’ve gotten more than a deal sponsoring mattresses afteryou won Eurovision,” she retorted, and Raul actually looked pained.

Actual, legit pain.

Caroline sighed. “Look, I’ll cut you a deal. See this stake here? Iwon’t stick it in your heart if you meet my conditions.”

Raul warily eyed the stake she was twirling between her fingers.Normally he would have told her to kiss his ass, but he was cornered, and hedidn’t fancy becoming a splat on the sidewalk.

That, and he was afraid of heights.

“And the conditions are?” he asked finally.

Caroline took a moment to rip the failing sole completely off her shoe.It came off with one clean pull, and when she looked up Raul was still there,which meant there was still hope for a redemption arc for him.

She gave him a winsome smile. “Do you have a pen?”

—

Bonnie slid in through her bedroom window, heady with glory. She hadgotten better at sneaking in and out at odd hours, but evidently not by much,since she managed to wake Damon up.

This was because he was in her bed when she threw herself on it.

“Damon, what the hell?”

Damon awoke with a snort. “A-ha! Proofof your foolhardy life choices!”

Bonnie rolled her eyes and unhooked her cape. She made a mental note to passCaroline twenty dollars. “Took you long enough to realize.”

“I am living with hoodwinks.”Damon pouted. “How could you not have let me in on this secret?”

“Damon, you helped me with laundry last week. You literally foldedpieces of my costume. It had my alter ego name on stitched across the front.”She swung her feet and walked to the paper partition by her dresser, where shewiggled out of her outfit safe from Damon’s prying eyes into a worn Whitmoresweater and blue shorts with lightning patterns on them.

“Are those anti-aging potions you’re brewing finally screwin’ with yourhead?” Damon was still on a roll. “You know how I had to find out? Klaus!”

“Klaus is alive?” Bonnie asked.

“Yes, and even in his state of barely living he ousted you and BlondeDistraction’s sly night crime-kicking.”

Bonnie started to respond, but then got sidetracked. “Blonde Distraction?”

“Uh – yeah.” He fiddled with his phone. “Blonde Distraction and FeistyFire.”

“That is fucking terrible,” Bonnie said mildly. “And not even ournames.”

“That’s what I call you in my blog, which I only update when I’m drunk. I’vebeen following you for years. Checkout the threads!” Damon waved his phone in her face.

“Are you drunk right now?” she asked.

“Yes,” Damon said sulkily, “but only half-stupid. You were never at thelibrary, were you?”

“Well, you were really sweet about it—”

“And you kept missing all those scrabble/pizza nights!” Damon howledinto his hands, betrayal gutting him like a fish.

“Damon,” Bonnie narrowed her eyes. “I’m tired. “The next time you spendthe night in my bed, I’m burning your brains out.”

“Reduced to being treated as one of your petty criminals,” Damonsniffed. “So be it. Our friendship always had an expiry date, huh?”

Damon slinked out of her room. Bonnie considered calling after him, butfigured she’d reason in the morning. For now, she had a huge bruise in her sideto nurse, and sleep was calling.

—

It started with scaring off new vampires from innocent clubgoers, andthen keeping the pasty creep-o’s who lived in the apartment adjacent to theirsin line when bodies started piling up in their shared dumpster.

Caroline hadn’t blown all her cash for an apartment in New York just forit to be crawling with the diseased, depravity and blood, so she took it uponherself to clean it up. An act of charity, if you will.

At night, she donned a mask and put on sensible boots. No stupidimpractical spandex for her, nor did she for a minute entertain midriff-baringleather, no matter how hot she might have looked.

Sipping from her thermos of warmed AB, she kneeled by stone gargoylesand prowled through the night. Afterwards she would either jump from rooftop torooftop, or practice her parkour, feeling invincible and (not gonna lie) reallyfucking cool.

At around 1am she got the read from Bonnie (in other words, Bonnietexted her in their coded-emoji) that their target for the night had arrived.

From five stories above she followed the sound of his footsteps throughthe alleyway, waiting to catch a heartbeat. When none came, she knew that hewas the one. His steps faltered when he heard a noise behind him. Caroline tookthe opportunity to jump down on him.

“Hello,” she smiled sweetly, when he was thrashing and spittingunderneath her. She was sitting on his back, which couldn’t be comfortable.

“Killing. Maiming. Money-laundering.” Bonnie came slowly from the mouthof the alleyway, her cape flowing behind her. “That last one’s kind of random,but the other shit we have on you—yikes.”

Caroline gathered his hair in her gloved hands and yanked hard. Thevampire cried out, enraged, but didn’t look away from her piercing gaze.

“You’ve got a locker full of civilians waiting like lambs forslaughter,” she said slowly, so he might not miss the threat in her voice.“Tell us where they are and you get to live.”

“I’m gonna have to call your bluff,” he rasped. “I’ve cut a pretty gooddeal, and ain’t no stinkin’ blonde and her twitchy sidekick are gonna stop me.”

Bonnie’s face darkened.

“Oooh,” Caroline whistled. “Bad choice of words there, bud. She’s not mysidekick. We’re partners. I kick ass, she takes names. Sometimes I take names,and she kicks ass. Though ‘kick’ might not be the right verb here…”

“I prefer not having to touch you scum,” Bonnie said, and from herfingers erupted flames.

Caroline smiled, eyes shining brightly in the fear that Bonnie hadincited into the now-still vampire.

“What are vampires most afraid of?” Caroline whispered into his fear.

“Werewolf venom.”

Caroline clicks her tongue. “No, the other thing.”

The vampire, cold sweat on his forehead, hesitated. ‘Uh—stakes?”

Caroline knuckled the base of his skull. “Fire, you moron. She’s waving it right in your face!”

It didn’t help that he passed out immediately.

Bonnie sighed and dropped her hands. The alley dimmed once again. “Canwe talk about this whole intimidation tactic thing?”

Caroline refused to look her in the eye.

—

It took about twenty minutes for him to come to, by which time Carolinehad gotten bored of sitting on his back and had decided to chain him to thedumpster instead.

After they heckled and tortured the information out of him, Carolinepulled out the usual contract – stating that no further harm would come to himfrom their hands if he got the hell out of the city and signed along the dottedline – when he started monologueing and posturing in a way that was really, really familiar.

Caroline pulled the pen away from his trembling grasp for it. Shesquinted in the dark alley, trying to make out his eyes.

“Caroline?” Bonnie asked, but Caroline barely heard.

The vampire was still monologueing, and Caroline felt a rising anger.She knew a compelled gaze anywhere.

“Damn it, Bon.”

Her fist swung out of her own accord, knocking the vampire out cold.There was a satisfying crack accompanying the slump of his neck, and Carolinedusted her hands off.

Bonnie eyed his body with distaste. “Harsh, Care. Don’t you usually waitfor them to sign the contract first?”

—

True to his word, Damon had indeed started a blog following the accountsof Blonde Distraction and Feisty Fire (not their actual names, but given thefact that he only ever blogged when he was drunk, he never bothered to learntheir real names) and their vigilante crime-fighting on his blog, WatchOutVillainz.com.

It was a smorgasbord of garish colour, Comic Sans, and badly-wordedheadings.

Klaus would never admit it, but he loved reading it.

He followed it with the same tenacity Caroline had for new episodes ofThe Bachelor, and one night even set up a username for himself to partake inthe lengthy discussions over who Blonde Distraction and Feisty Fire might be.

His username was entirely anonymous, and he enjoyed having a persona toparade as he took down trolls and ventured the tags, verbally maiming anyoneand everyone who dared speak ill of Blonde Distraction or Feisty Fire.

Granted, he didn’t care much for the witch, but thought that Carolinewould like it if he were to stand up for her too, so he did.

Damon showed up at his hotel room one night sullen-faced. “Get off mywebsite.”

“Make me,” Klaus said, typing progressively faster on his keyboard.

Damon failed to make him, and returned home, turning all his loyalfollowers on one hybrid_master_127. Unfortunately, Klaus seemed to have accrueda cluster of minions of his own in his short time of perusingWatchOutVillainz.com, and they threatened to hack into the mainframe of one ofhis life’s most precious work.

Damon, having limited knowledge of IT, highly doubted the existence of amainframe and whether or not it could be hacked.

In the end decided to play it safe, and Klaus stayed.

—

The way Caroline figured out it was Klaus who had been sending thugvamps her way was almost as fast as him discovering their true identities asthe Vigilantes of the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.

A week after Damon had almost thrashed his hotel room, Klaus opens thedoor to his magnificently ransacked quarters. Caroline was sitting on whatappeared to be the cracked granite of his bathtub, in his living room, with herlegs crossed. She was still in her mask and boots.

“What is wrong with you?” sheyelled. “Why can’t you pick up the phone and call like a normal person?”

“That would have ruined the fun,” Klaus replied. “Besides, would youhave answered?”

Caroline hesitated.

“I thought so.”

“You never answered any of mycalls.”

“I was chained up in a wall, love.”

Caroline considered this. “Hm.”

Klaus picked his way towards her, straightening lamps as he went. Minutegoosefeathers floated about his shoulders; the pillows had all been spearedonto the ceiling fan like kebabs. “It was all too easy to suss out it was you.”

Caroline refused to bite. Instead, she stayed silent, watching him comecloser and closer.

“You offered them redemption instead of gutting them alive, in documentform to boot.” Klaus sounded reproachful and he righted an upset table to hidehis exasperation. “Furthermore, Bonnie made no secret of her pyromanicabilities. She was always very artful with that certain power of hers.”

“You compelled yourself a massacre just to draw me out,” she hissed. “Ihappen to take my craft very seriously—”

“I know, love. I’m not laughing.” And indeed he wasn’t. In fact, he sortof admired the spirit in which she undertook her task. In all honesty, he believedthis to be a phase—it took him a while to process the fact that she’d chosen tospend her eternity (or at least, a significant early part of it) doing this.

“So why are you here?” Caroline asked.

“Because.” He paused. Why was hehere? Papa Tunde’s torment had left him withered and raw; Hayley and Freya hadgone to the ends of the earth to release him and when he’d woken up Hope waswell in her teen years. Despite the world staying to same, too much of what hecared about had changed. He needed—he needed to make sure, needed to see forhimself, how she was.

Perhaps she was right. A phone call would have worked better.

“I wanted to offer my services,” is what he decided on at last.

Caroline snorted so loud he thought it was a piece of his ceiling fallingon them.

—

“I know all the criminals in this city,” he insisted, dogging her downthe street. Caroline walked remarkably fast in the night. She had left her maskin the debris of his room, stating she had ‘plenty more’.

“I’d rather go to vampire jail,” she told him sedately.

“Ah, that rather poorly masked vampire rehab you set up,” he said,falling into step with her. “The Elizabeth-Bill Institute for the MorallyBankrupt. I was just short of amused as to what an easy target you madeyourself.”

“And yet the only person who managed to figure it all out was you,” shesaid.

“Well—Kol did, too. We were playing crime-bingo with your exploits.”Klaus grinned. “I was one money-launder away from a win, so I decided to pullthings to my favour.”

“I’ll wall you in myself,” she seethed.

“Oh, where will you possibly find the time in between all thiscrime-fighting?”

Caroline whipped around, fangs bared. “Leave me alone, Klaus.”

“How are the twins?” he asked gently.

“None of your business.”

“They should be around Hope’s age, shouldn’t they?”

“Stop talking about them.”

Caroline took a detour through an alleyway, and with more agility thanKlaus expected, climbed her way up the side of a building, all to get away fromhim.

Klaus weighed his options, then hefted himself up after her.

He found her sitting on a rooftop edge, the city pulsating beneath them.He sat down beside her and was surprised when she offered him a thermos ofblood. It was still warm.

“Where were you keeping that?” he asked admiringly, studying her outfit.

She sent him a look that could kill, and went back to countingheadlights. “Please don’t tell anyone,” she said quietly, after a while.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said. He cleared his throat and glanced ather. “When did it start?”

Caroline shuts her eyes. “A few years ago. Josie and Lizzie were growingup pretty fast. Alaric—he, well. Didn’t want me to have…” she gestured vaguely,“words were exchanged. I decided that if I could do my part to help in anyother way, I’d do it.”

“You’ll soon be bored with the futility of it, I imagine.”

“I’ve got an end goal in mind,” she said absently.

After a fashion he realized she had stopped counting headlights and wasfocused on a window in the building across the cobweb of streets. Two girls,remarkably alike, were pulling the curtains closed for the night.

“They’re nocturnal creatures,” he said softly. “If I could venture a guess,just like their mother.”

Caroline didn’t answer. Instead, she rested her head on his shoulder. Hestiffened in surprise, but she didn’t comment on it, neither did she move away.“Next time, just call. You can’t base my reactions on the girl you knew tenyears ago.”

“Some things will always remain singular,” he said. He wasn’t speakingabout her. She hoped she saw it in the look he was giving her.

Caroline pulled away slowly. For a long time, she only looked at him.Klaus took a chance and reached for her hand, after which she tangled herfingers in his. They stayed that way for only a short moment, but the feelingof her palm, soft in his, lingered long after she’d slid her thermos back intoits hiding place on her body and left.

—

Damon had taken to fixing them breakfast in the wee hours of the morningwhen they finally returned. He reasoned that it was the least he could do, whatwith all the slander he keeps slinging their way on his website.

“To blindside the scrutinizing eyes of the public!” he insisted,flipping pancakes.

However, when Caroline returned home with an extra guest, his spatulafell onto the island with a smack.

“I refuse to feed him,” he told Bonnie. So offended was he that Carolinehad brought Klaus home that he refused to speak to Caroline too. Looking rightthrough them, he pointed out, “And I only made pancakes for three.”

Damon gestured angrily at the table, where three immaculate plates piledhigh with pancakes and cream had been set.

Klaus scowled. “But there’s four more, burning, by the way, on theskillet.” He tried not to sound too indignant.

“You kidding me? These are all for Bonnie!”

As the two immortal beings squabbled, Caroline speared a triangle ofpancake with her fork. Bonnie sipped her glass of orange juice. It felt strangefor the apartment to be so full, especially with the presence of Damon’s entireliquor cabinet dotting every corner.

Klaus finally wrestled himself a seat next to Caroline, but not beforeflicking off Damon’s shirt that had been slung over the back of the chair with dispassion.

“That’s it! I’m done! You can make breakfast yourselves from now on!” Damon yanked off his apron and was gonewith a huff.

“Does this happen a lot?” Klaus enquired, sniffing around a piece ofbacon.

“More times than you can imagine,” Bonnie said.

—

In the coming days, Klaus visited more often. His hotel room had beenproperly demolished, he took to reminding Caroline, who sighed and held out atowel for him to use her shower.

Bonnie delighted in the fact that she now has leverage against having abroody roommate/parasite, seeing as Caroline had one of her own now, too.

Damon continued to be miserable.

Klaus continued to goad them with his offer.

Caroline and Bonnie continued their crime-fighting.

“Let’s not make this routine,” Bonnie told Caroline as she garrotted avampire who had been hell-bent on chowing down on a family of four. “By nextweek we kick them out.”

“You got it, Bon,” Caroline said, waving the contract in the chokingvampire’s face. “We’re burning the couch. And can we finally talk about that cape of yours?”

Bonnie rolled her eyes, but nodded her agreement as the vampire veryreluctantly signed her name along the dotted line.

—

tbc

9B��`

#klaroline #bamon #klaroline fanfiction #bamon fanfiction #ishenwulf #lol HOW DO I EVEN GO ABOUT TAGGING THIS SHIT #hannah writes things #askbox request #fic: 1251 #otp: speak my name when you damn me #otp: yellow ledbetter #this was fun to write and i actually had heaps more buuut i figured i'd save them for upcoming chapters #here you go ishi YOU ASKED FOR IT #tvd