#god I want someone to want me the way jack wants Elsie | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

serenasoutherlyns · 3 years

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Not a Summer Crush Part Seven

a/n: It's heeeeere! The night before my classes start for the fall. There's a timeskip from the previous part-- Caroline, Alex, and Casey have all been together for about a month and it's the transition between fall and summer. This one features fighting and humor and lots of Jack McCoy. Any and all feedback makes my world!

Part Seven

The weeks passed in late nights spent in the same office, in morning lattes and afternoon runs (that often ended in the kinds of showers that don’t save water, with the almost frantic pulling off of clingy clothing, with breathy “god yes”-es and rushing to the door when either of you heard Alex’s key in the lock). Jack McCoy noted with pride how efficient it appeared your bureau had become since the summer started.

It was important to maintain a good amount of discretion. As progressive as the world may be becoming, you knew that the DA’s office had to keep up appearances; that it wouldn’t be good for you, and Jack (and, by extension, you again) for the media to get wind of your relationship. Besides, you wanted to keep it personal, special.

But oh. The thrill of the honeymoon phase is so irresistible.

A Friday night, one where the air began to have the kind of bite that previewed the coming fall, found you and Alex together in a candlelit restaurant waiting for Casey to join you. You had some sense, choosing a place not normally frequented by the Hogan Place set, in the opposite direction from your apartment. You set your glass of wine beside Alex’s and took her hand in yours, above the table this time. You couldn't resist leaning in, kissing her softly.

“Caroline,” she said as you pulled away, smiling at you with the same look you’d first seen months ago, that you hadn’t known was what it was until you’d seen it over and over as she pulled you tighter into her arms.

“Alex,” you said, enticingly, all but batting your eyelashes. She ran her fingers along yours in apology. “I know,” you said, placing your hands back on the table, leaning back against the booth seat. “We could always meet Casey when she gets to your place,” you said, looking at your phone. “Except she’s almost here.”

Alex laughed lightly. “You’re insatiable,” she scolded you, teasingly. You shrugged, knowing it was accurate. “And I’m hungry.” She picked up her menu.

Across the room, around the corner, sitting at a single table, Jack McCoy returned his focus to his book, trying to convince himself he hadn’t seen what he thought he did.

---

Jack was on high alert at the office. He had been too far away, he couldn’t be sure. And it was such an out of the way place-- he went there when he didn’t want every law student and defense attorney on the island to vie for a piece of his ear. So it couldn’t’ve been them, Jack thought. Who am I kidding? That’s exactly the kind of place they’d go. After all-- Jack knew from affairs.

He wouldn’t have expected this of Alex Cabot, knowing how in love she and Casey were. Though, now he considered the possibility, the two of you seemed to gravitate towards one another in a characteristic way. He remembered seeing her hand linger on your shoulder a beat too long in the courthouse hallway.

Who knows, he’d always expected Mike and Connie would go for it one day, and they still hadn’t. When Erika Keller and Anna Mikhailova had filed their disclosure he could’ve sworn he’d needed to get his eyes checked, having heard the way the two of them could argue. Maybe he wasn’t the best judge of things. Because I’m looking for myself in other people. He leaned in his chair. He’d do the introspection later. For now, he’d do what he could to keep one of his bureau chiefs out of a public scandal. Besides, they were too far away. It could’ve been anybody’s curls bouncing in laughter, could’ve been anyone’s impeccable posture. He hoped.

He made a point that Monday around noon to personally stop by the junior office on your floor, but found only Nick Anderson (who, he remembered, he needed to talk to about a possible change of bureaus) with his head buried in a journal.

“Mr. McCoy,” he said as soon as he realized he wasn’t alone, snapping the book shut harder than he needed to. “What can I do for you?”

“Hi, Nick,” Jack said, a little disappointed that he’d roused the guy from what was clearly riveting reading. “I was just looking for Caroline.”

Anderson’s face fell. Evidently, he was used to that line of inquiry. Poor guy. McCoy remembered the days when he’d given the least helpful junior ADAs piles of nothing to keep them out of his hair. No obvious changes, Jack noticed as he looked around your side of the office. No notes or photos or out-of-the-ordinary gifts. Though, someone needs to show this woman the value of an organized space, he thought. It’d be hard to notice anything among the pile of papers.

“Mr. McCoy?” he heard Anderson say.

“Yeah?” he replied, somewhat irritated.

“Oh um,” he said, what little confidence he had faltering. “I just said she was in Ms. Cabot’s office, sir.”

Jack’s stomach dropped. That may as well be “step one” in the old Jack McCoy playbook, get her in your space as often as possible. Oh come on, Jack. She’s her boss. They’re probably going over witness statements. Right. And how many witness statements did Sally and I review together while I was still going home to Ellen? He swallowed. “Thank you. And you don’t need to ‘sir’ me anymore. You’ve earned your desk.”

“Yes s-- got it, Mr. McCoy.” Anderson returned to his book. Jack continued down the hall.

---

“You really think she’s being honest?” Alex’s question was audible through her slightly-open door.

“She’s our witness!” you said, matching her tone. Somehow, the mood in the office was light even in your disagreement.

“Witnesses lie,” Jack said, surprising the both of you as he nudged his way in the room.

“When it’s in their best interest,” you said, acknowledging him with a nod in his direction. Jack liked how you didn’t let etiquette get in the way of your arguments. “Alex,” you said, pointing your gaze at her. I know that look. “What good does it do her to lie about who she was with?”

Alex fired right back at you, not bringing McCoy into the conversation. “She avoids embarrassment? Guilt? Fear? I’m not putting her on the stand unless we can verify her testimony.”

“Then we’re looking at an acquittal,” you said dryly.

“Because I won’t suborn perjury? O ye of little faith,” Alex responded. Jack caught a playful lilt in her voice. He was liking this less and less with each piece of evidence he uncovered.

“Do you know for certain she’s lying?” Jack said, breaking the intensity in the room.

“No, but--” Alex said.

“Exactly--” you said at the same time.

“Are you certain she’s telling the truth?” He asked. “This is People v Buckman?” he clarified. Alex nodded. You pushed an offending curl out of your eyes. “I would probably put her on the stand,” you smirked, “and when defense -it’s Elsie Campbell, right?- I’d have no recourse when defense tears her story to pieces.” You shrugged, never minding being the first to concede defeat.

“I’ll see if Detective Rollins is up for a coffee break,” you said, grabbing your phone and attache, but, Jack noticed, leaving your cardigan hanging on the extra hook. “Sometimes I wish I’d stayed in California,” you said, “reciprocal discovery would be pretty sweet.”

“Ouch,” Alex said as you walked out of the office. You waved a hand over your shoulder.

“Did you need something, Jack?” Alex asked, glad she’d known him long enough to be casual.

“Nothing,” he lied, and when she looked puzzled, said, “I was actually checking on the Buckman case.”

“I’m in no need of supervision,” Alex said under her breath. “Anything else I can clarify for you?”

Tell me I’m wrong about this, he thought. “No,” he said. “I’m sure you’ve got it under control.”

---

Of course, if Jack McCoy had been a more athletically inclined man, he may have run into you and Casey in the park two days before the restaurant, cooling down from the 5 and a half miles you’d done. He may have seen you tug on the hem of Casey’s tank top, seen her whisper something in your ear that made you blush and laugh, he may have caught the split second her lips met your jawline, seen the two of you heading off for the subway together.

And if he’d seen that first he may have tried to convince himself that it was another red ponytail and another person’s graceful lines. That there were so many people who jogged in that park, that it couldn't have been you.

He would’ve made a point to stop by the juniors’ office, maybe earlier in the day. Nick Anderson would’ve told him you were in Casey’s office and his stomach would’ve dropped. That may as well be “step one” in the old Jack McCoy playbook, get her in your space as often as possible. Oh come on, Jack. She’s her boss. They’re probably preparing for an admissibility hearing. He’d remind himself to schedule a meeting with Anderson for the end of the week.

He’d continue down the hall to find you and Casey sitting together, wordlessly handing one another documents highlighted in different colors. He’d remember the last time he was that in sync with an assistant and an undeniable flutter of recognition would’ve hit him.

But he hadn’t been in the park.

---

Your phone buzzed on the counter. You dried your hands quickly on the dishtowel, you turned off the tap. In the living room, Ashley was gathering the toys and books scattered about. Ramin was late at the office.

1 new message from: Alex to: you, Casey:

Alex: I just had quite the meeting with Jack.

---

“You wanted to see me, Jack?” Alex said, entering his office after most of the lawyers had gone home or

retreated to their own offices for the night.

“Actually, I’d really rather I didn’t need to,” he said. Alex’s concern showed on her face.

“Is this about the Buckman case? I know it’s going to be extra time to look into her statement,

but I really think this could be a break in the case, if she’s telling the truth or lying, so I thought it was justified. I could probably still make the argument without her, but it feels worth it--”

“No, the case is fine. Besides, it’s your case. I-- Alex we need to talk about… it’s maybe a more personal issue,” Jack said, shifting his hands’ position on the desk in front of him.

Alex’s eyes widened. “Are you speaking as my boss or as my friend?” Jack melted, remembering that they were friends, and that he could approach the topic as a friend. Though, usually, he wouldn’t have to confront a friend about their romantic life. Or if he did, it wouldn’t have professional repercussions. Electoral repercussions, he heard a younger, more emotional version of himself say to Adam Schiff 20 years ago. Sorry, Adam.

“Both, I hope, now that you mention it.”

Alex paused a moment, considering what to say. She had an idea what Jack was getting at, but no idea how he had come to that conclusion. He probably has some kind of sixth sense, she thought. “Start as my boss.”

Jack took a deep breath. “OK. I’ll tell you something Adam Schiff told me when I was in your position,”

Alex felt the need to stop him, to find out exactly what he thought he knew. “Wait. Before you reprimand me. What position am I in? What do you think I’m doing?”

“Jesus, Alex. What do you think you’re doing?” he asked. She didn’t answer him. “You’re having an affair with Caroline Haley.” He wasn’t asking her a question, and the disappointment in his voice was wounding. Alex took a deep breath. “You’re not going to deny it?”

“What makes you think we’re having an affair?” She was determined to out-wit him, get him to show her all his evidence before letting go of anything he was unaware of. Under New York law it is the prosecution’s responsibility to disclose any exculpatory evidence, she thought. And a lawyer who represents herself still has a fool for a client.

Jack looked at her blankly. Was she really going to make him spell it out? Well, he’d missed presenting cases. “I’ve noticed that she spends a lot more time in your office than her own,” he started. Alex’s poker face remained unchanged. “Your conversational style is, quite, amiable, ah,”

She couldn’t suppress a smile, then, biting back a laugh. “My apologies,” she said. “All you have as proof of this alleged affair is friendly conversation and spending time together?”

Jack tried to play into her humor. “I’ll remind you Ms. Novak Cabot,” he said, using her married name to see if it got a reaction (no luck), “that adultery is still a class B misdemeanor in the state of New York.”

Alex snatched that opportunity. He opened the door, your honor. “And how many three-month stays do you owe the good people of New York, Mr. McCoy?” He looked caught-out. The upper hand was hers. “Are you sure you’re not just seeing your old habits?”

“You know, it’s funny you should say that. Because after this coming election, I was going to ask you to be my EADA. But you know I can’t do that if there is even the slightest appearance of impropriety.”

“So this is about election results? You and I both know my patience for politics is--”

“Limited, yes. But don’t tell me you’re not the slightest bit interested.”

“I’d have to think about it, Jack,” she said honestly. It seemed to surprise him, which didn’t surprise her. He seemed to forget, often, that she’d arguably done much more important work (and he seemed to forget that Tracey Kibre had turned down the same position more than once, that some people enjoyed seeing their partners and the insides of their apartments every once in a while). “But that’s not why you wanted to talk to me, and you’ve yet to convince me that you have any idea about any affair.”

“Where were you last Friday evening?” Jack asked her, in full cross-examination confidence.

Alex flinched, her first misstep since she’d come in. She wasn’t going to out-right lie to him if disguising the truth would do. However he knew this (if he knew anything), she had no way of knowing how much he knew. “I had dinner with Caroline at a restaurant near her apartment in Brooklyn.”

“A working dinner?”

“I can’t be friends with my colleague?”

“Trilogy isn’t a particularly platonic place as far as I know,”

“You spied on me outside of work?”

“I happened to be there,” Jack said. Alex rolled her shoulders back, trying to let go of some of the anger she had at what felt like an invasion of her privacy, even if it had been public. “I saw her kiss you, Alex. I know.” Alex didn’t answer him. Jack, uncomfortable with the silence, said “I really do understand. I sympathize with what you’re going through, I know it isn’t easy.”

Her frustration gathered itself in her cold fingertips that she realized were gripping the arms of her chair, hard. “Actually, you don’t understand,” she said, quietly, as politely as she could. “You have an incomplete picture of the nature of our relationship.” Jack opened his mouth to argue. “I won’t say any more,” Alex said, certain, “except that Caroline has done absolutely nothing wrong, and if you go after her about any of this, you will have my resignation.” Jack nodded.

“You understand how something like this could look to the public? You understand that your position is at stake?”

“I understand.”

“I mean, just the power dynamic alone, disregarding the infidelity, and I hate to say it, but you know how rampant homophobia still is.” She clenched her jaw, but she didn’t look guilty.

“I know. Now, I’d like you to be my friend for a moment,” she said. “Please.”

He smiled weakly.

“As your friend, I’d tell you not to cheat on your wife,” Jack said. Alex looked serene.

“I won’t,” she said, rising from her seat. “Goodnight, Jack.” She left faster than he could return the sentiment. He’d hoped he had more comforting things to say. And he wanted to know what on earth she’d meant by “the nature” of their relationship. He trusted she’d take extra care now that she knew he knew. It was not going to be a fun secret to keep.

---

She didn’t tell you what the meeting was about, so you knew it couldn’t have gone well. Quite the meeting. You hoped it wasn’t what you thought it was. You said you’d be there soon. You moved through the apartment quickly, leaving the last of the dishes in the sink, snagging your keys off the hook, tossing them along with your phone into your backpack.

“Where are you going in such a hurry?” Ashley asked. You knew he’d been looking forward to catching up on episodes of The Bachelor, and you did hate to disappoint him. You looked up from tying your shoes.

“Alex and Casey’s,” you said. His shoulders dropped. “I’m sorry, I’ll make it up to you.” He rolled his eyes. “What?” you asked. “You can watch without me, you know, I don’t mind.”

“I don’t care about the show,” he said, returning to his tidying.

You stood up, crossing your arms. “Something you want to say?” He shrugged.

“No, no. Go have fun,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a whole lot of fun,” you said, trying to keep the worry buried. “Alex texted, she said that Jack had called her into his office this evening over something.”

“That surprises you?” Ashley said, his voice high-pitched.

You looked at him with your eyes wide. “I’m sorry?” you said, resisting the urge to raise your voice.

“What did you think was going to happen, Caroline?” he said, with a patronizing look that made your stomach turn.

“I’m not sure what you mean,” you said. Two could play at passive aggression.

Ashley laughed bitterly. “I mean, did you not think twice before risking your job, everything you’ve worked towards to be what, the third wheel in a relationship that existed far before you came across it?”

“Ashley,” you warned him.

“I thought you were trying to work on the self-sabotage, I mean, you’ve never even been in a relationship before,”

“That’s not exactly true,” you said. You were starting to feel nauseous. He knew you well enough to know that he was pushing right on all your insecurities.

“That lasted more than a couple months, then, which is hardly anything.”

“I think we’ve gone over that a couple times-- Just because you’re so morally invested in monogamy doesn’t mean it’s for everyone--”

“You really want to be the girl who sleeps with the boss? No, sorry, the girl who sleeps with both of the bosses?”

“It’s-- wow. Tell me how you really feel.”

It was quiet for a moment as the two of you dared the other person to talk first.

“I just don’t think you’re making the best decision,” he said.

“I thought you were happy for me,” you replied, and walked out the door.

---

You didn’t usually ride your bike after dark. It felt right, though, as you went, releasing your nervous (and sad, and angry) energy out through the pedals. Your arms came up in goosebumps, from the chill in the air or the trepidation in your spine. It started to rain.

---

You and Alex arrived almost simultaneously. She was accepting a cup of tea that Casey was offering her when you came in. You were a walking cliché with your hair stuck to the side of your face, shivering. “Hi,” you said, shakily. You hadn’t quite been crying. The insecure part of you felt small, out of place, intrusive: they had this cozy, tidy, warm apartment, mugs of hot tea in their hands; and you were shattering it with the chaos that followed in the wake of your personal life. You were being so selfish, so inconsiderate, bringing your own emotional baggage with you despite Alex being the one having a hard time. For a split second you thought about leaving with no explanation, dashing out almost as soon as you shut the door. Casey held up a mug for you. It was one of a matching set of three.

“Jack thinks we’re having an affair,” Alex said, matter-of-fact, as you slipped out of your shoes and made your way to the counter Casey was leaning against. Alex was pacing, slowly, how she often did when she was figuring something out. You took a sip of your tea, grateful for the warmth, then set it on the counter and rested your head on Casey’s shoulder. She jumped and you laughed, the relief spreading through you. She squirmed as you pressed closer, letting out a squeak at the feeling. You let her go, listening to the quiet creaking of the floor.

“Which us?” you asked, matching the seriousness of the subject again. “All of us?”

“Just you and I,” Alex said.

“How did he come to that conclusion?” Casey asked, knowing there were equal cases to be made for any combination.

Alex stopped moving, pushing herself up to sit on the counter opposite to you. “To begin, he was apparently at Trilogy last Friday night.” The goosebumps threatened to make a repeat appearance. This was your fault.

“I’m so sorry,” you said, your eyes lost in your teacup. “I was reckless.” Out of the corner of your eye, you felt Apollo the duck stare at you accusingly with the stone cold eyes he didn’t have.

“Don’t be sorry. I was there too,” Alex said, meeting your gaze as you looked up. “He didn’t stick around long enough to see Casey.”

“What did you end up telling him?” Casey asked, letting herself be the problem-solver for the night.

“Very little,” she said. “He doesn’t have the complete story. That he should hold off on any judgements unless and until he did.”

“Did it work?” you asked.

“Well enough, I think. You don’t need to worry about your job. I threatened him with my resignation if he said a word to you about it.” Your heart beat faster. Sacrifices for your sake, or the offer of them, made you uneasy.

“You don’t have to put your career on the line for me,” you said, the same shaky tone edging into your voice again. Alex blinked at you, like it was no big deal, like it was the obvious choice. Casey traced circles on your shoulder blade.

“Nobody’s career is at risk, Caroline,” Casey said. “Honestly, imagine the kind of headlines that would break if Jack McCoy fired someone for adultery.”

“I don’t know what’s worse,” Alex said, “Jack’s disapproval right now, or how he might react if we just told him what’s going on. He made it clear his objection had more to do with poll numbers than morality.” Ashley’s words echoed in your head. You really want to be the girl who sleeps with the boss-- both of the bosses? Your fear must have been more obvious than you intended. “What’s wrong?” Alex asked you.

You swallowed. “It’s nothing,” you said, stopping yourself from spilling every anxious thought that came to you. “I’m fine. It’ll be fine,” you said, a real smile making its way out of you. You held your hand out for Alex’s and squeezed. She slid off the counter, letting herself be pulled in, letting whatever you weren’t saying stay unsaid for that moment. She also jumped when she first felt your wet clothes against her skin.

“Now, let’s get you out of those wet clothes,” she said. Your mouth was open in amusement as she started off down the hall. You began to follow but Casey stopped you briefly, hooking her ring finger into your belt loop.

“Whatever he said, it isn’t true,” she said, starting to run her warm hands underneath your shirt.

“How did you,” you said, feeling seen. “I didn’t say anything about it.”

“Give me some credit,” she said then kissed you gently, her body warming yours. “I’m very perceptive.” She gripped the bunched-up body of your t-shirt and you slipped your head through the top. Casey placed her palms against your ribs, holding you steady.

“Thank you,” you said, deep and low, as you kissed her again. The two of you, now almost equally damp, joined Alex. Six hands moved slowly, purposefully. Nothing felt desperate, fleeting. Only warmth filled you.

---

taglist: (I'm tagging a couple of my moots who aren’t on the taglist, let me know if you’d prefer I didn’t!)

@addictedtodinosaurs @nocreditinthestraightworld @cmmndrwidw @hi-i-1 @lesbianologist @readerhermit @@alexlivdoncas @laezzzi @imaginaryoperagloves (thank you for your help!!) @swimmingstudentchaos891

#Alex cabot #casey novak #calex #casey x Alex #calex x eader #Alex cabot x reader #casey Novak x reader #not a summer crush #law & order: svu #svu #svu fanfic #jack mccoy #this was the most fun I’ve had with this fic since ch. 3 lmao #comment on ao3 if you love me #Oh emi never stop posting fics at 2 am #also: I kind of hate the last line of this so. Enjoy #this should be the second to last chapter I think?#The girls r fighting tho :( by which I mean ash and Caroline

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sugarbutterbroadway · 4 years

Text

A New Kelly

“We need to talk,”Davey said, setting down his backpack. Jack froze, pdf on his laptop immediately forgotten. He tried to keep his face neutral but his mind was doing a frantic recap of everything he’s said and done in the past week. The worst part was that it kept coming up negative, which made him even more nervous. He forgot to pick up Luna’s poop outside yesterday but they had both laughed it off, so they were fine, right? It couldn’t have been about the poop, right? His face must have betrayed him because Davey took one look at him and winced.

“I phrased that wrong”He said, “I’m not mad at you about anything, i’m just tired and can’t speak”

“Not even about the poop?”Jack asked in a tiny voice. Davey scrunched up his face and took a seat on Jack’s lap, letting out a sigh.

“You’re the one who stepped in it, why would I be mad?”he asked. Jack shrugged and wrapped his arms around Davey’s waist pulling him closer. Davey toed off his shoes and lifted his legs onto the couch.

“What did you want to talk about, my love?”Jack asked, placing a kiss on his shoulder. Davey sighed and grabbed one of Jack’s hands. Jack took that as a sign to attempt being serious and looked at him.

“Jack”He said, squeezing Jack’s hand. “I want another baby”

Jack sputtered, “What do you mean another?”

“Well Luna’s getting older and I just think that a little sibling would teach her some responsibility-”

“Who has the new puppy?”Jack groaned, rubbing his eyes. Davey grinned and wiggled a bit trying to get his phone out of his pocket.

“Specs and he’s so cute, look!”He said, shoving the phone in Jack’s face. It was Specs instagram definitely, the bright yellow theme was indication enough. Jack gently grabbed the phone and hummed as his eyes scanned it. He let out a noise of triumph, yup that was definitely a puppy. It was a candid shot of Jojo mid laugh on the floor with the puppy curled up in his lap. Jack looked up at Davey with a raised brow, and Davey groaned reaching both hands up to cup Jack’s face.

“His name is Percy!”he continued, squeezing Jacks’s cheeks.“That’s so fucking cute babe, just look at him! His paws are too big for his body!”

Davey continued to coo but Jack’s mind was still reeling. He didn’t know why he felt so disappointed. Sure he was scared shitless at the mere thought of a human baby, but a tiny part of him was hoping that’s what Davey meant. He leaned back into the couch and let his arm go slack around Davey’s hip.

“-nd I know that we just saw them a few months ago but would it be so bad to vis--babe?”He said.

“Hmm?”Jack hummed. Davey shifted a bit in his lap so he was somewhat facing Jack and poked at his cheek.

“You’re frowning”

“Am not”Jack frowned.

“Are too”He said, poking the creases in his forehead. Jack let out a groan and opted to bury his face in Davey’s shoulder. Davey clicked his teeth and rolled off of Jack's lap--much to his disappointment--onto the couch.

“What’s the matter?”He asked.

“Nothing”Jack waved off, “My mind is just somewhere else” “Where?”he asked, leaning his head on Jack’s shoulder. “I wanna go too” “Santa Fe,”Jack said, rolling his eyes.

“Yeah right”He snorted, “You haven’t wanted to go to Santa Fe since you figured out that it was desert land”

“Not true!”Jack exclaimed, “I obviously wanted to stay for my loving boyfriend-” “And you’re scared of spiders”He said, snuggling closer into Jack’s side. “But, come on Jack. I thought we didn’t keep secrets”

“Fine”Jack sighed, “I want a divorce”

“Again, nice try”He snorted, “please Jackie, for me?”

“Davey…”

“Please”

“Alright alright!”Jack exclaimed, “Enough with the eyes. Christ you Jacobs are spoiled”

“No, we just know how to get what we want”He smirked, tucking a leg under his butt. “Now spill”

“You’re restless,”Jack pointed out.

“And you’re still avoiding the question”He said, “whatever it is can’t be that bad”

Oh but it can, he wanted to say.

“I…”Jack said and took a deep breath, “I want a baby”

Davey blinked, “I thought you didn’t want another puppy?”

“No!”Jack whined, shaking his head. “No no, Luna is enough. I...I want an uh..an actual baby...with you” god he was being so awkward.

Davey’s eyes widened slightly but he smirked. “Should we go try for one?”

“Stop teasing me!”Jack whined, “But is..is this something you want Davey? Like do you think we’re ready for a baby?”

Davey just stared at him.

“You’re making me nervous, Davey”Jack chuckled, “You’re not speaking, that’s weird”

“You’re an asshole,”He said.

Jack’s heart stuttered. “W-what?” “You’re an asshole because now me and Spot owe Race fifty dollars”He grumbled. “How could you do this to me?” “I’m not following,”Jack said after a few moments of trying to pick his jaw off the floor.

“Of course I want a baby with you”He said, grabbing Jack’s hand. “I’ve only been dropping hints since the day we got married!”

“What hints!”Jack exclaimed, “I’m so confused”

“I’m always holding the babies at any family function”He started, “I’m always offering to babysit Chanah and Anika and Damien-”

“I get it, your family is huge”Jack said, Davey gave him the side eye.

“We have a spare room that I have been guarding with my life!”he continued, “we have a literal baby name book in here-”

“You said it was so we could name Luna!”Jack sputtered.

“And that’s how she ended up with the most human name ever!”He laughed, “Our dogs name is Luna Anne Kelly-Jacobs”

“It’s a cute name!”

“Face it Jack, I’ve been dropping hints”He huffed, “And now i’m short fifty bucks so thanks a lot”

“Well why were you guys betting on me!”Jack asked, “You know better than to bet with Race on anything”

“We wanted to see who would cave first, me or you”He said, “I obviously thought it was gonna be me because you’re dense-”

“Hey!”

“But then you get all nervous and cute saying you want a baby!”he finished, chest heaving. “Which is simultaneously the most attractive and dumbest thing you’ve ever done”

“I...I don’t know what to say,”Jack said. There were a lot of things he could have said, but his brain had turned to mush.

“Just...sometimes you are very clueless”He giggled, “I thought I was going to have to spell it out for you on the fridge or something”

“So you really want a baby?”Jack said, “With me?”

“No, I want a baby with Specs”he scoffed.

“Hey”Jack warned, “Specs is an attractive man, you got somethin you want to tell me?”

“Of course I want a baby with you, idiot”He rolled his eyes. “Adoption or surrogacy or fostering I...I don’t care. I think you’ve been an amazing parent to Race,Charlie and Luna, and you’ll be an amazing parent to whatever kid comes through this door. You sell yourself short Jack”

“Says you”Jack snorted, “You see the way you are with those babies? You’re like a completely different person, it makes my heart do weird shit”

“Makes your heart do weird shit”He quoted, “Now I feel like that should’ve been your vows”

“Yeah?”Jack smirked.

“Yeah, it’s completely on brand”He said.

“So this is...this is something we’re doing”Jack said, “We’re gonna have some babies?”

“Woah there buddy”He said with wide eyes, “How did a baby turn into some babies?”

Jack waved him off, “Potato tomato”

“That’s...that’s not even the saying”He said slowly, “But let’s start with one”

“Two”

“One”

“Three”

“One”

“One and a half!”

“You can’t have half a baby!”He exclaimed.

“Well you can if you try hard enough!”Jack fired back.

“Unbelievable”He said, rubbing his eyes. “You’re unbelievable, why did I marry you?”

“For Medda”Jack said, with a serious face. Davey shrugged and laid his legs over Jack’s lap.

“Medda is pretty awesome”

“We’re gonna have a baby”Jack repeated.

“Yes we are”He said, “But let’s take this one step at a time, yeah? I don’t want to overwhelm you-”

“I’m gettin the baby book!”Jack exclaimed, bolting up from the couch. Before Davey had the time to process Jack was running back into the livingroom at full speed. He skidded to a halt but ended up toppling over onto Davey’s stomach.

“Bastard”He wheezed, pushing at Jack’s shoulders. Jack stuck his tongue out and made himself comfortable flipping through the book.

“What are you-”

“Shh”Jack hushed, furrowing his brows. His eyes scanned the pages until they found what they were looking for.

“Aha!”Jack said, sitting up so Davey could get a good look. There appeared to be four names messily scrawled in red ink at the bottom of the page. Davey wanted to scold him for defacing the book but his scolding soon died in his throat when Jack spoke up.

“I-I know your peoples are important to you so I wanted to add some more...ya know, traditional names in there”Jack said fiddling with the pages, “I got a boys and a girls name and just-they’re so pretty Davey”

“Just when I thought I couldn’t love you anymore”He murmured, placing a kiss on Jack’s temple. “You picked good, baby”

Elsie and Salem were scribbled in Jack’s messy handwriting. “I really like these two, but what are these other ones?”

“I mean i’m Irish I guess”Jack mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Both of my folks were and I didn’t really get to learn anything and just-”

“You want our baby to grow up knowing what their parents are,”He said. He grabbed the hand Jack was fiddling with and intertwined them.

“Yeah”Jack said, squeezing his hand. “Exactly”

Davey leaned forward and pressed a finger against a name Jack hadn’t written. “This one, how do you say it?”

“Saoirse?”Jack said,

“Saoirse”He repeated slowly, “Saoirse...I..I really like that one”

“Yeah?”Jack said.

“Yeah”He chuckled, “Yeah I really like this one a lot”

“Saoirse Kelly-Jacobs”Jack said, with a grin. “It’s kinda growing on me”

“Saoirse Kelly-Jacobs”He said, “I’m not even mad you snuck your last name in there”

“Should we add it to the list then?”

“No, Jack I think it’s the one”He said.

“Really?”

“Really!”Davey said, “Saoirse Kelly-Jacobs”

“Saoirse Kelly-Jacobs”He whispered, squeezing Davey’s hand even tighter.

“God, we can’t wait to meet you”

A/n someone should try and count how many times Davey fidgets in this fic. Also comments do be kinda nice

#newsies #davey newsies #newsies jack kelly #javid #newsies broadway #fluff #Jack Kelly #Davey Jacobs #Luna the puppy #Paint The Sky #jack kelly x david jacobs

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lucifers-trash-stash · 5 years

Text

Run From Me: Chapter Five

Summary: There aren’t many solutions to escape becoming a member of The Mad Titan Thanos’ harem. All you can try to do is to run and pray he doesn’t find you.

Word Count: 5,098

Warnings for this Chapter: Sexual feelings and tension, sweaty sparring sessions

Run From Me Masterlist

Groggily, I laid awake on my stomach. My blanket was pulled over my head and my face was pressed into my pillow. It was far too early for me to be awake, considering I’d spent the night just flipping through pages of the book I had borrowed the day before. Even though I was one of the lucky ones to have a translator chip implanted in my throat soon after being taken from Earth, it was useless at deciphering dead languages. The most it could do was find similar symbols to all of the current languages uploaded onto the device, so I had spent my time trying to make sense of the text. The most I understood was that it was a history book detailing some ancient alien species long wiped out from existence. It was more of an exercise in futility than anything closely resembling fun.

Maybe today I’d stop by the library and poke around some more. Without being watched from a distance by Thanos. Hopefully I could find something there I’d be able to read, preferably from Earth, though it would take forever to sort through all the material. It would be a better use of my time, considering most of my days were filled with wandering around the ship.

Shifting my position slightly to dip further into the mattress, I let my mind wander. I hoped Thanos told his guards I’d be allowed to go to the library without any hassle or anything. However, it could be amusing if I was brought to Thanos anyways. I smiled, imagining standing behind Thanos while he chewed out the guard, with me making “nyeh nyeh” faces at the guard with him not being able to do jack shit about it. But then that meant I’d have to actually see Thanos again and call him ‘Master’ and I wasn’t particularly in the mood for that little venture after the humiliation I endured yesterday.

I felt a clench in my stomach just thinking about it. Thanos and his smug fucking grin watching me call him Master. Acting as if he had me in the palm of his hand. His massive hand. With fingers so big they practically engulfed my face when he held my chin so firmly…

My eyes shot open. I suddenly realized that the clenching in my stomach wasn’t anger at Thanos. No, it was… need. Without thinking of it, my thighs pressed together on their own, seeking pressure to ease the ache.

I clenched my eyes shut and buried my head in my pillow, pulling my thighs apart. No, this isn’t going to fucking happen. Me and my stupid fucking hormones aren’t going to get in the way of me trying to figure out an escape out of this place. I was already getting closer, Thanos was trusting me more and allowing me a bit more free reign to explore. Allowing me to read his books was a baby step towards freedom, but still a step.

Just as I was calming down at the notion of finding more books, reading books, and shoving my face in books and taking that deep inhale of old book smell, a familiar nagging voice at the back of my head spoke up. You haven’t had any action in a long time. Not even to masturbate. You deserve it, there’s no harm in touching yourself, indulging a little.

I groaned loudly and took my pillow and pressed it on top of my head, trying to block out the sounds of my brain trying to persuade me into giving in. Never in my fucking life would I want to masturbate to the thought of him, no fucking way. He’s my captor, keeping me here against my will. He murders whole planets of people for whatever the fuck purpose he has, I don’t know. He tortures people and makes his ‘children’ kill anyone who stands against them. Innocents. That’s the most disgusting, abhorrent thing I could think of to try to get my brain back on track.

After the voices had quelled a bit, I laid there, breathing heavily into the soft fabric. Even though I’d done everything I could, Elsy’s voice whispered into my ear, reminding me of how she said he was an attentive lover and that he was large…

And then the floodgates broke.

Okay, so considering how massive he is, how large are we talking here? Like, is it the circumference of my arm big? Would my hand even be able to fit around it? Jesus Christ, how on earth would he even be able to fit into anything??? I sure hope to god he’d use lube. Is there even lube in space? Holy shit, is there space lube???

With an angry shout, I sat up and hurled the pillow at the wall, watching it flop down onto the floor. No, I wasn’t going to give into these thoughts. Fuck Thanos, fuck him and his big stupid chin and his stupid fucking hands and his idiotically goofy big boots and just-

I let these thoughts run through my brain as I hopped out of bed and headed for the bathroom, fully intending to take an ice cold shower and forget this even happened.

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Stomping down the hallway, I grumbled to myself as I wandered aimlessly. I had never been awake on the ship this early, and apparently it was still too early to get breakfast. So here I was, hungry and bored with nowhere to go. Nowhere besides walking around, I suppose.

Once I had calmed down a bit more, I found myself nearing the training room. Surely there was no one inside at this hour? Maybe I could sneak in and take a look at the place from inside before anyone could catch me.

As I neared the door, I heard talking from inside. Cursing to myself, I wondered who I’d be spying on today. Being careful not to get myself caught like last time with Proxima, I kept my face out of the window as much as I could before looking inside.

To my surprise, Thanos was standing in the middle of the room. Cull, Corvus, and Proxima were also there, listening to him speak. I honestly didn’t see Thanos as the type of guy that would participate in sparring, but I supposed he’d have to periodically check up on his ‘children’ to make sure they were up to his standards. All of them except for Maw, who was missing from the line up. Apparently he must be above this sort of training.

As the Black Order began to take their stances, Thanos reached his hand behind his back, gripping onto the collar of his shirt. Curious as to what he was doing, I leaned forward against the small glass window and squinted. Was there like a sword on his back or something? It seemed unlikely, as the rest of them were without weapons and opting for hand to hand combat. Then what was he doing?

And then it hit me. I watched as he yanked his tunic over his head with a swift motion, tossing it onto the floor behind him as he waited for one of them to come at him.

Holy shit.

I knew Thanos was built pretty well simply from his large physique, but Christ I hadn’t imagined anything like this. I wasn’t typically the kind of woman to stop dead in her tracks because of some dude with big muscles, but damn. Thanos was simply massive, his muscles well-defined and still as he waited for the right moment to strike. My eyes traced the lines of his abs, dipping down further to the V of his hips…

Before I could scold myself for thinking about Thanos like that on top of those fantasies I had this morning, Cull suddenly lunged at Thanos. Without so much as a flinch, Thanos turned quickly to face him and grabbed Cull’s fist. As Cull wound his other fist to connect with the side of Thanos’ head, Thanos quickly brought up his free arm and blocked the move and slammed his shoulder into Cull to knock him off balance.

Proxima and Corvus paced along the sidelines, obviously waiting for an opportune moment for Thanos to let his guard down. I had the feeling those two were really no match for Thanos in hand to hand combat, and their only means of attack were to simply strike and evade.

As Cull stumbled, Thanos punched him in the stomach, knocking him down onto the ground. Thanos then brought his arm back, his muscles tensed, and threw his fist onto Cull as he lay there on the floor. But Cull managed to roll out of the way just in time, leaving Thanos open.

That’s when Proxima and Corvus made their move. While Thanos had his back turned, the two ran at him, ready to deliver a double kick into his back. But Thanos was smarter than that. With one swipe of his arm behind him, he knocked the two out of the air and they landed quite a ways away from where he knelt.

Cull was already back onto his feet, and he went for a kick this time. Thanos simply grabbed Cull’s foot, yanking him down to Thanos’ level. Cull bellowed out in anger as Thanos spun around him and pinned Cull to the floor with his knee between his shoulder blades and one of his arms twisted behind him.

Proxima and Corvus decided to try taking Thanos from both sides, Proxima taking the left and Corvus taking the right. As Cull squirmed to get out of Thanos’ hold, Thanos turned his attention to the other two children. With one of his hands occupied, I knew he was going to have to take the hit from someone. Thanos batted aside Proxima with his free hand, while Corvus’ heel connected with the side of Thanos’ face. Corvus had no time to scramble backwards from Thanos before Thanos gripped onto the front of his robes and threw him towards Proxima. I flinched as he landed on top of her with a loud grunt of pain from the both of them.

Cull continued to struggle, trying to find a way to get out from Thanos’ hold. The Titan held firm, pressing Cull’s trapped hand further behind his back until he finally gave in with a slap of his free hand against the floor.

Thanos stood up faster than I thought he would, letting Cull roll over onto his back. Corvus and Proxima were already sitting up, faces sullen from defeat. Thanos spoke again, turning his attention to the two. I assumed he was lecturing them, and I watched as Proxima stood up and held out her hand for Corvus to take. Thanos offered the same gesture to Cull, and as Cull stood up, Thanos kept his hand firm on Cull’s as he spoke. It was then I realized how the two were so close in height, but Cull might have beat him by a few inches. Thanos, however, still seemed to be the reigning champion in the bulk muscle department.

As I watched Thanos step away from Cull, I saw him turn his head slightly towards where I stood behind the door. Having learned my lesson from catching eyes with Proxima the other day, I quickly ducked under the door and slid down, leaning against it. That was almost too close of a call. Proxima was one thing, but having Thanos know I was watching him? Fuck, he’d never let it go and hold it over me every time he saw me.

My thoughts were interrupted by the door swinging open from under me. I fell back onto the floor, yelping in surprise. As I looked up from the floor, I saw Proxima smirk as she leaned over me. “Hello, Terran,” she purred. “Looks like you just couldn’t help poking your nose around here again.”

I did my best to force a smile on my face in the hopes that I wouldn’t immediately get the shit kicked out of me. “There’s no harm in simple admiration of strong fighters, now is there?” I asked, hoping to butter her up. When she didn’t budge, I sighed and let my smile drop. “Fine, when did you figure out I was here?”

Proxima scoffed. “I actually didn’t notice you until Thanos told me to let you in. He wishes to speak with you.”

With that, she turned and walked back towards where Corvus stood on the other side of the room. My stomach fluttered with anticipation of having to speak to Thanos while my mind was racing with inappropriate thoughts of him. I flipped over onto my front and pushed myself back up off of the ground.

The room was incredibly large, and I immediately spotted Thanos sitting across the room on bench, watching me closely. I gulped, willing my feet to move forward to talk with him. Cull ignored me as he passed me to leave the training room. Proxima and Corvus stood off to the side, watching me as I forced myself to not give them a dirty look. The two seemed to be talking under their breath, but once I passed them, I heard their footsteps and the sound of the door thudding back into place.

Only Thanos and I were left.

I finally stood in front of Thanos, keeping my distance by a good few feet, and crossed my arms. He sat slightly hunched over, still shirtless. He didn’t seem to be out of breath, but I noticed the beads of sweat rolling down along his body. My eyes focused back onto Thanos as he spoke, “Is that how you greet your master? By pouting and crossing your arms?”

I put my arms by my sides instead, tilting my head off to the side as I refused to meet his gaze. “Hello, Master,” I muttered halfheartedly.

Thanos chuckled. “I’m certain you can do better than that, little human.”

I rolled my eyes and looked at him and his smug fucking face. In a monotone voice, I repeated myself, “Hello Master.”

“Better. Now tell me, little human, why are you here this early?”

I shrugged. “I just woke up early is all. Why are you here early?”

“It’s quiet in the morning. Peaceful,” Thanos said.

“Yeah, kicking the shit out of each other before the crack of dawn sure is peaceful,” I said sarcastically.

“It helps to get the blood flowing. But you didn’t answer me. Why are you here?” he asked.

“I don’t know, I tend to just walk around when I’m bored. I stopped because I heard noises and now,” I gestured to myself. “Here I am.”

Thanos gave me an amused look. Running on my current train of thought, I continued, “Anyways, how in the hell did you know I was there? You never looked over at me once.”

Chuckling, Thanos sat up a bit more, placing his hands on his knees. It gave me a bit more of a glimpse at his body, but I didn’t dare look with him in front of me like this. “Well, perhaps if your eyes weren’t occupied with other parts of me, then you’d have noticed me looking over at your face pressed against the door.”

My eyes widened, and I sputtered. “What!?” I finally spat out. “No! God no! I wasn’t looking at you like that! Christ, get over yourself!”

“I’m sure you weren’t.” Thanos simply laughed at my frustration.

“I wasn’t! I was just watching the fighting is all,” I said, trying to backtrack. “I used to watch that back on Earth sometimes. Wrestling and shit like that.” It wasn’t a lie, I did watch wrestling with my parents when I was younger.

Thanos hummed to himself. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Is fighting something you’re passionate about?” he asked.

I paused for a moment. “Kinda. I’m not very good at it. I’ve wanted to improve, sure, but that’s how it goes, I suppose. Only so much time in the day.”

“Are you serious about being willing to learn?” he asked.

I furrowed my brow. “Maybe?” I responded slowly, unsure of what he was leading to.

Thanos looked into my eyes. “If you want to learn, then I could train you.” When I simply stared at him, he explained, “I take honing one’s skills seriously. If you’re willing, then I could help.”

It was incredibly tempting. But it also bothered me. It seemed too easy. Why would Thanos offer one of his women a chance to train? To be stronger? It surely would never be enough to escape Thanos, but it was the closest chance one could get.

And yet, I couldn’t take it. I didn’t trust him.

“No thanks. I can take care of myself,” I said, crossing my arms again.

Thanos simply smiled. “I’m sure you can,” he said. I couldn't tell if he was being sincere or just teasing me. Before I could, my stomach growled, loudly, breaking the silence. Thanos actually tilted his head back and laughed, a deep, rich, genuine laugh that I hadn’t heard from him before. Still, I was red in the face, scowling at him as he laughed at me.

When he finally stopped laughing, he gave me a soft smile. “Go eat, little human. The kitchens are probably open by now.”

I didn’t wait for him to say anything more, and I quickly turned around and stormed out of the room. I wasn’t going to give him another opportunity to get the upper hand on me again.

-----------

Later on in the day, I happily made my way towards the library, having had no encounters with anyone trying to stop me the entire way there. Something about going to a library always left me feeling so giddy; being able to lose myself in the pages for a few hours while I explored new worlds was a relaxing feeling.

Pushing the doors open, I entered that world. I smiled as I gazed over the room, trying to figure out where to go first. I pulled the book I had out of my bag and set it up back in its place on the shelf. Looking up, I tried to see what kind of books were on the higher shelves, but I couldn’t read the spines from that distance.

I glanced around the room looking for one of those rolling library ladders I’ve always wanted to ride around the library when I was a little kid. But I didn’t find any. I put my hands on my hips and looked up, groaning. What kind of bullshit library was this? I can’t even reach the higher shelves! Who in the fuck could even get those books?

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to think. I stepped back and stared at the shelves, trying to figure out how to get up there without breaking my neck. And then it hit me. I walked up to the shelf, pulling at it a little. No wobbling. I tested putting my weight on one of the lower shelves; nothing moved there. This was probably the dumbest idea I could have had, but it was worth a shot. I was just glad I’d worn my pants today.

With a grunt, I climbed a good five feet off of the ground, glancing over the spines to see if I could find anything from Earth. Nothing so far. As I climbed higher and higher, the stupider I felt. And then, the thought of how I’m going to even get back down invaded my brain. Too late, I was in too deep to give up now.

“What are you doing?” a voice asked out of nowhere, and I almost slipped off of the shelf under my grip. Somehow, I stayed on, and glanced over my shoulder to look down. I immediately let out an exasperated groan at the familiar face staring up at me.

Maw stood, his hands laced together as he looked up curiously at me. I couldn’t tell if he was amused or annoyed by my little stunt, but I didn’t particularly care. Here I was hoping I wouldn’t see Thanos again today after that embarrassing encounter, and I ended up with my second worst person I didn’t want to see.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” I spat. “There’s no ladders in this damn place and I’m trying to look for books. How on earth do you guys get to any of these shelves?”

A book slid out from beside my head, slowly floating down until Maw held it in his hand. I narrowed my eyes at him. Of course.

“Personally, I don’t need a ladder. However, you somehow missed the hover lift here,” Maw gestured to the floor next to one of the shelves. I hadn’t noticed it when I was walking around, but there was certainly something there hidden under one of the tables.

“Oh that’s such bullshit,” I grumbled to myself.

“Do you need help getting down?” Maw asked.

I scowled. “I don’t need your help for anything! I can get down myself.”

Maw shrugged and turned to another bookcase, as if I was boring him. “Fine by me.”

Taking a deep breath, I focused on scaling my way back down the shelves. However, Maw’s voice broke out through the silence when I was trying to concentrate. “Was there something you were looking for in particular?” he asked.

I grunted as I stepped down another shelf. “Something from Earth,” I called down.

“Of the many books you could read, you want something from home? How droll.”

“I didn’t ask your opinion!” I said. When I turned to speak, my foot slipped off of the shelf. I was about to cry out, but then my foot stuck to something that I couldn’t see. I looked around confused for a moment before coming to a conclusion. “I said I didn’t need your help, Maw!”

“Would you really like me to let your foot go?” Maw asked with bored amusement. “If you say so…”

“Fine! Fine, help me down,” I conceded.

Maw, his back still turned to me, responded, “Let go of the shelves.”

Taking a deep breath, I did as he asked. Instead of dropping quickly, it was as if someone was gripping my waist. I was gently brought back to the floor, my arms crossed and mind stewing over needing help in the first place.

Maw’s back was still turned to me when I reached the floor, and I turned to face him. A few books were levitating down from the shelves in front of him, and he clicked his tongue as he pulled a few more out. He then turned to me and spoke, “As you’re surely aware, there aren’t many Terran trinkets this far out in the galaxy-”

“However…?” I interjected.

“However,” Maw continued, his eyes narrowing at me. “I, as well as Thanos, do our best to acquire knowledge from across the galaxy. If there was anywhere this far out that had Terran books, it would be in this collection. Now,” he closed his eyes and tapped his fingers in midair, as if typing on a computer. “I assume you prefer English language material, which narrows things down a bit more. We have Homer, Shelley, Alighieri, Fitzgerald, Poe, Bronte, Dickens, Lovecraft, Melville, Carroll, Alcott, Hawthorne, Doyle-”

I had to interrupt him, otherwise he’d go on forever. I didn’t realize that when he said he narrowed the search, there would still be this many. “Poe is fine,” I told him.

Maw’s ice blue eyes flickered open as he crooked his finger, taking a book out from one of the topmost shelves. I made a mental note of where abouts the book was plucked from, hoping that the other Earth books would be there when I went searching next time. “A rather intriguing author,” Maw mused. “I would personally prefer to find more historical and scientific accounts regarding Terra, but these are amusing vignettes nonetheless.”

I watched as the hardbound book floated into Maw’s hand, and he tilted his hand down for me to take it. Just as I was about to, Maw quickly retracted his arm with a smile. “You must have been on your best behavior for Lord Thanos to allow you in here,” he said with a smirk.

“Yeah, he-” I stopped myself, watching as Maw’s brow raised slightly. Thanos told me I had to refer to him by master to everyone, and I began to wonder if this was what Maw wanted me to do. Acting all nice and then waiting for his moment to hold this over me. I pursed my lips slightly, and continued, “My Master felt I was behaving better.”

A grin creeped up Maw’s lips as he finally handed the book to me. “Didn’t I tell you that Thanos would cure you of your defiant tone? Apparently it’s working beautifully.”

I scowled and took the book from him. I elected to ignore his little comment and walk straight to the door, but his voice called out. “Sit down,” he said, gesturing to the chairs in the middle of the room.

Standing there for a moment, I mulled over my choices. Play nice, or get upset and possibly get choked out again. Sighing, I decided to keep on his good side. I went to sit on the smaller of the two chairs, and Maw, as if reading my mind even though his back was turned, told me, “Not that one. It’s my seat.”

I made a mocking face to myself as I went to walk over to the other one. This was certainly Thanos’ chair, though I couldn’t imagine Thanos sitting down to read. I flopped down in the chair as it immediately engulfed me. The fabric was nice and soft, and I almost didn’t mind sitting here even if Thanos had sat here in the past.

Maw sat down in his own seat, a stack of books floating beside him. I watched as one book hovered before him and he scanned the pages with his fingers, pages flipping quickly on their own. I mentally rolled my eyes to myself. Of course Maw could speed read.

I decided to ignore him and make myself comfortable, but before I could scoot back and pull my feet up, Maw chided me, “If you’re going to put your feet up, take your boots off. I don’t assume you’d like to answer to Thanos as to why his chair is tarnished?”

Grumbling, I kicked off my boots and sat back in the chair with my knees up. Since the chair was so big, I was comfortable sitting in whatever position I wanted. I wish I had one of these chairs all the time.

I opened the book and lazily skimmed through the table of contents trying to find the stories I wanted. I doubted I’d be able to concentrate well enough with Maw and his cycle of never ending floating books. I let my eyes glaze over on the pages, flipping occasionally.

After about ten minutes or so, Maw’s head suddenly flicked upwards. I snapped my attention back to him, thinking he was going to have something more to say to me. Instead, he stood up quickly and swiped his hand down, setting the books in a neat stack by his feet. His robes swished as he made his way to the door, not bothering to explain to me what was going on.

And then I heard it, the screaming. It started off softly at first, and then only became louder and louder as it approached. I closed my book, shoving it in my bag and slipping into my boots before moving closer behind Maw. He had the door open, but wasn’t moving. He put his hand out behind him, keeping me from leaving. Without turning to me, he said, “I suggest you don’t look. Lord Thanos isn’t in a particularly good mood.”

Without another word, Maw slipped into the hall, leaving the door open and facing the sound of the noise with his hands behind his back. I couldn’t manage to step away from the door, recoil back around the corner and hide from sight. Instead, I waited for the screaming to come closer.

Maw didn’t say a word as the prisoner passed him, led by two guard drones that held the bloodied and bruised alien in place. Maw followed behind them, no doubt wanting to be a part of whatever interrogation was about to happen next.

After a few deep breaths, I allowed myself to step outside of the room, figuring the threat had passed me now. But I was wrong.

I stepped out into the hall, and immediately to my left was Thanos, stepping towards the direction where the prisoner was being taken. Now with me in his way, he stopped and stared at me. My blood ran cold. Thanos was wearing his full armor, looking even more imposing than he did when he was wearing it on his throne. His eyes locked onto mine as he stared down at me from behind his helmet. I’d never seen Thanos like this before, and his eyes, his eyes were burning with cool, simmering rage. Whatever the man had did, it had set him on edge. And I was standing in his way, frightened and shaking in my boots.

Without thinking, I did what I knew wouldn’t upset him. I stepped back, holding my head down and clasping my hands in front of me, submitting before him. “I’m sorry, Master.” My voice faltered out of fear.

Thanos said nothing, but grunted an affirmative. He then walked around me, following Maw and the prisoner down the hall. I lifted my head just as Thanos turned the corner, and I allowed myself to collapse on the floor, trying to steady my breathing. I thought my chest was going to burst with how much my heart was beating.

My lip trembled slightly, and I felt tears stream down my face. Why was I crying? He hadn’t done anything to me. But when I recalled that stare, I was reminded of just how cold and ruthless Thanos was, no matter how calm he seemed in our interactions. The harsh reality that the Thanos I spoke to this morning was only a cover up for this brutal side of him was crashing down around me.

So I sat on the floor and allowed myself to cry for the first time since arriving on this ship.

#run from me #thanos #thanos x oc #thanos x ofc #thanos fanfic #thanos fanfiction

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elliebartlets · 5 years

Text

TWW Rewatch: Inauguration: Part 1 (4.14)

• omg it has been a minute since I’ve watched s4. not counting the long goodbye, it’s been over a week since I’ve continued with my rewatch. I miss it too much.

• “eat em up, Cheif.”

“Thank you Claudia.”

aw I love them

• wait Josh and Leo are talking about Donna, right? Oh god what did she do involving Jack Reese?

• “I saw the dress Abbey’s wearing tonight.”

“I know, I may need to get a room.”

Is Bartlet ever not horny for his wife?

• Charlie went all over town to get a Bible and ran back sweating. He is the real MVP of this show.

• is there a reason we don’t see what the Chief Justice looks like?

• Toby laughing is an absolutely glorious sight and sound

• do you think he knows so much about poetry styles because he had a crush on the poet laureate Tabitha?

• “fear of cancer from asbestos,

fuzzy science manifestos.”

lmao why is that so fun to say

• Will is so awkward and I love it!

I love the way he just awkwardly stands behind Charlie while Leo and Bartlet are talking about Kundu, and how he walks into the Oval Office afterwards.

• “You know what Jack will be wearing? A saber.”

“God Donna please tell me that’s not gonna be the only thing he’s wearing.”

• “Thirteen buttons on the trousers.”

“I don’t wanna know how you know that.”

• “You...are young.”

“Uh, thank you.”

• the secretary guy looks kinda familiar

• “The bible needs to be in a climate controlled environment or it warps.”

“Just as the disciples intended.”

LMAO

• I’m confused, Charlie had a weird expression on his face after he asked Bartlet about the Americans in Kundu. Is he upset that it seems like Bartlet only cares about the American lives and not Kundu lives?

• haha the press messing with CJ

• “CJ, Danny wanted to see you for a second.”

“No way.”

“Well...”

*Carol and Danny continue to follow CJ*

“Stop trying to get us together, okay? If I wanted Danny I could have him. And he’s still a jackass for the foreign ops vote and many other things so tell him I’m getting my hair done.”

“Your hair looks great.”

• “I’ve never been comfortable, but I’m not sure it’s because of my name.”

• “What exactly are you doing here anyway?

“The First Lady likes my jokes”.

“Excellent.”

I was just thinking why is Elsie Snuffin even there lol

• omg that bible is huge!!

• “the First Lady has to hold this in her hand.” akksjskan

• oh I forgot about this Hutchinson dude. The only thing I remember about him is that he gives CJ a hard time when she becomes CoS.

I don’t understand why he’s so upset about the force depletion report, and why he reassigned Jack Reese for literally following an order from the president?? Like dude apparently you takento long to do the reports so they asked someone else this time.

• I love how worked up Leo gets at the Secretary for being mad at the President and Bartlet has to calm him down

“He should be pissed at you?! The secretary of defense should be pisssed...”

“Don’t worry about it. Right?”

“Sure. No problem.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Yes sir.”

• “would it be weird if I walked around in a saber?”

“.....mhmmm.”

• I get why Donna’s upset about Jack being reassigned but what is Josh supposed to do about that?

• ugh I keep forgetting about Jean Paul!! 🤢

• omg I’m so tired I’m gonna have to watch pt 2 tomorrow

#tww #the west wing #tww rewatch #the west wing rewatch #inauguration part 1 #jed bartlet #leo mcgarry #cj cregg #josh lyman #toby ziegler #will bailey

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aliceofthemidnightsun · 7 years

Text

Chapter 3: Of Bars and Movie Stars

Time passed. His first day bled into his first week, and before Seth knew it he’d been working at the Alice for a month.

His grandmother had not disappeared. She was still there, in room 724 every single day, and he made a point of dropping in on her at least five times a week. He brought his new friends by: Ruth and Beth, accompanied of course by God, who took his time observing Elsie to try and figure out how she’d come back from the dead. It was the first time it’d happened without his direct intervention.

Elsie also met (and quickly grew to love) Seth’s brand-new girlfriend, Athena, the beautiful woman he’d met at the cafeteria on the first day. At Ruth’s insistent prompting, he’d written a note asking her out and set it in her usual kitchen-can right before she ordered. Apparently, she’d liked it. Turns out she was a bartender who preferred night shifts, and that she shared his love of a good true-crime show.

As Halloween crept up on the Alice, more decorations went up than Seth had seen anywhere else in his entire life. By October first, the place looked more like a haunted house than a hotel. Nazareth, the woman in charge of the maintenance crew, also knew a thing or two about building simple robots. Mechanical spiders of her creation skittered along the walls and across ceilings. Motion detectors littered the halls, triggering a creepy sound, or a holographic light show, or even alerting someone in costume to jump out at unsuspecting passerby. Most of the chandeliers had been turned off, replaced by jack-o-lantern towers casting their flickering light instead. Only the gardener seemed to know what kept them from rotting.

But the holiday was far from the only excitement.

Seth showed up for his shift promptly at 9PM and fell easily into his usual routine of a pre-work meal with his coworkers. As he sat in the cafeteria, poring over a sushi plate made to look like a pumpkin patch, Athena crept up behind him.

“Boo!” she teased, then leaned down to kiss his head and drop a white cloth napkin into his lap. Even in the underbasement employee cafeteria, cutlery had little black and orange bows, napkins were tied into neat little ghosts, and pumpkins sat on every table.

She climbed onto the bench and wedged herself tightly between Seth and Theodosia (and just as well, because it was really Theodora with her sister’s nametag pinned to her chest).

“So, they’re finally here!” she said, almost tangibly vibrating with excitement.

“Who is?” Seth asked around his sushi. Across the table, Beth wrinkled her nose.

“The movie crew!”

“Movie?” Theo asked.

Athena looked blankly at her. “Uh, yeah? It’s like, the most important thing that’s happened at the Alice in like, a billion years. Haven’t you been briefed on it a thousand times by Gwynneth?”

“I’m gonna assume she hasn’t,” Beth said.

“Oh my god!” Athena’s seismic glee intensified. “So you know Lindsey Landon.”

“I think everyone knows Lindsey Landon,” Theodora-not-Theodosia replied. “I freakin’ love her!”

“I do too!” Athena clasped her hands together. “She’s here! Today! Her and Hester Arkos, who directed 20,000 Leagues Under Where?, you know, she’s amazing, and probably some other actors… probably a lot of other actors… and famous crewmembers and producers… lots of movie people, are here! They’re staying at the hotel and filming in and around the grounds. Hester’s actually staying in the Master Suite –”

“Woah,” Ruth interrupted. “Isn’t that like, thousands of dollars a night?”

“Try a hundred thousand. But she’s Hester Arkos, you know?” said Theo, getting in on Athena’s hype train. “How did I not know this?”

“Yeah anyway, they rented out the whole ritzy section to her, Lindsey, and whoever else is here and famous. And you guys get to clean their rooms! You’re so lucky! I wonder if any of them will come for drinks. I hope so!” Finally, she paused for breath.

Beth curled her lip. “Ugh, it’s such a colossal waste of money. But I did hear about that. Feel free to trade jobs with me.”

Athena’s eyes glowed with the suggestion that she would like that very much, and Beth hastily withdrew the offer. “They’re just people, though,” she said sulkily.

“Well I think it’s exciting,” Ruth said.

“What are they filming? Do we know?” Seth asked.

“I think the working title is ‘Gesundheit 451,’ but they probably have to keep the real title a secret so paparazzi don’t get too much information about it,” Athena said. She spooned a scoop of Vegetarian Green Sludge into her mouth before continuing, with her mouth full. “Either way, they’re all over room 451 right now, from what Othello told me.”

All the maids around the table, including Beth, pulled out their room assignment cards for the day, to see who had what.

“Weird,” Seth said as he squinted down at his paper.

Ruth leaned over to see what he had. “Woah.”

Across the table, Beth’s heaved a sigh. “Ugh. No wonder I had so few rooms. One of them is the master suite.”

“You’re in the master suite!?” Athena broke in. “Okay, now you have to switch with me. Please!”

“Yeah, just 6 rooms today,” Seth recounted. “Less than usual,” he added for Athena’s benefit. “Huh, and in the central part, too.”

Athena snatched Seth’s paper from his hands and thrust it at Theo. “Which rooms are these?” she demanded. Seth picked up his chopsticks (one black, one orange) in his newly vacant hand and resumed his sushi, eyeing the Theo he fully believed was Theodosia expectantly.

“No way, man,” she said in a tone halfway between jealousy and begrudging excitement. “You’ve got a bunch of the fancy rooms. Bet there’ll be cool people in them.” She slid his paper back across the table to him and gazed wistfully at the ceiling. “Maybe one of them will request a quart of fresh honey or something and I’ll have an excuse to get up there too. Will you take pictures?”

“I’m pretty sure that’s illegal,” Seth said. “’Sides it’s not like I’ll be meeting them, you know? They’re probably busy filming and stuff. Famous people’s stuff is still just stuff.”

“And famous people are still just people,” Beth said. “And yet, here you guys are acting like we’ve been graced by God.”

Ruth stared blankly at her, and Beth flushed. “Well, you know what I meant. Hey, none of you were this excited when He showed up!”

“She has a point,” God chimed in. Ruth quickly shushed him, muttering something that sounded startlingly like ‘egomaniac’ under her breath.

“No fair,” Athena said and slumped against Seth’s arm. “Can you leave them a note asking for their autograph for me?”

Seth tilted his head down to rest his cheek on the top of Athena’s head. “If I meet one of them in person. But I’m sure they get bothered enough. It would be really unprofessional to leave them a note like that.”

Athena sighed, and he quickly continued, “But c’mon Thee. They’re definitely going to want a drink. And no one makes them as good as you do! With the way you mix you’ll be the one drawing their attention. I promise. You’ll get to see your stars.”

Their free time ended and the shift began. Athena hurried off to her rooftop poolside bar station, Theodora unpinned her clever disguise and met up with her sister in the underbasement to swap nametags, and the maids made their way to their respective floors. Beth was pale-faced, fidgety, and grumbling the whole way up.

One step into the first room and Seth realized why: these suites were no joke. Even a single room seven floors down from the master suite was bigger and fancier than any glossy hotel room he’d seen pictured in magazines for rich people. Whoever rented these was used to the star treatment, and mistakes would not be tolerated. Thankfully, the maid cart on this floor came with a handy list of extra steps to take when cleaning these rooms. Even so, he worked through them with inordinate care – just in case.

He was distracted when he stepped into his third room that night, wondering if he’d turned down the sheets properly on the kitchen/dinette sized bed in the previous room. His mind wandered – where did they even get sheets that fit such a bed? Was there a factory responsible for making linens so big you could drape an entire house under a single sheet? All important questions to be pondered as he slotted his door stopper into the doorframe. He hit the light switch on the way in, thus revealing a room even more embarrassingly, sickeningly opulent than the previous ones.

An audible groan escaped him. The room was an absolute sty. Clothes that would have made Athena cry just to touch were strewn over every available surface as if whoever was renting the room had simply decided to set a bomb off in her suitcase to unpack. The mirror on the vanity was printed with lipstick kisses, and makeup wipes spilled like crinkly snowballs from the overturned garbage can.

And that was all he had time to see before the lights turned off. He whirled around, and the last thing he saw in the rectangle of light coming in from the hall was a woman’s figure removing his doorstop. Then the door swung shut, and he was in darkness.

“Don’t scream,” the person by the door said. “I know how thick these walls are. No one will hear you.”

Seth screamed anyway. The voice in the darkness waited a moment, then said, matter-of-factly, “I told you so.”

“Who are you!?” he demanded.

She flicked the lights back on, and Seth saw a very familiar face staring back at him. A face he had seen in at least three movies at the cinema in just the past year.

“Lindsey Landon!?” he whispered.

She stepped forwards, grinning from ear to ear.

He had a thousand questions, but the one he managed first was, “My girlfriend is such a huge fan of yours. Would you be able to give me your autograph for her?”

Lindsey snorted. “You’re allowed to be a fan, dude. I can make it out to you. You don’t have to pretend.”

“No, it’s literally-”

She walked up to him, studied his nametag and said, “So I’m making it out ‘to Seth’?”

“Her name is Athe-”

But it was too late. Lindsey had produced a glossy black and white headshot of herself and scrawled “Seth – it’s okay to admire woman actresses. You’re not a sissy. Lots of love, Lindsey,” in perfect, loopy script.

She extended the photo to him, and he frowned. Before he could grab ahold of it, however, she yanked it away and spun out of his reach – not that he was reaching. He recoiled in surprise.

“Seth, I’m going to need a few things from you before you can have this. I promise it won’t be too tough.”

He winced. “What?” It was more an expression of surprise than a query about his supposed duties, but the actress was undeterred.

“Sit,” she said with a dismissive gesture at the vanity stool. He sank down into the lush padding, wondering how many birds had to die to provide the feather stuffing. “Now. How long do you think it’d take you to clean my room?”

Was it a trick question? He shifted his eyes uneasily around at the mess, discovering several new abhorrences in the process. A spilled cup of water on the nightstand. Every single lampshade in the room was askew, as if she’d deliberately gone around tilting them. No fewer than thirteen dirty dishes were littered in various hiding places around the room, though he suspected there were more under the bed. The bed itself was flush with stuffed animals that, according to hotel policy, he’d have to tuck cutely into bed. He could imagine a good half hour solely lining each one up and giving it a little pat on the head before pulling the covers up to their chins, just as he’d been trained to. And vacuuming up the crumbs strewn in gritty constellations across the deep plush carpet? All million meters squared of it? He didn’t even want to think about it.

“Ah… an hour? And a half?” he lied. He didn’t want to hurt her feelings with a more honest estimate of two and a half hours.

But her face lit up. “Excellent. Well, I don’t want my room cleaned. I just want to pick your brain during that time.”

Seth’s face must have given away his horror, because she backpedaled quickly. “Not literally! But we have… much to discuss. Listen, I know something’s up with this hotel.”

She wasn’t wrong, but over the past month Seth had developed a fondness for the place. He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not really allowed to just chat....”

Lindsey sat down cross-legged on the carpet in front of him, despite the complete surplus of other seating surfaces available. She flipped her straight brown hair over one shoulder and propped her chin in her hands, acting as if she hadn’t heard him. “D’you know what I saw yesterday, Seth?”

“…Nothing out of the ordinary?”

“No.”

“A….” He glanced over her shoulder at her heap of stuffed animals for inspiration. “A… frog?” he croaked.

She leaned forward, as if holding the information in was physically painful. “I saw a decorative suit of armor vaping. Like, with a strawberry-scented e-cig. Then it flipped up its visor-thing, and there was no one inside.”

Seth frowned. “We have decorative suits of armor? Where?”

“See?” She stood up quickly and started pacing, as if he’d somehow proven her point. “One of your jack-o-lanterns stuck its tongue out at me! A human tongue came out of that pumpkin, Seth!”

“…Ew….”

“I ordered mashed potatoes just like grandpa used to make from the kitchen and they chopped up little carrots into them! Without me telling them to! Just like grandpa used to make!”

“Okay that’s-”

“One of the other maids is a vampire!”

“What?”

“The carpet in here is so soft I fell asleep on the floor instead of in bed last night!”

“No, back to that last thing. A vampire maid?”

Lindsey frowned. “The one in the cape. He was here yesterday, and I came in, and he was counting all my stuffed animals. I went to open the blinds and he made up some bloody quick excuse and got the fuck outta here.”

“Um, I don’t think….”

“That’s why I didn’t ask him for information. I want to keep my blood.”

Seth sighed. “Obviously none of the maids are vampires.”

“Well, maybe it was a vampire pretending to be a maid and not one of the real ones. Bottom line: this place is weird.” She looked expectantly at him. “You know this place is weird, right?”

“Yeah, it’s weird,” he admitted, digging the toe of his shoe into the carpet. “It’s really something, but-”

“I just want to know what you know,” she said.

“Why?”

She blinked up at him. “What do you mean, why?”

“I mean, what’s it to you? You’re just here to film a movie, right?”

“But. It’s. Cool.”

He shrugged. “Well, I don’t know anything either. Things just happen, Ms. Landon.” He stood up and straightened his uniform.

“Ms. Landon?” she repeated, turning her eyes to the window. “I haven’t heard that name in years.”

“Are you… not… Lindsey Landon?”

She laughed. “No, no, I am. It’s just, I’m Lindsey Landon, you know? Most people just call me Lindsey. You can too. Plus, that meme is funny.”

Seth was still making his way to the door, but she stopped him. “Hey, Seth? You said you wanted an autograph for your girlfriend. Is that true?”

“She’s a huge fan,” he said, turning back. “It would mean a lot to her if you would.”

Lindsey smiled. “Pretty presumptuous of me to assume you were just trying to act cool. Here.” She grabbed another photo from the stack on the desk. “What’s her name?”

“Athena.”

“Athena,” Lindsey repeated. She paced over to the vanity table, grabbed an eyeliner pencil, and scribbled a few words. Then, as he watched, she applied a thick coat of bright red lipstick and pressed her lips to the bottom corner. “Give her this.”

“’Athena – Your name is really cool. Wish I could have met you, too! Stay beautiful… lipstick’” Seth read aloud.

“It’s a kiss, dweeb.”

“You can meet her,” Seth said. “If you get the urge for a drink, she’d probably pass out if you went up to the rooftop poolside bar where she’s stationed.”

“She works here?” Lindsey’s eyes lit up. “Seth, how long have you been here?”

“At the hotel?”

“No, like, in my room. You said it’d take an hour and a half to clean it? We probably still have an hour and fifteen minutes to kill. Let’s go!”

Seth was never more proud of Athena than when he saw her bartending. She was nothing short of acrobatic – strolling around behind the bar juggling open bottles of liquor and spilling nary a drop, all in perfect time to the music. Her theatrics drew a crowd every night; no one could get enough of watching her flip, pour, bounce, ignite, and balance bottles, mixers, and even the drinks themselves on various unlikely parts of her body.

When Lindsey arrived on scene, she was in the process of lining a row of shot glasses down one forearm.

“Holy shit,” Lindsey whispered to Seth. “What’s she doing?”

Seth’s face broke into a grin. “Just watch!”

With her free arm, Athena poured a flawless line of rainbow shots into the glasses. She maintained perfect balance as she walked the length of the bar, allowing the patrons gathered to pluck a glass from the row one at a time. When all the glasses were gone, she dipped into a deep bow.

“She’s amazing,” Seth whispered reverently. But Lindsey was no longer beside him.

She’d pushed her way to the front of the crowd, and he could just hear her voice over the din of the bar.

“Your boyfriend wanted me to give you this,” she said as she slid the autographed portrait across the bar to Athena. “But honestly, after seeing that, I want your autograph!”

For the first time in a very long time, Athena nearly dropped the glass she was polishing. “Lindsey Landon!?” Her face flushed, she bit her lip, and a strand of hair from her perfect updo came loose. It fluttered gently against her cheek, stirred by her suddenly heavy breathing. “Oh my god!”

Suddenly, she caught sight of Seth standing in the background, and smiled even wider.

“I can’t believe it!” she said.

Unobtrusively, the other on-duty bartender slid up next to Athena and began picking up orders in her stead. Seth recognized him, though they’d barely spoken: this was Bartholomew, the man who had taught Athena everything she knew about mixology and flair bartending.

Lindsey dragged Seth into the conversation to form a little circle.

“One Sourtoe cocktail for me, and… something virgin for this guy, he’s still on the clock.”

Athena squealed and shot a giddy look at Seth.

She always lit up the room when she was bartending, but in front of one of her biggest idols, she completely outdid herself.

Bartholomew caught her eye and nodded, then tossed Athena a bottle. Slowly, deliberately, the two of them fell into a rhythm next to each other in a pair dance of bartending. She flipped a bottle through the air and he caught it, let it roll down his arm, then propped it between his arm and chin to pour from his elbow. Athena wove around behind him to take the bottle, flip it, catch it on her upturned forearm, then bounce it effortlessly back onto the shelf. The motion was so swift and fluid; two masters of their trade putting on the most amazing show Seth had ever seen them give.

The entire bar fell silent as they watched, entranced, until everyone’s orders had been filled. The two bartenders bowed.

Several seconds of silence followed the performance. Then, finally, Lindsey stood up. Soon her clapping was joined by dozens of other hands, everyone out of their seats, in the bar’s first ever standing ovation.

Athena served Lindsey’s drink personally, reciting the famous motto of the sourtoe cocktail.

Lindsey wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t think you’d actually… serve this,” she admitted. “I thought this was like, a one-bar-in-the-world thing.”

“At the Alice, we take our customer’s requests very seriously,” Athena replied. “But you don’t-”

“Oh, I’m going to. I. Am. Going to.” With quick wink, Lindsey downed the entire nasty cocktail and thunked the empty glass back onto the bar. “Delicious,” she said, but her pursed lips and wrinkled nose said otherwise.

Seth looked at the grisly garnish, which looked even more withered and horrible without its booze bath. He sipped his own drink, a fruity virgin affair that Athena knew was his favorite. “Is that a….”

“It bloody well is,” Lindsey said. “I’m surprised you had this on hand.”

“Me too, actually,” Athena muttered. “Never seen it before today.”

“Gross,” Seth said. “I’m not even going to ask.”

Exactly an hour and a half later, Lindsey escorted him back to her room.

“Your girlfriend is the most amazing person I have ever seen in my entire life,” Lindsey said. “If I wasn’t already gay, I would be after seeing that.”

Seth blushed. “I am the luckiest man in the entire world,” he said. “Honestly,-”

“Damn right you are,” Lindsey said. “Tell her to h-m-u if she’s ever not straight.”

“I-I’ll be sure to do that,” he stammered. It wasn’t until the door had closed behind Lindsey that he remembered what hmu stood for.

Then he was alone in the hall again. As he gathered supplies from his cart to begin cleaning the next room, he replayed the events of the evening.

Conclusively, he decided he could never trust actors. Lindsey had gotten exactly what she wanted from he and Athena: stories from their time there, theories about what was behind the strange happenings at the Alice… and yet, though he knew he’d been played, Seth couldn’t be properly angry. It’d been an incredible hour and a half, and he knew Athena had had the night of her life. Selling out and spilling the extra-ordinary details of their magical hotel to a probably well-meaning and simply curious stranger wasn’t the worst thing in the world. Not if it made Athena smile like that.

#alice of the midnight sun #aotms #original story #original writing #writers on tumblr

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rxpunzelwrites-blog · 7 years

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what my kiddos are doing for valentine’s day!

laura tagged along with lydia and rosy for a lot of the day because she normally spends the day with lydia and felt a little lonely probably. but then she left the two of them to do their own thing and now she’s scotty’s valentine and eating donuts with him.

audrey isn’t even aware it’s valentine’s day. she was probably alarmed by the all the paper hearts in messina then eventually shrugged it off and went to work.

harper spent it with toby of course, and baked him heart shaped cookies and they probably went for lunch with their kiddies! she also baked rhodes a batch as well and kissed him all over his face and told him she loved him no less than thirty times.

reuben had to help bill pick out a valentine’s day gift from tori and suggested that he take her on a ghost tour. whether or not he took that onboard is up to jenny :’) and then reuben pulled himself to dinner and asked daisy on a second date and probably just took her somewhere nice for dinner.

mickey didn’t celebrate valentine’s day because it’s shane’s birthday which is a hundred times more important to him. he saved up his money and bought him a vintage signed photo of gregory peck.

dennis went right ahead and bought bret flowers and they weren’t crumpled this time and he says that he’s only making up for squashing them on their auction date and that he didn’t even know that it was valentine’s day but he said all this with a stupid smile on his face and probably helped with the rosy surprise even though he complained the whole way through it.

alice spent the whole day making out with jay. probably in front of quinn at some point. i am so sorry.

leon sent an anonymous card to freddie because he’s in way over his head. silly boy.

atticus kissed eeeeeeveryone on the cheek today. but finn and reggie and amelia and annie got TWO kisses. he didn’t get anyone any gifts bc he claimed that he is their gift and that they should feel blessed.

wren claimed quinn as her valentine like she usually does. she made him a card like she usually does. and she kissed him like she usually does. later on, she went birdwatching with henry and tried to ignore all the flutters in her tummy.

rosy spent her day with lydia and got the best surprise EVERRRRR. she definitely cried. and then when laura left them alone she demanded that she and lydia cuddle in bed for the whole night and then told lydia that it’s the best valentine’s day she’d ever had. also realised she’s in love with lydia but didn’t say it out loud because she wants to tell bret first and ask if he thinks she should tell her.

wilhelm literally just spent the day with ringo starr. his ankle still hurts so he couldn’t even dance, poor bb.

felix wrote little valentine’s day cards for raegan, hazel and monica and then he sent one to eddie ‘from mallory’. but yeah it’s mostly from him. felix loves valentine’s day oh my gosh.

jack sang love songs all day, i’m not joking. he probably shyly serenaded ivy as well.

justin definitely asked raegan out on a date. and then as a joke he’d pretend he’d asked colton out as well and then he’d pretend to be worried about being double booked and then insist that indy needs to come now as well so there’ an even number. it probably wasn’t even his idea because he’s too dumb for that so raegan is welcome to take the credit.

callum debated asking what scotty was doing and then decided against it and just wished kai a happy valentine’s day through the wall before ultimately just going to work and spending his night on the docks.

brody lmaaaao okay so brody bought hunter a bunch of the saddest looking daffodils in the whole entire world because that was all he could afford. and he left them at her desk and claimed that it was so he could ‘keep up appearances’ oh my god i’ve been waiting to type this all day.

riley received lots of valentine’s cards from his students and took them all home with him and pinned them on his wall after he conferred with barry just to make sure that none of them were serious love letters. he sent monty a card and said he only did so because that’s what the two of them usually do.

sutton probably went to hang out with kara and ollie fully aware that it was valentine’s day but didn’t mention it and if it was brought up he would feign ignorance like ‘oh??? it’s valentine’s day???’

let’s not talk about how greyson is doing today

elsie kept herself to herself even though she contemplated wishing tara a happy valentine’s day but decided against it. angelica probably tried to corner her for a kiss but she ran away.

wardo is the most loved up fucking goober right now. he spent the whole day kissing louis and then dancing with cecily and ivy and was even nice to ulysses. wardo was in the best mood ever today okay.

elliot cooked chicken nuggets for melody and then took her to a monster truck rally. he asked for a kiss from raegan and was probably denied it, but he definitely gave rhodes a big kiss. and he’s super worried about him after the break up.

pace and cece didn’t give each other valentine’s gifts, but pace wished everyone he came across a happy valentine’s day. he filmed a lot of people getting their gifts and even caught a proposal on camera so he’s had a good day living through other people’s happiness.

angelica gave everyone all the kisses including lizzie, bea, jess, seth, katie, carter, cassie, conrad, melody and nearly elsie. basically if you think there’s a chance that angelica would have reason to kiss your oc then she definitely did.

dean spent the day watching finding nemo with mellie and baby hadley :)

joe hooked up with someone he can’t remember the name of. very romantic.

sybil went ghost hunting as usual, possibly with byron and if anyone tried to suggest something about that she’d threaten to curse them.

ella had class but brought hazel cupcakes home for her to decorate. she probably uploaded the footage to her youtube channel.

aaron is spending the day with his girlfriend but let it be known that he text astrid saying, ‘happy valentine’s day, maine x’

harvey was working but as you can see, he’s talking to kenny which means he’s very happy about that.

nathaniel spent the day with will and jane and kissed them both and basically just tried to keep will’s spirits up.

will isn’t doing good right now and he misses alex a lot and he feels edgy and anxious but he spent time with nathaniel and jane anyway bc he knew it would make nate happy.

dixie was working but when she saw séamus in the lobby, she definitely wished him a happy valentine’s day and then spent the rest of her shift blushing about it. also her momma made a sculpture in her pottery class and ‘in the spirit’ of valentine’s, she gave it to mr croft. innocently, of course, but dixie knows better and wasted no time in telling cassie and david.

cecily spent her day playing with apollo and smiling and giggling at wardo and louis. she let wardo dance with her and she hugged ivy and after some encouragement from her brother, she got brave enough to kiss louis on the cheek and wish him a happy valentine’s day before all the excitement got a bit too much for her and she scurried off to the museum. but then she saw david and got all frazzled again :’)

levi IS GOING ON A SORT-OF DATE WITH AMELIA AND THAT’S THAT ON THAT.

dustin is making fun of all his students’ valentines. because he’s a dick.

diego probably isn’t doing a lot bc when is he ever but i like to think he enlisted caroline’s help to draw a picture of a butterfly so he could give it to cedric.

chase is getting high af and hooking up with whoever wants him. mess.

max is having the time of her fricking life and sent valentine’s to practically all of messina. she’s wearing heart themed everything today and her muse is through the roof so she’s probably planned like six new novels and she’s LIVING. and she’s asking after everyone else’s valentines and how they’re going and fangirling over all the cute things.

holly walked into a novel idea. glared at katie. left.

benji probably got another kiss of david because i say so that’s why.

jutta has no valentine but she plans to find one when she goes out clubbing tonight so really she’ll be fine.

taylor sent valentine’s to both darren and ronnie from BOTH her and james because she knew james wanted to but wasn’t brave enough, and it also helped her feel less guilty about everything that’s happened between her and the boys lately.

bennett got piss drunk then found some randomer to sleep with so he can forget about calvin and hero.

kit is in a surprisingly good mood today. simon gave her chocolates which she didn’t eat, but gave them to cody instead. then she baked cakes for daisy, simon, lo and beau. she was probably super shy about giving lo one but again, she’s in a good mood, she got over herself and did it.

simon woke up feeling sad but he still went into work and bravely wished billy a happy valentine’s day AS A FRIEND before saying the same to everyone else in a novel idea. then he went home and gave chocolate to kit and beau to be a gentleman.

evie demanded that jax be her valentine because she knew he hasn’t quite managed to work up the courage to ask ronan out and ronan remains oblivious.

oz gave out free candy to everyone and tried not to be sad when daisy told him she was going on a date with reuben so there’s that.

caroline heard that amelia and cassie were both otherwise preoccupied but decided that was okay because she woke up and tackled jason and gave him a big kiss on the cheek as well as a card that says ‘i love you to infinity and beyond’. she also bumped into gabe and pretended to not know it was valentine’s day pls just give me this.

mellie is probs very anti-valetine’s day right now. she’s avoiding che and probably pouted if indy did end up giving into justin and going out, so she watched finding nemo with dean instead.

ronan was working and being oblivious about jax and i hate him for it. he probably spent what free time he had attempting to find a date for his cousin, abel.

alfie baked all his friends a heart shaped pie and gave them all kisses even though he’s a little bi awkward around scotty rn because he’s not sure if he’s allowed to kiss his cheek anymore, but his spirits were up anyway!

emma was on set and i’m sure that drew did something charming so there’s that :’)

ellis arranged so many flower bouquets today and you can bet your goddamn ass she went to pick clara up at school and gave one to barry whether he liked it or not. she also graciously camped out in calvin’s room in order to give rory the space should he bring someone home :’) and because of that she probably bulled calvin into letting her braid his hair.

seth spent the day with all of his friend - not just katie. he gave all of his friend a valentine’s day hug - not just katie. he went out at night with all of his friends - not just katie. AND YES HE’S SURE HE STARED LONGINGLY AT /ALL/ OF HIS FRIENDS NOT JUST KATIE, THANKS VERY MUCH.

noah literally spent the whole of rehearsal belting every single iconic broadway love song at isaac just to get a reaction from him.

conrad was bullied by anya into wishing lizzie a happy valentine’s day. he’s going to be embarrassed about this for the next three months.

carter as we know was cassie’s valentine and the two of them shared alllll the candy and chocolate together. and then he met teddy and let a stranger hug him and that’s very important for him. also, he pined over jess. as per.

kevin WAS SNAKED BY CARTER FUCKING HEFFRON. he’s v displeased and pouted at katie for being the mastermind behind the whole thing.

piper probably took a selfie with hunter and sent it to brody saying that she was stealing his valentine.

robbie spent it with blair and was appalled when jimmy showed up to ask if he could take blair out because EXCUSE ME CATTLE MAN THAT’S MY VALENTINE AND I NEED TO MAKE ALL THE MEMORIES WITH HER. so my headcanon is that he obnoxiously tagged along.

beau got cakes from kit and chocolate from simon and bought lo a big tub of marshmallows :) she’s not really up for celebrating though after her break up.

bailey sent all of her sisters gifts and then went to the stables so she could assist couples going on valentine treks together. she briefly contemplated how lonely single life can be but swiftly got over it.

adam definitely gave mack a card and a teddy literally just to piss off roy because he’s awful.

sawyer was in the ER and probably walked in on bennett and someone on the on-call room and is scarred for life. she debated going to see lux but then realised caleb might be working and decided against it.

micah spent the day at home with jd. he feels bad about not really checking on greyson but he knows he doesn’t treat jd the way he should or spend that much time with him on a good day and he wants to make that up to him on the national day of romance.

foster was working and probably received an inappropriate valentine’s from one of his students that probably left him close to tears because NO THIS IS WRONG WHY CAN’T I JUST HAVE AN EASY LIFE. he probably debated shoving himself back in the janitor’s closet before ultimately deciding to hide away at lunch time and share his babybel with ryke.

jimmy decided to ask out blair for the day and then realised that meant robbie would be tagging along. he was only a little annoyed.

#valentine's day;

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