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catierambles · 2 months

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Blood Moon Ch.16

Pairing: Syverson x Annalisa Caulfield (OFC)

Sy let them know that he couldn't shift back right away and would have to wait a few hours before he as able to do so. Annalisa called Pendulum and let them know he wouldn't be in for his shift, but to call if anything major happened. The picnic table around back was in pieces but Annalisa said she would replace it. The dogs had initially barked at him when they saw him, but it just took one good sniff for them to recognize him, Aika being the first to approach him. The kids and their moms had left hours ago before this whole thing started, so it was just them in the house.

He ended up sitting on the floor as he was too big for the couch, Annalisa sitting in a recliner behind him, running her fingers through the fur at the top of his head idly as they watched TV.

What, Mikey? You're starin' again.

“Does it hurt?” Mike asked, “I mean, the sounds we heard...”

Yeah. Yeah it does. A lot.

“Oh.” He said, “You said you're not yourself.”

No, I ain't. After the shift, I'm...I'm wild and dangerous. Ain't nothin' human upstairs. If you came across me like that, it wouldn't see you as family. It'd see you as prey.

“But not Annie.” Pete said.

Annie is my Mate, it sees her as it's Mate. She's the only one who'd be safe around me like that.

“We have something similar,” Annalisa said, leaning forward to wrap her arms around his shoulders, “Sy is mine.”

“What's the alternative?” Mike asked.

Pardon?

“Annie said you couldn't do the “alternative” when you grabbed the roast.” He said, “What's the alternative?”

That's uh...somethin' you don't need to know. He said and there was a moment before the epiphany crossed over his face.

“Oh.” Mike said.

“What?” Brian asked, “What's the—” Mike gave him a look and his eyes went a little wide, “Oh. Really?”

“Damn.” Jack said chuckling, “Seein' you in a whole new way, girly.”

“I'm a four hundred year old vampire, and that's what changes how you see me?”

“And here I suggested you were too young for'im.” Denise said, “Four hundred years old. You don't look a day over twenty-two.”

“Twenty, actually.” She said with a shrug. “I was twenty when I was Turned.”

“By who?” Pete asked.

“My husband.”

“You're married?” Denise asked with an arched brow.

“My late husband.”

“Oh, well, foot meet mouth.” She said, “My condolences.”

“Thank you.”

Babe, I never asked. How long were you two married before...

“Twenty-five years.” She said, “We had just celebrated our anniversary when he...when he was killed.”

“I'm sorry, Annie.” Brian said, “They catch the guy?”

“Thank you.” She said, “And no, they didn't. You have to remember, police work and medicine then was nowhere near how it is now. Yes, my husband was a Lord, but his official cause of death was listed as a hemorrhage, and therefore natural causes. They just didn't have the knowledge or technology to look into it further.”

“He was a Lord?” Pete asked and she nodded. “That'd make you a Lady, yeah?”

Lady Caulfield. Sy said, reaching up to hold her arms.

“I haven't been a true Lady for a very long time.” She said, resting her head on his.

You'll always be my Lady.

“You two are gross.” Jake said and Sy kicked, catching his chair and sending the whole thing tipping backwards with a crash, making the others laugh including their parents.

Sy shifted back a couple hours later, taking the others by surprise as they hadn't seen the initial transformation. He laid there on the floor for a bit afterwards, breathing through it with his eyes closed.

“You—” Brian started, “You good?”

“Yeah.” He panted, giving him a thumbs up before resting his hand on his chest again, “M'good.”

“That was...” Pete said, “Somethin'.”

“Yeah.” He said and gently pat one of the dogs, a Rottweiler named Peaches, as she licked his face in concern.

"Some leftover pain?" Denise asked and he nodded. "You need anythin'?"

"It'll pass." He said, "My body had to remake itself, there's gonna be some side effects."

"You know," Jack started, "We gotta coyote problem at the farm. The dogs have been keepin’em away, but I don’t want to risk them gettin’ bold and tryin’ their luck with one of the goats or the chickens.”

"Jack!" Denise snapped, "You ain't possibly takin' advantage of our sons condition!"

"It's all right, ma." Sy said, sitting up with a grunt. "I'll come over next full moon, put a scare into'em, let'em know to move on."

"I'd appreciate it. You tell me when, and I'll head to the butchers, get you something bigger than a roast to eat." Jack said, "Unless you and Annie want to go with the alternative." He winked at her and her face heated making him laugh.

“You have a farm?” Annalisa asked, eager to change the subject, and he nodded.

“Livestock mainly. Dairy cows, goats, sheep for fleece, chickens for eggs. Some crops, but just so they have quality feed I know ain’t filled with bullshit.” Jack said, “You ever been on a farm?”

“My father owned land, had a small flock of sheep he tended. He also had some crops, mainly to feed us, but he sold the excess harvest when there was some. Between that and coin I sent home from my job, my family was comfortable. Not wealthy by any means, but...comfortable. My brothers helped him when I went to work in the city.”

“What did you do?” Pete asked.

“I was a maid.” She said, “It’s how I met Markus—my late husband. I was a maid for his estate.”

“He—”

“No, Pete, he didn’t take advantage of’er.” Sy said, “Been down that road already.”

“But he—”

“You weren’t there.” Sy said, cutting him off again, “Don’t make assumptions.”

“Right, sorry, almost made an ass of myself.” Pete said and she gave him a gentle smile.

“It’s quite all right.” She said, “Sy came to the same conclusion you did, it’s what our first fight was about.” She reached out, running her fingers through the stubble covering Sy’s scalp and his eyes closed, swaying into her touch slightly.

“You went from hired help to Lady of the house?” Denise asked and she nodded. “Musta made your mama proud.”

“She was.” Annalisa said with a somewhat wistful smile, “She liked Markus and she liked that he treated me well. He got some grief from others for marrying someone of “lower birth” but he didn’t care. He loved me, and I loved him.”

“Any kids?” Brian asked.

“I’m incapable of having children.” Annalisa said, “And not because of the vampirism.”

“I forgot he was one too.” Brian said and she chuckled. “Vampires can have kids?”

“If the person was able to before being Turned, yes.”

“A blood drinkin’ baby?” Jake asked.

“No, actually, their...dietary requirements are normal as they age, but once they reach full maturity around mid-twenties, they stop aging and their needs align with their parents.” She explained, “I’ve met a few, they’re no different than any other child. You met Frost, right Sy?”

“Yeah, she’s cool.” Sy said.

“She’s Sweeney’s daughter.”

“No shit?” He asked, looking back at her over his shoulder and she nodded.

“Wait,” Mike said, “The Marilyn Monroe looking platinum blonde with the pale blue eyes?”

“We call her Frost because she looks like Emma Frost from the X-Men.” Annalisa said, “She loves the comics, so she adores that nickname. She got her hair color from her mom, but Sweeney dyes her hair black so you can’t tell.”

“I love those comics, I’ll have to ask her what her favorite run is next time I see her.” Mike said.

“She’ll talk your ear off about them.” Annalisa warned.

“Trust me,” Brian said, “Don’t get this one started on video games or comics, he won’t shut up.”

"Nothing wrong with having something to be passionate about." She said, "Bring it up with her, Mike, she doesn't often have the chance to talk about it, it'll make her night."

“Who’s the dad?” Sy asked, “Anyone at the clubs?”

“Eugene.” Annalisa said.

“Are you fuckin’ serious?” He asked, looking at her again, and she nodded, “He’s two steps from bein’ your stalker and he’s got a kid with another woman?”

“Eugene?” Mike asked.

“Renaud.” Annalisa said and he snorted.

“His real name is Eugene? Try-hard.” Mike said.

“This Eugene someone we don’t like?” Denise asked.

“Can I?” Sy asked and Annalisa nodded. He didn’t go into detail, but he did let them know the circumstances, how Eugene had taken advantage of Annalisa while she was in a vulnerable state after her husband was killed.

“Shithead.” Jack said with a scowl. “Why do you keep him around?”

“He’s my second-in-command in the coven—a group of vampires—and he’s good with the public relations end when it comes to the clubs. I handle the business end and the staff, he handles the press and marketing. He hasn’t done anything to warrant banishment, so kicking him out would cause too many waves.”

“Understandable.” Jack said, clicking his tongue against his teeth. “Don’t like it, or him, but I understand it.” Denise got up from her chair telling them she would be right back, heading up the stairs to the upper floor, coming back down a short while later and handing something to Sy.

“Ma.” He said and she nodded, sitting back down. Getting up from the floor, he turned, looking down at Annalisa who was looking up at him in question. “Come on, there’s somethin’ I want to ask you in private, don’t wanna make you feel pressured by doin’ it front of my family.” Taking her hand, he pulled her into the kitchen.

“Ma?” Jake asked and they heard a happy squeak from the kitchen a moment later, Aika’s ears perking up at the sound. “Did he just—” Denise just nodded and they came back into the living room, Annalisa clinging to his arm.

“I’m gettin’ married.” Sy said, “The ring is a bit too big for her so we’ll have to get it sized, but she said yes.”

“Of course I said yes!” She said and pulled him down into a kiss, “I love you.”

“I love you, too. You don’t have to take my last name if you don’t want. You been Caulfield for a while now.”

“I don’t know, Annalisa Syverson sounds good to me.” She said and a wide smile pulled over his face, Sy sweeping her into his arms.

“Hold—hold up.” Pete said, “I’m happy for you two, really, I am, but she’s gonna live forever, Kyle. Unless what turned you furry also made you immortal, you ain’t gonna grow old together.”

“It did actually.” Annalisa said and Sy looked at her in surprise. "Babe, what makes me me and you you are...cousins? Kind of? Putting it in layman’s terms? I won’t age, and neither will you. So while yes, Pete is right, we won’t grow old together, it’s more accurate to say we won’t grow old at all.”

“We really are forever.” He said and she nodded, Sy pulling her into his chest again and holding her tight, his face buried in her neck.

#henry cavill #captain syverson #blood moon

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twoidiotwriters1 · 5 months

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Daughter of Olympus (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: Hold tight guys we're getting some turbulence -Danny Words: 1,812 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter / Next Chapter Listen to: 'Running Up That Hill' -by Kate Bush

XLI: Source(s): Dude, Trust Me

A whole day goes by and Hades is nowhere to be seen, but I've made up my mind that I won't care anymore. I've fought and killed monsters, but it isn't enough.

"I feel like we should've told someone about this..." Lily mutters.

"Jake's helping us, we're fine."

"Ara..."

"What?" I snap at her impatiently.

Lily's worried, I'm not as giddy and positive as when the fight started, so she thinks I might do something reckless. But it's not like I'm announcing our impending deaths, it isn't that kind of change. I have a fierce disposition to keep going no matter the outcome.

Which of course, could be seen as "being reckless".

You see, an hour ago we found my parents in their Prius, right in front of where we'd fought that day. Percy almost lost it, it was the second time I had to absorb half of someone's breakdown in less than two days, so I'm pretty tired, but I refuse to take a break.

"I'm just making sure..." Lily pauses. "That you have the remotes to these things."

I point at the dino bag hanging on my shoulder. "'Course. C'mon, before Percy realizes I left."

I burst into tears pretty often, but I have an advantage over demigods like Percy and Lily: I process feelings faster. Right now it's like I'm in the zone, with all these people feeling all kinds of ways, I have the clearest mind.

Mom's right, feelings give me power.

We go back to the camping site where Percy's already looking for me, and he's angry.

He pulls me away from Lily. "Let's talk."

Everyone throws curious looks at us, Percy's never harsh with me, not even when we're training together.

"You're pinching me!" I whine.

Percy stops and stares at me, his eyes are like Greek fire. "What did you do?"

"I-I just went to place some bombs—"

"Not today," he interrupts me. "The other night—Jake said you disappeared for a whole hour. Spit it out."

"...I'm helping you win the war," my voice gets quiet.

"What did you do?"

"Judging by how you're acting, I think you know."

Percy's hands go to his hair as he turns away from me, his face red. This feels like being scolded by my dad. "You made a deal with Hades?" He asks in an angry whisper, turning back to face me. "What were you thinking?!"

I don't ask how he knows. Maybe he saw it in a dream. "He's been insulted, Percy. He doesn't want to help you, and we need him."

"You're stupid," he says like he's just realizing this now. "Mr. D told me..."

"What?"

"He asked me to tell you," Percy scowls. "That he wants to be considered too."

I can't hide the excitement in me. "I'm listening."

He grimaces at my reaction. "He said that having madness on your side is useful too."

"Will you look at that," I mumble, my gaze drifting as I take in the news. "The gods really are paying attention to me..."

"Ara," he grabs my shoulders. "Stop. Whatever you're doing, it's a bad idea."

"No."

"Didn't you learn anything from—?"

"The prophecy says you have to die," I state bitterly. "I heard Jake and Will talking about it," I push his hands away from my body. "You're not dying if I can help it."

"They don't know anything!" He says in frustration.

"It doesn't matter, this isn't about just you, I promised Mike I would do this," I press, my voice cracking when I pronounce my friend's name. "I've made up my mind."

"What did you promise?" He demands. "What are you doing, Ara?"

"I'm bettering myself."

Before our argument escalates, a roar and several short explosions reach us from the street I just arrived from. Percy's brows knit together. "That's my dream..."

"And those were my bombs," I point out. "Hopefully, we just killed a few dozen there."

He moves me to the side, urging me to safety.

"Take cover, Ara. They're bringing a Drakon."

Ara's standing in the middle of a field, and she doesn't know how she got there. She looks around anxiously, and for a moment fears she's been taken just like her brother, but then she hears his voice.

"Cyclopes. Centaurs. This is wrong. All wrong..."

Percy. She's found her brother!

"We need to get him back to the boat," a new voice utters. Ara realizes Percy's not alone, two kids are with him, a boy and a girl. "The sea will make him feel better."

"No argument," the unknown boy says. "There are too many of them. The camp... we have to warn the camp."

"They know," Percy whimpers. "Reyna knows."

Ara rushes to meet him and then freezes in her place. An army of monsters is passing by downhill, ahead of them.

Ara concludes that she's dreaming a horrifying, but long-awaited demigod dream.

"The camp, yes. Vengeance!" Ara takes a moment to confirm, but it really is Ma Gasket in the crowd of monsters. "The orange and purple ones destroyed my home. Now Ma Gasket will destroy theirs! Do you hear me, Leo? Jason? Piper? I come to annihilate you! I will kill you, Arae Jackson!"

"Jason!" The girl next to Percy gasps, she's wearing a purple shirt, and Percy is too. "She fought Jason. He might still be alive!"

"Do those other names mean anything to you?" The unknown boy asks.

"I..." Percy closes his eyes. Suddenly he breathes in harshly, like someone punched him in the gut. "My sister!"

When the Ares cabin arrives, something feels off. Clarisse is glowing pink. I've seen Clarisse's soul light before, and hers is purple.

Silena's was pink.

I feel dizzy once I understand what's happening. "That's not Clarisse."

The drakon attacks my sister, and Clarisse and Chris arrive soon after. I run towards them, if someone calls after me I can't hear it, everyone's screaming either way. The drakon doesn't see me, I'm nothing to this creature.

When I reach Silena I fall to my knees crying. Clarisse leaves her side for just a moment, kills the drakon, and comes back. We carefully take the helmet off my sister's head and she confesses to being the spy.

She dies a hero anyway. Did what she had to, to make up for her wrongdoing. There is nothing else to say.

It's lucky I wasn't given Pandora's box, cause this is my lowest moment, when I finally lost my girlhood. "Get up," I command Clarisse. "You'll help me fix this."

The older girl picks up a sword and a javelin. I grab Almighty but waver, something stops me this time, it feels like the wrong option. Instead, I search through my dino bag and pull the little square panel that controls the traps and bombs we've left scattered around the site.

I climb into Clarisse's chariot. "Go that way," I point to the left.

"On it," she growls.

I use charmspeak to make sure the monsters follow us. Once we have them all in the alley, Clarisse makes the chariot fly over their heads and I press the square buttons, blowing up every creature below.

We get rid of 60% of the enemies that way. The 40% left is taken by the centaurs, the hunters, and some Ares campers. Only 10% manage to escape us, or at least that's what Lily tells me once I leave Clarisse so I can tend to the wounded.

Clarisse glows red by the time I leave her. I glow pink. Mom's sending a message: This is what an Aphrodite brings to the table, how we win wars.

I run into Pollux as he walks out of the Empire State. "Hey, man," I smile. "You look tough with that cast. How ya feeling?"

"Like a million bucks," he replies sarcastically.

"That's great dude, 'cause I need you."

He raises a brow. "Percy says I'm in no condition to keep fighting, he wanted me to go back to camp."

I try not to look annoyed. Percy knows Mr. D wants me to use Pollux, why is he trying to take him away from me? "I don't want you to fight," I respond. "You got your daddy's mad powers, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you make monsters have some kind of shared hallucination?"

He seems to like where this is going. "I can try."

"Good," I draw out Almighty. "That's all I can do too."

The semester ended faster than Ara thought possible. She's worked hard to keep her mind busy, but now that June has arrived, she's having palpitations.

After she told Annabeth about her dream, the older girl managed to hold some kind of dream communication with Percy thanks to the Hypnos cabin, and that seemed to jumpstart a domino effect of sorts, cause now all Ara sees in her dreams are Percy's bizarre adventures with the horse girl and the archer.

It isn't promising, every dream shows Percy in a different location, and she tries to assist Tyson so he finds their brother, but he isn't fast enough.

When Jason finally gets all of his memories back, he goes to Ara. "What's the name of that Hades kid you're friends with?" It's the first thing he asks.

Ara looks up from the control board of the ship, she's making sure everything works as it's supposed to. "Nico Di Angelo? He's not—"

"Him," Jason interrupts her. "Last September, he visited my camp."

Ara pauses, thinking she heard wrong. "What?"

"Nico Di Angelo," Jason says. "He came to us, and he wasn't alone. He brought his sister to live with us."

The girl's heart skips a bit. "Bianca?"

I don't have a hard time convincing Annabeth to let us use her Yankees cap, I don't even have to use charmspeak on her! Lily's waiting for me with Michael's bow and backpack, and a few trick arrows I made for her. She gives me a bedsheet that I wrap around me as a cape, and a large javelin.

I give Pollux Annabeth's cap. "Stay behind me and Lily at all times."

"You got it."

I whistle (meaning I use a whistle, I can't whistle on my own, remember?) and Blackjack comes down to help me. We just need him to make an entrance, but the amount of sugar cubes I had to promise so he wouldn't rat us out to Percy is outrageous.

"What are we doing, Ara?" Lily asks me, watching as I climb on top of the Pegasus.

"I'm playing dress up," I reply. "If you don't wanna, I can always ask someone else to be my right hand—"

"That's not an option." Her expression hardens, she reaches back and grabs an arrow from her quiver.

I gallop confidently into battle, Lily following right after. Behind me, I hear Pollux whispering in ancient Greek something about blurry thoughts and bending realities.

"Stand down!" I shout at the enemy. "Or I'll kill you all!"

Chiron makes a face like I personally stabbed him in the back. Everyone else starts to yell at me to retreat, but I don't go anywhere that it's not forward.

If the monsters hadn't been tricked by Pollux, they would've killed me right away, but they were, and it's scared them to death for a good reason:

The people they see standing between them and the Camp Half-blood army, are Achilles and Odysseus.

Next Chapter ->

Taglist.

@siriuslysirius1107 @ask-giggles1303 @ash-the-hoarder @im-planning-something-look @bandshirts-andbooks @coolninjapaper @thewaterlily @whenisthefall @1randomcomic @you-bloody-shank @sunflowergraves @owlalex44 @taylordaughter @typicalsolangelolover @writingmia @espressopatronum454 @slytherinnqueen @orbitingpolaris @obxstiles

#twoidiots writing #pjo hoo toa #pjo fanfic #pjo fandom #percy jackson and the olympians #leo valdez x oc #leo valdez fanfic #doo

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topazy · 2 years

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Under my skin

Pairing: Troy Otto x oc

Warnings: Mentions of blood and swearing

Chapter: 1.10

“You don’t need to do this, right?”

Walking towards the canteen I smiled at Jake while he stared at me with a concerned look on his face.

“My family is complicated,” he continued. “I love Troy, and he’s my brother, but he can be very protective. I just wanted to let you know that, because once you're with him, he’ll become a lot more intense than he already is.”

I thought it was sweet that Jake was concerned, but I trusted Troy. I shrug, “It was only a kiss. Besides, he might not even be that interested in me.”

The older Otto rolled his eyes and said, “We both know that’s not true.”

“I thought more people would be here,” I say, changing the subject. To my surprise, the canteen was almost empty, aside from a few militia having a break. Although the sun was shining, the heat was a lot cooler than the days prior, and I thought more people would be taking advantage of that.

“People are grieving.”

He had a point. Jeremiah’s uplifting speech on looking out for one another was overshadowed by Troy's explanation that he and his men were outnumbered by the dead.

I sat down on one of the empty benches and happily shoved some oatmeal into my mouth. “I’ve no idea how you can eat that,” a guy called Mike Trimbol says, scrunching his face up. “It’s disgusting. Having to eat that horse food is one of the worst things about the apocalypse.”

I look at him for a second with my eyebrows raised to see if he's joking or being serious. Mike didn’t understand that there were people who would literally kill for a small bag of oats outside the ranch. “I love oatmeal. I used to use it in different recipes before the dead came knocking, and all of them were delicious.”

I noticed one of the women who was serving food was staring at me. I give her an awkward smile, and her cheeks flush red at being caught. Maybe my light-hearted comment about the dead offended her.

“That’s new,” Jake said, motioning to the gold cross hanging around my neck.

“It belonged to my mother. I stopped wearing it because I was afraid I’d lose it.”

We ate in comfortable silence until I noticed Troy walking towards us. After the memorial, he went to his dad's office to talk to him in private. However, Jeremiah’s voice echoed and from what I heard, he was placing the blame for the four militia men who died on his son.

Troy sat without saying a word and reached for the apple on his brother's tray. Jake gave me a look that telepathically told me not to mention their dad. I watched as Troy sliced the skin off the apple with a miserable look on his face.

I watched as he ate the apple but left the skin. He must have noticed the confused look on my face because he pushed the apple skins in front of me.

“Thanks.”

A peaceful meal was disturbed when Leo walked by with a couple of guys on either side of him and mumbled something under his breath.

I didn’t hear what Leo said aside from the words “whipped” and “bitch,” but Troy did. I reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly as he started to stand up, glaring at the blond. “Troy, just leave it. All that asshole wants is a reaction.”

“Fine.”

That was easy.

“I will on one condition.” He cocks his head to the side, smirking.

“And what’s that?”

“You have to give me a kiss.”

“Fine,” I say, leaning in so close to him that my lips ghosted his. “But I’m not putting on a show for an audience later.”

He follows my trail of sight to the table Mike and his friends were sitting at, all of them were staring directly in our direction. He smirks at me, “I’ll hold you to that.”

—

“Hi.”

“Hi,” I say, and my smile falls when I see the look on Jake's face as he approaches me. “What’s wrong?”

“Uh-listen, all work assignments have been updated.”

A knot twists in my stomach. I wipe the back of my hands with a cloth before starting to put the tools I’d just used back into the toolbox. I sighed, “What am I doing?”

“Kitchen duty.”

I maintained calm on the outside, but on the inside I was screaming. It was very disappointing that, despite being good at what I did, I wouldn’t get to do it for very long because, in the words of Jeremiah Otto, it was an “unladylike” job.

“Whatever, at least it gets me out of the sun.”

“You’re taking it surprisingly well. I thought you would have chewed my ear off,” he laughed. “Thank god you didn’t. I’ve already had an earful from my brother.”

I try my best to keep the smile off my face. I've only spoken to a few of them so far. “When do I start?”

“Tomorrow.”

—

I froze outside the small wooden cabin I was now staying in when I noticed the door was ajar. Strange, I was so sure I’d locked it behind me. I pushed the door open and was greeted by Troy, who was laying on the bed reading a book.

He was laying on his back with his shoes and jacket removed. I was actually jealous of how comfortable he looked. Well, until I noticed the dirt on his trousers.

“You're staring,” he said in a matter of folk tone.

“I’m judging.”

He held the book to his chest and looked up at me with an amused expression on his face. “Judging what exactly?”

“You’re got muddy clothes on my clean sheets.”

His eyes trailed down his clothes until I noticed the small mess and sat up, his eyes widening in realisation. “I can get you some new ones.”

“Since it’s already a mess…” I plopped down on the bed beside him, much to his surprise. “So, you tend to chill in here while I’m somewhere else?”

“No, just thought I’d wait on you here since you owe me.”

“I owe you?”

Troy nodded before pressing his lips against mine. You have to give me a kiss. Troy most definitely held me to my word. I smiled into the kiss before pulling away for air.

Troy began to trail his finger up my neck and along my jawline while telling me how he would be leaving in a couple of days to search for an abandoned warehouse. I noticed the back of his knuckles were cut. I gently grabbed hold of his wrist so I could get a better look, “What did you do?”

He stared at me, emotionless. At first glance, I thought he’d hurt it by accident, but the more I looked at it, the less I believed it was just a simple accident.

“Troy, how did you hurt your hand?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

I frowned, “Of course I’m worried. Your knuckles are brushing and have dried blood on them.”

He leaned onto his elbows and looked down at his knuckles with a weird expression on his face, almost as if he was pondering whether to tell me the truth or not. “I got into an argument with Leo. Instead of punching the fucker in the head, I punched the wall beside him instead.”

“Good, I’m sure he got frightened.”

Laughing, he shakes his head. “I’m glad I got your seal of approval.”

I looked up at him as he rambled on about how much he despised Leo ever since he moved into the ranch.I reached up and put my hand on the back of his neck, “Troy?”

“Yeah?”

I pulled his head towards mine to kiss him again.

#fear the walking dead #Troy Otto #troy otto x oc #troy otto/oc #FTWD #fear the walking dead fandom #fear the walking dead fanfict #FTWD troy #troy otto fanfiction #ftwd fanfic

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abbatoirablaze · 2 years

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June Updates

Hey guys. <3

Just wanted to give you my monthly update for my stories. First and foremost, my tag lists are always open. if you want tagged in something and you're not, let me know. I try to look at the comments and reblog tags, but if I miss you, I'm sorry, message me and I'll put you on them. Individual stories, or all. I'm cool with either.

Stories finishing up this month.

Fated

School Days AU, The Professors

School Days AU, The Twins

Sentimental Me

Each of those stories are 100% plotted out and being written/already written and on my list to be posted on certain days.

Active Stories

Angel Of Death

Daddy Issues

Heaven's Demons

New Stories This Month

The Avenger's Initiative -This is my wattpad transfer story that I've been pulled from Wattpad, and I'm editing and moving to here. Features: Bucky, Steve, Sam, Thor, and Loki. Dark Marvel/basement wives.

School Days AU, Red Light Baby-Part of the school days AU, Features Mike Weiss a/b/o fic. Involves drug use, prostitution, and frat boys.

On The Drawing Board

These are the next few stories I'm thinking about doing. I have an idea in mind of what I want to release first, but I'm open to moving it around if anyone wants to see something more than another.

Artificial Alpha-Part of the School Days AU. Robert Pronge, has a secret. Behind his charade of making knotting films, and dealing drugs, the fox shifter who belongs to an all alpha frat is really a sigma. What happens when he finds his Delta?

Bad Girls Club-You've heard about the Good Girl's Club. Well. There's two sides to every story. Welcome to McKnight Academy, the school that the bad girl's get sent to when there are no other options. Features: Ransom Drysdale, Curtis Everett, Chase Collins, Lance Tucker, and Johnny Storm. The guys are teachers at an all-girls school.

In The Haze- Part of the Money Shotz Inc Spinoffs. Features dark! Chris Beck, Sharon Carter, and Bucky. Will include cheating, drug use, and the story of how bucky lost his way and his arm before finally moving on and finding love.

Once Claimed-Part of the School Days AU. Ransom Drysdale is already a claimed alpha. His alpha fox girlfriend claimed him just days after meeting him, and despite his reputation for being a manwhore, she stays, choosing to make the girls lives hell instead. That is, until Ransom finds his mate in an omega at the sister sorority. She marks him after they sleep together, only to find out about his girlfriend the following morning. Stalker! Ransom

Popping Cherry- Part of the Money Shotz Inc. Spinoff. Features pornstar Lee Bodecker and his girl Cherry.

Raised By Bears-Part of the School Days AU. Andy Barber's story was already told by the time the professors rolled around and his brothers found their mates. Andy's own was a human adopted into a shifter family. And she seemed to be made for him in every way, except for the fact that she was the mate that he never wanted. (Andy with a superiority complex because she's not a shifter)

Stacy's Mom-inspired by the song Stacy's Mom. Jake Jensen always was terrible with women his own age. Meet the woman who ruined Jake Jensen for all other women. Stacy's Mom. Freshly 18 Jake Jensen/older female reader.

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concerthopperblog · 8 days

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MOVEMENTS: RUCKUS! Tour featuring Tigers Jaw, Webbed Wing, & Paerish PT 2.

In December 2023, Movements announced that the band would embark on Part 2 of the Ruckus! Tour. The tour will be supported by Tigers Jaw, Webbed Wing, and Paerish. Movements released Ruckus! in August 2023. If you enjoy a mix of pop-punk and grunge and love your heart getting mixed into an ocean of emotions, then this album is for you. When I saw this announcement, I was incredibly excited. I have grown to enjoy this band, and when I saw that they would be playing at the Water Street Music Hall, I knew this was a show I had to attend. I spent many nights at this venue enjoying great music in my younger years. As I stepped out of my husband's car, I could feel the excitement in the air and see the anticipation on the faces of fans eagerly waiting to rush into the venue to find the perfect spot. Slowly but surely, the venue began to fill up as the show was about to start. At first, it didn't look like it was going to be a sold-out show. However, as I started taking photos of Paerish, I realized that the venue was filling up much quicker than I had anticipated. I knew that the night was going to be amazing.

Paerish is a French alternative rock band based in Paris, formed in 2013. The band has 3 studio albums Semi Finalists (2016), Fixed It All (2021) and You're In Both Dreams (And You're Scared) (2023). In 2021, the band featured Patrick Miranda from Movements on the song “You & I”. The band is gaining popularity in this scene. The band went to Instagram and shared that they had reached 1 Million streams on Spotify for their new song “House of American Style” released in early 2023. During the show, Paerish caught my attention with their amazing performance. I was surprised to learn that this band had never played in America before. It was a great experience to witness a new band from France playing in America for the first time. They performed a mix of songs including “House Of American Style” and “Still There.” After their set, the band members spent some time at their merch booth. The singer even invited people to come and talk to them, despite their "shitty French accents".

Webbed Wing is a trio from “The City of Brotherly Love” aka Philadelphia, PA. Taylor Madison, Jake Clarke & Mike Paulshock make up Webbed Wing, they only have 2 studio albums Bike Ride Across The Moon & What’s So Fucking Funny? In February of 2023, they surprised their fans with a new EP release called Right After I Smoke This. I thought the performance of these guys was great. I particularly enjoyed watching the drummer get into the groove of the music. However, I feel like their set was a bit short and they could have given more to the fans. On the bright side, the singer, Taylor, was very interactive with the crowd.

Tigers Jaw is a rock band from Scranton, PA that formed back in 2005. The band got their influences from artists such as Fall Out Boy & My Chemical Romance. The band released 3 albums before announcing on Tumblr in 2013 that they were going on a hiatus, it lasted less than a year. The band made a comeback in 2014 releasing a new album called Charmer. Tigers Jaw was signed to Hopeless Records in 2020, they released a song called “Warn Me”, and they also released a song called “Cat’s Cradle” before releasing their latest studio album I Won't Care How You Remember Me (2021). I really enjoyed the performance by Tigers Jaw. The lead singer and guitarist Benjamin Walsh gave it his all, and you could see the passion in his performance. This band has now made it to my list of "Must Listen To" artists. They played around 10-12 songs, including "Never Wanted To," "Hum," and "Plane vs Tank vs Submarine".

Movements is a post-hardcore quartet from Rancho Santa Margarita California. The band consists of Patrick Miranda, Austin Cressey, Spencer York & Ira George, who debuted in 2015. Movements has 1 EP and 3 Studio albums to date, they released their latest album Ruckus! in the summer of 2023. I remember seeing them for the first time back in 2017 when they were on tour with Knuckle Puck, I was unsure if I enjoyed their music upon discovering them. Fast forward to 2018, I saw they were featured in an advertisement for Vans Warped Tour 2018 (check out our coverage from that show here). After hearing their song “Daylily” off their Feel Something album I knew these guys were a band I had to keep in my music rotation. Movement’s lyrics derive from anxiety, depression, heartbreak & tense relationships. In an interview with Jamie Orque; Patrick Miranda (Vocalist) states that their song “Deadly Dull” also off the Feel Something album is written about Alzheimer’s disease. This song hits home for me, when I was younger my great-grandmother had a stroke, couldn’t speak much and after a few years, we believe she was also dealing with dementia. As Movements took the stage, I was ready to take photos and enjoy the rest of the show. The band started strong by playing one of their new songs, "Lead Pipe". Throughout the night, the band had multiple crowd surfers, and the whole room was almost shaking from the excitement of the fans. Movements also played an older song called "Submerge". They played a variety of songs from all of their albums, making the setlist perfect. The band members were grateful and thanked the crowd for coming out to see them and for coming to see the other bands on the bill. Pat, the lead singer, said that he grew up going to Tigers Jaw shows and loved that they got to share the same stage. The night ended with Movements playing their most iconic song, "Daylily".

This show is one for the books, I hope you guys didn’t miss out on this one. I decided to stay until the end of the show and saw the joy on fans' faces as they left. There are only 10 dates left coming to a city near you! If you are a fan of Post-Hardcore music and getting thrown into a whirlwind of emotions check out Movements. If you want more Movements content click here to read our review of Ruckus! Make sure to follow ConcertHopper on our Instagram and Facebook pages! Keep on hopping!

Movements: RUCKUS! Tour 2024

Apr. 19, 2024

Detroit, MI

Saint Andrew's Memorial Episcopal Church

Apr. 20, 2024

Milwaukee, WI

The Rave / Eagles Club

Apr. 22, 2024

Omaha, NE

Slowdown

Apr. 24, 2024

Boulder, CO

Boulder Theater

Apr. 26, 2024

Las Vegas, NV

House Of Blues Las Vegas

Apr. 27, 2024

San Diego, CA

SOMA

Apr. 28, 2024

Riverside, CA

Riverside Municipal Auditorium

May. 12, 2024

Daytona Beach, FL

Welcome To Rockville 2024

May. 17, 2024

Columbus, OH

Sonic Temple Festival 2024

#2024 #concert photography #Concerthopper #metal tours #Review #Concert

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bigmacdaddio · 2 years

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Corporal Punishment: SJMetuchenHS 1968-1972

Peter Hendricks <[email protected]>

To:John Kuhn,Jeff Reich

Cc:Ned Gentz,Al Szaroleta,Alan Cherepon,Albert Camisa,Ana Rocciand 121 more...

Thu, Sep 22 at 11:21 AM

Memories Good, bad and otherwise great relationships : Firstly I unfortunately will not be able to attend our 50th reunion. Memories (bad) I was punched in the stomach by Coach Chris Halpren in class; George Shamy & I were hit on the top of the head by Bennie Napolioni? Latin class (poor George I always dragged him into my foolish stuff); I was jacked up in the hallway by Ed Mautner (history teacher & member of the John Birch society); and thrown out of the library for playing loud music. I was foolish but not a wiseguy. I remember when (sorry about this Mack) Mayor Kevin McEvoy blurted out “ Yasdi did it” and Mautner had Yasdi take off his glasses and Mautner knocked him out of his desk –Mautner was such a nice person/teacher NOT!!! Thankfully he was terminated shortly thereafter. Lastly, on the bad, John Jake Farrell ( a determined Irishman) likewise was ripped out of his desk by either mautner or one of the brothers in class He got up dusted himself off and resumed class. I know how he became a harbormaster. On the good/great side I learned so much at St Joe’s about people,relationships, and I even capitalized to some degree on the awesome education opportunity offered by our school. To this day I have maintained in close contact with some of our classmates(to name a few) Jeff Venezia who I see a few times a week in the gym,Mike Mulqueen who had afanominal coaching career at Rutgers as their head track & field coach,when John Schierman was at Rutgers as i head swimming coach we would often meet at events,Mike Kenny & I have been friends for life,George Shamy and I as attroneys are as close as brothers,Carl Branciforte, Ed Zullo(marine & chiropractor), Pete Towns,Mike Healey & wife Trish(sister to Larry Fox) have all enriched my life one way or another.Also I have maintained a close relationship with Ms Anna Rocci over the years.She even served on our local Ethics committee as a citizen volunteer I truly love her.Everywhere I go if given the opportunity I mention St Joe’s and the responses are always positive and usually the discussions evolve into do you know so & so etc . I have been so blessed to have been given the opportunity to attend and graduate (man that was a challenge!!)our fine school. God bless, as if he hasn’t already blessed us all!!. Pete

Peter,

I suspect we all have a mix of memories. How can one not over four years?

The physical stuff was ugly at times in those benighted days before corporal punishment went out of fashion. Bro. James delivered a smack across my face one time simply because I had been out walking the grounds during lunch (he was red-faced at the time, either with rage or drink. I generally liked the guy, too, but his personal arc later proved tragic).

Shreck, who doesn’t deserve a “Mr.,” also required us to stand, salute the flag and pray before each American History class (this as Vietnam was raging, threatening us all). And the Bircher nonsense he spouted was the sort of pablum that one hears from Trump and his ilk these days (actually, it was instructive to learn about the roots of such political paranoia. I’ll never forget how Shreck dissed Elvis because Abbie Hoffman had written how “the revolution” began with Presley).

For me, however, the upsides far outnumbered such nonsense. Doc. Aubin’s English classes were mind-expanding. Project Seven was an intellectual cornucopia. Ecology Day observances and a sensitivity to environmental worries, courtesy of Mr. Murphy, was broadening. Going to a Traffic concert in NYC with him and another teacher was remarkable, as was a class trip to see “Woodstock.” Getting to perform in “Indians,” a provocative play that has resounded for me over the years, especially as I’ve come to learn more about Native Americans while teaching in Nebraska. And working as an editor on The Falcon News (at least before I ceded the paper to Bill Walczak) launched my career in journalism.

It was an extraordinary place for most of us, I think. And the sorts of work that so many went on to testifies to that, I suggest.

I much look forward to comparing notes, as I expect we all do.

Best, JW

Michael Lyons <[email protected]>

To:Peter Hendricks,John Kuhn,Jeff Reich

Cc:Ned Gentz,Al Szaroleta,Alan Cherepon,Albert Camisa,Ana Rocciand 120 more...

Thu, Sep 22 at 1:39 PM

Pete,

Completely agree with your assessment of Mautner. I recall vividly an incident with Donnie Pulaski, he was reading from the text and had temerity to say Kin Tut as opposed to King Tutankhamen. Mautner flew into a rage and using a full swing hit Donnie in the back of the head, knocking him out of his desk. Corporal punishment was legal in New Jersey at the time, but for an academic issue and not a behavioral reason was out of line. He should have been charged with assault, perhaps a few months in the Middlesex County lockup, would have been an object lesson for him! Never trust a man in a Khaki suit.

To a more suitable topic, I found a copy of Indians wedged into one of my book shelves. And a word of mention to John Kuhn's sister Jean, who had the only female part in the show. The book in in fragile shape, I could not open it as it would destroy the binder. See Attached:

Regards,

Mike

Some of our alums are having trouble with their computers, so I've been asked to send out some messages:

From Jake Farrell:

I must apologize for the rant at the end of my email. I was sincerely trying to rally the troops to get more of our classmates to attend. Sharing our life experiences , of course, is a large part of the event In hindsight I probably could have used better adjectives but the dog ate my Barrons Vocabulary.

From Jimbo Patten:

HANG A MOON JIMBO HANG A MOON <clap clap HANG A MOON JIMBO HANG A MOON <clap clap> HANG A MOON JIMBO HANG A MOON <clap clap> Did I succumb to peer pressure? Absolutely not! I would jump at the chance to make Barney Dolan, Ed Zullo, and my brand new friends from Carteret, Jake Farrell and Big Al Cherepon laugh. It was Al who saw the duffel bag under my desk in 101 with the word “Jimbo” scrawled on the side and he laughed and he thought it was the funniest thing. The name stuck to this day. We were coming back from a track meet on a school bus with the words “St. Joseph High School” in big letters on both sides. But being 14 years old, young, dumb and full of cum, never gave it a thought. Some prima donna followed the bus to the school and complained. First thing Monday morning. Brother Aldrich, the principal called me out into the hallway. Oh shit! Over the summer, there was a meeting with Brother James O’Grady, the Dean of Discipline and my father, who did not mess around. Although I do not remember what I had for breakfast 3 days ago, I remember VIVIDLY my father telling Brother James: “Brother, you have my permission to do WHATEVER you deem is necessary to ensure my son stays in line. While my father was speaking, Brother James was locked in with frozen, eye contact looking at me up and down and said. “I’m sure James and I will get along just fine”. So I was sweating bullets. “Where you on that bus?” “Yes Sister” force of habit no pun intended after 8 years of nuns. “I’m a brother not a sister! “ He could have added the word “asshole” but didn’t. “Were you the one hanging your cock your rock your dick and your balls out the window?” He emphasized each word with a hard kick to the shins. Ooooh. Ooooh I don’t remember anything after that. My real punishment has been working with crazy 14 year olds for the last 40 years as a licensed clinical social worker in a large suburban high school (still working off my purgatory) I also work in a juvenile detention center where all I see now are murderers and child rapists. The latter group is much more pleasant to deal with because of the lack of discipline in our high schools. From the looks of all your successes, no harm done. I never got into trouble after that. St. Joe’s saved my ass. I was a dead end kid who listened to Brother Richard and ran for 12 seasons. If all it took was a kick in shins, totally worth it for a kid like me. I have a great life. Love to all who need it Tempus Fugit Jimbo

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iridescent-king · 4 years

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@hugs-and-stabbies has made a jayers shipper outta me

#dbd #dead by daylight #jake park #michael myers #jayers #((theyre actually in a three way relationship with the knife #((jakes the new guy mikes seeing on the side #fuck hands mcmike #patient e17 #((deadass the dr.phil V drew me made me cry happy tears #((im hoping this will return the favour >:3c #my art #art trade

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idontlikeem · 2 years

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I’m new to hockey and came to it via fics and romance novels.

Jargon I have heard recently and have no idea what to make of is “stay at home” defenseman. What is that? Is it bad? Can you illustrate with Penguins players? I greatly appreciate any enlightenment you can bestow.

hi anon! welcome! i hope you enjoy your stay here :) hockey is so fun, totally worth getting into and learning more about!

"stay at home defenseman" is not only not a bad thing, it's absolutely vital to the success of a team. putting my whole answer under a cut!

i touched on this a little bit in my post about depth scoring and the different forward lines a team might deploy, but each player on the ice at any given moment has different responsibilities, depending on where they are in the lineup and who they've been matched up against with the other team. that applies to defensemen, too!

to start with the thousand-foot view here: offensive and defensive skills are generally on a spectrum. you have forwards that are basically pure goal-scorers with no/very little defensive impact (jake guentzel, connor mcdavid to some degree although it's my understanding he's trying to improve his defense), true 200-foot players like sid, very defensively-responsible forwards like patrice bergeron on the bruins, all the way down to that fourth/checking line with players like ZAR, who don't produce a lot of points but do a lot to keep the other team's forwards occupied.

the same can be said for defensemen! there are dmen who are very gifted offensively and score goals and put up big points (cale makar, roman josi, mike matheson, kris letang), and defensemen who are not as offensively-minded and focus more on defending their team's side of the ice and preventing the opposing team from blocking shots.

those 'defensive defensemen', to use another term you might hear now and then, are what commentators mean when they call a player a stay-at-home defensemen. the 'home' in this case would be our own net!

in my opinion, defensive pairings are at their best when you can deploy a sort of 'shield and spear' approach. let's use some penguins as an example!

our 'offensive defensemen' are kris letang, mike matheson, sometimes john marino, and sometimes mark friedman. they're the spear. they play defense, they disrupt plays from the other team, but they also have offense skills that can be deployed—scoring goals, setting up plays, primary assists. that's a high-risk, high-reward style of defense (and it's why both mike and kris have gotten a lot of criticism- when this style of defense fails, it fails badly, and leads almost immediately to a good scoring chance from the opposing team).

they do best when they're paired with a very defensively-sound player—brian dumoulin, marcus pettersson, chad ruhwedel, the shields in this analogy. these are our stay-at-home guys. they're not going to be out trying to generate offense; their main focus is to be the last line before the goalie. their play style is built around disrupting passes, laying hits when necessary, breaking up plays from the opposing team, and blocking shots if it comes to that. while you'll see them score or set up plays on occasion, that's not why they're on the ice.

the shield-and-spear approach works best IMO because if something goes wrong with your spear, the shield is there to pick up the slack. it's why watching kris and mike out as a pair was so exciting, and also so terrifying. they could generate tons of chances and play the puck phenomenally, but if something they tried got messed up or went wrong, there'd be nobody waiting back to cover for them and stop a turnover or a breakaway from turning into a real scoring threat by the other team.

recently, they've been pairing chad and marcus together. this is also effective against very gifted offensive lines, because their whole focus is on disrupting plays and clearing the puck out of their zone. it's not exciting, it's not necessarily gonna generate a scoring chance for us, but it gets the job done, and can help spring the forward line to do work in the other team's zone.

you'll also generally see that your offensive defenseman is a lot more comfortable puck-handling than your defensive defenseman. kris is ready and able to skate up the ice and get around the other team to generate a chance; dumo is less confident, and is more likely to clear the puck, or pass it up to a forward to take care of.

hopefully this helps! please feel free to reach out if something here doesn't make sense, or if you have any other questions! :)

#asks #anon

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karlajoyner · 3 years

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Stressed Out (Sunset Curve x Reader)

A/n: So starting off I've made a master list that I'm posting real soon for you all to access my stories without the scrolling. In order to post it I have to update my post about my requests/taglist and soon because I do get a lot on that comments that ask for more Charlie or more Owen and I wanna give you guys that but I also wanna make sure that I get through the requests that you guys send me with plots and storylines. It just makes it like a thousand times easier to have something to work off of. Opposed to me coming up with my own storylines that I have to do a lot of reading on my own to get my gears working! But again thank you guys for the comments! And finally I wanna say thank you for sending in your requests and your feed back. It is much appreciated!

Disclaimer: Alex is bi in this one not taking away from the fact that he's gay in the show it just runs best for this storyline! There is no Bobby btw! Haven’t written a foursome with 3 guys before so it might suck ass. And it’s not much but it’s something so enjoy my fellow fantoms!

Warnings: Smut (18+)

————

I internally groaned walking into school. I wasn't the worst student. But by far I certainly was not the best. Which is why I had a reputation since I first arrived to high school.

That and I was in a band with 3 of my best friends. Who all happened to be guys. Hot guys at that.

Which automatically made me the schools slut. It was fine with me but the boys didn't like the label.

No matter how true it was.

"Hey y/n heard you gave Mike Dawson a blowjob this weekend. Just when I thought you couldn't be anymore of a slut"

"Mind your fucking business Hayley" I heard a familiar voice speak up for me. A smirk spreading on my face as I felt an arm wrap around my shoulder.

"Did she come to you right after Patterson? What's it like to be her sloppy seconds?" Hayley Becker spoke with a wicked evil smirk plastered on her face.

"Fucking amazing actually. God the long nights we have. It's so great" I heard another familiar voice from my left. A large hand intertwining my fingers with theirs. She rolled her eyes clearly not expecting my boys to speak up for me. But then again neither was I.

"Slut"

"Skank"

"Whore"

"Bitch" I spoke as the bell rang.

"Just watch your back y/l/n" She said before turning around and walking away.

"She will!" Reggie shouted after the dark haired girl. The three of us expectantly looking at our bandmate.

"What? I didn't even get to tell her we would too" I sighed shaking my head at the boy.

"Thanks for sticking up for me guys but I can do that myself"

"We know. But your our girl. And apart of this band so we're kinda obligated" Alex spoke as the four of us walked to first period.

"Your really not"

"Come on y/n you know we're still gonna do it"

"I know and I only let you today cause I can't deal with that bitch at this time of day. I mean seriously it's 8:00 o'clock in the morning. Does she not have anything better to do than spread rumors about me?"

"Apparently not. So you and Jake Mills behind the church?" Reggie asked.

"Didn't happen considering I was with you idiots all weekend. You know your the only guys I touch" I bit my lip hearing the three of them chuckle.

"Yeah well it better stay that way. I don't wanna hear Trevor O'Connor bragging about banging you in the boys locker room again"

"Schools golden boy?" I questioned.

"He tried starting the rumor yesterday during p.e but we quickly shut it down" Reggie explained as I stopped a few feet away from the science room to continue talking.

"So Hayleys boyfriend wants to bang me? Wow"

"Yeah but don't even fucking thing about" Luke said pushing me up against the lockers beside us.

"I wasn't. Unless you guys piss me off" I grinned pushing him off of me. Opening the door a few feet away and walking in.

"Gentlemen. And Ms. y/l/n. Your late"

"Sorry Mrs. Daniels we had to deal with something"

"And did this something give you tardy passes"

"It did not"

"Detention. All of you"

"That's nothing new to them Mrs. Daniels"

"Shut the fuck up Hayley" I scoffed taking my seat beside Alex.

"Ladies stop it before I send you to the principal"

"Yes Mrs. Daniels" Hayley and I spoke in sync.

"I can't believe Luke dated her" I whispered towards Alex glaring at the blonde bimbo.

"Jealous?"

"Why would I be? I already have him. And I could have her boyfriend too if I wanted him" I said taking down the notes on the board.

"Mrs. Daniels I can't focus on the lesson because they're distracting me with their talking" Hayley spoke pointing an accusing finger at us.

"We are not!" I shouted sitting up.

"Yes you are probably talking about who your gonna whore around with next"

"Yeah it's your boyfriend if you don't check yourself Hayley"

"Trevor would never do that!"

"I'm pretty sure he would"

"Ladies principal office right now" I scoffed standing up.

"Wait!" Luke shouted standing up. Everyone's heads whipping toward him. He made his way over to me groping my left boob.

I scowled at how hard he squeezed glaring at him.

"Dickhead" I muttered.

"Mr. Patterson! You too principals office" We looked at the other two boys expectantly. Alex immediately rolling his eyes before standing up.

"We could do this the easy way or the hard way Mrs. Daniels"

"If she goes we go"

"I cannot send you two away for absolutely no reason Reginald" Mrs. Daniels spoke challenging the boys.

I close my eyes preparing myself for what came next. Alex was quick to slap my ass while Reggie pulled me in for a sweet kiss. Immediately earning gasps from my classmates.

"Now I can do it. Office all of you! And detention today after school!"

I groaned walking out of the principals office with my bandmates.

"Detention for 3 weeks. Seriously?"

"To make it worse we have to spend 2 of those with Hayley" I spoke seeing the blonde talking with Trevor just a few feet away. Being sure to send them a harsh glare, I finally turned back to the boys.

"Hey you'll be with us everything's gonna be fine" Reggie said throwing an arm around my shoulder leading me away to our next period. That we conveniently had together.

"No it won't. I also have to chaperone the stupid homecoming with Hayley" I cried wanting nothing more than for the day to be done for.

That afternoon we spent in detention not leaving until late afternoon. Due to the fact that my detention went on longer than the boys.

I walked into the studio behind Luke not really in the mood to practice.

"What's wrong y/n/n? You seem down" Reggie asked as I plopped back onto the couch.

"I'm just tired is all. And a little stressed out"

"But we've gotta practice baby, for our next gig. Sunset Curves so gonna rock that book club" Luke said picking up his six string. I watched as Alex and Reggie sent him a glare, the boy immediately putting it back down.

"Or we could take a day off" He spoke coming to sit to my left while Reggie was on my right.

"That sounds amazing" I mumbled feeling Alex begin to massage my shoulders from behind. I craned my neck allowing him more access. Now feeling a little more relaxed than before.

"So tell us y/n/n why are you stressed out?" Luke asked as I shut my eyes.

"Well for starters I'm so gonna get my ass beat when I get home" I sighed feeling Reggie begin to rub my arm to comfort me. Something he did often with how anxious I got.

"And there's just nothing I want to do more than run your ex girlfriend over with a bulldozer" I mumbled hearing a chuckle escape their lips.

"Sounds like a plan" Alex said as Luke intertwined our fingers.

"We'll make a day out of it. Just us four and a bulldozer" He joked making me giggle. The laugh got caught in my throat as I felt a soft kiss on the side of my neck.

"Seriously guys? Not today. No way" I spoke opening my eyes.

"We just wanna help you relax"

"That's what you said last time. I couldn't walk right for 2 days" I mumbled the last part.

"We'll be gentle" Reggie spoke.

"I know you will Reg. It's them I'm worried about" I spoke earning a pointed look from Alex.

"Okay Luke"

"Am I that rough?" He asked a frown forming on his face.

"Sometimes" I admitted feeling a little bad.

"Gee I'm sorry baby" Luke spoke kissing the back of my hand.

"It's okay. I like it when I'm in the mood" I said watching as Alex walked around the couch.

"Well then boys why don't we help our girl relax for today" Alex said bending down in front of me. I bit my lip as he spread my legs open feeling a slight breeze hit my covered core.

"Well there's no need for your skirt or these" Alex spoke toying with the waistbands of both my skirt and panties.

I shimmied out of them with ease leaving me exposed to my best friends like I'd been many times before.

"She just gets prettier every time"

"And wetter"

"Mind if I taste baby?" Luke asked. I nodded my head, watching as he dipped his long fingers in between my folds. Moaning as he pulled them back up to see them glistening with my cum.

"So good" He whispered putting them in his mouth.

"Okay I want a taste now" Alex said opening my legs a little wider.

"Guys. A little help" I huffed as Luke and Reggie hooked themselves on each of my thighs to keep me still.

"Please" I begged getting more turned on by the second. The blonde didn't hesitate to latch onto my core. A loud moan escaping my lips.

"Oh fuck" I struggled to keep still as he moved his tongue skillfully through my folds. Lapping it inside and out as moans fell from my lips.

I whimpered as Reggie slowly began to rub my clit making the pleasure intensify.

"Use y-you're f-fingers" I mustered out Alex obeying my request sticking two fingers in my wet pussy. Picking up the pace. My eyes screwed shut as a familiar feeling of bliss coursed through me.

"Look at me baby" Luke muttered turning my head to look at him with his free hand. I opened my eyes looking into his blue ones covered with complete lust.

He was quick to smash his lips onto mine as the other two worked on building up my orgasm. Which wasn't far at the pace Alex was working on me.

"Holy shit!" I panted pulling away and throwing my head back at the amazing sensation of my orgasm hitting.

"You squirted princess" Alex grinned wiping away the liquids dribbling down his chin. I giggled at his swollen pink lips placing a quick peck to them.

"What now baby?" Luke asked rubbing his hand on my thigh.

I looked at the three boys before discarding any remaining clothes I had left. Watching as their eyes raked me up and down like many times before.

"Reg can you just fuck me today. I really need gentle" I begged as his cheeks turned bright red whenever I asked him to do something. Whether it was sexual or not.

"Sure beautiful" He smiled lopsidedly pushing his lips onto mine.

I sighed in content as he pushed me down on the couch. My head landing on Luke's lap giving me a little leverage.

"She's something else" Alex spoke to no one in particular.

"Your telling me" Reggie panted pulling away to undo his belt and jeans. I bit my lip looking up at the boy with the blue eyes. Who no surprise had a smirk plastered on his face.

"Condom" I heard Alex say presumably to Reggie. But I was too entrance in Luke's gaze wanting to include him. Upon hearing a ripping of a package I glance back at the boy who was hovering above me.

"I can do something for you after if you want" I bit my lip speaking towards Luke.

"It's okay baby. It's about you today" He said moving his hand down from my collarbone to my boob.

Reggie and I moaned simultaneously as he slowly entered me. Immediately stretching me out.

"So tight" He muttered beginning to move at a steady pace.

A squeal escaping my lips as Luke pinched my nipples paying close attention to each of them. He'd always been a boob guy.

I pulled Reggie down towards me our lips meeting in the middle as his speed began to increase.

Then there they were again. Fingers were now rubbing circles on my clit presumably Alex's sending my body into pure ecstasy.

I moaned loudly into Reggies mouth as I felt myself my inner walls clench around him. Earning a groan from the bassist. His thrust becoming more sloppy.

"Shit. Shit. Oh fuck" He cursed as his orgasm hit. Mine coming seconds after.

"Holy fuck Reg" I panted coming down from my high.

"That was pretty fucking hot princess" Alex spoke as Reggie got off of me to go throw away the condom.

"I try" I joked sitting up. Luke immediately removing his muscle tee and handing it to me.

"You do know this isn't gonna cover much up right?" I questioned him putting it on anyway.

"Who said we wanted you to cover up baby" He said pulling me under his arm. I sighed contently placing my hands on his bare torso.

"Anyways Reg why don't you go run her a bath inside the house" Alex suggested throwing me my panties that had been thrown onto the lazy boy.

"Got it!" Reggie said coming over and placing a chaste kiss to my lips before running out of the garage.

"I get to clean her up in the shower. Called it" Luke said as Alex wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Just as long as I get to put her to bed"

"Guys I've orgasmed twice today give me a break"

"Are you feeling more relaxed princess?"

Alex asked grinning at me.

"Much. Now if we could do that consistently for the next 2 weeks then I might be able to get through detention with Hayley without ripping her head off" I spoke earning a laugh from the two boys. Both of them knowing well that I wasn't joking.

————

Up Next: Carrie Wilson x Reader

Owen Patrick Joyner x Reader

Charlie Gillespie x Reader

Alex x Male Reader

Luke Patterson x Reader

Charlie Gillespie x Reader

————

@lolychu @headheartbellarke @bookish0918 @kcd15 @ifilwtmfc @moviesbooksandfandoms @lovesanimals @lavender-writer @kaitieskidmore1 @morganayennefertyrell @iloveteenwolf @ghostofmgg

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ladyseaheart1668 · 3 years

Text

Endless Summer Book 4: Daughter of Vaanu (Chapter 56)

Description: The Catalysts attempt to return to their lives as River Skye finally comes home. tagging: @endlesshero1122 @mysteli @feartheendlesssummer @whatmcsaid @tigerbryn11

Chapter 56: Not Over

Alodia

I almost can’t believe how quickly I start to feel better once the fever breaks. The pain, which had felt like some hellish demon with teeth made of red-hot iron gnawing at my lower back, begins to recede within hours.

“That’s how it tends to go with an infection like this once we find the right antibiotic,” the doctor tells me. “You are fortunate, though. These days, a lot of bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics. But the infection is responding well to treatment, and all your vitals and your blood work look good. And your daughter appears as healthy as a baby horse. ...I would just like to take a quick look at how you’re healing from the birth if that’s okay.”

I nod, turning onto my back with Jake’s help as the doctor draws the curtain around the bed. Improved as I am, I know I’m not at full strength yet, because moving still hurts. I guess I must have winced, because the doctor raises an eyebrow in concern as she pulls on a pair of gloves.

“You okay there?”

“I think so. Guess I’m still pretty sore.”

“That’s to be expected. You probably won’t feel one-hundred percent for another week or two at least.”

I draw my knees up and part my thighs while the doctor pulls up a stool at the foot of the bed and lifts the blanket. I keep my attention focused on Jake’s face above me and the pressure of his hand on mine as the doctor carries out her checks. Occasionally, I let my eyes wander around to the multiple bouquets and mylar balloons that have built up over the past couple days, gifts from the Catalysts, Tahira’s team, my aunt and uncle, and Jake and Diego’s parents.

“Everything is healing beautifully. Stitches should be dissolved by next week. You’re probably going to be feeling pretty tender for a while though.”

“Yeah, we had the whole tearing conversation with my OB in California some time ago.”

“Good. If you have any pressing questions regarding the birth and recovery, you can of course ask me, or one of the maternity staff. We can also forward your hospital records to your regular OBGYN.”

“How long do you think it will be before we can go home?” Jake asks.

She pulls the blanket back down and stands, peeling off her gloves. “Well, the fact is, we want to get her and your baby out of here ASAP to lower the chances of either of them picking up a secondary infection.” She smiles at me. “Now that the fever’s gone, we’re gonna get you off the drip and onto some oral antibiotics, and we can pretty much start the discharge process immediately.”

“So soon?” My own question surprises me, but it’s out of my mouth before I realize it’s on the end of my tongue.

“Believe me, it’s better we get you both out of here.”

“I know. It’s not that I want to stay here. It’s just...thinking about how we’re going to get home...how soon we can get home…”

“That’s all taken care of, Princess. Aleister is having Castor and Pollux deep cleaned, and he and Grace are gonna put us up for a few days until Mike gets up here from Santo Domingo. Diego and Varyyn are with Estela and Quinn, and your aunt and uncle basically paid for hotel rooms for everyone else.”

His infodump has my head reeling a little, but there was one particular tidbit I find myself fixing on.

“Why is Mike…?” I trail off as realization crashes down on me in an icy wave. A bit of information I had nearly forgotten in my struggle to bring my baby safely into the world while fighting a fever. Jake wasn’t worrying about me for all that time from the safety of our home in California. I don’t know the details, but I have a sinking feeling that has something to do with the reason that Mike isn’t here with us now.

Jake folds my hand between his palms, glancing at the doctor. “Hey...do you have everything you need? I’d like a few minutes alone with my wife, if that’s okay.”

“Of course. I’ll get the ball rolling on your discharge.”

I wait until I’m sure she’s well clear of the room before I reach to stroke Jake’s cheek. “...I know Lundgren got his filthy hands on you. ...Fiddler told me. ...I’m guessing he got a hold of Mike, too.”

He leans into my touch. “...And Sean and Michelle. Nabbed us all as I was bringing ‘em back from the island.”

“I don’t know if she told me that. That conversation got swallowed up in worrying about you, and then I got sick and River started coming, and…” I swallow, running my thumb along the fuzzy ridge of his cheekbone. “...Did they hurt you? Any of you?”

He shrugs, not meeting my eyes. “Knocked us all around a little. Michelle’s the smart one, of course, so she escaped the worst. ...Mike’s in Santo Domingo having his prosthetics repaired. Lundgren ripped them out ot torture him.”

I shudder. “Oh, god...Oh, Jake, I’m sorry...I’m so sorry…”

I’m crying before I realize it. And as soon as I do realize, it turns into sobbing. Jake reaches down to gather me in his arms and cradle my head against his shoulder, rocking me tenderly.

“It’s okay,” he murmurs into my hair. “It’s okay. He’s gonna be fine. You’re gonna be fine. In a few days, we’ll be home with our baby.”

“I w-wanna be home,” I hiccup. “I wanna be home with River, but I’m scared of leaving everyone again. I just wanna bring them all home with us…”

“Well, it’s a very big house. ...On the other hand, you cram us all into the same house long term, it might start to feel less big. Plus, it would mean a brutal cross-country commute for some of them.”

I can’t help chuckling a little bit, which makes the sobs start to die down. Jake gives me a moment to get myself under control before he speaks again.

“...How are you feeling, Princess? Really?”

“Physically?” I pull back gently to lie down on the pillow again. “Definitely better. My head is clearer, and I don’t hurt as much. But I’m still worn out. And by the way, you’re gonna have to make due with blow jobs for awhile, because it’s gonna be a long time before you stick that thing in me again, if ever.”

It’s his turn to laugh, and he bends to kiss me. “Princess, I will tug it for the rest of my life as long as you’re still a part of that life.”

“I will be a part of your life as long as the universe allows,” I promise. “...But Jake, we both know this isn’t over.”

He sighs, and I see his forehead crease before he presses it to mine. “I know. I know you’re right. But for River’s sake--and mine--will you let the others take care of that for now? I ain’t saying don’t worry, because I know that’s impossible. But River and I need you healthy. Can you stand to let yourself be looked after for a while?”

I feel a rueful smile tug at one corner of my mouth. “Am I to assume that arguing is pointless?”

A tapping at the open door to the birthing suite distracts Jake from answering. We both look up to find Raj and Diego hovering in the doorway, Raj with a paper bag in his hand, and Diego with his right arm in a soft blue sling. It’s the first time I’ve seen him since River was born, and I sit up a little straighter as he hesitantly steps over the threshold.

“...Are we interrupting?”

The baby has started fussing, and Jake eases off the edge of the bed to go pick her up. I open my arms to Diego. Just before he rushes into them, I see his face twist with anguish. And as he falls against me, his one-armed grip is surprisingly strong.

“Goddammit, Allie,” he whispers quiveringly. “Goddammit…”

“...Did I scare you?”

He pulls back sharply, enough so he can look me in the face, but he keeps a grip on my shoulder. “Did you scare me?! You had me on my knees saying the Ave Maria! Do you know how long it’s been since I said the Ave Maria?!”

There isn’t really a lot I can say to that, but I smile ruefully. “...Thanks for staying with me.”

“What, you thought I’d bail?”

I snort. “God, no. But I can still be grateful.”

“...You’re really okay?”

I nod. “I’m fine. The fever is gone, and the wound doesn’t really hurt anymore. I’m still pretty sore down there, though.”

A smile finally starts to play cautiously around his mouth. “...Well, that part’s Jake’s problem.”

“How about you?” I ask, gingerly touching the strap of his navy blue sling.

“That’s nothing serious. It was dislocated, but they popped it back in. Just got to wear this for a few more days, and take it easy once we get back home. ...Raj brought food, by the way.”

“Oh!” I pull back a little to smile at Raj. “Sorry, big guy. I didn’t mean to ignore you.”

Raj chuckles. “We’ll blame it on the new mommy brain and leave it at that. Speaking of which…” He shoos Diego back enough that he can drag my bed table over across my lap, and sets an insulated lunch box on top. “I figured you could do with something better than hospital fruit cups and oatmeal, so I brought you a special Raj lunch. Michelle supervised its creation, and it’s full of stuff that’s supposed to be good for new moms.”

“What is it?”

“So glad you asked!” With a flourish, he opens the bag, and pulls out each item in turn, presenting them like a game show prize lady. “A sandwich of salmon, spinach, and poached egg on whole wheat bread with a garlic white bean spread; in case you are extra hungry, a side of gourmet trail mix made from an assortment of nuts and dried fruit; and to drink, a pineapple-orange-banana smoothie with extra protein powder, and just a few extra leaves of spinach!”

I can’t help but be uplifted by his enthusiasm, and hold out my arms for a hug. “I must be the most spoiled new mother in the world.”

Raj embraces me lightly over the table. “As you should be. You know in some Asian cultures, a new mother spends a whole month resting while her mother-in-law takes care of her and the baby.”

“Oh yeah?” I look at Jake. “Think your mother would spend a month taking care of me?”

“Honestly, I bet she would. The problem would be getting her to ease up and let you start taking care of things after the month was up.”

“Hmm...probably best not to give her ideas then.”

“Probably. We’ll have my folks over in few more months, when we’ve had a chance to get settled.”

“...But…” Raj says, “in the meantime, do you think you guys will be needing any extra help? I know it’s going to be a pretty full house as it is, but Diego’s going to want to take it easy with lifting and stuff for a while, and Michelle says Mike will probably need time to recover, too. If you need a couple extra pairs of hands and someone to do the cooking, I have some downtime, and I know Lila would be happy to come along.”

I look questioningly at Jake, who shrugs. “I don’t have anything against that. It’s a big enough house. And if Varyyn and I are gonna be the only ones at full strength for the time being, I wouldn’t say no to a couple extra pairs of hands.”

“And probably better those hands be Raj and Lila than anyone’s parents,” Diego adds. “I bet Varyyn would prefer not having to wear his disguise twenty-four-seven.”

“Yeah. And,” Jake adds with a sigh, shifting River to rest against his shoulder, “it’s probably preferable not to involve anyone who ain’t already involved in the bigger picture. ...Like you said before, Princess, this ain’t over.”

“But for now, we’re all safe and sound, and Allie has a lunch to eat.” Diego smiles encouragingly as he pushes the tinfoil-wrapped sandwich toward me. “Go on. Dig in.”

Jake

I gotta admit, it does my heart good to see my wife savoring the meal Raj brought her and enjoying our friends’ company. She seems almost back to her old self as she talks and tells jokes and teases with them. Although, as I put River in her arms, I can’t help but be reminded that she’ll never be exactly like her old self again. Not now that she’s a mama. Not like I’m ever gonna be exactly like my old self again either. I’m a daddy now. That’s gonna change me forever. The thought scares me, like it has a lot over the past nine months. But just a look at that precious little face is enough to reassure me that I am never gonna regret it.

Diego and Raj eventually leave us on our own again. After nursing and burping, River sleeps just long enough that we can fill out her birth certificate, nestled side-by-side on the bed. From there, it’s not more than an hour or two before they’re wheeling Alodia toward the hospital exit with River in her arms again while I walk at her shoulder, a baby carrier in the crook of my elbow and my arms laden with flowers and mini mylar balloons. Any staff we happen to pass on the way out smile and wave or give us their congratulations. I have a feeling that in a hospital, any chance to see a patient off happy and healthy is a cause for celebration, and that probably goes double for a new mama leaving with a baby.

Grace is waiting in a car for us at the curb outside the hospital. One of Reggie’s old carseats is in the backseat. Grace settles the baby in the carseat while I help Alodia into the seat beside her.

“There’s a surprise for you guys when we get to our place,” Grace informs us as I circle around the car to get in on the other side of River.

“Nothing too strenuous, I hope,” Alodia quips. “I am not up for a party yet.”

Grace chuckles as she starts up the car. “Oh, believe me, I realize that. No, everyone is pretty sure parties are off the table for you for the time being. ...But you do know that everyone is going to want to see you before you leave, right? You gave us a scare, and no one wants you to go before we all know you’re okay. ...Plus, everyone wants to see River.”

“I am not opposed to visitors,” Alodia assures her. “Just...only a few at a time.”

“Absolutely. We won’t let you get overwhelmed.”

“River, either,” Alodia adds, stroking our sleeping daughter’s downy hair. “Poor thing is probably overwhelmed as it is, suddenly coming into all this noise and color and light.”

“Birth is the craziest thing that ever happens to us, and none of us remember it,” I remark, letting the blade of my forefinger run gently back and forth across the soft back of River’s tiny hand. Her little fingers twitch just slightly, and the base of her pacifier rocks back and forth across her lips, but she doesn’t wake up. I don’t expect the quiet will last.

River does sleep throughout the half hour or so it takes to drive to Aleister and Grace’s luxury Northbridge apartment. As we pull up to the curb, I realize what our surprise is.

“Mike!”

I must have been a little louder than I thought, because River wakes up with a cry that can only be described as irritated, but it doesn’t fully register until I have already launched myself out of the car towards Mike. He’s balancing on a walker, so I at least have the good sense not to jostle him, but I can’t hold myself back from grasping him firmly by the shoulders. He grins, carefully removing his hands from the walker one at a time to grasp me back.

“Good to see ya, Grandpa.”

“Shit, you too! We weren’t expecting you for another couple days! How are you feeling?”

“Well, as you can tell,” he says, nodding at the walker, “I’m not quite ready to run a marathon yet. But my new legs are healing up nice. ...Good to see you, Goldilocks.”

His gaze shifts over my shoulder, and I turn to look back at my wife supporting herself on Aleister’s arm while Grace bounces River in her arms. Alodia smirks at me, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

“I feel like I should make a joke about you abandoning your wife and child in the car to go hang out with your buddy,” she drawls.

I grin sheepishly as Mike carefully returns his grip to the walker. “Sorry about that. Let me make it up to you.”

I lunge and sweep her up bridal style, and I have the pleasure of feeling her arms twine around my neck.

“Mmm, much better. However, unlike your daughter, I am actually capable of walking.”

“But you don’t have to. Not right now, anyway.” But I do return her to her feet after capturing her mouth in a kiss. I don’t entirely take my hands off her yet, though. After her ordeal, I don’t think she’s really that much steadier than Mike right now. Her grip as she slips her arm through mine confirms my concerns.

I’m standing between my wife and my best friend, and neither of them are fully able to stand under their own power. I’m starting to feel that much more grateful to Raj for volunteering to help us out for a while.

I think Mike notices Alodia’s weakness, too, because his forehead creases just a little. “You all right, Goldilocks? From what I hear, you gave everyone a real scare.”

“It was pretty scary on my end, too. But I’m fine now. How about you?”

Mike shrugs. “Ahh, you know. A few weeks of rehab, I’ll be a six-million dollar man again. In the meantime,” he adds wryly, stroking the frame of his walker, “it’ll be hard to call Jake ‘Grandpa’ when I’m dottering around on this thing.”

“You just called me ‘Grandpa’ two minutes ago.”

“And I cannot tell you how hard I internally cringed. Seriously, if you could have seen my internal expression, you’d have thought I was sucking lemons.”

I am morally obligated to reach out and swat him for that, but before I can, Alodia abruptly steps forward to wrap her arms around his shoulders. It’s an awkward embrace, encumbered by the walker and both of them still being weak, but it’s a sincere one, and Mike leans into it gratefully.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” Alodia murmurs.

“You too,” Mike says softly, reaching up to pat her shoulder with one hand. “But can we go inside? I wanna properly meet that baby you’ve been carrying around for the past nine months!”

***

The Catalysts come by in shifts throughout the afternoon and evening, apparently having planned it all out beforehand. No one stays more than an hour at a time, which proves to be a good thing, since Alodia is clearly worn out by about eight in the evening. We’re set up in the guest room of the Rourke apartment, with River in a bassinet beside us, and Mike on the foldaway bed in the living room.

Alodia nurses River and rocks her to sleep before lying down herself. At first, I curl up beside Alodia in bed. She’s asleep within minutes, but I’m not as quick. And after an hour, it’s pretty clear that I’m not on my way to dreamland any time soon. I don’t want to leave Alodia or River. I never want to leave Alodia’s side again. But I’m restless. Anxious. And eventually, the desire not to disturb what precious little sleep my wife might have before our daughter wakes her up again wins out over my irrational need to pace back and forth between them. I check the windows, making sure they’re locked, then I slip out of the room as quietly as I can, heading back out into the living room.

I find Mike, Aleister, and Grace all seated in the living room. On the coffee table are four short, round glasses and a bottle of golden red liquid that I’m guessing is some kind of whiskey.

“We were starting to wonder if you had also fallen asleep,” Aleister says. He gestures to the glasses. “We thought you might like to wet your baby’s head.”

“Kind of a weird expression,” I remark. Nonetheless, I pick up the bottle and take a seat in an armchair to read the label. “Ooh, Irish Mist. Fancy.”

“It is not every day that one becomes a father. The night Reginald was born, Diego, Varyyn, and I toasted his birth with Irish Mist.”

I crack open the bottle, and lean forward to fill each of the four glasses about halfway. I set down the bottle and raise my glass, the others following suit.

“To River Skye McKenzie, my beautiful angel. And to her mother, my better half, who is truly the best and bravest of us.”

“Here, here!” Grace says. We clink glasses, and I take a long, deep drink, savoring the sweet notes of honey and spices riding atop the alcoholic burn of whiskey. I return my glass to the table empty and lean back in my chair.

“When my sister and I both were born, my grandpa had my dad and the men of the neighborhood over to smoke cigars on the porch.” I chuckle a little. “Rebecca remembers helping our grandma in the kitchen, and seeing all the men outside smoking. She says what she remembers most about the day I was born was our dad coming in from outside to give her a hug, but she pushed him away and said, ‘No, Daddy! You stink!’”

My story prompts the expected laughter.

“I am afraid Irish Mist will have to do tonight,” Aleister says. “I did not think to buy cigars. Nor would I know enough to ensure I was purchasing a quality product. As I understand it, Cuban cigars are the best, but those are illegal.”

Mike shudders. “Honestly, I think the smell of a Cuban would be enough to give me flashbacks. Lundgren used to smoke contraband Cubans.”

“Same here,” I agree. “I mean...there was that one time…”

“...That one time what?”

I chuckle a little, rubbing the back of my head. “Okay, no one currently in this room was there when Zahra blew up MASADA…”

“What’s that got to do with Cuban cigars?”

I sigh, but in spite of myself, in spite of how literally everyone else in the room with me was in some kind of bad situation at the time, I feel a smile playing around my mouth at the memory.

“Okay, so it’s me, Alodia, Sean, Quinn, Estela, Craig, and Zahra trying to find another way out of the complex after the gondola gets severed, and when we go through a control room, Zahra gets the idea to blow the whole thing up. We figure it’s worth the couple extra minutes, so we let her do it. And while she’s rigging the system, I find one of Lundgren’s Cubans somewhere on the floor. ...And I light it up. But only to spite the bastard.”

“But did you enjoy it?” Mike asks.

“Hell, yeah! The hype ain’t a lie, buddy. Not saying I’d do it again unless it were one of his personal stash, but that was a real good smoke. ...Still...it wouldn’t be right to celebrate River with Cuban cigars. Lundgren and Rourke did enough to taint her birth.”

“Nothing has been tainted,” Grace says firmly. “She and Alodia both came through it well and healthy.”

“I ain’t losing sight of what’s important,” I assure her. “But I can’t let my guard down, either. ...We all know this ain’t over.”

Grace sighs. “...No, you’re right. It isn’t over. ...Which means...I should probably tell you what I learned in Ireland.”

Diego

I knew that the Catalysts wouldn’t have sat on their hands while any of their own were in danger, but I am surprised to learn just how busy they were during the time that Allie and I were in Arachnid’s claws. I’m even more surprised--and frankly unsettled--by some of the things they learned. Yvonne might be alive. Lundgren flew the same plane that killed Allie’s parents, even though the twisted wreckage of that plane is the property of the NTSB. The whole mess with Allie’s mom, that weird AI message from a program made by Allie’s mom. It all leaves us with a lot more questions than answers.

I told the police everything I felt like I could safely tell them. I went so far as to tell them that I think Everett Rourke might be alive because that’s who our kidnappers claimed they were taking us to. I don’t know if they believed me. I don’t know if the future of the Vaanti is safe. A part of me hopes that they lose interest in the case since everyone who was abducted has been recovered safely. But I also know that none of us are really safe until Rourke is either back behind bars or dead.

Aleister and Estela make all the travel arrangements for those of us going back to California, including my folks and Allie’s. Castor carries me, Allie, Jake, Varyyn, Mike, Raj, Lila, Rebecca, and River. For once, Jake and Mike aren’t going to be flying. Pollux is taking our families. A third plane, smaller but no less luxurious, takes Jake’s parents back to Louisiana. They’re reluctant to leave him. They don’t want to be apart from their son, or their daughter, or their granddaughter. He assures them they can come visit soon, but that their daughter-in-law needs some time to recover first.

At the airport, Allie’s aunt and uncle hesitate to part from her on the tarmac. Allie stands with River in her arms, patiently enduring as Molly smoothes her hair and kisses her forehead, asking if she’s sure Allie doesn’t want her and Rob to wait at the airport in California to drive her home. When Allie insists she’s sure; that Molly and Rob should go ahead and get home so they can rest. Rob says they’ll make sure there are cars waiting for us to take us all back to the house in Laguna.

My parents board the plane before I arrive at the airport. On board the plane, I nestle up with Varyyn on one of the double-width leather seats. I wind my arms around him and bury my face in his shoulder, inhaling his scent. He kisses the top of my head.

“Are you alright, my love?” he murmurs.

“...I’ll be fine,” I assure him. “I’m just...disappointed. I knew my parents weren’t ready to meet you. But I had hoped...I don’t know. I had hoped it wouldn’t be like this. Even if I knew it probably would be.”

Varyyn sighs, bringing a hand up to stroke my cheek. “They may yet come around. Or they may not. In the end, it is up to them. All I can promise is that I will love you regardless of their decision.”

“...I love you, too.”

“You guys all set?” Raj’s voice makes me look up. The others are boarding behind us and finding their seats. Jake helps Allie settle in and get her seatbelt on, River still cradled in her arms.

“Are you sure a plane is really the best way to travel with a newborn?” Lila asks.

“When the choices are between a rental car, a train, or a private plane for a cross-country trip, a private plane is hands down the best option,” Rebecca declares. “I mean, if we were on a commercial plane, I’d think twice, since those things are basically flying petri dishes. But this plane has been deep-cleaned, unlike the train. It’s more comfortable than a car, and faster than both the car or the train.”

“Yeah, but what about her little ears? All the pressure?”

“The doctor says that if I nurse her during take-off and landing, that should keep her comfortable. Besides...I just want to be home.”

Home. The word washes through me in a way that comforts me even as it makes me want to cry. Images flash through my mind of the house I share with my husband, my best friend, her husband, and his best friend--and now, my little niece and goddaughter. Watching movies in the living room with Allie. Sharing dinner around the table or out on the balcony. Cuddling with Varyyn in the hot tub in the evening, letting the warm, swirling water sap the energy from my body, and then sliding into bed beside him and drifting off to sleep in his arms. At home, I don’t have to hide. I don’t have to walk on eggshells or worry about losing anyone’s love. At home, I’m safe and free. I meet my best friend’s eyes, offering her a tired smile.

“I’m with you, Allie. Let’s get home.”

Raj

Nothing but the best for my friends, that’s my motto. I came to the house in Laguna Beach to make sure that my friends would have the best care while they needed it, and I waste no time in getting down to business. Alodia, Diego, and Mike need space to convalesce. But with a new baby in a huge house like this, there is a lot to be done. Jake and Varyyn can’t be expected to do everything, and that’s where I and Lila come in.

River is constantly monitored. Whenever she cries, someone is ready to come running to change her diaper, or to bring her to Alodia for feeding. I prepare meals ahead of time that can be easily heated and served, so no one goes hungry. Lila helps me cook and keep the house clean. Alodia’s aunt and uncle attempt to send cleaning and catering services to her at one point, but they end up being politely refused. Lila and I have everything under control, and none of us want strangers poking around here.

Alodia is occasionally moody, snapping at everyone to stop fussing over her, and she can’t wait to be free of this gilded cage and go back out into the world. This is usually followed by tearful apologies, with all of us assuring her that we don’t take it personally. She just had a baby, she’s allowed to be moody. Besides, the moment someone places River in her arms, it seems like everything is right in her world, and everything is right in our world, too.

...Except it’s not. Not entirely.

River is happy and healthy. Alodia is getting her strength back. Diego gets rid of the sling, and Mike starts to get around without the walker again. But underneath the surface, there is still trauma. There’s still fear.

“They’re having nightmares,” I tell Lila one morning as we’re preparing breakfast. She pauses for a moment with a knife poised above an orange before swiftly slicing it in half.

“Is that so surprising?” she asks. She doesn’t look at me as she speaks, but concentrates on making sure the thick, white heart of the orange half in her hand is positioned properly on the cone of the juicer before she presses down and begins to twist. Bright yellow juice splashes down into the container below.

“Well, no. But it is sad. Jake and Alodia especially should be concentrating on enjoying their new baby, not having nightmares and worrying about whether Rourke’s coming back for them.”

Lila pulls the now-deflated orange rind off the cone of the juicer and tosses it on the countertop. Ribbons of tattered orange flesh cling to the inside of the rind. She picks up the other half.

“...Do you ever have nightmares from Mr. Rourke?” she asks softly.

“Of course,” I reply. “Not as much as before, but I think we all have them sometimes. After what we all went through, I think I’d be more surprised if any of us didn’t.”

The twisting of the orange on the juicer slows just slightly. The toaster pops behind me, and I pluck four pieces of perfectly browned bread from the slots to toss onto a plate.

“...I have nightmares, too.”

The butter has been softening on the counter, and my knife slides easily through it. The heat from the toast softens it further, and it spreads cleanly.

“...You want to talk about it?”

Lila shakes her head, picking up her knife and another orange. “No. Not now. They don’t really matter anyway. They’re about things that happened in the past. I’m less scared of them than I am of what happens in the future.”

“Do you mean Rourke’s next move?”

“Of course that scares me. ...But more than that, I’m scared of him trying to use me against all of you again.”

“We won’t let that happen, Lila. You’re safe with us.”

“...But are you safe with me?”

I pause a moment before putting down my knife. I turn to Lila, put one hand on each of her shoulders, and turn her toward me.

“Lila...look at me. ...Has Rourke approached you at all since you’ve been with us again?”

Her eyes widen in what looks like genuine surprise. “What? No, I...that isn’t what I meant!”

I relax just a little. “...Okay.” I slowly take my hands away from her shoulders. “...You’d tell me if he had, wouldn’t you?”

She nods. “Of course.”

“Good. ...Because if he approaches you again, we can help you. We can help keep you out from under his thumb. ...We’re not gonna let him just have you back.”

A weak smile lifts the corners of her mouth. “I believe you.” She hastily turns back to the oranges in front of her. “You should...um...finish buttering before the toast gets cold.”

Overhead, the sharp, piercing cry of an infant rings through the air. I smile. Another morning blending into another day. It’s not perfect. We’ve got reason to worry. But for now, all is well.

Diego

I keep my head down as I move through the halls of my high school, clutching the straps of my worn-out backpack. It’s the same shabby gray one I’ve been carrying since freshman year. I’m a junior now, and the corners near the bottom are starting to fray where the sharp corners of paper-bag covered textbooks have dug into them.

My stomach growls. I skipped lunch again today. My parents were gone to work early again, and I didn’t leave myself enough time to make myself anything this morning. I barely had time to scarf down a banana for breakfast. I didn’t have enough cash for a cafeteria lunch, either, and besides, I preferred spending my lunch period playing on the computer in the library to sitting by myself at the end of a table filled with noisy strangers anyway.

If I can scrape together enough change from the bottom of my pencil case, I might have enough to get a bag of chips from the vending machine before I have to go to my after school job. But for now, my hunger isn’t all that sharp, and I am heading towards English Lit, the only class I currently look forward to.

The class is taught by Mr. Hunter. He also teaches the film-making class I want to sign up for next semester. He’s in his early fifties, and not handsome. He is tall and lanky, with gray-green eyes and a dark helmet of slicked back hair that sits atop a rectangular face. He has one of those mustaches that seemed to be popular in the 1970’s that always make a man look a little sketchy. He wears paisley shirts and slacks, and his voice reminds me of Bert from Sesame Street.

Mr. Hunter is the best teacher I’ve ever had at this school. When we studied Romeo and Juliet, he started off by giving us all a printed-off list of Shakespearean insults. When one girl tried to mumble her way through a line-reading, he shouted, “Put some feeling into it, you saucy wench!”

Mr. Hunter is also gay, and he does not attempt to hide this. When my parents ask about my teachers and which ones I like best, I leave this fact out. If they knew, they would make me switch to another class. Mr. Hunter has a picture of himself with his boyfriend on his desk. I’ve seen it when I’ve gone up to hand in assignments. His partner is bald and ruddy-skinned. He’s not handsome, either, but he has an open, friendly smile. Sometimes, I imagine them kissing. I worry that I have a crush on Mr. Hunter.

On the post of every classroom door is a laminated pink triangle, with a message proclaiming that this is a safe space for LGBTQ students. These triangles are mandated by the school district. Not every teacher honors them. One teacher actually tore hers down and refused to put it back up. She was fired. Last year, two girls were voted “Cutest Couple” in their senior class. I look at the triangles, prominently displayed as I walk into each classroom, and I don’t feel particularly safe. I feel safe in Mr. Hunter’s classroom.

Inside Mr. Hunter’s classroom, two boys from the football team act out a love poem with one of them in a curly blond wig and the bottom of his shirt tucked into his collar to create a crop top. They end with a flourish, with the boy in the wig jumping into the other boy’s arms and goosing him. Everyone applauds their performance, including Mr. Hunter.

Outside Mr. Hunter’s classroom, guys of all stripes growl “faggot” in my direction, and even the girls who are nice to me seem pitying more than anything. There’s a Pride club that meets after school two days a week, but I don’t dare join. I’m slowly realizing I can’t deny the truth anymore, but that doesn’t mean I can just announce it to the world.

I have just enough change to buy a bag of chips after school. I put it in my backpack as I make my way toward the library where I work for a few hours each day. I see Sam Dzugan eyeing me as I pass through the main doors to the school, and feel dread so familiar that it’s almost dull. Of all the bullies at this school, Sam is the worst. He also knows where I work. If he’s bored and hungry for a power fix tonight, I’m in for a rough walk home.

But he doesn’t follow me to work. At the library, I set to work filing back the books from the return cart. As I do, my mind wanders to the same place it always does: Alodia.

Alodia. My ideal friend. I conjure up an image of her beside me. She would be pretty, like all the most popular girls at school. I summon a small, pale figure with blonde hair, big blue eyes, and rosy cheeks. I talk with her in my head as I wander the aisles of the library with the return cart. I can picture her cheeky smile as clearly as if she were really beside me. I have spent many years getting the details of her perfect. Early incarnations of her were dark-haired. Green-eyed. Taller. I drew pictures of her. I wrote down her description in a private notebook that I kept under my mattress. But she never felt as real as when I wrote her with golden blonde hair and sapphire eyes.

She laughs at all my jokes as I work the rest of my shift. I forgot to eat the chips I bought, and I’m hungry enough now to start feeling dizzy. ...Alodia would invite me to dinner at her house. A huge, fancy house with a pool, where a chef would have prepared a gourmet meal.

“Don’t worry about Sam,” she would say. “If he gives you any trouble, I’ll fight him off.” ...Because Alodia would be fierce. A fighter. Alodia was a hero. A hero who loved me unconditionally.

Alodia was never meant to be my lover. I wasn’t looking for a lover when I first dreamed Alodia into existence, which is probably why I always imagined her as a girl. I could scarcely imagine having a lover before I had a friend. That was what Alodia was to me. A friend. A friend who would always love me. A friend who I could tell my secrets to without judgment. A friend to fight for me and protect me, who saw value in me, and needed me back.

But my friend is a fantasy. And when I leave work and Sam corners me in the encroaching darkness, Alodia vanishes…

...I wake up with a gasp, bolting upright in the darkness of my room. Beside me, Varyyn grunts in his sleep and rolls over, the moonlight reflecting off his blue skin. I stare at his sleeping form for a moment, trying to take stock of myself. I’m shaking. My pajamas are damp with sweat. I feel cold. I feel sick and empty with fear. I don’t exactly remember what I was dreaming about, but one thought keeps echoing in my mind: Allie. I have to find Allie.

I slip out of bed as gently as I can while I’m still trembling. I don’t want to wake Varyyn. As I slip into the hall, motion-sensitive lights plugged into the sockets near the floor illuminate my path. My dream is still hazy, but bits and pieces trickle back as I shuffle down the hall with my hand on the wall. I was alone. Allie didn’t exist. It was a timeline that I have all but forgotten, and it felt entirely too real.

I need to find her. Or at least evidence that she still exists. The door to the nursery is slightly ajar, enough that I can see the soft glow from the lamp on the bedside table. I peek through the crack in the door and relief floods through me. Allie, bundled up in her robe and slippers, sits in the rocking chair with River in her arms, gently rocking back and forth. I exhale slowly. I should go back to bed, but I am not ready to let her out of my sight yet. I start to push open the door. She gasps a little, looking up sharply.

“Oh, Diego!” She smiles at me, settling back into her chair. “You startled me.”

“Sorry,” I whisper back. “...Did I wake up River?”

“No. I just fed her, so she’ll probably be out for an hour or two.” She looks up at me as I come to settle into the armchair across from her. “...What are you doing up?”

“...Bad dream,” I admit. “...About...about you. I had to come check on you or I was never going to get back to sleep.”

I half-expect her to joke about me being a creeper watching her while she sleeps, but instead she sighs. “...I kinda know the feeling.”

“Yeah. I bet you do.”

“You wanna stay up with me for awhile?”

“Yeah. But I feel like I should be telling you to get some sleep while you can.”

“I probably should be sleeping,” she admits. “...But I don’t really want to let her go.”

There’s not really much I feel like I need to say to that. I understand. I don’t think there’s anyone in this house who doesn’t empathize with that feeling in one way or another. Especially now.

“...Diego…?”

“Yeah, Allie?”

For a long moment, she doesn’t say anything, though her mouth opens and closes a couple times. Then, she swallows and takes a deep breath.

“...I love you. I love you, and I love Jake, and Raj, and all the Catalysts…”

“We love you, too, Allie.”

“...When you imagined me. In that other timeline. When I didn’t come to be until the Island...did you ever imagine my future?”

I can’t help flinching. Her words feel like a cold pinprick at the top of my spine. “...Allie...I...I don’t really remember that timeline…”

“I know. I know. But...it happened. It existed. I was once born to be what you needed. What all the Catalysts needed. ...But now...now I have River. Someone new who needs me. She needs me more than any of my Catalysts.”

“I...I think that’s true,” I say slowly. “...We all love you, and we want you with us. But River is your child. She’s helpless and new. She needs your love and your care and your guidance to survive.”

“...I’m scared, Diego. I’m scared by how much I love her. I’m scared by how much she needs me.”

My earlier fear is being replaced with concern that is entirely for my friend. “...Allie...are you okay? Is this some kind of postpartum depression?”

“I don’t know what this is, Diego. I know that I love River more than I ever thought I could love anyone alive. I would have torn myself apart for my Catalysts without hesitation. I gave up my existence to give my Catalysts the world. ...But I can’t consider that anymore. Because River needs her mother.”

“Oh, Allie. That’s not a bad thing. None of us want you to tear yourself apart.”

“I know. ...But I am afraid of what happens if the world asks for it. ...If I end up at the Threshold again, or a new Raan’losti…” She looks up at me. “...Diego...I think I have to face what’s in the pool shed.”

I feel my blood run cold. I know what’s in the pool shed. The collection of objects that were left for us in the Crystal dimension when we went to rescue Tahira. Including…

“...Are you sure?”

She nods. “...It was left for me to find for a reason. I have to touch the Andromeda idol again.”

#playchoices #choices stories you play #pixelberry choices #Endless Summer #hero

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mattpoitrass6thgoal · 2 years

Text

just found out that one JD fan did not like that i called them rabid and was (wasn’t) babying Jake, like yeah, like a player, love them even who cares, but when you start attacking people for having a negative opinions (adjust: like we were both upset so i can say that i also attacked but it was my opinion that he wasnt playing to his potential and you have a right to defend) on how they are playing because yes every player has negative periods in their careers and people will always be commenting on them. I’m sorry but at that moment Jake just so happened to be at that point in his career a person that was talked about a lot. I know you like him and wanted to defend him badly. You may have taken my posts for attacking as well (which yeah I can see that, I’m sorry for those too) which I don’t want them to be taken that way and if you did I apologise. We obviously all won’t have the same opinions all the time and that’s that.

however at this point I do apologise if that comment upset you I feel bad for saying it, and I know you didn’t like being called that, i get you like your player and you want to defend them I understand that and I don’t want to be putting out that negative energy anymore (I’m trying to decrease it, it’s a process) because I can understand that you love a certain dude, yeah I still make jokes about the situation but I’m not trying to be mean on the guy just making some silly shitposts, like my favourite player is Mike Reilly, and he is just a bland dude he aint no star. I wasn’t saying i hated Jake, i’ve never really hated him but i’ve also never really loved him he is just a player on the team i like. This does mean how i react to JD stuff is extremely different to you, because i have no attachment to him. You probably didn’t mean it to come across the way it was to me when you were posting but personally to me I just felt like the posts werent it for me and like how not all of mine are for you, there is always two sides to things and that’s mine. i get it, i do but what we were seeing was him struggling with his game for a full season (yes it was a tougher season mentally and we understood that) and granted since he has asked for his trade he has had a solid number of games this year, i can think about a few very good performances. So far this season he hasn’t outright annoyed me, he is just there and been improving a lot over these past games. Really great to see him have fun with it again. Anyway my new dislike is towards forbort because for some reason we are paying that much for that.

anyway since he still probably wants a trade which is honestly for the best for him to continue developing i hope he goes somewhere that benefits him. While i’m on the topic of my opinions on players derek=bad contract, haula= not the best contract for his current play, foligno= i do adore him but that contract is horrible for what has happened, like i get he was injured for a solid portion but also 3.8 is alot for 7pts so far. Addtionally i have not liked Anton for years, i didn’t enjoy when he was in the line up i thought there was better options at the time, but this season i just began to adore him and his play i think he is just something else, solid and just so entertaining to watch especially paired with lazar and nosek. And speaking of, Nosek my absolute love, what an underrated, sneaky good fourth liner that can be moved up the lineup and still play his heart out. For these next 2 years I will not stop talking about what a good pickup this was for us.

To round it out I’m sorry, at the time you guessed it yes my post was about you. I don’t (didn’t until another post got taken wrong) want to put your name out there because it’s was between us. I can’t contact you because I’m blocked, i assume you dont want to be associated with me so i dont use your name and this was the best way if someone ever stumbled upon it and knew somehow it was about you that the message could be passed along anyway love your dude and for your sake I hope whatever happens with him you can still enjoy his play. (I now know you’ve most likely seen the post I made the day of the hat trick, just gonna state this was the most recent post I made about you other than that one I did hope you were having a good game and I saw that you were later on I’m sorry for using the words in the post again, I know I shouldn’t have but I was making a joke (I know I shouldn’t joke around but I honestly thought barely anyone would see it and assumed if you did you would’ve seen it as what I intended it to mean which was genuinely for you to have a good time since he was and I was naming you via the only description I had since I didn’t feel right to put your blog name there plus I don’t know your name) and prior to that it was probably the day you blocked me I apologise I own it and I’m sorry and I know you probably aren’t going to forgive me 100% understandable anyway if you see this just know that I’m sorry for what happened last season.

(Just cause I remembered it now yes I did reply to comment on the post they asked me who I said it about and I gave just said a broad do you remember which I said that you said we hated jd because we were critiquing his play- that was true that is something that did occur and that you were mad or upset can’t remember what exact word I used about it -justifiable he is your favourite player, you can get upset if you want too but thats the description I gave without giving your name which is all things that did occur during that time and I didn’t say for it to be mean to you but as a description of why i said it at the time, which is different to how I feel now)

#anyway theres this #kim talks to no one #I did make the post the other day but I did want you to have a #great day when JD got a hat trick because I genuinely did and I know they won’t see this because you know being blocked but I’ll say their #I know we are never going to be friends but I do feel bad and I do apologise for my posts so if you see it or if you don’t just know I feel #bad and I apologise

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tthankstoyou · 3 years

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Can I do one ship for each number? xD

1. Coffee shop- Faberry?

2. Highschool/College- Hevans?

3. Rivals to loves- Quinntana?

4. Enemies to lovers- Kurtbastian?

5. Soulmate- Jarley?

6. Single Parent- Mikecedes?

7. Doctor- Quinntina?

8. Bodyguard- Samcedes?

9. Pirate- St. Berry?

10. Childhood best friends- Brittana?

Yes you can! Thank you for the ask, answering this was so much fun <3

1. Coffee shop, Faberry

Who is the barista, and who frequents the coffee shop?

Quinn is the barista & Rachel frequents the coffee shop. I can see Quinn rolling her eyes whenever Rachel walks in bc she needs her coffee to be at an annoyingly perfect temperature, but Quinn quickly warms up to her and looks forward to seeing her every morning 🥰

2. Highschool/College, Hevans

Who is the straight-A student, and who’s the backrow slacker?

I can’t see Kurt as anything but a straight A student. Sam would be the back row slacker not because he doesn’t care about school, but because his dyslexia has been ignored all of his schooling to where he fails no matter how hard he tries. But Kurt would start tutoring and help him get the help Sam needs for his dyslexia and would be his no. 1 cheerleader, making sure that Sam doesn’t give up.

3. Rivals to lovers, Quinntana

Who takes their rivalry seriously, and who is half in it just to push the other’s buttons?

Santana would take it seriously and Quinn would love to push her buttons. (Just based off of their fight seen in the hallway in s2, it seems like Quinn liked seeing what Santana’s limits are. And even when they slapped each other in s4 😼)

4. Enemies to lovers, Kurtbastian

Which one switches sides?

Kurt! Sebastian has always had a little crush on Kurt/ He’s a man whore, it’s in his nature to want to get into the pants of a hot guy. Kurt… not so much. It takes a while for him to start to soften up to Sebastian.

5. Soulmate, Jarley

Who is eager to meet their soulmate? Who absolutely does not want to meet their soulmate?

Marley is aching to meet her soulmate, I can imagine her daydreaming about who they might be and all of that juicy stuff. Jake on the other hand would rather die than meet his soulmate. He likes to sleep around and doesn’t want anyone to change that for him (of course that is until he actually meets Marley and he realizes that he doesn’t want any woman in his life other than her)

6. Single parent, Mikecedes

Which one is the single parent? (Alt. if they’re both single parents: Which one is open to starting a new relationship from the start? Which one is never planning on finding love again… Until they meet the other and are instantly smitten?)

For the first part: Mike is the single parent.

For the second part: Mike’s open to starting a new relationship, and Mercedes is the more hesitant one. She’d be cautious on who she wants in her child’s life. Mercedes would def be like “Well that’s it for me. All I need now is *insert child’s name*” but then Mike comes around and is able to change her mind. She’s allowed to have love 🥰

7. Doctor, Quinntina

Which one is the longsuffering doctor? Which one is the patient?

Quinn is the doctor and Tina is the patient! Quinn would take Tina’s blood and the poor girl would probably pass out </3. I don’t think she’d be good with needles and that type of stuff

8. Bodyguard, Samcedes

Who is the bodyguard? Who are they protecting? Which one is secretly pining for the other?

Sam is the bodyguard who’s hired to protect the singer who has had a sudden rise in fame, Mercedes Jones <3. Sam would be secretly pining, I think Mercedes would be too focused on her career to think about men. (If this was made into a fic: I can see the climax being that Mercedes started paying too much attention to Sam/her love life, causing her career to suffer. She ends up learning how to balance both a relationship and being a super star 🕺)

9. Pirate, St Berry

Who is the pirate? Who is the member of the royal family who did not sign up for this?

Rachel is a pirate and Jesse is 100% apart of a royal family. The whole time Jesse is on board after being kidnapped, he would complain about how dirty everything is and make fun of each of the crew mates. Rachel would get him to shut up tho 😏

And I just answered #10 for Brittana here :D

#asks #nonny #ask game #faberry #hevans #quinntana #kurtbastian #jarley #mikecedes #quinntina #samcedes #st berry

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just-some-fiction · 3 years

Text

Just You and Me Part 36

Hey everyone, I'm trying to get the last few chapters up this weekend before Season 4 starts. I added something in this part that's super important and is an issue we see at times in the health science community and that's the abusive or dominant trait of certain professionals. It's something that happens quite a lot in rural areas as well.

Rio didn't get jealous. He was aware that he had a possessive streak, but he didn't get jealous. However, when he noticed Lucia spending a lot of time with one of the guys at work, he didn't like it. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, or that he thought she’d be unfaithful. They’ve been through enough to know the other was all in. What bothered him was the idea that another man thought it was appropriate to show interest in someone who was obviously unavailable. The idea of someone else taking her out for lunch or sharing any first with her that he should, grated on him like nothing else ever would. This dawned on him one day a few weeks after they got married.

"Wanna go eat?" he asked her one afternoon, kissing her cheek, "we could go to that new place you wanted to go to," they haven't spent time together in a while, both of them busy with their respective jobs.

She scrunched her nose, "Nah it's cool," placing her hands on his chest, "they weren't that great."

"You been already?" she nodded, "You go with Chuck?" he wrapped his arms around her waist as she got all the ingredients assembled for her famous hot chocolate.

"Uh no," she reached behind her to cup his neck, her fingers grazing against the inked skin, "I went with Jake from work," she shrugged, "he heard me talking bout wanting to go so he suggested we go."

Rio raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, simply licking his lip. He let it slide this time, instead pulling his wife close and kissing her neck while she got their hot chocolate ready. However, there was a tiny part of his brain that was sparking with rage at the thought of someone taking her to a restaurant that she wanted to go to. Pushing any murderous thoughts away, Rio focused on her voice as she told him about the food and how some people should rather stick to their roots rather than dive into another cuisine.

The next time this Jake guy's name popped up was a few weeks later. They were chilling on the couch, Lucia laying between his legs, her head on his chest as they watched a movie. Her one hand tucked under his shirt, tracing the ridges of his torso. She checked her phone when it went off and laughed. He just happened to see the name on the screen and he felt something stir in him.

"What's up mama?" he asked, stroking her hair.

"Nothing," she chuckled, "just my colleague sending me a meme," she showed him and he forced a laugh. The phone was still facing him when a new message popped up and what he read made his blood boil. 'We still on for lunch tomorrow?'

Pretending like he didn't see anything he waited a few moments before clearing his throat, "Wanna go eat somewhere tomorrow mami?"

"Sure," she said, "I'll reschedule my lunch plans I had for tomorrow," she squeezed his middle, "you and I haven't gone out for lunch in a while baby," lifting up she kissed him, "we can have sushi and you can entertain me with your killer chopstick skills," she teased him, they both knowing he was useless with chopsticks.

"Hey now," he stroked her cheek, "I might be useless with chopsticks but my fingers sure are talented in other skills," to emphasise this, his one hand slid down and kneaded her ass, causing her to gasp in surprise. Lucia laughed, moved higher up and smothered his lips with hers.

When he picked her up for lunch the next day, Rio noticed a guy glaring at the car, before his facial expression brightened up and he waved at someone. A few moments later, the passenger seat opened and Lucia climbed in. He chanced a glance at the guy once more and noticed him snapping a picture of his number plate - he saved that in the back of his mind for later.

“Hey papi,” Lucia leaned over and kissed him, resting her forehead against his for a few moments.

“Rough morning?”

“You could say that,” she laughed, “what is up with you gangbangers and always aiming for the stomach?”

He raised an eyebrow at her as they pulled away, “It’s the least effective way to kill someone,” she went on, “aim for the head, the stomach makes the hospital’s job harder,” she stretched slightly, “so many complications to deal with.”

Rio laughed, “I’ll keep that in mind mama,” kissing the back of her hand.

Over the next few weeks, Rio noticed a few things, since he saw that guy snap a picture of the car. Firstly, it was Lucia and her wedding ring. She usually wore it around her neck to work, for hygiene purposes, but recently it’s been glued to her finger. He also noticed she started putting her phone on silent while she was at home, something he was not okay with.

“Lucia I need to be able to get a hold of you if anything happens,” he told her when she missed three of his calls one evening.

“I was in the shower baby,” she shrugged.

One thing that became very apparent was something was spooking her though. She became very jumpy when she was alone for too long. One night Rio came home late and he found her sitting on the couch waiting for him, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Before he knew what was happening, his wife had her legs wrapped around his waist.

“Hey now,” he chuckled.

“Where were you?” she mumbled into his neck, “I was worried.”

That evening, while Lucia fell asleep curled into him, Rio laid awake, thinking over her strange behaviour, when a light caught his eye. Looking over, he noticed her phone screen lighting up with messages. Reaching over he looked at the notifications and frowned, it was an unknown number.

‘Lucia please return my calls’

‘You can’t ignore me forever’

‘I know you blocked my other number’

Rio put the phone down before he ended up smashing it. Who the fuck was this? Deciding to get to the bottom of this he made a quick phone call.

“Boss?” Julio answered, “Wassup?”

“I wake you?”

“It’s fine,” he heard the doctor yawn on the other side, “something wrong? Anyone hurt?”

“Nah,” Rio assured him, “we fine,” he sniffed, “I just have a question?”

“Yeah.”

“Is Lucia aight at work?” the line went quiet on the other end for a few seconds.

“She said she told you,” Julio sighed.

“Told me what Julio?”

“This guy,” his fellow gang member explained, “he’s sorta interested in her, been asking her out a few times.”

“Scuse me?”

“Tried telling him boss that she’s not someone to mess with,” Julio said, “she told him she’s married and I told her she needs to tell you she’s having problems with someone, but you know her boss,” he did. His wife was stubborn through and through.

“You tell him who she’s married to?” Rio raised an eyebrow while he listened.

“I did,” Julio admonished, “explained these aren’t people you mess with, ‘specially you,” Julio said, “can still hear Timmy Torez bone snapping that one time in tenth grade.”

“I never broke no kid’s bone,” Rio defended himself, “I dislocated his fingers that’s all,” he said nonchalantly.

“Just for taking Lucia to the fair,” Julio reminded him, “the fuck someone as good as Lucia see in you boss?” Julio laughed slightly.

“Ask her and tell me,” he sighed, “thanks for telling me man.”

Hanging up, he looked down at his wife. Lucia stirred in her sleep, moving further into him. Placing a kiss on her forehead, he wrapped an arm around her and fell asleep.

He was waiting for her outside of the hospital, nodding at some of her colleagues as they walked by. Most of the people who worked here or made use of the hospital were people from their world, some in the business while others were simply normal health professionals. This Jake guy wasn't from around town nor was he from the state. This morning he had Mick and Mike do a background check on him. Seems there’s been reports and rumors of sexual harassment at his previous job, which was swept under the rug. The boys were still in the process of getting more dirt on him.

Lucia smiled as she walked up to him, “Hey.”

“Sup mama,” he cupped her cheek and kissed her, "ready for lunch baby?" she nodded. He noticed she had her things with her and raised an eyebrow.

“Oh,” she laughed, “decided to take the afternoon off,” that was something she never did. Deciding now was not the time, he let it slide and took her for lunch, before taking her home, where he somehow remained as well for the rest of the day, submerged in a bathtub full of bubbles and a very handsy wife.

A few days later things came to a head. Just as Mike walked into his office at the warehouse, hold a print out, Julio called him, “Boss ima send you something the security guard gave me from the security cameras,” he heard Julio sigh, “you gotta see this.”

Rio frowned, looking up at Mick, who looked as though he wanted to be anywhere, but there with him, “Uh you gotta see this,” Mick handed him the printouts, “seems like this guy has a few complaints of sexual misconduct, harassment and stalking, that were swept under the rug a lot,” Mick swallowed, “and it seems like he has a type,” handing him the last page, “this was the last lady who filed a complaint at one of the hospitals in Seattle.”

Looking at the picture, Rio clenched his jaw. The lady in the picture looked exactly like Lucia. Grabbing his phone he opened the file Julio sent him. It was a grainy image of his wife standing at a workstation filling out paperwork, when someone walked up behind her and decided to grope her. He watched Lucia swing her elbow into the man’s gut and attempt to walk away, only to have him pull her back again. Before he knew what was happening, he somehow got up and made his way out of the office, Mick hot on his heels.

“Yo,” his right hand man called after him, “what’s the plan here,” by now Mike was with them as well.

“There’s something else too,” Mike handed him more papers, “turns out this guy googled how to bug a house.”

“Get me that mother fucker,” was all he said, before getting into his car. That afternoon, before Lucia got home, he got Cisco and Dags to do a sweep of the studio apartment and find any recording devices. They found one in the shower, one hidden in Lucia’s beside lamp and one in her underwear drawer. The last one was the one that really set RIo off, taking the devices and crushing them in his hands. When Lucia came home, he didn't say anything about the video or the debugging.

"Hey baby," he smiled at her. As he wrapped his arms around her, he noticed her flinch slightly and he had to force himself to keep calm. Ima kill this man, he thought. Lucia pulled him close and said nothing, burying her nose into his neck and inhaling.

"Are you sniffing me ma?" he chuckled.

"Mhm," she sighed and inhaled again, "you smell like home baby."

Rio said nothing, simply swaying them gently from side to side. Later on, Lucia told him about the incident at work and he listened, not saying anything about Julio sending the video. He simply pulled her towards him and stroked her hair as they laid on the couch. There was no way he was going to let this slide. Some asshole, with a sketchy history was making his wife feel unsafe at her place of work - a place that she loved - and he was not gonna back down from this.

"I'll take care of it, aight," he stated and he felt her sigh against him, "mama I know you don't like me jumping in on your problems, but i gotta with this one."

"Fine," she replied, closing her eyes as he massaged her scalp, enjoying the feeling of his long fingers threading through her hair. Soon her eyelids became heavy and she was dozed off. The last thing she felt was Rio placing a kiss on her forehead.

Jake was currently sitting in front of Rio, his eyes darting around the warehouse, searching for an escape route. Mick and Mike brought him in with a black sack over his head, his hands tied and a gag in his mouth. The asshole was red in the face when the sack was lifted, pupils dilated and his breathing shallow. There was a slight tremor in his body too.

“Now boys,” Rio grinned when they set him down in the chair, “is this how we treat our guests?” he laughed.

“He’s a doctor after all, does good for his community,” Rio gave the man a hard stare, “we should treat him with a bit more dignity and whatnot.”

Mick removed the gag and pretty soon Jake started babbling, “Please,” he sputtered, “I’ll do anything.”

Rio smirked at the other two, he was going to enjoy this. He knew men like this. He’s killed men like this quite a few times. Men like this guy hid behind the prestige of their professions and titles, while bullying and harming others. However, behind the money and titles, they were spineless weasels who needed to be euthanized.

“Oh I think you’ve done enough,” Rio chuckled, pulling the broken bugs out of his pocket he presented them to Jake, “over enough.”

He watched as the realisation dawned over Jake as to who he was, “Yeah,” he sniffed in disdain, “seems like we have a problem,” his eyes went cold.

“So what all you see with these,” he motioned to his closed fist that contained the bugs.

“Nothing,” Jake whimpered.

“Nah man,” Rio laughed, shaking his head, “these things were placed in some very specific places in my home and amongst my wife’s things,” he moved closer, “so ima ask you again,” this time his voice went low, “what did you see?”

By now Jake was paralysed with fear, “He don’t wanna say boys,” Rio looked over at Mick and Mike, “lucky for us you got the footage when you cleared his house right?”

“Right here,” Mick produced a flashdrive.

“Thanks man,” Rio took the flash drove and plugged it into a laptop on the table next to him, “boys wait outside for a few moments please.”

Flipping through the videos, Rio felt the rage start to bubble up inside of him, there were videos of her in the shower, some of them doing mundane things at home and a few of them in bed together. One thing he was relieved about was that there was nothing incriminating caught on camera. It seemed as though the cameras were timed to go on whenever she was at home. The last video he scanned through, was what set him into action. It was of the two of them making love a few nights ago, all you could see were their torsos, due to Lucia having knocked the lamp over in her haste to get on top of him that night. He watched as his wife came on top of him, her body shuddering.

Switching off the laptop, he pulled the flash out and crushed it under his foot. Standing up, he slammed the laptop shut and struck it against Jake’s head. It took a few more hits, before the body stopped twitching, but at the end, the scumbag was dead. He called Mick and Mike back in for clean up.

“Damn Rio,” Mike whistled.

“You two clean up the apartment?” he ignored Mike.

“Made it look as though he just left,” Mick confirmed.

“Good.”

That night RIo walked into his home, however, it felt like anything but home at that point. Lucia was standing in the kitchen area, making something to eat when he walked in. He still had blood on his hand but he didnt care, he pulled her towards him and held her.

“We're packing up tomorrow baby,” he murmured into her hair.

“What?” he proceeded to tell her about the bugging and the videos. Lucia didn’t waste anytime and started packing. Lucky for them, he already had a nice three bedroom place in mind uptown that he secured that afternoon. By the end of the week they moved into their new place, where they’d eventually raise their son for a few years.

#Rio good girls #Rio nbc #Good girls NBC #Nbc good girls #Just me and you #Lucia x rio #Lucia Solano #Johnny x Lucia #Mike Graceland #Mick good girls

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