#Mr. Smiles the Vampire Mime

[johnsbleu]

Hold My Hand: John Wick x Reader Chapter 95

warnings: nsfw hold my hand masterlist

Ever since John got his results back from his doctor, things have been amazing in the Wick household. The two of you have been actively trying to get pregnant, but you’ve had no luck so far. Your honeymoon was amazing, and exactly what the two of you needed. It was nice to be away, just you and John, and just spend time together not stressing out about test results.

It’s a few days before Halloween and you’re just getting the last of the things that you’ll need -- basically just more bags of candy. Jimmy is having a Halloween party tonight, and you’re so excited to finally see what John has decided to dress as. You’ve been guessing, but he’s kept such a tight lip on it that it’s been pissing you off.

Running into the house, you head for the guest bedroom, and John furrows his brow as he watches you run past. You didn’t bother to stop and say hi because you know he’ll try to get a look at your costume. You’ve done such a good job at hiding it from him, but you remembered you were forgetting one crucial piece of your costume.

“What are you doing?” John asks, knocking on the door, “Just let me see your costume.”

“No!” you playfully yell at him from the other side of the door, “You haven’t shown me yours yet.”

“Because…”

You open the door and cock up an eyebrow, “Because it’s a secret, right?”

“Well, yeah.” he laughs and looks over your shoulder to see if he can see your costume, and you lightly punch him in the stomach as he laughs, “Okay, okay, I’ll stop.”

“You only have to wait a few more hours.” you push past John and grab his hand to keep him from going into the guest bedroom. “I can’t wait to see your costume. I honestly have no idea what you’re going to be, I certainly can’t see you dressing as a vampire or something.”

John shakes his head and laughs, “No, not a vampire.”

“A…chef?” you ask, sitting down on the couch, and John shakes his head again. “A mime?”

“Nope.” he smiles.

“Hmm…” you tilt your head to the side and think. You have no idea what John could be going as. The possibilities are endless, and John always likes to surprise you.

John looks at his watch to check the time, then slaps his hands on his legs, “Well, I better go shower and start to get ready.”

“Very good idea.” you lean over to kiss John and smile, “Me, too.”

The two of you head your separate ways, and John leans over the staircase railing to see you again, “Hey…”

“What?”

John smiles, “Can’t wait to see your sexy costume.”

“I bet you can’t.” you laugh loudly as you lock yourself in the guest bedroom.

__

You’re looking at yourself in the mirror, trying your hardest not to laugh. John is expecting something sexy, and your costume is…well, it’s sexy to you. John, on the other hand, you don’t know how he’ll react. You’re just hoping he’s actually going to wear a costume.

There’s a knock at the door that startles you, and you open it up to see Tess wearing her costume.

“Oh, my god. You look so cute!” you gasp and hug her tight. “How very Madonna of you!”

Tess laughs as she fluffs up her hair in the mirror, “Jimmy wanted to wear matching 80s costumes, so I was told him there’s no way in hell I’m not going as the iconic ‘Like a Virgin’ Madonna.”

“But what are you doing here?”

“Just wanted to check up and see the progress,” Tess laughs, then she gestures you, “John is literally going to die when he sees you. I just saw him in the kitchen, and he’s fully convinced you’re going as like…some sexy librarian or something.”

You look at Tess, furrowing your brow, “Did he actually say librarian?”

Tess brushes you off and heads for the door, “Anyway, I’ll meet you over there.”

“Okay.” you lock the door behind Tess and grab your jacket from the bed to put it on. Smiling wide, you fix your top, then grab your heels to put them on. You take a long look at yourself in the mirror and grab the plastic gun that you had bought earlier today at the dollar store, then you take a deep breath and exhale, “I’m John Wick.”

__

You had convinced John to head over to the party before you. You knew you wanted to make an entrance, and right now, only Aurelio and Amanda are at the party to help set up. Tess is on the front lawn with her phone pressed to her ear.

“Okay, I just wanted to make sure that he’s being good.” she says and nods her head, “Thank you so much. We’ll be over to get him in the morning. We really appreciate this. Okay, bye.”

When Tess looks up and sees you, she laughs so loud that you have to press your hand to her mouth to keep everyone from looking outside.

“Shh!” you put your finger to your mouth as you laugh.

“Oh…my god.” Tess backs away a little and checks you out, “You’re John. Well, actually I think you need to like put some blood on your face or something.”

You pull out the tube of fake blood and laugh, “I have the idea of putting it on more and more throughout the night. Oh, and I have a fake gun too.”

“Why didn’t you slick your hair back though? He always combs it back when he works.” Tess asks, tucking your hair behind your ears. “There, I mean, at least leave it tucked behind your ear.”

You fluff your hair back out and squint your eyes as you walk past Tess, “You’re such a mom.”

Opening the door to Tess’ house, you see Jimmy moving a table to the back patio. Amanda is dressed as a bubble bee, and Aurelio as a bee-keeper. They look so cute and you want to squeal, but you have to keep up your John Wick act.

“I gotta act…cool.”

Tess laughs, “You think John is cool? He’s not.”

“Yes, I am.” you say, trying to make your voice deeper. “I’m really cool.”

Tess looks at you as she laughs and walks into the living room to talk to Amanda. You playfully stumble in behind Tess, and Aurelio gets off the couch to help you.

“I’m fine.” you say, putting your hand out, “I’m fine.”

“Are you serious?” Tess laughs, then shakes her head as she look at Aurelio, “She’s--”

“You’re John.” Aurelio laughs.

“John Wick.” you reach out to shake his hand and try your best John impression.

You look over your shoulder to see John walking through the back door, and you try your hardest not to laugh when you see him in a gray pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt to match.

As you stumble over to John, he laughs loudly, “Really?”

“I’m John Wick.” you smile.

John laughs and gestures to you, “I see that. I’m pretty sure I’m not as cute as you are though. I also don’t look as good in a pair of heels.”

You lean closer to John and whisper, “Don’t ask if I’m workin’, you already know the answer.”

Laughing quietly, John walks a little closer to you, unsure if you’re going to let him hug you, and he smiles when you reach out for him. He hugs you tight in his arms as more people begin to come into the house, and he leans back to see your face.

“You look so sexy.” he says, looking down at your shoes then up at your face, “No beard though. Is it weird how turned on I am by this? Because I’m finding this very hot.”

“As you should!” you laugh as you kiss John, “So, Mr. Balboa...”

John laughs as he shrugs, “I couldn’t think of anything. I sat on the couch for hours and turned on the TV, and they were playing Rocky. Simple enough outfit.”

“I like it.” you smile, scooting closer to him, “I like you in sweatpants, and your cute little stocking cap. A little disappointed that you’re not in the shorts and robe though.”

John lets out a loud laugh, “Yeah, sorry, you’re missing out on all of that.”

“Well,” you trail your finger down John’s beard as you smirk, “I’ll get to see it later.”

__

The party has been going great so far, and John has been eyeing you all night. He keeps winking at you and wiggling his eyebrows when you look at him, and he looks so damn hot that you can’t wait to get home tonight.

Jimmy has invited quite a few of his friends to the party, and you’ve been laughing at all of their costumes. Your favorite so far has been the chicken. The only problem with so many people in the house is that it’s so damn hot. Stepping out onto the back patio, you tilt your back and exhale, watching your warm breath in the cold air. You take off your suit jacket and lift your arms to allow some air to flow through your shirt to cool you down, then you shiver from the sudden rush of cold air.

A noise behind you that startles you, and you squint your eyes a little to see who is behind you, “Hello?”

“Oh, sorry,” a man says, stepping into the light more, “Didn’t mean to scare you. I just needed a cigarette.”

You laugh a little, “It’s okay, I just…thought I was alone. Good thing I didn’t start talking to myself, that would have been embarrassing!”

Reaching out to shake your hand, the man smiles, “Gary.”

“Gary, hi, I’m Y/N.” you squint your eyes a little to get a better look at his costume, “Hawaiian shirt and jeans.”

Gary holds up a fake mustache and smiles, “A mustache.”

You snap your fingers as you think, “Oh, oh, oh! Yes! Hopper from Stranger Things!”

“You’re good!” he laughs, tucking the mustache back in his pocket, “If we play games, I want you on my team. Okay, so let me guess what you are. Uh, I have no idea.”

“I’m my husband.” you laugh and put your jacket back on.

Gary furrows his brow a little as he takes a puff of his cigarette, “And your husband is…”

“John.” you say, then you quickly add in his last name since he seems to have no clue who you’re talking about. “He’s inside, he’s dressed as Rocky Balboa -- his favorite movie.”

“Hmm,” he drops his cigarette to the ground and steps on it, “Don’t think I know him. Won’t lie, I’m a little bummed that you’re married. It’s a shame that you’re not single.”

You chuckle nervously, “Oh, uh, I’m not sure how to respond to that.”

“Maybe you can…give me your number.”

A creepy smirk spreads across Gary’s face as he moves under the light a little more, and you take a step back when he stops closer again.

Okay. You’re uncomfortable now.

You give him a polite smile, then you move past him a little, but he blocks your way. Exhaling loudly, you look up at him and shake your head as you hold his gaze. What is it with drunk guys at parties? You were being friendly with him and talking to him, but he had to go and ruin it.

“Excuse you.”

Gary laughs, “You don’t like me, do you?”

“I don’t know you.” you say, taking a step to your right, but he moves with you. “Don’t do this. Trust me, you don’t want to do this.”

You’re starting to get cold from standing outside, and you’re also starting to get a little scared. Gary is just about as big as John, a little more hefty than him, but he’s pretty scary. You take another breath and roll your eyes before you turn around and head to the gate that leads to the front of the house.

Gary grabs your jacket and pulls you back to him, but you turn around and punch him hard in the face, causing him to stumble back a few steps with his hand over his mouth and nose.

As he stumbles back a few more steps, you inch your way around him and head inside, frantically looking around for John. He’s laughing with Aurelio and Tess, and he looks over at you, immediately changing his demeanor when he sees your face.

“What’s goin’ on?” he reaches for your hand and pulls you aside, and he looks down to see the blood on your hand, “What the fuck happened?”

“I…punched someone.” you look up at John in shock, and you start to laugh a little in disbelief, “I just punched a guy.”

Tess grabs your arm, “You what?”

“Gary, I punched him.” you look down at your hand and see it shaking, “He grabbed my arm, so I turned around and just…punched him.”

John looks at Tess and shakes his head, “Who’s Gary?”

“I don’t know.” she shrugs, “We don’t know a Gary.”

You look over Tess’ shoulder when he walks into the house, and you hide around the corner a little so he won’t see you. Pointing at him, you look at Tess and John, and you watch John’s eyes narrow as he looks at him. The look of pure anger on John’s face causes you to shiver, and you frown when he looks back you.

“I didn’t even do anything. He was just standing in the yard and I started talking to him because he was back there smoking -- I was just being nice. I guessed his costume, then he tried to guess mine, and I immediately told him that I was married and that I was dressed as my husband. I was just being nice, I just wanted to be nice. I’m sorry.”

John cups your face and shakes his head, “Don’t do that. Don’t start apologizing like you’ve done something wrong.”

“But this is the second time it’s happened.” you say as you start to cry, “I was just being nice.”

John looks at Tess and puts his hand on her shoulder, “Take her and get her cleaned up.”

Tess puts her hands on your shoulders and pushes you, but you look at John and reach out for him, “Don’t get arrested, please.”

“I won’t.” John laughs.

Tess turns around and looks at him, “Don’t kill him on our new rug. We just bought it.”

__

You’re sitting on Tess’ bed while she looks over your hand, and you sigh as you look down at it. The blood is cleaned off of it, and thankfully it’s not swollen or anything. It surprisingly doesn’t have any pain, probably because of the adrenaline.

“Looks good, goose.” Tess says, looking up at you. She rubs your back a little to get you to look at her, then she gives you a small smile, “It’s not your fault.”

“This has happened twice now. First Matt, now this.” you sigh again as you look away from Tess, “Should I just never talk to someone because they might take it the wrong way? I told him I was married and he just started hitting on me, I didn’t even flirt with him. I don’t flirt. I don’t know how! I flirt with John, but that’s different. He’s my husband.”

Tess sighs, “Some…men just don’t understand. It’s disgusting. This isn’t your fault. He’s gross, I don’t even know who he is. I didn’t invite him, and I’m pretty sure Jimmy doesn’t know him.”

“So, who is he?”

“I don’t know. He must have come with someone.” Tess says, and the two of you look up when someone knocks on the door.

“Hey,” John smiles, then he hides his left hand when he comes into room. You cock up your eyebrow a little as he kneels down in front of you, and he places his right hand on your thigh, “Are you okay?”

“Show me your hand.” you say, and John holds up his right hand. You give him a disapproving look as a smile tugs at his lips, “Your other hand, Jonathan.”

John inhales deeply as he holds up his left hand, and you grab it to look over, but you see it’s free of any cuts and it’s not bloody. You furrow your brow slightly as you look at him, and he laughs as he looks at you.

“So, you washed your hands before you came in here.” you say, crossing your arms. “Did you kill him?”

Tess excuses herself from the bedroom and leaves you and John alone, and he gets off the floor and sits down next to you on the bed. He puts his arm around your waist and pulls you over so you can lean against his shoulder.

“I didn’t kill him. I didn’t even hit him.” he says, shaking his head, then he starts to laugh, “I can’t believe you punched him. What did you do?”

You look at John and make a fist, “I did what you taught me: decked him in the nose.”

“Oh, it’s broken. Well, if it wasn’t before…” he says, and you bite your lip to keep yourself from smiling. “I didn’t hit him because I didn’t get to him first. A few other women said he was weird with him. Amanda said that he…groped her, so…”

“I bet Aurelio was pissed. I’d be more afraid of Amanda though. You and your friends love strong women, don’t you?” you say, and John laughs quietly as he nods. “I’m sorry that this happened. I mean, I know it’s not my fault. I really was just being friendly. You know that I wouldn’t do that to you, right?”

John furrows his brow, “What? Cheat on me?”

“Yeah.”

Turning to face you more, John looks you in the eyes and nods his head, “I know. I know you love me. I trust you. Do you doubt that?”

“Well, no. And I trust you. I’ve said before that I could put you in a room with the most beautiful woman in the world and I would trust you.”

John starts to smile, and you roll your eyes before he can even say something cheesy. “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“Anyway.” you laugh as you look at John, “Seriously, I’m sorry our night was ruined.”

John gets up from the bed and stands in front of you, “It’s not ruined.”

John pulls you up from the bed and wraps his arms around you before he leans down and kisses you several times in hopes that it’ll take your mind off of things. He exhales as he lets go of you and looks down at your hands, inspecting them a little.

John presses a delicate kiss to your knuckles, then he looks at you and smiles, “You really are John Wick tonight. Dangerous little woman.”

Tilting your head back, you laugh as you look at him, “I just…didn’t even think. I shouldn’t have hit him though, that was a little out of line. I should have just pushed him.”

“No, you should have punched him.” he says, cupping your face, “I’m so proud of you. I worry about you so much, but it’s nice to know that you’re able to take care of yourself. Not that I ever doubted it since you’ve been kicking my ass lately when we would practice.”

Leaning closer to John, you wrap your arms around his neck and lock eyes with him as you bite your lip, “Why don’t we just go home? The party is almost over anyway.”

“You sure?” he asks, moving his hands down your back and underneath your jacket.

You bite your lip as you nod your head, “Yeah.”

__

Stumbling into the house, John pulls your jacket off and tosses it to the ground as he kisses you. He doesn’t even bother to unbutton your shirt, he simply rips it open, and you hear the buttons fall to the floor. He stops kissing you when he feels the plastic gun you have tucked into the back of your pants, then he holds it up and laughs.

“You got a gun?”

You ignore John and continue kissing his neck, “Keep kissing me.”

John drops the gun to the floor and lifts you up to wrap your legs around his waist, and it turns you on even more how effortless it was for him. He pins your body against the wall as he kisses you, then he opens your shirt a little more to get a look at your chest.

“You look so fucking sexy tonight.” he says, kissing down your chest and in between your breasts. “I’ve wanted to fuck you the moment I saw you.”

Letting out a small moan, you tilt your head back as John continues kissing your neck, but you stop him when you realize he’s going to leave behind marks. You wrap your arms around him tighter as he walks over and sets you down on the arm of the couch, and his lips are persistent on yours as you pull his sweatpants down, revealing his cock.

“We’re not going to make it to the bedroom, are we?” you laugh against John’s lips.

John shakes his head as he continues kissing you, “We haven’t the last four times.”

“Well, how about we at least make it to the guest bedroom?” you say, pointing over his shoulder.

John scoops you into his arms and shuffles into the bedroom, trying his best not to fall since his pants are around his ankles. He plops you down on the bed, then he kicks his shoes off so he can finally take off his pants. As John undresses himself, you sit up to take off your heels, then you lay back on the bed and remove your pants as you watch him.

The room is dark since it’s nearly midnight, so you reach over and turn on the lamp next to the bed so you’ll be able to see John. You lick your lips and hold John’s gaze as he crawls on the bed, then he leans down to kiss you, slipping his tongue into your mouth as the two of you moan. John opens his eyes to look at you, and he smiles as he leans back in to kiss you again. Propping himself up, he kisses and licks a path from in between your breasts to your belly button, then back up to your chest.

“John…” you whimper a little, tilting your head to the side so he can kiss your neck. “Will you do something for me?”

John sits up and nods, “Of course. I’d do anything for you.”

You smile as you look at him, rubbing your thumb against his beard, “Will you fuck me?”

“Oh, I can do that.” he nods, pulling off your bra, “I can definitely do that.”

You wrap your arms around John’s neck as he slowly slides himself between your legs, and you open your mouth to moan, feeling the pressure between your hips. You widen your legs more to allow him to slide in further, and you watch as John’s eyes roll shut.

John rocks his hips slowly at first, but he quickly picks up the pace as you pull your knees into your chest. You lay on your side a little and put one leg over John’s shoulder as he bucks his hips wildly, and he hums happily.

“Harder, baby.” you whine and feel John grabbing at your breast as he grunts. “Harder!”

John laughs as he leans down to kiss you, “I will tear you in half. I don’t want to hurt you, baby.”

Placing your hands on John’s ass, you push him in further and arch your back when he hits your hidden spot relentlessly. You’re tipping over the edge already, and every nerve in your body is pulled so fucking tight, you think they all might snap.

John’s mouth envelopes yours, and he bites your lip as he lays down on top of you, still thrusting his hips hard and pushing himself in deeper. The sound of John’s cock between your legs turns you on even more, and John looks down to watch himself. He lets out a moan that is so loud that it takes the two of you by surprise, and he shakes his head as he smiles when you look up at him.

“So fucking delicious.” he whispers against your cheek, “Does that feel good? Huh? When I fuck you like this?”

“Yeah,” you whine loudly as you squeeze your eyes shut.

He pulls out and lays down behind you, then lifts your leg back up to insert himself again. He holds your leg as he jerks his hips hard, and he rubs circles on your clit as you whimper and moan.

“Fuck, John.” your body shakes from pleasure, and you try to close your legs, but John keeps a good grip on your thigh as he gives his last few thrusts before he fills you up.

“Oh, my god, baby.” John pulls you close to his chest and kisses your neck as he continues to slowly thrust his hips. “Fuckin’ hell.”

You roll your hips lazily, still shaking from the pleasure, and you moan loudly into your blanket. The two of you are breathing heavily and your mouth is going dry from panting so damn loud, but it’s hard to catch your breath. You can tell John is afraid to pull out, but you start to move off of him and he holds tight to your hip.

“No, not yet.” he whispers, “Give it another minute. Just in case.”

You laugh loudly and wiggle back down on John’s cock, “Fine.”

John’s arms are so warm and comforting that you’re beginning to fall asleep in his embrace. You look over your shoulder a little and pucker your lips to kiss him a few times.

“I love you.” you whisper, finally rolling over to face him. “I love you so much.”

John laughs and looks at the ceiling, and you notice his eyes are a little glassy from tears.

“Hey,” you sit up a little and look at him with a genuine concern, “Hey, what’s going on?”

“I just love you so much, and I can’t wait to have a family with you. I couldn’t imagine doing it with anyone else.” he wraps his arms around you and pulls you onto his chest.

You chuckle softly as you look up at study his features, “You’re the sweetest man I’ve ever known, you know that?”

__

It’s finally Halloween, and you’re beyond excited to see all of the kids in their costumes. The book shop is having a little party for kids, and if they come in with a costume on, they get a free book! Any book of their choice! Totally John’s idea.

Employees are more than welcome to dress up, and you’re so happy to see that Grace is dressed up -- Little Bo Peep. Tony is dressed in a onesie that looks like a sheep, and you have to laugh at how unbelievably obvious they are about dating. They’re trying their hardest to hide it from you and John, but you’re not oblivious. You and John are the last people to ever judge anyone for dating, and you have no problems with them dating as long as they don’t let it affect their jobs.

John is sitting in a chair near the front door so he can give all of the kids a gift bag when they come in, and you smile as you grab your purse and head over to stand next to him. He’s been sitting there all afternoon and greeting kids, and you’ve been internally screaming over how absolutely adorable he is.

“I am…a…robot.” Benji says, mimicking a robot, and Amanda laughs when you look at her. “Need…candy.”

John laughs, “You’ll have to come to the house later for candy.”

You lean down a bit and smile, “We got all your favorites!”

Benji looks up at Amanda and tugs at her shirt, “Can we please go to their house tonight?”

You laugh as you nudge Amanda, “We live in a rich neighborhood. Full size candy bars.”

Benji widens his eyes even more as he looks up at Amanda, and she laughs as he nods her head, “Yes, baby, we will go to their house tonight.”

“Hey,” you pat John’s shoulder and look at him, “I have to run to the store and grab a few things, so I’m gonna take off a little early.”

John nods, “Okay.”

Leaning down, you kiss John a few times, then you smile at him before you leave the shop. As you head for your car, you try to contain yourself, but your excitement is a little overwhelming. You’re not even sure, but you figure you should just do it anyway. You need to take a pregnancy test.

__

John called you to let you know that he was closing up the shop and that he’ll be on his way home soon, and you’re frantically running through the house to try and get into the bathroom to take the pregnancy test before he gets home. Your period is a few days late, so you’re starting to get a little suspicious. You don’t really feel any different, but that doesn’t really mean anything at this point.

You sigh as you look down at the box of pregnancy tests, then you look up when you see John standing the doorway to the bathroom -- he’s much quieter than you’d realized.

John looks down at the box in your hands, then he smiles when he looks at you, “Do you want me here for this?”

Leaning back against the sink, you bite your lip nervously, “I don’t know if I want to take it yet.”

“Why not?” John asks as he walks closer.

“Because we’re about to have a bunch of little kids show up at our house, and I don’t want my mind to be occupied with something else. I don’t know. I don’t want it to come back negative, then I have to sit and watch kids come up to our house for an hour while I try to hold back tears.”

John nods, “That makes perfect sense.”

“And if it’s positive, I just want to sit in your arms all night and we can’t do that if kiddos are coming to the house.” you say as you place the test on the counter and look up at John, “So much for surprising you.”

“I had no idea you were even in here, I just came up here so I could use the bathroom.” he laughs, and you move past him to let him have the bathroom. “Hey, come here for a minute.”

You walk back over to John and place your hands in his, “What?”

“No matter what the result will be, it’s going to happen. Okay?”

Inhaling deeply, you look up at John, plastering a fake smile on your face, “Okay.”

You close the bathroom door behind you, then you head downstairs to get things ready for trick-or-treaters. You know that you’re a little too eager to take this test, but you’re just really wondering if you’re pregnant. You’re excited, you’re scared, it’s understandable.

Biting your cheek, you mindlessly get the candy ready and step out onto the porch to light the candles in the pumpkins that you and John have carved, then you turn on the porch light to let the kids know that you’re home.

You inhale deeply again and exhale slowly, “Just stay calm.”

__

Since it’s warmer tonight, you and John decided to get the camping chairs and just sit at the end of the driveway. It’s a bit of a long driveway anyway, so you know kids will be a little tired. John is still passing out candy, and he’s so sweet and cute with all the little kids. They’re getting a kick out of Bleu, who is wearing a teddy bear costume. The packs of kids are beginning to dwindle down now that it’s getting later, but there are still a few kids on the block coming up the street.

You’re in the kitchen getting yourself something to drink as quick as you can since Amanda has texted you to let you know that she’s on her way over with Harper and Benji. Tess is also coming over with Finn too!

Walking back down the driveway, you see John sitting in the chair as he talks with a little boy about his costume.

“Spider-Man.” the little boy says, then he sprays John with silly string. “That’s my web.”

“I’m so sorry.” his mom laughs, reaching over to pull the silly string out of John’s hair, “I nearly begged him not to bring that with, but kids, you can’t resist their cute little faces.”

John laughs, “Hey, I get it.”

“Sorry again, you have some, uh…” she reaches over and pulls silly string out of John’s hair, leaning a little closer to make sure she’s gotten it all. She finally looks up at you and smiles, then she stands up and reaches for her son, “Happy Halloween.”

“Happy Halloween.” John says, waving at the little boy as he walks down the driveway. He looks over his shoulder at you and smiles, “Come join me.”

You sit back down next to John and look over at him, “I’m getting really anxious to take this test. I’m starting to feel sick.”

“Hey,” he reaches over and touches your cheek, “Everything will be okay.”

“I’m totally going to be a chronic tester.” you say, and John furrows his brow like he doesn’t quite understand what you mean. “I’m going to take a pregnancy test every damn time I feel any difference in my body. We have sex, and I’ll immediately take a test a few days later. I’m already starting to do it.”

John sits back in his chair as he holds your hand, “Well, we’ll just buy tests every time we go to the store then.”

Laughing quietly, you look over at John, “I love how much you indulge me.”

__

“You can do this.” you whisper to yourself as you stand in front of the toilet.

John wraps his arms around your waist and presses a kiss to your cheek, “I’ll be just outside the door. Well, I mean, I’ll be in the bedroom, I won’t just be standing right outside the door.”

You look over your shoulder at him and nod, “Okay.”

John gives you a reassuring smile before he leans down to kiss you several times, then he leaves you alone in the bathroom. Unwrapping the pregnancy test, you begin to shake a little as you unbutton your jeans. You stick the test between your legs and close your eyes as you try your best to pee on the stick. On second thought, you should have just peed in a cup and put the stick in it, but you’re here now.

Quickly putting the cap back on the test, you set it on the counter and finish using the bathroom and washing your hands before you join John in the bedroom. He looks down at his watch for the time, and he smiles when you sit down next to him.

“You’re so quiet.” John says, wrapping his arm around your waist, “What’s goin’ on in that head of yours?”

You exhale, laughing a little, “I don’t know. I’m starting to feel like I’m not pregnant. I feel like I jumped the gun on this one.”

John rubs his hand over your back and leans over to kiss your head, “Yeah, but we should take one just in case. Because what if you are, and you drink? Or what if you’re pregnant and we don’t know, and something happens and you get into a car accident?”

You laugh loudly, “I can’t believe how sweet you are.”

Reaching over for the test, you hold it in your hands and look up at John as he begins to grow a little more nervous. You reach up and touch John’s face as you lean over to give him a warm kiss. He inhales deeply as he kisses you, pulling you closer to him and into his lap. The kisses are slow and wet, and you wrap your arm around John’s neck as you get situated on his lap.

John leans back and cups your face, rubbing his thumb against the apple of your cheek, “No matter what, this is just one test. We’ll keep trying every month until we get it right.”

“Yeah,” you nod as you get a little teary-eyed. “Here we go.”

You flip the test over and see the thick pink line indicating that you’re not pregnant, and you immediately lean your head against John’s shoulder as you cry. He tugs the test from your hands and wraps both of his arms around you, letting you cry it out for a few moments.

“Baby, look at me.” John whispers, and you lean back to look at him. “This is one test. Just one! We’ll try again.”

“It’s not. It’s two! We took one over the summer.”

John smiles slightly, “That doesn’t even count. You had just gotten off your birth control but it was still in your body.”

You wipe away the tears on your cheeks and sigh, “But what if we keep trying and you get tired of it?”

John laughs, “You think I’m going to get tired of having sex with you?”

“Well, no.” you shrug as you look down, “But I don’t want you to think I’m like…barren or something.”

John lets out another laugh as he holds you tight and lays back on the bed, “I don’t think that, and I would never think that. We know you’re not, we went to the doctor to make sure of it.”

“I just know how bad you want kids, and I want to give that to you.” you admit as you look over at John, “I want kids too. I want us to have a really cute baby!”

John trails his finger over your face and down to your lips, “And we’ll have that. This is just one time, baby. We’ll try again. When do you get your period next?”

“Well, it’s late.” you shrug, “But I’ll probably get it tomorrow. I can already feel the cramps coming. So, we could have avoided this whole situation if I had just waited until tomorrow.”

Letting out a small laugh, John look at you and smiles, “It’s okay. It was fun to think that it was happening.”

You roll over onto your stomach and look at John, and you wrap your right arm over his stomach, “It will happen. Soon, I promise.”

“Isn’t it funny how I was reassuring you a minute ago, and now you’re reassuring me?” John chuckles, “See? This is why we’re perfect for each other.”

You close your eyes as John sits up to kiss your cheek, then you lay back and look at him as he lays down next to you. He gently rubs his nose against yours as you smile, then you open you eyes and reach over to cup his face.

“It’s going to happen.” he whispers against your lips, “We just need to be patient.”

“Yeah, I know.” you sit up and sigh, then you look over at John, “We should go get some ice cream because I’m sad.”

John laughs as he gets off the bed, “Anything for you, peach.”

Reaching up for John’s hand, you hold tight to it and smile when he leans over to kiss your cheek before the two of you head to the stairs. John stands in front of you and holds your gaze as you look up at him, and you laugh quietly when he raises his eyebrows.

“It’s going to happen.” he whispers, nodding his head.

You nod, “I know.”

“Don’t get down on yourself about it,” John pulls you into his arms and kisses your cheek, “We got this, baby.”

“We do.”

A smile grows on John’s face as he slides his hands down to your ass, “We can always...practice.”

“Yeah, sure.” you scoff as you look up at John, then you yelp loudly when he lifts you up and carries you back to the bedroom.

__

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#john wick imagine #john wick x you #john wick x reader #fic: hold my hand #me @ john and reader: we gon get u that baby #also reader at that party lmaoooo we love ha

[howtohero]

#300.1: Saving the World Part 1

Prologue

The Haberdashery

“Hi, my name is Murk. I am a mud monster and a product of mad science, but I am also an accountant and a lover of classical music. For most of my existence I have tried to simply live a regular life in an increasingly strange world.”

The conference room in Hatman’s Haberdashery was filled with all manner of colorfully clad, or just plain colorful, superheroes, super-trainees, monsters, vampires, werewolves, sewer-mutants, Da Vincis and even a smattering of regular civilians who looked tired, angry, but overall fearless. According to Leonardo Da Vinci II, an android duplicate of the original from the far future, there had never been such an eclectic gathering of people in all of history. They had gathered — or been gathered — because the world, and life as they all knew it, hung in the balance. The world’s supervillains, led by a formerly low rate smuggler named Smuggles, had managed to do the unthinkable, they’d taken over the world, and in doing so they’d imprisoned most of the world’s heroes, world leaders, and superhero bloggers, in a secret prison. The oddball assembly was the Resistance, and at the moment each of them had their eyes on Murk. Some looked at him with confusion, he was by far the most eloquent mud monster they’d ever heard. Some looked at him in awe, over the past several weeks, Murk had rescued many of them from danger and had inspired them to join him in his fight. A few looked at him with pride, they knew him from before you see, and as far as they were concerned, that made his heroics their heroics.

(“I know that guy from before,”) Parenthetical Guy whispered to the warthog-mask wearing man sitting to his left. (“And as far as I’m concerned, that makes his heroics my heroics.)

{“I work with that guy, he does my taxes,”} Curly whispered, nudging Hatman who was looking forlornly toward the room’s exit. There were far too many people between him and it, and it was causing him no shortage of distress.

“When the heroes fell,” Murk continued. “It immediately became apparent that I, and many others like me, could no longer afford the luxury of standing to the side. For a long time I, and many of my ‘monstrous’ ilk have been more than happy to allow superheroes to handle the world’s problems for us. Whenever our homes, our lives, our world came under threat we all said to one another, ‘well, that looks like a job for superheroes,’ and we declined to act. When the heroes fell I saw how selfish I had been. And so I would like to be the first to extend my heartfelt thanks, and my sincerest apologies to the brave heroes who have gathered here today. I, along with my partner and friend, Lawyer Guy have gathered as many civilians as we could. Regular monsters and people who have cowered from or turned a blind eye to the acts of the villains who have dared to subjugate us, and we have come here to offer our assistance. If you’ll have us, we would like to help in any way we can.”

His speech concluded, Murk quickly sat down next to Lawyer Guy who smiled warmly at him. A few people sitting near him muttered polite words of affirmation toward the hulking mud man but everyone quickly became silent once more as somebody else strode to the head of the table.

Everybody in the room, everybody in the world, recognized the gold and white costume, the chiseled, stony features, and the piercing blue eyes of Ultiman. He was the superhero par excellence and when he clapped Murk on the shoulder and smiled widely, Murk’s ragtag civilian crew let out a collective sigh of relief.

“Thank you Murk,” Ultiman said. “Thank you everyone. As I’m sure you can see, our numbers are small but our members are dedicated and we are thrilled to be able to count each of you among us. I’m confident that, working together, we can depose Smuggles and his entire Consortium of Crime.”

                                                          ***

Smuggles’s Secret Prison

My name is Zachary Schechter and I’d been locked up for a while by the time anybody had made any noise about breaking out. You may know me as the creator, author, and only functioning brain behind How To Hero. Actually you definitely know me as that. It’s a very popular blog. Just take my word on this ok? I was in a secret prison because I allowed my subordinates to talk me into hiring a known supervillain to, let’s see, live in our basement and interject unwanted comments into my blog. As it would happen, this supervillain, Smuggles, took the job as part of some kind of protracted and complicated plan to take over the world. I should have seen that coming of course. That’s basically the only reason any supervillain does anything. For a few weeks I was alone there. Just sitting in a cell twiddling my thumbs. Trying to make conversation with the drones they had guarding the place. The only thing they’d given me to eat is fish. I imagine Chuck the Fish Whisperer had something to do with that. Frikkin supervillains and their sycophantic dedication to their own themes. But then a ton of superheroes ended up there with me, and I knew things on the outside had taken a decisive turn for the worse. The heroes were all stripped of their costumes and gear, and were given supervillain costumes instead. It’s all spikes, horns, and red contact lenses now. It’s a bit silly, but I think the idea is that if the heroes are dressed like villains and forced to do things like play evil charades and watch movies about heroes turning bad, then some of them might actually turn evil. Actually, I know that’s the idea, but I’ll get to that later. Eventually Cowboy Rockstar, the coolest hero of all time, decided to stage some kind of jailbreak. Which was great. And he wanted me to help him plan it, probably because of my proven expertise in all manner of superhero related topics. I bet it was my treatise on the many superheroic uses of drills that got his attention. There was just one teeny tiny problem though...

“So what do you think?” Cowboy Rockstar whispered.

“I think… I think that I designed this prison,” I whispered dejectedly.

“I beg your pardon?”

It was recreation time once again, and Giorgio the Evil Mime had selected an assortment of clips of superheroes becoming evil from various films and TV shows. It’s really shocking how many times Hollywood has returned to the well of “a superhero clad in red, white, and blue murders a person.” We must’ve watched like thirty different clips already. 

“Look, Mr. Rockstar, I appreciate you coming to me and all. It’s an honor to meet you and plot in hushed voices with you and everything. But I’m like 90% certain that I designed this prison. And I don’t know about you but Iitalics certainly wouldn’t have designed a prison that people could break outitalics of.”

Cowboy Rockstar furrowed his brow, “Ah, you’re saying this prison is… from your blog?”

I held up my hands defensively. “Hey, I know how it sounds but look around you. The costumes, the robots, the charades. It’s literally ripped straight from my post about running your own unsanctioned prison.”

“You wrote a guide to running an off the books blacksite for housing criminals?” Cowboy Rockstar arched an immaculate eyebrow. “That’s not really a very superheroic activity.”

“Huh. When you put it like that it’s really no wonder that the only person who seems to have implemented any of it is a supervillain who seems to have taken over the world.”

“He had help,” I heard somebody grumble from Cowboy Rockstar’s other side.

Helm Lady was one of the only Hatman proteges to both survive to adulthood and continue her career as a superhero, so it was hardly surprising that she’d been able to sneak up on us. 

“Helm Lady, good of you to join us!” Cowboy Rockstar said. “Zach over here was just telling me about how he designed this prison to be unescapable! Isn’t that exciting.”

“Hardly,” Helm Lady said glumly.

“I gotta agree with her on this one,” I said. 

“Are you kidding me? You’ve been given a rare opportunity to outdo yourself in a grandiose and practical way! You’ve been here longer than anybody. It seems like Smuggles has some kind of vendetta against you specifically, and so he’s used your own tactics against you! Now, with our help of course, you can show everybody that you’re smarter than you!” Cowboy Rockstar was gesticulating wildly at this point drawing a sharp and reproachful glare from warden Giorgio. 

“Hm,” I said, I had already written a guide to escapology. Maybe I’d already unwittingly outwitted myself. Besides, Smuggles’s prison wasn’t actually an exact copy of the one I’d designed on the blog. He’d had to make some changes to prevent it from having any real rehabilitative value. Dressing the prisoners like villains instead of heroes for instance. And villain costumes are very different from hero costumes. They’re like eighty percent sharp edges. I looked Cowboy Rockstar up and down. The costume they had him in had spikes up and down his arms. Maybe we could use them to pick the locks on our cell? We’d still have to deal with the robot guards and who knows what else. But maybe that was a place to start.

“Ok,” I said after a moment. “I’m sure we can come up with something, after all, as I say

on my blog, when you’re in a locked room, anything can be a key.” 

Cowboy Rockstar grinned and gestured around the room at the assorted superheroes that were locked in with us, “And we’ve certainly got an eclectic bunch of keys here haven’t we.”

I smiled and looked around the room, maybe this could actually work.

                                                         ***

“If I had an iPod and a busted time machine we could do this in a snappy montage and be out in no time,” I grumbled to Cowboy Rockstar.

It was the next day, and our recreation activity was something called “evil baseball.” There’s no batters, no outfield, and the only umpire was a deranged mime. The only real resemblance it had to regular “non-evil” baseball, was the fact that there were four bases, and players could steal bases. In fact, the game was pretty much just stealing bases. Because stealing is a crime get it? Ugh, the sooner we got out of there and stopped Smuggles the better. Cowboy Rockstar was manning first base for his team, and I’d just stolen first. I suspected it was because Helm Lady, the “pitcher” for Cowboy Rockstar’s team, had allowed me to get to first so we could chat. It might have been because I’m really athletic though. It’s hard to say. 

“I don’t think that’s how anything works,” Cowboy Rockstar said.

“Oh what do you know?”

“A lot, I’ve unknotted several time paradoxes you know. Some experts even say that I ‘invented’ the current iteration of this timeline.”

“Ah, so this is all your fault.”

“Nice try, I didn’t give Smuggles access to an interdimensional warp gate so he could free his fish whispering friend from his prison.”

“Touche.”

“What have you got?”

“I was thinking, we know that Smuggles has everybody’s powers neutralized inside this prison right?”

“Yes.”

“Well not every hero has powers to begin with,” I started. “And there are few people here with relevant talents that Smuggles can’t turn off.”

“Talents such as?”

Giorgio blew his whistle. Apparently I’d spent too long dawdling at first base without even trying to steal second.

“I guess whistling doesn’t go against the mime code of silence,” I grumbled as I started to edge off of first base. 

“Talents such as?” Cowboy Rockstar repeated before I took off.

I nodded towards his team’s second baseman.

“Being a giant rock monster with seven hands,” I said before racing off toward Rockblock.

                                                         ***

The next night I laid awake, staring up at the ceiling of my cell, going over what was slowly starting to look like a plan again and again. If Cowboy Rockstar could use the many razor sharp spikes on his villain costume to pick the locks on his cell, — and he’d assured me that he could, upside down, in his sleep — and then get to the others, Rockblock could probably serve as our muscle until we got out and the other heroes got their powers back. He’d need to fight off dozens of battle drones though. No, that wasn’t much of a plan. Muscle was great, but we’d need some other way to guarantee the drones would stay off of us until we got outside. I consulted the scrap of paper I had hidden in the palm of my hand, directed away from any prying eyes or cameras. The scrap had been discretely slipped into the pocket of my hoodie by Helm Lady. She’d managed to steal a pencil during Evil Mad Libs, and had taken the liberty of jotting down everybody who we knew was imprisoned here. “Our list of keys,” as Cowboy Rockstar had called it. We needed to keep the circle of people who knew that we were planning a breakout small for now. That way there’d be less of a chance of any villains or drones getting wind of it. So Cowboy Rockstar wanted me to identify anybody who might be especially useful in the actual breakout, whereupon we’d obviously free the rest of the prisoners. I consulted the list again, mentally sorting the manifest into those who had powers, and thus were less likely to be especially useful without the use of them, and those who didn’t have powers, and therefore were pretty much operating at 100% effectiveness. There’s another thing I didn’t account for in my own designs, sucks to be you Smuggles. That’s what happens when you build your top secret superhero prison based on the musings of a comedy blog instead of doing your own work you frikkin goon. I circled a couple of names on my illicit scrap of paper and was just about ready to smugly smile myself to sleep when I noticed a faint buzzing. My first thought was wall bees. You wouldn’t believe how often strange buzzing sounds in the How To Hero office ended up being bees in the wall. But this buzzing was more mechanical and well, I guess it must have been there since I was first thrown into this dump. I had managed to sublimate it into the background noise of my time here but now in the dead of the night I was able to really listen to it finally. I tentatively got off of my threadbare cot and walked the length of my small cell. The buzzing was, as I’d feared, strongest by the door. Which could only mean one thing. Door bees! No, I’m kidding, it meant that the old fashioned deadbolt lock was either just for show, or just one part of the cell doors’ security systems. There was some kind of electronic component as well. One that probably wouldn’t be able to be thwarted with some evil-looking spikes. I looked at my scrap once more, I’d have to have a conversation with one of the other prisoners tomorrow. 

                                                         ***

“Professor Flay,” I whispered as I took a seat next to a glasses-wearing black man decked out in a purple jumpsuit with a skull belt buckle. 

“Yes?” the man said, clearly startled, “I’m sorry I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“My name’s Zach, and I’m a fan of your Big Book of Fake Science.”

“Um, are you referring to my Complete Compendium of Improbable Science,” Professor Lucius Flay replied.

“Shoot, is that what it’s called? I knew it was something like that, only my buddy lost the cover and title page in a bet with a supervillain we knew who needed them to power his cover and title page powered doomsday device,” I explained quickly.

Professor Flay flared his nostrils, “And you have the nerve to insinuate that my science is fake. Is there a point to this, I don’t want to miss this performance.”

Our villainous rehabilitation activity for the day was “evil karaoke” only songs with the word “bad” in the title were allowed to be performed. Cowboy Rockstar was currently belting out an honestly breathtaking rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance”. It was an especially loud and especially drawn out version of the song, so that Professor Flay and I could converse in relative peace.

“What kind of scientist would you say you are Professor?”

“If you must know, I consider myself to be more or less omnidisciplinary,” Professor Flay said.

“That means you dabble in a little bit of everything right?”

“Everything scientific.”

“And that’s not a superpower thing right? You came by all that knowledge on your own?”

Professor Flay waved a dismissive hand at me, “Of course I did. I studied for years to get to where I am today. Sure I may have had to break a few time travel regulations to do it, but otherwise, I come by my intellect fair and square.”

“Excellent!” I shouted a little too loudly. “This is the best version of ‘Bad Romance’ I’ve ever heard!” I quickly added, to cover myself.

“Yeah it’s so good that they should call it ‘Good Romance!’” Rockblock shouted, no doubt trying to help me out.

Unfortunately though, that was the wrong thing to say. Giorgio the Mime certainly couldn’t allow anything gooditalics to happen in this evil facility, so he quickly put the kibosh on Cowboy Rockstar’s performance, much to the chagrin of everyone else in the room. I thought I even saw a drone flash a frowny face. The drones then started ferrying us out of the room and back to our individual cells.

“How much do you know about electronic locks?” I quickly asked as I pressed my scrap of paper in between Professor Flay’s belt and jumpsuit. 

Realization flashed across Professor Flay’s face. 

“Ah,” he said. “Enough.”

I hoped he was right.

                                                         ***

The next day our recreational activity was evil baking. There were several different stations set up in the auditorium, each with ingredients set up to make different evil foods. I ambled past “exploding pies”, “sentient food that will actively beg for its life as you eat it”, and “kale cookies�� before taking a seat next to Cowboy Rockstar at the “general poisons” table. Helm Lady and Rockblock were already there, and I noticed Helm Lady was taking special care not to touch any of the ingredients on the table. Rockblock, being made entirely out of stone and cando spirit, began handling the various herbs and toxins and following the recipe. I guess they’d decided that somebody at our table had to be doing something to avoid attracting any unwanted attention. 

“Where’s Professor Flay?” I asked.

“He just walked in,” Cowboy Rockstar said, nodding toward the door, where a contingent of drones were herding in another batch of prisoners. 

“Over here!” Rockblock bellowed, waving three of his giant hands while the other four mixed and mashed various ingredients.

“Quiet,” Helm Lady snarled. I was beginning to regret bringing Rockblock in on our plans so early. 

Still, Professor Flay managed to get the message and made his way over to our table.

“Hello everybody,” he said as he sat down next to Helm Lady. He wrinkled his nose as he caught a whiff of what Rockblock was mixing in his bowl. “What are we making?”

“Sulfide sausages,” Rockblock replied.

“Lovely.”

“So?” I asked, raising my eyebrow inquisitively at the professor.

Professor Flay glanced around and, confident that there were no drones within listening distance, leaned in conspiratorially.

“I can build the device you described but-”

“Hey guys, sorry I didn’t come right away. I wanted to do a lap to see if there were any other cooler tables,” a pale skinned man clad in black chainmail and sporting thick rimmed glasses said as he sat down at our table.

“Er… what?” I asked.

“I know Rockblock called me over, but I’m not just going to sit down at the first table that offers me a spot, am I?” the other man replied as if that were a perfectly normal thing to say.

“Uh, I was actually talking to Professor Flay,” Rockblock said.

The bespectacled man laughed, “Oh Rockblock, I’d heard your sense of humor was legendary.”

Rockblock looked confused but Helm Lady put a hand on one of his arms.

“What do you want Glassesman?” 

“Helm Lady! Great to see you. How’s the old man?”

“We don’t talk.”

“Oh, is that right? Poor Hats never could keep a protege.” 

“Glassesman.” I said, interjecting before things escalated. “You weren’t on the list. When did you get here?”

“Oh, just recently. I wasn’t captured with the rest of you in the first wave.”

Cowboy Rockstar ignored the jab and leaned forward. “Are you saying that Smuggles has found whatever resistance there is? Where’s Ultiman?”

“Keep your ten-gallon hat on buckaroo, the resistance is fine such as it is. I was deep undercover in Smuggles’ operation, but I got found out.”

“No surprise there. You probably started handing out promotional sunglasses to all the villains as soon as you got in there,” Helm Lady muttered.

“Hey, supervillains are a market I have yet to break into. This was a rare networking opportunity for me!”

What a tool.

“Enough,” Cowboy Rockstar said, making sure to keep his voice even.

“What’s with all the hushed tones,” Glassesman said, looking us all up and down.

“Ah,” he said when he’d completed his appraisal. “You’re planning a break out.”

“No we’re n-” Helm Lady started but Glassesman held up his hand.

“Oh please, you’ve got a scientist, a jack-of-all-trades, a bruiser, a non-powered combatant and a…” he faltered when he got to me.

“Blogger,” I said curtly.

Glassesman raised an eyebrow but kept going, “So don’t try to keep me out of this, I’m non-powered too, and I can fight better than a Hatb- sorry exitalics-Hatboy any day of the week.”

Cowboy Rockstar looked as though he was going to say something to get rid of Glassesman but he just sighed and gestured to Professor Flay.

“Fine, sure. Professor you were saying?”

“Um, well, yes. I can build the… device, you asked for but I can’t do it from thin air. I need something to work from.”

We all sat in silence for a moment. I guess it was too much to ask for an omni-disciplinaryitalics super-scientist to be able to whip up an EMP device out of whatever he could find in his prison cell. I’d be sure to inform whatever board certifies omni-disciplinary scientists to amend an asterisk to Professor Flay’s credentials when we got out of here.

“Could you build it out of whatever those things are made of?” Glassesman said, jerking a thumb towards one of the drones.

Professor Flay appraised it, “It appears to run on a lithioplasmic core with a carbon-electrum chassis. Assuming there’s a terrakon multispacial chip rattling around in or near its processor… Yes, I wouldn’t even need too much of it. Just a chunk from the chest if I had to guess.”

“Excellent,” Glassesman said before he stood up and flipped over our table. “And you can tell that cap clad crank that I’m twice the hero he ever was!”

Helm Lady smirked and wordlessly lunged at him, wrapping her long fingers around his neck. Professor Flay and I quickly took cover behind the table. Flay because he was a nerd and wasn’t about to get involved in a fist fight between two highly trained combatants. And me to protect Flay naturally. We needed him fit enough to build us the EMP, I couldn’t exactly leave him. Cowboy Rockstar jumped on Glassesman’s back and tried to pull him away while Rockblock scrambled to gather up the ingredients from his poison. A stray pellet of congealed arsenic bounced over to me and I scooped it up into my hoodie. You never know, right? 

In a minute several drones were trundling over to our little group trying to break up the fight. They’d just about managed to pry Cowboy Rockstar, Glassesman and Helm Lady apart when Rockblock let out a deafening roar and joined the fray, sending a handful of drones flying as he growled something incoherent about how hard he’d been working on perfecting his recipe. By this time the other assembled heroes were all looking toward us, but before anybody else could get any ideas about joining the riot, more drones than I’d even realized were in the prison poured into the auditorium and surrounded my friends. Finally managing to pull them apart.

The rest of the heroes, myself and Professor Flay included, were now being rounded up by some of the drones while most of them were being engaged by six of Rockblock’s giant fists. As we walked by though, I noticed his seventh appendage experly flick a chunk of metal in our direction. I stumbled slightly, bending over quickly to grab the robot chunk. And then discretely passed it to Professor Flay before we were split off to return to our own cells.

“I’ll have it done before tonight,” he said to me as he palmed the misshapen blob of metal and wiring. 

I nodded and smiled, by that time tomorrow we’d be out of that forsaken prison and saving the world.

                                                         ***

Night fell, and I paced anxiously around the length of my cell. Assuming Professor Flay was able to work as quickly as he claimed he was able to. And assuming Rockblock had gotten him exactly what he needed. And assuming Cowboy Rockstar and Glassesman and Helm Lady were able to pick the locks on their cells when the time came. And assuming Rockblock could keep any guards off of us. And assuming- Well, there were a lot of assumptions before I’d be tasting fresh air. Our plan was hardly fool proof, and we had at least two or three fools on our team, depending on who you asked. We were making a few too many assumptions for my liking. But it was the best we had, so I guess that was that. There was nothing I could do except wait for something to happen. 

And when something happened, everything happened.

First there was a deafening boom, followed by a shockwave that traveled quickly throughout the cell block. If I hadn’t been deafened by the explosion, I would have noticed that the electronic buzzing I’d heard had gone silent. Professor Flay’s homebrewed EMP had worked. I ran to the door and saw several guard drones collapsed on the ground. Their cybernetic features were blank. 

Seconds later three cell doors swung open and Cowboy Rockstar, Helm Lady, and Glassesman strode out. Glassesman looked especially smug, even though he was the last one out. The other two were such pros, they decided to let it slide. They quickly started working on picking the locks on the other cells. Helm Lady sprung Rockblock first, just in case there were any drones outside the EMP’s radius that might’ve been trundling our way. Professor Flay’s EMP was a one-shot kind of deal so we’d have to fight or evade any other drones we encountered. 

“So far so good eh?” Cowboy Rockstar grinned as he unlocked the door to my cell.

“So far, yeah,” I said anxiously. “We’re pretty much flying blind from here on out th- Woah!”

I took a step back into my cell as Cowboy Rockstar became enveloped in a brilliant white light. I stood agape as he began hovering a few inches off the ground and the light faded into his body. 

“What was that?” I asked.

Cowboy Rockstar landed adroitly on the ground and checked his pulse with two of his fingers.

“It’s… I think the EMP must have shorted out whatever device was neutralizing our powers in here,” Cowboy Rockstar said. His fists began crackling with energy.

I looked up and down the hall of cells. Powerful glows or crumpled cell doors told me that many of the other heroes were starting to regain access to their powers. 

“Well that certainly changes the game,” I said as I began taking stock of all of the new keys we’d just acquired.

                                                         ***

We quickly divided into a few teams: 

Team One: Nightron, Foresight P. Jones, and Intangi-Bill. None of us had been outside since we’d arrived in the prison and so none of us actually knew where the exit was. Team one would use their respective speed, supervision and intangibility in concert to find a way out.

Team Two: Cowboy Rockstar, Rockblock, and Cannonballer: Baller of Cannons. Our heavy hitters. If anybody could break straight through the walls that surrounded us to the outside it was them.

Team Three: Professor Flay, Electrobug, Digitalized, Psionica. They set about trying to cobble together weapons and gear from the broken husks of the drones that we had at our disposal.

Team Four: Captain Patriot, Brad the Radioactive Man, Amphin, Glassesman, Helm Lady and the Human Wall. The best offense is a strong defense, and if any of our other teams were going to have any hope of doing what they needed to do, they’d need somebody keeping Giorgio and whatever drones he could scrounge together off of their backs. 

Team Five: Dr. Hemer, Knife Knurse, and Super Surgeon. A lot of heroes were suffering painful side-effects either from the sudden reemergence of their superpowers or the power-deprivation they’d been suffering since they’d gotten here. Anybody who had any sort of medical knowledge would tend to them until we get help on the outside.

Team Six: Just me. My job was to come up with the team names and I’m not ashamed to admit that I totally phoned it in.

I was sitting back and taking stock of the other teams’ progress when a gust of wind informed me of Nightron’s return. 

“We’re not the only prisoners here,” he said panting, parts of his supervillain costume were singed, he must have encountered other guards elsewhere in the facility.

“You’re sure?” I asked frantically. I’m not sure why it had never occurred to me that there might be other prisoners somewhere in this facility. But I had only ever seen the heroes that were in that corridor at communal recreational events.

“Positive, there are maybe five or six other cell blocks just like this one. They’ve got dozens of other superheroes here. But that’s not all. World leaders, para-folk, some civilians. I think I even saw some sort of zoo,” Nightron said.

“Probably for animal sidekicks and the like,” I mused aloud. “Were you followed back here?”

“No, but they saw who I was. I’m sure they know where I’m supposed to be. It won’t be long before we have company here.”

“You’re right. Professor, how are those weapons coming!” I shouted towards where Team Three was working.

“My EMP seems to have worked a little too well, there’s no resteoring powers to these machines, but Psionica has managed to use her telekinetic abilities to reform some chunks of metal into clubs.”

“That’ll have to do,” I said. “Nightron, grab a few of those clubs, if anybody comes you’ll join Team Four. Hit them hard and hit them fast.”

“But what about the other prisoners?” Nightron protested.

“We need to break ourselves out before we can worry about anybody else,” Glassesman said.

“I hate to admit it but he’s right,” Helm Lady agreed.

“Yeah but-” and then, in a whoosh he was gone, because it was at that moment that a platoon of drones filed into our hallway. Two of them hit the ground, their CPUs bashed in by Nightron, before the rest of us even registered what was happening but once we did, the rest of Team Four, sprung into action. 

“Zach, over here,” Professor Flay called.

I ran over to him, he passed me a makeshift club and we formed a defensive ring around our medics and the wounded along with the rest of Team Three.

“We are through!” Cannonballer: Baller of Cannons cried.

We helped Team Five get to the large gap in the wall that Team Two had formed as Rockblock and Cowboy Rockstar went to join the fray in the corridor. 

“We may have problem,” Cannonballer: Baller of Cannons muttered to us as we joined her outside.

Problem was an understatement. For one thing, the sky was a murky blend of purples, oranges, and reds, and I know I haven’t been doing a ton of “world-building” in this dramatic account of my escape from a supervillain run supermax, but the sky we were all used to seeing was definitely blue. The ground we were standing on was somehow both dusty and crumbly. Every step we took sent a cloud of dust and ground flakes into the air. And we couldn’t see any other signs of life or civilization anywhere at all. I had always assumed that we would be somewhere inconspicuous but local, so that Smuggles could keep an eye on us, but it appeared as though we were in the middle of nowhere with no way of getting to the middle of anywhere. 

“What… What is this place?” Professor Flay said.

“Beats me,” I said with a shrug. When I designed this prison for How To Hero I recommended finding a large unused building with reinforced walls that was situated in a place that no cops would ever be caught dead anywhere near. There are literally four or five places like that within a twenty block radius of How To Hero headquarters so where the hell were we. Unless… crap.

“Atomspace,” I said. “We’ve been shrunken down and sent to a prison in Atomspace.”

“Well,” Professor Flay said, taking in our otherworldly surroundings. “That creates a wrinkle in our plans doesn’t it.”

“It certainly does,” I agreed.

And that’s when everything went black.

                                                         ***

I awoke, chained to a chair, in what may very well have been the most garishly decorated room I had ever seen. And Parenthetical Guy once painted our office neon green and creamsicle orange so that was saying something. The walls were all a deep blood red and there were various supervillainous accoutrements mounted all over the walls. Scary looking masks, futuristic blasters, esoteric looking staffs. A giant serpent’s head wearing oversized sunglasses was mounted on the wall directly opposite me. Below the serpent head sat an ornate, obsidian desk with a high backed leather chair behind it. The carpet was the color of rotting bones, which made a lot of sense when I realized that it wasn’t really a carpet at all, but rather a mat made entirely of very thin bone fragments. Bone fragments that were incredibly sharp at the ends. 

“Ouch!” I yelped as I lifted my feet slightly off of the ground.

“Well look who’s finally awake,” a snide voice to my left said.

I turned my head and my heart dropped. Joining me in this chilling chamber were the rest of my friends: Cowboy Rockstar, Helm Lady, Professor Flay and Glassesman were chained to chairs like mine while Rockblock’s hulking form was chained to the wall on the far side of the room. The humans in the chairs also had their feet up in various positions. Rockblock was stuck standing on the bone floor, but at least he didn’t seem to mind.

“What happened?” I asked groggily.

“We were all knocked unconscious after we broke through the prison walls,” Professor Flay explained. “Cerebral implants I’d guess.”

“You’re saying we were all chipped?” I said, bewildered. “That’s crazy. Why weren’t we all knocked out as soon as we broke out of our cells?”

“Because I wanted to see the look on your face when you realized you were in Atomspace.”

All of our heads snapped towards the door where a man wearing a dark gray catsuit, a bright orange domino mask, and heavy metal boots strode into the room. “Do you like how I’ve decorated? Greg the Skeleton King referred me to his interior design guy.”

“That explains the bones,” Helm Lady muttered.

“And the hellfire!” Cowboy Rockstar proclaimed. “From right before we were captured, I’d been wondering about that.”

“Smuggles,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Zachary,” he said curtly. “Mr. How To Hero himself, how does it feel to be so utterly defeated by someone you’ve spent years ridiculing on your infantile blog?”

“I’ll let you know when it happens,” I said.

“Always with the clever little jokes,” Smuggles said as he took a seat in the leather chair and steepled his fingers. “You have been utterly defeated though. I’ve been following your little escape attempt from the very beginning. My people are not idiots you know. We’ve been listening to every conversation, watching your every move. The riot in the cafeteria was especially amusing.” He nodded at Rockblock who just grunted in response. “Quite frankly, you got further than I expected you to. But I’m glad you did, because now you have to admit that I’ve completely bested you. You’ve been thoroughly trounced Zachary. Who’s the laughingstock now?”

I narrowed my eyes, trying to think of a way out of this for myself and my friends, when Glassesman burst out laughing. Smuggles’s eye flashed with rage and he slammed a hand down on his desk.

“I’m sorry, is something amusing here?”

“No no… Well yeah, sorry, it’s just… You got every supervillain to band together, captured most of the superheroes, and basically took over the entire world just to get back at some low rate blogger?”

“Hey, uncalled for!” I shouted.

“I’m sorry it’s just a bit ridiculous don’t you think?” 

“Honestly, I kind of agree with him,” Helm Lady said sheepishly.

“I legitimately thought this whole thing was about me,” Cowboy Rockstar admitted. “I’m kind of a big deal you know, being a semigod and all that.”

“Don’t you mean demigod?” Professor Flay asked, doing a little wiggle shake to get his chair facing Cowboy Rockstar.

“Oh, I’m that too. But I’m talking about the cult I inadvertently inspired that has deified me,” Cowboy Rockstar explained.

Smuggles banged his fist down on his desk again.

“Enough!” he shouted, before cradling his fist in his other hand. “Now that your merry band has been epically thwarted and humiliated, I must decide on your punishment. I’m not about to risk you lot plotting another breakout.”

My mind started racing for a way out. This was the first time I had come face to face with Smuggles since he’d unleashed Chuck the Fish Whisperer in the How To Hero basement. Until now I hadn’t realized just how much of what was happening revolved around me. I didn’t even realize Smuggles had been familiar with my blog before we hired him. Maybe I could work with that. 

“Do your worst Smuggles. I guarantee you it won’t be anything worse than what actual villains have done to me,” I said, affixing my most smug expression on my features.

“What are you talking about?” Smuggles said, clearly thrown.

“I mean come on. I lived with a real supervillain before. Remember Dr. Brainwave?” 

“Wait, what?” Helm Lady said. “You lived with Dr. Brainwave? We’ve been looking for him for years!” 

“Yeah well I don’t know what to tell you,” I said.

“Brainwave was a sentimental hack. Killing him was child’s play.” Smuggles said through mounting anger.

I faltered for a moment. So Smuggles had been the one who had mailed that bomb to our office? He was the reason Dr. Brainwave was dead? Sure the guy was a supervillain, but at the end of the day he had been my… my friend. And he’d sacrificed his life to save mine and my friends’. The fact that I was sitting less than three feet away from his murderer was almost too much to bear. Still, there’d be plenty of time to deal with him later. Assuming my plan worked.

“Still before you killed him he made my life miserable. You’ve read my blog, I’m sure you know all about it. So I honestly doubt that anything you plan to do can compare.”

Smuggles literally shook with rage, “I can… I can killitalics you! You ever think about that?” 

Cowboy Rockstar grinned, “Good luck with that.”

Ok, honestly I’m not sure what thatitalics was about. Is Cowboy Rockstar immortal? Has anybody ever checked that? Regardless, I decided to just roll with it.

“Do your worst.” I said.

“Guys!” Glassesman shouted exasperated. “I love taunting a bad guy as much as the next guy, but maybe we should all ease up a bit!”

“Oh relax,” I said. “Smuggles is a Z-lister trying to kick it with the big kids. He can’t just shoot us or something. If he wants to be a world-dominating evil monster he’s going to have to come up with a suitably ostentatious way to kill us and honestly, he doesn’t have the imagination. Just look at his face, this is clearly eating at him.”

It was as though a lightbulb went off over Smuggles’s head. His face warped from grimace to grin and he strode around to the other side of his desk.

“I’ve already succeeded in taking over the world and routing your beloved superheroes. I hardly need to prove myself to the likes of you. You can expect to be executed in a ‘suitable ostentatious manner’ shortly.”

I was all read to shoot back a witty retort when everything went black again.

                                                         ***

I awoke to the sound of cheering, which made me feel pretty good. I don’t often get cheered for waking up. I’m sure Cowboy Rockstar was feeling pretty regular though, people cheer for everything that guy does. I was in the center of a gladiatorial arena, the stands were packed with guard drones and more than a few supervillains. The presence of so many of them here sent a shiver down my spine. Had Smuggles really been able to recruit and control so many supervillains? Next to me, my friends laid in a rumpled heap, all of them still unconscious with the exception of…

“Now look what you’ve done,” Professor Flay said sternly. 

I turned to look at him and saw the abject fear sketched across his features.

“Relax Prof, everything’s going to be ok.”

“How can you say that! Look at us! We’re in an arena surrounded by bloodthirsty supervillains for god’s sake!”

“It’s not the supervillains you should be worrying about, it’s whatever’s going to come out of that gate,” I said, pointing to a massive (well, massive relative to our shrunken selves) gate directly opposite us.

Professor Flay shuddered, “I imagine the others are still unconscious to prevent them from being able to do anything against whatever that might be.”

I nodded, “It makes sense, Smuggles doesn’t want to risk anything going wrong.”

“But I still want the satisfaction of watching at least some of you soil yourselves in fear,” Smuggles said as his smug visage appeared on a floating jumbotron that was hovering over the arena.

“You’ll never get away with this you knave!” Professor Flay shouted.

“Oh Professor, I already have. I think I’ll make today an international holiday going forward,” Smuggles said as he leaned back from the camera so we could see his entire upper body on the screen. He was sitting on a golden throne and his fingers were hovering above a big red button. I assumed whatever was waiting behind the gate would be released at the press of that button. And why prolong the inevitable.

“Why don’t you come down here so I can wipe that smug expression off of your face, you absolute goober!” I called up to Smuggles.

Smuggles frowned, “Goodbye Zach, you will not be missed.” 

His finger pressed the button. The gate started to ascend. Professor Flay sighed and rolled up his sleeves. I had to admire him, he wasn’t planning on going down without some sort of fight. As the gate rose the cheers of the crowd grew even more fevered. I think I even saw a sign that said “Cowboy Suckstar.” Rude. After what seemed like an eternity the gate was finally fully open and a ferocious roar shook the stadium as a massive beast lumbered into the arena. The ginormous monster truly had it all. Dozens of eyes, face tentacles, spikes, a flaming tail. I had to admit this would certainly be a suitably ostentatious way to die. Of course, I wasn’t about to let Smuggles get his way was I?

“Good god what is that thing?” Professor Flay said as he backed away from the giant monster. 

“It’s our way out,” I said calmly as I climbed on top of Rockblock’s comatose body, put two fingers in my mouth and whistled sharply.

“What are you doing?” Professor Flay shouted at me as the monster began galloping towards us on all fours.

I looked down at Professor Flay and smiled, “See you on the other side Prof.”

And then the monster ate me.

#how to hero #comedy #superheroes #comics #funny #hilarious #guide #saving the world #Smuggles #Hatman #Parenthetical Guy #Curly #Lawyer Guy #Murk #Zach #Ultiman #Cowboy Rockstar #Helm Lady #Glassesman #Rockblock #Giorgio the Evil Mime #Professor Lucius Flay #Amphin #Cannonballer: Baller of Cannons #Nightron #Electrobug #Foresight P. Jones #Intangi-Bill #Brad the Radioactive Man #Captain Patriot

[kmomof4]

For the fic-writer meme: all of them! 😁 and if you wanna pick five to ask Hollye, I’ll ask the other five lol 😂😘

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Our secret is out!!! Yes, @hollyethecurious you were right! We conspired to get you to answer all 10 of the questions!!! There is more than one way to de-fur a feline, dontcha know! 😁

Anywho... Hollye also asked for #6, and @snowbellewells asked for 5, 7, 8, and 10.

I’m sorry it took me so long to get to these. It’s been a busy week and I really had to think about some of these! But without further ado, here we go! Under the cut, unless Tumblr ate it.

1. What’s your personal favorite thing you wrote this year? 

My personal favorite fic I wrote this year is a tie between Of Darkness, Vampires, and Soulmates, The Moon... Tells the Sea, and State of Emergency: Code White. The first two both written for last summers CSSNS. I don’t have to tell you, Kayla, how much I loved your artwork that inspired TMTtS, but that fic was just so EASY to write. Your artwork just told the whole story and all I had to do was write it down. I want to say that it only took me a couple of weeks to write, once I really sat down and started writing, in the midst of lockdown and the school year coming to a close. And then had to wait like 6wks or something to post it!!!! That was REALLY tough!!! ODVS is a favorite because I loved the premise so much and how hard it was to actually write it. I started working on it in earnest in November of last year, but didn’t finish it until April. I came dangerously close to giving up on it several times but @hollyethecurious and @profdanglaisstuff were the ones who made sure I didn’t. So just by sheer fact of what it took me to finish it makes it a favorite. And finally SoE: CW was a favorite because I wanted to write it for a year before I finally sat down to do it. And while it was hard in that it was entirely out of my own head, I was so happy with how it turned out.

2. What’s your least favorite thing you wrote this year?

Least favorite fic was probably Chosen, Protected, & Saved, written for the CS Movie Marathon.  I wasn’t finished with it when my posting date came around, and so I feel like the ending floundered a bit. I wasn’t overly thrilled with it.

3. Which of your fics was most different from what you usually write?

I will have to say Of Darkness, Vampires, and Soulmates, linked above. Just about everything I had written up to that point was inspired and/or heavily influenced by some other type of media, either book, movie, or show canon. This was really the first fic that came entirely out of my own head. I don’t really count Arise, My Love because it was basically PWP, just with vampires. This was the first fully fleshed out and plot driven fic out of my own head. There we go, that’s better. It was also the darkest thing I had, and still have, ever written.

4. Which of your fics this year was most successful?

By kudos on ao3, The Moon... Tells the Sea, linked above, sitting at 75. I’m not gonna try and determine the most successful on Tumblr...

5. Which of your fics do you wish was more successful?

I wish that Of Darkness, Vampires, and Soulmates, linked above, had been more successful. Of all the fics I’ve written, that one was the hardest and took the longest to write. So I wish that more people had read and enjoyed it. But I also know that supernatural and vampire fics aren’t on a lot of folks “must read” lists, so I try to keep a balance between that wish and that knowledge.

6. What’s your favorite piece of dialogue you wrote this year?

Off the top of my head, I’d have to say this scene from Ch2 of Chosen, Protected, & Saved, linked above. This scene in the movie, The Golden Child, is what inspired the entire fic.  

Emma and Killian somehow made it through customs with the dagger after arriving back in the States. The only thing they could figure was that since the dagger itself was magical, it was magically shielded from anyone but magic wielders.  As they exited the arrivals gate, he startled when he spied the man from his dream, the Dark One, coming toward him followed by several Boston police officers. He sauntered towards them, making a show of the gold tipped cane he carried. He was dressed differently than in his dream with a long greatcoat, in what looked like crocodile skin. Killian felt a chill run down his spine. The coat matches his smile, he thought.

“That’s the man. Killian Jones. If he doesn’t return my property, I want him arrested.”

Killian’s heart raced. He drew Emma’s attention to their adversary as his mind furiously tried to figure out how to get out of the coming confrontation. An idea came to him suddenly and he elbowed Emma, whispering to her to let him do the talking.

“Welcome home, Mr. Jones. You have something for me?” he asked, holding out his hand with a smug smile on his face.

Killian stared into the face that he had only seen in a dream. He looked at Emma, naked fear on her face, at the cops behind the Dark One, and then back at the man or demon before him. He couldn’t help the smirk that broke over his face as he anticipated playing the Dark One like a fiddle.

“I’m sorry, Rumple,” he loudly lamented, reaching for the lapels of the man before him. The Dark One stared at him, utterly taken aback. It only took a moment however, before his face grew red with extreme irritation as Killian released him and turned toward the crowded terminal. “Everyone,” he shouted, drawing the attention of all the people hurrying to catch their flights, “I should be punished. I have stolen from my brother, Rumple.” The Dark One’s jaw clenched with annoyance as Killian continued with his theatrics. Emma looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. “Officer,” he continued, pointing at the officers behind the Dark One, “It is your duty to take me in. Please,” he moved toward them holding his wrists out in front of himself, “I am ashamed of myself. I should be arrested.” He walked down the line of officers. “I should be flogged. I don’t deserve to walk among free men.”

Killian repeated his tirade until the Dark One grabbed his arm, motioning toward the officers in a placating manner. “Let me have a word with him, please.”

Killian felt himself being pulled away from the officers, so he turned his attention to Emma and raised his voice once again.

“Emma, I am a swine. You must know what kind of man I am, before we go any further in our dalliance. I am a wretch. I don’t deserve to live.” He winked at her and saw her fear and confusion morph into reluctant amusement. She shook her head as the corner of her mouth lifted in half a smile. He finally turned toward the furious Dark One before him.

“How long do you think you can keep up this miserable masquerade?” he hissed, his eyes blazing with his wrath.

“Well, until I get arrested.” He grinned cockily at him. “Or until you realize the rules of evidence in this country.” The Dark One raised his head slightly and Killian could just see a trace of unease in his eyes. He turned serious. “See, if I get arrested, they take me and put me in a jail cell. And then they take the knife, because it’s a stolen object, and they put that in a little room, and they put ‘Exhibit A,’ a little sticker that says ‘Exhibit A’ on it.” He mimed putting a sticker on something. “And the knife sits in a room and I sit in my room until the trial commences. And that can be anywhere from a month to a year. So if you get me arrested, there’s no telling when you will get your knife.” Killian broke into a wide grin at having the upper hand, thoroughly enjoying himself as he watched a vein pulse in the Dark One’s forehead. He could just imagine what the demon’s blood pressure was at this moment.

“You have no idea who I am, have you?” he sneered.

“Why, yes,” he exclaimed. “You’re my brother Rumple!” He let out an amused chuckle as the Dark One struggled to keep his rage under control. “Look, I know exactly who you are,” Killian’s eyes turned hard and his easy going smile disappeared, “Dark One.” The man before him nearly turned white in fury. Killian’s heart skipped a beat, but he plowed ahead, his own anger coming to the surface. “But, here’s the thing. I. Don’t. Care.” He punctuated each word with a poke to the demon’s chest. “I do care that you kidnapped Henry, though.”

“I could destroy you,” he snapped his fingers in the air, “just like that.”

Killian’s eyebrow raised in bored amusement. “Well, we’ll see about that.” He turned and looked back over at Emma and the officers still waiting off to the side. “Look, I am not going to be giving you this knife. And you do not want to get me arrested. And I will find Henry,” he sneered and snapped his fingers in the Dark One’s face, “just like that.” He patted the demon’s cheek. “See you soon.” He turned back toward the crowd, all smiles and held his arms out as if he wanted to embrace them all. “My brother has forgiven me! Emma, Brother Rumple has forgiven me!” He turned back to the seething Dark One and clapped him on the shoulder in an awkward embrace. “Dear Brother, thank you, thank you, thank you.” He then kissed him loudly on the cheek in a final taunt before releasing him and leading Emma into the crowd.

7. What’s your favorite piece of description or narration?

@searchingwardrobes betaed The Moon... Tells the Sea, linked above, and she told me that it was the most descriptive thing I’d ever written. That comment put me OVER THE MOON. And when I went back and read it the other day, I had to agree. I spent a lot of time describing the woods, Emma and Killian in their wolf forms, and just the general setting. It was so gratifying to hear that from a fellow author that I GREATLY admire and enjoy. I am also very proud of the Prologue of Chosen, Protected, & Saved, linked above, when I described Henry’s room before he is kidnapped.

8. Which fic this year was most fun to write?

I’d have to say that I had the most fun writing either The Moon... Tells the Sea, linked above, or the second chapter of Somewhere Out There. They were both relatively easy to write and I loved how they both turned out.

9. If you could go back and change something about one of the fics you wrote this year, what would it be?

I would change the circumstances around posting Chosen, Protected, and Saved and I’d probably work on the final battle more. I just wasn’t that happy with it.  

10. What, if anything, are you going to try to do differently in your writing in the new year?

I’m gonna try and make more time to write. Since writing Chosen, Protected, & Saved, linked above, I’ve hardly written anything. I love reading and flailing more than anything so writing is very easy to set aside when I’ve got a lot of reading on my agenda, but I’m also bad about putting it on a back burner when RL comes calling. I think just setting the boundary of “I’m gonna write for one hour today” would go a long way toward keeping my mood up and help me get the fics I’ve got notes on in my docs actually written and posted. So we’ll see how that goes.

Thank you all for the asks @allons-y-to-hogwarts-713, @hollyethecurious, and @snowbellewells! Love y'all!!! 😘

[allofmystudentsrunaway]

Doctor Linda Martin: Therapist to the multiverse

Linda was finally learning to spot them when they came sauntering in her office. She wasn’t sure how the word had gotten out that she was a specialist, but it had and now her client list was growing exponentially. At least for a certain kind of client.

It had started innocently enough with adopted siblings, an easy case of fraternal rivalry or so she thought until the blonde haired one said; “Then he kidnapped our elderly father and lost him.”

“I did not lose him” the dark haired one snorted miming quotation marks in the air. “Odin went to Norway because he wanted to.”

“Odin?” Linda had asked, already feeling slightly sick and not really wanting an answer.

“Yes Odin Allfather, king of Asgard; our Dad, he died recently” The giant blonde one looked away, his brother patted him on the shoulder gently.

“I’m sorry for your loss” Linda, made a note, these boys would need grief counselling. “So Mr Odinson-”

“Call me Thor”

“Okay” She shook herself . ‘just another client, they are just another case’, she reminded herself while ignoring the incredulous scream constricting her chest, why was the multiverse doing this to her? She smiled brightly at the dark haired one “And what should I call you?”

“Loki, god of mischief”

“I’m the god of thunder” Thor interjected, a smug smile tugging at his bearded lips. Linda amended her notes to ‘serious competitive sibling rivalry’.

And that was how it started. Some of her clients were easier to deal with than others. The blonde thirty something vampire slayer with the complicated love life was just after some perspective, the teenager in the spiderman suit missed his Dad and struggled with his identity, but there were others who stretched her capabilities. The Doctor, for instance, who never seemed to show up with the same face for more than two appointments in a row and who had once brought a past Scottish version of his/her/ themselves to a session for ‘anger management’ strategies.

Then there was these two, Linda peered over her glasses at them in resignation. Dean was sat at the extreme end of the couch arms folded, pointedly looking away from Castiel. Who for his part just stared at him with pleading puppy dog eyes. “So how have things been going since our last session?”

“Jack killed my Mom” Dean growled.

“This would be your son Jack?”

“Yes,” Castiel interjected “But it wasn’t his fault he burnt off his soul killing the Arch-angel Michael and-”

“Okay,” Linda sighed and looked down at her notebook. Only three pages left that wasn’t going to be enough, she leaned down and picked up a fresh one. “lets start at the beginning.” These two were so tangled in denial, it was a wonder they managed to walk straight; straight Linda allowed herself a small chuckle, there was nothing straight about either of them. At least she could get some more pointers on how not to raise a nephilim. She wrote ‘don’t let Charlie burn his soul off’ in capital letters in the margin of her notes and circled it twice.

Linda was trying to eat her lunch when without even knocking, her newest client strutted in and threw his tall gangly, sunglasses wearing form on to her couch with an overly dramatic groan. She put down her bagel and glared at him. “Do you have an appointment?”

“do I need an appointment? I was told it was drop in on Thursdays.” Another English accent, he sounded familiar, looked familiar too.

“It’s Wednesday.”Linda narrowed her eyes, “Is that you Doctor?”

“I thought you were the Doctor?”genuine puzzlement.

“I am, forget it long day.” Linda stood up and rounded her desk, holding out her hand. Her visitor bowed deeply and kissed her knuckles, his skin was hot almost feverish.

“Anthony J. Crowley at your service.” He swept off his sunglasses, revealing lizard like yellow eyes. Linda wondered if he was trying to shock her. She sat down and picked up yet another new notebook. She wrote his name on the cover and then on the first page, ‘Anthony has an exhibitionist streak and a deeply performative nature’.

“So Anthony, why have you decided to come to therapy today?” he had put his sunglasses back on and was looking at her with his mouth open. “You are not my first demon.”

“I didn’t mean to fall, just hung around with the wrong crowd.”

“I um, have a problem with an angel” he leapt to his feet gesturing wildly “or rather I have a problem with my feelings for an Angel and I would quite like it to stop.”

“I see” Linda took off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

“You see? How can you possibly see? It’s hardly a common problem is it? Bet people walk in your office everyday saying; ‘Doctor help me, I’m in love with the Angel who helped me stop the apocalypse!’.”

“You would be surprised, sit down please.”

“Really?” Crowley asked. Linda nodded and wondered if perhaps she should set up some sort of group therapy session.

“Fridays at four o’clock suit you?”

“Yes I suppose.”

“Now tell me all about it.”

“Well, it all started in the garden of Eden...”

#lucifer netflix #linda martin #spn #destiel #doctor who #marvel #good omens #crowley

[chelsfic]

Guillermo the Heartless - Guillermo x Nandor (part two to the so-called oneshot)

WWDITS Masterlist <-- click for part one

Summary: Nandor is nervous about his ex-master, Simon the Devious, coming to the house.

A/N: Really? Really, Chels?

Warnings: Non-con, Dub-con, Stockholm Syndrome, Past abuse, Hand-feeding kink, Praise kink, Sex slave, Vampire Guillermo/Human Nandor, Dom/Sub, Dead dove--please.

---

“How do I look?”

Nandor secures the final button on his master’s cardigan and steps back. Guillermo is dressed in dark wash denim jeans, gleaming patent leather shoes, a black dress shirt and one of his signature sweaters--the black and gold striped cardigan. Nandor’s eyes roam up and down the vampire’s body, lingering on his favorite parts: his full, round belly, his thick thighs, the deceptively soft-looking hands, the stubbled edge of his jaw...his pouty lips. Nandor swallows, a blush visible above the line of his full beard.

“You look beautiful, master,” He answers truthfully, meeting Guillermo’s eyes for a second before quickly lowering his gaze. Guillermo has never punished him for admitting to his impertinent attraction and...feelings. But Nandor still feels the raw edge of panic whenever he feels as though he’s let too much slip out. 

The vampire steps closer, reaching out and wrapping impossibly strong hands around Nandor’s biceps, squeezing gently. Guillermo could easily break his arms, liquefying his bones with the flick of a wrist. Nandor thinks about the scars on his legs, his arms, his chest, his back. No, no, no. Guillermo will never hurt him...not like that. Guillermo is good. Guillermo gives him food and clothes and he buys him books and movies. He doesn’t force him to live in a cage no bigger than a dog crate. He doesn’t glamour him into paralysis and torture him. He doesn’t...He isn’t…

“Baby...” Guillermo’s soft tone cuts through the invasive thought spiral consuming Nandor’s mind, “tell me what’s wrong.”

Nandor clears his throat, looking up and holding his master’s gaze as he responds, “I’m just...a little nervous…”

Guillermo lifts his hands to cup Nandor’s cheeks and Nandor flinches dramatically before settling into the soft touch. His ass still stings from the spanking he’d received the previous night for questioning his master’s plan. He doesn’t want to be bad again, but he’s so scared…

“Because Simon is coming,” Guillermo states, not really needing a confirmation but Nandor nods anyway. 

“Mmhmm,” Nandor squeaks and then remembers himself, “Yes, master.”

Guillermo smiles at him, finding something about all this amusing, and Nandor’s heart skips a beat. His master has a megawatt smile and it feeds his soul to see it, even if he’s unsure whether or not Guillermo is laughing at him or trying to comfort him.

“Have you eaten yet?” Guillermo asks and Nandor’s brain takes a second to adjust to the rapid change of topic.

He shakes his head slowly, big brown eyes looking down into his master’s with a childish look of guilt.

Guillermo huffs a laugh, “Were you waiting for me?”

Nandor nods, letting his lips curl upward in a cautious smile. Guillermo rolls his eyes. 

“Alright. Come on, baby.”

Guillermo leads the way into the back of the house to the little kitchen. They don’t always do this anymore, but Nandor is feeling especially shaky and vulnerable tonight. Being fed from his master’s hand was once a degradation that filled him with burning embarrassment. Now it’s the ultimate comfort to Nandor. It makes him feel small, cared for and--most importantly--safe. His master cares about him enough to cook for him and feed him with his own hands. 

“What do you feel like having?” Guillermo asks, opening up the cupboards over the stove to peer at the contents. Nandor looms at his side. He’s far taller than his master but, somehow, he feels smaller in his presence. He reaches up to the top shelf and pulls down a can of beef stew, handing it to Guillermo wordlessly. 

The vampire grabs a pot from the rack beneath the cabinets and opens a drawer to get the can opener. He looks up at his human with an arched brow, “Do you want to sit down or do you want to cling?”

Nandor is practically glued to his master’s side, his fingers delicately clutching the knit fabric of his sleeve as he watches him dump the contents of the can into the pot. 

“Is it okay…? If I...cling?” Nandor’s voice is barely there. But it is there. And even if his words come out as a pathetic, hopeful question, at least he has words. He still remembers the months on end that Simon kept his brain locked down, denying him the ability to speak, to cry, to scream. It took weeks after he came to be Guillermo’s familiar before he felt safe uttering a single word.

He’s watching his master’s face like a hawk, gauging his reaction and trembling in anticipation. Is he annoyed? Angry? Disgusted? Finally, Guillermo smiles and Nandor is almost light-headed with relief.

“Yeah, it’s okay,” he answers and Nandor thinks that the look he gives him is almost warm. Like maybe he’s feeling the same way that Nandor feels. Like Guillermo is the ocean and he’d willingly drown just to feel his embrace.

He watches Guillermo stir the soup, condensation fogging the thick-rimmed glasses that he only wears out of habit and because they look cool. He picks up a spoonful and holds it out to Nandor to test.

“Hot enough?” he asks and Nandor nods. “Alright. Go sit at the table.”

The chair squeaks as he pulls it out and Nandor folds his long body down into it, looking like a giant at the rickety old kitchenette table. Guillermo comes over and sets down a bowl heaping with steaming hot stew. He takes a seat beside Nandor and turns to face him, dipping the spoon into the bowl and holding it up before his familiar’s lips. Nandor locks eyes with him as he leans forward, opens his mouth and takes the food off the spoon. He feels a thrill in his chest to be so thoroughly taken care of and he thinks the gleam in Guillermo’s dark eyes means that he’s enjoying it, too. He hopes so. He scoots forward in his seat until their knees brush together, needing the added comfort of physical touch.

Guillermo gives him another spoonful and starts talking while Nandor chews, “I’m going to tell you how things will go tonight. I’m taking care of you right now and I’m gonna take care of you tonight when Simon and his crew arrive. We’re going to meet in the fancy room. You’re going to sit at my feet like you always do. You don’t have to speak, you don’t have to even look at him if you don’t want to. But you have to be there, alright? Do you think I liked having to hurt you last night?”

Guillermo sets down the spoon and his eyes are suddenly intense as he waits for an answer. Nandor shakes his head, swallowing before speaking, “No, master. I’m sorry--”

“I know you’re sorry,” Guillermo cuts him off. “I am too. But I had to teach you. I’m your master, Nandor. If I tell you to do something, you do it. And you trust that I won’t ask you to do anything that would cause...permanent damage.”

He holds up another spoonful of stew and Nandor stares at it for a minute, his throat rapidly convulsing as a single tear rolls down his cheek. Guillermo sighs.

“If you’re a weepy mess when Simon gets here, I swear...What is it? Speak,” he commands with a sharp edge of warning in his voice.

Nandor takes a shaky breath, wanting desperately to ask something but terribly afraid of what the answer might be. His mind flashes back to social gatherings, parties, where Guillermo had lent out the use of his familiar’s warm mouth to his vampire guests. 

Nandor finally forces himself to form the words, “Are you going to l-let them...use me?”

Please don’t make me say it.

Guillermo takes in a sharp breath and holds it for a long, silent moment, during which Nandor wonders if his master is picturing him gagging on his ex-master’s dick with tears running down his face. He knows Guillermo likes it when he cries. 

Finally, mercifully…

“No, Nandor,” Guillermo says, stirring the stew and once again lifting the spoon to his lips. “No one but me will touch you tonight.”

---

Nandor stands in the front hallway quietly coming apart. He’s still attached to his master’s side and he can’t seem to keep his hands from seeking out and subtly touching him. His long fingers flutter at the hem of Guillermo’s sweater, clinging to the fabric like a security blanket. Guillermo is largely ignoring him. He glances down at his watch with an annoyed frown. Nadja and Laszlo stand on the far side of the hallway.

Laszlo suddenly pipes up, “I say, Guillermo, any chance of a quick nip before Simon’s posse arrives?”

He makes a show of eyeing Nandor and mimes biting him. Nandor shrinks even further into Guillermo’s side. 

“Fuck off, Laszlo,” Guillermo grunts and Nandor almost weeps in gratitude. Instead he does something unthinkably bold. He leans down and drops his head onto Guillermo’s shoulder, nuzzling his face into the vampire’s smooth, cool neck. Throughout his time as Guillermo’s familiar, Nandor has become increasingly needy in terms of physical touch. Once he started to trust Guillermo and then, later, to love him, he began to seek out small touches from him whenever he was in need of comfort. Tonight, Nandor is especially needy.

The doorbell rings and Guillermo shrugs his shoulders, dislodging his familiar’s head. One of the thralls, lower than familiars but still above victims, answers the door and allows the vampires inside with an obsequious bow. Simon the Devious, flanked by Count Rapula and Mr. ‘50s, strides into the house like he owns it. Nandor shudders and keeps his gaze firmly fixed to a spot on the floor.

“Guillermo! Nadja! Laszlo! I haven’t seen you since you stole my favorite little pet!” Simon’s voice is booming and obnoxious. Nandor’s grip on the back of his master’s sweater tightens but he remains otherwise perfectly still. 

“Good evening, Simon,” Guillermo greets, perfectly unaffected by Simon’s grandstanding. “You’re late, so why don’t we get straight down to business, then we’ll have more time to enjoy the virgins waiting in the cell.”

Everyone shuffles into the fancy room. Simon takes a seat on one couch with his crew members standing stoically behind. Guillermo takes the opposite couch, Nadja and Laszlo remain standing and Nandor sinks to his knees at Guillermo’s feet with an intense feeling of relief. On the floor he’s beneath notice. He can hide his face in the side of his master’s thigh and tune out the vampires’ territory negotiation happening over his head. He feels Guillermo’s fingers sink into his hair and begin stroking him as he makes his opening offer. Nandor sighs, wrapping his hand around Guillermo’s ankle and shutting his eyes, maybe he can fall asleep…

“You certainly have him well-trained, G-man…”

Time has passed. Nandor had floated away into his head for a while, lulled by the rhythmic motion of his master’s fingers in his hair. But now the business portion of the evening seems to be wrapping up and Simon’s voice cleaves through the air, penetrating the little protective bubble that Nandor has imagined around himself. His fingers tighten on Guillermo’s ankle.

“Maybe he just prefers my company over yours, Simon. I hear you find it rather challenging to keep human help. Alive, that is,” Guillermo’s voice is soft but full of lead. 

“You’re so hilarious, G! The dreadful Guillermo the Heartless, gone soft for a pathetic human pet,” Simon laughs and then his tone changes and Nandor knows, without looking, that the vampire is addressing him directly now, “You might think you’re living high now, human, but you’ll always be the same mewling insect who begged me to kill him--”

Nandor can’t help it. He feels the sob clawing up his throat and he presses his face desperately into his master’s thigh to try and muffle it. If he’s weepy, Guillermo will be angry, he’d said so in the kitchen…

“Nandor,” his master cups his jaw, angling his face up to look at him. Nandor’s heavy brows are drawn together and his eyes are glassy but he’s trying to keep it together. “Do you want to show Simon what a good familiar you are now that you have the right master?”

Guillermo leans down and presses his lips to Nandor’s ear speaking lowly, “Pretend it’s just you and me, baby.”

Guillermo’s hands go to his belt buckle and Nandor understands at once. His face flushes a brilliant red but he moves into position at once, kneeling between his master’s spread legs and waiting expectantly as Guillermo reaches into his pants and frees his half-hard dick. 

“Thank you, master,” Nandor says and he speaks louder than he likes so that Simon will hear him clearly. His master wants to show him off, wants to show Simon how much better a master he is than him. Nandor wants to help him. He bends forward and wraps his hand around the base of Guillermo’s cock, licking a long, wet stripe along its length before taking the head into his mouth and beginning to suck. He loses himself in the familiar task, forgetting his fear and anxiety and instead focusing on pleasing his master.

He hears Simon’s voice vaguely in the background, sounding a little defeated but attempting to rally, “I believe someone said something about a virgin feast?”

There’s some movement and commotion and suddenly he hears his master’s voice, slow and heavy with the influence of his hypnotic power, “You will sit down next to me and give me your neck.”

Guillermo’s hands never leave his familiar’s hair, stroking and petting gently as Nandor drools around his length and bobs down, attempting to take more of him down his throat. The victim, utterly mindless, jostles Nandor as they clamber onto the couch, baring their neck.

Guillermo shoves the human back and says, “You will be more careful of my familiar. Now put your neck in my mouth.”

Nandor knows the exact moment that Guillermo begins to feed. His master’s fingers tighten in his hair and he starts rolling his hips up, thrusting into Nandor’s mouth enthusiastically as he drinks his fill from the human. 

“Fucking show off…” Simon mutters darkly.

But Nandor doesn’t hear. He’s completely unaware of everything else in the room, in the world, except for his master’s hands and cock and the sounds he’s making low in his throat as he drinks the virgin dry and fucks Nandor’s mouth. The victim falls to the floor at Nandor’s side and Guillermo presses his hands down on the back of Nandor’s head, holding him down as he ruts against his face, finally finishing with a smug sigh. He lets go of Nandor’s head, trusting that his familiar knows to wait until he’s finished spilling his plentiful, vampiric seed down in his mouth. Nandor’s throat convulses as he swallows and swallows, breathing hard through his nose and straining to look up and meet his master’s gaze. His eyes are pleading and vulnerable. Begging his master for what he needs. 

Guillermo’s blood stained lips quirk into a smile and he obliges, “You are such a good boy for me, Nandor. So, so good.”

“Alright, alright. We get the picture,” Simon grumbles in the background as Nandor finally pulls away from Guillermo’s softening dick. His lips are swollen and his jaw aches but when he turns to see that Simon’s crew is getting ready to leave, having finished their business and sated their unholy hunger, he feels nothing but overwhelming relief and happiness. 

“If you ever tire of my leftovers...I’ll be happy to take him off your hands,” Simon remarks casually as he strolls toward the door.

Guillermo’s voice is as cold as granite as he replies, “That’s not going to happen.”

---

Nandor lies in the cramped twin bed wedged into one corner of Guillermo’s crypt. His master told him to go to bed, relieving him of his valet duties for the evening as a reward for his good behavior. Nandor watches Guillermo moving about the room, blowing out candles, slowly getting undressed and ready for his slumber. He hopes he’ll come and kiss him goodnight before getting into his coffin, but he doesn’t want to push his luck by asking. 

Nandor’s eyelids feel heavy. The stress and fear of the evening have taken their toll and he’s barely clinging to consciousness when he feels a weight on the mattress beside him. 

“Move over,” his master’s voice sounds tired, too, and Nandor wonders if maybe Guillermo had been just as worried about the meeting tonight.

Nandor shifts closer to the wall and swallows his shock when Guillermo climbs all the way in with him, drawing the blankets up over both their bodies and wrapping and arm around Nandor’s large frame. 

“Master?” he asks breathlessly. They’ve never...just slept together before. 

“Shhh, Nandor,” Guillermo murmurs, placing a kiss to the back of Nandor’s neck. “Go to sleep.”

#nandermo #nandor x guillermo #guillermo x nandor #smut #cw: dubcon #cw: noncon #cw: stockholm syndrome #dead dove do not eat

[writemywaytoyourheart]

Onrsa- Chapter 5: Lost and Not So Found

pairing: vampire!jungkook x female reader

genre: angst, horror, drama, romance

word count: 1.5k

warnings for this chapter: noooone yet

Enjoy~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s been a week since the last body was found.

If anything, the amount of time and no word from the killer has made the pit of anxiety in your stomach worse than it was a week ago. It seems almost like the murders never happened, like someone made up a scary story and all that’s left is the absence of four innocent people that you don’t even know. The air feels different and everyone can sense the emptiness that the poor victims left behind when their lives were unfairly taken.

You and Ga-In haven’t gone out at night since laundry day and going anywhere alone (even in the daytime) is breaking the unspoken rule between you two. You’re pretty sure she’s sick of you by now after being cooped up in the tiny apartment together for seven days in a row.

You drag your feet across the ground on your way through campus, a sluggishness in the air as everyone else seems to be lagging today as well. Some unspoken feeling in the air that there’s no reason to rush, but also a hint of underlying anxiety.

Something is off.

But, no one knows what it is.

You reach the cafeteria and numbly grab a tray, noting that the usual hum and buzz of casual conversation has dimmed considerably. You turn to scan the room and go over it twice, anxiety becoming a pit in your stomach when you don’t see Ga-In at your usual table.

In fact, she isn’t here at all.

You aren’t going to let yourself panic, she’s probably just being a slowpoke coming from her Biology class.

Although, she’s usually here way before you. The only other time she wasn’t was when she was sick at home with the flu.

No, don’t panic unless you have a reason to panic.

You make your way through the people that are all huddling together and whispering, but you really couldn’t care less about their stupid gossip. All you want is for Ga-In to come strutting through those cafeteria doors like the model she is, you’d feel a lot better if she did.

You sit and start unwrapping the silverware to eat your salad when some random boy plops himself down next to you and shoves his phone in your face.

“What the fu-”

“Have you heard the news?” He interrupts your exclamation of surprise and you just stare at him in confusion.

“I- what?” You have no idea who this kid is, let alone why the heck he’s talking to you right now, but when he says ‘have you heard the news’, your stomach twists for the nth time today.

This boy just continues as if it’s the most normal thing in the world, and you two have been best friends for years. “There’s a missing person case now.”

Your heart drops to your feet and your throat constricts painfully, “a- a what?” You stand up shakily even as you’re speaking. You can barely hear his response while grabbing your backpack, your head swimming and screaming at you to run and find her.

She’s fine. You saw her just this morning, you were in math class with her not even four hours ago. She can’t possibly be the one missing.

You keep repeating this mantra in your head, blocking out the kid that keeps talking about……whatever the heck it is he’s saying now. You bow to him and excuse yourself, slipping away and speed walking out of the room that’s now getting louder as people spread the word of the unfortunate soul who must’ve been the next target.

~

You step outside of the building and hold your hand up to cover your eyes from the bright sun; a few students are walking around campus, carrying book bags and chattering away without a single worry except what to eat for lunch, or that paper Mrs. Jong insists is due tomorrow, even though last week she definitely said Friday.

And you really, really don’t care. 

You run as fast as you can to the science building, flinging the door open and scaring a few students when you fly past them. Ga-In’s class is in room 502, so you hurry along the hall; eyes frantically scanning the numbers on the doors. You eventually find the right room and stop short; grabbing the handle and yanking the door open, you see a full classroom of about a hundred pairs of eyes staring at you.

Oh.

This is awkward.

The professor turns to look at you and you scurry inside to his miniature podium, “I- I’m really sorry, but I was just wondering if Kang Ga-In was still here.” The man smiles gently at you and shakes his head, “I’m sorry little lady, she left almost an hour ago after my last class.” You nod and bow, whispering a thank you and another apology for barging into his class, before you hurry out the door and close it quietly behind you.

Now what? What on earth are you supposed to do?

You try to close your eyes and keep a straight head but every time you let your mind wander, you see Ga-In dead in a ditch with two holes tainting her beautiful body and no answer as to who, how, or why.

You need to find her. You can’t just stand here.

At that thought, you take off running out of the science building and back outside where people are now swarming the sidewalks and the randomly placed grassy patches. You spin around, looking in all directions, wracking your mind for any place she might have gone. Someone across the campus grounds watches you quietly, but your mind is racing so fast you don’t even notice them. 

Where could she be?

Where could she be?

WHERE ON EARTH IS SHE?

By now you’re almost in tears.

A second later you jump about ten feet in the air when you feel a hand grab your shoulder. You fling around and position yourself as though you’re about to karate chop the heck out of the assaulter, before you see who it is.  

“y-y/n?”

“Seungwook?”

“Yeah, it’s me.” He smiles and laughs at the position you’re currently in, “what are you doing?” You sit there and blink blankly for a moment before straightening up and miming dusting your arms off, “I’m, uh, just looking for Ga-In. You haven’t seen her by any chance?”

Seungwook looks thoughtful for a moment then nods, “actually, I have. She was walking into the dance building when I passed by a couple minutes ago.” Your heart soars and you grab his hand, bowing over and over again.

“Thank you! Oh my gosh, thank you Seungwook, you’re an angel! I have to go, I’m sorry!” He laughs at your antics and watches with an amused smile when you dart away towards the building he mentioned.

You hurry into the dance building and see Ga-In through one of the windows in a dance room, she’s putting some shoes on and tying them. You throw the door open and run inside; wrapping your arms around her waist and holding on tightly.

“y/n? What’s the matter? What are you doing?” Your surprise attack knocked her a bit off balance but she managed to catch herself. The relief in you is almost suffocating, but then a tiny blossom of anger and betrayal sparks into a flame and you pull away with a scowl on your face.

“What’s the matter with you, Ga-In?? You scared me!” She looks totally confused as you cross your arms angrily in front of her. “Why- how did I scare you?” You scoff and throw your backpack in a corner of the room before turning on her again, “I thought you were kidnapped! There’s a missing person case, and you don’t show up to lunch and your professor hadn’t seen you since class ended!”

Ga-In looks guiltily at you and shrugs, “I sent you a text that said I wasn’t going to be going to lunch today. I thought you got it. I’m sorry y/n….” You huff, the anger already leaving your system at her stupid puppy dog eyes.

“Well, I never got the text. What are you even doing anyway?” She looks down shyly and shakes her head, “nothing.”

“No, no. Tell me~” You whine and pull on her sleeves, knowing when you do this it always makes her laugh. “Ok, ok! Let go of me, silly.” You smile and let go immediately, plopping yourself on the ground and waiting for her explanation.

“I needed a mirror so I could practice my….. -del -alk…”

“You what?” She mumbled the last part and you lean closer to hear her better. “I needed a mirror to practice my- my model…-walk.” Your chest warms at her confession and you hug her long legs, “Ga-In! I’m so excited for you! So, you decided to pursue it?” She nods slightly and you reach out to high-five her- which she responds to by gently tapping your outstretched hand.

What a cutie-

“Wait.”

“Hm?” You look up at her sudden question and the nerves immediately come back at her next words, “what was that about a missing person?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

a/n: y’all are in for a twist in the next chapter ;) thanks for sticking with me! I promise Kookie will show up soon, I really do. I just have to get the leading up to stuff over with

#bts #bts fluff #bts imagines #bts scenarios #bts reactions #bts angst #bts x reader #bts jungkook #bts x you #bts fanfic #bts jhope #bts namjoon #bts jimin #bts suga #bts v #bts jin #bangtan sonyeondan #jungkook x reader #bts jungkook fluff scenario #bts angst imagine #bts angst scenario #jungkook fluff #bts jeon jungguk #bts fluff imagines #bts ot7 #bts jungkook angst #bts jungkook imagines #bangtan angst #jungkook smut #gotcha bitz hahahaha

[terrayoung]

A Delicate Balance

A @dctvsecretsanta fic for @drnathanielheywood, who asked for: team legends stealing Christmas presents through time and Nate/Mick. It’s in Nate’s 2nd person p.o.v.

Fic is under the cut - I hope you enjoy!

"Pleeeeeeeaaaaaassssseeee?" Ray asks, holding out a bowl full of paper slips. "Wally and Mick already agreed - though Mick might've just done it to get me to leave him alone - and I'm sure the others will, too!" He widens his eyes. "I'd really appreciate it! Secret Santa is just the kind of bonding activity we need right now!"

You sigh. Damn those puppy-dog eyes. "Okay, fine. But you owe me an Indiana Jones marathon. And I mean all the movies - even Crystal Skull."

"That's fair."

Ray thrusts the bowl even closer to you. You close your eyes, pray that you get someone easy to shop for, and rummage around in the bowl for your lucky slip. Fingers on your free hand crossed, you unfold the paper. In scrawled black writing is two words and an emoji, "Mick Rory :)". Ray's looking at you expectantly, so you force a smile on your face.

"Didn't get myself, buddy, so I guess that's good," you say. 

"Yep!" Ray beams. "Oh, and before I forget - Mick suggested being able to steal the gifts. Long as you don't take it/them from the less fortunate, it's fair game." He pulls you into a brief, one-armed hug. "Thanks, Nate!"

You watch as Ray leaves your room, then finally let the smile slip off your face. "What the fuck do I do now? Um, Gideon?"

"Yes, Dr. Heywood?" Gideon asks.

"Any ideas on what I could get Mick for the Secret Santa?"

"I'm afraid Dr. Palmer requested that I not give anyone advice about their giftees." She almost sounds regretful. "He said it would be considered cheating."

"Gee, thanks a lot," you mutter.

"You're welcome!"

"Damn AI."

"I heard that," Gideon warns. 

You throw up your hands in frustration and flop onto your bed. After a few seconds, you roll over so you can scream into a pillow. You roll over again a few seconds after that since the lack of oxygen is getting to your head. 

What on Earth could you possibly get - or steal - for Mick? You put too little effort into this and he'll burn you to a crisp, but putting too much effort in would be like a neon sign telling him about your crush. Anything fire-related is too obvious and you know nothing about what he'd need for crime. It's probably too soon to give Mick a new rat and he could just fabricate himself some beer. What does he even like to do?

...Wait. You vaguely remember Mick being super gung-ho about vampires - he was even reading a special edition copy of Dracula. Maybe that's something you can work with. 

 XxXx

  You knock on Sara's door the next day. It takes a few seconds for her to open it, by which point you're already rocking back and forth on your heels. 

"Can I help you?" Sara asks, rubbing at her eyes. 

You nod. "Mind if I borrow the jump ship for a few hours? I think I know what to get my Secret Santa."

"Promise to never wake me up at..." She grabs your wrist, drags it towards her, and checks the time on your watch. "At 6AM ever again?"

"What if there's a life-threatening emergency?"

"If it's before 9AM, I don't care."

"Then, yes, I promise," you say, giving Sara a mock solute.

Sara releases your wrist and waves you away. "Fine. Go. Have fun shopping or stealing or what-the-fuck-ever. I'm going back to sleep."

"Sleep -" You're cut off by Sara sliding the door shut on you- "well." You run a hand through your hair. "Next stop, late nineteenth century." A few steps towards the jump ship remind you that you're still wearing your slippers. "After a trip to the fabrication room."

 XxXx

 You're barely out of the fabrication room - and still trying to fix your tie - when you run into Mick. Literally. Your forehead slams right into his chin. You stumble back, clutching your head, while he just stands there like a brick wall. A very well-muscled brick wall...

You shake your head - causing it to ache some more - to get your brain back on track. Mick raises an eyebrow. 

"You okay there, Pretty?" Mick asks. His gravelly voice rattles through your bones. "Sounded like you hit me pretty hard."

You rub your forehead one last time, then let your arm drop. "Think I'm gonna have one hell of a headache, but I'll live. How are you not in any pain?"

"I am." Mick shrugs. "But I've lived through worse." He stops, stares at your chest, and then rolls his eyes. You have two seconds to blink before Mick's closer than you'd ever hoped he'd get. 

"Umm, Mick?" You'll swear on every bible in the country that your voice didn't just crack. "What's goin' on?"

"Fixing your stupid tie," Mick mutters. 

There's a spark each time his hands brush against your chest. Mick's face is so close to yours and it takes every bit of your willpower to not lean in for a kiss. You don't even realize that you were holding your breath until Mick steps back and it all rushes out of you. 

Mick smirks, proud of his handiwork. "There ya go." He looks you up and down. "Where're you going? Didn't think we had a mission today."

"We - we don't," you reply. "I'm going to go get my Secret Santa's gift." You run a hand through your hair. "No idea how Ray managed to convince all of us to do that, by the way."

Mick just grunts and shrugs. 

"Anyway, um, I'm going to go do that -" you gesture vaguely in the direction of the jump ship -"and I'll see you later?"

"...Sure." Mick steps around you and heads down the hallway. He calls over his shoulder, "Long as you don't get yourself killed."

You're not sure if Mick thinks you're likely to, or if this is his own way of showing concern. It's been a couple of years since you met him and you're no closer to having him figured out. Luckily, you've always been a fan of mysteries. Not as much as histories, but -

You shake your head. Now is really not the time for your train of thought to run off the tracks. You give yourself a few seconds to remember Mick's closeness, then return to heading off to the jump ship. You've got a gift to track down. 

 XxXx

 "Why couldn't this have been a normal trip to Ye Olde Bookshoppe?" You mutter. "Oh, wait, normal flew out the window once I stepped onboard a freaking timeship!" 

"Be quiet!" Van Helsing - Abigail Van Helsing - hisses. "Unless you want the vampire to get us!" 

You hold up your hands, then mime zipping your mouth shut. Van Helsing just frowns before turning to look out of the alleyway. 

You'd started out going to buy an original copy of Dracula for Mick, planning on getting it signed by Bram Stoker himself. But then a fucking vampire had literally crashed the party! Then Van Helsing followed it through, announced she would take care of the beast, and then chased after it. You'd declared your intention to help, and well, here you are now. Somewhere in the middle you've managed to figure out that Dracula was loosely based on a true story. Very loosely, if Van Helsing being named Abigail instead of Abraham and the vampire not having much in the way of sentience are any indication. 

"It's coming," Van Helsing whispers. "You distract it with your "powers"-" how is she able to sound like she's miming air quotes a century before they were a thing?- "and then I'll stab it in the chest. Is that understood?" 

You nod, then steel up. Van Helsing's eyes widen. As soon as you hear the vampire scuffle past, you step out of the alleyway. The sun gleams off of your silver skin and attracts the vampire's attention. You slowly back away to lure it closer and closer to Van Helsing. Once you've moved far enough, you give her a thumbs-up. 

Van Helsing may not recognize the gesture, but she knows a signal when she sees one and jumps towards the vampire. There's a bit of a struggle - most of which is on the vampire's end - and then it's over as soon as it began. Van Helsing brushes the dust off her knife. 

"Thank you," Van Helsing says after a moment. "That would have been a lot more difficult without your help."

You shrug before de-steeling. "No problem. Mind if I ask you a question?"

"I suppose I owe you that much. What is it?"

"Do you know where I could find Bram Stoker?" You hold up the now slightly battered copy of Dracula. "I've got a book for him to sign."

 XxXx

 Bram Stoker looks from you, to Dracula, and then back to you. "You want me to write a dedication to someone I've never even heard of?"

"Yes, please," you answer. "He's a huge fan - uh, admirer - of your writing, and would greatly appreciate your signing the book. I'm planning on giving it to him for Christmas."

"A rare thing for two unrelated men to do," Stoker replies, "but not an unappreciated one. What is your young man's name?"

"He's not young - or mine - but -" You take a breath- "Mick Rory."

Stoker nods. He thinks for a moment, dips his pen in an inkwell, and jots down a few words. "Here you go, Dr. Heywood." Stoker pushes the book back to you. "I hope Mr. Rory takes to this gift."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Stoker!" You barely glance at the dedication before snapping the book shut. "I have to get going, but it was very nice to meet you!"

"Same to you."

 XxXx

 The next person you literally run into is Zari, as you're exiting the jump ship. It affects her more than you, but neither of you get too hurt. Which is great - you still have a lingering headache from your encounter with Mick. 

"Thanks for that," Zari snarks. "Long as you're here, though - any ideas on what to get Hunter? I've only met the man twice, so I'm kinda at a loss."

You snort. "That's a first." You sober up at Zari's withering glare. "Um, I didn't really know 'im too well either. Think I remember someone mentioning he's really into Wild West stuff? That and antiques."

"So shop for you, but lean towards cowboy crap," Zari summarizes. "Got it." She gestures to the jump ship. "Just leaving or just returning?"

"Returning." You step out of Zari's way. "Go right ahead." Before she can get too far, you hold up Dracula and add, "For Mick - what do you think? It's an original copy and it's signed."

Zari shrugs. "He should like it. May even get you that kiss you want."

"Kiss? Why would I want a -" You slump. "How'd you know?"

"You're nowhere near as subtle as you think you are," Zari answers. "Surprised he hasn't noticed - I'm aromantic and I picked up on it ages ago." She hangs in the doorway. "Good luck, though."

"Thank -" Zari shuts the door- "you." You run a hand through your hair. "Why does that keep happening to me?"

 XxXx

 Ray knocks on your door just as you're putting stuffing the last of the tissue paper into the bag containing Mick's gift. You tell him to let himself in, then scribble a note on the to/from sticker. Hopefully your handwriting isn't too distinctive. 

You sit up, expecting Ray to start info-dumping about some new science fact or his latest project, but he's pacing silently instead. It takes about five minutes for concern to override just letting him be. 

"Uh, Ray?" You begin. "You okay there, buddy?"

Ray hesitates before shaking his head. He then leans against the closest wall. 

"What's up? Do you need some paper to write on?"

"Nah," Ray answers. "Just figuring out what to say - I'm not non-verbal atm." He sighs. "Um, I already got my Secret Santa's gift, but... ButIwasthinkingofgettingNoraagifttoo."

You stand up and rest a hand on Ray's shoulder. "I'm totally here for you, but would you mind repeating that for me? My ears can't process your words when you're speaking at a hundred miles an hour."

"Sorry. I said I was thinking of getting Nora a gift, too," Ray confesses. "But I don't know where she is, how to get it to her if I did, or if she even celebrates Christmas. Or how she'd react." Ray smiles sheepishly. "Y'know, with her being a former bad guy and all."

"Yeah, I had the same problem with Mick."

Ray jerks his head up so quickly, you fling your hand out in shock. You can feel a blush spreading across your cheeks.

"Okay, if you agree to ignore the implications there, I'll agree to ignore you implying that you still have a thing for Nora," you say. 

"Fine by me." Ray smiles. "For what it's worth, I think Mick likes you back. I mean, he does call you "Pretty"."

You shrug. "Thinking I'm hot doesn't equal feelings, but thanks. And good luck with Nora. I don't think she's the best person to crush on, but you do you, Ray." You smirk. "Or her." Ray jokingly punches you in the arm. "Hey!" 

"So, assuming I find Nora, you think I should get her something?" Ray asks. 

"Yeah, man. You could always pass it off as a "just because" gift if she's not a Christmas person." 

Ray pulls you into a brief hug. "Thank you for the advice and friendly ear." 

"No problemo."

Ray shakes his head, still smiling, and exits your room. He gives you a wave as the door closes.

 XxXx 

 A few days later, it's finally the moment of truth. Or to put it less dramatically - the day you all exchange your Secret Santa gifts. The result of you shoving in the tissue paper is a bag that's a little messy and half-hazard looking, but you feel it's appropriate. There's more to it than its rough exterior - just like Mick. 

You're the first one on the bridge. You place your gift by the center console and then pour yourself a drink. Maybe it'll help calm your nerves. 

"Great idea, Pretty." Mick's rumbling voice makes you jump - you hadn't heard him approach. Thankfully the glass didn't spill any more than a couple of drops. Mick brushes past you to pour himself... something. You're too busy trying not to shudder from that brief moment of contact. 

"Hey, um, Mick," you finally reply. "Have any trouble finding a gift?"

Mick shrugs. "Wrapping it was the worst part. Ended up just shoving it into a box."

"Yeah, I -"

Whatever you were about to say next is cut off by a deluge of Legends flooding onto the bridge. Several different conversations overlap as people try to put their gifts by the console without tripping over each other. You decide to find a comfortable spot to sit before all the good ones are taken. To your surprise, Mick grabs the one next to you. 

"So, who wants to go first?" Ray asks, once everyone has settled down. 

Sara nods at him. "It was your idea." 

Ray stammers and protests for a bit, but gives in once everyone starts chanting his name. He picks up a small, thin present that has dark blue wrapping paper with silver atoms. Ray tears through the paper less gently than expected to reveal a frame with a photo inside. It's a candid shot of him and a brunette woman - Anna, maybe - sitting on a park bench somewhere and laughing. Ray hastily wipes away a few tears. 

"Thank you," he begins, "whoever, um -"

Rip raises a hand. "I always wished there were more photos of Miranda and myself after she..." he clears his throat. "I hope it's alright that I-"

Before Rip can finish his sentence, Ray all but tackles him with a hug. Rip awkwardly pats his back for a bit, then gently pulls back. 

The rest of the gifts are less emotionally fraught, though no less meaningful. Ava receives two photos - one of her and Sara and one of her with the team - and a hug from Ray. Wally opens an awkwardly wrapped meditation fountain from Ava and gives Sara a set of throwing knives. Sara gives Zari a blanket with various video game symbols and characters, and Zari in turn gives Rip a hat and book from the Old West. Only you and Mick are left, which grants you both significant looks from everyone else. 

"Guess it's pretty obvious who yours is from," you joke to Mick. He grunts and goes to pick up one of the two remaining gifts. 

Your heart is in your throat as Mick carefully pulls out the tissue paper. He frowns at what's inside, but it smooths out once he picks up Dracula. 

"Original edition?" Mick murmurs. "Nice."

You swallow hard. "Look inside the front cover."

Mick does so, his eyebrows lifting as he reads whatever message Stoker left him. "Huh. Thanks, Nate."

Hearing someone call you by your first name usually doesn't send butterflies fluttering in your stomach, but your thing for Mick isn't that usual to begin with. 

"My turn, then." You stand up, grab the sole remaining box, and settle back down in your spot. 

The box is wrapped in simple silver paper and topped with a red bow. You stick the bow to your shirt before unwrapping the gift. First in the box is a photo of Harrison Ford in full Indiana Jones gear, complete with jacket. Underneath that, carefully folded up, is the exact same jacket in surprisingly good condition. 

"Is this -? Did you -?" You're at a loss for words. 

Mick avoids your gaze. "Stole it off the set. I added the picture so you could tell it's the same one."

"Thank you so much." Before you can stop yourself, you pull Mick into the best sideways hug you can manage. Your skin tingles all over when you finally let go, which almost distracts you from noticing that Mick's cheeks are a bit red. Huh. 

Sara pulls you from your thoughts by tapping something - a pen? - against a whisky bottle. "Now that the presents are done with, let's get drunk!"

Most of the team cheers and makes a beeline for the drink cart. Ray switches on some music after clarifying that it's secular Christmas/winter-themed songs only. Mick stands up and nods towards the drinks. 

"You want anything?" Mick asks. 

'A kiss' is what you want to say. What actually comes out of your mouth is, "Not right now. Thanks, though."

Mick grunts in the affirmative before leaving you alone to stew. Which lasts all of five seconds due to Wally zooming over to capture the newly open spot. 

"Y'know, I could get some mistletoe over here without Mick noticing," Wally whispers. "Wouldn't even take two seconds." 

You shake your head. "And make Mick mad at the both of us? Nah. I've known him for this long without him making good on his threats. A little longer would be nice."

Wally face palms, then leaves without saying anything more. He rushes back and - sue enough, there's a mistletoe hanging above where you're sitting. You roll your eyes and go to take it down. Unfortunately, tearing it off causes you to fall back from the amount of force you'd used. You're caught by strong arms before you can hit the ground. 

You look up to find that Mick's your timely rescuer - hero, a part of you whispers - and hastily right yourself on your own two feet. "Uh, thanks, Mick."

"What was that about?" Mick raises an eyebrow. "You shouldn't be drunk already."

"I'm not! It's just -"

"Just...?"

"Wally was trying to play a prank on us," you explain, "and I nearly fell over trying to get it down." You hold up the mistletoe and feel a blush start to spread across your face. "Funny, right?"

"What's funny? You nearly cracking your head open?" Mick asks. 

"No, um, uh-" you look down at the floor- "Wally thinking that making us kiss was a good idea for a prank. I mean, the idea of you and me -"

Mick catches your chin in his hand, tilting it up so your gazes meet. "'S not that bad an idea, actually."

"What - You - I -"

Before you can embarrass yourself even further, Mick pulls you into a kiss. You freeze for a moment, then surge forward to deepen it. Your hands settle on Mick's waist to tug him even closer. 

And then someone wolf-whistles. 

Mick sighs into your mouth, then gently pushes you away. "Should prob'ly continue this where we can have some privacy."

"My room's good," you reply. "Much closer than yours." You can't resist giving Mick another kiss. 

"Works for me, Pretty." Mick steps even farther back, then gestures to the nearest door. The two of you all but run out as you try to ignore all the teasing from the rest of the group. Sara shouts out to not do anything she wouldn't do. Like that's even that long of a list. 

...Which may have been the point. 

 XxXx 

 "Wait," you say, once you and Mick are finally in your room, "hang on a second, okay?"

Mick frowns but complies. "Y'not want to do this anymore?"

"For now?" You nod. "For now. It's just -" You run a hand through your hair. "I don't know if we're on the same page here, or if you even like me or anything."

"Would I kiss you if I didn't like you?" Mick asks.

"I mean, like me, like me. I mean -" moment of truth, here- "I'm in love with you. Have been for a while. Even when I was with Amaya, I think I felt something like that for you." Your eyes widen. "Not that I didn't love Amaya! It was just... both of you, I guess. Amaya and I were just starting to talk about it right before she, um, left." You pause to take a breath. "If you don't feel the same, that's fine, but - I don't want to do a friends with benefits thing if you don't. I don't think my heart could take it." It's a while before you can meet Mick's gaze. "So, that's where I'm at. How 'bout you?"

Mick folds his arms. "I'm not good at this feelings crap, but..." He sighs, then waves a hand around. "I feel the same. I think. 'm willing to give it a chance, anyway. Is that enough?"

"Yeah." You smile broadly. "Yeah, it is."

Mick shakes his head fondly - for him, at least - and then pulls you into another kiss. 

#legends of tomorrow #steelwave #dctv secret santa #dctv secret santa 2018 #lot fic #mick rory #nate heywood

[gallifrey1sburning]

Comfort

Just a short little NinexRose ficlet. Fluffy and SFW, but may get a NSFW follow up at some point. We’ll see!

(AO3)

“How's Mickey?” the Doctor asked as Rose reentered the TARDIS.

“He's okay. He's gone,” Rose answered, her voice hollow. She didn’t really know what else to say.

“Do you want to go and find him? We'll wait,” the Doctor offered, his voice insistently cheerful, purposefully ignoring Rose’s tone.

“No need. He deserves better,” Rose muttered. The Doctor and Jack looked at her, concerned.

“Better than you?” Jack asked disbelievingly, just as the Doctor shot out an indignant “What are you on about?”

“Nothin, s’fine,” Rose responded on a sigh, not making eye contact with either of them and shaking her head as though to head off any further discussion. “Look, I’m not feeling great. Long day, yeah? Gonna go curl up and watch a film in the media room.” She began to shuffle off towards the hall.

Had Rose turned around at that moment, she would have been witness to a rapid conversation in increasingly agitated mime taking place behind her. Go with her mouthed Jack, gesturing at the Doctor and pointing after Rose. Excuse me?  The Doctor mouthed back. GO. WITH. HER. Jack repeated, gesticulating toward Rose. SHE NEEDS YOU. The Doctor rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, before nodding at Jack and then gesturing with his head that Jack should follow her instead.  Jack’s mouth formed a thin line. He glared at the Doctor for a moment and then spoke to Rose, his voice cheerful although he was still scowling at the Doctor.

“Want company? We’re just about done here and the Doc was just saying he could use a rest after all the madness earlier.” The Doctor’s jaw dropped open in shock as he stared at Jack, but then snapped swiftly shut as Rose turned slightly to look at him.

“You wouldn’t mind?” she asked quietly.

With a final evil look at Jack, the Doctor met Rose’s gaze and his face softened. “‘Course not,” he said gently. “Like Jack said, due for a rest anyway, me.” Rose nodded at him with a small, sad smile, and he walked to join her, placing his palm at the small of her back as he ushered her down the hall. “Come on, let’s go.”

Once in the media room, Rose retreated to the deep, cushy sofa that faced the large view screen and curled into a ball, pulling a plush blanket off the back of the sofa and wrapping it around herself before settling into a corner. The Doctor stood uncertainly near the front of the room. “So, what did you want to watch?” he asked her.

Rose shrugged. “I dunno. Hadn’t really thought that far. Whatever you like is fine.” The Doctor raised an eyebrow at her and crossed his arms over his chest. She sighed. “I guess… something comforting? Something familiar. How about… Pride and Prejudice?”

“Which version?” The Doctor asked, turning to a panel of buttons and knobs near the screen.

“Sorry?”

“Which version? 1940? 1995? 2005? Those’ll be the ones you’ve seen before. But they keep remaking it for centuries, so I could put on one of the later adaptations if you like. There was one in 2016 with zombies, for instance, and one in 2023 where they swapped the genders. There’s also an old west version, a space version, and one where Mr. Darcy is actually a vampire.”

Rose looked at the Doctor with wide eyes, her jaw slightly dropped. “Are you serious?”

“Oh yes. The human race, you’ve got imaginations with no end, but you can’t seem to leave the same old stories behind.” He shook his head fondly.

Rose shook her head as though to clear it before answering his earlier question. “The BBC version. With Colin Firth? That’s the one I watched with my mum when I was growing up.”

“BBC it is.” The Doctor twirled a dial and hit a button before walking over and joining Rose on the couch. He seemed to debate with himself for a moment before sitting near the middle with his arm slung over the back, not quite close enough to Rose to touch, but close enough that she could reach him if she wanted to. Accepting the unspoken invitation, Rose scooted closer to him and curled up into his side, her head resting on his chest near his shoulder blade. The Doctor brought his arm down from the sofa’s back and around her, and they settled back to watch the film.

They weren’t very far in when the Doctor heard Rose sniffling quietly, obviously trying not to be heard. Gently, he pulled back from her slightly, turning to face her. She dropped her chin, refusing to look at him, wiping the tears from her cheeks with embarrassment. “Sorry,” she whispered.

“Rose,” the Doctor asked. “What did Mickey say to you? Did he hurt you?”

“Nah,” she replied, still not looking up. “Well, yeah, but I deserved it. He wasn’t wrong.”

“About what?”

“About how I treated him,” Rose answered. The Doctor scoffed. “No, really, Doctor. I ran off and left him behind, and then I just expect him to be waiting for me when I get back? That’s not fair.”

“Do you…” the Doctor cleared his throat. “Do you wish you hadn’t?”

“No!” Rose’s head snapped up, finally meeting the Doctor’s eyes, which looked pained. “No, of course not, Doctor! I wouldn’t give up this life for anything. I love travelling with you. I just…” the Doctor gazed at her, urging her to continue. “I just… wish I hadn’t hurt him. He yelled at me, told me I was always going to pick you over him.” Rose dropped her head again, blushing slightly. The Doctor’s eyebrows shot up toward his hairline in surprise. “And he wasn’t wrong, and I just feel bad for leading him on like that I guess. Mickey’s been my friend for a long time. He deserved better from me.”

The Doctor pulled Rose into a tight hug, and she cried quietly into his chest. “Oh, Rose,” he sighed into her hair. “I didn’t mean to make you choose, you know. I’m sorry.”

Rose sniffed. “You didn’t make me, Doctor. I could’ve asked to go home at any time.”

“I could take you back now,” he offered quietly, “let you make things right with Rickey the Idiot.”

Rose didn’t bother to correct him on Mickey’s name, knowing that he was just trying to make his offer sound more casual than it was. “Nah,” she answered, “Mickey’s moved on. And he should. Him and me… we were over a long time ago. I couldn’t really be with him, not once…” he voice trailed off.

“Not once?” the Doctor prompted.

Rose pulled back once more and met the Doctor’s gaze, biting her lip nervously. “Not once I realized I was in love with someone else,” she murmured. The Doctor looked shocked, and was slow to respond. Rose immediately began to backtrack. “Not that I expect anything from you or whatever,” she hastened to add, her voice stronger than it had been, “I just thought that…”

“Rose Tyler,” the Doctor cut her off, his voice full of wonder. She stopped babbling and looked up at him, eyes hopeful. He smiled, his eyes both soft and joyful, and then reached forward with one hand to tilt her chin up. Slowly, ever so slowly, he brought his mouth down to hers and kissed her gently, just barely pressing her lips to hers. “I love you too,” he whispered against her skin.

“Yeah?” Rose breathed, her nose brushing against his.

“Oh yes,” he confirmed. And then he kissed her again, more firmly this time, his hand sliding up from her chin and around to cup the back of her head. Rose melted into his kiss, bringing her hands up to his chest, parting her lips slightly to accommodate him. He kissed her slowly and worshipfully, the kiss deepening by some unspoken agreement, their tongues meeting to brush against one another. Rose hummed happily in her throat, and the Doctor pulled her more tightly to him. As Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett danced around each other on the now-forgotten screen before them, the Doctor and Rose moved softly together in a dance of their own - one that felt like comfort and tasted like coming home.

#nine x rose #doctor who #ninth doctor #rose tyler #fluff #ficlet

[geekofmanyforms]

New Beginning  Chapter Fourteen

*******Giant chapter for ya'all. I hope you enjoy it. Please review and let me know what you think. Don't be shy:) This chapter has been edited by my Beta Casey.******

I stood outside Elena's room with a cup of coffee in my hands. I had just finished adjusting Emily Bennett's amulet, hiding it under my pink t-shirt when Jeremy exited his bedroom in a rush of mint. His face was firm and resolute as he noticed me.

"Listen, don't even say a word," he demanded.

I lifted my one free hand in the air and leaned against Elena's door. "Hey, I'm the Mystic Falls mime," I said playfully.

He raised his eyebrow and chuckled. "Really? That's what ya got?" he said.

I leaned my head against the door and sighed. "Give me another shot. Just let me get a hit of caffeine," I said, taking a sip of Elena's coffee.

He smiled and moved his hand in a circle as the go-ahead. I remained silent and just stared at him, my eyes innocent. When he finally realized I wasn't going to speak, he rolled his eyes as hard as he could.

"That was lame."

I smiled brightly and took another sip of Elena's coffee. At this rate, she wouldn't get any.

"What? I just wanted to demonstrate how un-naggy I was going to be. You know what your doing and me nipping at you isn't going to change your mind," I said, tilting my head and narrowing my eyes at him. "Just be safe," I said in my best mom voice.

He grinned at me and leaned his forehead against mine. "Thank you, Ellie," he said.

I pressed my head against his and sighed. "Of course, baby brother. Anytime."

He pulled away and rushed down the stairs two at a time. I shook my head and opened Elena's door, stepping inside. She was standing by the door, her back pressed against the wall.

"You hear that?" I asked,

She seized the coffee and took a large sip, making me wince.

"Yeah. I caught him in the bathroom. It didn't go that well for me," Elena said.

I sat down at her vanity and brushed imaginary lint from my black jeans to avoid looking her in the eye.

"He's just worried, Lena. We need to tell him the truth. He will find out eventually," I said heavily "especially with what I have to tell you,"

My heart hurt at the idea of the complete truth, but I knew it was time. Elena looked at me in shock and anger.

"We can't tell him about vampires, Elara. He could get himself killed," she said, throwing her hands in the air. "It's too dangerous,"

She walked to her closet and started to get dressed in a huff. I rose to my feet, staring at her in shock.

"Too dangerous, Really? So you don't think it's too dangerous for him to not know how to defend himself against them? Or that they are real at all? You want him defenseless then?"

"Do you not even care that what I have to tell him about myself will reveal everything supernatural anyway? I don't want him to hate me for lying, Elena," I walked away from her, slamming the door shut behind me. She could be completely ridiculous sometimes.

Well, the truth of the matter was, she couldn't stop me from telling Jer the truth all on my own. I ran downstairs and grabbed my bag from the table by the door. I hugged Jenna goodbye and headed outside. I would tell Jeremy tonight, no matter what. I took my keys from my pocket and opened my door just as Elena bounded down the steps. She huffed lightly and crossed her arms, covering her black jacket. Her silver necklace gleamed in the light of the sun.

"I'm sorry, El. You are right, but I just don't feel like now is the right time to tell Jeremy anything. Anything. I think you and I should talk," she said, her voice pinched.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "What do you mean by anything?" I asked, trying to not jump to conclusions.

"I mean, I don't think he needs to know about you either. It's just too much for him right now, Elara, and really there is no reason he needs to know your a witch...or whatever,"

My mouth dropped open, and I turned my head away from her. "You can't be serious. He has every reason to know, and you will be eating those words when I'm finished with you, Elena," I said,

I opened the car door with more force than necessary. I got in and started the car before turning and beckoning her to get in.

"Well, you wanted to talk, didn't you?" I said tightly.

My voice was sharp and tight to accompany the firm expression on my face. Elena moved quickly, sliding into the passenger seat swiftly. I slipped on my sunglasses and pulled out of the drive.

"Let's go to Stefan's, I need to check on Vicki anyways," Elena said.

I scoffed and shook my head. "Yeah, sure," I said.

We drove to the Salvatore's in silence, neither one of us ready to speak to the other. I wasn't sure what to say to her. I had never expected her to ask me to leave Jeremy out of my revelation, and quite frankly, the idea made me angry and sick. This was one of the most Petrova things she had ever done. She acted like it was for Jeremy's best interest, but it wasn't. It was all for her. She wanted him in the dark so he wouldn't object to the things she did. At least amid my anger, that's the way it felt to me.

I pulled into the drive of the Salvatore Boarding House and followed behind Elena to the front door. As I always have with Elena, I felt like second fiddle as she remained three steps in front of me. I silently stood back as she knocked on the door. A few seconds after her knuckles had hit the wood, Damon yanked open the door. He leaned against the edge of the doorframe and smirked. His black shirt stood out against his pale skin, and short sleeves showcased his muscular, toned arms. I couldn't help but smile at his expression.

"Always so cocky, Mr. Salvatore," I said playfully.

I shook my head and stepped inside, then looked back to find Elena still outside. She took a deep breath and looked right a Damon. Her body rigid, frozen like a deer freezes in front of a predator.

"Is Stefan here?" she asked.

Damon's eyes looked her up and down. "Yep," he said, one arm still on the door frame.

I elbowed him in the ribs and frowned. "Stop ogling my sister, creep,"

He looked at me and smiled. God, I loved his smile — I silently cursed him for making my stomach flutter and flip flop the way it always did around him.

Elena ignored me and continued on. "Where is he?"

Damon pulled his arm from the door and stood up straight. He smirked and rolled his eyes at her. "And good morning to you, Little Miss, I'm on a mission,"

Elena crossed her arms and tilted her head at him. "How can you be so arrogant and glib after everything you've done?" she asked, her eyes incredulous.

"Elena," I said in a sigh.

Damon leaned back against the door on one arm and looked at her as if she were an annoying fluffy kitten. "How can you be so brave and stupid to call a vampire arrogant and glib," he asked.

I looked between them and bit my tongue. Elena scoffed and rolled her eyes. "If you wanted me dead, I would be dead," she said.

He raised his brows and nodded. "Yes, you would," he said.

Elena leaned forward and smiled, causing me to lean back in turn. "But, I'm not."

Damon smirked. "Yet."

I sighed and turned around, walking away from their petty flirtations. I already knew were Stefan would be. I headed upstairs towards his room and found him on the stairs. I quietly walked towards him and smiled when he turned around. He gave me a weak half-smile in return, and I tried to keep the look of pity from my face.

"Should I start the conversation off with a 'Hey Slugger?' Or is that too much?" I asked.

He looked rough — well, as rough as Stefan ever looks. His dress shirt was wrinkled, and his hair more ruffled than usual. He was in mourning for his relationship. I pitied him, instead of reading Shakespeare and Austen, he had to help Vicki, a compulsive liar, and drug user.

"Yeah, I think I can do without the 'how are you holding up,' talk," he said, brushing his hand over the back of his hair.

I placed my hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Ok, well, if you need a junk food and terrible movie night, call me. We've known each other for a very long time, Stef. I want to be there for you, regardless of who my sister is in this time," I said. I leaned in and gave him a hug, whispering in his ear. "You were my brother, Stefan. I may have never said it, but you were. I love you,"

He choked on a silent sob, and I held him close until a voice from the hallway below interrupted us.

"Stefan?" Elena said.

I stepped back and looked away as Stefan rubbed his tired eyes. He took my face in his hands and kissed my nose gently. "I love you too, Elandra. You will always be my sister," he said, his voice rough.

The sun coming through the window reflected off the glass and made his face shine. His loving smile was blinding. Something inside me clicked together, and I felt tears on my face. He used his thumbs to wipe them away, and I giggled. I always wanted to tell him what he meant to me as Elandra and doing so now allowed a piece of me to snap into place.

"Go on, Stef, she's waiting for you,"

I hugged him one last time and then slipped away as he leaned over the banister and talked to Elena. I walked down the adjacent hallway, sending a quick text to Tyler and Elena, and slipped past them as they discussed Vicki. Elena was too wrapped up right now for a discussion of my kind, and I just needed some normalcy. I stepped outside and leaned into the car. I inserted the keys into the ignition before taking my bag from the back seat.

"You really look good, El," Damon said from behind me.

I stepped out of the car and shook my head. "Sure, but not nearly as good as Katherine's doppelganger, huh," I said, arching an eyebrow.

Damon stepped closer and opened his mouth just as Tyler's loud truck started pulling into the driveway. He stopped behind my car and leaned out of his window, whistling loudly, he flipped his sunglasses onto his head. "Look at that!"

I stepped away from Damon and did a quick spin, my hands up in the air, bag dangling from one finger.

"Well, well, well, Miss Elara Gilbert. Need a lift?" he asked suggestively.

I laughed at his gall and tossed my bag over my shoulder, saluting Damon. "Later, Salvatore," I said.

I ran over to the passenger side of Tyler's truck and jumped in. Damon watched me from beside my car, his eyes hard. He stepped to my window and looked up at me, his black hair fluttering in the gentle breeze. "What are you doing with him, El," he asked.

I frowned at him and leaned out, my voice hard as steel as it challenged him.

"I'm going to school with my friend. You have fun with my sister," I pulled away from him and twirled my forefinger at Tyler. "Let's go."

He nodded and flipped his sunglasses onto his head. "As you wish, milady," he said.

We pulled out of the drive, and I lifted my leg, sitting it in the window. My firey hair blew around me, and I enjoyed the peace that came with being around Tyler. Yes, he was supernatural, but as of right now, he didn't know that. Right now, he was normal, and I craved that. He flipped on his radio and blasted some rock music as we sped through the streets of Mystic Falls. I bobbed my head in time to the beat and laughed at as Tyler used his invisible drumsticks. He slowed his car for me, handing me a coin as we passed over Wickery Bridge. I tossed the coin out the window and smiled into the sunlight, it was utterly ordinary. It was pure bliss. As we approached the school, he lowered the music, and we both started to sober up.

"So, I heard they are putting together a search party for Vic," he said, as he pulled into the parking lot.

I looked right ahead of me and pushed down the word vomit that wanted to erupt and tell him everything, including what he is, and carefully looked at him.

"Yeah, Jeremy is skipping today to join,"

Tyler's face scrunched up, and I quickly hopped out of the truck. I joined him on the other side and gave him a swift peck on the cheek.

"Thanks for the ride, Ty,"

He gave me a crooked smile as I waved goodbye and went in search of Caroline. It felt like I hadn't seen her in forever. I made my way inside, jumping away from fake spider webs and skeletons that lined every part of the hallway around me.

Really? Where did the school find the funding for decorations like this?

I slipped past a skeleton on a gurney and found Caroline and Bonnie. I jumped up and down, waving as I approached. Bonnie saw me and smiled brightly, Caroline, on the other hand, sniffed and turned away, typical spurned Caroline behavior. I slid in beside her and took a deep breath. I had decided I was sick of secrets amongst my friends.

"Listen, Caroline. I'm so sorry about not talking to you for the last few days. But It's because I've been keeping something from you, from everyone. And I'm tired of the secrets," I said.

That caught her attention quickly, and she spun around to face me, her blonde hair slapping me in the face. She placed her hands on her hips as I sniffled, trying not to sneeze.

"What secrets?" she huffed. "How could you keep secrets from me? I'm supposed to be your best friend!" she said, dangling the vervain bracelet I had given her in my face. "Did this seriously mean nothing to you?" she asked in a rush of irritated breath.

I leaned my head on Caroline's shoulder. I lifted my own wrist into the air showing her my identical(minus the vervain) bracelet. "Of course, it meant something to me, Care Bear. You are my best friend, and that is why I want to tell you everything,"

Bonnie watched me worriedly, and I gave her a knowing gaze. She frantically looked at me, and I shook my head, easing her worry. I had no intention of revealing her secrets.

"Caroline, I am planning on telling Jer and Lena tonight and would like you and Bonnie to come over too. My house at 9?" I asked.

She looked me over and must have decided she could wait because she nodded and looked at Bonnie next. "You coming over for the big reveal, Bon?" she asked, raising her hands and performing bunny ear quotations.

I rolled my eyes dramatically.

"Of course, I've gotta know this secret," Bonnie said.

I leaned my shoulder against the locker and nodded my chin at the black bag Caroline was carrying.

"What's in the bag?" I asked.

Bonnie took the bag from her hand and looked at me nervously. "It's my costume, for tonight,"

I clapped my hands together and leaned over the bag excitedly. Caroline took my arm and pulled me into a hug. "See, at least someone is excited for tonight. I knew you were my best friend for a reason," she said, wrapping her arms around my neck.

I looked at Bonnie as she pulled her costume from the bag, the brownish-gold, and black dress catching my attention. I stepped beside her and took the dress from her hands.

"Seriously?" she said, lifting the hat to my face.

I looked at the pointed monstrosity with glee, my eyes tearing up with laughter.

"You're a witch, Bonnie," I said, straight-faced.

Bonnie narrowed her green eyes at me and looked at Caroline, who had her back against the lockers. "Come on. Can someone other than Ellie and me be excited for Halloween?" Caroline turned her head towards Bonnie, her eyes were pouty. "I just wanna have fun, ya know, just some silly, fluffy, Damon-free fun," she said.

Bonnie fidgeted with the witches hat her mouth cast in a frown. I felt a warm weight on my chest and knew it was Emily trying to tell me something. I looked down at the dress in my hand and noticed the brownish-gold coloring matched the amulet perfectly. It would give me just the in I needed to pass it on to her, and Caroline would never remember having it, not since I clouded her mind.

"Hey, Bonnie, I have the perfect necklace for you to wear with this dress. I was actually going to donate it sometime today. It's just not something I wear very often, but it would look great on you," I said, pulling the necklace out from under my shirt.

Bonnie looked at me strangely as I unfasted the clasp and handed it over. She dangled it in front of her and eyed it speculatively; the amber color stood out beautifully against her skin. I could feel Emily calling out to her and wondered how she couldn't.

"Oh that's pretty Bonnie, El's right, it'll look perfect!" Caroline said, smiling at me. "Ok, you next Ellie bean. Your costume is in there too,"

Bonnie smiled evilly and handed the bag over to me, one eyebrow raised in triumph. I huffed dramatically and reached inside, pulling out a black garment bag. I looked a Caroline suspiciously and unzipped it quickly. I gasped when I saw a knee-length blood-red tutu dress, spiky red and black devil horns, and a bright red pitchfork. I started laughing brightly and looked at Caroline with glee.

"This is perfect, Care, absolutely perfect," I said.

Bonnie laughed beside me and touched the soft fabric of the dress, running her fingers across the sparkling bodice.

"It really is, Caroline. Our Elara is the perfect fiery little devil," she said, pulling me into a one-armed hug.

Caroline giggled, and they helped me put everything back into the bag and zip it up.

"Hey, have you seen, Elena? Do we know what she's wearing?" Caroline asked her face serious.

Bonnie shrugged and folded her costume over her arm. "I was with Grams all weekend. I haven't talked to her. Maybe she's with Stefan," she said. I avoided their eyes and followed Bonnie's shrug. I pulled Caroline away before she could mope.

After school, I avoided every Vampire I knew. I wanted to go to the Halloween party with Caroline and have regular everyday fun. I stepped into the house and heard people in the kitchen. When I made my way inside, I saw Elena watching Jeremy on the phone, a worried expression on her face. She saw me watching her and came over to me.

"Where have you been, Elara?" she asked her eyes running over my face. I shook my head and looked at her incredulously.

"School, Elena. I figured you had things covered. There was no need for every Gilbert to be absent," I said, walking away.

I could sense her eyes on my back, but I didn't care. I needed an average day, sue me. I took water from the fridge and looked at both my siblings. My average day was about to end.

"Jer, Lena. I need you both home at 9 tonight. I have Caroline and Bonnie coming too,"

Jeremy looked at me in confusion, his cup stopped halfway to his mouth. His expression morphed into concern in an instant, and he put his mug on the table beside him, stepping next to me.

"What's going on, El?" he roughly asked.

Elena shook her head, her eyes wide. I ignored her — my mind was already made. I looked at Jeremy earnestly and took a deep breath.

"I have a secret Jer, a big one. I've been keeping it from you all for years, and I can't take it anymore. I have to tell you, and I want to do it all at once,"

He brushed the hair from my face, his jaw set in determination. "I'll be here, Elara," he said.

I exhaled and smiled at him. "Thank you," I turned to Elena and saluted her with my water. "Now, I say we hang out tonight, like family. We could go to the, uh, Halloween thing at school,"

Jeremy took a drink and shrugged lightly. "Cool. Sounds fun," he said, none too convincingly, turning toward the living room.

Elena moved towards him, and he stopped trying to leave as she spoke.

"Look, Jeremy, I know your upset about Vicki. I heard she called Matt. But you can't be with her. She needs to get better,"

I remained off to the side, sipping my water aimlessly as I watched her continue to push him away. When the argument got further heated, I decided to leave them to it and went upstairs to change into my costume. I finished sliding on my black leather boots and checked my horns to make sure they were entirely in place before I decided I was good to go.

"You look good,"

Rebekah sat on top of my bedspread, twirling a blonde curl around her index finger. I gave her a mischievous cackle and a thumbs up before grabbing my car keys and heading downstairs. I excitedly hopped into my car and drove to the school.

The party was in full swing by the time I arrived. Everyone was decked out in either full gore or slutty costumes, with a few managing to straddle in between the two. I never quite understood the appeal of dressing as something like a sexy Freddy Krueger. Still, a few attendees managed to make that costume work.

I carefully slid out of my car, afraid to rip my fragile dress. I was pleasantly surprised when I turned more than a few heads with Caroline's costume choice.

"Whoa, look at you!"

I turned around to find Tyler, bare-chested and donning a red cape. My head fell back as I laughed. Raising my hands out beside me, I gave him a quick spin. Tyler clapped, whistling in appreciation. With a slight blush, I motioned to his minimalistic version of a costume.

"Check you out. Someone has been working out. Nice," I said, waving my hands over my chest.

He grinned, flexing his arms, and offered me a cup with something smokey and green. I took it gratefully and drank the odd tasting beverage with a bright smile. It tasted of apples, cinnamon, and something tangy and possibly acholic.

"You really do look great, El," he said over the music.

I followed him towards the school and smiled.

"Thank you. It's all Carolines doing," I said with a small sway to my hips.

He watched me with a small grin, and I bowed, tossing my hair over one shoulder. Looking over at the entrance of the school, I saw nurse Elena and Jeremy heading inside.

"Hey, I see Elena. Thanks for the drink, Ty," I said.

I waved goodbye, then slowly walked over to the entrance and waved at Caroline and Bonnie on the way, running my hand down the dress and winking, they both gave me a thumbs up. Inside I passed by walls covered in sliced up sheets and spider webs. The music blared at top volume, and everyone seemed to be having a blast. Ahead I could see Matt and Elena talking, both in last year's costumes. A cute Doctor and his nurse. They really did make such an adorable couple, but she was happier with Stefan. Before I had made it halfway there, Elena's breathing had changed, and her body profoundly bowed in stress. I rushed forward, grabbing her wrist.

"Elena, what's wrong?" I asked

She turned to me, her eyes panicked. "Vicki is here...with Jeremy," she gasped.

I dropped her hand and spun around, looking everywhere for them. Oh god, how could Stefan let her out of his sight? I had trusted him. My breathing became erratic, and my heartfelt like it was going to pound its way out of my chest.

"We've gotta find him," I said urgently

"Guys, what's the matter?" Matt asked.

I looked at him and took his face in my hands. "Go home," I said, backing away into the crowd with Elena.

I pushed through the warm bodies, Elena's hand in mine, and tried to remember to breathe. He would be ok.

"She's dressed as a Vampire," Elena said.

I stopped in my tracks and scoffed, raising my hands to my face.

Of course, she is.

Shaking it off, I pushed us into a less crowded part of the room, lifting the large white sheet. Elena shook her head, removing the stethoscope from her costume. Just as I was about to text Stefan, he came bursting into the room with Vicki in a skimpy purple vampire costume.

"Thank God," Elena said.

Stefan pulled Vicki closer to us and looked us both over swiftly. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"I lost track of Jeremy. I was worried," Elena said, stepping closer to him and watching Vicki from the corner of her eye.

Matt walked into the room next, and I closed my eyes. My senses were on overload, and the shit was about to hit the fan. I stood close to Matt and kept my eyes on everyone in the room.

"Hey, Matty. Everything is fine. Just some Jeremy drama," I said, taking his arm.

He pushed me off him and stepped into Stefan's face. Vicki, clearly noticing the sudden change in the air, swiftly took advantage of it, pushing Stefan away and stepping behind her clearly confused and frightened brother.

"I told you to quit bothering me," she spat, looking at him in anger.

The warm room took a sudden sharp turn to cold as Vicki glared at Stefan in anger. Stefan's posture stiffened, and he took a step beside Elena, looking over at Vicki in shocked understanding. Elena raised her hand.

"No, Vicki, don't do this," she said.

I stepped closer to Matt and tried to keep him calm, but he pushed me off again.

"Matt, he won't leave me alone," Vicki said tearily.

She played the victim well, having had years of practice. Matt got in Stefan's face. "You need to back off, man," Matt said, his eyes a mixture of anger and worry.

I moved in front of him and pushed him away from Stefan. "Matty, it's ok, it's ok," I said quickly.

He looked down at me in disappointment, disturbed by the fact that I was siding with Stefan. He shook his head. "No, it's not ok," he said.

Elena glanced over Matts's shoulder and pushed past me. "Elara, she's gone," Elena frantically said, heading in the direction she had went.

Stefan tried to follow her, but Matt grabbed him and held him back. Stefan twisted himself around and pushed Matt against the wall.

"I'm trying to help her," he growled.

Stefan's face was just inches away from Matt's as I took his shoulder and pulled him back, standing between the two men.

"He's right, Matt, he is only trying to help," I insisted.

Stefan took my hand and led me in the direction Elena and Vicki had fled. We rushed through the school, the bright, flashing lights were disorienting, and I blinked rapidly, clearing the spots from my vision. I pushed through the crowd ahead of Stefan, somehow losing him somewhere amongst the large groups of people. My breathing became heavy, and my pulse quickened, the walls closing in around me. I slowed my walking and took a few deep breaths to focus, and pushed through. A few feet away, I saw a door that led outside and ran forward, pushing it open. As soon as I stepped foot outside, the cool air slapped me in the face and I strained to focus. I made my way toward the back of the school and caught sight of Elena. I watched in horror as she dug through a pile of rubbish, grabbing a piece of plywood. She lifted it in the air and ran towards Vicki, who I only just noticed was holding Jeremy by the throat a few feet away.

"Vicki, Nooo!" she screamed.

Vicki dropped Jeremy to the ground, her teeth bared, face covered in dark black veins, and started to run towards Elena. Elena swung the wood, using as she would a baseball bat, but Vicki was quicker, she picked Elena up by her throat, and tossed her. Elena soared through the air, feet kicking against nothing. She landed hard on the pile of rubbish and wood, her head lolling to the side.

"Elena!" I screamed.

I charged towards Vicki, my hands already glowing. I flung them forward, my magic knocking her back a few feet. She landed on her knees, an angry growl rising from her throat. I skidded to a halt next to Elena, falling down beside her, my hands hovering above her bleeding side, just as Stefan showed up. Vicki stood to her feet and speed toward him. They collided with one another, and Stefan reared back, hitting Vicki into the front of a nearby school bus. The bus groaned as Vicki slid down the side, her face scrunched up in anger and pain. Stefan stood in front of her, his hands bunched up at his sides in preparation for another attack. Jeremy slowly walked from around the other side of the bus, his face shocked and tear-stained.

"Vicki?" he asked.

Placing her hands on the pavement, Vicki heaved herself up from the ground. Her dark eyes narrowed in on Stefan. Stepping closer to Vicki Stefan tried to take her arm, but she quickly pushed him off and disappeared, leaving nothing behind but a burst of wind. Breathing heavily, we all frantically looked around. I quickly helped Elena to her feet and herded her toward Jeremy. She was beaten up and bloody, and when she moved, she winced in pain. Stefan looked at me in fear. He knew as well as I did that Vicki wasn't gone.

"Get them inside," he commanded.

I pushed them ahead of me towards the door and kept my eyes on our surroundings.

"Let's go, come on, Jeremy," Elena said, pulling him with her.

Elena made it inside just as Vicki grabbed me by my hair, yanking me to the ground. I screamed in pain as my head collided with the concrete. My vision blurred as I tried to lift myself up, holding my weight using my elbows, but I was too dizzy and slipped, my head hitting the pavement again. I winced, darkness surrounding my vision. I watched helplessly as Vicki grabbed Elena and Jeremy next. Roughly tossing Jeremy behind her, she took Elena by the neck, digging her fangs in with zero remorse. Elena screamed, her voice raw with fear. I shakily stood, my head pulsing with pain, and lifted my hand, flinging Vicki from Elena with everything I had. She went flying backward, her hair whipping around her. My legs shook as I watched Stefan pick up a jagged piece of plywood and vamp speed toward where he knew Vicki would land. Lifting the wood, he caught her; piercing her heart. Vicki stood motionless, her hand shaking near the bloody end of the wood that protruded through her chest. She looked at us, her face full of pain and fear. Her skin began to turn grey, and blood-red tears fell from her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Vicki," I said shakily.

I watched as she collapsed in a heap on the ground in front of us. Jeremy wailed for her from where he had watched the whole thing. I slowly wobbled over to Elena and pulled her hair out of the quickly drying wound on her neck. She flinched as her hair reopened the bite, and her eyes began to water.

"Are you ok, Lena? Did I hurt you?" I asked.

Elena looked at me in surprise for a moment before shaking it off.

"No, you saved me. Thank you, El," she said, looking at Jeremy, who stood, staring at Vicki's gray corpse.

"Get him out of here, Stefan," she said quietly.

Stefan wrapped his arm around Jeremy's shoulder and led him away. He pulled his cell from his pocket and dialed a number. Elena lowered herself down next to Vicki's body, holding her stomach. Her whole body shook, releasing the pent-up adrenaline. She gasped for air, sobs trying to escape her. I ran my hand down her hair and attempted to offer her comfort. Other than our parent's death, this was the first violent experience she had ever witnessed. I bent down beside her and held her while she cried for Vicki, for Matt, for Jeremy, and for her lost innocence. We heard a sound coming from the other side of the bus and tensed. Elena's crying slowed when Damon came around the corner.

"You should go. I got this," Damon said, almost apologetically.

I shook my head and helped Elena stand.

"You did this," Elena spat, her tone laced with venom and expression full of hate. "This is your fault,"

I felt so bad for her. She was so young and saw the world with pretty rose-colored glasses.

"Elena, let's go. You need to be healed," I insisted.

She pushed me away and looked at me with the same disgusted expression. "How can you be so calm?" she asked.

I closed my eyes and exhaled. "This is so very far from the worst thing I have ever seen, Elena. I am angry, and I feel sorry for her and the ones who loved her, but that's all I can muster," I said truthfully.

Damon looked at me with something akin to interest and shrugged.

"You confuse me for someone with remorse," he said, looking down at Vicki with expressionless eyes.

Elena took a deep breath and shoved Damon as hard as she could, grunting with the effort. She lifted her hand to slap him, and Damon caught it, grasping it roughly, his eyes never leaving her face. Elena breathed deep in discomfort.

"Damon, you are hurting her. You've made your point," I said.

"None of this matters to me, none of it," he said, looking at us both.

I nodded and looked into his hard eyes. "As I said. You've made your point...to us both," I said, voice strained.

He dropped her wrist roughly, and Elena held it against her chest, trying to keep her tears at bay.

"People die around you. How could it not matter? It matters, and you know it," she said, raising her hand back and connecting with the side of his face.

I covered my mouth and jumped in front of her quickly. Damon turned his head and looked at me. I breathed deeply, my hair blowing out in front of me with every breath. I could feel the blood pooling on the back of my head from where Vicki had tossed me to the ground, but I didn't care. Elena was trying to get herself killed tonight, long before even I was due to die. Damon jerked forward a bit, and I could feel Elena move behind me. Damon smirked.

"Mmm," He looked at me again and nodded quickly. "She needs to leave. Your wounds are bleeding, and she needs to leave," he said, tilting his head with a sneer.

I could feel Elena back up slowly behind me, but I continued to face forward, my eyes on Damon.

"Come on, Elara," she begged.

I turned to face her, my eyes scanning her critically. A large wound was present on her shoulder, neck, and side. She needed to see Stefan.

"Find Stefan, ok? I will see you at home,"

Elena looked at me in fear.

"I'll be ok, Elena," I said. "I'll see you at home."

Nodding, she backed away slowly. I watched her until I could no longer see her white costume in the darkness. I turned around and looked at Damon warily.

"What the hell was that?" I asked him, placing my hand on the back of my head with a deep groan.

With a mild sigh of annoyance, he bit into his wrist and held it out for me to take. I rolled my eyes and drank from him until I couldn't feel the ache in my head.

"Better?" he asked.

I bent down next to Vicki and looked her over. With a flick of my wrist, she was covered in a white tarp from the dumpster next to us.

"Handy," he sarcastically said.

"What was that about, Damon? The whole 'none of this matters' junk," I asked, waving my hand in the air.

He bent down and pulled the tarp-covered Vicki over his shoulder. "I needed her to know that she may have my brother wrapped around her finger, but not me. I came here for one reason — Katherine. You need to remember that too. I'm not the same as I was before,"

I placed a hand on my hip and smiled. "I know who you are and no amount of hurtful words, sneers, or this," I motioned to Vicki. "Will make me forget. It will only hurt me," leaned in and touched his face for a mere second before pulling away. "Thanks for healing me,"

I waved goodbye and left the same way Elena had. Before I headed home, I decided to quickly check in with Bonnie and Caroline, telling them I would need to change our visit to the next day. Finally, I got into my car and slowly drove home, afraid of what I was going to find. Something was telling me it wasn't going to be good, and I always trusted my instincts. When I arrived home, Elena and Stefan were on the porch. I got out of my car and carefully walked to the steps.

"How's Jeremy?" I asked.

Stefan turned away from me, his eyes filled with pain and doubt. Elena approached me swiftly.

"Listen, Elara, it had to be this way. I couldn't watch him go through this again," she said.

I looked up at her for second unsure of what she meant, until Damon stepped outside.

"It's done," he said.

I looked at him and then back at Elena. "You didn't. Tell me you didn't," I said, pushing her away from me.

I didn't want to touch her.

"He's just a kid, Elara. He needs to be normal and happy," she said.

I backed further away and scoffed loudly at her, completely blown away by how she was justifying her actions. The fact was: she had Damon compel away Jeremy's memories. She could say it was for his sake all she wanted, but I was sure he would see it the same way I did. It was all for her so that she could feel better. I was positive he would prefer the truth and any the pain that might come with it, over lies and lost memories.

"He won't forgive you for this, Elena. I won't forgive you for this. Any of you," I said, looking at each of them.

Stefan tried to approach me, and I pushed him back with my magic.

Damon stood next to Elena, his eyes empty. How fitting. I smiled at him and shrugged. "I guess you were right," I said.

I snapped my fingers, and a small travel bag appeared in my hand with a change of clothes and my school supplies.

"I'll be at Caroline's. Don't worry, I'll call Jenna,"

I stepped off the porch and ignored Elena's heavy crying. "Please, Ellie."

I turned around and looked her dead in the eyes, no emotion on my face. "You have no right to call me that! As of right now, I want nothing to do with you, Elena," I tossed my bag in the car and turned back to her with a hateful sneer on my face. "Oh, and by the way, I wanted to tell you and Jeremy I'm dying, but it seems you've taken that option from me now. Goodbye, Elena," I sneered, slipping into my car.

I looked straight ahead and pulled away, leaving her behind to be coddled by the Salvatores.

#damon salvatore #caroline forbes #klaus fanfiction #klaus mikaelson #reincarnation #damon x oc #klaus mikaelson x oc #oc tag #OC #elena gilbert #Stefan Salvatore #The Orginals

[pinebypine]

The Predicament

Triplet AU fic. Mabel and Ty have a problem brewing with their brother.

Dipper had attempted to knock on his sisters’ door but it wasn’t latched and had swung open instead. Ty was at the desk and Mabel propped up on her elbows on the bed, both were now giving him quizzical looks.

“You need something, broseph?”

Dipper tightened his grip on the towel around his waist, making doubly sure it was secure. “Uh yea, sorry. I just wanted to let you know the shower was free.”

Mabel rolled her eyes dramatically. “We’ve been up for like four hours already. Not everybody sleeps till noon every chance they get.”

Ty gave her brother an easy smile. “Thanks, but we’re good, Dip. Get the door, will you?”

“Oh, sure.” Dipper reached in and pulled the door shut behind him.

“I don’t think he’s realized,” Mabel smirked as she returned to reading the latest issue of Sexy Vampire Weekly, “that we’ve been showering early ever since he started with the whole ‘ungodly long showers’ thing. The amount of hot water that dude uses is bonkers.”

Her sister shifted in her chair and returned to her calculus homework, punching keys into the calculator on the desk and scratching at the numbers in her notebook.

Mabel tapped a finger against her chin and looked up at the ceiling for a moment, trying to recall something. “Did Dipper actually take two showers yesterday?”

With a sudden motion, Ty flipped her notebook closed, flung herself from her chair, and flopped face down onto her own bed. “Can’t take it anymore.” She declared. “Too distracted for homework.”

Mabel closed her magazine and rested her chin on a palm. “Distracted, eh?” She played innocent. “What on earth could have my little sister so distracted?”

Ty lifted her face from the bed and gave her sister a grave look. “Are we actually talking about this or are you just being cute?”

The older girl pushed herself up from the bed. She started to count off on her fingers. “First off, I���m always cute. Second, you and I already agreed to be honest about this and third…” She grabbed her sister by the shoulders and pulled their faces level. “Oh my god did you see that freaking happy trail?! I couldn’t not look; it was like it was calling to me, girl!”

Ty’s cheeks reddened at her sister’s words and she tried to hide behind her hands. “I know. I know. It was all I could do to keep my cool. How are we supposed to act normal with all that cheesecake just walking around the house?”

“Do you think he knows? I was a total train wreck. ‘Not everybody sleeps till noon every blah blah blah.’” She mocked her own voice. “I would totally sleep until noon if I could! Sleeping-in is the business!”

“You!?” Ty boggled at her sister. “What about me? There was no way he didn’t notice me staring at him. God I was so obvious.” She smacked her forehead. “Learn some subtlety, Ty!”

Mabel cast herself back onto the bed, flailing her arms. “What are we going to do?” She despaired. “We can’t keep this up! We’re gonna get caught and then KA-BOOM,” she make a dramatic sweep of both her arms to add visual emphasis, “everybody figures out what horrible perverts we are.”

“We need those blinders they put on horses.”

“Or blindfolds.”

“Ooh!” Ty enthused. “Or we just wear mirrored sunglasses all the time. Everybody thinks were just being cool and stuff but really we’re spending all our time just taking in eyefuls.”

Her sister giggled. “Oh, that is the best of both worlds. It doesn’t just solve the Dipper-problem, either. You, little missy,” Mabel elbowed her sister in the ribs, “have been driving me batty for weeks. You leaned over the table at dinner last night and I'm 'dang girl' and trying by best not to look down your shirt.”

Ty gave her a shove. “Like you’re one to talk with those shorts you’ve been wearing lately. I’m surprised I’m not in the shower more often than Dipper.” She got a mischievous grin. “And I’m doubly glad that mom or dad haven’t figured out why we wanted that detachable showerhead.”

Mabel got a dreamy look in her eyes. “Mr. Squeaky-Clean™, you’re the best boyfriend.” Then her eyebrows scrunched together. “Wait, do you think that’s what’s been dragging out Dipper’s shower time? Is Squeaky cheating on us?”

Ty eyed her incredulously. “Really? You’re just now figuring this out?”

Mabel’s jaw dropped. “You’re saying you knew?!”

“I figure it was something like that.” The other girl shrugged. “Although probably not Mr. Squeaky-Clean™, considering the rather copious and conspicuously unexplained bottle of lotion that has appeared in the bathroom.”

“Oh,” recognition spread across Mabel’s face, “ohhhhhhh. Dipper, you perv.”

“I just figured it was pretty typical teenage-boy behavior. Harper Robinson always used to complain about her brother leaving dirty tissues all over the place.”

Mabel made a face of disgust at that. “What? Like he just - you know. Then wipes up the stuff and litters the house with it?”

“Apparently.”

Mabel clapped her hands over her eyes. “Ugh, at least the Dipster isn’t making a mess.”

“Well, if you’re anything like me,” Ty sighed, “and I have many reasons to expect that you are, then you’re probably going to wish you didn’t know about what our dear brother was up to during his daily ablutions.”

“Why? It’s just Dipper taking things into his own hands. If it weren’t awkward, I’d give the dude a high five on the way out.”

The blush that had started on Ty’s cheeks earlier hadn’t stopped it’s march across her skin and now had officially bridged her nose, forming one large red splotch across the middle of her face. “Because now that you know, when you notice him go in there…”

Mabel waited for her sister to continue and the pause grew longer and longer.

The middle triplet made frustrated growling now. “When I know he’s in there and what he’s probably doing I can’t freaking stop myself from picturing it and it gets really frustrating. Like really frustrating.”

Mabel considered this and, since she was indeed very much like her sister, started picturing it as well. “Oh. Yes.” It was Mabel’s turn to blush now. “Yeah, you’re right, sis; we’re totes screwed.”

They both sat in silence for a while, thoughts no longer exactly in the present.

“Wait a sec.” Mabel finally broke the silence.

“Yeah, Mabes?” Ty rose and propped her head up with one arm. “Have you happened upon some solution to our little predicament?”

“Just a thought.”

“Well don’t keep it to yourself.”

“So you and I, we’re both like both going on overdrive lately. And the sort of junk that makes us go all…” she voiced and mimed an imitation of starting a motor with a pull cord and then throttling it all the way up. “It’s not exactly got the normal set of ‘no, not that’ filters going on.”

“Agreed, thus our current situation.”

Mabel sat for a second. “How different do you figure Dipper is from us?”

“Well, he’s a dork. And he get’s all introspective and freezes up. And he’s probably the least athletic...”

“I meant on the” insert motor revving noise, “thing, dummy.”

Ty’s eye went a little wide. “Oh, ohhhhh. I don’t know; I just thought that you and I were weird. No reason to suppose that Dipper shares are peculiarities.”

Mabel got up and sat cross-legged. “And up until you and I had our heart-to-heart, I thought I was the only one going all crazy, but now it’s two out of three and the odds are in our favor.”

“I don’t think that’s how statistics works, Mabel.”

The older triplet made a dismissive motion with her hand. “Pshhh. Dipper’s an odd duck but he’s still a Pines triplet, through and through, and if this is what it means to be a Pines triplet, he’ll be right here with us. It’s worth trying.”

Ty considered for a moment before answering. “It’s a big risk, but on the other hand it was a big risk opening up to you. And that’s turned out pretty well. At least we can talk freely now and help each other out.” To this Mabel winked in response and Ty blurt out a laugh. “Yes, fine. Double entendre intended.”

“And think about poor Dipper out there.” Mabel indicated toward the door. “Living in a house with the two hottest girls on the planet. Can’t talk about it. Can’t act.” Her eyes were as big a saucers, filled with pathos. “He’s struggling all the time, and you and me, Ty Pines, we’re the only ones who can help him.”

Her sister raised an eyebrow conspiratorially. “And help ourselves while we’re at it?”

“Bonus!”

“If we’re going to approach this, we’re going to have to go about it delicately. We can’t just ambush him the next time mom and dad are out of the house. We need to set this up so he has an out and that if it turns out you’re wrong and we’re just weirdos, we’ve got something ready to cover for us.”

“My sister the pessimist.” Mabel scoffed.

“Dipper’s the pessimist; I’m the realist.”

“Does that make me the optimist?”

Ty wrapped her arms around Mabel and dragged her down to the bed. “You’re the surrealist, Mabes.”

They kissed.

“That’s it!” Ty declared with a start, jumping up to flip the lock on their door. “I can’t take it; we’re going to have to risk a daylight session.”

Mabel was already whipping off her shirt and laughing. “Yes! I’ve been hoping you’d break down since before Dipper came in here.”

#pinecest #pinebypine #GFTripletAU