#addy i hope you like it!!!! i'm sorry for taking too long and thank you for requesting <3 yuta in limitless was lovely

[justfandomwritings]

The Only Thing (Hangman - Part Two)

Pairing: Jake Seresin x Female!Reader; some Rooster x Seresin!OC

Word Count: 11.2k

Summary: Jake Seresin is madly in love with (Y/n). This is not an opinion or a feeling; it is a fact. A law of the universe that will never change. As long as the world is in motion, as long as the sun is in the sky, and possibly even after, Jake Seresin will be in love with her. So why, for the love of all that is good in this world, are they not together? Rooster intends to find out.

Warnings: Angst, Objectively excessive amounts of pining, also Jake Seresin can be an asshole sometimes but so can his sisters, cursing. An emotional amount of found family. Also Christmas is featured, but in a very non-religious celebratory way. Also no Beta-reader, sorry.

Notes: Thank you to everyone who partook in Part One. I hope you all find Part Two, and I hope you all love it. There will be a spinoff oneshot of little tidbits from Jake and Addie's life growing up together and falling in love, etc. etc. If you have any thoughts on particular moments you'd like to see either in that or just in general as blurbs lemme know.

The Only Thing Masterlist

“Not that star! It’s falling apart. Use the new one we bought last year!”

“Seriously Ma, you couldn’t have said that before?” Hangman huffed and readjusted Ronnie higher up on his shoulders. “Bradshaw, get Ronnie whatever fuckin’ star Ma’s talking about.”

Rooster snorted but began rummaging through the ornaments and assorted other tree decorations without much protest. There was a newer looking star topper still in the box at the bottom of the storage bin labeled ‘Tree Stuff’, and Rooster pulled it out.

Holding it up in Debbie’s general direction at the far end of the hall, he asked, “This one?”

“Yes, honey, that’s the one.” Debbie gave him a thumbs up then, satisfied, darted back into the kitchen to continue cooking.

Rooster handed the star up to Ronnie on top of Jake’s shoulders and took the older, beat-up star off her hands.

The Seresins were a very last-minute family when it came to decorating. Mostly, it was that the sisters, Ronnie in particular, considered decorating for Christmas to be a family affair, and they collectively refused to decorate anything at all until their brother was home.

Hangman had, of course, written this off to Rooster as the three of them wanting him to do all the heavy lifting, and while Ronnie and Andy adamantly refused the accusation, Kate nodded along when Hangman’s back was turned. It’d made Rooster chuckle which earned Kate a glare from her brother.

Debbie was milling around the kitchen with Andy, baking and mixing an assortment of things that could be made in advanced of Christmas Day, while Kate draped bannisters in garlands. and Ronnie, Hangman, and Rooster decorated the tree.

They were finally finishing up the tree with the star on top when the front door burst open without any knock or warning.

“I brought candy!”

Rooster would recognize (Y/n)’s voice anywhere by now. As much as he’d heard it over the last couple days with Hangman, he was sure he could pick it out of any crowd.

“I’ll help her.” Rooster quickly volunteered as Hangman was still acting as a step stool for Ronnie to reach the top.

“Thanks,” Hangman bristled as he was forced to walk into the needles of the tree so Ronnie could reach.

With a chuckle, Rooster wandered into the foyer to find (Y/n), arms laden with far too many paper bags.

“Jesus! Did you buy out the whole store?” Rooster rushed forward to take some of the bags out of her hands before a catastrophe occurred.

(Y/n) laughed and pawned off most of the bags on the pilot. “I work at the bakery part-time during the Christmas rush, and Mr. Donaldson always gives me all the imperfect batches that he can’t sell.”

Rooster followed (Y/n) to the kitchen to see what Debbie wanted done with all of it.

“Aren’t you going to keep some of this for yourself?” Rooster lifted the bags of candy in his arms as indication.

(Y/n) shrugged, “No, I'm always here for Christmas anyway. My family don’t really celebrate Christmas.”

“Not Religious?”

“Eh, we all just hate each other. Dad hates my brother. My brother hates me. I hate Mom. Mom hates my brother and me… You get the picture.” (Y/n) waved off Rooster’s question as they entered the kitchen, and Rooster wasn’t sure whether she thought it was unimportant or if she wanted to stop talking about it.

“Besides, why would I want to be anywhere else but here?” (Y/n) loudly announced as she entered the kitchen.

Debbie smiled warmly at (Y/n) as she entered. Her fingers were covered with cookie dough, but she leaned in to kiss (Y/n) on the cheek in lieu of her usual hug. “We wouldn’t want you anywhere else. It wouldn’t be Christmas without you.”

“No cause who else would bring the peanut butter fudge.” (Y/n) turned and eyed the bags in Roosters arms before carefully selecting one in particular and holding it out in her fist as far from her body as possible.

Andy didn’t seem to care about the dough all over her fingers. She greedily snatched the bag from (Y/n) and gave her a one-armed hug in reward, only just avoiding her fingers getting in any hair. “You’re my favorite sister.”

“I won’t tell Kate and Ronnie.” (Y/n) teased.

“Bradley, dear, if you could just set the rest of those on the side table over there.” Debbie pointed to a table that was littered with assorted baking and desert making supplies.

“Of course Debbie,” He’d finally gotten past calling her ma’am, and the smile his familiarity brought to Debbie’s face cemented him using her name.

(Y/n) wandered over to start sorting the bags into different piles. One for fruit candies, one for mint, one for chocolate, etc. She glanced over her shoulder with a faux-sneaky look and passed one of the bags to Rooster. “Try this one. It’s the best candy in the store, and Jake’ll steal it if he finds out I brought some.”

Rooster thanked her, popping one in his mouth. It was some kind of mix of raspberry and chocolate and something else. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but it was utterly delicious. The grin on (Y/n)’s face, like school kids who were stealing sweets before dinner, was enough to make him break out in a massive smile in return.

“I’m right, right?” She whispered, stuffing her hand down in the bag and palming several for herself.

“Absolutely,” Rooster quietly agreed, putting an arm around her shoulder and squeezing in what was meant to be a show of affection.

“Hey!”

They both turned, sheepish and wide eyed like they’d been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Hangman was standing in the doorway with his eyes narrowed in on them.

For a brief, shining moment Rooster was genuinely worried. There was an angry look to Hangman’s brow. Rooster couldn’t tell what it was directed towards, but he had just had an arm wrapped around Hangman’s girl, leaned in inches from her face, as they whispered and smiled at each other. The thought of how it might’ve looked to the other pilot was enough to make him pale.

“Are those the raspberry ones you two are hiding?” Hangman pointed an accusatory finger at the bag half hidden behind Rooster.

“Nope,” (Y/n) stole the bag from Rooster’s hand and took off, shouting unconvincingly as she went, “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”  

Hangman rolled his eyes and waved a hand after her. “Little does she know I bought a box on her lunch break that’s hidden in my room, and I’m not sharing.” Kissing his mom on the top of her head as he passed, Hangman wandered over beside Rooster to observe the assortment (Y/n) had delivered to them.

Hangman’s brow was still a bit furrowed.

“Hey, man,” Rooster didn’t whisper, but he did speak under his breath so the other Seresins wouldn’t hear, “I’m sorry if I crossed a line with (Y/n).”

Hangman turned his head and raised an eyebrow, his expression thoroughly disinterested. “You cop a feel or somethin’ I didn’t see?”

“No, never, I-”

“No harm in makin’ friends, Rooster. I know that’s all it was to her. You tellin’ me it’s somethin’ more to you?”

“God, no.”

Hangman turned back to the candy nonchalantly, “Then what are you apologizin’ for? I’m an asshole, but I’m not that kind of asshole.”

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Hangman’s sisters were very invested in his love life. Mostly, they were very invested in finally getting him and (Y/n) together. It was pretty much the first thing Rooster learned about each of them upon spending time alone with them. Kate had pushed him to knock some sense into Hangman. Ronnie had interrogated him to make sure her brother wasn’t seeing anyone else. Andy had taken to calling (Y/n) her favorite sister or sister-in-law when Hangman wasn’t around.

Clearly born out of a deep love for their brother and a want to finally see him happy, they had all seemingly made it their life’s mission to make him see reason, and with Rooster in town, he had inevitably been drafted in to help.

“I think you may have actually got through to him.” Kate dragged Rooster through the house to the dining table where Ronnie and Andy were already sitting. “But Jake needs a lot of hand holding with things like this. He can’t possibly admit he might have been wrong and making himself miserable for years for no reason.”

Debbie was out running errands, and (Y/n) was helping set up the town’s Christmas Eve parade, which of course meant Hangman was helping set up the town’s Christmas Eve parade. So it seemed prime-time for the Seresin sisters to congregate.

“This is the year. I can feel it in my bones, Kate.” Ronnie was practically bouncing in her seat with excitement at the prospect. “This is the year we finally get him.”

“Get him how?” Rooster took the seat across from Kate and next to Ronnie.

Andy leaned across the table with the closest thing to a serious expression Rooster had seen from her since he arrived. “Every year without fail we plot some storybook, romance novel worthy moment for Jake to finally see reason and declare his love for (Y/n), and every year it fails.”

“It’s a Seresin family tradition at this point,” Kate informed him with a matter-of-fact nod.

“We’ve staged them on a blind date with each other.” Ronnie counted off one on her fingers.

“Jake figured it out when he got there, and they just ended up hanging out.” Andy explained.

“We’ve trapped them in elevators. Twice” Two and three.

“The first time she fell asleep with her head in his lap because she was so tired, and the second time he pried the doors open like fucking He-Man or something.”

“We tried to make Jake jealous and set (Y/n) up with the hottest, richest guy we knew.” Four.

“He got so sad that year and said he hoped the other guy could give her everything she deserved.”

“Yeah, that one was depressing. We’re never trying that again.” Andy and Ronnie nodded along in agreement to Kate’s interjection to their list.

“We trapped them at the top of the ferris wheel the year the town rented one around Christmas.” Five.

“It freaked (Y/n) out too much to be romantic.” Andy added, unhelpfully, “She would not be a good fighter pilot.”

“So what are you three doing this year?” Rooster cut them off when it became clear the list was going to continue.

In a simultaneous motion that would’ve been absolutely horrifying in any horror movie, all three sisters looked up and smiled at his question. “See,” Kate addressed him, “we don’t know. We’re hoping that’s where you come in.”

When exactly Rooster became part of some romcom movie, he wasn’t sure. He was unabashed about the number of romcoms he’d watched over the year, with and without girlfriends present. So he felt pretty educated saying that sitting around a table coming up with a plan to set up two people who were already in love with each other was pretty romcom-esque. It’s just usually in the romcom they didn’t realize they were in love yet.

Rooster didn’t see how any ‘plan’ would work. None of them would resolve the real problem.

Hangman and (Y/n) were both very much in love and very much aware of the fact that they were in love. Neither of them needed to be told or reminded that they had feelings for the other. They were even both aware of the fact that the other was in love with them. There was no moment of realization to be had here. They both knew, and it didn’t seem to change anything..  

Hangman – shockingly – wasn’t selfish enough to ask her to make the sacrifices it would require to follow him, and at the end of the day, Hangman was still going to be a TopGun pilot, and he was still going to be constantly moving, constantly in danger, and constantly away. No romcom movie moment was going to change that.

And (Y/n)… Well Rooster wasn’t sure about (Y/n). He liked her, a lot actually. He could certainly see why Hangman was in love with her, but he just didn’t know her well enough to know what made her tick, to know why a woman so clearly in love with a man who was so clearly in love with her wouldn’t just say ‘screw it’ and show up at his door in San Diego, why she wouldn’t have confronted Hangman at any point in all their years of being ‘not-together’. He couldn’t see what was stopping her, but something clearly was.

Hangman’s sisters were absolutely convinced that they just needed to get through to Hangman, but Rooster wasn’t so sure. There was something nagging at him about (Y/n), telling him that, if they really wanted to make this happen, he needed to talk to her. Easier said than done since she never left Hangman’s side.

He asked the sisters if they could make that happen, if they could separate the two of them for longer than a couple minutes so he could talk to her, and the trio had exchanged long glances before they all burst out laughing like he’d just told the greatest joke they’d ever heard. Kate, promptly, informed him that while their mother made them go to church every Sunday as kids, none of them believed in miracles.

It was oddly endearing watching the sisters plot and scheme, not for their brother’s demise or embarrassment, but for his happiness. Their words did not match their angry, sinister tones. They said things like ‘Why won’t he just tell her he loves her?’ and ‘She already knows he loves her!’ and ‘Well, why won’t he just let her love him back, that asshole!’ and ‘I just want them to be happy and make babies!’ were snarled like insults. They all spat on Jake’s name like it was a vulgar word, while simultaneously trying to come up with ways to make him smile.

Rooster’s heart ceased up in his chest, and he knew he needed to get out of there. “I’ll be back.”

Andy and Ronnie waved him off, barely noticing as he left. They were still batting around ideas about what to do for Hangman. Kate was a different animal. Rooster could feel her eyes on him as his shoulders hunched in time with his constricting chest.

He made a swift exit onto the patio, inhaling fresh air deep into his lungs in an attempt to open up his chest. He was out there alone for less than a minute before a hand touched his shoulder. He should’ve known it was coming, but it still made him jump and turn around defensively.

“Sorry,” Rooster’s voice cracked slightly on the word, and he quickly diverted his eyes away from Kate.

“Are you okay?” Kate asked, leaving her hand where it fell on his arm. “Is something wrong?”

“It’s just that…” Rooster wasn’t sure why, but he felt like he couldn’t stop the words coming out. It was something in the water, or in the town, or just in the house. Something that made him want to open up. “I don’t know. Seeing the way you guys are with Jake, it makes me think about what my siblings would’ve been like if my dad hadn’t…”

Kate placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze, pulling Rooster’s eyes up to hers “Well, you don’t have to wonder if you don’t want to. I know, we all know, we aren’t replacements, and we won’t try to be. No one can replace what you’ve lost. But just because what you’ve lost is irreplaceable doesn’t mean there aren’t… alternatives.”

It was a sensitive subject, and Rooster could see the way Kate’s eyes darted around, searching for the right words. “We don’t need you to think of us as your real family or as replacements for them. If it helps you open up or cope, we won’t be offended by you thinking of us as a backup, Bradley. I know you’ve only been here for a little while, but we care about you. We will be what you need us to be. So don’t think you have to betray your family to stay here, and don’t think you’re hurting us by thinking of your family first.”

She gave his shoulder one last squeeze then stepped away. “We’re all here for you, even Jake. He wouldn’t have brought you here if he didn’t want you to be part of this, and we wouldn’t be spending so much time with you if we didn’t want it too.”

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It was the Eve of Christmas Eve, and Rooster woke up to (Y/n) already at the Seresins’ frying up some eggs for breakfast. Even on leave, Rooster woke with the sun, yet somehow (Y/n) was already there.

She loudly announced that she was kidnapping Jake so they could go into the city to shop for Christmas presents. Rooster was welcome to join or stay at his own risk.

“Do you want to come? Everyone else will be out, so there won’t be much to do here. But if you really wanna stay, you can use my car. It can’t make the trek to the city, but it gets around town in a pinch.”

When she asked, an image of Kate the night before, ‘He wouldn’t have brought you here if he didn’t want you to be part of this, and we wouldn’t be spending so much time with you if we didn’t want it too,’ flashed through Rooster’s mind.

Jake brought Rooster here, not just to his family home, but to (Y/n), and as he stood – finally alone with her – in the kitchen, Rooster saw it for what it was: the most open and honest way Jake could place his trust in Rooster. It was as good as if Jake had ripped his heart from his chest and put it in Rooster’s palm.

“Of course I’ll come along. Can’t leave you alone with Jake that long. That would be torture.”

(Y/n) beamed. She had a witty retort, but Rooster didn’t hear it. He was too distracted by the way she turned back to the stove, still smiling away, as comfortable in his presence as she was in any of the Seresins.

She looked as ready and willing to accept him into the family as Kate the night before, and Rooster wondered if the two women, or more likely (Y/n) and Jake, had talked about it. If Jake got her permission to bring him here, or if Jake let her deliver her final verdict when he drove her home after the barbecue. Either way, Rooster knew he wouldn’t still be here if she didn’t want him around. But (Y/n) seemed to go so far beyond tolerance, so far beyond acceptance.

When Rooster thought of his family, of his parents and of the siblings he was sure he would’ve had. He found himself picturing (Y/n). Her open smile and accepting nature. He imagined a hellraiser of a baby sister with a nickname like Adrenaline that he was constantly trying to keep out of trouble. He could picture the little girl’s unbridled chaos mellowing into a mischievous glint in the grown woman’s eye. He could see himself bringing home his Navy buddies and giving them all an earful for checking her out.

Void of a biological family that had any real meaning to her, Rooster could pick (Y/n) up and put her seamlessly in his memories with his mom around the dinner table.

Rooster opened his mouth to speak. If he wanted his moment alone to talk with her, this was as good as it would get.

But before he could say anything, Jake came traipsing into the room. “Something smells good.”

“This is your payment for driving me to the city.” (Y/n) informed him.

“Oh?” Jake clearly didn’t know he was going to be doing that today, but he took the surprise easily in hand. “Sounds fun. When are we going?”

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“Absolutely not!”

“Why not? She would look so nice in this one.”

They’d been in the city shopping for the better part of three hours, and all that was left was to help Jake find one last present for Andy.

Jake and (Y/n) had already gotten presents for each other, or at least Rooster assumed they had because, even after several hours wandering around the mall from store to store, neither of them had picked anything out for each other.

Jake wasn’t really known for being a thoughtful person, and Rooster never would’ve thought he was a romantic or generous person at heart. Before this trip, if he’d have had to imagine Jake buying presents for any occasion, it probably would have been a last-minute whirlwind of boxed chocolates and flowers to get laid on Valentine’s Day. And yet, since coming to Texas, Rooster would bet every dollar to his name that whatever Jake gave (Y/n) was so thoughtful it would make her cry. 

(Y/n) was obviously the kind of person who put a lot of thought into Christmas presents. She’d already gotten gifts for each of the Seresin sisters and Debbie before they went out shopping that morning, but her basket was still laden with little knick-knacks that reminded her of each of them. ‘Stocking stuffers’, she waved off the raised eyebrow Rooster shot her as she picked up a set of shot glasses that looked like beakers for Ronnie. He couldn’t imagine her forgetting to get Jake something. She seemed too good at this.

Jake had defaulted to (Y/n)’s opinion on gift giving up to the last moment, but now he’d fallen at the final hurdle.

“There is no way I am putting Andy in that. Addie, they’re all already picturing her naked. We don’t need to encourage them.”

The issue, a debate that was about as close to a fight as (Y/n) and Jake were capable of, centered around a beautiful, though very skimpy sundress hanging off of (Y/n)’s finger. “They will not be picturing her naked. I have this same one in a different color.”

“Yes, and I’ve been to the beach with you in it. All the guys are picturing you naked too.” Jake said with a roll of his eyes, as if it were the most logical conclusion, and he couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of it.

(Y/n)’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she suddenly sounded less sure of herself on that fact. “No they aren’t.”

Jake tilted his head to the side and gave her purse-lipped expression that said she ought to know better, “I have to beat the other guys back like flies, Addie. You just don’t notice any of them.”

There was a rule between the two of them, one that Rooster had quickly caught onto, that in each other’s presence neither addressed the elephant in the room. In keeping with that rule, neither Jake or (Y/n) confronted why it was that (Y/n) wouldn’t notice all of the guys staring at her while Jake was around.

“Look, I won’t tell Andy what to wear any more than I’ll tell you what to wear, but I’m not gonna gift every guy on that trip a wet dream.”

(Y/n) rolled her eyes, “It’s really not that bad. You’re exaggerating.”

“No, they will definitely be picturing her naked in that.”

“See!” Jake shouted triumphantly, pointing at Rooster, “Rooster agrees with me! He never does that!”

(Y/n) bit back a laugh at Jake’s excitement. Defiantly, though certainly amused, she shoved the sundress in her own basket. “I’ll have you know I met the one that invited her along as his plus one, and he’s a perfectly nice guy. Practically a gentleman.”

“What branch did you say he was?” Rooster piped in.

“Army… I think he’s Special Forces.”

Rooster chuckled, and Jake fumed. “No. Absolutely not.” He stole the dress out (Y/n)’s basket it and hung it back on the rack. “Next you’re going to tell me Kate needs these art supplies so she can paint some Marine in the nude.”

“Well,” (Y/n) hedged, “he’s not a Marine…” Her tone was teasing, and there was just the right amount of mischief in her eyes.

“Ugh!” Jake walked back passed her towards the luggage section, ringing his hands in the air.

(Y/n) burst into a round of giggles as Jake wandered off, and Rooster couldn’t help joining her with a chuckle of his own. “Really though,” (Y/n) said, still trying to sober up, “What’s wrong with Army guys?”

“Well, for one, if he’s Special Forces, he has definitely already seen her naked.” Rooster spoke under his breath, not wanting to tempt fate with Jake’s foul mood, even if he would never actually unleash it around (Y/n), “And for two, Jake can’t scare an SF guy into line.”

“Well I, for one, think he’s great. And I think that will be totally unnecessary.” (Y/n) led their way through the racks, following Jake towards the matching set of bags he was no doubt going to buy Andy instead.

Rooster shrugged, not that (Y/n) could see from in front of him. “He might be a great guy, but still. Jake wants to protect her. He’s just trying to help.”

“Oh of course.” (Y/n) made a point to turn back so Rooster could see her playfully roll her eyes, “Because we women need a big macho man to help us with everything.” The pair broke out into the wider aisle and began walking side-by-side.

“Aren’t you the same girl I just watched pout her way into getting Jake to carry all of her bags out of the last store?” Rooster grinned down at her.

At the reminder, (Y/n) couldn’t hold back the devilish, gleeful smile, “Yeah, because I needed a big macho man to help me with it.”

Rooster chuckled, “You know when I got here I didn’t get it, but now I do. You and Jake make total sense.”

“I choose to take that as a compliment.”

“It was meant as a compliment.”

“For who?”

“Both of you.”

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Every shop in the quaint downtown area of the small Texas town was strung with twinkling white Christmas lights along its roof. They shown down on the street like stars blinking invitingly to all the parade-goers, drawing them further into the crowd, further into the festivities. The lamps lining the street were all turned off, and the world had taken on a glow of red and green at the street level from countless, lit window displays of reindeer and Christmas trees and Santa Claus.

It was one of those magical scenes from the romantic comedies Rooster always unapologetically watched. Something in the air just screamed excitement and joy. It permeated his skin and filled him with an overwhelming sense of amusement and happiness. He was edging towards belonging, but he drew himself back, fearfully, from the feeling.

Christmas was never a holiday Rooster was particularly attached to. His family had never been particularly religious, and while his mother always made a point to make sure he had the best Christmas she could afford to give him – presents, dinner, family, lights, music – there was always something noticeably absent from Christmas with the Bradshaws. It always rang a little hollow. There was always one too many chairs around the table, one too many servings of pudding, one too many of everything.

But here, in podunk, middle of nowhere Texas, where half the people on the street remembered his name from the cookout and waved and said ‘Hi Rooster’. Where his friend – he felt far less hesitant calling Jake a friend now – walked a few feet ahead of him with the love of his life, and where Debbie clutched his arm and excitedly pointed out every family-owned store in town and raved about the town’s parade and its history.

Where Kate playfully berated her mother for boring him to sleep. And Andy whispered to Ronnie behind him about how she really did like the guy who’d asked her to go on the trip with him and his friends. And Ronnie told her to tell Jake, or Bradley, about the guy just to be safe.

Where he blinked a few times more than was strictly necessary as Andy mumbled that she’d probably talk to Bradley about it later.

“It’s beautiful Debbie,” Rooster barely knew which storefront Debbie was talking to him about this time, but her tone told him she was excited about it.

“Isn’t it just,” She beamed up at him, “The Newman’s always do such a great job. They didn’t make the cookout this time, but when you come back ‘round I’ll be sure to introduce you to ‘em. Their son and Jake were best friends when they were kids.”

Jake seemed to hear what Debbie was saying, and he craned his neck around in their direction, clearly unwilling to remove his arm from (Y/n) long enough to actually talk to them, “His dad used to own the plane, Rooster.”

“Why did you two stop being friends again?” Kate’s question sounded innocent enough, but there was an undercurrent to it that Rooster had come to recognize as common to all Seresin’s.

Debbie leaned around Rooster to give her eldest daughter a playful whack on the back of her hand, “Enough of that.”

The group all laughed.

They soon had to move to a single file line as they hit the town’s main square where the parade actually began, and the street was filling up with people camping out on the sidewalk for the best seats, leaving only a narrow walkway to get around. Kate side stepped in front of Rooster, between him and Debbie.

Rooster took the chance and leaned over Kate’s shoulder, “So why aren’t they friends?”

“Why else,” Kate turned her chin up to say it but didn’t face him, keeping her eyes forward as they duck and weaved their way through the people to keep up with the group, “Newman threw a basketball too hard at (Y/n) in P.E. She fell over, hit her head. Stitches. It was all an accident, but Jake wasn’t so forgiving back then. He’s always been a stubborn ass. They didn’t make up till college.”

“Funny, I thought around here Hangman didn’t have any flaws,” Rooster dared using the callsign. It seemed fitting in the moment.

Kate approved, grinning up at him, “You tellin’ me my brother isn’t an ass?”

“Oh no, he definitely is.”

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“I’m gonna go get drinks. Wait here?” Jake asked (Y/n).

“Course, we’ll hold down the fort.” (Y/n) reached across the bench and patted Rooster on the knee, the last remaining members of the group.

The Seresins’ had secured a bench and the lip of sidewalk in front of it near the back of the circular route the parade would be taking through the big open square. There were people crowded in around them in lawn chairs or sitting on picnic blankets. Groups of children ran around and played in the empty path that was cleared out for the parade, one of them accompanied by Kate.

While they were waiting on the parade to start, Kate had run off to play with her godchildren, a pair of little girls belonging to her high school best friend. Mrs. Seresin had promptly taken that as her cue to abduct Ronnie and make her talk to someone named Taylor that she swore was just perfect for her. Andy had followed along behind snickering the whole way.

Objectively, it wasn’t that many people. A parade back in San Diego would’ve gotten ten or twenty times as many people as this one, but the shouts back and forth between different little families and the way everyone made room for the next group that came along later spoke volumes about the fact that this wasn’t just a collection of people. It was a community.  

Rooster was pretty sure that, even if they stood up and completely abandoned their stuff, no one would steal their spots or any of their belongings. ‘Holding down the fort’ was almost entirely unnecessary, and yet it provided him the opportunity he had been looking for.

He watched Jake’s back retreat towards a small makeshift shack that appeared to be some kind of concession stand. If he wanted to talk to (Y/n) alone, this was the only chance he’d get.

“Well (Y/n),” He broached in a gentle tone.  He had to be careful about this. (Y/n) didn’t strike him as the tattling or whining sort. If he said the wrong thing, she would probably grin and bear it. But of course, Jake could read her so well. It didn’t matter if she told him or not; Jake would know. So he had to be careful. “Jake’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow.”

(Y/n) gave him a sad smile. “So will you,” She added, “we’ll all miss you.” (Y/n) didn’t mean to redirect him. Rooster knew she wasn’t as sneaky as that. His first night in town she’d done quite a bit of redirecting, but all of it was incredibly obvious and usually accompanied by a look to Jake. This was just (Y/n) being (Y/n), welcoming him into the family.

“Of course,” He’d almost – almost – grown used to the Seresin brand of open affection, “but I’m not Jake.”

The smile stayed on her face even while the light in her eyes seemed to dim. “Well, no, you’re not, and I might miss him a teeny bit more if I’m being totally honest with you.” Her chipper, teasing tone didn’t match the sadness that was coming into her gaze, rolling in like dark clouds signaling a coming storm.

“Can I ask you a personal question, (Y/n)?”

“Of course,” (Y/n) shuffled on the bench. She turned to face him and brought her feet up onto the bench, pulling her knees into her chest.

He wondered absently if it was so she could look him in the eyes or if having her legs in front of her was more of a safeguard, a defense mechanism. Rooster had had several open, honest conversations with (Y/n) during his time in Texas, and some of them had actually been quite personal. But the few times he’d gotten her alone had only ever been long enough for a joke here or there, an offhand teasing comment.

He wondered if she could sense the change in atmosphere, in tone, as much as he could. If she could, she didn’t let on any more than the arm wrapped around her knees.

“Why aren’t you in San Diego? You don’t… really seem like you care about Texas that much, and I kinda get the feeling you’d rather be there.”

(Y/n) sighed like a weight had compressed the air out of her chest, a gust that looked and felt more like it was forced from her lungs than actually given freely. She knew this was coming. Rooster could tell from the way her eyes tilted down as she sucked air back in. “It’s complicated. It’s not as easy as just moving.”

“Well no,” Rooster conceded. “You would need… Well, you’d have to be with Jake, I suppose.”

“Right.”

“Why aren’t you?”

Her teeth caught her bottom lip, and (Y/n)’s eyes darted away as fast as the words left his mouth. They flitted along the crowd. She wasn’t really searching for anything. There was no urgency to her gaze, but she still seemed to be looking into every face that she passed. If for no other reason than to not look back at him.

“Is…” It was a wild thought, an impossible thought. But it was truly the only explanation Rooster could think of, “Is there someone else?”

(Y/n) came to a stop. Her shoulders, going up and down with the weight of her breaths froze in a sort of half shrug. Her eyes came to a stop on some unknown face in the crowd and glazed over as she stared through whoever it was into something that wasn’t there. Her fingers, twitching against the denim of her jeans, stilled and flattened against the fabric. It was like someone had a remote to a tv and hit pause.

“(Y/n)?”

Then, all at once, they were in fast forward.

(Y/n) threw her head back and let out an absolutely raucous laugh. If not for the packed bodies filling in the space around them with a buzz of noise, it would’ve echoed into the night. If not for the Christmas music playing in the background of the entire scene from speakers situated at the base of the sporadic trees decorating the square, her laughter would’ve been so disruptive it would’ve drawn the eyes of everyone in town to them. Not that any of them would’ve said anything beyond a cool, disapproving stare.

As it was, her laughter seemed to only add to the merriment of the moment, a merriment that Rooster’s chosen topic of conversation had pulled the pair of them out of.

Rooster let her have several rounds at his expense, going through another bout of quieter laughter then a few rounds of giggles before she finally managed to settle down enough to address him again. “I’m sorry; I don’t mean to laugh at you. Just the idea.”

“There isn’t someone else then I take it.”

“No.” She said emphatically, one last chuckle leaving her lips. “And there never will be.”

Rooster shifted himself to face her this time. A knee pulling up on the bench between them, his elbow resting on the back of the bench, propping up his head to stare her down. “Why not?”

The jovial, amused expression coloring her face softened. They were talking about Jake. Rooster made a note of it; her expression softened when she got to talk about Jake. “I believe it was Betty White who said, ‘When you have the best, who needs the rest?’”

Rooster raised an eyebrow. This was shaky ground. “You don’t have Jake though.”

“Bradley,” (Y/n) sighed and brought her knees down, crossing her legs between them. She leaned in, the amusement and merriment of moments ago, the soft loving expression she got when talking about Jake, gone. “You’ve been here for a little over a week now. Do you think there is anyone in this square, anyone in this town, who could ever love me as much as Jake?”

“No,” It was the easiest question Rooster had ever answered.

“Do you think anyone else in this square, anyone in this town… Fuck it, do you think anyone in all of San Diego could ever love Jake as much as I do?”

“No,” The second easiest question.

“I have Jake.” (Y/n) said, matter-of-factly. Her eyes implored Rooster to see her truth. “He’s mine. In every way that matters, he will always be mine.”

“But he’s not… here.” Rooster hesitated to point out, not because he thought (Y/n) would balk at the reminder. She seemed more sure of herself now, talking about how much she loved Jake and vice versa, than ever. Rooster just didn’t want to cause her pain in his path to answers. “He’s gone, and …. Much as I hate to admit it, he’s probably the best pilot at TopGun besides Maverick. The Navy isn’t gonna let him go any time soon.”

“And I wouldn’t want them to.” (Y/n) agreed.

Rooster raised an eyebrow, “Where does that leave you?”

“Waiting.” Rooster had his answer. He thought about stopping there, turning around and laughing at Kate dancing through the parade route with a little kid holding each hand, wandering over to join Andy teasing Ronnie about Debbie’s latest setup attempt… but he couldn’t.

Rooster saw him approaching behind (Y/n) from his peripheral vision. He tried not to focus on him, to not draw (Y/n)’s attention away. His eyes stayed on her even as the blonde head of hair drew close and closer through the crowd.

This was, he thought, his chance. If he was ever going to get one. His chance to finally do what Kate asked and knock some sense into Jake, and his chance to do what he knew needed to happen and knock some sense into (Y/n).

“(Y/n), you’ll have to forgive me.” Rooster’s next words were for Jake, for Hangman. “I like Jake. And I like you, and I like you both together. But he left, (Y/n).”

(Y/n) was shaking her head before he even finished speaking. “He left because I told him to go. He loves flying planes; he loves the Navy. I can wait a little longer.”

Jake was passed the last group now, coming up behind her. Even in his peripheral, Rooster could make out his face now.

“Does he love you more?”

“Of course,” (Y/n) didn’t hesitate.

“Then why aren’t you there with him?”

“I don’t know!”

She shouted then buried her head in her hands. Rooster had never heard her raise her voice before. His entire body drew back. Being shouted at in general wasn’t a pleasant experience, but there was something so much more disquieting about it being (Y/n), about it being someone who was otherwise so unshakably good natured and caring towards everyone. It was his intention to pull the anger and frustration, the sadness, out of her, but he hadn’t realized just how close she was to boiling over.

A few groups near them turned to stare, not just from the volume. Rooster glanced over and saw their faces colored in shock. He saw their eyes flit to Jake, just over her shoulder, and then to him in concern.

They were all right to be concerned.

Rooster made eye contact with Jake and instantly realized it was a mistake. He wasn’t looking at Jake. There was nothing of the mildly mischievous, but secretly kind-hearted family man in the eyes boring into his.

Rooster was staring down Hangman. Hangman with vicious, vengeful eyes. Hangman that could, and had, killed. Hangman that would readily take up a cause as honorable as avenging (Y/n)’s tears with Rooster's blood.

It sent a chill down Rooster’s spine, and for a moment he thought about running, jumping up and sprinting into the crowd for the safety of Debbie or Ronnie or Andy, someone Hangman would never commit a murder in front of. He might be able to duck Hangman’s first blow and make it to Kate and the kids somewhere behind him, but he was also pretty sure Hangman would be willing to commit a murder in front of that particular sibling.

But none of those were really options, and Rooster wasn’t one to run from a fight. There was only one solution here.

“Why haven’t you gone to San Diego, (Y/n)?” Rooster asked, his eyes staring down Hangman’s even as he spoke to her.

Hangman’s hands clenched into fists at his sides; his lips pulling back in a sneer.

“I don’t know,” (Y/n)’s voice, quiet and muffled by her hands over her face, cut Hangman off, “Maybe because… because there has to be a good reason.”

(Y/n) looked up, and Rooster quickly diverted his gaze down to hers.

There were tears welling up in her eyes. She was practically swimming in them, but none had spilled yet. It would probably be Rooster’s only saving grace if (Y/n) didn’t stop Hangman. “Jake has to have a good reason. Right?”

Rooster opened his mouth to respond, to assure her that, whatever else Hangman is, he is in love with her. To tell her she’s right, that Hangman wouldn’t do this without a good reason; it was just a question of whether she accepted his reason. But he didn’t get to say any of that.

(Y/n)’s voice picked up, strength and speed. She was spiraling. “I’m in pain every day, and I hate it. I hate going to friend’s weddings knowing that will never be me. I hate coming home every night to an empty house and an empty bed. I hate that every morning I wake up from blissfully happy dreams about a life with him, and that every morning I have to remember that’s a life I’m not living.”

Rooster chanced a glance over her shoulder.

Hangman was gone.

Rooster didn’t let his gaze linger any longer on Jake than was necessary to ascertain that he was listening. Rooster had tried to get Jake to see sense before, and it had only had marginal if any success. But this was the wakeup call he needed, and Jake was finally hearing it.

“I hate knowing that this is my life until Jake retires from the Navy in like thirty years, but it is. Because there isn’t anyone else, Bradley. There will never be anyone else. I don’t care if that means I have to wait till he retires or if I have to wait for the fucking ocean to dry up. There is nothing and no one that will ever replace Jake for me.”

(Y/n)’s eyes implored Rooster to believe her in a way that was wholly unnecessary. Rooster believed every word she was saying, not just because he thought her incapable of lying about this but because he knew the truth of every word even as she spoke it.

He’d seen it for himself in the way she looked at Jake, the way she smiled at him, touched him, the way her entire body relaxed just at the sight of him. Rooster didn’t need her to tell him how long she would wait for Jake. Rooster had already watched his mother wait.

“I want nothing more than to drop everything tomorrow and buy a ticket to San Diego. Whether there’s a house with a white picket fence or a tiny room with a bunk in an aircraft carrier, I want to be wherever he is. Being without him hurts me every day, but the only thing I know to be absolutely true in this world is that Jake Seresin loves me as much as I love him… and he would never hurt me like this without a good reason.”

“Yes he would.” The words came out broken, as broken as the man who said them.

(Y/n) lurched to her feet and whipped around. “Jake…”

(Y/n) didn’t seem to know what to say.

Rooster felt a pang in his chest at the desperation in her tone. He’d caused that. It wasn’t entirely his fault, but he had staged the moment unfolding before him. He put (Y/n) in position, in the position to stand in front of Jake and falter. Distress didn’t suit her; it wasn’t an emotion Rooster had ever heard (Y/n) express, ever. Certainly, she had never expressed distress towards anything regarding Jake; Rooster doubted she’d ever had cause to even know what distress felt like in the presence of Jake Seresin.

From the corner of his eye Rooster saw Kate take a stumbling step back in their direction. Jake had his back to her, and her eyes were trained on (Y/n)’s face. Kate looked shocked, concerned, possibly even terrified though he couldn’t tell from that distance.

“Jake, I-I can explain. I didn’t… I don’t….” She couldn’t explain.

Jake’s face was in a state of pain Rooster had rarely seen before. Early in his flying career, Rooster had briefly been given a backseater who ejected at too low an altitude and ended up breaking nine ribs. The look on Jake’s face was something akin to that, to his chest caving in.

“It’s not… I mean… Jake,” She sobbed his name.

Whatever else Jake was feeling, he couldn’t stand to hear that. Jake took a slow, deliberate step forward. “There is no reason, (Y/n).”

(Y/n) was struck dumb, and Rooster felt it in the way her knees began to shake that at any moment she was going to crumble. If Jake didn’t explain himself immediately, Rooster was sure she would disintegrate.

Jake clearly felt it too. His hand reached out for hers, but for once, she didn’t offer it freely. He had to take it for himself. Tears streamed freely down his cheeks. Even as people watched, he was completely unashamed to be crying in this moment. He made no move to stop them, no move to wipe them away.

Jake took another step forward, standing chest to chest with (Y/n) and spoke so low that only she and Rooster could hear over the noise of the throng. His voice had a reverence to it that was reserved for religious ceremony – or in Jake’s case, saying (Y/n)’s name. “There is no reason good enough to hurt you, (Y/n). You are the only thing in this world that matters to me.”

(Y/n) flung her arms around Jake’s neck. She buried her face in his chest, and her entire body shook against his from the force of the sobs that overcame her. If not for the arm Jake put around her waist, she would have collapsed against him.

“Please,” (Y/n) mumbled into his chest. One broken, unspecified plea.

Jake’s eyes turned skyward, tears still pouring down his cheeks. “Anything, (Y/n).”

(Y/n) pulled her head back from his chest, and Rooster watched their eyes meet through a web of each other’s tears. They stared at each other for barely a moment. Decades they had waited, but in that moment, they couldn’t wait a second more.

Jake’s hands came up from her waist to cradle her face between his palms as (Y/n)’s hands threaded through his hair and pulled him in.

Their lips met in the middle in a passionate, unhurried kiss, and Rooster smiled. He felt as if he’d put something wrong in the universe right again.

Somewhere in the distance, someone cheered. Rooster thought he recognized it as Ronnie, but before he could turn and find the source, the first voice was joined by a chorus of others and then a resounding, deafening applause.

Jake and (Y/n) hardly seemed to notice at all, their entire beings – as they always were – consumed with each other.

Kate showed up at Rooster’s elbow a tear rolling down her cheek. “Thank you,” She wrenched Rooster into a bone-crushing hug.

The parade started, but in a town where everyone knew everyone and everyone knew everyone else’s business and everyone knew how in love Jake and (Y/n) were, the parade seemed so anti-climactic, not just to the Seresin’s who were practically screaming with joy but to all the onlookers who had also been wondering not if but when.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Rooster, I’m sorry.” (Y/n) held out a Christmas bag to him, “I didn’t have time to wrap it.”

“You…” Rooster stared at the bag in her outstretched hand. “You really didn’t have to, (Y/n).”

(Y/n) rolled her eyes, but her smile remained unshakeable on her face. Rooster was pretty sure (Y/n) would never be able to stop smiling for the rest of her days.

The thought did momentarily cross Rooster’s mind that she might stop smiling one day because Jake might not be at her side anymore, but that thought was quickly quashed as impossible. Rooster couldn’t see the future, but he was pretty positive that Jake would live exactly one day longer than (Y/n) so he never put her through the pain of living without him, then he would promptly keel over and die from the pain of being without her.

“Of course we did. You put up with this one,” she elbowed Jake in the side, “all the time, so we don’t have to. It’s the least we could do.”

“We?” Rooster tentatively took the bag from her hand and glanced between her and Jake.

Jake, with the arm draped around (Y/n)’s shoulders, pointed at the tree in the corner and a small pile of presents underneath it. “Seresin family tradition to sneak downstairs and steal your presents before morning without getting caught by Ma. Those’ll be yours. You’re the only one left.”  

“I mean, won’t those be…” He nodded his head towards (Y/n).

“No,” (Y/n) shook her head, “I usually break in, but I stayed in Jake’s room last night so I didn’t have to.”

Unsurprisingly, little had changed around the Seresin now that Jake and (Y/n) were finally together. They were so inseparable, so effectively a couple before, that there was virtually no adjustment needed. The arm around her shoulder, the adoring look in their eyes, the way they couldn’t be separated from each other, it was all almost exactly the same. The only difference was this time no one had to pretend it was normal and that nothing was going on. There was something going on, and now it was perfectly normal.

“You usually what?” Rooster doubled back.

(Y/n) shrugged like it was nothing to say she’d broken into someone’s home. “You have to open them before Ma finds you. It’s tradition, and I’ve never been caught.” She grinned at the second half of her comment.

Rooster turned around to look at the tree. There were about half a dozen small packages wrapped in garish red and green paper sitting under it, and now that he was looking at them, he could see the tag on the top one with ‘ROOSTER’ written in massive letters across it.

His words caught on a lump rapidly forming in his throat. “I-I,” He didn’t know what to say. There really wasn’t anything to say.

He’d never gone a year without a Christmas present. Even when he didn’t feel like celebrating all that much, even when they weren’t on speaking terms and he hated his guts, Mav had always sent Rooster something. A few of those years, Rooster wasn’t even sure how Mav had found him and was positive he’d made Iceman pull strings to find out.

“The top one’s from Mav and Penny.” Jake confirmed what Rooster already knew.

It was the others that he wasn’t expecting. A red and green package that was so clearly a book, folded in the neatest wrap job he’d ever seen with a delicate matching bow on top. One misaligned mess that, judging by the poor attempt at wrapping he’d witnessed from her a couple days ago, was almost certainly from Kate. A weird oval shaped thing that had paper twisted and tied at the ends so it looked more like a piece of candy. Two matching square boxes behind those. And a bag, still dangling off of (Y/n)’s outstretched finger.

Rooster blinked rapidly. It felt like there was something in his eye.

Jake cut the tension. He dragged (Y/n) back into his side and whispered conspiratorily into her ear, “He’s just trying to figure out which one’s mine cause he knows about the stink bomb I put in it.”

(Y/n) giggled and laid her head against Jake’s shoulder.

Rooster turned back with a smile, one that he hoped conveyed everything he was feeling towards the couple in that moment, the depth of love he’d developed for them, for all of them really, in just a week.

(Y/n) was still holding out the bag to Rooster.

Rooster cautiously took it from her hand and gently removed the obstructing paper from the top.

“It’s not much, but it seemed your style.”

Rooster let out a full belly laugh as he pulled out one of the most atrocious tropical shirts he’d ever scene. It was dark blue with waves patterned across it, interspersed with tiny spits of islands covered in palm trees and tiny propeller planes of various makes and models.

“Thank you.” His smile was both grateful and relieved. He didn’t have anything to give her in return. If it had been any more than a gag gift…

“There’s actually more in the bottom.”

Rooster pulled the shirt the rest of the way out of the bag and set it to the side. Down in the bottom was what looked like a picture frame.

“We always give Jake a new one every year because the sun bleaches out the photos.” (Y/n) explained as Rooster pulled it out of the bag. “You don’t have to keep it if it’s weird, but he always seems to like them. So I thought you might too.”

Rooster glanced up at her with a furrowed brow before he looked back down and flipped it over.

“It’ll stick to the dash of the cockpit,” Jake explained.

Most of the small frame was taken up by a large picture of his parents, a familiar picture to him of his mom and dad at the piano bench that Mav had taken not long before his dad died. Smushed into the bottom corners were two tiny group photos, one of the TopGun squad posing on the deck of the aircraft carrier after the successful uranium mission and a candid of the Seresin family, plus (Y/n) sans Jake, having a blast on their patio.

“We won’t be mad if there’s someone else you wanna put in there instead. We just…”

“No,” Rooster cut her off, looking up with a teary smile. “I love it.”

He didn’t have anything to give her in return, and the war going on in his head must’ve been written on his face because Jake gave him a small almost imperceptible shake of the head.

A resounding ‘no’. Rooster didn’t need to give them anything else.

“Open mine next!” Andy came screeching down the stairs into the living room, shouting as she went. “You’re gonna love it!”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fanboy spotted her first. He and Payback had a rule for as long as they’d been flying together, a rule that the rest of the squadron all subconsciously adopted for themselves. Whoever saw her first got to take a crack at her. It wasn’t like dibs, because if the woman said no and was particularly into someone else they were allowed to go for it, but only the first pilot to spot her got to approach. Everyone else had to hope she approached them.

Gorgeous women in a skimpy, flowery sundress walking into a bar like this tended to stand out from the crowd, so it wasn’t surprising that Fanboy clocked her the moment she entered the bar, still standing in the doorway looking around like a lost puppy trying to find its owner in the crowd.

Fanboy whistled, low and long, under his breath and elbowed the nearby Phoenix, nodding in the woman’s direction.

Phoenix appraised the woman appreciatively. Whoever she was, she definitely came here dressed like that for a reason. That dress was the dress of sexual awakenings and wet dreams, and gods Phoenix hoped Fanboy wasn’t her type.

“Good luck, man,” Phoenix leaned over the table, eyeing the woman, “She looks like she’s already got somethin’ on her mind.”

“I bet I can take her mind off it,” Fanboy grinned and turned to walk away.

He brushed passed Rooster on his stool, and Rooster glanced around to see who Fanboy’s latest target would be. For Fanboy’s sake, thank God he had.

“Absolutely not.” Rooster’s hand lurched out and caught the back of Fanboy’s shirt, yanking Fanboy back to the table he and Phoenix were currently occupying.

Fanboy stumbled back to the open barstool next to Rooster. “What the fuck man?” Fanboy shrugged Rooster off with an expression that was more confused than angry. “What’d you think you’re doin’?”

Rooster had already turned away, offering Fanboy a half-heartedly, “Saving your fuckin’ life.” He let out a loud whistle, not of the wolfish-catcalling variety, but a loud clear note meant to get attention as it echoed across the bar.

(Y/n)’s eyes darted towards the pool tables, and Rooster tipped his sunglasses up onto his forehead, not that she really needed the help recognizing him. Even as he was reaching for them, (Y/n)’s nervous, overwhelmed expression was giving way to a wide, relieved smile.

(Y/n) darted down the steps and began weaving her way through the thick crowd. Most of the men turned to appreciate her as she passed them by, but none of them made a move to impede her progress – not in this bar, not with the group she was making a b-line towards.

“Wait, is that… that can’t be your girl?” Fanboy pointed between Rooster and the woman rapidly approaching.

“It’s not,” Rooster agreed, hopping to his feet and moving to stand beside the pole at the corner of the pool area. As he went, he thumped Hangman hard on the back where he was bent over the pool table.

“What the fuck, man,” Hangman exclaimed as he missed his shot, standing up and glaring at Rooster’s retreating back.

“8 o’clock,” was all the information Rooster offered up as he walked past.

Hangman’s eyes followed where Rooster was headed, and he suddenly couldn’t give a damn about the shot he’d just missed.

“I saw her first, Bradshaw,” Fanboy declared. His steps followed Rooster’s retreating back up even with Hangman.

Instinctively more than anything else, Hangman’s hand, still holding the pool stick, whipped out, smacking the long rod hard across Fanboy’s stomach, making him double over around the piece of wood.

“No you didn’t.”

As Hangman completely abandoned the table, (Y/n) finally spotted him, and the second she saw a gap in the crowd, she ran the last dozen or so steps to him.

Rooster wasn’t offended or at all surprised when (Y/n) breezed passed him and flung herself into Hangman’s arms.

Hangman caught her with ease, one arm tightly gripping her around the small of her back as she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips. Her face burrowed into his neck, and he buried his free hand into her hair, holding her there as his fingers wove into her hair.

Fanboy wandered, stunned, to stand at Rooster’s side. “Hangman has a girl?”

“Told you I was saving your life.”

Fanboy numbly nodded his head in agreement.

Rooster knew from experience that the two of them could stay like this for at least an hour without moving, and he highly doubted Penny would appreciate such a prolonged display of PDA. Or Hangman for that matter, because the pilot clearly didn’t realize the way his hand was fisted in the back of her dress was pulling it slowly further and further up, mere inches from flashing (Y/n)’s ass to the whole bar.

“Oi, lover boy,” Rooster leaned forward and flicked Hangman in the ear, “do that on your own time.”

“Fuck off Rooster,” Hangman grumbled, but he gently lowered (Y/n) down anyway.

(Y/n) stayed pressed against Hangman for another second or two before she took a deep breath, seemingly composing herself, and turned.

“Bradley,” she smiled, genuinely ecstatic to see him despite moments before ignoring his presence. “It’s so good to see you,” (Y/n) pulled him down into a hug.

“Good to see you too. Glad you’re here. Jake was getting intolerable without you.” Rooster said the last part under his breath in her ear as he bent down returning the hug.

(Y/n) laughed and pulled away. “Oh I can imagine,” she agreed. Her hand blindly reached behind her, and Hangman stuck his own out, lacing his fingers through hers and dragging her back into his side.

“What are you doing here?” Hangman punctuated with a kiss to her temple.

“Thought it’d be a nice surprise. After all my friend, Bradley here, promised to get me on base since you were less than forthcoming.” (Y/n) teased him.

Hangman smiled, one of his rare, real smiles that Rooster had never seen outside of Texas. “My apologies, ma’am, but I’m a bit of an asshole sometimes if you haven’t already noticed.”

“Oh we’ve all noticed,” Phoenix butted in.

The four other members of the squad at the Hard Deck that night were all crowded in the space between the couple and the pool table. Completely abandoning any semblance of a game in favor of this utterly stunning development surrounding the squad’s resident asshole and the hot, but entirely random, girl. She had marched into the Hard Deck and, without so much as a flirty wave, laid claim to the Jake Seresin, and the Jake Seresin had accepted it without question. The squad looked varying degrees of stunned, confused, and suspicious.

Phoenix most of all. She stuck out her hand, “Hi, I’m…”

“Phoenix!” (Y/n) happily declared, taking Phoenix’s hand and shaking it enthusiastically. “I know. Jake’s told me all about you. Which means you must be her backseater Bob, and Payback, and Fanboy.”

“Guys,” Hangman seemed to realize at this point that introductions were unavoidable, “This is (Y/n).”

Rooster leaned back against the pole and stuck his head out around the pair with a shit-eating grin, “Otherwise known as Addie.”

There were several long moments as realization slowly dawned on all of their faces.

“Is there anything you care about beside yourself?”

“Addie maybe, but she’s probably it.”

“Addie’s off the table.”

“You’re Addie…” Phoenix said it like it was an epiphany she’d just had, not something Rooster had told her five seconds before.

“Yes, I am.” (Y/n)’s head jerked up to look at Hangman, “And why does everyone around here seem to think I’m a plane? At the airport, Omaha said he thought I was a Cessna, and Fritz said he didn’t know I was a person.”

Hangman’s mouth mimed words but none came out as he searched for an explanation.

Rooster, ever the helpful friend, leaned forward and told her point blank, “He talks about you all the time, but since he named the plane after you, and he’s such an asshole, we all assumed he was in love with a plane this whole time. It seemed more plausible than him being in love with a person.”

“Really?” (Y/n) met Rooster’s mischievous grin with one of her own, “But he’s so clearly in love with himself?”

“Ugh,” Hangman buried his face in her neck to hide the heat (Y/n) could feel rushing to his skin as it pressed into hers, “I really hate that you two are friends.”

“We’re not friends; we’re family. Right, Bradley?”

“Right.” Rooster chuckled.

(Y/n)’s fingers instinctually went about carding through his hair, completely unbothered with messing up whatever product he’d lathered in it that day. The prospect of his messy hair didn’t seem to bother Hangman much either when it was (Y/n) doing it. “Really Jake, I think it’s sweet.”

Hangman pulled his face out of her neck and pulled her against his chest, pressing kisses in quick succession to her lips.

“You knew about this?” Payback asked Rooster, gesturing vaguely to Hangman and (Y/n).

“Oh,” (Y/n) turned her head away from Hangman, but he just continued kissing down her cheek to her jaw then her neck, “We only met when he came to Christmas, but I’ve known Coyote for years.”

“For years?” Bob.

“For Christmas!” Phoenix.

“Yeah.” (Y/n) answered Bob, “Since Jake was in training at least. Coyote picked us up from the airport.”

Hangman’s ministrations froze. “Us?” He said into her neck. This time Hangman stepped back. His hands stayed in place on her hips, but his expression was wary.

“Well you know I hate being in planes unless you’re flying them. I wasn’t going to fly out here alone, and really, Andy and your mom were already both going to be out of town. It seemed rude to leave them behind.”

“Don’t look so scared Jake,” Kate’s voice cut through the moment as she appeared at Rooster’s right hand. “We won’t embarrass you too much.”

No one needed to ask who Kate was. The family resemblance struck each of them as hard as it did Rooster the first time he saw her.

“Kate,” Rooster smiled down at her.

“Bradley,” She returned, wrapping an arm around his waist to hug his side.

Rooster threw an arm around her shoulder returning the hug, though he left his arm in place.

“Where’s Ronnie?” Hangman demanded of Kate. His eyes searched anxiously around the room for his middle sister. Not anxious for her safety, not in Penny’s bar at least. Anxious for a very different, far more pressing reason.

“Oh leave her be,” (Y/n) playfully swatted his shoulder. “You know,” She turned to Phoenix, who still appeared to be processing an overwhelming amount of information, “this reminds of one time in sixth grade. Mr O’Connor’s class had a pop quiz in earth science-”

“Absolutely not!” Hangman threw a hand over her mouth and lifted (Y/n) up around the waist. He set her down behind him, putting his body between her and the rest of the TopGun graduates. “You are not making friends with her.”

(Y/n) said something that was muffled by his hand, and Hangman cautiously moved his hand.

“If you stop me from talking to her, who’s gonna stop Ronnie from flirting with Coyote at the bar?” She nodded in that direction.

Hangman’s eyes whipped around. In mere moments, the trio of women had taken him from cocky, asshole pilot to a frazzled hall monitor trying to keep track of too many children. “I hate you,” Hangman murmured down to (Y/n).

“You love me more than life itself.” (Y/n) dismissed offhand.

“I do,” Hangman agreed and kissed the top of her head before he let her go and disappeared to find Ronnie.

(Y/n) turned around with a smug grin on her face, staring down four dumbstruck TopGun aviators. “That was exactly as much fun as I thought it’d be.” She glanced up to look at Rooster, “Wait till he finds out Andy’s trip got canceled for a storm, and she’s outside talking to Yale.”

“I think that’s Special Forces guy’s problem now.” Rooster reminded her.

Kate shook her head. She leaned in closer to Rooster’s side seemingly to reassure him. “Nah, you were right to talk her out of it. He was a nice guy, but they weren’t a good fit.”

Phoenix cleared her throat awkwardly. It would be days, weeks, potentially months, beforte she processed the series of events that just happened. But one thing did stick out in her mind that she was capable of processing right then, “What’s this about a pop quiz?”

Kate and (Y/n) both burst into fits of laughter. (Y/n)’s hand shot out and took ahold of Kate’s.

“Oh I really,” a tear leaked from the corner of (Y/n)’s eye as she laughed, “I really can’t tell you that one, but I promise I’ll help you make Jake think I did.”

Phoenix smiled, “That’ll do.”

#jake seresin #jake hangman seresin #rooster #hangman #bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw #jake hangman seresin x reader #jake hangman x reader #hangman x reader #jake seresin x reader #jake seresin fanfiction #jake seresin x you #jake seresin x y/n #hangman fic #hangman top gun #hangman x you #hangman fanfic #hangman fanfiction #rooster fanfic #rooster fic #rooster x oc #jake seresin fic #jake seresin fluff #hangman seresin #top gun fanfic #top gun fic #top gun fanfiction #top gun x reader #top gun x oc

[darling-i-read-it]

The Mistress

Harry Gardner x fem!reader

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: smut (blowjob), cheating, sex in a public bathroom literally while his family is in the other room (who am i) 

Author’s Note: Hi love! Sorry this took so long! I feel like I went with the slightly creepy route straight into a bj lmao so I hope you like it. I don’t know how I feel lmaoo

Requested by anon, Happy to hear you're doing well, hun! I'm so excited to see your upcoming pieces because these most recent two are absolute gems 💗(I'm a big GTA and RE fan what can I saw I was overjoyed to see them 🤭)

Don't mind me with another Harry request (my sincere apologies, I'm obsessed 😌) I had this potentially spicy plot in mind - Harry x fem!reader. When he sees her being flirty with someone but cannot let his jealousy show since his wife is like RIGHT there. But still makes sure to let her know how much she upset him later on 😉 Take your time with this sweetie and if you don't feel like writing it that's totally ok too! 🤗 Thank you for gracing this site with your lovely works and making my day with them as well. Take care and have a wonderful day/night ~ Addie ❤

I don’t own these characters. They belong to author/director/creator

(not my gif)

Harry’s love for his wife was obligatory. The love he had for her was necessary, to keep their family going. He had created a space where he could comfortably do his job and be seen as successful. He had the wife, the house, and the kid. He had the room to grow and the means to do it. 

But you…you were not a want. You were a need. You were alluring in his worst times, gorgeous in his best. He could watch you move for hours and wonder what it was about you that entranced him. He could picture you from the bed as you slipped your clothes on and the memory filled his entire eyesight. He could see nothing else but you when you were there. 

You were like one of the people he wrote about. You were unreal. He couldn’t live without you now. 

“You’re starring,” your voice broke him from his thoughts. Sometimes he forgot you were actually there. You sat on the side of the bed, arms moving with grace down to your feet. You put your socks on, side eyeing him. “Everything alright?” 

“Uh huh.” He was in a shitty motel with sheets that he knew hadn’t been washed in far too long. 

“H?” You sat up straight. He grabbed your hand, shaking his head. 

“I’m fine,” he promised. You pursed your lips, nodding slowly. 

“You have to get back.” The time schedule he was on was brutal. Sometimes he wondered if the life he had was even worth all this. Couldn’t he just live here with you forever? The misery of his demonic child and his never ending wife seemed like a hell he had trapped himself in. When had he wanted that? “Henry.” 

“I’m here. I swear. I just don’t want to leave you.” Your face read the emotions he was feeling. You didn’t want to leave either but someone had to. If this thing was to be sustainable, you had to go. 

“I never thought I’d be here you know,” you muttered. Even your voice sounded melodic. “In bed with a married man. Jesus. What would my mother say?” He felt a pang of guilt but not for the person who he should’ve. He had put you in this position. You could’ve been living a life with a free man, someone to show you off to the world. Instead you were in shitty hotels by the ocean, the salt coming in through broken window frames. 

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. You shook your head. 

“It’s alright. We’re in this boat together, hm?” He grabbed your hand and held it. The hand that had just been all over him, the hand that had felt every inch of his body. You must have been thinking about it too because you kissed him gently. A goodbye kiss. He wanted to curse, to beg you to stay. He didn’t. 

“I need to write you into a story,” he said against your lips. 

“Oh yeah? The girl who never got what she wanted?” 

“The girl who could get whatever she desired.” 

“That sounds better than my thing.” You smiled gently. “I’ll see you later?” He nodded, a promise he was sure to keep. He hoped he wouldn’t see you around town before that, for the sake of his life. For the sake of yours! You stood up. “I’m excited to read what you write me into. Hopefully a better situation than this.” 

You thought about the character of you and envied her. You would be her one day, you hoped. 

-

She was like fire if it never spread. Her silence was dangerous, the presence of her was terrifying. Electrifying was an understatement. She was the lightning that made electricity. She was the origin, the start, the very being that could bring down trees with a touch. She was-

“What’re you writing?” Doris’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard. His initial reaction scared him a bit and he tried to be more caring. 

“Nothing. Nothing, I don’t think anyway.” He shut his computer. 

“Are we still going out to dinner?” 

“Yes. Yeah, sorry, time got away from me.” He got up from the chair. Doris was standing beside Alma who had her coat and shoes on already. She was giving Harry a look of disinterest, similar to her mothers. But Doris at least tried to cover it with a feign emotion, one he couldn’t grasp. “Coming.” 

They piled into the car and were quickly arriving at a small diner. The small diners in Provincetown were stereotypical and uninteresting. There was little local color and little locals. He saw you the second he walked in, like you had attracted his eyes like a magnet. You were sitting at the counter, a milkshake between your hands. Your hair fell in front of your eyes a bit as a smile played on your face. His eyes followed to the waiter you were speaking to. A man about your age, sharing your smile. The jealousy in him was surprising. He didn’t own you. 

But he wanted to. 

You hadn’t seen him yet. Maybe he could convince Doris to leave and go somewhere else. 

“Right here. You’re the newer family right? Big house on the water?” Their waitress said, gesturing to the table. Doris had been speaking and he hadn’t even noticed. 

“Yes ma’am,” Harry responded. 

“We don’t get lots of visitors here, except for the writers.”

“My husbands the writer,” Doris explained. At the mention of the topic, you turned your head ever so slightly. Your eyes locked for just a moment, zero panic in your face. It was like you didn’t even know him. You turned your head back to the waiter behind the counter. 

“What kinds of things do you write?” the waitress asked. 

“Screenplays.” “Anything I’ve seen?” 

“Not yet,” Doris promised. You were too distracting. He couldn’t stay here with you. His phone buzzed and he knew it was you. He checked it obsessively, turning it towards him so that Doris and Alma couldn’t see. 

I’m sorry, you texted. He didn’t answer. 

“Can I get you started with some waters?” 

His eyes flickered to you. Smiling at the waiter, a gentle comradery. It made him sick. 

“Yes please,” Doris said. She watched him and his discomfort but couldn’t find the source of it. The waitress left, leaving them alone, without a buffer between him and you. He opened up his phone again, staring at the message. You should leave. Why weren’t you leaving? “Everything okay?” 

He couldn’t hear what you were saying but he could see your hand brushing the waiters. Closer to your age, likely not married. Attainable. You could have something attainable. He glanced at Doris and nodded curtly. 

“I just need to go to the bathroom.” He got up, loudly. She scoffed, nodding. 

“Okay.” He pushed past you. Your eyes followed him as he turned the corner. You looked back at the waiter. 

“If you’ll excuse me, I have to use the little girls room.” You slid off the stool with a small smile and left your milkshake. You turned the corner and knocked on the men's bathroom door. It opened quickly. It was the type of bathroom that was private, without stalls. Just two rooms. 

Harry grabbed your hand and dragged you inside. He shut the door and locked it behind you. 

“I didn’t know you would be here,” you argued. He was standing so close to you, practically pining you to the door. 

“Who was that?” 

“Who was who?” 

“Don’t act coy,” he spat. You had never seen him so angry, jealousy practically dripping from his eyes. 

“The waiter? He’s a friend.” 

“That all?” “Harry, we can't do this right now. Your family is outside. Come on, we’ll talk later.” You made no movement. He starred, at you, at your features, the ones he could always find comfort in. He grabbed your wrist. “Harry?”

“Get on your knees.” 

You raised an eyebrow but the look in his eyes was too alluring to argue. He was usually gentle and guiding through sex, always careful with you even when he was rougher. You didn’t mind the demanding tone in his voice. You slinked down the door, onto your knees. You looked up at him. 

He was gazing down at you, his hand cupping your chin. You waited to see what he would do. Was he being so daring because his family was out there? Had you crossed a line neither of you had dared to verbalize? 

You put your hands on his waistband. He nodded, ushering you along. You undid his belt and fought with his jeans to pull them down. It didn’t take long for him to get hard at the adrenaline of the moment and you sitting before him. You pumped with your hand, staring up at him still. 

You wanted to tell him the waiter meant nothing. But actions spoke louder than words. You wrapped your lips around him, eyes locked, a glaze over his. He was staring at you like you were a meal. As you moved up and down, bobbing your head back and forth, he grabbed a fist full of your hair. He started to guide you more forcefully, a jealousy lacing his touch. 

You came up for air as minimally as you could. He lasted too long. His family was going to miss him. They would see your lone milkshake and wonder which of you would leave first. There weren’t enough people in this diner to not connect the dots. 

His precum was drooling down your chin. He wanted to fuck you. He knew he didn’t have time. Instead he let you make him cum, swallowing everything you could, making an erotic gagging noise as you did so. His moans came out muffled but clear, head tilted back in pleasure. 

You wiped your mouth, leaning your head against the door. 

“Feel better?” you asked. He scoffed. He helped you up, catching you as you stumbled. He kissed you, tasting himself among your lips. He could stay here with you forever and starve happily. “You go out first,” you muttered. “I’ve gotta wash up.” 

He nodded. He stared at you for a moment longer, brushing your hair out of your face. You locked eyes and the intimacy filled up the bathroom. You wanted to kiss him again but knew you had no time. You would have to let him go, just this once. 

“Thanks,” he muttered under his breath. 

“Anytime H.” You slithered away from him. “Pull your pants up and go back to your family.”

#harry gardner x reader #harry gardner x fem!reader #american horror story imagines #harry gardner imagines #spicy tag #ahs imagines #american horror story fanfiction

[cellard0ors]

For @be-side-my-self

"Um, Mr. Hackett?"

Chris turns to one his newest counselors, the one with the brightly colored hair and sweet voice and does his very best to remember her name, "Hiya Addie!"

"Uhhh, it's - it's Abi." She clarifies as if she's the one that made the mistake and it makes Chris want to kick himself.

Is he forgetful now because of his age? Or because of his 'condition'? Perhaps both, but either way he makes sure to give the girl his full attention now, "I'm sorry, yes, Abi - how can I help you?"

"I-? Well, I-I hope this isn't out of bounds, but...I made this for you."

Abi holds out a sheaf of paper and Chris takes it to see a beautiful charcoal rendering of himself.

But better

This Chris looks smoldering, sexy - like he has it all together.

Nothing like the man he really is - the corny one who's fallen down a well of hopelessness he can't seem to crawl out of.

Looking at the picture, Chris's expression must have fallen into a very serious mien, because Abi is now a very bright pink, "I-I'm sorry if you don't like it! Or if I shouldn't have-!"

"I love it." He says quickly, passionately (perhaps too much so), and Abi pushes some hair behind one ear, twisting on her feet, "W-well, good. I'm glad. Like I said, I made it for you."

The last is added very shyly and, normally, Chris is terrible at picking up on signals. His kids tease him about it all the time, always groaning: Daddddd, she was hitting on you!

But, at this moment, he recognizes that this girl is hitting on him. This young, pretty twenty something. Is hitting. On him.

It boggles the mind. None of his counselors have ever hit on him before - and, if they have, he hasn't noticed, as per usual.

Also he's never...considered it. Why would he? She's far too young! His daughter's age! Maybe a little bit older, but still...

He's not a lech.

Or a perv.

And he's not considering it.

Not at all.

Nope.

"Well, thank you, Abi. I love it."

...he shouldn't sound so sincere...

+

Amelia died young.

Their relationship was fast and passionate and over before it'd barely begun. At least to Chris's way of thinking. They weren't even married long before she found herself pregnant.

Probably because they hardly ever left the bedroom.

Chris has...had...appetites.

And Amelia had been more than pleased to meet them. When that hadn't been happening, they'd been comfortable together. For the most part. There were...some issues.

Those mainly coming from the fact that normally quiet, amenable Amelia did not get along with his mother. At all. It was a very vocal, very troubling issue, because Chris had never really had any issues with his mother before.

She loves him. Perhaps a bit too much.

Having another woman love him (and in a very different way) had never sat comfortably with her. Ma loved her grandchildren, loved her son, but Amelia?

Barely tolerated.

So, when she passed, to avoid future strife, Chris had chosen to remain single. It's not as if he needed another wife - not even to help with the children, he has his family for that.

And as for his appetites, he can always find a passing fancy at Dixie's Roadhouse if he wants to. Lord knows his brother Travis does.

But Travis, much like himself, has seemed to have lost his taste for lust. Chris isn't certain why, but he's certainly cooled his heels in the last few years. Still, when Travis comes to call (reluctantly as always, his history with the camp making him hate it), he has to ask, "Hey, Travis...you ever been attracted to a younger woman."

"Yes." Travis answers automatically, then looks slightly agitated before correcting himself, "I mean, no."

Chris quirks a brow at him and Travis rubs at the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable, "It's complicated."

Chris could grill him about it, but he's hesitant to. His relationship with his brother has been fraying for some time now. As each year passes and the curse remains, Chris can't help but find himself resenting Travis more and more.

Travis, who isn't bitten. Travis, who swore to fix everything. Travis, his older brother, who he once looked up to, but now just...pities.

Mainly because he could do something with his life and he chooses (repeatedly) not to and Chris - he doesn't have that option. The bite keeps him from it. It keeps him from so much and Travis has been even more distant and weird than usual and just as Chris is getting over his hesitation, Travis hits him with, "Why do you ask?"

Abi's face flashes in Chris's mind and he flushes, "No reason."

"Mmhmm." Travis hums in that unconvinced cop-tone of his and Chris glares at him, "Just forget it. Hey, you ever hear anything about those two counselors who never showed?"

"No. Why would I?"

Chris shrugs, "I don't know...just weird is all. They never contacted me to say they weren't coming - thought maybe you might've heard something, like they got in an accident or something."

"Chris, they're young. Young people, and this might shock you, aren't known for their reliability. You were ghosted. Just deal with it."

"...ghosted?"

Travis actually smirks, "Get your kids to explain it to you. They did for me."

Chris just sighs and then, smirk growing wider, his brother asks, "Or ask whatever younger woman you're into. Sure she'll know."

Travis just sneers at him as he walks away.

+

Chris puts the picture up in his secret monitoring room. He looks at it now and then and thinks about what it might be like...if he were free, if he were younger, if he could...

He's also noticed himself noticing Abi. Her sweetness with the kids, her gentleness with others, the curves of her body...

One of the other counselors, Nick, he's noticed too.

And that's for the best, isn't it? Two young people...free to be young and together and-! Chris may or may not put Nick on some less than savory tasks - not out of jealousy, but out of necessity.

Nick is a young strong kid. Why shouldn't he take out the Lodge's trash? Why shouldn't he help with the pool maintenance? Chris is just being logical.

And if Chris has Abi help him out now and again - if Chris uses her as sort of an assistant, it's simply because he sees potential in her. That's all.

Of course it is.

...and yet, Chris is starting to feel a stirring inside of him when he's with her. A stirring that hints his appetite might be returning. And - if it is - in his current... condition... he's not sure he can guarantee the girl's safety.

No. Not at all.

#Chris/Abi #hackearney #my writing #a gift! #potentially set in the full deck verse #not confirming or denying it #also what ship name would Chris/Abi even have? #Chrabi? #Abris?

[jaehyunz-archive]

send me a member + an era and i’ll make you a set ↳ yuta in limitless for @ytsgf ♡ 

#nctinc #yuta #nct #mgroupsedit #neweraidols #addy i hope you like it!!!! i'm sorry for taking too long and thank you for requesting <3 yuta in limitless was lovely #*gifs #*mine #*yuta #*era #*multi #*rq #I'LL ALSO POST THIS TO MAKE UP FOR MY BDAY SET

[mrs-mikko-rantanen]

Minty

Ewan wasn't allergic to peppermint essential oil. It just made his nose tickle and thus inspired a fair bit of sneezing. His mother had thought it was funny, and Adair had teased him for it. There were nuances to it, he had learned through the years. He didn't have a reaction when it was applied to his skin, and after a couple of minutes he generally seemed to get used to it. But if someone else in the room was wearing it and walked by him, he was going to sneeze. Especially if they kept moving and then returned later. He had to have time to adjust to the scent. 

He didn't always make that connection, however. Sometimes someone would walk by him seven or eight times, he would sneeze every time, and never notice the Christmas time smell following them. 

This was very difficult for him to accept when he first met Avanda. 

It had been a long day on the base, perhaps two weeks after her return, and he had been on high alert. Her crew was slowly coming to terms with the Renegade cause, and she had been doing what she could to help his brother get a hold of more advanced supplies for the base hospital. Ewan had been standing nearby running security and helping her with one of the computers. After he'd turned away to sneeze for possibly the seventeenth time, she spun around in her chair, arms crossed and glaring at him. 

"Go home, MacClyde. I'm on a Renegade controlled base, and I doubt anything bad is going to happen to me for ten minutes while I finish this up."

"But--"

"Besides, Adair's here and Castor can fill in for your 'watchdog' duties." When Ewan opened his mouth to complain again, she kept talking, hurrying to shut him down. "You're clearly getting sick. All that's going to do is slow you down. Go upstairs and get some rest, and I'll see what I can do for you when I get done here."

Begrudgingly, Ewan did as he was told. It had been too long since he'd slept. He would never admit it to anyone, but he could see the sense in what Cas, Addie, and Avanda had all told him about overworking himself. Sort of. He flopped down onto the couch and was asleep almost instantly. 

When he woke up, Adair was in the kitchen, quietly making dinner. 

"Where's Alistairion?" Ewan asked, glancing around the apartment. 

"Downstairs. Don't worry, Cas is keeping an eye on her, and he's gonna give her a ride home. She said she hopes you feel better." Ewan did not miss the small smirk growing on his twin's face.

"I'm not sick. I just couldn't stop sneezing." Ewan snapped. 

Adair let out a small bark of laughter. "Of course you couldn't! Ohhh it all makes sense now."

"What?"

Adair set down the wooden spoon he'd been using and shot his brother a look. "She was wearing peppermint oil."

"What? No I would have noticed-" Ewan cut himself off quickly, aware that his comment would only open up room for his brother to tease him about the crush that he was very much in denial of. 

"Of course. Yet here you are, an hour later, with no sniffles, no sneezes, and seeming quite alert after what I can only assume was a good nap."

Ewan's scowl deepened and he grabbed an apron. "What does it even do? Is it just a perfume? Or does it...do something?"

Adair shrugged, passing Ewan the spoon. "Kind of a lot, actually. Usually it's used for it's calming effect, but it's also used for mild pain treatments. I also read an article about it being linked to-" Adair stopped with a sigh, catching himself just before the ramble got too out of control and he strayed from the topic. "I'm willing to bet that she uses it to help regulate headaches."

"Headaches?" Ewan asked carefully. 

"Yeah. Mum used it for a lot of things, but headaches more than anything. Hamish says it works wonders for them."

Ewan shrugged a little and decided to pretend that he didn't care about the matter anymore. 

A few weeks later, Ewan and Avanda were on a mission together. It was a simple scouting mission, but it was like a stakeout scene in a buddy cop movie. They sat together in the car in relative silence for about an hour, watching the area intently. 

Ewan shot a glance at the redhead and frowned. "You alright? You've been a little off today."

Avanda grunted, not moving her head from where it was resting against the window. "Migraine."

"Oh. I'm sorry. Do you have any meds with you?"

"No."

"Ah." He shifted a little, digging in his pockets until he felt the small bottle. "Here. Addie says this helps some people?" He offered it to her and she reached over, taking it. 

"Yeah, actually it does. Thanks, Ewan."

"No prob-no-no problem." He stuttered then cleared his throat. That may have been the first time she'd used his first name without Adair around. Usually it was 'MacClyde,' unless his twin was around to cause any confusion. He clenched his jaw as the car filled with the minty fresh aroma, trying to fight back the sneeze. 

"Thanks." She handed it back to him and he nodded, not trusting himself not to sneeze if he opened his mouth. 

There was only so long that he could fight it however. When he did sneeze, he ended up hitting his head on the steering wheel. 

"Bless you." Ewan didn't miss her small laugh, which only made him blush harder. 

"Tha-thank- ACHOOO- thank you." 

#ewan insp #avanda insp #ewvanda insp #inspired by me snuggling into my blankets for extra non-existant cuddles #and thinking 'ooo it smells like peppermint' bc id had a migraine when i went to bed #and then i sneezed for like 20 mon bc it was EVERYWHERE #caretaker!ewan #i guess? #migraine

[10k-moreliketheloml]

10k x Reader || Sick Headcanon ||

• okay, so because you're obviously malnourished and dehydrated 24/7,

• your body doesn't warn you that it's getting sick.

• so one day while you're on the road in the back of the truck with 10k, you just lean over the side and throw up.

• surprised and suddenly feeling really sick, you start crying and shaking.

• ofc 10's already shuffling to your side, holding your hair until you're finished.

• after, you just lean into him, still crying, as he pets your head and soothes you to the best of his ability, as he's pretty shaken too.

• "it's okay baby, when we stop I'll have Doc see if he has medicine. you're okay, it's all gonna be okay, just rest." he murmurs, his mouth next to your ear as you rest your head on his shoulder.

• soon enough you finish crying but you're still shaking, suddenly very cold.

• 10k notices and instantly shrugs out of his jacket to wrap it tightly around you, pulling you closer into him as well.

• (unknown to you, he's also really hoping you stop soon so he can take care of you the right way. he's a v worried boy.)

• finally, the truck pulls up to a small house, and everyone shuffles out, surprised at your state.

• "we'll check the house, if it's safe you can bring her in to rest properly." leave it to Mama Warren™ to have a plan immediately.

• while her and Addy check the house, Doc gives you some medicine he has, while Murphy just watches, secretly worried.

• not too long after, you're able to enter the house and 10k carries you all the way in and to the couch.

• "Doc said the medicine should kick in soon, just lay down okay? are you thirsty?" his voice is soft and he pulls a blanket he found over you, zipping his jacket up to keep your warmth in.

• "no 10, you drink it." you insist, offering a small smile to which he frowns at.

• "here." he says, handing you his half full water bottle.

• "I can't, 10k. you need it, you do a lot more than me! plus I'm sick, you can't drink after me." he just smiles.

• "please? for me? you need the water, I'm worried." you sigh but don't fight it anymore, sipping the water gratefully.

• obvi 10k is pleased, happy he gets to help you get back to full health.

• when you finish drinking, you lay down to sleep and let the meds kick in, and 10 hesitantly goes to ask Warren if there's any light food you can eat.

• he's only gone 15 minutes, but before he comes back you bolt awake and rush to the bathroom, stumbling.

• you immediately throw yourself over the toilet and empty your stomach again, leaning against the wall when you're finished, shivering once more regardless of the jacket still covering you.

• when 10 comes back and you're gone, he runs to the bathroom, hoping you're there, and then frowning sadly when he sees your huddled up form.

• he goes to you, sitting and pulling you into his lap, petting through your hair and rocking back and forth.

• "did you get sick again, princess?" when you give him a weak nod, he kisses the top of your head. "that's okay, that's perfectly fine. you're okay."

• his voice is smooth and you're gently lulled back to sleep.

• noticing this, 10k kisses your sweaty forehead before lifting you and taking you back to the couch, set on not leaving again.

• Addy comes in a few minutes later with a cloth and gives it to 10k to wipe your face, which he does with great care.

• he stays up all night, watching you and keeping you warm, wiping your face and placing light kisses all around to soothe you when you start to stir.

• the next morning, you wake up still feeling dizzy, but way better than the night before.

• "Ten Thousand?" you call softly, and he smiles when you look up at him from where your head rests on his lap.

• you notice the dark bags and frown guiltily.

• "did you...stay up all night?"

• he obvi just gives you the softest smile

• "yeah, I wanted to make sure you were okay." you melt

• he kisses your forehead again and Doc comes in with more medicine and some bottled water they found in the cabinet.

• after you take the medicine, 10k helps you back to the truck, the wind helping you feel better as now you're just a bit too hot.

• "are you sure you're feeling alright baby?" 10k is v concerned, he just wants you to be 100% healthy again.

• "I'm okay, 10. thank you for taking care of me." when you smile at him, he's instantly blushing and grinning, wanting nothing more than to kiss you right on the lips.

• "of course, I'll always take care of you. I need you to be healthy after all." you swoon

• you cuddle up into his side, head on his shoulder and his head on yours, and you both fall asleep, feeling happy, even after all that had happened.

• and when you're better you better believe he gives you lots of the good kisses he missed out on that day.

---

~ super long, so sorry! i worked on this for like 2 days, and i really hope it's nice and cute!!! requests are open! ~

#10k z nation #10k #10k x reader #10k x Reader #i love 10k too much #10k-moreliketheloml

[hazbinextgeneration]

Do you have a reason to why you like your favorite artists? Sorry if I'm bothering you since you did say you were busy with stuff right after y uor finals.

Mun: Hey! That’s ok! I don’t mind at all. In fact this is a good way for my pals and fellw artists to be recognized. So without further delay-…..Buckle up this may be a bit long btw because I’m giving a short summery for everyone.

@ellen-jello

- She was actually one of the first people to support me on tumblr and made me feel really welcome to a site I originally was self conscious on. To that I am forever greatful and have been kind enough to provide feedback on some of the things I’ve struggled with such as poses. Thanks Ellen!

@undertalesokemo

- One of the few people that I can talk about the many fandoms we share. They’re honestly a beautiful person with an amazing style that deserves more attention. A strong person and I respect them for it deeply. Don’t let anyone undermine your comics or artstyle, it’s beautiful and no one can convince me otherwise. 

@hh-foxyhart

- Actually the first person in the hazbin fandom to support my art when my skills were not so good and my first friend in the HH series. A very supportive person with the patience of Charlie. I hope everything’s going good for you pal and thanks for your endless patience!

@ynkaliko

- A beautiful person who deserves more credit than given credit for. Your art and writing is beautiful and you are such a strong person for what you do despite the things life throws your way. I respect you for that and I wish you and your family nothing but the best for you guys.

@twilightna

- An amazing writer and supportive friend. If you haven’t seen her work, I highly recommend it! Her writing is absolutely beautiful and deserves more views. They’re Nature Angel concept is actually really cool and I recommend anyone that concept of hers to check out as well.

@zoophobiapika

- Big supportor of my Zoophobia art and a great friend to boot. I’ve gotten some of my best ideas for my ocs thanks to them and I still find new ideas from their art and posts. GO support their bun art and love of all that is our favorite blonde Addi!

@palettepainter

- One of the best people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and has been a big supporter of my own ZP book series that is still slowly getting done. A better writer than myself I highly suggest checking it out. Her kindness knows no bounds and I wish nothing but luck on her last days of College.

@theblankbri

- A new friend that I have had fun laughing and streaming with. She just started on tumblr and has an amazing style that everyone would enjoy. Go check her out! I hope youre not stressing over trying to answer so may asks at once, and get well soon.

@cryptidsandcatacombs

- Best guyfriend anyone could ask for. His headcannons are very well writing and in character (But I will add for his sake everyone be 18+ before following for nsfw content), he’s very sweet and a great friend to talk to. Hope you and Sara are taking your vacation stress free!

@star-the-werewolf - (sorry if I didn’t get your name right) One of my more supportive friends and have been so nice and caring to everyone I’ve seen. I  really hope you’re doing well and have been having a stress free time so far. And good luck on your work.

@lovelylunathedemon

- I know we haven’t been able to talk much and I’m so sorry for that. I’ve been trying to get so many things done, But I seriously hope you’re doing ok and I wish you nothing but the best! Go check out their art and ocs! They’re adorable and have so much potential!

@tremendousmiraclecherryblossom

- One of my favorite artists and inspirations in the fandom and the best webcomic writer I’ve seen. Thank you so much for helping me with hand poses, I’m starting to get better. And thank you so much for your kindness. I hope you and Nancy are having a great summer.

@neons-trash-blog

- One of the most patient and understanding people I’ve met and had the pleasure of being friends with. I really enjoy working with her ocs and hopefully now I’ll be able to finish the request I’m half way done with. Thanks so much for being my friend. I would also recommend looking at their art as well.

@evilassumptions

- I really enjoy their artsyle and ocs. Especially the skeleton boys and (I’m so sorry I forgot her name) their Angel x Pentious girl. I find their dsigns creative and really fun to see.

@ultimatefangirl-exe

- hands down one of my more favorite HH ocs creators. I enjoy her Vixon mafia family concept and enjoy seeing the interactions between Gloria and Edgar. I think my second favorite is Blair? Correct me if her name is wrong.

@funnylunetta

- I absolutely love your artstyle and ocs. They’re all just so beautiful and I really enjoy seeing your content. Please don’t stope being amazing! ^^

@11rarelights

- I feel like your art doesn’t get enough attention as it deserves to get. Your ocs are really beautiful and well made and I really hope you get more likes on it.

@dreugalp

- Hey, Doc. I hope the shipping wars die down soon. I really like the Plague Doctor theme you created and you created such beautiful ocs such as Alexis, his family, and theDoc and his family. I really enjoy seeing the Doc’s antics and look forward to seeing more.

@cosmic-artzz

- I really enjoy your Angel and God ocs. They’re all just so beautiful and well made, I really enjoy Nathaniel and Euritan(Please forgive me if I misspelled any names) and your artstyle. I really look forward to seeing more of your fantastic art.

@rzphhs - If you want an second opion or hve an opinion on any of Vivziepop’s work, they’re the go too person for it. seriously. Check out their work.

And last but not least. A bit thank you to

@vivziepop

without your amazing talent and hardwork, I probably wouldn’t have been able to meet and discover so many talented people and found my own inspiration. I really hope all this drama doesn’t affect your team or you negatively and you aren’t stressing too much.

[arethereanyoriginalusernames]

ADDISON CHARACTER SPOTLIGHT, PART 2

This post was requested by @zoophobiapika. Sorry this took so long. Apparently Tumblr hates it when I try to add sources. -.- 

Welcome to part two of a series known as Character Spotlight. In this part of it, I give my predictions and analysis of a character. If you'd like to see me critique and give my opinion on this character, please go check out Part 1. As usual, Zoophobia is owned by our Lord and Savior Vivziepop. Please feel free to tell me what you think, and request any posts. With that, I hope you enjoy.

------------------------------------------------

Oh Jesus, what's this? A post where I don't complain about how the way Addi was written was kind of annoying? What is this black magic? ! Yeah, yeah, I don't like Addi as a critic of zp, but as a casual fan, I like him. He's not my fave, but I like him. Today, let's throw the critic goggles into the fireplace and have some fun.

---------------------------------------------

First, let's start with what we know.

Name: Addison Woods

Age: Originally, he was going to be 14-15, but allegedly Vivz currently considers him to be 17

Gender: Male

Sexuality : About as straight as a pinwheel. Also, he has a thing for snake people and dudes with accents

Known hobbies : Likes art, and is very talented in this field.

Handicaps : PTSD ( does not like being touched)

Relationships:

Latika - Adoptive mum, cares a lot about Addi, and vice versa

Sasha- step cousin , bugs and teases Addi. Addi doesn't like him

Gustav : Boyfriend, they both find each other attractive, and apparently they end up having a happy, healthy relationship

Damian : Best friend. He enjoys messing with Addi and flirting with him. While they don't hold romantic feelings for each other, they're "friends with benefits ". Addi often is confused by Dame's flirting attempts. They apparently met some time before the story started. 

Sahara: Friend. Apparently these two aren’t as close as Dame and Addi. 

Tom: Addi's ex. They don't seem to be on good terms as Tom is still possessive of Addi.

Mackenzie : I have a lot to say on this, so for the sake of length, I will save this tangent for another time.

Jack : Addi's role model

Zill: Addi has a crush on him

--------------------------------------

Let's start with what we know

Addi was originally created by Xirxene. He's basically this artificial life form that is a human/fennec fox ( /cat apparently ) hybrid. He was frequently experimented on, causing him to develop a type of PTSD that causes him to panic whenever he's touched unexpectedly. At some point, he was adopted by Latika, who is best snake mum. He also met Damian some time before the story began. Xirxene is still after him, and members attempt to abduct him. He’s a student in ZPA’s art class, is rather passionate about this field, and is so good he causes poorly introduced and developed relationships to happen.

--------------------------------------

So what do I think about Addison?

One thing that stood out to be was Addi’s motivation; Love. Allegedly, he throws himself at guys and, if his and Tom’s relationship is any indication, his relationships don’t last very long. If this is true, and Dame isn’t hyperbolising, why? One would’ve thought that if he does this so often, why hasn’t he learned? Why continue this behavior? I remember reading that Addi, due to having some weird chemicals in his system, will not live very long. If this is true, maybe he wants a romantic relationship before he dies. But even if this is true, again, why?It’s possible that this could be a result of some serious insecurity on Addi’s part. In chapter 5, we see people refer to Addi as a “freak”. Addi has also been described as being shy and introverted. So, hear me out, what if Addi’s insecurity comes from not only him seeing himself as a freak, but almost everybody seeing him as a freak. I mean, ok, this isn’t some impressive idea. I’m sure several Addi fans are yelling “No duh you Canadian, syrup-chugging nibnob!” Ok, ok, I get it, but hear me out! I think this could be why he’s so desperate for love. He wants someone around that can make him feel less insecure and loved. I could see this as the reason behind his relationships not going well. They either don't go as planned, or Addi unbalances the relationship by contributing too much to it.

Also, I'm sorry, but if the BFFs with benefits thing is still canon.... I have questions. Does Dame just become substitute boyfriend when Addi's single, and vice versa? Do they both collectively get bored and flirt with each other? Like, they just casually make out but they're not dating? I'm sorry, I just find this amusing.

Ok, enough with love. Love is boring. Let's talk about Adder. I think Adder will basically be either a feral side that Addi developed during his time at Xirxene (maybe he'd try to fight back against the scientists ) or he's a twisted manifestation of what Addi secretly wants to be. While Addi is...Addi, Adder is tough, uncaring, dangerous, and powerful. Unlike Addi, Adder don't need no man (*snap, snap, snap *) I can also see Adder taking revenge on anyone who wronged Addi. As for his relationship to Mirage, I think Adder may follow her since her plan somehow aligns with his quest for vengeance, and Mirage encourages Addi to leave and Adder to stick around.

I dunno. That's just what I think when it comes to analyzing this character. God, I talk too much

--------------------------------

Predictions

Relationships :

Mackenzie - I have a lot to say on this, so I'll save this tangent for another time.

Gustav- while I do believe Addi will ultimately end up with Gustav, I can see the relationship hitting several bumps, especially with Gustav possibly being forced to go through *gasp* character development. Like I've said above, I can also see Addi causing an unbalance in the relationship, which is never healthy. I think there'll also be an arc where Gustav and Addi will have to deal with the whole Xirxene thing.

Damian - ok, so unpopular opinion here. I think these two will drift apart. Not permanently, but at least for some time. I'll go over Dame's side of the equation in another post, so let's focus on Addi. While Addi may have needed Dame in the past, what with all of his issues, I think he may start hanging out with the rest of the main cast and other characters, branching away from Dame. Rereading Ch5 strengthened this belief as it seems like Addi has had enough of Dame's bull and is going his own route rather then be the passive friend. This of course I can see leading to much emotional pain and angst, which is like fucking candy to me.

Live or Die: Ah-hahaha. ....I think at least 5 people already know the answer to this one. To save on space, I strongly suggest you check out my Addison Headcanon part 1 and 2. Tldr, I think Addi is gonna die.

Powers: I've seen some art of Adder having "glory hand powers" and apparently he also can summon two giant demon snakes. I'm willing to bet that he's gonna have powers.

Role: Antagonist. Addi was originally created to be an adversary for Zill. While this may have been scrapped, I personally think it'd be a really cool subversion of expectations.

" You all probably thought it'd be that little shit Damian, but no, it was I, Addison the bean, all along! "

AhahahahaIdontwatchjojosbizarreadventure.

So what do you guys think? Let me know your thoughts and predictions. And please send any requests you want. Thank you.

I apologize for wasting your time.

-ATOUN

#zoophobia #zoophobia addison #zp addison

[hidden-otaku-stuff]

(1) Hello I am back!! I'm sorry it's been long, these past couple of weeks have had me swamped with homework :( and yet I still didn't do it all 🤡 also get ready for a bunch of messages because 1.) responses and 2.) my thoughts on Lockscreens. Spoiler: I am Emotional haha. Aww, thank you :') I used to think it was weird to give yourselves nicknames but I'm past that now haha. Another one I go by sometimes is "Lizard" because I stick my tongue out a lot when I'm talking??

(2) and people think I'm cold blooded because I get really cold easily and like to bask in the sun. I mostly just did traditonal sketches and a lot of screencap redraws. I want to get into art again, but I'm taking it slow for now and focusing more on my writing. And I feel that too LOL. I'm going to start a blog dedicated to reblogging x reader fics that I like because I'm too embarrassed to do so on my main blog (I tell all of your followers 🤡)

hey Honeymoon! as long as you’re taking care of yourself, that’s all I care about 💞 i’m gonna post my responses into two parts. a Lockscreens segment after you send in the rest of your thoughts and a get-to-know-you part for now!

(also I’M FROM CA TOO AND WHY ON EARTH ARE YOU SENDING ME MESSAGES AT 3AM OML)

ngl, i feel like the best person to give you a nickname is yourself! i jokingly gave myself the nickname ‘Daddy’ and that’s literally become my “rave” personality LMAO. but i can understand why some people think it’s weird 🤷 honestly lizard is a bad-ass nickname !! i’m the same way - being in the cold makes me sooo sleepy and i’d rather bask in the sun 😂

i’d love to see your artwork or writing sometime! please feel free to send it over 🥰

(3) Honestly even with all my issues it's kind of nice being a hopeless romantic! Like you said it gives me the chance to day dream haha. Maybe I have my head in the clouds a lot but sometimes it's nice to be there. There's so many, but I think it's a tie between enemies to lovers and friends to lovers. I love the drama and comedy from the former but I'm so Soft for the latter, and that's highkey how I want my relationship to start.

(4) I think building that bond with someone before you even start dating them is really sweet, and having that connection by the time you commit to each other is 💓 I'm sorry you've been having writers block, that's the worst :( if it helps, the past two chapters have turned out amazing, I love them so much!! I think the closest I got to hardcore shipping something that wasn't canon was RinHaru? But there was also a lot of tension and affection in their relationship so I could see it being canon

there’s nothing wrong with having dreams! just so long as you can ground yourself at the end of the day. 

enemies to lovers is always the funniest for me to read TBH. because it’s such an inevitable cliche haha. friends to lovers though -- oooo my heart. 

the best relationships start with friendship. it’s the most authentic imo. like for me, it’s exhausting bearing my heart open to new people each time i want to get involved with someone romantically. but having someone who already knows you inside out??? swoon. what about a trope you dislike?

ah tyty, i’m glad you enjoyed them! the writers’ block wasn’t too bad for these chapters. i’ve had them typed up for a few weeks now :’) 

rinharu is so cute though! but Harukoto (or whatever the ship name is tbh) is super cute too. but maybe i just really like the best friend to lovers trope LMAO

(5) I just looked at their insta and !!!!!!!!!! that's so cute! I like bokuaka but I've never looked into it as much as others, but their art made me have Feelings lol. I think that is a good view to have on family tbh. I've developed a relationship with my blood family and we're close, but there's something special about the relationships and love you have for people you choose to stay with. I love Tiana!! I think she's a really underrated Disney character :(

(6) She really encompasses Disney's message of working hard to achieve your dreams, and she's a strong, independent woman without being closed off and rejecting her feelings. I think it's so cute and cool that she had that much of an impact on you :D Oof, I get that 💀. Men are gross 🤢 I don't get it very often because I live in SoCal and tbh to a lot of other people brown just equals mexican lol. They're right but I really don't look full mexican. Portuguese and Islander people can tell though

bokuaka art makes me have ~ feelings ~ i also really like @/liann1009 and @/maddox_rider on IG! (tbh idk if they have a tumblr whoops) liann1009 does a lot of OiHina whereas maddox_rider does bokuaka which is ridiculously cute too 🥰 

DUDE OMG YES!!! Tiana and Kita (from Atlantis) are under-rated QUEENS who deserved better!! we need representation out here in this b*tch!!! 

idek why, but some people think i look hispanic 🙃 but yes bby, men are gross and should be better!! i have yet to meet a man who deserves to stand on equal ground to me, imma be real. (2d men don’t count but y’know). does it bother you when people mistake your ethnicity? 

(7) Thank you!! Ngl it's kind of scary wondering about what the industry is going to be like because I'm sure I will run into a lot of biased people and sources, but learning to navigate that is just part of the job. Of course there's people who will read biased sources and attack you too, but you can't always escape those people :/ and thank you love, you're so sweet 💕 That's really admirable! It takes a lot of work and creativity to start a business, I'm sure you'll be successful 😊

(8) what kind were you thinking of? and psych is super cool too! Having that understanding of people and the world can be really eye opening and fun :D It's okay, he was one of my favorite teachers but looking back he was an asshole. He had his good/funny moments and did a lot for me, but he also abused some of editors in my journalism class, and some friends of mine :/ He wouldn't appreciate their work, sometimes insult them, and even encouraged my friend to not sleep for the sake of the paper

i’m positive that you’ll do just fine once you get out there! it seems like you have a pretty thick skin :) 

i really wanted to open a business to help support under-represented groups receive an education - with major focus on minority groups such as orphans/foster children, veterans, and the homeless. there’s so much logistics that tbh i’m too ~stressed~ to think about so i’m tabling that for awhile :’) 

bruhhh fuck that teacher. drop his addy, i just wanna talk real q 💞   if you can’t support all of your students, then there is no point in being a professor!! there is literally 0 reason to be rude when you’re in a position of power, especially when it involves someone’s passion, career, and/or education.

(9) I just remembered that there's a limit to how many asks you can send in a certain amount of time so if these suddenly stop I'm sorry! I'll come back when I can haha. I wouldn't say I'm all that great tbh, but I'm proud of a lot of my works LOL. My favorite part about it is using makeup and tools to just turn into something else. Wounds are always fun, but making yourself a gargoyle or some other creature is what makes it so interesting to me.

(11) I'm OBSESSED with the makeup and costumes from LOTR. It's my biggest inspiration. I can go on about it haha. That's so cool!! Being a part of the whole production, especially all sides to it, sounds so fun. Do you have any favorite memories from your time in high school? I'd love to hear them if you have any :O Confession: I have never seen any of those asdfkljvk. I know I really should though and it's on my to do list ! I've heard really great things about all of them !

imma be real, i didnt know there was a limits on asks LMAO. i did hear that they sometimes get eaten though, so i really hope that doesn’t happen 😅 

we all start somewhere. your first step will never look like someone else’s, nor should it. as long as it’s something that you can look back upon and be proud of and know that you’ve grown from, that’s all that matters! 

just imagining someone using makeup to turn themselves into a gargoyle has my head spinning  🤣 like ya girl can barely do her eye-makeup, let alone anything as intense as that! what’s been the most difficult project? 

DUDE, I LOVE MEDIEVAL-HISTORICAL WORKS! like the dresses from that Mary from Reign wears has my heart so softtttt. dfsnosdf. please!! tell me some of your fav things about LOTR  💖

omg high-school was so long ago, i don’t think i have any favorite memories from it 🙃 i think the opening night of a production would be the best. listening to the audiences reactions as the performers left their hearts on-stage, seeing all the pieces fall together, that was always absolutely incredible. wbu, what did you enjoy about hs? 

i have very strong opinions on those musicals LMAO. i can talk about them forever  🤩

#skye's asks #firebonbon

[lonely-little-penguin-blog]

So I obviously need a ship and of course I have requests 😻. Umm Justine (she/her), very ging, pretty much exclusively wear black graphic tees and shorts or jeans, often barefoot. I love puppies & books/comic & scifi/horror shows & music I can sing along to. I write & bake & do science (for work). I'm unofficial hype man to a ton of people including you but I am also very sassy and love dry humor or puns. Okay idk what else but I'll fit my request in another ask! Thanks! 💖

Okay, okay, okay! Justine is an old friend (not that you’re old I have just followed you for nine gloooorious months, which means that our friendship has had a baby by now) and she’s awesome, I’m super looking forward to this! Also you didn’t include a gender preference so I’m just gonna make it straight, if that’s all good.

Gee whiz man, I debated between two folks for sooooo long with this and then a third came up and it was like, “Hold on a second. It’s so obvious.” I hope you enjoy. Without further ado, I ship you with…

Bruce Banner! Now now, I know, I know, you’re like ‘hold up, is it because I do science?’ And the answer is… well, yes, kinda, but also so much more! I hope you enjoy! And I’m sorry I couldn’t fit all you had in here, and if I have you way too sassy for your character, I’ll just have to do ships again sometime later. ^-^

“Justine,” greeted Bruce wearily, looking up from the paperwork he had to fill out - apparently legal matters were important to everyone, including Avengers - before looking her up and down. “What are you doing in here without shoes? I’ve told you, just because you like to be barefoot-”

“I know, I know, you keep forgetting I’m not seventy years behind all scientific advancements. No, I’m actually here because Clint stole my shoes.”

He frowned. “I’m sorry, what? Who let you in? How’d you get past Tony?”

“Oh, I assure you, tip-toeing past Tony was no easy feet-”

“Okay, no. Forget that. Why would you come here?” He put down a pen, taking off his glasses to clean them while squinting at her, taking in the jeans and t-shirt that almost certainly would have made her distinct, if not for fiery red hair.

Even without, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

“Take my mind off it, Dr Banner. Distract me so that my revenge is ever sweeter. Entertain me.”

“Justine, I have work to do.” Bruce sighed, honestly rather regretful, as Justine’s eyes lit up and she pulled her phone out of her pocket.

“Ooooh, wait. Okay, okay, do your work, but listen to this at the same time. I heard it and it made me think of you.”

“Is this another one of those demon inside songs?” he asked suspiciously.

“What? No. Your real demon is that face.” At his expression, she giggled, before quickly adding, “I’m joking. I would tap dat. Here it is, enjoy!”

She put her phone on his desk and started quietly strolling away as blood rushed to the surface of his skin, the song’s words reaching him even through his fast pulse and repressed smile.

That’s my cigar!

You’ll steal another.

Hey look, it’s bath time at the zoo.

“Is this just a song of insults?”

“Oh, quiet, Brucey, the song hasn’t started yet,” teased Justine, a bounce to her barefooted step as its beat reached her. “What’s this?”

“If it’s not filing for a patent I’m not supposed to be working on it,” he reminded her lightly, almost laughing at the look she shot him, dramatically posing with said object. “Stop bouncing, you’re going to drop it like that.”

“I’m not going to drop it,” she retorted, before a tickle on top of her foot caused her to look down, jumping as a spider crawled onto her and dropping the piece of metal with a clang. “Oh, shit.”

Sighing disdainfully but with an amused smile, Bruce crossed the room, picking up what she had dropped as Justine’s eyes darted around the floor, trying to find out where the arachnid had wound up after she’d kicked it. “You’re a one-woman hurricane.”

“Shhhhh. Listen.”

Ain’t it a fine life, carrying the banner through it all

“I… cannot believe I know you.” He shook his head. “You are something else, Justine.”

She stopped mid-bop, tilting her head to the side. “You’re up. You left your paperwork. Does this mean you’ll help me get my shoe?”

“Tell you what. Forge my initials on some of those papers and I’ll see what I can do.”

“An Avenger? Promoting law-breaking?”

“Turning into a green man is kind of a legal gray zone, I really don’t think that’s a proper question.”

“Touché. Deal.”

“Is this your shoe?”

Justine turned as Bruce reentered the lab, holding out one of the shoes he’d just managed to reclaim.

“Yes! Yes, it is. You shoe-dn’t have. Thank you so much. You’re like my Prince Charming.”

“Are you saying you’re Cinderella? And that I’d remember your shoe but forget your face?”

She raised her eyebrows. “Are you flirting with me, Dr Banner?”

“Why don’t you get your shoes on and then we’ll see?”

Okay, so the fact that you mentioned being barefooted obviously was what stuck out to me, but I hope you liked this! I missed a lot, I know, but there’s puns! so there’s that. Thanks so much for the request and ship request, I’ll have your little imagine up before the end of the week!

Addi’s Fall-ing In Love Ships and Tips! Send in an ask!

#addi's falling in love #justine #bruce banner imagine #mcu imagine #avengers imagine #i love you so much this made me so happy #and it had such good vibes #i also kinda ship you with clint? #but he just stole your shoes #he didn't ask you out #and then there was sam #those were the two #and then it was just BAM #this happened #thanks for the request! #have a fabulous day #shut up addi

[darling-i-read-it]

Hi sweetie, me again! <3

Don't worry about it, darling. Take as long as you need, I don't mind. If you don't like the request feel free to ignore it/decline it.

Of course, it's Harry again (i'm so sorry)

After being unable to reach Y/N via calls and texts, Harry gets a call from a tipsy Austin who boastfully informs him she's with him which both riles up and scares Harry. He feels horrible about feeling a bitter sense of jealousy when he should be - and is mainly worried.

So he rushes over. After being relieved that she's ok, you can take it away with your own idea.

Sorry this is so long, dear. Once again, feel free to ignore it.

Have a wonderful day/night and take care, darling

~ XOXO, Addie

hey dear! i hope you don't mind me doing headcanons for this one. you're literally so sweet and i love doing things for you! thank you for your kindness and i hope you enjoy <3

Harry tried really hard to not be invasive. Honestly, it was easier for him because he was usually so focused on himself or his writing. So a relationship with him uses a lot of separate time.

That also meant that when he called you though, he expected you to answer. You were apart enough, he wanted you to answer.

It was rare that you didn't and you usually sent a text immediately about how busy you were or something. There was typically no toxicity in the moment, just concern

but SOMETIMES

The dial tone rang and rang, coming up with your voice mail. He was starting to get antsy, getting up and walking around the house

He didn't want to be overbearing

The natural instinct of jealousy = bad took over him. He watched his phone, tossing it on the couch, jumping at it everytime he got a notification

Then he got a phone call from you, finally

Harry jumped at the chance to answer it, not even pretending he wasn't waiting for it. He put the phone to his ear.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"She's fine!" Harry recognized the voice. He knew Austin's tone, the chaos in his voice. It made him immediately stressed, the fear painted all over his face. What were you doing with Austin? Where were you? Were you there voluntarily?

"Austin?"

"This is he. What, your wife can't have other friends!" He could hear the alcohol dripping from his voice. Was he at the bar? Harry snatched his keys, almost forgetting shoes. He could hear music in the background but nothing that was similar to your voice. "Oh Harry, don't be annoying. We're just having a little fun!"

Harry hung up the phone and got in the car. He drove as fast as he could manage (which was fast in the small town. little cars, little traffic)

When he got to the bar he couldn't see your car but he saw you the second he walked in. You were sitting on a table, not in a chair. Austin was standing in front of you, making large hands about some story.

You caught Harry's eyes as he walked over. There was anger in his face but it was masked by the jealousy. You had a few drinks, unintentionally. You had stopped in for something completely rational, the actual thing lost on you now. You had run into Austin, who fed you some lie about him needing to talk to you about Harry.

Stress dripped from him as he approached.

"Where have you been?!" His voice was higher than he intended. Louder.

"Chill out," Austin said. His words were slurring. Was he high too? Harry couldn't exactly figure it out.

"Harry, I'm fine," you promised. You slid off the table. "I'm fine." He grabbed your arm, just a bit to tightly.

"Let's go," he said, voice low.

"Harry, chill."

"Let's go."

He was silent the whole way home, even if you weren't. You apologized, you sobered up, you complained, you let him have it. Harry didn't answer until he had parked at home and locked the doors.

"Harry?" you whispered. He had left the conversation mostly unanswered.

"How could you do that? Knowing how dangerous he is?"

"I didn't mean to," you said, honestly. "I was there for something else. God, I don't even remember what it was now." You shook your head, watching his stoic face. "He asked me for a drink, said he had to tell me something about you."

"And what? You got carried away?"

"Yes! And, I'm a grown person Harry. I don't need you as my guard dog." He was silent. You feared he was still angry. His jaw was set, eyes forward.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I think I overreacted." He glanced at you. He waited for you to say something. When you didn't, he kept going. "I just got scared when you didn't answer and then...Austin is bad. It scared me," he repeated. Your face softened.

"I'm sorry babe."

"I am too."

when the you went back inside, you suggested dinner. He helped you cook.

he ate the food you were cooking

you teased him about being jealous when you had completely sobered up

he said he wasn't jealous. he also then ate a huge bite of food right afterwards so he couldn't answer any more questions

#harry gardner x reader #harry gardner x fem!reader #harry garnder imagines #ahs headcanons

[mrs-mikko-rantanen]

If I Should Fall Behind

Avanda closed her eyes, thankful to finally be away from the crew for a while. She was beyond excited to finally be home again, to be around them; but she still wasn't quite ready to be as…..touchy- as they wanted to be. 

Caelum kept hugging her from behind and resting his chin on her head; an old habit he'd started as soon as he had passed her in height, and she was still ducking out of his arms and trying to hide how badly she was shaking. Thane kept lying down and resting his head in her lap, and she was always making excuses to get up. Nyar kept clapping her on the shoulder, a hand gently gripping the space where her neck and shoulder met and she kept freezing. Eyes cast down and hands clasped together as the conditioning and memories took over while she stood there silently crying. 

It was Ewan she felt the worst for though. Her touchy boyfriend had gotten a tight hug, the kind where neither of them wanted to let go, when she first got home. But after that she'd withdrawn again. She hated herself for it more and more everyday. She could see the hurt in his eyes as she forced a smile at him when he put his arm around her in public, just like she could see the pain from all of her crewmates when she shied away from them. 

She hated herself, but she couldn't help it. The last time someone had laid hands on her, it had been Sevoc. His hands around her throat until her vision had fogged and she'd collapsed, unconscious, to the floor of her cell after a beating. And after 3 months living with a touch averse smuggler….she was severely touch starved. But that didn't change the fact that anytime someone touched her, she wanted to cry. Her skin crawled whenever someone brushed by her; but it burned with that familiar ache that told her it had been too long since she'd let her guard down. 

Her eyes opened as she heard Ewan come into the room, and she smiled at him. 

"You alright?" He asked, eyebrows pinched with concern, "You snuck off, I was a little worried."

She nodded. "I'm fine. I was just a little overwhelmed, that's all."

Ewan returned her smile, and reached for her hand. His fingers brushed against her knuckles, and Avanda swore she could feel her skin light on fire. She fought so hard not to wince and pull away from his touch; which was meant to be a comfort, but it was a losing battle. 

"I'm sorry," she whimpered as she pulled her hand to her chest, rubbing a thumb over her knuckles, "I'm so sorry, Ewan. Really, I am. I should-"

"Don't be sorry, Lass. You've got a lot of recovering to do still. I know that."

She could hear the hurt in his voice. "I'm sorry, really Ewan. It's me, not you, I promise-"

"Avanda." His voice was gentle. "It's alright, really. You're still healing. I get that."

Avanda wiped her eyes. "I'm sor-"

Ewan laughed a little, "For God's sake you're gonna give Addie a run for his money. There's nothing to be sorry for, love. He hurt you, and you're healing. You know as well as anyone that healing takes time." He fidgeted with the edge of a blanket as he spoke, keeping his hands busy so that they wouldn't find their way to the side of her face. 

"I just-I want to hold your hand, Ewan. I just...I can't. Not yet. And it scares me; I don't know when I will again." 

Ewan chewed his lip a little as he thought. "I...I may have an idea." He shifted, sitting cross legged on the couch and facing her. He rubbed his hands together. "Here, put your hands up, like this." He put his hands up, palms facing her. She frowned, mirroring him and moving hesitantly to rest her hands against his, jaw twitching and forehead creased into a frown. Ewan shook his head, leaning back so that they didn't touch. 

"No. See, I'll hold my hands here, perfectly still, and you can move as close as you want. Stop while you still feel comfortable." He explained. His face twisted into a soft smile, "It'll be like a game."

Avanda frowned a little. "Ewan…"

"Just give it a try?"

She sighed, rellenting and holding her hands up. She guessed there was about a foot between them. Her gaze flicked up to meet Ewan's, and she fought a smile back as she saw his face. His eyes were wide and full of excitement and hope, his crooked grin splitting his face as he nodded to her in encouragement. Avanda let the smile win, pushing her hands towards his. She paused at six inches, the smile fading into a more confused look. 

"This is all the closer I can go, I'm-"

"That's amazing!" Ewan said, nodding quickly. "That's perfect, Lass. Do you want to just sit like this for a while?"

Avanda stared at their hands for a while. "Yes." She whispered. 

"Alright. Perfect. How was your day?"

"What?" Her frown deepened as she looked away from her hands, looking at Ewan. 

"How was your day?" He repeated. 

"It was…fine? I'm still really overwhelmed." She admitted. 

"There's a lot going on." Ewan agreed. "Is there any way I can help?"

"I don't think so. Not yet. I just…" she sighed, "I have so many triggers. And they're all so...frequent. I had four panic attacks this morning, and that was before I even went down to the base."

"I'm sorry. Do the breathing exercises help?"

"When I remember them. But that's usually the last thing on my mind." Avanda was vaguely aware that her hands had crept slightly closer to his. It was a millimeter maybe, but it was closer. 

"I can help you with them." Ewan said. "You can call me, or text me, and I can help walk you through them if I'm not around. If you think that would help?"

"Y-yeah, actually that might. Thank you." 

"Do the crew know? They could help you too, I'm sure of it-"

"No." Avanda shook her head. "Not-not yet. I'm-just not yet."

"Ok. Ok that's just fine. But it may not be a bad idea to think of someone else that could help if you can't get a hold of me. Just think on it, right?"

"Ok." Avanda was surprised at how natural this felt. "Ewan, what's--what're we doing?"

"Holding hands." He answered, "Holding hands and talking."

"This?"

"Yes. From now on, this is how we'll do it. Anytime you want to hold my hand, just put your hand up like this," He put a hand down, leaving the other up like it was resting on a pane of glass, "and I'll do the same. Then you can move as close as you like."

"And what about when you want to hold hands?"

Ewan shrugged. "It goes both ways then. Would it help if I asked for permission first?"

Avanda felt her heart sink. "Maybe...just for now. I'm-"

"Good. Then I will."

Avanda was silent for a long time. She could feel tears building up in her throat as her fingers spread and flexed, Ewan mimicking her as though each finger were attached by a string. 

"Why are you doing this?" She finally asked in a broken whisper. "Ewan, why? All this effort…"

"Because I love you." Ewan said evenly. "And because it's my job to make sure you feel safe. And I'll do anything it takes to show you just how much I love you."

Avanda wiped her eyes again. "Thank you."

"Of course, Lass."

"I love you, too."

"I know."

Ewan sighed and leaned against the wall, his eyes closing. He was exhausted. Nothing seemed to be slowing down, in fact, things were just getting even more chaotic. 

"Hey," the soft voice caught his attention and he picked his head up, eyes opening as he forced a smile. 

"Hey."

Avanda held her hand up, and he mirrored her. It had been about a month now since they'd started this system, and Ewan loved that it seemed to be working. Avanda closed the distance between them to about an inch now. Closer than she'd gotten so far. 

Ewan looked at her and smiled again, before it faded at the serious look in her eyes. 

"What's the matter?"

"You're allowed to break." She whispered. 

"What do you mean?" 

She sighed a little. "Ewan, things are crazy. Chaotic and scary and just...you don't have to keep this strong composure up all the time."

"I-I do though." Ewan whispered, "I've been- I've be-been-been through-" he sighed, his jaw clenching as he scowled, trying to reign the stutter in. "I've been through wor-worse. I should be able to han-handle this."

"Ewan, please." He jumped a little as her other hand rested against the side of his face, eyes widening slightly at the action. "Please. Just because it could be worse doesn't mean that things are-- all fine and dandy here and now. Things are shit right now. It's alright to admit that. It's alright to break down."

Ewan nodded a little, licking his lips. "I s-sup-suppose you're right. But I just-what-what about you? I have to-to be here for you. I have to hold it to-together, because you need-"

"Ewan, if I'm the reason you're keeping everything all bottled up, then maybe we need to talk. This-I'm fine." She wiggled her fingers and drew his attention back to the small gap between their palms. "I'm healing. It's going to take time. A lot of time. You can't keep yourself trapped 'until I'm better' because who knows how long that's going to be?" Ewan nodded a little. Avanda pulled him so that their foreheads were pressed together. "Let me be here for you as much as you've been here for me, alright?"

Ewan nodded again, eyes fixed on Avanda's fingers, still hovering away from his. 

"Alright."

Avanda kissed him gently and her fingers curled into his hair. "Ewan, please don't make me tell you to cry."

Ewan laughed a little. 

"I'm serious! Just...just let it out, ok?" Her hand broke away from his and she pulled him into a hug, hands running up and down his back and neck. Ewan buried his face into her hair and let the tears flow silently. 

He wanted to hold her too. To wrap his arms around her and ball his fists around her flannel the way she did when he held her through a panic attack, but he knew she wouldn't be ready for that. He could tell that she was already sacrificing her comfort for his just by being this close to him. So he let his fingers toy with the end of her braid, and he let his thumb rub gently up and down her spine where his hand rested on the small of her back. And he let himself cry. Which was more than he had given himself in a long time. 

#ewvanda insp #ewan insp #avanda insp #ewvanda angst #ewvanda fluff #ptsd #whumpee!avanda #caretaker!ewan #ask to tag #hurt/comfort