#but boy was i not prepared for all the cancer stuff. we had to stop watching one night because of how hard it was for me to watch | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

oreoambitions · 3 years

Note

I think we're alone now for supercorp! :)

If you'd asked Lena this time yesterday whether there was anything she wasn't prepared to do for friendship, she'd have said no. Certainly there was nothing she wasn't prepared to do for Andrea, best friend and roommate, social mentor, fellow genius entrepreneur-to-be. But if you ask Lena today, she'll tell you there's precisely one thing she's not willing to do for friendship, no not even for Andrea, not even if the fate of the world depends on it, and that's hiking.

Specifically backpacking. More specifically, multi day backpacking trips with a gaggle of fellow undergraduates who want to behave like they're hiking the PCT and not trundling down some 60 miles of backwater footpaths just a few hours away from NCU in what was allegedly supposed to be an attempt to form long lasting social bonds but which appears to be in fact a thinly disguised mating ritual. This, in retrospect, is something that Lena should have seen coming. But she was blinded by friendship - or perhaps by Andrea's pouty face - and so here they are some 16 miles from civilization and Lena has come to the conclusion that hiking is in fact literal hell.

By which she means that everything is burning. Her legs are burning. Her lungs are burning. Her throat is burning. Her lips are chapped and there is a distinctly red tinge to her cheeks which is either going to be a whole new generation of freckles or else it's the beginning of a skin cancer which will lead her to an untimely death and leave the Luthor legacy in Lex's questionably capable hands.

But more than any of those things it's Lena's pride which feels burnt to crisp, and it's the fault of the woman marching along in front of her like none of this is the slightest physical inconvenience. The woman who turns around and, walking backwards without missing a step, fixes Lena with a goofy smile.

"Hey Grumpy," she says, "You doing okay?"

Lena doesn't have the breath in her lungs to protest that Grumpy isn't her name, so she fixes the energetic woman in front of her with a deadpan stare and hopes that's going to do the trick. Ahead of them, Tech Support is talking too loudly about something that would be mildly interesting to Lena if they were, say, chatting over beers in a building with air conditioning and not courting death and mosquitos in the middle of nowhere and calling it fun.

"You need to take a break?"

Potsticker. That's the name Lena knows this woman by. Because everyone agreed ahead of time to go by trail names, and it's ridiculous, and Lena hates it, not only because she somehow got saddled with Grumpy, but because her eyes fall to those lips, those shoulders, and she wants to think some kind of semi-horny thought, and here's the thing: it's difficult to have semi-horny thoughts about someone whose name evokes the image of Chinese takeout. Lena tears her eyes away from long fingers wrapped securely around a backpack strap and tries to arrange her expression into something other than pure exhausted despair.

"I'm good," she gets out. "It's just. A lot."

And it is. Tech Support and Playboy are both vying for Andrea's attention, which is not in and of itself particularly strange since Andrea always seems to have a half dozen boys wrapped around her finger, but it is... annoying. Annoying because Andrea's trail name is Blowjob and it makes Lena uncomfortable in a way she can't quite put her finger on. And Potsticker's sister, Shades, has been falling all over a woman who has been unironically going by Daddy since she met up with them at the trailhead yesterday. Lena isn't sure if that's a sex thing or a gender thing and at this point she's afraid to ask.

Potsticker squints up the trail at their gaggle of hikers and smiles. Somewhere ahead, Dreamer is shouting about stopping to crack a beer, and Short Stuff is shouting something back about needing to check the GPS.

"They're a little... rowdy," Potsticker admits. "Probably not what you picture when you think of a wilderness trip. But they'll grow on you."

Privately Lena thinks not. "Undergrad is where you make the best friends of your life, that's what Andrea told me," Lena huffs.

"Blowjob?"

"I spend all my time in the lab. Trying to graduate early. Two degrees. Lot of ground to cover. World isn't going to change itself. Not for the better, anyway. So we thought. Join a hiking group. NCU has a. Group for-"

Lena almost smacks into Potsticker where she's halted right in the middle of the trail. "I think we should take a break," Potsticker says.

"But the others-"

"Do you trust me?"

The answer to that question is an easy and obvious no. Lena didn't know any of these people a week ago and they're all going by assumed and frankly borderline obscene names and now that she thinks of it there's no way to be sure that any of these people actually attend NCU in the first place. But Potsticker is standing there in that tanktop with those deep blue eyes and her head cocked to the side and "no" doesn't feel like an appropriate answer.

So Lena says, "Of course."

"You want me to get your water off your pack for you?"

They stand together wordlessly in the middle of the trail, Lena taking sips from the HydroFlask she's schlepped all the way out there and Potsticker nibbling on the water valve looped through her pack straps. After a long moment, Potsticker cocks her head to one side again.

"You hear that?" she asks.

Lena listens. The wind brushes through the tops of the trees and nearby an insect is buzzing. The roar of the river they followed for some time this morning has long since faded into nothingness. "I don't hear anything," Lena says.

Posticker nods. "Exactly. I think we're alone now." And then, hastily, "I know where we're going though; we aren't lost. Alex - Shades - and I, we've done this trail a hundred times. Usually just us. But she's got this thing going with Sam, and Sam likes to do the hiking groups, so. What I'm saying is, it's a lot for me too. I come out here for the quiet. The group is nice; they really do grow on you. But it's... they're out here for something else. It's a more social experience."

"We were looking for a social experience," Lena says. Her eyes are drawn suddenly, intensely, to the rim of her water bottle. "Just not... just..."

"You weren't looking for 60 miles of frat party."

"That's a little on the nose."

"Look me in the eye and tell me that I'm wrong."

Lena looks her in the eye. No words come out. Potsticker is suddenly very close, or maybe Lena is suddenly too aware of her proximity.

"That might be what Andrea came out here for," Lena says. "And there's no shame in that. But I think if I had known I would have stayed home. I'm not- I don't think Andrea and I are looking for the same things."

"And what are you looking for?"

Lena is definitely not imagining it; Potsticker is absolutely getting closer to her and it's absolutely on purpose. And those deep blue eyes have fallen to Lena's mouth and Lena, who has spent the last 24hrs annoyed with her best friend for flirting with everything on the trail with a male pronoun, who is out here actively complaining about how she came looking for community and found a wilderness matchmaking service, is seriously considering whether it's hygienic or legal to rail someone right here in the middle of the trail.

Lena clears her throat. "I am, against my better judgment, going to kiss you now," she announces. "And I'd really like it if before I did you could give me something to call you that isn't so... greasy."

Potsticker laughs. She ducks her head to capture Lena's mouth and for a long, glorious moment, grease is the furthest thing from Lena's mind. It's a clumsy kiss, and the backpacks are not conducive to really holding one another, and it mostly hurts when Potsticker brushes a thumb over Lena's cheek because of that damn sunburn. But Lena smiles anyway.

It’s another 6 miles before she realizes that Potsticker never gave up her name.

///

Thank you for the prompt, Anon!

Shout-out to @mrsluthordanvers for Sam's trail name

#I did not proofread this #supercorp #kara danvers #lena luthor #hiking au #ficlet #can you tell I've had hiking on the brain #Anonymous

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thatweeboverthereisthirsty · 3 years

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those twst vaping/smoking headcanons are beautiful and i love them

can i get some rook, cater, sebek, trey, and riddle next?

I’m glad you like them so much! I don’t write for Sebek yet but I only do 4 characters per headcanon request anyways so I hope you don’t mind. I’ve had a lot of fun with these and hope they are just as funny as the last ones!

Rook Hunt:

Is like super good at noticing things

Like assassin good

It's a little scary

So he already knew that you were a smoker

At first he was too polite to do anything about it but after you started dating he started stealing your cigarettes

“Hey Rook do you know where my cigarettes went?”

“My love I have no idea”

Yeah right

Sneaky bastard

But we love you for it

Highkey you never smoke again just cause he always manages to ruin or take the packs

You gave up after a while anyways lol

Cater Diamond:

Absolutely appalled

To the point where he needs to take a selfie of his shocked face

He takes the time to post it before looking at you with the same shocked face

“That. Is not healthy!”

...ok Cater

You are very unsure of what's going on

He’s staring at you and you’re staring at him

Then he walks over and picks the vape out of your hand

Walks it over to the toilet

Flushes it

“Ok missy that better be the last time I ever see a vape in your possession-EEEEEEEE”

Lowkey the toilet regurgitated a bunch of water and stuff because vape pens aren't supposed to be in the system

Silly Cater

Now your feet are wet

You make him explain the situation to Trey and Riddle

#I-made-a-mistake #opps #they’re-not-amused

Trey Clover:

High Key flips out

But on the inside cause he’s cool like that

Instead of approaching you immediately he stops and thinks

Comes to the conclusion that he doesn’t want to suffocate you and you should have the freedom to do what you want

Even if that means inhaling cancer

Gonna try not to worry about it but his momma bear instincts get the better of him

Good boyfriend logic has nothing on momma bear instincts

Besides good boyfriend instincts is fighting with good boyfriend logic already

Stress bakes

A lot

Like each dorm gets 200 cookies a lot

And thats tart number 20 and pie number 17 and cake layer 8

Everyone has no idea what's going on but free food is free food so...

Eventually you confront him

“What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? The fact that you’re dying!”

…

“Trey, Honey. I’m not dying.”

“YES YOU ARE!”

It takes a while to calm him down

You agree to never smoke again as long as he promises to confront you when he feels somethings off

It’s all very sweet but now you have a lot of baked goods and literally nothing to do with them

You end up leaving them there with a free sign and make bets on who will die in the battle

Riddle Rosehearts:

So everyone else knows before him

They all try their hand at getting you to stop before Riddle finds out

Fortunately they do get you to stop

However

You still have all the vapes and juices

It’s all good and great right cause you’re done but lol you still have stuff

Then one day you just throw it out because naturally you don’t need it anymore

He finds them

AN: In one of my previous vape posts I mentioned a public execution right

This time it’s Riddle that loses his head (cue the pun drums)

Flips out

“EVERYONE RELOCATE YOURSELVES IN YOUR ROOMS! DO NOT LEAVE UNTIL I TELL YOU!”

Deadass Riddle did install a speaker system in Heartslaybul for dorm wide rule announcements and order

You can’t convince me otherwise

He also has a drug tester on hand

(lol my boy is prepared)

Drug tests everyone

Trey and the others realize what happened and call you in preparation

By the time he gets to you he is thoroughly confused

“I don’t understand. No one tested positive. Maybe they were selling them!”

“Riddle darling it was me…”

*SCREEEEEEEECCHHHH*

You explain what happened when he wakes up from his shock induced coma (lol)

He’s happy you stopped and thankful his friends helped you

Lets everyone out of lockdown and goes back to business

Decides he needs to properly dispose of the drugs

…

Where did they go

BONUS: Chen’ya snickers and places the extra materials with his stash. “These will do nicely around the halls of RSA”

The kids of Royal Sword Academy aren’t as pure as they seem…

(I’m sorry I had to do that lmao)

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lennonmccartneystuff · 3 years

Text

I Was There For You in Your Darkest Times

Summary: Cool and confident 16 year old John Lennon meets a shy and broken Paul McCartney, 15, still reeling from his mother's death. When John loses his mother a year later Paul helps him through it.

Pairing: John x Paul (platonic)

Warnings: like one curse word

Author's note: I'm so excited this is my first fanfiction! Overarching note for all of my works...I don't own the Beatles haha

John Lennon rushed down the hallway on his way to class at Quarry Bank High School. He bumped into a boy slowly crossing the corner. He knew he recognized the kid, it was Paul McCartney. Something about Paul always confused him; he got a vibe from him like something was wrong but he couldn't figure out what. People made fun of him a lot and John didn't really engage with them because something about Paul made him feel like he didn't need more problems.

They collided and Paul fumbled to pick up his books trying to spit out an apology but just sounding muffled and anxious.

"I- sorry I didn't um, I didn't mean to"

"No worries man, my fault." John said while handing him his books and looking at Paul for a moment, trying to read him.

The boys went their separate ways heading to their own classes but John couldn't get Paul out of his mind for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

"Had Paul always been so nervous and quiet?" He thought to himself on the way home. Granted, he didn't know Paul personally but he had seen him around the last few years and something had definitely changed about him as of late.

John sat at home fiddling with his guitar and writing the first few verses to a song about a mystery boy (obviously influenced by his curiosity about Paul's story). He always turned to music when he couldn't get something off his mind. Sure, it wasn't necessarily a quick fix but it helped.

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For the next couple of days John just kept watching Paul. Not to be like a stalker or anything but he wanted to kinda know if he was ok. Problem is you don't just approach someone you've spoken to like twice to ask if they're going through something so he was at a loss.

Anyway, John had a free period so he headed down to the auditorium following a brief stop at his locker to get his guitar. He always went there there to practice in peace since it was empty during fifth period.

When he turned the corner he could swear he heard a voice but couldn't figure out who it was. He peered into the room and saw Paul McCartney huddled on the floor clearly trying not to cry.

"Hey man, are you ok?"

*sniff* "I'm fine, just leave me alone."

"I'm not going to tell anyone about this so if you want to tell me what's wrong, you can."

"I- um... today's a year since my mom passed away."

"Paul. I-I'm so sorry."

"Breast cancer"

"I had no idea"

"Is that a guitar?" Paul looked over to John's hand.

"Yeah! Do you play?"

"Yes! And bass too, that's my favorite."

"no way that's sick. We should play some time. Come by after school?"

"Yeah! I'm down, that sounds fun."

The bell rang and the boys went their separate ways; John with a new understanding of what Paul was going through and Paul happy that someone wanted to talk to him about something other than how he had been coping for the last year.

At the end of the day John and Paul made eye contact and headed to their own houses aknowledging that they were going to get together later.

Later they hung out at John's house playing around different musical snippets. John, with a little hesitation at the thought of bringing of bringing up mothers, answered Paul's question saying that it was his mom that got him into music and bought him his first guitar

"That's awesome! Does your dad play?"

"Well I uh, don't know my dad so I couldn't tell you." John chuckled nervously.

"Oh I'm sorry."

"Nah it's no big deal, he's a piece of shit anyway. My mom's the great one, I wish I saw her more often."

"Why don't you? If you don't mind me asking."

"She's actually not that far. It's just that she's with this guy and my Aunt Mimi wouldn't let me live with them cause it was too cramped or whatever, so here I am. We still talk often though"

"that's good" Paul said wistfully.

"Oh sorry, we can change the subject"

Paul nodded.

The rest of the night went on and Paul left a couple of hours later to go home.

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For the next few weeks John and Paul hung out at each other's houses almost every day after school just to play guitar and do homework and stuff. John noticed a change in Paul's disposition, he was still really hurt over his mom and that wasn't going to go away, but he seemed even close to happy for the first time since he lost her. Apparently Jim McCartney noticed it too because one night he pulled John aside before the two boys went up to practice and thanked him for being there for Paul. Of course John wasn't doing it for thanks, he really like hanging out with Paul, but he was glad it was doing something good.

One night at John's house Paul quietly brought up that he had been working on writing some original music.

"I um, wrote some lyrics this past week. I don't know if you want to hear them. Maybe you can help me come up with the riff for transition from verse to chorus."

"Yeah of course, let me here 'em"

"Well, I woke up late this morning my head was in a whirl only then I realized I lost my little girl oh, oh, oh, oh. Well, her clothes were not expensive her hair didn't always curl I don't know why I love her but I love my little girl oh, oh, oh, oh."

"And then I think the chorus is going to be: Well, gather 'round people let me tell you the story the very first song I wrote. But I don't know if that sounds stupid or where to go from there and I need help with that transition."

"Wow- the uh, the lyrics are beautiful, Paul."

"Thanks. Any advice for those parts?"

"C to Am?"

"let's give that a shot."

John and Paul were constantly with each other at school, always hanging out at home too and never far from a guitar. They quickly grew to be very good friends and Paul hung out with John's other friends in the group.

The school year was winding down. John and Paul lived pretty close to each other so they planned on basically spending the whole summer playing music together with the rest of the guys. On the last day of school they said goodbye but of course they weren't apart for long. For the entire month of June Paul was either with John and his other friends or with George.

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The middle of July rolled around and suddenly Paul didn't really hear from John and he couldn't figure out what was up. They didn't have a fight and it seemed that none of the other guys had talked to him either.

After a few days of not wanting to smother John during whatever was going on Paul had to check on him so he went to his house to at least see if Mimi could tell him anything.

"Hey is John around?"

Mimi stood in the doorway with tears in her eyes, it looked like she had been crying for days

"Is everything ok?"

"Let me see if he'll come talk to you."

"John? Paul's downstairs. You should really talk to him if you're ready, he's worried."

"I'm coming. I'm going to tell him."

John walks down the stairs into the living room where Paul is waiting near the doorway.

"Hey John. Are you ok?"

"Let's take a walk, I need to talk to you."

"Is everything alright?"

They walked for a moment and John readied himself to say what he was about to say. Paul was the first person he told and he was trying to prepare himself even though no amount of waiting would make this any easier.

"My uh, my mom was killed a couple of days ago, died in a car crash." John said, barely above a whisper.

Paul froze. He didn't have specific proof that they were in this part of their friendship yet but he had to go with his gut. He leaned in and gave John a hug and they just stood there for a moment.

When they pulled away Paul took a look at John while he wiped his eyes. He had never seen him like this before. John was strong and nothing ever really got to him but he had never looked so broken. Paul remembered that feeling unfortunately and while his mom passed away under different circumstances he still knew all too well the pain of losing someone so important so young.

John was never one for showing his emotions, even to his best friend. Though if he had to cry in front of someone it wouldn't have been anyone else.

Paul tried his hardest to keep John out of the really dark place he found himself in last year before they met. The trauma that comes from losing a parent so young will never be erased and there was nothing anyone could do to make that better but Paul's priority was keeping his best friend from being consumed by this. He knew what it was like to lose yourself and he wasn't going to let that happen to John.

Eventually John told the rest of his friends what had happened, with Paul by his side for moral support, but he didn't really hang out much the rest of the summer. The only person he ever really saw was Paul because he wouldn't leave him alone for too long. John wasn't the best with words so he didn't know how to say it, but he didn't know what he would've done without Paul that summer.

"Are you ready?" Paul asked as he turned to John before looking at the big doors to Quarry Bank High School.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

The two made their way into school with a new closeness between them, an understanding of what it's like to experience living hell and survive it.

That shared experience was part of what brought John to immediately include Paul in the lineup for The Quarrymen, a group initially consisting of John, Pete, Eric, Colin, Rod, and Len. The group evolved a year later when, at Paul's request, George was added.

This gave John and Paul something to distract themselves with and direct their attention to instead of how much they missed their moms. The Quarrymen performed at dances, school events, etc. When they moved in the direction of rock and roll, only John, Paul, and George remained.

If it wasn't for John and Paul meeting and helping each other through the hard times it would've been so much harder to get to the good ones.

#beatles fanfiction #lennon mccartney #the beatles #fanfiction #mclennon #beatles oneshot #platonic fanfic #the quarrymen #george harrison #john lennon #paul mccartney

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wulfies-kpop-fanfics · 3 years

Text

One Photo → Mark Lee [6]

↳ Pairing: Mark Lee/Reader

↳ AU: Soulmate!AU - The first touch of two soulmates permanently scars their bodies.

↳ Warning: Suggestive

↳ Word count: 4,349

↳ Chapters: Prelude | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | You Are Here! | 7 | 8 | 9

⁙ Summary: For an end of the year photography project, you’re tasked with taking a photograph for your favourite group, NCT127, and coincidentally, discover your soulmate.

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

FRIDAY - 6 - Part 2

As the two of you travel down the hallway making quiet conversation, Mark stops in his tracks. You're completely focused on him, not sure what he's looking at. The hallway goes silent, save for heavy breathing and the sound of kissing.

Peeking out from behind Mark's back, you peer around the bend of the hallway to join your soulmate's gaze, landing on none other than Rhiannon and Donghyuck, the latter pushing her up against the wall.

"You hypocrite!" Mark quickly covers your mouth with his hand, but it's already too late- both of them are startled enough to quickly separate and begin smoothing out their clothes.

Once Rhiannon realizes that it's you and Mark that caught her, she grabs Donghyuck's hand. She looks completely serious, her face flushed red. "Where, need it now. Our turn."

With your mouth still covered, you look up at Mark. He's still nearly stunned, exchanging looks with Donghyuck, who is equally frozen in place and watching all of this unfold. "Uh," Mark starts sheepishly, glancing between the couple standing before you. "End of the hall, second last room,"

Donghyuck nods and says something in Korean, and from context you assume he's done the same as Mark - prepared a room. He tugs on her hand gently, quickly leading her past the two of you - the slightly awkward moment passing as soon as Rhiannon and Donghyuck are out of sight.

Mark removes his hand from your mouth, and you glance back for a moment. "Well," you say, swallowing thickly. "I guess I know how she feels now."

Mark smiles, barely keeping back a laugh. "Seems like it. Let’s go back to the stage before we find out if those rooms are soundproof or not."

It was relieving to know that once you two arrived back in the arena, none of the guys even so much as made a whisper about what you and Mark so obviously left to do. Everyone was now sitting on the stage around what looked like a picnic blanket that had a spread of snacks over top of it. They all waved to greet you and Johnny helped you up on the stage when you approached. “Help yourself,” Jaehyun said, popping a piece of melon in his mouth. “We just gotta wait for Donghyuck and Rhiannon to come back and then we can do a small dance practice.”

You and Mark happily approach the others and take your seats among them. You sigh in contentment as you chew on a piece of pineapple, finally chipping away at your post-sex appetite.

"So," Johnny begins as you're about to eat your second piece of pineapple, "we couldn't get much out of Mark, but we were all wondering why you and Rhiannon were living by yourselves off-campus in the city."

You freeze for a moment, chewing and swallowing cautiously. Mark grabs your hand and looks at you sympathetically.

"It's a little complicated," you answer, "but we chose to move out when we were accepted to college. I lived with her family for a while after my parents were arrested, but I feel like I made their home life a lot worse. I would have left earlier, but my inheritances and my government grants didn't arrive immediately."

Jaehyun looked at you, eyebrows furrowed. "What happened to your parents?"

You licked your lips and sighed. "Your general gang slash drug dealer gig. They both got hefty prison time for child neglect, drug possession and trafficking on top of harbouring fugitives."

Everyone was silent, save for the muted sounds of eating. "That all sounds horrible," Johnny said. "I never would have guessed you came from that life."

"Sometimes I can't believe I went through any of that either," you agree, "after I left home my life got a lot better. I have Rhiannon to thank for it all. Because of her, I'm here now." You smile as best you can, picking up a mini ham and cheese sandwich triangle you spotted on the platter.

"What are we all talking about?" Rhiannon called as she and Donghyuck entered through one of the side archways into the arena. You and Mark helped them up onto the stage where they took their places and also began picking at the food.

"Collecting my life story," you say, watching the others nod. "I was saying that I lived with you and your family for a while until we moved out."

"Mm, yeah. Rough few years," she commented, picking up her own sandwich triangle. "I'm so glad we moved out."

"Why?" Jungwoo asked, causing you to turn your attention to him.

Rhiannon licked her lips. "It was pretty easy going for the five of us while my mom was still around. (Y/N) and I were working to help my dad out and my mom ran a daycare. When the two of us were graduating from high school, my mom passed away from breast cancer."

You looked down at the floor of the stage, acutely aware of the sullen silence as she paused. "Then life got bad. Mine and my sister's mental health plummeted and everyone was always arguing, especially my dad and my sister. Once (Y/N) and I were both accepted to study in the city, we moved out with her inheritance as fast as we could."

"I'm sorry," Taeyong added. "It's better now, right?"

"As good as it can be," you smile somberly, peeking up a little bit as Mark held your hand. "I miss our mom more and more every day, but we know she's watching over us, cheering us on. If we give up on what we've been working so hard for, she'd definitely beat our asses. Once we graduate, we will be able to build the best lives for ourselves as we can."

"Now that we have all of you, it feels like we fell out of a nightmare and ended up in a dream," Rhiannon said, chewing on another piece of food. "Now all I need to do is get (Y/N) to stop eating stuff with ketchup and I will reach nirvana."

You rolled your eyes and smiled at her. "Ketchup isn't that bad," you protest, nearly breaking out into full out laughter as Mark also makes a disgusted face toward you.

"You like ketchup?" He asked, jokingly frowning.

"Not as much as her sister," you point at Rhiannon, "Lindsay will eat ketchup with mac and cheese!"

"Oh God, that's disgusting!" Mark stuck his tongue out and nearly gagged.

"We know!" Both you and Rhiannon exclaimed in unison.

Things quieted down again as everyone finished the snacks that were laid out, and you all helped clean up once the tray of snacks was polished off. Yuta ended up being the one voted to go backstage with the dishes, but Johnny, Taeyong and Doyoung eventually offered to go and help. Jungwoo, Jaehyun and Taeil also left, you assumed to maybe go to the bathroom, leaving you, Rhiannon, Mark and Donghyuck to occupy the stage.

Once the crowd had diminished, Rhiannon turned her attention to Mark, mischief written all over her face. You already know what's about to come out of her mouth, so you stand up and make your way onto the other side of the stage to hide behind a curtain.

"(Y/N)? Why are you hiding?" Mark seems curious, standing up to walk over to you, but stops in his tracks when Rhiannon begins to speak.

"So, Mark, you guys were up there for a while."

"Y-yeah…" his response was drawn out, not exactly sure where the conversation was going. You inwardly groaned.

"Did you like (Y/N)'s boobs? Pretty big, right? Also super pretty,"

"Noona!" Donghyuck chimed in, also standing up and reaching for her arm. "That's bad!"

Mark goes beet red, looking your way sheepishly. He starts stuttering as if he's shutting down. You take a deep breath, you probably should do something.

"Y-yeah, they were pretty great, um-" he starts, then it looks like something clicks in his head. "H-how would you know what they look like?"

Rhiannon grinned at him, her eyes shifting to the backstage entrance as Yuta and the others were all clamouring back in, "I've seen her naked tons of times. Best breasts on the market if you ask me."

"This needs context! This really needs context!" Johnny shouted as soon as everyone else stopped in their tracks.

At this point, Mark is so red that you think he might actually turn into a tomato. He's completely frozen and speechless, mouth hanging open in shock. Taking in a deep breath you emerge from the curtain you take Mark's hand and squeeze it gently.

"How about we address how quickly you came back from the VIP rooms?" You question, sticking your other hand on your hip.

"Well, y'know," she starts, looking over at the small crowd of boys staring in disbelief.

"Noona-" Donghyuck tries to stop her, but she whispers something in his ear which in turn seems to stop his protest.

"I'm all for taking dick up my cooch but I figured a nice thigh fuck would be better to start out with. Keep them wanting more, right? Oh, he's not small, either." She winked.

"Noonaaaaaa," Donghyuck whines, following that up with something else in Korean you couldn't understand. Everyone in the room was completely silent, frozen in disbelief of what had just entered their ears.

"Well, I think you got your context, John," Jaehyun was the first to utter any words.

It definitely took a while for you to process what just happened. You knew what Rhiannon was like and you expected a small comment from her, but you were completely floored. You opened your mouth to say something, but no words came.

"Well, let's not just stand here, we have an hour before the stylists want us," Taeyong clapped his hands politely, and that seemed to get everyone else in gear. The awkwardness still took a while to fade, so you and Rhiannon decided to sit off to the side while the boys clamoured into their positions to practice dancing.

Once the melody of Cherry Bomb entered your ears, your heart began to thud in your chest. It was one of your favourite songs by them, and the dance was also easily one of your favourites, just behind BOSS. You sat just by the edge of the curtain, clapping along and waving whenever Mark glanced in your direction, tapping your feet against the floor. Rhiannon was outright jamming next to you, making you laugh and grin at her as you shook your head.

When Simon Says started, you stood and (pathetically) tried to imitate the dance as you stood in your spot. Mark looked over at you for a split second as he faced you to change positions in the dance and he flashed a quick thumbs up with a smile.

The next thing you notice though is Rhiannon, who also decided to stand up to start dancing. "Hey (Y/N), watch this," she bends her arms to a ninety-degree angle and then begins to swivel her hips like she's playing with a hula hoop.

You can barely contain your laughter as you watch her dance and don't even notice that the music stopped, everyone turned toward her to catch her in the act.

Yuta is holding his phone, presumably the one controlling the Bluetooth speakers that are hidden somewhere on the stage, trying not to laugh. "Neither of you know how to dance, do you?"

"Hell no," you're wiping away a tear, watching Rhiannon' silly grin.

"I don't know what you're talking about, but I hope Red Velvet has an opening cause I'm about to take the world by storm," she is hardly able to finish her joke before she also bursts out laughing, doubling over and holding her stomach.

"C'mere," Mark held out a hand to you, "let's all have some fun before we have to go."

With a smile you approach your soulmate, pressing your scarred palms to his. A newer song you don't think you've heard yet starts playing over the speakers, Yuta smiling warmly in your direction. Rhiannon joins Donhgyuck and the boys slowly begin to teach you an easy dance, laughing and having fun.

Time flew by and eventually they had to go backstage to get changed and have makeup done by the stylists. You and Rhiannon stuck around backstage for a bit, but eventually, you decided to go find your seats. You left your backpack in the stylist room with Mark, hoping you would remember it after the show.

"Wait!" Mark caused you to stop in your tracks on the way out, turning towards him and meeting his eyes. "I have something for you." He stands up from the makeup chair he was perched in and dug around in a cardboard box in the corner of the room. He eventually comes up with an NCT127 light stick box.

"You really didn't have to, I could have gone out to the merchandise line," you said sheepishly as Mark handed it to you with a grin.

"It's a gift," he retorted with a smile. "I wouldn't want you to be in that line long enough for you to miss any of the performances."

"Thank you, Mark, I'll wave it higher than everyone else." You looked over at the stylist. "Can I kiss him, please?"

She nodded. "We haven't done lips yet. Go ahead."

Excitedly you lean forward to peck Mark on the lips. "I love you, see you soon,"

"I love you too, (Y/N)," Mark held your hand for a few seconds before he had to let you leave the room and return to his chair.

Once you had taken your seat and prepared your light stick, the lights began to fade. Other fans were being let into the venue, and soon enough the concert would start. Rhiannon looked over at you with a grin, holding up a pair of earplugs.

"Check your light stick box," she said. "If we learned anything from seeing BTS last year is that we need these, Donghyuck packed some for me. Maybe Mark did for yours."

Peering into your box, you noticed at the bottom that there was a pair of earplugs sitting there and a note in Mark's writing.

In case you forgot. Love, Mark

You smiled at the note fondly, placing it back in the box, closing it tightly. You slipped it underneath your chair, sitting down and watching the lights dim. You just finished putting the lightstick strap around your wrists, putting the earplugs in your pocket.

Your phone buzzed as fans began to take their seats, and smiled when you read a text from Mark.

Mark: I hope you're ready for the show tonight

You: I've been preparing myself since I bought the tickets

Mark: I wanted to ask you something before my phone gets confiscated

You: What do you need?

Rhiannon perched her chin on your shoulder and read the texts. "Ooh," she sang. "Does he sext you?"

"No!" You quickly dispute. "I'm not sure what he's gonna ask."

Mark: I spoke to my manager and the guys, since I leave for Vancouver tomorrow, I wanted to know if I could spend the night at your place

You: you would really be allowed to do that?

Mark: they made a special exception, I just wanted to know if you would be comfortable with it

You: of course I would be, you are more than welcome to stay with me

"Ooooh! I hope they made that exception for Hyuckie!" Rhiannon exclaims, taking her head off your shoulder and reaching into her pocket for her phone.

Mark: that makes me really happy, meet me in the VIP room after the show, I will bring your backpack

You: okay, I love you, don't overdo it

Mark: I can handle anything life throws at me, dont worry :) love you too

It felt like as soon as you put your phone down, the concert started. Any concert you've ever been to has always managed to be the fastest few hours of your life. This one was no exception - you could feel your heart pound and your chest vibrate with the beat, eyes glued to the stage before you.

You always had problems remembering everything that took place during any show. You knew every song and you sang until your throat went raw, danced with your lightstick until your arm was sore and rolled your eyes with a smile whenever Rhiannon screamed too loudly, too close to your ear. During the concert, you forgot about life outside. You forget about your problems, your exams, graduation, everything.

Something you would never forget, though, was every time Mark looked at you. No matter how deep in concentration he was, every time he was on stage and close to you, he would smile. His face would be glistening with sweat, his chest would heave in deep breaths during a transition, but no matter what, he always managed to grin in your direction.

Being so close to the stage and just being at any concert always gave you a special type of high, that filled your heart with music and happiness that you sometimes felt you couldn't experience. At the end, when the boys left the stage and the lights came back on, you sat down to finish soaking it all in.

"Agh, I'm all sweaty," was the first thing Rhiannon said since everything was all over, and you couldn't help but laugh a little.

"I wonder why," you muse sarcastically, looking up at her from your seat with a smile.

She looked down at you and stuck her tongue out. "Don't you have somewhere to be?" She asked.

Your eyes widened. "Yeah. Is Donghyuck going to meet you backstage?"

She nodded. "Mhm, I'll meet up with you two later. See you in a bit."

You gave Rhiannon a quick hug before grabbing your lightstick box and attempting to move with the crowd exiting the arena. Some of the fans that catch a glimpse of you stare as you pass by- most likely noticed that you had a backstage pass lanyard around your neck. You try to avoid eye contact with them as best you can, slipping into the staircase that leads up to the VIP rooms.

You reached the end of the hallway, gripping the doorknob and pushing it open. The curtain was still covering the window that looked over the arena, and the small coffee table was still pushed up against it, next to the bar stools. You slipped off your shoes and sat on the couch, making yourself comfortable. It would probably be a little while before Marked joined you, so you set down your lightstick box and curled up in the corner of the cushions.

The ringing in your ears slowly faded away as your mind wandered, drifting off into a light snooze. You feel comfortable and warm, the scent of Mark still was barely noticeable in the air around you. You smiled to yourself when you thought of what Mark reminded you of- a strong campfire with fresh s'mores and the sweet summer air that lingered just outside the radius of the fire's warmth.

There was a soft clicking sound that followed the doorknob being turned. You barely perk up when Mark enters the room, clad in his Superhuman t-shirt and black jeans. It seems all of the sweat from his performances has been wiped away, but his face is still flushed. He slips your backpack off his back and gently sets it by the door.

"Hey, sleepy," he whispers, approaching you and kneeling before you. He gently takes your hands, kissing the knuckles. "Did you have fun?"

You smile sleepily at him. "Yeah, I had a lot of fun. You don't look tired,"

Mark continued to smile at you. "Looks can be deceiving," he says. "I just have to put some things away and then we can go."

You perk up a bit as he stands, grabbing the blanket to put inside his own backpack. "Shouldn't we wait until everyone is gone?"

Mark shrugs. "We have to go back down to see the others, that should give us some extra time so that we don't get in a streetcar where we will be swarmed."

You nod, yawning. "Okay, I trust you."

Mark sat down beside you once he zipped up his backpack, giving you a tired smile. He looked down at his arms, idly running a finger against the scar of his arm. "I guess we will be seeing a lot of news about this soon."

You join his gaze and frown a little. "Do you think it will be bad?" You ask, chewing on your lip.

"No, I don't think so. At least I hope. I like to think our fandom is mature enough," Mark takes your hand for a moment and squeezes it. "Shall we go?"

You nod and unfurl yourself to stand up. You both put on your backpacks, you put on your shoes and then head out the door together. You return backstage to meet with everyone, feeling a little surreal that you can personally compliment them on their performances. When you hug each member one last time, you barely catch yourself indulging in their scents, all unique and sweet in their own way. Rhiannon is watching you with a knowing smirk as you do, and as you hug Jungwoo you manage to stick your tongue out at her.

It felt strange but good to go home that night with Mark. It was warm and a little lonely outside compared to how it was inside the venue during the event, but it was a nice change after being inside with a few thousand screaming people. The streetcar ride and the walk back were pleasant, making idle conversation about the concert as Rhiannon and Donghyuck walked along with you.

Once you arrive home, everyone stumbles tiredly inside. You bring Mark's backpack into your room, and all of you play rock-paper-scissors to determine who gets to use the bathroom in order. Rhiannon, Donghyuck and Mark all destroyed you in the game, so you hang back in the kitchen to make some sleepy time tea while you waited.

You nearly fell asleep standing in the kitchen and waiting for your kettle to finish heating up the water. Just as you're finishing preparing everyone's tea, Mark emerges from the bathroom clad in soft pyjamas and sporting freshly dried hair.

"Is that for me?" He asked, pressing a kiss to your cheek.

You nod at him. "If you could bring the other mugs to Rhiannon and Donghyuck too, Rhi's is the purple mug and the blue one is Donghyuck's. I'm going to go freshen up."

Mark nods at you with a smile. Briefly holding your hand as you make your way into the bathroom. You shower quickly, not bothering to pamper yourself. Once you get out, you dry your hair thoroughly with a towel, sighing at the feeling of massaging your scalp.

Once you exit the bathroom, clad in your own pyjamas, you see that Mark is still in the kitchen, clutching his mug of tea.

"Feel better?" He asks, taking a quick sip.

"Mm," you answer, "I'm just about ready to pass out,"

"I made you a mug of tea if you want it. Half-full." Mark smiles when you gently return his earlier cheek kiss.

You reach forward and grab the warm Dragon Ball Z mug to take a few quick mouthfuls of perfect tea. "Thank you," you say, "I had a really great day today."

"Me too," Mark grins sleepily, "but I'm ready to sleep."

"You and me both." You place your mug in the sink. Mark follows suit, gently taking your hand as you lead him to your room. When you pass the living room you notice it's empty, so you assume Rhiannon and Donghyuck have already both gone to sleep.

Once you open the door to your room, you feel so much more relaxed and comfortable. You beckon Mark in, sheepishly smiling as you begin to relocate your mountain of stuffed animals. There's not much light since you hadn't turned any on, but a streak of moonlight is seeping in through your curtains, enough that some things in your room are clear to see.

"Your room is very cosy," he compliments, taking a seat on the edge of your bed and running his hand along the fabric.

"I spend a lot of time here, so I like to make it as comfortable as possible,"

Mark nods with a small smile. "Oh, I almost forgot."

"Forgot what?" You watch him curiously as he stands and moves to his backpack, unzipping it and rummaging for a few seconds before pulling out the fuzzy polar bear plush.

"This belongs to you," he says, tucking it under the covers before taking his seat again. "We should keep him comfy."

You grin at him, "thank you for not thinking I'm weird for asking about it,"

He shakes his head, "anything to help while I'm gone," he comments, trailing off as he continues to observe the contents of your room, and you blush once you realize Mark has spotted some photo cards stuck onto the edge of the shelf above your computer desk.

"I see you have everyone here," he comments with a smile. "Including…"

"Day6," you answer sheepishly, inviting yourself under the covers. "Come cuddle?"

Mark chuckles lightly and complies. He pulls back his side of the covers and slides in, immediately moving to drape an arm over your side. He blinks slowly, smiling warmly as his eyes search your face.

You bring a hand up to lightly run your hand through his hair, massaging his scalp gently. He closes his eyes and hums with contentment.

"I love you," he whispers, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

"I love you, too." You manage to drift off easily that night, content to sleep in Mark's arms.

#mark lee #mark lee x reader #mark x reader #nct #nct127 #nctu #nct scenarios #nct imagines #reader insert #fanfiction #kpop fanfictions #kpop scenarios #kpop imagines

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rmtndew · 4 years

Text

Begin Again

Summary: Walter Marshall is a dedicated homicide detective doing his best to balance his work life with being a single father to a teenage girl. Fiona Sparks is a woman doing her best to take care of everyone and everything around her, except for herself. Neither has had the best luck with relationships, but once they meet, they’re willing to give it another shot, this time with each other. (It’s basically just romantic fluff)

Pairing: Marshall and OFC.

Rating: PG

Warnings: Mentions of death, cancer.

A/N - This is a sequel to ‘All I’ve Ever Known’. I started writing this because I needed an escape for some personal stuff going on and my coping mechanism included giving Marshall all the love that man needed, and imagining him being the softest boyfriend to me, then passing those details on to Fiona (my OFC).

I also made a Spotify playlist for this story, if anyone is interested - Begin Again Playlist

Tag list - @hollydaisy23, @alyxkbrl, @onlyhenrys, @omgkatinka, @speakerforthedead0, @gearhead66, @thethirstyarchive, @oddsnendsfanfics, @littlerinoa, @agniavateira, @aaescritora, @justaboringadult, @beenthroughalot, @seriouslygoodlookinggents, @xxxkatxo

If you want to be added/removed from the tag list, let me know!

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7

The last Wednesday in October was a gray, misty, windy day. It was cold, the kind you felt more in your bones than anywhere else, with the sky occasionally spitting out sleet. I spent the entire twenty-minute drive to my job at Waverly Catering clutching the steering wheel so tightly that my hands were cramping by the time I arrived from white-knuckling it the whole way there. Usually, I would get to work early enough to enjoy the silence and finish off my coffee before officially starting my workday. That day, however, I spent the very little extra time I had trying to get my hands to stop hurting, then chugged down my coffee that had cooled dramatically to a gross lukewarm temperature.

Before going in, I checked my phone. I always kept it on silent while I drove. My mom had a tendency to text me, make a dozen spelling mistakes because of auto-correct, then correct them one by one, leaving me with about thirteen separate texts to read. It didn’t use to bother me, I thought it was charming and very distinctly Mom. But when she’d gotten sick at the beginning of the year, every text she sent that I couldn’t read immediately made me panic, worrying that something terrible had happened to her, even when I’d just seen her at home a few minutes before. So for my sanity - and hers - I started putting my phone on silent until I got to work, or wherever else I was going. It was a habit I’d kept even after she’d gone into remission because her cancer may have been gone, but my anxiety over her wasn’t.

That morning when I checked my phone, I saw that I had two texts, but they weren’t from Mom.

Marshall: Good morning, Fi. I hope that I get to see you today. I’ll be chained to my desk with paperwork for a while. This is the first time I’ve not dreaded it. You’re my silver lining.

That was cheesy. I’m sorry. I’m bad at this.

And just like that, all of my stress melted away. The weather didn’t matter, my disappointing coffee didn’t matter, even the cramping in my hands didn’t matter. All that did matter was that Walter Marshall thought of me as his silver lining. Yes it was early days, yes we’d barely known each other a month, yes we’d only gone on two dates, but he made me happier than I’d been in a long time. I felt like I’d been holding my breath for two years, starting when my dad had died in a car crash, followed by my boyfriend Ezra breaking up with me, then losing my job as an interior designer, and capping off with my mom’s cancer diagnoses. Then Walter came along and it was like I could finally breathe again.

Me: Please don’t apologize. You have no idea how much I needed to read that this morning. Feel free to be as cheesy as you want. And I hope I get to see you today, too, even if it means you’re chained to your desk.

Marshall: If I don’t see you for some reason, can I call you tonight? I miss your voice and you make me want to get better at this talking thing.

I could feel myself blushing. Even over the phone he made me feel like a teenager with a crush. I had no idea that anyone could make me feel that way as an adult, but he did every time he texted me.

Me: Of course you can. Even if we do see each other, you can still call, if you want? Practice makes perfect, and all that.

Marshall: I’d like that. Talk to you soon.

I sat back in my seat with a sigh as I looked out at the sleet falling from the gray sky, spattering my windshield, blurring out the image of the trees in the park across from me blowing and bending in the wind.

It was going to be a good day.

“You look...dare I say it? Happy?” Darcy said as I walked into her office.

I smiled. “You may dare to say it because yes, I am quite happy.”

“And what brings you to such an extreme emotion so early on such a disgusting day?”

I went to her desk and sat in the chair opposite her. “Well, for one, I know that you’re about to do me a big favor that I will forever be grateful for.”

“Fiona Sparks asking for a favor? I’ll mark the day in my calendar,” she joked. “What kind of favor do you need?”

“I need a copy of the peanut butter cookie recipe.”

“For what purpose?”

“See, that’s where the happiness part comes into play and you, being one of my dearest friends, would love to see me happy.”

“I would but I’m unsure how a cookie recipe is going to do that.”

“It’s not for me,” I said, smiling wide. “I met this guy -”

“What? Who?” she asked enthusiastically, her eyes wide with excitement.

“His name is Walter Marshall. He’s our detective who never changes his lunch order.”

“You’re dating one of the homicide detectives? You can feel free to thank me later for giving you that order, by the way. But right now I want details: How long have you been dating and why am I just now finding out about it?”

“We’re not technically dating. I met him a few weeks ago for the first time and we went on two dates last week.”

“You haven’t dated anyone in over two years, and then you go on two dates in one week?”

“Well, the first was just a coffee date. Saturday we tried having a proper one.”

“Tried?” she asked, raising her eyebrow.

“He wanted to take me to dinner, so we went to an Italian place, but before we could order, his daughter called. She was supposed to be at a Halloween party, but some of her friends had lied to her, I guess, and it ended up being a basement party with slightly older boys and she felt uncomfortable, so we went and picked her up. Then we all went for pizza together.”

“He has a daughter, which is some heavy baggage to begin with, but you met her on your second date? That’s a lot, Fiona.”

“I know it seems like it, but it’s really not. She’s a good kid. And he’s an amazing father, which, oddly, just makes him more attractive,” I said. “But that’s not the point. The point is that his daughter was, understandably, a little iffy about me being with him when he picked her up until she found out that I’m the one who brings the cookies. She apparently loves them and I told her that I might be able to get her a copy of the recipe and that seemed to pave the way for her not hating me instantly. And she’s thirteen, so that’s a pretty big deal.”

“I have so many questions right now but I can’t sort them all out so I’m going to be annoying you with them all day, just be prepared for that. All I want to know right now is if you want the recipe laminated or not?”

I let out a relieved breath. “Yes, please, if you don’t mind. And thank you so much, Darcy. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“I do know. You never ask for anything, even simple things, so the fact that you’re willing to ask me for a favor means this is a pretty big deal,” she said. “He must be a good guy.”

I nodded. “He really is.”

I arrived at the police station that morning a little before eleven. I’d left the shop early, worried the weather might get bad again and didn’t want to be late for my delivery. Thankfully the sleeting had stopped, allowing me to get there a few minutes early. A few minutes that I used up trying to pull my dolly through the parking lot. The lot had been salted, which was good in that at least it wasn’t icy, but the wheels on my dolly didn’t seem to like the brine mixture. They kept locking up on me. Between that and having to fight against the roaring wind, it took me an embarrassingly long time to reach the station door. Before I could push it open, someone opened it from the inside for me. I looked up, expecting to see Officer Bates. He was the security officer that was posted downstairs and always went through the containers full of lunches that I brought to the homicide unit every week. Instead, I saw Marshall.

“Hello,” he said with a smile.

I immediately felt like giggling. The last time I’d seen him, we’d kissed. And seeing him right then, seeing his beautiful, handsome face, I wanted so badly to kiss him again. Instead, I felt myself grow shy as I blushed so fiercely that my cheeks stung with the new heat that rushed to them.

“Hi,” I said. He pulled the door open all the way, then stepped back, allowing me to walk in. My stomach fluttered as I looked back at him. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He closed the door behind me. “May I help you with your cart?”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Would you let me help you take it back to your car when you leave, at least?”

I fought every instinct inside of me that insisted I say no. Darcy was right: I hated asking for even simple things. I never wanted to burden anyone. But since I’d met Marshall, I’d learned that his way of showing interest or affection was to do things for me. But he always asked first, wanting my permission. It challenged me, but in a good way. I didn’t need to always go it alone if I didn’t have to.

“Um, yeah, I’d appreciate that. Thank you,” I said. “The wheels didn’t seem to agree with the salted parking lot. You could probably pull it a lot easier than me.”

Marshall stayed with me as Officer Bates went through the containers I’d brought in. He wasn’t close enough to make anyone passing by question it, but it was close enough that my hand hanging at my side could feel the heat coming from his hand and forearm, that was visible from the blue henley that was pushed up to his elbows in a way that I found incredibly attractive. My fingers itched to seek out his, but I fought it. Keeping them obediently beside me. Once Officer Bates was done and gave me the all clear to take the food up, Walter walked me to the elevator and pressed the button to call it down. Then he held the door back, letting me in first before following me. After the door slid closed, he fell back half a step, putting him right beside me. His hand bumped mine, his fingers snaking through, gently holding mine. I smiled, knowing I wasn’t the only one itching for contact.

I turned without a thought and placed a kiss on his shoulder. Then I paused, a moment of panic rising in me that maybe we weren’t at that level yet. But before I could move or feel too worried, he placed a kiss on the top of my head.

“I keep thinking about Saturday,” he whispered.

“Me, too,” I said. I looked up at him. “It was...pretty amazing.”

He smiled. I could see his sharp canine teeth. They were oddly charming. “Yes, it was.” He laced his fingers with mine more securely, properly holding it. “I know I mentioned calling you tonight, but I hoped that we might have dinner again instead. If you’re not busy?”

“I’m exceptionally not busy tonight.”

“Good.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead before turning his head back to face the elevator door. “I won’t be able to finish all my paperwork today, there’s too much and it keeps multiplying like rabbits, so since I have to do it tomorrow anyway, I’m going to knock off here around five. Could I pick you up after that? Around five-thirty, perhaps?”

I nodded, smiling. “That sounds great.”

The elevator dinged as we reached the homicide unit floor. He gave my hand a couple of gentle squeezes before letting it go as the door slid open. He stepped out, then held the door for me like he had before, letting me pull my cart out. He walked with me almost all the way to the break room before a shorter man with glasses stopped him.

“Lieutenant Marshall, can I speak with you in your office for a moment?” he asked.

“Of course.” Walter touched my shoulder. “Excuse me,” he said to me quietly before leaving for his office.

I continued on and was met by most of the detectives waiting for me. Like usual, they didn’t talk to me much, just thanking me for the food before taking their box and going. I took my time, hoping that by the time that I was done, the man speaking with Walter would be gone before I brought him his lunch. When I was done, I packed up my cart before taking Marshall’s boxed lunch and walked down the hall, finding the door to his office open. I could hear him talking still and wasn’t sure what to do. I’d made a deal with him a few weeks back to always bring his lunch to his office whenever I delivered - the first time was because a uniformed officer looked like he was going to swipe it, after that, it was to thank him for rescuing me from a pushy creep while I was with my ‘friends’. We’d never discussed if I should interrupt while he was working. I chewed my lip, debating what to do for several seconds before deciding to just take a chance and knock on the door frame. The worst case scenario was that I looked like a very dedicated delivery woman making sure that all of my orders reached their proper owners.

“Yep. Come in,” Walter called out in response to my knocking.

I entered his office only far enough to be seen and not a step further. I didn’t know if Marshall wanted people to know about us, so I was prepared to make a quick exit if I needed to. “I have a delivery for Detective Marshall,” I said.

He looked at me and smiled, then waved me in further. “Harper, this is Fiona Sparks. Fiona, this is Commissioner Harper.”

“Hi. It’s nice to meet you, sir,” I said.

“You, too.” He looked at me over the top of his glasses. “You don’t happen to be related to Rodger Sparks, by any chance?”

I felt speechless for a moment. I hadn’t heard anyone other than Mom say Dad’s name in months. Finally, I forced myself to nod. “Yes. He was my dad. How - how did you know?”

“We went to college together. You’re the spitting image of him,” he said. “I was sorry to hear about him passing away. I lost my wife around two years ago as well. A brain aneurysm.” He shook his head. “It doesn’t get any easier.”

“No, it doesn’t,” I agreed.

He looked at me for a moment longer, then back to Marshall, who was standing patiently with his hands clasped behind his back. He looked back at me briefly before taking the folder he was holding and tapped it against Marshall’s shoulder. “You know what? This can wait until tomorrow,” he said. “I’ll bring it by in the morning.” He left Walter and stopped beside me before leaving the office. “I’m very sorry about your father. Rodger was a horrible sport when he lost at cards, but other than that, he was a great guy. And probably the smartest man I ever met.”

I smiled slightly. “He was a horrible sport at cards.”

He smiled back. “The worst.” He gave me a wink. “It was a pleasure seeing you.”

“You, too.”

When he left, he closed the door behind him. I looked at Marshall as he walked towards me. “Did I interrupt something important?” I asked.

“No. He was just asking about a cold case.”

“I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to come in since he was here. Next time, if you’re talking to someone, would you rather I left your lunch in the break room?”

He stopped in front of me. He was so close. He smelled like coffee and Old Spice. I swallowed thickly, trying to meet his gaze as he looked down at me. He shook his head, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “No. I’d still like you to bring it to me, please. If that’s alright?”

“Yeah, of course. I just don’t want to get in the way of your job.”

“You won’t,” he said. “But I’ve let my job get in the way of other things for too long, so maybe it’s time someone got in the way of it for a bit.”

“You have an important job, though. If you were a boat salesman, I might feel a little differently about disrupting your work.”

His smile grew as he tilted his head at me. “A boat salesman?”

“I mean a job where it wouldn’t really matter all that much if you were distracted every once in a while. If someone doesn’t sell a boat, it’s not that big of a deal. But if you don’t solve a murder case...that has very real repercussions. I wouldn’t want to be a reason for something slipping by in a case.”

He put his hand on my cheek, directing my eyes back to his. “That won’t happen,” he said. “I take my job seriously. That’s never been a problem for me. My problem has always been figuring out how to balance it with the rest of my life, which I never could, and I neglected a lot of people because of it. Especially Faye.” He shook his head. “I’m still not good at it. But I had a case back in the winter that...put Faye’s safety in jeopardy, among other things, and it made me realize that I need to put more of an effort in my life outside of this job. Despite how hard that is for me.” He stroked my cheek with his thumb. “You motivate me to slow down a bit. And that’s a good thing.”

I took my free hand and placed it over his, then turned my face slightly and placed a kiss on the inside of his wrist. “I would be happy to slow down with you,” I whispered.

Marshall had a smile that somehow showed in his eyes more than his mouth, and that’s how he was looking at me right then. “I’d like that.”

A knock on the door startled me. I took a step back, his hand falling from my cheek. He then ran it over his face, almost like he was trying to scrub the irritation of being interrupted off it. Then he folded his arms across his chest before calling out for whoever it was to come in.

The door opened and a man stepped up to the doorway. He was wearing plain clothes like Walter, so I assumed he was a detective, too. He all but ignored me as he and Walter spoke. Half of what they said was in a jargon I didn’t understand, so I just stood there, head down, waiting. After a few minutes, the guy left, only halfway closing the door as he did. When Marshall finally turned back to me, I could see that he was frustrated. I knew he wouldn’t admit it, but me being at his work right then was only going to cause more irritation with every interruption we had.

“As much as I hate it, I should probably get back to the shop. We have a big order going out tomorrow, so there’s quite a lot to do today to prepare for it,” I said. “Plus, I have a date with a very handsome detective tonight that I want to get ready for.”

The frustration on his face seemed to melt away as he looked at me with a smirk. “Is it anyone I know?”

“Possibly. He does work in your unit.”

“Is that so?” he asked. I nodded. “Well, if I see him around, I might have to have a talk with him.”

“And what would you say?”

“I’d tell him that he better be good to you because you deserve to be treated well.”

My stomach fluttered. “You can rest assured that he treats me very well. Better than any man ever has.”

“All those other men were idiots.”

I smiled. “Maybe so.”

He shook his head. “Definitely so.” He reached out and took his lunch from my hand, then turned and placed it on a filing cabinet behind him. “Will you let me help you to your car now?”

I nodded. “Yes, please.”

He put on his coat and followed me to the break room. He pulled my dolly for me, moving it like it was as light as a child’s toy. Even when we made it to the parking lot, he didn’t seem to have any issue with the wheels fighting against him. Then he picked it up and placed it in my trunk with ease, despite how I very often fought to get it back in. I thought about telling him that he was welcome to help me anytime he wanted, but I was afraid it wouldn’t come across as a joke and he would feel obligated to actually help.

“Thank you. You made my morning a lot easier,” I said after I closed the trunk. I looked at him. “I guess I’ll see you around five-thirty?”

He nodded. “I’ll call you when I leave here, but yeah, I should be there by then,” he said. “And I promise it’ll only be the two of us and no cheap pizza.”

“To be honest, I quite liked the pizza. It didn’t taste cheap. And I really, truly didn’t mind Faye joining us, but it'll be nice to have dinner with just you tonight,” I said. “But that reminds me - I put a copy of our cookie recipe for Faye in your lunch box.”

He smiled. “Thank you. She’ll be very excited about that.”

“You’re welcome. And let her know if she has any issues with it, she can call or text me.”

The crease between his eyebrows appeared as he looked at me thoughtfully. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’ve made them enough times over the last year and a half to make every mistake you can with them. If she has a problem, I can probably diagnose it over the phone.”

“You don’t mind her having your number?”

I felt my facial expressions mirroring his, but from confusion. “Of course I don’t mind. As long as you’re okay with it,” I said. “Unless you think your ex-wife would mind? I don’t want to step on her toes or anything.”

He shook his head. “I don’t think Angie would mind for that purpose, and I don’t have a problem with it. But I don’t want you to feel obligated.”

“I don’t but I’ll leave it up to you. If you’d feel more comfortable being the middleman you can always call me for her.” I gave him a big smile. “And I can help you practice the whole talking thing. Then it’s a two birds with one stone kind of deal.”

He smiled back, nodding his head. “And if she doesn’t need help?”

“You can still call.” I shrugged. “As far as I’m concerned, you don’t have to have a reason for calling. If I’m not at work, I’m usually pretty free. I may be cooking, or watching ‘The Golden Girls’ with Mom, but that’s about it,” I said. “I’m afraid you’re courting quite a socially boring person.”

He laughed. “I’m not sure if you’ve caught on, but I’m not exactly a sociable person, either,” he said. “So perhaps we make a good fit for each other.”

“Perhaps so,” I agreed. “We can be selectively social together.”

“Sounds good to me.”

I let out a sigh and watched my breath turn to steam in front of me. “I better let you get back to your paperwork and I need to go help Darcy at the store. We have over fifty loaves of bread to bake before the end of the day, so depending on when I get home, you may have to deal with your date smelling like freshly baked bread.”

He squinted slightly. “I’m not really opposed to that,” he joked with a smile that showed off the sharp ends of his canine teeth.

I laughed. “Good to know.”

He gave me a short hug, kissing my cheek as he pulled back. “I’ll see you this evening.”

“I’m looking forward to it.

#Henry Cavill #Henry Cavill fan fiction #Walter Marshall #Walter Marshall fan fiction #Walter Marshall/OFC #Night Hunter #Night Hunter fan fiction #Nomis #Nomis fan fiction #Henry Cavill fanfiction #Henry Cavill fanfic #detective walter marshall #Begin Again

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appalachianwiine · 3 years

Text

Swim Chapter 9 - A Friend

Chapter 9

And if it feels like it's already over

Lean in closer, rest your bones

You've got a friend when times get mean

Yeah, in the meantime I'm on your team

“In the Meantime” - Randall Kent

The day passed in an odd sense of time for Carol, while the kids and her classes kept her busy enough the moments between periods and over lunch seemed to stretch on forever. The opening and closing of the heavy classroom doors shoved and yanked by teenagers all too ready to leave class brought back clear memories of heavy hospital doors being swung open and the room filling with people. Every time a phone would chime or the office would call she’d be dragged back to memories of the nurses calling in codes and shouting for doctors.

3 o’clock came and went and instead of staying after to grade papers or work on paperwork she started cleaning up the classroom to leave. To get to the hospital by 430 she needed to be out of here by 4. She moved robotically through the motions of wiping down the desks and straightening the textbooks. Her mind was with Lydia and Daryl now.

She knew all too well the feeling of being in one of those rooms, time lost to the hospital. Morning, noon, and night change to first shift, second shift, third shift. Hours turning to IV drip times and vitals checks. It could crush a person alone like that and Daryl seemed to think he was very alone. She got the sense he had been for a long time and it worried her. It reminded her of Leah and Matthew really, they’d come from a small farm in northern Georgia and despite all of Carol’s pushing and offering and turning up Leah had never been friendly. Even Ezekiel hadn’t managed to get more then a few words at a time from the woman and he could get just about anybody to talk. She didn’t want to see Daryl and Lydia facing the same sort of isolation.

Carol stopped to pick up coffee for her and Daryl on the way to the hospital. It wasn’t a lot but sometimes a warm drink that wasn’t crappy hospital coffee could make a difference. Pulling into the hospital parking lot she spots a familiar face. The dark haired woman and little boy who’d come to see Lydia and Daryl a few days ago.

“Excuse me!” Carol calls, hurrying to catch up. The woman turns around. “Sorry sorry are you going to see Daryl and Lydia?”

“Yes.” The woman nods. “You must be Carol, from the group. I’m Dr. Grimes.”

“Yeah, Carol.” Carol nods. “Dr. Grimes, it’s nice to met you. Have you known Daryl for long?”

“Seven years almost. Carl was just a baby when my husband and Daryl started working together.” Dr. Grimes says. “I’ve been Lydia’s pediatrician since Daryl adopted her four years ago.”

“Oh.” Carol frowns, “Then you -”

“Caught the cancer?” Dr. Grimes nods. “Yeah, something was wrong, I pushed the lab to expedite the sample, and I’m glad I did it but I have to say that wasn’t ever a call I expected to make in my career. Especially not to someone I know so personally like Daryl. It’s the worst phone call I’ve ever made.”

“I can imagine.” Carol nods. “But I’m glad he has friends behind him, he needs them.”

“Well maybe you could tell him to call every now and then.” Dr. Grimes mutters, pressing the elevator door button. “He nearly gave us a heart attack the first time he called. It was nearly a full 24 hours after he came to the hospital.”

“It’s overwhelming.” Carol frowns. “Learning your kid is that sick, I’m sure he didn’t mean to worry you. He’s a nice guy.”

“He’s too nice.” Dr. Grimes sighs. “Carl step away from the doors or they won’t close.” She pulls the little boy back a step or two by his shirt. “Every time i call it’s vague answers and I know he doesn’t want to worry us but still…”

“He doesn’t want to be a burden.” Carol nods. “It’s - it’s pretty common in this world. Most people pull away when they learn you or your child has cancer. And the ones that don’t - we don’t want to burden the people who stay.”

“He’s always been like that.” Dr. Grimes sighs. “I just wish I knew how to help so he didn’t have to ask.”

“I can help with that.” Carol offers. “If you want.”

“Really?” Dr. Grimes says, ushering Carl out of the elevator. “What can we do.”

“Well - right now… everything is kind of managed for them, the doctors and nurses tell him how to clean, when to eat and sleep, what medications to take when.” Carol explains as they begin the walk down the hall. “When they get home, it’s - it’s going to be a lot scarier. Because then everything is on Daryl. If you’d like my help I’d like to help prepare the house for when he and Lydia get back. Pill organizers, cleaning supplies, wound care, that sort of thing.”

“Okay.” Dr. Grimes says. “Yeah, of course we’ll help.”

“Moooommmmm” Carl whines. “You’re being slow.”

“Alright, alright.” Dr. Grimes rolls her eyes good naturedly. “Sorry about him, this is the most he and Lydia have been apart in a long time. They were in the same class at school, and they were supposed to go to camp together this summer.”

“It’s fine.” Carol chuckles, picking up the pace slightly.

Lydia’s room has a white board attached to the door reading;

LYDIA DIXON - 8 YRS

IV VINCRISTINE

“Mom what’s vin - vin -” Carl frowns. “That?”

“It’s medicine baby.” Dr. Grimes says. “To help Lydia get better, but it might make her feel sick so we need to be quiet and calm when we go in okay?”

“Okay.” Carl nodded solemnly, reaching for his moms hand.

Carol leans forward and knocks on the door.

“Come in.” A tired, gruff voice says.

Carol pushes the door open and holds it for Dr. Grimes and Carl to go in first. Lydia is curled up in a ball on Daryl’s lap, pale as a ghost and wrapped in a blanket.

“Carl!” Lydia mutters, moving off Daryls lap and holding her arms out. Carl looks up at his mom and she nudges him forward. That’s all it takes for him to rush over and embrace Lydia.

“Hey Daryl.” Carol smiles. “I brought you decent coffee.”

“Thank.” He mutters, rubbing his eyes and sitting up. “T’ be hones I think I’m too tired t’ tell the decent stuff from the shit stuff.”

“Long night?” Carol asks.

“Yeah.” Daryl mutters. “Thanks fer comin’.”

“Of course.” She offers a supportive smile.

“How’s Carl an’ Judith?” Daryl asks turning to Dr. Grimes.

“Judith started walking, much to Shane’s horror. I sometimes forget this is the first baby he’s responsible for.” Dr. Grimes chuckles.

“Hey that’s a hell of a shock.” Daryl says. “Imagine getting a four year old and having no parenting experience.”

“You’re doing great.” Dr. Grimes says.

“Thanks Lori.” Daryl mutters. “So uh, you met Carol?”

“Yeah we ran into each other in the parking lot.” Carol nods. “So, how you holding up?”

“Um.” He glances at Lydia and Carl, who are now both wrapped in Lydia’s blanket on the end of the bed and whispering to each other. “It’s uh - it’s been a rough day. Henry and Ezekiel came by earlier, tha’ was nice. But It’s just kinda...”

“Numb?” Carol asks quietly.

“Yeah.” Daryl nods. “Numb. I was uh lookin’ at this binder and it’s - it’s like… it’s insane. I mean, three months in the hospital getting intensive chemotherapy. How do - how I even prepare for that?”

“You ask for help.” Lori whispers. “And you take it when it’s offered.”

“She’s right Daryl.” Carol says. “Those stays are impossibly hard when you’re on your own, so you let us help.”

Daryl didn’t look so sure about that, and next to her, Lori folded her arms. “Daryl Dixon. You’re not on your own anymore and trying to do it all on your own isn’t going to let you focus on Lydia. So you’re going to let us help. Got it?”

“Alright, alright.” Daryl runs a hand over his face.

“And right now you’re going to let us help by going down to the cafeteria with Carol and getting some real food.” Lori continues, looking over at Carol and raising an eyebrow. “Because if theres one thing you look like you could use right now it’s a good meal and an adult conversation.”

“I shouldn’t leave Lydia.” Daryl argues.

“She’s fine.” Lori insists. “She knows me, and she and Carl can watch a movie.”

“Lyd?” Daryl asks quietly. The little brunette turns back to look at her dad. “You okay if I go get some food with Ms. Carol?”

Lydia cocks her head and looks between the two of them. “I… I guess. You’ll come back?”

“Soon as I’m done.” Daryl nods, leaning over and kissing her hair.

“Okay.” Lydia nods.

“You two want to watch a movie?” Lori asks, motioning them out of the room.

Daryl lingers and Carol reaches out and touches his arm lightly. “Come on, they’ll be fine.”

Daryl doesn’t say a word until they’re out of the room. “Sorry about Lori she’s just -”

“She’s looking out for you.” Carol cuts him off. “I know it feels awful leaving her right now, but you have to take a minute to recharge too. Come on, I’ll buy you lunch.”

“You don’t have -”

“I’m doing it.” Carol insists. “We can go over that if you want.” She nods at the binder still in his hands. “I uh, I know pretty well whats in there. I’m sure you have questions.”

“Oh.” He frowns at the folder. “Do uh - do we have to?”

“No.” Carol says, stepping into the elevator. “We can just chat if you want. Try to get your mind off of everything in there.”

Fifteen minutes later she and Daryl are sat with a soda and sandwich each at the back of the cafeteria. Daryl seems to realize he’s hungry and inhales half the sandwich without a word, he pauses abruptly, mayonnaise on his face and turns red.

“Sorry.” He mutters, reaching for a napkin. “I uh -”

“No need.” Carol smiles. “I’ve been there, any food you have eaten has been eaten in between what little sleep you’re getting.”

“Not gettin’ much ‘f either at the momen’.” Daryl mutters. “Lydia was up most of the nigh’ sick again. Probably will be again t’night. The only time she settles is when I hold her.”

“Yeah Sophia was like that.” Carol nods, taking a bite of her own sandwich.”

“I’m usually pretty strict ‘bout everyone sleepin’ in their own bed but I can’t bring myself t’ say no right now.”

“Sophia only slept with me when she was sick too.” Carol nods. “I was always bad at saying ‘no’ while she was sick, but they do need some semblance of structure and routine.”

“Yeah.” Daryl nods taking a swig of his coke. “Tha’s gonna be hard, I know when we get home an’ she’s safe an’ secure again she’s gonna lash out an’ stuff, but I’m gonna have a damn hard time keeping boundaries.”

“I did too.” Carol nods. “Sophia was processing a lot at her diagnosis - our living situation had changed, I left her dad, it was a nightmare.” Silence hangs between them. “Have they said when you’re going home?”

“Hopefully sometime next week.” Daryl mutters.

“Okay.” Carol nods. “Lori and I are going to get the house ready for you okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well,” Carol sighs. “You’ll need some things, medical supplies, pill organizers, hand sanitizer, bedding. Something I like to do for the families here is help get their house ready to be home again.”

“You don’-” He stops, seeming to take what they’d said earlier in. “Thanks Carol.”

“It’s why I’m here.” She says, taking a bite of her own sandwich. “No one was for Sophia and I and I’m not gonna let that happen to anyone.”

“Her dad a dick?” The blunt way he says it makes her raise her eyebrows. “Sorry.” He mutters sheepishly. “I uh - I shouldn’ ha-“

“It’s fine.” She says quickly. “He uh - he was yeah. I left because I thought he hurt our little girl.” The words tumble out before she can stop them and she blinks, stunned at herself. She never spoke of Ed. She never spoke of why she was single. She left it at messy divorce and that was that.

“Shit.” Daryl mutters.

“Yeah.” Carol nods.

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“Nah.” He shakes his head. “It ain’. Ain’ nothing I can say gonna make it okay neither.”

There’s that blunt honesty again. Harsh, but welcome. No ‘I’m so sorry that happened’ or ‘you’re so strong’ just ‘ain’ nothing I can say gonna make it okay neither.’

“You’re special victims yeah?” Carol asks.

“Yeah.” Daryl nods.

“So I guess you’ve seen some of that.” She nods.

“Yeah.”

Silence hangs between them again.

“Thanks.” He says. “Fer all yer doin’ fer Lydia an’ I.”

“You don’t need to thank me, I’ve walked this path before. A little closer then I’d like, so if you need anything or just want some adult conversation just call.” Carol says.

“I- yeah, I will.” Daryl nods. “I uh, didn’ mean t’ scare ya this mornin’ if I did. I jus’ - you’re the only person I could think of to call.”

“That’s what I’m here for.” She smiles, reaching across the table and squeezing his hand. “You’re a good dad Daryl, and you’re gonna get through this.” Her attempt at a reassuring smile falls a little flat, because this time she’s not telling the entire truth. He will get through it, but Lydia? She was a different story all together, one with possibilities no parent wants to face.

#caryl fanfic #twd fanfic #caryl fanfiction #twd fanfiction #daryl dixon #carol peletier #lori grimes #carl grimes #lydia twd #lydia dixon #caryl #the walking dead fan fic #the walking dead fanfiction #fic; swim #cancer tw

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dr-imagines-modfuyuhiko · 3 years

Text

Reader stops Nagito from starting the killing game

Think of this as a “Mod Fuyu’s Birthday Special” cause it’s my birthday and I had the idea :) After this I’ll finish up the requests and post em

Also, if you like this kind of “what if this kind of person stopped so-and-so from happening”, I love writing this kinda stuff so feel free to ask for it

Category: Neutral/kinda angst(??) imagine (might make more parts)

Specifics: GN!reader, reader is the Ultimate Analyst, takes place in Chapter 1 of SDR2, kind of Nagito x reader???

Warnings: Nagito being Nagito, Twogami pats you down? Idk if that counts as a warning? And lowkey stalking Hope Bagel Boy, I believe that’s it- also there are things in here that are just my headcannons so please don’t come at me for them, thank you

You had your eye on Nagito since everyone arrived. The moment he introduced himself, you found something... off... about him. Due to you being unsure of what was wrong, you immediately began to silently observe him out of habit. He clearly noticed, even if he tried to hide it. At the very least, he wasn’t bothered by it.

Pretty quickly you were able to figure out he had dementia, perhaps cancer, and definitely some ptsd. His pale skin, the fact that the tips of his hair had some color, as well as his subtle behavior lead you to the first two. He didn’t react well when you brought up maybe flying off the island. Even if he seemed normal to everyone else and acted like it didn’t bother him, it was obvious to you. You picked up on the strained but natural-looking smile he forced. You guess that’s the perk of being the Ultimate Analyst, seeing things people won’t tell you.

He would also constantly praise you and the group- or more accurately, praised your talents. You were slightly annoyed by this, you were more than just a talent, but kept your mouth shut for the time being. He definitely had some sort of inferiority complex, or had trauma that made him believe he wasn’t worthy of basic human rights, maybe it was both.

Because of these reasons, you felt the need to not only help the boy, but maybe befriend him if possible?

So when this “killing game” was announced, you stuck to his side. Time and time again he said it wasn’t necessary, but you still wanted to get close to him. You knew he wouldn’t open up easily, seeing as he brushes off questions about himself, but you were determined enough to stay with him till he did.

Once Byakuya announced a party will commence, seemingly out of nowhere, you immediately had your eyes set on Nagito. He instantly agreed with some hope/friendship rant. He had something to do with this. He had to. So from that moment, even if it was from a distance, you were keeping an eye on him.

Soon you figured out the biggest factor of Nagito. The thing that had made him who he is now and the reason why he treated you all like gods. That his luck was indeed real.

—————

“So how are we gonna decide who’ll clean up the place?” You asked, still a little concerned about the suddenness of the party. If it weren’t for Nagito, you’d probably be like Fuyuhiko and refuse to attend.

“Are there any volunteers?” Byakuya turned to the group. No one said anything in response, leaving the supposed-heir (you had doubts of his identity, but he was a good leader so for now you let it slide) to sigh.

“We could draw sticks? Let chance decide?” Nagito found some sticks in his jacket, breaking one to be shorter than the others.

“Wait- that wouldn’t be fair! You’d be off cleaning duty!” Hajime joked with a small smile. Even so, Nagito gave a simple smile, the same one he had when he was hiding something. It was the same smile when he tried not to reveal he was upset by the planes. As well as the same one he had when Byakuya first brought up having a party.

Despite this, you decided to play along. Going first, you sighed a breath when you got a long stick. One by one, everyone pulled. All of them got long sticks.

The tall, white haired boy revealed the final stick, showing it to be the short one.

“Heh, guess my luck isn’t always great,” he gave that smile again, “my talent clearly isn’t accurate.”

You gave a suspicious look to him. Letting everyone else joyfully leave the room, you stayed behind.

“Y/n?” Nagito looked a little confused, “Is there something you’d like?”

Taking a breath, you answered. “I wanna help!” You gave a fake excited smile, tilting your head to the side for emphasis.

“You don’t have to help scum like me, Y/n,” he sounded as if he was desperate, “I have this under control.” Thinking quickly, you attempted to prove your talent true to him, showing you can pick up on things he won’t tell. But you also can’t let him know you think he is up to something.

“Nagito,” you started slowly, “you get fatigued so easily, I don’t want you hurting yourself!” The boy looked taken aback. He smiled once again.

“You really are the Ultimate Analyst! Such an amazing talent!” He bit his inner cheek. “If you insist then!”

With that, he let you help out with the preparations. Though he was a bit more careful when he left the room after about a two to three hours. He used the excuse of needing to go to the bathroom. Of course, you knew better.

After a few minutes, he came back. Smile still on his face, but you could’ve swore there was something softly glowing inside his jacket. You then took your own turn of “using the bathroom”.

On the way to see what exactly Nagito did, you ran into Teruteru, who looked terrified. He sounded even worse, an accent of some sort bleeding a bit into his words.

“Y-You’re not apart of his crazy idea, h-huh?!”

What?

“What idea?” You moved so you were at eye level with the chef. “Teruteru, what’s Nagito planning.”

He still stood there, frozen completely. You looked over your shoulder to make sure Nagito couldn’t see you. You turned back to Teruteru, speaking slow and calmly.

“Teruteru.” You tried to remain calm, “I know something is up with him. Please, tell me what he said to you.”

“H-he’s plannin’ on killin’ so’body!” His words were quick and panicked. The accent was thicker now. It took you just a second to fully understand him. You brought your hands to his shoulders.

“Don’t say anything to anyone just yet, okay? Not even Nagito.” He looked slightly confused. “We don’t want anyone else panicking. It could cause absolute chaos. What we need to do is stop Nagito from killing in a silent manner. Do you know what exactly his plan is?”

Once more, the boy nodded. Calmer now, he told you what he knew. The two of you figured out how to stop Nagito without him knowing. He agreed to run out and tell Byakuya what was going on and have him approve of the plan. With a final sigh, you walked back into the room.

“Where were you? It’s been a good 20 minutes, not planning on murder I hope.” He chuckled at his joke. You hid your grimace.

“No, I just ran into Teruteru and had him ask Byakuya if the iron skewers would be considered a weapon.” You lied easily, putting on a relaxed-looking smile. “He wanted to use them for a more tropical theme.”

Nagito simply nodded in response. The two of you quickly finished up. You attempted to find where his weapon would be and take it out to bring it to Byakuya, but you couldn’t do so with Nagito staring at you.

—————

Before long, the nighttime announcement went off. You brushed off your top and fixed up anything you saw necessary. Taking a final breath of preparation, you ran over to the old hotel.

“Did you confiscate his weapon?” Byakuya asked as he pat your sides down in routine. Even if you had stopped Nagito and Teruteru from killing, he still wanted to check you to be safe.

“Unfortunately, no, he wouldn’t leave the room until I did.” You answered truthfully. The large man pulled back once he was satisfied with his search. “But I’ll keep him close, and make sure I know where he is when his plan starts.” He nodded in understanding and let you into the room.

Upon entering, you heard numerous compliments on the room directed towards Nagito. Though he was quick to say that you had stayed behind to help. Almost as if he’s trying to make a point of it to the others..

Everything was going smoothly. Teruteru brought out food, Peko went to guard the case in the office, and Chiaki went with Monomi to prevent Monokuma from coming in. You made sure to stay next to Nagito the whole time, sneaking glances at the clock on the air conditioner. Even when Ibuki excitedly tried to pull you towards something else, you always found your way back to Nagito.

And then it struck 11:30.

The lights went out as you and Nagito stood next to the table near the back of the room. Quickly, you flew your hand up to grasp Nagito’s sleeve, knowing even if you were unable to, Byakuya would catch him leaving your side. You held his arm close to you, stopping him from walking off until the lights came back on.

As soon as they did, your eyes landed on Mikan, who was helplessly sprawled out across the floor. You pushed your gaze away from her as Mahiru helped her up. When you looked to Nagito, his eyes were latched onto you. They held a curious but cautious look. In a rush, you acted oblivious to what the true consequence of your actions were.

“S-sorry!” You let go of him immediately, “I just latched onto the closest person! I was scared!”

“It’s okay..” He knew something of your true intentions. You can tell by his eyes.

You let a smile fall over your face and looked away. Byakuya met your gaze, proud of the work you had done. Even if you didn’t see it as much to do, he definitely did.

“Everyone,” Sonia called out, “go look for Peko and Chiaki! Make sure they are okay!” After a short shout of affirmation from Kazuichi, everyone split off to find the two.

Everyone except you and Nagito. The latter of which pulled you to a room near the back of the building. Isn’t this where Byakuya originally decided to put the case? You saw the irons Teruteru spoke about earlier that day and it made sense.

You turned to Nagito, slightly confused as to why he pulled you aside. Did he know you purposely stopped him? How would he? You made sure to keep quiet about it.

“Y/n...” Nagito’s voice was serious, it almost scared you. “You knew what you were doing.”

It wasn’t a question. It was a demand to admit.

“And? You just expect me to let you kill an innocent classmate?” You shot back, irritated.

“If I start this game, the rest of you would be able to use me as a stepping stone for hope!”

What???

A stepping stone for hope???

You took a minute to process what exactly he meant. Putting together his self-loathing words, the way he saw and described you all as almost godlike figures, and his already tortured mind- was it possible he did this just so you could “have hope”?

“Nagito.” You pulled his face to be level with yours, furious yes, but also concerned for the man you want to consider a friend. “We don’t need you to sacrifice yours and another person’s life to have hope. We’re already doing that, like you said when Byakuya first came up with the party idea!”

“But Y/n...” His voice trailed off, as if he wanted to say something but didn’t know how.

“In a way, you did help us.” You tried to give a reassuring smile, not exactly used to comforting people as you are to reading them. “You’re the reason we had the party, we’re all closer because of it.”

He let out a bitter laugh and looked off to the side. “Scum like me doesn’t deserve that sort of praise, but I appreciate the sentiment.”

“Nagito. Look at me.” He kept his gaze away from you. “Nagito.”

The sternness of your voice made his head snap towards you. He looked almost scared. Maybe has trauma with verbal abuse, got it. You kept your voice calmer.

“You’re not scum. And you do deserve the praise. Even if your reasoning was flawed, you brought all of us together. People are gonna be less likely to kill.” Nagito’s eyes shone like he wasn’t used to this sort of talk, especially about himself. The swirl in his eyes left completely “I know you might not think so, but you had a good effect on us. We’ll figure out a way to get off this island without participating in this killing game. I promise.” You let a genuine smile show on your face before jokingly adding, “Oh, and without using a plane preferably.”

Nagito seemed to have mixed emotions, but stayed silent nonetheless. He simply nodded his head and gave a smile- it wasn’t the strained one though. Neither was it the one he put up as a front. This was his genuine smile.

The door opening had startled you out of your observations. You snatched your hands away from Nagito’s face and looked to the door. Your face was slightly heated. Gundham had a surprised look on his face.

“Dearest apologies, but I must obtain my Hell Hound Earring. This room must have the entrance leading to it.” Without speaking, you simply pointed to the trap door in the back of the storage room. Gundham simply nodded in appreciation and moved to the side for you and Nagito to get out of the small room.

#Nagito Komaeda #danganronpa nagito #nagito danganronpa #danganronpa #danganronpa imagines #dr2 imagines #dr2 nagito #DR2 #nagito x reader #nagito komeada x reader

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general-kenobi357 · 3 years

Text

Someday Soon-Chapter 4

Pairing: JJ Maybank x Fem!OC

Summary: Secrets start to create more tension within the Pogues, even more so when Kooks start to get involved.

Word Count: 3.1k

🔅🔆🔅

There's a moment in every kid's life when you feel like anything's possible. When you feel like you've got the total mojo. You could, I don't know, free-climb El Capitan, land on Mars, or, uh... get elected president. The whole world's there for the taking if you've got the sack to go for it.

And then, when you least expect it, some Kook shows up and tells you there's no eternal mystery. And then all that talk about free-climbing and Mars and the president... bullshit.

Magic gets cancer and dies.

“It's not there. Look, just... just pull the drone up.” John B instructed Pope. We had searched all over the ocean floor and found nothing but the figure head that used to stand at the bow of the ship.

“Shit.” I muttered, the storm was picking up as the thunder grew louder and the lightning closer to where we were, I entered the cabin where JJ was still trying to hold the boat steady. We hadn’t spoken more than five words to each other since him and Pope had picked me up the day before, I figured it was time. “You need any help?”

“Nah, but if you have 400 mil lying around, I’d be happy to take it off your hands.” He joked, bringing a smile to my face before a comfortable silence fell over us and we continued to listen to the rest of the Pogues outside.

“Look, we can do another pass. Recharge the battery.” Pope suggested. “We can... we can go back down.”

“We've done it three times. There's nothing there.” JJ spoke up competing with the loud wind.

“Shut up! The gold could be buried. We don't know.” Kie reasoned, still hopeful.

“If it was there, it would've been found on the metal detector, okay? Somebody beat us to it.” John B told her.

“Or it was never there.” I mumbled. The more we searched the more the stories started to sound impossible.

With the thunder rumbling we all pitched in to bring in the drone before JJ drove us back to the dock.

🔅🔆🔅

After we got back onto dry land the group all parted ways, promising to see each other later on that evening.

Once I got back to my house I changed into some dry clothes before making my way into the main room to see my mom sitting on the couch, I could hear Emmy in her room playing.

“Hey Hon.” My mom spoke up, setting down the book she was reading. “Where have you been all morning?”

“Oh we took Heyward’s boat out, trying to catch some fish. JJ’s cousin told him you can get spearfish out in the open water.”

“Did you catch anything?”

“No the storm picked up, we had to head back in.”

“Well that’s too bad. Maybe next time.”

“Yeah, maybe next time.” And even though my mom didn’t know what we had really been looking for, her words gave me a little hope, maybe we could still find something.

“Hey, are you and your friends going out later?” She asked after a few minutes.

“Um, I don’t know. Kie was talking about taking us to an outdoor movie over on Figure Eight.”

“Oh you used to love those as a kid, do you think they would be okay if Emmy tagged along?”

“I can ask. Kie was going to pick us all up in a little bit.”

“Thank you. I just don’t want her to miss out on everything you got to do when we still lived over there.”

“I know.” I replied with a smile. Ever since we had moved to the cut and Emmy was born, she had been trying to give us everything she possibly could.

🔅🔆🔅

A few hours later I was in my room when I heard a horn outside. Quickly I got up grabbing the bag I had packed before going to find Emmy. She had moved to the porch as the day progressed and the house got hotter.

“Em, you ready to go?” I asked her.

“Yep!” She said standing up. “Wait I have to go say bye to Mommy.”

I watched her run back into the house, before I followed behind her.

“Have fun you two.” Mom told us as she pulled Emmy into a hug. “Don’t forget bug spray, and not too many candies alright?”

“Okay Mommy.” Emmy said nodding her head.

“Here.” Mom said standing up and passing me a couple of bills. “It should be enough for tickets and a treat for each of you.”

“Thank you.” I told her, folding the bills to fit in my pocket. I knew it wasn’t enough for all that, but it would be enough for tickets and I had some tip money from yesterday to buy Emmy a treat.

“Have fun you two!” She called as we went to meet Kie who was waiting by the road.

“Hey.” I greeted as we approached her car. “Is it alright if Emmy tags along.”

“Yeah of course.” Kie said smiling, I had a sneaking suspicion that my friends might have preferred her to me most days.

“Okay Em, get in the back.” I instructed opening the door for her. “Are we picking up the boys?” I asked.

“Yeah they're our next stop.” Kie told me from the front.

“You gotta sit in the middle seat.” I told Emmy, before buckling her seat belt.

“I don’t want to sit with the boys.” Emmy whined. “They smell bad.”

“They don’t smell bad.” I tried to defend the boys who weren't there to defend themselves, as I got into the front.

“Well…” Kie trailed off defending Emmy’s point. We all laughed as she pulled out of our driveway and down the road to JJ’s house.

As we pulled up, the two boys were waiting by the curb for us, Pope looked scared while JJ looked as if he were preparing for something. They greeted us all as they climbed into the backseat and before long we were en route to Figure Eight.

“Are you guys sure you want to go to this thing?” Pope asked about halfway into the drive.

“What?” I asked turning to look at him. “You love these movies.”

“Well maybe we’re just not feeling it today.” JJ defended Pope’s statement.

“What is up with you two?” I asked, I couldn’t help but wonder if it had to do with whatever had happened yesterday.

“Yeah, what is up with you two?” Em asked, parroting what I had just said. It was one of her current favorite things to do, after she heard me taunting John B the same way a couple months ago.

Her comment was enough to break the tension that had been building in the car, as it brought a smile to all our faces.

“Don’t worry Princess, we’re just bein’ weirdos.” JJ told Emmy, using the nickname he had started using a while ago when she had joined us all for a boat ride and declared herself the Princess of the water.

🔅🔆🔅

“I'm so glad that they're still doing this.” Kie told us as we gathered all the stuff we had brought from her trunk. “Keep calm. Carry on. Back to OBX life. You know? Aren't you glad I made you come?”

“Ecstatic.” Pope replied in a monotone voice.

“My couch was pretty comfy, I'll be honest.” JJ added.

“Okay, Em? I’m gonna go with Kie to get your treat okay? What do you want?” I asked, setting down my bag.

“Um…” She thought, putting a hand on the side of her head. “Popcorn!”

“Okay.” I replied with a smile, moving to where Kie was waiting. “JJ can help you put out your blanket okay?” I told her before I turned to look at JJ, he gave me a thumbs up as I began to follow Kie to the concession.

“Hey, uh... can I get two Pepsis, please? Oh and a popcorn?” Kie asked the guy behind the counter.

“Oh I can buy Emmy’s food.” I told her, feeling a little guilty.

“No, don’t worry about it, did you want anything?” She asked, pushing away my hand which held a few bills.

“No, I’m good thanks.” I replied, as we waited for our order.

“Hey, Kie.” I heard Rafe Cameron call out from behind us.

“Hey.” Kie responded uncomfortably.

“What's up? How are you?” He asked, it seemed like he only noticed her. But it didn’t surprise me, I was generally looked at as the help.

“I'm fine.”

“Good, good. Um… Tell your boy that we know what he did.”

“Sorry, what boy are you talking about?” I finally asked.

“Uh, he'll know.” He told us. “Bye.”

“Douche.” Kie muttered as Rafe walked away. “What was that about?”

“I have no idea.” I told her truthfully as we made our way back over to the boys and Emmy. “Nobody will tell me anything.”

“Just saw Rafe, and he said, and I quote, <Tell your boy that we know what he did.> What is that?” Kie asked as I sat down between Emmy and JJ, handing her the bag of popcorn.

“Um… Where is he?” JJ asked nervously looking around.

“Right there.” I told him pointing behind us as we all turned.

“Great, the whole death squad.” Pope muttered.

“Don't stare, bro.” JJ warned turning around. “If they corner me, I'm coming out swinging, okay? Slice and dicin'. I'm on edge right now.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Pope confirmed, with every word they exchanged I was more confused.

“If that doesn't work, I got this right here.” JJ reassured Pope pointing to his bag, I was no longer confused, now I was just pissed of knowing exactly what he was referring to. How could he be that dumb.

“Yeah, yeah. So, we just gotta stay in the group. They can't get us in the group. Like a school of fish. Stay in the school. Can't leave the school.” Pope started rambling.

“I'm sorry, stay in school? Please tell me that you did not bring a gun here.” Kie asked, looking at the pair.

“JJ, there are kids. Emmy is here.” I reminded him.

“Sweetheart, I didn't bring the gun. Everything's fine, okay?” He told me with an unconvincing smile.

“Wow, thank you. That's really convincing. I love that, JJ.” I said, knowing he was lying.

“Founding principle, you guys. No secrets amongst Pogues.” Kie reminded them, which made me laugh bitterly. I was pretty sure everything Pope and JJ had said to me since yesterday had been lies. “What is Rafe talking about?”

“Kie, it might go down tonight.” Pope told her.

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“<Might go down tonight.> What did y'all do?” Kie demanded.

“Deny, deny, deny.” I heard JJ mutter to Pope. Shaking my head at Kie before I turned to look at Emmy, who sat blissfully unaware as she enjoyed her popcorn.

🔅🔆🔅

About halfway into the movie I heard the boys whispering to each other. Before they both stood up.

“Hey, where are y'all going?” Kie asked as they began to walk away.

“We gotta wring it out.” JJ responded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“You gonna hold it for each other?” She criticized them as they left.

The pair had been gone for a few minutes when out of the corner of my eye I saw three Kooks head in the same direction JJ and Pope had gone. Glancing at Emmy to make sure she stayed put I shuffled closer to Kie.

“I think somethings wrong.” I whispered in her ear. “Three Kooks just headed off to where JJ and Pope went.”

“They’ll be fine, they have the gun, Rafe wouldn’t try anything here.”

“The gun is still in JJ’s bag.” I informed Kie, holding up his backpack.

“Shit.” She muttered, taking the bag from my grasp. “You stay with Emmy I’ll go make sure they get this.”

I moved back beside Emmy as I watched Kie walk away.

“Where is everyone going?” Emmy asked, curiously.

“Nowhere don’t worry, just watch the movie.” I told her, unable to take my own advice.

A few more minutes past as I sat thinking the worst had happened to my friends, until suddenly the bottom of the screen lit up on fire. The crowd began to scatter as more of the screen was engulfed in flames.

“Fuck.” I muttered under my breath, trying to decide what to do. “Okay come here.” I told Emmy picking her up, I knew I couldn’t leave her here alone but I wasn’t sure what I was about to walk into. “Close your eyes okay? Don’t open them until I say so.” I told her as I walked over to where I had seen all my friends go.

As I walked around behind the movie screen which had now been reduced to ashes, I could see Rafe and his goons running off and in front of me Pope, Kie and JJ were all laying on the grass. But I could see them all moving.

“Oh, thank you.” I mumbled, not entirely sure who I was thanking. Pope and Kie were sitting beside each other so I made my way over to JJ with Emmy still in my arms. With my free hand I helped him before pulling him into a hug.

“You’re squishing me!” Emmy called out from between us.

“Sorry Em.” I apologized, letting go of JJ and setting her down. “It’s okay, you can open your eyes.” I told her noticing that her eyes were still squeezed shut.

“Are you okay JJ?” Emmy asked, her voice quiet.

“Of course I am Princess.” He reassured her, scoping her up. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Izzie was swearing and I was worried when you and Pope left.” Emmy explained, ratting me out in the process.

“Iz, swearing in front of the Princess?” JJ asked, feigning a look of shock before he went back to talking to Emmy. “Come on let’s go get your stuff.”

I let out a sigh of relief before I followed the group back to where all of our stuff had been left. As I packed up my bag I heard JJ explaining to Emmy that it was all just a game that they were playing and that she didn’t have to worry about any of it. All I could do was hope she wouldn’t tell my Mom.

🔅🔆🔅

After dropping off the boys, Kie drove me and Emmy home. The drive was silent partially due to the fact that Emmy was passed out in the back seat and partially due to the fact that neither of us wanted to talk about what had just happened.

Once we had arrived I grabbed my bag before getting Emmy from the back seat. Kie unrolled the window to wave goodbye to me.

“Thank you.” I said to Kie with a smile. “For everything.”

“Of course, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She replied, waving as I made my way to the front door.

It wasn’t until I had closed the door behind me that I heard the tires of Kie’s car drive off. My Mom was sitting in the kitchen with a cup of tea reading by a candle when we got inside. I quickly went and put Emmy into her bed before I joined her.

“You two are home earlier than I thought, wasn’t it a double feature?” She asked me.

“Yeah, um some kids messed with the screen and they couldn’t play the second movie.” I explained, pulling her into a tight hug.

“You okay?” She asked concern laced through her words.

“Yeah I just missed you.” I said, pulling away.

“Okay.” She said not sounding entirely convinced.

“Goodnight.” I said before I walked out of the kitchen and into my room.

“Goodnight!” She called as I closed my door.

🔅🔆🔅

The next day the Pogues-minus John B, who no one had heard from-were gathered at Heyward’s discussing the events of last night.

“Don't let it get in your head. Three of them and two of us.” JJ reassured Pope, who was still on edge. “That's typical Kook shit right there.”

“Hey, Pope, someone here to see you.” Heyward interrupted, Deputy Shoupe trailing behind him.

“Evening, Officer.” Pope said, suddenly seeming even more on edge than before.

“I have an arrest warrant for felony destruction of property.” Shoupe told him blatantly. “Hands where I can see 'em.” He instructed beginning to cuff Pope. “Young lady, out of my way.” He said pushing past Kie as we all followed him outside.

“Whoa. Shoupe, what'd he do?” Heyward said, confused.

“Look at the warrant.”

“You're arresting him? You're just arresting my boy?”

“Be careful!” Kie shouted as Shoupe continued to read Pope his rights.

All of our voices seemed to mix together as I tried to figure out what was going on.

“It wasn't him!” JJ yelled over all of us, everyone else fell silent. “It was me. He tried to talk me out of it, but I was mad because he'd just been beaten up. I was so sick of those assholes from Figure Eight that I lost my shit. I can't let you take the blame for somethin' I did. You've got too much to lose.”

“JJ, what are you doing?” Pope asked and all of the sudden I realized what was going on and what they had been keeping from me.

“I'm tellin' the truth.” JJ explained, he was staring at me as if he wanted to say something more. “For once in my goddamn life, I'm gonna tell the truth. I took his old man's boat, too.”

“JJ, come on.” Pope tried to stop him.

“Just shut up, Pope!” JJ shouted. “Just shut up. He's a good kid. You know where I'm from.”

“Yeah.” Shoupe agreed.

“This was all me.”

“That's the whole truth?”

“Whole truth, swear to God.”

“I know what you think, damn it, I'm asking Pope.”

“Yeah, that about covers it.” Pope stated, as JJ nodded at him.

Shoupe sighed before uncuffing Pope and putting JJ into his car. I could hear Pope cursing from behind me as Kie and Heyward tried to calm him down. But all I could do was watch as the cop car drove off leaving me standing in the street, tears streaming down my face. Realizing I hadn’t even said goodbye.

🔅🔆🔅

#outerbanks #outer banks #jj maybank #jj obx #obx #jj x oc #jj maybank x oc #jj x reader #jj maybank x reader

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thedramaclubs · 3 years

Text

Zazz

Summery: shits going down after prom and if you’ve seen the musical/movie be prepared for a gay panic from Patton

Warning: does get a little heated with one of the ships, and of course homophobia in the beginning

Ships: Logicality, Prinxiety, demus/dukeceit

When singing

Janus-orange (tumblr doesn’t have yellow)

Patton-blue

Both- purple

A few days after prom and things are going crazy. On Monday after school the news went to James Madison high to interview the school and Mrs Greene about what happened. Mrs Greene was now being interviewed.

“I’ve been told to say something. The courts said that Patton would not be safe if we allows him to attend prom with the other students because the uncomfortable truth is there are some people in our community that are offended by his life choices. We thought this arrangement was the only course of action.”

Suddenly news reports ask so many questions

“Mrs Greene are you homophobic?” “Are you saying sexuality is a life choice?” Then she exclaimed “ This is uncomfortable for me! To be infront of a camera like this. To read horrible things about my town. And I am just a mother. I am not any kind of a spokes person and I love all the students at James Madison high as much as my own son.” She walks up to Logan who was watching his mom being interviewed. “We are in this situation because of a group of people, privilege people from New York!”

She sighed

“They are the villains. You should be writing about them not us.”

Back at Patton’s house he and Janus we’re watching the interview on his computer. Patton had been in his room for days hiding from it all. He wore his cat onesie that Logan got for him on their 1 year anniversary of being together. He wore it because he wanted to feel like Logan was giving him a hug and he wanted to feel like Logan was their with him.

“Ugh that women totally doesn’t make my skin crawl!”

“I can’t wrap my head around all this. This is a nightmare. I’ve never been so alone in my life.” Patton started to cry a little. Janus pulled him into a hug.

“Your not alone you have friends.”

“Yeah, well where are they?” At that moment, Remus, Thomas, Joan, and Roman came in.

“Hey, we brought Haagen dazs.”

“It’s fancy ice cream.” Thomas Said as he had the bag

“I know what Hagen dazs is hand it over.” Patton grabbed the bag out of Thomas’s hands and Remus sat on the bed next to Pat.

“Are you Okay?”

“I’m amazing, the whole world is talking, making it sound like I’m the one responsible for it but no one is talking the hate there’s just so much hate. There’s so much hate.........I’m gonna need more of this shit.” Patton got the ice cream open and started eating his cookies and cream. Remus then started talking.

“Listen I know you said you don’t want our help anymore but we can’t let them get away with this. That pta women who the hell does she think she is?! I want her to get run over by a bus!!!”

“She’s a monster that’s what!”

Remus inhaled to calm down “Joan what can we do?”

“I don’t know. She’s spun this whole thing herself to make her look like the victim she’s good if she didn’t shop at dress barn she could work in P.R.”

Roman was just standing in the corner but felt like he should say something and so he did.

“I know everybody’s angry but we have to face the facts. We made matters worse. So the best thing we can do is disinfect our things and go home.”

Everyone said at the same time “NO WE ARE NOT LEAVING!!”

“We are always not leaving!! Please I want to leave this horrible place”

“No we are staying here we gotta turn this thing around. We gotta take back the press!”

“But how darling?” Said Janus as he was still on the bed.

“Patton you gotta be the face of this story you gotta go on tv and show the real asshole is!”

“And that will give him a prom?”

“This isn’t about prom anymore. This is about right and wrong you know what you have to do this right.

“I don’t know what I know.” Patton continue eating the ice cream.

“We need a national audience....what about Jimmy Fallon?”

“I can’t just pop Jimmy Fallon out of my ass!!” Exclaimed Joan. “If we want an audience we gotta go big and to to go big we have to use that one call to Eddie Sharp!” Everyone was in agreement except for Roman “No I am not calling that basterd!!”

“Just ask for a favor!”

“If I ask him for something he will want something in return and what he will want is the hamptons house. He trying to get it for years. DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY DISNEY AND BROADWAY CRUISES I HAD TO PAY FOR THAT HOUSE!!!!! I would rather pluck my eyes out and put them in a vacuum and call that even!”

“If that will work just pluck your eyes out then!! *sigh* Joan just get the boy on tv. I don’t care if it’s a cut on family guy just do your magic.”

“Aye aye.” Joan left to try and get Patton on TV

“This is great.” Patton then decide to say something

“No not great. I’m sorry but their is no way I’m getting in front of a camera and telling my story. I cannot do that just no. Just accept it we lost deal with it.” Patton went to a corner and stood with his arms cross. Then Thomas came up with and idea.

“Ya know there might be a better way to rid of this community by extension of nation of this cancer of intolerance!” Everyone was dead silent

Eventually Remus asked “Why are you still here? I thought you had a tour?”

“Indianapolis was canceled and so was everywhere else. But I’m thinking feature forth and seek out the younger people and rap in a non musical sense. And soon understanding could lead to, dare I say it......love.” Thomas left and now there was Roman, Remus, Janus and Patton.

Patton turned around to see their faces and Remus broke the silence again “Listen kitty cat, I know this is hard but if you don’t do something, they will.”

At that moment Janus got an idea. “Don’t worry he’s got stage fright. I’ll talk to the kid.” Roman had already walked out leaving Remus and Janus outside the door.

“Are you sure about this Jannie?” Janus put his hand on Remus’s check and kissed him.

“Of course darling.” Said Janus very seductively. Remus couldn’t help himself he had been touch starved so and picked up Janus and pinned him against the wall.

“Damn why are you so hot?!” Remus passionately kiss the smaller man as Janus put his hands on Remus’s face pulling him in closer. Sadly, it came to an end because their was a another short man waiting for Remus.

“REMUS CMON!!” Remus put his husband down and gave him one last kiss “See you tonight Jan.” Remus left leaving him and Patton alone.

“You two really love each other huh?”

“Yeah I love him so much. He may be an idiot sometimes but, he’s my idiot.” Patton laughed a little then got back on track.

“Now before you lecture me or....kick me to death with those crazy Anatlope legs.....or whatever it is your gonna do, I know I should do something. I just can’t.” Janus walked back to the bed.

“Look kid, not everyone gets a chance to step out of the chorus. You gotta do this for all the those people who used to be gypsies.”

“I’m too scared.” He hid in the cat hoodie and Janus got an idea.

“Let me tell you a story. 1975 and the original company of “Chicago” was in previews. Suddenly the worst outbreak in history hit the cast and their down to the third cover for Roxie Heart and he’s scared just like you.” Patton took the hood off of his head to listen to the rest of the story.

“So, fosse was a real ball buster puttin him through a pain an he’s petrified. Even worse he’s performing the routine like a robot. So the boss pulls him aside and says “hey kid, snap out of it. You got the steps, you got the notes, but where’s the Zazz baby.”And although he had never heard that word before he knew exactly what it meant and he crushed that performance. The audience screaming bloody murdur.”

“And that boy was you?” Janus gave him a blank stare

“Yes it was me how fucking old fo you think I am!? It was 1975. But the point is every fosse boy knows that story. All about finding your inner strength.”

When a challenge lies ahead and you are filled with dread and worry

Give it some zazz

If your courage dissapers what’ll get you fears to scurry

Give it some zazz

Zazz is style plus confidence, it may seem corny or kitsch

But when scared or on the fence you’ll find that zazz will soon make fear become your bitch

And if folks say you can’t win what’ll will stop them in a hurry

Janus layed on the bed and kicked his leg up high that gave Patton a gay panic

Give it some zazz

There’s no contest for a boy who has some razzmatazz

So call their bluff

And strut your stuff

Like no chick in this hick town has

Instead of giving up

Give it some zazz

“I just don’t think I can do it. The thought of getting in front of all those people look at my hands their shaking”

“If your hands are shaking....”

Just turn’m into jazz hands

“Doesn’t that feel better?”

“No”

“Try this. Close your eyes.” Patton stood up and closed his eyes

“Zazz doesn’t just come out, it comes from within. Now think about Mrs Greene.” Patton put his hand across his face.

“Think about that fake prom!” He took his other hand and did jazz hands.

“Now think of finally doing something about it!” Patton started doing moves and it filled him and Janus with joy.

“Oh I’m seeing it! I’m seeing your Zazz! Now follow me!”

Do like the brave and bossy do

And if they tear you apart

Ask what would Bob Fosse do?

He’d make the people have a step ball change of heart

Ball change!!!

And if folks say you can’t win what’ll stop them in a hurry

Give it some zazz!!

There’s no contest for a boys who has some razzmatazz

So call their bluff BAM!

And strut my stuff BAM!

Like no chick in this hick town has

Instead of giving up

Give it some zazz

Now that you’ve found your zazz it’s time to show it to the world. You think you know how?

YEAH!!

People to tag @artissi-jam @patt-off @frogsandcookies @icantthinkofacreativeurl @actingonimpulse @purplestarrystars

I’m back!!!!

#sanders sides #livy writes #sanders sides the prom au #logicality #prinxiety #demus #dukeceit #patton sanders #janus sanders #remus sanders #roman sanders #c!thomas #ts joan

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brucewayneargento-moved · 3 years

Text

To All My Fathers (Chapter 1)

Fic also avaliable on Ao3

TW: EXPLICIT DEPICTIONS OF LIFE OF A LEUKEMIA/CANCER PATIENT

Damian had definitely decided he would not wear a fanny pack.

It didn’t matter that it was the most convenient and comfortable way to take a chemo pump iv from place to place. He’ll much rather attract attention with a backpack connected to a pump than to regress back to the eighties in the most horrendous fashion. Sure he might pick up unwanted attention from strangers but A) He could always stare at them back; B) He was past the time to care and C) He already didn’t have eyebrows so that was kind of a moot point.

The boy was currently seated at the med bed of the 666 room. (Drake had made several jokes about it, which Damian didn’t mind and in fact encouraged, because with his diagnosis came a morbid sense of humor and he was also glad at least one person still treated him like a human being). He was practicing violin while he could still hold it and also enjoying the fact that he was wearing actual comfortable clothes and not a paper robe that made his autism completely and utterly fucking lose it.

Some kids from the other rooms had come to see him perform and Damian loved to have an audience. Because he had an ego, not as much and not as evil as people usually thought, but still. Most of them were children younger than ten who just needed some entertainment that wasn’t a superhero.

“This was Ode To Joy by Bethoveen,” Damian explained. The three children around him applauded. When they stopped he could still hear hands clapping, he looked up and his eyes met his father’s.

Bruce came closer to him and the kids left after being called by a nurse. Boy and man looked at each other for a few seconds.

“Are you ready?” Bruce finally asked

Damian might have sounded insane if he said it outloud, but his father and Jon were very similar.

The blue eyes, the black hair and the fact that they both cried before or after entering a room with Damian in it, bonus points if he was being stabbed with a needle right at that moment, then you could see their eyes getting crystalized almost in slow motion.

And it’s not like Damian was annoyed by their emotions as one might have thought, it was more of a...sting, (man being stabbed with a needle on a daily basis was really taking a toll on him, wasn’t it?) like, something that hurt but it wasn’t enough for him to do anything about it more than to grit his teeth and power through it.

Numbness was apparently a common thing among patients. But Damian thought of himself as many stuff, but common wasn’t one of them

And perhaps his ego was the only thing keeping him optimistic, perhaps thinking that he was too special to die alone in a hospital room was what made him stronger against the whole GvHD thing.

Leslie had told him that he was lucky to find a donor that was relatively near, in Kansas nonetheless, home of Superman and. So now he had just to keep up with the program: L-asparaginase,dexamethasone and vincristine several times a day and wait.

Or at least that was the original plan.

“Yes.” he finally answered, standing up.

When all you receive in your life is gaslighting, you don’t even notice the medical gaslighting.

Maybe it was the whole “being indoctrinated since birth by an ecoterrorist death cult” thing but his ability to exercise his free will hadn’t been particularly developed.

The bruises? Vigilante stuff. The fever? Probably the flu. Weight loss? Maybe he had gotten a growth spurt that just made him seem thinner…He had to throw up blood to even be admitted into a hospital.

The Wayne-Head name allowed him the finest care probably ever known to man. "Nepotism: where you can die comfortably" that was an actual thing he had said while high on sedatives. He could only imagine his mother's face upon hearing it.

When he woke up both his parents were there. Damian could immediately tell something was wrong. His father was crying and his mother was stoic.

"Oh, ok, so I'm dying" He said, grabbing their attention. Both Talia and Bruce turn to look at him. Damian tried to sit and noticed his arm was cranked to an IV. "Oh, I'm actually dying."

"Do not speak like that." His mother warned him with a threatening voice. Bruce kept quiet but still with a face wet with tears.

Next to them there was a third person. She was an older woman with gray hair and glasses. Doctor Thompkins, his father's godmother. She went over to the medbed and sat on the foot. Damian crossed his arms. She was a smart woman but had the annoying habit of treating him like a perpetual child. Probably the closest thing he had to an actual grandmother.

"Damian," she fixed her glasses and looked at the clipboard she was holding. "Your blood count is in the 200.000 white cells."

Damian's eyes slightly widened, which covertly hid how much of a gut punch he just received.

"I can't have leukemia," he simply stated. There was a slight pained sound coming from his father's mouth which made Damian look him in the eye…that's how he knew it was true.

He started to grin which turned into a giggle which turned into a laugh.

Bruce and Talia looked at him with worry.

"Denial is very common," Leslie stated, trying to remain calm and also sooth Damian up. The teen kept laughing and then stopped to talk.

He had tears in his eyes. "I mean... so much for being an eugenics frankenstein monster, I've failed at even that."

The rest of that afternoon was a blur for him. Except for the being stabbed with needles on his spine parts, that one he remembered very well. Since he had such a high tolerance for pain, the fact that he was casually hurt was news to him.

Of course Dick had been the first one to enter the room.

Damian had hoped that he wasn’t but after all it made sense that he did, he was his Robin. He could imagine him punching a wall and screaming when he heard the news. That mental image didn’t upset him at all, clearly.

Damian was pretending to watch TV where his oldest brother entered the scene. He had prepared what he was going to say. How he was okay and how he was too stubborn to die anyways. But all of that went to hell when Dick entered the room and immediately ran up to hug him.

All of the walls he had been building up until now feel down hard. Damian just had to press his head against Dick’s shoulder for the tears to start running.

"I want a falafel."

They were in the hospital room after a particularly hard session of chemo. His brother was on a chair in front of him reading a book and not looking at him.

"You just threw up on my shoe," he reminded Damian.

"I'm here for a good time, not a long time"

Dick rolled his eyes, now accustomed to the fact that his sibling had developed a morbid sense of humor because of his condition. Right at that moment the door opened and Doctor Thompkins entered the room.

"How are we?" She asked.

"Great." Both responded almost robotically. Damian gagged.

"I wanted to talk to you, Dick, about the bone marrow transplant."

"Why not talk to me?" Damian intervened. "I'm the one whose blood isn't working."

"Because you're still a child," Dick answered as a matter of fact. And despite everything he was glad his older brother at least now had the courtesy of treating him like he had always done. "What's the prognosis, doc?"

"We're considering the umbilical cord transfusion." Leslie explained. "But you will have to ask my godson first.

"Why would he need to...wait...Selina's pregnant?!" Damian asked but then he threw up again. "That wasn't meant to signify my feelings on the matter."

Leslie continued. “But that will still take a few months and...I’m afraid we don’t have that much time.”

Damian pretended to gag and looked down at the bucket, all to avoid looking at Dick’s face.

“But the good news is that we found a match.”

Damian hadn’t even had time to think about that sentence before he blurted it out, but now it was there, out in the open. For everyone to hear.

“I want to have children.”

Everyone being an hyperbole since Alfred was the one who was actually there. His father had to go to patrol so the butler had the night shift to take care of Damian while at the hospital to which the boy was appreciative of. Except for this moment when he was mentally slapping himself for letting on too much. Side effects of being raised to be a killing machine.

“I...did not know that.” Alfred admitted. Up to twelve seconds ago he had been standing up listing the symptoms of chemo at Damian’s request since he didn’t trust Leslie to do it without sugarcoating it and his father might burst into tears in an attempt to do so. Damian had been listening attentively before Alfred mentioned that it was possible that he might wind up being infertile.

The boy simply turned around to the other side of the bed and sighed as tears left his eyes.

Dear Damian

I could not be more content that you are receiving the transplant that you so much need. I wish I could accompany you on the journey to Kansas, but sadly Lady Talia needs me to look out after Bialya...I wish you nothing but a rapid recovery. I implore you to remember that you are not alone in this, to remember that there is a plethora of people that adore you with all of their souls and that you will always have their help. Even when you do not want it.

Best Wishes

Ravi.

Damian looked at Alfred who glanced at him for a nanosecond in the mirror of the car. He knew he was the most active ally he had in this game. Since he not only advocated to his father for this trip to be possible but he also was the only person to always show his compassion in spite of if he actually deserved it or not. Bruce was next to him while Richard sat next to Damian and assesed his condition.

They stayed in comfortable silence in the car with only the sound of “dad music” on the radio for background noise. Damian allowed himself to close his eyes and to feel the soothing bounce of the car against the pavement on his skin...

They stopped suddenly after a while and Damian opened his eyes, he frowned in confusion as Alfred parked the car in front of the airport.

“What are we doing here?” he asked curiously.

Alfred turned around to look at him. “Your father , Master Richard and I thought It’ll be a good idea to fly in a friend of yours.”

Damian’s frown deepened. “A friend?”

Suddenly a tap was heard on the window. They both turned around to look at the front window. It was being slightly knocked on it by a man with a white cane and a bald head who was smiling at them.

“Ravi?” Damian rubbed his eyes and felt them watering up.

Damian knew that he could never make up to Ravi for being responsible for losing his vision. And he also knew that in spite of that the man would still love him unconditionally.

That could be proven easily by the letters that he had written to him when he found out about his diagnosis…

All his father figures were here, suddenly he felt an internal strength he hadn’t felt in a while.

#tw // cancer #tw cancer #tw: cancer #terminal illness #damian wayne #dick grayson #ravi #bruce wayne #alfred pennyworth #dc comics #batman #robin #nightwing #my post #my fic

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kazoo5480 · 3 years

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Emma wakes with Killian’s alarm, she rolls over, and kisses the underside of his jaw, he twitches, still deeply asleep. “Babe, wake up” she says smiling kissing up his neck. He groans, and rolls into her. “What time is it?” he asks yawning, 7, I have to go, work. See you for lunch?” He opens his eyes finally and takes her in, all sleep rumpled and gorgeous. Sighing “Aye, I’ll be by around 12” and she kisses him too quickly and stands to put on her clothes. “Love you” and runs out his door, and he lays there a minute, still waking up.

He sees the boxes stacked still in the corner and sighs. He pushes himself up, and into the shower, leaving Liam a note on the table, focusing on getting through the day. He grabs his skateboard and his backpack and heads out towards the gashouse and just focuses on moving and Emma, what he said to her last night and her so willingly accepting his words. It made him grin like an idiot, Liam might be leaving and starting his own adventure, but so was he. He still had his own adventure to seek, and school ahead, the fact that he was lucky enough to have Emma by his side was just the best kind of added bonus.

Emma rushes inside and up to her room showering quickly and throwing her uniform on. Her mom stood on the precipice of her bedroom watching the whirlwind of her daughter as she raced around. “Is Killian alright Sunshine?” and Emma stopped and looked at her mom and nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t expect to need to stay but I took one look at their life being boxed up, and he was so broken up mom. I can see his point of view, this was their first home after leaving their home, losing their mom, and with Liam leaving it is just a lot and he is processing, last night was just a bad night for him is all.” Ruth noticed the ring on her daughters right hand but didn’t say anything, if it were important, she would tell her, she always did.

Emma sat down her head in her hands and her mom sat next to her rubbing over her back, and Emma leaned into her mom. “He is lucky he has you Ems, and he has us, and we will all get through this all together. Maybe you could do something nice, rally the troops to help get his stuff moved, and I’ll even throw in for Pizza. I have Saturday off so I could help in the morning, unpack stuff while the guys do the heavy lofting and all that, see if Liam needs help too” and Emma smiled at her mom “that would be awesome, good idea” and she got up rolling her socks on and threw everything in her work duffle. “I gotta go, but I will see you later Mom” and she kissed her mom as Ruth called out to have a good day behind her.

Ruth sat there, and smiled, she raised really good kids, and though she missed her husband like mad sometimes, but she would wait a little longer to tell them, it was going to change a lot in their lives, and she didn’t want to add more on to their plates. Ruth had been seeing her oncologist weekly for months, treatment options were approaching, and Ruth sighed. Speaking aloud, “I’m not ready to leave them yet honey” she said to no one, and she quickly wiped the tears that began running down her cheeks. What she wasn’t aware of was her son standing in the doorway.

“Planning on going somewhere Ma?” and he looked at her taking in her sadness. Ruth was startled, and she looked at her son and the tears began falling quicker. “Come sit” she patted the spot next to her on Emma’s bed and David sat down, his hurt arm on the opposite side and he wrapped an arm around her waist. “Ma what is it?” he asked gently, and she sighed. “Breast Cancer” and David burst into tears tucking his face into his mother’s neck, hugging her as best as he could, and she held her boy, crying in her arms. “I just told your dad, I am not ready to leave yet, so that’s that” and David laughed a little as he sniffled, his tears still flowing. “How bad is it?” and she sighed, “I have options, chemotherapy, surgery. I chose to start Chemo next week, see how it goes” and David nodded.

“We will do everything mom, just tell me how to keep the family running” and she patted his cheek. “Well, I will need some help around the house, and the therapy makes you really sick, so I have been slowly building an arsenal of stuff I’m going to need, speaking with people in the treatment rooms while they go through it. I wanted to be prepared.” He nodded, “How long have you known?” “Six months. I found a lump and scheduled an appointment right away; we think we caught it early… but I am probably going to lose my hair” she said with a grim smile. David looked at her touching her soft blonde curls, so similar to Emma’s.

“Hair grows back, or we will find you some really amazing wigs, or you can totally rock a bald head” and she laughed and nodded. “The house will be fine, I have our savings, my pension with the hospital, we should be ok” and he nodded once. “Em and I will contribute everything we make to the savings; we should make a plan to tell her, and be ready with a plan, she always wants to see the long picture” and Ruth nodded. “We should make sure you both are on the bank account and the house deed.” David cut her off. “You aren’t going anywhere Ma” and she smiled, “Let’s just have a plan B, it would make me feel better” and he nodded.

“When do we tell Em?” he asked grimly, and she sighed, “I don’t know, but I think we should let Killian and her both get through the weekend, and then we will tell everyone. I have a feeling I am going to need each and every one of my kids to get us through this” and Dave nodded. “I’ll call a Sunday dinner, spread the word through Ruby, we never needed a reason before, so we should do it soon” and Ruth agreed. “I’ll make lasagna, and maybe a cake” and Dave looked at his mom, “It’s going to be ok Mom. I am not going anywhere, and me and Em, we can handle this, helping you. Our friends, they will be here too, you’re just going to have to be ok with people taking over to help you for a while, see how the treatment works, without fighting all of us” and she smiled. “How did I get so lucky to have two great kids?” and he smiled, “Because we have a great mom.” He held his mom a little longer until she got up and said she was going to get ready for work, and he nodded.

He sat there for a while, staring out the window, and begged his dad to leave their mom with them, to not take her too. His heart was shattered, and he couldn’t tell a soul, that was his mom’s personal choice to tell people, and even though it killed him, he wouldn’t tell Emma, they would tell her together. He knew the police academy was the right choice, it would pay good, he could live here with his mom, make sure she was taken care of, Emma had another year of school so she would be around, and lord knows all their friends would band together to keep their matriarch in one piece. He just had to have hope that it would all be ok. He walked to the phone and dialed Red, she picked up immediately. “Hey Rubes, Ma is calling Sunday dinner, everyone, 5 o clock” and she agreed and said she would track everyone down, not even asking why.

He could do this, he could handle this, and Emma was strong like Ruth, they could handle it. As much as he hated to agree, they needed a Plan B, Breast Cancer wasn’t exactly new but when it was your own mother, he decided he should start reading. Since he was off today, he went downstairs, and his mom kissed him goodbye before her shift, and he headed toward the library, asking for every single book, journal, and article they had on Breast Cancer, Astrid the librarian looked at him and nodded with a curious expression but said she would grab what she had, and begin collecting everything over the next few days for him. He thanked her and began reading.

Emma and M were both on the same shift today, and they weren’t crazy busy, so they had some downtime to talk. Emma asked about swapping shifts so that she could be helping Killian Saturday and M agreed of course and said she would help him Sunday too. Zelena came out and tacked up the schedule, waving good morning, and it turns out both Saturday and Sunday Emma had the morning shifts, and would be off by 3, so M didn’t mind at all that she took her Saturday shift if Emma took her following Sunday afternoon shift for her, Emma agreed right away. They chitchatted, and a few cars came in, but by lunch they were starting to get packed. Emma was zipping around on her skates doling out orders for two hours straight, and Killian still hadn’t shown up. Maybe he was busy too she thought.

Ruby called a while later to Rae’s telling M that Ruth was calling for Sunday Dinner, and Dave had called Ruby to round them all up, Emma laughed, eating her grilled cheese as M talked to Ruby, she could have done that, but he was right, Ruby was like a one-woman telephone tree. Emma just assumed her mom wanted Killian to have support since Liam was leaving Friday, and now Elsa too. Emma told M to eat, and she was about to skate out as Killian walked in closer to 1. “Sorry, we were packed, and without Dave it was just me today” and she nodded and kissed him, “Sit, I will be right back” and skated out. Killian parked himself next to M and she was scarfing down her food. “You know no one is going to steal that from you M” and she laughed.

“Sorry, but we just had a huge rush, I am starving, you missed Emma inhaling her food a few minutes ago” and he smiled. “Eat, I am just placing a carry out, and she threw him her pad to write his order on. She got up and skated around the counter throwing it on the counter for the kitchen and tossed her plate into the dish bin. “It will be up in a few” and skated out, her brunette hair blowing out behind her. He shook his head, they worked really hard, and honestly, he was grateful because this obviously contributed to Emma’s outstanding legs. Speaking of which, she skated in and into his arms and he caught her. “Hi” she said, and he kissed her. “Do you want something?” and he told her he had a carry out coming. Emma told him Sunday dinner and he nodded, and “order up” came and Emma skated to grab his bag. “What time are you off again?” she asked, “Looks like later, 530 or so” and she nodded. “See you tonight?” and he nodded, Ill head over after I go home and shower. She nodded, “Love you” and he kissed her hard. “See you tonight” and she smiled as he walked out, food in hand.

David closed the last book and popped a few journals and the legal pad he had taken copious notes on and headed towards the car. He looked at his watch, both Emma and his mom would be home soon, so he wanted to make sure dinner was ready and, on the table, when they both got in. Tonight, was going to be rough on them all, and he decided to swing by the gashouse on his way home. Spotting Killian, he waved with his good hand, “Hey, shouldn’t you be resting?” Jones said to him and he nodded, “I am. I need you to come to our house tonight, I know you are busy, but actually Liam and Elsa should come too for dinner.

Killian nodded, “Ill track Liam down, what’s up? Em said Sunday dinner, but tonight?” And David sighed, “Can you make dinner? Or be there after dinner?” Killian looked nervous, “Dave” and put a hand on his good shoulder, and Dave shook his head. “Tonight?” And Killian nodded, “Emma?” “Is going to need you. But I gotta go” and he booked it out of there leaving a confused and very worried Killian in his wake. Killian lifted the phone dialing the docks, and got Liam to agree to dinner, said he would meet him there at 6, Elsa was working though, and Killian couldn’t tell him why because he honestly didn’t know, and by Emma’s demeanor today he would bet that she didn’t either.

After his shift he rushed home, and showered, changing, and throwing in clothes for good measure in case, and skated towards the Nolan’s like a fire was under his ass. Ruth walked in to find her son tossing a salad, and stir fry going on the stove. “Someone has been busy” she said to her son, as she looked over his notepad, and he snatched it out her hands. “I did some reading, wanted to be prepared” and Ruth hugged her son. “We are telling Emma tonight, I asked Killian and Liam to come over, no one else. But Emma is going to need the support, and with Liam leaving he has a right to know” and Ruth looked sad. “I didn’t want those boys to worry” and Dave nodded, but said “Ems going to need Killian just as much as I need M and you need all of us. We are a family, and I didn’t know if you wanted M to know or not yet, so I haven’t said a word to her, and didn’t ask her to come tonight.” Ruth nodded, “You should call her, I don’t want you keeping my secret from her” and he walked to the phone calling.

Ruth headed into her bedroom and changed into a floral sundress that she loved and combed her long hair back. She needed to be strong for her kids, for herself. She knew David was right, they needed to involve those closest to them first, and she headed into the kitchen to help her son with dinner, since they were expecting more people now. Dave banished her to the porch swing, and she hated being bossed around but she had to let her son come to terms with this, and if bossing people around and making her sit and read was punishment, she would be a glutton for it. Emma’s yellow bus rolled in and she hopped out, M with her, hearing her in the kitchen, and heard her daughters footsteps up the stairs. M and Dave came out to sit with her, and Emma came down a few moments later, her long blonde curls drying and a smile on her face. “Dave said dinner tonight, and Sunday. What’s going on?”

She watched her mom school her features, Emma did the same thing when she was upset or had a secret. Killian rolled up on his skateboard, and Emma was surprised but not, Killian looked nervous as he approached their porch and sat on an empty seat. M moved to an empty chair beside him, and Emma moved to the swing with her mom and Dave. Dave nodded at Ruth, and Emma’s mom clasped her hand and Dave’s good one.

“We asked you here because we have something to tell you, and because you two are the most important people in their lives, it’s going to take us all as a family to get through this, together” Ruth said swallowing. Dave produced a box of tissue from somewhere and handed one to his mom. “Mommy?” Emma said, and Ruth patted Emma’s cheek. “I’m sick Sunshine, Breast Cancer” and looked grim. Emma gasped, her lip trembled, and tears began to pour. She hugged her mom tightly, Killian and M held hands and they watched the three hold each other and cry, Killian now understanding why Dave wouldn’t tell him, it wasn’t his news to share.

Killian knelt in front of the three of them, pulling M with him and he rubbed Emma’s leg in reassurance, but she didn’t take her eyes off her mom. “Whatever you need, I’ll help” Killian said, and Ruth smiled at him. “Tell me everything” Emma said, and Ruth did, telling them all, and Dave chimed in with what he found at the library. M and Killian excused themselves to allow them privacy for a moment, and to go get dinner off the stove, and wrapped each other in a tight hug. “Ruth is tough, she will be ok” M said to Killian and he nodded, “it won’t be like it was with your mom Jones, if they caught it early enough…” and he gripped his friend tighter nodding. “Help me get this on the table” and he followed the small brunette around, lost in his thoughts.

Emma was reeling, “How long did you know” she nailed Dave with a glare. “Just this morning sunshine, don’t be mad at your brother, he caught me in a weak moment right after you left, and I just spilled it” she laughed lightly. “It isn’t funny” Emma said to her mom, and her mom wiped the tear tracks off her daughters cheeks. “I am going to be ok, treatment and maybe a surgery, but like I told your brother, I told dad this morning I wasn’t leaving and that’s that” and Emma nodded wanting to be alone. She got up off the porch, and walked around to the bus, grabbing her spare key, and backed out of the driveway and pulled out, her mom and brother looking confused, but she saw her mom pull Dave down as he tried to stand. “Emma” he yelled, and she took off, heading toward the beach.

Killian heard them call Emma’s name and saw the bus gone. He ran to the front steps, “Where did she go?” and Ruth sighed, “the place she always goes when she needs to be alone” and stood patting his cheek. “Come on, let’s get supper on the table, and start eating, is Liam coming?” and Killian nodded. “I should…” and Ruth looked at him, “Let her be, if she isn’t back before dark, you can go get her, drag her back. I expected this, Emma is like the wind, temperamental and strong, I knew she would need a moment to process it, and I am not going to deny her that and neither are any of you” and he nodded in understanding, wanting to support his love and hold her like she held him. He also knew when Emma took off, she needed it and meant it. Liam showed up a few moments later, and as they ate, Ruth told Liam who immediately knelt at her side crushing her in a hug. It was a very emotional dinner, and his thoughts were entirely on Emma as he sat there with her family processing this monumental news and wishing he could take her pain away and looking at her mother, their surrogate mother and wanting to take her illness away.

Emma threw her suit on, and grabbed her board, stalking down the pier, dropping her stuff in a pile and went into the water. The sun was orange and pink, and purples, the waves calm as she laid on her board looking at the sky, sobbing. She was furious at god, or whoever was out there for doing this, they had already lost their dad, and what if her mom didn’t come out of this. God, the tears rolled down her face and she just let her heart crack wide open, and the tears fall into the ocean as it rolled over her skin. She sat up and paddled, having drifted and the sky was getting darker. She went to the shore, and saw Killian sitting, her stuff in his lap. He handed her the towel as she dropped her board and she crawled into his lap and he held her as she cried softly, soothing her, and smoothing her hair until she had let it all out. “Come on angel, let’s get you home” and he grabbed her stuff and led her to the bus driving her back home.

Ruth was on the porch reading, Dave and M in the house watching TV. Liam had hugged her goodbye after dinner, and promised to stop by before he left, and Killian had finally run off to the beach to drag Emma home. It was full dark now and she saw the bus pull in and park at the end of the driveway. Emma hopped out, her wet bathing suit, her eyes red, and Killian kissed her forehead sending her up the front walk while he moved the bus into the backyard. Emma looked up at her mom and came to sit next to her, Ruth holding her tightly and kissing her hair. “I’m sorry” Emma said quietly, and Ruth shushed her. “I know you sunshine, you needed time.” Emma hugged her mom fiercely, “do you think it will work?” and Ruth nodded against her daughters head, “I really do sunshine, I really do. But I am tired, and I am sure you are too. Let’s head in, ok?”

Emma nodded and helped her mom up, and Dave got up and crushed Emma to his good side, “You can’t just leave in the dark, no more. No surfing after sundown Em” and she looked up at him and nodded. “I can’t be worried about you out there, and her here. I need you to be here Em, I need you.” Emma kissed his cheek and noticed Killian, Dave looked at him “When I am not here, she is your responsibility.” “I’m not a child Dave! Killian has his own life, same as you and M, and Liam. All of us. I can take care of myself, but I said I wouldn’t go after dark anymore” she said petulantly. Dave softened, and looked at Killian and Emma, “Well if you’re at the beach after dark, it’s never alone. If I am not there, he is” and Killian nods “I got it Dave” and he grabbed Emma’s hand and led her up to her room. He could feel the emotion rolling off of Emma in waves, she needed grounding and he walked up to her and grabbed her hand rubbing the ring. “I’m your anchor too Em. Let me be, let me in” and she nodded, and he hugged her tightly.

Emma went to the shower and rinsed off. She didn’t bother with clothes and Killian wasn’t surprised when she crawled into bed and curled herself around him. She needed him, just as he did the night before from her, so he rolled her and slid his boxers off. He quietly made love to Emma, silencing her moans with his mouth, and kissed her tears away until they were spent. “Ems, nightgown” he said into her hair and she grabbed it off the end of her bed and pulled it on, and he pulled on his boxers and tee shirt. Emma laid her head on his chest and fell asleep. Killian laid there a while, the crickets out her window, the wind blowing in and thought back to what Ruth said, when she offered for him to be here. Maybe now he should be, for Ruth, for Emma, for Dave. He would talk to Ruth tomorrow, and drifted off to sleep.

He crept out of Emma’s bed, her still sound asleep and put on his clothes, making a pot of coffee. Ruth came in a few minutes later, not surprised to see him. “Morning” she said, and Killian handed her a cup, and she smiled. “You knew the day of the competition, when you said no matter what that I am allowed here whenever I wanted, night, day, if I chose to be, and that you were ok with it. You meant this, didn’t you Ruth?” and she looked at him quietly, and nodded. “I thought maybe you being here would help me, it would help you avoid renting a place, and I am sick. Dave and Em can’t do it all on their own all the time, but I wanted you to know you could be here as much as you wanted honey. Losing your mom, I thought you might want to be here more for Em and Dave, me too.”

He nodded, “I do, but living with you guys is one thing, I moved closer, so I am around the corner, but into your home might be a little much for now. But I will be here every day, we can schedule your treatments around our work and school schedules, so that one of us is always here with you in the house. I assume that’s what the family dinner Sunday is for? To tell the whole tribe?” and she nods and smiles. “I have an army of kids, I figured Dave was right and letting them help as much as they can or want to.” Killian smiles at her, “It’s going to be ok Ruth, I just have a feeling.”

“Is it the same kind of feeling that you had when you put that ring on my daughter?” She cocks her head to side smiling. He blushes, “It wasn’t a proposal Ruth, god I would never do that without asking you or Dave, both of you. I made a promise to Emma is all, a promise to be here as long as she wants me to be.” Ruth nods, “okay. No proposals until college, alright? And no grandbabies either until she is done with nursing school” and Killian pales, letting out a shaky laugh. “Understood.” Ruth stands, “I am heading to work, so I will see you guys later, let the kids know I’ll be home around 4” and she kissed his hair and headed towards her room.

Killian finished his coffee and went to wake Emma, knowing she had to work but Dave headed him off at the steps. “Morning” Killian said, and Dave eyed him. “Sleeping over again Jones?” He nodded, I could lie and say it won’t be a regular thing, but your mom asked me to be here more, for Em, for you, for her. So, is that going to be a problem?” Dave looked at him and shook his head. “Just make sure you have clothes on, alright?” and Killian laughed and nodded. “I am heading to work, was going to wake Emma up before I head home” and Dave nodded. “See you later roomie” Killian taunted and laughed while Dave glared at him. “Still my sister man” and Killian ignored him still laughing.

He ran his fingers up Emma’s spine, her curls dried in a wild blonde tangle, and she looked so peaceful. “Em” he said kissing her cheek, and she stirred. “Hmmmm” “I’ve got to get to work, I’ll see you later love” and she peeked her eyes open and puckered her lips, and he kissed her soundly. “love you” she said sleepily, and he agreed. “Bye” and he grabbed his backpack heading home. Liam and Elsa were drinking coffee when he walked in, and Liam greeted him, Elsa coming to hug him.

“How are you, are the Nolan’s ok?” and he nodded. “As well as can be expected” he said leaning against the counter. “I am glad she told me” Liam said quietly. “I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself if we left and got a call, I wish I could stay to help her, return the kindness she has shown us since the day she met us” he said looking down at his hands. Killian came and clapped his hands on his brothers shoulders and kissed his head. “I’ll be doing that; you just focus on staying in one piece for us. But I have to get to work, dinner tonight, packing?” And Liam nodded. I’ll be home around 4, so I’ll just be boxing here, maybe I can help you take a few things to your new place, you have the keys, right?” and Killian nodded. “Alright, I will see you later. Bye Elsa” and he went to shower quickly and head off to work.

@captainswanouat @captainswoon @captain-swan-coffee @ao3feed-cs @kmomof4 @onceuponadaily @itsfabianadocarmo @lieutenantswan @kymbersmith-90 @killiansprincss @mrs-emma-swan-jones @hollyethecurious

@stahlop @hookedonkillianforlife87 @holdingoutforapiratehero

@jrob64 @teamhook @purplehawkcaptain @sals86 @killiancomeback2me @killiansprincss @karlyfr13s @myfearless-love @resident-of-storybrooke

@thesschesthair @the-captains-ayebrows @jonesfandomfanatic @laschatzi @tiganasummertree @donteattheappleshook @purplehawkcaptain

#emma swan #once upon a time #killian jones #ouat au

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mickmarstookmyheart · 4 years

Text

Skylar

Summary: What can I say? Prepare tissues.

A new era for Mötley Crüe. A new era for Vince Neil. At least every cloud has a silver lining. Maybe he lost the Crüe, but he had Neil, Elizabeth, and little Skylar. A couple of years had passed since he left the Crüe and hardly anyone called him or asked about his whereabouts. Except you. You had a conversation almost every other week, also met once or twice a month. It was good to hear about him and his children. You tried to convince him about to come back but he refused. Although, once you almost managed to, but the boys already found another singer.

"What are you doing today, babe?" Mick asked while packing his stuff in the bedroom. They started to do the new album and they will most likely spend one or two days there.

"Do the shopping then maybe meet Heather and have a girl night." You shrugged. You exactly where you will go, you just still didn't want to tell him. He didn't need to know yet.

"Sounds good. Give my regards to her." He stepped in front of you, placed his hands on your hips, and pulled closer to him.

"Promise me that you will rest, alright?" You asked him looking him in the eye.

"I promise." He pecked your lips and pulled you in a big hug. You smelled in his scent from his hair. "Are you sure you don't want to come? I'm sure they won't mind."

"Yeah. I have some other things to do but I will drop in, okay?"

"Okay." He gave you a last kiss and headed towards the car. You waited by the window until he left and you couldn't see the car, then you picked up the car keys and sat in your car. You had butterflies in your stomach from the excitement and about the whole situation. You gripped the wheel strongly and took a deep breath.

After you got to the hospital, cause that's where you needed to be, you parked the car and walked to the reception. You asked where is the doctor and nervously stepped in the elevator. When you left the lift you saw Sharise in the corridor, she had her face covered with her hands. You rushed to her and kneel in front of her.

"Sharise, hey what is it?" You placed your hand on her knees and squeezed it.

"(Y/N)? What are you doing here?" She sniffed. She wiped away her tears still she was shaking like a leaf.

"Doesn't matter. What happened?" You didn't talk with her, to be honest, you hadn't spoken to her since 1991 but it was heartbreaking to see her like this. "Sharise, you need to tell me! Is it about Vince? Or the children?" She didn't look at you just continued whimpering. You sighed. "Please, just tell me."

"It's... it's about Skylar." She finally spoke up. You felt your heart racing that something really bad happened to your niece.

"What happened to her?" You asked her nervously. You adored that little girl and would do anything to save that angel.

"She had a stomachache recently, but I thought she had a flue or something." She sobbed. "Then it got worse and..and she has cancer." Tears flooded down her cheek, you sat beside her and hugged her tightly. You couldn't say a word. There was a knot in your throat which made even breathing hard. She snuggled in the crook of your neck and let out everything. "It's my fault. If I didn't do those thing she might have..."

"Sharise, stop. Don't blame yourself. It could've happened to anyone. Stop degrading yourself." You hushed. You stroke your fingers in her hair to calm her which she accepted gladly. You gulped. When you set off from home you thought it would be a happy day with great news. But hearing this, you thought maybe having a child isn't the best idea after all. You were scared. This could happen to your still unborn child, too.

After she calmed down you left her there a bit to cancel your appointment at the doctor's and help Sharise in everything. Your baby could wait.

"Does Vince know?" You asked her.

"No, I haven't told him yet. I just got the news when you arrived." She said cleaning her face with a tissue.

"You want me to call him? Or get him by car?" You offered with a sad smile. She didn't say anything just nodded gratefully. You sighed and got up, looking for a phone. You dialed his number and waited. Waited and waited. After a few minutes, you tried again when he finally picked it up.

"Yap?"

"Vince, it's me, (Y/N)." You said.

"Hey, what's up?" You were sure he was smirking on the other side. But it was no time for that.

"Where are you?" You asked seriously.

"Umm, at home I guess. What is it? Did something happen?" You hesitated. "(Y/N), I can hear from your voice."

"It's about Skylar. I will go pick you up, a few minutes, and I will be there." With that, you hung up and ran down to your car. You didn't want Vince to drive in his state. You were devastated, too, but it was harder for him. You drove at a quite high speed to got there as soon as possible. Vince was already walking in front of his house kicking into some stones.

"Hey." You greeted him while he sat in the front seat beside you.

"(Y/N), what happened to her?" He asked angrily. You bit down your lip and told him everything you knew.

∆

It seemed ages until you waited there. You and Sharise were sitting on the seats whereas the singer was walking around restless.

"Why they don't let me see her?" He ranted.

"Vinnie, calm down. We want to see her just as bad as you." You tried your best to sound calm. At the same moment, the door opened and the nurse and the doctor exited the room.

"When can I go in?" He asked the doctor.

"In a couple of minutes, sir, don't worry."

"Don't worry? Are you serious? My daughter has cancer! How I supposed to not worry?" He cried.

"I'm sorry. Who is the mother?" He turned to you and Sharise. Sharise stood up. "Miss, can I ask a few questions?"

"Sure." She said rubbing her plan in her pants.

"Until then, you and he can visit Skylar." He said gesturing at Vince.

"Thank you, doc. Vince, come!" You called for him and cautiously opened the door.

"Well hello, Skylar baby." You greeted her. Your heart broke seeing like this. She was pale and was so many machines beside her bed you couldn't even see her properly. You felt tears running down your cheeks but kept the bright smile on your face.

"Auntie? Why are you here?" She asked happily. So she felt better than looking. Good to hear that.

"To see you, darling. I missed you." You walked over to her and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

∆

Mick was sitting on the couch and was dealing with his guitar. They announced an hour break finally so he could rest as promised. It was almost night and you haven't made an appearance yet. Maybe this girl night was happening and you had a great time. He was glad that you were happy with friends, at least you were happy. Sure he liked you, you were the reason he was alive. You were the only hope in his life, but he felt guilty for having you. You were such a great and beautiful woman he couldn't believe you liked him.

When they finished a couple of songs, and John wanted to go home, Mick also felt the urge to see you and to have a rest. When he said goodbye to Tommy and Nikki he stepped in the street and approached his car. He stopped when he saw your car there, too. He narrowed his eyebrows and looked in the car. He saw you sitting there, your forehead on the wheel. His heart skipped a beat.

"(Y/N), hey, what are you doing here? It's freezing in here." You lift your head when you heard the noise. He placed his hand on your hand then your back.

"I'm sorry." You sniffed. You hated to cry in front of him. Or just anyone else. "I thought I would wait here, I didn't want to interrupt anything."

"You never bother us, you know that. Oh, come here." He pulled you close and placed a kiss on the top of your head. "Were you crying?"

"No, just somebody spit in my eyes."

"(Y/N)!"

"Of course I was crying, damn."

"Did you watch a romantic movie with Heather or what?" He tried to cheer you up. He hated seeing you cry or just sad.

"Yes. It was a heartbreaking movie. The sad thing that it was based on a true story. And I wouldn't necessarily say it was a romantic movie. More like drama." He looked at you questioning. He didn't think it was this serious. You know he wanted to know but he didn't want to upset you again.

"So I was in the hospital and I was..."

"What were you doing, there? Are you sick." He asked with wide eyes.

"No. And that's the least important thing now. So when I was there I saw Sharise. And she told me that...that Skylar is sick. She has a tumor in her belly." You sniffed. You looked down and played with your soaking wet tissue. "So I want my compensation and money back. I hated this movie."

"Goddamn. I'm so sorry. If I had known I would visit you there."

"You didn't know. And things happened so fast I couldn't even think about anything else just when Skylar went to sleep and the doctor told me to leave the building. And then I came here."

"Then let's go home. Or if you want, we can break into the hospital to see Skylar." He joked.

"No, I think it has been quite an exciting day already." You smiled taking his hand.

"Then let's go home."

∆

Nightmares after nightmares. Well, even if you managed to sleep. You were constantly rolling in the bed and couldn't get Skylar out of your head. Poor little thing. You put your hand on your belly and sat up so you were sitting on the edge of the bed. When you felt the urge to vomit you quickly rushed to the restroom.

"Are you okay?" Mick asked sleepily when you got back to bed. Maybe it was the time to tell him. Surely not the best time but you needed to tell him. It was his right to know.

"No. I mean yes but I think it's normal in my condition." You smiled. Mick raised his eyebrows understanding the situation.

"Are you pregnant?" He asked happily. You nodded and Mick cupped your face and place a kiss on your lips. "We are gonna have a baby." He whispered placing his hand on your still flat stomach.

"That's why I was in the hospital. I wanted to be sure that everything is alright." You leaned your head on his shoulder and put your hands on his. "But I would like to remain this a secret, okay? Not because I'm not happy about it, just I want everyone's attention on Skylar right now. I don't want to be a distraction."

"Sure, good idea. But I'm not sure how long I can hide my happiness. Those bastards will notice it."

"Then be strong and put your usual grumpy face on, please. Do that for me."

"I will try." He said with the biggest smile on his face you have ever seen.

∆

Weeks passed and it was harder and harder to hide Mick's face and also your belly from the others. You visited your niece every day now, and you always found either Sharise or Vince there with her.

"Good morning, monkey." You said while you stepped into the room. To your surprise, only Vince stood in the room by the window. "Oh, I thought Skylar was here, too." You closed the door and put your coat on the hanger. You stood beside him and handed him a cup of coffee.

"Thanks." He looked at you gratefully. He took a sip from his coffee and then he quickly looked back at you. "You need to eat more salad and quit eating that much, (Y/N). You put on some weights."

"Look who is talking. You know if you have to eat instead of two you will have a big belly." He still didn't get it.

"Mick is not eating or what?" You sighed and rubbed your belly. "Holy shit. Are you with child?" He finally understood it.

"Yeah. But don't get too excited. We need to focus on your daughter right now." You said. "Anyway, how Elizabeth and Neil accepted it? Or do they know?"

"They do know but they are still children. They don't feel the weight of it."

"Are you sure?" He was insecure about it. He felt terrible for not visiting his children, but he needed to be here.

"Speaking of, did you tell the boys yet?" He asked gripping the cup in his hand.

"No, only Mick. But he won't tell them, his mind is a bit occupied now with the album and...about her." You rubbed your belly.

"Is it a girl?" He asked smirking. Finally, a smile which you didn't see in a while. You nodded smiling. "Congratulations, (Y/N)."

"Thanks." After a few minutes, some nurses brought Skylar in. She was still sleeping from the operation so you sat down beside her. When Vince noticed you fell asleep he put a blanket on you and sat back to his chair waiting for her daughter to wake up.

∆

"Are you going to see Skylar?" Mick asked when he helped you tie your shoelaces.

"Yeah, you coming?"

"Yes. I want to see my niece and maybe have a talk with Vince. He is getting worse but I'm trying to beside him, even if we don't play together. He needs someone to rely on."

"You are great. How do I even deserve you?" You cupped his face and pecked him on the lips.

"I can ask the same." He said rubbing your big belly. "Are you ready young lady?" He asked your daughter while gently pressing his ear on your stomach. "I think she is ready. She kicked my face so that supposed to be a yes." You hummed feeling your little warrior having a dance party in you.

∆

"Hey, Vinnie, we are here." Mick opened the door for you and you stepped in. Your heart broke when you saw Skylar crying along with Vince. You tightened your jaw and tried to smile, but you failed. "Hello, Skylar. How are we feeling today?" You took the girl's little hand in yours, sniffing.

"Bad. My tummy hurts. Can you stop it, please?" You closed your eyes and took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, honey. But these doctors are here to heal you. They learned much better at school so they can help you, darling."

"Did they always do the homework?" She asked. A slight smile appeared on her chubby face. She looked horrible. She had as dark circles under her eyes as Mick's hair yet she was pale as a vampire. Her hands were cold but that shine in her eyes was still there.

"Yeah, they did. Unlike me. I was quite a lazy one." You smiled.

"Still are," Mick said with a smirk on his lips.

"Thanks. Vinnie, you can go if you want, we will be here with her." You told the singer who calmed down a bit. He cleared his throat and turned to Mick.

"Can we talk?" He asked Mick who looked surprised but nodded and left the room.

"Are you okay?" Mick asked rubbing the singer's back while sitting in the corridor.

"She told me that...she told me not to let to cut her again. She begged me, Mick. I..I can't do this anymore. I can't hold her down anymore while the doctors make her sleep. I just can't." He said placing his hands on his face. Mick sighed and he was proud of Vince. He respected him in every way. He was beside his daughter no matter what.

"I'm here for you, Vince. I know that things happened and I can't undo them, but you can always rely on me, also (Y/N). And I'm sure Tommy and Nikki feel the same even if they don't know about Skylar."

"Thank you, Mick. I can't believe you willingly help me. So you didn't tell them?"

"No. I didn't know if you want to tell them. So I didn't say a word."

"I think it's the best," Vince said while glancing at his ex-bandmate.

∆

15 August 1995

She is gone. Skylar's system gave up in the morning after months of fighting. She was laying in the bed, her little face finally in a calm position. She looked like if she was just sleeping. But you knew she wasn't. She will never wake up.

Mick held by your waist while you took Vince's hand and held it strongly. On the other side of the bed, Sharise and her family were watching the little body with sadness. Tears flooded down your cheek and you felt a knot in your throat. You couldn't say a word. Just stood there supporting each other.

After Sharise left the room and you felt dizzy a bit you asked Vince if he needs anything but he just shrugged. You didn't want to leave him there but you weren't really well. Your head was pounding and was truly exhausted.

"Are you sure you don't want a doctor to see you?" Mick asked still near the hospital.

"Yeah, just tired. Today just took all my energy away, don't worry." You told him sadly.

∆

A week after Skylar's funeral, you were already in the hospital. Your little girl was eager to come to this world.

"How is she?" Nikki yelled running in the corridor when he heard that you got there.

"I don't know, bassist! How do I need to know?" Mick snapped pulling his hair from the stress. He couldn't be there with you.

"Alright, chill," Nikki said while taking a seat next to Tommy, Heather, and Doc.

"Don't worry, Mick. I'm sure she is okay." Doc said with an encouraging smile.

All of them turned to the door when a nurse exited the room.

"Mr. Mars you can come in." She said happily.

"And we?" Tommy asked.

"You need to stay here for a bit."

"That's so unfair." Tommy pouted and crossed his arms.

Mick relieved when he saw you with your daughter in your arms. He approached the bed and placed a kiss on your sweaty forehead.

"Hey, darling. You are so beautiful." Mick whispered to your newborn baby.

"Indeed she is."

After a few minutes, they took your daughter to clean up.

"Hey, (Y/N)," Nikki said grinning.

"Omg, she looks so cute," Heather said admiring your daughter.

"And what's her name?" Tommy asked curiously.

"Everyone, come and greet, Hanna Skylar Mars." You announced.

Tags: @leatherandheels

#motley crue #nikki sixx #vince neil #80srock #tommy lee #80s music #mick mars #rocknroll #glam rock #mick mars x reader #mick mars imagine #motley crue x reader #motley crue imagine #skylar neil

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surveys-at-your-service · 3 years

Text

Survey #361

“the world is a vampire, sent to drain”

Have you ever been through a phase of thinking emo guys were hot? A phase? Hunny, they're still hot lmao. Have you ever dated someone that could play an instrument? Yeah. Juan could play guitar, and Girt played I think the tuba in band. What’s so horrible about wearing leggings like pants? I've actually never understood why people freak about this. Like so long as they're not sheer and fit you fine, why exactly is this a problem...? Weirdest picture you’ve ever taken of yourself? Oh dear. When someone claims to be suicidal, do you take them seriously? FUCK you if you don't. Honest to god, fuck you. This is NOT something you just don't even blink at. Even if it's surprising to hear from that person, you take that shit seriously and try to talk to them about it. Ever been kicked out of anywhere? Colleen's house. Ever had Skittles vodka? No, but that shit sounds good. Ever punched someone in the face? No. If you haven’t, do you want to now? Uh, I'll pass. Do you truly HATE anyone? No one I know personally, but people like rapists, pedophiles, etc., I sure as hell do hate them. Most historical/famous landmark/building you’ve been to in your country? No clue. Favorite flavor for most things? Strawberry, watermelon, or blue raspberry, depending on what the thing is. Ever taken pictures in a photobooth? Who with? Yeah: Summer, Jason, and I'm pretty sure Sara and I did? What is the closest book to you? It's a full collection of Poe's poetry that Mom got me. Are you reading it or someone else? I'm not right now. I may eventually. Milkshakes or Sundaes? Hm, I gotta go with milkshakes. Do you like watermelons more or cherries? I'm not a fan of either, but I'd definitely pick watermelons over cherries. Who was the last person you ate with? My family and I went to Ichiban (a Japanese steakhouse that we have here where they cook directly in front of you) yesterday to celebrate Nicole's graduation. Do you prefer broccoli or asparagus? Broccoli. I hate asparagus. Do you have any bug bites? No. Do you have any flowers in your room? No. Do you know anyone that owns horses? Loosely, anyway. It's a family I took pictures for, and I still have the mother on Facebook. When you were little, did you ever go to feed the ducks? Yes, I LOVED doing that. Don't feed ducks bread, by the way. Have you seen any of the seven wonders of the world in person? No. Have you ever won anything out of one of those crane machines? Yeah. Can you remember being taught how to ride a bike? Was it hard for you? Yeah. I don't THINK it was too hard. Did you get carded the last time you ordered an alcoholic drink? No. Do you know anyone who uses medical marijuana? No, it's not legal here. Do you know anyone who’s died in childbirth? No. Which was the worst phase in your life? 2016 was. Towards the end of '15 was the breakup, and through aaaaaaall of 2016, I was just dead inside and totally useless. Every day I wanted to be dead. Can you remember your last dream? I had a nightmare some stupid kids were fucking with my snake Venus, so I was trying to protect her. Do you ever use Snapchat? No, I don't have one. What’s your favorite musical? I don't like musicals. What happened at the last party you went to? Summer prepared some little Halloween treat bags for us guests, we watched a horror movie, and everyone but me smoked some weed. Are you more comfortable sitting or lying down? I would assume everyone is more comfortable lying down... Have you ever been a fan of N*Sync? Yeah, as a kiddo. Favorite kind of cake: Red velvet, yum yum. What is your middle name? Marie. TV shows and anime you watch regularly: None. Do you want to have a big family in the future? Just a big family of pets with a spouse. What was the last thing you did that gave you a rush? Oh boy, I couldn't tell ya. Is Vegas one of your must-see places? No. Pet rat: yay or nay? YAY!! I've had many, but I don't think I'll get any more. I've just had bad luck with them, save for one that died of cancer at an old age. Would you call yourself a writer? Written any stories lately? Yeah. I haven't really written any big RP posts of the late, but I did recently write a poem. Are needles something that you’re afraid of? Okay, so this is super weird. Tattoos and piercings? No problem. Little prick, getting blood drawn, that sorta little stuff, no problem. I am, however, NOT a fan of big needles, which used to not be an issue. It's actually kinda recent, and it's why I'm nervous about my second Covid shot coming up, aha... What was the last unexpected hug you gave/received? I really haven't had an unexpected hug since Jason asked for one before he left my house after our final talk. Who was the last person you held hands with? Either my niece or nephew. Have you ever been in a parade before? If so, was it on TV? No. Do you have a fear of rollercoasters? If so, were you ever forced to go on one? If you don’t, what is your favorite rollercoaster? I have a big fear of them, yeah. Post a picture of you from a recent time. Don't feel like it. Who was the last person to give you some of their food? Miss Tobey let me try one of her dumplings yesterday when we were at Ichiban for dinner. The last person you met, what was your first impression of them? I actually didn't quite like her. Have you ever been to a football game? Yeah, because my sister was a cheerleader. Do you like the snow or rain better? Snowwww. Have you ever faked sick? Yeah. What is your blood-type? A-. Have you ever eaten a bug? Not knowingly. The last time you were in the fridge, what were you looking for? Salsa. Mom got these veggie chips at the store and they apparently taste better with salsa, which it did. They weren't great, though. Are you listening to anything at the moment? It's Gab Smolders' turn for me to watch her Resident Evil 8 upload, haha. I'm literally watching three different people (Mark, John Wolfe, and her) play it. Can you take a bra off with one hand? I haven't tried, I think? I doubt I could, given that I'm not exactly small. Do you have an innie or an outie bellybutton? Innie. Can you crack your neck? NOOOOO AND DO NOT DO IT AROUND ME YOURSELF. Are you donating your organs? Yeah; what am I gonna use 'em for? It just seems like a waste otherwise. They're just gonna decay. When was the last time you talked to you mom? Before she left with Tobey to go to the store. Do you like pumpkin pie? NO. I don't like pie, and I hate pumpkin. Do you own your own computer? Yeah. Did you ever have to share a room with one of your siblings? Yeah; growing up, my little sister and I did. Is there any piece of technology you want to buy? I REALLY want a PS4. Did you ever have a night light when you were a kid? Yeah. What TV show had you hooked from the very first episode? Meerkat Manor, 100%. I had to know that Shakespeare was okay. What is your least favorite Sour Patch Kids color? Orange or red, can't pick. Have you ever seen the movie Matilda? YES! I love that movie. What is the weirdest chant you have ever heard? Uh, idk. How are you feeling? Annoyed and hurt as fuck because shit Miss Tobey says without thinking for a single goddamn second. I'm honestly beyond sick of this woman. Do you know anyone with a unibrow? I don't think so. Doughy or saucy pizza? Doughy. Do you have anything that’s limited edition? Yeah. Do you have an air freshener in your bathroom? If so, what scent? I... think we do? If so though, I just don't notice it. The bathroom doesn't smell like anything in particular. Do you like Jalapeno Cheetos? Oh man, I forgot about those! Love 'em. Are you a fan of salads? Yeah, they're fine. I have to be in the mood for one, though. What’s one random thing that you don’t like? Uhhh carrots. What’s one random thing that you like? Shrimp. Do you like chicken noodle soup? I don't. Is it easy for you to accept loss? NOPE. I'm the absolute worst with it. You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go? I really wanna see Sara, so take me to Illinois. Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you? No, but a former best friend had her birthday the day before mine. Is there someone you just can’t imagine your life without? Not anymore, honestly. After Jason, I stopped that "I can't live without you" mindset. Truth is I'm going to lose people through life, and I'm not attaching my ability to happily exist to anyone. Are you wearing a ring? Two. Have your friends ever stopped by your house just to say hi? In the past, yeah. Do you like Chinese food? Not really. I only ever get pork fried rice and eggrolls from Chinese restaurants. Have you done any shopping for something in specific recently? No. Do you still live in your hometown? No. What was the reason behind the last time you stayed up all night? I don't recall, honestly. I haven't done that in a very long time. Have you ever had a UFO sighting or a sighting of strange lights in the sky? A very strange light, yes. Have you ever seen your mom or dad drunk? Yes to both. Seeing Mom drunk is very, very rare though. My dad was an alcoholic when I was growing up, so I saw him drunk plenty. Do your parents vote? Mom does, idk about Dad. Who’s the most romantic person you ever went out with? Jason. What restaurant has the best fries? Nowhere has anything on Bojangle's, y'all. Have you ever had a surprise party thrown for you? No.

#survey #surveys #questions #lyrics: ''bullet with butterfly wings'' by the smashing pumpkins

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chickensarentcheap · 4 years

Text

Best Part of Me -Chapter 37

Warnings: none

Tagging: @c-a-v-a-l-r-y, @alievans007, @innerpaperexpertcloud, @ocfairygodmother

“Two more weeks and I’ll be six!”

Millie makes the announcement as she stands on a kitchen chair; pushed up against the counter next to the stove as they work side by side to prepare their customary Saturday morning breakfast. Clad in a t-shirt that once belonged to Ovi; the color long faded and holes under the arms and tears at the hem, yet still bearing the crest from Hargrave school in Mumbai. It’s far too big on her; reaching her ankles and having to be tied into a knot at the back of her neck in order to narrow the shoulder and keep the garment on her slight frame. But it’s one of her favorites; a prized possession that she refuses to part with, as if it's worth more than any other priceless artifact in the world.

“Well I’m really six in ten days,” she corrects herself. “‘Cause two weeks is fourteen days and that’s when my party is but my birthday’s before that.”

It still bothers him; the mere mention of the age of six bringing back a lot of painful memories. There’d only been three months between Austin’s diagnosis and death; the cancer shockingly aggressive, no treatment -no matter how severe- touching it. And he’d only been in Afghanistan for a week when he’d gotten the call that he’d passed away; taking a three day sabbatical for the visitation and the funeral before heading back. He’d known before he’d left out of the house that it would be the last time he’d ever be there; that his marriage was over. Sarah had refused to even speak to him since he arrived home; avoiding him even at their own child’s funeral. They’d barely spoken their words to each other over the course of that weekend, but he’d seen the hatred and the disgust in her eyes. The disappointment. He had abandoned his only child when he’d been needed the most; leaving Austin scared and lost and questioning why daddy hated him so much that he’d take off without even a proper goodbye.

In reality, their marriage had been falling apart for quite some time. They’d tied the knot fresh out of high school, wanting to do it before the start of his basic training and scared by the prospect of him being immediately sent overseas. The cheating began only a year into things; word travels fast when your wife is the ‘base whore’. He’d tried to pass it off as gossip, even though the evidence began to add up as time went on. And he’d confronted her many times, only to be told he was ‘imagining things’ and being ‘paranoid’; that he needed to grow up and get some balls and be ‘less of a little bitch’ and not so self conscious. He would have left the first time he caught her red headed, but two days later she was begging him for forgiveness and telling him she was pregnant and that there was no way the baby WASN’T his. So he stayed.

He’d been much younger then. Foolish. Convinced that she was the love of his life; the woman he was destined to be with forever. Who he’d have a family with and grow old and gray alongside of. Someone that would not only be a spouse, but best friend and confidant. He’d still been a kid when they’d gotten married, and years later -seventeen, to be exact- he’d realized just how wrong he’d been about her. Thirty-five years old and addicted to booze and pain meds yet somehow managing to find the most incredible woman he’d ever met. Someone who could handle him at his most unbearable and difficult times; strong and fierce and never backing down from a challenge. At that point he’d given up on himself; hopeless and lost. Broken. Believing he wasn’t worthy of absolution. And then Esme had come along and tore all those walls down. Showing him what love -real love- could be and SHOULD be. Never once...in seven years...questioning her loyalty or faithfulness. Someone just as damaged and tattered as he was. Two broken halves that had come together to make a slightly dented whole.

“Six is a pretty big number, you know.” Millie says, as she carefully ladles pancake batter onto the griddle. “It means I’m getting closer to ten. Double digits!”

Tyler sips slowly from a steaming mug of coffee. “Why do you have to break my heart like that?”

“I can’t stay little forever,” she informs him.

“Doesn’t mean you have to grow up as quick as you are.”

It seems like yesterday they were bringing her home from the hospital; all of eight and half pounds soaking wet, with a head full of light auburn hair and enormous blue eyes. And he’d sit on the couch or lie in bed with her sleeping against his chest, marvelling over how perfect and incredible she was; impossibly tiny hands and feet and the soft, content noises she’d make while she was eating. That little yawn with the squeak at the end and how long and dark her eyelashes were. Overwhelmed by just how much he loved her and how grateful he was that…after all the shitty things he’d done in his life, especially to Austin...he’d been worthy of being a dad again. And it’s almost as if he blinked and she suddenly grew up; going from taking those wobbly first steps being able to ride a bike without training wheels. Fiercely independent and strong in both physical strength and convocation and insanely intelligent. Tall and lanky, yet powerful for someone so young; fearless and brave and always willing to stand up for what’s right, no matter who is against her.

And beautiful. So fucking beautiful. With that thick wavy hair -lighter now, the exact same color and texture as his- that falls over her shoulders and nearly reaches the middle of her back; those blue eyes framed by those dark lashes and those freckles across the bridge of her nose. For a brief moment he can see her as a teenager; tall and slender and a mixture of both fierce and feminine; all the boys wanting her attention. And he doesn’t know if that breaks his heart or makes him want to lock her in her room forever.

Maybe it’s both.

“I can’t help it,” she says, and uses her elbow to push hair away from her ear. “That I’m growing up so fast. You just don’t want me being a teenager and meeting boys and stuff like that.”

“What makes you think I want to talk about this crap?” Tyler retorts, stepping behind her chair as she removes the hair tie she sports around her wrist and passes it back to him. Continuing to place batter onto the griddle and flipping off the nearly cooked pancakes as he gathers her hair in his hands and secures it with the elastic.

“Don’t worry, daddy. I’ll only date the nice boys.”

“Sure you will. You’ll probably date the ones you know I’ll hate the most.”

“Nope. Just the nice ones. Mommy says I’m a good judge of character. Like

“She did, did she? She said she was a good judge of character?”

“Yep. She said that's why she fell in love with you. ‘Cause her heart told you were a good guy even though you tried to act like you weren’t.”

“Really?”

“She said that you had a big heart even if it was really sad and angry. That guys like you weren’t supposed to be nice but she could tell that you were different. And she said it didn't hurt that you were really cute, too.”

He smirks. “She called me cute?

“You ARE cute. Obviously. I look just like you and look how cute I am!”

“You make a very valid point,” he presses a kiss to her cheek. “You ARE very cute.”

“Was mommy cute? When you met her?”

“She’s cute now.”

“But what was she like then?”

“She looked pretty much the same now as she did back then. She had really long hair though. All the down to her bum nearly. Do you remember her long hair? How she cut it all off when we moved to Colorado?”

“I loved her hair. She used to let me brush and braid it and play with it. I was so mad when she cut it off.”

“You and me both.”

“But she’s pretty either way. Is that why you fell in love with her? Because she was cute?”

“That’s one of the reasons, I guess.”

“What were the other ones?”

“You ask a lot of questions,” he grins, and then grabs two clean plates and forks and knives from the dishwasher.

“I’m almost six and curious about the world,” she reasons. “I like hearing about this stuff. About how you and mommy met and what you guys were like before I came along.”

“You came along pretty quick,” Tyler admits. “We didn’t know each other that well when we made you.”

“Grandma said it was bad that you guys made me before you got married. That you were going to go to hell for it. Among other things that she wouldn’t tell me. She said it meant I was a ‘bastard child’. What does that mean?”

“It means your grandma is an evil bitch and she’s the one that’s going to hell for ever telling you things like that.”

“Is it bad? That you and mommy made me before you got married?”

He shrugs. “I guess some people might think that way. It wasn’t bad to us. And we’re the ones that got together and made you, so…”

“I was a total surprise.”

“Yeah, you were a bit of a shock. A good one though.”

“Cause you were happy that I was coming. Because Austin died and you were really sad about it, and then mommy told you about me and made your heart happy again, right?”

He places a kiss to her forehead. “That’s exactly it.”

“Did you want me to be a boy?”

“It didn’t matter to me. I just wanted you to be healthy and get here safely. Because you were stubborn and very sneaky and you liked giving your mom a hard time. You didn’t want to stay where you were. You wanted to be sooner, not later. And you were pretty determined about it.”

“But the doctor made me stay in. ‘Cause it would have been bad if I got here too soon.”

“Very bad. You would have been even smaller than Addie. And she’s pretty tiny.”

“But I stayed in and cooked some more and then I was born and you cried because you were so happy. Mommy says you almost fainted.”

“Mommy needs to stop telling you so many of my secrets.”

“Why would you faint? Is it gross?”

“It’s a little...nasty.”

“Why? What’s so nasty about it? Where did I come out of? I don’t understand that part. I know I was in mommy’s tummy, but how did they get me out of there? Did they cut her open to pull me out?”

“Nope. You came out the normal way.”

“Which is what? What’s the normal way?”

“That’s something you’ll find out when you’re older. A lot older. Here…” he grabs the plates of food -one in each hand- and turns his back towards her. “..get on.”

She giggles as she uses the rungs of the chair and tight grip on the neck of his t-shirt to climb up onto his back; legs wrapping around his torso, arms around his neck as he carries her through the kitchen and living room and out onto the back patio. “You’re getting big, daddy. I can’t get my legs as far anymore.”

“Are you calling me fat?”

“You’re not fat. You’re big. And strong. Mommy likes all your muscles.”

“Did she tell you that too?”

“She says you’re like a week worth of snacks.”

“Just a week? That’s kind of harsh. I like to think it’s more like a month, but…”

“You’re alright I guess,” she says, as he stands alongside one of the chairs and she slides down his back and into the seat. “Maybe when I’m older I’ll meet a guy like you.”

“Why the hell would you want to do that?”

“You’re not so bad. You have a nice smile and pretty eyes and you’re really tall. Girls like tall guys. Especially tall guys that are ripped.”

He frowns. “You’re starting to sound a little too much like your mother.”

“And you’re funny and you’re really nice and you can be really sweet and cute.”

“What did I tell you about the word?”

“You know, you CAN be cute and bad ass at the same time.”

“Not in my world.”

“Well your world is messed up then. But maybe I will. Meet a guy like you. That wouldn’t be so bad, would it?”

Smirking, he slips into the chair across from her. “Be careful what you wish for.”

***

They spend two hours surfing and then take a walk along the sand; Millie with her plastic pail in hand as she searches for unique rocks and shells and pieces of beach glass. Stopping every feet two toss tennis balls into the water for Mac to retrieve. He naturally loves all his kids and cherishes each moment he gets to spend with them, but there’s something extra special about the time he gets with Millie. Addie is still tiny and she can’t really spend quality time with her older sister, so Millie often takes a back seat to all of her brothers. They’re loud and boisterous and more demanding and needy than she is. She’s independent and remarkably self sufficient for someone so young. But she’s in her glory when it’s just the two of them; she gets all the attention and doesn’t have to fight to get a word in edgewise and gets to be on the receiving end of all the love and affection. And he thrives on being the centre of her universe; the way she trusts him so wholly and completely, without reservation. How she holds no grudges over all the time he’d been absent in her life or when he’s raised his voice and unintentionally hurt her feelings. Always looking at him as if he’s the greatest dad on the planet; with so much love and adoration that it sometimes takes his breath away.

He watches her now as she walks several meters in front of him. Clad in one of her many bathing suits, his baseball hat on her head; constantly falling over her eyes. The way she crouches in the sand and admires every rock and shell she comes across; turning them over in her palms and holding them up to the sun and gazing at them like they’re the most precious gems in the world. So full of curiosity and exuberance. Everything about her so pure and innocent. Perfect. This beautiful little human that he’d helped create during what was quite possibly one of the most chaotic and unpredictable times of his life.

“Look at this one!” Millie excitedly races back to him, holding a large chunk of dark purple beach glass in her palm. “It’s so pretty! We should make something with it.”

“Like what?”

“Something for mommy. Like a necklace or something. Can we? Make her something? I want to surprise her. She’s been sad lately and I don’t like when she’s sad. Mommy deserves to be happy and she deserves pretty things. ALL the pretty things.”

“I don’t deserve pretty things?” he teases.

“You already have something pretty. The prettiest. You have mommy. What more could you want?”

Instead of placing the glass in her pail, she tucks it into one of the pockets on his board shorts and then scampers off again; Mac hot on her heels, using his nose to help her dig through the sand on her valiant search for ‘buried treasure’.

“Haven’t you seen you guys in a while.”

He glances over his shoulder at the sound of Salena’s voice; he hadn’t realized they’d wandered THAT close to her property. He’s been keeping his distance; staying civil when he sees her and trying to give up off a vibe of normalcy. Whatever she’s up to, it’s best to just stay the course and act as if nothing has changed; don’t cause her to be suspicious and question why his behaviour has changed. And he tries not to panic or worry every time his wife spends time with her. Especially with one or all of the kids in tow.

“We’ve been around,” Millie responds, once more crouched in the sand as she and Mac continue their digging; eyes narrow and her brow furrowed as she regards the neighbor.

“We’ve been busy,” Tyler says, and gives a small smile as she steps alongside him, tensing when she wraps him in a hug of greeting. He isn’t the affectionate type; saving both giving and receiving for his wife and kids.

“Don’t touch him” Millie snarls. “That’s my dad. Mommy doesn’t like when other girls touch him. And neither do I.”

“It’s only a hug, kiddo.” Salena assures her. “Lots of friends hug.”

“You’re not looking at him like he’s your friend. I’m not stupid. You look at him like mommy looks at him. And only mommy is allowed to look at him like that. And don’t…” she scowls and moves away when Salena kneels down beside her and attempts to embrace her. “...I don't wanna be touched either.”

“She’s grumpy,” Tyler says, as a way of an apology.

“I’m not grumpy, daddy. I just don’t like her.”

“Wow…” Salena gives a small, uncomfortable laugh. “...she’s nothing if not honest. Definitely her mother’s daughter.”

“Don’t talk about my mom,” Millie retorts. “And I’m not like her. I’m just like my dad. I don’t have time for other peoples’ bullshit.”

“Amelia…” Tyler gives her a look of warning. “...settle.”

“You shouldn’t touch him anyway,” she continues. “He’s not yours to touch. He’s mommy’s. He’s married to her. And he’s staying that way. He doesn’t mess around. He’s one of the nice guys. And if he wasn’t, you’re not his type.”

Salena scoffs. “She’s very…”

“Protective? She’s always been like this with me. Since she was old enough to talk. No one messes with daddy. Not on her watch. She’s a pretty good bodyguard.”

“I keep the sketchy people away,” Millie says. “And you’re big time sketchy. Where’s my uncle Kyle? Is he dead?”

Salena blinks.

“We haven't seen him in like forever. He was supposed to be in Australia to visit us and now he’s visiting you. He knew us before he knew you, you know. He’s mommy’s brother. He’s known us forever. Since I was just a tiny baby. We don’t see him much and now you take him away. Auntie Nik would always take daddy away, but at least she brought him back to us. Uncle Kyle just disappeared. Poof. Gone.”

“I’m sure he’s alive and well,” Tyler assures, and then turns to the neighbor with a smirk, passing it off as a joke. “He is, yeah? Alive? He’s not buried in the yard somewhere? You didn’t weigh him down and toss him into the ocean?”

“She probably poisoned his coffee.” Millie says. “Like mommy always says she’s going to do when you REALLY piss her off.”

“Why don’t you go down to the water and see what you can find down there,” he suggests. “Maybe you’ll find something else really pretty for mommy.”

“Who was the guy that was at your place the other day?” The soon to be six year old asks. “In the black SUV?”

Salena frowns. “Guy in a black SUV? What…?”

“Don’t play dumb. I saw him. Daddy did too. Daddy has good eyes and really good instincts. That’s why the bad guys were so scared of him. And ‘cause they knew he could kick their asses.”

“Amelia,” he tries again. “Go down to the water with Mac and…”

“Daddy knows he was watching us,” she continues. “You’re not very smart if you think daddy wouldn’t notice. He notices everything. And if anyone tries to mess with mommy or any of us kids, he’ll make them suffer. Big time.”

“Amelia…” his tone is more forceful now. “...enough. Take Mac and go down the water. Give me a few minutes, yeah? Then we’ll go home.”

“Fine,” she huffs, then stands up and angrily brushes sand off her butt and the backs of her legs. “...but she’s lying, daddy. About the guy. I saw him. And I know you did too.”

He watches her as she stomps off, the dog hurrying alongside her. He knew he should be shocked that she’d been that aware of the incident the other morning; he’d thought he’d done a pretty good job of hiding the suspicion and the concern. But is it really that much of a surprise that she’d be that observant at even that young of an age? After all, both her parents had been in a job where keen observation skills weren’t just handy. They were a necessity. Often the first thing responsible for keeping you alive. It isn’t the way he’d wanted things to go; he’d wanted solid proof of wrongdoing before confronting Salena. But it’s too late now.

“So,” he asks as he turns to the neighbor. “Who was it? The guy watching us.”

“He wasn’t…”

“Don’t try to bullshit me. I know when someone is watching me. I spent years in a job where I had to have eyes in the back of my head. Where staying alive depended on it. And don’t tell me it was just some friend that happened to stop by. I saw you get out of the Jeep with folders in your hand. And I know he was wearing an earpiece.”

“You ARE observant.”

“Why was he watching me? More importantly, why was he watching my kids? The last guy who fucked with my family? I cut off two of his fingers with a hunting knife and yanked out a few out of his teeth with pliers. Then I handed him over to guys who did even worse things to him before killing him. So you tell your friend that if he comes near my wife and my kids, it won’t end well for him either.”

“He’s a colleague,” she says.

“What kind of colleague? What do you actually do for a living? And don’t lie. I already know you aren’t who you say you are.”

“How much DO you know?” she counters.

“I know there’s no record of you ever attending any school in Australia. And there’s nothing on you at the bureau of transportation or with any other branch of the government. You think I don’t do my research?”

“I didn’t expect things to go this way. To get caught so soon. Or at all.”

“Your guy’s a rookie. I made him in thirty seconds. Tell him I said he won't live very long being that wet behind the ears. And caught doing what? Just what ARE you doing?”

She sighs. “I’m not who you think I am.”

“Yeah no shit.”

“This isn’t the time to talk about this. Not with little ears around. If I can get Kyle to watch the kids later, would you come over? You and Esme?”

“I want her kept out of this. Whatever it is.”

“It involves both of you. ALL of you.”

“Are you a threat?” To her or my kids? Are we going to walk in there and find out you have a bunch of guys waiting to ambush us? Because if that's what you're planning…”

“I’m not a threat to anyone.” she assures him. “I’m not here to hurt you. Or Esme. Or the kids. I’m here to help. Or at the very least, keep things from escalating.”

Tyler frowns. “Things? What things?”

“I work for Neysa Rav.”

“Saju’s wife?”

“I know everything. I know you are and what you did and I know about Dhaka. All of it. This wasn’t supposed to get out. It was supposed to stay quiet. It’s the way she wanted it. On the down low unless things became bigger and more problematic than they currently are.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Neysa is in hiding. With her son. She’s been receiving threats. Legitimate, serious threats. From people associated with Ovi Mahajan Senior.”

Tyler shakes his head incredulously. “What the fuck…?”

“Your name was brought up. Along with your wife and your kids. Neysa asked me to come here and watch out for all of you. Me and my people.”

“Are you a merc?”

“Far from it. We’re a private security company. Nowhere near along the lines of being mercs. But we sometimes work hand in hand with them and hire them to do our dirty work.”

“Daddy!” Millie calls from the edge of the water. “Can we go now? I’m hungry. And I gotta pee!”

“Go in the water,” he instructs.

“That’s gross. I wanna go home. I wanna see mommy.”

“We’ll talk about this later,” Salena says. “But I promise I’m not a threat. I can prove that later when you come over. I just ask that you trust me long enough to give me the chance to show you; who I am and what I do. Can you do that?”

Tyler nods.

She gives an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry it had to come out this way. But it will all make sense. I promise.”

He watches her as she heads through the sand; never looking back over her shoulder as she heads for her house. And he realizes nothing makes sense.

It hasn’t in a long time.

****

“None of this makes any sense,” Esme declares, as she tends to making lunch; grilled cheese sandwiches, soup, and fresh veggies for the kids, leftover chicken cashew stir fry for them. “She’s a spy?”

“I guess if you want to put it that way…” He stands at the patio door; Addie lying along a forearm as he feeds her, keeping an eye on Millie and the twins as they play in the sand. Ovi sits at the patio table, smiling and laughing as Declan crawls and climbs all over him.

He’s tense. It’s been almost seven years since Dhaka; since so many good people had lost their lives...since he’d nearly lost his own...attempting to kid to safety. Yet it still refuses to let them rest; no such thing as true closure. As time went on and no revenge had been sought, Tyler had been optimistic that nothing more would come of that job. And now that there's been threats against him and his family and there’s targets on their backs; he’s on edge. The rage simmering inside of him. Fingers itching for a trigger to pull.

“Well what did she say?” Esme asks. “She called herself that? A spy?”

“She called it private security.”

“So she’s a merc.”

“I didn’t say that,”

She scoffs. “Private security. Does that sound familiar? It’s what I used to call it when my family asked what you did for a living. And you were a merc. Or still are. I don’t even know anymore. And she’s somehow connected to Neysa and Aarav?”

“Neysa hired her. Or Salena’s company at least.”

“Oh she’s so a merc,” Esme concludes. “That’s merc talk and you can’t deny it. And why would Neysa need to hire people like that in the first place?”

“I told you. Mahajan holds a lot of grudges. He has some scores to settle.”

“Scores to settle against who? A dead man? Saju did what he was supposed to do. He got Ovi out alive. Or helped at least. Ovi’s alive because of him. And you. You think that would be enough to appease the old man. But no. He has to be a total dick bag about things. Can’t he just be happy that his kid is alive and has had a good life.? That he’s grown up to be an amazing young man? Like fuck…” she huffs, and grabs a stack of plates -plastic and regular- from the cupboard. “...what a tool. And to think I question my parenting skills when there’s people like that out there.”

“Makes you realize we’re not doing as bad of a job as we think we are.”

“And the fact he did that to Saju!” She angrily continues. “Threatening his wife and his little boy like that. At first I hated him for doing what he did. He killed the whole team and could have easily have killed me, wanted to kill you…”

“He had his reasons,” Tyler says. “Two very valid ones.”

“...and then I realize he wasn’t evil. He was just trying to save his family. Either one of us would do the same thing.”

He nods.

“The guy was a bad ass and a hero until the bitter end and he should be remembered that way. So fuck Mahajan. Fuck him straight to hell. He makes me rage, I swear.”

Tyler grins. “I can tell.”

“So what’s the issue? It’s been seven years and he’s looking for revenge now? Why?”

“Who knows. He probably couldn’t find her or the kid. Where was she hiding? You talk to her. Did she ever tell you?”

“A year ago she mentioned being in Nepal. It never got brought up again and I never thought to ask. I didn’t need an address; we always just communicated through email.”

“When was the last time you talked to her?”

“Couple weeks ago, I guess. Maybe a bit longer. Shortly before Addie made her appearance. Neysa wanted to know where she could send something for the baby and I gave her the address for the post office box. Just in case...I don’t know...just in case, I guess. She’d sent a picture of Aarav. A graduation photo. Because he’s going into high school.”

“Fuck...already?”

“He’s fourteen now. Same age Ovi was in Dhaka. It’s been seven years. Well almost, anyway. If there was something wrong...if someone was threatening her or threatening us...or both...why wouldn’t she tell me?”

“Maybe she didn’t trust email either. Did you check the post office box?”

“Two days ago. There was nothing there. Why? You think she could have slipped a note into whatever she sent? No one would be none the wiser if she did. She could have been giving us a heads up without whoever is after her knowing.”

“I don't know what to think,” Tyler admits.

“Do you believe her? Salena?”

He nods. “There’s no reason anyone would lie about all of that.”

“Well for what it’s worth, I haven’t seen anything weird. And the kids and I are out front all the time and when they’re in school, I always take Declan and Addie for walks down the road. I definitely would have seen something like a sketchy guy with an ear piece, sitting in a Jeep with a busted headlight.”

“I know what I saw. And your daughter saw it too. I wasn’t seeing things and I wasn’t imagining it.” His tone is more hostile and irritable than he’d intended.

“Okay...baby…” she begins. “...you need to take it down a notch. I am not the enemy here. I didn’t say you were seeing things or that you imagined it. All I was saying is that whoever this guy is? He hasn’t been around any of the times I’ve gone out there. I’d tell you if I saw something like that.”

“Would you? Or would just keep it to yourself because I’d ‘freak out’ and I’d be ‘overprotective’?”

“You are projecting all of your worry and all of your hostility towards Mahajan onto me. And I usually can take it, but I’ve had just about enough with peoples’ crap. I’ve got Nik emailing me and leaving me text messages and voicemails and I’ve got Yaz calling. And now I’ve got a potential merc for a neighbor and…”

“She is NOT a merc. I'd be able to tell if she was.”

“....and now I have Mahajan bringing his bullshit. After everything we’ve done to care for his kid; raising him like he’s one of our own, giving him a family and a normal life. And now he wants revenge? For what? What have you done to him?”

“Got in Saju’s way. He was supposed to eliminate me. He didn’t.”

“He ended up helping Ovi out in the end so that reason is just pure and utter shit. He fucked you. Right from the beginning. And you could have easily left his kid in the street...to die...when you found out there was no money. But you didn’t. So he can go fuck himself.”

Tyler grins as he turns away from the window. “You’re in a mood.”

“I hope he knows you’re getting back into things. That you’re getting back into the job. Maybe that will make him think twice about trying anything. If he knows you’re still on your game and knows not to fuck with you, maybe he’ll back off.”

“Or maybe it’ll make things worse.”

“Tyler…” she sighs heavily. “...what ever happened to your whole ‘I’m going to try and be more optimistic’?”

“Pretty hard to be optimistic when this kind of shit is being dropped into your lap all at once.”

“It just makes me so mad,” she says through gritted teeth. “Why can’t it just leave us alone? Dhaka. It’s been seven years almost and it keeps hanging in there and causing all kinds of grief. This should have been over and done with all those years ago. And yet here is. The big, black fucking cloud over our heads.”

He shrugs. “It’s our cross to bare, I guess.”

“Well I’m tired of baring it. I just…” she slams the knife she’s been using to cut the kids’ sandwiches done onto the counter. “...you know what? Go to Mumbai. Go to Mumbai and go to the prison and kill him. Boom. Done.”

He can’t help but chuckle. “Baby, it’s not that easy. I can’t just walk into the place and shoot him in the head.”

“You’ve done sniper work. You’re an amazing shot. Take him out from a hundred yards away.”

“Because that would be easier? Do you know the security they have around that place? I wouldn’t even get within a hundred yards. And I’m not going all the way there to assassinate a drug lord. Do you want me to get killed? Because that’s how I’ll get killed.”

“You’ve handled bigger and better,” Esme argues.

“”I am NOT going to Mumbai.”

“So what then? He sends people here instead?”

“Wait a second…” his eyes narrow. “...you’re not joking about this, are you. You’re actually being serious about this? You want me to go to Mumbai, walk into a prison, and kill Ovi’s old man?”

“Would you rather him come here and kill you? Or me? Or our kids?”

“He can’t do shit. He’s in prison.”

“You know what I mean, Tyler. His people. They’ll come here and they’ll kill you. But first they’ll kill me. And your kids. And probably even the dog.”

“Okay, no one is going to get killed,” he calmly reasons. “You’re overreacting. We don’t know for sure that there were any threats made against me or you or the kids. All we DO know is that our names got brought up. Can we at least see what Salena has to say before you start making plans for me to assassinate a drug lord?

“I’m just...I’m on edge,” she says, as she returns to preparing the kids’ lunch. “And why didn’t you tell me about this sketchy Jeep driver before? Or that you knew Salena was bad news? I’ve been going over there. With the kids!”

“You wanted a friend.”

“I didn’t want a friend like that! You knew she was lying and that she wasn’t who she says she is and yet you still said nothing. Of all the things I thought you’d tell me, that’s it. What if she’s dangerous?”

“She’s not.”

“How do you know?”

“Because she’s working for Neysa. Who had to go into hiding because of Mahajan. We’re on the same side.”

“You better get these people of yours...the ones who want to work for you...on board sooner rather than later. Because if shit hits the fan, it would be nice to have them around, don’t you think? This is such crap. Why can’t we have a normal life? Why can’t we just be happy? Why does the universe keep shitting on us?”

“Bet right about now you’re wishing Dhaka ended differently,” he wryly comments.

“Okay...first…” she turns to face him, gesturing in his direction with the knife in her hand. “...let’s not even go there. What happened in Dhaka,, happened. And you’re alive and that’s a good thing. A very good thing. Because I kind of like having you around and so do your kids. Who wouldn’t even be here had you’d died that day. So don’t say stupid like that.”

A smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. “So what’s the second thing you’re going to say?”

“Now is not the time to be a smart ass, Tyler. I’m just about ready to lose my fucking mind. None of this makes sense and it’s all screwed up and you’re going to wind up back in that shit hole. I just know it. You’re going to end up back in Dhaka and…”

With Addie still along one arm, he stands behind his wife and lays the other along her collarbone; pressing kiss to the top of her head. “I am not going back to Dhaka. If anything, I’d end up in Mumbai.”

“Which is just as bad!”

“It’s paradise compared to Dhaka.”

“I swear to God, if you end up back there, on that bridge…”

“”That’s not going to happen,” he assures her. “That is NEVER going to happen.”

“You don’t know that. Because this is so fucked up and twisted that in some weird it would all make sense. Like it all coming full circle.”

He can feel her body shaking against him; hear the tremor in her voice. “Calm down…” he presses his lips to her temple. “Just take it easy, okay? No one is going back to Dhaka. Or that bridge. That’s just your brain trying to freak you out. There’s no chance of that happening. There’s no reason for me to be in Dhaka. It’d be Mumbai, if anywhere.”

“I hope you’re right. Because if it happens and you do go back there…”

“Stop,” Tyler tightens his hold on her, his lips against her ear. “It’s not going to happen. You need to trust me when I say that. I’m never going back to Dhaka.”

“You might not have a say in it.”

“I always have a say in it. I choose where I go. Especially now. And I’m going back there. Ever. Okay? I promise.”

“Okay,” she says, as she sniffles noisily and kisses his forearm, body relaxing back against his. “Because Dhaka didn’t take you the first time. And I refuse to let it try again.”

#tyler rake #tyler rake fan fiction #tyler rake fan fic #extraction #best part of me #Chris hemsworth character

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