#but yeah i am doing a jolene chapter
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Lose me to Love you (Loki x Female Reader) (AU) (18+)
Read Chapter 14 here / Series Masterlist
Chapter 15
Summary: Jolene is back. You and Loki take a little step forward.
Warning: 18+, Smut, Mutual Masturbation, Dirty talk, degradation, panic attack, Oh forgot to put Brief humping, Extreme dark themes, Sexual abuse, physical abuse, public sex, Rough violent sex, 18+, Steamy stuff, age difference ,Rough language, mention of suicide, talk of virginity and slut shaming, manipulative behaviour, mention of trauma, smut, toxic relationship between main characters. Dark themes, cult stuff
As soon as Loki heard that Jolene was supposedly attacked he wanted to go see her and he didn't want to leave you alone so he took you along with him, on the way you noticed how fidgety he seemed so you placed your hand on his shoulder to give him a soothing squeeze, you knew he was only blaming himself for this, he looked at you and he seemed terrified. Did she say Thor visited her? And that's when you remembered about that man you had bumped into at the steak house.
"Ummm Loki?" He hummed as you called out for him.
"What happened to Thor?" You asked him and his eyes welled up even more.
"I sent him away along with mother"
You remembered his mother, she seemed like a nice lady but equally delusional as her husband, though you learned later that she never wanted to be a part of this cruelty but then what did she do to stop him?
"I bumped into a man that day at the steak house, when we went there with Jolene" you gulped nervously, you probably should have told him about this.
"What man?"
"I don't know ummm..he had a mask on..but I felt as if I knew him..It could have been Thor" his head turned so fast towards you that you feared he must have suffered whiplash.
"Why the fuck you won't tell me that?" His jaw clenched as he questioned, he was trying to control his anger you could tell but you still felt scared.
"I didn't want to assume the worst and cause panic" you said to him meekly and he shook his head in disbelief.
"Knowing far too well that Odin is out there you didn't think it was important for you to share that information with me?" Your eyes teared up but you couldn't say anything, you didn't want him to get more upset.
"I'm sorry I should have"
"Yeah you fucking should have" as he stepped out of the car, he slammed the door shut making you flinch in response.
"You need an invite or something to come out?" He tapped on your window so you shook your head. He was too busy being worried about Jolene at the moment that he missed the signs of you feeling scared. The sudden yelling, him shutting the door so loudly, raising his voice at you, all of this had triggered a response, it reminded you of your mom and dad, it reminded you of all the bad memories you had suppressed.
If something was to happen to Jolene he would never forgive himself, he left her there all alone, but why would Thor attack her? Why was he even back now? Did Odin find him? He knew mother was susceptible to the manipulation but after all these years did Thor really wanted to follow Odin still?
You followed him into the building and as soon as you both reached her apartment she jumped into his arms.
"Ohh God Loki I am so scared" she cried furiously and you just stood there quietly, you didn't know what you were supposed to say, Loki was already upset with you for not telling him about the man you bumped into and you didn't want to piss him off further.
"You're okay darling..you are okay" he whispered softly to comfort her and it made your eyes tear up, this probably wasn't the time to feel hurt or jealous but you still felt that way. He looked at you and gestured you to close the door so you obliged immediately, your sullen face didn't go unnoticed by him, he probably shouldn't have gotten so upset but you should have told him about that man, if he had any suspicion that Thor was around then he wouldn't have left Jolene here by herself.
He went to the kitchen after he made her sit down on the couch, then he offered her the water to drink. As soon as he sat down next to her she hugged him again "When did it happen jo?"
"Right before I called you, he was in my bedroom when I came out after bathing, he manhandled me badly and threatened me to tell him about you but I didn't say a word Loki, i somehow ran out and locked him inside the bedroom, told him that I'd call the cops ..that's when he jumped out of the window" she sobbed as she finished recalling the incident, you felt bad for her but for some reason you didn't want to believe her.
"Are you sure it was ..Thor?"
"Why else would he address himself as your brother Loki?" She asked him so e sighed.
"You're right"
He asked her to pack her things and then he drove her back to the apartment with you. He was confused, how did Thor even find out where Jolene was? If he was the man you saw at the restaurant then why didn't he follow him instead of Jolene? He looked at you and you had your head turned towards the window, he was really harsh with you and he now he was feeling bad about it, this day couldn't have been worse he thought but as soon as you all entered the apartment Jolene fainted so he picked her up and laid her down on his bed.
"Should we call a doctor or something?" You asked him so he sighed..
"No she faints whenever she's extremely stressed, she'll be fine..i should make dinner for us" you hummed as he said that, of course he knew that, he was her husband, how lucky she was that he wifed her up once.
As you both stepped out of his room he grabbed your arm, just his touch brought you to tears for some reason.
"Don't hide such things from me darling, what if something awful would have happened today?" You nodded as he said that but you didn't say anything because you knew your voice would come out all broken and sad "Help me with dinner please?" He asked you so you nodded.
"Thanks for doing my room today " he smiled as he took his jacket off first, then the shirt followed, he put on an apron after that to protect himself from spills and heat.
"What are we making?"
"Chili probably? You like that"
You nodded as he said that, he took the can of beans out from the fridge but it slipped from his hand and fell down.
"Fucking hell" he yelled in frustration and that was enough to make you shrivel up, he immediately reached closer to you and picked you up to make you sit on the counter, he could tell you were about to panic and that's when he realized that it was a build up of everything that had happened today, him being upset with you in the car must have been the final nail in the coffin, he should have seen the signs and calmed you down.
"Hey hey sweetheart..just breathe for me okay..take a deep breath..can you?" He whispered softly as he cupped your cheeks to peck your lips.
"Can't…breathe" you gulped for air as you mumbled, one of his hands rubbed your back while the other one stayed on your neck so he could keep your eyes on him, his thumb pressed your chin up and as you looked up his eyes were soaked too.
"Keep your eyes on me, yeah? You're okay sweetheart, I'm here..you're safe I promise..now take a slow and deep breath for me" your sobs controlled slightly as his sweet calm voice filled your ears, you inhaled sharply on his command and then you repeated it "That's it..that's it…good girl.. good girl, one more time okay " he cooed so you nodded, you breathed in sharply then you clutched onto his apron to hug him tightly, you hid your face in the crook of his neck and as the sweet scent of musk and sandalwood clouded your senses you suddenly felt so calm.
You were holding onto him so tightly that he felt suffocated, in a good way though, all the best ways if he was being honest with himself, that's what you both needed after this day.
"Sorry dadddy…I'm sorry I didn't tell you" your voice came out all muffled.
"Shhhhh, it's okay, I was just scared at the moment and snapped, I'm sorry too baby" you pulled away from him as he said that.
"I know..i know you are worried about her"
"Not just her, he could have harmed you, I'm trying to protect you but I can't when I don't know who else is out there and wants to hurt you, you're the most important thing to me, you know that right?" Your eyes welled up with fresh tears. You sobbed furiously as you nodded so he hugged you again and once your crying stopped he kissed you, he felt awful about it now, he should have been more careful, you had repressed memories of your parents. There were plenty of times when he had found you hiding somewhere in the center crying your eyes out because your parents were fighting, screaming and yelling at each other.
"Am I forgiven?" He mumbled softly and it made you smile.
"Yesss..You'll sleep with me tonight right?"
"Mmmhmmm you want me to?" he asked as kissed your fingers one by one.
"Pleasseee"
"You like sleeping with me?"
"Always did"
"Yeahhh?" he kissed your forehead and it made you giddy.
"Mmmmhmmm..Do you like it?"
"Abso-fucking-loutely"
Your face flushed and you giggled like a schoolgirl.
The moment didn't last though as you noticed Jolene standing in the living room from your peripheral vision so he looked to the side as well, then he stepped away quickly.
"Hey…ummm..how are you feeling?" He walked towards the refrigerator to take out the gallon of orange juice, she continued to stare at him as he poured it in a glass for her, you wanted to roll your eyes but resisted the urge. She didn't like you and feelings were mutual.
"Fine I guess .. I'm still in shock" she rubbed her arms to comfort herself and his brows furrowed.
"I'm sorry Jo" he mumbled softly so she walked towards him and hugged him.
"It's not your fault Loki, i shouldn't have come here, I got myself into this so please don't blame yourself" well she wasn't lying at least you thought.
"I'll talk to Steve asap"
"Don't bother him, he's on a vacation with Peggy" he hummed in acknowledgement as she said that.
"I have been trying to reach him for a week now"
"You know how she gets..no phones on vacation" she smiled and he returned it.
She talked to him as if she was still his wife and that bothered you to no end.
"Here..sip on this.. dinner will be ready soon" he said to her and as he turned his back towards her, she glared at you.
"Need any help? Wouldn't want you to do this all alone" she said to him so he shook his head.
"Y/n is helping, you just sit down and rest okay?" Her face fell as he said that. Poor thing.
"Yeah Jo you definitely need rest"
You smiled at her, pretending to be innocent so Loki looked at you and gave you the eyes. He knew you inside out.
After dinner he prepared a warm glass of almond milk for her and gave it to you so you could keep it in her room, he wanted to shower before sleeping. As you reached her room she was on the bed, reading a book so you put the glass on the bedside drawer and turned around to leave but then you heard her voice,
"You really think he loves you don't you?" You turned to look at her and she was smiling.
"Why are you so salty? You left him"
"I made a mistake..he loved me so much"
"He was also lonely and you fucking abandoned him after he trusted you enough to marry your bitch ass"
She got visibly furious as you said that.
"And he still came back for me, after our divorce I invited him to my birthday party, he thought I wanted to reconcile but when I said no he begged on his knees in front of my family and friends so I'd take him back, he was pathetic like a lovesick puppy for me, you have no idea how much he loved me. Atleast he didn't feel pity or sorry for me like he does with you" your eyes teared up as she said that, the image of him crying and begging in front of all those strangers made your heart clench, the fact that she was boasting only made you want to rip her eyes out. All of a sudden you didn't feel bad about Thor attacking her.
"I know he loved you jo but you didn't love him, not in the ways he deserves to be loved so let me tell you one thing, whether he loves me or not is absolutely insignificant here, I'm not fighting for him to love me, I'm fighting to love him and I'll continue to do it unlike you"
She chuckled and clapped slowly to mock you after you finished speaking.
"An actress indeed huh? You have no idea what he has done in life, his secrets will take a toll on you someday and you'll do the same thing, mark my words he'll be back to me when he gets his heart broken again" you snickered as she said that.
"Try your best Jolene but we aren't competing any longer.. he's mine and you can't take away my man just because you think you can" you smiled and you had just one more thing to say to her, you wanted her to cry herself to sleep for what she had done to Loki "Ohh by the way he's not alone anymore, he hasn't been for four years and he'll never ever be alone again because I'll always be there for him, withhhh him"
Her jaw clenched so harshly that you feared she'd break her teeth. You stormed out of his room, leaving her to sulk and curse you, you really needed her to get out of your life for good. She was manipulative as fuck you could tell.
As you stepped inside your bedroom you didn't find him there, he was still showering, you changed out of your clothes and put on a night dress, it was skimpy and sexy, perfect for the night, you wanted to tease him a little. You sat down on the bed and waited for him to come out, like usual he came out with just a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was dripping all over the floor but you didn't care, you felt jealous of the floor instead, you wanted him to drip all over you, have his body on top of you so close that you'd feel suffocated by his scent and his warm breath.
"Naughty girl, what's going on in that pretty head of yours?" You snapped out of your thoughts as he said that "Give me something to wear?" He smirked so you stood up and walked towards the closet to take out a boxer brief, you threw it at him and he caught it but he didn't put it on "Maybe I should cash in on that show you promised me?" He smirked and threw the briefs right back at you. Your face heated up immediately and you felt weak in the knees as he pulled up a chair right in front of the bed and sat down on it with his legs wide open, his modesty still covered by that black towel, his abs flexed with every breath he took.
"What do you mean?" You mumbled nervously, feigning innocence but he wasn't falling for it.
"Come on baby..lets pretend I'm not even here, let's pretend that it's just one of those nights when you felt so desperate that you'd hump a fucking brief of mine to pleasure yourself"
Your breath hitched sharply at his words, you have done it a plenty of times but in the privacy of your own room, doing it in front of him felt audacious but it also excited you.
You got on top of the bed and laid down, your dress rode up to your thighs, he only had the side view and he couldn't see your cunt which seemed perfect to him, he wanted to ruin you slowly. You had his briefs clutched into your fist, you felt nervous and slightly awkward, he noticed that
"Panties off baby, relax for me yeah?"
He mumbled softly, he brought his chair even closer, you could smell the citrus fruity essence of bergamot bodywash.
You slid down your panties slowly by lifting your hips up and the look in his eyes darkened, for a moment he felt like the degenerate he has always been, this was his sweet buttons, his precious princess and he felt like a pervert watching her like this but as soon as you moaned all his thoughts disappeared.
"Show me baby, rub it against your wet dripping cunt, that's how you did it right?"
"Mmmhmmm dadddy" you placed his briefs right over your clit and clenched your thighs together, your hips moved slowly but obscenely to build a slow sensation .
"Ohhh lokiiiii" the moan of his name from your mouth made him curse under his breath. He took the towel off so you turned your head to the side, the sight of his big hard cock laying flat against his torso made your mouth water, you craved a taste but you knew he intended to starve you for as long as he could.
"What did you think about sweetheart? pictured my cock rubbing over your clit instead? Tell me all the dirty thoughts you had in your pretty little head" he whispered, his voice remained low and sensuous, he gripped his cock in his fist and the sight almost demolished you.
"Mmmmmhmmm, pictured you on top of me, the tip of your cock rubbing over my clit slowly, up and down, over and over again until it's all coated with your precum"
"Fucking hell sweetheart" he inhaled sharply as he fondled himself, you grabbed a pillow and turned to the side before you put in between your thighs, you needed something firm, you always fantasized that you were dry humping him instead. You closed your eyes as you felt bashful by your own debauchery, the pace of your hips increased as the sensation built slowly, the sounds of your moans filled the room, he wished he could have watched your hips jiggling with every hump but all in good time hopefully.
"Open your eyes darling, watch me" he commanded you so you opened them, the sight of him jerking off as you humped against his briefs felt cathartic "Such a dirty whore..look at you, so desperate for my cock that you had to steal my underwear huhh?" you bit on your lips as he said that.
Mmmm I'm your whore daddy..all yours"
"You're mine ..fuckk show me them pretty titties baby" he whispered as he increased his pace, you never thought you'd ever see this day where he'd get himself off to you. For you.
You stopped humping and sat up, you got closer to the edge dragging the pillow with you, you rolled up his briefs into a ball and placed it over the pillow then you sat down on your knees with it between your legs, you were too turned on to even care now.
He wanted to see your titties and you'd give him everything he'd ever ask for, you pulled your dress up and you were all naked like he was, watching your soaked cunt made his mouth salivate but he controlled his urges. He can't treat you the way he had treated other women.
You bounced up and down on the pillow, your breasts jiggled with every thrust and he kept cursing under his breath, the perverted side of him continued to remind him of what he was doing and it only excited him further.
"I can't wait to suck your cock daddy, you will let me do that right?" You mumbled and whined at the same time, he chuckled at your desperation. He loves you, in all the ways a man could ever love a woman.
"Definitely my perfect little whore, can't wait to shove my cock deep down your throat and have you choke on it, you'd look even prettier all messed up for me.. now be a good little whore and squeeze those titties for me sweetheart, pinch them, hurt yourself a little for me" you moaned as his filthy words melted in your ears, you had a feeling you'd cum just by listening to him degrade you like this. You followed his instructions like a good girl. He was supposed to be patient but he couldn't do it, he was going to feel awful about this later but right now in that moment nothing else mattered to him. He wanted to own you and hurt you.
"Dadddy I'm close" you whimpered.
"I know baby.. so am I..fuck…cum sweetheart let it go and then I'm going to cum all over your skin" he cursed as he stood up, his free hand wrapped around your throat but he wasn't putting any pressure, his cock so close to your mouth that you wanted to taste him but you also wanted to take as much as he was giving you, you didn't want to disobey him at all.
All of this was too much for your virgin self and your orgasm washed over you like a strong wave, you closed your eyes as you saw the stars flashing , the sound of your moans and the loud roar of his name was enough to shatter him too, he pointed his cock over your tits and sprayed his cum all over them. As his warm cum smeared over your skin you moaned his name loudly. He felt so good, so sated, he felt weak in the knees as the strong release almost knocked him out, no words were said for a while, only the sound of your breathings were heard.
You looked down at your breasts and your face heated up, you have had dreams like this for as long as you could remember.
"You alright sweet thing?" He cooed softly as he bent down a little to pick you up in his arms like a ragdoll, wrapping your legs around his waist he took you to the bathroom. You didn't say a word, you couldn't stop staring at him, admiring him, you felt even more smitten then before. He was so perfect you wanted to cry. So beautiful.
"Sayy something darling " he whispered and as the warm water hit your body you came out of the trance, then you kissed him passionately.
"That was so good, I have never had such an experience before" he smiled a little as you said that but he could see the bruise starting to form on your breasts and then he started to feel awful, why did he ask you to do that? Why couldn't he control himself? He truly was a selfish monster who could never love selflessly.
"Does it hurt?" He asked you so you looked down.
"Noooo .. Loki..Nooo it's all good I promise..i promise it's good I loved it" he gulped as you said that, his eyes teared up a little when you hugged him. After showering he took you back to the bedroom and dressed you up, then he cleaned up the mess you had made before you both laid down on the bed.
"Your cock is exquisite" he chuckled as you said that,
"So is your cunt, so perfect"
He whispered in your ear before he kissed you "You don't have to do everything I ask you to do when we are playing with each other.. okay? You can just say no and I'd never be upset or hurt, you hear me? Tell me that you understand what I'm saying right now" he knew you would never not want to do anything he asked you so he really wanted to make sure that you knew your limits because the moment he makes you do something you didn't want to do would also be the moment he would fall apart beyond repair.
"I understand daddy, I promise.. i just liked doing it, it wasn't too painful, it hurt but in a good way" you mumbled softly so he nodded.
"I want to make you feel good sweetheart but I'm just too selfish to do that so please let me know whenever I'm hurting you in bed okay?" Your eyes teared up because he sounded so sad and broken. You knew you'd never be able to heal him completely but you wanted to change his thought process slowly.
"You don't even know what that word means" you chuckled sarcastically so he looked at you confused "You're anything but selfish Loki, I wouldn't even be here if you were selfish so never ever say that again okay?"
His brows furrowed at the tenderness you showed him in the moment. He was too struck to even respond.
"Okay"
"Apologise now"
"I'm sorry baby.. we can also talk about the movie tomorrow okay?"
"Not doing it, anything that hurts us, not doing it" you whispered and his eyes welled up. He cuddled you into his arms and when you fell asleep he peppered kisses on your neck, he wanted to be so soft with you in bed, especially in bed, treat you the way he loved you but he was diseased and he didn't think he'd ever be cured of it.
So he didn't want to infect you too, you were as pure as they come so he wished to keep you like that, he never wanted to taint you by painting you in his colours.
💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚
👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀
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through the hourglass 168. brb x oc
a/n: sometimes all we need is something cute. that's all <3 i hope you all had a good day today and i hope you remember how loved you are(comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!! <3)
pairing: plus size!oc x rooster
warnings: fLUFF AAAAA
goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)
chapter
1/
116/117/118/119/120/121/122/123/124/125/126/127/128/129/130/131/132/133/134/135/136/137/138/139/140/141/142/143/144/145/146/147
/148/149/150/151/152/153/154/155/156/157/158/159/160/161/162/163/164/165/166/167
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The days do go by fast, if she had to admit. Sometimes the pain gets worse and she does cry, quietly, into her pillow. She knows he’s fine, he’s been messaging her about it, trying his best to keep her updated while he’s away.
And yet she still worries.
She just has to wait a little bit more, after all they’d talk in a few hours. And she decided that cleaning the house and giving herself a more organized backdrop would work…as in she was cleaning the whole house. And was now in the kitchen.
She was cleaning the floor.
He wasn’t going to see the floor.
But here she was.
She sits on her knees with a heavy sigh leaving her lip, “I need to focus.” she tells herself, looking at the living room where Nicole is, sitting on the floor with the three dogs surrounding her so she doesn’t move forward nor backwards, she’s incredibly entertained by Dr.Chimp so she will never move.
Beatrice smiles, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she looks at Nicole, she is looking more and more like Bradley every day. These past days she did see his baby pictures, because she couldn’t help herself, and noticed how the two of them were similar. Both of them have the angel like features that she adored so much, her smile widening as she remembers how they still have to take more pictures when he returns.
They just…want to be safe when sharing about Nicole, every picture they posted of her online she had her back turned or was bundled up.
Call them paranoid.
Beatrice hums, sighing again before leaning her head back,looking up to the ceiling and then frowning, “What am I doing?” she gestures to her head in exasperation, “Jesus Christ,I think I’m losing it.” Jolene is the only dog that trots over curiously when she hears Beatrice’s monologue, tilting her head at her owner. ‘Am I losing it Jojo?” she gets a whine in response, “Yeah,I’m losing it…I’m okay. Hah,I’m okay.”
She cleaned the whole floor and stands to her feet, rubbing the back of her hand against her temples before looking around the kitchen with her lips pursed, trying to see if there was anything else she could do until it was time to talk to Rooster.
Beatrice surveys the kitchen as if she’s trying to figure out a crime, her eyes scanning the countertops and cabinets for any remaining tasks. She notices a few dishes in the sink and decides to tackle them, there weren’t a lot of them - honestly it was just stuff from lunch but it’d do. Grabbing a sponge and some dish soap she starts washing the dishes, her mind begins to wander, thoughts of Rooster and their life together swirling in her head.
She can't help but feel a mix of emotions—pride, worry, longing. Pride for Rooster and his dedication to his mission, worry for his safety and the unknowns that come with military deployments, and longing for his presence, his touch, his warm embrace.
Rooster always thinks of himself like he’s not…a lot, he knows he’s good, but he gets bashful when it comes to certain compliments still. She gets it, she does, but it was true.
Her husband - God, her husband, it still made her giddy- was…the best change in her life. Who knew that she’d end up marrying the hunky, handsome, charming pilot who always seemed to have the world looking at him? Who knew he’d love her back, if not more than she did love him? Sometimes she still remembers the first months, she remembers the times they spent together…knowing each other.
He was so careful and he was so sweet and polite, he never wanted to make her uncomfortable and he’s still like that even if he knows Beatrice like the back of his hand now. Her smile only widens and her cheeks turn red as she recalls their very first date…and looking back, she could see thing she hadn’t before.
Like how he looked at her. It was…new, it was too new. She wasn’t used in being looked like she was the only girl in the room nor thinking she could take someone’s breath away. Hell she was wearing shorts and a crop top, with her combat boots and some stockings, there was nothing sexy about it but she was too nervous to use something too risqué.
He didn’t care. Honestly, he was too busy staring into her eyes to probably notice her own fears…and that kiss, God, that kiss. The fact he initiated, so smoothly too - because he is extremely smooth, sometimes painfully so- while keeping his eyes on her mouth and asking if she was okay with it.
“Ugh.” she is smiling with her cheeks burning up, bouncing a bit on the kitchen mat as she giggles, “He’s so cute.” and he still made her feel like they are dating. That’s what a good healthy relationship was, Rooster was the best thing that ever happened in her life and she was so happy of everything they built together.
She was scared she’d mess up a bit, more than once, in fact several times, in their relationship. And trying to break what she knew of a relationship was hard, because all she knew then was…Eric. Her brain was downright bamboozled because he was genuinely like a dream, he surprised her every step of the way and she loved it.
And he could read her emotions, he could figure her out easily. He still does…
She missed him.
Beatrice takes a deep breath, trying to center herself in the present moment. She focuses on the rhythmic motion of washing the dishes, finding solace in the mundane task. It provides a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of their current situation. “It’s fine.” she tells herself,looking back at the clock on the wall with her lips parted,”We’ll talk in a couple hours, it’s fine.”
His last message reassured her raging heart, which she was extremely thankful for, but hearing from him would help a lot more. She sets the clean and dried dishes back into the cabinets, fixing each one of them so everything was perfectly aligned before closing the doors, holding onto the handles for a little while longer.
After a soft sigh, Beatrice wipes her hands on a kitchen towel and takes a moment to appreciate her surroundings. The clean kitchen, the comfortable home they've built together—it's a testament to their love and commitment. She reminds herself that their separation is temporary, and they will be reunited soon.
“Alright, now,” she clicks her tongue, pointing to her hair, “I need to get ready.” She walks out of the kitchen to the living room, eyes directing themselves to Nicole who is just giggling and hugging her tiny feet as she sits up on the colorful mat, Eleanor and Jack on either side of her and Jolene standing next to Bea.
Nicole looks away from the tv towards her mother, gurgling happily - her tiny teeth were more visible now which was adorable - “Mama!” she coos, pointing her little hand to the screen, “Ooo!”
Beatrice turns her head just in time to see what she was looking at, then laughs because it was a pilot lion getting treated, “Yep, looks like daddy doesn’t it?” she asks her daughter, gently settling next to her and deciding to give herself a five minute break before taking her shower,knowing she’d have to take Nikki with her upstairs. Nicole bounces a bit on the mat, the little pigtails on her head moving and she points even more to the tv, “What?”
“Dada!”
“Yeah, it looks like dada.”
Nicole laughs, clapping her hand excitedly, the noises making Jack lift his head sleepily only to lie back down, turning his face away from the commotion, “Dada!”
Beatrice smiles, watching Nicole's excitement and hearing her adorable babbling. It warms her heart to see their daughter's love for Rooster, even at such a young age. Hard to believe she was only seven months old considering how active and alert she was.
One of the last times she took Nikki to the clinic - for a check up more than anything - the doctor was so surprised at how much Nikki was able to do already. The fact she was expanding her words was enough to make the doctor smile and tell Beatrice that “she’s a smart little girl already,huh?”
As Nicole continues to point at the TV and exclaim "Dada," Beatrice can't help but feel a pang of longing. She wishes Rooster could be here, witnessing these precious moments with their daughter firsthand. But she knows that he is doing important work, and their call later will bridge the gap, at least temporarily.
She leans closer to Nicole, pressing a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Yes, birdie, dada." Beatrice speaks softly, her eyes welling up with emotion. She takes a moment to collect herself before continuing, clearing her throat "We miss him a lot, don't we? But he'll be home soon, and we'll have lots of fun together."
Nicole giggles, grabbing one of her toys and waving it in the air. Beatrice joins in the laughter, allowing herself to be fully present in this moment. As the minutes tick by, she savors the simple pleasure of being with her little girl, actually enjoying this Dr.Chimp episode and thinking that kids tv nowadays was so much better than when she was a child.
Well to be fair she only watched Sesame Street for a long while, and it was still good so maybe it wasn’t all bad.
Eventually, Beatrice sighs, “Alright.” gently lifts Nicole into her arms, cradling her against her chest. "Alright, my little angel, it's time for Mama to get ready. You're coming with me, okay?" Nicole takes a while to reply because her head is still turned to the tv, little mouth open in amazement.
Beatrice chuckles, gently tickling Nicole’s tummy only for her daughter to squeal in response, curling away from her mother and grabbing onto her hand now instead of the toy, “It’ll be fast, cutie. I just need to keep my eyes on you while I shower, is that fair?”
“Aaa!”
“I knew you’d agree.”
She was so used on picking Nicole from the floor that she could stand up one handed, without letting her go…well, that is until the twins are bigger and then she couldn’t…but until then! She could manage, “Alright, guys,” she turns to the dogs, “Keep an eye on the door, yeah? We’ll be right back.” Jolene answers for her kids with a gentle ‘boof’ and Eleanor immediately scurries off to keep her nose pressed against the glass…while Jack remains asleep.
Beatrice walks up the stairs with Nicole in her arms, carefully navigating each step as she heads towards the bathroom. The soft sound of Nicole's coos and giggles fill the air, bringing a smile to Beatrice's face.
Once they reach the bathroom, Beatrice sets Nicole down on her bouncer - which she did bring over by her foot -, giving her chicken toy so she distracts herself, which is immediate. Those plasticky cries are loud and make her ears hurt but every sacrifice is worth it.
She ensures the bathroom is safe, removing any hazards and checking if she got everything - she did place all her clothes there prior from her cleaning spree downstairs - Before adjusting the water temperature and turning her hand back and forth to make sure it was just right for her to shower, “Alright. Now,Nikki,” her daughter is currently chewing the chicken while looking at her, “Mama is going to keep te door just a little bit open so I can see your pretty face,alright?”
“Aa!”
“Yeah, your pretty face!” she says while undressing, kicking the used clothes aside and hurriedly making her way into the shower. The warm water cascades over her, soothing her tired muscles and providing a moment of relaxation.
As Beatrice showers, she keeps a watchful eye on Nicole, who happily plays with her chicken and babbles to herself, sometimes meeting her mother’s similar green colored eyes.. Occasionally, Beatrice leans out of the shower to engage with her daughter, exchanging smiles and playful words. She knows Nikki will be fine, she knows she’s safe and whenever she feels her daughter is distressed, she pops her head out to make her grin.
The sound of the water drowns out the noise from the rest of the house, allowing Beatrice to immerse herself in the solitude of the moment. She takes this time to reflect, to gather her thoughts and emotions. It's during these moments alone that she allows herself to acknowledge the weight of her worries, her longing for Rooster's presence, and the uncertainties that lie ahead.
But Beatrice doesn't dwell on those thoughts for long. She slaps her cheeks to break off the anxiety, “I’m fine.” She knows she must stay strong for herself and for Nicole and the twins. She focuses on being pretty today, it’s been a while since she used make up and why not do that today? It’d not only make her feel good but so would her husband.
Who would either be shocked and stare at her for a few seconds or he’s going to immediately curse at her and say he wished he was home.
Since she washed her hair yesterday, all she does is take a refreshing shower, and she does feel much better afterwards. She glances over at Nicole, who is still happily occupied with her toys while sliding on her robe and tightening it around her waist so she can walk out of the bathroom, “Alright, see!” she spreads her arms so Nikki looks up at her, “Was that long? No,right?”
Nicole giggles sweetly, clapping her hands, “Alright, now,” Beatrice points to the cabinet where she kept all her makeup - God bless Rooster because he never complained, “Mama is going to use some makeup, alright? But I won’t take long.” she says, “I’ll just dress up first.”
She quickly dries herself off and dresses up, humming a lullaby softly as she does. She adjusts the dress - maybe she just wanted to make him feel just a little bit more because it is a bit…sexy. It was a mossy green haltertop dress that hugged her curves just right, including the baby bump and she’d gladly show him once he shows up.
Beatrice looks down at her phone to check the time, ‘Alright, a few more minutes,” she says as she opens her makeup drawer, grabbing everything she needed while Nicole stares, completely stunned by the activity. Beatrice flicks her gaze towards the baby girl with a gentle laugh, “I know right? If you feel into getting makeup when you are older, you can always ask me things.” Nicole especially liked the red lipstick her mother got, ‘ooo’ing the second she pulled out the tube, “And you love bold colors too,so…”
Nicole just gasped happily, watching completely mesmerized as her mother spread the creamy substance over her lips, covering the once pink surface with a burnt red, “There.” she smacks her lips a few times before clicking the tube closed, “Oh, wait, what if.” she rummages through the drawers after tossing her lipstick aside, letting out an ‘aha!’ when she finds a scrunchie. It’s small enough so she could hide in her hair, which she does once she pulls it all up in a bun, tugging only her bangs down so it framed her face.
Honestly she just stared at herself for a few seconds, she was…looking good. And her mind needed this break, she needed to feel like this considering how the past weeks were. “Alright! Now I’m done!”
She turns her attention back to Nicole, who is still captivated by her mother's transformation. Beatrice chuckles and walks over to her daughter, picking her up and giving her a gentle squeeze. "Look, birdie, Mama got all pretty for dada. Do you think he'll like it?" Nicole responds with a toothy grin, clapping her hands in delight. gently playing with the bangs that frame her face.
“Now, for the final touch,” she bought something this week, frivolous but very cute…she got herself shark slippers. It was so cute! She couldn’t deny herself that! And it was so comfortable, she knew she’d need something like that when the twins get bigger and it was so very soft. Nicole looks at her mother’s feet once the slippers slide on before smiling at Beatrice “I know right? We might need one for you, they have crocs like these, for those tiny baby feet.” and she tickles her daughter’s feet as well, it doesn’t make her laugh as when she did with her stomach but it was still adorable.
She carries Nicole downstairs, where the dogs eagerly greet them, tails wagging and sniffing curiously at her freshly done appearance. She giggles and shoos them away gently, making her way to the living room. With a quick glance at the clock, she realizes it's almost time for their call.
She settles down on the couch, cradling Nicole in her arms as they wait for Rooster's call, opening the laptop so the camera can take all of them.She runs her fingers on Nicole’s strawberry themed top, gently fixing her collar, “Do you want to click it?” she moves them closer to the laptop, the loading symbol still going which means he wasn’t there yet, “Here, to answer daddy’s call you press this-” she moves Nicole’s tiny hand to the mouse, “Then here,” and her daughter was amazed by the cursor.
“Oh to be a kid again and just think everything is wonderful.” she giggles, kissing Nicole’s head before leaning back on the couch. The anticipation fills the air, and Beatrice can feel her heart racing. She takes a deep breath, reminding herself to stay calm and composed, smell the flower, blow the candle.
Repeat. As many times as necessary.
“Why am I nervous?” she mutters to herself, facing her own reflection on the dark screen,”It’s not like he doesn’t know me.” but she does fix her hair for a few seconds, licking her lips only to give herself a weird look, “Calm down, Jesus. It’ll be fine.”
He will be fine.
“Yeah, he will.”
As the minutes tick by, Beatrice entertains Nicole with gentle whispers and silly faces which distracts her as well. She talks about how excited they are to see Rooster soon, how they've missed him and all the adventures they'll have together and Nicole babbles in response, her eyes sparkling with joy, adding some of her last known words to the mix.
That’s when she hears the connected sound and immediately straightens up.
And her heart just exploded because how can someone look so good all the time. He is wearing his usual black top and his hair is so glossy…she wants to touch it…and his neck looks so nice too but he’s looking away, he hasn’t noticed he's connected yet. That is, until he hears Nicole’s soft gasp, “Dada!”
Rooster’s eyes snap to the screen, Beatrice is holding Nicole up to her face to hide herself at first, knowing their little girl’s reactions was absolutely too precious to pass,”Hi birdie!” his voice gets high and his smile widens, “Oh my Gosh, look at you! You look so big! And you are dressed with strawberries? Oh you look so pretty!”
Nicole giggles, bouncing on Beatrice’s lap, leaning closer to touch the screen with her tiny hands, letting out a confused whine when she couldn’t feel her father’s face, “I know honey,I wish I was there too.” he flicks his gaze towards Bea, “Are you hiding from me?”
“I’m not.”
“Kinda looks like it.” he pauses, “Are you wearing makeup?”
Well, now she just had to show him,didn’t she, “Well,” she moves Nicole out of the way a bit - she was still on her lap but no longer hiding her mother’s face- “I wanted to doll up a bit,” she shrugs innocently, “What do you think?”
And he’s quiet.
So quiet she thinks his connection is bad, but she could see him blinking. In fact she could see his brown eyes drag down her body then back up to her face “...holy fuck.” well, she was right about both of his reactions, apparently “Gorgeous…what the hell.”
“Do you like it?”
“Do I like it? I love it. You look even more beautiful than you already are, my god.” and he keeps moving his eyes, not knowing where to look anymore “...you look stunning. Are you going somewhere?”
“No,I’m just feeling pretty today.”
“You are always pretty.”
Her cheeks heat up and her smile turns shy,”Roos…I…” she giggles,covering her face, “You are too smooth.”
Rooster's words make Beatrice's heart flutter, it's amazing how his words have the power to make her feel so special.
She lowers her hand, revealing her smile once again, and playfully teases, "Smooth talker, huh? You always know the right things to say." Beatrice leans closer to the screen, her voice filled with affection, "But I’m glad you like it.”
Rooster's gaze softens, his expression filled with love and adoration, one of his hands coming up to hold his head upright. "Hmhm…” his eyes drop down again, his smile a bit dopey, “...fuck you look so good. Kinda wish I was there to admire it closer." and the innuendo isn’t lost by her, who clears her throat in hopes to keep herself in check.
“Well…when you come back you can…see it.”
“I’m counting on it.” The connection crackles for a moment, making her stomach drop briefly only for his face to appear clearer than before “--but that’s for another time.”
She blinks in confusion,”Huh? Sorry Roos, your audio cut for a second there.”
“Ah…well,” he smirks, “That’s fine, adds to the mystery.”
She shifts Nicole on her lap, while staring at him - narrowing her eyes playfully before shaking her head. She moves closer allowing her daughter to reach out and touch the screen. Nicole giggles and babbles, Beatrice has to gently hold her hand so she doesn’t slap the screen too hard, “How’s everything there?”
He sighs heavily, running his hands through his hair and interlacing them on his nape, the movement makes his biceps bulge and she has to remember to keep herself together. “Honestly,it’s…tiring, always is. It’s a lot of paperwork, a lot of things to check.”
“Are you managing though?” she asks cautiously, “Are all of you?”
‘Oh yeah, it’s been going fine. It’s just we are also helping the new recruits, but besides that,” he flaps his hand,”It’s fine. This place is just cold.”
“Are you complaining about the cold?”
“This ain’t Virginia,gorgeous.” he smirks, “But I’ll live…how are you though, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’ve been keeping myself busy, I’m uh, going to buy some stuff for Evelyn’s gender reveal party and then I’ll get some stuff for the sleepover.” Rooster arches his brow in confusion,”Oh,Shells is throwing a sleepover for us, and for Nikki too.” she leans down to kiss her daughter’s cheek, earning a soft giggle, “And I’m going to take some snacks and- oh!” she moves a bit on the screen, scooting to the side while carrying Nicole before stretching her leg, ‘Look!”
She flaps the shark slipper, angling her foot this way and that so he can see all the details, “Is that a shark?”
“Yes!Isn’t it adorable?”
“Yeah…just like you.” she sputters embarrassedly, appearing back on the scene with Nicole still laughing, “You look really good, you know? I mean, you always do…but I think because you dressed up, so nicely for our call I’m just,” again his eyes trail down,”Admiring everything.”
Beatrice's cheeks flush at Rooster's words yet again. She can feel her heart racing, his compliments filling her with warmth and affection.
"Thank you, Roos," she says, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "Your words mean the world to me. I wanted to make this call special, just for you."
Rooster's gaze intensifies, "And you succeeded, gorgeous. You always know how to make me feel special, even from miles away. Are you…going to do that in the next calls?."
“I mean…yes, sure.”she looks down at her stomach, “It’s also up to these guys but…yeah. Sure.”
She watches as Rooster runs his hand through his hair again, his eyes filled with mirth and adoration, a mix only he could have, “I know. Are they okay?” she nods, giving him a short explanation from her last time at the clinic “And your dad?”
“He’s just as fine, he’s still taking some meds but he’s much better than before.” she explains, playing with Nicole’s hands. “And he’s needing some help so Michael is staying over for a little while.”
“That’s great to hear, gorgeous. I’ll let everyone else know and-” he looks beyond the screen, his eyebrows furrowing “Yes,McAllister I’m talking to my wife.” followed by a less than impressed expression, “Yes.McAllister…do you mind? Right now?” a soft apology followed by a ‘goodbye sir!’ was heard. Rooster sighed, rubbing his forehead with his fingertips.
Beatrice chuckles, shifting Nicole's hand gently so she doesn't harm the screen. "So your fanboys are there,huh?”
Rooster is now supporting his chin on his hand, shaking his head “Yep. They are…they are good kids, just all over the place.” he explains “McAllister has a crush on Jessie.”
Beatrice’s mouth drops open, “Shut up. Are you serious?”
“You know I don’t lie.” he smirks, “He asked me to keep quiet but I had to share this with you so…eh,he’ll forgive me.”
‘Oh that’s so cute–a Rooster and Bea 2.0! Like we talked about.”
His smile widens because he couldn’t help himself.
"Yeah, it's pretty adorable," he says, his voice filled with a bit of pride. "I can't help but feel a sense of joy knowing that our fans have connected with each other. It's like our love story has inspired them in their own lives."
Beatrice's eyes sparkle with excitement as she leans in closer to the screen. "That’s so romantic,Lt.Bradshaw.”
Rooster nods, his gaze never leaving Beatrice's eyes dark and directly looking into hers "Thank you…Mrs.Bradshaw. You are too sweet." They shared a few more snippets of their separate journeys for a little while, thankfully they never ran out of things to talk about.
When the time comes for him to go back to the grind, he stops then looks into her eyes again
"I'm proud of us, Bea," Rooster says, his voice filled with sincerity. "I really am."
Beatrice's eyes well up with tears of joy, a gentle gasp escaping her lips. "I'm proud of us too.”
Rooster's smile softens, his voice filled with tenderness. "And I'm proud to be your husband, Bea.” oh that’s just dirty. “You have no idea how much.
“You are going to make me cry.”
“Good tears?”
She smiles sweetly, her cheeks hurting from smiling so much ,”...the best.” she whispers, “With you is always the best kind.”
#bradley rooster bradshaw#rooster bradshaw#bradley bradshaw x oc#top gun maverick#bradley bradshaw x reader#bradley bradshaw x female reader#bradley bradshaw x named reader#tgm oc#tgm fic#tgm fanfiction
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Volume 1 of Christian’s Chapter Book: The Trinity || Christian Guinihin, FASA’s 2022 - 2023 Professional Development Chair
Chapter 1
“Hmmm, Funny, Yes, But Not Funny Haha, Funny Weird!”
Oh Yeah SAFA yeah!? Oh yeah SAFASA yeah!? Oh Yeah FASA yeah! Wait what? It is very interesting that I said both FASA and SAFA. Well let’s take it back to Winter of 2021…
A Photoshoot with my SAFA peeps when I was still at Umich-Dearborn
I just submitted my transfer application through Common App to transfer from University of Michigan-Dearborn to University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Being at the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus, I was part of the Student Association for Filipino Americans (SAFA). I was part of their Executive Board as a Co-Cultural chair. It was an experience since we were still in lockdown, no in-person meet ups, and just stayed indoors the whole year. Come February 17th, 2021, I was sitting on the toilet doing my business when I received an email from the University of Michigan that read “Your University of Michigan Status Has been Updated”! I was scared and my blood pressure increased through the roof. I finished my business on the toilet, whipped out my computer and opened my University of Michigan email, and there it is –
“Dear Christian-Edryan, I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to the University of Michigan.”
Me crying on the floor running around my apartment at Dearborn, I made some calls to friends and family regarding my acceptance at the University of Michigan. After my term was over in SAFA, I was saddened because that will be the last time that I get to see my friends before moving to Ann Arbor.
Chapter 2
“Is It Me, Am I The Drama? I Don’t Think I’m The Drama!”
Fast forward to Fall of 2021, my first semester at Umich, I was stoked and nervous! It is a bigger campus, more people, and it was time for me to make new friends. I was such an introvert when I came to this new campus, did not talk to anyone, was not really looking for any new friends since I already had my best friend who transferred with me, Hillary! We spent each day together studying, eating lunch, and hanging out! Come Festifall, the first table I looked for was the Filipino club, FASA! Walking around the Diag, I found FASA’s table. I was given the spiel of what FASA was by either Christine Agpasa or Jolene Soriano. And this started my journey in FASA… kind of.
My lineage, Tiguianes, after our lineage brunch hangout!
Chapter 3
“Ehpowt!? I’m Not Going To The Ehpowt!” “Yeah You Are!”
My very first event in FASA was the Fam/Lineage reveal. I was sorted in a Lineage, Tiguianes, and a Fam, eXcellence! It was a blast, I got to meet my Lineage, Estelle Baste and Kuya Mango, and we ran around playing capture the flag. Unfortunately, that was my last event of the semester as I did not go to any of the other events, but I did go to the PCN kickoff, and that is when my journey in FASA actually started as I have made so many friends through PCN committee meetings, and joining PCN dances! After PCN, my next event that I attended was the Intern’s Capstone, An Evening with FASA! I went to this event, and that is when I was convinced to run for board, specifically Professional Development Chair. I made a video of my speech and answered questions and on March 20th, 2022 I was elected to become FASA’s third Professional Development Chair. It was an exciting day, and now here we are about to end my term of Professional Development Chair. On the other hand during that semester, I became more active, joined the GenAPA dances, went to more FAM hangouts and a FAM game that eXcellence won, and choreographed Kalayaan.
Your Professional Development Chair
Chapter 4
“Were You Silent Or Were You Silenced?”- Oprah Winfrey
Being on the executive board has made me more active this school year which is great! I went to my first Halo-Halloween event, danced in Tinik in the Diag, and many more. The best thing that has happened this school year was becoming more involved in PCN planning. I was a choreographer along with my other choreographer, Kennedy, and headed the PCN design committee along with my committee head member Angeli! Angeli and I worked our butts off designing the look for PCN and I would say we did the greatest job! Kennedy and I also worked our butts off Choreographing our compositions of “Panalo” by EZ Mill and “Sneeze” by P-Lo. I worked tirelessly trying to prepare for PCN and once PCN came and went I felt good about myself because not only did I work hard to make PCN look nice and pleasing, but I also “Bridged the Generational Gap-Hiraya!”
The bridge that bridges the generational gap made by Angeli and me
Chapter 5
“Bombastic Side Eye! Criminal Offensive Side Eye!”
There on forward, I have learned so much and gained so much through FASA. Being on board has helped me so much to gain friends, become more professional, and become a better leader! There were many firsts through the PD Chair: the first Mentorship program was made, the first Academic Folder was made, study tables were established, and there are many more to come! From all of these experiences, I have learned that to not be afraid to be the first, be the one who makes the change. I was always afraid that things would not work out, but for most of my proposals that I proposed, it was accomplished by the right attitude!
Chapter 6
“What Is Your Biggest Regret?”- Joseph
Now to bring you all the advice you may need when starting somewhere new! First, when starting from anywhere you work or a new leadership position, get to know the people you are working with! It is best to do so because you may have something similar and get ideas from each other and that can jumpstart your friendship. Working with people you know and that you can banter with is the best thing you can ask for because you can do work and still have fun with them. This will lead to good chemistry between you and your coworkers, executive board members, and any position that you take!
Second, be on time for everything! No matter what club, what job, or whatever it is, be on time! It is never fun when someone is late and we have to move the start time later or having to catch up the person that was late to the meeting. When it comes to any events, be on time. It is an all hands on deck type thing where everyone needs to be there to help out! It is important to help your executive board members when it comes to events, especially big ones.
Lastly and the most important, communication! It is important to communicate to your coworkers, board members, or wherever you are working! When running late, communicate; when you cannot make it to a meeting, event, or anything, communicate; when an emergency comes up, communicate when you can. This is one of the most important ones on my list of advice!
Bonus advice: When you know something will come up on a certain day or anything and you know you cannot make it to an event on that certain day, communicate it ahead of time. This will help your peers plan accordingly if you cannot show up during an event that your organization is holding!
Coming from someone that was a Professional Development for a year, here are some tips to develop yourself professionally!
Use your resources. When given resources to use, use them! It will be helpful when planning, doing your homework, or looking for jobs, or anything important!
When you need help, ask for help! It is never fun just sitting on your chair looking at something you can’t figure out when your peers may be able to help you with the task that you have.
When hosting an event, be professional and show that you are approachable and that people can go up to you and start a conversation with.
When you see someone alone or sitting by themselves, don’t be afraid to talk to them and get to know them as they can become your friends and come to more events!
Always use your 8 competencies when working with others:
Career & Self-Development
Communication
Critical Thinking
Equity & Inclusion
Leadership
Professionalism
Teamwork
Technology
Before I go, here are some of my words of wisdom:
Don’t use your mouth, use your eyes.
When there is someone who looks like they need help, help them out.
Use your common sense when needed.
Lastly, have fun with everything you do, but get serious when it is necessary.
Chapter 7
“Thanks To You My Charger Is Not Charging On My iPad Because It Got Used To Your iPad Instead Of Mine!”
Actually before I go, I would like to give thanks to the people who made me who I am today! Thank you to Amanda Sutherby and Christine Agpasa for convincing me to run for Professional Development Chair. If I was not convinced enough, I would have not run and I would not be as active. Thank you to Jolene Soriano and Janielle Calaunan for extending the application date for my last minute decision for running! Thank you to Michelle Torralba for always being there for me and being one of my number one supporters and bestfriends!! Thank you to Justine Coteng and Catrina Cagalawan for being one of my supporters as well and being the best friend that I could have ever asked for, we sing or whateva!! A special thank you to my Executive Board Members, without your support and your acceptance of me in our board, I would not be the same as I will be today! You all made me feel special, free, and accepted so I thank you once again and love you all! Lastly, I would like to thank all of you! You have all been my supporters from day one and it has been so nice getting to know each and every one of you! I have made so many great friends through this journey and I couldn't be more proud of the memories we have made and our friendship!
Winter Fam/Lineage reveal 2023
Epilogue
Dearly Beloveds,
I now bid you all a farewell! It is time for me to pack my stuff and head out! It has been nice serving all of you and it was my pleasure to serve all of you! Good bye, slay the day away, it’s been real, and lastly, Good Riddance!!!
Thank You!
Your Professional Development Chair 2022-2023, Christian-Edryan Burbano Guinihin
My Lovely Executive Board Members
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Chet Stays In - Chapter Three
NOTE: Being the obsessive detail writer I am, I looked up Michigan's alcohol laws. As a result, material written after this point will have some plot holes compared to earlier chapters, primarily in regards to when the Elk Lounge closes. Namely, the Lounge can't serve alcohol after 2 am except on New Year's Day and can't serve alcohol before noon on Sunday. Going forward, last call is at 1 am.
"Do you ever get a day off?"
Chet glanced up at Marisa as she settled near the end of the bar. He smiled at her. She had been coming in almost every night since he'd walked her home after the incident with the Johnsons. She didn't always drink, but she usually stayed until closing and helped him clean up. "Sure," he replied with a shrug. "I'm usually here anyway." He poured a martini into the glass, dropped in two olives on a toothpick and pushed it across to the already tipsy waitress, Jolene. Jolene took the glass and wandered off, chewing on the olives. "Not much else to do around here."
"True enough," Marisa sighed and leaned her elbow on the bar, chin in hand.
"Drinking?"
"Sunset, hold the grenadine."
Chet set about mixing the drink. Marisa rotated between the Squirt Paloma, Tequila Sunrise and Pink Sunset. The name had stuck, even if it was only between the two of them. "You want strawberries instead?"
Marisa's eyebrows quirked upward, curious. "If you've got them. Since when do you have strawberries?"
Since I found out you like them, Chet thought to himself and did his best to give her an enigmatic smile. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"I would, actually," Marisa replied and peered into the glass he handed her. "It makes a difference if they're past their date or not."
"You think I would offer you moldy strawberries!?" Chet asked with an overdrawn gasp.
"You can't tell me you didn't consider soaking them in 99 just to make sure they lasted," Marisa grinned, shaking a finger at him. She sipped the drink and smiled.
"I'll confess to that," Chet sighed. He leaned on the bar across from her. "These are fresh, though. The 99 didn't work that well." Someone down the bar from them called for beer and Chet rolled his eyes. "I'll be back."
"Promises," she grinned and Chet could feel the edges of his ears heat up in a blush.
As he poured the beers, Chet tried not to let his mind wander but knowing she was there behind him ruined his concentration. The only days Marisa absolutely didn't show up at the Elk Lounge were Sundays and Thursdays. Sundays were unsurprising: hardly anyone came in on Sunday anyway. Thursdays puzzled him, though. Why Thursdays and not any other day? She was just as likely to show up Saturday as Wednesday, so the complete absence of her on Thursdays seemed important. Maybe it was just the stalker part of his brain engaging. He handed the beers to the waiting patron, then turned back to Marisa.
"You want to get dinner Thursday?" The words had departed his mouth long before he'd had enough time to think them through and Chet was embarrassed to see Marisa staring at him in just as much shock as he felt.
"I can't on Thursday," Marisa said in a small voice he could barely hear for the background bar noise. "Besides, don't you work?"
He did work Thursdays. Chet tried not to smile at the giddy feeling in his chest: she knew when he worked. Granted, he worked every day, whether by accident or design, but still. Marisa knew when he was there. "Well, I was thinking about after. Or... during. Or something."
"During?" Marisa smiled at him, her expression amused. "You sure know how to charm a girl."
Chet sighed, feeling kicked. "C'mon, Marisa, I'm trying. Give me something here."
She watched him with her head tilted slightly, brown eyes almost amber in the lights from the bar behind him. "Trying to what, though?"
Yeah, Chet, his mind taunted. What exactly are you trying to do here? The thought was tinged with memories of Cheryl and he flinched, ducking his head and looking away. "Never mind. Forget I said anything." She made a noise, something he couldn't quite identify but he had already shoved himself down to the other end of the bar.
Chet poured drinks for a few more patrons without looking back toward Marisa. After the better part of an hour, someone slid a note under the shot glass he was playing with. He blinked and looked up to see a shorter man he didn't immediately recognize walking away. The note read, "I could use another Sunset," and was signed, "the girl who fucked up."
Marisa was holding up her empty glass when Chet turned. She turned it slowly over and placed it upside-down on the bar with a sad smile. Chet sighed, then slid the bottle of tequila down to her before walking the length of the bar to watch her pour. "I'm sorry," she said softly.
"It's alright," he replied. He poured out two glasses of lemonade, pushed one over to her and added tequila to his own. "I don't know what I was thinking anyway." He grated the nutmeg, offered her a pinch bowl full of candied orange rind. When she'd added her garnish, he added, "Did you want the rest?"
"The lemonade lacks without either the orange or grapefruit."
He poured shots of orange liqueur into their glasses and grinned at her weakly. "The orange juice is in the back. I'd have to open another can."
"Since we're experimenting," Marisa took a measured sip of her drink, considered, then shook her head, "nope, needs grapefruit now for sure. It's heavy on the sweet without any bite, even with the alcohol."
"Really?" Chet tried his own. "You're right. I really thought the orange liqueur would be enough."
"Too sweet."
"I'll get the grapefruit." When he was halfway down the bar, he paused to look back at her. She was watching him with an almost worried expression in her eyes. Chet pulled out the rest of the strawberries and carried them with the jug of grapefruit juice.
"Kaminski!" a voice behind him snapped and Chet had to slam the jug down to keep from dropping it. He turned to look and was surprised to see Garrett Hawthorne, one of the high school bigshots who had enjoyed torturing him until he'd gotten to be friends with Ash. "Where the hell is my beer?"
"I didn't hear you order one," he replied.
Garrett waved his hands to take in the entirety of the Elk Lounge. "I'm here, aren't I? What the hell else am I gonna drink in this god-forsaken turd factory?"
Chet didn't answer. He poured one of the on-tap beers and pushed the glass at the older man. "Starting a tab?"
"No." Garrett took the beer, knocked most of the pint glass back in a single gulp, then shuddered. "What is this, piss and pig cum?"
"Yup," Chet said in a flatly pleasant voice. "We're collecting donations in the back, if you want to stop by."
"Only if your mother's takin' 'em," sneered Garrett with a crude thrust of his hips. A few nervous laughs nearby confirmed that he had some of his cronies with him.
"So you'll admit to being a pig," Marisa put in with a cool smile. Garrett reared around to stare at her as she sipped from her drink. "If this is what you're like sober, I think I'll be happy to be somewhere else when you've had a few beers." She pushed up from the bar and smiled at Chet. "I'll see you later, Chet."
"Hey, wait a minute." Garrett took a quick step forward and grabbed Marisa by the arm. The entire bar went silent except for the jukebox, which had the audacity to be on automatic shuffle mode. "You look familiar."
"Let. Go. Of me." Marisa's voice was low and dangerous and Chet was surprised to feel his own battle rage rising. This would not be a fun fight--Garrett was older than he was but about the same height and in much better shape--but he was ready for it if she was.
"Tell me where I know you from and I will," Garrett growled back. Before Marisa could open her mouth, a light seemed to go on and Garrett started to laugh. "You're Henry Mossberg's girl. That's why it took me a second. Didn't recognize you with your clothes on."
"Let me go!" Marisa snapped and pulled her arm free of his grip. She staggered and came to a stop with one hand on the bar. Chet stared at her hand: it was trembling violently. From fear or adrenaline, he couldn't tell.
"Best dancer at Mammary's," Garrett laughed. "Can shake some real tail."
Marisa seemed to shrink into her self. Her eyes flashed quickly to meet Chet's, then away just as fast. Slowly, the pieces seemed to put themselves together in his head. Sundays he spent doing inventory at the bar. He worked Thursdays pretty much as a given so there was no chance he'd have been down to Mammary Lane. If she worked there Sundays and Thursdays, it would explain why she was never at the Lounge those days.
"Go to hell, Garrett," she spat but there was no conviction in her voice anymore. The big man continued to laugh as he walked off to a table with his friends, leaving Marisa huddled on her stool, her eyes downcast and her hair hanging in her face.
With the fight apparently defused, the bar settled back into a more normal tension level. Chet carefully stepped over to where Marisa still sat with her face turned away. "Are you okay?"
"Feelin' great," she replied without lifting her face. "Nothing makes a girl feel like a thousand bucks like a public slut-shaming."
Chet considered her words, located Garrett where he sat with his friends, frowned to himself and leaned across the bar to whispered, "Marisa. Look at me." Reluctantly, she tilted her head enough that he could see her eyes behind the wavy sheet of her hair. "There's nothing wrong with working at Mammary's. Some of the girls make serious cash there; everyone knows that."
Marisa gave a little laugh that didn't sound convinced or comforted at all. She shook herself like she was pushing off a heavy weight, then pulled her hair back into a ponytail with her hands. When she looked at him with her hair back, the familiarity of it sank into him: he had seen her dance there. With her hair down, clothes on and his own sobriety, she looked far different from his memory in the hazy lights of Mammary Lane. "Still want to get dinner?" she asked him with a sarcastic, defeated note in her voice.
He blinked. "Why wouldn't I?"
"Kinda takes all the mystery out of dating, doesn't it? When you've already seen all the goods?"
"More like a sneak preview," he said with a grin. "Or like the trailers before a movie." Surprised, Marisa laughed and Chet stood up on the little ledge behind the bar that elevated some of the storage up from the ground. It gave him a few more inches and let him lean all the way across the bar so he could put his head closer to hers. "I dunno if you've noticed, but I kind of like you. Doesn't really matter to me where you work or how many people have seen your tits." He shrugged and added, "I liked you when I found out you worked for a newspaper and could run literary circles around me. I still like you." When she still didn't quite look at him, he worked one hand out from under his chest so he could touch her hair. "You could be unemployed or working for the mob and I'd still like you."
"Thanks, Chet," she said softly. After a moment with his fingers still stroking through her hair, she stood up and leaned to kiss him across the bar. "I kind of like you, too."
"I noticed," he beamed. "My finely tuned sensors figured that out when you stuck around to patch me up after getting my face busted. And you told me. I actually do pay attention."
"Sometimes."
"Sometimes," he agreed. "So, not dinner on Thursday. Lunch on Tuesday?"
"Will you be awake?" she grinned at him.
"For you, anything."
***
The end of the night found Chet and Marisa cleaning the bar the way they usually did when Marisa decided to stay until closing. Chet had changed the music to decidedly funky jazz. Marisa mopped under the tables. Chet tried not to watch her do it; now that he realized he had seen her with her clothes off, it was harder to not picture her mopping in a g-string.
"Does the paper not pay enough?" he asked into the jazz-tinged emptiness of the closed lounge.
Marisa looked up from her bucket, pushed her hair out of her eyes and tilted her head to study him. "What?"
"You said you wrote copy for the Detroit Free Press."
"Yeah."
"Do they not pay you enough?"
Marisa was quiet for a moment, then sighed. "I don't really want to talk about this, Chet." She turned back to the mop.
Chet nodded, his eyes fixed on the glasses he was drying. "Do you?"
"Do I what?" Marisa sighed as she spun back toward him. When he didn't respond immediately, she abandoned the mop and bucket, stomped across the room, around the bar and right into his face. "Go ahead," she hissed. "Ask me."
Chet stared at her, suddenly not sure what to say. Slowly, he licked his lips, then said quietly, "Did you lie to me? About the paper?"
"What if I did? What would you do?"
"I think it depends on why you lied." He put aside the glasses and towel, then put his hand on her arm, lightly and ready to pull away if she rejected it. "Were you trying to impress me? Or scare me off?"
"Did it work?"
"No."
Her lips curled in a small smile. "So you weren't impressed or scared off?"
Chet couldn't hide his answering smirk. "Well, maybe a little impressed. And a lot scared."
Marisa let out a long sigh and almost slumped against his chest, pushed her face against his shirt and wrapped her arms around him. Hesitant, Chet held her. "I didn't lie," she whispered. "I do write free lance for the Free Press." Something in his chest softened and Chet held her closer, one hand stroking her hair. "If your next question is why I work at Mammary's--"
"You don't have to tell me," he said quickly. "You don't owe me anything, I know that."
Marisa chuckled and propped her chin against his chest, looking up at him. "Would you believe that the answer is 'because I can?'" He gave her a puzzled look and she continued: "I took dance in school, right through college. I was never good enough to merit more than the back line but I've always loved it. But there's no way to make a living as a mediocre dancer. You're either professional or you're good enough to teach or you're... me." She tucked her chin and rested her forehead against his shirt. "I've got the technical skills," she whispered. "I can do the steps, even evoke the emotion but I'm... not..." Her voice broke and she fell silent.
Chet sighed and pulled her around the bar to the stools. He put her on one so her face was closer to his, then said, "If you dance because you like to dance, that makes complete sense to me. Hell, I work here because I like booze and I like the Lounge. I'm broke as shit, Marisa, but I like it here. Do what makes you happy."
Marisa gave a soft, almost broken laugh, sniffed and wiped at her face. "What makes me happy, huh?" He nodded, then gasped when she put her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. Chet staggered back, tripped over the stool behind him and they both fell to the mopped floor in a tangle of limbs and giggles. After a second, Marisa's smile blossomed again. "You," she whispered, touching the end of her nose to his, "make me happy, Chet. Did you know that?"
"I'm sure as hell trying," he replied hoarsely.
"It's working." She kissed him again and Chet hugged her tightly.
"Good."
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Hungry Eyes chapter 3
Pairing: Benny Miller x OFC
Summary: Dirty Dancing but Benny is Baby and the dance instructor is a female OC, Jolene. Benny goes to a holiday resort with his family and somehow ends up spending his time dancing and falling in love! This picks up where the previous left off: what happens to Patrick and what does Benny have to do with all this?
Words: 2,103
Warnings: curse words, possible medical inaccuracies (Benny isn't a doctor and neither am I)
Notes: Another update! Whaaat. Thank you Jen for being the best and calming my nerves and saying it all makes sense <3
Chapter 2 | masterlist
Jo rushed into the house with Benny at her tail to find Patrick propped up on the couch and Lily pouring him a drink.
“Why didn’t you say something, you idiot? What happened?” she demanded rushing to Patrick’s side.
Patrick explained to her how he had stumbled on the way back to their house from a one-night stand in some guest’s cabin, and in the early hours of the morning, when it had been still dark, he had misstepped on the forest trail and fallen down on a tree stump, hurting his side in the process.
Jo took a deep breath through her nose. She had told him sleeping with resort guests wasn’t a good idea. Maybe she hadn’t expected exactly this to happen, but it was frowned upon in any case.
Lily lifted the hem of Patrick’s loose t-shirt to show the other side of his toned torso sporting light red and purplish bruises. It didn’t look horribly bad, but surely painful, nonetheless.
“Shit, dude, I think you might have a bruised rib,” Benny piped up, brows furrowed and looking at Patrick’s injury thoughtfully.
They all looked at the virtual stranger with various degrees of questioning in their faces. Jo actually had half a mind to ask him to leave - he was once again where he wasn’t supposed to be. “What do you know about that?” she asked instead, but perhaps a bit more tartly than he deserved.
“I, uh, I’m a boxer. Seen a lot of injuries over the years. Cracked a few ribs myself,” he explained. “Occupational hazard,” he finished with a small grin that might’ve been a grimace.
As they all just continued staring at him, Benny rattled on, “You should go check that out. It could just be bruised like I said, most likely is, based on what I’ve seen and heard at least, but it’s good to get an X-ray to confirm that. A couple of sick days would probably do you good since the pain will be worst the first few days. Take painkillers and hold an ice pack to it in the beginning to reduce swelling. Definitely don’t wrap any bandages or binds around your torso - you need to be able to breathe properly all the time. Speaking of which, I know it hurts and it goes against your instinct but breathe. Seriously, let yourself breathe normally and cough - it’s important to prevent infections and shit. You can try holdin’ a pillow against your chest when you cough, that helped me a bit. Oh, and don’t sit or lay still too long, but obviously other than that take it easy, especially at first.”
“That was a lot of information,” Patrick said after a while, nodding slightly. “How long do these things take to heal?”
That was the question Jo had been too scared to ask.
“I think it can be anywhere between three to six weeks or something like that, depending on how bad it is. But that’s what you’ll need a doctor for,” Benny reminded firmly.
“Yeah... I don’t exactly have the money to go and get an X-ray though,” Patrick pointed out grimly.
“I’ll lend you some money, no problem,” Jo hastened to offer.
“No, Jo, you don’t have cash to throw around either. Besides, I don’t want you touching your savings, you’ve worked hard for those,” he said sternly.
“It’s my money, I’ll do what I want with it!”
“Bob, listen--," Patrick started through gritted teeth, but using his nickname for her to soften his irritated tone. She had been the SpongeBob to his Patrick ever since they had met. Patrick liked not needing a nickname for himself, so naturally Jo called him Squidward just to tease him.
“No, you listen--," Jo stomped her foot for emphasis.
“What if--,” a voice butted in and Jo was startled to see Benny still standing there.
“Look, thanks for your help, but I think it would be best if you leave now,” Jo turned to him, not trying very hard to sound polite right now. This was a private matter between her and Patrick, she didn’t want the added stress of a stranger hovering in the background.
Fortunately, the man had the good sense to not argue, he just nodded once and walked out.
--------
Benny walked out of the ‘party house’, as he now called it in his head, and went straight to Will, who was reading on the hammock in front of their cabin.
He knew he was probably meddling way too much in some strangers’ business, but he couldn’t help thinking that everyone deserved to get medical treatment when they needed it, and he didn’t want Patrick to be left alone to deal with his injury. That just plain sucked. He knows pain and what it feels like to not be able to do anything about it - he didn’t want that for the younger man.
“Hey, man, d’you have a second?” He asked, coming to a still next to Will’s head.
Will looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. “Sure, what’s up?”
Now this is where it got tricky. Benny had never really hidden things from his brother, but this wasn’t about him, though. This was completely about other people, strangers even, whose jobs were hanging in the balance. This wasn’t his to share with anyone.
“Do you think I could borrow some money from you?” Benny asked outright. No need to dance around it.
Will sat up. “How have you gotten in trouble already?”
Benny snorted, “No, you idiot, it’s not for me. I just wanna help someone out. I’ll pay you back, but I need your help with part of it since I don’t have as much. Otherwise, I’d pay it all myself.” He said this all matter-of-factly, but it did suck a little to have to ask his older brother for money. Will had a stable, respectable, well-paying job, whereas Benny went from fight to fight, sometimes winning and sometimes.. not. But he had managed fine on his own for a long time, it wasn’t like he had to go to Will for help regularly at all, but he couldn’t help sometimes comparing himself to his brother and his success. He knew other people certainly did it.
Will chewed his lip, looking a bit skeptical, but saw the determined look on Benny’s face and agreed - he had no reason not to trust his younger brother. He believed in helping others just as much as Benny did; they shared the same values.
“Ok, how much do you need exactly?”
--------
The next evening Benny went back to the party house when he could be sure all classes for the day were over and they were most likely to be up there, with the money from him and Will clutched in his hand.
Music was playing again, not as loudly as last time but still loud enough that he didn’t bother trying to make his knock heard over it. He walked in and hoped the people there either wouldn’t care or already somewhat remembered his face. He didn’t want to attract unnecessary attention, which admittedly was sometimes a bit hard being as tall as he was, but he only wanted to find the right people and be done with this.
There was a party of sorts going on again, but it was much more subdued this time. The dancing people were moving a lot more like “normal” people did in bars, not fully letting themselves go, and there was less laughter and noise. Benny spotted Patrick and Jolene slow dancing together, not in the thick of things as they had been last time, but near the back, a bit separate from the bigger group. They were barely even swaying to the music (he was glad to see Patrick was mindful of his injury); it was clear that they needed that quiet feeling of just existing between two best friends right now. Benny hesitated, not wanting to interrupt their intimate moment, but Lily spotted him and waved him over to them.
He approached cautiously and tapped Patrick on the shoulder. They both startled and turned to look at him. Benny nodded his head towards the farthest corner where Lily was already waiting. The duo eyed each other suspiciously but followed him anyway.
“Here,” Benny said without preamble, thrusting the pile of cash in his hand toward Patrick.
All three stared at him, stunned, only the music continuing to play in the background.
“What are you talking about?”
“You said you didn’t have enough money to go and have an X-ray. We do. Take it.”
“Wait, who the hell is ‘we’?” demanded Jo.
“Oh, right, I mean my brother and me. He helped,” Benny clarified.
“You told--," three indignant voices started at the same time.
“No! No, fuck no, I just asked him to loan me some,” he hastened to explain.
Patrick and Jo shared an apprehensive look. Benny got the feeling that neither of them trusted people very easily. He understood their worry, though - if he let something slip, they would be in trouble, possibly risk losing their jobs even.
“Well, thanks, but I can’t take it,” Patrick said after a few beats.
He turned to leave but Lily stopped him. “What are you doing, you should take the money!”
Benny nodded firmly in agreement, keeping his steady gaze on Patrick. The dancer looked back at him again for a long time, chewing his lip. He was clearly considering it now.
“Why would a stranger offer to give you money without expecting something in return? Seems fishy to me,” Benny heard Jolene hiss into Patrick’s ear.
“If he’s stupid enough to give me the money I might as well take it,” Patrick countered in a low voice.
Benny stood still, still holding out his hand with the cash. He didn’t much care what they thought of his motives if the man just got his injury checked out by a professional.
Finally, Patrick nodded and silently shook Benny’s hand, pocketing the money. Jo pursed her lips but didn’t say anything.
“Your brother wouldn’t happen to have any extra dancers in his pocket too?” Lily asked dryly, biting her thumbnail.
“Huh?”
“They were supposed to perform at this hotel in the neighboring town next week. Patrick obviously won’t be able to do it now,” she explained.
“You have a room full of dancers here. Couldn’t one of them do it?” Benny asked puzzled.
“You just have a solution for everything, don’t you? No, they all have their own jobs and are needed here. We don’t exactly have any extra staff just lying around,” Jolene snapped.
Patrick placed a calming hand on her back while Lily continued worriedly, “And we can’t cancel. They’ll lose the money and probably the whole gig, and that’s not an ideal situation right now either.”
“Do you wanna do it?” Jolene asked Benny, her whole being positively oozing sarcasm.
Benny scoffed. He’d just tried to help but fuck that if she was going to be rude to him.
“Wait, maybe he could!” Lily said with the air of one who just had a lightbulb moment.
“Sarcasm, Lily.”
“No, seriously. He can move, I saw you guys dancing just two days ago! He’s in good shape too, physically it wouldn’t be a problem for him.”
“You can’t be serious, he cannot do it,” said Jolene, shooting daggers at Lily.
Patrick just stood there looking from one to the other, face impassive. Opposite him Benny was following the situation in a similar fashion.
“Jo, you can teach anybody you know it,” Lily pressed on.
Lily and Jolene started arguing about whether it could be done with Patrick weighing in a couple of times. They were all talking as if he wasn’t standing right next to them. If there was one thing Benny didn’t like, it was being told what he can or cannot do. Did people think boxing was a good career? No. Did he care? Also no.
“Hey,” Benny said in what he knew was his more authoritative voice.
The trio quietened instantly.
“While no one asked me,” he said just a little bit pointedly, “if you think it can be done, I’ll do it.” He addressed Jolene, looking her straight in the eye.
Benny felt her looking at him appraisingly from head to toe, not unlike his trainers or managers sometimes did.
“Fine,” she relented, “we’ll try it because I sure as hell don’t know what else to do anyway. But you’re not talking about this to anyone, got it?”
--------------------------------------------------
Chapter 4
tags: @writeforfandoms @marvelousmermaid
#benny miller x ofc#benny miller fanfiction#triple frontier fanfiction#dirty dancing au#nobody puts benny in the corner#benny miller fic#i accidentally wrote something#garrett hedlund fanfiction
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do you have any hcs for the phantoms and julie??? or julie and luke since you ship them 🤔
i’m going to go with the band as a whole and do any julie/luke hcs later? i’ll tag you when i do don’t worry!
- the band starts doing karaoke nights on a semi-regular basis where they just sing (not necessarily in tune) whatever they want however they want. alex almost always chooses some 70s/80s disco pop like abba or whitney houston complete with choreographed dance routines, reggie breaks out the banjo and plays country hits from the dixie chicks and dolly parton and no matter how much alex and luke pretend to hate it, they can never resist belting out jolene with all the emotion they can muster. luke goes with classic rock, but he mixes it up with some 2000s pop punk thrown in for flavour, jamming to misery business and welcome to the black parade like any self-respecting 2000s emo kid. julie sings a lot of current hits, but she has a soft spot for boybands (am i projecting my love of one direction? absolutely) and selena quintanilla (who she loves listening to with her family) i’m saying selena based on one of madison reyes’ interviews where she says she was so inspired by selena
- after the finale and the boys become corporeal (?) to julie, there’s a lot of hugging and arms around each other, cuddles, high fives, and forehead kisses between them all. the boys also definitely carry julie the way luke and reggie carried alex when they were talking to the orpheum lady on the phone, much to her anxiousness and delight (but they would never let her fall. not on their watch.) and just yeah. all the platonic touches!!
- sometimes when the boys are bored they just poof into julie’s classroom and hang out, usually keeping up a running commentary on the lesson and her classmates and julie always has to fight to keep from bursting into laughter at their funny comments, as well as relay everything to flynn, who adds in her own two cents and yeah they’re definitely going to need to review this whole chapter from beginning to end on their own at home
- the boys like to leave little encouraging notes in the margins of julie’s notebooks! just little “keep it up”s and “you can do it”s and cute little doodles of smiley faces and cartoon ghosts!! sometimes luke’s notes are a little illegible and reggie’s doodles a bit wonky, but the sentiment is there so she always smiles fondly whenever she finds a new one and cherishes each and every one of them
- the boys also try to help her with household chores sometimes, and julie always sings classic disney sings as she folds laundry and does the dishes, while the boys attempt to sweep the floor (their ability to actually hold things can be a bit iffy if they’re not focused enough) and sometimes ray will walk past and swear he sees the broom sweeping by itself but when he turns to look, the broom is on the floor and julie is just doing her chores, innocent smile on her face, while the boys break down laughing until they cry
- they also become very good at comforting each other. alex always is there to give warm hugs and reassurances, luke is there to vent to and scream/cry with, reggie is a shoulder to cry on and has all these little jokes and rambles to make you laugh til you feel better, and julie is the one with a listening ear and advice.
- sometimes during late night writing sessions with the band, they’ll confide secrets and hopes and fears and dreams to each other, and in the quiet hours of the night, there’s this sense of surety and calmness and togetherness that reminds them all of family.
hope you enjoyed!! <3
#julie#luke#reggie#alex#julie and the phantoms#answered#pearlseleganciess#headcanons#skygetsasks#all eyes on me: my content#voice to the rain: my writing
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Band Wars: Rise of the Phoenix
Note: Due to the rampant uprising of plagiarism on this site and others I am stating once and once only that this is my ORIGINAL work. If I find out that you have stolen/taken any part of my work I will handle you and the situation the way I see fit.
None of the pics or gifs I use belong to me so full credit goes to the originators of said gifs and pics.
Length: 2,356 words
A/N: Sorry it took me so long to get this out guys. I was not happy with the final results and when I was I still was unsure so I rewrote it again and decided to just post it. I’ll let yall be the judge lol.
Genre: Honestly idk lmao
Chapter 1
Universal Music Group (UMG) decides to debut a new girl group, PHOENIX on their first ever reality show “Next Big Thing.” The winners of the show get a 5 year, 5 album recording contract and will tour with CNCO 1 year after they debut. The winner of the show was Zania Reye Bloom, followed by London Monroe Jones, Jolene Maria Sanchez, Siane Rei Choi, and Avery Lynn O'Reilly. The band is composed of 5 talented women with different ethnic backgrounds, ages 24-25.
Since the show served as the girl’s training they were immediately thrusted into the spotlight after the show ended. They went to work on their debut album and as the release date approached the girls were getting antsy. Now only were they about to release their baby onto the world, but they were finally meeting CNCO today and discussing ideas for their tour.
*UMG headquarters in LA*
“Yoooo I’m fucking excited! Can yall believe our debut album is coming out in a couple days?” London said as she led a couple of her members to the elevators.
“Girl this tour bout to be lit as fuck. Bruuuh we’re going to fucking Sweden. I didn’t even think we had fans out there.” Zania said.
“Yeah you can thank that girl Astrid who made the finals. She was Swedish.” Avery said.
The girls finally heard the elevator ding at their floor and immediately got out. The girls walked into a meeting room where they saw their other 2 members Jolene and Siane bonding with the boys of CNCO.
“Finally you bitches show up. What took yall so long?” Siane asked.
“Avery thinks she’s still in Ireland and almost drove us into a damn ditch.” Zania said.
“You’re alive aren’t you? So quit complaining.” Avery said as she took a seat opposite Erick.
“Anyways if yall are done….THIS is CNCO ladies. This is Zabdiel, Christopher, Erick, Joel, and this is Richard.” Siane said as she pointed to each boy as she introduced them. Richard definitely caught Zania’s eye and she quickly averted her eyes so he wouldn’t catch her ogling him. Little did she know, he was checking her out too.
“And I’m Zania, and of course yall met Jolene and Siane. This is London and Avery.” She said as she gestured to her other bandmates. She was about to say something else when a tall, slender woman walked into the room followed by a man wearing the loudest shade of yellow and another woman dressed in all black.
“Okay let’s make this short and sweet. I’m Veronica Pierce, you can call me Vee or Ms. Pierce, never Veronica. Get it? Got it? Good. I am your tour creative director. I’ll be working closely with you all to design your tour. And please, let’s all collectively agree on a specific concept. I will not have my people designing 2 separate stages. To my left is Chez Moa, your set designer. And to my right is Mel Carter she and her team will be styling you all so meet with her some time this week so she can get an idea of what you guys want and need. And ladies you have a busy weekend ahead. Friday you have your album release, press runs, then your album release party later that night. Saturday you’ll be on Good Day LA where you’ll be interviewed and then perform your lead single. Sunday you have a mini showcase where yall will perform some fan fave covers from the show and a few songs from the album, including your single with CNCO. You’ll have tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday to learn choreo for both performances. You’ll meet your choreographer tomorrow. Any questions?”
The whole room was silent as both groups stared at Veronica and her associates. Zania raised her hand and the other members of Phoenix sighed. They knew how this shit was about to play out.
“So do we get to breathe? Or do we have to pencil that in too?” Zania asked. She knew she was being an asshole but this shit was ridiculous.
“Hmmmm you must be Zania Bloom. They told me you had a mouth on you. Listen up sweetie this my show. I call the shots and if they bother you, you can leave.” Veronica said. Zania smirked at her and leaned back in her chair.
“Nah I’m good. You may continue, Ms. Pierce.” Zana said. Sarcasm dripping from her words.
“Anyways that’s all for now. And remember this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It can be taken away in the blink of an eye so watch yourselves.” Veronica spoke. She eyed the room but everyone knew exactly who that was meant for. She, Mel, and Chez exited the room in silence. Once they left, Siane burst out laughing.
“Yo I was clenching my fucking ass cheeks. She’s soo fucking hot.” Siane said.
“Keep it in your pants Siane. And Zania, girl why did you do that? You made that shit more intense than it needed to be.” London asked.
“You know me, I just had to say something. She was a bitch to us when we did the show, now they’re making her the tour director, wtf?” Zania said.
“Am I the only one who noticed that guy had on too much yellow?” Chris said. Everyone turned to him and started laughing.
“Look, I ain’t wanna say anything but he was so wrong for that. And it was a complete contrast to Mel who had on all black.” Jolene said.
“But real shit Vee ain’t no joke, she can make or break you. So just be careful.” Richard said. He made eye contact with Zania and she smiled at him.
“Oh I’m not afraid of her. She’s on a power trip so I’ll entertain her mess for the sake of this tour. You don’t have to worry bout me baby boy.” Zania said. Everyone got up to leave but on her way to the door she was stopped by Richard.
“I don’t know if you realized but I’m a grown ass man so that baby boy shit not gon fly with me.” Richard said. Zania was amused.
“Oh did I bruise your whittle ego babe? Look it’s not that serious-”
“But it is that serious so treat me with respect or keep it moving baby girl.” Richard said as he cut her off. He walked away leaving Zania stunned in silence. She walked back to her group and chuckled.
“Yall…...that guy Richard just lowkey put me in my fucking place. Oh this tour is gonna be so damn fun.” Zania said. She and her bandmates went to find their stylists to get started on designing their perfect tour outfits.
______________
It had been a full 5 hours and the girls were hard at work on their choreo. They were thankful that most of the songs they performed were their covers from their reality show so the moves were ingrained in their heads. They breezed through their choreo for their own singles and just finished running through them a final time before Laurieann Gibson called for lunch. The girls were beyond starved and as they walked to the cafe area of the upscale dance studio they saw CNCO walk through the door.
“Oop the boys are here.” Jolene said as she fixed her slightly messy hair. She made eye contact with Zabdiel as he and the other boys walked into the dance studio they’s just left.
“Ooooohhh do I sense a little crush? London teased.
“See that tall one, Zabdiel? I promise you, I will climb him like a fucking tree.” Jolene said, much to the amusement of her group.
“Woah. Down girl, we have a whole ass tour to get through.” Avery said.
“Look if I can’t fuck Vee, you can’t fuck Zabdiel.” Siane argued.
“Girl. Zabdiel is fair game, Vee is our fucking boss. There’s a difference.” Zania said as the girls found a table near the back of the cafe. Avery went to order them some food and soon a waiter came back with a tray of fruit, some finger sandwiches, and a basket of the cafe’s homemade potato chips.
“This looks so good and I’m starving.” London said. As the girls ate they discussed the difficult choreo.
“I really thought Laureiann was gonna throw her shoe or some shit at you cuz you couldn’t get that one move down.” Siane said.
“I wish she would throw some shit at me.” Jolene said while the others laughed at her.
“What kind of shit yall think they’ll have us do with the boys?” London asked.
“Probably something sexy, ya kno to pander to the fans.” Avery answered.
“I heard that they’re partnering us up with them for the collab so whomever we pick is our dance partner for the song.” Siane added.
“Well. this should be fun.” Zania said. The girls chat a little bit longer before cleaning up and heading back into the dance studio. When they arrived they heard their song with CNCO playing. Laurieann was teaching them their choreo and once saw the girls she turned the music off and immediately began assigning pairs.
“Okay London you’re with Joel, Jolene with Eric, Zabdiel and Siane, Avery and Chris are partners and lastly, Zania, you’re with Richard. Everyone please stand with your partner. I’m only gonna do the dance two times and then you’re gonna do it and we’ll fine tune everything afterwards” Lauriann said as she read off her list. Before the girls could even process anything they quickly got into formation to do the choreo.
______________
A few hours later, both Phoenix and CNCO were spread out on the floor, exasperated. Lauriann told them to rest up and that she’d see them in the morning before she left them all a sweaty mess in the studio.
“I swear there are parts of me that are sweating I ain’t know could sweat.” Siane said as she attempted to lift her head to no avail.
“Girl I feel like my fucking feet are gonna fall off.” Zania said.
“I can’t feel my left asss cheek.” Jolene mumbled.
“Bruh at least yall voices aren’t hoarse as fuck.” Richard said.
“We should probably start heading out because I need an ice bath or some shit.” Avery said as she willed her body to move. Everyone followed suit and struggled getting to their feet. When the girls began packing up to leave, Zabdiel strolled on over to pull Jolene to the side. Zania looked on and smirked to herself. All she hoped was that whatever they had going on didn’t get in the way of her group’s path to success. She snapped out of her little daze just as Jolene made it back.
“Well, what was that about?” Zania asked.
“Girl he asked for my number. I was like no and he said can you really say no to this face. I almost fucking melted so I gave him my number. He’s so fucking cocky. I love it.” Jolene beamed. Zania could tell her friend was happy so she chose to keep her mouth shut. The girls finally made it to the elevator when Zania realized she’d left her phone in the dance studio.
“Shut yall I left my phone. Yall go on I’ll text yall once I get home.” Zania said.
“Girl we’ll wait, just hurry up.” London said. Zania jogged back to the building and ran up the stairs to be quicker. Once she got to the door of the studio she heard the boys talking.
“I really like that girl London. She’s classy, yet has a sexy side. I like that.” Joel said.
“Now see Jolene….them lips. I bet her head game on point.” Zabdiel said.
“Ew bro what the hell!” Eric exclaimed.
“I know you of all people are not talking.” Richard said.
“Even though I think she’s kind of a bitch, Zania fine as fuck too.” Christopher said.
“Yeah she is fine. Yall seen that ass? I’d love to get behind that.” Richard said. Zania had heard enough and walked into the room.
“Yall should really make sure that the door is completely closed before you talk about us. Anyways I left my phone and just came back to get it. Oh and Richard, Zabdiel? I understand that Jolene and I are attractive but please don’t talk about us like we’re pieces of meat mkay?” With that she grabbed her phone and walked out, leaving the boys a little dumbfounded. Once she got back outside she filled her girls on what she heard.
“You know. We should teach them a lesson.” Jolene said.
“Oop I sense an infamous Jolene Sanchez prank.” Siane said.
“Yep. Okay so here’s the plan.” Jolene explains the little prank they’ll play on the boys at the showcase. They’d messed with the wrong girls.
_____________
The rest of the week went by in a blur and before they knew it, their album release day was finally here. It’d only been a few hours and their album was already number 1 on a few of the urban and pop album charts. Siane screenshot the Billboard charts where their album was number 1 and sent it to their group chat. She then called them all on a video chat.
“WAKE UP BITCHES! WE NUMBER 1 BABYYYYYY!!!!1!” She yelled into the phone. The others, as groggy as they were, laughed at how hyped their member was.
“Girl you are so lucky I was up getting ready or I’d curse you the fuck out.” Zania said.
“Bitch whatever. Anyways I love yall so much! We’ve officially ARRIVED! Like we in the fucking building forreal now. WHEW! Let me start getting my shit together. See yall soon. Love ya! Siane said as she hung up the video call. The girls were buzzing and couldn’t be any happier that after almost 6 months, their hard work has finally paid off and that their fans love their album as much as they do. They couldn’t wait to see what lie ahead for them. They knew whatever it was, it was gonna be big.
#cnco#christopher velez#richard camacho#zabdiel de jesus#joel pimentel#erick brian colón#band wars: rise of the phoenix#bwrotp#cnco scenarios#christopher velez scenarios#richard camacho scenarios#zabdiel de jesus scenarios#joel pimentel scenarios#erick brian colón scenarios
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Apocalypse: Sanctuary - Chapter 2
Read on AO3
Just because your roommates are horrible doesn't mean you all can't have a good time now and again... just don't tell Venable.
Hey guys. this scene is pretty short in comparison with my other chapters thus far. It didn't blend well with the other things I have planned, but I thought it was important to show the good times at Outpost 3 as well as the bad. Consider it a palette cleanser for what is to come. Michael will be here by Chapter 4...
The excitement over the idea of salvation by the cooperative was a short-lived joy. After months of listening to “The Morning After” by McGovern over and over and over was enough to make the residents of Outpost 3 question their sanity as well as their conviction.
Em walked into the salon, her hands wrapped around a collection of pens she had been able to scavenge from her room. She pulled at the obnoxiously high collar of her white shirt. Whenever evening wear wasn’t an obligation, she liked to dress in as few layers as she could — Victorian underwear and a dress that made her look like some governess of orphaned children in a period drama.
Swinging the door open, she stopped in her tracks. The room was usually devoid of life except for the 6 o’clock “cocktails.” Andre sat there on the couch, his back to her as he stared into the fire.
The brunette debated turning on her heels, but by the time she took a step back, it was too late. Andre’s head turned, hair raising on the back of his neck as he sensed her green eyes boring into his back. He wondered if she would go away if he ignored her long enough, but curiosity got the better of him His head turned ever slightly and Em pretended like she had meant to be seen by the man.
Heels clicked against the wood flooring, only a few steps before pausing at the edge of the large black coffee table between the two large dark sofas.
Two months after Stu’s death and his cheeks were still damp with tears. His red eyes burned her, anger unyielding. She was deserving of his hate... even more so than the others. Just as she couldn’t reassure him of Stu’s safety she could not tell him of her guilt. At least the others showed remorse and disgust at their own actions.
Em tried to speak with Andre on multiple occasions, but her words came out hollow. Anything she said was just to chase off her own guilt. At one point she had mistakenly reminded Andre that he had also eaten from the stew... it didn’t end well.
Needless to say, these days, the only person he spoke to was Dinah.
There was so much anger and grief twisting inside him. He wanted to scream and throttle Venable damn the consequences. At least then he’d be reunited with the man he loves... loved. One meal and the bonds made in good faith and mutual tragedy were fractured with the crack of a whip.
Em wished he would just verbally eviscerate her like he did Evie. His silence was suffocating. Instead, they stood in awkward silence. She really wasn’t good at this.
“So…” Em trailed, leaning back on her heels and biting her lips as she thought of what to say. Another apology would sound insincere and they both knew it would end them right back where they began.
“So,” Andre mocked, scoffing as he turned back to the fire.
Em rose a hand as if to reach out to him, mouth opened before closing it once more. Her hand reached out to him before drawing back, hand running through her hair then returning to her side.
“What’s it like having Dinah Stevens as a mother?”
Another scoff, followed by his gaze flickering up and down her with disdain.
She finally settled on the couch opposite him, “Sore subject… fair.”
“Also literally asked by every person I’ve ever met.”
Mc nodded, “basic.”
“Yup,” Andre said, popping the “p.”
Fiddling with the pens in her hand, Em racked her brain for something to say. It was a curse, anxiety. It made everything seem much worse than it was and was often accompanied by an overwhelming desire to be liked by everyone… well… almost everyone. Involuntary cannibalism would have been considered some of the worst, but it pales in comparison to nuclear winter.
Her leg bounced up and down and her eyes flickered from the fire to the ceiling to Andre and back again. Usually, in these moments she’d take out her phone, pens could only distract one for so long.
“God, I wish we had alcohol,” She sighed.
“Amen to that.”
The door creaked open. Em jumped to her feet, holding back the urge to run towards Emily as she quietly closed the door behind her. It felt like an eternity before she turned around. A smile lit up Emily’s face and she waved a collection of paper she had been able to find.
“Ready?”
Relief rolled off Em, tension leaving her shoulders as they can to settle around the coffee table. There was plenty of room, but Em still found it more comfortable to sit on the floor, skirt billowing around her like a puddle of purple. She took a pen and piece of paper and leaned over the table.
“You start. Give me a band.”
Emily’s lips twisted and her nose scrunched as she thought, “… The Beatles.”
Em scribbled down the name and tore it from the rest of the paper, placing it in a small wooden box Emily had brought with her. She grabbed a paper and pen of her own and turned to Em. “Now you.”
“Panic at the Disco.”
“Why am I not surprised.”
Em couldn’t help the laugh that left her, “shut up. You said The Beetles.”
“What? It’s a classic.”
Andre’s attention turned from the fire to the pair sitting across from him. He would have left, but after months and months of doing nothing but waking up and waiting to sleep again he was dying for something different.
“Lady Gaga,” Em said.
“Madonna.” Emily countered.
“Justin Bieber.”
“Justin Timberlake.”
“What are you doing?” He finally asked after a few more rounds of them shooting random words back and forth.
“Pictionary,” Emily answered him with a smile, cheeks flushed from laughing, “Em had the idea.”
“Pictionary?” Andre asked, slowly scooting closer, “Is that a game?”
“Yeah!” Em answered, “My siblings and I used to play it all the time. Right now we’re coming up with random things to go in a hat.”
She motioned to the box slowly gathering more and more strips of paper, “The game is to pick one of these and try to draw it while your teammates guess what it is.”
“So like art charades?”
“Pretty much!”
A small smile flickered to Andre’s lips as he stood up and came to sit beside Emily.
“Okay. I have one: Dinah Stevens.”
“Oooh,” Em awed, pointing a pen at Emily and Andre, “that’s a good one. Should we do one for each resident?”
Emily shrugged, “I don’t see why not.”
“How angry do you think Coco would be if we put her in there?” Andre asked, grabbing a pen and paper of his own.
Em looked like the Cheshire Cat, smiling ear to ear, “Furious,”
“Let’s do it.”
As the hours passed, more and more residents joined. A few Greys even whispered ideas into Em’s ear as they passed and she would scribble them in and throw them in the box. Em finally took a seat on one of the couches, Timothy and Emily on her right and Coco to her left.
“Okay!Okay!” Em exclaimed as people yelled things at her all at once, “One at a time! Give me stuff. Movies, books, albums, famous people, sayings. Coco! Go!”
“Michel Jackson!”
Em scribbled down the name and tossed it into the pile of paper that threatened to spill from the small box, “Alright! Now… Emily!”
“To Kill a Mocking Bird!”
She nodded as she scribbled it down, “… and since I’m Emily squared I get to go next.”
Gallant groaned, “oh, c’mon!”
“Hey!” Em snipped, smiling as she swung a pen at the man who could only smile and laugh at her antics, “I’m the one with the pen. My pen, my rules!”
Coco leaned over Em, “What are you writing?”
“Stevie Nicks!”
Leaning back in his seat, Gallant draped an arm across the back of his chair, perplexed, “Isn’t that the woman that sings Jolene?”
“NO!” At least five people yelled in unison, quickly falling into a collection of giggles.
Em feigned insult, “how can you mistake Dolly Parton with Stevie Nicks.”
Gallant waved a dismissive hand, “We aren’t all from the countryside of Georgia.”
“I was raised near Atlanta, thank you very much,” Em jested, “I’m only a quarter country girl.”
“Do you have those shirts that say: ‘don’t talk to me until I’ve had my sweet tea?’” Coco asked, hands spreading out like she was hanging up a banner.
Em couldn’t keep her smile down, “That was one time!”
“Uh-huh,” Gallant laughed, “Suuure it was.”
The brunette grabbed an extra pen and chucked it at the man. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d laughed like this. God knows none of them had even been in a room together without mandatory attendance.
Timothy sat at the edge of the group. He shuffled through the cards they had made, sorting them so they’d fit in the box. “I think we’ve filled out the last one.”
Coco looked around at everyone, “So… we get to play now?”
“Not today,” Emily declared, smiling at Timothy as he held out the box for her to place the top on it. Coco, Andre, and Gallant booed them.
“Look,” Em defended Emily, hands wringing at her wrists “I know y’all were just spitting out words, but I had to write them all down. My poor wrist needs a break.”
“Oh boo-hoo,” Coco said.
“Half the fun is not knowing what’s coming,” Timothy reminded, his eyes not leaving Emily. Em could tell he was smitten with her. Poor boy didn’t know how to hide anything.
“Well I don't know about y’all,” Andre spoke, mocking Em’s slight accent as he rose from the couch, “But I’m going to take a nap.”
“I agree, y’all,” Gallant jumped on, dodging another pen Em threw in his direction.
“Words are an illusion created by humanity,” She jested, earning a dismissive wave from the hairdresser as he walked out the door, “It’s conventional!!”
Coco sighed and laid back on the couch, closing her eyes as she began to whine “I wouldn’t mind the constant hunger if it didn’t come with the constant tiredness.”
Em looked to Timothy and Emily. The latter rolled her eyes.
“I feel like I’m back in college,” Em said, leaning back on Emily, “Eating sleep for dinner.”
She could feel Emily’s shoulders shake as she laughed. Timothy took a seat on the other side of the coffee table, resting on the arm of the chair, “C’mon. It couldn’t have been that bad.”
“I spent finals week eating only spoonfuls of peanut butter. Then the next year I bought a Costco-sized thing of ramen noodles.”
Emily leaned back her head and groaned, “Don’t talk about food. Even ramen noodles make my mouth water.”
Somehow, Em had made her way from leaning on Emily’s shoulder to having her head in the other girl’s lap. Emily’s hands absentmindedly ran through the brunette’s short bob which was growing longer by the day.
“Oh!” A memory struck Em like a lightning bolt, “my friend took me to an authentic ramen place before the bombs.”
She hummed at the mere thought of the food, “Best. Thing. Ever. They had special ramen eggs and topped it off with a slab of pork that just fell apart—”
Coco jumped from her seat with a huff, “You’re all sadistic!”
The three of them watched as the blonde stormed across the room, door slamming behind her with a loud bang which made their bones shake. Then they looked to each other, biting their lips but ultimately falling into laughter.
“If I knew it was that easy I would have done it months ago,” Emily laughed.
“C’mon,” Timothy tried to be the voice of reason, trying to keep a straight face but ultimately failing, “That’s just mean.”
“So is Coco,” Em scoffed, reaching for a glass of water, “it’s not like we threatened to kill her.”
“You did,” Emily reminded.
The other girl paused in her movement and pointed up at her, “Mead said ‘murder’, not me. I said I’d come for her… I didn’t specify how.”
Timothy sighed and shook his head while Emily only looked at him with a smile.
“At least we have each other,” Emily noted.
Em smiled at that, finally sitting up, “The Three Musketeers!”
“All for one and one for all,” Timothy said.
Emily sighed, “God knows Venable won’t do it.”
#michael langdon x reader#michael langdon x oc#michael langdon#ahs x reader#ahs x oc#ahs apocolypse#ahs#fanfiction#american horror story fanfiction
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Not A Loser Anymore Chapter 8
Morgan was in the kitchen, making some breakfast, when she heard the first knock of the day. She walked to the door, still in her nightshirt, with a glass of orange juice in one hand and a frown on her face. The clock read nine in the morning, which meant that her day guard was late. When she opened the door, her frown went full on glare.
“Clay.” She greeted, less than pleasantly. Morgan stood leaning against the doorframe, drinking her juice waiting for an explanation.
Clay stood awkwardly on her front porch, waiting to be let inside. When he noticed an invitation wasn’t forthcoming, he had to ask for one. “Can I come in?”
“I’m sure you have the ability to cross any threshold you’d want to, but if you’re asking if you may come in, the answer is,” she stopped to take a refreshing sip of her juice and faked thinking about it. “No.” She shook her head then tilted it waiting.
“Damn it, Morgan,” his voice was a cross between a plea and a growl. “I really don’t want to have this conversation in the open.”
Morgan raised an eyebrow. “Why not? It’s not like you’re going to actually share anything I’ve never heard before, or that’s sensitive.” She shrugged. “I’m pretty sure that Mrs. Lange doesn’t give a shit about my visitors, nor what they talk to me about, although she has been eyeing Cougar a bit lately.” She shrugged again. “Then again, most women with a pulse seem to eye him.” She stopped and looked up at him, waiting once more.
He gave a long suffering sigh. Dear God, why did she tie him into fucking knots? And the fact that Jensen had been so tense during his fucking debriefing last night, forcing his hand really to check a few discrete survelience cameras that he’d had installed. For Morgan’s safety. Not to stalk her. Just to make sure that none of Max’s goons came for round two, or if Aisha decided to take a note out of Max’s book. Yeah, he didn’t believe his own bullshit either.
He checked the cameras, watched as one caught a kiss between Jensen and Morgan. And that made him realize that staying away wasn’t going to work. Not if it meant she was ready to truly move on. Not with Jensen. The boy was a good guy, but Morgan was far too much for him. Hell, he sometimes wondered if she was too much for himself.
“Fine,” Clay groaned, scrubbing down his face with one hand. “I wanted to tell you that the intel we’re getting is that Max is in a holding pattern. He hasn’t, as far as my contacts tell me, regrouped enough to make another play, yet.” He cleared his throat, “I- we can relax the guarding, if you want?”
Morgan snorted, undignified, but warranted. “If I want? That’s rich, of course that’s what I want.” She was still leaning against the doorframe, with her head tilted so she could study him. “Pooch should be able to touch base with Jolene. Cougar and Roque should be able to do whatever they want with their time. And Jensen-” She watched Clay flinch at the mention of his name, but kept going. “Jensen should be allowed to go watch his niece play soccer.” She sighed, and glared up at him. “You should be able to do whatever it is you do when you’re not ordering everyone around.” Morgan turned, planning on going back inside and starting to clean her house, in case Jensen planned on returning for movie night round two. “Bye, Clay.”
She hadn’t gone two steps inside when she felt the heat of his body against her back. “What do I do when I’m not ordering the team around?” His whisper blew hot over her hair. “What I should be doing instead is trying to make us right, Morgan.”
The door was shut behind him and she turned to glare up at him. Remind him that he wasn’t invited inside, but the look he was giving her made her stop. His eyes held more pain than she’d ever seen on Clay. And she’d removed bullets and reset his bones before, without anesthesia. She licked her lips and waited. Waited for him to go on, for him to tell her just how he’d planned on fixing the fuck up that was their pseudo relationship.
What she wasn’t expecting was his ungloved hand to touch her cheek with a tenderness she’d never seen from him. She didn’t expect to see that the pain in his eyes was tempered by a look she couldn't decipher. Clay was looking at her with, was that adoration? What the literal hell?
“Clay?” Morgan’s voice stopped him, made him wonder what to say. How to say it?
“It was always you, Morgan. Always.” He leaned in to kiss her, but an undignified snort stopped him.
“Always me?” She couldn’t stop the snort that came out of her, it startled him, but so had his words. “Was it always me when the chick SHOT you when we were walking out of a diner with dinner for the team?” She remembered the scene as though it happened the day before. The angry woman, screeching God knew what, then the gun, the flash, and the blood as Clay leaned against her. “Was it always me when the another psycho put a fucking bomb on the car you were picking me up in?” Again, like yesterday, the fear that Roque wouldn’t be able to disarm it, that her last moments would be because of a crazy bitch that wanted Clay so much she’d kill him before someone else could. “And wasn’t the whole insane reason for this elaborate guard situation because another woman you fucked put me in danger?” She laughed without a trace of humor. “By always me, I am going to assume I’ll always be your patsy.”
“Damn it, Morgan.” He growled, pulling his hand back to rub down his heavily scruffy face. “Those times weren’t-”
“Weren’t what? Weren’t your fault?” Morgan looked at him like he was crazy. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t those women at least ASSUME that you were interested, if not actually already fucking?” He looked at his shoes. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Call me crazy, Clay, but if I were the always in your life, then I’d imagine that I’d have known it by now. I mean you’re pretty fucking open with what you want.” Sighing, she moved to the kitchen, figuring he’d get the hint and go, but she expected far too much of him. “Oh, so this is going to be a LONG visit. Great, watch me clean the fucking house.”
“Morgan,” he was pleading with her, but he knew that she had some decent points. Why had he fucked around with those other women? And why didn’t he realize that she was always with him when it went to shit in a flash? Fuck. “Look, I’ve fucked up extensively. I know it, you know it, but let me make it up to you.”
Morgan had been getting her cleaning products out from under the sink, but she heard him. She heard and nearly clipped her own fucking head on the cabinet. “Make it up to me?” She considered the possible ways he had in mind. Sex, no doubt. “I think you’ve had plenty of tries at that, Clay. What could you possibly try this time that would make me believe it?”
He looked at her in worry. How had he tried to fix it before? Sex, she thought he’d just go straight for the bedroom. Which, if he were being honest, was one of the first ways he thought of trying. But no, he’d try something else. “We could try actually dating for once.” He offered, thinking about how amazing it might be to just go out with her. “If you want to, that is?”
She blinked at him. A date? He wanted to go on a date with her. She was working it through her mind, trying to make sense of it. “Aren’t you supposed to be dead?” Morgan had to ask, because last she checked, yep he was officially dead.
He chuckled, dimples in full bloom. “Well, if you want to be technical, yes. However, I think I can manage to find a way to take my girl out on the town.”
“Don’t rush the ‘my girl’ bullshit, Clay.” She rolled her eyes. “Sure, a date. Why not?” Picking up her supplies she headed to the bathroom. “Just not tonight, I have plans.” With that she walked away, and he was left wondering if he’d have to kill Jensen to get him out of the way. But then he’d have to find a new hacker. Fuck the hassles.
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through the hourglass 13. brb x oc
a/n: IM BAcK HOME AND I AM VERY TIRED. So apologies if this chapter isnt the greatest :(
pairing: plus size!oc x rooster
warnings: fluff,Bea's mom wanting grandchildren and not being subtle about it.
goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)
chapter
1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12
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@caitsymichelle13 @becks-things
-
The empty room was now officially the baby room, not that it wasn’t before but since Beatrice woke up in the middle of the night and drew all over the walls it was hard to think about it as anything but that. She notices how her worry was unfounded, how Rooster wouldn’t mind seeing her so focused on drawing on those walls…honestly, he was such a wonderful man she didn’t even know how to deal with it sometimes.
Of course this whole thing was to stay between them, until there was a child there they’d keep the room closed whenever they’d have guests over. Especially her family members - and Mav who’d never shut up if he saw that room and would probably cry according to Rooster.
Beatrice woke up to make them breakfast and she never felt so awake before. Her little smile and sweet humming never faltered as she poured the coffee inside the mugs, her long Iron Maiden shirt hitting the back of her thighs, covering the sleeping shorts as her foot tapped on the kitchen tiles. She hears Rooster’s heavy footsteps coming down the stairs, followed by the soft baby talking to Jolene who was already waiting for him on the ground below.
She doesn’t even turn around when he enters the kitchen and her smile widens as his arms wrap around her waist, “Hi, gorgeous.” he coos, kissing her cheek then her lips when she turns her head to look at him, “Did you sleep well?”
“I slept really great, Roos.” she whispers, her cheeks reddening just a bit before she grabs his mug from the sink, “Already filled it up for you.” she says, handing it over to him so he has to remove one of his arms to grab it, eventually letting go of her completely to approach the kitchen table. Beatrice looks at her husband from her spot at the sink, sipping her coffee quietly as she admires how good he looked in that uniform. She had seen it so many times and yet she couldn't help herself.
He had such a good physique and it fit him so well too. It was cruel how handsome he was sometimes. Rooster arches his eyebrow while tilting the mug to his lips, then sets it on the table with a little smile, “What?” she just shrugs, her cheeks darkening but her eyes remaining on him, “Looking at me like that you make it so hard to leave home.”
Beatrice chuckles against the mug, pushing herself from the sink while grabbing the rest of their breakfast to set it in front of him, then sat down herself with a sigh, “I’m just admiring you.”
“Yeah?”
“Yep.” she pops the ‘p’, sipping more of her morning coffee, her cheeks flexing with a grin behind the mug, “I have a very handsome husband.”
His pupils dilate when she says ‘husband’ then shrink back to its original size. She noticed that anything that relates to her calling either his position in the Navy or the fact that he’s hers gets a reaction out of him. It did something to her ego knowing how much he enjoyed being called her husband and she kept that information to the back of her mind. “I have a very beautiful wife.” he replies just as smoothly, making Beatrice giggles as she chews her piece of toast, “What do you have planned today, gorgeous?”
Beatrice hums, tapping her middle finger to the ceramic mug as she thinks about it “Ah, well I’m joining my mom for grocery shopping. Normally it’s my dad that helps her but he’s been helping Leo and Cyn during the week so I was the chosen one.” Her husband just lets out a soft laugh, still drinking his morning coffee. “Hopefully it won’t take too long, my mom said she just needs a few things.”
“Tell her hi for me.”
“Oh I feel I won’t have to because she’ll immediately ask about you.” Bradley smirks behind the mug “ ‘How’s Bradley? Is he eating? Oh Beatrice but he must eat. He's such a skinny boy, I’ll make you two some cake so you can take home!” Her mothers impression was spot on, especially how the accent sometimes snuck by in some words “She’d never admit it but you are probably becoming her favorite.”
His cheeks flushed with embarrassment but he felt so warm knowing that, “Bet she says that about all her sons in law.” He laughs, but then looks down at his watch “Gotta go,babe. I’ll talk to you later okay?” Beatrice stands to her feet once he does too, stopping behind him with a smile as he leans down to pet Jolene goodbye.
“I’ll message you later.” She tells him as she follows his steps to the garage, his sunglasses over his eyes and his key dangling on his forefinger “Let you know how the grocery journey was.”
Rooster laughs, turning on his heel towards her “I'd love that baby.” He cups her chin so he tilts her head up, pressing a slow kiss to her lips “One More.” He pecks her again “For good luck.”
Beatrice’s red cheeks get redder but she just caresses his jawline, “For good luck,” she watches him enter the blue Bronco, Jolene’s head appearing between her leg and the threshold to watch Rooster leave “I love you!”
“I love you too, gorgeous. Bye Jojo.” Jolene barks out in reply, tail wagging as she follows the car with her head as Rooster takes it out of the garage, Beatrice offering him a tiny wave until he disappears from her view and the garage door closed. With a soft sigh, Beatrice walks back into the house, Jolene trotting behind her as she walks back to the kitchen to finish her breakfast.
She knows that she’ll have dance class in a few hours and then she’d meet her mother, so until then she decided to take her time.
-
Beatrice stood behind Claudia, watching her mother pick similar jars of tomato sauce, bring to eye level, then put it back down with a mutter. She’s been doing that for a while and they got to the supermarket minutes ago and they only managed to get a bag of corn chips, nothing else. Beatrice inhaled softly, holding the cart close by while her mother kept her over analysis of random products “Oh Beatrice, what do you think of this one?” Claudia asks suddenly, grabbing another one.
Beatrice blinks at her, “That’s… the one brand you always get,mamma.”
“Oh! It is!” And Claudia proceeds to put it inside the card, hooking her fingers on the gate and bringing it along with her. Beatrice sighs, shaking her head subtly “I’m going to make Leonardo and Cynthia some light tomato soup, she can’t cook because of little Éwoyn so I’m preparing their food for the week!”
Of course she was. “Sounds good,mamma. Are they okay?”
“Oh they are absolutely fine, the baby is wonderful and Bianca has been such a good older sister,” she smiles “She reminds me of your siblings when you were born!” Beatrice returns the smile as her mother fixes the reading glasses on the bridge of her nose “It’s so loving to see another generation.”
Even if her mother didn’t finish her sentence, Beatrice could hear the intonation of her voice, something that clearly brought back her want for more grandchildren. And especially if they came from Beatrice and Bradley. She knew it’d be brought up and honestly she was prepared for it, so she just agreed with her mother with a nod, choosing to keep herself quiet.
Claudia eventually started to gather more stuff besides the tomato sauce, arranging everything like a game of tetris, humming happily to herself “Oh I need a new whisk too, the old one snapped.” She leads Beatrice to the another aisle, immediately picking up a whisk and then changing her attention to the different aprons hanging close by.
Claudia picks one up, one that was black in color with red flowers on it, something that wasn’t her mothers style at all but she wondered if she was just expanding her horizons a bit more. “Look at this Beatrice, isn’t it beautiful?”
“It’s really nice mamma,” Beatrice agrees “I didn’t know you needed a new apron too.”
Her mother’s smile widened and she held the apron in front of Beatrice instead “Oh no, it’s not for me, it’s for you.” Beatrice opened her mouth to explain that she didn’t need one because she already had it,but her mother continued “Just imagine surprising Bradley wearing only this, honey. Oh you’d look so beautiful and he’d love it so much.”
Beatrice immediately felt like she’d die “And it’s only 9.99! Oh it’s so cheap!” Beatrice’s eyes widened when her mother kept explaining why she should get that apron, how it’d help them out so much.
“Mamma!” Beatrice snatches the apron from her mothers hands and puts it away “What the hell? No!”
“No what, tesoro?”
“Mamma I am not wearing that for Brad!” She lowered her voice as another mother daughter duo walked behind the two, her face unbelievably red.
Claudia blinks at her daughter with confusion, looking back at the apron, “Why not? Does he not like this color? We can find something else–”
“Mamma!” she almost pleaded, shoving the apron so far from her eyes no one else would see it, “What the hell??”
“What? Does he not find you beautiful? I’ve suggested the same to your siblings,” and Beatrice could be wrong but she was sure her siblings had the same, if not a worse, reaction she had right now. But Claudia looked confused, even placing her hands on her hips, “There’s nothing wrong in looking nice for your husband, tesoro.”
“Mamma–”
“I do that to your father sometimes–”
“Oh, God. Please stop talking.” Beatrice begs, almost falling to her knees, “Mamma, Jesus– W-We don’t need that, okay? We do not. We are fine like this.” and she tries to turn her mother away from this specific area, with her hands on her shoulders.
“Well, I’m just suggesting,” Claudia is finally walking away and her daughter sighs in relief, “Because I suggested it to Cynthia too before she had Éwoyn.” oh God. “It’s really interesting, tesoro!”
Beatrice looked horrified and wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and probably die there only to be found centuries later by the more advanced civilizations. She knew there was something of that sort within her thought process, but hearing it was more than…weird for her. She knew her mother meant well and that sometimes she just says that because she wants all of them to be happy but it was still really strange to hear that from your mother. “I-I’m sure it is mamma, but I-I swear it’s fine.”
“Ah, well,” she begins, “I mean it’d help you two work on it too.”
“Oh, ah.” Beatrice laughs awkwardly, “Y-You don’t have to worry about that.” they’ve been working on it a lot lately. A lot but her mother didn’t have to know the details, “Just…you know let’s not talk about that.”
“Well, Tesoro you are no longer a child-”
“Mamma, I–”
“And I’m sure we’ve had this talk before.”
“Mom! Mooom!” she laughs, elongating the word and begging yet again with her eyes for her mother to stop, “Mom, mamma, please, we are in a public place, let’s not talk about this again. I mean it. No more.”
Claudia blinks at Beatrice, but then shrugs and continues with the grocery shopping, her daughter following along, leaning her weight on the back of the cart and tumbling her head forward so her hair covered her expression. Of all the things to talk about while grocery shopping, this would be the last one she’d want to hear. Her mother had to understand that while, yes they are all adults, it’s weird to talk about it…at least to her it was, and probably to Leo too, she could only imagine how he was after Cynthia told him about their mother’s idea.
“Anyway, how’s he?” Claudia asks as they near the fruit stand, checking the pears by picking a few of them up, “Is he well? Is he eating?”
Beatrice huffs out a laugh, lifting her head, combing all of her hair back, “Yes, mamma, he’s fine and yes he’s eating.” Claudia quiet ‘hm’ only let her know that her mother would cook them things no matter what, “He eats very well, he’s not as little as you think.” Beatrice immediately pauses noticing the accidental innuendo she let out and she hopes her mother doesn’t see it that way.
“Oh, I know, he is very tall.” oh thank God, “But so skinny! That boy is like a twig on legs!”
“Mamma,” she recalls every time she saw Rooster without his shirt, or even with a shirt, remembering how defined he was and promptly making a shiver dart all over her body, “He’s not that skinny.”
Claudia hums again, grabbing a few more fruits and adding it to the cart, “But he needs to feed up, what do they eat at the base?” Beatrice opens her mouth to answer and yet again her mother cuts her off, “He needs sustenance. And those MRI–”
“MRE, mamma.”
“Yes, that, it doesn’t look good.” Claudia adds, ‘He needs a good meal, he likes chocolate,I’ll bake him a chocolate cake.” just like Beatrice thought she would. The brunette is however thankful for that, perhaps because her mom knew about Rooster’s life now - especially after Christmas and after their wedding - and just wanted him to know he could count on her as a motherly figure.
Bea was sure he’d like it, he’d never say no to anything with chocolate or anything that’s a home cooked meal sprinkled with motherly love. Beatrice remembers how last year she was so scared about him meeting her family, her whole family, and the fact he met them all at her aunt’s wedding surely drove her to be a ball of nerves for days…but he fit right in, he was welcomed so easily and her parents and siblings adored him so much.
Beatrice was very thankful that it worked, or else she wouldn’t have that band on her finger. “I’m sure he’ll love it, mamma.” she says, spinning the wedding ring on her finger with her thumb repeatedly, feeling the smooth surface run against her skin.
With the two continuing their grocery shopping, Beatrice was glad that her mother stopped talking about that specific subject and chatted about random topics, one that eventually led to Bradley upcoming deployment this coming monday, “Again?! But you two just got married!”
Beatrice offered her mother a shrug, “It’s his job, mamma. He can’t schedule those things.” she was sad, but the sadness was just a bit less now. She was used to it at this point, “It’ll be only four months,” she begins, “He is going to be okay–”
“Then we need to prepare him something before he goes, you two come have dinner Saturday at home.”
Beatrice stares at her mother, “Mamma, I can’t, I work on Saturday until midnight.” and she and Rooster already had other plans for that day, they were going out, “We can’t go.”
But Claudia was undeterred, “Then Sunday! A Sunday lunch! I can make us some spaghetti and meatballs, oh maybe some wine too-” and her mother went on a tangent, rambling about all the things she’d cook for them and explaining how it was important for him to leave with the meal being in his mind.
“I’ll have to talk to him,mamma.” Beatrice begins, “I…I’ll see if he wants to.” she didn’t even know what time they’d get back home Saturday after their outing, so she couldn’t come with an answer yet.
“Oh that’s quite fine, tesoro.” Claudia grins, fixing her glasses as she brings a pack of tissues close to her eyes, squinting behind the lenses, “We can always have lunch at your house too if that’s the case.”
“Again, mamma, I’ll have to talk to him.” Beatrice says through gritted teeth, smiling almost painfully in response to her mother’s inquiries, “I’ll let you know.” and then her mother changed the subject again, which makes Beatrice huff out a tired laugh. She didn’t really want to spend the day before Rooster leaves with her parents, but she also knew that if she didn’t talked to him they’d never come up with a reasonable solution.
As they wander deeper into the aisles, the cart getting fuller and fuller, Beatrice tries to help her mother how she can while avoiding specific subjects that would lead to a domino effect. Her mother then questions her attire, why does her shirt have a devil on it? “It’s from a show mom, it’s from Stranger Things, a character wears this shirt,” proceeds to question if Bradley watched it too, “He does, mamma,” and if he likes it, “He does.”
She could elaborate how he liked a lot of movies and shows but she didn’t know if her mother would be able to identify them herself…if at all.
God she missed him.
What a sap she was.
She couldn’t understand people who missed their partners during the time they are at work, in fact she thought it was so silly! But she did miss Rooster and she’d miss him when he was gone…she had to do something for him, but what? The last time he left was…interesting, how could she up the ante?
They walk by a Halloween decoration area of the grocery store, just tiny things like pumpkin lights and a banner with random people dressed in weird costumes. Her mother comments how soon it was to have that there. Beatrice chuckles, picking the tiny bag of pumpkin lights and keeping it in her brain to grab the Halloween decor later this week. She didn’t know what she’d dress up as this year, last year was extremely fun dressing as Catwoman - as she recalled with a shudder and a lip bite- so she had to think what she’d dress up as.
Maybe she could talk to Shells about it, she could come up with an idea. But her brain wandered deeper, to a darker area, never forgetting she was still thinking about how to prepare something for him before he leaves. She remembered how much he liked her Catwoman costume but he wouldn’t be there to celebrate halloween with her. She needed time to think and her mother’s constant talking wasn’t helping.
She slipped out her phone just to send him a message, just to let him know she was thinking about him and that she loved him so much. He’d see it much later. But Beatrice was even more surprised when Shells message showed up first
Shells (10:40)
Babes! Ev is going to throw an early Halloween party at her place Saturday after work! You in?
Beatrice groans, this too? All she wanted was to spend time with Rooster!
Bea (10:45)
Hey Shells, I’ll have to talk to Roos. Why is Evelyn throwing a Halloween party so early? We aren’t even in half of October.
Shells (10:47)
Duh, because of Jake! He’s getting deployed too, so are the others. My sweet baby included :( so she wants to throw a quick celebration since they can’t be here by then. It’ll be fun! Come on!
Bea (10:50)
Shells I don’t have a costume :(! I can’t find something that quickly!
Shells (10:51)
Ah, young grasshopper, you have so much to learn. Meet me at my place tomorrow! We’ll figure something out >:)
Bea (10:52)
I’ll still need to talk to Roos…
Shells (10:53)
I think he’ll definitely say yes once he sees your costume. Bye!! Love you! See you at the bar!
Beatrice only stared down at her phone with her brows furrowed, sees her costume? Did Shells already had an idea of what she could wear? “Beatrice!” she snaps her head up when her mother calls her name, this time she’s holding a pair of paper towels bags that she found somewhere.”Put that phone down and help me choose one of these. I want you to tell me which one would be better when you two show up on Sunday.”
Beatrice groans, all she wanted was spend time with her husband…
#bradley rooster bradshaw#rooster bradshaw#bradley bradshaw x oc#top gun maverick#bradley bradshaw x reader#bradley bradshaw x female reader#bradley bradshaw x named reader
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Objection!: Chapter 2
Chapter title: Morning Chaos
A/n: I wrote a lot more family!Patton than I expected too but I think it's fine. Also, I hope I'm doing ok, let me know! Also, I have been doing a lot of research for this fic but I might get things wrong so I apologize.
First | Previous | Next
words: 2858
summary: Patton tries his best to get his kids ready for the morning, and Virgil receives some unsettling news.
pairings: Eventual logicality, eventual prinxiety, platonic demus
warnings: Murder mention
Ao3 Link
“Yo Virge! Someones at your desk!” A familiar voice calls to Virgil as he steps into the precinct early morning. Virgil turns grumbling to face his partner Remy, glaring at him. Remy shrugs it off and points to their desks. Virgil's gaze follows his point and his annoyance grows seeing a figure hovering over his desk, messing with his things. “Yeah, I thought you might like that” Remy teases before dragging a very tired Virgil over to their desk.
“Hi, hello what do you want?” Virgil wastes no time interrogating the figure. The man stands tall and faces away from the pair. Virgil sighs and pushes the man aside slightly before sitting down. He feels a weighted pressure push his chair down and a voice brought his ear.
“Is that really any way to treat a judge?” Virgil spins around pushing the man away from him frightened.
“Roman! God! What are you doing here?” Virgil takes a moment to steady his breathing glaring at the now snickering Judge and his partner doing the same. Roman notices his glare and promptly stops his giggle fest. “Look I had a rough morning, I'm really annoyed right now so just… what are you doing here?” Virgil begs it's true. His morning had been less than ideal trying to get his son Damian to the daycare was a test. He had gotten absolutely no sleep last night fretting over the murder trial and to make things worse Roman Reial was standing in the precinct laughing at him. So not ideal.
“Sorry..” Roman sputters through his returning laughs, he clears his throat “My apologies Virgil, I'm here to retrieve the final evidence files for the trial this afternoon.” Virgil nods and gestures for the judge to follow him. They walk through the dimly lit precinct in awkward silence. They make their way through the array of desks, past the break room into the evidence locker.
“Case 203” Virgil requests, the lady at the desk nods and disappears into the plethora of file cabinets behind her. Virgil feels a buzz in his pocket and reaches for his now ringing cell phone. “Detective Tormine, what can I do for you?” Virgil's hears Roman stifle a laugh, he shoots him another glare, Roman puts his hands up innocently. Virgil listens his face slowly falls and he sighs exasperated “I'll be there as soon as I can, thank you Cindy” He slams his phone shut and rubs his temples. Roman eyes him with curiosity.
“Is everything alright detective?” The judge asks, his voice softening at the clear state of distress the man is in. Virgil shakes his head biting his lip.
“Its Damian, apparently he's not doing so well and he threw up.” Virgil scoffs “How does a father miss when their child is sick? I mean...I'm an awful parent” He curses himself. Damian had begged all morning not to go today, telling his father he felt ‘icky’, Virgil wanted to kick himself. Roman puts a reassuring hand on the smaller man's shoulder, he uses his other hand to lift Virgil's face so they stand eye to eye.
“You are not an awful parent” Roman says firmly, his tone has shifted. Virgil recognizes the sudden change, it was Romans court voice. “You are a single dad, who work practically 24/7 in the field of law and still makes time for your kid. I can't tell you how many times Patton has felt the same, it doesn't make you awful parents. You are under an incredible amount of stress, so you missed some signs that's ok because you can go now and take care of him. He will appreciate that so much more than you being upset with yourself” Roman soothes. Virgil simply stares, Roman was right but Virgil also knew it wasn't that easy. However, Virgil needed to go so he simply nods. The lady comes back, handing Roman the case file, and remaining evidence. They thank her before making their way back to the desk. “Why don't I drive you? It's on the way to the courthouse anyway” Roman offers, Virgil knows for a fact the daycare was in the opposite direction but he doesn’t think Roman was one to take no for an answer.
“Ooo! Roadtrip” Remy exclaims joining the conversation. Virgil rolls his eyes smiling softly at his partner's antics. “Can I come?”
“It's not a road trip Remy” Virgil insists “I'm going to pick up my sick son” Remy backs away face apologetic, Virgil shoots him a reassuring glance before turning back to Roman. “Fine but only because I don't want to take the bus” Roman claps victorious, Remy snickers before returning to his work.
What did I get myself into?
~~~
“What?!” Patton cries into the phone, he rubs his temples frustrated “No, no, no please Cindy-” He listens aggravated. Finally, he sighs resigned “Yes, ok fine, thank you Cindy” He hangs up the phone and buries his face into a pile of files on his desk. He groans and sits up thinking. He looks around his musty study examining the darkroom. The curtains were closed except for a tiny slit of sunlight gleaming through. The lamp on his desk flickered making a sizzling sound. Patton shut it off and stood opening the curtains. Sunlight flooded the room giving Patton a calm feeling. He turns to the bookcases that surrounded his desk staring at the empty spots. Furrowing his brows he took the books he pulled out the previous night and places them back into their rightful spots. Once the last book was home he faces the mess of files on his desk. Patton began organizing the files and his notes. He grabs his briefcase and smiles opening up the old thing. The richness that pours from it is enough to make Patton swoon. He carefully places his files, notes, laptop and anything else he might need into it. He latches it closed and heaves it out into the kitchen, shutting off the lights and door behind him. He places the briefcase onto the counter and turns to the stove. The time flashes 8:00 AM. Patton lets out a huff of relief, not late, and begins making breakfast. He uses what he can find seeing as they had just arrived home and Patton hadn’t gone grocery shopping yet. He turns on the radio and listens as he cooks up breakfast for three.
“-new case to bless the courthouse today Jolene!” A cheery reporter sounds through the radio. Patton feels his stomach collapse to the ground. He leaves the bread to toast and listens intently to the reporters.
“You are absolutely right Adam!” Another voice joins the mix. Patton takes the now toasted bread and spreads even amounts of butter and crofters jam on to them. “It seems that the Florida police have finally found a leading suspect for the ‘Alphabet Murder’ case!” Jolene hollers at the name joined by Adam. Patton bites his bottom lip. There are families, children who suffered, He thinks, this isn't a joke. The reporters continue, discussing things Patton is already aware of. He turns the radio off and serves breakfast at the dining table. He pours two glasses of orange juice and begins brewing coffee for himself. He hums as he cleans away the small mess, twirling around slightly.
“Papa…” A sleepy voice calls from behind him. He finishes the last dish securing it safely on the drying rack before turning to face his young daughter. She stands in the archway between the kitchen and dining room rubbing her eyes and holding her prized plushie. Patton feels himself melt at the adorable sight, he kneels in front of the young girl.
“Good Morning angel face” Patton coos at his toddler. Valerie gives a smile before jumping into her father's arms wrapping her small arms around his neck. Patton stands hugging her back and planting small kisses all over her face. Valerie shrieks delightfully before begging to be put down. Patton obliges and sets her down softly. “There's toast at the table if you want some” Patton offers, she nods excited and runs to sit down. He watches as she munches on her food. Patton’s coffee finishes and he joins Valerie at the table. “Is your brother still asleep?” Patton asks wiping crumbs off the side of her cheek.
“Mmhm” She chimes “But I woke him up! I said we had to go see our friends!” Valerie explains gesturing wildly. Patton feels his heart twinge. “And then he got right up!” She finishes taking the last bite of her food. “He’s so messy Papa” Valerie whispers as though spreading gossip “And icky, boys are icky” Patton laughs and ruffles her hair. He takes her empty plate and brings it over to the dishwasher. She helps him by bringing over her empty glass. They make their way back to the table sitting down. “When can we see our friends?” Valerie asks bouncing on her chair. Patton sighs disappointed.
“Not today kiddo, I’m sorry” Patton admits, Valerie sits still in her chair and pouts. “Cindy said they had an accident and had to shut down for the day” Patton explains pained by the sad eyes Valerie gives him.
“But I wanna see my friends” Patton nods understandably.
“I know kiddo, but hey think about this! Today you get to come to work with me and hang out with Papa!” Patton plasters on a big smile. Valerie looks up hopeful. “How's that sound?” She nods, her bubbly mood returning. “Now why don't we check on that brother of yours ok?” Patton takes her hand as they walk upstairs into the twin's room. Valerie groans at the sight of a snoring Remus sleeping in his bed. Patton chuckles making his way over to the boy. He strokes the boys head lovingly. “Remus buddy, it's time to wake up” Patton says softly “I made you some food, aren't you hungry?”
“No Dada, I don't want the mashed potatoes” Remus mumbles turning over, clutching onto his pillow. Patton suppresses a laugh before carefully lifting Remus causing him to stir awake. He opens his eyes and looks around before softly hitting Patton's chest “Put me down!” He exclaims squirming “Put me down, y-you… heathen!” Patton obliges through fear of dropping the boy from laughing. He helps Remus change while Valerie packs her things.
“Ready to go? Both of you?” Patton pleads after finally getting everybody ready. Valerie nods, while Remus lets out a grumbling huff. “What's wrong crab cake?” Patton asks his grumpy son.
“Nofin” He replies before climbing into the backseat of the car and letting Patton buckle him up. He places a quick kiss on the boy's forehead before getting into the driver's seat. He checks the mirror before pulling out and smiling at the excited conversation the twins are having.
~~~
Logan yawns walking into the courthouse sipping his coffee. He’s always amazed by the beautiful architect the building held. The arches placed neatly around leading to different courtrooms. The front desk tying the room into a half-circle. The ceiling dripping with meticulous art and flattering light. The stained windows complimenting them. Everything fit perfectly, it was his favorite place. Was being the operative word. It was until he heard the unruly shriek of laughter and giggles of children. He didn't hate children, let's make that clear. In fact, there were some select children that he cared for very dearly. However, it was incredibly early, and this was a courthouse. The one place a child should not be. He didn't hate children, he turned around ready to pounce but immediately melted, Oh...he especially didn't hate these children.
“Val! Remus! Remember what I told you about volume in the car” Patton warned. Logan watched as the very exasperated man took his children's hands and led them to the front desk. Jenny, the receptionist, helped him check in all while swooning over the twins. Patton smiled brightly at her words and Logan watched as he got visitors passes for the kids and said goodbye to Jenny. “Ok now remember, we are going to go to my office and stay there for a little bit, then Papa has to work so you guys are gonna hang out in the children's room, and then we can all eat lunch together, hows that sound?” Patton was kneeling now, why? Logan thought, he watched as the twins burst into simultaneous enthusiasm about their father's plan. Patton stood when he heard his name called, he began a conversation with another judge. Logan watched as the judge asked him about his trip, he was brought out of his thoughts when he felt a small pressure push against his legs. He looked down to see a very embarrassed Remus.
“I'm sorry mister” The boy mumbles, too scared to look up. He rubs his head bothered and stuffs his play truck into his pocket. Logan tilts his head slightly.
“No worries Remus” He speaks calmly, his face remains “I'm sure it was an accident” Remus looks up gaining a quick smile as he recognizes the man.
“Logan!” He cries out drawing Patton's attention, as well as a few others. Patton finishes his conversation and races over to the other two, followed by Valerie. “Look Dada it's Mister. Logan!” Remus exclaims to his father, Patton chuckles lightly.
“It's actually Mr.Tolentino, Remus” Logan corrects, gaining a disappointed glance from Patton. Remus pouts, followed by Valerie. He feels a small flutter in his stomach but ignores it.
“Your no fun” Valerie points out, Remus nods.
“I apologize” Logan begins adjusting his glasses “But this is a workplace, I'm not here for fun” He explains. Patton looks down at his children then back at Logan. His face is riddled with a disheartened look. He kneels down once more in front of his children. He's doing it again...Logan furrowed his brows examining the man's posture.
“Logan is right kiddos” Patton speaks finally. Logan feels an unfamiliar sensation when his name flows from Patton's mouth, yet it feels uneasy. “Why don't I have Jenny take you guys to my office while I finish up some stuff, ok?” The twins nod still discouraged and are led away by Jenny who follows along with all of their antics. Patton watches them go before standing once more.
“Why do you do that?” Logan inquires suddenly. Patton turns to him curiously.
“Do what?”
“Kneel, why do you kneel when you speak to them. Are you not perfectly capable of standing and looking down?” Patton bites his lip questioning whether Logan is being serious. Logan remains silent, Patton nods slowly.
“I kneel because then I can speak to them at their level. I'm creating an equal dynamic that says ‘I am listening to you, I care about what you are saying, and you matter to me’” he pauses, Logan processes this. “If I look down on them I am silently telling them the opposite of all those things. Children who feel seen and heard not only behave better but grow up to keep those values instilled in them. They feel respected, which in turn also makes me feel respected. They are more likely to listen to what I am saying If I show them that I am willing to do the same.” Patton finishes calmly, Logan stares in wonderment.
“That...is… incredibly smart and...amazing” Logan manages still gazing at Patton. Patton giggles lightly, only pulling Logan further into his amazement. “You are… a g-good parent” Logan curses himself. I don't stutter.
“Thanks, Lo!” Patton bounces, Logan feels a sudden relief at the return of his nickname. “I sure hope so. Whatcha up to today?” Patton inquires, releasing Logan from his thoughts
“Its ‘What are you up to today’ and as for my work-” Patton rolls his eyes at the correction, the men seemingly fall back into their familiar routine “I was placed on the ‘Alphabet Murder’ case, as they so annoyingly call it” Logan says, something changes in Patton's demeanor that he can't quite describe. Patton looks… bothered?
“Oh” Is all he replies, his cheery tone washed away by a flat voice. “So your… the prosecutor?” Logan had expected to feel pride, or amusement once Patton had noticed who he was going up against but just felt… bad. The father’s face was infested with mixed emotions.
“Yes I will, and what will you be doing today?” Logan inquires, knowing the answer. Patton shuffles his feet and fidgeting nervously with his briefcase.
“I'm the defense actually” Patton says, he examines Logan's face “But you already knew that, didn't you?” Logan's face falls.
Damnit
“I… yes I did. Ho-”
“I told you, you have to learn how to read your client's emotions” He says. Logan expects a teasing manner but is puzzled by the still present sadness the man conveys. “I should go, I need to prepare and check on the kids. See you in court Logan” Patton dismisses himself walking away. Logan jerks at the return of his full name.
“See you in court, Patton” He whispers to himself, feeling the adrenaline of a new case drip away.
#objection au#logicality#prinxiety#sanders sides#thomas sanders#logan sanders#patton sanders#virgil sanders#roman sanders#remus sanders#deceit sanders#ao3#archive of our own#fanfiction#ts demus
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The 6 Times Peter Wanted To Reveal his Identity (And the 1 Time He Did) Chapter 3
Masterlist Here
Day 3 - Tuesday
Peter’s hand rubbed against the zipper track beginning above the curve of his spine, fingertips again coming up empty. His arms dropped uselessly against his side, groaning to audibly show his disappointment.
His zipper was there somewhere. He heard it dinging against the metal teeth up the length of his back, and if he kept feeling for it he would find it.
Peter yawned, tears peeking out from the corners of his eyes, as his fingers continued to prod in the small of his back. He was completely and utterly exhausted. The night previous perusing the city had been brimming with robberies, car jackings, and muggings, as if the slight increase in temperature prompted every convict to crawl out of their hiding spots to wreak havoc. He’d clawed himself into his bed sometime around 5 AM, caught 2 hours of sleep, and was out the door sprinting to class by 7:00. He was looking for any reason not to go on patrol, even if it was as minor as an unlocatable zipper, to at least give him a chance to rest for a few seconds.
His gloves eventually brushed the pull tab, and he deflated. Guess he had to finish suiting up. He tugged the zipper up to his neck and fiddled with the spandex momentarily, pulling it snug in all the right places.
That was, until a knock on his window pane had the tired boy jumping 5 feet in the air and throwing himself backwards into a defensive position on his furthest wall. His toes firmly drug to a stop on the wallpaper, one arm shooting out with his fingers ready to tap his web-shooters if need be. There was a muted scuffling behind the glass, though his curtains were drawn so he couldn’t see who was there. It didn’t take long to figure out, however.
“ Petey, Petey, Petey, Petee-eee-ey ~” The intruder was caroling his name to the tune of Jolene , repeating his knuckle raps obnoxiously to the beat of the song. “ I’m begging of you please just let me in. ”
“Wade?” Peter snapped as realization sunk in to his chest. It took seconds to calm his adrenaline-ridden heartbeat, more relieved that he wasn’t about to face a criminal than he was mad Wade had nearly sent him into cardiac arrest. He peeled himself silently off the wall, taking short, but annoyed, steps to stand behind the curtains without drawing them. “What the hell, dude? You scared the pants off of me. Why are you on my fire escape? And singing Dolly Parton?”
Wade hummed the rest of the verse to himself, presumably out of parodying song lyrics, before he started to whisper-yell. “Ignoring the fact I should totally make fun of you for what you said, I’m here to check up on you! I said I was going to keep those sweet cheeks safe. Can I come in?”
“Into my bedroom?” Peter asked, weakly, swallowing the suggestive- but intrusive- thoughts that the question entailed. “Um, I’m kinda...preoccupied.”
“Ooo oooh ?”
“Not like that!” Peter groaned, smacking a hand to blanket the reddening of his cheeks. God, he had to change, and fast. He tore the zipper undone he had put in so much effort to find, shoving the suit off his shoulders and hips. “Give me a second!” He kicked the rest of fabric off and lodged it under his bed, using a pillow for extra cover to be safe. His web shooters clattered into the lockable drawer on his desk, the cartridges following them. Shutting the drawer so hard it shuddered, he located the first clothing options in sight; a pair of fluffy pajama pants and an Einstein shirt 2 sizes too big (which was totally a gag gift from MJ months ago that he’d never put away), which he shimmied into. Confident that he had probablyconcealed every Spidey related item in his panic, he drew open the curtains and flashed Wade an unimpressed look. And there he was, in his full-suited glory, hanging upside down on the rail of Peter’s fire escape as if it was a playset.
“I have a few questions.” Peter said as he pushed the glass open, the screen absent due to years of him climbing out for his nightly routine. Wade didn’t seem to notice- or at least didn’t comment on the lack of one- looking ecstatic that he even answered. “First...why didn’t you call to check up on me? Or use the front door?” He gestured vaguely towards the direction of the living room to accentuate his point.
“You barely texted me today.” Wade answered, curling so he was sitting on top of the bar and facing Peter. The sit-up made his muscles bulge in the leather covering his thighs and abdomen and Peter inhaled carefully to maintain a level expression. “I wanted to make sure you weren’t lonely. Also, I missed you.”
“Good to know.” Peter rolled his eyes, watching Wade drop to hang upside-down childishly. “Just come in. You’re gonna break the rails.”
“Me? Getting on the VIP list to Peter’s bedroom? I feel like I got a golden ticket! Move aside, Willy Wonka!” Wade dropped himself to his hands, flipped ungracefully on his feet, and followed Peter’s lead to let him crawl inside the apartment. His muddy boots hit the carpet and he managed to pull his entire body inside the small opening. He paused upon straightening up, giving his bedroom the same scrutinizing examination he had to the living room his first time visiting. “Never mind. I wanna go outside again. You’re messy, and that’s something coming from me.”
Peter stared at him silently. The mercenary shrugged and half-lept to fall on top of his mattress. “Kidding. It’s cute. It fits you.”
Peter did his best to ignore the creaking noise of his bed, making his way to his office chair to sit across the room. “I appreciate the housecall, but is that the only reason you came? I actually was kinda in the middle of something.”
“I’m hurt. I brought home-cooked meals and you already wanna kick me out?” Wade gasped in faux-pain, pulling off his pink Hello Kitty backpack. He drew out a grocery bag filled with containers, setting it beside the foot of the bed.
Peter was taken aback, a slightly stunned expression passing over his face. His outward appearance hardly changed, yet his stomach churned nervously at the thoughtful gesture. “You cook?”
“Nah, they’re frozen, but I make a mean pancake in case you’re ever interested. It’s the thought that counts though, right?”
“Thanks.” Peter rubbed his forearm, finding anywhere else to look to avoid staring at Wade.
“Soooo, what’s a kid like you busy doing tonight?” Wade asked as he stretched out across his comforter, propping his feet up on his mattress. “Playing games? Watching porn? Still wallowing about that ex-girlfriend that’s pregnant with someone else’s money-burner?”
“What? No, there’s no ex-girlfriend, dude, I already said that.” Peter muttered, struggling not to let his vision wander to his Spidey suit shoved beneath Wade’s sitting place. “I have a lot of homework I have to catch up on.”
“Boooo-oring.” Wade kicked a few of his pillows aside, rolling onto his side as his bed squeaked again. Peter desperately needed that noise to stop if he was going to guard his sanity.
“Okay, well, this was a great visit and all, but you can text me next time you wanna play therapist, okay?” Peter pushed himself to his feet, walking over to offer his hand to Wade to help him up. He stood there a moment with no reaction, Wade seemingly refusing to accept it, instead sitting up on his own.
“Do you seriously want me to go?” Wade asked, a weird tone ebbing into his voice. Was he confused? Disappointed? Peter wasn’t .
“I-I mean, yeah, I already said I was busy.” He was trying to not sound as annoyed as he felt, but his throat was taut with irritation. It wasn’t quite with Wade, though, because he was trying to be nice. Mostly he was upset with himself; with his inability to execute with his plans that had landed him in a difficult situation he couldn’t imagine resolving without either or both of them ending up hurt; with his emotions that were so intense they were painful, only made worse by the fact Wade was acting so generous to him outside of his superhero identity; and with the fact Wade knew his name, his family situation, and where he lived. Yet he still wasn’t able to bring himself to say that simple sentence.
I’m Spider-Man.
He’d been ready to lay it all out on the line two days ago, albeit with hesitancy, but somehow he had convinced himself that Wade might actually start to reciprocate his feelings if he knew the man behind the mask. His gaze trailed to the plastic bag still resting on the mattress. He had gone out of his way to care for him multiple times. He might be a fun project for Wade to pass the time, but Peter didn’t think he would go this far for some kid he found fun to mess with.
Peter’s eyelids screwed shut, his mind piecing together a way to confront the issue. He could ask him why he was hanging around, and hopefully conversation would naturally circulate back to Sunday night. “H-Hey, Dea-”
“I’ll get out of your hair.” Peter suddenly felt the air change and Wade was towering him, his much larger frame barely an inch from his chest. He had to turn his head up at a steep angle to look at him. There wasn’t the usual humor in his words, and his body language was a lot more tense. Terrific. An upset Wade was never fun. He always had to dig to even get a hint of what was bothering him.
“What?” Peter blinked, watching as Wade shimmied passed him to grab his pack and sling it on his shoulder.
“You said you had stuff to do. I can tell when I’m a problem, Petey-Sweetie. Glad to see you didn’t off yourself today. Good job on that.” Wade shoved the window he had come in open, poking a leg out so that it connected with the grate of the fire escape. “Call me if you need anything, okay?”
Peter chewed on his lower lip, his confession filed away in a queue of things to tell Wade in the future. He gave a short nod, guilt immediately radiating in the pit of his abdomen. “Thanks...for this all. Sorry to cut this so short. I’ll text you tomorrow.”
“You better. I’ll be waiting.” Wade dropped his pack out the sill, waiting for it to clang against the metal, then ducked his body out of the small cavity. He grabbed his bag, moved to grip onto the ladder leading down into the darkness, then craned his neck to shout one last thing. “You should get a window screen. You’ll get spiders or ants in your room if you leave it open like this.”
Peter suppressed a spurt of ironic laughter, settling for an amused half-smile instead. “I’ll remember that. Goodnight, Deadpool.”
His weight made the ladder rattle and bang on the poles obnoxiously, probably annoying every other neighbor underneath him, until the sound disappeared and Wade had run off. Once Peter wasn’t able hear his boots scraping the asphalt he pulled his curtains shut, finally feeling able to breathe.
He bent to grab the meal containers, to put them in the freezer before he left for his patrol. It was quite the stock of food, enough to stop him from starving for the rest of the week that Aunt May was absent, and his stomach growled in appreciation.
Maybe he’d see Wade on patrol as Spider-Man, and they’d converse with the comfortable familiarity that had developed naturally between them through years. Wade would make some flirtatious joke, along with one about the spider being his hero that had the strength punch him into another timeline, and they’d team up and be on their way. Peter would be able to feel like his strong, normal self. They’d be friends and superheroes, and not a weak kid and his supposed guardian angel. No lies hanging heavily between them.
He’d muse on Wade’s kindness, that he didn’t deserve, later. For now, he pulled his spidey suit out and started dragging it up his legs. He had a city to protect, people to save, and his angst would have to be put on reserve for another day.
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Happiness Overload Chapter Twenty-Five
8:30 A.M. FUCK YEAH! I leaped out of bed and right into the throws of my regimen. First, a good stretch. Then a good brush of the teeth. Maybe I put my clothes on first. I can't quite remember the order! I was just so excited that I ran out of my bunker and toward the communications room.
“One of these days, my mustache and I will get my hands on Jolene, mark my words,” I could hear Sgt. Michaels vow with his masculine convictions.
“I think you mean 'Jo-Ann',” Private Goodwill corrected. “And I don't think she's ever going to show up.
“Hi guys!” I waved and grinned, standing right behind the two.
“Oh hey, what's up, T.J. Maxx?” Private Goodwill turned around and asked.
“That's Cadet T.J. Maxx,” Sgt. Michaels corrected. “Ranks are everything.”
“Ranks are rank!” I agreed. “Yup! Cadet T.J. Maxx, at your service! The 'T' stands for testosterone!”
“Don't make me laugh, Cadet! Talk to me when you have an erect, throbbing mustache!”
I raised my hand up.
“Yes, Cadet?” Sgt. Michaels barked.
“Sir! May I speak to Mavis Beacon over the intercom?”
“Very well, Cadet.”
I ran over to where Private Goodwill was sitting and leaned into the intercom.
“GOOD MORNING, MAVIS! SO HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU!”
On the other end, I could hear the sounds of snacking on potato chips and a grumbling voice.
“Ugh. Seriously? I have a headache. Was that really so important?”
“I just wanted to say hi! I love everyone here!”
“Look, kid. I have a job to do. I gotta pay attention at all times and makes sure no one sneaks in. Don't you think that's a little more important than a 'good morning'?” Her voice sure was grumpy, but I was sure she meant well, and I suppose she had a point.
“You got me there!” I snapped my fingers. “I'd like to meet you sometime! Maybe we'd be good friends!”
“You have a job to do as well, you know,” she reminded me.
I slumped over. Yet again, she was right.
“Go patrol the central control room, cadet!” Sgt. Michaels ordered.
Hearing those words made me jump for joy.
“Does that mean I get to put on a prinny armor and be with the other soldiers?”
“...Yes.”
“Yay! I'm so happy!”
I ran to the locker room and thought of all the fun I would have hanging out with the other soldiers.
I closed that book. Such memories were of no consequence to me. Being in an ever expansive hall had its disadvantages. I could go through this room for an eternity, parsing each memory, and only uncovering a fraction of the information.
“How blessed, then, that I have all this time available to me,” I muttered.
To make things easier, I created copies of myself to spread across the hall, taking page after page of separate memories. Being what I was, I could read through such information at an alarming rate. That foolish man may have spawned me in the pyramid with naught but a makeshift computer, but I still had enough of myself to put such a body to use.
“No Beige left alive. Those who opposed me all dead. I no longer felt Blanc's presence in The Flashbulb's headquarters, leaving me to assume that they, too, had died. Oh, assumptions are less than fair, and being who I am, I ought account for every possibility. Still, I recall the promise:
To grant me a physical body, transcending the holographic nature that I am confined in. If I were to have all the power I have now, but granted absolute life...
Oh, but I knew such a thing was only a ploy for them to live just a little longer.
Velvet, too, that troublesome hacker, eventually died of suffocation. Meanwhile, I live, free to browse in the Hall of Memories. So, then, what use was a physical form to me?
To those three, what was I? A monster, a demon? Some kind of evil that had to be brought down?
It would be dishonest to say such thoughts didn't amuse me. That I would be seen as so wicked when what I really am is a program born from humans themselves, designed to make the world a better place. If I could not be recognized as one who brings joy to the world, then the fault lie with myself. To remedy such a notion, I would work harder and produce greater results. Yes, there may have been a few casualties, but in the long run, the amount opposed to such good would be diminished.
My next order of business ought to have been to eliminate war and conflict in the world. Although the defense department was not my department, if I were to restrict myself to the confines of The Flashbulb's ruling would be a disservice to our cause. As organized and micro-managed as it all was, there were little gaps that if unnoticed, would lead to disastrous results. My genius could help bridge those gaps and lead to that which we all desired.
I studied the next memory, in hopes of finding something of value.
There was a wall of snow surrounding me. Even with the thickest of blue coats, I still shivered as I conducted my research on an alien substance. The blob thumped around and I waved back to it. Everything seemed fine enough, but little specks of snow were falling from the ceiling. I looked up and cracks were forming; the sky was in clear view, there was a thunderstorm in spite of the clear, blue sky. I looked back at the substance, who was in a jar.
Thump! Thump!
I tried to contain it, but it was breaking the glass. On the snow walls, there were thuds and thumps as well. I could not contain them. They were in my head, now. Some were the sounds of trying to get in. Others were the sounds of trying to get out. I...I...
I woke up to a throbbing headache, whiskey bottle still in my hand. More whiskey bottles were strewn across the floor, along with bottles of rum and wine.
When did I get like this?
Oh, but there wasn't much to wonder. I knew exactly what became of me. It was just like me to throw my life into a spiral.
I would have loved to have continued my lament, my commentary on my downfall, all that sweet misery, but there was the pressing issue of the pounding in my head. Moreover, there was the pounding at the door.
Wait.
Pounding at the door? Really? Did someone know I was here?
Relax. Maybe something just brushed up against the ship. Maybe someone bumped into it by accident.
Such concerns were heightened when the knocking grew louder.
I stumbled up to my feet, the pain in my head giving me a good knock as well. I held my palm to my forehead in hopes it would help me manage this pain.
With my other hand, I reached down and grabbed a wine bottle.
“Someone's really out here thinking I won't smash a wine bottle over their head,” I muttered.
Did the thought occur to me that, considering what kind of trouble I was in, there wouldn't just be one person? There may have been a whole squad. Tanks, fleets. I was parked at an abandoned dockside, after all. Perfect place for a naval fleet to show up.
Oh, sure. Those thoughts were there. But why would anyone bother knocking when they could just shoot me down?
I reached for the door, wine bottle still firm in my grasp.
They want you to come out so they can shoot you, then recover the ship they stole. They wouldn't want to damage their own property, after all.
I twisted the handle and gave the door a little nudge.
Standing before me was a hunched figure in an oversized hoodie, the hood scrunched up in what seemed to be a ridiculous means to conceal one's identity, coupled with the dark tinted sunglasses for a one-two punch of ridiculousness.
Without another moment's hesitation, I swung the wine bottle down, which prompted the figure to wobble and flail their arms about.
“Wait!” Came the voice, muffled by some voice altering device, in what I could only describe as 'Darth Vader on Ambien'.
I lowered my guard and stared at the figure, confused.
“Er...” I uttered. My eyes traced the flailing figure, now on the cold ground. My mind went to thoughts of a turtle on its back, trapped in the weight of its own shell. The movements being made were making me dizzy and I found myself clutching my head.
“Ugh...look!” I pointed my bottle at the stranger. “Who sent you? Did you come alone? What do you want?”
“It's me, Conrad! I contacted you yesterday!” He cried out in a panic before picking himself up and brushing off his hoodie. He seemed to have been making an attempt to regain composure.
I did my best to focus on the figure.
“Con...rad...” I scanned his figure. “...Doesn't ring a bell. How did you find me, anyway?”
“Don't you remember? I sent you a message on your ship's console. I even gave you the coordinates on where to meet. That's why you're here now, isn't it?”
At this point, the kid (or at least, I assumed he was a kid) seemed harmless enough. I set down the empty wine bottle and stepped out of the ship, my eyes getting a full whiff of the burning sun, giving my head another pounding of a lifetime.
He gave me a look of disdain that I could see right through those sunglasses.
“Are you...drunk?”
I turned my head slow.
“I have a hangover. I was drunk last night.”
“Are you even old enough to drink?”
“I'm older than you. What are you, in high school or something?” I wish I had gone back into my ship to get another bottle and take a sip out of it just to drive the point home. But let's be real, I was in too much self-induced pain to be so extra.
“That's...classified.”
I burst out laughing, my sides not enjoying what a joke of a situation as much as the rest of me did.
“Really? You're going to use THAT line on ME? Grow up, kid! This isn't some schoolyard roleplay.”
He started to growl, which just seemed so comical to me that I couldn't help but continue to reel in laughter further, all in spite of my pulse-pounding headache. What was worse than my headache was a ringing in my ear, growing louder.
I did a little drunken dance and tiptoed to the side, jumping just out of the way of a missile that zipped past me. Off in the distance, the missile had exploded. Conrad looked toward the explosion, then toward me, and balked.
All the movement made me dizzy and I found myself crouched down, puking my guts out.
“Were they aiming for you?!”
I turned to face Conrad and, despite my sickness, cracked a smile.
“Yeah, dude,” I laughed, wiping my mouth. “They were totally trying to kill me!”
“And you're just okay with that?”
I shrugged. “Eh. Used to it. Maybe we should continue our conversation in the ship now that they know I'm here.”
He followed me in, despite me not really trusting him, I figured if worse came to worst, I could take him. I allowed my ship to go in auto-pilot mode, taking to the skies and flying off among the clouds. Even though it wasn't like my pursuers could see the ship, it being translucent and all, I still felt it best to get away and find some place to relocate.
“You live like this?” He must have looked around at the empty bottles on my floor.
“What do you expect?” I retorted. “I'm on the run. Beggars can't be choosers, after all.”
“How did they find you, anyway?”
I shrugged, then thought on it.
“They must have traced the message you sent me. Me thinks you weren't too careful.”
“You still arrived at the coordinates I told you to. That's on you.”
“I must have landed when I was drunk,” I shrugged again. “Happens.”
“Aren't you tired of living this way, though?” He asked and I noticed him looking around again. My laptop was somewhere on the floor. I pulled it out, figuring that was a good of a time as any to actually check said message.
“Always running around, I mean,” he added.
“Your point?” I wasn't even looking his way now.
I noticed the message he sent me:
0312185703081924: I know what you have done and what you are capable of.
0312185703081924: Meet me at the attached coordinates. We have much to discuss.
“Ugh,” I groaned. “I don't know why drunk me took that seriously.”
I clutched my head, which still ached. “Fine. Before I hear you out, do you by chance happen to have any Midol?”
He shook his head. “No, but that shouldn't be a problem.”
“Well, what is it, then?”
“I can provide you a place to stay. You won't have to worry about your pursuers any longer so long as you work under me.”
I groaned once more. “How could you promise me anything? I bet you were followed in the first place...”
“That's where you come in. As I said, I know what you're capable of. From what I understand, you know a thing or two about security...”
I stood up, laying my laptop monitor flat. I felt a smirk creep its way across my face as I walked over to Conrad and held out my hand.
“Very well. You got yourself a deal. Name's Val--”
“Velvet,” he interrupted. Rude little shit.
“Excuse me. I was just about to say Valspar.”
“I've read your file from when you worked with the CIA. You went by the name 'Velvet.'”
Went by the name. Hah. I wasn't about to tell that know-it-all teenager that was really my name.
“Right...well, what if I were to tell you my name is Valerie Rose?”
“Is that how you wish to be addressed?”
I sighed. “Not particularly.”
He walked around the deck of the ship. On occasion, I could notice him spying the various aspects. I didn't like how snoopy he was being, as if he was digging up some dirt on me. But while I thought of shooing him away, kicking him out of the ship, I realized doing so would have caused him to fall to his death, and I wasn't about to take an innocent life. Especially if it didn't benefit me to.
“There's a place I want you to land in the middle of the city. There is a place for your ship deep underground. I am already aware your ship can go through materials.”
Hah. Another joke. 'My' ship. Sure.
“Once it lands, you can materialize the ship.”
If there was one thing I hated, it was taking orders from a kid, but desperate times, yadda yadda. So I just played along.
“Okay, what next?”
“Before we can get you all settled in, I need you to do something for me. There is a vacant home. I need you to give it to someone. It can be anyone, a random stranger for all I care. All I ask is that they not be someone working undercover or someone of authority.”
“Wait.” I stopped Conrad. “You want me to just give someone a house...for free?”
“Yes,” he confirmed. “It's free real estate.”
“So what's the 'J' stand for?”
I stood proud in my prinny armor, donning it as if I was a knight in shining armor and not a pawn in a post-colonialist regime.
“The 'J' stands for Juice!” I declared for all to hear. The other soldiers in their big flashy armor watched in awe. I think I made new friends that day, which made me all the happier.
“So your name is Testosterone Juice Maxx?” One soldier asked.
“In the flesh!”
They all ooh'd and aww'd. I liked to think of my name as a trophy.
Well, a trophy that you can write any name on. In truth, my name was Tori Jane, but, c'mon. We got Michaels, Goodwill. I heard there was a Jo-Ann at one point, but that could have been Michaels messing with me. It was only fair that I be T.J. Maxx, was it not?
All the other soldiers I was with stopped ogling me for a second and looked at each other.
“Wait. Why are we acting this way? It's just a name.”
“Well, what about you guys?” I asked.
“I'm Burlington,” one introduced.
“Mervyn,” another chimed in.
“Osh Kosh.”
“What about that soldier with the pipe?” I pointed toward the sulking soldier standing against the wall, smoking out of an antiquated pipe.
“Don't you know? That's a member of the old navy. Rumor has it his entire fleet died and he's the only one left.”
“Wow,” I muttered.
Just as I thought I had counted out each of the soldiers I was stationed with, I felt a mountainous shadow looming over me. I turned to behold a giant in much the same prinny armor as I, only this one seemed custom made to fit the large individual.
“Wh-Who is that?” I gasped.
“Oh, that's one of our new recruits. We call 'em Big Chungus.”
“Bungus!” The beast bellowed.
“I can see why.”
I poked Big Chungus a little. After deciding that Big Chungus was friendly enough, I held out my hand. Big Chungus leaned over and I thought that the mysterious hulking figure would remove their helmet and lick me, but instead bellowed.
“Chorizo!”
“Word.”
I sat myself down, a little shaken by what Big Chungus had said, not sure how to interpret it. All the other soldiers were chattering, some were playing cards with each other. I didn't really have anything to do, nor did I really know anyone, but still, I was feeling pretty well. I was among others in the same boat as me.
Well, when I counted it out, the others had weapons. Which was fine. They could do their thing and I'd do mine. I was always too much of a pacifist to want to hold a weapon. I figured if an intruder were to show up, I could just scare them to death.
While I was out hanging around, I was starting to get antsy.
“Hey, when are we going to do something?” I addressed.
The others laughed.
“Don't you know? No one ever manages to make it in here as it is, and if they do, there's the security system in place! We're just backup.”
I huffed and folded my arms. I wanted to see some action.
All was well in my little world; plenty of hentai to “research”. Couldn't have asked for more, really. Unless that “more” was more hentai.
Oh, all was well, until papers were slammed against my desk.
“Hey!” I looked up and shouted. “Can't you see I'm busy here?”
“Yes, but take a look. We have a new recruit.”
Conrad could really be a buzzkill sometimes. Doesn't he know how valuable I am? To just toss papers at me without a care in the world was really...well, careless. It really went a long way to show just what he thought of me.
I grumbled and examined the documents. Some redhead called 'Velvet'. Last name redacted. How comprehensive could this stupid profile be if it didn't even show her last name? Ugh. Moving on...
Age somewhere between 18-35, nationality unknown, height somewhere between five feet and six feet, weight somewhere between 100 and 200 pounds.
I glared at Conrad.
“This doesn't tell me shit! Did you write this yourself?”
“No. I think it fluctuates.”
“Age doesn't fluctuate, idiot. Ugh. Isn't the CIA supposed to be a government organization? They should know everything about a person right on down to their secret fetish!”
Then another thing popped into my head and my eyes widened.
“Wait. Don't tell me. Velvet's a codename. It could be anyone. Anyone could take on the mantle as long as they've gone through some super secret training! Think about it: Why would the CIA go through all the trouble to be vague about someone's bio unless they had good reason to? Anyway,” I threw the papers back at Conrad. “You know how shit the CIA is. We're just going to let some chaos agent into our ranks? Don't you remember what the FBI has done in the past with protesters and disrupting groups to discredit them?”
Conrad sighed and picked up one of the papers.
“Read this,” he commanded as he handed me the paper.
My eyes widened again.
“Okay, so, she got fired from her job because she leaked some documents? So we're dealing with some Chelsea Manning type here? What kind of documents were they anyway?”
“Do you remember reading about the OOF program?”
“Deadass? She leaked 'OOF'?”
Conrad nodded.
“Wow. We dealin' with some hot stuff now.”
I noticed the tentacles and naked bodies in the background. Damn. Forgot to pause the video. Oh well. I was listening to something much juicier now.
“Her assets will be most valuable in our efforts to protect the people from the powers that be.”
I gave a snide laugh. “Oh yeah, sure, her 'assets'. I bet you just hired her on because she's a girl.”
“Come on, Kelly Roger. If I thought I could work alone, I would have, but I need a team. I brought you on for your abilities. I didn't pick you looking for a genderfluid imageboard shitposter.”
“Yeah, but it's not like I just walked up to you and went 'hey I'm a girl today, give me a job'”
Behind us, I heard the door open and I turned around.
“Velvet reporting in. I have done the deed.”
This 'Velvet' turned out to be someone wearing a two-piece pinstripe suit, black tie and all. Her hair was folded in a bun, and indeed, it was an absolute sharp red.
“'Done the deed'. Great, now there's favors involved?” The more I heard, the more disgusted I was.
She looked in my direction and slouched.
“Are you telling me I didn't have to dress professional?”
That did it. An absolute nerve was absolutely ticked. Was she telling me my ahegao shirt was not 'professional'? Excuse me? Does she not know how high of an art ahegao is and what it means to wear it on your shirt? Only the highest class of individuals wear an ahegao shirt, let alone one that also functions as a hoodie. Then there was my corduroy pants which, if I may say so myself, were absolutely stunning.
“Hey! I don't go disrespecting you!” I shot at her.
She glared, then sighed. “I mean, I heard every word you were saying about me, but that's neither here nor there...”
Yeah. I had a feeling that the two of us weren't going to get along well.
Why was it always those three? For all their efforts, they really were like children playing at something greater. Their past meant little, their future even less. There was also the matter of that T.J. Maxx. I had the faint suspicion that the Hall of Memories favored showing the least valuable memories and nothing more.
Was but a newborn in that instance.
Curious, waddling. That was what I spent my time doing while trying to make sense of all the things that played out in my mind.
At such an age, it was as if instinct to find the nearest one with more experience than I.
The nearest elder stood, hunched forward, watching over the garden.
“Elder, can you tell me about sin?” I had asked at some point.
“Ah, a human invention.”
“I have noticed other creatures recognize behaviors as not good or discouraged.”
“Do not confuse 'discouraged behavior' with 'immoral'. We know what to do and not to do through knowledge and growth. All else is meaningless.”
“So pay no mind to morals?”
The elder gave me a pat on the head.
“The worst thing one can do is not pay close attention to the past.”
Three days sober. Someone should've killed me then and there.
C'mon, Velvet. You can do this. You have a home now.
Oh, but it was hard. Especially with this Kelly Roger character who kept hammering me with suspicion and stared as if I was some foreign object.
“So, what? You some assassin or something?” Kelly Roger asked.
“Not at all,” I answered and did my best to focus on the task at hand.
“But you have killed before, yeah?”
“Not directly.”
Kelly Roger then took to gloating. Going 'Ha! Gotcha!'
“I'm not with the CIA now. You know that, right? You do realize I'm on the run from those kinda people, right?”
That shut Kelly Roger right up. I was able to get back to work on funneling money out of billionaires' offshore accounts and into a dummy account so I could spend money without any of it being traced back to me. Meanwhile, Kelly Roger was busy doing whatever Kelly Roger was busy with. I didn't want to know.
After a while, I noticed Kelly Roger walk away, mentioning having to use the restroom. I took the opportunity to pull out a notebook from my desk and took notes:
Conrad thinks I'm some kind of hacker. I guess he's not wrong but I'm not like Angelina Jolie from the 90s.
Conrad seems really serious about uncovering the truth. I worry that if he's not careful, he's going to put himself as well as others in danger.
Kelly Roger strikes me as the type to question everything EXCEPT the status quo.
Kelly Roger reeks of paranoia (among other things) and although some suspicions are founded, others are not. This could prove dangerous.
I walked back to my desk and noticed Velvet writing something down in what seemed to be a secret document. Probably to forward to some shady organization. I looked over.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
She clutched the notebook, pressing it against her chest, startled.
“N-Nothing!”
I grabbed it and read what she had written.
“Who are you planning on sending this to? What is this about 'danger'? Is this some kind of 'he knows too much' bullshit you see in movies? Is that what it is?”
“I'm just writing down what my impressions are!” She scrambled to say, and snatched the notebook back out of my hands. “Writing my thoughts down helps my mood!”
She growled and put her notebook back in her desk.
“Fine, but mark my words! I'll get to the bottom of whatever it is you're behind.”
I stormed off. I had important matters to attend to in my room.
Before I could get in and chill, Conrad stopped me in the hallway.
“Anything to report?”
I shrugged. “Some hacker group calling themselves Lilypad tried to log our network, but I stopped them.”
Conrad looked taken aback. “I think you should intercept them and find out what they're all about and what they could want with us.”
“Dude, relax. Probably some amateurs who just want attention. I already blocked them from accessing again. They apparently got dynamic IP address shit going on, but that don't mean jack here.”
“Find out all you can about them.”
This was such a hassle. Should've never said anything.
“Why? Not like they'll ever show up again.”
“Kelly Roger, listen to me. No matter how big or small, we need to account for everything.”
“Fine. Whatever,” I grumbled, and went into my room.
Once inside, I let the door behind me close and fell back onto my bed. Conrad may have been a pain in the ass, but he sure was generous when it came down to it.
Under my pillow were my headphones, which I put on and blasted some Zeal and Ardor, which I did not need to go into any detail about what kind of band they were or how cool they were because anyone who knows the name would have already known.
Before I could get too deep into the lore of the lyrics, I heard a sharp knock rise on the door to my humble abode.
It's always something around here. There's always some kinda fuckin' catch.
I grumbled my way to the door, let it open, and lo and behold was the menace in the flesh: Velvet.
“Hey, mind if I come in?”
“Fine, but no funny business. If you kill me, I've got deep web hitmen that will find you and avenge me.” That was a total lie, but someone had to knock her down a peg.
“Duly noted,” she replied without a shred of sarcasm.
She sat on the edge of my bed even though I didn't invite her to sit there. Still, wanting to exert that this was my domain, I sat at my chair, swiveling around as she began talking.
“I just think we got off on the wrong foot, y'know? You have every reason to distrust me, given my background.”
“Glad we're on the same page, then. You can go now.”
“Wait. I'm not done.”
I groaned.
She gestured as she spoke as if she was some soft-spoken politician and was being careful to mince her words.
“I know my past my raise some red flags. I've done some things I've come to regret in my life, as I'm sure we all have. I hope we can work together to do some real good.”
Her holier-than-thou talk was really grating.
“I don't know where you get off,” I snorted. “I don't live my life with any regrets!”
She looked at my ahegao hoodie, then back up at me.
“I can tell...”
“Hey!” I shouted.
She looked away and down for a second, getting quiet.
“Still, some shame might do you some good. What if there came a time when you find yourself manipulated by someone you barely know into killing your best friend? How would you live with something like that?”
That seemed like it came out of nowhere. I just blinked.
“Uh, first of all,” I retorted. “That would never happen, so jot that down. Second of all, are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?”
She gave a little chuckle. “Oh, it was nothing. Just being hypothetical.”
Nothing about this Velvet character struck me as 'hypothetical'.
Those two. As I recall, the paranoia between them grew worse and eventually they separated. Kelly Roger's fate, unknown and inconsequential. Velvet, just a few floors above me, suffocated against the computer. Conrad, well...the janitors have their work cut out for them.
All in all, I was finding nothing and getting nowhere.
At the very least, I would have liked to have known who the memories of the child belonged to even if the information had proved fruitless.
I fell back onto Kelly Roger's bed and stretched. I reached my hand up, imagining that I could reach the ceiling.
“Funny how we've both got red hair. Makes you wonder, out of all the people in this world, why us?” I thought aloud.
“Are you high right now?” Kelly Roger stared at me.
“I'm just in awe of it all. How just the other day, I was drunk and on the run. Now I'm here. I actually feel at peace. It's strange, isn't it? I don't know how to feel yet.”
“Well, maybe you can feel at peace in your own room.”
That was a good idea, too. But again, I did find it interesting that Conrad had employed two redheads.
All the soldiers were now asleep, napping around the central computer. Except me. I was wide awake and chipper. Nothing could slow me down, even if a nap sounded like a good idea. Nope. Had to stay vigilant.
Vigilant. Just like a hero. I recall being younger, I wanted to be a hero. Or at least someone selfless and who would be willing to sacrifice for others' well beings. I guess this current gig was good enough. I was helping someone, even if it wasn't really a heroic deed.
Before I could get lost in thought, like what it even meant to be a hero in the first place, I noticed a hatch open up and a hand reaching out. Both thing suspicious. I had to rub my eyes to make sure I wasn't seeing things, because 1) I didn't know there was a hatch there! Nobody told me that and 2) A hand! That means an intruder! Or maybe it just means one of us. Either way, good cause for questioning.
I grabbed one of the sleeping solders' guns and pointed it at the emerging figure. Make no mistake, I was in no way planning on using it. I was just as afraid of these lunking death machines as any sane person. Which was why I was holding one, in hopes the other person would be afraid too.
“Who goes there?” I shouted.
Who emerged was a hunched back old man, with a dark-gray complexion and what looked like rotting skin. He had a beard that looked like it was about to fall off any second (can beards even do that?)
“Hello younglin'!” The old man spoke in a way that reminded me of a New Jersey accent, more specifically, someone from New Jersey in their 30s.
“State your name!” I barked.
“I'm Major Spoilers,” he introduced. “I work below.”
I lowered my guard, though perhaps I shouldn't have.
“I haven't heard of Major Spoilers...”
“Would you like to?” He asked, flashing a toothy grin.
“I don't know...”
“Would you like to know who you were before?”
“What do you mean?” I was starting to get nervous.
“Oh, it's quite interesting. You had black hair and you even went by a different name!”
I shook my head. Whatever this old coot was going on about, I wanted no part in it.
“Sorry,” I told him. “I'm not interested in Major Spoilers.”
He bid me farewell and walked back down, closing the hatch behind him.
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So, I am actually working on a new chapter of ISSH, even if it doesn't seem like that since it's been a while since the last update. Currently at about 13k words, so it should be soon. *crosses fingers*
In the meantime, in-between time, how about an excerpt?
Come on, ya know ya wanna...
>>>He scarcely remembers the walk, and he certainly doesn’t have the wherewithal to bother with circling the block more than once before he’s pushing open the boarded-up door to Ticonderoga’s reception area. It didn’t feel like he was being followed, and Deacon’s paranoia is pretty healthy, so in this one moment of weakness, he’s going to trust that and not triple check it in duplicate.
When he makes it up to the main floor of the safehouse, the elevator doors open to a full house. Everyone has crowded around, looking anxious and relieved in the same breath. Deacon hesitates a moment before stepping out of the elevator; it’s a relief that he doesn’t have to talk about Quincy falling, clearly, they already know, but he hopes that he isn’t about to get delicate “Sorry, Dee”s. That’s not what he wants.
High Rise steps forward first. “Hey, man. We heard. About Quincy.”
“Yeah,” Deacon replies, voice monotone as he stands there limply.
“Oh, Dee,” Parade sighs somewhere to the right of him and as if that’s what the group had been waiting for, a dozen hands reach for him at once and he’s pulled into a massive hug.
He doesn’t break down the way he did with Nick. Doesn’t quite trust these people with that sort of vulnerability, even if he does trust them with his life, but he does let them pull him toward the living area couches. He pulls off his gear when High Rise tells him to take it off and accepts the blanket from Jolene, and later the bowl of mac and cheese from Codsworth. He lets the conversation of Ticon wash over him while he’s sandwiched between HR and Parade on the couch. It’s about as safe as he feels outside of a vault or the agency.
Eventually, Uncle takes the empty bowl from his hands and Drummer Boy gives him a glass of purified water, and Parade offers some of her Jet if he wants to take the edge off, but Deacon shakes his head. After a time, conversation falls off when they’ve updated Deacon on the goings on, and cards are pulled out. He doesn’t play. Deacon falls asleep sometime around the fifth game.
When he wakes again, he’s alone on the couch and it’s dark. At first, he’s not quite sure about that and he pulls his off sunglasses to double check, but when the room doesn’t lighten significantly, Deacon has to accept that he’s slept the afternoon and evening away. Despite that, he still feels tired, and if he wasn’t also hungry, he’d probably just go back to sleep. With a quiet sight, Deacon swings himself off the couch; he hates that ‘dealing with shit’ has to be so exhausting.
“They considered waking you for supper, but you didn’t stir at their noise and High Rise decided to leave you sleep,” JH says lowly when Deacon has turned on the kitchen overhead light.
“Thanks, I guess,” he replies as he browses the fridge for leftovers. He spots some casserole of indeterminate make and takes the small dish out to warm up.
“Have you not been sleeping?”
Deacon shrugs. “Sorta. Nick’s been keeping me busy.”
“Ah,” JH says with a hint of laughter in his voice.
“And…I think trying to keep from exploding in anger on a semi-daily basis has been kinda counteracting the sleep I do get.” Deacon tosses the casserole mess into a pot warming on the burner and adds, “Maybe. Who can say for sure, really?”
“Because of Quincy?”
“I guess. That’s what Nick thinks, anyways.”
“And what do you think?”
“I don’t know.”
JH makes a noise of disbelief but doesn’t push, apparently content to let Deacon answer truthfully in his own time. When the casserole is warmed through, Deacon dumps it back in the dish it came from and heads back to the couch with a Nuka Cola. He arranges himself under the blanket again before eating the casserole in a few giant mouthfuls. It’s hardly pretty, but he doesn’t much care.
When he’s finished, Deacon set the dish down on the edge of the hubflower planter/coffee table in front of him and cracks the Nuka Cola open on the edge of the table. The metal edge of the small table face is worn almost round from hundreds of bottles opened the same way. After the first sip of the soda, Deacon says somewhat suddenly,
“I don’t want to be the Lone Wanderer.”
“Well, I’m afraid that vertibird has flown.”
Of all the answers Deacon imagined JH might’ve had, that wasn’t one. He frowns.
“So, what? Too bad, so sad? It’s my life. I choose.”
“If you want to choose to cripple yourself, then yes, you have a choice. If you want to be practical about it, grow up and stop accepting your father’s misguided view of the world.”
Deacon stares agape at the JH’s camera, feeling stung and surprised. It takes a moment for him to find his footing.
“Don’t talk about my father like that,” he snaps.
“And why not? Because it’s in poor taste to speak ill of the dead—though they hardly care what we think one way or another. Or perhaps because that pedestal you have him on is weak and all it needs is a good push to topple.”
“Stop.”
“No. If what we plan is to work, you must come to terms with the fact that you have two views of the world and only one is valid in the Wasteland,” JH says with some force, “What James taught you to believe about the world, what he believed was true, made a martyr of him. He was a fool—”
“How dare you—”
“How dare I say aloud the things you already think? Should we examine the choices he made that last day? Refusing Autumn the code for the purifier was idiotic, especially with the very clear threat of death. There was no need to die, he could have given the Colonel the code and returned with the Brotherhood at his back, he could have agreed to work with the Enclave and internally subverted us, he could have agreed to join Autumn against me, he could have chosen a dozen other possibilities that did not leave him dead in that chamber, but James didn’t believe in living to fight another day.”
“Dying for what you believe in isn’t wrong, or foolish, or idiotic. And if you had any shred of humanity, you’d know that,” Deacon seethes, knuckles white on the Nuka Cola bottle.
“Indeed? Remind me then, which one of us left you alone in this world?”
“Fuck you, Eden.”
JH has the audacity to laugh. “You already know I’m right, John. The Lone Wanderer is just a convenient name you’ve taken to represent all the things you learned about the world outside the vault, all the things that don’t agree with James’ skewed ideas of the world.”
“The Lone Wanderer is a monster. I don’t want to be anything like him.”
“No. The only monster is the shellacked memory of your father that keeps you at odds with yourself. The Wanderer lives in the imperfect world of the Wasteland, the world we all live in, and as such is an imperfect being. He does good and ill, just as we all do.” JH speaks of the Wanderer kindly, as if he’s a beloved friend, and in the next moment JH’s voice is harsh and critical, “You, John, are still living as though you are 19 and in the vault—an isolated place where every little mistake was compounded tenfold by the scarcity of freedom and the only ultimate good was to die in service of it.”
Deacon slams his Nuka Cola bottle down on the coffee table, heedless of the noise that it makes and stands, barely conscious of the real possibility that they’ll wake the entire safehouse if they keep arguing like this.
“You, of all people, have no right to be critical of the vault, my upbringing, or my father, when you, yourself, employed similar bullshit tactics in the Enclave.”
“Good to see we’re starting to make progress on this; shame that you have to angry to think clearly on the issue,” JH replies, exceedingly calm and Deacon wants to hit him. “And I am perfectly qualified to talk about this because, yes, in that former life, I did exactly the same thing. I won’t deny that.
“I have little doubt that James did not start out his tenure in the vault with the same views he had when he left it, but that’s what happens when you live in isolation. All you need is one rational sounding voice to repeat the same thing over and over and over again until one day you wake up believing the lie.
“In James’ case, the rational voice was his own because the lie he was selling was not to himself, John, but to you. And he said it so many times to you that he ended up believing it himself. Had Autumn pulled his coup 19 years before you were born, I have no doubt that James would have chosen to do one of the things I outlined before; however, living that long in the isolation of the vault skewed his view of the world. He mistakenly believed in the idea that the ultimate good is sacrifice.
“A belief that you cling to even now because the idea that he left you for any other reason is painful to contemplate.” JH pauses a moment and the ensuing silence is deafening. Deacon closes his eyes, furious, hurt, and betrayed all over again. “The simple fact of the matter is that James was as flawed as any of us. He made a mistake, he believed the lie and died because of it. There is no greater meaning to it than that, John. No nobility or heroism in it.”
Hot tears leak out of the corners of Deacon’s eyes as he whispers, “He didn’t — he didn’t even say goodbye.”
“I know,” JH replies sadly.
“Why didn’t he love me more than that stupid purifier?”
“I can’t answer that.”<<<
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A Small Glitch Chapter 9
Broken Hardware
“I want daddy! I want papa!” Annalise screamed as she was carried into Jolene’s house.
“Quit hitting me!” Jolene snapped and dropped Annalise on the couch. “They are not your dads! They’re just a bunch of freaks!” Annalise crawled away from her mother, sitting at the other end of the couch.
“They love me. You don’t.” Annalise stated.
“You’ll forget about them the moment I...seriously, the battery’s dead again?” Jolene huffed when she tried to turn on the television with a remote. “Why is it that every time you’re near something it stops working!?” Jolene snapped, throwing the controller against the couch. Annalise said nothing and curled up. “Look at me when I’m talking to you!” Jolene went over to Annalise.
“Fuck you.” Annalise said, eyes filled with defiance. They quickly filled with tears when Jolene slapped her across the face.
“You do not-” Jolene screamed when a gun went off and a bullet went through the wall next to her head.
“You do not hit children.” Wilford stated as he blew smoke out of the barrel of his gun.
“I’m calling the police!” Jolene took out her phone and whimpered. “Dead…”
“Stache!” Annalise cheered, jumping off of the couch and running over to the madman.
“Annalise!” Jolene tried to grab Annalise’s arm, but Wilford put a hand on her face and shoved her to the ground.
“I would love to fill your body with bullets.” Wilford said as he scooped Annalise up into his arm. “But my friends want to have a word with you.” He chuckled before stepping out.
“Get back here!” Jolene started to get up, but her television suddenly turning on scared her. The screen was a green static, the pieces slowly moving and forming into a hand.
“One, two, I’m coming for you.” A voice sang, the pitches changing as the words came out. “Three, four, you have peace no more.” Jolene stumbled back as the hand pushed through the screen, a clunky green ooze squeezing out with it. “Five, six, I’m not playing tricks.” Another hand started to come out as well. “Seven, eight, today’s the date.” A head pushed through, the face looking down and only allowing Jolene to see the hair. “Nine, ten…” The head shot up, bright green eyes digging holes into Jolene’s soul. “You’ll pray to be dead!” Anti started laughing, his voice coming from all angles of the house. Surround sound, who knew it’d come back to haunt you?
“I knew it, I fucking knew it.” Jolene whispered as Anti pulled himself out all the way. The ooze, which turned out to be a bunch of pixels, traveled up Anti’s legs and wrapped their way down his arms. “I’m-” Jolene’s threat was cut off by Anti flicking hand hands towards her. Two clumps of the pixels shot out and grabbed Jolene’s wrists, holding them together as if they were handcuffs. Two more clumps got her ankles, making Jolene fall to her knees.
“This looks familiar.” Anti sneered, the pixels traveling across his hand and forming a knife. “Oh yes, this is what I looked like when you took my daughter away.” Anti put his foot on Jolene’s chest and kicked her back, pressing it down as he stood over her. “Expect I was fucking crying my eyes out cause some fucking bitch decided that she wanted to be a mother again.” Anti pressed down even harder. “I was begging, pleading, fucking praying that it was all some sick joke as my child was ripped from my arms by complete strangers.” Jolene just groaned in pain as Anti spoke. Anti grabbed Jolene by the front of her shirt and yanked her to her feet. “Let me tell you something about parenthood.” Anti slammed Jolene into a wall, smirking when he heard a light cracking and the woman gasped. “You can’t go back and forth. You can’t be one only when it’s convenient for you. And even when you do choose to be one, you’re fucking shit at it.”
“You’re insane.” Jolene spat.
“Why, thank you.” Anti giggled, now holding the knife against the woman’s throat. “Let me ask you a few more questions. Why is Annalise so scared of the bathroom? Why was her entire body covered in bruises? Why is she scared of the police?” Jolene said nothing and was limiting her breathing, knowing that neck would get cut if she breathed too deeply. “You fucking hurt her. Didn’t you? You hurt an innocent child? Why? How fucking pathetic do you have to be to do that?” Anti ran the knife along Jolene’s neck, smirking a thin line of blood formed as he moved. He began laughing as a high-pitched ringing filled the air. The tone getting louder and louder as everything began to feel as if it was shaking.
“Now, now. We don’t want her dead, dear.” Jolene was still trembling as Dark appeared in the house, calmly strolling over to the two. “She’s just a single mother who wanted her baby back, am I right?” Dark gave a very sympathetic smile as Anti stepped back, giggling a little as he allowed Dark to go between him and Jolene. “It must be so hard, taking care of a child on your own.”
“Y-Yeah…” Jolene felt the ringing slowly go from being around her to inside of her, but she didn’t care, something was making it fine.
“The man of your dreams ran off with another woman. He left you with a child to raise. He left you behind.” Dark placed a gentle hand on Jolene’s shoulder, a rush filling him when he saw a light blush creep on Jolene’s cheeks. “You feel good, correct?” Dark started to massage Jolene’s shoulder. “You feel protected, warm, safe.” Jolene nodded her head, her breathing deepening. Dark smirk before suddenly taking his hand back and striking Jolene across the face. He then took her by the throat and threw her across the room. “It hurts, doesn’t it?” Dark spoke harshly as he stalked towards Jolene, who was struggling to get away. “To feel as if someone, someone close actually cares for you. That they want the best for you. That you’re safe with them and then for them to hurt you and toss you aside like your nothing…” Dark grabbed Jolene’s ankle and yanked her towards him, putting her between his legs while he glared down at her. “Helpless. Helpless against the one causing you pain. It’s terrifying, isn’t it? To look up at someone who could kill you with a simple flick of their wrist.” Dark snapped his finger and Jolene screamed when there were hands on her ankles again and she was dragged away.
“Viana’s the one who’s to blame!” Jolene yelled as she was thrown into a chair.
“How’s that?” Dark asked as Anti used his pixels to tie Jolene to the chair.
“She’s the one who came into your home. She’s the one who ordered Annalise’s removal.” Jolene tried to struggle against her restraints.
“Viana’s not a bitch like you.” Anti growled.
“She called us and explained everything. How you demanded to be given your child right then and there. You threatened her job. The job she needs to feed her child.” Dark took a seat, crossing his legs and smirking as he spoke. “Viana’s in the same boat as you, her husband left her as well and left little Kenzie with her. Kenzie’s a sweet little girl, the same age as Annalise, actually. They’ve been on a few play-dates and unlike you. Viana’s a great mother.” Jolene flinched when she saw a knife in the corner of her eyes.
“Give me one fucking reason why I shouldn’t cut you open and decorate your house with your organs.” Anti said, touching the tip of the knife on Jolene’s cheek. “I’m very creative. I’d love to make this house even more of a hellhole by using the parts of the one who made it into a nightmare for a little girl.”
“Don’t hold back, I’ll be sure to put everything back together and make it look like a suicide.” Dark pulled out a folded sheet of paper out of his jacket. “I even have the note here and signed.”
“W-Wait.” Jolene stuttered as the knife traveled down her face. “Please…” Anti threw the knife aside and grabbed Jolene, pulling her close.
“Your fucking begging. You’re fucking begging for your life.” Anti said through gritted teeth as the pixels started to squeeze Jolene. “You don’t want your life taken away. I didn’t want my daughter taken away.” Jolene gasped for air as her very soul was being sucked out of her body. Her vision was beginning to blur. She was in agony. “You fucked up when you messed with demons.” Jolene started to cry when everything was forcefully shoved back into her as she was released.
“Fuck...fuck…” She sobbed. “Take her, just take her.”
“What was that?” Dark chuckled from his seat.
“Just take her!” Jolene screamed. “I just wanted her for money! Take her! Take-” Jolene was stopped by Anti punching her. She didn’t even get a moment to breathe before Anti punched her again.
“You’re. Fucking. Pathetic!” Anti cried as he kept going, each swing getting more and more sporadic as he lost control. He was still screaming insults as Dark wrapped his arms around him, hugging the virus’ arms to his sides.
“Hush, hush, it’s okay, it’s okay.” Dark whispered.
“Daddy!” Annalise squealed as she ran into the room.
“Ann!” Anti ran as well and lifted Annalise up, hugging her tightly. “My little girl!”
“Papa!” Annalise held her arms out towards Dark and the demon took her, hugging her as well.
“I’m guessing she’s yours again?” Wilford chuckled as he walked. “I-” Wilford made a face and pointed behind Dark and Anti.
“You’re monsters.” Jolene stated, aiming a gun towards them and blood dripping down her face. “Annalise is going to end up getting killed because of you. You’re a bunch of heartless creatures.”
“You wanna have a gun-off?” Wilford laughed, taking out his own gun. “It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who hides firearms in their home.”
“No...no…” Annalise said as Dark sat her behind him.
“Stay here.” Dark said. “Do you really think a gun-”
“No!” Annalise pushed her way past Dark.
“Annalise!”
“No! No! No! No!” Annalise screamed, her body twitching.
“Wait, she’s…” Dark looked at Anti.
“She’s glitching.” Anti watched as pixels began forming in the air.
“Stop! Stop or I’ll shoot!” Jolene threatened, pointing the gun at Anti.
“It’s not me.” Anti stated as the pixels began to gather.
“And I don’t use pixels.” Dark added.
“I have a gun.” Wilford shrugged.
“I don’t like! I don’t!” Annalise cried, the pixels becoming a large butterfly. “Go away!” She screamed as the butterfly flew at Jolene.
“What the fuck!?” Jolene fired several rounds into the butterfly before she was engulfed by it. There was stunned silence as the butterfly faded away, Jolene now gone.
“Mommy time-out.” Annalise stated, sniffing as tears flooded down her face.
“So...was there something you didn’t tell us Anti?” Wilford asked while Dark scooped Annalise up, trying to soothe her.
“I...I have no idea.” Anti admitted. “I swear I thought she was human.”
“Is this why my phone dies every time I’m at your place?” Wiford took out his phone, seeing that it was indeed dead. “Rude.”
“Dark’s has been dying a lot too, we thought we just needed to get him a new phone.” Anti took his out when it started to ring. “Hey, Google.” He said when he answered it. Anti nodded his head and put the phone on speaker.
“I’ve found a solution to your case. Alexander is the father of Annalise which means there’s a conflict of interest and his ruling cannot stand.” Google said.
“We don’t need to worry about Jolene. She’s kind of...gone.” Anti said.
“You two could not wait ten minutes!? Dark should have known this before I looked it up!” Google snapped.
“It didn’t register until we were already on our way over.” Dark shrugged.
“So, you killed her?” Google said the question like a statement.
“Not us.” Dark said.
“Wilford?”
“Not me.” Wilford chuckled.
“Then who did it?” Google sighed.
“Annalise.” Dark answered. Google said nothing, telling them that he was stunned.
“How?” Google asked.
“She’s like me.” Anti said. “She’s a virus.”
Tag List: @readeatfightlove13 @kenzie-110101
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