#don’t you need the jury in your head to all agree???

[osddid-i-do-that]

Shoutout to all the hosts who thought arguing with the guys in your head was a normal way of “thinking about things” 😭

#actually did #actually dissociative #osddid #sysblr #dissociative identity disorder #did system #sbc system tag: pyxis 🔮 #sbc system tag: kash ❤️‍🔥 #I didn’t understand how anyone could easily make decisions #don’t you need the jury in your head to all agree???

[uneditedidiot]

this love is ours - jamie tartt x reader

jamie tartt x gn!reader

summary: after officially starting to date Jamie, the media figures out who you are. Judgment comes in from all places - news outlets, social media, family members - but Jamie puts all that doubt out of your mind. based off the song ours by taylor swift. features appearances from Keeley and Roy.

word count: 2.5k

Warnings: language, angst, fluff social media bullying & hate, reassurance and comfort from Jamie

A/N: This could technically be part two to gold rush but you don’t need to have read that one to understand what’s going on in this imagine. Hope you enjoy!

Seems like there's always someone who disapproves

They'll judge it like they know about me and you

And the verdict comes from those with nothing else to do

The jury's out, but my choice is you

Even on a beautiful Saturday afternoon out on the Richmond Green, you and Jamie somehow attracted the attention of a few invasive paparazzi.

“I thought the hat would be enough,” said Jamie, pulling the brim of his ‘icon’ hat further down his forehead.

The two of you walked off quickly down the path, keeping the photographers and their bright flashes at your backs.

You couldn’t help but giggle, tugging at his hand in yours. “Jamie, you wear that hat everywhere. People recognize it pretty easily.”

“I’m not the only person in the world with this hat.”

“Maybe not, but you made it popular.”

He sighed. “Yeah, you’re right.” He smiled at you. “Well now that we’ve left those annoying arseholes behind, what do you want for dinner?”

“Keeley invited us over for a couples night with her and Roy,” you reminded him. “Remember? We talked about it with Roy this morning after your training.”

“Nah, the granddad has a tendency to ramble on with ya about random stuff so I just thought ya were chattin’ with him.”

“Yeah, I was chatting with him about dinner with him and Keeley, which you agreed to, by the way, even in your post-workout haze.”

Jamie grumbled like a little kid. “Ugh, but I’d rather just stay home with you, get pizza or some takeout, and make out on the couch.”

You lifted your head up to his cheek to kiss it. “And we can do that – tomorrow night. Which is a night we didn’t agree to have dinner with Roy and Keeley.”

That seemed to satisfy him for the moment and the two of you made your way back home to your shared house.

“I’m going to go shower, babe!” he called as he headed upstairs.

“I’ll be here!” you called back.

You kicked off your shoes by the front mat and strode into the kitchen to grab some water. As you filled a glass from the filtered pitcher from the fridge, you scrolled through your instagram.

After making it official with Jamie, the two of you had decided to keep it quiet in terms of posting on social media. You’d told close friends and everyone at Richmond. Jamie’s mom and stepfather obviously knew, since it had been at their house that you’d made things official. But your family hadn’t taken it quite as well.

Being from the States, your family’s only impression of Jamie was the Richmond matches they streamed and his arc on Lust Conquers All, which hadn’t painted him in a flattering light. Of course, Jamie freely admitted that he was an all-out prick on the show and had publicly and privately apologized to those he had hurt while filming. But your family couldn’t exactly see past it. They were protective of you and worried about what Jamie might do in the relationship.

Thankfully, Ted and Beard, who knew your parents quite well, had reassured them that Jamie was not the person the media portrayed him as. This had seemed to quell their anxieties about their kid dating a superstar footballer with a notorious reputation for being a (as your mother so kindly put it) “man-whore.” But you, as well as everyone around you, knew that Jamie had changed.

Now the instagram comments you saw as you scrolled on your latest post of you and Jamie getting brunch together were of similar nature. 

There were a few comments from your friends at Richmond – Keeley had commented, “I love you both so much and you are too cute together!” Sam had said, “the queen and king of Richmond;” while Rebecca put it plainly, “you are the best people and these photos are my new favorite of you both.”

Despite the many loving and supportive comments from friends and now people who had deemed themselves ‘fans’ of you (which felt quite strange, as you were merely the head physical therapist for the team and didn’t do anything that warranted ‘fans’), there were a good handful that were not quite as kind.

One person had written, “Jamie’s back in his pretending to be monogamous era - wonder how long that will last.”

You shook your head. You knew who Jamie had become and this wasn’t a phase for him. You scrolled on.

Another comment caught your eye. “Ew who are they? Jamie is way out of their league.”

And then more continued to pop up.

“Fuck them.”

“Why do they even bother? Jamie is going to dump them in like a week bet.”

“What are they wearing?”

“Jamie and Keeley will forever be endgame.”

“I liked it better when he was with Keeley.”

“Whatever happened to celebrities dating out of their league? This person is clearly a big step down for him.”

It was a rabbit hole of discouragement and darkness. And even after you exited out of Instagram trying to shake off the hate, more seemed to appear as you opened twitter. You’d been tagged in numerous disgusting tweets from multiple accounts.

“Go die no one likes u.”

“Why is your face like that and why does Jamie like it.”

“I bet he thinks of Keeley when they fuck. Lol I would.”

“You’re literally nobody and the fact that Jamie Tartt of all people is dating you is really pathetic.”

You shook your head, exiting out of twitter with a huff. You tossed your phone on the other couch cushion. It was difficult seeing so many people who thought they had a right to comment on your relationship saying such things on the internet. You knew coming into this that dating Jamie would be difficult in terms of hate on social media, but your fears were resurfacing.

Jamie wouldn’t actually believe all that stuff said about you. You knew that. But what if other people you knew saw it and agreed with it? What if you had to start dealing with people in real life saying that? Were you not good enough to be dating someone like Jamie?

The self-doubt began to creep in, like a mist slowly dragging itself over a hill. Your thoughts began to spiral.

You recognized the anxiety beginning to escalate and decided to watch something to distract yourself. You turned on the TV and tried to tune out the online ruckus.

About a half-hour later, Jamie came barreling down the stairs.

“Babe, Keeley just texted - I think we’re late for dinner,” he said, rushing to put on his shoes.

“Shit!” you cried, slamming the TV power button and quickly going back over to do the same as Jamie.

You both grabbed what you needed and quite literally ran out the door to Jamie’s car which was right next to the gates of your home.

As you sprinted to the passenger side door, a white light suddenly blinded you from beside the front gates. 

It was like they appeared out of nowhere – two photographers with large lenses. And they were yelling your name.

“Hey, what’s it like to be with someone who clearly can’t commit?” one laughed.

“Getting tired of this one already, Tartt?” the other bellowed.

“Just fuck off!” exclaimed Jamie, waving his hand at them. “This is private property! Fuck off!”

You jumped into the car, shutting the door as fast as possible. You watched as Jamie flipped off the photographers, who took the last few pictures they wanted, and trudged away.

Jamie closed his door with more force than necessary and buckled his seatbelt. “Arseholes.” He turned to you, putting his hand on your leg gently. “Are ya okay?”

No. No, you weren’t okay. After reading through all those hateful comments and then being berated by paparazzi not just for pictures, but also with hurtful questions didn’t help your self-doubt. It seemed to be bubbling up from below into your heart.

But you didn’t want to ruin the mood more by admitting you were not okay, so all you could do was nod.

“Don’t let them get to you, alright? I love you and nothing’s gonna change that,” confirmed Jamie tenderly. His hand slid into yours.

Neither of you let go all the way to Keeley and Roy’s. 

“Heya!” greeted Keeley from the front door as you and Jamie exited the car.

You forced a smile. “Hi, Keeley.”

“How ya doing, Keeley?” grinned Jamie. He gave her a big hug, and then you gave her one, too.

“Just peachy,” she replied, holding the door open for the both of you. “Roy’s inside getting the chicken all prepped. I think he’s trying something fancy tonight - chicken cordon bleu!”

“That is fancy,” you agreed. “He’s really upping his chef skills.”

“I’m not buyin’ that,”Jamie joked. “He’s making beans on toast.”

“Have some faith,” you nudged him playfully.

“I’ll put my faith in nothing until that chicken cordon bleu is sitting on my dinner plate.”

“You two are so cute,” awed Keeley as the three of you made your way to the kitchen.

You swallowed the lump in your throat at the comment, feeling sweat on your palms.

“Ey, if it isn’t the granddad himself!” cheered Jamie. “Making us something fancy, are ya?”

Roy was bent over the kitchen counter, slamming a meat tenderizer into pieces of flattened chicken. He turned with a scowl on his face and gestured at the younger man with the meat tenderizer.

“I’ll be flattening more than this fucking chicken if you keep that up, Tartt,” he growled.

“Aw, I’m terrified,” mocked Jamie.

“Stop it, you two,” ordered Keely good-naturedly as she kissed his cheek. “No one is flattening anything else ‘round here — especially body parts. Right, Roy?”

“I certainly wouldn’t be happy about it and neither would they,” Jamie chuckled, nodding his head at you.

Your smile was tight. You tried to make things light hearted as you wrapped an arm around Jamie’s bicep. “Yep. That’d be…tragic.”

Jamie peered down at you with a questioning glance. He knew something was up, but didn’t want to push it in front of Roy and Keeley.

Keeley gave you both drinks and you all went to sit outside on the patio as Roy finished up cooking in the kitchen.

Jamie and Keeley launched into immediate conversation and you tried your best to keep up and add things in here and there, but you were unusually quiet. Your mind kept drifting back to what you’d read online and what the paparazzi had screamed at you.

It was an endless circle of disappointment in yourself, anxiety, and self-consciousness. This infinite loop of darkness continued to crowd your mind, taking up all the space inside. A storm seemed have come into your psyche and it was doing a number on you.

You felt your phone vibrate in your pocket as Jamie and Keeley chatted about the towels in the locker room at Nelson Road.

Puzzled, you checked your texts. It was from your mom with a link to an article from a tabloid website.

“This doesn’t seem like a good thing, honey. What are you doing with a celebrity like that?”

That was the message your own mother had sent you about Jamie. You internally groaned. Then you clicked on the article. The headline was atrocious: HOW LONG WILL TARTT’S NEWEST FLING REALLY LAST? The pictures associated with it were from that very day on Richmond Green with you and Jamie walking hand-in-hand, clearly trying to outrun whoever was taking the photos. And then the worse ones – the paparazzi from outside your house had sold the pictures to this tabloid. They were grainy and ill-lit and had been very obviously edited. They had added weird width to your arms and even your head. The caption was “Tartt’s Partner has Gained some Weight!”

That was it for you. The dam had broken. 

Tears were already spilling over by the time you’d suddenly stood from your chair and raced to the bathroom.

Both Jamie and Keeley called your name after you, and Roy had said it, surprised, from the kitchen as you rushed past.

You closed the door quietly, but didn’t have the willpower to sit anywhere else but on the floor next to the sink. You sobbed into your hands as silently as possible, but that didn’t work for long.

“Babe?” came Jamie’s voice through the door. “Babe, what’s going on? Talk to me.”

The desire to be alone was rapidly replaced by the need for Jamie.

You opened the door slowly, still seated by the sink. You kept your blood-shot gaze away from his for a moment as he stood there in silence. 

When you looked up a moment later, your heart broke at his worried expression. His hands were shaking slightly.

“I’m just…overwhelmed,” you admitted hoarsely.

Jamie got down on the floor next to you, patting the space between his legs and reaching for you. You shuffled over to sit in his lap, your legs swung over one of his, arms going around his body and face sliding to nestle in his neck.

His arms wound around you protectively, rubbing your back and rocking back and forth slightly.

“Why are ya feeling overwhelmed, love?” he wondered gently.

You inhaled shakily, your face still buried in him. “I just…I’ve been getting a lot of hate comments and mean tweets lately. And then those paparazzi incidents today were awful and then my mom just texted me saying things like ‘why are you with him’ and ‘you shouldn’t be with someone like that.’ Then there was a link to this article that had pictures from today and they’d edited me to look horrible.”

Jamie sighed, his voice soft. “I’m so sorry, love. I’m truly so sorry. People are arseholes.”

“Why do they hate me so much?”

“They hate what they don’t have. They see us happy and they’re miserable, so they want to make us miserable. People throw rocks at things that shine.”

You moved your head off his neck so you could look him in the face. You smiled through your tears. “Did you just quote Taylor Swift at me?”

“I did,” he smiled. “But I’m not kidding. Media is fucked up. People on the internet are fucked up. They’re bored and feel the need to stick their stupid opinions where they’re not wanted.”

“It’s just so frustrating.”

“I know. But what matters is you and me. That’s it.”

“You’re right. You and me. That’s it.”

Jamie smirked mischievously. “Besides, they’re probably jealous you get to sleep with a hot footballer and they don’t.”

You laughed. “Jamie, I don’t know how to tell you this, but I’m not sleeping with Roy.”

Jamie laughed in return. “Oi! Ya don’t need to be an arsehole about it.”

You gazed happily at him. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. And I promise, forget all that shit. If you’re ever feeling this way again, just talk to me. I’ll make sure to let you know that all I need is you and you alone. This love is ours. They don’t know what they’re talking about.”

You pressed your lips to his for a sweet kiss, feeling much more reassured.

“Now come on,” Jamie encouraged when he pulled away, “I’ve gotta see if Roy actually can cook.”

“I think he can, Jamie.”

“We’ll just see about that, won’t we?”

#jamie tartt x reader #jamie tartt imagine #jamie tartt x gn!reader #jamie tartt #jamie tartt fanfiction #ted lasso #ted lasso (show) #jamie tartt x you #jamie tartt x y/n #keeley jones #roy kent #keely x roy #keeley jones x roy kent #uneditedidiot #gn!reader #jamie x reader #ted lasso fanfiction #jamie tartt fluff #jamie tartt angst #ours #ours taylor swift #taylor swift lyrics

[bellaxgiornata]

Falling For the Devil [Part seventy-four: "The Boy's Night at Josie's"]

Pairing: Matt Murdock x Fem!Reader

Summary: Matt and Foggy celebrate a win at Josie’s, though their celebration for the firm quickly turns to the pair celebrating something else.

Or You finally meet Drunk Matt.

[Series of one-shots about Reader meeting, falling for, and dating Matt Murdock.]

Warnings: 18+ for this series; contains humor, fluff, romance, angst, smut (like...a lot of it later in the series), language, some violence

Word Count: 4.8k

a/n: One of my favorite installments! You get sweet Matt and some saucy, flirty drunk Matt in this one! You can find the entire list of installments available on tumblr here. And if you're enjoying this series, I always appreciate the feedback! Only four more installments left for me to transfer over from AO3 until tumblr is all caught up!

“Oh my God , you should have seen Cantrell’s face during your closing argument!” Foggy gushed excitedly, slapping his hands onto the table. “You could see the exact moment she knew she’d lost the jury. It was like the light just– poof –went right out of her eyes, man!”

Matt chuckled as he nodded, drawing the bottle of beer to his lips for a drink. “Ahh, well. I can certainly envision it with your descriptions.” He paused, taking a pull off the bottle and swallowing the beer down. “You’ve been giving me quite the detailed breakdown about it since we sat down about ten minutes ago.”

“Sorry man, you’re right,” Foggy relented, picking up his own bottle of beer and drawing it to his mouth. “I just got really excited. That was a huge win and it felt damn good.”

“That it did, Fog,” Matt agreed.

Foggy swallowed his drink before shifting in his seat, leaning his elbows onto the table. “I just wish Karen could have come out to celebrate with us tonight,” he said softly. “Feels weird with her not being here after a big win.”

“Well you know she had a date, right?” Matt pointed out.

“Yeah, I know,” he answered. “And I’m happy for her. She seems to like that guy. It just feels weird without her at Josie’s, you know?” he said with a shrug.

“Is Marci coming out?” Matt asked.

Foggy shook his head as he sighed. “Nah, she’s got her own big case coming up. Said she wanted to run over a few notes tonight before she went to bed. What about your girl? She coming out?”

Matt couldn’t help the wide smile that slid across his face as he focused on the table, his fingers drumming along his beer bottle. His girl. God he loved the sound of that. It never got old hearing Foggy call you that. 

“No,” he answered. “She was finishing getting something ready for work for later next week with a co-worker.”

“The one who’s obsessed with your ass?” Foggy questioned.

Matt nodded, laughing lightly. “Yeah, that’d be the one,” he replied. 

“Huh,” Foggy said. “Guess it’s a boy’s night. Just you and I. We haven’t had one of those in awhile.”

Matt grinned at Foggy beside him. “I don’t think we’ve called it that since college, Fog,” he told him. 

“Oh, well, if you want to have one of those nights,” Foggy replied, his tone turning a little mischievous, “we might need to drink a little more. Maybe do some shots.” He reached out, lightly slapping Matt’s arm. “What do you say, buddy?”

Matt paused, giving it some thought. You were supposed to be staying over at his place tonight but you still had that spare key to let yourself in. And you already knew he was coming home later after having drinks with Foggy. He ran a hand over his mouth, contemplating if you’d mind him coming back a bit later being slightly more buzzed than usual. You probably wouldn’t, just as long as he didn’t let Fog go too crazy with the shots.

“Alright,” Matt conceded, though he quickly cut off Foggy’s excited cheer to add, “but I’m not getting drunk tonight.”

Matt could feel the playful grin Foggy was shooting him from across the table. After a moment he relented, unable to fight the smile on his face in return.

“The future Mrs. Murdock staying over tonight?” Foggy asked curiously. 

“She is, yes,” Matt said. “She’s still got–”

“AH HA !” Foggy exclaimed.

His excited shout interrupted Matt, his lips still parted from having been cut off mid-sentence. Matt felt the shift of air as Foggy pointed a firm finger right at his chest, the triumphant smile on Foggy’s mouth very apparent to him before his friend barreled on. 

“I knew it, man! I knew it!” Foggy roared.

Matt’s brows furrowed, his head tilting to the side. “Knew what?” he asked.

“You want to marry her!” Foggy replied excitedly. “You didn’t deny it just now–that she’s the future Mrs. Murdock! Holy shit, we need to celebrate!”

“Whoa, hey, hold on there,” Matt quickly said, holding up a hand.

Foggy spun in his seat, facing Matt fully as he straightened in his chair. “Tell me I’m wrong,” Foggy demanded. “Tell me you don’t want to marry her, Matt. Go on.”

“Well, I…” Matt began, his voice slowly trailing off.

He couldn’t tell Foggy that because it wasn’t remotely true. He’d told his mother just a couple of weeks ago that very truth, that he so badly wanted to marry you. And he did want that. To permanently be able to call you his girl–his wife –until his dying breath. To spend the rest of his days with you by his side. He wanted to always hear the way you proudly called him yours in return. 

Foggy sucked in a sharp breath, the sound drawing Matt back from his thoughts.

“Holy shit, man,” Foggy breathed out, clapping a hand on Matt’s shoulder. “You’re like there there, aren’t you?"

Matt's eyes narrowed curiously behind his glasses at Foggy beside him. "What does that even mean?" he asked.

"Like you're close to picking out a ring and getting down on one knee?" he replied. "Figuring out ways to propose? Thinking about planning a wedding? Actually marrying her?”

Matt drew the beer bottle up to his lips, taking a drink as he let what Foggy said settle in his mind. Was he there there already? He certainly wanted to have you move in first and get settled but…he did have a proposal idea already planned. And he had set aside money for potentially buying an engagement ring soon.

"Yeah, Fog," Matt answered slowly. "I guess I am."

Foggy flung himself forward, wrapping Matt in a hug that took him off guard and almost knocked him out of his seat. Matt was laughing as he hugged his friend back while simultaneously trying to set his beer down without spilling it.

"This is cause for celebration!" Foggy told him. "I never thought you would finally let someone get close enough for you to want to marry them!”

Matt shrugged as Foggy released him from his enthusiastic embrace. He couldn’t fight the smile that lingered on his lips at the thought of you being there every time he came home from work, the store, running around the streets as Daredevil. Everything. 

“I never thought I could ,” Matt admitted. “But somehow…I keep finding myself only ever wanting her closer.”

Matt could feel the way Foggy’s heart jumped in his chest as the muscles in his face pulled into an even larger smile at his words. He was genuinely thrilled for Matt, it was obvious.

“I'm happy for you, man," Foggy told him. “Really. You deserve to be happy–and to let yourself be happy.”

"Thanks, Fog," Matt said, the bright smile still on his own face.

Foggy slipped out of his seat beside Matt, clapping a hand to his shoulder yet again. Matt could feel his best friend’s excitement steadily growing.

 "We're doing shots," Foggy stated. "This is monumental and we need to properly celebrate it."

“Fog–”

“No!” Foggy said, holding up a hand and quieting his friend. “No, we’re celebrating. Matt Murdock is no longer a bachelor!”

Matt chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m not married yet, Fog,” he pointed out.

“Key word being yet , buddy,” Foggy replied, shooting Matt a wink. He turned over his shoulder, facing the bar. “Josie!” Foggy called out. “Josie, pour us something strong! My man is in love and we need to properly commemorate the night he finally admitted it!”

“Just now realizing it, Murdock?” Josie sassed back from behind the bar. “‘Bout goddamn time, you did.”

“Amen to that!” Foggy shouted.

_______

You groaned as you sat on Matt's couch, your laptop in your lap. Slamming your finger on the backspace button, you watched as the words you'd just written slowly disappeared. Ellison had finally given you something real to work on and for some reason the words just felt like they kept coming out wrong. 

You ran your hands through your hair in frustration as you stared at the blank screen once again. Why was this so hard to start? 

A loud ringing cut through the silence of Matt's apartment and you startled on the couch. Eyes dropping to the time on your laptop, you were shocked to see it was nearing ten at night. Matt usually would have come back from Josie’s by now.

Frowning, you set your laptop on the cushion beside you as you reached forward and grabbed your ringing phone from off the coffee table. You frowned further when you saw it was Foggy. Was something wrong? 

"Foggy? What's up? Did something happen?" you asked immediately upon answering the call. 

His boisterous voice greeted you with your name and your brows drew up onto your forehead instantly. He'd slurred your name. He was drunk. Did that mean Matt was, too? You'd never seen him drunk before.

"Nothing is wrong, I swear," Foggy told you. "But we may have gone a little too far with the alcohol tonight. Matt might need some help."

You turned on the couch, closing your laptop. "Help? What kind of help?" you asked.

"Getting up to his apartment–"

"Tell her I love her!"

You grinned when you heard Matt's drunken voice in the background cutting Foggy off. He definitely sounded as if he’d had a bit more to drink than usual.

"He says he loves you," Foggy continued. "But he's–he's blind and drunk, y'know? You think you can help?"

"Yeah, I can. Where are you guys?" you asked. "Still at Josie’s?"

"We're uh–" Foggy paused, his voice muffled as he appeared to be talking to a taxi driver. 

The phone shuffled loudly and your eyes narrowed at the sound. And then you heard Matt on Foggy’s phone a second later.

"Sweetheart, I love you," Matt said.

Laughing, you rose to your feet and made your way towards the entryway hall. "I love you, too, Matty," you told him. 

Bending down, you grabbed your shoes from under the bench where they sat next to Matt’s gym shoes. He sighed loudly on the line, the sound a contented one as you cradled the phone on your shoulder. You settled on the bench and began pulling your shoes on.

"You have the most beautiful voice," Matt continued on. "The voice of–of an angel. Never heard a voice so beautiful, sweetheart."

You felt your cheeks heat at the compliment. "That might be a little bit of an exaggeration–"

" No ," Matt cut you off firmly. "It's not, it's the God's honest truth, sweetie. You–you have–"

"Matt! That's my phone!"

Throwing a hand over your mouth, you tried to stifle your laugh behind it as you heard a drunk Foggy reprimanding a drunk Matt for stealing his phone. There was more shuffling along the line before Foggy was back on the phone. During their brief scuffle you’d gotten up and began making your way out of Matt’s apartment and towards the elevators.

“We’re pulling up to Matt’s building in a moment,” Foggy informed you. “Y’think you can come down and help our boy find his way?”

“Already at the elevator, Fog,” you told him. “I’ll be outside in a minute. Do you think you can both stay out of trouble until then?”

“Pshh, of course!” Foggy exclaimed. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

“Fog, Fog tell her she has a beautiful voice.”

Biting your lip, you fought back your laughter yet again at Matt’s drunk voice in the background. As you stepped onto the elevator, pushing the button for the main floor, you realized drunk Matt was probably going to be a handful tonight. What sort of a handful still remained to be seen.

“Well, you both did get drunk,” you pointed out, hearing Matt’s insistent muffled voice in the background. “So I mean, not really the best judgment call there. Not to mention, well, Matt’s alter ego.”

“We’ll be fine ,” Foggy assured you. “Taxi just pulled up and–no, Matt, you tell her that! That’s vastly too much information!”

Your cheeks flamed as the elevator doors opened, not entirely sure you wanted to know what drunk Matt was spewing to Foggy in that taxi. Hurrying through the lobby, you made it out the front of the building and immediately spotted the taxi parked outside. Foggy and Matt were still drunkenly arguing with each other so you hung up, slipping your phone into your sweatpants pocket. 

Reaching the taxi, you sent the driver an apologetic smile before you knocked on the back window. Foggy jumped in his seat, his head whipping in your direction. When he realized it was you, he smiled wide and opened the door–which hit you in the thigh before you could step back and you grimaced.

“Sorry, sorry!” Foggy quickly apologized.

“It’s fine, Fog,” you told him, a hand rubbing your thigh.

He slid out of the back of the taxi, Matt quickly following behind him. Reaching out, you grasped onto Matt’s wrist as he rose to his feet, directing his hand to your arm. But his other hand quickly landed on your hip as Matt stepped fully into you, his nose nuzzling right into your neck.

“I missed you,” he whispered.

Shifting awkwardly, you tried to peer around Matt at Foggy. He was leaning up against the open taxi door as if he needed it to support his weight.

“You going to be okay making it back home, Fog?” you asked.

He waved a dismissive hand at you in return. “I’ll be fine,” he answered. “You going to be able to get him upstairs on your own?”

“Yeah,” you replied. “Seems like he can stand on his own just fine so it won’t be so– Matt! ” 

His hand had slid down your hip and into your sweatpants, palming your ass over your underwear. You felt his mouth draw into a smile against your neck. Foggy pulled a face when he saw what Matt was doing, his hand raising as he sent a quick wave.

“This is where I bid you both goodnight and good luck,” he told you.

“Get home safe!” you called out to him, your hand reaching around to pull Matt’s out of your pants. “Matt, hey, we’re literally on the sidewalk! Hands to yourself!”

“Can’t help myself,” Matt murmured, his hand residing on your lower back, just above the waistband of your sweatpants. “Smell like peaches. And sex.”

You pulled a face, glancing at what you could see of him from where he’d burrowed into your neck. “I smell like what ?” you asked him incredulously.

“Shampoo,” he mumbled against your skin. “Pheromones. Smell really good. And I love your ass,” he told you. “Not afraid to tell you. Or touch it.”

His fingers slipped into the back of your sweatpants again. Your right hand darted around, catching his wrist quickly and pulling his hand back out. 

“Okay, how about we get you back upstairs to your apartment, hmm?” you told him quickly. 

He sent you a devilish grin as he pulled away from your neck, his brows raising suggestively onto his forehead. “Trying to get me alone, sweetheart?” he teased.

You rolled your eyes, stepping back from him and guiding him back towards his building. “Trying to get you back up to your apartment before you do something too crazy,” you corrected.

Thankfully Matt followed you through the lobby willingly and without much stumbling as you led him back towards the elevators. You pushed the call button and the doors to one of the elevators instantly opened. Guiding Matt inside, you pushed the button for his floor before you felt him release your arm to instead wrap his around your waist, drawing you into him. 

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he whispered, lowering his forehead to your shoulder. “I love you, you know that?”

Glancing down at him, you smiled at the sight of him relaxed along your shoulder, his eyes closed. You reached a hand up, carding your fingers through his hair. He hummed happily in response, a smile tugging at his lips.

“I love you, too, Matt,” you told him. 

Gradually you felt his hand lowering on your waist until it was openly groping your ass over your sweatpants. You shot him a pointed look in return, noticing the little smirk on his mouth.

“Matt,” you chided.

“What?” he asked innocently, his hand still kneading your ass.

“Hands to yourself,” you reminded him.

He groaned, his hand sliding back up to your hip just as the elevator doors opened. You led the pair of you back down the hallway to his apartment, Matt clinging to the back of you as you both walked. Opening his door, the two of you entered and Matt wasted no time slipping his dress shoes off of his feet with a sigh.

“Let me get my shoes off,” you told him, slipping them off of your feet, “and I’ll help you to the couch before I get you water.”

Bending down, you grabbed both yours and Matt’s shoes before turning and tucking them under the bench. Before you had a chance to straighten, you felt both of Matt’s large, warm palms on your ass once again openly feeling you up over your sweatpants. 

“Can I help you?” you asked over your shoulder.

His covered gaze slid towards your face, his bottom lip slipping back between his teeth. Matt nodded in response, a rumble vibrating in his chest. Rolling your eyes, you stood back up and did your best to ignore the way that look had just affected you.

“Matt, baby, you’re drunk,” you informed him, turning around as his hands fell to his sides. “We’re not doing anything tonight.”

Matt’s head tilted to the side, his covered gaze still on you as his mouth pulled up into a smirk. “I can tell you want me, sweetheart. Your body doesn’t lie.”

His hands both landed on your hips again, pulling you abruptly into him. A gasp of surprise fell out of you as he lowered his forehead to yours. You could smell the faint bit of beer on his breath as he nuzzled his nose into yours. 

“I just want to feel you tonight,” he murmured. “Just want to love you, that’s all.” 

Breath coming in shallower, you were finding it harder and harder to hold firm with what he was saying to you. If he hadn’t been drunk you’d have been tearing your own clothes off by now.

“Not–not tonight,” you stammered out.

“Just want to make you feel good, sweet girl,” he whispered, his hands snaking their way back down to your ass and pressing your hips against his solid body. “Want to take care of you. Always want to take care of you.”

You licked your lips, trying hard to control yourself, especially as Matt’s own hips ground forward into you. Trying to keep your eyes from fluttering shut at the feel of him, you exhaled a deep breath and tried to stay calm and collected. As good as that all really sounded, you weren’t going to have sex with Matt when he was this drunk. It didn’t feel right. 

“Not tonight, baby,” you whispered back. 

His mouth lowered beside your ear, his lips brushing the skin and raising goosebumps along your arms as he spoke. “I always take care of my girl,” he purred. “Always take real good care of you, sweet girl.” His mouth lowered, planting a lingering kiss along your neck. “You know I do,” he said against your skin, a shiver running down your spine. “Let me take care of you tonight.”

“Not when you’ve drank so much,” you replied, voice wavering. It took everything inside of you to step back out of his hold instead of grinding back up into him. “Let’s get you to the couch. I’ll get you some water.”

He expelled a deep sigh, his hands stopping their groping of your ass. Matt let you grab his hand and lead him down the entryway hall and towards his couch. He plopped down onto it before you headed into his kitchen, grabbing a glass and filling it with water. You made your way back to him on the couch, offering the glass out to him. It took a few tries for him to find the glass, something you found curious and assumed was due to the alcohol affecting his senses. Once he’d grabbed a hold of it, he drew it to his mouth and downed it quickly. You accepted the empty cup from him and set it on the coffee table behind you. When you turned back around, you eyed his disheveled work clothes.

“How about I help you get ready for bed?” you offered. “Sound good?”

He shot you a cheeky smile from the couch. “That depends,” he answered. “What are we doing in bed?”

“Sleeping, Matt,” you said firmly. Bending over, you grabbed onto his hands and tugged at them from his place on the couch. “Come on drunk devil, let’s get you to bed.”

With a groan he rose back up to his feet, following after you to the bedroom. You flipped on the light as you entered before turning and focusing on Matt. Taking off his glasses, you reached over to set them on the top of the nearby dresser. And then your hands worked swiftly, beginning to undo his tie as he stood there, swaying slightly on his feet as he stared down at you. Gradually you felt your cheeks heating up under his gaze.

When you’d undone his tie, you pulled it out from under his shirt collar before tossing that along his nearby dresser. Next, you focused on the task of undoing each of the little buttons of his dress shirt. Hands reaching up, you began slowly slipping each button through the hole, trying to ignore the bare skin of his slowly revealing itself to you. When you’d managed to unbutton the first three, Matt’s hands slid up the length of your forearms until they were gently holding your wrists as you worked. Biting your lip, you tried very hard to ignore your growing arousal.

“You’re incredible,” he whispered, breaking the silence.

You snorted, shaking your head as you continued unbuttoning his shirt. “And you’re drunk,” you replied.

“No, I’m serious,” he pressed. “You’re so smart. And funny. So kind-hearted. You’re–you’re too good for me. Much too good for me.”

Eyes darting up to his face, you frowned as your hands briefly halted halfway down his shirt. “Stop that, Matt,” you warned. 

He shook his head quickly. “Don’t worry, sweetheart,” he murmured. “I’m far too selfish to want to give you up now.”

Sighing, you continued on your task of finishing unbuttoning his shirt. You tried to work quickly, aware of the way his thumbs were stroking the backs of your hands and what his touch was doing to you and your body. When you’d finally gotten the last one undone, you reached up, your hands sliding the soft fabric down off his broad shoulders until he was left bare from the waist up before you. You were about to turn and set his shirt on the dresser until his hands tightened on your forearms and held you still.

“I love you,” he said.

You paused, your gaze catching on the sight of something intense burning behind his eyes as he’d said that. For a moment you stood there, enraptured by whatever it was just sitting behind the surface, as if that ‘I love you’ meant something more than that. 

“I love you, too,” you whispered back.

His head tilting to the side, something softer overtook the features of his face. His lips parted slightly, the corners of them gently curving upwards as his brows rose just a fraction while he fondly stared back at you. Heart rate accelerating, you gripped his shirt tighter in your hands, bunching the material. Why was he looking at you like that? 

He took a step towards you, closing the distance. His right hand made a slow journey up your arm, leaving a trail of heat behind that had your jaw tightening, until he was cupping your cheek. He carefully tilted your face up towards his, his sightless eyes almost desperately trying to meet your own.

“What if,” he began softly, his thumb stroking your cheek, “I wanted to keep you for always?”

Sucking in a sharp breath, you froze. Was he implying what you thought he was implying with that? There was no way though…right? You two weren’t even living together yet, there was no way he was thinking about marriage right now. He was just drunk. Wasn’t he?

You swallowed hard, trying to control your voice and keep it from trembling as you spoke. “Then you’ll have me for always, Matty,” you whispered. “Not a number far enough away from one, right?”

His eyelids slowly lowered, a gradual smile making its way across his lips. He looked content, peaceful. Happy. As if you’d somehow said the exact right thing to him. 

“Baby,” you whispered, “we should get you to bed. You’re probably not going to be feeling too good in the morning.”

Matt’s eyes opened, landing on you for a long moment before he eventually nodded. He released his hold on your face, stepping back and undoing the button and zipper of his dress pants as you set aside his shirt. You watched as he slipped his pants down his legs, your hands darting out to help steady him as he did. You certainly caught sight of the slight bulge in his dark boxers and immediately had to look away. The knowledge of him being aroused definitely was not helping you right now.

When he was in nothing but his boxers, you helped guide him around the bed and over towards his side. You pulled the sheets back as he climbed in before you tugged them back up, covering him and smiling as he snuggled up into his pillow.

“You’re coming to bed, too, right?” he asked.

“Yes,” you answered, making your way back to the lightswitch. “I’m just getting the light and I’ll join you.”

Flipping off the light and sliding his bedroom door shut, you cautiously made your way back to his bed in the near pitch black. For a brief moment you considered undressing down to your underwear but then quickly thought better of it. That would probably only encourage more groping and sexual advances.

You climbed onto the bed and got comfortable, adjusting the sheets on you before you turned, facing Matt. He was scooting his way towards you along the mattress, a hand searching for you. He hummed contentedly when he found your hip, giving it a gentle squeeze that brought another smile to your mouth.

“Sweetheart?” he asked tentatively through the dark.

“Hmm?” you answered.

There was a brief moment of hesitation before he spoke. 

“Will you at least kiss me?” he asked.

“Of course, Matty,” you replied, raising up onto an elbow.

Your right hand landed on his chest, making its way up his warm, bare skin until you found his chin. Taking a moment, you leaned forward and found his lips with your own. His hand on your hip tightened, drawing you closer into him as he kissed you back. Despite Matt’s inebriation, there was a level of intensity in his kiss that you weren’t expecting, some strong feelings of his washing up with each soft, slow connection of his mouth on yours. It was almost dizzying, so much so that you eventually had to force yourself to pull away and remember that he was drunk and this couldn’t lead to anything more.

“I love you,” Matt murmured, his voice laced with exhaustion. “Can never say it enough.”

You swallowed hard, settling back down onto your pillow beside him. “I love you, too, Matt,” you whispered back. “You should really get some sleep though.”

He shifted a little, holding you even closer to his body. Silence fell over the pair of you for a few minutes. You’d have thought he’d fallen asleep if he hadn’t eventually broken the quiet with a whispered plea.

“Please never leave me.”

You curled up closer to him, feeling his body heat envelope you under the silk sheets. “I’m not going anywhere,” you promised him. “I’m staying right here with you, Matty.”

Matt hummed out a tired, contented noise in response, his head shifting along the pillow for a moment before you felt him brush his lips against your forehead. Your eyes closed, a smile spreading across your mouth. And then gradually you both fell asleep.

#matt murdock x reader #matt murdock x you #matt murdock fluff #matt murdock x f!reader #matt murdock x fem reader #matt murdock series #matt murdock fic #matt murdock fanfic #daredevil x reader #daredevil x female reader #matt murdock #fftd

[thebibliosphere]

Hey Bibliomom. So I've had CFS/ME for the past 13 years or so, and I've only just been diagnosed. My feelings on being confirmed to have an incurable disorder rather than something that is in my head(and a personal deficit that I am therefore theoretically capable of overcoming) are... Complicated. Can you recommend any support groups/groups for people trying out and reporting on the effects of various treatments? I have been taking LDN for a few months, and I've recently started on bi-weekly b12 shots. I know it's to be expected but I always feel so gutted when a new treatment doesn't just... Fix Me. I'm looking into mestonin, stellate ganglion blocks, and getting my microbiome mapped and altering my diet based on that. It's all so much money and spoons for a complete crap shoot every time. Have any particular treatments worked well for you?

Unfortunately, there is no Fix Me cure for Me/CFS, there’s just things that help and maybe increase your baseline of wellness. Chief among them, resting while in an active flare to avoid PEM (Post Exertion Malaise.). You can do all the fanciest most expensive treatments, but if you’re not resting enough to avoid PEM, you’re just throwing money away.

The jury is still out between my doctors on whether I have ME/CFS. Some say no because I got substantially better after pernicious anemia treatment and that fatigue is a symptom of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and what I have is chronic fatigue, not chronic fatigue syndrome.

Some of my other doctors say that’s just splitting hairs. Especially when we now know I have multiple genetic disorders that were made infinitely worse following viral infections and other physical injuries.

Either way they all agree that avoiding PEM is vital at all costs. This means tailoring my physical rehab to very specifically to not push beyond my limits. If I wake up more tired than usual, I cancel physical therapy that day because going through with it can set me back days, sometimes even weeks.

We’ve also found that stabilizing my neck through physical therapy has been beneficial, as cervical instability and things like tethered cord syndrome have also been linked to ME/CFS (Jennifer Brea is a famous example.)

I’m also being assessed this week by a neuro-eye specialist to see if there’s something wrong with my eyes that a regular eye doctor might miss, just on the off chance that a misalignment is the cause of my chronic migraines, and potentially a lot of fatigue as well.

Other than that I take a crap ton of methylated micronutrients under doctor’s orders because my body struggles with the methylation process, and also I just don’t absorb food properly thanks to the EDS and MCAS, so I’m pretty much always deficient in something. Also making sure I’m properly hydrated at all times helps. It’s amazing how crummy low electrolytes can make you feel, even when you think you are adequately hydrated.

As for groups, I find the r/cfs subreddit helpful. The r/CFSplusADHD has also been helpful, though less active. Other than that I recommend following along with the ME Action Network. They post a lot of research and can be a good way to find other people in similar situations.

And to answer your other question about mast cell stabilizers: I rotate between Cetirizine and Levocetirizine at the moment (both h1 blockers), and also Famotidine (h2) when needed. I don’t find Famotidine as effect as Ranitidine, but unfortunately, Ranitidine is still off the market due to a recall concerning product instability.

I’ve also found Ketotifen (h1 blocker) helps to reduce my fibromyalgia type pain, but unfortunately I don’t tolerate it very well and it makes my migraines worse. Same with Cromolyn Sodium. That one actually brought me out in hives when I tried the oral route, but I suspect the dosage was too high. I tolerate the eye drops though.

I also take a high dose of Vitamin D3 every day under doctor’s orders. That has really helped my mast cell symptoms over the last year. It’s amazing what being low on Vit D can cause to fuck up in your body.

Other than that it’s avoid triggers, avoid stress and get plenty of rest.

I hope that helps.

#chronic health tag

[anarchy-n-glitter]

𝕸𝖆𝖉 𝕷𝖔𝖛𝖊

Summary: Dr. Heather Winters is hired by CHAANK to give her professional opinion on a mystery patient. The kicker? She has two months to determine whether or not he's sane enough to be let out of the vault in the basement of the building - if he's determined unsafe he would be left to die. Even worse, what happens when she begins to fall in love with her mystery patient? (So, this is very Batman inspired. Does the plot make sense, no not really? Do I care, also no. Jack just reminded me so much of Joker I had to do this, sorry.)

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 1

“He’s in there? My patient is in there?” The blonde woman breathed, absolutely flabbergasted after being led all that way down to the tenth vault in the basement of CHAANK headquarters. She wasn’t even entirely sure what she was doing there, why she even accepted the job. She was a criminal psychologist, someone who could be helping others in the prison system or even helping in court cases (or, at least, that’s what she assumed - she was still new to this psychologist thing). Instead she was there, walking through dark hallways following the brunette CEO of the company. 

“It’s a long story, Dr. Winters.” The CEO, who went by Ms. Cale, as far as she knew, turned to face the doctor. “But you have a few months to learn everything about it.” She sounded irritated, and the doctor couldn’t help but ask questions - after all that was her job.

“You don’t sound pleased about me being here, why is that?” Dr. Winters asked, tucking her notebook under her arm. Cale rolled her dark eyes, though the doctor was sure it wasn’t at her, moreso at the situation. 

“Some people on the board wanted him alive, said we could fire him but we needed to let him out. I wanted him to rot after what he did. The board was split on the matter until someone mentioned getting a psychiatrist in here to make sure he wouldn’t kill us all. No offense, Dr. Winters but-”

“Please just call me Heather for now.” The blonde, Heather, breathed. The conversation was already rubbing her the wrong way. They really expected her to be judge, jury, and executioner. 

Cale smiled a tight lipped smile. “Heather, I don’t have faith in this. I’ve seen what he’s capable of, I’ve read his file. To me, he’s better off in there.” It had only been a few days since the carnage he wreaked on CHAANK, and this was to be Cale’s last impact on the company. She had hoped everyone would agree with her when she said he should die in that vault. Heather looked up at the large, steel door under the blue lighting of the basement. Everything down there was a cool grey tone, mostly thanks to the blue lighting, but it set Heather on edge. She could easily lose track of time down there, and lose track of where she was. Not many people seemed to go down there, and she feared that if she did get lost no one would be able to help her find her way out. She wondered for a moment if the man behind the vault door knew his way around the basement, she wondered if he himself had gotten lost down there and they just closed the door on him.

“If my patient is behind this door how exactly am I supposed to interact with him? I find better results when I’m face to face with my patients.” Heather remarked, unable to hide her discontent with the situation. If there was one thing Heather and Cale could agree on it was their displeasure with the whole situation they found themselves in. 

“We have a way of letting you see and talk to him but you’re not permitted inside. He’ll be able to hear your voice, though.” Heather huffed at this. “Did you look over his file?” Cale continued. Heather shook her head.

“I haven’t been given access yet. Will I have an office? I’ll look over it as soon as I can get settled in and given access.” She promised, a bit more sincere this time. She wanted to help him, she really did, but so far the company was making it hard for her. She would try her best.

“They’re putting you in his old office.” That was a shock. Heather hardly had a chance to respond before Cale started walking in the opposite direction. She followed aimlessly, like a lost puppy. She followed her down the twists and turns, up an elevator, right to the engineering department. It was just as dark - if not darker - on that level. Heather looked around uneasily, wondering how the hell Cale seemed so calm and collected. Perhaps the events of the last few days hardened her in ways Heather couldn’t understand.

Men stood to the side, working silently while some stopped to leer at the duo. Heather scoffed, wondering how long it had been since they had last seen a woman, everyone down there seemed like they lived there. Sparks flew on either side of them, making Heather jump ever so slightly. She wasn’t a fan of things she felt could set her on fire. But hey, at least it seemed like they were hard at work.

Cale stopped before a wall covered in colorful graffiti, taking a deep breath and glancing at the smaller blonde beside her. Just to the side was a red, sliding door, which Cale pulled open to reveal a large, cluttered room. TVs were stacked along the wall and towering shelves were lined up around the room, making a sort of pseudo labyrinth of this mad man’s design. It’s not right to think that way just yet, Heather scolded herself. She knew nothing of Jack Dante, but from what she could see, her task was already quite daunting. 

“All his shit is still there, hopefully it’s enough for you to get a good idea of the man before you get his file.” Cale turned on her heel, ready to get the hell out of there and go home for the rest of the day. Ever since submitting her resignation letter she had been counting the days before she could get the hell out of there. Unfortunately, she knew she couldn’t leave until Dr. Winters made her decision regarding one Jack Dante, who was still locked in Vault Ten, likely still thinking he was fighting for his life. She didn’t turn to look at the doctor as she spoke. “Knock yourself out.” 

Two months. Heather had two months to get some sort of idea of who Jack Dante was - what his psyche was like. So far, she had a sinking feeling. If he wasn’t deemed safe and sane enough to be let out they would simply let him die - or at least that was the vibe Cale gave off. Heather knew they would leave him to die - but somewhere deep down she hoped they would instead send him to a facility that could help him. She picked up an action figure from one of his many cluttered desks. She recognized the figure - it was one of the only characters she recognized - Batman. Clad in his black batsuit with his yellow emblem, he held his grapple gun. She found herself amazed that such a small accessory was preserved, despite the mess around the figure. Heather looked around, wondering if he had a Joker lying around somewhere too. 

She walked along the isles, looking at his various drawings and scribblings that were plastered along the shelves while still holding onto the little Batman, playing with the cloth cape between her fingers anxiously. The longer she looked at one drawing the worse her sinking feeling got. All fuzzy feelings she felt - any endearing qualities she might have picked up on - from looking at his action figures were washed away the longer she stared at his drawings. They were done with dark, almost violent, strokes scribbled all over the page, depicting naked women and other taboo subjects. Turning around, Heather caught sight of a wall full of pornagraphic photos of women in various poses and in various states of undress. 

A porn addict, clearly. Heather thought to herself as she stared in wonder and a sick sense of awe. On the table below the wall sat a pair of lacy panties, which she wished she never saw. She wondered if he had a girlfriend at some point or another, hoping for this hypothetical woman’s sake that he didn’t. She also hoped, that if there was never a girlfriend, that those were just panties he bought and were never stolen from some poor, unsuspecting woman. 

Moving on from there, she made her way to the stack of TVs along the back wall, and cautiously turned one on. It crackled and a white line flashed before the picture came on, and on its display was an old Tom and Jerry cartoon. She thought she learned her lesson the first time, but she found herself fighting the urge to smile again. It was endearing, even if this space reminded her of a teenage boy. 

Maybe he’s emotionally stunted? She wondered to herself as she moved to the next TV, pressing the power button to see if he had the same thing playing on each individual display. She let out a shocked gasp and jumped back as a video of a woman getting railed from behind came up on the TV, covering her eyes out of embarrassment and surprise. She quickly hit the power button, shutting off the TV as she shook off her discomfort. Note to self, stop smiling at things.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

Heather’s hand shook as she set up her notebook, setting her pen (a pink glitter pen - she wanted to have a bit of fun despite how nerve wracking this experience had been so far) down beside the spirals binding her notebook together. She straightened her pen yet again, trying her best to make everything perfect - a nervous habit she picked up from her mother. She worried that if her pen wasn’t perfect something would go wrong and she would be responsible for a man’s death. As she went through school she began to suspect it was some form of OCD or anxiety tick. 

She worked much later than she had expected the night before, trying her best to clean up a corner of his “office” so she could keep her things there and sit at a table without feeling the urge to burn everything that came in contact with the surface. She went a little above and beyond though, even making her way to the old, stained mattress in the corner and trying her best to get the stink of sweat out of it, even putting on the fresh sheets she bought from the store when she stopped to get cleaning supplies. She was lucky she did, because after all she did that day she ended up accidentally spending the night when she passed out from exhaustion. When she woke up she realized he had no pillows and mentally wondered how often he actually slept - wondering if he had a home outside of that building. 

One of the engineers, Lou, had come down to help her with the video feed from Vault Ten, showing her how to speak to Jack and explaining each piece of equipment she needed to worry about. Lou was a large man standing at about six foot two with a muscular body and a bit of a gut - as if he needed to be any more intimidating. His hair was red and thinning, with a large bald spot in the middle of his head and stray grey hairs all throughout. He had kind green eyes that shone when she showed appreciation for his help. In some ways, he was reminiscent of Homer Simpson. 

Lou took a step back, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Need more help or do you think you’ve got it?” He asked in a thick Brooklyn accent. Heather shook her head, looking up at the man with a smile on her face.

“Nope, I think I’ve got it. I press this button to turn on the security feed from vault ten, then I just press this button to speak to him right?” She wanted to make sure she had it, but she was almost certain she did. Lou nodded.

“Yep, you’ve got it.” He chuckled, but there was something underneath his jovial facade. He seemed worried about something. “Do you need anyone to stay here and wait for you? I can wait right outside if you want.” Heather pondered his offer for a moment.

“Do you think you need to stand guard like that?” She asked, hoping her voice didn’t shake as much as her hands were. His words worried her more than anything. 

“I don’t know, all I know is this guy gave me the creeps when he worked up here with us. He was just bad news…” That wasn’t promising. “I have a daughter your age, I’m just trying to look out for you. I don’t want him to have this place boobytrapped and have you stuck here with no one out there to help.” 

Heather smiled. 

“Then yes, please stick around.” She laughed. “You seem to have one up on me since you actually worked with this guy.” She watched as Lou’s expression changed, it grew more somber. 

“He was not a nice guy.” Was all Lou could muster. Jack Dante was not a nice man, he was closed off and short when speaking to others. He hardly offered help and was more concerned with whatever it was he did in his office all day and night. He hardly showered, and he seemed to think he was smarter than everyone else. He insulted people, and there were times when he got violent. Lou didn’t like Jack, but he didn’t think that was a good enough reason to sentence the man to death. He didn’t know enough about him to say he was pure evil, hell, he didn’t even really know why he was locked in that vault in the first place. 

Heather pressed her lips into a thin line as she stared at the blank monitor before her. In its reflection, she could see Lou brush past toward the door.

“I’ll be right outside. If you need anything give a shout and I’ll be there.” He reassured her, to which she could only nod in acknowledgement, before he shut the red door. 

She took a shaking, deep breath, and held it as she pressed the button on the remote beside her to turn on the monitor. It crackled and static filled the screen before focusing into the blue image of the man she presumed to be Jack Dante. 

He seemed exhausted, sitting on the floor leaning against the concrete wall. He had long black hair that came down below his shoulders and looked like it hadn’t been washed in ages. His eyes were closed and she watched his chest rise and fall as he took deep breaths. Was he hurt? She knew he was tired - he had to be - she was sure they weren’t giving him food or water while he was down there, and from what she understood it might have been actively dangerous to do so. 

Her hand shook as she reached for the intercom microphone and controls. She wasn’t even sure where to begin. Her words got caught in her throat and they felt as if they were choking her. All she could do was stare at the screen wide eyed. It was slightly easier to come to terms with having someone’s life in her hands when she couldn’t put a face to the name, but now…

He looked scared, even when trying to rest he looked terrified. She knew CHAANK was bad, everyone did after their war machine went haywire and killed a bunch of people, but she didn’t expect this. It looked like he had went through days of literal torture. She couldn’t do this. 

“Jack Dante?” His name felt like the easiest thing to start with, they were the only words that would come out. She prayed her voice sounded steady. His head jerked in the direction of the camera, as if he knew people had been watching him. His look of surprise morphed into one of dismay and confusion. 

“Who the fuck are you?” Charming, she thought to herself and she opened her notebook, flipping to a page filled with basic bullet points and notes. She had gone over his file while she took a break from cleaning that one corner of his office, and she took as many notes as possible. The more she read from his file the more daunting the task of trying to save him became.

Why are we trying to save him? She asked herself. After everything he’s done it seems like a lost cause.

“Everyone deserves a second chance.” She reminded herself, muttering under her breath as she brought the mic closer to her again. “Mr. Dante, I’m Dr. Heather Winters, it’s nice to finally meet you.” He scoffed.

“They sent a shrink…” He murmured, though it was loud enough for the security feed to pick up on. “Hey, at least they didn’t send the cops.” He laughed darkly, and she found herself agreeing with him. From what she knew and could see, she was almost glad the cops weren’t called to come get him - he probably would have been shot and killed. Something about that thought made her feel uneasy.

Jack stood up and brought his fingers to his mouth, chewing on the nail and cuticle in focus as he began to pace. “If you’re talking to me that means the War Beast isn’t on anymore, right?” There was something urgent in his tone. Heather didn’t even know what the War Beast was.

“Why don’t you tell me a little bit about how you ended up here, Jack.” She changed the subject. Jack took a step forward, looking directly at the camera this time. 

“No, no. You’re gonna tell me if that thing is still after me.” He was starting to get aggressive, but she knew there was more to it than that. Something was after him and he was scared… he was alone…

“What thing?” She asked genuinely, and he scoffed in response. “No, they really didn’t tell me what was going on. Is something after you, Mr. Dante?” He paused for a moment.

“You really don’t know?” She shook her head, even though she knew he couldn’t see her. He snickered to himself, putting his hands on his hips as he began to pace. “I created the thing… it was…” He laughed again, this time sounding more proud than before. “It was beautiful. A perfect killing machine. I worked so hard to make sure I got everything right…” He spoke so passionately about his project. Each word felt carefully picked, and she couldn’t help but notice the large smile that came to his face the longer he talked about it. 

“That bitch took the controls from me and locked me in here with it.” He finished, his expression growing dark at the memory. That was a good tangent to follow, she determined. 

“Who locked you in there with it?” He looked up at the camera again.

“Who do you think? The bitch, the one that hired you! Cale!” 

“I’m sorry.” Heather stated in a voice barely above a whisper. She watched as his demeanor changed from that of a caged animal to something more human. He relaxed, and in turn so did she. He smiled at the camera and she smiled back knowing the look was meant for her. 

“Hey, it’s alright, babe - sorry, doctor. I didn’t expect her to tell you how much of a fucking hypocrite she was. She’s been trying to kill me for two days straight now.” Jack snorted. He moved closer to the camera, staring up at it with gleaming eyes filled to the brim with curiosity and mischief. If only you knew Jack, the doctor thought solemnly. She wanted to tell him why she was really there - wanted to tell him the whole truth - but she feared what he would do if she did. 

Jack stopped for a moment, looking around for something to stand on. He wanted to be closer to this mystery woman, give her a good idea of who he was. He felt he was doing a good enough job already. He wished he could see her - she sounded hot. He loved how gently she spoke to him, sounding almost shy, but she still had that professional tone that most doctors had… it drove him nuts. 

In the corner there was a crate full of various mechanical parts (which he had ordered and never used). He dragged it over to the security camera and stepped on top, getting uncomfortably close to the lens. Heather jumped back slightly.

“I wanna see you.” He whined. 

“If you cooperate with me I can try and convince them to let you come to my office.” She offered, which brought a large smile to his face. He hopped off of the crate, pumping his fist excitedly.

“Yes! Sick! Awesome, I promise you won’t regret it dude. I’ll be good.” He stepped onto the crate again, and this time she felt like he was staring directly into her soul. “What do you want to know?” 

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

He was volatile, full of anger directed at a world he couldn’t control. He was passionate, but certainly seemed to have an affinity for the dangerous and deadly. His file had described him as having acute violent psychosis, and I could see some truth to that. Yet, the longer he spoke the more I realized he was nothing more than a lonely soul crying out for love and acceptance. He was a lost, injured child trying to make the world laugh at his antics - and much to my dismay he had succeeded quite a few times at making me laugh at his crude jokes. I still don’t think I’m the best person to have on this case, I am, unfortunately, a bleeding heart, and I’m human. He told me about his past, growing up lonely and without much guidance, and deep down I felt there was something in him that was worth saving. He made me want to reach through the screen and comfort him, to pull him into some sort of embrace to let him know he wasn’t alone. 

#jack dante x reader #jack dante x original character #jack dante #death machine #death machine fanfic #brad dourif

[krabkrab-wontshutup]

Yeah, I'm thinking about heartless again. Gonna slam a fic here:

The room was silent. Neither Flint nor Eira wanted to say anything to each other. Yet, the silence was uncomfortable. 

Eira’s eyes darted around the room, Trying his best to keep himself from glancing at Flint. 

Flint’s mind was elsewhere though, so he wouldn't have noticed. He was thinking about the run-in they’d recently had with the jury. He and Eira had both fought well, and he wasn't worried, it was just… the way Eira had looked at him during the fight, the simple smirk. It gave him this weird, fuzzy feeling. 

He stood up, deciding he needed fresh air, and walked towards the door on Eira’s “side” of the room. 

Eira flinched as he watched Flint leave- well, he didn’t mean to watch. Flint was just suddenly there. And the door was right next to Eira’s bed, it's not like he wouldn't notice. Eira gave Flint a small awkward smile as he opened the door. Flint smiled back. 

He put his head in his hands when flint shut the door, sighing, “how am I unable to have a regular conversation with someone I share a room with?”

Flint had made the right choice by heading outside. He rarely ever got to see Eira smile, and when he did it tended to be in battle. The fact that they weren’t in action gave Flint time to think about the fuzzy feelings he got when Eira smiled at him. 

Flint nodded, saying to himself, “I’m definitely going to try and get him to smile more often.”

And try he did.

“What’s your favorite type of cake?”

Eira was suspicious of the question, but he answered, “German Chocolate, why?”

“I’m just writing stuff down, trying to get everyone’s favorite cakes into my memory,” Now, this wasn’t necessarily a lie. Flint had been planning on doing this. But, Eira was the only one he asked so far. Flint cleared his throat as he wrote down “Frosty likes German chocolate”.

“German chocolate is pretty good.”

Eira nodded, made the sort of humming noise you make when you agree with someone but have nothing to add to the conversation, and went back to reading his book. It was titled “The Seer of Angels”, and it was about a man cursed to grow 6 pairs of wings and lose his sight after trying to see into the future. 

“Is that book any good? I mean, do you like it?”

Eira laughed, that warm laugh that Flint just couldn’t get enough of. “Yes, it's good. I don’t think I’d be reading it if it wasn’t!” 

Flint looks at Eira in a way that almost shocks him. It's uncharacteristically soft. Eyebrows raised just slightly, head tilted slightly upward, a hand rested on his chin, and a slight smile- barely noticeable if you weren't paying attention. But Eira was, and he practically whipped his head around to hide his face in his book. He was certain he could feel his face getting warmer. 

Flint was, reasonably, a bit worried, “Ah, did I look at you weird? I’m sorry- I really didn’t mean to”

Eira cut him off, saying “It’s alright, Flint.”

And so, that was that. The two went back to their routine of not talking to each other. But this time, the silence was comforting.

Flint was suffering. The team had taken a job in a desert of all places! Everyone was wearing fewer layers. Except for Eira. Was he insane? 

“Dude, why are you still wearing that? It’s boiling!”

“Hm, I guess my body just runs colder? I’m not sure.”

Flint groaned. He really hated the heat. 

“If you want, you can borrow my scarf. I’m certain it's affected by my temperature.”

Flint was startled by the gesture, but he accepted. 

Eira handed him the scarf. Their hands brushed against each other, causing Eira’s face to heat up again. He quickly turned away. He muttered something under his breath that Flint couldn’t hear. 

“Your hand is warm..”

“What?”

“Nothing! It's nothing.”

Flint was not convinced in the slightest.

#winter solstice #eira x flint #eira hale #flint solveig #heartless abd illustrates #heartless eira #heartless flint #fic #writing #fanfiction

[anna-doll]

For the longest time…

I’ve come across reblogs of TheGrandHorizontal’s tumblr posts on other tumblr’s pages and in doing so, was continually reminded that I, for some reason, got blocked…

And for the longest time, I’ve asked myself WHY..?

And for some reason, it has eaten at me like a parasite chewing on my flesh… Mainly because I couldn’t figure out what I did to be shut out in such a premeditated way…

And then I discovered THIS…

…and that “THIS” really pissed me off..!!!

So… indulge me this rare rant if you would like to, or just keep scrolling down to my next post 😜

First off, Mr or Mrs (but definitely A MISS) “Grand” Horizontal… Your Highness… You are anything BUT grand..!!!

You’re more like The Grand Wizard of Was…

You present yourself as though you’re some great curator of an online museum, wherein the truth is, all you’ve done is taken other (more interesting) people’s works of art (like EVERYBODY else does and has, since the beginning of the internet) and posted them as though you’re some amazing professor of art history that’s due all the credit…

But you’ve done so in a most ungracious way, you pompous pile of platitudinous purloining puss.

Bahhhh..‼️

Your ridiculous pinned post says it all… A round file of righteous rhetoric, written solely to make yourself sound intelligent and omnipotent…

TAKE THIS you talking head… you’re nowhere close.

You write “my posts don’t necessarily reflect my sexual predilections” and AGAIN, “Posts are not endorsements of the philosophies communicated in them”…

What a true coward are you… (rhetorical question).

“You’re not here for conversation”, yet you need everybody who has the “fortunate luck” to see your blog to know what doesn’t, but obviously does, turn you on… True babble from a boring bumbler.

You don’t advocate what you post..? Yet you post what you do…

Why..?

…It’s obvious… You post other people’s creations because you DO endorse their messages…

Or is everyday “opposites day” where you live (in your mom’s basement)..?

The ONLY thing I do agree with you on is that YOU DO REPEAT YOURSELF… to a fault.

But the very worst thing about how you portray your grandiosity is that you’ve set up a dynamic that is so very contrary to your own words. You come across as a downright scary person who judges those who are, and aren’t, worthy to view works of art that you did not create.

You equate half of America and Americans, and everyone else on earth, to being Nazis… Republicans = Nazis..?

I’m not defending either group, but that’s not true. Republicans are Republicans… and Nazis are Nazis. It’s two different things… Duhhh..!!! You do history a disservice but idly throwing around partisan catch phrases in order to make yourself sound better than everyone else.

You’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem… Everyone is entitled to their belief systems as long as they aren’t hurting others… Who are you to judge who’s worthy and who isn’t, ESPECIALLY using art as your gavel..? If anything you should try and enlighten people if you disagree with them and not use your self fulfilling platform to disparage others…

You’re the emperor with no clothes.

Personally, I’m neither Republican or Democrat… It may be obvious to some that the only “2 Party System” is the Haves and The Have Nots, and The Real President is CASH MONEY… But you’ve taken the tactless tact of alienating instead of including… A cheap parlor trick that’s popular with the people you claim to dislike… Conquer and Divide..? Judge, Jury and Executioner..? “Because ALL you people are impossible”..? “Do US all a favor”..?

Who is “us”..? And who are “you people”..?

From where I’m sitting, it’s just YOU, you weak minded uninteresting DICKtator.

You ban Nazis huh..? How many real Nazis from 80 years ago attempt to follow your blog..? And really… how many white supremacists, skin heads, neo-nazis, klansman and bible thumping conservatives have tried to follow your tumblr, for that matter..?

Is it 75% or 50%..? You brag that you’ve blocked 75% of the people who have tried to follow you, but clearly 49% of Americans voted Republican.

30 people in one morning..? …And you’re proud of that..? What a complete CREEP..!!!

Follow THIS professor… Math isn’t your strong point, and now YOU’RE being graded.

F+

You don’t let “Nazis” follow you huh..? Yet, interestingly enough, you post images with real nazi regalia in them… Shame on you.

Case in point…

You’re a complete hypocrite, a carpet bagger, a fraud and a charlatan…

You “shouldn’t have to make dumb posts like ‘this one’ yet…”

Well GENIUS… You shouldn’t have, but YOU DID.

The ONLY redeeming quality about YOU that I can see NOW, is that you DID block me.

Thanks JERK..!!! 😛

[lolitastories]

HELPLESS

Description: She worked as a lawyer in New York until she received a phone call from the man she owes her career to. She knew she would be back and what she was in for but what she didn’t know is that her life would change even more than she imagined.

Part 7

Chapter 6:

I avoided doing anything else than what was already on my plate. I didn’t stop by to check on Jamie on his first day. I didn’t try to instigate anything to do with what happened with Tate. The only things I tried focusing on was the trail back home. “How are you doing?”

“Okay. My lawyer pulled a restraining order on him and all of his immediate family” I have been keeping in contact with my cousin. It took her two years to admit she was the one in those rumors. I knew of it back then but it was up to her to tell everyone not me. I didn’t get angry or upset that she didn’t defend me when she heard I left or say something when people were bashing my family for the kind of daughter they raised. I was waiting for more but she didn’t continue.

“What happened?” I heard a slight cry on the other side of the phone. “Sofie what happened?” She had filed a restraining order against the guy two years ago and I didn’t find out until a couple months ago that she dismissed it 4 months later and were still talking. The case continued and when he found out she wouldn’t stop he got aggressive. Didn’t know about that either.

“My lawyer advised me to take the deal. They said if he is put on the list of offenders his lawyer could place me with child endangerment” At the time of the accident she was with a younger family memeber. No evidence was proved to have affected the young child but anything can randomly appear and touch the jurys heart. “The deal agree on the restraining order being removed, the payment of his lawyer fees along with emotional damage” That mother-fucker. “I don’t want to let this go” She whispered. “Please” I knew what she was asking but I only shaked my head, closing my eyes. I can’t. “I know you don’t want to get involved but I need you here, like old times” I can’t, I can’t go back. “Y/N?” I put my attention back on the phone call. “I know I don’t owe you anything after all I did but I need you here, just like I know you need it in your soul to come back and put everything behind you”

“When is the next court date?” I don’t know what I was pulling

myself in. I didn’t only have to face the people who talked and looked my way in a form of disgust but I will also have to face my family. The one I worked so hard to forget and heal from, I could almost see it. I got out of the office early and rushed towards the ranch. “I need a ride” I scream when I see Rip climbing down from his horse.

“Beth is not going to like that” I hit his arm earning a fake groan.

“Not that kind of ride, I need to go see John” Rip laughs

“Well I thought since you never in your life would ask to be on a horse” He shruggs pulling his horse into the stable. “But no can do, you will have to wait til tomorrow” I look over at the direction he was looking and see Beth making her way down the path towards his cabin. “Ask Kaycee” I looked over to where he was pointing. He was getting out of his truck and going into the house. I turn towards him again. “Those eyes always worked but not against the fire in Beth’s” I roll my eyes.

“I hope she burns you” I scream walking out the barn and into the house.

“I didn’t expect you to be here for lunch?” I look over to see Monica in the kitchen. “I can cook something real fast for you, without Tate here I am going crazy not doing anything after school” I smile climbing on to the stool.

“No thank you. I have a long walk ahead of me” She questions me with her look. “I have to talk with John. I am leaving planning to leave for a couple of days”

“Where?”

“Home” I sigh, getting up. “If I leave soon enough I won’t have time to question why” I smile knowing she doesn’t need to know anything about what's going on. I grab some water and head towards the door.

“You can’t go dressed like that” This time I was wearing sneakers but she was right, the clothes were appropriate. Then again I didn’t have anything else. “Am packing since there is no reason for me to stay here so you can borrow some of my clothes”

“It's okay, I can just dirty some old clothes” I watch Monica shake her head, grabbing my arm and pulling towards Tates room where she has been staying.

“I have seen your wardrobe and they are not going to keep you warm enough and comfortable enough to get there and back” I whisper a thank you as I watch her pull out some clothes for me.

“Do I look funny?” I say walking out the bathroom already changed and with her boots on.

“Other than the hair, you no longer look like a city girl” My hair was still down and with curls in place.

“Thank you” I look over to the window and see the sun going down. “I need to go”

“You won’t take a horse?”

“No. Am not afraid of them but I am afraid of falling” I say walking out the door with her following close behind.

“That's why you hold on tight” she smiles as I open the door.

“That would help if I also knew even the first thing in riding one” I wave goodbye before starting my walk down the path. I run miles and walk even more than them so how could this be any different?

Let me tell you. Huge!! Difference. First of all, I am not in a warm facility running in the same spot. I am out in the fields freezing in every inch of my body. Second I am not surrounded by four walls to protect me and in company of people that show to not be harmful. Right now I am currently walking in the middle for everyone to see me. There are creatures here that can tear me to shreds in a second. Why in the hell did I decide to do this while the sun was coming down, down came the temperatures and so did my energy. But I needed to do this today. I was planning to leave in the late morning. I knew this trip was going to take a long time regardless of how I got there.

“Are you crazy!?” I scream, kneeling down to the ground and looking around my surroundings “Y/N?” Of course the not long enough grass wasn’t covering me.

“Kaycee?” The yellow/orange hue of the sun was disappearing so it was hard to see from a distance who it was.

“Monica told me you decide to walk instead of riding” I rolled my eyes about to say something “I know you don’t know how to ride but you could have asked Rip or another cowboy here” I cross my arm as he comes down his horse. “Rip or me” he corrected himself. All the other cowboys were with John. It was nice of him to follow me but when he starts off telling me things I knew I did wrong it reminds me of how mad I am with him. “Where are you going?”

“To see John” I had already turned around and walked away.

“Let me give you a ride, that's why I came here” so nice of you, but no. Stupid. “Stop” I hear him scream from behind. I get startled by the sound of the horse coming closer to cut me off “I said stop!” I look up annoyed

“Just leave, I will get there eventually” I look down, focusing on the horse itself. How scary. In my life I have never been so close to an animal bigger than me. I don’t know what came over me but my hands started reaching out to touch its main. That was until my hands were grabbed and I could no longer feel the ground. “Let me down!” My body was placed over the horse, stomach down.

“You don’t get to pet the horse until you stop being so stubborn” The horse wasn’t going quick but the anxiety in me did.

“Kaycee” I reach over to grab anything not trusting myself to touch the horse in any way that could affect it. The hand he used to hold on to me quickly moved to position me up.

“It’s okay” I was currently facing forwards with his arms wrapped around me for support.

“You’re so stupid” I whisper. I didn’t know if I was shiving because I was cold or how afraid I was right now. The horse continued walking now. My eyes stayed shut as I leaned further back.

“You’re the stupid one. Coming down here alone not even with a horse. You know we have wolves here right?” I nod my head slowly. “These clothes would keep you warm for a while not for a long walk” I nod my head again, taking hold of his hand that he was removing from mine. “ I need to take hold of the reigns”

“Okay” I nod but not noticing I was still holding on to him until he chuckles and stops the horse to get down.

“Slide down” I look down with panic in my eyes. This time I shake my head no and he rolls his eyes. He quickly grabs hold of my waist and pulls me back trying not to alarm the horse. Before I can argue he gets on and my arms instantly wrap around his waist. “Hold on. We need to get there before we freeze out here” I wasn’t listening to him. I was only holding on tight with my eyes closed and pressed up against him. I was afraid. I was afraid of something I could control. The horse I was on I couldn’t control. It could take off and drop us somewhere causing pain. Other things I was afraid of was anything involving me on it or in it that moved on its own. Elevators, cars other people were driving, ferris wheels, hell I was afraid of bridges no matter the length. “I'm sorry” The wind was a distraction but I still heard him. “I told you I would listen and all I didn’t was question you. I had no right”

“Am going back home” Silence fell. “Not because of what you said”

“Of course” I could hear the sense of humor in his voice. “When do you leave?”

“In the morning hopefully” My voice was no longer shaking. “They are having trials. They think they can just settle a deal and be done but I won’t let them. Settling falls more on his favor and that I won’t stand”

“Do you know the person who he did it too?” I nod my head.

“Back then I knew too. I didn’t have the right to say anything”

“But that could’ve changed everything”

“Maybe that's what I wanted. I had a chance to tell them and I was going too until they would let me talk. I thought to myself maybe it's for the best. I wanted to get away for so long. Why not let it run its course?”

“And now you are helping them?”

“She’s family. We might not be a perfect family but we promised that we would be different” We promised we wouldn’t make the same mistakes as our parents. They are all fighting to keep their appearance and be the best. They talk behind eachothers back and the next second hug and talk about how great each of them are. We told eachother we would never be like that. We protect eachother but most importantly listen and understand. Because we know we are not perfect, it's us against everyone else.

#beth dutton #jamie dutton #john dutton #kayce dutton #kayce dutton smut #tate dutton #reader #y/n l/n #yellowstone #y/n

[emilycollins00]

can i have just hcs or a scenario or whatever and it’s just. hanging out with juza. chilling, hanging out, alone and just being together. sorry it’s not specific

Boy do I love some good slice-of-life writing, especially if it's with our favorite stiff and sweet-lover actor!. Do not worry because this was so much fun to write! 💕

This can absolutely be taken as platonic or romantic. Please enjoy! 💕

Reader hanging out with Juza

“Oh, come on! That’s going to get so soggy by the time she builds the structure!” you groan in frustration at the computer, not believing what you were seeing.

Juza frowns next to you, eyes fixed on what is happening. He hasn’t said anything, but you want to believe he agrees with you. Well, as much as a non-professional baker could agree with another non-professional baker on a baking show.

“Yikes- what did you expect Julia? For real, too much licour.” You can’t help but comment out loud again as you watch the contestant try to explain to the camera their confusion after they tasted the cake base.

“…Looks yummy to me.”

Your focus on the show slips when you hear him murmur with confusion, laughing at the sincere tone of his voice. “And that’s how we know you could never be a jury. How do you see that and think- Oh no!” you two watch in horror as another contestant takes out burnt decorations from the oven. “Oooh that is so gonna cost Alex his place.”

“He was ‘kay in the signature bake tho.”

You roll your eyes at Juza's comment while adjusting a blanket you had on around tighter. “Sure but like- he’s been on thin ice the last few episodes? and this is a technical challenge! Would be totally unfair to Julia if they decide to rule her and her alcoholic cake out.”

You both keep commenting on the episode here and there until the credits begin scrolling. You sigh and let yourself flop onto Juza's arm, tired. Maybe the others were right and you were getting a little too invested in the supposedly peaceful and untroubled series... just maybe.

You reach the mouse, trying to log out from the platform as you lazily pass by the announcements of future series and films in the making. “You know, I read somewhere they just get a cake stand and some flowers if they win first place,” you mention, suddenly remembering the fact. “Wild. It’s so different from the cooking shows, with offers, dishes and all that I mean.” You feel him shrug.

“Haven’t seen many winners from those other shows later on.”

“Mmm... true.” You agree after giving it some thought, mind still replaying all the mistakes and bits that had happened in the episode. “I bet Omi-san would annihilate everyone though.” You think smugly. Seconds later your tummy rambles, making you look around the room. “Hey, do you still have anything left from the sweets you bought yesterday? I got kinda hungry after watching so many pastries.”

Juza nods, and you move enough for him to get up from the small table placed in the middle of his shared room where you two had been watching the show for almost an hour. You watch him head to his desk and come back seconds late with a big bag that makes you squeal with joy, clapping as he sits again next to you.

Once he takes some of them out and hands them you can’t help but moan in delight after the first few bites. ”Ugh, this is so good. I should have taken some with me as well.”

“You can take half of these home if ya want.”

“Nooo don’t spoil me!” you groan. Because it’s not like it’s the first time Juza has offered or shared sweets with you, but it always feels surprising to you for someone to give away something they enjoy so much so easily. He pays no notice of your rejection and pushes some more sweets to your side. “Juza!” you whine again.

"'s fine. Ya can enjoy 'em later.”

You hum, not completely happy. "Then I’ll invite you to something next time we go somewhere, I won't accept a no.”

“Ya don’t need to-.”

You immediately raise one finger, stopping him from saying anything else. “What did I just say?” you raise an eyebrow. The purple-haired actor stares at your firm gaze and nods. You laugh and shake hands with him. "Pleasure to work with you."

You two continue eating in comfortable silence for a while as you manage to pick up the noise of people walking by the hall. You try to recognize the voices in the distance: Azami, Taichi, Hisoka, Sakuya… it’s the middle of the afternoon so you imagine most of them are on their way to do their homework and the adults are most likely arriving from their jobs. You take another bite of the sweets and let yourself lie on the floor. You look at the ceiling, blanket still on stronghold. “Have you and Omi-san gone anywhere with your bikes in the end?”

“Uh? Ah, yeah. He said he knew a few roads near the mountains... We drove there last weekend.”

“I wanna see!” you exclaim sitting back up. You knew how much he had been looking forward to the trip. “Did you take any pictures?”

Juza pulls out his phone, unlocking it as you made yourself comfortable next to him, chin on his shoulder while excitedly still munching the sweets. You watch the autumn member enter the private chat he had with Omi and scroll through messages that went from university stuff, to timetables, to talks about everyday cleaning tasks and foods. “…Here.” He finally stops as he gives you his phone. “He shared some once we came back.”

“Oh my god- this place so pretty! Look at the view. Did it take you two much to get there? It looks so far from the city, I cannot see any road!”

“Kinda. We did some drivin’ between old pavements.”

Happy, you take a few more looks at the pictures; a few of the scenery, of juza looking into the distance from different angles -most likely not being aware he was the object of Omi’s camera- and give the phone back to its owner.

“I wanna go. Think you remember the way?”

“I got the area somehow... ‘Could always ask him again I guess.”

“Cool! Because we definitely need to take something to eat and go there to spend the day.”

Juza seems to like the idea too, though you think it’s mainly because he has been enjoying riding his bike at any given opportunity since he got his license.

“Are you sure you don’t wanna somethin’ more to put on?”

You blink confused and notice he’s been looking at the blanket you have been hanging on all this time. He scratches the back of his head, frowning, maybe thinking about what would be best for you to wear. “...Sakyo-san says it’s still early to put on the heating but I can look for a hoddie or somethin’.”

“Nah, I’m fine. I like to feel like a burrito.” You smile reaching for one more sweet from the bag -which you are starting to believe will be empty by the time you leave if you keep eating. You turn towards him. “You know, it’s been a while since we had time to relax by ourselves. When I come we are always with the others, but I kinda enjoy it the most when it’s us two and our favourite baking show.”

Juza ponders your words, warmth rising in his chest. Hearing those things directed towards him wasn’t the usual until he met you -He has never really been a talker after all.

As you continue to munch distracted he closes his eyes, his lips turning into a small smile. Because maybe he's a little proud to be able to give someone a happy space to relax. "...yeah."

You know he did not mean to say it out loud but you catch it nonetheless. It makes your eyes soften and ruffle his hair affectionately, obtaining a flustered yelp and questioning look from the golden-eyed actor. You laugh before changing the topic to another thing, making some more conversation. After all, neither of you had anything planned for the rest of the afternoon.

And what better way to spend time than with your favorite person?  

_______________________________________________________

Wishing you all a wonderful day! 💕

#im so late with requests but positive thinking is i have them on my mind so they will come out #eventualy asdfgh #a3! #a3! act! addict! actors! #a3! juza

[saiilorstars]

Dare To Forget Me

Ch. 54: The Not-Jealousy

Previous chapters // Montserrat’s masterlist

Fandom: SVU // Pairing: Rafael Barba x OC

Warnings: Due to the nature of the series’ plots, I do have to rate this as ‘mature’ for constant mentions of rape.

Taglist: @ocappreciationtag​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @arrthurpendragon​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @anotherunreadblog​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @maaaaarveeeeel​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @stareyedplanet​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @averyhotchner​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @abzidabzy​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @hellofutur​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @foxesandmagic​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @xovalliegirlxo​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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The courtroom was half filled with reporters from every possible news outlet in New York. It was outrageous and yet not shocking at all. Everybody was following the trial. Fortunately, Rafael was immune to all of the pressure that would come from those outlets. He just thought they were nosy. They made no difference to him when he started that morning. Bauer was up first.

"...and when the third woman, Tiana Raynes, came to you and said Shakir Wilkins had raped her, did you promise her a bonus?"

"Yes, I did," the man seemed at least a bit guilty for his actions.

"Can you tell the jury why you offered these women bonuses, which may appear to some as buying their silence?" prompted Rafael.

"I take no joy in this. I've had a long-term relationship with Mr. Wilkins. I simply couldn't reconcile my knowledge of him with what these women were saying. At the time, I believed that these were false allegations."

"And now?"

"After I saw how upset Carla was in that elevator, it began to gnaw at me. And these other girls... There's a saying: When three people at a party tell you you're drunk, don't drive home."

That may not have been the best comparison but Rafael would take it so long as he said nothing else unprompted. "Thank you, Mr. Bauer."

After him, Calhoun took her turn. "I'm sure we can all agree you're in a difficult position here, Mr. Bauer. Yes, thank you. But isn't it true you're only testifying today in exchange for avoiding charges of bribing a witness?"

That's common knowledge, scowled Rafael. It was a rather weak beginning which made him slightly curious of how she would end it.

"I'm testifying here today because I made a wrong decision, and for that, I apologize," Bauer responded.

"But no charges have been filed?"

"Correct."

"At the time these complainants came forward, did you believe their stories?"

"No, I did not. I simply couldn't think that the man I knew was capable of doing the things they said he was doing."

"But now you do believe that Shakir Wilkins assaulted these three women?"

"Yes, I do. As I said, after that scene in the elevator with Carla, replaying all their words without blinders on, so God help me, yes, I do."

"Does the sudden change in your beliefs give you the right to invoke the morals clause and terminate your contract with Mr. Wilkins, saving your company roughly half a billion dollars?"

"Roughly, yes, but that's not why I terminated him—"

"Does getting out of your contract with Mr. Wilkins provide long-term relief?"

There it was. Rafael cut in with a sharp "Objection!"

He would never be the fool to underestimate that woman, neither would the others.

"We need to prepare Tiana," he said as soon as they were out of the courthouse. The others had already thought about that and thus called ahead to schedule it with the woman. "Calhoun's going to go after her and strongly."

"When doesn't she?" Amanda countered, making a good point.

"We'll make sure she's here this afternoon," Olivia promised him. She would see it personally if she had to.

"I can bring over the file too to make sure that we don't leave anything out," Montserrat said.

"You?" Nick was sending her a half smirk. "I wonder why?" Beside him, Fin shook his head and nearly showed a smile.

"What is this? High school?" Montserrat raised an eyebrow at them, then, just to prove her point, she seized Olivia's arm. "I'm getting the principal!"

Olivia rolled her eyes. "Enough guys."

"He started it," Montserrat pointed a finger at Nick.

"And if he doesn't watch it, I'll finish it," Rafael surprised them with his own input. He was above these types of jabs but not if they were directed towards Montserrat. "Drop it, Amaro."

Nick looked pleasantly satisfied. Sonny gave him a light shove from behind. It truly felt like high school.

~ 0 ~

Later that afternoon, Montserrat returned to the courthouse with Tania to go over her testimony. The young woman begrudgingly made her way to the appropriate seat and started the session rather uninterestedly. Montserrat had taken her mood as a cause of the entire situation, which was very fair. Rafael had to badger her with questions which couldn't possibly lift the woman's mood.

"Then I woke up. My dress was ripped, stained...he raped me," she spoke slowly, her arms folded over her chest, her gaze looking...bored? Montserrat thought she had to be wrong.

Rafael either didn't notice it from where he sat which, in Montserrat's opinion, couldn't be any less professional given his spot was on the jury stand with his feet propped up. "And you didn't tell anyone."

Tiana shifted in her seat, finally giving him the time of day. "Look, I know I have to do this, but I had to take an express bus and a taxi to get here."

Rather unimportant and pretty much nothing to do with the topic but given the situation, Montserrat assured her it wouldn't be a problem. "Okay, we can reimburse you for that."

Apparently, she said something terrible because Tiana was sending her the coldest of looks. "And that's it?"

She sounded incredulous — why would she be incredulous?

"Is everything all right, Tiana?" Rafael asked her.

"I just…" Tiana sighed. "Forget it. Just tell me what you and Mr. Bauer want me to say."

"We want you to say exactly what happened," Montserrat spoke slowly, getting more confused as the seconds ticked by.

"Lemme look at what I said before, and I'll get it right."

"Why would we—"

"What did you mean when you said you'd say what Orion Bauer wanted you to say?" Rafael cut in, that line suddenly hitting him. He pulled his feet down and stood up, making his way over to Tiana. "Orion Bauer gave you a bonus to keep quiet about the initial complaint, isn't that right?"

She raised an eyebrow at him. "A bonus. Uh-huh, right," she spat.

"Are you saying he didn't make a payment?" Rafael waited for the answer but all he got was a hard stare from her in return. "What?" His eyes flickered to Montserrat who'd completely lost them. She had no idea why Tiana was suddenly acting like this.

"How much is that suit?" Tiana asked instead, the judgment filling each of her words. "Two grand?"

Well that was certainly the last thing Rafael expected. "I beg your pardon?"

"And that tie? Please," she rolled her eyes, "I work retail. You don't think I know?"

"Okay, Tiana, what does that have to do with this?" Montserrat came forwards, hoping to get a straight answer and not the crap she was giving them instead.

Tiana barely gave her a glance and when she did, it was full of disdain. "Oh, hello, white girl."

Montserrat scowled. "Excuse me?" Who the hell was this woman making assumptions about? Couldn't be her.

"Orion Bauer paid me half-assed what he paid those other girls," Tiana started, anger lacing her tone.

"And how do you know this?" Rafael asked her, almost stretching an arm towards Montserrat to keep her in place. Tiana was pushing buttons.

"I heard it on LMZ. Do you think I'm stupid? He paid them five grand. So maybe you call him and make it right, then I'll remember better."

"And you think that we're—" Montserrat gestured between herself and Rafael, "—involved with that too? No, wait a minute," she shook her head, "What the hell did you get paid for and why the hell would you think we'd be in on it?"

"Detective," Rafael's call was a warning. Montserrat inwardly huffed but kept her mouth shut. Rafael turned his attention to Tiana who was still glaring at them, more at Montserrat. "What did Bauer pay them for? To keep quiet about the rape?"

"Please," scoffed Tiana, "All I know is, I got paid to say Shakir raped me."

More anger rose in Montserrat. If that was true then did she really think that they would be in on that plan?

Rafael had a better grapple on his frustration at that moment. His mind was racing to make the connections that came with Tiana's claim. "Are you saying...are you saying Shakir Wilkins did not rape you?"

"I'm saying you get Mr. Bauer to give the right amount — the fair amount — I'll say whatever the two of you want me to say," Tiana shifted in her seat again, planting her hands on the bar of her seat. "Hell, I'll do you nasty like I did Shakir in that dressing room, but you got to man up, and pay up."

"That's it!" Montserrat snapped, actually moving towards Tiana until Rafael caught her by the arm and yanked her back. She actually tried getting free out of sheer offence. Their case was probably in shambles, the woman thought they would pay her for her story, and she had the audacity to make a terrible pass at Rafael. She would need some time to get back from that, and even more when the others found out.

In the meantime, she would have to deal with Rafael which was a problem enough. Once they sent Tiana home and they were out of the courthouse heading home too, he was free to laugh (because tomorrow there would be no room for such a thing).

"It's not funny," Montserrat huffed. She picked up her pace on the street with another huff.

"The situation isn't but the way you handled it was…" Rafael stopped walking to think about it, leaving Montserrat to stop as well and look back at him. The clear amusement on his face made her want to smack him for taking joy in her reaction. "It was perfect," he eventually said and laughed.

"You know, right now, I really want to dump you," Montserrat said.

Rafael laughed and started walking again, taking her hand when he walked past her. He squeezed it tight as she tried to pull her hand out of his. "Why? Jealous?"

"No!" she said far too quickly to ever believe it.

"You nearly lunged at the girl," he reminded her, not that he needed to. It was permanently ingrained in his mind.

"But not because of what she said to you," she once again spoke far too quickly for anybody to believe her.

"No, course not," Rafael sarcastically agreed, nearly laughing when she shot him a death glare on the side.

"You're enjoying this way too much!"

"Yeah, I am," he let the laugh come out this time. "Never thought I'd see the day when Detective Novak lost her cool with a victim."

"Based on what she said, she's not a victim," Montserrat spat. "She's lying and that's what makes all future cases harder to get through to court."

"I know, but we have to verify what she's saying. She could just be angry about the amount she was given and wants to get more."

"It doesn't excuse what she said." As soon as Montserrat heard her words that deeply contradicted what she'd just said before, her eyes fell shut and sighed.

"So," Rafael stopped walking, shooting her a smirk, "It is why you're upset."

Montserrat could think of multiple ways to deny that. She could probably argue for the rest of the night if she wanted to, Rafael would definitely get a kick out of it too, but the truth was there and if roles were reversed, he would be doing the same thing. "Yes, fine," she confessed with a groan. She turned to face him, her expression between a glare and a pout. "How dare she!? I'm your girlfriend!" she pointed to herself, ignoring (or possibly not even hearing it in the midst of her anger) Rafael's laugh. "I was standing right there and...okay, so she didn't know that but…" Her face scrunched, making it impossible for Rafael not to laugh even harder. "Oh shut up!" She decided to stop making an idiot out of herself in public and started for home again.

"Montserrat!" Rafael called after her, picking up his pace to catch up with her. "Montse, you need to calm down."

"Shut up!"

"Your vocabulary is on fire this evening, you know?"

She shot him a glare. "Keep talking like that and you're going to get some real colorful vocabulary right now."

Rafael's eyebrows raised in utter amusement. He'd never seen her so riled up and he had quite an impressive talent to irritate her. Jealousy did many things to people. "How about I take you home, huh?" He slowly reached for her hand, unsure if she would allow him to touch her. He had to control the urge to laugh when he clasped his hand around hers and she gripped it even though she was frowning so deeply. He managed to take them to her apartment without getting smacked, though it didn't save him from many more incredulous outbursts. She was beyond pissed (and jealous) and it would take at least one night to bring her down.

"The audacity," she was huffing even when they approached the door of her apartment.

"I know this will get me either smacked and/or something worse but jealousy is a whole other color with you," he remarked, smirking when she nearly bumped her head into the door.

"What!?" she glared at him.

"Are you going to smack the shoulder? Or the head?" he asked with a straight face. She finished unlocking the door and cursed at him under her breath. He followed her inside with a smirk on his face. "It's alright, Montserrat. Calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down," she promptly snapped.

"What can I say then? Because everything I've said before seems to just piss you off even more," he closed the door behind her.

"God you're terrible at this," she leaned on her hip, giving him an incredulous look.

It almost resembled the look Tiana gave them but he wasn't actually stupid enough to say that out loud. "You do know my track record, right?"

She groaned. "You're stupid!"

"Okay, fine, insulting seems to be the way to go with you," he shrugged. "Whatever works for you."

She groaned again as she stomped her way up to him. "You're supposed to reassure me, stupid. Tell me that you like me?" She brought her hands to rest on his chest, her fingers fiddling with the top button of his coat, her frown slowly shifting into a pout. "That you would never look at anyone else? That sort of stuff."

"But you're not jealous, right?" Rafael asked her, his smile widening when her face scrunched.

"No," she said like it should've been obvious that she wasn't.

"Just checking," Rafael took in a deep breath as he arranged his best words to appease her. "Of course I wouldn't look at anyone else—why would I? Look at you," he tucked one of her curls behind her ear then cupped her face. "Everybody wants you, I have to make sure nobody gets their hands on you." Montserrat started smiling, enjoying each of his admiration declarations. "Tú eres mi corazón." He gave her a short kiss on her lips. Even though the apartment was only half lit with the hallway light, he could see a blush on her cheeks. "And you're not jealous, right?"

"Nope!" she popped the 'p' in her answer, making him chuckle.

"Good, because there's really nothing you have to worry about," he bopped her nose. He let his arms drop around her waist. "But if you ever want to 'not-be-jealous' again, that's fine too."

Montserrat's frown returned to her face. "I swear to god—"

Rafael saw her hand coming to shove him so he seized it midair. He tucked her arms in front of her then wrapped her up in a big, and tight, hug to prevent any future smacks. "You're unbelievable, you know that?"

"I really hate you!" she huffed and let her head fall on his shoulder, adding a moment later: "...but I also really like you."

Rafael smiled and hugged her even tighter if that was possible. "I kinda know. I've learned to understand your vocabulary."

"That's so sweet," she said with a light laugh. He dropped a kiss to her hair, slowly letting her arms free to have them around him as well.

~ 0 ~

The next few days were a rapid blur trying to vet the remaining victims. Through yells and demands, each one remained true to her story.

"They're definitely not lying about the transactions," Sonny said as he looked over the information on his computer. "Carla and Macie-Lynn got paid more."

"This whole case is coming down like a house of cards," Montserrat leaned on her desk. "And you know who I think is behind this?"

"How about the man making all the payments?" Nick called from his seat. "Who else, right?"

"Liv's already sent Rollins with Barba to talk to Bauer again," Fin said, leaving the 'now we wait' unsaid.

"Yeah, I know," Montserrat said with a grumble. After learning what she almost did in the courthouse, Olivia pulled her out of the case altogether. It was a right punishment, alright, but it still pissed Montserrat off. Apparently, jealousy wasn't a good reason for almost lunging on somebody even though that somebody turned out to be a liar.

"Control those emotions, Novak," Nick 'tskd' at her. The others grinned at his remark. By now, they all knew what happened at the courthouse.

"Seriously boys, is this high school?" she slammed a hand on her desk, daring any of them to answer her. Suddenly, they all had work to do. "Mhm."

~ 0 ~

"Are you kidding me?" Bauer was outraged once he heard from Rafael and Amanda what had happened with Tiana. "She's shaking me down again!?"

"Dad," Cordelia tried to calm him down, going around his desk to help him sit down.

"No, no!" He shooed her to the side. "She came crying to me. I tried to make it right. I gave her $800, now she wants more? Ingratitude!"

"Now, are you denying you gave Tiana money to claim rape?" Amanda asked slowly so there would be no contradictions later on.

"You're damn right I'm denying, lady. It's an outright lie. Not that I should be surprised."

"Mm-hmm, and why is that?"

"Dad, stop," Cordelia shushed him in vain.

"That girl didn't even graduate. I was the one that made her assistant store manager. Because the way I grew up, background didn't matter. It was a matter of character, integrity. It was a matter of loyalty!"

"Okay, I think that that's enough!" Cordelia spoke over him seeing that he wasn't listening to her. Unfortunately, Bauer kept going.

"It's a long path, a strange journey we are all traveling with our tribes, our families. Just the way of our culture, just the damn way of it."

Rafael felt a headache coming. "This is very simple," he said, cutting Bauer off. "Did you or did you not pay Tiana Raynes to make false allegations?"

"The hell I did not! Did you ask the other girls? The white girls?"

"Dad—"

"Because if you did, you would discover that they didn't change their stories."

"And how do you know they didn't?" asked Rafael. "Are you in touch with them?"

"Dad, you have to stop now-"

"No—"

"Dad, please…"

"Cordelia, Cordelia!" Bauer yelled at his daughter, silencing her. "I'm in charge here! Now look, I love you, but you have no more sense than your mother did! You're blind!"

Cordelia kept herself composed as she glanced at the pair. "We are done here. All of that was off the record. I would like you to leave now. Please. This is enough."

"So now NOW you're worried about me?" Bauer turned to her, startling Cordelia."About the company? Hmm? Now you're a good girl?" Amanda and Rafael watched as the man got in his daughter's face. "Well, that's good. Because I forgive you, my darling. I forgive you for everything."

Cordelia had clearly not been expecting that bit and truthfully neither had the others. It left a lot of questions on their way down from the office.

"What was that?" Rafael couldn't come up with a definite answer so he shared his guesses instead. "Early dementia? Our journey, our tribes?"

"I don't know." Amanda was as lost as he was. She glanced away and happened to see Cordelia leaving the building as well, quite in a rush. "You go on ahead."

Rafael followed her gaze and saw Cordelia walking in the opposite direction. "She can't talk to you about the case, she's his lawyer."

Amanda was already backtracking from him. "We can talk about fathers." Because it sure as hell seemed like there was another story between Cordelia and Bauer that they didn't know about. She turned completely and hurried after Cordelia. "Hey, Cordelia. You all right?"

"I'm fine," Cordelia answered despite being startled with Amanda's sudden presence.

"Is your father always like…"

"Larger than life? Absolutely, and I love him for it. He's old school. A lion."

"Yeah, can you help me understand something? I don't think your dad is the kind of man that would completely destroy someone's reputation just to void a contract." That's where it all seemed to tie back to. Nothing else stood out.

"No, he would never," Cordelia said. "He raised me to believe that your word is your bond. Used to say if you ever betray that, you are dead to him."

"What did he mean when he said that you were blind, and he forgives you? Forgives you for what?" Amanda studied the quick flicker of Cordelia's eyes away from her. The story had to be big.

"I have no idea. If you'll excuse me, we really shouldn't be talking," Cordelia offered her one small smile before picking up her pace.

~ 0 ~

"This doesn't make any sense. Orion Bauer paid the store clerk to say that I raped her?" Shakir stared at Rafael until he would tell him that it was all a lie, that the story couldn't be that.

Unfortunately, Rafael nodded to confirm. "Yeah, Tiana finally gave that up."

"What about the other two?" Calhoun quickly asked. She didn't expect for this office visit to be just about one girl retracting her accusation, not when that was already old news.

"Well, they're still claiming you raped them."

"I didn't!" Shakir exclaimed and this time there was a more plausible reason to believe him. "I swear. I mean, this can't be about the money on my contract. The old man makes a fortune off me."

That's exactly what Rafael and everybody else thought. "Okay, can you think of any reason Orion Bauer wants to destroy you?"

Even Calhoun waited for the answer. Shakir thought for what seemed like a minute before something flashed across his eyes. Rafael knew for sure there was something there, but Shakir never answered.

Two days later, however, he would receive an audio that would answer all ALL the questions. It was that very audio that would set Shakir free from all accusations because he was, in fact, innocent.

The courtroom was flooded with reporters again, the hallways were in constant flashes of cameras.

Calhoun came out of the courtroom with a natural triumphant smirk and when Rafael came out a moment later, he was all but deflated. "I'm gonna go upstairs and...duck calls."

"You poor thing," Montserrat couldn't help but chuckle. It was always a pain to lose against Calhoun but this case would surely leave a good amount of lingering loose ends to tie. The glare he shot her as he left wasn't at all inviting but she welcomed it nonetheless.

"So Bauer just gets away with this," Fin said as they started heading out themselves.

"My bet? A tape like that? Sooner or later it comes out," Olivia said, almost sounding like it was a promise.

"Well, what about these three girls?" asked Sonny. "They lied, under oath. They just get to skate?"

"They should get a punishment," Montserrat muttered. Not only for the way they helped wreck Shakir's reputation but also for making it even harder for future victims to come forwards.

"General policy for the D.A. is when you go after girls when a case falls apart, it can prevent real victims from coming forward next time," Olivia explained what they already knew.

"I guess you guys were right," Amanda looked at Finn, Sonny and Nick. All throughout the case they'd stated their reluctance to believe the girls. It wasn't for nothing apparently.

"We missed Bauer paying them off," Nick said.

"They were just his pawns. Like Shakir, like his daughter," Olivia shook her head.

"And he was good," Montserrat hated to admit. "That old man act of his? He played us. I mean, he really used his own daughter in this. I can't imagine my own father doing that to me."

"He's a narcissist," Olivia reminded them. "He thought he was 'protecting' his daughter." Montserrat stiffened suddenly, not that anybody noticed it.

"The extremes fathers—parents—take to do what they think is protecting their children can sometimes be completely off," Amanda sighed. "They just wreck their lives instead."

"Yeah," Montserrat mumbled. Many things were running through her head when they left for the precinct. They were the same thoughts that directed her back to Rafael's office at the end of her shift. He wasn't expecting her to stop by, much less for her line of greeting to be: "I'm sorry!"

He looked up at her just as she strode up to his desk, looking truly apologetic for whatever she was sorry for. "This should be interesting," he mumbled under his breath before asking, in a regular volume, "What's wrong?"

"Me," she shrugged, wringing her hands together. "I didn't get what you were saying about the 'fathers protecting their daughters' stuff up until today when...well...you know…" she gestured to the side, referencing the awful case they closed today. "What Bauer did to Cordelia, thinking he was 'protecting' her...that is never what my father would do."

"I didn't—that's not what I meant to say!" Rafael exclaimed, panicking with her but for very different reasons. The last thing he wanted was for that assumption to make its way up to her father. "That—I did not mean to say that."

"No, no, I get it," Montserrat hurried around his desk, stopping beside his chair. "I mean, my Mom left when I was four so my Dad did get a little overprotective of me but never to that point. What I want to say is that when you are ready, know that my Dad, he's not...he's not that type of man."

"I know that," Rafael said, feeling odd that he had to say it out loud. 'Because that's not what I meant. I expect him to be protective of you, yeah, but nothing to like what Bauer did."

Montserrat sighed. "I'm sorry for not understanding, for not believing in it actually. You were right." She leaned off his desk and came around his chair. He opened his arms before she'd even sat down on his lap. She curled an arm around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. "I was just so excited about the idea of having you meet my family and them meeting you, I was stupid. I'm sorry."

"No you weren't," Rafael brought a hand to rest on her back. "It's nice that you were excited about it. I didn't actually know you were excited about it. Truth be told, I was probably more afraid than anything else."

"What? Why?"

"I did mean what I said about the over-protectiveness but there's just other things, Montserrat. We, us, we're not exactly conventional."

Montserrat scrunched her face. "What the hell does that mean?"

"Do you remember how we started?"

"How could I forget? It involved a lot of yelling and arguments."

"Yeah, do you think your father would like to know that? That I yelled at you?"

"I think he'd be more upset that I was yelling and throwing things," Montserrat said, chuckling when she remembered the awful way she threw her ballerina necklace at Sonny then later threatened to murder him and Rafael all together.

"I'm serious," sighed Rafael. He leaned his forehead over hers. "Plus, there's an age difference."

"Six years," Montserrat patted her hand against his chest. "It's not that big of a deal. I'm 30, you're 36, need I be more clear on the 'we are well past the age of 18' thing? Somebody's even exactly twice that number." She giggled when he flicked the back of her head. "You really have nothing to worry about when it comes to that stuff."

"I still worry," he admitted. "I'm not always put together, I have a bad attitude, I'm snarky and it comes out. People don't like me for a reason."

"Regardless of when you meet my family, I know they would like you."

"Yeah, how do you know?"

Montserrat raised her head to meet his eyes. "Because you make me happy," she replied plain and simple. "My Dad loves me and he noticed the big change after I moved from Queens. I wasn't me. I didn't laugh, I didn't talk, I spent most of my days in my room. Knowing that you helped me get back to some normality and that you're constantly caring for me is all he needs to know. And it's all he's going to care about."

"That wasn't because of me, you did that on your own," Rafael said, though he was touched that she would think he did that for her.

"But you helped. You don't realize it but you did and you're still helping me. So when you're ready, you won't have to worry," she pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"You have that much faith?"

"Mhm," she nodded.

He searched her face, only finding absolute trust in what she said was true. It warmed his heart and after the day they had, it wasn't something easy to do. Montserrat always did things to him that he never thought were possible. She surprised him every day, making him wish that it never stopped. He knew he was in this relationship for the long run and for that to be true, he needed to show her. He wanted to show her.

"Okay, let's set it up."

His words didn't register for Montserrat the first time around. She tilted her head at him. "What?"

"When can we set it up?"

"Like...you mean the...dinner…?"

Rafael nodded his head. "Yeah, you think we can do it soon?" He would never forget the way her face lit up like the fourth of July. He laughed. He had to!

"Oh my God! Are you sure?"

"No, but I'll try to be on my best behavior."

Montserrat laughed. "That'll be the day! But okay!" She crashed her lips on his for a messy, eager kiss.

#ocappreciation #fd: svu #rafael barba #svu #rafael barba fics #rafael barba imagines #svu fics #svu imagines #rafael barba x oc #svu ocs #law and order svu #oc: Montserrat Novak #fic: dare to forget me #cheers because we're finally caught up across all my accounts!!!!

[distressednoise]

There’s no good way to say “there was a network outage at work so I spent all afternoon stewing about bb!jonny and brent seabrook: kink bodyguard” BUT that is who i am and what i did so...

(warnings for terrible bdsm practices, under-negotiated kink, large doe-eyed idiots in love)

seabs thinks jonny is great, really, but if you look up gullible in the dictionary the kid’s picture’s right there, so when he learns that jonny has been having some fairly kink-heavy hookups with guys every time they go on the road, he’s Concerned.

“It’s fine,” says jonny. “they don’t know who I am :) I never bring them round the hotel :) I don’t tell people about it :) it’s secret :)”. And seabs, who has a sudden vision of himself explaining to jonny’s weeping mother exactly why no-one knows where her missing son is, says, “show me.“

So that’s how seabs becomes jonny’s second sex opinion. He has to wheedle jonny about it at first, joke about how jonny probably doesn’t want to show him his matches because can’t get anyone decent-looking, says it’s ok if jonny doesn’t feel mature enough to talk this through like adults (jonny’s so mad at that one he gets a tic in his cheek), but soon enough jonny’s presenting seabs with profiles to approve, telling seabs what these guys are into, nodding concernedly when seabs says he shouldn’t risk a certain thing during the season, happily agreeing. 

Which is already bizarre jonny behaviour, but seabs guesses he hasn’t had anyone to talk to about this stuff. it’s fine. until they’re getting toward the end of the season and there’s a long homestand and jonny’s clearly getting antsy, snappish and easily riled in a way seabs thought they were mostly over, until eventually jonny ducks into brent’s room one night when they’re home in chicago and says, “do you uh. want to come to a place.” 

‘a place’ turns out to be a BDSM club and seabs’ job turns out to be helping jonny pick someone to hook up with, a sentence so bizarre that the only reason seabs doesn’t freak out is because then the midwest’s most guileless resident would be making large, desperate eyes at these people unsupervised. He talks to a few guys and nudges jonny toward a couple who don’t seem too hardcore, and once jonny is safely paired off he goes home to sleep. 

He doesn’t sleep. He might not even blink. And when jonny gets home at ass o’clock in the morning he tells him immediately, “don’t do that again. you should bring them here. it’s safer.”

which jonny does. and seabs circles them warily before disappearing upstairs, where the first floor does nothing to stop the sounds from the basement reaching him. jonny’s getting hit. jonny’s enjoying getting hit. brent would not say he is enjoying jonny getting hit, but he is also jerking off, so. jury’s out on that one. 

the first time he manages to wait until the guy goes home, but after that he finds himself drifting downstairs earlier, listening closer, prowling outside the door to make sure jonny’s ok when whoever leaves. and jonny is always ok, pink and pleased and cheerful in a way that makes seabs FURIOUS for some reason. why are these people getting to see all this. how dare they see this and leave. how DARE they duck out before anything happens because “your roommate is way intense” and “this is just really weird” and NOT leave seabs his nice pile of Pleasant Jonny to enjoy? do they not know the deal????

It’s at this point seabs realises he needs to have a word with himself, because there is no deal. it’s also at this point that jonny says, “you could look, if you want”, and the next time someone comes over jonny gently takes seabs by the hand, looking pleased, and seabs watches this take a belt to jonny and seethes about it, then watches jonny gesture him over and tilt his head up so seabs can come on his soft, slack face and well. WELL. maybe there’s been a deal going on for quite some time. this wouldn’t feel so satisfying otherwise.

“we’re not going to do that again,” he says, after whoever is gone and he’s alone with his lap full of miraculously relaxed toews. “i know” jonny says. “you need any more of that you come to me,” he says, and jonny says “yeah, i know”, like’s he’s been doing that for a while. “you’re gonna look after me.” and seabs rubs along the long, smooth planes of jonny’s back, and then the lines of bruises on them, and thinks yeah, he is. 

#seabs come and fetch your robot boyfriend #jonathan toews/brent seabrook #not fic #brent seabrook: kink bodyguard au #i'm not sure how to tag this pls tell me if you think there should be anything #jonny/seabs

[grimaussiewitch]

100 warlock patron pack ideas: part 9

81: You are the chosen one. You know you are! After contacting your church’s “god” in your dreams, they told you you were destined for knighthood. You must carry on their beliefs! Even if your church doesn’t believe that you are the chosen one. They will all know…

82: You had a job that required respect. A sherif, scientist or teacher, whatever it was, you loved to help people and for them to respect you and your work. You’re the best at it! Well, now that you took over the head of your job, that respect has slowly faded. You are nothing but a joke. Something to laugh at. A pathetic man. Nothing you do makes people respect you or your title! You needed a breather. On a walk you stumble into a place that boarders the mortal realm and feywilds. Not quite one or the other. A perfect blend. You stumble into a bunch of friendly fairies. You chat and soon vent about your frustrations about not being respected. They understand. They understand so much that they want to help! You just have to make a deal.

83: You have found yourself in lots of debt. Gambling isn’t a great thing for anyone. In the casino, a man in a white shirt and suspenders walks up to you. He says he’s the owner of the casino and noticed you’re all out of luck and money. A course, there’s a few ways you can help. One being you sell your soul. Thinking it was a joke, you agreed. Just remember, the house all ways wins.

84: You grew up as a doomsday prepper. You fear that one day someone or some god will destroy the mortal world. So you have been collecting gear to fend off any sort of evil corruption that will be brought into the world. One night you dreamt that you were in paradise. A shiny, holy world. A celestial being was the leader in the dream. You were very weary at first because this is a higher being! They could destroy you at any moment and you don’t have your weapons to defend yourself. Well, turns out after talking for a bit they are very nice. You relaxed and started enjoying the dream. Just before you woke up the celestial being offered you a deal. They create packs with potential warlocks to one day join their paradise. As long as you help people and do small tasks for them, when end days comes you will be rewarded a seat in their peaceful realm. You accept and then awake in your bed. Your right hand feels tingly, a slight burning sensation in your palm. A symbol burned into your hand, sealing your contract. Well off you go helping people!

85: You are an aasimar who has fallen from grace. You do remember how you got here because some certain celestial high ups do know. One of them presents themselves to you. They are sickened at the sight of you but due to a jury vote, they are allowing you to become better. You want to be a good aasimar again? Become a warlock for the celestial angels. You reluctantly agree. Who knows how long it will take for you to get your wings back and on good grace with the heavens above.

86: You are one with nature. You love the animals, the trees and the cycle of life! One one of your many nature trips, you ran into a dryad. You haven’t met someone like this before so it was exciting. You kept coming back to that spot to have small chit chats. After a few months of this routine, the dryad asks you an important question. How do you feel about expanding nature? Become their warlock and you can help spread natures spores throughout the land! Get rid of pesky people that destroy the environment! You love nature too much to not dismiss this deal!

87: You were once a pirate but after years off crapy jobs and barely any gold in your own pockets, you decided to lay low. It’s been peaceful for the last few years. Sometimes you think of sailing again but you dismiss those feelings. Nothing good came out of it so why bother. Well, that was until you woke up with a ghost pirate captain in your room. He’s seeking out people to collect treasure for him. Why you? It’s best to grab someone who doesn’t have a crew. Will you travel out to see once more or explore the land for this suspicious ghost? You will get powers and more coin you ever did. Sounds like a good pact.

88: You want to start anew. New face, new name. Whatever your past is you want it gone. Stumbling upon a fey will help you with that. They take your face and your name in exchange that you get some powers and become their warlock. Now the pressing question is, do you have a new face and name? Or is there nothing?

89: You are afraid of everything. The cold, cats, water, the sun and so on. Your “friends” decided on an intervention. Sacrifice your personality and soul to the old ancient ones. They want the end results have your mind whipped clean, a fresh new start. A new personality and no more fears. But during the the sacrifice, you were able to talk to the old ones. You don’t want to lose yourself, your soul is yours. Sure you are a coward but you are not a blank canvas. They made a deal with you, become a warlock and you get to keep yourself. Eldritch horrors is terrifying but beats losing your personality. These “friends” scare you more. But seeing their faces was so worth it.

90: There is an ancient god of forgiveness and redemption. They put the souls of the worst wicked beings into weapons to gift to their champions and warlocks. You are one. You want to bring hope to the world and help this lost soul bounded in your sword. They bloody hate you and the god. Chain smoking, liquor drinking bitch. You will help them become a better person, you swear it!

#grim talks #dnd #dnd warlock #warlock #warlock patron #warlock pack #patron #patron pack #inspiration #prompt

[yayneloveart]

Trials and Trimesters, Chapter 8

It's just you and I, little one.

Ryunosuke sat outside the courtroom, his hands on his rounded belly as the baby kicked and rolled inside him. The baby's level of excitement tended to be inverse to the excitement going on outside the womb; they stayed still as could be in the active courtroom, but once Ryunosuke entered the quiet antechamber they began moving.

Earlier in the courtroom, everyone involved were causing a ruckus with accusations and rebuttals and threats and insults. Furst and Fairplay loudly defended their innocence, even after the blood on the skylight was revealed, and the jury debated over what this meant. Van Zieks repeated that the crime scene was tampered with, and McGilded acted like a totally innocent bystander in all of this.

Kazuma had taken a moment to turn back to check on Ryunosuke. He still looked exhausted, and the chaos around him only added more stress. Kazuma kneeled down and took one of his hands in his.

"Go to the antechamber and rest, the trial will not last much longer," he told him.

"But…" Ryunosuke started to say, "I promised I would be here with you…"

Kazuma shook his head. "If I knew this case would last this long and be this hard, I would have never asked you to be here with me. You've helped plenty today, now go and enjoy the quiet while we finish."

Ryunosuke did not object. Kazuma helped pull him to his feet and squeezed his hand in reassurance.

"Before I go…" Ryunosuke hesitated. "I need you to know something. I don't know if this is related to this case, but I overheard something when I left to use the restroom earlier."

"What is it?"

"I walked into the men's room by accident, and inside I heard some gentlemen talking. They were talking like they just did something they weren't supposed to do, and they were hired to do it. I only think it could be related because they said they were not seen because of some 'fog', and that they were hired by a very rich man to do it."

Kazuma did not respond, only looking away to think for a moment about what he just heard.

"I know this is bad for us, but I didn't want to keep this from you."

"No… I appreciate your honesty," was his response. "Truth is above all, even if it hurts us."

Kazuma let go of Ryunosuke's hand, signaling him to take his leave. Now outside the courtroom, he could still hear the shouting coming from the attorney's tables and jury and the stand, but he couldn't distinguish who was saying what.

You're lucky you don't have to worry about any of this, baby. My head hurts trying to figure out what's the truth and what's been tampered with.

From all the shouting one voice began to stand out. It was McGilded, sounding completely different now. Previously he kept up a cool and well versed persona, but that was now gone. He sounded angry, shouting something about the evidence and the lawyers and a few things Ryunosuke couldn’t make out. He stood to move closer to the door, listening closely to the voices talking on the other side.

“I cannot deny the possibility that this evidence could very well be fake…” He caught Kazuma saying. He sounded tired, no longer willing to appear unfazed by the chaos.

A loud shout was ripped from McGilded, silencing everyone else in the courtroom. “This trial… is over…” he started, moving into a rant about memories and recollections and what was present there and then. He made some unsavory comments about van Zieks and even threw a few towards his own counsel. He ended his ranting on the conclusion that whether or not the evidence was fake, the prosecution still had not presented any indisputable evidence of his guilt.

Kazuma said that too… that all their evidence was circumstantial. There is no way to prove his guilt or innocence beyond a reasonable doubt.

The judge seemed to agree to this sentiment, as he sounded like he was ready to rule in the case. Ryunosuke opened the door a crack and walked in just in time to hear Kazuma give his closing statement.

“Having been hired as the defendant’s lawyer in a last minute effort, I was not afforded the time to do any investigation prior to the trial,” Kazuma began. “I came into this trial completely blind to its circumstances and to whom my client is. I still went ahead and worked hard to find the truth under all the evidence and testimony. However, there wasn’t enough to establish a truth, a truth beyond reasonable doubt. As his counsel, I want to believe my client is totally innocent of these charges, and that he doesn’t deserve the punishment that comes with being found guilty of murder.”

“But I feel that despite my efforts, I only got as far as placing reasonable doubt on his guilt instead of total innocence. The idea of reasonable doubt can save an innocent man from an unfortunate situation, or set free a criminal who cleaned up after themselves. Whichever the case, it is found to be better that we let ten guilty men go free than let one innocent man suffer.”

Ryunosuke ignored everyone else speaking at that moment, moving to stand by Kazuma and taking his hand. He did not look up from where he was staring down at the court documents, but he curled his fingers around his partner's hand.

The judge announced his verdict, and a shower of confetti began to fall over them. Ryunosuke looked up to see fireworks exploding above them, somehow not igniting the confetti or setting the whole room on fire. He normally loved the sight of fireworks, but these ones felt wrong to him. There was no joy to be found in them.

—

The defendant’s antechamber was chilly from the window still being open a crack. When it was broken it could no longer close properly, and now let in some of the cold February air.

“My… heartfelt congratulations, Kazuma-sama,” Susato bowed to him. “This was your first victory on foreign soil.”

“And to you, Susato-kun,” Kazuma said with little real joy in his voice. “Thank you for your assistance.”

They fell to silence, not sure what else to say. They all shared the same feelings and thoughts on the matter, and there was no point in dwelling on what they couldn't change.

“I only wish we could know the truth…” Ryunosuke sighed. “I don't think I'll ever stop wondering what really happened in that omnibus…”

A comically loud growl coming from Ryunosuke’s stomach pulled them out of their dejection.

“Let's focus on finding food and shelter now,” Kazuma laughed. “I need to make sure my spouse and child are properly fed.”

"Aren't ya forgetting someting, lad?" They turned to see McGilded and the Lestrade girl standing behind them. "I still owe you a tousand guineas."

"That won't be necessary," Kazuma coldly waved him off.

"Are ya sure? Not everyone is as generous as me when it comes to paying their lawyer."

"I don't need your blood money."

McGilded was back to his lighthearted carefree self, just smiling at Kazuma's icy comment. "Well, let me give the wife a little someting, to buy your wean someting nice once it's born."

He flipped a coin to Ryunosuke, which hit him in the eye and almost hit the floor before he caught it. Before he knew it, McGilded was gone, having gone with a court officer back into the courtroom. Now they were left with the teenager, who didn’t seem too happy to be there. She pulled out her smoke grenade launcher and began to load it. Kazuma audibly groaned and rolled his eyes.

“Don’t move!” she told them, aiming the gun at them.

“Not that I enjoy being hit with smoke bombs…” Kazuma sighed, “But please refrain from firing that while my pregnant wife is in the room.”

"... yer a grown-up…"

"... an astute observation…"

"... and I 'ate all grown ups…"

"Spoken like someone let down by all the adults in her life…"

"Naughty, naughty! Running off like that!" Ryunosuke almost jumped out of his skin when he heard a child's voice right behind him. He turned to find a young girl in the antechamber with them, and she was looking right at Miss Lestrade. Something was familiar about the girl, but Ryunosuke couldn't think why. He's definitely never seen her before, he had only seen a handful of British people before leaving Japan, but something about her stirred a memory in the back of his mind.

"Oh, do you want to play? You won't beat me!" The girl cheerfully pulled out a gun larger than the one Lestrade was holding and aimed it straight at her.

"I don't think having a smoke grenade fight indoors is a wise idea," Kazuma tried to talk down the two young ladies with guns. "Now if I may ask, who are you, Miss?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm the inventor of that machine there," she smiled proudly. "Aren't normal smoke grenades so boring? I thought that maybe adding colors could make it more fun!"

… are all British completely insane?!

"I took my eye off of that for one second while changing omnibuses and she pinched it!"

Before they knew it, the little girl was dragging Lestrade out of the antechamber. They soon followed, not wanting to be caught up in any more courtroom antics that day.

---

Once outside, they followed a path set by Susato to find the best area for their lodgings, according to her research of London. Had they taken a moment to look back at the courthouse, they would have seen black smoke emerging from the broken window.

#asoryu #asouryu #asoryuu #asouryuu #asoryu baby au

[maurerdolan27]

Not Sure How To Choose An Attorney? Read These Tips!

When you need to find a new lawyer, it can be overwhelming to search. With so many to choose from, it can be hard to know who is trustworthy. That is what this article is all about - helping you navigate you way through the complexities of choosing a good lawyer. When you truly need a lawyer who specializes in a specific field, choose one. While you may have a lawyer who you trust implicitly, they may not know enough to truly handle your case in a manner which leads to a positive outcome. Ask that lawyer for who they might recommend instead. Stay as organized as possible when you are working with a lawyer. This means that you should have all of the documentation in relation to your case on hand at all times. If you are unorganized, your lawyer can lose valuable time planning a strategy for your case, which may result in a loss. Choose a lawyer for a reason, not because of a fancy ad, commercial, or slick website. Rather, you need to do adequate research so that you end up with the best possible candidate. When I used a lawyer without doing my research, the situation turned out badly. Don't make a haphazard mistake that's easily avoided. It is important to think about the specialty of a lawyer your are hiring. You want to make sure you hire the lawyer you need. You do not want to hire a lawyer that specializes in criminal law to do your estate planning. Choosing a lawyer that specializes in whatever area of law you need, will guarantee you get someone who has a lot of experience in that area and can do a good job. A good tip to keep in mind when hiring a lawyer is to be very wary of any lawyer who seems more interested in getting paid than winning your case. There are Notary Saskatoon out there who will try to get you to pay a contingency fee, or even get you to mortgage your house. Be realistic about what you can spend. While you might think that you have a good case it could be very expensive. Be sure you know just how much any lawyer you are thinking of hiring will charge you. Discuss your budget and the things you need to have accomplished within that budget. Learn what can add to your cost. Look for people who have experienced similar problems and ask them which lawyers they used. Your friends and relatives might be helpful but do not follow their suggestions unless you need a lawyer for the same kind of issues. Use the different resources available in your community, such as support groups. When hiring a lawyer, ask them who exactly will be dealing with your case. Many times it will not be the big name head of the firm, but instead someone below them who has a clearer schedule. If this doesn't appeal to you, choose another law firm for your needs. Most lawyers will agree to meet with you for free so you can explain your problem and get some useful advice. You should plan on meeting with different lawyers to get several professional opinions and compare fees. Spend a few weeks meeting with different lawyers before you decide to hire one. You should make sure you have a solid case before attacking someone in court. Keep in mind that some lawyers only have their own interest in mind and will advise you to go to court regardless of how solid your case is. Present your case to different professionals and do some research on your own before you go to court. When it comes to choosing a lawyer, always trust your instincts. Do you feel like he's trying to sell you something? Does he seem like he lacks competence? Does she seem nervous? If you feel uncomfortable believing what the lawyer says, so will a judge or jury, so move on. A good, honest lawyer is necessary when you have a legal issue. Use the tips here to help you find a great lawyer. It's important to select the right lawyer because a bad match can cause you lots of trouble.

#Notary public Saskatoon

[ellegaardwhitaker95]

Not Sure How To Choose An Attorney? Read These Tips!

When you need to find a new lawyer, it can be overwhelming to search. With so many to choose from, it can be hard to know who is trustworthy. That is what this article is all about - helping you navigate you way through the complexities of choosing a good lawyer. When you truly need a lawyer who specializes in a specific field, choose one. While you may have a lawyer who you trust implicitly, they may not know enough to truly handle your case in a manner which leads to a positive outcome. Ask that lawyer for who they might recommend instead. Stay as organized as possible when you are working with a lawyer. This means that you should have all of the documentation in relation to your case on hand at all times. If you are unorganized, your lawyer can lose valuable time planning a strategy for your case, which may result in a loss. Choose a lawyer for a reason, not because of a fancy ad, commercial, or slick website. Rather, you need to do adequate research so that you end up with the best possible candidate. When I used a lawyer without doing my research, the situation turned out badly. Don't make a haphazard mistake that's easily avoided. It is important to think about the specialty of a lawyer your are hiring. You want to make sure you hire the lawyer you need. You do not want to hire a lawyer that specializes in criminal law to do your estate planning. Choosing a lawyer that specializes in whatever area of law you need, will guarantee you get someone who has a lot of experience in that area and can do a good job. A good tip to keep in mind when hiring a lawyer is to be very wary of any lawyer who seems more interested in getting paid than winning your case. There are many unscrupulous lawyers out there who will try to get you to pay a contingency fee, or even get you to mortgage your house. Be realistic about what you can spend. While you might think that you have a good case it could be very expensive. Be sure you know just how much any lawyer you are thinking of hiring will charge you. Discuss your budget and the things you need to have accomplished within that budget. Learn what can add to your cost. Look for people who have experienced similar problems and ask them which lawyers they used. Your friends and relatives might be helpful but do not follow their suggestions unless you need a lawyer for the same kind of issues. Use the different resources available in your community, such as support groups. When hiring a lawyer, ask them who exactly will be dealing with your case. Many times it will not be the big name head of the firm, but instead someone below them who has a clearer schedule. If this doesn't appeal to you, choose another law firm for your needs. Most lawyers will agree to meet with you for free so you can explain your problem and get some useful advice. You should plan on meeting with different lawyers to get several professional opinions and compare fees. Spend a few weeks meeting with different lawyers before you decide to hire one. You should make sure you have a solid case before attacking someone in court. Keep in mind that some lawyers only have their own interest in mind and will advise you to go to court regardless of how solid your case is. Present your case to different professionals and do some research on your own before you go to court. When it comes to choosing a lawyer, always trust your instincts. Do you feel like he's trying to sell you something? Does he seem like he lacks competence? Does she seem nervous? If you feel uncomfortable believing what the lawyer says, so will a judge or jury, so move on. A good, honest lawyer is necessary when you have a legal issue. Use the tips here to help you find a great lawyer. Notary public Saskatoon to select the right lawyer because a bad match can cause you lots of trouble.

#Notary Saskatoon

[mcphersonmcginnis32]

Not Sure How To Choose An Attorney? Read These Tips!

When you need to find a new lawyer, it can be overwhelming to search. With so many to choose from, it can be hard to know who is trustworthy. That is what this article is all about - helping you navigate you way through the complexities of choosing a good lawyer. When you truly need a lawyer who specializes in a specific field, choose one. While you may have a lawyer who you trust implicitly, they may not know enough to truly handle your case in a manner which leads to a positive outcome. Ask that lawyer for who they might recommend instead. Stay as organized as possible when you are working with a lawyer. This means that you should have all of the documentation in relation to your case on hand at all times. If you are unorganized, your lawyer can lose valuable time planning a strategy for your case, which may result in a loss. Choose a lawyer for a reason, not because of a fancy ad, commercial, or slick website. Rather, you need to do adequate research so that you end up with the best possible candidate. When I used a lawyer without doing my research, the situation turned out badly. Don't make a haphazard mistake that's easily avoided. It is important to think about the specialty of a lawyer your are hiring. You want to make sure you hire the lawyer you need. You do not want to hire a lawyer that specializes in criminal law to do your estate planning. Choosing a lawyer that specializes in whatever area of law you need, will guarantee you get someone who has a lot of experience in that area and can do a good job. A good tip to keep in mind when hiring a lawyer is to be very wary of any lawyer who seems more interested in getting paid than winning your case. There are many unscrupulous lawyers out there who will try to get you to pay a contingency fee, or even get you to mortgage your house. Be realistic about what you can spend. While you might think that you have a good case it could be very expensive. Be sure you know just how much any lawyer you are thinking of hiring will charge you. Discuss your budget and the things you need to have accomplished within that budget. Learn what can add to your cost. Look for Notary Saskatoon who have experienced similar problems and ask them which lawyers they used. Your friends and relatives might be helpful but do not follow their suggestions unless you need a lawyer for the same kind of issues. Use the different resources available in your community, such as support groups. When hiring a lawyer, ask them who exactly will be dealing with your case. Many times it will not be the big name head of the firm, but instead someone below them who has a clearer schedule. If this doesn't appeal to you, choose another law firm for your needs. Most lawyers will agree to meet with you for free so you can explain your problem and get some useful advice. You should plan on meeting with different lawyers to get several professional opinions and compare fees. Spend a few weeks meeting with different lawyers before you decide to hire one. You should make sure you have a solid case before attacking someone in court. Keep in mind that some lawyers only have their own interest in mind and will advise you to go to court regardless of how solid your case is. Present your case to different professionals and do some research on your own before you go to court. When it comes to choosing a lawyer, always trust your instincts. Do you feel like he's trying to sell you something? Does he seem like he lacks competence? Does she seem nervous? If you feel uncomfortable believing what the lawyer says, so will a judge or jury, so move on. A good, honest lawyer is necessary when you have a legal issue. Use the tips here to help you find a great lawyer. It's important to select the right lawyer because a bad match can cause you lots of trouble.

#Notary public Saskatoon