#get so hung up on that that I decided to just not engage unless it felt perfect (it never did and I robbed myself of a lot of moments)

[chelseachilly]

THIS LOVE - chapter three | heaven can’t help me now

pairing: ben chilwell x reader

rating: T

word count: 3.6k

summary: ben invites you to italy for a couple days when chelsea has a friendly against juventus. naturally, you drop everything to go with him. oh, and there may only be one bed in your hotel room...

A/N: hope you guys enjoy this one...things are getting serious ;) please let me know your thoughts, comments make my day!! chapter title from wildest dreams

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How you end up flying to Italy on a Thursday when you should be working a double shift at the hospital and then falling asleep on your couch watching Netflix is honestly beyond you.

The week starts fairly normally. You catch up on some errands, work a shift or two, and hang out with Valerie to bring her up to speed on your slightly hectic life since you started accompanying Ben to every event.

It’s definitely started to be more than you bargained for, as Ben has more social engagements for brands in addition to his busy game schedule, but you take it as a sign that what you’re doing is working. He’s already landed a new, highly lucrative deal with a cologne company that were apparently looking for a footballer who fits the “committed, serious” type rather than the usual playboy - a market Ben now seems to have cornered thanks to your little charade.

While you’re out for lunch with Val on Wednesday, you get a call from Ben asking you to come with him to Italy for a couple days. You know Chelsea are playing Juventus in a friendly on Friday, but you weren’t planning on going. You have to work, for one thing, and you don’t usually go to his away games unless it’s an important one - certainly not a friendly.

Ben explains that a few of the other guys are bringing their significant others since it’s an excuse to go to a romantic city for a couple days, and that Shreya thinks it would be good exposure for you to take a trip together.

While he reiterates a bunch of times that you absolutely don’t have to come and it’s just an idea, you’re already mentally clearing your schedule and assuring him you’ll be there.

“Can you cover my shift tomorrow?” you ask Val as soon as you’ve hung up. “Ben asked me to go with him to the Juventus game.”

“Of course, I couldn’t deny you a romantic trip to Italy with your boyfriend,” Val teases, stealing one of your chips.

“Not romantic, and not my boyfriend,” you remind her. “I’m just helping out a friend.”

“You’ve been helping him a lot lately,” Val observes. “I know he’s your best friend, but remember to set boundaries if you need to, you know?”

The truth is, despite the crazy schedule and the lying and the sudden intrusions into your private life, you haven’t considered pulling out once.

“Right, yeah, I will,” you agree offhandedly, taking a big sip of your glass of wine. “Seriously, though, it’s not such a huge sacrifice on my part. There are worse things than going to Italy on a private jet.”

“That’s true,” Val chuckles. “Think any of Ben’s teammates want a fake girlfriend? Or a real one, for that matter? That Reece James is so fit-“

“And taken,” you cut her off with a laugh. “But I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

The next evening, Ben picks you up with a driver to go to the airport. You’re wearing a comfy Chelsea jumper he gave you a couple years ago with white joggers and blue Nikes that match your top.

“Look at you, super fan,” Ben says with a smile as he grabs your bags from you and loads them into the boot of the car.

“Yeah, well, I figure if I’m travelling with the team I should dress appropriately,” you grin. “You ready for tomorrow?”

Ben nods without saying anything as you both get into the backseat.

Aside from the obvious reasons you decided to come with him, there’s another lingering in the back of your mind. You want to be there to support Ben - not as a fake girlfriend, but as his best friend.

It’s by no means the most important game of his career, but it is the first time he’s playing against Juventus since he tore his ACL two years ago, and you know it has to be weighing on him a bit.

Seeing him get hurt like that was one of the worst moments of your life, so you can only imagine how awful it was for him.

He’s obviously long healed now and is probably the most fit he’s ever been, but you know him well enough to know that he’s thinking about it as you sit in comfortable silence on your way to the airport.

He finally breaks the silence when he gets a text and turns to you with a slightly apologetic look on his face.

“That was our club travel manager, apparently all the rooms at the hotel we’re staying at are booked,” he says. “She said she can get mine upgraded to two beds, though, are you okay to share? It just might look suspicious if you stay at a different hotel.”

“Yeah, sure,” you shrug. “Are you guys allowed to share a room with your significant others the night before a match, though?”

“Not usually, but I guess since it’s just a friendly they’re making an exception,” Ben explains. “We don’t play til tomorrow night, either, so that helps. I think most of the lads care more about taking their girls on a nice trip than whether we win, honestly.”

“Well, I’m not flying all the way to Italy to watch you lose,” you tease, poking his ribs. “So lights out by midnight, Benji.”

“Buzzkill,” Ben mutters with a smile, no longer seeming nearly as tense as he was a few minutes ago.

You board the Chelsea plane and say hello to everyone as you get on before settling in your seats, enjoying the luxury of the private jet.

It’s only a two-hour flight, which gives you just enough time to eat dinner, chat a bit with Reece and Mia, and watch a couple episodes of The Office with Ben on his iPad.

You land in Turin around 9 and get checked into the hotel shortly after 10, at which point you and Ben are both exhausted. You worked the morning shift today before Val took over for the second half, and you know Ben was in training at Cobham earlier to prepare for tomorrow’s game.

When you get your key card and make your way to your room, you’re more than ready to collapse on the bed and get a good night’s rest before tomorrow.

Which is exactly what you’re about to do when you realize the issue - there’s only one bed.

“Shit, I asked her for a double room,” Ben murmurs. “There must have been a mix-up. Let me go see what I can do.”

“Ben, it’s fine,” you sigh, dropping your bag on the floor. “You said the hotel is fully booked, so there’s nothing to be done anyways. I can sleep on the couch.”

There’s a small sofa on the other end of the room, certainly big enough for one person, though it doesn’t look particularly comfortable.

“No, you take the bed,” he insists, already walking over to put his stuff on the couch.

“You have a game tomorrow, I’m not letting you get a crappy sleep on the couch,” you reply. “Look, this is dumb, let’s just share the bed. It’s huge.”

It is a massive bed, and it looks so incredibly comfy and inviting right now that it would be a shame for either of you to have to sleep on the sofa.

Plus, you two have shared a bed many times before.  Mostly when you were kids, but still. There’s really nothing weird about it.

Ben just nods in agreement and you go to prepare for bed in the washroom, changing into a silky pair of PJ shorts but leaving on the Chelsea sweatshirt. After you’ve brushed your teeth and finished a fairly brief version of your usual skincare routine, you finally climb into the bed.

“Ugh, this mattress is like a cloud,” you sigh with pleasure as you shift to feel the silky sheets against your legs. “I love posh hotels.”

“I know you do,” Ben laughs at your zen expression and the way you’re stretching out like a cat.

After he’s followed suit and prepared for bed as well, Ben emerges from the bathroom and joins you on the other side of the bed, the mattress dipping slightly with his weight.

Although you know how tired he is, you can practically hear the gears in Ben’s mind whirring as he stares up at the ceiling. Even in the dim lighting of the lamp on his side of the bed, you can tell what he’s thinking about.

“You okay?” you ask quietly, turning on your side to face him.

Ben hesitates for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, just thinking.”

“About the last time you played Juventus?”

He turns to look at you, surprise flashing on his face for a moment before he lets out a sigh.

“Yeah,” he admits. “How did you know?”

“I know you pretty well, Benji” you remind him, settling further into the warmth of the duvet as you continue to face him. “You wanna talk about it?”

He sighs again, avoiding eye contact with you.

“It’s dumb. Obviously nothing like that is gonna happen again, and it’s been two years now,” he says. “I’m just thinking about that moment, you know?”

You try not to think about that moment as much as possible - the sight of him writhing on the grass, clutching his knee, as fear gripped you and didn’t let go while he was helped off the pitch.

“That’s natural, Ben, it was traumatic for you,” you say softly, reaching out to quickly squeeze his arm. “It will be fine, though. You’re going to be fine.”

Ben nods with a small smile, finally meeting your gaze. His eyes soften as they stare into yours, and he bites his lip as he seems to be pondering something.

“I have a confession to make.”

His words make your heart jump for a moment, though you’re not sure why. You nod in encouragement, waiting to hear what he has to say next.

“It wasn’t exactly Shreya’s idea for you to come with me,” Ben admits quietly. “I mean, she agreed it would be good for PR once I suggested it, but I was the one that wanted you to come.”

“Oh,” you breathe, your heart continuing to beat erratically for some unknown reason. “Why?”

“I just…thought it would be easier with you here,” he confesses. “You make everything easier.”

You clench your jaw as you try to fight back the tears threatening to form in your eyes at his earnest display of emotion. You know that you’re the only person he is this vulnerable with, the only one who gets to see this side of him.

“I’m sorry I lied to you, though, I just didn’t want to seem…weak, I guess,” Ben says with a small yawn.

“You know showing emotion doesn’t make you weak, Ben,” you remind him. “It makes you stronger, actually.”

This was something you drilled into him in the aftermath of his injury, every time he would try to downplay the toll it was taking on him. His other friends and family may have believed him, but you always saw right through it.

“I know,” Ben smiles. “You taught me that. And therapy and a lot of self-reflection, but mostly you.”

Before you can reply, Ben’s eyes fall shut and you can tell he’s asleep just moments later, the day catching up with him.

You typically read or watch YouTube on your phone before bed, but tonight, you find yourself watching him. His peaceful expression and the warmth he radiates even with a good amount of space between you in the bed are oddly comforting.

You drift off into a blissful sleep within minutes.

-

When you wake up the next morning, you’re feeling more content than you have in a long time.

There’s something soft pressed against your cheek, and your entire body feels warm. It almost feels like you’re still in the middle of a good dream that you’re reluctant to wake up from.

It’s only as you begin to gain more consciousness that you realize it’s not a dream - you’re in Italy. With Ben. Who you are completely cuddling with right now.

You’re laying half on top of him, your cheek pressed to his chest and your arm around his waist. Your legs are tangled with his and his arms are loosely wrapped around you, holding you in place.

You must have gravitated closer to each other through the night without realizing it.

It’s a bit strange, as you’re not much of a cuddler and very used to sleeping alone, but you try not to read into it. Or how comfortable and right it feels.

You don’t really want to move, but you want to avoid any potential awkwardness if Ben wakes up and you’re still in this position, so you make an attempt to roll away.

As soon as you try to slip out of his grasp, though, his arms tighten around you and he mumbles something in his sleep that sounds a lot like your name.

Now pressed even closer to him, your nose buried in his neck, you can’t help but lay still for a moment and breathe in his scent - the scent that reminds you of late night drives in his dad’s car and movie nights with him and Oscar and warm hugs after he won a game. It’s the smell of familiarity and comfort.

It’s…Ben.

Something begins to bubble up in your stomach and you quickly pull away from him, moving to your own side of the bed. He groans slightly as he’s woken up by the sharp movement, his eyes fluttering open.

“What time is it?” he mumbles to you, and you glance over at the alarm clock.

“It’s half seven, you can sleep another half hour before training,” you tell him quietly.

“Mm, okay,” Ben murmurs back before closing his eyes again and drifting off.

No longer feeling tired, you slip out of bed to shower and get ready for the day ahead of you.

You’re already dressed and out on the town in search of some good coffee - which shouldn’t be hard in Italy - to give you some energy.

The crisp morning air also helps you shake off the feeling of unease at how much you enjoyed waking up in Ben’s arms.

By the time you return from your walk, Ben has already gone to training. He’s left a few pastries from the hotel breakfast for you, which you devour before texting Mia to make your plans for the game later.

Kick-off is at seven, so you and a bunch of the other WAGs make plans to go for an early dinner. Until then, you spend most of your day watching reality TV in the hotel room and enjoying the relaxing break from reality.

Before dinner, you get dressed in a simple outfit of jeans and a long-sleeve white t-shirt to wear underneath Ben’s kit. You’re not sure if it’s just that you have some time to kill or some other reason, but you find yourself putting more effort into your hair and makeup than usual, making sure it looks perfect before you leave.

The meal is nice - you have a huge bowl of pasta and a couple glasses of wine as you chat with the other girls. You’ve gotten pretty used to talking about Ben as if he’s your boyfriend at this point, fielding questions about your relationship with ease.

“You’re getting good at this,” Mia whispers to you when the others aren’t paying attention, and you feel yourself blushing. “I’m almost starting to believe it myself.”

There’s a nagging feeling in your chest at her words that doesn’t go away until you’re at the stadium and the game begins, giving you something to focus on.

Your heart rate does pick up a bit as you watch Ben play, even though you know there’s no merit to his superstitions about playing against Juventus again.

Thankfully, the game ends with no injuries and Chelsea up 3-0. Ben also plays exceptionally well, overwhelming you with pride as he gives a stellar defensive performance and makes some key tackles, as well as contributing to the offense with an assist.

The boys decide to celebrate the win by going to a club near the hotel. Almost two hours and a few drinks later, you find yourself sitting next to Ben and Conor, talking excitedly about the game today and how well they’ve been playing lately.

“I’ve seen you play more than anyone, and I’m telling you that last game against Newcastle was one of your best performances ever,” you say emphatically.

You’re a bit tipsy and close enough to Ben that your legs are touching, even closer when he rests his arm on the cushion behind you.

“You’re taking the piss,” Ben rolls his eyes with a smile, because deep down, he knows you’re right. He has been at his best lately, and you both know it.

“Let your girl compliment you, mate,” Conor says with a grin. “She’s right.”

“Exactly,” you say, “I’m always right.”

You’re expecting Ben to argue and make a cheeky comment about how you’re not always right with an embarrassing story to back it up, but instead, he just turns his head to look you in the eyes and smiles softly.

“Yeah, you are.”

Your heart is already starting to flutter when Ben reaches to take a sip of his drink and, after setting the glass back down, lets his hand settle on your thigh.

His palm is warm and heavy as it rests there, Ben continuing to talk with Conor as you try to determine whether this display of casual affection is part of the act or something more. You’re not entirely sure what you want the answer to be.

Eventually, Ben retreats to the bar to get you both another drink, leaving you chatting with Conor’s girlfriend Aine.

You don’t know her very well, but you find it easy enough to make small talk. She’s a lovely girl who’s been with Conor for years, and it’s always nice to make a new friend.

Your night is going pretty well, really. The guys won, you’re buzzed, you’re in a beautiful city in a foreign country. You’re enjoying the music and the conversation and spending time with Ben. Soon, you’ll probably both be tired enough to go back to your room and watch a film together.

And maybe you’ll end up sleeping in his arms again. Platonically, of course.

You’re trying not to get too excited at the thought when you suddenly realize Ben has been at the bar for a long time, and you glance over to see why.

Which is when your eyes land upon him engaged in conversation with a beautiful woman. She’s tall, blonde, gorgeous, and nothing like you. She’s exactly the type of girl Ben usually goes for.

You don’t know why, but you hadn’t considered the fact that he might be continuing to hook up with girls since you began your fake relationship. There’s no reason why he wouldn’t, now that you think about it, and the whole point of this thing is to get the press off his back without having to actually settle down.

You’ve seen him flirt with countless girls before and never experienced more than mild amusement, but that is definitely not how you feel right now.

You feel…shit.

You’re jealous.

“You alright, Y/N?” Aine asks you gently, reaching out to touch your hand. “You’ve just gone a bit pale.”

“Um, yeah, thanks,” you say quickly, forcing a smile. “It’s just a bit hot in here, I think.”

It’s definitely not, and Aine obviously knows that, but you don’t know each other well enough for her to press you further, thankfully.

Ben walks over a few minutes later and asks to speak with you privately, and you follow him to a quieter part of the club.

“So, that girl over there asked me to go back to her place, and I think I’m gonna go.”

You try to regulate the way your face falls at this information, but you’re obviously unsuccessful, as Ben immediately furrows his eyebrows.

“Oh, don’t worry, she’s not gonna leak anything,” Ben says quickly. “She doesn’t have any idea who I am, I didn’t even tell her my last name. It’s just a one-night thing.”

Right. Because him jeopardizing the fake relationship he asked you to take part in for his sake would be the logical thing for you to be upset about.

“Okay,” is all you can manage to say.

“Alright,” Ben smiles, squeezing your shoulder. “You’ll be alright getting back by yourself? I can ask Reece to-“

“It’s across the street, Ben, I’ll be fine,” you blurt out, coming off a bit harsher than you meant. When he frowns, you just sigh and plaster on a fake smile. “Sorry, just tired. I’ll probably head to bed soon.”

“You must be glad you don’t have to share with me again,” Ben jokes, not knowing how far from the truth that is.

“Yeah.”

“Thanks again for coming, Y/N,” he says sincerely. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Ben leaves you with a peck to your forehead and an ache in your chest that doesn’t go away for the rest of the night.

Especially not when you close your eyes in a bed that suddenly feels too empty and too cold, and all you can picture is Ben’s arms wrapped around another girl.

tag list: @lunamelona @kathb59 @captainwans​ @amandaaa1025 @bbygrlllllll @cinderellawithashoe​ @batmansb1tch​ @ncentic​ (let me know if you would like to be added!)

#ben chilwell #ben chilwell x reader #ben chilwell imagine #chelsea fc imagine #this love #my fics

[carlsdarling]

A fic where the reader and Carl are playing truth or dare and it gets more explicit the longer they play 🤭 you can say no

Truth or Dare

Carl and Y/N are bored and play truth or dare and it becomes juicy... Bit of a plot, then sex. Everyone is 18 or over.

WARNINGS: smut, nsfw

As was often the case, you and Carl hung out in his room, bored. As nice as it was to not have all the pre-apocalypse obligations (no one was bugging you anymore about applying to colleges and building your futures) all that free time brought other problems.

Specifically, a lot of boredom. Life within the walls of Alexandria was tranquil and mostly uneventful unless supply runs were coming up, walkers were scratching at the door, or Negan showed up.

"What should we do?" asked Carl languidly, setting aside the game controller. "I don't feel like gaming anymore." He yawned.

"How about Truth or Dare?" you suggested.

Carl shrugged his shoulders. "All right. I'll start. Whatcha gonna choose?"

"Dare," you replied.

"Okay. Massage my neck. I’m sore", Carl grinned and stretched out on the bed, invitingly. You sat down next to him and worked his tense muscles until he was relaxing and closed his eye. His skin felt warm under your fingers.

"That's enough," you then announced. "Your turn."

"Truth," Carl said wearily. He seemed to have appreciated your massage.

You regarded him mischievously. "How often do you masturbate?"

Carl turned bright red. "That's not fair," he protested.

"Yes, it is," you chuckled, "You had the choice."

Carl writhed in embarrassment, holding his hands to his face. "Uum... usually once a day?"

You squeaked with amusement. "Every day? Oh my God, Carl!" You bent over laughing.

"Enough of that," Carl tried to end the subject, clearing his throat. "Your turn." You could tell by Carl's face that you were now facing a similarly awkward question, so you decided to go with Dare. "Go find Eugene and ask him for condoms."

Your mouth was wide open. "You can't be serious," you grumbled, "Why Eugene of all people? And what would he think of me?"

Carl laughed gleefully. "Well, that's your problem. Come on, get out of here."

Sighing, you walked out. You found Eugene outside the church, chatting with Gabriel. "Eugene, can I talk to you alone for a minute?" you asked. He moved away with you a few steps. "I need condoms," you informed him in a straightforward manner. You wanted to get the task over with.

Eugene stared at you. "Condoms are used to perform activities of breeding without actually breeding," he then pontificated. "So do you want to engage in such activities?" He raised his eyebrows curiously.

"No, um... it's just that, I lost a bet," you mumbled.

Eugene looked like he didn't believe you. "Alright, well, I need to get some from storage," he then announced.

Mortified, you took the condoms from him a little later and returned to Carl, where you threw them on the floor in front of him. "That was mean," you fretted, "just you wait. I'm gonna get my revenge. Truth or Dare?"

Carl looked uncertain. "Umm... Truth," he chose, not wanting to be sent on an embarrassing mission, too.

"Have you ever tried putting on a condom?" He stared at you, disconcerted. "Yes or no, Carl?"

"Uum... yes," he then confessed. "Just to try it out to see if I could deal with it." He played with the blanket. Somehow you found the idea of Carl touching himself and experimenting with condoms sexy, and involuntarily you imagined him naked. "Truth or Dare?"

"Truth," you said.

"Have you ever had sex?"

You sighed in frustration. "Yes, once." It hadn't been particularly thrilling, but Carl looked impressed. "Okay, Carl, your turn."

"Dare."

"Put one of those condoms on right now."

"Uum... what?" he stammered. When you just looked at him, grinning, he picked up the condoms from the floor, placed them beside him, and fumbled hesitantly with the buttons on his jeans. Uncertainly, he then exposed himself, and you were amused to note that his cock was half-erect, sticking out from the tuft of dark pubic hair. "I've never been naked in front of anyone before," Carl murmured quietly and eyed you reluctantly.

You snickered and sat down next to him, and somehow the two of you ended up hugging and kissing, and your hand moved to Carl's lap. You began to gently stroke his cock, and it immediately became completely erected. It felt warm and hard at the same time, like steel covered in velvet. Carl moaned in delight. A little bit of moisture showed at his tip. "It's so good," he sighed, and lay backwards on the bed while you jerked him off. You enjoyed watching him having his pleasure. Carl squirmed under your caresses, moaning. He was so cute when he was aroused - his eye was closed, his face flushed, his mouth half open and his hair slightly messed up. You wondered if he looked the same when he was pleasuring himself. He moved his hips urgently, and more precum leaked out and poured over your hand. You bent down to kiss Carl. He put his arms around you, and his moans increased as he reached for your hand, closed it tighter around his cock, and showed you how he liked it best. "Faster," he whispered breathlessly. "Oh, please, Y/N, go faster." He whimpered and whined, clinging to you. "I'm cumming," he sighed then, only a split second later he shot his load.

Some of it had landed on your shirt. "Tzzzzzzz, Carl," you scolded him jokingly. "Look what you've done." He glanced at you from under half-closed eyelid, relaxed and happy. You lay down next to him to cuddle up with him.

"Truth or Dare?" he whispered, kissing you.

#the walking dead #twd #carl grimes fanfiction #carl grimes x reader #carl grimes x y/n #carl grimes smut #carl fanfiction #carl grimes #carl grimes imagines

[eddiemunsonw]

Your presence is a gift

Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

Summary: After announcing your engagement to your boyfriend at Steve's birthday party, Eddie quite literally vanishes from your life. Just yours, though. You miss him terribly and when you run into him again two years later yet again at Steve's birthday party, you ask him for clarity.

CW/Disclaimer: A bit of angst with a happy ending I suppose?

Author's note: This fic came to life after seeing a silly text. I've put the image at the end. :)

Words: 4209

Time flies when you’re having fun, right? That’s what they say. Well, time also flies when you’re not having fun. Unless you’re in an excruciatingly painful disaster, then it’ll feel like you can feel every second painfully ticking by. For you, it felt like a combination of both. 

Every day, he was on your mind. Eddie Munson. Someone you used to consider one of your closest friends. Up until two years ago, you used to hang out several days a week, a little less once you got a boyfriend but you never thought it would change this drastically. To think you hadn’t seen his face in so long felt impossible to you. 

The last time you had seen him had been at Steve’s birthday party two years ago. Since you were sitting on the same stool you sat back then, you couldn’t help but think of him. Honestly, the whole environment reminded you of him. After all, you spent many nights with him, Steve and others here. Playing games, watching movies, talking until the sun came peeking through the trees again. You watched absentmindedly as Steve busied himself with entertaining his guests, occasionally glancing at you with mild concern. You told him you were fine, he just didn’t buy it. Oh well.

You knew it had been quick when you announced your engagement, you had only been dating Trent for about… four months? But he went down on one knee and you were always bad at saying no. Trent insisted on sharing it at Steve’s birthday party. You didn’t exactly want to take the attention away from Steve, but Trent… Well, sometimes it was just easier to agree than not to. Steve had been shocked, but happy for you. Eddie had been… Eddie. And yet he had been nothing like him at all. From being the life of the party he had gone instantly silent, gazing into his glass that he never ended up finishing. He congratulated you eventually, after asking you if you loved him, Trent. And you told him yes. Because who would marry someone who they didn’t love, right? Right.

The year after that, Eddie hadn’t attended Steve’s birthday. Supposedly he was sick but you knew he was simply avoiding you. Steve’s face never held many secrets from you and you could tell that the reason he gave you wasn’t a real one. Your husband had been sitting next to you, indifferent to it all. He frankly found it a little annoying that you were still so hung up over Eddie no longer being your… friend? Was that what it was? It felt like you had lost much more than a friend. 

And that was that. No sign of Eddie since. He canceled on your get togethers, even the group ones, always claimed he was busy with the band which, for some time, seemed like a valid reason considering they were doing pretty well nowadays. However, all of that belief went out the window when you discovered that he did in fact still meet up with his friends. With Steve. Just not with you. Steve didn’t want to meddle, told you that you two should probably talk but Eddie made it impossible. Even when Steve tried to create an ‘accidental run-in’ between you two, Eddie figured it out before you even could arrive and had already bolted. 

You forced yourself to accept that Eddie, for whatever reason, had decided he didn’t want to see you anymore. Maybe he needed time… or something. You couldn’t fathom why, not even when Trent exclaimed that ‘that weirdo’ had probably been waiting to get into your pants and when he realized he couldn’t, he had no more interest in being your ‘friend’. That remark had probably resulted in the biggest fight between you and Trent. Things had felt different after. Though looking back on it, things had never felt good in the first place. It had all just felt… expected and how it should be.

Despite everything, despite Trent’s obvious annoyance, you still sent Eddie a wedding invite. You missed him, you missed your friend more than you thought you could ever miss him. Sometimes, when you had a little too much to drink, you wondered whether there had been more. What if Eddie in fact did have… a desire to get into your pants. What if it wasn’t just a sexual desire. What if Eddie…

It never went much further than that. Eddie being in love with you was such a foreign concept to your brain that you couldn’t even entertain the thought. Not after dealing with your one-sided feelings for him for years. Not after seeing him kiss and take home whoever he felt like over and over and never once looking in your direction. Surely he would have considered you an option if it had been like that.

So, you had invited your friend. Asked Steve whether Eddie had brought it up with him or not. To which Steve responded that Eddie no longer wanted to talk about you. Yet you couldn’t help but hold on to hope. 

It drove Trent insane when you insisted on adding banana flavored ice cream to the dessert options. He told you no one liked banana ice cream because it was rank and that it didn’t even taste like banana. Of course, he figured out who in your social circle did like it. Trent had gotten angry about a lot of trivial things and somehow Eddie was often wedged into the subject. If you were honest, you hadn’t really known Trent all that well before you said yes to his proposal. It was as if the moment he knew he had you, he slowly started to change or rather, be more himself.

Eddie never came to the wedding. No one ordered banana ice cream for dessert.

“Y/N, refill?” Steve interrupted your thoughts. You blinked and quickly propped a smile on your face before meeting his gaze.

“Oh, yes, thank you,” you handed your glass to him and moments later he handed it back to you containing an orange-red liquid. You gazed at it for a moment before addressing him. “Sex on the beach?”

Steve smirked. “That’s the one.” His hand squeezed your shoulder kindly before he joined the others again. He knew it was futile to ask if you wanted to join them, knew you sometimes preferred to just listen along from a distance far enough where you wouldn’t be expected to engage. 

You never could have expected that about an hour later, you would be sharing the balcony space with no other than Eddie Munson. In silence. You went there for some fresh air, he went there to pollute it with his smoke filled exhales. Neither of you acknowledged the other. When you heard the door open you hadn’t even turned around. You had been there a while, so lost in thought that you barely registered it. It hadn’t even occurred to you that he was at the party, that’s how long you had been there. You had never seen him arrive.

However, you didn’t even have to look as much in his direction to know it was him. It was the mix of Old Spice, cigarettes and mint and something entirely Eddie that gave it away. A combination of scents that had quickly become your favorite when you first started to hang out with him. You felt it when he rested his arms on the railing just like you were. You wondered if his heartbeat felt as deafening to him as yours did to you. He could have said something. After everything that you tried, it felt painful to be ignored like that even when you were right next to him. As you were working up the courage to say something, your brain decided to take a plunge into your memory and skip all the polite small talk, instead going for the one thing that had been bothering you for a long time now.

“Why didn’t you come to the wedding?”

Eddie took the slowest drag of his cigarette mankind had ever taken, sighed and lazily inspected the ashes while he flicked them off into the wind. You still weren’t looking at him when he shrugged indifferently.

“Your invitation wasn’t really an invitation.”

An overwhelming surge of emotions clutched and clawed at your chest, begging to be let in or let out, it was hard to tell. You had missed his voice so much. It took you a moment to realize that what he said made no sense at all.

“What do you mean?” Slowly, you dared to look in his direction from the corner of your eye. He was still focused on his cigarette, watching it burn.

“Well,” Eddie started to cite it perfectly, as if he had just held your invite two seconds ago and it was still at the forefront of his mind. “Your presence itself is a gift. We don’t want you to bring any gifts to the wedding.”

For a moment you could only stare at him. Surely he didn’t mean…

“You can’t be serious.”

Eddie’s eyes followed the railing until they landed on your hands and the sublest frown etched into his forehead when he couldn’t spot a wedding ring, or any ring for that matter, on your fingers. Perhaps you were scared of losing it or something. Where was Trent anyway?

“It said I am a gift and to not bring gifts. It’s simple math.”

The indifference in his voice ignites a burning frustration in you. How could he act so casually about this when you had in fact cried (of course not in the presence of Trent) over his absence? How could he act like your years of friendship meant nothing to him, from one day to the other? Eddie, who always fantasized out loud about how you’d still get drunk enough together to think dancing on rooftops was a good idea at the age of 85.

“Everyone got that invitation and they were there,” you gritted out.

Another shrug.

“I’m sorry about that. Maybe they didn’t get it.”

“No, you didn’t get it,” you retorted, your frustration becoming more difficult to contain and be limited to just your thoughts.

“No, Y/N, you didn’t get it. You still don’t,” he mumbled.

You didn’t get it?! Your body was fully turned to him now and Eddie still refused to look at you. It drove you insane.

“Then please, explain to me why you ditched one of your best friends at her wedding after refusing to meet up with her anymore out of the fucking blue?”

“Oh you really don’t think there was something specific that went down that could have possibly caused all of this?” Eddie bit back, his eyes finally meeting yours. You were a little taken aback by the blazing fire they held, though. The hurt within them. As if all of this had somehow been your fault.

“Am I supposed to believe that you were so opposed to the idea of me being happy that you decided you no longer wanted to be anywhere near me, ever again? Is that it? Was it the engagement?”

“Yes. I couldn’t bear watching you throw away the life you had to get with some selfish prick that couldn’t even be bothered to see if you were okay when you tripped because ‘you should watch where you walk’. Who was so fucking different from you he kept wanting to change you, push you into boxes you weren’t. So yes when I heard you were willingly getting into that boat with him forever, I stepped back. What of it?”

He stood facing you directly now, arms crossed tightly over his chest, stance wide. His nostrils flared as he breathed out heavily, eyes wide as saucers as he tried to contain what seemed to be anger, built up frustration.

“Which life?! The one where I just had to miserably watch how everyone around me got settled and slowly slipped into a domestic-white-pickett-fence-with-two-children kind of life?”

“You had us! You had me!” Eddie unknowingly raised his voice, his hands pushed tightly against his chest to stop them from shaking.

“I had friends, yes! Such a crime for me to want something more, huh? Don’t get me wrong, Eddie, but it was only a matter of time before one of those bimbos you hooked up with after gigs became a long-term partner. I’m sure you’ve…” You vaguely gestured at him, his hands, something, because surely he had a great girlfriend by now. Someone that fit him like you never would.

Eddie shook his head vigorously, his wild hair following the movement. He revealed his hands, pointing at his empty ring finger.

“See? Nothing. I’m not like you. I don’t just settle for whoever.” 

You scoffed and revealed your hands.

“No you’re not like me indeed. I got divorced. Guess you win again, congrats.”

For the first time, his hostility faded a little. It was almost as if he wanted to approach you but instead he crossed his arms again, not meeting your eyes.

“Sorry about that, I guess. I didn’t know. Steve never told me.”

“Steve told me you didn’t want to talk about me, so. Not surprised that he didn’t.”

Eddie groaned impatiently, his hands flying up to his hair to run through as he looked inside, where he spotted Steve quickly turning his head away. Fucker.

“He knows why I didn’t want to talk about you though. He should have, I could have— But now instead I’ve been— Fuck!”

“You’re… not making a lot of sense right now, bud,” you remarked dryly.

Another groan, though a bit more whiny.

“Don’t fucking— I’m not your bud alright?”

You rolled your eyes, fed up with him by now. It was as if he had taken four knives to stab you simultaneously with, twisting them occasionally.

“You’re right. You’re nothing to me, apparently. As you wish.”

Both of you were so lost in your own world that you didn’t even notice how Steve had closed off the view to the balcony doors by drawing the curtains to prevent anyone else from coming up. Neither had you noticed that he had in fact locked the doors as well.

“You’re a real bitch, you know that?” Eddie seethed through his teeth, taking a small step closer towards you with his eyes blazing. It was the last straw you needed after this agonizing build up of two years. You had had enough. 

“Oh I’m a bitch?! You literally gave me the cold fucking shoulder from one day to the next, ignored all my calls, all my messages, you literally pretended like I didn’t fucking exist, Eddie! Why would you do something like that, knowing how much it would hurt me? Call me a bitch all you want, but you’re heartless.”

“I’ve been fucking heartless since the goddamn day you stole it, Y/N.”

What? Stunned, you looked up at him to witness the panic that flared up in his eyes and he quickly made a beeline towards the balcony doors.

“Eddie, wait—” 

Eddie shook his head and tried to pry the door open with all his might. He was desperate to get away from you as far as possible.

“Why the fuck can’t I— Steve. Steve! Open the goddamn thing now!”

It didn’t take long for Steve to appear when Eddie started banging loudly on the window. He pulled the curtains around his head, making it look like it was floating amidst the black curtains and promptly shook his head.

“No. Fix it, Munson. Until then, enjoy your stay on the balcony,” Steve told him through the window, right before disappearing again.

“Fuck!”

He kicked against a heavy plant pot for good measure, causing him to swear some more before he meekly faced you again. You had quietly been following the whole ordeal and were still struggling to find the words to respond to any of it.

“So… What was that about me stealing your heart?” you asked softly and you had half the mind to be amused by the expression Eddie had on his face. There was no world where you wouldn’t find him and his panicky expressions at least slightly adorable.

“It sounds even more ridiculous when you say it,” Eddie sighed, slumping down against the door until he sat on the floor.

“Since when?”

“Since forever, man. How could I not?” He gestured at you as if he hated to admit it, arm dropping back down a little too harsh causing him to curse softly.

“How?”

“What do you mean how? It just happens, and I’m not gonna apologize for how I feel about y—”

“No, I mean,” you interrupted him, “you were always… You never gave me the idea that you even considered me that way.” 

Eddie frowned and rested his head against the door as he let go of a long sigh.

“I literally said you were like Arwen to me. And that Aragorn was my favorite.” His pout was a little childlike, as if it had been something that had bothered him for years on end. In fact, it had. You groaned in disbelief.

“I hadn’t read it by then! You wouldn’t tell me why you thought I was like Arwen and told me to just read the book. Which I never did because I was always hanging with you doing other stuff in my free time. And once I did have the time, you were always hooking up with random girls so I didn’t really feel like it anymore.”

“Why would you not want to read Lord of the Rings because I was making out with random chicks?” he asked, clear confusion on his face. He almost looked a little insulted.

“Because I was jealous, you idiot! I wasn’t gonna read a thick book that I was going to read for you when you were busy exploring other people’s throats.”

“I’m afraid I’m not following, Y/N, what do you mean you were jealous? You always shot me those god awful finger guns with a huge grin whenever I went backstage with one of them.” 

“Oh, was I supposed to pull them back by their hair and say something like ‘He’s mine, you bimbo!’ and stick my tongue down your throat instead?” you asked him with a dead panned expression, causing him to chuckle unexpectedly.

“Uh, yeah?! That’s exactly how I imagined it would go, but instead you were all supportive and nice about it so I figured you didn’t give two shits. I even tried two on one night and… nothing! Not even a jealous eyebrow twitch that I know you can do, the way you do when someone gets the best part of a cake with the extra chocolates on it. I was desperate, Y/N.”

You debated sitting across from him but figured the door would be more comfortable against your back, so instead you hesitantly sat down next to him. Eddie didn’t seem to mind, to your relief.

“Ever thought of just… I don’t know, walking up to me and saying you liked me or something?” you asked with a quip of your brow and a soft smile.

“Uh, right back at you.” Eddie rolled his eyes, though he wore the hint of a smile on his face.

“No but, seriously. You kissed random girls during your shows. All you had to do was pick me instead, no?”

Eddie shook his head.

“With them it didn’t matter. With you… if you rejected me, you’d break my heart.”

The silence settled between you again. Heavy, yet not uncomfortable. Eddie exhaled slowly, his shoulder touching yours so light you could have imagined it.

“And then suddenly you introduced Trent to us. I thought, this prick isn’t gonna last a month. You and him? Nah, not in a million years. But then he did. And another, and another, and another. And then… you were engaged. I was convinced it was all just a horrible nightmare. An awful trick played on me. But I just had to accept that I was some random side character in your life and that I had wasted my chance to become anything more.”

He played with the frayed ends of one of the holes in his jeans and exhaled shakily, his fingers trembling slightly. 

“It’s why I asked if you loved him, you know? I thought… maybe. But you said yes, so I had to back away. I wasn’t going to act fair towards you if I didn’t. I— I was a mess, ask Steve. He got fed up with me so many times but he- he’s a good one, y’know. Of course you know. So yeah, I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. The only reason I’m even here is because Steve promised that you weren’t gonna come. And then suddenly…”

“Here I was,” you finished for him. He nodded.

“There you were.” A sigh, a shy glance in your direction. “As beautiful as ever, if not more. I was so shocked to see you that I forgot to leave.”

“I’m glad you didn’t,” you told him softly. “I hope you never will.”

You reached for his trembling fingers and covered them with your own, slowly pushing them apart. Eddie swallowed audibly, his eyes flicking from your hands to your face.

“I’ve missed you,” he confessed in a whisper, his eyes wide and sincere. His thumb softly caressed your pinky.

“I’ve missed you too.” A beat of silence. “I put banana ice cream on the menu, you know.”

Eddie turned his head and smiled in disbelief. “You did?”

“Mhm,” you chuckled softly. “No one ordered.”

“What a waste. I would’ve eaten it all.”

You shared a smile and rested your heads against one another.

“Sorry I wasn’t there,” he said eventually. You shrugged. 

“It’s fine, you didn’t miss anything anyway. Apart from the ice cream, of course.”

“You looked beautiful. Steve has— I’m sure you know but, he had the photo of you and him framed. He wanted to put it up but wanted to wait until he had more things to put up so he could arrange it all at once. But I guess… it’s a bit weird now.”

Steve. Always such a sweetheart.

“I didn’t know, actually. But yeah, a little weird I guess.” 

You both listened to the music coming from inside, your fingers gently drumming along. Eddie’s head too, you noticed vaguely as he moved against your head. At least, that’s what you assumed until you felt his lips on your cheek. You could feel he was holding onto his breath, waiting for your reaction. Hesitantly, he kissed your cheek again, his trembling lips giving away how nervous he was. You turned your head slowly. His breath hitched a little when your lips brushed his, unsure whether to move away or not. Gently, you added the lightest pressure onto his lips with your own and pressed them together into a kiss. You didn’t care that his fingers squished yours a little painfully as he tightly grasped his knee in response. He leaned back shakily, just enough to break apart only so he could press your lips together again. Sweeter, more intentional, more mutual. He shifted slightly, his leg resting on your crossed legged ones a little as his other hand came up to cup your cheek, deepening the kiss he had desired to give you for years. Your lips danced together without a fight for dominance, instead it was all about unity, in the perfect alignment of your faces together. The softest giggle escaped his lips when his nose bumped into yours as you changed angles. He gasped when your fingers threaded into his hair.

The both of you were so lost in the kiss that you didn’t notice Steve peeking through the curtains, needing a moment to discover you were in fact making out against the door. You didn’t notice him closing them again either, however…

“YES!! FINALLY!”

Eddie bumped his head against the door in shock and you quickly broke apart, but only after gazing into each other’s eyes lazily with the dopiest smiles on your faces.

“Was that Steve?” you asked.

“Sure was. Steve!” Eddie knocked on the door before getting up and extending his hand to help you as well. Steve was quick to show up in front of the balcony doors again and removed the curtains before opening them.

“Shit, you saw me didn’t you?” Steve asked guiltily, bummed that he interrupted your moment. Eddie snorted and shook his head.

“No dude, it was your high pitched scream that gave us a near heart attack.” 

“Oh. Well. I’m glad you guys uh… made up. Sorry for locking you out, but I had to do something. You can come back in now.”

As Steve stepped aside, Eddie chuckled and reached for the black curtains to pull them back closed again.

“Thank you, but uhm, maybe later? We’ve got some catching up to do.” 

Eddie grinned down at you as he closed the balcony doors again and wasted no second to wrap his arms around your waist. You beamed up at him, eyes sparkling with delight.

“Where were we, sweetheart?”

Here's the image I mentioned earlier. Funny how a whole short fic can come out of it, right? :)

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson x you #eddie munson fanfics #stranger things fan fics

[vivalas-vega]

move on / jake ‘hangman’ seresin x reader / part two

I’m back !!! I took a little writing hiatus while I dealt w some personal stuff, hopefully not taking anymore writing breaks soon :) I decided I had more story to tell with these two -- lmk what you think!

move on / jake ‘hangman’ seresin x reader / part two

add yourself to my taglist

read part one

word count: 3.1k

warnings: some angst, some sadness, best friend rooster!!! (or maybe... 👀 hehe no I’m kidding, unless 👀) seriously we all deserve a roo in our lives. I’ve given reader a callsign in this one, meet birdy!!

The Hard Deck roared with life just as it usually did on a weekend, various Navy personnel and civilians alike celebrating the conclusion of another week but the chatter and music didn’t quite reach your ears as you sat sandwiched between Rooster and Bob nursing a lukewarm cider as your mind was somewhere entirely different. Somewhere softer and sweeter, a moment you had replayed probably a thousand times over the last two weeks. 

“Jake, I’m serious, cut it out!” you squealed, grabbing a pillow to defend yourself from his ruthless attacks but it was no use, it was tossed aside before you could even attempt to hit him as his fingers continued tickling into your sides and pulling giggles from your lips that were like music to his ears. They were so pure and unfiltered, a sound of amused joy though you were doing your best to convey otherwise. He finally rested, giving you a moment to catch your breath and he couldn’t help but chuckle as you immediately tensed below him feeling his hands snake across your waist to pull you closer.

“I come in peace, I promise.” he whispered into your hair, pressing kisses along your collarbone and you sighed in content. 

“You’re a pain in my ass,” your words were entirely convincing as he looked up to see the smile tugging at the corners of your mouth and you looked at him as if he’d hung all the stars in the sky.

“Yeah, but you love me anyways.” He continued kissing along the expanse of your exposed skin.

“Unfortunately.” Though it wasn’t unfortunate at all. He made his way up to your face, brushing your hair back that had been left awry after your unsuccessful attempts to squirm away from his attacks to lay kisses along your cheekbones.

“I love you too, Birdy.”

And then when you awoke, he was gone. No note, no trace, and your logical explanation had been he decided to hit the gym before meeting you on base. Something that happened so frequently you didn’t even question it as you went about your morning. Suspicion didn’t creep in until he wasn’t there in the locker room to greet you, no quip about you slacking on your workouts and leaving you in the dust, and certainly no teasing in your ear as you ran drills in the air all day. But this could be explained, right? When you arrived home and noticed that there were in fact some of his things missing, essential things like toothbrushes and his favorite tee shirts you thought something must have happened back home, an emergency that left him running to the airport without time to even wake you, he’d call you just as soon as he could to tell you everything… but that never came. So now here you were, two weeks later in the Hard Deck as you grappled with the fact that he wasn’t ever coming back. There was no explanation.

Rooster and Bob were having a silent conversation that you didn’t pick up on until suddenly Rooster’s hand on your knee broke you from your thoughts. “So uh, have you heard from Jake yet?” He grunted as Bob reached behind you to hit him in the arm, clearly that wasn’t what Bob had in mind when he encouraged him to engage you in some kind of conversation to get you out of your head… a place they both could only assume wasn’t really a good place to be right now.

“What do you think?” you replied, setting down your glass.

“I’m sorry.”

“No sense in apologizing for something you didn’t do, Rooster.” You got up rather suddenly, muttering something about the cider being useless as you went to seek out Penny at the bar who greeted you with a bright smile.

“Hey sweetheart, what can I get you?” 

“Something strong,” you sighed and she quickly rimmed a shot glass with salt before pouring top shelf tequila and topping it off with a lime wedge.

“Might as well be efficient, right?” You gave her a smile before throwing it back, welcoming the burn as it slid down your throat. The burn reminded you that you were in fact here and alive, and the alcohol coursing through your veins helped you return back to your old self even if only a little bit. Maverick watched with worry in his eyes, shooting Penny a look that she nodded away. Penny had been everything you needed her to be these last two weeks. She was no stranger to being left hanging by cocky flyboys, but what she wouldn’t tell you is what Jake had done far surpassed anything Maverick had ever pulled with her… at least Maverick would give her a heads up, even if only a brief email or phone call. This was something else entirely but she chose to ignore that, and showed up in all the right ways. She always poured exactly what you asked for, knowing the right moment to make you a mocktail with a drop of alcohol in the straw and she never asked you about anything you didn’t provide to her first. Everyone else walked on eggshells around you, not sure of how to act or what to say, and always somehow asked the wrong questions at the wrong times but you couldn’t even blame them. You knew they were trying their best and you don’t know what you would do if the roles were reversed. 

You returned to your friends, arranging the pool table for a new round and Coyote offered to play with you. You tried to hide your grimace, you felt bad for the cold shoulder you’d been giving him. It wasn’t Coyote’s fault, he was just as shocked as you had been but it didn’t change the fact that you knew he’d talked to him, knew where he was and maybe even knew the reason. They were facts that were difficult to reconcile but you gave him a forced smile anyways as Rooster made his way down to the bar to talk with Penny in hushed tones as he often found himself doing these days.

“I don’t want to hear it, Bradley, she’s fine.”

“She’s not fine, Penny. I’m honestly getting scared, she’s either here drinking herself half to death or she’s locked away in her room in the pitch black refusing to speak with anyone.”

“It’s been two weeks, she only really accepted things a few days ago. Give her time.” He looked over to see you lining up your shot as you leaned over the table, smiling as he saw a glimpse of the old you… someone so bright and vibrant, the life of every room you walked into, drawing people to you like moths to a flame. But it was extinguished just as soon as it appeared as you sank your ball and looked up to realize it wasn’t your usual opponent on the other side of the table.

“Cyclone and I talked about grounding her, she’s a risk to herself right now.”

“Do that and you might as well put the final nail in the coffin, Mav.” Penny said, sliding a glass down the bar and shaking her head as the two men looked at her horrified. “I’m serious. There were two things in this world that got Birdy out of bed: flying and Jake Seresin. She already lost one, don’t take away the other. Just give her time, things will turn around.”

But the thing was… they didn’t. Weeks turned into months and everyone watched as you became just a shell of the girl you once were, moments where your laughter would have rang out above everyone else’s were silent and bets amongst teammates were all but ignored. You were as good as you always were in the air, not wanting to give anyone any room to take something else away from you, though you were a little more ruthless. The first deployment had everyone on edge as you put yourself into danger within the first few minutes of the mission, pulling out unnecessary maneuvers that should have ended with you and your aircraft in a million little pieces, and you didn’t even get the reprimand everyone had been hoping for when you arrived back to base because it was that behavior that made the mission a success and you went without the reality check they desperately thought you needed. Nobody knew what to do, and even Penny had reached the point where she was starting to get a little concerned. At month seven there was a knock on your door in the late evening hours that quickened your pace and got your hopes up though logically you knew you would only be disappointed when you opened the door to reveal Rooster.

You wordlessly stepped aside to allow him in as you resumed your previous position on the couch. There was a glass of water in front of you and nothing playing on the TV and Rooster had to take a deep breath to calm his reaction to seeing you this way. He set a beer in front of you and flicked on ESPN to watch game highlights just as the two of you had done every night the last few months. Rooster was at a loss and was showing up in the only way he knew how to. His heart was completely broken seeing you this way, his best friend he once considered the strongest person he had ever met so thoroughly broken by Jake Seresin. It filled him with anger and made him sick to his stomach but he would never show you that. He would wait until you finished your beer, taking the empty bottle to the kitchen and turning off the TV and all of the lights, gently pulling you up and down the hall where the two of you would brush your teeth in your bathroom before he would help you into bed and take up his spot on the couch. Tonight was different though.

“Roo?” It was the first word you’d spoken since he arrived an hour ago and at first he thought he was imagining it as he pulled the covers over you but he knew he wasn’t once he saw you looking up expectantly at him.

“Yeah, Birdy?” 

“Can you uh… I’m sorry, nevermind.” You shook your head as you went to settle in but he placed a hand over yours, eager to do whatever it was you were about to ask of him. You hadn’t asked him or anyone else for anything since Jake had left and he was ready to chip away at this crack you had revealed to him.

“Come on, what is it?” he asked gently and when you looked back to him he could see the fine mist coating your eyes and sending pangs through his heart.

“Can you stay? I haven’t- I can’t sleep and I just… I really want to sleep.” Your voice broke on the last word and before his brain could fully catch up he was kicking off his jeans and sliding into the other side of the bed, careful to keep enough distance to not spook you but that was thrown to the wind when you reached for him. He was quick to pull you into his side and hold you as close as he could. You had dodged everyone's attempts at physical contact with you and he silently wondered when the last time you had this kind of comfort was. The realization it was likely the last night Jake was in this bed with you had him squeezing tighter. You wrapped an arm around him and nuzzled into his chest when he heard it, the sniffles you were trying to conceal.

“Birdy, please talk to me,” he whispered as he pressed a kiss to your forehead, “come on, you can’t keep bottling this up.” 

“That last night was perfect.” you said, and he stayed silent, deciding to let you get it out at your own pace and in your own time. “We spent the night with you guys at the bar, we came home and made terrible microwave nachos, and then we stumbled to bed and had sex, honestly really bad drunk giggly sex but that’s what made it good, and then we stayed up talking about nothing in particular. He told me he loved me and we fell asleep and then just like that he was gone. I mean, how do you go from that to vanishing into thin air?” You had never told anyone this, what happened that night when you two left had been a silent question of the entire group but no one wanted to ask you. Because you were right, the night had been perfect. Everyone had an amazing time at the bar and when you yelled out that you wanted nachos Jake was quick to sweep you off your feet and get you home so you could have them. Watching you leave they all thought to themselves they wanted something like that, they wanted the kind of love that flowed so generously between the two of you. 

“I wish I could tell you, Birdy.” he sighed, rubbing reassuring circles into your waist as your fist balled up the fabric of his shirt. He felt your frame begin to shake as you finally let out what you had been holding in this whole time, sobs wracking your body and Rooster just held on tight, whispering reassurances in your ear and telling you to let it all go. 

“I just don’t know why I wasn’t enough to make him stay,” you whimpered and Rooster’s heart cracked wide open. He shifted, sitting up slightly and pulling you with him as cradled your face and wiped the tears that showed no signs of stopping.

“No. Birdy, you are enough. You are everything and if he didn’t see that it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with him. This is not your failure, it’s his.” 

You shook your head, “I just… I keep replaying all these moments, trying to pinpoint where it went wrong, when he made his decision and I can’t- I can’t find it. There are supposed to be warning signs, it just doesn’t make sense.” Another sob overtook you and Rooster pulled you back in, letting you drape your weight across him and wishing he could do more. He adjusted the both of you back into a lying position and enveloped you in his arms, and when your sobs quieted and your breathing evened out he carefully snagged his phone from the nightstand and texted Maverick, telling him he finally got through and the two of you wouldn’t be on base tomorrow, he wanted to make sure you had plenty of time to catch up on sleep. 

Things did finally start getting better. Rooster took a mile with the inch you gave him and you spent your nights wrapped up under covers with him as you finally let him in and the days held glimpses of your old self. Smiles became more genuine, you weren’t as reckless in the air, and you even laughed at Fanboy’s dumb jokes once in a while. It wasn’t perfect, not by a longshot. Rooster held you tight each and every night so you could finally get the first peaceful sleep you’ve had in months, gently shaking you awake when a nightmare rattled your frame but night by night it got better. He eventually returned to his place on the couch, and then one day something changed and you didn’t need him in the house at all. Everyone knew you were still healing, still recovering but you had turned the corner. 

And when Jake suddenly reappeared at the Hard Deck just as suddenly as he had left you took it in stride. Everyone subtly watched as your two figures sat on the beach just beyond the window and waited for you to break, but that moment never came. When you returned and took Rooster’s beer from his hand they thought you would be angry, maybe at least cry, but you didn’t. You went right back to heckling Pheonix at the pool table as if it had never happened, but Rooster knew. When he drove you back to your place he sensed the silent turmoil waging a war on your mind, and walking into the foyer of your home you didn’t even need to ask. He followed you down the hall, where the pair of you settled into bed and you crawled into the arms that had grown to feel like a second home to you. 

“He said he was sorry,” you finally said, breaking the silence. 

“Do you believe him?”

You shrugged against him, “I don’t know. He said he still loves me.”

“Did he say why he left?”

“I didn’t ask.” You nuzzled your face further into his chest, eyes growing heavy as he rubbed your back.

“I’m really proud of you, Birdy.” You looked up at this, giving him a soft smile as he looked down at you.

“I don’t know if I’ve told you this or not, but thank you.”

“What for?” He raised an eyebrow at you.

“For this. For being here, for giving up several months of your life to constantly be here.”

“Nowhere else I’d be, Birdy.” You laid your head back down and absentmindedly rubbed your thumb along his chest.

“I promise you one day you won’t have to sleep at my place.”

“I mean it, Birdy, there’s nowhere else for me to be until you don’t need me here.”

“You’re my best friend, you know that?” 

“I’d sure hope so,” he chuckled and you laughed with him. “What are you going to do?”

“There’s not much I can do. He’s restationed with us so… I guess figure out how to coexist. I just… I don’t get it. He leaves, I don’t hear from him for a year, then he just shows up saying he’s back and that he still loves me.”

You felt him shake his head above you, “I don’t get it either, and don’t hurt me for saying this but I think you should talk to him.”

“Seriously? What happened to all that ‘him leaving is explanation enough and you don’t need him’ shit you’ve been telling me?”

“Seriously. I know you, Birdy, you can’t be around him without getting to the bottom of it. If you don’t ask him why he left, all the progress you’ve made the last few months is going to go out the window.” 

You sighed, “I know.”

“Plus, I’m fully invested right now, I also need to know.” he teased and you playfully swatted his chest.

“Go to sleep before I push you off this bed, Bradshaw.” you laughed. 

“Goodnight, Birdy.”

#jake hangman seresin x reader #Jake hangman seresin #jake hangman seresin x you #hangman #hangman x reader #jake seresin #jake seresin x you #jake seresin fanfiction #jake seresin x reader #top gun maverick #top gun fanfiction #rooster x bestfriend reader

[tempting-andromeda]

Just give me a moment

Sebastian Sallow x reader

Part 1

Pov: second person

Characters are aged up but completely sfw

Not exactly proofread :/ and written on mobile (sorry) If you have any suggestions or tips, please tell me! I'm desperate.

Description: After not talking to Sebastian for over a year, you decide to change that and realize how different you both are now.

You had a few classes with Sebastian but never talked to him, not since the 5th year. You shared small comments like an “excuse me” to get by but never conversed. Occasionally you would find yourself staring at him, wondering if a year of silence and the distance would help him grow, but you had no idea. Sebastian was a hermit now. You never saw him engaging with anyone outside of class. He would wander the halls frequently but whenever he saw you or Ominis he walked away quickly.

“Ominis, he looks miserable.” You said as you watched Sebastian duck out of the great hall.

“I know, but... I can’t forgive him as you have. He hurt me.” Ominis knew who you were talking about immediately. He wasn’t a frequent topic, but you would mention him every so often.

“Who says I have forgiven him?”

You truly wanted to forgive Sebastian, but the things he did hurt. He cared so much for Anne that he hurt you and Ominis. From an outsider’s perspective, caring for someone so much they would do anything feels right, but being one of the people they damage to get that… hurt. There were some nights you felt angry looking at him and others where you just felt pity for him. There was an overwhelming sense of guilt whenever you saw Sebastian enter the great hall and look defeated. He would grab a small plate of things and leave while only sharing a few words with the surrounding people. He had lost weight from it but didn’t seem to be malnourished, which was a relief. If you saw him grab a particularly small plate, you would try to leave him something to snack on. Sometimes you would ask a friend or Deek to give it to him without saying who it was from.

Ominis sighed as he knew you were waiting for Sebastian to walk through those doors.

“I won’t beg you to stay away from him. However, I will warn you. He could do it again.”

You knew he was right, but could admit it out loud. Once you both finished eating, you separated to walk to your classes. You had shared a station next to Garreth all year and had no complaints besides the burnt smell that lingered until you took a shower. He was fun to be around and would help you if you struggled with something. You sat down next to Garreth, who immediately greeted you cheerfully.

“Good afternoon ma’am.” He greeted with a large smile. You smiled back and sat down next to him.

“Well hello. What have you so cheerful?” you asked as he handed you your textbook.

“I think I’m close to perfecting my experiment.” His eyes lit up as he gushed about the potion he’s been desperately trying to perfect. Before you could comment, Professor Sharp tapped on the chalkboard to gather all the student’s attention.

“I’ve planned a partner project this week. You will get a random potion written on parchment and you will brew it. Make sense? Good.” said the professor sharply. Garrett watched your eyes dart to Sebastian instantly.

“I think I have this under control. Wouldn’t want to do all the work,” he said, giving you an encouraging shove without exactly saying so.

As soon as Professor Sharp mentioned partners, Sebastian placed his head on the table. He didn’t do partner work unless it was mandatory and the professor would choose his partner. A voice in the back of your head told you this was a perfect time. Wordlessly, you grabbed your bag along with your books and placed it in the space next to him. Sebastian slowly lifted his head to see who he was partnered with and let out a shaky breath as he saw you. His expression was full of panic as he looked around the classroom as if it was a prank. His mouth hung open, and he blinked rapidly.

“Ah (Y/L/N) and Sallow, a duo I haven’t seen in a while. Here is your potion.” Professor Sharp said, placing a folded paper in front of them. He raised his eyebrows slightly at you and continued to pass out the papers to other students.

Sebastian mumbled incoherently for a few seconds before deciding to stay silent.

You had no idea what to say. Should you apologize or just pretend nothing happened? Anxiety started to seep through your thoughts, but you grabbed the parchment.

“Amortentia... he must’ve known he was giving us the most difficult one,” you mumbled, trying to break the tension.

“What are you doing?” he asked. There was a look of fear present in his eyes. You knew it was unusual to do this and he would’ve reacted as if the last year never happened, but there was a chance you had to take it you wouldn’t have taken it.

“I think I missed you, and this is my way of showing you,” you whispered back. His face flushed bright red, and he quickly looked at the cauldron in front of the both of you.

#sebastain sallow #sebastian sallow x mc #sebastian x reader #sebastian sallow x reader #sebastian sallow hogwarts legacy #hogwarts legacy #ominis gaunt

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

Bruce being a repressed little weirdo is just... amazeballs

Alfred helped you out of your coat, "You came alone?" he asked looking around.

"Mom had to work," you explain, "And grandma doesn't really drive, so I took my bike."

"Ah," he said nodding, "Fair enough." He took a moment, sizing you up. Small bones, pretty features, clean- if worn clothing. You smell of laundry soap, lemon, and the char on toast. Cared for, in any case.

"Can I use the phone?" you ask, "Grandma told me to call-"

"Of course," he said, bowing slightly, "And then I'll deliver you to Master Bruce, he's waiting in the study."

"Thank you-"

"Alfred, Miss, Alfred Pennyworth," he said taking the little hand you offered and squeezing in gently.

"Thank you, Alfred," when you smile up at him, the mischief in your eyes and the childish roundness of your cheeks made him return it.

"Right this way, Miss," he said, gesturing to where he could let you make a phone call. "We should call your grandmother before she worries."

Alfred listened to your call with half an ear. Your assurances that you were safe, and oddly, a short conversation about peaches of all things before you hung up the phone. Only for him to belatedly realize that it was a code- likely an assurance that you really were safe. And he nodded to himself. Clever. A way to protect you. And so he decided not to mention it. Not now in any case. He simply filed it away for later.

"Thank you," you tell him, tugging your sleeve down on your arm, but not before he noticed bruising.

______________

Bruce watched you stand in the middle of a semi-circle of people and just listened.

He could see your time as a cheerleader in the way you bounced on the balls of your feet and projected your voice. Loud, but not strident. Engaging and bright. You drew them all in. You drew him in, and he wasn't even sure what you were talking about.

It was easy to see how Harvey was enamored with you- the same reason Bruce felt enamored with you- both as the boy he was and the man he'd become. He'd seen behind the curtain. To the vulnerable places, you hid with quick jokes and bright smiles.

You moved easily in your scrubs and sneakers, and Bruce just watched. Remembering Chasing you through the house to get back his book, the one you stole to make him come outside with you. A dozen golden afternoons when dust moats drifted through the air and for a while; the ghosts that sat with him in the quiet were chased away by your laughter.

"Alfred says hello," Bruce said, proffering a thermos, smiling slightly.

"Bless him. The cafeteria coffee is horrific," you say, shuddering. "C'mon. I have a break between this group and the next. And I keep the good snacks in my office."

"Ooo," Bruce snorted, "Still have a gummy bear stash?"

"And some rice Krispie treats," you chirp.

"Your grandma would be appalled," he tutted, some of the tight feeling in his chest relaxing.

"Well. She can't really say too much without a psychic medium or a seance," you point out, "So she'll have to save the come to Jesus meeting for a while."

Bruce followed you to your makeshift office and helped himself to the chair opposite your desk, frowning slightly when you collapse into your chair, "Long day?"

"Just a rough launch," you sigh, "But I've seen worse."

"Anything I can do?" he asked.

"Not unless you have a few dozen qualified people and a few extra hours you can tack on to the day," you hum, taking a sip of coffee.

Bruce's frown deepened. You'd never asked him for anything- and it was like pulling teeth to get you to take what he offered freely. "I'll look around. See if I can find a couple more bodies. Need anything specific?"

"Anyone that can work trauma-informed care," you sigh.

He nodded, "Harvey know anyone?"

"He found me someone to help with some of the legal snarls but- I can't revamp without floor staff."

"Trying to work miracles again, huh?"

"I've got a couple left in me, I think," you sigh, stretching and popping your neck.

"If anyone can do it you can, Y/N," Bruce said, trying to quell the worry. He'd seen you work a program. A lot of programs. But he'd never seen you this tired.

#Bruce Wayne #Bruce Wayne x reader #sweetie!reader #anon asks #minors dni

[bad-at-names-and-faces]

Lady in Waiting

ao3

ffn

chapter index

The sky was awake, the green and blue lights flickering and flowing across the sky. The air was mild, as neither the heat of the midday summer sun nor the cold blast of the winter winds ever reached this valley.  A soft moss covered nearly every surface.

Inga led Henry along by the hand after they dismounted their horses at the edge of the clearing. She knew the spot well.

“Where are we?” he asked as they headed further away from the path.

“I don’t want to wait for the council, and I don’t care, we’re going to get married right now.”

“Here?” Henry asked. “Wait… is this-”

The ground began to rumble, and the moss-covered rocks so familiar to Inga approached.

“Inga!” dozens of voices cried in unison. Henry looked around in a daze.

“We’re here to get married,” Inga declared.

“Where are your parents?” one of them asked.

“They… they’re busy,” Inga insisted. “It’s fine.”

That answer seemed acceptable to everyone, even to Henry, and somehow she didn’t feel surprised by this. She couldn’t remember actually leaving home, but she felt unbothered. 

Soon there was general commotion, and the ceremony was performed without delay.  Inga had heard so many descriptions of her parents’ own wedding, that the cloaks, the stone pit, the crowns of leaves, all of this felt entirely familiar.

The main ceremony was over, and Henry stood next to her. 

“Now what?” he asked.

“I don’t remember,” she admitted. “Nobody ever told me about what happens after the ceremony.”

They looked around, and the trolls were silently blinking.

“You know what to do next,” one hinted. “You know.”

A breeze rattled the open window, startling her awake. It was light, but still early morning, so early that the courtyard was nearly silent, and even the town didn’t seem to have any noise. She thought about her dream, wishing she were willing to be that bold. She couldn’t simply pick any wedding she wanted.  The council wouldn’t recognize just any wedding between royals, after all.  Perhaps her mother should have changed the law back, but that wouldn’t look right.  She and Henry would have to get permission from the council, and she had seen the council, that could take months. Perhaps she could threaten to go back to Corona with Henry and get married there, where she wouldn’t need permission once she was eighteen.

Inga stopped herself from thinking about eloping or any such thing. She looked out the window at the light streaming in. It was her birthday, she had almost forgotten.  She took a deep breath.  Today she was eighteen, but she felt the same, really.  She wasn’t sure if there was supposed to be anything different about how she felt today, though perhaps she would feel a little more different when she turned twenty one and officially came of age in Arendelle. She couldn’t be sure, but it would be rather strange to feel different just because of the official age when she was considered to be of age in a particular place.

The clock in the room chimed seven, and Inga was beginning to hear the work beginning in the courtyard outside, setting up for the party later that afternoon.  The mood of her dream was still lingering in her mind, and she didn’t really want to speak to anyone just yet.  She would have to sneak out the side door if she didn’t want to be asked any questions, but that would be easy enough to do. Perhaps she could even get out of town for an hour or two and just enjoy herself, though she really wanted to see Henry before the party to spend a little more time alone. At the party, everyone would be there, and unless she wanted to turn it into an engagement party and have even more questions and attention on herself, she would not be able to spend the entire party with him. 

She glanced at her wardrobe. Oline had hung two dresses on the door of her wardrobe, though Inga knew that Gerda had been the one to pick them out. They were both perfectly nice, and later she would need to decide on one. 

There were still several hours until she needed to prepare, so for now, she would get herself breakfast, like any other day. After hurrying down to the kitchen to grab a piece of pastry, she stood in front of the pantry shelves deciding whether to have coffee or tea this morning, when she heard the door open. She looked over and couldn't help but smile.

"Henry?" she blurted out in spite of herself. 

He stood at the door, looking happy but a little bit stunned. 

"Good morning," Inga greeted cheerfully. 

"Good morning, Inga," he smiled as she walked over to him. “I kept meaning to find you alone the last two mornings, and I kept failing.”

Inga stood next to him, and set down her pastry. “I know Elsa was there yesterday, but what about the day before?”

“Oh, I ran into your mother the other morning while I was looking for your room. I have no idea what she thought of me…”  he trailed off as he stood looking at her some more.

"Well?" she teased.

He picked up her hint and began kissing her. She forgot everything else for a moment. They were leaning against the door frame, and his kisses began to move to her neck again. She was breathing heavily, pulling herself closer to him, remembering the dream from the morning.  She heard a noise from the hallway.  “Stop,” she whispered, pushing him away a little.

She looked out the door, feeling a moment of panic as she saw someone passing by in the hallway. This spot was too public, or perhaps not public enough.  If there were more people around, she would behave.  But why was she even thinking like this? The last words from her dream echoed in her mind. 

“Do you want to go outside?” she looked at him very intently, and his eyes darted back into the kitchen. 

“I… I should get something to eat, as long as I’m here.” His voice sounded somewhat strained. Inga wasn’t sure why he seemed suddenly uncomfortable.  

“Of course,” Inga mumbled, looking at the pantry mindlessly as Henry went and grabbed a roll for himself.

“Inga?” Henry began, taking her hand, “I… we talked about some things a few days ago, but we haven’t settled anything.” 

“We haven’t?” she asked innocently, then realizing what she was saying, “no, of course not, but that would be a good idea.  You know, my mother promised to have a meeting with the council tomorrow, if, you know, we want to talk to them...”

“Oh, really?” Henry laughed, clearing his throat before going quiet.  “I mean, that’s good, of course! It’s just not what I meant…”

“What? You don’t have to-”  she stammered. He had kneeled down and was holding a small box.  She realized what he was doing, and was thankful they were alone.

“Princess Anna Idunna Ingeborg of Arendelle… will you marry me?”

“You know I already said yes!” she laughed, pulling him up to kiss him again. 

“I didn’t even open the box,” he groaned, opening it up. “Here!”

Inga looked down at the ring shining from its box, with fascinating green crystals surrounding it. “Beautiful,” was all she managed to say.

“You like it?”  he asked nervously.

“Of course I do,” she insisted, kissing him again after putting the ring on and admiring it a little.  

“I got it in Portugal,” he explained, “the man at the shop said the crystals came from a nearby mine.”

“It’s wonderful.  Your drawing of Lisbon was probably my favorite of the ones in your letters, though I like all of them.” She leaned into him and rested her head back. “I love your drawings, every one of them.”

“I forgot to tell you happy birthday, you know.”

“Oh!” she laughed, “I almost forgot. This was far more interesting.  The rest of the day will have a hard time keeping up, I think.”

***

Frederick awoke to knocking on his door and Anton yelling his name on the other side. 

“I can hear you!” Frederick shouted back, feeling slightly hoarse. “What is it?”

“You wanted us to practice one more time, so Peder and I are here!”

“Fine!” Frederick groaned, rolling out of bed and walking to the door. 

He opened it up a crack and Peder poked his head into the room.  “There you are!”

“So,” Anton continued, “are you coming or not?”

“I need to get dressed, you know. There are people milling around all over. I can’t exactly go to the ballroom looking like this.” 

“Why not?” Peder laughed.

 “Just give me a minute!” Frederick called out as he closed the door again, leaving his brothers in the hall. 

Frederick looked at himself in the mirror.  He could get properly cleaned up later, closer to the start of the party. Kai had reminded him a few days before that he’d be expected to wear his naval uniform. It wasn’t too bad, really.  He supposed eventually he’d have one of those dress uniforms with a ridiculous amount of decorations on it, but certainly not now.   

There were a few others who had been on the training voyage at the party here this evening, though Jorgensen was the one he really considered a friend.  He’d had lunch with them a day or two before.  Jorgensen was also selected for the academy in Corona, and they were going to be taking the entrance exam in a few weeks.   

“Fred!” 

“Coming!” he shouted back, stomping out the door.

His brothers grabbed his arms,almost dragging him to the ballroom. 

As much as Frederick had doubted his brothers’ ability to follow through with anything organized, he was happy to see that they had already tuned their violins with the piano.  That, at least, was a good start.

He set down his copy of the music, and looked at them standing there. 

“Where’s your music?” 

The twins looked at each other, then back at him. 

“We memorized it,” they said together. 

“Fine,” Frederick sighed. “I’ll be the judge of that.”  

***

“Anna?” a voice called from the other side of the door.

“Yes?” Anna mumbled, mostly asleep.

“It’s Dagmar, may I come in?”

“Oh, of course,” Anna replied. The young lady-in-waiting let herself in and immediately began to tidy up the dresses in Anna’s wardrobe.

“Happy birthday, by the way,” Dagmar added a few moments later. 

“It is, isn’t it?” Anna murmured, still groggy. She was eighteen now, much good it would do her.

Dagmar smiled and nodded, picking out two dresses for Anna to choose from. Dagmar was the daughter of her mother’s lady-in-waiting, and the pair were both nobility. But despite knowing Dagmar since was a girl, Anna never quite felt like they were really friends. Dagmar always acted as if there was something she wasn’t saying, and changed the subject very quickly sometimes, but of course everyone did that. Anna knew by now what things she wasn’t supposed to ask about, though it made it hard to feel truly close to anyone.

“I don’t suppose there will be any kind of party,” Anna sighed.

Dagmar walked over and sat on the edge of Anna’s bed. “Once you’re dressed, let’s go to the kitchen and have them make a cake for you!”

“I suppose that will have to do,” Anna smiled. She only had a vague memory of a real birthday party when she was very young, and there had been nothing the last year or two, not that she had felt like celebrating, anyway.  At least her sister’s coronation was happening soon. Perhaps things would change for the better.

***

Anna looked around the courtyard where her daughter Inga’s eighteenth birthday party was being set up.  Elsa was helping with some decorations, along with Kristoff.  The youngest children were running around as usual, and Frederick and the twins, Anton and Peder, were helping, or at least making the appearance of helping, whether or not they were doing anything useful at any particular moment. 

Kristoff came over to her, looking around at the courtyard’s transformation.  “I think it looks pretty good,” he said.  “You’re sure this is what she wants, though?”

“Well, it’s too late now, but I think she will enjoy it, no matter what,” Anna laughed looking up at him. 

Anna knew this wasn't really Inga's idea to have a party this big. In fact, Anna hadn't really intended to make the party this large, but now that they had invited people, everyone seemed to like the excuse of a large gathering. It had taken on a purpose of its own. 

In a way, it seemed like the appropriate thing for Anna to do for Inga, she was her oldest daughter, and while she always felt nagging in the back of her mind when someone referred to her as her oldest child, she was the oldest child she was allowed to acknowledge. And she was the oldest child of hers and Kristoff's. Nothing changed that.

Anna’s reverie was broken by Kristoff’s familiar hand resting on her shoulder.

“Have you actually seen Inga today?” He sounded almost worried rather than amused. “I thought I saw her going down to the kitchen this morning, but I haven’t seen her since.”

“I’m sure she’s taking it easy,” Anna dismissed.  She had seen Inga work on her own birthday party earlier in the summer, helping out Nanny when the younger children were starting to get restless. Inga deserved some time to herself.

“I knew I’d find you here!” Anna heard the familiar voice and turned around.

“Oh, Dagmar! I wasn’t sure you’d make it!” Anna leaned in for a hug.

“I think everyone was ready for some time in town,” the baroness smiled, then lowered her voice, “besides, from the way you phrased your letter, I thought I had better try to make a council meeting for once.”

“Thank you, but, let’s keep it quiet, of course, there’s nothing official quite yet.  Inga doesn’t really like having a big fuss, I guess.”

Dagmar looked around and the preparations. “And what is this, then?” 

Anna laughed. “Well, this was my idea that got a little out of hand. I’ll tell you more when we’re someplace more private.  In the meantime, is your whole family here? I don’t think I’ve seen Johanne since she was a child.”

“She’s sixteen now, but she’s already upstairs changing. She was talking about this all the way here. She never has enough dancing for her taste where we live.”

“And your husband?”  Anna asked.

“He’s around somewhere, I’m sure. There are some guards that he’s kept in touch with by letter, so I’m sure he’s found them by now. The boys were following him when we got here.”

Anna smiled. “And what about you?”

“Same as always, I suppose.  Is there anything you need help with here? I still feel the urge to help out after all these years.”

***

Kristoff looked around at the bustling preparations for the party.  He had helped with a few things, but the hired hands were quick, and he needed to find the boys to get the piano moved. He was starting to regret agreeing to help with that.  

Their children’s birthday parties were usually much simpler affairs.  This was the first one of them turning eighteen, of course.  The harder he tried not to think about Inga’s age, the more he ended up thinking about it too much.  She was eighteen now, the age Anna was when he’d met her.   

As his daughter got closer and closer to that age, he thought about everything that had happened to Anna then.  He wished he could protect Inga from anything bad ever happening, but she had to be able to live her own life.  Still, he kept his ears open.  He had heard a few men with titles or fortunes talk to him as if he was interested in bargaining about her. He never told Inga about them, and only said anything to Anna about the ones who had also talked to her. He did his best to be polite, which was difficult.

Inga seemed happy enough overall, and Kristoff certainly understood her desire to limit herself to family and a few close friends when she was able.  She did the public appearances and royal duties because that’s what she was raised to do, but she didn’t naturally take to it, not the way her mother seemed to. 

She was a very different person from her mother, and he had always heard people say that Inga took after him. He wasn’t entirely sure about that, but he let people say it. They usually judged on appearances, anyway, but he was starting to appreciate just how different her personality was, though. 

Kristoff looked over and saw Henry standing tentatively at the edge of the courtyard. He was about to walk over to speak to him, but then Frederick was already on his way over.

“Hey, Henry!  Do you want to help out?” Frederick called to Henry.

Henry stood looking around, obviously not intending to come out quite this early. “I’d be happy to help, what do you need?”

Kristoff eyed the young man intently.  He hadn’t really gotten to speak with him as much as he would have liked the last few days, and Ambassador Meyer had managed to find excuses to keep Prince Henry to himself the other nights. At any rate, the little Kristoff had managed to talk to the young man, he seemed nice enough. At least if his daughter was going to settle on someone foreign, it was nice she found someone who didn’t insist on speaking French.  He could speak and understand a bit of the language now, but it was still difficult.  Proper dinner etiquette might have been tricky to learn, but the forks didn’t start talking about him like he wasn’t there the minute he slipped up. 

***

Inga sat in front of the mirror in her bedroom.  Henry had walked with her as far as the top of the stairs, where they had decided it would be most proper if they waited until the party to meet again, taking several minutes to finally say their goodbyes.  

She looked at the ring on her finger, with the green sparkling crystals.  She turned so that the sun from the window would shine through, and there were green flecks of light on the wall opposite from her.  On the same wall was her wardrobe with the two dresses, and she still hadn’t decided which she would wear for her party.  One of the dresses was adorned with embroidery in the same green of her ring, and it was entirely too tempting to coordinate the two.  

Outside, Henry was helping her brothers with setting up, and guests would be arriving soon. Halima had come early to assist with the preparations, along with Meibel.  Inga spotted Kate and Edith in a corner working on something insignificant. Inga realized if they saw the ring they would fawn all over her, and she wasn’t ready for that, especially not before she and Henry had a chance to speak privately with her parents.

Inga found a simple gold chain in her dresser, attaching the ring. It went very nicely with the dress she had picked.  Gerda had been wise enough to pick dresses that Inga could just possibly manage on her own, and she had no trouble getting the dress on.  The ring stayed just under the collar, which was exactly to her liking, and she could show it to Henry easily enough. Even though the idea of keeping this a secret, at least for the party, was more about Inga not wanting the extra attention, there was something exciting about having a secret between just the two of them.

She saw her mother first as she stepped outside.  

“Hello,” Inga called out as she stepped into the bright sunlight, squinting a little bit.

“Oh, good, Inga!” Her mother waved cheerfully.  “Your father was wondering where you were, but he’s off helping your brothers right now.”

“Well, here I am,” Inga replied, almost feeling like she was already the center of attention, rather than standing in a corner of the courtyard talking to her own mother.

“The band is warming up,” her mother informed her. “and Frederick was talking to them, so I hope they’ll be playing things you enjoy.”

“I think I can trust Frederick to select the music,” Inga laughed, then looked around. “Where is… I mean… When are the guests arriving?”

“They’ll be here soon enough. A few people we know are already here, of course.”

“Johanne?” a woman called from behind them. “Oh! Anna, I’m sorry! And this must be Inga?”

“Hello, again!” her mother said to the woman. “Inga, do you remember Baroness Dagmar?”

“I know I’ve heard about you,” Inga smiled. “I think I was very young when I last saw you.”

“It’s very nice to see you again, Inga,” the woman replied. “It’s funny, you looked exactly like my daughter from behind. That seems to be a very popular dress this summer!”

“Oh?” Inga asked. 

“It’s your day, I can send Johanne up to change if you’d like.”

“No, no, please don’t!” Inga insisted. “Besides, I’ll have an easier time recognizing her in the crowd this way.”

The Baroness let out a giggle. “Well, I should go find my daughter. We’ll be seeing you around.”

Inga waved, and her mother made some indistinct greeting.

Remembering that her mother had mentioned that her father was helping her brother with something, she glanced around but couldn’t find them. “Where is Father?” 

“He went off with your brothers somewhere,” her mother replied. After a beat, she looked at Inga knowingly. “And Henry is with them, too.”

“Oh, um, yes,” Inga mumbled, swallowing, suddenly feeling anxious again, though it must be a good sign if he was with her father and brothers.

“Don’t worry, Inga,” her mother reassured her, “there aren’t that many people here.  Most of the nobles from the provinces showed up, and a few foreign princes besides. And I wouldn’t worry too much about the guest list, most of the countries we sent invitations to just had their ambassadors send their best wishes to you, and most of the rest are looking for an opportunity to speak to me without having to formally arrange a meeting.”

Inga laughed. “You’d think they would want a chance to have their sons meet the accomplished and well read princess of Arendelle.”

“Well, yes, there are more than a few here for that, from what your father has gathered.” 

“I’m sure they’ll be disappointed,” Inga demurred. 

“Are you going to announce something tonight, then?” her mother asked, sounding some combination of hopeful and surprised.

“That’s not… not what I meant, I mean…”

“Look, Inga,” her mother said, pressing her hands, “I won’t pressure you, but the council members are nearly all here for the week, well beyond a quorum… if you do want any decisions, we will need to know.”

“Oh, right. Of course.”  Inga felt warm, and not from the summer sun.

“Well, you look very nice today,” her mother said after a moment, “did Gerda help you?”

“She picked the dress,” Inga told her, “or, well, she picked two dresses for me to pick from, and I chose this one.  I hope my hair is fine, I couldn’t see the back.”

“It looks very nice, you did a good job,” her mother smiled. 

"So, I look fine?" Inga asked.

“Of course you do!” Her mother gave her a hug.  “Look, the band just started!”

#kristanna #frozen fanfic #prince of two realms #1865 #OC Inga

[asm5129]

RWBY v9 e4 Thoughts and Analysis

Genuinely might be my favorite opening of the entire show. 

Also, genuinely, screw everyone who ever said Ruby didn’t have a character arc. 

RWBY is really, really good at keeping stories going in the background even as the main focus shifts around. So just...stop with that shit, okay? CRWBY are very particular with what they choose to do and when. Not everything's perfect, but if you get hung up on things you didn’t like from the past, you’ll never be able to fully appreciate what’s happening now. It’s always gonna bother you in the back of your mind. Ruby wasn’t always the most important person in the show. Let it go so you can talk about what led us here, to this exceptional story. We good? Good. 

“You do not go to the tree, the tree goes to you! Unless of course you’re me, you see?”

Yeah, so the Curious Cat (referred to as CC from here on out) is definitely in some position of authority in the Ever After, but they do not control it or anything like that. I suppose we shall find out their role soon enough. 

Regardless, it seems that the Tree decides when you’re ready to leave, not you. CC can bypass that it seems, but i doubt that will work for our heroes.

If the residents of the Ever After exist to facilitate a story, then the Tree will let them out when the story is done. 

Maybe the Ever After only rained when Ruby was sad (rather than, for instance, Weiss) because it’s deemed her the protagonist of the story that must reach it’s conclusion before RWBY and co are allowed to leave? Just a thought.

“it’s a matter of perspective” that’s an intriguing line

Also, Little does not have a history with CC like I thought they and the other mice might. However, that’s not to say CC liking to eat mice has no impact on whether the mice know what a cat is, especially since last week Little wasn’t even completely convinced they were a mouse.

It’s been said before, but CC really is a standout character. The design, the performance, the power set,  even the dialogue make literally everything about them engaging. As does, of course, the characterization, cuz this Cat is just as impossible as any cat irl. Now i actually like cats, but I’ll be the last one to say they don’t tend towards being completely absurd and impossible in their behavior

CC just takes that to the next level. Honestly though CC is basically just ADHD: the animal

Craving a steady stream of interesting conversations to keep them focused

too real 😅

“Got ‘im! Totally roasted”

From the tone of Yang’s voice, i genuinely think she was just throwing poor Weiss a bone here  😄

Missed a chance to have CC making a cat video tbh, but “Luminous Rectangle” and “why is it printing tiny flat versions of me” is still amazing

CC just briefly giving voice to some of the common complaints about RWBY is kinda nice

its CRWBY saying “We’re listening. We hear you. We are working to address your concerns, but only to the point that it won’t compromise our story.”

Also roasting the gods is fun. Does seem like it’s clear that the Gods have nothing to do with the Ever After then, though, if CC both didn’t know and is super comfortable calling them out this way

More information about Alyx, from a new source. Love how everyone who speaks about her has a different take, it makes her really interesting. 

Also rare smiling v9 Ruby Rose sighting

I love that CC is still a cat, with all the usual catlike behaviors. Would've been easy to anthropomorphize them more, I’m happy that didn’t happen.

“Each acre is made specifically for it’s inhabitants and their roles”

Intriguing. So...does CC not have an acre to call home? If not, why not? What makes them unique among this world’s rules?

a grogurt parfait, huh? Sounds gross. 

“Well I’m sure we’ll cause a lot less trouble once we’re back to normal” oh Weiss, honey, I wouldn’t count on that  😂

Ugh CC Blake’s right, they've got enough problems without you reminding them of what’s happening in remnant

“Oh no, i wasn’t paying attention” Ruby you are one of 5 people and your entire bag of trauma just got poked, it’s not your fault. You gotta work on that self-blaming instinct, he says knowing full well how hard that is from personal experience (seriously, i see so much of myself in Ruby)

The Lonely carpenter and the rusted Knight

one sweet, one handsome

Guessing we’ll meet them soon enough

Also that confirms the Knight in the trailer and intro isn’t Jaune. the Knight was in the original book.

So yeah was wrong about the Chekov's butterfly

Couple interesting lines here

First

”I’m the herbalist. Until I’m not, anyway” 

Our first hint that roles are not set in stone.

and second

“Everyone needs help these days. Everyone.” Who else is Herb referring to?

“Huntresses are heroes. We protect those who can’t protect themselves” Blake is really following in Ruby’s stead, this is literally the line Ruby gives her all the way back in volume 1 when they talk about their love of books. Of course, she’s doing it after going through all the healing Ruby hasn’t done yet.  It is cool to see this dichotomy of Blake stepping up and embodying what she valued in Ruby while Ruby becomes more like she was in volume 1 and 2

Also, I like that Ruby’s answer to “What does a huntress do” is “fight monsters”. it shows that she’s still thinking about things wrong

“In order to help you become whatever it is you need to become, you really ought to have a better understanding of what you are now”. Great line. Cuts straight to the heart of the issue.

.”This is how a king winds up a prince”

So...the Red Prince used to be the Red King? And he became the Red Prince, perhaps because he didn’t understand who he was, and thus who he wanted to be wasn’t quite right? We’ll see. But clearly there’s a much more complicated transformation process that can happen here than we expected. Perhaps a far more literal one, as well.

“You don’t have to go forward you know. You could go back. Back to before.”

Before she lost her arm. It’s not about her arm though--it’s about everything. It’s about going back to what things were like before beacon fell. Going back to who she was like before beacon fell.

Yang is shocked--but she doesn't immediately reject the idea. Unlike Blake...

“You could just be human. Or just a cat. It’s up to you.”

“Why would i do that?”

“I told you. It’s simple. Much simpler than trying to be a bridge between human and faunus. Why struggle with that responsibility?”

So it’s clear now. The reason Blake wasn’t front and center on injustice during the Atlas arc. 

This is what she was struggling with. Well this, and taking the life of an actual living, breathing person

Doesn’t matter that it was Adam, he was still a person.

So for a couple volumes she just...stopped trying to be that bridge. Focused on proving to her loved ones that she had grown, and that she wouldn’t run away again. Showing them--and especially Yang--that she loved them.

“You could be a nobody. Isn’t that what you want? to be free?”

God i’m so proud of these girls. This is such a beautiful scene. It’s so well directed, so well written, and there’s so much we can all learn from it, purely on an emotional growth level..

And then we come to Ruby. And unlike her friends, she doesn’t have it in her to reject the part of herself that appears here. Instead, she gets this brutal face-to-face with all of her worst insecurities, worst impulses, all her imposter syndromes and her habit of putting everything on her own shoulders. honestly this section deserves a deep dive all its own.

“You don’t even have to be Ruby Rose. So. Who are you gonna be?” 

Ruby is gonna go through a major transformation this volume. I can only hope it’s the one she needs.

I’m really curious why exactly CC was so angry about what Herb was doing. What exactly did he do wrong? Hopefully we will find out tomorrow. 

the “That’s a bit much” lien from herb intrigues me though.  Was he affected by the pain the girls--and Ruby in particular--were being forced to confront?

“Take a little bit of my heart”

Really curious about CC’s powers

and little being adorable again. Can’t wait for tomorrow!!

[itchose]

@manslaught asked, "what does marriage have to do with love?" 

learning of mikayla's engagement had surprised her,   particularly because she hadn't seen her as someone who wanted to get married  —   but maybe that was only because she wasn't with the girl nat knew she wanted to be with.   that only makes her question her more now,  considering the news.   she'd only met calypso briefly,   and she could tell very quickly that she wasn't the woman for mikayla.   then again,   tai clearly wasn't,  either,  considering the choice she made so many years ago,  so nat decided she was just making assumptions about something that likely would fizzle out,  anyway.   but hearing that she's actually going through with it now is something she can't wrap her head around—    both because of mikayla and because of herself,  because she can't imagine herself in this position,  either,  no matter who she was with,  even him.    ❝   I don't know.   seems like something that should probably come first,  ❞  she says,   her tone light,  full of confusion.   ❝   I didn't even know you were serious with her.  ❞    

she feels a sense of guilt,  thinking about tai,   how mikayla seemed like a forbidden subject for all these years even when tai was hard on her for her relationship with travis.  she wonders if tai knows that mikayla's moved on---   and she wonders if it's supposed to be her who tells her,   or maybe,   she's supposed to mind her own business,  the way tai does in the meantime,   rarely reaching out to her unless it's to check in briefly and then disappear on her if she's actually doing good for once.    ❝  what about—    ❞     she regrets it the moment she starts to say it,   because they've rarely talked about tai for a reason,   and it's not nat's place to say anything now,   but still,  mikayla's her friend,   and she likes to think that if she were about to marry someone after decades of being hung up on one man,   mikayla would question her,  too.   ❝  —   so,  what,  are you even in love with her?   have you been since—  ?   ❞   she asks,   taissa's name lingering in the silence,   because it's sure as hell not going to be nat to say it first.  

#manslaught #thread: nat. #arc: nat / adult. #everyone save calypso

[dearestones]

Off With That Contract! (Riddle Rosehearts and Prefect + Octavinelle Interaction) Chapter 9

Warnings: N/A.

@hisredhysteria/@herdisturbedheart Request: Anything Riddle.

Summary: Sometimes, in order to get around a rules lawyering octopus, you have to find yourself a lawyer. The closest one just happens to be one Heartslabyul Housewarden Riddle Rosehearts.

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CHAPTER NINE—WE’LL SMOKE THE BLIGHTER OUT!

“In return for voiding all contracts made within this recent school year and a ban on seeking out students for deals, I get to keep my business, my reputation, and I still have free reign to make more contracts so long as people personally come to me for them.” Each and every word that passed through Azul’s mouth must have felt like sandpaper scrubbing his throat raw. For a child of the sea, Riddle knew that it must have been painful. 

However, despite his pride at knowing that he had won, Riddle could understand. It hurt having to confront his inner demons and acknowledge that he wasn’t perfect after his Overblot. It was especially hard knowing that his mother’s way wasn’t the only way. 

Apologies tasted bitter on his tongue, and it was an uphill battle convincing himself that reparations were needed and he had to do the majority of the work. 

Azul would learn—maybe not the lesson that was intended for him, but he would learn that he couldn’t count on just his contracts. 

“Correct. We also have to address that you have not offered compensation for the Prefect’s help yesterday.”

Azul’s lips pinched before an overly saccharine smile spread across his features. "Ah, but I fear that I have already compensated the Prefect in full plus interest. After all, I have not only listened to your demands, Riddle, but also had to deal with Leona's complaints as well."

"No," Riddle shook his head. "No interest. Besides, you still need to—"

The Prefect tugged on the sleeve of his dorm uniform, the tentative touch causing Riddle to look at them in confusion. They whispered, "Just Jack. I got everything I wanted."

Riddle kept their gazes locked, making sure that he hadn't misheard or misinterpreted their words before facing Azul once more. The Octavinelle Housewarden was studying them with that unfathomable gaze of his, as if he was trying to decipher how their relationship came to be and if he could possibly jeopardize or capitalize off it. Not that it mattered, Riddle hoped that the Prefect would be smart and refrain from ever interacting with cecaelia unless it was required.

"Add that to the contract."

Under his focused gaze, the dark lettering upon the golden parchment began to lengthen and stretch, a flurry of letters spreading across the pages as if an invisible hand were writing them. Riddle had always been praised for the quick, but ruthless efficiency of his Unique Magic. A simple evocation and he could render any magic user practically helpless. However, with Azul's power, his required more concentration and precise detailing. Just like its master, the power was intricately detailed and required a lot of forethought and bargaining before one could arrive at the conclusion that they could engage with the Unique Magic.

A snap of Azul's fingers. "Are we now satisfied?"

Riddle nodded an affirmative while the Prefect eked out a high pitched "Yes!" to which Floyd snickered.

Leona had long since hung up, citing that he trusted them to get the bare bones of what he wanted too. Surprisingly, Azul had aided Riddle in saying that he should be present as well, or at the very least leave behind concrete instructions through text or something, but Leona had simply laughed before hanging up. Presumably, the lion beastman had also turned off his phone and decided to sleep (oh my, was it almost one in the morning, already? this was not going to end well for Riddle or for anyone else who was included in this strange endeavor). Furthermore, Riddle had checked Magicam and several other group chats before he came to the conclusion that his theory was true.

Leona was not active in any of them.

Had Leona left the negotiations up to Riddle and the Prefect because he had trusted them? Or was it because he truly did not care after making sure that he had gotten all that he wanted from the so-called Cephalopunk?

Ah, the intricacies of such a lazy, hands off Housewarden never failed to impress.

"Now that all matters have been settled, I believe that our business has finally reached its conclusion." A pen that looked like it was made out of a fish's skeleton materialized in the air in front of the Prefect. "So, do we have a deal?"

There was a slight hesitation where the Prefect's eyes flickered from the pen to Riddle, but in the end, they made the ultimate decision to sign the document. Their strokes were shaky, almost scratch-like. Their handwriting was more than likely a product of the tense atmosphere, of how much was resting on this one decision.

And then, as the Prefect fumbled handing the pen back to its master, it was finished.

Floyd took that opportunity to slump over the couch, his tall, lithe form spilling over Azul until his head landed in Azul's lap. If his uniform had been rumpled back when his shift had first started, it was now completely ruined. Several buttons were left unbuttoned, his bowtie was nowhere to be found, and his hat had fallen into Jade's waiting hand.

Miraculously, Jade had remained upright for the majority of negotiations, even if it had taken at least another forty five minutes for them to finish. There was not a trace of weariness upon his features, but Riddle suspected the obviously fake smile he sent their way was tinged with a seed of malice. 

“If that will be all, everyone?”

As Jade gestured for Riddle and the Prefect to follow him out of the VIP room, the Heartslabyul Housewarden noticed that the Prefect wasn't budging from their seat. In fact, upon closer inspection, it appeared as if the first year was studiously staring at Azul, a contemplative look in their eyes. Had they forgotten to include something in the contract?

"Prefect..." Riddle warned. Patience was a virtue, yes, but that didn't mean that Azul was willing to invest even more time indulging them. If anything, they had gotten lucky because of Leona's interference and Riddle's insistence that they wear down the Octavinelle Housewarden before finally delving into the meat of the matter.

"Just a minute." The Prefect nervously smiled at Azul. "It's not another proposition or anything like that, I promise."

Azul exchanged a half irritated, half bemused smirk at his fellow Housewarden.

"If the Prefect wants to waste more of my time—ahem, propose another business opportunity—then who are we to stop them? Perhaps what they'll say will actually be beneficial... unlike what we've been doing the past few hours." That last part was hushed, but Riddle and the rest of the room heard it all the same.

Even when well dressed and well mannered, Azul could never help himself when it came to spewing out insults.

"It's not…” The Prefect chewed the inside of their mouth. “I'm not going to talk about business. I just wanted to let you know something."

Floyd abruptly rose from the dead, his head nearly hitting Azul's chin as he sat up. "You threatenin' Azul, Shrimpy?"

The Prefect giggled, the sharp edges of anxiety leaving traces behind. "You can stay behind Floyd, but I would prefer it if Riddle and Jade left."

Strange, but doable.

Riddle patted the Prefect on the forearm before heading out with the aforementioned twin. Before Riddle left the room entirely, he was met with the sight of the Prefect leaning over the coffee table, their figure stooped over as they leaned over to whisper in Azul’s ear. Unfortunately, before Riddle could make heads or tails of what his underclassman was saying, his view was obscured by the door. In no mood to be any more polite than he had to be, Riddle did not hesitate in giving Jade the stink eye. 

Despite the intensity of his sour expression, Jade paid him no mind. Instead, the slimy eel stood with his back flush against the door, his eyes closed in concentration. All the while, the customer service smile on his face never faltered. 

"I can't imagine you would be able to overhear what they're discussing."

Jade's sharp smile became sharper still, the tips of his teeth nearly grazing his bottom lip. "I cannot," he confirmed. "Azul charmed these doors to be soundproof whenever he was present. Without him, it would be as if the door had never existed."

Riddle withheld the urge to roll his eyes. Of course Jade would end up doing something so suspicious even if he stood nothing to gain by it. If anything, he was probably stationed by the door to freak out the Prefect and to annoy Azul and Riddle.

Was there ever an end to Jade’s love of chaos. 

No sooner did that thought cross his mind did the door open once more. There was the sound of shocked laughter (Floyd's) followed by the rapid pattering of the Prefect's footsteps walking past the door before shutting it behind them, cutting off Floyd's laughter when it was about to reach an ear splitting pitch.

Jade, with his hand pressed upon his chest, asked, "And what have you discussed with Azul that only Floyd was allowed to hear?"

If Riddle didn't know any better, he would have thought that Jade was jealous of his brother. Often, he was given the impression that it was Floyd who often nipped at the heels of his twin when it came to acknowledgement, even if he wanted to be seen as his own person.

"Oh..." The Prefect backed away from Jade, who still stood rather close to the door, and by extension, the first year. "You can talk to them if you like? It's not like it's a secret, I just felt that what I had to say was embarrassing."

Jade glanced at Riddle, confused delight more than apparent on his angular features.

"Oh? I appreciate the honesty, dear Prefect. I'll be sure to indulge my curiosity at a later time."

After that exchange, the three of them strode down the hallways, the sight of the dark ocean adding to the surreality of what Riddle felt. Not only had he managed to outwit Azul at his own game, but he managed to wrangle Leona to be part of the plot! Ah... but there was no way that he could have done any of this, ventured so far out of his comfort zone on a whim.

He would have to thank the Prefect later and praise them for their insight concerning the Savanaclaw Housewarden. What had the Headmage call them again? A beast tamer? He would have to research that topic at a later date… 

From time to time, if Riddle's eyes rested on a certain area for a beat longer than usual, he could see something stir or swim away too quickly for his human eyes to follow. While his past meetings with the Octavinelle Housewardens were usually scheduled after classes or early mornings during the weekends, Riddle could say for certain that he had never seen the underwater dorm look so peaceful or so foreboding in the dead of night. It was in the wee hours of the morning, yet he wondered if he could stay just a while longer, even if he was still at risk for getting into another unnecessary altercation with the Leech twins, just so that he could admire the view.

Beside him, the Prefect yawned behind one of their hands. It was a slight sound and ahead of them, Jade turned around slightly to give them a questioning look, almost as if he were confused by what he had heard.

"If you would like," Riddle murmured, knowing full well that Jade could still hear him, "you can stay in Heartslabyul. It would be a journey getting back to Ramshackle, especially in the dark."

Stumbling over their words, the Prefect said, "O-oh! I've heard that there aren't any spots available considering your... high standards."

Jade coughed, the theatrics not lost on any of them. "Well, this may not be my place to say, but Octavinelle does have empty dorm rooms available... for a fee, of course! Would you like to hear our hourly rates?"

"Not a chance," Riddle cut in before Jade tried to coerce a sales pitch down his first year's throat. "Besides, you'll find that Heartslabyul can be quite accommodating. Hospitality and reciprocity are some of the common themes that you'll find throughout the Queen's rules!"

"Ah, but wouldn't it be better if I made the decision on my own, Housewarden?" Riddle glanced just in time to see the Prefect grin a grin that was far too impish for Riddle’s liking. A smile of a troublemaker, that one. “The night is still young and—Okay! Okay! I’m kidding!”

The walk back was filled with a far more lighthearted atmosphere. Riddle didn’t know how the Prefect did it, but by the time they had finally entered the portal back to the Hall of Mirrors, his cheeks hurt from smiling too much and even Jade bid them goodbye with a stifled chuckle. 

“Prefect? Before we sleep, let’s head to the kitchens. I think we should celebrate.”

He would deal with the whole bed issue later. 

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[PART ONE] [PART TWO] [PART THREE] [PART FOUR] [PART FIVE] [PART SIX] [PART SEVEN] [PART EIGHT] [PART NINE HERE] [PART TEN]

If you want to donate a Ko-Fi, feel free https://ko-fi.com/devintrinidad.

TWISTED WONDERLAND MASTERLIST

#twisted wonderland #twst #twst riddle #twst azul #twst floyd #twst jade #twisted wonderland riddle #twisted wonderland azul #twisted wonderland floyd #twisted wonderland jade #riddle rosehearts #azul ashengrotto #floyd leech #jade leech #twst riddle rosehearts #twst azul ashengrotto #twst floyd leech #twst jade leech #dearestones #devintrinidad

[misterewrites]

What Next Oh Fair Yorrick? (Mirror’s Edge)

Holy shhhhh 3 months? I was gone three months from this story? I am bad at this (actually we were fixing up the house in that time and boi has it been an inconvenience.) But I'm here and so is the next chapter yay! I promise all my writing in general will be more tightly packed and consistent. Unless it's not then you know life got me.

Okay. It's....alot just *gestures to the world* one thing after another and. Just lose yourself here. Disconnect from the world, have fun, read this and other stories. Don't feel guilty if you need to get away from it all. It's okay to just exist and enjoy things. Be safe, keep each other safe, wear masks. I know they're annoying but we're not done yet, the pandemic is still a thing and there's plenty of people who cannot get the vaccine. We need to protect them and each other. Get the vaccine, push for it worldwide cuz we're all in this together. And have fun. Have fun and relax and just let the world be without you for a hot minute.

Also if you are binge reading this, i doubt it but who knows im very modest, here's your break. go stretch, get some water, eat, rest your eyes before you keep going.

Okay that's it for me! have an amazing week, thank you for everyone who reads this story, who gives me likes, and reblogs and views. I know original work is very specific and hit or miss but seriously thank you for reading this. I deeply appreciate it. :) Share with your friends maybe they'll like it! and if you wanna leave me a comment with your favorite bits or how much you like this story I'm always grateful for them. take care and it'll be okay.

If you want to read this story in a more reader friendly place, you can follow the link over here --->

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30599756/chapters/106456251

If you’re curious what the heck all this is about, you can read the story from the beginning over here! ---> https://archiveofourown.org/works/30599756/chapters/75486005

And if you want the list of my complete works which include, but are not limited to, Arcane, Legend of Zelda, Soul Eater, A Percy Jackson you can find that right here ----> https://archiveofourown.org/users/MrE42/pseuds/MrE42

That’s it for me! and the end of the public tour. For those of you leaving us, thank you for your time. Everyone else? Past the do not enter sign below

Summary: Tomorrow has become today and Casey is ready to help the Gravekeeper of Souls stop whatever is threatening the peace of existence but first he needs to know what exactly is the next step in their plan. Surely Yorrick is on it. 

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Grandma Cassie bought the Remington household when she moved to Newton Haven roughly 30 some years ago and while neither her or her beloved spouse were around anymore, they left a loving home with precious memories Casey wouldn’t trade for the world.

That being said, however, Casey hadn’t stepped foot in his house for a while. He was embarrassed to finda fine layer of dust that blanketed everything and that hung in the air like snowfall. Yorrick mentioned she didn’t mind it so much because she slept in less accommodating places but the young cleric still felt the pang of guilt at the sight of his neglected home.

His parents decided to vacation after his mother retired from Willow’s Rook Neighborhood Watch and they spent the last two years abroad. His sister Kay had left a few years before that when she got married and though she still lived in the neighborhood, her visits were far and few in between. Truth was Casey ended up at her place more often than she did his. Simply put Casey was never home which was a bit ironic for a cleric of the hearth.

Two years.

Casey rubbed at his engagement ring absentmindedly as he entered the home under the glow of the rising sun.

The state of the house was actually worse than last night since he could actually see the dust this time.

“Am I working too much?” Casey rubbed his chin quizzically “No it’s the house that needs to clean itself. Yorrick? Good morning! Are you up?”

Only the creaking of the home settling answered him.

Casey frowned, sliding his bat into his hand while he quietly made his way towards the second floor landing. He left her in his old room upstairs but in reality she had run of the place since he slept in his office as usual.

The stairs groaned under his weight but the silence remained, thick and unbroken.

Casey gripped his weapon tightly when he reached the top. He paused, listening in case something was laying in wait.

Out of everything he was expecting to hear, the trill of a flute wasn’t one of them.

It chirped and squeaked but less like it was playing a song and more as if it was speaking.

Now that he was this close to his room he heard the muffled voice of Yorrick speaking to someone though only the flute responded.

“Are you still mad about that? I couldn’t take you yesterday.”

The flute trilled unhappily.

“I don’t care if you could take them on.” Yorrick snickered gently “You are a thousand years old!You need to act your age.”

A sharp note answered her.

Casey could hear Yorrick rising to her feet “Okay but after we’re done saving the world. Again. Did you notice it?”

A curious note played.

“Yeah. I don’t like it.”

The flute did not respond this time.Instead Yorrick’s footsteps grew louder until she opened the door and saw him standing there.

Casey caught sight of an odd shape ducking out of view as Yorrick hurriedly closed the door behind her.

“Hi!” she beamed brightly, giving a cheery wave with her free hand. The other held tight onto the walking staff, rusty lantern swinging lazily back and forth.

Casey gave a polite smile “Good morning. I yelled from the front door but I don’t think you heard me.”

“You did?” Yorrick frowned quizzically, trying to recall “Oh I didn’t hear you! Well, obviously.”

She chuckled joyfully and Casey nodded in agreement “I understand. You were probably still asleep huh?”

“No I was talking to a spirit.”

Yorrick’s tone was casual but her gaze was intense and focused. It was a bit unnerving but luckily this wasn’t the first time she’d done something like that.

He decided to be honest “I know, I heard.”

“Not worried I’m possessed or something like that?”

“Nope.” Casey replied “You’re the Gravekeeper of Souls. The name kinda tells me what to expect.”

Yorrick’s lips broke into a wide grin “Thank the lantern! You have no idea how much spirits spook people. I get people don’t like dealing with death and denial is a powerful tool but come on! If a spirit wanted to hurt you it would’ve done it by now. Oh! That reminds me! Kal! You can come on out now!”

Kal the spirit looked more like a floating pillowcase than the ghost of a person long past: Kal’s upper half was oval shaped with a wavy bottom. He couldn’t have been taller than two feet and he floated through the air effortlessly. Kal passed through the door like it wasn’t there and began circling Casey, clearly curious at his presence.

Kal made a questioning noise.

“Yep!” Yorrick answered eagerly “He’s the one Cassie was telling us about. You remember the nice lady? Casey here is going to help us take down whatever is disrupting the spiritual balance!”

She clapped excitedly though Kal’s only response was to bob up and down.

“Well I am more than happy to….” Casey paused, unsure he heard what he thought he did “Wait. Did you say Cassie?”

Yorrick nodded.

“Cassie? As in Cassiopeia?”

Another nod.

Casey gulped anxiously “As in Cassiopeia Remington?”

Yorrick pointed his way in confirmation “That’s her! She was telling me all about you last night! Like the time you tried to ride the dog like a horse and ended up getting that scar on your knee.”

The Gravekeeper’s face turned deathly serious for a moment “Why haven’t you cleaned the house Casey?”

“E-excuse me?” he could feel chills run down his spine.

“The house.” Yorrick repeated, her voice empty and distant “She wanted to know why her house is so dusty. She did not raise your mother to raise you to keep a dirty house.”

“I…”

Yorrick waved her hand in a panic “Those were her words, not mine! I was just repeating what she said!”

Casey paled as realization dawned on him. He’d always assumed his grandma passed on peacefully but if she was still here, still held here by some regret or sorrow or something he should’ve tried to get her to move on years ago….

“She’s not here.”

Casey snapped out of his stupor to find Yorrick staring intently at him.

“What?”

“She’s not here.” Yorrick repeated firmly with a soft, sympathetic tone “She did pass on.”

“How do you…?”

She grimly motioned to the lantern “Spirits are more complicated than that. Most people always assume souls are trapped in this reality because X, Y or Z but the truth is it’s a choice. It’s always a choice and just because people move on doesn’t mean they can’t come back for awhile. No different than traveling to another city for them.”

Casey’s face must’ve been dumbfounded because Yorrick gave a hearty laugh “Yeah there’s a lot to spirits but you’ll get the hang of it. Or you won’t! That’s okay too.”

“Yorrick….” guilt tugged at his heartstrings

“Okay.” Yorrick bit her lip thoughtfully “What is the best way to….Oh! Here touch this!”

Before he could react, she gripped his wrist and roughly placed his hand upon a nearby wall.

“Sorry.” Yorrick flinched and gave an apologetic smile “But here! Do you feel this?”

“Yes.” Casey nodded, unsure what he was supposed to feeling.

“And the air? How it fills your lungs? The dust tickling your nose?”

Casey winced guiltily “Oh lord, don’t remind me but yeah I do.”

Yorrick pulled away hurriedly, clearly caught up in her explanation “We use our senses to perceive the world around us. Sight, touch, sound, smell, taste if you’re weird. This is how we navigate life right?”

Casey gave a quick nod.

“Now how could you go through life if you didn’t have any of that?”

Casey’s face narrowed, scrunching as he tried to wrap his head around the question. He thought about it. He thought about for a good minute or so but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t figure a way to explain how could he live his life without relying on his senses.

“I...don’t know….” Casey truthfully spoke after a long pause.

“Exactly!” Yorrick cheerfully gestured to Kal “Spirits don’t have senses. They don’t even have bodily functions anymore! They exist in a reality we mortal beings just can’t understand.”

“Okay but what does this have to do with my grandma Cassie?”

“EVERYTHING!” Yorrick cheered.

Silence fell over the two.

Casey looked at Kal then to Yorrick then back to Kal again.

Yorrick blinked “Oh right. The actual point I’m trying to make.”

“Yes please.”

“Okay.” Yorrick scratched her chin absentmindedly “This feels good. Right. So spirits see the world differently than us. While we deal buildings and air and sky and cars and all that real stuff, they….don’t.”

“Right.” Casey agreed.

“For spirits it’s like being trapped in a fog. A fog that has loads of different shapes and colors but fog nevertheless. Since they don’t have bodies to react to the physical world they can get easily lost which is why they usually tethered themselves to something. Places, items, people.”

“A home perhaps?” Casey whispered as guilt ate at his stomach.

“No!” Casey jumped as Yorrick stomped her foot suddenly “None of that! Spirits are either tethered or, the other thing I was about to mentioned, untehtered. Oooo terminology!”

Casey made an uneasy face “So...grandma Casie is….”

“Unethered!” Yorrick bounced happily “When she died she moved from her mortal coil to the afterlife, which of course is the chosen state of existence a spirit has earned based their actions on Earth. She went peacefully so no beating yourself up.”

“Wait hang on. Then how did you talk to her? The lantern?” Casey was admittedly lost at all this.

Yorrick pursed her lips “Well. A little of A and a little of B. Yes the lantern allows me to speak to spirits, even those who have long since passed, but any powerful spirit medium, spiritualist or relic could do that. I still need to know her if I wanted to bring her back for a visit.”

“Things aren’t powerful because they are. Things are powerful because we make them so.” Yorrick touched the wall and ran her finger down it gingerly “This home, her home, her family’s home. It is so filled with love it’s a beacon to her. A lighthouse in the sea of fog that is the living world. Memory is too powerful a force to be bound by a single person. It takes people to make memories. Even when the people who made them aren’t around to share them anymore. Especially when they’re gone.”

She carefully wiped the dust off a nearby picture frame. Casey could fell his heart ache at the sight of him and Jaime, smiles frozen in time.

“Love.” Yorrick murmured quietly before she spoke louder with clarification “Well also hate. Intense emotions really. Unetethered find their way back through the fog via places or people that meant something to them. Good or bad. Us spirit folks are just connecting them from their world to ours for a little while. A telephone line basically. Because no one is really gone.”

Yorrick stared at the large, aged photo that hung in the center of the hall: A young couple, hands clasped tightly with one another as they shared a smile together. They stared, not at the camera, but deeply into each other’s eyes, love evident in every fiber of their being.

His grandparents on the day of their wedding.

She let out an adoring sigh “Not if we remember them.”

There was a peaceful moment that was quickly broken by a sudden clap from the Gravekeeper.

“And of course.” Yorrick went on without warning “Tethered spirits tie themselves down. Most of the time it’s something or someone important but it’s not unheard of for them to latch on whatever happens to be nearby. Hence the tethered part of the term. They use these tethers as ways to hold themselves in place so they don’t get swept up by the massive confusion of the physical world. Think anchors: Nice, consistent, unmovable against the tide but always have the chance to relocate.”

Casey scratched his chin curiously “oh that does feel good. So those tethered spirits, are they trapped here?”

Yorrick shook her head happily “Nope! They can choose to leave any time they wish. There’s loads of reasons spirits would stay beyond love and revenge. Some just aren’t ready to move on yet, others kind of forget to. Some, of course, are avoiding their punishment for the life they led cause they don’t get an option to come back. Heck I meet one who was just curious about how much a place could change in a hundred years.”

“So what do you do exactly as Gravekeeper?”

“Keep graves.” She answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Casey stared at her.

“Right broad blanket term and not at all helpful. Well my job is to check on the spirits.” “Time is irrelevant for the dead. What is one day, a decade, hundreds of years to them? All feels the same when you lack a body to worry about. Some souls are stuck in place because they have no idea how long it’s been. They usually start haunting people or places because of sudden changes most of the time.”

Casey nodded in understanding “That makes sense. If I had no sense of time and my surroundings suddenly changed completely, I’d be pretty disoriented and upset too.”

“Exactly.” Yorrick smiled for a second before it faded into a grim expression “Of course I also protect the souls. Souls are valuable to a lot of creatures and in all kinds of dark magic. Corruption, consumption, even using spirits as fuel for dark purposes is a very real thing in my line of work.”

Casey remembered Finn’s encounter in Litwick forest along the countless other dangerous situations the trio often found themselves in. His best friend’s general advice was to grant funeral rites to the departed and burn their corpses. He always said it was to protect both body and spirit and while Casey was more than happy to do it but it just occurred to him how important it really was.

Her blew a strand of her hair out of her face as she continued “So I check up on cemeteries and other meaningful locations. Help spirits pass on, force them to move on if they’re causing trouble.” she began to count off the rest of her duties on her hand “Cleansing tainted or corrupted places, pass messages along to the living, fight the odd demon or fae on occasion. Find a way to achieve harmony between the dead and living in the cases where there’s conflict between the two. Holy shit do I do a lot, I just realized that.”

“You’re clearly very capable at it.” Casey said with a hint of admiration.

Yorrick rose to full height, towering over the cleric while she shone with pride “I don’t want to brag and I won’t cuz I don’t have to.”

“Of course.” Casey took a deep breath in “Okay, what are we doing?”

She stared at him for a moment before realizing what he was asking “Oh! us. Umm. What are we doing?”

“The reason you’re here.” Casey offered helpfully.

“Oh right! The spirit-pocalypse I’m here to stop.” Yorrick chuckled “Sorry I’m not used to the living. Most people just stare at me with glazed over eyes. It’s a lot I know but thanks for following along!”

A peaceful silence overtook the two but Casey decided to wait patiently this time.

Yorrick smacked her head “Right right. I recommend we eat first, preferably on the way to the nearest cemetery.”

Casey nodded “Straight from the source right?”

Yorrick smiled wide.

“Well.” he scratched his chin thoughtfully “The nearest one is Hope’s Meadow in the middle of town. There’s a really good sandwich shop nearby we can get breakfast at.”

“There isn’t a cute girl there, right?”

Casey shot her a curious look. Her face was flushed with embarrassment.

“I went to a cafe for a drink yesterday.” Yorrick muttered shyly as she twiddled her fingers together “There was a really pretty girl named My-something. I didn’t pay attention, I got really nervous. I don’t think I can handle another cute girl today.”

Casey softened. He patted her arm gently “How about you let me do the ordering, okay?”

Yorrick nodded happily “Deal! Let me get my tombstone and we’ll be on our way!”

And as she disappeared beyond the door frame with an energetic hop, Casey couldn’t help but mutter to himself.

“Okay so she did say it her tombstone. I wasn’t just super tired and hearing things last night.”

#My work #Original Work #original story #mirror's edge

[writing-for-the-hell-of-it]

his angel in disguise ch 2

Come along see how y/n and Damian end up together In a bad place the doctor assassin y/n and killer assassin Vigilante Damian

"22 year old Damian stood all alone with the justice league tied up about the fight Slade Wilson as the battle gaged who is worried no one to back him up until she drops down she was there shadow he watched as spade jumped and she blocked as the entered a intense battle not knowing if they'd come out victorious"

See them grow and get through hard times watch him fall for her and her fall for him

character list ch 1 ch 3 ch 4

DISCLAIMER: I do not own dc or any other character In this unless started otherwise all dc character are from the Warner bros

⚠️WARNING⚠️ Blood cussing fighting some spicy seen no full on smut

6:30 august 13 2020

It was 630 Damien led me up to the roof of the assassin base it was a beautiful sight to see my favorite filter laid out on a picnic blanket with lights strung up the hot tub heated and candles the sun was setting as he smiled at me and said happy birthday it was amazing you were awestruck

Y/n pov

I look around at the beautiful fairy lights and amazing sunset Damien led me to the picnic blanket we sat down and watch the sunset as we ate when we changed in to are swimsuits and we were in the hot tub

Damian said he needed to talk to me about something I figured it was a long mission coming up or something I've had a crush on him for the last past year we've been best friends for a very long time and it shocked me that he reciprocated this feelings when he asked me out I said yes and then I heard a finally from behind me

we turned around to see Talia and Salina smiling "𝕘𝕠 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪"Damien says "𝕨𝕙𝕪 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕦𝕡 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖" I ask confused "𝕨𝕖 𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕙𝕠𝕡𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕒𝕤𝕜 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕓𝕖𝕔𝕒𝕦𝕤𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕠𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘" Slena says with an Eye roll " 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕞𝕖𝕒𝕟 𝕞𝕠𝕞 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕕𝕒𝕕 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨" suddenly we all got quiet "𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕤𝕠 𝕚𝕥'𝕤 𝕞𝕪 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕓𝕝𝕖𝕞 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕖𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕞 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖" I said about to walk away "𝕙𝕖𝕪 𝕀 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕕 𝕞𝕖 𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕒𝕘𝕠" Damian said "𝕘𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕒𝕟 𝕖𝕩𝕔𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕀 𝕘𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕖𝕚𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕠 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕝 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕡𝕝𝕦𝕤 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕚𝕟 𝟚𝟘 𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕥'𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕙𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕝𝕖 𝕤𝕠 𝕀'𝕞 𝕘𝕠𝕟𝕟𝕒 𝕘𝕠 𝕥𝕣𝕪 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕒 𝕞𝕠𝕧𝕚𝕖 𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕤𝕠 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕖𝕩𝕔𝕦𝕤𝕖 𝕞𝕖" I can see Damien's annoyed face of the fact that all he got was yeah I'll be your girlfriend and nothing else and it was hilarious I went down to my room after convincing ra Al gaul to let me out of having to go to training set up my DVD player pulled out a movie changed and some comfy clothes and knocked out smiling at the incidents of last night he loves me he really loves me

5:00 may 14 2022

(Fun fact I did some diving and Ra's Al ghul was cannon killed on may 13th so ya) Two years of dating damiana and here was

You on his chest crying after he just lost his grandfather he was leaving the base talia had decided for his own safety that he would leave to stay with his dad he had a tight grip on my hips I was staying behind with talia to help rebuild the base we were going to get revenge for Ra's Al ghul even if it meant killing your dad thankfully no one in the upper ranks blamed you for your dad's actions but you still know some of the lower ranked thought you should pay for your dad's crimes after all a crime against the Al ghul was like a death sentence in the assassin base which is also why no one dare attack me but it also why they want to attack me a lot of the upper ranks see me as Damian's betroth but we're not engaged Ra's Al ghul did hung at it alot and talia loved joking about it but me and Damian never talked about it it was scary to think Damian was going to Gotham like ya he can take care of himself I know that but joker is crazy and if someone were to tip him off abut Damian being an Al ghul he would stop at nothing to kill him fucking crazy bitch would kill any one for no reason plus there and many assassin in Gotham and there will be no assassins to protect him I was pulled out of thought by a knock ok the door "𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕚𝕟" Damian says talia walked in "𝕚𝕗 𝕒𝕝𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕕𝕖𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝔻𝕒𝕞𝕚𝕒𝕟 𝕪/𝕟 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕤𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕓𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕘" "𝕪𝕒 𝕀 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕀 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕒𝕪 𝕘𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕓𝕪𝕖" "𝕘𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕨𝕖 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝟚𝟘 𝕞𝕖𝕖𝕥 ���𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕜" "𝕘𝕠𝕥 𝕚𝕥" Damian say's talia walked out and I went to get up Damian pulled me back down "𝕨𝕖 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝟚𝟘 𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕤 𝕝𝕖𝕥'𝕤 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕪 𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕝𝕝" "𝔻𝕒𝕞𝕚𝕒𝕟 𝕨𝕖 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕓 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕓𝕒𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝕨𝕖 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕦𝕡" "𝕟𝕠 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕪" "𝔻𝕒𝕞𝕚𝕒𝕟 𝕨𝕖 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕦𝕡" I struggle for a moment before I finally get out "𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕕" "𝔻𝕒𝕞𝕚𝕒𝕟 𝕝𝕖𝕥'𝕤 𝕘𝕠" I said going to grab my bag "𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝕀'𝕞 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕘" me and Damian graves are bagels and headed for the river to the boat

#damian al ghul x reader #damian wayne al ghul #damian al ghul #damian wayne x reader #damian wayne #red robin #robin #batman #talia al ghul

[tyttetardis]

Oh, I genuinely don’t get why some people are so hung up on the numbers. Refusing to call David’s Doctor the 14th because that’s “taking it away from Ncuti” and depriving him of it. Like it’s some particular badge of honour to be 14 rather than 15 (if anything doesn’t 15 sound more memorable?!). As if they just blindsided him on this decision and as if he only found ouy at the regeneration that he wouldn’t be 14 afterall. 

Nothing’s been taken away from him! He never had the title! It was always gonna be David (I mean unless they go back on it after the show airs, but personally I’d think that would be ridiculous now that they have announced it like this). They would have had that all set up and in the works before Ncuti was even cast. By the sounds of it they had to keep the casting a secret since February...so with only about 3 months until the filming of the specials everything would have all been decided upon before they even knew who the next Doctor would be. I doubt they could have just booked David for like 3 months with only a few months advance knowledge. So I think Ncuti always knew he would be the 15th. I doubt he’s gonna lose any sleep over this. And it’s not like they are referred to be number in the show anyway, and for the purpose of being able to distinguish between the different Doctors it makes sense to do it like this.

As for David being the 14th and actually being numbered unlike his previous regeneration from himself to himself, to me it makes perfect sense really. Last time he was quite literally still himself as it was instantaneous (actually did that even count as a regeneration of Ten? Considering he siphoned off the energy to the hand? And while Tentoo is the Doctor I wouldn't count him in the regular lineup. Just like I wouldn't with the other Doctors that's been thrown in to the show for plot reasons). This time it’s been I don’t even know how long for the Doctor since he was Ten. By making David a new regeneration it allows them to give him all the knowledge and experiences of what’s happened between - so if they throw in throwbacks (as you do in an anniversary episode, of course) for stuff post Ten they can still have him react and engage to it in a way that wouldn’t have been possible with him as Ten. Besides, by doing this they also run no risk of messing with Ten’s actual arch, story and ending - it will stay entirely intact no matter what happens to 14 in the specials.

Sorry, I just have a lot of thoughts and feelings about all this - and (although I’m still worried I won’t like what they actually end up doing) I’m just super excited to have David back and just find it depressing how the fandom must always end up at war with each other. Like it’s always been normal for Doctors to return for anniversary specials. David’s returned twice, and yet people are making it out like he just keeps on returning constantly. He really isn’t. And it’s not his fault if the others don’t want to come back for the specials. David loves this show and it’s been important to him all his life, and he’s never hidden that he will be happy to return for anniversaries if asked. It just so happens that the show will be in gap year between Doctors for the 60th, and so why shouldn’t it make sense to bring make the arguably most popular Doctor? Especially when he’s happy to do so, and lots of people are thrilled about it! Sure it’s fan-service - but what are the anniversary episodes for if not for nostalgia and fan-service? Isn’t that the whole point of them? Celebrating the past of the show? It’s not like it would make sense to insert a brand-new guy as the main Doctor in an anniversary episode! Not much nostalgia about that. Besides, I don’t see how this should be a bad deal for Ncuti. He gets to regenerate into the Doctor in an anniversary episode, one that will presumably have a lot more viewers than the show has had in recent times and if the BBC goes about the 60th like they did with the 50th there’s likely to be a lot more hype about the show all year! And a lot of the people who tune in for David after not having enjoyed the show for ages might just decide to give him a chance even though they had entirely given up on the show until now. How’s that a disservice to him? :S

#doctor who spoilers #doctor who #my thoughts #david tennant #14th Doctor #sorry I just needed to write it out although it certainly sounded a lot better and more coherent in my head #But I'm guessing nobody will read it anyway so should be all fine :P

[overbearingstruggles]

Now I’m curious how many times have you met them??

I primarily live in LA so I've seen Jack just out in the world the most. Usually attending the same show or event. But when he's just being a dude I feel way too weird about going up to him, especially in the last few years when he's been more reserved or with intimidating friends, even if I'm in the same designated ~area. Honestly don't know how many times I've been in the same vicinity but I have a real knack for accidently being near him when I am not trying! But I have interacted with him a total of 3 times. Once when he was obliterated in the early days of Emo Nite (my favorite tbh), the time in Heathrow since we were both flying back from the UK, and in a bar in Denver where he recognized my friend (we were seeing them the next day and saw him purely by accident).

I've never talked to Rian but I stood by my friend a handful of times so she could talk to him, mostly as a blogger. He's always made the most time and been great! My favorite forever was happening to see him with Cass when they were still rumored, and my friend was asking him something about the upcoming Bamboozle Roadshow tour and the way he said "You got a Twitter?" echos in my brain because he sounded like a fucking dweeb.

I've also mostly stood with friends as they've talked to Alex, and because of this I have a photo with him from 2007. I hated them but I knew he was hot and my friend didn't want to take the photo alone.

#I have like 200 non-stories of shit I've observed but never inserted myself in #my social anxiety up until a couple years ago was fuuucking dreadful. I could get in the right place but could never be the right person #with them in particular I've always been really weird about being labeled as a fan - mostly and age thing - but I let myself #get so hung up on that that I decided to just not engage unless it felt perfect (it never did and I robbed myself of a lot of moments) #lol sorry this got sad at the end. I'm much better now! and if the version of me could go back to 2010 she would LIVE #anon #answered #irl #atl

[runnning-outof-time]

I’ll Make It Right | Tommy Shelby x Reader

Request: no - part of @zablife ‘s 100 Followers Celebration

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x reader

Summary: He's from a different social class. She's promised to someone else. But they just can't seem to let each other go. It's up to Tommy to make it right for the two of them.

Warnings: language, smoking, arranged marriage, violence (typical to series), character death

Word Count: 4634

A/N: Congrats again to @zablife for reaching this amazing milestone! Everyone should go follow for the amazing stories, you won’t be disappointed. I also noticed that I’ve kind of added all of your favorite tropes into this...it’s got an arranged marriage, there’s hurt/comfort, and it’s a tad bit dark (in my eyes at least). I hope you enjoy! :)

A/N 2: oh, also Cal in this fic is based off of Cal from the movie Titanic.

I’D LOVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! - YOUR THOUGHTS & COMMENTS HELP ME WRITE!

Let me know if you want to be tagged in stories similar to this one!

There was nothing better than going out with a group of friends. Unless that group of friends can’t decide on what they should do. Which was what (Y/N)'s group of friends was struggling with at the moment.

Evelyn and Mary had been engaged in an argument that'd been going on for at least ten minutes now, about which theatre would be better to go to. Once the entire group had narrowed it down to wanting to go see a show, the debate started. Evelyn wanted to see something more contemporary whereas Mary was fighting for the opera that she claimed everybody would love.

"What do you think, (Y/N)?" Georgine, the other woman who had been following the argument closely, finally split up the other two in order to get an opinion.

(Y/N), who was not paying attention at all to what was being said, looked up from the fingernails that she was picking with a confused expression on her features, "I'm sorry?" she said, hoping that she'd be given a summary of everything that was said.

"Do you agree with Evelyn or Mary?" Georgine asked, making the confused woman be the decider of what they'd be doing tonight.

(Y/N) sighed, hating that she'd been put in the position to decide, as she looked between her two friends and decided to say the first name that came to mind, "Mary." On cue, the woman whose name had been spoken jumped up in celebration as the other hung her head in defeat.

"You guys are going to love the opera," Mary said as she excitedly led the group of four out of her stately country home and to the car that was waiting to take them into the city of London.

"I'm surprised that Cal let you come out with us tonight, (Y/N)," Evelyn stated as they waited in line for their tickets to the opera.

"He doesn't have a say in everything that I do, Ev," (Y/N) stated matter-of-factly, "I'm still able to enjoy time with my friends."

"I'm surprised that he lets you do that. He likes knowing what you're doing at all times it seems," Georgine pointed out. (Y/N) just sighed.

It seemed that everybody had an opinion of Calvin Corwin. He was the man who she was going to marry, an arrangement by both of their families that she had no say in. His family was wealthy and so was hers, so it made sense for the two to form a union through marriage. Cal, as everybody called him, had a bit of a reputation for being a rather strict businessman who liked to have his hand in everything that the people inside his circle did. (Y/N) still cared for him though. He could be sweet sometimes behind closed doors.

"How about we don't talk about my fiancé and enjoy our night, alright?" (Y/N) suggested as she looked between her friends then. She nodded her head when no one responded, "good. Let's get our tickets now," she stated before moving forward to the ticket window to purchase hers for the show.

Soon enough, the four women were sitting in the upper balcony that was sectioned off for the upperclass people of the city. Anyone who had made a name for themselves, or had married into it, was sitting up there. That's why the two men sitting to the group's left stuck out so much from the second they sat down.

"Goodness, who are they?" Mary asked in a hushed voice as she stared over at the men, who had begun talking almost from the second they sat down.

"I mean, the man on the left seems to know what he's doing, but the man on the right...he doesn't look like he's supposed to be here at all," Evelyn snickered as the ladies were all shamelessly looking over at them now. This was just something upperclass women liked to do. They often passed the time gossiping about people both inside and out of their circle and the things that they've seen.

"What do you mean? He's wearing a nicely tailored, three-piece suit by the looks of it," (Y/N) pointed out as the other ladies continued with their snickers. She couldn't seem to take her eyes off of the handsome man who happened to be so conveniently sitting facing in her direction; as if he'd been situated specifically for her viewing pleasure.

"Look at his hair though, (Y/N). That's the haircut of the working class," Georgine was quick to point out, a hint of disgust in her voice. She was prepostered that he'd even be let up in the private boxes.

"Yeah, you can dress them up, but you can't take away who they truly are," Evelyn piggybacked off of Georgine's statement, the three sniggering again. (Y/N) tried to join in with them in their laughter, but she was stuck. Stuck staring at the man and hoping that he'd glance in her direction. She knew that she shouldn't be doing this with Cal back home, but she just couldn't help herself.

"Earth to (Y/N)..." Mary laughed as she thwacked (Y/N) on the shoulder, bringing her back into the conversation that had continued without her.

"What?" she asked, completely unaware of what had just been said.

"We were wondering how he even got up here," Mary brought her up to speed.

(Y/N) chuckled slightly, thinking on her toes to get a comment out; something that would have sounded believable. "Maybe he's the other man's servant," she guessed, the woman immediately agreeing along with her statement before the snicker-fest continued. (Y/N) only let her laughter out half-heartedly, as she really didn't feel comfortable laughing at the expense of this man, which was completely unlike her. She was the first to jump in when there was some good gossip to be told. But something about how this man held himself let her know that there was more to his story. That there was more to him than the way he dressed.

The lights in the theatre dimmed before she could speak her mind, and the ladies dropped the conversation to pay attention to the opera that had begun.

(Y/N) excused herself at intermission to use the lavatory. She checked with the other ladies to see if they wanted to accompany her, but they all chose to stay at their seats. So she exited her row and walked to the steps so that she'd be able to get to the main floor.

She then started walking down the empty hallway, her eyes focused on the floor in front of her as she walked. She didn't even see the person coming in from behind one of the exterior doors before she ran into them, and immediately, she was apologizing for not watching where she was going.

"It's alright, love, everything's fine," the man assured her, making her stop her rambling apology so that she could finally look over at who she'd collided with.

She immediately recognized him as the man that was sitting several seats over from her. "Wha...what were you doing outside?" she said the first thing that came to her mind as she stared up at him. She was honestly surprised that she said anything at all. This man was even more handsome up close, and to be honest, (Y/N) was feeling a little awestruck.

"Having a cigarette," he responded simply, his sapphire blue eyes looking her up and down. (Y/N) hadn't ever seen anything so blue in her life. Even her most expensive gems couldn't compete.

"Smoking's allowed upstairs, you know," she told him in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Oh I know," the man nodded his head, "I just wanted to step out for a moment. I've found out rather fast that the opera isn't for me," he told her, the facial expression that he pulled making (Y/N) laugh slightly.

"Why are you here then? If you don't mind me asking," she asked him with furrowed eyebrows.

"A business associate’s into 'em. He suggested it as a neutral place to meet and speak, but I now know that he just wanted to use it as a chance to see the bloody play," he disclosed.

"An opera actually isn't a play," (Y/N) pointed out, catching the flaw in his statement.

"They're all the same to me, love," he seemed unamused by the technicality, and the pet name that he called her made her stomach do flips. "You want to leave?" he asked her suddenly.

"Why would you think that I would?" (Y/N) questioned, a bit taken back by his sudden suggestion.

"Well because it seems that you're as uninterested in the play as I am..." he trailed off, taking a moment to look her up and down before he continued, "you've spent most of the first act looking over at me."

(Y/N) immediately felt her cheeks heating up at his statement. It was true though. She was unable to help herself. It was difficult to keep her eyes off of him, and as the opera continued on, she found it more amusing to look for his reactions (or lack thereof) to the events that happened. "I have friends that are waiting for me back at my seat," she told him as she clasped her hands together against her waist, making sure that her engagement ring was showing in hopes that that along with her words would help him accept her answer.

The man gazed down at her hands as they moved before his eyes matched hers again. He was nodding before he spoke, "oh. I understand. Well, it was nice meeting you," he let it be, accepting her words for what they were. (Y/N) was surprised that he'd given up without much fight from her. Perhaps she'd been living around Cal for too long. He always fought her answers until they worked out the way he wanted them to.

"Same with you. I'm sorry for staring. I'll make sure to not do it during the second act," she said bashfully, trying so hard to keep her cheeks from heating up. The man just chuckled at her statement before he excused himself to go back up the steps to the upper balcony. (Y/N) watched him go and exhaled a deep breath once he was out of sight. She couldn't help but feel slightly deflated as she finally made her way into the lavatory. Now she was going to have to actually pay attention to the opera, rather than pass her time staring at the man sitting down the row from her.

"Sweetheart, we are leaving now!" Cal's impatient voice called from the foyer.

"I'm coming, darling!" (Y/N) called as she hurried to grab her purse. She took a quick look in the mirror and deemed herself ready to go before she exited the bedroom and dashed down the hallway to get to the stairs. "How do I look, Cal?" she asked her fiancé as she clasped her hand around his bicep and let him lead her out to the car that was waiting for them.

"You look fine, (Y/N)," he nodded as he opened the door for her, following her into the backseat once she was situated. He then gave the driver the go ahead to start off to their destination. "When we get there, it will be me who is doing the talking. You are simply joining me so that the women accompanying my business partners have someone to talk to. Stay on my arm and do not say anything, alright?" Cal laid down the ground rules as they were driven to the event hall.

"Alright," (Y/N) agreed meekly as she glanced down at her lap.

"Good," Cal concluded their conversation, always liking to have the last word.

The rest of the drive was silent, and soon they had arrived at the restaurant where the upscale dinner party was being held. The affluent businessman who was hosting this event, (Y/N) hadn't been told his name, had rented the entire building out for the occasion. (Y/N) took hold of Cal's arm as he led them through the main doors and into the ballroom-like area that had tables and people scattered around it. There was a band playing music on the stage, setting the atmosphere and allowing for some to go dancing. Cal's hand moved to grip onto (Y/N)'s waist as he led her through the people to who he wanted to chat with first; making sure that she couldn't stray away from him.

He found his first conversation with a Mr. Albert Bluestone, who was a head of a large steel corporation that operated within London. Cal was swift to introduce (Y/N) to Albert's wife so that the two men could go off and chat about their business dealings. (Y/N) obliged, not really wanting to hear about this woman's draping situation, but she put up with it. She'd do anything in order to keep Cal happy.

Things were going swimmingly up until Cal dragged her along to the next person he intended on speaking to. (Y/N) instantly recognized him as the man she ran into at the opera. Her cheeks immediately heated up as she took in his dapper suit that contrasted nicely with his rugged features. She couldn't help but wonder where he was from because they surely didn't have any men in London who looked like him.

She had to snap herself out of her thoughts as Cal brought them to a stop in front of the other man. Immediately, he started with introductions, "(Y/N), this is Mr. Thomas Shelby. As you can see, he does not have a woman with him tonight, so you will stay with us as we speak business. Mr. Shelby, this is (Y/N), my fianceé," he finished, allowing Tommy to take her hand and kiss her knuckles softly. (Y/N) tried hard not to show how much his gesture affected her.

Tommy spoke then, a slight smile on his lips, "It's nice to meet you, (Y/N). What your fiancé says is true, I have yet to meet the woman for me. Perhaps I will meet her tonight."

"Now, Mr. Shelby, you say that you are coming into this city and looking to deal with the import and export of automobile parts, correct?" Cal started then, looking to take control over the conversation once more.

"That is correct," Tommy nodded, his eyes just then drifting from (Y/N) to go to the man who had already gone into his pitch of how his company would be able to help him in his endeavors.

(Y/N) wasn't listening. Instead, she was paying close attention to Tommy's mannerisms as well as nearly every word he spoke. Part of this was because she, once again, couldn't seem to take her eyes off of him, but it was also because she needed something to distract her from the ever-tightening grip that Cal had on her waist. It was most likely because he was able to sense the confident aura that Tommy was giving off, and he was intimidated by it.

Soon enough, the conversation was over, and three were bidding their goodbyes to each other. (Y/N) was upset, for once, to be leaving a conversation. She'd quickly become fascinated by Thomas Shelby. It also seemed as if he'd been fascinated by her as well, because as she moved around the room at Cal's side, she felt Tommy's eyes on her. She'd even catch his glimpse a few times, and he wouldn't drop it. They'd just stare at each other until (Y/N) would blush and look away. She found that time passed much quicker this way.

Some time later, after (Y/N) and Cal had just finished eating their dinner, Tommy approached their table. "Mr. Shelby! What can I do for you?" Cal asked with a grin on his face as Tommy stopped by their seats. "Have you already decided to go forward with our agreement?"

"I actually came to ask if I could take your fianceé for a dance, Mr. Corwin…since I am not being accompanied by a woman of my own," Tommy responded, his eyes falling on (Y/N) once more, "consider it a show of good faith for the future business that we will be doing with each other," he finished his pitch as a slight grin graced his features.

"Go on," Cal nodded in approval, "one dance won't do any harm. Treat him well, love," he directed his last sentence at (Y/N), who nodded before slowly standing from her seat to take Tommy's waiting hand. She tried her best to act hesitant so that, hopefully, Cal wouldn't catch onto how eager she was at the moment.

Tommy smiled at her as he led her onto the dancefloor. She felt tingles where he set his hand against her waist, and he had to ignore the feelings her gentle touch on his shoulder was giving him. It was like they were dancing around something else as they swayed to the music. Each touch had succeeded in lighting small fires inside of them.

"You're a good dancer, Mr. Shelby," (Y/N) commented after they'd been dancing for a few minutes.

"I've had my fair share of dances," he responded, a grin on his face. "You been with your fiancé long?" he asked her then, glancing over to the table where Cal was sitting, watching them, as he spoke.

"No, not really," (Y/N) shook her head, "we've been put into an arranged marriage...one that will benefit both of our families," she told him, hating that she was now thinking of her controlling fiancé while in the arms of this handsome man.

"So you both had no say?"

"I'd like to think so, but it's obvious that Cal had a hand in it. He likes that he has someone who he can order around and control in the way he does with me," she admitted, a sigh escaping her lips even though she didn't want it to. Tommy only nodded his head to what she had to say as the song had ended, and with that, probably all of the fun that (Y/N) would be having that night ended as well. "Thank you for the dance, Tommy," she smiled up at him as they stepped away from each other.

"It's my pleasure, love," he responded with a smile, the pet name he used making her feel all giddy inside. She never felt like that with Cal.

"Did you enjoy yourself, (Y/N)?" Cal asked the second she'd returned to the table.

"I did," she nodded.

"Good. Maybe now Mr. Shelby will take our arrangement seriously."

(Y/N) only nodded at his words. It was always all business with him. She sat beside him as he engaged in conversation with the other men at their table. All she wanted to do was leave now. She'd had enough of the atmosphere that filled these types of engagements. You had to take everything that everybody said with a grain of salt because they were really just trying to advance their company.

So she passed her time by glancing around the room in hopes that she'd see Tommy again. And eventually she did. His eyes locked onto hers and he held them for a second before he nodded his head to the side before he began walking in that direction. The breath got caught in (Y/N)'s throat. He was motioning for her to follow him.

"I need to use the restroom, Cal," she quickly made up a believable lie.

"Go 'head," he all but muttered, unbothered to even look her way as she stood from her chair and went in the same direction that Tommy had gone.

She approached the hallway she'd seen him walk down and watched as he tried a door before stepping inside the room that was behind it. She slowed her pace so that she wouldn't be barging in right after he'd entered. Eventually she got to it, and she opened it slowly to see him leaning against a table whilst he was lighting a cigarette. His suit jacket and tie had been discarded, and the top button of his dress shirt was now undone. His head snapped in her direction as she shut the door, and she was almost a puddle on the floor as she watched him exhale a line of smoke.

"You wanted to see me?" she asked, her voice soft.

"I did," Tommy nodded while taking another drag.

"Why?" was her next question. She hated how shy she was acting.

"Because I wanted to do this," he told her, extinguishing his cigarette in the table's ashtray before he made his way over to her. His lips were on hers before she was able to ask 'what'.

(Y/N) immediately responded to the kiss by wrapping her arms around his neck, her fingers going to run through the shaven sides of his head and up to the longer locks that sat atop his head. Tommy's hands stayed gripped on her waist as he kissed her with fervor, showing her how much he'd been wanting to do that from the moment he first saw her. She couldn't help but let out a moan as their tongues met, clashing against each other as they fought for control of the situation. (Y/N) eventually let him have it. She'd never been so inclined to give up control in her life as she was in this moment.

But then the controlling man that was already in her life popped back into her mind, making her pull away from Tommy with a gasp. "What's wrong, (Y/N)?" he asked as he tried to steady his breathing, his hands still fastened to her waist.

"My fiancé. He'll kill me for what I've done," she told him, worry immediately seeping into her features.

"He won't. He's got his share of mistresses too, love. It'd be hypocritical for him to do anything," he reminded her, but (Y/N) couldn't hear it. She was supposed to be Cal's ever-loving fianceé, regardless of the stuff that he was involved in.

"Maybe our desire for each other will stay in the hallways," she said to him as she finally broke her hold from him with the intent of leaving the room. She couldn't be alone with him any longer for fear of her not being able to uphold her decision. So she made her way to the door.

But she wasn't able to leave without him grabbing her hand and turning her towards him so that he could say one last line: "I'll make this right, (Y/N)," he told her with sincerity in his voice as he leaned in to kiss her lips once more.

(Y/N) only nodded her head as they pulled away. She was unsure of what to say to his statement, so she went to open the door. She tried to keep herself calm as she returned back to her table, although his final words, and the amazing feeling of his lips lingered in the back of her mind for the remainder of the night.

"Why the sudden change in business dealings, Mr Shelby?" Calvin Corwin asked with furrowed eyebrows as he sat across from Thomas Shelby. They were currently in his office, where Tommy had showed up to say that he was cutting off ties with the other man's company.

"I have decided to seek out other partners," Tommy tried to keep his answer vague and his temper in check. It was taking everything he had not to jump across the man's desk and kill him in that moment.

"Why?" Cal was still perplexed, "we made a good deal with each other."

"I've been given better deals."

"I let you dance with my fucking wife," Cal's voice dropped as anger seeped into it.

"She's not your fucking wife, she's your fianceé," Tommy pointed out for spite at that point, a grin on his face.

"Who cares?! I still let you touch her with your grubby hands, and this is how you repay me?! By pulling out of the deal that we made only two weeks ago?!" Cal wasn't backing down, and it was making it harder for Tommy to keep his cool. But he really wanted to go forward with his plan instead of going off the cuff.

So he stood up from his seat and made his way to the door, "if you really want to know why I'm pulling out of this deal, Mr. Corwin, I suppose I'll tell you..." Tommy trailed off as he glanced over at the light switch, "I'm pulling out because I do not want to be doing business with a man who has linked up with Darby Sabini...the very man who is trying to bring me down," he gave him his answer, his words coming out like daggers, "oh, and Mr. Corwin, I will make sure that your fianceé knows of how you met your demise when I see her later tonight," he got one last dig in with a grin before he opened the door and exited the office.

"What do you mean by that, Mr. Shelby?!" he heard Cal yell from the other side of the door. Tommy ignored him and made sure to walk away as quickly as possible from the room that was about to explode at any second.

He was sure that his plan to kill Calvin Corwin was going to go off without a hitch, but then he saw (Y/N) walking towards him. The second she recognized him, her eyes lit up. His widened as he rushed to cover her for the impending explosion. The walls behind him blew out the second he got to her, and he tried his best to shield her from the shrapnel.

"What was that?!" (Y/N) gasped in shock as she opened her eyes once things had settled. She gasped again as she looked over Tommy's shoulder to see the office that was once her fiancé's was now essentially blown to smithereens. "Tommy, you're hurt," she said then, noticing a cut up above his eyebrow.

"I'm fine, love. And I've made things right. Cal's dead," he told her what she already knew. There was no way that he would have lived through that. (Y/N)'s jaw still dropped though as the shock of it registered in her brain. "He was part of Darby Sabini's organization. He was using the deal we created to feed information on my next moves to Sabini," he went about informing her of something she hadn't known. Well, she knew about the kind of things that Darby Sabini did, but she didn't know that her fiancé was mixed up in them. Which meant that Tommy was mixed up in them too.

"They'll know that someone murdered him, Tommy," (Y/N) pointed out, already fearful of what would become of the man who had just saved her from harm.

"No," Tommy shook his head firmly, "it'll be written off as faulty electrical wiring," he assured her. Surprisingly, that was all that she needed to quell most of her worries. "Things will be alright now. Let's get you to a hospital, love," he told her as he then started to help her up to her feet. He then offered her his arm and she happily took it, a smile on her face as he led them out of the building as pandemonium continued to happen around them.

Tagged: @alreadybroken-ts @magicalxdaydream @the-anxious-youth @cloudofdisney @look-at-the-soul @golden-hoax @elenavampire21 @peaky-cillian @mrsalwayswrite @julkaamazing @julyzaa

MASTERLIST

#tommy shelby #tommy shelby x reader #tommy shelby x y/n #tommy shelby imagine #peaky blinders #peakyxtommy #peaky blinders fanfiction #peaky blinders fanfic #fanfiction #fanfic

[dilemmaontwolegs]

Breaking And Entering - Part 2

Bucky Barnes x fem!reader

Summary: Fate has you and Bucky crossing paths and leads to a change of heart. Warnings: 18+ only, outercourse, slight knife kink Word Count:2372

Part One || Part Two || Part Three

RECAP: You laid there for 20 minutes, arguing with yourself about what you were going to do but there was never any choice, failure was not an option. So you carefully removed his arm from around you and looked down at the peaceful face of the man who had broken some part of you that you didn’t know you had. Tears began to prick at your eyes and blur your vision as you silently removed his dog tags and disappeared into the night.

━━━━━━♡♥♡━━━━━━

The phone charging on your side table vibrated for the third time today. It wasn’t even 7am. You knew you were running out of time to deliver the dog tags to the buyer, and he was not a man to be messed around. But for one reason or another there was some deeply repressed emotion stopping you from handing it over. Guilt.

“Get your shit together.”

You stared at your blurred reflection in the condensated mirror and tried to hide the emotion in your eyes. After failing miserably you swiped your hand across the steamed surface as if to erase it completely and turned away with a huff. You had bigger things to worry about.

The first place Kingpin would send his henchmen would be to the club you owned, it was where all your clients went to request your services. Of course everyone you met there thought you were merely a middleman, the real criminal mastermind’s secretary, none of them knew it was all you. You knew you couldn’t go back to the club for the foreseeable future and it wouldn’t take them long to find your house when they started looking. If you weren’t going to give him the dog tags you needed to leave town.

You grabbed the go bag that was stuffed in the bottom of your wardrobe and checked your tools, cash and clothes were still exactly as you had packed them. After getting dressed in some comfortable clothes, that you could also run in if needed, you hung the tags over your head and tucked them under your shirt. You would find somewhere safe to store them once you were out of town.

Grabbing your phone off the charger you made your way outside to your car and opened the security app. You checked that all the locks and sensor alarms were engaged on the windows and doors before tossing the phone on the seat beside you and headed to La Guardia airport. You would buy a ticket for the first plane out of New York and take a much needed holiday. If you couldn’t get your head back in the game you were dead, simple as that.

━━━━━━♡♥♡━━━━━━

“That’s her, Sam.” Bucky whispered and inconspicuously pointed to your back. “She’s the one that stole my dog tags.”

“The prostitute?” Sam asked.

“She’s not a prostitute, I didn’t pay her.”

“You had sex and she got something of value.” Sam chuckled. “Pretty sure that makes her a hooker.”

“She’s not a- just have Redwing tail her.”

“Are you sure? I thought you said she was in New York.”

“She was and so was I. Now I’m here. People travel, Sam.” He huffed. “I got a good look at her and that’s her, the thief.”

“You haven't even seen that chick's face unless...oh you dirty dog. You straight up took her from behind, didn’t you?” Sam laughed and clapped Bucky on the back before pressing some buttons on his wrist and setting Redwing on his target.

You didn’t want to look over your shoulder but you could feel eyes burning into your back and a shiver rolled down your spine. You pulled the baseball cap down lower over your face and wove your way through the busy streets of Washington D.C, sticking to the most populous places. You were pretty sure you had lost your tail, despite never actually spotting them, but the niggling feeling in the pit of your stomach had dissipated.

Deciding to double back on yourself and make sure you were safe before heading back to your hotel, you passed the front of the Smithsonian and felt the weight of the tags heavy on your chest. Impulse pulled you into the museum and you killed some time by mindlessly walking around the exhibits until you spotted a familiar face. A Fallen Comrade.

There, projected on the wall, was his face. It was the face that had haunted your dreams for a week, blue eyes that looked like ice but set your body on fire. You took the dog tags out of your shirt and turned them over to read them, not that you hadn’t memorised the lettering pressed into the metal.

James B Barnes 32557038 T41 42 O R Barnes 3092 Stockton Rd Shelbyville IN P

Steven G Rogers 32597920 T43 44 O

After reading the monument in honour of Steve Rogers you knew he had no next of kin to name on his dog tag. Taking them from Bucky seemed even crueller now and the guilt you had been holding back resurfaced with a crushing force that knocked the wind out of you. Standing before the lifelike wax figure of the original Captain America you felt the weight of his stare twisting the knife in your gut and you lifted the dog tags over your head.

You didn’t deserve to be in his presence, it was the same feeling you imagined the devil would have walking into a church. It was wrong. Doing what you did best, you left. There didn’t seem to be anything amiss as you exited the museum so you headed straight to the hotel you had booked under a fake name and gave them enough of a cash bond to not ask questions.

Your room was light and airy, full of creams and gold palettes that were the opposite of your taste and personality. You were attracted to dark and dangerous things, it was why you wanted the Winter Soldier so badly that night. He had the ability to break you like a twig and that set your heart racing. You berated yourself as thoughts of him invaded your mind and decided a bath would be the best way to clear your head.

“Yo, Redwing found her.” Sam said as he shook Bucky awake from his nap.

“Where did she go?” Bucky asked as he wiped his face and sat up straight.

“I dunno man but he’s following her up Constitution Ave.”

Bucky got up and shrugged his leather jacket on before grabbing his phone and his hotel key.

“Ping me her location.” He said as he opened the door of Sam’s apartment.

“You sure you don’t want some backup? In case you end up on your back, again.”

Sam’s laughter followed him even after he shut the door and began to jog his way across the suburbs, passing the Whitehouse along the way. He heard his phone go off in his pocket and stopped to pull it out and opened the message from Sam, along with the link that led to your location at the Embassy Suites.

The huge spa bath was big enough to fully submerge in and you let yourself sink beneath the waters and drowned out the sounds of the city. There was a peace that came with the silence, a sweet burn in your lungs that reminded you that you were still alive. All too soon your lungs screamed for oxygen and you burst through the surface with an audible gasp.

Movement in your peripheral alerted you to the fact you were not alone and you reached over the side of the bath to reach for the knife you had put there. Your fingers scrambled around but came up empty and you saw the reason why when Bucky held it just out of your reach.

“I don’t have them.” You said as you waved your hands over your bare chest and watched his eyes follow your hands.

“Where are they?” He asked, stepping closer and looking over the side of the bath and along the entire length of your body.

“Somewhere safe.” You said, swirling your fingers around the now tepid water.

“Not good enough.” He growled as he reached down and pulled you out of the water by your arms. “You’re going to get them back.”

“I can…but then he will just kill me and send someone else after them.” You rushed out as he dragged you out of the bathroom.

“What the hell are you talking about?” He frowned and froze with you in his strong grip.

“Fisk, Wilson Fisk. He hired me to steal them.”

Bucky let go of you and you barely caught yourself at the sudden release. He looked torn as he watched you, like he was debating your fate and he couldn’t quite decide what you deserved. Considering who he was and the connection he had, that was probably right on the money.

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.” You said wholeheartedly.

“For fucking me or fucking me over?” He quipped sarcastically and tossed your knife onto the bed.

“The second.” You said, catching his haunting eyes as they flicked up from your breasts to look you in the eyes. “Only the second.”

The predicament was gone in an instant and resolve settled on his face before he grabbed your jaw in his vibranium grasp. You thought he had decided you weren’t worth keeping alive and closed your eyes as you resigned yourself to your fate. You waited for the crushing blow to come but a pain of a wholly different kind came. Your head was tipped back until your neck was stretched tight and breathing became difficult. Flames licked at the skin covering your racing pulse in the form of his lips before his teeth grazed over the spot.

“Bucky?” You cried out before his mouth swallowed your words and you returned the heated kiss.

“You’re going to get back what you stole.” He ordered between the work his mouth was doing on your neck. “But first…I need to get you out of my system.”

He pushed you back until your knees hit the bed and you fell trapped beneath his body. Arms caged around you and a hiss of delight escaped through your teeth as he sucked one of your nipples into his mouth and rolled it around his tongue. You freed your arms from your side and tried to run your fingers through his hair only to find your hands pinned above your head and a knife at your throat.

“Just because I’m going to fuck you, doesn’t mean I trust you.”

“I have never lied to you, James.”

“Who are you?” He asked as he pressed the blade a little more against your skin.

“My name is y/n.” You said as you lifted your head up from the bed and felt the bite of the knife threatening to draw blood. “And I just found out knife play turns me on.”

You rolled your hips up and sighed as his jeans gave you the friction you so desperately needed. He pressed himself closer to you and rode his bulging erection between your legs as his hold on the knife loosened. His growl was a deep vibration that set your body alight and he released your hands so he could pull his shirt over his head. You propped yourself up on your elbows so you could watch your present unwrap itself and licked your lips when he dropped his jeans to the floor.

“I own Club Fury in Hell’s Kitchen.” You admitted as you climbed to your knees and met him chest to chest at the edge of the bed.

“What else?” He asked with a groan as your hand wrapped around his thick cock and stroked the length of him.

“I have never met a man who can do what you do to me.” You moaned as his fingers dipped between your legs and teased along your folds while his other arm snaked around your back and clasped the nape of your neck.

“And what is that?” He demanded as he pushed the ribbed digits inside you.

Your head tipped back as his cool fingers invaded you and you swore you could feel them vibrate as they curled inside you, erasing all coherent thoughts except one - the answer.

“Feel.”

He dropped his forehead to yours as both of your arms worked to bring each other pleasure, both hips rolling to deepen the other's touch until it was too much to bear. Your orgasm deepened your breathing, stealing the oxygen that you were sharing with the man millimetres from your face and his cheek was pressed to yours so you could hear every hitch in his breath too.

“Tell me how I make you feel.”

The room was spinning as his fingers never stopping fucking you despite your walls clenched tightly around them and all you could feel was him. His arm that held you close, your breasts pressed flush against his chest, the smear of his precum low on your stomach as you quickened your strokes, the heat of his breath on your ear that he whispered his demands in. He was everywhere.

“Alive.” Your voice was broken by the waves of pleasure that emanated from his hand and you felt the molten liquid running down your thighs as he refused to stop. “Fuck, you make me feel alive!”

His chest shuddered against yours and you felt the hot spurts of his cum trail down your stomach and over your hand. Your palm was slippery with his cum and you used it to gently stroke every last drop from him before you released your hold on him. The eyes that had haunted your dreams all week watched as you ran your finger through his seed on your stomach and brought it up to your lips.

He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth and his cock twitched between you as your tongue ran sensually over your finger. You hummed in satisfaction and you closed your eyes at his unique taste, neither salty nor sweet, but the perfect balance and 100% delicious.

“You’re impossible.” He groaned and you opened your eyes to see his jaw clenched and a hunger in his eyes.

“How so?” You asked as you placed your arms around his neck and kissed his tense jawline.

“This was meant to get you out of my system.” He unlocked your arms from his neck and pushed you back onto the bed before crawling up your body, the weight of his already hard cock pressing into your thigh. “Now I just want more.”

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Last Part Click HERE 

A/N: Decided this will be three parts or this chapter would have ended up being like 5k. I appreciate the comments and reblogs, thank you all so much ♡♡♡

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