#he would do so for nearly one hour unless one of the kids would call for him which happened rarely

[kunikidas-lost-glasses]

Okay but Gojo raised two children at 17/18 alone with like zero experience on how to be a good parent while he was training to become the strongest and shortly after loosing his best friend who had also been the one he had been in love with in one of the most horrendous and cruel ways possible all while keeping up an incredibly cheerful and carefree personality.

You can't tell me that this man wasn't emotionally, mentally and probably also physically exhausted during that time.

#Doing all of that is honestly so impressive #And doing so while being at a bad place in life/struggling with mental health makes it even more difficult to manage #I like to think that Nanami and Shoko kept checking on him frequently despite him saying that he was fine and didn't needed any help #He was just 17/18 at that time. He was so young. #Hc: When he had a moment for himself in the evening when the kids were already in bed he would just sit in bed and stare holes into the air #he would do so for nearly one hour unless one of the kids would call for him which happened rarely #shoving only tiny parts of headcanons which aren't bsd related into the posts which aren't bsd related so that I can still publish them #Listening to sad songs while my mental health is getting worse again really sets the mood for this one #satoru gojo #gojo satoru #gojo saturo #saturo gojo #megumi fushiguro #tsumiki fushiguro #fushiguro tsumiki #geto suguru #suguru geto #satoru x suguru #satosugu #jjk gojo #jjk spoilers #jujutsu kaisen #jjk #not bsd related

[webslingingslasher]

I Swear I Don't Know Who That Man Is

Pairing: Peter Parker x Reader

Genre: fluff/angst

Word Count: 5K

Summary: you got wasted and called peter to pick you up, you also don't realize it's him right away.

Peter Parker hates parties. 

But, he loves you. That’s why he’s currently allowing his eardrums to burst apart and have his shoulders constantly being checked from the other bodies surrounding him. It’s giving him the type of overstimulation where he wants to throw everyone to the side and scream at everybody to shut the fuck up. Instead he pushes through the crowd and tries his best to find you as quickly as he could. 

“Yo Parker! Is that you?” 

Peter wants to roll his eyes, how is Tarrent going to look directly at him, use his name even and then follow it up with asking if it is in fact, who he thought. Peter thinks about ignoring him until Tarrents hand claps him on the shoulder and digs his fingers in as he drags him to the kitchen island. 

“Parker’s here, pour 'em up!” Tarrent waves his hand at his friend with the bottle, he shrugs and follows instructions. Peter is busy looking around for you. 

“Thought you weren’t the party type, Parker.” 

Peter grabs the shot from Dalton, the one with the bottle, who poured them at the request of his frat president. 

“I’m not really, I’m on boyfriend duty right now.” 

Tarrent rips a nearly empty beer can from his lips, foam spilling out and his fingers slightly dented the can in his hold. “Where’s she at? Should I get D to pour a shot?” Peter’s always been confused by Tarrent, he was kind of a dick. Not the intentional type of dick, but the overall stupid dick. He’s always been a fan of Peters, he never let anyone pick on him and always was his buddy when he was in the room. 

Peter eyes the shot in his hand, he doesn’t want to do this. 

He doesn’t get drunk, unless he drinks an abnormal amount. Instead he just gets to taste all the burn with none of the fun side effects. 

“Not sure, she was supposed to get a ride home with Linzey, but then she called me up here.” 

Tarrent nods, “Linzey with the tits? They’re honkin dude, you should see ‘em.” 

Peter blinks at him, “Yeah, she has boobs alright.” 

Tarrent raises his shot glass, “To tits!” 

Peter raises his own shot glass, “To tits!” He tries to forget that you would pinch his arm if you heard him say that. Then taps the glass on the counter twice in unison with his friend before throwing it back. 

His nose wrinkles slightly, warm vodka was absolutely terrible. 

“So, Parker. Wanna play a round of pong?” 

Peter thinks he doesn’t know his first name, he’s never once called him it. 

“I would but I’ve never played and I have a girlfriend to find.” 

Tarrent claps his hands, “Tell you what, you play a round with me and I’ll send D to get your girl. Sound good?” 

Peter thinks about it, he really, really doesn’t want to be here but he’s feeling slightly pressured. Not to mention Tarrent’s done a lot for Peter, he’s pulled a lot of cards for him. He’s helped him get into the library after hours, and he even let Peter use his car for a date. 

Peter sighs, “Just one round?” 

Tarrent waves Dalton off and raises his fists and shakes them, “This is gonna be so lit dude, something tells me you’re gonna win us this round.” 

Peter laughs, “I’ve never played.” 

Tarrent punches his shoulder, “Beginners luck, man.” 

Peter watches Tarrent push away a kid on the cups, even in the middle of a game they both stopped just because Tarrent wanted to play. “Rerack ‘em, Charlie. Parker’s gonna kick ass.” 

Tarrent explains the game to Peter quickly, “You shoot a ball and I do, you wanna get them in the cup. You get it in the cup, they drink it and remove it from the triangle. If we both get one in then we get balls back and can reshoot, if we land it in the same cup then they take an extra cup off. You can’t have your elbow go over the edge of the table, however you can bounce the ball and if it lands they’ll take an extra cup, but they can also swat it off the table. If they land a cup and the ball swirls around the cup you can ‘finger it out’, basically how you do your chick, last rule is a redemption, if we win they get an extra shot. If they miss, they lose, if they hit it, our win is canceled out but the game isn’t over.” 

Peter nods slowly, “So I just make it in the cup?” 

Tarrent smiles, “Exactly, Parker.” 

Charlie finishes the rerack, both sides have ten, red plastic cups lined up in a triangle. He looks up to see his opponents, Tom and Terry, twins in Tarrent’s frat. Tarrent holds out his hands, a fist in one palm, Tom copies his move and they start slamming their fists down. “Rock, paper, scissors. Let’s fuckin go, Parker! Watch me.” Tarrent cheers when he wins the game, picking up the white ball he blows on it for good luck and shoots it, it hits in the middle and bounces around the rim before falling off. 

“Fuck! You got this, Parker. Win it for your lady!” Tarrent slaps Peter’s chest, the force knocking him off balance for a second.

Peter can’t think of one thing you’d be less impressed with. 

Tarrent is a good guy, dumb and sexist and misogynistic but a good guy. He didn’t realize what he was saying was wrong and usually when Peter gently corrected him he took note immediately and changed his language. 

Peter decides he’ll give the win to Tarrent. He can easily win this game, no matter how good his opponents are, they don’t have Spidey skills. 

He clears his throat and picks up a ball, he focuses on the first one and shoots. It’s a perfect shot. 

Tarrent jumps up and howls, “That’s my fuckin guy! Fuck you Tom! Fuck you Terry!” 

The game goes back and forth for a minute, Peter choosing to miss some shots to slow the game a little. Otherwise it would be finished in five minutes. Halfway through the pressure gets to Terry, “You can’t hit this, Parker. Just like your girlfriend, you know you always leave her begging for more.” 

Peter blinks and tilts his head, “Is that supposed to be trash talk?” He sails the ball into a cup, Tom slaps his brother's head and chugs the now lukewarm beer. Terry’s words made him think, where were you? Dalton was sent to search almost fifteen minutes ago. 

Dalton comes running up panting, “So I’m looking all around for you man and I gotta be honest, I have no fucking clue what she looks like. I tried asking every girl if Parker was their boyfriend but there’s too many.” 

Peter looks over to Tarrent, he’s heard his pledge and made pleading eyes at Peter. 

“C’mon, man. You can’t bolt now, we’re about to win!” 

He’s right. With a sigh Peter unlocks his phone and shows Dalton your picture. He examines and nods, “Be right back!” Then turns to break into a half jog, he stops to turn a girl around, that looks absolutely nothing like you, before shaking his head and running back into the house. 

He has very little hope. 

They won the game with very little surprise on Peter’s end. He nearly got talked into a second game but he was more desperate to find you so he could get midnight mcdonalds and a cuddle. “You sure you can’t do one more?” Peter winces, “Sorry, dude. I gotta find Y/N, she’s probably pissed by now.” Tarrent nods gulping down a beer, “I know how chicks are, I’ll see you Tuesday, Parker.” 

Peter smiled and nods his head, “Good game, man. Glad I could get you that win.” 

Tarrent gives him a grin back, he’s a little sloshed for sure. He hooks an arm around Peter’s neck, his beer splashed on his sweater on the shoulder. “You know, I really do consider you a good friend, Parker. You’re a good guy.” Peter taps his arm, “Thanks, man. You too.” 

Tarrent shoves him away and slaps his ass, “Go find your chick, I’m sure she’s missing you.” 

Peter now realizes why it’s taken Dalton so long to find you, he’s not looking. 

He estimates Dalton made it three steps in when he spotted a wasted blonde and was busy chatting her up, he made eye contact with Peter and his eyes widened, “Listen man, I’m sorry, okay? I just saw the prettiest girl in my life and I had to talk with her. Also can you please not tell Tarrent? He’ll knock me back four points and Franklin can’t beat me, I have a thousand bucks I don’t have on pledging.” 

Peter watches the girl swing her head back and hit the wall, she giggles and sips her drink. He just points at her and looks at Dalton, “She’s wasted. Get her a water and get her home safely. I promise she’ll call you, do the right thing.” Dalton grins and shows Peter his phone, an Uber already ordered. “Like Tarrent says, rule three of Alpha Beta Delta, W.W.P.D. What would Parker Do?” 

“Tarrent has a rule dedicated to me?” 

“Dude he has a whole fucking powerpoint on it.” 

Peter nods his head impressed, turns out he can make an impact outside of the suit. 

He pulls out his phone to check the time and sees two missed calls and seven texts, each one getting progressively sadder when you ask where he was. Peter looks up at Dalton and motions to his phone, he understands and waves him off. Peter’s quick to send you a text. 

‘I’m here, where are you?’

You read it, your chat bubble appears, then disappears, and then sends nothing. 

Peter doesn’t know if you’re in trouble or just mad he was an hour late to get you and ghosted you. 

‘baby please tell me where you are, i want to go home.’

You have the same pattern, then a text appears. 

‘So did I. An hour ago.’

Peter groans, no one could ever prepare him for a not only drunk, but a pissed off, drunk girlfriend. 

‘:(‘ 

He tries to think of where you might’ve gone. Peter checks the upstairs bathrooms first, then Tarrents room. When he comes up empty he tries outside, both the front and back. Nothing, he’s worried you might’ve left him as a punishment. When he circled the living room for the third time he was hopeless and texted you with no response, he was about to scream until he saw Lindzey. He nearly bolted to her, “Where’s my girlfriend?” 

She narrowed her eyes then smiled when she recognized him, “The basement. She’s pretty gone, she said Jarred was giving her the creeps so I came to get her some water.” 

“Where is she now?” 

Lindzey looks at him funny, “The basement?” 

“You left my girlfriend, your friend, alone in a basement with a guy that was giving her the creeps while she’s inebriated?” Peter decided he would never trust her around you again. 

She tried to speak but Peter held up a hand and passed by her, quick to get down the stairs, he didn’t even know there was a basement. He was able to breathe easier when he saw you sitting in a chair in the corner swirling a straw in your cup, your feet tapping to the beat of the song. 

You looked drop dead gorgeous. 

Peter approached you, you didn’t look up at him. You sucked on your straw and chewed at the end, he smiled down on you. 

“Hey, trouble.” 

In a swift movement you moved to hit the side of your shoe against his, “Out.” You spoke around your straw and kept staring at a poster on the wall. “Huh?” Peter was confused, did you want him out of the room, or the house? 

You sighed and kicked again, “I said out!” 

Peter couldn’t help but laugh, you were trashed. “Out of where, baby?” 

You ripped the straw from your mouth, the ice danced in the cup, at last you snapped your head to look at his face “Listen here, prick.” Your voice was venom, Peter’s eyes widened, he looked around for a second and shuffled closer. In turn you threw yourself back in your chair, “Out means out. Out of my way, out of my space, out of my fucking life.” 

You’ve never been this harsh before, he didn’t realize you were this pissed. 

He sighs, “Trouble, I’m sorry I-” 

You cut him off quickly, “Don’t call me that, ever. My boyfriend calls me that, that’s his word for me. Not yours.” 

He can’t help but grin in relief, you didn’t know it was him. 

“I don’t see a boyfriend.” 

You scoff, “Yeah well if you don’t see a bear shit in the woods doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. He’s on his way, he’s picking me up.” 

“How about I take you home sweetheart?” 

As serious as you could muster at the moment. You looked dead in his eyes and threatened him, “My boyfriend is gonna beat the absolute shit out of you.” Peter raised his eyebrows, “Oh is he now?” You nod fiercely, “If I ask, he’s so whipped for me he would do anything I want.” 

Peter’s offended. He knows it’s true, but damn. 

“He’s whipped but left you here alone?” 

You nearly clawed his eyes out, “I have no fucking idea why you’re acting like you know anything about him. He’s my boyfriend and he’s picking me up, and I promise you don’t want to be here when he does.” 

Peter feels a sense of pride that you’re dropping his name, he made you feel so safe and comfortable that you knew he would drop kick anyone you deemed deserving. 

“Okay, sweetheart. Want me to bring you to your boyfriend?” 

You scoff and sip your drink, “I don’t think he would want me to leave my spot.” 

He wants to give you an atta girl, he’s trained you well enough that when you’re drinking and waiting on him you hunker down until he finds you. He will be looking forever if you’re constantly moving around. 

“What if I told you I was told to come get you?” 

You look him over with shifty eyes, you don’t trust this man. 

“What’s his name then?”

He ignores your question and reaches for the cup you're drinking from, he thinks it’s time you stop. You slap his hand, hard, “Don’t, ever, touch something I’m drinking, okay? Mommy never taught you to keep your hands to yourself, huh?” 

Peter rubs at his red hand, “I-“ 

You dryly laugh in his face, “How fucking entitled to you think you are? I mean really, not to mention you have no fucking clue how to read a room. I’m not interested, you dolt, I have a boyfriend that is gonna come grab me at any second.” 

Peter squats so he’s more eye level. He notices the issue, you couldn’t see him. He was backed against the wall and it was shadowed, the second he bent down the window lit up his face. 

“Hey, trouble. I am your boyfriend, wanna get home?” 

Your eyes lit up with recognition, the moment you saw who you were berating your lower lip trembles. Fat tears pooling in your eyes had Peter panicking, did you still not understand who he was? Has he scared you? 

“You’re okay, baby. It’s just me.” He smiles to be non threatening, it doesn’t work. You blink and tears fall, Peter frowns and reaches forward to cup your face, you shrink back further into the seat. The drink clutched to your chest spilled out over your shirt, you ignored it and looked at Peter, shaking your bottom lip at him to hold off sobs.

Peter starts to look around, before placing a palm on your chest trying to sop up the extra liquid into his sweater. You shove his hand back quickly, then raise your knees to hide your chest, wrapping your hands around your legs and cry into your knees. 

He’s at a loss for words, he really doesn’t know what’s going on. Are you truly lost and think he’s taking advantage of you? It seemed like you recognized him the second you saw his face. He puts his hand on a knee, you move your leg so his hand falls off, he’s lost. 

Peter thinks he needs to find Lindzey, he doesn’t like the idea of leaving you here alone upset, but he can’t seem to figure you out. If you can see your friend and have her willingly say that you are safe and this is your boyfriend then everything should be fine, right? 

You have your face hidden from him, he had taken your cup away when it landed all over your front. Peter rests the plastic on the ground, the remnants of ice click. With a sigh he stands, he turns to look up the stairs hoping Lindzey would be coming down any second, if he has a guess though, she’s in Tarrents room watching the ceiling fan. 

Peter takes one step and you grab his wrist tightly. 

“You’re not leaving me right?” 

“Hey!” He gives you a warm smile, like the kind of greeting you get from coming out of your room after a few hours. “What’s got you crying?” 

You repeat your words, “You’re not leaving me, right?” You emphasize the right, because you don’t think Peter would do that but you’re not too sure the way you’ve been talking to him. 

“I was gonna find Lindzey, are you-“ 

You jump up instantly using the hand you have on Peter for stability. You’re so close to Peter you almost step on his toes, he’s quick to back up. You take in his movements and start to cry, you shake your head quickly. 

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, please don’t leave me. I’m sorry, I’ll never do it again, I promise. Don’t break up with me, don’t leave me.” 

Peter’s face scrunches in confusion, you take it as rejection. You cry harder, you sob so hard people are starting to turn and look. “Hey, c’mere.” He wraps an arm around your shoulder to pull you out of the basement but you stick your feet to the ground and shake your head violently. “No! Don’t do this, Peter. I’m sorry! Please don’t!” 

He really wants to get you the fuck out of here. It’s dark, cold, loud and crowded. You’re also a nervous wreck that’s not only sobbing but also screaming at him stuck to his side but refusing him to touch you back. You’re also making it sound like he’s about to take you out back and teach you a lesson, he’s trying to think of the nicest way possible to get you to shut the fuck up. 

You sniffle and take a deep inhale, then pout at Peter who takes your silence as an opportunity and leans in to talk directly in your ear. 

“Calm down, Y/N. Follow me, understand?” 

You nod but when he tries to move you stay attached to the ground again, “I said I was sorry, I didn’t mean to, I promise.” 

Peter can’t think of a time you’ve been more hammered. 

He needs to get you out of here, he tries one last time before he’d be forced to throw you over his shoulder. Peter leans to talk into your ear once more, not mean but stern. “I’m not mad, but I will be if you don’t follow me.” You wipe away any extra tears that had fallen before nodding slowly, you’re trying to not make him mad. He doesn’t know why you think he’s so upset at you. 

Peter tries to grab your hand but you cross your arms and sniffle as you follow him up the stairs, he keeps turning every few seconds to make sure you’re still with him. He knows the second he’s able to get you away from the house you’d be able to explain why you were so upset. He’s just so tired and is more than ready to get home so he could sleep next to you, and he’s been so patient with you so far. 

It’s rare you make him aggravated. So when you bolt from behind him to hide behind Tarrent he has to take a few deep breaths before he follows you. He doesn’t know why you’re scared of him, he doesn’t know why you were crying, he doesn’t know why you want to hide behind Tarrent. He does know he wants to get the fuck out of here. Peter takes a second for his annoyance to leave, he’s half tempted to pull your arm like a toddler out the door. Kicking and screaming and all. 

When Peter finally walks over he’s blocked by Tarrent’s hand. 

“What’s going on, Parker?” His tone is accusatory, his side chosen with the teary eyed sniffling girl. 

Peter sighs, “Honestly, no fucking clue.” When he looked over at you, you immediately threw your head down to look at your shoes. He leaned in a little closer to Tarrent to speak softly, trying not to set you off again,  “I tried to get her to leave but she started crying and freaking out.” 

“She doesn’t want to leave with you.” 

Peter blinked. Tarrent was supposed to be his friend, why was he taking your side out of nowhere. 

“She had me spooked too. I promise everything is okay.” He smiled and went to move around Tarrent to grab his girlfriend, this time Tarrent was more aggressive. “She said she doesn’t want to leave with you, Parker. I won’t make a lady do anything they don’t want.” 

Peter is so ready to say fuck it to everything.

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Okay, great. Are you going to be getting my girlfriend home safely or will one of your pledges that can barely tie their own shoes be instructed to do so?” Tarrent’s face hardens, “Why don’t you go take a walk, Parker?” 

He throws his hands in the air, “Awesome.” He points to Tarrent, “You can take care of it from here.” Then Peter stands near you, you still haven’t said a word or moved an inch. “Have a goodnight, Y/N. I’ll talk to you whenever.” 

Finally you speak, it’s a worried tone. 

“You’re leaving?” 

Peter can’t help himself, he gives a laugh, like he’s the crazy one. Exasperated, he looks at you, “Yeah, baby, I am.” You look him up and down, “Why?” He takes a second to look around the room, he’s expecting cameras to come out. 

He doesn’t want to fight but his tone said otherwise. 

“Because, Y/N. You called me here to pick you up, then you were mad I was late. Then you wouldn’t tell me where you were because you thought a game of hide and seek would be cute, then when I found you, you started crying and screaming at me. Now you’re hiding behind my friend and he’s telling me you want me to leave. You want me to leave but you want me to stay, which is it?” 

Tarrent looks like he’s ready to break up the fight at any second. 

You go back to blinking at your shoes, he nods his head with a mumbled ‘fucking awesome’ and started to walk away. Your quivered voice made him stop, you were panicked and upset. He didn’t get why until now. 

“So you’re breaking up with me?” 

Tarrent looks at him like ‘well, are you?’

Peter can’t stop himself, the confusion spills out. 

“Huh?” 

“You’re breaking up with me?” 

When he walks closer Tarrent spreads out slowly, he’s trying to let Peter have a chance to talk to you. 

“Baby, why would I break up with you?” 

You look at him and he sees how sad you look, you can’t help the bubbling cry that pulls through. 

“Because I was mean to you.” 

Oh. 

Oh.

You thought he was mad because of what you said to him in the basement. You thought you had fucked it up by hitting and berating him. You thought he was trying to get you out of the house so he could swiftly dump your ass and leave with a nicer, prettier girl. 

“Oh shit.” He breathes out the words and in an instant Tarrent knows this isn’t as accurate as you claimed it was, even if you were plastered he was ready to have your side first. And not that he even really knows you, but he considers Parker a good friend and if there was a chance he was about to fuck up and end it with you he had to middleman it. Tarrent knows Parker deserves you. 

He slowly pushed himself away until he was no longer in between you two. Peter appreciated the space and pushed his toes into yours, he was going nowhere. 

“I’m not mad about that! You didn’t know it was me!” 

Peter is so happy this was about nothing. 

You won’t hear it, you’re drunk and extremely apologetic. 

You hiccup, “No, cause I was so fucking mean to you, Petey. I should’ve never said that, I was so so mean. I wasn’t being a good girlfriend.” 

He wants to laugh but he thinks it would upset you more. 

“Baby, really. It’s okay, you didn’t know it was me. I’m not mad at all, I promise.” 

You shake your head, “I was so mean to you though. I called you like, so many bad names.” You gasp when you remember what else you had done, you grab his hand to look at it. Peter tries to pull it away before it causes you to spiral more but you somehow have an iron grip on his wrist. 

“And I hit you! Oh my god, Petey. I am so sorry, I didn’t mean it I swear.” 

Peter places his free hand against your cheek, “I know you didn’t.” You place a soft kiss to the red mark, he knows you feel insanely guilty. 

‘Hey,” He taps your cheek with a finger to get you to look at him. “You trust me, right?” You nod. “Good, now believe me when I say I’m not mad. You stuck up for yourself, trouble. You didn’t see it was me and I realized that, okay?” 

You sniffle. “So you’re not mad at me?” 

He laughs, “No, trouble. I’m not mad at you.” 

You look at his hand and frown, you kiss it again. “And you won’t break up with me?” 

Peter smiles sadly, “Don’t think you can get rid of me that easy, sorry.” 

“Kiss?” 

He looks at you, then the room, “Here?” 

“If you’re not breaking up with me then prove it.” 

Peter wants to tell you he could kiss you then dump you but you wouldn’t get that he was joking and it would collapse everything. 

He follows your wish and pulls you in, he’s not much for outstanding PDA but he thinks you deserve a little more than a peck tonight. You did just gaslight yourself into thinking he was breaking up with you. 

Peter pulled back and watched you grumpily blink your eyes open. 

“Why stop?” 

“Are you asking for another?” 

You nod quickly and look over his shoulder, “Now! Before Casey Shauna sees you and tries to come over.” Before he can say a word you fly up to meet his mouth, it was sloppy and you basically headbutted him with your mouth so his teeth hurt. He gently pushes you away and rubs his upper lip. 

Your eyes widened, “Oh no, I did it again. I hurt you, right?” 

Peter was not about to fall back into this rabbit hole, not when he just found his way out of it. 

“Not at all, trouble. Had some lip gloss, that’s all.” 

You pout and shake your head solemnly, “I’m not wearing lip gloss.” 

“How bout this, I get you home and I’ll give you all the kisses you want. How’s that sound?” 

Like a puppy you’ve forgotten why you were upset, excited you hold on tight to his arm as he guides you through the crowded room until you reach the front door. You ask him how firm he is on the kisses offer, he gives you three the second you exit the house. 

“I also want sex.” 

Peter laughs, “That’s funny, cause I want a mcchicken.” 

You ‘oo’ at him and slap his arm in excited agreement. “I want one too, but with cheese. And maybe some fries. Oh, Peter! I want a super large coke too, they have the best coke!” 

By the time you’ve hit up Mcdonald’s and had Peter’s wallet buy you whatever you wanted, (even when you asked him for another mcchicken and a refill,) you were too tired to do anything but pass out on the couch. 

Peter humphs at you while he watches you snore with the TV playing in the background. 

“The sex to Mcdonalds pipeline never fails.” 

#peter parker x reader #tasm!peter x reader #peter parker blurb #peter parker angst #peter parker fluff #tasm!peter x you #tasm!peter one shot #tasm! peter parker x reader #my writing

[allinthemagicshop]

Not How I Wanted to Meet Your Parents

Bangchan X Fem!Reader

wc: ~3000

Angst, fluff at the end

Again, this makes me cringe a little bit looking back at it but also I think I see some potential to grow from this so here's yet another from my vault

No warnings that I can think of, besides pet names maybe? Insecurity, crying also present. Some cursing.

I do not own the rights to Stray Kids or anything related to them, this is a work of pure fiction and just for fun

Channie💕: hey babygirl, I’m so sorry. I have to stay late at the studio again. I’ll just go back to the dorm instead of waking you up so don’t wait up. I’m sorry.

I crumpled into myself. Texts like these have been coming daily for the last three weeks straight. Every single date night was canceled, always for the same reason. I can’t bring myself to think of it as an excuse. That would be he is trying to find ways to avoid me. Unless he finally realized that I’m just holding him back from creating more, creating better. Maybe I am just a pawn to find inspiration in, like a learning experience more than a loving one. I lay my phone down on the nightstand and glance over at the sweatshirt Chan left the last time he stayed the night. It’s been nearly two months since then, his scent long gone. Instead of replying, knowing I wouldn’t get a response, I leaned over and shut my lamp off. Maybe in my dreams he would love me again. 

●●●

The morning light shines through the small crack in my curtains. I sit up, rubbing my eyes as I lean over to grab my phone. No new messages. My heart sinks. This is the part I was dreading the most. Never had Chan canceled a date night and not immediately tried to reschedule. So this is it then. Taking a shaky breath, I shut down my phone. It’s no better than a paperweight right now when all I’ll be doing is waiting for him to reach out first. It’s childish of me, I know I could reach out first, but that brings more brewing of hope that it isn’t over if he responds. Or worse yet, if he does respond and confirms that it’s over. 

Letting my despair guide me, I shuffle towards the bathroom. Turning on the shower, I peel myself out of the clothes I wore to sleep in and step under the cold water. I don’t want warmth, that’s what he was. I just want to hide in the rain and gloom as these thoughts take over my body. It’s not like I can pack up and move out, we don’t share an apartment. Changing the code to my apartment is a possibility, but then I have to let all my friends know the new code and explain why it had to be changed. The only other option I can come up with is going back home for a few days. I moved to Seoul for school, but my family was back in the States. It’d give me the distance I need, and maybe some home cooked meals would heal the hole in my heart. I know Dad would pay for it, he’s been asking me to come home for a couple months now.

Taking a deep breath, I shut the water off and wrap a towel around me as I step out. Sighing, I walk back towards my bed and sit down at the edge. Bracing myself as I start my phone back up, I immediately call Dad as soon as it allows me to. “Hey! I know I’ve been delaying coming back home but I really miss you guys. I have the next two weeks off and was wondering if that would work for you and Mom?”

  “Darling, anything works for our little girl to be back in our arms. Give me a second to look at flights. How long would you need to pack? We still have plenty of your clothes here, you know.” Laughing a little as I struggle to keep my composure, I glance around the room. “I can be ready to go as early as tonight then.”

“Really? There’s a flight that leaves at 5pm, your time. You’d have a couple hours to pack. Is that enough time?” His giddiness is almost palpable through the crackling speaker. A genuine snort forces its way out. “Sure, Dad. Thank you, I love you and I’ll see you soon then.” I stand up as he replies, “I love you so much, honey. Your mom is going to be so happy to have her baby back home for a while.” I hang up a little after a little more farewells are exchanged, insisting that I need to start packing. I make the mistake of glancing down at the screen before I get changed.

Channie💕: good morning, sweets. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can attempt to reschedule. It’s so hectic here with the comeback so soon and the album not being near ready enough. We’ll talk soon

Dread coils my gut, nearly knocking me over. That’s two messages without the words I need most. With shaking fingers I finally respond back, Oh okay. I love you. I throw my phone on the bed and walk away towards the closet, changing quickly. I refuse to look at my phone again until I have a suitcase packed. 

●●●

Almost two hours later, I finally find the courage to pick my phone back up. Checking the time, I notice two notifications: one text and one email. Unlocking the screen, my heart shatters. Both are from Dad. The email is the flight information, informing me that I have around an hour to get to the airport.

Father Dearest: y/n, I forwarded the email with all ur flight info. Oh, honey, I can’t explain how excited I am to have u home with us. If u haven’t finished packing yet, good luck. Love u!

Sighing as tears finally fall down my cheeks, I order an Uber to take me to the airport. I know I should text Chan, but I can’t bring myself to allow even the possibility of going unanswered again. I’ll let him know before the plane takes off, using the cushion of the flight to allow me the escape I’ll need.

An agonizing 20 minutes pass before I’m climbing into the Uber. I spare a glance  up at my apartment as we pull away. A part of me hopes he’ll show up to find me gone before I can even text him. It’s selfish and petty, but I just want Chan to feel a part of the agony I’ve been feeling. A simple conversation might be able to solve all of this, but we haven’t been able to have a solid 5 minute conversation in the past month, let alone one long enough to require what needs to be said. He couldn’t even get time off for a quick phone call on our one-year anniversary last week. Tears are slipping down my face before I know it. I quickly rub my sleeves over my face, not wanting the driver to ask questions. 

We finally pull up to the airport and I climb out, thanking him for the ride. I barely feel present in my body as I walk through the motions of the airport. Next thing I know, I’m sitting in my seat staring out the window. The announcement comes that phones need to be turned off soon. Taking a deep breath, I prepare the text for Chan.

Hi, Channie. I want to start off by saying I’m not mad, I completely understand. You’re an idol and I knew this was going to be difficult when I agreed to be your girlfriend. I guess I misjudged exactly how difficult it would actually be. I want to thank you for the last year. You were such a blessing in my life, crashing into me and claiming your spot in my heart. I don’t know if you feel the same, I can’t talk to you anymore to confirm or deny my suspicions. The distance between us recently has said more than we’ve been able to. I’ve decided to make it more physical for a little while. I’m headed back home for a couple weeks. I know the timezone difference is going to be hard to communicate, but we’ve gotten so used to it that it shouldn’t feel any different. If this is goodbye, all I ask is that you just remove your stuff from my apartment before I get back. I’m sorry I couldn’t be stronger. I do love you, Chan. I just miss you too much to keep this up.

I hit send just as we begin our take-off. Shutting my phone and my feelings off, I lay my head back and drift to sleep, keen on waking up only when I can step off the flight into my parents’ arms. 

●●●

I didn’t last the whole flight, but the last few hours were filled with reading the book I had packed just in case sleep evaded me. It was enough to not think about Chan, but never enough to dull the ache in my chest. We finally landed and shuffled off the plane, all heading towards baggage claim. Refusing to turn my phone back on, I felt like a robot on autopilot as I followed the crowd. I grabbed my suitcase and squared my shoulders as I prepared to face my family. They knew about Chan and I’s relationship, but I don’t want this trip to be about my broken heart. I walk out the doors and it takes me only a minute of scanning before I hear my name being shouted seconds before Dad barrels into me, lifting me off my feet in a hug. Mom wraps her arms around me as he sets me down, tears falling down all our faces.

“Oh my baby! You’re finally home! I’ve missed you so much.” Mom sobs into my shoulder, holding me tighter than should be humanly possible. I hug her back before tapping her shoulder, in need of oxygen. She pulls back with a relieved smile. “I have your favorite dinners planned for the whole time you're here. How’s Chan?” 

My own smile falters for a split second before I straighten myself out. “Oh, you know, he’s just busy with his comeback. I had plenty of time to myself to make an impromptu trip,” partially the truth, just not the whole story. I can work with that easier than an outright lie. I smile at both my parents as they nod in understanding, Dad grabbing my suitcase to put in the car while Mom pulls my hand to get us going. The ride home is full of small talk about how work is going, how school was this last semester, how they are enjoying Dad’s new bonus from work. I fall into a comfortable silence as they keep the conversation flowing between them. 

●●●

After dinner I finally find the courage to turn my phone back on, it’s been nearly six hours since I landed. It’s early morning back in Seoul, close enough to a full day since I sent the text to Chan. As my phone turns on, I’m bombarded with notifications. Missed calls and texts, nearly all from Chan.

Channie💕: Baby what?

Channie💕: You didn’t actually leave did you?

*two miss calls from Channie💕*

Channie💕: Y/N please answer me. I can’t stand this, don’t leave me. I love you so much

Channie💕: I know I haven’t seen you in a bit or been able to talk to you but I don’t want to lose you

Channie💕: Baby please be at home, please let this be some cruel prank

Channie💕: You’re really not at home. Oh my god, baby please come back to me. I can’t lose you please don’t do this I love you

*four missed calls from Channie💕*

Channie💕: I get it. Baby, I understand it’s hard. I should’ve tried harder for you. You mean so much to me. I fell into my typical work pattern and left you out, I’m so so fucking sorry. You’re a priority too and I neglected that. I need you

Channie💕: you went back home… for fuck’s sake I screwed up. I just saw the date. Oh my god y/n im the worst. I didnt even take off for our anniversary. You were waiting for me to even acknowledge it and i couldnt even do that. I fucked up so bad

Channie💕: Babygirl… i feel like i cant even breathe right now, my heart’s been ripped out and flew across the world with you

*eight missed calls from Channie💕*

Channie💕: okay okay, I know this is getting excessive and I get that you’re on the plane but you should’ve landed by now. Just let me know that you’re alive. 

Channie💕: My sweet girl, I will fix this. Fix us. I can’t imagine going through life without you in it. 

Channie💕: I hope what I’m about to do doesn’t further break us, I love you so much, to the moon and stars beyond

The last text sent my heart into a stuttering stop. What did he mean by that first part? A wave of relief followed by anxiety floods my system. The last text was sent almost four hours ago. Tears welled in my eyes as I listened to the multiple voicemails he left. All practically the same as his texts, only I could hear the voice breaks and sobs between words. My heart cracked open and pain seeped through me. 

Chris what are you doing? I understand that you’re busy, you don’t need to apologize, I’m the one who couldn’t handle it. We can talk when I get back, just focus on the album. Maybe with a longer time to plan we can sit and have a proper conversation. I still love you.

I chewed on my lower lip nervously as I waited for his response. After staring at the screen for nearly 30 minutes with no reply, I sighed as I assumed he just had to go back to work, blocking out the relationship that was sinking underwater. I quietly changed and crawled into bed. One last glance at my phone showed no new notifications. Tears flooded my face as I turned over in my childhood bed, resigned to sleep until the pain subsided.

●●●

I woke up to my mom shaking my shoulder. Blinking, I turned over to her, my face swollen from crying until I passed out. “Oh honey, I’m sorry to wake you up but there’s someone here to see you,” Mom bit down on her lips, like she was trying not to smile. I sat up and grabbed my phone, realizing that I’d slept for nearly 14 hours. “Okay, who is it?”

Mom shook her head and finally let the smile break free. “I think you should check for yourself, they said they’ve been wanting to see you for a while.” I cocked my head, confusion etched across my face. She just smiled brighter as she backed out of the room. “Just get dressed and I’ll send them up in a couple minutes. They’re finishing some tea up with your dad.” Tea? Dad doesn’t even like tea, he’s a die-hard coffee lover. Confusion still clouding my mind, I walked to my closet, ignoring the suitcase on the ground and threw on a sundress I had left here. I didn’t know who was waiting or how formal I had to be. I quickly threw my hair into a braid before checking my face in the mirror. The puffiness wouldn’t be able to go away in time, as I already heard rushed steps up the stairs. It finally dawned on me that whoever it was was being sent up to my room. Who would my parents have me meet in my room instead of downstairs with them?

As soon as the thought finished, my door was practically kicked open. I had less than 2 seconds to process who it was before arms were around me and squeezing me almost as hard as Mom had at the airport. Instantly the familiar scent hit my nose and I reeled back, surprise taking over the confusion and tears welling up faster than ever before.

“My sweet babygirl, you think I could handle two weeks with you in another country across the world after what I did?” Chan smiled as tears streaked down his face, clearly wary of my reaction. “I- fuck. I’m so sorry for everything,” he fell to his knees in front of me. “I didn’t expect to meet your family like this. Hell, your dad’s first impression of me was with tears streaming down my face and blubbering out what I did before I was even invited in,” Chan laughed at himself a little. “Of course, then I was immediately brought to the kitchen where he had me sit down and explain everything. I felt like such an idiot saying it all out loud. I wouldn’t have forgiven me if I was him. But then he said it wasn’t up to him, it’s your decision on if I should get kicked to the curb.” I stood in silence, staring down at him. He wrapped his arms around my legs, shaking from the sobs he was clearly holding back. “Baby, my y/n. I don’t even know where to begin. I screwed up so tremendously. The company couldn’t even stop me before I had booked a flight and had Bin race me to the airport. Felix called me a moron before I left,” at that he leaned back and rubbed the back of his neck.

“He’s not wrong.” I sunk down to my knees to be level with him. His eyes widened and tears still silently slid down his cheeks. I shook my head as I pulled him to me, finally hugging him back. “You’re a moron for coming here when you should be working on the album. But I don’t think I’ve ever loved you more. We can get through this. I just- it sounds so selfish- but I needed to truly see if you still wanted this. This was more than I ever expected.” I pulled back to look him in the eyes, bringing my hands to his cheeks to wipe the tears away. I leaned forward and connected our foreheads, breathing in his presence.

His words were barely a whisper as he breathed them into our shared space. “I thought I lost you. I swear on my career that I will change for you. You mean too much to me to watch you slip away again. I love you more than words can express. To the moon and stars beyond, my angel. Always.” I closed my eyes at his confession, breathing in the love he was giving back to me.

“How about we go back downstairs and reintroduce you to my parents. Since, you know, you’re meeting them now.” I giggled softly as he stiffened. 

“Can we hold each other a little longer first? I look like a mess and it’s been long overdue to have you in my arms again.” I fully laughed at that. “Of course, love. You’re mine, they can wait to see the best version of you while I piece it back together for a bit.” He pulled away and stared at me. Without another word, he launched into a tackle, hugging me like he would never let go. 

#skz x reader #stray kids #skz imagines #skz #skz angst #bang chan #bangchan skz #bangchan x reader #bangchan imagines

[pandorasword]

Chaeri as the 8th and youngest member of BTS.

CHAERI'S MASTERLIST

Hiii 💌 sorry it took so mad long! I had busy weeks and even lack of inspirations. Hope that you still enjoy it and thank you so much for the request!

The night market

❒ words: 2.5k+

❒ summary: In which Chaeri and Jungkook sneak out of the dorms during the trainee period

❒ genre: Fluff; Slice of life

❒ warnings: mentions of poker

April 2013

Chaeri had been in a sour mood all day. 

She had sulked from the time she woke up for breakfast, to the hours spent practicing choreography for their debut concept, and even when she came back to the dorms. 

That's why Namjoon was surprised when he leaned in to kiss her temple goodbye and noticed her smirk instead of a scowl.

The bad temper seemed to have slipped away from her, which would usually make him suspicious that she was up to something; a troublemaker without equal.

But when Chaeri met his gaze, her eyes were so gentle and pure, he told himself she likely just grasped the situation and wasn't angry anymore

The day before, the older members of the group received an unexpected invitation from some staff members to join them for a friendly game of poker. Excitement filled the air as they discussed the invitation among themselves, looking forward to a night of camaraderie and friendly competition.

However, as they considered the nature of the game, they collectively decided that it wouldn't be suitable for Jungkook and Chaeri to participate. Poker involves betting and gambling, and they felt it would be more appropriate for the two youngest members, who were still in their mid-teens, to abstain from such activities, who had not been very cooperative with their decision. Jungkook had quickly given up on the idea; Chaeri had given everyone a hard time until just before.

The living room's chandelier flickered and dimmed, reminding Namjoon he needed to get a new bulb soon.

"You know I'm sorry," he said, gazing into her eyes "But it's an evening for..."

"Adults!" Taehyung, ever the bratty he was, came up behind them on his way out of the dorms. 

"Aged or nearly so", Namjoon added with an apologetic smile.

Chaeri rolled her eyes at Taehyung's comment but didn't say anything.

"It's okay, enjoy yourselves"

"We will" Namjoon said, eyeing Chaeri with a look of worry "Chaeri," he spoke in an authoritative yet caring voice, "I know you’re mature, but please remember to take care of yourselves while we're away. Lock all the doors and windows. There are snacks in the kitchen—help yourself but be mindful about how much junk food you eat."

Namjoon's gaze grew more serious. "If anyone comes to the door, don't open it unless you recognize them. Your safety is the most important thing; if anything feels wrong or if you need help, call one of us right away - me or any of the oppas. Don't hesitate to reach out, okay?"

He smiled and patted her on the head. "You'll be fine, Chaeri. Jungkook is here with you, and I trust both of you to look out for each other. Have a good evening, and we'll be back before you know it."

With a nod, Chaeri watched as the older members of BTS filed out of the dorm, leaving her - and Jungkook who was in the other room - alone.

Chaeri was not about to stay in, especially when the others had treated her and Jungkook like kids. If they were old enough to debut in the entertainment industry, they were old enough to play poker. 

Once the sounds of the boys straying in the alleyway had become faint, she made her way to the room, where all of them slept on bunk beds every night.

Jungkook was perched atop one of the beds, his head almost brushing against the ceiling. He had a comic book in his hands and was studying its black-and-white images.

Chaeri watched him for a moment, debating whether to tell him what she was planning. Jungkook always followed what the older members told him to do, perhaps with a little convincing she would be able to persuade him to join her.

She tiptoed up onto the creaky lower mattress to get a better look at Jungkook, who was sprawled across the top bunk. He snapped out of his comic book when he noticed her looking at him "You're bored" he said.

"Utterly and completely bored—can you tell?" She sighed

"Since the hyungs are gone, we have access to the TV. Want to watch a movie?"

"Actually...I had something else in mind"

Jungkook looked at her curiously, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"They left to play poker and did not allow us to go with them. They said we're not allowed to play because we're too young. It's not fair"

""I still don't understand what you're trying to say. What's on your mind?"

"I was thinking...we could sneak out and find our own way to have fun," Chaeri suggested, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Jungkook's eyes widened in surprise at her suggestion. He glanced nervously around the small dorm, as if the others could appear at any second to catch them in the act. "But what if they find out? They told us not to leave the dorms"

Chaeri shrugged, a devilish grin spreading across her face. "Isn't that all the more reason to do it? They treat us like children all the time. We deserve to have some fun on our own"

An eagerness was slowly growing within him and he nodded in agreement."Okay, let's do it. But...where are we going to go?"

"To play poker!"

Excitement pulsed through Chaeri as she and Jungkook slipped out of the dorms and into the cool night air. They walked briskly, eager to find a club or bar where they could play poker.

However, their excitement was short-lived as they quickly discovered that every club they tried to enter turned them away, citing their age as the reason. They had no luck at the first club, or the second, or even the third.

As they walked down the dimly lit street, Chaeri's mood started to sour once more. She had been so sure that they would be able to find a place to play poker, but now it seemed like all their efforts were in vain.

"This is stupid," she grumbled, kicking a pebble down the pavement.

Jungkook glanced at Chaeri, seeing her frustration and disappointment. He understood her desire to prove themselves as capable and independent, but it seemed that their age was indeed a barrier they couldn't overcome.

"I know it's frustrating, Chaeri" Jungkook said, his voice sympathetic. "But maybe they were right. Maybe we are too young for this kind of thing."

Chaeri halted in her steps, turning to look at Jungkook with narrowed eyes. "Don't tell me you're giving up too?"

Jungkook shook his head quickly, holding up his hands in surrender. "No, not at all. I just think that we should maybe consider doing something else. Something that won't get us into trouble"

Chaeri let out a huff of frustration, but she knew deep down that he was right. They couldn't keep searching for a club that would let them play poker; they needed to find a different way to pass the time.

"Fine," she grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. "What do you suggest, then?"

Jungkook's lips parted in a smile, his eyes twinkling as he spoke. "Let's go to the night market!"

Chaeri tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. "Night market? What kind of place is that?" She asked, intrigued by the unfamiliar term.

Jungkook let out a laugh and replied “It’s a huge marketplace at night! There are vendors selling all sorts of food and drinks, there are carnival-style games and rides, and some shops sell really unique goods. It’s one of my favorite places to go” He said as he hopped onto the nearest subway station platform.

Chaeri followed him curiously as she felt a spark of excitement light up inside her chest. She had grown up all her life in France, so any opportunity to immerse herself into Korean culture was highly welcomed. Jungkook began talking animatedly about all the interesting foods they could try at the night market, and she couldn't help but feel impressed by his knowledge of their native culture.

Deprived by her mother of her native culture and language, she had instead come to learn all about European culture; yet despite being Korean, by her teenage years she understood surprisingly little about her homeland.

As they rode the subway, he pointed out the city sights that caught his eye, ranging from ancient monuments to modern-day skyscrapers. Chaeri listened with rapt attention, feeling a sense of pride swell in her heart at seeing the city through an experienced local’s eyes.

Finally, the subway doors slid open, and they stepped out into the lively atmosphere of the night market. 

Chaeri's senses were immediately overwhelmed by the kaleidoscope of sights and sounds surrounding her. Above, strings of multicolored neon lights formed a mesmerizing constellation, casting an ethereal glow over the bustling crowd below. The air was alive with the infectious beats of K-pop music, their rhythmic melodies intertwining with the joyful laughter and chatter of the visitors.

Chaeri walked beside Jungkook, her eyes darting from one intriguing stall to another. The tantalizing aroma of street food wafted through the air, mingling with the scents of exotic spices and sizzling grills. Her mouth watered at the sight of vendors skillfully flipping skewers of succulent meat and frying golden dumplings.

Although Chaeri couldn't read most of the Korean characters on the signs, she attempted to decipher them, occasionally stumbling over unfamiliar words. She wished she had a better grasp of her mother tongue; speaking for her was easier, though occasionally she stumbled over words or mispronounced them. She felt a little ashamed for not knowing more about her Korean heritage.

Throughout the evening, Chaeri kept tugging at Jungkook's sleeve to ask questions about certain dishes, inscriptions, and trinkets that drew her interest.

"Kook!" she exclaimed, grabbing his arm to halt their steps.

Jungkook turned towards her, following her gaze to a nearby stall adorned with an array of handmade jewelry. The owner, a skilled artisan, meticulously threaded delicate beads of various colors and designs, creating stunning pieces that sparkled under the glow of the market lights. Chaeri's eyes widened with fascination.

"Let's go check it out," he suggested, and Chaeri eagerly followed him to the stand.

As they approached the jewelry stall, Chaeri's eyes widened with wonder as she took in the intricate designs and shimmering pieces showcased. The array of jewelry sparkled under the warm glow of the stall's lights, casting enchanting reflections on Chaeri's face.

Jungkook could not help but think that at that moment, she looked more beautiful than usual and even blushed at his thoughts.

Among the captivating collection, Chaeri's gaze was caught by a small hairpin adorned with a delicate arrangement of tiny pearls and jewels intricately intertwined with strands of glistening gold wire. Mesmerized, she reached out and delicately picked up the hairpin, holding it up to the light to observe its craftsmanship. Every delicate detail seemed to tell a story, a testament to the artisan's skill and the beauty of the materials used.

"It's so beautiful," Chaeri breathed, her voice filled with awe. The combination of pearls, jewels, and gold created a stunning harmony that seemed to dance with the light. "I've never seen anything like it before."

When she lived with her mother in France, beautiful jewelry and accessories were never lacking, but she had never owned something so lovely

Jungkook couldn't help but smile, his heart warmed by Chaeri's enchantment. He knew he wanted to see her happiness bloom even further. "Do you want it?" he asked, his voice laced with a gentle eagerness.

Chaeri's eyes darted back to the hairpin, conflicted by her desire and the presumed cost that accompanied such intricate craftsmanship. She hesitated, her fingertips gently tracing the contours of the design. "I don't know... it's probably too expensive" she admitted

Jungkook, determined to make her dreams come true, reached into his pocket and retrieved a handful of coins and bills. His fingers swiftly counted the money. "I think we have enough" he said confidently, a hint of mischief playing on his lips.

Chaeri's curiosity piqued, and she couldn't help but inquire, "Where did you get all this money from?"

Jungkook's grin widened as he revealed his secret. "I collected it from the swear jar" he confessed, his voice filled with playful pride. 

Chaeri's eyes widened in surprise, remembering the times when their friends would playfully scold each other and contribute money to the jar as a lighthearted way to discourage swearing.

She couldn't help but burst out in laughter at Jungkook's brattiness, feeling proud for him for not following the rules for once. 

Jungkook's smile only grew wider at the sound of her laughter. He gave her a playful nudge with his elbow. "So, do you want it?" he asked again, gesturing to the hairpin. 

She knew it was silly to spend so much money on a hairpin, but she couldn't resist the temptation. "Yes, I want it" she said, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Jungkook slid a stack of coins across the wooden countertop to the stall owner, who bowed his head in gratitude and carefully nestled the hairpin in a small velvet bag. 

As she opened the delicate envelope and revealed the treasure within, Jungkook's eyes never left her. He watched in awe as her face lit up with pure delight, her eyes widening as she beheld the intricate craftsmanship of the hairpin. With a graceful movement, she secured it into her dark, silky hair, effortlessly blending tradition with modern beauty.

Using a small hand mirror, Chaeri admired herself, turning this way and that to catch the light of a nearby lantern. The soft glow illuminated her radiant skin, creating an ethereal aura around her. The hairpin, now nestled amidst her locks, sparkled brilliantly, accentuating her features and enhancing her innate beauty. It was as if the accessory had been tailor-made for her.

Jungkook found himself captivated by her, unable to tear his gaze away. 

In that moment, as their eyes met in the flickering light, time seemed to stand still. The bustling market faded into the background, and for an instant, it was just the two of them.

"Chaeri-ya, that hairpin you're wearing is beautiful. When did you get it?" 

Jin's compliment caught Chaeri off guard, causing her to falter in her movements. She momentarily forgot the lie she had prepared. "Um, I got it a while ago," she replied, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

Jin raised an eyebrow, a look of curiosity on his face. "Really? I don't remember seeing it before."

"I don't wear it often. Why are you so interested? It's just a hairpin. Do you want one too oppa?" she teased, returning to look in the mirror in front of her as she rehearsed for the umpteenth time the most difficult movements of the debut choreography.

"I was asking out of curiosity - You know.. the money from the swear jar was gone this morning"

Chaeri had to suppress a giggle, looking only for a moment into the eyes of the older member "Who knows, try asking Taehyung. I heard him say he wanted to borrow it." She had set out to make her best friend pay for the way he enjoyed the fact that he could play poker and she could not

"Aish, that little brat.. TAEHYUNG-AH!"

taglist: @alixnsuperstxr | @bts-dream | @enchantingbrowneyedgirl | @ycuvi

#bts 8th member #jungkook imagines #jungkook drabbles #jungkook x reader #bts female addition #bts female member #kpop female member #bts x reader #kpop oc #bts imagines #bts addition #bts eighth member #bts #kpop female oc

[gloomiebearwritings]

Is there anything you can't deliver?!!!!!!!! Holy shit! Okay, okay, so how would Kuai, Hanzo, Kabal and Erron react to their s/o telling them they want to have their baby?

Omgg Tumblr ate this ask for a hot minute I didn't see it!! 😭I'm so sorry! Erron's is super soft because apparently, I'm not immune to "Really soft cowboy" hours

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

Kuai Liang

The talk happened every now and again when you two were restless at night, though it didn’t seem too serious at the time

Though deep down he had seriously thought about it on slower days, imagining what it’d be like to see you with a child of his

Sometimes his mind would wander to these ideas when you two would start getting into the heat of the moment

And there were times where he wondered just how seriously you’d want to have a family with him; though he never had the courage to ask

But when you finally told him you really wanted his child, he couldn’t help but smile with a joy you hadn’t seen in him before. It brought him a special joy to know you really wanted to have a family with him, and to be parents together. He’ll take your hands in his, placing them against his chest as he kisses your forehead, promising to be a better father than his was to him and his brother.

Hanzo

While talks about wanting kids had come and gone, he was genuinely unsure if he wanted to try again

Though over time he began to warm up to the idea of having a family again, feeling secure in the fact that he could keep you and the child truly safe

There were times he thought about it too deeply and would become quietly emotional, imagining what it’d be like to be called a father again

Despite this though, he’d never really admit it to himself how much he craved having it all back again

So, when you told him you seriously wanted to start a family, he went quiet for a moment, eyes wide as he processed it all before giving you a soft, warm smile. He’ll ask at least twice about being sure, not wanting you to jump into it blind; but would smile more when you’d tell him you were absolutely sure. Bringing you close to him in an embrace he’ll tell you about how he’d been anxious about trying to have a family again, but that he’d grown to be sure of his ability to keep you safe, so he was no longer afraid.

Kabal

He hadn’t thought too deeply about being a father, though it did run through his head from time to time

It’s not that he didn’t want to be one, it’s just that it didn’t really cross his mind unless you dropped a hint or discussed it with him

A part of him wasn’t too sure how good of a father he’d be, though it was something he was slowly coming to feel secure in

There’d be times where he’d be up late thinking about it, making himself promise that if it came to it that he’d be the best father he could be

That night you made him look at you and made him aware that you really did want his kid, and all he could do was blink a couple of times before it really hit him. A smile grew on his face as he nearly sheepishly asked of you were serious, saying he didn’t want to fuck it all up on you. But when you reinforce that you were serious, he takes a moment to run through his thoughts before moving closer; giving a little nod he’ll say he wants to take up the responsibility.

Erron

He wasn’t sure about being a father at all, finding the idea of it anxiety inducing; fearing he’d end up no better than his own father and not wanting to put you through that

But when you two would pass around the talk of having a kid he’d put on a brave smile, listening to everything you had to say before trying to suggest he wouldn’t be the best

Though after a few months of these talks he slowly began to come around to the idea, finding himself up at night or in the early morning looking himself in the mirror; scolding himself about being better than his father so the kid wouldn’t grow up traumatized like he did

He knew you’d be an amazing parent yourself, he just feared he wouldn’t be nearly as good as he should be for your sake

But when you tell him you’d seriously like to have his kid, he'll sit up straight in his seat, pressing his lips together before giving a sigh. He didn’t want to fail the kid or you, especially you since you’re putting your entire trust into him with a child. Clasping his hands together he’d admit he fears he won’t be as good as he should, or that he might end up scaring the kid the way his father scarred him. Only after you tell him you know he wouldn’t be like that did he admit he’d at least like to try for a kid, wanting to undo what his father did and give a kid what he didn’t have.

#my works #mortal kombat #mortal kombat x reader #hanzo hasashi x reader #mk hanzo hasashi #mk scorpion #erron black x reader #erron black #mk erron black #mk x reader #mk kuai liang #kuai liang x reader #mk sub zero #x reader

[irondadidontfeelsogood]

Tower of Terror (reader request)

cw: vomit. This is another long, self indulgent one, and now one of my favorites—enjoy.

—————

To say that today was a long day would be a drastic understatement. After a school day full of his teachers somehow synchronizing their pop quizzes and exam reviews, he’d headed straight to the tower for training and lab work. His brain and his body are completely fried, so after being granted permission by May, he asks Tony if he can stay the night. He’s not sure he could stay conscious for the subway ride home.

“Sure, Pete. Does that mean you’re ready to cash?”

“Mhm,” Peter hums in response, his eyes threatening to fall shut and not open again.

Tony breathes out a quiet laugh. “Okay. Goodnight, kid.”

Peter murmurs something that sort of sounds like ‘goodnight’ but could also just be a random collection of consonants. He turns away, heading toward the elevator slowly. He feels totally drained, like his limbs each weigh a hundred pounds more than when he’d woken up this morning.

His head is throbbing with what’s sure to become a bad migraine if he doesn’t get to sleep soon. The air gets a little warmer as he ascends the elevator, and that nearly clocks him. He only just makes it to bed before he’s out, basically dead to the world.

Nightmares plague him instantly. He’s tossing at sea, and then he’s buried alive, and then he’s bleeding out fast—all alone in the middle of nowhere. At the end of it all, his heart clenches with the sharp feeling of free-falling, and he wakes abruptly, his lungs greedily gasping for air.

For several minutes, he has no idea where the hell he is. All he knows is that he’s soaked to his mattress in sweat, aching all over, and nauseous to the point of vertigo. He makes the mistake of sitting up. Instantly, the dark room around him seems to tilt forward endlessly, and he grips onto his sheets with white-knuckled fists.

God only knows what time it is or why his shoes are still on. He toes them off, hearing them land unceremoniously on the floor. He sits there for some time, trying desperately to remember anything about what happened before he’d woken up here. Nothing much surfaces.

He calls out for May, and is met with complete silence. That never happens unless she’s taken third shift. Maybe she had to pick up more hours?

Finally, he remembers that he’s at the tower, and he instantly feels worse. Being sick at the tower means he’s either going to suffer alone or bear the colossal embarrassment of having to ask for help from an Avenger. He groans, letting his head fall into his hands.

His headache is still pressing tight against his skull, and he feels like his brain and bones have turned to liquid. His stomach churns. With another groan, he lets himself lie back down against his sweat-cooled pillows.

Though he remains motionless in the dark room, his nausea only grows. He was hoping that it would fade as the nightmares did, but he isn’t so lucky. It feels like he’s swallowed an entire lake.

The internal battle has begun. He imagines how awful it would be for everyone to know. If he started hurling, it wouldn’t be long at all before everyone in the building caught wind of what was going on. FRIDAY isn’t great at keeping secrets.

He’s Spider-Man. He’s supposed to be a hero, not some kid that wakes up in the middle of the night with a tummy ache. The mere idea is mortifying.

Unfortunately, there’s nothing he can do about the circumstances that have been dealt to him, and if he tries to ignore them any longer, things are only going to get worse. So, he forces himself to his feet, feeling weak and full of dread.

The tower is silent as he makes his way to the kitchen, the floor seemingly tilting under his feet. He has to keep a hand on the wall beside him to avoid falling over. The journey feels ten times longer than it usually does.

He’s exhausted when he finally reaches the kitchen, heading straight for the fridge. He fills up a glass of water and sips at it gingerly. It feels nice going down his throat, but not very nice at all sitting on top of the dinner in his stomach. He groans, leaning over the countertop. He burps quietly, nauseated almost beyond what he can handle.

Miserable, he lazily drags his gaze toward the cabinet where Tony keeps all the medicine. Pepto is Peter’s absolute last resort. It almost never works, and it tastes so bad that he’s vomited from the taste alone on many occasions.

Unfortunately, he’s feeling like he might have to try. If he doesn’t, that means he’s accepted the inevitable fate of emptying his stomach in a building full of Avengers. With a dramatic groan, he moves over to the cabinet, grabbing the bottle of neon pink liquid.

He stares at it with distaste, nearly shuddering at just the thought of it. If he’s going to do this it has to be quick, like a shot of tequila. He pours some onto a spoon and stares again.

Finally, he takes it, chasing it immediately with water. He swallows convulsively, begging his stomach to grant him some sort of mercy. He feels a surge of violent nausea and presses a palm over his mouth.

He shuts his eyes, swallows again, and takes several deep breaths through his nose. The wave of nausea passes slowly, painfully. His stomach makes a noise that probably means fuck you.

Fuck you too, he thinks hazily. When he feels like he might be in the clear, he pours out the rest of his water and sets the glass in the sink. His stomach turns over as he begins his walk toward the stairs. Why he picked the stairs over the elevator, he has no idea.

He’s only halfway up when he suddenly feels the worst swell of nausea yet, stopping him right in his tracks. His stomach churns hard, bringing with it a hot, rising feeling in his throat. He cages his mouth again as it rapidly fills with watery spit.

He can feel the color completely drain from his face as he stands frozen on the staircase. His heart is hammering in his chest as he silently begs God, the universe, someone to keep him from puking right now. Unsurprisingly, his prayers go unanswered.

That awful feeling of dread doubles, pouring over him like hot tar. He feels an intense urge to gag, and he’s entirely unable to stop himself from submitting to it. He pitches forward suddenly, spewing a huge gush of pink vomit all over the stairs in front of him.

Again, he vomits, splattering his hours-old dinner all over the hardwood and his socks. Immediately, he throws up again for four straight seconds. He gasps for air afterward, dizzy from the effort of being so sick.

In the eye of the hurricane, he somehow convinces himself that now is his only chance to get to a bathroom. His whole body is shaking as he climbs the rest of the stairs. By the time he reaches the hallway that connects to the one where is room is, he’s sweating bullets and so overwhelmed with nausea that he has to stop again.

He takes one more uncomfortable breath and folds, throwing up all over the floor. With his stomach all but exploding out of him, he can hardly believe that no one has peeked their head out of their room to see what the noise is. At the same time, he’s so incredibly grateful for that.

He takes two more steps and pukes again, even more than he thought possible. He coughs, spewing out mouthfuls of vomit between each one. It’s nearly a full three minutes before he can get himself to stop retching.

He pants for a few more minutes, desperate for air. His vision is blurred with tears of exertion, and even if he weren’t crying, he’d barely be able to see anyway. His head is reeling.

It’s in that moment that he realizes he’s too sick to be alone. The terrible truth sends his heart down to his stomach, and his tears become real. He only allows himself a few minutes to cry in private before he begins to consider his options.

There’s Tony, of course, but he thinks he’d rather die than have Tony see him puke his guts out. There’s Nat, but she might remind him too much of May, and he’s not emotionally stable enough for that right now. He continues to go down the list, and by the end of it, he finds himself settling on Clint.

He has kids, so maybe he’d be a little less traumatized by the whole thing. He’s also generally calmer than most of them, so hopefully he won’t yell or treat him like a burden. Clint it is.

His room is a floor up, so Peter opts for the elevator this time. He wipes the tears from his face and tries his best to regain composure. Unfortunately, he’s still feeling like a giant pile of shit, so it’s easier said than done.

When he reaches Clint’s room, he pauses in front of the door. This is it. Either he leaves the mess and tries to stay conscious long enough to get back to his room, or he tells Clint the truth. As if on cue, he suddenly almost feels more ill than he has all night, apart from right before he’d been sick.

Before he can convince himself otherwise, he knocks on the door. When a minute of silence goes by, he knocks again, a bit louder this time. After a few seconds, he hears shuffling on the other side of the door. He steps back a little, and it slowly swings open to reveal Clint, still half asleep.

“Peter? It’s nearly four in the morning, what are you doing up?”

“Um,” Peter so eloquently breathes out, suddenly unable to get ahold of himself. Fresh tears well up without his permission. “I…I’m…”

Clint’s expression changes from one of confusion to one of parental concern. He steps a little closer.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

A couple tears spill over, and he wipes them away before they reach his chin. He tries again to explain, but he can’t seem to form the words in the right order. This fever must be really cooking his brain.

“Do you wanna come in and talk?” he softly offers.

Peter shakes his head a little. His head spins. “I’m…I need help.”

“What’s going on? Are you hurt?”

Peter shakes his head again. If his stomach wasn’t still sitting high in his throat, this would be much easier. He doesn’t have that luxury, but he tries again.

“I…I just thr—,” is all he manages before his stomach decides to make another appearance. He has all of half a second to aim somewhere else besides Clint’s feet. He turns to the side, vomiting through his fingers, down the front of his shirt, and onto the floor.

“Oh—oh, wow. Okay,” Clint blurts, probably wide awake now. Peter chokes up another round of sick onto his socks. “Alright, hey, come here.”

He takes Peter’s arm and begins leading him into the room. Peter does everything humanly possible to keep from throwing up on Clint’s floor, and when he finally drops to his knees in front of the toilet, he vomits so violently that he sees stars. Clint curses under his breath, a hand resting on Peter’s back as it heaves.

For the next several minutes, Peter is barely lucid. With what little consciousness he has, he tries hard to aim toward the water and nowhere else. He’s made enough of a mess as it is.

“It’s okay, buddy. Breathe,” Clint urges. Peter’s trying.

He’s sure he’s throwing up his actual organs after a few minutes. The only thing he can do is drape over the bowl and try not to pass out. He nearly fails.

Mercifully, he stops throwing up before the lack of oxygen gets to his head. He takes several more minutes to recover. The whole time, Clint is telling him it’s alright, that he’s going to be okay. Peter’s not so sure.

He’s really glad he’s not alone, especially now that he’s gone severely downhill. He can’t imagine being holed up in his room. He’d probably still be decorating the carpet with his stomach contents if he hadn’t come here.

The calm lasts all of eight minutes, and then Peter is suddenly launched into a fit of dry heaving. Despite his stomach being totally empty, the nausea is still rampant. He has no idea what he did to deserve this. Poor Clint doesn’t deserve this either. When he breaks his silence, it’s clear he’s reaching his limit.

“Alright, Pete…try and take it easy, kid. You’re really sick, and I’m…I think I’m gonna have to get Tony.”

That same dread pours over him. That’s the last thing he wanted. Even just the thought makes his face heat up fast. He can’t exactly express his disapproval when he��s actively still gagging. It’s too late, anyway.

“FRIDAY, could you send Tony down here, please?”

“Right away, sir.”

“Thanks,” he murmurs, his hand now rubbing along Peter’s spine.

Only a couple minutes pass before Peter hears Tony’s voice call from inside the room. He groans, lurching forward with another gag. A small trickle of bile comes up this time.

“In here,” Clint calls back.

“What the hell happened out here, Clint? Are you—,” Tony asks, stopping short as he crosses the threshold of the bathroom. Peter can’t help himself. He retches again, another rush of acidic bile washing over the roof of his mouth and into the toilet.

He can only imagine Tony’s reaction to walking in on Peter curled around a toilet full of puke. He’s so mortified he could die. Why does this kind of shit have to happen to him?

“He’s been like this for probably over ten minutes,” Clint explains. “I didn’t really know how to help him or I wouldn’t have woken you up. You know him better than I do.”

“Oh, kid…are you sick or is this a head thing?” Tony asks, taking Clint’s place beside him.

“M’sick,” he manages, half-choked on another heave.

“I’m sorry, Pete. How long have you been feeling bad?”

Thankfully, the retches are tapering off, and he can finally breathe a little. He spits and swallows against the rawness in his throat.

“Only when I woke up a while ago,” he breathes out. Suddenly, he remembers his stunt on the stairs. He groans, letting his head drop to where his arms are folded across the toilet. “I…I threw up all over the stairs and the hall before I came here…m’really sorry, Tony.”

“It’s alright, kid, I know you couldn’t help it.”

“But…”

“It’s okay, really. Do you feel like you’re done?”

Peter hums lowly. He nods. It’s the truth. He’s sure there’s absolutely nothing left in him to throw up, and the nausea is finally waning.

“Alright, good. I’ve got him, Clint, you can go back to sleep.”

“Are you sure? I can start cleaning outside my room.”

Tony shakes his head. “No, it’s fine, I’ve got bots that can do most of it. I’ll handle the stairs. We’re good.”

“Okay, well come get me if you change your mind.”

“You’ve already done enough, thank you for taking him in.”

“It’s no problem.”

With that, Clint leaves, and Tony is alone with Peter in his misery and embarrassment. He offers Peter some toilet paper, and he thanks him, wiping his mouth. He closes the lid and flushes the toilet.

With Tony’s help, he gets up from the floor to wash his mouth out. It makes him feel marginally better. Tony leads him out of the room, and Peter does his best not to gag at seeing the result of his earlier performance in the hallway. Tony starts leading him to his room, and when they get in the elevator, he finally breaks the heavy silence.

“You know you can always come get me if you’re feeling bad, right?”

Peter wilts a little. “I know, thank you, it’s just…I thought I could take some medicine and just go back to sleep, but obviously that didn’t work out. And I really didn’t want to bother a literal Avenger just because I had a stomachache.”

“Well, last time I checked, we’re on a first name basis, so it shouldn’t be that intimidating, kiddo. If you’re feeling like you’re gonna puke, you should let me know. It’s okay.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Just…future reference. I don’t know how much help I’ll be, but at least I won’t have to worry about you being passed out in your own sick somewhere.”

It’s nice to know that Tony isn’t pissed or grossed out, but Peter prays he’ll never have to put that earlier offer into practice. He’s had enough of everyone watching him hurl. The heat creeps back up onto his cheeks as they reach his room.

“Okay…m’still sorry I got sick on the floor.”

“It’s completely fine, kid. Don’t worry about it, shit happens. Are you feeling any better?”

Peter shrugs, sitting on the edge of his bed. Tony scoots the trash can over to sit beside his bed. He lets out a short sigh.

“Well, I have a feeling your immune system is going to knock this thing out pretty fast.” Peter hopes he’s right, for both their sakes. “Here, let me get you some clean clothes. Want anything specific?”

Peter shakes his head. Tony nods, turning to the dresser. He brings over a t-shirt, some sweatpants, and clean socks.

“You can just leave the dirty stuff on the floor.”

“M’kay. Thank you.”

“Sure thing, Pete. I’m gonna grab you some water. Hang tight. And remember, you can always call me if you need anything at all.”

“Thank you,” he repeats softly.

When Tony leaves and Peter is done changing out of his dirty clothes, he’s all alone with the memory of tonight. The mortification is stifling, but he pushes the thoughts away with all the mental strength he has left. Turns out it’s not much, and he’s out like a light before Tony even returns.

—————

A/N: Thank you for reading! And thank you for the request! I loved writing this one, and I hope it’s at least a little like what you imagined it would be.

#iron dad #marvel sickfic #peter parker #sickfic #cw vomit #peter parker sickfic #iron dad sickfic #iron man #tony stark #sick #clint barton #hawkeye #hurt/comfort #sickie

[lazycats-stuff]

Morpheus x male reader

Author's note: My first one shot ever here on Tumblr, hope you like it. If there are any grammar mistakes, English is not my first language.

Just some warnings before you continue reading: Vague mentions of a car accident, but there are no details, Corinthian making some threats, mentions of Corinthian's killings.

(Y/N) met Morpheus 2 years ago when one of his nightmares went rouge. That nightmare nearly made him insane, hadn't it been for Morpheus who stepped in. (Y/N) have heard about the Sandman before, but thought he was nothing more than a story. He was proven wrong once he saw him in his dreams.

The nightmare made him live through the car accident he had as a kid when a drunk driver hit the car while his parents and him were driving in. Thankfully, they were all okay, but it stuck with him. Every now and then his mind would recall it and make him remember as a nightmare. And the nightmare that attached itself to him knew what made him tick. The nightmare has been tormenting him for 2 weeks.

Morpheus continued to visit him in his dreams and over time the two bonded. He showed (Y/N) around the Dreaming, he met Lucienne and Mathew the raven and he liked it there. Sometimes he watched Morpheus create new dreams and explain to (Y/N) what they mean. He also told him about his nightmares. Gault, Fiddlers Green and Corinthian. Over time Morpheus asked to court him and (Y/N) were more than happy to accept.

But back to the present.

He was working at the library, just about to finish up when he heard somebody at the front desk. He was in the process of putting books on the shelfs when he heard a southern accent.

" Does (Y/N) (L/N) work here? "

He poked your head to see who wanted to know that information, but froze once he saw the familiar profile. He immediately recognized the Corinthian. There was a picture in the throne room, but made of glass. He quickly retracted behind the shelves and listened. His coworker said no and the men thank her and left. (Y/N) and the rest of the coworkers had a policy here, you don't reveal to unknown people if you work here or not. If family and friends come here, whom you know for sure, then go ahead, but if those are strangers? No go. Unless they are law enforcement.

(Y/N) sighed from the relief as the coworker came up to him.

" Who was that guy? "

" I don't know. I will finish putting these books up. "

" Alright, thanks. "

He nodded and forced a smile on his face. She smiled back and left and his heart dropped. When he was done, he went to get his things and leave. He said his goodbyes and left. When he was outside he called out to his favorite bird.

" Mathew... Are you here? "

He stood in silence for a while waiting.

" I am here. What is wrong? "

" Is Morpheus in the Dreaming? "

" No, he is at the diner with his siblings. "

(Y/N) wanted to cry. He really wanted to cry.

" Can you go there or? "

"No, but lord Morpheus should be back in a couple of hours. Why? "

" Corinthian was here looking for me. "

" Oh shoot. I will let him know as soon as possible. "

" Thank you. "

Mathew gave him a nod and flew off. (Y/N) stood up and took a deep breath to calm himself down. He still didn't have to go home. He still need to do some stuff. So that will buy him some time before going to sleep and meeting the Corinthian.

(Y/N) felt fear seeping through his bones once he realized that Corinthian has found him in his dreams. He was at near his childhood home, where the accident occurred. He felt his breath hitch.

" You are the famous (Y/N), the one who got Morpheus's heart. "

(Y/N) turned around to find the Corinthian wearing neutral colors with his dark shades. (Y/N) could see the his blades. He couldn't let Corinthian see his fear.

" Are you going to kill me? "

" Is that what you heard about me? "

" I heard about a serial killer who takes the victims eyes. And knowing what is behind those shades... "

" So Morpheus told you about me? How sweet. "

" Why are you making your move now? "

" Because everyone found out about you recently. Morpheus made sure to keep you safe and secret. " Corinthian said, taking a step towards you.

(Y/N) took a step back and was ready to run, but a yell behind him made him stop.

" Corinthian! "

(Y/N) turned his head to look at his lover, who was looking rather angry. There was a noticeable shift in the energy of this universe. Morpheus pushed (Y/N) behind him to protect him. (Y/N) was getting overwhelmed due to the location of the dream and the sound of the cars getting closer. Morpheus noticed and he tried to calm him, but (Y/N) woke up. He was gasping in his bed and Morpheus was there next to his bed. He was whispering sweet nothings, trying to calm his lover and it worked. (Y/N) was calmer and he hugged Morpheus tightly.

" I am sorry my love. I came here as soon as Mathew told me. "

" It's alright. I am happy that you came in just in time. And don't feel bad for not being able to protect me. "

Morpheus didn't say anything and simply laid down next to (Y/N). He gently put his lover to sleep and made sure that he didn't have any bad dreams and what he made sure of was that nobody could invade his dreams tonight.

And whoever does that, may God help him.

#dream x male reader #sandman x y/n #the sandman netflix #netflix sandman #dc comics #dc x male reader #tom sturridge #lord morpheus x male reader #the sandman x male reader

[changingplumbob]

Pancakes Household: Chapter 8, Part 2

In this part Fergus' sleepover continues then Eliza tells Bob about her pregnancy decision. It's a quick Freezer Bunny day and Iggy and Carson catch up after their scout meeting. Contains some sim spice, as usual no pixel private parts are shown.

For clarity Bob's nickname for Eliza is Jumble, and Eliza's nickname for Bob is Sleek. I'll try to capitalise them when they're being used as names to make any translations easier.

Eliza: Kids! Come eat! Bob left waffles

Drake: Sweet

Fergus: Did Atlas just disappear

Eliza: He left, he’s not coming back

Fergus: OMW mother what did you do

Eliza: Nothing! He was coughing and his mum rang and said she tested positive for Llamaflu and thought he should get home and rest just in case

Kelly: I hope he infected us all, it’s what I would do

Iggy: Fergus why are your friends so weird

Drake: I’m sure your friends are more weird

Ginger: *whines* just drop a corner, come on, give me a taste of waffle

Iggy: Kelly? Weren’t you just here

Kelly: It’s called a sleepover and if it goes well the watcher will count it as one of needed three gold sleepovers

Iggy: I’m not sure that’s how the watcher works

Kelly: How would you know? Had a conversation with them have you

Iggy: Just about how annoying you are

Eliza: Ginger? Where are you?

Ginger: *barks happily* 🎵trash, oh glorious TRASH🎶

Eliza: Ginger did you come outside?

Ginger: *barks happily* 🎶Trash I love you, oh trash I do🎵

Eliza: GINGER! We do NOT play in trash! Are you a common stray? No, you are meant to be domesticated. Get your paws OUT

Ginger whines sadly, learning not to play in the trash.

Eliza: There there, it’s okay. You’re still the best girl around here

Eliza: Lets go give you a bath before Bob decides you smell great in trash scents

Fergus: It’s called- mother, why are you here

Eliza: It is my house, I need good light

Fergus: But this is my sleepover

Eliza: Relax Fergus. I’m nearly done then I’ll leave you three in peace

Drake: Knew we should have done this at my house

Kelly: To bad you were to stupid to book this weekend first

The kids bicker and Eliza once again wonders how any of them call Kelly their friend.

Drake: I hope Atlas will be better for school

Fergus: The family always get their vaccinations, they’ll be fine

Kelly: Unless they all die

Drake: You don’t seriously think that

Kelly: Maybe they’re getting a visit from Grim right now, he’s going to get us all

Fergus: Oh yeah? Is Grim going to get Anya then?

Kelly: Obviously, Grim means business

Fergus: I forgot to tell you, I’ve joined the drama club

Drake: Why

Fergus: Just had a whim to try it

Kelly: Yeah I have whims to but they’re normally stuff like, make enemies

Drake: Do you actually have any enemies

Kelly: *sighs* it’s not for lack of trying, believe me

Fergus: Plus look at those two on the TV, they’re our age and they would have made money from this

Drake: Their parents probably forced them to do it

Kelly: Parents are the worst

Fergus: Make that all adults *titters* I’m an adult and you need to do what I say

Drake: If you don’t you’ll be sent straight to bed

Kelly: With no supper to wither and starve

The three wind themselves up with their impersonations and eventually have to give up on the film after missing what was even happening.

Fergus: Okay, story time! Come here Ginger, you can help

Drake: Why is your dog half inside your sleeping bag

Fergus: Dogs belong everywhere, don’t question it

Kelly: This better be scary

Fergus: Actually I’m going to tell the tale of a pirate

Drake cheers while Kelly boos. Fergus launches into his adventurous tale anyway. He has fun and the boys can see he’s practicing for drama club already.

We had some minor game glitches (by minor I mean it took between 1 and 2 hours of mod testing to find the culprit) so if there’s some continuity errors we will all just roll with it.

Bob arrives home happy. He had a stern critic come by the restaurant and rather than bore them with the house staple he decided to make them some comforting mac and cheese. He didn’t lose any job performance, so he calls in a vacation day for tomorrow. He sneaks inside past the sleeping kids and goes to find his wife.

Eliza: And that is why your only choice can be to invest in the company

Bob: I’m convinced

Eliza: You’re home, finally! Let’s get it on

Bob: Can we talk first

Eliza: Sure. What is it Sleek?

Bob: Have you thought about if we’re going to properly try for another pregnancy

Eliza: *sighs* I have thought about it

Bob: Do we have a verdict

Eliza: Lie back, get comfy, and listen

Bob climbs on the bed and Eliza begins to speak between kisses.

Eliza: I want another kid with you. I do. But I’m proud of what I’m achieving career wise right now. This next promotion will take a lot of work. If we get pregnant, then we get pregnant and I will love our child, but for now my focus needs to be on upskilling myself

Bob: I think you’re very skilled already

Eliza: *smirks* I can hardly use these skills in the boardroom. But I’ll make you a promise

Bob: I’m listening, I am a captive audience after all

Eliza: If we don’t get pregnant by the time Fergus is a teenager, we can start properly trying again. Will you be okay with that?

Bob: I can be. I love you. I want you to be happy

Eliza: Believe me Bob, right now you are making me very happy and… *chuckles* yes it feels like I’m making you happy to

The conversation draws to its natural conclusion, woohoo. The next day is Freezer Bunny Day and the slumber party kids wake up pretty early.

Eliza: Have you lot had breakfast already?

Fergus: Of course mother

Eliza: Are you alright Kelly? You don’t look too flash

Kelly: Bloody Atlas must have infected me before he left

Eliza: I think it’s time to head home then. You to Drake

Fergus: Mother what time is the holiday ceremony

Eliza: Not until 10, we have some time

Bob: I wanted waffles for breakfast

Eliza: You could always make some more

Bob: No point, I’m doomed to be sad

Eliza: Have some of this trout with me, you did a great job with it

Bob: Really?

Eliza: It’s excellent, I promise

The two eat and flirt some more before Eliza gets up to wash the dishes.

Eliza: I can feel you staring at my ass Sleek

Bob: But it’s such a fine ass

Eliza: I’m glad one of us appreciates this unshifting baby weight

Iggy enters the kitchen and Bob decides to pull Eliza aside to keep talking.

Bob: I’m sorry you’re unhappy with it, but I do love the curves

Eliza: I know you do, I just wished I loved them more. I mean looking at me, who would know I’m fit

Bob: Don’t worry about what other people think, to me you’re the most beautiful sim in the world. Remember what I told you last time you felt like this

Eliza: *sighs* That me being curvy was a sign of love? Love for the food you make and love for the lives I brought into this world

Bob: Exactly. You know I met this stunning girl in university who told me, weight doesn’t equal worth, and it helped me beyond measure

Eliza: She sounds like a catch

Bob: *chuckles* why do you think I married you before some other sim could. Now come on, or we’ll be late

After the Freezer Bunny Day ceremony Eliza goes to practice her skills and Bob searches for Ginger. She is very dirty so Bob decides the smartest thing to do is wait until after a jog to give her a bath.

Fergus: Did you check the couches

Iggy: Yes, I found a couple. Did you look in the laundry bins

Fergus: I don’t think the Freezer Bunny would put eggs in dirty laundry

Iggy: Yet you said we needed to check the toilets

Fergus: You’ve been pranked!

Iggy: How could it be a prank if I found an egg there

Fergus: *huffs* stupid Freezer Bunny

Bob: We did the jog, no more avoiding, it’s bath time

Ginger: *whimpers* but I don’t even know how I got dirty

Bob: I’m sorry. If it was up to me you could stay dirty forever. But we need to think of the others in the house, and they don’t enjoy dirty dog smell

Ginger: *whines* but I just had a bath yesterday, infants don’t even get bathed daily

Bob: Guess we’ll do this the hard way then

He scoops up Ginger and carries her to the bathroom, all the while she yaps in protest.

Bob: See, if we keep the harness on we can clean it at the same time. Eliza had to get me to stop showering with my clothes on, but it saved time so it was hard to convince me not to

Bob places Ginger down and she immediately begins flinging off all the loose water. Bob tries to avoid it but a puddle appears. He decides it will dry by itself. Carrying Ginger in to the lounge he sets her down and switches her into he collar.

Bob: There, clean and fashionable

Iggy brings Carson with him after scouts. Harvey is going to swing by for dinner and pick him up then. They do the secret scout handshake and reflect on the meeting.

Carson: I can’t believe you found that super rare badge

Iggy: I can’t believe they dropped it. I’m glad the troop leader knew who it belonged to though and was able to get it back to them

Carson: You definitely couldn’t have kept it, the leader would know you didn’t earn it

Harvey: I saw your wife tuning up the doorbell

Bob: I knew there was probably something I forgot to do

Harvey: Are you looking forward to your birthday tomorrow Iggy?

Iggy: Yes! Though it sucks Carson can’t age up at the same time

Carson: We are technically the same age after all. Promise me you’ll still come to my birthday party when I have it

Iggy: Absolutely!

Bob: Food everyone! Come and get it!

Iggy: It looks great dad. Mother are you... smoking?

Eliza: I’ll be fine. I just got electrocuted by the doorbell

Bob: Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe you should lie down? With soup!

Eliza: I’ll be fine Bob

Fergus: Wait… if both of you are Llamacorn scouts... why don’t you have matching uniforms?

Iggy: I don't have an answer (and neither does the watcher)

Previous Part ... Next Part

#sims 4 #the sims 4 #the sims #Rotation8 #ChangingPlumbobStorytime #PancakesHousehold #ElizaPancakes #FergusPancakes #BobPancakes #KellyYork #CarsonFoster #HarveyFoster #simblr #OnyxPancakes #IggyPancakes #R0805

[chickensarentcheap]

Never Gonna Be Alone: Chapter 97

Fandom: Extraction

Pairing: Tyler Rake and Esme Rake (OFC)

Warnings: profanity and angst

Tagging: @tragiclyhip @munstysmind @secretaryunpaid @youflickedtooharddamnit @asirensrage @residentdormouse @alisbackalleybbq @themaradwrites @ninjasawakenedmystar @kmc1989 @arrthurpendragon @ocappreciationtag @occommunity @karimac @thebewingedjewelcat

If I forgot someone, please let me know! My brain is mush!

My tag list is OPEN! Just ask if you'd like to be added :)

Link to Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/28860450/chapters/127049641

****

He paces the length of the deck as he waits for K to pick up the phone,  occasionally glancing over his shoulder and into the living room. Millie watches him in nervous curiosity;  undoubtedly concerned about his mental and physical well-being, and wondering about the conversation that will take place.  And when he gives her a reassuring smile, his daughter returns it with a shaky one of her own.  Then stretches out on the couch stomach down and faces the sliding door;  chin on her forearm as she continues to keep an eye on him. 

“Rake?” K’s voice on the other end of the line. 

“I’m here.”

“Sorry to call so late.  I know you’ve got little ones to worry about and…”

“No such things as too early or too late.  Not when it comes to my family.  And especially not when it comes to Esme.  I hope you have some good news for me.  That you’re not calling to stall things even more.”

“I’m not…”

“Where’s my wife?  I’m sick of playing these fucking games. Waiting on you to decide what’s best when it comes to her.  You don’t know her.  You don’t know a damn thing about her.  So how about you cut the shit; tell me where she is and I’ll pay you a little visit.”

“I’m not the enemy in this, Rake.  I’m far from it.  If it wasn’t for me…”

“I never said I didn’t appreciate what you’re doing; putting your ass on the line to make sure she stays safe.  But I’m tired of this shit; waiting on you to decide when you’re going to get off your ass and make things happen. I’m nearly out of patience, kid. And you don’t want to see what I get like when I run completely dry.”

“I’ve had to wait things out.  It isn’t easy, you know; finding the time to contact you. Not with all the bodies coming and going from here, all hours of the goddamn day. If any of them were to find out I was talking to you…”

“They’d put a half dozen or so bullets in you.  I get the risk.  But if you continue to fuck me around, whatever they would do to you?  I’ll make it look tame. Now where’s my wife?”

“I can’t let you just show up.  Do you know what kind of firepower we have here?  What kind of training these guys have?  It’ll only make things worse.  Right now,  she’s safe. But I can guarantee that if I tell you where we are and you decide to show your face around here? It’s not going to end well.  Especially for her.  And I know that’s the last thing you want; to put her further at risk. So how about you…”

“How about you give me something to work with, then? That won’t put an even bigger target on her back.  When are we going to meet?  ‘Cause I’m ready to go when you are.”

“Unless you agree to my terms…”

“I already told you. I’ll be alone.  I won’t try and follow when you leave.  I just want to get these meds to her.  To keep her and my baby safe.   Until you’re able to get her out there. So when is it going to be? Because we’ve wasted enough time.”

“Two days from now.  I’ve already made up an excuse.  Had to lower myself to the gutter and use my son, but…”

“We’ve all done things we wish we never had to.”

“You speaking from experience, or…”

“I’ve got a lot of regrets.  That I don’t wish on anyone.  But you’re going to have a bigger one if you don’t stop fucking me around.  We could settle this right now, mate.  Put this all to bed. Avoid all this needless bullshit. Just tell me where she is, and I will come and get her.  With a lot of people and a lot of firepower backing me up.  So if you want to get out of this alive…”

“Do I need to get her back on the phone? Do I…?”

“Don’t do that,” Tyler warns.  “Don’t weaponize her like that.  It’s a real piece of shit thing to do. Weaponize her like that.”

“Look,  I know you’re used to being the boss.  The one calling the shots.  The legendary mercenary who turned himself into a legendary boss. But I need you to let me take the lead on this. I’m the one that’s right in the trenches; trying to keep her alive. BOTH of us alive, for that matter.  And if you come around and fuck things up,  it’s all going to horribly wrong.  You think you have regrets now? How will it be if something happens to her? Because of YOU?”

“Please, Tyler,” Esme begs in the background. “Please just listen to him.   He knows what he’s talking about.  I know it’s hard for you sometimes;  you react emotionally when it comes to me and the kids.  But I need you to just stop. Please. Just stop and think about all of this.  Think about what he’s saying.”

Both chest and throat tighten.   Nearly brought to his knees by the sound of her voice;  the fear and the desperation that weighs down every tearful plea.   And as his grip tightens around his phone, he briefly closes his eyes, struggling to get the mixture of emotions under control. A combination of intense rage,  profound sadness and near-painful helplessness.  And emptiness and loneliness unlike anything he’s ever experienced before.

“I know what it’s like.”  K’s voice is softer; laced with patience and sympathy.  “Being used to always having a handle on things.  The one everyone turns to when there’s trouble.  And I also know what it’s like to feel all that slipping away.  It’s fucking awful, mate.   no longer being in control of things.   Especially through no fault of your own.”

“I have seven kids here.  That need their mother.   And you keeping her away from them even longer than you need to…”

“I’m doing what’s best for her.   I’m not doing this to cause more problems. Or to punish anyone. I know what these people are like; I know the kind of power they have and I know what kind of resources they have backing them up.  It’s why we can’t just jump into things; we need to play along and gain their trust and their confidence.  I can’t just break her out of here.  It’s not that easy.  And I think if you’d look at this as a mercenary and not as a husband, you’d say the same thing.  You wouldn’t take any unnecessary risks with a client, would you? You’d do whatever it takes to keep them safe, yeah?”

“We’re talking about a client. We’re talking about my wife.”

“Which is exactly why you can’t be taking risks.  Why you shouldn’t be WANTING to.  How many times have you had to talk a husband down? Or a wife? From doing something stupid?”

“More than once.”

“Well, now it’s my turn to talk YOU down. I’m not stalling.   I’m not dragging things out to make things worse on you or those kids.  Everything I do? It’s for Esme’s benefit.  And I know it’s a lot to ask, but you need to trust me.”

“That’s awful damn hard.  I don’t even know you.  I don’t just hand out trust to everyone I come across.  You’re holding my entire life in your hands.  And if there’s something I’m willing to die for, it’s her.  You and your buddies fucked with the wrong man.  And the wrong man’s family.  You do all this damage and then expect me to just blindly trust you? Who the fuck do you think you are?”

“I’m the one who is keeping your wife and your baby alive.  And if you want to stay that way…”

“Tyler…”  Esme’s voice once more. Tearful.  Terrified. “...please just listen to him.  I’m begging you. Please.”

“I swear to God…”   Tyler growls through clenched teeth. “...if you hurt her in any way…”

“All I want to do is help.  Without causing more issues.  I tell you where we are and you come storming in here?  It will be the worst possible ending. You want your wife and your kid alive? Then you do exactly as I say.”

“Two days.  I’ll meet you at our place in The Kimberley.  If you don’t show up,  I will hunt you down.  No matter how long it takes.  And I will find you and I will make you suffer. Beyond anything you ever thought possible.”

“I don’t doubt it for one second.  But I WILL be there.  We’re on the same side, Rake.   We both want the same thing.  Your wife…safe and sound…back with you and your kids.  I’m not the enemy here.”

“You were.  Four nights ago.  When you showed up at the place in Tasmania.  When you stood by and watched your buddies take my wife.  And then stayed behind to kill me.”

“But I didn’t do it., did I? I backed out.  Couldn’t go through with that.”

“You’re just a regular bleeding heart, aren’t ya.”

“I’m trying my best here, alright?  I don’t want things to get any worse.   And if you don’t listen to me and you track us down and just show up here…”

“I already said  I’d back off.  But we need to get a couple of things straight.   This change of heart you had? When it came to killing me? Everything you’re doing to keep Esme and the baby safe? Whatever plan you’re cooking up to get her out of there? That doesn’t make us friends.  We’re not buddies. We’re not going to be hanging out or going for beers or sending each other Christmas cards.  Once this is over? You disappear. I better never see or hear from you again.”

“Fair enough.”

“And if anything happens to my wife, you’re going to wish you’d killed me that night.  Because I will hunt you down.  And I will put you in the ground. Don’t fuck me, mate.  Because those stories you’ve heard?  About the things I’ve done? The things I can still do?  They’re all true.”

“I never doubted it for a second.”

“I’ll meet you in two days.  You don’t show up?  I WILL find you.”

“I’ll be there,” K assures him. “And do as I say; don’t bring an army with you, don’t try and stop me from leaving, don’t have anyone follow me. I’m the only thing that stands between your wife and whatever these assholes have planned for her.  I’m sure you don’t want to chance it.”

“You just make sure she stays safe.  That no one lays a hand on her.  And if I find out all this time that you’ve done nothing but fuck me around…”

“If there was ever a time for you to trust someone, this is it. You need to take me at my word.  That I’ll keep her safe and sound and find a way to get her the hell out of here.”

“And what are you going to want in the end? If this all goes according to plan?  If you get her out of there and I bring her home? What are you going to want? As reward? A payment?”

“Just my safety.  All limbs attached to my body. All my internal organs still inside and functioning properly.”

“I guess we’ll just have to see about that.”

“Two days. I’ll be there.”

“Yeah…” Tyler snarls. “...you fucking better be.”

******

He wakes to the sound of little feet and voices overhead.  Addie and Brookie whispering and giggling as they scurry down the hall and towards the stairs. Declan cheerfully obliging Takota’s request to piggyback him to the kitchen as  TJ mutters in that grumpy, first thing of the morning way of his;  yet showing off his unlimited patience when it comes to Tanner’s cheerful, incessant rambling about the dreams he’d had.  And Millie and Alannah, discussing their plans for the day: seeing a movie with Nanny Stel, Addie, Takota and the older kids. 

It resembles a typical morning in the Rake house. A mixture of the immediately cheerful and energetic and their easily annoyed and frustrated counterparts.   Yet the reality will soon set in;  the realization that -as they’re settling into breakfast- that a huge part of their household is missing. An empty chair at the kitchen table serving as a stark reminder of the nightmare that is continuing to unfold around them.   

The little ones greet him with their unusual enthusiasm; Addie declaring how much she’d missed him and the tearfully declaring how she’d been worried when she’d woken up in the big bed and he wasn’t there to snuggle into.  He’s the best for snuggles after all; his body is big and strong and warm and safe.  

The safest place on earth, in her opinion.

With the help of Estelle, he manages to get the day started. Not only Fighting through the incessant pain that inhabits nearly every inch of his body, but struggling with the immense emptiness that Esme’s absence has left him with.

He’s standing on the back deck when Brookie rushes over to him; nursing his second cup of coffee and watching as the kids tend to their weekend chores. Watering the various plants in the garden and cleaning out the animal habitats; making sure food and water dishes are full and showering the ‘pets’ with unlimited love and attention.  They’d all been taught at an early age to put in the work;  learning as they toddled alongside their parents and asked what seemed like a million and one questions.  Their enormous levels of curiosity quickly paying off;  experiencing that rush that comes with the reward of accomplishment and pride.  

 Esme and him had always been on the same page when it came to how to raise a family;  he can easily remember those early days when Millie was still in her belly. Those often emotional late-night chats about the things they’d been robbed of in their childhoods; filled with promises to make sure their offspring never suffered in the same way.  Both determined to provide the same things:  lots of love, acceptance, and support.  While they’d be given both things they would need and desire, they would also be trusted with responsibilities; simply chores that would start in the toddler years. Their parents wanting them to grow up to be not only self-sufficient adults but damn good humans; compassionate and empathetic and blessed with both book smarts and practical hands-on knowledge.

“Daddy!” Brooklyn wraps an entire hand around one of his fingers and gives a firm tug.   “We got a problem!”

“What kind of problem?”

“A big one! No one got Pumpkin Lumpkin’s carrots ready! Momma always does them the night before; she puts them in a bag and puts them with my helmet and my boots.  So we don’t have to rush around and do stuff. But momma isn’t here so now…” Taking a deep breath, she exhales dramatically. “... there’s no carrots to take!”

“We’ll stop at the store.  On the way to the stables. We can run in and…”

“That won’t do! It’s not the same! Pumpkin doesn’t like the ones from the store!”

“I highly doubt Pumpkin knows the difference between store-bought and ones from our garden.”

“She’s REALLY smart, dad.  Super smart! She definitely knows! And she likes mommy’s carrots best. ‘Cause mommy’s are  grown with love.  ‘Cause she sings and talks to her plants and that makes them taste better.  Pumpkin will know something is wrong. If we don’t bring momma’s carrots.  And I don’t want her to know about mumma. I don’t want her to be depressed like us.”

His throat tightens and his heartaches.  Even in the smallest and most mundane of ways, Esme’s absence is an enormous loss to all of them. “I promise I won’t tell her.  And we still have a bit of time before we leave. Why don’t you run and grab some carrots?  That we can take with us.”

Brooklyn’s face visibly brightens at the suggestion. “I’m going to pick the best ones! Pumpkin deserves them!”

“Well, leave some good ones for humans. We gotta eat them too.”  He tousles her hair before she runs off, then calls to Declan to help her in the garden.  He’s inherited his mother’s green thumb; first developing a love for all things gardening when he was merely four years old.  Always excited to be ‘helping her’;  all smiles and giggles and chatter as he walked alongside her, carrying a watering can.

“Looks like ‘business as usual’ around here.”  Riley’s voice comes from behind as she lingers in the open doorway; leaning against the frame with her arms folded against her chest. And Tyler briefly glances over his shoulder; immediately noticing the absence of the vibrance that normally accompanies the redhead. Currently replaced by stormy eyes, furrowed brow,  and tightly set jaw. 

Sighing, he  turns his attention back to the hustle and bustle in the backyard.“Gotta keep things as normal as possible for them.”

“Things are as far from normal as they can possibly get.”

“I need to try to bring them a little bit of happiness.  Not every aspect of their life has to completely suck.”

“You certainly don’t seem to be suffering any.  You’re just back to everyday life.”

He wants to argue about it being the furthest thing from the truth; remind her that he’s the one suffering the most. Both emotionally and physically.  But at the same time, he understands her anger. Albeit misplaced, she’s worried and terrified and desperate to ‘get the show on the road’.  Anxious to do whatever she can to help find her sister.   And it’s her heartache that is convincing her that she needs someone to blame.  That she has to hold someone responsible for what happened.

“I’m just doing my best.  Trying to hold things together.  For my kids.”

Riley joins him, laying both forearms along the top railing of the deck.  “Might be better for them if they see something…anything…from you. Emotion wise.”

“I’ve shown a lot of emotion.   In front of them.  Just because you haven’t personally seen it, doesn’t mean it’s not happening.   I could turn the tables and say the same thing about you.  You haven’t exactly shed a tear.  Ranted and raved.  Not since a couple of days ago anyway.”

Scowling, she casts her brother-in-law a sidelong glance.

“I heard what you said.  To Shaena.  I heard ALL of it.  And I wasn’t going to say anything but I totally get where it’s all coming from.  It’s a hell of a thing that happened and we’re all suffering and we’re all trying to find a way to cope.   And I’ve been there myself;  worried and scared and angry and needing to take it all out on someone.  I think it’s pretty normal for a lot of people;  needing someone to place the blame on.  Even if it is no one’s fault.”

“But it IS your fault.  The blame is all on you.  You’re the reason this happened.  You and what you do for a living and all the people you’ve pissed off and…”

“What happened has nothing to do with me.  These people? That took your sister?  They’re from HER past.  Not mine.”

“Now there’s something I never thought I’d hear from you. Victim blaming.  Especially when the victim is your own wife. My sister.”

“That’s NOT what I’m doing.  I’m trying to explain my side of things. I was the one who was there, Riley. Not you.  All these details you have in your head? You put them there. I didn’t.  No one else. You let your imagination run wild; your brain made up all kinds of bullshit and you’re actually believing it.  Everything you said to Shaena? None of it was true.”

“Seems like it’s pretty cut and dry.  Someone is out for revenge. And they’re getting it through my sister.”

“There’s nothing cut and dry about this.  And yeah, they’re out for revenge. But not because of something I did.  Not because of the past I’ve led.   I HAVE crossed a lot of bad people. Stepped out on a lot of toes. Burned a lot of bridges. And I see how it makes sense;  someone out to get me so they chose her as a target. But that’s not what it’s about AT ALL.”

“Don’t even try and pretend you’re innocent in all of this. That who you are and what you do didn’t play some kind of part. Don’t…”

“I wasn’t even going to tell you all of this.  I even asked Shaena and everyone else who knows the details to keep it from you.  I wanted to protect you. I wanted to spare you from all of that.  Because this IS your sister we’re talking about.  But if you’re going to keep up with your bullshit, maybe it’s better if you do know the truth. So you shut the fuck up about me.”

Riley blinks at the vehemence in his voice.

“This is about Mark.  He’s the one behind this.”

“Mark.   Douchebag ex-husband extraordinaire?  That’s who we’re talking about, right? THAT Mark?”

“Don’t talk to me like that.  Don’t be a condescending little bitch. Yes. THAT Mark.”

“The same Mark that cheated on her while coming back from their honeymoon? By joining the mile high with a stewardess?  The same Mark that used to beat her senseless?  Force her to eat food off the floor?  Rape her? That put her in the ICU? TWICE.”

“I know everything he’s done.  Everything that he put her through. I probably know more than you do. Things she never even told you.”

“The same Mark that you ordered someone to kill? Only to later find out he was still alive? The same ‘back from the dead’ Mark you ever told my sister about?  Until it was too late?”

“I had my reasons. For not saying anything to her.  There was a lot going on; I had just been through all that bullshit with Nathan, she was pregnant with the twins. She didn’t need anything else added to her plate. I didn’t think it mattered; whether he was really dead or not.  She THOUGHT he was.  And that made her really feel at peace for the first time in years. I did what I had to do. For HER.”

“How come every time you decide something for her it ends up being the shittiest possible outcome?”

“I had no idea it would come back and bite me in the ass.  He flew under the radar for five years.  I thought he’d just given up; decided to leave us alone and go on with his life. How the fuck was I supposed to know he’d do some shit like this? You think I wanted this to happen? That I somehow ASKED for it to happen? Esme may be your sister, but she’s MY wife.”

“If you’d just left her alone. In Dhaka. If you’d just kept your dick in your pants…”

“Don’t bring that up. You have no idea what happened in Dhaka. During those five days. But it was more than that. Way more.”

“Y0u should have let her walk away. Afterwards.”

“I was in a coma. I woke up, she was there. I didn’t force her to stay.  I didn’t hold a gun to her so she’d stick around. That was HER decision.  Both on the bridge and off it.”

“You should have MADE her.  You should have…”

“She’s a grown woman, Riley.  She was a grown woman when we met.  Every decision she made? She made it on her own.  She stayed because she wanted to. Simple as that. And you know Esme as well as I do. No one tells her what to do. NO ONE.”

“You brought her into this kind of life.  You did whatever it took to KEEP her in it.  Knowing that there were people who would just love to get revenge. And use her to do it.  THAT should have been enough to convince her to walk away. That was selfish, Tyler.  And deep down, I think you realize that. You were selfish to bring her into this life.  And to bring kids into it, too?”

“I love your sister.  More than I ever thought it was possible to love someone.  I don’t regret how we met.  I don’t regret not trying harder to push her away.  I don’t regret a goddamn thing when it comes to her.  And yeah, there were times I didn’t do right by her. Where I was a really shit husband.  But we got past all that. We worked on our shit.  We still work at it. Every day.  So for you to stand here and accuse me of manipulating her or bullying her or…”

“What happened, Tyler? The other night? HOW did it happen? Can you at least tell me that? How someone like you -with all your skills and all your strength and experience and all the blood on your hands- could let this happen? How could you let them take her?”

“I didn’t LET them take her.  Look at me! Look how fucked up I am! Does this body look like it belongs to someone who just LET them?”

“She isn’t here, is she?  You have no clue WHERE she is.”

“You weren’t there. In Tasmania. You don’t know what went down.  I didn’t stand a chance.  It wasn’t just one or two guys.  I’m not even sure how many there actually were.  But they knew they had to blindside me; take me down and keep me down.  They knew every weak spot.  Every fucked up part of me.  And that’s how they were able to do it.  They took me out first and then went for her.  Do you really think I’d just let them walk in and grab her? You really think that little of me?”

“I never…”

“I fought. For as long and as hard as I could. I wouldn’t look like this if I didn’t.  And you know what they did? When it still wasn’t enough for him? They used her against me.  They were going to kill her, Riley. If I didn’t stop fighting and I didn’t calm her down.  They would have killed her right in front me. Maybe even done some really sick shit to her before that.  And you know what? They probably would have left me alive. So I’d remember every second of what she went through for the rest of my life.”

“Tyler…”

“Yeah, I gave up.   And that’s the only reason she’s still alive.”

“You don’t know that she is.”

“I DO know that.  I can’t tell you how. But I know that she is.  She’s not a hundred percent safe, but she has someone working damn hard to get her away from these people.  I love your sister.  I’d never do anything to hurt her.  Not intentionally.  I WILL find her. And I will make them pay. For EVER touching her.”

“You promised her.  When you met.  That you’d protect her. No matter what. Against anyone and everything.  You PROMISED,  Tyler.”

“And I meant it.  Every word.  I didn’t have a choice.  It was either lose her right there and then, or keep her alive and then do everything I had to to track her down.  It wasn’t an easy decision, believe me.”

“Promise me you’ll bring her home.  No matter what. Even if she is…”

“She’s NOT dead. She’s very much alive.  And I know you’re stressed and you’re scared and you’re pissed off.  I get it, believe me.  But I’m not the enemy here. I didn’t want any of this to happen.  All I want is for her to be here.  With me, with her kids.  That’s all I want. More than anything.  My entire existence? My world? It begins and ends with her.”

“Daddy! Daddy, look what I got!”  The soles of Brookie’s bare feet slap against the wooden deck as she races towards him.  And Riley mouths a ‘I’m so sorry’ before giving his arm a comforting squeeze and bidding a hasty retreat into the house.

Managing to swallow down the emotions,  he turns to Brookie with a smile.  “What’cha got?”

Frowning, she makes her way to the sliding door and peers inside, looking for her aunt.  “Where’d she go?”

“Who?”

“Auntie Riley. She was here and then she was gone and she looked really upset and…”

“She had a phone call.  What’cha got?”

The four-year-old relents and hurries over to him, proudly holding out a reusable grocery bag. “Look!! Look at all the carrots I got for Pumpkin Lumpkin! Declan helped me pick all the best ones! We put some in there for Bodhi too, but he loves apples more, so…”

“We’ll grab him some, on our way out the door.  You ready to go or…?”

“Daddy?” Brooklyn tilts her head to the side as she peers up at him. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t look okay?”

“Not really.  ‘Cause of what the bad guys did to you. If you don’t feel like going to the horses, it’s okay.  I won’t be upset. I understand. I know that you got a lot of ouchies.”

“Come here.” Scooping her up with his one good hand, he presses a kiss to her temple and then settles her on his hip.  “I WANT to go, alright?  It makes me happy; getting to spend time with you.  And I really need a little bit of happy right now.”

“I need some too.  But you don’t look so happy right this sec.  You look like you’re going to cry. Is it ‘cause you’re hurtin’? And ‘cause you miss mumma?”

“Yeah…” Manages a smile through a threatening flood of tears. “...I miss her a whole lot.”

“I miss her too. We’ll take lots of pictures! At the stables.  Like we always do.  Mumma always asks to see our photos! We can show her. When she comes home.”

“Gives her something to look forward to, yeah?  I’m sure you guys will have a lot of things to tell her.”

“I already have tons! Lots of stories. But I have to get to her before Addie does or I’ll be waiting forever!”

Chuckling, he places a noisy kiss on her forehead, then tightens his hold on her.  His eyes closed, chin resting on the top of her head.

*****

The stables are half an hour north. Sitting hundreds of acres of land that includes riding and jumping facilities,  buildings for boarding, and a modernized, eight-bedroom farmhouse that comfortably fits the owner and his extended family.  An army veteran thirty years Tyler’s senior; highly decorated and renowned for numerous acts of bravery and selflessness.  They’d met him and his wife through a support group for military PTSD sufferers and their partners, and an instant -albeit slightly reluctant on Tyler’s behalf-  friendship had evolved. 

 He finds it hard to be social. Not one for mindless chit chat and an immensely private person;  always desiring to keep certain parts of his life a secret.  But Esme had needed someone to bond with and he couldn’t deny or rob her of that.  Someone who would understand the fear and the worry and desperate need to take care of him; not judge her those feelings of helplessness when it comes to not being able to ‘fix’ him. And it had given her much-needed support, understanding, and guidance; someone -outside of him- that she could cry and vent to when things just became a little too difficult to bear.  

It was through Karl and Rose that they’d learned about equine therapy and the positive effects on many war vets battling various demons.  After six months of using a facility-supplied horse and being unable to deny the sense of calm and control riding gave him, Tyler had decided to purchase one of his own.   In turn, Brookie had shown and expressed an interest at a very young age; barely two years old when she’d first been taken to the stables and immediately toddling over to one of the holding pens and drawing the attention of many of the horses.  By the time she was three she could ride the ponies; showing impeccable balance and control of the animal for someone so young.  While not interested in the ‘higher end’ activities like show jumping,  she loves both her leisurely rides and how the wind blows through her hair during the harder gallops.  And she doesn’t mind the mess;  helping muck stalls and fill the feed and water troughs. 

Always used to being outtalked by Addie, she seizes the opportunity of being alone with him. Sitting on the hood of the truck while he tends to tying her riding boots and securing her helmet;  chattering about her week at school and about her excitement at getting to ride her horse and even cleaning her stall and grooming her afterwards.  And she skips alongside him as they head into the main holding barn; the bag of carrots and apples swinging  from one hand as the other tightly holds onto two of his fingers.

In that moment,  she reminds him so much of her mother. The zest for life and the intense and unwavering passion she commits to the things she loves. The fierceness with which she protects those closest to her and the startling amounts of empathy and patience.  And that smile as she beams up at him in pure delight; bright and beautiful and crinkling the corners of her eyes and the bridge of her nose. And somehow -in the painful, horrific midst of his worst nightmare- she manages to pierce the dark and stormy veil that’s shrouded him for the last four days.  Bringing a tiny yet much-needed amount of warmth and sunshine.   

“You know what I want to do, dad? When I’m older? And Pumpkin is too? Guess what I want to do!”

“Show jumping?”

“I already told you tons of times! I’m not into that.  That’s NOT my thing.  That’s more something Addie would do. IF she wasn’t scared of horses. I don’t get it, daddy. How is anyone scared of them? Especially Pumpkin Lumpkin and Bodhi. They’re so sweet! They wouldn’t hurt her.”

“I think it’s because she’s so tiny and they’re so big. It scares her; being so high off the ground.   Probably afraid she’s going to fall off. It’s why your mum doesn’t want to ride.  She’s scared of getting hurt.”

“Bodhi is really big but Pumpkin isn’t. She’s still a baby.  Maybe we can get Addie one of those little mini horses. Remember those? The ones I learned on?  They’re mini just like Addie so maybe she wouldn’t be scared of them.  Can we? Get her one?”

“I can definitely talk to your mum about that.”  

His heart sinks the moment the words leave his mouth. Just something else he took for granted;  her presence in his life, home, and bed always a surety.   And now even the basics have been viciously torn away; he can’t just send a quick text or call her on the phone or simply wait to arrive back at the house to share something he’d seen or heard while he was out. 

For thirteen years,   Esme had been the one constant in his life. Her mere presence had gotten him through the darkest and most trying of days following Dhaka; consistently and devotedly camping herself at his bedside and refusing to leave even when given the most dire of prognosis.   She had supported him through the months of recovery;  his one-person cheering section as he laboured and struggled to relearn even the most basics of tasks and functions.  She had taken him back after their sixth-month separation; tearfully calling him in the middle of the night and begging him to come home.  She’d missed him and didn’t want his absence to become permanent; worried his drinking and drug use would only grow in need and intensity and lead to his demise.  And he’d followed every ‘rule’ that she’d put forth; checking himself into rehab and anger management and agreeing to attend both solo and individual counselling.

She’d been there after Nathan had destroyed both his body and his mind.  Accepting the responsibilities of feeding him, washing his hair, helping him in and out of the shower.  Never losing her patience when the lingering effects of his concussion and added brain trauma had caused him to ask the same questions over and again. She had been by his side when he’d been given the CPTSD and Bipolar diagnosis; angrily and adamantly refusing his suggestion that she walk away and spare herself the torment that would come with having to put up with his ‘episodes’. And the very real worry that he’d one day snap and take all his frustration and hurt out on her and the kids.

“We’re better together than we are apart,”  she’d reminded him.  “You said  that yourself. In Dhaka. So if you think I’m letting you deal with this on your own, you’ve got another thing coming.”

So many roles in his life that she fills.  Loyal confidant.  Fervid supporter.  Best friend.  Lover.  Wife. Mother of his children.  And he’s simply not ready to give any of those up. 

But it’s lonely and he feels so empty.  His broken and aching body constantly reminds him that he isn’t the same man he used to be.  And he worries that maybe…just maybe…he really HAD failed her.  Reneging on his wedding day promises to provide for her and love her and cherish her. To keep her safe, happy and warm.

And to always…above all else…protect her. 

“Mumma will say yes!” Brookie declares, oblivious to the darkness that has descended upon him.  “Mumma loves animals! Like me.  And like you! We all love animals!”

“No one loves quite as much as you. And you never did tell me what you wanted to do.  When you’re bigger.”

“I wanna own a ranch! Just like this one. Well maybe not JUST like it, ‘cause I wanna raise cattle and have some alpacas and a pumpkin patch where people come at Halloween! I’m going to decorate it all up and it’s gonna have apple cider and pumpkin muffins and cookies and pie and there’s gonna be a haunted house! And a hayride! There’s GOTTA BE a hayride.”

“What are you going to do the rest of the year?”

“Spend time with my cows. And my alpacas. Don’t worry, I’ll have some chickens for you and some goats for mum.  ‘Cause they’re YOUR faves.   Maybe I’ll even have horse riding lessons and stuff like that. Or have summer camps for kids!”

“Sounds like you got it all planned out.”

“I’m gonna be a cowgirl! I’m going to wear cool cowgirl clothes and hats and on special days Pumpkin will get her hair braided and her ribbons will match what I’m wearing.”

“You’re going to make a mint.  Beef is a huge business around here. Always in demand.”

Brookie stops dead in her tracks; brow furrowed as she stares up at him incredulously.  “Excuse you, dad! The cows aren’t going to be for eating! Those cows are gonna be my pets! You can’t eat my pets! You wouldn’t let anyone eat Mac or Saju, would you?”

“There’s kind of a big difference between a house pet and beef cattle.”

“Listen, you can get your meat somewhere else. Eat someone else’s cows. Not mine! I swear if any of them go missing and up in the freezer, I’m going to know it was you! And I’m really going to be pissed and I’m not going to talk to you  for a long time. Like a week. Or two! Just to teach you a lesson!”

“Oh man,” he heaves a long, dramatic sigh. “How will I ever cope? A week or two of peace and quiet?”

“Dad…”  Planting a hand on her hip, she cocks her head to the side. “...that is NOT friends!”

“You just told me I can’t eat beef again. I’m a carnivore, damn it.”

“I didn’t say you couldn’t eat it ever again! I said you have to get it from someone else!  Eat someone else’s cows. Not mine.  That’s eating your own grandchildren, you know.  That’s the only kids you’re getting from me! Why would you eat them?  You’ll be okay. You’ll find meat somewhere else. Just go to the shops!”

“How did you know ‘carnivore’ means someone that eats meat? You’re only four.”

“It’s ‘cause  I’m smart. Like mum.”

Tyler smirks. “Is that a backhanded way of calling me stupid?”

“You’re smart too, daddy.”  Brookie curls her arms around one of his thighs and leans her hand against him; eyes sparkling mischievously as she grins up at him. “In your own way.”

“You’re a real little shithead, you know that?”

“Yeah, I know!”  With a giggle and a squeeze of his leg, she turns on her heel and skips off into the barn. Pausing only long enough to cast a glance over her shoulder and add, “Mum says I get it from you!”

*****

An hour later, he keeps an ear open for any difficulties in the stall next to him.  Brookie tending to Pumpkin; alternating between talking herself through each step of the care routine and repeatedly singing, “Dirty deeds! Done dirt cheap!”. Earlier she’d insisted on carrying the feed and water buckets herself; slow yet steady trips across the barn as she muttered about how heavy the hauls were.  Informing him: “I can do it! I can do it!” each time he offered a hand.

“Daddy?”

Glancing  over his shoulder, he finds his daughter peering through the slats in the wall that separates the horses’ stalls “Brookie?”

“I got a bit of a problem.”

“What kind of problem?”

“Pumpkin is out of those salt licky things and I checked the storage in here and there’s none there.  I know where they keep them. Out back. And I’m not supposed to go anywhere unless I tell you or ask permission. 

So is it okay if I go and grab some? I’ll be really quick. Like a ninja.”

“Promise? Just there and back? No stopping every stall to say hi to the horses?”

“I promise. There and back! No stopping to say ‘hi’. But it’s going to kill me not to!”

“Go ahead then.”

Tyler keeps an eye on her from over the partition; gaze following as she bolts from Pumpkin’s stall and then scurries through the barn and towards the rear exit.  And he returns his attention to Bodhi when the four-year-old steps out into the sunshine;  speaking in a low, smooth tone as he gently glides a brush through the horse’s mane and along his glistening, chestnut coat.  

There’s something so comforting about it;  the smells, sounds, and sights within the barn’s four walls.  The smoothness of the horse’s coat against his palms and the coarseness of the mane as it slips through his fingers.  Far more therapeutic than any counselling session has ever been; no awkwardness between yourself and a doctor,  no embarrassment at some of the secrets and confessions you share.  And he thoroughly enjoys his time at the ranch;  left alone to tend to his own business and the fresh air and rolling hills soothing him in ways no medication ever could.

He’s filling the water and food troughs when it happens.  An ear-piercing scream that he can hear over the din inside the barn; managing to find its way over the rustles of horses within their stalls and the loud chewing and slurping and the grunts and neighing.  And it makes his blood run cold and every hair on his body stands on end;  initially rooted to the spot he stands in before his instincts take over.  Crossing the stall in two long strides and rushing for the exit; hand reaching under the bottom of his t-shirt for the Glock -nestled in its holster- that he’d clipped to his jeans before leaving the house.

“Daddy!” Brookie’s panicked voice floats in the air. “Daddy! Help! Help me please!”

The sunshine burns his eyes when he steps outside; initially blinding him.  When he regains his senses he glances down and finds a panicked Brookie looking up at him;  her vision blurred by tears of both frustration and fear.    And both feet stuck in a large, thick puddle of mud.  

“Daddy, help! I can’t get out!  I can’t move my boots! Not without my feet coming out!”

Relief surges through him and his fingers slip from the handle of the Glock; tucking it back into its resting place and covering the holster with the bottom of his t-shirt.   And he drops to a knee in front of his daughter; her hands immediately clutching his shoulders as he investigates the situation. 

“Calm down. You’re alright. I’ll get you out of there.”

“What if you can’t? What if I have to stay here forever?!”

“That’s not going to happen. It’s just mud.  Not like you’re stuck in concrete.”

“What if it isn’t mud? What if it’s quicksand? What if it’s quicksand and it sucks me under!”

“I won’t let that happen. And besides, it’s NOT quicksand.”

“How do you know?”

“I know everything, remember? Santa’s email and phone number, how to speak kangaroo.  Now just take a breath and calm down and I’ll have you out of there in no time.”

“I don’t want to lose my boots! They’re my favourite! Mummy got them for me.  And it might be the last thing she ever bought me and I won’t have them anymore and…”

“You won’t lose your boots,” he assures her. “Or your mum.  She’s got a long life ahead of her. Lots of time left to buy you things.”

“You sure?”

“I am one hundred percent sure.  I’m going to find her mum and bring her home and she’ll never…ever….get taken away again.”

“You promise?”

Tyler mods.

“Pinkie promise?”

He hooks his little finger around the much tinier one offered to him, then leans in to peck his daughter’s forehead.  “You’re alright, Brookie.  Nothing bad is going to happen. You’re not going to be stuck here forever. Maybe a few days. At the most.  And if that happens, I promise I’ll come visit three times a day and bring you all your favourite snacks.”

She manages a shaky, tearful smile.

“Let’s get you…and your boots…out of there, yeah?  Then we’ll get you clean and finish stuff with Pumpkin and Bodhi and go for ice cream?”

“Can we get a banana split to share? That’s always our special treat.”

“You read my mind. I was just thinking the same thing.  Come on, let’s get you out of this nasty old mud.”

As he begins working at clearing layers of mud with his bare hands,  her much smaller ones come to rest on his shoulders; tiny body leaning into his, her chin resting on the top of his head.  And after several minutes of scooping away muck and wrinkling her legs, she’s finally free and she gives an ecstatic cheer, an enormous sigh of relief, and then promptly bursts into tears.

“Daddy…” Her sobs shake her entire body, and she curls her arm around his neck and buries her face in his shoulder.  “...Daddy…”

He wordlessly comforts her; one muddy hand in her hair and the other on the small of her back.  Waiting until her sobs diminish in frequency and force before speaking.  “This isn’t just about getting stuck in the mud.  And the boots.”

Brookie vigorously shakes her head.

“It’s about your mum, yeah? And how much you miss her?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“You don’t have to.  And I’m not going to force you to.  As long as you know that when you’re ready to get it all out, you know where to find me.  You’ll come to me, yeah? And tell me all about it?”

“I don’t want to make you more sad.”

“Listen to me, Brookie.”   Pulling away, he clasps her face in his hands.  “It doesn’t matter what I’m feeling or what I’ve got going on.  Don’t ever worry about that.  You come first. You and your brothers and your sisters. So promise me;  that you’ll come and talk to me. Promise?”

“I promise.”

“ I know you want to be strong.  Especially for Addie.  And you are an incredibly brave and strong little girl for even trying.  But do you know what the best thing is? For your sister?  For her to see you get upset.  Because she might be older, but she idolizes you and wants to be just like you.  And right now? She needs to know it’s alright to be sad.   To get angry. Cry a lot.  That’s what she needs.   I mean look at your brothers;  they’re not afraid to show it.  Even TJ and Delcan, as tough as they are.  Even She-Beast Millie’s been out in the open about it.”

“She-Beast,”  Brookie repeats, and manages a giggle. “And you cry too.”

“I do.  Lots of daddies cry.  Even the really big and really strong ones.  It took me a long time to do it, though. In front of people. And you know who taught me that it was alright? Your mum.  And she is the smartest person I have ever known. Not to mention the strongest.  So don’t hide things, okay?  That’ll just hurt worse in the end. And for a long time.  I don’t want that for you.  I don’t want you to end up like I did.  Understand?”

She nods. “I understand, daddy.”

“I miss your mumma so much.  Every second of every day.  She’s not just my wife and the mother of my kids, but she’s my best friend.  And she’s been all those things for a long time now.”

“You promise you’ll find her? And bring her back?”

“I will do everything I can to make that happen. So that we get a lot more years with her.  So she gets to meet her four-legged grandchildren.”

Laughing, Brookie rests her forehead against his.  “I’m scared, daddy.”

“I know.”  Pressing a kiss to the tip of her nose, he again embraces her;  large, muscular arms holding as tightly as that little body will allow.  “So am I.”

#Tyler and Esme series #Tyler Rake #Tyler Rake fanfic #Tyler Rake fan fiction #Extraction #extraction 2 #Extraction fanfic #Extraction fan fiction #Chris Hemsworth #Tyler Rake x OFC #Esme Drummond #Esme Rake #Rake kids

[runeskiamorph]

"If you want the content, make it yourself." Soooo yeah... I did the thing.

Lieutenant Yogar Lyste Headcanons (cuz I'm sad and he deserves love)

-Yogar is a 'Momma's Boy'; look at him, he’s got a smirk that says “Momma thinks I’m handsome”(and she’s right). He's also either an only child or a middle child (middle child solidarity) as he's so eager to prove himself and impress the higher ups.

-His momma taught him to respect women. Notice he wasn’t rude to Leia at all even when he privately rolls his eyes at Alderaan’s involvement and he went all out for her/her ships’ safety. He may not ever hit a woman but he will stun her ass if she’s a threat to his comrades.

-He secretly listens to Taylor Swift; he insists he has no time for music and calls pop music “childish noise” as if he wasn’t lip-singing ‘You Belong With Me’ in the mirror with a comb microphone last night. His favorite song is 'The Best Day' but let's be honest guys, the entire 'Fearless' Album was a banger.

-Yogar is very ticklish. Not like barely touche him ticklish but his neck and ribs very sensitive. He has tried to keep it a secret all his life so people won't tease him for it but he has gotten more than his fare share of hazing and torture during his academy days.

-Jokes fly right over his head. Unless it’s like a basic ‘Knock-knock’ joke or slapstick/physical comedy, he’s not gonna get it until like two hours later when out of nowhere, “Oh, I get it! The punchline is (something completely wrong and unrelated). Ha ha! Good one!”

-He’s allergic to cats; no reason for this one. I’m just imagining Ezra using the force to convince a Loth-cat to distract him by getting real cuddly and rubbing up on his legs while Lyste is trying so hard not to sneeze as his eyes burn.

-Growing up on Garel, Yogar doesn’t have much experience with nature and animals. Due to his allergies, his family never had any pets but he always wanted a dog(or whatever Star Wars equivalent of a dog is).

-If Lyste was a dog, he’d probably be a Shepherd/Lab mix. All of the energy and instincts for the job but almost none of the attention span. Doesn’t matter how old he is, Lyste is a puppy at heart.

-There is not a racist bone in his body. He still has a superiority complex, he’s very proud to be a part of the Imperial Fleet, but what Imp doesn’t look down on others? Lyste wasn’t disrespectful to Thrawn like Constantine was, he saw Thrawn as a superior officer that he is to loyally serve(the poor baby).

-Somehow, Lyste doesn’t need coffee. He is annoyingly a morning person. He could pull a late nighter moving crates, doing inventory, chase the Ghost crew halfway around Lothal, survive nearly being blown up and still be fresh as a daisy at 5 o’clock sharp the next morning. Kallus isn’t jealous of him for it at all.

- Lyste LOVES baked goods. Nothing can compare to his momma’s cooking but he’ll never turn down a home baked pie or muffin. On his time off, Lyste will head to a local bakery and spend the day just sitting there, listening to the sounds of the kitchen and smelling the warm air coming from the ovens. It reminds him of when he would come home from school and help his mom in the kitchen telling her about his day as they cooked dinner and while the desserts were in the oven, he’d do his homework and listen to his mother humming as she cleaned…He’ll never admit it, but Yogar is very homesick.

-Lyste keeps busy to distract himself from his homesickness. Don't get me wrong, he loves being an officer and he doesn't mind being stationed on Lothal, it's only a short jump to his home planet. But if he has a moment, smells a certain smell, or hears a song his mother liked, it sends him right back to when he was a kid on Garel playing soldier with the other kids.

-Being a Taylor Swift fan, Lyste is also a hopeless romantic. He dreams of one day finding a girl he can treat like a princess and be a prince in her eyes, someone he can bring home to his mother and live a fairytale life together. However, being in the military has put those plans on hold while he focuses on his career; he’s hoping to be ‘Captain Lyste’ before he even thinks about finding someone. He can dream though.

#yogar lyste #lieutenant lyste #star wars rebels #headcanon #star wars #ao3 fanfic #ao3 link #sw rebels

[artzychic27]

Just some stuff about this au

It was either go to jail or go to school for the Science Kids… And no prison, mental ward, military school, maximum security prison, government facility, or doomsday cult will take them anymore after a bunch of people wound up dead

So they were forced to go to school and be in their own separate classroom as per the school board's agreement

The moment Jean set foot in DuPont, several crates fell out of a cargo airplane and nearly landed on several students and teachers

When the school's welcome committee went to properly greet them, Marc hacked up baby tarantulas, Reshma listed all the ways they would die, and Simon embedded some nightmarish images in their brains

... They didn't become popular that day

Mme. Mendleieve's classroom is similar to her lab at home, complete with a cauldron, different elixirs on the shelves, a few spellbooks, and shadow monsters locked in cages

Ismael teleports to other classrooms when he needs a pencil, it freaks so many people out

While everyone was screaming as a chain of black widows crawled out of Marc's mouth and hair, Nath was staring at him as if he were an angel

Austin T is the only one bold enough to go near Jean and doesn't mind when stuff falls on him, or he falls through the floor

Reshma's eyes glow red as she's looking into the future, and if she focuses hard enough, she can project what she sees

Zoé joined the class near the end of the first semester. They weren’t to excited to have an outsider, but once an ax and hit list dropped out of her backpack, they were sold

The class is trying to help Zoé build up a tolerance to toxins by slipping a pinch of it into her drinks and then upping the dosage

Cosette likes to hide their head in Kim's locker, just to freak him out

Lacey can't do homework without the ghosts spouting out different answers

Denise has walked through several walls when they weren't looking where they were going

One day, Aurore was really upset, and her storm cloud covered the entire school, nearly flooding it until Mireille invited her to a seance

Mireille can easily tell if she's talking to a ghost or a human. For one, ghosts' feet don't touch the ground

Juleka, Rose, Nathaniel, Ivan, and Adrien are the only ones in the Akuma class who don't seem to mind them. Kim is a definite no, because of the spiders

Reshma has spontaneous visions throughout the day and often mumbles what she sees

It’s not rare to see Lacey convulsing on the floor when one rogue spirit tries to gain control, but she always wins

The class takes field trips to the cemetery, mortuary, taxidermy museum, murder homes, and to active crime scenes

They spend most of their time in the basement. It’s nice and dark, there’s cobwebs everywhere, and some previous students even drew some nice evil symbols on the wall

No, Marc doesn’t eat spiders (Unless they’re male) they just crawl into his mouth when he’s asleep, so he’s always coughing them up in the morning. Sometimes they lay their eggs, so he’s basically a surrogate

They are all medical anomalies. The school nurse fainted when Cosette’s arm popped off and called the mortician when Lacey wasn’t breathing for three hours

They’re slowly bringing Adrien to the dark side and making him a baby bat

#miraculous ladybug #miraculous #Marc Anciel #Aurore Boréale #Mireille Caquet #Jean Duparc #science kids #Addams family #kind of #mlb au #The Addams Class

[demona-andariel]

A Simple Act of Kindness - 22 / ??

Fandom: Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

Pairing: Thomas Hewitt (Leatherface) x OFC

Summary: Elizabeth wakes up in a stranger's home. Her fate to become another victim of the Hewitt family is all but sealed till a simple act of kindness changes her life forever.

Warning: (Encompassing the whole story in no particular order) dead dove, rape/Noncon, violence, forced marriage, kidnapping, cannibalism, explicit sexual content, loss of virginity, angst

Author Note: Minors DNI!

Word Count: 3,662

Chapter 22 - Understanding

Breakfast was probably her favorite meal of the day for multiple reasons. Monty was the only member of the family who usually joined them. And that was because it was Thomas’s duty to bring the disabled old man down from the upstairs. Hoyt tended to be on his way out or already gone for the day. And Luda Mae was usually somewhere else in the house.

She didn’t mind Monty so much. He rarely ever talked or interacted with her. There were the random days that she was asked to take care of him for a few hours. By taking care, usually that meant wheeling him around the house and being company for him when Thomas or Luda Mae were busy. She didn’t offer any small talk when they were alone and he seemed content in grumbling to himself, while he pet his taxidermy dog and stared outside. It was strange, the thought that at one point the family did own a pet. But, Monty must have loved that dog since he carried it everywhere with him.

Elizabeth held onto Thomas as they headed down the stairs into the dining room. 

There was another reason why she loved breakfast of all the other meals. It was rare for them to eat meat. It wasn’t that they ate human meat all the time. She knew that. She’d seen Thomas butcher a pig before. There was just no telling, for her at least, what meat she was eating unless she had cooked the dish herself. Thankfully, when it came to breakfast, she usually ate cereal or oatmeal which had no meat.

Perhaps, Thomas would reconsider his stance on making her eat meat. Of course, she would rather he reconsider eating at the very least human meat, unfortunately, that didn’t seem like a possibility. But, perhaps he wouldn’t insist on her eating whatever meat was given. That hope suddenly seemed attainable. That condom had shifted her outlook on their life. He was willing to cover himself up so she wouldn’t get pregnant because he knew she didn’t want kids yet. Could she start pushing for a different diet? Hell, she’d be more than happy to cook every single one of her meals if they let her.

The dining room, much to her relief, was empty. Maybe she’d be able to go another day without seeing his family.

“Tommy? Lizzy? Is that you?” Luda Mae called out, immediately eliminating Elizabeth’s hope. 

“Oh good. You both are finally up and about. It’s nearly lunchtime, ya know.” Stepping out from the kitchen she rushed over to Elizabeth and grabbed her hand. “I’m gonna need help today, dear,” she said as she partially dragged Elizabeth into the kitchen.

Elizabeth fought back her wave of panic, half expecting to see Hoyt seated at the kitchen table instead. With that horrible sneer on his face, happy that she’d been forced to see him again. She wasn’t ready to face him yet or hear his voice. It was going to happen sooner rather than later, but she was more than willing to wait it out. 

“My sister and Henrietta are coming for lunch and we have a lot to do to prepare,” Luda Mae said, letting Elizabeth go. “Tommy, be a good boy and go upstairs and check on your uncle Monty and bring him down. When the two of you disappeared yesterday he ended up staying in his room all day.”

Elizabeth froze and stared out one of the kitchen windows for a moment as her heart started to beat faster. This was the moment, wasn’t it. Thomas would listen to his mother like he always did, and leave her alone. It really shouldn’t feel that important. He wasn’t going to be gone for very long, but it just reminded her that his mother would inevitably trump her.

Suppressing her sigh, she half turned to watch Thomas leave.

Her breath caught in her lungs as her eyes slightly widened in surprise. Thomas stood by the kitchen doorway, his focus was clearly on his mother. He hadn’t immediately obeyed her. Sensing Elizabeth’s stare, he turned his head to look at her. Without giving his mother a reply, he walked up to Elizabeth and cupped her face. His brow furrowed into a question and he nodded his head. 

“Are you okay that I leave?” Her mind interrupted his gesture.

Elizabeth forced herself to remain calm and not jump on him and kiss him with glee that he was looking to her for direction. It shouldn’t have felt so significant to her. He could do whatever he wanted. He was a grown man after all. He didn’t need her permission and she didn’t want him to look to her for constant guidance of what he could and couldn’t do. 

But, this was something different. A message to his mother and her. Thomas was including her in his life and decisions. If she told him no, would he stay?

She looked at Luda Mae then back at Thomas. There was a part of her that wanted to test him. See if he would refuse Luda Mae’s command if she said she’d rather he stay. But, she found herself nodding instead. 

“Yeah,” she said, placing her hands on his and lowering them.

“She’ll be fine, dear,” Luda Mae said with an annoyed huff. “You ain’t gonna be gone that long.”

Elizabeth wasn’t completely convinced that she was going to be fine. Perhaps physically, but mentally was another question. She still felt a little fragile. All that was needed was the right words from the right person to send her spiraling again. But she couldn’t live her life constantly hiding behind Thomas. He wasn’t always going to be there for her.

Thomas leaned in and brushed his lips against Elizabeth’s. She gave him a smile, pretending her heart wasn’t pounding a hundred miles a minute. Pulling away, he shifted his gaze to his mother. The room temperature seemed to drop just a little as his face darkened ever so slightly. His hand squeezed Elizabeth’s.

Luda Mae’s eyes widened in complete surprise.

He didn’t need to say it or gesture. What he was thinking was clear. Don’t hurt her.

Giving Elizabeth one last kiss he walked out of the room, leaving her alone with his mother.

“Well, don’t just stand there,” Luda Mae said sharply. “You start on the dishes while I start lunch.”

Elizabeth gave her assigned task a quick once over. The counter and sink were full of dirty dishes, making her internally sigh. It was going to take a while. But, that was alright. Hopefully, it would keep her busy till Thomas got back.

Behind her, Luda Mae clanged and banged some pots and pans as she started to prepare the meal.

The tension and stress that Elizabeth normally felt whenever Thomas left her alone was oddly not present. She felt at peace. Stronger. More self-assured. For the first time, since she'd woken up at the Hewitt house, she wasn’t afraid of making a wrong move and getting punished.

Maybe she wasn’t as mentally fragile as she thought she was.

Luda Mae let out a loud sigh. “I’m sorry, dear,” Luda Mae said, breaking the silence. “He shouldn’t have done it.”

Elizabeth shoulders tensed at the woman’s words. No, he shouldn’t have, she thought. But, she didn’t say anything. She didn’t even want to discuss it with the old woman. Instead, she raised her gaze to look out of the dirty kitchen window and into the field outside. A field that led to a broken old home that seemed destiny to be her new home, some day.

He shouldn’t have… But?

“But-”

“Shut up.” Elizabeth heard her voice say. Her fingers clenched around the handle of the utensil she was cleaning.

“Excuse me, young lady. I will not-”

“Shut up, Luda Mae!” Elizabeth interrupted. She pulled her hands out from the dirty water and spun around. Her muscles bunched as she squared her shoulders.

The old woman’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You knew what he planned,” she accused, pointing the utensil in her hand at Luda Mae. Luda Mae’s face paled and she took a step back. Her retreat fueled a growing fire that was inside of Elizabeth. Feeling intoxicated with courage and anger, she stormed over to the old woman.

“You’re the worst out of your entire family.”

Luda Mae opened her mouth as if to argue, but let out a startled cry when her back hit a wall. Elizabeth stopped directly in front of her.

“Do you know why?” she asked. She didn’t let Luda Mae answer though. The old woman wouldn’t admit it even if she saw where Elizabeth was going. “Because you’re a liar. At least Hoyt-” She felt a lump develop in her throat the moment his name came out of her lips. “He never once acted as if he didn’t want to fuck me. I don’t think Thomas really saw the danger he was to me. But I did. I saw how he looked at me with lust and want. And I know you did too. Don’t think I didn’t see you close by when Thomas wasn’t around. That I didn’t hear you remind Hoyt that I was Thomas’s when he would stare at me for a little to long.”

Her chest heaved with deep, heavy breaths as she glared at Luda Mae. The old woman diverted her eyes, confirming Elizabeth’s words.

“You all suspected, didn’t you?  Well, you and Hoyt did. That I may be on some form of birth control. You knew what he would do when I was alone with him if it was true. And you let me leave alone with him. You distracted Thomas so he wouldn’t join us, because we both know that Thomas would not have allowed Hoyt to touch me.”

“Thomas would have-”

“No,” Elizabeth interrupted, shaking her head. She was not about to let Luda Mae put doubt in her mind. “He wouldn’t have let Hoyt do a goddamn thing to me. Thomas may have done something to me himself, but he wouldn’t have let Hoyt touch me. And you both know it. That’s why you distracted him, keeping him here. Because he loves me more than either of you want to admit. And that’s why Hoyt tried to silence me.” Elizabeth snorted and took a step back. “You fucked up, Luda Mae. You and Hoyt.”

Luda Mae swallowed, but then nodded. “I knew you were lying to my boy,” she said. “And you needed to be taught a lesson.”

“A lesson? What was I supposed to do?” she asked, waving her hands in the air. “Admit I was on birth control to my rapist who wanted to impregnate me? Possibly piss all of you off and find myself in deeper shit than I already was in? I figured you wouldn’t kill me but that didn’t mean you couldn’t do other things to me.”

Luda Mae started to look away, but Elizabeth slammed her free hand by the woman’s head.

“You cannot blame me for keeping secrets. You kidnapped me. Murdered my traveling companion. And forced me to “marry” your son. I lived every day in fear and I tried my best to not rock the fucking boat so that I could have some relative freedom.”

“You killed him, dear,” Luda Mae stated. “That "traveling companion” of yours.”

Chills ran through her body at those words and she pushed herself away from Luda Mae. Narrowing her eyes, Elizabeth’s lips curled into a snarl and she raised her right hand with the utensil, pointing it at Luda Mae. “He was already dead and we all know it. I just quickened it so he wouldn’t have to suffer.”

Jason. It was a mercy killing. He was going to die. His body was already cut up with limbs missing. But he was still alive when she plunged that knife into his heart. She took his life, a human life. And it really should have fucked her up. Should have haunted her. She should have had nightmares about it. But, her brain must have decided she had enough to deal with and to not add that to her conscience.

“Fuck me,” she said as the realization hit her. She ran her left hand across her face in frustration. “I’m so fucked up.”

Neither woman said anything for a moment. Elizabeth rubbed her mouth and took in several breaths. As quickly as the rage engulfed her it disappeared, causing her shoulders to sag.

“That’s what you choose to focus on? God, you’re the worst,” Elizabeth said, shaking her head. It was clear that Luda Mae wasn’t going to admit to any real fault in what had transpired.

Luda Mae’s mouth dropped and she took in a breath.

“Don’t say anything,” Elizabeth interrupted. Not that she expected an apology. She let out a deep sigh and turned her gaze toward the window for a moment. A pair of butterflies flew by.

“We can be the family that you need. That is what you told me that first night. The night you tied me to that bed and put that old wedding dress on me. The night you encouraged Thomas to rape me. You said I’d realize that you’re the best family for me. But, actions speak louder than words, Luda Mae.”

Luda Mae visibly gulped when Elizabeth focused her attention back on her.

“You say I’m family, but no one treated me like I was, except for Thomas. Especially you, plastering that fake-loving smile on your face and acting all nice toward me. Was it because of Thomas? Were you faking it because you wanted him to think you liked me? Because you knew he was happy with me around?”

Luda Mae opened her mouth.

“Doesn’t matter,” Elizabeth interrupted, waving her hand in the air in a dismissive manner. Her questions were more rhetorical. There was probably nothing Luda Mae could say that would make her feel better. “What matters is that you are a goddamn liar. Hoyt- He lied to me because he didn’t want me telling Thomas what happened. But, he always showed me what I was to him. Something to fuck. You? You never wanted me to be a part of the family, did you? All you wanted from me is my uterus. My ability to have children. Why didn’t you all just tie me to a bed? Instead of acting like I was part of this family. Dangling that carrot in the air like it was a possibility.”

She closed her eyes and suppressed her tears that suddenly threatened to spill out.

“Despite what I went through, somewhere, somehow, I fell in love with Tommy,” she continued. Her voice was softer with a mixture of love and sadness. “I wanted to make him happy. And you are important to him. Fuck,” she hissed, shaking her head. “I’m so messed up. I started to fantasize about being a part of this fucked up family. I wanted you all to like me. Love me. Treat me with respect. You! A bunch of murdering fucking cannibals who kidnapped me and forced me to stay here.”

She tapped the utensil against her leg and looked out the window again. It was going to be a very hot day out. A little smile crossed her lips at the thought of Thomas and how he made sure to protect her from the sun.

“Did you even see it? How I tried to not rock the boat? How I tried to get you all to like me? Or was it that neither you nor your god awful brother cared.”

Luda Mae didn’t answer, not that Elizabeth expected her to. She snorted.

“Your actions almost ruined it for Thomas, you know,” Elizabeth continued. “The other day Thomas found me downstairs in the basement. I had his knife in my hands. The one you use to butcher people.” She flicked her hair as proof. Luda Mae gulped. The action of her throat moving caught Elizabeth’s attention.

As close as Thomas was to her the other morning, she still would have had time to slit her throat had she wanted to. That thought caused a question to entered her mind.

Raising the utensil in her hand, Elizabeth took a step forward and leaned in, deepening her voice to sound more sinister. “What do you think he would have done? If I killed myself before he could stop me? He would have known what Hoyt did. There was no way in hell I was going to take that to my grave. So, now that we both see how much Thomas really loves me. What he did while I’m alive. What do you think he would have done to you? To Hoyt? If my broken mind decided to end it all then?”

She brought the utensil closer to Luda Mae’s pale face. The woman remained frozen and clearly terrified. The scare little victim Elizabeth had allowed herself to be was gone, and was replaced and empowered by anger.

A hand grabbed her right wrist, causing her to jump and gasp in surprise. She jerked her head up and looked at Thomas. His eyes were filled with worry and confusion as he slowly moved her hand back.

She stared at her right hand. At the handle she clenched. At the blade. A rather sharp one at that. Thomas placed his hand under hers and she carefully released her fingers.

“Sorry,” she whispered, directing her apology to him. He took the knife and stepped back. His eyes moved as he examined her. He was looking at her as if he didn’t know her. What he didn’t know was that side of her. The part of her that had more confidence and was more daring, more willing to stand up and defend herself when she needed to.

He looked at the knife then went to the table and set it down. His hands gripped the back of the kitchen chair and he lowered his head. He didn’t look at either woman, clearly deep in thought. Elizabeth stepped away from Luda Mae, but still kept distance between herself and Thomas.

The tension in the room turned into feelings of unease.

She’d lost him already, hadn’t she. Her heart dropped. She wanted to make some sort of excuse. Tell him she didn’t know what she was doing. That she didn’t realize she was pointing a sharp knife directly at his mother in a threatening manner. But, she knew what was in her hand. How could she not see the shining metal. She just wanted to frighten the woman. Wanted her to feel just a little bit of what Elizabeth had felt. The terror in her eyes was very satisfying to say the least, but Elizabeth wasn’t going to hurt her. At least, she didn’t plan on it. 

“I’m sorry, but-”

“You’re right,” Luda Mae said, breaking the uneasy silence.

Thomas’s head jerked up as did Elizabeth’s. They both stared at his mother in surprise at the unexpected admittance to some wrongdoing.

“I’m sorry, Tommy… and Lizzy,” she forcefully added. “I suspected that Hoyt would hurt Lizzy. Although, I didn’t think he would go so far.”

Elizabeth’s heart jumped up and pounded against her chest at the confirmation. She hadn’t expected that. Hadn’t expected Luda Mae to acknowledge any wrongdoing, especially in front of Thomas.

She flashed a glance in Thomas’s direction. He was standing up, but his face remained neutral.

“I was upset for you, Tommy.” She eyed Elizabeth, but then turned her attention to Thomas. “You were trying so hard to have a baby and I… I was afraid Lizzy was leading you on a false hope. But, you’re right, Lizzy. I did tell you that we would be the family you needed and I didn’t live up to my word. I gave you no reason to trust us. But, I will now.” She hesitated for a moment, but then reached out and grabbed Elizabeth’s hands.

Elizabeth fought the urge to pull away, to call the woman a liar and tell her that her manipulations wouldn’t work. But, there seemed to be sincerity in her voice. She pulled Elizabeth into an unexpected hug then beaconed for Thomas to join them. He happily wrapped his arms around the two and squeezed them both. He kissed his mother’s forehead then Elizabeth’s, clearly elated.

There was a part of Elizabeth that wanted to believe Luda Mae’s apparent sincerity. But another part that was still wary. She’d have to prove herself through actions just like Thomas did.

Luda Mae chuckled then patted his cheek when he let them go.

“Monty’s at the table, right, honey?” she asked, quickly changing the subject.

Thomas nodded his head.

“Good. Now,” she opened the fridge and took out a Tupperware that had some leftovers inside. “I know you’re mad at him. And you both have every right to be. But, would you be a dear and give this to Hoyt? You don’t even have to look at him. Just set it down by his door and knock on it.” She handed the glass Tupperware to Thomas.

His mouth twerked with annoyance and it was clear that he was thinking about it.

“If he complains about it being cold, ignore him. I know it ain’t much, sweetie,” she said, directing her attention to Elizabeth. “And I don’t know how he can make up for what he did. But, I won’t be feeding that man any fresh food for a long while. It’ll be cold and stale and hard if I have my way about things.”

She wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t much. But, Elizabeth couldn’t help but feel a little bit smug at the thought of a swollen jawed Hoyt trying to eat tough, cold food.

Thomas seemed satisfied with Luda Mae’s promise and took the Tupperware from her hand and walked away. Elizabeth turned to go back to washing dishes when Luda Mae stopped her by grabbing her wrist.

“It’s clear my son loves you,” the old woman said. Elizabeth nodded. “And…” Luda Mae’s fingers tightened their grasp on her wrist. “You say you love my son. But, if you break his heart, you’ll wish you had killed yourself in the basement.”

Elizabeth jerked her arm out of Luda Mae’s grasp. “If he breaks my heart, Luda Mae, I won’t give a damn what you do to me.”

Chapter 23 - The Gift

#thomas hewitt x oc #Smut #horror #fanfiction #Texas Chainsaw Massacre #noncon tw #tw noncon

[oddyssey77]

Fearless - Percy

POV Percy Jackson

"OOWWW!" I yelled.

"OOF!" I tripped.

"GAHHHHH!" I ran.

I felt a large thorn protruding from my abdomen. I was trying desperately to escape the maze. But there was no way out. No end. I cursed myself for allowing the thorn to pierce my skin. I knew it was poisonous and it was crippling through me, weakening me. Running seemed pointless. It certainly wasn't what Annabeth would do. 

She would sit down, legs crossed, and calmly think of a plan. A plan that would surely work. I felt stupid sitting down and doing nothing. Well, not nothing. I was thinking about how I could escape this poison maze. I didn't like thinking about the problem. Fighting was much more fun. 

I looked around at the tall rows of cacti towering over me. I knew that I couldn't wait this out. Just like Eurytion had told me, I was going to have to escape on my own. I thought about Nico and how his problems were probably a lot worse than mine. I felt guilty for caring more about my own situation than trying to find a way to help the kid. He had already been through so much pain. So much heartache.

Of course, most of that heartache was about me. I tried not to think about that though. Nico was over me. I had never liked him back. There was no point in feeling bad about how I treated him. And besides, Nico and I were buddies now. He was no longer cold or shy around me. I would never say this to either of them but I think this is partially thanks to Will Solace.

Will was really opening Nico up to his feelings recently, making him more comfortable with himself. They were becoming best friends. But part of me hoped they might become something more. I wasn't even sure if Will knew Nico was gay. Annabeth and I are the only people who did know. Well, Jason knew as well, before he... well... never mind.

I finally realised that I had sat down to think of a plan but ended up trailing through my own thoughts for what felt like hours. I was about to draw a mind map in the flame-red sand when the cacti shuddered. They creaked and began closing on me. I leapt up and hurried out, leaving my mind map to get squashed. 

I did not want to get impaled by another prickly thorn from a cactus. I still didn't feel poisoned. Just a little dizzy, but that was possibly from blood loss. I wasn't sure if I could die down here. Normally, you don't die in the fields of punishment but this was different. I had never died in the first place. We had just fallen through into the Underworld.

Unless... No. We didn't die. I was almost sure of that. From that point on, whenever I found a nice spot to sit down, it would soon get enveloped by the cacti. The maze wanted me to keep moving. No breaks. No rests. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to avoid the pricks of the cacti. But the one spot that I had been pricked was starting to make my brain feel like it was splitting in two. The poison was working.

"Percy!!" I heard Annabeth call. Shock overtook me as I realised that I had finally found her. I knew that she was down in the Underworld with us. I just had to find her. And now I had. A joyous grin sparked across my face and I sprinted toward the sound of her voice.

"PERCY!!" she called even louder. I turn a corner with such speed, expecting to find my girlfriend standing there. I gasped as I nearly crashed into a wall of cactus. My heart sank. I nearly cried in disappointment until I heard it again. Her voice was speaking from the cactus.

I looked closer and saw a small image shimmering into focus on the face of the cactus. It was like an Iris message. Like I was being sent this vision to further torture me. She was right there and I couldn't reach her. 

I watched as she trudged through a large, endless fjord of wheat. Calling out a name. But now that I had found her, it didn't look like she was calling my name. She was calling someone else's.

"Will!" Annabeth shouted, "Please, come back! We can talk!" She looked troubled and scared. I wanted so much to be with her in that moment it made me want to cry. Then, the vision turned a kind of purply shade.

CRASH!

Two gorgons, identical to the ones that had chased me into Camp Jupiter, lunged at her and she screamed in horror as one of them took a large chomp out of her side. I watched, terrified as the unstoppable Annabeth Chase got torn apart and killed by things as simple as gorgons. 

I sobbed and fell to my knees. I was about to just lay there and allow myself to be consumed by the maze when I heard another voice.

"PERCYYYY!!!" she screamed. It was a much younger voice than Annabeth's. I gasped in shock as I heard the sound of my little sister Estelle screaming for me to save her.

As much as I had been broken by what happened to Annabeth, I forged ahead. I had to find a way to save Estelle. She could not go the same way Annabeth had.

Once again, I only found a wall of cactus and a vision of my sister plastered on it. Like Annabeth, she hadn't been verbally calling my name, more like beckoning for my assistance. My 3 year-old sister was hiding desperately behind a rock in a large cave open to the sky and sobbing.

"Estelle!" I called helplessly. Behind her marched an army of the stone warriors that had attacked camp. They were standing in formation as an out of view woman yelled orders at them.

"My soldiers!" she boomed, "The time has come for us to claim our rightful place among western civilisation!" 

Not if I have anything to say about it I thought but I was still focused on Estelle.

"As you know. We have acquired the dove and the eagle! The diamond has fallen, taking one of our automatons with it. Our remaining targets still run rampant amongst the fields, caves, cliffs, and flames!"

I heard Estelle let out a sob. And if I could hear it, the chances are, the soldiers could hear it too. The vision shifted, it took on a slight purple tone just like Annabeth's had. As if something were changing.

"In fact, one of our targets is hiding amongst you right now!" 

Estelle was a smart girl. She knew when to run. She made for the exit of the cave. Trying with all her might to make it. But the guards noticed her and wrestled her down. She screamed and sobbed. The guards didn't flash a sign of remorse for the child as he raised his dagger.

"NOOOO!!!" I yelled. But it was too late. I had never seen such a horrifying sight. Except for when my girlfriend had gotten killed maybe moments ago.

I turned my head in despair but only found myself face to face with another vision. My mother was sitting in our apartment sobbing at the kitchen table. Trying to fit an eighth blue cookie in her mouth. 

"How could this happen?" she croaked, "How could I lose both my children at one stupid festival!" I wanted to call to her. Tell her I am here and alright. But then I'd had to tell her about Estelle. And that would've killed me.

"There was nothing you could've do-" Paul Blowfis began. I could tell he had been crying too but he seemed to be trying to hold things together for my Sally. But the vision shifted purple again. Paul sneered and stood up, slamming his chair. 

"This is all your fault!" He picked up her glass of water and smashed it on the ground. Making her yelp. It mirrored what I had done to Gabe that terrible night all those years ago. He grabbed Sally by the forearm and began yelling at her. Why would Paul do this? He was such a kind-hearted man. I thought he was perfect for my mom. 

I looked away, shattered. My girlfriend was dead, my sister was dead, and I was watching my mom get abused again. I turned back to the vision but heard about three separate voices calling me.

I ran through the maze and found a vision of Nico getting killed on an operating, a vision of Grover getting killed by a group of terrorist draiads, a vision of Rachel Dare collapsing and dying from the power of the oracle, Coach Hedge drowning with his kid Chuck, Reyna getting led to her death by a larare of Octavian, Thalia falling from the sky, and Leo getting crushed by a rock. All of these visions had the same purple shade to their depictions.

It didn't make sense to me how everyone I loved was falling in ways that I was terrified to see them die in. I shattered. Fell to the ground and sobbed. There was nothing I could've done. That's what hurt the most. I thought about Annabeth. How she would look at me and tell me...

"Get up Seaweed Brain! Stop slacking off."

"I'm sorry Annabeth," I said, "I'm useless."

'Percy, listen. This isn't real. You need to escape.'

"How!?" I cried

'Let go of your fear. Embrace the love.'

Embrace the love? I thought. It sounded like something to be written on the doormat of a hippie's caravan. But the word that she had said to me. Fear. I had to let go of my fear. Then it clicked. It's not real. No one had died.

Just like HSS torture had forced me to embrace my worst memories, I was being forced to face my worst fears; My mom getting hurt, my sister getting involved in my world of demi-gods and monsters, all of my friends getting killed with me being able to do nothing about it.

But I was yet to face one more vision.

"You failed me." a voice  chided, "We were friends and YOU FAILED ME!"

Standing in front of the cacti was my best friend. Jason Grace son of Jupiter looked down on me with a stern expression. His blue eyes bore into my soul, stabbing me with his words.

"I'm sorry Jason. I should've been there. I should've been able to help." I couldn't bear it.

"You are not worthy of the love you receive. You deserve punishment!" he yelled. I watched in tears as he knelt down to my level.

"You are not worthy." he repeated. Jason looked at the ground in front of me and spit on it. He stood up and marched back toward the wall of cacti. I thought about what Annabeth had said. Fear, Love.  I had been afraid that Jason would blame me. That he might resent me for what happened to me

But I realised that I couldn't have helped him anymore than Reyna could have. If she had failed to save him from the Dracon, I probably would have too. Jason would've understood that. The real Jason would have understood that.

Jason's ghost hadn't come to visit me in the Underworld. It was just a figment of my own worst fear. Just like the visions, just like this stupid maze.

"NO!" I bellowed, making the cacti shake.

Jason turned with shock painted across his face.

"What did you just say?"

"I said NO! You are not real. I am not afraid of you!" Jason looked like he wanted to charge at me and kill me but instead he evaporated wispily and floated away. I sat down, my face covered in a combination of blood, grime, and tears.

But the maze didn't seem interested in letting me catch my breath, it contracted towards me, this time leaving no route for escape. I didn't know what to do. Except I did. I felt Annabeth's words still ringing in my mind. Let go of the fear. Embrace the Love. My mom, Estelle, Annabeth, Nico, Reyna, Grover, Rachel, Thalia, Frank, Hazel, Leo, Coach Hedge, they all cared about me. And I wasn't afraid anymore.

"GO AWAY! I AM NO LONGER SCARED! I LET GO OF MY FEAR!" It was as if the maze was reacting to my every word. I willed it into submission and conformed it to how I wanted it. And I wanted it gone.

The entire cactus maze wisped away from me like fog, just like Jason had, leaving me standing alone in the barren wastelands of the fields of punishment. I wasn't alone however, as I squinted into the distance and saw a black little blob running toward me.

As it got closer, I recognized it as my Underworld companion, Nico Di Angelo.

"Percy!" he huffed, completely out of breath, "We have to leave. Now!" I took his word for it and ran but the son of Hades was not going to be able to keep moving for much longer.

"You're alive!" I panted. I had assumed that the visions I had seen had not been real but it was nice to have that confirmed for me.

"I ran away from the dismemberment room! But Eurytion's not far behind."

As if saying his name had summoned him, Nico and I crashed directly into the tall, buff, torturer that we unfortunately knew as Eurytion.

"Hey guys. You didn't think you could escape without facing period 3, did you?" he chuckled.

"What's period 3 again?" Nico asked, his voice going overly high-pitched from all the running.

"Duel to the Death." Eurytion stated, "Oh, and don't let me forget, you two are the ones dueling."

I turned to Nico with a pained expression, "Oh F-

This Chapter is Dedicated to Lucy

#solangelo #blood of olympus #the heroes of olympus #pjo headcanon #piper mclean #camp half blood #tsats #percy jackson fanart #the sun and the star #rick riordan

[kleenexwoman]

From "Every Breath That I Held For You":

So he calls Howard.

“Congratulations on knocking up the little woman,” Howard says, once his secretary gets him on the line. “Peg’s been kinda sore about pulling desk duty, but nobody’s gonna let some goon with a gun pop the first-born kid of the American Superman. Everyone’s real happy for you two.”

“Yeah, I can understand that.” Steve tries to force a chuckle, but suddenly the only thing on his mind is He knows about Zola, too. He must. And he’s not telling me either.

“So what’s on your mind, pal?” Howard asks after a few silent seconds slip by. “I know you’re a domesticated man these days–which is fine, you’ve earned it–but if you’re calling me to invite me to the baby shower, I’m just going to send you a nice silver-plated spoon for the kid’s pacifier and skip the party. Or a robot nanny. How’d you like a robot nanny, Steve? I bet I could–”

Howard interrupts himself to mutter something about tensile strength and feedback loops, and then there’s the sound of frantic scribbling.

(It’s so like Tony that Steve nearly cries, right on the spot. He can’t count the number of times they’d been trying to figure out a solution to something, discussing the wonders of science, or just shooting the shit over a bad movie, and Tony would stop in the middle of a sentence to mumble at himself until he came up with something utterly brilliant and ridiculous, proudly presenting it to Steve. He even liked to use pen and paper when he was just scribbling, telling Steve once that inspiration came from the fingertips.)

“--never have to change a single diaper in your life,” Howard mutters, “warm another bottle, rock it to sleep–”

(“You know, my old man never played catch with me in his life,” Tony had said one night after they’d watched Field of Dreams together. “Come to think of it, he didn’t do a single damn thing with me in his life. Just at me.”

Steve barely remembered his father, just the sense of a hug and a dead body in a coffin. He’d just hugged Tony.

“I had someone for everything,” Tony continued, voice catching. “Jarvis planning my day. Tutors for homework because my dad didn’t have time to help me with math and science. I was late walking, uncoordinated as hell, they even got me a coach to play catch with. Never spent more than two hours with him unless we were on vacation. Couldn’t fucking stand to be around me.”)

“I appreciate the effort, but I don’t want a robot nanny,” Steve says. “Peggy and I aren’t going to have domestic help. We think it’s important for a kid to bond with their parents when they’re being fed or rocked to sleep. It lets them know they can rely on you. Prevents attachment disorders.”

There’s a very long pause without any scribbling or muttering.

“Uh-huh,” Howard says finally. “Well, that all sounds good. Good for you.”

They used to think you could get autism if your mom was not affectionate enough. They called them "refrigerator mothers". I think it's a lot more likely that people who are forced into having children and who also happen to have autism are probably not going to be able to connect with their child much or show much joy in being a parent, but what do I know, I don't have kids.

Anyway, this passage is about expectations of parenting, obviously. I really don't think that Steve would have gotten a lot of "men shouldn't do this, it's not masculine" from his mom, who was concerned with his ability to survive first and his moral character a very close second. She seems very big on helping people and stepping up, so I believe that Steve was completely ready to be a stay-at-home dad. I don't believe he devalues feminine labor, even if he hates doing the dishes lol everyone else, and I believe he would have had an idea how difficult taking care of a child is.

That said, I don't think he's the kind of character that really wants kids, like Steve Harrington. I think he'd be really supportive but also pretty emotionally closed-off in his own way and very invested in I Have To Be A Parent and Be Parental, if that makes any sense.

Howard is a much more standard man of his time in regards to childrearing here. Men didn't raise kids, that was women's work, and Howard is really weirded out that Steve cares so much here. Steve is supposed to be this perfectly manly man that Howard created, and frankly Howard wants to be pals with him and go around picking up chicks with the Perfect Wingman. So all this Steve nattering on about childrearing is really killing his broner here, he just wants a cool guy friend to validate him.

And of course Steve has that background paranoia of who knows what and how much about HYDRA. There's been a lot of different opinions about how well Zola hid it, but for my money the trick is making it so that SHIELD and Hydra simply happen to have philosophies and goals that are, on some level, compatible.

#captain america #captain america fanfiction #stony fic #stony

[give-soup-please]

Narrator acting as a father figure to Reader? 🥺 your stuff is like super awesome

Narrator Acting as Father Figure to Reader

He figures the best way to look after you is to spend time together frequently. The two of you go out to the park, for ice cream, whatever you’d like.

He strikes me as the sort of person who’s fairly protective under these circumstances. Yes, you can go to a club or bar with friends, but he’s coming with you and keeping a sharp eye out. He doesn’t want you to stop living your life just because he’s around, but he’s fairly suspicious about the real world.

The narrator doesn’t like being apart from you, but if you keep insisting, he’ll give you a break. He recognizes it’s important for your development, he just genuinely likes being around you. 

I imagine him being a little salty if you push him away, but not bitter.

“You don’t want to spend time with me? Fine. I’ll just sit right here, and wait for you to get back. No, no, reader, go ahead.” (He cares so much, the absolute dork. And he will actually wait for you to come back, this isn’t an attempt at emotional manipulation. He doesn’t really know what to do when you’re not around.)

Even if you’re a little older, would you at least let him indulge in reading to you? He’s an excellent storyteller. Getting to sleep with him reading is so easy. The narrator is smug about this.

“Cheeky kid, thinking they don’t need their eight hours. Heh, knocked them right out.” 

Yeah, he’s probably going to call you some variation of kid, kiddo, or sport unless you’re really close to him in age. I suggest you accept it, that’s not very likely to change. 

You’re going through a lot, whether you’re still a child or an adult. The narrator is always there to listen to your problems. His advice is a little… odd, but he means well.

Imagine if you had a bullying situation at school or your coworkers were being mean to you.

“They say the best thing to do to make friends, reader, is to be yourself. But these people? Here’s what we’re going to do. You and I are going to scare them by…”

He makes a plan to terrify the people being mean to you by scaring the crap out of them by using his most spooky and evil voice. It’s a very fun day.

He does his best to encourage you, but this might not be his forte either. Or it may be, depending on what works for you.

“Reader, the odds are against you on this one. Overwhelming, exhausting odds. But you’re going to get through it because I believe in you. And I’m never wrong with who I believe in.”  

The first time you call him ‘dad’, by accident or not, he nearly bursts into tears. 

He’s so proud of you. You didn’t even have to do anything to earn it. For some reason, it’s become a reflex for him. He’s proud of you in the way that the sky is blue, an undeniable fact. 

(small rant in tags)

#the stanley parable #tsp narrator #headcanon #answered ask #tsp #stanley parable #narrator #platonic #me at the narrator: can i get a bedtime story? can I PLEASE get a bedtime story? #seriously though #can someone with more money than me PLEASE commission kevan brighting to read a bedtime story? #you know- some meditation apps have 'sleep stories' for people to fall asleep to #calm or breathespace PLEASE get on this #blease

[storiesofsvu]

Under Over Ch 12

Joe Velasco x reader Warnings: language, very minor hurt very heavy comfort, smut, mentions of sex work. Shit goes down at a party "off screen" per say.

When Joe awoke the next morning he could already feel the sheer amount of stress firing through his body and he knew that no matter how hard he tried to get back to sleep it simply wasn’t going to happen. So he got up and tugged on his running gear, hoping that it would be able to clear his head, and that just maybe, he’d run into you in the park. He grabbed his phone and keys, popping in ear phones and locking his apartment door behind him before heading to the corner, not bothering to try and weave his way through the other people until he was in the park.

He managed to successfully distract himself, focussing on his breathing and the music. He was surprised it wasn’t a harder run considering the late hour of the night prior. He was making a mental plan of where to pick up coffee and thinking about breakfast options when something darted in front of him. He honestly wasn’t sure if it was a frisbee, a kid, or an animal, so he did everything he could to dodge out of the way. Half tripping, half skipping he managed to keep his balance, teetering in a circle before he realized it was a dog.

“Sorry!” A voice called out, “she’s usually great off leash unless she knows someone.” The voice got closer and he glanced in the direction and noticed Amanda, “Velasco...oh, hey. Guess that makes sense then.” She laughed.

“Yeah.” He reached down to give Frannie a little hello, scratching at her ears as she licked at his face and he chuckled. “You guys really do like this park, hey?”

“The dog run’s a nice add.” She gestured in the direction of it, “and less people frown upon her being off leash because of it so I prefer to run here. How’re you doing?” Her voice lowered, “how’s the case?” He quickly glanced around, making sure there weren’t any familiar faces in the vicinity as they fell in step together.

“Uh…could go either way right now honestly.”

“How so?” She asked and he laughed,

“it’s almost too early for that Rollins.”

“Alright.” She gently smacked at his arm, “coffee shop on the left? I’ll buy ya one?”

“Alright.”

They made their way over quickly, the café not being that far at all and settled at a table on the patio in the corner away from everyone else.

“Something happen?” Amanda asked over the rim of her coffee and Joe hesitated, he knew she was close with Liv, and about her and Sonny but he also knew she’d been around the block before.

“I nearly blew the entire op last night.” His words came out in one breath, rushed together and she tilted her head, nearly letting out a laugh.

“You spill the beans to the chick you’re into?” She teased with a raised brow and he let out a huff, leaning back in his chair, trying to figure out exactly what he could say without getting into too much trouble.

“No.” He paused for a sip, “and I’m not into her,” he deflected, causing Amanda to smirk, “she’s just been my main intel for the ring. She was over yesterday, that storm we had cooled things off quick and she asked for a hoodie. I forgot the stack was in front of all my work shit.”

“She find it?”

“Thankfully she didn’t open the notebook.” He ran a hand over his face, “I know she’ll flip for us, but right now it would’ve been a complete disaster. She got super defensive, kind of up in my face about it, thought I was some kind of snitch since Quinn was.”

“Wasn’t Quinn the CI we had?”

“Yeah.”

“So she’s not wrong.”

“I guess technically not. But it seems like she has some kind of plan, she knows Kayra’s about to go overboard and lose it, whether he’ll walk out or end up fucking up and getting arrested I haven’t figured out. She wants me to wait until that happens until I do whatever I’m planning, I guess.” He sighed, “then she’ll be in charge, he’ll be out of the way. I don’t really know what’s coming….”

“How long have they worked together?”

“A couple of years at least. I’ll try and find out more next time I see her.”

“Are you sure she’s not completely loyal to him? I mean, I’ve seen cases where it doesn’t make sense at all but the girls just don’t understand it.”

“If anyone, she’s the one reminding the other girls of that. She doesn’t want him around, she’s ready to throw him under the bus.”

“Then it seems like it’s time for you to listen to her, let Kayra take the fall and she’ll flip on him and we’ll win the case.”

Joe was suddenly distracted as the door to the café opened when someone exited it, a small laugh echoing through the air and he froze. He knew that laugh and there was just about no way this would end well. Especially when Frannie let out a loud bark at the duck making its way down the park path and you glanced up from your phone at the noise.

Your eyes moved from the dog, up to Jose and then flicked to the blonde across from him and your head tilted, your brow raising in his general direction. He nearly shrunk, wishing he was invisible in that moment and Amanda caught the change in demeanour.

“What?” She murmured quietly, ducking to pretend to be talking to Frannie so she could turn her head just enough to see behind her without being suspicious. She nearly let out a laugh when her eyes landed on who she knew must be you, clad in running shorts and a bright blue sports bra. You turned away from the two of them, your fingers furiously typing on your phone before you pocketed it and made your way the opposite direction through the park.

“Great…” he muttered.

“Damn.” Amanda turned back to him with a smirk on her cheeks, “they were not wrong when they said elite, no wonder she pulls the top politicians. I don’t blame you for being into that.”

“Rollins.” He scolded before his attention was pulled to his phone as it pinged, a text from Kayra.

‘Guest list numbers dropped and it’s an in house party so we won’t be needing you tonight.’

He let out a sigh, turning the phone so Amanda could see the screen and she hummed over a sip of coffee.

“That y/n’s doing?”

“Probably.”

“You think it’s because of last night, or her seeing you with another girl?” She half teased and he rolled his eyes at her, because honestly? He had no clue.

 *

Joe spent the rest of the day trying to keep himself distracted, he jogged home from the park and took advantage of an at home workout before taking the worlds longest shower. He cleaned around the apartment, did a couple loads of laundry, put away the dishes and took out the garbage and recycling. He made a quick phone call to Liv to update her on a few things with the case since he was sure Rollins would mention running into him. Then he meal prepped a couple of dishes for the week ahead, did those dishes and finally cooked himself dinner. He swiped a beer from the fridge and plopped down onto the couch, flicking the tv on to find something to entertain himself with for the evening.

By the time his plate was empty his mind was already wandering to you and the party tonight, wondering if you’d have someone who would actually watch over you in the right way. Then again, he’d seen the client list, he knew David was supposed to be there, so at least you weren’t completely alone. He let out a little sigh and picked up his phone, trying to figure out what to say and finally settled on a simple

‘Stay safe tonight.’

He was surprised a few minutes later when his phone buzzed with a reply.

‘Aren’t I always?’

‘I’ve just got a weird feeling.’

‘Why don’t you go write that in your diary pretty boy? I’m busy.’

He let out a little bit of a chuckle at that, unsure of whether it was a playful tease or an angry jab, but you’d replied, that said something.

So he refocussed on the tv, letting himself get lost in what appeared to be a Hawaii 5-0 marathon. When he next checked his watch he realized it was already past eight, the party would be in full swing over at the penthouse, and despite not working it, he still wanted to keep an eye on it. He picked up his phone and opened the app, scrolling through to check on the bids being placed. It appeared most of the girls had already been paired off for the evening, and he was surprised to find the diamond bracelet in that pile, you usually weren’t on the app. He swiped over to the GPS tracking page, all the bracelets were accounted for in the penthouse except for you, it appeared David had off campus privileges and you were at The Plaza currently. A quick google search came up with the information that there was in fact a dinner fundraiser for the mayor at The Plaza tonight, and he hoped that’s where you were and not upstairs in a suite.

He checked in every so often, watching as a couple of girls moved throughout the city, probably to join other parties with their clients. Around eleven he noticed the diamond moving back toward the penthouse and rejoining the group, letting out a little sigh of relief. Just after midnight he checked back in, most of the payments had been made in full and it looked like the penthouse was full, party still in full swing.

Which is why he jumped when there was a rather panicked knock on his door a mere twenty minutes later, one look down to the screen of his phone and the bracelets were scattered across the city. He jumped up from the couch and quickly crossed the room, checking the peephole before pulling the door open.

“What happened?” He immediately asked, noticing how stressed you looked, his eyes zoning in on the smeared crimson on one of your arms.

“Sapphire’s dead.” You looked up to him with a hollow look in your eyes and he felt the punch to his gut.

“OD?”

You simply shook your head, your hand coming up to cover your mouth as you tried to keep it under control. Jose wrapped a sturdy arm around your shoulders, looking up and down the hallway quickly to make sure no one had been following you before guiding you into the apartment, locking the door behind you.

“C’mon.” He led you over to the couch, sitting you down and passing you his beer before he disappeared down the hallway to get you some comfier clothes, stopping in the bathroom to get a warm washcloth to clean what he was now sure was blood off your arm. He dumped the clothes onto the couch beside you, crouching in front of you with the cloth in his hands as he took yours in his, “are you hurt?”

“No.” you shook your head, “it’s her blood.” Jose tenderly wiped it away, eyes glancing over your body to make sure there wasn’t any more of it, hand still softly holding yours. “I’m sorry…” you suddenly whispered.

“You didn’t do this. You don’t need to be sorry.”

“I meant about last night.” Your eyes darted up to his, “I was outta line. You have your right to privacy.”

“Let’s not worry about that, okay?” One of his hands came up to caress you cheek, “apology accepted. Clean slate, alright?” You nodded, “can we talk about tonight though?”

“I don’t know what happened. I was at the bar with David, the music was going, sapphire was upstairs. The bracelets have a feature to monitor heart rate too, they’re essentially fitness trackers… I turned that feature on for her when she came back in case she overdosed again…”

“You got the alert when she…” he trailed off, not really wanting to finish the sentence and you shook your head.

“No. I got the alert because whoever killed her took the bracelet. She didn’t have a heartbeat because she wasn’t wearing it, it was the first thing I noticed when I went to check her pulse.”

“Then that’s an easy find?”

“Again no. They turned off the features…and she wasn’t with the person who bid on her….”

“Did you call the police?” He asked and you burst out a laugh.

“Oh, sure. Yeah, here… NYPD, welcome into my brothel! Enjoy some high end drugs and check out all the escorts and oh? Did you recognize some of your own paying for sex?” You shook your head at him, “yeah, that sounds ideal.”

“Everyone ran?”

“Kayra cleared the place out, told everyone to get out, he wants the penthouse empty for the week, said he’d take care of it.” You jumped to a realization suddenly, “sorry…” you winced, regretting your sudden intrusion into Jose’s night, “I… didn’t really want to be alone…”

“It’s okay.” He shifted up onto the couch, wrapping an arm around you and pressing a kiss to your shoulder as you fidgeted with your bracelet. “Please tell me you didn’t run all the way here?”

“David dropped me off.”

“You sure that’s a good idea?”

“He knows I live around here and I had him drop me at the corner, it’s fine.”

“Okay.”

“Can we just go to bed?” You asked, resting against his shoulder and he nodded.

“Yeah. ‘Course.”

Jose scooped you up off the couch and you burrowed into his neck as he carried you down the hallway, putting you down gently on the floor. He turned you in his arms and his fingers gently pulled down the zipper of your dress, sliding the straps off your shoulders and you let it fall to the floor around your ankles, leaving you bare minus a pair of lacy panties. You stepped out of it, turning back towards him, your hands bracing themselves on his chest and his arm wrapped around your waist, hugging you to him tightly.

“I’ve got you… you don’t have to worry.. I’ve got you.” He murmured into your hair and your arms tightened around him.   

His hand moved from the back of your head to cup your cheek, waiting a moment before he ducked to kiss you gently. You let out a soft sigh into the kiss, your body instantly relaxing into Jose’s, the tension of the night melting away as you remembered just how safe you felt in his arms. One of your hands tangled into his hair, tugging him closer to you as your tongue ran along his lower lip and his parted, granting you access.

The kiss wasn’t hurried, your tongues simply exploring every inch of the other that they could, hands mapping out each other’s bodies as they tingled across skin. The kiss broke softly, Jose’s fingers tilting your chin to the side as his lips gently kissed across your jaw, trailing down your neck and you let out a happy sigh, hands sneaking under his shirt and he paused to tug it over his head. The hand he had on your hip gently nudged you toward the bed,

“Lay back mi reina, let me take care of you.”

You did as he said, making yourself comfortable amongst the pillows as he stepped out of his pants and underwear, crawling over you on the bed. His lips found yours once again, softly kissing you, tongue sweeping into your mouth as his hand traced the curves of your body. It tingled up your leg, cupping at your pussy through your panties, softly and slowly rubbing at it in the same rhythm his lips moved against yours. One of your hands wrapped around him, another sneaking into his hair, gently tugging at it as your hips began to roll in motion with his hand.

“Please…” you whispered, your arm pulling his head into the crook of your neck as your back arched into his touch, his lips kissing and gently nipping at your skin.

“Whatever you want princesa.” He murmured, and his hands slid your panties down, letting you kick them off the rest of the way.

His hand returned to your pussy, palming at it softy before a finger slid in and you gasped, body rocking towards the touch. He pumped it a few times, curling it in search of the sensitive spot within you, finding it easily, his hands now able to read your body like a map. He easily slid a second one into you, stretching you out to make sure you were ready, his cock hard and heavy between his legs he knew neither of you wanted to wait. Little pleads and whines coming from your lips already making his cock twitch. Once he was sure he wouldn’t hurt you his hand disappeared from your cunt, as he shifted on the bed to grab a condom, ripping it open and sliding it on. He kissed you once more before sitting up on his haunches between your legs, hands spreading your thighs wide for him before his hand slid through your pussy once more, spreading it open. He shifted forward, lining his cock up as he gave it a few pumps before sliding into you in one slow motion. You both let out a very satisfied groan as he began to thrust, his cock dragging through your walls and you let out a whine, your hand shooting towards his on your thigh, clawing for it and he grabbed it, linking your fingers together.

“It’s okay.. I’ve got you.” He thrusted into you again before dropping back over you, his lips meeting yours for another kiss, murmuring against them “I’ve got you…”

His arms snuck under your shoulders, pulling you impossibly close together as you wrapped around him, there was no space to be had between your bodies as you rocked against each other. Jose buried his face in the crook of your neck, panting and moaning into your skin as you let out little breathy gasps. With each thrust his body rolled against your clit, building the pleasure deeper and deeper within you, the weight of his body and the feeling of his arms holding you almost too much for you to take.

He could feel your pussy fluttering around him, his eyes screwing shut at the sensation, feeling your juices leaking out around him, the way your fingers clawed at his skin. Your hips rocked up to meet his with each thrust, little pants leaving your lips right neck to his ears and it made his skin prickle. He wanted this moment to last forever and he knew it. Your hand came up to tug at his hair, fingers tangling in tight as his cock dragged past your g-spot,

“Oh god Jose..”

Your voice was an absolute dream in his ears and he held you tighter to him, fucking you deeper with each thrust, as he husked against your skin.

“Let go mi reina, let go for me… I’ve got you.”

His lips met the side of your neck tenderly and a moment later you were shuddering in his arms, legs clenching around him as your pussy pulsated around his cock and he let out a soft grunt. Only a few more thrusts later and he stilled against your as he came, collapsing in your arms panting. He felt you start to come back to life, one hand rubbing up and down his back as the other came to play with his hair and he shivered. You kissed at the side of his head and he wordlessly returned the gesture to your collarbone, shifting his head up but staying buried deep within you as he began to soften. His hand moved from your shoulder to your cheek, caressing at your skin softly, eyes searching yours as his thumb trailed over your lips and you pressed a gentle kiss to it.

“What?” He asked softly.

“I want you…” you whispered back and he smiled softly, leaning down to steal a gentle kiss.

“You have me.”

“I want a future with you…” you admitted and he just about felt like his chest was going to burst, grinning down at you before he stole another kiss, murmuring against your lips.

“Then you have it.”

_______________ @witches-unruly-heart @fandom-princess-forevermore @cycat4077 @xoxabs88xox @alwaysachorusgirll @teamsladsandgents @thatesqcrush @im-just-a-mississippi-girl @wandas-wife @katieslotherford @almatra @momlifebehard @dondivajade

#joe velasco #joe velasco x reader #under over #law and order svu #svu #law and order special victims unit