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c-e-d-dreamer · 1 year

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Falling For Your Fools Gold: Chapter 6

A/N: We're officially getting there, fam! And by there, I mean away from the adversaries stage and into the idiots in love stage ;) At least the whole rest of the ship recognizes that Nesta is obviously Cassian's wife and that he's down bad BAD for her. Anyways! Hope everyone enjoys :)

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A knock on the door rings out through the quiet cabin and has Nesta pausing where she’s braiding back her hair. She quickly finishes tying off the strands, leaving it to fall down along her back rather than pinning it up, and heads for the door. When she pulls it open, she finds Duncan standing on the other side, his hands tucked neatly behind his back and a small smile pulled across his face.

“Lady Nesta,” Duncan greets, bowing his head and sending his braids tumbling over his shoulders.

“You can just call me Nesta,” Nesta reminds him. “I don’t believe titles mean much on a pirate ship.”

“Maybe so, but where I grew up, we were taught to always address a lady as such. Especially when we’re about to ask her for a favor.”

“A favor?”

“I could use an extra set of hands to prepare the food for tonight, but my usual extra hands are busy.”

“Is there something special happening tonight?”

A small crease forms between Duncan’s eyes as he frowns. “It’s Summer Solstice today.”

Nesta blinks a few times as the words wash over her. Summer Solstice. Could it really be Summer Solstice already? She supposes the more she thinks about it, thinks about all the days spent under the sun, with the salty air and the waves, training with Baz, that it does make sense.

She can’t remember when exactly she stopped keeping track, when she stopped counting every day on this ship, but there’s no denying the way the days have all started to blur together. A blur of growing stronger, of learning new skills to hold her own, of finally finding her footing both on this ship and within herself. And somewhere amongst the clash of steel on steel, amongst the ache that built then settled and faded in her muscles, a month had passed since she was taken from her father’s ship.

Of course, Nesta always knew. She always knew that there was no going back. Not to Adriata and certainly not to the life she had before she’d first stepped foot onto the deck of this ship. Not since a pair of hazel eyes stared her down over the blade of her dagger and had the audacity to smile. And even though it’s a realization that Nesta has long since come to herself, a fact she’s already accepted to be true, Duncan’s words still cut through her like a blade, stealing the breath from her lungs if only for a moment.

And yet, much like the now healed wound to her side, the cut isn’t deep, so Nesta breathes through it, and offers Duncan a small smile and nod. She steps out of the cabin and pulls the door closed behind her, following Duncan down deeper into the ship and to the galley. He sets her up with vegetables while he lights and stokes a fire in the barrel, and then they work in tandem to get everything prepared and cooked for the Solstice feast. Despite her less than perfect cooking skills, Nesta finds she quite enjoys herself, Duncan regaling her with tales of growing up in Ravennia, of the different journeys at sea he’s taken in the years since he’s joined the crew.

By the time everything is finished and ready to go, Nesta has various bits of food stuck beneath her nails, so she excuses herself to head back toward the captain’s cabin, Duncan thanking her profusely as she leaves. She winds her way through the ship, picking at her nails, and the distraction has her almost running into another body. She stumbles back quickly, coming face to face with Baz, his brown eyes bright and cheeks tinged a bit pink. Her eyes sweep over his frame, her head tilting in curiosity at the pants and jacket he has on.

“You look quite nice,” Nesta comments, Baz practically preening at the compliment.

“It’s Summer Solstice,” Baz declares in explanation, stretching his arms out wide. It’s then that Nesta notices the flask clasped in his right hand, and she half wonders if it’s empty already.

“Although it looks like it doesn’t quite fit,” Nesta teases, looking pointedly at where the hem of the pants hit above Baz’s ankles.

“Yes, well, the man I stole it off of was unfortunately shorter than me. Nothing to be done.” Before Nesta can say anything to that, Baz holds up his flask in a mock salute. “See you up there.”

Baz saunters away without another word, and Nesta can do nothing but watch him go, pressing her lips together firmly together. When he finally vanishes from sight, she lifts her hand to her mouth, finally letting out an amused snort at the entire interaction. With a shake of her head, she continues on to the captain’s cabin, pausing for a moment once she reaches the door.

Will Cassian be inside changing as well?

Will he also be donning nicer clothing to celebrate the solstice?

Taking a deep breath and clearing her head of those thoughts, Nesta pushes open the door, but the cabin is empty inside. She’s not sure why that seems to disappoint her. She steps over to the water basin, cleaning her hands first before taking the time to rebraid and style her hair. She turns her attention to the wardrobe in the room, to the slice of it that has become hers with the dresses, blouses, and pants she has. Her fingers slide along the different options, trying to decide which will be best, when they snag against red fabric.

It’s a dress she hadn’t truly meant to purchase. She had grabbed it originally simply to piss Cassian off, to prove a point. But now she pulls the dress out, toying along the sleeves, the neckline of the dress. It’s not her usual style and certainly too daring a color that had she been back in Adriata, she would have steered clear, but she’s not in Adriata any longer. There’s no one here to chastise her for it.

With a decided nod, Nesta pulls off the dress she’s currently wearing and changes into the red one. It takes some serious maneuvering to do so, Nesta having to twist and bend every which way in order to get the laces along the back tight and tied off. She’s practically heaving from exertion by the time she’s straightening out the skirts and examining herself in the makeshift mirror inside the cabin. But it was worth it for the way she looks, and she finds herself smiling before turning for the cabin door.

When Nesta finally makes it up onto the deck, it seems the whole ship is already there. Various crates, boxes, and barrels have been lined up to make some sort of long dining table, all of the pirates seated around it. Cassian sits at the head of the makeshift table, an open space to his right.

The intention is clear.

Rolling her shoulders back, Nesta makes her way toward the empty seat. Cassian’s eyes track her the entire way, the hazel of them practically blazing under the setting sun overhead. They seem to pin her to the spot even as she moves across the deck, seem to rake over her like a phantom touch that sends a shiver skittering up her spine despite the summer heat. By the time Nesta makes it to her seat, she can feel heat creeping up her neck and threatening to spill over onto her cheeks at the blatant attention, and she pointedly ignores Cassian’s watchful gaze as she sits down, keeping her focus instead on the plate in front of her.

“Yeah, here you go, captain,” Baz speaks up from across Nesta, a teasing lilt to his tone as he pours rum all the way to the brim into the tankard in front of Cassian. It earns him a glare from the man in question, but Baz is unphased, picking up his own tankard and holding it up. “Happy Solstice, Nesta.”

“Happy Solstice.”

Food is passed around to everyone, rum is poured, and as the sun sinks fully below the horizon of waves, a blanket of twinkling stars overtaking the skies, the deck becomes a cacophony of chatter and laughter. It’s rowdy yet enjoyable in a way that Nesta is unfamiliar with. Her mother would certainly have a field day with this type of company.

It has her thinking back to the dinners they would have in her family’s manor house in Adriata for Summer Solstice every year. The way the spacious dining room would be silent save for the quiet clink of silver against porcelain. The way she would hold her shoulders back, her spine straight, swallowing down around her mother’s chiding about eating too much before being forced into a too tight dress her mother picked out for her. The way the evening would end with a grand ball where she danced with endless lords and barons and viscounts all practically thrown her way in her mother’s desperate attempt to raise their status.

“You’ve been unusually quiet tonight.”

Nesta turns to meet Cassian’s questioning expression, shrugging a shoulder and deflecting easily, “I’m simply enjoying the festivities.”

Cassian hums, clearly unconvinced, as he continues to watch her in that way of his that always has Nesta feeling unnerved. He seems to see straight through her somehow. Past every mask, every carefully laid layer of armor, every wall. The way those greens and golds swirl together in his eyes has Nesta half convinced he can see right down to her very soul, to every dark and shadowed corner and crevice there. The whole thing raises her hackles, and she drops her own gaze to her food, her fingers tearing the crust of a piece of bread into little pieces.

“You’re certainly observant, aren’t you?” Nesta comments. It’s another deflection, but this time, Cassian rises to take the bait.

“I’m the captain,” he explains, reaching forward and placing his hand over Nesta’s, stopping her movements. Just his one hand seems to span both of hers, the contact warm and gentle despite the way his calluses slide against her skin. Nesta is quick to pull her hands away, settling them instead in her lap, but Cassian is unperturbed, continuing, “it’s important that I know everything that happens on my ship, know everything that happens with my crew.”

“And am I?” Nesta asks, finally looking back up and meeting his gaze again. “Part of your crew?”

“You’re certainly not a prisoner. I thought we established that your first day on board?”

It feels like a deflection of his own, but Nesta swallows down the comment burning on the tip of her tongue, pushes down the questions niggling and whispering for her attention in the back of her mind. Perhaps, one day she’ll examine the truths hiding just out of reach for them both.

~ * * * ~

When all the food is cleared away, the makeshift table is broken down and the fire barrels are lit. They cast an orange glow across the whole deck, embers and smoke floating up toward the starry expanse overhead before drifting away on the sea breeze. Nesta steps over toward the ship’s railing, taking a moment to find the constellations she remembers from her lessons with her tutor as a child. The hunter. The sea dragon. The lion.

Shouts to her left draw Nesta’s attention, and she finds one of the crates has become a card table. Nesta walks over just in time to watch Cormac lay down his hand of cards, a smug smile pulled across his face. The rest of the pirates sitting around the crate groan, Wiley even dropping his head into his hands. Cormac seems unperturbed, reaching forward to the small pile of gold coins in the center of the crate and pulling them all closer to him.

“Nesta,” Alastair greets with a smile. “Care to play?”

“What’s the game?”

“It’s quite simple really,” Baz offers, taking the cards Wiley deals out to him.

They play another hand, all of the pirates pitching in to explain how the game is played to Nesta, each offering their own tips and tricks on how to win. She keeps careful track of each of them, of the different plays they make, of the choices they make with their respective hands. In the end, it’s Baz that claims victory, letting out a cheer as he tosses his cards down.

“So, what do you say, Nesta?” Alastair asks again, shuffling the cards. “In for the next round?”

“You can have my spot,” Wiley offers, standing up and gently guiding Nesta to take his now open seat. “They’ve all cleaned me out anyways.”

“I don’t have any gold, though,” Nesta explains, grimacing slightly at the admission.

“I’ll spot her,” Cassian’s voice cuts in from behind her. He leans over her shoulder, setting down a handful of gold pieces, before turning toward Nesta with a smirk. “You’re good for paying me back, princess, aren’t you? With interest?”

“Why do I have the feeling your interest is more than just gold?”

Cassian doesn’t disagree. Instead his smile merely grows, and he offers Nesta a wink before pulling away from her fully. Nesta scoffs and rolls her eyes, but she accepts the cards that Alastair slides over to her, taking the team to organize them in her hand how she likes. Her eyes sweep over the rest of the players, noting how Alastair bites at his bottom lip, the way Baz’s lips twitch up in the smallest hint of a smirk, the way Cormac’s eyes narrow as he examines his own hand of cards.

Nesta, as the newest player to the game, gets to go first, discarding the cards she wants and replacing them with new cards from the stock. She places the new cards within the ones she has until the order is to her liking, then watches as the other pirates around her take their own turns.

“Well, that’s the end of my luck,” Cormac declares, setting his cards down face up. “I’m sure you all have better cards than that.”

“You’d be surprised,” Alastair mutters, setting down his own cards with a grimace.

“It’s going to feel so good taking all your gold,” Baz comments smugly, setting his own cards down. Nesta peers over at them, a good hand. “Nesta? What do you have?”

Nesta sets her cards down on the crate, and there’s a brief moment of silence as everyone takes in the cards on display before a symphony of gasps, low whistles, and a colorful curse from Baz echoes around them. Cormac leans forward, shaking his head in disbelief and fingers pushing at her cards almost to double check he’s seeing correctly, while Baz almost begrudgingly pushes the small pile of gold in her direction.

“Talk about beginner’s luck,” Alastair comments, gathering up all the cards and passing the stack to Baz to shuffle.

They play another round, Nesta once again winning. She can tell the other pirates are beginning to grow suspicious, each eying her and the hand she sets down curiously. But it’s the third round, when Nesta once again is victorious, that seems to be the final nail in the coffin. Baz’s eyes narrow as he leans forward to stare Nesta down, Cormac laughing in disbelief and Alastair openly gaping at her cards.

“I think the lady might be hustling us,” Cormac notes, tone still amused despite the three losses.

“Did you already know how to play this game, Nesta?” Baz asks.

Nesta doesn’t even bother biting back her smirk, folding her hands primly on the crate in front of her. “I never said I didn’t. I merely asked what game you were playing.”

“Clever,” Baz mutters sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

“Perhaps she needs to play against a real opponent now,” Cormac offers, raising his eyebrows in some sort of silent conversation.

The glint that appears in all three pirates’ eyes around her has the smirk on Nesta’s face falling away to a confused frown. She glances between the three of them, trying to determine clues or anything that might give away what they’re implying, but it’s hard to read anything other than their growing amusement. It has her nerve endings dialing up, but there’s no denying the underlying excitement that begins to thrum through her veins. She’s certainly always loved a challenge.

Baz stands up, and Nesta supposes she shouldn’t be surprised when he steps aside and it’s Cassian that settles into the now vacated seat. A slow smile pulls its way across the captain’s face as his eyes sweep over Nesta, a predator sizing up his prey. Wordlessly, Cormac slides over the cards, and Cassian begins to shuffle them, never tearing his gaze away from Nesta.

“I suppose this is one way to ensure I get my gold back, don’t you think, sweetheart?”

“You certainly sound quite sure of yourself. So confident you’ll win?”

Cassian chuckles, dealing out the cards between them. “I spent time in Rask, which means I’ve played with the very best.”

“And my father traded with a number of merchants, including those from Rask, so I too have learnt from the best,” Nesta shoots back, taking her cards and sorting through them.

They fall quiet as they focus on the game, on their respective hands. Nesta tries to figure out Cassian’s tell, tries to find anything that might give away what his cards are, but he keeps his face completely neutral, not so much of a twitch of his features. It doesn’t help that they’ve now gathered quite the crowd, the whole ship eager to see her showdown with the captain. Nesta takes a deep breath and turns her attention back to her own cards, determination settling like steel through her bones.

It’s tense silence as the round comes to an end, the whole ship seeming to hold their breath while they wait. Nesta studies her final hand, using all her willpower to keep her face neutral, a cold, blank slate. There’s no fighting back the pride that starts to swirl and swell deep in her gut, though. She can already imagine the reaction she’ll garner when she shows her cards. Can imagine the gasps and exclamations from all the pirates watching the game. Can imagine that cocksure grin finally vanishing off Cassian’s face. She’s almost giddy with excitement at the prospect. The merchant daughter, the ‘princess’, outwitting the famed pirate captain.

“I’m all in,” Nesta declares, sliding the small pile of gold she’s accumulated through the previous rounds to the center of the crate.

Cassian whistles lowly, leaning back in his seat while never taking his attention off Nesta. “Feeling confident, princess?”

“Perhaps I’m bluffing. Only one way to find out, captain.”

Cassian raises an eyebrow at the comment, at the sneered title, but the challenge is clear in his expression, blazing in the hazel of his eyes. With a decided nod, he matches her bet, settling his own pile of gold at the center of the crate. He raises his hand and gestures toward her cards, a silent request to reveal her hand.

“Read it and weep,” Nesta tells him smugly, setting down her cards face up.

“Sorry, Nes, but the only one who will be weeping is you,” Cassian says, setting down his own cards, leaving Nesta to do nothing but gape in shock as she takes in his winning hand.

“But how? I—” Nesta cuts herself off, not wanting to reveal the way she had kept careful track of the cards in her hand, the ones she discarded, the ones that mathematically Cassian had to have. “You must have cheated.”

“Should I be offended that you always seem to be accusing me of cheating?”

“We play another hand.”

“Did you forget you’re out of gold now?” Nesta scowls at the question, at the way Cassian smirks around the words, but it only seems to egg him on, and he leans forward over the crate and closer to her. “Perhaps, we can play for something other than gold?”

Nesta huffs, crossing her arms across her chest. “What do you want?”

“What are you willing to offer? How about a kiss?”

“Absolutely not,” Nesta seethes, narrowing her eyes at him and that infuriating smile.

Cassian chuckles, but he doesn’t relent. “A dance then? It is Summer Solstice.”

“Fine. If you win, you get a dance. Now deal the cards.”

Cassian laughs again, but he quickly shuffles the cards and deals them out between the two of them. Nesta snatches up her own stack, quickly organizing them. She rolls her shoulders, letting out a quiet breath as she settles herself. One breath. Two. Three. And her mask of neutrality is firmly on her face, her focus solely on her cards, on winning.

The round goes much quicker than the previous one, Nesta not wasting any time with her discards and Cassian matching her pace. Soon, they’re in the final staring match, each with their respective hands poised and ready.

“Ladies first,” Cassian starts, nodding toward her cards.

This time, Nesta doesn’t let her expression bleed through, instead keeping her face perfectly cool as she sets her cards down. Baz and Bram lean in over her shoulders to take in her hand, but Nesta keeps her attention firmly on Cassian. His own eyes dip to her cards, and fire floods through Nesta’s veins at the way the corner of his lips slip down in the smallest hint of a frown. His gaze clouds over for a moment, eyebrows pinching, but he shakes it off quickly, letting out an amused huff. He finally looks up and sets down his own cards, a losing hand compared to Nesta’s.

“Looks like you’re weeping after all,” Nesta teases, finally letting a smirk break through her facade. “I’ll take that gold back now.”

Nesta expects Cassian to be annoyed at the obvious jab, half expects him to demand best two out of three, but instead, the pirate captain shakes his head, something like fond amusement dancing across his expression. He picks up the gold beside him, reaching over and setting it in front of Nesta without a second thought. Nesta goes to tuck the gold pieces into the skirts of her dress before he can change his mind, but Cassian’s fingers close around her wrist, halting her movements. Her attention snaps to him, and Cassian uses the contact to lean closer to her, his thumb gliding along her pulse point.

“Don’t spend it all on those smutty books of yours,” Cassian whispers with a wink, Nesta’s eyes widening as she desperately tries to swallow down the surprised blush that spills across her cheeks.

“Nesta,” another voice cuts in, and Nesta turns to find Bram looking down at her, his hand outstretched in the space between them. “I know the captain may have lost, but perhaps I may have a dance?”

Nesta chances a glance back toward Cassian, surprised to find the pirate captain watching his crew member with narrowed eyes. She turns back to Bram and offers him a kind smile, sliding her hand into his. “I’d love to.”

Bram gently pulls Nesta to her feet, leading her toward the open space of the deck. He turns to face her, settling a polite hand on her waist, and Nesta places her own free hand on his shoulder. Despite no four piece orchestra to accompany them, Bram leads them through a simple waltz with ease.

Just following the steps has Nesta’s whole body relaxing in a way it hasn’t in awhile, what feels like years. Dance has always felt like home to her, allowing her feet to guide her through the steps like second nature, the familiar melody singing through her veins, strumming through her soul. Each move, each twist and turn of her body is its own wave crescendoing and crashing through her, washing everything away until only the taste of true freedom sits on her lips.

Bram spins Nesta away from him, and she twirls and twirls before he pulls her back, not missing a step as they continue to move in tandem across the deck.

“You’re quite a good dancer,” Nesta comments, continuing to follow Bram’s lead.

“Thank you. Don’t tell the others, but I do practice. I was always taught the best way to a lady’s heart is through dance, and I hope to take a wife someday,” Bram explains with a wide smile. Nesta isn’t sure what he sees on her face, but he laughs softly. “Don’t worry, Nesta. This isn’t me courting you. Especially, since we all know—”

“Mind if I cut in?”

Bram and Nesta pause in their dancing, both turning their heads to find Cassian standing beside them, his hands clenched at his sides. Before Nesta can even say anything, Bram drops Nesta’s hand and steps back. He offers his captain a nod of his head and walks away, leaving Nesta and Cassian staring one another down.

“You know, this is definitely cheating,” Nesta points out, narrowing her eyes and scowling.

“Well, I am a pirate and this is my ship,” Cassian shoots back, slipping his arm around her waist.

Cassian tugs Nesta close until their chests are practically pressed flush together, and Nesta can’t stop the quiet gasp that tears free from her throat at the sudden close proximity. If he notices the reaction, if he can feel the way her heart starts to thunder between her ribs, can see the heat that licks across her skin and creeps up her neck, he doesn’t comment. He merely takes Nesta’s hand in his, fingers curling gently, almost reverently, around her own and begins to lead her in a dance.

It’s slow, certainly lacking the refinement of the lords and barons of Adriata and sloppier even than Bram’s dancing skills, but Nesta finds she can’t quite take her eyes off the pirate captain. The moon is a spotlight overhead, the rays bouncing off Cassian's dark curls and casting shadows across his face. It leaves his eyes looking almost molten, his gaze never once leaving Nesta’s face. There’s a softness hiding in the corners there, in the smile Nesta doesn’t think she’s ever seen on his face before.

Despite there being no band playing, Nesta swears she can hear the rise and fall of music as they continue to glide and move across the deck. Can hear the notes swirling around them on the summer breeze. Can hear it swells as if it’s coming deep from within her bones, her soul, roaring to meet some melody poised between them.

“You played a good game,” Cassian begins, drawing Nesta’s attention away from her thoughts and back to him. “A good challenger for sure.”

“The first time you’ve ever lost?”

“Not quite, but I will admit the list is small.” Nesta hums, allowing Cassian to twirl her out and away from him before pulling her back into his arms. “But you will have to be careful the next time you play.”

The comment has Nesta frowning in confusion. “Careful of what?”

“Your tell.”

“I don’t have a tell.”

“It’s small, I’ll give you that,” Cassian explains with a shrug. He pauses their dancing and pulls his hand free from Nesta’s, reaching it up toward her face. His fingers skate across her left brow, the touch light and yet still leaving Nesta’s skin burning. “It’s a twitch. Right here.”

Nesta grasps for a retort, for some sort of response, but her breath hitches in her throat, stealing away any words with it. Cassian’s eyes continue to bore into her, the hand at the small of her back so warm, the chest pressed against her own so strong, so steady, the air between them seeming to crackle like an oncoming storm. Nesta’s lip part, but before her mind can catch up and form a coherent sound, Cassian’s hands drop away from her completely and he takes a step back. Cold floods in around Nesta so suddenly at the loss, sending a shiver raking along her spine, and she crosses her arms to stave it off.

“Thanks for the dance, Nes.”

Cassian turns and walks away, and Nesta can do nothing but watch him leave, surprisingly still breathless from their dance. She swallows hard against the emotions threatening to bubble up from her gut, against the way her heart skitters in her chest. Instead, she heads back toward the crate and seats from before where a new round of cards has begun, determined to throw herself head first into the distraction.

When the night finally comes to an end, Nesta makes her way back down below deck and to the captain’s cabin. Cassian is already inside, his jacket now discarded and hanging from the wardrobe doors and the thin, white fabric of his shirt stretching across the muscles of his back as he bends over to take off his boots. Nesta pointedly steps around him, settling near the desk and reaching up to begin unpinning her hair. She lets it fall in soft waves down her back, running a comb through the strands so it will be comfortable to sleep in.

She can feel Cassian’s eyes on her the whole time, practically a brand burning into her shoulder blades, but when she glances over her shoulder at him, Cassian turns so his back is to her, just as he does every night when she needs to change. Always so respectful despite his chosen profession. Nesta stands up, but her bottom lip finds home between her teeth and she toys with a strand of her hair.

“I need your help actually,” Nesta finally voices. “With the laces.”

It takes a moment, and Nesta swears that Cassian’s whole body has gone unnaturally still, but then the pirate captain turns back around. He steps closer to her, his knuckles brushing across the skin of her neck as he moves her hair over her shoulders and out of the way. His fingers are surprisingly gentle as he tugs the laces loose, and when they’re finally undone, those same fingers skate down the exposed skin of her spine. Nesta can’t suppress the shudder that tears through her body at the touch even if she wanted to, and she wonders if he can feel the way her pulse flutters just beneath his fingertips.

“There,” Cassian whispers, his face close enough that Nesta can feel his breath against her ear. “All finished.”

Nesta turns her head to meet his gaze, to meet those hazel eyes that seem to burn in the candlelight of the cabin. Her lips part, and for a heart stuttering second, so quick that she almost thinks she imagined it, those hazel eyes drop to them. It has the breath hitching in Nesta’s throat, has the ‘thank you’ she meant to utter fizzling out on her tongue. She tries to grasp at the words, at her sanity, but before she can, Cassian steps back and away from her, once again turning away.

Nesta blinks at his back, swallowing hard and trying to get her breathing back to normal. She shakes herself and focuses back on the present, on the task at hand, quickly slipping out of her dress and into her night shift. She clambers onto the bed, and only when Cassian hears the shuffle of the blankets does he turn back around, returning to his own nightly routine.

Nesta lays on her side, facing the wall. She listens as Cassian continues to move about the cabin, as he extinguishes the candle and plunges the cabin into darkness. She feels the bed shift behind her as he gets comfortable, but she keeps her eyes firmly on that wall, waiting for sleep to blissfully take her. But as she continues to stare through the dark, Nesta has the strong suspicion that sleep would not come easily tonight. For either of them.

—

Updated Taglist (let me know if you’d like to be added): @moodymelanist @nesquik-arccheron @sv0430 @talkfantasytome @bookstantrash @eirini-thaleia @ubigaia @fromthelibraryofemilyj @luivagr-blog @lifeisntafantasy @superspiritfestival @hiimheresworld @marigold-morelli @sweet-pea1 @emeriethevalkyriegirl @pyxxie @dustjacketmusings @hallway5 @dongjunma @glowing-stick-generation @melonsfantasyworld @isterofimias @goddess-aelin @melphss @theladystardust @a-trifling-matter @blueunoias @kookskoocie @cassiansbigwingspan @unlikelypersonalknight1 @blurredlamplight @hereforthenessian @skaixo

#nessian #nesta archeron #cassian #acotar #nessian fanfiction #nessian fic #nesta x cassian #pirates au #my fic

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georgiapeach30513 · 2 years

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Keys in Your Ignition, Part 18

Summary: Hayden and you pick up Howard’s gift and you and him go back to his parents.

Pairings: Hayden X Reader

Rating: mature

Warnings: mild language, dry humping, mentions of abuse, 18+ ONLY

Word Count: 3.9K

Series Masterlist

*dividers created by @firefly-graphics

Hayden shakes his head no at you with a big on his face, but you grin bigger, "Yes, he will!" You burst into a fit of laughter, and Hayden wraps his arms around you, spinning the two of you around his living room. "Haydes! He will love her!"

"No, he doesn't want a dog."

"Did you see her face? I wanted a boy for him first, but that face! Hayden, you're gonna make me sick, and we need to go get her."

He stops the spinning but his teeth start nibbling on your neck, "We're not heading back for a couple of days."

"She's gonna stay here."

"What?" He pushes you back from him, shaking his head, but you give him a tap to his nose.

"Yes, I've got her a bed, and everything. She is going to stay here for a couple of days, and then we'll take her with us to your parents. And she's going to be so excited to not be in the city."

"Wait, is this practice," Hayden's smile fades, and he looks away from you. He can't believe he said that, missing your shy smile at him.

"Practice for what?" Leaning down, you try to meet his eyes, but he just shrugs.

"Nothing. Get your coat, and let's go get this dog that you're going to be stuck with, because Dad is not going to want something he has to feed."

You don't know who found the dog to be more adorable on the drive to Hayden's apartment, you or him. Hayden constantly would look back behind him to check on the sleeping puppy, and give you a cute little pout. "Her is adorable!" He'd say excitedly, leaning closer to you to give him a peck on his cheek.

Hayden's hand held yours the whole time. Even when your eyes start to water, and you have to look away from him. You try not to laugh, because you know he has to be embarrassed. The smell was atrocious. You tried to make an excuse to roll the window down. And when you start to choke on the smell, Hayden starts laughing.

"I was wondering when you were going to own up to that," he says, squeezing your hand.

"Me?" You giggle looking at him. "Hayden, everybody toots. Some of us just smell like there's a dead animal. It's okay. Maybe we need to quit eating out so much if it's upsetting your tummy."

"That is no toot. Doll, that is a fart. And if you need to blame me, because you don't want me to think your ass doesn't smell that bad, fine, darling. But man...roll down a damn window, it's burning my eyes."

"I didn't toot, you did."

"I did not shit on myself, you did," slowly you turn to look at the dog behind you, who gives a bit of a bark, and you start dying laughing. "You're blaming it on the puppy?" When an actual flatulence sound comes from behind you and the same rancid smell fills up his car, both of you gag for air, rolling the window down.

"You got dad a dog that smells like complete ass. My god, Miss Tootles, why do you smell like that babe? Oh my god. I taste it! Doll! Do something!"

"What do you want me to do?" Laughing uncontrollably, even snorting, and squealing. "Stop! I'm about to pee on myself."

"I believe the dog shit herself. Check on that baby."

"Hayden, she's just gassy."

"I feel like she's dying. Blech, that is vomitrocious," you laugh harder, slapping on his arm, begging for him to stop.

"Pull over!"

"What?"

"I've got to pee, unless you want your floorboard covered, pull over."

You reach in the back of Hayden's car, pulling up the sweet puppy, and before you can turn around, Hayden comes behind you, capturing your lips. "Haydes, not in front of your parents house."

"My parents know we're official. They expect me to be touching you," your fingers move to his belly, in an area you found to be super ticklish for him. Making Hayden jump around playfully, as the doggo barks at him, "Oh, shh, miss ma'am, you've got to be quiet for Howard. He doesn't know about you."

"Nine out of ten, we're bringing that thing back home with us," you look over towards him quickly, and he starts stuttering, "I mean...back to the city. It's kinda confusing when for the past three weeks, I'm either at your apartment in your bed, or you're in my apartment in my bed. But I didn't mean – Doll, you're killing me, and..."

"Shh," you answer calmly, pressing a finger up against his lips. "I wish my boyfriend would quit digging himself a hole," with a sweet smile, you stand on your tiptoes to give him a chaste kiss, until the sweet pup, yips again. "You ready to see your forever home, Tootie wootie?"

"You're naming a dog that isn't yours after the fact that she has the worst gas I've ever smelled," you don't even make it up the steps until Tara is opening up the door, and gasping at the dog. "Mom! Please, don't tell me you were looking out the window?"

"Well, my phone said that you arrived, but it looked like you two needed some privacy," she gives you a giggle, and Hayden's hand that had been resting a bit too low on your ass, moves up more. "And who is this?"

"The amazing magnificent wonderful farting puppy," Tara's eyes blink quickly, looking at you to apologize. "This is Dad's early Christmas present. Welcome to the stinkiest years of your life."

"She doesn't toot that often, but when she does, it's like a thick fog of stench. You can't run from it."

"You two are talking ugly. This sweet thing would never," she grabs the puppy out of your hands, and the dog's body vibrates, licking all over her. "Oh, even if your father says no, I say yes. I'm not letting this sweet thing go ever ever. Aren't you just the most precious thing? Let's show you off to your daddy. Honestly, since I have no grandchildren, and Doll left me, this is going to be a welcome addition. it's too quiet here for a retired woman."

"Tara, I'm sorry. Sailor is just almost here. I can't think of being away from them," the three of you walk into the house, and she slyly looks at you.

"I'm sure it only has to do with the baby."

"Mom!"

"Is Howard in his office?" You ask her. She gives you a nod, handing the dog over to you. Hayden gives your hip a gentle squeeze as you trot to Howard's office. The hallways lined in various pictures of the three kids growing up, and even a few family photos.

Standing in front of his door, you gulp. Giving little kisses to your gift's head, and you wonder if maybe you're being too pushy. He finally kind of agreed to a dog. But having one was such a big responsibility. Giving that door a knock, you open it slowly.

"I was wondering when you were going to...oh," Howard's eyes go from yours to the puppy, and then back to yours, tilting his head, and smiling serenely. "What have we here?"

"Well, remember on our last walk, and I told you that I was going to stay with my brother and his girlfriend, and you said you didn't know what you were going to do because you enjoyed getting out and walking, and was going to miss my company, and then I suggested you and Tara get a dog, and start walking it?" He laughs at your long explanation, and you have to pause to take a deep breath, "Well, I got you a dog. And Hayden laughs because she is a bit gassy sometimes, but she's so sweet, and so smart. She can already sit. And she..."

"Doll," he stops you, with a smile. "She's beautiful. Did you name her?"

"No," your eyes squint close with how big you're smiling. Beaming up at a man you have the utmost respect for, "Hayden calls her Princess Tootie, I call her Tootles. Her gas is horrendous, but I think she does it more when she's nervous, or excited, or sometimes in her sleep. She has a bed that she sleeps in, too. I didn't know if you would want her in the bed."

"Shh, breathe. I love her. You know what I would really love is if you get her leash, and let's go for a walk," you whisper out okay, and skip out of the room. Before even making it out to get the dog's things, Hayden pulls you into a tight hug.

"Where are you going?"

"A walk with your dad, and no you can't go," he gives you a pout, but you still shake your head no. "I haven't got to go on a walk with your dad in weeks. Catch up with your mom, and later, we can have dessert on the back porch."

"Is that code for something?" His brows wiggle at you.

"It's code for eating dessert on the back porch. You better quit."

"Aren't your legs going to get cold?"

"I have tights on. Go on, and let me get Tootles her leash. When I get back, we're making cookies."

"How are things with you and Haden?" Howard's eyes peek over to you, watching your reactions. He didn't have to ask, he could see it etched on your face. There was a calmness that surrounded you. While you were plenty happy before meeting Hayden, he could tell his goofy baby boy was bringing even more light into your life.

There was an almost permanent smile on you. A vibrancy for life and the future, instead of just taking things day by day to get by. You jog up ahead, jumping on that log that you loved so much. Balancing on it, and still smiling. "That good, huh?"

"Is it awkward to talk about your son?"

"Depends on how we're talking about him."

"I like him. A lot. I have started making plans about how I can contribute to Hayden's life. Like how we talked about college. I don't want to just work at little jobs here and there. I want a career, you know? And I'm not saying that Hayden is the one, I'm saying I hope he is the one. And I can see us having that life together, but," you look off into the distance, unable to look at Howard.

"But what? Are you scared of being...intimate?"

"Yes, but...not the reasons you think," he walks over to your log to sit down, and taps on the cold tree. Jumping off of it, you pick up the doggy before sitting beside him.

"I like Tootles, by the way. It suits her. So what are you afraid of?"

"I feel like he needs to know a bit where I came from. Just so he understands why I don't want to jump into a physical relationship. I want to know him. I enjoy him, but usually there's a period of being happy, and then it just all turns to..."

"Shit? Relationships of all kinds are a lot more work. Relationships where you choose to be a couple are even harder. Bad things happen, but it's how you deal with them as a couple that gets you through it, or it can ruin you. Tara and I didn't always have the best relationship. Hayden was accidental. I even accused her of an affair, knowing she never would. We had our boy and girl, and I didn't think we needed another kid. And then this giggly little baby arrived. He was just what we needed. Curtis and Jessie were a bit scared at first. They're so much older than him, but even they were offering to feed him, teaching him to walk. Tara and I learned to grow together, instead of growing apart. Do you think Hayden deserves to know your past?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because," you give Tootles a sweet little kiss, and whisper, "I'm falling hard."

"You don't have to give him full details. He knows how you and Curtis met. But I think you're right. You should tell him. Just start a relationship with everything in the open. But I'll tell ya, You're not the only one falling. Hayden has never brought a girl home with him. I know this is a special situation, but he's never. I've never seen him excited about coming home. Even talking about working at my office instead of staying in the city," you bashfully look away, your cheeks heating up because the city was nowhere you wanted to stay permanently.

"It's okay to be vulnerable for people. I think honesty is just what you need. Good lord," he gags, and you throw your head back laughing. He takes the dog out of your hands, and places it on the ground. "We don't need that smell to leak onto you. Tootles, why do you smell so bad? Princess of the Land of Stench. I think Tara wants to make some gingerbread men, so maybe we should get back."

"Can we go look at my house first?" Howard grimaces, and your face falls ever so slightly. "What?" Scared of what he could say. You just wanted a quick look to add details to your daydreams.

"Sweetheart, someone bought it. No one has moved in yet, and it doesn't appear they've hired anyone to renovate it either."

"Oh. Okay. It's fine. There's other houses, right, Tootles? Let's go make some gingerbread men," he could hear the change in tone of your voice, but he tells himself that it's you thinking about what you will say to Hayden.

"Ma!"

"What?" Tara yelps, spinning around quickly. Hayden sits down at the table with a big smile, and taps his hand on it. "I am busy."

"Putting spices and oranges on to simmer is not busy. Sit down, I need you."

Rolling her eyes, she sighs, sitting down beside her son, but when he doesn't speak, she pats on his thigh. He had grown so much since he started college, nearly finished, and looked more handsome than ever. Everyday she was finding something new to be proud of him about. "Hayden Elias Everett, you beckoned, and I came over here. What is it that you want?"

"I love her."

"Oh! Well...well that was really easy to say. Has she said it back?" Looking only at the table, he shakes his head no. "Have you told her?"

"No. How do you tell someone you hardly know that you love them and you're going to marry them? Stop looking at me that way," Tara's sight turns to look up at the ceiling, refusing to let a single tear fall down her face. "I just feel...I don't know if she feels the same way about me. It's like, there's a tiny nugget of withdrawal from her, and I don't know what to make of it. I read people well, I always have, but she just...ugh, and I just...ahh, and I want...I don't know. Like I will give her all the time she needs, I just want to know, you know?"

"She left with you, and didn't come back. Anytime I call you, I hear her in the background. But are you talking about a verbal indication? Like is this about sex?"

"No," Hayden growls, cutting his eyes over at her. "This isn't about sex. I am...I'm good, we're not, but I'm good."

"She calls you her boyfriend, baby. I would say that's a big deal. And it's definitely a big deal for you to be calling her girlfriend. So what is it that you need?"

"I don't know. I just feel like something is missing."

Hayden walks down the stairs, peeking his head in the living room, he gets frustrated when he doesn't see you. He sighs, seeing his parents curled up with Tootles on the couch for a movie, and his mom lifts her hand up holding the blanket. "She's outside, baby."

Grabbing up the blanket, he stares out the back door, you look comfortable. A mug of hot chocolate in your hand, while you looked up at that treehouse. Snuggled up tightly in your fluffy blanket. There was a peacefulness surrounding you, but you were too quiet after you came back from your walk. You still smiled, but there was more of a reserve, and he hoped that it was because you were around his parents.

He makes his own mug of hot chocolate, wrapping that blanket around him as he walks out to the porch. Neither of you say anything, but when he sits down, you lean over on his shoulder, and search for his hand. "There's a reason I'm acting weird."

"Okay, good, I thought you were, but then I thought it was me, and...proceed."

"I know you know where I came from. I was raised in the MC. My dad was the president, my mom died when I was five, and he had no idea how to raise kids, much less his daughter. He got the help of the old ladies. The uh, women of the club members. Most of them had boys, but not me. Joseph's pretty little Doll. But I wasn't raised to take over the MC, I was raised to be an old lady. That's not the life I wanted. I didn't want to have to wonder where my husband was. If he fathered other kids, or how many women he was sleeping with, but I was taught that is expected, and you deal with it."

You look over at Hayden who stares blankly out at the yard, and you scoot closer to him. You need his warmth. "I wanted my dad and brother's attention, so I got into a weird relationship with both of their best friends. Steve's was when I was younger, dad's I was older. No matter what I did, they never paid any attention to me."

"The uh...the red star tattoo?"

"I was eighteen, and got it for my first love," he nods his head, finally looking at you. "I was caught between the two of them. They both knew, but I was addicted to the drama, to the attention, and too far gone. The day Curtis brought me here. The current president accused me of stealing. He uh...he put me over his lap and was spanking me. His door was wide open, so anyone could see. They got in a fight, and Curtis picked me up, and didn't stop until we were here. I don't do drugs, but this was like a detox. And I needed it. Your brother brought me where I could work on myself."

Hayden's jaw pulses, clenching his teeth tightly, and you look back at the yard. Going to pull your hand out of his, but he holds tighter to you. You didn't know what he was thinking. And the only feeling he had was anger for anyone who would dare to hurt you, "Hayden, I understand if..."

"I'm not mad at you. It's them. And Curtis."

"Why are you mad at Curtis?"

"He's with them. He isn't like them, and yet, he's there. And...you didn't have to tell me."

"I did. I don't want us to have secrets between each other, and...that's why I'm waiting for sex. Because sex with you will mean more than just the physical part, you know?" His lips turn up into a smile, and he nods his head. "Don't think it's because that's not what I want. I do, I just...."

"Doll, you're fine. It's cold. Let's go snuggle on the other couch and watch Christmas with the Kranks with my parents and Princess Stinks-A-Lot."

Your head peeks out of Hayden's bedroom, and you walk down the hall. You couldn't sleep. It was miserable in his bed alone. Not getting far when you're met by Hayden himself. "I couldn't sleep," the two of you say together.

"Good," Hayden says, pulling your arm to his old bedroom. "This bed is more comfortable than the futon."

Hayden treads lightly when the door is closed. He found you more often than not checking to see if his parents were watching when he touched you. Thinking it was because you were in his childhood home, but you hadn't had bedtime kisses. And right now the only thing you can think about is the cozy glow you felt whenever his lips touched yours.

Snaking your hand up his chest, before wrapping it around his neck, you pull him down to your mouth. A few pecks turn into his tongue caressing your bottom lip, and you meet him halfway. Hayden backs the two of you to the bed, and trying not to leave his mouth, you scoot back on the bed. His mouth chases you anytime you pull away.

Continuing your little make out session, your fingers run up and down his bare back. Whimpering at his taste, and you push him off of you. Letting his back hit the bed, and you go to straddle him.

"Doll, what cha doing, baby?" Grabbing the bottom hemline of his old shirt, you pull it off your head, and he stares owlishly at you in nothing but those little bitty boy short panties. "The first time I saw your ass, I selfishly wanted it," rolling your hips, you grind over his crotch, and he nods his head, closing his eyes, "Yep, that's what I wanted. Yep, just like that baby," his words turn into a whisper as you grind over top of him.

Picking up his hands to place on your body, "I'm yours. Y-y-your girlfriend."

"I'm yours, too. Your boyfriend," pressing your hands on his chest, you move faster over top of him, while he stares up at you in awe. You were beautiful, in every way. Every lighting. Every bit of clothes, or lack thereof. Even your heart, you were beautiful. He had never dreamed that something so innocent as dry humping could feel so nasty and good. Even just him grabbing your hips tightly, so he can watch your body move over him, it's more than enough, and he can't wait to explore more of your body. "It feels good, Doll."

"Yeah?" He bites his lip, nodding his head nods, and you moan out. His hands start shuffling over you quickly, and you start panting. Racing for release. Completely at this moment. Locking eyes with Hayden, and your voice goes louder than you had wanted it, but you can't stop. "Hay-den."

"Ahh," he moans out, and you feel the added warmth from his cum. You give him a sweet smile, and slowly lean forward onto his chest. Even though he's a bit sticky, you welcome it. Basking in his post orgasm glow. His hands brush up and down your back until you drift off, falling into a deep peaceful sleep. "I love you," he whispers onto your head. Gently giving you a kiss to the top of your head, before your heavy breathing lulls him to sleep.

Masterlist

Taglist: @tis-thedamn-season @marveloustaylortot @pono-pura-vida @sstan-hoe @peaches1958 @kaybaby2494 @flannellover67 @infatuatedjanes @redbloodedgurl @thedarknessilove @whimsyplaty92 @superforgottensoul @lilac-tea-time

#keys in your ignition #harvard hottie #harvard hottie x reader #harvard hottie x fem!reader #harvard hottie x y/n #harvard hottie x you #hayden everett #hayden everett x reader #hayden everett x fem!reader #hayden everett x y/n #hayden everett x you

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countessofravenclaw · 1 month

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¿Puede la ondulación cambiar una marea? part six

Have you ever imagined what would happen if instead of of making Ambar Sol, Sharon would have aproached her problem with more level-headedness? What if, instead of throwing her daughter's life into a curve she just fires the Valentes, in hopes that they go back to Mexico and never find out the truth? Well, it was never going to be that easy, "everything you want you can achieve" being the family motto and all the for the Valentes after all. Monica and Miguel, could easily find another job, and so they do, with another family. A family that ends up being a bit of a surprise for Luna and all her friends.

“Okay, great job today everyone!” Juliana gathered everyone in a ring on the rink after the practice.

“Uuuu, did Juliana just praise us?” Simon joked, “I can’t believe it!”

“I can still take it back,” Juliana glared at him. “Okay, so if you would all let me talk. We’re almost to the point three months away from the finale, which means that our team has officially been registered to compete.”

“Yayyyyy!” The team yelled.

“Again, if we could have the silence?” Juliana rolled her eyes. “You didn’t let me finish. So, since things are official, I have been sent some official paperwork which all of you need to complete, or you won’t be able to board a plane.”

“Paperwork?!” Jim whined, “I hate paperwork.”

“Direct your complaints to someone else.” Juliana ignored her. “One form for you equals three or more for me, so I don’t want to hear it.”

She walked up the bleachers and grabbed a pile of papers. She handed the pile to Delfi. “We have four forms here. A standard registration, safety information, insurance form and a permission form for all of this. All the forms need to have signatures by the parent, so make sure you have ones if you’re a minor. Get me these back by the end of next week.”

“Juliana,” Gastón asked as Delfi was passing the form piles around, “What if you’re a minor now, but not during the competition?”

“If you’re a minor when our plane takes off, you need to get everything signed,” Juliana sighed, “I don’t care if your birthday is the day after we get to Cancun, you need the signature. If your birthday is a day before we leave, then you don’t need one. Clear?”

“Yeah.”

“But whether you're a minor or not, you need to name at least one emergency contact on the safety sheet.” Juliana continued, “and it can’t be anyone here. Everyone needs an emergency contact who is not in this room at the moment, so I expect to see everyone have a different name on your paper. So, Simon can’t have Pedro, Pedro have Nico and Nico have Simon, if I’d give an example.”

“Hey!” Simon protested.

“Okay, that was all. Remember to stretch and we’ll be back tomorrow.”

“This is a huge amount of paperwork,” Luna complained to Nina over the rink railing. “I never know how to fill these out.”

“Well, we can do that together,” Nina said while looking over the papers, “I don’t have the registration and the insurance ones, since I won’t be competing, but they all pretty much need the same things. Name, date of birth, DNI. The safety sheet needs things like allergies and stuff and then just the parents' signatures on each one and we'll be done.”

“Oh, right,” Luna stared at the papers, “How do I do that? I mean parents' signatures, since they’re…”

“We’ll obviously, in your situation, they can’t sign,” Nina placed her hand over Luna’s on the railing, “By parents, Juliana meant each of our legal guardians, which usually are our parents. You’ll need to ask Isla and Marco to sign yours.”

“What are you talking about?” Gastón scooted to the railing and grabbed a water bottle after caressing Nina's right ear quickly. Luna had noticed that that was some sort of a greeting.

“Just the forms,” Nina answered, “Luna was wondering about the signatures.”

“What about them?” Gastón asked, “Just give the papers to Mom and Dad when you're done filling your parts. They love signing stuff, and unfortunately now they don’t get to sign mine. But I’ll have to let them look through them anyway, for the emergency contact stuff. They'll have to fill that out either way. Same applies to you.”

“Uuuf, I hate all the paperwork,” Simon showed up next to Luna, “I bet Juliana was very happy when she got to dunk all of this on us. Like I would put Pedro as my emergency contact.”

“Who are you putting?” Luna asked.

“Mom and Dad,” Simon shrugged, “Who else? I mean we're already at Cancun, so they won’t even need flights if something happens to me, which it won’t. You got everything covered?”

“Yeah,” Luna looked down on the papers, “I’ll just need to ask…”

“By the way, you haven’t told me anything.” Simon lowered his voice, “How long is it going to take?”

“It’s impossible to know,” Nina answered, “Mom said that it’s really complicated, especially while the clause is still in place.”

“I thought there was a good lawyer on the case.”

“Alexei is the best lawyer in the Buenos Aires región,” Gastón answered, “but that’s not automatically solving anything. I don’t know any more than you do.”

“What are you all whispering about?” Jazmin showed up in front of them.

“Nothing.”

“Actually, I think we all would like to know,” The next one to speak was Ramiro.

“We’re just worried about you, Luna.” Jim noted.

“You said that your parents were taken away, but we know nothing about what happened after.” Yam continued.

“We’re a team. We need to look out for each other.” The one saying that was Matteo which surprised Luna. He surely knew what had happened. Gastón definitely had told him.

The whole team was looking at Luna now. Even Ambar had joined the circle, with an expression that maybe even resembled concern.

“Yeah, it’s true.” She finally opened her mouth, “the situation has not gotten any better with my parents, but I’m thankful for you for the support. I guess I'll just have to hope for the best and keep being optimistic.”

“But how does that work?” Delfi asked, “You’re a minor.”

“Luna’s parents were able to appoint guardians for her.” Nina explained.

“And so we can have the record straight here,” Gastón started speaking, “They are my parents.”

“Yours? Seriously?” Ambar suddenly asked, “They just took that on? Just like that?”

“It is literally the most unsurprising thing in the world that they did.” Gaston nodded. “If you know them.”

***

“I have to say that I am a tad bit jealous that you have the key to the front door now,” Nina remarked as she and Luna walked through the front gate of Gastón’s house, “and the gate.”

“Well, they didn’t need to give me the front gate access,” Luna responded. “But like, I guess it is easier this way or something.”

“You’re not the child of their employees anymore,” Nina noted, “Since Isla and Marco took up the legal guardianship, in the eyes of the law, you kind of are their child and they need to treat you as such. But obviously this isn’t an ideal situation in any sort of way. I do believe that Mom and the other lawyers will get this solved sooner than later.”

Actually, on this day, there was a court hearing being held about the case of Luna’s parents. Alexei Montresen had proved to be worth his reputation and cracked the clause open in record time. Everyone were hoping that that was a good sign for the rest of the case.

“I mean, it is kind of strange. I do miss Mom and Dad.” Luna nodded, “But I mean, they never treated me like I was their servant’s daughter, nothing’s changed that much and they are really nice. Like you can only imagine what would have happened if we’d been at the mansion. Senora Sharon would have…”

“You would have been Ambar’s “foster” sister,” Nina laughed slightly, “I’m sorry, this isn't funny, but just the picture… At least we get to be kind of sisters-in-law right now, in addition to being custody agreement buddies.”

“I meant to say that I was going to be shipped back to Mexico faster than I would be able to say cat in the bag,” Luna also started to laugh. It felt good to laugh. “But what do you mean by custody agreement buddies?”

“Well, there is a custody agreement about you and there is one about me. Mom and Dad have a pile of papers over who’s allowed to have me and when, dating back to when they first got divorced… Didn’t stop them from fighting over everything still, so I don’t get what the point of the documents were in the end… I am so looking forward to never hearing of those again when I turn 18.”

“UH, I completely forgot,” Luna slapped herself on the forehead, as they walked into the house, “I promised I’d call Simon. I’ll be right back.”

“Take all the time you need,” Nina said as Luna ran downstairs. Nina left her backpack on a coat rack and walked into the living room.

“Hey!” She saw Gastón sitting on the couch in front of the TV. He had said he’d be home. His parents obviously were at the court hearing.

“Hey!” He turned around and smiled as he saw her.

“Luna went to talk on the phone with Simon,” Nina explained as she sat next to him on the couch and kissed him briefly as a greeting. “What’s this?”

On the TV, there was some sort of a broadcast of a hallway with heavy wooden doors. To Nina it looked like the courthouse. “It is not from the hearing is it? Those aren’t streamed.”

“It’s not of it,” Gastón explained, shaking his head, “But outside of it, and this is a totally independent stream… Which means that there is press there.”

“Why?” Nina looked at him confused while wrapping her arms around his right arm. “This isn’t a high-profile case.”

“It probably became one as soon as one media outlet found out that Mom and Dad were attending, plus Alexei does have pull. He doesn’t cover just any case.”

Nina nodded. Earlier this year, her mother had been part of a legal team for some hyper high-profile engineer for some sort of fraud case against his ex-wife or something. It had been a press nightmare, or that was what Mom had liked to complain to Mora.

Isla and Marco’s presence had a similar effect, since the media had regarded them for years as the Power Couple of Buenos Airesian business scene.

Nina looked at Gastón again. She didn’t need to ask why he was watching this. He was worried, not just for Luna’s parents like Nina was, but also for his own. Given how firm they were on their stance, they were going to be heavily involved, and if this was going to get messy, they’d be in the middle of it. Court wasn't a fun place for anybody.

She leaned her head on his shoulder.

At that moment the heavy wooden doors opened up on the stream. The first people to come out Nina didn’t recognize. Only after maybe five minutes did she recognize her own mother, who was walking with Alexei Montresen and a few other people who probably were other lawyers from his team. Nina couldn’t decipher much from Mom’s expression, except that it clearly wasn’t happy.

Finally, Isla and Marco came out, walking behind all the lawyers. All the press people had clearly been waiting for them, as the air suddenly erupted in questions.

“Were you aware that your employees were involved with a conspiracy when you hired them?”

“How are you so adamant of their innocence?”

“Do you feel betrayed…?”

Nina felt Gastón stiffen. She understood why. This wasn’t fun to watch, especially when it was your parents who were being attacked by vicious press vultures.

Still, at least to Nina—who had never gotten to witness her own parents to act as a unit or a team—it was extremely admirable how they were handling this. As she had gotten to know them, it was clear how protective Gastón’s parents were of him, but also of each other. It was extremely evident from this situation. There was just something, with the nonverbal communication they effortlessly demonstrated, even in a tense situation like this.

Nina looked at Gastón again. That was something that clearly happened when you truly loved and knew each other, like his parents did. Gastón truly had inherited all the best qualities from them.

“The court documents mentioned an underaged daughter. Where is she?”

“Did she know about the crime?”

“Was she an accomplice?”

“We’re not going to comment on the situation,” Marco stopped, “Outside of that she is safe and taken care of. Hopefully her privacy will be respected, or we will need to take harsher measures toward all of you.”

“Does this mean that she still lives with you?” The press representative continued as Isla and Marco continued walking.

“How can you trust her?”

“You don’t have any children of your own. Why take her in?”

“Are you seriously okay with this?” Nina asked Gastón again. “That they all think that your parents are a childfree couple?”

“You have to look at it this way,” Gastón looked at her, “If they did know that I existed, half of these questions would be about me.”

Nina thought. It was true. The questions that the press were throwing around about Luna, more than a few of them, were really intrusive, to a creepy degree.

“It may seem like Mom and Dad are effortlessly cool and collected during these sorts of situations, but they are not,” Gastón continued, “It’s an act, well-rehearsed and honed through many years. If anything about me got into this mix, that’s when they lose their cool, and they can’t afford to do that.”

“I guess that makes sense.” Nina nodded.

“And it’s not like they tooth and nail deny my existence,” Gastón noted, “You could find it out if you dig enough on some sort of people's registry. I don’t have to have some sort of secret alias and people know, not just everyone. It’s for these sorts of situations.”

“What do you think happened at the hearing?” Nina asked next. “Given all the commotion.”

“Clearly they seem to know what the charges now are, which is a good thing,” Gastón looked at the screen again, “But at the same time… Mom and Dad don’t look happy, so something must have happened. Something bad…”

***

The courthouse was located in Buenos Aires city center San Nicolás, which wasn’t that far from Gastón’s house. So, about 20 minutes after he had seen his parents leave the courtroom, the door opened, and they walked in. Gastón had expected Alexei to be with them—which he was, but speaking on the phone, so he stayed behind at the foyer as his parents walked to the living room.

“Hey!” Gastón turned around on the couch. His face faltered as soon as he saw his parents' faces. It was even clearer now that it had been from the stream. Something was wrong, which was evident from their faces. “...how did it go?”

“Is Luna here?” Isla asked.

“Yes, we came together,” Nina responded, “She went to talk to Simon on the phone. I can go get her.”

“Thank you.”

“What is going on?” Gastón asked his parents after Nina had gone. “You looked pretty upset coming out of the court and still look like that.”

“How did you see the courtroom?” Marco asked him.

“Since it became a press hullabaloo, I found a stream from the door,” Gastón explained.

“Darling, you shouldn’t be looking at those.” Isla shook her head.

“Well, too late now,” Gastón countered, “but you keep avoiding the issue here, which is legit scaring me. What happened?”

“We’ll explain it, as soon as Luna’s here.”

“Oh hi!” Luna came out of the kitchen with Nina. “How did the hearing thingy go? Did you get good news?”

“You should all sit down.”

“Okay…?” Luna looked confused and sat down on the couch with Nina.

“You found out what the charges were, right?” Nina asked, “Mom said that it was going to be discussed.”

“We did.” Isla sighed and looked at Marco.

“Luna, your parents are accused of a financial fraud, just like our lawyer suspected, which is a B level felony.” Marco explained.

“But they are innocent.” Luna started.

“We know that,” Marco continued, “but it needs to be proven, which won’t be easy. I won’t lie to you; this will take a long time.”

“But if what you learned was what Alexei suspected, why were you so upset?” Gaston questioned. He was standing behind the couch and had placed his hand on Nina’s shoulder.

“Well,” Isla practically huffed, “We also found out who is pressing the charges. It is absolutely outrageous…”

“Who is it?” Luna questioned. “I mean everyone likes Mom and Dad. I can’t think of anyone who—”

“It is Sharon Benson.”

“Senora Sharon?” Luna's face suddenly faltered.

***

“Where are you going?” Gastón asked Luna as he parked the car in the garage as they were returning from Blake.

“The door?” Luna pointed towards the cellar door.

Well, you can use the actual door.” Gastón remarked.

“I’m still not used to that.” Luna shook her head.

Gastón laughed slightly. This whole situation was quite amusing. He had not been surprised in the slightest when Mom and Dad had told him that they were planning on becoming Luna’s legal guardians for the time being.

They hadn’t been able to have the large number of kids that they had wanted. If they hadn’t been such workaholics, they would have probably done foster care.

This technically wasn’t foster care in the strictest sense, but close. The funny part was that out of all the people, it was Luna. The girl who was the cause of all of the problems Matteo got himself into. On the other hand, she was the best friend of the love of Gastón’s life, so of course he didn’t mind.

“Good, you’re back.” His parents got up from the couch as they walked in. They had been working from home a lot recently. “Luna, we’re leaving in 30 minutes.”

“Leaving to go where?” Luna stopped on her tracks.

“Alexei got your parents moved to a lower security facility, because they aren’t convicted yet, but not allowed bail,” Marco explained, “So, they are finally allowed visitation with you. We told you this few days ago.”

“OMG that was today!?!” Luna’s gaze shot up, “How did I forget? I literally need a phone alarm. I need to change!!!” She started running and then slammed herself into the kitchen door.

“Are you okay?” Isla and Marco looked at her concerned.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Luna nodded and then opened the door, “I’ll be super-fast. You won’t even notice that I’ve been gone.”

“She has been like that ever since I have known her,” Gastón looked after Luna amused, before looking back at his parents. “If you wanna know more, ask Nina. So, good luck for you two, with her I mean.”

“Well, it's a good thing she’s able to be herself,” Isla noted, “Given the situation.”

“Well, I’m gonna go change as well,” Gastón was about to turn toward the staircase.

“Wait a moment,” Isla stopped him.

“Why?” Gastón asked. “I’m not coming to the prison.”

“No, this has nothing to do with that. I just need to tell you this before I forget,” his mother continued, “I talked with Elise today.”

“Okay…” Gastón responded. Mom had talked with her sister, like she did at least once every two weeks. It wasn’t very special. “What about it?”

“Well, you did know that Calvin has passed the Lieutenant's exam?”

“Yeah, the family group chat was all about it,” Gastón continued, “Has he gotten the promotion?”

“Yes and no,” Isla explained, “Not in Cordoba, which isn’t surprising, given the economic climate. He is being sent for a transfer mission to lead a truck company as an acting Lieutenant right here in Buenos Aires.”

“Oh, that’s cool,” Gastón responded, “When is it?”

“He starts next week,” Isla nodded, “It’s for a month, but could be extended.”

“Well, that’s great. They never come here.” Gastón remarked and started climbing the stairs.

“Tell me about it.” Isla mumbled after Gastón had gone.

“I’m ready!!” Luna ran back from the kitchen.

“Good…” Isla and Marco looked at her, “Is that what you’re wearing?”

“Yeah…” Luna looked down at her hot pink sequin pants, “What's wrong with it?”

“Nothing’s wrong but holding facilities do have dress codes. For example, all sorts of jewelry are not allowed. They’ll set the metal detectors off.”

“Oh, okay.” Luna looked at her tangling beads, “I can take them off.”

“Make also sure you don’t have any hair pins either. They’re also something not allowed, even if you can’t actually pick a security lock with them.” Isla noted.

“Sure,” Luna nodded and sunk her fingers into her hair, “Good think that you said, because I do have probably a thousand pins. Otherwise, all my hair is on my face, and I won’t see anything. Now I will probably bump into every door.”

“Well, we can do something about that. Do you have a hair tie?” Isla was eyeing Luna's hair that was completely on her face now.

“Yeah, I do.” Luna pulled a tie off her wrist and handed it to her.

“Can I?”

Luna nodded and maybe after 5 minutes, her hair was on a Dutch braid.

“There, now it won’t get on the way.” Isla tied the tie to the end of the braid. She looked at Marco. “We should get going.”

“Yes, we should.”

***

“I really hope Calvin’s assignment finally opens Elise and Mía’s eyes.” Isla said to Marco as they were driving toward the facility where Luna’s parents were held.

“You have been hoping that they’d let us move them here for years.”

“I have, but this time surely, they won’t deny it. We left because there was nothing left for us at Cordoba. It is the same case for them, but they refuse to see it. Luis and Calvin are working way below their paygrade, because Cordoba’s fire department doesn’t have the resources, while here the department is constantly faced with a first responder shortage. Luis should be a deputy field chief at least, and there is always a demand for nurses. Mía and Elise won’t be out of work no matter where they live.”

“We need to trust the process.” Marco responded.

“I just don’t understand what goes on in their head sometimes.” Isla shook her head, “Is it so wrong for me to want them to have some stability and not wonder every time have they been able afford groceries and am I being told the truth about how they are doing? Mía needs to think of Jonathan. He’ll start college in three years, that is not that long time, and he is so smart, they all are. They deserve the opportunities they’ll be given without thinking about the financial burden.”

“That’s why we agreed that we’ll go straight to him when he turns 18,” Marco noted, “Isla, if the best happens and Calvin gets a permanent position and they’ll move here, we’ll make sure that everything is order and the kids go to Blake, but there is nothing we can do right now. We don't have any influence in the fire commissioner’s office.”

“Dad would have wanted me to look after them, like he took me in, when he didn’t have to.”

Luna had been texting Simon and Nina from the backseat and not paying attention to their conversation. She sometimes looked out of the window, to see unfamiliar sights. She clearly had never been to this part of the town before. Buenos Aires was a massive city after all.

After a while they parked in front of a big, gray, concrete building which had a fence around it. It looked absolutely gloomy; the atmosphere brought Luna’s mood down immediately. This was where Mom and Dad were being held against their will when they hadn’t even done anything.

“Make sure one more time you don’t have any metal on you,” Isla reminded Luna, before turning toward Marco on the first seat. She had some sort of a box out and Luna noticed that they both were in the process of removing their wedding—wedding and engagement in Isla’s case—rings and placing them into it.

“Why are you taking them off?” Luna asked. Dad had always told her that he never took his ring off. Mom didn’t do the same because of some sort of sanitary reasons.

“We would need to leave them at the security checkpoint,” Marco explained, “and we don’t want to do that. Who knows what can happen to the things left there, given the setting.”

“Oh, because they're so expensive?” Luna asked…before fully taking time to consider how appropriate it was to ask that. She sometimes really should think before opening her mouth.

“They’re actually not,” Isla responded, “Our rings barely have any monetary value, but that doesn’t matter one bit when the emotional value is so high that it can’t be measured.”

“Okay.” Luna just nodded while wracking her head. Honestly, you’d really think that people as wealthy as Gastón’s parents were, would have really expensive wedding rings.

She tried to remind herself of what Nina had told her that one time. They had been poor one time, maybe that had also meant the time they had gotten married.

“Leave your phone in the glove compartment.” Marco said before they got out of the car, “and stay with us. Minors are not allowed to move alone, and this isn't a 100 percent safe place, even if it isn't maximum security.”

“Okay,” Luna nodded, and they walked into the building.

The whole experience was a bit weird. Some sort of guard or officer checked her ID and then she had to walk through what looked like a door frame from out of space.

Finally, after what had felt like forever of different depressing hallways, a door opened to a small room…

“Mom! Dad!” Luna started running. She was pulled into a huge hug by her parents. “I missed you so much!”.

***

“I want all of you to have watched these before the week is over.” Juliana finished the team briefing in the Roller’s cafeteria.

“Juliana, what does a bunch of YouTube videos have to do with us winning Roda Fest?” Ramiro raised his hand.

“They are part of the theoretical aspect of skating, which all of you need a refresher in,” Juliana looked at him. “And I am not that stupid to think that any of you will read a page out of a book, even if I’d order you.”

“Are we gonna be quizzed?” Delfi looked horrified, “Please no. Some of us have final exams soon, and we need to graduate.”

“There won’t be a quiz,” Now Juliana looked amused, “But I will know from your skating if you did what I asked or not. This is for you, not for me. Anyways, now you’re free to go and I will see you all tomorrow.”

“Homework, I can’t believe it,” Jim complained to Luna as they were gathering their stuff. “Like the million forms weren’t enough—”

“Luna, before you go, would you come here for a moment?” Juliana yelled from the bar counter, “and actually, if Gastón you stay as well. Rest of you, shoo, and go to sleep early.”

“What is it?” Luna asked as she walked up to Juliana.

“There is something I am a bit confused by.” Juliana looked at both Luna and Gastón. “Did you two mix your forms up?”

“No. What are you talking about?” Gastón made a face which was a mix of confusion and amusement.

“Well, to start, you don’t have signatures…”

“I don’t need ones. My birthday is in a few weeks, way before we’re leaving.” Gastón protested, “Just like you said.”

“Well, that’s not the issue here,” Juliana pulled the papers out, “While you don’t have signatures, the ones on Luna’s paper have your last name. Plus, both of you have the same emergency contacts. I am just a tad bit confused on how this has happened, given that Luna’s last name is Valente as far as I am aware. Is there something I am missing here, because the only way this would make any sense is if you two are either half or step siblings.

Juliana shook her head. “And I am sorry to say this, given this team’s love for interpersonal conflicts and drama, I am extremely surprised that that has never come up.”

“No no no no.” At least half of Luna was laughing.

“Yeah, that’s not the case,” Gastón shook his head, “It wouldn’t even be possible, my parents are very much together, so I can’t have half or step siblings.”

“Then what is going on here?” Juliana questioned, “Because, I will have to overrule Luna’s papers. She’ll have to drop out of the team without valid registration and permission forms.”

“No no! Please don’t do that!” Luna pleaded with Juliana, “They are legit.”

“How?” Juliana asked.

“Wait, I can prove it!” Luna started rummaging through her bag and pulled out a paper that had been neatly folded in a plastic pocket. Nina had helped her to figure out how to store the custody agreement paper so she wouldn’t lose it. Luna handed the paper to Juliana.

Juliana read through the paper once and then a second time before looking at Luna and Gastón again. “So, let me get this straight. These are your parents, Gastón?”

“Yes, the biological ones,” Gastón nodded, “I don’t have any other sort.”

“But they also are the legal guardians of Luna?” Juliana continued, “How long has this been the case?”

“Maybe a month,” Gastón answered, “You can see the date on the paper.”

“How has this become the case?” Juliana kept asking.

“It’s a really long story…” Luna started, “We, uhm no, the... How do you phrase this?”

“Luna’s parents work for mine,” Gastón took the explanation over. “Her dad as their personal assistant and the mom as the cook for our house.”

“But they have been arrested,” Luna looked down.

“Your parents have been arrested Luna?” Juliana looked at her.

“Their former employer is accusing them of a fraud case which they are innocent of.” Gastón continued again, “It’s a huge legal battle, and Mom and Dad’s lawyers are on it, but it’ll take a while.”

“Why haven’t I been informed about this?”

“You always say to leave the personal problems outside of the rink.” Luna said.

“I mean things like that I don’t want to hear who is mad at who today because someone broke up with the wrong person,” Juliana sighed, “Not something like this. I am so sorry about your parents.”

“So, I was told that apparently I can send them as much letters as I want.” Luna explained to Nina while they were walking down the hallways, “I will write every day!!”

“Uhm.” Nina looked at her.

“What?” Luna asked, “You don’t think it’s a good idea?”

“Not that,” Nina shook her head, “Of course you should write, but they might not get them as soon as you send them. Every day might crowd the postal distributions, especially if you want them to respond.”

“Oh,” Luna stared blankly for a moment, “I didn’t consider that. Well, every other day then? Would that be better?”

“For logistics, probably,” Nina nodded, “But I do get why you'd want to write every day. This is pretty terrible as a situation. Mom told me that they are trying to sort out the first court date, but that won’t probably do much for their release, yet. Good thing that no one can make you testify.”

“What do you mean by that? Like talk at court?”

“It’s complicated.” Nina shook her head, “We did talk about it with Gastón. Isla and Marco will probably both be called to testify.”

“Will he have to do that too?”

“Hopefully not. I am pretty sure that Isla and Marco won’t let him, even if he’s called, but if the date happens after his birthday, then it’s not up to them…” Nina's phone dinged, and she smiled at the message. “Would you mind if I drop by the library, I uhm…”

“Go, don’t worry about me,” Luna waved her away. She didn’t need to ask who had sent her that message, “See you at class. Hopefully I’ll understand a fraction of those derivative thingies.”

“Yeah, see you!” Nina walked off toward the library.

Luna decided that since she still had 15 minutes before the next class, she might as well go to grab some water and a cookie from the cafeteria—

—as she had been about to take a left toward the cafeteria, someone pulled on her arm and dragged her into an empty classroom.

“Matteo?” Luna asked as she spun around trying to reorient herself, “What are you doing?”

“I just wanted to talk to you,” Matteo explained.

“And you’re acting like a serial killer because…?” Luna was still staring at him.

“I wasn’t sure you’d talk to me, so this is the only way.”

“Why wouldn’t I talk to you?” Luna questioned, “We’re friends.”

“Yeah, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Matteo shook his head. “Are we friends?”

“We’re not enemies.” Luna wasn’t at all sure what Matteo was going after here.

“We never truly talked about…how it ended.” He continued.

“Chico Fresa,” Luna rolled her eyes, “to me, it was pretty clear. You know what you did. What are you trying to do here?”

“Well, I thought that we might try…”

“Matteo,” Luna shook her head, “I can’t deal with this right now. For once in your life, think of someone else here. I don’t know when I will see Mom and Dad again or what will happen to them.”

“I know that that’s why I thought you would…”

“What about, Matteo? We already tried once.” Luna sighed, “We’re friends. Take it or leave it.”

Luna huffed and stormed out of the classroom.

“How do you actually tolerate Matteo in your everyday life?” Luna asked Gastón as they walked into the house after coming back from school.

“What now?” Gastón looked at her confused.

“He dragged me today to an empty classroom,” Luna huffed, “And asked if we could try again. Like there is something even to try.”

“He did not…” Gastón shook his head, “I told him not to do that. But I do think it is beneficial that you two talked, so the record gets set straight.”

“Well, it’s very straight at the moment.” Luna shook her head.

“Matteo brain cells live their own life sometimes. I love him, but he can’t always be defended.”

“Good, you’re here.” Marco walked out of the kitchen, “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Why?” Gastón asked. “We have a long training session today.”

“Exactly, about that,” Marco continued, “I received a call from your coach today.”

“Oh noh,” Gastón grimaced, “that had nothing to do with me, so I am out.”

“What did Juliana say?” Luna asked after Gastón had gone, “Don’t tell me the forms got rejected after all?”

“No, but it was about them,” Marco continued, “She was worried about you. She wondered why she hadn’t been informed of what had happened to your parents. We didn’t know that they weren’t aware at Roller.”

“My friends all are.” Luna started, “The team is supporting me, but I didn’t think Juliana would care. I mean, I didn’t think it was important.”

“It is extremely important,” Marco looked at her and placed a hand on her shoulder, “If something were to happen to you, they wouldn’t be able to contact the right people. Obviously in practicality, it would probably be quite likely that Gastón would be there or alternatively someone else who has our contacts like Nina or Matteo, but we can’t count on that. We are responsible for you, and we promised to your parents that we’d take care of you, which we’re taking seriously.”

“I guess I do get that,” Luna looked down, “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to be sorry, it’s not your fault. It’s on us, actually, we should have made sure. We never have been that involved with roller outside of paying the bills, so it slipped.”

“You’ve never been to the competitions?” Luna asked. “Gastón has been in the team for years.”

“He and Matteo found the place in 2013, I think,” Marco responded, “Right after they started hanging out together. But no, we haven’t been there. He didn’t want us to. We respect that as his space. Plus, Isla and I have been really busy the past few years, which is not an excuse, though. Didn’t do any good for anyone. We have some things to make up for. We usually watched the performances online. You all are very talented.”

“Well, it’s never too late.” Luna shrugged, smiling.

***

“These are the last of the documents, Senora Benson.” Rey handed Sharon a pile of papers.

“I get a headache from all of these papers.” Sharon looked at them sourly. “You have everything else sorted?”

“Yes, Senora.” Rey nodded. “The solicitor told me that he would want a word with you preceding the court date. He has been speaking with defendants’ legal team—”

“I can’t believe they have Alexei Motresen on their side,” Sharon huffed.

“I suggested getting in contact with him to you, a few years ago,” Rey noted, “You dismissed it saying that he was too young and inexperienced. Montresen and the Peridas have been friendly for years given that they are from the same generation. Isla and Marco Perida have an extremely wide connection network, which has allowed them to have a strong legal team, which is to Valentes’ benefit.”

“How was I supposed to know that they would stand on their side?” Sharon sneered, “Those two are mentally insane to do that. They have zero grasp of actual reality and how the world works. They will someday regret it all, if I can help it.”

“That being, Senora Benson…” Rey sighed exacerbated, “The odds… Given Montresen’s involvement. Valparaiso is also another great asset, especially given her own personal relationship with the Valentes and her daughter being romantically involved with Peridas’ son. This is personal to the people running the case, so they are not going to be backing down.”

“I am not to be frightened by some miniscule resistance!” Sharon started losing her cool, but quickly regained it again, “They know how to put on a good show. When you come from nothing, you end up with nothing, it’s the law of nature.”

“I am sorry,” Rey considered one more time before speaking, “But if I was you, I’d consider all of this one more time. I don’t think it’s a good idea to go to war with the Peridas. Their reach is massive, you said that yourself. They have all that it takes to make that last, they have an heir. He has been in the same class as Ambar for ten years. Remember what I said about Valpraiso’s daughter? He will have his own children someday with every likelihood and they will be a powerful dynasty.”

“That is not going to happen.” Sharon had slammed her cup down on the saucer so hard that it cracked, “I will not be undermined, not by them, not by the Valentes. Sol will not win, I can’t allow that for Lili. They will pay one day for protecting her.”

***

Ambar sighed and leaned back on an armchair in her room. Madrina was never fun, but she had started to become insane… And when she was like this, it was no fun to be around her. She was already dreading the dinner.

Ambar reached toward the shelf in front of her. She ran the silk scarf between her fingers. It honestly felt like another life after the Roller fire…

…she really should be getting rid of that scarf. She had never been able to frame Luna, but at this point, she wasn’t sure how much she would have even wanted to do that. Lunita had become 100 times less insufferable when you didn’t need to see her face 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Even if Lunita had the most ridiculous luck in the world. Why did everyone have such an obsession with taking care of her…?

She honestly just wanted to forget about the fire. Nothing had come of it, it was the past. Now it was the future and she needed to focus on the Roda Fest and the victory.

Cancun was also a great place, where she could get away from everything. Simon had offered to show her around, which was…it was an intriguing offer.

“Ambar!” The door to her room opened up and Alfredo peeked in. “Can I come in?”

“Sure,” Ambar smiled. She didn’t mind. Alfredo was a fun old chap. “Come in.”

“I came here to hide from my daughter.” Alfredo explained.

“Madrina just is like that,” Ambar shrugged.

“What do you got there?” Alfredo pointed to her hand.

“Oh, it’s just a scarf,” Ambar showed him the fabric.

“Well, this is beautiful,” Alfredo looked at it. “Kind of reminds me one of the most fashionable items that I wore in my youth.”

“Oh, well. You can have it.” Ambar started. “I have so many.”

“You mean it?”

“Yes.” Ambar nodded, and placed the scarf onto Alfredo’s hand, “It’s not even my style. I don’t remember where I’ve even gotten it from.”

“Well, thank you.” Alfredo smiled. “So, tell me. You finish school in a few months, what are you planning to do after that?”

“France.” Ambar stated, her voice coming out a little unsure.

“Hopefully someone has told you that you’re allowed to disagree with my daughter. What do you want to do?”

“Not fully sure,” Ambar shook her head, “but Paris is my calling.”

“Don’t you have people at your school who can help with that? Maybe you should talk to them before you make any final decisions?”

***

Gastón shook his head as he walked up the stairs at Blake to the higher floors. Why the guidance counselor wanted to meet at 8 am, was beyond him…

Well, actually he knew why. Surely this was the school’s one last ditch effort to make him change his mind about Oxford. He had probably disappointed the whole faculty from the secretary to Mr. Ramirez himself, especially after Matteo’s decision to stay as well. They wouldn’t get more names on the notable alumni board.

But it was too late. He had made his decision, and his application was fraudulent anyway. No matter how much he had forgiven Nina and they had put it behind them, he couldn’t possibly use that application. It wouldn’t be fair for the other applicants for him to take a place from them.

“What are you doing here?” He pushed a door open to the hallway where the senior’s counselor’s office was located. To his surprise, he saw Ambar leaning on the wall in front of the office.

“I got an email to come here,” Gastón answered, “What are you doing here? Our first class is at 10. Why are you here two hours early?”

“I came to see if I could get an appointment,” Ambar said simply.

“For what? Haven’t you always been set to go to Paris?”

“You’re the one to talk. Weren’t you always set to go to Oxford with Matteo?”

“Well, both of us changed our minds.” Gastón shrugged.

“Well, maybe I did too,” Ambar shrugged, and a silence loomed over them for a moment. “It is gonna be quite embarrassing for your parents when the case is lost.”

“You don’t know them,” Gastón looked at her, “They don’t lose.”

“Nor does my godmother,” Ambar continued, “Honestly, I am trying to warn you. You don’t know what she’s capable of.”

“Like accusing innocent people of a crime that could land them in prison for 30 years? I think we’re all aware of that.”

“You’re so sure they are innocent?” Ambar made a few indescribable faces, “What’s up with the sudden loyalty to Lunita? Is it because she’s Nina’s best friend, or because Matteo likes her? He liked me once too, so we can’t trust his taste.”

“Yeah, she’s important to people I love, but I care about her too.” Gastón looked at her confused, “Plus she’s technically family right now.”

“Anyone trying to take up raising Lunita must be insane. She doesn’t even know how to tie her shoelaces.” Ambar rolled her eyes, but there was something else in her tone that was hard to pinpoint. Something more vulnerable.

“You know, you were so much nicer in third grade.”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” Ambar looked at him astonished.

“Not really,” Gastón shook his head, “Sometimes I wonder what happened to you.”

“I grew up.” Ambar looked toward the ceiling.

“You don’t talk to your parents, do you?”

“What?” Ambar stared at him. “They… They travel a lot. They’re extremely busy. It is not that simple.”

“You do realize that I know exactly how that feels?” Gastón looked at her back, “It is not fun, no matter how much you pretend. That resentment doesn’t just go away. You should try and talk to them, it could help. It did help.”

“I don’t think so,” Ambar stared at the wall for at least 10 seconds. “You don’t know how lucky you are. Yours actually care, apparently too much for their own good, given everything with Luna and that mess. Saffira and Gareth, they—”

“Uugh, how do you get the doors open in this place?” The door at the end of the hallway opened and Luna crashed in.

“Lunita?” Ambar looked at her, “What are you doing here?”

“Oh, good thing I ran into you,” Luna continued, “I have no idea where I am.”

“Clearly.” Ambar rolled her eyes.

“You’re probably in the wrong place,” Gastón said to Luna. “This is the senior counselor’s office.”

“Oh, well,” Luna looked at something on her phone,” I got an email that I was supposed to pick up some sort of survey thingy from storage 5Bx.”

“Well, that’s actually should be around here.” Gastón looked around. The hallway had multiple storage closets.

At that moment, there was an extremely odd Whoosh sound coming from the closet closest to them.

“What was that?” Ambar looked at the door, “The AC here has never been good, but if that’s how it’s gonna sound? I will go crazy—

“It wasn't the AC,” Gastón said while looking at the door. “That’s smoke.”

{}

Reminder to everyone, just in case, Ambar is not Sol and no one thinks she's alive. Meaning that everyone thinks that Ambar is just Sharon's goddaughter and she lives with her because her parenst, Saffira and Gareth Smith (Yes, I gave them names, but don't they sound deliciously made up?) work in a different country. In reality they don't actually exist. Well, I think I have said before that I want to try to give Ambar a redemption my own way. If someone is worried: What about Simbar? Don't be, there will be Simbar, but this is not a ship focused fic and I am aproaching this from my own angle. I finally got some narrative use out of my headcanon about Gastón and Ambar having known each other for the longest time. Remember when few parts ago she said how she admired how his family was, but she defintely wasn't jealous... Yeah, she's 100% jealous. People, who are exactly the same economical and social staus as Sharon (even if she would want to disagree), but also completely capable of loving and taking care of their child. Isla and Marco might "pretend that Gastón doesn't exist" for publicity and security reasons, but they would never ever deny him being being their child. Ambar is being denied that aknowledgement everyday by her mother, she can't even have the last name. And cherry on top is that LUNA is taken in by them. Just like the Valentes in canon, a demonstration of something she she can't have, but should have. Anyways, moving on... I gave a small aknowledgement to Lutteo ´, so we can establish we we stand with them, answer to which is that we don't stand with them. Matteo has never factored in the Sol plot, which all of this is part of, so it's hard to include him now. Maybe I will include him more, because Luna's "foster" parenst (I am not sure what is the appropriate term) are basically Matteo's second set of parents (I realize that I haven't demonstrated that very well in this fic). Anyyways, everyone knows how I feel about Lutteo, so they aren't getting pagetime. This part was really maybe a way to let dust little bit settle, so to say. The shock is over, and everyone, including the reader, is getting more confortable with the situation. Luna was not going to cry in her room for the rest of the fic. The truth will always come out in the end, no matter how long it will take. Sharon is again, should really listen to Rey. She is stuck is her conservative ways and it shows. Her opponents are about 20 years younger than her (I think she is in her late 50s) and have made their own way in life, so of course they network with people like themselves. When in doubt you need an Emmet Forrest, not a Callahan (Legally Blonde referene if you're nor aware). This has probably been the first time I have writen Juliana, whixh was fun. She thought she had uncovered some deep secret... So, the dust got settle an in the end we picked upped with some PLOT... Hehee.

#Soy Luna #soy luna fanfiction #Gastina #Lutteo #Soy Luna Season 2 #Gastteo #Au #Twist #This was just a stupid idea #But I am rolling with it #And having fun

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samwritesstuff97 · 2 years

Text

Chapter 11: All Bets Are Off

Pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x OC!Penny’s Niece

Warnings: Drinking, Smut!!!!!! (18+ minors DNI)

(Oral [fem receiving], penetrative sex, unprotected sex [don't be a silly, wrap your willy!])

Word Count: 3402

A/N: I know I say this just about every chapter, but holy fuck am I excited for you guys to read this one.

Masterlist | Tag List | Request

When Hangman arrived at flight practice, Rooster noticed he looked deflated. “Hey, Hangman, what’s up? You look a little down.” He called.

“Don’t worry about it.” Hangman spat.

“It wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with our bet, now would it?” Rooster smirked.

Phoenix lifted her head off the table where she’d been resting, “Did someone say something about the bet?” Rooster pointed at Hangman, who looked incredibly annoyed. “If there’s been a development, you have to share it at least with Bob and I, as we’re the official adjudicators.”

“Fine, but I’m not telling him.”

“You got shot down, didn’t you?” Hangman looked away from Rooster. “You asked her out and she said no!”

Hangman looked back at Rooster, furious. “Well, she won’t say yes to you either.”

“What makes you so sure of that?” Bob asked.

“Because, she said she’s ‘not in a relationship headspace.’” Hangman crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.

Phoenix snorted, “No offense, Hangman, but she was letting you down gently.”

Hangman’s jaw dropped, “I don’t believe you! She was talking about how I’m the first person to ask her out since her fiance, and this is the first time she’s been single in years, and I guess she just wants more time to herself.” Hangman shrugged. “I’m not giving up entirely.”

“Why not?” Phoenix laughed. “Do you really think she’ll change her mind?”

“If I keep reminding her that I’m an option, one day she’ll go for it.” Hangman said proudly.

Rooster laughed, “Jesus Christ, Hangman, that’s pathetic.”

“I didn’t say I was going to wait for her or anything, just let her know to keep me on the roster.” Hangman rolled his eyes, “Besides, this isn’t the first time she’s said something about this or the first time we’ve been told that she may not be interested in either of us in the end, am I wrong?”

Phoenix bit her lip, “I guess not.” She looked at Rooster, “But the wedding!”

Hangman scoffed, “What about the wedding? The one where she openly admits she’s just using Rooster to make her ex jealous?”

Rooster felt a chill go down his spine, Hangman was making sense, but he couldn’t let on. “I may have forgotten to mention that we’re going to be spending the night at an Airbnb together after the wedding.”

Phoenix whipped around in her seat to face Rooster, “What?”

“The important question is: are they spending the night together or in the same house? Because there’s a very big distinction between the two.” Hangman said.

Rooster ground his teeth. Hangman is determined to ruin everything. “She didn’t specify the sleeping arrangements, but there are going to be lots of other people there, so bedroom space may be limited.”

“So you may be sharing a room with her and a bunch of other people, too?” Hangman was grinning.

“I don’t know, Hangman.” Rooster was dreading flying with him for the next several hours. “I guess I’ll just let you know when it happens, and you can let me know when your date with her happens.”

Hangman opened his mouth to reply, but Bates had just walked in. “Welcome back, pilots.” He said, “I know you’re all tired, but that’s the point of this practice. We want to push you to your limits now, so that the actual mission seems like a piece of cake.”

Coyote raised his hand. “If we can’t fly the mission perfectly during the day when we’re rested, what chance do we stand flying at night?” Several other pilots murmured their assent.

“Well, we also want to get you ready for running the mission with your target obscured.” Bates replied, looking tired himself.

“Will this at least mean we’ll have fewer enemies to deal with or that their response time will be slower or something?” Phoenix asked.

Bates frowned, “No. This is supposed to simulate your enemies being on high alert, because for all we know, they will be when you arrive.”

“What are the odds, if you had to ballpark it?” Hangman called, raising his hands. “That our enemies will be on high alert when we get there, that is.”

“From what the Air Force has gathered, their primary focus seems to be combat training. Basic on the ground fighting mostly. They seem to have few people who are capable of handling an air attack, but that’s only because a few people get stationed there at a time, so we don’t know the exact number.” Bates answered. “So, the odds are slim, but not zero, so we’re going to treat practice as though the odds are one hundred percent, am I making myself clear?”

The pilots murmured their assent, and Bates continued. “We’ll give you a more thorough rundown tomorrow at your next flight practice–” The pilots groaned. “At your next flight practice,” Bates continued louder. “Which will begin at 7:30 am on the dot, if you’re late, you’re doing fifty pushups for every minute.”

Rooster looked at his watch:

9:43 pm

“That’s less than twelve hours from now!” He groaned to Phoenix and Bob, who dropped his head into his hands.

“For right now, let’s not waste any more time. Get to your jets!” Bates said, walking away from the front of the room toward where mission control was.

Seizing the brief moment where he wasn’t being watched, Rooster decided to text Eliza:

“We’re just now starting flight practice and we report back at 7:30 tomorrow morning. I’m going to be dead.”

“You’re not allowed to die.”

Rooster smiled down at his phone and replied:

“Then I’ll cling onto life until I have your permission to let go.”

The bubble showing Eliza was texting hovered on the screen for a moment, disappeared, and then reappeared, before a message appeared:

“Good boy. 😉”

Rooster stopped dead in his tracks, his heart racing. He took a deep steadying breath before walking towards his jet again, and Rooster tried his hardest to ignore Hangman. It wouldn’t be productive to hurt his feelings before we fly.

Hangman clearly had other plans. “You’re up to this, right Rooster?” He asked, smirking.

Rooster rolled his eyes. “I’m fine, Hangman.” Rooster thought about showing Hangman his texts with Eliza, but thought better of it. Be the bigger person. He thought. “Are you up for this? I’d hate for you to get shot down in more ways than one today.” The bigger person, not the ‘biggest’ person.

“Ha ha.” The smile had been wiped off Hangman’s face. “Let’s just focus on the mission.”

Rooster snorted, climbing into his jet. “Sure, Hangman.”

Eliza was still sweating after sending that text to Rooster. He didn’t reply, but Phoenix had told her they were starting flight practice, so Eliza was trying not to worry that Rooster was creeped out by her.

“Elle, you okay?” Penny was looking at Eliza concernedly. “You look a little shaky.”

Eliza cleared her throat, “Fine.” She cleared her throat again, “No seriously, I’m fine.”

Penny frowned. “If you say so.” She looked back up at Eliza again, furrowing her brow. “You’d tell me if something was going on, right?”

“Of course!” Eliza glanced at the patrons at the bar and gestured Penny closer. “I’ve just got some nerves about the whole ‘Rooster situation,’ you know?”

Penny squeezed Eliza’s arm, “Why?”

“I just was a little bold in a text message and he saw it, but didn’t respond.”

“What?” Penny looked furious.

“I mean I know he’s in flight practice right now, but it just was a really terrible time for him not to be able to respond anymore.” Eliza shuddered slightly, “I just have anxiety brain.”

Penny smiled kindly, “He’ll respond! I’m sure you don’t need to worry.”

Eliza sighed and shrugged, “You’re probably right.” She smiled. “It’ll be okay.” She was mostly trying to convince herself that it really was going to be okay. What if I’ve completely misread the situation? She wondered. Maybe he’s not responding because he doesn’t know what to say.

Then an hour went by, and another, and Rooster still hadn’t texted Eliza back. Eliza was growing nauseous, but trying to appear calm on the outside. As she was doing last call, Eliza felt her phone buzz in her pocket. Her breath caught in her throat, and Eliza pulled out her phone to see who had texted her.

“We’re finally done with flight practice. You’re not still working, are you?”

It was Hangman. Eliza sighed and texted back:

“Just did last call. How did practice go?”

Eliza sighed again, wondering why Rooster still hadn’t texted her.

“😖”

Eliza chuckled.

“That bad?”

“That bad.”

Eliza groaned, leaning against the bar while Penny closed out people’s tabs. “You’re not fooling me, Elle. Something is going on.”

“I’ll tell you when we’re closing.”

“Is everybody out of practice?”

“Damn, and here I felt a little special for a second. But no, I got done with my punishment push ups first, so I get to fall face first into my bed for about 5 hours until I go back to practice.”

Eliza breathed a sigh of relief. Rooster will reply soon. She tried to soothe her nerves, as she texted back:

“That’s criminal. How many push ups did you end up doing?”

“500 again.”

“I’m disgusted on your behalf.”

“I appreciate the concern.”

“What in the world is going on tonight?” Penny was standing in front of Eliza, hands on her hips.

Eliza took a deep breath. “I guess I’m still feeling weird from this morning, with Hangman and all that.”

Penny nodded, “That makes sense.”

“I just wasn’t expecting him to ask me out!” Eliza said, throwing up her hands. “I literally just froze up for like fifteen seconds when he said it, I had no idea what to think.” Penny cut her eyes at Eliza and shrugged. “What?”

Penny stopped wiping down the counter and looked at Eliza. “You really weren’t expecting him to ask you out?”

Eliza pursed her lips, thinking for a moment. “Okay, well in retrospect, maybe there were some signs that it was on his mind.”

“You think so?”

Eliza laughed, “Okay, okay! I guess I just wasn’t expecting him to ask me out right then.”

“And does Rooster know?”

“I actually don’t know.” Eliza shrugged, “I wouldn’t be surprised if he found out at flight practice.”

“So exactly what happened with him?”

“Basically nothing. He still hasn’t texted back, but Hangman said he was still at flight practice.” Eliza groaned, running her fingers through her hair. “I haven’t been nervous about anyone in a long time, and it’s weird.”

Penny nodded, “I know what you mean, Elle.” She picked up a crate full of empty bottles. “I really don’t think you have to worry with Rooster.”

As she said that, Eliza’s phone buzzed again.

“Eliza, my admiral doesn’t want me to be alive anymore. Or at least he doesn’t want me to have arms that work.”

“Oh my God! Speak of the devil.” Eliza looked up at Penny. “He kind of just ignored my last message, though.”

“Well, text him back!” Penny gestured at Eliza’s phone excitedly.

“Tell him that I’m coming after him when he least expects it. His military training cannot protect him from me.”

“I don’t doubt that.”

Eliza smiled down at her phone, feeling more relaxed by the second. “Feel better now?” Penny smirked at Eliza.

“Much.”

“Well, go on and get out of here, get some sleep.” Penny smiled at Eliza. “It’s what, ten minutes past when you were supposed to leave?”

“I was ten minutes late this morning, so it’s only fair. Even if I didn’t really help at all the last ten minutes.” Eliza smiled, grabbing her stuff. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Aunt Penny!”

Eliza typed out a message to Rooster as she walked out of the Hard Deck.

“Hangman mentioned that this mission is a pretty big deal…”

“All I can say is I’m more nervous about this one than my last one.”

Elza groaned as she sat down in her car. The idea of something happening to Rooster made Eliza’s stomach fall into her feet.

“Well, I’m giving you strict orders to come home safe. You’ve got somewhere to be.”

Eliza ran her fingers through her hair and rested her forehead on the steering wheel for a moment before starting her car, praying to whoever was listening that Rooster would be with her at the wedding. God, how could I go without him? She wondered as she drove home.

Rooster was exhausted, but couldn’t go to sleep as long as Eliza was replying. He’d found himself missing her throughout the day, and Rooster was caught off guard. It had been a long time since Rooster had missed anyone, he’d been so focused on his progress as a pilot over the past few years that he couldn’t remember the last real relationship he’d had. Eliza wasn’t like anyone he’d ever met before, and Rooster didn’t want to fuck it up. The wedding was his driving motivation right now. Rooster was going to take it as seriously as possible, because he was determined to come home.

“Don’t worry about me, I’m going to be just fine.”

Rooster swallowed hard, hoping he wasn’t lying to Eliza. The team had managed to complete the mission almost all the way, but Rooster and Hangman had either gotten shot down or missed their mark every time except for one. There were only ten days until the mission, and they weren’t progressing fast enough for Rooster to feel confident.

“If you die, I’ll have to go on a mission to find out who did it and fuck their mom.”

Rooster laughed out loud and replied:

“Well, we may not have to worry about it if I die of sleep deprivation first with these insane schedules they’re putting us through.”

“Then I had better let you go to sleep! Dream of me getting you shitfaced and then come to the Hard Deck tomorrow evening so I can make it come true.”

Rooster smiled, “I always do.” He said aloud.

“You can count on it.”

Eliza loved the message, and Rooster finally felt like he could go to sleep.

Rooster suddenly found himself on the beach, sitting and watching the surf by himself. He heard footsteps behind him, and when he turned, it was Eliza walking toward him wearing the outfit she’d been in the first day he’d met her: a black bikini with denim cut offs. Eliza was grinning at him, “Hey Rooster.” She came and sat down in the surf next to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“I’m glad you’re here too.” Rooster said, suddenly feeling confident enough to put a hand on her knee, feeling extremely comfortable. Eliza placed her hand on his leg, a little higher up than a friend would have placed their hand, and squeezed it lightly, lifting her head off his shoulder to look at Rooster. He noticed how close together their faces were, and Rooster felt a rush in his stomach as he leaned in to Eliza and kissed her. The taste of her lips was intoxicating, and chills ran down Rooster’s spine when she brought a hand up into his hair, tugging on it gently to pull him closer. They were kissing more deeply now and Rooster felt Eliza’s hand moving over his chest. Not being able to stand there being any distance between them anymore, Rooster pulled Eliza onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

To Rooster’s surprise and pleasure, Eliza wrapped her legs around his waist, grinding down on his stiffening cock slightly. Rooster groaned as Eliza pulled away from him, looking deeply into his eyes. “I need you, Rooster.” She whispered, kissing and sucking on his neck gently. Rooster was in heaven, running his fingers through Eliza’s soft waves. Eliza moaned in response and began grinding down onto him in earnest, sending waves of pleasure through Rooster.

“What do you mean ‘need?’” Rooster asked her, pulling back gently to smile at Eliza.

Eliza’s eyes were dark, her irises barely visible around her pupils, and she grinned back at him, “You know what it means.”

“I want to hear you say it.” Rooster said, gripping her ass.

“Rooster,” Eliza said, looking him dead in the eyes, “I need you to fuck me.”

“Your wish is my command.” Rooster picked Eliza up, tossing her back onto the sand gently, pulling his shirt off and tossing it to the side, eliciting a smirk out of Eliza. Rooster pulled her denim shorts off, leaving her just in the black bikini that was burned into Rooster’s mind. As he took in Eliza’s body greedily, Rooster felt breathless, running his hands gently over her curves.

“Well, are you going to fuck me or just look at me?” Eliza asked, wrapping her arms around Rooster’s neck.

Rooster growled, lifting Eliza up again to untie her bikini top, his hands immediately going to need her chest before pressing himself against her to kiss her again. The warmth of Eliza’s skin made Rooster’s legs weak as he ground against her. Eliza lifted her hips, pulling off her bottoms, tossing them aside and grinning at Rooster.

Rooster took the opportunity and moved down between her thighs, putting her legs over his shoulders. He couldn’t believe how sweet Eliza tasted, and the soft moans already falling from her mouth were making it hard for Rooster not to cum. Rooster felt Eliza’s legs tense up and she came undone as he licked and sucked gently at her clit. “Fuck, Rooster.” She groaned.

“You mean ‘Fuck me, Rooster.” Rooster growled, wiping her off his chin.

Eliza moaned again, “Yes, please.”

Rooster pulled his shorts off slowly, watching Eliza’s eyes following his hands. “See anything you like?”

“A few things, but I bet you could sweeten the deal a little bit.” Eliza grinned at him and Rooster smiled, pulling his shorts the rest of the way off, his cock slapping against his abs as he slid his waistband down. Eliza’s eye widened as she stared at his cock, before bringing her eyes back up to meet his, a huge smile on her face.

“Good enough for you?”

“Perfect.” Eliza replied, licking her lips and she grabbed his cock sliding her hand up and down him a few times.

Rooster’s hips stuttered into Eliza’s hand, and he groaned, “Baby, it's taking everything I have not to bust right now.”

Eliza smiled again, wrapping her legs around Rooster, pulling him closer. “Come on, then.”

Rooster laughed breathlessly, lining himself up with Eliza, rubbing the head of his cock gently against her sensitive clit, making her buck her hips and drop her head back in pleasure. “You think you’re funny, don’t you?”

Eliza laughed, “I am funny!”

Rooster thrust into her, making her gasp and squeeze her legs around him. Rooster groaned, Eliza felt amazing wrapped around him, so warm and tight, he almost came immediately, but forced himself to hang on as he began rocking his hips, gently picking up speed. Eliza moaned Rooster’s name, egging him on, and he felt like he was in heaven. “Fuck, this is amazing.” He groaned.

Eliza smirked at him, “An understatement, I would say.” She gasped.

Rooster chuckled, gripping Eliza’s hip bones to bring her hips into his thrusts. “I’m so close, Eliza, where do you want me to cum?” In response, Eliza wrapped her legs around him tighter and looked Rooster dead in the eyes with a grin. “Oh fuck.” Rooster’s pace grew uneven as he filled her.

“Shit, Rooster.” Eliza looked up at him with wide eyes and her mouth slightly agape, her pupils still the size of saucers and Rooster had to close his eyes, unable to handle it anymore.

Beep beep beep

“Fucking again?” Rooster groaned, sitting up in bed. He shook his head, Rooster couldn’t afford to be thinking about Eliza today. If he and Hangman didn’t hit the target, Bates was probably going to kill them.

Rooster picked up his phone to text Eliza:

“You’re a witch because you were in fact in my dream last night.” Smiling to himself, Rooster felt good about that text, then realized that Eliza was probably going to ask him what he dreamed about. Well, fuck. I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it, I guess.

Thanks for reading this! I'm not super experienced writing smut, so feedback is welcome!!

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incognito-diary · 13 hours

Text

I stopped talking as much with him during the surgery recovery (a natural result of sleeping a lot and spending time with the person helping me recover) and let me say-

The time apart did not help my feelings at all.

Sure, I thought about it less. You know what? My world was also less vibrant without his presence in it. Now that we’re getting back into the swing of sharing every thought of the day with each other, of getting together to watch movies or play games, the feelings have surged back and are worse than before.

I’ve caught myself thinking about him in a romantic way more and more frequently, and my coping mechanism of trying to make myself numb to these thoughts or to excuse them by thinking of their frequency as a lack of control on my part is falling away. I’ve come out too many times, and my closeting strategy is weak.

I think we’ve officially crossed the threshold from “please tell me you don’t think the same so that I can move on” to “I will be heartbroken if this isn’t reciprocated”. It’s not to say I wouldn’t find a way to deal with it if my feelings are unrequited. Our friendship is still my number one priority and I do believe that having confirmation that it’s not returned would help me properly grieve and move on. I just deeply, deeply desire them to be returned.

I am so in love with the way he thinks, and the way he puts his creative thoughts together to create things unlike anything I’ve seen before and yet are perfectly appealing to my specific tastes. He is always opening my eyes to new things, and to the beauty of things that I have long disregarded or distanced myself from.

I am so in love with how he knows exactly what words to say, to the letter, to make me feel better when I’m down. The balance of validating feelings to practical help even when that help is hard to hear honestly feels like a magic trick.

He’s honestly the most amazing person I know. No one else comes even close. It is an honor in and of itself to have captured the attention and affection of such a person.

I have definitely been driven to madness, for sure.

I love you. I want to say it all the time, explicitly. I adore you. I want to know what it’s like to kiss you. I want to have those little intimate moments. I want to be able to be physical with someone I already know I feel no shame with.

If you’re so observant and emotionally intelligent why haven’t you figured it out yet??? I am not a subtle person.

Do you feel the same way and you just can’t share it because you’re in a position to lose both a best friend and a long term project and a fiancé if you’re wrong? Have you pretended not to notice for that reason? Are you actually truly unaware?

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mrsbsmooth · 5 months

Text

Scripts - S7 - Episode 19 (Daybeds - OG)

Daybeds & Breakfast with an OG Boy

OG Boy route

You slip out of the room in search of {0}.

You make your way over to the daybeds where you find {0}.

{0}_FLIRTY: You found me!

PLAYER_FLIRTY: I had a hunch you’d be out here.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Plus Uma told me you might be out here.

{0}_HAPPY: That girl knows everything!

{0}_FLIRTY: Come and join me.

You make yourself comfortable beside {0}, looking up at the stars.

{0}_FLIRTY: You look out of this world tonight, {1}.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Thanks!

{0}_FLIRTY: You never cease to amaze.

{0}_FLIRTY: I couldn’t be more lucky to be out here with you.

PLAYER_HAPPY: It’s such a beautiful evening.

{0}_FLIRTY: And with the most beautiful company.

Flirt back

PLAYER_FLIRTY: I think you’ll find that’s you!

PLAYER_FLIRTY: You’re practically glowing in the moonlight.

{0}_FLIRTY: Thanks, I do try.

{0}_HAPPY: My mates always say I look my best in the dark…

PLAYER_HAPPY: That’s not what I meant!

{0}_FLIRTY: I know. Just kidding.

{0}_FLIRTY: I like it when you flatter me.

{0}_FLIRTY: But I love flattering you even more.

PLAYER_FLIRTY: I’ve noticed!

{0}_FLIRTY: You on the other hand look gorgeous in any light.

{0}_FLIRTY: It’s very annoying.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: Annoying?!

{0}_HAPPY: Yeah! How come you get to look so effortlessly gorgeous all the time.

{0}_FLIRTY: You’re quite the romantic though.

{0}_FLIRTY: Feels pretty special to get a compliment from you.

PLAYER_FLIRTY: I’ve got plenty more where that came from.

{0}_FLIRTY: You always look perfect come rain or shine.

{0}_FLIRTY: And so effortlessly. But you look unbelievably gorgeous tonight.

PLAYER_FLIRTY: You flatter me.

{0}_FLIRTY: I think we’ve got a beautiful night ahead of us.

Play it cool

PLAYER_HAPPY: I see you’ve got your full charm on, {0}.

{0}_FLIRTY: Only for you, {1}.

{0}_FLIRTY: Is it working?

PLAYER_FLIRTY: Only time will tell.

{0}_FLIRTY: That’s something worth waiting for!

Friendly response

PLAYER_HAPPY: I’m glad to be out here with you, {0}.

{0}_HAPPY: Me too, {1}.

PLAYER_HAPPY: You’re really fun to be around.

{0}_HAPPY: There’s no one I’d rather be spending my time with.

PLAYER_HAPPY: You’re very sweet, {0}.

{0}_HAPPY: It feels like only yesterday that we met in Casa Amor.

PLAYER_HAPPY: I know! We’ve been through so much already.

{0}_HAPPY: In such a short space of time too.

{0}_HAPPY: We made it all the way back to the villa.

{0}_HAPPY: And despite everything that’s happened, we’re still here.

{0}_HAPPY: Can you believe how far we’ve come?

I knew we’d make it

PLAYER_HAPPY: I knew we’d make it this far.

PLAYER_HAPPY: We make a really solid pair.

{0}_HAPPY: I knew it too.

{0}_HAPPY: And I couldn’t agree more.

We’ve still got a way to go

PLAYER_IDLE: We’ve definitely gone through it.

PLAYER_IDLE: I think there’s still a way to go.

{0}_SURPRISED: Wow, that sounds intense.

PLAYER_IDLE: There’s still a lot of the villa left.

{0}_IDLE: Yeah, I guess you’re right.

I’m still getting my head round it

PLAYER_IDLE: I can’t believe so much has happened in just a few days.

PLAYER_IDLE: I think I’m still getting my head around it.

{0}_IDLE: That makes total sense.

{0}_IDLE: It’s been a whirlwind.

{0}_HAPPY: But I’m glad I’m doing it with you.

{0}_SURPRISED: I’m still shook that Travis just stole you like that.

{0}_SURPRISED: I’m still shook that Vicky just stole you like that.

{0}_SURPRISED: I thought coming back to the villa would be plain sailing.

PLAYER_IDLE: I don’t think either of us were expecting it.

{0}_FLIRTY: I shouldn’t have been surprised that other people wanted you too, {1}.

{0}_FLIRTY: You’re an absolute catch.

PLAYER_FLIRTY: That’s sweet of you to say.

PLAYER_FLIRTY: So, are you glad you twisted away from {0} to me?

{0} looks you right in the eyes.

{0}_FLIRTY: Best decision I’ve ever made.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Really?

{0}_FLIRTY: I’ve never felt so sure about anything.

{0}_FLIRTY: It was so worth it. It’s just a shame we aren't an official couple anymore.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Well, we are here together now.

{0}_FLIRTY: I wouldn’t have it any other way.

{0}_FLIRTY: I don’t know how you feel…

{0}_HAPPY: But I feel like we’re entering the next stage of our relationship.

PLAYER_IDLE: You think so?

{0}_HAPPY: I know so. I’m excited and ready for it.

{0}_HAPPY: Are you ready for it?

I’m so ready!

PLAYER_HAPPY: I’m ready for everything we have in store, {0}.

PLAYER_HAPPY: I can’t wait to see what the future brings.

{0}_HAPPY: You’ve made me the happiest guy.

PLAYER_HAPPY: I’m pretty happy myself.

Let’s see how tonight goes

PLAYER_HAPPY: Let’s focus on tonight and see where it takes us.

PLAYER_HAPPY: I don’t want to think about the future right now.

{0}_IDLE: I’m happy just to be in the moment with you, {1}.

{0} turns to you with a glint in his eye.

PLAYER_HAPPY: You look like you have something to ask me?

{0}_HAPPY: You read my mind. I was just wondering…

{0}_FLIRTY: How would you like to spend the rest of our night together?

Let’s go all the way

You shoot {0} a romantic smile.

{0}_FLIRTY: Something about that expression on your face is exciting me.

PLAYER_FLIRTY: {0}, let’s go all the way together.

{0}’s eyes go wide in anticipation.

{0}_FLIRTY: I’d really like that.

{0} smiles as he leans in to kiss you.

He starts softly, before building up the pressure.

He parts your lips with his, then they meet again hungrily.

You grasp your hands around his back as he kisses down your neck.

You remove each other's clothes at the same time, letting your bodies press against each other.

He runs his fingers over your naked body, giving you shivers of pleasure.

You softly moan as his hands continue exploring your body.

He moves on top of you and you move rhythmically against each other.

The excitement builds and builds until you feel a rush of pleasure throughout your entire body.

You both fall back onto the bed, out of breath.

PLAYER_FLIRTY: That was amazing.

{0}_FLIRTY: The pleasure is all mine.

You snuggle into {0} in the little spoon position and he puts his strong arms around you.

You both fall asleep under the twinkling stars.

We could do bits

You shoot {0} a cheeky smile.

{0}_FLIRTY: Something about that expression on your face is exciting me.

PLAYER_FLIRTY: We could do some bits…

{0}’s eyes go wide in anticipation.

{0} smiles as he leans in to kiss you.

He starts softly, before building up the pressure.

He parts your lips with his, then they meet again hungrily.

You grasp your hands around his back as he kisses down your neck.

He runs his fingers over your body, giving you shivers of pleasure.

His hand continues running down your body.

The excitement builds and builds until you feel a rush of pleasure throughout your entire body.

PLAYER_FLIRTY: That was amazing.

{0}_FLIRTY: The pleasure is all mine.

You snuggle into {0} in the little spoon position and he puts his strong arms around you.

You both fall asleep under the twinkling stars.

How about a kiss?

PLAYER_FLIRTY: How about a cheeky kiss before we go to sleep?

{0}_FLIRTY: Sounds perfect.

He closes his eyes and leans in as you kiss him.

Softly at first, your lips gently touch as he caresses your cheek.

You part for a brief moment before being drawn back into the kiss.

It’s hungrier now, full of want and passion. He holds you tight and you feel like you are one.

The moment feels like forever until he pulls away, smiling.

{0}_FLIRTY: That never gets old. Every time feels like the first.

You snuggle into {0} in the little spoon position and he puts his strong arms around you.

You both fall asleep under the twinkling stars.

Let’s cuddle and sleep

PLAYER_HAPPY: I’d really like to fall asleep under the stars in your arms.

{0}_HAPPY: That sounds perfect.

You snuggle into {0} in the little spoon position and he puts his strong arms around you.

He strokes your hair as you feel your eyes getting heavier.

Until you both fall asleep under the twinkling stars.

Go straight to sleep

PLAYER_HAPPY: I’m ready to fall straight to sleep.

PLAYER_HAPPY: No cuddling tonight.

{0}_IDLE: Fair enough.

You wake up from a blissful sleep and open your eyes to another gorgeous day in the villa.

{0}_HAPPY: Good morning.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Good morning, {0}.

PLAYER_HAPPY: How did you sleep?

{0}_HAPPY: Next to you? Might be the best night’s sleep I’ve ever had.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Wow, that’s high praise.

{0}_FLIRTY: I’m surprised that we got any sleep at all.

{0}_FLIRTY: I don’t think I’ll be able to stop thinking about last night.

PLAYER_FLIRTY: It was definitely a night to remember.

PLAYER_HAPPY: It’s so peaceful out here.

{0}_HAPPY: I know, it sounds like no one else is awake yet.

PLAYER_HAPPY: I doubt it’ll be long.

{0}_HAPPY: Whilst we’ve still got time to ourselves, how about breakfast in bed?

PLAYER_HAPPY: What did you have in mind?

{0}_HAPPY: Hold that thought.

{0} jumps up and heads over to the kitchen.

You take in the view around you, until you hear his footsteps.

He’s holding a plate of pastries and fruit.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Oh wow!

He hands you the plate and gets comfy next to you.

Give him a pastry

You break off a piece of pastry and give it to {0}.

{0}_FLIRTY: Now <i>this</i> I can get used to.

Ask for a pastry

PLAYER_HAPPY: Send some of that pastry this way.

{0}_FLIRTY: I think I can manage that.

He passes the pastry to you.

PLAYER_FLIRTY: Thank you, {0}! What a treat.

{0}_FLIRTY: Anything for you.

Food fight!

You shoot {0} a ‘butter wouldn’t melt’ look.

{0}_HAPPY: It’s good right?

You pick up some of the fruit and throw it right at him.

{0}_SURPRISED: Ok, I was not expecting that.

He feigns upset, before grabbing a handful off the plate and throwing it right back at you.

You and {0} have a mini food fight.

You carry on until the plate is empty and your stomach hurts from laughing.

{0}_HAPPY: Let me clear this up for you.

He puts the plate back together so you can eat some of the salvaged bits.

Back to the villa

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leahthedreamer · 2 years

Text

4CC is over so we know what’s next…

#figure skating #beijing 2022 #beijing olympics #i can’t believe we’re days away from official practices #everyone is gonna fly out to China soon #these four years since pyeongchang FLEW #I’m so ready to see what goes down #excitement #been watching this damn sport since Sochi so I was indoctrinated into the theme of madness from the start #now here I am 8 years later still watching it 😭

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takenbypeter · 2 years

Text

I’m Yours

Peter Maximoff x reader

Word Count: 753

~~~~~

I don’t really celebrate Valentine’s day but I thought I’d write something for my speedy boy 🤍🤍🤍

~~~~~

Ever since you joined the institute you and Peter grew close pretty quick. You don’t know what it was but you two easily got along and eventually after time, you two started dating. Even after making it official, you both seemed to act pretty much the same and this never bothered you and it didn’t bother him, or at least you thought it didn’t, until one Friday night.

After training, you and Peter head to your local arcade where you two spent a couple hours battling, trying to beat the other’s hi-score.

Peter loved these dates. The determined look on your face, while your hands absentmindedly mashed the buttons. He just found the whole scene so adorable.

“I’m going to do it! I’m finally going to beat your score!” You shout eyes glued to the screen. One hand on the joystick and the other on the buttons, you squeal as your score barely passes his before you die. “Woo-hoo! Did you see that? I beat…” you spin around to where Peter was seated, “…you” your last word trailed off, realizing you were suddenly alone.

“Peter?”

He reappeared right as you asked for him, “Peter, look I beat your score!” You point at the screen excitedly.

“Damn, I’m going to have to practice more often.”

“Hey!” You shout slapping his shoulder earning an, “ow,” from him. “Be proud of me.”

“I’m kidding,” he grins, “good job.” It was a simple phrase but coming from him, it made you all warm inside. “And…in memory of this great accomplishment,” he reached behind him, “tadah!”

Held in his open palm was a thin silver bracelet. “Oh…wow.” You stare in awe unsure how to respond. He picks up on your confused expression.

“What? Don’t like it?” He asks. His voice rang jokingly but his eyes gave away his nerves. “No—I love it-“

“Good, because I got a matching one for me,” he held out his wrist, showing off the matching pair. While the whole matching set idea was very cute you couldn’t help but grow even more confused.

Grabbing him by the shoulders you grip onto his shirt, “Peter, blink twice if you’ve been brainwashed.”

He brushed your hands off his shoulder, “what? No, I’m not brainwashed.”

You gave him a skeptical look. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Then, why the set?”

“I can’t just do something nice for the person I love?” He bats his eyes, sugar coating his motive.

“You can, and I do appreciate this,” you add with a small grin, “but…this doesn’t seem like something you’d just do.” He puts a hand on his chest acting offended while you just continue to wait for an actual answer.

He doesn’t seem to have an answer at first but after a minute of you refusing to back down he finally comes out with it. “Sunspot asked me if you were single.”

“Okay…?”

“And I told him we’re together and can you believe, he didn’t believe me!”

“Well, I mean it’s not his fault he didn’t believe you, we don’t go around sharing it.”

“Yeah but I mean we’ve been together for months, people should know. So now if people don’t believe me, I have something to prove it!” He exclaims smiling while waving his wrist around.

“Peter, we don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”

“I know, I know. But this way people know you’re…mine?” He said the last part questioningly as if testing the waters and you gave him a look. “—I mean you’re not mine, you’re of course your own person, but you know. Just so other people know you’re well…mine.” His face scrunched together before he added, “I said it, I’m rolling with it.”

You couldn’t help but laugh at his little ramble which ended at the same conclusion, “Peter are you jealous?” You joke through some laughter, expecting him to decline but instead he answers, “yes.”

You’re taken aback by his straightforward tone. “Oh…well…then…you don’t have to worry about that because like you said…I’m yours,” you grin and he matches your expression. “And we don’t need some silly bracelet to know that.”

“Silly bracelet! Do you know how much I spent on that?”

You give him a look, already knowing his kleptomaniac tendencies. “Okay I stole it, but I figure we can buy charms to add to it.”

“Who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?” You ask again.

“I can’t just be romantic?”

“Nope,” you giggle, already picturing in mind what charm to add to your bracelet.

~~~~~

Hope you all had a lovely day 🌹

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ptergwen · 3 years

Text

that’s my boy

w/c: 0.8k

warnings: just the floofiest fluff

summary: you give peter the perfect start to his special day

a/n: no wayyyy it’s peter day y’all ! i can’t believe my favorite person literally ever is going another year around the sun like i’m kinda emosh about it? we’re still out here tho let’s turn it up in his honor <3 teehee i hope you enjoy my loves

you skip up the stairs to peter’s building with a goofy grin on your face, quickly finding your way inside. you’re hardly able to contain your excitement as you begin the ascent to his floor.

you’ll make sure today is everything peter could wish for and more, if it’s the last thing you do.

you’d coordinated with may to prepare the apartment for one of her annual birthday bashes while you take peter for breakfast and explore the city. it’s going to be perfect. you and peter will get some one-on-one time together, then you’ll come home and celebrate with all your friends.

after a few knocks at peter’s apartment door, may answers. she has a smile that matches yours and a box of streamers tucked under her arm.

“is he still asleep?” you question, peering down the hall to where peter’s bedroom is. may snorts and closes the door once you’re in. “hard to tell. you know him.” laughing yourself, you kick your sneakers off on the welcome mat. “he’s either been up for hours or out cold. no in between.”

“that’s our boy,” may agrees, your heart warming at that. she’s definitely responsible for shaping her nephew into the lovely soul he is. “why don’t you go in and wake him, huh? he’d rather you than me.”

you click your tongue and push up one of the backpack straps on your shoulder. “oh, that’s not true. we should do it together!” may pats your arm, her tender way of shooing you off. “no, no. i’ll let you kids have your moment. besides, i’ve got my work cut out for me.”

she gestures to a large pile of miscellaneous party gear covering the kitchen table. she’s sure as hell committed.

“well, good luck with that. i’m gonna go check on the birthday boy, then.” you beam at may, earning two thumbs up from her before you sneak over to peter’s room.

walking on tiptoes, you slowly open up his door to reveal your very own sleeping beauty. peter is buried underneath his blankets, on his stomach and hugging his pillow during his visit to dreamland.

there’s a sight to cherish.

you slide your backpack, which is carrying his gifts, off your shoulders and quietly shut the door behind you. your feet lead you straight to your boyfriend’s cozy bed.

“pete, hey,” you whisper and set a gentle hand on his back. “time to get up, babes. we’ve got stuff to do.” peter groans, shoving his face further into his pillow. “mm, sorry. peter can’t come to the phone right now,” he mumbles, you giggling when he swats your hand away. instead, your touch trails to his mop of curls.

you play along. “why not?” your fingers stroke through his messy hair, the sensation having peter practically purring. he turns his head so his cheek is smushed against the pillow and he’s looking at you. “‘cuz he’s sleeping. he says you’re welcome to join him, though.” a lazy smile paints his parted lips.

you’re not passing up a chance to snuggle him, especially not on his day. you have a bit until your reservations, anyway.

“i’ll bite. scoot over, bug boy.” you tug on his locks for emphasis. “you mean arachnid?” peter corrects, now smirking. “someone’s a bit cheeky today, aren’t they?” you rhetorically ask and nudge his side to move over. peter obliges this time.

he leaves a warm spot for you, pulling you in and under the covers by your waist. not expecting this, you squeal as you land on the mattress.

“i’m allowed to be,” peter insists and hides his face in the crook of your neck, where he peppers sloppy kisses that tickle your skin. “you know why?” he gazes up at you. you wind your arms around his own neck with a grin so wide your cheeks hurt. “because it’s your birthday.”

peter brushes the tip of his nose against yours, pecking your lips softly. “ding, ding, ding,” he sings. “happy birthday, peter benjamin parker. my hero, love of my life.” you capture his lips again in a longer kiss, peter chuckling into it. he lets out a content sigh.

“thank you, baby. love you forever,” peter rasps with his morning voice you adore so much. “and… always,” you finish for him. “times infinity,” he adds, giving you a short and final kiss. your legs wrap around his waist, both of your heads resting on his pillow.

his eyes hooded, peter runs his fingertips up and down your spine soothingly. “so, what stuff did we have to do? what’s on the agenda?” you situate your hands in the curls at the nape of his neck, humming. “just wait and see. you’re in for a real treat, peter.” he yawns and decides to lay his head on your chest. “mhm… can’t wait, y/n.”

“go back to sleep,” you lightheartedly command. “gladly. it’s too early for this,” peter grumbles. that was easy. “wake me in ten… hours.”

he secures his arms tighter around your middle, you laughing to yourself while he drifts off to you toying with his hair.

the perfect birthday has officially commenced.

#peter parker #peter parker fluff #peter parker x reader #peter parker x y/n #peter parker x you #peter parker imagine #peter parker fic #peter parker fanfiction #peter parker au #peter parker oneshot #tom holland #tom holland fluff #tom holland imagine #tom holland x reader #tom holland x y/n #tom holland x you #tom holland fic #tom holland fanfiction #tom holland oneshot

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keepingupwithfundies · 2 years

Text

we’ve decided to close down the blog

Phew. After nearly five and a half years, I can’t believe I am actually writing this post. But here it is. For the past few months, we’d been discussing officially closing the Keeping Up With Fundies (KUWF) inbox for good. The combination of the increasingly busy lives of the admins with Josh’s conviction for possession of CSAM has led each member of the admin team separately to realize that it was time to close the inbox one last time.

So, here it is. We’re going to permanently close the inbox on April 17th, in the evening. After that point, we won’t be posting on this blog any longer. This is slightly anti-climatic, due to the lack of posts recently, but we decided we still wanted to take a moment to close this down rather than simply fading away quietly.

To be clear, though, we aren’t deleting the blog, or the blogspot or anything. We’re going to leave it all up. But there won’t be any new posts and you will no longer be able to send in asks.

Ok, end of announcement. I’m going to take a second just to share my own thoughts.

In some ways, this is bittersweet. This blog really has meant a lot to me over the years - especially due to the connections I’ve made with the other admins and other bloggers here on tumblr. The nights spent chatting on the discord, waiting for an announcement. The polls I worked hard on to entertain people throughout the early pandemic. Typing up recaps in between law school classes. Those early days on Skype with Annie, talking through how we wanted the blog to look. I have some really fond memories of my time as an admin.

However, ultimately, this decision feels very right. First, my life has changed pretty drastically. I was an undergrad when I joined the blog, and now I’m a practicing lawyer. And second, things for the fundies have also changed very drastically. I feel like 2016, when I joined the blog, felt like the beginning of the fundie influencer era with Jinger’s wedding, and now they’ve all got a vitamin or hair tool to sell you. The shows have come and gone. And Josh’s conviction has made it really difficult at times to follow these families. It is time to shut this door.

So, thank you for following along with us throughout the years. Even though it feels strange to say given the subject matter, this blog really truly was something special for a while there.

Below, each admin is going to share their own little piece about their time on the blog. Mary was unable to write an addition to this post, but sends her best wishes to all going forward. And if you’re looking for me, I’ll still be hanging out on tumblr at @keepingupwitht. But my season of life with KUWF is coming to an end, and it was really neat.

-T

From Em:

Thank you to the whole Fundie Tumblr community - collectively we’ve created a really cool place online where we can make friends while safely and kindly deconstruct toxic belief systems around us, be it in our own lives or in our media outlets. That’s super super cool. Thank you for letting me be part of that over the last few years, but most of all, thank you for being my friend. As the last year has unfolded with news from the Duggar (and the Bates) family, I’ve felt a sense of needing space to step out having to watch them so closely. To be able to shift my internal energy, as those families show themselves as a darker force.

I've been spending my time doing environmental work, nurturing my creativity, volunteering, and rescuing hospice shelter cats - all callings I need to follow.

I’ll be around here and there on my personal fundie blog @fundietrash and scrolling through fundie news every so often, but I’ll always be grateful for this super unique and wonderful experience ❤️

From Suz:

I am so thankful to have been a part of KUWF and to have worked with my wonderful co-admins. I'm thankful to the Fundie Tumblr community for the insightful discussions, mutual support, and compassion we've maintained for people in spiritually ab*sive situations. In the time that I've been a part of this blog, I've graduated from college and began a lifelong journey of land stewardship and farming. Social commentary on religious fundamentalism will always remain a part of my life, and I will surely carry my experiences from this blog with me. My mom used to lurk in Fundie discourse communities. She has since passed, so I've also been thankful to feel close to her through this process.

Many of us know the harms of religious extremism and were compelled to discuss these groups and families because of it. As the darker aspects of the families became more apparent, it became more difficult to analyze the reality of their lives and their actions. The hypocrisy, political extremism and ab*se became too dark to comfortably discuss.

There is hope for the children and adults who are stuck in spiritually ab*sive situations, and there is hope for all of us who have stumbled across this blog during our own religious deconstructions. I hope that this community and the relic of this blog will remain a safe space for people seeking solace in exvangelicalism. I will be around on my personal blog @echoesofthequiver and will remain a part of this community, although in a different capacity. Thank you everyone.

-Suz

#i don't know what to tag this one #the end i suppose #and thank you

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mikkomacko · 3 years

Note

So not sure if you’re going to understand this but here’s my idea: the team not knowing that the reader is dating both Bucky and Steve (Stucky) and they confront her and say some awful things like she’s using them, a cheating wh*re etc. and she just starts crying and runs and locks herself in their room (or whatever you’d like). Then Stucky comes back or out from somewhere looking for her and then they ask the team and the team tells them that she was “cheating” on both of them with each other and then they’re like no we’re all dating each other and the team feels all bad and you can end it how you want lol. You don’t have to do this and sorry if it’s bad.

A/n: Sorry it took so long! Hope it's ok! <3

Two Avengers dating would cause enough gossip in itself, but three Avengers? Two of which have been best friends since the 40s? She can't imagine what kind of reaction that would get out of Sam or Nat who have always teased Steve and Bucky about being really good friends.

So when y/n, Bucky, and Steve made their relationship official, they kept it as low-key as possible. Anything beyond cuddling was reserved for the privacy of their rooms, flirting had to be subtle, and all dates were far from the Avengers compound.

They just had to pray they could follow the rules and keep their hands to themselves when others were around.

Drumming her fingers on the folder, y/n heads up HR to submit her latest mission report. It was simple surveillance mission, nothing exciting to report on but she'd been gone for over a week and wanted to get the report in asap so it could be done with. Dropping it off on the incoming desk, she promptly turns on her heel to head to lunch but is stopped just outside of the doorway by a hand on her bicep. She's tugged into the hidden corner before she can even react, two strong arms caging her against the cool wall.

Bucky, dressed for a training session, stands before her, blue eyes sparkling and lips smiling. Immediately, her guard falls, lips widening into a smile that reflects the same love shining through Bucky's.

"Careful Barnes," she teases, "next time I won't be so kind about ya pawing at me."

He clicks his tongue. "Wouldn't be pawing if you'd come to see me as soon as you got back."

"Paperwork waits for no one. Not even Cap and Sarge."

He sighs playfully. "Damn doll, that hurts. Think ya should kiss it better."

So she does. Cupping his jaw between two soft palms, y/n seals their mouths together in a tender kiss, completely blind to Bruce and Tony who have just caught sight of them from down the hall.

Bucky heads down to the gym and y/n heads to room to clean up before lunch, ignoring his pleas for her to join him. She's technically on recovery from her last mission and she's definitely going to milk that for a day off. She's approaching her door when one just down the hall opens, a familiar blond head of hair coming into view.

She pauses, leaning her shoulder against the doorway and smiles at him. "Hey Cap, fancy seeing you here."

He lifts his head, soft blue eyes meeting hers and he smiles that cute little smirk only Steve Rogers could smile. "Hey, heard you got back early this morning."

"Yeah, way early." She laughs, tilting her chin up as he moves closer.

"How'd it go?"

He stops in front of her, crossing his arms over his chest and tilting his head. It's his typical go-ahead-I'm-listening stance but by the way he's eyeing her mouth she knows he doesn't actually want to hear it right now. Steve always tries to hide the fact that he's just as clingy as Bucky.

"Is that really what you're going to ask me, Rogers? After being gone for so long you want my mission run down right now?"

He chuckles, dipping his head and lightly shaking it. "No not really."

"So what's your real question?"

Bashful, he meets her eyes again. "Can I have a hello?"

Y/n laughs, butterflies fluttering in her chest as she rises on her tiptoes to kiss him. He gently grips her waist, pulling her just the slightest bit closer and humming in content. She throws her arms around his neck, fingertips shifting into the hair at the base of his neck, once again too caught up in her boyfriend to notice Nat and Sam have just spotted them from the end of the corridor.

"You'll never believe what we just saw!" Sam shouts, hightailing it into the kitchen with Natasha hot on his heels. Bruce and Tony both startle in their seats at the table, water sloshing over the edge of Bruce's mug.

"Nuh-uh, we're first." Tony says, shaking his head.

"No we are." Sam insists, Tony opening his mouth to continue the argument but Natasha cuts him off.

"Rogers and y/n are together."

And that makes Tony and Bruce pause. Sam whoops proudly, smirking at the two as they share looks of confusion.

"Steve and y/n?" Bruce confirms, eyebrows pinching together when Nat nods firmly.

Tony sighs. "Well that puts us in a bit of pickle because we saw Barnes with his tongue down her throat."

Sam's jaw drops. "What? When?"

"Earlier today!" Bruce exclaims, motioning towards the HR department. "She was dropping off paperwork and he just grabbed her and kissed her."

"Well we just watched Steve pin her against a door and kiss her not even ten minutes ago." Nat exclaims, anger building up in her veins. "Which means we've got a problem."

Sam turns to her, just as angry. "Damn right we do!"

Bottom lip between her teeth, y/n attempts to hide the giddy smile that's been plastered on her face since her reunion with her boys. It's a weak attempt because she's practically as bright as a ray of sunshine but she doesn't really care. She's happy. She's so incredibly happy and she wants it to last forever.

Unfortunately for her, the feeling is cut short far too soon because as soon as she enters the kitchen, 4 pairs of eyes are glaring at her.

"Hey everyone," she says tentatively, slowing to a stop. "what's going on?"

Sam scoffs, crossing his arms over his chest. "Why don't you tell us what's going on?" He says coldly, "You know besides you macking on our friends."

Macking on his friends? Oh god, Steve and Bucky! They found out about their relationship...

Her jaw drops, cut-off guard. "Wait! I can explain-"

"Cheaters don't get an explanation." Nat cuts off, eyes mean and piercing. Y/n heart sinks into her stomach. Cheating? She'd never cheat in her life, especially not on Bucky and Steve.

"Cheating? I'm not-"

Tony rises from his seat. "Save it y/n. We know you're cheating on Bucky and Steve with each other. How could you do that? They're like brothers and your just using them-"

"No I'm not!" She insists, panicking under the hateful gazes. "You guys don't understand. Just let me-"

"No!" Sam cuts off. "Bucky and Steve have both gone through so much. Do you realize how difficult it must have been for them to open up to you? And you thew it all away. You hurt them. You're a bitch y/n, full honestly."

Tears sting her eyes. Sam's never said anything like that to her let alone anyone they know. He's always been so kind and welcoming so to hear such hurtful words from him has her stunned. She can't even think of anything to say to defend herself.

"Y-you really think that lowly of me?" She sniffles, "That I would do something like that?"

"We saw it, y/n." Banner responds, nose scrunched in disgust. "Now get outta here before we throw you out."

Insulted and insecure, she shakes her head. "I can't believe you all." Then she turns on her heel, running to the safety of her room.

Bucky's spotting Steve on the bench press when the foursome of Avengers walk in, somber looks on their faces.

"Steve," Bucky says, gaining his attention. Immediately the super soldier is setting down his weights, sitting up to look at their friends.

"What's going on? Is someone hurt?" Steve asks, rising to his feet. Sam shakes his head, smiling sympathetically.

"No one's hurt," he assures "but we've got something to tell you."

Bucky swallows nervously, something in him going on high alert. He knows that this is about y/n, that something's happened and it makes him anxious. Where is she?

"What?" Bucky asks, noticing the lingering anger in Nat's eyes.

"It's y/n," she says "she-"

"She what?" Bucky interrupts quickly, readying himself to sprint upstairs.

"She's cheating," Tony says, eyes flickering between the two men. "On you two. With each other."

Oh, Bucky wasn't expecting that. He turns to Steve, the two sharing a silent conversation between themselves. They know? Looks like it pal. How'd that happen? I told you to be careful...

"Don't worry, we already gave her a piece of our minds-"

"You what?!" Steve suddenly asks, finally realizing what they're saying. They think y/n cheated on them because they don't know they're all three dating each other. And they confronted her about it.

"What did you say?" Bucky asks lowly.

"The truth," Sam says proudly. "that she's a bitch for using you both."

Before anyone can react Bucky is rushing towards the doors, abandoning his belongings in favor of checking on y/n. Steve doesn't mind, knowing that when it comes to being emotional and open, Bucky is typically the one she leans on. He's good at being a comforting shoulder.

"Oh god Sam," Steve sighs. "Y/n isn't cheating-"

"Yeah-"

"No she's not!" He shouts, startling them. "She's not. For the past few months we've been dating. The three of us."

The silence is almost amusing if Steve wasn't too busy thinking of his girl upstairs, upset.

"Like a throuple?" Bruce asks, confused.

Steve nods shortly. "Thanks for accusing her instead of talking it out. Appreciate it." He says icily, pushing around them. Stalking towards the exit, he calls over his shoulder. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a girl to go check on."

Bucky has wrapped her up like a burrito in the comforter from his bed on the floor of her room, leaning back against the side of the matress with her sat between his parted thighs. Her eyes are still wet and swollen but she's giggling through her sniffles, a spoon hanging out of her mouth and a bowl of soup in her lap. They both look up when he enters the room, Y/n smiling shyly and Bucky relieved.

"We ok sweetheart?" He asks, waiting for her nod before looking to Bucky.

"We're good Steve," he promises, sweeping her hair over her shoulder with his hand and brushing his fingers through it. "She was just frustrated. Didn't know they could think she'd do something like that."

"That's because she wouldn't," Steve says firmly, sitting on the floor next to them. "and we know that y/n. We know you'd never hurt us like that."

"I love you Steve," she swears, resting her head on his shoulder. "And I love you Buck. Thanks for doing this for me."

"Course doll," Bucky says, kissing the side of her head. "Don't have to thank us for loving you." Steve hums his agreement.

"But..."Bucky quickly adds, "you can thank me after I beat Sam's ass for calling you that."

Steve sighs, rolling his eyes. "Buck..." He says warningly but he doesn't even finish the scolding thought because their boyfriend's threat has made y/n smile and that's all they could ever ask for.

#stucky x reader #stucky blurb #Steve Rogers x reader x Bucky Barnes #bucky barnes blurb #steve rogers blurb

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kkusuka · 3 years

Note

I’m so proud I’ve been here long before 2k💁🏼‍♀️ N E WAY CONGRATSSSSS!!!

Can I have fluff 16 with a twist tho, like “My ex just invited me to their wedding and I need you to be my date so it doesn’t look like I’ve spent the last few years being single and hunting down weird things most people can’t even see." with Gojou, Fushiguro, Itadori and a fem reader? If 3 characters are way to many you can keep only Gojou. Keep being amazinggg<3

thank you so much!! <3

Gn!Pronouns, but you are implied to be female!

Cw: an itsy bitsy hint of angst, slight confessions, reader panics,

a/n: these were almost criminally fun to write, I love these three so much

Gojou Satoru

Words: 700

You had no idea how a simple piece of paper could make you feel. Awkward, confusion, shock, all from one note that you thought was a bill.

‘Y/n L/n save the date!’ was the last thing you had expected, from your ex-boyfriend nonetheless. The same guy who dated you for a whole three years before telling you over text that it wasn’t going to work out.

Well, the both of you never had a bad relationship after, but you were a severe level of butthurt. But what made you really freeze was the plus one invitation, if you showed up to your ex’s wedding you would look like a loser.

Since you were clearly going, you’d never miss on free food and a chance to have a day off, you needed an outfit and a date. The outfit was pretty easy to figure out, you’d go shopping on the weekend and buy something then.

But someone to go with? You had about three friends whom you knew could not afford any days off and that you just didn't want to take. (at least you had some last resorts) Then, another problem, if they weren’t part of the Jujutsu world it would be harder to explain if you had to abruptly leave, which was a huge possibility this time of year.

With that, your options were cut down to two- Nanami and...Gojou, of all people.

Obviously, you tried, emphasis on tried, Nanami first. But after 24 missed calls and a 15-second conversation where he basically told you to shove it, you were in full-on panic mode. The wedding was in three days and you had to do something about your inevitable loneliness.

You had to get over yourself, the worst Gojo could do was make fun of you or say no. But, he never passes up the opportunity for sweets, just lay on the dessert y/n!

“To what do I owe this sweet phone call Y/n? Confessing your love for yours truly?” his voice laughed through the line. You just had to ask him in a way that would compel him to want to come with you.

“My ex just invited me to their wedding and I need you to be my date so it doesn’t look like I’ve spent the last few years being single and hunting down weird things most people can’t even see." you blurt not even thinking about the words falling from your lips.

You come to realize your words from the ringing silence in your ears, “I’m sorry I just-”

“I’ll come” he answered, cutting off your apologies. He’ll come, you didn't even have to say anything about sugar or bribe him into coming.

“You’ll come? Really? Why-wait Thank you! It’s on Saturday at 3 pm, we can go together if that makes things better! Thank you so much, you just saved me Gojo! How can I make it up to you!” you were just spouting whatever you could to thank him, listening to his daughter from his side.

“Why wouldn’t I want to spend time with my little Sugar? You can make it up to me by wearing your prettiest little dress so we’ll be the hottest couple at the wedding.” he teased, continuing ranting about how you should match colors to add ‘flare’.

“While we’re there we can start planning our own wedding! Doesn’t that sound fun Sugar!”

Fushiguro Megumi

Words: 700

“What even is that” Megumi’s voice rang through the office hallway. You’d like to know too, you haven’t spoken to anyone from your hometown, save for our family, since you moved away six years ago.

“I’m not totally sure, you want to open it with me?” you question opening the door to your office as he silently follows you in.

Settling the rest of the mail down, you take a closer look at the suspicious envelope noticing the name on the return address. There's no way! Why the hell was your ex sending you things to your official workspace?

“What’s wrong? Is it bad?” Megumi doesn't know what to do, your face went pale and you looked super confused.

“Oh, nothing really. I’m just surprised, it’s from my ex” well now he was frozen, was it a love letter? Why was he sending you stuff, he just hoped that it wasn't bad, you had enough on your plate and you didn’t need more.

Opening the envelope to see flower patterns and script lettering; you know exactly what this letter will be telling you. Just as you suspect a date plastered on the card along with two all familiar names flood your senses.

“He’s getting married!” you couldn't believe it, why would he invite his high school ex to his wedding, it was an odd choice, to say the least.

“That’s cool I guess, anyway I gotta go, have fun,” he murmured leaving the room and letting to wonder if you were even going to show up in the first place, but at the moment you send an email and reserve a spot for yourself and admittedly a plus one that didn’t exist.

You would figure it out in due time!

❍❍❍

You did not figure anything out and the wedding was tomorrow. No one in their right mind would drop everything to come to some random wedding. Your point proved when Itadori explained he had plans to go see a movie marathon with Jumpei that he just couldn’t cancel.

Not even Nobara would spare you some mercy, she and Maki were having a pre-planned girls' day, one that you would be going to if you hadn't agreed to go to some random wedding.

Now you could only pray that Mehgumi felt enough pity that he would go with you. Deciding that a call would be too impersonal and would be easier to say no over, you make your way to his apartment with a box of dumplings that you knew he loved.

“Gumi-chan? Open up please!” you knocked on the door waiting for him to come, him appearing a few seconds later; hair messy in sweatpants and a black tank-top. No- this isn’t about his body, it could be, but you had to get this settled first.

“Uh? Did I miss something? Why are you here?” his questions break you from your stare as you shove the food in his arms, gathering all the courage you could muster.

“These are for you and all you need to do is hear me out, please? I would really like you too!” you beg, watching as he silently commanded for you to continue.

“As you know, my ex just invited me to their wedding and I need you to be my date so it doesn’t look like I’ve spent the last few years being single and hunting down weird things most people can’t even see." you kept your head low as you explained to him what had happened, “I really need you to do this for me, I'll give you anything I swear! Just help me this once!”

“Why do you need me?” he mumbled, commanding your attention back onto his face.

“Because it’ll be fun and you need to get out.” ‘and this is my way of asking you out but not asking you at the same time’ goes unsaid.

“Fine, but you have to come to dinner with me the next time my dad asks.” that was it you, ultimatum, an easy one too.

“Deal! Now we have to match or it’ll look stupid, and we have to practice dancing and-”

“Dear Lord, what did I get into”

Itadori Yuji

Words: 600

You’d pinned the invitation above your bed as a constant reminder that you had to do something.

Not that you cared what your ex thought of you at their wedding, but something deep inside wanted to show him that you were happy without him.

And the only way to do that was to shove a hot guy down his throat; better yet, a totally hot guy that was into you. Now all you needed was a hot guy to be into you.

Well, you had a hot guy to go with you. In a desperate plea, you had asked your good friend Itadori, formally known as the vessel of another somewhat friend Sukuna, and he had agreed.

Just thinking about it made you cringe a bit; you had been freaking out and ran to his apartment, drenched in rain.

“My ex just invited me to their wedding and I need you to be my date so it doesn’t look like I’ve spent the last few years being single and hunting down weird things most people can’t even see," you explained frantically, waving your hands. Watching his face contort into every human emotion you could think of, before spreading into a smile.

“Of course I’ll come with you! It sounds like a blast!” of course Sukuna had a few choice words to say about that, something along the lines of, ‘you're not dragging me to some stupid event because you're lonely! I refuse!”

And he continued to complain throughout the night of planning and the next morning when you told him he was going whether he wanted to or not and he told you he’d rather die.

“This Wench will not dictate my life!” he spoke through a mouth on Yuji’s cheek, eye slit glaring in your direction.

“And I’m not letting some lame demon tell me what I can and can’t do with my friend!” you argued back.

But he didn't have a say anyway.

Now you were standing before a mirror, admiring how your dress wrapped around your body, waiting for Itadori to come to the door.

Hearing the knocks on your door, you grab a small bag and your invitations and your plus one, opening the door to Yuji in a three-piece black suit, staring at you with wide eyes.

“You look great-”

“You look crazy beautiful-”

Both of you freeze at the word mix-up, then breaking into laughter as you loop your arm through his outstretched one.

“Seriously you look great, y/n. You have that guy wishing he’d never let you go! Wait then you wouldn’t be with me, so just make him miss you a bit but not too much!” he stammered out as you continued your way to his car.

“You are the worst two humans in existence.”

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