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just-a-fangirl13 · 3 years

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Quarantine + N95 + Landline + Telescope + Social Distance

A small MacRiley piece I came up with while on twitter but the idea was so pure I had to write it...hopefully I can do it justice. If you want to use it go right ahead!

FAIR WARNING: its a quite cheesy and I teared up a bit...Just had the inspiration to write this one today I guess...

Mac’s singing was just teased yesterday so I took inspiration for this piece from that. Hope you like it!

Spoiler for season 5 I guess?!

*****************

Riley was cleaning up her room. Well technically it wasn’t hers. It was one of the rooms in Mac’s house. She had to keep reminding herself that this situation was not permanent. That she couldn't get too attached. The pandemic would eventually end and she would have to move out, but right now she was quarantining with Mac and Bozer.

it was dangerous. Bozer knew her secret and she knew Boze. Riley knew he would never tell Mac, but that didnt mean he wouldn't try and set them up anyways.

She rolled her eyes and smiled thinking of Bozer’s previous attempts at leaving them alone in the past few months, always slinking off to bed early with the fake yawns while they were watching Star Wars or even when they were all camping in tents around Mac’s fire pit because they were just that bored. Riley had told him to cut it out but he just played innocent. As if she couldnt read her little brother.

She grabbed the Chinese take out boxes off her desk looked over at her much cleaner room. She still had her new rig’s parts splayed out all over the desk surrounded by a bunch of wires and 2 screens. It was her little quarantine project and she was making good progress building up a rig from scratch.

Riley opened her room and door and was just about to close it and step out when she thought she heard a ukulele. Mac’s door was just slightly open and the sound of the string instrument was definitely coming from there.

She could tell Mac was strumming the strings and testing the notes, the woody sound of the ukulele reaching her ears as she stood outside her room which was close enough to his for her to hear now that her door was open.

But then he started singing, his voice floating through the air, through his room and out the door into the hallway, where Riley was now standing. She silently walked towards his door, being careful not make any sound so she could hear him play just for a few seconds.

Riley was completely taken aback. Mac could play the ukulele? She had never in her life thought Angus MacGyver could sing let alone play an instrument. She knew he loved his 80′s pop songs and had heard his occasional humming and impromptu jamming sessions while they were going anywhere in his truck but this was something else. Something she couldnt even describe.

His voice was soft and mellow as if he was just testing it and it felt personal. Riley felt like she was intruding but she couldnt make herself move. His voice had completely captivated her, holding her feet in place.

Of course Mac could sing and play the ukulele. He could save the world with a Swiss army knife and some paperclips. He could risk his life for people he didnt even know. People who didnt even deserve it at times. He was so many things to Riley. Her best friend, a part of her small family and the boy she was in love with.

The thought hit her all of a sudden. The exact way it had after they had stopped the German bomb from going off. All of a sudden she was back there holding Mac’s hand.

The thought that would change everything, hitting her like lightning.

The thought she had never considered. Never let herself think about. She was in love with her best friend.

That it had always been Mac.

Her mind betrayed her and it flashed back to the moment they had hugged and held hands in the barely standing building in Germany and then to the time he had reached for her hand when the Reaper missile intended for Codex was about to kill them.

He had never brought it up again and so Riley hadn’t either. Though she knew exactly what it was. Mac had held her hand because he was scared. It didnt mean anything. She remembered his words, what he had told her and nobody else, that he was afraid of dying alone.

That’s all it was in that moment. His fear.

Mac’s tone shifted to something less gentle but brighter and he was now singing lyrics she could almost make out and she smiled to herself.

Was he singing about Dr. Fauci? Riley strained to hear and she realised it was probably something Mac had written himself.

The words rhymed and flowed like a stream, Mac’s voice the current driving the song.

A huge grin spread across her face. Even during such a bleak situation, he had found something that had unintentionally brought a smile to her face.

It hurt a little knowing that she would never truly be able to tell Mac how much he meant to her. How much he had changed her life when he had got her out of that prison.

He had been a wreck the last 10 months because of Codex and she really wished she could have done more to somehow help him through it. To some how tell him things would get better. That his grief would lessen and his broken heart would heal.

That was why she had gone after him when he went rogue. She trusted him maybe even more than she trusted herself. She didnt hesitate even a second when she got a chance to ditch everything and save him. She would take that risk all over again.

Riley forced herself to walk away before Mac could find out she had been listening in.

******************

Bozer stood at the end of the hallway that led to Mac and Riley’s respective rooms, when he heard what he was sure was Mac singing. When he looked around the corner he saw Riley standing silently in the hallway lost in thought, listening to Mac play.

Bozer’s heart broke for both his best friends.

They were so close yet so far apart.

Riley had realised she had feelings for Mac. The last time he brought it up she was in denial. Bozer knew it hurt her every time he asked her how she was doing but he had to do it. He had to remind the one woman who had been there for Mac through thick and thin, that she had those feelings.

Bozer had to admit, even he had had his doubts when it came to Mac. Mac had been so broken and lost, that he wasn't sure if his best friend had finally shattered after his dad’s death.

But not Riley, never Riley. She risked everything when she went after him.

Her life. Her career. Her family. Her freedom.

He knew Mac had felt something for Riley years ago but had backed away because of Bozer, because Bozer was too blind to see that his genius best friend had a crush on Riley Davis, the newest addition to their team.

He wished he could go back and tell his old self that he and Riley would be great friends, close even.

But what Mac and Riley can have would be something for the history books. If only he had noticed those feelings in Mac sooner. He vowed to be more vigilant which is why he caught the looks between him and Desi.

Not like that had turned out well.

Eventhough Mac and Desi were still together-kinda- Bozer knew something had shifted between Mac and Riley. There was this undercurrent of something new, hiding just beneath the surface and it wasn't just from Riley.

Mac had faith in the universe so Bozer would too.

He silently asked the universe to get these two together, because no two people had ever been made more perfect for each other than Mac and Riley.

No other best friends he knew were this in sync with each other, had this much faith and trust in each other’s abilities and he knew that eventually no two people would ever love each other more than them

They just had to see it.

#macriley #macgyver #macxriley #macriley fanfic #Angus MacGyver #riley davis #macgyverfanfic #macrileyfanfic #wilt bozer #Lucas till #Tristin Mays #Justin hires #cbs #macgyvercbs

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refinedbuffoonery · 3 years

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Flawless (5)

masterlist.

Content Warning: swearing, violence, sex, PTSD, background drug use

*****

Riley waited a full week before talking to Nikki again. Probably not her best move, but Nikki didn’t need to be such a baby either.

Hey we need to book flights, Riley typed.

The three dots appeared and disappeared several times before Nikki sent back, Come over. Let’s do it together.

Ok.

An hour later, Riley hesitated before knocking on Nikki’s apartment door. She didn’t know why. She hadn’t done anything wrong. And yet here she was, standing outside like a timid guest instead of letting herself in like she always did.

Deep breath. “This is ridiculous,” Riley muttered to herself. Her knuckles collided with the wood in three sharp knocks.

Muffled footsteps approached the door, and then Riley was met with Nikki’s soft smile. “Hey,” the blonde said.

“Hey.” Crossing the threshold, Riley didn’t know what to do with her hands. She tried to put them in her front pockets before realizing her jeans didn’t have pockets. Nikki would take crossed arms the wrong way, so Riley clasped her hands in front of her. That felt wrong too. She settled on clasping her hands behind her back, slightly widening her stance like a soldier.

She’d learned that from an Army guy her mom dated once.

Nikki grabbed her laptop and set it on the kitchen counter. Looking at the screen, she said, “I started looking at flights before you got here. They’re all pretty expensive because it’s Fashion Week, but I think I’ve found some good options.”

Riley kept her distance, but she said, “Whatever you think is best.”

Nikki’s eyes slid to her, disbelieving. “Are you sure?”

Riley tensed. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You always have opinions on flights. Always.” That was true. When it came to running a job, Riley never let someone make a decision without her input.

But her apology had to start somewhere. If Desi, of all people, thought she needed to apologize, then she couldn’t just sweep this under the rug. And giving Nikki back some control after refusing to do so before seemed like a good place to start.

“You can pick. I trust you.” Riley shoved down the burning need to look over Nikki’s shoulder as her gut churned, unsteady and anxious without having complete control. She quickly wiped the grimace off her face, but it was too late. Nikki saw it.

“Riles, are you okay? You look like you’re going to puke.” Nikki studied her with a concerned frown.

Riley squeaked, “Yep. I’m good.”

Her friend wasn’t convinced. “You hate this, don’t you?”

“Just book the fucking flights, Nik.” She fought not to squirm the entire time Nikki worked, only relaxing after the deed was done and Nikki closed her laptop with a soft click.

“Need anything else?” Riley didn’t miss the clear dismissal in Nikki’s tone.

“Uh, yeah.” Riley awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck, just to give her hands something to do. “Jill told me about that jewelry designer who rented out the Louvre,” she said. “That wasn’t just a casual conversation you two had, was it?”

Nikki glanced down. “No, it wasn’t. But you already knew that.”

“Why not just tell me yourself?”

“Because you wouldn’t have listened to me!” Nikki tried and failed to speak calmly, her normally calm exterior crumbling with each word. “When I questioned you in the kitchen, you pulled rank and basically told me to shut up. If I had suggested an alternative target, you would’ve blown up in my face right in front of everyone!” A pause. “You’ve changed. The Riley I know doesn’t do things like that.”

Her words stung, but Riley kept her expression neutral, the way she’d learned to do in prison. “Desi thinks I still hold a grudge against you.”

“Do you?” Nikki asked softly. So, so softly, almost like she was afraid of the answer.

Nikki’s change in tone and the apprehension lining her eyes was enough to make Riley lower her guard. Not all the way, but just enough to say, “I don’t know. Maybe.” Nikki swallowed. “It’s complicated,” Riley backtracked, desperately trying not to make things worse than they already were.

“So how do we fix this?” Nikki asked. “Fix us.”

Talk to her, Jill had said.

“Talk about it, I guess. Not all today,” Riley quickly added, “but over time.”

“Okay.” Nikki chewed her bottom lip, and Riley waited, knowing her best friend had something more to say. Nikki’s voice was thick when she finally said, “It’s okay that you’ve changed. Of course you have. It’s not fair of me to hold that against you. And I’m sorry that it’s my fault you had to change to survive in there.”

Neither of them could say the word aloud. Prison. Riley could barely imagine a future where she could easily say it.

“Do you really blame yourself?”

“It’s hard not to.”

“That’s why you visited me so much, isn’t it? Because you felt guilty.”

Nikki looked down. “It should’ve been me in there, not you.”

“Bullshit. I made a choice, and I’d do it again if I had to.” Riley wasn’t entirely sure the last part was true, but it seemed like the right thing to say. Clearly it was, because Nikki met her gaze, eyes brimmed with tears and a sad smile just barely curving her lips.

“Thank you, Riley.”

The moment hung heavy in the air between them. Riley felt it then, the gravity pulling her toward Nikki—the same force that drew them together outside that art gallery all those years ago, like the universe was telling her they needed each other. Riley spent much of the last two years cursing the universe, but this...this was the one thing the universe did right.

Riley closed the distance between them in two long steps, flinging her arms around Nikki and holding her best friend tight, letting the hug convey the last thing she needed to say.

I’m sorry.

Nikki clutched her just as tightly, like she was afraid Riley would disappear again if she didn’t hold on tight enough.

Breaking the silence, Riley asked, “Do you want to go shopping with me?”

“Like Target and the grocery store shopping? Or maxing-out our credit cards on Rodeo Drive shopping?” Riley snorted. This was normal. Like it was before.

“I, uhh, tried on all my party clothes the other day, and none of them fit anymore.” Riley tucked her face into Nikki’s neck, not wanting to see the pitying look on her friend’s face. She expected another comment, or for Nikki’s hand to feel her ribs, but neither happened. Instead, Nikki simply pressed a kiss to her temple and continued to hold her, with no sign of letting go any time soon.

Almost as if she were an anchor, refusing to let Riley get swept out to sea.

*****

Riley studied her reflection in the bathroom mirror. The metallic red mini dress she’d bought earlier clung to her curves like she’d been wrapped in plastic. She’d expected pity as she pulled it off the rack, but Nikki had been nothing but reassuring. Even after Riley had sent her from the dressing room again and again to grab a smaller size.

She’d left with a pile of clothes small enough to fit a wraith-like body like Cage’s.

Now the team was at an exclusive party at a mansion in the Hills—courtesy of Cage’s endless social connections—for a little fun. And by fun that meant stealing stuff from a notoriously overbearing, sexist, and overall obnoxious director. He had it coming, to say the least.

Desi had to work— “Drunk assholes won’t bounce themselves out of the club,” she’d snarked—but Jill agreed to tag along. That way she could get her feet wet in a real heist and show the rest of the team what she could do.

The four of them—Riley, Nikki, Cage, and Jill—huddled off to the side of the spacious living room as Cage explained the plan. “Get a load of this,” she said, a feral grin lighting her face. It was one of the things Riley admired most about Cage, her passion for the job. “Six months ago, this guy paid millions at auction for a miniature painting. But because of the crowd that attends his parties, he hides it in his personal safe in his office so nothing happens to it.”

Considering the utter debauchery all around her, Riley didn’t blame him. Every guest had either a drink or pills in hand, often both, and she vaguely recognized the actor snorting cocaine off the kitchen counter. In the darker, more private nooks of the mansion, people slunk to the shadows to devour each other in semi-private. Riley made a point not to look too long in those directions.

Jill clearly hadn’t yet learned to do the same. She asked, wide-eyed, “Whose house is this?”

Nikki gripped her chin and turned Jill’s attention back to the group. “It’s better that you don’t know.”

Frowning, Jill questioned, “Why?” Always so many questions with her.

“Because you’ll chicken out.”

“I will not!” she shrieked. Nikki just smirked. “Okay,” Jill amended in a much quieter tone, “maybe a little.”

“Anyway,” Cage redirected. “I’ll go into the office first and make sure it’s empty.” And remove anyone who is there, she didn’t have to say. “Riley and Nikki will hack the safe—” they both nodded— “and Jill will make sure you two don’t leave any evidence behind.”

Riley itched to get her hands on that safe. Stealing that random man’s wallet a week ago had only made her more hungry to get back out there, doing what she did best. She eyed her team. “Don’t get caught.”

“Don’t get caught,” Nikki and Cage parroted, just like old times, and then Cage melted into the crowd, making her way to the office.

The remaining trio followed at a much slower pace, pretending to admire the eclectic collection of artwork hanging from the walls. Riley’s cursory glance snagged on a cartoonish painting of a pug driving a Porsche on some tropical highway. The director had bizarre taste. Knowing Nikki was doing the same, Riley kept the office door in her peripheral vision, waiting for Cage to reemerge.

Meanwhile, Riley pulled her phone from her clutch. To any onlookers, she was merely responding to a text message, but in reality she was hacking into the director’s home security system. It was easy enough, since the whole thing was connected to his WIFI, and the director was dumb enough to leave his network accessible without a password.

Although, it wasn’t like bypassing a WIFI password would’ve slowed Riley Davis down.

Riley didn’t understand this guy. He hosted drug-fueled ragers in his mansion, yet also cared enough about security to have interior cameras. Why would he want proof of what happens within these walls?

Unless…

Gagging, Riley refused to finish that thought.

Cage emerged a few minutes later with a wasted middle-aged woman in tow. She met Riley’s gaze just long enough for two slow blinks. Coast is clear.

Riley looped the office camera feed so it only showed the empty office, giving them plausible deniability of ever going inside. “Let’s go,” Riley murmured. She slipped into the now-empty office, trusting Nikki and Jill to follow.

The director’s office, like the rest of the mansion, was ultra-modern, all sharp angles and sleek, black and white furniture. A distorted statue of a giraffe was the only exception, standing beside the door like a sentry. It’s glassy black eyes made it seem like it was watching them. Freezing, Riley checked the angle of the camera she’d looped. It matched the giraffe’s eye-level perfectly.

Sneaky bastard. The camera was in the giraffe’s eye. Clever, but creepy.

Embedded in the far wall, behind the director’s messy desk, the safe was relatively new and very high-tech. And while the fancier ones were always harder to crack, user-friendliness came at the cost of security. In the case of this particular safe, the battery compartment for the keypad was part of the keypad itself, so the batteries could be changed easily. But that also meant that by taking out the batteries, someone like Riley would then have direct access to the wires inside the keypad, and thus, an easily hackable way in.

Nikki slid on a pair of cotton gloves before taking out the batteries and wiring the keypad to Riley’s phone. Riley reached back to brush her curls out of her face, but Jill stopped her with a firm hand on her forearm.

“Don’t touch your hair. You don’t want any loose strands to fall on the floor.” Riley raised her brows but did as she was told. “You should’ve worn your hair up.” Jill gestured to her own meticulously pinned bun. No stray hairs would be escaping that thing.

“Good to know.” Riley turned her attention back to cracking the safe.

It took just under a minute.

“Losing your touch?” Nikki teased. “That took forever.”

Riley rolled her eyes. “Shut up.”

Once the safe was open, they didn’t waste time poking around. All they cared about was the painting, no matter what other valuable things the safe contained. The painting was even smaller than Riley had pictured. The canvas itself could’ve fit in the palm of her hand, and the frame made the whole thing about the size of a birthday card.

Nikki shoved the painting down the back of her dress, the frame’s sharp angles hidden beneath her ridiculous fringed suede jacket. Considering how well it hid the painting, maybe Riley shouldn’t have made fun of it. But only maybe. It was still ugly.

Riley and Nikki locked the safe, and the trio slipped out of the office undetected.

In short, the heist was flawless.

Nikki immediately peeled off, joining Cage in flitting around the room and saying hi to all sorts of people. Nikki seemed to actually know several of the guests, although not nearly as many as Cage did. Cage was acquainted with everyone worth knowing in LA, plus quite a few who weren’t.

Riley much preferred to be a fly on the wall, watching but not interacting.

Jill stayed back with her, mouth agape at all the blatant drug use. “I’ve lived in LA for a long time, so I know that happens here,” she said, “but, like, it’s different actually seeing it, you know?”

A young couple knocked back a handful of pills with shots of something clear, and Riley grimaced. “You can join in if you want, although I don’t recommend it.”

“Absolutely not!” Jill squeaked.

“Good choice.”

Nikki made her way back to them, slinging her arms around Riley and Jill’s shoulders. “Ready to go?”

Riley had been ready to go the moment they’d locked the safe. If Jill’s overwhelmed expression was any indicator, she was ready too.

All that was left to do was collect Cage.

The blonde stood across the room, batting her eyelashes at an attractive, dark-haired man. Her airy giggle floated above the pulsing music at something the man said. Jill coughed. “Umm…”

Riley quickly put her out of her misery. “It’s fine. Cage flirts with everyone. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“She’s just like that,” Nikki added. “Stick with us long enough, and she’ll flirt with you too.”

“Doesn’t that upset Desi?” Riley and Nikki exchanged a knowing look. “Wait, what am I missing?” Jill hissed.

“So many questions,” Riley teased, linking arms with both blondes. Nikki laughed, and together they dodged wasted partiers on their way to grab Cage and go home.

~ Tag List ~ (let me know if you’d like to be added!)

@macrileyedits / @hellishrose / @incorret-macgyver-quotes / @mylifequotesshowallofthem / @thecarrieonokay

#beth writes #flawless au #macgyver #riley davis #nikki carpenter #samantha cage #desiree nguyen #jill morgan #macgyver fanfiction

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argylemnwrites · 3 years

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First Noel

Pairing: Drake Walker x MC (Riley Liu)

Book: The Royal Romance (It Couldn’t Wait Another Moment universe, set around Chapter 21 of that story)

Word Count: ~1800

Rating: R (language, as always)

Summary: As their first Christmas together approaches, Drake and Riley find yet another element of their backgrounds they share.

Author’s Note: Not me posting a Christmas fic after the holiday, hahaha. The truth is that I am trying to get back into the swing of writing, and since I have painfully neglected Why Are We Still Waiting? I wanted to write something in that universe (I haven’t forgotten about that sequel, I swear... if anyone else still cares about that fic, hahaha). The whole discussion of “Walker Christmas” is something that actually really resonated with me during The Royal Holiday. As someone who has needed to work many Christmases, my family would often pick a different day to celebrate to accommodate my schedule, so the Walkers celebrating after the official holiday really rang true to me. So, in the ICWAM universe, this is how Riley leans about that tradition (and posting it after the holiday was totally on purpose *cough cough*)

Riley knew she’d fucked up. There was no point pretending that she hadn’t. The bad part was that she couldn’t really fix it. She was stuck. She was going to have to tell Drake, and she was absolutely dreading it.

Since he’d come back from Cordonia, things had been good between them. Really good, actually. They really hadn’t had any fights or spats or disagreements even. They had both been trying to be open and supportive and it was working. But now, that was all going to change and it was all her fault.

She’d reflexively agreed to work Christmas without really thinking about it. When Cam had asked for volunteers, she’d thrown her name out there instantly. It had always been her habit, having never had anyone to celebrate with and knowing that the odds of getting generous tippers on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were way higher than your average night. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time she hadn’t worked on Christmas.

Except this year, she actually had someone to celebrate with, and she hadn’t really thought about that fact until about fifteen minutes after she’d offered to pick up the holiday. She would have felt like a selfish bitch to walk into the back office and tell Cam she actually wanted to retract her offer to work both days, subjecting all her coworkers to a lottery and being seen as a flake at best, a giant asshole at worst. So, she just kept working, letting a giant ball of fear and regret stew in her stomach, getting worse and worse as her shift inched along and she was closer to having to tell Drake what she had done.

He was going to be pissed at her. She just knew it, and he honestly had every right to be. This was his first Christmas not in Cordonia, as far as she knew. He really only knew her in the city, and… fuck, she’d promised him that they would celebrate Christmas together when he decided he wasn’t ready to go down to Texas to spend the holiday with his mother and aunt. God, she was such a shitty girlfriend.

When Drake popped into the bar a few minutes before the end of her shift, she forced a little smile, but it must have looked hollow, because Drake furrowed his brow and gave her a slight frown. Sure enough, as soon as she had clocked out, slipped on her coat, and headed out from the bar hand in hand with Drake, he zeroed in on her mood.

“Did something happen tonight?” he asked, twisting back to look towards the bar.

Riley just shook her head. “No, I just fucked up.” She kept staring ahead, her boots crunching over the salt on the sidewalk, but she could feel Drake staring at her. He was obviously waiting for her to elaborate. She didn’t want to have to confess, to ruin their little bubble of peace and happiness, but she knew she needed to be honest and get it over with. So, she let out a little sigh before soldiering on. “I told Cam I could work on Christmas.”

Drake was silent for a second or two before he asked, “Eve or day?”

“Both.”

His silence stretched on a few moments longer before his response to that. “Oh,” was all he said. He kept his hand locked in hers, but Riley noticed him slow down his pace just slightly. She felt like absolute trash.

“I’m so sorry, Drake. I just wasn’t thinking. I’ve worked so many Christmases in a row that I think I just volunteered out of habit.”

“It’s fine, Liu.”

“No, it’s not. I was mad thoughtless. I totally get if you’re pissed at me.”

“I’m not pissed at you.”

Riley stopped at that, tugging Drake to a halt as well and pulling him around to face her directly. “Drake, come on. I fucked up.”

He gave her a little shrug and shook his head. “It’s not a big deal. I spent the last couple of Christmases in a bar anyway. At least you’ll be there too this year.”

“You spent your last Christmases in a bar?”

Drake ran his free hand through his hair as he shrugged again. “Well… yeah? Liam always had royal duties on the actual holiday, and after Savannah left, it’s not like I had anyone else to celebrate with or anything.”

Hearing how his most recent Christmases had been spent, Riley found herself feeling even shittier somehow. He finally had a chance at a festive and happy celebration, and she had ruined it. Her expression must have shifted enough to show some pity, because Drake shook his head. “Come on, it wasn’t so bad. Besides, you were the one who just said she was forced to work a bunch of Christmases in a row. That’s way worse than just grabbing a few drinks at a bar and calling it a night.”

“I didn’t have to work; I always offered.”

“You what?”

“I always volunteered if my managers asked, and if they didn’t, I switched with coworkers who had kids or families.”

“Tips that good on Christmas?”

“I mean, I usually got a customer or two that left a lot due to ‘holiday spirit’ or some shit, but it was more that I didn’t have anything better to do.” Riley kicked the toe of her boot against the sidewalk, her eyes pulling away from Drake’s gaze. She was trying to be better about acknowledging the painful parts of her past she would rather forget, but she still didn’t really like to talk about things like this. It tended to dredge up a slew of memories that she’d worked hard to put behind her.

“Liu… Riley,” Drake said, the switch to her first name prompting her to glance back up from her feet to his face. “When was the last time you had anyone to celebrate Christmas with?”

She bit her lip and let out a sigh. She knew that it wasn’t fair that Drake opened up to her about his past quite a bit while she still kept a lot of things to herself, but that didn’t make these things easy to talk about. “When I was 17. I was with the Andersons during one of my mom’s last prison stints before I aged out of the system. They were excited to finally get a chance to be foster moms since New York finally recognized their marriage from Vermont, so they kind of made it a big deal. I was so closed off by that point, though, that I didn’t really appreciate it.”

Drake just looked at her for a few moments before he tugged her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her back as he held her tight to his chest. “Why do you let me whine about my past when you had things so much worse?” he mumbled into her hair.

She let out a sigh, returning his hug as she hooked her arms around him. “It’s not a competition, Drake. It’s not like either of us had that cheesy Norman Rockwell holiday experience.”

He didn’t say anything else, just ran his hand along her spine. After a few moments, they stepped apart, hands locking back together as they continued along back to their apartment.

“You know,” Drake said, “back when I was growing up, my dad worked every Christmas.”

Based on his tone, Riley knew he was trying to make her feel better about the fact that she’d agreed to work the holiday, but it honestly made things worse. Not only were his recent Christmases crappy, but so were his childhood ones, apparently. “God, I’m so sorry. If I had known you had a history of having people work on the-”

“No, that wasn’t my point!” he interrupted. “We made the 26th ‘Walker Christmas’ and we did the whole celebration then. Gifts, big meal, holiday movies, all of it. It was really fun and special. Even after he died and we could have just celebrated on the actual holiday, Savannah and I kept the tradition alive for a long time.”

“Really?”

“Yup. As we got older, Sav usually got us invited to some sort of fancy Christmas party with some of the nobles on the 24th or 25th, but the 26th just stayed our family day. I always loved that it was our tradition to celebrate then.”

She glanced over at him, wondering not for the first time how she had managed to find someone like him. Someone who didn’t seem fazed or flustered by any of her baggage, who somehow showed he cared without making it seem like a big deal. Maybe it was because they had enough similarities in their pasts that he “got it,” but that honestly seemed like it was selling him short. Because it went deeper than shared mommy issues and fears of abandonment. The way he treated her felt like so much more than similar traumas, and she sometimes didn’t know how to respond, so caught off guard by a level of compassion and understanding she would have never thought possible.

“You’re too nice to me,” she finally settled on, watching as Drake’s cheeks grew pinker than they had been from just the winter wind.

He shook his head. “Nah, it’s really nothing, Liu.”

She knew that wasn’t true, but she didn’t push him. She knew he wanted to just move forward and not make a big deal of things. So she stepped closer to him, bumping him with her shoulder as she gave his hand a squeeze. “So, what do we need to do to make it a true Walker Christmas?”

“Not let you anywhere near the oven to start.”

She elbowed him and shook her head as Drake chuckled. “I am not that bad of a cook.”

“Uh huh. Sure, Liu. How many times have you made gingerbread?” She just scowled at him, prompting him to laugh again. “Exactly. So I’ll take care of the cooking and baking.”

All Riley could do was roll her eyes as they kept walking along the sidewalk. “I don’t really have any decorations,” she said, “And I don’t think we’ll exactly have space for a tree.”

“Ehh, I bet we can still make it festive. It’ll be good, Liu.”

His steadiness and willingness to just roll with her screw up and make the best of it had made her a little emotional. She didn’t quite understand why someone like him had been treated like shit by so many people in his life, but all she could really do was be grateful that their paths had crossed. “You sure you’re okay with celebrating late?” she asked as they reached their building, dropping his hand to find her keys in her purse.

“Christmas isn’t really about a day on the calendar,” he said with a shrug, following her into the lobby.

She spun and kissed him lightly before starting up the stairs. “Thank you, Drake.”

“Of course, Liu. Of course.”

Perma: @walkerswhiskeygirl @octobereighth @kimmiedoo5 @mom2000aggie

TRR/TRH: @iaminlovewithtrr @mskaneko @axwalker @jovialyouthmusic @marshmallowsandfire @kingliam2019 @sirbeepsalot @texaskitten30 @princessleac1 @ladyangel70 @debramcg1106 @masterofbluff @sarahx206

Drake/MC: @no-one-u-know @iplaydrake

ICWAM: @thequeenchoices @sunnyxdazed @sammie0220

#drake walker #drake x mc #trr au #trr au fanfic #trr fanfic

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buffyversefanfiction · 3 years

Text

Slayer of Slayers

Warnings:I do not own, nor do I claim to own any of the copyright or characters within the Buffyverse which includes but not limited to the television shows Buffy and Angel, as well as the Darkhorse comics series’ continuation.

15+ Strong to moderate violence, Graphic to mild descriptions of gore, and torture, sexually charged scenes, sexual innuendos, mild to strong language, and practices of witchcraft.

M/M, F/F, M/F, GEN, OTHER +

PART FIVE LINK HERE

Part Six - What You Left Behind

Theo Frey had confronted his parents Buffy and Angel, fought with them, and even almost killed one of them, but in the end, he could not find himself capable of the kill despite managing many kills before that. If anything, he had thought he would only become more ruthless after becoming a vampire but clearly things were not that straightforward, but could it really be that dying made him more human? No, surely not he thought as he ran out of the backdoor of his former family home only to find himself hit by a shovel to the head, not seeing where it came from, or who was holding the shovel, as everything suddenly went to black…

Ruby Moon, the former best friend of Theo Frey, joined Theo when he first left Riverborn to become a lackey for the deranged vampire Drusilla in a bid to protect her best friend but instead, she too found herself briefly seduced by the darkness, of the magical kind, but as she spiraled further and further into the dark acts she began to see changes within herself she did not like and soon she started to see Theo experience the same changes at the hands of Drusilla and her right-hand guy Tobias. She had tried multiple times to convince Theo to run away with her, but he was in too deep and so the young witch was forced to save herself, leaving her best friend behind, as she returned home to Riverborn to live a relatively normal life which led to her graduating from Riverborn High, going on to college, and marrying her best friend’s former crush Lucien Knight but through all the changes, and developments in her life, she could never shake the guilt of not being able to save Theo from the crutches of Drusilla and Tobias. Her now-husband Lucien Knight’s life was as far from normal as possible going on to join a top-secret government organization run by ex-initiative operative Riley Finn, an organization which unlike the initiative itself worked alongside slayers, witches, and even werewolves to achieve their mission, protect the innocent. Ruby and Lucien’s relationship started out as a friendship formed in the wake of losing Theo but grew over time into something more solid, eventually leading to the two falling in love and getting married, a marriage that nobody saw coming but somehow worked very well for the two of them. “Well, if it is not the witch who loves to ditch…” Theo said as he awoke to find himself chained to Ruby and Lucien’s bed within their bedroom, as the husband and wife stood above him, hovering over him, clearly revealing themselves to be Theo’s kidnappers. “I heard you two got hitched but has the marriage already gone that stale you’ve started chaining folk up to the bed?” “I never ditched you, Theo, I pleaded you to come with me, but you made your choice, you were never going to leave that life because you believed you had nothing left in your old life, but you always had me,” Ruby replied to him, making it clear to her friend that she never left him out of choice. “I never should have left you and for that, I am truly sorry, but I cannot allow you to just keep hurting people especially now you’re a vampire.” “You may have left but you did not leave with clean hands dearest friend, or have you forgotten your own kill count?” Theo responded, taunting the witch who at one stage in his life was his best friend. “And as for the whole vampire thing, am I wearing a sign or something?” “Once you have been around enough vampires you start being able to spot them,” Lucien said, finally breaking his silence and adding something to the hostile conversation. “Drusilla manipulated us both got me so hooked on magic I could not think straight but your drug of choice was vengeance, towards people she wanted you to hate, and you did everything she said,” Ruby argued with Theo, before going on to say. “I also know you still have a soul somehow which means despite all the odds, all she did to you, to us, that you are still able to be saved.” “Listen love if your conscience stopped you from getting dirty with the big players that are on you and nobody else but do not go blaming one vamp for your miserable life which includes marrying my sloppy seconds.” Theo cruelly mocked his former friend, as well as her marriage to his former lover. “You are not the guy I grew up with, you stopped being him the day your parents died but that does not mean you cannot ever be him again,” Ruby responded, refusing to react to his attempts to infuriate her. “I know you better than everyone, including those vampires who you claim as family…and I know somewhere deep down you are still a good person.” “And if you prove us wrong…if you really are too gone to be saved…then before the day is over, I’ll slam open those curtains and watch you burn

until there is nothing left on that bed except for your ashes.” Lucien warned the vampire, making it clear that he was ready to save or kill him.

Buffy sat on the doorstep of her son Theo’s adoptive family home, the place he grew up, as she remained shaken by her first meeting with her son, the hatred he had for her, the fact he was now undead just like his father, and the opportunity he had to take her out and was not unable but unwilling which meant despite all the darkness residing within her son there was still some light in there somewhere. “There’s no sign of him anywhere my guess is he’s hiding out while the sun is out who knows maybe he will come back tonight,” Willow said to Buffy as she sat down on the doorstep next to her friend. “I do not think he’s coming back, not again, the only reason we found him this time is that he wanted to be found and something tells me he may never want to be found by us again,” Buffy replied with a saddened sigh, speaking for the first time since her confrontation with her son. “I will find him, Buffy!” Willow promised the slayer, making it clear she was not giving up on Buffy’s son anytime soon. “I do not know when or where but I promise you I will not stop until I find and help him, the proper way this time with no slayer prisons.” “I hope your right Will, I hope we can get through to him, but what if we can’t?” Buffy cried, feeling defeated not only by her son’s hatred towards her but the guilt she felt for the tragic life he lived without her being there to protect him. “I wonder if he came back here for any other reasons, I mean he grew up in this town, right? I know his parents are dead but what about other family members? Or friends he may have grown up with? We should go to the High School, wait till night-time, of course, break-in, and hack into the school system to find out what year he was in, who he was in with, and possibly look for some old files, photos, or perhaps a yearbook to see who his people were.” Willow suggested, hoping to give Buffy hope. “At the very least you’ll get to learn more about your son before his world got torn apart and maybe there’s something in that information which could help us help him in the long run.” Buffy’s face lit up for a moment as she wiped the tears off her face, realizing that Willow’s idea was a stroke of genius, that maybe just maybe learning more about Theo’s life before everything went to hell, that maybe it would help her understand her son more perhaps even get through to him, or who knows to find somebody within this smalltown who could get through to her son.

“I guess a lot has changed since our days in High School judging by the fact you have a vampire shackled to a dead and it seems normal to you,” Theo said to Lucien, as the vampire remained chained to Lucien and Ruby’s bed within their bedroom, as he began plotting his escape as he noticed the sun starting to set. “After you left town with Ruby everyone just assumed you went crazy and killed your parents, then this team of specialists took over the case, and before I knew it, I found myself embroiled in the mystery of it all leading to the supernatural being my day-to-day job I guess,” Lucien replied to the vampire he once loved. “I joined a private organization specialized in working with, helping, and hunting the supernatural from time to time, by the time the whole world had realized what the hell was going on around us I was already working to help solve the problem…problems.” “One could say you chased after me and settled for the rest of the supernatural…and that is clearly not all you settled for…” Theo teased the first man he ever loved, before going on to ask. “Do you remember the last time we were together?” “You mean when you asked me to skip town with you? It’s not something someone easily forgets.” Lucien admitted reluctantly, piquing Theo’s curiosity. “Do you ever wish you came with me?” Theo asked, intrigued to know the answer. “No!” Lucien answered honestly. “But I do wish I found a way of making you stay…” “Probably a good thing you did not join the party you probably would have just wound up addicted to the magics like Ruby or a soulless vampire like the rest of the gang,” Theo told Lucien, before going on to say. “I know you did not take a vamp hostage without getting in some blood…and I’ve not eaten in a while…do not worry I won’t bite, as long as it’s not pig blood you’re serving.” And just like that Lucien went downstairs towards the kitchen to get fresh blood in a pouch bag from the local hospital that Ruby and he acquired before abducting Theo, and began pouring the blood into a glass, knowing Ruby said not to feed him until she got back, but foolishly believing he was getting through to his ex, which is of course exactly what Theo wanted him to believe. Lucien returned to the bedroom, a glass of blood in hand, ready to feed Theo, unwittingly becoming prey to the predator, as he reached out to hand Theo the glass, Theo grabbed a hold of him and pulled him into his grasp with all his force, Lucien unable to break free from the vampire’s hold. “You smell as good as you did back then!” Theo stated as his face turned into full vampire mode and he sunk his teeth into his ex-lover’s neck, draining him of his blood but cautious not to take too much, after all, Lucien was his leverage for his latest prison break.

Elsewhere in Riverborn, Buffy, Angel, and Willow had waited for the sun to go down before breaking into Riverborn High School, specifically the principal’s office, as the slayer and vampire worked their way through endless files within filing cabinets while leaving the computer hacking to the tech-savvy witch who was more than willing to hack or spell her way into gathering as much information about Theo Frey as possible. “Well, I’m in the records regarding his grades before dropping out and they’re quite impressive, not like Willow Rosenberg impressive but not far off either, perhaps he would’ve got there if he finished school,” Willow informed Buffy and Angel as they continued searching through the school files. “I’m going to load up reports, detentions, warnings, etc.… to see if there is anything about who his circle was, and if not, thankfully the yearbooks are now all online these days so that should show us actual pictures of his friends…if he had any that is.” “Can you print out any pictures you find of him?” Angel asked the red-headed witch nervously. “I know it may sound weird, but I have hardly any pictures of Connor before everything…it’d be nice to have some of Theo, even one picture.” “Of course, the minute I get to viewing I’ll get to printing!” Willow replied awkwardly, knowing she was partially to blame for Angel not seeing his son Theo grow up over the years. “Print me out some copies too!” Buffy said with a sense of sadness, knowing pictures were all she could ever have of her son’s past even if it would never make up for all the time, she had lost with him.

Meanwhile, back at Ruby Moon and Lucien Knight’s marital home, Ruby had just walked into the horrifying scene of a shackled Theo in full vampire face, strangling an unconscious Lucien, with bite marks on the victim’s neck, as Theo held his neck tightly with both hands, ready to snap his ex’s neck if Ruby so much as made one single move wrong. “Girl, he was all fine and funky for our teenage selves but we’re playing in the big games now and humans are just so fragile and expendable.” Theo taunted his former friend, as he applied more pressure on an unconscious Lucien’s neck. “But that does make awfully good cannon fodder…” “Please do not hurt him, Theo!” Ruby pleaded with the slayer of slayers turned vampire. “You do not want to hurt him!” “Maybe I do or maybe you want me to, after all, what kind of wife does not take the husband’s name and I know we’re all modern now, but he did not take your name either,” Theo responded knowing he had the brown-haired witch exactly where he wanted her. “But what would I know about marriage? All I know is you’re about to be a widow if you do not get these chains off me right now.” “If I do let you go what’s going to stop you from killing him anyway and then me?” Ruby asked him, knowing the chance of either her or her husband surviving this ordeal was rather slim. “You can either choose to believe there is still enough humanity in me to not kill my former best friend, enough to stop me killing a man I once love, or believe me to be the monster I truly am,” Theo stated before chuckling sinisterly. “Not like you really have a choice…” A choice Ruby did not have, she’d either not free Theo and watch him kill her husband, or free him and hope he does not kill them both, and so she released Theo from his chains and to her surprise, the vampire just left, without attacking, or threatening her, he just walked down the stairs, out the house, and out of sight, without any intention of bringing her any harm, and whether he meant to or not at that moment he had convinced the witch that now more than ever her best friend was still in there somewhere, and perhaps just perhaps, she had grown a little closer to bringing him back.

Following breaking into Riverborn High, Buffy, Angel, and Willow had discovered some more information about Buffy and Angel’s son Theo, learning he was quite the academic achiever, never missed class until he dropped out that is and was always with his friend Ruby Moon, who just so happened to go missing the same time as Theo, the difference being that Ruby returned to Riverborn less than a year later. With their new information, Buffy and Willow waited until the next morning to track Ruby down, hoping she had more information about Theo, or even hoping he had reached out to her after returning to his hometown, not realizing they had missed Theo himself by a matter of a few hours. “I’m not saying this friend is going to be the answers to all our problems but at least she is going to provide answers in general about your killer kid.” Willow tried to reassure Buffy as she knocked on the door of Ruby and Lucien’s front door. “If she’s willing to speak to us that is,” Buffy replied as Lucien opened his front door to the vampire slayer, and witch. “Willow Rosenberg, my wife is a huge fan of yours.” Lucien greeted them, instantly making it clear he knew who Willow was, before going on to say. “And I’m guessing by your blonde-haired companion that your Buffy Summers.” “I guess the government constantly trying to hunt us down makes us kind of famous everywhere now,” Willow said, surprised by the stranger’s sudden knowledge of her and Buffy, remembering how much things had changed for them both in recent years. “I work for Riley Finn; he talks highly of you both,” Lucien admitted to them both. “I do not think I’m supposed to say who I work for but oh well you are friends of his, so I hope that saves me from being fired.” “Talking of your wife being such a fan, is she in we kind of need to talk to her about a certain situation.” Willow wondered, eager to get to Ruby and get some answers for Buffy and Angel. “My wife is going to be super pissed she missed you, but she’s gone out of town…” Lucien began to explain as Buffy noticed the bite marks on her neck, assuming correctly that Theo had left his mark. “He’s been here, hasn’t he? Theo Frey, the slayer of slayers, and now newly turned vampire.” Buffy questioned him knowing she was getting somewhere. “We are looking for him and if you have any leads…” “I was worried that one day he pissed off the wrong slayer…I’m sorry Buffy I really because trust me after him taking a chunk out of my neck and getting my wife into all sorts of trouble I would happily hand him over to you but my wife’s convinced she can get through to him so I can’t be the one to get him killed, she would never forgive me.” Lucien apologized, assuming that Buffy and Willow were there to kill the slayer-turned vampire. “I do not want to kill him I want to stop him from killing others,” Buffy replied urgently. “Please, he’s my son I just want to help save him from himself before it’s too late.” “Hold up…Theo Frey is Buffy the vampire slayer’s son? I mean we all knew he was adopted but his birth mother being the legend herself.” Lucien responded looking gobsmacked by Buffy’s revelation. “Yeah, she’s his mum and Angel’s his dad but right now all we need from you is to tell us where he’s heading so we can safe your wife from being his latest target and hopefully save him too.” Willow snapped at Lucien, making it clear he had to tell them all he knew. “Where is he going?” “Back to where he considers home or that’s at least what Ruby reckons, back to the city of angels so to speak,” Lucien revealed to them both, as the slayer, and witch realized Theo had gone back to the last place he considered himself happy, the demonic dive bar he had with his recently dead lover Tobias.

Several days later, a determined Ruby walked into the infamous demonic dive bar located within a shady alleyway somewhere in the city of Los Angeles, stunned to see the place almost in ruins, having been wrecked during Theo’s showdown with Faith and not being fixed since. She looked around at the place she knew Theo would have loved running especially with Tobias and for a moment she felt saddened by Tobias’ death, not because she felt sorry for the vampire himself but because she knew how much Theo loved him, and how rare it was for Theo to care about anyone especially after the death of his parents. “I personally never got the appeal of Tobias; I mean he was painfully beautiful of course but other than that I really did not get it,” Ruby claimed as she found Theo staring into thin air, sitting at a corner table of the bar looking somewhat defeated. “But I get he meant something to you and for that, I am truly sorry.” “Listen, witch, I gave you a free pass for old times sake but if you are going to keep pestering me, I’m going to have to kill you,” Theo replied to his friend as he turned to look at her, his eyes clearly red raw from crying. “Have you ever wondered how Drusilla randomly just showed randomly show up into our lives the same night your parents were mysteriously murdered by a vampire? Does not take a genius to figure out she’s your parents’ killer and something tells me deep down you already know that.” Ruby replied to the vampire, revealing to him what she already believed he knew and just did not want to admit. “Do you not think that thought crossed my mind a hundred times?” Theo snapped at the witch, as he rose from his chair furiously. “Dru said she saw it coming and did not stop it which was a hard pill to swallow but I did…but Tobias promised me that she never took their lives and I believe in him more than I’ve ever believed in anyone.” “Well, your undead lover not only lied to you about Dru killing your mother but according to strong evidence from a corporation who specializes in the supernatural he may have killed your father or at least knows the vamp who teamed up with Drusilla to take out your parents,” Ruby confessed to the slayer of slayers, refusing to let him be in denial any longer. “Face facts Theo if your parents never died then you would never have run off with them and they knew it! I get you to want vengeance so how about you get it on the bitch who really deserves it?”

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lostnfinding · 4 years

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kateva!!!

this was inspired on a little thing me, @thatboleyngirlreads and @sapphic-theatre-fan discussed on the watt discord. thanks for the idea guys, and i hope you enjoy this.

here its the link for this same fic on ao3

title: you are so much more than they can see

trigger warnings: mostly things already mentioned in the show (murder, addiction) and self doubt

word count: 1365

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Most days, Kate lived on the present. She liked to enjoy what she had right then and there, rather than stay in the past and stop living her life. But there were some days where she just couldn’t do it, and those days were hard. Most days, she missed Chess, the old Chess, before the injury, who always had her back and who would always make things better. Some days it was the ghosts of the three people who died on that cursed sleepover, and the thought of Mattie in prison, scared and alone and confused. But on the really bad days, she thought about Riley. Not about how Riley stabbed three people, including herself, but about how she could have not gone crazy. She knew about Riley’s obsessive crush on Eva, she knew there was a chance that, at some point, Riley would’ve approached her and start talking. And she knew Eva, she knew how insecure she could be, how she could sometimes think that cheer was all she was good for, she knew that if Riley started showing her affection, she would probably show it back. On those days, she woke up feeling like shit. And it seems like that was one of those days.

Luckily it was a Saturday. She got her phone to call Eva, she at least needed to hear her girlfriend’s voice, but before she did so, she looked back at the messages they had sent the day before, Eva’s voice echoing on her ears soft I love you’s. It was comforting, but in the back of Kate’s mind, it was still hard to believe. With her hands shaking, she clicked the video call button beside Eva’s contact and waited. She picked up almost immediately.

“Hey, Katie. Is everything okay?” Eva’s voice said, a concerned frown forming when she saw Kate’s teary eyes.

“Can you come over?” she asked quietly.

“I’ll be there in half an hour. You’re okay, Katie, I’m okay too, alright?”

“Alright.”

“I love you, pretty girl.”

“I love you too, Aves.” She said and hung up. Seeing her girlfriend’s face and sweet smile was comforting, and hearing her voice grounded her, if ever so lightly. She was going to be there in half an hour, she would be okay.

Getting her covers and pillows, she went downstairs, throwing them on the couch before unlocking the door and going back to burry herself under the soft pile. She clung to her phone, Eva’s face flashing on her lock screen, staring lovingly back at her. ‘Get yourself together, Kate. Eva’s okay, she loves you. Riley’s in prison, she can’t go near her. Eva loves you, she loves you she loves you she loves you.’ She kept repeating that to herself, hugging her own body seeking for comfort, waiting for her girlfriend to get there. Minutes felt like hours, the time was being dragged and painful until finally the door was opened and Eva came in, locking it behind her before going to Kate, who tackled her in a tight hug.

“It’s okay, I’m here. I’ve got you, and I’m not letting go.” Sanchez whispered against her hair and she finally let tears roll down, her nuzzling her neck. They moved quietly to the couch, and Kate positioned herself to lean against Eva’s chest, the calm sound of her heart beating calming her. “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked after a few minutes, tracing patterns in Kate’s arms.

“It’s just… sometimes I get scared, kind of, of what could’ve happen. Or more like what couldn’t have happened.”

“What do you mean, Katie?”

“Can we not talk about it?”

“Of course, baby, whatever you want.” Eva’s voice was caring and slightly worried, but she let it go. They didn’t say anything else, but the silence was comfortable. Hours were spent with the background noise of a TV show none of them were paying attention to before Kate spoke up.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, koala.” If anyone else called Kate that, she would kill them on the spot but coming from Eva, the nickname was grounding and only made her hold onto he tighter.

“I love you so much, E, I can’t imagine my life without you.” She repeated and Eva kisses her head, something telling her she wasn’t done speaking. “But sometimes, I think about what would’ve happened if Riley had ever talked to you before that night. If she started talking to you, and being nice and asked you out, and maybe you would’ve said yes. Then you’d start dating, but Riley would only care about your cheer skills. She wouldn’t see you for who you are.” Kate started to cry. “She had a massive crush on you, but just because of how good you are in cheer.”

“It’s okay, Katie, it’s okay.”

“It isn’t, Aves. You’re so much more than that and I hate that you don’t see it. You’re amazing at so many things, and you have this adorable way of being you, I just love every single part of you.”

“And I love every part of you.” Eva smiled and kissed her head again.

“I’m serious, babe. You are so much more than they think you are. You’re the way your eyes shine when you talk about something you love, and how you can say so much even when you don’t speak at all, you’re how much you care about people, and how you can think fast and do the right thing. You’re your little jumps and excited smirks, and how you’re somehow always warm, how you never push me to talk about something I don’t want to, you just hold me and I know everything is going to be okay, because I have you. And you’re so much more than the old highest ranking flier on the state. It hurts that you don’t believe that, and sometimes I worry so much about you pushing yourself too hard. I know you don’t see that, but I want to help you see it.” Kate looked at her girlfriend, who was also crying.

“I love you so much, darling.” Eva told her and they wrapped on each other’s arms.

“It terrifies me to think that I could’ve never be with you. I hate what Riley and what she did but it made us actually meet and have to spend time together, and I fell for you. I’m still falling for you, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop.” There had been months they didn’t talk about those nights and it took Eva a bit by surprise. But this was the first time she heard a positive thing about it, and when she thought further, it was true. “I noticed you the first time I played with the Tigers against you. You had that cute smirk and the spark in your eyes, you encouraged your team mates and you just seemed so happy to be there. It was never about winning for you, you just do it to enjoy it, it’s adorable how happy you are when you’re doing it.”

“You’re so much more than you think too. When you open up, you’re the sweetest person I know. You, my love, are the way you can always make me laugh, the silly ways you can go around my parents’ rules, how you try to help everyone who needs it. You are your rants about what you love, your cute little smile, the way you get flustered when I compliment you and how you’ll do anything to protect who you love. You are the person who always steals my clothes and who I love and I can’t live without. I’m going to tell you just how amazing you are every day, until you believe it.” Eva smiled and caressed her cheeks. “I love you, koala. So much. And what could’ve happened is scary, but it didn’t happen. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”

“It just feels like a dream, you know? Calling you my girlfriend.” Kate nuzzled Eva’s neck after a few minutes, her tired voice giving away the fact that she was tired.

“Then let’s just hope we never wake up.”

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this didnt really turn out how i wanted it to but i guess its okay.

hope you liked it!

#we are the tigers #we are the tigers fanfiction #kate watt #eva watt #watt #watt fanfic

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fiveslays-moved · 3 years

Note

31 44 and 45!

31. Describe a scenario in which your character feels most comfortable.

answered here!

44. How easy or difficult is it for your character to say “I love you?” Can they say it without meaning it?

this is a complex question honestly. for faith... it is very difficult to say ‘i love you’ verging on almost impossible. the words have left a taste in her mouth she isn’t very fond of. she associates selfishness with the words, she doesn’t believe someone can say it and there’s not something in it for them that isn’t selfish. this stems from both her mother and romantic partners who have used the term to kind of ‘sweeten’ faith up to get what they want out of it only to then emotionally abandon her. partially what throws her so damn off in season 4′s ‘who are you’ episode when riley tells faith (in buffy’s body) he loves her. she automatically questions it, asking what does he want from [buffy] her? even if it’s a platonic love, faith still has a hard time saying it. she can feel it, that’s for sure but she can’t openly say it with safety. she’s had this thinking that love was a foreign concept or maybe rigged somehow where she would never win the lottery or maybe she just wasn’t soft like others, maybe she didn’t have it in her or she was doing something wrong and another area in which she can never just get it right she would think when it came to the subject and finally came to the one and only conclusion in her mind that it’s transactional and human beings are naturally selfish animals which included love and therefore, it didn’t exist. so with that said, faith cannot say it if she doesn’t mean it. she’s been hurt too much by the words and while she doesn’t attach herself to people, she knows it’s just a cruel and shitty thing to do. her version of the words are more or less the things she does or the little things she says but she’d have to be an extremely high level of trust and safety with a person before she can say it. even post prison... it’s very difficult, very.

45. What does your character believe will happen to them after they die? Does this belief scare them?

this is a very complex question as is the previous one. faith doesn’t believe there’s a heaven like so many people have described it be. after the murders to the episode sanctuary in angel, even if faith did believe in heaven, she figures she’s done fucked up her shot at going there but post prison maybe, just maybe she might end up somewhere decent, maybe if she balances out the cosmic scale enough she won’t end up in torment. she doesn’t know where she’ll go after she dies and the thought of it isn’t one she likes to think about. not because she’s scared necessarily, she’s made peace with her choices and wherever she ends up... that’s out of her control. though out of preference, she would prefer not to go somewhere completely awful but you know, like i said, out of her control.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS: HARD MODE.

#wishbonelimbs #headcanon.#answered.#thank you for sending this in!

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alyssa-ward · 4 years

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Return to the End

[ Following Bared and Stolen Souls ]

Anger. Panic. Frustration. Pain. It all came flooding through as the link ripped violently open without so much as a 'Hello, how are you?'. It’s a shock to the woman in the dagger, snapping her attention to Riley as the single word comes through in Alyssa’s mind. "Fuck..."

"What happened?" Alyssa, still reeling from the mental assault of Riley’s emotions, she lets her own worry come through. The last thing she remembered was Riley telling her they were getting the soul tonight. Clearly that’s gone wrong.

"You remember how I said 'if everything goes according to plan blah, blah, blah..." Laughter both heard and felt with a dark undertone that puts Alyssa on edge. "Well, that was my first mistake. The second - and this one's a doozy - was assuming that insufferable prick's bodyguard had turned in for the night after the shift change. Because of course, the one fucking night he doesn't..." More laughter, but the pain is still visible, audible too in an exhaled sigh. "Plans change, we adapt, we survive." The words spoken like a mantra, repeated over a couple times before she regained her focus.

"Can we just kill the bodyguard too?" Alyssa interrupts the repeated mantra, trying to not let too much of her concern or thoughts show through the link. But she's worried. If Riley dies here, this is the end of it. Enough to make someone think they might be cursed. "I can make use of both...you okay? Hurt?" She pushes off the stump with the wolf, and a moment later she's standing before Riley's soul, studying it for harm.

"Just took a lucky shot, I'll be fine," the reply is pained, but it doesn’t seem overly labored. "Didn't even make it to the mark before this bastard blindsided me," and then quieter, as though not directed at Alyssa "...throws punches like a damn Gronn..." "The bastard's big, but he's slow. I've been leading him to the outskirts - figure that'll save me from having to dispose of a small giant in the middle of the city." Another pause to slow her breathing and better clear her thoughts. "You ready in there..?"

"Don't die on me, I'll start to think carrying me around is bad luck," after deciding there's nothing she can do for Riley's soul she returns to the clearing, already gathering power into herself. "I'm ready. He might still try to take a few swings after you cut him but he'll go down fast."

"Me? I'm too stubborn to die." A lighthearted joke in the midst of chaos is almost too appropriate for the woman delivering it. "As for our oversized friend, I'm not too worried ab-..." Riley's words cut jarringly short, but the link remains open. Whatever just happened, she’s still holding the dagger. A flash of blinding rage in the wake of sudden shock, and then the link starts to flicker, weakening in waves that become increasingly more pronounced with each second that ticks by.

“Riley?” Alyssa’s worry rises and flares as the connection wanes. She’d only meant the death thing as a joke. "Riley stay with me. Don't you die on me. I don't want to have to explain to Kat at the end of this that I got her friend killed."

There’s a distinct lack of fear from the other side. Instead, an almost eerie sense of calm, felt even as the connection continues to wane, and in that surprisingly serene break in the chaos, Riley's voice comes through her thoughts, clear as day. "Hope you're okay with a bit more than a cut..."

Relief across the link from the warlock as the voice comes back through. "More than okay, just get me his blood."

And then the action requested comes through clear as a bell.

The trees in the Darkened Woods of Alyssa’s mind part. As every time before, the vibrancy of the soul the blade has stabbed into is intoxicating. Her mind blanks, hands thrown outward to entangle the bodyguard’s revealed soul in chains of fel and soul magic, purples and greens leashing her hands to the very essence of the man.

Whatever happens outside of the blade is lost to the Warlock. Even Riley’s soul dims at the corners of her vision as she puts single minded focus forward. She can feel the man’s suffering as she tears out his soul, the chains binding and tightening as it condenses and draws into her extended palms, forming yet another perfect little purple crystal.

Alyssa stares down at the crystal in her hands, shoulders trembling as she has once again given in to her addictions. Riley’s voice, raspy now, snaps her out of it. "Will it work..?" The question ended with a grunt, and the trees to the now empty clearing that was the bodyguard close once more.

"I'll let you know when I figure it out. It's going to take some work to separate the usable stuff out of this. His soul is not a very bright one." the reply is distracted, Aly’s mind is already racing with next steps.

"Sorry about that..." Riley murmers, her voice straining with the effort before she returns to purely mental communication. "If there's nothing salvageable, I'll find something better," tone is cold, but not disingenuous. "Otherwise, we continue with the plan, and make our way to Uldum."

"Agreed," Alyssa replies. "How long will it take you to travel? I couldn't even estimate how long this will take me, because...time and all." Her inability to determine durations from within the dagger goes unsaid. "I'm going to strip this soul apart, I'll fuel myself with the bad parts, nothing will go to waste. Whatever good there is in here, I'll see if it can strengthen the wolf." A pause before she adds, "I'm sorry Riley. There's every chance I could be wrong about all of this. I could be misunderstanding what Kat sent me. This may not work at all but I don't have many ideas."

"I've got a connection that'll set me up with a portal, so I could be there as early as tomorrow morning. From there, it'll take some time to travel to the right camp, but I figure... if we can just find her, we might be able to buy a little time for you to utilize whatever tricks you've got up your sleeves." A pause. "Metaphorical sleeves, of course." The attempt at levity seems to cut through her previously chilled tone in favor of something slightly more welcoming. "You've got nothing to be sorry about, Alyssa. Not as far as I'm concerned, at least. If this doesn't work, we'll just have to figure out something that will. It's as simple, and as complicated as that."

"It's nice to work with someone who shares my feelings on the impossible. If nothing else works I will find my way into the Shadowlands and pull her out myself. She's not gone. I don't accept it." Riley's levity, and determination makes her smile, a warmth that can be felt across the link through the weapon. "We'll figure something out. Simple and complicated as that," she echoes the other woman's words, finding a liking for them.

"Seems stubbornness is a trait we share in spades," Riley’s reply makes Alyssa smile to herself.

About to end the conversation, to turn focus fully to the soul, something else strikes Alyssa. Something put off too long. "Could you do a favour for me, before you leave Stormwind? We are in Stormwind right?"

"Your tab's starting to add up, Alyssa," Riley’s tone is teasing, but it’s not unfounded either. Alysa already owes a great debt to this woman. "You name it, and I'll do what I can."

"I'll pay it if I'm ever alive to make good," amusement bleeds from the Warlock in return, before her tone sobers. "When I died, my home burned down. It was a...cautionary measure. I don't think my brother knows what happened to me, he's been left with nothing but the mystery. Could you have a letter delivered? Just something simple. Alyssa is okay, she misses you, she'll be back eventually, something nice like that?"

A somber sense of understanding emanates from Riley's side of the link then, and her gentle nod is almost felt. "Of course. You tell me where it needs to go, and it'll be done."

"Thank you. He's lost enough, he shouldn't have to lose his sister too. Not yet." Appreciation can be felt in return. She gives the address, a townhouse in Old Town near the fountain, and the name, Damien Ward.

"I'll make sure he knows you're still here, until you're able to tell him yourself." There's a faint flicker of hope in Riley's tone, despite the many uncertainties that lie before them. That handled, the subject turns back to the most pressing matter. "I'll give you some space to get to work while I take care of things out here, and check in with you once everything's in order. Yeah?"

"Yeah, I appreciate that. I'll let you know too if I make any breakthroughs. You make a good partner...we'll find her." As much for herself as for Riley, as her attention shifts off the conversation and onto the soulstone she now holds. Splitting apart a person's soul into its base elements is taxing work, and a slip up could cause whatever she has to escape into the shadowlands, so for now, she is silent and focused.

Theory and practice are very different things. Alyssa finds as she works that if this were the real world, if she was in her physical form, this task may be wholly impractical. “Y’really not goin’ t’elp me even a little are you?” She asks the wolf, without looking up from her work. The soul shard now dances through the air, shattered into a million little motes of flickering crystal shards, like glitter on the air of her consciousness. If she truly breathed, rather than the false life she lives in her dagger prison, she would inhale the dust of it, but here it is safe.

Though she can’t extract actual memories from a soul, what she can see is intent. The glittering motes of the bodyguards soul are washes of intent. She begins the slow process of work, hands extended out to manipulate. The bits of colour dance about with subtle gestures of fingertips. Steady concentration slowly separates the motes out into clusters along a timeline, capturing bits and pieces of brighter light from childhood, from times of innocence. Darker along the ends of a life lived in sin and anger, of dark deeds. A flick of her wrist motions the entire back half of the man’s life to coalesce into a ball of inky dark glitter that drifts into her palm and is simply absorbed. The wolf won’t need those parts, but she can use them for strength.

Sifting through the rest she pulls on moments of intense emotion. On the hints of a first kiss. On the warm memory of a mother caring for a sick son. On the thrill of freedom of a first coin made honestly. These glittering bits and pieces she plucks from the myriad array of crystalline fragments before her, slowly and painstakingly pulling every drop of goodness and light and justice out of this battered soul that she can.

Some motes darken at her touch, her own corruption bleeding through and ruining them, those she absorbs for herself, redoubling her efforts to create a small clean pure soul.

It feels like it’s been days. A week or more. Of every moment digging through the atoms of the universe that made up this man. It can’t possibly have been though. If so much time has passed, Riley would have stopped her, chimed in. Regardless of the true passage of time, Alyssa holds, floating above her palm a small crystal, all but radiating light to a near painful degree. More pure and just than any soul has any right to be, let alone one from the source she took it from.

The freshly born have done more wrong and seen more trauma than what she holds now.

The moment of truth, Alyssa approaches the sleeping wolf with shaking steps. “Y’ready f’this? I’m countin’ on you t’take it and do...somethin’. Anythin’.” Her hands extend out, floating the crystal towards the wolf, carefully not touching it lest she taint it with her own essence. The glowing crystal presses against the white wolf, and then sinks into it as Alyssa’s woven magic infuses it into the creature

A glow begins beneath the fur of the white wolf, beginning from somewhere inside and then radiating along its body, rippling beneath white and grey with a brilliant light. Aly finds herself covering her eyes against it, a grin lighting lips, excitement as something begins to happen.

And then her face falls. The energy infused burns away, eaten up by the sleeping creature. It dims, fades, and puffs away, and all the hard work is gone. The moments of painstaking extraction snuffed out in a small puff, with no sign or trace of the magic she put into it.

Alyssa sighs, slumping down to the forest floor to rest head against the log, and await the next time she sees Riley’s soul visible in the woods.

"Riley? I don't have good news," time has passed, who knows how much, but the woods part, Riley’s soul revealed, the link re-established. Alyssa wastes no time. Her voice dejected and lost.

Clear hesitance from Riley. Not surprising. "I'm afraid to ask..." she finally says, bracing for what's to come.

"It won't hold the energy," the news could be worse. Alyssa didn’t kill the wolf. She didn’t take away any shred of hope, and yet, she feels in many ways like there is none. "There was some reaction, but then it simply burned off what I put in and we're...back to where we were. Maybe more power? But I don't know how long we have to keep trying things. Best to just find her." The temptation to ask for more is there. Kill a priest, a paladin, bring her a better soul, try something bigger...but she’s not ready for another failure, nor is their timeline.

The equivalent of a long, deep sigh could be felt, a definite sense of begrudging acceptance. "Of course..." It comes quietly, but Alyssa with their connection still hears it well enough. Still, the disappointment didn’t seem directed at her. "Alright. Alright- at least we know now, yeah?" Riley pauses, letting that small sliver of reassurance hang by a thread for a moment. "We'll stick with the plan. Get to Uldum, find her, and... whatever comes after that. If an opportunity arises between now and then to try for something a little stronger..?" Another pause. "Well, I've never been one to pass up a good opportunity..."

"That all suits," Alyssa certainly isn't defeated, but she'd hoped for a breakthrough. The lack of one shows in her tone. "Yes, if we get the chance at something stronger, we can take it. Otherwise...well if we find Kat we will go from there? I have no idea what to do Riley."

"We just need to focus on what we do know." Riley’s words make Alyssa smirk. What they know isn’t much. "Take this whirlwind of shit one step at a time..." Once again, she seems to be making an attempt at convincing herself just as much as she was Aly. "Are you alright..?" The concern, for a moment, surprises Alyssa, but then, they do seem to be establishing a rapport. "I'm just about packed and ready to go, but... are you ready for this?"

"I appreciate you asking. I'm as alright as I can be. No harm done, I'm recharged a bit off what I took from that person if anything. I'm just...tired emotionally." As if that wasn't evident enough in her bleed into the link.

"At least something good came from all of that..." The sentiment in Riley’s words feel genuine, as opposed to leaning towards sarcasm. "You? How are those injuries?"

"I'm fine. I don't want to come off as a prick with the whole 'I've had it so much worse' routine, but... I really have had worse. Just a couple bruised ribs and a whopper of a headache."

"I actually don't think I can say that right now," some amusement about the situation comes through in Alyssa’s reply. "Surviving the end of Gilneas was close, but I think my current situation is about as bad as I've gotten." Being dead and trapped in a dagger is...its own sort of special.

"Alright. I think you win this one..." An attempt at a lighthearted tease to add to their brief moment of levity before she also shifts her attention back to their looming journey.

Alyssa lets attention shift back to the topic most relevant, "I'm ready as I will be. I think it's on you now, I don't know what else I can do beyond supporting you until she's found."

"I've got everything squared away here. All that's left to do is lock up and head out - with any luck, I'll be ankle-deep in sand within the hour." This she does not seem happy about, despite her phrasing.

"Going to have to go see Uldum for real some day, if I ever get out of this. I've only ever been as a kitchen accessory," Alyssa's trying to stay light, it's easier that way. "I'm here. We'll get through this."

"Hey, for what it's worth, you make a good-looking knife - these engravings are gorgeous." Riley falls into a pattern of light banter as though it's second-nature. Perhaps it is. "Hold tight in there, Alyssa. I'll see you on the other side..." Perhaps a poor choice of words before the link is severed, given what they're about to walk into.

"Thanks. Good genetics," she jokes back. And then once more the link is gone, and Alyssa returns to waiting.

[ @blue-eyedraven ]

[ Mentions of @kat-hawke & @dardillien-ward ]

#ic #rp #the dagger #blue eyed blade #isolation

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bbrandy2002 · 5 years

Text

The Fall of Cordonia

Chapter Four

Trigger Warnings: Profanity, Gun Violence, Death, Sexual Content.

A/N: This came to my attention a few days ago. This series is not a spoiler for what happens in the real TRH book. I would demand every diamond I ever spent back if that happened 😬

I will also be in hiding from a certain fic writer who shall remain nameless, after this. I can explain 🤷

"Leeeooooo!!", Riley screamed as a struggle between life and death ensued over her shattered and torn body. Like a thief in the night, death entered that room with a sickening crack of the neck, taking its prisoner with him back to the fiery pits of hell.

Bradshaw slumped his lifeless body across the queen, momentum dropping him to the floor below, his miserable soul quickly extinquished. At the same time, Leo's bright blue eyes lost their color as he instinctly glanced over to look at his younger brother one last time. There were no words, just the unspoken, I love you's, between them. This was the one final bonding moment between Leo and Liam, before he fell back onto the bed.

Riley watched with horror as he stared blankly at her, jerking momentarily as his breath was literally sucked from his lungs.

Bastien was holding Liam up, literally and emotionally as he watched his older brother slip from his life.

He lowered a stunned Liam into his plush, leather desk chair; still reeling from the events that just occured in front of him.

Liam stood in disbelief from the watch tower, overlooking the empty square below, a heavy feeling pooled in his stomach. He didn't dare look at his brother for fear he would do or say something he'd regret.

"Come on little brother, say something"

"What do you want me to say Leo? Thank you for running away from your duties? Thank you for leaving me to pick up after the mess you are inevitably creating? No, wait...how about this...thank you for being so fucking selfish to ask me to give up my future so you can escape from your responsibilties and place the burden on me.....yes, Leo...how can I truly ever thank you? Is that what you want me to say?

"It's not like that and you know it....Liam, man...I'm not cut out for this shit, never have been".

"You"ve never even tried....the only two things you've ever cared about besides yourself is booze and pussy".

"Thats bullshit"

"You're right.....this whole thing is nothing but a big pile of bullshit and you're too coward to admit you have fucked me over."

"Liam...whatever you think of me, it doesn't change the fact that I"m not cut out for this life....but you.....you are.....you"ve always been"

Liam shakes his head furiously, his mood becoming more somber, "Then why do I feel like you just sucker punched me in the gut?"

Leo places a hand on Liam's shoulder, contemplating his words and actions carefully, "Because its a huge burden I've unloaded on you and I know that.....but shit, I've never doubted for a second, you're the man this country needs. Just say you'll do this".

With the weight of the world on his broad shoulders and trepidation in his voice, "I don't have a choice do I? If not me, then who?"

Leo hesitantly pulled his brother to him, wrapping his arms around him, clapping his back, "I hope one day... I can make you as proud of me, as you have always made me".

"I doubt that Leo".

Liam sank deep into his chair, loudly exhaling what little air he had been holding inside. He allowed the trickle of tears to flow as he thought about his brothers' sacrifice.....Riley is Liam's everything, Leo ultimately died to protect him.

He wiped away the moisture from his face and cleared the lump in his throat. There was no time to mourn; his wife was still trapped in that room of Bradshaw's palace and it was anyone's guess how she would get out.

"Sweetheart, I'm sending help. We have a rescue team in place with our allies and Bastien just informed me they will be there soon. Can you make sure the door is locked?"

The sound of his calming voice was the first time in 24 hours she felt something other than fear. With her attempt to sit up, she groaned loudly at the stabbing pain in her chest, she was positive her ribs were broken. "I can't", was all she could utter.

Riley nodded at Liam as he continued to reassure her everything was going to be okay, vowing to get her home to him. Everything that had happened played like a whirlwind in her mind. As silence took over the room, she heard the distinct sound of her baby crying and it caught her ear.

"Nikolas?"

Riley sat rocking a sleepy Nikolas in the nursery at Valtoria, fighting his sleep with excessive determination. Even through his very vocal, little tantrum, she couldn't help but chuckle as she noticed he looked exactly like Liam when he's angry. That furrowed brow with the crease between his eyes, the way his face reddened and his nose scrunched up.

"My little prince, I love you sweet boy, but, that kind of cry only works on your father".

As Nikolas' lips started to quiver and with his voice turning hoarse, she, too, gave into him.

Riley lifted her 3 month old son to her shoulder, rubbing circles over his tiny back, basking in his sweet baby smell. She hummed a lullaby her late mother sang, amazed it still clung to her memories since she was so young when she passed.

Nikolas lifted his tired head briefly and she soothed him back to her. His cries softened and he became heavier in her arms.

She could never thank Liam enough for this life he made just for her. The titles, the estate, the fancy balls, the lavish lifestyle was nothing, but, this little boy and Liam's love was all she needed or wanted.

The blast of distant gunshots ripped her back to reality. She didn't flinch; feelings, fear, emotions, shock, there was nothing, as numbness took over.

The noise became louder and closer, yet, Riley remained in her position. She waited patiently, expecting the door to burst open any moment.

"Riley? What's going on?", Liam questioned frantically.

Riley didn't hear him, she sunk deep into a world of her own; one without pain, tears or bloodshed. A smile swept across her face as Liam begged her to speak back to him.

"Baby, look at me.....what's happening....please Riley, say something!".

She remained still, closing her eyes, humming Nikolas' lullaby to herself. She could see Liam in her mind, waiting on his table when she turned around and laid eyes on him for the first time. When she told him he was going to be a father and he cried in her arms. The first time he held his son and nothing else mattered in the world.

"Riley, my love.....I need you to speak to me".

The door knob began to twist erratically as sounds of chaos and struggle carried on outside; shouts and blasts ringing in unisom.

"Riley?", Liam cocked his head watching his wife struggle with her mind; she was so calm and placid. He watched as the lights flickered and then shut off into complete darkness. The video feed lost its connection.

Riley didn't hear the door break down, she didn't see the flashlights shine on her face, nor, hear the heavy boots approach her, she was gone.

Strong hands gently shook her, then cautiously lifted her up from the bed, stepping over Bradshaw to carry her out of the room.

She steadily passed through the halls and corridors of the palace, surrounded by dozens of uniformed men and women.

"Maxwell? Is this heaven?"

"Rise and shine little blossom, you have a big day ahead".

"Max, I just want to lay here a little longer"

"I know that, but, when have I ever left you alone?"

Riley snickers, "true.....so you came to get me?"

"Not exactly....let's just say I'm here to watch over you. The good thing about where I am now is you can never get rid of me".

"Maxwell, will I ever see you again?

"Of course, but, not for a very long time....Riley, you have so many people counting on you right now. You have to go back and kick some ass. What's coming is so much bigger than Liam".

"There's more coming? ...Maxwell I can't do this".

"Sure you can".

"I love you Maxwell"

"I love you too Blossom"

Four days later....

Liam gathered the last of his documents and strolled from his office with fire in his eyes. Taking long strides, his black leather oxfords the only sound made as he walked alone down the long corridor.

He hung his head as he paused momentarily at the door of his quarters, his queen still recovering inside. Liam touched the door, in some way hoping to gather the strength the woman behind it may pass on to him. Her screams of terror still waking her every so often. I promise love, I'm going to make this better for you, for Nikolas...for Cordonia.

Bastien met him at the top of the staircase; the head guard taking in Liam's appearance. He was dressed in the finest suit he owned, wearing the emerald cufflinks with the Cordonian seal, Riley gave him in Shanghai and his hair perfectly smoothed back.

He was nervous, as much as his father prepared him for the threat of enemies, Constantine had never faced anything like this. There was no one to turn to, he shouldered this responsibilty himself, not only as a King, but, as a father. He would be damned if he gave up now, remembering Leo's words to him, you're the man this country needs.

He took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, "I'm ready", he said confidently.

The palace was quiet, the destruction was apparent all around, the lights burning dimly and the eery presence of lives lost all around him.

He stepped into the throne room, attendees and press immediatly standing to their feet, no one uttering a word. He looked every bit the leader Cordonia needed right now, while inside feeling every bit a failure as a father and husband.

He took his place at the podium, there was no usual applause, no chatter, only sniffles and eager ears longing for reassurance from their monarch. Liam stood silent for the longest time, his people understanding of it, as he looked around the room, taking in each face.

What was left of the council gathered in the front row, his eyes following in a line of each member and those who left nothing but chairs behind. Bertrand who couldn't contain his tears as a rose sat in the seat next to him where Maxwell typically sat. Drake, his arm in a cast, head bandaged, with the most defeated look Liam had ever seen him wear. The empty seat of Olivia next to him, with a scarlett ribbon, a shell shocked Kiara, Emmaline sitting in place of Landon, a distraught Adelaide, a subdued Neville, Hakim, and the rest of the row void of its normal holders.

He brought a fist to his mouth, attempting to catch himself from allowing the emotions to overtake him.

He lowered his fist and rested it on the podium, clearing his throat, in preparation to address the council and nation.

"My fellow Cordonians and esteemed members of the council....Four days ago, tragedy struck our country and has affected each of us in ways no one could ever have envisioned. My heart and mind is with each one of you, even as I, too have suffered great personal loss. While I don't have all of the answers, I do know this....your monarch will not sit idly by and give in to the demands of those behind these attacks. King Bradshaw was just one element of this, it was discovered the recently deceased Princess of Monaco was also involved in harboring the Prince....my son, who has yet to be discovered. In the grand scheme of thing, those two were just pawns for another leader.

That is why, today, I am declaring war against Monterisso. Queen Amalas.....I know you are watching right now, so hear me when I say this.....I'm coming for you. There will be no place safe for you to hide.... and I daresay, I will win. This goes for anyone else involved in assisting her.

Our allies have remained in contact and have worked tirelessly to help save our kingdom. We are down right now, but, we have faced enemies before and have come through victorius...I have no reason to believe this time will be any different.

Now if you will join me in a moment of silence for those who we have lost".

Liam thanked the crowd, declining questions and eased his way into the front row, standing before Bertrand. He embraced him, knowing his attempts at comfort were in vain and there was really nothing he could say. He knelt down before Maxwell's empty chair, biting his lip, all the training in the world unable to hold back his emotions. Drake sidled beside him, kneeling down with his uninjured arm around Liam's back. The Three Musketeers, down to two.

He stood, and held Drake for what seemed like an eternity. Liam moved forward, picking up the scarlett ribbon from the next chair, clasping it in his hands, his jaw tensing as he dropped the ribbon back to it's place.

When he was finished, he left the room and headed back to his quarters alone. He loosed his tie as he made his way up the steps and to his bedroom. He stopped at the door as Riley turned to him, dismissing her nurse before shutting the door behind him.

"Is it done?", Riley questioned, holding Nikolas' stuffed bear in her arms.

Liam nodded, "It is".

He threw his tie on the bed and poured a finger of scotch, downing it all at once. He faced his wife once more, "We'll either win this my love.....or lose everything trying".

Monterisso

Amalas allowed the thin, dainty fingers of her companion to slip under her skirt, groaning with pleasure as two fingers swept between her wet folds.

The two women were enticed by the words coming out of Cordonia, laughing with one another over the supposed threat. Liam has never been alone, Amalas has known his every move and gesture for well over a year. Even now, she is still one step ahead of him.

She lays back on the sofa with her legs wrapped around the neck of the woman who has caught her affections. She swallows hard then moans loudly as the skilled tongue laps up her juices and slides into her dripping entrance . Pleasure begins to ripple through her body and she arches her back as a thumb rubs circles over her clit. She cries out, feeling her lower abdomen tighten, her core pulsing until she is met with her release.

Both woman fall back onto the sofa, breathing heavily, clutching one another.

"I do believe this day continues to get better", Amalas said while clutching the red hair of her companion.

"Shall we celebrate our victory further?"

"Olivia, I think I have something else in mind", Amalas replies as she reaches under the sofa, eager to unleash her next plan. "You should know, I do enjoy doing things on my own".

#the royal heir #liam x riley #the royal romance #dark #king liam #trr liam x mc #trr liam #trh liam

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msjr0119 · 5 years

Text

Marshgate Prison- Introduction

NEW SERIES: At Marshgate Prison, New York City- Riley Brooks begins a new job as a Prison guard. The inmates and guards who work there have kept many secrets hiden. Will she become involved in these secrets? How will she react to the common riots that constantly take place in the rough prison.

*This series is based on The Royal Romance characters who belong to Pixelberry - AU Plot switch*

Tags- if you want to be removed let me know 👍🏼 @annekebbphotography @burnsoslow @drakesensworld @ladyangel70 @kingliam2019 @bbrandy2002 @butindeed @bascmve01 @drakewalker04 @pedudley @captain-kingliamsqueen @duchessemersynwalker @insideamirage @of-course-i-went-to-hartfeld @kozabaji @texaskitten30 @ibldw-main @kimmiedoo5 @nikkis1983 @dangerouseggseagleartisan @gnatbrain @walker7519 @lodberg @cmestrella @hopefulmoonobject @addictedtodrakefanfic @angi15h @liamxs-world @rafasgirl23415 @notoriouscs @yukinagato2012 @dcbbw @qammh-blog @nz1091 @beardedoafdonutwagon @cordonianroyalty

****

Riley Brooks arrived at Marshgate Prison, in New York City. She was nervous for her first day- she had previously worked in a woman’s only prison. The women inmates were brutal, at times she wondered about having a career change. Applying for a new job at Marshgate was a new start for her, she had hoped that she would settle in as it was a different scenario - this prison was a coed one.

Asking for directions to the wardens office, she knocked on the door. Sighing, nerves hit her like a ton of bricks.

“Come in.” The mans voice shouted. Opening the door shaking, she became more calm due to the mans soft smile as he gaze towards her.

“Hello. I’m Riley Brooks, it’s my first day.” Shaking her previous clammy hand, he insisted that the newbie sat down.

“Oh, I’m so glad to finally meet you Miss Brooks. I’ll get you some uniform to change into and then I’ll introduce you to Liam Rhys who you will be shadowing for the first week.”

*****

Liam knew today that he would be assisting the new guard, he didn’t know much about the person apart from that she was a woman. Sighing, he knew women guards needed to be tough to survive this prison. The way he coped was to be nice to the inmates- get them to trust him. It was the only way to survive each shift.

One inmate that he had a close friendship with was Drake Walker. The man had been accused of raping a young woman- however Drake confessed that he was in fact protecting the young girl who was intoxicated. The actual man who hurt the girl had somehow framed Drake. Accusing Drake of attacking not only the young girl but him too. Injustice was served and Drake was serving a sentence of four years. On good behaviour, he could potentially be released sooner rather later, in a matter of weeks.

On the women’s wing, Liam was too close to Olivia Nevrakis. The fiery woman had murdered her estranged husband Anton by stabbing him with a stiletto knife. Every opportunity she had, she would drag Liam away- and seduce him. He knew it was wrong, but she had some type of spell on him. Other guards had suspected something was going on between the two but daren’t inform the warden as he was Liam’s father. Olivia had control over all the inmates, many were intimidated by just her presence.

Hana Lee was imprisoned for brutally attacking her parents, in an unexpected rage. This was out of character as describe by her parents- she was usually calm, loveable, friendly. They didn’t believe that she was bisexual - they was furious when she called off her engagement to a wealthy man. With the lack of support from her parents she became vulnerable- when she met Olivia she was attached to her hip. Olivia used her as her lap dog- completing all of her ‘dirty work’. Hana completed all the chores Olivia had set her without any hesitation. The reasoning behind this was because she had fallen in love with Liv- however, whenever Liam was around Hana felt a pang of jealousy.

****

“Hi, you must be Liam. I’m Riley.”

Liam gulped, her tiny frame and slim body was like that of a Victoria secret model. Her baby blues matched the colour of the sea. Many would say she was the perfect woman. I’m married- he kept repeating to himself.

“Liam, I suggest that you spend today on the men’s wing, then tomorrow in the women’s wing.” His father ordered, Liam nodded and took Riley under his wing.

Liam explained how the staff rotate during the week- a new protocol. Following Liam they spoke about her previous experiences. Both trying to out do each other with the worse stories from being a guard. Knocking on Drake Walkers door, he was slumped on his bed.

Four weeks- Drake kept reminding himself.

“Drake, I’d like you to meet one of our new guards, Riley. Be nice to her and don’t cause any trouble.” Riley stood in the threshold. She didn’t like to judge people until she got to know them herself but still hesitated entering the mans cell.

“Me trouble? I’m an innocent man. I’m not fucking anything up. Nice to meet ya but I’ll be out of here in four weeks.”

“Oh that’s good then. I bet you can’t wait.”

Looking at her, his stomach had butterflies- he had never seen anyone so beautiful.

“Damn right I can’t.” She smiled at him, avoiding her gaze as he shook his head.

Riley and Liam exited his cell, he introduced her to the other male inmates. Feeling settled already, she thanked Liam.

“If you’re not up to anything later, I was wondering if you wanted to go for a drink?” Believing he was just being friendly, he had hoped she would accept his offer. He knew he was married, even it had reached breaking point. Olivia even though she was a psycho- was his saviour. A way he could release.

“Sounds great.” Riley said enthusiastically- she needed to get to know some people from New York. She was brought up in New York as a child, but had lost touch with her close friends.

“We need to gather them all up to go outside. Could you deal with Walker? I’ll deal with the others.”

Riley nodded, entering Drakes cell- he seemed lost in thought.

“Whatcha doing?” Asking curiously, he was vacant as if the world around him didn’t exist.

“Erm. Writing a letter to my nephew. I’ve done one every week since I’ve been here.”

“That’s so sweet. You’ll be able to see him soon. Are you coming outside? I don’t really want to get sacked on my first day.”

“You won’t get sacked due to me. I can think of a few people who will try their luck though.”

“What do you mean?” She provided a perplexed expression, deep down she needed to thank him for the warning.

“When we all go outside you’ll see. I saw the way Liam looked at you- one inmate is going to be ready to stab you like she did her own husband.”

“He’s having a relationship with an inmate? Not surprising. It happens in all prisons discreetly. Don’t worry I won’t tell him that you told me.” She winked before leaving the cell to stand outside.

Why couldn’t she have started working here before? She seems nice. Friendly. Outgoing. She’s beautiful. But what would she see in an accused rapist? Liam is all gooey eyed over her, he doesn’t deserve her. He has a wife and kids at home- but is hooked up with an inmate. I wonder if he will ever admit that to her?

******

Drake joined everyone outside after finishing writing his letter to Bartie. His sister loved him, but they weren’t as close after all that had happened. She had moved to Paris. He often wondered if he would ever see her again. They were the only family he had left. The weather recently had been kind enough to them- being stuck inside wasn’t great, even if it was self infliction. Many of the inmates were grateful for this short time each day - breathing in the outside air. Clouds drifted by effortlessly, surrounded by natural sounds such as birds tweeting.

Riley mingled with all the inmates and guards. Getting to know their daily routine, was a priority in understanding this new job role. Drake thought she was professional compared to some guards. Seeing Hana full of rage, he knew why. Neither Liam nor Olivia were nowhere to be seen.

“What’s up Lee?”

“You know what Drake.” Looking defeated, she was due to be released months ago- but kept getting caught breaking the rules to delay her release date. The reason why- Olivia.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Liam has a family on the outside. Remember that.” Hana smiled, she liked Drake - she could never comprehend the reasoning behind his sentencing. It just didn’t fit his personality. Olivia walked over all flustered, Hana’s lips curled up at the sight of her lover. Drake however scowled, before noticing daggers appear in her eyes as she observed Liam become closer to Riley.

“Who’s that?” She snapped.

“She’s the new guard- she’s called Riley. She’s actually nice.”

“Aw what’s up Walker? Have you got a little crush?” Blushing, he knew he had to avoid the situation. Avoid looking at her at all costs like a lost puppy.

“No. Even if I did I’m out of here in a few weeks. I’ll be glad not to see that resting bitch face of yours ever again.” Olivia raised her eyebrows at his response before he evacuated the area.

*****

The end of the shift ended, surprisingly it went well and flew by. Before she knew it, it was time to clock out. Liam waited for her at the gates and escorted Riley to the bar. The bar contained different conversations that were shouted in loud voices, all of them competing with the music that dominated the euphoric atmosphere. Buying her a drink, he couldn’t help but gaze into her baby blues.

“So what did you think? Have we all scared you away?”

“You’ll find out tomorrow if I turn up or not.” They both laughed.

After a while, he escorted her home. Riley insisted that she was fine to get a cab alone, but he wanted to make sure she was safe. Kissing her on the cheek, he bid her goodnight. Feeling warmth spread through her body and limbs - she had hoped that this wasn’t the start of anything more than a professional friendship.

*****

Drake attempted to sleep in his cell, tossing and turning- his brain failed to shut down, his thoughts kept lingering to Riley. Closing his eyes, her smile was pictured in his mind. Her voice echoed in his mind. Wondering what she was doing on the outside. Wondering if they could become friends once he was released. All these what ifs didn’t matter- he was a criminal even if he was innocent.

******

Hana snuck into Olivia’s cell, bribing the guard on duty. Walking quietly into the cell she could see that Olivia was furious - a fellow cell mate had informed her about an overheard conversation between Riley and Liam. The conversation involved talking about their plans once their shift had ended.

“Hana, I need you to do me a favour tomorrow.” Asking calmly she knew Hana would accept.

“Anything Liv. You know I’ll do anything for you.” Hana stroked Olivia’s arm, affectionately. Rolling her eyes back, she knew she had to fake being in love with her to get the ‘mug’ to complete the dirty work.

“I need you to stitch the new guard up somehow. Liam is mine.” Hana grimaced, feeling heartbroken that she had to share her. “You’re mine too Hana.I am the Queen bee here. No one messes with Olivia Nevrakis!”

#theroyalromance #choices trr #riley brooks #drakewalker #liam rhys #hanalee #olivia nevrakis #trr au marshgate #drake x riley #liam x riley

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dannymillerfansite · 5 years

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EMMERDALE SPOILERS: AARON’S HEARTBROKEN SAYS ACTOR DANNY MILLER

Aaron Dingle takes on ‘cousin’ Mandy when she takes advantage of the Dingle clan. With Robron coming to an emotional end, Emmerdale actor Danny Miller talks about his new feud and filming Robron’s final scenes…

You’d think with all the turmoil going on in Robron’s lives at the moment the last thing Aaron Dingle would want to do is get embroiled in someone else’s drama – think again! His new nemesis is none other than Mandy Dingle!

Since arriving back in the village, Mandy has been sponging off Aaron’s nearest and dearest – Chas and Paddy, Marlon and Uncle Zak. But when Chas discovers a bag full of stolen casino chips, Aaron steps in. Actor Danny Miller explains more…

“Aaron takes an instant disliking to Mandy when she comes back,” Danny says. “When he finds out from Chas that she’s nicked this bag of casino chips, he wants to knock her down a peg or two, because she’s been asking Paddy, Marlon and Zak for money and the whole time, she has this money in her pocket. Aaron decides to give her a taste of her own medicine, taking the chips off her and takes them to a friend who works in a casino to cash in the chips.”

“Aaron is trying to have as much as fun as he can with Robert. They enjoy having some money in their pocket, especially as they don’t have long left together…”

Given the troubled times ahead for Aaron and Robert, could Aaron be adding to their worries by making an enemy of Mandy. Will she break the Dingle code and retaliate?

“Aaron doesn’t really care that Mandy is experienced in these kind of situation, or if she knows the right people in these situations,” adds Danny. “If anything he’s testing how far he can push her. He doesn’t like his family being mugged off and for that reason he decides to teach her a lesson.

“The pub is closed so Chas is struggling for money, Zak needs a few quid, so in his head the logic is he’s going to nick it, give Mandy a share, pay everyone else in the family, and keep some for him and Robert. He knows she can’t go to the police about it because she’d be dobbing herself in.”

Meeting at the scrapyard, Aaron gives Mandy a dressing down for how she’s treated the family. When he reveals that he’s taking a commission, Mandy goes berserk. A heated argument leads to Aaron ‘accidentally’ dropping the bag of money into the fire pit. Mandy and Vinny are distraught, but is all as it seems? Who has Mandy stolen the money from and will that in turn bring trouble to the Dingle’s door?

“As you can imagine £18,000 cash going in the fire, nobody is going to be best pleased,” quips Danny. “But she’s fuming because she needs the money for something unbeknown to Aaron.

“Aaron just thinks she’s ripping off his family, even though she is family, and he wants to knock her down a peg or two. You can’t come back to the village and think you run this family. he really gives it to her.

“As far as the Dingles are concerned its just the casino that’s out of pocket – but then again I don’t know who owns the casino…”

For Danny, this is the first time he’s got to work with Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy and it seems the two have plenty in common.

“She’s brilliant,” he enthuses. “Someone said she’s the female version of Danny Miller. We got off on the right foot from the start and it bodes well for the future because I love working with her and her character. Aaron and Mandy seem to play off each other really well. I’m a big fan of Lisa’s. Thought she was brilliant in Three Girls and when I went over to Scott and Bailey, the production team sent me her episode to get a feel for the show, and she was brilliant in that.

“I feel very blessed I get to work with Lisa Riley. Her enthusiasm and joy for the job is amazing. I can’t believe I’m getting to work with her. She won’t thank me for saying this but I used to watch her as a kid on You’ve Been Framed, and now we’re actually friends!”

With Robert Sugden’s departure hurtling towards us and the end of the #Robron era, does this mean we’ll see more of Aaron with other members of the Dingle clan?

“Definitely,” Danny exclaims. “Often, because of Robert and Aaron’s partnership, they seem to be inseparable on screen and in their stories which is great for me and Ryan, but we also like to spread your wings and do other things and have our own sense of individuality on the show. I don’t know what’s coming up for the Dingles but I’ll be back working with Jeff Hordley again. Cain and Aaron have always worked really well together, there’s a hidden love there for each other, so working with Jeff again will be incredible. I’m looking forward to him having a bit of rebellion and seeing how Aaron’s life unfold a bit now that he’s lost his one true love.

So how is Aaron feeling in general with Robert’s potential prison sentence looming? Is he is as worst state as the Robron fans?

“He’s heartbroken,” Danny sympathises. “He knows the core of his family will just be ripped away from him. It’s almost inevitable that Robert’s going to prison but we don’t know how long it will be for at this point. He knows he’s going to lose the love of his life but he’s also going to lose him to the worse possible way, which is behind bars.

“Aaron’s been there and done that and we all saw how terribly wrong that went, the mistakes that he made and the impact it had on his family. He’s worried Robert may go down that same route and what it might mean for the relationship. Does he wait for Robert; does Robert wait for him. He’s confused and desperate to cling on to as much love and happiness as he can whilst he’s here.

“In a nutshell, he’s utterly devastated but he’s putting on the bravest of faces to try and not show Robert he’s going to struggle while he’s inside. He’s grabbing every minute with Robert while he can.”

The Robron fandom is a powerful force, with many friendships formed, fundraising for charity, brilliant fan art, fan fiction, etc so the news of the end of an era was always going to be hard. So what’s Danny made of the fan reaction since Ryan’s departure was announced?

“I’d honestly say that for the first time, it’s split down the middle 50/50,” Danny says. “People are angry and upset that the couple are coming to an end and they don’t understand that it’s a decision that every actor should take at some point – to go out there and spread their wings and unfortunately with that you lose the character. And then other people are excited to see what Ryan gets up to and thanking the couple for the stories they’ve told over the past four or five years. That’s the most important thing to the fans, the representation of the couple and the representation of them being two best mates who just happen to be madly in love with each other. As the old saying goes ‘love is love’ and it doesn’t matter who it is with.

“They’ve had some great stories together – breaking up, getting back together, doing stupid things, one night stands, and all that kind of stuff and I think people will miss that and I’ll miss that because I’m also losing a friend as well as my co-star. It’s quite a sad time really but I’m excited for Ryan. I think he’ll do really well and he might be back in a couple of years or that might be it for Ryan at Emmerdale and he’ll go off and do amazing things. Time will tell but all we can do now is tell a story to the best of our abilities to keep a little bit of a surprise even though people know he’s leaving.

Most fans are already dreading the inevitable final scene but imagine being Ryan and Danny! Will those final Robron scenes be weird to film?

“We’ve done a lot of the goodbye, upset ones, and there was real raw emotion in there for both Ryan and myself,” admits Danny. “There was a very emotional scene when I speak to him for the first time when he’s in prison, and at that point I realised it was real and this is actually happening and there were some genuine tears. We’ve been very close Ryan and I over the past four years. It won’t be the same without him but the show goes on and we’ll have to wait and see what happens to Aaron…

After losing Kelvin Fletcher (Andy Sugden), Adam Thomas (Adam Barton), and now Ryan Hawley, Danny’s yet to find a new bromance but its his on-screen sister who he is closest to now.

He explains: “I’m very close to Isobel Steele (Liv Flaherty) and her family and vice versa. I’m often round at her house, we’ve got a really solid friendship there.

When I saw Isobel in the audition I instantly knew she’s going to be a superstar, and we need her, we have to have her here before she gets older and goes off to do more amazing things. Kate Oates, then producer, was in total agreement. Kate said: ‘You need to guide Isobel in the right way and help her out.’ But, I would never tell her what to do but just say this is my advice from my experience and this is what I did wrong. This girl’s got the head and shoulders of an older woman, she’s very clever and talented. All I ever wanted to do is push her on and give her the confidence to express herself and show how good she really is. Now, she’s not afraid to suggest extra little lines or ways to develop a scene. If I’ve had anything to do with it I’m very proud of her, but she’s done it herself, she’s very switched on.

“Also, Lucy Pargeter and Dominic Brunt are my go-to’s – Jeff Hordley and Mark Charnock as well. Those I work the most and closest with. I came in to Emmerdale when I was a kid and every one of them looked after me and mentored and nurtured me in to the business and in to the job. I can’t thank them enough for it.”

Interview by The Emmerdaily

#emmerdale #Robron #danny miller #Aaron Dingle #spoilers

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dcbbw · 5 years

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Timing--Part 1 (The Talk)

This is my second fanfic and it’s my version of events once the gang travels to LA to find Tariq. In my version, he refuses to come forward and Riley makes a painful decision. It was supposed to be a one-off, but the story just keeps growing, so this is Part 1. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please excuse any typos and/or grammatical errors. PS—my Liam is Asian Liam, and my Riley is tall, like me.

All characters belong to Pixelberry.

Song Inspiration: Follow My Voice, Julie Byrne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIqadEVrs4Y

Word Count: 3338

Tags: @speedyoperarascalparty @sirbeepsalot

Liam X MC, Liam X Riley

Liam was readying his study for his talk with Lady Riley. He had told her the day before he would like to speak with her; she had responded with an of course, and that she also needed to speak with him. So here he was, making sure the vase containing two dozen red roses for her was placed just so; that the tray of pastries and fruits was readily accessible to them both, and now that the vanilla milkshakes they both loved had been delivered from the Palace kitchen, the only thing missing was Lady Riley herself.

Liam took one last look around, running his hand through his thick black hair. Everything looked as good as could be, and then he looked down at his outfit: white dress shirt with no tie and the sleeves rolled up, and black dress slacks. He hoped he looked okay. Riley made him want to look his best….Riley made him want to be his best everything. He was trying, without success, to calm the butterflies he always felt when he thought of her; because he was going to be seeing her, they were in overdrive.

On the other side of the study door, Riley was nervously smoothing down the front of her navy colored maxi dress. A simple, classy dress with a lace yoke, and lace capping the ¾ sleeves. She had chosen to wear the pearl bracelet Liam had given her the day of the tea party in Shanghai. Her short curls were in place and her makeup tastefully done. She wore 3 inch navy heels, which brought her height to an impressive 6’3”….and she was still at least an inch shorter than Liam. She hoped she looked presentable…..earlier she had asked Bertrand his opinion, and his response was: Acceptable. High praise from the Duke of Ramsford.

She willed herself to actually knock on the door instead of running down the hall and hiding…..she was going to break Liam’s heart today, and the guilt was wreaking havoc on her stomach. Taking a deep breath, she plastered on a smile and knocked confidently on the study door. Liam opened it immediately, bowing slightly and smiling shyly at her.

“Lady Riley”, he said as he lifted her hand to his lips to graze a light kiss across it.

“Your Majesty”, she said in a light, teasing tone.

“Please, come in”. Liam led her into the study and she looked around in surprise. Roses, food, and vanilla milkshakes greeted her, and while her heart soared, her stomach sank. This was going to be so hard, she thought.

Liam invited her to sit on the sumptuous leather sofa and he sat next to her. He gestured to the coffee table where the deep red roses sat in a crystal cut vase. “For you,” he smiled. Riley picked up the incredibly heavy vase to lower her face into the flowers, inhaling their heady scent. Once she lifted her face, she looked at him with a bright smile that did not quite reach her eyes. She reached out to grab his hand. “They’re beautiful, Liam. But…you wanted to talk”?

Liam had been watching her the entire time….in fact, since she had entered the room, his eyes never left her. She was beautiful…..the early afternoon sun coming through the windows behind her brought out the highlights in her short curly hair and bathed her skin with a soft glow. He noticed that her smile was in place, but her eyes were nervous and sad. He did not know what was wrong, but hoped his news would cheer her up.

“Yes, I did. Now that the wedding shower is over, Madeleine has returned to Fyedalia to oversee her duchy as we await news of Tariq, and what will become of the …wedding”. His face clouded over at the mention of the word wedding. Then it cleared, and he continued. “In any case, she will be gone at least two weeks, and I would like to spend that time with you”. He smiled happily. “Just us, Riley…being a normal couple in love. We can go to the zoo, out to dinner, movies, shopping, museums, countryside picnic…whatever you want. I would also like you to be with me at the Palace…we can share the royal chambers for your stay, if you are comfortable with that”. His tone was happy, his eyes hopeful.

Riley stared blankly. Oh, this was going to be harder than she imagined.

Liam faltered a bit at her lack of response. “Riley, I know it is not exactly ideal, but it can tide us over until this….situation gets resolved. You know you are the woman I love. Madeleine will never be my wife, even if it comes to the point of a ceremony. She will only ever be Cordonia’s Queen, if it gets that far, and I can actually go through with it”.

Riley continued to stare at him. And here we go…time to break his heart.

She grasped his hand in both of hers, her eyes bright with tears and her voice shaky. “Liam, when you loaned us the jet to fly to Los Angeles the day of the wedding shower, we…we found Tariq”. Liam’s dark eyes grew wide and a look of surprised elation crossed his face. Riley shook her head gently. “Love, he refuses to come forward. He is terrified to speak on even his behalf, let alone mine. He….he was set up to commit sexual assault. He has been threatened with losing his title, being stripped of his lands, and faces considerable prison time if he comes forward to clear either my name or his. He does not trust anyone at this point, certainly not the Crown”.

She let her mind drift back to that day….how Tariq visibly blanched at seeing her, Drake, Maxwell, and Hana. How he kept looking out the window, and repeatedly asking who sent them, and had they been followed. Maxwell was rubbing his forehead in an attempt to ward off a headache and quell his mounting frustration at the circle jerk of words Tariq was spewing. Hana and Riley had tried to reason with him, assuring him that Constantine was no longer in power and that Liam only wanted to clear the names of the innocent. Drake had flat out threatened Tariq, which had not helped matters. In the end, Tariq refused and there was nothing they could do about it.

Taking a deep breath, Riley continued talking. “He won’t come forward, and I cannot do this with you any longer. Moments here and there, sneaking around, having to watch you marry her…..Liam, I did not give up my life and endure a social season where I was called a commoner wench and told I was beneath others for titles or crowns. I came for you, for us. To see if what we had was real, to love you, to be with you openly, freely. To have you love me in return. And that is not going to happen now. Between the King Father, Tariq and you choosing Madeleine…..it just won’t happen”.

He winced. “I do not know how many times, how many ways I have to tell you, Riley….it was never about choosing Madeleine….it has always been about keeping you safe!

“Look”, her voice softened even more, “I know you were protecting me, but it backfired. It’s unfair, Liam. To all of us. I am leaving to return to America, to get my life back. A life where I am in control and not second best to anyone. I want a life”…her voice broke….”where I can freely be with the man I love”. She looked at him with imploring eyes, while grabbing his hands in hers. She tried to steady her voice, but it still came out ragged. “That part is not your fault. I knew what I was getting into with the social season, I knew the odds stacked against me. The night of the Coronation”….here her voice broke completely and she did not try to stop the tears. “Even though it appeared I…we had beaten the odds, I lost you, and with it, our chance at real happiness”. She took a deep breath. “It seems to me that returning to my life in American is the only sensible, self-respecting option”.

Liam’s heart broke in that moment. Leaving. America. Two days. NOOOOOOOO, he screamed internally. Liam interrupted desperately, “You never lost me! You have me, my heart, my soul! You know that, Riley”! Riley looked at him sadly. “But I will never have your name. I will never be your wife. Since Lythikos, that is all I have wanted….can you understand my perspective”?

Something snapped in Liam at that moment. He roughly thrust Riley’s hands back at her as he stood up, face dark and features distorted by anger and pain. He paced the room like a caged animal, running his hands through his hair as he yelled.

“Your perspective? Your perspective? What about me, Riley? Huh? Did it ever cross your mind that MY happily ever after got snatched away as well? By my.own.father. MY OWN FATHER, Riley”!! Riley sat, looking at Liam mutely. Her eyes showed her heartbreak, but Liam was not looking at her. The anger and frustration was boiling over, and he had to release it somehow. He slammed his fist into his desk, causing the solid wood to vibrate slightly. He took his hands and swept everything off the desk onto the floor. Papers, books, pictures in frames, a lamp….all crashing to the floor. He pushed the huge leather rolling chair into the wall, hard. He paced around, yelling more.

“I LOVE you, Riley. YOU. I am doing all I can. Do you have any idea how fucking helpless I feel, seeing what you’re going through and being unable to help, at least openly? The fucking King of Cordonia cannot even protect the woman he loves”…the words choke in his throat, and he tried to give a derisive laugh, but it came out hollow and ending with his voice breaking. “I wanted to abdicate…..you remember that? That night in the grotto? I wanted us to be together so badly, I was…still am…willing to give it all up for you! To be with you. But nooooo…..you told me NOT TO”! The last two words were punctuated by him throwing a glass of vanilla milkshake against the wall.

“Damn you, Riley”! He threw a decanter of scotch at the wall. “And FUCK YOU, Father”!!!! He swept the contents of the entire bar cart onto the floor. Then he screamed, and the tears overtook him. The scream was raw, primal, almost animalistic. He collapsed to his knees in front of a stunned Riley, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist while dropping his face in her lap. Riley‘s hands automatically went to his hair as her face dropped to look down at Liam. Tears were falling from her eyes as she watched the man she was desperately in love with release his demons. His voice breaking and hitching between sobs, he spoke. “Love, please stay. Please. I will make you a Duchess. The Duchess of Valtoria. You can rebuild your life here in Cordonia”. Before she could respond, there was a knock at the door. Probably Bastien coming to see what in the hell was going on Riley thought.

“Go away”!! Liam shouted into her stomach. The response to that was the opening of the door, and Bastien and Drake filled the doorway, concern on their faces. “Your Majesty, is everything okay”? Bastien inquired as he took in the damage done to the study. Drake looked at Bastien incredulously….the room was trashed, broken glass everywhere, and ice cream on the wall. Not to mention Liam crying his eyes out in Riley’s lap. Yeah, Bastien…things are peachy, he said to himself. She told him, was Drake’s second thought. Riley looked up with sad eyes and a tear stained face, and nodded her head slightly. “We’re fine. We will send for someone to clean up shortly”. Bastien nodded uncertainly, closing the door.

Liam looked up at her, and Riley’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of him. When he raised his face, his beautiful beautiful face to her, she began crying again. Hs dark eyes were wet and ringed with red. His face was tear streaked and his expression was one of pure heartbreak. Her heart was aching with pain because she was breaking his. He spoke, but the voice was not his. “You are all of my strengths, all of my weaknesses….love, you are my everything. Please….just a little longer”.

“I love you, Liam….I am in love with you more than you will ever know. I wish with all that I am that there was another alternative”. She put her hand to his cheek, feeling the wetness against her palm. She leaned in gently to kiss him softly on the lips, just a hint of tongue in his mouth. “But I am still leaving….in two days’ time. I came to tell you that and to invite you to House Beaumont for a farewell potluck dinner. Everyone will be there, and I really want you to be there”.

Liam’s sobs had finally quieted. He felt spent, and his heart….the pain in his heart right now was physical. There were rocks in his stomach and he could not seem to form a coherent thought, let alone sentence. He took a deep shaky breath. “It would appear our timing sucks, huh? He attempted a smile, but it came out as a grimace. “If we had met even six months before that night, we would not be going through any of this”.

Riley lifted his face to hers. Her eyes were filled with love, sadness, and pain. “Timing is a bitch, my love”.

His face fell back in her lap as his sobs slowly turned to hiccups. Riley continued to run her fingers through his hair. How long they stayed that way, neither knew. Finally Riley asked softly, “Liam, what was your favorite part of that night? The night we met”? Liam was quiet for a few moments before he spoke. “So many parts of that night are my favorite, but if I had to choose, it would be when you agreed to let me buy you a drink. Without that, none of the rest would have happened. Yours”? Riley chuckled softly. “That’s easy. Making a Prince’s simple wish come true”.

“You have made them all come true every day since, my love”. Liam reached up to grab her soft lips with his to give her a kiss. It was soft and tentative at first, but quickly filled with passion and desperation. Riley returned his fervor, wrapping her hands in his hair. When they broke apart, there was a sadness but an acceptance as well. As if they both knew that their options had run out and they had to admit defeat.

Liam broke the silence. “I will be at the dinner tomorrow and if it is not an imposition, I would like to spend your last day in Cordonia with you”. Riley nodded eagerly, not trusting herself to speak. Liam stood, and extended his hand to help her to her feet. She bent over to taste her milkshake…not to be polite but her throat was constricted with unshed tears and words she wanted to say. I love you Liam….I want to stay. I need your calm, your arms, your love. I need you. But she dare not speak them. Unless Tariq had a coming to God moment in the next 4 weeks, Liam would be married to Madeleine, and she would be relegated to being a loose thread in the fabric of Liam’s life. She could not bear to have even less of him.

She took a couple of dutiful sips, and gave him a shaky smile….”I am off to House Beaumont then. I will see you tomorrow”. Liam nodded, his eyes never leaving her face. She gave him a soft kiss and a wave goodbye before opening the door and letting herself out. Five seconds later, she came back through the door with a sheepish expression and apologetic smile, grabbed her vase of roses, and left again, blowing Liam a kiss before closing the door a second time.

Liam watched her leave, exhaled a long sigh, and picked up his phone. His first call was to the head housekeeper, who answered on the first ring. “Yes, Your Majesty”? “Margaret, I am apologizing in advance for the mess that needs to be cleaned up in my study”. “No problem, Sir. I will send someone up straightaway”. “Thank you”. Liam hung up, and dialed a second number.

After 3 rings, Bertrand’s voice, sounding somewhat impatient, came over the line. “Hello”?

“Duke Ramsford”, Liam said warmly. Although Bertrand had been Leo’s contemporary when they were children, Liam respected Bertrand, often sought his counsel, and enjoyed socializing with the Duke when schedules permitted. “Your Majesty”. Bertrand’s voice was noticeably more deferential.

“Bertrand, please….it’s Liam. I…I just had a visit from Lady Riley”. The silence on the other end of the phone told Liam that Bertrand already knew the news. “I would like to RSVP for the dinner tomorrow evening, if that is okay. Lady Riley….extended an invitation. I would also like to impose upon House Beaumont’s hospitality to ask if I may spend the night”. “Of course, Liam. We’ll prepare a room for you”. “I would not need a room. If she is leaving, I would like to spend as much time as possible with her, and not be from her side”.

Liam knew he was pushing it with the same room as Riley request. Bertrand was a stickler for appearances and decorum. After a moment’s hesitation, Bertrand responded. “Understood, and understandable”. Bertrand’s voice was heavy with sympathy and feeling. “ Of course you are always welcome at House Beaumont.. Everyone is at the house this evening….Drake, Maxwell, Hana, Olivia. We are having dinner and dancing tonight if you would like to join us. Nothing fancy….pizza, beer, and playlists. Totally impromptu. Drake and Maxwell came up with it about a half hour ago. I do believe had Lady Riley known, she would have invited you to this as well”.

Liam squeezed his eyes shut to stop the tears from falling. “I …I would like that Bertrand. I will pack a bag, and set out immediately. Oh, I have one more favor to ask of you”.

“Of course”.

“I need you to reach out to Tariq. Let him know that you are calling with the full knowledge and support of King Liam. Let him know that no harm shall come to him if he speaks out to clear Lady Riley. I have put reform and legislation in place for such situations. The Crown shall never again abuse its powers in such a manner, and the innocent have nothing to fear telling their story. Remind him he is a man with no country, and he no longer needs to live that way”.

“Do you think it will help”?

“I have to try, Bertrand. I can’t just let her leave without some kind of fight”.

“Liam, just so you know….we don’t want her to leave either. The house won’t be the same without her”.

“Cordonia won’t be the same without her. See you soon”. Liam hung up.

#trr fanfic #choices trr #choices the royal romance #liam x riley #liam x mc #king liam

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wilhelmjfink · 5 years

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The Great Divide - Chapter 1

Summary: As bitter as she was, all Riley Herrington ever wanted to do was help. She’d always figured it stemmed from some innate desire to prevent people from feeling the same way toward the world that she did. And, as Daryl had told her a hundred times, people are not to be trusted and one day she’d run into the wrong person and learn pretty quickly that her confidence in strangers would get her into a lot of trouble. They both knew he was right. He was just trying to teach her before it was too late for her to learn.

Warnings: swearing and violence. don’t be a little bitch.

A/N: omfgg it’s here!!!!! i know that literally nobody is excited about this BUT I AM AND THATS ALL THAT MATTERS SO THANKS FOR COMING EVERYONE!! this is my very first series and features my very first OC and thank you to @crossbowking for always being my #1 fan and editor and hypegirl and inspo and i love you!!! BONUS POINTS TO WHOEVER CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT VIDEO GAME IT’S BASED OFF OF AND WHAT SONG IT’S TITLED AFTER (hint it’s literally in this first chapter)

i don’t own anything except Riley so don’t sue me. also we’ve already established how bad i am at like past and present tense and all that jazz?? i was in honors college shame on me (I dropped out)

enjoy xoxo

Next Chapter

“Never should’a went after that woman.”

Daryl used the heel of his boot to jam the shovel further into the dirt before hoisting loose a pile up and over his shoulder. Digging graves always seemed to put him in a poor mood. Understandably.

So Riley observed him quietly, standing knee deep in her own trench, pondering a response to his blunt statement.

Eventually, she muddled out the only excuse she could ever muster up: “I was just trying to help...”

This time, though, Daryl wouldn’t accept it and tossed his shovel down carelessly onto the ground at his feet before tearing off his gloves and wiping the sweat from his forehead. The heat made him cranky too, she thought. Not a great combination of things.

“That’s all yer ever tryin’ to do, Ri! Don’t ya get it? People ain’t to be trusted. People will kill you. Hell, they’ll do worse things than kill ya, and make ya wish you was dead anyway!”

She flinched visibly at his outburst, taking the brunt of it knowing it was well deserved. But, still... her intentions has been good. Wasn’t there something to be said for that?

Daryl continued. “I know yer smart girl, but god damn if ya don’t act right stupid sometimes.”

Narrowing her eyes, she jabbed her own shovel into the soft ground beside her and leaned onto it. “I’m not stupid, Daryl.”

“Didn’t say ya were stupid, just said ya act like it sometimes.”

She huffed, rolling her eyes away from him and, once again, found herself reflecting on his words. He was absolutely right — that hadn’t been the first time that she’d tried to help someone only to be burned by them in the end, and it definitely wasn’t the first time that Daryl had managed to swoop in at the right time and save her ass. He always had a way of doing that. He continually, purposefully it seemed, made a point to warn her about something before appearing out of thin air to save her from that exact scenario, if only to say “I told you so.”

But nobody had been there for her back when it all began and she was hungry and lost and tired and injured. Nobody trusted her, not that she’d found many others — and the few she did run across mot only neglected to help her, they often left her in worse condition than she’d been before they’d crossed paths. It was not until she’d found Maggie and her family, all of which were more than willing to help her, and all of which were undoubtedly the reason that she was still alive.

Not to mention, all of them the reason that she’d met Daryl in the first place.

Finally, picking her next words carefully, she sighed. “Look, I.... I know. But I just.... I really want to believe that there are still good people left in the world. That’s what kept me alive, after all this started.”

It was blunt, and it was true. And then it was Daryl’s turn to soften, knowing that if he did what came instinctively and became even angrier with her it would end in a shouting match that he couldn’t stand, especially when it all initiated because he knew he’d hurt her feelings. “I know ya do, Ri. There are good people out there still — you’re one of ‘em. But ya can’t find em because bein’ good is dangerous. It’s what gets ya killed, Riley. And I ain’t gonna let you get killed by some crazy lady you offered to help ‘cause she said asked nicely n’ said ‘please’ or somethin’.”

Riley, despite herself couldn’t help but smile. He couldn’t stay mad at her — there would never be an apology, but always some off handed comment or joke. Though, the same went for her, so she couldn’t boast. Regardless, he had a valid point... as he usually did. Daryl was smart, much smarter than she would ever be.

He was a survivor, and she needed to heed his advice, because sooner or later it would be the end of her.

“Yeah, yeah. You wanna hear me say it? Okay, here it is: you are right, Daryl Dixon.” And you always are.”

Riley Herrington had a mental list that she always double and triple checked before she left for a run: first her machete at her side, and then her backpack that held a canteen full of water along with a few stale protein bars, a standard first aid kit with bandages, bands for tourniquets, alcohol and sutures and more, some extra ammunition for her .22 that she always kept holstered at her side, but most importantly, the Polaroid of her and Daryl Dixon that she’d forced him to take back when they’d taken shelter in a derelict prison. He despised it and it was so blurry it was nearly impossible to see it was him, but she knew it was, and that’s what mattered to her.

Once she was sure it was all in line she securely strapped the black bag to her back and sighed, peering over the walls at the sun that was slowing making its way over the horizon. If you’d asked her five years ago if she thought she’d be ever be an early morning person, she would’ve laughed. But now, it was the only way to safely and efficiently get anything done — it seemed to be the most quiet and still part of day anymore. She’d been up for over an hour at this point, and stood patiently awaiting her friends to wake up and join her outside of the mess hall. Tara could sleep through a tornado, but Aaron always lingered around his home until the last possible minute, cherishing every moment with Eric that he had. And Riley didn’t blame him — she was lucky that Daryl never slept either, so they had all night to enjoy each others company until the sun began to rise and they had to get ready for whatever the day held for them.

Footsteps approaching alerted her to Tara, who was making her way toward her with her own bag shouldered and rifle slung across her back, yawning dramatically and rubbing the sleep from her eyes

“Mornin’, sunshine.” Riley laughed, earning her an eye roll from her friend. “You ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied flatly. “Aaron?”

“I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”

A comfortable silence settled over the two girls as they waited, Riley dropping the tailgate of the truck and hopping up on it, sitting patiently while her legs dangled off the side.

It should be an easy run — it was just slightly farther out past the town they usually travelled to. The salvageable buildings had all been picked over; all of the others were inaccessible or too dangerous to navigate through. Nobody ever knew what new terrain brought, however, and there was always an air of anxiety when branching out further and further from the safe zone.

Riley turned her head toward the sound of voices drawing closer, spotting Daryl and Aaron as they both made their way toward the front gate.

She hopped down from the truck and slammed it back shut before making her way over to the passenger side door, meeting the two men as they approached.

“Sorry,” Aaron instantly apologized and Riley held up her hand to stop him.

“I don’t wanna hear it,” she joked. “Let’s get going. You ready?”

“Yes ma’am,” he smiled in response. For as sweet as he was, Aaron was a very good guy to have on her side out on a run: he knew the area better than most and was efficient in navigating it, smart and charismatic which more often than not helped them deter themselves from getting in trouble with strangers. Riley, in the other hand, had a difficult time biting her tongue.

As Aaron rounded the truck to the driver’s side, Riley stepped up closer to Daryl, who already had worry etched into his features in the form of wrinkles on his forehead and a furrowed brow, a permanent frown on his face as he took a long drag of the cigarette he held in between his fingers.

“It takes less effort to smile, you know,” she teased him wholeheartedly the way only she could. It was ironic, considering he always mocked her for her constant resting bitch face.

But he only snorted in derision. “It don’t take me much effort to worry about ya either, Ri.”

“Don’t worry.” She pressed her body up against his and locked her fingers into the belt loops of his jeans, resting her chin on his chest to look up at him while his bright blue eyes gazed back down into her own full of nothing but worry. No matter how many runs she went on, how many times he left to go hunting, there was no way not to lose sleep over it anymore. All you could do was wait until whomever you waited for returned and hope that they came back unscathed. “I’ll be in good hands.”

“Yeah,” He exhaled a breath of smoke to the side, avoiding blowing it into her face. “I don’t want ya in anybody’s hands but mine.”

Riley laughed and pushed up on her tiptoes, planting a reassuring kiss on his lips. “You don’t need to worry about that, Dixon.”

“Jus’ be careful, alright?”

“Of course.”

“‘N come back to me.”

“Always.” She smiled at him as the truck engine roared to life behind her, giving him one more quick kiss before turning on her heels and hoisting herself up into the bed of the truck from the wheel well and settling down against the rear windows.

Tara jumped in the side and stuck her hand out of the window, balled into a fist and waiting for Daryl to match it, and smiling when he did so. “We’ll bring her back!”

“Y’all better come back, too,” he yelled back at them as they pulled up to the front gates, slipping through it and taking off down the dirt road behind it.

The wind whipped past Riley’s face, the briskness a pleasant relief to her summer slightly-too-sun-kissed skin and tossing her pigtail braids around. She leaned her head back against the glass pane, striving to hear the faint Breaking Benjamin song as it played quietly on the radio inside the truck.

“Are we almost there?”

“About ten more minutes,” Aaron briefly checked the map that lay across his lap. “Or ten more miles. One of the two.”

Riley heard Tara laugh and she groaned, feeling the effects of the long drive with numb limbs and feet, stretching her legs out in front of her.

The giant sports arena they’d been searching for slowly grew into sight and she knew they were getting close.

Slinging her backpack on over her shoulders, she peered around the truck, observing her surroundings as the trees and dirt roads began to turn into pavement and houses and buildings.

The truck slowed to a stop in front of a parking garage that’s steel doors were dropped and locked, graffiti littering the outsides. Next door was the Hampton Inn — the first stop of their journey today.

They were all pleased to see it relatively untouched, though sealed shut behind a hefty chain. They’d been prepared, and Aaron already had the bolt cutters in his hands.

“Do we wanna split up?” Tara asked, thumbs hooked around her backpack straps as she rocked back and forth on he heel of her red converse. She looked like an inpatient student waiting for the school bus; Riley smiled to herself.

“The hotel has — “ Aaron grunted as he squeezed the handles of the tool together and with a loud clank the chain slid through the door handles and onto the ground as his feet. “...five stories. It’s not very big, so we’ll cover a lot of ground that way.”

“I’ll get topside,” Riley volunteered as she upholstered her pistol and unclipped the mag light from her belt, holding both up poised and ready to fire while she cautiously made her way through the lobby. The long wooden registration desk stretched across the hallway and she jumped up and over, shuffling through the shelves underneath in search of keys. Of course, they were all cards now — she just hoped they still worked without electricity.

She distributed them to her friends accordingly, assuming the numbers written in sharpie on the plastic was the associated room. “Alright, that’s all of them,” she said. “Be safe.”

“You too,” they spoke in unison as they split up and separated.

The hotel was eerily untouched: cups of coffee and open books littered the end tables and ‘do not disturb’ signs still hung on door handles; Riley made a mental note to be extra careful when entering those rooms.

The first room to her left was clean, left in preparation for its next guest that would never arrive. White sheets, white comforters, white pillows, white paint. If it weren’t for the abstract colored paintings on each wall, it would look like an asylum; with its haunting glow that came from shut curtains, the lone strip of sunlight that peered in full of dust that danced around. It gave her just enough light to see into the bathroom, where she snagged the small bottles of soap and shampoo and moved on.

The next room had occupants when it was abandoned: an open suitcase that she hit with the door in the middle of the walkway, clothes and belts and shoes hanging out of it. The chair at the corner desk was tipped over and it was just as dark as the last. She could smell the decay and hear the flies but she couldn’t see around the corner to the beds, so she knocked on the wall harshly and waited for a response before she proceeded forward.

When silence answered her, she tucked her nose into her elbow and gagged — she would never get used to that smell — and eyed the rotted corpse on the bed.

Its wallet was out, drivers license up, almost as if he wanted whomever found him to identify him right away. David A. Keisel, 48, resident of Linesville, Pennsylvania.

Blood splattered the oak headboard and white wall above it, and a Barretta Storm was tucked between its occupants dark, skeletal legs.

“Nice,” she said to herself, nearing the corpse cautiously. “Sorry about this, Davey...” she carefully reached for the pistol that was still in it’s grasp, wincing at the noise his decayed fingers made upon its release.

She checked the gun then, a full magazine with an empty chamber. Thanks, Dave. It had become a common occurrence for her to take items off of dead bodies and she’d always justified it knowing that they would want someone else to use it for their own safety... right? She could probably find more ammo for it if she rifled through his suitcase...

“Help! Help me!”

Riley jumped out of her skin and had the Baretta ready to fire at the disembodied yelling. But it wasn’t close to her — in fact, it seemed to be coming from outside somewhere.

She darted out the door and made for the first emergency exit her eyes could find: a new stairwell to the right of her with a big alarm overtop, undoubtedly to go off if they door ever opened incase of a crisis. She could almost hear the alarms again, blaring amidst the panicked screaming and crying...

Five flights of stairs, guiding by the red glow of the emergency light, and she hit first floor and pushed open another door and found herself outside again, squinting in the sunlight as she tried to adjust from the darkness of the hotel.

A man with dark hair stood on the property line, staring into the woods as if he was waiting for somebody or something to emerge. Riley made her way up to him, weapon aimed, and snuck up behind him slowly and stealthily.

“Don’t move.”

The man whipped around to see her, panic written all over his face, hands automatically flying up in surrender. He didn’t look like a threat — hell, he looked pretty worse for wear actually, and Riley briefly wondered what he’d endured. Dark eyes, shaggy dark hair, dirt caked onto his skin. “Any weapons?”

The man shook his head frantically. “No, no. Please.... you have to help my wife! One of those guys got her! Please! You have—“

“Hey!” Riley snapped, twitching the gun in her hands reinforce her sternness. He eyed it nervously. “Slow down. What guys?”

“One of those guys!” He pointed to some trees and Riley strained to follow his line of sight before she spotted a body crumpled on the ground about a hundred feet away from them. “I didn’t mean to kill him, I.... I didn’t mean.... he had Laura! They took her!”

Riley hesitated and remained silent, hoping that her friends would join her and help her out, but to no prevail. If they’d started in the basement, it was likely they didn’t even hear him screaming for help in the first place.

“Please, please go help her!”

When he turned back around Riley shrugged her backpack off, back tracking and tossing it by in hotel door she’d exited through. She didn’t want this guy threatening to rob her, even if he did look weak and pathetic. People were not to be trusted anymore; she had learned that very quickly. Or she at least should have.

“Are you going to -- ”

“Shut the fuck up, and move.” Riley demanded, shoving the gun into his back once for emphasis. “Try anything funny and I’ll blow yours and Laura’s fucking heads off, got it?”

He nodded shakily and pressed on into he woods, Riley following at his heels.

“You gotta name?” She asked, barrel still pointed at his back.

“Warner,” he responded nervously.

“What’s your story, Warner?”

“Don’t have much of one,” he shrugged. “We’ve been on the go, camp to camp to camp, group to group ever since this shit started — how long has it been? Three years? Four now?”

It sounded oddly inconspicuous but at the same time, it was more common than not. “Beats me,” Riley said flatly. Truthfully, she tried not to think about it anymore. “I find it’s easier not to count the days.”

The dead body lying at the base of a tree was unlike anything she’d ever seen before: in addition to his layer of tattoos all over his face, he had red paint on his face painting some weird tribal-esque marks. Well, she hoped it was just paint...

Head shaven, he wore armor that looked like it had come straight from a video game, with small spikes protruding from his shoulder pads and a big red unfamiliar symbol painted on the front of his chest guard. Everything else was black leather or Kevlar it seemed, and even his boots had spikes on the toes.

“What the fuck?” Riley couldn’t help but stop and gawk at it, crouching down beside it to get a closer look. It reminded her of a cosplayer or some sort of reinactor — but which war had soldiers that dressed like that? “Is this what you mean by ‘those guys’? What the hell is he?”

When Warner didn’t respond, she stood up and turned around in search of him. And by the time she’d spotted him, it was too late to stop him from bringing down the rock he held in his fist, smashing it against her face. There was a sickening crunch, searing pain, and then nothing.

Tag list❤️❤️

@crossbowking @jodiereedus22 @apossiblegentleman @mtngirlforever@sourwolf-sterek32 @winchester-angel @qrangr @cole-winchester @the-bottom-of-the-abyss @twdeadfanfic @crazyaboutnorman@deliciousassafrasssandwich @bunnymother93 @96ssi @fireeyes-on-teller-dixon-grimes @ima-mther-fckn-starboy @thatsoragan @lonewolf471

cover image source: background daryl i am the girl on the right lmao

#the walking dead fanfiction #twd #the walking dead daryl #the walking dead fanfic #twd fanfiction #daryl dixon #twd daryl dixon #daryl dixon fanfiction #walking dead fanfiction #daryl dixion imagine #the walking dead imagine #walking dead imagine

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morbid-n-macabre · 6 years

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You probably remember the Jenny Jones Show. In the 90's smutty talk shows were very popular; Jenny's was one of the best rated, ranked right up there with Jerry Springer, Geraldo, Montel, and Ricki Lake. These trashy talk shows ruined more than a couple lives, but we just couldn't get enough of them.

In February of '95, Jenny Jones was searching for guests who had secret homosexual crushes. When a 32 year old Michigan man named Scott Amedure saw this, he called the show.

Scott had a thing for 26 year old Jonathan Schmitz, who he'd met through a mutual friend named Donna Riley. Scott didn't think Jonathan was gay, but what's the harm in trying? Even if Jonathan turned him down, it wouldn't hurt to do the show, right? Worst case scenario they get to visit Chicago for free. And who passes up the opportunity to be on national television?

Jonathan would later say that the JJ producer who called him promised that the person who had this crush on him was a woman. Jonathan was aware that Scott was attracted to him; the day before he left for Chicago, Jonathan asked Scott point blank if he was the one taking him on the show. Scott told him that he was not the secret crush. Matter of fact, Jonathan was so concerned about being embarrassed on tv that the producer actually made a note about it on his file. Jonathan was assured that this would not be one of those episodes. Not that these producers are truthful, I know from experience they will tell you just about anything to get you on that plane. Jonathan convinced himself that his secret admirer was his ex fiancee who he'd been with for years. They'd only been broken up for a few months and he missed her terribly; he told everyone that he was going to marry her if she was there. If it wasn't her, it had to be a cute girl from work he'd had his eye on. Jonathan was so excited that he even purchased brand new clothes for the occasion.

On March 5th of 1995, Jonathan boarded the plane from Michigan to Chicago where he would finally meet this mystery woman.

Scott claimed he had been served alcohol on the plane to Chicago and then there was hard liquor served in the green room while he was interviewed by the show's producers. All of this is another trick under the producer's hat- a ploy to lower the guest's inhibitions so they say and do things they would not do otherwise. And It's easy to forget that everything you say to the producer can and will be used against you on the show, you start to feel friendly with the producer, and you feel like you're sitting and talking with a friend- especially since alcohol is involved. During the private interview Scott blurted out that he'd had sexual fantasies about Jonathan which included a hammock and whipped cream, during the taping of the show you can see that Scott was taken aback when Jenny brought this up. If you've not seen the un-aired taping of the episode (I'll add a link at the bottom) Jenny does what she does best- she pushes for details, not concerned with who she upsets or embarrasses. Which was her job- it makes good tv. Scott said Jonathan had a "Cute little hard body, the kind you want to pick up and put in your curio cabinet, dust him off every once in a while".

The first thing Jonathan said to Scott after he walked out on stage and realized who'd brought him there was "you lied to me", referencing Scott's denial that he was the one bringing him to Chicago. That said, Jonathan seemed to handle it well; he nervously laughed and covered his face with his hands on multiple occasions but never did he seem angry. He said he was flattered, but that he was simply not attracted to men.

Depending on who you ask, after the camera stopped filming maybe Jonathan was much more willing to give Scott a chance than he was wanting to let on. Jenny Jones herself would later say that Jonathan, who was supposed to be flying home alone, asked if he could exchange his plane ticket for the one his friends were taking. There would later be testimony that the trio went out for pizza and plenty of alcohol afterwords; Donna said that Jonathan was talking about the three of them having a menage a trois and Scott's mother would later testify that her son was thrilled, simply glowing because the 2 men had been intimate together that night. Jonathan whole heartedly denies all of this, but it could be that he's embarrassed or ashamed. It's very possible that he hooked up with Scott while inebriated and regretted it later. Whatever the case may have been, it seems that Jonathan Schmitz was super concerned with what others would think of his sexuality.

On the morning of March 9th, just 3 short days after the show's taping, Scott had been out drinking with friends all night long. When he came home, he saw that Scott had been to his house in the night and left a blinking construction sign on his door with a note which read "If you wanna turn this off, you have to use your tool".

When Jonathan saw this, dude just lost his mind. He immediately hopped in his truck, drove to a nearby gun store where he purchased a 12 gauge and buckshot, and by 11 am he was knocking on Scott's front door.

Scott was probably just thrilled to see Jonathan at his house at first, maybe he thought Jonathan liked the cutesy sign. When Scott answered the door, Jonathan asked if he was the one who left the construction sign and note. Scott said yes, it was him; Johnathan walked back to his truck, retrieved his shiny new rifle, and blew Scott away; he was shot twice in the chest. Jonathan then drove to a payphone where he called 911. He toldthe operator that he felt lied to, humiliated on national tv, and harassed since coming home; these were his reasons for taking a man's life.

In 1996 Jonathan was tried for 2nd degree murder. His lawyers said that Jonathan had been dealing with severe mental health issues for years; on top of that, he suffered from Grave's Disease, a thyroid issue that can cause severe rage and mood swings. To say Jonathan cared what other people thought would be an understatement, he was obsessing over it. In 1996 a jury found Jonathan guilty; he was sentenced to 25-50 years. Just last year, at the age of 47, Jonathan was released from prison. He remains on parole.

Jonathan wasn't the only one in big trouble. The Jenny Jones Show caught quite a lot of flack over the murder, especially since they had specifically asked for guests with secret homosexual crushes on people who weren't necessarily gay. This was better for ratings than just 2 gay men. Many of the show's questionable practices were brought to light; the lies which the producers told Jonathan to get him to Chicago, the fact that they didn't even ask whether their guests had any mental health issues, plying guests with alcohol before interviews or tapings, etc. Had the show not done these things, it's unlikely any of this would've happened- or that's what a jury concluded. Scott's mom sued, Jenny Jones and her network were found liable, and Scott's mama was awarded 25 million dollars. This judgment was later overturned.

This case just goes to show how much society has changed in these past 20 years; how far we have come. If i was a betting woman I'd bet money that Jonathan had sexual relations with Scott. You know, in today's society, big whoop if you're gay- most people don't care. Back then it was just different.

Obviously Jonathan was the killer here, but do you think the show was liable?

The never aired Jenny Jones episode that resulted in murder: https://youtu.be/3EvUzzbzFNc

#true crime #talk show #90's #murder

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mermaidsirennikita · 6 years

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July 2018 Book Roundup

This was a bit of a slump month for me in terms of reading. But wait! I read so many books! Yeah, but I savored very few of them. Some were mediocre, and several were bad. Very bad. Standouts included Riley Sager’s “spooky summer camp reinvented” thriller The Last Time I Lied and the very satisfying conclusion to Kiersten White’s super underrated Conqueror’s Saga, Bright We Burn. You win some months and lose some months--I hope the next one is better.

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, and Brodi Ashton. 2/5. A retelling of Jane Eyre, My Plain Jane sees Charlotte Bronte and Jane Eyre as friends at Lowood together, with Jane able to see ghosts and Charlotte desperate to get to the bottom of her secrets. As Jane takes a job at Thornfield Hall, she is pursued by Charlotte and intrepid paranormal investigator Alexander, in a tale full of ghosts, secret wives, and romance. I... really don’t want to say I hate this because it had its funny, cute moments that remind me of My Lady Jane, but... I kind of hated it? It’s partially my own fault, really, because the book was exactly what it described itself to be. But what worked when twisting history--My Lady Jane focused on Jane Grey--just doesn’t work when retelling a popular book. Charlotte was quirky girl’d to the point of being twee; she also seemed into Jane Austen, which bugged me because she wasn’t. And much of Jane’s side of things seemed like condescending fix it fic, in a way. Don’t you know that Jane only falls for Rochester because she’s a romantic young woman with no life experience (and an obsessed with Mr. Darcy because I guess)???? Maybe I just like the real Jane Eyre too much. Either way, I’m still going to read the next Jane book, but cannot recommend this one.

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager. 5/5. Fifteen years ago, Emma Davis was the last person to see Vivian, Allison, and Natalie before they disappeared from Camp Nightingale--and the world--forever. She accused a boy she liked of doing something terrible; and she vanished into obscurity, reinventing herself as an up and coming artist. But she can’t seem to stop painting the girls, even as she covered them up afterwards. Upon the prompting of the camp’s owner--and dogged by guilt--Emma returns to teach at the reopened Camp Nightingale, given three new girls to mentor. Yet she still can’t seem to stop seeing the girls--especially the entrancing, manipulative Vivian. Riley Sager does something with his books that make me really happy: he keeps on taking a classic teen slasher trope and making a whole book about it. I loved the sexy-teens-in-a-cabin angle of Final Girls--and this book takes on the whole creepy camp thing, complete with a spooky lake and campfire legends. He also throws in--for good measure--toxic, intoxicating girl relationships! Because yes, Emma had a crush on a boy, but her world was really dominated by Vivian. At one point, I thought that this book would be a 4 out of 5 because as much as I love the tone and atmosphere and the overall story, I wasn’t a big fan of how Emma’s hallucinations worked and the ending seemed rather predictable. But that wasn’t the REAL ending. And the real ending? Just... yes. The present storyline in this book is good, but the past--mostly Vivian, let’s be real, that’s a girl after my own heart--is fantastic.

Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris. 1/5. While stopped at a gas station with her boyfriend FInn, Layla goes missing. Twelve years later--after enduring a period as the prime suspect in Layla’s murder, despite the fact that her body was never found--Finn is engaged to Layla’s sister Ellen. Out of nowhere, little signs begin appearing that lead Finn to wonder... could Layla still be out there? WHAT A DUMB BOOK. I didn’t realize that I’d read one of Paris’s books, the super underwhelming The Breakdown. If I had, I wouldn’t have tried it. God, this was fucking stupid. Literally every twist you would think of, every basic “surprise” is here. And then one that is so--but the real issue is Finn. I don’t take issue with flawed protagonists, but Finn was more than flawed. He was creepy (fine in certain cases) and stupid (never fine). And for that matter, everyone else was so one-dimensional that it was impossible to sweep aside his shortcomings. I skimmed this after a point, and I’m glad I didn’t waste any more time on it.

The List by Joanna Bolouri. 1/5. IT GOT WORSE!!! I won’t bother with a summary, because this is actually pretty fucking simple: a year (!!!!) after her ex cheated on her, thirty-year-old Phoebe still isn’t over it. In an effort to revitalize her sex life, she makes a list of sexual experiences she hasn’t tried and wants to, and sets off to check them off with her best guy friend, Oliver. Okay, admittedly, I should have known that this would be a diary book, which is a style I usually don’t like (with some notable exceptions). Phoebe has the most annoying voice I have ever read. It’s as if the author wants to mimic Bridget Jones, but doesn’t understand why people like Bridget and why she came off more as hapless but amusing, instead of just... a moron. Phoebe is a FUCKING MORON. She hates her job, she uses cutesy slang words (like, my least favorite cutesy slang words from the U.K.) and describes sex acts in the least appealing way possible. But it’s not as if the author wants the sex to feel real, because aside from a few mishaps, Phoebe overall has great sexual experiences, even when you imagine that if this is the first time she’s doing them, it’d probably be more awkward. Like... we’re supposed to buy that Phoebe LOOOOOVES anal after the first time she’s tried it, but she describes it as feeling like “she’s going to the bathroom, but good” basically. HOT STUFF. And she’s just a dipshit in general. She and all of her friends are. I knew this was definitely going to be 1/5 after Oliver made a joke about stereotypical “Native American” names (a joke that is somehow worse knowing that an author from the U.K. wrote it) but even before then, Phoebe is talking about her lack of sexual satisfaction with her friends all of whom are in their thirties and one of them... is like... humping a couch? I don’t know why authors who write “sexual” books think that this is normal behavior. I am in my 20s; I’ve been in weird situations; I know a lot of weird people. Never has some dry-humped a couch in front of me... as a joke.... or in general. Wow. Stupid.

Choose Your Own Disaster by Dana Schwartz. 3/5. Dana Schwartz’s memoir--detailing her struggles with eating disorders, mental illness in general, romantic travails, and finding herself as a millennial--is laid out in the style of a choose your own adventure novel. While it’s certainly well-written and takes advantage of its gimmick, I can’t say this was as enjoyable as My Lady’s Choosing. Obviously, they’re totally different genres, but... I don’t know. This wasn’t a fun read to me, even though I think it was important. Some parts hit too close to home, which isn’t Schwartz’s fault, while other parts seemed overwritten, which is. A mixed bag.

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell. 4/5. Shortly after marrying the wealthy and handsome Rupert, Elsie finds herself widowed and pregnant, sent away to the Bainbridge family’s country estate to wait for her baby to be born. She’s met with eerie villagers and angry servants, as well as Rupert’s awkward cousin, Sarah. All of that, however, she could deal with--what’s more unsettling are the violent events that begin occurring in the house, and strange painted “silent companions” that seem to pop up everywhere, their eyes appearing to follow Elsie around. Perhaps most disturbing of all is the diary Sarah finds, detailing the story of Rupert’s ancestress, Anne Bainbridge--and her mute daughter Hetta... This kicked off with a slow start; I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to get through it. But about 50 pages in, things PICK UP. Especially when we get into Anne’s diary, which is where some of the really creepy stuff takes place. It’s a spooky, unsettling story that feels like it’s of another time. If you’re a fan of “The Others”--which I am--I’d highly recommend the novel.

Bright We Burn by Kiersten White. 4/5. The final book in The Conqueror’s Saga sees Radu finally forced to make a choice for his future, as Lada’s conflict with him and Mehmed--and all of her enemies, really--finally comes to a head. I can’t say much more than that, because... final book in the series, and all. I really can’t recommend this trilogy enough. Yes, a gender-flipped Vlad the Impaler story sounds weird. But Lada is a great character you so rarely see in YA--a truly horrible female lead. She’s awful. Not a monster, but not really redeemable either, especially after this installment. And I wouldn’t even say that Lada is the most complex character in the series--that goes to Radu, her brother who is a) gay b) a Muslim convert and c) in love with Mehmed, their childhood friend who is in love with Lada, who kind of loves Mehmed but kind of hates him because he’s about as horrible a she is. I loved this poisonous triangle of scheming and bad people--Radu is significantly less horrible than Lada and Mehmed, but has his moments--and the world and the supporting characters, and the only reason this book didn’t a full 5/5 is because I think there needed to be more. The conflict of the trio really petered out a bit for me, and it came down to Lada and Radu. And I love Lada and Radu, but Mehmed was the kind of antagonist that got their asses in gear, and the book needed that extra kick. Overall, however, this was a great conclusion--super satisfying, and quite bloody.

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones. 4/5. Celestial and Roy are upwardly mobile Atlanta residents--she a rising artist, he a young executive--and just over a year into their marriage when Roy is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. Sentenced to twelve years in prison, Roy writes to Celestial as their marriage gradually disintegrates. When he’s exonerated and freed five years into his sentence, he returns to her. But Celestial has built up a relationship with Andre, her childhood friend and the best man at her and Roy’s wedding. The question isn’t just one of who Celestial belongs with--and whether she belongs with anyone--but of whether or not she and Roy ever would have worked out in the first place? This is a DEEP literary book, y’all. Not light reading. And I can’t say it was super enjoyable? I mean, this is one of those harshly realistic, love isn’t enough tearjerkers. But it was very well-written, and it examined themes and questions that I don’t think you’d necessarily expect from such a relatively simple premise. Of course, much of the novel does revolve around being a black man (or woman) in 21st century America--so I can’t critique that aspect. The only thing I really can say as a criticism is that the older characters in the novel--Celestial and Roy’s parents, primarily--do essentially repeat themselves a good bit. And again, I can’t say that I like everything every character did or said--but every action came from a very real place. It’s a harsh one.

Give Me Your Hand by Megan Abbott. 3/5. Kit is an ambitious scientist, hoping to gain a spot on a PMDD-related study led by her idol. She’s the only woman in the running, and considered a shoo-in the the “woman spot”--until Diane shows up. Diane and Kit knew each other when they were younger; and Diane told Kit a secret that derailed both of their lives. With the weight of Diane’s secret on her mind, Kit begins to slowly unravel, questioning how she should handle a secret that has gone from being another person’s problem, to hers as well. I’m not one of those people scared off by Abbott’s squicky, literary style of telling domestic thriller stories. I’m used to her obsession with the female body and feminine mysteries in general. I’m not sure why this one didn’t click with me. The writing was still there, and on paper the story is something I should have liked--so I’m saying it’s me, not her. It may be that the books of Abbott’s I’ve really liked have dealt more with the truly domestic sphere or something more mundane and universal than scientific studies? I just wasn’t attached to this story or the characters.

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware. 3/5. Down on her luck tarot card reader Hal is shocked when she receives word that she is the possible recipient of an inheritance. Her grandmother has died, and Hal is summoned to her home to hear the will being read. The only issue is that to Hal’s knowledge, her grandmother was already dead--and with her mother gone, she has no way of knowing who this woman is. Desperate for money, she goes to the Westaway estate, only to find that the inheritance may not be worth the risk. This is a very standard mystery/thriller. Kind of predictable. I really don’t have much to say about it. The book wasn’t bad but it didn’t thrill me, so it might be another me/my slump thing.

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren. 4/5. Macy hasn’t seen her childhood friend and first love Elliot for eleven years. When they run into each other in a coffee shop, he’s an aspiring novelist and she’s a resident on the brink of marriage. As the novel traces the story of Elliot and Macy’s past--and what he did to make her cut off contact with him the same night he confessed his love--Macy is confronted with a decision about her future, and owning up to who she is in the present. A slump-breaker! This is a really good romance, y’all. Elliot and Macy’s chemistry is palpable. You spend the whole novel worrying less about what drove them apart, and more about when they’re going to get together. That being said, the best part of the book was definitely the past. Their friendship felt genuine, which made the sexual tension buildup even better (speaking of: this is one of the few contemporary romances with legitimately good sex scenes). The stakes aren’t quite as high in the present--it seems painstakingly obvious from the beginning that Macy can fix her issues in a pretty simple way. And if she didn’t know that, I’d be a bit less annoyed, but she does. Not much happens in the present, really--that’s just the payoff for what started in the past. Still, this is a very sweet, sexy, and kind of heartwarming book that I would recommend to anyone who needs something that’s light without being TOO light.

Roomies by Christina Lauren. 3/5. Holland is obsessed with a guitarist on the subway, and has been for about six months. By a twist of fate, they finally meet, and through her connections she is able to get him a job opportunity. The only problem is that Calvin--an Irish immigrant who’s overstayed his student visa--is in the States illegally. So, out of the goodness of her heart and not at all because she wants to jump his bones, Holland offers to marry him so that he can get his green card. What could go wrong? Christina Lauren is, again, great at building up the sexual tension between her characters, and can actually write good sex scenes. This is a sweet, fluffy, silly book. I’d recommend it to romance fans. It’s just not as substantial as Love and Other Words and the plot could have been stronger; I basically skimmed over that stuff because it didn’t really grab me, and focused more on the romantic bits between Holland Calvin. A quick, nice read, but I’ve read better romance novels.

Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent. 2/5. Andrew and Lydia, a wealthy couple who’ve fallen on hard time, have buried the body of a young woman in their back yard. Though Lydia desperately tries to keep the secret from their son, Laurence, he discovers the truth before long. Meanwhile, their victim’s sister investigates Annie’s disappearance, struggling for answers. Ugh, this hasn’t been a great month for me + thrillers. This one sucked. In theory, there were good ideas, and moments of good voice, but the overall execution was very poor. The characters came off as caricatures, one of the worst things you can do in a thriller imo. And ooooh, there was so much emphasis on Laurence’s obesity, Annie’s lack of education--it seemed lurid and borderline exploitative at times. Hard pass.

#reading roundup #books #book recs #book roundup

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mdwatchestv · 6 years

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Westworld 2x02: I Am Never Learning Character Names

Wow I don’t know about you, but I was surprised by how many of my questions from episode one were addressed! Kind of refreshing how forthcoming this season is with explanation and backstory, I have a clear picture of what to expect from this show moving forward!

Jk lol I have no idea what the fuck is going on. Not only do we have zero answers, but we have at least one (possibly two) additional timelines to contend with. I don’t know if it was intensely noticeable but most of my show recaps I just wing from memory, if I don’t remember it, might as well not have happened. Not so here my friends! I have written detailed notes. God this show is so impenetrable, maybe if I just make this whole blog an introduction no one will notice.

Okay so this episode starts with Dolores breaching the Westworld control center immediately (?) after the massacre that ended last season. Westworld workers don’t believe a panicked guest that they are under attack, causing one to yell out towards the commotion in the hall “Hey, is there some kind of trouble out there?” Out of all the things that have happened on Westword, that line of dialogue was honestly the most egregious. I can’t let it go. Anyway there is trouble out there, and it’s Dolores coming to kill everyone. With her is poor Teddy who is finally seeing behind the curtain and he is SHOOK UP. Teddy is not ready for this jelly, for any jelly (more on this later). Dolores tells the guest who questions her ability to take over the “real”, world that she is more than suited to lay waste to “our” world because she remembers it, she’s seen it before. Or has she?

Cue another timeline. In this flashback, we see Arnold (human Arnold) talking to Dolores in an ultra modern Hong Kong-ish city. Have you ever seen anything so full of splendor? Arnold argues with a much younger Ford that Dolores isn’t ready for something (we will soon see what that is). Arnold then takes Dolores across the city to see the foundations of a home he is intending to build for his family to be “closer to work”. Later in this same timeline, or at least this same world, we see our old friends Ben Barnes and Jimmi Simpson pre their own Westworld experience. Ben Barnes, son of the head of Delos, is being courted by the Argos Initiative (another corporate name to learn) whose representatives are Zahn McClarnon (from Fargo! and pretty obviously a host) and Talulah Riley (known host).

I’d like to pause my recap here to call out my absolute favorite thing about Westworld, and that is its music. To me nothing better encapsulates the thematic soul of the show than Ramin Djawadi’s beautiful re-workings of pop songs. They are both familiar, and strange, both closely nostalgic and tantalizingly out of reach. What a purely delightful moment to realize season one’s bank heist was set to a swelling orchestral Paint It Black. What better way to underscore a series about a world like our own, but not quite; people who are like us, but not really. This is all to say that when that first high C note rang out during this scene it was immediately transporting, like an audible firework. The artist of that particular piece is not having the best time saying... ideas at the moment.... but this instrumental cover of Runaway was absolutely gorgeous and I loved it! It’s on Spotify if you want to relive in your car.

Okay back to Ben Barnes. Zahn and Talulah take Ben to a room filled with guests, telling him this is his private demonstration of their tech, and his job is to spot the “robot” in the group. As we’ve already guessed, there is not one host, but rather everyone in the room, including Talulah and Zahn, are hosts. We noticeably see the ill-fated Clementine at the piano, and Jonathan Tucker (!!) amongst the crowd. Ben Barnes is floored, and Delos’ interest in the business is fatefully sealed. The deal is christened by Ben Barnes sleeping with Talulah (and others), and we see what it really was Arnold was protecting Dolores from.

Theory alert: This timeline is presented to us as being in the ‘real’ world, we see a glittering city, and presumably this is what current-day Dolores is referring to when she says that she has seen “our” world. My theory is that this is NOT actually “our” world but rather another park, or discreet Argos Initiative bunker/illusion/subspace. For one thing the city, although massive, has no recognizable landmarks, and is clearly not meant to be recognized. For another we know that Jimmi Simpson and Ben Barnes were explicitly invited for a demonstration, whether that was to the club they were hanging out at, or a larger space is not made clear. Argos has also brought a great number of their highly-profitable and (up until that part) confidential tech to this space, which would be risky to transport. Arnold also describes the city as eventually not looking like anything, which feels very close to the wording “it doesn’t look like anything to me.” The explanation he has of building his house “closer to work” also felt a bit cryptic. Also later in the episode when we see the palm tree laden Delos estate, there is a very similar looking city across a body water. Feels suspish!

ALTERNATIVELY the city also feels a bit futuristic, and the fact that it’s unidentifiable could mean that Westworld is taking place in a future time period OR a radically different “real” world than ours. Ben Barnes comments that “we aren’t here yet” with tech, which feels like he is living in a world similar to ours. But we haven’t had any experience with the world outside Westworld and of course assumed it was like ours, but what if it’s not????

Also while we are wiggling around in the past let’s hit up the throwback scene where Jimmi Simpson (now jaded and on his way to blackhatdom) pitches Westworld to his father-in-law, the supremely enjoyable Peter Mullan. Jimmi Simpson claims that Westorld is more than just a diversion, but rather a way to delve people’s darkest desires, to see what it is they really want. This scene raises the question - what is it that Delos wants? Is there interest in the park purely for market research, or is there something more nefarious? There are all sorts of ways that learning about wealthy people’s secrets could be profitable after all. The question of what it is that Delos wants is also amplified by the fact that we know in present day they are after the Westworld park code, so is there an even larger design at work? We are also treated to a flashback to Peter Mullan’s retirement slash Jimmi Simpson’s ascension party. There a piano-playing Dolores runs into a sloshed Ben Barnes, who is horrified and disgusted by whatever it is that Delos has planned for Westworld. If we know anything about our friend Mr. Barnes from his time in the park, his morals are more than a little loose- so to see his contempt for whatever it is that’s happening should be more than a little alarming.

Back in our more present day with BAMF Dolores, she learns from torturing an employee that Delos has sent an army of people after her and the other host rebels. So what does Dolores need? A bigger army. She sets off into the park to recruit hosts where she runs into Maeve and co on their own mission. Dolores tries to recruit Maeve, but Maeve says revenge is just another construct (which is weird because I thought she said all she wanted was revenge literally in the last episode but whatever) and thinks that Dolores’ bloody quest is worthless. This was in an interesting interaction and illustrated how these two hosts are responding differently to their “independence” (if either of them is really even acting independently). Dolores is seeking revenge and retribution against perceived wrong doing, while Maeve is using her consciousness to pursue her own desires. Which is the expression of true freedom, which is the more righteous path? These are the questions of Westworld.

The army Dolores has in mind are the Confederados of Westworld who are led by none other than our very own Jonathan Tucker! Dolores proves her might by shooting them all to death and then reviving their leader (Jonathan Tucker). By pulling back the veil of their perceived reality she proves herself to be the real deal and gains their allegiance. Teddy continues to be shooketh. In this episode especially we see that Teddy is really not Getting With The Program, which could be even more reason why Dolores perceives him as not able to go on to take over the “real” world aka drown-worthy. Dolores wants to take her army to a weapon she knows about at the edge the park (again the valley beyond). How does she know about the weapon? Because once again a man woke her up to monologue to her. Guys, you have GOT to stop doing this. This time the man was Jimmi Simpson, who I think mostly just wanted to see her naked, and also drop some exposition.

Speaking of Jimmi Simpson, his older iteration Ed Harris (The Man in Black) reunites with his lackey Clifton Collins, Jr. in the “present”, or sometime in the post-massacre park. He too is looking to recruit an army, and goes in search of El Lazo’s band of criminals (keep in mind Clifton Collins, Jr in some storylines was also El Lazo). There we are surprised to see the leader of this crew (the new El Lazo) is none other than Giancarlo Esposito! Giancarlo refuses to aid The Man in Black, instead he delivers a monologue about elephants. This little speech is about questioning ones own reality, but whether this is an instruction for The Man in Black (who is in a prison of his own making), or a warning about the hosts in the park (who have now pulled up their stakes) remains to be seen. He then tells The Man in Black this is a game he must play on his own, before he and all his men commit suicide. Chilling! This is all part of the game Ford has left for the Man in Black, clearly part of the end game is forcing The Man in Black to confront something solo. The Man in Black, like Dolores, is also seeking the thing he created years ago, something he says he never should have done, at the edge of the park So what is it?? Dolores thinks its a weapon, but I don’t think it’s quite so literal, maybe it’s more of an insurance policy? Could it be the a dam or water reserve that winds up flooding the park and killing most of the hosts? My brain is tired.

Questions:

What is it that Jimmi Simpson made and left in the park?

What are Delos’ true intentions with Westworld?

What or where is the city that we saw?

What is the geography of the parks? Are they all close together, or perhaps world over? Can one hop to the next?

What is Ford’s game for The Man in Black?

Did Dolores kill Teddy (i say yes)?

Are Maeve and Dolores really operating under their own free will? Or are they still playing out a narrative?

When will will this blog be over?

I can answer the last one, it’s now!

XO MD

#martha writes #westworld #westworld gifs #westworld spoilers #westworld recap #westworld theories #tv recaps #tv writing #tv reviews

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