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gallavichsreddie1128 · 1 month

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Baltimore Part One (Will Graham)

Description: Will and his wife have a plan to take Hannibal's house from him

Warning: Oral sex

Word Count: 1,720k

I loved Hannibal. I loved him, I loved him, I loved him. But was I in love with him? My husband and I were both teachers and helped the FBI with cases. Will had this special power that he could see how people died and give it in very specific detail. Each time it seemed we’d catch somebody there was a copycat killer. Will had started seeing this physiatrist named Hannibal Lector. He was rich and had a huge mansion. He was very smart and helped us on these cases. He seemed to have everything. “He wants us to come over for dinner.” Will had told me. I was excited once I heard he was a good cook. We had gotten dressed up for the dinner as Hannibal requested.

I had a nice red dress that went down to my legs and showed some of my chest. Will didn’t have anything crazy fancy but we managed to make it work. I watched as he buttoned up the fancy dress shirt that I had gotten him for our anniversary years ago. We have been together since we were 16. He is the best man I've ever met and I love him so much. He looked so good in the shirt that it made me melt. I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. “You look wonderful baby.” He told me. I blushed everytime he complimented me. “But you look very sexy in this shirt.” I told him. I leaned in and whispered in his ear. “I wanna rip it off you.” His breathing picked up some and I gave him a little bite on his ear. “You can’t say things like that to me when we have somewhere to be.” He says.

Hannibal made us some really fancy dinner that I hadn’t heard the name of before. He had the most expensive wine and a crazy big kitchen. The food was amazing as was the wine. I closed my eyes and almost moaned at how good everything was. “You are a wonderful cook Mr.Lector.” I said to him. “Hannibal please and thank you!” He was also very handsome and charming. I loved Will but damn there was something about Hannibal. His accent was incredible and sexy. The fact that he could cook added to it. Will and him talked about the case we were currently working on as I ate the dinner in silence not really caring about the case right now. “So Will tells me you are very smart and almost went to Harvard.” Hannibal says now turned to me. I blush and chuckle “Yes but I took a different path.” I say. “Teaching is it?” I nodded as I chewed the rest of my food. “At least you’re putting your talent to good use.” “Cheers to that.” Will said, holding up his glass. I laugh as they both do it.

“Dinner was lovely Hannibal thank you for having us.” I said as we were leaving. “Thank you for coming Mrs. Graham.” “Y/N please.” He smiled and nodded. We left his big mansion and sighed. “It would be amazing to live in a house that big, especially with the dogs.” Will said. “Yeah it would.” I say.

I looked at Will like he was crazy. “You think Hannibal is doing all of the killings?” I asked him. “Y/N/N he isn’t the copycat he’s the chesapeake ripper.” I couldn’t believe what my husband was saying. Why did he think that Hannibal was the Chesapeake ripper? “Will that’s crazy. I mean what evidence do you have to support that?” I asked. “Babe, I've seen him do it in my visions and he drugged me.” I wanted to laugh at the first part but in reality Will’s visions were spot on. “How do you know he drugged you?” I asked. “I remember everything now from that night I couldn’t.” I felt like I had to believe him but he sounded crazy. “Ok let’s just say he did and is the Chesapeake ripper. What are we gonna do about it?” He shrugged. “Tell Jack?” I laughed at him “Baby he is sucking Hannibal’s dick. He wouldn’t believe that.” He sighed. “Maybe you’re right.” He said.

I stood in shock as the cops arrested Will. My body was frozen and my mouth was wide open. I couldn’t move as they took him away from me. Why the fuck was Will getting arrested? He didn’t even do anything. “He murdered all those people Y/N.” Jack said. Yet I knew he didn’t even believe that. “Bullshit and you know it Jack.” I said, “All the evidence points to him.” He tells me. “Hannibal did the killings, Jack not my husband.” I say. “Was that something Will got in your head?” I rolled my eyes. I’d rather Hannibal be in prison than my husband. “He might not remember doing it either.” Will did sleepwalk but I was always there with him. “I wanna speak to my husband, Jack.” I say ignoring him.

“God I miss you so much, being in here is a nightmare.” He tells me. I smile at him and sigh. “And how do you think I feel?” I asked him. “Sleeping alone, Having to wake up alone, having to touch myself.” I whisper the last part and he groans. “Trust me babygirl when I get out of here you won’t ever have to do that again.” I was dripping at his words. “Can’t wait.” He smiles. “So did they find evidence on Hannibal?” He asked. “No. They don’t even believe he would do something like that.” I say. “Oh but I would?” “Will I know you didn’t and whether or not I believe you about Hannibal, I'd rather him be in here than you.” “Yeah me too.” I hated seeing him locked up like this. “Maybe he’d let us take care of his house for him.” I joke but I saw something in Will’s eyes change. He didn’t say anything but I felt the tension.

“Will, are you kidding me? You hired someone to kill Hannibal?” I asked him. “He’s the reason I’m in here.” “So that doesn’t mean you get to have him killed!” “I’ve been thinking about what you said the other day.” He tells me. “What did I say?” I said a lot of things to him the other day. “About his house.” My eyes widened a bit. I was joking about it and after I said it Will had a different look in his eyes. “Will that was a joke I don't think-” “But it’s genius.” He shifted on the seat a bit. “Think about it. With all the dogs we have and the room we need.” Maybe he was dark and maybe he did kill all those people. “How would we go about this?” I was very curious about his plan. “We’d play him Y/N. We’d be friend him, fuck him, make him think he has us under his wing.” “Fuck him? You’d fuck another man?” I asked. He chuckled. “If it meant we’d have that house. I deepthroat him.” He told me with a very serious look in his eyes. “Well you’d let me watch right?” I asked with my lip in a pout. He chuckled and nodded. “Of course baby.”

Once Will was out of jail the plan was in action. Hannibal Lector’s house would be ours. “So I was thinking about how we’d go about this even further.” He tells me. “We act like we are having trouble in our marriage.” I hated that he thought of that. “Babe there’s other ways to do this.” I say. “But he’d think we are vulnerable. And that’s what we need.” He says. I walk over to him and wrap my arms around with neck. “It’s gonna be so hard to act like that baby. It better be worth it.” I say. “It will be baby.” “Oh and I wanna make the last move in our plan.” He shrugged. “Of course baby. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He says.

I started seeing Hannibal days later. He agreed to be my psychiatrist after I told him that Will and I were having marriage problems. Will has been telling him that too. “He just doesn’t fuck me like he should anymore.” I say. “But he still fucks you?” I shrugged. “Barely. It’s all about him.” That wasn’t true, Will was a great lover. “I guess I just need to be fucked like I should be.” I made eye contact with him after. He clears his throat. “Are you implying something Mrs. Graham?” He asked. I stand up “Y/N and Do you think i’m implying something Hannibal?” I walk closer to him. “Well it appears to be that way.” I got on my knees in front of him. “What are you going to do about that doctor?” I asked. My hands take the notebook out of his hands and set it down. I undo his pants and pull his dick out. He was already hard. I started jerking him off and he groaned. I look up at him and smirk. He was breathing hard and his eyes were closed. Without warning I take him into my mouth and slowly take him to the back of my throat. His hands grabbed my head and forced me to take him deeper. I held back a gag as his dick was down my throat a little. He gasped out as I swallowed around him. He was twitching and his hips started moving. I could tell he was close. “Fuck i’m close.” He grunted and I went faster. Within seconds he was yelling out my name as his cum went straight down my throat. I swallowed all of it and pulled off him. After a few seconds he put himself back in his pants and adjusted himself. “Well that was something.” I smirked at him and stood up. “See ya next week Doctor.”

“So how was it?” Will asked me as I took off my shoes and greeted the dogs. “I sucked his dick.” I told him as I sat next to him. “How’d he taste?” I shrugged. “Like victory.” He laughed at my words and wrapped an arm around me. “Like in a few months that house will be ours.”

#hannibal #hannibal lecter #hannibal nbc #hugh dancy #mads mikkelsen #will graham #will graham x reader #hannibal imagine #will graham x you #will graham smut #hannibal smut

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m-jelly · 5 months

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Hello, Jelly ❤️

What about Levi and the reader where Levi is under a spell? Due to the fact that Levi broke a magical rule, he is forced to see a terrible monster in the reflection instead of himself. Levi closed himself off from everyone in the old mansion and there was no one to tell him that the spell was cast only on his reflection.

He mistakenly thought that he had been turned into a terrible monster for his sins. Because of his immortality, he spent many years in captivity until the mansion was bought by you.

Levi tried to hide from you at first, but you noticed him. You found the most handsome man you have ever seen in the mansion. You were able to break the spell and show Levi how beautiful and beautiful he really is and it was just his reflection, which has now become the way it should be. You calmed the crying and happy Levi, who was finally free.

Of course, you fell in love with each other and Levi almost immediately wanted to make you his ❤️❤️❤️

@ladycheesington <3

In your eyes

Levi x fem!reader

Fantasy AU, fluff, romance, falling in love, curses, possessive Levi, protective Levi, becoming a couple, magic.

Levi thinks he's cursed to look like a scaly human with horns and snake-like eyes, but really his reflection shows it. You move into the mansion and meet Levi as you do it up. You try to help Levi as much as possible and as you do, he slowly falls in love with you and so do you.

@ladycheesington @levisbrat25 @nyxiieluna @li-anne @galactict3a @youre-ackermine @thebobaprincess @2moth-anon2 @cypidity @nbinairyn @bts-spnlvr12 @notgoodforlife @demonic-bird

You shoved your hair up and stared at yourself in the broken mirror. Determination was written all over you. A month ago you had moved into the mansion and slowly fixed it up, but as you did you had started to notice someone watching you closely. It took a while to get him to let you get near. Today you were going to drag him out of his room and make him help you.

You stormed through the halls with your dog following you, his tail happily wagging. You petted his head and went to a back bedroom. You unlocked the door and kicked the door open causing the man in the bed to fall out of it in shock. You stormed into the room and ignored his protests.

With a big shove, you opened the curtains wide. "No more hiding! You are getting out of this room and you are helping me with this mansion!"

A hand slammed on the top of the bed and gripped the sheets tightly. Your heart raced in your chest at a deep growl. Raven hair appeared first before the most beautiful steel blue eyes locked with yours. A cute blush covered his cheeks as he admired you in your tight dress.

You walked closer to him. "I don't know why you are hiding so much. You're incredibly handsome." You cleared your throat. "Anyway, if we are sharing this mansion."

"It's my mansion."

You pouted. "It's our mansion. I did buy it and have papers for it. Now, get your butt out there and help me."

He stood up and growled. "You really want a monster like me walking around this place?"

You frowned as you took him in. "Monster? I don't see a monster at all." You walked up to him making him blush bright red. "What do you see?" You reached over and caressed his cheek.

He leaned into your touch. "A scaley monster."

"I don't see that. I see no scales." You smiled sweetly. "You are the most handsome man I've ever seen." You gave him your name.

He whined a little. "Levi."

You pulled back from him. "Now! Let's clean this house together."

Levi followed you like your dog did, the two of them cute puppies who followed your every command. You spent a week working together to clean the mansion and restore everything from top to bottom. You fed Levi with homecooked meals as he did a lot of the heavy lifting and used his magic to move and clean things.

One night you were struggling to sleep as bad memories were bothering you. So, you decided to walk the halls of the clean mansion that was mostly repaired, the only thing that probably wouldn't be were the mirrors, but you didn't mind.

Levi softly called your name. "Are you okay?"

You turned to him to see he was wrapped up in a long dressing gown, a blanket over his arm. "Mm."

"Can't sleep?"

You shook your head. "I don't know what's wrong."

He flicked the blanket around you and wrapped you up. "I will escort you to bed."

"Thank you."

He walked with you slowly. "Where is Buddy?"

You hugged Levi's arm. "Where do you think?"

"Snoring away in bed."

You gigged. "Yep."

He gazed at you. "You know, if you ever want to talk to someone you can to me."

You sat on your bed and hummed. "Thank you. I'd love to talk to you." You blushed a little. "I'd also like to kiss you."

Levi sat next to you. "I...I would like that too...but..."

You cupped the side of his face. "I see you as a handsome man. You are a dream to me. I know you see yourself as a monster, but have you maybe thought the curse is on your reflection? You see yourself as what you believe you are."

He tapped his forehead against yours and massaged your thighs. "Mm. I think you're right." He nibbled his lip a moment. "So, about that kiss."

You smiled at him. "You want to?"

He nodded before crashing his lips against yours and moaned in delight. He playfully tugged on your lips before slipping his tongue into your mouth. Your tongues moved together as one. He slowly laid you down on the bed as he sighed through his nose. He kissed along your jawline to your neck and nibbled a little.

Levi frowned when you went limp. He pulled back and saw you'd fallen asleep under him. "Must be my calm and soothing aura." He shifted you under the covers and tucked you in before slipping into bed next to you.

As the weeks went by, Levi checked the mirrors in the home less and less. His focus was always on you. He wanted to see you smile all the time. So, he'd do things for you and surround you with flowers and gifts. He cleaned the mansion while you cooked everything. He barely thought about his curse because you were his focus.

He couldn't stop smiling when you held his hand and ran with him around the garden, you were showing him a few things you'd grown. He felt his heart flutter when you showed him everything you'd grown. You gave him a few things to eat and he showered you with praise.

You smiled at Levi. "Are you okay?"

He walked up to you and held your hips. "I'm perfect. I love you so much."

You welled up a little. "I love you too."

He kissed you and hummed in delight. "Shall we take some of these foods and cook something good?"

You gasped in delight. "Yes!"

He grabbed a basket and started picking. "Tell me what you want and I'll get it, my love." He collected everything you wanted. "Lead the way."

The two of you walked together around the home. Levi stopped in his tracks when he noticed something. He slowly turned his head and looked at his reflection. He gripped the basket tightly as he stared at the real him.

You stopped and turned to Levi. "Levi? Everything okay?"

He looked over at you and smiled. "Yeah, yeah it's great. I...I don't see a monster anymore." He walked closer to you. "You made me see the real me again." He leaned closer and kissed you.

You smiled sadly. "I'm glad."

He called your name. "Why are you sad?"

"Does this mean you'll leave me?"

He put the basket down and cupped your face. "Never. I love you and only you. You are the love of my life. I am immortal and I am going to make you immortal too so we can spend forever together."

Tears rolled down your cheeks. "Really? You want me?"

"Always." He kissed you and hummed. "Always and forever. I'll even make Buddy immortal."

You giggled. "The perfect family."

"It is."

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soup-14 · 2 years

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Five x reader blurb

I just expect new Five fanfics to be written and there for me every second of the day.

Not like there’s actual people thinking of and writing these ideas 🙄😩

Not like it also takes me like a week to write a one shot 😭

So here's a Five x reader thought to ease my brain.

Tags: platonic Klaus, romantic Five, fluff, angst ig, some silly moments.

——————

Imagine getting separated from him in the 60’s and that moment when you all reunite and you see him again.

For him it’s only been a couple days

For you it’s been years.

When you fell into that alley way you were incredibly distraught. Not unfamiliar with the act of time travel, but Five or another commission partner was always there. You were alone, stranded in a different place and time, stuck in a younger body. The things that could happen.

You searched for any sign of the date. Newspapers, posters. It was 1961.

You’d wandered around that alley for hours. Waiting for someone else to show up.

You gave up after a while, deciding to ask strangers for help. How would any of them help you find your strange time scattered family.

You spotted a flyer, a flyer with a familiar face on it… Klaus. Looks like he was a messiah or something. You wouldn’t question it. You just knew you had to find him.

You hitched a ride, and found yourself at a big mansion. You don’t know how long Klaus had been here but damn he’s moved up in the world.

You wandered into the large house looking for him. People in light turquoise tunics were everywhere. One woman stopped you in the main foyer. “Welcome traveler, are you here to join us in our endeavors?” She asked. “Um- I’m looking for Klaus.” You held up the flyer. “The prophet! Yes, he’s right this way.”

The woman led you to a bedroom in the back of house. She pushed open the double doors to reveal the man you’d been looking for, bent over in downward dog.

The woman cleared her throat “Prophet? There’s someone here for you.”

Klaus rose from the floor and turned to face you. As soon as he saw you a bright smile plastered his face. He let out a breathy chuckle and clasped his hands together. “Y/n! You’re here!” He held his hands out and walked towards you. “Oh it’s been so crazy, when did you get here?” He asked placing his hands on your shoulders.

“It’s good to see you Klaus, I’m glad I found at least one of you idiots. I’ve been here since like yesterday. I uh, saw your flyer.”

“Mm yeah those…” said Klaus. “I got here like a year ago. Tricked some rich old lady.” Klaus giggled.

“We should find the others.”

“What? Why?” Klaus whined. “I’m having a good tiimeee. And besides some of them might not even be here yet. I’m sure Five will come collect us when the world is ending… again.”

“Five.” You say.

“Oh yeah… I don’t know if he’s here yet babe. Don’t go hurting yourself looking for him though, you know him… he’ll find us.” Klaus says in his melodic way.

——

When Diego showed up at the mansion to collect you and Klaus- or rather Ben- apparently. It was safe to say you were ecstatic. Diego didn’t have a lot of time to explain, but he did say that Five had found a way to get back to 2019.

Ben had some “unattended ghost business” to attend to so you sat around waiting for him for a good 10 minutes. Anxiously biding your time, shaking your leg, biting your nails. Five always told you to top doing that.

You hadn’t seen him in two years. You were shamed to admit that sometimes you would forget about what happened before ending up in 61. Maybe Klaus’ cult lifestyle really was calming the mind.

You don’t even know if Five missed you as much as you did him. You don’t know how long he’s been here, but the only thing on your mind is how you can’t wait to see him.

———

Klaus/Ben dragged you out the front door of the mansion, leaving the cult behind. No goodbyes, no last words of wisdom. Except for something from The Backstreet Boys.

The two of you rushed all the way to town and to the shop Diego told you to meet at.

Klaus stumbled into the alley way, struggling against himself, smacking himself in the face, shoving himself around. He ended up projectile vomiting across the ground, and whining on his knees.

Five yelled at him and threw the briefcase into the air as it went off. Their best chance of escape- gone.

Five; blinded by his rage didn't seem to notice you standing at the end of the alley.

“It was a simple task!” He complained, “meet me here within the time I told you, and we all get our real lives back! But no! Of course only two of you show up!”

“Three, actually.” You say, walking down the alley towards Five.

He turns towards the sound of your voice. His eyes grow wide for a second and a quick smile spreads on his lips. Your name comes out soft and breathy, as if he can’t believe you’re really there.

A grin is plastered across your face, and your eyes water at the sight of him. Your steps towards him quicken and his do as well. He meets you halfway and blinks right up to you, arms already open. You crash right into his arms, grip the back of his blazer, and bury your head into the crook of his neck. You breathe in his familiar scent and release a shaky sigh.

“I missed you.” You mumble.

“I missed you too. Are you okay? Not hurt? How long have you been here?” Five bombards you with questions as he pulls away and examines your face in his hands.

“Two years, I got here in 61.”

“I'm so sorry.” Five whispers, resting his forehead against yours.

"It's not your fault. I found Klaus so it was... slightly bearable." you chuckled softly. "How long have you been here?" You ask.

"I got here just a few days ago." Five says.

"Well I'm glad I found you." you say, hugging Five tighter.

----------

(AN: Next I present to you random dialogue from this story line that I don't want to fully write out into a detailed scenario)

--------

"Y/n, sweetheart, for the itching." Five says while handing you the bottle of baby powder.

"Itching? There's itching?" Questions Luther. Five ignores him.

--------

"Can't wait to meet our old selves, it's going to be so weird." You say.

"Focus y/n, we just have to get that briefcase." Five says.

"Yeah fine, you're already paranoid without the psychosis." You say.

-------

"Who the hell are you?" Asks old Five.

"Who do you think, dumb ass?" Says old y/n.

Old Five looks back and forth between the two y/ns.

------

As young and old Five beat the crap out of each other, and occasionally Luther; "Boys." old y/n sighs, wiping sweat from their brow and shifting uncomfortably. "Tell me about it." Says young y/n itching, eyes shifting around paranoid. "Just wait till you meet the rest of his brothers."

------

On the farm after Five kills The Handler;

Five lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding as he watched the last Swede walk away. He turns around and blinks to where you stand. He takes you into his arms and holds you close. You hold him back, although a bit confused.

"What happened Five?" You whisper. You're familiar with Five, and with time travel. You figured he used his power to fix something that happened.

"You died." He mutters quickly, resting his head on your shoulder.

"Ah." You pause. "And you saved me." you reassure him.

He sighs and pulls away. He presses a kiss to your cheek and rests his nose against your temple. "Let's get out of here yeah? Let's go home."

"Yeah, let's go."

---------

Well that starting as something and then turned into something else. I just have a Five deficiency.

I hope you enjoy whatever the hell this turned out to be.

Um I'm not like taking requests officially but if you have an idea I can try to write it within like a week T-T

#the umbrella academy #tua #tua klaus #tua five #tua imagine #five hargreeves #five x reader #five hargreeves imagine #five hargreeves one shot #five hargreeves x reader #number five #five x you #aidan gallagher #klaus hargreeves

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artist-issues · 4 months

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I just found out you like the Twilight Zone! Please talk about your favorite episodes, if you have the time!

Oh yay, sure! I started watching the Twilight Zone about five years ago and it’s become one of my top 3 favorite tv shows of all time. It’s creepy, and I have a low tolerance for psychological horror, so I take my time watching it. But my favorite three episodes are a lot of other people’s faves, too.

I think the very best one is It’s A Good Life. This kid is born with godlike powers—he can do anything—but he chooses to make everything the way he wants it. He transports his whole town out of the world or destroys the rest of the world—the townspeople aren’t sure which. Their lives revolve around keeping this kid happy, because if he’s ever upset, he does terrible things to them. He doesn’t like it when people look at him like he’s the monster he is, so he strikes them blind, or turns them into toys, or, if he even hears you thinking unhappy thoughts he sends you “to the cornfield.” Which is basically death. The whole town is constantly telling the boy that everything he does is good, and everything they feel is good, and they’re always telling each other to think everything is good. And eventually one guy stands up to the boy (the boy’s name is Anthony) and gets fed up, and Anthony kills that guy, then makes it snow, which kills all the remaining crops in the town, and the people just sort of go… “I guess we won’t have food now. That’s a good thing you did, Anthony.” And it ends.

Because the thing is, all of the stuff that sets Anthony off—all of his little pet peeves that everybody tiptoes around—they’re actual good things. He doesn’t like other kids because they don’t always do what he wants. He doesn’t like dogs because they are afraid of him. He doesn’t like music, or television, unless it’s what he creates. He thinks suffering is funny and he likes to make up vicious creatures, then kill them, and have everybody approve of it.

Anthony is forcing everyone to behave like what is really good is actually bad, and what is really evil is actually good. He flips right and wrong on it’s head, and everyone goes along with it out of fear.

I also love Eye of the Beholder, even though it’s on the nose. (HA. Get it) The Sixteen Millimeter Shrine is incredible too. That idea that nostalgia for whatever you thought was the best time of your life can actually imprison you…and you don’t even know it’s a prison. And it keeps you from embracing and growing in and loving the rest of your life.

And Where Is Everybody, for those of you who’ve never seen The Twilight Zone, is the very first episode, and it just perfectly captures the weird “what is going on” vibe that draws you into the show.

I think there are two things that make me love The Twilight Zone.

The first is that every episode “makes you think.” Usually they don’t have conclusions where everything is explained, or resolved; Anthony is not defeated, Barbara Jean stays in the movie screen with no explanation of how she got in there or what will happen to her now…but the fact that the storytellers leave it like that literally forces you to think more about what you just saw.

Your brain naturally goes, “yikes, the kid just gets to keep making life a nightmare? Don’t like that. If I were in there I would’ve just knocked him on the back of the head. Why didn’t anybody do that?” And by having to think about it more, you aren’t critiquing or arguing with the actual story. You’re thinking it over, trying to figure it out, because you naturally accept that there is something there to be worked out. The “message” of every episode gets under your mental guard, works it’s way into your worldview.

You watch “It’s a Good Life” and realize that not everything is “good.” Sometimes there’s plain evil that can’t be reasoned with or explained away in the world, and you just have to stop protecting yourself with pretending otherwise and do something about it. The townspeople should’ve all stopped pretending and worked together, or been brave enough to realize stopping the monster or dying trying was better than living in fear.

And that brings me to the second thing I love about The Twilight Zone: every episode has a message. It has something it wants you to think about. It’s not just tickling your suspense-responses, or giving you a brain worm about nothing but creepiness. It’s not trying to get you “in your head” to “figure it out.”

I know I just said it makes you think, but it specifically makes you think about something real, a concept that affects real life. The Twilight Zone answers enough of your questions with each story to make you think about the lesson, and doesn’t give you enough information to be like, “I’m going to figure out the Easter eggs, and the backstory behind how everybody in Eye of the Beholder got pig noses!”

The Twilight Zone makes it obvious that there are important questions to ask when you watch a story, (like, “Why didn’t everybody work together to kill Anthony?”) and there are useless, unimportant questions to ask when you watch a story. (Like “where did Anthony’s godlike superpowers come from?”) And it specifically engineers each story so that you’re more emotionally involved with the RIGHT questions, instead of the arbitrary questions.

Nowadays everybody’s like, “let’s figure out exactly where that Easter Egg came from! Let’s see if we can figure out what version of Arthur’s narrative is the REAAAL one in The Joker! I can’t actually verbally explain what Christopher Nolan was doing but I totally got Tenet.” 🙄

I’m tired of stories that are all shock-&-awe and no meat. The Twilight Zone might ask you simple questions, but they’re really good, important ones to have answers to. And the artfully suspenseful, show, don’t-tell episodes of The Twilight Zone make those questions stick in your head and your heart.

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donna-wants-to-be-an-alien · 11 months

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Comfort after the rain

So this is a very self-indulgent fanfic, because this scene has been repeating in my head for days now! I hope you'll enjoy it!

It was raining cats and dogs, when I walked through the cemetery. Even though we were in spring, the temperature took a small dip and with the rain, it was a bit chilly. There had been another murder or crime happening near by and the Sleeping Kogoro had solved it once again!

I ran into him and his children sometimes, when I visited Café Poirot for some snacks or a coffee and to be honest, I didn't think him capable of clearing all these cases. But books and covers and all that...

When I walked through the graves, trying to be quick but not disturbing people taking care of them, I stopped dead in my tracks. There on the ground in the pouring rain sat Amuro Tooru, the waiter of Poirot and disciple of the Great Detective.

The blond man seemed desolate and apathetic, very different from the cool, outgoing and friendly guy who often rubbed me the wrong way. Not because he was rude or anything, but he seemed like this fake nice guy, like people pretending to be your friend in school, but use all your trust and secrets against you.

His clothes were sopping wet, and he seemed to be looking out into a blank abyss. I was considering my options and motivations for a moment and then walked up to him, grocery bags swinging in one hand, umbrella over my head in the other. As I stepped up to him, Amuro didn't look up, but he showed signs of awareness, so I waited a moment. When nothing happened, I cleared my throat:

“You'll catch a bad cold like this, Mr. Amuro! Can I accompany you somewhere?”

I then heard some rustling and watched as his small, white dog came yipping out of some bushes.

“Hey Haro! Are you out here as well? Making sure your dad isn't alone, huh? Such a good boy!”

I glanced at the blond next to me, his face a blank mask, but funnily enough, seemingly more honest than ever.

“I have some nice, fresh meat for you, as a reward for being such a good puppy!”

The dog was running laps around us, then plopped his butt on the ground and sat, looking at his owner, who still hadn't really moved or made a sound.

I sighed and crouched down, trying to keep the umbrella over the three of us.

“I won't look at the names here, it's none of my business. And it is your right to mourn in whatever way you need, but if you'd like, I can offer you a warm, dry place to be silent and sad without being alone or having to fulfill the nice boy, customer service act...”

I offered my hand, not expecting a reaction. After a few beats he took it in one of his and I had to suppress a wince at the cold skin and the realization of how long he must have been sitting here.

After I got up and Amuro followed, I took the lead to my flat, Haro doing an excellent job of herding us.

When I opened the door and shook out the umbrella, the dog zoomed inside, inspecting every inch, while his dad stood in the entrance, dripping, well more carrying a few buckets worth of water with him.

Making a mental note to definitely mop the floors later, I instructed him to take of his wet clothes, while speeding into the bedroom for some dry ones.

Thankfully I had some too big sweatpants and some T-Shirts I use to sleep in, that would fit the man about two heads taller than me. I kind of stretched my arm holding them around the doorway, into the entrance, so he could take them.

I quickly chucked my damp clothes into a hamper and put on some lounge-wear, than stepped out when it sounded like Tooru had finished changing.

Haro had by now been in every room, so he was following on the heels of my unexpected guest, who I lead to my couch. I took the softest, warmest blanket I had, one I had crocheted years ago and carefully washed so the wool was incredibly squishy and wrapped it around him.

The first sign of life on his face was a short flash of surprise when the blanket touched him.

He took a corner in between two fingers and rubbed it, probably knowing I made it myself. I had been crafting all kinds of things during my short breaks at the café, after all.

“Would you rather like a fruit tea, or herbal?”, I asked, to which he gave the tiniest of shrugs.

So I went to the kitchen and brewed a fruit tea and a peppermint tea, choosing two kinds I liked, so that I could drink the one he didn't want. I also prepared the meat I promised Haro and put it on a plate and gave him a bowl of fresh water. I put the teas on the table in front of the couch, turning to leave the man alone, when he took hold of my wrist, lightly enough for me to easily pull back if I wanted to.

He seemed surprised at the action and so was I, honestly, but I sat down next to him, both of us taking a cup and watching the rainstorm outside through the windows, existing in a bubble of calm somberness, that was tinged with melancholy, but also a strange kind of understanding.

This was a piece of a puzzle to a very complicated situation and man, and had I known the aftermath, I would have still done everything the same way.

#dcmk x reader #furuya rei #furuya rei x reader #first person fic #amuro tooru x reader #amuro tooru

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black-arcana · 29 days

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HALESTORM's LZZY And AREJAY HALE Open Up About Mental Health

In a interview with Keen Eye 4 Concerts, HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale and her brother, HALESTORM drummer Arejay Hale, opened up about their personal experiences with a diverse array of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, and how music has helped them get through their hardest times. Arejay said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "My life greatly improved four years ago. Going through immense heartbreak and a terrible breakup with someone you thought was your forever person really makes you a songwriter. Immense heartbreak and tragic life things that happen really, really force you to turn to music to help you cope with it, help you to get through it. So I'm thankful that I went through all that because it made me figure out how to express my emotions in music and how much better it made me feel, how much it helped me get through it. So now that I'm at a place now where my life is more stable and I have an incredible partner, I've got an adorable little dog, I'm glad I was able to kind of bring those things that I learned to the table now and utilize them when I'm writing for either HALESTORM, [my side project] KEMIKALFIRE or myself. Yeah, I think that you can get to the point where you're more mentally balanced, but you can still keep on being creative and keep on bringing things to the table."

Lzzy, who co-founded HALESTORM in her teens and has become an advocate for women and mental health in recent years, said: "And I'm so glad to see [Arejay] happier. We've all seen each other in our lowest lows and our highest highs and helped each other work through them. Arejay has been immense in my ups and downs and healing.

"Something that I try to remind myself of, I think it's helpful to remember that we're on a seesaw," she continued. "There is immense darkness and immense light on either side and one cannot exist without the other. You can't be all one way; there has to be a balance of the two. So I think that for me, if you try to flip the rhetoric and say, 'Well, I'm very grateful for the low times, because those low times were integral in making me who I am. And I like who I am today.' If I had made the best decisions in the world, it would have led me somewhere completely different and I wouldn't appreciate the fact that I've overcome that.

"I think that we have this misconception that we have to be these perfect beings, and we're just not going to be that way, and we shouldn't be that way, because without us failing, falling on our face every single time and trying to move forward, we wouldn't find, we wouldn't recognize our strength," Lzzy added. "And in a selfish way, on a personal level, regardless of whether we're musicians, songwriters, rodeo clowns or strippers or whatever we wanna be, I think that it's important that nobody's expecting you to be perfect, 'cause nobody is. So if you are, in fact, flawed, which we all are… So let's just get that out there — we are all flawed. We are all imperfect. We all make terrible decisions. We all have darkness in us. We all get to the deepest depths and think that we're the most terrible person in the world. We all are there. But as we recognize that and overcome that, you're going to be getting so much more from people. We get so much more from our fans, from our family by admitting to all of that and by showing all of that, because anyone who is looking at you for inspiration or looking at you, especially with us, with that imposter syndrome situation, and if they're looking at you like it's somebody that they want to be, how cool is it that you can say, 'You know what? I'm just as fucked up as you are, and I'm still here.' And that says something."

HALESTORM is currently working on a new album with producer Dave Cobb after making three records with Nick Raskulinecz.

Lzzy and Arejay formed HALESTORM in 1998 while in middle school. Guitarist Joe Hottinger joined the group in 2003, followed by bassist Josh Smith in 2004.

Last May, HALESTORM teamed up with country singer Ashley McBryde for a reimagined version of the band's song "Terrible Things", which was originally featured on HALESTORM's latest album, 2022's "Back From The Dead".

youtube

#lzzy hale #arejay hale #halestorm #interview #Youtube

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blackjackkent · 3 months

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"Oh, gods." Karlach grins suddenly. "Tell me you'll go in and give it a try."

Hector groans. "I'm no comedian, love..."

"Oh, come on, please?" She gives him her strongest puppy-dog eyes and, of course, he melts instantly. He can deny her nothing.

"Fine..." He sighs with a slight grin. "The last time you told me to get on a stage, though, it turned out I was standing next to a doppelganger."

"Yeah, but what're the odds that would happen twice?" she says cheerfully.

------

"Hey, smart stuff! I'm Willoughby the comedian, and we got a little contest here called the Laff Riot. You want to play along?"

"I'll bite. What's this Laff Riot?"

"It's all about the boffo yocks," Willoughby says earnestly. "We see who can tell the funniest stories, and the winner gets the prize."

Boffo yocks? Hector looks slightly blank, but nods agreeably, conscious of Karlach grinning away behind him. "All right, you're on," he says. "It's got to be better than killing rats."

"Great! I'll go first to show you how it's done, and then you see if you can top me."

Willoughby's set is, uh, pretty rough:

"Hel-LO Baldurians! You know, I wouldn't be here tonight, except my wife ran off with a cambion. That's right, I got fiend-zoned!"

Laughter from the assembled onlookers.

"We used to have a drow comedian. I had to ask her to stop casting Tasha's Hideous Laughter on the audience. Then I asked her how many drow it takes to light a torch. And she said, 'None, we have darkvision.'" Laughter. "So we killed her."

Narrator, incredibly deadpan: The Elfsong patrons think that one's funny. There may be hope for you yet.

"Your turn, smart stuff," Willoughby says brightly. "Knock 'em dead. But not literally, got me?"

Hector has to think for a minute before he can come up with anything to say. He is not a jokester, nor does he really travel with any, and has never been to a stand-up show before. But he is well-read and knows the general concept, plus he is more than smart enough to extrapolate from what Willoughby has already done.

(A/N: What follows is several dialogue choices of increasingly terrible one-liners. None of them really strike me as jokes Hector would actually make, which leads me to the decision to take artistic license and write some terrible Selunite one-liners instead. None of the following jokes are in the game. Larian, feel free to hire me.)

"So," he tries cautiously after a moment's thought, "I heard the Moonmaiden has been quite grumpy lately. But I think she's just going through one of her phases."

Dead silence. Willoughby grins. "Adequate, but no better."

Hector clears his throat, casts around for another idea, hits on a crack he remembers one of the acolytes making, many years ago. "We had an aarakocran abbot back at the monastery for a while," he says brightly. "We called him a bird of pray!"

Behind him, Karlach gives an exaggerated groan, and Jaheira mutters something inaudible that sounds like profanity.

Hector can feel his ears burning, but tries one more time. "At the last Mystery of the Night, our priestess fumbled the milk jug and spilled it... I think we call that a clerical error?"

Narrator: A single person applauds from the back of the room - probably out of pity.

(A/N: Lol.)

"Sorry, smart stuff," Willoughby says with a smirk. "No joy for you, I'm afraid, but that sounds like job security for me!"

-------

"You owe me," Hector says grumpily as they wander back out of the room.

"Always," Karlach says with a grin, slipping her arm around his shoulders. "You came up with those on your own? On the spot like that?"

He clears his throat awkwardly. "Not the second one."

She gives him a gentle squeeze. "Bloody brilliant, you are. Even if they were terrible."

"Anything for you," he murmurs, somewhat mollified, and smiles.

#bjk plays baldur's gate 3 #hector carlisle #oh i indulged myself terribly here lmao #rip #bjk writes her own party banter

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holybananaoafshoe · 4 months

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Team Dynamics

Scary Dog Privilege 🐺 2/10

They go on many grand adventures…that always go wrong one way or another.

Xiao, at one point, contemplates creating an adepti good luck charm for Benny because Archons is the kid unlucky.

Do you know how many times he or Kazuha saved the kid from an unintentional demise? Too damn many.

Like Xiao is concerned for his well-being at this point.

How the hell does this kid function????

To be brutally honest, Xiao joined them not only to ensure the Walking Disaster’s safety, but to figure out how *vaguely gestures to Benny* he works.

I like to imagine Xiao as the tired babysitter from The Incredibles and Benny as Jack-Jack

He doesn't think the charm would help, but he makes one out of some leaves and twigs anyway and gives it to Benny.

Benny is so touched??? Xiao made him a good luck charm, but not just any! An adeptus good luck charm, so maybe it’ll help ward off the worst of it.

It uh…..certainly wards off like the minor bad luck like he doesn’t burn his food or stub his toe as much.

Kazuha? He’s just enjoying the chaos.

I like to think Kazuha joined Benny because it seemed like a nice change of pace and puts his observation skills to the test

Sadly, the wind can’t warn him fast enough on most days

He’s very observant (apart from the wind thing lmao) so he’s the first one to notice if something is bothering Xiao or if Benny is hiding how he’s feeling

Or if someone hides their wounds.

Interpret that as you will. I like to think Xiao or Benny would.

Xiao, to appear tough and because he’s used to working alone ever since his siblings passed. Benny because he wants to make sure the others are okay first, and maybe he feels bad about his luck rubbing off on them and doesn’t want to bother them more than he already has.

The Wind Thing™ is amazing to Benny and he’s in awe of Kazuha’s attunement to nature and the general awareness he has for their surroundings.

It kind of freaks Xiao out just a little.

A *tiny* bit. It’s just enough that when Kazuha first mentions that the wind told him something Xiao is giving him slight side-eye and a thought of Oh no he’s crazy flits across the back of his mind… until they investigate and find that Kazuha was right.

Xiao himself has really really good intuition from years of fighting, but nothing quite like the wind telling him something.

If it works, it works, so long as Kazuha isn’t bothered by it, he supposes. (Part of Xiao wonders if it was an evil demon or spirit… he definitely Did Not spend a week or two trying to make sure Kazuha’s wind thing wasn’t something he should conquer or banish or get that kid with the high yang energy…. Chongyun, to exorcise)

His extremely calm demeanor is slightly off-putting to Xiao

Despite that, Xiao notices when Kazuha starts to slow down in a fight or when cracks start to show in his calm facade (more on this *later*)

I like to think Kazuha reacts more internally than he does outwardly.

Like Kazuha does show emotion, but is more low key about it.

*The stove explodes and Benny just laughs. He’s covered in soot and his clothes are singed, but he smiles and tells them he accidentally got the lizard powder he has on him too close to the fire* “Ah I should have been more careful, I must have forgotten to take this out of my pocket when I was with Klee and Albedo a few weeks ago…”

Kazuha: *staring wide eyed with a strained smile* I… see, it’s lucky we weren’t too close then. *pats Benny’s back and helps clean up the camp*

Kazuha internally: What the fuck was that? Holy shit, I thought we were going to die… I might actually die if I keep traveling with him holy shit. How is he still alive????? How am I alive????

((Xiao stopped being surprised at the unlucky after traveling with Benny for a week))

I also like to think that Kazuha and Xiao will look at eachother like they’re in The Office once they’re used to Benny’s luck

*Benny burns the food once again* “Aw, man, I left it on too long!” *Kazuha looks over to Xiao, who had just gotten back from collecting firewood, like can you believe this kid? And Xiao just shrugs*

How does Kazuha say the most profound shit casually like it’s any other Tuesday??? Xiao is somewhat convinced Kazuha either had 1. Something traumatic happen to him or 2. Was definitely a priest or something at some point.

While Benny is like 75% sure Kazuha is some kind of poet that writes under a pen name.

He totally tries to discreetly figure out what Kazuha’s author name is lol and when he outright asks and Kazuha denies being an author all Benny can think is: “I see, he’s a private person and doesn’t want his identity to come out.”

*proceeds to try to “protect” Kazuha’s different identities anytime he thinks they’re getting exposed*

It goes on like this until they learn about Kazuha’s backstory (more on this *later*)

Xiao is like 90% sure Kazuha is high in one way or another half the time, and honestly? He'd join him if he didn't have to be the fucking sane one in the group.

Benny??

He’s just so happy to have travel companions tbh.

Benny keeps the mood up and his happy-go-lucky attitude often rubs off on the others

Even Xiao will find himself smiling slightly at Benny’s excitement

Though, his travel companions are a bit strange, but, hey, his dads at the guild taught him not to judge a book by its cover and it turned out Xiao and Kazuha are pretty cool!

And! They don’t seem to mind his bad luck!

Benny is the mastermind behind their expeditions and adventures, be it commissions that he gets through the guild or a rumor he’s heard in Liyue Harbor.

#genshin impact #genshin #genshin impact headcanons #team dynamics #scary dog privilege #Bennett #Xiao #Kazuha #you know they'd all be a little off put by Xiao and Kazuha #Kazuha is at least a little bit more of a “normal” wonderer/traveler #but xiao is like the silent judging type or at leadt you think he's judging lmao #benny is so happy to have traveling companions

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aziraphales-library · 1 year

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Lost Fic #142

1. Hello! Maybe you will be able to help me? I'm searching a fanfic that I read a while ago, but I only remember one scene. Aziraphale and Crowley are in the bookshop, C has past-abuse (by Hell (?) can't remember what). They're starting to be intimate and C assure that A can do anything to him. A is not convinced and say it. They argue a little until A ask C if he would be OK if A hurt C. C's eyes became empty and he turn his head saying "yes, if it's what you want"(Of course, that's not) Thanks ! - anon

2. I'm looking for a fic but the only thing I remember about it is that there's a line where someone calls crowley a "punch-clock demon" and he responds with "actually, I'm salaried". I have no idea about anything about the rest of the fic but that one line was so funny to me that I haven't been able to get it out of my head for months and now I just really want to know what story it came from - anon

3. Hi! First I want to say that I love what you're doing here, helping people find fics and giving recommendations and it's just amazing, thank you. I'm searching for a fic I stumbled upon and read before I had an ao3 account and have never been able to find again. I'm pretty sure it was written in the earlier years, a while before the TV show came out, because I don't remember it having any more recently popular tags. I don't remember the title but I do remember most of what happened in it. Aziraphale was given a, like, new trainee angel, he was a young boy, to "show the ropes" and teach how to be an angel. The new angel just couldn't understand what was going on, there was a lot of frustration with really complicated angelic math problems, and somehow managed to mess up a miracle so badly it turned into a huge man-eating slime blob, except that instead of eating people everyone it touched turned into, like their opposite self? Something like that? And the rest of it was the characters trying to find and stop this rouge miracle from wreaking havoc. It was incredibly hilarious. Interestingly, it's probably the only fic that I absolutely loved that notably /didn't/ ship aziraphale and Crowley. In fact, aziraphale was shipped with a human guy. Usually I hate that kind of thing in fics but this one was so funny and well done it just worked. Aziraphale got touched by the miracle and suddenly decided he could spread God's love better by going into the porn industry and having sex with various men. XD Meanwhile, Crowley got touched by the miracle and became, like, really nice? Idk I remember that he was wearing a sweater vest or something lol and his apartment was different somehow In the ending, they realized that the miracle had somehow ended up in Hell and were fearing the consequencesIn the beginning, the guy aziraphale was eventually shipped with gave him a kitten, I think, to petsit while the guy went on a trip and aziraphale was less than pleased I think the kitten got turned into a big dog or vice versa probably because the miracle touched it So I know what it's about but not much that would help me find it, much gratitude to you if you canThanks :) - @aceartistactivist

4. Hello hello! I’ve scoured existing tags, but can’t find the fic I’m looking for. Angst, Aziraphale is Gabriel’s sex slave, he and Crowley become friends through snatched moments on Earth when Aziraphale can break away, Crowley buys Aziraphale books and keeps them safe in his flat for him, they eventually fall in love. Happy ending. Thank you for any help you can provide! - anon

5. hey y’all! happy new year! i’m looking for a pretty specific fic i can’t track down. it was set in pompeii as the volcano was erupting and crowley and azi were saving people. then they play in a river and maybe there’s wing grooming? it wasn’t illustrated, was one chapter, and was likely rated T or under because I don’t read smut. like i said, super specific but i’ve tried looking everywhere and can’t find it! i figured you lovely people could help. thanks so much! - anon

If you know any of these fics please include the number in your reply! Thank you :)

- Mod D

#good omens #lost fic #ineffable husbands #mod d

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randyortonofficial · 10 months

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title: we’re not built for relationships (just each other) (click here to be taken to the ao3 version) pairing: randy orton/cody rhodes word count: 8368 description: It's been two years since Cody left WWE, and coincidentally, two years since he saw Randy Orton. When Randy suddenly calls Cody one day asking to catch up over dinner, the both of them have to address all the unfinished business they left behind.

There were a lot of nerves announcing All In.

It’s the first wrestling event outside of WWE to be held in such a high regard but Cody is ambitious and he’s been working nonstop at all of this ever since he left WWE a couple years ago. Every day, he thinks about how he can increase the stock of his name and every day, he wonders how he can improve, how he can better himself not just professionally, but in his personal life as well.

Even then, however, the All In event is his baby. This is the chance to show everyone what wrestling is truly capable of and showcase those stars that don’t want to relinquish themselves to the bland, uninspiring world of sports entertainment that is World Wrestling Entertainment, at least in Cody’s words. This is a big fucking deal for everyone, but especially Cody.

One phone call from Randy Orton, however, makes all those nerves he had about All In seem very insignificant.

“What’s up, Codeman?”

Cody sighs and rolls his eyes. “You know I hate that name,” he murmurs.

“All the more reason to call you it.”

Cody and Randy have been best friends for a long time. Even if they haven’t met up in person since Cody’s left WWE, the both of them have just been busy, Cody moreso, and that’s okay. Life happens, and Cody doesn’t get in his feelings about it, not anymore. He’s older now, smarter now, and more in control himself. They’ve still tweeted at each other and texted and what not, and it’s always fine when they do.

“You never call people. What’s wrong? Your back finally gave out to the billions of RKO’s you gave?”

“Not yet,” Randy tells him. “Hopefully never.”

“So what’s going on?”

“I’m in town. We should catch up.”

Though there is a reason why they haven’t met up in person since Cody’s left WWE.

Cody bites at his lip and looks over to Brandi on the couch. With a deep breath, he begins to walk away from the kitchen and out into their backyard, big and beautiful under a beautiful, sunny day to really top it off. “What uh, what did you have in mind?”

“Just get dinner? Talk? It’s been like, what, two years?” Randy chuckles. “C’mon, I wanna see you.”

“Random question and totally unrelated,” Cody says, “but how are you and Kim?”

“She’s good. Taking care of me since I injured my shoulder, but I wanted to give her a break so I decided to come to Florida-”

“By yourself?”

“Hotel room and all.”

The adrenaline in Cody’s soul lights up all over to send flares of heat throughout, because Randy is in Cody’s state alone and he’s in a hotel room-

“Just um.” Cody swallows and shoves a hand into the pocket of his sweats to dig his nails into his thigh. “Just the two of us at dinner?”

“We’ll go to a nice steakhouse. Remember when we went to Stonewood-”

“Grill and Tavern,” Cody finishes quickly. “Yeah, was uh, that the plan?”

“You in? You all in, I should say.”

Cody’s mind is telling him no.

He absolutely should not go out to see Randy under any circumstances. He should stay here at home with his beautiful girlfriend and their adorable dogs, far far away from any temptation that Randy is very good at instilling with one look from those steel blue eyes. There’s a reason why he hasn’t been alone with Randy since he left WWE, and following that, why he left WWE.

It would be a terrible idea to see him alone at a restaurant and talk.

Randy doesn’t just want to talk. He’s Randy fucking Orton, he hates talking.

Cody knows all of this logically. He knows this is the smart choice to make.

So he’s incredibly upset with himself when he says, “sure. See you at like, 7?”

“Sounds good. See you in a few hours.”

After saying their goodbyes, Cody shoves his phone into the pocket of his sweats before plopping himself down into the nearby chair and running his hands down his face. His hands clasp together right in front of his nose and mouth and his fingers tap against each other as he stares out into the backyard he and Brandi have helped cultivate together. He takes a deep breath before closing his eyes.

He needs to calm that adrenaline coursing through him. It’s just dinner, and he can control himself. He’s moved on, and Randy has married Kim since then. They’re like, super totally official now so maybe it really is just best friends catching up.

This is what Cody tells himself, but deep down in the part of his mind he’s tried so hard to shut out, he knows their business is unfinished.

Cody can’t keep lying to himself when he sees Randy walking towards their table, in black pants and a black button up with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows and a rare, genuine smile spread across his lips.

“Suits really are all you wear now, huh?” Randy laughs and spreads out his arms. “C’mon, it’s been awhile.”

He forces a chuckle as he stands up from the booth to let Randy pull him in with those big, strong arms. Despite himself, Cody is easily relaxing into him, eyes falling shut and his hold on Randy tightening. The scent of Randy’s cologne, a Saint Laurent cologne Cody had bought him a few years ago, stabs Cody right in the heart but Randy soothes it when he murmurs into his ear, “I missed you.”

“Yeah,” Cody breathes. “I missed you too.”

Randy gives Cody a squeeze before he pulls away for them to look into each other’s eyes, though their hands stay on each other’s shoulders. The smile is no longer on his face, but he’s rather contemplative as he looks Cody over in his outfit; blue suit vest and pants, a white button up, and a yellow tie. It gives Cody time to do an appraisal of his own but he come to the conclusion that he always does, which is that Randy is fucking sexy in absolutely anything and it was stupid to pretend otherwise.

“You look good.” Randy nods and lets go of Cody to shove his hands into the pockets of his pants. “I like that uh, you wear suits all the time now,” he chuckles.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” Cody awkwardly clasps his hands in front. “Black’s always been your color and don’t say it’s because your soul is black-”

“Damn, you really do know me, huh?”

“That doesn’t change just because we haven’t seen each other in a few years.”

“Just surprised. Haven’t found someone that’s known me like you.” Randy bites at his lip and looks up at Cody with wide eyes. “Besides Kim-”

“Goes without saying.” Cody nods politely. “Yeah. um… should we sit?”

“That’s a good idea.”

They both slide into the booth on opposite sides to begin looking through their menus. Cody had their drinks ordered before Randy arrived, so they sip them as they read through the options, though Cody already knows what he wants. He’s just afraid to look up to Randy’s eyes staring back at him and see something in them that’ll just lead further into that pesky temptation Randy is so good at instilling.

While Randy hasn’t let being in a relationship stop him, Cody being in his own relationship does.

“So just dinner, right?” Cody asks. “Just don’t think our respective significant others want us out so late,” he forces a chuckle. “Congrats on tying the knot with Kim, by the way. Don’t think I ever gave my kudos.”

“Thanks, man,” Randy chuckles as he leans back into the booth with those big arms crossed over his chest. “She’s a lucky woman, and I’m a lucky man. Um,” he clears his throat, “But how’s life been with you? What are you up to these days?”

Cody knows Randy knows, but he also knows Randy is just trying to make polite conversation and it’s better that then talk about anything deeper. However, he would have thought Randy would want to go on and on about his wife.

But Randy is just like that sometimes.

“Yeah, uh, life’s been good.” Cody nods and moves his eyes to the other page, though he’s not paying any real attention. “I’ve been making a pretty good name for myself on the indies, and attaching myself to the Bullet Club definitely helps,” he chuckles. “That really raised my stock, and, you know, now I’m running my own show with them and-”

“Just like your dad.” Randy smiles. “He’d be really proud of you.”

Cody swallows. He bites at his lip before setting down the menu and clasping his hands on top the table. “Thank you,” he says just above a whisper.

“Like, you really have come so far. I was pretty upset when you left WWE but to see you thrive and like, do your own thing and make a name for yourself, like you said, it’s great to see you succeeding.”

“Yeah.” Cody nods. “And uh, I was born to be like, a WWE guy, so it’s cool to get away from it and set myself apart. Really develop my skills better.”

“You’re really living up to your potential. You think you might like, come back to WWE at all later down the line? Some guys do that, get better in the indies and then come back to WWE and it’s like, Vince and everyone has so much more respect-”

“I’m good with where I am right now.” Cody quirks a grin and looks up to Randy, though his eyes take a quick detour to those big, tattooed arms that he can still vividly remember being wrapped around him, or beside him, or holding him down, and that’s when Cody takes a long, long sip of his water because he really needs to quell that thirst.

Randy does too.

“Um.” Cody licks his lips. “I mean, I guess you can never say never though? I dunno, but the Bullet Club is treating me right and I think we have a lot to offer. Also, like, my girlfriend - Brandi? You remember Brandi, right?”

“Ring announcer?”

“Yeah. She wants to make a name for herself too and I wanna help her with that. More than anything though, I wanna see All In to the end,” he chuckles before sighing and running his hands down his face. “God, that’s been all I think about. I want it to go well so fucking bad and I’m fucking relieved we sold out all our tickets-”

“Half an hour, right?” Randy smirks. “Fucking impressive.”

“Was not expecting it.” Cody shakes his head. “But that means expectations are high and we both know that wrestling fans can be so fickle over the weirdest shit.”

“Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”

“Are you seriously quoting Dr. Seuss?”

“It was good advice. I’m not questioning where good advice comes from.”

“What’s the saying? Consider the source?”

“A children’s book author? Yeah, I’d say I trust the source.”

“Is that something you do a lot? Read children’s books?”

“I am a dad…” Randy smirks then and tilts his head to look Cody over again. “And if you can believe it, others consider me a daddy.”

For a few seconds, his heart is pounding. His breath is caught in his chest, and all he can think about is how easy it would be to fall back into their old habits and to just kiss him like they never ever stopped. That name brings Cody all the way back to the start, to the night where their friendship changed forever, to which it would then progress every day until they’d lay in each other’s arms and talk about their hopes, their fears, and their deepest desires despite their relationships with other people.

Every day spent thinking about each other, every night spent with their names falling from the other’s lips, and every second taking risks and letting their hearts take over while their heads play catch up.

Cody swallows heavily and sets his hands to his sides. He digs his fingers into his thighs and clenches his jaw before giving Randy his attention again. “You know what happens when we meet up,” he says quietly. “Did you really wanna catch up, or is there something more to this?”

That confident facade of Randy’s falls completely as they lock eyes for what feels like an eternity. Though the world is busy around them, they might as well be the only two people in this restaurant. Cody can only see Randy, smell Randy, and hear him, and the rest is a blur he can’t even comprehend.

Randy takes in a deep breath before breathing out, “I missed you.” He rolls his lips back between his teeth and after letting go, he says, in a slightly wavering voice, “I just - I needed to see you.”

It's both everything and nothing Cody ever wanted to hear. He knows how badly he desires Randy, but he also knows that desire is an all consuming fire that wrecks everything in their path. What they have is so intensely passionate that nothing else compares, but he's-

"I miss you too," he breathes out in admission. "But you're married," Cody reminds him quietly. "And I'm..." He takes in a shuddering breath. "I'm dating Brandi. Randy, we - we were hooking up behind Kim’s back before you married her," he chuckles humorlessly and bites at his lip before looking down to the table. "I just - Randy, what we were doing - what we had, that’s…” He shakes his head, and after a few moments, he looks back to Randy. “That’s not something we can do forever, it’s - it’s not feasible-”

“Cody, I want you to be happy,” Randy tells him, low and quiet. “I really do. You deserve the best, and you deserve it all, I want you to have everything, but… Cody, man, I can’t help it.” He shakes his head and bites his lip. “I still want you, and I want this, we’re - it’s a compulsion, we’re like magnets-”

“So why did you get married then?” Cody asks. “Why did you marry Kim if you still want me?”

“She was easy?” Randy huffs out a breath and runs his hands down his face. “It was - it was the easiest option, it was the safest choice-”

"The easiest option," Cody repeats in a humorless chuckle, and he has to shake his head to himself at the sheer audacity of Randy saying that to him. “You don’t even love her?”

“I do, I just don’t think I love her enough.”

He's always known Randy has had rocky times with his love life. Hell, this is his second marriage after his divorce in 2013, and that divorce was what led to him and Cody hooking up in the first place, so yeah, Cody is well aware of his tumultuous love life and how much Randy likes easy and safe. Cody just took solace in the fact that he never had to experience the tumultuous nature of it, not until he did.

"So, um, why wasn't I easy?" Cody looks back to him. "Or safe, like you always used to say? Or when uh, you've told me before that I know you better than anyone else? What about us, Randy, isn't easy or safe?" He almost spits the words out.

Randy’s eyes canvas all of Cody’s face and he clenches his jaw seeing the betrayal that’s etched all over. His tongue pokes around the inside of his cheek as he hangs his head, now unable to meet Cody’s gaze as he shakes his head. “I don’t know, Cody,” he says quietly. “I don’t - I don’t…” Randy bites hard at his lip now before closing his eyes. “Look, do we have to do this here? Can’t we talk privately?”

“So we can do it all over again?” Cody’s grin is bitter. “You uh, take me back and you fuck me into the bed, y-you tell me all the sweetest things in the world, a-about how you wanna be with me, and take care of me, that nobody can ever feel the way I do and that I’m special and one of a kind,” he wipes at his wet eyes, “before taking me into your arms and holding me close, and telling me that, th-that you want to do this forever just to stay with her?” his voice cracks as he gasps out, his grin having fallen completely. “And then we go back to being friends, l-like you didn’t just pour out your heart to me the night before?”

“I know I fucked up, Cody,” Randy breathes out before opening his eyes. “And I… I’ve spent so much time thinking about that. The last thing I’ve ever wanted was to hurt you-”

“I would’ve gave you everything,” Cody whispers as he shakes his head. “I would’ve done it so quick, Randy-”

“I know, man,” his voice shakes a little as he looks up to Cody, his eyes wet. “Seriously, we can’t talk about this here, all of this, and us, we deserve a place to like, actually talk about this, don’t we?”

Cody swallows and looks off to the side. His hand comes up to stroke down his tie while he thinks on that, because he supposes a conversation with his best friend about the weird thing they had a few years ago is worth a private discussion so they can say how they feel with no watching eyes.

But it also means they’ll be alone, and they know what happens whenever they’re alone together. It’s like Randy said - it’s like a compulsion, like magnets.

Grabbing hard at his tie, Cody clarifies, “you said you had a hotel room?”

“Yeah. I’m here for a few days.”

“How’d you get here?”

“Took an Uber.”

There’s silence for a few moments. Then, with a deep breath and against the voices in his head screaming no, Cody takes out his wallet to drop a bill onto the table and tells him, “we’ll take my car there.”

The ride back was uncomfortably silent with the tension that weighed heavily in the air, but thankfully, the hotel is close by. The hotel room itself is as big as a small one bedroom apartment. The main area is large with a huge flat screen TV, there’s a wet bar by the spacious kitchen, and Cody can see into the private bedroom with the large king bed.

Hopefully, it’ll end up there-

Cody immediately slams his eyes shut and scrunches his face before running his hands back through his hair. “Do you have anything to drink-”

“Something sweet? Maybe with strawberries?”

He can’t help the fond breath through his nose at the mention of his favorite drink choice. “Preferably,” he mumbles. “Think I’m gonna need a lot of alcohol for this conversation.”

“Probably a good idea,” Randy sighs as he goes over to begin pouring their drinks. “Where do you wanna sit? The couch? My bed? My lap?”

Cody opens his eyes to glare over at Randy. “How do you have the audacity to make jokes after what we said at the restaurant?”

“I was just trying to-”

“Lighten the mood to take away from the years of pain you’ve given me? We’re long past that point now. There’re no amount of jokes or special entendres you can make to distract from that, y-you led me on for years, Randy, you led me on behind Kim’s back-”

“I’m in love with you.”

“- and you made me think that what we were doing was going to go somewhere and…” Cody stops then as Randy hands him his drink and furrows his eyebrows, eyes wandering all over the floor before he glares up at Randy again. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Randy glares back at him. “I just fucking told you I’m in love with you-”

“You can’t just drop that information, Randy!” Cody’s voice raises. “You can’t casually tell me in the middle of me telling you how you hurt me that… that you’re…” He closes his mouth and swallows before looking the other way and shaking his head. “You can’t do that,” he whispers. “You can’t fucking do that.”

It’s completely unfair. It’s too late. It cuts off his train of thought and forces him to focus on the fact that, apparently, Randy is in love with him and takes him away completely from the very real and harsh reality that Randy had led him on for so long, did all of this wonderful, amazing stuff with him just to go back home to someone else’s arms.

What’s the point then, of doing all that stuff with him, if it doesn’t lead them to each other at the end of the day?

Randy sighs and looks down to the floor. He places his hands on his hips, fingers tapping against them before he begins to turn to head into the bedroom. “Cody, I’m - I’m not the best at this-”

“What, fucking communicating like a normal person?” Cody says before taking a long sip of his drink and he follows Randy into the room. “Yeah, I’m aware.”

“I… yeah, you know what, that’s exactly it.” He sips his drink before setting it on the nightstand and runs his hands down his face. “And I’m sorry, Cody. I can’t tell you enough how sorry I am, okay? Look, ever since you left WWE, I had a lot of time to think about shit, about the past and the future and everything in between, and when you’re alone with yourself and your thoughts, you like - I figured it out, my feelings for you.”

“Great.” Cody nods. “You’re two years too late, but I am so glad you figured it out after leading me on-”

“I wasn’t trying!” Randy’s voice raises as he steps closer. “Cody, I swear I wasn’t - I’m sorry if that’s how it felt. Okay? If it felt like I was leading you on for it to go nowhere. But you, Cody - and us - it was…” He bites at his lip and looks up to the ceiling. “Fuck.” He shakes his head. “It was too good to be true sometimes,” he quietly admits. “Everything we had, it - it was great, it…” He breathes out a chuckle. “Fuck, it was perfect, but that’s just it, it was perfect, and - honestly, again, it was too good to be true a-and I didn’t think I deserved that.” He looks back down to Cody then and takes a deep breath. “I didn’t think I deserved you, Cody and… I-I know I hurt you. I hurt you a lot, and I was worried fucking sick calling you up today because I had no idea how you’d react, and I understand if you hate me and if you want, i-if you want nothing to do with me.” Randy presses a hand at his eye and looks down at the wetness on his fingers before wiping his hand off on his shirt. “But I can’t not tell you.”

He had always dreamed of Randy telling him all of this. It was his wildest fantasy next to reliving that crazy vacation they took together in 2015, so this should be all Cody has ever wanted. Here Randy is, finally confessing his love for him and telling Cody that he doesn’t deserve him, that what they had was perfect but then, it’s the exact thing Cody didn’t want to hear.

Because he spent all this time away from WWE trying to get over Randy, and he did.

He did get over Randy.

Upon hearing Randy’s confession, however, he realizes that is not the case at all.

He’s never been over Randy.

He’s pissed that he’s never been over him, has only told himself that he was over him, but he’s more pissed that after everything was said and done with, he doesn’t hate Randy.

Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.

He only loves him, and he hates himself for it, hates himself for being so into Randy and everything about him and how badly he’s under Randy’s spell. Always has, always will.

Cody sets his drink down on the nightstand before stepping closer and looking into Randy’s eyes with his own, even wetter than his. “You can’t just do that,” he gasps out. “You can’t decide to… what, tell me you’re in love with me? After all this time? What, like, d-do you wanna date me? When you’re still married to her? You married her, Randy, right after I left-”

“I’d drop her for you in a second, Cody,” Randy tells him so quick and firm. “I would-”

“You think that’s reassuring?” Cody scoffs.

“What’s the problem?”

“If you can drop her so quick for me, what’s gonna stop you from dropping me for someone else?”

The silence is deafening as they continue to stare at each other. The hurt in Cody’s eyes is heavier than the confusion in Randy’s, and the thoughts in their head are going a mile a second, desperately trying to figure out what to reply with or to add on, because what the fuck are they now? They could tell themselves, in the time between, that everything was fine and they were still friends, pretend that what they did was just good fun, but it’s so hard to deny when they’re with each other.

When they’re alone together, the whole world ceases to be as well as any rational thought.

When Randy hasn’t responded after a minute, Cody takes his drink to slam it back before slamming it down on the nightstand. “I’m gonna go-”

“You’re leaving?”

“Randy, I can’t do this with you-”

“I can’t do this without you, please-”

“You’re not in love with me,” he scoffs as he opens the bedroom door. “You’ve never even been into me-”

“Don’t you dare.”

Cody clenches his jaw as Randy’s arm moves forward to close the door in front of him, his hand firm on it to keep it shut. With a deep breath, he turns to face Randy and his body sort of hunches on itself seeing his eyes, which once held confusion and is now holding pain.

“Don’t tell me how I feel about you,” Randy tells him, quiet but low. “I’ll tell you how sorry I am about everything until I’m six feet under, I will, I will do it every single fucking day if I have to, Cody, but don’t you fucking dare tell me I’m not in love with you.”

“What happens if we date then?” Cody asks. “You break up with Kim and date me. Would you let the world know you have a boyfriend? Would you take me out and show me off like you do with her?”

“Yes, Cody!” Randy answers. “I would, I would do every fucking thing for you!”

“You said that all the other times too. Why is it different this time?”

“I didn’t know I was in love with you those times, Cody, but I know now, I fucking realize now, and I’m trying to make up for all that lost time and make it right-”

“What makes you think I’d even want that with you?”

“Shut the fuck up, man,” Randy scoffs and rolls his eyes as he backs away from Cody to run his hands down his face. “Cody, Cody, Cody, I know you do-”

“Cause you know me so well, right?”

“Yes!” Randy exclaims as he throws his hands in the air. “I do! If you didn’t want me, want this, you wouldn’t have agreed to go out with me, let alone come back to my fucking hotel room-”

“I was curious,” Cody mumbles. “I wanted to know wh-why you wanted to talk-”

“You said it yourself, Cody, you know what happens when we meet up. You know exactly what happens.” Randy narrows his eyes. “You can’t lie to me.”

“And you can’t just come to me on your schedule,” Cody tells him with venom dripping off his words. “It’s all about you, Randy, it’s always about you and what you want, if you don’t want a relationship then it doesn’t happen, but if you do, it has to happen right now-”

“We both want each other, what’s the problem?”

“I left because of you!” Cody shouts out at him.

Randy’s eyes roam all over Cody’s face as his lips form into a slight frown. “What?” he almost whispers.

“I left WWE because of you!” Cody shouts again. “I-It was because of Stardust a-and all that creative stuff, but it was also because of you, Randy! I wanted you and I wanted you so bad, I wanted us to be together and I wanted to be yours and I wanted you to be mine,” his voice cracks, “and you’d always give me hope, every single fucking time we met up, just for nothing to fucking happen! Nothing ever fucking happened, it was always the same, it was always the same!” he sobs out. “I loved you, Randy! I loved you so much and I couldn’t do it anymore! I moved on, I tried to move on with someone new because I-I have more respect than to just - just be that pretty boy you get with to escape reality and live in some bullshit fantasy world with!”

At the end of it, there’s tears, plural, running down Randy’s cheeks and it might be a surprise to anyone else, but with all the nights they’ve had together, after and before hooking up, Cody knows how capable Randy is of that. Everytime though, it never fails to tear at Cody’s heartstrings, regardless of the reason.

Randy swallows heavily as he steps back towards Cody. He reaches out for his hand but Cody swats it away. He reaches out again, but Cody repeats the action, though Cody doesn’t move an inch when Randy places his hands on his cheeks to guide their watery gazes into each other. His thumbs caress Cody’s cheeks, as loving as ever, and Cody’s sobbing starts to quiet down the longer he feels Randy’s sensual touch, for the first time in a long, long while.

“Listen to me, Cody,” he whispers through his tears. “I love you. I would do anything for you and I’m not going to screw that up again. I figured out what it was like these past years to be without you and I can’t do that again.” Randy shakes his head and sniffs. “I can’t do any of this without you. I need you, Cody, and I’m sorry I didn’t realize it sooner, I am so fucking sorry but I know better now and I’m not gonna make the same mistake again. You’re all I need, Cody, just you. Not Kim, not anyone else, just you.”

“How do I know you mean it?” Cody asks, almost whining as he does it.

“I wish I had an answer to that,” Randy chuckles humorlessly and bites at his lip. “I wish I could show you or tell you something that would make you trust me like you did before, but I know I’m gonna have to work to get that back. A-And I can do that, Cody, I don’t care what it takes, I-I’ll do the work to make you trust me again, I promise.” He removes a hand to wipe at his cheeks and then Cody’s. “It’s going to be you and me, Cody, it’ll always be you and me.”

“It’ll always be you and me, Codes.”

Cody stares at Randy for a few moments before chuckling. “You don’t mean that-”

“I do.” Randy brings up a hand to cup Cody’s cheek. “I think, no matter what happens and… wherever our relationship goes, it’s always going to be you and me.”

“And your girlfriend is okay with that?”

Randy rolls his eyes with a small smile. “What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. It doesn’t matter anyways, I - what you and I have, it’s so different then it is with me and Kim.”

“How so?”

Randy looks over Cody’s face, from those beautiful baby blue eyes to those plush pink lips, before quietly telling him, “what we have is realer than anything I’ve ever had in my life.”

“Y-You’re just saying that,” Cody chuckles nervously. “Like - I… Randy, that’s a big thing to tell someone-”

“I know…” He smiles and huffs a fond breath through his nose. “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it, and I mean everything I say with you, Cody, I… everything is so easy with you. Everything is safe with you. You’re like, you’re fucking special, man, and I wanna do this shit forever. Don’t you feel like that?”

Cody relaxes entirely against his side. He brings his hand up to Randy’s cheek and as his eyes dip to Randy’s lips, he tells him with no hesitation, “absolutely.”

That was the night their relationship went past the point of no return.

The confusion starts and ends with, “it’ll always be you and me.”

“Randy, you better fucking mean it,” Cody says as he shakes his head. “If you do this shit to me again-”

“You can cut me off completely.”

Cody sniffs as he looks back up into his eyes. He gasps out as his hands fall to grip Randy’s collar. “I love you, Randy,” he tells him. “I love you so much-”

“You have me now.” Randy takes a deep breath and lets his gaze dip to Cody’s lips. “You’ll always have me, I promise.”

“You really promise?”

As Randy presses their foreheads together, he promises him, “always.”

Their breaths ghost so hotly against each other’s lips as they breathe out, and Cody can feel himself becoming more lightheaded and dizzy with Randy’s presence all over. The warmth of his hands on his cheeks, the familiar, intoxicating aroma of his cologne, and the firmness of his body under his desperate fingertips.

He’s never wanted someone so bad before in his life. Never needed someone the way he needs Randy, not now and not ever. It will never be the same, and as Randy guides Cody’s head to the side to lick into his mouth to take him, Cody gives up his entire heart for Randy to take too, and whatever else Randy wants - forever and until the end of time.

They kiss like no time has been lost and immediately, they pick back up from where they left off, the shattered pieces of their heart that was broken apart on the floor coming together again with each second their lips move together. They have all the time in the world, not just tonight but every other night ahead. It’s no longer a fantasy, no longer empty platitudes said with hopeful tones, but a reality that will stay true.

Nobody has ever known him like Randy. Cody has a done a great job over the years at putting together a carefully constructed caricature that lets people think they know him and all that he is, but it’s still an act, still a way to keep the private sides of him hidden to the people who don’t have the privilege of doing so, people that aren’t Randy Orton. Only Randy knows him at his worst and still continues to want him, to be with him, and that street goes two ways.

Because they’re not built for relationships with other people, they never were; only built for each other.

Cody’s hands roam down over Randy’s body, big and firm as ever, and back up over his shoulders. They run down his strong, tattooed arms, fingers pressing into his muscles that he loves so much, and as Randy lowers his hands from Cody’s face, he takes Cody’s hands in his own to intertwine their fingers. He squeezes Cody’s hands as he holds them up in between their bodies, the action letting Cody know that this is real, that this is a promise he means, and he won’t make the same mistakes again.

Their lips drag away so slowly, neither of them wanting to be apart from each other for even a second after being apart for years. They’re both desperate to keep this going and take this to the next level, remind the other that they belong to each other, were made for each other, as their bodies become one with another once more.

Their eyes lid open to look up to each other. There are glimmers of the future lighting up not only their eyes, but their bodies, and they can’t help but to steal one more kiss, and another, and another after that before they pull away to finally, and really, get their air back. They breathe in slow and deep together as they look at each other again.

“I’m gonna take good care of you, Cody,” Randy whispers. “Every single night.”

As he walks them backwards to the bed, their lips are back on each other, though their hands are quick to take them to where they want to go. Cody begins to unbutton Randy’s shirt and Randy’s hands are quick, skillful the way they undo Cody’s tie before unbuttoning his suit vest. Cody pushes Randy’s shirt off his shoulders and Randy shrugs it off completely before helping Cody remove his shirt and vest. Suddenly then, he’s grabbing Cody’s hips to turn him around to press him down onto the bed, lips attacking Cody’s neck while he palms him through his pants.

“Fuck, I missed you,” Cody whimpers as he brings a hand to the back of Randy’s head. “Missed you so bad-”

“Missed you so fucking much, never missed anyone like I have with you,” Randy breathes out. “Mind if I mark you up?”

“Please.”

Then Randy is latching his teeth onto Cody’s neck and Cody’s eyes roll into the back of his head as he lets out a loud moan into the room.

He can think about how to deal with it later, can think about how to tell Brandi that they’re done and he’s sorry but he just can’t do it anymore, that he really did love her but he’s always loved Randy, he did then, he does now, and he always will, and it’s not fair to keep them together knowing that.

Randy is worth it. He’s worth everything.

Cody moans with each mark Randy leaves on his neck. He’s drowning in the feeling of Randy’s ravaging mouth that he sort of tunes out everything else, and it’s only when he feels cool air settling on his hard cock that he realizes Randy has pulled down his pants entirely. He lids his eyes open and looks down to see Randy brushing his lips down his chest. Randy then begins to press kisses down his abs, over his belly button, and as his hands grip onto Cody’s hips, he’s looking up into Cody’s eyes right as he flickers out his tongue to taste the precome beading from the tip and Cody would be more embarrassed by the noise he just made if it wasn’t Randy, but it is and Randy has seen all of Cody, at this point, so he’s absolutely shameless.

“Don’t hold back from me, baby,” Randy’s voice rumbles as he tilts his head. “Let me know how good I’m making you feel.”

Then he’s closing his eyes to press a suckling kiss to Cody’s tip. He leaves a trail of them down his shaft, and the further down he gets, the further down his hands move until he’s got his hands clutching tightly onto Cody’s thighs. Randy’s tongue sticks out to circle Cody’s hole, lapping at it before it begins its trail back up, over his balls, and the suckling kisses return on the way up his shaft, Cody moaning and thrusting against his mouth all the while.

It wasn’t often that Randy sucked him off, not because he didn’t want to, but because he always got Cody off with his cock and Cody was always so needy for him more often than not. On nights like this, however, where they’re feeling sentimental and in need of exploring that side with each other, it’s greatly appreciated.

Randy is such a thoughtful lover too, far more than people give him credit for. Cody imagines he doesn’t do that for just anyone, because he is still Randy Orton and feelings and emotions aren’t something he partakes in, but he does it with Cody and that’s what matters, that’s all that will matter now that they’re back in each other’s arms.

When Randy takes him into his mouth, he can’t take much. Cody’s the only man he’s been with, and he’s not going to be able to match Cody’s skills in that department, but he more than makes up for it with the attention he gives him. His hand comes around to touch what his mouth can’t take, and he’s quite an expert with his tongue, letting it curl around him, press at him, lick at him, and after a few minutes, Randy begins the lovely process of opening Cody up.

Thank fucking god.

So he drags his lips off from Cody’s cock to run them down his shaft, past his balls, to begin licking at his hole again. His hand gently pumps Cody as he licks him open, fingers of his other hand grazing over Cody’s thigh, along his ass, until the pads of his fingers are tracing the rim of his entrance.

“I’m gonna make you feel great, I promise,” Randy tells him. “Better than I ever have, and I’m gonna fuck you every night I’m here-”

“Do you promise?” Cody moans. “You’re gonna keep me in here? Make me feel good?”

“Until you only remember my name,” he grumbles. “And until I only remember yours, Cody.”

Cody gasps out when Randy pushes the first finger in and throws his head back with another moan as Randy quickly moves it in and out, his tongue still working alongside it. Cody’s hands grip hard at the sheets beside him to wring them between his fingers, and he tugs at them as Randy continues. He pulls at the sheets, he keeps making the prettiest noises into the bedroom as Randy adds another finger, and then another, until he sounds absolutely broken. Afterwards, he’ll have a bit of decency to be embarrassed by how desperate he sounds, but then, that desperation is what Randy likes so much anyways, always has and always will, especially when he himself is so desperate. It makes him go harder with fingering him open, makes him mouth more at Cody’s opening to get it super slick with his spit, and makes him moan against Cody before, finally, pulling his three fingers out to spank him.

With a whimper, Cody brings his head up enough to watch Randy stand up between his legs. He’s drowning under the dark intent of Randy’s gaze and he can only lie there, seemingly helpless as Randy takes his time undoing his pants. Randy swipes his tongue out along his lips as he drags his belt out from the loops, holding it up in the air for a few moments before dropping it onto the floor, the metal of the buckle sounding with the collision.

Cody couldn’t say a word right now if he wanted. He’s wrought with an urgent need for the man in front of him and can’t think beyond Randy, can’t look or smell or feel beyond Randy, because his desire for him is all consuming and withers away any sense of rational being left.

Right now, Randy is heaven. He is ruin. He is everything.

He manages a long, loud whine as Randy’s thickness enters his view. He moves himself back on the bed and pushes up on his arms to watch Randy jerk himself off, all while Randy looks him over. Randy groans out as he knees up on the bed between Cody’s legs and his other hand comes down to grip Cody’s knee hard, his gaze still dragging over every inch of Cody’s exposed skin.

“Fucking perfect, Cody,” he whispers. “Always so good for me, always look so fucking good.” Randy bites his lip hard as he squeezes his length. “Can’t believe how long it’s been… you ready for it?”

“Please,” Cody begs. “Randy, please, I can’t wait for you anymore, I don’t wanna wait for you anymore-”

“I know.” Randy nods and looks up to Cody before leaning in. “Neither do I, baby.”

He seals their lips together in a short, but promising kiss, one that assures Cody, once again, that this is real and he will not make the same mistakes again, and he drags his lips away so slow before leaning back to reach for the lube conveniently within the nightstand. Cody’s eyes are trained on Randy’s cock as he drizzles the lube over, as he strokes it all over, even as Randy spreads apart his legs at his thighs with those big, strong hands to be right back where he belongs.

Randy guides himself to Cody’s opening and he’s leaning over him to press their foreheads together. His breath is hot against his lips, Cody’s breath is hot against his, and they’re breathing in each other’s air as Randy begins to push into him, for the very first time in a long awhile. When Cody gasps out, Randy moves a hand into his hair to guide Cody’s lips back onto his as he gives Cody all of him, every single inch, and drinks in all the pretty moans Cody makes into his mouth all the while.

It could be too much, were it anyone else, but there can never be too much of Randy, only not enough.

Randy drags himself out to the tip before slamming back into him to make Cody gasp out against his lips once more. He does it again, and again, Cody’s gasps becoming louder until he’s moaning out, and then Randy is fucking into him with consistent in-and-out motions, hand still in Cody’s hair with the other hand at Cody’s side to keep himself up.

“Thought I’d never have this again, Cody,” Randy breathes out as he looks down between their joined bodies to watch Cody take him. “I can’t believe I get to have you again, I can’t fucking believe it-”

Cody moans, “you get to have me whenever you want.” His hands grip at Randy’s shoulders and his fingers press down hard into his skin. “Just - I want to be yours, I want to be the only one, Randy-”

“You will, I promise.” Randy steals another kiss from him. “It’s just gonna be me and you from now on.”

“What’s gonna happen? With you and her?”

“When I get back, I’m gonna end it. Tell her I can’t do this anymore, that it’s not working, that I fucking love you-”

“You’d do that?”

“I would, and I don’t fucking care what she’s gonna do, because you’re the only thing I care about.”

Randy doesn’t even need to ask Cody what’s going to happen with him and Brandi, because they both already knew that Cody was going to drop her for him, but in case Randy didn’t, Cody tells him, “I only care about you, Randy, it’ll be me and you, just me and you, it is over with me and her, I promise-”

“I know.” Randy nods and moves his hands to cup Cody’s cheeks as he lowers his body onto his, Cody’s hands dragging away from his shoulders to grab the hands on his cheeks. “I know you’d do anything for me, just like I’d do anything for you, because I love you, Cody, you love me, we love each other, and it’s just us, okay?”

“Fuck, I love you so much.”

They take each other’s lips again and this time, they’re able to unleash all that passion that’s been building up over the past few years. The taste of sin is so pertinent on their tongues but it’s never been sweeter, so profound, and the more they taste, the more they want. They’re practically breathing into each other’s lungs now, and each breath is another thought that lets the other know they still care, that they have always cared for one another and everything else was just a distraction from what really mattered.

They both invoke such heavy pleasure within each other in their shared climax that can never be reached with anyone else. The other’s name falls from their lips so quiet, but so heavy and full of love, of yearning, and afterwards, they’re panting against the other’s lips and just barely do they open their eyes to stare at each other in the warm and sensuous afterglow.

While their business is still unfinished, and they have a lot more to discuss before officially ending the night, the silence afterwards is comfortable as Randy coaxes Cody into his side to snuggle close. Even though they now have each other forever, that truth still hasn't settled in yet, so Randy holds Cody tight to his body, as close as he can, as Cody’s face presses deep into Randy’s neck to fully immerse himself in Randy again.

In that time apart, they have been living in the same dream put together of all their shared memories. Every night wondering what would happen if they took that chance to sweep the other off their feet, if all of that fabricated pillow talk had meant something more, but they don’t need to wonder anymore. They don’t need to stay awake at night getting so lost within the debilitating thoughts in their head of what could have happened between them.

No longer does tension fill the air, but rather hope for the bright future ahead of them. They aren’t ships passing in the night anymore, no, they have found their way back to each other, because they were built for each other; forever and until the end of time.

#candy #my fics #this one is ANGSTY everyone #but a happy ending #because i NEED a happy ending #takes place in june 2018

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aikaterini-drag · 5 months

Text

Chapter 7 Comfortable

Author's notes: This chapter contains sweetness, fluff, and an adorable Bucky Barnes that you simply want to squeeze in the warmest hug! I had so much fun writing this and I hope you'll enjoy it as well. Please show some love! ♡♡

Find more chapters of the "Fading Scars" Series here ♡

James Bucky Barnes could cook.

No. That was an understatement.

He was a culinary magician!

These were Grace's thoughts as she savored every bite of the delectable chicken and vegetables he had prepared for their dinner. The dish was a symphony of flavors, each ingredient blending together to create a masterpiece that surpassed even her own attempts at cooking, particularly her spicy meatballs. She was so grateful to finally settle down and have a decent meal.

Cooking together really helped them get away from the harsh realities that surrounded them.

While they ate, he slowly started to open up to her, sharing tales from his past and how he grew to be the best friend of Steve Rogers. As the minutes rolled by, he shed his shyness away, his tongue running wild. Grace Clio have enough of his humorous and foolish escapades with Steve. They were such dedicated companions.

"There was a time," James said, sharing an old fond memory, "Steve and I decided to have a picnic in the park. He had this fancy necklace he wanted to show his then sweetheart.

"We had just settled down with our sandwiches when out of nowhere, a little dog appeared and snatched the jewelry box right from our picnic blanket. That little rascal bolted away like a furry whirlwind!"

His laughter rumbled through the air.

"Steve, ever the genius, took off after it running through the park, arms flailing, shouting 'Stop, stop thief!'"

"And what did you do?" Grace asked, her eyes sparkling.

"I was right behind him, trying to catch the dog by its tail. I couldn't just let it swallow that ring! I mean, imagine Steve explaining to his girl that her gift was now a dog's chew toy!"

Grace burst into laughter. "So, what happened next?"

"We managed to corner the little bandit, pried its jaws open, and retrieved the necklace. That poor dog looked positively guilty when it realized it had been caught. I'm pretty sure we were the star attraction in the park that day."

"It must be incredibly heartwarming to have such a friend," Grace said, a gentle smile on her lips.

"He's the only one I have," James said, his voice carrying a mixture of gratitude and melancholy.

"Having a good friend is a blessing."

"And what about you?"

A subtle shadow danced across her features. "I haven't been particularly fortunate in that aspect. It's hard to forge a relationship when I'm constantly on the move..."

"Trying to hide from Silas?" he completed her sentence.

She nodded, her gaze dropping. "Ever since I was little, my mother and I kept moving from one place to another, changing locations so we could stay away from him and Hydra. The only friend I had was the bodyguard assigned to us some years ago. But I eventually lost contact with that person as well."

"I'm sorry to hear that. You get nightmares because of him," he said, reluctance coloring his voice.

She offered a soft hum in agreement. "Silas caused all my trauma."

"How old were you when your mother—" He stumbled over his words, attempting to find a delicate phrasing. "I apologize, you don't have to—"

"Eighteen," she said in a single breath, the weight of the revelation hanging heavily in the air. "Six years have passed, and still, I have nightmares and panic attacks."

"You need time. Don't put pressure on yourself."

"If only it were that simple," she mumbled, staring absently into the distance.

"I know firsthand how scary it is; the nightmares of the past feel as if they steal away every breath of peace."

"You're right..." she muttered and looked at him. "I'm sorry. I talked about my sad story and reminded you of things you'd rather forget."

"No. I bear the weight of my own choices and actions. I deserve the consequences."

Her brow furrowed, a mixture of compassion and resolve in her gaze. "You were a victim, just like me. You were coerced by manipulation."

He grimaced. "Not quite. My hands are stained with blood and I remember everything. It hunts me every minute of the day."

"Then you should take your own advice and let time heal your wounds," she offered softly, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

James sighed and redirected his attention back to his meal. He had opened up more than he had in decades, revealing vulnerabilities that had remained buried deep within. A maelstrom of feelings gnawed at his chest, leaving him unsettled. He doubted whether time alone could ever truly mend the wounds that scarred him. Silence, was, for the time being, the best treatment.

▪️▪️▪️

The next morning, Grace woke up to the sounds of the birds and the caress of warm sunlight on her face. Stretching luxuriously upon the bed, she let out a satisfying groan, savoring the tranquil moment. Blinking her eyes open, she rose from the bed and made her way to the bathroom to freshen up. Once presentable, she sauntered around the house in search of James.

She glanced at the small room next to hers, but his bed was already set and tidy, so she guessed he had gotten up earlier than her. Calling out his name, she found him in the living room, in front of an antique TV, surrounded by an array of intricate devices, open boxes brimming with screws, and an assortment of parts. She could only see his back but he appeared fully focused on his task, his commanding presence filling the room despite its spaciousness.

"Good morning," she greeted softly, causing him to tilt his head and meet her gaze.

"Good morning," he said, his brows furrowing as her laughter bubbled forth, echoing through loud yet sweet.

"What's wrong?" he asked while she struggled to stop her wide smile from spreading all over her face. When he rubbed a hand along his cheek, she burst into more laughter, almost doubling over.

"You are covered in slime," she explained, approaching him with suppressed giggles. Grabbing an abandoned towel from nearby, she gently wiped his cheek and then his nose.

"Why can't I get it off?" she murmured as she rubbed his nose harder, eliciting a small groan from him.

"I can do it myself, you know..." he muttered weakly, though not entirely displeased with her actions. Not in the least displeased.

"If you do it yourself, you'll look like a camouflage-clad commando," she said and heard him chuckle. After a few seconds, she drew back and smiled. "There. Now you're back to normal."

"Thanks."

"What are you doing with this TV?" She folded her arms, observing as he returned to his task, fiddling with some cables and coils.

"I'm trying to fix it."

"But it's so old. I doubt it can even catch a signal."

"It is possible if I link it to a digital converter," he said with a note of pride in his voice. "I found one in the storage room."

"Have you had anything for breakfast?" she asked and suppressed a smile at how absorbed he was in tinkering with the TV.

"Some cake," he replied, his attention on the screw he was fastening.

"What about coffee?"

"No. Didn't have time," he said, wiping his forehead with the back of his good hand.

Satisfied with his answer, she swiveled around and headed to the kitchen. She measured the coffee beans and put water to boil in the kettle. She devoured a slice of cake then poured the steaming water over the awaiting coffee grounds. When the coffee was ready, she poured a generous amount in two mugs and carried them back to the living room.

"Here you go," she said, placing the steaming mug a few inches next to his things. "Would you like some help?"

James took a few sips before answering, "You already helped by making coffee. I needed the boost but I didn't want to stop the repair process."

"You certainly have a talent for it." She looked at the TV, then at his hands, tracing the contours of his veins and the texture of his skin. Grateful that he remained occupied and unaware of her scrutiny, she cleared her throat and said, "Is it going well?"

"We'll find out soon..."

Finished with his work, he meticulously connected the cables and securely fastened the cap of the TV. With synchronized movements, he plugged in the TV, pressed some buttons, and voila! — the screen flickered to life and he let out the most beautiful and genuine cry of triumph.

"Wow! It's working!" she said and stared at him in gobsmacked wonder.

"I told you I could do it."

His eyes lingered on her, soft and warm, saving the features of her smiling face. She was so goddamned sweet and lovely. Realizing the intensity of his stare, he contained the emotions within, tucking them away where they belonged – hidden behind the façade he had grown accustomed to.

"Now you can watch TV when you're bored," he said and dragged his eyes away from her.

"You mean we can watch TV," she corrected, playfulness in her voice. "You're also here with me. Or do you plan to leave me all alone?"

"No!" His response was quick, almost too emphatic. "I didn't mean that. I just wasn't sure if you wanted me around."

"That's foolish," she said softly. "Besides, watching TV with company is much more entertaining."

"I suppose..."

"You suppose? Haven't you ever enjoyed a movie or show w—" she stopped abruptly, realizing how stupid she had sounded. James had been under captivity for so long, it was no wonder he had no time to enjoy carefree moments like these.

"It's been a while," he hesitated. "I'll slowly catch up on the things I missed."

She smiled broadly. "While we're here, I'll make sure to introduce you to the best movies and series. You can count on me."

Kofi 🧡 AO3 🩷 ASK ME 🩵

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