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make-me-imagine · 1 year

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Locked In

13 Days of Halloween: Day 7

Plot: When you and Malcolm agree to help Jessica prepare for her Halloween party, the two of you end up getting locked in the creepy attic together.

Pairing: Malcolm Bright x Gn!reader

Warnings: None~ (except for a somewhat heated kiss towards the end)

Words: 2.5k

A/N: I saw the prompt 'Person A and Person B get locked in a creepy attic together on Halloween.' on a list by @olicitytropes and it inspired this; hope you don't mind me using it~

You looked around the large familiar house, noting the change in curtains and flowers to match the holiday, and Jessica's upcoming Halloween fundraiser party.

"Y/n, Malcolm! I'm glad you could make it!" Jessica said cheerfully as she met you and Malcolm in the foyer.

"I didn't think I had a choice." Malcolm said with light sarcasm.

"You didn't dear. But Y/n did." She said with a big smile as she looped her arm through yours "Which makes them my favorite, because they chose to come anyway."

You smiled at Malcolm over your shoulder and stuck your tongue out at him, as you walked further into the house. Malcolm shook his head in amusement as he followed.

"Ainsley is already here, which means she gets to come with me to the store. You two are on attic duty."

"Attic duty?" Malcolm asked, a change in his tone obvious.

"Yes, that's where the boxes of Halloween decorations are."

You looked up "I guess it makes since this place has an attic, I just never thought about it." You said softly before looking over at Malcolm.

"I never go in there, it's creepy." He said motioning is hands.

"Well you have no choice now." Ainsley said as she walked into the room. She met your eyes "Though I do feel bad for you having to go up there."

"Attics don't bother me as much as basements" You commented casually.

"Good! Don't worry, the attic isn't that creepy, Malcolm just doesn't like it because he got locked in there once when he was a kid. Tried to blame it on a ghost."

You looked over at Malcolm who nodded "The door closed by itself. And I was left in there for seven hours."

"Seven hours?" You asked with widened eyes.

He walked up to you, lowering his voice "No one can hear you scream up there."

Jessica smacked him on the arm before she looked over at you "It's fine, just make sure you keep the door propped open!"

"Right. Just keep the door propped open."

"Exactly!"

You looked over at Malcolm who just smiled and shook his head softly. Not long later, the two of you made your way upstairs as Jessica and Ainsley left the house.

"Do I even want to know how many boxes we're gonna have to drag all the way down here?"

"Probably not." He replied as you stopped beneath the attic stairwell.

Looking up the small darkened staircase at the red door, you hummed. "Never mind, that is very creepy."

Slowly making your way into the attic, you let out a small breath of relief as you looked around the fairly clean room. There was only one small, tinted window that let in very little light, leaving most of the room in darkness.

Malcolm pushed a small doorstop underneath the door before he turned to look into the attic. "Smaller than I remember."

"Most things are after you grow up." You commented softly as you flipped the light switch on.

The old light-bulb buzzed on, and sent a yellow-orange glow throughout the room.

Walking over to some boxes that had 'HALLOWEEN' written on it, you patted them.

"At least we don't have to search for them."

Malcolm walked over to the other side of the attic, and tapped some more "There are at least twenty in here"

"Its a big house."

"And she insists every room must have some form of decoration for her parties."

Picking up a mildly heavy box you turned towards Malcolm "I better get an invite if I have to do all this."

He smirked "You want to attend a Halloween party with a bunch of rich lawyers, accountants and white-collar criminals?"

You paused for a moment "Will there be food?"

He chuckled "Yeah, a lot."

You hummed as you left the attic "Might be worth it then."

-----

Letting out a sigh as you stomped back up the stairs into the attic for the fifth time, you looked at the dozen boxes still left.

"Never mind, invite or not, this is not worth it."

Malcolm stopped beside you as he nodded his head and let out a breath. Making your way back towards the boxes, you stopped as you heard a scratching sound. Looking at each other, you heard a loud creaking, you both recognized to be the sound of a door.

Your eyes widened in sync as you both spun around, to see the attic door quickly sliding closed.

You and Malcolm both rushed as fast as you could to catch it. But it slammed closed, just before you reached it. From the other side, you heard the doorstop bounce down the steps.

Malcolm grabbed the door handle, twisting and turning the knob as he pushed and pulled. As the door refused the budge, he looked back at you and shook his head.

You let out a sigh "Your mom and Ainsely wont be gone long right?"

"They went shopping. They could be gone for days." He said with a deafeated tone.

"Well, I know something you probably didn't have when you got locked in here the first time." He rose his brow as you reached into your pocket. "A phone."

Malcolm nodded his head in realization as he also took his out. You frowned as you read 'no signal'. Trying to use your data, but failing, you looked over a Malcolm. Meeting your gaze he shook his head.

"What is the attic made out of, layers of steal? Even my data isn't working."

Malcolm sighed as he walked over to the widow, trying to open it, before attempting to use his phone again. "Nothing. There must be something up here interfering with it."

"Great...so what do we do now?"

"We could talk about the fact that the door should not have closed, and that this is the second time that has happened!"

"I thought you didn't believe in ghosts?"

He lifted his arms up in defeat "Well I might now."

You let out a chuckle as you sat down on an old chair. "Or it's an old, heavy door Malcolm."

Malcolm shrugged his head as he walked over and sat down in the chair beside you. "Old door or ghosts, we're stuck."

You sighed and nodded your head. "Yup."

As an hour turned into two, and longer, you rifled through another box of decorations out of boredom, you pulled out a large fake spider. Turning it over, you saw a switch. Getting an idea, you glanced over at Malcolm, who was staring down at his phone, and set the spider on the ground. Silently, you switched it on, and watched as the large spider ran towards Malcolm.

Hearing the noise, Malcolm glanced over, letting out a yelp of surprise as he almost fell out of his chair.

As you began to laugh, Malcolm let out a deep breath and shook his head as he attempted to repress his own smile. "Very funny."

"Thank you, thank you." You said with a soft chuckle and fake bow.

Malcolm picked up the spider and turned it off, shaking his head. "I'm pretty sure this is the same thing Ainsley used to put in my bed to scare me."

You grinned at this as you began looking through the box some more.

Suddenly hearing a loud bang on the opposite wall, you flinched, as your head snapped towards the sound. Glancing at Malcolm, who looked alarmed as well, turned to meet your gaze.

"Rat?" You asked.

He shrugged his head "Maybe."

Hearing a scraping sound, following by a thud, the two of you stared at the part of the attic engulfed in darkness.

Slowly, Malcolm made his way over, shining his phone into the darkness. You watched in anticipation as he reached behind a box before lifting up an old photo frame.

"Yeah, that's not creepy at all."

Setting it back down he began walking over to you, but stopped when the attic light flickered off.

There was an almost deafening silence for a moment before you stood up. Turning on his phone again, Malcolm walked to the light switch, flicking it up and down, but the light stayed out.

"That's just a creepy coincidence right?"

Walking back over to you, you could just see Malcolm's expression as he nodded "Yeah. Just a creepy coincidence."

As he stopped in front of you, a loud clattered bang came from the dark side of the attic again, as a box toppled over. Gasping as you gripped onto Malcolm's arm, you turned towards the noise.

Malcolm, quickly turning on his phones flashlight, shined the light at the box, and then around the attic.

"Okay. Maybe the attic is haunted." You said in a whisper.

"Told you." He whispered back.

Walking over to the box, you stayed latched onto his arm. Attempting to push the box with his foot, he shook his head "That's way to heavy for a rat to knock over."

You tugged on his arm "Let's go sit by the window where there's some light."

Malcolm glanced over at you, just now realizing how close you were. "Alright." He said softly as you made your way to the window.

You both sat down in your chairs, eyes darting around the attic, both of you expecting something else to happen.

"Talk." You mumbled.

Malcolm looked over at you "What?"

"Talk, so I don't freak out."

"Oh. Okay, uhm....the first year I was allowed to pick my own costume, I wanted to dress as Seymour Krelborn."

You paused for a moment "The guy from Little Shop of Horrors?"

"Yeah. And I tried to convince my parents to dress Ainsley as Audrey II"

"Audrey....the giant plant monster?"

"Yeah.."

You let out a soft chuckle "Did they?"

He nodded and smiled "My mom refused at first, but I finally got my way."

You smiled at him and shook your head as you peered around the attic, still weary. Malcolm continued to watch you.

The two of you were seated next to each other, knee's touching. You were no longer holding onto him out of fear, but your hands were close. He was tempted to take yours in his.

As a car horn sounded outside on the street, you flinched lightly, barely enough to notice. But he did.

"How is such a bad-ass cop so afraid right now?" He asked with a hint of amusement.

You looked over at him "I don't do ghosts. Ghosts aren't tangible like people, I can't shoot them if they're trying to hurt me."

Malcolm chuckled "I'll protect you from the ghost."

You rolled your eye's lightly "Oh yeah, how would you do that?"

"Well. I believe that if ghosts are real, they only have power you give them through being afraid and wanting, or expecting them to show their presence."

"Sooo, you're saying, if I'm not afraid or don't think about them being real, they can't hurt me?"

"Right."

"Well. It was you who put the idea of ghosts in the attic in my head in the first place. So, really, this is your fault?"

Malcolm paused for a moment as a slow smile crossed his face "Yes, I suppose it is."

"Well then, the least you can do is distract me so I stop being afraid."

Your eyes were locked with his, as you smiled, he smiled in return, his eyes flicking down to your lips for a split second.

Hearing a loud thud, you let out a soft gasp. But before you could turn your head to investigate the sound of the noise, you felt Malcolm's hands grasp your face, before his lips pressed against yours.

The kiss seemed eager and rushed, before it became soft and gentle, and then it was over.

As Malcolm pulled away from you, you met his eyes. You were clearly still bewildered, as you muttered out.

"Why did you do that?"

"I was distracting you."

"From the ghosts?"

"Yes."

Malcolm's hands were still on your face as he spoke softly. He had a faint smile on his lips, and he couldn't seem to stop his eyes from flicking to your lips again.

"Sorry. I should have asked first." He said softly as he pulled his hands away.

Your heart was racing, and your ears were burning hot. You shook your head lightly.

"It's okay. It worked, you distracted me." You laughed lightly. "And besides, I- I would have said yes, if you'd asked." Your voice got a little quieter as you spoke, your ears burning.

Malcolm repressed a grin "You would have?"

You nodded and met his eyes "Yeah."

Leaning in a little closer, his eyes fell to your lips briefly. "Then, can I kiss you again?"

You smiled softly as you leaned in a bit as well "Yeah."

Meeting in a soft kiss, Malcolm's hand cupped your face again as you brought your own hand up to his face as well.

Suddenly, hearing a rough bang, as the attic door shook violently, you and Malcolm pulled away from each other with alarmed gasps.

Another bang against the door was followed by the door swinging opening with a loud creaking groan.

Seeing Gil stumble into the room, having forced the door open with his shoulder, you and Malcolm stared at him in confusion.

"Gil?" Malcolm asked with breathy bewilderment.

He nodded at the two of you as he looked around the attic "Hey."

"Hi." You and Malcolm said in unison, as Jessica came into the attic as well.

"Oh thank God, are you two alright? Why didn't you answer any of my messages or calls."

You and Malcolm lifted your phones up a the same time as he spoke "No signal up here."

"Oh. Well, what happened to keeping the door propped open?"

"I'm guessing they tried." Ainsley's voice cold be heard as she appeared a moment later behind Jessica, doorstop in hand.

"Heavy door." You said, glancing at Malcolm briefly.

"Well, I'm glad you two are okay. Once we got back, I saw the boxes down stairs, I thought you two must have finished and gone somewhere, then I couldn't get a hold of you."

"So you called Gil."

"Yes." They said in unison.

"Well, now that that's all over-" Jessica turned and patted Gil's shoulder "You can finish helping with the boxes."

"Wait, what? I'm on duty Jessica, I'm not here-" His voice was perplexed as he began to follow her and Ainsley out, their voices fading as they left.

As the door began to close, you and Malcolm both rushed forward, grabbing it before you got locked in again. Your eyes locked as you smiled in amusement.

After closing the attic door lightly, you left together, heading down the stairs. Halfway down, Malcolm slipped his hand into yours, looking over at him, you shared knowing looks and smiles.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, you both stopped dead in your tracks as you heard three loud knocks on the attic door. Your eyes locked before you turned and looked back up the stairs at the closed door.

Malcolm squeezed your hand lightly before you both raced away as fast as you could, knowing neither of you were going back in that room.

xx End xx

General Taglist: @criminaly-supernatural, @caswinchester2000, @onuen, @rexit-mo, @imaginesfire, @witchygagirl, @alexxavicry

Prodigal Son/Malcolm Taglists: @spuffyfan394, @locke-writes, @malindacath, @cosplayingwitch, @starship-argo

Requested Taglist: @le-green-lion

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ape-apocalypse · 2 months

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Road To The Kingdom - Prelude and Contagion Comics

This post will focus on two short comics that were published around the first reboot film, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes.

The first is a prelude comic with a story that the writers (Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver) and director (Rupert Wyatt) always had in their minds for the film but had to be cut for time (they mention this in the DVD commentary and in interviews). Knowing how passionate they were about this piece of backstory for Caesar's origin, I'm very glad it was given life in this comic. It expands on the capture of Caesar's mother and her time in the GEN-SYS labs, scenes that are featured briefly in the opening of the film.

Director Wyatt and the writers have all said they thought it was important to show this backstory of Caesar's parents to demonstrate that, even prior to the drug that enhanced him as an unborn baby, his parents were above average apes. The comic shows a group of poachers following a troop of chimps, intent on capturing them to sell to laboratories for testing. Alpha, Caesar's father, is more intelligent than a regular chimpanzee, demonstrated in how he outsmarts the humans to keep his apes safe. He even lures them into a trap in order to kill several of them.

Likewise Caesar's mother, Bright Eyes... who is named Bright Eyes in the comic for her rare blue eyes which doesn't make sense since she was named that in the lab for the changed eyes Will's drug gives her and also she doesn't even have blue eyes in the opening scene of the movie but that's just bad continuity, I guess... Anyway, Bright Eyes is shown to be exceedingly compassionate to her troop, ensuring no one gets left behind as they flee the poachers and fiercely defending Alpha. Though it is very brief, it is nice to see the united front of Alpha and Bright Eyes that make up Caesar. Human drugs may have given him true intelligence, but Caesar's determination, loyalty, and compassion all came from his parents.

The rest of the comic arc shows Bright Eyes' time in the lab prior to giving birth. We see her intelligence grow to the point that she is able to escape from the lab on her own and return when she realizes she's far from her jungle home. There's a story of another lab ape named Burke who gets smart but decides to hide it, so he's retired to a sanctuary as a failed experiment and starts to plan his own escape. It's interesting to see the progression of the drug and its effect on the apes but the best part is getting to know Bright Eyes a bit better than her brief time in the film.

Shifting to Contagion, it is even shorter than the prelude comic as it was a one-shot set between Rise and Dawn. The focus of the comic is Ellie, the human in Dawn who is the love interest of Malcolm and the nurse who heals Cornelia. Her backstory is briefly mentioned in the movie but it is fleshed out here. We're shown the death of her daughter, Sarah, during the Simian Flu outbreak and her time with the CDC trying to find a vaccine. She ends up escaping the destruction of her lab with the help of a test chimp and the two go their separate ways (which makes me think an interesting story in this universe would be a human and an intelligent ape who actually successfully survive together but I guess that's what fanfics are for). Though very fast paced, that is the nature of a short one-shot comic. It does probably set the feeling of losing your daughter as the world falls apart around you, all happening in a very quick blur. Her time spent with the test apes and her rescue by the chimp Betty show her gentle nature that will have her seeking peace with Caesar's apes in the coming film.

Though these comics are short compared to the longer arcs that will be featured later, I like these stories for their background on two female characters, Bright Eyes and Ellie. While the original films had Zira as a main lead character, the female characters in the reboot series definitely suffer from being primarily love interests to the lead characters and not having much to do in the films. So it is nice to let Ellie and Bright Eyes have comic book expansions of their characters. Both of these stories have been hard to find in the past, as the prelude was online promotion for Rise that seems to be gone from the Net and Contagion was a San Diego Comic Con 2014 exclusive. However, they can now be found in the Planet of the Apes comic omnibus entitled After The Fall.

Intro / Previous / Next

#rise of the planet of the apes #dawn of the planet of the apes #planet of the apes #kingdom of the planet of the apes #war for the planet of the apes #war of the planet of the apes #reboot pota #pota #mine #prelude #comic #contagion #caesar #andy serkis #chimp #chimpanzee #bright eyes #alpha

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im-overstimulated-and-im-sad · 6 months

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WIP Wednesday

Thank you for the tags, @carlos-in-glasses @lemonlyman-dotcom @lightningboltreader 🥰

This is for my TK has a little sister fic-

2013-

“IT’S GOING DOWN I’M YELLING TIMBER YOU BETTER MOVE YOU BETTER DANCE”

As the vocals in the song blasting above his head changed from Ke$ha’a to Pitbull’s, TK took the shot from Malcolm and downed it in one swallow. TK wasn’t sure if it was his third shot or his fourth — but he didn’t feel affected by them at all. He felt good. I knew Dad was wrong, TK told himself. I do too know my own limits. I can’t handle pills, and I’m not taking the pills. But social drinking isn’t the same. It’s being social. It’d be weirder if I didn’t. I can totally handle it. TK turned to join Malcolm and felt a little woozy.

Okay, so that last shot was probably his fourth. But that didn’t matter; the man that TK had been sleeping with for over a year had finally agreed to be seen with him in public. And he was in a club on New Years’ Eve; TK had been waiting for this his whole life.

TK stood up on his toes to kiss Malcolm. Malcolm wrapped his arms around TK and squeezed TK’s body against his own. This from the same guy who would swear up and down he didn’t know TK if their paths crossed out in the open. For a moment, TK was worried he was really drunk, or imagining all this.

“Thank you,” TK shouted to be heard above the music. “For getting me in”.

“You got it”. Malcolm grinned and TK noticed how bright his teeth looked under the lights. Malcolm’s long blonde hair had fallen perfectly over his shoulders, making it look like he had a halo.

“Another?” Malcolm said, gesturing towards the bar. Tk only hesitated for a brief second before he nodded.

This time, he went with Malcolm to get the drinks; the last two Malcolm had given him, TK had no idea what they were.

“Here”. Malcolm handed another shot to TK. “This will make you feel like you got shot in the tongue”.

“Cool”. TK laughed. “Being twenty sucks. I wish I could get into a place like this on my own”.

“You’re far from the youngest person in here,” Malcolm called. He pointed to a couple who were weaving through the crowd and stopped at the bar. “Miss trying-too-hard with those hooker boots,” Malcolm said. “Way younger than you. Probably still in high school”.

“Well, that’s judgey”. TK rolled his eyes. “My sister has boots like that”. Though TK didn’t know if she had them anymore, though. Lorraine had given them to her, and had sent his mother into a what-could-that-woman-possibly-be-thinking-who-gives-boots-like-this-to-a-teenager tirade. His dad and Lorraine had been married for five months, and TK had yet to hear his mother refer to Lorraine as anything other than “that woman” (usually in the context of “who does THAT WOMAN think she is!”)

“Ah, shit”. TK heard Malcolm say as the song playing ended.

“What?” TK asked.

“I think I saw one of the kids who works with my dad,” Malcolm replied. TK saw the familiar expression of alarm wash over Malcolm’s face. “I’m gonna lay low,” he told TK. “Stay here. I’ll be back”. With that, he turned and was making his way through the crowd.

“Really?” TK said, mostly to himself. He had hoped they could have a little more than forty minutes at the club together before Malcolm freaked out.

TK edged closer to the bar and put the shot on the counter. Besides the fact that he wasn’t super pleased with Malcolm right now, it looked kind of like blood.

TK looked around, his mood a little bit more sour than it was a few minutes ago. The woman who had boots like his sister’s was at the other end of the bar, doing a shot. If she hadn’t been standing underneath the strobe lights, TK wouldn’t have noticed.

If his…. Whatever it was that he and Malcolm were to each other, he wouldn’t have noticed.

But while looking for something else to distract him, TK realized with horror that this girl had a lot more in common with his sister than just the boots.

TK pushed through the other people at the bar until he was closer and then he shouted, “SOPHIE!” His sister turned around and saw him. She looked exactly as surprised as he felt.

“TK?” she said as the music got loud again. “What are you doing here?”

“Me?” TK shouted back. “What are you doing here?” He grabbed his sister’s wrist and started dragging her through the crowd towards the coat room area. Now he was really glad he hadn’t taken that last shot; he was having enough trouble with the situation as it was.

“Okay, enough”. Sophie said loudly, even though now the hallway they were in was a lot quieter. “TK, you are not supposed to be here. You’re only twenty”.

“You… I’m…” TK started a few sentences but didn’t finish them. “You’re fourteen! And you…” TK hadn’t really stopped to look at his sister, who in addition to the six-inch boots, had on a sleeveless silver top covered in sequins and very short black shorts on. “Why do you like… not have clothes on?” He asked. “It’s eighteen degrees outside!”

“God, you’re turning into Dad,” Sophie groaned.

“Don’t start,” TK pointed his finger at her. “How did you even get in? Where does Mom think you are?”

“At a sleepover”. Sophie said, hands on her hips. “Where does Dad think you are? You’re supposed to be sober”.

“I am sober!” TK exclaimed, emphasizing the last word by stomping his foot. “I haven’t even thought about taking pills even once. Having a few drinks doesn’t count”.

No pressure tags - @dreamingofmickeywaffles @rachelsversion1 @firstprince-history-huh @reyestrandd @tailoredshirt @sugdenlovesdingle and anyone else who wants to do it 🫶

#911 lone star #wip wednesday #911 ls fic #911 ls wip

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smalls-words · 1 year

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Chapter Eight: Palmetto

Summary: Natasha experiences jealousy, Palmetto reveals it's darkest secret, and your questioning your sexuality. What the fuck happened?

Pairings: Devil!Natasha x Fem!Detective!Reader, Natasha x Wanda, Reader x Steve (exes, co-parents), Yelena x Natasha (sisters).

Warnings: Mentions/attempt of suicide, knives, jealousy, sexual suggestion (is there ever going to be a chapter without it? probably not). Read at your own discretion.

A/N: WHO SHOT MALCOLM? :o find out in this chapter along with some other bombshells, cheeky.

Series Masterlist

*not my gif*

Lux was pumping with people as Natasha walked through it, a stunning satin blue dress reflecting light to show off the entire dark to light range of the shade. She cheered on many drinks with her patrons, even taunting some of them with a playful smack and grab of the ass or a fleeting touch on their back.

But her favourite demon came up to the bar dressed in a stunning gold dress, held against her body to show it off. Messy hair made Natasha grin, knowing that a few hands had given the demon what she wanted.

“Wanda! You haven't wished me a happy birthday.” Natasha grinned as Wanda stood in front of her, drink in hand.

“The Devil doesn't have a birthday.”

“Well, I do now. I burned my wings, I feel reborn - it's my re-birthday party.” She chuckled.

“Reborn? As who?” The brunette snickered.

“Whoever the hell I want to be. It's exciting, isn't it?” She took a deep breath in as she examined her party.

Your ruby red lips catching her eyes instantly.

“Happy birthday to me.” Natasha giggled to herself, letting Wanda lean into her ear.

“How sweet. She brought a date.” She smirked before leaving, watching Natasha’s eyes fly to see Steve before your laughter made her come back.

“You said ‘drinks with a few friends’, you liar.” You teased.

Natasha admired the black suit against your body - of course, if she really desired, she could go back up and change into a matching one. She also wondered what hers would look like on you, giving her a hot flash over her body before she smirked.

“Well, you know, things got out of hand. Just the way I like it.”

“We brought you a birthday gift.” Steve spoke suddenly as you poured some shots, holding a jar of bright green liquid.

“Is that the royal ‘we’?” She asked.

“Whiskey with a pickle juice chaser. It's our station's birthday tradition.” You took the jar of pickle juice chaser and poured shots for all of you.

Her nose scrunched in disgust. “Lovely! How can I refuse? Can I refuse?”

Steve snickered at her antics. “Of course you can. And we'll always think less of you.”

You handed Natasha her shot glasses, whiskey in the left and pickle juice in the right before you lifted yours. “Here's to another trip around the sun.”

“Cheers.” She clinked her glasses with yours, watching you down the liquor and chaser with skill.

You smirked at her surprise expression, looking between the whiskey and pickle juice. “It's not bad, is it?” You asked.

“Briny! Let's find Wanda. She needs to try this bizarre concoction. She loves a salty aftertaste.” Natasha smirked at you, watching you shake your head in both laughter and disgust at her innuendo and dismay.

“I’m sorry, we're just stopping by. We have a department thing to go to.”

“Some of us work for a living.” Steve remarked.

“Well, that's your bad luck, isn't it? Come on, the party's barely started.” Natasha whined at you, watching you come towards her in a hug.

She leaned down slightly to hold you in the embrace whilst you went on your tippy toes. “Happy birthday, Natasha.” You murmured in her ear, kissing her cheek as you stepped back.

“Thank you, malyshka.” She replied.

Steve placed his hand on your back and led you out of the club, yet you were comforted by Natasha’s gaze on you until you were outside. You sank into the passenger seat of the car as Steve drove to the Paddock Lounge, almost the entire precinct inside.

“Are you sure you want to be here?” Steve asked.

“We can't be the only ones missing Malcolm's welcome back party. If we want to find a dirty cop, we have to look like team players.” You replied.

“Y/N Valeria!” A voice came from the crowd.

“Here we go.” You grumbled to yourself, turning around.

You easily recognised the man in the wheelchair as Malcolm Graham, his thick moustache clashing with his thin beard, the off-set parting of his dark auburn hair matching the colour of his facial hair. “You and I need to talk.” He remarked.

The bar went quiet.

“Sure, Malcolm.”

He pointed at Steve. “You back with this guy? Hmm? How-how, how long was I out? What, you get the sense knocked out of you, Valeria?”

“We're just, we're just, uh…”

Malcolm laughed at Steve’s attempt to ease the tension. “Just relax, guys. I'm just… just giving you a hard time.”

The rest of the bar went back to their business, some even laughing at his first joke.

“You finally got your sense of humour back, huh?” Steve snickered.

“Yeah, he's healing fast. Doc said he should be able to get rid of this chair in a couple days.” Paolucci patted Malcolm on the back.

You watched Malcolm groan as he stood from his wheelchair, guessing it was an aid rather than a necessity. “You tired of pushing me around, Paolucci?”

The partner chuckled. “Look at that, huh? The partner who will not die. Guess Heaven didn't want him and Hell couldn't keep him.”

The four of you laughed at Paolucci’s joke, Malcolm’s eyes meeting your own. “You got no idea.”

At his wink, you tilted your head slightly. Could he know about…?

Nah…

⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖

“So I, I may have been... out of line last time I was here. But I did send flowers. And chocolates. And now myself, so, save the best gift till last.” Natasha chuckled nervously as she sat across from Kate.

The therapist wore a simple long sleeve with her trench coat draped over the chair behind her desk, her legs crossed in their jeans. She simply watched Natasha as her nerves played up, hands fidgeting and humour anxious.

“Not enough? No? You can invite a friend.”

“Why did you think I'd be mad? Was it because of this?” Kate stood, walking over to the wall to take a painting off, revealing the patchwork of the hole Natasha punched.

“I've found women, generally, don't like a person punching holes in things, yes.” The redhead smiled sheepishly.

“Natasha, our last session was a breakthrough.” The doctor sat back down in her chair.

“It was?”

She nodded. “You're finally getting in touch with your emotions. Letting your barriers down.”

Natasha leaned forward. “You see, that's part of the problem. I'd like them back up, thank you.”

“Why?”

“Well, because these emotions are… really inconvenient, that's why.”

“What's bothering you right now?”

“Well… As of late, I'm experiencing a very odd feeling. It's-it's like a... it's like a fat man sitting on my chest. But not in a fun way.” She stammered along, smirking at the end.

“And when is that happening?”

“Well, um…”

“When you're with the detective?” Kate asked.

“Yes. Well, actually, lately, when she's been with Steve. Her ex. Well, sort of. Uh... I don't know what she sees in that oaf.” Natasha clarified.

Kate chuckled. “Natasha… you're jealous.”

Natasha scoffed. “The Devil doesn't get jealous. I'm the one who inspires passion in others. I mean… you know that.”

“Mm, don't I ever.”

“Thank you. That's the appropriate response.” The devil thought for a moment, a light bulb going off. “Hold on, maybe it's not me. Maybe it's her.” Another light bulb. “You could fix the detective!”

“And how would I do that?” Kate sighed in defeat, knowing she couldn’t take Natasha off of this pathway even if she tried.

“Well, heal her douche fixation, obviously. Then she stays away from her ex, and then I get my partner back.” She smiled proudly.

The therapist sighed. “Natasha. That's not how therapy works. We deal with your issues. Not someone else's.”

Natasha scoffed, grumpy until she got a text from you.

Malyshka

-come here-

-dropped pin-

“Well, see ya next time, Katie.” Natasha blew her a kiss before walking out of the door.

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Natasha walked through the building to find the dead body surrounded by police. “Oh, dear! Someone's session went poorly.”

“Mm. Thanks for gracing us with your presence.”

Natasha looked over your tired form, a stripey black and white t-shirt covered by a beige trench coat, black jeans held up by your belt consisting of your gun and badge.

She smirked. “Yes, I had a previous engagement. Therapy twice in one day - so LA of me.”

“Dr. Bernie Shaw. Killed last night. No forced entry. Killer most likely knew the vic. The weapon was improvised. Seems like a crime of passion.” You reported to her, having already analysed the crime scene.

“Right. Yeah. Have you ever seen a therapist?”

You looked at Natasha incredulously at her random and slightly intruding question.

“You know, for your pent-up anger and your trust issues. And your attraction to very dull men.” She clarified.

“Let's just focus on the case, shall we?” You offered her a department-issued Surface tablet, a website already up.

“Well, I will, once it's interesting.” Natasha took it, looking at it with one glance before her eyes lit up and she looked back. “Oh! It is interesting. ‘The Cheater Therapist’?”

“Yeah, he encouraged couples to cheat to save their marriages. You can imagine how many people want to kill him.” You sighed, shaking your head.

“I can't, actually. Sounds like a great idea.”

“You don't save a marriage by sleeping with other people.”

“It can't hurt to try.”

“Pretty sure it can.” You stepped past the redhead, leading her to follow you out to a seating room where a man and a woman.

“That's the wife Alexandra. She was out of town and just got back to find her husband dead.” You murmured.

“Poor woman. Excuse me!” She yelled out, giving you the tablet.

“Your husband was the Cheater Therapist.” She pointed at the sniffling woman.

The man beside her stepped in front of her. “Hey, I'm not sure who you are, but this is not the time for judgement.”

Natasha scoffed with a smirk. “What? No judgement here, Tissue Lad. I think her husband's work was bang on!”

“I'm Detective Valeria. This is my associate, Ms. Romanoff.” You shook the man’s hand, but Natasha didn’t.

“Jonathan Medina. Colleague of Dr. Shaw's.” He introduced himself.

Natasha knelt before the crying woman. “Desire shouldn't be contained, it's unnatural. Your husband recognised that.”

“Bernie, h-he just wanted to help people. He dedicated his life to others. Who would do this?” She asked her, whimpering and sniffling.

“We'll find out, Mrs. Shaw.” You promised, gently tugging on Natasha’s shoulder to make her follow you.

“Yes?” The redhead grinned as she looked down at you.

“Every one of her husband's patients is a suspect.” You sighed in annoyance, but strangely, it wasn’t at her.

“Oh! Does that mean we get to dive into patient files? Read the deepest, darkest secrets of L.A.'s most unfaithful?” She rubbed her hands together sadistically.

“No.” You warned her, smacking her hands apart. “We can't look at them without a psychologist to protect patient confidentiality.”

“Perfect! I have just the psychologist!”

You frowned.

“Dr. Kate Bishop, from our first investigation together? Ringing any bells up there?” She playfully tapped your temple.

“The one that wanted to jump your bones? No. Not happening.” You shook your head.

“No, I really think she'd bring some impressive insight into the issues that you're dealing with. Uh, in the case, obviously.” She quickly added.

“I really don't. Plus, it's out of our hands. Court-appointed. A judge needs to sign off.” You explained, walking towards the exit.

She chased after you. “Do you, uh… do you know who will appoint the psychologist?”

“I think her name is Judge Tourvel. She’s our precinct’s normal judge for cases like this. Why?”

You really shouldn’t have told her that.

The next day, you scoffed at the note on your case file before driving to the psychologist office, seeing Natasha and Kate conversing over papers. You knocked on the door, still wanting to be polite to the doctor, but you glared at Natasha.

“Natasha…” You growled.

“Ah! Speak of the Me.” She smiled gleefully, turning to you.

“Out here. Now.” You pointed to the lobby, closing the door behind her.

You paced a bit as she stood there patiently in a suit of black on black, her hands in her pockets before you faced her. “What did you do?”

“Not what, but who, if you must know. But I try not to kiss and tell.” She grinned.

“I told you I didn't want to go with Dr. Bishop. We need someone impartial, which means not trying to get in your pants. What...?” You trailed off, her eyes just not focused on you which became evident when she walked around you.

“Are you even listening to me?”

“Not really. Look. A new doctor's moved in. Dr. Belova. How peculiar.” She murmured.

“What do you mean?” You mumbled, annoyed that she was taking more interest in a name than a case.

“Well, Belova stems from the Russian word Bely, meaning white. It’s just… Never mind.” She turned around to face you.

“Now look, I assure you, Dr. Bishop is excellent. She trained at Stanford, she lectures at USC, she's got stacks of awards…”

“Since when are you her fangirl?” You asked curiously.

“Since I became a client.” She replied.

“You? You're really in therapy?”

“Why is that so surprising?”

“Natasha, don’t take this the wrong way, but… well, you could if you wanted to - but you're the least reflective person I know.” You chuckled.

“I have layers.” She grumbled, a tone of discontent with your light insult. “I'm like an onion. Or an ogre, but if I was to be an ogre, I’d be irresistible. Dr. Kate said we recently made a breakthrough, in fact.”

“Why do I think that's code for sex? And do you still think you're the Devil?”

“In that particular context, no. And I am the Devil.”

“Then excuse me if I doubt her skills.” You remarked.

“Look, she's helped me, all right? And I think she can be of help here.”

“Excuse me.” Kate came from around the corner. “I found something.”

“Well, hello.” Natasha grinned.

“What is it?” You asked, ignoring the redhead.

“A patient named Richard Kester. His wife convinced him to try Dr. Shaw's therapy.” The doctor explained.

“Hmm, let me guess - didn't end well?”

She nodded. “She had an affair. They got divorced. And then Richard sent Dr. Shaw a death threat. It's been more than a year, but that kind of anger can bubble up when you least expect it.”

“Add him to the list of angry patients.” You told her.

“That's just it. Richard's the only one so far. Dr. Shaw's patients seem remarkably happy with him.” She shrugged.

“Oh, do they now? See, cheater therapy works. Maybe you should've tried it with Detective Douche. Or was that what broke you apart?” Natasha feigned realisation.

You turned to face her, ever so slowly as you gave her a deadpan expression. “What is wrong with you lately?”

You then faced Kate. “Would you mind sitting in the back of the car whilst we go investigate?”

“Of course not. I’ll just lock my office and get my phone.” She walked back into the office.

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“So I don't understand all this jealousy talk. I mean, why covet something someone else has? Why not just take it?” Natasha asked, confused as she sat in the passenger seat whilst you drove.

“'Cause it's never that easy.” You chuckled.

“Well, it is for me. Usually.” She looked at you, watching you roll your eyes again before she fiddled with the rings on her fingers.

“I, uh… I may have overstepped earlier in regards to Detective Douche.”

“Yeah. You definitely may have.” You snickered.

“So why did you two separate anyway?” Natasha asked.

You gave her a quick glance before turning your eyes back to the road. “Well, there were many aspects. He did sleep with another woman, Sharon, but the job was also more important to him than me and Peggy.”

You sighed. “But lately something's changed. He... he makes time for me, he makes time for us. He's really putting in an effort. I am gay though…”

Natasha was unsure of why you sounded a bit hesitant. “Yes, if ever anyone deserved a participation trophy, it's Steve.”

You chuckled before your phone rang. “Valeria.”

“Uh, hello, Detective. It's about Richard. I wanted to warn you. He may be unstable. Possibly dangerous.” Kate spoke over the phone.

“I'll handle it, but thanks.”

“I don't mean to you. I mean to himself.”

A siren whooped to your side and you saw people filming above. You looked up and your mouth fell open at the sight of Richard standing at the edge of his apartment complex’s roof. “Yeah, you may be right. Natasha?”

You turned to face her. But she wasn’t there.

“Oh, my God. There's another one!” A bystander exclaimed, and you mentally wanted to hit yourself.

*Please, please, please… Fuck’s sake.* You thought to yourself as you saw Natasha standing up there.

“Hey, Detective! You need your roots done!” Natasha grinned at you from the roof.

“I am going to kill you, Natasha Romanoff.” You muttered under your breath.

Natasha turned to Richard as he stared at the ground below. “I've made up my mind. You can't stop me.” His bald egg-head with a face and glasses spoke, not looking at Natasha.

“What? Oh, no. I'm not here to stop you. If you want to jump, go for it.” She chuckled, waving at you.

Richard was confused. “Is this some kind of reverse psychology?”

“No, quite serious. Go for it.” She retorted.

He took a deep breath. “Okay, here goes.”

“I do have one question before you pop off.” She interrupted just as his feet shuffled near the edge, her hand coming in front of the side of his chest to stop him.

“You see, I'm trying to understand jealousy. It's a new concept to me. And you, dear Ricky, are the perfect person to explain it.”

“What are you talking about...?” He trailed off as his feet slipped, Natasha’s hand catching his shirt easily.

“Manners, Ricky. Manners! We're not done talking yet!” She held him out, glancing over his shoulder to see your eyes steeled in a shocked yet slightly angered expression.

“Okay, I'll talk!! Pull me back up, please!” Richard begged.

“Are you sure? 'Cause I could just…” She jolted her hold on him, the crowd below screaming slightly. “Natasha!” You yelled, swearing under your breath.

“Pull me back up! Pull me up, please! Oh, God.” Richard closed his eyes, holding onto Natasha’s hand and wrist.

“I'd save your breath if I were you. When it comes to this sort of thing, he's quite judgy.” She grumbled, looking at the sky annoyedly whilst she pulled him to her side.

“Right, back to the matter in hand. Now, you were so jealous that you murdered Dr. Shaw. Can you help me understand why?”

“How could you say that? I was about to jump, because he's dead-”

“Don't fib, Rickster. I know about your death threats.” She wagged her finger in his eyes.

He shook his head. “I was in a bad place. Kara had just dumped me. I made my threats. Then I went to his office-”

“And killed him.”

“And he talked me down.” Richard corrected her. “And afterwards, he kept seeing me, even though he knew I couldn't afford to pay him. I mean, he'd got me through my divorce, bankruptcy, the death of my parrot.”

“Oh. I've just realised you're not jealous, are you? You're just sad. Pathetic, really.” Natasha sighed, having now wasted her time. “Well, if you can't tell me what I need to know, what good are you?”

“Aren't you supposed to tell me that I have a lot to live for?” Richard scoffed.

“Well, I wish I could, Ricky, but your life sounds incredibly bleak. Ironically, it seems there's nowhere to go but up.” She shrugged.

“You know what? You're right.”

“Huh?”

“Maybe the worst is behind me. Hmm… I think I'm ready to go in now.” Richard decided.

Natasha rolled her eyes. “Well, I wasn't asking, but, uh, all right, go on, quick as you can. Come on, chop, chop.”

As Richard stepped off, Natasha gave the firemen and the crowd a thumbs up,from which she earned some cheering and clapping.

As Natasha stepped out of the building’s foyer, you stood there, shaking your head. “I can't believe you, Natasha.”

“What? You should be thanking me.” She grinned.

“You put yourself in danger! That’s not how we do things.” You hissed at her, but Natasha simply grinned.

“What?”

“You were worried about me.” She smirked, leaning in slightly.

“I’m alright, malyshka. Don’t you worry about me.”

You rolled your eyes and walked past her, but you gently tapped her hand for her to follow you. Richard was sitting in the back of an ambulance, wrapped in a blanket.

“All right, Richard, we confirmed your alibi with your neighbour. You're free to go.” You smiled gently.

“How did this happen? Poor Sandy.” He asked.

“Who's Sandy?”

“Dr. Shaw's wife, Alexandra. Her friends all call her Sandy.”

“Okay, and you're friends with your therapist's wife?” You mentally took note of it.

“Yes, how open was his relationship therapy, hmm?” Natasha grinned.

Richard shook his head. “No, it's nothing like that. That's just how the Shaws are. They go above and beyond. I just ran into her two days ago. Sandy was planning a surprise for Dr. Shaw and everything.”

“You ran into her two days ago... are you sure about that?” You frowned, to which he nodded.

“Alexandra told us she was in Phoenix. We checked her alibi. She had plane tickets to prove it. What was the surprise?” You asked.

“I don't know. She just asked me not to tell Dr. Shaw she was in town.” He shrugged.

“Uh-huh.” Natasha nodded, looking at you.

“You thinking what I’m thinking?” You asked her, to which she shrugged and followed behind you to your car.

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Lux was almost empty, save a few customers, as Kate walked down the stairs and towards the bar, eyeing the Romani bartender serving drinks to a biker.

“We're closed.” She grumbled, pouring bourbon in a glass.

“You must be Wanda.” Kate smiled, watching the demon’s head rise to meet her eyes. “You're just as Natasha described.”

Wanda sauntered over to the end of the bar, smirking as she eyed the doctor’s body whilst pouring her own drink. “So, you're the doctor.”

“Oh, call me Kate. Pleasure to meet you.” She held out her hand for Wanda to shake, but she just grabbed the glass and sipped her bourbon.

The demon wore a very low cut top that revealed the top of her lace black bra, whilst small spikes poked out onto her shoulders and in two necklaces, jeans hidden below the bar counter.

“I've seen that look in women before. Won't end well.” Wanda commented after finishing her sip.

“What won't?” Kate frowned, confused.

“Sleeping with my boss.” The demon clarified. “You'll end up like all the others. Trash left by the side of the road.”

“Interesting.” Kate smiled.

“What?”

“Well, I find people who are rude usually feel powerless in their own lives. Terrified of not being in control. But that's not you, I'm sure.” Kate analysed her.

Wanda simply grinned, tapping her nails on the counter in quick succession. “I like you.”

As Kate was joined by you and Natasha, Wanda moved off to the side, serving the customers once more.

“Doctor? What a surprise.” Natasha smiled.

“What are you doing here?” You asked politely.

Her brows frowned cutely. “I thought you asked me to meet you here.”

“That-that was me. I felt like it would be good to get your input on ‘the case’.” Natasha looked from the doctor to you quickly, whilst you didn’t notice the wiggling eyebrows and slight inflection in her voice.

“That's a good idea, actually, especially since our last suspect almost ended up sidewalk art. Turns out Mrs. Shaw flew to Phoenix but rented a car and drove back a couple days early.” You explained to Kate.

“So, dear, sweet Sandy was here just in time for the murder.” Natasha grinned as she collected a drink of her own.

“Wait, Alexandra Shaw goes by ‘Sandy’?” Kate asked, to which you nodded. “The doctor had a female patient who was stalked by someone with the initials S.S.”

“He used initials in his notes? Mine never did.” You puzzled.

“I found it odd as well. Why conceal someone's identity in private notes? But I thought it wasn't related, so I just ignored it.” Kate shrugged.

“Unless S.S. stands for Sandy Shaw. If she was stalking one of her husband's female patients…”

“Then maybe Dr. Shaw was engaged in his own open-relationship therapy.”

“And Sandy found out. So maybe she wasn't okay with it as she claimed.” You finished off your 1-2-1-2 with Kate before your phone rang.

“Excuse me. Valeria. Yeah, this is 831. Oh, yeah, tell him I'll be there as soon as I can. Okay, thank you. That was dispatch. Steve's phone died, and he wants me to meet him at my place. Apparently it's urgent.”

As you were about to take off, however, Natasha’s eyes rolled. “Oh, how convenient. What's next, he spills something on his shirt and he has to take it off? Oh, no, the trousers, too. Whatever will he do about Detective Y/N by his side?”

You looked at her incredulously. “What?”

“What, so that's it? You just go running as soon as Steve calls? What about the case?”

You sighed. “This could relate to another case I'm working on, Natasha. There's units looking for Sandy now. And once they find her, they'll call me.”

You gave Kate a simple ‘bye’ with a respectful nod before leaving her and Natasha alone.

“Unbelievable. You see what I'm dealing with now, don't you?” Natasha scoffed, downing the rest of her bourbon without a flinch in her face.

“I think I do, actually. It's worse than I realised.” Kate nodded, faking seriousness.

“Thank you.” The devil shook her head.

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You entered your house quickly, realising you hadn’t drank or eaten anything that day and headed straight to the kitchen.

Mindless of the threat in your house.

“Hey, Steve. What did you find out?” You asked as you passed a male figure.

“Surprise.”

You spun to see Malcolm in his leather jacket and jeans with a zip-up hoodie and a green tee. You flicked your jacket back and gripped your holster tightly, your breath shuddering at the sight of the man.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, hey! I just wanted to talk.” He chuckled awkwardly.

“You act all chummy in public, then you break into my home, trick me into meeting you in private? Excuse me if I'm not trusting.” You hissed.

“Hey, I'm not armed. All right?” He stood and flicked his jacket up, showing no belt, badge or gun.

“All right. Then talk.”

“I had to meet with you where no one else could hear.” He explained shortly.

“Hear what, my screams?” You scoffed, making him chuckle.

“Valeria, we're on the same side. And I know you're still looking into Palmetto. Well, guess what? So am I.”

“I put that to bed a long time ago.”

“That the best you got? God, you're a decent cop, but you are a terrible liar. Come on! Palmetto stinks. I should know. I was there.” He snickered.

“Mm-hmm. Go ahead, say it. I look dirty.” He opened his arms, exposing himself.

You hesitated before lifting your finger to point at him, angry. “I saw you meet with Nikolas Aoudi. You were laughing. I saw you hand him cash.”

“I've used him as a CI before. I was buying information. Then we both got sh*t. And I think it was a cop who sh*t me. But you knew that already, didn't you?” He grinned, folding his arms behind his back like a sneaky little shit.

You took a moment to breathe, not wanting your emotions to escalate. “Why do you think it was a cop?”

“That's what I was paying Aoudi for. Intel on someone crooked at our station. But I think he, or she, got to me first.”

“That's a great story. I love the ending. It-it really ties up all the loose ends.” You sighed sarcastically.

“Not really. I can't explain how the crooked cop knew I was there. How'd you find me?” He asked.

“I followed the stench.”

He chuckled annoyedly. “You followed the... You know what? Screw this. I only called you to try and help.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really. Listen, Valeria, they pulled the plug on me. I was dead.”

He hit a nerve and the raging woman inside you retreated to lick her guilt-filled wounds. “I-I know.”

“Made me appreciate the time I've got here. So, personally, I don't think I'm gonna dig any deeper on this one. And I wouldn't if I were you either.”

“Not sure if that's a warning or a threat.” Your eyebrow raised.

“I'm not the enemy, Y/N. But whoever we were investigating, they're still out there. And they clearly don't have a problem shooting cops.”

As he retreated out of your house, your phone rang again. “Valeria.”

“We found Mrs. Shaw in a parking structure. We’re holding her here until you get here, so be quick.” An officer reported before hanging up, to which you called another as you went out to your car.

“Hey, Natasha - meet me outside Lux with Doctor Bishop in three.”

When you arrived, the two were standing outside by the curb. They climbed in, with Kate sitting in the back behind the caged divider whilst Natasha sat in the passenger seat.

“Unis found Sandy Shaw in her car in a parking structure.” You reported to the Russian woman.

“Oh, well, I hope our case didn't ruin your kissy-time with Steve.” She rolled her eyes.

“What is with your recent obsession with my love life?” You looked at her briefly.

“Obsession? That's awfully defensive. Probably indicates deeper issues, wouldn't you say?” She instantly turned to face Kate in the back seat.

“I agree. Why are you so defensive, Natasha?”

Your eyes widened, happy to finally have somebody supporting you against this… unfortunately powerful woman. “Good question.”

Natasha looked betrayed. “Et tu, Doctor?”

“Natasha, you asked me to analyse the situation.” Kate replied.

“No, I asked you to help figure out what's wrong with her.” She pointed at you, which wasn’t the best time to admit that because you could give her a stare, given that you were at a red light.

“Did you now?” You raised an eyebrow, which… kind of scared her.

“Nothing's wrong with her. She's a woman balancing a lot on her plate, and, as far as I can tell, doing a fantastic job.” Kate elaborated, making your heart sing.

“Why, thank you. You're right, Natasha, she's amazing.” You teased.

“No, she's verbal Ebola. Where's the button to put the glass up?” Natasha looked around your console, which only controlled GPS, Bluetooth, your sirens, speaker and air-con.

“This isn't a limo, Natasha. And, Dr. Kate, you should really join us more often.” You chuckled.

“Getting double-teamed is usually much more fun than this.” Natasha grumbled.

That was a mental picture your hindbrain adored and forebrain despised. “Mm. Gross.” ⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖⧖

“So you lied to us. You were in town the day your husband died.” You stood opposite Alexandra - Sandy - as the uniformed officers surrounded the area.

“Yes. But it's not what you think.” She started to explain.

“Okay, then help me understand.”

“Sandy, I'm on your side.” Natasha lightly pushed you out of the way, getting her mojo to work on the woman whilst she took her hand.

“Not everything stems from jealousy, no matter what these women tell you. You came here driven by some kind of desire, didn't you? Come on. You can tell me. What was it?”

“It's disgusting.” Sandy sighed.

“Ooh, you naughty girl. Come on, now you have to tell me.” She teased.

“It's... in my car.” She unlocked the boot of it, to which you slowly waited for it to open.

“What is, Sandy?” Natasha grinned.

“Poop. Bags and bags of it.” Sandy admitted.

“Oh, my God.” You resisted the urge to gag, covering your nose with your hand which honestly didn’t do much.

All six foot four of Natasha immediately stepped back, shaking Sandy’s hand out of her own. “I'm not sure whether to be horrified or impressed.”

“My friend owns a horse.” Sandy added.

“That's… oddly comforting to know. What were you gonna do with it?” You asked.

“I was going to throw it at Tiffany.”

“That's the patient you were accused of stalking.” Kate interjected.

Sandy nodded. “Yeah. She's in a group therapy session right now for my husband's clients.”

“Group cheater therapy. Oh, the imagination runs wild.” Natasha chuckled.

You stepped forward, further into Sandy’s field of view. “So Tiffany was sleeping with your husband. How'd you find out?”

“My husband's colleague, Dr. Medina, called me. He wanted to see if Bernie wanted to grab a last-minute drink, but Bernie was supposed to already be with Dr. Medina. That's when I knew my husband lied to me.”

“But he was the cheater therapist. I don't quite see the problem here. I mean, you said yourself-”

Sandy interjected Natasha. “The problem is he fell in love with her. I lied to him about my trip, then I drove back from Phoenix to see what he was doing. I was…”

Natasha groaned. “Oh, don't say it.”

“Jealous.”

The devil growled aloud. “Yes, yes, we all get it! Jealousy makes the world go cuckoo bananas!”

“I loved him. I didn't kill him. I just wanted him back.” Sandy sniffled, tearing up.

Further down in the car park, you spotted Steve’s car pulling up, anger painted clear as day across his face.

“Oh, great. The douche-mobile.” Natasha scoffed, folding her arms across her suit.

“Give me a second.” You asked her quietly, your tone immediately alerting her.

You swung underneath the metal pole and jumped down the metre to the road, walking to Steve. “Hey, I got your text. You okay? Did Malcolm hurt you?” He asked.

“No. I told you, it's-it's fine. Everything's fine.” You replied.

Steve exhaled frustratedly. “I'm gonna punch that son of a bitch right back into a coma.”

“Oh, come on. No. No.” You pointed at him, making sure he understood your view. “Anything back on the 999 key?”

“I'm sorry, Y/N. They couldn't get any prints off of it.” He replied.

“Thanks anyway.” You smiled softly.

Once you returned to the car, the uniformed officers now taking her to the station for questioning, you sighed as you stood next to Kate. “And once again, Natasha disappears.”

“I think the case may have hit a little too close to home.” Kate pursed her lips slightly.

“Maybe things got a little too boring for Ms. Short Attention Span.” You chuckled, looking at Sandy as she sat in the car.

“I don't know. She's grown quite a bit since working with you.” Kate admitted.

“I'm not sure I'm the reason. I think you've really helped her. I underestimated you before. I'm sorry.” You apologised.

“Not needed. But thank you.”

You chuckled softly to yourself as a thought came to your mind. “And I thought... I thought you were sleeping with her.”

“Oh, I am.” The noirette admitted.

“Oh. Oh. Is, um... is that...?”

“Ethical? No. No, it is not.” Kate sighed. “But there's something about her. I can't stop myself. But I think it's time I did. I mean, even I'm starting to feel…”

You shook your head at her, asking her silently to discontinue that line of conversation.

“So do you think she did it?” She changed it.

“Sandy claims she was sitting outside Tiffany's house, waiting for Dr. Shaw to show up. Problem is, no one can corroborate her alibi. But, no, I don't think it was her.” You shook your head.

You took a few steps forward as you thought, racking your brain for a clue of some sort. “So there's no one in Dr. Shaw's files that looked like a potential suspect?”

“Not that I can tell, but maybe I missed something.” Kate shrugged.

“Like what?” You pondered aloud.

“The cheater therapist turned out to be terrible at cheating. Why didn't he tell Dr. Medina he was using him as a cover story?”

“Maybe he did. Maybe he confided in Dr. Medina.”

“But Mrs. Shaw said that Dr. Medina had no idea about the affair.”

“Yeah, so he conveniently told her everything she needed to know to figure it out.” A light bulb went off in your head. “We need to talk to Dr. Medina.”

Natasha was tired of these stupid humans in this stupid grief group therapy session led by Dr. Medina for the death of Dr. Shaw. After twenty minutes of discussion, and even opening it up for debate, she had enough.

“When you say you, uh, b*rned your wings, was that a metaphor...?”

“Not focusing on the right details here, Alan!” She sighed, annoyed.

Dr. Medina stood. “All right, this is supposed to be a grief therapy session for the patients of Dr. Shaw. And everyone here has a terrible loss to deal with.”

“What, and I don't? I've lost both my therapist and my partner.” She scoffed.

“I'm s... Th-They died?” He stammered.

“No. No, you blubbering idiot, they turned on me. Some would argue that's worse- have you not been listening at all?”

“Alright, you need to leave.”

“No, I'm close to something. I can feel it.” She replied, nibbling lightly on her thumb knuckle.

“This is not about you!” Dr. Medina blurted out.

Her eyes lit up. “You're right. Yes… I should use one of you as a case study. Thank you for volunteering. So what... what makes you jealous? Hmm? What do you desire that you can't have?”

She willed her mojo onto him, staring him in the eyes. “I… I want Sandy.” He replied.

She grinned slightly. “I remember you now. Tissue Lad! Wanted some open relationship therapy of your own, is that it?”

“That's not what it is like.” He groaned.

“But she didn't want you, did she? Sandy loved her husband, so you killed him, didn't you?”

“Shut up!” He yelled.

She gasped playfully, looking at him like she won the jackpot. “Solved it, haven't I?!”

Dr. Medina spun around to the buffet table and grabbed a sharp knife, walking towards Natasha and holding it to her throat until they stopped at a wall, the other patients scrambling out of the way.

“So that's a yes.” She muttered to herself. “Do you realise what you've done?”

“I had to kill him, all right? He lied to her. He cheated on her. And I tried to tip her off, but no matter what he did, she still loved him.”

“No, no, not that. This. Right here. You've just given me the perfect example of unbridled jealousy.”

“I'm not jealous. I'm not!” He pleaded, almost begging her to tell him so.

“The woman that you loved was with someone else, someone you thought wasn't worthy of her. But no matter what you did…” She paused, the wires connecting as her winning grin fell sympathetically.

“She never saw you the way you wanted her to.”

“That's... That's pretty accurate.”

“Yeah. You've just made me realise something. That my situation and yours are…” And the wires uncrossed again. “Absolutely nothing alike. I was right! Not jealous!”

“Drop your weapon!” You tackled Medina and threw him to the ground, rolling over him and removing the knife from his grip before he bit your hand, making you pull it back before whacking him point-blank with your elbow.

You got on top, kneeling on his side whilst you pushed his head away from his arm. “Did you seriously just bite me?”

Natasha grinned from where she stood. “He's the killer.”

“Yeah, you think?” You smirked.

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The night had risen from the sun’s sleep and you walked out of the small banquet room onto the street, smiling gently at Natasha as she leaned against her Corvette with a cigarette in hand.

You watched her carefully. “So you were right about Kate. She helped me figure out the motive. And then I realised Jonathan Medina and Dr. Shaw's offices shared the same security system. So I checked and... You're not listening to me, are you?”

She looked at you apologetically. “Afraid not, Y/N.”

You came a bit closer to her, holding your arms in front of you with your hand clasped around the other wrist. “You didn't see any similarity between yourself and Jonathan?”

“So you heard some of that, did you?” She smiled softly.

“Tail end.” You nodded.

She sighed, which worried you slightly when it was coupled with the unreadable expression on her face. “I don't know. Did you?”

You shook your head, lying through your teeth for her comfort. “Mm-mm. No. Completely different.”

“That's what I thought.” She chuckled lightly, inviting you to stand next to her. “I promise, you won’t scratch her. And even if you do, I can just get it fixed.”

You hesitantly leaned on her car, keeping away from her cigarette smoke.

“So… how's your secret case with Steve going?” She asked.

“Secretly terrible. Do you remember Malcolm?”

“Coma boy?”

You chuckled at her nickname for him, nodding. “He woke up. He claims he's innocent. Something he said bothers me. Whoever shot him knew about Palmetto, but he says that no one should have known he was there.”

“Well, you found him there.”

“Yeah, I... He pointed that out, too. So, whoever followed him could have done what I did.”

“So how did you track him?” She took a puff.

“Partners on the force share GPS locators in their gear so that they can find each other in emergencies.”

“You hacked his partner's locator. I knew you were clever.” She smirked, noticing your realisation expression.

“Which means… Malcolm's partner knew he was there, too. Tony Paolucci knew.”

Natasha held up her keys before the doors of the car unlocked, popping out slightly. “Get in, gorgeous.”

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You stepped out of Natasha’s car just outside of the Paddock Lounge, looking across the street whilst Natasha knocked on the door.

“That's Paolucci's car, just like his GPS said.”

“But the bar's closed.” Natasha grumbled.

“Maybe he decided to keep the party going.” You stepped up close to the window to look inside, hearing the door creak beside you.

“You have to stop doing that.” You chastised her.

“It was unlocked.” She rolled her eyes, watching your hand shoot out to stop her from walking in.

“Me first.” You held up your torch and gun, stepping in front of her to go inside.

The whole bar was surrounded in darkness. Your torch scanned over the place as you called for Paolucci, but there was no voice back. By the bar on the right, were glasses splattered with blood.

And Paolucci’s dead body sat in a chair, with a TV screen running statically behind him.

“At least you can see what he was thinking.” Natasha murmured by your shoulder, making you scoff.

You called the cops and they swarmed the place, placing evidence pointers and taking many photos. You sighed in relief as you saw Steve come through the door, Natasha hanging back with a flask in hand.

You walked up to your ex-husband. “I found a suicide note.” You showed it to him in an evidence packet.

“In his handwriting?” He asked.

“Sure looks like it. Apparently, he was on the take. Malcolm was onto him, so Paolucci shot him. When Malcolm woke up, Paolucci couldn't take the guilt anymore.”

You saw no emotion in his eyes, yet tears lightly pricked them. “You okay?”

“Paolucci was an ass, but this... I can't imagine this.” Steve muttered.

“I know. I know.” You hugged him tightly.

As you exited the bar, you stood on the curb silently. Everything that had happened over the last few days was catching up. Your hand at your side began to tap along your fingers methodically until a warm hand took them gently.

“Hey now, what’s going on in that beautiful mind?” Natasha cooed, leading you towards her car.

You didn’t speak until you were buckled into the passenger seat. “Malcolm came to my house this morning. He pretended to be Steve and called to meet me there.”

Natasha’s eyes would have lit up in flames if you were not in a fragile state of mind. “He did what?”

“He explained what he thought about Palmetto. He has his suspicions of who it could be. Some low-level cops, wanting to get their first big break and make detective.” You mumbled, noticing how she played with her rings.

“I will put him back in that coma in a heartbeat if he threatens you or tricks you again.” She seethed.

You gently put your hand on top of hers, calming her immensely. “I just… I need to go home and let the babysitter go. Could you take me?”

She nodded, immediately starting the engine. Funnily enough, however, neither of you moved away from your small contact until you got out of the car and she walked you to your door.

“Thank you.” You murmured.

“For what, malyshka?” She asked quietly.

“For being my partner. You give me a perspective I never imagined I would have thought of.” You smiled softly.

She gently pushed a few hairs back over your ear, hearing your breath hitch as she moved to pull you into a hug. “You’re always welcome, Y/N.”

She kissed your temple sweetly before going back to her car, giving you a wink before she sped off towards the city.

However, had she taken a left turn earlier, she would have happened upon the scene of Malcolm and Steve secretly meeting, the two talking between their cars.

“Evening, Steve.” Malcolm greeted him.

“I got your text. What do you want?” He asked.

“Just wanted to congratulate you on closing Palmetto. You and that smart, sexy lady of yours caught the guy who shot me.”

Steve looked… nervous. Fidgety. “That's what the confession said, right?”

He looked around briefly before speaking lower. “How long did it take you to write it?”

Malcolm held a straight face for about three seconds before laughing out loud. “Forever! I mean, I'm so not a word guy.”

Steve looked confused. “What? You should be thanking me.” Malcolm scoffed.

“Why is that?”

“Well, I could have told everyone the truth... that you shot me.”

“Well why didn't you?”

Malcolm came closer to him. “Cause I like you. And I can't imagine what would happen to your life if people found out the truth. Your colleagues, your ex…”

Steve seethed slightly, grabbing Malcolm by the collar and throwing him up against his car. “I swear to God, I will-”

“What? shoot me? Ah, been there, done that. Big fail. Besides, you wouldn't want anything to mess with your pretty little family now that you're working to fix things, right?”

“Whatever you want to do to me, you keep them out of it.”

Malcolm gestured for the blonde to put him down. “Steve. Come on. I'm not gonna hurt anyone. No. No, no, no, no, no. You... you and I... we're gonna be best friends. Yeah. Because I got big plans for you. Big plans.”

Steve grimaced as Malcolm put him in a playful headlock. Fun, right? We're having fun now.”

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Lux was pumping with music as Natasha came in, but she didn’t greet anybody playfully, oh no - Natasha was on a mission, as pointed out to her main demon as she used a single finger to beckon her.

Wanda walked over in nothing but a bra-like top and skirt, smirking unknowingly. “Yes, My Queen?”

“I just learned the strangest thing. Spoiler alert, Yelena found Dr. Kate. She was an angel on her shoulder, trying to control me. I wonder how my dear, angelic sister got such a wickedly clever idea.”

Natasha stared daggers into Wanda’s eyes, the demon lifting her chin up slightly as she tried to defend herself. “I did it to protect you. I told you, whatever the danger, I'll be there to stop it. Whether you see it coming or not.”

“You betrayed me, Wanda. And not for my own good. You did it for yourself. Who is this human world really rubbing off on, hey? Me? Or you?”

“Natasha, I…”

Natasha lifted her finger, the demon silencing by her quiet order. “Ah. Don't want to hear it. 'Cause you and me, we're done.”

The devil walked off with Wanda's drink in hand, putting on a smile as she now began to greet guests like normal whilst Wanda was left sulking behind the bar.

#smalls words #natasha romanoff #natasha romanoff x fem!reader #natasha romanoff fluff #natasha romanoff angst #natasha romanoff x female reader #natasha romanoff x you #natasharomanoff angst #natasharomanoffxyn #natasharomanoff x reader #natasharomanoffimagine #natasharomanoff #devil of my word #domw au #devil!natasha romanoff #detective!reader

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alohaemora · 1 year

Text

THIRTEEN DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Not sure what to do with yourself during these strange few days between Christmas and New Year's? Are you a fan of Next Gen Harry Potter fanfic?

Relive the holiday spirit with thirteen days' worth of fun, festive Next Gen goodness — seasonal one-shots for each of the thirteen Weasley-Potter grandkids (including Teddy, of course). All chapters feature artwork by the lovely, talented @thecatisdrawing. 🎄 ❄️ ❤️

READ ON AO3.

⬇️ Chapter Breakdown Below the Cut ⬇️

Day 1: Victoire

Genre: Romance/Family Song Prompt: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Snippet: Victoire turned to smile down at her own mug of cocoa. It was bright yellow and ceramic, clearly homemade, uneven and chipped in a few places—one of the mugs Teddy had nicked from his grandmother's kitchen, when he and Victoire had first moved to Islington all those years ago. Painted untidily across the surface, in purple capital letters, was the word 'DORA.'

For a long moment, she gazed down at the mug, gently tracing her fingers over the messy handwriting. She could picture it vividly—a little girl with bright purple hair, perhaps as small as Isaac, her face scrunched up in concentration as she smeared letters on clay with a too-big paintbrush. Victoire pressed her lips together against the lump that emerged in her throat. She knew, in her mind, that they had lived—she had seen the photos, the Order of Merlin medals, the gravestone in Hogsmeade, and she'd heard the nostalgic stories from her parents, aunts, and uncles—but to Victoire, they had always felt most real when she tried to picture the mundane parts of their lives. The life they could have lived.

It probably would have been a lot like hers.

Day 2: James Sirius

Genre: Romance Song Prompt: Cold December Night Snippet: "I've got a date."

Somehow, that got her attention. She didn't look up from her report, but she briefly stilled, her quill pausing over her parchment.

"My cousin Louis sorted it," James continued in a rush, eager to capitalize on the short moment of her awareness he'd snagged. "His wife heard I was single again for the holidays and took pity on me. She's set me up with one of her old school friends from Beauxbat—"

"I should send this poor girl a letter," Alice cut in sardonically. "Warn her what she's gotten herself into."

He waggled his eyebrows at her. "You're just jealous you won't have me here in the office all month."

"You know, I am jealous. Jealous that she hasn't met you yet."

Day 3: Dominique

Genre: Romance/Family Song Prompt: What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? Snippet: She swallowed, averting her gaze from Victoire's. Inexplicably, her thoughts drifted to Malcolm—to his easy smiles at press conferences, his teasing winks and his large hands ruffling her sweaty hair after matches, his friendly nods as he bought her and her teammates drinks at after-parties. She thought of the way her stomach erupted in knots every time he caught her eye, of the white-hot pulsing in her gut when he laughed at her sarcastic jokes—and she thought about how he never seemed to experience even an ounce of the upheaval that overwhelmed her when they were together. Not once had his relaxed grin faltered.

"I just…it's not like that, Vic," Dominique said finally, despising how small her voice sounded. "It's never been anything but bloke-y between us—I mean, for fuck's sake, he asked me to help him find a birthday present for that Ballycastle Beater he was dating last year," she added witheringly.

"He was dating a Ballycastle Beater?" Victoire asked with interest. "Ooh, was it that one Aunt Angelina always complains about—Violet? No, Vivi—"

"Vic! Focus!"

Day 4: Roxanne

Genre: Romance Song Prompt: All I Want for Christmas Is You Snippet: "I just don't know why…you want to marry me," she said at last; the words left an odd taste in her mouth, and Roxanne realized, faintly, that it was the first time she'd said them aloud. She clenched her jaw to keep her tone steady. "I don't understand why you want to sacrifice all these things that—that you probably never imagined a relationship without—all these things that, if you'd had drinks with a different girl in Hogsmeade…you'd probably have by now."

Henry's eyes were wide. "Roxanne, I don't—I have never once—"

"If you'd gone to Hogsmeade with Cecilia Hyslop, you might already be married! You might be buying a house in Maida Vale and having twins in three months!" she cried, her voice cracking. "Why can't you just admit it?"

"Because I don't imagine my life with Cecilia Hyslop!" Henry said loudly. "I never fucking have!"

They were both breathing hard. They looked at each other a second longer; then, in unison, they lunged forward and kissed fiercely.

Day 5: Albus Severus

Genre: Romance/Family Song Prompt: (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays Snippet: "My parents might never forgive me if I take your dad's name," he said dryly, glancing past Emily at Zacharias's table. "Difficult as I've made things on Dad over the years, I think I'll draw the line at that."

Emily pressed her lips together against her amusement. "Fair enough."

Albus shook his head, tangling his fingers in Emily's long, dark hair. For a few moments, they sat in contented silence, and he found himself basking, as he always did, in the quiet ease. Everything with Emily had been like that, from the beginning, uncomplicated in a way nothing else had ever felt to him.

Dad had told him once, during one of their Mind Healing sessions, that things had felt like that with Mum, too, back when they were at Hogwarts together. After all the times in his moody teenage years that Albus had wished he could be less like his father, he was nothing but grateful now that this was something they shared.

Day 6: Molly II

Genre: Romance Song Prompt: Last Christmas Snippet: The shop assistant smiled bemusedly, but he leaned down and heaved the enormous gramophone into his arms again. "Will you be wanting some music as well?"

"No need," Molly said quickly, walking behind him to the clerk's counter. "I'm sure my aunt has something I can borrow for Christmas. But, er—thanks—" she glanced at his name tag, "—Desmond." Frowning thoughtfully, she cocked her head to the side. "Irish name, isn't it?"

Desmond set the gramophone down on the counter. "Dunno," he shrugged. "Cardiff, born and raised." As he said it, the lilt in his accent became more pronounced. "My mam just liked the name—from that beetles song."

Beetles song…Molly stared at Desmond, her mind so blank that she couldn't have rubbed two thoughts together if she tried.

Fuck. If this was an official work call, she would have been out a job before Christmas.

Day 7: Lucy

Genre: Romance/Family/Friendship Song Prompt: Please Come Home for Christmas Snippet: "Three years…" Lucy crossed her arms. "It doesn't seem like much now," she said quietly, "but what if he gets—bored?"

Molly frowned. "Has he given you that impression?"

"Well, no, but—"

"Has it seemed like he's looking elsewhere? Keeping his options open?" Molly asked, sounding angry.

"What? No—!"

"Has he been acting shifty? Working late? Throwing out his post? Cutting his hair differently?"

"No—fucking hell, Mol! Of course not…" Lucy trailed off, eyeing Molly with disbelief. "How the hell do you know so much about it?"

Molly snorted, but Lucy thought she saw her sister's expression shutter for a brief second. "I read too many of Mum's sappy Enchanted Encounters novels when I was a teenager—those books always expected you to be shocked the protagonist was about to uncover a shitty boyfriend in the second chapter instead of a surprise proposal."

Day 8: Lily Luna

Genre: Romance/Family Song Prompt: Angels Among Us Snippet: Lily took her husband's hand and together, they made their way into the cottage's cozy sitting room, where Dad had already lit a fire in the fireplace and was now settling into his armchair. Heart racing a little, Lily took a seat on the sofa opposite her father. She felt Jax squeeze her fingers.

"So," Dad smiled across the coffee table at her. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Well…" Lily said slowly, exchanging a half-glance with Jax. "We have some news."

"News?"

Lily jumped.

Mum had appeared in the sitting room doorway, and there was an expression of mingled hope and fear on her freckled face that was painfully familiar—it was an expression that Lily too had worn, off and on, for the past two years.

Day 9: Hugo

Genre: Romance Song Prompt: Blue Christmas Snippet: "They're all happy and coupled up," Hugo continued bitterly, swilling his drink in his glass. "They don't need me ruining the vibe."

"Hmm," Edgar said slowly. "You know, you sound like a bit of an idiot."

It took a few moments for the words, spoken so plainly, to permeate the hazy curtain of firewhisky around Hugo's brain. At last, he spluttered, sitting upright and gaping at the barman. "Excuse me?"

Edgar was unfazed. Bracing his tattooed arms on the counter, he leaned across the bar toward Hugo. "I bet your family would love to have you, even with all your whinging. Any of 'em reach out?"

Hugo felt his ears burn with heat, and he glowered at the man, opening his mouth angrily—but no words came out. Oh, they had reached out. Of course they had—one could expect nothing less from his enormous, noisy, nosy family. His mum, Rose, and Lily wrote every day, and Roxy and Henry had started popping by his office in Diagon Alley during lunch, as though they could irritate him into coming to their place for Christmas.

Day 10: Freddie

Genre: Friendship/Family Song Prompt: Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Snippet: Every year, for as long as he could remember, Freddie Weasley had spent the evening of the twenty-third of December at Oliver and Katie Wood's cozy cottage in Inverness. His parents called it the annual reunion of the best Gryffindor Quidditch team ever. Freddie preferred to call it an excuse for his parents and their friends to unblushingly work their way through twelve bottles of wine.

Every year, the little gathering played out in exactly the same way. Dad and Lee would start the evening off by testing a new joke shop product on someone—usually Uncle Harry. ("Don't worry, Harry, it won't kill you," Dad would say. "And even if it did, you'd just come back," Lee would add.)

It would take four glasses of wine, precisely, to reduce Mum, Alicia, Katie, and Auntie Ginny to a group of gossipy schoolgirls. The four women would spend the rest of the night giggling furiously whenever their husbands so much as looked their way.

And every, single year, at some point during the night—usually the halfway point, once he'd imbibed enough alcohol—Oliver became very emotional over his last Quidditch match at Hogwarts. He'd spend at least fifteen minutes sobbing into Uncle Harry's collar.

Day 11: Louis

Genre: Romance Song Prompt: Noël à Paris Snippet: "Vairy funny," she muttered, a small flush rising up her cheekbones as she brushed a curl of sweaty red hair back from his forehead. "You 'ave a fever—I do not know if you should see your family tonight."

"I'm not," he whispered gruffly. His eyes fluttered at the feel of her fingers stroking gently through his hair. "My parents and sisters are in Marseilles for Réveillon."

"You did not go with zem?"

"I'm on deadline."

"Why not your grandparents' 'ouse in England, zen?"

"I'm on deadline," he repeated.

"Zat is starting to sound like an excuse."

"It sounds better than 'I'm pining alone because the girl I fancy has ignored half a dozen of my letters,' doesn't it?"

Day 12: Rose

Genre: Romance/Family Song Prompt: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Snippet: "Hey," Rose said quietly, reaching out and taking his hand. "Where's this coming from? We're hardly ancient, Scorpius—we're wizards. We've got decades ahead of us."

Scorpius's jaw clenched. Rose peered at him closely, pressing her lips together against the sudden tightness in her throat.

They did not speak often of his mother. Her untimely death had devastated Scorpius—and his father—so thoroughly that Rose could not bear the pain it caused him to remember the many things he had loved about her. Albus had met her a few times, had been there for Scorpius in the very worst days of their third year, but Rose had learned of Astoria mostly in bits and bobs, in odds and ends of old, fond memories—and it had become clear to her, over the years, that the joyful, persistent, fiercely loving man she'd married was every bit Astoria's son.

She was certain that Astoria had loved Christmas, too. That she had roused her grouchy husband in the middle of the night to help her wrap presents for their son. That she had dreamed of many Christmases she'd never made it to.

That Malfoy Manor had become a much quieter place in her absence.

Day 13: Teddy

Genre: Romance Song Prompt: This Christmas Snippet: It took Teddy a good five minutes to realize that the pounding racket in his head was not, in fact, his brain attempting to escape his skull. Rather, it was coming from outside the comfort and security of his closed eyeballs—from the front door of his flat, to be exact. By the time he had come to his senses enough to recognize the sound for what it was, his best friend Travis had begun adding to the din by banging on the wall that separated Teddy's bedroom from their flat's shared bathroom.

"Get the bloody door, Lupin, or I'll bring my hangover into your room!"

Normally, Teddy might have argued. But after seven years of friendship, Teddy knew not to take Travis's threats—or nausea-filled hangovers—lightly. With a long, loud groan, Teddy slowly dragged himself out of his quilts and began staggering down the flat's dark hallway, grumbling under his breath all the while.

"Fucking hell…Boxing Day…some of us like a lie-in…"

Running a hand through his disheveled green hair, Teddy pulled open the front door. His jaw dropped.

"Vic?" he gasped. "I—I thought you were in France!"

#hp fanfic #harry potter next generation #harry potter next gen #hp next gen fanfic #holiday fic #christmas fic

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that-disabled-radfem · 1 year

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so I read this article by X González (formerly Emma González) and I don’t want to judge them for how they’re coping with trauma, but I think so much of the article just encapsulated how difficult it is to be female, especially a gnc female, in this day and age. And obviously in X’s case that was exacerbated by trauma and being in the spotlight and being expected to take on other people’s pain in a stereotypically feminine, caring way

anyway, just some quotes from the article (emphasis mine)

“The strangest part of being a survivor was how badly strangers wanted to touch me, like I was a living relic. They’d shake my hand, or hug me, or lean on me to cry. They also wanted to tell me about the tragedies that touched them. So many voices saying how their loved ones had been gruesomely shot and killed. I’m an empathetic person, and I had no idea how to guard myself, how to turn away and toward myself. So I listened and I hugged these strangers back.”

“I decided to swear off makeup for a while as well as wearing bright colors. Maintaining a plain and respectful image was my way of mourning. And it made me feel more like myself. I should have known for a long time that I don’t identify as a girl — I’d been shaving my head for years — but I didn’t have the vocabulary for it yet, and saying “no” to makeup was a start. Before interviews or photo shoots, the producers would always send me to the makeup department. Sometimes they would insist, saying they would just put a little foundation on to even out my skin tone, and I had to let them. I was worried they would get fired for letting me out there barefaced.”

“In the queer space of New College, changing your pronouns, name, or presentation is a nonevent. I knew I wanted to go by a different name, something that would give me space and get me away from the identity thrown on TV screens that made people think they knew me. I settled on X (inspired by Malcolm X) and realized in the process that the reason I didn’t like being known as Emma is partially because that person belongs to the public but also partially because it’s such a feminine name. I realized then that I’m nonbinary.”

#x gonzález #parkland #nb #enby #non-binary #ftnb

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aceofwhump · 2 years

Note

Can you recommend any good sickfics?

Sure can!

Lucifer

The Devil and the Flu by dino76 Summary: Shameless Lucifer fluff. Our favourite devil has an unpleasant encounter with something called “the flu”.

Precocious Parasite Oshii Summary: Lucifer eats something unwise and Chloe tends to him. When she has to leave, Trixie steps in and volunteers her services as resident physician. H/C, sick!Lucifer.

Thermophilic Bacteria by ElenaCee Summary: Lucifer manages to get sick, which leads to its own kind of reveal.

Nurse to the Devil by CastleMorningstar Summary: When Lucifer suddenly falls ill at a crime scene, Chloe takes it upon herself to make him better, with the help of Trixie

powering through by Oshii Summary: Sick!Lucifer, heedless of his fragile state, invites Chloe over to the penthouse to go over some missing links on a case. Things do not end well for him. Chloe sticks around to help him out. Emeto, h/c, nausea and back rubbing!

The King and the Taco Truck by Oshii Summary: For all his infernal splendor, Lucifer still falls victim to one of humanity's most troublesome grievances. Mazikeen, ever the faithful assistant, is there to pick up the pieces. AU!Lucifer, sick!Lucifer, emeto, mild H/C (mild because it's maze).

Thomas Barrow

The Illness dustnik Summary: Set in 1924. Thomas becomes very ill, and Andy is concerned.

A Little Help by Once_More_With_Feeling Summary: A missing scene from Season 5, episode 6, after Miss Baxter takes Thomas to see Dr. Clarkson.

Danny Williams

Chicken Soup for the Soul by MDJensen Summary: Danny's homesick, and sick sick. Chin's a good friend. Set soon after 1x08

Rising Temperatures by Candy_A Summary: Danny's bout of the flu leads the guys to discover that there may be something better than just soothing each other's pain.

Warmth by Nymaria Summary: Steve is falling in love. (How there is paperwork, a stage production of Wicked, Danny is sick with the flu, a murder case pops up, and Steve has to deal with feelings.)

Klaus Hargreeves

Sick of Pills by SheepShit Summary: Klaus is sick, Ben is trying to help, Diego is helping and Luther is absolutely no help

asset by painting Summary: As it turns out, "leave me alone, I'm sick" isn't an adequate deterrent when directed toward the living or the dead.

Malcolm Bright

Common Cold by Bowtiez Summary: Malcolm is not the kind of guy to admit when something's not right. And, well, something's not quite right. Gil's not the kind of guy to just ignore when one of his team members is not doing so good. Even Dani and JT can see something's going on with their profiler.

Mike Warren

Sick Mike Oneshots by Miss DiNozzo Summary: As a huge sickfic fan, I’ve really wanted to see more sick!Mike. So naturally I wrote a million stories about it.

Crowley (Good Omens)

Honour by DictionaryWrites2 Summary: Just a very small, sick!Crowley thing!

Eliot Waugh

Time is Limited; Love is Precious by clarapaget Summary: Eliot gets sick. It's been a few months since Arielle passed of a similar sickness and Quentin is on edge.

Chroma by kangamangus Summary: Set during A Life in the Day, Eliot gets sick and Quentin frets.

Illya Kuryakin

Something New by moviegeek03 Summary: Illya couldn't show weakness. No matter how much he hurt, or how bad that annoying cough got. He was the muscle for their team. He couldn't get sick. Right?

Russian Immunity by lovelydarkanddeep Summary: "I am Russian. Cold does not bother me. I do not want to deal with you getting sick because you have inferior immune system." Illya let's Gaby borrow his coat, but it seems even the Red Peril isn't immune to a common cold.

Too Bad by floral cactus Summary: Illya is sick, and of course he doesn't tell anyone until he ends up puking on the very nice, very expensive hotel carpet. Gaby/Illya one-shot.

Night Fever by PerilousCowboy Summary: Illya gets sick, but luckily his team is there to watch out for him. Shameless fluff.

Mon-El

Never Alone (or the one where Mon-El gets sick) by Write-To-You Summary: This was the first time Mon-El had gotten sick since he was 8. It brought back memories of Daxem, some welcome, most not. Because he was alone now. Or maybe he wasn't, and he just didn't know it yet.

John Sheppard

Nightcrawlers by coolbreeze1 Summary: Just a little self-indulgent whumping fic to get myself back into the writing habit. There's only the thinnest hint of an actual story here, so don't expect too much beyond sick!Shep...Not for the squeamish! Otherwise, no spoilers of any kind.

Killian Jones

Pale by SignoriaSickFic Summary: Set in the 6 weeks of peace in S4. Killian catches a nasty stomach bug and, feeling sick, fails to answer his phone. Enter a worried Emma who finds herself playing nursemaid to her indisposed pirate boyfriend. Warning: mentions of vomiting.

Killian is Sick by KatofDresden Summary: Sickfic! Killian Jones is a survivor, but that doesn't mean he can't be hurt. A series of oneshots where Hook is sick or injured. Lots of vulnerable Killlian and Captain Swan feels. And some angst. Suggestions welcome.

Silence by SlytherinElektra Summary: Spoilers for 3X20 Kansas. AU-ish. Sick Hook. After the drowning incident, Hook is more hurt than he lets on. The consequences of the trauma catch up to him dramatically. Whump, angst, Emma feels.

Cabin Fever by CSIBeauty Summary: When Emma goes to the Jolly Roger to question Hook about a recent theft in town she finds him in a less than healthy state. He refuses to leave the comfort of his ship leaving her no choice but to take care of him there. AU Sick!Hook NOW COMPLETE

Neal Caffrey

My HeroJosieStyleNeal is in need for a hero, because he is really sick. He wanted something that took away his pain. Peter and his wife helping the young man out, with soup, trashcans, and a lot of patience. Read, and make my day!

Neal's Sickness by PoeticJustice84 Summary: Neal comes down with a nasty bug and Peter and El have to nurse him back to health in this installment.

Sick Day by Stealth Dragon Summary: This is not the first time Peter had seen a sick Neal, but this is the first time he's had to deal with a sick Neal. Neal and Peter friendship. Poor sick Neal. Gen all the way, baby.

Neal's Sick Day by pineapple dreamer Summary: Neal's a bit under the weather. Just some random Neal whump. I do not own any of these characters.

Tony DiNozzo

This is Home by Emiliana Keladry Summary: Tony almost dies in a house fire and finds himself fighting a respiratory infection that his lungs aren't strong enough to take. He needs someone to take care of him while he's so very sick.

A Doctor's Love by Fictionnaire Summary: The DiNardo/Benoit life... Tony's body has trouble keeping up with the double life and becomes sick. Can Tony keep up the DiNardo persona while sick? And the Director's Conspiratal web grows. Warning! DiNozzo/Benoit pairing.

The Deepest Significance by bananacosmicgirl Summary: While working on a case, Tony gets sick but pretends nothing is wrong. When Gibbs sends Tony and Ziva out to track the possible murderer, things take a turn for the worse. Gibbs/DiNozzo, slash.

Riley Poole

In Sickness and in Health by Craic agus Ceol Summary: Oneshot, pre-NT1. Riley comes down with an illness. Ben is less than thrilled at the way he handles it.

Red Jello by Ryo314 Summary: Riley is sick. What more can you want?

#ask #whump #fanfics #mods fic recs #mod replies #sick #sickfics #fic recs

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inxumerable · 8 months

Text

|Okay! So multi muse blog is officially up and ready(ish!)

CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Under the cut is the current muse list:

Prodigal Son:

Malcolm Bright (;Brightish;): FC Tom Payne,Canon plot-Malcolm is the son of famous serial killer known as the surgeon and works as a special consultant with NYPD. Due to his history Malcolm suffers from severe PTSD and commonly experiences tremors. He also some sociopathic tendancies.

(;LikeSurgeon;) In this verse Malcolm takes after his father, inheriting the traits that canon Malcolm feared having. The surgeon was never turned in and Malcolm learned the tools of his trade.

Martin Whitly (;surgeon;): The father to Malcolm Bright, A serial killer known as the Surgeon, who is currently locked up in the Claremont psychiatric hospital. (or other plotting him can put him after he succeeds in escaping (or prior to being brought in.)

Doctor Who:

Victorian-Clara Oswald (;Victorian;): FC Jenna Coleman, Clara is barmaid in Victorian london, who also double as a governess when she meets the Doctor. In this AU she doesn’t fall and travels with the Doctor. Other AU’s can include her having adventures with Vastra’s gang, modern day AU’s, or anything we want to plot.

Jack Harkness (;harkness;): FC John Barrowman, Jack is still doing jack, aka always looking for the doctor and/or adventures but this jack takes place after losing Ianto.

-Alternative verse (;mirror harkness;) Is set in universe where Jack was a companion to a darker doctor. While he retains much of his personality, he is a bit darker. (Plotting can weed out specifics!)

Mr. Clever (;cyberplanner;): Clever managed to beat the Doctor at chess, and managed to take over completely. Or so he thought. While he did take over control of the body, the Doctor is always there as an extra (annoying) consciousness. He does have the TARDIS, but half the time she doesn’t behave for him.

Amy Pond (;thelegs;): The other half of Amy and Rory! In canon after being sent back she lived her life with life with Rory. Outside of canon? She can be placed anywhere and in anytime. Probably would be pre-angels.

Fob!watched Missy (;Disguisedsleuth;): FC Lara Jean Chorostecki, After being shot by simm!master, She still managed to regenerate and hid her self, becoming tattle-crime writer Freddie Lounds. Even after opening the watch she still tries to be good, hoping the Doctor finds her. Or she can horribly fail and revert to her old ways.

Tenth Doctor (;allons-y;): The main timeline is post end of time where he is fighting of regeneration. But very much not set in stone!

Hannibal:

Freddie Lounds (;crimesleuth;): Freddie Lounds is journalist for tattle-crime, not afraid to push boundaries when she wants something. Most come to believe its for a sense of Justice. But Freddie has a dark secret, too. (AUish)

Hannibal Lecter (;ripper;): Hannibal Lecter, also known as the chesapeake ripper is a therapist who also doubles as a cannibal?? Plot wise he can be anywhere but will primarily placing for surviving the fall if not specified.

Will Graham (;Graham;): In canon (formerly) works as a special consultant for the FBI. Primarily putting him in season 2-3. Can also be post surviving fall.

Baldurs gate 3:

Karlach {;Infernal Engine;): Karlach is tiefling set in the world of baldurs gate 3. She is red skinned and has two horns, however one of her horns is broke off. Her heart? Yeah its engine thats only getting hotter. She served for ten years in avernus, unwillingly a champion to Zariel. Until she escaped, but is she ever really free?

Isobel {;let me be your guide and I'll show you the light | Isobel;}

#|Bli has arrived; ooc|

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writethrough · 1 year

Note

Hi, how are you. Can I request a Malcolm Bright imagine. Reader is kinda like a female Sherlock Holmes or an member of behavioral analysis unit from criminal minds…… Angst to fluff….

thank you

Little Parts

(Malcolm Bright x Female Reader)

Warnings: Mentions of murder, kidnapping, abuse, death, violence (please let me know if I missed anything)

Word Count: 3315

A/N: Thank you for this request! I chose to go the BAU route. Though I didn't necessarily mention Criminal Minds, I do use the lingo. I had a lot of fun writing this one and I definitely did not expect my OC Nancy to have as big of a presence as she does. I do think I need to work on my angst. I love reading it, but writing it is a different story. I hope you enjoy it!

Nancy Whitmore had murdered six people: five women and the husband who came home early and found his wife mid-abduction. Two shots to the chest, the first time Nancy ever used the gun she held to force the women to come with her.

Those two gunshots were what started this all. Nancy had panicked and fled with the wife, not worrying about the scene she left behind.

When the NYPD connected this to the other missing women, they called you. As skillful as Gil and his team were, your expertise would be invaluable.

And it was. So invaluable, in fact, that Nancy Whitmore knew she had to do something.

—

The bullpen was abuzz with every available person preparing for tonight. Nancy had escalated since word got out that a profiler had joined the investigation. And if you were right, there would be another victim before midnight. You had to get her before then.

“We know she stays within this area,” Gil said, tapping a marker in the circle he drew. “And we’ve released a statement telling everyone to stay indoors when it’s dark.”

“Staying home isn’t going to prevent our unsub from kidnapping who she wants,” you said. “We’ve seen her murder outside of her preference when cornered. I doubt that’s changed.”

“Everyone else is just a means to an end,” Malcolm said.

You nodded.

It hadn’t taken long for you to figure out these women represented Nancy’s mother. From what you gathered, Mrs. Whitmore ruled her household with an iron fist. No one, her husband or her children, was safe from the abuse she inflicted.

Nancy’s father protected Nancy from his wife, but once he died, Nancy had to step up and protect her younger brother. The brother's death at the tragic age of twenty-five was the catalyst for all of Nancy’s crimes.

“As long as Nancy feels the need to protect others from her mother, it doesn’t matter who gets in her way. Nothing's going to stop her from reaching that goal,” you said, rubbing your temple.

“What I don’t understand is how she can’t remember that her mother is dead.” JT’s frustration was evident.

“She’s blocked so much out. Her brother’s passing triggered her, and the only explanation she could come up with was that her mother murdered him,” you explained. Nancy’s brother died in a freak accident at his job. A cable snapped at the construction zone, and that’s all it took for his life to be taken. Nancy’s trauma filled in the blanks and then some. She thought her mother had returned or that she didn't actually die, and Nancy had to do the one thing she’s been doing since she was thirteen—survive.

“We need to figure out where she is. We have patrol cars at every address of hers, but not one of them has seen her.” Gil dragged both hands down his face.

“It’s getting late. What if Nancy already has her next victim?” Dani asked.

“It’s possible,” you said. “But even with Nancy's escalations, she follows a pattern. She grabs them once it’s dark, not before, and she keeps them alive for three days. She has to follow that.”

“I hate to say this, but if worse comes to worst, we have seventy-two hours to find her and the vic,” JT said.

You nodded, stifling a yawn.

Gil gave you an empathetic look. “I know we still have a ways to go, but none of us will be any help if we don’t get some sleep.” He paused, scanning the four of you. “We’ll take shifts. Some of us should be here if anything happens.”

“I’ll stay,” Malcolm said.

You weren’t surprised. It didn’t take a profiler to know Malcolm Bright was an insomniac.

“Me too,” Dani said. “Go tuck your kid in.” She nodded to JT, who gave her a grateful smile.

“Alright, you two, go home. I’ll call you if we hear anything.” Gil gestured for you to leave.

You were about to protest when Malcolm cut in.

“We’ll be fine.” He leveled you with a look. “You’ve been going since you landed two weeks ago. A few hours of rest will only help us catch our suspect sooner.”

You sighed, knowing he and Gil were right.

“Fine,” you said. The clock read 8 PM. “But I’ll be back here by midnight.”

A bit more than three hours should be a good enough power nap.

Malcolm gave you a gentle smile. “Wouldn’t have expected anything different.”

—

You and Malcolm had taken to each other like fish to water.

You had arrived at the crime scene and met everyone except Malcolm, who had been running late.

Edrisa had finished her preliminary evaluation when he walked up to you, speaking to anyone who would listen about his theory on how the vic ended up here. Every part was pretty plausible, but one.

“Everything about our killer is tactful. She doesn’t let her anger get the best of her because she can’t afford to. There’s more at stake for her,” you said.

It was like you pulled him back to reality. His brow furrowed, and he finally registered that you were new.

“She?” he asked.

You nodded. “Like I said, I don’t see anger when I look at this woman’s wounds. I don’t even see pleasure. How many male serial killers do you know that you can say that about?”

Malcolm couldn’t help but think about his father. The person who took more pleasure in his work than anyone he knew.

“SSA (Y/N) (L/N).” You held out your hand.

He gave you his name. You didn’t bat an eye. It made him think—hope—you had no idea who he was. It was a day later that hope came crashing down.

“You know who my father is?” His eyes widened, a pang resounding in his heart.

You shrugged. “Course I do. Did you really think I wouldn’t read up on the team I’d be consulting with?”

“Well, no. I just thought maybe you’d focus on the case more.” Malcolm couldn’t look you in the eyes. And your heart went out to him. He’d probably been judged by his father’s actions his entire life.

“We’re not our parents, Malcolm,” you said gently. “If we were, I’d be a cheating accountant or a bitter middle school teacher.”

“Those are two very different professions from dear-old Dad,” he said.

“Yeah, they are, but the point is everyone has a shitty little part of themselves that they keep hidden. And some of us do a better job than others.”

“And what shitty little part are you hiding?” He tried to disguise it as a joke. However, he also desperately wanted to know the truth. He wanted to know if maybe, just maybe, you were a little like him.

A smirk tugged at your lips. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”

—

The taxi to Dani’s apartment dropped you off a block away. Traffic in the city was no joke, and you weren’t about to pay to sit in line for who knows how long.

You and Dani had attended the academy together. When she found out you’d be consulting with them, she offered you a place to stay. The problem was she only had one key, and you’d typically carpool to and from the precinct.

Pulling out your phone, you clicked on her number.

“Everything okay?” She greeted you, concerned.

“Yeah, but I may have to pick the lock to your door,” you said, trying to remember if you had a bobby pin in your bag.

“Shit. I completely forgot.”

“Don’t worry. We’ve kinda been focusing on more important things,” you said.

“I can run it over to you. We haven’t gotten any calls yet, and it’s not like my place is far,” she said.

“That’d be great. It’s been a minute since I had to break in somewhere,” you joked.

“Okay, I’m on my way.” Her voice sounded like she was facing the other direction, but you still caught it. “Everything’s fine. She forgot to take my key.”

There was a brief silence as whoever responded, and then she was back.

“Your boyfriend’s concern is touching, but you should tell him to cool it.”

You narrowed your eyes. “My boyfriend?”

“Malcolm.” She said it like it was the most obvious thing.

Unconsciously, you caught the steps of someone jogging behind you and moved to the right out of their way.

“Malcolm and I are just friends,” you said, thankful to be alone as heat surfaced to your cheeks.

“Yeah, and what about the dumb smiles and little glances you give each other,” Dani asked. You could hear her smirk through the phone.

“I don’t give him dumb smi—”

—

The unmistakable crack of metal hitting something bounced through Dani’s head as she rushed back to the precinct. Everyone had returned and convened in the conference room after she had called them.

Malcolm paced as he ran through everything they knew about Nancy.

She abducts women from their homes, taking them away from the place they have power. Three days later, the women are found beside dumpsters, handcuffed. It was Nancy’s way of handing over her mother to the police. Deep down, she believed she was helping.

Malcolm shook his head. That didn’t make sense for you. There was no telling what Nancy would do now that she had you. The only hope Malcolm had was where you were abducted outside of Dani’s apartment—outside of your temporary home.

The clock was ticking, except they didn’t know how long the timer was set for.

They had to find you.

Malcolm had to find you.

—

Nancy paced in front of you. She hadn’t said a word. You weren’t entirely sure she knew you were awake.

By the looks of the beams of light pouring through the slats of wood, it was early morning. You’d been out for a few hours. Hopefully, the team had a decent start on finding you.

Your arms were cuffed behind your back, and the metal chair you sat on dug into your biceps. Nancy had even tied your ankles to the legs.

You had to find a way out. There was no telling what Nancy would do now that she had you—to you or to a potential victim.

She was unraveling, and you had to make it seem like you understood her. You had to stay calm. She had to think you were on her side. If at any point she felt threatened, you’d be done.

“Why did you have to get in the way?” She mumbled it as if to herself, then repeated it louder, frustration baring her teeth.

“I was asked to,” you said, trying to make yourself smaller.

She had to believe she was in control.

She rubbed her face roughly. “You could’ve said no. You should’ve stayed away! But you had to stick your nose into family business! She’s gonna hurt someone because of you!”

Angry tears lined her eyes. You made sure to look down in shame. You had to make her think you were submitting.

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” you whispered.

She stepped closer until you could smell her breath.

“I don’t believe you.”

You didn’t see her raise her hand, but you felt the searing heat of the bullet rip through you.

—

“What if she’s already dead, Gil!” Malcolm asked, staring at the man, willing him to see that they had to find you.

“You know you can’t think like that,” Gil responded. “(Y/N) is a seasoned agent. She’s been trained for this. You need to trust that she knows what she’s doing.”

“It’s not (Y/N) that I don’t trust. Nancy has deviated so far from her usual targets. There’s no telling what she’s done or will do to her.”

“Fine. You’re right, but panicking won't help (Y/N). You need to take a deep breath and work this case with the rest of us. Got it?” Gil was leaning forward, hands on his desk and eyes pleading with Malcolm.

He’d finally nodded after exhaling loudly through his nose.

“Good. Now tell me why Nancy is doing all this," Gil said slowly, urging Malcolm to do what he did best.

—

The pain in your shoulder made it harder to concentrate.

You weren’t sure if she meant to hit you there, and that thought didn’t comfort you. Nancy was spiraling, making your stomach churn at the possibility of not getting you or her out alive.

“You shouldn’t have come,” she had whispered as she wrapped your shoulder. She had said that so many times you were starting to repeat it in your mind. You had begun to believe it, and then she did this. She showed you a little light that maybe she wasn’t that far gone.

Maybe you could still help her.

—

They were so close.

They’d been able to piece together where Nancy was keeping her victims. And they were on their way, sirens off so as not to scare her.

You had to be alive. Malcolm didn’t know what he’d do if you weren’t.

The small shed they arrived at looked ready to collapse.

After Gil announced their presence, you appeared out the door. Nancy followed, gun pressed to your head.

“She needs to be stopped!” Nancy cried.

“Your mother is dead, Nancy! She’s gone. You’re safe,” Malcolm said, keeping his voice calm.

“No! She’s not! She keeps coming back!” Hysteria crept into her tone. You had to do something.

“Nancy,” you said. “I promise, if you let me go and go with them, they will get you help. You’ll never see your mother again.”

She let out a pitiful whine. “You can’t know that. She’s always there. She won’t leave us alone.”

“Nancy.” You tried to make your voice as soothing as possible. “Have I ever lied to you?”

This seemed to stump her. She was quiet for a few moments.

You looked around. Malcolm and the team watched you both, waiting for any sign that she’d take things too far.

Malcolm’s fists were clenched like he wanted nothing more than to rip you away from Nancy and shelter you in his arms. If only it could happen that easily.

“No,” Nancy finally whispered, letting the realization settle in her bones. “No.”

Her hold slowly loosened on you, and the gun lowered until it hit the ground.

You turned to her.

“It’s going to be alright,” you said as JT cuffed her and read her her rights.

You hadn’t noticed Malcolm had come up behind you until your arms were freed. You hissed, the wound in your shoulder flaring up and dizzying you.

He kept a hand on your back as Nancy was led away.

“Come on. We need to get you checked out,” he said, ushering you to the ambulance.

You nodded, his voice coming through fuzzy. Now that you were out of danger, everything hit you all at once. The kidnapping, the pain, the fact that you could’ve died.

Your body was heavy.

The last thing you remembered was Malcolm’s arms around you as you fell.

—

You opened your eyes to the darkness out your window. The smell of the hospital and the beeping of your heart monitor told you where you were.

Slowly, you turned your head to face the other direction and met Malcolm’s exhausted eyes.

“Hey.” He said it softly as if you were still sleeping. “How are you feeling?”

You missed the way his fingers twitched toward your hand.

“Tired,” you said.

He nodded. “Get some rest. I’ll let the doctors know you were up.”

He placed his hands on his thighs to push himself up, but you stopped him.

“Sit with me for a bit? While I’m still awake.” The sight of Malcolm comforted you the longer you were conscious and the more you remembered. You didn’t want to be alone.

“Okay,” he said.

You lifted your fingers as if reaching for him.

“I think you’re supposed to be holding my hand,” you hummed. You could blame your bravery on the morphine later.

He chuckled and ducked his head but pulled his chair closer to your bedside and slipped his hand into yours.

“Better?”

“Much,” you whispered. Your grip was weak, but Malcolm could still tell when you tried to squeeze his hand.

His under eyes seemed darker than usual, and instead of his hands trembling, his index finger grazed your inner wrist in a steady back and forth.

“When did you last sleep?” you asked. You wanted to stay awake. You wanted to live in this bubble with him before reality set in. It didn’t matter how long you’d been out or the questions you’d be asked. All that mattered was being here and having him close.

He shrugged. “A few days ago.” He paused. “I was preoccupied.”

With finding you.

You let out a slow breath. “Sorry to be such a bother.”

He heard the edge of teasing in your tone, but he couldn’t let even a smidge of you think that.

“You could never be a bother. Just don’t go getting kidnapped again, will you? I’d prefer it if you were out of harm's way,” he said.

“I’ll try my best. Maybe you should put out a statement. Make sure all the bad guys know.” This time the teasing was prevalent.

“I think I can put up a few billboards.” He tried to fight the smile forming. “I’ll even have Ainsley do a whole segment.”

You chuckled until the pain in your side made you stop.

“The doctor said you have a concussion,” Malcolm said, brow furrowing in concern.

“Nancy hit me with something.” You steadied your breathing.

“You don’t need to worry about her anymore. Just getting better.”

You weren’t sure if he noticed that he was squeezing your hand, but you didn’t mind. It grounded you. And the way Malcolm was staring at you set your heart fluttering. And the damn heart monitor was giving you away.

Malcolm looked at it, then you. “Are you okay? Should I get a nurse?”

You shook your head. “No. No, I’m fine. Promise.”

“If something’s hurting, you need to tell me,” he insisted.

You bit the inside of your lip, debating whether or not what you were about to say was a good idea.

“That’s not why it did that,” you whispered, avoiding his eyes.

“...What do you mean?”

You glanced up at him through your lashes. “I mean…you make me nervous.”

He tilted his head, still not seeming to get it.

“I don’t understand. Do I make you uncomfortable?” He was about to pull his hand away, but you kept your hold.

“You make me nervous because I like you,” you said, giving him a shy smile. “And according to Dani, you like me, too?”

“I…well, of course, I do. I just figured nothing could come out of this since you’d be back to Quantico…” The blush was evident on his cheeks, and it made you all the more smitten.

“After this? A cushy 9-5 sounds incredible,” you said. “But I’m willing to try if you are.”

He grinned, leaning his elbows on the bed. “Where should our first date be?”

You answered him with a smile of your own. “Go find us some jello, and I’ll say yes to a second.”

He stood, still smiling, and was going to leave until he bent down to kiss your forehead.

“Be right back,” he whispered, thumb coming up to brush your cheek.

For a moment, you leaned into his hand with closed eyes. The subtle motion of his finger lulled you into a sense of peace.

You hummed, sinking further into the bed.

By the time Malcolm returned, you were fast asleep. He took up his position by your side again and started making a mental list of where he should take you for your second date.

#prodigal son fanfic #prodigal son #prodigal son fanfiction #prodigal son imagine #malcolm bright x reader #Malcolm bright x you #Malcolm bright fluff #Malcolm bright angst #abuse #violence #kidnapping #mentions of murder #death #fanfic #fanfiction #criminal minds #criminal minds crossover

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make-me-imagine · 2 years

Text

Worried

Prompt/Request: “A hears that B got hurt and rushes over in a panic to see if they are okay” with Malcolm being B? Requested By: @spuffyfan394 (you requested this a LONG time ago lmao, sorry it took so long, I really like the prompt but could never think of a good enough plot-line to extend it past a drabble)

Pairing: Malcolm Bright x GN!Reader

Warnings: Very brief, non graphic mentions of blood, and gun-fire.

Words: 700

Your eyes were steady on the road as you made your way towards the scene. You tapped your fingers impatiently as you stopped at a light. You needed to be there in case anything went wrong when arresting the suspect. And knowing Malcolm, he would make it more dramatic than it needed to be.

Hearing your phone buzz, you glanced down seeing a message from Gil.

'Suspect in custody, shots fired, Malcolm hurt-'

The screen went dark before you finished reading the message, and your heart jumped in fear. Did Malcolm get shot? Is he okay? Seeing the light turn green, you turned on your sirens and made your way quickly through he streets, waving through traffic.

Your heart was beating rapidly in your chest as you got closer to the scene. You could see the siren lights ahead of you, as cops littered the streets. Parking haphazardly near the scene, you grabbed your phone and jumped out of the car, rushing towards the scene.

As you approached, JT saw you and motioned his head towards a nearby ambulance. You swallowed harshly, as your chest clenched uncomfortably.

Grabbing the handle of the ambulance, you yanked it open. Your heart skipped a beat when you saw Malcolm sitting on the bench, his head leaning against the wall of the ambulance.

Looking over, he saw you and smiled, you felt relief wash over you.

"Malcolm." You breathed out as you climbed into the ambulance "Are you okay? Gil said you got hurt?"

Looking him over, you spotted some blood on his sleeve. Malcolm tapped his arm lightly "Just a graze, I'm good."

You let out an audible sigh as you sat beside him. His eyes raked over you and you saw a smile spread across his face. "You were really worried, weren't you?"

Rolling your eyes lightly, you nodded "Of course I was, knowing what you get yourself into I was half expecting to find you dead."

He smiled softly "Gil should have reassured you."

Remembering the message, you pulled out your phone and pulled up the message.

'Suspect in custody, shots fired, Malcolm hurt, but he's okay, just a minor graze, no need to rush, we've got it handled.' -Gil

You closed your eyes momentarily as you looked over at Malcolm, who clearly read the message over your shoulder. "I only got to the 'Malcolm is hurt part before my phone turned off."

He stared at you with a soft gaze and amused smile.

"I was driving, I wasn't gonna pick up my phone to read the whole thing." You excused, but his smile just widened a bit, before you shook your head and let out a soft laugh. "Shut up."

"I didn't say anything!" He defended.

"You were going to."

He chuckled softly before he grabbed your hand and squeezed it, before bringing it up to his lips and pressing a kiss to the back of it. "I love that you worry about me, but I'm also sorry you have too."

"Yeah well, I accepted that responsibility when we started dating, so I'll live with it."

As the ambulance door opened up again, you looked over to see a paramedic. They smiled and nodded their head "You're good to go Mr. Bright."

You looked over at him "Need a ride?"

He smiled and nodded, following you out of the ambulance. As you walked towards your car, Malcolm leaned towards you "You got here really fast."

"I used my lights." You commented casually.

Meeting his eyes as he smiled widely, he motioned his head towards your windshield. Seeing a ticket under your wipers, you grabbed it, seeing a speeding ticket in JT's handwriting.

Looking around you met his eyes and smiled sarcastically, calling out "Very funny JT!"

He smiled and waved "Don't hit anybody on your way home!"

You rolled your eyes as you crumbled up the ticket and climbed into the car. Malcolm laughed as he climbed in as well. Looking over at you he smiled fondly "I'm sorry I scared you."

You met his eyes and smiled "Will it stop you from doing it again?" He furrowed his brow in uncertainty and you chuckled "Yeah, I didn't think so."

xx End xx

Very simple and short, but I didn't just want to throw the request away. So I hope you liked it :)

General Taglist: @criminaly-supernatural, @caswinchester2000, @imaginesfire, @rexit-mo, @onuen, @witchygagirl, @alexxavicry

Prodigal Son/Malcolm Taglist: @locke-writes, @malindacath, @cosplayingwitch, @spuffyfan394, @starship-argo

#Malcolm Bright #Malcolm Whitly #Prodigal Son #Malcolm Bright x reader #Malcolm Bright/reader #malcolm whitly x reader #prodigal son x reader #malcolm bright imagine #malcolm bright x gn!reader #prodigal son imagine #prodigal son drabble #prodigal son oneshot #malcolm bright oneshot #oneshot #one shot

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latenightsandliquor · 7 months

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Love in the Time of Dinosaurs

While secretly infiltrating Biosyn, Dr Ian Malcolm finds more than he’s looking for…

A slow burn love story with a new female character. This story will feature an age difference and some eventual smut.

Did anyone ask for this? No.

Am I writing it anyway? Yes.

Welcome and enjoy!

Chapter One

Zoe Bailey made her way down the winding stairs to the coffee counter in the cafeteria of the central Biosyn student building. Her morning lecture wasn’t scheduled for another half an hour. She ordered her usual strong tea and sat down in a stylish, but uncomfortable, wooden chair. It was her third week working as a guest lecturer for Biosyn and she was still adjusting. There was a lot that had lured her to the tucked away Italian mountain campus - generous work conditions and pay, an impressive boost to her career and most importantly to Zoe, a fresh start.

She scanned the cafeteria as she sipped her tea. There were already plenty of eager young students milling about. Some deep in discussion, others tapping away at their laptops. Zoe had been impressed with the tenacity and drive of the students in her lectures. She was enjoying their eager engagement in her sessions, their bright eyed optimism about a better future, even if their tender youth made them naive. Zoe had been like that too at their age.

Zoe looked around again then checked her watch. Time to head to the lecture theatre. As she began to ascend the stairs she spotted who she’d been looking for, the infamous man in black himself - Dr Ian Malcolm. While they hadn’t formally met, his reputation around campus proceeded him. He was Biosyn’s rock star lecturer and the students (and fellow academics) could not get enough of him. He caught Zoe’s eye and smiled at her. She smiled back at him as she passed. This had become a daily ritual for the two of them since Zoe had arrived and each morning Zoe could feel a flutter of attraction inside of her. Ian was older, but still attractive as hell. A silver fox. It had been a long time since she had felt that way about a man and it was enough to put a spring in her step for the rest of the day.

Ian couldn’t help but smile at the woman he’d been passing each morning on his way for coffee. She was younger than him, mid thirties he’s estimated, well dressed and sexy in a subtle, academic kind of way. Just his type. Today as he came down the stairs he observed her - hair in a braid over her shoulder, silk shirt unbuttoned just enough to hint at her breasts below, high waisted pants and heels. He licked his lips and resisted the urge to turn back around to watch her make her way up the stairs. He was here strictly on business he reminded himself. Although come to think of it, why should he deny himself some pleasure at the same time? As he made his way to the coffee counter he looked over his shoulder hoping for one last look at her. Their eyes met and she shot him a flirty look. He really needed to introduce himself.

#jurassic park #ian malcolm #jurassic world #jurassic world dominion #dominion #fan fiction

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bisexualbumblebee-writes · 1 year

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The Lows of Highs- Malcolm Bright x OC

Malcolm Bright x Elena Nadis

Description: Malcolm accidentally inhales cocaine and ends up scaring his girlfriend with the after effects.

Word Count: 2.7k

“I’m telling you right now Dani, stay away from this case. And that is an order,” Gil demanded firmly. Elena tried not to make it obvious that she had been listening to the conversation, but with both parties being defensive, she couldn’t help herself and she looked over at the duo, who were standing in front of Gil’s office having a small staredown.

They were investigating the murders of two men related to some drug dealing. A theory was formed that the murders were related to a man named Estime. Dani, who had previously worked in narcotics, had been insisting that he had nothing to do with it. Gil decided to set up a meeting with Estime’s archrival, Saulo, but the man claimed he also had nothing to do with it. Now that they were back at HQ, everyone could see that Dani was personally invested in this case, so Gil suggested that she step back from it. That led them to a small argument, which is how they ended up here.

Gil didn’t give her time to argue as he walked away, supposedly to go visit Edrisa down in the lab. Dani huffed annoyedly, then walked over to her desk and grabbed her jacket while Elena watched. The girl furrowed her brows at her friend.

“Where are you going?” She asked suspiciously as Dani passed by her.

“To see Estime,” the woman answered simply. That made Malcolm, who was sitting a few feet away, perk up.

“I’m going too,” he said, standing up from his seat.

“What? No you’re not,” Dani shot back.

“Oh, well I guess I could always tell Gil that you’re going. I don’t think he’d be too happy about that though,” he trailed off, pulling his phone out of his pocket. Dani quickly put her hand out.

“Alright fine, hurry up though,” she grumbled.

“Should I come too?” Elena asked unsurely, but her friend shook her head.

“Nah, I don't want to risk Gil getting mad at all three of us,” she responded. “Don’t worry about it, I just want to make sure.” Though hesitant, Elena ultimately nodded.

“You’ll call me if you need help?” She questioned, not wanting to be out of the loop. Dani grinned then nodded.

“Who else would I call?” She rested a hand on the girl’s shoulder before heading out.

“I’ll be back soon,” Malcolm informed his fiance, leaning down to press a kiss to her lips before following after Dani. Elena could only sigh as she watched the woman’s car drive off, hoping that he was right.

As it turns out, he wasn’t right. Elena was at lunch when she got a call from Gil. She had to pretend to be shocked when he told her that Malcolm and Dani disobeyed orders and went to see Estime at his club, only to become actually surprised when he said that the club was shot up. No one was hurt, but Malcolm was near a large bag of cocaine when the shooter walked in and he inhaled quite a bit. Gil asked her to come get her fiance and take him home, to which she readily agreed.

It only took her a few minutes to arrive at the station, where Malcolm was sitting in the lobby with Dani, both looking like children caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Gil stood beside them with his hands on his hips, looking as if he was muttering to himself. She walked in hurriedly, which caught the trio’s attention.

“Hey, sorry to pull you from your lunch break,” Gil started tiredly, but Elena only shook her head with a patient smile.

“It’s no problem Gil. Don’t worry about it,” she responded simply, earning a nod from the man in front of her.

“Malcolm needs to get some rest, and Dani is grounded under my supervision since I evidently can’t trust her,” he paused to shoot the detective a pointed look. “But I can pay you for the rest of the day,” he offered. Elena nodded then patted his arm gently.

“I’ll take care of him. You just focus on getting this guy.” Gil nodded with a grateful smile.

“I’ll call you if we get any more information,” he informed her before grabbing Dani’s arm and leading her away. Elena sighed softly, then faced her fiance, whose gaze was still focused on the floor. She cleared her throat then crouched down in front of him.

“Malcolm,” she called softly, which caught his attention. A comically wide smile suddenly appeared on his face at the sight of her.

“Hey baby,” he said, words slightly slurred yet still sounding lively. Elena copied his grin, though hers was a bit exaggerated.

“Hey, you ready to go home?” She inquired, tone still gentle. Malcolm nodded lazily, and she stood up. She helped him up and led him out with her hand gripping his. The man’s eyes were becoming droopy, so she had to take extra care in making sure he didn’t run into anyone or anything. The car ride didn’t take long, and they got home in less than fifteen minutes.

“Alright, let’s get you into your pajamas then you can take a nap,” she instructed as she led him upstairs. “Do you want to take a nap?” She asked as if she were talking to a child. Usually, Malcolm would despise such a tone, but in his intoxicated state, he found it quite enjoyable and nodded lazily.

It was quite a hassle to get him into his pajamas, he wasn’t much help and instead opted to just sit on the bed and let her do it herself. Finally, she laid him down and covered him up, informing him that she would get a head start on dinner for when he woke up. Pushing some hair out of his face, she leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead before turning off the light then heading out.

Just a half hour later, Elena had been prepping to cut some vegetables for the sides when she heard a thump. She wouldn’t have been worried if it hadn’t been followed by a crash. Her head whipped around as a horrifying realization hit her: she never restrained Malcolm before he fell asleep.

“Malcolm?” She called worriedly, running to their bedroom. She attempted to jiggle the doorknob, but it felt like there was something blocking the door. That made her panic more and she began banging on the door.

“Malcolm! Baby, open up!” She yelled. No verbal response came, but instead came another bang followed immediately by shattering glass and a loud cry. Elena gasped worriedly then stepped back, attempting to kick the door in. It took several tries, but she finally managed to kick the door open enough to squeeze through the limited space between it and the doorway. She flipped the lightswitch on and her eyes immediately widened.

The room looked to be an absolute mess. Turns out, it was their dresser that had been slid in front of the door. Aside from that, the nightstands were flipped, pictures that originally hung on the wall were thrown to the ground, and the full length mirror had been shattered, pieces of broken glass laying on the ground in front of it. After surveying the area, her eyes finally landed on her fiance. He had been attempting to climb out the window, but froze when the girl burst in. Once he got over the shock, he continued his attempt.

“MALCOLM NO!” Elena screamed, rushing over to him and making sure not to step on any shards of glass. Thankfully, she reached him just before he managed to climb on the ledge that sat right outside the window. She gripped the back of his shirt tightly then used all the strength she had to pull him back in, thanking any god out there that he was disoriented and didn’t have strength to fight against her. The two of them fell on the bed, Malcolm on top of Elena. He wasted no time in attempting to get up, but she was quick to hold him down, flipping them over a second later. She had to sit on his chest to keep him still as she grabbed the restraints, wrapping them tightly around his wrists.

“NO! NO, LET ME GO!” He yelled frantically after she moved off his chest. She was frozen in place as he continued to scream desperately to be let go. Elena couldn’t stay in the room for long, his yells became very overwhelming very quickly. She needed help. Frantically, she stumbled through the doorway then began searching for her phone, finding it on the kitchen counter where she had left it earlier. She picked up with shaky hands then quickly dialed Gil’s number. She hadn’t even realized that she had begun crying until a teardrop landed on her screen, which she wiped away before putting the phone to her ear.

“Gil Arroyo,” the man greeted formally, though he dropped the formality when he heard the girl sniffle from the other end of the line.

“Gil I need your help,” she begged, whimpering as Malcolm’s shouts began filling her ears once more.

“Elena, what happened?” He asked urgently.

“I-I don’t know,” she cried. “He...I was making hi-him dinner then he woke up and beg-began freaking out. I don’t know what to do Gil but I’m scared!”

“Alright, it’s okay Lena,” Gil attempted to soothe her. “I’m coming over there right now with Dani. Just hang in there, okay? Stay on the phone with me.” She could faintly hear the sound of a car starting, and she nodded.

“O-Okay.”

Gil and Dani made it there in seven minutes, probably disobeying several traffic signals as they did so. That didn’t matter to any of them though. Elena nearly jumped out of her skin when the front door burst open, but relief flooded her when Gil and Dani appeared in her sight.

“Gil, you get Elena out of here and take her to the station,” Dani instructed firmly. “I have more experience with this type of situation.” The man wanted to protest, but then his eyes landed on the very distraught Elena.

“Yeah, alright,” he breathed out, taking the girl’s arm and heading out while Dani ran to the bedroom. Gil ended up taking her to his house to calm her down. He offered her tea and one of his shirts as Elena’s had blood on it. After that, he stayed with her and talked her through everything that happened until she managed to finally calm down.

An hour later they got a call from Dani saying that she finally got Malcolm to calm down by dunking his head in water. She took Malcolm to the hospital to get stitches in his hand after he punched the mirror in his room and broke it and that’s where they were now (Elena figured that was why there were mirror shards on the floor when she walked in earlier). Since Malcolm was now sober, he told Dani why he freaked out. The drugs gave him hallucinations that made him see himself in his father’s clothes while his father stood beside him in the mirror. It freaked him out enough to go on a small rampage to try and get away from the sight.

Elena’s heart broke at Dani’s words. She couldn’t even begin to imagine what his mind had to go through while he was high. After another hour she asked Gil to take her home since she had calmed down completely. Though hesitant, he could never say no to her so he did as she asked.

“You sure you’ll be okay?” He asked nervously as the girl got out. She offered him a kind smile then nodded.

“I’ll call you if something else happens, but I predict that Malcolm will just go straight to sleep when he gets home. I want to clean everything up before that happens so he doesn’t hurt himself again,” she responded before closing the door. She waved at him one last time before heading inside. A deep sigh left her lips as she looked around. Nothing was out of place in the living room or kitchen save for what she had been cooking earlier, but she was afraid to even think about how the bedroom looked now.

Nevertheless, she got to work immediately. Now, because Elena is lazy at times, she started with the kitchen. She packed everything away then washed all the dishes before moving onto the bedroom. It took quite a bit of strength to move the dresser back to its place, but she finally got it there after almost ten minutes. She closed the window and made sure to lock it, trying not to think of the reason that it was open in the first place. After that, she moved all the pictures on the floor out to the living room in order to sweep. Once she finished sweeping, she moved back into the living room to assess the damage to the pictures. Thankfully, none of the pictures were ruined, but she definitely needed to buy some new frames.

Her eyes landed on a particular picture that was in a gold frame. It was a picture of her and Malcolm from the night that he proposed to her. The team plus Malcolm’s mother had gone out to a celebratory dinner for the occasion and Jessica managed to get them a table at the most luxurious restaurant had ever been to. Malcolm, of course, sat next to Elena and refused to let go of her hand the entire time. Dessert had just come, it was a piece of cake that had congratulations written on the plate with chocolate icing. That’s not what the couple was focused on though, instead they were talking with each other. Jessica managed to snap a picture right as Malcolm told Elena something funny, so the girl was laughing while he grinned cheekily at her. The memory made her smile, and she found herself staring at it. This was the reason that Malcolm hadn’t scared her off, they both love each other more than life itself and they cared so much about the other. That’s what kept her going.

She had been so focused on getting the pictures out of the broken frames that she hadn’t even heard someone walk in. Her gaze was glued to the picture in her hands, but she was forced to tear it away when she felt someone sit down beside her. She wasn’t surprised to see that it was her fiance.

“Hey,” he muttered with an awkward smile.

“Hey,” she whispered, not really knowing what else to say. She watched his eyes flicker down to the picture, and his shoulders slumped a bit.

“Dani told me what you hallucinated,” she informed him softly. “You don’t have to explain if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I’m not worried about that,” he responded immediately. “I’m worried that I scared you off, and this is your goodbye to me.” He gestured to the picture. Elena’s eyes widened and she glanced at the picture before looking at him again.

“Malcolm, I’m not leaving you,” she said. “The picture frames were broken so I was taking them out. I would never do something like that, you know that. I’ve helped you through all sorts of violent nightmares, you really think that a drug induced hallucination is enough to get rid of me?” The man looked relieved by her words and he let out a breath neither of them were aware that he was holding.

“Well, Dani told me that I scared you to the point of you calling Gil for help,” he muttered, shrugging.

“I did,” she responded simply, which made him look down. “But there was a reason for that. Nightmares are easy to wake you up from, hallucinations from drugs is a completely different thing, one that I’m not used to dealing with. You need to be sober before the violence stops, and I needed help with that. But I’m not afraid of you because you are not your dad, no matter what your mind may force you to think.” Malcolm looked like he was ready to cry when she finished, and without warning pulled her into a hug. She wasn’t surprised, and instead returned the hug.

“I love you,” he muttered quietly.

“I love you too Malcolm,” she answered without hesitation, and she felt him grin against her shoulder before pulling away.

“You hungry? I can help you make dinner now,” he offered, which made her smile brightly and nod.

“Let’s do it,” she said, standing and heading to the kitchen. Malcolm watched her for a moment before following her happily.

#prodigal son #prodigal son imagine #malcolm bright #malcolm bright imagine #malcolm bright x oc

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