#our job is to find the truth… • make me choose

[schrodingerspsycho]

Another Shot - Chapter 2

Pairing - Sam Carpenter x Reader

Warnings - Mentions of alcohol, addiction, weed

Word Count - 5.1k

Summary - (Some of) the truth comes out. Tensions rise between you and Sam.

Chapter 1

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You couldn’t sleep. Of course, you couldn’t. Sam Carpenter was in New York City.

All the memories you’d tried so hard to repress had come flooding back in full force, washing over you like a tidal wave. It hurt more than you would’ve imagined. And that fucking look in her eyes. As if she had any right to be angry with you. It made your blood boil. God, you wished you could hate her.

But you couldn’t. Yes, the memories were bitter, but they were still oh-so-sweet. You wanted nothing more than to crawl back to that better time when she was by your side and you were happy, uncaring of how the broken glass cut your hands and knees along the way. Then you remembered that fucking face, and you knew you couldn’t do that either.

You groaned and rubbed your eyes, which still ached from crying, and rolled over to stare at the clock. It was four in the morning. You wanted a drink. How ironic, Sam made you want to drink.

Instead, you opted for the one vice you still allowed yourself; weed. You stepped onto the balcony as you lit up, pulling your blanket tight around your shoulders. Just a few hits to help you sleep, you told yourself. The high would pass before your shift started. And just this once, you let that be a lie.

Luckily, you had an afternoon shift, and the weed was completely out of your system by the time you clocked in. Not that anyone would have cared, you wouldn’t be the first person to show up to work high. But you didn’t want to risk it. You couldn’t lose this job. So you made an effort to push Sam far from your mind and man the counter with a smile on your face. And it would’ve worked too, if it weren’t for her meddling little sister.

“Hey, Tara!” you smiled when she walked in. She waved back, clearly distracted. You took no notice, turning back to the lobby to go about your business. But Tara stepped out in front of you, blocking your path and nearly making you drop the menus you were carrying. “Shit! What the hell, dude? Don’t sneak up on me like that!” you cried.

“I want to know what happened,” she said, ignoring you. “Sam wouldn’t tell me.”

You stared at her. “Are you serious? I told you to drop it.”

“You didn’t really think that was going to stop me, did you?”

You sighed. Maybe it was the sleep deprivation, or maybe you were secretly dying to unload all the memories clogging your brain. And talking about your feelings was supposed to help, right? “If I tell you, you can never bring this up again, got it?”

“Got it.” She crossed her finger over her heart, excitement shining in her eyes. You hoped she wouldn’t regret asking for the truth.

“If you can get Jay to give us our breaks at the same time, I’ll tell you then.”

Tara nodded and rushed off to find your manager, finally leaving you in peace. Maybe after this, you would finally be able to put it all behind you. And if Sam didn’t want Tara to know… then perhaps you could relive it after all. Sure, it was petty. But after everything she’d put you through, you deserved to be a little petty.

Jay must’ve been in a good mood because he granted Tara’s request. She didn’t mention her sister again for the first half of the shift, choosing instead to gush about how Chad had surprised her by taking her out for breakfast that morning. You listened eagerly, glad to finally put a face to the name you’d heard so many times.

“He’s going to come in to have lunch with me tomorrow,” she smiled. “Are you working the morning shift? I want you to actually meet him. I think you’d get along.”

“Yeah, I’m working a double tomorrow. I look forward to it.”

“Yay!” she exclaimed, and you grinned back at her. She’d only been working at the diner for two weeks, and she’d already become one of your best friends. You hadn’t grown so close with someone so quickly since… well, you knew where she got her charm.

Your break time seemed to arrive faster than ever, and you steeled yourself for your unorthodox therapy session as you made your sandwich. Tara was watching you like a hawk as if she expected you to run away.

“You sure you wanna do this?” you asked her. “Last chance to change your mind.”

“You have to know that only makes me more desperate to hear this story.”

“Fine,” you sighed. You led her into the break room and shut the door, making sure no one would overhear. She gazed up at you, her eyes wide and serious now as you sat next to her on the couch.

“Take your time,” she said softly. You nodded in appreciation, and with a deep, shuddering breath, you began.

“We met through a Facebook group four years ago. It was for young people in Modesto who were trying to get sober. Like a support group, but without the stuffiness of AA.”

“Wait, when you say sober, you mean-”

“Alcoholics,” you nodded, a grim look on your face. “Some people were addicted to other things too, and we did what we could to help. Mostly cigarettes, like your sister. She’d weaned herself off the harder drugs by that point, thankfully. We would have meetings in coffee shops and cafes, and sometimes people would host at their apartments during the week. Then we would all go out to clubs or parties together on the weekend.”

Tara stared at you, bewildered. “What? How is that helpful?”

“It wasn’t. The idea was that we would do all our drinking in one night and stay sober the rest of the week, but there weren’t any professionals involved. Most people at least thought they wanted to get sober, but we all wanted to drink more. It was still better than getting hammered every night, but not by too much.” You swallowed, and your hands started fidgeting; one of your nervous habits. You hadn’t spoken this much about your alcohol problems in a long time. “Anyway, that’s how we met. I don’t remember which one of us joined the group first, it’s been such a long time. I mean, your sister was still using a fake ID to get booze back then!” You chuckled at the memory. “But we became friends pretty quickly. Then we realized our apartments were only a neighborhood away from each other, so we started going to meetings together. And after about a year of being friends, we started- well…”

“You started dating?”

You let out a hollow laugh. “God, no. She never would’ve made a commitment like that. She was kind of infamous for it, actually.” You took a swig of your soda, hoping to dowse the heat you felt rising in your cheeks. “But we were probably the closest thing to it. We were together just about every other night, we knew each other better than anyone, she knew I wasn’t seeing anyone else and after a while, she stopped seeing other people too. Pretty much all we would’ve had to do was say the words. But that was the problem. She never wanted to talk about anything real. Her past, her feelings, our relationship, nothing. I knew who she was, but I didn’t know anything about her. And believe me, when you drink with someone for that long, you get to know them really well. She knew how I felt about her, how much I cared for her, and she just wouldn’t reciprocate. But I told myself that being with her was enough. And maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. I don’t even remember.”

“Then what happened?” Tara asked, her voice small.

“About a year into us being… whatever we were, there was… an incident. We went out together, without the group, to a house party. That I invited her to. And we were having fun, y’know, drinking, dancing, just having a grand ol’ time. Then she asked me to go to the bar to get her another shot.” You ran your hand through your hair to try to quell the agitation bristling in your chest. “It took me two minutes to push through the crowd, get the drinks, and come back. Two minutes. But when I came back, she was… she was…” Angry tears welled up in your eyes, and you turned away from Tara. You hated that it still had such a hold on you, even after all this time.

Tara laid a shaking hand on your back and you let out a strangled sob. Why was this so fucking hard? You felt like you were back there, the pounding of your heart drowning out the loud music, your vision blurring, the taste of vodka burning your throat, and the feel of your stomach dropping down to hell.

“She was making out with someone else,” you croaked. Tara’s hand stilled, and from the corner of your eye, you saw her mouth open in a silent gasp. “It was some- some guy. Just a random, boring-ass guy. She didn’t even know his name. And when I asked her what the hell she was doing, she laughed. Like it was all just some big fucking joke.” Your fists were clenched, and you could feel your fingernails digging into your palms. Then the tears finally began to fall. “She told me we were nothing. That I meant nothing.”

“I… I’m so sorry, Y/N,” Tara breathed. You leaned back against the couch and wiped your eyes, chuckling in spite of yourself.

“We were both drunk and angry, so what happened next is kind of a blur. But we started shouting at each other, and I think I was crying. I don’t know. Then she slapped the drink out of my hand and spat in my face.”

“She what?” Tara uttered, appalled. You laughed again. It was a sinister sound, but Tara didn’t seem to notice and you couldn’t bring yourself to care.

“That was actually the most normal thing she did that night,” you said, to Tara’s growing horror. “She’s an aggressive drunk, and it was far from the first time she’d spat at me. But she’d never done it as an insult before.”

“That’s disgusting,” Tara said. You finally turned to look at her.

“I want you to know, I’m not trying to make you think badly of your sister or anything. I think it’s great that you’re talking again, and I would never do anything to hurt your relationship. I’m just telling you my side of the story.”

“I know,” Tara assured you. “Thank you.”

You shook your head. “I’m not even upset that she didn’t feel the same way. I just wanted her to be happy, and we weren’t even together. But she just had to let me down in the cruelest way possible. She knew how much she was hurting me, and she did it anyway. With a smile on her face.”

“That’s fucking bullshit,” Tara grumbled, and you gave her a brief smile. “So what happened after that?”

“Well, I went home, and the next day I found out she had blocked me on everything. She even left the Facebook group. And the next thing I know, I hear she’s calling this guy her boyfriend and switched to a new shitty, minimum-wage job so she could work with him. She led me on for a whole year, then committed to him in one night. I lost my partner and my best friend at the same time. In two fucking minutes.”

You sat in silence for several moments, the conversation weighing heavily on both of you. When Tara finally spoke, her voice was thick with emotion.

“Thank you for telling me all of this. I know it wasn’t easy for you to relive it. I’m sorry she did that to you, and I’m sorry that I’ve brought it all back-”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” you insisted. “She’s your sister, and you can’t help that I have a history with her. What happened with us- whatever happens with us- none of it is your fault.” She nodded, but the look in her eyes told you she didn’t believe it. “She told me about you, y’know.”

“She did?”

“Oh, yeah. I could never get her to talk about herself, but if you got enough alcohol in her, she wouldn’t shut up about her baby sister.” You grinned at Tara, and she smiled back. “You’re exactly the way she described you.”

“I’m gonna assume that’s a compliment,” she chuckled. Then her expression turned serious. “I really am sorry that she did that to you, Y/N. It’s… it’s horrible. But I can promise you, Sam’s changed. She’s sober now, and she’s reliable. She’s done so much work to be a better person. She would never do something like that now.”

You gave Tara a sad smile. “I’m happy to hear that, I really am. But I’m going to need her to prove that to me herself.”

“C’mon, Mindy, let’s go.”

“Can’t we just stay in our rooms? We won’t interrupt-”

“No.”

“She said she’d tell us later, let’s just give them some space.”

“Fine.”

Sam put down her book. The twins had been quietly doing their homework on the couch for the last hour, giving her a much-needed respite after the back-to-back six-hour shifts she’d worked at her two jobs today. But now their hushed voices roused her, drawing her from her room in time to see Tara ushering them out the door. “Hey, how was work?” she asked nervously. She didn’t like the serious look on Tara’s face.

“It was fine,” she said with a sigh. “We need to talk, Sam.”

Sam felt her heart rate spike, and her mouth went dry as her palms started to sweat. Truthfully, hearing those words from Tara was more terrifying than the five Ghostfaces she’d faced. She nodded numbly and took a seat at the kitchen table, following Tara’s lead.

“Y/N told me what happened between you two,” Tara began, and Sam’s breath hitched. She knew she should’ve expected this, but it caught her off guard all the same. “I don’t believe they would lie to me, but I have to ask… did you really cheat on them? After leading them on for a year?”

“Yes. I did.” Sam felt like crying. Having you as a reminder of her mistakes was bad enough, but now Tara was judging her too. She wanted to beg you both for forgiveness, but she knew she didn’t deserve it.

“Jesus, Sam,” Tara groaned, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “That’s really shitty. Do you know how broken up Y/N still is about it?”

“I know. I’m so sorry, I-”

“I’m not mad at you, Sam.”

“You’re… you’re not?”

“No,” Tara said with a small smile. “I’ve forgiven you for worse. And I know you’ve changed. We don’t need to talk about what happened.”

“Then what do you want to talk about?”

Tara grinned. “Do you still love them?”

“What?” Sam stared at her, shocked. “Who-who said anything about love?”

“Okay, fine. Do you still like them?” she corrected, rolling her eyes.

Sam gaped at her as her cheeks started to burn. “It doesn’t matter how I feel. Y/N doesn’t want anything to do with me, and I need to respect that.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“Did you see how they looked at me?” she deflected, beginning to sound choked up. “They hate me. And they have every right to.”

“They don’t hate you, Sam,” Tara said kindly, placing a comforting hand over her own. “Trust me. Yes, they’re hurt. Really hurt. But they wouldn’t be if they had moved on.”

“Or if I hadn’t cheated on them and treated them like shit,” Sam mumbled. She leaned against the table and put her head in her hand. Just like mom.

“I think you were wrong,” Tara said, ignoring her. “There is something you can do about it now.”

“Oh yeah, and what’s that?”

“You can apologize!” she smiled.

“You don’t really think it’s that simple, do you?” Sam scoffed. “Apologizing doesn’t just make things go away, Tara. Not something like this. It won’t mean anything.”

“Yes, it will,” she said softly. “It’ll show them that you’ve changed and that you know it was wrong to cheat on them. It’ll let them know that you’ll be a better person if you start talking again. I mean, sure, it’s not gonna fix everything right away, but it would be a start.”

Sam shook her head. “That’s not enough. It wouldn’t be enough.”

Tara sighed. “Will you at least answer my question?”

“What question?”

“Do you still have feelings for Y/N?”

Sam stood up abruptly and turned away from Tara. She ran her hands through her hair and took a deep breath. “Where did you send the twins off to?”

“Seriously, Sam? Are you really just going to ignore me?”

“I was thinking I could make spaghetti for dinner, does that sound good?”

Tara glared at her incredulously. “You are unbelievable,” she said, standing up and stomping toward her room. She slammed the door, and Sam stared at it for a long moment. Despite everything, Tara was an optimist, and Sam admired her for it. But two little words wouldn’t mean anything in the face of what she’d done to you. No matter how much she wished it could.

After telling Tara the truth, the rest of your shift had felt awkward, with both of you staying uncharacteristically silent when you weren’t talking to customers. But luckily, everything was back to normal the next morning. You had teased her for being a few minutes late, she teased you for always arriving early, and you passed the time by joking around like you always did. She once again asked Jay if you could take your breaks together, and he once again obliged.

“Dang, he must really like you,” you smiled at her. “He never would’ve said yes if I asked him.”

She shrugged. “I’m very likable.”

“Yeah, you are. Little manager’s pet.”

“Maybe I’ll ask him not to give you a break at all.”

“What, am I suddenly not good enough to meet your boyfriend?”

“No, I’m excited for you to meet him,” she grinned. “He’s excited to meet you, too.”

“Then it sounds like we’re all excited. It’s going to be a very exciting lunch break.”

“Oh, shut up,” she said, nudging you playfully as she went to make another pot of coffee. Usually, it was all the customers ordered at this time of day, which made the morning shifts more bearable. You were able to hang out and talk with each other while they finished their nearly forgotten homework and nursed their hangovers, frying up some eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns every now and then. It made the time fly, and soon Jay was calling you and Tara to go on break.

Chad arrived just as you finished making your food, announced by Tara’s squeal of delight. She ran to him and leapt into his arms, and he spun her around gleefully. The few customers in the lobby didn’t even look up from their phones.

“Y/N, get over here! I want you to actually meet Chad!” Tara called, beckoning you with her hand. You smiled and headed over, your tray of food in hand.

“Shouldn’t you let him order first?”

“No, it’s fine. He doesn’t need to eat,” she smirked. He gave her a look of feigned offense.

“Excuse you, I’m very hungry. I ate a very light breakfast so I would have room for an amazing lunch made by my beautiful girlfriend.”

“I’m not gonna make your food, I’m on break,” she said, turning to face him. “That was really stupid of you to not eat.”

“Well, then what did I come here for?”

“I don’t know, you tell me.”

“You’re breaking my heart, you know that, Tara? You’re breaking your boyfriend’s heart.”

“Oh, please, you eat enough of my cooking at home,” she grinned, leaning in closer.

“Anyway, I’m Chad! It’s nice to meet you,” he smiled, looking up quickly when he remembered you were there. Tara blushed.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” you chuckled. “I’m Y/N. Tara’s told me a lot about you.”

“All good things, I hope?”

“Mostly.”

He grinned. “Well, I’m going to go order some food made by a stranger, and then I’ll join you.”

Tara stuck her tongue out at him as he left, and you followed her to the table where she had set her food. “Sorry about that,” she said sheepishly as you sat down.

“Don’t worry about it. You two are adorable.”

“Thanks,” she smiled.

After a few moments of eating in silence, Chad joined you once again. “Alright, where were we?” he asked, sliding into the booth next to Tara. You looked at his tray and smirked at her. He’d ordered exactly what she’d said he would.

“You were about to tell me about yourself,” you prompted. He smiled.

“Well, I’m Tara’s amazing boyfriend who’s known her since we were five, I’m studying sports medicine at Blackmore, I was the offensive lineman on my high school football team, Mindy is my twin sister, and my favorite Pokémon is Meganium. What else do you want to know?”

You laughed and Tara raised an eyebrow at him. “Well, that’s certainly an introduction,” you remarked.

“What? Those are important things to know about me!”

“They sure are, babe. You’re doing great,” Tara said, patting his arm.

“And you said you go to NYU, right? What are you studying?” he asked.

“Oh, I don’t start until next year, but I’m going to study photography. I actually can’t wait to start classes, I’ve been saving up for it for years.”

“That’s really cool! What kind of photography do you do?”

“I want to study different kinds, but I love taking pictures of little moments in regular life. Like the little things that no one notices, the things that tell stories. Candid photography, I guess.”

“That sounds really interesting! I’d love to see some of your photos sometime.”

“Thanks! Yeah, Tara’s been wanting me to show her my portfolio.”

“And yet you keep denying me!” she accused.

“I’ve told you, they don’t look good on my tiny phone screen!” you replied. “I can’t exactly bring my laptop to work, can I?”

“I’m sure we can figure out a time when we can all see your amazing pictures,” Chad said, putting his arm around Tara.

“Yeah, maybe,” you mumbled, blushing a little at the praise. “It’s cool that you were able to go to the same college. And your sister, too. That must be really fun for you guys.”

“Yeah, we’re really lucky we found a place that has a good sports medicine program for me, a poli-sci program for Tara, and a film program for Mindy. Although, we probably would’ve gone to the same school no matter what. It’s important that we stick together. After all, we can’t split up-”

“Do not say it,” Tara scolded him.

“-the Core Four!”

Tara punched him in the chest and he swooped down to kiss her cheek.

“What is the Core Four?” you asked.

“Me, Tara, Mindy, and Sam! It’s what we call our little squad.”

“It’s what you call us,” Tara retorted. “He comes up with these stupid nicknames and doesn’t listen to us when we tell him they’re terrible.”

“Oh, c’mon, you secretly love my nicknames. Don’t you, Taradactyl?”

She looked appalled. “Yeah, that’s an immediate no.”

“But I thought you liked that one!”

“I absolutely do not. Get away from me.”

“Whatever. You like Core Four. You’ve said it.”

“I have not!”

“Yes you did, Sam told me,” he said smugly.

“Lies and slander.”

He stole one of her fries and she tried to shove him out of the booth, a goofy grin on her face. You couldn’t help but chuckle at their antics.

“You two are very entertaining,” you commented.

“Are you making fun of us?” Tara demanded, still grinning.

You put your hands up in surrender. “Not at all. Having a similar sense of humor is important in a relationship. You two seem perfect for each other.”

“Why, thank you, Y/N. I’m glad someone thinks so,” Chad said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“If you thought we were perfect for each other, then you would support my nicknames.”

“Oh, shut up,” she groaned, leaning back against him. He kissed the top of her head before turning back to you.

“Speaking of relationships, are you seeing anyone?”

“Nope,” you smiled. “I only moved here a couple of months ago, so I haven’t really had time to meet anybody.”

“Then we need to get on that!” he exclaimed. “We don’t want you to be lonely! I’m pretty sure we know someone your age who you’d get along with. What are you, twenty-four?”

You raised an eyebrow at him. “I’m twenty-five, and it’s rude to ask.”

“You’re absolutely right, it is rude. I’m sorry. But you know what, Tara’s sister is right around your age, and she’s single too! Her name is Sam, she’s the absolute coolest, and- hey, didn’t you say you knew her already?”

You shot Tara a look of disbelief, but she avoided your gaze. “I do know her. I was just talking to Tara about her yesterday. And you know what, I just remembered that Sam once showed me some of her baby pictures.”

“Wait, what?”

“Yeah, she wouldn’t stop talking about you,” you said pointedly. “It’s all coming back to me now. Little baby Tara… in the bathtub…”

“Okay, okay! We’ll stop talking about Sam!” Tara cried, her face bright red. You smirked at her.

Shouldn’t have broken your promise, you thought. At least she had the decency to look guilty.

The conversation carried on normally after that, with you and Chad discussing your favorite action movies and comic books. Tara was right, you did get along well. As it turned out, he had already seen the movie you were looking forward to seeing this weekend on your rare Saturday off. Tara had to quiet him before he accidentally spoiled it in his excitement, but he gave it a rave review. It was enough to distract you from the fact that Sam was apparently single again, at least for a little while. And when Jay called you back to work and you bid your goodbyes to Chad, you decided that it had indeed been a very exciting lunch break.

Sam found herself spending her Saturday off at the movies. She hadn’t been to a theater in months for obvious reasons, but Tara knew she wanted to see the new comedy that came out this weekend and convinced her to go. She was anxious like she always was when she was out in public, but she was glad to be spending some quality time with her sister. Saturday matinees used to be their thing, and Tara still bounced on her heels while she waited for her popcorn like she did when she was little.

But something seemed off with her as they walked toward the theater. She kept glancing behind her as if she was looking for something. But before Sam could ask her what was wrong, Tara spun around and slammed into her.

“I think the popcorn needs more- fuck!”

Sam looked down to see the front of her hoodie covered in Tara’s soda.

“Oh, shit! I’m so sorry, Sam!”

“It’s okay,” she sighed. “It was an accident, I’ll be fine. At least it didn’t get on my jeans.”

“Here, I’ll take the popcorn and save our seats. You go get some napkins and clean yourself up,” she said, gazing up at her apologetically. Sam nodded and handed her the bucket.

She pulled the sticky hoodie over her head as she walked, thankful that she had worn a tank top underneath it. And the theater still had the heat on despite the warming weather outside, so she wouldn’t be cold. It was still shaping up to be a pretty good day.

But before she could reach for the napkins, a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” you said as you looked up from your freshly buttered popcorn.

“Y/N.”

“Sam.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to see a fucking movie, obviously,” you hissed. Sam rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“I should’ve known,” she mumbled, her gaze drifting to where Tara was spying on you from around the corner. Your eyes widened in realization.

“Dammit! That sneaky little- I never should’ve told her my weekend plans.”

“What the fuck did you just say about my sister?”

“Oh, you know damn well this isn’t about Tara! This is about us, and what you did- oh my god!” You had finally turned to look at her, and your eyes immediately went to her arms. Not because her biceps were even more muscular than you remembered, but because of the long, raised scars on her right shoulder and collarbone. Any anger you had been feeling dissipated, replaced with worry and a deep-seated need to protect. “What happened?” you asked softly, instinctively reaching out to comfort her. She flinched back, her eyes startled and scared, and you lowered your arm. She stayed silent, just standing frozen and staring at you like a lost puppy. It made your heart melt, just like it always did. “Sam, are you okay?”

“It’s none of your fucking business,” she snapped after a beat, her expression hardening back into the look of contempt you were starting to get used to. You glared right back at her.

“Fine. I don’t even know why I care,” you snarled. Her scowl faltered, but you just scoffed in disbelief and stomped away. That devilish woman may still have a cruel grip on your heart, but you wouldn’t let her see it.

“Hey, Y/N, I didn’t expect to see you here! How are you?” Tara called, running up to you. But you kept walking, your only response a look of disapproval and hurt.

“What the hell was that?” you heard her demand from Sam. “Why won’t you just apologize to them?”

“I told you, I can’t do that.”

Your vision blurred as you stepped out of earshot, her words hammering the final nail into the coffin of something that died long ago. You knew Tara meant well, but she’d taken it too far. You tried to focus on the movie as you entered the dark theater, but you knew no amount of explosions could save your ruined day.

All because of two minutes with Sam fucking Carpenter.

Taglist: @smut-religiously777

#sam carpenter x reader #sam carpenter #scream #enemies to lovers #scream fanfic #fanfic #another shot

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Your Yearly Free Medical Care Checklist

Dafuq Is a Retirement Plan and Why Do You Need One?

How to Save for Retirement When You Make Less Than $30,000 a Year

Season 2, Episode 6: “Someone Offered to Mentor Me! How Do I Be a Non-Sucky Mentee?”

Navigating the workplace:

My Secret Weapon for Preparing for Awkward Boss Confrontations

Are You Working on the Next Fyre Festival?: Identifying a Toxic Workplace

Woke at Work: How to Inject Your Values into Your Boring, Lame-Ass Job

Can Looking Weird at Work Be Good for Your Career?

Why Is Short Hair Controversial? An Examination of Expensive, Annoying Beauty Standards

Season 1, Episode 1: “Should I Tell My Boss I’m Looking for Another Job?”

You WILL Regret Accepting Your Coworker’s Social Media Friend Request

Season 1, Episode 5: “I Don’t Love My Job, but It Pays Well. Should I Quit—or Tough It Out?”

Season 2, Episode 7: “How Do I Throw My Incompetent Coworkers under the Bus?”

Sexual Harassment: How to Identify and Fight It in the Workplace

Getting a raise:

Salary Range: Are You Asking for Enough?

A Millennial’s Guide to Growing Your Salary

The First Time I Asked for a Raise

You Need to Ask for a Fucking Raise

Should You Increase Your Salary or Decrease Your Spending?

Getting a promotion:

Santa Isn’t Coming and Neither Is Your Promotion: How To Get Promoted

How I Chessmastered Myself Into a Promotion at Work

Job Hopping vs. Career Loyalty by the Numbers

The Fascinating Results of Our Job Hopping vs. Career Loyalty Poll

I Hate My Job and I Don’t Know How To Leave It: A Confession

A New Job, a New Day, a New Life, and I’m Feeling Good

Season 1, Episode 9: “I’ve Given up on My Dream Career. Where Do I Go From Here?”

Working remotely

How to Successfully Work from Home Without Losing Your Goddamn Mind (Or Your Job)

How to Find Remote Work: On Getting the Elusive Work-From-Home Job

8 Genres of Productivity Music (Plus Our Secret Stash of Personal Favorites)

My 25 Secrets to Successfully Working from Home with ADHD

#resume #cover letter #job search #job hunt #getting a job #get a job #career advice #job search advice #job #freelancing

[jessicaslittlelovesickmess]

And then she was gone

Pairing: Rebbeca Welton x reader

Warning: Angst, mentions of smut

You loved Rebecca aggressively as if your lungs should collapse without her and you thought that maybe she felt the same, how tantalising. It had been blissful the first three years minus the interference of her ex-husband but you worked around him- worked around everything.

Still, it never seemed enough, you simply never felt enough not when Rebecca's attention remained elsewhere you understood her job was demanding. Though blatantly there were times she simply ignored you, and found reasons to be in the office or out of the house.

It was okay at first, nothing big until people began noticing it too how miserable you had become and how quiet you were, things had changed. Today was your anniversary. You were scared shitless would she even attend? you wondered as you shimmied into a beautiful green gown matching Rebecca's eyes.

Getting ready for the night only filled you with more anxiety than excitement while you did your makeup, your hands slowly growing clammy and starting to tremble. You had made up your mind either this relationship was fixed or you had to leave it was only fair, you didn't want anything from the blonde.

The truth was you had been offered a new job and only needed one reason to decline, one reason to stay, one reason and that was the blonde you loved so furiously.

Rebecca loved you there was no doubt about it she just wasn't sure if she was still in love with you, she was always afraid you would leave and break her heart just as Rupert had. She sighed closing her laptop, she was tired and wished to go home hoping to catch a glimpse of you dancing in the kitchen or reading on the sofa.

She found that she loved routine, you had built a routine that took years to create, a solo symphony just for her eyes after a long day where she could hold you in her arms. Maybe she was still in love with you to an extent but what is a relationship if it's only one-sided, sex was scarce so was affection until the day's end.

You drove silently to the restaurant and waited for the woman to arrive, your eyes roamed around the crowds hoping to catch a glimpse of her blonde hair as you sipped your water. However, Rebecca was shocked to see an empty house, it was strange for you to be out unless you had plans. you would've told her right?

The young waitress dropped you off a glass of wine with a sad smile you had been there for an hour and counting it was clear you had been stood up. With a sigh, you chugged back the glass before leaving a generous tip this was it you decided six years for this? you felt stupid no matter how beautiful you looked.

Rebecca rested in bed alone with a book in hand, glasses perched on her nose the lamp on her bedside casting a smooth shadow across the dark room as you entered the home kicking off your heels with a huff. Your makeup had begun to smudge as you ventured upstairs tears staining your face afraid to look her in the eye "You're out late" she spoke turning the page.

You laugh but nothing humorous "What's so funny?' she asked taking off her reading glasses "You really don't know?" a subtle anger simmered in your chest "No Y/n I don't know". Rebecca scoffed "It's our anniversary" you whispered gazing up at her watching how her facials had changed "oh" her eyes flickered with sadness.

"I'm sorry Y/n, I forgot but I will make it up to you" she promised but you shook your head "I can't do this anymore Rebs" you cried, the walls you built had crumbled into nothing. "I'm nothing but nausea, nothing but reverie, nothing but longing" you spoke with disgust as you stared at your hands "I love you but you make me so sad".

Rebecca had believed everything was fine and that nothing had changed no, she loved you, and she was terrified you would leave "I love you too Y/n/n" she smiled tear-eyed. "And I'd choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I'd find you and I'd choose you"

"Do you truly love me or are you scared to be alone?" doe eyes stare at her silencing "Because I feel nothing but alone" You shook your head as you began to change clothes.

"W-we can fix this though surely?" she asked wide-eyed "Rebeca it's been years in the making, we're not growing younger" The blonde quickly got up reaching for your zipper. "Please Y/n/n. let me fix this" she cried pressing kisses to your bare shoulder her arms wrapping around your waist "You said it, we're not getting younger".

The light from the lamp flickered highlighting your shadow "And what if I'm only wasting my time?" you asked turning in her arms "You won't" she pleaded "but I might". Resting your forehead against her own "And I'm that I'm losing time" she sighed "So let me go" You looked into her gentle green eyes.

"One night?"

"One night and I'll be gone by morning"

One night of burning passion as Rebecca stored your body in memory, her words failed so she hoped her actions this night would count silently as you brought you to greater heights. "I love you" whispered along your skin in kisses, in pleas of don't leave, she was everywhere so suddenly it was intoxicating. Rebecca refused to sleep that night afraid she might miss you leaving, she knew there wasn't changing your mind she had already dealt her damage, a speech on her lips.

When you awoke she sat with a hand playing in your hair with a sad smile "Where will you go little dove?' she whispered "Sicily, I accepted a job offer there last night on my drive home" She pressed a kiss to your hairline and letting you get up. "So this is it? this is for real?" Rebecca swallowed harshly "I guess so" you sighed beginning to pack your things "But must you leave so soon?" she rested a hand on your arm. "I held off this offer for three weeks, I need to leave tonight" You bit your lip gazing off, Rebecca nodded "You will find me when you return, even if you're a thousand years late" she promised, she begged, she hoped and wished.

#imagine #wlw #rebecca welton x reader #rebecca welton #ted lasso #hannah waddingham #hannah waddingham x reader #angst #sad lesbians

[shiftinglea]

Life is meaningless

You know, when something unfavorable happens, and you might look for the meaning of it all? Maybe it happened for a reason? Maybe it was a sign?

But there is no meaning at all. In fact, all life is meaningless. Save for the meaning that YOU give it.

Life is neutral. And it’s our biggest gift from God. We were given the opportunity to give meaning to anything. To decide whatever this or that means. It’s the act of self-creation and the creation of your reality.

You decide what this situation means and who you are in relation to this situation.

When something happens to you, don’t ask yourself why it’s happening. Decide why it’s happening. Choose the meaning. Make it all up, and it will be true.

Lost a job? Cool! It means I’m going to find a better one.

Got dumped by someone? Good riddance. A better match is waiting for me.

Somebody looked at you funny? They are just admiring your beauty.

Just make it all up as you go. You are all doing it anyway, but mostly it’s happening unconsciously. Now do it consciously. Choose the meaning that suits you. That excites you.

Remember these simple truths:

1. Your world is one big illusion.

2. The meaning of everything is the meaning you give it.

3. You are who You say You are and your experience is what you say it is.

#loa tumblr #loassumption #void state #loa blog #neville goddard

[verosvault]

🚨SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 8 OF BURROW'S END!!!🚨

Dimension20 "Burrow's End"

Episode 8

Timestamp: 15:11

Video Length: 4min. & 52sec.

I can't fully explain how powerful this scene is to me. One thing I love about Dimension20 is the fact that they're never afraid to roleplay the hard situations and the hard talks. It's-

I love how Tula has this hard conversation with her mom and she isn't afraid to tell her mom that she has an obsession with power and control. Ava really seems like she's at a loss for words, and it's understandable, because she's being called out on it....and it's hard. It's because Ava feels so much guilt and shame for losing Ken. The same feeling that Tula probably feels for losing Geoffrey. Ava chooses to feel guilty and tries to forget what happened... while for Tula, her losing Geoffrey is a constant reminder to her that you have to always be careful because so many bad things can happen? It's like- ugh. I don't even know if what I said is right..but that's... that's how I feel and it's so strong.

I wish I could have a talk with my IRL mom like this. In a way that she can just understand and apologize. Which, Ava didn't apologize right away, she did it later on. But I don't even think my IRL mom has apologized to me for so much. She just guilt trips me and says that she failed to raise me...or whatever. And I'm like...if I could have a talk with my mom like Tula did with Ava, and my mom actually just sat there and tried to actually understand what I was saying, I really feel like my own relationship with my mother would grow. 🥲 It's crazy how they have these types of talks in a show like this!! It's SO REAL and they're just playing a game of D&D! It's insane!!

And like- Viola standing up for Tula! Ugh! It was SO NICE! I LOVE Viola and Tula's relationship SO MUCH! How Viola sees Tula as a role model for her own self! I'm- It's so amazing! Tula and Viola are definitely my faves this season! I just can't with them! Rashawn did such a GREAT JOB with this season and I want to see her in more seasons! She gets so involved and attached and I can't even explain how much I enjoyed her in this season!! 😭✋

Also, Lila trying to comfort Ava near the end because Lila felt a little bad for her. Ava was getting cornered, but...the reason Ava gives for thinking and feeling that way...it kind of makes sense? Even though it's not the best thing to say or even think about and put onto yourself mentally. About like, when something bad happens, just finding someone to put blame on or saying that you haven't done enough or telling your own kids that when they lose someone. That's so tough. It's not right. But I can see why someone would feel that way. It's like- always wishing you could've done more. Because if you did more, then things like that "won't happen". But the truth of the matter is that sometimes things are just out of our control...and we have to have an understanding of that. Sometimes there really just isn't anything that could've been done. :/ As sad as that is...that is basically what Thorn was describing to Ava. Sometimes, life just HAPPENS! And you can't do anything but stand and watch.

I love how this season is scary but is also able to explore these super interesting family themes! I love it so much! It's so relatable in multiple ways and it's insane because these are stoats! It shouldn't be this relatable but it really is! I love watching shows that involve strong family dynamics! (One of the many reasons why I also love "The Umbrella Academy"!)

Family is strong! And it's so cool to see a family grow mentally, emotionally, and physically! My relationship with my family isn't the best. But it's cool to see the people inside of a family trying to talk things out and improve their relationships with each other so that they can finally bond and become stronger! 🥺 The messages here are so strong and powerful and I don't even know how else to say it or explain it in words! 🥺🥺🥺 This has been such a strong, and heartfelt season! 😭✋❤️

#dimension 20 #dimension20 #blog #burrow's end #burrow's end episode 8 #burrow's end scene #dimension20 scene #tula #brennan lee mulligan #viola #rashawn nadine scott #ava #erika ishii #lila #izzy roland #thorn vale #jasper william cartwright #jaysohn #siobhan thompson

[deliciousangelfestival]

How To Deal With Satanic Relatives - Lloyd Hansen Series

Character: Lloyd Hansen x Rich!Female Reader

Summary: After discovering the truth about your parents, you became more ambitious to get back at your so-called relative. 

Warning: Tortured scenes, harsh language, 18+.

Words Count: 3,200,-

This is a series. Check out Part 1 and Part 2 , Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Extra Story

Series Masterlist.

Also, my MASTERLIST.

Author Notes: Part 3 finally arrived !!! Thank you for the incredible feedback from the previous post. 

And I didn't give names to her relatives. I used 1st uncle, 2nd uncle, 3rd aunt, etc. Cause our readers to have a big family tree. 

Don't be shy if you want to be tagged in the series and for the next part. 😄💕

Reblog, comments and any feedback are appreciated.

Any idea for the story will significantly help me get more inspiration. 

After knowing the truth about your parents' accidents, your mind went blank. You didn't hear when Lloyd or Jimmy called your name. 

You went to the garden near the fountain. Only the sound of water could calm you. 

You sat down on the side of the fountain. You looked up to the sky and sighed. 

To be honest, you don’t see your cousins as a threat.

Even now, it hurts you, knowing someone related to you by blood, desperately wanting you dead. 

From the outside, they made their image as philanthropy and a saint.

What’s the point of them going to church every Sunday if they want to kill their niece? 

Are they asking for forgiveness for sending assassins to kill their niece or praying to God to take away their life?

While you were alone, Jimmy and Lloyd looked at you from the second-floor terrace. 

From afar, Jimmy could feel your sadness; he sighed, "It hurts her. Deep down, she hoped they could change."

“Do you want to tell me why they gave me a deadline  to kill her before Wednesday at 1pm?"

Jimmy clicked his tongue. "Next week, there's an important meeting with the shareholders. If Y/N attends the meeting, her position will be secured."

“Didn’t her grandfather choose her?”

“Yes. But there’s a flaw. She only granted the name CEO. Her job is only as a spokesperson or the face of the company. She couldn’t make a decision or take part in a meeting.”

"The truth behind the former chairman's will is there's no free food. He wants Y/N to work hard to earn everyone's trust."

“That's why the meeting on Wednesday is critical. Y/N will present new projects that are worth around 500 billion dollars.”

Lloyd almost choked on his breath. 500 billion?! He starts to feel lucky to have you as his wife. 

"It's supposed to be a secret but her relatives found out and they want to steal the project from her. If she attends the meeting along with the presentation, her position as CEO is not just a name.”

Lloyd chuckled. "I have got to say her family is more complicated than any mission that I ever had.”

"Well, you’re part of it now. And you fit perfectly."

Lloyd was silent; he didn't deny it after signing the contract. He wondered what happened when a lunatic met with greedy people. 

Jimmy noticed Lloyd kept looking in your direction. "Go to her."

When he finds you, you look paralysed. You didn't even show any reaction when he sat beside you. 

There was a moment of silence until he heard you say, “I bet they are happy right now if I'm dead.”

"Hmm."

He doesn't want to tell you, but they are. Since you look like a corpse, he thinks it's too much for you to handle.

At the Tech room after you left.

When you were alone, Lloyd ordered the Tech team to hack your cousin's phone and listened to their conversation.

Your cousin is in France right now at a ski resort. Celebrating your death. 

"Finally, she's dead."

"Our prayer has been answered."

From the speaker, they sound joyful, laughing, and singing. 

One soldier couldn't believe there was a family like that. "Boss, from the satellite the snow is quite thick. If there's an avalanche, no one will suspects anything."

Another soldier said, "Our assets in France has a lot of TNT."

Lloyd smiled. "That will do. Bonus for you both."

*Sniffed* "My mother just donated money to the church cause she's too happy." *Sniffed*

Lloyd shot the speaker; he couldn't continue the conversation. 

"The one who snorted the cocaine just now is a police officer."

Lloyd smiled, "Anyone who got their deepest secrets will get a bonus this year."

"Yes, boss!!!"

Lloyd was surprised to see his employees become excited. "Wow, anyone became excited because of money."

'Like you don't?!'

“I thought maybe they would change because blood is thicker than water. But to my family, money is number one.”

Lloyd doesn't understand why he became sentimental when he saw you sad like this, perhaps because of his new title as your husband. You became his responsibility, and he wants to help you. 

He grabs your chins "You’re not alone. Did you forget you got yourself a husband? You didn’t have to endure it by yourself.” Lloyd was into his role as a husband and then laughed like a naughty child. 

The sad atmosphere faded away because of him. Your stress finally calmed down. 

You slipped a small laugh "Pfft."

"Something funny?"

You nodded. "Being encouraged by a contract killer like you is far more effective than talking to my psychiatrist."

Lloyd liked it when he heard your laugh. So this is what it looks like when you don't carry a burden. 

"Now that you look alive again, we need to go inside since we have a little time before Wednesday."

You walked out of the maze together; you didn't bother telling Lloyd to release his hand holding yours. 

"If we do this plan, your company name could be ruined"

"Well at least I still have a husband. He just made a deal worth 3 billion."

Lloyd smirked at your answers, "That's right, and he's willing to kill for her."

Yup. You choose a perfect man.

Wednesday 

At the L/N Office Headquarters 

Inside the conference room, every shareholder was busy discussing where Y/N was. Some of them prefer your relatives, and some of them are on your side. 

"Where is she? I called her phone and her secretary doesn't even know where she is."

"If the rumor were true, she died because of a car accident, her oldest uncle will replace her."

"If he becomes the CEO, I will sell my share."

"Everyone, the meeting will start in a minute. Please take a sit with your name on it."

After every guest was seated, two people stood from their chairs and walked up to the stage.

Both of them are the eldest child of the chairman. And the 2nd son, who became a priest after his business failed. 

Under the bright light, they could see 1st uncle and 2nd uncle looked like they were grieving. It seems like the rumour is true. Their niece Y/N got into an accident. 

1st Uncle stood at the podium, his face moving closer to the microphone. "I have to say thank you to anyone who attended the meeting. But I have sad news that I need to share."

He took a deep breath and said, "Our dear niece Y/N L/N got into an accident two days ago."

He grabs a handkerchief from his chest pocket to wipe his fake tears and hide his smile. 

Like his brother, 2nd uncle also clenches his fist to hold his laugh, and their sister, who sits, also acts their crocodile tears. 

People on your team couldn't accept the news because they trusted you. 

"That's a lie!!!"

1st uncle sighed. "I know it's hard to accept, but we must move on."

To silence the noisy guest, 1st uncle waved at his brother to speak in front of the microphone.

2nd uncle sighed. "It's unbearable, but I'm glad everyone here cares for our niece. Let's take a moment to pray for her."

Their strategy worked because everyone inside the room became quiet.

"Heavenly Father, we ask for your mercy and grace for Y/N’s soul as they begin their journey into eternity. Please bring them into your loving arms and grant them peace and rest. We also pray that those left behind will find comfort and hope in your presence and the promise of eternal life. 

At this moment, we also pray for my dear brother who will replace our niece as the company's new leader. Heavenly Father,-"

A sudden female voice interrupted his prayers. "I have decided to hand such a person over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, in order that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord." 

That voice made everyone shiver because they knew who the voice's owner was.

2nd uncle opened his eyes and looked at the door. Not just him but everyone was shocked looking at you standing and alive. 

"I'm not surprised anymore, you guys pray for my death."

"Y/N!!!"

Your 3rd aunty was quick and clapped her hands. "It's a miracle. The French police told us they couldn't find your body."

You didn't say anything to her and walked to the stage, making Benjamin, whose knees were weak, fall. 

You looked down at him with a mocking smile. "What is it, uncle? It felt like you see a ghost."

"All of you should go before you embarrass yourself."

1st uncle dragged his brother and left the conference room. Your aunties also followed him. 

Every guest was silent, but they knew what had happened in the family. 

You spoke through the microphone, "I'm sorry for being late. I will cut to the chase. Everyone may check their phones to read the proposal documents. The project is worth 500 billion dollars."

You did the presentation as short and straightforward. After you finished the slides, you were worried because it was just silence. But then you could hear them clap their hands. 

You bowed your head to hide your tears. Finally, after four years, you got the approval. 

After the successful meeting, you walked out of the company building. There's Lloyd, who's waiting in his black van. 

"Congrats, CEO Y/N."

You smiled and sat beside him. "Everything's ready?"

"They're waiting for you, sunshine."

When your relatives leave the conference room somewhere at the warehouse, Lloyd and his team kidnap them to an empty warehouse big enough for three aeroplanes.

“Where are we?” 3rd aunt woke up from her nap and saw her siblings tied to the chair. And there's a group of men with a gun standing behind them. 

“Remember the failed project that your son operated?” Your voice echoes inside the warehouse. 

“This is the land. It’s perfect for a satellite city but because of your son's stupidity… What a shame.”

Your relative turned their head and saw you walking with a man they'd never seen before. Except for your first uncle, he knew who it was. 

"Shit…we are fucked."

4th aunt asked, "Who is he?"

1st uncle whispered, "The guy that I hired to kill her." 

5th aunt screamed "Y/N you bitch!!! Let us go!!!"

'BANG'

"AARGH!! Why me? I didn't say anything." 6th aunt screamed because the bullet hit her leg. 

Lloyd put down the gun. "No one talks rudely to my wife."

"What?! You're married? With him? And without any ceremonies?" 3rd aunt was in disbelief. 

Lloyd was offended, but you spoke first. “I’m disgusted with your concern. FYI, I felt safer with him rather than with you. In your eyes, I’m just a fly that you wait to kill.”

7th aunt tried to be sweet towards you. “Y/N that I know won’t be this cruel.” She never talks to you with respect; this is the first time she's been nice.

You smiled and leaned down. “Aunty, that old Y/N is dead. And this Y/N is out of patience with all of you.”

1st uncle clicked his tongue. "So what now? You're going to kill us ?"

You looked at him for a minute and nodded.

"You ungrateful dog!!!"

'BANG!'

"Fuck!!!" 1st, uncle screamed because of the pain in the shoulder he had never felt before. 

"Once again, whoever disrespects my wife will get shot in the head."

You whispered thank you to Lloyd, which made him bow to you.

You sit on the chair facing your relatives. "Here's a thing about grandfather's will. He left me another note.

He wrote, "If Y/N  got the approval from shareholders, she's free to do whatever she wants like get rid of the rotten part of the company."

You raised a pointed finger to them. "Do you understand what he meant? The rotten part is you, my dear aunties and uncles."

Your relatives were hurt when they heard that, even after their father's death, he was able to hurt their feelings.

"Grandfather knew from the beginning that you did not fit in the company. He built this company with sweat, tears, and blood. All of you except my father did a terrible job.”

There was silence until the 7th aunt laughed like a maniac. She said, “Father blames mother for giving birth to stupid kids.”

“While his illegitimate child is the smartest one."

You didn't show any reaction, but inside, you were shocked. 

“You didn’t know, did you?”

No way, you didn’t know this fact.

You know your grandma always gave a side-eye towards you and your parents every time you visited.

You always wondered why she never invited you to her tea time. She asked all her grandchildren except you. 

You never spend time with your grandmother because you are always busy with the tutor. 

Your grandfather's house was big, but you felt suffocated. That's why you choose to study abroad. You felt free. 

After your grandmother died, you don't mind studying at Harvard. When she died, she didn't leave you anything. While others got jewellery, a plot of land, her yacht and her villas. 

You don't care cause your grandmother says hurtful things about your mother cause she's not from a wealthy family. 

So all of this is because they are jealous. 

“That’s why we hated you. If he gave you 5% of his fortune, we don’t mind. But you, who is not 100% related to us, got all his wealth?” He scoffed. “It’s not fair.”

“That’s why you killed my parents?”

"Your father acts like he doesn’t want to, but he accepts the offer. Your mother, I hated that smudged face when she found out she won.”

Your relatives were waiting for your reaction since you put your head down.

“Thank you for telling me.” 

You start to walk away from them. “Now I have no regrets about making your life miserable.”

1st uncle gritted his teeth, "Our children will get you, Y/N."

"Ah, do you want to know where your kids are?”

You snapped your fingers, and a few people appeared to set the projectors. 

The projectors show the news of an avalanche at the ski resorts.

Ten victims and still counting, and many people are digging in the snow to find other victims.

7th aunt had a cold sweat because she recognised the place. Her fears become a reality when she sees someone being pulled out from the snow.

“Alex?”

“Christopher?”

That’s when they knew their kids were buried under the snow. They screamed in agony. 

While you look unbothered, “They got into an accident. Just like my parents."

"Fucking bitch."

'BANG!'

Before you know who got shot, your eyes are covered with someone's hand. You knew who the owner was because his moustache tickled your neck.

"I think it's enough. You shouldn't see what happened next."

"But…"

"Shh…shhh… let your husband do the dirty work." He still covers your eyes with his hand and brings you to Jimmy. 

"Don't let her hear anything." Jimmy nodded and got you outside, far from the warehouse.

After Lloyd was sure, you had left. He snapped his fingers, and immediately his soldiers got into their positions. While others dragged the 7th aunt's body.

1st uncle wasn't ready to watch his youngest siblings get shot between her eyes.

"You crazy bastards. You're supposed to kill her, I already sent you the money."

"Ooh, that one." Lloyd opened a briefcase and showed them, "Here's the money, along with the penalty."

"Don't tell me,-"

Lloyd nodded. "Yup. You niece offered more money, and she's right. She's worth more than 40 million dollars."

"We could give you more money."

Lloyd shook his head and grabbed the screen tablets. "You have no more money. And it's nice to be the good guy for once. Usually I become the executioner."

He stands before the 1st uncle and reads the file, "You really don't give a shit with poor people do you? The collapsed factory and buried hundreds of workers?"

"It's not my fault."

"Yes, it was your sign who gave the permission to build with low quality material."

2nd uncle "You use the church money that supposed to widows and orphanage and gave it to your son who addicted to gambling."

3rd aunt "You stole the insurance money that was worth 1.5 billion dollars. And made a fake charity for breast cancer patients."

4th, 5th aunt "Wow, two of you made a fake investment, killed your in-laws and stole their assets."

6th aunt "And the last one, the most evil one. You tortured your maid because you thought she stole your pearl earring. Turns out, it was you who forgot. Always blame someone for your mistakes. And to make it worst, you and your two sons like to torture animals. Gosh, you guys are disgusting."

Lloyd shook his head. "Y/N were right, you are far worst than devil." His hand grab pincers from his pants pocket. 

Other soldiers also follow his suits. Each of them stands in front of the elders. 

Lloyd holds the 3rd aunt's fingers. She was scared, but screaming was useless because their mouths were taped. 

"I always hate long nails." 

He pulled one nail that made the 3rd aunt cry, "Mmrghh!!!" 

Lloyd looked at his soldiers. "Pull the nails slowly to make them remember the pain." 

"Yes boss!!!"

A few hours later, Lloyd came out from the warehouse. He wiped his hands from the blood. Then he walked to the black van and knocked on the window. 

The car door slid open, and Lloyd jumped to sit beside you. He saw you were busy typing, "What are you doing?"

"Decorated a retired home for them. Since prison can't hold them."

And here he was, worried, so he went to check on you. Lloyd was amazed that you are not affected knowing your half relatives were tortured. 

He shook his head with disbelief. "You're one in a billion Y/N."

"That's right."

Few days later, 

After the fiasco with your aunt and uncles, you had a peaceful day. You finally could go back to your own home. 

But Lloyd told you to buy a house together to make it more believable that both of you are husband and wife. 

You agreed since your old home is the most valuable thing because of the memories you had with your parents. 

Everything is going well. You also felt more comfortable with Lloyd.

Lloyd went to the company with you. Because of the contract, he needs to follow you everywhere you go. 

He is okay with it since he was curious about your work. 

But you hoped he would just stay at home or something like that. Because he won't stop whining. 

"Honey, I'm bored." Lloyd rests his body on the chair inside your office.

You didn't bother to look at him because you were busy signing some documents.

"I'll be done in a minute. After this we have to visit construction sites."

"Urrgh." Lloyd rolled his eyes and continued playing with his phone. 

You chuckled, seeing him being childish. Office life doesn't suit him.

"You are very welcome to help me."

He shook his head. "Do you have other relatives you want me to kill?"

"No."

He sighed, "I need more action, I don't want to be a house husband."

"Lloyd you are not,-"

"Y/N!!!"

Suddenly a man barged into your office and hugged you. Lloyd immediately stood in his position and held his gun.

But what he saw was the mystery guest hugging you.

"Excuse me wife, are you cheating on me?"

"What?! No…"

You were confused like him. Lloyd pushed the uninvited guest away, making the person fall to the ground. He pulled you close to his side. 

After you take a breath, you finally recognise who it is. Blonde, tall, with broad shoulders, has cute dimples every time he smiles and is the man who broke your heart.

You cleared your throat "Lloyd, let me introduce you. Ethan… my ex-fiance."

Lloyd wasn't surprised anymore. He whispered in your ear, "Should I kill him?"

Author note: Finally, our reader is free from her family. But what happened next? See you in part 4. 😘💕

Tell me if you want to be tagged for this series and the next part. Also, if you have any ideas like fluff or spicy for the next part. I will welcome any ideas. It will be such a tremendous help to me. 

Taglist : @jasminxts @alchemxx @imsolatetothegame @thorinmistress @bree-lyrie @another-tblr-fangirl @buckysteveloki-me @motivation-idontknowher @cherrybubblebullet @supraveng @avery-1999 @evansce1 @ridingthehotmessexpress @hoely-maria @katymae12344 @g-c-e @rookiemartin @my-regrets @chibijusstuff @openup-yourmind @ara-theo @rebeccapineapple

#lloyd hansen x fic #lloyd hansen x you #lloyd hansen #lloyd hansen x fem!reader #lloyd hansen x reader #soft!dark lloyd hansen imagine #soft!dark lloyd hansen x y/n #soft!dark lloyd hansen x reader #the grey man #chris evans characters #chris evans x y/n #chris evans x reader #dark!lloyd hansen x reader #dark!lloyd hansen #3billiondivorce

[c0ffinshit]

Hello, You. (Dexter Morgan x Stalker!Reader) PROLOGUE

a/n: hello, you. (get it? hehe). ANYWAYS sorry i've been gone for a while. i've literally been depressed for like months but I'M OKAY NOW. i promise. so, in honor of my mental health being good now, i wrote this story about a reader who REALLY needs to see a doctor. word count: 1,466 warnings: dead dove: do not eat, mentions of attempted rape (and rape in general), assault, borderline psychopath reader, stalking, like one mention of abortion, joe goldberg core

Hello, you. Dexter Morgan, you sick and beautiful freak of nature. I know what you’ve done. I’ll stay quiet for now since I’m such a good girlfriend. Well, about the girlfriend part. You don’t know yet. But you will soon, my love.

I would tell you how long I’ve been following you, but I fear it would make you more likely to run the other way. But the thing about that is I don’t want you gone yet. You don’t know yet that you desire me to. The same way I enjoy and crave you.

Ever since Rita died, your life has been fading colors, Dexter. You lack a desire, a need to kill, and feel that release. And I understand that better than anyone. Sure, the context may differ for us, but it always leads down the same path. You don’t have that drive, but I do. And more importantly, I want to give you that purpose you feel you lack. I’ve done everything to get your eyes to meet mine, but everything never works. It’s like I’m some piece of glass you can ignore. You want to look past me, Dexter, but I find that incredibly flustering when I’m standing there. I’ve quit jobs at places frequently and wore heavy makeup and ugly clothes, all for you. You can’t ignore me forever, Dexter.

Now I sit in a nearly empty store, just for you. It’s like I said, you can’t ignore me for long.

The store is bland and uninteresting, a place I would never expect you to be. Of course, this is where you’ll see me finally. You wouldn’t be able to unsee me. I’ve dyed my hair and changed my appearance. It’ll be hard to recognize me of the changes I’ve made. I know you’ll think: I’ve seen this girl before, but I can’t place where. But the truth is that you’ve noticed me in everything your eyes have touched. At supermarkets and malls, where I just watch you and your children enjoy a day out together. Then, your wife was murdered brutally by the Trinity Killer. Now, did I have connections to the Trinity Killer to cause her death? No, unfortunately. The death of your wife was still all him. But I quickly struck when I knew it was my time to shine. The children, not including Harrison, were finally gone. Now that I can manage. You, Harrison, and I could finally be the perfect family together.

But you had to make things complicated. First, it was Lila West. Now, I don’t like cheaters, Dexter. But here’s the thing about that. It's hard to compare all of your actions and say that cheating on your wife is the worst of them.

She was a serial arsonist. Lila didn’t understand anything about you, but she was good at taking care of your so-called addiction to heroin. You told her what she wanted to comprehend. Lila tried to save you when you were unsavable in her eyes. She wanted to save the unsavable.

Next thing you know, she’s off to France after almost killing you and Rita’s children in a house fire. She ran from you when you didn’t choose her over your wife. Pathetic, honestly. As much as I can say that I would do the same, I would be wrong. Dexter, I’ve known you for years now. We were coming up on our fourth year together. My fourth year in your life without you knowing of my existence.

Then that girl came into your life. What’s her name?

Oh, right, Lumen—the poor girl from Minnesota who sweetly begged for your help in the killing of her rapists. As much as she got in my way, I will admit, I did like her for you.

If I failed to exist, you would've destined to be with her. How funny fate works, though, since she left your sight in the blink of an eye. Was that my doing? For the most part, it was all her. Lucky me that I didn’t have to do anything before she told you that her dark passenger had left her and how she finally managed to heal from the torment. It's funny how someone so tortured by her past could move on so quickly, unlike you, who seems forever stuck in that cargo container.

My point is every girl in your life has left you in some capacity.

And the only male figure in your life failed you. I, however, understand that you don’t need saving or fixing. Killing is a part of you. Harry made that very clear to you. He tried to save you by shaping you into a hero. But as we both know, that didn’t last very long.

Now you’re here in Iron Lake, New York. Ten years clear from killings. I’m sitting outside the homely yet bland store, waiting for you to leave. Yes, I plan to follow you home. But I have a good reason. Tonight’s the night I tell you of the accident you saved me from, how you caught the man that could’ve killed me that very night. You rescued me by slaughtering him.

You probably don’t remember that night. I don’t blame you for that. It was just another kill for you. But allow me to enlighten you.

It was when you were still in Miami, November 1st, about nine at night.

I was leaving a bar after another sad night alone. A man follows me out of the bar. I can’t remember his name or his face. You would be better at recognizing his name and his face than me. All I do recall is someone grabbing me as I left, pulling me into an alley. His hand covered my screams, his other holding a hunting knife to my throat.

"Shut the fuck up, or this goes straight through your fucking neck." The man threatened, pressing the knife deeper into my neck.

I’d be powerless my whole life, always a second choice, but I never pled for what happened to me. But I don’t blame him for what he targeted me—a vulnerable young woman leaving a bar in early November. It’s a recipe for murder.

My voice tries to scream out more, my body thrashing against his. The man's grip moves away from my mouth, moving down my body. I feel tears swell in my eyes as his hand pulls up my skirt and pulls down my panties. I knew where this was going, and I was terrified. I couldn’t afford a police investigation or an abortion. I would have to carry the baby, that fucking rape baby.

Suddenly, the knife he was holding drops out of his hand. His threatening pleas of my silence turn hushed as I hear his body thud against the pavement. The loose rocks and debris scratch against his body as you drag him away. My eyes are shut tight, too scared to open them. But I knew it was you, the Bay Harbor Butcher. Things like this were happening all over the city. Stories of your heroism, saving all walks of life. You were a hero, never the villain. I just never thought it would happen to me.

The dragging briefly turns shushed as I feel your eyes on me. "Go. Run far." You say in a hushed tone.

My eyes shoot open, and it feels like my feet think for me. I do as you say. I ran, and I ran fast. My feet and lungs held my body as upright as they could. Finally, I reached a gas station near my apartment before I became tired. I ran five miles the night, just on adrenaline alone.

That’s how you saved my life that night, Dexter. Three words. You had given me a purpose and something to fight for.

It wasn’t hard to find you after that. I searched in forums across the internet, talking of this Bay Harbor Butcher persona of yours. Of course, I never encountered you on any of those, which I should’ve figured. So, my search efforts had become ten times harder. So, I did what any logical person would do and found patterns within your murders, all criminals who either went under the radar or were recently released. You try to save the people, like some sick and twisted Batman. When, if anything, you follow closer to Bateman than the caped crusader. I did what a cop or detective couldn’t have done in a year. After all that time and effort, I found your name and shady Iron Lake cabin: Dexter Morgan, a man in the countryside with a girlfriend who's a cop. Shame for her since she won’t live to hear my declaration. But even if she does, she won’t like what she hears.

#dexter morgan #dexter showtime #michael c hall #dexter morgan x reader #send help #i want him #dead dove do not eat

[gatheringbones]

[“Many of us can’t bear the idea of being outside a relationship, so ending a romantic partnership may feel to us like the end of the world. We simply can’t imagine life alone. Many of us, too, have a general fear of abandonment that affects every one of our relationships, including those with friends, colleagues, and bosses.

In all these cases, the idea of leaving or diminishing a relationship may trigger profound feelings of aloneness that seem far more painful and terrifying than even the worst gaslighting. So we idealize our gaslighter and try desperately to make it work rather than face how unpleasant and unsatisfying the relationship has become.

For some of us, our very sense of identity is organized around being in a relationship, or having a particular job. When I explored with Melanie, for example, how she might feel about not being married to Jordan, she said bleakly, “I’ll just be nothing. I’m nothing without him.” Jill said something very similar. “If I can’t succeed at this job,” she told me, “then I’m just a nothing.”

Once again, we need to remember that we don’t know what the future holds. Despite our terror, we may feel a huge relief when we free ourselves from a gaslighting relationship. We may discover that we don’t feel alone at all but rather empowered and content. Or perhaps we continue to miss our gaslighter but are still happy to have left. And yes, sometimes leaving or limiting a gaslighting relationship does indeed trigger all the loneliness and anxiety that we feared, but despite our pain, we know we’ve made the right decision.

Often in our culture, there’s a message that if you do the healthy thing, you’ll find happiness, pure and simple. I think that the truth is more complicated and that even the healthiest decision may bring sorrow, grief, and fear. But if we face our fears and choose wisely, we may be grateful for the decision that preserved our integrity.”]

robin stern, the gaslight effect

#robin stern #brainspace #cw abuse #currently reading

[thegoldenuzi]

Stop trying to change the world since it is only the mirror. Man’s attempt to change the world by force is as fruitless as breaking a mirror in the hope of changing his face. Leave the mirror and change your face. Leave the world alone and change your conceptions of yourself. The reflection then will be satisfactory.

Neville Goddard, Your Faith is Your Fortune

Long Post incoming lol

In this day and age social media has become increasingly more toxic. People feel they have the right to be hateful, the right to have opinions on strangers and actively tear them down. Even I have fallen into the trap of allowing people like this to distract me from my path of inner peace. It’s hard seeing people be so nasty everywhere. Sometimes you just wanna reason with them but it’s all in vain. They don’t care. They’re content with the way they are. Just today I seen two popular figures get into a misunderstanding. The way fans rushed to tear one of them apart. It was disgusting to watch. Someone even uploaded a 2 year old clip with a fake caption claiming it was in reference to the current situation. They spared no resources to try and garner more hatred toward this person. Admittedly it frustrated me, because I allowed it to. Now that I have had time to reflect I have a different perspective that I want to share with you all. Just in case you might find yourself feeling this way.

I’m currently reading a book called the Mastery of Love. This book covers the way we relate to others, to ourselves and to life in general. Most people live off fear. They don’t accept themselves they don’t love themselves so they put on this fake persona in order to be accepted. We see this the most on the internet. People do and say things to gain validation from strangers. The sense of community they feel when someone also hates the same person they do. It’s exciting for them because they are disturbed inside. When I dislike someone they don’t exist in my reality. I don’t go out of my way to post about them or join others in a smear campaign. I simply don’t engage with them or their content. I love myself enough to not allow another person to have that much control over my attention. It’s cliche but misery does love company. It gives them that acceptance they can’t give themselves because they don’t respect themselves.

I’ve learned that it is not our job to change someone who’s mind is already made up. They feel the way they feel based on their perception of the world. If that doesn’t align with mine, then I don’t need to be involved with that person. It’s best not to try to make it a goal to change these people. Our job as Neville said, is to change ourselves which in turn will change our experience with unwanted situations. If we choose to be happy and to feel love within, then people and circumstances will replace what we currently experience. Instead of looking at these people as dumb frustrating beings, look at them for what they truly are. Hurt people who live in their own mental prisons. They are sick and it’s their job to heal themselves.

The Mastery Of Love says we are only responsible for our dream. Our truth is only the truth for us and nobody else. We don’t know what the other person is dreaming in their minds. In any relationship we are only responsible for our dream. If there is baggage we are only responsible for our baggage. It’s our job to clean up ourselves. If we feel the need to control or fix others, we don’t respect them. We don’t respect people to make their own decisions and their right to choose. So let’s do as Neville suggests and leave the world alone. Let them be, wish them well and remove your attention. Our highest selves wouldn’t waste their time debating with miserable people. They are responsible for their own realities. All we can do is change our relationship to the situation. Remember you always have the power to change your role and shift perspective.

#law of assumption #law of attraction #manifesting #neville goddard #manifesting mindset #manifestation #master manifestor #loa #manifesting advice #rant #affirmations #my thoughts

[chloe-caulfield94]

Max is a hero, because she cares about people no one else cares about

Max refuses to give up on people everyone else has given up on, and I think that's the most heroic thing one can do. This becomes evident with her rescues of Chloe and Tristan.

By the time Max returned to Arcadia Bay, Chloe had no one standing in her corner, believing in her. "Broken girl from a broken home", "loser dropout", "whore", "faux punk slut". That's how people saw her. Almost everyone treated her with disdain. Rachel was gone, having left a letter how she had met someone new and exciting. I don't doubt that Joyce loved her daughter. But the way she spoke about her, how Chloe supposedly "chose to stay angry", betrays that she had written Chloe off. If it's Chloe's choice to be miserable, then no one has to bother helping her, right? Because she could just choose to be her old, happy self again. Joyce decided to move on. Just like she had hidden away all of William's photographs, she relegated her daughter to the role of an irreformable troublemaker that nothing could be done about.

And the worst thing was that Chloe gave up on herself. "He acts like I'm some kind of problem to solve. Sometimes I am a problem, though", "I screwed it up somehow. Like I screw everything up. 'Cause I'm a fucking screw-up", "I don't deserve it. I'm so selfish", "I know I've been selfish, but for once I think I should accept my fate". After years of being told she's broken, worthless, unworthy, a lost cause, she finally accepted it as the gospel truth.

When Max tore up the butterfly photograph, she was the only person in the world still choosing to believe in Chloe. Believing that she could have a new beginning. That it wasn't too late for Chloe to experience a first day of the rest of her life. Standing by someone who would otherwise be alone, wanting someone no one else wants - that's the most heroic thing I can think of.

Tristan's story is eerily similar to Chloe's. He was a lonely, desperate kid who got himself into very bad company. His destiny was to be gunned down. But Max saved him. Because she couldn't let a stranger die. No more than she could let a different stranger die in the bathroom of her school.

It was later revealed that the reason Tristan was able to move between universes so easily was that he had died in EVERY SINGLE UNIVERSE, apart from the "Amberprice" universe Max visited. That means Max, more specifically our version of Max, was the only person in all of existence to care about him. A boy who was destined to have his life extinguished across all of creation, and Max saved him. Once again, Max stood by someone no one else wanted to stand by. No one would cry for Tristan. A dead gutter rat carted off for communal burial. But Max gave him a new chance at life.

Both Tristan and Chloe grasped at their second chances and utilized them fully. A year after the Storm Chloe is living together with the girl of her dreams, she's making friends, she's found a job she's good at. She's moving forward in time. And Tristan has found love and friendship. He's no longer adrift. He has a safe haven now. All that love, friendship and happiness is of Max's making.

To me, Max Caulfield personifies the hope that everyone, no matter how broken, lost or derided by others they may be, will find at least one person willing to stand by them. Willing to believe in them, even if they no longer believe in themselves. And giving hope is what heroes do.

#Max Caulfield #Chloe Price #Tristan Tanaka #Life is Strange #LiS #comics

[rosepetalgold]

i look at you (and i dream)

Summary: Roman tells Logan what he’s thinking about and discovers his dreams might be closer to reality than he’d dared to imagine.

Relationships: Romantic Logince

Warnings: None! Pure domestic fluff!

Word count: 962

Notes: Title inspired by Mikrokosmos by BTS

Read on Ao3 Masterpost

-

“Roman, are you even listening to me?”

Roman blinks, emerging out of the colorful tapestry of his thoughts to find Logan staring at him from where he’s paused chopping vegetables for the dish he’s concocting for dinner, one eyebrow arched in a silent question.

“Sorry, my love,” he says sheepishly. “I just got caught up daydreaming.”

Logan sighs, shaking his head not unkindly as he returns to his cutting board, the slightest upturn of his lips betraying that he mustn’t be too put out by Roman’s lapse of focus. “I suppose it would be too much to ask for your ambitions of fame and grandeur to wait until I was done telling you about my day.”

“Oh, no, I wasn’t thinking about any of that.”

“Work, then?”

“No, not that either.”

“Then what on earth were you daydreaming about?”

“You.”

Logan casts him a sideways glance, clearly baffled, even as his knife doesn’t falter in its steady rhythm. “I’m right here.”

“I know,” Roman breathes, not even trying to keep the wonderment out of his voice at the truth of such a simple statement, still unable to quite believe that this was real, that Logan was here, was choosing him, was his. “But I look at you and I just can’t help but dream.”

But his words only cause the puzzlement furrowing Logan’s brow to deepen. “I don’t understand. What could you possibly be dreaming about?”

Roman laughs under his breath, answers dancing over one another in his mind like so many bits of dandelion fluff caught in a breeze, too many to ever count. Where to even begin?

“Everything.”

He shifts closer, gently finessing the knife from Logan’s grip and laying it on the counter before taking his lover’s hands in his own.

“I dream about waking up next to you every morning and watching the sunset next to you every night. I dream about seeing you land your dream job and finally being recognized for that endlessly brilliant mind of yours. I dream about buying a house together out in the country like you want and us making it our own. I dream about surprising you with homegrown roses on idyllic summer mornings and slow dancing in the dark with you on starlit winter nights. I dream about all the days I’ll come home to you and all the ways I’ll fall even deeper in love with you and all the countless quiet moments I’ll get to just be by your side as we grow old and gray.” He laces their fingers together, marveling inwardly at how readily Logan reciprocates the touch, palms warm and steady against his own. “I dream of us, of the life we’ll lead, of the future we have together.”

Logan only stares at him for a long moment, gaze searching his own as a hint of pink begins to tinge his cheeks, and Roman can’t help but smile softly at the sight, leaning in to press a chaste kiss to the bloom of color.

“You really think about all that?” Logan’s voice is slightly choked, words scarcely more than a whisper, and Roman draws back, a twinge of worry flickering to life in his stomach, but Logan’s grip tightens around his, keeping him from retreating.

“Of course I do. You’re it for me, Logan; why would I ever dream about anything else?”

Logan doesn’t even bother replying, simply tugs one hand free from Roman’s fingers, wraps it around the back of his neck, and pulls him into an ardent kiss.

Logan had never been as much of one for words as Roman was, had always tended to struggle a bit to vocalize his deepest feelings, but Roman doesn’t need a long-winded reply, not when the press of the other man’s body against his is all the answer he needs.

Logan, though, apparently isn’t content to let his reaction do all the talking for him.

“I know that not many people would call me a dreamer,” he says as he pulls back, gaze so open and vulnerable in the golden rays of the late afternoon light that Roman’s heart squeezes in his chest. “But I want that too. That future. The two of us. You.”

“It’s ours,” Roman vows. “And I’m yours.”

They meet in the middle this time, an intoxicating press of lips that tastes of hopes and dreams and happy endings, and oh nevermind all his indulgent imaginings about what might be, this is all Roman could ever want.

If this is his reward for daydreaming, he really needs to do it more often.

Entirely too soon Logan is drawing back again, rosiness now fully blossomed across his cheekbones.

“We don’t have to have a house in the country,” he says as if his brain has just caught up to Roman’s earlier words, the delay in processing entirely more endearing than it should be. “I know you like the city.”

Roman shrugs, sure the expression on his face can only be described as utterly besotted as his hands find a home in the familiar curve of Logan’s waist, pure affection melting through every inch of his body. “I can compromise as long as there’s no bears.”

Logan chuckles, low and bemused.

“No bears,” he promises, and with the way his eyes are sparkling with amusement, what else is Roman supposed to do but kiss him again?

“Love you,” Logan murmurs against his lips, the words still enough even after all this time to send butterflies dancing through Roman’s stomach like it’s the first he’s ever heard them. “I love you so much.”

“Love you too,” he whispers, and here, with Logan in his arms, present and future inseparable from each other for one breathlessly suspended moment, he can’t dream to ask for anything more.

-

Taglist (let me know if you’d like to be added or removed!): @darth-does-stuff

#i return from the dead with a bit of shamelessly self-indulgent logince fluff #these two nerds are still my absolute favorite #they deserve a bit of softness if i do say so myself #enjoy! #sanders sides #ts roman #roman sanders #ts logan #logan sanders #logince #fluff #domestic fluff #they're in love your honor #ts fanfic #my fic #rosepetal writes

[saintsenara]

you're like the only person i've seen on here from northern ireland who actually loves northern ireland - what do you think makes it so great? (really sorry if this seems rude, i'm just interested in how the opinions can be so wildly different)

thank you very much for the ask, anon!

my online presence as a northern ireland stan account is mainly caused by holding the following opinion:

it is an unfortunate truth that the moment you are clocked in most other places in the anglophone world as being northern irish [usually after having been compelled to say the word "how"], people like to offer you their views on the place.

these views aren't always negative, but they always - especially if they come from people who consider themselves part of the irish diaspora [and my st patrick's day sermon to you all is "irish-americans, learn to stay in your lane"] - relate to a northern ireland which doesn't actually exist. people might cast us as uncivilised fools living in a 1970s time-capsule of unrelenting violence, they might cast us as a great bunch of lads bouncing around feeling the derry girls fantasy, but they never care very much about the actual experience of living here in 2024.

and - indeed - the experience of choosing to live here. i like ni because i was born here, and so all of the formative experiences of my early life took place while drinking a tin in some field or other, but it's also somewhere i have returned to, after having gone to university and begun my medical training in england.

and this is an aspect of irish life which doesn't have a huge presence in the way we think and talk about irishness. so much irish history is bound up in migration - in leaving the motherland and longing for it from afar - and in the diaspora experience that we rarely think about the fact that people have always and will always come to ireland. people - whether returning here or coming to study or coming to live forever or coming to live until they too can return home - choose every day to put down roots in northern ireland, despite all its faults and its flaws.

and it bothers me that this is constantly forgotten in all the giving out we all do about the place.

because - yes - this is a country which is fucked up in a huge number of ways. our politics is corrupt and nonsensical even when up against the bin fire which is the rest of the united kingdom. our people are beset by poverty and deprivation [and i will of course acknowledge that i am someone who lives here with a well-paid, stable job]. our sectarian wound is still bleeding, heavily. we have not seen justice for the atrocities perpetuated against us by the british state during the troubles, nor for the atrocities we perpetuated against our own at the same time. we have not learned from our own experiences of discrimination when it comes to discriminating against people who live here who are not white, who are not christian, or who are immigrants. it rains for a good three quarters of the year.

but as i grow older, i find i have less and less time both for pure and grinding cynicism in the face of this situation and for the conviction that the grass might be greener somewhere else. i think this latter is a particular issue in the irish national character - a sort of "ah well, things are shite and they'd only be better if x happened". in the north, i think we're especially beset by this - "the country can't improve until there's a united ireland" [or, if you're on the other side, "the country can't improve until the fenians stop complaining"].

but we have a lot to be proud of and a lot to be hopeful for as we keep going.

because northern ireland is also a place whose history is about peace as much as it is about war. it's the birthplace of the best member of girls aloud. it's somewhere people have mobilised only recently for pay and working conditions on a par with the rest of the uk, and will keep mobilising until we win. it's introduced the world to the fact that protestants keep toasters in cupboards. it's a place whose own fight for reproductive justice has rather flown under the radar in comparison to that of the republic of ireland, but which is no less active. it's a place where it's perfectly acceptable to be served apple and mars bar sandwiches at a funeral [provided the deceased was presbyterian]. it's a place where you never have to become invested in the nation's performance in international sporting competitions and can get blind drunk as god intended. it's a place with great patter.

it's a place which has perfected street art... in a sense. it's a place where you can get unusual soft drinks delivered to your door by a sinister figure called the minerals man. it's a place which recognises that balaclavas are chic. it's the only place on earth you can buy fifteens and a cowboy supper, whether or not you actually should do the latter. it's a place where you can turn bomb scares to your advantage by using them as an excuse to swerve parties you didn't want to attend. it's a place whose people have not given up their fight for justice, who still grieve and remember the dead and the disappeared. it's a place people travel across the world to make their home and enrich with their presence. it's a place where the quality of life is genuinely improving, and which we can continue to improve if we don't give into the idea that nothing can ever change. it's a cold and rainy little country, filled with nondescript grey housing estates and burned out cars, which also looks like this:

happy st patrick's day.

#asks answered #general chat #northern ireland posting

[sergeantsporks]

Writing Request: Hunter interacts with Caleb's ghost. (I just need that man to give Hunter some parental comfort, please)

“But most of all—I’d like to make sure you never—hurt anyone—again!”

Hunter hurled the vial of titan’s blood into the lake. I’m sorry, Luz. Everyone. You’ll find another way.

Something cold and clammy gripped Hunter’s throat from the inside.

“NO!” Belos’ voice howled, and his legs went dead to him, throwing him into the lake.

You. Are. Mine. Belos’ voice hissed in his mind, and Hunter’s whole soul seemed to shred itself, tearing and ripping and twisting inside of him. If he’d had a mouth, he would have screamed until his throat tore, but even that didn’t belong to him anymore.

“Hey. Hey. I’ve got you.”

Something squeezed Hunter’s not-arm, pulling on him, and the world stabilized, the pain fading into a dull throb before dissipating completely. Hunter grasped the forearm of his rescuer, panting for air.

“That’s it. You’re okay.”

That’s… my voice?

Hunter looked up at a man who had his face. “…Are you my inner self?”

“Not… exactly.”

“I’m dead.” The words came out calmly, not even a hint of panic. After everything he’d done to survive, every mission to keep Belos happy, running to Hexside, fighting the possession… it was over. And for some reason, that didn’t bother Hunter nearly as much as it probably should. “You’re… a last second hallucination? A ghost?”

The apparition examined his arms. “The second, I think. Of course, I guess if I was a last second hallucination, I’d probably say that. All I can say is… you’re not the first grimwalker I’ve met here. But I’m hoping you’ll be the last. I’m Caleb.”

“Oh.”

“You want to sit down? You should probably sit down.”

“Where?”

The space around them was… blank. Not blank white, like paper, or dark like a void, just… blank. Everywhere Hunter looked, it was like there was something there, but his eyes just slid right off. He couldn’t focus on anything he was seeing.

Caleb shrugged and sat, then patted the area next to him. Hunter edged over and slowly sat down. He hit… something, but it was blank, too. He couldn’t tell if it was firm or soft or any textures, it just… was.

Caleb’s fingers tapped against his leg. “Do you have any questions for me? Most do.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why you, why uncle, why me?!”

Caleb let out a long sigh. “I’ve been asking that for a while. Because I didn’t do a good job of raising him? Because I left without telling him where I was going? Because I picked the wrong town, because I encouraged him to follow the witch hunters a little too well? Why’d I end up going to the Isles? Why’d I meet Evelyn?” Caleb shrugged. “We were out witch hunting. If I hadn’t encouraged him to hunt witches, then I wouldn’t have met the love of my life. But then, because I met Evelyn, I doomed the isles. Maybe it would have been better if we’d died before we ever made it to Gravesfield. Or maybe some people’s lives would have been worse if we had. I don’t know, and I don’t think I ever will.”

“I… you don’t think there’s a reason?”

“What, that all of this happened?” Caleb sighed again. “The truth is, Hunter, there isn’t a why. I mean, I can track the events and decisions that led up to this. But as for some higher reason… there isn’t one. We weren’t fated for this to happen, no higher power chose Phillip and I. It was just chance that I met Evelyn that night. And everything after it happened because of our decisions. We made this happen. Intentionally or not.”

“There’s no reason,” Hunter said softly.

Caleb nudged his shoulder. “That’s not a bad thing, Hunter! We choose our own destinies, we make our own decisions! We’re not chosen, we do our own choosing!”

“And look where it got us. Killed by Belos.”

“I met a woman I loved very much. You made friends, good friends. You chose to protect the people you care about, and even people you’ve never met, from Phillip. Is that so bad?”

Hunter settled further into the whatever-he-was-sitting-on. “I guess not.” He blinked. The area around him was starting to get easier to look at, and it looked like a forest, the seat beneath him a log. “Hey, it’s not so weird here!”

Caleb nodded. “Because you’re coming to terms with who you are and what’s happened.” He looked around. “Ah, nice. A forest. Always a classic.”

“So, what, do I stay here forever?”

“If you want. Or, you could go find the other golden guards. Or anyone else you’ve lost.”

“Hm.”

A chirp sounded, and a familiar cardinal soared towards them, weaving through the trees. “Flapjack!” Caleb and Hunter chorused.

The bird flapped around Hunter’s head, then landed on Caleb’s shoulder, chirping quietly in his ear. Caleb nodded.

“Are you sure?”

An affirmative chirp.

Caleb stood up, offering Hunter a hand. “There’s been a… trade. You’re going back.”

The forest around Hunter started to go blank again. “I—what?”

“You’re going back,” Caleb repeated, “You’re getting another chance. Phillip didn’t manage to kill you after all—Flapjack protected you.”

“Flapjack…” Hunter shook his head. “No, I—he—hurt Flapjack, I don’t understand, I…” He looked from the bird sitting on Caleb’s shoulder to Caleb’s face. “I…”

Flapjack flew to Hunter’s shoulder, nuzzling his face. “Trade. Me for you.”

“Wh—No. No, no, no—” Hunter scooped Flapjack into his hands.  “No, you—”

“Trade,” the bird repeated simply.

“No.” Tears started to flood into Hunter’s eyes, blurring the forest more. “No, you c—it’s not fair.” He looked desperately towards Caleb, whose face was solemn and sad. “It’s not fair, he can’t!”

“I’m afraid it’s too late. Flapjack traded his life for yours.”

Flapjack gave Hunter’s hand an affectionate peck, then fluttered back to Caleb’s shoulder. Hunter stumbled towards them.

“It’s not fair,” he said again, tears dripping down his face. He was whining, he knew it, but he didn’t care anymore, he didn’t even care if he made the ghost angry, because it wasn’t fair. “It’s not—”

Caleb shook his head. “I’m sorry. You’re right, it’s not fair. It’s not fair at all, not after everything you’ve already been through. It’s not fair that this is getting taken from you, too.” He reached out, and Hunter flinched, but the spirit just brushed Hunter’s face, gently wiping away a tear. “But you can make it better. You’re getting the chance to make it better.”

“I don’t want that chance, not without Flapjack, not on my own!”

“I know. I know.” Caleb’s voice cracked and he cleared his throat, giving Hunter a watery smile that didn’t match the tears in his eyes. “You won’t be alone. You’ve got a good bunch of friends, and they won’t make you do it all on your own. And I know that doesn’t help, I know that doesn’t make it okay, but… they’ll help you.”

The world went blank again, and Hunter felt himself being tugged away. Caleb took his hand and gave it a squeeze. “And when you do die, hopefully years and years from now after happier times, I’ll be here. And so will Flapjack. We’ll wait for you. I promise.”

I promise.

The world started to solidify again, and it turned to the night sky, partially obstructed by his friends’ faces. Hunter slowly blinked. “Hey, guys. Is everyone else okay?”

#toh #the owl house #asks #writing requests #caleb wittebane #toh hunter #hunter wittebane #toh fanfiction #my writing

[absurdthirst]

Tovar’s Treasure {Modern!Pero Tovar x F!Reader}

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 15.5k

Warnings: Sexism, vaginal sex, oral sex, fingering, betrayal, heartbreak, kidnapping, allusions to sexual assault, physical violence, gun violence

Comments: You are an archeologist, researching the Nameless Order and in China to uncover the truth of their existence. William Garin and Pero Tovar have been hired as security for your dig and despite a rocky start, you manage to become entangled with the Spaniard. Until the backstab is revealed. 

Co-written with @storiesofthefandomlovers

Click Keep Reading only if you have read the Rating and Warnings and understand the warnings may not be complete to avoid listing spoilers. As AO3 says 'creator chooses not to use warnings'. You also agree that you're the right age to be consuming anything here.

It’s gorgeous, wild and stunning. The scenery around you makes you itch to pull out your camera and snap photos all day even though that is not why you are here. Your entire purpose for being here, at this specific spot at the Great Wall of China is to search for the proof of the existence of the Nameless Order. 

Archeology is your field of study and after many months of petitioning the Chinese government to dig at this section of the wall, ramshackled and off limits to tourists, you are here. Granted a six month stay to find something, anything to prove that the order was more than myth and legend. More specifically to find the Tao Tei scrolls. A priceless telling of the fable of the Nameless Order’s secret battle with creatures that nearly overran the earth. 

Pero grunts as he carries his satchel, following William as they set up camp in the desolate region where the scrolls are rumored to be buried. Having taken this job for one reason only: to get the fortunate his family deserves after centuries of being lost. His former position in the Spanish army has granted him the skills to be a personal guard. “How much shit does she have?” He grunts as he carries your bag of excavation tools.

You sigh as you hear the complaint. Security. You had argued that you didn’t need it but it had been a part of the agreement to allow you to dig. The region was not one that the government monitored much. Too many bandits and thieves roamed the hills. Security was necessary to prevent the story of an archeologist being murdered from becoming news. 

“I’ve had less complaints from freshmen who are on a dig for course credit.” You call back, busy arranging some of the more delicate equipment in their large storage boxes. Because this dig was small, it was going to be you and the two men the museum hired and no one else. Thankfully, they were going to assist with any of the muscle you needed for moving equipment, although you were already tired of the one called Tovar complaining.

Tovar looks over at William, raising his eyebrows at your tone. “Well, I doubt they had to carry all of your shit around like donkeys.” Tovar grumps, adjusting his satchel as he struggles with the box. “What is all of this shit anyway? Surely all you need is a goddamn shovel and a good compass.” He looks at you, brow beaded with sweat, and he ignores the pointed look from his companion who assigned - forced - him into the job.

You snort and shake your head. “Regardless of what you think, Indiana fucking Jones was not a good archeologist.” You shoot back at him. “Properly cataloging something and preserving it is paramount to what I do. This ‘shit’ you are carrying around like a donkey are things I need to make sure the scrolls aren’t destroyed by careless hands.” You give him a pointed look.

Pero snorts, “sounds like a lot of unnecessarily shit to me. Surely all you need is a brush and some fucking air to blow off the dirt. I doubt anyone would care.” He grunts as he drops the box onto the ground. “Princess, you aren’t gonna use all of this. You just wanted to make sure our fucking backs were wrecked. Now, I’m gonna put up my tent. You got yours?” He asks, a condescending smirk on his face.

You roll your eyes and point to the box that contains your tent. “I do.” You huff, smirking slightly when you remember you have a solar powered air conditioner built in. “Don’t ask to share. I don’t sleep with donkeys.” You hum in amusement, watching the smirk change into a scowl. “Let me know if you need help putting yours together though.”

He looks at William, “she’s gonna be a fun time, hermano. Tell me, why the fuck did you sign up for this?” He knows why he did it, but he can’t tell you that. He can’t reveal why he wanted to join you on this trip. After setting down the boxes, he works on putting his tent up, cursing the poles and stents. Especially when he sees the way your tent seems to just inflate.

You smirk to yourself as you set your stakes, pushing them deep into the sand to secure the tents. The edge of the wall, although it’s crumbling, will provide shelter from the wind. Your bags are tossed inside and you lay down a rug outside to keep the sand from getting inside. The rest can be set up later but you need to get the tent up for the supplies to be stored in. That was more important than anything else. 

William Garin and Pero Tovar were the top men at Mercenary Securities, a company that had a reputation of being fiercely protective of their clients, which the museum wanted, but the Spaniard’s manners left much to be desired. He was scathing and insulting from the beginning, as if he didn’t want to be here. “Since you are still worrying with your own tent, I will be my own donkey and set up the supply tent.” You tell him, walking by where he is still struggling with his own smaller tent.

He curses, working on putting his tent up and he watches you as you expertly put the tent together. William watches, amused at his friend's frustration, and he chuckles at how annoyed Pero is when you put the supply tent together with ease. “Show off.” Pero grunts under his breath, finally getting his tent together after several minutes of struggling. He has finally made it to where he needs to be. He longs to find the ancient scrolls that detail the whereabouts of his family’s long lost fortune. The black powder his ancestor lost during the fabled battle. He wants it. He needs it. The fortune he is owed.

You sigh in satisfaction and look around the area. “Tonight we will finish setting up camp, I think.” You are directing your words to William, ignoring the other man. “I’ll organize my ‘shit’ and make sure that my compass and shovel are all ready for an early start tomorrow.” You point to the crumbled column. “I want to see if the entire structure has collapsed. It is much larger than other sections of the wall.”

Pero rolls his eyes, unable to help himself and he looks at you in amusement. “So…shovel and compass and we shall see if you find the scrolls. It’s - it’s not gonna be easy, princesa. Are you sure you don’t need some help?” He mocks you. He knows you’re capable, he has heard of your work in Egypt but he won’t relent when you’ve questioned his abilities.

“Are you sure you don’t?” You put your hands on your hips and raise a brow at him. “Do you have a doctorate in ancient Chinese mythology with a thesis that centered on the Nameless Order? Or any experience in archeology?” You ask him. “Because when you were trying to reason with the guards your Mandarin was shit, and I’d be surprised if you know a rock from petrified shit.” You shoot him a grin. “You want to help? You can build a fire.”

He narrows his eyes at you, wondering why you have decided to be such a bitch. He is a little shocked at your credentials and he swallows down his retort. “I can build the fire.” He relents, ignoring the smirk on William’s face as you raise your eyebrows at Pero, a satisfied smile on your face. Pero doesn’t know how he is going to handle dealing with you. For now, he just needs to focus on getting the scrolls.

Later on, you feel a little guilty for how harshly you’ve been treating Tovar. The two of you have not gotten off to a great start but you completely blame him for that. When you had met the two of them in Shanghai, he had launched into a tirade about how a woman was going to be trouble and get them killed. All hissed to William in Spanish, unaware and still unaware of the fact that you speak Spanish. So you haven’t exactly been nice to him. 

You unpack the cooking gear and bring it over to the fire with the first meal you had planned for tonight. Planning to cook for everyone and you bring over three beers from the cooler that you had brought. The dry ice kept the beer icy cold and would be perfect after the long day. “Here.” You offer two of the beers to William and Tovar who are still messing with the fire.

Tovar looks up as you hold out the beer, taking it from your hand and he notices how soft your hand is despite your hands-on job. He swallows harshly, nodding as he takes the beer. He doesn’t feel guilty for what he’s about to do, taking the scrolls. They belong to his family. Generations have searched for them and he needs to get them to finally bring wealth to his family. He won’t go home without them, no matter what it takes. “What are you cooking?” He grunts when you are sitting by the fire. It smells good and his stomach rumbles, hungry after the long journey.

You look over at him with a grin. “Donkey.” You joke, turning the thin slices of seasoned meat. “It's a curry seasoned goat.” You explain. “I honestly thought that before we start having to eat freeze dried and dehydrated meals that some fresh dinners would be good. A celebratory start to the dig.” You reach over and stir the rice and beans that are to accompany it. “Anytime I go on site, I try to make it fun for my students or fellow humans.” You blow out a sigh and look around the small camp. “But this time they wouldn’t let me bring anyone else.”

He rolls his eyes before he looks at you. “Well, it smells good.” William hums in agreement, sitting down at the table. “I am certain you will struggle to not have your home comforts, eh princesa? After all, your tent has air conditioning.” He snorts, crossing his arms as he leans back. “What are you planning on doing during this trip? It’s harsh in these conditions. Are you sure you can manage without a running shower?” He smirks.

Once again irritation fills you, the condescending attitude of the man pisses you off. “Well, I can always go down to the river and bathe, or there is the option to just … not and smell like you.” You retort. “Tell me, are you like this to every woman you meet or am I just special?”

William snorts, “you should see him when he wants to get laid. Then he lays on the Spanish charm. He’s just grumpy. Tovar, you prick, be nice to the lady. Say sorry.” William shakes his head. With a grunt, 

Pero looks over at you, “apologies. I- I was merely concerned about your capability to survive in these conditions.” He lies through gritted teeth, unable to stop his gaze from dropping down to your chest as you lean forward to take the goat off of the fire.

You snort, shaking your head and you look up to meet the Spaniard’s eyes. “La próxima vez, asegúrate de que una mujer no hable español antes de empezar a insultarla.” Next time, make sure a woman doesn't speak Spanish before you start to insult her. You tell him succinctly before you turn back to check the rice and beans one last time. You know that he doesn’t mean his apology, but you couldn’t care less. You’ve been doubted your entire career.

His eyes widen, unable to believe you are speaking Spanish. His cheeks burn and he feels terrible, for once, guilt swarming him as he realizes you understood everything. “I, uh, lo siento. I didn’t mean - I’m sorry. I didn’t know you understood. I will not speak about you like that again.” He murmurs, crossing his arms.

William chuckles at his friend’s discomfort and you just shrug. “I’ve been looked down on and criticized my entire career because I’m a woman.” You tell him. “You are no different from the sexist assholes in my department. Believing that they are smarter and more qualified than I am.” You look over to your tent. “I have an air conditioner because it would be nice to come back from a hot day digging and be comfortable. Or when I masturbate. But it’s not necessary.”

Pero swallows harshly at the idea of you masturbating, making him rub his suddenly damp hands on his pants. He watches you with dark eyes as you plate up the food, and he wonders if this trip will be so bad after all. William notices the change in his friend's demeanor and groans softly, knowing this won’t end well.

You hand William a plate and the Pero, finally taking one for yourself and cracking open your own beer. Groaning softly as you swallow down the sudsy brew. “God, that is well worth the wait.” You comment, wiping your mouth on the back of your hand and setting it down in the sand before you pick up your fork. “We have enough for two more fresh meals.” You tell them. “So enjoy.”

Pero stares at you for another moment, the groan that escaped your lips makes his cock twitch and he reminds himself once again that this is about the scrolls. With a sigh, he digs into his food, groaning himself at the burst of spices on his tongue. Three more fresh meals, you said, and he’s going to enjoy every bite.

As night falls, the temperature drops like it is prone to do in the desert, making you appreciate the crackling fire. You clean up, wash the pot and your dishes but you don’t wash the men’s. They are grown after all. “I am going to finish setting up my tent and go to bed.” You announce, getting up from one of the chairs that had been unpacked for you to sit on around the fire. You smile at William. “Goodnight.” Tovar grunts but you decide to simply nod at the grumpy man and make your way back to your tent, leaving them alone by the fire.

Tovar huffs as he cleans his dishes, placing them back onto the box once they are dry, and William watches him with amusement. “What? Pendejo.” He huffs, glaring at the Irishman. 

“You like her.” He smirks, making Pero curl his lip. 

“I do not like her. She’s - she’s entitled and I- I like a capable woman.” He lies.

William chuckles, swiping his tongue over his teeth. “Bullshit.” He declares, calling his friend out. “She is more capable than the last three women you were involved with. She hasn’t once complained and even better, she didn’t toss your ass out of the truck on the way here.” Tovar refuses to answer him and William tuts. “Suit yourself. Since you aren’t interested, perhaps I will see if I can share the good doctor’s air conditioned tent at night.” He teases, pushing himself to his feet to clean his own dishes.

Pero narrows his eyes, knowing the Irishman is joking but it still makes him growl despite his denial that he is interested in you. When he is in his tent, the hot air muggy and suffocating, he wonders if you are touching yourself. At that though, he can’t help but wrap his fingers around his cock and imagine your fingers instead, working him until he cums. “Fuck.” He curses when his seed coats his stomach, knowing this is going to make things complicated.

****

You are up before the sun. Already outside of your tent when the two men wake up. The fire built back up and coffee brewed while you had watched the sun rise, painting the wall in a myriad of colors that had taken your breath away and made you grab your camera. Today is for exploring the ruined section of the wall and you are wearing your sturdy hiking boots with practical clothes for working. “Morning.” You greet them in a chipper voice, amused with the grumpy expression on one man’s face.

Pero rubs his eyes, sleep avoiding him most of the night as his mind focuses on you and imagining the feel of your body under his. His tongue and his cock silencing you while you took what he gave you and got wet from it. He groans as he stretches, the t-shirt he is wearing riding up to expose his lower stomach.

Eyes drifting down to the tanned skin that is exposed, you find yourself sorry that he was not more friendly. He was a handsome man, even more appealing with the glower and the scar that some would think marred his face. You found that it gave him character. He was a man you would not mind taking into your bed, if not for his dismal attitude and view of your abilities. “Now that the two of you are up, I will get ready to leave.” You drink down the last mouthful of your coffee and move to the wash basin to clean the cup. 

He huffs, reaching for his boots before he grabs himself a coffee and a granola bar. This will have to do for now until he can have the dehydrated meat in his pack. "Come on princessa, let's go find your treasure." He says, placing the sunglasses on his face after checking the perimeter is clear and his gun is holstered to his hip.

You roll your eyes, shaking your head. “No, you stay here and do whatever you need to do.” You argue. “I am going for a scout of the area and to determine where I want to start. No need to hold my hand while I do that.” You shift your back onto your back and turn around to walk off. 

He reaches out to grip your elbow, stopping you from walking. He shakes his head. "No, chiquita. We were hired to protect you and that is what we will do. Let us do your jobs and we will let you do yours. Now, let's go check out the area together so you are protected."

Wanting to argue, you open your mouth but decide not to say anything. As much as you hated the idea of being watched like a child, it was a provision of the stay that you have protection from the bandits and thieves that could be roaming the area. Giving him a nod, you sigh. “Very well.” You relent. “Take a few more minutes to do what you need to do to wake up. I’ll wait.” 

Pero grabs what he needs for the day and waits for William, both men soon flanking you as you make your way to the dig site. Your tools in your pack as they carry the other items you need. The sun is already hot but you ignore it, determined to make a start on finding the scrolls. Pero wipes his brow after taking his hat off, his dark gaze dipping down to stare at your ass every now and then. You are beautiful, strong, and everything he has avoided until now. He doesn't want a strong woman to call him out on his bullshit. It's fucked up he knows but he wants a pliable woman he can fuck and duck.

The section of the wall that all your research points to being the headquarters for the Nameless Order is dilapidated, crumbling from neglect or sabotaged to hide the secrets of the past. Your camera carefully documents the facade from several angles and you feel the anticipation and excitement building when you finish taking a hundred photos. “I don’t want you shifting anything.” You tell them as you walk back over to them and the gear. “The structure is unstable and until I determine how to get inside safely, I don’t want to risk having it collapse on your head.” 

Pero rolls his eyes, placing his hands on his hips as he watches you inspect the structure. His ancestor - his namesake - had written about a mighty structure in the nearly faded letters that had been passed down from one generation to the next. “Idiot. Slow your roll. We will be able to get in there soon. Just keep an eye out.” William says and keeps his eyes on the horizon

It takes you about half an hour, evaluating and climbing over the stones before you give a joyous shout. “There’s an entrance!” You cry out happily, slinging your pack off of your back so you can take out the helmet with an attached headlamp on it, perfect for protecting your head when diving inside. Your rope comes out as well as you start to tie it around your waist. 

“Woah. Woah. Woah.” Pero steps forward to grab onto the back of your belt. “Jesus Christ, Chiquita. You need to fucking wait for us. Who the fuck knows what’s down there. One of us will go first and then you.” Pero pulls you back and grabs his flashlight to shine it into the cavern.

“No, you won’t.” On that front, you will stand your ground. “I am in charge of this dig site and it’s my rules.” You remind him stiffly. “I will go in first.” You turn on your own headlamp and start to move towards the entrance. “You might want to put a helmet on that hard head of yours.” You call over your shoulder. “Although I don’t know if it will fit over that overblown ego.” 

Pero growls, “fucking infuriating woman.” He spits in Spanish as you begin to lower yourself down into the darkness after securing the rope. Pero huffs, putting the hard hat on before he hammers the hook into the ground before he rappels down the side into the abyss.

You would smirk over his small fit, however you are too busy taking in every detail you possibly can. Halfway down you take out a glow stick and break it, illuminating the space and gasping. The inside of the structure is gigantic and you see the rotting remnants of an enormous wheel, evidence that this portion of the wall was far different from the others that are thoroughly explored and opened to tourists. “I knew it!” You crow happily. “This is it!”

Pero’s heart thumps in his chest and he prays you have found the place. The weight of his family’s generational endeavor weighs heavy on his shoulders and he lowers himself down until his feet hit solid ground. Turning on the light on his helmet, he glances around, admiring the ruins. “This is it?” He asks you, his voice a little breathless.

Bending down, you brush some dirt off of an artifact, a shredded piece of leather that seemed to be dyed blue at one time. Just bare traces of the color remain and you wonder if it had been part of a suit of armor. The legend claimed the Cranes wore blue, the Nameless order divided into specific tasks and were identified by the colors they wore. “I think this is it.” You answer in awe, smiling at the small piece of history in your hand. “This is…..amazing.” 

Pero strides over to look over your shoulder, inspecting the piece of leather. “I don’t understand what is so special about it. It’s just a piece of leather. Doesn’t tell us anything.” He plays dumb, not wanting you to know about his true motive.

You turn to him, excitement sparkling in your eyes. “The Crane Corps was a regiment of women. Chosen because they, of course, were lighter than their male counterparts. Although they were supposed to be just as deadly, if not more so. Incredibly brave, they hurled themselves off platforms over the top of the wall to fight the enemy below before they were hauled back up with a pulley.” You explain. “This blue matches the description of their armor. I need to find more, of course. Can you imagine if I found the old platforms?” You squeal in excitement at the possibility and look at him with absolute joy.

Pero huffs, getting a little impatient. “What about the scrolls? Do you know where they are? Any idea where they have been hidden?” He inquires, uninterested in the history of the ruins, more concerned with finding what he traveled so far for.

Your brow furrows and you look around. “I am sure they had a chamber for the council. Perhaps a meeting room.” You tell him. “We will find out soon. But first I need to examine here. Take photos and document it.”

Pero huffs, growing even more impatient, but he holds his tongue. Knowing you need to get your nerdy shit out of the way before he can get his hands on the scrolls. “Are you going to get started? We can set up some lights.”

“Yes! Yes, go get William and set up the lights.” You shove him back towards the hole you had come down. “I can’t wait to see this room lit up.” You turn around and immediately start looking around again, absorbing everything you can like a greedy child.

Pero climbs up to find William waiting for his companion, and he asks Pero how it’s going. “We’ve found the site. She just- she’s focusing on the wrong fucking things. She’s interested in fucking leather scraps instead of focusing on the prize. I told her we’d get the lights so we can see what the fuck is going on down there. Shall we get the shit and I’ll send it down to you?” He suggests, rubbing his gloved hands on his pants.

William shakes his head at his friend’s impatience. The Garin and Tovar families have been friends for generations and it’s nearly kismet that both of them are named after the same ancestors who had traveled to this exact spot hundreds of years ago. “We need to be patient.” William cautions. “We do not want her to suspect anything until we have those scrolls and can finally fulfill our family legacy.” He tells him, slapping  him on the back with a grin. He had thought they would be here for weeks before they found anything. 

Pero nods, his lips downturned when he thinks about betraying you. You’re a spitfire and he knows you will not give the scrolls up without a fight. “Let’s get the shit she wants and hopefully she won’t take all day to find the scrolls. I’m already over being in the desert again.” He glances behind him at the dunes and it reminds him of his time in the army.

William laughs again. “You always did hate the desert.” He says fondly, looking over at the equipment. “Let’s get her set up. The sooner we do, the sooner she can get to work.”

Huffing, Pero grabs the satchels and carries them towards the small cliff. He and William work in tandem to lower the satchels down before they work on putting together the lights. Within 30 minutes the lights are put together and the men light the cave for the first time in centuries. “Wow.” Pero murmurs, amazed at the ruins in front of him.

You have unearthed several more samples, practically giddy and grinning when you see the chamber flooded with light. “Can you feel it?” You ask, looking around and then back at the two men. “The history here. The stories these walls must hold.”

Pero can’t help but think your excitement makes you look even more beautiful. The way your eyes light up…it’s intoxicating and he can’t help but admire you when your passion shines through. He shakes his head, trying to get his mind away from any positive thought of you, needing to focus on you finding those scrolls. William raises his eyebrows at Pero, making him avert his eyes. “So…what next?” Tovar asks you.

“I need to document the room but then I want to explore.” You tell him excitedly. “I’m hoping that we can find the barracks rooms and then the council’s room. I want to see if I can find the scrolls.”

“Let’s hurry it up, princesa. Every moment we spend here is giving me the creeps.” Pero shivers, glancing around the ruins and he is anxious for you to find the scrolls. 

William shakes his head, “patience my friend.” He tells Pero, nudging him as you begin to take photos.

You take two hundred photos at least. Mapping every corner of the room and everything in it. You are thrilled, just this room alone has enough to keep you busy for weeks but you are here for the scrolls. Lowering the camera, you look towards the hallway. “I think I’m going to go down the hall and scope out what’s behind.”

Pero glances at William, raising his eyebrows. “Look at her. She just runs off with no concern for her safety. She’s fucking infuriating.” He growls and walks off, following you down the hall with his flashlight. You are speeding ahead and he calls out, “slow down, princesa. Fuck. I’m too old to run after you.” He half jokes as he tries to keep up.

You snort and keep going. There is a long hallway and your breath catches when you see the planks of a sturdy wooden door. “Oh that has to be a barracks room. Where they lived, bathed, slept.” You whisper, caressing the iron rivets in the steel band keeping the thick oak together. “Can you imagine? Men and women served together here.”

“Very progressive of them.” He murmurs, his eyes following your every move while keeping his eyes on the peripheral. He swallows harshly, “so…what got you interested in all this old shit?” He asks.

You brace your shoulder against the door and try to shove it open, hearing the wood creak but it doesn’t give. “I loved books growing up.” You explain. “I found one that talked about ancient myths.” You shove at the door again and crow happily when it slides open two inches. “And I went from there.”

Deciding to help, Pero shoves his shoulder against the door, deciding to help you, and he grunts as he pushes on the door, coughing when dust hits his face and the door swings open. “There you go hermosa.” He gestures to the empty room. “Books, huh? What about movies? Indiana Jones perhaps?” He teases.

You snort and give a small shrug. “Maybe a little.” You admit. “Harrison Ford is hot.” You look around the room, stepping in to view the dusty room with nothing but a stone ledge along one wall. “This should have been the bed.” You whisper. “Individual rooms. Nursing wounds, maybe fucking, right here.”

Pero raises his eyebrows, unable to deny the way his cock twitches at your curse. He imagines you on the stone ledge, naked and spread out for him, eager for him to lick your cu- “Did you hear me? Can you put the flashlight up?” You ask him, drawing him out of his fantasy. 

“Sure.” He raises his arm, allowing you to see more of the room.

You start photographing the room as well. “It’s amazing how well this structure was constructed. According to the myths, this section of the wall was used in the 11th century.” You spy a slightly divot in the floor and there is a missing stone in the center. “Ingenious.” You whisper. “There is a drain. I wonder if they had a bathing room or if they bathed privately.” You smirk to yourself. “I’ve always loved the idea of bathing in a big wooden tub of steaming water.”

He somehow manages to stop himself from imagining you in the bath, naked with suds just covering your tits. He definitely struggles to stop himself from imagining himself in the tub with you. "They were certainly ahead of their time." He hums, allowing himself a moment to admire the structure.

“Yes they were.” You breathe out in excitement. “The weaponry described is amazing. Even the recipe of the black powder. The precursor to gun powder we use today.” You sigh and look around the room. “They were warriors here. And I cannot wait to uncover more secrets.”

You spend a few hours exploring, Pero on your heels while William covertly searches for the scrolls. With no scrolls found and you needing a rest, the three of you make your way back to camp and start a new fire. “Fresh meal number two. One left to go.” You tease as you prepare the food. 

“I could do with losing some weight.” Pero rubs his stomach, glaring at William who agrees.

You snort and walk back over to the cooler where you had stored the fresh food, pulling a bottle of whiskey out. “I didn’t think we would find evidence of soldiers here so soon, but I knew we would find them.” You tell them as you turn back around and bring the bottle over. “This is to celebrate.”

Raising his eyebrows, Pero is impressed by your choice in whiskey. Watching as you pour each of you a glass before you hand them out. His heart thumps a little when your fingers brush his and he ignores the way his stomach twists. “Thanks, hermosa.” He murmurs, unable to stop himself despite knowing you’ll know what he means.

William chuckles but you just roll your eyes at the other man and give Tovar a small smile before you hold up your own glass in a toast. “I’ll take it as a compliment. It’s better than the mocking princesa nickname.” You hum before you take a large swallow of your own drink.

Chuckling, Pero sips his drink and leans back as you serve up the food, eagerly digging in after you hand him the metal bowl. “I gotta say…you’re a bloody good cook.” William compliments you with a groan. Pero nods in agreement, knowing that he’d starve if William and him were left in charge of the food. They had both survived far too many times on jerky and granola bars.

You give a small laugh, only a little bitter after all these years. “If you can’t cook, you can’t find a husband. No man wants a wife who’s smart and can’t cook.” You quote your mother as you pick up your own bowl after pouring yourself another glass of whiskey. “My mother was convinced I would forget about being an archeologist one day and want to be a housewife.”

“Not all women are as brave as you, or as smart. Some are happy to simply stay at home and have babies…which there is nothing wrong with that, but some women are destined for more. For greatness.” Pedro says, looking down at the metal glass. “Not that I’ll ever have a wife to find that out. William too.”

“No, there’s nothing wrong with being a housewife. Honestly, I admire them, but there is no way.” You shake your head and grin as you swallow down your second drink. “See where we are?” You gesture to the fading light and the scenery around you. “We are in fucking China. And I’m going to find scrolls that will change history!” You shout out into the air, giggling happily.

Pero and William exchange a look, knowing they are going to ruin your career but they need to finally find the scrolls and fulfill their families plight. They need that scroll. No matter what. “An early start tomorrow. Huh?” William says before finishing his whiskey. “In that case, I’m gonna get some shut eye. I’ll see you in the morning.” William says, standing up and washing out his dishes before leaving them to dry. He offers Pero a pointed look before he makes his way over to his tent.

You don’t drink much and the two you’ve had loosens your tongue more than perhaps you would have normally liked. “It’s too bad you’re an asshole.” You tell Pero, washing your own dishes in the tub of soapy water. 

“Why is that?” Pero huffs. 

You turn and give him a slight smile. “Because of the two of you, you would have been the one I’d have fucked if given a chance.”

His eyebrows shoot up and he can’t help but chuckle. “Yeah?” His voice deepens unconsciously. “You would’ve fucked me?” He asks. You nod, a cheeky grin on your face that makes him want to kiss it off of your lips. “Estas borracha, hermosa“ You’re drunk, beautiful. He sighs, knowing he should not touch you.

“Maybe a little.” You give a drunken shrug and put your dishes in the box to dry overnight. “Feels good though.” You tell him before you give him a small wink. “But I should go to bed. Or at least tell you I’m going to bed.” You huff. “You can’t hear me masturbate with the AC running. Another reason I wanted it.”

Pero’s cock twitches in his pants and he swallows down the growl that threatens to escape his lips. “And what if I want to hear?” He challenges you, his dark eyes meeting yours and the brown looks orange with the flames reflecting in his orbs.

You know you shouldn’t be talking about this at all, especially with him. You give a slightly wobbly smirk. “Then I guess you shouldn’t have been an ass.” You hum, turning back around to walk to your tent. “Night.” You call out before you unzip the flaps and let yourself into the cool tent.

Pero rubs his hands on his jeans, pacing back and forth as the fire crackles. He glances at his own tent before he looks over at you. He knows he should go to his own tent but the thought of touching you had him hard as rock. A small part of him wonders if he can get you on side for when you find the scrolls, maybe he can sweet talk you into giving them up. Deciding to give it a try, he strides over to your tent, knocking on the flap so you know he’s there.

Turning from where you were about to start getting undressed, you walk over to the tent flap. Your tent is large enough to stand up in, something you are grateful for and gives you enough room to move around. Unzipping the flap, you open it to find Tovar standing there. “Is something wrong?” You hadn’t been gone for too long, but you don’t know why he would be in front of your tent otherwise.

Pero doesn’t say a word as he steps into the tent and surges forward to press his lips to yours. Groaning into your mouth as his hands grip your waist. When you don’t push him away, he slides his tongue into your mouth.

You are shocked, surprised that he is here, kissing you. But your hands slide up his arms and across his shoulders to wrap around his neck. You hadn’t been lying when you told him that he was the one you would sleep with. Whether or not it was because he wanted you or just to say that he had fucked you, you don’t know or care in that moment. Intoxicated by the taste of the whiskey on his tongue, you feel your entire body start to hum. You are sober enough to say no, but you don’t want to.

His hands slide from your waist down to the ass he has stared at far more times than he’s willing to admit. Squeezing the flesh in his hands before his fingers tug on your button down. He pulls back from your mouth, kissing down your neck, and he growls in frustration when the shirt won’t come out of your pants. “How fucking tight is this?” He hisses, wanting to feel more of your skin.

You give a small giggle, amused by his impatience. You’ve discovered that Tovar wants everything now. Although you think teasing would be fun, you reach down and unbuckle your belt and flick the button of your jeans open. “There.” You coo. “Now you can get what you want.”

He huffs, “princesa,” before he grabs the bottom of your button down, pulling it up and off of you to expose your sensible bra. He can’t help but trace his fingers along the swell of your breast, leaning in afterwards to kiss along the flesh. His hands slide back to expertly unclasp the bra, tugging it down your arms to expose your tits. “Hermosa.” He groans, cupping and squeezing the flesh, his thumbs brushing your nipples.

“¿Te gustan las tetas?” You like tits? You moan softly, closing your eyes and enjoying the rough feel of his hands on your skin. They weren’t soft or pampered, calloused and hard, they felt perfect on your tender flesh. Arching your back so he touches you more and whining when he pinches your nipple and tugs.

He nods, leaning down to take your nipple into his mouth, sucking and biting down on the sensitive nub. He switches over to the other nipple, his hands now pushing your pants down, grateful your pants are shoved down to your ankles. He pulls back after a moment, pulling his shirt over his head, “take your panties off and lay down.” He orders as he works on removing his boots.

Moaning, you obey his order and undress completely before you lay down on the cot that served as your bed. Luckily it’s wide, nearly full sized with a thick pad on it for comfort before your bedding adds more cushion to it. You watch as Tovar strips down, revealing tan, scared skin that makes you want to ask about his past. Instead you squirm and reach up to squeeze your tits.

Tovar shoves his pants down along with his briefs, his cock bouncing now that it’s free, and he kneels on your cot between your legs. His fingers trail from your ankle to your thigh until his digits are brushing the curls at the apex of your thighs. “Hermosa.” He murmurs, voice deeper than before, and he slides his digits through your folds, groaning at how wet you are.

You bite your lip and shift your legs further apart. “T-Tovar.” You murmur softly, sighing happily when you feel him rub your clit. You had been trying to goad him when you talked about masturbating but you would rather have sex than take care of yourself.

“Dígame. Are you on birth control? If not, I have condoms in my pack in my tent and I’m clean.” He murmurs, sliding his fingers lower so he can push two into your cunt, groaning softly at how tight you are.

You gasp and your nails dig into his forearm when he pushes his fingers inside you. Loving how thick they are and the pleasure that bursts forth so easily. “I-I have, oh, it’s an IUD.” You moan. “N-no period. Good for f-field work.”

Pero groans in appreciation, “I’m clean. Got tested before we left.” He confesses and curls his fingers as he pushes them deeper. “So tight. Can’t wait to feel you around my cock.” He declares, withdrawing his fingers and he wraps his wet digits around his cock, pumping himself as he shuffles to position himself between your thighs.

Oh. You hadn’t expected him to make you cum by eating you out; but you had expected more than just a few pumps of his fingers. He grunts as he pushes inside you, making you bite your lip and hiss at the stretch without much more than your own natural wetness. “Fuck.”

Pero notices your hiss and stops, looking down at you with a furrowed brow. “Are you okay, hermosa?” He asks softly, his hand caressing your side. He’s many things but he doesn’t hurt women, and he is determined to make sure that you are okay.

You squirm slightly and exhale. “I’m good.” You tell him, not wanting him to think that you are wanting to stop. “It’s been awhile.” You confess quietly.

He nods in understanding. “I’ll go slow.” He promises and leans down to press his lips to yours before he resumes pushing into you. When he’s fully sheathed inside of you, he begins to move, slowly rocking his hips.

You moan after a few thrusts, your pussy flooding itself and making it easier for him to move. This is what you’ve missed, the weight of a man on top of you and the feeling of being full. Something that nothing else but sex could give you. “Tovar.” You whimper, kissing along his jaw and enjoying the way that his muscles strain under your fingertips

“Call me Pero.” He requests, kissing along your jaw as his hand slides up to squeeze your breast while he moves inside of you. “You feel so good baby. So fucking tight.” He grunts, closing his eyes as he tries to contain himself, stopping himself from spilling within a few thrusts.

You whine, feeling his body tense. “Pero.” You try his name out, the first time you’ve used his Christian name since being introduced to him. Oddly intimate considering he is inside you. Your hand slides down his back and you grip his ass while your legs wind around him.

Pero groans at the way his cock sinks deeper into you, loving the way you whimper when he hits something deep. He can’t help but pick up the pace, his stomach twisting as his cock twitches inside of you. “Fuck. I’m gonna- mierda.” He grunts, burying his cock deep inside of you before he paints your walls with his cum.

You can’t believe that he’s already cumming. Your walls flutter but you are nowhere near having an orgasm yourself. Still, you rock your hips with him to help him ride out his high.

He pants, closing his eyes as he buries his face in your neck. He feels guilty but it’s been a while since he felt a woman as tight as you and he couldn’t help but cum. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” He mutters, “lo siento, princesa.” He shifts to pull out of you but makes no moves to help you cum either through oral or fingering.

You lay there for a moment, wondering if you should just take care of yourself or just let your body cool down. You shift, moving off the cot and walking over to the small table you have set up for a wet wipe to clean yourself up and wipe his seed from your cunt.

Pero closes his eyes as he relaxes on your mattress, so much softer than the simple cots he and William have. It’s also so cool in your tent, he is close to falling asleep but he knows he needs to leave and go back to his own tent. He knows you enjoyed having his cock inside of you, so he quickly redresses. “We better get some sleep. Goodnight princesa.” He winks before he sneaks over to his own tent.

You huff, annoyed that you will still have to masturbate if you want to have any satisfaction tonight. Flopping back down on your bed, you don’t bother redressing. Instead you slip your hand between your thighs, determined to do what he did not.

The next morning, you, William, and Perro end up eating breakfast around the now burned out fire, and Pero is looking at you with a cheeky smirk on his lips. “Did you have a good night's sleep, hermosa?“ He asks with a wink in your direction.

William pauses, catching the wink and his eyebrows shoot up as he looks over at you. Amazed that his friend has already managed to slide between your thighs if he’s reading the signs right. You give a small shrug. “Slept fine.” You answer back. “Not hungover at least. Although I could hear your snoring over my AC.”

Pero chuckles, finishing up his breakfast before he gets up to wash his dishes. “Sorry about that. Slept like a baby. Always do after a - well, you know.” He says, not wanting to announce to William what had happened despite the pointed look his friend offered him.

You hum, nodding and shoveling your last bite of food in your mouth so you don’t make some pithy comment that will annoy him. Swallowing, you stand up and pick up your water bottle to drain the last of it. “We better get started then.” You tell them, walking over to wash your own dishes. “Let me get my pack and pee and I’ll be ready.”

Pero watches you go, a smirk still on his face, and William shakes his head. “I can’t believe you fucked her. I told you - did she - fuck. You’ve made this even more complicated, you idiot.” William groans, rubbing his temple.

William listens as Pero argues, telling him that he made it easier. You were going to be distracted by him at night. “Yeah, right.” William huffs, pointing a finger at him. “You better not fuck this up.”

“I know what I’m doing.” Pero lies, standing up to wash his dishes before he gets ready for the trek to the dig site. Soon enough, the trio are making their way to the dig site and Pero walks next to you instead of ahead of you, keeping his eyes and ears open but he can’t help but be close to you. “You enjoy last night, hermosa?” He asks.

You should have known Pero would want to crow about having sex with you. Disappointment fills you, but you brush it aside. “Dinner?” You ask. “Yes, it was delicious, I’m looking forward to our last fresh meal.” You catch sight of him shaking his head 

“No, princesa, I mean-“ 

“I know what you meant, Tovar.” You interrupt, shuffling your bag higher on your shoulders. “Hard to enjoy it when I was fingered for two seconds, fucked for thirty and then ended up having to take care of myself while you were snoring in your own tent.”

Pero stops walking, staring at you until William catches up. “Not going so well, brother?” The Irishman smirks, patting Pero on the back as he continues walking. Pero feels guilty as hell, wishing he had satisfied you and he knows he’s been a selfish lover in the past but he wants to rectify that. Perhaps it’s some ego trip but he wants you to scream his name in pleasure so loud, the ancient men and women who lived here hear it through time.

Getting back to where you had left off last night was easy, although you groan when you turn a corner to see a portion of a wall has collapsed and is blocking the way. “Fuck.” You hiss, hands on your hips for a moment before you pick up your camera and start documenting the site so you can start moving things. Once you are done, you pull out work gloves; knowing that moving the stones is the only way to get through. “Well, at least I’ll be tired tonight.” You mutter to yourself as you start to move the material.

Pero and William find you moving stones, both of them tutting as they step forward to help. “I’m gonna go get that shovel.” William says after all three of you are heaving and panting as you try to move the pieces. 

Pero wipes his forehead with the back of his gloved hand. “I’m sorry about late night. I- it was selfish and I should have at least made you cum once.”

“Don’t worry about it.” You pant out shortly, moving another larger stone and grunting from the effort. “Apparently it’s the Soul Snatcher 3000.” You joke. “At least that’s what my ex used to call it.”

Pero reaches for you, stopping you from lifting another rock, and he glances behind to see if William had returned. When he doesn’t hear the Irishman, he takes his glove off and reaches for you to press his lips to yours. “Let me make it up to you.” He requests, pecking your lips.

You raise a brow and accept another kiss. “You can make it up to me tonight.” You tell him with a smirk. “Show me that famous lover that William had talked about. Unless that was just as good as you get.”

Pero scoffs, “no. No. I - that was not my finest hour. It has been a while since I have been with a woman as - as beautiful as you. It got to me.” He flusters, biting his lip as he leans away from you. He puts his glove back on and kisses your lips again. “Tonight. I will make it up to you.” He vows.

You grin and lean forward to kiss him once more, biting down on his bottom lip. “Okay.” You agree, enjoying the way he grunts and his eyes darken in the light from your headlamp. “I want to see what you can really do tonight. So I don’t have to masturbate again.”

The day passes with no sign of the scrolls but Pero isn’t as frustrated as he was during the first day. He is eager for the night. He wants to see you spread out again so he can taste you. He wants to make up for his disappointing performance. The last fresh dinner is cooked and Pero’s eyes watch you over the flames of the fire.

You don’t give any hint that you are looking forward to later. Talking with Will and moaning over the last fresh meal. It’s delicious and you roll your eyes when you take your first bite. “Oh god, I’m going to miss this.” You huff, closing your eyes in pleasure as the food melts in your mouth.

Tovar tries and fails to ignore the way his cock twitches in his pants at your groans, the way your eyelashes flutter against your cheeks. William can’t help but pick up on the tension, anxious to scoff his dinner and find respite in his tent. “Sounds like you’re enjoying the meal, princesa?” He teases before digging into his own meal, a groan escaping his lips.

“Yes.” You savor another bite and then open your eyes to look over at the two men. “There are plenty of seasonings but nothing ever makes food from a bag taste as good as fresh in my opinion.” You tell him. “Especially after a long, hot day.” You have every intention of finishing your meal and going back to your tent to wash up before Tovar comes to join you. While you aren’t going to go to the nearest river and bath, you still can sponge off and make sure that you are clean enough.

William nods in agreement, hating that he has to rush this meal but it's best that he escapes before Tovar sets his sights on you. "Delicious." William hums as he finishes his food, shifting to stand up. "You know what? I'm exhausted. I'm gonna get some sleep." He feigns a yawn and walks over to wash up his dishes.

You wonder if the Irishman knows Pero is going to be in your tent tonight, not that it matters to you. You are a big girl, a grown up who was perfectly capable of making your own decisions. Turning your gaze to Tovar, you give him an amused look. “Yeah, I’m tired too. I need to wash off and fall into my bed.” You tell them as you stand up too. “Early night for everyone I guess.”

Pero nods, rubbing his sweaty hands on his jeans after washing up his dishes. He is anxious and excited to touch you again. This time, he is determined to hear you scream out his name in pleasure. Loud enough to keep William awake at night. "I'm tired too." Pero announces and William offers him a roll of his eyes along with a "just don't be too loud" before he bids you both goodnight, making his way over to the tent.

"I can give you a few minutes if you wish, hermosa." He smiles softly and shoves his hands in his pockets. "I should wash up too." He blushes a little, knowing the desert has the ability to make you sweat and combined with the dust from the ruins. "Go clean up baby." He jerks his chin as your tent before making his way back over to his own.

Tovar quickly washes off, leaving his shirt off and forgoing boots so he is left in his jeans before he makes his way over to your tent. Sniffing his breath to make sure brushing his teeth had removed the remaining taste of the dinner you cooked. He knocks on the flap of your tent, hearing your soft 'come in' and he enters, his breath leaving his lungs at the sight of you spread out and waiting for him.

“Hey.” You shamelessly watch him as he closes the tent flap and walks towards you. “So what do you want to do tonight?” You ask slightly breathless with anticipation and you spread your legs apart even more.

"Make you cum." He growls, kneeling down on your cot and wasting no time in burying his face into your folds. His tongue sliding through them until he is flicking the tip over your clit. "You taste fucking incredible, princesa." He groans, leaning back in to harshly suck on your clit.

You cry out, reaching up to cover your mouth so you don’t bother William. Moaning into your palm while he licks through your folds. “I want to hear you.” He growls, reaching up and grabbing your wrist to pull it away from your mouth, making you moan again and slide your legs onto his back so he can reach more of you.

His tongue slides deep into your cunt, a groan escaping his lips as he dives deeper for more of your tangy arousal. His hands dig into your thighs, pushing them backwards towards your stomach so he can delve into your cunt. His tongue slides back up to your clit and he takes it between his lips, sucking harshly while his eyes look up at you.

Rocking your hips against his mouth you whimper his name. Watching his dark eyes as he pierces you with their gaze. You can see he wants to make it good for you, make you cum. That itself is sexy and makes you reach down to tangle your fingers into his dark curls while you shamelessly use his tongue for your pleasure. “Oh fuck.” You gasp. “Pero!”

He loves how you gasp his name. He is desperate to hear it again and again. “Good girl, hermosa. Cum for me.” He growls after pulling back from your clit for a moment. He needs to make you cum. Sucking your clit back into his mouth, he growls when you squeal.

“Pero, Pero, Perooooooooo!” You cry out, arching your back off the cot as the liquid heat of your orgasm whips through you. Igniting every cell in your body and flooding it with endorphins that seems to make you sing in pleasure. Sobbing his name again when he keeps sucking on your clit like it’s his favorite candy until you are whining and shoving at his head as he resists letting go.

He reluctantly pulls away from you after several more licks that make your thighs shake. “Did I make up for last night?” He smirks, kissing the back of your thigh. 

“Oh God. Yes.” You pant and he chuckles. 

“Good. Another one.” He orders, pushing two thick digits into your still pulsing walls.

You whimper, grabbing the sheets and twisting them in your hands while his fingers work deep in your cunt. “Oh fuck. Shit, there!” Your hips jerk when he presses against that spongy little spot you can never seem to reach yourself. “Oh god, right there.”

Surging forward, Pero sucks your clit into his mouth with a groan, keeping his fingers pressed against that spot that made you moan. He wants to leave you wrecked, he wants to have you ache in the morning and be reminded of him with every step you take. You're his new addiction, obsessed with the way you cry out his name.

It burns, that’s how good it feels. Consuming everything inside you and leaving you unable to do more than pant out his name and take the way that he strokes his fingers deep into your cunt. “Pero.” Sobbing out his name again, you feel the pressure building up in your core. “Gonna cum.”

He doesn’t let up, sucking on your clit as he breathes harshly through your nose, and he continues pumping his fingers into your cunt, curling them to hit that spot over and over again. When you clamp down on his fingers, he loves the way you squeal so loud, he’s certain people in the nearest village hear you.

Gasping and shuddering your way through your orgasm, you feel like you are soaking him in a flood of your cum. Not that he seems to mind, the slick squelch of his fingers keeps moving inside you. “Oh shit, oh shit.” Whimper and finally having enough so that you slump down and try to close your legs so he can’t touch you anymore. “Pero please!”

He relents, withdrawing his fingers from your leaking cunt, and he kisses your stomach as he snakes his way up your body. Taking a nipple into his mouth, he sucks hard before biting down on the sensitive flesh, his cock pressing against the zipper of his jeans.

You mewl, rolling your hips up and sliding your hand down so you can cup his through the material. “Strip.” You pant desperately. “Want you inside me.” You don’t say that you hope he lasts longer, but you do. Even with your orgasms, you want him to fuck you longer this time.

Pero is reluctant to move off of you but he does, shifting to stand up, and he shoves his jeans down, revealing his lack of underwear. His cock is rock hard, throbbing and leaking pre cum as the need for you burns higher inside of him. He is desperate to feel your tight cunt clamp down on his cock when you cum, soaking him. “Hands and knees.” He orders, reaching down to pump his cock.

You flip over to your stomach and push up onto your knees, presenting your ass to him. Wiggling it around and looking over your shoulder with a smirk on your face. “You gonna fuck me?” You hum.

He nods, kneeling on the bed, and he can’t believe how fucking sexy you are. With his free hand, he slaps your ass cheek, loving the jiggle of the flesh, and he steps closer to slide the head of his cock through your folds until he can notch the head at your entrance. He pushes into you with a hiss, unable to believe how tight you are around him.

“Fuuuuuuuuck.” Your head drops between your shoulders and you rock your hips forward, loving how he feels filling you up. “Fuck Pero.” You hiss. “You feel so fucking big inside me.” You have no problem praising him, because he feels like he’s splitting you open.

He reaches out to caress along your spine before he grips your hips, keeping you still so he can work his cock inside of you. After he is fully seated inside of you, he rocks his hips, barely pulling out of you before he is surging back into you. “I - It’s just that you’re fucking tight. Jesus, princesa. Gonna - gonna make you cum on my cock.” He is glad he jerked off before dinner because he definitely would’ve cum by now. “Mierda.” He hisses when you clench around him.

“Yesss.” You drop down to your elbow and push back against him. “Make me cum. I want to cum on your cock. Soak it.” You whimper and clench down around him again when he gives another rough thrust.

He thrusts into you with a groan, his fingers digging into your hips, and he bends over your body to kiss along your neck. Biting down on the juncture of your shoulder and neck, he thrusts deep and hard, wanting you to feel him in your stomach. “So- so good baby. Taking me so well.”

All you can do is groan, each thrust pushing the air out of your lungs to where all you can manage is pathetic little noises. Squeaks and whimpers every time his cock slams back into you. Your eyes roll back and you whine when his teeth dig in a little deeper into the meat of your skin, marking you with the outline of his pearly whites.

His hand slides along your waist until he is squeezing your breast, while his other hand finds your clit. He’s determined to make you cum as he rubs your bundle of nerves, needing you to clamp down on his cock.

Your entire body reacts to his hands. Tensing and bowing up seconds before you cum. Wailing out his name as your cunt bears down on him in a vice grip, soaking him with your arousal.

"That's it baby. That's fucking it." He grunts through gritted teeth, loving the way you wail and clamp down on him. He works you through it, feeling his cock twitch but he closes his eyes and tries to not cum yet. He has to make up for how he treated you last night. He pulls out of you after you finish shaking from your orgasm, and he slaps your ass again. "Want you to ride me. Need you to cum one more time." He orders.

Moaning, you watch him flip onto his back and quickly straddle his thighs. Wrapping your fingers around his cock, you pump it and hold him steady while you shuffle over him and start to sink down on him.

His dark eyes focus on the way you sink down onto his cock, watching his length disappear inside of your body. It's almost enough to make him cum but he holds his breath and controls himself. "Hermosa." He murmurs, looking up into your eyes and his hands cup your tits, squeezing the flesh with an appreciative groan.

“So I just needed to sleep with you to sweeten that sharp tongue?” You tease as you roll your hips and grind down on him. “How sweet will you be if I suck your cock?” You hun, squeezing him right before you lift your hips to take him deep again.

He shakes his head, “no. No. You. You sweetened my tongue. You’re brilliant. Smart. Sexy.” He smirks, his hands sliding down to your waist, helping you lift up and down on his cock. “So fucking sexy.” He groans. Needing you to cum one more time, his hand slides lower so he can rub your clit with his thumb.

“Ohhhhh.” You tilt your head back and moan, bracing your hands on his chest and rocking just a bit harder. “Fuck Pero.” You whimper, feeling him twitch when you grip him again. “You feel so big, I feel you so deep.”

His other hand slides to your stomach, pressing down so he can feel his cock move inside of you. It twitches in reaction and a shaky breath escapes him. He’s never felt so connected to someone he’s had sex with. “Cum for me baby. Cum for me.” He orders, his dark eyes meeting yours when your chin falls to your chest.

Your body can’t help but obey his order. Struggling to keep your eyes open when you cum, your vision goes blurry, making your hips rock towards him and you collapse against his chest. Blindly pressing your lips to his and moaning his name against them again.

Pero is on the edge, the way you’ve soaked his cock and grip him tight has him ready to cum. He wraps his arms around your waist, dragging you down further so he can press his lips to yours before he thrusts up into you. A groan pushed into your lips as he fucks you hard and fast, seeking his own high. “Mierda.” He growls into your mouth before he cums, his cock thrusting up deep into you before he freezes and his cock twitches, painting your walls with his cum.

Whimpering at the hot flood of his seed inside you, you kiss him through his high, slowly grinding on him until his arms relax around you. “God.” You pant, trying to catch your breath. “That was- fuck.” You giggle, draping yourself over him and feeling his heart race against your breast. “Yeah. That was good.”

He turns his head to kiss along your jaw as you rest on top of him. “Did that make up for last night, hermosa?” He asks, his hands caressing along your spine and down to your ass. Squeezing playfully before coming back up.

“Definitely.” You hum, tucking your head against his neck for a moment and kissing his pulse before you start to reluctantly move away. He had left pretty quickly after last night and you don’t want to make him feel like he had to stay.

Pero doesn’t want to let go, dragging you back into his chest as he shifts his hips to turn you on your side so he can curl around you while his softening cock is still inside of you. He doesn’t want to let go and break this spell, knowing that when tomorrow arrives, you’ll be annoyed by him again.

You don’t comment, just curl into his chest and close your eyes. The sweat drying on your skin in the cool air of your tent and you don’t mind him being here. Scared to voice the idea of him staying because he may want to fuck you, but he still most likely doesn’t like you. Instead you just let yourself drift off to sleep, aware that he will be gone when you wake up.

****

A week passes by and Pero sleeps in your cot every night, wrapped around you, but he is gone before the sun comes up. He doesn't really say a lot to you during the day, letting you focus on the excavation, and he ignores the looks from William. When the Irishman goes to get some more tools for you, Pero takes the opportunity to grab the back of your jeans and pull you back into him, his hands gripping your waist. "Been thinking about touching you all day, hermosa." He reveals, leaning down to kiss your neck.

You tilt your head and moan softly. “Yeah?” You ask with a grin. “How do you want to touch me? Like you did last night? Or the night before?” The sex has been amazing, every night he pulls orgasms out of you, determined to make sure that he knows your body better than anyone. He had learned everything that makes you squeal.

“I want you-” He kisses along your neck, “to let me put your legs over my shoulders, and fuck you so hard, you squirt like you did a few days ago. Want you to soak my cock and my stomach like a fucking waterfall.” He growls, nipping on your jaw as his hands slide higher to squeeze your tits through your shirt.

“Oh fuck.” You pant softly, remembering how fucking pleased with himself he had been. Just fucking smug and demanding that you do it again. “Yesss.” You whimper, pushing your ass back against his cock. “I want - fuck, I want that.” You admit, reaching back and tangling your fingers into his slightly greasy hair. “I’m going to go bathe in the river tonight.” You murmur softly, extending a silent invitation to him. “Do more than sponge off.”

“Mmmm, I suppose I need a wash too. After dinner, we can go.” He says, kissing along your jaw until he can press his lips to yours, his tongue sliding into your mouth. With every moment he spends in your company, it gets harder to remind himself why he’s here. To steal the scrolls. He will focus once they have been found. 

“Fuck. Now you’re doing it in the daylight? Gimme a break.” William groans as he carries the box full of supplies you need.

Your cheeks flame hit and you quickly pull away from Pero, embarrassed that you hadn’t heard the other man return. “Sorry.” You murmur, quickly walking over to grab what you need. Tovar has become a distraction and you need to keep your mind on your work during the day and not on the handsome Spaniard who is warming your bed.

“Tonight.” Pero murmurs, pecking your cheek before he lets you go so you can continue with your inspection of the ruins. He doesn’t miss the pointed look from William and he knows he needs to focus again on the scrolls but his eyes flick down to your ass as you walk off.

Hours later, you squeal in excitement, echoing down the stone hallways and alerting the men who are nearby. “Oh my god!” Your eyes are wide as you uncover the ornate box. The two men burst into the room, looking for danger or trouble before they spot you and the wooden and gold box.

Pero’s hand drops from his gun and his eyes widen as you work on opening the box. “Is that- are those-?” William gasps and looks over at Tovar whose heart is beating in his chest. He can’t believe you’ve actually found them. Finally. After so many generations searching for them, he and William are going to be the ones to fulfill the family plight.

“The scrolls of the Nameless Order.” Yin whisper reverently, sliding your hand over the inlaid gold writing and pictures that are covering the box. “It has to be, there is a creature….one that I’ve seen in the myths. The Tao Tei, the creatures the Nameless were supposed to have fought.”

Pero can’t help but move closer, looming over you so he can see the box when you open it. His heart stops when the box reveals its contents: the scrolls. He looks over at William, both men are in awe of the scrolls they searched for.

“Don’t touch anything.” You demand, your tone is serious and professional. Your gloves will prevent any oils from getting on the parchment from your skin but you need to make sure they are preserved properly. “We need to make sure we treat them gently. They are over one thousand years old.”

Pero nods, listening to you as you gently pick up the parchment. His impatience makes him huff but he allows you to take the lead. Both he and William need to know what is in those scrolls.

You take a deep breath, your heart pounding in your chest and you open one of the scrolls, nearly vibrating out of your skin in excitement. “Oh, it’s gorgeous.” You breathe out in awe as the beautiful script unfolds. “Look at how well the ink has held up.” Your eyes roam over the pages and you hum in satisfaction. “I will be able to translate this easily.”

Pero is stunned for a moment, not sure what he expected, but he curses himself for not being able to read Archaic Chinese, for not remembering that the scrolls would be written in another language. He knows that’s stupid but he’s been obsessed with getting these scrolls.

William huffs, hands on his hips and then he starts laughing. He hadn’t thought about the language barrier either. “Damn, you can read it?” With a grin. “You speak Spanish and Chinese?” You shrug and keep looking at the scrolls. “My field of study is ancient China. Of course reading and speaking the language is required.”

Pero is impressed by you, and he can’t help but say, “beauty and brains.” He quips, winking at you when you fluster and duck your head to continue inspecting the scroll. “I guess we are in your capable hands to read this.” William says, his fingers already itching to just steal the scrolls and get the fuck out of the desert. He never wants to come to the desert again.

“We need to be careful now.” You tell both of them. “I know many people would love to get their hands on the scrolls and use them for their own gain.” You carefully roll the scroll up and place it back in the box. “I need to get this back to camp to photograph and start translating.”

Pero doesn’t look at William, biting his lip as he knows it’s gonna destroy you when he steals the scrolls from you. He knows it’s gonna hurt but generations of ancestors have sought out these scrolls. “Let’s get it back to camp then.” Pedro says and William nods, his jaw clenched slightly.

You nod quickly, eager to get back so you can start documenting. “Okay.” You agree. “Let’s pack it up for the day. I want to spend the rest of the day with these babies.” You grin, caressing the box gently. “I did it. I found the scrolls.”

Later that night, after the dehydrated dinner has been eaten and dishes washed, Tovar makes his way to your tent. Tonight, he isn't going to get straight to sex, he wants to find those scrolls. He enters your tent to find you standing there waiting and he surges forward to kiss you, needing to have one last kiss before he betrays you. "Wait. Wait, baby. I need to go pee." You murmur, pecking his chin before you offer him a smirk, exiting the tent. Taking the opportunity, Tovar begins to rifle through your things, desperate to find those scrolls.

You feel like you are walking on air. Nothing could ruin your good mood. You’ve found the scrolls within a week of being on the dig site, evidence that would change history forever. Proving the existence of the elite order and guaranteeing that you can work for any museum or college department you want. Peeing quickly and cleaning up, you make your way to your tent to celebrate. Your good mood instantly deflates when you see Pero digging through your cases. “What are you doing?” You demand.

Tovar spins around to look at you, eyes wide, and he swallows harshly, the guilt threatening to overwhelm him but he doesn’t want to lie to you. “I- I’m trying to find the scrolls. To, uh, to keep them somewhere safe.” He lies, unable to stop himself from sounding suspicious. It’s hard to lie to you.

You see right through him. Anger and crushing disappointment floods you, making you scoff. “Right. Keep them safe.” You stride past him. 

“Hermos-“ 

“Don’t call me that.” You hiss, snatching up the bag you had planned to take to the river to bathe. Merely hours ago you were completely enthralled with this man and now you catch him trying to steal the scrolls. 

“Let me-“ 

“You don’t need to explain shit.” You whirl around and glare at him. “You had every intention of fucking me until we found the scrolls. God, I’m such an idiot.” You chuckle dryly, ignoring the quick shake of his head, his eyes look guilty though. “I’m going to bathe, alone.” Your glare turns sardonic, cutting. “It’ll give you more time to try to find the scrolls and steal them.” You spit, rushing out of the tent and away from the camp.

Pero watches you run away, his stomach churning and the guilt settles in his gut like rocks on the bottom of a river. He can’t help but spin around, punching through the tent in his anger and embarrassment. He should’ve told you about his family. He should’ve told you about William’s and his plan. He knows he should’ve told you everything…even how he feels. “Fuck!” He shouts, deciding to go and find you, to try and explain.

It’s good that you are alone, tears sliding down your face. You are embarrassed because you started to care for the infuriating man, maybe even love him. Finding out that he has just gotten close to you to get the scrolls hurt more than you can imagine. Through your tears and distress, you don’t see them until you are running into one. Men, a group of them, making you gasp when one of them grabs you. 

“Tov-“ Slapping his hand over your mouth when you shriek, pinning you to him as you start to thrash around to get away. Bandits. You hear them start talking about you, realizing they had been waiting for night to raid the camp, they had seen you digging. Now you are at their mercy as they drag you away from the river, the bag you had carried gets dropped, left behind.

Pero is making his way down to the river when he hears your shriek. Running through the sand, he nearly falls when his boots slide through the mud, and he calls out your name. Trying to figure out where you have gone, he uses his flashlight to look down and see the footprints. “Mierda. Mierda!” He growls, knowing you’ve been taken. He rushes back to the camp, opening William’s tent without a thought. “She’s gone. She’s been taken.” Pero shouts, making William jump.

“Taken?” William stares at his friend in confusion. “She was with you. What do you mean?” He demands, unaware of what happened before you left.

“I- I was trying to find the scrolls and she - she found me. Knew what I was doing and I- fuck. Amigo, It’s no longer about the scrolls. It’s about her.” Pero declares and William nods. 

“I know. I know. I- I’ve known for a while that you’re in love with her.” The Irishman’s words make Pero reel back slightly in shock, unable to really admit it to himself until that moment. 

“Yes. Yes. I love her. We need to find her. Get your guns. I’m going to fucking kill those bastards.” Tovar growls.

****

“Fuck you!” Your words are muffled as you spit them through the gag that is tied around your mouth, although they know what you are saying. The one closest to you pulls back and slaps you across the face hard enough to make you choke out a sob and your eyes water, feeling the pain explode across your cheek. 

“We will trade her for the scrolls. The one fucking her will give them up.” You hear them discussing you in their language and your heart sinks. There is no way that you would be traded for the scrolls. Pero is probably already out of China by now. It’s been two days since you have been taken and you know that they will kill you once they figure out he’s gone.

****

Pero and William are exhausted. They haven’t slept since you were taken, tracking you and the bastards that took you. Tovar has been anxious, and that’s putting it lightly. Driving William mad with his heavy breathing and anxiety. When the men finally find where you are being kept, they hang back and watch the men. Pero growing more and more furious.

“We could keep her.” You cringe away from the hand of one of the men, trying to touch you and grabbing your thigh, squeezing it roughly. It’s been hard to ignore the comments they have made about you. It isn’t the first time one of them suggested using you, but you squirm away from him, not liking the look in his eyes. “Bitch.” He hisses, scowling at you and slapping you again. “You think you’re too good for me?”

Pero and William watch from the rocky outcrop. Pero is ready to pounce, to cut the jugular of every single fucker keeping you hostage, but he can't. They are outnumbered and they need to be smart. "They are all dead." Pero growls and reaches for his sniper rifle, determined to kill those fucks for even breathing near you.

“Don’t lose your head.” William cautions, putting his hand on the top of the rifle to push it down. “Let me get close to her. So I can grab her when you start causing chaos.”

Pero nods, knowing he needs to control himself if he is going to rescue you. “Go. Go now.” Tovar orders, impatient to get you away from the assholes who took you. He watches William get up, trusty bow and arrows in his hands. Maybe they are old fashioned but he is an expert with them.

William creeps close to the rocks where you are being held. The bow is already notched on the string as he moves closer. He has never seen his friend as frantic or angry as he is right now, even when they were fighting for their lives. He knows that his job is to get to you, to protect you. The silent agreement being that the men who had taken you would be left for Tovar to dispatch to hell personally. Especially the man who had put his hands on you. Right at the edge of the boulders, William looks towards where Pero is set up and nods, drawing his bow back and aiming for the bandit closest to him.

"Fuck!" The man yelps, the arrow piercing his arm, and his crying out makes the other men look around. They try to find where the arrow came from and Pero takes the opportunity to fire at a few of them. Quick pops of gunfire have the men falling to the ground as William tries to distract them enough to grab you.

You scream against the gag when you start to hear gunfire and people dropping around you, covering your head and trying to cower down. Struggling when someone grabs you until you hear your name being shouted over and over again and you open your eyes to see William. “Let’s get you out of here!” He shouts and starts dragging you towards the gunfire.

Tovar focuses on taking out the men now that you’ve been rescued by William. He easily takes out the bastards, watching them drop to the ground one by one as bullets fly. He can’t focus on you right now, he will after the men have been taken out. He hums in satisfaction when all the men are dead. One - the one who touched you- is groaning in agony, and Pero stands up, taking his handgun out of his pocket, and he slowly walks over to loom over the man. He curls his lip up as he glares at the man, wasting no time in shooting him in the head. Sweat is beaded on his brow and he glares at the man before holstering his gun, making sure they are all dead.

When you are away from the rocks, about two hundred yards away and can’t see the camp anymore you shove away from William and start tearing at the gag around your mouth with your bound hands. “Oh God, oh God.” You stammer, shaking when you realize that William had saved you and then look around, disappointed it wasn’t Pero that had come for you. “Why- where- did he run off already?” You ask, shaking your head as you scrub at your skin where it has been raw from the bonds they had you in. 

Tovar comes into view as you say that, feeling guilty once again but also relieved that you are safe. He reaches to grab you, pulling you into his chest and breathing you in despite knowing you’ll be shoving him away. “I’m so sorry hermosa. So sorry. I- I shouldn’t - fuck. Are you okay?” He asks, pulling away and cupping your cheeks to look into your eyes.

You let out a sob and you want to curl into his chest, take comfort in his scent and presence. Instead you nod and pull away. “I’m fine.” Your voice wavers but you take a deep breath and close your eyes, trying to believe that this isn’t some kind of dream. “I take it you didn’t find the scroll, otherwise you wouldn’t be here.” You tell him coldly before you turn back to William. “Where is camp? I want to get away from here.” 

Pero's heart aches at your words, knowing he's ruined any chance of him being able to tell you how he really feels. "Hermosa. Are you - I'm sorry. So sorry. I- fuck. Please. Just listen to me." He pleads, hating the way you wrench out his grip and begin making your way across the desert.

You hear him start to follow you, scrubbing your eyes and trying to keep yourself from crying. You feel betrayed in every sense of the word but you are also grateful that he came for you. “You didn’t have to sleep with me.” You murmur to yourself, just loud enough that you know he can hear you. “Or was that just a bonus? Fuck the stupid archeologist and then rob her blind, all while you can tell your friend that you tricked me.”

Tovar can’t help but reach for your wrist, gently stopping you and turning you back to face him. “No. No. I- I tried to stay away. I tried to not touch you but you’re so fucking irresistible it’s irritating.” You roll your eyes and try to pull out of his grip but he keeps you close. “I tried to stay away but you drew me in and now- fuck - now I can’t stop thinking about you. Hermosa. Please understand. My ancestors have been searching for those scrolls for generations. It details the family fortune in black powder. My ancestors and William’s fought hard for the wealth but it was stolen. We are just trying to get back what is rightfully ours. The side effect that I fell in love with you was not planned.”

Your mouth drops open and you gape start him in shock. “You- you love me?” You want to believe it but it’s hard, the image of him digging through your stuff looking for the scrolls flashes in your mind. 

“He does.” William speaks up, having trailed behind both of you. “He wanted to kill all of them. Especially the fucker who hit you.” He offers with a smile. “My friend is an asshole but he’s not lying. He loves you.”

A blush covers Pero’s cheeks as he ducks his head, unused to such intimate terms when his life has been so full of turmoil and violence. His hand gently grips yours, his thumb caressing the back and he bites his lip while looking into your eyes. “I am a bad man. I am a thief. A killer. I have lied and I have stolen but believe me when I say that I will offer you my body, my heart, for as long as you want me, and I will never lie to you again. I swear it, hermosa. I’m yours if you want me. If not, William and I will escort you home with the scrolls and will leave you be.”

You stay silent for a long moment before you step up to him. Reaching out and slapping him across the cheek. “That’s for lying to me. Sleeping with me while you had every intention of stealing from me.” You hiss. Pero looks shocked before his eyes fall to the ground and he nods. Stepping closer, you grab the back of his neck and yank him to you. “This is because I love you.” You murmur before you press your lips to his.

His shock fades and his cheek stings but he grabs your waist to pull you closer, deepening the kiss as he tilts his head. The kiss lasts several moments until William clears his throat. When Pero breaks the kiss, he nudges your nose with his and kisses your forehead. “Te amo, amor.” He murmurs, pulling back to look into your eyes.

“I love you too.” You murmur softly. “I shouldn’t, but I do.” You caress his cheek gently, soothing the sting of your hand. “I know that you didn’t have to save me, thank you.” You whisper.

"Always. I will always save you. Come on hermosa, let's head back to camp. I am sure you want something to eat and to clean up and then I want to show you how much I love you." William groans at that, having had to listen to you fuck every night. Tovar chuckles, shaking his head at William as he picks up the rifle before beginning the journey back to camp. "Forget the scrolls, amigo. I think I found something far more precious." Pero coos, lifting your joined hands to kiss the back of it. William groans, making you giggle. 

"You have a lot of making up to do, Tovar." You tell him, squeezing his hand. 

"I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, baby." He promises, offering you a smile. It's true, he arrived in China desperate to find the scrolls and find his ancestors' fortune, but he doesn't care about the treasure now that he has you: the greatest prize of all.

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[yieldfruit]

How do you live out choosing faith over fear and being truly dependent on God?

Oh man, this is something I was just ruminating upon today. I was in church earlier today and thinking about how reliant I am upon the Lord; truly dependent. I am dependent because I believe His Word that says I am: I am dependent on Him for my very breath to breathe. I am dependent on Him for provision and for direction and for my daily bread. All this to say: I have a job and financial provision, but I still live my life dependent on Him in the sense that everything I have comes from Him–even the ability to make money (1 Chronicles 29:12). I don't believe anything I have is because of my own cleverness, anything I have is from His hand–including salvation. So I live my life from this belief because I read the Word daily and the Bible transforms our minds and how we view everything (Romans 12:2). Which is also why I thank God before every meal I eat and ask Him to bless and nourish it to my body (Matthew 6:11 + 1 Timothy 4:3-5). So I find being dependent on Him comes from my perspective and my perspectives comes from biblical truths, I am a work in progress in this (we are all being sanctified this side of Eternity). I am dependent on Him because every day I see I am nothing without Him; He is God and worthy of all my allegiance and my life is not my own. Our lives are not our own (Colossians 3:3).

Also, earlier today I felt scared about something. I have felt scared about things in my life for sure, I won't go into the trials and timeline of my life here now, but I have had challenges and the Lord has kept me and guided me. So as I see His faithfulness through the years I know I can be scared–feeling like if I move forward, if I jump, will there be anything underneath me to carry me or will I fall? And I do believe as I am: 1. seeking to honor Him + praying about what He has placed on my heart, and 2. seeking to live by His Word (He would never have us do anything against His Word/heart + counsel as revealed in His Word) then I know He is with me and He is faithful and I can be scared, yet confident that I am not alone and my life is in the hands of the Maker of Heaven & Earth and that is far more precious than my life being in the care of anything or anyone else. I trust Him.

[pinkthick]

REQUEST ARE OPEN

You can choose from down below any prompt/prompts you want with the following characters:

✩ Stephen Strange

✩ Defender Strange

✩ Sinister Strange

✩ Doctor Strange Supreme(What if?)

✩ Supreme Strange

✩ Monster(from vampires to werewolves lmao) Stephen Strange

✩ Sherlock Holmes

The fanfictions won’t be really long (1500 max ig?) and they would probably be Fem!Reader (I could try with gn!reader too). Choose a sentence/sentences from down below and you can give your own ideas too.

I will be going on a trip so they probably won’t be posted this week(bear with me please).🙏

Prompts

✩ Angst

1. ”Is everything a joke to you?"

2. "It's my fault, I didn't listen to everyone saying this would be a mistake!"

3. "Why does everything have to be a struggle with you?"

4. "I can't believe you sometimes!"

5. “Great. Really great, this is just perfect.”

6. "Why can't you just let it go?"

7. "That is the dumbest excuse I have ever heard!"

8. "Maybe you should just leave now."

9. "Oh yes, you're so great.”

10. "I really don't understand what's going on with you sometimes!"

11. "I will leave now, or I'm going to say things I will regret later.”

12. "Have you never actually thought about how I would feel about this?"

13. "Maybe this is it, because I can't do this anymore!"

14. "Don't you dare just walk away right now!”

15. "This wouldn't even be a problem, if you wouldn't make one out of it."

16. "How does that make it okay?"

17. "Do you even listen to yourself?"

18. "I'm glad I finally get to see who you really are.”

19. "Hey, hey, it's okay. Breathe."

✩ Fluff

1. "I thought you left" "Nope, just making pancakes"

2. "I never want to let you go.”

3. "I can't believe you remembered that" "I remember everything about you"

4. "I'm so proud of you"

5. "Did you just call me sweetheart?"

6. "Take my affection before I choke you with it"

7. "Is it okay if I fall asleep here?"

8. "I can keep you company till you fall asleep"

9. "I can't imagine my life without you"

10. "You complete me"

11. "I'm counting down the days until I see you"

12. "I love your apartment" "Our apartment"

13. "Sorry for borrowing your clothes" "Dont be. You look great in them"

14. "One more kiss?"

15. "I'm so glad I met you"

16. "Can I try some of your food?" "Of course. Open wide"

17. "Thanks for believing in me"

✩ Horror(?)

1. "I want to know how you'll taste between my teeth."

2. "I can never get enough of you. I'll drink you down to the last sip."

3. "You look delicious. I won't stop until I've eaten every bite.”

4. “I'm going to engrave myself into your very being.”

5. "We won't stop until you're so covered in my scent, no one will dare touch you again.”

6. "Don't play with fire if you don't want to burn.”

7. "Don't complain now you did this to yourself.”

8. "You reap what you sow."

9. “This hurts me more than it hurts you.”

10. "Why are you acting like you don't know me?”

11. "Why are you running? I did this for you!"

12. “You don't need a job, baby. Your job is being mine.”

13. "You're better off without them anyway.”

14. “I removed the problem. You should be thanking me.”

15. “I would never hurt you. You know that, right?”

16. "Why are you scared?”

17. "You're the only reason worth living for.”

18. "Why would you want to leave? I'm keeping you here for your own good!”

19. "There's nothing left for you but me. Everyone else is gone."

20. "No one will ever find you here."

21. “If his filthy hands touch you again I'll kill him.”

22. "Shouldn't you be spending more time with me?”

23. "I can't control how I react when your eyes wander.”

24. “The truth would have just hurt you.”

25. "I'm not lying - I bent the truth a little to protect you."

26. "Don't you believe me?”

27. "I've done everything for you and this is how you repay me?”

28. "I can't eat, I can't sleep. You're all I can think about.”

29. "To my dying breath, I'll never let you go."

30. "I'll follow you to the ends of the earth. No matter where you run, I'll catch you.”

31. "Did you really think I wouldn't find you?”

Credits for the prompts @diety-prompts, @writeformesinpie and @creativepromptsforwriting

#stephen strange #doctor stephen strange #stephen strange x reader #doctor strange #doctor strange in the multiverse of madness #doctor strange x you #doctor strange fanfiction #doctor strange supreme #doctor strange x reader #stephen strange x you #sinister strange x reader #sinister strange #defender!strange x you #defender strange x you #defender!strange x reader #supreme strange x you #doctor strange x female reader #marvel fanfiction #wong mcu #america #america chavez #sherlock x fem!reader #sherlock x y/n #sherlock x you #sherlock x reader #doctor strange fluff #doctor strange angst #stephen strange x female reader