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celtic-crossbow · 5 months

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Blood Ties Chapter 7

Series Masterlist

Warnings: Typical TWD violence and gore, vomiting, minor injury, confirmation of minor canonical character death

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Moodboard by @dannyo000 💙

The silence inside the truck was so uncomfortable that it teetered on the border of unbearable. Daryl hadn’t spoken a single word, not even when the caravan stopped to discuss forthcoming plans and you were invited to join. He didn’t have to speak. The intense glare that could have burned a hole through Rick’s head said everything his mouth didn’t.

You noticed Jacqui’s absence at once. There was an ache in your chest at her loss. She had been kind to you the few times you had interacted. You didn’t need an explanation. She had perished at the CDC. Whether or not it had been at Jenner’s hand was irrelevant. It had been his intent to trap you all there. In the end, it would still be blood on the doctor’s hands.

“So, we’re all in agreement? Fort Benning?” The former sheriff met the eyes of everyone as they nodded. “Alright, that’s settled. I think we need to discuss our means of travel. We’ll burn a helluva lot of fuel taking so many vehicles. Any suggestions?”

Looks were exchanged, but Dale spoke up first. “I know the RV is by far the worst on the fuel but it does provide space and a means of shelter beyond what the others do. I’m probably biased but there it is.”

“No, I think as long as we can keep the RV running, it should stay.” Lori agreed with a nod and a hand on the older man’s shoulder.

“Alright, okay.” Rick continued. “That still leaves four others.”

“We can ditch the van. Ride in the RV.” T-Dog offered quickly.

“I can lose the Jeep and ride with you, Lori, and Carl.” Shane leaned against the vehicle in question and awaited a response. Rick shook his head almost immediately.

“We’ll take Carol and Sophia, keep the kids together. You can go in the RV.”

The first emotion that passed over the other officer’s face was sour, you noticed, but swiftly turned into a compliant smile and nod. You narrowed your eyes but held your tongue. Not your circus, not your monkeys.

“M’a take the bike.” Daryl stated matter-of-factly, not even waiting for input before he dropped the tailgate of the truck. “Ya help me with this?” He waved a hand toward the truck bed with a glance at T-Dog.

“That’s good, Daryl. Real good. Lori, Carol, the kids, and I in the Cherokee. Daryl and Y/N on the bike. The rest in–”

“Jus’ me.” The redneck interjected, not looking away from the task of unloading the bike. You didn’t need confirmation to know what he meant.

“What?” Rick asked anyway.

“She can ride in the RV.” Daryl huffed. Rick raised his eyebrows but ended with shrugging a shoulder and moving on.

You, however, continued staring at the archer. It wasn’t public knowledge that the baby was Daryl’s. Amidst the panic and confusion at the CDC, no one took notice of the exchanges between the two of you. You assumed he’d like to keep it that way. Assumptions were all you had to go on at the moment because the bastard was refusing to speak to you! Still, if he continued with the very obvious disdain toward you, he was going to give himself away.

“Y/N?”

“Huh?” You turned to find all other eyes on you.

“Rick was asking if you’re okay being in the RV.” Lori was tilting her head, watching you with a look you didn’t really like. “Oh. Yeah, I’m fine wherever you want me.”

“Probably be more comfortable there.” Carol smiled that gentle smile of hers. “At some point, we’re gonna have to address the elephant in the room.” Shane’s tone was condescending. You curled your lip when he shifted to cross his arms and spit off to the side. His eyes remained on you, flickering down to your stomach and back up. You were starting to get the feeling he didn’t like you much.

Lucky for him, the feeling was mutual. “We’ve got time.” Lori interjected before you could even open your mouth. “One thing at a time. We need to find somewhere safe to stay first. Get off the road.” “She’s right.” Rick started grabbing the fuel cans and hoses to siphon the gas from the vehicles that were being left behind. The rest of the group scattered to move things and automobiles around, leaving you and Shane in a staring match. You wanted to smirk when he looked away first, granting you one last glance before disappearing around the RV.

“Anything I can do to help?” You walked up to the door of the RV as Dale stepped down. He gave you a sweet smile and traipsed out of your way, motioning to the inside.

“You don’t need to be pulling and tugging at things. You just go on inside.”

You snorted. “I’m pregnant, not an invalid. I can help.”

The older man was obviously torn but with a glance toward Andrea, he finally relented. Another story there, you supposed. “Maybe move some of the lighter bags and supplies from the other cars. They may have beat you to it, but that’s really all I know of that would be okay for you.”

“Okay, I’ll check with Lori.” You smiled at him before he went about with whatever he was doing in preparation to leave. You really did appreciate his concern but you were new to the group. You had to show them that you could be an asset. It wouldn’t do for you to end up on your own with a baby on the way. You made it to the back corner of the RV before you felt eyes searing into the back of your head. Maybe Shane had seen the exchange with Dale. Glancing over your shoulder, you locked eyes with Daryl. This time, it was you who looked away first.

You had chosen to all but hide in the back of the RV, on the bed with a book that Dale had let you borrow. You weren’t really reading as much as you were listening to the exchanges between Andrea and Shane. He was showing her about maintaining a gun. When she mentioned her father, you felt a twinge of pain in your chest.

The nausea had returned with a vengeance. Sips of water, you could handle with enough time in between. The constant rolling of your gut had you turning away from anything substantial. You knew you should eat. You needed to eat. Maybe when the next stop was made, you could ask about some crackers or something.

Lost in your head, it wasn’t until you heard Dale’s distressed exclamation that you actually looked up, leaning out to be able to see what was going on from your hovel in the back room.

“Oh jeez. Aw no. See a way through?”

You tossed the book to the foot of the bed and swung your legs over the edge to get to your feet. Glenn was suggesting to turn around for a bypass but Dale quickly shot down the idea.

“We can’t spare the fuel.”

“Jesus.” You whispered when you got your first glimpse of the disastrous cluster of cars and debris. As the RV idled, there was a pop and a white cloud drifted up in front of the windshield. “Shit.” You followed the others out the door, taking in the scene when you heard Daryl’s bike. The hunter weaved through the maze of vehicles and stopped in front of the RV.

The others discussed options, a conversation you purposefully avoided. They were including you but having a say in things was a totally different matter. You didn’t feel like you were there yet.

“There’s a whole bunch’a stuff we can find.” Daryl was right. The owners of the abandoned cars didn’t need the things they’d left behind in their panic. Except… not all of them had left. You could clearly see a corpse in the passenger side of a sedan. Was it a walker? Couldn’t be. It would have responded to the noise.

“This is a graveyard. I don’t know how I feel about this.”

“I’m with Lori. It feels like…grave robbing.” While Lori’s comment went ignored, yours earned a look from Shane that made your skin crawl. He eventually sneered before his expression smoothed out and he gave the order for everyone to go searching.

You stood still, biting your lip in hesitation. The thought of someone taking your father’s belongings from the camp just because he was dead made you see red. How could you possibly go along with this?

Maybe you could stay behind in the RV. Andrea was there, so it shouldn’t be a problem if—

“Go on.” Daryl gave you a shove you would almost define as gentle. It was the first time he had spoken to you since the CDC. You wanted to retort with something snarky, but what would that do other than piss him off more than he already was. “Grab anythin’ you think could be useful.”

“Okay.” You kept your tone soft, picking up your pace to catch up to him when he brushed past. “Can we talk?” You really did want to smooth things over. You told yourself that the connection with Daryl was solely physical, but now you’d be raising a child together in an apocalypse. That would definitely be easier if you could communicate on some level at least.

He never missed a step when he glanced at you while maneuvering between the automobiles. He’d peek in the windows of some but continued further out, probably to keep everyone else closer to your own cars.

“Nah.” He finally glowered, walking backwards away from you a few steps before turning around and disappearing behind a cargo van.

Sighing heavily, you took stock of your surroundings. There was no point in following after him. You didn’t have the energy anyway. The nausea was worsening and there was little to no water left in the RV. You allowed for a disgruntled breath, pressed a palm to your belly, and opened the driver door of the nearest car. The sooner everyone got what they needed, the better.

The smell of the decaying corpse was horrific and forced you to pull things out with one hand while the other pressed over your mouth and nose. Luckily there wasn’t much more than a suitcase that held some men’s clothing. You weren’t sure what the men could use so you left what was there, with the exception of one shirt. Strategically ripping, you fashioned a cover to tie around your face. You’d work faster with both hands.

After several minutes, you had found a damn treasure trove, including a beautiful knife in a holster that you had taken the liberty of securing around your thigh. It wasn’t a firearm but it was better than nothing.

You were climbing backwards out of the backseat of a little hatchback when you took a break to steady yourself. You were drenched in sweat and felt a little dizzy. Maybe it was time to gather your findings and go back to the others for a break. You had gone pretty far ahead.

The silence on the roadway was unnerving. You’d give almost anything for bumper to bumper traffic with an orchestra of angry shouts and sounding horns; for everything to go back like it was. You’d be in the woods at that time of day, tracking rabbits or squirrels. It didn’t take much to feed just you and your father. You didn’t have a smokehouse, so smaller game was ideal. You could still see his proud beam when you’d walk through the door.

Those days were gone now.

Back at your pile of finds, it occurred to you that you couldn’t carry it all back alone. Loath as you were to admit it, Daryl had been the closest. You pulled down your makeshift mask with a groan, but there was no other option unless you wanted to walk all the way back to the RV just to bring back help. They would likely demand you stayed put, but you didn’t want them to see you as incapable. Daryl was already annoyed with you, so requesting his assistance was your best bet.

Your steps were dragging by the time you made it to the cargo van where he had so casually rebuffed your request. Barely around the rear bumper, your stomach decided to rebel. You lurched forward with a repulsive retching sound, stomach muscles cramping from the force of the heaves. Your stomach was empty. Rancid acid and bile burned your throat, the intensity of your gagging ensuring you could be heard all the way at the RV.

Your stomach still contracted uncomfortably, excess saliva gathering in your mouth. You had just managed to wipe away any remnants on the sleeve of your flannel when a hand clamped down around your jaw. Fight or flight activated, you scrambled for the knife at your thigh, managing a single swipe before a hand caught your wrist.

“Quiet, goddamnit!” Daryl hissed faintly against your ear. He was pulling you toward the back of the van and hastily shoving you inside before climbing in himself. You loured at him and sheathed your weapon while he scrupulously pulled the doors closed.

“What—” His hand bore down over your mouth a second time, a finger raised to his lips. You only managed an indignant huff before something struck the side of the van with a thud. Vibrant orbs widened with realization that he had just saved your ass from what sounded like a sizable number of walkers.

Daryl haltingly lowered his hand as if you’d yell at him despite the threat lurking just outside. The man was sweaty and panting, as if he’d been running. Giving him once over you noticed the carmine liquid slowly saturating his shirt just above his hip.

Your movements were slow and deliberate to ensure silence. He didn’t seem to notice you until you were almost next to him, resulting in him reeling back with a vexed expression.

“You’re hurt.” You mouthed, reaching behind your head to untie the ripped section of fabric you had used as a mask. When you extended it toward the wound, he swatted at your hand. You couldn’t risk speaking so the two of you engaged in an intense staring contest. The hunter finally relented with a shake of his head, deeming alertness toward the flock of undead to be priority. You smirked and pressed the wadded strip against the injury.

He let out a grunt but stayed still, eyes remaining on the doors. It didn’t take long for the bleeding to let up, giving you a chance to peel back one side of the slice in his shirt. The wound was superficial, wouldn’t need stitches, but it was abundantly clear that you had nicked him when he grabbed you. You felt your stomach drop. Or maybe that was just the nausea.

“Think they moved on.” Daryl quietly informed you. Oblivious to your revelation, he opened one door, barely wide enough to see outside. “We can prolly head back to the— wha’?” He stopped short, your apologetic expression giving him pause.

“I didn’t know it was you. I didn’t mean to—”

The hunter rolled his eyes. “S’fine. Won’ kill me.”

While he was quick to dismiss the event, you still felt terrible. It could have been so much worse. The whole thing made your desire to talk things out with him that much more crucial. “Daryl, can you just listen to me for a second?”

There was the briefest of moments when you thought he was going to acquiesce. There was something more than anger in the way he looked at you. Then he was shaking his head. “We gotta get back. Check in with ev’ryone.” You grabbed his arm with both hands when he shifted to climb out. “M’serious. I ain’t doin’ this.”

“I get that you’re angry…with me.” You swallowed hard against the strange taste in your mouth, ignoring the protests of your inexorable stomach. “You have every right to be.” Daryl growled and snatched his arm away. He climbed out and stood just outside the door, clearly not confident enough with the degree of safety to leave you behind.

“Drop it, Y/N.” He warned.

You had climbed out and blocked his path, hands hovering in front of his chest. “The least you can let me do is—” It happened just as suddenly as before. You had no time to react. You could only clutch your abdomen and pitch forward, vomiting up what little bile that had accumulated since the last episode. All over his left boot. “—apologize.”

If it had been any other situation, the deadpan examination Daryl was currently giving his footwear would have been arguably hilarious.

“I’m, uh, sorry about that too.”

His eyes moved up to glare at you from beneath his lashes. You didn’t think a mess on his boot would be enough to really set off a man who spent the majority of his time identifying— and very often stepping in —animal waste. This was just the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. He took a step toward you. Though you didn’t think he’d hurt you, even for reasons beyond the baby, you couldn’t say you knew him well enough to bank on that theory. Therefore, you took a step back.

“Listen, woman, jus’ ‘cause ya got my kid inside ya don’t mean I hafta—” He cut off suddenly, angling his head in a way that was familiar to you. You did the same thing while hunting; listening for sounds to indicate an animal was nearby.

“What is it?”

He shushed you harshly. When you focused on the sounds around you rather than the whirlwind of thoughts in your own head, you could hear it too.

Your blood ran cold with dread.

“Sophia! Lori, there’s two walkers after my baby!”

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babygirlbenji · 8 months

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I Still Love You - Mason Mount

A/N: This is a long-awaited part 2 to Last Train To London which you can read here! I worked really hard on it and I hope it lives up to expectations. Enjoy!

Warnings: mild angst, mild swearing, fluff

WC: 2.8k

When your train pulled into London King’s Cross, Ben was there, as promised, to pick you up with a McDonald’s meal. He took you under his wing, and let you stay at his place for the night.

‘Make yourself comfortable, sweets, and please know you can stay here as long as you need.’ You knew you had an offer from Sophia and Kai to crash at their place until you got back on your feet, but you didn’t want to intrude on their space.

‘I might take you up on that offer, Ben, thank you.’ He showed you around his place, making sure you knew where everything was in case you couldn’t sleep, let you have free rein of the fridge, freezer and cupboards, and even let Oscar the dog stay in your room, which Oscar was more than happy to oblige.

‘I think that’s everything. If you need me, text me, okay? I’m right here.’ You shuffled over to him and wrapped your arms around his torso to give him a hug you’d needed for weeks at that point. He rubbed your back affectionately. He was like a big brother to you, and you were more grateful than you could ever put into words for his support.

You had expected that night to have been sleepless and anxious, but you were simply too exhausted, both mentally and physically, that by the time you changed into your pyjamas, brushed your teeth and climbed into bed, your eyes were drooping already. Oscar jumped onto the bed and turned around a couple of times, making a nice little den in the blanket for him to snuggle up next to you in. You reached out to fiddle with his curly fur. The dog was like a weighted blanket, reassuring you that you were safe and you were okay. Before you knew it, you were fast asleep.

As the days, weeks and months rolled by, you could feel yourself slowly healing. Ben, Reece and the rest of the Chelsea boys, along with Kai and Jorgi over at Arsenal (they were still very much part of the inner circle), stood stoically beside you every step of the way. You had initially distanced yourself from Stamford Bridge for the first couple of months, the memories you had made there with Mason all too painful, but you gradually made your way back into the hallowed halls of the iconic stadium. You attended matches whenever you could, and started to wear CHILWELL 21 shirts to matches.

This had not gone unnoticed by fans. They had quickly cottoned on to the fact that you had gone back to London and Mason was still in Manchester. The gossip websites were in full swing, linking you and Ben together and writing spiteful articles about how you were a gold-digger, how you hopped from one football player to another, how it was your fault that your relationship had ended… You never minded, though. You continued on your healing journey and went about your daily business. You had secured a well-paying job back in London as an events planner in Soho, and had managed to find a nice little studio flat not too far from your office. Ben had insisted he buy you a new car, as you had sold your car up in Manchester to help bring some money in to pay for the flat deposit. Your life was most definitely on the up, and it would take a gigantic storm to blow you off course.

That gigantic storm came about a year after you moved back to London. You had your routine, you were solid in your job and you met up with Ben and the boys regularly.

One such outing in Knightsbridge, Ben pulled you aside to have a chat.

‘What’s up, Benji?’ The nickname you had for him was one only you could use. He hated being called Benji by everyone, but you were basically his little sister. In his eyes, you could get away with murder.

‘Well, um…’ His face told you he had information he would rather not give you, but felt it was his moral obligation to do so anyway.

‘Come on, Ben, out with it!’

‘Declan’s invited me and Mason to his birthday party, and he’s invited you, too.’ His words sent a chill down your spine. You hadn’t spoken to or about Mason in months, although that hadn’t stopped you from thinking about him every day. Thinking about what could have been, thinking about the ‘what ifs’, thinking about what you could have done to make him stay in love with you. You were brought back to earth by Ben putting a gentle hand on your shoulder. ‘You don’t have to decide just yet, but the offer is there if you did want to go. It would be great to have you there.’ He gave you a quick hug, before he went back to join the rest of the group to have drinks, leaving you with your thoughts and a large decision to make. While you would love to celebrate Declan with your friends, you hadn’t seen or heard from Mason in a year. The awkwardness was what worried you the most, along with the possibility of all the emotions coming back if you did end up running into him. Because deep down, in your heart, you knew that you still loved him. He was the absolute love of your life, and you couldn’t help but feel that he was your one that got away. You realised then just how much you missed him.

The night had swiftly come to an end for you, so you messaged Ben to let him know that you were on your way home and that you’d see him soon.

Benjamin: No worries J text me when you get home, and let me know if you’re coming to Dec’s birthday bash. We’d love to have you but I know you’ll have to decide. LOVE YA X

It was safe to say you didn’t get much sleep that night. You were awake for hours, tossing and turning, thinking about what Ben had said. It would be great to go and show up for Declan. He’d been there for you through everything, even with Lauren giving birth to little Jude. They had both made space for you in their busy lives with a new-born, and you couldn’t have been more grateful. Before you could stop yourself, you sent a message to Ben:

To: Benjamin: Been thinking about it all night. Sorry for the late message, I figured I needed to say it before I think about it more lol. I’ll be at Dec’s party x

You rolled over onto your side. There was no turning back now.

The day of the party arrived. Your room was a mess, dresses and shoes strewn across the floor. You wanted to find the perfect outfit for a party, which would show that you cared to make an effort but not too much effort, on the off chance you would see Mason.

Your eyes fell upon a navy blue bodycon dress that you had worn a couple of times before. It came down to your mid-thigh and had a neckline that did your bust some considerable favours. Finally feeling more positive about what you were wearing, having started to feel like you were going to have a breakdown about not being able to find anything appropriate to wear, you shoved on a pair of simple black heels and touched up your makeup. There was a knock at your door. Checking your phone, the time was 7:30; Ben was picking you up and he had arrived bang on time.

‘Coming!’ Your voice carried into the hall as you opened the door to find Ben, who was wearing a smart navy-blue button down with black slacks. Your mind briefly registered the fact that the colour of his shirt was basically a direct match to your dress.

‘Hey, you,’ he smiled, leaning in to give you a hug. Your senses were temporarily hazy by his cologne, which you painfully recalled as one that Mason had recommended to him as you had liked it on Mason. On Ben, though, it didn’t have the same knee-weakening effect as it had done for you when Mason wore it. ‘You good?’ He had obviously taken your quietness as nervousness.

‘Yeah, yeah, I’m good. You?’ He nodded. You could tell he was searching your face for any signs of discomfort, of not wanting to go, of being terrified of seeing Mason.

‘All good. Mostly just worried about you.’ You shrugged.

‘I’ll be fine. Got my wingman, I’ll be okay.’ You shared a laugh as you walked downstairs to where he had a car waiting. He held the door open for you, letting you slide in with him following you.

You and Ben spent the journey talking about your days and what you’d got up to, how your job was going, what antics he and the boys got up to at training and other small talk. He didn’t want to say anything, as he could tell you were nervous enough as it was, but he knew you well enough to know that you missed Mason almost as much as Mason missed you. You were quiet, reserved, not your usual bubbly self. If you were being completely honest with yourself, you hadn’t been your usual bubbly self since the breakup. Ben knew you loved Mason, but he never thought the breakup would impact you as much as it did.

Before long, the car pulled up at Declan’s house. The nerves in the pit of your stomach started doing backflips as you went up to the front door. Loud bass was audible through the walls, and you could tell there was a large crowd already, even though it was early by most people’s standards. You just wanted to stay for a couple of hours at the most before quietly leaving, all ideally without seeing Mason.

That plan quickly went out the window when Declan opened the door, arm in arm with Mason.

‘Hey guys! Oh…’ Declan’s wide grin disappeared the minute he saw it was you and Ben, clearly thinking you were someone else. The awkwardness was palpable. ‘Hey Y/N, Ben, glad you guys could make it!’ Dec brought you in for a hug, whispering an ‘I’m so sorry’ in your ear as he did so.

‘Don’t worry,’ you replied in an equally quiet voice, hoping he could hear you over the music. The squeeze he gave you told you he had heard you.

You avoided Mason’s eyes completely as Ben and Declan caught up, Ben asking about life at Arsenal and how Declan was finding his new club.

‘I’m gonna get a drink, did you want anything?’ You asked Ben at a break in the conversation. Mason’s eyes raked over you as you got close to Ben, one of your hands absent-mindedly on his arm. Jealousy raged in his stomach.

‘Just a beer, please, gorgeous,’ Ben replied. His usual pet-name for you was innocuous for the both of you, but took on a whole new meaning in Mason’s head. Why was he calling you gorgeous? Why were you touching him? Were the tabloids correct? Had you gone for his former teammate in the wake of the breakup? Mason’s head was reeling.

You handed Ben his drink and wandered off to mingle with some of the Arsenal WAGS, introducing yourself to Martin Ødegaard’s new girlfriend and giving Milly, Ben White’s new wife, a big hug to congratulate her, as you hadn’t been able to attend the wedding.

Neither Declan or Ben missed the fact that Mason’s eyes rarely left your form for more than a few seconds as he watched you chat and catch up with some old friends.

‘How are you, Mase, United treating you well?’ Ben asked conversationally.

‘Yeah, ‘s alright.’ Eyebrows were raised at Mason’s curt tone. Ben and Declan exchanged confused glances, before leaving Mason to his thoughts and continuing into the party to see some of the other guys who had made an appearance. Mason was left with his thoughts as he stood and pondered his next move.

As he was doing so, he saw you excuse yourself from the small throng of people to head to the kitchen to scope out the buffet. He seized his opportunity and followed you into the kitchen.

What he couldn’t have known was that instead of grabbing something to eat, you were having to physically stop yourself from having a full-blown panic attack. Gripping the counter with your hands and keeping your head bowed, you focused on keeping your breathing deep.

You had no idea how many minutes had passed, but an all-to-familiar voice brought you back to earth with an almighty bump.

‘Y/N? You okay?’ You turned, and before you knew it, you were face-to-face with the person you never thought you’d see again. ‘Y/N?’ he asked again.

‘Y-yeah, I’m okay.’ You had suffered with anxiety and panic attacks throughout your relationship, and Mason had always known how to help you.

‘You sure?’ A deep, shaky breath rattled through your body. You both knew the after-effects of the panic attack were the worst part of it all. You would feel exhausted, ashamed, guilty… But he had always been there to help you through it all. He would offer you cuddles, a listening ear, a movie, whatever you needed.

Things were so different now, though. There was a rift the size of the Atlantic Ocean between you, and you didn’t know how to get across it.

‘Let’s get you somewhere quiet, come on.’ He hesitated, before holding out his hand for you to hold. ‘You don’t have to, if you don’t want to.’ But you realised you wanted to. You needed him, you needed his touch, his hold. You reached out and grabbed his hand, immediately feeling like you had been connected with the earth again.

He led you upstairs to one of the far guest rooms, opened the door and followed you in. You took a seat on the bed, fiddling with your hands in your lap. He sat on the floor in front of you, eyeing you carefully.

‘You sure you’re okay?’ You sighed. A big, deep sigh. Now that you had him in front of you, the questions you’d held in for a year were threatening to spill over.

‘Can I ask you something?’ The look on his face suggested that he knew what you were going to ask, but he nodded, all the same. ‘Why did you stop putting effort into our relationship? You always said that I was the love of your life, that I was it for you… what happened? What happened to us?’ He sighed, similar to how you had sighed earlier.

‘Honestly, Y/N, I don’t have a good reason. I wish I did, believe me, but I don’t. The media scrutiny, the fans giving me shit on social media, the move, everything to do with it, it all just got to me. I pushed you away without even realising and for that, I will never be able to apologise enough.’ You pondered his answer, and then debated asking a question you had longed to know the answer to since the day you left but were too scared to know the answer to.

Before you could ask it, though, Mason spoke up. ‘Are you seeing Ben?’ The gravity of his question made you pause.

‘What?’

‘Are you and Ben, you know, a thing?’ You shook your head.

‘No. He’s like a brother to me, Mase, you know that. All the boys are. When I met you, you gave me a whole new family I could only have dreamed of.’ Your eyes met again. His eyes hadn’t changed a bit. They were still the deep chocolate brown you’d found home in for all those years.

You climbed down from the bed and sat with your back to the bed. Your mouth opened and closed a few times, trying to figure out how to ask the question you were starting to crave the answer to. You felt like the answer to it was yes, but you needed to be sure. Finally, you decided to just go for it.

‘Do you… do you still love me?’ The look on his face said it all. He was looking at you like he had never seen you before, as if you were the only woman in the entire world. And to him, you were. You were everything to him and he would be forever kicking himself for ever making you feel like you weren't. He scooted forward to crouch in front of you before gently holding your face with both hands.

‘Y/N Y/LN, of course I still love you. And if you’ll have me, I’ll spend the rest of my days loving and cherishing you the way you deserve. The way I should have shown you from day one.’ Your eyes brimmed with tears as you looked at the man who had your heart.

‘Of course, I’ll have you.’ You sat up and collapsed into his arms, finally feeling that you were home once again.

#mason mount #mason mount x you #mason mount x reader #mason mount fluff #mason mount angst #mason mount smut #mason mount fanfic #mason mount imagines #mason mount imagine #mason mount fic #mason mount oneshot #manchester united #chelsea fc #mason mount blurb #football imagines #footballer imagines

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astrolocherry · 2 months

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THE VIRGO FULL MOON CLOSING CEREMONY IS COMING TO YOUR TOWN ON FEBRUARY 24!

This annual splendour marks the final Full Moon night of the astrological year. -The Virgo Full Moon is a lunar elixir filled with magical healing properties. I chose this pic because the chart of Sydney, where I live is Virgo Moon.

-The Virgo Full Moon is the passage that reunites you with her thoughts. You can call her this way.-The annual Full Moon in Virgo is the Healer’s Moon. Virgo is the Great Mother, our Mother Sophia, Mother Maya and our Mother Mary. Mercury is the ruler of Virgo and the first sound a baby makes is usually ‘maaa’, it sounds similar to the ‘mar’ or ‘Mer’ of ‘Mercury’, ‘Maya’ and ‘Mary’. It is a call this Goddess who can always be summoned to one’s presence.

-The solar water of Pisces can cleanse the mind of the contaminants collected in the past zodiac year and let them drift out to sea. It's Now time - Let it all go.

KEYWORD ORACLES FOR THE FULL VIRGO MOON 22/24

Aries: GROWING OLD ENOUGH TO ACCEPT AN ANCIENT WISDOM FROM DEEP WITHIN Taurus: A CYCLE OF DEPRIVATION IS ENDING - PREPARE FOR A SWEET GIFT OR A KISS

Gemini: NEW ALLIES WAIT TO FIGHT ALONGSIDE YOU THROUGH THE NEXT PHASE OF LIFE Cancer: ATONEMENT, JUSTICE, SOMETHING YOU THOUGHT WAS LOST RETURNS Leo: IT'S OK TO BE ALONE, A CLEARER PERSPECTIVE WILL PROVIDE THE PEACE YOU SEEK

Virgo: FEELING LOST IS OVER - YOU WILL BE GIVEN A SAFE PLACE TO GO Libra: YOU ARE DIVINELY PROTECTED ON THIS SACRED JOURNEY WHILE YOU ARE SO FAR FROM HOME

Scorpio: CHILDHOOD MEMORIES RETURN WITH POWERFUL AND CLARIFYING MESSAGES ON A CURRENT SITUATION Sagittarius: DECISION TO COMMIT PUTS YOU AT A CROSSROADS - IT'S TIME TO TRUST THE PATH THE UNIVERSE HAS CARVED OUT

Capricorn: YOU ARE BEING PROVIDED THE WISE GUIDANCE FROM HIGHER FORCES TO MAKE THE CORRECT DECISION - YOU ONLY HAVE TO LISTEN Aquarius: THE SPACE OF YOUR LONELINESS IS WHERE SPIRIT COMES LOOKING TO FIND YOU....DON'T MOVE

Pisces: PAST LIFE MEMORIES SURFACE FREQUENTLY TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON CURRENT SITUATIONS

Cherry

#virgo full moon #full moon in virgo #full moon horoscope #horoscope #transit #full moon in virgo horoscope #oracles #astrology forecast #astrology reading #horoscope for all signs

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footiehoemcfc · 1 year

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We'll be Alright pt. 2

Okay so I was able to finish this part yesterday, I definitely think it will have four parts MAYBE 5 (only if I have time to make it longer) but i'm excited for you to read it! I was going to wait until I came back to post it but when I get back I have lots of stuff to do so bare with me for part 3 I promise it won't take much longer than a week. Thankyou for all the love on the first part :) Angst fic, tw none, 2.1k words PART 3 is on my masterlist!

The whole car drive back home was horrible. You started letting your thoughts get to you. Were you too dramatic? Was it too much to let all that out while he is struggling as well? Should you just suck it up and let the season end before talking about this? Maybe. However, the conversation escalated very quickly and before you know it you just let your heart out. When you got home, you thought of calling your best friend, but you didn’t. The last thing you wanted to do was recall everything that happened. You took everything out of your overnight bag, got showered, did your normal skin care routine and feel asleep with your headphones on listening to sad music.

The night before you didn’t even bother to check your messages to see if Mason had asked if you got in okay. You were hoping he would text you today at least. You opened your messages and nothing, nothing from him at least. Sophia had texted you asking what your plans were for the weekend suggesting having a drink today at the new rooftop bar. You had nothing else to do at night and staying at home dwelling on what happened did not seem like a good plan. You agreed and put your phone down, ready to continue with more work stuff. You had to admit, it hurt that he hadn’t texted you. It sting you, normally if you guys would bicker or argue he would always text you something reassuring, but then again you said you were done. Did you mean it as a breakup? Not really, but how would he know.

Mason on the other hand did not get any sleep at all. He replayed your argument over and over again. He knew he fucked up, but he knew you were also right. All these big decisions, he hadn’t thought through them carefully yet. It kind of bugged him you knew him like the back of your hand. He knows you know how he feels just by simply looking at him. Since he was injured and it was game day, he decided to just stay home and watch the game there. He had meetings with other agents in the morning and his mom was coming over later in the day. Watching the game he thought about texting you, but he didn’t know if you needed space or if you were even together still. He didn’t text, opting for giving you space for the weekend.

Mason heard the front door open and saw his mom come in. Still on the couch watching the game, he got up and greeted her “Hi mom” with a smile, a sad one. “Hi darling” Debbie said smiling and hugged him. He noticed she stared at him for a little bit and knew she could tell something was wrong. You and his mom had that in common, you could read him so easily. “Why didn’t you go to the bridge today?” “I had a meeting 30 minutes before kick off and would not make it in time, also thought it would be nice to stay in”. They both sat down on the couch and continued watching the game for a little bit until Debbie spoke again “I thought y/n would be here today, where is she, how is she?” she asked smiling. You and Debbie had a great relationship and Mason loved it. You would always have coffee dates and in big family gatherings you would always stick with her because it felt more safe. Mason stopped looking towards the tv to respond, “Yea she’s alright, she’s home busy doing work stuff” “My gosh that poor girl works all the time, last time I saw her she said it was taking a toll on her” “Yea I know”. Mason didn’t know what to say. After last night, the only thing he could think of when he thought of you was the fight. “Mhm” “What is it” “Mason Mount, I gave birth to you, do you think I don’t know you?” Shit. He knew she could sense something was off. I mean if he was going to get advice on his relationship, he never thought his mom would be the first option but here they were. “It’s nothing, we just had a bit of an argument last night” he placed the remote down on the table, got up to make some tea. He knew his mom would not just be satisfied with that, he knew she would be here all afternoon interrogating him so the tea was necessary. Mason and his mom talked about it, for a while. “Listen darling, I’m your mom and I won’t tell you what to do in your relationship. You two work together, and lately you haven’t and that is not a crime. You two are allowed to fight, to make mistakes, to get annoyed, however, in a relationship you owe it to each other to try and fix it and make it work. Give her space, trust me she is probably thinking about you too. And as with the contract, honey whatever you decide to do will be the best option, but make sure it’s what you want.” Mason felt a lot better talking to his mom. She really understood him and having spent time with you too, she knew you would appreciate exactly what she had said.

It was 9 pm and you were just finishing getting ready to go out with Sophia. You had worked all day so had little to no time to think about Mason. You knew it would come up tonight. Sophia was one of your best friends and whenever both of you had issues with Mason or Kai you were there for each other. You ordered your uber and just as you were about to leave, Mason texted you. You opened your messages to read, “Hi my love, I wanted to give you space today and I knew you had a lot of work so that’s why I didn’t text sooner. I know it’s weird between us right now but whenever you’re ready to talk I’m here”. A wave of relief hit you, you wanted him to text you, so you knew it was not over completely. You didn’t want to answer yet though. The uber arrived and got in it to go to the bar. When you arrived, Sophia was already there. She greeted you with a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. You loved nights like this, were you and her could talk about online drama, funny TikTok’s you saw and just catch up on everything especially since you had not seen her for a while. It was nearly 11 pm, you had no idea where time went by. “When should we do it then?” Sophia asked. Both of you thought it would be a good idea to spend the weekend at the Soho farmhouse, mainly her but you weren’t sure since you didn’t know when you and Mason were going to be good again. “I don’t know, maybe next weekend” “Yea we’ll have to check with them to see how their scheduling is. And we should also tell Chilly and his new girl, I met today at the bridge she is very sweet you will like her.” “Great yea, the more the merrier” you said smiling. “Okay it’s been two hours, I’ve been holding in asking you because I thought you would already tell me but what’s wrong?” You sighed knowing you had to remember everything form yesterday and tell her. You told her everything from the fight, to work to family issues and to how you were feeling. “Babe, why didn’t you tell me you were feeling like this?” “I don’t know I feel like I don’t even have time to think about myself”. The mix of alcohol and remembering last night made you tear up a bit. Sophia hugged you, “I know its tough now and yea he fucked up but I am 100% sure he already knows. I feel bad for him too because he is going through a lot too. But you guys are a couple, partners, boyfriend and girlfriend. You two just need to talk. You already told him how you felt, he needs to tell you how he feels because I’m sure he has been holding it in too. You two will get through it I promise.” You looked at her with a sad smiled and hugged her tight.

You arrived home at 12 pm. Before falling asleep you decided to text Mason back, you knew he would be freaking out since you hadn’t responded. “Hey, I kind of figured. I feel like we both need time to think, but I love you and we’ll talk when were ready” he responded very quickly with a heart and an “I love you too” which put a smile on your face. You knew he was eager to see you and talk to you, so were you but you were right you both need time. You need to think about how to manage work better, your family and how to fix things with him and make him open up to you. He needs to think about how to open up to you, think about his future and think about the upcoming games and prepare.

4 days had passed since that night. You were busy with work still, but you were finding different ways to handle it and asked your boss for more help on the projects you were assigned. Mason had been doing some light training. The conversation he had with his mom put him at ease and made him think about the whole situation better. Your conversation with Sophia also helped a lot and it gave a new perspective on this whole thing. During these 4 days without seeing each other both of you had time to think, and you were still texting each other simple “Hellos” or just casual conversations. But it was not the same as before and it hurt both of you. Both of you just wanted to go back together to how it was. It hadn’t even been a week but it felt like torture.

After coming home from work, you saw Sophia’s close friend story. It was a picture of her two dogs in Mason’s backyard. Weird, she would’ve told you she was seeing Mason. You didn’t think too much about it and hopped on the shower. Once you were done you checked your phone and had multiple messages. Sophia had created a group chat called “SOHO”. Fuck. Well that explained why she was at Mason’s house, they were probably planning the weekend with Kai and Chilly. If they really wanted to do it soon, it meant you and Mason would probably still be in a weird place. Sophia sent a message saying, “Okay I just added Ben and Alix, I made the reservation for this weekend Friday through Saturday so we should leave all together early in the morning to spend the whole day there and leave like 5 pm Saturday?” Everyone responded with thank yous and yes. This Friday? So, you had what, two days to try and talk to Mason? It was not going to be possible. You were trying to finish everything during the week from work so you had the weekend free and had to visit your family so seeing him would be impossible. Would it be awkward to see him until Friday and act as if nothing happened? Maybe. But you had no choice really. As you were finishing reading all the messages form the road trip, Mason sent you one “Will you be able to go?” you started typing “Yes I can go, although I won’t be able to see you until Friday”. You plopped your phone on your bed and finished getting ready for bed. When you came back to lay down on your bed, Mason had already responded “That’s okay love, I’ll see you Friday. I love you, we’ll be alright.” That melted your heart so much. It made you more confident in how you two were dealing with this little break if you can call it that. You replied with an I love you too and went to bed.

The rest of the week you continued grinding out at work, trying to finish everything so you had nothing to worry about while you were away. On thursday you were able to visit your family, which was something you were dreading. It turned out to be surprisingly nice, and you felt better about the whole situation. You were very optimistic about the trip, you thought it would be a good idea to have some time just with Mason during one of the two days. You started looking at it in a better light now that you had kind of solved two big problems in your life, now you had to solve the most important.

#mason mount #mason mount fic #mason mount imagine #mason mount x reader #football imagine #fotballer x reader #money Mase #mm19 #angst #mason mount angst

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masonmiamor · 10 months

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love to hate - - mason mount x reader.

Summary: from innocent glances, to the necklace, from the honeymoon stage to the reconciliation stage, how will it all play out once you find out the real truth…

WC: 7k words… 🌚

a/n: HIIII… don’t hate me fr just struggled to get back into writing 🥲🙏🏻 i really hope you enjoy this piece, please do give some feedback if you can 💕💕

“Does everything look okay? Anything missing? Could I bring you anything else?” your kind waiter asked as he approached you and Sophia. “Everything looks great! Thank you!” you replied, thanking him watching as he walked away. You were at your traditional brunch date with the German girl enjoying her company as always, having your waffles and a side of fruit with your choice of coffee.

“So how are you and Mason going?” Sophia asked taking a sip of her Mimosa and then grabbing a bite of her food. “Well if I'm being honest there's a change in our relationship I'm not going to lie,’ you sighed.

About nine months ago, Mason asked you to be his girlfriend… It was a beautiful dinner on a rooftop overlooking London. The cheeky glances and shy smiles he offered, the hand holding across the table, the conversations that flew left and right that finally ended you and him watching the stars by an open field.

“Close your eyes Y/n, I want to give you something,” Mason whispered after having kissed you for the millionth time that night. Sure it was a dangerous move from both of you, having acted like a couple but with no label. But you loved Mason too much to care. You closed your eyes hearing as he shuffled around behind you, Mason gently moved your hair to the side, then leaned over to place and clasp the necklace on you.

Your fingers traced the gold letter M, “I’m confused..” you admitted. Mason crept his hand around your waist pulling you towards him. “First get rid of that cute frown on your face,” Mason began, tucking your hair behind your ear. “Second, it's a necklace because you’re mine, and I’m yours.” There’s still a glint of confusion on your face still, “Third, I want you to be my girlfriend Y/n.”

The words failed to come out of your mouth. You felt your throat close up and become dry, your pulse raising at an ultimate rate. “Your girlfriend? Ar-are you sure? I can be really annoying and impatient-” You began to ramble, but Mason cuts you off with a laugh and a sealed kiss. “Yes, my girlfriend. I'm more than sure, and I want this with you. I want everything you're willing to give me. Annoying or not,” he joked.

“Ok ill be your girlfriend I guess…” you said wrapping your hands around his upper shoulders, kissing the corners of his mouth, the tip of his nose, and then his soft lips.

“What are you implying? Is everything okay?” Sophia narrows her eyes at you. “At first we were in the honeymoon stage. It was a shy yet innocent love, then the arguing came in and it got ugly for a while, but the reconciliation came on and we fixed things… at least I think so… But now I'm just keeping up with his constant mood swings. One day he’s happy, then he’s upset and he won't talk to me, he gets frustrated and leaves, but then always manages to make me feel like the luckiest girl in the world?” you felt relief at saying it, the burden and weight carried off your shoulder.

Sophia would always be there no matter what, she would never judge or ever give a negative comment at all, she was humbled and honest, something you truly love about her. You could trust her with anything even if it wasn't easy for you to open up at times, but her kindness and assurance made you feel safe and wanted. The best friend you wished you had and longed for.

“I just don’t know what to do and it kills me at times when I can’t help him. I never want to invade his space but it hurts me too. I may sound needy or selfish, but I feel helpless… He hasn't even told me if he’s going this weekend. We’re lacking communication and we hide our real feelings from each other?”

“You’re not needy or selfish for wanting that love, if anything you're strong for still being able to keep it all together. I get what you're feeling believe me been there and done that. But you have to stop going to him first and let him realize the damage that’s occurring… As much as it may sting and hurt realization needs to be made first,” Sophia says, interlocking her hands and placing them beneath her chin.

“You're there for everyone, always placing a good smile and joking around and only I and him know what you go through… You deserve to put yourself first… Don’t wait for him if he can't see that, because the most hurtful thing in life is not valuing yourself and letting yourself crumble apart, not knowing where to start and rebuilding yourself…”

“And if it's too late?” you whisper avoiding the sting in your heart that begins to spread coldly through your chest. What if it is too late? What if Mason doesn't realize and leaves you? What if you give up and leave him?

“It’s never too late to realize…”

~~~

“Y/n, you home?” Mason yells out. You sigh and take a seat by the doorway where you remove your coat and boots. “Yes, I'm here!” you answer back before glancing in the mirror and putting your hair up in a messy claw clip. You notice just how drained you look after the past few weeks. The eyebags visible through your concealer, droopy eyes, the paleness around your cheeks and forehead, you looked like hell.

You walk into the kitchen to prepare a cup of tea in hopes of it relaxing you before you begin to pack. The pile of clothes haunting your head that you’ve let to fix. Mason walks into the kitchen and follows to where you were seated eating a small granola bar. “How was your day, love?” he asks kissing your head. There he goes again… not even a kiss on your lips.

“It was okay. Had brunch with Sophia, went shopping and bought my dress for this weekend, and then just drove around to clear my head…” you say resting your head on your propped hand on the table. Mason could sense your tired and distracted figure becoming a bit worried, “What color is the dress? Can I see it?” he asked wanting to hear your voice again. “Yes you can but later, it’s a dark red silky gown,” you said smiling remembering how Sophia kept complimenting you. The dress looked absolutely breathtaking, hugging your figure in all the right places, opened back, and a slight view of your cleavage.

You walked back to the kitchen and prepped your tea in your white mug, Mason watching your every move. You seemed distant and off, and he wondered what had happened. You weren't asking about his day or even looking at him at all when you talked with him, had he done something? He took out the trash and did his laundry as you had asked. So what was it?

“Hey… talk to me… What’s up?” you looked at him surprised, your mug stopping midway from touching your lips. “Me? I’m fine! Just tired and need to finish packing that's all,” you partly lie, taking a sip of your warm drink and face him. Mason furrows his brows and crosses his arms, leaning against the opposite marble counter. “You're lying to me… What’s truly going on?” Mason remarks, “You're avoiding me and fidgeting with your rings, I know you Y/n..”

“It's nothing Mason, I promise. I just don’t think I'm prepared to see everyone this weekend, the last reunion wasn’t the best…” you say finally looking at his brown orbs. “I had planned on riding with my close cousin from here but she ended up getting sick and won’t be attending-”

“I thought we would be going together? Wasn’t that the plan?” he cuts you off.

Oh? “Yes, it was but you haven't said anything to me if you’d attend or not. I didn’t want it to be a distraction from football and recovery,” you set your mug down and sit on the white counter. “I will be going with you, I bought my tux not too long ago, I just kept forgetting to remind you,” Mason said uncrossing his arms and walking towards you. You become shy, feeling your cheeks heat up. “You did?”

“Yep, even had help from my mum,” he chuckles and takes his phone out showing you a picture of him. It was a black tux with a white button-up, and his broad shoulder and arms fit the suit like a glove, “I was just waiting on you to see if I should buy a tie, bow, or leave it as is,” he said tucking a loose string of hair behind your ear. “I say as is,” you offer, giving him a sly smile and enjoying his warm touch against your skin. How long until he’d pull away?

Your heart began to pace quicker, looking at his freckles distracting you from the cold feeling that began to invade your spine to your arms. The urge to look away and clench your jaw to avoid any tears threatening to pour out. You just wanted him to realize how he’s making you feel but you refused to allow yourself to give in. This was harder, it wasn’t going to do any good if you didn't communicate with him.

“Can I be honest with you?” you whisper seeing how he nodded confused, “I'm afraid of you pulling away and going back upstairs to whatever you were doing,” you state. “I'm afraid of the cold air that will replace your warm palm once you go back. I'm afraid of thinking of losing you knowing so much can be done to prevent it…” you whisper the last part, not knowing how he’d react. Would he stay or go? Would he be upset or concerned? Would he pull away or hold you close?

“Losing me? Why would you lose me, baby?” Mason began to get scared at your shaky voice and sad tone. He moved between your legs, his other free hand coming to rest between your waist. He was holding you, finally, your hands continued to grip the counter, knuckles becoming sore from how hard you were gripping it.

“Because you haven't held me like this. Because you haven't kissed me. Because either you're mad at me or someone else and close me out of your life. Because when I try to help even if you may not want it you pull away… Because I'm afraid I'm not being the girlfriend you deserve,” you sigh and sniffle focusing on Mason’s hoodie strings, and how his thumb was soothing your cheek.

“Look at me.”

You hesitantly do so, “You're more than what I deserve. When I asked you to be my girlfriend I saw a future with you. You’ve treated me way better than how I have been treating you. I get it, my random mood swings and attitude aren't the best but you're always there, haven't given up on me… I'm just afraid of it being too much for you. The last thing I’d want is for my problems to distract you or make you leave as the others have…” Mason whispers.

“I won’t leave you, Mason. Not unless you give me a good reason too. I just want you to know that I love you so so so much. Trust me, you won’t be distracting me or putting too much on me. I know what I got myself into when I began dating you. I want it all, everything with you. You make me happy you know?” you grab the back of his head and then bring your hand to his jaw where you rub his cheek.

“Just happy?” he laughs and leans in, tracing your jaw with his nose, snuggling impossibly closer than he was before. He peppers kisses along the areas he just traced, his soft lips driving you insane along with how he was holding you made your head feel cloudy. “I can tell you how you make me feel? Hmm, how about that?” all you could do was nod still distracted by the way he was slowly kissing down your neck to behind your ear.

“I love these hands, how they bring comfort when I need them. I love your smile that never fails to make me feel all nervous all over again, especially when your small dimple comes out, like right now!” he kisses over it making you draw out a giggle. “God that laugh, knowing that I can make you laugh, knowing that you feel safe and sound with me, knowing that you love me no matter what? Makes me the happiest man on earth, and I couldn't ask for more.”

Mason kisses you, at first, it takes you a while to kiss back stunned by the harsh pull. But when your lips mold with his, tasting his minty and musky scent has you wanting more. His tongue teases your bottom lip, and you allow him to explore your mouth, not a fully heavy makeout session, but enough to have you panting after pulling away. “I love you, Mason,” you murmur, he carries you to the long grey couch, your legs tightly around his waist.

When he lays you down, he lays on top of your chest, his hands dragging up and down your sides in a soothing manner, your hand playing with his hair till he slowly drifts away. “I love holding you know? But right now I'm so wishing I could go and finish that tea I made,” you jest, you hear him snort, slowly lifting himself up and walking back into the kitchen. You sit up and extend your legs, looking at what he was doing. Or so tried to see.

“Here you go,” he places the mug on the side table giving you a small peck on your cheek, Mason grabs a pillow and lays it on your lap, laying back down while holding your legs. “I was thinking for dinner if you wanted to make your delicious teriyaki chicken? I'll help make the rice and veggies?” you heard him say, “Sounds delicious, but after this nap, because you deserve some sleep mister.” “After we can go get some ice cream, and come back home to finish packing?” he proposes.

“As long as we enjoy a late-night drive.”

“How about this outfit?” he turns to you, you look up and see him holding a white polo shirt with either a pair of black or slightly blue pants. “I like it! Perfect if we go out to eat together or to wear around,” you praise, he thanks you folding the clothes and setting them inside the small suitcase. You had just finished packing, you were now just setting up your makeup and skincare to carry in your main bag.

“Is this the dress?” you look up confused but then catch Mason staring at the red for the evening. “That’s the one,” you let out, walking over to him and tiptoeing enough to rest your chin on his shoulder. “It's beautiful Y/n…” he compliments, running his hand over the revealed parts of the dress, but also smoothing out the fabric. “Can you try it on now? Or will I have to wait to see it in person?” he questions with a small smirk on his face while he turns around.

“I’d rather you wait. I promise it will be worth the wait,” you laugh, “It's not that I don't want to show you but it's kinda delicate to take on and off you know?”

“I can wait, you're going to look absolutely sexy. I'm sure of it.”

Mason whines for you to get on the bed, but ends up helping you finish packing the other items you have to have ready. He is constantly asking questions about what the different products do, and if you could test them on him one day, which you found to be completely adorable. After assuring him you’d plan a night in and self-care, you fall almost fast asleep once you hit your pillow.

~~~

Mason currently sat on the bed, fixing his watch and rings. He had just fixed his hair, and steamed his suit jacket, waiting on you to finish so he could put it on. He felt nervous, there was a small pit feeling that made him feel off for some reason as if something bad were to go down but he pushed it away, focusing on the fact he could have some time to himself.

On the other hand, you were just finishing curling the last piece of your hair, applying some hairspray before finishing the bombshell curls with a small comb. You applied your lip liner, a darker shade of your red lipstick that you then applied. After spraying some setting spray, perfume, and deodorant you were ready. You slipped on your gown but had trouble with the zipper in the back. You managed to close it, making a mental note to ask Mason to clip the butterfly clasp in the back.

You put on your heels and opened the door, stepping carefully to meet Mason standing up. His eyes roamed your body, his mouth slightly open, and taking a gulp. Just like he had pictured, you look drop-dead gorgeous, the red on you was sexy. He walked over and walked around you in a circle feeling lucky, “Jesus Christ you look so good Y/n,” he said making you blush against his gaze.

His hands came around you, setting them dangerously close to your bum. “I don’t know if I might resist myself tonight,” he joked but he was being serious. This dress was taunting his head with dirty images of you, especially a picture of your lips smudged. “You look handsome, Mason. Can I fix something really quick though?” he nodded and watched as you unbutton two buttons from his shirt. “Leave it like this, looks way better than the turtle neck appearance,” you laughed.

He took one last glance at you, feeling grateful. He took a picture of you looking in the mirror placing your earrings, making it his wallpaper. He came up behind you and kept you close to his chest. “Are you ready to go?” he whispered near your ear, “I'm ready.”

You walked together down to the lift, Mason finding every chance to touch you which you kept laughing and pointing out. You had to make a line at the venue, but luck was on your side and you got there to be seated inside before the rain started to pour. You had seen some familiar faces and said hello to known relatives before going back with Mason. He poured you a glass of champagne, keeping his hand behind your seat showing his protectiveness on you.

“Y/n is that you?” you turned confused, Mason following your movements, where he felt his blood go cold. “Sue…” You stood up and saw your cousin. You and her always never got along, it was a long family feud that started years ago. She took every chance she could to embarrass and harass you. She wore a blue heavy dress and curls that weren't brushed out making you cringe. But next to her was John.

“John?” now it was Mason's turn to speak, John smirked and gave a sloppy kiss to Sue. You side-eyed Mason, becoming uncomfortable. “Just greet her out of respect for your family,” he whispered to where you could only hear, you nodded agreeing with him. “Guess it's a small circle, eh?” Sue snickered. “You still put up with her Mount, shame…”

“It was nice seeing you,” he ignored her grabbing your waist and dragging you outside to cool off. The outside area had almost a twilight theme to it, with big and small white flowers, and so many green trees. “I know him… I used to work with him, but I never saw them dating each other,” you said.

“Yeah me neither, but hey if the shoe fits?”

“Just forget about them okay? It's just us now. Let's grab a drink and sit back down to enjoy the ceremony and we can go back early to celebrate. How does that sound?” Mason suggests, “You mean the world to me you know? I love you so much Mason,” you hug his torso, appreciating the world for bringing a man like him to you.

You feel a gentle kiss on the corner of your mouth, “I’d give you the biggest kiss right now, but I don’t want to smudge this pretty lipstick,” Mason says along your lips, giving you butterflies. He settles with the kiss on your cheek, holding you by the waist as you walked back inside. After ordering drinks and sitting at the bar, you enjoy the presentations.

The evening is filled with waves of laughter and shared tears. You joked with the table mates around you, feeling comfortable for once when meeting new people. Mason kept kissing your head and shoulder, overall just holding you close, showing his affection which you couldn't complain about.

Once the lights turned off, the DJ began to play music, which made you and Mason get up and dance from time to time. He pulled out his phone and took pictures and videos of you, even posting some on his story to appreciate and show you off. A slow song played after midnight, and his hands were securely around you, while you rested on his chest, leaning your head into each other.

Your bodies swayed side to side, often time where he’d slowly spun you. “I’ll be right back I need a drink of water. Do you want a glass of water too?” you offered, Mason nodded and thanked you. After touching up your hair and makeup you were walking back to the table, a glass for Mason in your hold. Your heels clicked against the marble tiling, walking gently so your ankle wouldn't give up on you.

“Y/n, I want to talk to you,” you turned swiftly to be faced with your cousin, more so the one who has always tried to sabotage you for no reason since you started to date Mason. “Listen, I've had a day, and I don't want to speak with you at all,” you sighed and said sincerely, and it was true, you had no intention of getting along with her anymore. She smiled as you turned around and continued walking to the stairs.

“Are you sure you don't want to talk? It's important, has to do with Mason,” her words angered you, you turned around again and walked over to her calmly, but only god knew how you felt at that exact moment.

To say you were fuming was one word, but the picture of dragging her to make her feel what you felt was on another level. What could she possibly want now? Has she not had enough? You trusted yourself enough with the next words you said, but she had different plans that would forever taunt you. “Leave Mason and me alone, whatever you have to say save it, I'm sure it doesn't mean anything-”

“Not even if it's because Mason got with you for revenge?”

Revenge? What? She chuckled when she noticed the reaction on your face. The glass of water that you were carrying suddenly felt heavier, “What are you talking about?” you sound shaky. “You just never can pay attention Y/n? Can’t you? Mason is only with you because he believed you and John had something serious going on…”

John? John the one Mason grew up with? It didn’t make any sense why would he want revenge on you? What had you done for that to happen? The glass you had was now shattered due to you throwing it angrily. You let out a frustrated breath as your cousin continued with what she was saying.

“It’s true. Mason has never loved you, it was all calculated and planned from the start, he’s only with you for revenge. John slept with his ex-girlfriend, and since you and John had something going on… Well, you can picture the rest yourself…” She crossed her arms back and cocked her head to the said, smirking at your now broken and distraught look.

John had slept with his ex? Revenge? Has it all been fake?

“I'm sorry you had to find out this way my dearest cousin, but, not everything seems sincere and real once you find out in the end,” she walks off, leaving you now resting on the floor holding back the loud sobs. Your shoulders shake, attempting to take deep breaths but you fail, silently crying and holding your palms behind your neck.

The sound in the room all becomes quiet, just you processing what was revealed to you. How long was he waiting to drag it out? He knew John was nothing, an old friend and absolutely nothing more. Why did it have to be you? Was he pretending, was that why he was so quiet and distant during those times?

{ “What do you this is more important when meeting someone? Respect or honesty?” you ask, taking a sip of your red wine. There wasn't anyone else besides you and another couple enjoying their Saturday night out. For once you were grateful for the peaceful setting. Mason thinks about his answers, dragging his fingers along his chin before answering, “Weakness. It shows a lot of a person, and how they handle their surroundings…” }

{ Your dad sits back on his chair staring at you and Mason, who were lost in your own world. “Mason. What are your true intentions with my daughter?” it had caught both of you off guard, you sent a glare to your dad, not finding the timing perfect as others were around you. Mason grabs you and kisses your temple, “Only the best intentions to make her happy, sir.”

“Those are just words,” your dad scoffs, lifting the glass of whiskey and downing it in one gulp.

“I’d marry her right now if she said yes.” }

{ “How do you know John?” you question the brunette you had just met. His name was Mason. He had gorgeous locks of brown hair, his cheeks tainted with freckles and slightly red from being out in the sun. A perfect smile that was sure to make you feel nervous when being around him. He wore a simple baby blue button-up with some tan shorts.

John and you had met through a shared friend, and after some working together in the same town together you enjoyed his presence, but something about him always felt off. Always looking for trouble in the wrong places. You made it clear from the start you weren't looking for anything when he attempted to hit on you, and he respected that. You hadn't spoken since then. But he had just come up to you and Mason, catching up and asking you how you had been.

There was some tension, you looked between the two guys, who either gave each other fake smiles or glares. It wasn't your place to ask but you were curious, only accepting the answers he would give you. Mason opened your beer bottle and handed it to you gently before responding back.

“Let's just say we were like brothers at one point.” }

{ Your first holiday together started off by almost missing your flight, and once arriving at your destination the heat and exhaustion began to kick in. You sat near the luggage claim after passing customs, looking around and holding yours and Mason’s carry-ons tightly, knowing some people were desperate and would take the chance to steal. Or maybe it’s just an irrational fear of pickpockets after your incident in France.

“You okay?” Mason asked, taking the water you had just bought when you offered him some. Small hairs stuck to his forehead due to the light sweat, “I’m doing okay, tired but I'm here with you.” Mason smiles and kisses your lips sweetly. “I love you,” you say.

“Me more.” }

{ “I know I’m being annoying but I’m just asking you to help me really quick with something,” Mason rolled his eyes but listened anyway, you twisted your head at the attitude and wondered if you pissed him off. After struggling to set up the network in your new apartment, you finally caved in and asked him, but you regret it after his reaction.

“You need to start learning how to do things on your own.” }

You slowly found the courage and stood up, the room feeling smaller, or was that your head playing tricks with you? With a trembling hand, you managed to clean the broken glass, you grabbed a blanket and layed on the small antique couch that faced the double doors leading to a balcony. The urge to take off your gown was high, but you didn't have the energy to move from where you were.

You had stopped crying but the pain you felt was still so present. A stinging heart, the feeling of your stomach dropping every time, suddenly becoming cold and chill running up your arms, despite the cozy blanket. You fidgeted with your rings, tracing over the delicate designs, and jewels. What was the point of crying? It wasn't going to bring back the old you and him. The loud chatter and music began again, becoming aware of how long you were missing.

“Y/n? I was looking for you,” Mason said relief running to you. Mason saw your broken state, the dry tear streaks, and your lips were slightly swollen, but yet you looked still so stunning. “What the hell? What’s happened here? What's wrong?” he asked, taking a seat next to you and attempting to comfort you by rubbing his hand along your thigh. “Don’t touch me.”

You stand up and pick up your heels, “Woah, woah, hold on. You have been crying, just please talk to me,” Mason begged, walking around the couch and facing you again. His eyes roamed at your clenched jaw and fists, you were fuming, the pain is replaced with fury, just desperate for answers. “I can’t help you if you don't tell me what's going on-”

“I don’t need your help,” you spit out walking away back to your hotel room. It was clear it wasn't the time or place to discuss this but Mason wasn’t going to let go. He’d never seen you look this damaged and destroyed, your body language was off. “Is there anything you want me to do, I can’t look at you like this not knowing what’s troubling you. I'll give you space if it's what you need,” he said sincerely to you. You laughed loudly turning around and walking to where he was standing in the room, you pushed his chest with your index finger, seeing how he tumbled back.

“You know what I want? I want you to tell me how long you were going to continue this revenge you have on.” Mason looked at you with wide eyes, realizing that someone had told you about everything. His face went pale, shifting his weight from one foot to another, “You bastard! You lied to me, Mason! You only got with me to get revenge on John? I had nothing to do with him!” you yelped out loud, tugging your hair trying to contain other profanities that wanted to be shouted. “I'm so sorry,” he began to apologize and walk over to you, but you took steps back, creating a barrier.

“What do mean I'm sorry?” you couldn't believe him. “There is no excuse for what you did. You lied to me from the start, you made me suffer all those times you wanted to. I had nothing to do with him, or anyone else, was that not enough for you to believe or to at least tell me the truth from the start?” it became too much for you, you promised you wouldn't leave him unless he gave you a reason to, but he’d driven you to the point of betrayal.

“You have to believe me when I say I'm sorry! I regret everything. I was always told from the start it was you who had come into John’s life, who turned him into a better person, and that he had found happiness despite what he did to me. I hated him, for finding someone who valued him and probably didn't know what he’d done. He and others told me you would sneak around and do know gods what-”

“But we didn't Mason. We never did anything besides work that summer. I never liked him like that, he wasn’t the type of person I wanted to waste my time with even if I wanted to. The only thing I believe is that you're a coward who failed to tell me from the start. You should've told me long ago, would've saved us this,” you motion with your hand the distance between you and him.

“Im begging you to believe me I'm hurting too, it was slowly killing me, I wanted to tell you but I was so afraid of losing you. You're the first real person who has treated me better than I treat myself. It hurt me when I hurt you. Y/n I love you, everything we’ve done together, from the first glance, our first date, when I confessed to you that night, all of it was real! And you're right I was a coward for not telling you, but I couldn't bare seeing you like that.”

“How can you say that? How do you expect me to believe you after finding out that my boyfriend did what he did? What you did is unforgivable, and I want nothing to do with you ever again,” you express seriously. You wanted to be left alone, to forget this night ever happened, you wanted to so badly take this dress off and sleep through the pain that has been caused.

“I love you, Y/n” Mason cried out reaching over and grabbing hold of your hands but you pushed him away, seeing his now tears falling down his freckled cheeks, In another moment, where the situation would be different, you'd console him, hold him in your arms, assure him you were there for him, make him feel loved and wanted, but now, you never wanted to see him ever again. To forget everything you had to relive for the past few years and months. All the lies and promises.

“You never loved me, Mason. You bluntly dedicated yourself to humiliate me, to hurt me, to make me feel like the most hated and despised woman to exist? If that's love to you, then wow! I sure as hell put up with you, no? I hate you, Mason.” You had said it. The words that you’d promised yourself you would never say because of the worth they hold. Words even he knew how they'd make you feel.

Mason's eyes narrowed and presented a small frown on his lips not believing you. “You don’t hate me… You’ll learn to forgive-” he said approaching you, scared you’d slip away so quickly without thinking about the situation rationally. “Forgive? Forgive you? Did you learn to forgive, Mason?” your voice is laced with pure honesty and anger. You laughed and tug at your hair, desperate to leave and never come back.

“You condemned me from the start, and I never knew what you were accusing me of. I sacrificed everything, everything for you. I left my family for you, I followed you Mason, but for what? For you to mistreat and despise me? All I ever wanted and asked from you was love, for you to love me as I loved you. Do you not know what it means to a woman to feel ignored and rejected by the man she loves? It's humiliating and humbling Mason…” you whimpered tears staining your face. You could sense your makeup falling out of place, the beautiful lashes that once adorned your eyes were now stained by your mascara and eyeshadow.

Hate. Love. Those were the only things that ran through Mason’s mind, he was frantic now holding you by your waist as you struggled to get out of his hold. “It's all finished now. Forgive me baby-” he began to let out, if he needed to get on his knees and apologize, confess the love he feels for you he will, anything to not make you leave.

“I’d be more than stupid to forgive you…”

“All the lies and betrayal end here. Im giving myself to you, whatever it takes for you to believe me. I love you y/n, and I know you love me. We can work this out, it's not too late. Don’t give up on me just yet, please,” Mason holds you against him, just afraid you’d pull away and actually mean the words you let out. You softly push him away, resting your forehead against him, “I can’t trust what you say anymore. How do I know what you're saying is true?”

“Because as you said, I’m afraid of you pulling away and it being cold everywhere I go,” he refers to what you had said a couple of days ago. “You managed to make me fall for you deep and deeper every day, and I don’t want to lose you. You're mine y/n. It's my fault I get that but all those lies and John end today, they have ended. It was childish, and so stupid for me to do,” Mason says, he reaches over to hold your hand.

“Im going to make it up to you. I’ll prove to you just how much you are worth and mean to me because I see us growing old like we discussed that night long ago. I won't give up on us yet even if you claim to hate me. Be angry at me but don’t hate me.”

~~~

Things didn’t get easier. The distance and silence were killing you and Mason for about a month. You had set up a routine where you'd work and quickly come back home. Your night either ended up being tucked inside your sheets or going out with your girlfriends. You weren't technically broken up, but there was a break.

During that period Mason had finished his season at Chelsea. It was a long and excruciating period, the wins, the losses, the setbacks, and the injuries, he deserved more. He had also set a routine, always needing something to distract him from his thoughts, from you. He had texted you, sometimes gifted with a text back, but when you didn't he didn't push it. He was miserable. Everyone around him could see it.

He enjoyed morning runs, coming back to shower, and then napping. He’d go out with his teammates and or go to Portsmouth to visit his family. Although his family asked for you all the time, he couldn't bare telling them yet. “She’s busy at her architecture firm…”

Currently, he was sitting in the club with his phone in his hand scrolling through Instagram where you had posted you were alone, a book in your hand, and a glass of wine in the back. He liked the story and hid his phone away, humming at the current rap song playing in the back. “You good?” asked Kai, who took a seat next to Mason. “Nah man, I’m quite bored here,” Mason laughed and took a sip of his beer.

“She’s with Sophia right now,” he randomly said. “Sophia was telling me she preferred to stay home nowadays. Working or just hanging out with friends. She’s more reserved and quiet now but always asks how you're doing. Don’t tell Sophia I told you though…” he looked at the blue-eyed German, looking for a sign of lying but he wasn’t. “Don’t lose her now, you may want to give her space but the longer you distance yourself from her, the more of a chance you get of her never appearing again in your life is possible.”

You had been thinking of him? Asking about him? “Sophia is going home early because she's going to Germany. Y/n is free for the rest of the weekend, and I know she has been wanting to see you,” Kai says, opening a bottle of beer and taking a gulp of it. “Thank you, Kai,” Mason smiles at him, “I just don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything then. Prove to her you're still the Mason she still fell in love with.”

When Mason had parked by the side of the road facing your apartment he noticed your living room light on. He was debating whether or not to go up and knock on your door or just go home and lose the opportunity he had waiting for him. His thumb kept brushing over your contact, the urge to call you to hear your voice. “Oh fuck it.”

He didn't look back, just quickly ran up the stairs and stood infront of your front door. He knocked on the door three times, hearing your footsteps coming closer to him. Mason stuck his hands in his pockets when he heard the door unlock. He saw you still wearing your clothes from the day and not your usual comic pj’s and a long sleeve or one of his shirts.

Mason was stunned, just as you were. You weren’t expecting to see him, but he also did not expect you to open the door this late at night. “Mason,” his breath hitched when hearing your voice again, desperately wanting to reach out and kiss you deeply. Hold you against him as he had been dreaming. To have you near him at all times as he desired. He just needed you. You felt the same way. You were willing to give him a chance to explain himself, or at least attempt to try and restart all over again.

“Can I come in?”

#mason mount x reader #mason mount imagine #mason mount one shot #mason mount blurb #mason mount x you #mason mount

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pastafossa · 19 hours

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Idk if it’s cause his face claim is Oscar Isaac but Ciro is taking up way more of my brain space than I think you intended. do u have any of his lore in your back pocket? a tragic backstory? who he had his kid with? were they in love?? IS HE HAPPY? anyways. i appreciate you and i hope you’re doing well!! sending love

Thank you so, so much! I'm starting to feel a bit more up finally, and my moods are leveling out I think!

And ABSOLUTELY! TEN PIECES OF CIRO LORE:

Ciro and his wife Elisa (Sophia's mom), were a Mobster Power Couple, and madly in love. She worked alongside him and ran various aspects of the business. She was cunning yet cheerful, loved classical literature like he did, and they had plans for a large family. They both figured if one of them died, it would be due to 'business'. Sadly she passed away incredibly suddenly from an aneurysm a few years after Sophia was born, leaving him a widower and a single father. His daughter for a time was the only thing keeping him going.

He's made a good recovery since then with some therapy and has found he loves being a dad and is quite happy running his businesses, criminal and not, though he spends a substantial amount of time worrying about Jane, and would be even happier if she were safe. But he definitely feels like he's doing what he was meant to do, and feels like God approves in his own way.

Romantically (something rarely touched on in TRT), he's had some flings and short-term relationships with various people after his wife passed, mostly women and a few men, but he hasn't had anything serious so far, in part because he's been so focused on Running The Empire and raising his daughter(s) (and other adopted stray feral murder children like Eli). Though if he finds his second special person, he'd be willing to consider something more serious.

At the time of TRT, he has five cats, all former strays because this man can never resist picking up the lost, human and animal, and there are a variety of cat rescues around Los Angeles that find themselves mysteriously funded by an anonymous donor.

He's decent at guitar and piano!

In TRT the incident where his childhood dog was killed by a boar is mentioned. In his attempts to rescue his dog, he got thrown aside into a tree - that injury caught up with him later, which is why Matt notices arthritis in his knee and an altered stance when scanning him over!

Ciro and Natasha Romanoff know each other through (sketchy) business and are on friendly terms.

He's the eldest of his siblings (1 brother and 2 sisters).

He didn't always plan on being a crime lord but after running face-first into some governmental/legal corruption as a teenager, his thought process was roughly along the lines of, 'I could do better than them.' He likes to think he's kept his promise - there are a surprising number of people in his city, especially in certain neighborhoods, who tend to look to the Ferryman's justice and authority first over the police or legal system. His punishments are often cruel, hard, and unforgiving, but if you follow his laws and keep your mouth shut, you generally don't have much to worry about, and because he minimizes collateral damage and invests in the neighborhoods (to encourage loyalty if nothing else), most are happy to look the other way.

He 'introduced' himself to SHIELD by mailing a few specific agents the tongues of HYDRA operatives, complete with coins, after those operatives attempted to Fuck Around in Los Angeles and quickly Found Out. One of those SHIELD agents happened to be Phil Coulson. The two have a bi-yearly, location-randomized coffee meetup, which is how Ciro wound up with Agent Thompson's card after Coulson vouched for her record!

#ciro leone #i love ciro and i have a mountain of backstory on him and basically no place in the story so it just sits here #in my head #i fully plan if i turn TRT into an AU book series one day #tehre will be a book or two JUST for Ciro because he deserves one #the red thread

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alyssaforevermore · 21 days

Text

Unearthed ↦ Daryl Dixon season two, part two

Synopsis: Based on the events of The Walking Dead television series, Y/N Grimes, younger sister of Rick Grimes, attempts to survive in a world now inhabited by walkers. Family has always meant everything to her, but in this new world, can she keep her family safe and together?

Show: The Walking Dead (S1-S11)

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x fem!Reader

Warnings: coarse language, violence, character deaths, drug and alcohol references, series spoilers and general The Walking Dead content warnings!

Tags: @1ivinqdeadqir1 @callmeyn @thegeorgiahuntsman @mellxander1993 @bigbaldheadname @cjmonsterwolf @abbi23323 @actuallyklee @lanxsee @livingdeadblondequeen @sweetz1919 @moonmark98 @sarahbaker2010 @ririi-3 @ryoujoking @hayley1998 @crazyunsexycool @Lettersfromyourlove (can’t tag last one)

Masterlist

The next morning you were all up bright and early, ready to go back to searching for Sophia. Rick laid out a knife sheath across the hood of a car, which Carl had apparently found yesterday.

“Everyone takes a weapon.” He spoke.

“These aren’t the kind of weapons we need.” Andrea huffed. “What about the guns?”

“We’ve been over that. Daryl, Rick, Y/N and I are carrying.” Shane explained. “We can’t have people popping off rounds any time a tree rustles.”

“It’s not the trees I’m worried about.”

“Say somebody fires at the wrong moment, a herd happens to be passing by. See, then it’s game over for all of us, so you need to get over it.”

Daryl stepped forward. “The idea is to take the creek up about five miles, turn around and come back down the other side. Chances are she’ll be by the creek, it’s her only landmark.”

“Stay quiet and stay sharp.” Rick warned. “Keep space between you but always stay within sight of each other.”

“Everybody assemble your packs.” You spoke.

Rick turned to Dale, who was sitting on the steps of the RV. “Keep on repairs, we need this RV ready to move.”

Dale nodded, standing up. “We won't stay here a minute longer than we have to. Good luck out there.”

“Keep an eye on Carl while we’re gone?” Rick asked and Dale nodded.

“No, I’m coming with you.” Carl protested. “You need people, right? To cover as much ground as possible.”

Rick looked at Lori, who shook her head. “Your call. I can’t always be the bad guy.”

“Well, he has all of us to look after him.” You spoke up.

In all honesty, after Sophia went missing, you weren’t quite happy to have Carl far away from the rest of the family right now. As much as the woods could be dangerous, you would feel much better having him nearby.

Rick sighed. “Okay, but always within our sight. No exceptions.”

Rick and Lori walked away and Carl looked up at you, smiling.

You gave him a wink before getting serious. “Please don’t make me regret this. I mean it, you stay close to one of us always.”

Carl nodded. “I promise. Thank you.”

You nodded back, hugging your nephew before turning to Dale. “Please keep an eye on T-Dog. I’m worried about his arm.”

Dale nodded, placing a hand on your shoulder. “I will, don’t worry.”

You smiled, heading off to get your backpack together for the journey.

…

You all had been searching the woods for a little while when suddenly, Daryl crouched behind a bush. Everyone followed his lead, crouching down behind him. Shane was the only one still standing.

“She could be in there.” Shane gestured towards a tent in a small section surrounded by trees and bushes.

“Could be a whole bunch of things in there.” Daryl responded.

Daryl stood up, slowly making his way towards the tent with his crossbow raised. You followed close behind, clutching your knife tight in your hand. Eventually, Daryl signaled for you to go ahead of him.

Approaching the tent, you tried your best to focus and listen for any noises coming from inside. As much as you hoped to find Sophia in there, you had to be ready for other possibilities.

Behind you, Rick whispered for Carol to come join them.

“Call out softly,” He told her. “If she’s in there, your voice should be the first she hears.”

Carol nodded. “Sophia, sweetie, are you in there?”

There was no answer, and you gestured for her to continue.

“Sophia, it’s mommy.” Carol tried again. “We’re all here, you don’t have to be afraid.”

With there still being no answer, Daryl, Rick and Shane came to your side. You took a deep breath, slowly unzipping the tent and pulling back the opening. As soon as you did, a strong smell of death hit you.

You began coughing, covering your nose. Inside was the corpse of a man, who had probably been there for weeks at this point. Daryl stepped inside the tent with you, grabbing a gun from the man’s hand.

“Daryl?” Carol called out.

Daryl placed the gun in the back of his pants, stepping out of the tent ahead of you. “It ain’t her.”

Carol let out a sigh of relief, Lori giving her a comforting hand.

“What’s in there?” Andrea asked.

“Some guy.” You responded.

“Did what Jenner said. Opted out.” Daryl added. “Ain't that what he called it?”

Your mind raced back the events of yesterday morning. After the last twenty four hours, it felt like forever ago. You hadn’t really had a chance to process it yet; the decision you had almost made. In a way, you felt like that might be a good thing.

Suddenly, bells began ringing in the distance, causing you all to look around anxiously.

“Maybe that’s Sophia?” You suggested.

Rick pointed to an opening in the brush, running forward as everyone followed close behind. Before long, you arrived at a small church.

“That can’t be it.” Shane spoke. “It’s got no steeple, no bells.”

Rick ignored him, racing through the cemetery. Reluctantly, you all continued to follow his lead. You finally made it to the front doors of the church, preparing your weapons. When you were all ready, Rick swung the doors open.

Sitting in the pews were five people, facing the podium. The sound of the doors opening caused them all to turn around, revealing that they were walkers. You all stared in disbelief as the walkers slowly stood up, making their way towards your group. Shane, Rick and Daryl made their way forward, taking out each of the walkers.

Rick began to call out for Sophia, as your eyes remained fixed on the scene in front of you. You were never religious, but this felt beyond surreal.

“I’m telling you, Rick. It’s the wrong church.” Shane spoke.

As if on cue, the bell began to ring again. You all raced outside, looking around. Finally Daryl pointed to a PA system on the side of the building, which Glenn quickly shut down.

“It’s on a timer.” Daryl shook his head.

Everyone remained silent for a moment, a sense of dread washing over you all. For the first time since Sophia had gone missing, you could feel that everyone was starting to lose hope.

“I’m going to go inside for a bit.” Carol choked out, turning around and heading back to the church.

…

A while later, your group stood outside the church with Shane approaching.

“Y’all are gonna follow the creek bed back, okay?” He spoke. “Daryl, you’re in charge.”

“Wait, what about Sophia?” You asked, folding your arms across your chest. “I know we’re all feeling discouraged, but we can’t just give up.”

“Rick and I are going to hang back here, keep searching for another hour. Just to be sure we didn’t miss her.” Shane responded. “We’re not giving up, no chance. I just think we need to rest and regroup.”

Daryl shifted his feet. “You’re sure about splitting us up?”

Shane nodded. “Yeah, we’ll catch up to you.”

“I want to stay with dad.” Carl spoke from behind you. “I’m her friend.”

Lori looked at her husband for a moment before stepping forward, placing her hand on Carl’s shoulder. “Just be careful, okay?”

“I will.”

“When did you start growing up?” Lori smiled, kissing her son on his forehead.

You hated the idea of leaving Rick and Carl with Shane. After that night at the CDC, despite all the history there, you had a hard time trusting him at all. You knew he was dangerous, but all you could do now was pray he would never put Carl in harm's way.

“Here, take my gun.” Rick spoke to Lori.

“And leave you without one? I don’t think so.” She responded.

“I have a spare.” Daryl spoke, reaching into his pants and handing it to Lori. “She can use it.”

Rick nodded, placing his gun back in its holster. “You guys be safe.”

“You too.” You smiled, both groups going their separate ways.

…

“So this is it?” Carol asked, sitting on a log. “This is the whole plan?”

You’d been walking for a while now and everyone was beginning to feel even more irritated. Not finding Sophia was taking a toll on everyone, and some part of you all were hoping you’d have found her by now on your walk back.

“I guess the plan is to whittle us down into smaller and smaller groups.” Daryl mumbled.

“Carrying knives and pointy sticks.” Andrea added before glaring at Lori. “Except for you, of course.”

“Do you want my gun, Andrea? Take it.” Lori responded, stepping closer to her. “I’m tired of the looks and the petty comments. From all of you.”

Andrea stared down at the gun in Lori’s hand for a moment before reaching out and taking it from her. Lori turned her attention away from the scene, kneeling down to Carol’s level.

“Honey, I can’t imagine what you’re going through. I would do anything to stop it but you have got to stop blaming Rick. It shows on your face every time you look at him. ” She spoke. “When Sophia ran he didn’t hesitate, did he? Not for a second. I don’t think any of us would’ve ran after her the way he did. We couldn’t have made any of the hard decisions he’s had to make nor could we have done things any differently.”

You knew she was right. From the moment your brother had arrived at the Quarry, things had changed. You all finally had someone you could really look to when things were hard. As much as Shane ran things before, he’d never truly taken on what Rick had. If it wasn’t for Rick, you had no doubt you’d all have died the night the Quarry was overrun.

Lori shook her head, continuing. “You all look to him and then blame him when he’s not perfect. If you think you can do it without him, go right ahead. Nobody is stopping you.”

Andrea’s eyes were focused on the ground for a few moments, before finally she approached Lori. She handed her back the gun, an apologetic look across her face. “We should keep moving.”

You looked at Lori, who nodded in agreement as she stood up. As soon as she did, a loud bang echoed throughout the woods. Everyone froze, looking up at the sky.

“What was that?” Carol asked.

You took a deep breath, your stomach turning as your skin turned pale. “I-I think it was a gunshot.”

“Doesn’t matter right now.” Daryl spoke up. “We need to keep moving.”

Nodding, you took a deep breath. “Let’s go.”

…

As you moved further through the woods, Lori began to turn back to face the direction you’d been coming from.

“Still worrying about it?” Andrea asked.

“It was a gunshot.” Lori reminded her.

“We all heard it.” Daryl agreed.

Lori shook her head. “Why one? Why just one gunshot?”

“Maybe they took down a walker.”

“Please don’t patronize me.” Lori huffed. “You know Rick wouldn’t risk a gunshot to put down one walker, or Shane. They’d do it quietly.”

“Shouldn’t they have caught up with us by now?” Carol asked.

“There's nothing we can do about it, anyway.” Daryl responded. “Can't run around these woods chasing echoes.”

“Daryl’s right.” You responded. “Rick wouldn’t want us all getting lost trying to look for him. It was one gunshot. We have to believe that one of them is safe and will find us.”

“So, what do we do then?” Lori folded her arms across her chest.

“Same as we’ve been doing.” Daryl spoke. “Keep looking for Sophia and work our way back to the highway.”

“I'm sure they'll hook up with us back at the RV.” Andrea spoke before turning to Carol. “I'm sorry for what you're going through. I know how you feel.”

“I suppose you do- Thank you. The thought of her, out here by herself.. It's not knowing that's killin' me. I just keep hoping and praying she doesn't wind up like Amy.” Carol gasped at her own words. “Oh, God! That’s the worst thing I’ve ever said.”

Andrea’s eyes fell for a moment. “We’re all hoping and praying with you, for what it’s worth.”

“I'll tell you what it's worth– Not a damn thing. It's a waste of time, all this hoping and praying.” Daryl snapped, his eyes landing on Carol. “We're gonna locate that little girl. She's gonna be just fine. Am I the only one Zen around here? Good lord.”

Daryl went back to walking towards the highway and you all continued to march after him.

“How much further?” Lori asked.

“Not much… Maybe a hundred yards as the crow flies.” Daryl shrugged.

“Too bad we’re not crows.” Andrea responded.

Daryl, Glenn and Carol walked ahead of you, while Andrea and Lori remained further behind you. Suddenly, Andrea began to scream.

You turned around, spotting a walker approaching her and she laid on the ground. She was slowly crawling backwards, but the walker was gaining on her.

Pulling your knife out, you began rushing towards her when the sound of a horse distracted you. It was trotting towards Andrea, a woman holding a baseball bat on its back. As she rode by Andrea, she knocked the walker down with the bat before coming to a complete stop.

“Lori?” She asked. “Lori Grimes?”

Lori looked back at the woman. “Yeah, that’s me.”

“You need to come with me. There’s been an accident. Carl’s been shot.”

------

AN: Here we are with another part! I hope you all enjoyed it. Please remember to like/reblog if you did <3

#daryl dixon; unearthed #twd #twd fanfiction #twd fanfic #daryl dixon #daryl dixon fanfiction #daryl dixon fanfic #daryl dixon x reader

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the-name-is-z · 1 month

Text

SKELETONS | ch. 8

daryl dixon x f!oc

masterlist

a03 link

Summary: The group collectively begins the search for Sophia, finding themselves scattered. Warnings/Information: AMC's The Walking Dead OC Insert | 18+ Advised | strangers to lovers; the slowest of slow burns; gore; angst; horror; humour; m/f; lost little girl, discussion of weapons and guns, children being hurt, suggestions of religious turmoil/questioning (christianity)

Chapter 8 - Manhunt

Bright and early, Rick unrolled a pack of knives across the hood of an abandoned car toward the edge of the woods.

“Everybody takes a weapon.”

“These aren’t the kind of weapons we need. What about the guns?” Andrea scoffed, putting her hands on her hips. Iris whisked her knives out of her sheaths, flashing them at her.

“Maybe they’re the kind of weapon you can’t handle.” She challenged. Andrea didn’t know how to shoot to save her life, and she needed to be taken down a few pegs.

“We’ve been over the guns.” Shane called, not bothering to look up. “Daryl, Rick, Iris and I are carrying. We can’t have people popping off rounds every time a tree rustles.” Iris smirked.

“It’s not the trees I’m worried about. She gets a gun and I don’t?” Andrea huffed, looking Iris up and down. Iris raised an eyebrow.

“Sweetheart, I’ve been carrying a gun since I was Carl’s age. Are you sure you know what kind of tree you’re barking up?” Iris asked. Andrea rolled her eyes, but shut her mouth.

“Say somebody fires at the wrong moment, a herd happens to be passing by. See, then it’s game over for all of us. So you need to get over it.”

“The idea is to take the creek up about five miles,” Daryl explained, deftly changing the subject. “Turn around, come back down the other side. Chances are, she’ll be by the creek. It’s her only landmark.”

“Stay quiet and stay sharp. Keep space between you but always stay within sight of each other.” Rick instructed.

“Everybody assemble your packs.” Shane added.

“Dale, you keep on those repairs. We’ve gotta get this RV ready to move.” Rick instructed. Dale nodded, pulling himself to his feet.

“We won’t stay here a minute longer than we have to.” He agreed. “Good luck out there. Bring Sophia back.”

“Keep an eye on Carl while we’re gone?”

“I’m going with you.” Carl interrupted. Rick sighed. “You need people, right? To cover as much ground as possible.” Rick turned to Lori and she shrugged.

“Your call, I can’t always be the bad guy.” She stated.

“I can walk with Carl. We’ll stay safe.” Iris offered. It wasn’t often she felt an overwhelming urge to babysit, but if she could teach the kid a thing or two, he might grow up to be a real survivor. Rick looked between his son and Iris before nodding slowly.

“Okay. Okay. You stay with Iris, you hear me? Within sight, no exceptions.” Carl nodded eagerly, grinning up at Iris. She winked at him. Lori was watching the exchange with an unreadable expression. Whatever her feelings toward Iris, she could shove ‘em.

“C’mon, cowboy.” She said with a small smile, jerking her chin toward the forest. Everyone moved out, trailing after one another into the bush as Daryl led the way. Carl fell back a little to show Shane the knife Rick had given him.

“Shane, look! Dad said I could carry it and Mom said as long as I was—“

“Keep it down. We’re looking for Sophia.” Shane hissed. “You need to focus on the task.” Iris glared at Shane over her shoulder, waving Carl forward.

“It’s a pretty cool knife, Carl.” She said, flashing him a smile. “Maybe one day your dad will let me teach you to throw ‘em.”

“Will you teach me how to shoot a gun?” He asked. Iris shook her head. “But why? You said you carried a gun when you were my age—“

“That should be something your dad does, when he decides the time is right. Just like mine did.” Iris explained slowly. “I carried a gun before all this, Carl. I carried it to protect myself against people. Not walkers. There’s a big difference, and it’s not my place to decide if and when you learn to shoot or why. It’s your parents’ job.” He fell silent, but nodded in understanding. She patted him on the shoulder. “I’m happy to teach you a few pointers about the knife, though.” He grinned.

The group slowed as Daryl pointed out a tent a little ways ahead of them. Carol almost bolted toward it, but Rick kept her back.

“She could be in there.” Shane whispered.

“Could be a whole bunch of things in there.” Daryl replied. He moved forward alone, crossbow in hand, Rick and Shane following as they surrounded the tent, just in case. Rick waved Carol forward to call out for her.

“Sophia? Sweetie, are you in there?” She called. “Sophia, it’s mommy. Sophia, we’re all here, baby, it’s mommy.” Daryl unzipped the tent slowly, the smell almost visible as it leeched out. Iris hoped Sophia wasn’t in there. They all gagged as Daryl went inside. “Daryl? Daryl?”

“It ain’t her.” He replied, coming out of the tent.

“What’s in there?” Andrea asked.

“Some guy.” He replied, shrugging. “Did what Jenner said. ‘Opted out.’ Ain’t that what he called it?” They all froze as a sound echoed from far in the distance. Bells. Church bells. They rang out through the forest from what could be miles away, but Rick pointed in a direction and they all started running.

“See this, running through the forest toward a really loud noise, is what one might consider a bad idea.” Iris whispered to Carl quietly. “Can you tell me why?”

“Noise draws walkers?” He answered.

“Gold star, kid.” She replied, nodding. They slowed in a clearing, the noise louder but harder to pinpoint.

“What direction?” Shane asked.

“I think that way, I’m pretty sure.” Rick pointed, making a face.

“Damn, it’s hard to tell out here.”

“If we hear them, maybe Sophia does too.” Carol stated.

“Someone’s ringing those bells, maybe calling others.” Glenn pointed out.

“Or signalling that they found her.” Andrea offered optimistically.

“She could be ringing them herself.” Rick suggested. “Come on.” Iris kept her thoughts inside, for Carl’s sake, but it was just as likely someone rigged them to draw walkers and anyone stupid enough to take the bait.

They emerged from the trees into a graveyard, a white church sitting pretty in the middle of the large clearing.

“That can’t be it. Got no steeple, no bells.” Shane murmured. Rick ignored him, pressing forward. “Rick…” They ran across the open graveyard toward the building.

“Bad idea number two is…” Iris whispered, waiting for Carl to finish the sentence.

“Running out in the open?” He asked, looking up at her. He tripped on the corner of a gravestone and she stopped, catching him and hauling him to his feet before he could even hit the ground.

“That and not paying attention to our surroundings.” Iris said with a smile, keeping him with the group as they kept going.

They rounded the church, Rick going to the large red double doors at the front. He and Daryl took a side each, pushing the doors open to reveal the church. A few bodies sat in the pews, waiting, but instead of the second coming of Christ, they now waited for something living to eat. Rick reached back and Lori put a machete in his hand. Iris held up a hand, stepping to the front as she pulled her knives from her belt.

“Eyes up, boys.” She said softly. She took her time setting up each throw, her bicep flexing with the effort, but the shtk of each knife in each skull and subsequent thud as each body hit the floor came quick. The group turned to her as she marched right in, pulling her knives from each perfectly aimed eye socket. “Thanks, Ted.” She whispered, feeling their eyes on her.

“Damn.” Shane stated plainly.

“I used to play a lot of darts.” Iris said simply, shooting a wink to Carl, who was grinning ear-to-ear. She put her boot through the closest one’s skull.

“Sophia!” Rick yelled as they all filed in.

“Yo, J.C., you taking requests?” Daryl spoke to the crucified wood figure at the end of the aisle.

“I’m telling you, it’s the wrong church. It’s got no steeple, Rick. There’s no steeple.” Shane urged. The sound of the bells ringing started again, Daryl pushing his way outside. It was incredibly loud now, but they found that the speakers on the side of the church didn’t really need a steeple. Glenn ripped the wiring out, stopping the ringing. It must have been on a timer.

“I’m gonna go back in for a bit.” Carol said, going inside and taking a seat. Most of them followed suit, Andrea sitting against the wall outside. Iris paced under a tree out by the graveyard, frowning at the empty field around them. Heavy footsteps crunched on the grass and she turned to see Daryl standing there, his crossbow on his shoulder.

“You grow up in a gang or somethin’? Guns and darts?” He asked.

“Close enough. My dad was a biker, I basically grew up in a bar.” She said with a smirk. “Learned a few things.” He grunted in acknowledgement.

“That why you’re messin’ with that biker patch all the time?” He asked. Iris nodded, pulling it out of her pocket and showing him.

“My lucky charm.” She answered simply. “You? Grow up in the woods?”

“Close enough. Mountains.” He replied simply. Iris nodded. “Driftin’, huntin’. All I’ve ever known.”

“Good to know at least someone has the skills to keep us alive out here.” She said simply, earning a small snort. He nodded anyway, and the rest of the group made their way into the shade of the huge tree. Rick and Shane shared a heated conversation a little ways away, Shane clearing his throat as he came to address them.

“Y’all gotta follow the creek bed back, okay? Daryl, you’re in charge. Me and Rick, we’re just gonna hang back, search this area another hour or so just to be thorough.” He explained.

“You’re splitting us up. You sure?” Daryl asked. Iris turned to Carl, who was already looking up at her. She pointed at him and he pointed back.

“Yeah, we’ll catch up to you.” Shane confirmed.

“I want to stay, too. I’m her friend.” Carl said suddenly, stepping forward. Shane and Rick glanced to one another, then back to Carl. Rick sighed.

“Iris, would you—“

“‘Course.” She replied. “Can’t abandon my partner, now, could I?” Carl smiled up at her. Iris nodded to Daryl and he led the others back toward the highway.

“Give me a minute?” Rick asked.

“Yeah.” Shane agreed. He ruffled Carl’s hair and they walked to the steps of the church to wait as Rick ducked inside. He came out a few minutes later, ruffling Carl’s hair on the way down. “Get what you needed?” Shane asked.

“Guess I’ll find out.” Rick replied. Iris breathed a chuckle as she stood, stretching her back before following after him.

He continued to lead them most of the way, holding up a hand as a branch broke in the distance. Shane pushed Carl behind the two of them as they moved forward to inspect the noise.

Iris gasped as she caught sight of the deer, pushing in front of them with a wide smile. She’d always loved them. Her favourite animal. It’s antlers still held the soft fuzz they did when they were new, rounded and soft. It moved quietly out of the brush onto the game trail right in front of them, sniffing the air. Iris turned, beckoning Carl forward with a finger. He quickly obliged, grinning as he came up beside her.

He continued and the deer watched, staring him down as he got closer and closer. There was a respectful distance between them, of course, but it was amazing to see. Something so rare. Iris turned back to see Rick watching with a grin on his face. Even Shane wore a small smile. His foot broke a small twig under his foot, the deer’s ears twitching.

Carl dared just one step closer to the deer as the shot rang out. It caught them all completely by surprise. Both Carl and the deer crumpled, hitting the ground with a thud. Blood was seeping into the cool wet earth, the bullet wound going straight through the deer’s side and through Carl. There was no exit wound.

Iris thought she heard Rick cry out, but her ears were still ringing from the shot. From shock, too. Rick fell to his knees at his son’s side, Iris and Shane immediately had their guns out.

#daryl dixon #daryl dixon x reader #skeletons #the walking dead #the walking dead daryl dixon #thenameisz #twd daryl #twd daryl dixon #daryl dixon x oc #daryl dixon x fem! oc

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do-it-for-the-fandom · 7 months

Note

Fic prompt: Linchpin, after the iconic “maybe you should ask your girlfriend” jealousy scene, Castle shows up at Becketts place and they have sex k thanks bye

“Castle?”

There was something about her voice - hushed and a little raspy, but filled with concern - that temporarily simmered his anger.

Is everything okay?

The words remained unspoken but he knew they were there, on the tip of her tongue. Because, of course they were there. Why else would he be frantically banging on her door in the middle of the night, if nothing was wrong?

He was here because he couldn’t sleep.

He couldn’t sleep because of her, because of their argument, because of her jealousy.

Jealousy that had been an ominous presence from the moment she met Sophia; lingering, festering, bubbling below the surface just waiting to explode.

He could see it in her eyes when he’d caught her watching his interactions with Sophia, hear it in the way she spoke so clinically, professionally. Mostly, he could feel it in the distance she kept. From him, from Sophia. He hated it.

But he hadn’t done anything wrong, of that he was adamant! So, he had a past: who didn’t? And, sure, he wouldn’t particularly want to work with one of her exes… but it’s not like that’s never happened before.

And - as much as he hated it - he wasn’t hers. She had no claim to him.

“You have no right,” he said, his thoughts stumbling from his mind and out of his mouth without his permission.

He didn’t give her time to register the words, just pushed his way past her and stalked further into her apartment. He had something to get off his chest and he was sure her neighbours would appreciate if he didn’t do it from the hallway.

“Please, come on in,” she muttered sarcastically, closing the door behind him.

“It’s got to stop,” he stated firmly as he turned around to face her. “The sarcasm, the snide remarks. I’m sick of it.”

Beckett rolled her eyes.

“And that!” he blurted, jabbed a finger in her direction. “The eye rolling! You can’t be mad at me for something that happened a lifetime ago, Kate. And, you know what? Even if it did happen to be just last week, you still have no right.”

She stared at him, folded her arms across her chest and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “I have no idea what you’re on about.”

“You’re jealous.”

“Jealous?” She scoffed. “Of what?”

“Of my relationship with Sophia,” he replied, matter-of-factly.

She paused, taken aback by how… present tense that answer sounded.

As if he could read her mind, he continued. “A relationship that ended a long time ag-”

“I see the way you look at her,” she interrupted bitterly. “The way she looks at you. She loved you.”

“She loved me,” he reiterated, working on calming himself down. “In the past.”

He took a slow, deep breath as Sophia’s voice echoed in his mind: I’m still quite fond of you. His eyes drifted, seeking out a safe place to hide his guilt.

“You said 'it was never the way it is with us'. What did you mean?” Kate asked. “Did you love her?”

“It wasn’t love,” he admitted. He waited, but when she didn’t say anything he forced himself to meet her eyes again and continued. “I know love now and- and what Sophia and I had wasn’t it.”

“It wasn’t… the way it is… with us,” she repeated his sentiment shyly but surely.

He stared, dumbfounded.

Was he dreaming? Or, did she just-?

She stepped forward, invading his space entirely and his brain just couldn’t comprehend that this was reality.

It wasn’t the way it is with us.

Because, with ‘us’, it was love. He knew it… and apparently so did she.

“Castle?” She said his name softly, luring him from his thoughts.

She obviously wanted him to say something, but no words would form, no words seemed… enough.

Her hands found his face, held him gently as her thumb brushed across his cheek.

“Nothing is- nothing ever has been the way it is with us, Kate,” he promised.

He tried to wait, to hold back long enough to let her absorb his words, their meaning, the sincerity; but her lips called to him, coaxing him. He brought his hand to the back of her head and guided her closer.

He couldn’t hide the desperation he felt as their lips met; frantic, heated, devouring.

Her arms wrapped around his neck and she pulled herself closer, pressing her body against his and he never needed anything as much as he needed her right now.

He trailed kisses from her mouth to her chin, along her jaw and down the column of her neck; nipping and sucking at flushed and sensitive skin. Each sweet, little moan that came from her sent shivers down his spine, encouraging him to continue his exploration.

"Tell me you're mine," she said between ragged breaths. "No one else."

"There's no one else," he promised, taking the lobe of her ear between his teeth.

She pulled back and he forced himself to stop, to look into her eyes, to make sure they were still on the same page.

"Just us," she whispered.

She reached down and laced her fingers with his.

"Make me yours, Castle," she said breathlessly before leading him to the bedroom.

#found this in my drafts #kate beckett #richard castle #caskett #kate beckett x richard castle #my drabbles #anon prompt

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adollchild · 11 months

Note

do you have any agere activity sheets?

I do! I love activity sheets ♡

Here are some links: (some of them lead to Pinterest. The majority of the sheets are at a preschool/kindergarten level)

Saturn info & coloring sheet

SFW agere ‘about me’ page

Encanto coloring page and activity sheets

Spring themed color by number

Cinnamoroll word search

Space word search

Cat themed worksheets

Legend of Zelda themed activity page (draw a weapon for Link)

Peppa Pig spot the differences

R is for Rapunzel (practice writing the letter "r")

Molang connect the dots

Hello Kitty Cafe word search

Reading Comprehension: Bake A Cake

Design a flag that represents you

Design your dream lunchbox

Use this code to write a secret note

#asks #worksheets #sophia speaks #sfw agere #age regressor #age regression #agere #age dreaming #agedre #agere post #agere space #agereg #agerespace #safe agere #sfw agedre #age dreamer #age regressive

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pleasuremehere · 23 days

Text

What is Kink and BDSM?

Before diving into the issues Black people can face in kink and BDSM spaces, let’s explain what these terms mean.

“Kink is an umbrella term used to encompass any practices, people, and spaces that push past traditional conventions and common ideas of sex,” says Sophia Murphy, DBH, LPC, SXI, a certified sex coach and sexologist, and the Director of Wellness at TBD Health. “The goal is often to explore how far erotic behaviors can go.”

Tatyannah King, a sex educator and graduate student at the Widener University Center for Human Sexuality Studies, says kink can also include ethical non-monogamous relationships, such as “open relationships, polyamory, and swinging.”

According to research, kink can involve BDSM, exhibitionism, voyeurism, fetishes, and more. Dr. Murphy states that BDSM is an acronym for bondage, dominance, sadism, and masochism. “This is an umbrella term that encompasses an arrangement of ways that people explore power dynamics, often with sexual activity included, and not always,” she adds.

Since BDSM falls under kink, the interactions in these spaces are pretty similar. “Interactions in kink and BDSM spaces are about tapping into the sexual energy of the atmosphere,” King explains. “It’s about holding space for kinksters, exhibitionists, voyeurs, and beginners in the world of BDSM to engage with one another in whatever way feels pleasurable and comfortable.”

BDSM, kink, and alternative kink spaces have the motto “safe, sane, and consensual” (SCC). This philosophy emerged in the 1980s as part of the “statement of identity and purpose” drafted by a group known as the Gay Male S/M Activists (GMSMA).

Since then, communities have transitioned to the motto “risk-aware kink” (RACK) since there are some sexual activities that are never entirely safe. Because of this, these spaces need to protect everyone involved.

“There must be trust between partners to ensure safety and fun,” Dr. Murphy says. “In these spaces, there are explicit conversations regarding limits, boundaries, and how to push past or when to stop.”

Regardless of whether kink communities practice SCC or RACK, there’s supposed to be a sense of security and trust that anybody, irrespective of their race, sexual orientation, sexuality, etc. — yet racism persists.

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julietashton · 11 months

Text

it’s hard to be anywhere these days (when all i want is you) - four

part one. // part two. // part three.

four.

“Incoming call from Sophia,” Karen announced as Peter was climbing inside the alien donut, trying to ignore the anxiety and dizziness he felt as he watched the Earth get further and further away.

His heart came to a halt. “Soph?”

“Oh, thank God!” she exclaimed, letting out a breath. “I saw you on TV fighting that—that huge thing. Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine,” he replied, his heart squeezing painfully inside his chest at the sound of her voice. “Are you safe?”

“Yeah, I wasn’t anywhere near Bleecker, but Dad—I can’t get in touch with him, Peter.” She sounded about to cry, her voice drowned. “I think—I think he’s on that ship.”

“He is,” Peter confirmed in a whisper.

Sophia let out a sob. “I knew it. I knew he was. I’m going to kill him. I’m going to find a way to get him back and kill him myself… He promised he wouldn’t get back into this shit. He promised he—”

“He had no choice,” he said, not knowing if he was justifying Tony or himself. “But he’ll come back, Soph. I’ll—I’ll make sure he does.”

Silence on the other end, and Peter held his breath, knowing Sophia would catch on it.

“Peter,” she croaked out after a while, and he closed his hands into fists, hating to hear her like that. “Where are you?”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “You know how he feels about space. I couldn’t leave him on his own.”

“No,” Sophia cried. “No, no, no. This—This can’t be happening…”

“We had no—”

“DON’T!” she screamed, making him wince. “DON’T YOU DARE SAY YOU HAD NO CHOICE! YOU SHOULD HAVE DRAGGED HIM OUT OF THERE, NOT FOLLOW AFTER HIM!”

“There wasn’t time, Soph,” he told her, trying to gulp down the lump on his throat. “I couldn’t—we couldn’t—”

But he didn’t keep going. He couldn’t, not when he could hear her crying on the other end.

“I can’t believe it,” she sobbed. “I can’t believe I’m going to lose both of you.”

“You’re not,” Peter said earnestly. “We’ll come back.”

She didn’t say anything but he could still hear her crying, and it was breaking his heart. He looked through the window, the Earth getting smaller with each passing minute, his bones getting colder, his throat closing as he realised he’d never been so far away from her before. He thought of May too, and Ned, and he felt terribly alone and scared.

He’d never got to say goodbye to any of them.

“Promise me,” she whispered suddenly, snapping him out of his dark thoughts. “Promise me you’ll come back to me, Peter Parker.”

But how could he? How could he promise her something so unlikely? It hadn’t dawned on him the little probability he had of coming back until then; if the aliens didn’t kill him, space surely would. How was he going to get back? He hadn’t even found Tony yet. Was his mentor even still alive? How could he break a promise to her, of all people?

He should have stayed on that bus. He should have gone to her and stayed with her.

“Sophia,” Peter muttered, conscious of the way the communication was flaking. It was going to end soon, and this was his last chance. “I never told you—”

“You’ll tell me when you get back,” she cut him off, determinedly, steel in her voice. Their roles had suddenly reversed. “I’ll be waiting for you, okay?”

His heart slowed down, her words somehow easing him. He took a deep breath and nodded, even if she couldn’t see him.

“Okay,” he agreed, and it came out a bit breathless.

“I’ll see you soon,” she affirmed. “Find my dad and stay—”

The line went dead and his blood ran cold, fear gripping him.

“Soph?” he called out desperately. “Soph, are you there? Sophia?”

“She’s gone, Peter,” Karen said, and even the AI sounded sad. “I’m going too…”

The silence was so sudden and profound that it became loud in his head. The ship was dark and cold and, for a moment, he felt so lost and alone that he was paralysed. He felt like he would be swallowed by the enormity of space...

… until he felt footsteps nearby—metal footsteps he recognised too well.

Tony, he thought, and the relief he felt almost made him cry.

Tony always knew what to do, and if he didn’t, they would figure it out together. He wasn’t alone; not in the spaceship, not even in the cosmos. He had people who cared about him depending on him; his friends, his family, Sophia…

They were waiting for him. She was waiting for him, and he wasn’t going to let her down.

***

Unconsciousness was a funny thing. There was no acknowledgement of anything for the unconscious person, even less of the passage of time, but the clock continued ticking anyway—and things happened.

When Peter had passed out, he’d been in London with Sophia all over him. The thought of death had been floating around in his mind as her tears fell on his face, but it hadn’t scared him much—having her there with him was the best way he could think of going. If he’d died, he would have been leaving behind a lot of unfinished matters; May, Tony, Ned… but he’d made peace with that when he’d decided to stay away from them.

But then, when he woke up, everything was upside down.

The first person he saw was May. Her face was pale and tear-streamed, but there was no absent or confused look in her eyes that denoted her loss of memory.

Tony was there too; half of his body covered in armoured prosthetics, looking at him with fond annoyance as he tried to conceal the tears in his eyes.

Not only that, but as he gazed around the medbay at Tony’s farm, Peter also noticed little LEGO flowers, which could only mean Ned had been there as well.

“What—” he trailed off, his mouth feeling like something small and flurry had died in there. He tried to sit up, but the room began spinning, and small hands pushed him back gently into the pillows. “May?”

“Drink some water, sweetie, but take it easy,” was all she said, handing him a glass of water.

Peter drank because he was thirsty, but his eyes wouldn’t leave his aunt, who was acting so normal it was easy to pretend her accident hadn’t happened; especially when, once he was done, she pushed his hair back affectionately the way she’d always done since he was little.

A lump in his throat choked him. “May?” he repeated, his voice cracking, unable to articulate anything else.

His aunt gave him a loving but impatiently severe look. “Did you really think I wouldn’t remember my Peter?”

His brain broke as thick tears fell down his cheeks. “You were—You were faking? W-Why?”

“Because it seemed important to you, sweetie,” she replied as if it was obvious. “To say I was completely against it is an understatement, but you were so stressed, and I wanted you to have something less to worry about. How could I remember everyone but you?”

He broke down crying and May hugged him tightly, which only made him sob harder.

It took him an embarrassing amount of time to calm down, but when he did and saw Tony was still there, looking as if he’d rather take the power of the Stones again instead of being there, Peter began crying again.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Stark,” he bawled like a baby. “It was all my fault. I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have—”

“You’re lucky I haven’t taken away your suit again, kid,” he cut him off. “I think getting older is making me less strict.”

May scoffed, even if there was the curve of a smile on her lips. “When have you ever been strict, Tony? Certainly not when you made him a suit at the age of sixteen and took him to Germany without telling me.”

Tony visibly winced. May would never let that go, which made Peter crack a smile among all the crying because their bickering was just so—normal.

Like before.

Tony got up from the uncomfortable-looking chair and went to sit on the side of his bed. He looked much more confident and at ease in his new circumstances, and Peter’s heart squeezed painfully inside his chest, feeling guilty for not having been there with him.

“I hope you’re done acting all self-sufficient and mysterious,” Tony said to him with an unimpressed face, even if he had taken Peter’s hand in his normal one and was gripping it tightly. “This rebellious stage of your life is over… or else we’ll be forced to make an intervention.”

Peter let out a weird sound—the mix of a laugh and a sob. “I’m 22 years old.”

“And I’m well past that wonderful age and I still need people,” Tony huffed, narrowing his eyes at him. “Your point?”

“We all need people,” May added, kissing his head motherly. “Pushing us away won’t make us care about you any less, Peter. It won’t make us safer either.”

He looked down at his lap, where both his hands were covered by May’s and Tony’s. The shame, guilt and regret were flowing in his system, but they were also overcome by the biggest and most wonderful relief. It felt like the weight of the universe had been lifted off his shoulders, and that the barbed wire that had been squishing his heart was being removed.

“Sophia said the same thing,” Peter mumbled hoarsely.

The thought of her made him feel a longing that stole his breath. The memory of kissing her felt like a fever dream and yet, he could still remember the taste and feel of her as if she was right there.

He didn’t need to look up to know May and Tony were exchanging a look.

“Ah, well, yes.” Tony cleared his throat awkwardly. “My daughter’s always been wise beyond her years… and you had her very worried.”

The lump in his throat was back. “Is she—How is she? I’m sorry I dragged her into my mess, Mr. Stark. I swear that the last thing I wanted was to put her in any kind of danger—”

“She’s fine,” he told him, rolling his eyes fondly, even if his expression had lit up the way it always did whenever his daughter was mentioned. “Not in the best mood, though. She didn’t appreciate being grounded for stealing my Quinjet and keeping me in the dark about your situation… In fact, she used the same argument you just did: ‘Dad, you can’t ground me! I’m 23 years old!’”

His impersonation of her was uncanny and it made Peter crack a smile despite it all.

“She’s got a point though,” he whispered, crestfallen. “She’s going to get married, after all.”

At that, Tony let out a laugh, which startled Peter.

“Please, kid, it’s like you didn’t know me at all,” the man snorted in amusement. “You think I’d let my one and only daughter get married so young?”

He blinked. “I don’t think that’s a decision you can make for her, Mr. Stark. And if I know Sophia, she wouldn’t let that stop her either.”

Tony shrugged. “She stopped that nonsense on her own, but if she hadn’t, I would have found a way to do it myself,” he huffed, before shaking his head. “Getting married at 23! Jesus Christ, it’s like you two just want to test how much my heart can take.”

Peter stiffened, his brain whirling.

She stopped that nonsense on her own.

Had he heard it wrong? Had Mysterio’s illusions affected him permanently?

“Come—come again?”

“I said, it’s like you kids enjoy giving me heart attacks. I swear my case should be studied by scientists because the amount of stress I—”

May, who had been watching Peter silently for a while, let out an impatient scoff.

“Sophia is not getting married, honey,” his aunt said sweetly with a small smile. “She called it off.”

***

Bruce didn’t allow him to leave the medbay for a week, which Peter found to be an exaggeration—and possibly a request from Tony and May.

During that week, many people came by to visit him; May, Tony and Pepper were constant company, but so was Ned, who seemed to have forgiven him without a grudge. Even some of the Avengers had stopped by, which had made Peter happy, especially when they congratulated him for dealing with Mysterio without their help.

None of those people, however, included Sophia.

“She’s in London,” Tony told him when Peter had caved and had asked about her, unable to pretend he wasn’t dying to see her any more. “Her mother set up a charity to help the rebuilding of the Tower Bridge and she’s helping her there.”

Peter knew Sophia’s mother was a woman from the British aristocracy Tony had had an affair with, back in his wild days. He’d never met her, but from what everyone who had had told him, she was a headstrong and slightly scary woman—very much like Sophia.

“When is she—” Peter began only to stop, feeling his cheeks burn.

Tony was her father, after all, and even though he’d never outright said anything about it, Peter was sure the man knew about his feelings for his daughter. How could he not? He was that obvious. It seemed only Sophia had been unaware.

“I’m not sure,” the man answered softly.

Peter gulped and nodded, not knowing what to say. Tony seemed to want to say something else, but ended up opting not to.

***

“MR. STARK, MR. STARK! YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT HAPP—”

Peter stopped dead in his tracks at the sight he found in the kitchen.

Usually, he passed right by it and headed straight into the workshop, where Tony always was. But that was because the kitchen was never occupied.

Huge and curious eyes met his, and Peter almost dropped his backpack; his spider-senses going haywire—not exactly in a threatening way. There was a new scent in the air that he was noticing just then, something sweet and delicate and dangerously enticing.

He’d never felt so—overwhelmed—by a smell before.

The girl held his gaze while he took her in. Long hair tied up in a high ponytail and an oversized Iron Man t-shirt that hid ridiculously tiny shorts underneath. She was barefoot and holding a dripping whisk.

He knew her—or at least knew of her. There were pictures all over the penthouse, and Tony wouldn’t shut up about her. But the truth was, Peter tended to shut all that out; an unjustified and ungrateful envy swirling in his veins whenever she was mentioned.

“You must be Peter Parker,” Sophia Stark said, arching an insolent eyebrow at him, putting down the whisk inside the mix she was preparing.

He couldn’t even nod and simply continued staring. He’d never seen legs so long, or eyes so bright.

The room was beginning to spin and Peter thought he was going to faint until she let out an amused snort. The sound made him snap out of it, and he drew in a sharp breath, waking his brain up.

“H-Hi,” he blurted out. “I’m Peter.”

She smiled. “I’m Sophia. Would you like some waffles?”

Peter usually wasn’t one to curse unnecessarily, but only one word came to his mind after his heart halted at the way her expression lit up when she smiled.

Fucked. I’m totally fucked.

***

A week later, Sophia called Tony to let him know she was going to stay in London for a while. Peter had already been discharged from the medbay, all healed and brand new, but Tony had insisted he and May stay.

And, because Peter had learnt his lesson, he’d accepted.

“She’s not going to stay there forever,” Ned tried to reassure him through a video-call. “Doesn’t she go to college?”

“She graduated last June,” Peter replied, his stomach churning when he remembered the text message he’d ignored, inviting him to said ceremony. He’d gone and had watched from a concealed spot, but she didn’t know that. “She’s a year older than us.”

“Right,” Ned mumbled, trying to hide a grimace. “Well, in any case, she’s going to come back eventually. Her father lives here.”

“Yes, I—I know.”

That wasn’t what concerned Peter. He knew Sophia had to come back eventually; a big part of her life was in America and after everything that had happened, she was never away from her father for long… No, what concerned Peter was that he felt like she was avoiding him.

He knew he didn’t have any right to feel hurt—after all, he was getting a taste of his own medicine. He understood more than ever now what she must have felt like when he’d ghosted them all.

“What are you going to do when you see her?” Ned asked after a while, almost shyly.

“I don’t know,” Peter admitted quietly.

“Are you going to tell her how you feel?”

“She already knows how I feel. I told her in the Quinjet before—” he couldn’t go on, feeling choked.

He replayed their kiss on his mind at every waking moment and the longing he felt for her was unbearable. It only became more painful when he thought of her regretting it.

“She called off her engagement,” his friend commented. “That has to mean something.”

“Or maybe she told her fiancée about the kiss and he called it off and I’m the one responsible for her misery,” Peter pointed out.

“But didn’t Tony say it was her decision?”

“Yeah but he’s her father, Ned. He’s very unreliable about those things.”

Ned winced. “It’s going to be okay, man. She flew all across the world to save you. She kissed you. I mean, that has to mean something.”

Peter sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly.

“I hope so.”

five.

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