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feelinglikecleopatra · 3 years

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setbacks

so, here goes nothing.

i’ve never posted my writing here before but i’ve been feeling inspired recently and i thought if at least one person likes this it’d do wonders for my at-an-all-time-low-because-of-the-pandemic-and-all-round-hellfire-year self-esteem. it’s a lil somethin’ somethin’ i wrote after re-reading crooked kingdom (and reading the entire works of @anonniemousefics, s/o).

summary: kaz and inej negotiate their demons. a short continuation from the docks scene at the end of ck.

have at it!

high overhead a gull was diving for some unsuspecting tourist’s pretzel but kaz was too distracted by the swing of inej’s hair to notice. he straightened his tie and, with a smile pulling at his mouth, followed her down the quay.

she was flying. while her feet barely touched the boardwalk, kaz struck a more measured pace, matched by the even cadence of his cane. he looked down at his cane, his bad leg, the scars over his knuckles and frowned. she had asked him to meet them, she wanted him to meet them. he repeated the thought over again. she wanted them to meet him. even clad in most of his armour. she was not ashamed so neither should he be.

still, the waters lapped at his feet.

up ahead inej’s voice pitched forward in a flurry of suli spoken into the crook of her mothers neck. kaz understood only snatches at a time but the joy on her face, on that of her parents’ was plain as day. it was a balm after days of distance he hadn’t known how to close.

his gaze flicked to the ship. the answer to the question, how to keep inej? don’t hold her too tightly.

it had been obvious, really. he’d known all along. that didn’t mean it’d be easy to watch her sail across the horizon. he would, watch her go, that is. the memory of her palm, warm and dry and gloriously alive against his, the sign of a deal struck.

“mama, papa, i want you to meet someone.” inej turned and held out her hand to him. the sun was no match for the brightness in her eyes when kaz curled his fingers around hers and stood by her side. “this is kaz.”

“mr. brekker?” her father’s brows were dark and full, the furrow between them a perfect match to the one between inej’s. kaz nodded dumbly, his words lost somewhere in the feel of a bare hand in his. “i think it is you we should thank, no? for bringing us here.”

kaz looked down at his twined fingers and reeled himself back in. “no thanks necessary. your daughter saved my life. more than once, i might add. i’m still settling the debt.” he could feel inej building up to correct him but rather than wait for her to do so he gestured to the city behind them and continued, “since this is your first visit to kerch let me be the one to tell you, welcome to ketterdam—the city of dreams.” and nightmares, he didn’t add. kaz felt certain inej wouldn’t approve of that.

“there’s so much i want to show you,” inej breathed, her smile almost splitting her face.

kaz wondered about that. although he knew (hoped?) she wasn’t ashamed of her life in his city, the battles she had fought and won on the streets and rooftops of the barrel, those weren’t the kinds of things his suli saint would share with her parents.

of course, he had other things to do. between taking over from haskell, setting up his new shop on the lid, and taking full advantage of rollins’ absence, he’d be neck-deep in paperwork and barrel messes for the foreseeable but he spent hours with the ghafa’s just to find out which version of ketterdam inej would let her parents see.

it was a revelation. that inej possessed the ability to walk through ketterdam as if she had no idea of the putrid, degenerate understory that pulsed behind every decadent facade still surprised him. it shouldn’t, not any more, but it did.

it was a terrible deja vu. kaz knew she saw it too. the wide, doe-eyed look of her parents as they took in the canals, the teetering, multi-storey houses rendered in cheerful pastels, the hawkers promising them their wildest fantasies. he tried to unsee it, to see them only as themselves but he, dirtyhands, had seen them now. there was no undoing it. there was no use in undoing it. if he had seen it, so had others.

for the entirety of their walk around the lid, kaz watched inej struggle with how to shatter the illusion without breaking their hearts in the process. between pointing out the landmarks, the sights and smells of ketterdam, she slipped in warnings and precautions, which streets to avoid and when, signs of trouble or crooked business. when they asked her how she knew all this, she joked, “too much time in the wrong company.”

when they sat down for waffles, inej ran out of evasions. the server disappeared behind the counter and all around them the early afternoon thrummed. seizing the privacy of background noise, her mother took her hand, took a breath, and let loose. tears filled the older woman’s eyes, spilled over her lashes, and landed on the ringed tabletop. inej’s father wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulders and placed his hand atop theirs, love and guilt all too apparent in his dark eyes.

kaz didn’t need to speak suli to know what was happening and he felt himself recoil. he shouldn’t be here. he had no right to witness this. he didn’t want to be witnessing this. inej had offered him her vulnerability time and again, moments he held closer than his most cherished grudges but this was another thing entirely. inej was crying. hot tears rolling down her cheeks. kaz couldn’t breath around the anguish in her voice as she spoke the few words he could understand, “mati en sheva yelu.”

what could she possibly be apologising for?

the ache it caused in his chest almost pinned him to the chair but he pushed against it and rose. if he stayed here he might vomit or throw something and that’s just the opposite of what inej needed.

kaz grit his teeth, knuckles white, the crows head of his cane digging painfully into his palm. his rage was a wounded, flailing animal. there was no one to direct it at, no scheme to hatch, or revenge to plot. the peacock would get what was coming to her, as would the slavers and barrel bosses on inej’s growing list. so here, now, kaz was useless, just a boy in a good suit and scars.

he needed to get out of there.

the bell above the door jingled obnoxiously as he pushed his way onto the street. his hand, gloved once more, was wrapped in some poor skivs collar before he had a chance to think. the lad had made the mistake of stepping on the toe of kaz’s polished shoe at a moment of blinding self-loathing. lips peeled back from his teeth, kaz snarled, “learn to use your eyes or i’ll put them in a jar.” the boy whimpered. “do. you. understand?”

“yeah, yes, of course, i’m sorry, please don’t hurt me. i didn’t mean—”

kaz all but threw him to the ground. the fear in the boys eyes was familiar, it slid in to replace the pain kaz had seen in inej’s. this was kaz brekker, dirtyhands, the bastard of the barrel. not above meaningless acts of cruelty. the boy inej was in the process of apologising to her parents for associating with. kaz shrugged on the feeling like a favoured coat—well worn if a little snug in the shoulders—and headed in the direction of home.

his room in the slat was all shadows and sleep seemed far away.

kaz had worked late into the night, hunched over stacks of bills and contracts and intelligence until his back had raised a complaint. that new place on the lid would need work if it was going to bring in the kind of marks he intended for it. perhaps, he thought, it might even form a branch of his operation with inej.

inej.

the shadows seemed to mock him, altogether too empty of her silent presence. what was he thinking? he didn’t want her here, in his room. kaz groaned into the darkness. the old lie, that it’d be better when she was away at sea, tasted bitter on his tongue.

abruptly, kaz sat up. if sleep was off the table there were other things he could be doing with his time. he’d never been a very committed sleeper anyhow. ten minutes later kaz was pulling on his boots and heading out the door.

the night was unusually cold and kaz hiked his collar against the wind that ruffled his hair, tugged at his breath. he smiled. bad weather’s good for business. nothing pulls punters into the club like a bite of wind.

pim and keeg straightened as he approached. “what business?”

“wouldn’t you like to know. have either of you seen milo?”

“he’s inside, watching the floor,” pim gestured with a thumb.

“and who’s watching him?”

“anika. she’s been breathing down his neck all week,” keeg snorted. “won’t let him out of her sight since—”

kaz knew the crew talked about his coup, about the way their fellow dregs had come at him with knives and bats and cudgels, the things he’d said to them but they never did so in his presence. he didn’t socialise. he didn’t joke. kaz kept money in the coffers and kept their enemies at bay. he’d made it very clear, he wasn’t their friend.

“good. now, eyes front and centre. i don’t want to see anyone just walking past here—not in this weather. no ones choosing this over the home comforts of the club, understand?”

they both snickered but nodded. “got it, boss.”

the moon’s face was a pale smudge against the dome of the sky, offering only the illusion of illumination between the flickering gas lamps of the city. it was in this metropolitan semi-darkness that he felt her approach.

a shadow separated from the rest and inej stood before him.

kaz’s breath caught when she pushed her hood back. she looked up at him with limpid eyes, wide and expecting. his mouth opened, “following me, wraith?” inej sighed and cocked her head. why was he like this?

he didn’t know how else to be. kaz had thought long and hard about what he was without his armour and the answer was, afraid. he’d become a barrel boss, fear was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

“what do you want from me?”

inej stepped closer, into his space, and his breath caught, again. “you know what i want, kaz. the question is, what do you want?”

“i’m a simple man, inej.” the words felt strange and foreign. he knew it was because they were a lie, few were quite so complicated as he. “i want—”

“why did you leave today?”

he looked away.

“why buy me that ship? my indenture? why bring my parents here? if—if you cannot even tell me when you’re feeling overwhelmed. kaz, look at me.” he could refuse everyone but her. “i’m not upset that you left.”

“you’re not?” he couldn’t keep the surprise from his voice.

“no.” the word was wrapped up in a rush of breath that sounded almost like a huff, almost like a laugh. kaz titled his head and frowned down at her. “of course not. kaz.”

“yes?”

“i do not begrudge you your weaknesses,” she said. he couldn’t stop his eyes from falling closed. how does she do this? cut him to the quick. “i will have you without armour, or not at all.”

“i’m trying,” he rasped.

inej nodded, she knew that.

he flinched when he felt her small hands slide up his chest. she stopped moving immediately and he opened his eyes. “go on.”

inej’s smile reminded him of warmed treacle and like any good misdirect, it distracted him from her hands smoothing over his shoulders, from her body pressed flush against his.

“is this okay?” she asked, eyes dark and earnest.

he hardly knew but he nodded anyway.

his heart took up a ragged beat, the waters lapping at his ankles, up to his shins.

she was so close. she was impossibly far.

kaz made plans, schemed and strategised, that was his nature. every penny of his haul from the van eck job was assigned and accounted for but this, inej in his arms, had been the measure of his desires for longer than he dared acknowledge and now that she was here he didn’t know what to do with her.

she was so small, lithe and perfect, against him. he let the hand not resting on his cane come up to rest between her shoulder blades, pressing into the fabric of her cloak. the moon limned her hair, her eyes, the inky fan of her lashes in silver. dark and deep and watery.

the waves rose. his breath stalled in his lungs. he almost pulled back but then—

“they liked you.”

she caught him. the sound of her voice was a tether to this moment, to the whisper of her breath against his neck, the heat of her body through the layers of their clothing.

“they also thought you were a little strange, too pale and solemn.”

“we can’t all be blessed with your sunny disposition.” the words spilled from his lips like kvas from the bottle. kaz clenched his fist, his jaw. “inej.”

“kaz.”

“did you tell them about the menagerie?” he watched her with a lock-picks attention, one eye on the door and the other on the haul. it was maybe too much, too soon. she had become his tether but he hadn’t yet figured out how to become hers.

the fabric of her cloak shifted against him as she let out a breath. “yes.”

how did you find the courage? he wanted to ask.

“why?” is what came out.

the slightest tremor rocked her before she pressed the fingers of her right hand into the rough wool of his collar, a solid pressure against his neck. her eyes closed. she was holding him to steel herself.

oh, how he ached.

“because they asked and because i needed to tell them.”

the fingers of the hand she hadn’t wrapped around his neck caught the lapel of his coat as if to hold him closer. i’m not going anywhere, he wanted to say.

with her attention focused on his chest, she tilted her head. the sight of her pulse, fluttering in the hollow of her throat, pushed a wave of longing through him so powerful it almost sent him to his knees. the memory of his mouth on her neck was fresh like morning dew.

as was what happened afterwards.

kaz’s mouth worked around things he wanted, no, needed to say. “inej.” she looked up at him and in the generous well of her gaze he found just enough courage to say, “you must teach me the secret to your bravery because there is so much i want to tell you, so much i want to do with you but i am afraid. afraid that i am not, that i cannot be, enough for you. afraid that you will become just one more thing i had and lost, one more thing i was never meant to keep.”

the look she gave him then, made kaz feel richer than a king. here she was, the only treasure he never had to steal, smiling at him like he’d gifted her the moon.

inej tapped a slender index finger against her pursed lips and said, “you’re a notoriously poor student.” he thought his heart might beat out of his chest. “but, you show promise. perhaps, kaz brekker, we can teach each other.”

#soc #kanej #kaz brekker #inej ghafa #leigh bardugo #fanfiction #my first soc fic #be kind #i just wanted to find out what happened after he met her parents #kanej exorcising their demons #i'm not sure if i have inej right #or kaz for that matter #if a scene where they just say each others names back and forth made sense i would write it #i'm working on my characterisation #making people recognisable and distinctive is hard you guys

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keegan-fabray · 3 years

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Center Interview || Keeg & the Kids

[Keegan had just gotten out of the ‘sit down’ part of the interview with Gideon that Sam had arranged for him. In reality, to call it an interview was... stretching it. Gideon had only asked Keeg a few general ‘what if’ questions--each of which was too easy for even him to stumble over--and then borrowed his drivers’ license to run it through the system. Regardless, as soon as Keegan’s background check (unsurprisingly) came up squeaky clean, Gideon led Keegan over to Nikko’s classroom, introduced the two of them, and then let Keegan loose to try his hand at interacting with the kids during play time.

Not wanting to stress the poor man out any more than he apparently already had, Gideon headed back to his office and sent a quick message to Sam to ask him to stop by and discreetly watch Keegan so Nikko wouldn’t have to add it to his already full plate.

As soon as Keegan was let loose, he felt himself relax. Just the energy of a classroom full of kids running around and being so carefree put a smile on his face the way nothing else ever could.

Always excited to meet new people, Nevaeh was the first person to rush up to Keegan and pull at his pants leg, her brother trailing right behind.] “Hi! Are you related to Mr. Sammie?”

[Keeg raised an eyebrow and chuckled as he crouched down to their level.] Am I? N-No, I’m afraid not. I think we might just have the same hair color... [He explained with a small smile.] M-My name is Keegan. What’s yours?

“I’m Beck!”

“And I’m Nevaeh.--Why do you talk funny?”

[Keegan didn’t get offended by the innocent question, and instead just smiled a bit wider and sat down criss-cross on the floor.] Well... have you ever done a t-tongue twister before? Where you have to say a silly sentence as f-fast as you can, and by the end of it, you can’t get any of the words out b-because they’re all jumbled and caught in your mouth?

“I have! Nevaeh has too. I’m better at them though.”

“Hey!”

[Keegan laughed gently at the two of them. He didn’t know much about them yet, but they were obviously related in some way.] I’m sure you’re both wonderful at them, [he assured,] but I bring them up b-because... that jumbled feeling that you get after a tongue twister? Well, sometimes I get that just b-by every day talking. It’s not f-funny, it’s just... a little different. But you wanna know a secret? [He leaned a little closer to the two of them and put on his best stage whisper:] Different is good. If we w-were all the same, the world would be incredibly b-boring.

“...Okay!” [Nevaeh replied after a moment of processing, that answer apparently good enough for her.] “...Can I do your hair?”

“And do you know anything about lacrosse?” [Beckett added.]

I’m... afraid I don’t have much hair to w-work with, but you’re more than welcome to t-try, I suppose, [Keeg offered before giving Beckett a bittersweet smile.] And I’m afraid I don’t. It’s not really... my k-kind of sport. But do you like golf? I c-could t-tell you a lot about golf.

“...What’s... ‘golf’?”

[Within a few minutes, Keegan found himself explaining the intricacies of golf and its ‘little sibling’ mini-golf to Beckett and Memphis while Nevaeh and Thomas put his hair into a bunch of tiny ponytails.

And Keeg couldn’t’ve been happier.]

#//I have officially written more self paras in the first week of having Keeg than I have for my other characters in almost 3 years.#long post #{self para}

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emjenenla · 7 years

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If You’re Gone, Maybe It’s Time to Come Home Part Three [a SoC Fanfiction]

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four

Sorry for the outrageous amount of time this update took. College eats up all your time. Also, it turns out Kaz in this mental state is ridiculously hard to write in another character’s POV.

Part Three

(Inej)

(1)

The Van Eck mansion is full to the brim of members of the Dregs. The irony is thick because a year ago, such people would never have been allowed on the same street.

Inej threads her way through the drinking gang members. They’re laughing and sharing stories. They’ve all been told that the party is to celebrate the Dregs’ rise to prominence as the most powerful gang in Ketterdam; only the Crows and a few extremely trusted others know that the party is actually in honor of Inej’s successes hunting slavers.

Even though the building is full of people, it still feels empty to Inej. The only Crows there aside from her are Jesper and Wylan. Kaz hasn’t yet appeared, and Matthias’s death still weighs heavily on her, not to mention the fact that it has caused Nina to drop off the face of the world. Inej has no idea where her friend is and no one has heard from her in months.

Inej has tried everything to find Nina, even picking Kaz’s brain in their coded letters (if anyone knows where Nina is, it’s him). However, it’s been months since Kaz mentioned anything even semi-personal in his letters. They were always impersonal, but since her last visit to Ketterdam, he hasn’t bothered to do anything but send her lists of information. She’s starting to think he’s still sulking about the talking-to she gave him the last time they saw each other. That bothers her, because while Kaz is totally capable of holding a grudge for a couple months (after all, he managed to hold one on Pekka Rollins for years), he’s never stayed mad at her for this long before.

(2)

It’s at least ten bells when she finally admits that she’s worried. This isn’t like Kaz. She’d thought that he’d at least show his face, even if that was only because Jesper and Wylan or Anika and Keeg dragged him along.

She eventually seeks out Anika who is sitting at a table playing a good-natured card game with Pim, Keeg, Dirix and Roeder while Rotty and a couple other high-ranking Dregs look on. They all look up when Inej steps up.

“’Lo, Wraith,” Dirix says. “Welcome back. You staying for good this time?”

“Please don’t,” Roeder says with a good-natured smile to show he’s joking. “I like my job, and I don’t want you to steal it back.”

“No, I’m not staying,” Inej says. “Just stopping by for a visit. If you enjoy scrambling over every dirty, smelly crevasse of this city doing Kaz’s bidding, you’re more than welcome to it.” The instant the words come out of her mouth she feels guilty; she had never minded being Kaz’s spider, even when he was in a mood.

Still the Dregs laugh. They are all high enough in the ranks to have personally dealt with Kaz enough to know just how frustrating putting up with his opaque orders and unfathomable schemes could be.

When the laughter dies Inej moves on to the real reason she came over by them. “Where is Kaz by the way? I know he doesn’t like parties, but I haven’t seen him at all since I got back.”

The table goes silent. The Dregs look back and forth at each other like they’re trying to decide who should be the bearer of bad news. Inej’s stomach clenches with a familiar sense of apprehension, one that she’s been getting when she reads Kaz’s letters for months. It’s a subtle hint that something isn’t right, but she can’t for the life of her figure out what it is.

After a moment, Anika pushes back her chair and gives her cards to Rotty. “If you make me lose, I’ll end you,” she threatens, then stands up. “Come on, Ghafa,” she says in what Inej can only assume is her lieutenant’s voice. “Let’s have a chat.”

(3)

They step out into the hallway and Anika paces to the end to look out at the garden, arms crossed.

“Anika,” Inej ventures stepping up alongside her. “What’s wrong? Did something happen to Kaz?”

“I don’t know,” Anika says, slowly and precisely, like saying each word hurts.

“What do you mean?” Inej asks.

“He’s missing,” Anika says. “No one’s seen him in days.”

“What?” Inej can’t help it, she yells. “Why aren’t you looking for him?”

“We are!” Anika’s voice raises too. “But Ketterdam’s a big place and we don’t know where half his boltholes are. To be honest, he could still be holed up in his rooms in the Slat since no one actually saw him leave. No one answers when we knock, but the door’s locked, like, really locked.” She gives Inej a significant look.

Inej nods. Kaz has more locks on his door than any person should ever need, but he rarely uses all of them because several can only be locked and unlocked from the inside. He wouldn’t have gone through that much trouble if he was just going out. “Have you tried the windows?” she asks.

“Yeah,” Anika says. “We sent Mina up the morning after we lost track of him. The windows are all locked. To make matters worse, each one’s fitted with multiple Schuyler locks. Aside from Kaz there’s only a handful of people in the gang who can pick those, and none of them are capable of getting up on that roof without killing themselves.”

Inej bites her lip. She doesn’t know what to say. This doesn’t sound like Kaz at all. She tries to decide how likely it is that he just found an intriguing job and doesn’t like the odds. “Do you think he’s on a job?”

Anika growls low in the back of her throat, and Inej looks at her. “What?”

“You haven’t been around these past couple months, Ghafa,” Anika says. “Something’s not right with him. Hasn’t been in months, but it’s gotten worse since the last time you were here. I don’t know what kind of lover’s squabble the two of you had, but while you’ve been out there gallivanting around the ocean, we’ve been here dealing with him.”

Inej opens her mouth to protest that she’s doing a lot more than gallivanting, but stops herself because she’s not sure if Anika’s on the list of people who have been trusted with the true nature of her mission.

“Pim and I are basically running the Dregs,” Anika admits, calming down. “Brekker barely does anything anymore. I don’t think he’s realized we’ve noticed, though I’m not sure how that’s possible. He’s not very aware of anything. He spends a lot of time just staring blankly off into space. He’s not scheming, but I can’t figure out what he’s actually thinking about.”

Inej doesn’t know what to say. The idea of Kaz not pulling his own weight and leading the gang he bled for for so long is ludicrous. She can’t wrap her mind around it.

“So far, only the inner circle knows exactly how bad it is,” Anika says. She sounds exhausted. “That means me, Pim, Keeg, Dirix, Rotty, Roeder and Mina. We’re trying to keep it from going farther than that, but we’re running out of time. There are low-ranking members of the Dregs who are personally loyal to Kaz, but the majority of them are only loyal to the idea of him—of Dirtyhands, Bastard of the Barrel. When they figure out what’s going on…”

She doesn’t finish, but she doesn’t need to. Inej knows the Barrel well enough to know what Anika was going to say. If word gets out that Kaz is weak the very gang that has followed him so ravenously will turn on him just like they turned on Per Haskell. If that happens, Kaz will be lucky to escape with his life.

The thought is terrifying.

“What happened before he went missing?” Inej asks Anika, trying to push the conversation away from the horrible idea of Kaz’s possibly imminent fall.

Anika sighs. “You’d do best to ask Espen that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hard to say,” Anika says. “All I know is that the night we lost track of the boss, he was supposed to go out to do some scouting with the spiders. He didn’t show up for hours. Roeder and Mina were just going to go without him, but Espen got angry and stalked upstairs. After a couple minutes he came down and said that-” she cuts herself off. “You know, you probably should talk to Espen about that, I’m not even sure I understand what went on.”

(5)

It takes Inej the better part of an hour to located Espen in the swirling mass of humanity in the Van Eck house. She’s just starting to wonder if he left without telling anyone when she runs into Mina. The young spider is more than happy to point her in Espen’s direction.

“I saw him over by the food,” she says. “Sulking probably; he hates parties.”

Inej threads through the crowd to the location specified. Espen is seated on a couch, crushed between the arm and a couple older members of the Dregs. He is clutching a plate of hors d'oeuvres and looks murderous, but he’s still there. If Kaz had been in his position, he’d have broken someone’s jaw and fled upstairs where there are less people by now.

Espen doesn’t notice her approach him, and Inej makes a mental note to tell Kaz to teach his spiders to be more observant. She waltzes up to Espen and snaps her fingers in front of his face.

He glares at her, overgrown mop of straw-colored hair falling into his angry blue eyes. Sometimes Inej looks at him and thinks that this must have been what Kaz had been like at age eleven, but other times she thinks that Kaz and Espen are only superficially alike. There is something almost theatrical about Espen’s anger, like he’s playing a part or seeking attention. She can’t imagine careful, calculating, brilliant Kaz ever acting like that.

“Wha’ do you want?” Espen asks in a low, gruff voice that might be a poor attempt at mimicking Kaz’s rasp.

“Just a chat,” Inej says and beckons with a finger. “Let’s go someplace quieter.”

(5)

She leads him into an upstairs parlor and locks the door behind them. He stands in the middle of the room, his arms crossed. “I’m waiting,” he says.

Inej rolls her eyes. “Drop the act. You’re not a hotshot. You’re just a kid.”

“I’m one of Kaz Brekker’s trusted spiders,” Espen says puffing his chest out. “I am one of the most important members of the Dregs.”

“Yes, and I’m the Wraith,” Inej says. “Do we really want to start throwing titles and accomplishments around?”

Espen visibly deflates. He either didn’t recognize her (which doesn’t make sense because she’s given him and the other spiders some tips during her visits in Ketterdam) or he was hoping she wouldn’t call him out on his bravado (much more likely). “What do you want?” he asks.

“Anika said that you and Kaz got in a fight a couple days ago,” Inej says.

“Yeah,” Espen says. “Happens all the time. Why does it matter?” There’s now something cagey about his body language. He’d rather not be talking about this.

“Why don’t you tell me about it,” Inej suggests, using the gentle, soothing voice she’s cultivated to put rescued slaves at ease.

She expects Espen to argue, but he grasps onto her offer to listen almost frantically. Whatever happened between him and Kaz has been weighing on his mind and he desperately wants to talk about it.

“I’m not a spider anymore,” he says.

That was not how she expected him to begin this conversation. “What do you mean?” she asks.

“I got fired,” Espen says, his voice is angry, but matter-of-fact in the way that only Barrel rats seem to be able to manage. As if bad things are something to be expected and taken when they come. “After the argument. Boss says he doesn’t want to see me ever again.”

That is odd. Inej has never known Kaz to tell someone he never wants to see them again. Loathe as she is to admit it, normally when he gets to that point he simply kills the person in question to ensure he doesn’t have to deal with them anymore. “What happened?” she asks slowly.

Espen shrugs, evasive anger back again. “I dunno. Brekker’s been really stupid lately.”

That sets off even more alarms in Inej’s head. She has never, ever heard the word “stupid” used in the same sentence as “Kaz Brekker.” “What do you mean?” she asks cautiously.

For a second Espen looks confused then nervous. “If Anika didn’t say anything, then maybe I shouldn’t-”

“Tell me,” Inej presses, shoving away the hurt at the idea that Anika might be keeping things from her. She and Anika aren’t exactly friends, but they’re not enemies either. Plus, Anika holds a position in the Dregs similar to the one that Kaz did when Haskell was general (albeit, with much less actual power). Of all the members of the Dregs, she’s the closest to Kaz and might be the only one who has a firm grasp on how serious Inej’s relationship with Kaz is. “Kaz is my friend,” she continues ignoring the voice that screams that she and Kaz are way past the “just friends” point. “If there’s something going on with him; I need to know about it.”

Espen sighs then relents and begins his story. Inej listens with growing shock as he relates his confrontation with Kaz. She recognizes the Kaz’s behavior because she has seen them in people she rescues from slavers. She has seen people who lash out at every perceived threat, who see such behavior as the only way to protect themselves from a world that has turned its back on them. She has just never applied them to Kaz.

“I don’t know what was wrong with him,” Espen finishes looking confused. “Is he sick?”

“He’ll be fine,” Inej says because she doesn’t feel like trying to explain trauma to a Barrel kid who has been raised in a community that refuses to acknowledge anything but strength. “Do you know where he went after your argument?”

Espen shrugs. “Dunno. I didn’t see him go anywhere.”

“Okay,” Inej says taking a deep breath in an effort to contain her thoughts. “Thank you.”

(6)

She approaches the Slat the way she always has; by the roofs. She isn’t sure that she truly believes Kaz will be there, but she isn’t sure where else to start so she decides to take her chances.

The window she always entered Kaz’s room through, the window she often sat in feeding the crows, is closed with a dark curtain pulled down behind it. It takes her upwards of twenty minutes to figure out how to pick the Schuyler locks, but when she finally does she pulls the window open, pushes aside the curtain and steps inside.

The room is dark and cluttered which is strange because for all his money Kaz owns very little and keeps what he does in impeccable order. Now there are clothes and weapons strewn across the floor. As Inej steps inside she accidently steps on a sheet of paper that is scrawled over on both sides in Kaz’s handwriting. A number of other sheets of paper are spread across the rest of the floor like someone threw them.

She’s just reaching the conclusion that someone must have broken into Kaz’s room and ransacked it when she realizes the room is not empty. There’s a teenage boy-sized lump in the bed and on closer investigation she realizes it’s Kaz.

She knows that Kaz sleeps on his side, curled into the fetal position with his back pressed up against the nearest wall, but she has never seen him take it quite this far. He’s curled up so tightly that he’s almost in a legitimate ball. She knows that’s bad for his leg; he’ll be lucky if he can stand let alone walk when he gets up. His coal gray blanket is pulled up so that only his hair is visible. He isn’t using a pillow and after a second she realizes that’s because he’s clutching it to his chest like it’s the only thing keeping him from drowning in a stormy ocean.

“Kaz?” she asks her voice nervous. “Kaz.” He doesn’t stir so she crosses the room trying to step around the papers incase they’re important. When she reaches his side, she kneels down next to him. “Kaz.” She says a little louder, reaching out and pulling the blanket away from his face, careful not to touch any skin. “Kaz, wake up.”

He shifts slightly, but doesn’t straighten or release his death grip on the pillow. One eye cracks open just slightly then closes again and he buries his face in the pillow.

“Kaz,” she repeats. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

He moves again, just slightly and mutters something, but the words are rendered incomprehensible by the pillow.

“Kaz!” her voice is rising panic now, she grasps his blanket-covered shoulder and shakes him. “Look at me!”

(7)

As always, the physical contact gets a response from him. He bats her hands away with a motion that is a little more haphazard than it usually would be. His eyes open and he looks at her like he can’t decide if she’s actually there. “Inej?” he asks after a moment. “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you,” Inej says. “Why aren’t you at Jesper and Wylan’s party?”

Kaz looks away. “I’m not going,” he says.

“Yes, I’d kind of figured that out,” she says perhaps a bit sharper than she intended to. She takes a deep breath and changes her tone before she goes on. “Are you still angry at me for the last time I was here?” he doesn’t say anything so she pushes onward. “Anika said you’ve been missing for a couple days. Are you okay?”

No answer.

“Kaz,” she presses. “Are you okay?”

Still no answer. He won’t even look at her.

“Kaz!” she shouts. He jumps which might have actually been funny under different circumstances. “Enough of this. Are You Okay?” She isn’t even sure why she’s continuing on this line of questioning when he pretty obviously not okay and she knows that if she does convince him to talk he’ll just lie. Perhaps she just wants the reassurance of knowing that he’s at least okay enough to lie to her.

If that’s what she wants she doesn’t get it, because Kaz says nothing. He just keeps looking away, eyes vacant and dead.

Just like their argument on the roof. She’d thought how silent he’d been then was wrong. They’ve argued before, but Kaz has never been quiet and listened. When Kaz is in an argument he lays into the other person with every ounce of cruel intelligence he possesses. Before that night, Inej had never won an argument with him. She should have known right away that something was wrong, but she’d been too angry and too high on her own victory to notice.

“Kaz,” Her voice softens, almost pleading. “What’s wrong?”

Finally he looks back at her, his eyes are still dead in a way that looks nothing like the Bastard of the Barrel. “Nothing,” he says. “I’m fine.”

Even though she was expecting this she can’t help but sigh. “Tell me the truth, Kaz.”

“I was sleeping,” Kaz says in a tone of voice that’s a little too flat for his defensive words. “Nothing more.”

“It’s ten thirty,” she points out.

He raises an eyebrow. “All kinds of people go to bed before that.”

“Not you,” Inej points out. It’s true; going to bed at midnight constitutes as early for Kaz Brekker. “Come on, Kaz.”

“I’m fine,” he says. “Leave me alone and let me sleep.”

Then he curls up on the bed again with his back facing her.

(8)

She can’t get him to start talking to her again, no matter how much she pleads. When she tries shaking him again he just shoves her off and pulls the blanket over his head.

Eventually she realizes that she’s unlikely to get any response from him. She’s going to be stuck waiting for the unlikely possibility that he’ll relent and tell her what’s wrong. She stands up. “I’m going to clean up this room a little,” she told him. “I’ll be right here if you decide you want to talk.”

Kaz doesn’t answer.

Inej sighs and sets to work on the mess Kaz has made. There’s an empty whiskey bottle lying on the floor and when she picks it up she realizes that it’s that super expensive whiskey she and Kaz stole once. Trust Kaz not to get drunk on something cheap.

She throws the bottle away, then turns to the papers spread out across the floor. After she picks up a couple she realizes they’re part of a letter. It takes her the better part of fifteen minutes to gather them all up and figure out what order they go in, but then her curiosity gets the better of her and she starts to read.

(9)

What she reads horrifies her.

If it wasn’t Kaz’s handwriting she would have thought someone else wrote it. The words don’t sound like Kaz Brekker. Kaz Brekker isn’t this open. He doesn’t talk like this. Kaz Brekker does not display this kind of abject self-hatred. Yet at the same time she knows that this horrible, untrue letter is Kaz and she knows that this is how he feels. This is what she abandoned him to without even realizing it.

She knew he had a lot armor, but she realizes now she may have given her understanding a bit too much credit. She had thought that she saw Kaz completely through the eyes of the almost eighteen year old woman she is now, but she realizes she was wrong. Somewhere inside of her a tiny portion of the fifteen year old girl she had been when Kaz rescued her from the Menagerie has been hanging on skewing her viewing of him. Back then she saw Kaz as something powerful and immortal, something strong enough to rise above the filth of Ketterdam, something that could make the monsters pay. That was what had drawn her to him in the beginning; the promise that perhaps, just perhaps he could make her something like that too.

Over the years that view of Kaz had started to die as she realized that Ketterdam took something from everyone, realized she did not need to be a monster. She’d also realized that Kaz was no demon, no immortal being, he was just a boy who had suffered trauma every bit as great as hers.

If Inej was honest with herself, Kaz had done more than just buy her indenture; he was why she wasn’t like some of the blank-eyed people she pulls out of slaver holds. From the instant she’d left the Mangerie, she’d never had the chance to sink into the blackness of her own despair because Kaz had always been there pushing her to move climb a little faster, hit a little harder, to be more than that girl who’d been sold in the brothels. He had saved her, even if he’d never intended to, even if he hadn’t even realized he was doing it. She had owed him the same, and she’d failed.

She sits on the floor and presses her forehead against her knees. She’d left Ketterdam thinking that she didn’t need Kaz anymore. That is at least kind of true; she no longer relies on him to determine her identity the she once did. She’s her own person with her own goals in her reach, but she’d forgotten to wonder whether Kaz needs her more than she needs him.

She turns to him. She doesn’t know what she’s going to say to him, but she knows that she needs to say something. “Kaz…” she whispers. He doesn’t respond, but his shoulders aren’t as tight as they were before so she thinks he’s fallen back to sleep.

She carefully pulls the blanket back around his shoulders so it’s no longer covering his face. Then she carefully steps towards the window. She isn’t sure what she needs to do to fix this and the only thing she can think of is that the only food Kaz keeps in his rooms is dry, gross stuff that doesn’t spoil. Food is like a bandage on a gaping wound, but it is something she can do right now.

Before she leaves she thinks about trying to find all Kaz’s knives and lock them up. She doesn’t know if Kaz will try to hurt himself, but she also knows that she’s unlikely to find all the knives he has hidden. She decides she’s better off just moving quickly and hoping to be back before he wakes up.

She takes one last look at his crumpled form and leaps out the window.

(10)

Her first stop is at the Van Eck mansion. She writes a note to Anika saying that she’s found Kaz, and one to Jesper and Wylan saying that something has come up and that she’ll make it up to them later. She doesn’t mention anything about the kind of shape Kaz is in. She’s not going to tell anyone about what’s going on without his blessing.

She gives the letters to one of the servants then sneaks into the kitchens. She makes off with some meat and vegetables because it will be easier than finding a shop to break into. She’ll pay Jesper and Wylan back later.

After leaving the mansion she stops by the Wraith to grab a few things. This only takes a few minutes and the crewmember on watch doesn’t even notice that she’s there. She makes a mental note to give her crew a talking to about how to be on guard duty, but right now she has bigger problems.

As she heads back to the Slat she passes by the small toy shop where she got the stuffed crow she gave to Alby Rollins before she left Ketterdam. She picks the simple lock on the backdoor and lets herself in. The shop is just as small and quaint as it was the last time she was here. She remembers belatedly that she’d promised the owner she’d convince Kaz to put this shop under Dregs protection in exchange for making the crow toy in a matter of hours. She’d forgotten in the whirlwind of preparations for her voyage. She renews that promise to herself as she looks at the wares spread out around the dark shop. She should not get in the habit of breaking her promises.

She wanders through the store looking at all the cute, fluffy stuffed toys. She isn’t exactly sure why she came here, but she feels like she needs to be here.

Eventually she stops before a rack of stuffed bears. She had a bear toy as a child. She remembers hugging it to her chest and feeling safe. She wonders briefly what happened to it when she got too old to want it anymore. Suddenly she hopes her parents didn’t get rid of it. She would like to see it again.

As she runs her fingers along the shelves of stuffed bears she wonders if Kaz ever had a toy like this. She has spent a lot of time recently trying to figure out exactly where Kaz came from. She knows that at some point in his life someone must have cared for him--he would have died as an infant if he’d been completely abandoned from the moment he was born--but she hasn’t been able to figure out who. She knows Kaz had a brother, but she doesn’t even know what his name was let alone how much older he was. Perhaps this older brother raised Kaz in the Barrel and then ran afoul of Pekka Rollins.

The only person who could answer her questions is Kaz and he’s so close-lipped about himself that it’s honestly a miracle he admitted he even had a brother. She wishes she could convince him to talk to her. She wants to help him, and talking always helps.

She shakes herself. She’s not helping Kaz by sitting in a toy shop and leaving him all alone. She starts to leave, then pauses and turns back to the rack of bears. She suddenly becomes aware of the idea that has been forming in her mind the entire time she’s been in this shop. She’s fully aware it might be a terrible idea and that he might refuse it at best and assume she’s mocking him at worst, but she feels like it’s something she needs to do.

She chooses to a medium-sized bear with a soft, cuddly body; silky, caramel-colored fur and a sweet, reassuring face that doesn’t have any uncomfortable wires in it. She sets the tag on the shop counter along with twice the kruge the owner is charging and slides the bear into a bag she took from Jesper and Wylan’s.

She leaves the shop, locking the door carefully behind her. Then she takes a deep breath, collects herself and takes to the rooftops for the journey back to the Slat.

That teddy bear is probably the one concession to fluff you’ll get out of me. I read a headcanon post on Tumblr once where Inej wins a stuffed animal in a throwing contest and gives it to Kaz, and ever since I’ve been sort of obsessed with the idea.

One more part left. Hopefully it will get out soon, but I’ll make no promises.

Thank you for reading!

Emjen

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ask-jeff-woods-and-company · 7 years

Photo

This is my creepypasta oc, Keegan Rene, I’ve had him for a while now but haven’t really drawn him out! If you wanna ask him questions here, you’re more than welcome to! I need to flush out his personality more anyway. :)

-General Info-

Name: ⁃ Keegan Rene

Demon parasite: ⁃ Beelzebub

Nickname/s: ⁃ Beelz ⁃ Keeg

Voice: ⁃ Asura - Soul Eater ⁃ https://youtu.be/XlKaRHdY8Fk

Theme Song/s: ⁃ One Reason - Deadman wonderland ⁃ https://youtu.be/2pZ-UpjtlXY

Gender: ⁃ Male

Alignment: ⁃ Chaotic neutral

Personality Type: ⁃ ENTP-A ⁃ https://www.16personalities.com/entp-personality

Age: ⁃ 27 ⁃ 15 (at time of possession) ⁃ His aging process is severely slowed due to the demon

Height: ⁃ 6’

Weight: ⁃ 150

Species: ⁃ Human/Demon

Hobbies: ⁃ Thriller novels ⁃ Photography ⁃ Writing

Bad habits: ⁃ Scratching and biting at his skin ⁃ Talking to his demon in front of others ⁃ Alcohol ⁃ Aggressive behavior ⁃ Cursing

Good habits: ⁃ Kills criminals ⁃ Sometimes defends the innocent ⁃ Rescues animals

Like/s: ⁃ Dogs ⁃ Supernatural/horror games ⁃ Horror novels ⁃ Photography ⁃ The feeling of taking out the aggression that beelzebub fills him with ⁃ Kids

Dislike/s: ⁃ People who complain ⁃ Innocent people who pick fights ⁃ Criminals

Alias: ⁃ “Mouth monster” ⁃ “The demon”

Abilities: ⁃ Ability to open large mouths anywhere along his body ⁃ Turning into a massive red skinned monster ⁃ Reading the thoughts of others

Agility: 5/10 Speed: 4/10 Strength: 9/10 Passion: 6/10 stamina: 10/10 Defense: 7/10 Armor: 5/10 Resilience: 9/10 Finesse: 3/10 Tactic: 6/10 Determination: 7/10 Naivety: 4/10 Curiosity: 9/10 Charisma: 8/10 Magic: 7/10 Madness: 7/10

Weapon/s: ⁃ Teeth and claws ⁃ Increased strength ⁃ Somewhat increased speed ⁃ Monster form

Important Facts/Info: ⁃ Possessed by a demon. The demon over the years has become an integrated part of his body and their relationship is symbiotic. ⁃ Usually has sleeves rolled up for easy combat access

Affiliation/s: ⁃ Beelzebub ⁃ A few allies that are aware of his situation and that Beelzebub trusts

-Appearance-

Facial appearance: ⁃ Thin squarish face with high cheekbones and medium sized ears. Detached earlobes. ⁃ When he allows Beelzebub to show through his jaw splits along the sides of his head to create a huge jagged smile full of sharp teeth. This appearance can show only slightly, or all at once. There can be more than one mouth or protrusion.

Hair color: ⁃ dark ginger hair.

Hair length/type: ⁃ Hair hangs just below his jawline. His bangs split in two along his forehead and hang at his cheekbones.

Skin color: ⁃ Pale Caucasian skin.

Eye color: ⁃ When he allows Beelzebub to show through he can be seen with two glowing yellow irises with no pupils and black sclera.

Body Shape/Type: ⁃ Slender and lithe build with lean muscle mass.

Blood Type: ⁃ O-

Scars: ⁃ Scars litter his thighs and calves, as well as his biceps and upper back.

Tattoos: ⁃ No tattoos, the demon rejects them.

Piercings: ⁃ No piercings, the demon rejects them.

Common attire: ⁃ A dark blue/black sleeveless puffer vest with a furred hood. ⁃ Light grey or light brown jeans, usually torn at the knees. ⁃ Black or green long sleeve shirts, with the sleeves rolled up at the elbows or upper arms. ⁃ Black ankle boots. ⁃ A necklace with a yellow and orange charm that hangs around his neck, a gift from Kaitlin to him when he was a child. It reminds him of his humanity.

-Social Info-

Current location/s: ⁃ Major cities

Parent/s: ⁃ names unknown, human, alive

Sibling/s: ⁃ None

Relative/s: ⁃ Unknown

Friend/s: ⁃ Kaitlin Fitzgerald, human, deceased ⁃ Michael Patrick, human, deceased

Best Friend/s: ⁃ Kaitlin Fitzgerald, human, deceased ⁃ Michael Patrick, human, deceased ⁃ Gen Osborne, altered human, alive ⁃ Francis Rios, deity, half-alive

Romantic Interest/s: ⁃ None

Allies/Acquaintances: ⁃ Beelzebub, demonic parasite, alive

Enemy/s: ⁃ Mostly underground gangs or cartels

Rival/s: ⁃ Blanche Roberts, exorcist human, alive

Pet/s: ⁃ None

-Favorites-

Fave. Color: ⁃ Green

Fave. Food: ⁃ Raw flesh ⁃ Coffee

Fave. Music: ⁃ Whatever’s catchy ⁃ Rock

Fave. Animal: ⁃ Dog

Fave. Season: ⁃ Fall

Fave. Time of day: ⁃ Sunrise

Fave. Place to stay: ⁃ Building roofs

History (shortened pasta): ⁃ Keegan was a high school sophomore who always had a strong affinity for the paranormal and supernatural. He and his two friends, Kaitlin and Michael loved playing dungeons and dragons every weekend. After his dog goes missing, he decides to take his friends with him and go looking throughout the neighborhood and surrounding areas for his dog, as they both feel bad for him. His dog has always been a support system for him. When they spot his dog, the dog ends up running into an abandoned mine. His friends are too scared to follow him, but they offer to wait outside for him. They end up finding his dog, but there’s something wrong with the animal. It’s body is covered in mange and lacerations that seem to be tumorous and have teeth growing from them. His dog doesn’t recognize them and ends up attacking them. They escape unscathed. Keegan decides not to tell his parents as he’s sure they’d never believe him. In the next 3 weeks, young children in the area begin to disappear and the few that reappear become very ill and sick, covered in bite marks from which they eventually die. When Kaitlin disappears, Keegan and Michael decide to team up to look for her. They leave late in the night so their parents won’t notice their absence. After searching throughout the suburban area, they deduce that she must’ve gone into or had been taken into the woods. They walk for a while calling out for their friend but find nothing. Michael suddenly notices one of Kaitlin’s shoes lying in the dirt in front of the old mine. They reluctantly go inside. It’s deep and dark the farther they go. They begin to smell something terrible. They end up seeing what looks like someone lying in the darkness, about 20 ft ahead of them. They cautiously call out to it, thinking it might be Kaitlin. What turns around and walks towards them is what used to be Keegan’s dog. It now resembles a giant hairless bear covered in a mass of tumors, teeth, eyes and raw skin. The only thing that still slightly resembles a dog is the body structure and some patches of fur. As their eyes adjust to the dark they can make out the mutilated bodies of the missing kids, one of them being Kaitlin. As they run from the monster through the woods, Keegan suddenly realizes he can’t find Michael and is now alone in the dark woods, far from anywhere he recognizes. The only weapon he has on him is Michael’s birthday gift to him, a small pocket knife with his favorite video game logo on the handle, it’s supposed to resemble the main character’s weapon. Suddenly, the beast is upon him. He fights off the urge to cry or to keep running, he knows he’ll just die faster. He can only imagine the suffering his only friends went through, at the jaws of his once-dear-pet. As it lunges on him, he manages to slice it in the stomach and tear open the skin, his dog falls over dead. As he struggles to breathe and calm down, he notices a snake like monster climb out from deep inside his dog’s ribs. It has a deep jagged mouth and no eyes. Before he can run it pushes him down and forces its way down his throat. ⁃ Over the next few months as the disappearances stop and the police stop searching for the missing children, Keegan thinks it’s possible he could start his path to recovery, only to discover a voice inside his head that talks to him. It calls itself Beelzebub and talks about how hungry it is, how much it wants to kill everyone, but in a completely serious manner. It tries to bargain with him and yell at him. It tries to keep Keegan from sleeping, to make him hurt himself, to even kill himself so it can choose a new host, but he stands steadfast. One night, it forces Keegan to sleep walk through the house, he awakens just in time to stop the demon from attacking his parents. He notices the appearance of those toothy tumors along his arms and stomach. At this point, Keegan realizes he is a danger to society and those he loves and decides to leave home, go somewhere he can’t hurt anyone. ⁃ This lasts for a while, but the anguish is too much, too strong. But he can’t possibly kill himself and let this thing infect another innocent who might be less resilient. Instead he decides to take out its bloodthirsty tendencies on those who deserve it. Criminals. Mostly. Over time, he loses most of his morals and some innocents get in his way.

#creepypasta #Keegan-Rene #jeff the killer #eyeless jack #ben drowned #slender #slenderman #ticci toby #masky and hoody #masky marble hornets #ask #art #my ocs #KeeganRene

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hqtbells-blog · 7 years

Text

happy birthday, mr. allen.

TAGGING: Troian Bellisario, Keegan Allen @supitskeegs

LOCATION: Keegan’s home, beach in LA, Troian’s home. Los Angeles, CA.

TIMEFRAME: July 22nd, 2017. Throughout the day.

SUMMARY: Troian + Keegan celebrate Keegan’s 30th birthday, ending it with a bang. ;) (nc-17 near the end!)

Troian twisted her key in Keegan's lock, stepping forward and shutting the door quietly. Since she had been in New York and Palm Springs for the start of the weekend, Keegan had the kids so she didn't have to worry about quieting them. The house was silent and still, so everybody appeared to still be asleep and Troian immediately got to work. It was only seven in the morning and she knew she had about an hour before they rose like clockwork. Pulling down the pans and the batter, Troian lost herself in pancake making and kept her eyes on the clock and her ears tuned to upstairs so she could make sure she didn't miss even a peep of a rustle. When everything was made and orange juice had been poured into a glass, Troian carefully carried the tray up the stairs and glanced her head in to see Sophia standing up in her crib with her blonde curls rumpled and a pacifier in her mouth. Phillip, it appeared, was already creeping out of bed to come see her. "Sh," she placed a finger over her lips and setting the tray down, picked up Sophia. It took some work but all three of them eventually made their way into Keegan's room and Troian grinned. "Go wake Daddy," she whispered to them and set the tray on the bed.

Keegan didn't know what to expect on his birthday but he did know that Troian was going to be coming over and he'd spend it with her and the kids which is all he could ever want. He wasn't big on birthdays, always preferring to give than receive but he had asked fans to donate to his favorite charity and pre-order his book since those were the only things he really wanted. He knew that Troian would be getting him a bunch of things because that's just what she always did and since turning thirty was a big deal, he was just going to accept it and appreciate it. Keegan stirred from sleep that morning when he felt the kids crawling on top of him to wake him up. "Daddy wake up, it's your birthday!" Phillip yelled in his ear and Keegan chuckled. He rolled over to see that Troian was also there which made him smile. "What's all this?" He asked, seeing the pancakes on the tray with juice and coffee. "Thank you, this is great. Are you guys going to eat with me?"

Troian Once seeing Keegan was awake, Troian pulled the tray further over to him so that he could be proportionate to it. "Happy birthday, Keegs," she grinned at him and leaned down to give his kiss a cheek. She watched as both their children clambered up onto the bed and crowded around him, eager to give their dad some attention..and probably eager for him to share in the pancakes. "They're going to help you eat," Troian replied in response to his question. "I've still got some birthday set up to do. So..don't get out of bed and peek. Philly, you're on Daddy duty. Don't let him leave until I say so." Troian narrowed her eyes playfully at Phillip and smiled as he immediately went to go sit on Keegan's feet. "Good boy. Enjoy your breakfast!" Turning around, Troian disappeared out of the bedroom and listened to Phillip and Sophia immediately fill the space she had left with their babbling. Ducking her head down and giving a warm smile at this, Troian continued on with her next mission of the day - spread the presents around Keegan's house. When she was done, and trying not to trip over all of them, she called out, "Okay, you can come out now!"

Keegan smiled when Troian kissed his cheek. "Thank you. And thank you for breakfast," he said, starting to cut up his pancakes. Phillip sat on his feet so that he couldn't get up when Troian said he wasn't allowed to leave until she said so. He chuckled and watched as his kids hounded him, waiting for him to cut all the pancakes so they could have some. He watched as they picked at his plate as he took some himself, smiling and taking a sip of juice as he waited for Troian to finish. He had no idea what she was up to but he knew it was going to be great since it always was. They had demolished the pancakes in record time which made them all laugh and shortly after, he heard Troian say that he could come out now. "Okay, let's go see what Mommy did!" He said, waiting for the kids to get off the bed first before walking out into the hallway. He was then bombarded with so many gifts sporadically around the hallway, going from one to thirty. "Did you really get me thirty presents for turning thirty?!"

Troian had littered the halls with wrapped presents and stacked them up on counters, on the couch, on chairs, on the table..carefully and methodically placing each other so that it was like a trail. If there was one thing Troian had fun with, it was definitely birthdays. She loved to go all out for the people she loved, Keegan especially. He did so much for her so for a chance to return that kindness and put her own Troian twist on it - she lived for seeing his eyes light up as he took it in. With her hands clasped together as she waited for him to come out, Troian grinned as she saw him look around and nodded her head. "I did!" She answered sweetly, a smile on her lips and she slowly backed up so that he could see everything. "Thank God you weren't turning fifty or you would've broken my bank account," she teased and then cocked her head to the side, shrugging shyly. "It's just little things, really. But I hope you like them! Philly helped me pick some stuff out too." She ruffled their son's hair affectionately and pulled him close to her, wrapping her arms around his neck. "So what do you think?" She asked Keegan, smiling at him. "Is it a good birthday so far?"

Keegan was mind blown at how many presents there were and he didn't know where to start. He figured he'd just start opening them from one and see what they were but he couldn't believe Troian had done this for him. "They're all going to be amazing, I don't even have to look at them to know that. You know me so well and this is just...amazing. You do not have to do this for me when I'm fifty," he chuckled while shaking his head. He smiled when she said Phillip had helped him, looking at the big grin on his face. "It's an incredible birthday so far and I've only been up an hour, thank you," he said. Keegan then started going through every present which took some time, getting more and more excited as he got through them all. Troian really went overboard in the best way possible and it made him fall in love with her even more. "Thank you so much. For all of this," he said before wrapping his arms around her and hugging her tightly.

Troian waved off Keegan's thanks and instead, sat down on the couch with the kids and watched as Keegan moved throughout the house and opened his presents. Most of them /were/ small. She figured the highest she had gone was to donate to his charity, and that was obviously for a worthy cause. It was mostly food and clothes, little diy stuff she had put together over the past week..a few drunk items she had ordered in Palm Springs..but she hoped Keegan liked all of them. When he was done, Troian stood up and accepted his hug gratefully. "Mm, you're welcome," she murmured into his hair and gave him an affectionate kiss on the side of his head before pulling back. "You deserve it, Keegs, really. I just want you to have the best day today so whatever the birthday boy wants, he gets." She didn't know of his plans for the day but if he wanted to hang out with her, she was going to cling to him like a koala. If he wanted to hang out with friends, she'd clear out and find him later. She /had/ promised him birthday sex, after all.

Keegan buried his face in the crook of Troian's neck, smiling as she kissed the side of his head. "It's already been the best day," he told her honestly. She had gone above and beyond and he was still speechless. "I want to spend the rest of the day with you guys. Maybe we can go to the beach or something, then my mom can watch the kids," he said while smirking. He had two gifts that were related to him getting birthday sex and he definitely wasn't going to take that lightly. He wanted it badly already but knew they'd have to behave as long as the kids were around. "So let me put all these gifts in my room and then we can get ready to go to the beach," he said while smiling. He went into his room and smiled softly to himself, still in shock that Troian had gotten him so many things. She even donated to his charity which is what he wanted most, knowing she'd pay attention to that. Putting on his bathing suit, Keegan grabbed a hat and put it on his head before going into the kids rooms so that he could help Troian get them ready too.

Troian hadn't brought a swimsuit over but if Keegan wanted to go to the beach, then they'd go to the beach. "Okay, we'll have to stop by my place too," she called out after him. While he was getting ready, Troian organized. It was a little bit like Christmas morning - she moved around the house picking up wrapping paper and bows and threw it all away before hoisting Sophia up on her hip. "Alright. C'mon, let's get dressed. We're going to the beach!" She led the two of them into their rooms and after instructing Phillip to pick out his trunks, Troian was in the middle of tugging Sophia's swimsuit over her when Keegan joined them. "If you wanna help Philly, that'd be great and then we can go," she smiled. She adjusted the material on Sophia and tied her hair into a ponytail before cupping her cheeks. "So cute," she smiled at her daughter and picked her up again to go downstairs. "We'll be by the car!" It wouldn't take long for Troian to get changed and she just needed her swimsuit and her sunblock.

Keegan nodded, knowing that Troian didn't bring a bathing suit so she'd have to get the proper things and change so that she'd be ready to go to the beach. Luckily they didn't live far from one another so that wouldn't be a problem. He helped Phillip into his bathing suit and put a tank top on him before putting his sandals on him and getting him all set. He ruffled Phillip's hair before grabbing his hand and leading the way to the car where Troian and Sophia were already waiting. He got Phillip into his car seat and then got in the driver's seat, driving to Troian's house. Once they got there, Keegan waited with the kids, talking about everything and anything while Troian changed and then made their way to the Santa Monica Pier. Keegan loved coming here and couldn't think of a better way to spend his birthday with the most important people. "I think my mom is going to meet us here too, she's out with friends right now though."

Troian was in the middle of buckling up Sophia when Phillip and Keegan joined them. Smiling, she let Keegan take the reins with their son and then got into the passenger seat so that she could sit back and relax while he drove to her house. Like she predicted, it didn't take long for her to change and Troian was tying up her bikini top and slipping a blue sundress over her figure before grabbing a beach bag and heading back out. "I've got shovels and buckets and sunblock and towels and.." She trailed off, sliding some sunglasses over her eyes. "Sunglasses. Very important." She twisted around in her seat to check on Phillip and Sophia before settling back as Keegan drove them over to the pier. It was beautiful weather out and when he said that Mama Allen was joining him, Troian was excited. "Yay!" She clapped her hands lightly. "She can help me spoil you." Grinning at Keegan, Troian turned up the radio as he continued driving them over to the parking lot.

Keegan chuckled when Troian came out of her house with so many things for the kids to play with, knowing it would keep them occupied while at the beach. "Sunglasses are definitely important," he said, gesturing to his own that he was wearing. Smiling and nodding when Troian said that his mom could spoil him too, he chuckled. "I'm definitely going to be incredibly spoiled between the two of you. You've already spoiled me enough for two birthdays," he said to Troian while smiling. Once he found a spot close to the beach, Keegan parked and got out, grabbing the stuff Troian had brought and holding out his hand for Sophia to take while Troian grabbed Phillip. They found a nice, empty spot on the beach and Keegan put a few towels down so that the kids could sit and start playing with their buckets and shovels in the sand. He took a seat and patted the spot next to him for Troian and grabbed the sun tan lotion. "Impressed I remembered?" He teased before starting to put it on the kids immediately.

Troian When they arrived at the beach, the two immediately sprung into superhero!parents action. Keegan had Sophia, Troian had Phillip, and she thought they made the worlds cutest picture of a family as they walked down to a spot on the beach. It was only mildly crowded for being a weekend, and Troian reached into her bag for the lotion but Keegan beat her to the chase. She arched a brow, amused. "So impressed," she laughed and reached over to playfully pat at his cheek. "You really /are/ growing up, Keegs." Dabbing the white cream on Phillip's shoulders and back, Troian patted his butt playfully when she was finished and watched him immediately launch into lumping piles of sand together with his shovel. Smiling, she turned to Keegan and pulled her hair into a messy bun before patting her own back and shoulders. "Lotion me, sir."

Keegan smirked when Troian patted his cheek, rolling his eyes playfully. "I guess I am, maybe all it took was turning thirty to grow up some," he teased. Once Phillip and Sophia started playing, Keegan put the sun tan lotion on Troian's back and shoulders, rubbing it in more than he had to just so that he could be touching her. Once he was finished, Keegan handed her the bottle so she could do the same to him, staring out into the ocean and watching the waves. When Troian was done, Keegan grabbed his camera and started taking some pictures of the beach, enjoying the nice family day they were having. A little while later his mom found them and he got up to hug her tightly as she wished him a happy birthday. "Thanks mom," he said, kissing her cheek before sitting back down on the blanket.

Troian smiled to herself as she felt Keegan's fingers leisurely taking their time to rub over her back. She knew what he was doing, but she didn't mind it one bit. Biting her lip when he was done, Troian turned around and silently took the bottle from him. He didn't even have to ask. Squirting a dollop of the cream into her palm, Troian rubbed it together and then began to smooth it over the broad expanse of his shoulders and back, taking the seconds she had greedily by pressing her fingers into his skin and letting her hands drift to not necessarily where he needed to be covered. Once she was done with his neck, she finished up herself by getting her arms, chest, and legs and then stretched out on the blanket with her eyes closed and listened to the sounds of her children playing, the waves crashing, and the shutter of Keegan's camera. It wasn't until she heard Joan's voice that she sat up and shaded her eyes, smiling at her honorary mother. "Hey," she greeted with a smile and reached out to hug her. Phillip ran up, and Troian went to give him more sunscreen but he immediately protested, claiming he could do it himself and Troian shook her head. "Getting waaay too independent for us," she told Keegan with an amused smile.

Keegan chuckled when Phillip insisted that he could put on the sunscreen himself, watching amusingly as he watched his son try to do that. "I see that, wow. You wanna move out soon, buddy?" He teased his son who was squirting the lotion and putting it all over his face. Of course he had three times the amount he actually needed and when he realized that he didn't want to do it anymore, he pleaded for help from his mom which she was happy to do. Chuckling and shaking his head, Keegan started playing in the sand with Sophia who also wanted to do it herself, but Keegan ignored it. "You're not going to let Daddy play with you? On his birthday?" He asked and Sophia gave in and handed him a shovel. "Thank you princess," he said before helping her with her sand castles. It was his job to get some water to put on the sand so Keegan kept going to the ocean and back, Phillip eventually joining in to help them.

Troian watched all of this go down with a smile, exchanging glances with Joan. Her elbows were propped up on the towel and she felt too content to move, happy to just watch and observe her little family in action. It was nice to be together, all of them, and Troian took out her phone to capture some moments herself. She was busy taking them in when she felt Joan sit next to her and immediately put her phone away, not wanting to be rude and wanting to give the older woman all of her attention. The two of them chatted about anything and everything, Troian filling her in on Feed and what she had done for Keegan's birthday, Joan updating her on her travels and friends, and when the conversation died to a lull, Troian stood up and padded over to where Keegan was sitting, his hands patting at the sand. "Hello children," she announced and bent down to look at the sandcastle. "10/10," she judged and gave a thumbs up. "Anyone wanna go join me in the water?"

Keegan smiled and chuckled when Troian greeted them, judging the sandcastle they had created. Keegan took a picture of Phillip and Sophia standing next to it before standing up to go in the water with Troian. The kids didn't want any part of it so Keegan figured his mom would watch them while he went down to the shore with Troian. He grabbed her hand and smiled once the water hit his feet, a little chilly at first so he stayed put and gave his body some time to get used to it. "This is nice, isn't it?" He said as he swung their arms gently as they moved a little closer towards the water. He couldn't remember the last time they truly had a family beach day and Keegan was glad that it was the perfect excuse to have one on his birthday. It had been a great day so far but he couldn't wait until later so that he could have Troian to himself. "As much as I love us spending time with the kids together, I'm pretty excited about later on when we'll be alone," he smiled.

Troian pouted a little when she got denied her entire brood down by the water, but reached for Keegan's hand anyways. It wouldn't hurt for them to spend a few minutes alone, anyways. They hadn't had a chance to all morning and Troian had yet to deliver one thing Keegan especially deserved on this day. Her fingers stroking his wrist as he guided her towards the water, Troian moved in closer so that she could wrap an arm around his waist and then leaned her head up on his chest. "So nice," she smiled up at him and was pleased to see the genuine happiness on his face. All she ever wanted was for Keegan to be happy and right now, she felt like she had succeeded. So not even caring that they were on a public beach, with his mother a few feet away, Troian leaned up on her toes to wrap her arms around Keegan's neck and gave him a birthday kiss. When she pulled back, she was beaming and she tapped his bottom lip that had previously been trapped in between hers. "Happy birthday," she told him with her eyes bright. "I'm excited too. I can't wait to be alone with you and make you feel good, Keegs. You deserve it."

Keegan felt Troian wrap her arms around his neck, leaning up to kiss him which he returned wholeheartedly while resting his hands on her hips. He continued kissing her and moaned softly against her mouth before she pulled away, slowly catching his breath once she tapped his bottom lip. "Thank you," he breathed out. "What a nice birthday kiss," he added while smirking. "If that's just a taste of what I'll get later on, I know I'll be a happy man," he said before winking at Troian. He pulled her further into the water, now up to his knees so that they could get wet while they were down here. Keegan was used to swimming in the ocean but he knew Troian wasn't, so he didn't want to push her to go in fully until she was ready. "I can't wait for that either," he said while smiling. Now that they were both in the water, Keegan started swimming around peacefully, getting his hair wet and running his hands through it afterwards. "Now I'm cool," he said while smiling, the sun pretty strong when just laying out.

Troian couldn't help the blush that spread over her cheeks at Keegan's words. It was ridiculous, really. She had known him for how long and she was how old and she still got weak in the knees when he flirted with her. Pressing her lips together to suppress a smile, Troian allowed herself to be pulled along and swayed slightly as the surf came up to her knees. It reminded her of when she was younger and would go out as deep as she felt comfortable doing, letting the waves rock her to and fro. It always left her feeling that phantom sensation of still being rocked when she went home but it was comforting when nature worked with you and not against you. She glided her hands through the water and watched as Keegan swam, content to let him do his own thing. She liked the water and everything but she hadn't surfed since their trip to Hawaii ages ago, and she wasn't as comfortable being that deep out yet. When he came back to her, she waited until his hands had left his hair before grinning and slapping the water with her hands, towards his face. "Just helping you cool down some more," she told him innocently, grinning and biting her lip.

Keegan was running his hands through his wet hair when Troian started pushing water into his face. "Hey! That's mean," he said, wiping his face as he kept his eyes shut. "Oh, thank you. So nice of you," he said while rolling his eyes playfully. "I'm good for now, we can go back to our spot and just chill with the kids and my mom," he smiled, holding her hand as they did just that. Once the kids started getting restless and bored with what they were doing, Keegan figured it was a good time to pack everything up and head home. At least once they were all home, Keegan and Troian could do whatever they wanted and spend the rest of their night together without having to worry about the kids. He wasn't sure how they'd make it work, if they went to Troian's place or somewhere else but for now Keegan was focused on getting the kids back in the car. When they got back to his place, Keegan knew the best thing to do was get them in the bath and put their pajamas on so they'd be all set with his mom for the rest of the night.

Troian just stepped back with the most sweet expression she could muster. She took his hand, jumping slightly over the waves and laughing at this made her stumble next to him. The sun was beginning to get to her - she felt sleepy and relaxed, content to just snuggle up to him and close her eyes. And that was what she did; while Keegan and his mom played and talked, Troian took a little cat nap on the beach. When she woke, she helped pack up and then the ride to Keegan's house went just as peacefully. She couldn't help the looks she tossed Keegan as he drove, smiling when he connected eyes with her and then bit her lip as she stared out the window. Joan quickly followed in after them and Troian entertained her downstairs while Keegan prepped the kids, talking and laughing about early Keegan birthday memories. Finishing up showing her the little popsicles that had fun things to do on them, Troian glanced up as Keegan carried Phillip and Sophia down. "Bye guys," she kissed their heads and smiled at Joan. "Be good for Grandma, okay? We'll see you soon." She knew her and Keegan had a wedding to fly to tomorrow, so they wouldn't see them until Monday.

Keegan got Phillip and Sophia ready so that they'd be relaxing for the rest of the night, assuming they'd watch movies and do little things with his mom. He carried them downstairs and said goodbye to them, Troian doing the same before hugging his mom goodbye too. Once they left his house, Keegan wasn't exactly sure where they would be going but he had a feeling they'd end up at Troian's place at some point so that she could give him the birthday sex she had been teasing ever since including it in two of his gifts. "So..." He trailed off before grinning up at Troian. "What's next?" He asked her. Now that it was just the two of them, Keegan was up for doing everything and anything with Troian but he didn't know where to start. "I mean we could just go back to your place and have sex all night, I wouldn't complain about that one bit..." He said, slightly teasing.

Troian waved her hand one last time to say goodbye and when the door was shut, grinned as Keegan immediately turned around and looked excited. Bless him, he was ready for his favorite present of all. "I don't have to go anywhere," she chuckled and motioned to the present that the new lingerie she had bought still tucked in. She hadn't even take the tags off yet. "Just..get comfortable, Keegs." Stepping forward, Troian pressed her lips gently against his and rested her hand on his chest. "I'm going to make myself pretty." Pulling away, she pressed her lips together and smiled at him before picking up the clothes and walking up the stairs to go into his bathroom. It didn't take her long to changed - she slipped easily into the red lace, it was just quickly straightening her hair that took the most time. Applying a coat of red lipstick over her lips, Troian was finally pleased with her reflection after a few more seconds of fussing and then leaned down to slip on her heels. She didn't want Keegan to be waiting too long - she was sure the anticipation was already killing him. "Ready, birthday boy?" She peeked her head down the stairs and grinned at him.

Troian waved her hand one last time to say goodbye, discreetly picking up the present that had her lingerie, and when the door was shut, grinned at Keegan. "Let's go back to my place," she told him. She took him by the hand and dragged him towards her car, smiling with the promise of what was to come. Luckily the ride didn't take long and when she and Keegan went through her front doors, she immediately pulled him into a kiss. She wanted this night to be special for him and she wanted to start the mood off right. Her fingers threading his still blonde hair, Troian tugged lightly and angled his face towards her so that she could kiss him deeper. "I just need to change," she breathed against his lips and her hands slid down his chest before resting at his groin. "Get comfortable." Pointing to the couch, Troian bit her lip and smiled at him before going up her stairs and disappearing into her bathroom. It didn't take her long to changed - she slipped easily into the red lace, it was just quickly straightening her hair that took the most time. Applying a coat of red lipstick over her lips, Troian was finally pleased with her reflection after a few more seconds of fussing and then leaned down to slip on her heels. She didn't want Keegan to be waiting too long - she was sure the anticipation was already killing him. "Ready, birthday boy?" She peeked her head down the stairs and grinned at him.

Keegan smiled when Troian decided they'd just go back to her place, perfectly okay with that. Once they got there, Keegan followed her to the front door only to be pulled into a kiss, one he returned immediately. He moaned as she started moving her fingers through his hair, still kissing her passionately until she pulled away to go change. "You always do this to me. Leave me breathless," he whispered before watching her go up the stairs. He got comfortable on the couch like she told him to and couldn't help but smirk as he sat down. He felt like a frat boy who was about to get some amazing sex and it made him feel giddy on the inside. It felt like Troian was taking forever even if she probably wasn't and finally he heard her ask if he was ready. "Definitely," he said, smiling up at Troian who was at the top of the stairs. He couldn't really see her in the lingerie yet but he couldn't wait for her to reveal herself, knowing she was going to look amazing.

Troian felt a stirring of butterflies in her stomach as Keegan called back out to her. Inhaling and then exhaling to calm those damn winged beasts, Troian ran her fingers through her hair and swept her bangs to the side before she descended down the stairs. She had kept it as simple as possible - they didn't really need frills or fuss. But she knew red was his favorite color ("the color of /power/, Troian") and she knew heels made her ridiculously long legs look even longer so she was hoping for a look of awe on his face. When she rounded the corner and walked towards him, Troian bit her lip as she stopped in front of him. She had set a box of cupcakes on the living room table and kneeling down, she pulled out one and stood in between Keegan's legs, nudging them apart as she dipped her finger in the frosting and licked it off. "Happy birthday, Mr. Allen," she told him softly and with frosting still on her lips, Troian leaned down to kiss him. "I hope you like unwrapping this present."

Keegan heard Troian coming down the stairs, his heart pounding in his chest. He and Troian had had sex plenty of times but for some reason this felt like they were having sex for the first time. Maybe it was just the anticipation of it all, knowing his nerves would go away once they started making out but right now Keegan was internally panicking hardcore. When she opened a box of cupcakes and took one to bring over to him, Keegan was speechless. He swallowed the lump in his throat and stared at Troian intently, giving her a look head to toe. She looked incredible, just like he knew she would, and it was mind blowing to him that this was his present. Smirking as she placed the frosting on her lips and spoke, Keegan cleared his throat. "I think I'll enjoy it very much. Thank you," he said, leaning in to kiss her and taste the frosting on her lips. "I do recall telling you that I did want you to sing to me though...that should happen first, shouldn't it?"

Troian licked the remaining bits of frosting off that Keegan hadn't been able to chase away with her tongue and she laughed, ducking her head as a soft pink flush spread across her cheeks. "Only because it's your birthday," she teased. Troian rarely sang around other people, a little self-conscious of her voice even still, but she wanted to make him happy so she'd do it. Clearing her throat and settling on his lap, Troian brushed her fingers through his hair and began to softly croon, "Happy birthday to you.." Her voice grew raspier and raspier as she reached the end of the song, her eyes never leaving his and heat surged in between her legs at the fierce look on his face when she finished. "-happy birthday to you." Leaning forward, Troian kissed him and without breaking the kiss, reached down to tug off his shirt and pull over his head. She pulled away with a slight gasp, her fingers trembling as she dipped them in the frosting again and as best she could, spread a line over his neck and collarbone so that she could kiss, lick, and suck it clean off him. Her hips grinded slightly into his and she flicked her tongue over his pulse spot, sucking at the skin lightly as her hands did double work in trailing down his chest and playing with the zipper of his pants. "Unwrap me," she whispered into his ear.

Keegan absolutely adored Troian's singing voice and even if she wasn't comfortable with it, he appreciated that she still sang for him. He voice always got so raspy when she sang and Keegan found it beyond sexy, enjoying this whole thing happening right now. When she kissed him and started taking his shirt off, Keegan moaned against her mouth and started panting heavily when she pulled away to get more frosting off the cupcake, putting it on his collarbone. "Shouldn't I be doing this to you? It's my birthday after all," he teased, swiping his finger into the frosting and placing some on her chest, licking and kissing it off. He leaned his head back in pleasure when Troian started sucking on pulsepoint, their hips moving against one another which made him moan. When she told him to unwrap her, whispering in his ear, Keegan felt a throbbing in cock at the movement and did as he was told. He moved his hands all over the lingerie, giving it a good feel before starting to take it off. He started with the bra, unclasping it slowly and tossing it to the floor before burying his face in her breasts, grazing his teeth against one nipple gently.

Troian was trying to not feel guilty about being the one to receive all the pleasure, but it felt so /good/. Her eyes fluttered closed as Keegan's mouth enclosed around her nipple and sucked it between his teeth. "Keegs," she whispered. Her hands moved from his shoulders back to his hair and she tangled her fingers in it greedily, unable to help herself from tugging at it as his lips moved wetly down her chest. Her stomach muscles clenched and unclenched at each movement he made and Troian could feel herself soaking, could bet that even Keegan felt it against his pants which were still on. He always made her impossibly wet and she couldn't find it in herself to feel ashamed by this fact. As he continued kissing down her chest, Troian moved her hand into his pants and through the flap of his boxers, wrapping her small hand around his thick cock and smiling at him. "Keep going," she instructed him and began to pump tortuously slow. She wanted to build him up to the highest form of pleasure and she knew slow and steady would win the race. Her fingers wrapped around his pulsing head and using his pre-cum, she slicked him up and pushed her hips harder into his.

Keegan realized that either way they could make an argument about who should be doing what because of his birthday. She was kissing him and licking frosting off of him to give him pleasure but Keegan also wanted to do that to Troian for his birthday to enjoy himself. Either way, he knew both would happen so he was just going to let it flow and see how things happened. He continued pressing his lips against Troian's chest, using his tongue on both of her breasts to enhance the pleasure she was getting. Keegan stopped abruptly when he felt Troian's hand in his pants, continuing once he realized she was grabbing it and moving her hand while he continued what he was doing. She was going at a slow pace but Keegan kept kissing down Troian's torso, focusing on her abs and biting playfully at her skin.

Troian realized the fatal flaw in Keegan's lips on her skin when she was trying to concentrate on something - it made her too hard to do it. He knew this was her weakness and the bastard was using it against her. Exhaling shakily, Troian moved her free hand to rest on top of his head as he nipped at her skin and when he bit, she lost it. "Fuck," she cursed with a small yelp and her body jerked against his. Her hand tightened around his cock and her eyes narrowing, Troian glared playfully at Keegan before moving to her knees and roughly pushing his legs open. She tugged the rest of his pants off and moved her hand against him, going faster now and squeezing more purposefully. With her eyes trained on him, Troian reached over and spread the last remainders of the frosting around his swollen head and then sucked him into her mouth, her fingers moving up and down in rhythm with her tongue swirling the sweetness of him. Troian moaned at the taste and she dug her nails lightly into his knee.

Keegan groaned softly when Troian squeezed her hand against his cock after he bit her, smirking at how determined she was to gain control again. He liked this back and forth game they were playing and it brought out Troian's dominant side which was always a plus. She tugged off his pants and started moving her hand against him quicker, squeezing his cock more frequently which was definitely to get a rise out of him. Not being able to focus on touching Troian in any way at this point, Keegan leaned back and watched as Troian put the frosting on his sensitive head, starting to lick it off and suck on it which made him moan. "Oh fuck," he moaned out, squeezing his eyes shut in pleasure. He bucked his hips at the feeling and arched his back, letting out another pleasurable sound.

Troian With the way Keegan was bucking his hips towards her, Troian was only encouraged to take him deeper into her throat. Her hand smoothed up his thigh and over his groin, tickling the little hairs there and then she glanced up at him before moving her free hand down to massage the one area that she had been neglecting to give attention to. She remembered how much he liked it, how sensitive they could be, and her trimmed nails lightly grazed his balls as she stroked the underside of him with her tongue moving up his cock in the same exact motion. She had licked him completely clean - only a small spot of frosting resided on the corner of her mouth and her tongue darted out to lick it off, Troian grinning at Keegan as she did so and then her tongue moved to pull him into her mouth, sucking on the sac lightly as she stared up at him with her wide brown eyes. When she finally pulled away, she leaned forward and kissed along his jawline. "You going to fuck me on the couch or in your bed, baby?" She smiled at him.

Keegan bit down on his bottom lip while jolting slightly as Troian placed her hand on his groin. "That tickles," he said, giggling softly at the motion. It was one of his very ticklish spots and Troian knew that, figuring she was using it against him. Thankfully she had made up for it by focusing on his balls, something he enjoyed very much and he leaned back in pleasure while moaning as she took good care of them, doing everything that felt amazing. "Fuck," he whispered, pursing his lips and arching his back as she continued moving her mouth along his balls. He was getting closer to his orgasm but then Troian pulled away and started kissing his jawline, causing him to hum softly. "Well it's your bed, but I'm glad you see it as mine too," he teased. "Lets go up there," he said, picking Troian up and carrying her up the stairs and to her bedroom, resting her on the bed gently and smiling before climbing on top of her. His cock was already hard but he still had the bottom half of Troian's lingerie to get off which was now his focus, starting to pull it off with his teeth.

Troian It had just been a slip of the tongue, but Troian's cheeks colored. She had meant to say 'my bed', and - Grateful that this Freudian slip didn't freak him out, Troian closed her mouth and pressed her lips together, grinning as he picked her up. "Swooning," she teased but she really was. He picked her up as effortlessly as if he were carrying a pillow up the stairs. Her arms stayed twined around his neck and her heels bobbed as he went up each step. She played with the small hairs on the back of his neck until he deposited her on the bed and stretching out, Troian smiled as he hovered over her. "Keegs," she started to say and then her words ended with a soft moan as his teeth nipped down her stomach once again to land at the area she needed his mouth the most. She spread her legs slightly, breath picking up. This was her favorite way for Keegan to undress her - with his teeth. Her fingers stayed wrapped in his hair, toying with the blonde curls as he moved further and further down and unable to help herself, pushed her hips up against his face. She could feel his breath fanning over her heat and it was such an amazing feeling, Troian nearly wanted to cry at the sheer pleasure of it all.

Keegan continued tugging at Troian's underwear with his teeth, not wanting to rip it this time even if he had done that to previous underwear in the past. These she had just gotten and they were nice and wanted her to wear them again sometime so he took his time getting them down her legs without ruining them in anyway. He felt Troian's hands in his hair while he did and once he had gotten them off, he pressed a few kisses to her inner thigh before kissing back up her body to give them what they both wanted and needed. He guided his cock towards Troian's center, seeking entrance and started to buck his hips until he was completely inside of her. Keegan then rested against Troian's body, getting comfortable as he started bucking his hips. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and started sucking on her pulsepoint, moaning each time he moved inside of Troian.

Troian As soon as he entered her, Troian cupped his cheeks and guided his mouth back against hers so that she could kiss him deeply. Her tongue found its way inside his mouth again and she bit down on his lip harshly, unable to help herself. The full weight of him against her made her feel so good, so warm, so safe and her hands smoothed themselves over his bare back so she could pull him even closer to her. The pace almost hurt, but Troian welcomed that bittersweet ache of pain. It just meant he was as desperate for her as she was for him, always was for him. Troian's eyes were squeezed tight and her lips were parted as she mewled and whimpered each time he thrust into her. As best as she could, Troian arched her neck and moved her lips to his ear where she whispered, "Be rough with me, Keegs," her brown eyes dark as she looked at him. She clutched at his waist to pull his hips tighter against hers and she tightened her legs around him.

Keegan moaned when he felt Troian whisper in his ear, telling her to be rough with him. He knew Troian had no problem with getting rough at times and if that's what she wanted this time around, he was going to give it to her. Suddenly he changed his pace, thrusting in and out of Troian harder and deeper as quickly as he could. He groaned each time he entered her, nipping at her chin before pressing his lips against hers. He slipped his tongue inside of her mouth and started tasting her as much as he could, all while keeping up his quick pace. His legs felt like they were on fire at this point but he didn't care, the sounds coming out of Troian's mouth making it all work it. "Fuck," he moaned against her mouth before pressing hot and sloppy kisses down her body, feeling a pit in the bottom of his stomach growing as he got close to his climax.

Troian muffled a moan into Keegan's neck, even though they had her place completely to themselves and she didn't need to quiet herself. With each rough thrust he gave, another whimper escaped her mouth and she only clutched tighter at Keegan. His name slipped out of her mouth, a harsh cry and she panted, "I love you so much," in his ear, unable to help herself before hoisting her leg higher around his waist. "Harder," she moaned more loudly. She didn't have to censor herself and she didn't have to hold back. She had gone months and months without Keegan, without that passion they never had been able to control, and she was going to be greedy with it. Troian found Keegan's mouth again and she whimpered openly against his lips as her fingers thread through his hair and she tugged at it roughly, jerking his head back a little as she scraped her teeth against his neck. "Yes, Keegs, oh my God-"

Keegan didn't know how much harder he could go but he was going to try and do what Troian wanted, groaning and grunting each time he thrusted into her. He was getting close to his climax and he hoped Troian was too, always preferring to wait until she came undone first before letting go himself. Keegan moaned against her mouth, moving his hands to her breasts to knead them gently while moving his thumbs against her nipples to give her more pleasure. Feeling her teeth scrape against his neck, Keegan grunted and found Troian's collarbone to return the favor. She kept moaning out his name and moaning in pleasure and Keegan's throbbing in his cock was getting unbearable, needing to release inside of Troian. "Let go, baby. Come for me," he breathed out against her skin.

Troian closed her eyes and tilted her head back. Her teeth were biting down on her lip harder, trying to hold back her screams but from the feeling of him pulsing inside of her, it was getting harder and harder to control. As he bit at her collarbone, Troian jolted against Keegan and she moved his hand across her stomach, a lazy half-smile on her lips at the warm pleasure it provided her. Nothing felt better than feeling his large hands on her, especially when he was gripping her as hard as he was now. She lifted her hips, crying out, "Keegan," as she could feel that coil in her stomach winding up and when the word "baby" fell from his lips, Troian lost it. She couldn't explain it. Every time during sex with Keegan, all he had to do was either call her baby seconds away from her orgasm or touch her clit and she let go. Her hips lifted off the bed, meshing firmly with his and Troian buried her face in Keegan's neck. With one last cry of his name and what felt like her entire body shaking, Troian came harder than she had in days with him and then fell back against the pillows. Her face was flushed, her hair damp, and a look of sated bliss rested on her dazed features.

Keegan sensed that Troian was close, thrusting harder and faster so that she could reach her breaking point. Feeling her jolt once she did, Keegan released and moaned Troian's name as the waves of pleasure took over his body. With Troian's face in her neck, Keegan gripped her hair as he moved his hips to ride out his orgasm, watching as Troian still experienced hers and came undone. Trying to catch his breath, Keegan wiped the sweat off his forehead, feeling it in other places but not focusing on that right now. That was the roughest sex he had in a while and it took a lot out of him in the best way possible. Smiling down at Troian who was laying against the pillows trying to catch her breath herself, Keegan smoothed her hair back and pressed a kiss to her forehead before staring into her eyes. "That was amazing. Best birthday sex ever," he said while grinning. "You wore me out big time," he chuckled.

Troian was still struggling to catch her breath as Keegan leaned over her and grinning back up at him, Troian's eyes fluttered sweetly as his lips brushed over her temple. "Not sorry," she shook her head and pulled her sheets further over her heated figure and snuggled back against them. She felt like she needed a shower, something to eat, and then a nap for about five hours to get all her energy back. Her body felt thoroughly used, in the best way possible. "Happy birthday again," she tapped his lips and then leaned up to peck them. Giving a tired hum, Troian raked her fingers through her hair and sat up, letting the sheets fall down. "You lay there. I'm getting us some more cake, letting you sleep, and then waking you up with a little surprise." Smirking at him, she leaned over to give him one last kiss before hopping out of the bed.

Keegan chuckled and ran a hand through his now messy and slightly sweaty hair, pulling out of Troian to lay down next to her. "Ah," he sighed, closing his eyes as he stretched out his legs. His body hurt in places he didn't think they could hurt but it was all worth it. When Troian told him to lay there while she would get them some cake and wake him up with a surprised, Keegan raised his eyebrows. "Well color me intrigued," he said, opening his eyes to smirk at her. "I think I can handle those directions," he teased, returning her kiss and staring at her naked figure as she got out of bed. "So sexy," he said, winking at her before laying back again and closing his eyes. Keegan wasn't sure how long Troian would be gone but he knew he was bound to fall asleep, feeling pure exhaustion after the amazing rough sex they had. He drifted off into a light sleep while waiting for Troian, knowing she would wake him up when he needed to be.

#p:hbma #here you go anon <3

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supitskeegs · 7 years

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Happy Valentines Day → Treegan

Tagged: Keegan Allen & Troian Bellisario @hqtbells Location: Los Angeles Time Frame: Tuesday Night, February 14th Notes: Knowing how much Troian enjoys Valentines Day, Keegan takes her out that night so that they could spend time together and celebrate.

Keegan wasn't really big on Valentines Day, especially since he was single. It just reminded him that he wasn't in a relationship and he never understood why people went all out for their significant other on a specific day when it should be happening year round. However, he knew Troian enjoyed the holiday because she was a big fan of love and that was something they agreed on, so Keegan took it as a day to celebrate love and to show Troian that she deserved love and for nice things to be done for her. He hoped that she would enjoy his plans for the night, knowing it was a way for them to spend time together either way. When it was time to pick her up, Keegan grabbed all the gifts he had gotten for Troian and kept the flowers out, wanting to give her those as soon as he saw her. The rest would wait until they were at their destination so he had something to give her while they were hanging out. Texting Troian to tell her that he'd be there soon, Keegan got in the car and made his way to Troian's, the bag of gifts in the bag as he grabbed the flowers and approached her front door.

Troian was relieved that her and Keegan had made plans to spend the 14th together. At first, she was worried she had somehow guilted Keegan into spending it with her. He was free to go off and do whatever he wanted, especially since she knew he didn't care much for the "holiday" but then Troian contented herself with knowing that Keegan didn't do what he didn't want to do. This was not out of obligation, this was out of genuine interest and Troian appreciated it. If anything, it was just a chance for the two friends to catch up. With Troian's traveling and Keegan's work going into over-drive to promote his music, they hadn't had much of a chance to hang out one on one so Troian was excited to just get him to herself for a little bit. Her phone beeped with an incoming text and seeing that it was Keegan saying he was on his way, Troian smiled and stood up. She hadn't dressed up much since she didn't want there to be any unspoken expectations about the night, just a nice blouse and some jeans, but she hoped she still looked nice enough to be seen with in public. She had just set his bags of gifts on the table when she heard the doorbell ring. "Coming!" She called out and moved over, opening it and smiling as she saw Keegan with the flowers. "I knew you were going to bring me something pretty," she teased and leaned over to kiss his cheek. "Hi. You wanna come in for a quick sec while I put these in a vase? They're beautiful, Keegs."

Keegan grinned as Troian answered the door and spoke. "And what if I didn't? Good thing I did otherwise that would've been embarrassing," he teased. "But of course I was going to, and this is just the beginning," he told her, having plenty more to give her and show her. Smiling as she kissed his cheek, Keegan nodded and walked inside so that Troian could put the flowers in water, greeting the dogs as they came over to him. "Hey guys," he said, petting them and trying to follow Troian into the kitchen. "I'm glad you like them. It's nice to know I still know your taste in flowers," he smiled. After Troian put them in a vase and was ready to go, Keegan led the way back outside and towards his car. "Hopefully you like where I'm taking you. It's somewhere you've been before," he told her, giving her a little hint. Keegan then started driving, heading to the quiet spot both he and Troian were familiar with at this point. A spot his father had showed him and always brought him to that he shared with Troian while they were together. He had everything set up there already, a nice blanket with a picnic like assortment with rose petals on the floor with a nice view of the lake. It would be peaceful and give them the time to spend together without any interruptions. He had brought his guitar as well and would be using that as some point during the night as well. "So...what do you think? Here we are."

Troian "The beginning?" Troian questioned, curious but now excited. He had other surprises? Well, she wouldn't complain about that. Keegan had always been great at planning special outings for them and just because they weren't together was no exception. His heart was always in the best place. Setting up the flowers and making sure they were in the center of the table, Troian turned around and smiled at him. "Red roses. Always my favorite," she nodded and then picked up her purse to follow him out the door. "Bye, babies. Be good!" She called out to Buzz and Bea, locking the door behind her and going with Keegan to his car. Once she slid in, she buckled up and glanced at him. "Honestly, I'm sure I will. I'm already having a great time." Her fingers pressed a preset button on his radio to turn to a mutual station they liked and keeping her eyes trained on the view outside so she could see if she recognized where they were going, Troian was comfortably silent as they drove. When they finally parked, she got out and a smile blossomed over her face as she took in the sight of the blanket, the food, and the rose petals. "I remember this place," she told Keegan as she sank down onto the blanket. "I always loved it here. Thank you for bringing me, Keegs. This is so perfect." She noticed his guitar as well and brightened even more. "Are you going to play some new songs for me? Do I get to be the first again?"

Keegan smiled, glad that Troian seemed to be content with the place he had chosen. He knew she had always liked coming here but he wasn't sure how she would feel about it being a place they could spend Valentines Day. All Keegan knew was that he wanted it to be quiet and private so that they weren't surrounded by other people and could just be themselves. "You're welcome, I'm glad you like the idea," he said to Troian. "I'm hoping to, yes. I want to share with you some of the lyrics I've been working on. And of course any excuse to sing Million Miles Away again," he chuckled. "I need to start practicing because soon enough I'll be doing some live shows and that makes me nervous. I know I've sang some of my songs before but I don't know. This just feels different. And it's going to be a whole album of my own stuff. It's crazy," he said, still in slight disbelief that his had real music out there. Opening up the basket full of food, Keegan took out the assorted snacks he brought. Chocolate covered strawberries, chips, cookies, veggies and dip. It wasn't the healthiest or normal combination but it was Valentines Day and he knew that wouldn't matter.

Troian bit her lip as Keegan talked. She could sense his nerves, it was all in the quick way he was rambling and the wide eyes he had. Keegan had always been the last to see the positive in himself but Troian knew he was going to blow everyone away. "You know you're an amazing singer," she told him and adjusted her sitting pose on the blankets so she could reach over and sort through the food. So much junk food - score. "And you know that everybody seems to love your song. I mean, just look at all that positive attention you got from the first single. I swear, Million Miles Away is on constant repeat. Even Philly sings along!" It was the cutest and Troian made a mental note to send Keegan the recording of it that she kept forgetting to attach to her texts. "You're going to blow up. People will know your words by heart..it's everything you deserve and more. I promise. And I'm honored I'm the person you test drive all these beautiful songs on." She grinned at him and took a bite of a cookie, folding her hands in her lap afterwards. "Maybe one of these days you and I can record a duet. Even if it's just for fun. I've always wanted to do that with you."

Keegan pursed his lips when Troian said he was a good singer. It was still hard for him to believe at times but the feedback he was getting from his song was amazing, so he knew Troian had to be right. "I know, I know. It's just all surreal to me," he explained. "Does he really? I'll have to play it for him soon to hear him sing it. That's adorable," he chuckled while shaking his head. "Well thank you. Especially for having all this faith and confidence in me. You have enough for both of us," he said nervously, running a hand through his hand. "I think it'd be amazing to record a duet together, so we should definitely do it. We can even cover a few Radiohead songs if you wanted to," he suggested. Keegan took a strawberry and started eating it while looking out into the water. He realized this was the perfect opportunity to get a good picture, so he grabbed his camera and took one of the amazing view. "It's so nice over here. I could probably live out here if I really wanted to," he laughed.

Troian "He might not get all the words right, but he loves to hear his Daddy sing," Troian gave Keegan a sweet smile as she said this and then nodded. He was right - Troian's confidence in Keegan's ability to shine could stretch for miles and it had always, and would always, be that way. It wasn't hard to believe in somebody so bright and talented though. "Always," she promised him and patted his hand before reaching over for another cookie. The veggies and dip looked good too but Troian had to get her sweet craving fixed. If Keegan didn't eat all the strawberries, she'd be after those next. "I'll sing anything with you," she agreed and watched as he took out his camera. Since his hands were busy with that, Troian picked up Keegan's guitar and wrapped it around her neck. It had been a while since she played but it was like riding a bicycle - her fingers just found the right strings. She tuned it, strumming a little and hummed as she did so. "You should think about your dad's lake house," she finally said after a few minutes and looked up to meet Keegan's eyes. "Maybe think about decorating it, fixing it up a bit. It could be like your second place."

Keegan smiled and nodded, continuing to eat the food he had brought. It was nice to be in the peace and quiet with Troian and just enjoy each other's company without having to worry about anything else. Suddenly he saw Troian grab his guitar and when she started playing some random tunes, Keegan smiled. "Are you going to serenade me too?" He asked while smirking at her. When she brought up his dad's lake house, Keegan nodded slowly. "I've thought about it. I know my mom would like that. She hates that it doesn't really get much use," he told Troian. "I'll probably consider it and look around. It feels a little weird, to be...I don't know, fixing it up or making any changes to it when it was one of the few places I have memories of him left. But I'm sure he would want me to put it to good use and enjoy it."

Troian smiled back but there was a pink flush to her cheeks. She wasn't like Keegan - she didn't have a voice that could record songs and sound wonderful. She had a passable voice that was good enough to mess around with friends. "I won't subject you to that torture," she joked but kept her fingers moving against the strings of the guitar. She wasn't playing anything specific, just strumming to something that sounded pleasant to the both of them. As she played, she listened to Keegan speak and her eyes stayed focused on him. "Keep the important parts of it alive," she told him. "Don't change anything too crucial - keep the same blankets, the same rugs, the same chairs. But maybe dust. Air it out a bit. Add some curtains. Just make it a home." The lakehouse had always been one of her favorite places to go to, since it was so far away and it had a massive fireplace inside it and a big wrap around porch. Just thinking about sitting outside with a cup of tea as she watched the rain was enough to make a pang of nostalgia hit her chest. Troian smiled at Keegan and then reached over to take a strawberry out of his hand. "Quit hogging. You know I love these too."

Keegan rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, it wouldn't be torture. I happen to enjoy your singing voice and you know this. If you can praise my singing voice, I'm gonna praise yours. And since you always have me singing for you, you should sing for me. You're really going to deny me of this?" He asked her. Nodding when she said to keep the important parts, Keegan knew it was a good idea that he would probably end up working on at some point. "Yeah, I will. I'll talk to my mom about it. It'd be nice to bring the kids here in the summer and everything. Plus then they can swim in the lake. It'd be a lot of fun," he said, smiling at the thought. He was caught off guard when Troian took one of the strawberries out of his hand. "Then why haven't you taken any?! They've been here the whole time, you're the one who went for the cookies," he scoffed, shaking his head. Once he was done eating, Keegan leaned back against his elbows and sighed contently, staring out towards the water again and taking it all in.

Troian flushed further. Crap. Now she was regretting picking up the dang guitar. She didn't want the attention on her, especially since she hadn't sang in a while. Her voice would probably be rusty. "My voice isn't yours though," she argued back and gently removed the strap off her shoulder to give Keegan his guitar back. It was fun to play around with but she wouldn't call herself a singer. The closest action she'd come to a stage was when she was belting out a one woman show in her shower. "Trust me, I'm doing you a favor. The birds and the fireflies and the fishes in the lake right now would rather hear you sing." She finished eating the strawberry she had stolen from him, licking the juices off her finger and winking at him as he pouted at her. She didn't say anything though, just reached for another. "You can finally teach Philly how to fish, for real. Soph can play in the grass. There'd be a lot to do out there, get them away from electronics for a bit." It was nice for the kids to have a place to just be kids at. Finishing up eating as well, Troian stretched out and looked over at Keegan. "I'm glad we can still do this, you know. Just talk and hang out and be together. Thank you for taking me here."

Keegan rolled his eyes, sighing heavily as Troian gave him back the guitar, refusing to sing. "You're relentless sometimes, you know that?" He told her, smirking slightly afterwards. Nodding as Troian said everything he could do with the kids there, Keegan was getting more and more excited. "Yeah, it would definitely be fun. We could always have family days at the lake too," he told her, wanting Troian to know that she would always be invited to come to the lakehouse whenever she wanted. Once they were both done eating and just enjoying each other's company, Keegan smiled when Troian broke the silence. "You're welcome. I hope it's been a Valentines Day that lives up to your expectations," he chuckled softly. "Though it's not done yet. I still have to see what you think about some new lyrics of a song I'm working on. Then I'll give you your gifts," he said to her, putting the guitar over his head and taking a deep breath. He then started to play the guitar, humming along and singing some of the new lyrics that he had written, wanting to know what Troian thought of them.

Troian grinned. "I know," she teased and she also knew Keegan wouldn't have her any other way. Hearing Keegan say, in his own way, that she could visit the lakehouse whenever she wanted, was comforting and she gave him a small smile that expressed her gratitude. No matter their status, that lakehouse was important to her too and she was touched that Keegan still wanted her to have a piece of it still. Too many good, special memories were attached to it for it to be tainted or untouchable in her mind. "Trust me, you always exceed my expectations. This is so nice. I'd rather be here than anywhere else right now." It was quiet, peaceful, away from crowded restaurants and large masses of people trying to get by them on the sidewalk. It was their own little world and it was exactly what Troian wanted. She settled back as Keegan grew situated with the guitar and clasped her hands together. She loved watching Keegan perform and since this was a new song, it was doubly exciting. It was like Troian got backstage, exclusive passes. She listened, nodding along and when he was finished, beamed at him. "Beautiful. When did you write that? Everything just flows together, it's like poetry. Did you just think that up in the past week?"

Keegan was glad that Troian was having a good time, always a little nervous that she wouldn't or would just be pretending so that he wouldn't feel bad. He knew that this was a place they both enjoyed so he was glad that he didn't go wrong when deciding it was a nice place to celebrate Valentines Day. He started playing the song that he was working on, not officially complete but having a few verses written and while he was still messing around with the beat and sound, Keegan knew that he'd be able to practice while Troian gave him some input. "It's something I've been working on the past couple of weeks. I'm hoping it'll be the next single that I release sometime in the near future," he told her. "I'm glad you like it. It still needs some work but I'll be sure to keep you updated and sing it to you once I've touched up on it," he smirked. Keegan then started playing Million Miles Away, something he was used to by now and loved to play and sing. He had sang it for Troian before and he knew she liked it so it was a way for him to sing again and boost up his confidence. "Okay, enough of that," he said once he was finished, putting the guitar down. "How about you open your gifts?" He suggested, handing her the big bag that had everything in it.

Troian smiled. "I'm not trying to suck up but honestly, I'm not finding much wrong with it," she confessed honestly. "I mean, obviously it needs a few more lyrics," she chuckled. "But the sound is pretty. I like how all of your songs have that acoustic feel. It's like an album I can take anywhere with me, you know? Like it'll always calm me down," she nodded her head. Keegan's voice was just so relaxing in itself but really, it was like listening to somebody sing your favorite poems or verses from books out loud. As he started playing the opening strings of Million Miles Away, Troian's grin widened. This was her favorite, and it had been since Keegan first played it for her on set. "And I would love you more from a million, billion, trillion miles away," she finished singing with him softly. That was her favorite part of the song, especially how sweetly earnest Keegan got at the end and she bit her lip as he set the guitar down. "So good," she smiled at him and then clapped her hands. "Presents! I have yours at the house, I forgot to bring them," she pulled a face at him and her hands went through the tissue paper. She pulled out the bears first and she laughed. "Cute," she grinned and then came across a box. Opening it and pulling out the necklace, Troian let out a soft noise. "This is so beautiful," she told him quietly and looked up at him. "Keegs. Seriously. How do you always pick the sweetest gifts? Can you help me put it on?"

Keegan shook his head. "It's alright, you can just give them to me when I drop you off then if you want," he told her, excited for her to see what he got her. He watched as she started pulling each thing out one at a time, smiling at her reaction to the necklace. He had a feeling she would like it and he was glad he was right. "I saw it and immediately thought of you," he told her. "I like to think I know you by now," he teased, smirking and grabbing the necklace from her so that he could help her put it on. He carefully put the necklace on her and clasped the hook so that it was on her securely, smiling at how it looked. "Perfect," he told her, smiling softly as they sat there. It had been a perfect night and Keegan was so glad he took Troian here, despite his feelings on the holiday. "It's getting pretty late, are you ready to head back?"

Troian held her hair up off her neck so Keegan could clasp the silver necklace shut and then let her curls fall back down. Her fingers grasped the cool metal. "You know why I like it?" She smiled at him, glancing down at it. "Four hearts. You, me, Philly, and Soph. Despite everything, still connected and still strong. Even if that wasn't your intention..you somehow picked out the perfect necklace." Pressing a sweet kiss against his cheek, Troian pulled back and then nodded as he asked if she was ready to head home. She would miss the tranquility of the lake but the mosquitoes would be out soon and it was best to avoid those blood sucking parasites. "Let me help you pack all this up," she offered and quickly handed Keegan the half eaten plates of food to be placed back in the picnic basket and then held the blanket over her arm as they walked back to his car. "I hope you like my gifts too," she piped up. "I know it's silly to still care, but I always want to impress you." She nudged him playfully and then climbed in the front seat, anxious to get home and return the favor.

Keegan hadn't realized the connection Troian made but it just made it even more perfect. He knew that no matter what relationship the two of them had, all four of them would be a family and that's what was most important. "I'm sure I will. You always get me the best gifts," he told her honestly as they made their way back to the car. "I don't think that's silly, I feel the same way about you. That's why I was so worried about tonight and really hoping you would like it. I wouldn't want you to have a lame Valentines Day thanks to me," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. Once they got back to his car, Keegan put everything in the backseat and started driving back to Troian's house. He was excited to see what she got him, even if she didn't have to get him anything. When they got back to her place, Keegan followed her inside and sat down in the living room. "You know you didn't have to get me anything, right?"

Troian looked over at Keegan as he drove. "Trust me - if there's anything our time together is, it's never lame and it's never wasted," she swore to him and gave his hand a light squeeze before letting go. "I had a perfect night with you out there. I'm really happy you wanted to spend it with me." Troian knew Keegan could have easily done anything else with his time today but he made a point to do something sweet for her and that meant more than he knew. So when they pulled back up to her place, Troian carried her bag of gifts into her house and set them on the table. "Would you shush," her voice was muffled as she perused through her hall closet. She had left the bags in there so that the kids wouldn't mess with them and then came back out. "I know I didn't, but I still did because..well..because I just did," she finished her sentence not as eloquently as she would've hoped and instead, handed him the bags. "There's some stuff from the kids as well. Valentine's Day cards, candy hearts. Philly was very insistent you have candy," Troian grinned at him and sank into a chair so she could watch him open them.

Keegan rolled his eyes playfully as Troian spoke, nodding to give in. "Fine, fine. I knew that you would anyway but I don't want you to think that you have to," he rambled. He smiled at getting some stuff from the kids as well, chuckling once he saw their cards and the candy Phillip insisted on him having. "Definitely my son," he teased before beginning to go through the bag of stuff she had gotten him. He first pulled out a candle that was hot chocolate scented, making him grin. "Oh yes, this is going to be perfect to light around the house. I can't wait. It's going to smell amazing," he said. Keegan smiled as he pulled out a pocket speaker, something that would be good to play his music to hear how it sounded along with others. "Thank you, this is great," he smiled. When he pulled out a pair of Valentines Day boxers, Keegan blushed slightly and shook his head. "I'll be sure to tell you when I wear these," he teased. He then pulled out some blankets which made him chuckle, knowing that was so Troian to give him them. The last thing he pulled out was a book of photographs, nodding at the idea of getting some inspiration elsewhere. "Thank you, this could definitely help me if I'm feeling stuck on my book or anything. You're the best. All of these gifts are great. Thank you," he said, leaning over to hug her tightly.

Troian always felt a little awkward watching people unwrap or pull out presents she had gotten them but she also really wanted to see if Keegan genuinely enjoyed them. She had put a lot of thought and heart into those gifts. When he pulled out the boxers, Troian smirked back at him. It was silly, it was a little unorthodox, but Troian would be getting Keegan boxers for the rest of his natural born life because it was just tradition now. It had started as a Christmas thing and then it progressed to whatever holiday Troian could find to fit the occasion. "They'll look cute on you," she teased back and then crossed her foot underneath her leg while Keegan pulled out the last two. Presents in the past had been a lot more intimate but Troian hoped Keegan still knew that Troian meant these with as much of her heart as she had with gifts in the past. "I'm glad you liked them," she smiled back at him and leaned into his hug. His quick squeeze warmed her over and she was still smiling as she pulled away. "Happy Valentine's Day, Keegs."

Keegan smiled as he held onto Troian, resting his head against her shoulder for a few moments. "Happy Valentines Day, T," he told her, pulling back with a smile. He looked at his watch and realized that it was probably time to head out since it was late and the night was coming to an end anyway. "I had a great time last night and despite it not being my favorite holiday, it's not like I need an excuse to hang out with you," he smirked, grinning at Troian. "I'll talk to you tomorrow though, especially to make sure you still had a good time since it'll be the morning after," he teased, knowing that Troian wouldn't mind. He made his way towards the front door and said goodbye to the dogs on his way. "Goodnight, T. Sweet dreams. Happy Valentines Day again," he told her before waving and walking outside.

Troian stood up and walked Keegan out to the door. Crossing her arms over her chest comfortably, she smiled as he talked and then pushed her hand lightly against his stomach. "I'm great company, you better recognize," she pressed her lips together playfully and then nodded as he said he'd check up on her tomorrow. Pushing Buzz back with her foot, Troian grasped Keegan's shirt and held onto it for a quick second as she gave him one last kiss on the cheek. "Night, Keegs," she replied to him softly and gave him a small wave back as she watched him walk out to his car. Her eyes trained on him until she saw his headlights turn on and his car back up, Troian let out a soft sigh and then turned back around to go inside. Another Valentine's Day, another great memory to add to the never ending list.

#hvd

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faceoffdoodles · 7 years

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FaceOFF AllStars: EP2 LIVEBLOGGING - MEAN NEVILLE EDITION

I haven’t been able to watch ANYTHING and I’m so impatient to see who goes home

Although, Ben and Evan don’t look too good and I accidentally came across just PICTURES of them on Twitter, so I can make some conclusions that maayyyybee they were the ones eliminated?

Who knows, let’s watch!

Also PLEASE HAVE THE INTRO THIS TIME,

I did notice the lack of intro before but forgot to overreact to it

Adam is in the thumbnail... interesting

“McKenzie scares me” - Cig, me too, Cig

I really was wondering if someone feared McKenzie sometimes, she can be a little creepy and I like that a lot about her, she’s not just plain voice but she really sets the tone for the episode sometimes

YYYYES. THE INTRO

Both teams on bottom last time seem to be struggling

I wonder how logan feels seeing his own makeup on the intro

CAT, OH MY GOD

Her idea that Niko was planying to to marry them was so cute

I actually laughed, fuckiiing love them

Also I like the callback to McKenzie being a minister

“For this challenge you’re going look really....deep....inside” MCKENZIE!! Language!!

does anyone wonder if thats the line she uses in bed? no? sorry

So good and evil challenge, GREAT! Love these

Niko’s hair update: It seems the same height, but a little spread

Cool idea for a challenge, good and evil in one person, let’s go!!

This episode could also double for “every contestant’s backstory” episode

Evan delivers confessionals so stoic and plain it actually sucks some life out of me

I mean they are both in danger of going home today and he’s like “This is the only opportunity of creating a really cool makeup we dont want to be on the bottom this week. I don’t want to go home. No. Not at all”

I think I’ve seen Melissa’s design before, in a horror challenge from season 6 I think

The one with a Teletubbie ring on the head

Okay, picture the above creature but with some gold color on top, that’s the design they’re gong for and I think it’s a good idea

Stella wants to like, destroy the creature anatomically

YOU’RE GOING TO DESTROY YOURSELF IF YOU TRY TO SCREW WITH ANATOMY

GLENN WILL BE LIKE POW! RIGHT IN THE KISSER

Adam’s getting some highlights this episode when I felt he didn’t get a lot last episode, cool!

Was he always this serious tho?

Happy Birthday Tyler Green!!

I love Team Funny’s ideas, Love it! Hope it looks good ebcause I’ll be drawing that

Okay I thought fo sure Team Benevan was going home but Team Sassy don’t look too good today

THey came up with a decent idea

Oooh Team Talent have a really interesting concept

“THAT’S DOOOPE” - Says Emily as she hits a blunt and dabs

YEA THAT REALLY HAPPENED

Okay no it didn’t

Oh I ahven’t seen Ben this worried

Learn from Nora Ben, she could totally redo herself if she was doubting

LET NORA GIVE YOU POWERSSS

I wake up like this in the morning

I wish people were a little more creative this episode instead of being “One Half Evil, One Half Bad!”

To be fair if I were on time constraints that tight I wouldn’t think out of the box that quick

I love when Westmore walks in and the thing that Team Rage presents is just a mascara on a mannequin

Logan and Adam seem to be doing the dullest of ideas right now, it looks like a simple warrior

MICHAEL WESTMORE SCREWS TEAM SASSY OVER

That was savage, they were doubting themselves already and he comes like “WHAT IS THIS?!!”

Mold Drama today??

Who knew sassy ladies were a bit stubborn??

TYLER’S PARTY!!!!!

I LOVE HOW THEY SET UP A CASUAL PARTY FOR HIM HAHAHA

“Tyler come here a little, come chill out with us! what a tiring day huh, it sure wooould be grrreeeeat if someone brought in some CUPCAKES!”

That was so sweet

THEY EVEN MADE HIM A CARD

You can kindaa see a bit of what everyone put in there, seem like standard happy birthdays and a You Rock!

“From Your Second Family <3″ makes my heart melt though

It seemd a little bit acted out

NIKO “JOGGING” GONZALES

Team Love are wearing matching exercise outfits for all the RUNNING THEY’LL HAVE TO DO IN THE LAB TODAY

I lvoe Keaghlans shining blue outfit today

Keaghlan just made a huge amazing devil voice

Like the deepest “NOO!” you can imagine

“The devil just came out of me”

I’M GETTING TO KNOW YOU KEEGS, YOU’RE AWESOME

The episode keeps flashbacking to Team Benevans Long Daddy Legs alien and its hilarious

Team are making really cool hands and fingers everywhere

Mold Drama!!!!

I think Stella opened it too early, damn

Team Sassy in danger!

“I have no fight left in me” Aw man, first time I’ve seem someone completely give up, it’s sad that it’s Stella

You know what I’ve always appreciated? I love how the show tells us the things the contestants use to make these makeups, I love learning how Niko makes wings

Holy moly Team Funny are doing some seriously creative stuff

Thanks for the church window lifehack, Cig!

STELLA GETS A BREAK, FINALLY

She’s moving a mile a minute

TEAM Benevean are really proud of what they’re doing

That’s really important to believe in your makeup

I’m digging this creature a lot so far

God knows the judges love fancy spiral work

Team Love are also doing really amazing paintjobs

AND THEY’RE LEARNING NOT TO BREAK A MAKEUP EXACTLY DOWN THE MIDDLE

Neville Page hates that stuff

THIS IS THE RUSH HOUR NOW, LAST LOOKS

I seriously love Gage, I thinks he thinks the most like me

Nope

I’m fully convinced Stella and Jasmine are going home today

All their edit today was downhill and they’re not happy at all

The editors even left us in the dark for it to be revealed in the stage instead of a little sneak peak

Time to take a look now

AND STELLA AND JASMINES ARE THE FIRST ONE TO SOME ON

It looks better than I thought but it looks so, bland and normal, specially compared to the ideas the other teams have, though sometimes that can be for the better. Their makeup has killer paintjob and details though!

The chest piece is preeeety awful though, like, really out of place awful, and it has no color

And it looks silly, yeah, it looks like they didn’t finish painting it.

OH. MY. GOD

NEVILLE JUST HAD THE MOST EVIL, MEAN AND DISAPPOINTED LOOK I’VE EVER SEEN ON HIM

LOOK. AT. THIS. GEM

I AM SO AFRAID OF THIS NEVILLE PAGE

HE EVEN DID A MENACING BREATH

Stella: “and maybe we will be safe! I don’t know!”

Neville: *mean face*

I can see all the rage forming on his head, I can hear his words through his teeth, I can see my self looking at those eyes, full of hatred, and pissing my pants like Jason from Season 9 whenever Glenn Hetrick said his name

The Master of Terrified reactions has come back, everybody!!! Long time I haven’t used you Jason, welcome back!!!

Okay Ben really knows how to pull gold celestial makeup so his angel looks GREAT

I think his devil could have used a little more

I CAN BE YOUR ANGLE.... AND YOUR DEVIL

Team Funny’s stone sculpting is GORGEOUS but if I didn’t know what it was about I would be pretty confused

HOLY SHIT!!! EMILY AND TYLERS CREATION IS BEAU- TI- FUL

Love it, love at first sight, love IT

It totally nails the challenge and it’s just, magnificent

It’s like something from Season 5

I like the way it goes from perfect arches to crooked putrid remains, I love the different colored eyes and the gray pupil, it’s like something mythical. I love mythical ceratures on FaceOff. This is right up my alley!

I hope the judges love it because I do, so much

Logan and Adm’s creation is pretty awful and silly

It looks like it belongs on another challenge

The 80′s wig is pretty out of place there, too

It has some things on the face but it can’t really read that well from afar, I think it’s too skin-colored

The chest piece is cool tho

I’m not sure about the hand coming out of the neck

TEAM BLUE’S MAKEUP is also pretty great looking, great color sceme and design.

OH MY GOD, THE EYE CHEST PIECE TOTALLY WORKS

One of the most creative chest pieces for sure, man I really like this makeup as well

I’m not sure who sould be Top Spot at this point

I really like the ring on the head too, good job, Melissa and Keegs.

Team Rage made something that I presume will be safe, it’s pretty safe looking

Team LOVE’s makeup has a GREAT color sceme but I think the wings are too high

Does it fly with her EARS???

Love the paintjob on it though, great, GREAT contrast

The wings are AMAZING too, so

Good on Cat for making the call for the feathers!

Glenn says Team Sassy’s chest piece looks like it was just pasted with glue, it’s true

And I hadn’t noticed but the horns do look too squishy lmao

TEAM FUNNY HAS A DEMON FACE ON THE SHOULDER I DIDN’T SEE EITHER, that’s pretty creative

Glenn has a point in that the makeups feels very Native American, i had that on the back of my mind but didn’t know exactly what i reminded me of

Thanks Glenn!

The judges LOVE the arch creature, LOVE IT

The judges also LOVE team LOVE’S makeup!! I’m glad!!

Niko and Cat really do make an amazing team together

Did they skip Team Blue’s makeup??? I don’t recall any critiques of it

Team Love and Team Talent on Top

Team Logam and Team Sassy on bottom, those are my bets

I went back a bit and yep, they skipped Team Blue’s makeup, certainly safe

WOAH This is weird, there are 5 people in the BEst and Worst

It usually is in pairs

I think it’s because Ben and Evan were on danger last week but did alright this week so it was just to recall who is in danger

Their makeup is pretty alright

The judges do like it

Jasmine and Stella are definitely going home, how sad

God the love angel looks so beautiful from afar

I like this shot of Logan and Adam, hold on

Like “Yep. We fucked up”

Logan even does an eyebrow disa`ppointment look

Team Talent is so POWERFUL

THE BACK WINGS ARE AWMAZING I HADNT SEEM THEM

I love how sad they look, and I love that they’re gold

Man this was just very beautiful

Oh man I’m not ready for Glenn to bash Stella and Jasmine

It breaks me, it really breaks me

Stella looks very sad, like she’s about to cry

I can’t take this

However, I’m gonna love seeing Cat and Niko get praised

Go Team So-Sweet-You’re-giving-me-Diabetes!!

VE NEILL CANT CONTAIN HER GLEE AT HOW AWESOME SHE FINDS THIS ANGEL!!

And even she says this is the best beauty makeup she’s ever seen on the show, GOD yes!

I like seeing them get praised because on other places they were so bashed, and I feel like sometimes it went too far. Like Cat had great talent but was put on a horror-themed season (and even then she failed on the most fantastical of challegnes, how ironic) but I liked her, Niko made it all the way to 4th but everyone said it was a fluke and that he got lucky everyone else just did worse than him all the time and that he was just a pretty face, but together they seem really great so far.

It makes me feel nice, totally rooting for them

“I THINK ITS AWESOME *HEH*”

Love Ve Neill’s laugh

And God knows she loves big wings

HAHAHAHAHAHAH

NE VEILL PAGE POINTING OUT HOW NIKO’S HAIR IS RIDICULOUSLY DEFYING OF ALL KNOWN PHYSICS

“Big, Profoundly Strong in regards to his silhouette, and defying the laws of physics, I’m referring to your hair.” - Ne Veill “No Hair Up There” Page

“How the hell do you do it, man!” - Neville “Bald Mage” Page

I think he always wanted to make this joke since Season 6

I mean even after all these years HE STILL HAS THE SAME HAIRSTYLE

Poor guy just wants to have hair,

I also love this Nevilla Page reactions picture, by the way.

“BIG!”

Neville is impressed at the SIZE

the TECHNIQUE

the SILHOUETTE

the ANATOMY

the CORRECTNESS OF THE WINGS

I love Neville Page so much

They totally spot the highlight from Glenn

I think Niko and Cat are totally winning this

“His horns looked like SLUGS!” - Ve Neill, made me chuckle

Just the way she said it

Its painfully obvious Jasmine and Stella are going home, no need to hide it

I’m surprised they didn’t mention Team Talent on top

Cat n’ Niko have to win this

AND THEY DO!! I’M SO HAPPY!!!!

Cat finally wins something!!!!! YESSS!!!

“YAH WE WIN!!! IT AHSOM!!!” - NIKO’S HAPPY EXPRESSIONS ARE HILARIOUS, i love youuu

It’s sad this is Stella and Jasmine’s second chance, like

Really sad

Too soon

Goodbye, sassy girls

Stella shrugs it off but I know she is very sad

Jasmine has the same facial expression as ever

Tragic second chance

Also I wish Jasmine was focused on more

I feel like I didn’t see her at all

Well I was rooting for her so much since I thought the Gauntlet was a bit unfair ro Jazz but well, she didn’t really show up in here

See ya next time everybody!

And yes, Stella cried

CONCLUSION:

What. a. great. episode. The first half of building and sculpting went by pretty normal, standard, almost looking like a middle of the road episode but the second half had me stitches, it was so funny and the judges seem to be enjoying themselves more and more and I love that! Neville is letting his comedic side take over, Ve Neill isn’t afraid to express how happy she feels about a makeup and Glenn makes a great stoic to contrast the funnier judges, also the makeups the teams created were astounding! Agree with the top spot, I’m so glad that Team LOVE are finding their ground and the elimination was also very fair, I thought Stella and Jasmine had some serious talent to show everyone else but I think it was the team dyamic of that season what did them in, I think they’re better individually, (Stella more so), but you gotta get with the times.

#syfy #face off #all stars #season 11 #react #episode 2 #cat #niko gonzalez

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strangeperfectionss · 5 years

Note

💕 Austin & Keeg

SEND 💕 TO JUST GRAB MY MUSE & KISS THEM! || @mollygetyourgun || selectively accepting

Austin was only supposed to be at the bar to see Georgie’s boyfriend. Go in, have a drink, tell Georgie he was cute and they were perfect together, and get out. That’s it. But that was oh, four (?) shots ago and no one is showing any signs of slowing down. Apparently, it’s someone’s birthday in the family and when they found out who Georgie was, they insisted she and her friend stay and celebrate with them. Which was sweet and welcoming and a super good sign for Georgie, but Austin...well, Austin can’t hang the way Georgie can.

She hops down off her stool and follows the hazy directions one of the patrons gave her to the bathroom. She takes a moment after washing her hands, steadying herself on the counter. She blinks a few times, watching as the world slowly comes back into focus. “No more shots. I don’t care who gives them to you,” she tells her reflection. She fixes her hair and lipstick before heading out, bumping into someone. “Shit, my bad, I’m sorry. Did I make you spill your drink?” she asks.

The hottest dude she’s probably ever seen in her life turns around and flashes her a smile. “No, you didn’t. You’re fine, really, don’t worry about it,” he answers, trying to place her. “You must be Jimmy’s girlfriend? They said she’d be the pretty blonde hanging around.”

She doesn’t know whether to be amused or grossed out that he’s hitting on who he thinks is his friend or family’s girlfriend, but she chuckles a little. “Oh, no, that’s not me. I’m her friend, Austin.”

“Ah, well, in that case, I am his cousin Keegan.”

He’s charming, more charming than she cares to admit, and soon enough, she’s too wrapped up in him to notice her phone buzzing in her pocket as Georgie tries to figure out where the fuck she went. Hell, she even gets another drink with him and does her first Irish Car Bomb, which she does not ever want to do again. But she’s having fun.

The crowd starts thinning out and they’re still hanging out, talking about whatever stupid thing pops into their mind. And before they know it, Jimmy’s coming over to tell them it’s last call. She can’t believe it’s gotten so late. “Fuck, how did that happen?”

“Time flies when you’re having fun?” he suggests with a sly smirk.

She rolls her eyes but she’s smiling back. “I should go, though. Don’t wanna hold anyone up.”

“Or you could come back to mine?”

“What?” she asks, caught off guard by the offer, though she’s not upset by it.

He leans in, hand resting on the side of her neck, and kisses her. “Come back to mine?” he asks, running his hand through the ends of her hair.

“Yeah, I guess I could do that.”

#mollygetyourgun #idk hope this is okay!!#it was fun!#Anonymous

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hqtbells-blog · 7 years

Text

let me go home + treegan

TAGGING: Troian Bellisario, Keegan Allen @supitskeegs, Phillip + Sophia Allen.

LOCATION: Lax, Keegan’s home, Troian’s home. Los Angeles, CA.

TIMEFRAME: March 25th, 2017. Late night.

NOTES: On the eve of Phillip’s third birthday, Troian comes home from weeks away and is just a little bit home sick..and heart sick. Featuring a comforting Keegan Allen + two almost suffocated children.

Troian woke up from her small slumber as soon as she heard the pilot letting the flight know that they were landing soon. Her stomach swirled anxiously - but these were good nerves, she was so excited to be back on California soil and reunited with her kids. Staying in Toronto all this time had done a number on her. There were bags under her eyes, her voice was hoarse from lack of sleep, and Troian knew she had lost a few pounds from loss of appetite. It was all part of the job, to have to go to different countries and be away from her family, but this had been rough on Troian. The stress of working with her ex, the stress of being away from her kids, the stress of just being alone out there..Troian suddenly realized just how hard it had been for Keegan when he was doing his play in NYC that long time ago. It wasn't hard to imagine just how lonely and isolated he felt when she was sitting in her hotel room, watching everyone she loved live their lives with each other from her Instagram and Snapchat. Shaking herself out of this reverie, Troian exhaled as the plane came to a shuddering stop. No matter - she was home now. Standing up to collect her carry-on and waiting for the aisle to be clear, Troian pulled out her phone and texted Keegan. 'Just landed. Be out soon. xo.' Hitting send, Troian shouldered her bag and smiled gratefully at a man who stopped to let her exit.

Keegan was glad that Troian was coming back to Los Angeles. He knew that she was having a hard time being far away in Toronto for this long, especially being away from the kids for this long. It was hard and Keegan had tried to make his way there to visit but he was busy himself and Phillip was still giving him a hard time every now and then like he was giving Troian a hard time prior to that. He didn't know what was going on but maybe now that Troian would be back in California, they'd be able to make a first step in doing something about it. Keegan decided to leave the kids at home since it was getting late and to get them all ready to go in the car and out seemed pointless. Keegan knew Troian could see them once he picked her up and then they could go home with her, knowing she'd probably need that. Waiting for her outside the airport, Keegan saw a text from her saying she landed which made him tell her where she could find him. He got out of the car so she would be able to spot him better and he looked for her as well. Waving his hand when he saw her, Keegan got her attention and started walking towards her. "Hey, welcome home," he smiled before giving her a hug.

Troian exited the plane and headed off towards her gate. It was late at night so not too many people were crowding around the area and it didn't take her long to find Keegan in the sea of people. A genuine smile split across her face as soon as she saw him, and she quickened her pace to meet him halfway. Not saying a word, Troian dropped her carry on bag to the ground and wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight squeeze. Just being held by Keegan right now felt incredible and breathing in his familiar, and comforting, smell made the knot in her chest loosen. "Hi," she finally greeted him back and brushed her hair away from her face. She was glad he had offered to pick her up because the thought of driving home by herself right now was too sad to think about. She had been alone for too long and she just wanted to have him by her side for a little bit. "I'm guessing the kids are at home?" She questioned, guiding him over to baggage claim and pulling her suitcase off the carousel. "I hope they're still up when we get back." Moving closer to him, Troian wrapped an arm around Keegan's waist. "It's /really/ good to see you," she confessed to him with a small smile. "Was the traffic bad?"

Keegan held her tightly, sensing that she needed it and only pulling away a few minutes later when she spoke. "Yeah, I decided on not bringing them. I figured I'd just drive you back to my place and you can see them and bring them home with you if you want. I know you've been away from them for a while and today is your day anyway," he said to Troian. "Oh they'll still be up. I told them I was going to get you and they're all excited. My mom is with them now," he smiled. "It's really good to see you too. The traffic wasn't bad, no. It usually isn't this time of night so you planned your flight perfectly," he smiled. Keegan helped Troian with her bags and put them in the trunk before getting in the car and driving once she was settled. "So how are you doing? And tell me honestly."

Troian smiled at the thought of the kids waiting up to see her. She knew she was going to be a tearful mess upon being reunited with them so the drive over would be great to get herself together. As they stopped at Keegan's car, Troian handed Keegan some of her heavier bags and then slid her suitcase into the final slot that was allotted, stepping back so Keegan could shut the trunk. That had been a simple thing to do but she already felt exhausted. She needed either a large cup of coffee or to just chill out in a comfy seat for a minute. Getting into the front passenger seat of Keegan's car, Troian rested her legs up on the dashboard and slumped over. "I'm so tired," she answered him with her eyes closed. "I feel like I haven't slept properly in years. And I just wanna like..cry, you know? Like just get everything out and then I'll be good." Straightening up, Troian cleared her throat and gave Keegan a small smile. "But I'm really happy to be home and to be seeing you. I feel like this is the easiest I've breathed since I left."

Keegan listened as Troian said she was tired, knowing she was probably working a lot there and maybe not even sleeping well since she seemed homesick. "Cry?" He questioned, furrowing his brows. It was one thing to be home sick but for some reason, this felt like something more. "What do you need to get out?" He asked her, focusing on the road. He was glad she was happy to be home and already starting to feel a little better but Keegan could still tell something was off. "It feels like there's something you're not telling me. Like something that might've happened? Did something happen while you were there that you didn't like?" He asked hesitantly. Keegan hoped nothing serious was going on and it really was just her being homesick and needing to catch up on sleep but he wanted to make sure it was that and only that.

Troian stared out the window as Keegan drove, before turning her face to him. He seemed genuinely concerned and of course he would be - this was /Keegan/ and he cared more about others than himself. "You know when you're just..thrown into something new and you have nobody around you?" Troian's fingers played with the frayed hems of a distressed tee she had thrown over herself for the flight over and then cleared her throat. "Remember when you left for New York when you got your play? You were always so sad when we talked, and you always seemed so lonely. I thought I understood but I don't think I /really/ understood just how stifling that loneliness was until I experienced it myself. It's like while I was in Toronto, I was on an island all by myself and it just got really..dark sometimes. I've felt so sad these past few weeks and I haven't known how to tell anybody." This was not the way Troian wanted to start out her homecoming but maybe it was better for her to get it out of her system. And who else but Keegan was going to give her the comfort she needed? "I did..stupid things and I've just felt really lost. I've felt really homesick, Keegs. And especially with Philly acting up..it didn't feel right for me to be over there and I couldn't shake that feeling away."

Keegan nodded when Troian started comparing how she felt to how he did when first getting to New York City to do his play. It was an exciting, new experience for him and while he was excited, he definitely struggled. It was hard being across the country, starting something new and not knowing anyone and just having to make his way. Now that Troian was saying that's how she felt, he understood completely and let out a sigh. "I'm sorry, T. You should've told me this before hand, you know? You know I know how it feels and you could've said something while you were there so that I could've tried to help make it a little easier," he said quietly. "I know, it's even harder for you I'm sure because we have kids now. When I was in NYC, we didn't have kids so I wasn't missing them on top of it," he mumbled. "But this is just what we're going to have to get used to, right? Now that we're going to be starting new projects, who knows where they're going to be or for how long. It's the business we're in and it's hard but I know you can do it," he told her. "We'll be able to figure out what's going on with Philip. You're home now and hopefully things will start to get better."

Troian nodded as Keegan spoke, knowing he was right. "It's just..I know I can always come to you. I know that, Keegs, really. But it's..different now that we're separated. You know?" She turned her face to look at him, biting her bottom lip and hoping that this came out the way she meant it to. "I can't just dump all my stuff on you - When we were dating, you'd be the first person I called because that just came with the territory. You had to deal with my shit," Troian joked, letting out a soft laugh and then sighed. "But you're not obligated to do that anymore. You've got your own life, your own things to be worrying about. I can't make you fix my messes every single time." Troian had wanted to call Keegan so many times but when did that turn into her using him as a crutch and stopping him from doing his own thing? Troian never wanted to cross that line. "I guess I've just got to figure out how to handle it better. I always get really bad anxiety when my routine is changed." She played with her hands before looking back up. "You're right, though. I'll be wrapped soon and then I'll be home and this will just be a rough spot. All I want to focus on right now is celebrating Philly."

Keegan knew that Troian had a point and it was different now. They weren't together, but that didn't mean Keegan wasn't going to not be there for Troian when she was going through something. "You make it sound like I was forced to or something," he chuckled, shaking his head. "But we're still best friends, T. I mean sure, there's a difference now obviously but I'm always going to be here for you. That's always been evident whether we're dating or not," he shrugged. "I wouldn't have minded and you wouldn't have kept me from doing anything else. I could be helping you while still going on with my life. You aren't a burden," he told her sincerely. "But it is important for you to focus on yourself and do what's best for you and I know it helps you if you're able to figure out how to handle things your way. No one else can do that for you," he said quietly. "Yeah, you'll be alright. It's just a rough spot and things get better, they always do. You got it. We're going to make sure Sunday is real special for him."

Troian smiled slightly at the sincerity in Keegan's tone. "You know me," she stated softly. "I always feel like a burden." She gave him a wry smile and then brushed her hair away from her face again. "You're probably the only one I've really told this to because you're the only one I knew wouldn't think I was a complete basketcase." Troian had always had a problem opening up to others and talking about herself and in the beginning with Keegan, it had been a huge struggle. She was used to taking care of herself, even if her self-care methods weren't exactly healthy sometimes. "But thanks Keegs." Troian reached over and grabbed his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze before letting go so he could focus on driving. She knew that the pit in her stomach wasn't going to go completely away with one talk but tonight, at least she didn't feel so alone.

Keegan shook his head. "I'll never see you that way. As a burden or a basketcase. You know that," he told her. "I'm always going to be here so it's up to you on how much you want to tell me or how you want me involved. You don't have to do it all alone but I know it's important for you to figure things out on your own too. But even while you're doing that, I can still help you however I can," he said, squeezing her hand in return. He hoped that Troian felt a little better about things, even if he knew it wouldn't be an instant cure. A few minutes later he was pulling into the driveway and smiled softly. "I know you're going to feel much better after seeing Philly and Soph," he said while nodding, getting out of the car and making his way to the house. He opened the door and closed it once Troian was inside. "Guess who's back?!" Keegan yelled out and a few minutes later, his kids came running. "Mommy!" They exclaimed and Keegan smiled as he looked on at them reuniting.

Troian reflected on Keegan's words as they neared closer and closer to his home. There were some things she /couldn't/ tell him - she certainly wasn't going to spill on her one night stand. She knew Keegan wouldn't think less of her and she knew she didn't have anything to apologize for but..still. It wasn't as if she wanted to hear about his sexual adventures either. Her stomach twisting at this thought, Troian forced herself to stop thinking about all the things that usually kept her up all night in Toronto. She was home, she had Keegan right beside her completely willing and wanting to listen to whatever she had to say and in a few minutes, she'd be hugging the stuffing out of her kids. When the car was parked, Troian was out of it in a flash and at the front door before Keegan could even lock the car behind him. One doorknob twisting open and then Troian was kneeling down, pressing kisses into her son and daughter's hair. "My babies," she squealed. "Mommy missed you! Were you good for Daddy?" She pulled them closer to her and beamed at Keegan as he came in after her, watching them. "No," Troian protested as Phillip began to wriggle. "Let me love you!" His laughter was music to her ears as she held him tighter. "Daddy can wait for hugs, just a little longer!"

Keegan smiled as Troian continued hugging Phillip and Sophia. She wouldn't let them go and that didn't surprise him, though it made him chuckle since they were being suffocated and clearly getting annoyed by it like most little kids did. Laughing as she spoke, Keegan placed a hand on Troian's shoulder once she spoke. "Maybe let them breathe for a little and then you can hug them later. Plus you have the rest of the night and you can put them to bed. You'll get your time," he smiled. "Why don't you guys get your stuff ready so that you can go home with Mommy in a few minutes?" He said, mainly to Phillip who would be able to do so. Sophia would need some help but thankfully Troian had stuff at her house anyway. "So are you gonna be okay?" He asked Troian once they were alone.

Troian pouted as Keegan gently reminded her that their children needed to breathe to see another day. "Fine," she grumbled and reluctantly let Phillip and Sophia go. She had been picturing this moment for ages and her arms were already antsy to hold them again. Watching as they went to go get their things, Troian bit her lip. She had been wanting to ask Keegan if she could crash there for the night but now that she thought about it, her bed was sounding amazing. The thought of sprawling out on it with both kids next to her as they slept was the closest thing to Heaven she was going to get. Turning to face Keegan as he asked her a question, Troian pushed her mouth to the side as she contemplated her answer. "I feel like there's still something heavy in me," she admitted. "But I think I'm going to be okay. I always am, right?" She gave him a small smile and then looked around the room. "Can you believe he turns three tomorrow? It seemed like just yesterday I was throwing my pregnancy stick at you.." Grinning at him and giving him a sideways glance, Troian chuckled.

Keegan nodded when Troian spoke, glad that she said she was going to be okay. "Of course and I have no doubt that you will be," he said, grabbing her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "It's insane, I can't believe it. Three years really flew by..." He trailed off, shaking his head in disbelief. Phillip came towards them with Sophia trailing behind and they looked ready to go, causing Keegan to smile. "Good job, I'm proud of you. Thank you for helping your sister too. Such a big boy," he said, ruffling Phillip's hair gently. "I'll drop you guys off since you don't have your car here," he said to Troian, leading the way outside. He got Phillip and Sophia in the car before getting in the driver's seat and driving to Troian's place. They started talking about Phillip's birthday party in the car to get him all excited and Keegan grinned. It was nice to have these family moments every now and then regardless if they were together or not. Pulling into Troian's driveway, Keegan got out of the car so that he could help get the kids inside and say goodbye to them properly.

Troian "Yeah. It did," Troian reflected softly, stuck in her own memories. That was Troian - always stuck in the past. A painful ache settled over her chest and she opened her mouth to say something to Keegan but they were interrupted by their children coming in. Troian never knew this if this was a blessing or an obstacle for her. Still, unable to stop herself from smiling, Troian picked up Phillip and nodded as Keegan offered to drive them home. "Thanks," she told him and pushed Phillip's hair aside. "You excited for tomorrow? You're turning three!" "I'm turning three?" Phillip sweetly questioned, apparently unable to figure out what that mean but knowing it was big. Troian chuckled, nodding, and handed him to Keegan to put in the car seat. The ride over was too quick for Troian's liking and when they pulled in, Troian got her bags while Keegan ushered them in. When she had shut the front door behind her, Troian leaned against it. "You sure you have to go?" She asked wistfully, biting her lip and then straightened up, chuckling self consciously. "Sorry. Of course you have to go. I'll be there bright and early to help you set up tomorrow."

Keegan got inside of Troian's house and greeted the dogs before looking at Phillip and Sophia. "Okay guys, give Daddy a hug and kiss. I'll see you tomorrow for Philly's big day," he said, getting a grin out of Phillip which made him smile. He hugged and kissed both of them and said goodnight. "Your last night as a two year old, make it count," he said to his son before winking. Once they went upstairs, Keegan looked at Troian and smiled slightly when she spoke. "I hate to leave you but yeah, I should get home and I'm sure you're excited to sleep in your own bed tonight. Plus we're going to have a long day tomorrow so we should both go to bed as soon as we can," he chuckled, walking over to give her another hug. "Thank you, but I'll take care of things in the morning too. We make a great team," he told her, squeezing her shoulder gently before pulling away. "Night T. I'll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams."

Troian smiled slightly, nodding. She knew Keegan was right but that didn't mean she wasn't disappointed he couldn't stay the night. She watched as he said goodbye to Phillip and Sophia and Troian nodded her head towards the staircase. "I'll be up there in a bit. Go get in Mommy's bed." Their footsteps pounded up and Troian watched until she saw Phillip's legs disappear around the corner. "Yeah. A great team," she echoed and clutched the end of the staircase. She waited until he had disappeared behind the door before finishing in a soft voice, "Night Keegs." Pressing her lips together, Troian exhaled and then turned around to head up to her children. Home sweet home, if only for a little bit.

#p:lmgh

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